BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr 11 (APP):President Ilham Aliyev and his family members cast their votes on Wednesday in the
presidential election for which polling process was started at 8.00 a.m.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who is also contesting the election
arrived at the polling station No. 6 alongwith his wife Mehriban Aliyeva and other
family members.
First lady Mehriban Aliyeva and family members also cast their votes.
Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade also cast his vote at the polling station No 29
of second Yasamal constituency No 16 as the presidential election starts in the
country.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Central Election Commission (CEC)
Mazahir Panahov on Wednesday said thay had made
elaborate arrangements in 125 constituencies to conduct
presidential election in a normal manner for which polling was started at 8.00 in the morning.
Talking to mediapersons at Sechkiler Information Center
here, he said number of eligible voters in the country was 5,314,365, adding that the voting was conducted in 5,641 polling
stations.
The CEC Chief said all facilities were ensured in polling stations for local and international observers to monitor
the voting process.
“Web cameras were installed in 20 per cent of the country’s polling stations, that is 1,000 polling stations, in
connection with the presidential election. Any internet user can watch the voting process live on official website of the CEC on election day,” he said.
He said polling had also been started at Azerbaijan`s embassies in Ukraine, Moldova and
Belarus, Iran, Beijing and other countries.
President, PM cast votes in respective polling stations
ECP bans new recruitment, development schemes
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday made it clear that there was complete ban on new appointments in any federal, provincial or district department from April 1st, 2018 to ensure transparency in holding of general elections 2018.
According to ECP, appointments that fall under the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) and Provincial Public Service Commission (PPSC) will be exempted from this ban.
It said that under another order, after April 1st, 2018 no any development scheme will be allowed to implement including installation of gas pipelines, carpeting of roads, water supply etc. while the funds of on-going development schemes could not be utilized for any other purpose.
In this regard all ministries and departments concerned have been informed, it added.
Judges must perform to their fullest:CJP
QUETTA, Apr 11 (APP):Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday said Judiciary was an important component of any society and judges must perform to to ensure swift dispensation of justice.
Addressing a ceremony he said that judges only give verdicts in accordance with the law and the Constitution.
“Where have all the capable judges gone? Maybe we don’t have the resources of passion now,” he questioned.
Chief Justice asked judges to show more passion and work more diligently to come up to the expectations of masses.
“We have to bring our house in order. This is the start of our judicial reforms”.
“We are the top privileged civil servants,” he said, adding that the salaries and facilities available to the judges are more than similar grade officers in other departments. “We have to justify our incomes and facilities.”
“It is important for all of you to learn the law. It is necessary for us to know our jurisprudence and laws.”
Speaking about the cases which are delayed for years, Chief Justice Nisar remarked that he doesn’t understand how the trial of cases can go on for 30 to 40 years.
“What is the fault of the person who is seeking justice? How can it take 15 years for a case’s trial to conclude? I don’t understand this,” he remarked.
Chief Justice said judges were responsible for the delay of cases and dispensation of justice.
NA unanimously passes resolution strongly condemning atrocities in Kashmir by Indian forces
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):The National Assembly Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning atrocities perpetrated on innocent Kashmiri by the Indian security forces in Occupied Kashmir.
The resolution moved by Minister for Kashmir Affairs Barjees Tahir demanded the international community implement the UNSC resolutions that promise right of self-determination to Kashmiri people.
National Assembly expresses complete solidarity with, the brave people of Indian occupied Kashmir in their popular, spontaneous and peaceful protests against the illegal occupation by India and killing of innocent Kashmiris.
The resolution urged the government to request the Human Rights Council in Geneva to send a fact finding mission to the occupied valley to investigate the human rights violations.
The House demanded the United Nation (UN) take immediate cognizance of the escalating violence of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by Indian forces in IOK.
NA passes two bills
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):National Assembly Wednesday passed two separate bills regarding up gradation of status of COMSATS institute of Information and Technology Islamabad as University and establishment of institute for Arts and Culture.
Minister for Science and Technology and Defence Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain has moved the bill for up gradation of the status of COMSATS institute of Information and Technology, Islamabad as COMSATS university.
Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman has moved the bill for the establishment of institute for Art and Culture.
Meanwhile Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry laid before the house “The Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2018. The chair referred the bill to the relevant committee for further consideration.
