ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Leader and Former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Tuesday appreciated the initiative of Supreme Court of Pakistan Diamer-Basha and Mohmand Dam fund.
Talking to media outside Parliament House here, he said that the construction of Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam is very right decision, adding that PPP will support any dam project which would be started with consensus.
He said that PPP government also worked on Diamer Basha Dam during its tenure.
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf lauds Supreme Court Diamer Basha, Mohmand Dam Fund
Govt allows non-files to purchase vehicles, houses
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Presenting the supplementary budget in National Assembly on Tuesday, Minister for Finance Asad Umar proposed to allow non-filers of income tax to purchase vehicles and houses.
The previous government had barred the non-filers from purchasing cars and houses on their names in a bid to increase tax net.
However, the government has proposed to increase the federal excise duty on all vehicles with engine displacement of 1800cc and above, from existing 10 percent to 20 percent.
Similarly, the minister also proposed to increase Withholding Tax on banking transaction by non-filers from existing 0.4 percent to 0.6 percent.
Pakistan calls for de-escalation of violence in Afghanistan to boost chances of negotiated peace
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 18 (APP): Pakistan has urged all warring sides in Afghanistan to agree on de-escalation of violence in a bid to create an atmosphere for a negotiated peace process, while emphasizing that there is no military solution to the conflict.
“For many years, Imran Khan, Pakistan’s recently elected Prime Minister, has declared that peace in Afghanistan can be restored only through a negotiated political settlement between the principal parties,” Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the UN Security Council on Monday.
Speaking in a debate on the situation in Afghanistan, she referred to the prime minister’s first address to the nation in which he reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to peace, stability and prosperity in that country.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s first visit abroad after the assumption of power by the new government was to Afghanistan, she said, adding that cooperation between the two countries was a vital component of the endeavour to realize peace and security within Afghanistan and the entire region.
Ambassador Lodhi said that Pakistan welcomed the Trump Administration’s acknowledgement that a negotiated political settlement is the best option to bring the US longest war to an end. This, she emphasized, was the course of action that Pakistan had urged for over a decade, as well as by the UN and the international community.
“Pakistan will actively encourage, support and facilitate all efforts to launch a credible peace process,” she told the 15-member Council.
“Apart from Afghanistan, no country has suffered more from the four decades of war, turmoil and foreign interventions in Afghanistan, and no country has more to gain from peace there, than Pakistan.”
At the same time, Ambassador Lodhi said unless the parties directly involved in the Afghan conflict display flexibility, serious negotiations for a political settlement could be delayed.
Noting some signs of a negotiated end to Afghan war, the Pakistani envoy said the Eid-ul-Fitre ceasefire affirmed that peace was possible if the principal parties in Afghanistan desired it.
But launching a negotiating process was not simple as several past attempts have been aborted by unilateral actions, she said, noting the lack of trust between the main antagonists.
“To create an environment for peace talks, all sides should agree on a de-escalation of violence,” Ambassador Lodhi added.
“A negotiated peace and national reconciliation is all the more essential to enable the Afghan people and the international community to confront and eliminate the growing presence of Daesh in Afghanistan,” she said. Daesh, and a number of terrorist groups operating under its umbrella, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JUA), posed a threat to Afghanistan, its neighbours and to the region.
“We agree with the Russian delegation that an international effort is needed to defeat Daesh in Afghanistan,” the Pakistani envoy said.
Stressing that strengthening bilateral relations was a priority for her government, Ambassador Lodhi said the Afghanistan’s Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity provides a framework for comprehensive and structured engagement between the two neighbours.
The Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Management project has been designed to address multiple challenges including cross-border movement of terrorists and criminal elements, drug trafficking and smuggling, upgrading and increasing trade/transit terminals and automation of customs and other trade infrastructure.
Opening the debate, Tadamichi Yamamoto, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said that, although election preparations are on schedule, security is a great concern.
Presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, he said political challenges could jeopardize tight time lines and derail the elections unless all political leaders engage constructively and peacefully to ensure that voting time lines are met.
Strategic decisions, underpinned by a national consensus, must be taken to guide the next steps towards peace, he added. Despite challenges, conditions for commencing a peace process that will lead to talks for a negotiated end to the conflict are better today than at any time in the last 17 years, he said, emphasizing that, with the most difficult phases still to come, all sides should agree on concrete measures to build confidence for more structured talks with the Taliban.
Multilateralism, dialogue key to addressing complex global challenges: UNGA president
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 18 (APP):The outgoing UN General Assembly President, Miroslav Lajcak, Monday highlighted the importance of the spirit of multilateralism and dialogue to address the complex and growing challenges confronting the world.
