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Category: pakistan

  • Despite external and internal challenges, Pakistan emerges as a resilient nation: Ambassador Masood Khan

    Washington, 14 August 2022: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan has said that Pakistan was being positioned as an economic and transit hub and a meeting point for positive global interests.

    “We are committed to making Pakistan a beacon of peace and prosperity in the region”, said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States.

    He was addressing Flag Hoisting Ceremony on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan which was attended by senior officials of US State Department, friends of Pakistan from the US, and a large number of the Pakistani diaspora.

    The Ambassador hoisted the national flag to the tune of the national anthem.

    Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador paid homage to the sacrifices of our forefathers for their vision and unparalleled sacrifices that ultimately resulted in the creation of a miracle called Pakistan. “Pakistan had a remarkable journey over the last 75 years. Despite external and internal challenges, Pakistan has moved forward to become a resilient nation”, observed the Ambassador.

    Elaborating on the future vision of the country, the Ambassador said that Pakistan’s unique geographic location, demographic dividend, democratic orientation, rich human and natural resources clearly put the country in a unique position to realize its vision.

    The Ambassador, on the occasion, highlighted close friendly ties with the United States and a robust partnership between the two countries in various critical sectors including trade, investment, regional connectivity, energy cooperation, people-to-people ties, education and cultural exchanges.

    “We have been partners in making peace, building peace and keeping peace. We will continue to work with the U.S. for peace and prosperity in the region and beyond”, said the Ambassador.

    The Ambassador said that the people of Pakistan have always had tremendous cultural affinity for the U.S. Our brightest young men and women aspire to study in U.S. colleges and universities through scholarship programs such as Fulbright. These Fulbright scholars have contributed tremendously to Pakistan’s socio-economic progress.

    The Ambassador, on the occasion, also appreciated the role of dynamic and vibrant Pakistani American community in the US and their valuable contributions to the US politics, culture and economy. “They are a bridge between the two countries”, remarked Masood Khan.

    A cake cutting ceremony was also held in connection with Pakistan’s independence day.

    Elizabeth Horst, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary from State Department, speaking on the occasion said that the founders of both the countries ‘envisioned an independent and democratic free society.’

    She reiterated that United States has always viewed a strong, prosperous and democratic Pakistan as essential for the interests of both the countries.

    “We have fostered decades of collaboration between Pakistan and the United States. Among the challenges our two countries are jointly addressing are boosting trade development, the ongoing COVID-19, climate crisis, improving educational access and excellence and regional peace and stability”, Ms. Horst said.

    Youth representatives and high achievers also spoke on the occasion.

    Ms. Sania Alam, recipient of US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award and a coach for Speed Learning and Mind-mapping, and Dr. Qaisra Saeed, who scaled K-2 besides her other notable achievements, also addressed the gathering. The children also presented national song which was greatly applauded by the gathering.

  • APAG celebrates Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day

    New York: As Pakistan and USA are celebrating their 75th deepened bilateral relations, New York City Mayor Eric Adams hoisted Pakistan’s national flag on  75th Independence Day.

    Organized by the American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG)  in collaboration with the New York City Mayor’s Office, Pakistanis and Americans gathered under one banner in the financial district of lower Manhattan’s Bowling Green Park and celebrated Pakistan’s independence day.

    When the celebration began, New York City Mayor Eric Adams raised the green crescent flag together with Pakistanis.

     

     

     

     

    Addressing the ceremony, Mayor Eric Adams said: “We want to make all nationalities feel that they are not strangers in this country and that is the uniqueness of America.”

     

     

     

     

    While Ali Rashid, the head of APPAG, said in his speech that Pakistanis are the fourth largest immigrant community in New York and have always played their role in the development here.

    Finally, the members of the New York State Assembly, who participated in the celebration of Pakistan’s independence, also expressed their views. They said that it is an honor to participate in today’s event, Pakistanis have done a lot for humanity during the Covid epidemic.

     

     

    Jenifer Rajkumar said that her ancestors were also from the city of Multan in Pakistan.

     

     

     

     

    Prominent personalities of the Pakistani community and their families also participated in the event. Addressing the participants, First Pakistani Commissioner and Chief Administrator Law Judge Asim Rehman, First Pakistani Deputy Inspector Adeel Rana and Head of Council of Peoples Organization (COPO) Muhammad Rizvi said that Eric Adams has fulfilled his promises that he made before being elected to include the immigrant community in his team.
    On this occasion, Ayesha Ali, the second female Consul General of Pakistan in New York, said that she has been appointed as the first Consul General of Pakistan in the last thirty years.

    In the end, Ali Rasheed, president of APPAG, said in a conversation with VOSA TV  that it is the first time in the history of New York that an elected mayor has hoisted the flag of Pakistan, it is a matter of pride for us.

    Green T-shirts were also distributed among the participants in the Independence Day celebration and the participants raised loud slogans of Live Long Pakistan.

     

  • PML-N US chapter marks Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day with national zest

    New York: Pakistan Muslim League-N USA chapter on Sunday celebrated the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan, with national zest and fervor.

    The mega event was held at the Muslim League House on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. The ceremony was started with the recitation of Holy Quran.

    PML-N leader Raja Razak presented Naat Rasool Maqbool.

    A cake cutting ceremony was also held in connection with the Independence Day of Pakistan.

    In the celebration of independence day of Pakistan, prominent figures of the community, including women and children, besides PMLN officials and workers, participated in large numbers and all of them sang the national anthem of Pakistan, together.

    Addressing the participants of the event, Muslim League-N US chapter President Rohail Dar said that the Pakistani nation never liked dictatorship, the Tehreek-e-Insaf government was toppled according to the constitution, Imran Khan should account for his actions.

    While Vice President Mian Fayyaz said that whenever the country faced trials, it was the Muslim League that got the country out of trouble.

