February 7, 2023 – Page 5 – Newswire Pakistan

February 7, 2023February 8, 2023

HRCP calls attention to continued marginalisation of religious minorities

Lahore, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):In its report titled A Breach of Faith: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2021-22, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has observed with considerable alarm developments during 2021/22 that belie the state’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief.

The incidence of forced conversions in Sindh has remained worryingly consistent. Reports of religious minorities’ sites of worship being desecrated have continued, but with no response from the state when such incidents involve sites associated with the Ahmadiyya community.

In Punjab, the mandatory declaration of faith for marriage certificates has further marginalised the Ahmadiyya community, while attempts to enforce a standardised national curriculum have created an exclusionary narrative that sidelines Pakistan’s religious minorities.

HRCP has reiterated the need for a representative and autonomous statutory national commission for minorities in the spirit of the 2014 Supreme Court Jillani judgement. It has also called for urgent legislation to criminalise forced conversions.

Among other recommendations, HRCP has demanded that the state make a concerted effort to counter sectarian violence, not only by implementing the National Action Plan but also by developing a national narrative that unambiguously eschews religious extremism and majoritarianism. The low threshold of evidence for blasphemy must be raised to ensure that the laws in question are not weaponised by people to settle personal vendettas, as is so often the case.

HRCP has also called for re-evaluating the quotas for religious minorities in education and employment and accountability mechanisms to ensure that these quotas are implemented, adding that, in no circumstances should job advertisements call for ‘non-Muslims only’ when recruiting sanitation workers.

Unless these measures are implemented urgently, Pakistan will continue to foster a climate of impunity for perpetrators of faith-based discrimination and violence, allowing the already-narrow space for religious freedom to shrink even further.

For more information, contact:
Chairperson
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
Aiwan-i-Jamhoor, 107-Tipu Block,
New Garden Town, Lahore-54600
Tel: +92-42-35864994
Fax: +92-42-35883582
Email: hrcp@hrcp-web.org
Website: www.hrcp-web.org

February 7, 2023February 8, 2023

PIMA Turkey Earthquake Medical Relief 2023

Islamabad, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):A 7.8-magnitude earthquake in south eastern Turkey and north-western Syria has affected millions of people. There has been extensive loss of life, property and infrastructure. More than 5,600 buildings have been flattened across several cities, including many multi-story apartment blocks that were filled with sleeping residents when the first quake struck.

The confirmed death toll across the two countries has soared above 4,300. The devastating earthquake needs our utmost attention and relief efforts for our brothers who stood with us at every moment of need and malady. Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) is committed to provide medical assistance to earthquake affectees in collaboration with local doctor’s organizations in Turkey.

For more information, contact:
Media Coordinator,
Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA)
Central Secretariat, 12-Shalimar Centre, 2nd Floor,
F-8 Markaz, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2261943
Fax: +92-51-2857132
Cell: +92-332-5564935
Email: pima@dsl.net.pk, media.pima@gmail.com
Website: www.pima.org.pk

February 7, 2023February 8, 2023

GFS-IHHN Golf Tournament 2023 raises funds for children with Cancer – Rise. Drive. Win Lives!

Karachi, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):A large community of golfers and corporates joined hands to play IHHN’s 8th GFS-IHHN Golf Tournament 2023, powered by Fast Cables, on February 5, 2023, at Karachi Golf Club, supporting the Childhood Cancer Services of Indus Hospital and Health Network.

Indus Hospital’s Pediatric Oncology services, a dedicated 85-bed facility started in 2014, comprises out-patient clinics, general wards, an oncology day care unit, a dedicated emergency unit, a covered outdoor play area, psycho-social and counselling services, and a hospital-based school ‘Indus Kay Sitaray’.

Indus has also started satellite pediatric oncology clinics at District Headquarter Hospital, Badin in Sindh, and Sheikh Khalifah Bin Zayd Hospital in Balochistan to facilitate patients for early diagnosis and patients on maintenance.

With a dedicated team of healthcare professionals and volunteers – including students, artists and many other supporters from various walks of life, to-date more than 10,600 have benefitted from the free of cost quality treatment at the Hospital.

To improve the childhood cancer survival rate in Pakistan, IHHN collaborated with the world’s premier pediatric cancer research center – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (SJCRH) – as one of their partners to work towards SJCRH’s global efforts to increase access to pediatric oncology services across Pakistan. IHHN also strives to play an important role to influence and develop national policies to ensure the availability of better facilities to serve children affected with cancer.

