President Asif Ali Zardari has said that China is a trusted and great friend of Pakistan, and both countries need to further strengthen strategic cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two sides. He said that both countries enjoyed historic relations, spanning over seven decades, and affirmed Pakistan’s resolve to stand with China in view of the changing global scenario.

The President expressed these views while talking to the visiting Commander of the Ground Forces of the People’s Liberation Army of China, General Li Qiaoming, who along with his delegation, called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.

Welcoming the Chinese Commander, the President underscored the need for further enhancing military and defence cooperation, people-to-people contacts, and cultural linkages to bring the two countries further closer. He said that Pakistan was encouraging the learning of the Chinese language which would greatly help promote people-to-people ties.

The President remarked that China Pakistan Economic Corridor was his initiative, envisioned during his previous tenure as the President of Pakistan. He said that enemies of Pakistan and China did not want our bilateral relations to flourish, adding the two countries should work closely to overcome shared challenges.

Highlighting the importance of Pak-China friendship, General Li Qiaoming said that the friendship between the two countries was unbreakable. He added that both countries needed to work together to fight terrorism. He also condemned yesterday’s terrorist attacks in Pakistan and offered his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Pakistan over the loss of life.

Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) upon General Li Qiaoming in recognition of his meritorious services rendered towards enhancing defence cooperation between Pakistan and China, during a special investiture ceremony held, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.

The Chinese Commander thanked the President for the conferment of the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) and said that the award was a testimony of the strong bonds between the two countries.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly condemned the killing of innocent citizens by the terrorists and anti-Pakistan forces in Musa Khel, Balochistan.

In a statement, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it is strongly condemned that the innocent people were targeted after identifying them through their identity cards. This act of terror should and must not go without punishment to the perpetrators of this heinous crime. This is an inhuman act and every section of society should come together against these criminals. 

Chairman PPP asked the Balochistan government to crush such elements and bring them to book. He said that the action against such criminals will continue until the last terrorist if eliminated.  He prayed for the departed souls and also sympathized with the bereaved families. 

The PPP is with the bereaved families in these difficult times, Chairman Bilawal said.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly condemned the killing of innocent citizens by the terrorists and anti-Pakistan forces in Musa Khel, Balochistan.

In a statement, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it is strongly condemned that the innocent people were targeted after identifying them through their identity cards. This act of terror should and must not go without punishment to the perpetrators of this heinous crime. This is an inhuman act and every section of society should come together against these criminals. 

Chairman PPP asked the Balochistan government to crush such elements and bring them to book. He said that the action against such criminals will continue until the last terrorist if eliminated.  He prayed for the departed souls and also sympathized with the bereaved families. 

The PPP is with the bereaved families in these difficult times, Chairman Bilawal said.

According to a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP expressed hope that the perpetrators of this cowardly act will soon be brought to justice. He emphasized the importance of eradicating terrorism from the region to ensure a stable and prosperous future.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari extended heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the families of the children martyred in the attack. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured police officers and civilians.

President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the Employees’ Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) to ensure lifelong payment of pension to Mr Muhammad Shehzad, a person with visual disability who had been denied pension by EOBI following the death of his father. 

The President said that the person with disability (PWD) could not be left in a merciless situation by the State, given the fact that his elders were deceased and were receiving pension before their deaths. He regretted that EOBI displayed grave insensitivity by neglecting a PWD and that too at a time when all his predecessors had passed away leaving him without any support. 

Mr Muhammad Shehzad (the complainant), who has been blind since birth, had filed a complaint with the Wafaqi Mohtasib, stating that his father, Mr Muhammad Afzal Zafar, was an Old Age Pensioner of EOBI and died on 20.12.2016. The mother of the complainant had already passed away during the lifetime of his father. He had requested EOBI to grant him a “family pension” for life as a “disabled legal heir” of his late father. 

