KARACHI: A family from Larkana has set a ‘Guinness World Record’ of most family members born on the same date.
There are 9 people in this family and all were born on 1st August.
The family consists of Amir Azad Mangi, his wife Khadija and 7 children, including two sets of twins.
Amir Azad Mangi was born on August 1, 1968, his wife on August 1, 1973, their first daughter Sindhu on August 1, 1992, twin daughters Sassi and Sapna on August 1, 1998, first son Aamir on August 1, 2001, second son Amber on August 1, 2001.August 2002 and then twin sons Amar and Ahmar were born on August 1, 2003.
Amir Azad Mangi was also married on 1st August, thus 1st August is an important date for this entire family.
This family has broken the record of an American family of 5 people, which held the Guinness record since 1966.
KARACHI: Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh for Law & Spokesperson to the Government of Sindh Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that Karachi which was once the most dangerous cities seven years ago, is now ranked 128 due to continuous peace efforts of Sindh Government and Law Enforcement Agencies.
We did an operation and Karachi came from 6th position to 128.
Under a conspiracy, the peace of Karachi was disturbed. Working on Safe City under community policing. There is peace in the city only when the citizens can go to the streets and hotels late at night. Guest of Honor IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon
He was addressing Peace conference as cheif Guest which was organized by AdPulse in a private hotel in Karachi to support the endless sacrifices and services of the Sindh Police.
Wahab and Guest of Honor I.G. Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon participated in the event. Barrister Murtaza Wahab while addressing the audience said that Karachi was number one on the list of dangerous cities seven years ago. The Sindh Government conducted an operation and from 6th position, we came to 128th.
10,000 people come to this city every day, this city provides employment, education, and health to all and will continue to provide them. Karachi is not abandoned, we need to tell people that good things happen here. If we want to move forward, we have to reach out to each other and move forward. The coming time will be good for our province and for our people
While IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon said that the police is a part of this society, there is no peace in Karachi, it is not like that. We have asked the people of Karachi to install CCTV cameras as it will reduce the crime rate, and the ratio has decreased. The Sindh Government has given funds to the police, and it is in front of everyone. The suggestion I sent to the Sindh government in 9 months was approved by the Chief Minister of Sindh. Karachi is at 128 on the list of peace, crime is higher in Chicago and Paris, peace is being disturbed under a conspiracy. Everywhere you go in the world, the crime rate is high. You can go to eat at night, go to the market, there is liveliness, and it means that there is peace in Karachi, doesn’t target the police like this. Sindh Government and Police are facing four problems, we have to end terrorism. The government provided us out-of-budget aid, and the Sindh Government gave us rupees One Million budget. We are recruiting police on a merit basis. We have 10 to 12 trainees and we pay for their food from our own pocket.
Brigadier (R) Haris Nawaz said that only if there is peace in Karachi, success will come in Karachi, the economy will improve and the entire society will have to help the police. Karachi needs to be made a smart city, cameras are much needed to catch terrorists and criminals. Haji Mohammad Rafiq Pardesi said that Karachi is a city of peace and our police is doing a very good job. PSL happens because of Sindh Police. This nation is ready to die in the name of Pakistan. Unity Foods CEO Farrukh Amin said that Karachi is a peace-loving city, but there are shortcomings and they are being removed.
Thanks to the Sindh Police, they have maintained peace in Karachi. Compared to the last ten years, there is peace in Karachi today. On this occasion, Unity Foods CEO Farrukh Amin, Zee Group President Zeeshan Altaf Lohya, Chairman HMR Haji Rafiq Pardesi, Mirza Ikhitar Baig, and media representatives participated.
On this occasion, a specially prepared documentary for Sindh Police was also screened.
Azin Mohajerin and Hina Jilal at OMCT’s offices on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023. (Geneva Solutions/Michelle Langrand)
Michelle Langrand in Geneva Solutions of 10 March 2023 speaks with two human rights defenders, from Iran and Pakistan.
Iran’s crackdown on women’s rights protests that erupted in September and the Taliban recently banning women from working in NGOs or from attending university have served as a reminder of how fast women’s rights are sliding back in the region and other parts of the world. But despite widespread arrests, allegations of torture and the execution of four protesters in Iran, the women-led movement refuses to back down. For Azin Mohajerin, 36, it means that change is a little more within grasp. Mohajerin left Iran in 2010, following the wave of post-electoral protests that swept the country.
This time around she is supporting rights campaigners in the country, specifically from minority groups, through Miaan, an NGO in Texas she co-founded in 2019 and where she works as senior human rights officer.
Hina Jilani, an advocate of Pakistan’s Supreme Court and president of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), who fought against sharia laws in Pakistan back in the 80s, views it as another illustration of women’s resistance on the path to obtaining change.
Mohajerin and Jilani were in Geneva for international women’s day for an event organised by OMCT. Geneva Solutions spoke to the activists about the challenges women face in their countries and the lessons they can draw from each other.
Born in Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab region, Hina Jilani grew up hearing about courtrooms and prisons. At that time, Pakistan was under martial law and her father’s political opposition would often land him into trouble. Rather than being traumatised, Jilani was empowered by the environment in which she was raised. Later in life as a lawyer, her work would also land her in those same courtrooms and prisons. Jilani passed the bar exam in 1977, the same year Sharia law was imposed on Pakistan. One of the new laws made adultery a crime against the state. See also: https://www.trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest/laureates/705AB196-BD5E-4EC2-B6C1-96AC5DDB353E .“While now Pakistan has a fit and reasonably good, protective legal framework for women, we have not gotten rid of the notorious practices like child marriage or honour killings. Gender-based violence is one of our biggest issues in Pakistan,” she pointed out. Pakistan reported around 63,000 cases of gender-based violence in the past three years according to Pakistan’s National Commission of Human Rights.
In Iran, the women-led movement for the freedom to choose what they wear and what to do with their bodies has been shaking the country for the past few months. But observers are cautious about the chances of the current uprising spurring real change in Iran as previous ones have failed to do so. Mohajerin, who cannot return to her country because of the sensitive nature of her work, sees it as one more step in the long path towards the respect of human rights.
