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Saleem Mandviwala, Swiss ambassador exchange views on ways to improve bilateral relations

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 08 (APP):Ambassador of Switzerland Thomas Kolly called on Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwala here at Parliament House on Friday and exchanged views on ways to improve bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwala said there was a dire need to enhance parliamentary activities between the two countries in order to encourage exchange of ideas and partnerships.
He stressed the need for the activation of friendship groups on both sides and extended invitation to President of Council of States in Switzerland.
Speaking about investment and trade issues, Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwala said that currently there existed trade around USD 1.2 billion between Pakistan and Switzerland, of which a major chunk consisted of Pakistani imports. He said that the Ambassador of Switzerland may advise Pakistan on ways to enhance business to business contacts and also identify Pakistani products having high potential in Swiss markets.
Deputy Chairman Senate also stressed on the Swiss government to review its decision of closing down the Consulate of Switzerland in Karachi and suggested to open it again for the general public and business people due to economic and political significance of the city. He said a representative of the Switzerland Embassy may be assigned at the initial stage.
The ambassador of Switzerland agreed with the views of Deputy Chairman Senate and said that both countries could achieve a lot through enhanced interactions and increased bilateral cooperation. He said that trade and investment was in the interest of both the countries and would open up new avenues of bilateral cooperation in near future. He thanked the Deputy Chairman Senate for warm welcome at the Parliament. Later Ambassador of Switzerland also visited the Senate Museum.

Multan-Sukkur Motorway one of 17 mega corruption scams to be unearthed soon: Murad

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (APP):Federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed Friday said that the Ministry of Communications made Rs 9.54 million worth recoveries through internal audit of its departments and proper governance.
Talking to media persons at a press conference, the Minister said that the cost of Multan-Sukkur Motorway increased to billions due to incompetence of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz government. There were no reforms made yet rather, the direction of institutions was improved which helped to achieve milestone of revenue generation, he adding and said, Nawaz Sharif, Ahsan Iqbal and Javaid Sadiq made the contract with the company working on the project. “We have documented proofs of all the projects awarded to preferred companies without bidding at higher rates which will be provided to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) during the probe,” Murad vowed.

He said, “I have set a target of three years for starting construction of roads and projects where all the projects will be carried out without finances from the national exchequer rather than utilizing the Ministry’s own revenue.”
He said that the Ministry was kept by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif where his Parliamentary Secretary’s TA/DA was 400 times more than my salary.
Minister for Communications and Postal Services said that the Multan-Sukkur Motroway was one of the seventeen projects he vowed to audit and would soon release the details of embezzlement of public money, Murad Saeed expressed. He said that the government was committed to root out corruption from the country.
The Minister assured that the government had fixed the target of completing all roads within three years for public comfort. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan would fulfill all promises made with the people and would bring prosperity to the country. Things are improving and the PTI government was making all out efforts to ensure provision of basic facilities to the general public, he added.
He said, “I will soon expose another corruption scandal of PML-N government in Lahore-Abdul Hakeem project which was being investigated by the NAB.” Murad informed that there were 17 other projects in which there were solid evidences of PML-N government’s corruption which would soon be made public.
Prime Minister Imran Khan would expose all those who looted the country. “We are taking serious steps to eliminate corruption”, he added.
Many mega development projects were shifted to Larkana and Sukkhur during Pakistan Peoples Party government and would soon expose the corruption scams, he told while replying to a query.

Murad Saeed to inaugurate E-commerce initiative at Pakistan Post

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (APP):Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed would inaugurate E-Commerce initiative at Pakistan Post on Saturday The event would be attended by Director General Pakistan Post Dr. Naseer Ahmed and other senior officials of Ministry of Postal Services.Director General Pakistan Post Dr. Naseer Ahmed told APP here Friday that Pakistan Post has the capacity and commitment to deliver to online vendors for their cash on delivery products with proof of delivery and prompt reconciliation of their payments. “Many international web portal operators have shown their interest to enter into the Pakistan market with Pakistan Post as their delivery partner”, he said.
He said that the future initiatives of Pakistan which would be compatible with the contemporary needs of today, would include an entry into the E commerce business.

NAB making efforts to bring back looters fled abroad: Chairman

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 08 (APP):Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice Javed Iqbal Friday said the anti-graft watchdog was making sincere efforts to bring back home the corrupt elements fled abroad after looting billion of rupee from here.