Speaking at the event, Mashood Rizvi, Executive Director, Communications and Resource Development Directorate, thanked the golfers for supporting IHHN. He also briefed them about IHHN’s new initiative of the Corporate Ambassador Program and League of 100,000 Heroes.

The Corporate Ambassadors Program is a one-of-a-kind initiative that aims to create a sustainable source of recurring donations that is the most viable solution to uphold the Network’s mission of providing free-of-cost healthcare to all.

Presently, every month IHHN needs approximately PKR 1 billion to treat the growing number of patients across the Network. By creating a league of 100K- heroes, each of who contributes PKR 10K each month, IHHN will be able to meet this goal and uphold its mission of Healthcare for All. 100K league members will be able to serve life-saving treatment to approximately six million patients yearly.

President of Indus Hospital and Health Network, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, delivered a vote of thanks to the participating golfers and the premium partners – GFS Builders and Developers and Fast Cables; and other corporate sponsors for making the event successful.

The annual IHHN Golf Tournament is Indus Hospital and Health Network’s flagship sports event which was started in 2016. Since then, the event has established a strong standing in the corporate sector and golfing community and is providing these groups with a remarkable opportunity to lead Pakistan’s into a healthier future. The IHHN golf tournaments are now held annually in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.

The game was played by 124 golfers in Texas Shamble format.

RESULTS:

Closest to Pin: Zahid Khan

Closest to Pin: Arsalan S Khan

Longest Drive: Omar Intesar

Runner-up Net: Imran Sultan

Runner-up Gross: Azhar Abbas

Winner Net: Zulfiqar Khan

Winner Gross: Omar Khalid

2nd Runner-up Team Net: Vice Admiral Khan Hasham, CDRE Ghazanfar, CDRE Abdul Rehman, Lt CDR Irfan Shahid

Runner-up team Net: Talal Javed, Moazzam Saleem, M. Shahid Sattar, Taha Afzal

Winner Team Net: Bilal Hussain Khan, Hamza Zahid Khan, Dastagir Peracha, Nadeem Arif.

About GFS Builders and Developers

GFS Builders and developers are one of the leading and diversified builders well known for the different projects introduced within different cities of Pakistan. The organization believes in delivering houses, societies, and community-building projects, and facilitating state-of-the-art projects which meet the high standards of authenticity and unmatched quality held by their valued clients.

The organization’s goal is to be the new face of Pakistan’s building and construction industry and deliver new concepts of working backed by the remarkable strength of their employees, associates, engineers, architects, etc.

About Fast Cables

Since its inception in 1985, Fast Cables Limited has emerged as Pakistan’s leading and most trusted electrical cable manufacturer. At Fast Cables, quality is the first priority, combined with superior customer service and affordability.

This emphasis on quality has made Fast Cables one of the most reliable brands in the Cable Industry of Pakistan and the choice of leading electrical consultants, engineers, and architects in the country.

About Indus Hospital and Health Network

Indus Hospital and Health Network is Pakistan’s largest healthcare network in the private sector, comprising fifteen hospitals, four regional blood centers, four physical rehabilitation centers, 36 primary care sites, and multiple public health initiatives nationwide. The Network provides free-of-cost, quality healthcare to all patients and serves approximately 500,000 people every month.

A notable service line in IHHN’s medical directorate is its multidisciplinary Pediatric Oncology services. Presently, IHHN’s Pediatric Oncology Unit is a center of excellence and is one of the largest childhood cancer units in the region. It receives patients not only from all over Pakistan but from other countries too, such as Afghanistan. To date, we have treated over 12,000 children for cancer and blood diseases.

For more information, contact
The Indus Hospital (TIH)
C-76, Sector 31/5, Opposite Darussalam Society,
Korangi Crossing, Karachi – 75190, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35112709-17
Fax: +92-21-35112718
Email: crd@indushospital.org.pk
Website: http://www.indushospital.org.pk/

February 7, 2023February 8, 2023

Alkhidmat on ground in Turkiye and Syria

Lahore, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):Alkhidmat Foundation launched emergency response after the devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. Alkhidmat Foundation in collaboration with Turkish partner organizations is responding on the ground in quake-hit areas of Turkiye and Syria by distributing hot meals, blankets, mattresses and shelter tents to the victims.

Immediately after a devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria, an emergency meeting of the Central Board of Management of Alkhidmat Foundation was held at Alkhidmat Complex, Lahore presided by President Alkhidmat Prof. Dr. Hafeez ur Rahman.