The protests in Iran have brought out Iran’s ethnic minorities to march along with the Persian majority. Mahsa Amini, whose death in custody of the morality police last September triggered mass unrest, was a 22-year-old Kurdish woman from Saqqez, in the Kurdistan province of Iran.
Mohajerin, who works with minority groups in Iran, sees that cultural change has seeped into some of the most conservative communities. “Women in Balochistan bravely went to the street in one of the rare moments that they have spoken up about their rights,” said Mohajerin.“There is a recognition that there is a gap that needs to be filled in terms of ethnic equality and gender equality.”
But Iran has also come down hard on these groups. “After Tehran, the top places in terms of arrests were minority populated areas: the Kurdish area, the Turkic and then Balochistan,” said Mohajerin. Many of them remain behind bars, she said.
“Culture can help people to break the chains,” said Jilani. “Not everything is because of what the leadership or the ruling elite do. Unfortunately, the ruling elite act in a certain manner because that is the national psyche.”
Mohajerin noted that Iranians have been fighting for their freedom for a long time now. “It’s not a new movement, it is not something that started in September or even last year. It has been a long-lasting fight,” said Mohajerin.
She recalled when women first marched against the mandatory hijab after it was introduced by the Islamic revolution in Iran 44 years ago. “In Iran, the woman cannot have custody of the child after a certain age and they don’t have the right to divorce. But they do not just give up and say okay, this is how we should live. They’ve been fighting to get their rights and finding loopholes in the system,” she said.
“The cultural change that has been achieved during the past decades is way more significant than the law that exists,” said Mohajerin.
The situation in Iran has drawn international outcry, with western powers condemning Iran’s violent response to the protests. Like many activists, Jilani and Mohajerin see international solidarity as essential to their causes.
“Voices from the outside can help when the environment inside the country is very difficult,” said Jilani. “I’m alive today because of international public opinion and the pressure of the international community,” said Jilani. She recalls former US president Jimmy Carter and former president of Ireland Mary Robinson pleading for her release from prison at one time.So many world leaders sent letters to Pakistan, protesting against my incarceration, that when they released me they showed me this thick file and said we don’t know why people around the world are so worried about you.”
When Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was in Geneva last week to speak before the Human Rights Council, campaigners called for diplomats to stage a walkout during his speech. Mohajerin recognised it as a “significant symbolic gesture to condemn the human rights abuses in Iran”. “However, it is crucial for the international community to engage in dialogue with the Iranian government regarding human rights violations, particularly in cases of executions, at the highest level,” she added.
But both Jilani and Mohajerin are adamant about something: change has to come from within. “The voice should come from the people inside the country. They are the ones who live in the country, and they are the ones who have to decide for their future,” said Mohajerin, noting that views within her country are not a monolith.
New York: In a historic development that will promote religious harmony, and deepen the sense of ownership in the Muslim community living in New York, the NYC administration for the first time has allowed prayer calling on loudspeaker from the Makki Masjid.
For the first time, the adhan ( prayer calling) was given over a loudspeaker in the Makki Mosque in Coney Island, New York.
After getting the permission from the administration, the people of the area heard the sound of adhan echoing in the air. Listening to the adhan on the loudspeaker, positive attitude was expressed by the people of the area.
Previously, the prayer calling was only allowed inside Islamic centers or mosques in New York.
The people of the area expressed their happiness on getting the permission for the prayer calling over loud speaker, and said that for many people it is historic.
We haven’t seen it happen before, and now Muslims living in NYC are seeing it happen in their own lives.
People living near Makki Masjid will now hear the sounds of Allah Akbar five times a day.
Azaan will continue to be given on loudspeakers during Ramadan as well.
New York: New York City Council Member Chi Osse has said that his office is open round the clock to address a host of issues especially related to public safety، housing, and immigrants concerns۔
He was addressing ‘Meet and Greet and Fundraising event organized by the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC) to support his election campaign, in Brooklyn.
Chi Osse said: “Our office is open for public.We have been doing efforts since the last 47+ weeks. Resolution of issues being faced by immigrant community is one of the top priority of my office.”
As community we have a sizable amount of immigrants who have certain barriers to get access to the resources within the city.
So, on weekly basis, we are providing a couple of hour session, so that immigrants can have access to the resources whether it’s cellphones, free transportation, free food, and other social services.
Every other week, we have in our office immigrants attorney, and it’s a free service we provide for our immigrant community, Chi Osse said.
He acknowledged the housing crisis being one of the major concerns NYC has been facing since the immigrant crisis emerged.
In every Tuesday, a housing specialist is providing services to dozens of individuals at my office, whereas in every other Tuesday, we have housing attorney as well for legal advises.This service is very expensive especially when it comes to immigration. But free service we are providing to our community.This is the support we have been providing to our community.
On public safety issue, he said with relevant authorities some 40 plus individuals have been identified who have potentially been involved in violent crimes. The authorities are making efforts to nab them and send them behind the bars. He said his district has a limited crime rate.
Chi Ossé is the Council Member for New York City’s 36th District, representing Bedford-Stuyvesant and North Crown Heights.
He entered politics as an organizer and prominent figure in the Black Lives Matter movement. At 23 years old, Ossé was elected in 2021 as the youngest member of this Council and its only member hailing from Gen-Z.
APPAC Chairman Dr. Ijaz Ahmed besides Asad Chaudhry welcomed the guest Chi Osse.
The meet and greet saw overwhelming participation from Muslim community members representing different countries.
They said that Chi Osse always support our voice in solving the problems of Pakistani and Muslim community.
In his address Chi Osse presented his election manifesto. He said that New York City has a large number of Pakistani and Muslim communities.
“I want to work for the betterment of this community,” he vowed.
Apart from the Pakistani American community, Muslim people from other countries also participated in the event, including APPAC board member Ayesha Ukiyo.
