ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):Spokesperson of Foreign Office Dr Faisal Wednesday said Indian attempt to politicize a humanitarian case by denying medical visa to a cancer patient was regrettable.
Addressing a press conference here in Foreign Office with a cancer survivor, Osama and his parents , who recently returned from Turkey after getting treatment for liver cancer.
He said New Delhi demanded a letter of approval from the foreign minister to issue a medical visa to Osama, which was a clear violation of international laws.
Dr Faisal said the patient had to suffer because of the wait and delaying for the medical visa by Indian embassy.
Speaking on this occasion, Osama said he regretted the Indian attitude because it unnecessarily politicised a humanitarian issue.
He said India politicized the issue as “I hail from Azad Kashmir, it was painful for me and my family because delaying the visa can worsen my condition.”
“In Turkey, I received treatment with utmost respect. The Turkish government and administration took care of me,” he said.
Osama’s father also thanked both the Pakistani and Turkish governments for providing assistance during his stay in Turkey.
Indian attitude of denying visa to cancer patient regrettable: FO
PML-N always accepted court’s decisions: Ranjha
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha Wednesday said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) always respected judiciary and accepted its decisions.
Former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his party had struggled for the restoration of judiciary during the previous tenure of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), he said talking to a private news channel.
The minister said the PML-N government had not pursued the policy of confrontation as it had implemented the disqualification decision against Nawaz Sharif despite reservations.
He said no allegation of corruption had been proved against Nawaz Sharif in the Panama Papers case. Nawaz Sharif was still the most popular leader of the country, he added.
Replying to a question, he said the Karachi operation was launched with consensus to eliminate terrorist
activities from the metropolitan city. Peace was restored in Karachi due to the operation, he added.
Date extended for filing of income tax returns till Nov 30
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Wednesday extended due date for filing of income tax returns or statements by salaried individuals, other individuals and AOPs, till November 30.
Extension of date had been approved by Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on the proposal of
FBR, in view of the requests made by tax bars, various trade associations and members of the business community
as they could not find ample time for filing of their tax returns, an FBR press release said.
It may be recalled that in the spirit of facilitating filers, the due date was earlier extended from October 31
to November 15.
The due date for filing of returns or statements of final taxation in case of companies had not been extended,
the press release said.
Collaboration must to protect mountain communities from worsening climate risks: Mushahidullah
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):Federal Minister for Climate Change, Senator Mushahidullah Khan on Wednesday pledged for working together with all eight Hindu Kush Himalayan countries to protect lives and livelihoods of millions of climate-vulnerable people from exacerbating fall outs of climate change, particularly those living in mountain areas.
“Lives and livelihoods of nearly 210 million people living in the mountain areas of the Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan are at stake from various common climate change-caused disasters, particularly floods, glacial melt, shifting summer and winter weather patterns. However, deepening transboundary collaboration among these countries in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region for coping with common climate risks is now inevitable,” said Mushahidullah Khan, according to a press release issued here on Wednesday.
Addressing as a distinguished speaker at a high-level event ‘Cooperation for Building Resilient Mountain Communities’ held in Bonn city of Germany, he remarked the HKH region is characterized by mountainous environments and diverse of regional climatic conditions.
High-altitude regions in the HKH have witnessed recently warming amplifications and the paced warming is causing solid state water (snow, ice, glacier, and permafrost) to shrink at a much higher speed, leading to increase in the glacial melt-water.
The event was jointly organized by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety and hosted by the International Center Integrated for Mountain Development, the event brought together environmental ministers, representatives of expert institutions and relevant.
The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region extends 3,500 km over all or part of eight countries from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar in the east. It is the source of ten large Asian river systems -– the Amu Darya, Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra (Yarlungtsanpo), Irrawaddy, Salween (Nu), Mekong (Lancang), Yangtse (Jinsha), Yellow River (Huanghe), and Tarim (Dayan), – and provides water, ecosystem services, and the basis for livelihoods to a population of around 210.53 million people in the region. The basins of these rivers provide water to 1.3 billion people, a fifth of the world’s population.
The Himalayan range alone has the total snow and ice cover of 35,110 sq.km containing 3,735 cu.km of eternal snow and ice (Qin 2002). The total for the region is not yet calculated. Hills and mountains, particularly the Hindu Kush Himalaya mountain system, have always constituted places where adaptation, mitigation, and resilience are hallmarks of the people and the landscape they inhabit. Since time immemorial, the people of the Himalaya have maintained a rich cultural identity, and have maintained food security and biogenetic diversity within the parameters of their own tradition.
