India's objections to Pakistan's new map played down in SCO meeting: Yusuf

Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security Mooed Yusuf said Tuesday that India had raised its concerns in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) national security advisors' meeting on Pakistan's new political map and demanded that it not be displayed during his speech.

Yusuf said that Pakistan had responded in writing to India's objections, making it clear that the map was the country's right and that it was according to the United Nations' laws on Kashmir.

Yusuf said that Russia 'backed' Pakistan's stance and none of the countries participating in the conference objected to it.

Yusuf was representing Pakistan in the conference, a week after Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had represented Pakistan in the organisation's foreign ministers' meeting.

"My Indian counterpart [Ajit Doval] had boycotted Pakistan's speech during the meeting," he siad, adding that Doval also attended the Russian advisor's speech for nearly 5 minutes.

Keeping in mind the United Nations' principles, we presented our point of view and raised the issue of Kashmir, he said.

"We stressed that Pakistan wishes to give a corridor to the world and believes in connectivity," said Yusuf.

The PM's advisor, earlier in a series of tweets, said that he was honoured to represent Pakistan at the SCO NSAs dialogue.

"I highlighted Pakistan’s continued commitment to peace in the region. Pakistan is committed to working with SCO member states to achieve peace and stability, economic security, and connectivity," he said.

Yusuf highlighted that unilateral and illegal actions in an internationally recognised disputed territory of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir were a threat to regional peace and prosperity.

"I also apprised counterparts of Pakistan's deep commitment to peace in Afghanistan through an Afghan-led and owned peace process," he said.

Speaking on Afghanistan's peace process, he said that a peaceful and stable Kabul was important for peace, stability, and connectivity in the region and beyond.

“Pakistan has long held that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a negotiated political settlement is the only way forward,” he said.

Afghan stakeholders should seize this historic opportunity and work together to secure an inclusive, broad-based, and comprehensive political settlement, he said.

Yusuf assured that Pakistan would continue to play the role of a facilitator in the peace process and that the Afghan alone have the authority to decide on the future of their country.

“No outside actor should be seen as the guarantor of peace in that country. The process must be Afghan-owned and Afghan-led,” he stressed.

Dr Yusuf highlighted that Pakistan contributed the "most" towards peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

from Latest Pakistan News - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/3kjJ84N

IHC issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Nawaz in Al Azizia reference

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al Azizia reference.

The court issued the directions while hearing three miscellaneous applications filed by the PML-N supremo seeking to forgo the requirement of his surrender, pursue the appeal through a legal representative and exemption from court appearance.

Earlier today, the court had reserved its verdict in the case. A two-member bench comprising Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the appeal.

During today's hearing, Nawaz's lawyer Khawaja Haris maintained that the former premier could not appear before the court.

"Nawaz is in London and is not in any position to return. His doctor has advised him against travelling. [However] he has clearly stated in his application that he wishes to return to the country. Once he receives permission from his doctor, he will get on the first flight back," he said, adding that the PML-N leader would return once his treatment was complete.

Justice Kayani remarked that Nawaz's medical reports were the "opinion of a doctor" and had not been issued by a hospital. "So far, no hospital has said that it is unable to admit and treat Nawaz because of Covid-19," the judge said.

Meanwhile, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Additional Prosecutor General Jahanzeb Bharwana stated that the court had directed Nawaz to surrender and that his appeals were inadmissible.

To this, the court remarked that Nawaz's bail in the Al Azizia reference had expired and that it was a well-known fact that he had not appeared before the court.

The NAB prosecutor replied that under the National Accountability Ordinance, a proclaimed offender could be jailed for up to three years. "The court has the power to either dismiss the appeal or appoint a lawyer for the offender."

He maintained that giving relief to fugitives would affect the judicial system, adding that the court had already provided the former premier the chance to surrender.

The court remarked that Nawaz had not yet been declared a proclaimed offender and asked how the appeal would be heard without "listening to the other side".

The NAB prosecutor replied that the court could appoint a legal representative for this purpose. The same principle would then apply to the appeals filed by Nawaz, the court observed.

Earlier in the month, the IHC had directed Nawaz to surrender before the court and appear at the next hearing scheduled for September 10. Shortly after, Nawaz had filed a review petition asking the court to forgo the requirement.

At the next hearing on September 10, the court had questioned whether the appeal of a person, who has been declared a proclaimed offender in a separate case, could be heard by the court and had adjourned the hearing.

Nawaz had left for London in November 2019 after the Lahore High Court granted him permission to go abroad for medical treatment.

He had submitted an undertaking to the court, citing his record of facing the law and justice, and that he would return within four weeks or as soon as he was declared healthy and fit to travel by doctors.

He was also given bail in the Al Azizia Mills corruption case in which he was serving a seven-year prison sentence in Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore, before he left for London.

Last week, an accountability court had declared Nawaz a proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana vehicles reference and initiated the process to confiscate his properties and directed the NAB to make his arrest through Interpol.