NFEMIS to contribute in increasing number of literates in country: Baligh Ur Rehman
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Engr. Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman Wednesday said, Non-formal Education Management Information System (NFEMIS) Web version would contribute in achieving goals of increasing number of literates in the country.
While addressing the Launching ceremony of Non-formal Education Management Information System (NFEMIS) Web version by Academy of Educational Planning and Management (AEPAM) under ministry of Education and Professional Training in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), he said that present government was focusing on the promotion of quality education in the country and raised funding for education sector.
“We have successfully revived our national assessment system and are all set to launch TIMMS assessment in 2019 and have recently revised our curriculum.”
New curriculum for the students of primary and secondary level which will be provided to the students before the next session that help provide information about traffic laws, disaster management will also create hate against corruption ,drugs, besides civic sense,character building, soft skills and global citizenship, among the students.
He said during last five years, school dropout rates had decreased and enrollment rates had increased drastically as around five million children had been enrolled in schools over the last five years who had dropped out because of financial constraints.
He said federal government had launched a programme under which the teachers and heads of the schools across the country were being provided professional teaching skills and training, which produced positive results, he added.
The minister said, Pakistan was also taking SDG’s very seriously and had started working towards achieving these goals with a firm resolve and commitment. “We are using non-formal education models and are going to establish numerous new adult literacy centers.”
He added the federal and provincial governments had spent more than Rs 4, 200 billion during last five years for the promoting education while budget for higher education sector had also been increased from Rs 40 billion to Rs 107 billion during the same period.
He said the federal government had increased its budgetary allocation for educational sector from Rs 500 billion to Rs 900 billion during last five years. “The number is increasing steadily every year,” he remarked.
The Minister thanked the donors and partners for their cooperation in achieving the goals.
Senator Rozina Alam, representatives of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Joint Education Advisor Muhammad Rafique Tahir and other officers of the ministry also attended the ceremony.
UN report details scale and horror of detention in Libya
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 11 (APP):Armed groups in Libya are holding thousands of people in detention where they are being submitted to torture and other human rights violations, according to a new United Nations report published.
The study, by the UN human rights office, OHCHR, and the UN Support Mission in the country, known as UNSMIL, estimates that some 6,500 people are being held in official prisons while thousands more are in facilities nominally under the authorities or that are directly run by armed groups, some of which are affiliated with the State.
“This report lays bare not only the appalling abuses and violations experienced by Libyans deprived of their liberty, but the sheer horror and arbitrariness of such detentions, both for the victims and their families,” said Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
One facility, believed to be the largest of its kind in western Libya, houses 2,600 people who face torture, unlawful killing, denial of adequate medical treatment and poor detention conditions.
“Men, women and children across Libya are arbitrarily detained or unlawfully deprived of their liberty based on their tribal or family links and perceived political affiliations,” the report stated.
“Victims have little or no recourse to judicial remedy or reparations, while members of armed groups enjoy total impunity.”
The report’s findings are based on first-hand accounts and other information gathered from sources inside Libya.
Some detainees have been held since 2011 in relation to the armed conflict that led to the overthrow of former President, the late Muammar Gaddafi, and a surge in armed groups.
The report further stated that since renewed hostilities broke out in 2014, armed groups on all sides have rounded up suspected opponents, critics, activists, politicians and others, while hostage-taking for prisoner exchanges or ransom is also common.
“Rather than reining in armed groups and integrating their members under State command and control structures, successive Libyan governments have increasingly relied on them for law enforcement, including arrests and detention; paid them salaries; and provided them with equipment and uniforms,” the report said.
The authors are calling on the Libyan authorities to condemn torture, ill-treatment and summary executions of those detained, and to ensure accountability for these crimes.
“These violations and abuses need to stop and those responsible for such crimes should be held fully to account.”
Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Peshawar to address workers convention
PESHAWAR, Apr 11 (APP):PML-N President and Chief Minister
Punjab, Mian Shehbaz Sharif here Wednesday arrived to address the workers
convention and met with party leadership.
Upon arrival on his maiden visit to Peshawar after assuming
the office of PML-N President, he was received by PML-N KP President, Engr Amir
Muqam and other elected office holders the party.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad
Yousaf, Prime Minister advisor on Aviation, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, Engr Amir
Muqam and Punjab Minister for Auqkaf Zaeem Qadari also accompanied the Chief
Minister Punjab.
KP leaders and workers have raised slogans in favour leader Nawaz Sharif and
Chief Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. A large number workers of Peshawar and adjoining attended the convention.
