News

The General Secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party Human Rights Cell, Malaika Raza on the instructions of the Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the women and juvenile jail in Karachi to assess the facilities provided for the rehabilitation of women and children in the prison.

During her visit, Ms. Raza was briefed by the Women Jail Superintendent Ms. Humaira about the various programs and services available for the inmates.

The Sindh government has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of women and children in the jail, including adult literacy programs, art classes, Computer skill training for women, and fitness training for juveniles. Malaika Raza praised the efforts of the Sindh government, stating that the prison reforms established in Sindh are among the best in the country, providing women and children with essential facilities and opportunities for rehabilitation.

Chairman Bilawal Butto Zardari has directed the government to ensure the provision of the best possible facilities and programs to support the rehabilitation of women and children in jail. The PPP Human Rights Cell is actively engaging in visits to women’s jails across the country to ensure that all inmates are treated equally and in accordance with the law.

Ms. Raza emphasised the importance of fair treatment for women in the criminal justice system and reiterated the commitment of the PPP Human Rights Cell to advocate for the rights of women and children in prison. The Cell will continue its visits to women’s jails nationwide to monitor and ensure that women are treated fairly and with dignity.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has taken notice of reported kidnapping of three Pakistanis in Myanmar and urged the concerned authorities to take measures for their recovery and repatriation. 

In a statement issued from Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP Chairman stressed that Foreign Office should utilize diplomat channels to locate and recover 3 boys namely Kashif Hussain, Faraz Khan and Shehroz Khan of Hyderabad, who travelled to Thailand from where they were allegedly   take to Myanmar and held hostage.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sympathy with the loved ones of these boys and assured PPP will raise voice at all relevant forums for the recovery of these boys.

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for further expanding bilateral ties with Turkmenistan in all fields of mutual interest. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to its relations with Turkmenistan, saying that Pakistan-Turkmenistan relations were based on a common vision for peace and prosperity in the region. He added that the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries signified the mutual desire to further strengthen bilateral understanding and cooperation.

The President expressed these views while talking to the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, on Monday.

Welcoming the Minister, the President urged the need to enhance connectivity and communication between Pakistan and Turkmenistan, saying that Gwadar port offered great opportunities for promoting regional trade and Turkmenistan should benefit from the port.

The President stressed the need for continued exchanges and dialogue at all levels and enhanced trade, economic, investment and cultural relations for the prosperity of the two countries. He offered that Turkmen students could seek education from the medical institutions of Pakistan. The President noted the importance of the Third Round of Bilateral Political Consultations held today by the two Foreign Ministers.

The Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoyed cordial relations. He stated that his country would continue to promote economic, cultural and educational cooperation with Pakistan. He highlighted the importance of constructing motorways and railways, through Afghanistan, to connect the two brotherly countries.

Foreign Minister Meredov conveyed the greetings of the leadership of Turkmenistan to the President.

The President reciprocated the sentiment and said that he was looking forward to welcoming the Grand Leader of Turkmenistan H.E Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for devising a comprehensive plan on a priority basis to prevent urban flooding in Karachi. He said that the Government of Sindh should adopt a sustainable and long-term strategy, based on international best practices, for effectively managing sewage and stormwater to save the Metropolitan City from urban flooding.

The President expressed these while chairing a meeting on saving Karachi from urban flooding and environmental degradation and promoting sustainable water resource development, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Adjutant General Lt General Muhammad Asim Malik, Minister for Local Government Department of Sindh, Mr Saeed Ghani, Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Sindh, Syed Asif Hyder Shah, CEO Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, Syed Salahuddin, Country Head Herrenknetch Pakistan, Col (r) Danyal Naveed Ahmed, senior government officials, and local and international water management experts attended the meeting.

The President was given a comprehensive presentation by international water and sewage management experts and proposed various solutions to address the challenges of urban flooding and sewage in Karachi on the pattern of the tunnel sewer systems of Washington DC, the London Super Sewer Project, and the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System of Singapore.

During the briefing, it was proposed that a network of small and large sewer tunnels under existing roads in high-flood zones of Karachi may be developed.  It was highlighted that underground tunnelling using modern techniques would not disturb the public, city traffic and land ownership. The experts informed that Karachi generated almost 450 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage. They added that sewage and stormwater were collected in small and large open drains which fell into the Lyari and Malir rivers and were released untreated into the sea, polluting the marine ecosystem. It was further informed that the existing network of drains had limited capacity and absorbed around 50% of the rainwater under normal circumstances. The meeting was told that excess water was not absorbed by the system, causing urban flooding.

