Intl gathering in Jeddah strengthens global security cooperation
JEDDAH, August 06 (APP): A significant diplomatic assembly took place in Jeddah, as National Security Advisors and representatives from more than 40 nations and international entities, including the esteemed United Nations, converged to discuss crucial matters of international security.
The distinguished event, chaired by Minister of State and Council of Ministers Member, National Security Advisor Dr. Mosaad bin Mohammad Al-Aiban, was lauded as a significant step towards fostering global harmony and stability, said a press release issued by Saudi Ministry of Media on Sunday.
Expressing their gratitude and admiration, participants extended heartfelt thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its initiative in convening this pivotal gathering and graciously hosting it. This momentous assembly stood as a direct continuation of the tireless dedication and diplomacy of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, whose unwavering commitment to this cause had been evident since March 2022.
Diplomatic representatives from a diverse array of nations and organizations graced the event, all unified under the auspices of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Notable attendees included the Argentine Republic, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Bulgaria, Canada, the Republic of Chile, the People’s Republic of China, the Union of Comoros, the Czech Republic, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Estonia, as well as esteemed bodies like the European Commission and European Council.
The assembly also welcomed prominent nations such as the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia, the Italian Republic, Japan, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the State of Kuwait. The event further included participants from the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Romania, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of South Africa, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the United States of America among others.
The attendees found common ground on the paramount importance of international discussions and the exchange of perspectives to establish a solid foundation for global peace.
Emphasizing the significance of incorporating the constructive ideas and suggestions voiced during this monumental gathering, the representatives affirmed their commitment to a harmonious and secure world.
The meeting in Jeddah served as a testament to the power of international collaboration and diplomacy, showcasing how nations and organizations could come together to build a safer and more prosperous future for all.
28 die, several injured in Hazara Express accident: Khawaja Saad
LAHORE, Aug 06 (APP): Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Sunday that 28 passengers were reported dead and several others injured in the tragic accident of Hazara Express, occurring near Sarari Railway Station, Nawab Shah district in Sindh.
He, along with senior management of Pakistan Railways, confirmed it to the media here at the Railways Headquarters. The minister said that soon after the accident, an emergency was declared in hospitals of Sukkur and Nawab Shah districts, while help/information desks were set up in Lahore and Faisalabad for convenience of relatives of the victims.
He also expressed his profound grief over the loss of human lives and prayed for early recovery of the injured persons. Expressing his deep sorrow over the tragic incident, he said that despite meagre resources, the Pakistan Railways employees, right from its secretary to gangman, were trying to make the train journey safe.
Federal Minister Kh Saad Rafique promised that a thorough and impartial inquiry into the accident would be conducted to ascertain why the incident happened, though the track was fit and there was no engineering issue. As per statement of the train driver, he was running the locomotive at a speed between 45 and 50 kilometres per hour.
“The railways inquiry team has already set for the Sarari Railway Station and at the moment, we cannot say anything about the cause of the accident, whether it was a technical fault or a saboteur act,” he said.
The minister said that respective district administration, Rescue-1122, personnel of Pak Army, Rangers and Railways staff had also reached the spot and started relief and rescue operation, asserting that the first relief train had also reached the Sarari Railway Station and efforts were being made to clear both tracks at the earliest.
Kh Saad Rafique said that he was in constant contact with Sindh chief minister, provincial administration and the DG Rangers, adding that secretary and CO Railways were monitoring the post accident operation.
The accident also resulted in suspension of up and down rail traffic on Main Line-I, and Green Line was stopped at Nawab Shah Railway Station. He said that the railways management also had to change the timing schedule of various trains on that route.
PM thanks people of Kasur for participation in meeting
ISLAMABAD, Aug 6 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday thanked the people of Kasur for enthusiastically participating in the public meeting and putting a stamp on the agenda of Nawaz Sharif for progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
In a tweet, he said he made an effort to give their due to the people of Sahiwal division, district Kasur and Bahawalnagar by announcing development projects worth billions of rupees.
” Certainly the progress of Pakistan is linked to constant hard work and not with hollow slogans. Nawaz Sharif is not just a personality but is a symbol of progress of Pakistan,” he added.
Senate passes amended ‘Official Secrets Bill 2023’ amidst controversy
ISLAMABAD, Aug 06 (APP): The Senate on Sunday successfully passed ‘The Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023’, marking a pivotal moment in the legislative landscape.
The bill, which had faced staunch opposition from various quarters, underwent crucial modifications before achieving passage.
Minister for Law and Justice, Azam Nazir Tarar, presented the bill on behalf of Minister for Interior, Rana Sanaullah Khan, in the house. Notably, the revised version of the bill omitted certain provisions that had granted intelligence agencies the authority to carry out warrantless arrests or searches.