“The stakes are high, we need to take the right road,” Lajcak said in his final address to the 193-member General Assembly.
Lajcak spoke of “six major trends”, which he observed during his year as the General Assembly President, expressing hope that his observations will be useful as the new high-level debate gets underway.
On the first trend – peace – he noted the shift of the global discourse from am a reactive approach to one of “sustaining peace.”
“But we have a lot of work ahead. Sustaining Peace cannot be, just, a concept – or an aspiration. Rather, it shoould be seen more like an Operations Manual. Something that guides the real work we do on the ground, every day,” he said.
Lajcak also highlighted the challenges posed by climate change and called for more leadership and funding to ensure sufficient resources are on hand to honour the Paris Agreement on climate change as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The President of the 72nd regular session of the General Assembly also underlined the need for the world body to adapt to major global shifts, highlighting the work still to be done on the Global Compact for Migration, expected to be adopted in Morocco this December.
With its universal membership and its flexible agenda, the General Assembly has “enormous legitimacy” and can play the role of a “global thought-leader,” he said, noting also the need for Organizational reforms and the steps initiated by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres towards that end.
Next Lajcak warned of shrinking space for global dialogue. “Dialogue is part of our humanity,” he said, noting recent world events that continue to illustrate the important results when leaders “talk through their differences.”
“Dialogue leads to results. It is why, last February, we watched a joint Korean team playing in the Winter Olympics. It is why peace has returned to Colombia, after five decades of war. And it is why, in January of last year, political turmoil in the Gambia did not turn violent.”
Alongside dialogue, Lajcak also highlighted the importance of multilateralism, noting that it too is under threat.
“It is clear that we live in a complex, uncertain world. That is why it is so tempting, to go it alone … and let everyone else fend for themselves,” he said.
“But history tells us that it is not the way forward. It tells us that – actually – this co could be the way back. There is still time to counter this trend. I hope that we don’t have to wait for disaster to teach us that multilateralism is the only way.”
UN Secretary-General Guterres also addressed the world body, congratulating President Lajcak for his leadership, as well as Member States on the completion of a very productive Assembly session.
“Last September’s general debate was the first in more than a decade at which all Member States spoke – a sign of welcome engagement by political leaders at the highest level, and of faith in the value of this unique and universal body,” he said.
In his remarks, he also noted the important issues addressed by the UN body during its session, demonstrating, yet again, its “invaluable role as a forum for addressing the full spectrum of the world’s concerns and aspirations.”
“He possesses deep knowledge across the international agenda,” the UN chief said of Lajcak, “and he has always been strongly committed to cooperation as a critical ingredient in success, and so took a wide range of steps to bring people together and new partners into the Assembly’s work,” he said.
The 73rd regular session of the General Assembly convenes on Tuesday, with Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces of Ecuador assuming the Presidency.
A child dies every 5 seconds worldwide: new UN report
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 18 (APP):An estimated 6.3 million children died before their 15th birthdays in 2017, or one every five seconds, mostly due to a lack of water, sanitation, nutrition and basic health facilities.
The new mortality estimates study, was released on Monday by the UN Children’s Fund, together with UN Children’s Fund UNICEF, the World Health Organisation WHO, the UN Population Division and the World Bank.
According to Laurence Chandy, UNICEF Research Director, major progress in reducing child mortality has been made in the last quarter century, with the toll dropping by more than half since 1990, but “millions are still dying because of who they are, and where they are born.”
Children from Sub-Saharan African are disproportionately affected, with half all deaths of under-fives, taking place in the region. One third are in Southern Asia.
He added that, without urgent action, 56 million children under-five will die between now and 2030, and half of them will be new-borns but that, “with simple solutions like medicines, clean water, electricity and vaccines, we can change that reality for every child.”
Most deaths of children aged 5 and under are due to preventable or treatable causes such as pneumonia, malaria or complications during birth.
For older children, between the ages of 5 and 15, injuries become a more prominent cause of death, particularly road accidents and drownings.
Even within countries, wide disparities are found, with under-five mortality rates on average 50 per cent higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Education is also a factor, with those born to uneducated mothers more than twice as likely to die before turning five than those born to mothers with a secondary or higher education.
Reacting to the study, Tim Evans, Senior Director of Health Nutrition and Population at the World Bank, said “Ending preventable deaths and investing in the health of young people is a basic foundation for building countries’ human capital, which will drive their future growth and prosperity.”
