ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP):The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested the government to introduce a law about corruption in sports in order to stop the players from doing any kind of fixing in the game.
Talking to APP, a PCB official said PCB lays emphasis on removing corruption from cricket. “In this regard PCB has already introduced a strict anti-corruption code and it has a permanent vigilance department in PCB to counter the menace of corruption,” he said.
He said the board believes that corruption in cricket and other sports can largely be prevented if a law is passed making corruption in sports a crime. “In this regard PCB has already requested the government to take action in this matter,” he said.
He said cricketers are banned for some time and then are allowed to play, but if such a law is introduced then they would be fearful about committing any kind of wrongdoings.
The official further said the PCB also suggested that instead of taxing PCB’s income, the government should ask PCB to spend the same amount on development and promotion of cricket in the country. “This will ensure that various stadiums are maintained and brought to international standards on a regular basis,” he said.
He said government should also make cricket mandatory in educational boards to organize cricket events on nationwide basis. “The PCB will play its role in facilitating such events,” he said and added secure and secluded grounds must also be provided for women cricketers for the promotion of women cricket.
PCB wants govt to introduce a corruption law in sports
Chinese companies carrying out 20 railway projects overseas
BEIJING, Nov 23 (APP):Chinese companies are carrying out more than 20 railway projects overseas including Pakistan, with a total investment of 100 billion yuan ($15 billion), China’s railway authorities said.
Zhu Zhexun, chief engineer of China Railway International Group, said construction is underway on projects including the China-Laos railway, a railway linking the Indonesian capital Jakarta with Bandung, a link between Serbia and Hungary, and a metro train in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.
Preliminary work is being done on high-speed rail links between Malaysia and Singapore, and between Moscow and Kazan in Russia, he said.
“Chinese companies have a strong competitive edge in technology, trains, control system, management and safety,” he said.
The China Railway Rolling Stock Corp has 75 branches and 13 research and development centers in 26 countries and regions. Its overseas contracts in 2016 were worth US$ 8 billion, Zhu said.
Commander Lahore corps emphasizes continuous enhancement of operational preparedness
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP):Commander Lahore Corps Lieutenant General Aamer Riaz on Thursday emphasized on continuous enhancement of operational preparedness to meet present day challenges. According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Commander Lahore Corps visited Field Firing Ranges Tilla near Jhelum and witnessed troops’ field exercise. The exercise is part of the Winter Collective Training programme held annually in a ragged terrain and in simulated war zone scenario.
He commended the standard of training of troops and lauded their precision and accuracy in engaging the targets.
CPEC to improve socio-economic condition of entire region: Taban
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP):Minister for Gilgit-Baltistan Muhammad Akbar Taban on Thursday said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will improve socio-economic condition of people of Gilgit Baltistan and entire region.
Talking to Radio Pakistan minister said , CPEC will surely bring development, prosperity, business opportunities as far as the people of the region are concerned.
“CPEC belongs to entire Pakistan and not to any specific part of the country and all of its units are satisfied with current progress of the mega project and their share in CPEC projects”.
He said CPEC is helping to connect far flung areas of the country due to heavy investment in infrastructure sector.
This project on its completion would not only further strengthen friendly relations between the two countries, but would also promote peace and tranquility in the region.
Akbar Taban stated in the next four or five years, Pakistan’s socio-economic sectors would improve manifold and our development graph would be very high.
KP acquires land at Rashakai for setting up industrial zone under CPEC
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP):The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has acquired ten thousand kanal land at Rashakai near Mardan for establishment of industrial zone under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
A spokesman of provincial government talking to Radio Pakistan said that initially fifteen industrial units of food processing, textile and marble will be setup in the zone.
A chinese delegation recently visited the site of the zone and expressed satisfaction over it.
The spokesman said two hundred and fifty youth will be sent to China for technical training.
They will be provided jobs in the industrial zone after completion of the training.
UN chief urges global action to end violence against women
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 23 (APP):Achieving gender equality and the full empowerment of women is the answer to ending violence against women, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday, calling for collective global action on this cause.
“Violence against women is fundamentally about power,” Guterres said in his remarks alongside UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, at a special event held at UN Headquarters in New York to commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is annually observed on Nov. 25.
