ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (APP):The newly appointed President SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ruwan Edirising had convened his first 3-day meeting of Senior Vice Presidents and all Vice Presidents from member countries in Pakistan on April 27 to finalize vision 2030.
Talking to Vice President SAARC chamber Pakistan chapter Iftikhar Ali Malik by telephone from Colombo here Wednesday he said that “All will join the meetings in Islamabad as we would take some pertinent decisions”, says a press statement issued here Wednesday.
He said that SAARC chamber will work closely with all member countries in taking regional co-operation forward.
He said all VPs have also been directed to hold the meeting of the executive committee and general assembly of their respective countries well ahead of April 27 to prepare a set of recommendations and proposals after threadbare discussions on vision 2030 and forward their feedback to SAARC chamber secretariat. He said that all VPs will deliberate on strategies to achieve our goals amongst other important decisions
Highlighting few of salient features of his policy priorities, Ruwan Edirisinghe said that how to convert SAARC chamber to a result oriented regional trade and investment platform, explore partnerships and strengthen existing network with world bank, ADB, UNESCAP, UNIDO, AUSAID, Euro-chambers and FNF, how to promote tourism, sports, trade fairs, exchange of business delegations and holding of business conclave.
He said that “He also plans to establish SAARC chamber think tank for future, activate all SAARC chamber councils, and develop a full-fledged network to facilitate trade, seamless connectivity within region and beyond, improve investment opportunities, lobbying with SAARC chamber political leaderships besides strengthening of trade portal”.
He said that prospects for industrial development to focus on industrial business delegations and industrial matchmaking in addition to joint ventures in areas of interest of either member countries.
He said that hectic efforts are afoot the make SAARC chamber as the “Best Chamber in the world in 2030” as the region inherited plenty of natural resource and minderal deposits in abundance. He said SAARC chamber headquarters building committee meeting will be held on April 27 and Chairman Building Committee Iftikhar Ali Malik along with Vice Chairman Zubair Ahmad Malik will apprise the participants about the progress of under construction state of the art building.
SAARC Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik assured Ruwan Edirisinghe of all his cooperation to make this meeting success. He emphasized the need for expediting the process of trade liberalization in South Asian region. He said that cooperation in member states will help in promotion of trade and improving quality of life of people who accounted for 1/5th of the world’s population.
SAARC CCI President convenes meeting of all VPs in Pakistan
UN deputy aid chief spotlights plight of 400,000 Rohingya still inside Myanmar
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 18 (APP):A senior United Nations official has urged the international community not to forget the dire situation in which more than 400,000 Rohingya Muslims are living in Myanmar as reports of massive outflow of the minority community member to Bangladesh grabbed worldwide headlines.
“There is a humanitarian crisis on both sides of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border that is affecting the world’s largest group of stateless people,” Ursula Mueller, the UN’s deputy relief chief, told reporters in New York, following her recent visit to Myanmar.
“The unfolding tragedy in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar [Bangladesh] rightly captured the world’s attention, but we cannot, and must not, forget the plight of over 400,000 Muslim people still living in Rakhine State who continue to face a life of hardship and marginalization due to movement restrictions,” she added.
These restrictions severely compromise their rights and obstruct their access to health, livelihoods, protection, education, and other essential services, she said.
Prior to the press conference, Ms. Mueller, who is the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, spoke about what she had seen inside Myanmar and about a meeting with some top officials, including State Counsellor and Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
“We discussed the importance of ending the violence, of stability and peace and reconciliation. I offered the support of the United Nations to address the humanitarian needs and the protection needs that are across the whole country, and advocated for access for humanitarian actors,” Ms. Mueller said of the meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi.
US Envoy to UN hits back at White House over new Russia sanctions
NEW YORK, Apr 18 (APP):US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has hit back at claims by others in President Donald Trump’s administration that she had prematurely announced a new round of sanctions against Russia.
Tensions within the Trump administration spilled into public view as confusion reigned over the president’s plans, less than two days after Haley declared the US would impose fresh sanctions against Russian companies accused of assisting Syria’s chemical weapons programme.
However on Monday, the White House denied the imposition of any new sanctions, with its economic adviser Larry Kudlow saying a day after that Haley “got ahead of the curve,” and that there might have been some momentary confusion about that.”
Haley hit back with a strong statement, saying, “With all due respect, I don’t get confused.”
According to a senior administration official, Trump was “annoyed” at the confusion in what seems to be one of the rare instances in which Haley has drawn the president’s ire.
Sources close to the White House said Trump, who has occasionally been hesitant to forcefully criticize Russia, has been unwilling to move forward with additional sanctions on Moscow.
