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Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his desire for peaceful relations with India based on the principles of “equity, justice and mutual respect” and the resolution of the Kashmir issue, according to a media report on Friday.
Sharif also urged the international community to play a “facilitative role” to ensure durable peace and stability in South Asia, it said, amidst a chill in Indo-Pak bilateral ties over the Kashmir issue and cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Sharif expressed these views during a meeting with the newly-appointed Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins, on Thursday, the Dawn Newspaper quoted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as saying.
Pakistan desires peaceful ties with India, based on the principles of equity, justice and mutual respect. In this context, a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, was indispensable, Sharif said.
The international community has to play a facilitative role in this regard, as it was essential for durable peace and stability in South Asia, he said.
India has repeatedly told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility, and violence. India has said the onus is on Pakistan to create an environment free of terror and hostility.
Sharif’s remarks came days after India decided to allow non-locals who are living ordinarily in Jammu and Kashmir to be able to register their names in the voting list and cast their ballot in the elections in the union territory.
Before the abrogation of Article 370, only the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir as defined by the state subject law were entitled to get voting rights.
In a related development, the Foreign Office on Friday said it categorically rejects India’s announcement of permitting even temporary residents, including outside workforce and security personnel, to register as voters’ in Jammu and Kashmir.
It is an “Indian design to influence the outcome of so-called’ elections” in Jammu and Kashmir and deliberate attempts “of pre-poll rigging and overt manipulation”, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
It also asked the international community to take immediate cognisance of the Indian attempts at effecting illegal demographic changes in Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer Hirdesh Kumar on Wednesday had announced that the union territory is likely to get around 25 lakh additional voters, including outsiders, after the special summary revision of electoral rolls being held for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370.
The bilateral ties between the two neighbours deteriorated further after India announced withdrawing the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state into two union territories in August 2019.
India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and shall forever remain an integral part of the country. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda. PTI

It said that if the authorities have now decided to release Mirwaiz, let him be allowed to deliver the Friday sermon at Jama Masjid this Friday.

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference on Friday expressed amazement at the video statement given to a media agency by the LG Manoj Sinha, where he refuted that APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is under house detention for the past three years (since August 2019) and said that the armed forces’ vehicles and personnel stationed outside his house are there for his safety!
In a statement, Hurriyat said that such blatant misrepresentation of facts and denial of Mirwaiz’s incarceration is unbelievable. “The Mirwaiz for the last three years has forcibly not been allowed to come out of his house despite repeated appeals and implorations from all sections of people to the authorities, including religious ulemas across the state. Newspaper and electronic media reports bear witness to it. Being the Mirwaiz he is even stopped from going to Jamia Masjid on Fridays to deliver religious sermons from its pulpit which is the centuries-old tradition in J&K, or to visit other religious places on important religious occasions. Except close relatives no one is allowed to enter the house. How can these facts be negated and claims of his not being under house arrest made!” the amalgam asked.
Hurriyat said that it also wants to clear the air on LG’s other statement in that interview that APHC leadership has been playing both sides. APHC said that its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, like his forefathers, has always believed in and supported the fundamental tenet of democracy: people’s right to make a choice in their future through non-violent means, without fear or favour; and the subsequent belief that this is the road to lasting peace and prosperity for the entire subcontinent.
“Mirwaiz and his forefathers represented and defended this basic interest of people of J&K in their engagements with both India and Pakistan and in the course suffered exile, Shahadat and incarcerations. It is the belief in these ideals that helped APHC chairman to bear the harshness and loneliness of house incarceration for past three years. There has never been any personal ambition of acquiring power to rule, or material gain that would tempt this leadership to play to or appease both or any side. Talks held with both India and Pakistan were only to find a resolution and get the people of Kashmir out of the vicious cycle of violence,” it said.
It said that if the authorities have now decided to release Mirwaiz, let him be allowed to deliver the Friday sermon at Jama Masjid this Friday.

“Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is not under house arrest ..We have kept cops around him for his safety. He should decide what he wants,” J&K L-G , Manoj Sinha

Says, time not far when people will form a strong Govt

Srinagar, Aug 18: Reacting over the remarks made by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti during a presser on Thursday, BJP media incharge Manzoor Bhat said that the family rule is over, uncle-nephew’s politics, father-son’s politics, father-daughter’s politics which is completely over now.

In a series of tweets, Manzoor Bhat wrote, “I totally agree with you. Today if you are saying that the last nail has been put in the coffin. This is absolutely true now the family rule is over, uncle-nephew’s politics, father-son’s politics, father-daughter’s politics which is completely over now.”