The Minister Mushahidullah Khan emphasized, “As a result of the impacts of the global warming-induced climate change in the HKH region, incidences of flash floods, landslides, livestock diseases, and other disasters are being witnessed with more frequency and intensity, which cause millions of people, particularly those in the mountain regions, to suffer in many ways and where poverty has shown increasing trends.”
He urged the regional countries to collaborate with each other for boosting climate resilience of the region against common climate risks through joint adaptation programmes, with major focus on mountain communities, which are highly vulnerable to the devastating impacts of the climate change.
Political leaders and official representatives from environment and forestry departments from the eight HKH regional countries also spoke on the occasion and highlighted fallouts of the climate change on their agriculture, water, food, energy and livestock sectors and how these impacts are badly affecting socio-economic lives and poverty and hunger reduction programmes.
In their addresses, they also highlighted various climate risks to their countries and said that glacial melt due to global warming is the biggest problem in the region, which has increased increased frequency and intensity of the glacial lake outburst events and riverine floods, land erosion and landslides.
They also supported Mushahidullah Khan’s call for jointly working against the common climate risks to various socio-economic sectors, particularly water, food and energy sectors.
Meanwhile, the political and official representatives of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region comprising Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh and China pledged to join hands with Pakistan and collaborate at all scales to boost climate resilience of the climate-vulnerable region, and particularly the mountain regions, which are home to nearly 210 million people.
NA body reviews performance of Trade Dispute Regulation Organization
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile on Wednesday reviewed the performance of Trade Dispute Regulation Organization (TDRO) and directed the concerned authorities to set a time limit for resolution of trade disputes.
Chairing the meeting, Siraj Muhammad Khan said branch offices of TDRO should also be opened in Peshawar and
Quetta to facilitate the business communities of these areas.
He said awareness campaign should be launched to teach the trades that how they could resolve their trade
disputes.
He also called for changing the behavior of government officers in this regard.
Earlier the Standing committee formulated a committee comprising of members of parliament and officials of
commerce ministry to remove challenges being faced by women chambers.
Speaking on the occasion, the committee member Sajida Begum expressed her dissatisfaction over the
performance of TDRO saying that it was ignoring the issues of women entrepreneurs.
Secretary Commerce, Muhammad Yunus Dhaga assured that the committee would find out solution of women
chambers’ problems.
Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry meets Senator Jack Reed
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry Wednesday met Senator Jack Reed from Democrat-Rhode Island, at Capitol Hill in Washington DC to discuss Pakistan’s perspective regrading US’s new strategy in the region.
Ambassador Chaudhry briefed Senator Reed about Pakistan’s perspective on the new US strategy for South Asia and the current situation in Afghanistan, said a message received here.
He also informed the Senator that Pakistan had successfully reversed the tide of terrorism by clearing its tribal and border areas of all militant group.
Ambassador said that marked improvement in the country’s security environment and growing global recognition of Pakistan’s status as an emerging economy are attracting foreign investors’ interest, including from corporate sector of America.
Ambassador said that Pakistan wanted to work with the United States to bring peace to Afghanistan because Pakistan’s economic and security gains would be at risk if instability in Afghanistan continues.
He also expressed concern over the growth in ungoverned spaces inside Afghanistan, which were being used by terrorists to launch attacks against Pakistan.
Appreciating Ambassador Chaudhry’s briefing, Senator Reed said that sustained engagement between Pakistan and the United States remained critical to achieving peace in Afghanistan.
Senator Reed is the Ranking Member of Senate Armed Services Committee. He is also a member of Senate Appropriations and the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committees.
UK CCI to organize Made in Pakistan Expo in UK
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):UK Pakistan-Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UKPCCI) will organize “Made in Pakistan Expo” in UK in October 2018 in order to promote Pakistani products in the Britain market.
This was stated by a President UK-Pakistan CCi Chaudhry Muhammad Sadeeq, who along with a 10 members delegation visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.
The delegation was representing various sectors including chain of hospitality and restaurants, real estate, furniture, health, education, importers of rice and food products, livestock and halal meat.
