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Governor Balochistan condoles with Ghulam Ali

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NNPS Desk
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PESHAWAR, Jul 31 (APP): Governor Balochistan Abdul Wali Khan Kakar has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in Bajaur blast.

In a telephonic talk with Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ghulam Ali here Monday, the Governor, on behalf of himself and the people of Balochistan, condoled with the families of martyrs.

He prayed for the eternal peace of the martyrs and courage for the bereaved families to bear the loss with fortitude.

He also prayed for the early recovery of the injured persons.

Sponsorship plays key role to uplift squash; says Farhan Mehboob

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 31 (APP): Eight times Asian squash Champion Farhan Mehboob has expressed concerns over the non-availability of funds to the young players due to which they are unable to showcase their talent on international forums.

Talking to APP here on Monday, Farhan said that Hamza Khan earned the World Junior Champion Title for the country after 37 years and motivated the players to perform in the upcoming Asian games.

Highlighting the roles of the Squash Federation, Farhan said that the players received support including rackets, tickets, traveling tickets and sponsorship for other such expenses at the international level.

He said that in Pakistan, players even pay membership fees from the own pocket which declines their motivation and performance.

Farhan said that Hamza Khan had no sponsorship before leaving the country and only Pakistan Squash Federation and his department supported him. Private sector should come forward to support their athletes, he added.

He said to perform at the international level, the players need to be trained at a similar level, but Pakistani players are getting trained on the courts of Peshawar, Islamabad and Lahore.

“Besides the on-ground training, the diet of athletes is also important which includes multi-vitamins, high proteins and proper nutrients and bearing all the expenses are difficult for the players”, he added.

Talented players win the matches in sequence but if they lose one game, they receive heavy criticism, Farhan said adding that various talented players decide to settle abroad after getting discouraged.

Answering a question, Farhan said that Egypt had excelled in squash due to its strong roots and basic training. He said that there were 21 squash clubs only in El Gouna city, where 200 players were being trained in each club.

Appreciating the new world champion, Hamza, Farhan said that he had secured the title for the country without sponsorship and with the support of his family. He said that Hamza revived the lost fame of squash and the whole country is proud of him.

Pakistan, China agree on CPEC’s centrality for socioeconomic uplift; resolve to realise shared objectives

By
Ishtiaq Rao
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ISLAMABAD, July 31 (APP): Pakistan and China on Monday, expressing satisfaction at the steady development of CPEC projects in Pakistan, agreed on its centrality for Pakistan’s socio-economic development.

The bilateral ties including the CPEC were discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and He Lifeng, Vice Premier of China and Member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

At the invitation of the Government of Pakistan, the Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping He Lifeng is visiting here to attend the 10th-anniversary celebrations of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Both sides expressed their firm commitment to continue working together for realizing the shared objectives of the CPEC.

It was also agreed that 10th anniversary of CPEC celebrations constituted a fresh starting point to further expand CPEC as envisaged by the leadership of the two countries.

The conversation was marked by traditional warmth and cordiality that has been the hallmark of Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on several aspects of bilateral relationship including CPEC and bilateral economic and financial cooperation.

Pakistan, China agree on CPEC's centrality for socioeconomic uplift; resolve to realise shared objectives

Welcoming Vice-Premier He Lifeng to Pakistan, the prime minister congratulated him on being promoted as the Vice-Premier of China in March this year.

Appreciating China’s support for Pakistan’s economic development, the prime minister observed that as strategic partners and trusted friends, the two countries have always stood by each other in difficult times, as evidenced by Chinese support to Pakistan in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic and devastating floods in Pakistan.

Noting the unanimity of views between the two countries on regional issues, both leaders reiterated their resolve to support each other on all issues of their core interests.

In his remarks, Vice Premier He conveyed President Xi Jinping’s message of China’s firm support to Pakistan’s prosperity and development.

Vice Premier He Lifeng underlined that Pakistan-China friendship was unique and had withstood the vicissitude of time due to deep fraternal ties between the peoples of two nations.

He reiterated that as an iron-brother and strategic partner, China would continue its existing economic and financial support to Pakistan.

Welcoming the prime minister’s vision for deepening trade and investment ties with Pakistan, the Chinese vice premier conveyed China’s willingness to enhance Pakistan’s agro and food exports to China.