    On this occasion PMLN New York President Ahmed Jan felicitated the participants on the 75th Independence Day. In his address, he said that we are lucky to have been born in Pakistan, we all should not let the national interest get in the way of personal enmity, we have to protect this country.

    In celebration of Independence, the Muslim League House was decorated with the national flag and green and white balloons. On this occasion, other PML-N leaders expressed their views and said that the political parties of the country should now unite and work for the development and prosperity of the country, now the politics of hatred should end, once and for all.

    The participants said that today we are also remembering our Indian Occupied Kashmiri brothers on Pakistan’s Independence Day.

     

     

     

     

  • U.S shares Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of Pakistan of religious tolerance, economic prosperity:  Donald Blome

    KARACHI: U.S Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Thursday visited the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s mausoleum in Karachi – the port city and financial capital of the south Asian nuclear Muslim country, and extended felicitations to Pakistan on its 75th Independence Day.

    He said United States values this long-standing cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as critical to U.S. interests.

    Ambassador Blome laid a floral wreath at the mausoleum and signed the guest book on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. Blome later visited the tombs of Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, and Fatima Jinnah, Jinnah’s sister .

    The United States shares the Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of a Pakistan of religious tolerance, economic prosperity and social inclusion and that is at peace with itself and its neighboring countries, says US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome.

    “It was a great honour for me to be at the Mazar-e-Quaid to pay respects and commemorate his legacy,” Blome said.

    “This year marks 75 years of bilateral relations between the United States and Pakistan. The United States values our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests,” Blome was reported as saying by The News.

    The US Embassy and Consulate in Pakistan posted on its officials website the following Examples of our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan

    The United States has donated more than 77 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Pakistan, including 16 million pediatric vaccines recently pledged in Washington. This contribution is part of our ongoing solidarity with the people of Pakistan as they confront this devastating pandemic, and among the largest donations from the United States to any country worldwide.

    In addition to vaccine doses, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government has provided nearly $70.4 million in direct support and $13.8 million in in-kind support to assist the Pakistani people in the fight against COVID-19. An additional $20 million in USAID funding is also planned to support vaccination efforts in Pakistan.

    Our trade relationship with Pakistan has helped both Pakistani industries and consumers. The United States continues to be Pakistan’s top single country export destination.  Also, in the last fiscal year alone, U.S. direct investment in Pakistan increased by 50 percent, and is now the highest it has been in over a decade.  S. agricultural exports to Pakistan have grown from $287 million in 2014 to $1.3 billion in 2021.

    In 2021, U.S. firms planted more than 600,000 trees in Pakistan to combat climate change and support climate adaptation measures. In 2022, the U.S. Mission to Pakistan collaborated with the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association to plant an additional 10,000 trees in Pakistan.

    The United States has supported the addition of more than 4,000 MW of clean energy capacity in Pakistan, enough power for more than 47 million Pakistanis. S. firms are already making significant investments to help Pakistan provide expanded access to a cleaner, more resilient energy supply.  General Electric (GE) turbines and equipment are widely used in Pakistan, including wind-powered turbines that increase Pakistan’s renewable energy generation capacity.

    With the support of the State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Affairs Bureau, Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force reported seizing 10 metric tons of morphine and heroin, 27 metric tons of opium, 71 kgs of cocaine, and 111 metric tons of hashish during the first 10 months of 2021 – denying revenue to drug trafficking organizations and terrorist groups.

    We look forward to continuing our work with Pakistan to grow and expand our commercial and economic ties, expand our collaboration in education, improve access to renewable energy, and increase agricultural cooperation, between our countries.  We also look forward to more cooperation on integrating women into Pakistan’s economy.

     

  • Unique protests held across the US against revocation of special status of IOK.

    New York: Unique protests are being staged across USA against the Indian government’s August 5, 2019 decision to end the special status of Occupied Kashmir.

    Advertising screens, taxis and trucks became the voice of oppressed Kashmiris and right activists, especially Pakistani and Kashmiri communities based in Washington State, New York, California and Texas who took roads and streets against the Indian Government’s move to revoke the special status of IOK.

    To expose Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir, signboards and billboards also became the voice of oppressed Kashmiris in US cities.


    The taxis plying on the streets of different cities also participated in this protest. Demands were written on the taxis in clear words to stop the genocide of Kashmiris and give freedom to Kashmir.

    trucks also patrolled in many cities to show solidarity with Kashmiris,and pictures of Kashmiris who were victims of Indian oppression were displayed on them.

    Inscriptions on several trucks condemned the criminal silence of the international community on Indian state suppression on Occupied Kashmir.

    They demanded the United Nations to put pressure on the Indian government to restore the special status of Occupied Kashmir and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, and resolve the Kashmir issue as per the wishes.

  • Umrah season kicks off as Saudi authorities issued 6,000 visas to pilgrims, so far.

    Saudi Arab: As Muharram – the first month in the Islamic calendar has kicked off, pilgrims from all over the world including Pakistan and the United States (US) have started arriving in the holly Makkah to perform the Umrah rituals, with religious devotion and fervor.

    Since the Saudi’s Hajj and Umrah ministry has announced the start of the Umrah season on Muharram 1, as many as 6,000 visas have been issued to pilgrims from 46 countries, according to Saudi officials.

    A large number of Iqama holders, including Saudi citizens, are also enjoying the blessing of Umrah.

    While the number of visas is being increased every day, Pakistani and other foreign Iqama holders are also reaching Makkah in large numbers from all over Saudi Arabia.

    After the Hajj season, once again the splendor of Madinah Munawarah and other places including Taif has been reopened, while the pilgrims are shopping at the stalls of Ihram sellers, and they are heading towards Makkah after tying Ihram.

    Mataf corridor in Masjid al-Haram has been allocated for Umrah pilgrims and the provision of Zamzam water is also being ensured for the convenience of the visiting pilgrims.