5000 youth to get technical training to discover job market
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):The federal government, under its Vision 2025, will equip around 5,000 master degree holders across
the country with the technical training to earn their livelihood in a dignified manner.
In this regard, on the directions of government, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has
initiated a programme “Job market Skills for Unemployed Youth” under which the students are
being imparted skill training as per the vision to enable them to explore job market.
Under the programme, HEC has invited applications from the unemployed people till
April 16, with maximum age limit of upto 30 years, said Ayesha Ikram, spokesperson of the HEC on Wednesday.
She said the applications would be entertained on first come, first serve basis.
Sharing the details of programme, she said the students would be imparted training in the best training institutes of the country, adding, the training programme would have the duration of about four months.
The local students, she said, would be paid stipend of Rs 5,000 per month each,
while out of city students would get Rs 10,000 stipend per month.
She said the students who remained unemployed for the last one year, after
completing 16 years studies in any discipline, arts and humanity subjects were
eligible to apply.
The candidates must undergo aptitude screening test for each training, she added.
The training courses being offered included marketing and sales; business startups
(entrepreneurship); computing skills for office, accounting, communication skills, English
language, journalism language, airline ticketing, Tv program and production media, IT
and leadership skills, hotel management, construction projects management (AutoCAD),
digital marketing skills, Interior design and MS projects.
Two Pakistani innovators to get UN Environment grant of US $10,000
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Two young Pakistani innovators are the recipients of a UN Environment grant worth US$10,000 to support their efforts to make lifestyles more sustainable.
As winners of the Asia Pacific Low Carbon Lifestyles Challenge in the Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Mobility categories, respectively, Mohammed Saquib and Hassam Ud-din will also receive business and marketing training from global experts, and pitch to win an additional US$10,000 prize to further augment their ideas, a news release said on Wednesday.
UN Environment’s Director for the Asia-Pacific region, Dechen Tsering, said, “Young innovators like Mohammed and Hassam are examples of the ingenuity we need to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems. I am particularly excited to see that both of their solutions are geared toward helping some of the poorest among us. Improving lifestyles across Asia and the Pacific must be an inclusive endeavour, and these both Pakistanis are demonstrating how we can get it done.”
Saquib’s business, Modulus Tech, produces energy efficient, low-cost modular flat-pack housing built from recycled materials. Pakistan’s housing shortage is up to 10 million units, and there is a large market for low-cost housing, including in refugee and displaced persons camps.
Saquib’s houses come with all electrical and plumbing utilities built-in and are meant to be assembled in as little as 3 hours. Built from recyclable materials such as fibre cement composites and wood plastic composites, components have a 30-year lifespan and a carbon footprint up to 52 times lower than traditional concrete homes.
The insulative material also makes the houses energy efficient. Saquib estimates they are 3 times more energy efficient than alternatives on the market.
Saquib said, “We saw one of the worst refugee crises in the world hits its peak in 2016. Millions were displaced, and many were left homeless and exposed to extreme climate and social problems in makeshift camps and shelters. My team and I felt we could use our engineering knowledge to help. We realized an affordable, quick-to-assemble flat-pack shelter could greatly improve the lot of those displaced. I am happy to use this UN Environment grant to bring our technology to more people who
need it.”
Hassam Ud-din is aiming to fix a different scarcity: affordable, efficient transport infrastructure. Despite only 17 percent car ownership, Pakistan’s cities often face acute traffic jams and congestion, generating enormous amounts of pollution.
While higher vehicle ownership is not sustainable, many areas without a high volume of passengers and goods are bypassed altogether by transit lines. At the same time, most cars and trucks on the road operate at 30 percent capacity, leaving 70 percent capacity up for grabs.
Hassam ud-din’s solution comes in the form of an app called RASAI, which allows for peer-to-peer sharing of a vehicle’s extra space and seats, offering inter-city ridesharing and freight-shipping capabilities.
Meanwhile, freight transport vehicles can use the app to provide spare cargo space at low cost, enabling small businesses like farmers to bring their goods to market at lower cost and higher convenience.
Hassam said, “It is often said that mobility is the single most important factor for an individual to escape poverty. I’ve seen people’s opportunities limited by the availability of transit routes that they can use. On the other hand, road congestion is horrendous. Millions of hours and billions of rupees worth of fuel are wasted sitting in traffic, while most vehicles only use 30% of their space capacity. If these inefficiencies can be removed, we could see unprecedented economic benefit for the developing world.”
