ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Saturday reiterated that it rejected all the unilateral and illegal actions taken by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and vowed to continue extending its unwavering diplomatic, moral and political support to Kashmiris in their just struggle. “We call upon India to reverse its post-August 5 actions,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his Twitter handle as Pakistan marked completion of four years since India deprived Kashmiris of their statehood by unilaterally annexing the IIOJK. “Pakistan Armed Forces pay rich tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK for their supreme sacrifices and affirm full support of Pakistan for provision of political, moral and humanitarian support to Kashmiris in their just struggle against tyranny and illegal subjugation,” the ISPR concluded. One-minute silence was observed at 9:00 am in support of Kashmiris who were martyred in the freedom struggle. In Islamabad, a walk was held at Constitution Avenue, which started from Foreign Office and culminated at D-Chowk.

Former CFL linebacker Sam Eguavoen has signed with the New York Jets, according to an announcement made by his agent David Canter. He worked out for the Jets on Saturday after the team had two linebackers go down with injuries in training camp. He became a household name over three seasons in Regina, recording 173 total tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception in 38 CFL games. He appeared in 66 games, including seven starts, and registered 71 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown. The Jets will kick off their 2023 season on Monday, September 11 against the Buffalo Bills.

LAHORE - The stage is set for the Lincoln Cup baseball match between Pakistan and Palestine, taking place in Chicago. This exciting event will feature Pakistan and Palestine players, who are currently studying and living in the United States and honing their baseball skills. Leading the Pakistan team is President of Pakistan Federation Baseball, Syed Fakhar Ali Shah, who is also serving as the team manager. The PFB, under its President Syed Fakhar Ali Shah’s leadership, is dedicated to the growth of baseball in the region, particularly in Pakistan. The match has garnered significant attention from both the media and officials of Baseball United, who are keen on witnessing the talent and skills of the players representing Pakistan and Palestine.

Women from the Meira Paibis group of the Meitei community in India's Manipur state protest against men accused of abusing two Kuki women after a video of the incident emerged. PHOTO: AFPThree people were killed and houses set ablaze in fresh violence in India's Manipur, police officials said late on Friday, as sporadic violence and killings continue in the remote northeastern state. The three people killed on Thursday night belonged to the majority Metei community in the state's Bishnupur district, a police spokesperson said. A spokesperson for a Kuki civil society group said it did not have an immediate comment on the latest killings. Over 180 people have been killed and thousands have fled their homes, since the violence started in Manipur, a state of 3.2 million that borders Myanmar.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday vehemently denied any political motivation behind the arrest of former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan. Marriyum clarified that the investigation into Imran Khan's alleged crimes had been ongoing for over a year, with more than 40 hearings conducted in the Toshakhana case. Aurangzeb further pointed out that comparing Imran Khan's arrest with that of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was unwarranted. Nawaz Sharif had voluntarily presented himself for accountability based on allegations, whereas Imran Khan had been evading it and resorting to dishonesty in his responses, she maintained. The information minister stressed that the government's aim was not to arrest Imran Khan politically but to revive the economy, which had suffered during the "incompetent and inefficient" four-year regime of the PTI chairman.

Minister of State for Petroleum Musadiq Malik has said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE have indicated to invest $46 billion in the country’s mineral and mining sector worth 6.1 trillion dollars. Pakistan will establish a global standard regulator for the mineral and mining sector, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadiq Malik announced at the ‘Pakistan Minerals Summit’. The Minister said that Saudi Arabia and UAE have indicated an investment of $24 billion and $22 billion respectively in the country’s mine and mineral sector. “We believe that the United States is a major economic power and the force behind it is companies like Apple, Google and Amazon.”- nation.com.pk

Over the past week, USA Hockey has hosted its World Junior Championship Summer Showcase — an opportunity for prospects to skate in game action to make their case for a spot in this winter’s World Juniors. The Blackhawks had four prospects in the tournament: Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Gavin Hayes and Sam Rinzel. Nazar scored the game-tying goal (in the second tweet below). He got the start as the only Blackhawks prospects on the White Team in the second game on Friday, rolling as the second-line center. He then scored the second American goal on a feed from former USNTDP Danny Nelson to put USA back in it.