He said that he wants the youth leadership to take full part in politics, and without their active part, the change cannot happen.
On this occasion, other members of the Muslim community appreciated Chi Osse’s performance. They said that politics is the best way to improve the society and people’s life, the promises made to the voters should be fulfilled.
The participants of the event asked Councilman Chi Osse several questions on various topics and issues facing the community, to which he answered as well as informed about the performance of his office.
New York: The women who came from Pakistan to attend the UN meeting distributed food to the homeless people in New York and also visited the shelter homes.
Various delegations of women have come to participate the Commission of Status of Women’s Week in the United Nations, from all over the world.
The delegation included Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Women Wing, Durdana Siddiqui, President of Women and Family Commission of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Rukhsana Jabeen, Chairperson Working Women Welfare Trust Pakistan, Abida Farheen, Afshan Naveed and member of International Muslim Women Union Shaheen Abid.
While this delegation is participating in various programs, they also distributed fresh food to the homeless in Manhattan, the heart of New York city, in collaboration with the American Muslim welfare organization ICNA-Relief.
Talking to the media on this occasion, the women in the delegation said: “we were surprised to see that even in a developed country like the United States, a large number of people are homeless and standing in food lines, amid harsh weather for a meal.
The women said that they are happy to see that the Muslim organization ICNA Relief is serving humanity in America, regardless of race, color and creed.
The delegation also visited both the women and children’s shelters of ICNA Relief in New York Jamaica and appreciated its quality.
New York: Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the aim of the Women in Islam Conference is to eliminate the existing misconceptions regarding Islam and women’s rights.
Islam is the only religion that talked about women’s rights that other religions.
Pakistani Foreign Minister participated in the Women in Islam Conference organized on the occasion of International Women’s Day in New York.
Talking to the media on this occasion, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that in this conference, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and other Islamic countries have gathered to represent the rights of women.
The entire Muslim Ummah agrees on one thing that Islam is the only religion which first discussed the rights of women.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the purpose of this conference is to eliminate the wrong concept in the world regarding the rights of women in Islam.
He further said that women ministers in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh are proof that Islam gives full representation to women in all spheres of life.
The participating women described the Women in Islam Conference as a good effort and said that in the international forum not only the rights of the Muslim Ummah but the rights of women of the whole world were discussed.
Women issues should also be raised at the national and international level.
The female participants said that not only the Muslim Ummah but the rights of women are being violated in the whole world.
There is a dire need to raise the same voice for women’s rights.
New York: New York City Mayor Eric Adams has praised New York Police Department’s (NYPD) Muslim Officers for their humanitarian efforts to help the flood-hit Pakistanis and earthquake victims in Turkey.
The Mayor said that he has witnessed the Muslim Officers Society always helping people in trouble without discrimination.
The New York Police Department’s Muslim Officers Society and the Middle East Turkish Society are continuing their relief activities to help the victims of the earthquake in Turkey.
Eric Adams inspected the packing and departure of relief supplies at the NYPD’s central warehouse.
Addressing a joint press conference on this occasion, Mayor Eric Adams said that Turkey continues to host Tunisian and Syrian refugees, and today, more or less 20 million Turkish citizens are affected by the earthquake
In these circumstances, the role of MOS is commendable.
On this occasion, the Consul General of Turkey in NYC, Reyhan Özgür, said that the spirit of Muslim officers to help their Turkish brothers and sisters has boosted our courage.
In the next few days, these relief materials will be delivered to the earthquake victims.
The second vice president of the Muslim Officers Society and the representative of the Middle East Turkish Society said that some relief materials have been sent to the earthquake victims in Turkey.
100 pallets containing various essential items are ready and will be dispatched soon.
A large number of MOS volunteers are actively participating in the packing of relief supplies.
The representatives of the Muslim Officers Society gave a briefing to the mayor about the relief activities which were appreciated by the Mayor NYC.
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Tuesday called for establishing a monitoring mechanism for crimes committed against women and girls in territories under foreign occupation, including the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The most egregious atrocities and crimes against women and girls occur in situations of foreign occupation and suppression of the right to self-determination to peoples,” he said during a high-level debate in the UN Security Council on ‘Women, Peace and Security (WPS) towards the 25th Anniversary of Resolution 1325’.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that women continue to be the principal victims of war and conflict despite 90 states have adopted National Action Plans to protect women and girls.
He thanked the Veronica Nataniel Macamo Dlhovu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique for convening this Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, on the eve of International Women’s Day.
The world today is facing a pandemic of conflict, violence, war, hate, extremism and terrorism. Despite the Geneva Conventions, civilians are increasingly the primary targets of war and violence. And, as the Council’s landmark resolution 1325 observed, women and girls suffer disproportionately and inordinately from war, conflict and violence.
The strategy adopted in Security Council resolution 1325, and the 10 subsequent resolutions on women, peace and security, has served to enhance national and international recognition of the challenge and its manifestations.
Almost 90 states have adopted National Action Plans to protect women and girls and to empower them to contribute to prevent and respond to conflict, war and violence.
The UN’s Special Rapporteur on Sexual Violence in Conflict has helped to enhance recognition of this challenge. The larger presence and role of women peacekeepers has visibly contributed to preventing and containing conflicts and violence and crimes against women.
“Yet, we are far from realizing the objectives of the Women, Peace and Security Agend,” Bilawal said.
The somber reality is that women continue to be the principal victims of war and conflict. We hear the cries of mothers, sisters and daughters – in Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, in Africa – suffering from the consequences of wars that were imposed on them. We have yet to implement the strategy to prevent war, ease its suffering, establish accountability for the crimes against women and girls and empower women, through skills, access and leadership, to contribute to prevention, recovery and redress from their imposed and disproportionate suffering.
We are disappointed at the restrictions imposed on education and work on women and girls in Afghanistan. The right of women and girls to access all levels of education and work is a fundamental right in keeping with Islamic injunctions. We urge the defacto authorities to take steps towards resumption of female education and allow them to contribute to Afghan Society.