While separating Nawaz's case, Judge Mohammad Azam Khan of the accountability court of Islamabad also indicted former president Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and other accused persons in the Toshakhana reference.

from Latest Pakistan News - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/3hyeKBV

India's objections to Pakistan's new map played down in SCO meeting: Yusuf

Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security Mooed Yusuf said Tuesday that India had raised its concerns in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) national security advisors' meeting on Pakistan's new political map and demanded that it not be displayed during his speech.

Yusuf said that Pakistan had responded in writing to India's objections, making it clear that the map was the country's right and that it was according to the United Nations' laws on Kashmir.

Yusuf said that Russia 'backed' Pakistan's stance and none of the countries participating in the conference objected to it.

Yusuf was representing Pakistan in the conference, a week after Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had represented Pakistan in the organisation's foreign ministers' meeting.

"My Indian counterpart [Ajit Doval] had boycotted Pakistan's speech during the meeting," he siad, adding that Doval also attended the Russian advisor's speech for nearly 5 minutes.

Keeping in mind the United Nations' principles, we presented our point of view and raised the issue of Kashmir, he said.

"We stressed that Pakistan wishes to give a corridor to the world and believes in connectivity," said Yusuf.

The PM's advisor, earlier in a series of tweets, said that he was honoured to represent Pakistan at the SCO NSAs dialogue.

"I highlighted Pakistan’s continued commitment to peace in the region. Pakistan is committed to working with SCO member states to achieve peace and stability, economic security, and connectivity," he said.

Yusuf highlighted that unilateral and illegal actions in an internationally recognised disputed territory of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir were a threat to regional peace and prosperity.

"I also apprised counterparts of Pakistan's deep commitment to peace in Afghanistan through an Afghan-led and owned peace process," he said.

Speaking on Afghanistan's peace process, he said that a peaceful and stable Kabul was important for peace, stability, and connectivity in the region and beyond.

“Pakistan has long held that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a negotiated political settlement is the only way forward,” he said.

Afghan stakeholders should seize this historic opportunity and work together to secure an inclusive, broad-based, and comprehensive political settlement, he said.

Yusuf assured that Pakistan would continue to play the role of a facilitator in the peace process and that the Afghan alone have the authority to decide on the future of their country.

“No outside actor should be seen as the guarantor of peace in that country. The process must be Afghan-owned and Afghan-led,” he stressed.

Dr Yusuf highlighted that Pakistan contributed the "most" towards peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/3kjJ84N

IHC issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Nawaz in Al Azizia reference

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al Azizia reference.

The court issued the directions while hearing three miscellaneous applications filed by the PML-N supremo seeking to forgo the requirement of his surrender, pursue the appeal through a legal representative and exemption from court appearance.

Earlier today, the court had reserved its verdict in the case. A two-member bench comprising Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the appeal.

During today's hearing, Nawaz's lawyer Khawaja Haris maintained that the former premier could not appear before the court.

"Nawaz is in London and is not in any position to return. His doctor has advised him against travelling. [However] he has clearly stated in his application that he wishes to return to the country. Once he receives permission from his doctor, he will get on the first flight back," he said, adding that the PML-N leader would return once his treatment was complete.

Justice Kayani remarked that Nawaz's medical reports were the "opinion of a doctor" and had not been issued by a hospital. "So far, no hospital has said that it is unable to admit and treat Nawaz because of Covid-19," the judge said.

Meanwhile, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Additional Prosecutor General Jahanzeb Bharwana stated that the court had directed Nawaz to surrender and that his appeals were inadmissible.

To this, the court remarked that Nawaz's bail in the Al Azizia reference had expired and that it was a well-known fact that he had not appeared before the court.

The NAB prosecutor replied that under the National Accountability Ordinance, a proclaimed offender could be jailed for up to three years. "The court has the power to either dismiss the appeal or appoint a lawyer for the offender."

He maintained that giving relief to fugitives would affect the judicial system, adding that the court had already provided the former premier the chance to surrender.

The court remarked that Nawaz had not yet been declared a proclaimed offender and asked how the appeal would be heard without "listening to the other side".

The NAB prosecutor replied that the court could appoint a legal representative for this purpose. The same principle would then apply to the appeals filed by Nawaz, the court observed.

Earlier in the month, the IHC had directed Nawaz to surrender before the court and appear at the next hearing scheduled for September 10. Shortly after, Nawaz had filed a review petition asking the court to forgo the requirement.

At the next hearing on September 10, the court had questioned whether the appeal of a person, who has been declared a proclaimed offender in a separate case, could be heard by the court and had adjourned the hearing.

Nawaz had left for London in November 2019 after the Lahore High Court granted him permission to go abroad for medical treatment.

He had submitted an undertaking to the court, citing his record of facing the law and justice, and that he would return within four weeks or as soon as he was declared healthy and fit to travel by doctors.

He was also given bail in the Al Azizia Mills corruption case in which he was serving a seven-year prison sentence in Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore, before he left for London.

Last week, an accountability court had declared Nawaz a proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana vehicles reference and initiated the process to confiscate his properties and directed the NAB to make his arrest through Interpol.

