Pakistanis part of Kashmir's movement for self-determination: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday reaffirmed that Pakistan was "part of occupied Kashmir's movement for self-determination", saying that "every Pakistani citizen was advocating and will continue to advocate" for the rights of Kashmiris.

Speaking in the Senate, Qureshi said that on this day, the United Nations had promised Kashmiris the right to self-determination through a plebiscite, therefore, it was important to send a unified message on Kashmir from the upper house of parliament.

"Yes, the promise was not fulfilled but in my opinion, a message should go today through this parliament [for] Kashmiris, especially in occupied Kashmir who are going through oppression."

On this day in 1949, the UN had made a commitment to the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UN. Jan 5 is observed as the Right to Self-determination of Kashmiris Day by Pakistanis and Kashmiris across the world every year.

During the Senate session, the foreign minister paid tribute to people in occupied Kashmir in his speech who he said were "raising their voice at every opportunity despite the communications blockade" and other restrictions.

"India has not succeeded in breaking their resolve. The extent to which the Kashmiris are alienated from the Indian government has not been seen in the last 72 years," he said.

He further said that even those political parties who sided with India in the past had now "turned their faces away" and were trying to form a coalition of their own while referring to the victory of an alliance of political parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who won the local elections in the occupied valley recently.

Talking about veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, he gave credit to Imran Khan's government for conferring upon Geelani the Nishan-i-Pakistan — the country’s highest civil award — in recognition of his decades-old struggle for Kashmiris' right to self-determination.

He said that the Pakistan government had raised its voice for Kashmiri activist and poli­tical leader Asiya Andrabi who is incarcerated in India's infamous Tihar Jail in the UN and other international forums and paid tribute to her services for the women in occupied Kashmir.

"The message should go to Kashmiris from us that we are a part of your movement for self-determination. You have restrictions, international media is not allowed, independent observers cannot come [to see the conditions in Kashmir], but Pakistan and every citizen is advocating for you and will continue to do so because it is included in our duties."

Joe Biden's role

The foreign minister said that United States President-elect Joe Biden was "experienced in foreign policy" and was aware of the Kashmir issue.

"It is good news that he has raised his voice about the way human rights are trampled in [occupied] Kashmir and we expect he will continue to do the same in the future [after assuming power]."

If the US and the European Union raise effective voices for human rights in the occupied territory, then a "seed of hope" will bloom in the oppressed Kashmiris, he said.

Lack of opposition participation

Qureshi also criticised the opposition parties for their 'lack of interest' in the Kashmir issue, saying he had invited them many times for discussions on the Kashmir issue but they had refused.

Referring to PPP Senator Sherry Rehman who spoke before him, he said he agreed with her on the efforts of PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for resolving the Kashmir issue.

"But I wish those who came after him, his supporters, had not turned away from the issue the way they did," he said.

Terming the Kashmir issue as one that was "across party lines", he said he had written to members of the opposition, calling them to "come and guide us and participate in the sessions".

"I invited Sherry Rehman sahiba, another party member Naveed Qamar, [Senator] Mushahid sahib — who belongs to the PML-N — to come and talk. This problem is one on which we should [be united].

"I wish they had shown maturity on the matter of Kashmir," Qureshi said, adding that the government did "not want to snatch the umbrella of politics they are under right now", apparently referring to the opposition's Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

Turning to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam — Fazl's Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi, Qureshi said that the senator's party had a "unique standing" because of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's lengthy stint as chairman of the Kashmir committee of the National Assembly.

"Perhaps Maulana Fazlur Rehman did not give as much attention [to the Kashmir issue] as he should have," he added. "The time has not gone, the problem requires a solution even today."

He said resolving the Kashmir issue was "our duty" and the government would "try to fulfill it with honesty".

Meanwhile, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari criticised the UN for lack of progress on an impartial plebiscite, saying that "decades later the commitment remains unfulfilled & the UN watches appeasingly as a fascist Indian govt violates with impunity it's own [international] HR/humanitarian law commitments."

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Pakistan welcomes Qatar and Saudi Arabia's decision to reopen borders

Pakistan welcomed Qatar and Saudi Arabia's decision to reopen their land, air and sea borders to each other after almost four years.

"Pakistan welcomes the decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar to reopen the land, air and sea borders between the two countries," said the Foreign Office (FO) in a statement released on Tuesday.

Pakistan also appreciated the "other steps being taken" by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to diffuse tensions in the region. It said that the steps will lead to the "resolution of the outstanding issues between the countries of the organisation persisting for almost four years".

Islamabad also lauded the emir of Kuwait for the "positive role" he played towards the "resolution of the differences between the countries of the GCC".

"His [emir of Kuwait] persistent and sincere efforts, and cooperation of the GCC countries, led to this important and amicable outcome," said the FO. It also hoped that the GCC summit being held today in Al-Ula will "further build on these encouraging developments and lead to enhanced confidence and cooperation" among the GCC countries.

"Pakistan continues to accord high importance to its relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as its bilateral relations with all GCC countries," said the FO.

