Tag: President Arif Alvi

  • President Alvi stresses that Pakistan is not against Jews or Christians

    President Alvi stresses that Pakistan is not against Jews or Christians

    President Arif Alvi on Tuesday, in an address to the Second Conference of Parliamentary Assembly of the Economic Cooperation Organization (PAECO) countries, stressed that Pakistan is against genocide, not against Jews or Christians.

    “We are against genocide. We are not against Jews or Christians, but against all oppressors of humanity,” said Alvi.

    Alvi further added that Pakistan’s stance on Israel’s violations of human rights was “not anti-Semitic, but anti-Zionist.”

    “We will raise our voices against anyone who resorts to oppression,” the president said.

    He also said that labelling the freedom movement of Palestinians and Kashmiris as “terrorism” by Israel and India was an act of viewing the countries through the “prism of prejudice”.

    The president expressed confidence that the Muslim world would join hands in giving the world a strong message on Islamophobia.

  • Dr Arif Alvi, wife open up on personal life, marriage

    President Dr Arif Alvi and First Lady Mrs Samina Arif Alvi recently opened up on their personal life, relationship dynamics and revealed how they got married.

    Appearing on Nida Yasir’s show, Dr Alvi and Mrs Samina shared that they are second cousins. When Yasir, in her typical style, asked if their marriage was an arranged or love, the president said that it was a “mix,” adding that they have an age difference of five years.

    President Alvi also shared that he would write letters to his wife after their marriage.

    Talking about their relationship dynamics, President Alvi and his wife shared that they joke around with each other at home but no one takes any offence. President Alvi said that he feels that Samina has a better sense of humour than him.

    “There are times when she objects to what I would wear and I’d ask her if I had ever criticised what she wore,” joked President Alvi to which Samina added that he never really listens to her.

    “We’ve been married for almost 50 years now and I have never asked her to change the way she dresses,” said the president to which Samina responded: “That’s because I always dress well.”

    Read more – Pakistani dramas are depressing, says First Lady Samina Alvi

    The couple have one son and three daughters together, all of who are married.

    Talking about their children, the duo said that while Samina did the personal grooming of the children, President Alvi looked after their studies.

    “It was from Grade 9 to 12 that I taught them,” said Dr Alvi, adding: “Samina was the one who groomed them otherwise.”

    “It was a big task to help our son with the studies,” said Samina. “I think because sons are the troublemakers. Daughters, on the other hand, are timider. They listen to whatever you tell them.”

    “We tried to make our children understand the importance of education to a point that the only thing they thought about was education,” said President Alvi. “That wasn’t what we wanted so we started focusing on other aspects as well. Even after our daughters were married, all they could think about was studying. I told them there was more to life than studying, raise your kids.”

    Meanwhile, President Alvi also gave viewers a glimpse into his childhood saying that growing up he was a very naughty child, according to his elder. He said that he deeply misses his school days adding that his father was very strict and he was very close to his mother.

  • Fahad Mustafa, Humayun Saeed pray for President Alvi’s swift recovery from COVID-19

    Humayun Saeed and Fahad Mustafa have sent their best wishes to President Dr Arif Alvi after he tested positive for COVID-19.

    “May Allah bless him with good health,” wrote Humayun on Twitter.

    “Get well soon Sir President,” said Mustafa.

    On Monday, President Alvi announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He clarified that though he had received the first shot of the vaccine, “antibodies start developing after [the] second dose that was due in a week”.

    “Please continue to be careful,” he urged.

    First Lady Samina Alvi later shared that the President had mild symptoms “but is in good spirits”. She added that she had tested negative for the virus.

    President Alvi also thanked everyone for their good wishes and prayers, sharing that he felt much better today (Tuesday).

    “PM [Imran Khan] called sharing his experience. Advised rest, sleep and soups,” added the President.

    Wishing President Alvi a speedy recovery.

  • Here are all the celebrities who were honoured with a Civil Award this year

    Here are all the celebrities who were honoured with a Civil Award this year

    It’s that time of the year when notable Pakistanis are recognised for their contributions in different fields at an investiture ceremony at Aiwan-i-Sadr. Despite rising cases of COVID-19, this year was no different and on March 23, 2021, President Dr Arif Alvi conferred top civil and military honours upon various personalities, including those from the entertainment industry.

    According to Radio Pakistan, President Alvi presented various awards to 88 recipients including six Nishan-e-Imtiaz, three Hilal-e-Imtiaz, 24 Sitara-i- Shuja’at, eight Sitara-e-Imtiaz, 14 President’s Award for Pride of Performance, one Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam, one Sitara-e-Khidmat, one Tamgha-i-Pakistan, 22 Tamgha-i-Shuja’at and eight Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.

