Footballer “Chicharito” named UNICEF National Ambassador for Mexico

 

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Please find attached our latest news note, about footballer Chicharito named UNICEF National Ambassador for Mexico. Please do not hesitate to contact us, for any additional information about this topic and about UNICEF’s work in Mexico. You may also follow us on facebook and twitter. To be removed from this list, please click “darse de baja” below.

UNICEF Mexico
mexico@unicef.org

Footballer “Chicharito” named UNICEF National Ambassador for Mexico



México City, 26 May 2012: Mr. Javier Hernández, also known as “Chicharito” or “Little Pea”, was named a UNICEF National Ambassador for Mexico today. Mr. Hernández is a football player in Mexico’s national team and also plays for the British team Manchester United.

“Mr. Hernández is a young man who, through his own life, has demonstrated a clear ability to set and achieve his goals”, said Susana Sottoli, UNICEF’s Representative in the Latin American country. “He has been faithful to his principles, and keenly focused on his objectives. I trust that he will be able to pass his approach to the children and adolescents of Mexico. It is therefore a great pleasure for me to name him as our National Ambassador, and welcome him as he joins our efforts for Mexico’s children”.

Mr. Hernández’s talent has enabled him to play in one of the United Kingdom’s best-known football teams, and to become one of his own country’s most important footballers. But beyond his sports achievements, he has displayed keen interest and determination to contribute to the present and future of Mexico’s youths, especially those most in need – which led to his designation as National Ambassador.

“When I heard that UNICEF wished to invite me to become a National Ambassador, immediately I thought: if it’s about doing something for the kids of my country, I am in”, said Mr. Hernández during the designation ceremony. “And now that this day has come, I want to express my excitement and my commitment. We have a lot of work ahead of us, so that all the children and adolescents of Mexico may fully exercise their rights and enjoy all that they are entitled to”. “Being a UNICEF National Ambassador is a significant responsibility. I am now a spokesperson for this great organization, and must call people to action in order to help millions of children and adolescents have access to the same opportunities and to a better life”, he added.

Mr. Hernández asked his compatriots to help overcome the deep inequalities that affect children and adolescents in Mexico. “Let’s unite for children, let’s keep up our score in achieving a better present for Mexico’s children and adolescents”, he said. Before the designation ceremony, the new National Ambassador had a conversation with a group of children and adolescents, to exchange opinions about the issues that concern them and affect their development. Children and adolescents were able to express their concerns, in the hope that Mr. Hernández will be able to play a key role in supporting UNICEF address them.

UNICEF Mexico intends to capitalize on Mr. Hernández’s designation in order to create increased awareness around the need to give a better present and future to hundreds of thousands of children who live in poverty, who leave school and are obliged to work – thereby infringing children’s rights while also inhibiting Mexico’s development prospects. Although Mexico is a prosperous and modern middle-upper-income country, disparities are astounding.

For more than half a century, UNICEF National Ambassadors have helped improve the lives of children worldwide, by mobilizing public opinion around their situation and appealing for resources to support UNICEF’s programmes. Mr. Hernández is hence joining a long list of UNICEF celebrity spokespersons, who use their talent and fame for the cause of children’s rights. In Mexico, Mr. Hernández joins two existing National Ambassador: singer and actor César Costa (since 2004) and singer Julieta Venegas (since 2009).

Note to media: Photos of the event may be downloaded at http://www.flickr.com/photos/unicefmexico

About UNICEF UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

For more information about UNICEF and its work in Mexico visit: www.unicef.org/mexico
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

For more information, please contact:

Maurizio Giuliano
Chief of Communication
UNICEF Mexico
Tel +5255 52849555

Media Advisory: Press Conference - "Independence of judiciary: UN expert mission to Pakistan"

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

Independence of judiciary: UN expert mission to Pakistan

Islamabad (28 May 2012) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul,  is on a visit to Pakistan from 19 to 29 May 2012, to gather first-hand information and identify general trends in respect of the independence of judges and lawyers in the country.

Ms. Knaul visited Pakistan at the invitation of the Government. During her 11-day mission, she met with Government representatives, UN agencies, international and regional organizations, national judicial and human rights institutions and law professionals, as well as non-governmental, civil society and community organizations, in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

At the end of the visit on Tuesday 29 May, a press conference will be held at the Sheesh Mahal, Serena Hotel in Islamabad from 3-4 pm.

