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Saudi Chief of General Staff lauds exceptional progress of PAF through indigenization

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NNPS Desk
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Saudi Chief of PAF

ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP): Chief of General Staff Saudi Armed Forces, General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili on Thursday called on Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu here at Air Headquarters.

Leading a high level delegation, the Saudi Chief of General Staff expressed his admiration for the exceptional progress made by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), particularly in the area of indigenisation and lauded the professionalism of PAF personnel during the meeting whereas the delegation also underscored discussion on several key areas of mutual interest, defence co-operation and geo-strategic situation, a PAF news release said.

On his arrival, a smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili the guard of honour. Later, the visiting dignitary was introduced to the Principal Staff Officers.

During the meeting, the Chief of the Air Staff shared his pragmatic policy decisions aimed at modernizing PAF through the smart acquisition of niche technologies with a special focus on artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and electronic warfare, in addition to the upgradation of infrastructure and revitalization of operational and training domains.

The Air Chief highlighted that Saudi Arabia being the center of the Muslim world and a significant strategic partner, has longstanding religious, cultural and historical bond with Pakistan which is exemplified through robust bilateral relations.

He also reiterated his unwavering commitment to enhancing the existing ties in realms of military-to-military cooperation, joint exercises and collaborative training.

Highlighting the bond of brotherhood between the two nations, the Air Chief said, “Pakistan values its strong diplomatic, economic and defence relationship with Saudi Arabia which is based on convergence on all important issues relating to regional peace, security and stability.”

The Chief of General Staff Saudi Armed Forces also pledged to play his role in further improving the existing bilateral ties at all levels and expressed his desire to consolidate cooperation in various fields including training, emerging technologies and mutual cooperation in the aviation industry.

The Saudi delegation also visited different installations and technological infrastructure including PAF’s National ISR & Integrated Air Operations Centre (NIIAOC) and PAF’s Cyber Command along with National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP), where they were briefed about the operational capabilities and ongoing projects of PAF’s modernization drive.

The Chief of the Air Staff briefed the visiting dignitary about his vision of PAF’s National Aerospace Science & Technology Park project and highlighted that the mega project was aimed at fostering collaborative research, development and innovation in the domains of aviation, space, IT, cyber & computing to ensure social, economic, technological and scientific benefits both for Pakistan and our valuable partners.

The visiting dignitary expressed keen interest in the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park which will serve as a beacon of innovation to promote futuristic aerospace and aviation capabilities.

He also appreciated the unwavering commitment of the Air Chief in making the project a huge success in a record time.

The meeting between Chief of the Air Staff and Chief of General Staff Saudi Armed Forces is a testament to the strong commitment of both nations to further enhance their strategic partnership through continued dialogue and collaboration.