Earlier, Mehbooba Mufti while reacting to the announcement of voting rights to the non-locals in Jammu and Kashmir said that the decisions are not being taken in the interests of the nation but in the interests of the BJP.

In another tweet, Manzoor Bhat wrote, “You deceived Kashmiri people, told lies, kept people in the dark in deceit. You will get his punishment and I think that time has come. Democracy has indeed won. I am thankful to Election Commission of India & Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sb, who has changed the image of J&K.”

“Now everyone common Kashmiri will take part in upcoming assembly elections, and now the time is not far when people will form a strong government and which will work for the common people”, he said in another tweet.

Srinagar, Aug 17: National Conference, PDP, JKPC, CPI (M) and Congress on Wednesday reacted sharply to the election commission statement that “non-local residing in Jammu and Kashmir can vote’ in assembly elections.

Former Chief Minister in PDP-BJP combine Mehbooba Mufti said that decision to allow non-locals to vote was aimed “obviously to influence election results.”

“GoI’s decision to defer polls in J&K preceded by egregious gerrymandering tilting the balance in BJPs favour & now allowing non locals to vote is obviously to influence election results. Real aim is to continue ruling J&K with an iron fist to disempower locals” she said in a tweet.

The PDP spokesperson in a tweet said “this whole thing about people from outside J&K being allowed to vote here is an extension of the ‘tactical rigging process” that started with the unconstitutional and illegal delimitation process in J&K.”

“ The sole aim of GoI is the complete disempowerment of the people of J&K,” the spokesman said.

Allowing non-locals to vote in Assembly Elections will be as disastrous as 1987 rigging, J&K Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone said.

Reacting to the statement of Chief Electoral Officer of J&K that every citizen of the country staying in J&K can have voting rights in Assembly elections, Sajad said that such a step would be a replay of 1987.

Taking to microblogging platform Twitter, Sajad said, “This is dangerous. I don’t know what they want to achieve. This is much more than a mischief. Democracy is a relic especially in the context of Kashmir. Please remember 1987. We are yet to come out of that. Don’t replay 1987. It will be as disastrous.”

National Conference vice president and former chief minister of J&K Omar Abdullah tweeted: “Is the BJP so insecure about support from genuine voters of J&K that it needs to import temporary voters to win seats? None of these things will help the BJP when the people of J&K are given a chance to exercise their franchise,”

CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that “what CEO has said amounts to disenfranchising the people of Jammu and Kashmir further.”

“ The delimitation process through Re-organisation Act was an attempt to change the electoral demography of the region,” he said in a statement to GNS, adding, “In the absence of any representative government in J&K, the union government has been exercising undiluted control in the region through a bureaucratic structure since June 2018. Today’s statement of CEO is a brazen assault on the legitimate aspirations of the people.”

Former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee President Ghulam Ahmad Mir said that allowing non-locals to vote in Assembly Elections would be disastrous.

In a statement issued here, Mir termed the move politically motivated, disappointing and very unfortunate.

“GOI should respect the emotions of JK People rather than disempowering them by allowing non-locals to vote, which is unacceptable and intolerable to the people of J&K,” he said, adding, “I would suggest GOI to desist from doing such undemocratic experiments and focus on the development of J&K and empowerment of people.”

Srinagar, August 17: J&K Waqaf Board has banned forced donations and through exploitive means at the Ziyarats across J&K. The order issued by the Tehsildar Waqaf Board reads, “Whereas, J&K Waqf Board is in receipt of large number of complaints against some people receiving donations forcibly and through exploitative means at the Ziyarats. Despite coming from reasonably sound economic background, such people are permanently occupying particular spots within the shrines for their activities, and there are instances when such spots are being outsourced or contracted out against receipt of large sums of money that violates the sacrosanctity of the Ziyarats.”

The order also reads : Whereas, such unethical practices damage the sanctity of such sacred places, and are detrimental to the already strained finances of the J&K Waqf Board. Such pilferages are severely limiting the ability of the Waqf Board to perform basic duties of charity and carry out activities for the upliftment of the poor and disadvantaged groups of the society, and also limit the ability of Waqf to provide different facilities to the Zaireen and carry out infrastructural improvements at the Shrines.”

Central Waqf Office shall also be verifying the claims of all those performing different religious activities within the Ziyarats of J&K UT. Executive Officers/Administrators and staff posted at Shrines/ Masjids are hereby directed to impose the ban strictly. ” Any non-compliance of the order be immediately referred to the Central Office, so that a complete ban is ordered on the entry of such elements into pious and sacred places like Ziyarats. Notices alongwith Helpline numbers be pasted at conspicuous places within Ziyarats requesting general public to inform about such elements. Any dereliction or laxity shown by any employee in this regard shall be viewed seriously and shall invite immediate disciplinary action,.” It said.

