SRINAGAR: To finalize the modalities for unity between two Hurriyat Conference factions and finalize program of Martyrs Day on July 13, delegations of both groups held a meeting on Wednesday at Shabir Ahmad Shah’s Sanatnagar residence here. Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar said that a joint declaration was signed by both the parties after the meeting. “Both the parties agreed to observe July 13 jointly and Geelani Sahib and Mirwaiz Umar Sahib would address the people at Mazar-e-Shuhada Naqshband Sahib at 2:30 pm.” Read the rest of this entry »

UNSG for comprehensive legal framework against torture
To commemorate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture the UN Information Centre, Islamabad, European Commission and Struggle for Change (SACH) jointly organized a seminar at Serena Hotel, Islamabad. The objective of the seminar was to raise awareness about the elimination of torture from the society and to pursue for the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Torture - CAT “through an active participation and support from allstakeholders in the society. Read the rest of this entry »

ISLAMABAD – The General Assembly, in 1987, decided to observe 26 June as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. It took that action on 7 December 1987 (resolution 42/112), following a recommendation of the 1987 International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which, on 26 June, had adopted the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control. Pakistan has prepared a Master Plan for Drug Abuse Control envisaging a three billion rupee programme for drug reduction activities in the country. This was stated by a senior official of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) at a ceremony held in Islamabad today to launch 2008 World Drug Report of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Read the rest of this entry »

President for better environment
ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf has said that World Environment Day is a United Nations flagship environment event, celebrated every year on 5th June around the World. In his message, President said that “this year’s slogan, “Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy,” recognizes that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era.

He said that this day provides an opportunity to focus worldwide attention on the importance of the environment and stimulate political attention and action, adding that the event seeks to give a human face to environment issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development. Read the rest of this entry »

The World No Tobacco Day would be observed on Saturday May 31 throughout the world including Pakistan. This year the Day to be marked under the title “Tobacco Free Youth”. A recent report published in Pakistan says that total 250 million smokers (36 per cent males and 9 per cent females) exist in the country.

The report further says that the number of smokers is on the rise in Pakistan mainly due to easy availability of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes in the open market. In the year 2007, total 77.92 billion cigarettes were manufactured in the country. Out of which about 16.64 billion cigarettes were illegal and fabricated due to which the government exchequer is facing a loss of Rs. 7 billion annually, market estimates said. Read the rest of this entry »

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (29 May) was designated by the General Assembly in its resolution 57/129 of 11 December 2002. This action stemmed to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. The Assembly invited all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe the Day in an appropriate manner. Read the rest of this entry »

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan observed World Drugs Control Day here Wednesday. According to a report, around forty billion rupees worth drugs are being used by millions of Pakistanis. The drug users not only include men but women and children. Around four million persons in the world die of drugs each year that start with the use of cigarette, pan and then go way to hashish, opium and heroin.

With advancement in the field of Science and Technology, drug mafia have hit the world drug market with improvised drugs to cater to the needs of the millions of the frustrated lot who do not find a happy corner inside their house join the fold of black addiction that lead them to a silent death.

ISLAMABAD: World Hepatitis Day would be observed on Monday to create awareness among the people about the disease. According to World Health Organization, the control of hepatitis outbreak has become a burning issue in Asian countries, especially with around 1.5 million clinical cases of hepatitis occurring each year.

Health experts said there are two types of viral hepatitis in Pakistan, one is short lived and self-limited hepatitis A and E usually spread through feco-oral-route while hepatitis C and B is a blood borne disease and usually chronic. According to health professionals hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water while hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids like from blood transfusions or invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment.

They said hepatitis B is transmitted by sexual contact. The symptoms of hepatitis include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. HBV is the most serious type of viral hepatitis and the only type causing chronic hepatitis for which a vaccine is available. Injection drug use is the major risk factor for HBV and HCV infections. The main reason for such a high incidence of hepatitis is that treatment becomes complicated because injected drug users suffer from other conditions such as HIV, mental illness, alcoholism and they have little or no contact with the health care providers.

“Youm-e-Takbeer” will be celebrated with great national fervor across the country on May 28 to pay rich tributes to the nuclear scientists, technicians and other staffer who rendered their services to make Pakistan the first Islamic nuclear power. The main function to mark this august occasion would be organized at the place of Chaghi, where Pakistan conducted nuclear tests on May 28, 1998 at 3.16 pm rejecting immense of external pressure.

Functions will also be held across the country to mark this historic occasion. Pakistan Muslim League (N) Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will participate in this function for the first time after returning to Pakistan. During the functions a remarkable salute will also be paid to the meritorious services to the founder of Pakistani nuclear programme and renowned nuclear scientist, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and government will be stressed to release him immediately.

World Mother’s Day was celebrated across Pakistan on Sunday. Special events were arranged to pay tributes to mothers and processions were taken out by civil society members to highlight the issues pertaining to motherhood. Celebrations were devoted to those honorable mothers who are the experts of one of the most difficult tasks on earth.
Mother’s day Activities
Model Town Football Academy (MTFA) celebrated Mothers’ Day here at Sunday night at the MTFA Ground. Mothers Day is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and gaiety. On this day people reflect on the importance of mothers in their life and thank them for their unconditional love and support. Read the rest of this entry »