D.I.Khan-Zhob motorway project still in consultancy process: Senate body told
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Senate Special Committee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was informed on
Monday that the D.I. Khan-Zhob motorway project of CPEC Western Route is still in the consultancy stage and no actual work has initiated as of today.
This road is the only project of the Western Route that has Chinese component in it and all
other development on Western Route will be done through Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) funding, the Committee was told.
The meeting was convened by Senator Sherry Rehman here at the Parliament House and was attended among others by Senators Dr. Sikandar Mandhro, Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, Ghous
Muhammad Khan Niazi, Muhammad Ali Shah Jamot, Nuzhat Sadiq, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Atta ur Rehman, Samina Saeed, Sitaray Ayaz, Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Khusro Bakhtiar, Secretary Planning Zafar Hassan, Senior Joint Secretary Tariq Jaffery, Project Director
CPEC Ehsan Dawood and other officials from the ministry.
Sherry Rehman took strong cognizance of the fact that the sole CPEC project on Western Project
is still in Consultancy stages and no work has completed so far.
She along with other members of the Committee sought details on the timelines of this
project and decided to call a separate meeting of the Special Committee on the Western Corridor and development work in Gwadar.
Minister for Planning told the Committee that the priorities of different energy related projects have been revisited considering those projects on priority which will use indigenous energy resources and shifting those which require materials to be imported on back burner.
This includes packing up of the Coal Power Project in Rahim Yar Khan of 1380 MW because the coal was to be imported and prioritising hydel power projects in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The Committee also sought details of different modes of financing for different projects under
CPEC so as to be able to better analyse the nature of every project along with timelines for work progress done so far and for future development.
The Committee was given details of all five components of CPEC which involves the corridor, energy projects, infrastructure development, industrial production and development of Gwadar. The Committee was told that the projects in Gwadar amount to US$780.6 million.
The Minister told the Committee that ML-I (Peshawar to Karachi railway line) is one of the most strategic components of CPEC and has now been put on high priority. He said for any investment to come, the economic viability and flow of traffic has to be considered.
Chairperson Committee noted that the prospects of local job creation and identifying the
framework of cooperation for every project are of high significance.
Pak deaf cricket team beat India in Tri-nation series in Dhaka
LAHORE, Sep 17 (APP):Pakistan deaf cricket team continued its dazzling run in a tri-nation series with a four wicket win over India and notched up its second successive victory against the arch-rivals
on Monday at Dhaka.
Pak deaf side is the undefeated side of the event in its so far
three outings, beating hosts Bangladesh by 38 runs in the inaugural
tie, followed by massive 101 runs win over India, said the information
made available to APP here.
Pakistan won the toss and put India into bat which scored 97 runs
in 20 overs for the loss of nine wickets. Santosh 21 and Manjeet 16
were the top scorers from the Indian side. Pakistan Captian Qamar
Naveed took three wickets as Naeem and Jabbar claimed two wickets each. Usman Ameer and Bilal Tariq got one wicket apiece.
Pakistan achieved the target for the loss of six wickets in 18.4 overs.
Qamar Naveed stroked unbeaten 38 not out followed by useful contributions from Bilal Yousaf 18 and Sohail 6.
From India, Manjeet snapped up two wickets two and Virender
got one wicket. Pak captain Qamar was declared the Man of the Match
for his all-round performance.
Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in its last league match on
Sept 19.
Asia Cup match an opportunity for Pakistan to establish edge over India
LAHORE, Sep 17 (APP):Pakistan’s coming match against India in the Asia Cricket Cup on Sept 19 is an opportunity for green shirts to establish an edge over arch-rivals as both the sides have won five
matches apiece in the history of the Cup.
Both the teams met eleven times in different editions of the
Cup in the past and having won five encounter each with one game
failing to produce a result. Pakistan won Asia Cup title twice in
2000 and 2012 compared to India’s five title victories in 1984, 1988,
1990, 1995, 2010 and 2016.
In the given circumstances, the match is of greater significance for Pak team to restore supremacy over India in Cup’s history. As far as
the statistics are concerned, the greens shirts, undoubtedly, is a far superior side to India in the one day international matches history.
Both Pakistan and India played altogether 129 matches with green shirts winning 73, losing 52 with four matches remained result less.
Interestingly, the United Arab Emirates, the second home of Pakistan cricket team, is lucky for the green shirts who remained victorious in 18 matches, out of the 26 played there against India.
The winner of Pak-India match to win Asia Cup: Iqbal Qasim
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Former Test spinner and chief selector, Iqbal Qasim believes the winner of Pak-India match will win the Asia Cup but said green-shirts have an edge over India due to the 2017 Champions Trophy win.
