Josh was reunited with his mom, and other loved ones, early Wednesday morning, July 05, 2023, after succumbing to testicular cancer. Josh was preceded in death by his mother, Pam M. Franklin, Grandparents Raymond and Joyce Franklin, Grandparents Silas and Louise Miller. Josh is survived by his father Ray H. Franklin, Jr., stepmother Karen S. Franklin, his sister Jennifer L. Franklin and several uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Josh’s favorite vacation spots were a condo on the Gulf, overlooking the beach, or a few days in The Great Smokey Mountains. Also, a special thanks to the staff and nurses at Compassus Hospice for their care of Josh in his last few weeks.

People protesting against the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden across Pakistan on July 7, 2023. JUI-F Central Deputy Secretary General Maulana Amjad Khan said the officially patronized desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden was open terrorism and result of state support of Islamophobia in Europe. Addressing the protesters, Qari Zawar Bahadur said desecration of the Holy Quran and Holy Prophet (SAW) was intolerable as the Muslims would rather die than remain silent. The OIC secretary general echoed Pakistan’s condemnation and concerns about the despicable incidents of the public desecration of the Holy Quran. The resolution further stated that the Holy Quran held immense significance to millions of Muslims around the world as a source of spiritual guidance, moral teaching, and divine revelation.

Mary “Evelyn” Johnson, 88 of Birmingham passed away on July 4, 2023. Evelyn had very little vision much of her adult life, but that never stopped her from experiencing life fully. After Dori’s death, Evelyn returned to The Seeing Eye for her second guide dog & loving companion, Mary, also for 11 years. Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, husband, William “Bill” Johnson, & son, Michael L. Johnson (Barbara). In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations be made to The Seeing Eye www.seeingeye.org

LAHORE - The Jamaat-e-Islami and worldwide Islamic move­ments jointly marked “con­demnation day” on Friday in Pakistan and other coun­tries besides Bangladesh, Malaysia, Lebanon, South Africa, Turkey against the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Is­lamophobia. JI Emir Sirajul Haq delivered a speech at Man­soorah and also addressed a public gathering in Jhang. He said an organized campaign had been started against Islam and its follow­ers in Western countries af­ter 9/11. The most unfortunate as­pect of the Sweden incident, he said, was that the Sweden authorities allowed a per­son to burn the Quran under their protection. The JI chief also condemned the Israeli forces’ brutal action and terrorism against Palestin­ian Muslims and expressed solidarity with the Palestine freedom movement.

A photo of a meeting between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership and IMF officials on June 7, 2023. The meeting was attended by IMF country chief Nathan Porter who joined virtually from Washington and Resident Representative Esther Perez who was physically present. Read: Stocks rebound on back of investor hopesAzhar further stated that the PTI considered political stability and the rule of law as integral to the economic stability of Pakistan. The last government deviated from agreements under an earlier IMF programme days before he was ousted in a parliamentary vote last year, leading to a delay in the implementation of the programme and increased economic uncertainty. The meeting is the highest profile engagement for the PTI chief since he was ousted from power less than four years into his five-year term.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 7: Rallies were organised across the country on Friday to protest of the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden as the nation observed “Youm-i-Taqaddus-i-Quran” (Quran Sanctity Day). On the occasion, protesters said that the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden had hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world. “The Holy Quran is in our hearts. The Holy Quran is not only a recitation for us but a guideline for living,” Shehbaz said. The OIC secretary general echoed Pakistan’s condemnation and concerns about the despicable incidents of the public desecration of the Holy Quran.

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged all segments of the society to stage peaceful demonstrations after Friday prayers today to express their sentiments over the despicable incident of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden. He shared the remarks as nation observes Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran (Quran Sanctity Day) to lodge protest against desecration of the holy book. He said the nation is united for the sanctity of Holy Quran. The premier said, “Holy Quran is in our hearts”. To mark the Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran, people belonging to different walks of life will take part in the protests to express their resentment over the desecrations of the Holy Quran.