Speaking at the occasion President UKPCCI said that Pakistani community in UK wanted to see a progressive and prosperous Pakistan as they had utmost love for it.
He said a 25-member delegation of UKPCCI was visiting Pakistan to attend Karachi Expo and study its market as Overseas Pakistani investors in UK were keen to explore opportunities of joint ventures and investment in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy.
He said the delegation has already held fruitful meetings at Karachi and Lahore many delegation members have also finalized business deals in Pakistan.
Kamran Khan, General Secretary, UKPCCI said that the purpose of their Chamber was to promote bilateral trade between Pakistan and UK and UKPCCI would also strive to bring more UK investors to Pakistan.
He urged for highlight positives of Pakistan as more projection of negatives was creating misperception in the youth of overseas Pakistanis.
He said ICCI and UKPCCI should set up helpdesks to facilitate members of both chambers for doing business in Pakistan and UK.
Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Pakistan and UK have great potential to enhance bilateral trade from current £2.5 billion to £3 billion.
The both countries should facilitate frequent exchange of trade delegations to explore untapped areas of mutual cooperation, he added.
He said Pakistan was emerging as a potential market for business and investment due to CPEC and other rising sectors and stressed that UKPCCI should convince maximum Pakistani investors in UK to bring technology and investment to Pakistan in areas of interest.
SAARC needs to be turned into an effective platform: President Mamnoon
KARACHI, Nov 15 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain here on Wednesday called for turning the platform of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) effective through strong regional connectivity and people to people contact.
Addressing a conference on Peace in South Asia, organized by Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA), he said the region home to around 1.7 billion, representing 21% of the world population, is in urgent need of peace.
“South Asia is mired in several crisis and conflicts at the
moment due to various unresolved political and geographical factors,” said the President.
Mentioning that the situation was getting all the more complex due to India’s ongoing arms build-up, instability in Afghanistan and the menace of terrorism, he said the situation can be aptly tackled through regional cooperation and settling of longstanding disputes.
“I believe that the whole region of South Asia is in search for
peace and prosperity, however, these have become elusive due to war and conflicts,” regretted President Mamnoon Hussain.
He reiterated that destiny of the people in region was linked
with each other and it is only through mutual cooperation that they can fight poverty, unemployment, climate change, militancy and other public issues.
President Mamnoon Hussain on the occasion also urged the South Asian countries to create conducive environment for peace and mutual cooperation by taking advantage of One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative,in particular context of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Services offered by Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) alongwith OBOR and CPEC will help the region attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), presently quite low as compared to other regions,” he said.
SAARC’s failure to emerge as unifying multilateral organization due to hegemonistic aspirations of a member state, he said has also kept the region hostage to poverty, social backwardness, extremism and radicalization largely manifested through regional instability.
“It is imperative to sincerely promote mutual cooperation to
alleviate poverty and improve social condition of the people of South Asia in general,” said the President of Pakistan warning that otherwise strife and conflict would persist leading chaos, violence, crimes and terrorism.
Urging countries in the region to avoid fanning regional
differences and take concrete measures for liberalization of visa policy (for business purpose), he said this would propel economic growth in the region and help meet the challenge of poverty alongwith associated implications.
President Mamnoon Hussain said South Asian countries also need to evolve unity on the pattern of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to ensure durable progress in the region.
Reiterating that Pakistan believes in promoting regional cooperation and institution building for resolving the security issues of South Asia, he said the platform of SCO was also available for achieving regional integration.
President Mamnoon Hussain on the occasion particularly referred to Afghanistan emphasizing that along with promoting economic cooperation and regional connectivity there was also a need to focus on stabilizing Afghanistan.
“Turmoil in Afghanistan has worsened the matters giving rise to multifaceted security issues in the region,” he said reminding that only a stable Afghanistan could become a great transit corridor connecting Central, South and West Asia.
The President also minced no words in mentioning that
unresolved conflicts of Jammu and Kashmir, Sir Creek and Siachen were the major obstacles in achieving stability in South Asia.
The deteriorating situation in Kashmir, consequent to India’s
absolute disregard towards the right to self-determination of the
people of Jammu and Kashmir had adversely affected the regional peace,
he said.
“Kashmiris in the Indian occupied state are engaged in a legitimate
struggle to exercise their right to self-determination, also guaranteed under
the UN Security Council’s resolutions,” said President Mamnoon Hussain.
