LONDON, May 10 (APP):For promoting Pakistani culture in Yorkshire region, the Consulate of Pakistan Bradford for the second time took part in the United Kingdom’s biggest and the most prestigious sporting event,”Tour de Yorkshire 2018,” a cycle race which is a prologue of the world-famous cycle race “Tour de France”.
According to a statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission here Thursday, the consulate in Bradford was part of the Caravan of the race for this week for all the four days (May 3-6) which traveled around 1000 K.M throughout the Yorkshire region.
The Bradford Consulate for the event prepared two vehicles wrapped in traditional “Pakistani truck art” and beautiful pictures of all provinces of Pakistan and traditional dresses.
Pakistani vehicles were very popular in the event, the statement said adding Pakistan’s souvenirs,T-shirts, pens and other things specially prepared for the event were distributed among the crowds, which welcomed the caravan in the 40 cities and towns in Yorkshire from where the caravan passed and stopped.
The closing ceremony of the event was held in Leeds city hall on May 6, 2018.
Pakistani horses performed and danced on music tunes while Pakistani children performed in traditional dresses in the ceremony which was attended by around 20,000, people.
The 4-day event was telecast live globally by 177 Television channels with 11.4 million global TV
viewers across Eurosport and ITV and there were around 2.5 million roadside spectators who witnessed the race and the caravan during all the four days with around 109 million twitters, Facebook etc viewers.
The High Commission statement said that “the event gave us a very good chance to promote Pakistan’s culture and soft image of and our particpantion has been appreciated by all. Extensive media coverage (print and electronic) regarding our particpantion had helped in raising the profile of Pakistan in the region”.
Pakistan participates in Tour de Torkshire 2018
Pakistan disappointed over non-listing of Khalid Khurasni by UN Sanction Committee
ISLAMABAD, May 10 (APP):Pakistan on Thursday expressed its disappointment over the failure of United Nations Sanction Committee to list terrorist organization Jamat-ul-Ahrar leader Umer Khalid Khurasani, also known as Abdul Wali, deeming it complete disregard of its sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
During his weekly media briefing here, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said if Jamaat-ul-Ahrar had been listed by the Sanctions Committee, its leader, who had the blood of hundreds of innocent Pakistanis on his hands, should also have been listed.
“This action demonstrates the double standards prevailing in the international fight against terrorism and also shows complete disregard of the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in this fight,” he added.
He said,”The listing of Jamat-ul Ahrar leader could not reach consensus due to the objection by a member, although the committee has not yet formally conveyed this development to us.”
Replying to a question, Dr Faisal said the Foreign Secretary undertook a very comprehensive and successful visit to Dhaka in connection with the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, where she met the OIC Secretary General, foreign ministers of member countries and her counterparts.
He said the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir continued to endure untold sufferings, and face gross and systematic violations of their human rights, use of pellet guns and extra-judicial killings by the occupation forces.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan remained in full solidarity with the people of Jammu & Kashmir, calling upon the world community to play its rightful role in promoting a just and lasting solution of the dispute.
Regarding the recent controversy of Quaid-e-Azam’s picture in Ali Garh Muslim University, India, he said the Quaid’s picture had been displayed in the university since 1938. There were also reports of replacing of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s picture with that of Indian Prime Minister Modi in Khair Town Guest House, Aligarh, he added.
He said it was in sharp contrast with the tolerance in Pakistan where the pictures / statues of Gandhi continued to be displayed at the Islamabad Monument museum.
The growing intolerance, xenophobia and prejudice, especially against Muslims and Pakistan in India, he said, was very dangerous, most of all for India itself. It also reflected the fanaticism rampant in the Indian society being fuelled by those in power, he added.
Replying to another question, he said the restrictions on Pakistani diplomats in the US would be implemented on May 11 and the same would be on a reciprocal basis. Negotiations were underway between the two sides, on the matter, he added.
