ISLAMABAD, May 21 (APP): Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Saturday said the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China would be further enhanced to serve their fundamental interests and ensure peace as well as prosperity in the region.

“At a time when the international and regional environment is undergoing profound changes, it is our firm resolve to further cement and forge this all weather strategic partnership, which serves the fundamental interests of both the countries and contributes to the peace and prosperity of our people,” the minister said.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day festival which kicked off here with a series of events organised by the Government of Pakistan to celebrate 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Peoples Republic of China.

ISLAMABAD, May 21 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has congratulated and conveyed his best wishes to President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, on the auspicious occasion of 65th anniversary of establishment of Pak-China diplomatic ties.

The Prime Minister, in his separate messages, said Pakistan was the first Muslim state to recognize China.

Over the past 65 years, relations between Pakistan and China had grown from strength to strength, evolving and expanding into an all-weather cooperative strategic partnership, he noted.

ISLAMABAD, May 21 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain has conveyed to the Chinese leadership, the deepest felicitations of the government and people of Pakistan on 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between two friendly and brotherly countries.

President Mamnoon, in his message to President People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, said in the past 65 years, Pakistan had strengthened friendship, deepened mutual trust and expanded cooperation with China.

“Our relationship has been elevated to a robust all-weather cooperative strategic partnership and has grown to encompass many areas of cooperation, including economy, trade, science and technology, people-to-people contacts, culture and education,” he was quoted as saying in a press release issued by the Foreign Office on Saturday.

LAHORE, May 21 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday visited the DHA residence of former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and felicitated him on the safe return of his son, Ali Haider Gilani.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife Kulsoom Nawaz Sharif and elder son Hussain Nawaz. Nawaz Sharif and his family members were received warmly by Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.

The Prime Minister greeted Yousaf Raza Gilani and his family on the safe recovery of Ali Haider Gilani. He also presented a bouquet to Ali Haider Gilani. Fauzia Gilani, wife of Yousaf Raza Gilani, was also present.

KARACHI, May 20 (APP): The Parliament is heading in the right direction with regard to the matter pertaining to the Panama Papers.

This was stated by Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), MNA Marvi Memon.

This she stated while talking to media at a seminar on ‘Debate for Great Minds’ here on Saturday. She also addressed the gathering.A former federal minister, Prof. Dr. Atta ur Rehman, and a scholar Dr. Human Baqai also spoke.

LAHORE, May 21 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Prof Ahsan Iqbal said on Saturday that parliamentary committee had been constituted to determine the TORs for Commission on the Panama papers.

Talking to the media after inaugurating Jamia Mosque Arqam Zamir and Dar-us-Salam Educational Complex here at Doctors’ Colony, he added that after the formation of parliamentary committee, there should not be holding of self-styled courts in the television talk shows and political public meetings.

To a question, he said TORs should be determined in a manner that everyone had to be made accountable in this regard.