Kashmir Martyrs Day observed

LAHORE: Rallies and protests marked the countrywide Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir (Kashmir martyrs day) on Friday.

Shuhada-e-Kashmir conferences, public gatherings and rallies were arranged in all major cities and towns, including Azad Kashmir to highlight the 70 years freedom struggle against Indian atrocities.

Thousands of people came out on roads and protested against the massacre of Kashmiri Muslims and use of chemical weapons and pellet guns against unarmed civilians. They shouted slogans against Indian aggression. In Friday sermons, resolutions were passed against Indian state terrorism.

In Lahore, a demonstration was held at Chowk Chauburji participated by large number of students, lawyers, traders, civil society and people from all walks of life. They carried placards and banners bearing inscriptions against the India and in favour of Kashmiris. Later on, Shuhada-e-Kashmir conference was held.

Modi flayed: Tanzim Islami (TI) ameer Hafiz Akif Saeed has reiterated that enemies of Pakistan are hatching conspiracies against the country. Delivering Friday sermon at Quran Academy, Hafiz Akif Saeed said Indian Prime Minister Modi was conspiring with Israel against Pakistan. He said while according a warm welcome to Modi, Israeli PM said Tel Aviv had been waiting for Indian leadership for the last 70 years.

Akif Saeed said Modi was asking Israel's help for crushing the Kashmiri freedom struggle which had entered the final phase now. He urged the government to take the threats of US Senator John McCain seriously which he had hurled against Pakistan after reaching Kabul following his visit to Fata. He said McCain had threatened that if Pakistan did not change its attitude then Washington would change its attitude. He said Pakistan should consolidate internal security by ending the political and economic chaos in the country so that people could be prepared to counter the US threats.  blood transfusion: Participants at a meeting held here Friday appreciated the efforts of the government for the improvement of blood transfusion system in the Punjab.

A meeting of Board of Governors of Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority was held in the committee room of S&GAD Department Punjab Civil Secretariat chaired by Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority Chairman and Minister for Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique.Among the participants were all the eminent hematologists, including Prof Nissar Ahmed, Prof Tariq Rehmani, Prof Shahida Mohsin, Prof Mona Aziz, Additional Secretary Technical Dr Salman Shahid, Director AIDS Control Programme, Dr Farhana, representative from Red Crescent, Dr Mushtaq Suleriya from Punjab Health Care Commission, Director Institute of Blood Transfusion Service Punjab Dr Zafar Iqbal, Dr Arif Tabassum and professors of medicine and surgery from different teaching hospitals. Professor Hassan Abbas Zaheer National Coordinator Safe Blood Transfusion Programme from Islamabad along with his team also participated.

uplift schemes: The Punjab government approved four development schemes of various sectors at an estimated cost of Rs 10.96 billion.

The approved development schemes are: Infection Control Programme, Punjab (Revised) at a cost of Rs 3.698 billion; Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B&C in Punjab (Revised) at a cost of Rs 6.003 billion; Extension/Rehabilitation of Urban Sewerage Scheme, Kamalia City, (Phase-II), TT Singh (Revised) at a cost of Rs 489.915 million and Installation of Weather Surveillance Radar in Sialkot at a cost of Rs 770 million.