EOBI, however, rejected his application by placing reliance on Section 22B (3) (i) of the EOB Act, 1976, which provides that only male minors under 18 years of age are eligible for a family pension, whereas Mr Shehzad was 44 years old. The Mohtasib closed further investigation of his complaint, after which, Mr Muhammad Shehzad filed a representation before the President of Pakistan.

The President accepted the complainant’s representation and emphasised that keeping in view the letter and spirit of the Constitution of Pakistan, particularly Articles 9 and 25, a Person with Disability could not be deprived of such a pension, since he deserved to be treated on a much better footing and placed in a more deserving category than any other recipient of pension in the country presently. He also endorsed Mohtasib’s recommendation that EOBI’s law in this regard should be reviewed and brought in line with the Federal Policy. 

While accepting Mr Muhammad Shehzad’s representation the President directed EOBI to ensure payment of some reasonable pension/stipend, which should not be less than the pension which the complainant’s deceased father was receiving at the time immediately preceding his death.

“This pension should be paid to the petitioner out of the existing funds of EOBI”, held the President.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari chaired a meeting of the Party’s Central Punjab Chapter at Zardari House Islamabad on Wednesday.

The meeting discussed the political situation and Party’s organizational matters in detail. The PPP Central Punjab office bearers apprised the Chairman of the performance of Punjab government.

PPP Punjab President Raja Pervez Ashraf, General Secretary Hasan Murtaza, Information Secretary Shahzad Saeed Cheema, Rana Farooq Saeed, Imtiaz Safdar Waraich, Chaudhry Manzoor, Maher Ghulam Fareed Kathia, Nadeem Asghar Kaira, Mian Azhar Hussain Dar, Ejaz Ahmed Sammon, Malik Tahir Akhtar, Tasneem Qureshi, Syed Inayat Ali Shah, Rai Shahjahan Bhatti, Samina Khalid Gharki, Neelam Jabbar Chaudhry, Nargis Faiz Malik and others participated in the meeting.

The Incharge Labour Bureau of Pakistan People’s Party and former member of the National Assembly, Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmad in a statement regarding the High Power Committee for Right Sizing, said that,

the formation of this committee is disproportionate as it contains only one member from the Pakistan People’s Party and a private member whereas all the others belong to the Pakistan Muslim League N.

The committee held meetings regarding 5 different ministries which he attended. In these meetings our point of view was very different from theirs, he said. Recently, a meeting was held chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif  and he did not get any notice of that meeting. The PPP urges that this matter should not be put before the cabinet until our recommendations are submitted to the committee.

The newly inaugurated units include the 120-bed Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the 110-bed Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, and the cutting-edge CyberKnife S7-FIM, continuing the province’s commitment to providing quality and free healthcare services.

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, while addressing the inauguration ceremony at JPMC, stated that the best hospitals in Pakistan are located in Sindh. He highlighted that Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), and National Institute of Child Health (NICH) represent the top healthcare institutions in the country. He added that while negative news about Pakistan is often circulated on various media platforms, these three institutions stand as beacons of hope. He termed these hospitals as exemplary models of good governance and successful public-private partnerships by the provincial government, adding that they are proof of how effectively the province has managed its institutions post the 18th Constitutional Amendment. “You may have heard criticisms suggesting that the Sindh government does nothing or that we don’t undertake mega projects. But actions speak louder than words,” remarked Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

He emphasized that after the devolution of powers from the Center, the PPP-led provincial government has established the world’s largest heart hospital, NICVD, offering free treatment to patients. Furthermore, NICH is providing free healthcare services to children. He mentioned that JPMC’s CyberKnife machine, used for cancer treatment, is available in only a handful of countries globally. He pointed out that while cancer treatment using this machine abroad costs over a thousand dollars, JPMC offers the same treatment for free, a facility unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also highlighted that the Royal College of Radiology has ranked JPMC’s cancer treatment department among the top ten in the world. He commended the contribution of Sindh’s business community for partnering with the provincial government in providing free healthcare services and recognized them as leaders in charity work across the country.