The most egregious atrocities and crimes against women and girls occur in situations of foreign occupation and suppression of the right to self-determination of people. Here, the very object of violence is to suppress the civilian population. This is manifested most vividly in the occupied Palestinian territories and occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The women, peace and security strategy will remain incomplete and unfulfilled so long as the acute dimension of the plight of women under foreign occupation is not addressed frontally and vigorously. Above all, occupation forces must be held accountable.
To ensure implementation of the WPS strategy, it is essential to establish a monitoring mechanism for crimes committed against women and girls in territories under foreign occupation, including Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The Security Council called for improved monitoring in resolution 1888 (2009), through the deployment of military and gender expert teams to conflict areas, and in resolution 1960 (2010) it endorsed measures to end the impunity of perpetrators. These provisions must be implemented.
Pakistan also supports effective implementation of the other measures in the Council’s resolutions on Women, Peace and Security: The deployment of Women Protection Advisors; A larger role for UN Women Peacekeepers, especially in leadership positions; addressing the root causes of conflicts; increasing the resources for women in conflict zones;stronger and equal role for women in the prevention of conflict, in the delivery of relief and recovery assistance and in forging lasting peace; the peaceful resolution of conflicts in accordance with the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions, utilizing the various mechanisms available under the UN Charter.
TEXAS: The students of University of Texas Dallas are making efforts to promote cricket on campus on their own despite no financial support from the University administration.
Since cricket is not included in the official sports in the educational institutions of America, the students who play cricket in most of the universities are not provided any kind of financial support from the educational institutions here.
The students of the University of Texas Dells are active for the promotion of cricket.
These students are not only cricket fans but also play excellent cricket.
Cricketer students of UT Dales say that they organize cricket matches and various tournaments here throughout the year, but the university administration does not support them like other sports.
Students believe that one of the main reasons for this is that cricket is not a regular sport here.
These students also say that if the cricket-loving local community supports them, they will be able to make cricket a regular sport in the university.
They said that they want to represent Dalles in the NCCA cricket tournament to be held in Houston.
If the community supports them, they can effectively represent the Dales by playing the best cricket.
Lahore: Overseas Pakistanis Global Foundation (OPGF), and Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) have joined hands to work together for the welfare of overseas community members and resolve their issues.
The MOU signing ceremony was held on January 09, 2023 in Lahore.
Shaikh Shakil Vice Chairman of OPGF, and Syed Tariq Mahmood-Ul-Hassan Vice Chairperson OPC signed the documents on behalf of their respective organizations.
OPGF has its Head Office in NeW York, while Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) office based in Lahore.
The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to confirm the relationship of cooperation between the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission & OPGF for the purpose of mutually strengthening each other’s capacity and in playing their role in providing all the welfare facilities and best services to resolve the major issues facing by
Overseas Pakistanis.
OPGF will provide all the relevant complaints of Overseas Pakistanis on the behalf of Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission. Along with all required information and complaint registered on Web Portal of OPC.
For the avoidance of doubt, the MOU is not legally binding on either parties. Either party may terminate this MOU with upon one-month prior written notice to the other party stating its intention to withdraw from the relationship as
described in this MOU. This termination will be without any cost or expenses to either party.
The terms of the understanding may at any time be amended as needed in writing and as agreed upon by both the parties.
As per the document, available with VOSA TV, said: “The parties hereby agree not to disclose any confidential infomation of the other party to
any person, fim or enterprise, or use for its own benefits, without the written consent and approval of the other party, confidential information includes any reports, data, systems materials or other intomation of one party that the other party may have gained or acquired access to as a result of this MOU.”
However, the Foundation & Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission being a nonprofit and public organization can inform its shareholders about the general nature of this agreement, its benefits and services being availed in its annual report or through any other publication.
Any dispute in respect of any issue arising out of this MOU will be resolved with mutualconsultation.
If unresolved, the matter will be referred for arbitration to the Vice Chairperson Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission and the President of OPGF for decision.
Their decision will be final and binding and cannot be challenged in any court
of Law.
New Jersey: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf USA chapter held a grand program in New Jersey to discuss the immediate solution of various problems being faced by Pakistan.
PTI leader and Senator Faisal Javed was the chief guest of the event.
The program was organized at a local banquet in New Jersey which was hosted by senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf New Jersey Sam Khan and Khurshid Bhalli.
The program started with the recitation of Holy Quran.Khursheed Bhali administrated the program.
Addressing the participants, host Sam Khan and Khurshid Bhalli said that there was more love for Imran Khan among overseas Pakistanis than in Pakistan.
Speaking on the topic of the program, Senator Faisal Javed, the chief guest of the event, said that overseas Pakistanis are suffering more because of the current situation in Pakistan.
Allah has blessed Imran Khan with the ability to make the impossible, possible.
While PTI OIC Secretary Abdullah Riad said that Imran Khan’s struggle is for the real freedom of Pakistan.
Other participants of the event while talking about the immediate solution of various problems faced by Pakistan said: “we are fortunate to have the leadership of a person like Imran Khan,”
No one coined the term ‘real freedom’ except Imran Khan. It is the heartfelt wish of the overseas Pakistanis that the reign of Imran Khan returns soon.
During the program, overseas Pakistanis also raised slogans in favor of Imran Khan along with Senator Faisal Javed.
KARACHI: The New York Police Department’s (NYPD) Muslim Officers’ Society (MOS) has fulfilled its promise to the Sindh Police by constructing new houses for the flood effected officials of the provincial police in the Dadu district.
Ali Gohar Panwar, Head Constable of Sindh Police, who lives on the outskirts of the MNV Drain, in Johi Taluka of Dadu District, has been gifted a new house comprised two-room by the Muslim Officers’ Society of New York Police Department, where his family is now living, happily.
No one knows when, how and in what way the Allah almighty helps his creatures in difficult times.
Muslim Officers Society in America, which is based in NYC some 7 thousand miles away from Pakistan, decided to help the flood victims and arrangements were made as soon as they saw the devastating situation in the province.
