KARACHI, Feb 11 (APP):Federal Minister for Defense Pervez Khattak has said that the current maritime threats and emerging Geo-Strategic situation is posing new challenges and risks to the stakeholders in the Region.
The situation will provide constructive dialogue and develop collective mechanism, this he said while addressing as a chief guest at the concluding session of the 3-day International Maritime conference here on Monday.The conference was organized by the National Institute of
Maritime Affairs (NIMA) under the auspices of Pakistan Navy as part
of Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-19.
The theme of the moot was “Global Geopolitics in Transition:
Rethinking Maritime Dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region”.
The Defence Minister said that the conference has provided a
platform to the scholars as well as practitioners to deliberate on
the contemporary maritime challenges and share understanding of the
dynamics in the maritime domain.
He expressed confidence that the conference deliberations and
its valuable recommendations will provide insight to maritime
stakeholders for effective policy making. He also thanked all the
guests, panelists and dignitaries and congratulated NIMA for
successful conduct of the conference.
In the context of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Defence
Minister added that amongst the recent maritime development in our region, CPEC is rightfully considered a Game Changer, not only for Pakistan but also for the economic well-being and prosperity of the entire region.
With the progress of CPEC and Gwadar port, maritime activities
would increase manifold, especially in the Western Indian Ocean. The responsibilities of Pakistan Navy would also increase for maintaining a secure maritime environment for smooth flow of sea trade, he added.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was also
present on the occasion.
Earlier, Vice Admiral (Retd.) Syed Khawar Ali Shah, Director General
National Institute of Maritime Affairs addressing on the occasion integrated the conference presentations.
He thanked the chief guest for sparing time and gracing
the occasion with his presence. Heads of various panelists also
presented the recommendations of their respective panels.
International Maritime Conference (IMC), held from Feb. 09-11 in tandem
with sixth International Maritime Exercise AMAN 2019, brought together
eminent speakers and delegates from across the globe for in-depth
discussions and deliberations on changing dynamics of geo-politics and
analyse the impact of these changes on IORs economic exploitation and
maritime security canvas.
The conference was attended by a large number of dignitaries from
across the globe, tri-services officers, academia, foreign & local media representatives and researchers from local and international think-tanks.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan Monday highlighted the government efforts to meet energy needs of the country, which are increasing by 8 percent annually.
“We have a huge challenge to arrange the best and cost-efficient fuel mix to meet our annual needs which are growing at over 8% per annum,” he said while addressing an international conference on Pakistan’s petroleum sector, organized by a private media group here.He said the government had constituted an ‘Energy Task Force’ to tackle the challenges in petroleum sector and make the energy supplies affordable, reliable and sustainable. “This Task Force will soon provide a comprehensive road-map to help address the energy issues.”
Due to effective strategy of the government, the minister said, many local and foreign business groups were expanding their mid and down-stream presence and setting up modern refineries and retail chains in Pakistan.
Ghulam Sarwar predicted substantial growth in oil trade and transportation sector after the successful execution of China Pakistan Economic Corridor project and business activities along the CPEC’s route.
Terming energy an essential driver of the national economy, he said Pakistan required affordable and dependable energy supplies to support its economic growth.
He said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan was striving hard to attract investment in oil and gas exploration sector.
He said Pakistan needed self-sufficiency in oil refining sector, for which an effective strategy was in place and the government had announced an incentive package for setting up deep conversion oil facilities in the country.
Oil and gas exploration and production companies were being encouraged to accelerate drilling activities in potential areas, adding that the government was in process of awarding more blocks in coming days.
He said currently the country’s natural gas production was 4,000 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD), while crude oil production stood over 95,000 barrels oil per day (BOPD). “Through this, we are meeting just 15% of our needs.”
The minister said Pakistan had a large offshore basin which largely remained unexplored. “The Indus offshore is the second largest submarine fan system in the world and analogous to the prolific oil and gas producing Niger, Mahakam, Nile deltas and Krishna Godavari Basin.”
He said presently ExxonMobil, Eni, OGDCL and PPL were carrying out offshore drilling in Kekra-I block and expecting sufficient gas and oil deposits.
Besides, he said a recent study had revealed presence of 95 trillion cubic feet gas and 14 billion barrels oil technically recoverable in Indus Basin.
The minister said the government had recently signed a memorandum of understanding with a major Russian company to establish an offshore gas pipeline. While, work on Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline is progressing and it’s a very important project to meet our energy requirements,” he added.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri Monday said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were enjoying all-weather friendship and Saudi Crown Prince’s visit would eventually augment the bilateral relations. Addressing Pak-Saudi friendship tributes-paying conference, he said Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia will be visiting Pakistan after a long time and it would help
further cement economic and academic relations with Saudi Arabia.