Regarding the Bangladesh’s proposal for India’s inclusion in OIC, he said India’s inclusion as an observer state had never been on the OIC’s agenda. Any statement by the Bangladeshi foreign minister was given in individual capacity and did not reflect the principled stand of the OIC, he added.
The spokesperson said Pakistan’s relations with Russia or the US were not at the expense of each other. “Our engagement with Russia is expanding while our relationship with the US and NATO remains equally good.”
Punishment being given to Nawaz Sharif for bringing economic development, peace : Tariq
ISLAMABAD, May 10 (APP):Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD), Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Thursday said punishment was being given to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for bringing economic development and peace in the country.
Under the dynamic leadership of Nawaz Sharif, record development was made in the country, he said talking to a private news channel.
Nawaz Sharif was given punishment for reviving peace in Karachi and bringing economic progress in the country, he said.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) was a popular party and all the members of the national assembly were fully supporting and standing behind the party, he said.
Commenting on some elected members of the party joining Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf, he said they had gone to PTI due to delimitation of the constituencies.
He added that all the party workers and members were fully united under the flag of PML-N.
To a question, he said the PML-N government had made record development during the period of last five years.
He added that masses would give vote to the party on the basis of performance and deliverance. Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said PML-N had followed its manifesto and worked for the welfare of masses.
PM urges corporate sponsors to help revive sports in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, May 10 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday said the corporate sponsors should come up to help revive Pakistan’s lost grandeur in sports by extending their resources to cap the talent of youth.
Addressing the prize distribution ceremony for the winners and participants of the recently held Commonwealth Games 2018 at Prime Minister’s Office, he spoke high of the winners for bringing laurels to the country despite meager support by the government.
The ceremony was attended by Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Minster for Defence Engineer Khurram Dastgir, Minister for Law Mehmood Bashir Virk, Minister for SAFRON Lt General (Retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch and representatives of different Olympic associations and players.
He said all what they had achieved was because of their personal efforts. After a long time, someone had won medals for Pakistan. Besides earning any award, mere participation in such highly competitive games like Commonwealth was no lesser than an honor for Pakistani sportsmen, he added.
He said these awards would be the real assets for the players for winning honor by competing with the players from around 53 countries.
The prime minister appreciated the efforts of Riaz Hussain Pirzada who had helped revive sports in Pakistan, though the subject had been devolved to provinces after 18th constitutional amendment.
He said provision of further resources by the federal government to improve sports activities was vital. There was no dearth of talent in Pakistan but it needed to be nurtured, he added.
He said it was pleasing to know that a Pakistani industry would supply footballs for the world cup. He told the gathering that he had advised the industry to extend its resources for improvement of the sports sector.
In the past, when Pakistan ruled the world in hockey, the PIA used to sponsor it, he recalled.
Prime Minister Abbasi also urged the ministry to find out the sports in which Pakistan could excel at international level.
Later, he also handed over a cheque worth Rs5 million to wrestler Inam Butt who had won gold medal and Rs1 million to Tayyab Raza who secured bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games. He also gave away prizes to other sportsmen who excelled in the competition.
Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada also gave a souvenir and colors of Pakistan to the prime minister, who also had a group photo with the players.
He said consequent to the government’s efforts and tough decisions by the ministry, the sports activities had been revived in the country.
He said Pakistani players had bagged 10 medals in the Commonwealth Games besides achieving distinctions in other international games in the recent past.
He said the daily allowance for the sportsmen had been doubled. Two astro turf were being laid in Islamabad to train the hockey players.
PM chairs meeting of parliamentary leaders on FATA reforms
ISLAMABAD, May 10 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday chaired a meeting of parliamentary leaders and representatives of various political parties held here at PM’s Chamber in the National Assembly.
Matters relating to implementation of FATA reforms were discussed during the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Chief (JUI-F) Moulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Speaker National Assembly Sardar
Ayaz Sadiq, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Leader of Opposition, Mahmood Khan Achakzai (PKMAP), Minister of Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani, Minister of State for SAFRON Ghalib Khan, Sartaj Aziz, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Syed Naveed Qamar, Dr. Farooq Sattar, Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour,
Nasir Khan (MNA), Sahibzada Tariq Ullah (MNA), Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Lt. Gen. (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch, Murtaza Javed Abbasi, and Alhaj Shah Jee Gul Afridi.