Chairing a meeting, convened to review the performance of NAB’s operation and prosecution divisions, Justice Javed said NAB was making utmost efforts to nab the looters and stand them in the dock, said a press release.
He said NAB has devised a strategy to rid the country from corruption and deal the menace of corruption with iron hands.
He said it was the national duty of NAB to ensure corruption free Pakistan. He directed NAB officers to perform their duties in a transparent way in accordance with the law.
The chairman said NAB has become a prestigious institution owing to the sheer hard work of its staff. Due to its credibility, the bureau has received 54,344 complaints in just last 13 months. After thorough scrutiny of all complaints, he said, the Bureau had approved conducting complaint verifications of 2125, conducting inquiries of 1059 complaints. Moreover, he said, the bureau had also accorded approval to conducting investigations of 302 complaints and 590 references which were filed in various accountability courts and were at different stages of hearing right now.
In last 13 months, he said, NAB has apprehended 561 culprits, besides depositing Rs 3,919.011 million in national kitty after recovering from their possession.
NAB’s ratio of punishment remained 70.8 percent during 2018, which is far better than all institutes working to eradicate corruption.
Right now, he said, 1280 corruption references involving Rs 900 billion corruption were being heard by various accountability courts.
The chairman has already instructed all regional bureaus to submit early hearing of cases pleas in different accountability courts. NAB prosecutors have also been directed to fight cases with full vigour in light of evidences so that the looted money could be recovered and deposited in the national exchequer.
Last year, NAB has recovered over Rs one billion from different Housing Societies and returned to the affectees. The chairman said NAB was striving to recover the hard earned looted money of poor people from illegal housing societies.

Foreign stars reflect on their HBL PSL experience

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LAHORE, Feb 08 (APP):The HBL Pakistan Super League is one of the most exciting, challenging and competitive cricket leagues in the world and the appearance of 77 foreign international cricket stars over the past three editions is a testament to this statement.England leads the pack of fielding most number of players– 24 – followed by the West Indies (17), South Africa (nine), Bangladesh (seven), Australia and New Zealand (six each), Sri Lanka (four), Zimbabwe (two) and Afghanistan and the Netherlands (one each).

From Andre Russell, who was the leading wicket-taker in
the inaugural event in 2016, to Luke Ronchi, the most prolific batsman in the previous edition, there have been number of foreign internationals who have produced stunning performances to contribute in making the league what it is today.

While the fans and supporters of the league have appreciated their contributions and performances, the players have never minced
words in expressing their gratitude. This has formed a unique bonding between the foreign players and the Pakistan cricket fans which continues to get stronger and stronger with every passing edition.

About the views of the stars and their experiences while playing in the HBL PSL-4 are as under: – Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United) The wicket-keeper opening batsman from New Zealand topped the batting charts in the third HBL PSL with 435 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 182.00. Ronchi was the backbone of Islamabad United’s second title as he scored five half-centuries in 11 innings, including 52 off 26 balls in the final against Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi.

Ronchi recalls: “There was a lot of excitement all around when we landed in Karachi for the HBL PSL final last year. The energy in the city was amazing and it felt like we were part of a big festival.

“Winning the HBL PSL trophy for Islamabad United in Karachi is a memory that I will cherish for a long time. The game got pretty close for our liking in the end, but it was nice to see the fans getting to watch some exciting cricket.”

Daren Sammy (Peshawar Zalmi) The West Indies all-rounder took over the leadership duties in the second HBL PSL in 2017 and in his very first assignment as captain, won the title for Zalmi in the historic final in Lahore. Due to his enterprising captaincy and four years association with the franchise, the Zalmi fans share special love with him.

“I have a very special relationship with Pakistan and every time I interact with Pakistani fans or play in front of them, it just fills my heart with so much joy,” Sammy says. “When we all took that first step with the HBL PSL 2017 final in Lahore, we knew we were doing something much
more important than just playing a game of cricket. From that point onwards, we have seen a slow but very steady return of high-profile cricket to Pakistan.

“Seeing young kids in Pakistan enjoying the game at the stadium, hopefully learning a thing or two from some of us cricketers, and then
going on to be a part of the next generation of cricketers, that is just a beautiful feeling to have. I am just very glad that I was able to play a small but meaningful role in this entire process.”