The session was also addressed by Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on
Defence and Defence Production, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed and Dr
Masooma Hussain, Chairperson, Pakistan Institute of International Affairs.
Pakistan willing to share counter-terrorism expertise with UN: Defence Minister
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):Minister for Defence Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that Pakistan is willing to share its counter-terrorism expertise with the United Nations.
“Pakistan has conducted successfully a thorough Operation Zarb-e-Azb – one of the largest counter-terrorism operations ever conducted. The lessons learnt and deep expertise gained by Pakistan’s armed forces and law-enforcement agencies constitute an invaluable resource available to the United Nations.”
The minister expressed these views in his meeting with UN Undersecretary General for Field Services Atul Khare (USG- DFS), whom he met on the sidelines of the United Nations’ Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial Meeting in Vancouver, Canada, said a press release issued here Wednesday.
Khurram Dastgir Khan also informed the USG-DFS of Pakistan’s successful endeavour to increase participation of women in peacekeeping contingents.
The UN Undersecretary General for Field Services appreciated Pakistan’s historical and ongoing contribution to UN peacekeeping, particularly the sacrifice of 140 soldiers since 1960. He commended Pakistan’s advanced logistics and training facilities for UN peacekeeping.
The Defence Minister would speak twice on final day of the Conference on Pakistan’s “Smart Pledges” to UN Peacekeeping operations and “Early Warning and Deployment”, one of the principal themes of the ministerial meeting.
During the last six decades, Pakistan has sent over 180,000 troops to 45 UN missions in 28 different countries.
Pakistan to soon start producing commercial aircraft: Shahzad
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):Pakistan will soon start producing commercial aircraft for the domestic and international markets, said a senior official.
Air Marshal Ahmer Shahzad of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) told Khaleej Times in an interview that they are looking at producing commercial aircraft with 10 to 30-seat capacity both for executive and non-executive passengers.
“As economic activity picks up with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, we require fast and efficient air transportation to fulfill domestic requirements. We’re also eyeing on international requirements in the Middle East and Central Asia,” Shahzad said on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow 2017.
The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is a Pakistani aerospace, defence, aviation contractor and military corporation producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage.
Shahzad said work on the commercial plane project is expected to start soon.
Commenting on competition in the commercial aircraft segment, Shahzad said: “We’ve produced the Super Mushshak and it’s being sold successfully despite competition. If we make it [commercial aircraft] cost-effective, with sustained logistics and maintenance, it is going to be attractive to international customers.”
The aircraft will be produced at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex’s headquarters in Kamra.
Shahzad revealed that Pakistan is going to resume production of more advanced unmanned aerial vehicles too.
Replying to a query about expectations of orders for the JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak, the PAC chief said they’re looking for new markets in the Middle East and Far East.
“There are a number of potential buyers for Super Mushshak — which is used for training purposes too. We are fulfilling the requirements of the Pakistan Air Force and are capable of manufacturing aircraft for exports too. Right now, our annual production for JF-17 is 20 aircraft,” he said
The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex has already signed deals with Turkey, Qatar, Nigeria and Azerbaijan for aircraft export orders.
Islamabad United coach wants better pitches to get the best out of players
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):The former Australian cricketer and the coach of PSL team Islamabad United Dean Jones has called for better pitches in the Pakistan Super League to allow players to express themselves better in the next edition.
Talking to a private news channel, the Islamabad United coach said that he was satisfied with the squad following the PSL3 players’ draft.
“Well we planned well and we got what we planned for, so obviously we are happy with our choices,” said Dean Jones, who is also called ‘The Ustaad’ by the franchise Islamabad United.
While praising the standard of PSL as compared to the other leagues around the world, the former Australian cricketer hoped for better pitches which can allow players to give their best during the competition.
“To get the best out of all the overseas players, we need to have good pitches! Not low and slow as we have had in a few matches in previous two PSLs,” he said.
The 56-year-old veteran of 52 Tests and 164 ODIs lauded PSL’s contribution to the growth of Pakistan cricket and said that the idea to include emerging players in the playing XI has proved to be a great one and has helped new talent emerge.
The former Australian player also mentioned how the league brought Shadab Khan to the limelight saying that he was proud to see Islamabad United players representing Pakistan.