Gen. Bajwa named among ‘World’s Most Powerful People’ by Forbes
NEW YORK, May 10 (APP):Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has been named among “the World’s Most Powerful People” by Forbes magazine in its annual ranking, saying he has established himself as a “mediator and proponent of democracy.”
General Bajwa, who was appointed to the post in 2016, was ranked 68 among 75 people, according to the top American business magazine.
“Javed Bajwa joins the world’s most powerful at a time when the rift between India and Pakistan is improving, partly thanks
to his efforts,” Forbes said.
“He has a difficult task of keeping peace in the US ally state where terrorist groups are present, while managing a complex relationship with India,” it wrote.
“Two years into his tenure as the head of the world’s sixth largest army, Bajwa has established himself as a mediator and proponent of democracy,” the global magazine added.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa is the only Pakistani on the list and is among 17 newcomers to the list.
According to the magazine, four factors were taken into account to select each individual: how many people over whom
they have power; the financial resources they control; if they have influence in more than one sphere; and how actively they wield their power to change the world.
“There are nearly 7.5 billion humans on planet Earth, but these 75 men and women make the world turn. Forbes’ annual ranking of The World’s Most Powerful People identifies one person out of every 100 million whose actions mean the most,”
the magazine said.
Among them there are presidents, billionaires, heads of organisations, CEOs, and one special counsel. One commonality: Their words and actions impact a large number of people, businesses, and even entire economies, it added.
This year’s list is topped by Chinese President Xi Jinping, pushing out Russia’s Vladimir Putin from the top and giving him
the second slot.
Further, the magazine’s annual listing by Forbes magazine placed US President Donald Trump at the third place.
The fourth most powerful person in the world also happens to be the most powerful woman: Angela Merkel, the chancellor
of Germany.
She is followed by Amazon chief Jeff Bezos.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked number nine in the list.
The list also includes Pope Francis (6), Cofounder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates (7), French President Emmanuel Macron (12), Alibaba Chief Jack Ma (21), CEO and Chairman of Tesla Elon Musk (25), UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (31), North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (36), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (57), Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad (62), Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (69) and Daesh’s self-proclaimed leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (73).
UN chief tells parties to Yemen conflict to uphold int’l law
UNITED NATIONS, May 10 (APP):UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep over the “recent and sharp escalation” in the Yemen conflict, calling on all parties to make civilian protection a priority.
Civil conflict deepened across the country in 2015, when a Saudi-led coalition intensified military operations against
Houthi rebels who control the capital Sana’a, the UN said.
Coalition airstrikes hit a government building in the densely-populated Tahrir district of the capital on Monday, reportedly
killing six people, and rebels fired several missiles in the days that followed towards different targets in Saudi Arabia.
“The Secretary-General reminds all parties to the conflict that they must uphold international humanitarian law, including
taking steps to protect civilians,” a statement, issued on behalf of the Secretary-General by his Spokesperson Stephane
Dujarric, said.
“All potential violations of international humanitarian law should be thoroughly investigated and those responsible for violations must be held accountable,” the statement added.
Dujarric emphasized the Secretary-General’s appeal not to escalate the fighting further “as this adversely impacts
the chances for peace.
Since political unrest first began in Yemen in early 2011, the UN has been engaged in helping Yemenis to find a
peaceful solution. However, fighting continues and the ensuing humanitarian crisis has only deepened in a country that was
already one of the region’s poorest.
“A negotiated political settlement through inclusive intra-Yemeni dialogue is the only way to end the conflict and
address the ongoing humanitarian crisis,” the statement said.
Commerce Minister concerned over declining trade volume with Azerbaijan
ISLAMABAD, May 10 (APP):Minister for Commerce Muhammad Pervaiz Malik Thursday expressed his concerns over declining volume of bilateral trade with Azerbaijan saying bilateral trade was not a true reflection of the great potential of trade between the two countries which had declined declined from US $ 58.26 million in 2015-16 to $ 26.88 million in 2016-17.