“It will only end when gender equality and the full empowerment of women will be a reality,” he stressed, adding that his policy on gender parity in the United Nations is one step towards achieving this goal.
The secretary-general noted that every woman and every girl have the right to a life free of violence, but this right is violated in a variety of ways in every community, with more than one in three women worldwide face violence throughout their lifetime.
This violence, the most visible sign of pervasive patriarchy and chauvinism, directly impacts women’s physical and psychological health. It affects whole families, communities and societies. While it continues, States will not achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a master plan to end poverty and save the planet, adopted by them in 2015.
“There is increasing recognition that violence against women is a major barrier to the fulfilment of human rights, and a direct challenge to women’s inclusion and participation in sustainable development and sustaining peace,” Guterres said.
The United Nations is committed to addressing violence against women in all its forms, he stressed, citing such initiatives as the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, which has successfully awarded $129 million to 463 initiatives across 139 countries and territories over the past 20 years.
These also include the Spotlight Initiative recently launched by the UN and the European Union, as well as the UN Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Initiative, which seeks to help end sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence in public spaces.
The secretary-general is also addressing the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse inhouse by launching a new, victim-centred approach to the offenses committed by those serving under the UN.
While noting that these initiatives should help deliver transformative change, he said much more remains to be done.
“It is time for united action from all of us, so that women and girls around the world can live free from all forms of violence,” he said.
Da’esh “down but not out” in Iraq: UN envoy
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 23 (APP):The military victory against Da’esh/ISIL is only one component of a complex battle that addresses the root causes of extremist ideology, the United Nations envoy for Iraq has said.
“Da’esh remains able and determined to continue devastating random attacks against the Iraqi civilian population, against civilians globally,” Jan Kubis, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), told the Security Council on Wednesday.
“Da’esh is down but not yet out even in Iraq,” he stressed, adding that “only by defeating its loathsome” takfiria” ideology, choking off its external support, and addressing the causes that prompted so many Iraqis to join or tolerate Da’esh can this terrorist organization finally be eliminated.”
He noted that on Nov. 17, the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) fully recaptured Rawa, the last remaining densely settled area under Da’esh control in Iraq. Since summer 2014, Da’esh has lost 95 per cent of the territory it once controlled in Iraq and Syria and more than 7.5 million people have been liberated from its grasp.
“But this victory has come at a very high cost,” said Mr. Kubis, noting that thousands of fighters and civilians were killed or wounded, hundreds of thousands of children brainwashed, entire cities in ruins, and some six million people have been displaced.
Further, Da’esh has exterminated or enslaved thousands of Muslims, as well as minority communities, particularly women and girls, in action amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, perhaps even genocide.
Kubis encouraged the global coalition against Da’esh to continue both military and non military efforts to help Iraq ensure the lasting and sustainable defeat of Da’esh.
He said that inside Iraq, priority must be accorded to facilitating the voluntary return of internally displaced persons, stabilization, reconstruction and rehabilitation. It would also be crucial to reform the security sector and to enforce law and order against armed groups outside State control, including criminal gangs, militias and tribal elements.
He went on to state that among the prominent current concerns are the tensions between the Central Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government in the wake of a decision by the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to hold a unilaterally-declared independence referendum. The central authorities have rejected the referendum as unconstitutional and have taken steps to re assert federal authority over Iraq’s external border crossings, including the international airports in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
On Nov 6, he reported, the Federal Supreme Court issued an opinion stating that the constitution does not provide for authorizing the secession of any component of Iraq’s federal system, and that the referendum was illegal.
All outstanding issues between the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government must be resolved through sustainable solutions based on the constitution, he emphasized, noting that UNAMI has also called for immediate negotiations with Government representatives on such issues as the budget, salaries and oil exports.
Turning to elections, he said the new Board of Commissioners for the Independent High Electoral Commission has a herculean task ahead, including holding two simultaneous elections, a tight timeline and security concerns.
He called upon the Council of Representatives to pass legislation to ensure that elections are held on 15 May 2018, adding that a United Nations electoral needs assessment mission has been deployed to help in identifying priority areas for support. UNAMI has also completed a draft law on the Establishing of National Specialized Court on Most Serious Crimes, to be discussed with relevant authorities.