Talking to APP, Qasim, who played in 50 Tests and 15 ODIs from 1976 to 1988, said Pak-India cricket rivalry is one of the most extreme and intensified sports rivalries in the world and obviously this match is going to be the same.
“But Pakistan morale and confidence will be higher than India due to the Champions Trophy win,” he said and added the Indian team will have to work harder than Pakistan in the match.
Qasim, who ended his career with 171 wickets in his 50 Test matches, both Pakistan and India are tough teams and the one who will dominate the other first will win the Asia Cup.
Former cricketer Aamir Sohail said Pakistan is a much tougher team than India in Asia Cup as the 2017 Champions Trophy win has boosted green-shirts morale.
Aamir, who played 47 Test matches and 156 ODIs said Pakistan’s Champions Trophy win will give them more confidence when they face India in the competition. “Pakistan also has an edge over other teams as they have played in the UAE more than others,” he said.
Responding to a question regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between PCB and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2014 to play bilateral series from 2015 to 2023, he said former PCB chairman Najam Sethi had just given false hopes to the whole Pakistani nation about the Pak-India series otherwise there was no such thing on paper.
Former ICC president Zaheer Abbas said Pakistan has bright chances of winning the Asia Cup because UAE pitches are no stranger to our players. “It is their home ground and we can expect Pakistan to bring the Cup home,” he said.
Abdul Hafiz Kardar Inter-School Cricket Tournament begins
PESHAWAR, Sep 17 (APP):PCB Abdul Hafiz Kardar Inter-School Cricket Championship got under way here at
Gymkhana ground on Monday.
President Peshawar District Cricket Association Asghar Ali Khan was the chief guest on this
occasion. Officials of the various schools, players and spectators were also
present.
Speaking on this occasion,
Asghar Ali Khan termed the tournament a key for bringing new faces to main
stream of talent. He said such tournament would also provide ample
opportunities to the players of Under-16 to come up and show their hidden
talent. He appreciated the Pakistan Cricket Board for holding Abdul Hafiz
Kardar Inter-School Cricket Tournament in which every school could field their respective
team.
He said school cricket always played a key role in finding out new talent. In the first match Peshawar
Cambridge defeated Govt High School Nahaqi and moved to the next round. Two
matches would be played every day before deciding the quarter-finals and
semi-finals line-up.
President for concerted efforts to fight corruption, strengthen accountability system
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi Monday urged the political leadership to stand united and make concerted efforts to strengthen the accountability system, counter corruption and address the serious economic challenges by enforcing austerity and playing their part in providing social justice, health and education to the masses.
The president, in his maiden address to the joint sitting of the parliament after assuming the office, termed corruption an ill that had badly affected the national economy and plunged the country in a serious debt trap.
The joint session, co-chaired by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, was attended by members from both the houses of the parliament, including Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In the galleries, Azad Jammu and Kashmir president and prime minister, governors, chief ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and diplomats were present.
The president said Pakistan was facing gigantic challenges, both at the domestic and international fronts and the biggest was a very weak economy. The country had been spending a major share of its resources on debt repayment.
“The balance of trade is also unfavourable. There is a huge gap in the quantum of our imports and exports. The circular debt has increased to Rs1,100 billion over the past few years and the value of rupee has depreciated sharply in recent months.”
The present government, he said, had resolved to make a ‘New Pakistan’. “In my view, the concept of New Pakistan lies in promoting simplicity, discontinuation of unnecessary protocols and a corruption free system. We should keep in mind that we are a nation which is under the burden of debt,” he added.
.:President Arif Alvi said the recent general election had proved that the people wanted a corruption-free Pakistan. For that there was a need to strengthen accountability institutions, along with a transparent system, so that they could perform their duties honestly and without any discrimination, he added.
Highlighting the issues of inflation and consequent problems faced by the salaried class, the president said the concept of ‘New Pakistan’ lay in promoting simplicity, discontinuation of unnecessary protocols and a corruption free system.
He said according to the established economic principles and Pakistani laws, the debt-to-GDP ratio should not exceed 60 percent but the country had been violating the law for long.
The external and internal debts, he said, had crossed the critical levels which required immediate attention and simplicity in lives, avoiding extravagance and limiting needs by the people.
He said throughout his association with the parliament, he had tried to fulfill all the responsibilities assigned to him and thanked the parliamentarians for electing him to the highest constitutional office of the country.
Assuring them to perform his constitutional responsibilities to the best of his abilities, President Alvi hoped that the parliamentarians would cooperate with him for the betterment of the country.
