ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Foreign Affairs Jalil Abbas Jilani on Tuesday informed the Senate that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has busted two-three gangs of beggars who were trying to travel to Saudi Arabia under the garb of Ummrah.
Replying to various supplementary questions during Question Hour, the minister said that around 2.5 million Pakistanis were working in Saudi Arabia. Round the clock helpline has been established in the Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate General in Jeddah to address their complaints, he added.
He said hundred of thousands telephone calls received which were not only noted but also making all out efforts to address it.
He said some 500,000 visas were issued to Pakistani last year for employment. The Saudi authorities have also given the assurances to provide jobs to those facing employment related problems at alternative companies, he added.
To another question, he said total 96 Audit Paras from Audit Reports for the year 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 on the accounts of Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been considered by the Public Accounts Committee. Out of these 96 Audit Paras, 19 have been settled and work continues for the settlement of remaining paras, he said.
He said the amount pointed out by Audit was Rs. 13,962.478/- Million, out of which Rs. 723.58 Million was recoverable. So far, Rs 163.194 Million has already been recovered, he added.
To a separate question, the minister said the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) was set up in 1973 and was an autonomous, non-profit research and analyses organization affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The purpose of the Institute was to foster dialogue, understanding and collaboration amongst scholars, policy-makers and other stakeholders, he said. He said during the last three years i.e., 2020-23, the ISSI registered a quantitative surge and qualitative improvement in all three streams of its work research, discourse and policy inputs to the government.
FIA busted 2-3 gangs of beggars trying to travel to Saudi Arabia: Senate told
President pays tribute to martyred troops of Pasni, N.Waziristan militant attacks
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): President Dr. Arif Alvi on Tuesday paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the militant attacks in Pasni, Balochistan, and Mir Ali, North Waziristan on November 3 and 12, respectively.
The president talked to the families of Subedar Ubaidullah, Naik Muhammad Sajjad, Shahzad Qamar, and Sepoys Shahbaz, Faizur Rehman, and Zahid Hussain.
“The sacrifices of martyrs will not go in vain and terrorism will come to an end,” he said.
Dr Alvi also paid tribute to the martyr of the North Waziristan incident, Sepoy Abdullah.
The president extended condolences to the family of the martyred troops and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant an elevated place for their souls.
Gold price up by Rs.500 to Rs.215,600 per tola
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): The prices of per tola 24 karat gold increased by Rs.500 and was sold at Rs.215,600 on Monday against its sale at Rs.215,100 the previous day.
The price of 10 grams of 24 karat gold also increased by Rs428 to Rs.184,842 from Rs.184,414 whereas the prices of and 10 gram 22 karat gold increased to Rs.169,439 from Rs.169,046, the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association reported.
The price of per tola and ten gram Silver witnessed no change and was sold at Rs.2,550 and 2,186.21 respectively. T
The price of gold in the international market increased by $12 to $2,011 from $1,999, the Association reported.
PM condoles death of mother of MQM leader Khalid Maqbool
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday expressed grief over the death of the mother of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Khalid Maqbool Siddiquii.
“We share the grief with the family of Mr. Khalid Maqbool and offer condolences to them,” read a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The prime minister prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace and for the grant of patience to the bereaved family.
Only realistic, mission-oriented training in peacetime can guarantee excellence on battlefield: COAS
RAWALPINDI, Nov 21 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday while interacting with the troops participating in the exercise said only realistic, mission-oriented training in peacetime could guarantee excellence on the battlefield should the need arise.
The Army Chief visited Corps Level Collective Training exercise of Strike Corp aimed at validating offensive operational concepts, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.
He witnessed an impressive display of complex manoeuvres undertaken, led by Armoured formation equipped with state of the art VT-4 tanks.
The COAS met the troops participating in the exercise and commended their verve, operational efficiency and professionalism.
The Army Chief highlighted the importance of combat readiness and mental agility to respond to multi-spectral threat paradigm.
He dilated upon the significance of achieving synergy among various arms in view of rapidly changing threat environment. He also appreciated the proficiency gained in night operations.
Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Commander Mangla Corps.
Three terrorists killed in separate IBOs; soldier embraces martyrdom in IED blast
RAWALPINDI, Nov 21 (APP): Three terrorists have been killed during two separate Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) conducted to eliminate inimical elements in the areas of Dera Ismail Khan and South Waziristan whereas a soldier of Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom after an improvised explosive device went off in the area of North Waziristan.