  • US to allow direct flight access to Pakistan, Soon: Sufi

    New York: The United States (U.S) led by Joe Biden administration has expressed its readiness to resume the process to allow Pakistan International Airlines’ direct access to the US. 

    It was informed by Salman Sufi, The Head of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Strategic Reforms on Twitter.

    Analysts told Vosa TV that the development, if materialized, will further deepen bilateral relations, and connectivity, besides easing the travel woes of thousands of passengers from both friendly countries.

    “As part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s reforms, Direct flight access to the U.S market is pivotal for trade, Pakistan’s businesses & passengers. In a meeting held with senior US officials, U.S was pleased to share the readiness to resume the process to allow Pakistan direct flight access.” Salman Sufi told Twitter on July 28.

    It is pertinent to note that Pakistan has been the frontline ally of U.S in the years’ long Afghan War and has rendered hundreds of Thousands of lives in the US-led war against the global terrorism.  Both countries have been enjoying closed relations for the last seven decades. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there were 554,202 U.S. residents of Pakistani descent living in the United States in 2019. This shows that US is one of the most favorite destinations for Pakistanis.

    According to Pakistan Embassy US, the Head of Prime Minister’s Strategic Reforms unit briefed US media on PM vision for strategic reforms & a roadmap to strengthen bilateral relations  with focus on tech, finance, economic, health, startups, climate change, energy &people to people contacts.

    Salman Sufi met with US high-ranking officials, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of South and Central Asia Elizabeth Horst at the US Department of State, according to Geo News.

    “The US side conveyed its readiness to have technical discussions with Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant departments and undertaking necessary visits for resumption of direct flights,” said a statement

    According to The News International, Sufi while alking to the media on Thursday after his meetings with the White House National Security Council director Courtney Dunn and Direct International Economic Affairs, NSC, said his talks covered wide-ranging issues, including resumption of PIA direct flights to the US.

    For the purpose, he also had a meeting with a delegation of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where he stressed to expedite the process for resumption of PIA direct flights from Pakistan to the United States.

    He noted that New Islamabad Airport was well equipped as per international standards to meet the TSA’s requirements.

    Sufi told the media that the US side conveyed its readiness to have technical discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant departments and undertake necessary visits for resumption of direct flights.

    Express Tribune reported while quoting the FAA official website, “A Category 1 rating means the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. This rating allows air carriers from that country to establish service to the United States and to carry the code of US carriers through codesharing arrangements.”

    However, “Air carriers from countries with Category 2 ratings are not allowed to initiate new service to the United States, are restricted to current levels of existing service to the United States, and are not permitted to carry the code of US carriers on any flights. Currently, no airlines operate regularly scheduled flights between Pakistan and the United States.”

     

    In 2020, Reuters had reported that Pakistan’s air safety rating was downgraded after the FAA raised concerns about pilot certifications.

    Earlier in 2017, similar concerns about the country’s aviation safety were raised thereby resulting in an end to direct flights from Pakistan.

    While in March 2019 the US had assured Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) of facilitating in carrying direct flights to the three major cities, including New York, Chicago and Houston.

    However, in July of the same year, the US had stated that there had been no imminent plans for direct flights between Pakistan and the United States.

     

  • USA, Pakistan reach agreement for promotion Futsal as U.S team to visit Pakistan for bilateral series in Nov.

    New York: Pakistan and United States (US) have reached an agreement for the promotion of futsal and the organization of bilateral competitions as the American team is visiting Pakistan this year in November to play a three-match bilateral series.

    Futsal is an association football-based game played on a hard court smaller than a football pitch, and mainly indoors.

    The American team will visit Pakistan in November this year

    Officials of USA Futsal Federation and Pakistan Futsal Federation met in New York.

    The federations of the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the promotion of futsal in their respective countries.

    USA Futsal Federation President Mark Edward Brown has expressed his willingness to send his national team to Pakistan in the last week of November this year.

    According to the agreement, a three-match series will be played between the US and Pakistan teams.

    On this occasion, President of Pakistan Futsal Federation Hazrat Ali, Secretary General Malik Adnan and Secretary General of USA Futsal Federation Usman Ashfaq also participated in this meeting.

    The leaders of the Pakistani and American federations said that bilateral competitions will give the game of futsal a boost, and to attract the new generation towards this game.

  • Tiktoker Hareem Shah arrested in Turkey.

    Turkey: Web Desk
    TikTok star Hareem Shah has been arrested in Turkey along with her husband Bilal Shah.Turkey’s police at Airport discover large amount of gold and lots of money from both of them. So lets have a look more into this.

    According to media reports Hareem Shah was going to Muscat from Turkey but police found a large amount of gold and money from them, Now the couple is being investigated by Turkish authorities.

    Earlier Hareem Shah made many controversies to get attention of fans but this time she seems to be in trouble. She made a snack video as well as tiktok video with heavy amount of money.

    After that she is in big trouble and FIA also investigated against Hareem Shah and her husband. Also they freezes multiple account of Hareem Shah. Hareem Shah in all this responses with a video that they can do nothing against her.

  • Brentwood School elects first-ever Pakistani Muslim as its district board member

    New York: Renowned Pakistani American social activist Raja Hassan Ahmad has become the first-ever Pakistani Origin Muslim who has taken the oath of Brentwood School District Board Member.

    The oath-taking ceremony was held in the conference room of Brentwood School building at New York’s Suffolk County Long Island. He took the oath by taking the Holy Quran over his head.

    Raja Hassan has become the board member of the school after a cut-throat competition with his opponents.

    Raja Hassan has defeated a contestant who had been serving as an elected president of the school for the consecutive 9 years.

    The time period for elected representatives of board members is three years. Hassan distributed traditional Pakistani sweets (Jalebi) at Masjid-e-Darul Quran in New York on his historic victory

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • PML-N lawmaker asks masses to enhance revenue sources, amid rising inflation.

