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President Xi emphasizes strong start for 15th Five-Year Plan period

By
Asif Jalal
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BEIJING, Dec 31 (APP): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday emphasized efforts to achieve a strong start for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) period.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering held by China’s top political advisory body to usher in the new year.
Extending New Year greetings, Xi urged the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups in the country to unite even more closely and continuously open up new prospects for advancing Chinese modernization.
He hailed 2025 as an extraordinary year, when China accomplished main economic and social development goals, demonstrated strong economic resilience and vitality, and maintained overall social stability.
The past year also marked the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), with China’s overall national strength reaching a new level, Xi said.
As 2026 marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, he called for efforts from different aspects to achieve a good start for the new period, CGTN reported.
Xi stressed that the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the political advisory body, should focus its consultative and deliberative work on the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan to gather extensive support and strength for advancing Chinese modernization.

DPM Ishaq Dar to visit China from Jan 3 to 5

By
Asif Jalal
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BEIJING, Dec 31 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will visit China from January 3 to 5, 2026, China’s Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday.
Dar’s visit is at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during which the two sides will hold the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.
The Sixth Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, held in August 2025 at Islamabad, reaffirmed the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between the two countries.

Presidents Xi, Putin exchange New Year greetings

By
Asif Jalal
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0
BEIJING, Dec 31 (APP): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday exchanged New Year greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In his message, Xi extended warm greetings to President Putin and the Russian people on behalf of the Chinese government and people.
Xi pointed out that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. China and Russia have solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War, jointly sending a resounding message that peace, justice, and the will of the people will prevail, he added.
The Chinese president pointed out that the year 2025 marks a concrete step in the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, CGTN reported.
Xi recalled his and Putin’s two meetings in Beijing and Moscow in 2025, stressing they have conducted in-depth exchanges on major issues of common concern.
The implementation of a mutual visa exemption agreement, steady advancement of energy corridor construction, and expanding cooperation in emerging sectors have all contributed to the momentum in bilateral ties, Xi noted.
He added that the two countries have also reinforced mutual support within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks, contributing wisdom and strength to the reform and improvement of global governance.
Looking ahead, Xi stressed that 2026 will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Russia-China Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The two sides will host the “China-Russia Year of Education” in 2026–2027.
Xi also said that he is ready to maintain close exchanges with Putin to jointly push for continuous new progress in bilateral ties in the new era.
In his message, President Putin conveyed heartfelt holiday wishes to President Xi and the Chinese people.
He said that over the past year, the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has maintained sound development and yielded fruitful outcomes.
Putin noted that he held two meetings with President Xi, during which they jointly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victories over German Nazism and Japanese militarism and reached a series of important consensuses.
He highlighted the expansion of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, steady progress on major joint projects, and the implementation of mutual visa exemptions, which have significantly facilitated people-to-people exchanges.
Russia and China will jointly launch the “Russia-China Year of Education” next year, Putin added, expressing his readiness to maintain close communication with President Xi on bilateral relations and major international issues.
On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin also exchanged New Year greetings. Premier Li said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has continued to deepen and solidify.
China stands ready to work with Russia to fully implement the important consensuses reached by the two leaders and deliver more substantive results in bilateral cooperation, Li added.
Prime Minister Mishustin noted that the two governments have created favorable conditions for the implementation of promising cooperation projects, adding that he is confident the coming year will bring new opportunities for the comprehensive advancement of the strategic agenda set by the two heads of state.

‘Final Display & Thesis Show’ begins at Hazara University’s Art & Design Department

By
Asif Jalal
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MANSEHRA, Dec 31 (APP): The Final Display & Thesis Show has commenced at the Art and Design Department of Hazara University, Mansehra, providing a platform for students to showcase their creative talents and academic projects.
Over the course of the three-day exhibition, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Design students are presenting their work in fields including graphic design, textile design, visual arts, interior design, and other related disciplines. The event forms part of the department’s educational activities aimed at promoting practical learning and creative expression.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ikramullah Khan, who visited the stalls, assessed the students’ artistic skills, and gathered information about their projects and educational activities.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor highlighted the importance of creative fields like art and design in enhancing students’ intellectual, aesthetic, and professional skills. He added that such displays provide the students with the best opportunity to present their creative abilities in a practical form.
Prof. Dr. Ikramullah Khan praised the students’ artworks as beautiful and of high quality and appreciated the efforts of Asiya Shah, Head of the Art and Design Department, and other faculty members. He expressed hope that the young students of Art and Design will bring glory to Hazara University and Pakistan at both national and international levels in the future.
During the exhibition, students successfully defended their projects in their respective fields. The event was also attended by Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities Prof. Dr. Shakirullah, faculty members, and other administrative officials.

Sindh Minister Inspects New Ferry Service at Ferry Service Point

By
Asif Jalal
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SUKKUR, Dec 31 (APP): Provincial Minister for Local Government Sindh, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, on Wednesday visited Lab-e-Meharan Ferry Service Point and inspected the new ferry boat launched by District Council Sukkur Chairman Syed Kumail Hyder Shah for New Year’s celebrations.
The Minister took a ferry ride to Sadhu Bela Temple, situated on the Indus River, and appreciated the efforts to promote tourism in the region. The new ferry service is expected to provide citizens with better recreational opportunities, allowing them to enjoy the scenic views of the Indus River.
The event was attended by notable personalities, including anchorperson Sohail Warraich, Syed Muhammad Ali Shah, Sukkur Commissioner Abid Saleem Qureshi, Deputy Commissioner Sukkur Nadir Shahzad and Syed Akbar Nasir Hussain Shah, among others. The initiative is expected to boost tourism and provide entertainment options for locals.