The Chinese delegation included Guo Wei, Deputy Secretary General of the State Council of China, Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Ministry, Cong Liang, Vice Chairman National Development & Reform Commission, Xuan Changneng, Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Wang Kebing, Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Wang Liping, Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce, Pang Chunxue, Charge d’Affaires, Chinese Embassy Islamabad and other senior Chinese officials.

The Pakistan side included Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Commerce, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Rana Sanaullah Khan, Minister for Interior, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister for Information, Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Minister for Railways, Hina Rabbani Khar, MOS for Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi, SAPM and senior officials from relevant ministries.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Vice Premier He oversaw the ceremony for signing of agreements, MoUs and other documents covering areas including agriculture; industrial cooperation; transport connectivity, etc.

Later, the prime minister hosted a luncheon in honour of He Lifeng and the accompanying delegation.

China, UAE air forces to conduct first joint training

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NNPS Desk
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BEIJING, July 31 (APP):: The Falcon Shield-2023 joint training exercise between the Chinese and UAE air forces will be held in China Xinjiang in August as per the annual plan and the consensus reached by China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China Military Online reported on Monday.

This is the first joint training between both air forces, aiming to deepen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and enhance mutual understanding and trust.

APP/asg

Federal IT Minister inaugurates Digital IT Laboratory

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NNPS Desk
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KARACHI, Jul 31 (APP): Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Syed Aminul Haq formally inaugurated the modern Digital IT Laboratory in the Rashid Minhas Government Boys & Girls School Nazimabad, here Monday.

Member of Sindh Assembly Abbas Jaffery, Convener Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan and former federal IT Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi, and other notables as well as school teachers and students in large numbers were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, the IT Minister said, “Training in 15 different modern IT fields will be imparted to the students in the facility.”

The IT Federal Minister said, “More Digital IT Laboratories will also be established in other areas.”

“These types of facilities will help the students especially, girls, to learn modern IT skills at ease and earn by working even from their homes,” he added.

Referring to his discussion with the Principal of Rashid Minhas Government Boys & Girls School Nazimabad, the Federal IT Minister said, “He is briefed regarding the provision of three months IT training to a batch of 300 students in the first instance that would be followed by another batch of 300 students after three months.”

“The successful students will also be issued certificates of IT training,” he noted.

He said, “Students will be able to learn IT skills including Data Analysis, Free Lancing, Content Writing, Online Marketing, Advance Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, and other modern skills and practices in the IT fields.”

He said, “World is changing very rapidly so we have to develop our skills with the fast-changing trends in the globe.”

“He has also directed the Principal of this school that the school management is now responsible for sustainability and maintenance of this Facility of modern Digital IT Lab at least for the next five years, Syed Aminul Haq maintained.

He also directed the relevant officials to ensure the installation of air-conditioning in the IT Lab and also provide high-speed internet connectivity at the same time, he added.

He said, “The project is executed by Ignite National Technology Fund under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of IT and Telecommunications so as to empower our youth to connect to the world through their smartphones and become bread earners for their families.”

The minister while talking about other projects, said,”A modern IT Park is also being established at the cost of Rs 42 billion nearby the Jinnah International Airport Karachi. ”

“The IT Park at Karachi will help create around 10,000 jobs,” he added.

Federal IT Minister had formulated the cellular phones manufacturing policy and now around 29 mobile manufacturing factories are working in the country with the result we are getting smartphones at affordable prices, he reiterated.

“Now not only local firms but also international brands are manufacturing mobile phones in the country which has created jobs,” he added.

Syed Aminul Haq said, “We have also taken Google onboard and now the company has established its office in Pakistan.”

Google provided 15000 scholarships to our students last year whereas this year 45000 scholarships are being provided to our students.

“We are hopeful that in 2024 Google would provide 450,000 scholarships to Pakistani students, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, former federal IT minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi congratulated the management and students of the school for the establishment of a modern Digital IT lab in their school and termed it a need of the hour in the changing era of IT Technology.

“The students of the present era are very lucky that politics cannot stop their way to getting an education and nowadays many international companies are providing jobs without degrees,” he added.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ignite Asim Sheheryar briefed the participants about various projects which were being executed by his company.