While separating Nawaz's case, Judge Mohammad Azam Khan of the accountability court of Islamabad also indicted former president Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and other accused persons in the Toshakhana reference.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/3hyeKBV

Messi tops wealth league ahead of Ronaldo

Lionel Messi was denied a potentially money-spinning move away from Barcelona this month after a contract-dispute but the Argentine maestro remains the world's richest soccer player.

According to a list compiled by Forbes, Messi's total earnings this year are $126 million -- $92 million from his salary and $34 million in endorsements.

Not surprisingly Cristiano Ronaldo comes in second although earnings of $117 million will soften the blow for the Juventus forward, as will his status as the most followed soccer player in the world on social media.

Neymar comes in third on the Forbes list ($96 million) with his Paris St Germain team mate, 21-year-old Kylian Mbappe, up in fourth spot ($42 million).

The Premier League remains the world's richest domestic soccer league but only two of its outfield players feature in the top 10 of the wealth table -- Liverpool's title-winning striker Mohamed Salah in fifth spot ($37 million) and Manchester United's midfielder Paul Pogba ($34 million) in sixth. Pogba's team mate, keeper David de Gea ($27 million) is 10th.

Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann was seventh and Real Madrid's Gareth Bale eighth. Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, the only Bundesliga player, in ninth.

Messi reluctantly agreed to stay at Barcelona for another season this month, despite saying in the wake of an 8-2 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich that he wanted out.

He argued that a clause in his contract stating that a 700 million euros release fee would need to be met for him to join another club was no longer active and that he could leave on a free transfer -- a situation that would have allowed him to command astronomical wages from the likes of Manchester City.

Messi, 33, is in the final year of his contract so could leave for free next summer. By staying with the Catalan club, Messi is in line for an $83 million loyalty bonus so it is likely he will continue to top the money charts.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/33tJ4Zz

UN begins annual meetings with Kashmir on agenda

The annual meetings of the United Nations began in New York on Monday with Kashmir on the agenda as an unresolved dispute.

In doing so, the world body ignored India’s efforts to remove the 72-year old issue from the UN Security Council’s agenda for this year. The council’s Resolution 47, which calls for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, was adopted on April 21, 1948.

In his speech to the 75th UN General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister Imran Khan “will once again project the cause of the Kashmiri people and call for international action to end India’s massive human rights violations,” said Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN.

The prime minister will also seek the undoing of illegal measures that India has imposed in Kashmir since Aug 5, 2019, when it forcibly merged the occupied territory with the union, he added.

Mr Khan will address the UNGA on Sept 25 and will also participate in a high-level meeting on Illicit Financing and the Summit on Biodiversity. All these are virtual events as the Covid-19 pandemic has prevented world leaders from physically attending the 75th UNGA.

Since the illegal merger, India has been continuously trying to get the Kashmir issue removed from the council’s agenda, but Pakistan has successfully thwarted its moves.

The Security Council’s agenda is set in accordance with the established rules and procedures and can only be changed by a consensus. A member state cannot change the agenda unilaterally.

“We hope the General Assembly will uphold the right of self-determination and that human rights bodies will demand access to investigate India’s violations,” Ambassador Akram said.

Besides Kashmir, Pakistan will also work with other Muslim countries to get decisions that denounce Islamophobia and protect Islamic religious sites.

Pakistan will also join other developing nations to promote their objectives in finance, debt relief, infrastructure investment and science and technology, Ambassador Akram said. Pakistan presently holds the Presidency of the UN Economic and Social Council.

“The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism,” is the theme for the 75th session of the UN.

from World News: International Headlines, Breaking News - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/3c3ZTOK

Important to 'dream big', says PM Imran at ground-breaking of Lahore waterfront project

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that it was important to "dream big" to achieve great things in life.

The prime minister was addressing the ground-breaking ceremony in Lahore of the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project.

"Standing here, I feel like the Naya Pakistan that we dream of, I can see it today," he said.

PM Imran said people are always questioning where the Naya Pakistan they were promised is, but it must be understood that when past rulers leave a country deep in debt, belt-tightening measures have to be pursued and tough times as a consequence are only natural.

"This does not mean that you diminish the scope of your dreams.

"Anyone who every accomplished anything was not because of his capabilities, or how educated he was, or how rich, but because he dreamt big," the premier told the gathering.

Referring to Edmund Hillary — the first man to scale Mount Everest — he said that it is the dream that takes people far.

He further quoted the saying: "Do not judge a person by what he is but what he aspires to be."

The prime minister said we do not recognise our full potential because we have a very limited view of things.

"Our thinking is such that when we come into power, we make our sugar mills, put up factories, make money and purchase homes in London and that's the extent of it.

"Big thinkers are like Mahathir Mohammad. He has made a new city in Malaysia and it worth seeing. Their capital was made by Mahathir Mohammad. When he was starting out, people told him he would fail. Look at what he has achieved. Any big achievement always starts out as a dream," the prime minister said.

He said when he learnt of the Ravi project and how it had been planned since long before. "I know why it did not succeed. Because the people who had envisioned it, did not have their country as their number one priority. Their number one priority was amassing their own wealth."

 

 

from Latest Pakistan News - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/3c08x0m