    Prominent personalities who received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz include Sadiqain Naqvi (Art), Abida Parveen (Singing), Ahmad Faraz (Literature) while Bushra Ansari (Art), Syed Farooq Qaiser (Art) and Sultana Siddiqui (Art) received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Maulana Tariq Jameel (Religious Scholar), Muhammad Ali Shehki (Singing), Resham (Acting), Humayun Saeed (Acting) and Ali Zafar (Singing) were conferred the President’s Award for Pride of Performance. Meanwhile, Zaiba Shehaz (Acting) and Faisal Edhi (Public Service) were awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.  

    Check out the list of celebrities who were honoured at Pakistan Day:

    Bushra Ansari and Sultana Siddiqui (Sitara-e-Imtiaz)

    Imran Quershi (Sitara-e-Imtiaz)

    Abida Parveen (Nishan-e-Imtiaz)
    Resham (Pride of Performance)

    “Allah has turned my dream into a reality,” wrote Resham along side a picture of her with the medal.

    Humayun Saeed Khan (Pride of Performance)

    Ali Zafar (Pride of Performance)

    Sakina Samo (Pride of Performance)

    Maulana Tariq Jameel (Pride of Performance)

  • President Dr Arif Alvi, First Lady receive COVID-19 vaccine

    President Dr Arif Alvi, First Lady receive COVID-19 vaccine

    President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi and his wife Samina Arif Alvi have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Islamabad on Monday.

    As per details, President Alvi and Mrs Samina Alvi got their COVID-19 vaccination administered after they registered themselves for the vaccine. They received the confirmation message on Sunday along with the designated vaccination centre.

    Speaking to the media after getting vaccinated, Dr Alvi said: “Elites around the world broke the line for the vaccination. The vaccine is being administered to senior citizens in Pakistan as per age categories.”

    The President added that he registered himself on the 1166 helpline and got the shots “as per my turn”.

    Dr Alvi further said: “The government has introduced an easy and the best mechanism to avoid long queues.”

    The President also advised those who have received the vaccine to exercise precaution and follow the SOPs even after getting the shot.

    Read more – Samina Peerzada gets vaccinated, praises government

    “In wake of third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, people should continue wearing face masks, wash their hand frequently and maintain social distancing.”

    He also lauded the PTI regime’s efforts and strategies in light of the pandemic, saying the government’s smart lockdown policy “reduced economic losses”.

  • Govt to file reference against Kashmala Tariq over deadly Islamabad accident

    Govt to file reference against Kashmala Tariq over deadly Islamabad accident

    Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Assistant on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has claimed that a reference will be filed against federal ombudsperson Kashmala Tariq after her protocol vehicles crushed four men to death and injured two in a road mishap earlier this week.

    The CM’s aide said Kashmala will be removed through a reference filed by the president and the cabinet has asked the Law Ministry to move forward with the process.

    “Unfortunately, four people lost their lives due to the protocol of Kashmala Tariq,” Firdous said, calling her the “legacy” of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-) government. Tariq was appointed as the ombudsperson to adjudicate cases pertaining to women’s workplace harassment in Feb 2018 for a period of four years.

    Meanwhile, Islamabad Police has summoned Tariq and her husband Waqas Khan to record their statement in the case. The decision to summon the couple was taken after their son Azlaan failed to appear before the police to record his statement in the case. The police have also made the statement of the sole survivor of the crash as a part of the record, who alleged Azlaan was behind the wheel when the accident took place.

    FOUR DEAD IN ACCIDENT:

    Four people were killed while two were injured after a vehicle reportedly driven by the son of Federal Ombudsperson Kashmala Tariq jumped a red light and rammed into a Mehran car on Kashmir Highway.

    It was reported that five speeding vehicles, part of Kashmala’s protocol, broke a traffic signal in G-11 and crashed into two vehicles. It also claimed that one of the vehicles had a government number plate. The ombudsperson’s son and husband were travelling with their protocol when the incident happened.

    The first information report said that five men, who came from Mansehra to Islamabad to take an exam for the Anti-Narcotics Force, were travelling in a Mehran which was hit by a Lexus at the G-11 traffic signal. The FIR alleged that the vehicle was driven by the son of the ombudsperson. A bike was also hit and the rider was taken to the hospital by the people who gathered at the site of the accident.

    The complainant, who was the only one to survive the crash, said when he was rescued, people who had gathered at the site were naming Tariq’s son as the driver of the car that hit them.

  • Pakistani dramas are depressing, says First Lady Samina Alvi

    President Arif Alvi’s wife Samina Arif Alvi has said that Pakistani dramas depress her.

    In a recent interview with Independent Urdu, the First Lady said: “I don’t watch [Pakistani] dramas. I don’t know why but they make me feel depressed.”