He said the present government had embarked upon a programme to ensure maximum employment and housing facilities for the masses, which would bring about a real change and build a New Pakistan.
He said Pakistan’s 60 percent population consisted of youth for whom employment opportunities needed to be created on the basis of merit, qualification and capacity to help them earn their livelihood.
He told the House that the physical and mental growth of many of Pakistani children was much below international standards with a number of them facing stunted growth as the mothers and children could not get adequate nutrition.
“Most of our problems are related to social inequality and poverty. We have to eliminate regional, economic and social inequality, and disparity,” he said.
The president said Balochistan and other far flung areas needed attention and hoped that the new government would fully implement the social contract to translate the concept of “New Pakistan” into reality.
.:The president urged the government and leaders of all the political parties to guide the nation in the right direction, in accordance with its sentiments. He was confident that the government would chart out a clear road map in all sectors and at the same time ensure transparency in governance.
He said the construction of new water reservoirs was among the top government priorities and he earnestly believed that both residents and overseas Pakistanis would respond positively to the donations appeal of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Prime Minister. This would not only raise capital for the construction of new dams but would also help enhance the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
The president said Pakistan was one of the countries facing a severe water crisis. Due to scarcity and reckless use of water, its underground resources had depleted to a dangerous level as several areas of Balochistan and Sindh were facing drought.
The climate change, he observed, was also having a hazardous impact on the country, with temperatures rising and glaciers melting rapidly due to global warming.
“The atmosphere in cities is deteriorating due to air and industrial pollution. In this regard, we will have to pay special attention on tree plantation and construction of new dams,” he added.
The president stressed upon controlling wastage of water and highlighted two measures, which were inevitable, including making irrigation system more efficient and adoption of a comprehensive strategy to control seepage of water in canals and water courses.
The drip irrigation, he said, needed to be adopted rather than relying solely on flood irrigation. “Besides, we should adjust our lifestyles to avoid unnecessary usage of water,” he said, and cited that the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) had advised to adopt moderation in life and avoid wasteful use of the scarce water, even for ablution.
The president mentioned the need to tackle power, energy and electricity related issues. The power transmission system needed to be made more efficient, line losses reduced and theft of electricity should be eliminated.
He observed that the Northern Areas, Kashmir and other parts of the country were blessed with vast water resources and the climate and environment of those regions was naturally conducive for power generation, therefore, the relevant ministries and departments needed to work for the promotion of “Run of the River” projects along with strengthening the transmission infrastructure so that the generated power could be fed into the national grid and the transmission system across the country made more robust.
The president said agriculture was the backbone of Pakistan’s economy as more than half of its population was employed in that sector.
The development of agri sector, he said, was also dependent on the construction of new water reservoirs. The new PTI government had promised the development of the sector in its manifesto.
“An effective and comprehensive strategy needs to be adopted to provide pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural instruments to farmers and associated people in this sector. In this regard, a mechanism for consultation with experts and farmers should be evolved,” he suggested.
Dr Alvi said the general populace was concerned about the improvement in education and health sectors. In that regard, he observed, encouraging and good examples had been set in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country.
He, however, observed that the pressure of population growth was huge while resources were limited, so there was a need for developing a balance between the two.
The president underlined the need to improve the quality of education, besides enhancing the number of educational institutions.
He urged the parliamentarians and media to raise awareness regarding mother and child health, and benefits of a small family.
“For women development, policies be devised for their education and employment for all segments of the society. No country can progress without women empowerment. Our women are very hard working and their contribution is significant in all walks of life,” he added.
The president said it was the need of hour that women should be provided more opportunities and were mainstreamed in the national affairs.
It should be ensured that women played their due role in the economy and society without any fear because the religion and Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had also stressed on it, he added.
The president said nations faced challenges, which sometimes became so complicated that even setting of priorities became difficult.
“Pakistan is also grappled with such a situation. However, resilient and valiant nations do not get scared of challenges but cope with them courageously. I am gratified that as a nation we are aware of the situation and challenges confronting us. Be it farmers, judiciary, army personnel, civil servants, writers, residents of far-flung areas or the overseas Pakistanis, everyone is ready to share this responsibility,” he added.
.:President Alvi said good relations with all the countries, particularly with neighbours, constituted the basis for a country’s foreign policy.
Expressing the hope about improvement in the foreign policy, he said as a nation, it was the government’s priority to have good ties with all the countries in general and with the Muslim world in particular.