Ravi Bopara (Karachi Kings) The England all-rounder was the most talked about overseas cricketer in the inaugural edition of HBL PSL in 2016. Bopara finished the tournament with 329 runs and 11 wickets, the highlight being his 43-ball 71 not out innings followed by six wickets for 16 runs against Lahore Qalandars in Sharjah. He also took three wickets in the Eliminator against Zalmi in Lahore last year.

“The energy in Lahore last year was amazing. I cannot forget how the fans welcomed us with open arms and all of them – young and old – had incredible passion for the game. “I remember it rained a lot before our game against Zalmi and the organisers brought in helicopters to get the field ready. That is how much it meant to them,” says Bopara.

Liam Dawson (Peshawar Zalmi) In his very first match for the Zalmi, the England all-rounder bagged three wickets for 20 runs against Qalandars in Sharjah in 2018 – the best figures by an overseas player on HBL PSL debut. Dawson’s performance was one of the driving forces behind Zalmi’s journey to the final in the last HBL PSL.

He is best remembered for taking three wickets for 17 runs in a must-win game against Karachi Kings in 2018, and also played two knock-out matches for Zalmi in Lahore and the final in Karachi.

Reflecting on his time, Dawson says: “I had the pleasant experience of playing three games in Pakistan last year and I have to say that the crowds in Pakistan are just on another level. They obviously want more cricket back home so each game was a special experience for us as players.

“I remember having the option of heading back to Dubai after the play-off in Lahore and then flying back to Karachi for the final but once I got there and saw the way everything was organized, it just felt very safe and I stayed on. I am glad that I made that choice.”

National Assembly session summoned on Feb 18

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 08 (APP):The President of Pakistan has summoned the session of the National Assembly on Monday, February 18, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the Parliament House here, says a press release.The President has summoned the National Assembly session in exercise of powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

UN warns of spoiling food reserves in Yemen as millions face starvation

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UNITED NATIONS, Feb 08 (APP):The United Nations’ Humanitarian Chief has called on Yemen’s Houthi rebels to give aid workers access to unused grain that could feed nearly 4 million starving people.The grain is stored in silos near the port city of Hudaydah and is at risk of rotting.“Enough grain to feed 3.7 million people for a month has sat unused and possibly spoiling in silos at the mills for more than four months, while nearly 10 million people across the country remain just a step away from famine,” Mark Lowcock, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, said in a statement on the depot, known as the Red Sea Mills.”I am deeply concerned that the United Nations has been unable to access the Red Sea Mills in Hudaydah since September 2018,” he said. “Enough grain to feed 3.7 million people for a month has sat unused and possibly spoiling in silos at the mills for more than four months, while nearly 10 million people across the country remain just a step away from famine.”
In November, the Saudi-led coalition took back the area where the Red Sea Mills is located in one of its last offensives against the Houthis before talks in Stockholm led to a fragile cease-fire for the Hodeida area. But the Houthis control the access route to the silos, and Lowcock said their forces have refused to let the U.N. cross the frontlines to reach the mills.
The World Food Program had some 51,000 metric tons of wheat stored there.
“I implore all parties, in particular Ansar Allah-affiliated groups, to finalize an agreement and facilitate access to the mills in the coming days,” Lowcock said, referring to the Houthis by their formal name.
Last month, two of the silos were hit by rebel mortars. Lowcock said some of the grain was destroyed, probably enough to feed hundreds of thousands of people.”These events are to be deplored,” he said.
The U.N. has been working for months to prevent a famine taking hold in the war-torn country. More than 24 million people — 80 percent of all Yemenis — need humanitarian assistance. They include nearly 10 million people who are on the brink of famine. Yemen is currently the world’s largest humanitarian disaster.
The World Food Program provides assistance to nearly 10 million Yemenis each month and is scaling-up operations to reach 12 million.
Meanwhile, the United Nations said talks continue aboard one of its ships in Hudaydah harbour to resolve outstanding issues related to the mutual redeployment of forces away from the city and the opening of humanitarian corridors as called for in the Stockholm agreement.
“A preliminary compromise was agreed, pending further consultation by the parties with their respective leaders,” U.N. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Thursday.
Separate discussions being held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on an exchange of as many as 8,000 prisoners from each side also are continuing.
The Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) met again. Chaired by General Michael Lollesgaard, who is heading a team of UN observers and monitors, the committee involves both sides, and is trying to negotiate the withdrawal of fighters from the Houthi-held port city, stabilize the fragile ceasefire, and open new humanitarian corridors.
“Nevertheless, challenges remain, not least the complex nature of the current frontlines,” Spokesman Dujarric said, adding that “to help overcome these issues, the RCC Chair tabled a proposal that proved acceptable, in principle, to both parties to move forward on the implementation of the Hudaydah Agreement. A preliminary compromise was agreed, pending further consultation by the parties with their respective leaders.”
He added that “both parties have given a firm commitment to observe and enhance the ceasefire in the interim”.