    Mrs Alvi further said that she discussed this with a few people, including some female anchors and asked them why everything in Pakistani dramas revolve around affairs and weddings, upon which she was told that such subjects garner ratings.

    Disagreeing with this, the First Lady remarked: “Why don’t they make anything decent? People appreciate good and decent content.”

    Read more – Naumaan Ijaz slams Pakistani dramas for spreading negativity

    Mrs Alvi further said that whatever content will be shown on TV, people especially children will learn from it whether it’s good or bad.

    “Aap jis cheez per daalein gay, bachay ussi taraf jayen gay,” said the First Lady. “Dekhain aap jo bachon ki dikhain gay, woh wohi karein gay.”

    Mrs Alvi and her husband President Alvi have often praised Turkish drama Diriliş Ertuğrul in the past. When asked if she has seen the entire series, the First Lady said that she watched a few episodes during the COVID-19 lockdown.

    Concluding her remarks, the First Lady said that it is high time the content of Pakistani Dramas is changed, adding that she liked Diriliş Ertuğrul because it did not have any vulgarity.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGfTgHgJO-f/

  • Defence Day: President warns India, PM praises armed forces, army chief stresses peace

    The 55th Defence Day was observed on Sunday to commemorate the sacrifices of fallen heroes during the 1965 war with India and to renew the pledge to safeguard the country’s geographical and ideological boundaries in every situation and at all costs.

    The day commenced with special prayers in mosques for the peace, prosperity and solidarity of the country and to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the protection of their motherland.

    The main ceremony was held in the morning at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, according to Radio Pakistan, where Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs Monument.

    A change of guards was also held at the Quaid’s mausoleum with Air Vice Marshal Shakeel Ghazanfar as the chief guest of the ceremony. A contingent of 46 cadets of the Pakistan Air Force Asghar Khan Academy took over guard duties.

    A ceremony was also held at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, Radio Pakistan reported.

    In his message to the countrymen on Defence Day, President Arif Alvi said that Pakistan would never compromise on its sovereignty and security, making it clear that any kind of misadventure by the enemy would be dealt with severely.

    “It makes me happy to state that we have achieved self-reliance in the defence field […] We have thwarted external aggression; we have successfully defeated terrorism and extremism, and now we are on the path towards economic prosperity.”

    He said the day was a reminder of the spirit and valour of Pakistan’s armed forces and the nation through which they thwarted the evil designs of the enemy on this day, 55 years ago.

    The president said the nation saluted the martyrs as well as their families for their fortitude as they set a great example of patriotism by sacrificing their loved ones for defence of the country.

    “The spirit of September 1965 still lives in our hearts and I can proudly say that because of this, we have been successful in many testing times. Our armed forces’ professional excellence, combat readiness, and above all their unwavering faith in Allah has made Pakistan invincible,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that Pakistan’s desire for peace must not be misconstrued as its weakness, adding that the country’s armed forces were “fully capable” of defending the country.

    “The resilient nation and the battle-hardened armed forces of Pakistan have time and again proved that they are fully capable of defending the country and are fully prepared to meet any kind of eventuality,” the premier said in a series of tweets.

    In his message, the premier honoured the fallen heroes of the war, saying that 55 years ago, the nation and the men in uniform “proved that it is not the size that matters, but it is the courage and devotion that matters the most”.

    “September 6 is a day in Pakistan’s glorious history that is commemorated as a symbol of courage, strong will and unmatched spirit of sacrifice by our gallant armed forces.”

    Later, during an investiture ceremony held at the army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on the occasion of the 55th Defence Day, the army chief conferred military awards to army personnel for acts of gallantry during various operations.

    “Families of shuhada/ghazis, senior serving military officers/soldiers also attended the ceremony,” according to a press release by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    The military’s media wing said 40 officers were awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military), 24 officers and soldiers were awarded Tamgha-e-Bisalat and a soldier was awarded the United Nations Medal.

    The medals of the martyred were received by their family members.

    Addressing the gathering, the army chief said that Pakistan faced great trials over the last 20 years with war on the eastern and western fronts. He said that the country also faced natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, and the war on terror.

    General Bajwa said that thousands of people got displaced and many sacrificed their lives. He also noted that the country successfully fought against coronavirus and the locust attack.

  • ‘Alvi, Imran ready to face consequences if SC quashes reference against Justice Isa’

    ‘Alvi, Imran ready to face consequences if SC quashes reference against Justice Isa’

    The government’s counsel has told the Supreme Court (SC) that the President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan were ready to face the consequences if the presidential reference against SC’s Justice Qazi Faez Isa was quashed.

    Dr Farogh Naseem, former law minister and currently the government’s counsel in the case against Justice Isa, submitted before members of the 10-judge full court that it appeared as if the top government functionaries were on trial and not the judge who has yet to explain the source of income for his family members’ properties.

    “We are ready to face consequences,” said Dr Naseem, adding that the consequences would be across the board.

    Earlier, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah had observed that the government is also accountable if the reference is not maintainable.

    “There should be consequences if the reference is quashed based on malice,” noted another judge, Justice Maqbool Baqar.

    Meanwhile, chief judge of the full court, Justice Umar Ata Bandial observed that no bar association has ever complained about Justice Isa being dishonest. None of the government’s allegations prove dishonesty of Justice Isa, he remarked.

    READ: Law minister resigns again; this time to represent govt in Faez Isa case

    The federal counsel maintained that a judge is the most powerful person in society, and therefore, he argued, we must have confidence that the judge is free of controversy. The independence of the judiciary comes through integrity, and there should be good public perception of the judge, added Dr Naseem.

    At this, Justice Shah inquired whether the counsel admits that this is a case pertaining to independence of the judiciary.

    Justice Shah further asked the federal counsel whether a husband could seek his wife’s tax records from the Federal Board of Revenue. To this, Dr Naseem replied that he would have to ask the relevant officials.

    Under which law can the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) ask a judge to disclose details of his wife’s properties, inquired Justice Shah. He observed that the public perception of a judge can also be destroyed on social media.

    At this, Dr Naseem said that fake news could not destroy public perception but if a judge is unable to explain the source of his family members’ properties than it would influence his reputation before the public.

    Justice Bandial told the federal counsel that instead of relaying a violation of Section 116 of the Income Tax law his main focus is on the issuance of the show cause notice to Justice Isa by the SJC.

    READ: New top lawyer excuses himself from fighting Justice Faez Isa case for PTI govt

    With regards to the show cause notice, Justice Maqbool Baqar noted that if the basis of the reference was illegal then all of the proceedings would be quashed.

    Referring to various SC judgements, Dr Naseem said that the office of a judge came under the definition of public office and it is mandatory for a public servant that their family members’ lifestyle is not beyond the ostensible source of income. He maintained that his case was about the source of income.

    The bench asked Dr Naseem yet again as to why the government did not question Justice Isa’s wife about her source of income for the properties in question. If the wife purchased these properties through inherited income, would the judge be liable to reply, asked Justice Shah.

    In the same vein, Justice Yahya Afridi asked whether all judges should be asked about their family members’ tax concerns by the SJC or by tax authorities. To this Dr Naseem said that disciplinary proceedings against a judge could only be initiated by the SJC.

  • President Alvi endorses video removed by YouTube for spreading coronavirus misinformation

    President Alvi endorses video removed by YouTube for spreading coronavirus misinformation

    President Arif Alvi retweeted a tweet by his son, Awab Alvi, on April 26, and said: “Lockdown or No Lockdown? Coronavirus is new so there is a major difference of opinion in the world & in Pakistan on how to handle it. As data comes in, opinions change. So please keep an open mind. This is long but a must-watch for all our opinion-makers including politicians.”

    The tweet was a video by doctors who were arguing that people should develop resistance to COVID-19.

    In a Twitter thread, President Alvi’s son Dr Awab Alvi goes on to say: “Historically of the human race and medical outbreak We’ve always “quarantined the sick” NEVER have we “quarantined the healthy” In the panic of the unknown we are reacting (may have been right earlier) but now we know this better and we need the population to develop resistance. [sic]”

    But if you click on the YouTube video shared by Dr Awab Alvi, it says the video has been removed. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfLVxx_lBLU&feature=youtu.be

    The video has been taken down by YouTube for violating YouTube’s Community Guidelines. YouTube has recently been taking down videos spreading misinformation about the novel coronavirus.

    Twitter recently also updated its guidelines on misinformation regarding COVID-19. Last month, Twitter and Facebook removed posts shared by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for including coronavirus misinformation that violates the social media companies’ rules against posting harmful content.

    Facebook said it took down a video that had been shared on both Facebook and Instagram, in which Bolsonaro said the anti-malaria prescription drug hydroxychloroquine was an effective treatment for COVID-19.

    Twitter earlier had removed two videos that also showed Bolsonaro praising hydroxychloroquine and encouraging the end of social distancing. It is rare for Facebook to take down a post from a head of state, but the coronavirus pandemic has led tech companies to move aggressively to filter out unfounded medical advice, hoaxes and other false information that they say could risk public health.

    Facebook has a policy against sharing posts that could cause users physical harm, a spokesperson said.  “We remove content on Facebook and Instagram that violates our Community Standards, which do not allow misinformation that could lead to physical harm,” the company said in a statement. Twitter, too, has a policy that requires people to remove tweets that recommend cures or advice that goes against the recommendations of public health authorities.

    As coronavirus cases continue to increase in Pakistan and across the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned that COVID-19 cases in Pakistan can rise to 200,000 by July.