Pakistan’s sacrifices for making world safer place lauded on World Peace Day

By
Amjad Shafique
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Dr. Saeed Ahmad Ali
LAHORE, Sep 21 (APP):On the World Peace Day, experts praised Pakistan’s dedicated efforts and sacrifices here on Thursday, and shed light on its pivotal role in upholding global peace and striving to create a safer world.
These experts, in special talk with APP regarding the World Peace Day, commended Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to reinforcing the United Nations’ peacekeeping and peace-building framework. The World Peace Day was observed throughout the country, with widespread recognition of Pakistan’s contributions to global peace and security, particularly in the post-9/11 era. The experts acknowledged that Pakistan had made significant sacrifices, with over 83,000 lives lost and economic losses exceeding $250 billion in its pursuit of peace and stability.
It is worth noting that this year’s theme for World Peace Day is “Actions for peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals.”
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence, emphasised the strategic significance of Pakistan’s geographical location, bridging regions such as the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. He pointed out that the Kashmir dispute remains one of the most formidable challenges in this context, with the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) being a significant flashpoint affecting global security. Senator Mushahid called for India to adhere to the UN resolutions and respect the right to self-determination for the Kashmiris in accordance with the international law.
He praised the resilience and adaptability of the Pakistani people, noting that Pakistan had weathered numerous disasters, both natural and man-made, without losing its spirit. Senator Mushahid also highlighted Pakistan’s contributions to peace and security, particularly through its armed forces’ extensive joint exercises and involvement in maritime security, anti-piracy operations, and command of international task forces.
Sehar Kamran, a former Senate lawmaker, expressed gratitude for the resilience of the Pakistani people, highlighting that Pakistan had emerged as a favored and highly sought-after travel destination according to prominent sources like Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler, and the British Backpackers Society.
She also emphasised Pakistan’s extensive involvement in 46 United Nations peacekeeping missions across 29 countries worldwide and its successful efforts in eliminating terror networks, rogue elements, and proxies from its territory.
In summary, the World Peace Day serves as a moment to recognize Pakistan’s substantial contributions to global peace and security, acknowledge its sacrifices, and appreciate the resilience of its people. Pakistan’s role in fostering peace and stability on both regional and global scales remains a testament to its dedication to a safer world.
Mushaal Hussein Mullick, the wife of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Human Rights and Women’s Empowerment, commended Pakistan’s role in promoting global peace while strongly condemning India’s alleged involvement in the murder of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. She urged the international community to take serious note of this alleged state-sponsored killing on Canadian soil.
She expressed concern that such activities could undermine global peace and highlighted India’s history of persecuting and targeting the leadership of minority groups, both within India and abroad. According to Mullick, the brutal murder of the Sikh leader exposed India’s intolerance towards minority communities. She also cited India’s actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and its treatment of other minority communities in various regions over the decades as evidence of its detrimental impact on global peace.
Ms. Mullick lamented the world’s silence and inaction regarding India’s alleged atrocities in IIOJK and its persecution of minorities, which she believed had emboldened India to carry out such operations on foreign soil.
In this context, it’s noteworthy that as of 2023, United Nations (UN) statistics indicate that 168 Pakistani UN peacekeepers have been killed since 1948. The most significant Pakistani loss occurred on June 5, 1993, in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa.
Pakistan became a member of the United Nations (UN) on September 30, 1947, despite opposition from Afghanistan due to the Durand Line issue. The Pakistan Armed Forces rank as the sixth-largest contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping efforts worldwide.
UN peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, involves the practice of assisting conflict-torn countries in creating conditions for sustainable peace. UN peacekeepers typically include military officers, regular troops, and civilian personnel from various countries. They provide services such as monitoring and observing peace processes in post-war regions and assisting ex-combatants in implementing peace agreements they have signed. These efforts can take various forms, including confidence-building measures, power-sharing arrangements, economic and social development, electoral support, and strengthening the rule of law.
It’s important to note that Pakistan is a signatory to numerous UN and international conventions related to global peace and prosperity. As an active member of several UN and international bodies, Pakistan plays a leadership role and contributes valuable policy insights on a wide range of issues affecting humanity, including human rights and environmental protection.
According to UN documents, over 7,000 Pakistani peacekeepers, including more than 6,000 armed forces personnel, over 70 military experts, approximately 66 staff officers, and more than 260 police officials, are deployed in various UN peacekeeping missions currently. Pakistan’s military collaborations also play a significant role in fulfilling its commitment to global peace and security.

Minister for facilitating efficient,  transparent Privatization of SOEs

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Amjad Shafique
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Fawad Hassan Fawad
ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP):Caretaker Minister for Privatization Fawad Hassan Fawad on Thursday reaffirmed the commitment to facilitate efficient and transparent privatization of state-owned entities in order to turn them profit making entities.
The minister was briefed by the Financial Advisor appointed by the Privatization Commission in 2020 to oversee the Pakistan Steel Mills transaction, said a press release.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Privatization Commission, as well as other senior officers and consultants from the commission.
During the meeting, the Financial Advisor’s team provided a comprehensive overview, including details from their due diligence report, the transaction’s structure, the proposed scheme to create a new entity called Steep Corp, the status of pre-qualified interested parties, and the major challenges impeding progress in the transaction.
It was emphasized that the successful completion of this transaction depended on resolving issues among various stakeholders and maintaining the interest of pre-qualified bidders.
The minister highlighted the importance of stakeholders working together to resolve these issues and move the transaction forward.
He also instructed the consortium of Financial Advisors to develop a clear action plan with achievable timelines.

