Day: March 17, 2024

Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, has said the council is set to escalate its efforts on a global scale to foster interfaith dialogue and harmony. Addressing international media in Islamabad, he emphasized that Islamophobia poses a grave threat to Muslims worldwide. Tahir Ashrafi urged world powers to accelerate initiatives to eradicate Islamophobia, labeling it as a toxic barrier hindering interfaith harmony. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan has welcomed the adoption of its sponsored resolution titled "Measures to Combat Islamophobia," by the UN General Assembly with an overwhelming majority. According to Foreign Office, the resolution was presented by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Pakistan also welcomed the General Assembly's call for the appointment of a "United Nations Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia". Foreign office said this historic appointment will be the first of its kind, exclusively dedicated to combating the scourge of Islamophobia. It further said the adoption of the resolution comes at a critical time, amidst rising Islamophobia, as manifested by an increasing number of incidents of discrimination, violence, and incitement against Muslims around the world. Source: Radio Pakistan

The scrutiny of nomination papers for elections on forty-eight vacant seats of the Senate will be carried out on Tuesday. Revised list of the candidates will be issued on the 26th of this month whilst the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by 27th of this month. In the federal capital, members of the National Assembly will elect members of the Senate against one general seat and one seat for technocrats including Ulema. Members of the four provincial assemblies will elect senators for seven general seats, two women seats, and two seats for technocrats including Ulema from each province, as well as one seat for non-Muslims from both Punjab and Sindh provinces. According to the schedule, polling will be held on the second of next month. Forty-two candidates have submitted their nomination papers for Senate Election in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to a list issued by a spokesman of ECP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Ahmad in Peshawar this afternoon, twenty-five candidates have submitted their nomi nation papers for seven general seats. Similarly, ten candidates have submitted their nomination papers for two technocrat and Ulema seats. Seven women candidates have submitted nomination papers for two reserved seats for women from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Source: Radio Pakistan

Punjab Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore. During the meeting, they discussed matters relating to specialized healthcare and medical education and the overall political situation in the country. Source: Radio Pakistan

PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore today. Overall political situation of the country and matters of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting. Source: Radio Pakistan

Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif today visited Kot Lakhpat Central Jail and observed iftar with women inmates. She also inaugurated a special 20-bed hospital in Kot Lakhpat Central Jail for the rehabilitation of drug addicts. Additionally, she inaugurated a video call facility for inmates. Kot Lakhpat Central Jail in Lahore is the first jail in the world to provide video call facilities for inmates. On the direction of Punjab Chief Minister, a special Iftaar menu was prepared for inmates in jail. Source: Radio Pakistan