RWMC vows to continue cleanliness, anti-smog drive in 2026

By
Asif Jalal
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RAWALPINDI, Dec 31 (APP): Chief Executive Officer Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) Rana Sajid Safdar on Wednesday said the company would continue its efforts to improve cleanliness and reduce smog in 2026 under the Punjab government’s “Suthra Punjab” programme.
In his New Year message, Safdar urged citizens to cooperate with the cleanliness drive by disposing of waste at designated points to help make the city clean and healthy.
He said RWMC’s performance in 2025 had been successful due to active public cooperation and participation, and paid tribute to citizens for their support. “Public awareness and cooperation are the foundation of our mission,” he said.
Safdar said RWMC would further expand and strengthen public awareness programmes to promote cleanliness and environmentally friendly behaviour, to encourage every citizen to become part of the initiative.
He said RWMC’s workforce remained committed to improving sanitation services in every street, neighbourhood and rural area, adding that cleanliness was a shared responsibility and could only be achieved through collective effort.
“With the cooperation and encouragement of the people, we will further strengthen the cleanliness mission in 2026,” he said, expressing confidence that RWMC would take all possible steps to provide a clean, safe and healthy environment for the city’s residents.

SZABIST University Larkana & SRSO Sign MoU to Foster Collaboration

By
Asif Jalal
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SUKKUR, Dec 31 (APP): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SZABIST University Larkana and Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO), Larkana Region, aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia and the non profit sector.
According to SRSO Spokesperson Jamil Ahmed on Wednesday, the agreement was formally signed by Nasurallah Bhutto, Assistant Manager Administration, SZABIST University, Larkana, and a representative of SRSO.
The partnership seeks to build meaningful linkages between the university and development practitioners, providing students with opportunities for exposure visits to women-led community organizations and access to unpaid internship placements offered by SRSO.
The MoU also encourages joint research initiatives, knowledge sharing, and learning through field-based engagement, fostering a collaborative environment that benefits both institutions.

Supreme Court rejects bail plea of murder accused

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 31 (APP): The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of murder accused Akhtar Ali.
During the hearing, the state counsel informed the court about the accused’s medical condition.
Referring to the medical report, Justice Musarrat Hilali observed that the accused was completely fit and in good health.
Counsel for the petitioner argued that the accused was riding a motorcycle when the opposing party opened fire on them. The state counsel clarified that it was a case of “cross-firing.”
The court was informed that a passerby named Shahzaib was killed during the crossfire. Justice Musarrat Hilali remarked that the young man had been married just two days earlier and said that instead of harming each other, the accused ended up killing an innocent youth.
Justice Jamal Mandokhail raised questions regarding the police investigation and asked whether the deceased was killed by gunfire. The state counsel replied that the police investigation had not linked any accused directly to the murder. Justice Mandokhail observed that if the killer had not been identified, the case required further investigation.
Police officials told the court that a dispute had erupted between the two parties over taking along transgender persons, during which two people from each side were injured.
Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked that bail could have been considered if the accused had raised grounds other than medical issues. Justice Musarrat Hilali added that the medical report contradicted the accused’s stance; therefore, bail could not be granted.

Awais Vohra appointed as acting CEO of Telenor Pakistan

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 31 (APP): The newly established Board of Directors of Telenor Pakistan appointed Awais Vohra as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the company, Telenor Pakistan, which is now an autonomous subsidiary of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) following the completion of all regulatory approvals.
The Board of Directors acknowledged the strategic leadership of Fridtjof Rusten during a pivotal phase for Telenor Pakistan.
His guidance was instrumental in navigating a complex transaction and regulatory process, while safeguarding operational stability, customer trust, and organizational focus.
The development follows the formal acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Telenor Pakistan by PTCL. However, in line with regulatory directives, Telenor Pakistan will operate as a separate legal entity alongside Pak Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML), widely known as Ufone 4G, and U Microfinance Bank.
Awais brings over 25 years of leadership experience in telecommunications, with senior roles across Pakistan and Scandinavia. A founding member of Telenor Pakistan’s launch team, he is recognized for fostering a performance-driven culture, leading large-scale digital transformations, and delivering impactful cross-border initiatives. Most recently, as Chief Technology Officer, he has spearheaded network modernization, AI adoption, and strategic technology transformation to enhance customer experience and business performance
PTCL had announced the acquisition of 100 percent of the issued share capital of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers (Private) Limited in December 2023. After a comprehensive regulatory review, the CCP granted approval for the acquisition on October 01, 2025, followed by the PTA’s approval on December 05, 2025.
Telenor Pakistan assures customers of uninterrupted nationwide services, with a smooth and seamless transition guaranteed.

SC orders forensic examination of NAB accused’s signatures in bail case

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 31 (APP):The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a forensic examination of the signatures of NAB accused Aamir Mahmood while hearing his bail application.
The court directed that the forensic report be submitted within 15 days.
During the hearing, interesting exchanges took place between the judges and NAB Prosecutor Nasir Mughal. The prosecutor stressed that permission from the court was required for conducting a forensic examination of the signatures. At this, Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked, “We are ordering the forensic examination. Do you no longer consider us a court?”
Justice Musarrat Hilali observed that NAB has recently been completely silent and that NAB cases are hardly being taken up these days. In response, the prosecutor said it was possible that NAB would not remain silent for long.
Counsel for the accused argued that his client had been arrested merely due to being a relative of the main accused. The prosecutor, however, informed the court that the accused had entered into more than nine agreements and had received money from over 1,400 citizens.
Justice Jamal Mandokhail emphasized that the accused’s signatures must be examined and questioned why investigations in NAB cases are not completed promptly. Justice Musarrat Hilali further remarked that if all documents are already in NAB’s possession, why is the accused still in custody, and whether he is being kept detained merely for punishment.
The court adjourned further hearing of the case until the third week of January.
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