Five months ago, after the stormy rains, the devastating floods washed away everything that came in it’s way.
The houses of the policemen residing in Dadu district were also flooded.
The story of Constable Nisar Ahmed Panwar, who lives in a flood-affected area with his elderly mother, wife and three children, is no different.Nisar Ahmed’s father was also in the police who was martyred during his service and he got a job in the police on the basis of his father’s quota. But his income was not so much that he could rebuild his damaged house.
In a meeting with MOS President Deputy Inspector Adeel Rana in November last, the Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon requested MOS to provide fifty thousand dollars for the construction of houses of flood affected policemen.
Allocated amount is more than one hundred crore rupees in Pakistani currency and MOS fulfilled its promise to the Sindh Police by constructing new houses for the police constables and head constables living in different areas of Dadu district.
MOS has constructed houses in Dadu of Sindh the worst affected district in the history of Pakistan, in the first phase, MOS constructed homes for the policemen who find it difficult to maintain their homes on their meager salaries.
With the provision of financial assistance from the Muslim Officers Society, new houses were provided to the policemen in different tehsils and talukas of Dadu district.
After construction of houses in the first phase, MOS has started construction of more new houses after complete survey and inspection of flood damaged houses by police personnel in other areas of Dadu district which will be completed by next month.
New York: Dr. Ehsanullah, owner of the Polyclinic on Coney Island Avenue was laid to rest at the Washington Memorial Cemetery on Long Island, amid groans and sobs.
He was regarded as well-respected and one of the beloved members of Pakistani community in New York City.
He died after a cardiac arrest while doing a treadmill exercise, a couple of days back.
His funeral prayer was held yesterday at Makki Masjid.
A large number of business and social personalities of the community participated in the funeral prayer.
In his address to the participants, Qari Usama quoted the Quranic verses and said that the time of death of every soul is fixed, but no one knows when, in what condition and in which place the death occurs.
Therefore, he said every soul should worry about hereafter more than worldly affairs. After performing the funeral prayers, the body of the late Dr. Ehsanullah was taken to the Washington Memorial Cemetery in Long Island, where he was laid to rest with groans and sobs.
Dr Ehsanullah has left behind a widow and three children to mourn his death. Pakistani community has prayed for forgiveness and elevation of the departed soul.
KARACHI: Some four overseas Pakistanis living in the US and Canada have approached Sindh High Court against Bahria Town, a privately owned real-estate development tycoon for ‘depriving’ them of ownership rights of plots, and villas despite making full payments.
In a petition filed before the Sindh High Court (SHC), the complainants said they booked plots and villas in Bahria Town Karachi and made regular payments through installments, since the launch of the mega project in Karachi in 2013.
The complainants, named Noor Jahan Bibi, Uzma Shaheen, Asadullah Khan and Naveed Rasheed claimed that they have been deprived of the villas and plots despite making full payments.
Noor Jahan Bibi booked a plot of 125 square yards, Uzma Shaheen also got a plot of 125 square yards, Asadullah Khan paid for plots of 500 and 125 square yards. Similarly, Naveed Rasheed paid full payment for a 250 square yard residential plot in Bahria Town.
But, the real estate company, they claimed, has not allotted plots and villas to them. They have been deprived of their ownership rights, and allotments, yet.
The complainants say that they tried to contact Bahria Town several times, but the administration remained silent, which shows a moral decay on the part of Bahria Town.
They said that despite being a multi billionaire, Bahria Town usurped their rights, and the management is dealing with new investors in BTK-2.
The petitioners said when the balloting took place, their names were astonishingly missing, after which the Supreme Court took up the Bahria Town case, and the land which they had booked was included in the illegal land portion.
Thay posed question as who ordered Bahria Town to include our names in the illegal land, despite they made regular payments.
They said their parents are suffering from heart disease, urging the court to ensure speedy justice to them, saying “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
New York: Overseas Pakistanis in New York have introduced a scholarship program for Pakistan-based National University of Modern Languages (NUML) students.
Under this program, a scholarship of $ 35,00 will be given to each student annually.
The NUML Scholarship Dinner was held at the residence of Tasawur Ahsan in Old West Bury, New York.
The host Parvaiz Riaz and Zameer Chaudhary welcomed the guest of honor and Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum and presented her with a bouquet.
Addressing the participants on this occasion, Aleema Khanum explained the aims and objectives of establishing NUML University.
He said that there is immense talent in the young generation of Pakistan, it is necessary to improve their skills.
Business and social personalities of the Pakistani American community also participated in the event.
On this occasion, Imran Khan’s special message regarding NUML University was also presented to the participants.
On this occasion, senior leader of PTI, Sajjad Barki informed the audience about the method of donating in the scholarship program.
The hosts of the event, Tasawur Ahsan, Pervaiz Riaz and Zameer Chaudhary also announced their and their family’s financial support for the scholarship program.
The organizers said that they want the deprived and underprivileged children in the Pakistani society to be equipped with the jewel of education.
At the end of the ceremony, certificates of appreciation were presented to the donors of the scholarship club program.
The participants reiterated their commitment that overseas Pakistanis will continue to play their best role in providing better and higher education to the Pakistani youth.
New York: Islamic Circle of North America, known as ICNA Relief performed the last rituals of Aqib, who had died on November 26 in Philadelphia, days after embracing Islam and his body was kept unattended in a mortuary being run by Non-Muslims, for three months.
The mortuary had finally decided to cremate Aqib’s body as none came forward to carryout his last rituals in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Aqib’s daughter, who is a Christian, came to know about this, she did not agree with mortuary administration because Aqib had converted into Islam from Christianity, and cremation of a Muslim’s death body is against the norms of Islamic principles.
The information reached the women’s wing of ICNA Relief, so they informed their organization which came forward.
After necessary legal proceedings, ICNA Relief transported the dead body of the Muslim Aqib to New York from the non-Muslim mortuary and arranged for his bath shroud and buried Aqib with full honor and respect according to Islamic way.