PHOTO: EXPRESSIn a significant development for Pakistan's economic landscape, Ester Perez Luis, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) resident representative, met with the finance team of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), including Syed Naveed Qamar, the Federal Minister for Commerce, and Saleem Mandviwala. The PPP expressed its willingness to support the IMF programme, citing larger national interests as the driving force behind their decision. Syed Naveed Qamar, representing the party's finance team, acknowledged the significance of the standby agreement in addressing Pakistan's economic concerns. Read more: IMF seeks PTI 'support' in standby agreement: Hammad AzharHe reiterated the PPP's commitment to working in harmony with the IMF to ensure the successful implementation of the programme. The discussion between the IMF representative and the PPP finance team is seen as a positive step towards economic reform and stability in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the government was committed to empower the youth of the country as empowering them was a key to ensure the development and prosperity of Pakistan. He informed that in addition to the 100,000 laptops approved for the previous financial year, he has successfully obtained approval for an additional 100,000 laptops for the current fiscal year. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif distributing laptops among high achievers of public sector university students under the Prime Minister's Youth Laptop Scheme in Islamabad. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in its every tenure, had empowered the youth. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing a ceremony to provide merit-based laptops to the youth of public sector universities under the Prime Minister's Youth Laptop Scheme at Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad .

Millions of people on Friday rallied in streets across the country, condemning the incident of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden, as the nation observed ‘Youm-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran’ (Quran Sanctity Day). The Christian community and their religious leaders in different cities of the country registered their protest against the Sweden incident. Read Protesters attempt burning copies of Holy Quran on French islandJamaat-e-Islami Karachi Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman addressed a protest of the minority community at the Karachi Press Club. Political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and others staged more than 200 protests across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Gilgit-Baltistan. The desecration of the Quran in Sweden is another example of the rising Islamophobic mindset that seeks to dehumanise and denigrate our faith.

The recent ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) against India’s objection to its jurisdiction over the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project is a significant win for Pakistan. It is vital to recognise the importance of this decision and stress the need to maintain the Indus Water Treaty for regional stability. This ruling showcases the efficacy of international mechanisms in resolving disputes. As a non-UN intergovernmental organisation, the PCA provides an impartial platform for India and Pakistan to present their arguments and find a mutually agreeable solution. The PCA’s dismissal of India’s objection to its jurisdiction over the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project is a victory for Pakistan.

Lahore High Court's (LHC) Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti on Wednesday directed the quarters concerned to come up with a resolution for all administrative issues related to the release of missing anchor-person Imran Riaz Khan by July 25. Chief Justice Bhatti was hearing a plea filed by the father of the missing anchorperson, Imran Riaz Khan, seeking the recovery of his son. The anchor-person’s counsel, Barrister Ali Mian Ashfaq, informed the court that they had attended several meetings of the "working committee" and identified some administrative issues in the release of journalist Imran Riaz Khan. They were optimistic about securing the release of Imran Riaz Khan before the Eid holidays, but unfortunately, it could not be accomplished. The IGP informed the court that they had received information indicating that some foreign numbers used in this case belonged to Afghanistan.

Our government is celebrating the staff-level agreement for a loan with International Monetary Fund (IMF) as if they have conquered the world. If a broke person celebrated receiving a loan, everyone would consider them crazy and ridicule them. Baffled because on the one hand, we keep trumpeting about being the only nuclear power in the Muslim world, but on the other hand we celebrate a loan of a few million dollars from the IMF. Fearful because I have a feeling that this bailout loan will give our country a respite for a short period, and we will be back in the same situation soon. Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.

High-time for nation, State institutions to join hands in making country progress: PMPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says it is high-time for the nation and the State institutions to join hands in making the country progress. He was addressing local elders in Torghar after laying foundation-stone of Torghar Buner Highway, Buner-Karakar Link Tunnel and Torghar-Buner RCC bridge. Prime Minister said it is responsibility of the government, judiciary, armed forces and the people to act in unison for ensuring development of the country. Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the significance of unity, hard work and dedication by the nation to make the future of Pakistan brighter. He said Pakistan recently faced financial challenges and got a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund to avert default.

DNATORGHAR, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, July 6 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said it is high-time for the nation and the State institutions to join hands in making the country progress. The prime minister said it was the responsibility of the government, judiciary, armed forces and the people to act in unison for ensuring development of the country. The prime minister highlighted the significance of unity, hard work and dedication by the nation to make the future of Pakistan brighter. The prime minister acknowledged the sacrifices of the forefathers of the locals who donated their lands during the formation of Pakistan 70 years ago. He expressed concern that without the bridge, the locals had no other choice but to travel a distance of 250 kilometres.