The Central Board of Management of Alkhidmat expressed deepest sadness at the loss of life and the destruction of property. The team expressed its condolences to the families of victims as well as to the people and Government, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. President Alkhidmat Prof. Dr. Hafeez Ur Rahman expressed his solidarity and announced all along support to the suffering brothers and sisters in Turkiye and Syria.

In a statement, President Alkhidmat Prof. Dr. Hafeez Ur Rehman said that Turkiye and Syria are our Islamic brother countries. Whenever there was an emergency in Pakistan, the brothers and sisters from Turkiye generously helped us, now it is our duty to support them in this hour of difficulty.

Alkhidmat Foundation is in constant contact with the Turkish Embassy in Pakistan, Turkish charity organization ‘TIKA’ and Turkish Red Crescent and will continue to provide all possible assistance to the earthquake victims as a gesture of goodwill, he concluded.

For more information, contact:
Al-Khidmat Foundation Pakistan
711, Block J-2 Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42 35957260
Fax: +92-42 35957261
Email: info@al-khidmatfoundation.org
Website: http://al-khidmatfoundation.org/

February 7, 2023February 8, 2023

Momentum builds up for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa

Dubai, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):The first ICC Women’s T20 Women’s Cup set to be staged in Africa is only a few days away and the excitement is bubbling over. It has already been an immense summer for women’s cricket on the continent, and especially South Africa, with the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup being successfully staged in Benoni and Potchefstroom, last month.

Women’s cricket certainly has centre stage and the spotlight moves to the tip of the African continent, Cape Town, on Friday 10 February when the opening game of the ICC Women’s T20 Women’s Cup will be staged between hosts South Africa and Sri Lanka at the picturesque Newlands.

Proteas Women’s all-rounder Chloe Tryon can already feel the excitement in the air building up to the historic occasion and is fully aware of the significance of the moment not only for herself, but also for aspirant women cricketers on the continent.

“We have a World Cup in a couple of days. This doesn’t come around often. I think it inspires us every day. We look on social media how excited everybody is and how much people in the country want to come out and support us. It is exciting. It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Tryon said.

“We have all sat together and worked really hard as a team. We want to make South Africa proud, ourselves proud and our families proud.”

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has the opportunity to change the landscape for generations of young women’s cricketers in South Africa and the continent.

Former England Women’s ICC World Cup-winning captain Karen Smithies, who has been coming to South Africa since 1998 and resides in the nation’s capital Pretoria since 2003, has witnessed first-hand the considerable development of the women’s game over the years in her adopted country.

Smithies believes that the staging of the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup and now the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup will be game changing for the growth of the game in South Africa.

“The ICC T20 Women’s World Cup will show what we have, that we have a really good team. The team has been playing really good cricket over the last few years. But now to play a World Cup on home soil as the host nation is a great thing for the development of the game,” Smithies said.

“I think over the last three to four years women’s cricket in South Africa has grown immeasurably. This has mostly been due to the team’s performances. They have won series in New Zealand and in India, and semi-final appearances in both the 50-overs and T20 World Cups already, so in that time span it has grown immeasurably. “Women’s cricket is growing from zero to hero very rapidly.”

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

February 7, 2023February 8, 2023

ICC Player of the Month Nominees for January a blend of youth and experience

Dubai, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):The ICC has today revealed the names shortlisted for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for January 2023 following a blockbuster month of cricket which included a host of bilateral cricket across the globe, and the thrilling climax of the first-ever ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.

The ICC Player of the Month awards celebrate the outstanding cricketers on the international stage from the previous calendar month, and the line-ups for January 2023 feature a blend of established international performers and exciting new talent hoping to claim the awards.

The ICC Women’s Player of the Month shortlist features two prolific Australian batters along with the Player of the Tournament from the inaugural edition of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Phoebe Litchfield made her ODI debut in January and was quick to make an impact on the international stage in the 50-over format, scoring impressive back-to-back half-centuries during the recent series victory over Pakistan.

Her teammate and opening partner Beth Mooney also thrived at the crease last month, scoring big runs including a century in the final ODI, once again underlining her expertise in white ball cricket. The line-up is completed by England’s U19 captain Grace Scrivens, who claimed the Player of the Tournament prize in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup following a string of impressive all-round performances.

The candidates that make up the ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist feature an Indian batting and bowling duo who starred in the shorter formats, and a New Zealand century-maker in Test and ODI cricket.