In her welcome address, Deputy Director (DD) of Education Nazimabad Khadija Tasleem expressed gratitude to the Federal IT Minister for his utmost cooperation in executing the modern Digital IT Lab.

“This is the first-ever Digital IT Lab that has been established in any public sector school,” he pointed out.

Member of Sindh Assembly Abbas Jaffery in his address said, “The educational institute was selected for this Digital IT Lab because of location and the students will learn modern IT skills in the facility.”

RMB to become parallel int’l currency soon, says Dar, welcomes BOC’s another branch

By
Muhammad Ashraf Wani
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 31 (APP):Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishar Dar on Monday while welcoming the opening of Bank of China’s second branch here said Renminbi (RMB) would soon become an internationally adopted parallel currency.

Addressing the opening ceremony of Bank of China, Ishaq Dar said that it was a historic movement as six years ago he had handed over the license for opening of the bank’s first branch to its President in Belgium.

Now, it’s a big coincidence that BOC was opening its second branch, which he said was a great privilege for him to witness.

The minister congratulated BOC President and his team for extensive efforts in opening the branch and also appreciated cooperation by Pakistan authorities and finance ministry in this regard. The minister also congratulated Deputy Governor Peoples Bank of China, his team and officials of China embassy.

Ishaq Dar said that BOC, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China Development Bank and Peoples Bank of China were all great financial partners of Pakistan.

He said Pakistan had been passing through a turbulence phase during the last one year and extended heartfelt appreciations to Chinese Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peoples Bank of China and Chinese Commercial Banks for supporting Pakistan to overcome difficulties.

He said Pakistan was out of the turbulence phase as recently one of the rating agencies had upgraded ratings for the country, which he said was now moving from stability to growth again.

He expressed the hope that Renminbi (RMB) was going to be internationalized soon adding five countries have already formalized the currency and more countries were planning to do so. He said it would become a parallel international acceptable currency and congratulated Deputy Governor BOC in advance.

He said that BOC Deputy Governor shared that Pakistan was already benefiting from RMB adding that during his (Dar’s) last visit to China under the leadership of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, he had proposed enhancement of facility upto RMB 40 billion.

He expressed the hope that cooperation between the two countries in terms of economic and diplomatic ties would reach to new heights.

He said both the countries were helping each other on all international and domestic issues in the world forum like United Nations Security Council, UN General Assembly and all other forums.

CPEC historic project, milestone in strengthening bilateral ties: Sherry Rehman

By
Abdul Hanan
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 31 (APP):Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Senator Sherry Rehman on Monday warmly welcomed Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on behalf of Pakistan People’s Party to participate in the 10th anniversary celebrations of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“This historic project (CPEC) has been an important milestone in strengthening our bilateral relations,” the minister said while sharing her heartfelt welcome note on her official Twitter handle account for the visiting dignitary.

Senator Rehman said her party was proud of the lasting friendship between Pakistan and China which was founded by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Chairman Mao Zedong.

The minister accorded the credit of the CPEC as a proud project to President Xi Jinping and former President Asif Ali Zardari. Asif Ali Zardari made his first diplomatic visit to China after assuming the office of President to further strengthen the bilateral relations established by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, she said.

“He (Asif Ali Zardari) visited China four times in the first year (of his tenure). He visited China several times during his tenure as President. Even after leaving the presidency, he visited China along with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to enhance the progress of CPEC, which is why the Chinese government named him (Zardari) the founder of CPEC,” Senator Sherry Rehman said.

She regretted that the CPEC suffered a slowdown due to the previous incompetent government.

“However, we are keen to move forward with this game-changer project. Pak-China Friendship Long live,” Senator Rehman added.

Pakistan, China sign documents on CPEC phase-II; further cooperation

By
Ishtiaq Rao
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ISLAMABAD, July 31 (APP): Pakistan and China on Monday signed six documents that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said would further enhance bilateral cooperation and help undertake the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under a new model.

Held at the PM House, the signing ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Shehbaz and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who, along with a delegation, is visiting here to attend the 10th-anniversary celebrations of CPEC.

Both countries signed Document on Joint cooperation committee on CPEC; MoU on establishing export exchange mechanism within the framework of CPEC; protocol of phytosanitary requirements for export of dry chilies from Pakistan to China and a Document on the final report on the feasibility study of realignment of KKH Phase-II.