Turning to the question of missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property, including that country’s national archives, he said Iraq and Kuwait served as models of good neighbourly relations in a region fraught with instability. Iraq’s Government has made impressive efforts to identify grave sites, but efforts to identify missing Kuwaiti property has met with limited success.
Although there has been no progress in locating the national archives, the Government of Iraq has identified more than 6,000 Kuwaiti books. The United Nations and the international community will continue to pursue the matter and to support Iraq on that question until that chapter could be closed, he said.
The US sugar industry is accused of closing a study in the 1960s that linked sugar consumption to heart diseases
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23(APP):The US sugar industry is accused of closing a study in the 1960s that linked sugar consumption to heart diseases, media reports said on Wednesday citing uncovered historical documents.
According to the report in the New York Times, a recent investigation conducted by the University of California and published in the journal PLOS Biology, indicated that the Sugar Industry chose to close the study whose findings suggested links between sugar consumption to cardiovascular and cancer disease.
The study was conducted in 1960s and funded by the powerful sugar industry to look into effects of the sugar consumption. However, when found that the sugar consumption was harmful, the industry instead pointed finger at fats, the report said.
The investigation conducted by the University of California quoting the newly uncovered historical documents revealed that the industry allegedly misled the industry to protect its economic interest.
The researchers from the California University after conducting the uncovered documents said that in 1968 the Sugar Research Foundation, which has ties to the Sugar Industry, funded animal research to explore the link between sugar consumption and cardiovascular disease.
Under the study, rats were fed with high-sugar diet and were found to have increased levels of triglyceride, a fatty substance in the bloodstream that increase the risk of heart attack in humans. The study also found a connection between sugar consumption and an enzyme associated with bladder cancer.
Unhappy with the findings, the Sugar industry chose to end the study and did not publish its result to protect it economic interest, the report said quoting the Californian researchers.
While the documents are several decades old, they are still significant in the sense that it showed how the sugar industry hid facts that showed the effects of sugar consumption on health, one of the investigators, Santon Glantz, told the NYT.
The Sugar Association, reacting to the report, said that it was “not a study but a perspective” and speculations that happened five decades ago.
Chair establish at Chicago institute to honour memory of Pakistani-American educationist
CHICAGO, Nov 23 (APP):The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, has launched an endowed chair established to honour the legacy of late Professor Zia Hassan, a Pakistani-American educationist who served at the Institute’s Stuart School of Business for 54 years.
It is the first time that an endowed chair has been set up in the name of a Pakistani-American professor, who devoted his entire career to Illinois Institute of Technology, starting in the late 50s when he came from Pakistan to pursue his M.S. (Industrial Engineering) degree followed by Ph.D. Rising through the ranks, he was appointed the Dean of IIT Stuart School of Business and he supervised the launch of it’s innovative M.S. degree programmes in financial markets and trading, environmental management and marketing communication. He also served as Director of
Stuart’s Ph. D. programme.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Pakistan’s Consul General in Chicago, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, said that Professor Hassan’s story reflects how an extraordinary leader in education can make an impact on the university student community and beyond. Tirmizi also appreciated Professor Hassan’s service to the Muslim community of greater Chicago.
IIT President Alan Cramb said that Professor Hassan’s dedication and selfless devotion to his work went a long way in making the institute stand among the finest in the United States.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of faculty and students who paid tributes to Professor Hassan’s role in mentoring the students of IIT. They also appreciated the establishment of Professor Zia Hassan chair, saying it would attract the finest talent.
Nawaz struggling for sanctity of vote, supremacy of democracy: Maryam Nawaz
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that her father was struggling for sanctity of vote and supremacy of democracy and the conspirators should bow before the public as it was in the larger national interest.
She said that the rejection of Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2017 from the National Assembly was victory of the parliament and democracy.
“Yesterday was a historic day for democracy as treasury benches were satisfied and opposition was worried in the National Assembly. Parliament had thrown out the black law of the dictator Pervez Musharaf in dustbin,” she said talking to a private news channel.
She said that the rejection of bill was the happiest day for democratic forces and it reflected that democracy had not weakened in the country.