In contrast to the governments of other provinces, which prioritize private hospitals through health cards, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari asserted that the his party and Sindh government takes pride in providing free and quality healthcare services to the public. He further noted that the expensive PET-CT scan required for cancer diagnosis is not offered for free in any province other than Sindh. He proudly stated that JPMC’s cancer department attracts patients from 167 cities across the country, as well as from 15 other countries.

Addressing Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chairman PPP suggested that during the Prime Minister’s next visit to Karachi, he should be taken on a tour of JPMC, NICVD, and NICH. He expressed his willingness to assist in establishing similar hospitals in Punjab and highlighted ongoing efforts to set up such facilities in Balochistan. “We want similar hospitals in Lahore so that people there can also benefit from free treatment,” he added.

In addition, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari participated in a signing ceremony between the Patients’ Aid Foundation and the Sindh Government for the Radiation Oncology Section at JPMC. The ceremony was also attended by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, provincial ministers, assembly members, and party leaders.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has emphasized the enduring relevance of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s teachings, stating that the great Sufi saint and poet’s message of love, harmony, and universal brotherhood transcends time and continues to inspire the quest for a just and peaceful society.

In a statement released by the Media Cell Bilawal House on the occasion of the annual Urs of Shah Bhittai, Chairman PPP highlighted that Bhittai’s poetry not only captures the spiritual and cultural essence of Sindh but also serves as a guiding light, steering us toward the values of tolerance, inclusivity, and compassion. His teachings stand as a timeless reminder of the need to resist oppression, champion social justice, and foster unity across all communities.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged, “On this revered occasion, I encourage everyone to delve into the teachings of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and aspire to embody the principles of love, humility, and selflessness that he so profoundly articulated. Together, let us strive to cultivate a society that embodies the ideals Shah Latif upheld—one where every individual, regardless of their background, is honored and valued.”

Chairman PPP extended his heartiest greetings to the people of Sindh and all those 

President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Message on Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign, 18 August 2024

As we embark on the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2024, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all Pakistanis for their unwavering dedication to preserving our environment. This campaign is not just a seasonal initiative; it is a crucial aspect of our national duty to protect and nurture the natural beauty and resources of our beloved country.

Trees are the foundation of life. They provide us with clean air, regulate our climate, and support diverse ecosystems. In the face of escalating environmental challenges, the significance of tree plantation cannot be overstated. Holy Prophet (PBUH) also encouraged planting trees and is reported to have said, “If the Hour (the day of Resurrection) is about to be established and one of you was holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before the Hour is established to plant it”.

Currently, only about 5% of Pakistan’s total land area is covered by forests, which are under severe pressure due to increasing demand for wood and other land uses. Through this Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign, we have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our environment and secure a greener, healthier future for our younger generation.

I want to emphasize that forestry remains a top priority on Pakistan’s development agenda. The ‘Upscaled Green Pakistan Programme’ has achieved a massive planting target and is recognised internationally. Furthermore, under the Delta Blue Carbon initiative, Pakistan has undertaken successful mangrove restoration, increasing mangrove cover by 300% since 1990. Over 2 million mangroves have been planted in Sindh to mitigate the impacts of Climate Change, which also earned $27 million by trading carbon credits in the international market. Another restorative initiative is ‘The Living Indus Program’ which contains components aimed at halting deforestation and received the UN Decade of Restoration Flagship Award.

I would like to highlight that the Government alone cannot preserve and enhance our forest wealth without the cooperation and engagement of our communities. This requires the involvement of different strata of society and I hope they would lend their hand in this auspicious venture. It is essential that our younger generation understands the pivotal role forests play in addressing climate change. We are committed to building capacity, enhancing education, and promoting innovation to advance this important mission.

I urge all Pakistanis, particularly the youth, to actively participate in the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2024 by planting as many trees as possible to support the national objective of increasing tree cover in the country. Let this campaign be a symbol of our commitment to sustainability and our love for the land that sustains us. Together, we can achieve our goal of a greener Pakistan.