Category: Islamabad

New york: The Assembly of US state of New Jersey marked Muslim Heritage Month with a ceremony at the Statehouse in Trenton, recognizing the contributions of Muslim-Americans to the states cultural and social fabric.

The event brought together lawmakers and community members to highlight the role of Muslim communities in fostering diversity, education, and interfaith engagement. New Jersey is home to around 320,000 Muslims, which is about 3.5% of the state's population.

As part of the event, Assembly woman Shama Haider honoured two young Pakistani-American leaders, Hannan Arshad and Rizwan Ali, for their commitment to civic engagement and interfaith dialogue. Before migrating to the United States, Ms. Haider served as secretary to former Pakistani FirstLady, Begum Nusrat Bhutto.

Hannan Arshad, a Rutgers University graduate currently pursuing a Masters in Healthcare Administration at Ne York University and working at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, was recognized for his involvement in interfaith initiatives and community service. He has been an active participant in the New Jersey Pakistan Day Parade and local political efforts.

Rizwan Ali, serving as the Religious Chairman of Darul Islah Mosque and Community Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, was acknowledged for his role in promoting interfaith dialogue and organizing community events, including Teanecks Muslim Heritage Month celebration. He is also the author of MetalGhost, a novel centered on a Muslim superhero.

Muslim Heritage Month, now in its second year in New Jersey, serves as a platform to highlight the contributions of Muslim Americans in various fields while promoting cultural understanding and unity.

Meanwhile, the Consulate General of Pakistan, New York, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at the development and empowerment of the Pakistani and Muslim communities in New Jersey and other states under its consular jurisdiction in the United States.

Islamabad: Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam has called for urgent action to safeguard the world's wetlands, emphasizing their significant role in environmental preservation, biodiversity, and combating impacts of climate change.

In her message on World Wetland Day being observed under the theme "protecting wetlands for our common future", Romina Khurshid highlighted the indispensable role wetlands play in ensuring environmental sustainability, supporting biodiversity, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

She called for strengthened global and national efforts to safeguard these vital ecosystems.

The United Nations has designated February 2 as World Wetland Day to commemorate the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.

As part of Pakistan's commitment to the Ramsar Convention, the country has designated 19 wetlands of international importance, including the famous Keenjhar Lake, Rann of Kutch, and the Haleji Lake, which support a wide variety of wildlife, especially for around 2 million migratory birds from countries in Central Asia, Siberia, and northern parts of Europe.

PM's aide stated that although the country contributes only 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, has been ranked as the 5th most climate-vulnerable nation. This stark disparity highlights the country's heightened risk to the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, floods, droughts, and rising temperatures, which pose significant threats to its population, economy, and place additional pressure on its wetland resources.

She stated that climate change has exacerbated the challenges faced by wetlands in Pakistan. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increasing sea levels are causing wetlands to shrink disrupting the delicate balance of these ecosystems.

She emphasized that wetlands act as natural buffers against floods and function as carbon sinks, absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide which helps mitigating the effects of global warming.

Romina Khurshid Alam reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting these vital ecosystems by strengthening environmental policies, promoting sustainable water management, and working closely with local communities to ensure that wetlands are preserved for future generations.

'Pakistan has shown resilience in the face of climate change, and our government is continuously taking steps to address environmental degradation. Wetlands, especially in regions like the Indus Delta, play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance and supporting livelihoods,' she said.

To enhance awareness about the importance of wetlands, Alam called on all segments of society including government, private, civil society, and individuals to engage actively in conservation green initiatives. This involves reducing pollution, expanding green spaces, and educating local communities about the benefits of preserving healthy wetland ecosystems.

'As we observe World Wetland Day, it is essential that we commit taking action not just today but every day to safeguard the wetlands and the countless species that depend on them,' she noted. 'By collaborating, we can preserve these precious resources and build a sustainable future of environment'.

New york: The Assembly of US state of New Jersey marked Muslim Heritage Month with a ceremony at the Statehouse in Trenton, recognizing the contributions of Muslim-Americans to the states cultural and social fabric.

The event brought together lawmakers and community members to highlight the role of Muslim communities in fostering diversity, education, and interfaith engagement. New Jersey is home to around 320,000 Muslims, which is about 3.5% of the state's population.

As part of the event, Assembly woman Shama Haider honoured two young Pakistani-American leaders, Hannan Arshad and Rizwan Ali, for their commitment to civic engagement and interfaith dialogue. Before migrating to the United States, Ms. Haider served as secretary to former Pakistani FirstLady, Begum Nusrat Bhutto.

