Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari stated Thursday his party would empower the people of Balochistan as the true owners of their land.

Addressing a PPP Foundation Day ceremony in Quetta, the former president emphasised that his party possessed effective solutions for the issues facing the country.Zardari invited the Pakistani nation, especially the youth, to join him, Bilawal and Aseefa Bhutto, in a united effort to build and elevate Pakistan, positioning it prominently on the world stage.He expressed confidence that the world would recognise Pakistan as a great country.Zardari referred to Balochistan as the heart of Pakistan, expressing regret that Islamabad and other provinces failed to recognise this fact.He pledged that the PPP would empower the people of Balochistan as the true owners of their land.

Emphasising that his party possessed effective solutions for the country’s issues, the former president asserted that Pakistan could only become an exporting nation when Balochistan received adequate water.

Zardari affirmed that the PPP was committed to providing water to Balochistan, citing their formulated plans for achieving this.

Zardari also commended Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, highlighting his achievement as the youngest foreign minister to proudly raise the Pakistani flag.

He urged support for Bilawal Bhutto’s leadership, emphasising the need to cultivate him as a leader for the youth and the nation’s future.

Zardari also reiterated the PPP’s historical commitment to serving the farmers and labourers of Balochistan.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf has emphasised maintaining perpetual combat readiness to effectively thwart any aggression against Pakistan.

According to a press release issued here, Admiral Naveed Ashraf was chairing the Command and Staff Conference of the Pakistan Navy which concluded in Islamabad on Thursday.

The naval chief lauded the initiatives undertaken towards capability development through acquisition of state-of-the-art platforms and emerging technologies.

He expressed confidence in the Pakistan Navy’s high state of operational preparedness to meet maritime challenges and safeguard maritime frontiers of the country.

The conference discussed matters related to national security, geo strategic affairs, combat readiness and training of troops. It also assessed the evolving maritime situation in the region due to the ongoing conflict in Middle East.

Under the prevailing maritime situation in the Middle East, the deployment of a Pakistan Navy ship for the protection of Pakistan’s merchant ships was also discussed.

Progress on Pakistan Navy’s projects, including future plans, was also reviewed and a way forward was deliberated.

The Command and Staff Conference is the apex decision making body of the Pakistan Navy in which the navy chief along with all principal staff officers and field commanders review the policies and plans of the Pakistan Navy.

President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday called for further enhancing the partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO) and health authorities in Pakistan to effectively overcome various health challenges being faced by the country.

The president, while talking to the outgoing WHO Country Director Dr Palitha Mahipala, who called on him, appreciated the role of the WHO in strengthening Pakistan’s primary healthcare system, besides providing support to various government initiatives.

During the meeting, Dr Mahipala highlighted the role of the WHO in improving Pakistan’s healthcare system and supporting efforts to revitalise healthcare facilities in the country, especially during last year’s floods.

He said the WHO would continue to support Pakistan for improving the health of its people.

President Alvi emphasised the need for creating awareness about the importance of mental health and early counselling at the household level.

He remarked that the availability of a mental health toolkit to deal with mental stress in the families needed to be ensured.

He maintained that establishing mental health support systems and enhancing people’s accessibility to quality mental health services in the country required the input of multiple stakeholders.

The president expressed satisfaction over the fact that Pakistan’s society had witnessed a positive change in its attitude towards the rights of persons with disabilities, adding that concerted efforts were needed to ensure their rights.

Dr Mahipala lauded the commendable role played by President Alvi and First Lady Samina Alvi in raising awareness about various health issues, including breast cancer, mental health and the rights of persons with disabilities.

The president appreciated the role and commitment of Dr Mahipala for strengthening the health sector of Pakistan and wished him success for his future endeavours.