He was talking to ambassador of Azerbaijan in Pakistan, Ali Alizada here.
He said in order to enhance and diversify trade with Azerbaijan, Ministry of Commerce had prepared a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on five year trade cooperation plan that had been shared with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for onward transmission to the relevant authorities of Azerbaijan for their comments, however response from Azerbaijan side is awaited.
The minister stressed the need to take concerted efforts from both sides to increase the trade volume and economic cooperation.
“The decrease in Pakistan’s exports to Azerbaijan in 2016-17 is mainly due to decline in export of rice to Azerbaijan from US $ 45 million to US $ 21.1 million”, he added.
Commerce Minister said Pakistan is a profitable market and investors from Azerbaijan should take full advantage of it by investing in different sectors.
Commerce Minister said there exists good scope for export of ready-made garments, cotton products, engineering goods, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, rice, textile fabrics, sports goods, surgical instruments and tents from Pakistan and import of non-ferrous metals, oil and oil products, canned fruit juices, raw cotton, LPG from Azerbaijan.
“There is need to increase the Business to Business and Government to Government interactions and exchange of delegations to identify the business opportunities that will in turn result in increasing the Trade volume”, he added.
He said that Pakistani government and Ministry of Commerce & Textile will provide full support in this regard.
Ali Alizada said that Pakistan is a lucrative market for investors from Azerbaijan and they are keenly interested in investment. He also agreed with the minister’s proposal for increased interaction and institutional arrangements to discuss trade related issues and identify areas of interest to boost bilateral trade and cooperation.
Later, Ambassador of Romania, Nicolae Gola also called on the Federal Minister for Commerce and Textile Mohammad Pervaiz Malik.
The Minister welcomed the ambassador and said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its trade relations with Romania as it is an important trading partner of Pakistan with in the European Union region.
Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Romania was US $ 97.25 million in 2016-2017. Pakistan’s exports were US $ 21.23 million while imports were US $ 76.02 million.
Commerce Minister thanked the Romanian government for extending its support to Pakistan for continuation of the GSP plus scheme and hoped that Pakistan would continue receiving its support in this regards as it has helped Pakistan in a significant way in overcoming its economic difficulties.
Under this scheme most products of Pakistan has duty free access to EU including Romania. Commerce Minister also demanded that a business visa of multiple entries with one year validity may be issued to Pakistani businessmen.
The ambassador thanked Commerce Minister for the warm welcome and said that there should be increased interaction for boosting bilateral trade.
“Business Communities of the two countries may interact more to increase the level of bilateral trade and both the countries should participate in Trade Fairs arranged by the two countries”, he added.
Both sides agreed on making institutional arrangements for addressing trade related issues and identifying business opportunities.
Squash quarterfinals on Friday
ISLAMABAD, May 10 (APP):The main round of Pakistan Squash Circuit-1 for Men and Women kicked off on Thursday here at Mushaf Squash Complex with a draw of 16 players each.
A total of 8 matches for Men and as many as for women were played.
In men event, Farhan Zaman (Pak) beat Abbas Zeb (Pak) 8-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-3, 30 Min; Zahir Shah (Pak) beat Umair Zaman (Qat) 4-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-8, 34 Min; Danish Atlas (Pak) beat Zeeshan Khan (Pak) 12-10, 11-3, 11-7, 28 Min; Farhan Mehboob (Pak) beat Syed Ali Bukhari (Pak) 11-8, 11-6, 11-9, 21 Min; Tayyab Aslam (Pak) beat Mansoor Zaman (Pak) 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5, 38 Min; Amaad Fareed (Pak) beat Khawaja Adil Maqbool (Pak) 11-5, 11-4, 11-7, 19 Min; Israr Ahmad (Pak) beat Haris Iqbal (Pak) 11-4, 11-7, 11-4, 30 Min; Asim Khan (Pak) beat Shoaib Hassan (Pak) 11-8, 11-3, 11-6, 19 Min.