Hannan Arshad, a Rutgers University graduate currently pursuing a Masters in Healthcare Administration at Ne York University and working at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, was recognized for his involvement in interfaith initiatives and community service. He has been an active participant in the New Jersey Pakistan Day Parade and local political efforts.

Rizwan Ali, serving as the Religious Chairman of Darul Islah Mosque and Community Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, was acknowledged for his role in promoting interfaith dialogue and organizing community events, including Teanecks Muslim Heritage Month celebration. He is also the author of MetalGhost, a novel centered on a Muslim superhero.

Muslim Heritage Month, now in its second year in New Jersey, serves as a platform to highlight the contributions of Muslim Americans in various fields while promoting cultural understanding and unity.

Meanwhile, the Consulate General of Pakistan, New York, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at the development and empowerment of the Pakistani and Muslim communities in New Jersey and other states under its consular jurisdiction in the United States.

Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police's Kohsar team has arrested two wanted members of a notorious bike lifter gang involved in numerous motorcycle thefts and recovered two stolen motorbikes from their possession on Sunday.

A public relation officer told reporter that the Kohsar police team used technical and human resources and succeeded in apprehending a wanted member of a notorious bike lifter gang involved in numerous bikes lifting activities in various areas of Kohsar police station.

He said the accused were identified as Sajjad Ali and Shan Ali. Police team also recovered two stolen motorbikes from their possession. The cases have already been registered against the nabbed accused and further investigation is underway.

DIG Muhammad Jawad Tariq also directed officers for an effective crackdown against the accused involved in criminal activities and to take all possible measures to protect the life and property of the citizens.

DIG further said that no criminal element will be allowed to disturb the peace of the people.

Islamabad: The 2025-26 Indian Budget's allocation of Rs 41,000.07 crore for Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir( IIOJK) has drawn strong criticism from business leaders and trade organizations, who have expressed disappointment over the lack of a special economic package to revive the territory's struggling industrial sector.

The President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC and I), Javid Tenga, voiced concerns over the Rs 1,200 crore reduction in the budget compared to the previous year.

He stated, 'We were expecting an increase of at least 20-25% to support development and fund inflows in the territory.

This reduction raises serious concerns about how development will take place and how funds will be generated for various sectors.'

Tenga further lamented that the budget lacked direct relief for traders and industrialists in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. 'There is no special package for our industrial sector, which has been our long-standing demand,' he added.

A KCCI spokesman echoed these concerns, stating, 'The budget includes commendable initiatives, but there is a pressing need for a special revival and infrastructural development package tailored to the unique challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir, especially considering the huge unemployment problem.'

Mohammad Yaseen Khan, another prominent trade leader, criticized the budget for failing to address the specific economic difficulties faced by businesses in the territory.

'The budget lacks the elements to tackle the economic challenges of IIOJK there is nothing in the budget for middle-class traders on the ground,' he remarked.

Business leaders across Kashmir have stressed the urgent need for increased financial support, restoration of the Rs 1,200 crore cut, and a dedicated economic revival package to boost industrial growth and employment in the territory.

Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have intensified their crackdown against illegal weapons, arresting 13 individuals and recovering 13 illegal firearms, including nine pistols and four rifles, along with ammunition, in the past 24 hours.

A public relation officer told reporter on Sunday that the action was taken under the special directives of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, as part of a broader campaign to curb illegal weapons and enhance public safety.

In this regard, 13 accused involved in possessing illegal weapons were arrested during the last 24 hours. Police teams also recovered 09 pistols, 04 rifles and guns with ammunition from their possession. Additionally, 13 cases were registered against them at various police stations.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Muhammad Shoaib Khan said that the aim of the campaign is to prevent crime in the city, rid the city of illegal weapons, and ensure the safety of citizens' lives and property.

SSP further said that, actions against criminal elements across Islamabad will be intensified, and a comprehensive strategy will be adopted to address this issue.

No element will be allowed to disrupt public peace, use illegal weapons in the federal capital, or spread fear and panic among citizens. Citizens who possess licensed firearms are requested to register them with their respective police stations and cooperate with the Islamabad Police during the ongoing campaign against illegal weapons, Shoaib Khan added.

The Islamabad Police is utilizing all available resources to ensure the safety and security of citizens' lives and property.