The establishment of a new government was a watershed moment in the foreign relations, he said, adding bilateral relations had improved with the recent visits of foreign ministers of China, the United States, Iran and Turkey, and Saudi Arabia’s information minister to Pakistan, followed by Foreign Minister Qureshi’s visit to Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan’s friendship with China was exemplary based on mutual trust, which had stood the test of time as the two countries backed each other through thick and thin.
“Our bilateral relations are further strengthening with every passing day. The government fully supports the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is boosting economic activity in the region. I hope that the government completes CPEC projects expeditiously, which will help in further strengthening our relations. It will mark beginning of a new era in the region,” he added.
The president was confident over strengthening of the energy and trade relations with Central Asian states as they would help in achieving the economic growth targets.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s ties with Russia and said the country accorded utmost importance to those relations. He hoped that the bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, defence and culture would enhance further.
The president said close relations with Turkey were very special as the same were an important factor in the stability and progress of the entire region.
“Peace and stability in Afghanistan is vital for the prosperity and progress in Pakistan. Lasting peace in that country will open new trade corridors for us and for the region as well. We shall continue our endeavours in this regard with full sincerity,” he added.
President Alvi said Pakistan desired good relations with all its neighbours. It wanted a peaceful and good neighbourly relationship with India, based on mutual co-existence and would welcome every positive step in that direction.
“Resolution of the Kashmir dispute is essential to have an enduring relationship between the two countries. Blame game brings no solution to any dispute,” he emphasized.
Dr Alvi assured that the Government of Pakistan would continue its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people.
“Pakistan will keep on endeavouring at every level to resolve this dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. The people of Kashmir have given historic sacrifices in the quest for their right of self-determination,” he added.
The president also condemned denial of right to self-determination to the Kashmiris and cited the recent report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which had clearly highlighted the gross human rights violations of the Kashmiri people.
He called upon the international community as well as other human rights organizations to also play their role to bring an end to the grave human rights violations in the Indian-occupied Kashmir.
.:The president expressed his pleasure over completion of tenures by the last three assemblies and observed that the parochial interests and rampant corruption were the biggest reasons behind the current challenges.
He said the youth needed to be equipped with vocational training to help them find suitable jobs. He also called for easing the small loans process and taking measures for exporting the skilled labour.
He also emphasized the promotion of sports and arts for physical and mental growth of the youth by taking input from the scholars.
He said investment in the human capital was possible through a uniform curriculum and educational system and related facilities.
He called for revamping education system in the country, particularly in its backward areas. He believed that there was no harm in replicating the KP model because public sector institutions could provide qualitative education to all.
President Arif said more than three million students were currently studying in religious seminaries. In order to bring them into the mainstream, the curriculum in the seminaries needed to be made compatible with the modern day requirements to enable them play a positive and proactive role in different walks of life.
In this regard, he said the government needed to devise a strategy in consultation with the religious scholars.
The president said after FATA’s merger with the KP, the government would have to formulate relevant policies and take prompt decisions, keeping in view the hopes, expectations and aspirations of the people of the region.
He was confident that the government would be able to reduce fiscal deficit, redress the issues of state owned enterprises, formulate investment friendly policies, and simplify the investment processes.
For the purpose, the government would have to reduce the role of departments and put a restraint on their discretionary powers. Banks and investors would also have to be proactive in that regard, he added.
The president also called for attracting the overseas Pakistanis to invest in the country and urged all the chambers of commerce and industry to play their positive roles in that context.
He said terrorism had been overcome consequent to the nation’s resilience and sacrifices of the law-enforcement agencies.
“On behalf of the entire nation, I would like to pay tribute to all the martyrs in this struggle. They have put in the greatest sacrifices for the motherland,” he remarked.
Earlier, the House offered Fateha for the departed soul of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
British Home Secretary pays courtesy call on PM
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan expressing satisfaction on the current direction of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Monday hoped that the two countries would further strengthen them into a multi-faceted strategic partnership.
The prime minister was talking to British Home Secretary Sajid Javid who paid a courtesy call on him here.
The prime minister acknowledged the United Kingdom’s development assistance that had positively impacted Pakistan’s socio-economic sectors.
They also discussed a wide range of issues of common interest, including counter terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking, money-laundering and asset recovery.
The British Home Secretary stated that his government was willing to support and extend full cooperation to the Government of Pakistan in these areas. He also underscored the need to enhance cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
British Home Secretary Sajid Javid was on a two-day visit to Islamabad and Lahore.
FM Qureshi, British home secretary discuss counter-terrorism, money laundering
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and British Home Secretary Sajid Javid met here at the Foreign Office on Monday and discussed areas including regional security, counter-terrorism, organized crime, migration, human trafficking, money laundering and asset recovery.