CPJ urges India to release jailed Kashmiri journalist Asif Sultan

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NEW YORK, Feb 8 (APP):The Committee to Protect Journalists, a US-based independent watchdog body, has called on the Indian authorities in Indian occupied Kashmir to immediately cease all legal proceedings against journalist Aasif Sultan and release him from jail after formal charges were reportedly filed against him in Srinagar on Wednesday.

Sultan, along with nine other individuals, has been charged with harbouring and giving support to a militant organization and for hatching a criminal conspiracy under India’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
“Filing terrorism-related charges against journalist Aasif Sultan, despite a complete lack of evidence, marks a terrible injustice and further undermines press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir,” Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia programme coordinator in Washington, D.C., said in a statement on Wednesday. “Is it so hard to understand that journalists, in the normal course of their work, must make contact with the people they write about?”Sultan has been jailed since August 27, 2018, after he wrote a story for the Kashmir Narrator magazine on Kashmiri militant leader Burhan Wani.

In January, CPJ called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik to ensure that the journalist is released.On Wednesday, CPJ also distributed a picture of Aasif Sultan, in handcuffs, wearing a T-shirt with an inscription: “Journalism is NOT At a crime.”

Roohi Bano’s remains to be transferred to Pakistan after doctors advice

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (APP):The remains of Pakistan’s iconic actress Roohi Bano, who passed away at a hospital in Istanbul on January 25, would be transferred to Pakistan as per the wishes of her family only when advised by the Turkish health authorities.Pakistan Embassy in Ankara and Pakistan Consulate General in Istanbul were in constant touch with the relatives of late Roohi Bano for transferring her remains to the homeland, a message received here from Pakistan Embassy on Friday said.
However, as per health experts and keeping in view the body’s final resting place, the decomposition might take two to four months. Late Roohi Bano was buried at a graveyard in Istanbul as per doctors’ advice.
Meanwhile, the embassy has requested the media to respect privacy of the bereaved family and desist from frequent contacts with the family. Pakistan Embassy would update the media, whenever any development takes place.

All passenger bogies to be manufactured indigenously from next year: Sheikh Rashid

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (APP):Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Friday announced that all passenger bogies would be manufactured indigenously at the Pakistan Railway Carriage Factory (PRCF) from next year.

Addressing workers of the Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory, he said “I promise that no passenger coach will be imported in future from next year and all the passenger bogies will be prepared in Pakistan Railway factory.”

He alleged that previous rulers ignored Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory to get kickbacks in deals for import of the bogies. He said it was unfortunate that Pakistan Railways performance had declined due to wrong policies of the previous government.

The minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate a train “Thal Express” on February 11. Sheikh Rashid said two freight trains have been launched recently while more trains will be added in the fleet in near future.

Besides, he said a VIP passenger train would be launched on March 30 while more passenger trains would also be started soon. He said during next five year, there would be an effective network of railways across the country.

The minister also announced to make Pakistan Railways budget from its own resources from next financial year.

He said 20 new trains had been launched from its resources while the same number would also been started in the coming days. “All credit to start new 20 trains goes to employees of Pakistan Railways” he added. He also announced to start air-conditioned train for poor passengers.

He said locomotives would also be built in Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory. The minister also apprised the audience that Pakistan Railways had earned Rs 2 billion additional profit from passenger train service during last six months.

The minister also announced Rs 3000 honorarium each for all employees of Pakistan Railways Carriage.

He said a summary had been moved to Prime Minister for regularization of 144 employees of the factory while remaining employees would be regularized soon.

He said a VIP train would be launched on March 30 and added that another VIP train would be launched soon. The Minister also announced to bring salary package of Railways police at par with Punjab Police.

Sheikh Rashid said the government’s decision to appoint Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif as Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was unfair.

“How a person involved in corruption can be appointed Chairman of Public Account Committee,” he added. He said that there will be no deal and relaxation will be given to anyone”.

The minister also visited different areas of the carriage factory and interacted with workers busy in manufacturing of the coaches.