The funeral prayer was attended by hundreds of people in the Makki mosque of Brooklyn.
Qari Osama addressed the attendees at and said that no one knows where his death and burial will take place.
On this occasion, Muwaz Asad Siddiqui, spokesperson of ICNA Relief, said that a sister struggled to save her brother’s dead body from being cremated, but her efforts were not in vain.
After the funeral prayers, the body of Aqib was taken to a local cemetery in New Jersey where he was laid to rest.
New York: The Council of People’s Organization (COPO) has dispatched a container of relief goods to the earthquake victims of Turkey and Syria through Turkish Airlines from US.
The relief items include food items, warm clothes, blankets, shoes, medicines and surgical stuff.
On this occasion, the head of COPO Muhammad Rizvi said that the New York Police Department’s Muslim Officers’ Society (MOS) and other organizations have been participating in all the activities.
Muhammad Rizvi and officers of the Muslim Officers’ Society of the New York Police were also present on the occasion of the loading of trucks.
Karachi: Parents of a New York police officer arrived in Karachi were robbed by unknown men in densely populated Liaqatabad neighbourhood.
As per details, Fazal Karim, the father of a New York police officer, arrived in Karachi from America on the night of February 9 and 10 and was on his way home from the airport when his car was stopped in Liaquatabad.When the driver did not stop the vehicle, the suspects pretended to be government officials started checking the car, and fled with thousands of US dollars, mobile phones and other items.
Fazal Karim arrived in Karachi along with his wife to attend the Dastarbandi of his second son and participate in Jamia Banuria Ceremony regarding completion of Bukhari Sharif.
The suspects claimed themselves as government officials and asked to check the passport. During the search, thousands of US dollars, gold ornaments and other valuables were taken away.
Fazal Kareem is an American National. He said that accused checked the passport and returned it and took his wife’s purse with them.
Abdul Hameed, a teacher of Jamia Banuria, says that every year parents come from foreign countries for the certificate distribution ceremony, but no security is provided despite repeated requests.
The police have registered a case and started investigating the incident.
New York: Pakistani-American Think-tank organized a Kashmir Day event in New York to denounce the continued atrocities and human rights violations of the Indian government in the IOK, and to support the Kashmiris’ struggle for freedom and self-determination.
Tahir Hanafi, a well-known poet from Pakistan, was the chief guest at the event that was held at a local restaurant in Brooklyn.
Addressing the event, Tahir Hanafi said that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan.
Pakistan-American thinks tank chief Raja Razak said that holding the G-20 conference in the occupied territory is a very wrong move.
While the general secretary of the organization, Farida Bibi, said that Kashmir is a region which is called heaven, but due to Indian persecution, Kashmir is presenting a scene of hell.
Kashmiri leader Sardar Sawar Khan and retired Colonel Maqbool Malik said that February 5th is celebrated all over the world to express solidarity with the Kashmiris and that the 220 million people of Pakistan, their wishes and efforts are with the Kashmiri people.
The Sikh community participating in the event said that during the freedom struggle, Gandhiji, Nehru and other leaders made various promises to the Sikh community and other minority communities but they could not be fulfilled.
The participants of the event expressed their solidarity with the Kashmiri people and described only Pakistan’s efforts regarding Kashmir’s freedom as insufficient, but the whole world should raise their voice regarding atrocities in Kashmir.
The organizers of the event thanked the Chief Guest and other participants for attending the event.
New York: American-Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC) organized a ‘Meet and Greet’ in honor of US Senator Cory Brooker in Staten Island, New York.
Speaking at the event, Cory Brooker said that he always feels happy with the Pakistani community.
“Pakistani people have always given respect and support to me,” he said.
The host committee of the event included Dr. Mazhar Malik, Sadia Malik Sheikh, Sara Malik Malhiban, Dr. Inam Haq, Dr. Fakhira Haq, Dr. Mahmood Alam and Asad Chaudhry.
The National Anthem of Pakistan was also played at the beginning of the ceremony.
A gift representing Pakistan’s culture (Gilgit-Baltistan’s traditional cap) was also presented to US Senator on behalf of APPAC.
APPAC Chairman Dr. Ijaz Ahmed, New York Assemblyman Charles Fall, and former US Congressman Ed Towns also participated in the event.
In the ceremony, the attack on New York Police officer Adeed Fayyaz and the tragedy of Peshawar were also condemned.
KARACHI: More than 400 accused involved in some 110 cases including the illegal occupation of government land could not be punished so far, through the court of law as most of the accused have been released on bail.
According to the details, mafias have seized the land worth billions of rupees of Karachi Development Authority (KDA), Malir Development Authority (MDA) and Board of Revenue and deprived hundreds of citizens of their life long savings.
Despite the presence and actions of anti-encroachment police and other law enforcement agencies in Karachi, the land mafia has not been brought to justice.
The anti-encroachment police registered more than 80 cases last year. In the first month of this year, a number of cases have also been registered against the occupation of land worth billions of rupees by KDA, MDA and Board of Revenue.
The case was transferred to the special anti-encroachment court in Karachi. After which the number of such cases under hearing in the court has increased to 110.
The number of accused involved in the said cases is more than 400 as the Sindh prosecution has not been able to punish the accused involved behind this crime.
The accused have secured freedom on bail by hiring highly paid lawyers, including politicians and other land grabbers.
According to records, the anti-encroachment police have registered two cases against PTI leader Haleem Adil Sheikh and his 11 associates for occupying 40 acres and 25 acres of land in Mangopir area.
The police have also imposed provisions on Haleem Adil Shaikh for illegally building a housing society on 25 acres of occupied land.
Similarly, a case has been filed against Ali Hasan Brohi and six of his associates, which is being heard in the relevant court.
The police arrested Azim Marri, Aleemuddin alias Mulla and Akbar Chandio, Gul Sher and others in a case of similar nature. The accused have developed a network to occupy the government lands and the accused have also determined the procedure for the occupation of the government lands.
