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Pakistan, UAE FMs urge Afghan Taliban to ‘guarantee women’s rights’

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  • UAE FM discusses Taliban step to ban varsity education for girls. 
  • FM Bilawal holds phone call discusion with UAE counterpart . 
  • Both leaders reaffirm support to peace in Afghanistan. 

Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday urged the Afghan Taliban to “guarantee women’s rights, as well as the importance of full and equal participation of women and girls in all aspects of life”.

UAE’s top diplomat and called Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari discussed developments in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s decision to ban the education of girls and women in the country’s universities during a telephone call.

Both leaders emphasised that Islam has accorded women a privileged position, and safeguarded their rights

“They affirmed the need to guarantee women’s rights, as well as the importance of full and equal participation of women and girls in all aspects of life,” said the Foreign Office in a statement. 

During the phone call, both foreign ministers also underscored their firm position in support of security, stability, and peace in Afghanistan. They also called for the advancement of international efforts aimed at building a more sustainable future for the Afghan people.

Taliban ban university education for girls

On December 20, Afghanistan’s Taliban-run higher education ministry suspended access to universities by female students until further notice, drawing strong condemnation from the United States, Britain and the United Nations.

A letter, confirmed by a spokesperson for the higher education ministry, instructed Afghan public and private universities to suspend access to female students immediately, in accordance with a Cabinet decision.

The announcement by the Taliban administration, which has not been internationally recognised, came as the United Nations Security Council met in New York on Afghanistan.

Foreign governments, including the United States, have said that a change in policies on women’s education is needed before it can consider formally recognising the Taliban-run administration, which is also subject to heavy sanctions.

Pakistan urges Taliban to reverse decision 

Condemning the decision to suspend university and higher education for female students in Afghanistan, Pakistan urged the Afghan authorities to revisit the ruling.

“Pakistan is disappointed to learn about the suspension of university and higher education for female students in Afghanistan,” an official statement from the Foreign Office read, adding that Pakistan’s position on the issue has been “clear and consistent”.

The FO added that “every man and woman has the inherent right to education in accordance with the injunctions of Islam.”

Female university students in Afghanistan were turned away from campuses on Wednesday after the Taliban-run administration said women would be suspended from tertiary education.

The decision to bar women was announced on Tuesday evening in a letter to universities from the higher education ministry, drawing condemnation from foreign governments and the United Nations.

Pakistan

PM directs authorities to ensure smooth gas supply during Ramadan

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed authorities to guarantee an unbroken supply of gas to citizens during the sacred month of Ramadan, particularly during the times of Iftar and Sehri.

The prime minister’s directives come as the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Thursday announced its decision to suspend supplies to captive power plants and industries, citing the widening gap between gas supply and demand.

PM Shehbaz chaired a meeting on Thursday where he was given a detailed briefing regarding the issue of low pressure, interruption, and load shedding of gas in Karachi. The issue of gas load shedding in Karachi was resolved at the Prime Minister’s behest as the meeting addressed Karachi’s citizens’ complaints.

PM Shehbaz took strict notice of the gas load shedding issue raised in Parliament a couple of days ago. Speaking at Parliament, PM Shehbaz assured the National Assembly members that his government would address the issue of gas load-shedding, especially during sehr and iftar, as inflation-weary people have been registering complaints.

He called for the adoption of a comprehensive strategy for smooth gas supply to citizens during Ramadan.

Authorities took emergency measures to end gas load shedding. The Prime Minister emphasised the need for a supervised process of gas supply with zero tolerance for negligence.

Owing to the widening gap between gas supply and demand, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Thursday announced its decision to suspend supplies to captive power plants and industries.

The gas utility said that the decision has been taken considering the low supply of gas. It stated that due to a reduction in supply, the volume of gas in pipelines has decreased.

SSGC suspends gas supply

Despite protests by Karachiites, the SSGC suspended the gas supply to captive power plants and industries yesterday and said it would restore the supply from 8am today.

Since last week, scores of residents have protested against the suspension of the gas supply.

The suspension of gas supply has made life difficult for people across the country, who find it difficult to cook, especially during sehr and iftar.

The gas utility said that the decision had been taken considering the low gas supply. It stated that due to a reduction in supply, gas volume in pipelines has decreased.

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Hajj 2023: Last date for application submission extended

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The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Friday announced an extension on the last date for Hajj applications till April 7, 2023. 

According to a recent notification issued by the ministry, the aspirant pilgrims can now submit the Hajj applications under the sponsorship scheme till April 7 (Friday). 

“Now the intending pilgrims may submit their applications by 7th April 2023. It is requested that an extension of the last date for submission of applications under the sponsorship scheme may be communicated to all the missions for publicising the same to overseas Pakistanis,” the statement read.

Earlier, the ministry had ruled out the possibility of an extension of the last date which was March 31 (today) and urged the aspirant pilgrims to submit their Hajj applications and dues in the given time period.

Moreover, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) also issued a list of banks where Hajj applicants can submit their applications and dues. 

S.NoName of the bank 
1Habib Bank Limited 
2United Bank Limited
3National Bank of Pakistan 
4MCB Bank Limited
5Allied Bank Limited
6Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited
7Bank of Punjab 
8Meezan Bank 
9Bank Al-Falah 
10Habib Metropolitan Bank 
11Soneri Bank Limited
12Faysal Bank Limited
13Askari Bank Limited
14Bank Al Habib Limited

“Hajj applications along with Hajj dues are being deposited by the intending pilgrims in the above-designated banks from 16-03-2023 to 02-04-2023,” the statement said. 

It said that the ministry requires that all designated banks may collect applications and dues from the pilgrims on closed holidays ie Saturday and Sunday (April 1 and 2). 

The central bank requested the above-mentioned banks to open all the branches on the said dates to facilitate the pilgrims. 

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124-A: Lahore High Court strikes down sedition law

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LAHORE: Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday annulled Section 124-A, of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), dealing with sedition.

The order of the court came on a set of petitions filed by citizens challenging the sedition law on grounds that the government used it against its rivals.

Justice Karim pronounced the judgment today which was reserved on the petitions of Selman Abuzar Niazi and others.

The petitions had challenged the registration of cases under sedition provisions against those who spoke against the government.

It was argued in the petition that the sedition act was enacted in 1860 which is a sign of British colonial rule.

It added that this law was used for slaves under which a case can be registered on anyone’s request.

It was stated in the petition that the Constitution of Pakistan gives every citizen the right to freedom of expression but still, Section 124-A is imposed for making speeches against the rulers.

According to the petitioners, Section 124-A of sedition is being used for political purposes and should be struck down.

What is Section 124-A of PPC?

Sedition: Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Federal or Provincial Government established by law shall be punished with imprisonment for life to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.

Explanation 1: The expression disaffection includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity.

Explanation 2: Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means, without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.

Explanation 3: Comments expressing disapprobation of the administrative or other action of the Government without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.

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