You are kindly requested to attend the press conference.


For more information and media requests, please contact:

Amanda Flores (+4179 752 0485/aflores@ohchr.org) or write toSRindependencejl@ohchr.org
Alice Harding Shackelford (+923008542243 /alice.shackelford@unwomen.org)

Inviation for Afghan Peace Jirga- May 29-30, 2012 at Peshawar

 

Invitation for Afghan Peace Jirga on May 29, 30, 210 at Peshawar

You are invited to attend the Afghan Peace Jirga on May 29 and 30 at Nishtar Hall Peshawar. The Jirga is organized by Pushtoon Nationalist Leader Afzal Khan Lala, supported by provincial chapters of JUI-F, PPP, ANP, PML-N, PML-Q , NP, APP, and other literary, cultural and Pushtoon civil society organizations. The Jirga will deliberate on the prospect of peace and related challenges/issues faced by the Pushtoon living on both sides of Pak-Afghan border besides finding ways and means for achieving durable peace in the region.  The Jirga is expected to be attended by tribal elders, intellectuals from Sindh, Baluchistan and FATA besides representatives from Pushtoon Diaspora from western countries. A delegation from Afghanistan is also expected to attend it.  

Member Jirga Media Committee

Aimal Khan

0300-8599340

Wake Up Pakistan!

 

No doubt, Honourable Mr. Muzaffar Jamali Sahib, has proved that greatest and most patriotic Pakistanis, are found in Baluchistan.

Government of Pakistan, MUST announce the highest Civilian Award of Nishan-e-Pakistan, to the School Principal, Mr. Muzaffar Jamali, whose 10-year-old Son was killed while the Principle and his two daughters Amira and Arifa and a passerby sustained ...bullet injuries, for singing national anthem in the school, despite a warning.

As reported by a newspaper of Sunday 27 May, 2012, the DCO Kharan, told journalists on Saturday that the Principal had been threatened by the Baloch separatists, for singing national anthem, in his school.

Now, the government must move swiftly, to provide the best medical aid possible, not only in Pakistan but, anywhere in the world, to save the lives of all the injured persons in this dastardly attack, on Honouable Mr. Muzaffar Jamali sahib and his family.

Moreover, now since the water has passed over the head, the government must wake up from the deep slumber and as suggested by the Honourable Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan, either impose Martial law or emergency (as permissible under the provisions of the constitution of Pakistan), to immediately stem the rot, created by the inept and thoroughly incompetent, provincial government of the Baluchistan.

We salute all those Patriotic Pakistanis, who are holding the national flag high, in the turbulent province of Baluchistan, notwithstanding extremely real threat to their lives and property.

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad

Lahore - Pakistan

Journalist Arshad Malik's mother passes away, Soyam tomorrow

Staffer-Aggrieved

APP staffer's mother dies, Soyam to be held tomorrow (Monday)

Mother of APP staffer and renowned journalist,
Arshad Malik, breathed her last at a local hospital on early Sunday morning
after a protracted illness.

Her namaz-e-janaza was offered here at Darbar Saain Bhaag Sarkar, Sohan
village. Former minister information Mohammad Ali Durrani, Managing
Director APP Rao Tehsin Ali Khan, senior officer ministry of information
Zahoor Ahmed Barlas, political leaders and members of the journalist
fraternity attended the funeral.

Her soyam would be held at Darbar Saain Bhaag Sarkar, Sohan village at
10:00a.m. on Monday.

PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, secretary general Senator
Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Secretary Finance Imtiaz Ranjha, Deputy Secretary
Information Ghulam Mustafa Malik, PPP leader Farhatullah Babar have
condoled the sad demise of Arshad Malik's mother. They prayed for solace of
the departed soul and strength to the members of the bereaved family to
bear the irreparable loss.

--
With profound regards,


Mian Abrar Hussain,
Journalist, Islamabad.
Cell No. 03332372222

PR--Failed invasion of Afghanistan made US, allies desperate

 

Reduced, Changed and Repeated

Futility of Afghan invasion drives US, allies desperate

Pakistan's participation in NATO Summit a blunder

Rawalpindi: [May 27]

The Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) has said President Asif Ali Zardari should not have attended Chicago Summit which offered nothing but disappointment and extended pressure to do more.