She said 70 members of PML-N were present in the National Assembly on Tuesday and Minister for Interior did not attend the session because he was busy in a meeting.
She said despite getting millions of votes, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was disqualified on just an ‘Iqama’. She said injustice that happened in the country should be reported.
The PML-N leader said some undemocratic elements had made fun of heavy public mandate as the case was started from Panama Papers but the decision came out on an Iqama.
She said that despite sacrifices, exile and punishments, Nawaz Sharif was even stronger than before and became an ideology, which was spreading from home-to-home. She said that the intact vote bank and parliamentary power were making Nawaz Sharif more strong and stable.
Maryam said that opposition was trying to hide itself behind the national institutions as it was unable to face Nawaz Sharif on political and electoral grounds.
Replying to a question, she said that despite different allegations and registering different fake cases against Nawaz Sharif, the opposition was unable to face the PML-N chief.
The PML-N was a democratic party having people from all thoughts of life.
To another question, she said that Shehbaz Sharif was loyal brother of Nawaz Sharif and struggled a lot for the party.
She said that after disqualification of Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif was the first choice of PML-N chief for premiership, but Shehbaz himself refused to take the charge of the premiership to ensure timely completion of mega developmental projects initiated by him in Punjab.
NAB determined to eliminate corruption: Chairman NAB
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is determined to continue its endeavors to eliminate corruption from the society by pursuing zero tolerance policy against the corrupt, Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice Javed Iqbal said Wednesday.
Addressing a farewell ceremony in honour of Prosecutor General Accountability, NAB Waqas Qadeer Dar, he said NAB would adhere to file references in courts within 10 months period from receiving complaints to filing cases in the courts. He said he himself will be vigilant on progress of references in various courts, said a press release.
The current 76 percent conviction ratio of NAB references would be
improved by ensuring transparency, merit, presenting sufficient
evidence and flawless investigations to end white collar crimes. With
effective efforts corrupt would be sentenced in various courts
including high court, supreme court and accountability courts.
He said the cases of private housing societies, cooperative societies
were still in various courts for years. Government servants,
pensioners have been deprived of their life earnings despite receiving
money. Masses are deeply perturbed due to this fraud with them.
He directed NAB to conclude their cases as early as possible.
He directed officers to perform their duties in accordance with law.
He said the elimination of corruption is voice of the nation
who nation pinned hopes with NAB. Officers should perform their duties
with honesty, in accordance with law and without caring for any one.
NAB officers should present concrete evidence in courts, arguments in
relevant courts. So that the corrupt could be punished.
Chairman lauded the professional capabilities of Waqas Qadeer Dar.
Deputy Chairman NAB Imtiaz Tajwar was also present.
UN calls Mladic’s conviction over slaughtering Bosnian Muslims as victory for justice
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 22 (APP): Welcoming today conviction of ex-Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic on multiple counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes by an international tribunal for former Yugoslavia, the United Nations top human right official said that the verdict is a warning to perpetrators of such crimes that they will be brought to justice.
Mladic, 75, was found guilty of commanding forces responsible for crimes including the worst atrocities of the war the deadly three-year siege of the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, and the 1995 massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in the eastern enclave of Srebrenica, which was Europeworst mass killing since World War II.
A three-judge panel at the court formally known as the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia convicted Mladic of 10 of 11 counts in a dramatic climax to a groundbreaking effort to seek justice for atrocities during Bosnia1992-1995 war.
Mladic is the epitome of evil, and the prosecution of Mladic is the epitome of what international justice is all about, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement Wednesday.
Today verdict is a warning to the perpetrators of such crimes that they will not escape justice, no matter how powerful they may be nor how long it may take. They will be held accountable, he added.
In the statement, High Commissioner Zeid also noted that Mladicconviction, by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), is a testament to the courage and determination of those victims and witnesses who never gave up hope that they would see him brought to justice.
Also in the statement, Zeid said that the ICTY verdict reinforced the importance of the International Criminal Court.He also expressed hope that while the conviction will not return loved ones to their families or erase the past, the verdict can help counter the voices of those who either deny these horrific crimes or glorify those who committed them.