“Whereas, such people have been repeatedly warned to desist from these activities, as it also sends a very wrong signal to the Zaireen, who are repeatedly requesting J&K Waqf Board to take stern action against such elements.

Now therefore, a complete ban is hereby ordered on all such unethical practices across the Shrines of J&K UT with immediate effect,” it added.

The order also says that J&K Waqf Board has come into existence to look after the administrative affairs of inalienable Waqfs for charitable and religious purposes. ” in addition to the management of properties like Business Establishments, Orchards and providing highly subsidised/free education in Schools and Darul-Ulooms, J&K Waqf Board also controls and manages the affairs of major Shrines and Mosques across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” it reads.

Srinagar, Aug 16: Police on Tuesday said they have arrested a man for raping 17 years old girl, within 48 hours in central Kashmir’s district Budgam, officials said.

Police spokesperson said that on 13th August about 23: 00 hrs, Police Post Soibugh received a written complaint from Riyaz Ahmed Khan son of Raju Khan resident Lakheempora Keeri Bihar presently working at Brick Kiln 71-P wahabpora stating therein that his sister (name with held) age about 17 years went missing on 12-08-2022 at about 04:00 AM from home & later searched for her and was traced out about 16:00 hrs on same date.

“Meanwhile the complainants sister disclosed that she was kidnapped & raped by one person namely Liyakat Ali Dar son of Mohammad Jaffar Dar resident of Wahabpora Budgam, reads the assertion.

In this regard, “a case FIR Number 275/2022 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Budgam & investigation taken up. The accused was absconding but after strernous efforts of police post Saibug, the accused was today arrested from Wadwan area of Budgam,” it reads.

Moreover, “community members are requested to cooperate with police in curbing social crimes in their neighbourhood.”

Srinagar, Aug 16: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday said Covid-19 vaccine will likely become an annual affair just like the flu vaccine.

“To keep Covid in check and stay ahead of new variants, people may need yearly shots like they do for the flu,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

Dr Hassan said Covid-19 has entered into an endemic stage. It has become yet another infection joining many other diseases that we have learned to live.

Cases will wax and wane. Outbreaks will pop up here and there.

He said while primary vaccination is effective in preventing severe Covid infection, immunity wanes over time

Annual immunization could prevent future societal disruptions and save lives.

“Fall could be the optimal time to get Covid-19 vaccine as Covid could eventually become seasonal similar to flu that peaks in fall and winter,” he added

The DAK President said as Covid-19 continues to evolve with emergence of new variants, we might need to update the vaccine according to the strain circulating at that time.

Omicron and its subvariants infected many vaccinated individuals highlighting the fact that updating Covid-19 vaccines may be necessary to fight future variants and prevent more surges.

In order to have long term efficacy against Covid-19, it may be necessary for vaccines to include multiple variants of the novel virus,” he said adding “this strategy is routinely applied against influenza and all formulations in recent years have included three to four variant forms.”

Dr Nisar said UK has approved Moderna’s updated bivalent vaccine that targets both the original virus and first Omicron strain, known as BA.1.

The tweaked vaccine will now form part of the autumn booster campaign in the country.

“US has requested vaccine manufactures to develop shots that target both the original virus and the latest Omicron strains, known as BA.4/5 which are driving the fresh waves of Covid cases globally and are known to evade vaccine induced immunity,” he said.

“India too is working on Omicron vaccine which will be specific to the BA.5 subvariant of the Omicron strain,” he added.

Srinagar, August 14: Encounter has started between militants and security forces in Sujan Hill area of Rajouri District in Jammu Division on Sunday evening, offcials said.

A senior police officer told GNS that a team of Police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Sujan Hil on a very specific input.

As the joint team approached towards the suspected area, the hiding militants fired upon the party leading to an encounter, officer added.

Till this report was being filed intermittent exchange of fire was going on.(GNS)

Srinagar, Aug 13: Jammu and Kashmir government has suspended an executive officer for allegedly insulting the national flag in Magam area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, sources said on Saturday.

They told news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that Syed Aijaz Manzoor, executive officer of Municipal Committee Magam has been suspended by the Sub Divisional Magistrate Beerwah and an inquiry has been initiated against the officer.

An official also confirmed to KDC and said Tehsildar Magma has been nominated as the enquiry officer in the matter, who shall furnish a detailed report within three days along with particulars of all other officials/ non-officials involved in the incident. (KDC)