Lahore: World Press Freedom Day is being observed across the world including Pakistan today (Friday, May 3), the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan paid tribute to the journalists.

Freedom of the press has been a dream in every era. During the last three decades, journalists have been under more than 70 terrorist attacks, while around 170 have lost their lives in various incidents while performing duty.

Journalists facing pressure, bullying, and threats in Pakistan are not only in mortal danger every moment but often face violence. Due to these reasons, Pakistan is included in the list of the most dangerous countries for journalism.

President Asif Ali Zardari

On the other hand, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the journalists fighting the battle for truth around the world.

In his message, President Zardari said that an independent press is indispensable for highlighting issues of global importance and dispelling fake news and superstitions.

“The role of media in creating awareness about global issues including climate change, green technology and global warming is very important,” he stated.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Shehbaz Sharif while saluting the martyred journalists in Gaza said that fighting oppression and bringing the truth to the fore is the message of World Press Freedom Day.

Freedom of expression is the foundation of democracy, protection of civil rights, and truth in society, stated the premier.

Ankara: Turkiye has halted exports and imports to and from Israel, the Turkish Ministry of Trade says, citing the “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in Gaza.

“Export and import transactions related to Israel have been stopped, covering all products,” the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

“Turkiye will strictly and decisively implement these new measures until the Israeli Government allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

The announcement came after Israel’s foreign minister said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was breaking agreements by blocking ports from handling Israeli imports and exports.

“This is how a dictator behaves, disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen, and ignoring international trade agreements,” Israel Katz posted on X.

Katz said he instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work to create alternatives for trade with Turkiye, focusing on local production and imports from other countries.

The two countries had a trade volume of $6.8bn in 2023.

Turkiye last month imposed trade restrictions on Israel over what it said was Israel’s refusal to allow Ankara to take part in airdrops of aid for Gaza and for Israel’s war on the enclave.

Asked about Turkiye’s ongoing trade with Israel despite the harsh rhetoric from Ankara, Erdogan said last month that Turkiye no longer continued “intense trade” with Israel, adding, “That is done.” He did not indicate Ankara had cut off all trade with Israel, however.

SOURCE: ALJAZEERA

Lahore: Dr. Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director for Eastern Mediterranean of World Health Organization (WHO) met Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy congratulated Maryam Nawaz on being elected as the first woman Chief Minister of Punjab while Maryam also felicitated Dr. Hanan on assuming the post of Regional Director of WHO.

Chief Minister Punjab appreciated the services of Dr. Hanan Balkhy in the health sector and especially in public infection control.

Talking on this occasion, Maryam Nawaz said: “There will be full cooperation and support with WHO for the prevention and treatment of diseases. The health sector is the first priority, 32 field hospitals have been activated for the rural people. Within five years, we will achieve the goal of building a state-of-the-art hospital in every district”.

WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean stated that timely measures are necessary to protect people living in remote areas from epidemics. WHO will cooperate to provide timely health services in emergencies of natural disasters.