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AJK PM seeks more vibrant role for Kashmiri expatriates to highlight early solutions to the Kashmir issue


Mirpur: Kashmir-origin member of the British House of Lords, Lord Qurban Hussain on Wednesday, met with Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, Prime Minister of the Azad at the Jammu and Kashmir House in the federal metropolis, and discussed matters of mutual interest, including the early peaceful settlement of the global issue of Kashmir, it was officially said.



The two leaders emphasized the need of strengthening ties between Azad Jammu Kashmir and the international community, raising the urgency of the early peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue, an AJK govt. handout issued late Wednesday said.



Speaking on this occasion, the AJK Prime Minister called upon the Kashmiri diaspora, particularly the community in the United Kingdom, to play an active role in raising awareness about Kashmir’s plight. He urged that the British Parliament, along with other international forums, must join efforts to expose India’s atrocities in the region and advocate for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.



Anwar-ul-Haq also emphasized the need for greater cooperation in the fields of youth exchange programs for university students and the expansion of technical circles.



He underscored the importance of drawing international attention to the ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir, particularly in light of the region’s ongoing struggle for freedom.



Prime Minister Haq also highlighted that the development and prosperity of Azad Kashmir remain top priorities for the government. He shared that significant progress is being made on several mega projects aimed at improving the welfare of the people, including plans to develop an airport in Mirpur. While the construction of an international airport had been proposed, a briefing revealed that it may not be feasible at this stage.



“However, the government is taking steps to prepare a feasibility study for the construction of a domestic airport in the region. In his remarks, Lord Qurban Hussain reassured the AJK Prime Minister that the British expatriate community would fully support efforts to highlight the Kashmir issue on the international stage, particularly within the British Parliament.



Lord Qurban praised the government’s developmental agenda, emphasizing that the region would be on the path of progress through practical measures that contribute to both economic growth and the welfare of the people.



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BBoIT, FPCCI to jointly organize Balochistan Summit 2025 in end January


Karachi: The Balochistan Summit 2025, aimed at promoting business, investment, joint ventures industrialization and global scale trade activities in the province, will be organized on January 27-28, 2025 in Islamabad.



The Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade (BBoIT) and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) will jointly organize the two day event, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, informed in a statement issued here on Tuesday.



The FPCCI chief reiterated apex body’s stance that Balochistan needs special attention of the government for flourishing economic activities and attract investment in the province including industrialization, tax waivers and incentives, setting up special economic zones (SEZs), establishing Bank of Balochistan on the lines of other provinces and maintenance of law and order.



Vice Chairman, Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade (BBoIT), Bilal Khan Kakar, explained that the motive behind taking FPCCI on-board this year is have the backing of the entire business, industry and trade community of Pakistan; and, ensuring their participation in the Balochistan Summit 2025 – as FPCCI represents all 284 chambers, trade bodies and industry associations of Pakistan across all sectors of the national economy.



Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, maintained that like Bank of Punjab, Bank of Khyber and Sindh Bank, the federal and provincial governments should facilitate the establishment of the Bank of Balochistan to enhance industries’ access to finance. ‘Only a full-fledged and dedicated bank can fill the yawning vacuum in business and industrial financing in the province,’ he added.



Nasir Khan, VP FPCCI from Balochistan, highlighted shrinking youth employment opportunities and urged to support SME sector the real engine of growth and employment generation, and setting up an insurance company in Balochistan. He also proposed a public-private partnership (3P) model for setting up institutions or organizations that create and support an ecosystem for a thriving business environment.



Mian Zahid Hussain, Chairman FPCCI-PAB, highlighted the fact that the people of Balochistan are resilient; and, business, commercial, trade, investment, industrial and economic activities in the province are going on due to their dynamism. However, cottage industries and MSME sector should be protected to keep the provincial economy afloat.



Senior member FPCCI and former CPLC Chief Ahmed Chinoy, highlighted the need for a major marketing and PR campaign for Balochistan to attract domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI) into the province through assuring the investors and entrepreneurs full safety and security. FPCCI will be fully supporting the armed forces and the government in all such endeavors, he added.



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AJK PM seeks more vibrant role for Kashmiri expatriates to highlight early solutions to the Kashmir issue


Mirpur: Kashmir-origin member of the British House of Lords, Lord Qurban Hussain on Wednesday, met with Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, Prime Minister of the Azad at the Jammu and Kashmir House in the federal metropolis, and discussed matters of mutual interest, including the early peaceful settlement of the global issue of Kashmir, it was officially said.



The two leaders emphasized the need of strengthening ties between Azad Jammu Kashmir and the international community, raising the urgency of the early peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue, an AJK govt. handout issued late Wednesday said.