He emphasized that the revised legislation empowers the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct investigations into individuals suspected of violating the Official Secrets Act.
He highlighted that the bill no longer includes the amendment labelling an individual as an ‘enemy’ for engaging with foreign agents, a provision that had sparked extensive debates.
Simultaneously, the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet, chaired by Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed, presented its comprehensive report on ‘The Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023′. The committee’s report underscored the urgency to amend the antiquated Official Secrets Act of 1923, considering the evolving social context and the necessity to safeguard official documents.
It’s worth mentioning that the bill encountered formidable resistance during its journey through the upper house of parliament. Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani had referred the bill to the relevant standing committee on August 2, following vehement opposition during the initial proceedings.
Both the ruling and opposition benches saw a clash of opinions regarding the bill. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), and the National Party voiced their concerns, while prominent figures such as Senator Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Afnan Ullah Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League’s Nawaz (PML-N) raised objections against proposed amendments to the Official Secrets Act 1923.
The amendment brings forth several critical changes, including Section 3 of the bill that defines various offenses such as approaching, inspecting, or undermining prohibited places with malicious intent.
Additionally, the bill makes it an offense to create, possess, or share any material that could be useful to an enemy of the state.
Section 9 of the amendment outlines severe penalties for incitement, conspiracy, or attempts to commit offenses, with potential imprisonment of up to three years or fines reaching up to one million.
In a groundbreaking move, the bill empowers the FIA to lead investigations, with the investigating officer appointed by the FIA director general. Moreover, a collaborative joint investigation team can be established if the situation necessitates.
Notably, the contentious provision that granted intelligence agencies the power to conduct warrant-less arrests or searches has been removed from the final version of the bill, addressing concerns over potential abuse of power and intrusion into citizens’ privacy.
The passing of ‘The Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023′ heralded a significant stride towards modernizing legislation to effectively protect official information while upholding fundamental rights and principles. This momentous achievement came after rigorous debates and thorough revisions, signaling the government’s commitment to striking a balance between national security and individual liberties.
Senate passes ‘Pakistan International Airline Corporation (Conversion) (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ to address financial woes
ISLAMABAD, Aug 06 (APP): The Senate on Sunday successfully passed ‘The Pakistan International Airline Corporation (Conversion) (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ with a resounding majority of votes.
The bill, presented by Leader of the House and Minister for Finance, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, aimed to bring about crucial amendments to the Pakistan International Airline Corporation (Conversion) Act of 2016. The amendments came in response to concerns raised by the concerned committee regarding the airline’s financial situation.
Addressing the house, the minister highlighted the adverse impact of disinformation disseminated by a former government minister, leading to an annual loss of Rs 71 billion.
He emphasized that this misleading statement not only incurred severe financial losses for the national exchequer but also negatively affected Pakistani pilots employed by international airlines such as Emirates.
Revealing alarming figures, Minister Dar stated that out of the total loss of Rs 71 billion experienced by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), a substantial portion of Rs 59 billion was attributed to revenue generated from the United Kingdom (UK).
He underscored the efforts of the current government to revitalize the national flag carrier and align it with international aviation safety and regulatory standards.
Minister Dar empathetically acknowledged the challenges faced by the Pakistani diaspora, especially those residing in the UK, due to the suspension of national flights.
He emphasized that the government had been repeatedly urged to find a resolution, as travelers had to bear additional expenses and inconvenience due to multiple transit flights.
With the amendment now in place, he said the relevant authorities were set to visit Pakistan in August, raising hopes for the resumption of PIA flights by October this year.
Highlighting the financial state of PIA, Dar shared that the total liability of the airline amounted to Rs.743 billion, which included significant bank loans totaling Rs 383 billion.
He pointed out that the government had provided a sovereign guarantee, obliging it to pay Rs.262 billion in case of default by the institution. Furthermore, the PIA was burdened with outstanding dues to the tune of Rs.360 billion to entities like the Pakistan State Oil, Federal Board of Revenue, and Civil Aviation Authority, he maintained.
The minister expressed concern that the PIA was projected to incur a loss of Rs 110 billion this year alone.
He warned that if the airline continued its operations for seven more years, its liabilities could balloon to an astonishing Rs1973 billion.
In a reassuring announcement, he stated that the privatization of PIA would not result in the termination of any employee’s service. Currently, the airline employed around 7,900 individuals, he added.
Concluding his remarks, the minister underscored the legislation’s importance for the greater good of the country and its citizens.
Earlier, Senator Hidayat Ullah, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Aviation, presented a comprehensive report on the bill, highlighting the committee’s findings and recommendations.
Senator Saleem Mandviwala emphasized the absence of fake pilots in Pakistan, and Senator Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani called for strict penalties against those responsible for causing significant financial losses and damaging the national reputation on the globe.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing to a public gathering
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing to a public gathering