Obama and leaders of other major NATO countries couldn't spare time for formal meetings with President Zardari, it said.

 This Executive Council meeting of PESA observed that Pakistan served US interests for six decades but its sacrifices and contributions have been forgotten which is evident from the anti-Pakistan attitude of the US.

 NATO cannot have a free ride after 11 years of supply operations which caused damage and tax evasion worth billions of dollars.

America has planned to contain China by transforming India as a regional super power for which it wants Balkanization of Pakistan, it was observed.

The invasion of Afghanistan has not served US agenda therefore they are now acting in desperation.

Many Americans have been fed with wrong information who are now calling Pakistan their biggest enemy and persuading their government for nuclear strikes

Former military leaders said that America has punished renowned Kashmiri leader Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai on charges of working for ISI. How can she claim that Shakil Afridi is innocent who they admit has worked for CIA.

 Aid cut and other threats over Dr Afridi's conviction are sheer blackmailing which will make relations more problematic.

It is now for the people to decide whether they would like to keep standing as a free nation or go down on their knees begging for mercy.

ENDS

======================================================

General Secretary: Brig. Syed Masud ul Hassan, 29, Khurshid Alam Road,West Ridge, Rawalpindi. Phone: 0321-5176050 http://www.pesapk.com

Patron in Chief: Air Marshal Asghar Khan, Patron:  Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat,

President: Lt. Gen Ali Kuli Khan, SVP:  Admiral Ahmad Tasnim.

FBR INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO RECOVER WITHHOLDING TAX

 

                                                                                                               Government of Pakistan

(Revenue Division)

Federal Board of Revenue

*********

PRESS RELEASE

FBR INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO RECOVER WITHHOLDING TAX

Islamabad the 26^th May, 2012

          The Federal Board of Revenue has identified 119,870 non-filer salaried persons, drawing annual salary of more than 5 lacs. They were required to e-file their Returns of Income for tax year 2011 on e-portal of FBR but they did not discharge their legal obligation on this count. The information regarding these non filers has been disseminated by the Withholding Wing of FBR to its field formations for enforcing Returns from them. Such non-filers are liable to pay penalty that is equal to 0.1% of the tax payable for each day of default subject to a minimum penalty of Rs. 5000 and maximum penalty of Rs. 25% of tax payable and default surcharge under section 205 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

          The FBR has also intensified its efforts to recover withholding tax under section 153 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. The cotton ginners required to withhold tax on the sale of cotton bales defaulted in withholding tax amounting to Rs. 2597 million. Out of this Rs. 1881 million have been recovered upto April, 2012. Four field Units of FBR where majority of the cotton ginners are located, are involved in this monitoring exercise. RTO, Multan has made further recovery of Rs. 104 million in May, 2012 and Rs. 250 million on the account are expected to be recovered by 15^th of June, 2012. Recovery of another 360 million is expected to be made by RTOs Hyderabad, Bahawalpur and Sukkur by 30^th June 2012. Similar defaults have been un-earthed in certain other areas also that include the Banking sector. Hectic efforts are being made to realize the defaulted amount of Withholding Taxes during current financial year.

(Riffat Shaheen Qazi)

Member (FATE) /

Official Spokesperson, FBR

--

Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Talpur

Second Secretary (Public Relations)

FATE Wing, Federal Board of Revenue,

Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5,

Islamabad, Pakistan

Phone: +92 51 921 7267

Fax: +92 51 9208456

Email: mujeeb.talpur@fbr.gov.pk , talpur35@gmail.com

Joint Press Release - Polio eradication shifts into emergency mode

Polio eradication shifts into emergency mode
New cases at lowest levels ever, but funding gap threatens progress

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 24 May 2012 – Despite the dramatic drop in polio cases in the last year, the threat of continued transmission due to funding and immunization gaps has driven the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)to launch an Emergency Action Plan.

The plan aims to boost vaccination coverage in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the three remaining polio endemic countries, to levels needed to stop polio transmission. In parallel, health ministers meeting at the World Health Assembly this week are considering a resolution to declare "the completion of polio eradication to be a programmatic emergency for global public health," in an acknowledgement of the urgency of the situation.