All those who question the importance of the ICC should reflect on this case. All those who are committing serious international crimes in so many situations today across the world should fear this result, he said. Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic – two of the main architects of some of the worst atrocities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the genocide of Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica – have now been convicted by the Tribunal and are facing lengthy jail sentences.
Also today, in a separate statement, Serge Brammertz, the Prosecutor at the ICTY, said that in delivering its judgement, the Tribunal accepted the evidence presented that Mladic was a key participant in four joint criminal enterprises.
Mladic and other senior leaders intended to achieve their political and military aims by committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, said the Prosecutor.
The convictions against the former Bosnian Serb army commander included for commanding violent ethnic cleansing campaigns across Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995; for commanding a campaign of crimes during the Siege of Sarajevo; for the genocide in Srebrenica in 1995; and for using forces under his command to take UN peacekeepers as hostages.
In his statement, Brammertz underscored that while some people would claim that this judgment is a verdict against the Serbian people.
[We] reject that claim in the strongest terms. Mladicguilt is his, and his alone he will be remembered by history for the many communities and lives he destroyed he said.
“The true heroes are the victims and survivors who never gave up on their quest for justice [and] displayed real courage by coming to the Tribunal to tell the truth and confront the men who wronged them,highlighted the prosecutor.
Nawaz Sharif appearing before court in false cases to fulfill his pledge with people: Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):Federal Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb talking to the media outside the Accountability Court here Wednesday said that the former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had made a pledge with the nation to uphold the sanctity of law and the constitution and it was for fulfilling the same pledge that he was appearing before the court in the false corruption cases for which they had neither been able to formulate a reference nor had found any corroborative evidence.
She said that Nawaz Sharif was doing it for the rule of law in the country so that the real robbers, thieves and liars who had attacked the parliament in the broad daylight could also learn to uphold the law emulating his example.
Responding to a question as to why Nawaz Sharif was appearing before the court in spite of the exemption, the minister said that today it was being asked as to why he was appearing in the court and there were also days when it was being said that he had run away from the country and would never return to face the cases. The minister observed that some unknown people were spreading all kinds of of rumours about PML (N) under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif in the parliament yesterday (Tuesday) and today they had also found their answers.
Later talking to a private TV channel she said that those supporting the black law were themselves in a fix as to whether they were opposing it or endorsing it. The minister said that no allegation of corruption had been established against Nawaz Sharif and he had been disqualified only on the basis of ‘Iqama’.
Marriyum said that right now Imran Khan was the biggest culprit facing myriad of allegations including foreign funding case in the SC and ECP as well as a case in the anti-terrorist court. She said that Imran Khan was the person who attacked the parliament in the broad daylight and was still answering about it in the court.
Referring to the Electoral Reforms Bill, the minister observed that it was presented in the Electoral Reforms committee in 2014 which comprised representatives of all political parties including PTI, long before Panama case surfaced. The minister pointed out that one could call it a person specific bill had the PML (N) brought it after the Panama case adding that this bill had the support of all the political parties.
She said that it was thoroughly discussed in the sub-committee and it became a law after passage by the National Assembly and the Senate. She said that suddenly for unknown reasons a resolution was passed in the senate and it was presented in the National Assembly as a private members bill on Tuesday which was rejected by a clear majority.
The minister said “It is a reality and a matter of record that when you raise one finger at others you should not forget that three fingers are also pointed towards you” Marriyum said that the media in Pakistan was quite independent today which was keeping record of everything. She said it was a matter of record that when this bill was presented in the sub-committee in 2014 the representatives of all the political parties including PTI were present there. The law minister had already told them about it, she added. The minister said that it was a matter of great rejoicing that the parliament had rejected the black law of the dictatorial era.
She said that from now onward the political parties themselves would decide about their leaders. The minister said that Imran Khan who had been raising slogans outside the SC was now answering cases in the apex court, ECP and anti-terrorist court. She said that there was a need to avoid such actions that weakened democracy.
Marriyum said that political parties had a role in democracy and until and unless the parliament did not promulgate laws that reinforced the political parties in consonance with law and the constitution, democracy would remain tottering and vulnerable. She said that when they would be strengthened through legislation it would also reinforce democracy and make the parliament strong.
Tai Chi classes in full swing at China Cultural Center
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):A week-long ‘Tai Chi’ Chinese Martial Art training classes are in full swing here at China Cultural Center.
