HYDERABAD, June 29: The Pakistan India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy has demanded that President General Pervez Musharraf and the foreign minister should take notice of refusal of visa to Indian lyricist Mr Javed Akhtar by the Pakistan High Commission.

In a joint statement issued here on Wednesday, the president of the forum, Hyderabad chapter, Zafar Ahmed Rajput, general secretary Jalal Ahmed Khan Leghari, Madam Abida Hashmi and Syed Abbas Ali Jafri expressed concern over the visa refusal.

They said exchange of visits of the people like Javed Akhtar would help improve peaceful relations between the two countries. Such people needed encouragement and not discouragement, they said.

SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE: Tando Allahyar District Nazim Dr Raheela Magsi on Wednesday distributed cheques of Rs4 million among 1,287 destitute families as subsistence allowance. Each family was paid Rs3,000-3,500.

Speaking on the occasion, she said, during the next fiscal year, the district government would bear the expenses of the marriages of 3,000 poor girls and would award scholarships to brilliant students.

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...