Day: August 10, 2021

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Pakistan Press Foundation pays tribute to journalist Mehmood Khan and Shehzad Khan who put themselves on the frontline to cover the story and lost their lives in the deadly blast

Karachi, August 10, 2021 (PPI-OT):On August 8, 2016, a bomb blast rippled through Quetta, the capital of the Balochistan province killing at least 73 people, two journalists were amongst the dead. Over a hundred were injured in the explosion.

A large number of lawyers had gathered outside the emergency ward of the Provincial Sandeman Hospital, known as Civil Hospital, where the body of Balochistan Bar Association (BBA) President Bilal Anwar Kasi had been brought after he was murdered. Dunya News reporter Faridullah and 92 News cameraman Muhammad Fateh were injured.

On the fifth anniversary of the horrific incident, Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) pays tribute to the contributions of the journalists lost in the attack. Putting themselves on the frontline to cover a story, Shahzad and Mehmood lost their lives in the deadly blast.

The explosion had been confirmed as a suicide bombing. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (Juan), a splinter group of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had claimed responsibility for the attack. Speaking to PPF, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists President Shahzada Zulfiqar said that the case was initially presented in the Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta. Police had traced the house of the suicide bomber and four others involved in the attack who had also been killed in a police operation. He added that the case is still pending in court.

“We demand justice not only for the journalists who are killed in incidents like blasts but also for those journalists who are killed in targeted attacks,” Zulfiqar said. Civil Lines Police Station, Station House Officer (SHO) Shahbaz said that a collective first information report (FIR) was filed regarding the case. The case remains under investigation and none of the accused have yet been arrested.

Remembering Shahzad, Aaj TV Quetta Bureau Chief Mujeeb Ahmed said that Shahzad was amongst the few cameramen in Quetta who were “extremely passionate and responsible”. “He was dedicated to his work and loyal to his duty.”

Aaj TV paid Rs25 lakhs to Shahzad’s family as compensation and took responsibility for his children’s education for a period of five years. Speaking to PPF, Shahzad’s brother Balaaj Khan said that the channel is still paying Shahzad’s salary to his wife to support her as the slain journalist was the sole provider for the family. He added that the provincial government had also given the family Rs10 lakhs as compensation.

Remembering Mehmood, the other journalist lost in the blast, former Dawn News TV Bureau Chief Ali Shah said that Mehmood was focused. He had been appointed as a security guard who was trained as a nonlinear editor (NLE) and served as a cameraman for the private channel. “He was very passionate and committed, the team will always remember him,” Shah said.

For more information, contact:
Secretary General,
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Press Centre, Shahrah Kamal Ataturk,
Karachi-74200, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-32628729
Fax: +92-21-32217069
Email: owaisali@pakistanpressfoundation.org
Email: ppf@pakistanpressfoundation.org
Website: www.pakistanpressfoundation.org

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Two journalists detained by the Federal Investigative Agency

Karachi, August 10, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is concerned at the arrest of two journalists – Amir Mir and Imran Shafqat – in Lahore on August 7 by the Federal Investigative Agency (FIA). While the investigating body has issued a statement for the reasons for their arrest, it is an overreach of the FIA’s powers to detain the journalists without the necessary judicial proceedings.

According to reports, Mir was picked up by the FIA cybercrime cell when he left for office. Mir runs a web channel called Googly News TV, a YouTube channel for which has 357,000 subscribers. Shafqat is associated with Tellings with Imran Shafqat, which has a following of 121,000 YouTube subscribers.

According to a press release issued by the FIA, the two journalists were arrested on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR), registered against them for ridiculing judiciary judges, Pakistan Army and women. The press release stated that their programs and messages on YouTube channels Googly and Tellings were weakening the basis of national security institutions and the judiciary and by doing so were attempting to weaken people’s trust in these institutions. The FIA added that they had also ridiculed women.

The press release concluded that the two had been released on bail; however, investigations were ongoing. They added that further evidence would be collected against the two and a case would be submitted in the court. It is worth noting that on June 30, the Islamabad High Court had warned the FIA cybercrime wing to “exercise its powers judiciously or else the court would impose heavy costs on the investigation officers for misuse of authority.”

