ISLAMABAD, Aug 7 (APP): Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces of Oman, Vice Admiral Abdullah Bin Khamis-Al-Raisi called on Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters on Monday and lauded the exceptional professionalism of the PAF personnel.

During the meeting, key areas of mutual interest, geo-political environment and regional developments were discussed, a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) news release said.

The Chief of the Air Staff briefed the visiting dignitary as regards to the overall framework of PAF’s modernisation drive through smart procurements, induction of niche technologies and revamping of training in line with contemporary trends.

The Air Chief reiterated his sound determination to further elevate the existing ties in areas of military cooperation and training, especially in the domains of cyber, electronic warfare, space and computing.

The Chief of the Air Staff emphasised, “Pakistan highly regards its robust diplomatic, economic and defence ties with the brotherly country Oman which are based on the strong foundation of alignment on all significant matters concerning regional peace, security and stability.”

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu also highlighted that both the countries have always supported each other in testing times and Pakistan Air Force was dedicated to continuing provision of training and support for the Royal Air Force of Oman.

The Chief of the Air Staff reiterated the need to focus on shared training goals in order to address future warfare challenges and reinvigorate the training domain between the two Air Forces.

Vice Admiral Abdullah Bin Khamis-Al-Raisi acknowledged the impressive strides made by Pakistan Air Force in developing indigenous capabilities in the aviation industry. The visiting dignitary reiterated that the cooperation will further strengthen in multiple fields for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Both sides expressed their commitment to exploring new avenues of collaboration with special focus on training and knowledge sharing.

Both Commanders also agreed to explore the possibility of respective Air Forces to engage for conduct of air exercises while staying on own soil.

The meeting serves as a testament to the commitment between the Armed Forces of both the countries in working together to address common challenges and opportunities in the realm of defence and military cooperation.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 7 (APP):The third Apex Committee meeting of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) initiative was held here on Monday to continue the positive momentum to attract investment in various sectors of economy.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and attended by Chief of Army Staff, Chief Ministers, Federal and Provincial Ministers and high-level government officials.

The Prime Minister appreciated the expeditious operationalization of SIFC in a short span and its efficient functioning through a collaborative approach. The Apex Committee appreciated the global impact of the ongoing outreach strategy through seminars and project inaugurations; which will be augmented by SIFC’s website, being launched shortly.

The Apex Committee gave final approval of projects, presented by the ministries, for attracting investments from friendly countries, under the umbrella of SIFC, in key sectors of agriculture, livestock, mining, minerals, information technology and energy.

The Apex Committee showed all-out support for successful conduct of the upcoming visit of a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan through SIFC platform. The Prime Minister directed to make this inaugural visit a momentous event. At the end, Apex Committee showed resolve for continuous support to SIFC initiative and urged the interim government to maintain the impetus for a positive contribution.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (APP): Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan H.E. Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam called on Federal Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada Monday in Islamabad. Both sides discussed centuries-old deep strategic and brotherly relations between two countries.

Welcoming the ambassador, Minister said that Pakistan greatly values its relations with Iran rooted in cultural, historical and religious bonds.

He emphasized to enhance these relations in various areas particularly in economy, energy, culture and human rights.

Ambassador H.E. Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam also reciprocated the same about historical bilateral relations and expressed that the people of Iran and Pakistan are tied with the knot of love.

They have been living peacefully for centuries without any dispute. Both countries have been supporting each other in the UNO and Iran is now supporting Pakistan in IMF.

He said that Iran has been facing sanctions and pressure from the US due to its upright foreign policies and now this pressure has become an irritant in bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan.

During the call, Minister expressed that the trio of Muslim countries i.e.; Iran, Pakistan and Turkiey, is continuously advocating for the rights of Palestinian and Kashmiri people who have been living under oppression and facing gross human rights violations for decades.

He further said that Western countries cannot dictate us on human rights if they keep an eye close to such flagrant human rights violations and suppression just because of their own economic interests. He added that Pakistan, besides having its weak economy, has always raised its voice against this oppression.

Ambassador stated that there is huge potential in the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline that is the way Iran can help its neighboring energy-starved country but international powers are hindering the energy blessings to the people of Pakistan.

There is urgent need for two governments to find its way out and we would respect every decision taken by Pakistan.

He also stressed to make Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) more effective forum to promote trade and economic cooperation among member countries.

Minister hoped that after fresh elections in the country, upcoming regime, having public support, would introduce public-oriented international policies.

He said that this government has hardly pulled the country out of chaos and desperate situation under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Shabaz Sharif.

He said that this region has become an arena for power politics among superpowers due to CPEC but the current regime in KSA under the dynamic and progressive leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman has introduced a shift in policy that can further the autonomy of this region by bringing it out of the influence of the West and the USA.

While concluding, Minister said that OIC must be a forum that may raise effectively the concerns of Muslim world in this wave of Islamophobia where heinous occurrences of publishing insulting caricatures and burning of the holy Quran have severely injured the emotions of over 1.8 billion Muslim population in the world.

He said that Iran is our second home and very close to our hearts and we always share love and respect for its people.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 7 (APP): A local court on Monday rejected the interim bail petition of Somia Asim, the wife of a civil judge, in a case of torturing a minor maid.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Farukh Fareed announced the verdict after which the accused was arrested from outside the courtroom.

During the course of proceedings, the Islamabad Police submitted the case record to the court, praying to dismiss the bail petition of the accused.

The defence lawyer, however, prayed the court to adjourn the case, saying that his client Somia Asim was being trapped in the case as the parents of the victim girl wanted to blackmail her.

He said the accused had appeared before the joint investigation team (JIT) and denied charges against her. There was no need to arrest her as she had joined the investigation and there was nothing to recover from her, he argued.

The lawyer said his client had handed over the minor girl to her mother in a normal condition at the bus stop. The girl’s parents had also not been involved in investigation process, he added, praying the court to extend the interim bail of Somia Asim.

However, the prosecutor prayed the court to dismiss the bail petition of the accused. Her arrest was necessary as it was a serious crime.

He said no parents could torture their daughter in such a brutal way. The girl was tortured by the accused many times, he claimed, adding both the civil judge and his wife should have known that employing minors was a crime.

The girl had received 14 injuries as per the medical report, the prosecutor added.

After hearing arguments from two sides, the court dismissed the interim bail petition of Somia Asim.