Mohammed Saquib is the Chief Technical Officer of Modulus Tech, with a background in civil engineering and a specialization in Construction Management. He is the structural and architectural designer of the company’s flat-pack house. With expertise in Autocad Revit, Robot Structural Analysis and BIM (Building Information Modeling), he is responsible for product improvement and performance simulation.
Hassam Ud-din is a civil (transportation) engineer and a Silicon Valley-trained tech entrepreneur. He is a self-taught programmer who loves working with maps. Hassam was the youngest speaker at the Vienna Energy Forum, and has had extensive experience working with UNIDO and the startup ecosystem in Pakistan. He also mentors young Startups and is enthusiastic about working to improve the socio-economic condition of the developing world through leveraging technology.
It is worth mentioning here that the Asia-Pacific Low-Carbon Lifestyles Challenge aims to mobilize and support young people with business ideas on how to foster energy-efficient, low-waste and low-carbon lifestyles.
12 winners each receive a US$10,000 to support their business venture focusing on one of three different categories: mobility, plastic waste and energy.
This is an initiative funded by the Ministry of Environment Japan, as part of SWITCH-Asia’s Regional Sustainable Consumption and Production Policy Advocacy Component, the Asia-Pacific Regional Roadmap on Sustainable Consumption and Production and One Planet.
This initiative is carried out together with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, The Thai National Science and Technology Development Agency and Sasin Entrepreneurship Center.
Better services to people should be hallmark of doctors, health professionals: Governor
PESHAWAR, Apr 11 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Engr. Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has stressed the need that
the persons attached to the field of medicine and healthcare should make
serving the ailing humanity as core objective of their lives.
In fact, he added, educational institutions
and the people blessed with the quality of wisdom are always judged the sources
of inspiration in the life of nations.
He was addressing as a chief guest at the Convocation ceremony of Peshawar Dental
College and Rafeeda Nursing College at the Convocation Hall of Peshawar Medical College on Wednesday.
He delivered degrees and medals to the graduating doctors and nurses on this occasion wherein
Muhammad Hassan Khan, Ameer ul Jamia Rifah International
University; Prof. Anis Ahmad, Ameer-ul- Jamia as well as Dean of Peshawar Medical College, teachers
and students of the respective institutions were also present.
The Governor congratulated the graduating students and said that indeed becoming
graduate of any educational institution is an honour for the respective
person. However, he added, when it comes to health related subjects, that becomes a matter of extra honour for the
respective scholars since they would be going to take over the responsibility
of securing health and life of human beings.
While serving the ailing humanity, he added, one is honoured with a
respectable employment opportunity and at the same time it is also considered a
dignified status in the society. At the same time, the Governor further reminded the graduates, that serving the ailing
humanity is also like a reverence.
NAB recovers Rs 296 billion from corrupt since establishment
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):National Accoutability Bureau (NAB) has recovered a sum of Rs 296 billion from the corrupt
and deposited the looted money in the national exchequer, reveals in a meeting
of NAB here on Wednesday.
The meeting chaired by Chairman NAB Justice Javed Iqbal
to review the overall performance of the Bureau.
The meeting was told that NAB has so far received 3,67,742 complaints since its
establishment. Out of which 3,65,374 has been disposed off as per law of the
land. NAB has so far authorized the verification of 12,702 complaints. Whereas12,189
complaints has been disposed off after the verification. The meeting was briefed that NAB has authorized to conduct inquiries of 8,084 complaints, out of which 7,425 inquiries have been disposed off as per law. NAB has authorized 4001 investigation since its establishment. Out of which 3,705 investigations have
been disposed off.
The meeting was told that the NAB has authorized to file 3,050 references, out of
which 2,049 references has been disposed off.
Justice Javed Iqbal directed the officials to complete inquiries, investigations and
complaints as per prescribed time frame, so that the corrupt could be punished as per law, said a press release.
As many as 1,200 references are being heard in various accountability
courts.
He said NAB court
would be asked to ensure early hearing and disposing of the cases so that people’s
Rs 970 billion could be recovered and deposited into the national exchequer. He
said elimination of the curse of corruption was his top most priority.
He was using his best abilities and resources for elimination of corruption. He
directed NAB officers to perform their duties with utmost honesty,merit and as
per relevant laws as law violators have no place in NAB. NAB was vigorously
pursuing the policy of indiscriminate accountability. No hurdle in this regard
would be tolerated, he added.