Land mafia operatives burn the bushes one by one before demarcating the plots and some of the operatives clear the bushes with an ax after which plots are made in different sizes. They erect walls with giving written numbers.
Speaking to Voice of South Asia, Special Counsel Board of Revenue Senior Counsel Ahmed Pirzada said that the cases against the occupations of MDA, KDA and Board of Revenue lands are established only in the complaint of the officers of the relevant institutions. But, unfortunately no accused has been punished.
A senior lawyer says that the court will give the sentence only when the case is made according to law and the plaintiffs follow the cases effectively.
Experts advised that before investing their hard earned money in property, people should get information from the relevant institutions before making any investment.
New York: Pakistani-American Community of Long Island (PACOLI) organized a prayer ceremony in memory of recent Peshawar mosque tragedy victims in New York State.
The prayer event participants including the officials and community members of PACOLI expressed solidarity with the heirs, and also expressed their heartfelt regret over the incident.
Over a hundred Muslims were killed when a suicide bomb ripped through the Peshawar Peshawar Police Line Masjid a few days back, that left the entire nation in state of fear and shock.
The prayer ceremony began with recitation of a few verses of the Holy Quran by PACOLI Director Muhammad Ali.
Addressing the participants of the event, Qamar Bashir, the founder of PACOLI said that terrorism is a global problem, all countries are affected by it.
PACOLI President Azra Dar strongly condemned the terrorist attack on worshipers in a holy place like a mosque. “This attack is the height of brutality. We pray for the forgiveness of the martyrs and patience for the bereaved families,” she said.
PACOLI General Secretary Atiq Qadri also condemned the incident and paid tribute to the martyrs.
Senior Vice President of PACOLI Dr. Ijaz ul Hasan, said “no matter how much can be said about this sad incident, our heart cries tears of blood, we want to ask the concerned authorities to take strict security measures to prevent the loss of innocent human lives.”
On this occasion, Comptroller PACOLI Salman Sheikh said that all Pakistanis living in America have been deeply shocked by this incident and we all share the grief of the bereaved.
“We request the government of Pakistan to give severe punishment to the elements involved in the incident,” he sais.
In the prayer ceremony, the participants were carrying placards and banners of condemnation.
A minute’s silence was observed in the ceremony against the incident.
Candles were lit in the memory of the martyrs and the state institutions were demanded to take full action against the terrorists.
New York: The American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) organized multiple community development programs in the year 2022 from the provision of better education to healthcare, from uplifting community members in the United States to conducting relief and rehabilitation activities in flood-hit Pakistan.
The APPAG’s community development initiatives include food drives, scholarship programs, parades, and flood relief and rehabilitation activities for Pakistan.
APAG hosted the first-ever Pakistani flag hoisting ceremony at Bowling Green Park, Manhattan in August.
The event was attended by Mayor Eric Adams, Consul General of Pakistan in New York Ayesha Ali, NYC Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs Manuel Castro, and other officials.
NYC’s 38th annual Pakistan Day Parade was also held in August.
APAG also collaborated with New York Police Department (NYPD’s) Muslim Officers Society (MOS) to help flood victims in Pakistan.
The organization also introduced a first-of-its-kind scholarship, the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Scholarship, to guide and support Pakistani-American students.
In November, APAG along with the Consulate General of Pakistan in New York organized the Kashmir Black Day event, in which the participants censured Indian troops’ atrocities on the innocent Kashmiris and the human rights violations being committed in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOK).
At the end of last year, APAG’s care group organized an annual holiday ‘Toy drive’ in partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Office for Immigrants.
In this drive, toys were distributed to newly arrived immigrant children at the Red Cross Navigation Center.
New York: The Gilgit-Baltistan Cultural Fest in New York showcased the region’s natural beauty, lofty mountains, lush green fields, diverse culture, history, people, and above all its untapped tourism potential.
Gilgit-Baltistan is known to be the most attractive and picturesque region located in the extreme north of Pakistan. Much of its natural beauty, and tourism potential is still untapped.
Thanks to Sony Watan Gilgit-Baltistan (NYC) USA for organizing a magnificent yet colorful event titled ‘the Gilgit-Baltistan Cultural Fest’ at Queens Boulevard, Forest Hill, in the bustling city of New York.
Raja Nasir Ali Minister of Tourism Gilgit-Baltistan asked the people across the world to visit Pakistan’s northern region of Gilgit Baltistan and witness the natural beauty, peace, and cultural diversity. He also hailed the cultural services of Naseem Gilgiti in US for the last many many years.
Besides G-Bians, people from other communities, US officials, etc. thronged to the venue and were amazed by GB’s traditional, yet peaceful songs and folk music, presented on this occasion in traditional attire. The guests were also given gifts of traditional hats and awards.
The festival was organized by Naseem Gilgiti, Chairman of Sony Watan Gilgit-Baltistan USA, and his team.
The event started with a recitation of a few verses of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthems of the USA and Pakistan.
Sony Watan Gilgit-Baltistan USA Chairman Muhammad Naseem Gilgiti told the audience that the nature loving people across the globe to visit Gilgit-Baltistan – the true beauty of Pakistan.
Another official Sher Ali presented the welcome speech and appreciated the arrival of the guests.
A documentary film was also shown on the dedicated screen to make the audience aware of the beautiful valleys, waterfalls, high mountains and natural beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Mr. Tim of Grace Community thanked for inviting himself and praised the role of Gilgit-Baltistanis in the development of America.
Secretary Tourism Gilgit Asifullah Khan drew a picture of the beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan in such a way that the audience gave him a standing ovation.
The musicians presented a traditional folk dance of the region in Burushaski, one of the regional languages, which was well received by the audience.
Deputy Inspector Adeel Rana, President of Muslim Officers’ Society (MOS) of New York Police Department (NYPD), expressed his happiness to be a part of the event.
New York: Travel Adventure Show 2023 in New York has also showcased the untapped travel and tourism, and investment opportunities in Pakistan.
The magnificent two-day show was held at the famous Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, New York.