Chinese Cultural Counselor Mr. Yu Yi also attending the week-long classes. Winner of Silver medals and renowned Chinese Tai Chi Master Mr Kevin is conducting the classes. More than 40 people from different walks of life attending the classes.
Tai Chi is an internal Chinese martial art, practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. The term Taiji refers to a philosophy of the forces of yin and yang, related to the moves. Though originally conceived as a martial
art, it is also typically practiced for a variety of other personal reasons: competitive wrestling in the format of pushing hands, demonstration competitions.
As a result, a multitude of training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims with
differing emphasis. Some training forms of tàijíquán are especially known for being practiced with relatively slow movements.
Today, tai chi has spread worldwide. Most modern styles of tàijíquán trace their development to at least one of the
five traditional schools: Chen, Yang, Hao, Wu and Sun. All of the former, in turn, trace their historical origins to
Chen Village.
In the last twenty years or so, tàijíquán classes that purely emphasize health have become popular in hospitals,
clinics, as well as community and senior centers.
An official of Chinese Cultural Center told APP that instructor would train the participants in the Tai Chi
training class. She said that the event would be attended by students various educational institutions.
Week-long training “Ink Wash-Painting” starts at China Cultural Center
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):The opening ceremony of a week-long specialized training “The Game of Ink Wash-Painting” for children was held here at China Cultural Center on Wednesday.
Embassy of China Cultural Counselor Mr. Yu Yi was the chief guest on the occasion. Deputy Director China Cultural Center Ms Li Shuo, Chinese artists and a large number people particularly students of different schools attended the opening ceremony of week-long training.
The traditional Chinese ink wash-painting is the quintessence of China, with thousands of years of history.
The training aimed to carry forward and promote this unique Chinese painting in students. The Chinese artist Zhu Yong will train the participating students about painting process; experience the taste of ink and magic ink and experience the good feeling ink painting to stimulate children desire to paint.
Addressing the ceremony, China Embassy Cultural Counselor said that this unique training program would give an opportunity to the students to learn ink wash-painting. He said that China Embassy organized number of cultural events to further strengthen cultural ties between Pakistan and China. He said that China Embassy is also planning to arrange more cultural exchange programs in upcoming New Year celebrations.
Ink wash painting uses tonality and shading achieved by varying the ink density, both by differential grinding of the ink stick in water and by varying the ink load and pressure within a single brushstroke.
Ink wash painting artists spend years practicing basic brush strokes to refine their brush movement and ink flow. In the hand of a master, a single stroke can produce astonishing variations in tonality, from deep black to silvery gray. Thus, in its original context, shading means more than just dark-light arrangement: It is the basis for the beautiful nuance in tonality found in East Asian ink wash painting and brush-and-ink calligraphy.
OIC Conference to promote peace in Islamic world
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz hoped that First Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States Conference on Mediation will contribute to the efforts to carry the mediation agenda forward in the OIC geography and to promote sustainable peace in the Islamic world.
He expressed these view, while addressing the First OIC Member State Conference on Mediation held at Turkey, said a press release received here on Wednesday.
“Turkey assumed the summit chairmanship of the OIC in April 2016. Since then, Turkey’s Chairmanship has been guided by one understanding: Our common problems can only be overcome through our commonly developed solutions, he added.
While giving reference of the SESRIC[1] Report of February 2017, titled “Humanitarian Crises in OIC Countries” he said that “In 2015, 30 of 50 conflicts recorded worldwide occurred in OIC countries, as a direct outcome, today OIC countries account for 61.5% of all displaced population in the world. Moreover, 71% of people who globally require humanitarian assistance reside in OIC countries”.
As President Erdogan said in the 13th Islamic Summit in Istanbul, in order to achieve peace he said “We need to be unitive, not divisive. We need to enhance alliances, not conflicts; enhance friendships, not animosities.
He said “OIC is the largest international organization after the UN in geographical outreach and population. It is and should be the voice of more than 1.6 billion people from 57 countries, in 4 continents, adding OIC has a huge potential and a genuine comparative advantage in the global search for peace and stability.