Speaking on this occasion, the AJK Prime Minister called upon the Kashmiri diaspora, particularly the community in the United Kingdom, to play an active role in raising awareness about Kashmir’s plight. He urged that the British Parliament, along with other international forums, must join efforts to expose India’s atrocities in the region and advocate for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.



Anwar-ul-Haq also emphasized the need for greater cooperation in the fields of youth exchange programs for university students and the expansion of technical circles.



He underscored the importance of drawing international attention to the ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir, particularly in light of the region’s ongoing struggle for freedom.



Prime Minister Haq also highlighted that the development and prosperity of Azad Kashmir remain top priorities for the government. He shared that significant progress is being made on several mega projects aimed at improving the welfare of the people, including plans to develop an airport in Mirpur. While the construction of an international airport had been proposed, a briefing revealed that it may not be feasible at this stage.



“However, the government is taking steps to prepare a feasibility study for the construction of a domestic airport in the region. In his remarks, Lord Qurban Hussain reassured the AJK Prime Minister that the British expatriate community would fully support efforts to highlight the Kashmir issue on the international stage, particularly within the British Parliament.



Lord Qurban praised the government’s developmental agenda, emphasizing that the region would be on the path of progress through practical measures that contribute to both economic growth and the welfare of the people.



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Bugti inaugurates 7th Agricultural Census in Balochistan

Quetta: Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Wednesday inaugurated the 7th Agricultural Census 'integrated Digital Count' linked with GIS technology in the province.

He said that the 7th Agricultural Census would play a pivotal role in Balochistan's contribution to the national economy.

Bugti emphasized that the agricultural census is an important process and preparing the reliable statistics are essential.

The chief minister mentioned that agriculture and livestock sectors are the backbone of the country's and Balochistan's economy.

He directed provincial departments to collaborate with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics for collecting accurate and multi-dimensional data.

He directed that the data compiled in the 7th Agricultural Census should be shared with the provincial government.

Sarfraz Bugti added that the compiled data will also be verified by the provincial government departments at the local level.

The chief minister expressed that he does not want any unreliable data to be included in the agriculture census.

CM Bugti emphasized that the Balochistan government and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics will promote mutual cooperation for data-based agricultural policies.

He highlighted that the 7th Agricultural Census is a significant step towards ensuring agricultural development and food security in the country.

The ceremony was attended by Provincial Minister for Agriculture Mir Ali Hassan Zehri, provincial ministers, advisors, members of the assembly, Chief Secretary of Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, and senior officials from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

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‘Maryam Ki Dastak App’ revolutionary measure: DC

Faisalabad: The 'Maryam Ki Dastak App' is a revolutionary measure to extend various services at the doorstep of people.

This was stated by Deputy Commissioner Cap (Retd) Nadeem Nasir by distributing caps and uniforms among facilitators here Wednesday.

He said that various services about government departments are now available to citizens

by sitting at homes. They can call facilitators to avail any service by ringing helpline 1202 or through

Maryam Ki Dastak App.

He said that 105 coordinators in the district have so far completed 1108 tasks while 637 others are in pipeline at various departments.

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Lanjar warns of action against protesters blocking roads, urges peaceful demonstrations

Karachi: Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar emphasized the importance of peaceful protests while ensuring public roads remain open, in light of ongoing sit-ins across Karachi.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Police Office on Wednesday, he stated that while the government is ready to provide protesters with a safe space, blocking roads will not be tolerated.

Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar urged protesters to vacate the roads, warning that action would be taken if they refused. "I am offering negotiations through Commissioner Karachi and Additional IGP Karachi," he said. "We are open to dialogue, but the government will enforce its authority."

The Home Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining law and order, stating that law enforcement agencies will fulfill their duties to protect citizens and prevent the shutdown of the city. He clarified, "We will not compromise on the safety and freedom of movement for the people of Karachi."

IGP Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon and Additional IGP Karachi Javed Alam Odho were also present during the briefing.

Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar noted that initial agreements with the protesters included assurances that roads would not be blocked, but over time, the number of sit-ins grew, leading to disruptions. "Our intention is not to target any group, but if the state's authority is challenged, we will assert it," he added.

He further disclosed that 19 individuals had been arrested and 3 cases registered under various legal sections due to the unrest. The Home Minister expressed concern over the difficulties citizens face due to road closures.

In reference to the situation in Parachinar, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar acknowledged the Sindh government's solidarity. "We condemn the atrocities in Parachinar, and as proposed by Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tesori, we have sent aid. The ongoing violence there is condemnable, and the KP government must seek a resolution."

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said while claiming to be peaceful, the protesters have caused damages, including the burning of eight motorcycles, one belonging to a traffic cop. Several police personnel were also injured, with five sustaining minor injuries and three in serious condition.