Saudi Arabia reopens land border with Qatar

In a breakthrough development on Tuesday Saudi Arabia opened its land borders with Qatar to resolve the political dispute that led Riyadh and its allies to impose a boycott on Qatar.

The announcement came on the eve of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit and could pave the way towards ending a three-year-old feud, read the news report published in Al-Jazeera.

According to Kuwait's foreign minister, after the resumption of land border activities, Saudi Arabia is set to reopen its airspace and sea border as well.

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Those who demolished Hindu temple will pay for its reconstruction: SC

Supreme Court has directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to rebuild the recently vandalised a Hindu religious site Tehri district in Karak by recovering the amount from Maulvi Sharif - one of the prime suspect behind the demolishing.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar heard a suo motu case pertaining to the demolishing of a Hindu saint's shrine in Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During the hearing, the bench was irked by the KP Police's failure to protect the Hindu temple. Justice Ahsan questioned how the incident could occur with a police picket so close by. "What was your intelligence agency doing when the mob was gathering?"

To this, KP Inspector-General Dr Sanaullah Abbasi said 92 police officials who were on duty, including the area's superintendent and deputy superintendent, have been suspended and at least 109 suspects have been arrested.

The inspector-general informed the apex court that the Jamiat-e-Ulema-Pakistan had called a gathering at the site, adding that it was backed by Maulana Faizullah. He said six religious scholars were present but only Maulvi Sharif had incited the mob to attack the Hindu temple.

The top judge remarked that suspending police officials was not enough. "This incident has shown Pakistan in a negative light worldwide," he observed. Justice Ahsan added to the chief justice's observation by adding that photos and videos of the incident have gone viral on social media.

KP Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz informed the bench that the provincial government would be rebuilding the temple and bear the cost of construction.

The top judge responded that the cost should be recovered from those who demolished it and directed the KP government to recover the amount from Maulvi Sharif. "Unless they have to personally bear the cost of the rebuilding, they would continue carrying out such acts."

Shoaib Suddle, chairman of the judicial commission on minority rights, informed the bench that the shrine of the Hindu saint was as revered a religious site for the Hindus as Kartarpur Gurdwara is for the Sikh community. Agreeing with the apex court's observation that the incident has created a negative image of Pakistan, Suddle said the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had failed to protect the temple.

In its defence, the ETPB said the temple was run by the local Hindu community.

Justice Ahsan asked about the annual number of visitors. "There used to be a carnival as well," he remarked. "Indeed, a carnival is held at the temple every year," replied Dr Ramesh Kumar, lawmaker and founder of the Pakistan Hindu Council. "I think about 300 to 400 people visit the temple every month."

Dr Kumar informed the bench that the main suspect, Maulvi Sharif, had attempted to demolish the temple in 1997 as well. "Despite SC directives, the KP government and ETPB did not rebuild the temple. The council issued funds for the reconstruction," he said, lamenting about "rampant corruption" in the board.

Justice Ahsan remarked that the board has funds to build its buildings but not for the Hindu community.

After hearing arguments, the top court has sought a detailed report from ETPB on temples and gurdwaras across the country and directed it to consult the judicial commission on minority rights on abandoned waqf properties.

The bench also ordered authorities to remove encroachments and illegal construction on temple and gurdwara lands and adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.

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Pakistanis part of Kashmir's movement for self-determination: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday reaffirmed that Pakistan was "part of occupied Kashmir's movement for self-determination", saying that "every Pakistani citizen was advocating and will continue to advocate" for the rights of Kashmiris.

Speaking in the Senate, Qureshi said that on this day, the United Nations had promised Kashmiris the right to self-determination through a plebiscite, therefore, it was important to send a unified message on Kashmir from the upper house of parliament.

"Yes, the promise was not fulfilled but in my opinion, a message should go today through this parliament [for] Kashmiris, especially in occupied Kashmir who are going through oppression."

On this day in 1949, the UN had made a commitment to the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UN. Jan 5 is observed as the Right to Self-determination of Kashmiris Day by Pakistanis and Kashmiris across the world every year.

During the Senate session, the foreign minister paid tribute to people in occupied Kashmir in his speech who he said were "raising their voice at every opportunity despite the communications blockade" and other restrictions.

"India has not succeeded in breaking their resolve. The extent to which the Kashmiris are alienated from the Indian government has not been seen in the last 72 years," he said.

He further said that even those political parties who sided with India in the past had now "turned their faces away" and were trying to form a coalition of their own while referring to the victory of an alliance of political parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who won the local elections in the occupied valley recently.

Talking about veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, he gave credit to Imran Khan's government for conferring upon Geelani the Nishan-i-Pakistan — the country’s highest civil award — in recognition of his decades-old struggle for Kashmiris' right to self-determination.

He said that the Pakistan government had raised its voice for Kashmiri activist and poli­tical leader Asiya Andrabi who is incarcerated in India's infamous Tihar Jail in the UN and other international forums and paid tribute to her services for the women in occupied Kashmir.