    New Jersey: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Senator and Chairman Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Captain (retd) Shaheen Khalid Butt has asked the Pakistani community to enhance their revenue sources, saying the ongoing inflation is a global phenomenon, which may continue to rise further in days to come.

    He was addressing a reception given in his honor by the prominent business and social figures of the New Jersey community Mr. Babar Hashmi and Mr. Ijaz Butt.

    Addressing the participants, Shaheen Butt said that my political affiliation is with the PML-N but every Pakistani living abroad is equal to me. His political affiliation does not matter.

    The PMLN leaders embraced the guest on his arrival and gave him a warm welcome. The ceremony began with the recitation of the divine verses of the Holy Quran, followed by the Naat-e-Rasool Maqvool (peace be upon him).

    The function was attended by the community’s social and business personalities as well as other senior party leaders such as Danish Malik, Raja Razzaq, Rana Saeed and others.

    The participants of the event spoke openly about the current political and economic situation in Pakistan.

    On the occasion, senior PMLN leader Raja Razzaq questioned that the commission is dysfunctional in taking the issues of overseas Pakistanis to court.

    Replying to the question, Shaheen Khalid Butt said that special courts were being set up in Lahore and two other districts to hear the cases of overseas persons.

    In response to another questions from the participants, Shaheen Butt also made it clear that inflation would continue to rise. He said the government was trying to reduce inflation but the people should increase their income sources.

    Members of the community participating in the event expressed their concerns over the decision to withdraw the right to e-voting given to overseas Pakistanis, to which Shaheen Khalid Butt said that overseas Pakistanis should have the right to vote. The chances of irregularities and fraud in the process are very high.

    At the end of the ceremony, Shaheen Khalid Butt thanked the host and other PML-N leaders.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • PTI America chapter marks Independence Day of United States

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) America chapter marked the 246th Independence Day of United States (US) with national zest and fervor.

    The day was marked with cake cutting ceremony, followed by colorful fireworks, as hundreds of PTI workers and supporters attended the July 4 function.

     

    PTI USA President Munir Khattana, New Jersey President Naveed Warraich, Maryland President Waqar Khan, and other leaders hoisted the American flag and held the cake-cutting ceremony.

    On this occasion, the PTI leaders said that as Pakistani Americans, this is also our country where we have been living and contributing our services to the development and progress of the US.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Agha Afzal Khan passed away in New Jersey.

    New Jersey:

    A Well-known political figure of Pakistani American Agha Afzal Khan passed away in New Jersey, He left two wives and one daughter

    He contested two times election of US Congress and one time state Senator for Republicans Party and got highest score ever Pakistani American in the History of United States of America.

    Agha Afzal was admitted in Jersey City Medical Hospital yesterday for Cardiac problem but he could not recovered and left us.

    He belonged to Sahiwal and got his education from Government College Sahiwal later he served as District Population Officer Sahiwal in early Days.

    After getting dead body of Agha Afzal Khan from Jersey Medical Hospital his funeral prayer will be in Masjid-e-Tauheed according to last wish of deceased.

    Agha Afzal Khan Helped out Sam Khan and many others from Pakistani Community to come in American politics.

    Pakistani American community deeply condoles on death of Agha Afzal Khan.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Ex-Information Minister AJK given warm reception on arrival in New York.

    By FAHEEM MIAN

    New York: Former Information Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Mushtaq Minhas has appealed to the Pakistani community in New York to convene meetings with the American politicians and keep the issue of Occupied Kashmir alive.

    He said this while addressing a reception given in his honor by the President of Pak-American Think Tank Raja Razzaq, and Leader of the Muslim League-N Boston Irfan Chaudhry at a local restaurant in Brooklyn, on Mushtaq’s arrival in New York.

    Prominent members of the community including political and social personalities also participated in the reception.

    Talking to reporters, Mushtaq Minhas said that Occupied Kashmir is not just a border dispute between India and Pakistan but a matter of human rights. It is the responsibility of the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities living in the United States to present the case of Kashmir in every political and international forum.

    On this occasion, Irfan Chaudhry and Raja Razzaq said that the service rendered by Mushtaq Minhas to the people of Azad Kashmir by entering politics will always be remembered.

    The participants openly discussed the current political situation in Pakistan, the Kashmir issue, and the upcoming elections, while the Overseas Pakistani and Kashmiri community shared their suggestions with Mushtaq Minhas so that they could convey them to the US government.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Asia Pacific UAV Compendium 2022

    The value of unmanned aerial vehicles continues to grow in importance, with indigenous development increasing in all categories. Regional military forces are accelerating their acquisition and development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of ongoing modernisation efforts amid an increasingly uncertain geopolitical situation. In most of these cases, applications such as border/maritime patrol and […]

    The post Asia Pacific UAV Compendium 2022 appeared first on Asian Military Review.

    This post was originally published on Asian Military Review.

  • Pakistan calls for countering global disinformation

    NEW YORK (APP) Warning that disinformation has become a “global pandemic”, Pakistan Thursday called for international cooperation to confront, counter, and defeat this scourge that fuels hate speech.

    “We can succeed in doing so only through comprehensive international cooperation,” Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said at the launch meeting of “Group of Friends for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms”.

    Established by Pakistan, the Group, which has representation from all regions of the world, seeks the implementation of the landmark General Assembly resolution 76/227 on Countering Disinformation for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which was adopted by consensus last year.

    In his recorded keynote address, FM Bilawal thanked all the countries who joined the Group and urged others to also be part of it.

    “Utilizing this platform, we should agree on an International Plan of Action to counter disinformation, online and off-line, in the public and private domain,” he said.

    “The exponential proliferation of disinformation, especially through online platforms and social media, has spread social discord; fostered hate speech, racism, discrimination, xenophobia, Islamophobia; and exacerbated competing nationalisms and inter-State tensions and conflict,” the foreign minister warned.