Razak assures his support for enhancing Pak-Netherlands economic cooperation

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (APP):Adviser of Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood Friday assured the ambassador of Netherlands his full support for enhancing Pak-Netherlands economic cooperation and business linkages.

He said this in meeting with the ambassador of Netherlands, Ardi Braken here .
The adviser shared the economic vision of the current government, a statement issued by Ministry of Commerce said.
He informed the ambassador about the recent economic initiatives related to ease of doing business that are expected to boost the foreign direct investment and business activity in the country.
The Ambassador had discussion with the adviser on investment plans of Dutch companies in Pakistan and informed him that a high level business delegation from Netherlands would be visiting Pakistan in March 2019 to explore investment opportunities particularly in agriculture and agro businesses.
She also shared with him positive feedback from Dutch companies on the recently announced economic and business facilitation package.
The ambassador also invited the Pakistani business leaders to participate in the global entrepreneurship Summit in June, 2019 at Netherlands.
The adviser welcomed the investment plans of the Dutch companies and said that foreign direct investment is among the top priorities of the government.
He also encouraged the Dutch Ambassador to revisit their travel advisory for Pakistan.

Senate body passes resolution against Ashraf Ghani’s anti-Pakistan statement

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (APP):Senate Standing Committee on Interior Friday rejected statement of Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani on Twitter against Pakistan, saying it was factually baseless and a gross interference in our internal affairs.
The meeting chaired by Senator Abdul Rehman Malik unanimously passed a resolution and termed the statement as “irresponsible and anti-Pakistan.” The meeting was also attended by senators Javed Abbasi, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati and Yaqoob Khan Nasar, interior secretary, National Database and Registration Authority chairman and representatives of religious affairs, law ministries, Federal Investigation Agency and Civil Aviation Authority.
The resolution said Pakistan is passing through serious security threats, as terrorists groups are being sponsored and energized from the other side of the border.
Pakistan persistently and with full sincerity has been supporting Afghanistan in their most difficult movements and hosting more than three million Afghanis since last three decades.
The present role of Pakistan in peace process is being recognized internationally whereas the Tweet of President Ashraf Ghani is a clear interference in our internal affairs and it is self-confession of President Ghani in promoting violence in Pakistan.
The committee called upon the government to register a serious protest with Afghanistan and demand President Ashraf Ghani to withdraw his irresponsible statement immediately.
Earlier, the committee expressed condolence over the death of sister of Senator Abdul Rehman Malik and offered Fateha for the departed soul.
Rehman Malik while briefing the committee about stranded devotees at Pak-Iran border said he has taken notice of the difficulties being faced by the devotees.
He appreciated Frontier Corps of Balochistan and FIA for immediate arrangement to facilitate the devotees and said there must be a permanent solution to problems of the devotees.
He further asked ministry of interior to establish a marquee in case there is a shortage of accommodation in Pakistan House.
On Sahiwal tragedy, Malik said the committee had requested the prime minister to constitute a judicial commission so that families of the victims could get justice.
He said the committee would pursue the Sahiwal matter until justice is provided to the affected families.
The committee also discussed the matter pertaining to difficulties being faced by Pashton citizens for obtaining Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs).
Malik asked NADRA to facilitate Pashton citizens in providing CNICs.
To this, NADRA chairman said registration of citizens is a complex phenomenon especially in a country where a large number of refugees and aliens are residing.
To cater for this challenge, NADRA has evolved a mechanism to verify the authenticity of citizens prior to registration and issuance of CNICs.
Individuals are required to provide documents as per registration policy and passed through under verification checklist.
In case of any doubt in national status, applicants are asked to provide documents.
It was further highlighted that no such rule exists wherein CNICs are issued to the individuals living in Pakistan before 1989.

Enhanced regional cooperation to improve economic prospects of countries: Sanjrani

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 08 (APP):Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani Friday said enhanced regional and trans-regional cooperation would not only transform the bilateral ties among different countries but would also improve the economic prospects for the region.

He said this while talking to Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov here at Parliament House.He said Pakistan and Turkmenistan could play an active role for synergizing the efforts for social and economic benefit of both the countries resulting in collective
advantage for the regional countries.

He said that decision of both the countries to enhance regional connectivity by establishing transportation and communication links would further boost the existing cordial relations at all the levels especially people to people contacts.