Polio eradication activities resulted in several landmark successes in 2010-2012. India, long-regarded as the nation facing the greatest challenges to eradication, was removed from the list of polio-endemic countries in February 2012. Outbreaks in previously polio-free countries were nearly all stopped.

Although the number of polio cases was lower in the first four months of this year than during the same period in any other year, cases continue to occur in Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Chad. Outbreaks in recent years in China and West Africa due to importations from Pakistan and Nigeria, respectively, highlight the continued threat of resurgence. By some estimates, failure to eradicate polio could lead within a decade to as many as 200,000 paralyzed children a year worldwide.

"Polio eradication is at a tipping point between success and failure," said Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization. "We are in emergency mode to tip it towards success - working faster and better, focusing on the areas where children are most vulnerable."

Once achieved, polio eradication would generate net benefits of US $40-50 billion globally by 2035, with the bulk of savings in the poorest countries, calculated based on investments made since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was formed and savings from reduced treatment costs and gains in productivity.

"We know polio can be eradicated, and our success in India proves it," said Kalyan Banerjee, president of Rotary International, a global humanitarian service organization. "It is now a question of political and societal will. Do we choose to deliver a polio-free world to future generations, or do we choose to allow 55 cases this year to turn into 200,000 children paralyzed for life, every single year? "

Full funding of new plan critical
Already, funding shortages have forced the GPEI to cancel or scale-back critical vaccination activities in 24 high-risk countries. This leaves more children vulnerable to contracting the disease, and exposes polio-free countries to the risk of re-emergence.

"All our efforts are at risk until all children are fully immunized against polio – and that means fully funding the global eradication effort and reaching the children we have not yet reached," said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. "We have come so far in the battle against this crippling disease. We can now make history – or later be condemned by history for failing."

Full implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is currently hindered by a critical funding gap of nearly US$1 billion through 2013.

"We are all responsible for creating a polio-free world while we still can," said Chris Elias, president of global development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
"Achieving this goal is a critical step in protecting all children from vaccine-preventable diseases."

The Global Emergency Action Plan
The global EAP was developed in coordination with new country national emergency plans. The plan builds on India's successes and outlines a range of new strategies and initiatives to better support eradication efforts, including:

· Intensified focus on worst-performing areas of Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan to increase vaccination coverage by end of 2012 to levels needed to stop transmission; · New approaches tailored to each country to tackle persistent challenges and improve polio vaccination campaign performance; · Heightened accountability, coordination and oversight to ensure success at every level of government and within every partner agency and organization. · Surge of technical assistance and social mobilization capacity.

Working in emergency mode
"We need everyone's commitment and hard work to eradicate polio and cross the finish line," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "It won't be easy, but together we can eradicate polio forever and for everyone."

Already since the start of the year, the GPEI has moved its operations into emergency mode. CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center; UNICEF has officially activated an Interdivisional Emergency Coordinating Committee operating directly under the Deputy Executive Director; and WHO has moved its polio operations to its Strategic Health Operations Centre (SHOC). Such measures are reserved for responding to global health emergencies -- such as the H1N1 pandemic or the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami -- and will enable a massive surge in technical capacity, real-time tracking of program performance and the immediate implementation of corrective action plans as necessary. Also this year, the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation reaffirmed polio eradication as the organization's most urgent priority. In addition, Rotary senior leaders have launched a series of one-on-one meetings with the heads of state of the polio endemic countries.

Notes for editors:

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is spearheaded by national governments, the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF, and supported by key partners including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Since 1988 (the year the GPEI was launched), the incidence of polio has been reduced by more than 99%. In 1988, more than 350,000 children were paralyzed each year in more than 125 endemic countries. In 2012, 55 cases have been reported (as of 15 May 2012), and only three countries remain endemic: Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Karachi Massacre. Opinion of Pakistani politicians

Please find below the opinion of different Pakistani political parties and leaders about Karachi Massacre of Sindhi's by terrorists of  MQM. 

1. PML ( N) MINA NAWAZ SHAREEF CONDEMN KARACHI KILLING AND SAYS THAT TERRORISTS ARE SITTING WITH PPP GOVERNMENT.

2. PML( N) SINDH PRESIDENT SYED GHAUS ALI SHAH SAYS THAT THE DIVISION OF SINDH WILL BE DIVISION OF PAKISTAN, MOHAJIR SOOBA WILL BE CREATED ON THE DEAD BODIES OF MILLIONS OF SINDHI'S.