Pak-Japan need to take bilateral business to higher level: Mandviwala
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwala Wednesday in a meeting with Japanese Ambassador said that Pakistan and Japan needed to take bilateral business activities to a higher level and increase its volume to the level of Japanese trade with Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai made a courtesy call to Deputy Chairman Senate in his chamber at the Parliament House, said a press release received here.
Senator Saleem Mandviwala observed that Pakistan was striving to achieve a good working environment for business investors adding “We are hopeful that Senate of Pakistan will do more than it was doing previously to make the environment more conducive and to attract more businessmen and companies from Japan.”
Japanese Ambassador presented a few queries to the Deputy Chairman regarding new taxation policies and concerns of Japanese businessmen.
Deputy Chairman Senate assured the Ambassador that Senate of Pakistan would take the matter up with the government and would do as much as it could resolve the issues.
The Deputy Chairman Senate stressed the need for exchanges between Committee of Parliaments of both countries.
Polling in Azerbaijan presidential election starts
BAKU, April 11 (APP)::The polling for presidential election started on Wednesday at 8.00 a.m. in Azerbaijan as 5.314 million registered voters would use their right to vote and elect their next president for seven years.
The Central Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements including installation of 1,000 Web cameras , setting up of polling stations in missions of Azerbaijan abroad to conduct election in a free and transparent manner.
“There exist 125 constituencies and the Commission has established 5641 polling stations, of which 215 are temporary while 41 have been set-up in foreign countries to facilitate Azerbaijani expatriates”, it added.
There are eight candidates named Gudrat Hasanguliyev from the Whole Azerbaijani Popular Front Party, Araz Alizade from the Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, Faraj Guliyev from the National Revival Movement Party, Razi Nurullayev from the Frontists Initiative Group, Hafiz Hajiyev from the Modern Musavat Party, self-nominee Zahid Oruj ,Sardar Mammadov from the Azerbaijan Democratic Party and incumbent President Ilham from the New Azerbaijan Party who are contesting for the slot.
The authorities concerned have established 41 polling stations outside Azerbaijan for the presidential election and as many as 13,820 voters are expected to cast their vote in these polling stations abroad.
Moreover, the CEC has accredited 890 international and 58,175 domestic observers to monitor the presidential election .The international observers represents 59 countries and 60 organisations including the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), PACE, CIS who are coming to Azerbaijan to monitor the presidential election.The basic objective is to ensure transparency.
Opportunities have also been provided for visually and physically disabled voters.
Mobile ramps are being used for the voters with mobility impairment to come to the polling station and vote. So, all polling stations have been made suitable for such voters. The ramps will also facilitate the persons using wheelchair to come to polling stations independently and vote.
The Commission also focused on voter education and many projects were carried out in this field.
The voting will end at 7.00 p.m.
UNSC fails to agree on independent investigative mechanism on chemical weapons use in Syria
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 11 (APP):The Security Council, voting today on three separate draft resolutions in response to recent allegations of a chemical weapons attack in the Syrian town of Douma, failed to rally the votes needed to launch an independent mechanism of investigation into the incident, as delegates voiced frustration over the continued paralysis and the expanding rifts between nations.
Days after alleged chemical weapons attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma, the UN Security Council failed to adopt two competing resolutions that would have established a mechanism to investigate use of such weapons in Syria, as well as another concerning a fact-finding mission in the war-torn country.
Had one of the two mechanisms proposed in the drafts been approved, it could have filled the vacuum left by the Organisation for Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) when its mandate expired last November.
The first draft considered Tuesday “ penned by the United States “ which would have established a new investigative mechanism for one year, as well as identify those responsible for the use of chemical weapons, was rejected as Russia exercised its veto power.
The draft received 12 votes in favour, two against (Bolivia and Russia) and one abstention (China).
A negative vote “ or veto “ from one of the Council’s five permanent members “ China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States “ blocks passage of a resolution.
Tuesday’s meeting marked the twelfth time Russia has used its veto to block Council action on Syria.
Similarly, a competing draft “ penned by Russia “ which would have established the mechanism for one year as well but would have given the Security Council the responsibility to assign accountability for the use of chemical weapons in Syria, was also not adopted.
