Latest news with #DGPR
Business Recorder
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
DGPR sets up Special Control Room for info dissemination: Azma
LAHORE: On the special instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a state-of-the-art control room has been set up in the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) to ensure timely, accurate and authentic information is provided to the public during emergencies and extraordinary situations. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari visited the newly established control room at DGPR and conducted a detailed review of the arrangements, working system and available facilities. She also chaired an important meeting with the Digital Media Wing of the department, which was attended by Information Secretary Tahir Raza Bokhari and DGPR Ghulam Saghir Shahid. The minister directed that the digital media team be activated immediately to effectively and promptly respond to the false and misleading information being spread on social media. She emphasised that the current scenario involves two fronts: one at the borders and the other on social media. She added that through positive and responsible use of social media, the morale of our armed forces can be uplifted. Azma Bokhari stated, 'In extraordinary circumstances, it must be our top priority to deliver accurate, timely, and truthful information to the public.' She stressed that the core objective of establishing the control room is to present a clear and factual picture of the situation to the public. The Punjab Information department is ensuring that every Pakistani receives truthful and fact-based information, and is fully committed to countering false campaigns launched by hostile elements. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Turkish naval ship arrives in Pakistan on visit to strengthen maritime cooperation
ISLAMABAD: A Turkish naval ship, TCG Büyükada, has arrived in Pakistan on a visit to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two countries, Pakistan Navy said on Sunday. Pakistan and Türkiye share close diplomatic, economic and defense ties. Turkish defense firms have helped modernize Pakistan's Agosta 90B-class submarines and supplied military equipment, including drones, to Islamabad. The two countries regularly hold joint military exercises, most recently the Ataturk-XIII drills, which involved combat teams from the two special forces and aimed to enhance interoperability between them. Upon arrival at the Karachi port, the Turkish naval ship was warmly welcomed by officials from both navies, according to the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Pakistan Navy. 'During its stay in Karachi, the crew of TCG Büyükada will engage in a series of professional interactions with Pakistan Navy personnel,' the DGPR said. 'The visit aims to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen maritime cooperation between the two navies.' The development comes at a time of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists on April 22. New Delhi has blamed the attack on Pakistan. Islamabad has denied involvement and called for a credible international probe into it. Since the attack, both nations have traded fire over their de facto in Kashmir, while diplomats have exchanged barbs and both countries have expelled citizens and ordered their land border shut. Both Pakistani and Indian forces have conducted military drills in a show of their military might, while Pakistan has Pakistan has test-fired a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometers, amid fears India may conduct limited strikes against Pakistan on the pretext of the Kashmir attack. With Islamabad engaged in active diplomacy to project its stance over the issue, Turkish Ambassador Dr. Irfan Neziroglu met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and expressed Ankara's solidarity with Pakistan, Sharif's office said on Saturday. 'The goodwill visit of TCG Büyükada stands as a testament to the ever-strengthening maritime collaboration between Pakistan and Türkiye,' the DGPR said. 'It reflects the deep-rooted mutual trust and strategic partnership between the two brotherly nations, anchored in centuries-old historical and cultural ties.'
India Today
01-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Fact Check: 2020 crash video FALSELY shared as Pak shooting down its own plane!
Since the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, the Pakistani military has been on high alert, anticipating a possible Indian strike, leading to heightened tensions on the a video showing a residential area with plumes of smoke and flames is going viral on social media. This video allegedly shows a Pakistani passenger plane shot down by the country's own air force. An X user shared the clip and wrote, 'A passenger plane shot down by @DGPR_PAF near Karachi airport. A plane hit a residential area, and almost 100 people were onboard.'advertisement India Today Fact Check found that the viral video is from May 2020. The plane wasn't shot down — the crash happened because of 'human error'.Our ProbeReverse-searching keyframes from the viral video led us to a YouTube video dated May 22, 2020. The video's description stated that a Pakistan International Airlines plane, PK-8303, had crashed near Karachi's Jinnah International Airport. The flight was returning from Lahore and was about to land when it crashed near Model Colony in Malir, Karachi. We found the viral video's screengrabs in several news reports published in May 2020. Reportedly, 101 people, including 99 passengers and flight crew members, lost their lives, while two passengers the New York Post, witnesses said the passenger plane appeared to have attempted to land several times before the crash in a residential area of Karachi. The plane first hit a mobile tower and crashed into houses, a witness said. The PIA said that the pilot made a mayday call saying he was experiencing a technical years after the incident, the final report was released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board in 2024. According to it, the crash was caused by 'human error' due to a lack of coordination between the pilots of flight PK-8303 and the air traffic we did not find any news reports suggesting the Pakistani Air Force shot down a passenger plane in Karachi recently. Thus, it's clear that an old video of a plane crash was shared with false Reel Want to send us something for verification? Please share it on our at 73 7000 7000 You can also send us an email at factcheck@
Business Recorder
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Punjab Air' project, bullet train announced