While the FIA is a body tasked with investigations, it cannot misuse its authority to intimidate journalists. The decision to arrest Shafqat and Mir without a trial, based on a criminal complaint, can be seen as an overreach of their authority. PPF urges the investigating body to ensure clarity and transparency in its investigative process so that journalists are not picked up at random. It is vital that evidence is collected, and investigations are completed prior to arrest, not after.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) also strongly condemned the arrest, labelling it an abduction. A statement issued by PFUJ President Shehzada Zulfiqar and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi said that the federal government should immediately investigate why the journalists were arrested and urged them to adopt “concrete steps for the safety and security of [the] entire journalists’ community in Pakistan”.

The PFUJ statement added that under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government the FIA is being used to harass journalists and media workers. They said that in the last year, 49 journalists had received notices from the FIA and just in the past month senior anchor person Nadeem Malik and journalists Ashfaq ur Rehman and Mashood Aslam had been issued notices.

For more information, contact:
Secretary General,
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Press Centre, Shahrah Kamal Ataturk,
Karachi-74200, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-32628729
Fax: +92-21-32217069
Email: owaisali@pakistanpressfoundation.org
Email: ppf@pakistanpressfoundation.org
Website: www.pakistanpressfoundation.org

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NFEH launches monsoon plantation campaign in Export Processing Zone, Landhi

Karachi, August 10, 2021 (PPI-OT):National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH) has joined hands with the Midas Safety and Orix Modarba to launch a monsoon tree plantation campaign in the Export Processing Zone, Landhi, Karachi. The same industrial estate of Karachi was selected some three months back to plant 300 saplings that have grown much due to proper care and protection. The back-to-back plantation drives have played an important role in increasing the green cover in the industrial zone, said a news released issued on Tuesday.

The saplings of fruit-bearing trees were specially chosen for the latest plantation drive. The central idea of the event was that instead of displaying buntings on the festive occasion of Independence Day, August 14, tree plantation campaigns should be conducted across the country to make Pakistan clean, green, and pollution-free. The trees, no doubt, are the best gift to the motherland, said the speakers on the occasion. Participants of the event prayed for security, safety, development, and progress of Pakistan and also to make our motherland a pollution-free state.

Those who attended the occasion expressed the resolve to take care of the saplings planted at the site and also to do similar plantation campaigns in other industrial estates of Karachi. Speaking on the occasion, NFEH President, Naeem Qureshi, expressed his gratitude to Orix Modarba and Midas Safety for extending all-out support for conducting the monsoon plantation campaign in Karachi. He said that more such events would be held in Karachi to plant saplings in view of the monsoon season and the upcoming occasion of Independence Day August 14.

He said that up to 5,000 tree and plant saplings would be planted in Karachi in the current season as they would also be properly nurtured for their growth. Also present occasion were NFEH Vice-President Engineer Nadeem Ashraf, Raheel Qamar Ahmed CEO of Orix Modarba, Nadir Shah Head of HR, Mehar Zehra AM HR of Orix Modarba and officials of Midas Safety include Hani Ul Nasir, Naveed Abid, Farooq, Syed Anas and Sharjeel Ahmed.

For more information, contact:
Media Coordinator
National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH)
309, Al-Sehat Center, Hotel Regent Plaza, Shahrah-e-Faisal,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35653676, +92-21-35213853
Fax: +92-21-35651797
Email: nfehpak@gmail.com, info@nfeh.org
Website: www.nfeh.org.pk

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SBP cricket team thrash Sports Journalists XI by eight wickets in Independence Day exhibition cricket match

Lahore, August 10, 2021 (PPI-OT):Sports Board Punjab (SBP) cricket team outplayed Sports Journalists XI by a huge margin of eight wickets in an exhibition cricket match played in connection with Independence Day celebrations at LCCA cricket ground here on Tuesday. Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, who was the chief guest on this occasion, unveiled the trophy before the match. He was also introduced to all the players and officials of both the cricket teams on this occasion. He also distributed prizes among top performers.

Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, Deputy Director Chand Perveen, Tariq Wattoo, Zahoor Ahmed, Assistant Director Raees ur Rehman, Sports Journalists Association of Lahore (SJAL) President Aqeel Ahmed, Secretary Ashraf Ch and a large number of print and electronic media personnel were also present on this occasion.

While talking to media, Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh lauded the positive role of media for the promotion of sports culture across the province. “No sports can grow without the active participation of print and electronic media. We have given special significance to the media in Punjab’s first ever Sports Policy as a major stakeholder,” he added.

Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said its media which conveyed every aspect of an event to the masses. “The excellent coordination of Sports Board Punjab and Sports Journalists Association of Lahore (SJAL) will continue in future as well,” he added.

Replying to a query, Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said Sports Board Punjab is organising competitions of nine outdoor games to celebrate Independence Day of the country in a befitting manner. “A couple of days ago we organized a 2-day Independence Day Archery Championship in Murree, a gymnastic competition outside Nishtar Park Sports Complex. We are also planning to hold hockey and football events in the coming days”.

Sports Journalists XI led by skipper Aqeel Ahmed, elected to bat first after winning the toss. Hafiz Shahbaz and Abdul Qadir Kh opened the innings but they could not contribute big scores owing to some outstanding catches of SBP XI fielders. However, Umer Farooq and Zahid Shafee provided much needed support to Sports Journalists XI innings with knocks of 26 and 11 runs respectively and took the total of their team to 70 in 12 overs. Abu Bakar scored six and Arsalan five for Sports Journalists XI.

Faisal Hashmi, who remained top wicket-taker for Sports Board Punjab with the figures of 2/11, sent two Sports Journalists XI batsmen back to pavilion through his fiery bowling. Ajmal Niazi, Kashif and Latif got one wicket apiece. In reply, SBP XI achieved the target without much trouble for the loss of just two wickets. Ajmal Niazi was the top scorer for SBP XI. He struck some attractive shots in his innings of 37 runs. M Imran scored 14 and skipper Zahoor Ahmed made five runs for the victorious team. Umer Farooq took one wicket for eight runs for Sports Journalists XI. Ajmal Niazi was adjudged Man of The Match for his all-round performance.

For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk

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Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti announces cash prize Rs one million each for Pakistan’s Olympic javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and weightlifter Talha Talib

Lahore, August 10, 2021 (PPI-OT):Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, on Tuesday, has announced cash prize of Rs one million each for Pakistan’s Olympic javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and weightlifter Talha Talib for attaining 5th place in their respective events at Tokyo Olympic Games.

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti also announced Rs half million cash prize for Arshad Nadeem’s coach Syed Fiaz Hussain Bokhari for his key role in Arshad’s improved performance. “Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar will award the cash prizes to these sports stars at a colourful ceremony in near future,” he informed.

Addressing a press conference at National Hockey Stadium, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti also announced to bear traveling expenses of Pakistan’s two special athletes Haider Ali and Aneela for participation in upcoming Paralympic Games scheduled to be staged in Tokyo later this month. “We are also making sufficient arrangements for top level training and coaching of these two athletes. It is expected that both the athletes will show good performance in the Tokyo Paralympic Games,” he anticipated.

Answering a question regarding performance of javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and weightlifter Talha Talib in Olympic Games, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said though both the players could not live up to the expectations of the nation but both tried their best and earn good name for the country by finishing 5th in their respective events at such a grand sports extravaganza. “We are quite determined that they will improve their performances further in the next international events”.

Replying a question, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is going to give special emphasis to country’s sports so that the existing loopholes in Pakistan’s sports system could be removed and Pakistan athletes could register medal-winning performances in major events like Olympic and World Cup. “We are also going to share big news in regard to the welfare of the sports community in the coming days”.

For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk

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Notice for Summer 2021 Shifting Online

Lahore, August 10, 2021 (PPI-OT):
Dear University Students,

Due to the rising cases of COVID and Delta variant, we are shifting Summer 2021 online with effect from Tuesday, 10th August.

Hostels will remain open for PG students and UG students (this includes students without internet, research and senior project students). If you need to remain in the hostel, please connect with the hostel office. The hostel students can connect for their online classes from the hostels.

The PG and research students can continue research on the university campus. The research supervisors must be available on campus for supervision.

Other than the above mentioned categories all student cards will be blocked for health and safety reasons.

For those having access to the campus, COVID SOPs need to be strictly followed.

We wish you all the best for this transition and for your health and safety.

Sincerely, Dr. Gloria Calib

Associate Vice Rector for Academic Affairs

For more information, contact:
Forman Christian College
Ferozpur Road, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99231581-8
Fax: +92-42-99230703
E-Mail: contact@fccollege.edu.pk
Website: www.fccollege.edu.pk