Both sides also signed through diplomatic channels an MoU on the industrial workers exchange program as well as minutes of the 21st conference of technical committee to promote the strategic ML-1 project.

The prime minister, in his remarks at the signing ceremony, expressed pleasure over the signing of documents and thanked Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng for visiting Pakistan to celebrate 10 years of CPEC.

He recalled that 10 years ago, CPEC was signed between that time Prime Minister Nawaz and President Xi Jinping and implementation was started within no time.

“Today we can claim that under CPEC above $25 billion investment took place in power, road, hydel power, and public transport. Now we are entering the second phase. Today, we signed certain important documents which will further enhance cooperation and undertake the second phase of CPEC under a new model,” the prime minister said.

He said the second phase of CPEC would feature the B2B investment in agriculture and information technology to enable Pakistan to export its products according to Chinese standards and requirements.

The prime minister also thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for sending his special envoy to Pakistan and showing solidarity for people-to-people friendship and showing to the world that both countries were bound in a great and unique relationship.

“We are all-weather friends and iron brothers. This friendship will continue and will not tolerate any kind of obstacle in its way,” Prime Minister Shehbaz remarked.

He said Pakistan was absolutely ready to contribute to President Xi’s vision of shared prosperity.

Highlighting the importance of ML-1 and Karachi Circular Railway, the prime minister expressed the hope that both projects would be successfully executed to make Pakistan stand on its own feet through the hard work and untiring efforts of both countries.

“It is the Chinese model, It is President Xi Jinping’s model and will emulate it under the vision of our Pakistan’s founding father late Quiad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to promote prosperity and peace in this country,” he commented.

Robust regional connectivity fundamental pillar for Pak-China economic development, untapped opportunities: Experts

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 31 (APP): The experts at a special talk on Monday said robust regional connectivity would serve as a fundamental pillar for economic development, enabling optimal utilisation of the myriad opportunities that as yet remain untapped for China and Pakistan.

The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) hosted a distinguished Chinese delegation comprising scholars from the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS), China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), and Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences (SASS) led by Dr Liu Zongyi, Director of SIIS, the delegation included Dr Wang Shida, Deputy Director and Associate Research Professor at CICIR; Mr Yuan Jianmin, Counsellor of the Government of Xinjiang autonomous region; and Dr Li Jingfeng, Director of Regional & Strategic Research Office at SASS, a news release said.

The roundtable titled “Forging Stronger Bonds: CASS Welcomes Chinese Delegation for Productive Talks on Pakistan-China Relations and Mutual Cooperation” provided a platform for in-depth discussions on Pakistan-China relations and explored avenues for further enhancing this relationship to yield mutual benefits in a rapidly evolving global order.
Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani, Former Foreign Secretary and Advisor to President CASS, moderated the roundtable.

In his talk, Dr Zongyi focused on the economic aspects of Pak-China relations and discussed various challenges and opportunities. He underscored the significance of enhancing regional connectivity and fostering a community of shared interests.

Dr Wang Shida contextualised the relationship between the two countries in the evolving geostrategic environment marred by strategic competition. Other speakers raised concerns regarding the volatile security and economic situation in the region.

The participants explored the critical role that Pakistan and China’s cooperative relations could play in addressing the multifaceted challenges of the contemporary world. Both sides agreed that by reinforcing their strategic cooperation and collaborative efforts, the two nations could help shape regional dynamics in the future.

Both sides discussed the cooperation between China and Pakistan in the Aerospace domain and laid emphasis on further strengthening cooperation in this area.

In his concluding remarks, President of CASS, Air Marshal (R) Farhat Hussain Khan extended heartfelt gratitude to the visiting delegation and expressed optimism that such scholarly discussions would lead to a deeper appreciation of each other’s perspectives on vital regional and global issues.

China, UAE air forces to conduct first joint training

By
NNPS Desk
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0

BEIJING, July 31 (APP):The Falcon Shield-2023 joint training exercise between the Chinese and UAE air forces will be held in China’s Xinjiang in August as per the annual plan and the consensus reached by China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China Military Online reported on Monday.

This is the first joint training between both air forces, aiming at deepening pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and enhance mutual understanding and trust.

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