Foreign Minister Qureshi stressed the need to expand Pakistan-UK cooperation and translate the existing ties into a tangible and multi-faceted strategic partnership. He appreciated DFID’s contribution towards the development of socio-economic sectors in Pakistan.
The British Home Secretary conveyed his government’s desire to support and work closely with the new government in all areas of mutual interest.
The two countries closely cooperate under the institutional framework of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue.
PM to undertake two-day state visit of Saudi Arabia from Tuesday; also to visit UAE on Sept 19
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan will undertake a two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia, from September 18 to 19, on the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.
The prime minister will be accompanied by foreign minister, finance minister and adviser to the prime minister on commerce, a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here Monday said.
The prime minister will call on King Salman and hold a bilateral meeting with the Crown Prince. The king will also host a state banquet for the prime minister at the Royal Court. Accompanying ministers will also meet their counterparts to discuss bilateral cooperation.
During the visit, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen will call on the prime minister.
The prime minister will also do Ziarat at Madinah and perform Umra.
The prime minister along with the delegation will arrive in Abu Dhabi in the evening on September 19. He will be received by Mohammaed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He is visiting the UAE on the invitation of the Crown Prince. The two leaders will discuss issues of bilateral interest.
Japan for continued support to Pakistan to explore new opportunities
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Ambassador of Japan Takashi Kurai Monday assured of his government’s continued support to Pakistan for exploring new avenues of mutual collaboration.
He called on Federal Minister for Defence, Pervez Khattak, at Ministry of Defence and felicitated him for assuming the office of the defence minister. The defence minister highlighted the historical close ties between Pakistan and Japan.
He appreciated Japanese support for prosperity and development in Pakistan over the years. He expressed hope that Japan would help create economic activities in Pakistan through mutually beneficial participation in CPEC as well as considering investment in maritime and industrial manufacturing sectors.
The defence minister also appreciated the role of Japan in the promotion of peace and stability in Afghanistan and South Asian Region.
He highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate terrorism especially the success of Operations Zarb-e-Azab, Radd-ul-Fasad and Khyber-IV.
The minister also commended the efforts of Japanese Government for regular holding of Pakistan-Japan Politico-Military and Military to Military Dialogues, adding that such interactions are a concrete expression of the desire of both the countries to enhance mutual defence collaboration.
He mentioned the potential to cooperate in the defence field and need to strengthen the existing level of defence collaboration.
COAS visits PLA Headquarters, meets PLA chief
RAWALPINDI, Sep 17 (APP):Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday visited Headquarters of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Beijing and met PLA Chief, Gen Han Weiguo. Both the commanders discussed regional security environment, security of China Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) and bilateral security cooperation, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asif Ghafoor said on his official Ttwitter handle.
The PLA Chief appreciated and acknowledged high professional standing of Pakistan Army displayed while combating terrorism. He also appreciated high degree of security being provided to CPEC by Pakistan Army.
The Chinese General expressed his keen desire to benefit from Pakistan Army’s combat experience and
also expand bilateral cooperation.
The COAS thanked his counterpart for hosting him. He said that both armies had history of cooperation and there were vast avenues for further enhancing the same.
Earlier, upon arrival at PLA Headquarters, General Qamar Javed Bajwa was presented guard of honour. On
Tuesday, the COAS is scheduled to meet Vice Chairman Central Military Commission(CMC), Gen Zhang Youxia.
Pakistan, UK launch partnership to check money laundering, recovery of stolen assets
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):The governments of Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Monday jointly launched a partnership on repatriation of illicit finances, recovery of stolen assets and putting a check on money-laundering.
Law Minister Barrister Farogh Nasim and British Home Secretary Sajid Javid at a joint press conference here at the PM Office announced that the declaration titled ‘UK-Pakistan Justice and Accountability Partnership’ would track corruption and also restart the bilateral prisoner transfer that was on a halt for last several years.
British Secretary Sajid Javid said the United Kingdom would ensure that no person could escape accountability. He, however, clarified that the initiative would be broad-based and was not meant to target individual cases only.
He said the new partnership would be headed by a special envoy to expand cooperation between the two sides in curbing corruption. The Director of Economic Crime Unit would be representing the British side, he added.
The British Home Secretary, who is the first from his government to visit Pakistan after Prime Minister Imran Khan assumed the office, said the UK was committed to strengthen ties with the new government and reaffirm their partnership.
Sajid Javid termed his talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan as constructive and said he fully endorsed his vision of building a prosperous Pakistan.
To a question, the Home Secretary rejected the impression that the UK was reluctant on issues of extradition-related matters with Pakistan and said he was mindful of respecting the domain of British law enforcement agencies. However, he stressed that the responsible would be brought to justice whenever there was some evidence.
Asked about the quantum of money laundering, the British Secretary said both the sides reviewed their commitments on sharing evidence to prosecute the criminals.
As regards the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Sajid Javid said Pakistan was already working on the matter and the UK would extend all support to it in that regard.
He said his country would deepen cooperation with Pakistan to counter illicit finances and corruption.
About the role and sacrifices of Pakistan against counter-terrorism, he said Pakistan had suffered more than any other country on that count.
He said Pakistan and the United Kingdom had deep ties in many areas. Some 120 British companies were already working here. Being a major trading partner, the UK would like its more companies to enter Pakistan as it was preparing to leave the European Union, he added.
Law Minister Farogh Naseem said both the sides also deliberated on the formation of a joint fund on civil recovery of stolen assets, and appointment of a prosecution service at the British High Commission.
He said it was also agreed upon to ensure capacity-building of Pakistani law enforcement officials with the assistance of the United Kingdom.
When questioned on the issue of confiscation of Avenfield apartments of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the Law Minister said, “No individual cases or any specific matter was discussed.”
When about deliberations on the extradition of two sons of the former prime minister, Farogh Naseem said he was unable to share more details.
Shahzad Akbar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability, on the same issue said the matter was already with the National Accountability Bureau. Individual cases would not be commented upon, he added.
Minister of State for Interior Shahryar Khan Afridi and British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew were also present on the occasion.
Govt to improve country’s health status as per PM vision: Kiani
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Aamer Mehmood Kiani Monday said the present government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan is determined to improve the health status in the country.
Addressing the degree awarding ceremony to graduates of Federal Medical Dental College Islamabad, he said recognizing the importance of medical profession, the government will not only improve the quality of medical education and training but also promote culture of health research in medical students.
He said university graduation is one of the biggest achievements towards carriers. It is the culmination of one sweet chapter in life and the beginning of another great chapter.
He said the importance of graduation is not only recognizing an important accomplishment, but it is viewed as the gateway to next stage in lives.
“I believe that medical graduates are unique in the sense that regardless of your chosen area of practice, all of you have the opportunity to enrich the lives of those around you. As you embark upon and progress through your careers, I urge you to always remember why you chose your respective field and to serve our communities and improve the quality of life and health of its members with compassion, honesty and integrity.”
He appreciated the parents and teachers of graduates for their patience, understanding, sacrifices and support during these challenging, but rewarding, years at the college.
He said despite challenges, the college faculty has been focusing on good quality education to students within the limited means.
He assured that the problems will be sorted out on urgent basis. He appreciated the remarkable change and improvement curricula and teaching methodology.
The minister said, “We are determined to enhance the importance of research and development throughout doctors’ working lives with special emphasis on the medical academics.”
This can deliver important medical innovations that improve patient care and deliver in the longer term.
“Our patients deserve the best-trained doctors and nurses in the world and this is what our government believes. We will support our doctors to deliver compassionate care through providing them with the training, support and skills they need to take this agenda forward.”
He said it is time to implement vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan that he has struggled for last 22 years.
“We must make all out effort to resolve the problem that had been highlighted and we will bring major improvement in Federal Medical and Dental Collage within one year and will take up the matter of FMDC building with prime minister.”
Canada keen to expand trade, investment ties with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Outgoing Canadian High Commissioner to Islamabad Perry John Calderwood Monday said his government was keen to expand bilateral trade and investment relations with Pakistan and has appointed a full time Trade Commissioner in Islamabad, to work closely with the business community for achieving desired objectives.
The Canadian High Commissioner called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The foreign minister appreciated contributions of the outgoing Canadian high commissioner in improvement of Pak-Canada ties and wished him good luck for his future assignment.
Calderwood congratulated Qureshi on assuming office and briefed him about the ongoing Canadian assistance programmes in Pakistan.
Given the potential of bilateral relations the two sides agreed on enhanced engagement at political and senior officials level.
70 vehicles of Prime Minister House auctioned above market price: Fawad Hussain
ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Monday said 70 vehicles of Prime Minister House had been auctioned above the market price while the remaining bomb proof and bullet proof vehicles classified as protected would be auctioned in the next phase.
Talking to media here at Parliament House, he said it was a successful auction and its objective was to send a message to the public that their elected prime minister was from them and the public money would not be wasted.
He said the government undertook the austerity drive and opened the Governor Houses, adding the public responded well and 25,000 persons visited these places.