3.ANP PRESIDENT ASFAND YAAR WALI CONDEMN THE KILLING AND SAYS THAT THESE ARE SAME TERRORISTS WHO WERE INVOLVE IN 12 MAY MASSACRE AND PPP GOVERNMENT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE GRANTING SHELTER TO TERRORISTS.

4. ANP SENATOR SHAHEE SAYED SAYS THAT ANY ONE WHO DREAM TO DIVIDE SINDH IS A LIVING IN THE WORLD OF STU PITS. MQM LEIS COWARD WHO ARE NOT DEMANDING OPENLY, IF THEY ARE BRAVE, THEY SHOULD COME FORWARD. SINDH WILL BE DIVIDED ON THE DEAD BODIES OF PASHTOUNS, SINDHIS ARE THE REAL OWNERS OF SINDH.

5. JAMAT E ISLAMI CONDEMN THE KILLING OF KARACHI AND SAYS THAT THE TERRORISTS ARE NOT HIDDEN, THEY ARE THE SAME WHO KILLED INNOCENTS ON 12 MAY 2007 AND BURNED LAWYERS ALIVE.

6. PIR PAGARO  SAYS THAT * HUR'R* JAMAAT WILL COME DIRECTLY TO DEFEND SINDH. NO ONE CAN DIVIDE SINDH BY WALL CHALKING.

7.MEHMOOD ACHAKZAI CONDEMN KARACHI KILLING AND HELD MQM RESPONSIBLE.

8. ALL BALOUCH LEADERS CONDEMN KARACHI KILLING AND PROMISE TO DEFEND THE UNITY OF SINDH PRACTICALLY.

9.  PAKISTAN LABOR PARTY AND 

10.COMMUNIST MAZDOOR KISAN PARTY HELD A BIG DDEMONSTRATIONAGAINST KARACHI KILLING AND DEATH OF JSSM LEADER MUZAFAR BHUTTO IN LAHORE. 35 DEMONSTRATORS WERE ARRESTED.

OTHER SIDE............

1. PPP LEADER REHMAN MALIK AND FAUZIA WAHAB CONDEMN RALLY AND HELD THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR INNOCENTS DEATHS.

2. TIP LEADER IMRAN KHAN SAYS THAT HE DON'T KNOW AWAMI TAHREEK OR RASOOL BUX PALIJO AND CAN'T SAY ANY THING ABOUT KILLING BUT HE REGRET THAT ONE CAMERAMEN IS INJURED.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3.PAPAKISTAN'S NUMER ONE HYHYPOCRITE (MUNAFIQ) JOURNALIST

KAMRAN KHAN DID NOT CONDEMN KILLERS BUT TRIED WITH HIS FILTHY ARGUMENTS TO HELD DEMONSTRATORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS KARABALA.

FBR Attaches Mobilink Accounts

 

GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN

(REVENUE DIVISION)

FEDERAL BOARD OF REVENUE

********

PRESS RELEASE

FBR ATTACHES MOBILINK ACCOUNTS

Islamabad the 24^th May, 2012

Pakistan Mobile Communication Ltd (Mobilink) owed Rs. 8.6 billion to the exchequer on account of mis-declaration of Sales Tax and FED. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal recently upheld the decision of LTU, Islamabad and confirmed the payable tax amount of 8.6 billion rupees.

On receiving the decision of the Tribunal, Syed Ijaz Hussain, Chief Commissioner, LTU, Islamabad formed various teams of officers headed by Commissioner, LTU, Malik Muhammad Ashraf to recover the amount from the company through attachment of Bank accounts, blocking of imports and recovery through suppliers of the company, which include other telecom companies as well as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

As of today, all Bank Accounts of the Company have been attached and imports blocked accordingly. Further action will be taken by the next working day.

(Riffat Shaheen Qazi)

Member (FATE) /

Official Spokesperson, FBR

--
Mohammad Shahzad
Secretary PR
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
Islamabad
+92 051 920 8407
+92 333 5201233
http://www.fbr.gov.pk/

__._