He said both countries were at one page on major issues including Kashmir, Palestine and Middle East. The minister thanked management of conference for organizing such moot.

He said Saudi Arabia has always helped Pakistan in odd times. Pakistanis,
working in Saudia, have also played vital role in progress of the country, he added.

He said sanctity of Harmain Sharaifain was integral part of the faith of every Pakistani Muslim. Over 2,00,000 Pakistanis perform hajj every year, while 2.5 million Pakistanis perform Umrah every year, he added.
Earlier, Ulema and leaders of different political parties eulogized Saudi Arabia for helping the country.Saudi Arabia always helped Pakistan irrespective of government,they added. Saudi Arabia did extend support sans any condition, they said.

The speakers urged Ulema to imbibe true love of Harmain Sharafian among new generation. Saudi Arabia has always played proactive role to steer the country from out of economic crisis, they added.

They urged Ulema and politicians to forge unity for strengthening bilateral relations. Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr Qibla Ayaz said the representatives of different political parties have unanimously paid tributes to Saudi Arabia for helping Pakistan and vowed to protect and ensure sanctity of Harmain Sharafain.

General ecretary Dafa-e-Pakistan Council Maulana Fazur Rehman Khalil said Pakistan Saudi Arabia had spiritual bond and relations.
Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were enjoying cordial relations.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi on Monday said that the construction of a new oil terminal has been approved at Port Qasim in view of the growing energy requirements of the country.

Addressing at International Conference on Pakistan Petroleum and Gas held here, the minister said due to the transparent rule of incumbent government, better decisions are being made to run the ongoing projects in a more efficient and positive manner besides starting new projects as well.

He said that we were trying to bring reforms in the
institutions by overcoming the mistakes of previous regimes that were kept on playing with the statistics.

Zaidi said that the existing terminals for raw material of power plants would be active soon by making them better, adding that, it was difficult to understand that “why power projects like Sahiwal Coal Power had
been established far away from the ports”, he questioned?

He said that an effective planning much needed for the basic structuring of setting up new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals for which LNG zones would be specified.
To promote investment in the country, the Maritime ministry
was ensuring its key role, he added.

KARACHI, Feb 11 (APP):A three-member delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), headed by Aamir Khan, Monday called on President Dr Arif Alivi and Governor Sindh Imran Ismail at the Governor House, a press statement by Media Wing of Awan e Sadr said.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Muhammad Usman Dar Monday met with Ms Ingrid Christensen, ILO’s Country Director for Pakistan, to explore possible avenues of mutual cooperation for the launch of National Job Programme.A revolutionary initiative of the government for connecting job seekers with job providers through an online portal for an easy and transparent access to job market for youth, said a press release.
He explained, “National Job Programme would play a pivotal role in the creation of 10 million jobs, committed by the PTI government, by linking the demand and supply not only in the national but also in the international job market”.
Usman Dar appreciated the role of International labour Organization (ILO) in facilitating both employers and employees for the creation of sustainable jobs in the country.
He expressed his desire to benefit from ILO’s expertise in the field for making National Job Programme a great success.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani Monday called for early completion of the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline Project and assured all out support of Upper House of the Parliament for coordinating efforts to this effect.

Chairman Senate Sanjrani observed this while talking to the Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov and Chairman TAPI Gas Pipeline Project Muhammet Murat Amanov here during a meeting. Leader of the House Senator Shibli Faraz, Senator Aurangzeb Aurakzai and Managing Director Inter State Gas System (ISGS) Mubin Solat were also present during the meeting.
The Chairman Senate was apprised that both Pakistan and Turkmenistan had taken measures for early implementation of this important regional project. He was informed that survey activities in majority of the areas had been completed whereas some components of the project needed further survey, which would be completed soon. The necessary documentations had also been completed and different financial institutions were also on board for execution of the project.
The Chairman Senate said that Senate of Pakistan was playing a proactive role for resolving the energy issues and a comprehensive report on energy sector had already been compiled by the Senate Standing Committee headed by the Leader of the House in Senate Senator Shibli Faraz.
He said that Senate would also coordinate the efforts for early completion of TAPI Gas Pipeline Project in close collaboration with the government of Balochistan and other relevant departments.
He said that this project was of utmost importance as it would not only provide connectivity with Europe through Central Asia but also help meet the energy requirements of the region.
He said that different associated projects with this pipeline were also beneficial for the country and the region’s overall development and progress.
Sadiq Sanjrani said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan have cordial relations at all the levels and boosting the parliamentary linkages would further steer the economic cooperation.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):German Ambassador to Pakistan Martin Kobler Monday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including regional peace and stability were discussed, an Inter Services Public Relations press release said.
The visiting dignitary appreciated improved security situation in Pakistan, which will provide conducive environment for enhancement of economic activities in the country.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda and Chairman WAPDA Lt Gen ® Muzamil Hussain held a meeting with Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani here in Senate on Monday and briefed him about the ongoing development projects.