“Well it’s definitely fast-tracked them for Pakistan,” he said when asked how PSL has helped young Shadab Khan grow us a player.
“The idea of the fact that teams have to play an emerging player has been a great one! We take a lot of pride when our boys represent their country,” he added.
He highlighted the contributions of overseas staff working with different teams, saying that overseas staff and players making the Pakistani players understand that they must get fitter and they must improve their fielding
He emphasised the need to improve fielding standards of Pakistan players.
Responding to a question about naming Rumman Raees as vice-captain of Islamabad United, the former Australian batsman commended the character and the leadership qualities of 26-year-old fast-bowler.
“Sadly for Misbah, he cannot play forever and we like what Rumman does for our side,” he said.
“He is a strong, stable and reliable person. He’s got a terrific temperament and that’s what I like in leaders and captains,” the Islamabad United coach mentioned.
Dean also expressed his disappointment at losing opening batsman Sharjeel Khan following the spot-fixing scandal which led to his suspension from cricket.
The Islamabad United coach agreed that his team will miss Sharjeel.
“We will miss Sharjeel for sure! Pakistan will miss him for sure!! There’s not much else I can say about that,” he said.
He, however, added that there’s need to make an example to eradicate the cancer of fixing from sports.
“We have just got to be vigilant. But it’s a cancer in all sports We need to make examples out of match-fixers with massive penalties, players have been told and educated enough,” he concluded.
PSB to hold training camps to prepare athletes for 2018 Asian Games
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):To prepare the athletes for the 2018 Asian Games, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) in collaboration with national sports federations will hold training camps from January 2018.
The 2018 Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia from August 18 to September 2.
Talking to APP, a PSB official said the athletes would be provided training-com-competitions tours abroad for comprehensive preparation for the Games.
He said national sports federations will also be directed to hunt talented athletes from competitions including Quaid-e-Azam Games, Pakistan Inter-Board Sports Competitions, National Games, National Championships, Schools, Colleges and Universities.
“The qualified coaches will be asked the train athletes and foreign coaches services will also be hired in consultation with national sports federations,” he said.
The official said the disciplines to be contested in the Games include Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Boxing, Bridge, Canoeing, Cycling, E Sports, Equestrian, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, Martial Arts, Mechanical Sports, Modern Pentathlon, Roller Sports, Rowing, Rugby sevens, Sailing, Sepak Takraw, Shooting, Sports Climbing, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
“Since the inception of Asian Games in 1951, Pakistan has won a total of 199 medals (44 gold, 64 silver & 91 bronze medals) in the Games so far,” he said.
He said Pakistan bagged most medals in the 1962 Asian Games held in Indonesia. “Pakistan had won 28 medals (8 gold, 11 silver & 9 bronze medals) in the event.”
“Pakistan grabbed the least medals in the 2006 Asian Games held in Qatar. Pakistan won a total of four medals in the event, 1 silver and 3 bronze,” he said.
President summons NA session on Thursday
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain has summoned the National Assembly (NA) session on Thursday, November 16 at 4p.m at the Parliament House, Islamabad.
The President has summoned the National Assembly session in exercise of powers conferred by Clause (1) of Article 54 of the Constitution, said a press release of National Assembly Secretariat here on Wednesday .
Lok Virsa to arrange auditions for new talent tomorrow
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):National Institute of Folk Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) on Thursday arranged audition for new talent under its Open Mic programme.
Executive Director Lok Virsa, Dr Fouzia Saeed on Wednesday said that the Pakistani people are very talented and Lok virsa wants to facilitate bringing out good singers.
“We want to reclaim our creative spaces and bringing back creative expression into our lives,” she said.
She said that all those who think they have the singing talent can contact us. “Every Thursday a committee will conduct audition at Lok Virsa and every Sunday there will be an open performance of those accepted in the auditions by Lok Virsa’s food court.
Parliamentarians welcome PM package for Baluchistan
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):The Parliament on Wednesday welcomed Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s announcement of the ten-year equalization package for the development of Baluchistan.
Talking to APP, Pukhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) MNA Abdul Qahar Khan Wadan said this package would help to uplift the backward areas of Balouchistan.
He said announced package for Balouchistan would bring the facilities at par with rest of the country in terms of provision of basic utilities and facilities.
The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) MNA Begum Parveen Bhatti said the government is working for the uplift of far flung areas and Balouchistan is the top priority of the government.