"The message should go to Kashmiris from us that we are a part of your movement for self-determination. You have restrictions, international media is not allowed, independent observers cannot come [to see the conditions in Kashmir], but Pakistan and every citizen is advocating for you and will continue to do so because it is included in our duties."

Joe Biden's role

The foreign minister said that United States President-elect Joe Biden was "experienced in foreign policy" and was aware of the Kashmir issue.

"It is good news that he has raised his voice about the way human rights are trampled in [occupied] Kashmir and we expect he will continue to do the same in the future [after assuming power]."

If the US and the European Union raise effective voices for human rights in the occupied territory, then a "seed of hope" will bloom in the oppressed Kashmiris, he said.

Lack of opposition participation

Qureshi also criticised the opposition parties for their 'lack of interest' in the Kashmir issue, saying he had invited them many times for discussions on the Kashmir issue but they had refused.

Referring to PPP Senator Sherry Rehman who spoke before him, he said he agreed with her on the efforts of PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for resolving the Kashmir issue.

"But I wish those who came after him, his supporters, had not turned away from the issue the way they did," he said.

Terming the Kashmir issue as one that was "across party lines", he said he had written to members of the opposition, calling them to "come and guide us and participate in the sessions".

"I invited Sherry Rehman sahiba, another party member Naveed Qamar, [Senator] Mushahid sahib — who belongs to the PML-N — to come and talk. This problem is one on which we should [be united].

"I wish they had shown maturity on the matter of Kashmir," Qureshi said, adding that the government did "not want to snatch the umbrella of politics they are under right now", apparently referring to the opposition's Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

Turning to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam — Fazl's Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi, Qureshi said that the senator's party had a "unique standing" because of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's lengthy stint as chairman of the Kashmir committee of the National Assembly.

"Perhaps Maulana Fazlur Rehman did not give as much attention [to the Kashmir issue] as he should have," he added. "The time has not gone, the problem requires a solution even today."

He said resolving the Kashmir issue was "our duty" and the government would "try to fulfill it with honesty".

Meanwhile, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari criticised the UN for lack of progress on an impartial plebiscite, saying that "decades later the commitment remains unfulfilled & the UN watches appeasingly as a fascist Indian govt violates with impunity it's own [international] HR/humanitarian law commitments."

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Pakistan welcomes Qatar and Saudi Arabia's decision to reopen borders

Pakistan welcomed Qatar and Saudi Arabia's decision to reopen their land, air and sea borders to each other after almost four years.

"Pakistan welcomes the decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar to reopen the land, air and sea borders between the two countries," said the Foreign Office (FO) in a statement released on Tuesday.

Pakistan also appreciated the "other steps being taken" by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to diffuse tensions in the region. It said that the steps will lead to the "resolution of the outstanding issues between the countries of the organisation persisting for almost four years".

Islamabad also lauded the emir of Kuwait for the "positive role" he played towards the "resolution of the differences between the countries of the GCC".

"His [emir of Kuwait] persistent and sincere efforts, and cooperation of the GCC countries, led to this important and amicable outcome," said the FO. It also hoped that the GCC summit being held today in Al-Ula will "further build on these encouraging developments and lead to enhanced confidence and cooperation" among the GCC countries.

"Pakistan continues to accord high importance to its relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as its bilateral relations with all GCC countries," said the FO.

Saudi Arabia reopens land border with Qatar

In a breakthrough development on Tuesday Saudi Arabia opened its land borders with Qatar to resolve the political dispute that led Riyadh and its allies to impose a boycott on Qatar.

The announcement came on the eve of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit and could pave the way towards ending a three-year-old feud, read the news report published in Al-Jazeera.

According to Kuwait's foreign minister, after the resumption of land border activities, Saudi Arabia is set to reopen its airspace and sea border as well.

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Health cards for 45% of Punjab by June end: Yasmin Rashid

The Punjab government will issue health cards to 22.2 million families across the province within the next 12 months, says Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid.

The provincial minister called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday. Special Assistant to PM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan was also present.

Rashid apprised the prime minister regarding the provision of health cards to 22.2 million families across Punjab.

She said, as per the instructions of the prime minister, the process of distribution of health cards worth Rs720,000 each among all families of the province will be completed within the next 12 months.

By the end of June 2021, 45% of the Punjab population, including seven districts of Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions, will be provided with health cards, she notified.

The minister told PM Imran that health card holders will be able to receive medical treatment from any of the government hospitals or private panel hospitals across the province.

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Health cards for 45% of Punjab by June end: Yasmin Rashid

The Punjab government will issue health cards to 22.2 million families across the province within the next 12 months, says Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid.

The provincial minister called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday. Special Assistant to PM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan was also present.

Rashid apprised the prime minister regarding the provision of health cards to 22.2 million families across Punjab.

She said, as per the instructions of the prime minister, the process of distribution of health cards worth Rs720,000 each among all families of the province will be completed within the next 12 months.

By the end of June 2021, 45% of the Punjab population, including seven districts of Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions, will be provided with health cards, she notified.

The minister told PM Imran that health card holders will be able to receive medical treatment from any of the government hospitals or private panel hospitals across the province.

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