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Sharif ‘misquoted’ by Indian media, says Abbasi (Lead)

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Islamabad, May 14 (IANS) Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement on the 2008 Mumbai attack was “misquoted” by the Indian media and the “people in Pakistan should not become party to the propaganda”, Pakistan’s Premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Monday after a high-level meeting with the civilian and military leadership.

Addressing a press conference after meeting the National Security Committee (NSC) and Sharif, Abbasi said that the former Premier’s statement did not aim to hold Pakistan responsible for the 26/11 attacks, Pakistani media reported.

“The Indian media is giving the issue a different hue, and we should not be a part of it… They manipulated his (Sharif’s) statement to create an issue… Indian propaganda cannot undermine our achievements,” Abbasi said after the NSC meeting, in which Sharif’s statement was dismissed as “incorrect and misleading”.

However, Abbasi said that the NSC did not condemn Sharif, but incorrect reporting of the interview.

“Nawaz Sharif said that he neither said any such thing, nor can it be said on the basis of assumptions that planning for the Mumbai attacks was done in Pakistan,” said Abbasi, who met the former Prime Minister shortly after the NSC meeting.

“There was no talk (by Nawaz) of the Mumbai attacks being planned in Pakistan. Sharif said that Pakistan has not permitted its soil to be used for terrorism,” the Prime Minister said.

Sharif was slammed after last week’s Dawn interview in which he had stated that “militant organisations were active in Pakistan and “such terror strikes (26/11) could have been prevented”.

“Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can’t we complete the trial?” he had asked in the interview, referring to the Mumbai attack-related trial proceedings stalled in the Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court.

Defending his remarks, Sharif on Monday said that “he will continue to speak the truth come what may”.

“What did I say that was wrong in the interview?” he asked. His statement was in contrast to the response by Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), whose president Shahbaz Sharif earlier said that his brother’s comments “were “grossly misinterpreted”.

At least 166 Indians and foreigners were killed in the 2008 bloodbath blamed on 10 Pakistani terrorists. One of them, Ajmal Kasab, was caught and hanged.

Abbasi also denied that Pakistan was responsible for the delay in the Mumbai attacks case trial. He reiterated his support for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and said: “Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and I stand behind our Quaid (leader).”

Earlier in the day, a press statement issued after the NSC meeting said: “The participants observed that it was very unfortunate that the opinion arising out of either misconceptions or grievances was being presented in disregard of concrete facts and realities.”

It was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat and Director General Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar.

Defence Minister and acting Foreign Minister Khurram Dastgir was also a part of the meeting along with other top civil officials.

“The participants unanimously rejected the allegations and condemned the fallacious assertions,” the NSC said.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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