For this potential to come true, we need more sound initiatives in the context of global peacemaking agenda. Mediation is the right tool to do this. It is a cost-effective instrument with extensive benefits, Deputy Minister said.
He said accordingly, OIC has been taking significant steps for more effective and wider use of mediation in our geography, Islamic world. Turkey strongly supports the work of the OIC to this end. We need to make better use of the OIC for the sake of sustainable peace and stability in our own geography.
We also need to sustain peace. This requires addressing the structural causes of conflicts and further investment in economic, political and social resilience and infrastructures.
Yet, only 11 OIC member states (including Turkey) are members of this Group. I call on other OIC members, as well, to join the UN Group of Friends of Mediation. This is the first step the OIC members can make in promoting mediation around the world.
Secondly, as a reflection of the importance attached to mediation, Turkey also hosts the annual events of the Istanbul Conferences on Mediation. These flagship events present a significant venue for intellectual exchange among leading practitioners and scholars in the field of mediation, he said
Govt making reforms to streamline system: Talal
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Wednesday said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government was making reforms for betterment and to streamline the system.
“We had always talked about streamlining the system and did not adopt any confrontation politics in the country,” he said talking to a private news channel.
He said all political parties should collectively work to achieve prosperity and progress in the country.
Replying to a question, he said former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was most popular leader in the country and was disqualified on “Iqama” but not on corruption charges. No allegation of corruption was proved against Nawaz Sharif in Panama Papers, he added.
Talal Chaudhry said Nawaz Sharif was holding big gatherings to present his case before the public.
He said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was not a democratic political party, who had created agitation and chaos through protest demonstrations and sit-ins in the country.
Chief of Army Staff attends Janaza of Shaheed Maj Ishaq
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Dera Ismail Khan on Wednesday to attend Janaza of Shaheed Major Ishaq.
He paid rich tribute to Shaheed and his family for their supreme sacrifice, said a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Later, COAS visited Corps of Military Police Training Centre and installed Lieutenant General Anwar Ali Hyder, Adjutant General of Pakistan Army as Colonel Commandant of Corps of Military Police.
COAS also visited Headquarters Frontier Corps KPK (South) and Defence Services Guard (DSG) Centre. COAS was briefed about operational preparedness of the FC, progress of ongoing operations, FC capacity building and training/ administration of DSG.
3rd Pakistan-EU Dialogue on Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):The 3rd Round of Pakistan-EU Dialogue on Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was held here on Wednesday.
According to statement of FO, the Pakistan side was led by Ambassador Tasnim Aslam and Special Secretary (UN&EC). Ambassador Jacek Bylica, Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation at the European External Action Service, led the EU side.
The entire range of issues related to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation as well as matters pertaining to the regional and global security situation came under discussion.
The Dialogue is part of the Pakistan-EU Engagement Plan and provides both sides with a useful platform for exchange of views and perspectives in this important area.
CM files application of early decision of suit against Imran Khan
LAHORE, Nov 22 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday filed an application before a
sessions court for early decision of his pending defamation suit against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
In his application filed through Advocate Mustafa Ramday, the chief minister submitted that he had filed a defamation suit under Sections 4 and 9 of Defamation Ordinance 2002 against Imran Khan over bribe allegations and it was pending since July 7, 2017.
He submitted that under the ordinance, it was mandatory to decide a case within 90 days but the instant case was pending despite passage of more than four months due to delaying tactics of the defendant. He maintained that
no substantial proceedings took place due to non-filing of written statement by the defendant.
He pleaded with the court to direct the defendant to file written statement with necessary warning. He also pleaded to hold trial of suit on day-to-day basis for early decision of it.
It was pertinent to mention here that the suit was pending before Additional District and Sessions Judge Abdul
Ghaffar, wherein the applicant (Shehbaz Sharif) had submitted that PTI chief Imran Khan alleged in a TV programme on April 26 that the Rs 10 billion bribe offer was made to him by Shehbaz Sharif for silence over the Panama papers case. He said that allegations levelled against him were not only false but also defamatory.
He said that Imran Khan also failed to tender a publicly broadcast apology despite the fact that he was served
a legal notice in May for the purpose. He said that Imran Khan should pay Rs 10 billion in damages for attempting to
discredit him.