Kudlow, who was speaking to reporters Tuesday, said that “additional sanctions are under consideration, but not been determined.”
However, the Russian embassy in Washington received a letter from the Trump administration, saying the US had no immediate plans to impose new sanctions on Russia, Interfax said, citing a diplomatic source.
“I can confirm that the United States has informed the Russian embassy that there will be no new sanctions for now,” TASS cited a source in the Russian foreign ministry as saying.
Meanwhile, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, called the recent happenings “standard confusion.”
“How many other things do you want to mention have been rolled out that way?” Corker told reporters Tuesday.
“I didn’t think much about it. You know, two weeks ago, we’re moving out of Syria the next day, and then the next day we weren’t. It’s just sort of standard confusion.”
Trump, who had planned to withdraw US troops out of Syria, later changed his mind and ordered a coordinated attack against the war-ravaged country on Saturday.
Youth masters of Pakistan’s destiny: Masood
ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (APP):Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan Wednesday said youth were masters of Pakistan’s destiny as they could include the country among the developed countries.
He was addressing the Roots Flagship Millennium Campus’ Annual High Achiever Ceremony 2018 here at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, in which the students, who had achieved distinctions and scholarships to international universities, were honoured, a press release said.
Underscoring the importance of quality education, President Masood said it was pertinent to impart an education that focused on the social, emotional, mental, physical and cognitive development of students, preparing them for the challenges of life.
He complimented the management, faculty, students and their parents on their outstanding achievements. Students of the institution had been provided holistic education with the emphasis on personality grooming, character development, confidence, adequate exposure to leadership and societal contributions, he added.
He said the students owed their success to their parents and teachers. He urged them to fulfil their responsibility by contributing to the society and pursuing academic and professional excellence. They should focus on making Pakistan socially, politically, diplomatically and economically stronger; enabling it to stand among the developed nations of the world, he added.
The AJk president while strongly condemning the recent gang rape and murder of eight-year-old Asifa Banu, informed the audience about the abysmal situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK). The people in IOK were facing gross injustice at the hands of 700,000 Indian occupation forces, who are killing, maiming, torturing, incarcerating and dishonouring them with impunity.
As global citizens “we need to raise our voice for the Kashmiris by creating awareness on the atrocities taking place in IOK,” he added.
President Masood said,”We will continue to support the Kashmiris’ peaceful and unarmed struggle for their right to self-determination. We strive for a just, peaceful and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and call for the immediate end to the human right violations and war crimes perpetrated in IOK.”
He asked the students to express solidarity with the Kashmiris and raise awareness over the issue by telling the stories of Kashmiri brothers and sisters by using the #KashmirMatters on social media networks.
He said AJK was on the verge of an economic and commercial revolution driven by multiple development projects focusing infrastructure, construction of roads, universal access to health, education, industry, tourism, energy production and enhancing agriculture capacity. “Azad Kashmir will contribute to the developing economic landscape of Pakistan, becoming an asset for the country,” he added.
The event was attended by Adil Al Arabi, Tunisian Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Junaid Zaidi, Rector COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Julie Newlan, Pro-Vice Chancellor University of Hertfordshire; Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq, Chief Executive TMUC, faculty, students and their parents.
women economic empowerment vital for sustainable development: Anusha
ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (APP):Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecom Anusha Rahman Wednesday said that women economic empowerment was vital for the sustainable development and essential to achieve gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth.
She stated this while addressing the e-Commerce Week organized by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The theme of the event was Development Dimensions of Digital Platforms.
The minister is attending the event on the special invitation extended by the Secretary General UNCTAD, being held in Geneva from April 16-20 to discuss the growing role of digital platforms and concrete steps to harnessing these evolving technologies for sustainable development, said a press release received here.
UNCTAD’s E-Commerce Week, is an important forum for ministers, senior government officials, CEOs, international organizations, development banks, academics and civil society to discuss the agenda of carrying forward the development of e-commerce ecosystem.
In her two-day visit till now, the minister attended the ministerial roundtables and key workshops as a speaker and panelist.
During ministerial roundtable on advancing women’s digital opportunity, she highlighted the development opportunities and challenges associated with the evolving digital economy.
In the high-level dialogue, the global leaders agreed that digital platforms are increasingly used
by people and enterprises, for various objectives which facilitate e-commerce, online and mobile payments as well as social interaction.
In a bilateral meeting with Secretary General UNCTAD, the minister reflected upon the achievements of Pakistan in the arena of ICT and future plans for continued growth in this sector to enable transformation into “Digital Pakistan”.