This draft received six Council members’ vote in favour (Bolivia, China, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan and Russia), seven against (France, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States) and two abstentions (Ivory Coast and Kuwait).
The Council rejected a third text “ also proposed by Russia “ which concerned the work of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission (FFM).
The draft received five votes in favour (Bolivia, China, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan and Russia), four against (France, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States), and six abstentions (Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru, and Sweden).
Ahead of the Security Council meetings Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had repeated his call on 15-member body to find unity on the issue of use of chemical weapons in Syria and ensure accountability.
“The norms against chemical weapons must be upheld. I appeal to the Security Council to fulfil its responsibility and find unity on this issue,” he said.
“I also encourage the Council to redouble its efforts to agree on a dedicated mechanism for accountability.”
The U.S. has claimed that the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad is responsible for the attack. Moscow, however, has denied the Syrian government was behind the strike, and has instead said the attack was staged by militants.
Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., condemned Russia’s veto on Tuesday, saying that Moscow had chosen Assad over the Security Council.
“The record will not be kind to one permanent member of this council. Unfortunately, Russia has chosen the Assad regime again over the unity of this council,” Haley said.
“We have said it before that Russia will stop at nothing to shield the Assad regime.”
Her statement comes a day after she issued a blistering condemnation of Russia over the alleged chemical attack, saying Moscow’s hands are “covered in the blood” of Syrian children.
Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov said Monday that specialists sent by Moscow to Douma had determined that no chemical weapons were used in the area, contradicting the findings of aid workers.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said he would make a decision in the next 48 hours regarding a potential military response to the alleged chemical strike in Douma.
The Joint Investigative Mechanism, which was established in 2015 to look into chemical weapons use in Syria, came to an end last year after Russia voted in the Security Council not to renew its mandate.
Guterres renews call for UNSC unity over Syria crisis
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 10 (APP):Reports of new alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta over the weekend have been condemned by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who on Tuesday repeated his call for the Security Council to “find unity” on the issue and ensure accountability.
In a statement, the UN chief expressed his outrage at reports that civilians in the last opposition-held area of Rural Damascus have continued to be targeted by toxic agents.
The Secretary-General’s call comes after UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, told the Security Council late Monday that at least 49 people had been killed, and hundreds were injured in an alleged chemical attack in Douma on Saturday evening.
Guterres condemned the incident as “abhorrent”, ” echoing a statement issued in March ” amid what he called “persistent allegations” of the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
In both statements, the UN chief underlined his support for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) ” the body which investigates allegations of such attacks.
His latest statement also underlined his call for the Council to “redouble its efforts” to uphold norms against chemical weapons and agree on a mechanism that would ensure accountability.
Meanwhile, in Geneva on Tuesday, UN humanitarian agencies expressed alarm at ongoing violence in several areas of Syria which has caused the mass displacement of civilians to spiral.
Asked by journalists about the alleged chemical attacks, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said they were not in a position to confirm anything.
OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke confirmed that aid workers were in place in eight shelters for the displaced, but not in Douma, site of the alleged attack:
“I’m not sure everyone understands that, we are not in Douma, Eastern Ghouta is still under siege. Occasionally we are able to go in with a convoy and we leave again immediately. We are in place outside of Eastern Ghouta in those eight centres where we can provide some aid. We are not in Eastern Ghouta. And for these, as you say, extremely serious allegations with very severe ramifications; political, military and otherwise, we need to be absolutely sure that what we say is correct.”
According to UN refugee agency, tens of thousands of people remain trapped in Douma and nearly a quarter of a million people need aid urgently in the wider Eastern Ghouta area.
More than 133,000 people have fled Eastern Ghouta in the past month and one-third of that number have been given shelter in eight centres in Rural Damascus.
But these are “overcrowded and pose a serious health risk,” Andrej Mahecic from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said, adding that there and elsewhere in the war-torn country the situation is “desperate.”
UNHCR’s response involves providing essential aid, shelter support and protection services, including to 137,000 Syrians displaced from the Afrin region in the north.
LCCI delegation calls on High Commissioner
LONDON, Apr 10 (APP): A twelve-member delegation of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) headed by Khamis Saeed called on Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK here at the Pakistan High Commission London on the other day.
The High Commissioner welcomed the delegation and expressed his complete support to facilitate their visit to the UK. He, on the occasion, directed the Commercial Counsellor to arrange their B2B meetings to make their visit more productive, a statement of the High Commission issued here Tuesday said.