The Chairman Senate said the country in general and Balochistan in particular were facing water shortage, adding the ongoing water projects should be completed at the earliest.He instructed that new projects should be started in the areas facing scarcity of water.
Chairman Senate said water was available for constructing a new dam in Chaghi but in this connection practical steps were needed.
On the instruction of Chairman Senate, Chairman WAPDA assured that a team of experts of WAPDA would be sent to Chaghi to determine situation on the ground for construction of the dam and measures would be taken for building the dam. The minister assured of full support of the government for the dam’s project.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Dr. Fehmida Mirza Monday directed the provincial governments to identify desired areas of cooperation with China saying it was a high time for both countries to engage more deeply.

The minister issued directions while chairing a meeting of provincial/local governments’ representatives for Pak-China Year of Friendship Sister Provinces/Cities 2019, here Monday, said a press release.
In the meeting it was briefed that Prime Minister of Pakistan visited China last year and it was agreed to celebrate 2019 as year of friendship with China. The leadership of the two countries agreed to enhance exchanges and dialogue between leaders at provincial/city levels to expand cooperation.
Dr. Mirza underscored the importance of investing more in socio-economic sector and said that it was a high time for Pakistan and China to engage more deeply. Establishing contacts and cooperation at city to city or at local governments level can further strengthen bilateral relations, she added.
It was told that under Pakistan-China Sister Cities, there were a number of MOUs signed between different cities of Pakistan and China but those were generally dormant with no active people to people and economic cooperation.
Establishing new provinces/sister cities relationships between the two countries is the spirit of 2019 Year of Friendship Sister Provinces/Cities.
The IPC Ministry was made the focal ministry in this regard. “It is a great opportunity to enhance our cooperation with China in different areas” the minister said.
She also directed the representatives of different provincial governments and cities to formulate proposals, with a defined time frame and budgetary allocations, to identify the desired areas of cooperation, including exchange between the local governments, Heads and Deputy Heads, enhancement of trade and investment, energy/ industrial linkages, exchange of culture, sports, tourism, youth exchanges, agriculture and people to people contact with their sister cities of China.
The minister stressed the provinces/cities to come up with innovative ideas to enhance engagement with different cities of China for this calendar year. Nominations of the focal persons to coordinate provincial governments would also be finalized at the earliest. The follow-up meeting will be commenced soon.

KARACHI, Feb 11 (APP):State Minister for Interior, Shehryar Khan Afridi here on Monday said PTI government is committed to help country acquire “drug free status”. Addressing the drug destroying and burning ceremony organised by Pakistan Coast Guards at its Hassan Shah Mazar post, near Port Qasim,he said those engaged to combat drug smugglers were among real heroes of the country.
“Protecting youth against the menace of addiction be they contraband drugs or other hazardous goods was a great service and the nation indebted to them,” the State Minister for Interior said.Mentioning that drug addiction has emerged to be a real challenge, he said it was heartening to note that 9260.110 Kg of charas, 12 Kg of heroin,1.100 Kg of crystal, 13 Kg of opium, four tones of betel nuts and gutka were destroyed during the ceremony.
“Destroying of these narcotics of varied categories that could
fetch no less than US dollars 106 million reflects our commitment to
the cause,” Shehryar said.
He appreciated Pakistan Army actively involved in fencing
the Pak-Afghan border so as to close for good a major route of
narcotics smuggling.
Director General of Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG), Brig Sajjad Sikander
Ranjha in his detailed presentation discussed achievements of the
agency in securing the marine borders of the country with a
significantly long coastal line.
Mentioning that smugglers and criminals were actively engaged to
exploit these for their nefarious designs, Brig Ranjha said equal
efforts were also made on regular basis to enhance capacity building of
the PCG personnel.
School children and youth pertaining to different institutions
presented tableaus to highlight the menace of addiction and measures
needed to counter the same at varied levels.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Syed Zulfikar Bukhari Monday proposed the world leaders to evolve a joint mechanism for overseas workers’ rights protection at international level.
He, during a panel discussion – Planning for Next Generation of Careers – held on the second day of World Government Summit in Dubai, said we had to devise a combined strategy for our overseas manpower’s safety and legal aid so that they could spend their life abroad accordingly, a message received here from Dubai said.

During the discussion, Zulfi said the demand of skilled manpower had gradually risen across the world and Pakistan was about to finalize a framework for exporting its trained workforce to various countries. For this purpose, we had taken private sector on board too, he added.
Highlighting the Pakistani manpower potential, he said our workforce was capable enough to compete in the international market as they were being trained at par global standards.
On this occasion, he also shared the general problems being faced by Pakistani diaspora abroad.