Speaking on the occasion, the President underlined the need for completing the feasibility study to control flooding in Karachi through tunnelling options within three months. He stated that Karachi and its coastal areas need to be made clean and brought at par with other Metropolitan cities of the world. He said that since the proposed project would have significant environmental impacts, therefore, Government of Sindh should approach international donors to seek environmental financing for the project. He said that the construction of the wastewater treatment system would also help supply treated water to Balochistan for agriculture, besides promoting the fisheries sector.

The President remarked that the city of Hyderabad was also facing urban flooding and sewage issues that also needed to be addressed on priority.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid glowing tributes to Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto on his 39th martyrdom anniversary.

In a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP emphasized the enduring legacy of Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto, highlighting his revolutionary thoughts and unwavering struggle for democracy. He added that Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto’s legacy is a beacon of light. “Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto’s martyrdom day reminds us of the numerous sacrifices the Bhutto family has made for democracy in Pakistan,” he said.

He reiterated PPP’s commitment to the ideals Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto championed, affirming that the party will continue to strive for a robust democracy, equality, and a progressive society. “The dream of Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto was to see the establishment of a democratic, prosperous, and egalitarian society, and PPP remains dedicated to making this dream a reality,” he said.

This day serves as a reminder for all of us to uphold the principles of truth, justice, and righteousness, even in the face of adversity.

According to a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, in his message on the Youm-e-Ashura, said that the sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions are a beacon of light for all of humanity, adding that their struggle against oppression and their commitment to uphold the values of Islam inspire us to continue our fight for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called for unity among the Muslim Ummah and urged all communities to promote peace and harmony. He stressed the importance of rejecting violence and extremism, and instead, embracing the true spirit of Islam which teaches love, tolerance, and brotherhood.

In conclusion, the Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari prayed for the peace, stability, and prosperity of Pakistan. He expressed hope that the lessons of Karbala will guide us in creating a just and equitable society, where the principles of Imam Hussain (AS) are upheld and cherished.

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have affirmed the commitment to further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of bilateral interest, especially energy, trade, connectivity, defence, and people-to-people linkages.

This was discussed during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and the visiting President of Azerbaijan, Mr Ilham Aliyev, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.

Welcoming the President of Azerbaijan, the President of Pakistan said that both countries enjoyed excellent relations and had a great scope of further improving ties in various areas of mutual interest. He underlined the need for more regular engagements between the people and businessmen of Pakistan and Azerbaijan to cement bilateral ties. He highlighted the importance of Gwadar port, saying that Central Asian Countries and Azerbaijan could benefit from it for promoting regional trade, connectivity and tourism, besides bringing shared economic prosperity to the region.

The President welcomed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, adding that the MoUs would give a new impetus to bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, commerce, tourism, mines and minerals, science and technology, law & justice, and culture.

The President highlighted that the East had the potential to lead the world towards prosperity. He added that Pakistan wanted to build a sustainable and result-oriented engagement with Central Asian Republics and Azerbaijan.

Speaking on the occasion, President Ilham Aliyev said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoyed a high frequency of people-to-people exchanges and both the countries needed to promote business-to-business relations for enhancing economic relations. He stated that Pakistan and Azerbaijan could also explore the possibility of working together in the renewable energy sector.

Later, the President also hosted a banquet in honour of President Ilham Aliyev and his delegation, which was also attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, and journalists, at the President’s House. The President expressed his warm greetings for the people of Azerbaijan and reassured Pakistan’s unwavering support for Azerbaijan.

Message on the occasion of World Population Day on 11th July, 2024

On this World Population Day, we reflect on the critical importance of population dynamics in shaping our nation’s future. Population of Pakistan, counted as 241 million (Census-2023), is growing at a high rate of 2.55%. Our population is projected to reach 263 million by 2030 and 383 million by 2050. With the rapidly increasing population, it is imperative that we understand the profound impact that population growth has on our socio-economic development. Our young population, which constitutes the majority, is a vibrant and dynamic force that holds immense potential for driving our nation towards prosperity. However, to harness this potential, we must ensure that our youth have access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities which are significantly affected by imbalance between the available resources and the size of our country’s population.