    “Disinformation has often justified and intensified the violations of human rights.”

    FM Bilawal urged member states and the United Nations to enhance public awareness about disinformation through information campaigns.

    “We should enhance the capacity of governments and their relevant institutions to detect, analyze and expose disinformation and disinformation campaigns and networks,” he said.

    “We should make a concerted effort, through cooperation, to minimize the negative impact of disinformation on human rights and relations between communities and States, by building firewalls against false information, ensuring transparency, adhering to human rights principles, such as respect for personal privacy and reputation, preventing the propagation of racism, discrimination and hate speech.”

    Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, who moderated the virtual event, thanked the participants, saying the “Group of Friends” provides a platform for deliberations to member states to discuss means to counter disinformation and raise awareness.

    “Countering the scourge of disinformation is a shared responsibility which requires international cooperation and solidarity,” he said.

    A distinguished panel of speakers, comprising key representative and experts of UN entities, deliberated on approaches to countering disinformation.

    Among them were Melissa Fleming, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications ; Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights; Ambassador Cristian Espinosa of Ecuador and Chairperson of the Committee on Information, and Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression.

    Among the diplomats who spoke were: Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative, China; Gennady Kuzmin from Russia; Silvio Gonzato from European Union; and delegates from Permanent Mission of Morocco,UK and Syria.

    In his closing remarks, Ambassador Munir Akram said that today’s deliberations have provided us the basis to forge international cooperation on countering disinformation as it affects all.

    “We look forward to strengthening our cooperation and continue dialogue and engagement with all stakeholders to deliberate upon developing a range of global responses to countering disinformation in accordance with international law.

    The event was webcast live on UN web tv.

  • Pakistani community must take part in US Politics: Dr. Asif Mahmood

    New York:

    Dr. Asif Mahmood, a Pakistani-origin candidate for the U.S Congress from California, said that Pakistanis, like Indians, should participate overwhelmingly in US politics in the larger interest of the community as well as Pakistan.

    The Pakistan American Community of New York hosted a ceremony at the residence of business and social figure Mirza Khawar Baig in honor of Dr. Asif Mahmood.

    The event began with the recitation of verses of the Holy Quran.

    Zameer Chaudhry moderated the ceremony during the function who extended his felicitations to Dr. Asif Mehmood on his victory in the primary election and also wished him success in the polls to be held in November.

    The host of the function Mirza Khawar Baig introduced the audience to Dr. Asif Mehmood and thanked them for gracing the ceremony with their presence.

    Addressing the function as the chief guest, Dr. Asif Mehmood said that Pakistanis like Indians should also participate in American politics which would be in the interest of Pakistan as well as the community.

    On this occasion, Dr. Asif appreciated the efforts of the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC) and said that the way APPAC has worked for the Pakistani community in American politics is unprecedented.

    Pakistani business and social figures present at the event said that Dr. Asif is a philanthropist. No Pakistani prior to him had secured as many votes in the election as Asif Mehmood did. He will also get the honor of being a Congressman.

    $45,000 dollars were also donated to Dr. Asif Mahmood at the meet & greet event held at the residence of Mirza Khawar Baig.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Modi regime’s atrocities against innocent Muslims in IOK unprecedented: Mushtaq Minhas

    Dallas:
    Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly member and former Information Minister Mushtaq Minhas has said that the honor and respect given to him by the Pakistani community in Dallas can never be forgotten.
    Addressing a dinner reception hosted in his honor by Abid Malik, President of Pakistan Society of North Texas.

    Mushtaq Minhas said that the political and social development of Pakistani community here is worthwhile. The Pakistani community away from home needs to be united without any discrimination and people see Pakistan in your deeds and character.

    Answering the questions of the participants on the issue of Occupied Kashmir, Mushtaq Minhas said that due to Modi’s aggression and aggressive policies, the Muslims identity in the Occupied Kashmir is being eroded, violence against locals has been unprecedented. Indian Army and the occupied valley looks like a penitentiary.
    Distinguished guests from various walks of life in Dallas were present on the occasion.

    Former Information Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Mushtaq Minhas mingled with the dignitaries of the community and discussed the current political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir including Pakistan.

    On the occasion, PSNT President and host Abid Malik thanked Azad Kashmir MPA Mushtaq Minhas for his visit and also thanked the other guests and said that Mushtaq Minhas is a good and capable politician.
    His services to Azad Jammu and Kashmir are of no secret. It is a great honor for us to have him on every visit to Dallas.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Aamir Liaquat passes away in Karachi

    Web Desk:

    According to the Express Tribune, Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Aamir Liaquat Hussain passed away on Thursday at his residence in Karachi.

    Reportedly, the Karachi-based politician and entertainer was found unconscious at his house and was rushed to a hospital in the provincial capital.

    The news of his death was also confirmed by National Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Ashraf who postponed the session of the house to mark the death of the lawmaker. Due to his death, the proceedings of the house have been adjourned till 5 pm tomorrow.

    According to sources, the anchor had the door of his room locked and his house staff knocked on it several times to no avail.

    The staffers said Aamir started feeling unwell last night and he complained of chest pain. The former lawmaker was then shifted to a hospital from his house in Khudadad Colony.

    Before joining the PTI, Aamir was a member of the MQM-P. He had served as state minister during the government of military dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf. He got elected to the National Assembly twice: in 2002 and 2018.

    The televangelist was born on July 5, 1972. He is survived by two children.

    Starting his media career in 2001 after joining a private news channel, he hosted Aalim Online, which contributed greatly to his early popularity. He was also a popular host of Ramazan Transmission.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, former president Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairperson, and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and former Sindh governor Imran Ismail expressed sorrow over the demise of the former lawmaker and prayed for his soul.

    President Arif Alvi expressed grief at the passing of the lawmaker and “prayed for his soul”.