Sanjrani said that early implementation of the TAPI project would be for the benefit of both the countries paving the way for further cooperation in economic and trade.

He said that active friendship group at the Senate of Pakistan with Turkmenistan would further enhance bilateral parliamentary relations between the two countries.

The Chairman Senate said that both the countries could also collaborate for similar stance on international issues.

The ambassador responding to the Chairman agreed with his aspirations and emphasized for implementation on the agreed cooperation for enhancing the economic ties.

Key infrastructure, energy projects nearing completion: Lijian Zhao

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (APP):Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy Lijian Zhao Friday said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects were progressing satisfactorily and number of large scale projects would be completed over the next few months.
Chinese diplomat expressed these views while speaking at a seminar on “Belt and Road Initiative and China – Pakistan Economic Corridor: Impact on Developments in South West Asia” at Strategic Vision Institute (SVI).
The seminar deliberated on the rise of China as an economic power and its political, economic, societal and technological impacts on the region as well as across the world.A number of international and local experts spoke at the event.
Mr Zhao said that Sukkur-Multan M-5 Motorway, which was the largest project under CPEC worth $2.9 billion was scheduled to be completed by June, whereas Thakot – Havelian Section of Karakoram Highway was likely to be ready by the end of the year.
The 1320 MW Coal-fired Power Plant set up at Hub (Balochistan) would be fully functional by “the end of spring” he added.
The first 660 MW unit of the power plant, he said, had already been connected to the national grid while the second one would come online shortly.
The Hub Power Plant is being completed at a cost of nearly $2 billion.
He said, work was progress on Karot and Sukki-Kinari Power hydro-power plants and Gawadar Port and Free Zone.
The diplomat also emphasized on strengthening people to people contact to complement strong bilateral political, economic and strategic ties.
He said that Chinese universities were already hosting over 22,000 Pakistani students.
This number, he underlined, was higher than the number of Pakistani students in UK and US together.
Mr Zhao said that China since the launch of Belt and Road Initiative six years ago had invested $28.9 billion in 82 economic zones in countries that were part of the initiative with 3995 Chinese companies setting up businesses there.
However, he maintained, Pakistan had not received investment under this head because economic zones had not started here as yet.

Govt to plant 150 mln trees in three months: PM’s advisor

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (APP):Advisor to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam Friday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government would plant 150 million trees in the next three months.
He said it was the vision of Prime minister Imran Khan to make the country clean and green by planting maximum trees adding the government was fulfilling its promise of making Pakistan clean and green. Aslam said this during a visit to the land in Lahore where the trees would be planted, a private news channel reported on Friday.
He said the prime minister would inaugurate the tree plantation campaign “Plant for Pakistan” and the provincial and federal governments had completed their preparation in this regard.
Almost 2500 acre land had been retrieved from land mafia and it would be used for planting trees,” he said.

Honda Polo Cup : Two thrilling matches on cards

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LAHORE, Feb 08 (APP):The two matches of Honda Polo Cup 2019, which were scheduled to be contested on Friday (today), will now be played on Saturday due to wet fields after rain.
In the first match of the day on (Saturday) at 2:00 pm, Master Paints Black will take on Olympia/Momin Ghee while Master Paints/Guard Group will compete against Newage in the second match at 3:00 pm. The finals will be held on February 10.According to Lahore Polo Club President Malik Atif Yar Tiwana, after this 12-goal event, three 14-goal tournaments will be conducted where high-quality polo will be on offer and enthrall the polo enthusiasts to larger extent.
The LPC President praised the sponsors, Honda Atlus Cars, for sponsoring the event and hoped that they, along with other corporate kings, will continue to support this game of kings and knights, which will help further flourish polo in Pakistan.

Defeats in South Africa disappointing, cricket team’s coach Mickey Arthur

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LAHORE, Feb 08 (APP):Pakistan cricket team’s head coach, Mickey Arthur expressed his disappointment over team’s defeats in test, one day and T20 series during the South Africa tour and said instead fixing its responsibility on anyone, everyone is responsible for the loses.”We all are responsible for teams failure in the South African tour and no one should be held responsible for that,” he told media men at a news conference here on Friday at the Gadaffi stadium after the return of the team from a dismal tour of South Africa.

“We need to bring improvement in our test squad and to perform well on tough conditions which were challenging in South Africa,” he added.
“No South Asian team has so far won test series against South Africa and the tour of South Africa is always difficult and tough for every Asian team and unfortunately Pakistan team suffered loses in all three formats of the game despite putting up good fight,” he added.