On raising the issue by LCCI delegates regarding problems in securing British Business Visas, the High Commissioner assured the delegation to raise the issue at the highest level so that the business community can move freely between two countries. The visiting delegation thanked the High Commissioner for Mission’s consistent support.
It is important to note that UK is an important trading partner of Pakistan. It is, in fact, the third
largest export destination of Pakistani products and Pakistan exports in British markets have witnessed
consistent growth of 8% during the last two years.
PM for enhanced Pak-Austria political, business contacts
ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday emphasized the need to enhance bilateral political and business contacts between Pakistan and Austria.
The Prime Minister expressed these views during a meeting with Federal Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz held in China’s Hainan province on the sidelines of BOAO Forum for Asia.
Prime Minister Abbasi felicitated Sebastian Kurz on assuming the office of Chancellor and invited him to visit Pakistan, a press release issued by the PM’s Media Wing here said.
He stated that Austria was a key EU member, and an important development partner. Regional situation was also discussed during the meeting.
The prime minister also apprised the chancellor about the atrocities inflicted by Indian forces on the innocent people of Indian Occupied Kashmir and repeated violations of the Line of Control.
The Austrian Chancellor commended Pakistan’s efforts for fighting terrorism.
Miftah chairs meeting for revival of film industry
ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP):Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance,
Miftah Ismail here on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review proposals for revival of film industry in the country.
According to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry, the Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage, Marriyum Aurangzeb briefed the meeting about various steps envisaged for betterment of the film industry and also outlined financial requirements for the same.
In her remarks the Minster said that it was a high time that the important medium of film was accorded its due importance and fully utilized to project the true cultural identity and soft image of the country, particularly at the international level.
Besides, projection of the country’s vast cultural wealth, the medium of film, like many other countries could also serve as a contributor to the national economy, the Minister emphasized.
She also highlighted establishment of a film financing fund, easing out of tax regime on film production, facilitation in establishment of production studios as key steps that could help in revival of
the realm of film making and take it at the height of glory that it once
enjoyed in the golden era of 60s .
Adviser Miftah Ismail on the occasion said that undoubtedly film was a an
effective medium for the projection of national heritage.
He appreciated the steps and initiatives by the Ministry of Information for
re-emergence of the film industry and assured of all possible support in the
matter.
Besides, promotion of film industry would
also provide greater opportunities to our artists to show their true merit, he
said.
He added that Pakistani artists had earned
great name for the country abroad and they deserved good opportunities to excel
at home also.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Information, Broadcasting,
National History and Literary Heritage attended the meeting.
Economy registers 13 years high growth at 5.79 percent in FY 2018: Miftah Ismail
ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP):Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs Dr Miftah Ismail on Tuesday while expressing satisfaction on the latest economic indicators, said that the economy has registered a 13 years high growth at 5.79 percent in Fiscal Year 2018.
In a statement issued here, the adviser said it may be recalled that the economy had stagnated during 2008-13 with an average growth rate of 2.82 percent.
Due to the policies pursued by the PML-N government, the growth rate improved to 4.05 percent in the first year and has since maintained an upward trajectory, culminating in the current years’ highest growth rate of 5.79 percent, he added.
“The average increase during the last five years has been 4.76 percent. Industrial sector maintained its upward growth trajectory at 5.8 percent. This is the highest level of growth in the last
10 years” he remarked.
He said that Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) touched 6.13 percent growth during the first eight months of the CFY, which is the highest in last 11 years.
The contribution of sugar production, where crushing started later than usual, is likely to further improve the final numbers for the year, he said adding, agriculture sector has also preformed impressively and achieved 3.8 percent growth which is again the highest in the last 13 years.
Production of all major crops registered significant growth. The services sector has achieved 6.43 percent growth during current fiscal year. It is the second year in a row that its growth is above 6 percent. Inflation is contained at 3.85 percent during first nine months of current fiscal year, he said.
The government has therefore been successful in achieving its objective of high growth and low inflation. The containment of inflation is due to effective monetary and stabilization policies adopted by the government, Miftah added.
He said that the current trend suggests that, inflation will remain below the target of 6 percent
during current fiscal year.
The Adviser noted that the external sector was also improving with the exports gradually picking up and growth in imports slowing down.
He said that during March 2018 exports had shown a 24 percent growth year on year, while imports had increased by 6 percent. At the same time foreign remittances were also maintaining the increasing trend.