The top seed of Women Event Noorena Shams was outclassed by Noor Ul Ain Ejaz in straight set within 7 minutes only.
Similarly the youngest player Amna Fayaz also defeated 2nd seed of the event Anum Mustafa in 5 games match which lasted for 31 Minutes.
In women event, Noor Ul Ain Ejaz (Pak) beat Noorena Shams (Pak) 11-3, 11-3, 11-0, 7 Min; Zoya Khalid (Pak) beat Zahab Kamal Khan (Pak) 11-0, 11-8, 11-9, 15 Min; Moqaddas Ashraf (Pak) beat Rushna Mehboob (Pak) 11-9, 11-1, 11-5, 15 Min; Madina Zafar (Pak) beat Nimra Aqeel (Pak) 11-3, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6, 20 Min; Faiza Zafar (Pak) beat Aimnan Shahbaz (Pak) 11-9, 11-8, 11-4, 14 Min; Riffat Khan (Pak) beat Saima Shaukat (Pak) 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 24 Min; Noor Ul Huda (Pak) beat Komal Khan (Pak) 11-13, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6, 31 Min; Amna Fayyaz (Pak) beat Anum Mustafa (Pak) 11-4, 13-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 31 Min.
The quarter finals of both men and women events would be played on Friday.
Pak disabled cricket team named to compete in Tri-Series in England
LAHORE, May 10 (APP):Pakistan disabled cricket association (PDCA) on Thursday announced 16-member national team to feature in a tri series being played in England from July 8-13.
The team is capable of producing desired results in the event whose other participating teams are, hosts England and Sri Lanka, said a spokesman of PDCA while talking to APP here.
Squad; Squad; Nihar Alam (Captain), Jahanzeb Tiwana (Vice. Captain) Hasnain Alam,Arif Masih, Saif Ullah(wicket keeper), Muhammad Shahbaz,Wajid Alam,Majid Hussain, Rehan Ghani Mirza,Abdullah Ejaz, Waqaf Shah, Malik Kashif, Matloob Qureshi, Muhammad Haris Sher Ali ,Farhan Saeed, Reserve Players Abdullah Khan, Adil Abbasi, Zubair Saleemand Rao Javed. Team Officials.Amiruddin Ansari (Manager)Sabih Azhar (Head Coach) Iqbal Imam (Batting Coach), Muhammad Javed (Bowling Coach), Noman Palekar (Team Doctor), Rashid Qureshi (Trainer),Ali Christian (Analyst) and Muhammad Nizam (Media Manager).
To a question, he said the teams selection was a very difficult task because of presence of talented players who performed well in domestic and international events as well.
“The final selection was made following three-day trials at Rawalpindi stadium and these trials were watched by coach Sabih Azhar, along with Iqbal Imam, members of the selection committee Mohammad Jawed, Javed Asraf and secretary PDCA Amir uddin Ansari.
He said the team was balanced and it has the potential to win the competition with the help of collective efforts of team members.
“We have good spinners and fast bowlers in the squad and we have a strong batting line up and we need combined team efforts to achieve desired results,” he added.
Pakistan disabled cricketers two-day conditioning camp will commence at the PCB Karachi Regional Academy from May 12 to 13 while the training camp will be held after Eid-ul-fitr and the team will leave for England on July 5.
Pakistan is the Pioneer of disabled cricket with England and now many test playing countries are regularly playing this cricket and after the big tri-series July in England the first ever world cup for the disabled cricketers will be played next year in England.
In the tri-series Bangladesh will take on England in the opening match on July 8 while Pakistan disabled team will play their opening match against Bangladesh on July 9 and against England on July 10, at 10:00 a.m while against Bangladesh at 2 p.m, England will play against Bangladesh July 11 at 10.00 a.m, against Pakistan 2 pm, July 12 is the rest day while the final will be played July 13 at 12:30 p.m.