The minister also held bilateral meeting with the President of the World Economic Forum
(WEF) Mr Borge Brende and discussed opportunities for mutual collaboration especially on issues related to ICTs and cybergovernance.
The minister also attended a reception hosted by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva to introduce Pakistan’s candidature for the election of the International Telecommunication Union Council.
The reception was attended by a large number of ambassadors, permanent representatives
and members of various ministries of UN Member States.
SC directs police to arrest, produce Abidi before it
ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (APP):The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday directed the police to arrest Faisal Raza Abidi, a former senator, and produce him before it in a contempt of court case over unparliamentary remarks against the judiciary.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, also issued a contempt of court notice to a private TV channel.
During the course of proceedings, the chief justice asked the chief executive officer (CEO) of the channel whether the TV administration had not seen the programme before its broadcast.
The TV channel CEO admitted that broadcasting of the programme was a mistake on their part and tendered apology before the court.
The CJP observed that the channel management should be ashamed of the way he had tendered apology and directed the CEO to submit his stance in writing. It had become a trend to first make anti-judiciary remarks and then tender an apology, he added.
The CEO informed the bench that the programme’s anchor-person had been expelled. He would submit a written apology till next date of hearing.
The CJP then asked about the whereabouts of Abidi. Why he was not appearing before the court after giving derogatory remarks against the judiciary, he asked.
The bench then ordered the police to arrest and produce Abidi and adjourned the case till May 3.
It may be added that Abidi, during a programme aired on the private TV channel, used derogatory language against a former top judge. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned the channel’s programme for three months, besides imposing fine of one million rupees.
Masood invites exploring avenues for cooperation in AJK
ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (APP):Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan Wednesday invited German investors
for exploring avenues for cooperation in Azad Kashmir particularly in the sectors of power generation, industrial development, startups, business incubators, skill development, and tourism.
Talking to German Ambassador Martin Kobler here at Jammu and Kashmir House, the president said Germany is perceived as a strong nation with a credible and powerful brand as a nation and its leadership in science, technology and manufacturing has helped establish highest standards of excellence in the world.
President Masood Khan said that Germany and Pakistan enjoy very close relations and complimented Ambassador Martin Kobler for being a very active, dynamic and successful diplomat and for promoting Pakistan German relations most energetically, said a press release.
The German Ambassador thanked the Pakistani people for the warmth and respect they had given to him and his country and said it was his mission to take Pakistan German relations to a higher platform. He said that the people of Pakistan were talented and hardworking, and they possessed the potential to develop economically and acquire a special place amongst emerging nations.
Ambassador Martin Kobler said that Azad Kashmir was an attractive tourist destination and Germany looks forward to developing people to people as well as academic and cultural relations between Azad Kashmir and Germany. Already, he said, Germany had invested in small hydropower projects there and would look into the possibility of for vocational training programmes.
Awais for investing more in human resource development
ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (APP):Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Leghari Wednesday underlined the need on investing more in human resources development as it would help create knowledge based economy for progress and prosperity of the people and the country.
Addressing the first convocation of US Pakistan Centre of Advanced Studies at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST0 here, the minister said knowledge based economy was not possible without doing any investment in human resource sector.
He said the policy makers have to consider specific investment in the human resource sector in order to steer the country on road of progress and prosperity.
The minister said, ” We don’t have technical professional and people to give their input that in over one trillion rupees energy sector, few million was being spent on human resource”.
He urged the graduating students to come forward and support energy sector of the country as without support of the experts, the country could not steer into right direction.
Awais said NUST is a symbol of quality in educational research and and ranked first among the prestigious institution.
The minister congratulated the students upon successful completion of their degrees and said you were valuable addition to Pakistan’s re-surging energy sector. Centres like US Pakistan Center for Advance Studies would be instrumental in providing sustainable and renewable energy solution.
He appreciated the US government and its people for their support to the Centrre.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador David Hale said the Center for Advance Studies formed a partnership that prepared Pakistan’s future leaders to tackle the nations;s energy and development challenges. “By building ties between government, industry and academia, Pakistan is developing more effective policies, driving innovation and spurring economic growth”, he said.
He said these centers were the premier think tanks and applied research institutes for Pakistan’s energy and water sectors.
The ambassador commended the students for their work and said,” with the skills you have gained here, you are now equipped to tackle Pakistan’s most vexing energy challenges”.
Rector NUST Lt Gen (R) Naweed Zaman said NUST continued to improve its position in the world ranking universities during the last three years and included among top 500 universities of the world and in 100 Asian universities.
As many as 94 students received degrees in the convocation.