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that Modi is a global terrorist who, whenever comes to power worsens the situation across the world. 'The Indus Waters Treaty is not a tea stall or a fritter shop that Modi can shut down at his whim,' Azma said, adding: 'Pakistan has no connection with the Pahalgam incident, and the baseless allegations are part of a deliberate plan. The level of fear in the Indian government is such that they have even had the Government of Pakistan's X account suspended.' While addressing a press conference at DGPR, she said that the Pakistani leadership not only expressed sorrow but also strongly condemned the killing of innocent civilians in the tragic incident that occurred in the Pahalgam area of Occupied Kashmir. She lamented that baseless allegations are being made against Pakistan without any investigation, even though Pakistan has no link with the incident. Azma Bokhari reminded that when there was an attack on the Jaffer Express in Pakistan, and the Pakistan Army successfully conducted an operation against the terrorists and rescued the hostages, India neither condemned the attack nor showed any sense of responsibility. Azma Bokhari said that India adopted a dramatic approach in the Pahalgam incident and, without any investigation, repeated its old practice of blaming Pakistan. The Indian army and intelligence agencies are addicted to blaming others, and once again, under a premeditated plan, an attempt has been made to defame Pakistan. She said that filing a case within minutes and blaming Pakistan after firing from several kilometres away is ridiculous. A heinous conspiracy has been hatched to destroy the businesses of Kashmiris in the heaven-like valley of Kashmir and to run anti-Pakistan propaganda globally, she added. Azma said that India's fear has grown to such an extent that they managed to have the Government of Pakistan's X account suspended. She said that if India talks about external support or cross-border attacks, then we have proof in the form of the Jaffer Express incident. She said that Pakistani soldiers wear their uniforms with the spirit of martyrdom, whereas Indian forces are plagued by hunger and fear. The Pakistani nation mocks Indian threats, and if the state announces jihad, the entire nation will take to the battlefield as soldiers, she added. She reminded that when India conducted five nuclear tests, Pakistan responded with six tests. By closing the Wagah Border, India has harmed its own trade and is now blaming Pakistan after the Pahalgam incident to cover its failures, she said. She said that as a result of Indian aggression in Azad Kashmir, two houses have been destroyed by bomb blasts, but former Indian military officers themselves admit that India cannot fight Pakistan. Wars are not won with weapons but with the spirit of martyrdom. She said that Pakistan is a nuclear power and that we should remember our great leaders, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, who provided Pakistan with an invincible defence. We are a peace-loving nation and do not wish for war or tension with anyone, but if war is imposed, we will see it through to its logical conclusion, she said. Azma Bokhari announced two pieces of great news for the people of Punjab. First, the 'Punjab Air' project has been completed, and four aircraft have been leased to start domestic flights. Within a year, the airline will receive a license for international flights. The second good news is that Pakistan's first bullet train will be launched between Lahore and Rawalpindi, completing the journey in two hours and twenty minutes. Additionally, more bullet train routes will be developed across Punjab, and a 'Glass Train' will operate from Rawalpindi to Murree, she added. Responding to questions, she said that the CPEC project has always been a thorn in the eyes of Pakistan's enemies, and various terrorist groups are being supported to sabotage it. She said that instead of wasting time on individuals like Sanam Javed, the nation needs unity. Political parties should engage in self-reflection and avoid making superficial statements, she said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab's leadership: Azma terms Bilawal's statements ‘disrespect'
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that Bilawal Bhutto used harsh language against Punjab's leadership in a rally, while if we merely ask questions, it is considered disrespect. Why do those who raise voices for Punjab's farmers fail to see the farmers of Sindh? If Punjab did not purchase wheat under its policy, it didn't leave the farmers helpless either. Punjab's farmers will be given a Rs. 100 billion package, Rs. 5,000 per acre, and a Rs. 25 billion wheat program, Azma said, adding: 'Punjab's farmers have been given Kisan Cards, thousands of tractors, and super seeders. Talking in rallies is easy, but no province has announced a support price for farmers.' While addressing a press conference at DGPR, Azma said those doing politics in the name of farmers' rights are today shedding crocodile tears for Punjab's farmers, while remaining completely silent on the poor condition of farmers in Sindh. She called Bilawal Bhutto's statements baseless and said, 'It's easy to politicize farmers' issues, but finding solutions is the real job of leadership.' She said it is unfortunate that no one has spoken about the condition of Sindh's farmers. Neither was a wheat price set there, nor were Kisan Cards issued. In contrast, the Punjab government has taken multiple steps under a comprehensive and transparent policy for the welfare of farmers, she added. Azma Bokhari said that a major financial package worth Rs. 110 billion has been allocated for farmers. Each farmer is being given Rs. 5,000 per acre. In addition, a Rs. 25 billion wheat support program has been launched. The farmer who grows the most wheat will receive a tractor worth Rs. 4.5 million for free, while the best farmer in each district will be awarded Rs. one million, she said. She further said that the private sector has been allowed to purchase wheat so that farmers can get immediate relief. Flour mill owners have been made bound to purchase at least 25% of the wheat. Alongside this, the Bank of Punjab is providing a Rs. 100 billion credit line for farmers, and purchases worth Rs. 55 billion have already been made through the Kisan Card. Azma Bokhari said that the Punjab government has so far provided 9,500 tractors to farmers, with Rs. 10 billion given as subsidy. An additional 5,000 super seeders will be provided, on which Rs. 8 billion subsidy will be given. The latest agricultural machinery being used across the world will also be purchased by the Government of Punjab and provided to farmers without profit so that agricultural productivity can be increased. She said the CM of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif gives personal importance to the interests of farmers, and the government is taking practical steps for the betterment of farmers and cultivators. A complete record is being maintained of the wheat moving out, and the government has a sufficient stock of wheat. The Government of Punjab cares not just for the farmers, but for the entire population of the province, she added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