Pakistan faces significant challenges in managing its population growth, which directly affects our resources and public services. Despite being water-abundant at the time of independence, we are now one of the water-stressed countries in the world; our agricultural land is being converted into housing areas, threatening our food security and consequently affecting the nutritional status of our citizens especially children. This stark reality underscores the urgent need to address population growth through effective family planning and reproductive health services. Our total fertility rate and high maternal and infant mortality rates indicate that we must redouble our efforts to improve healthcare services, particularly for women and children. By prioritizing health and family planning initiatives, we can ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for the nation.

To foster an environment where every Pakistani can succeed, it is crucial to manage population growth by aligning our resources with the population size. The new national narrative of ‘Tawazun’ approved by all stakeholders, including  the Ulema, invites people to practice family planning voluntarily enabling parents to fulfill the fundamental rights of children. Achieving ‘Tawazun’ between population and resources ensures genuine prosperity. A well-balanced and sustainable population can drive economic growth, improve living standards, and alleviate poverty.

On this World Population Day, I urge all stakeholders, including government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, to collaborate in addressing the population challenges we face. In this regard, I would like to highlight the critical importance of inclusive data in the realm of family planning. As we strive to improve health outcomes and empower individuals and communities, it is essential to recognize that data inclusivity is a cornerstone for informed decision-making and effective policy development. By capturing data that reflects the experiences of different genders, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities, we can work towards a future where everyone has equal opportunities to progress.

In this way, together we can achieve the vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed that she shared with the world community at International Conference on Population and Development Cairo 1994. She said, “I dream of a Pakistan, of an Asia, of a world where every pregnancy is planned and every child conceived is nurtured, loved, educated and supported.”

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for adopting a holistic approach and prudent  financial policies to put the country on the path of development. He said that different sectors of the economy, especially the agricultural sector, needed to be developed along modern lines. He added that the government was planning to tax agricultural income as per the International Monetary Fund’s conditions, however, the provincial governments would be leading the initiative to tax large land-holding farmers in accordance with their profitability and expenditures.

The President gave these remarks while addressing  the Professor Waris Mir Memorial Seminar, in Lahore, on Tuesday. A large number of journalists, academicians, political workers, and members of the civil society attended the event.

Speaking on the occasion, the President highlighted that the media had given power to the people by amplifying their voices, however, recent years had also witnessed a grouping in the media. He cautioned that a strong religious lobby in the world was manipulating and managing perceptions aiming to sow divisions in Muslim societies. He said that he was a supporter of the freedom of press and had always tolerated harsh criticism from the media. He said that societies needed to be careful against agenda-driven information. 

The President highlighted that one had to face trials and tribulations in life, however, one needed to stay steadfast in the face of challenges. He paid rich tribute to the political struggle and sacrifices of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed for democracy, saying that Pakistan People’s Party had a history of facing pressures and  assassinations, however, continued its struggle for the cause of democracy in Pakistan. He said that assassination attempts and political pressures could not deter us from our mission as we firmly believed that life and death were in Allah’s hands.

The President also paid rich tribute to the services and contributions of Late Professor Waris Mir towards democracy and journalism. He also appreciated Faisal Mir and Hamid Mir for taking forward the legacy of their father.

Senior Journalist Hamid Mir, while speaking on the occasion, called for putting an end to the culture of political victimization and upholding the 1973 Constitution in its true spirit.

Senior Journalist Sohail Warraich paid tribute to the services of the late Professor Waris Mir for journalism and democracy. Appreciating the political wisdom and the reconciliatory role of the President, he said that the country was in dire need of political reconciliation and the President could play an instrumental role in addressing the political and economic issues faced by the country.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has directed immediate action to address the issues faced by Balochistan’s laborers. 

According to a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP met with a delegation of labor leaders from Balochistan in Quetta today. The delegation was led by Haji Ramzan Achakzai, the Central Joint President of the All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions and the WAPDA Labor Union. The delegation also included Muhammad Yar Alizai, Baqi Lehri, and Muhammad Qasim.

During the meeting, the PPP Chairman was given a detailed briefing on the issues faced by Balochistan’s laborers, especially miners.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari instructed the Chief Minister of Balochistan to establish an effective mechanism to directly address and resolve the issues faced by laborers promptly and efficiently.

On this occasion, Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, PPP Balochistan President Mir Changez Khan Jamali, MNA Ejaz Jakhrani, Syed Iqbal Shah, and other notable figures were also present.