She said this package includes provision of gas, education and health facilities at every union council of province.
The PML-N MNA from Balouchistan Kiran Haider said provincial government had given a proposal for this package which was agreed upon by the federal government.
Replying to a question, she said the government as per commitment will continue funds for Balouchistan.
Pakistan’s Ambassador hopeful of rebound in Pakistan-US ties despite challenges
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (APP):Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry on Tuesday expressed the hope about rebound in ties between Pakistan and the United States and said that Islamabad was committed to work with the US to bring ties back on track.
He made these remarks while addressing the World Affairs Council, Connecticut at Mark Twain House, Hartford.
In his speech, the Ambassador touched the regional situation and Pakistan’s role in defeating the menace of terrorism to help restore peace and stability.
The Ambassador was hopeful that despite challenges to the bilateral relations, ties between Pakistan and the United States would rebound. He recalled that the two countries had been partners for seven decades with a broad-based relationship encompassing a wide range of areas of cooperation.
Both countries had defeated common enemies in Afghanistan in the 1980s and eliminated al-Qaeda in the last decade and a half, he said. The ambassador, however, said that peace in Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest.
Ambassador Chaudhry said that one million strong Pakistani American diaspora serves as a bridge between the two countries.
Pakistan remained committed to working together with the United States to bring ties back on track, the Ambassador said and added that the recent exchange of visits by senior officials and at the Foreign Minister and Secretary of State level were useful efforts to rebuild trust in this important bilateral relationship.
Ambassador Chaudhry outlined the regional and global challenges confronting the world today and called for a global response to overcome challenges such as terrorism, poverty and climate change.
He narrated Pakistan’s hard fought successes against militancy and extremism. A national consensus, he said, had enabled Pakistani security forces to enter the militant hideouts and secure a victory against them. These successes had come at a tremendous economic and human cost, he added.
The Ambassador highlighted Pakistan’s impressive economic revival, which was driven by improved security and stability. He said that the new energy projects were expected to come online next year and would help overcome energy shortfall.
He said that a predominantly youthful population in the years ahead could benefit Pakistan if opportunities from the economic growth platform of today were capitalized.
The event was attended by more than 200 people from Hartford and its adjoining areas. The Ambassador also met members of the Pakistani American community of the area.
2,500 new Pakistani students enrolled in Chinese universities this year
BEIJING, Nov 15 (APP):Around 2,500 new Pakistani students were enrolled in different Chinese universities this year, taking the total number of Pakistani students in China to 22,000, a senior official in Pakistan Embassy said on Wednesday.
With such a large number of students from Pakistan studying in the Chinese universities, China has now become the largest destination for Pakistani students seeking overseas studies, he told APP here.
Out of total Pakistani students, 3,000 are completing their PhD degrees while other are studying engineering, economic, management, agriculture, medicine, information technology, communication and language.
According to experts, these students, got admissions under scholarships, are representing Pakistani society in China and becoming a source of enhancing culture exchanges and people to people contacts between the two brotherly countries.
Chinese universities are rising quickly on the list of Asia’s best universities, with Peking University becoming the second best institution in Asia.
In total, 45 Chinese mainland universities have made it to Asia’s top 300, while six are from Hong Kong and 25 from Taiwan.
“As the Chinese universities strictly follow rules and regulations, it would benefit our students,” they added.
A student studying in Beijing Language and Culture University informed that she hopes to get employment in projects being completed under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative after finishing her degree.
According to statistics released by the Chinese Ministry of Education, more than 200,000 students from 64 countries along the Belt and Road Initiative were studying in China last year.
The number of students studying in China from countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road has increased greatly under a series of preferential policies, education officials said.
Such a growth rate exceeds that of China’s international students as a whole, said Xu Tao, director of the ministry’s department of international cooperation and exchange, as more than 440,000 students from 205 countries and regions were studying in China last year.
“A series of preferential policies drafted by the Chinese government for students from these countries have contributed to the remarkable rise in their numbers, including offering 10,000 places each year for students from countries along the Belt and Road Initiative to study in China under the support of the Chinese Government Scholarship,” Xu said.
Fang Jun, deputy director of Xu’s department, said the ministry signed agreements with eight Chinese provinces and regions adjacent to or having close connections with countries along the Initiative last year, such as the provinces of Fujian and Yunnan, and the Guangxi Zhuang and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions, supporting them to deepen education cooperation.