Pak team official while analyzing the performance of the team in the test matches said apart from three players of the team which played the test matches, rest were the newcomers and were visiting the South Africa for the first time.

“Still I give credit to the South African team for showing good performance in the tour which was a way of learning for our players,” he said adding, “Despite our defeats in the tour the positive aspect is that our players have improved a lot in their respective departments of the game which was witnessed in the one day series and T20 matches.”

The teams head coach mentioned that Pak players exhibited good performance against deadly attack of South Africa and the entire tour was a big learning for the team which is leaning and improving with each passing day as a part of its preparations for the World Cup being played this summer in England.

He defended Sarfraz Ahmad in the role of captain and wicket keeper, saying, Sarfraz’s main responsibility is keeping which he is doing well and he dropped eight balls behind the stumps during the past four month. “Sarfraz has been appointed captain without any doubt in the mind,” he added.

“As a player Safraz is well aware of the fact of good or a bad patch and he is doing his best to lift his performance to rise to the occasion and I have no reservation on his performance. The more you practice and hard work you can bat on any number to inspire the team to success and he (Safraz) has batted in top and down batting order to motivate the team,” said Mickey Arthur.

“We design teams batting order in a particular match according to the match and playing conditions and we know that Sarfraz can bat at any number in the batting order,” he asserted.

To a question, he said, Sarfraz remarks to a South African player were inappropriate and the matter is now over for once and all.
“It was a good decision on part of PCB to support Sarfraz and as a head coach I was fully aware that Safraz is being sent home after ICC decision.”
Answering another question, team’s head coach said pace bowler, Muhammad Amir is seasoned bowler who has accuracy and command in bowling and he bowls well in pressure situations.

Mickey Arthur said the Pakistan team for the World Cup will be picked from a pool of almost twenty players. To a question he and the chief selector, Inzamam ul Haq are on one page for bringing improvement in teams performance.

“Pakistan Super League is an ideal platform to identify new talent and we will continue getting talent from it,” said team official.

He said he is ready to continue as head coach of the team after completion of his contract till the World Cup and he has always endeavored to create ideal atmosphere in the dressing room.

“The atmosphere of the dressing room is build on trust and what ever is happening in it (dressing room) should not go out to public as it brings negative impact on certain matters,” he said adding, “When ever we lose a match every player seems broken due to the defeat.”

Answering a question he said Pak one day team need a hard hitter to put pressure on opponents in crunch situation.
He expressed the hope that veteran batsmen, Shoaib Malik and Muhammad Hafeez will be benefiting the team from their experience in the World Cup to keep opponents under pressure.

“Our bowling will be our main weapon the World Cup and we will effort to add more fire in our pace battery by working on our bowlers.” He termed Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq “best players” of the team.

Chinese Pakistani, Indonesian peacekeepers complete joint construction mission in Congo

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BEIJING, Feb 8 (APP)::Chinese, Pakistani and Indonesian peacekeepers have restored a bridge after two months continuous hard work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The eight soldiers assigned to the Uvira Contingent of the 22nd Chinese Peacekeeping Engineer Detachment to Congo (K) recently completed the mission of restoring a main bridge together with peacekeepers from Pakistani Peacekeeping Infantry and Indonesian Peacekeeping Engineer Detachment, “China Military”, a defense journal Friday reported.
The newly repaired bridge Maika has passed the examination of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
The painstaking efforts and cooperation from the Chinese, Pakistani and Indonesian peacekeeping troops were decisive to the success of mission.
During two months, when they lived, worked and fought together, the Chinese peacekeepers have demonstrated respectable behavior, excellent techniques and sincere dedication which have deeply impressed the friendly forces and local people and received high praise.

President advises media against reflecting personal liking, disliking

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi Thursday said that personal liking and disliking was natural but media should not allow it to reflect in journalism to show responsibility while enjoying freedom.
In a meeting with a delegation of All Pakistan Newspapers and Editors Forum (APNEF) and Pakistan Journalist Forum (PJF), the president said independent media was a valuable component of developed societies, said a President Hoouse statement.

West Indies women beat Pakistan women in first ODI

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LAHORE, Feb 07 (APP):West Indies imposed a thumping 146 runs win over Pakistan in the first-ever Women’s One Day International to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the ICC Academy Dubai on Thursday.

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