Pakistan’s climate action pompous sans harnessed institutional capacities, coordination: Speakers

By
Amjad Shafique
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SDPI
ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP):The speakers at a seminar on Analysis of Pakistan’s Institutional Capacity for Climate Action Thursday said the country’s climate action would be fruitless if it was not curated through harnessed institutional capacities, corrected policy endeavours, and improved coordination among the relevant department inclusive interventions to cope with environmental degradation.
  The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) organised a special seminar as part of its series of dialogues intended to stir a debate on pressing environmental issues related to the country’s efforts and achievements on climate action, global leadership for addressing global warming, climate finance and the first ever loss and damage fund declared due to the country’s ardent efforts at the previous COP-27 conference held in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Research Associate and author of one of the policy paper related to the aforementioned effort, Ahmed Awais Khaver in his opening remarks said the seminar was part of the series of seminars being held in collaboration with Oxfam Pakistan which was the second one of the four sessions to be held by the SDPI.
Deputy Executive Director, SDPI, Dr Shafqat Munir in his welcome note said the seminar was part of the pre-launch seminar series prior to the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to be held in Dubai, UAE.
He mentioned that the seminar focused the 13th sustainable development goal of Climate Action (SDG-13), whereas SDG-12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns) could not be ignored and it encompassed all climate action by emitting less through less consumption, hence reducing the carbon footprint.
He underlined that the seminar would help debate the capacities of the country to take the daunting of climate action and would help garner more ideas on this policy paper to prepare a better and enriched research document.
Author of the Policy Paper on Climate Action, Awais Umar, Research Associate at SDPI briefed the participants on the document that studied climate action and vulnerability of the country.
He mentioned that Pakistan made a significant contribution through policy making efforts on Climate Action-SDG-13 but lacked effective implementation.
The country, he said had Climate Change Policy 2021, an updated version of the same document promulgated in 2012. However, the provinces with a few exceptions lacked the important policy initiative to drive their efforts coherently to address climate change, he added.
Lecturer at National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sheeba Tariq opined that the country needed decentralisation of disaster risk reduction (DRR) rules and regulations at the provincial and district level because the vulnerable community deemed recognition that were neglected in every policy initiative.
“Women empowerment should be part and parcel of development strategies as the current policy initiatives lacked women responsive strategies and policies which should have bottom-up approach,” she added.
Sheeba Tariq noted that there was phaseout plan for coal-fired power plants under CPEC amid its 60% renewable energy transformation goal alongwith that the Electric Vehicle transition agenda also had no plan for lithium batteries’ disposal or waste management that was environmentally hazardous.
Deputy Manager, the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), Mujahid Afzal said the barrier to implementation of climate change policy in the country was finances which could not be managed from its own resources but rather possible through the international community’s support.
He highlighted that due to the demographics of the country that varied due to diverse communities, the concept of community development varied from region to region and therefore should be handled in separate manner in different areas of the country.
Afzal said the simulation exercises intended to bolster disaster preparedness and resilience of the local communities against disasters help prepare for the worst. He added that the forecasted floods in the future were of enormous magnitude that were far disastrous then the previous one we have been facing for the past two decades.
“The most imminent threat to the country is climate change that will leave our population out of food if its swathes of crops were washed away by mighty floods. We are left with no time to do indigenous research but to import research, test it and implement it,” he said.
CEO, Resilient Future International (RFI), Aftab Alam Khan said it was time to think beyond the Ministry of Climate Change and NDRMF for institutional capacity building as the county needed a cross-sectoral approach in terms of mitigation and loss and damage.
The role of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) needed to be looked into as it took many years to get international climate finance, he said, adding, “We need to have an active Commerce Ministry and MoFA as climate finance globally had a political interest attached to it.”
He referred to the third transitional committee on loss and damage fund held at Dominic Republic where one proposal from developed countries said that the less developed countries and small island countries should only get loss and damage fund which could have made Pakistan ineligible. “MoFA should have to play it’s role there as the last meeting of the transitional committee will be held in October which will send the final recommendations for COP-28 consideration,” he added.

Commerce minister engages leading retailers to boost exports

By
NNPS Desk
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Commerce minister

ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP): Federal Minister for Commerce, Industries and Production, Dr. Gohar Ejaz on Thursday engaged in productive dialogue with leading retailers to strengthen Pakistan’s retail sector to boost exports.

The minister chaired a meeting with prominent retailers from across Pakistan to discuss strategies aimed at enhancing the retail market conditions and improving the nation’s exports, said a press release issued here.

The collaborative effort between the government and retailers reflects a shared commitment to achieve economic growth and prosperity.

During the meeting, the retailers expressed their strong desire to contribute to Pakistan’s export industry.
They emphasized the role they can play in expanding the nation’s reach in global markets.

Minister Dr. Gohar Ejaz affirmed the government’s dedication to curbing smuggling activities and ensuring that trade operates through legitimate channels.

He stated, “We believe in you and we appreciate the vital role you play in the economy. The government is committed to providing the best opportunities for retailers to export their goods and expand their domestic market presence.”

In a bid to facilitate international market access, the Minister pledged to provide retailers with opportunities to reach Central Asian Republics (CARs) and other global markets.

He outlined plans to host exhibitions that would enable local retailers to collaborate with international designers and brands, fostering innovation and growth within the sector.

Recognizing the importance of E-commerce, the retailers advocated for increased government support in this growing industry. The Minister acknowledged the potential of E-commerce and pledged to work closely with retailers to harness its future prospects effectively.

The meeting also witnessed a constructive exchange of ideas on expanding the tax net. Minister Dr. Gohar Ejaz emphasized the critical role of tax compliance in achieving prosperity, stating, “There’s only one way to prosperity, and that is through tax compliance.”

Furthermore, the minister encouraged local manufacturers to transition towards achieving one hundred percent local manufacturing, reducing dependence on imported materials, and boosting domestic production.

In conclusion, the minister urged retailers to strive for higher export volumes, assuring them of the government’s unwavering support in this endeavor. Additionally, he directed the brand manufacturers to improve labor conditions and provide training through Pakistan Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (PITAC).

Jamal Shah directs enhancement of cultural diversity in upcoming folk festival

By
Amjad Shafique
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Jamal Shah
ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP):Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Jamal Shah, on Thursday instructed Lok Virsa to enhance the cultural diversity activities in the ten-day folk festival scheduled for November 2023, including incorporating more enjoyable elements such as music, traditional cuisine, and the creations of skilled artisans.
Chairing a meeting with Executive Director Lok Virsa, Muzafar Ali Burki, and other senior officials, the minister emphasized that the folk festival will have a crucial role in depicting the true essence of the country and will offer high-quality entertainment for visitors.
In emphasizing the promotion of cultural diversity, Jamal Shah highlighted plans to establish culture pavilions representing Chitral, Kalash, and other smaller regions to showcase the rich indigenous cultural diversity of the country. He also stressed the importance of all languages serving as a unifying force.
“We have a diverse cultural legacy and that should be promoted.”, he added.
The minister announced plans for hosting unique puzzle competitions and storytelling sessions in various languages, catering to the youth during the ten-day folk festival.
Previously, he was informed that the folk festival would witness the participation of more than 500 artisans and folk artists from all four provinces, including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir.
The upcoming ten-day folk festival will center on fostering provincial harmony and national integration, all the while showcasing the significant contributions of our citizens in shaping the future of our nation.

Ali Mardan reviews development projects, law and order situation in Ziarat

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NNPS Desk
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CM Domki

ZIARAT, Sep 21 (APP): Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki reviewed the ongoing development projects initiated under the Ziarat Development Package and the law and order situation in the area during his visit to the district here Thursday.