    Senator and PTI leader Faisal Javed Khan also expressed grief at the entertainer’s passing and prayed for the departed and his family.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • PTI-USA hold an emergency meeting over blasphemy by BJP spokesperson.

    New York:

    An emergency meeting of PTI-USA and it’s all chapters was held under the Chairmanship of President Munir Khatana.

    Presenting a one-point agenda, General Secretary Sam Khan said that the purpose of holding today’s meeting was to strongly condemn the BJP spokesperson’s Nupur Sharma blasphemy and the future course of PTI-USA in this regard. The process has to be decided.

    Munir Khatana, while initiating the meeting, strongly condemned the insolence and sought everyone’s opinion in this regard. After hearing the views of all the participants, at the request of Sam Khan, President of New York Amjad Nawaz presented a resolution which was passed unanimously.

    This resolution said that PTI-USA and all its chapters strongly condemned the blasphemous statement of the Nupur Sharma, spokesperson  of the Indian extremist organization BJP. The resolution called on the Indian government and the BJP to terminate the membership of Nupur Sharma and announce a full ban on her for life.

    The resolution also demanded that the Indian government write a formal apology from the BJP to assure it that this heinous act would never happen again which would offend millions of Muslims in the world. The resolution also demanded that the Indian government write a formal apology from the BJP to assure it that this heinous act would never happen again which would offend millions of Muslims in the world.

    We will play its key role in this regard at all domestic, social, human rights and international forums by following the agenda of protection of Prophet hood of their leader Imran Khan, PTI USA assured.

    Imran Khan raised his voice in every international forum including the United Nations for the honor of the Prophet and with these efforts the United Nations presented the Respect for the Prophet, PTI workers added.

  • Youm-e-Takbeer celebrated at Little Pakistan, NYC.

    Web Desk:

    PML-N organized the event to celebrate the 24th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer at a local restaurant in Coney Island, New York. The program began with the recitation of the verses from the Holy Quran and Naat-e-Mubarakah.

    The Chief Guest of the night, PML-N Leader Senator Nihal Hashmi thanked organizers for this auspicious ceremony in his telephonic address from Karachi. He said that trying to make Pakistan a nuclear power is not so easy; it is not a matter of a few years but a long journey.

    Ahmed Jan, President of PML-N New York, said that by the grace of God Almighty, our leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, despite all threats and pressure, on May 28, 1989, detonated six nuclear warheads in Pakistan as a result of five Indian nuclear blasts, made it the seventh nuclear power in the world and the first in the Islamic world.

    Addressing the event, other PML-N leaders said that Youm-e-Takbir is a day of Pride for the Pakistanis. This day will always live on as a symbol of our security, defense, and national pride. They said that no one dares to cast an evil eye because of Pakistan’s nuclear power.

    At the end of the ceremony, cke was also cut to celebrate the 24th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer.

  • President Arif Alvi and DG ISPR condemn the conviction of Yasin Malik

    Web Desk:

    According to Pakistan Observer, President Dr. Arif Alvi has strongly condemned the conviction and life imprisonment of Hurriyat Leader, Yasin Malik, by the Special Court of the National Investigation Agency in Delhi based on false and politically motivated charges.

    Terming the sentence as unfair and against the fundamental principles of justice, the President regretted that the Indian judiciary had always played second fiddle to the Indian political leadership by safeguarding the interests of extremist Hindutva ideology and denying justice to the Muslims.

    He said that the decision had exposed the Indian mindset towards the minorities that deeply shocked the Pakistani nation as well as the human rights organizations across the globe.

    The President stated that Yasin Malik was struggling for the rights of the Kashmiri Muslims and the legitimate freedom struggle of Kashmiri Muslims could not be equated with terrorism.

    He reiterated that such oppressive measures could not weaken the resolve of the people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and they would continue their struggle till the realization of their Right to self-determination.

    He urged the international human rights organizations and the United Nations to take serious note of the Indian oppressive and apartheid policies against Kashmiri Muslims and other minorities.

    He called upon the international community to put pressure on India to immediately release Yasin Malik and stop gross human rights violations in Kashmir.

    Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar on Wednesday said Pakistan strongly condemned the life sentence awarded to Yasin Malik on fabricated charges.

    The ISPR DG in a tweet said such oppressive tactics could not dampen the spirit of the people of Kashmir in their just struggle against illegal Indian occupation.

    He wrote, “We stand with them in the quest for self-determination as per UNSCRs (United Nations Security Council Resolutions)”.

  • India: Birds Drop Out of the Sky, People Die

    In case you have lingering doubts about the reality of human-caused global warming, hop on an airplane to parts of India or Pakistan and spend a few days. And, as long as you’re there, maybe be a good citizen and pick up a few of the dehydrated birds that drop out of the sky. Then, use the syringe you brought along to feed it some water before it dies in your hands.

    And, maybe do the same for some of the people sprawled out on the roadside before they die right before your eyes. After all, people are already dying from the humid heat. Maybe you could help them survive and while at it maybe bring along that friend who’s a climate denier to assist in saving some lives. It’s good for their soul to open his or her eyes to reality.

    According to a recent Business Insider article: “Birds Are Falling From the Sky in India as a Record Heatwave Dries up Water Sources”, May 14th, 2022. And, it’s not just a few random instances: “Vets in an animal hospital in Ahmedabad said they had treated thousands of birds in recent weeks.”.1

    According to Yale Climate Connections: “The nearly ‘unsurvivable’ heat is increasingly as the result of human-caused climate change.”

    Here’s a snippet from the Yale Climate Connections article entitled “India and Pakistan’s Brutal Heat Wave Poised to Resurge: Inferno-like temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius (122°F)”. The heat, when combined with high levels of humidity – especially near the coast and along the Indus River Valley – will produce dangerously high levels of heat stress that will approach or exceed the limit of survivability for people outdoors for an extended period.”