Saad for work jointly to strengthen democracy
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP):Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Wednesday asked all the stakeholders to work jointly to strengthen democracy in the country.
Talking to media outside the accountability court,Saad Rafique negative attitude of the opposition parties is damaging the democracy in the country.
“Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will succeed in every case against him” he hoped.
The Minister said, no evidence against Nawaz
Sharif was found and he was disqualified only due to
having a Iqama, he mentioned.
He asked the opposition parities to admire the
development work done by the government instead of hatching conspiracy against ruling party.
He said the government will continue to work for
the people regardless of the hurdles put in their path
and its the right of every government to complete its
constitutional tenure.
Khawaja said Imran Khan is busy in pressurizing national institutions to achieve his goals.
Opposition are doing the politics of lies and baseless allegations, he added.
He expressed the confidence that the people will vote for PML (N) in the next general elections in 2018.
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has issue of personality clash with the former Prime Minister.
The former Prime Minister was fighting a case for the supremacy of law and constitution, he said, adding he presented himself and his family for
accountability to uphold the sanctity of the law & the constitution.
Kh Asif conferred Honorary Doctorate by Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations
ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP):Switzerland’s prestigious institute of peace and security studies, the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations (GSD) has conferred the degree of Honorary Doctorate to Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan on Tuesday.
Awarding the Honorary Doctorate, President of the GSD , Colum Murphy paid tributes to meritorious services of Foreign Minister Asif, as an elected parliamentarian for over two decades and as Member of the Federal Cabinets of Pakistan, holding important portfolios of Defence, Privatization, Energy, Water and Power and Foreign Affairs at various points of his illustrious career, foreign office said.
Besides the students and the faculty of the GSD, Ambassadors of Bhutan, Malaysia, Qatar, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka, Syria Vietnam, as well as senior diplomats from a number of other countries also attended the event.
This honour has been accorded previously to leading international figures that includes among others, former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, President of Switzerland, Adolf Ogi, the President and Foreign Minister of Bosnia, Haris Sladjik, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China Yang Jiechi and President of Timor Leste, Jose Ramon Horta.
In his address at the GSD on Pakistan’s Foreign Policy, Foreign Minister Asif noted that the present government in Pakistan had successfully steered the country on path of economic development by controlling the menace of terrorism and extremism, thereby creating climate for investment and business, and by enhancing regional connectivity through trans-boundary energy and infrastructure projects.
He outlined the challenges and the opportunities in Pakistan’s endeavour to create a peaceful neighbourhood, and in this context, highlighted the imperative of settling long standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
Earlier today, the Foreign Minister also visited Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and witnessed the signing of an agreement between GCSP and Pakistan’s National Defence University (NDU). On behalf of the NDU, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Farukh Amil signed the agreement, which would provide for the enhancement of cooperative relationship between the two institutions.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif returned to Pakistan Tuesday
after completing his two-day visit to Geneva, as Head of Pakistani delegation to present Pakistan’s report of the 3rd Cycle of Universal Periodic Review (UPR), at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Admiral Sir Philip Jones visits Naval Headquarters
ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP):First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Royal Navy UK, Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB ADC, who is on an official visit to Pakistan visited Naval Headquarters on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued here by Pakistan Navy, Admiral Sir Philip is in Pakistan on the invitation of Chief of
the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi.
Upon arrival at Naval Headquarters, he was received by Chief of the Naval
Staff. A smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Navy clad in ceremonial
dress presented him Guard of Honour. The visiting dignitary was then introduced
to Principal Staff Officers.
Later, Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB ADC, called on Chief of the Naval Staff in his office, where he held
discussion on professional matters. Various avenues of cooperation between the
two navies were also discussed in detail. A comprehensive brief on Pakistan
Navy’s role in Regional Maritime Security situation and Operational Developments
in the Indian Ocean was also given to him.
First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff
Royal Navy UK also laid wreath at Shuhada Monument.
In the second leg of his visit, Admiral Sir Philip Jones is scheduled
to meet Naval Field Commands at Lahore and Karachi.
He will also deliver a lecture at Pakistan
Navy War College Lahore.
This visit is expected to greatly augment the bilateral cooperation between both the Navies.