Chairing a meeting, the caretaker chief minister expressed his satisfaction over the speed of work on Ziarat Development Package and directed the officials concerns to finalize the land accusation process in order to initiate work immediately on the master planning of the Ziarat valley.

He also ordered to expedite the pace of work and submit the progress report of the development projects to the Chief Minster Office on weekly basis.

The chief minister said that the quality of work in the development projects and the Master Plan should be maintained and completed within the stipulated time to facilitate the public.

He directed that the infrastructure should be improved to provide basic facilities at the tourist spouts and the law and order situation should be further improved by taking more efforts steps to ensure all facilities to the visitors of the area.

He said that work on Ziarat-Sanjavi road should be started without any delay and the compensation amount should be paid to the owners on accusation of land for public projects.

SC imposes fine on lawyer for wasting time

By
Amjad Shafique
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0
Supreme Court
ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP):The Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a fine worth Rs 5,000 against a lawyer for wasting court’s time and ordered him to submit a receipt after depositing the amount in any welfare organization of his choice.
A three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa heard the case pertaining to a property.
During the course of proceeding, the CJP remarked that the petitioner’s counsel tried to mislead the court.
 Addressing the counsel, the CJP said that the court did not trust you any more after this act.
The court imposed the fine on lawyer and ordered him to deposit it to any welfare institution and present receipt.

Caretaker Education Minister visits NCC Secretariat

By
Amjad Shafique
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0
Madad Ali Sindhi
ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP):Caretaker Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Mr. Madad Ali Sindhi visited the National Curriculum Council (NCC) Secretariat.
Director NCC, Dr. Mariam Chughtai gave a detailed briefing on the functions of the NCC in the post-18th amendment scenario.
She shared the completed, ongoing, and future tasks of the NCC Secretariat.
The Minister was informed about the agreement of provincial experts on National Curriculum standards for Grades 9-12, marking a monumental milestone for Pakistan.
For the first time in the country’s history, a core curriculum from Grades 1-12 and Early Years has been signed off by subject experts from all provinces.
In respect of the 18th Amendment of the Constitution, standards for Grades 9-12 are being reviewed by the provincial review and formal legal approval before being notified at their respective provincial levels.
The standards for Grades 1-8 and Early Years are already underway for implementation at varying levels in all provinces across the country.
The Minister was also informed about the ongoing partnership with the Government of Sindh regarding teacher development and assessment activities.
Moreover, the steps taken regarding training of the textbook authors and reviewers in all the provinces and Areas were also discussed.
While talking on the occasion, Mr. Madad Ali Sindhi lauded the efforts of the NCC towards its role of coordination among the federating units.
He expressed satisfaction over the completed tasks of the National Curriculum of Pakistan (NCP).
The Federal Minister praised the role of the provincial governments’ stakeholders for upholding the cause of quality education for all children of the nation by championing international standards in curriculum reforms.
Mr. Madad Ali Sindhi ensured that the initiatives regarding the development of the curriculum standards for a range of elective subjects and streamlining technical education across the country will continue in coordination with the stakeholders across the country.
The development of the National Curriculum of Pakistan was a nationwide collaborative process, with each province actively involved and their feedback gathered and incorporated through a comprehensive process.
The Minister commended the Director NCC Secretariat, Dr. Mariam Chughtai, and her team for their hard work in achieving this milestone.

Caretaker Minister for Federal Education, Madad Ali Sindhi during his visit to the National Curriculum Council (NCC) Secretariat

By
Zia Ur Rehman
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0
Caretaker Minister for Federal Education, Madad Ali Sindhi during his visit to the National Curriculum Council (NCC) Secretariat
APP54-210923 ISLAMABAD: September 21 - Caretaker Minister for Federal Education, Madad Ali Sindhi during his visit to the National Curriculum Council (NCC) Secretariat. APP/TZD/ABB
Caretaker Minister for Federal Education, Madad Ali Sindhi during his visit to the National Curriculum Council (NCC) Secretariat
APP54-210923
ISLAMABAD: September 21 – 
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