In the program, stalls were set up by different countries for the promotion of tourism. People showed great interest in the Pakistani stalls.
The Pakistani stall in the show was inaugurated by the Pakistani Ambassador to US Masood Khan, Advisor to the Prime Minister Aun Chaudhry and Minister of Tourism of Gilgit-Baltistan Nasir Khan by cutting the ribbon.
The Ambassador of Pakistan and other guests were welcomed in traditional Pakistani attire.
The staff at the Pakistani stall introduced Pakistan’s culture to the visitors of different countries who took special interest.
Meanwhile, a grand ceremony was held at the Pakistani Consulate to promote tourism in Pakistan.
The event started with the recitation of Holy Quran, while the attendees were informed about the history and heritage of Pakistan.
Ambassador Masood Khan said that the purpose of today’s ceremony is to tell the world that Pakistan is rich in natural beauty but also a safe country for tourism.
Minister of Tourism Gilgit-Baltistan Nasir Ali appreciated the organization of the event and assured cooperation to solve the problems faced by the tourists.
Ayesha Ali, the Pakistani Consul General posted in New York, expressed her views and assured all kinds of cooperation for the promotion of tourism in Pakistan.
Pakistan is a suitable country for tourism while many authors have written their works on its natural beauty.
The purpose of participating in the Travel Adventure Show in America was to draw the attention of other countries to the tourist destinations of Pakistan.
New York: The New York Police Department’s (NYPD) Muslim Officers’ Society (MOS) has built a number of new houses for the flood victims in Pakistan, and the construction phase is underway, with full swing.
Sain Dad, a village predominated by the Rind tribe in Kandiaro region of Sindh’s District Naushahro Feroze was hit by the ruthless floods five months back. However, now life is slowly returning to normalcy.
Ali Nawaz,49, is one of the worst victims to pay a heavy price of climate change in the Sain Dad village, as the floods washed away his home, leaving his extended family homeless and helpless.
Eventually, he was left with no choice, but to move his family to the port city of Karachi. Indeed, it was a painful migration.
But, thanks to MOS for its generous humanitarian work. It has constructed a new house for Nawaz’s family and they are back from Karachi.
Nawaz’s wife informed that when the New York Police Department’s Muslim Officers’ Society started reconstruction of houses in this flood-affected village of Kandiaro, her family was overwhelmed with joy.
Ali Nawaz Rind said after the construction of a new house, the flood-affected family is very happy and prays for the Muslim Officers Society.
Muslim officers’ Society’s delegation comprised Sagheer Ahmed, Nauman Malik and Sergeant Moinuddin Qureshi visited the flood-affected districts of Sindh two and a half months ago under the leadership of MOS President Deputy Inspector Adeel Rana.
They visited the victims in their respective villages in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, in a video message, Adeel Rana said the possible help is now visible on ground in the form of construction of new houses.
Adeel Rana expressed his happiness and reiterated his commitment that the Muslim Officers Society will continue to do whatever is possible to help the flood victims of Pakistan.
Financed by the Muslim Officers Society, he said the construction phase of more new houses with quality materials, is going on, rapidly in Kandiaro.
MOS President said that as soon as the construction phase is completed, the organization will begin rehabilitation of the victims.
The humanitarian work and rashan distribution activity will also begin in the Muslim holy Month of Ramadan.
VIRGINIA: A family in the US state of Virginia was sentenced by a federal court on Tuesday for committing forced labor of a Pakistani woman for 12 years.
Defendants callously exploited the victim’s vulnerabilities and brutally coerced her labor,
The federal court in Richmond, Virginia sentenced Zahida Aman, 80, to 12 years in prison; Mohammed Rehan Chaudhri, 48, to 10 years behind bars; and Mohammad Nauman Chaudhri, 55, to five years in prison, according to AA.COM.
Aman and Rehan Chaudhri were further ordered to pay the victim, who was not publicly identified, $250,000 for back wages and other financial losses.
The defendants were found guilty by a jury in May of conspiracy to commit forced labor. Aman was separately found guilty of forced labor and document servitude while Rehan Chaudhri was found guilty of forced labor.
Aman was accused of arranging her son’s marriage to the victim in 2002, and keeping the victim in the Virginia home alongside the other defendants even after the husband left the household in order for her to serve the household as a domestic servant.
“These defendants callously exploited the victim’s vulnerabilities and brutally coerced her labor through physical violence and emotional abuse,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement.
“Human trafficking is an affront to human rights and to our nation’s core values. The Department of Justice is committed to vindicating the rights of survivors and bringing human traffickers to justice.”
Prosecutors said the family physically and verbally abused the victim, and forbode her from communicating with her family in Pakistan. In one particularly gruesome incident, prosecutors said the family hog tied the victim and dragged her down a set of stairs in front of her children.
They further confiscated her passport, and money, prohibited her from speaking to anyone outside the family, and threatened to separate her from her children by deporting her to Pakistan, according to the Justice Department.
The Justice Department said that Aman, Rehan and Nauman were convicted following a seven-day trial in May of last year. The jury had declared the three of conspiracy to commit forced labour, convicted two of the defendants of forced labour and convicted Aman of document servitude.
New York: New York: The Pakistani-origin US-based Watto Family organized Fatiha (prayer) ceremony for the salvation of their family head Mian Muhammad Aslam Watto, and Muhammad Ayub Watto.
The Qur’an recitation and prayer session began at Makki Masjid located on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
The event was attended by a large number of religious scholars and the Pakistani community.
People from different walks of life in the Pakistani community participated in the prayer event and they expressed condolences to the members of the Watto family.
The members of the Watto family thanked the people of the Pakistani community and other friends for remembering the departed souls of Watto family and standing with the bereaved family in this hour of sorrow.
Mian Muhammad Aslam Khan, the head of the Pakistani American Watto family, had died in a private hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, due to illness. He was laid to rest in a local cemetery of his native Jaranwala village in Punjab. Muhammad Ayub Watto, a young man of the Watto family, also passed away last year.