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday that an IBO was conducted in general area Kulachi of Dera Ismail Khan District on November 20 and after intense exchange of fire, two terrorists were sent to hell.
In a separate operation conducted in general area Kot Azam, South Waziristan District, one more terrorist was killed.
The forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from all three killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as the innocent civilians.
In another incident that occurred in general area Gharyoum, North Waziristan District, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded and resultantly, Sepoy Shahzeb, 26, resident of Rawalpindi district embraced Shahadat (martyrdom).
“The sanitization operations are being carried out to eliminate terrorists present in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,’ the ISPR said.
President for enhanced economic, cultural cooperation with Bulgaria
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday called for increasing economic, trade, and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Bulgaria.
He said Pakistan greatly valued its ties with Bulgaria and wished to strengthen them in all fields of mutual interest.
The President expressed these views while talking to Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Bulgaria, Modasar Chaudhry, here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
President Alvi underscored the need for the exchange of political and business delegations to further improve bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Bulgaria. He asked the newly-appointed envoy to work on establishing institutional linkages between the chambers of commerce of the two countries to enhance economic relations.
The President also emphasized the need to improve relations in the education sector by developing collaborations between Pakistani and Bulgarian universities and arranging exchanges of faculty and students.
Plight of animals in zoos cause concern
No peace without settlement of Jammu & Kashmir issue: PM
RISALPUR, Nov 21 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday said peace in the region could not be guaranteed till the resolution of the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir between Pakistan and India.
“Let me make it clear that there can be no peace without the settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue,” he said in his address at the graduation ceremony of the officers here at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy Asghar Khan.
PM Kakar said Pakistan was a peace-loving nation and wished to maintain friendly relations with all countries, especially its neighbours.
He, however, categorically stated that the country’s desire for peace “must not be understood as weakness”.
The prime minister strongly condemned the ongoing grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan, he said, would not indulge in any arm race but would continue to enhance its capabitlity in line with evolving technology to deter any aggression.
The prime minister highlighted that the rapidly changing geo-strategic environment had a profound impact on Pakistan and rest of the region.
“Therefore, the situation demands advancements in space networks, cyber technology, nano technology and artificial intelligence,” he said.
He expressed satisfaction that PAF modernized itself though smart induction of cutting-edge niche technology and achieved great progress in cyber space and non-contact warfare through indigenous means.
PM Kakar termed the armed forces of Pakistan as professionally competent and well-trained to cope with all internal and external challenges.
“The nation holds our armed forces in high esteem for the sacrifices they rendered for national defence and for their contribution towards nation-building,” he said.
He mentioned that the country’s brave armed forces always showed great courage during testing times to keep the national flag high.
“I assure you that as a nation we have surmounted challenges in the past and Insha’Allah, we will do so in future and make the country prosperous,” he said.
The prime minister congratulated the cadets graduated from the colleges of flying training and aeronautical engineering and expressed confidence that they would give their best professional performance with commitment and diligence.
“Being the custodians of the PAF, you carry the hopes of this nation and must work hard to keep abreast with modern technology and trends related to modern warfare,” he told the graduates.
A total of 131 Aviation Cadets, 08 Gentleman Cadets and 03 Naval Cadets graduated during the ceremony. The prime minister awarded Branch insignias and trophies to the distinction holders.
Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu received the prime minister on the venue. Bugles were blown when PM Kakar as chief guest of the ceremony entered the arena. The prime minister onboard a PAF jeep inspected the formation of the smartly turned out contingents of the PAF falcons.
The prime minister awarded the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Banner to the Champions No. 3 Squadron on its consistently best performance in all semesters. He also pinned badges on the professionally distinguished graduating cadets.
The Chief of the Air Staff trophies for best performance were given to Muhammad Moosa Jawad (best pilot), Muhammad Ali Gohar (general aviation), Sajid Sikandar Abbas (air defence), Syed Saad Ali (combat support) and Sohaib Saeed (aeronautical engineering).
The Swords of Honour were awarded to Aviation Cadets Ahmed Malik (flying) and Sohaib Saeed (engineering).
The prime minister witnessed the PAF Academy Aerobatics team “Bravehearts” presenting a spirit pass over the parade venue. Afterwards, a thrilling formation flying display by PAF Mirage, F-7PG, JF-17 and J-10C fighter jets captivated the spectators by showcasing PAF’s professional prowess.
Chinese premier to attend the Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit
