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Pakistan to import on priority products by Afghan women entrepreneurs: Khar

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KABUL (Afghanistan), Nov 29 (APP): Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Tuesday announced that Pakistan would give special preference to import of products from the businesses run by the women of Afghanistan.

The State Minister expressed these views at a luncheon meeting hosted in her honour by Afghanistan’s Women Chamber of Commerce in Kabul. 

Khar underlined the important role of women in the society and expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in strengthening linkages between the women entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

President approves regularization of three IHC’s additional judges

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi has approved the regularization of three additional judges of Islamabad High Court (IHC), the President House said Tuesday. 

The additional judges include Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justicr Saman Rafat Imtiaz. 

The president gave the approval under Article 175-A(13) of the Constitution. 

British HC hosts reception to ‘Welcome Return of England Test Cricket to Pakistan’

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British HC hosts reception to ‘Welcome Return of England Test Cricket to Pakistan’

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP):The British High Commission in Pakistan has hosted a reception to welcome the return of the England test cricket to Pakistan.

In attendance were notable sports and media personalities, political figures, representatives from the ECB and PCB as well as cricket players who are set to play test cricket in Pakistan for the first time in 17 years.


On the occasion British High Commissioner in Pakistan, Dr Christian Turner said ‘Cricket teaches us to play hard, accept defeat and respect our opponents. The players, PCB and ECB are great ambassadors for their sport and it is a pleasure to welcome them to the High Commission. The generous donations to flood victims is a sign of the deep ties and affection between our two countries.’


England batter, Ollie Pope, said, ‘We’re delighted to return to Pakistan for this historic Test tour after such an exciting T20 series earlier this year. We’re grateful for the warm welcome we have received but also know that many communities have been impacted severely by the floods.

It’s great to see so many different organisations coming together to arrange this donation of cricket equipment and hopefully, it will go a small way to ensuring that children in some of the affected areas can still benefit from all the good that cricket can do as they try to recover.’


The return of the England Test team comes amid a standout year for UK-Pakistan sporting and cultural ties, coinciding with the 75-year anniversary of UK-Pakistan relations, the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, the England T20 Pakistan cricket tour and the World Cup T20 England-Pakistan final. The Tests mark a high point, as 2022 draws to a close.


The return of England cricket has coincided with a strong focus on the power of sports diplomacy – with both tours taking place following the devastation caused by floods. Both the ECB and cricketers contributed to the UK’s DEC Pakistan flood appeal during the T20s which raised over £30m to provide lifesaving aid to those affected.


England Test Captain, Ben Stokes, has also generously announced that he will be donating his match fees for this Test series to the DEC appeal. In addition, the ECB in collaboration with the Lord’s Taverners, BA, IAG Cargo, Football for Peace and the Sarwar Foundation are shipping in 1 tonne of cricket kit to enable schools affected by flooding to rebuild their sports curriculums and help children return to a sense of normality.


This sports diplomacy drive compliments a wider UK Government focus on supporting Pakistan’s resilience in the aftermath of the floods via education development.

Through its programmes, the UK is currently supporting 40,000 marginalised children with back-to-school kits including essential textbooks, providing 8,000 dignity kits for adolescent girls, and delivering an accelerated learning programme to 30,000 children to help them catch up on lost learning due to flood disruption.

These efforts will safeguard girls in particular, and in the coming months the UK is set to expand its educational drive even further with a ‘Girls and Out of school children: Action for Learning (GOAL)’ programme which will support 20,000 flood-affected students (at least 60% female) to return to education in 235 schools.

Qatar agrees long-term gas supply deal with Germany: energy minister

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Doha, Nov 29 (AFP/APP): Qatar has agreed to send Germany two million tons of liquefied natural gas a year for at least 15 years, officials said Tuesday, as Europe’s biggest economy scrambles for alternative supplies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
With the long-awaited deal, Qatar aims to “contribute to efforts to support energy security in Germany and Europe,” said Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatar’s energy minister and CEO of QatarEnergy.
QatarEnergy’s partner, US firm ConocoPhillips, will supply the gas from Qatar’s North Field East and South projects from 2026 to the Brunsbuttel LNG terminal being developed in northern Germany, Kaabi said.
Asian countries led by China, Japan and South Korea are the main market for Qatar’s gas, which has been increasingly sought by European countries since Russia’s war on Ukraine threw supplies into doubt.
Negotiations with European countries had previously struggled as Germany and others baulked at signing the type of long-term deals made with Asian nations.
The deal with Germany was struck a week after QatarEnergy announced a 27-year agreement to ship four million tons a year to China, saying it was the longest ever seen in the industry.

PM for int’l community’s enhanced efforts to end violation of Palestinians’ rights

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the dire situation in Occupied Palestine posed a serious challenge to international peace and security, and the international community must enhance its efforts to bring an end to the endless violations of the rights of the Palestinians.

“To improve the prospects of a two-state solution, it is essential to stop Israel from expanding its illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem,” the prime minister said in his message on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People annually observed on November 29.

On behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, the prime minister expressed their unwavering support to the people of Palestine, especially on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

He said it was a matter of grave concern that the Palestinians had continued to suffer under illegal Israeli occupation for over seven decades.

The prime minister said that in addition to many injustices, the Palestinians endured in their daily lives at the hands of the occupying force, the brutal occupation has resulted in misery, frustration and hopelessness.

“The most recent example of the incessant Israeli violence was seen in August this year, when Israeli bombing in Gaza resulted in deaths of approximately 50 Palestinians, including 17 children, and injuries to more than 300,” he remarked.

He said Israel’s actions were emboldened by impunity. As long as the international community does not take any concrete action to bring an end to the atrocities, the Palestinians will continue to suffer deaths, injuries and egregious violations of their human rights, the prime minister commented.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support for the two-state solution of the Palestinian issue, as enshrined in relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

“We reaffirm our solidarity with the people of Palestine and call for the establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of internationally agreed parameters of the pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds al Sharif as its capital,” he added.

Pakistan stands by Palestine against Israeli oppression: President

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday reiterated Pakistan’s unflagging support to the cause of Palestine against the tyranny and illegal occupation of the Israeli forces.

“Pakistan has historically supported the legitimate struggle of Palestinians and shall continue to do so,” the president said in his message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

President Alvi said collective voice and action could bring peace and security to the Palestinians and expressed hope that justice and fairness would prevail over tyranny and oppression.

He hoped that the conscience of the world would triumph over narrow self-interests.

He stressed that Pakistan fully supported the Palestinian position and their readiness to negotiate a peace accord based upon internationally recognized terms of reference and pre-1967 borders.

The accord, he said, needed to be under international monitoring, holding accountable the parties and within a determined and binding timeframe, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine.

President Alvi pointed out that during the last seven and half decades, there was systematic and increasing abuse of the Palestinians at the hands of Israelis.

“So much of the innocent blood has been shed and the bleeding of Palestinians has not stopped yet. The two undeniable realities of the conflict are unstoppable Israeli violence against Palestinians and the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel,” he said.

The president said the most recent episode of the incessant Israeli violence was seen in August this year when it’s bombing in Gaza resulted in the deaths of approximately 50 Palestinians including 17 children, and injuries to more than 300.

“Despite any action that Israel takes to annex occupied Palestinian territories, the annexation and occupation will remain in contravention of the principles of international humanitarian law and international law,” he said.

Dr Alvi said the occupying power could take control of the territory, but it could not take control of the minds and spirit of the occupied people.

“The struggle of the Palestinians for their freedom will continue until they are given the chance to exercise their right to self-determination and Pakistan will stand by them,” he said.

Khar holds political talks with Afghanistan’s interim government

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KABUL (Afghanistan), Nov 29 (APP): Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Tuesday held political consultations with the leadership of the interim government of Afghanistan and discussed multilateral matters of importance.

In a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi, which was also attended by Minister for Mines and Petroleum Shahabuddin Delawar, the discussions focused on bilateral trade, connectivity and people-to-people contacts.

Khar and Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi along with their respective delegations also met and discussed matters of bilateral importance.

The meeting focused on political consultations between the two governments. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq was also present.

“A range of bilateral issues of common interest including cooperation in education, health, trade and investment, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and socioeconomic projects,” the Foreign Office said.

Khar holds political talks with Afghanistan's interim government

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar had a luncheon meeting with Women Chamber of Commerce, where she underlined the important role of women in the society and expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in strengthening linkages between women entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

She announced that Pakistan would give special preference to import of products produced by businesses run by the women entrepreneurs.

Khar holds political talks with Afghanistan's interim government

Earlier on her arrival in the Afghan capital, Hina Rabbani Khar was received at the airport by Deputy Minister for Economy Abdul Latif Nazari and the Pakistan embassy’s Head of Mission in Kabul Ubaid-ur-Rahman Nizamani.


ANF seizes over 3000 kg drug, arrests 32 drug pushers

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ANF logo

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP):Anti-Narcotics Force seized 3000.65 kilograms of drugs and 4820 Liters of Prohibited chemicals worth US$ 44.046 million and arrested 32 drug pushers including two women during 34 counter-narcotics operations throughout the country.

According to a spokesperson of ANF, the force during the operation had also impounded 10 vehicles being used for the smuggling of the drug across the country.

Sharing the details, he said, the ANF seized drugs comprised 2245.200 Kg Opium, 40.282 Kg Heroin, 703.691 Kg Hashish, 10.538 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice), 0.028 Kg Weed, 0.811 Kg Alprazolam Tablets (6400 x Tabs), 0.100 Kg Diazepam Tablets (500 x Tramadol Tabs), 3795x Liters Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) and 1025 Liters Acetic Anhydride (of AA).

In Balochistan, the force recovered 2583.986 Kg of drugs including 3795 liters of Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) and 1025 liters (AA) in 8 operations and arrested two persons in drug smuggling while seizing two vehicles. The seized drugs comprised 2100 Kg Opium, 30 Kg Heroin, 453 Kg Hashish, 0.986 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice) 3795 Liters Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) and 1025 Liter (AA).

The force, in Punjab, recovered 168.276 Kg of drugs in 8 operations while arresting 11 persons including one woman in drug smuggling and seized 3 vehicles. The seized drugs comprised 20.4 kg Opium 1.500 Kg Heroin, 143.245 Kg Hashish, 2.32 kg Methamphetamine and 0.811 Kg Alprazolam tablets (6400xof Tabs).

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the ANF recovered 242.016 Kg drugs in 8 operations while arrested 1 persons in drug smuggling and seized 5 vehicles. The seized drugs comprised 124.800 kg Opium 6.71 Kg Heroin, 106.006 Kg Hashish and 4.5 kg Methamphetamine. In Sindh province, the force recovered 1.530 Kg drugs in two operations while 3 persons arrested in drug smuggling .The seized drugs comprised 1.530 Kg Heroin.

The ANF North recovered 4.842 Kg drugs in 8 operations, arrested 5 persons in drug smuggling including 1 woman. The seized drugs comprised 0.542 Kg Heroin, 1.440 Kg Hashish, 2.732 Methamphetamine (Ice), 0.028 Kg Weed, 100 Grams Diazepam Tablets (500 x Tabs).

The cases have been registered at respective ANF Police Stations under CNS Act 1997 (Amended 2022) and further investigations are under process.

E&P companies discover 16 hydrocarbon deposits in 2021-22

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): Exploration and Production (E&P) companies, operating in different parts of the country, have collectively discovered 16 oil and gas reservoirs during the last fiscal year in pursuit of making the country self-reliant in the energy sector.

Out of these, ten discoveries were made in the oil and gas fields of Sindh, four in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each in Balochistan and Punjab, according to an official document available with APP.

Initially, the companies started extracting oil and gas from seven newly discovered wells of Sindh province including Taj-1, located in Tando Allahyar district, Turk South-1 & Mulaki West-1 and Bhatti North-1 in Badin district, Fazil-1 in Ghotki district, Mohar in Khairpur district and Naimat West DT-1 in Sanghar district. Currently, their accumulative oil and gas production stood at 1258.98 barrels per day and 10.91 million cubic feet per day respectively.

The E&P companies, under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, carry out different development projects in the surrounding localities of their operational fields for the welfare of local communities regularly.

Accordingly, the companies during the last five years have collectively deposited Rs3108.309 million in joint bank accounts of DCOs/DCs of different districts of Sindh Province.

In line with the Petroleum Concession Agreements (PCAs)/Social Welfare Guidelines issued by the Petroleum Division, the E&P companies are obligated to deposit a certain amount in the joint accounts of the concerned District Coordinator Officers (DCOs) and Deputy Commissioners (DCs).

The social welfare projects related to health, education, clean drinking water, and road infrastructure are executed under the supervision of district-level committees, having adequate representation of local parliamentarians.

Israeli fire kills three Palestinians in West Bank

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Ramallah, Palestinian Territories, Nov 29 (AFP/APP): Three Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops in the West Bank on Tuesday, the Palestinian health ministry said, the latest deaths in a sharp uptick in violence in the occupied territory.

Two brothers were killed by Israeli fire in Kafr Ein, near Ramallah, while a third man died of bullet wounds to the head fired by Israeli troops in Beit Ummar, near the flashpoint city of Hebron, the ministry said.

The Palestinian ministry said a man it did not identify had died “after being shot in the head.”

It named the dead in Kafr Ein as brothers Jawad Abdulrahman Rimawi, 22, and Dhafer Abdul Rahman Rimawi, 21.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army.

Palestinian Authority civil affairs minister Hussein Al Sheikh described the killing of the two brothers as an “execution in cold blood.”

Hamas, which runs Gaza, said the Israeli “escalation” would be “confronted by escalating resistance” from Palestinians.

Violence has flared this year in the West Bank, where the Israeli army has launched near-daily raids across the territory.

The United Nations says more than 125 Palestinians have been killed across the West Bank this year. Israel has occupied the territory since the Six-Day War of 1967.