PM Shehbaz says Pakistan will never leave Turkey in these circumstances.
Says committee has been formed to send funds to Turkey.
Urges people, welfare organisations and businessmen to take part in fund collection drive.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced that the federal government has allocated Rs10 billion to help Turkey’s earthquake relief efforts, saying that Pakistan will continue to assist the calamity-hit country every day.
A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake wreaked havoc in Turkey and Syria early morning on Monday that has so far claimed about 21,000 lives as hopes of finding more survivors faded.
Speaking at an airport in Lahore where relief goods were being sent for the earthquake victims, the prime minister said Pakistan will never leave Turkey in these circumstances, urging the nation to pray for the victims of the earthquake in Friday prayers today.
The premier said that thousands of people have been killed and wounded in Turkey and Syria and many are searching for their loved ones stuck under the rubble.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a group photo with Turkish Consul General H.E. Emir Ozbay and others on the occasion of seeing off a cargo plane carrying relief goods for the earthquake victims of Turkiye in Lahore on February 10, 2023. — PMO
“I believe that the people of Turkey and Syria will come out of this difficulty,” he said, adding that Pakistan assured Turkey of assistance the day when this tragedy took place.
He said that the Turkish president visited Pakistan at the time when the country was hit by heavy flooding and donated millions of dollars to the flood-affected people.
“A Pakistan Army team was sent the day when the earthquake hit Turkey and the dispatchment of the relief goods has begun,” he continued.
He said that goods weighing 100 tonnes are being sent to Turkey in a truck today.
The prime minister urged the people, welfare organisations and businessmen to take part in the fund collection drive. He also requested the chief ministers to help in this regard.
“A committee has been formed to send funds to Turkey. 1,486 tonnes of relief goods are being sent to Turkey and Syria,” he added.
The premier said that 13 centres have been established in Pakistan for the collection of funds, adding that donations will also be collected in educational institutions across the country.
Earlier this week, Pakistan established a relief fund to help the victims of a deadly earthquake in Turkey.
“To help the victims of the earthquake in Turkey at this difficult hour, PM Shehbaz Sharif has decided to establish PM Relief Fund,” Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said Tuesday after a plane load of relief goods and rescue team from Pakistan reached Turkey.
The minister said that the federal cabinet has announced to contribute one month’s salary while the PM has appealed to the philanthropists to extend help.
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.
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.No
Name of the bank
1
Habib Bank Limited
2
United Bank Limited
3
National Bank of Pakistan
4
MCB Bank Limited
5
Allied Bank Limited
6
Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited
7
Bank of Punjab
8
Meezan Bank
9
Bank Al-Falah
10
Habib Metropolitan Bank
11
Soneri Bank Limited
12
Faysal Bank Limited
13
Askari Bank Limited
14
Bank 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.
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.