Special Committee on Delimitation of Constituencies meets
ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (APP):The 3rd meeting of Special Committee on Delimitation of Constituencies (SCDC) was held on Wednesday here at Parliament House,under the Chairmanship of Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly.
The main objective of the meeting was to consider/discuss the report of the Working Group of the SCDC. Daniyal Aziz, Minister for Privatization/Convener of the Working Group of SCDC presented the report.
The Committee discussed the following recommendations of the report of the Working Group at length and breadth:-
That Constitutional Amendment Bill may be passed by deleting the provision of constitutional amendment along with the provisional census data being used; as there is no threat of the final census data being available before the election. Therefore, the question of delay of elections does not arise
and we are well before the election schedule;
That the amendment to the section 20 of the Elections Act, 2017 be made as an Ordinance to bring the sub-rule (5) of rule 10 of Election Rules, 2017 into the main text of Act, and for blocking the fractionalization at the district level and clarifying the administrative boundaries north, clock wise and zigzag as well as cognate matters;
To institute an inquiry under the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act, 2017 under the retired Judge to inquire into the gross violation of law and rules by the Delimitation Committees and its motivations including but not limited to the movement of the members of the Committees, their communication as well as their examination under oath.
Further, the reasons for the Commission to over look such gross violation of uniformity in applications of the law and rules, said a press release on Wednesday.
As explained in the Report of this Group, also the inquiry will cover the detailed chronological of events with regards to the recent census and compare previous PES norms and standards and processes with regards to delimitation of final publication of census results, and the reasons and the motivation misleading this Committee and the Parliament leading to the constitutional amendment for provisional census data delimitation;
Filing of public interest litigation under Article 184 of the Constitution in the public interest to adjudicate on the gross violation of law and tempering of rights by the ECP and its motivators, and
Resolution by the Parliament itemizing the grave violations by the ECP and FBS, and providing for its remedy by the respective Institutions.
The Committee also agreed on the findings made by the Working Group on the Delimitation of Constituencies by ECP. It was decided that the report may be circulated to all the members of the SCDC for their views and comments.
The members/MNA’s .Daniyal Aziz, S.A. Iqbal Quadri, Sahibzada Tariq Ullah, Siraj Muhammad Khan and Ms.Naeema Kishwar Khan attended the meeting.
Sacrifices by people, security forces lead to peace in FATA: KP Governor
PESHAWAR, Apr 18 (APP):The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Eng. Iqbal Zafar Jhagra Wednesday said due to
successful operations led by Army, sacrifices by law enforcement agencies and
people of FATA, peace and writ of the government has been restored in FATA.
He added that to follow the “Paigham e Pakistan” which has been chalked out on the basis of Islamic
teachings and the Constitution of Pakistan, is the need of the hour adding it
is also a source of inspiration at the time, when we as nation are in the
national reconstruction process.
He said “Paigham e Pakistan” will
provide base for wiping out extremism, terrorism, sectarianism and linguistic
oriented prejudices.
Pakistan Army, the Governor said, have almost
successfully cleared the country from terrorists.
He however, said, the struggle against intellectual dishonesty
could be made successful while following the “Paigham e Pakistan” in letter and
spirit and for this purpose there is a need to implement this message in the
entire country, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA in particular.
He was addressing as chief guest during launching
ceremony of “Paigham e Pakistan” at Governor’s House. Minister of State, Ghalib
Khan Advocate, Chairman Ruet e Hilaal Committee Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman, Wafaqul
Madaras, chairman of Council of Islamic Ideology Dr. Qibla Ayaz, the Rector of Islamabad
based International Islamic University Dr. Masoom Yasinzai as well as
provincial ministers and a number of tribal elders and teachers were also
present on the occasion.
The Governor said that Pakistan is
blessed with best ever manpower with youth, imbibed with the spirit of
patriotism is in majority.
To counter negative thinking, he added,
promotion of constructive thinking and a national message based on correct
ground realities is also the need of the time.
The Islamic Research
Institute and the International Islamic University, Islamabad, he said, have
rendered hard work in chalking out this document which has been further refined
by Wafaq ul Madaras, faculties of the universities and Ulama of Madaras.
The Governor also stressed that Paigham
e Pakistan needs to be communicated to everywhere and by the representative
figures of all segments of the society.
To make this message in
shape of Paigham e Pakistan disseminated abroad, he said, the embassies of
Pakistan should also play their role.
While particularly referring to youth of
Pakistan, he said, they need to contribute role by collective struggle for
making Pakistan a great country. Chairman
Ruet e Hilal committee Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman also address the conference.