ISLAMABAD - Advisor to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira Friday said In­dia cannot suppress the legitimate struggle of the people of Indian Ille­gally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Flanked by Kash­miri leaders, he said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari presented the Kashmir cause in a befitting manner at all international forums even dur­ing his visit to India. The Advisor to Prime Minister said the Kashmir dispute was not an issue between Hindus and Muslims, rather it was a just freedom cause of the people residing over there. Kaira regretted that India is giving the impression that Kashmir is an issue between Hindus and Muslims through propaganda. Rahmani said according to the United Nations Charter, Kashmir has a separate identity and India’s claims on Kashmir were false.

Miind DwivediRae Bareli: Under tree plantation program on at Modern Rail Coach Factory, Rae Bareli. The General Manager directed the people of the residential complex to provide trees as per their demand to connect them with the tree plantation drive. This tree plantation program was conducted under the direction of PCE Rajesh Agarwal. Officers and employees did the work of planting plants in pits prepared for plantation. On this occasion, Aredica’s PCME SS Kalsi CAO Sanjay Kumar Katiyar, PCPO Amar Nath Dubey, PCMO MK Shakarwal, PCSC Ramesh Chandra along with Head of Department and senior officials participated in tree plantation.

PM Shehbaz Sharif photographed on December 13, 2022. PIDISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday said the nation would never forget the sacrifices of its martyrs. In a message on the Police Martyrs’ Day, he said the whole nation paid tribute to their dutiful countrymen who rendered sacrifices to protect the lives and properties of citizens. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday inaugurated the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) established with collaboration among the government, international companies and private sector. The prime minister said Pakistan was a great place for promoting tourism and cultural heritage.

LAHORE - The Punjab Disaster Manage­ment Authority (PDMA) has issued a forecast of monsoon rains in various districts of Punjab until August 7. According to Spokesperson PDMA, Current­ly, the Ravi River experiences a low-level flood at Sidhanai, with an inflow of 52040 cu­secs and an outflow of 36840 cusecs. Additionally, the Sutlej River faces low-level flooding at Sulaimanki and Islam, with increasing water levels at both sites. The inflow at Sulaimanki stands at 76035 cusecs, while the outflow is 62877 cusecs. At Head Islam, the inflow is 66643 cusecs, and the outflow is 65743 cusecs.

A five-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) is formed in the much-highlighted domestic worker torture case in which an Islamabad DIG Operations is appointed as the head of the JIT. According to notification, the DIG Operations is appointed as JIT convener while four officers from ISI, IB and police including SSP CTD and SSP Investigations will be part of the JIT. The JIT will probe the violence case at Police Lines Headquarters. Senator Sherry Rehman on Friday demanded the government to take a notice of Rizwana torture case. The PPP senator said it was an illegal use of force in the house of a judge and Child Protection Act should held responsible in this case.

Police in DI Khan on Friday carried out a raid at the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Amin Gandapur for his arrest. Police claimed to have seized relief goods for floods and coronavirus victims, as well as bags containing sticks and clubs from the PTI leader’s residence. Several trucks were dispatched from the scene, laden with the confiscated relief supplies from Gandapur's residence. The PTI leader is accused of inciting the public and issuing threats against the provincial chief. Contrary to the family's claims, the police authorities have stated that the confiscated items included government-issued relief supplies intended for the aid of the local populace in need.

Former CFL quarterback Chris Streveler failed to replicate his preseason magic from a year ago as the New York Jets fell 21-6 to the Cleveland Browns during the NFL’s exhibition opener on Thursday night. Streveler took over the offence in the fourth quarter of the annual Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, completing just one of seven pass attempts for nine yards and rushing once for seven yards. Streveler was a last-minute addition to the Jets’ training camp in 2022 but captured national attention during the preseason, leading the team to three consecutive victories. The Jets elevated Streveler again a week later, though he did not take any snaps under centre. Streveler was especially effective during Winnipeg’s championship run in 2019, rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown in the West Semi-Final before throwing a touchdown pass to Andrew Harris in the Grey Cup.

The word “caretaker” itself describes that this should be a transitional setup to facilitate the transfer of power from one elected government to the other by conducting free and fair elections with the help of an independent and powerful Election Commission. Unfortunately, we have a judiciary embroiled in political controversies, with a paid bureaucracy lacking credentials and not understanding the significance of the oath they take, which is loyalty to the constitution and not any individual. Circumstances demand that there be no more controversies or a repeat of incidents like May 9. However, rumours that a relative of a former PM, who is also the patron of a major political party and part of the current coalition PDM, is being considered for this position are shocking and hopefully not authentic news. A visibly neutral caretaker transitional setup must be put in place to hold free and fair elections, which are generally acceptable and, on the surface, not tainted to begin with.