    According to the prestigious UK Met Office: “The blistering heat wave in northwest India and Pakistan was made over 100 times more likely because of human-caused climate change.”2

    The extraordinary blistering heat has prompted Umair Haque, a British economist (former blogger for the Harvard Business Review, but he attended University of Oxford, London Business School, and McGill University) to compose a special article about the scenario entitled: “The Age of Extinction Is Here — Some of Us Just Don’t Know It Yet”, published in Eudaimonia and Co, May 2022 in which he describes a world that has “already crossed the threshold of survivability.”

    Umair has friends in the Indian Subcontinent. So, he hears first hand what’s happening without the filter of a news organization. Here’s one quote: “The heatwave there is pushing the boundaries of survivability. My other sister says that in the old, beautiful city of artists and poets, eagles are falling dead from the sky. They are just dropping dead and landing on houses, monuments, and shops. They can’t fly anymore.”

    Here’s some more reporting directly from the streets, as related by Umair: “The streets, she says, are lined with dead things. Dogs. Cats. Cows. Animals of all kinds are just there, dead. They’ve perished in the killing heat. They can’t survive.”

    People spend all day in canals and rivers and lakes. Some people in the streets are passed out and at the edge of a life or death scenario. He suggests the death count will not be known for some time and many probably won’t be counted.

    Here’s an interesting take from Umair’s perspective: “You see, my Western friends read stories like this, and then they go back to obsessing over the Kardashians or Wonder Woman or Johnny Depp or Batman. They don’t understand yet. Because this is beyond the limits of what Homo sapiens can really comprehend, the Event. That world is coming for them, too.”

    He claims: “We are at the threshold of the Cataclysm. Some of us are now crossing over to the other side, of a different planet, one that’s going to become unlivable. This isn’t ‘going to happen’ or ‘might happen,’ it is actually happening now.”

    Here’s one more quote: “At 50 degrees, which is where the Subcontinent is now, life dies off. The birds fall from the sky. The streets become mass graves. People flee and try to just survive. Energy grids begin to break. Economies grind to a halt.”

    Umair claims civilization collapses somewhere between 50 -60 degrees Celsius. “Nothing works after that point.” Animals die and systems shut down, economics crater, inflation skyrockets, people grow poorer, fascism erupts as a consequence. People become frightened and turn to fundamentalist religion or authoritarian rule to “give them answers.” The regular ole economics and politics don’t work any longer. Sound familiar?

    Death by humid heat in India equates to the tolling of bells, slowly, repeatedly, as black pennants flutter along the distant horizon. Another one has died and another, and one more, and another and another, as the monotonous tolling becomes an atrocious irritation.

    Postscript: It’s in every bird falling from the sky, every animal dropping dead from the heat, every democracy being shredded by lunatics, in all the deaths we will never count. Our systems — all of them — economic, social, political — are beginning to fail. (Umair Haque)

    1. Ibid.
    2. “Climate Change Has Made India’s Heat Wave 100 Times More Likely, UK Weather Service Says”, CNBC, May 18, 2022.
    The post India: Birds Drop Out of the Sky, People Die first appeared on Dissident Voice.

    This post was originally published on Dissident Voice.

  • Pakistan’s top priority is to meet its serious economic challenges, says FM Bilawal

    Web Desk:

    According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), the new Pakistan government’s immediate priority is to address the country’s serious economic challenges, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told a gathering of ambassadors from friendly countries Wednesday night.

    Speaking at a dinner hosted by Ambassador Munir Akram, he said that Pakistan hopes to meet those challenges through strengthening cooperation with all development partners and fraternal Islamic countries.

    Among those attending the dinner were ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Azerbaijan, Iran, Oman, Italy, Malta, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, UAE, and Kuwait.

    In his remarks, the foreign minister also outlined Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities on a wide range of global and regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, Jammu and Kashmir, Security Council reform, the Covid-19 pandemic, the related economic downturn, climate change, price inflation, and food security.

    FM Bilawal said that Pakistan looked forward to working closely with all friends and partners, including OIC countries, members of the Security Council, the European Union, the United States, China, and others on all issues of mutual concern.

  • Bilawal Bhutto Zardari asks UNSC to address causes of food insecurity, conflict

    Web Desk:

    According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, he was taking part in a debate at the United Nations Security Council here on the issue of Conflict and Food Security. He said throughout history, hunger and war had been grim handmaidens, although the world had made progress in promoting prosperity.

    “The systemic causes of conflict and poverty have yet to be overcome. Inequality and insecurity are the hallmarks of our era.”

    The minister said, “In this decade of action to achieve sustainable development goals, we instead have confronted a series of disasters, the COVID pandemic, economic recession, spiraling prices, and the escalating impacts of climate. These have reversed global growth and for the first time in 30 years increased poverty and hunger.”

    “Eighty percent of the 800 million undernourished and 40 million facing famine, inhabit countries riven by conflict or emerging from conflict.”

    Bilawal said the UN initiative on global food security will go a long way in addressing the immediate crisis of food security and the leadership behind such humanitarian efforts must be appreciated.

    “The call to action will help ramp up food production, help keep supply chains open, address blockages, mobilize financial and agricultural resources to where they are needed and help poor farmers expand local production and much more.”

    He said Pakistan looked forward to playing its bold part in this UN call to action.

    “The people of Ukraine go hungry due to ongoing conflict. 95 percent of the people of Afghanistan are under the threat of poverty as a direct result of the conflict. People of occupied territories in Palestine and Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are constantly imprisoned by perpetual conflict. They are arbitrarily and inhumanely suffering from immense misery including hunger. Kashmir has become a symbol of the dysfunction of this institution and this council.”

    The actions of August 5, 2019, and May 5, 2022, by India in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is not only an assault on the people of Jammu and Kashmir but it is an assault on the United Nations and the Security Council and its resolutions and the fourth Geneva Convention.”

    The minister referred to the inaction of the UN on the internationally recognized disputed Kashmir region.

    “The inaction of this forum while the Muslim majority of Kashmir is being turned into a minority in their land and home leads the youth of Kashmir to question as to who will resolve this conflict and who will deliver the peace they were promised,” he remarked.

    He said, “Resolve the Kashmir dispute and open the doors to peace in South Asia and watch how the farmers in Pakistan and India can feed the world.”

    He observed that the world was in the middle of the most deadly pandemic of our time. “Millions have died, people continue to die and the health and economic toll of this pandemic will outlast this pandemic.”

    “Our continents are sinking, our planet is under threat. Is it not the right time to rise above conflicts of man and face the threats to humanity?”

    “They say history repeats itself, first as a tragedy and then as a farce. When new wars end old wars return. At the end of the last cold war what we saw was the beginning of the new war.”

    Bilawal said, “From our own experience we most humbly and respectfully appeal to you to deploy dialogue and diplomacy in the pursuit of peace before and not after the next Great War. Save another generation of humanity from the misery of conflict and then watch as the new generation unlocks its true potential.”

    “We can rise to the challenges of our time. We can be the generation that ends hunger; we can be the generation that saves our planet. We can be the generation that breaks this cycle,” Bilawal concluded.

     

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Call for Protest Against Government and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in New York.

    Web Desk:

    The community of Pakistani-Americans decided to protest in favor of Former PM of Pakistan Imran Khan and against the arrival of newly appointed Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in New York.

    President of PTI New York Amjad Nawaz announced that the protest would be held on Monday 19th May 2022, on Street 65 Avenue 5, outside the Pakistani consulate, New York. He said that all the preparations regarding the protest were complete.

    General Secretary Khursheed Bhalli said that number of the Pakistanis from New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut would come to the protest.

    Amjad Nawaz and Khursheed Bhalli clearly stated that they will support Imran Khan for the sake of Pakistan and the Pakistani Community and will not accept a government full of criminals.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Pakistan’s first hand-drawn film selected for Annecy Animation Festival 2022

    Web Desk:

    According to The Nation, Pakistan’s first hand-drawn film, The Glassworker, is one of eight feature films from around the world chosen for the Work In Progress category at France s Annecy International Animation Festival 2022.

    The Glassworker, which is made by Usman Riaz’s Mano Animation Studios, is an original story of young Vincent and his father Tomas, who run the country’s best glass workshop and find their lives upended by the impending war.

    The Glassworker stands alongside some of the recent top animated movies such as Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, Klaus, and How to Train Your Dragon 2.

    It’s been described as a project full of surprises that encourage diversity in animation. Mano Animation has built a collaboration network that extends to Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Peru, Argentina, the USA, and the UK.

    The feature film director, Usman Riaz, claimed, “It is an honor to represent Pakistan at Annecy 2022. Only 8 exceptional feature films are selected from all over the world for Annecy’s ‘Work in Progress.”

    “To have our first feature film, The Glassworker, on the same stage like so many incredible and inspiring animated films that have come before us is genuinely humbling,” concluded Usman Riaz.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Transitioning Pilot Training

    The military pilot training world is changing rapidly, undergoing a seismic shift as it tries to adapt to new requirements, both budgetary and operational. Although the latest generation of frontline aircraft tend to be easier to fly than their predecessors in terms of their handling characteristics, and in terms of the ‘man-machine interface’, they demand […]

    The post Transitioning Pilot Training appeared first on Asian Military Review.

    This post was originally published on Asian Military Review.

  • New York: Riaz Rafi’s artwork exhibited at the Consulate General of Pakistan office.

    Web Desk:

    Consulate General of Pakistan organized the exhibition of renowned Pakistani Artist Riaz Rafi in New York, where members of Pakistani-Americans admired the work of Karachi artist Riaz Rafi. The ceremony began with the recitation of the verses from the Holy Quran.

    Ayesha Ali, Pakistan’s Consul General in New York, praised Riaz Rafi’s work. She said that it was a matter of pride to hold such events, to bring a positive image of Pakistan to the world.

    Artist Riaz Rafi termed such events as a vital means of introducing Pakistani artists to the world. He further said that art is the language of any artist through which they speak, and such events should be held frequently to promote a softer image of Pakistan.

    The Pakistani community members participated in the exhibition, admired his work, and took pictures with him.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Pakistan has not approved resignation of his UN envoy Munir Akram.

    The Permanent representative of Pakistan to united Nation Munir Akram Resigns but his resignation has not accepted so far, and it seems that Govt. has difficult to find better and experienced diplomat for UN.

    According to source, Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto is likely to visit America and Mr. Akram is directed to continue his services unless completion of Bilawal’s visit.

    In recent days, Pakistan’s former envoy to the United Nations Munir Ikram has formally resigned with the change of government in Pakistan, But his resignation has not been approved and he is working on his position.

    Munir Ikram was appointed permanent representative by the previous Pakistan government (Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf) on a two-year contract.

    It is a condition of the ambassador whoever nominated on contract, they have to resign with the change of government and it depends on the new government either it accepts the resignation or not.

    Former Leading Ambassador Jamshed Marker served as Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations for 25 years, but he always used to resign with the change of government.

    Munir Akram is considered one of the most capable ambassadors after Jamshed Marker and holds a prominent position among ambassadors around the world. The United Nations body itself has been using his services

    Mr. Munir has many landmark achievements during his tenure but preventing India to becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council, for which he has sided with many members, including Italy.

    In addition, he has recently played a historic role in the United Nations regarding Islamophobia, If newly government doesn’t approve his resignation and direct him to continue his services as permanent representative it would better for Pakistan.

    Ambassador Akram previously served as Pakistan’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York for six years between 2002 and 2008, after serving as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva for seven years from 1995 to 2002.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.