Talented batter Shubman Gill dazzled in recent ODI performances against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, registering two centuries and one double-century. Mohammed Siraj continues to rocket up the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, and reached the summit for bowlers in January thanks to back-to-back four-wicket hauls against the same opposition.

Completing the men’s shortlist for January is New Zealand opener Devon Conway, who started the month scoring a Test century in Pakistan, and ended with another three-figure score, this time in ODIs, in India.

An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world will now cast their votes to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered at icc-cricket.com/awards are invited to head online to pick their favourite stars until Sunday.

Phoebe Litchfield (Aus)

After making her international debut in December, 19-year-old Litchfield has made a fast start to 2023, with confident knocks at the top of the order in Australia’s ODI series victory against Pakistan. In a dream ODI debut, the teenager top scored for the hosts with 78 not out to win the first match and claim the Player of the Match award. The second tie saw much of the same, an unbeaten 67 and a superb partnership with Beth Mooney helped Litchfield and her teammates claim a 10-wicket win and the series victory.

Beth Mooney (Aus)

Mooney has for so long been a reliable performer in the colours of Australia, and the nominee for the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in the ICC Awards 2022 picked up where she left off in January. The opener starred in the ODI series against Pakistan, picking up the Player of the Series award despite a slow start to the month.

She secured the series win with a fine unbeaten half-century in the second ODI in Brisbane before smashing 133 in the final showdown, resulting in a 101-run victory. Not content with that, The Australian icon scored a further half-century in the subsequent T20I series against the tourists, reinforcing the threat she carries heading into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which starts in a three days’ time.

Grace Scrivens (Eng)

The ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup ended with a flourish, and also set the platform for several young stars to establish themselves on the world stage. One of the shining lights from the tournament was England captain Grace Scrivens, whose leadership skills and individual brilliance took her side all the way to the Final of the inaugural edition.

With the bat, she scored three successive half-centuries in victories against Rwanda, Ireland and West Indies and with ball in hand she took nine valuable wickets throughout the tournament at an average of 7.11, earning her the Player of the Tournament award.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for January:

Devon Conway (NZ)

Conway has become a multi-format talisman for New Zealand in recent years, and he started 2023 in similar style. The opener, who was the ICC Men’s Player of the Month back in June 2021, scored almost 500 runs during the period, with centuries in Test cricket and ODI cricket against strong opposition. Karachi saw Conway’s first and second centuries of the month – a fine 122 not out in the dramatic second Test against Pakistan was followed up with a gritty 101 in a convincing ODI win on a tricky pitch.

The opener then carried this form into the series against India, where he ended the month with a brisk 138 from 100 balls where he provided strong resistance against an impressive India bowling attack.

Shubman Gill (Ind)

Another talented youngster named among the nominees for Men’s Player of the Month, Gill secures his first nomination for the award on the back of a superb month, most notably in ODI cricket. Scoring 567 ODI runs during the period at an astonishing average of 113.40, his entertaining and powerful stroke play saw him hit three-figures on three occasions.

In a month full of highlights, arguably his best outing was a glittering 208 not out in the series opener against New Zealand in Hyderabad, coming in just 149 balls with 28 boundaries. As well as his successful ODI exploits, Gill churned out 76 runs in T20I cricket during the month.

Mohammed Siraj (Ind)

Siraj’s rise to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI bowler rankings has been nothing short of meteoric. Having only made one appearance in ODI’s before last year, Siraj has been a constant performer in the past 12 months, earning him a spot in the recently announced ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year for 2022, and now finds himself at the top of the rankings after another excellent month.

Siraj played in 5 ODIs during January, against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, taking 14 wickets at a remarkable average of 10.57 which included back-to-back four-wicket hauls against the two touring sides.

The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process:

The three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world.

The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC can vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second Monday of the month on ICC’s digital channels.

Voting Academy for ICC Player of the Month December 2022*:

Afghanistan: Hameed Qayoomi and Javed Hamim; Australia: Scott Bailey and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Mohammad Sekander Ali and Md Ariful Islam Roney; England: Elizabeth Ammon and Lydia Greenway; Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington; India: Lavanya Lakshmi Narayanan and Irfan Pathan; New Zealand: Merryn Anderson and Craig Cumming; Pakistan: Sawera Pasha and Sana Mir; South Africa: Zaahier Adams and Ashwell Prince; Sri Lanka: Azzam Ameen and Farveez Maharoof; West Indies: Daren Ganga and Stacy Ann King; Zimbabwe: Daniel Nhakaniso and Mpumelelo Mbangwa; Others: Ajit Vijaykumar and Dirk Nannes.