Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Terrorists pose no threat to nuclear infrastructure; Gilani

BEIJING, Feb 9 (APP): China is becoming the 4th biggest trade partner of Pakistan, said here a senior Chinese official from Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM).Addressing the Pakistan-China Trade Promotion Seminar at Pakistan Embassy, Ouyang Cheng of Department of International Trade and Economic Affairs of Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said both sides enhanced exports after the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

LONDON, Feb 09 (APP)- The UK Border Agency has communicated to Lord Nazir Ahmed, a member of the British Upper House, that it accepts Nikah Khawani certificates from Azad Kashmir as a proof of valid marriage.“I am able to inform you that following legal advice, Nikah Khawani certificates from AJK are now accepted as proof of a valid marriage by our UK Visa Section which processes settlement applications from Pakistan. Nikah Khawanis from any other region of Pakistan are not accepted and a Nikah Nama is still required in such cases,”

LONDON, Feb 9 (APP)- Boxing sensation Amir Khan, former Sri Lankan cricket captain Arjuna Ranatungalong with ten other budding sports stars were declared winners at the biggest ever Asian sports awards in the UK.A glittering ceremony was held at a Central London hotel last evening where the winners of the prestigious Change4Life British Asian Sports awards were presented with their trophies.

(From Ehsan Qureshi)
DHAKA, Feb. 09 (APP): The 11th edition of South Asian Games ended here on Tuesday evening amid fanfare, cultural show and dazzling firework which brightened the whole of Bangladesh capital.A crowd of around 20,000 was sent into ecstasy with brilliant display of laser-beam show and colorful firework which brought the curtains down in the 12-day regional sporting gala dominated by the Indian athletes.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 9 (APP): Pakistan’s Naseem Hameed became the first Pakistani women in the 26-year history of regional games when on Monday she clinched a gold medal in the 100-metre sprint in 11th South Asian Games being held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.The 22-year old athlete produced her career best feat at Bangabandhu National Stadium and led the eight runners.

ISLAMABAD, Oct 21 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said terrorists pose no threat to Pakistan nuclear infrastructure and it was totally safe and secure. Chairing the meeting of the federal cabinet here at the PM Secretariat, the prime minister allayed the apprehensions that the terrorist can target country’s nuclear sites. “The Prime Minister assured the nation and the international community that Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure is totally safe and secure and these terrorists pose no threat to its safety,” a statement from the PM House said.

The Prime Minster said the recent terrorist attacks in Peshawar, Kohat, General Head Quarters, Police Training Centers in Manawan and Bedian, FIA Office in Lahore and the latest on Islamic International University had shocked the country.
“The public has displayed monumental courage against all odds and I assured them that we are on road to our desired objectives,” prime minister Gilani told his cabinet colleagues.
He said these cowardly acts of terrorists would not go un punished and the government was more resolute in commitment to eradicate the evil of militancy.
He said the challenges to national security called for enhanced measures with strong commitment by the political leadership, army, law enforcing agencies and the civil society.
He said the government had launched military operation in South Waziristan Agency considered as the hub of terrorist activity.
“The operation has started successfully and Inshaallah, we will achieve our objectives,” he said.
On Kerry Lugar Bill, he said the concerns on its conditionalities were conveyed to the US Government. The explanation attached with the Bill has been clarified by the Foreign Minister in the National Assembly and Senate.
He said Senator John Kerry, during his visit to Pakistan, personally explained the view point of United States with the clarification that US respects the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan.
The non military aid to Pakistan has been tripled through this legislation and the US President authorized to annually provide $ 1.5 billion to Pakistan till 2014. The Bill also advocates for an additional $ 7.5 billion over the subsequent half decade, he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the democratic government was fully cognizant of the value of sovereignty and integrity of the country and would never compromise on it.
Gilani termed the allegation by Iran on Pakistan in reference to Iran’s suicide attack as “unfortunate”, and said Pakistan and Iran enjoyed brotherly relations for decades and had never allowed any group in any form to use their land for such heinous acts.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said as compared to the turbulent year of 2008, the country’s economy had seen a turn around in 2009 as all major indicators were pointing to greater economic stability ahead.
He mentioned that foreign exchange reserves had grown to $14.5 billion (covering 05 months of import) in September from 6.5 billion a year earlier which has helped to support the rupee.
“Headline inflation in August printed 10.7 percent year on year, which is the lowest level in 18 months while almost US$ 275 million of investment had flown in the stock market since last June reversing 18 months of capital flight,” the statement said.
“We hope that the GDP will grow to 3.3% during the CFY as forecasted in the budget,” he said.
About his recent visit to China to attend the Conference of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Prime Minister said he held meetings with the President and Prime Minister of China, Prime Ministers of Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Senior Vice President of Iran, Vice President of Afghanistan, Chairman Senate of China and heads of Chinese major financial and business institutions.
He said the Chinese government had assured its utmost support in formulating comprehensive strategies to control terrorism.
He said the Russian Prime Minister supported resumption of Indo Pak dialogue and agreed to play pro active role in economic development of Pakistan.
About the election in AJK, the Prime Minister assured that it would be held in transparent and fair manner.
The cabinet ratified the decision of the ECC meetings on September 29 and October 6 respectively.
The cabinet approved the signing of Articles of Agreement for establishment of ECO Reinsurance Company as agreed between Pakistan, Turkey and Iran in the high level expert group meeting of May 2007 held at Islamabad. The agreement is aimed at reducing the foreign exchange outflow on insurance and reinsurance services and shall improve the standard of insurance services in these countries.
The Cabinet also granted, in principle, approval for negotiating the MoU between Pakistan and Germany in defence.
For combating illicit trafficking and abuse of narcotic drug and psychotropic substances, the cabinet gave in principal approval for initiation negotiation on the agreement between Pakistan and Ukraine on cooperation in combating illicit trafficking and abuse of narcotic drug, psychotropic substances and their precursors.
The Cabinet granted approval for initiating negotiation on the draft agreement with Republic of Tajikistan in the field of sports.
The Cabinet ratified bilateral road transport agreement signed between Pakistan and Turkey.
The Cabinet approved the draft Carriage of goods by Road Bill 2009 in pursuance of legal provisions of the UN conference on trade and development. The bill which is specifies documentation of contract carrier, carrier’s rights and responsibilities, liabilities of the carrier, claims of consignee including method of disposal, and settlement of disputes.
The Cabinet approved a draft bill aimed at granting degree awarding status to Dawood College of Engineering and Technology, Karachi. The Minister for Education will be pro Chancellor of the university.
In order to make the domestic postal tariff cost based, the Cabinet approved revised tariff for inland post. This includes increase in initial postage on an ordinary letter form Rs. 4 to Rs. 8 with proportionate increase in rates of other categories of inland postage.
Draft bill for the establishment of Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies was also approved.
The cabinet also approved draft bill for restructuring of the Federal Statistical System of Pakistan. The proposed Bill is aimed at ensuring a unified law and merger of the present data collection organization, Agricultural Census Organization, and the Technical Wing of Statistic Division into an autonomous Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The Statistics Division was also directed to prepare data protection law to ensure the secrecy of data/statistics.
Minister for Labour and Manpower informed the meeting the workers remittances during the current quarter has increased 20% from US$ 1.8 billion to US$ 2.2 billion as compared to the corresponding quarter of last year.

Islamabad, Pakistan

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