ISLAMABAD, Apr 6 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Friday strongly condemned the ongoing violence against innocent Kashmiris by the Indian occupation forces and said Pakistani nation stood with their Kashmiri brothers in their just struggle.
Addressing the inauguration of the annual National Book Festival here at the Pakistan-China Centre, the President appealed to the international community to realize and play its part in putting an end to the gross human rights violations by the Indian forces. He said the Kashmir issue could only be resolved through implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions.
Pakistan was observing the Kashmir Solidarity Day to raise awareness globally against the unending atrocities by the Indian army in the occupied Kashmir who have unleashed a reign of terror against the unarmed civilian protestors, struggling for their right to self determination.
The President appreciated the holding of the annual book exhibition, organized by the National Book Foundation (NBF) and said the endeavour to inculcate the habit of reading amongst the young and old was getting a good response.
President Mamnoon Hussain said today there were a number of universities and institutes of higher studies that were conducting research and development besides imparting quality education in all areas in the country.
He however said that the impact and reach of these organizations could increase significantly if their mode of education was in the national language.
President Mamnoon Hussain said a lot many bright students of Pakistan could not make it up to the top in education, only because the mode of teaching was not in the Urdu language. He called for translating books on health, medicine, engineering, sciences and arts in Urdu to encourage and instill amongst the people the habit of reading.
The President said the National Book Foundation needed to focus on welfare of the writers and publishers and served as an example for others. He was optimist that the ambitious writers, scholars, scientists and researchers would be encouraged by the Book Foundation.
President Mamnoon said the human minds were fertile enough to absorb huge amounts of information and said if they were fed positive information, they turn out to be better human beings who served the humanity and made the society a better place to live.
President Mamnoon said in a world full of chaos, confusion, lawlessness and uncertainty, there was a need to generate positivity through good literary works, stimulate minds and encourage more learning.
The President said the National Book Foundation had come a long way since its inception and was playing its part in propagating the habit of book reading. He said the NBF was serving the nation with a missionary zeal by extending support to the publishers and writers in bringing to the market books on new subjects and raising knowledge base of the common man.
The President said the inclusion of books from China, Iran and Turkey was a welcome sign and would help the people get a better understanding of these brotherly countries.
Earlier, the President inaugurated the four-day National Book Festival and went around the exhibition in which over 29 bookstalls have been set up by 110 private publishers. Books on literature, science, technology, current affairs, history, philosophy, travelogue, religion have been put on display.
Adviser to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddique said government departments related to literary activities generally had a history of not coming up to the mark due to bureaucratic hurdles. However, he said that with concerted efforts the National Book Foundation had overcome such problems and was striving hard to achieve its objectives.
He said despite being in government control, the National Book Foundation had come a long way and was playing its role in publishing new works of literature, science and technology and encouraging book reading activities.
He said there was a need amongst the teachers, parents and students to encourage the habit of book reading.
He said there had been an encouraging response from the book readers in the country and the culture of reading was still alive. He said those publishers who bring out better quality of literature also need to be recognized for their endeavours.
Pakistani nation stands with their Kashmiri brothers: President
Pak-Tajik cooperation to considerably enhance tourism activities: MD PTDC
RAWALPINDI, April 6 (APP):Managing Director (MD), Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Khan has said that the cooperation between Pakistan and Tajikistan particularly in tourism sector can help considerably enhance tourism activities.
The MD who hosted a dinner in honour of six-member high-level delegation from Tajikistan here on Thursday night said Pakistan and Tajikistan have long-term and brotherly relations and the visit of the delegation will help further strengthen the ties between the two countries.
Tajik Airline’s request for operation of flights from Dushanbe to Islamabad is under consideration and for the purpose, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Aviation has already been requested for the support.
Tajik delegation was led by Head of the Department on Analysis and Foreign Policy Perspectives (Vision) of the Center
for Strategic Research Tajikistan Hakim Abdulohi Rahnamo.
On this occasion, the PTDC hotel was beautifully decorated with colorful banners, balloons and flags. Traditional dance and folk music programs were also arranged.
Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor addressing the participants said, the visa on Arrival Facility will be introduced for group tourists for more countries and investment opportunities/projects for joint venture in Tourism and Hospitality sector of Pakistan will be shared
among potential investors of Tajikistan.
Solid steps should be taken to promote cooperation among national tourism agencies as well as private sector companies and provincial tourism organizations.
He recommended that fully sponsored scholarship opportunities should be offered to youth in undergraduate/graduate degree in tourism and hospitality and Central Asian Countries can help Pakistan in removal of negative travel advisories issued by Western Media.
Pakistan is completely a safe and secure tourism destination for the tourists from all over the world, he said adding, “We have opened the doors for the tourists from around the world to come and enjoy our hospitality, see and believe that we have the most of nature blessed treasures spread all over Pakistan.”
The MD further said, development of Road Link and operation of direct flights by National Airlines between Pakistan and Central Asian Republics is also essential for increasing tourist flow.
Ambassador of Tajikistan, Jononov Sherali on the occasion said, in order to strengthen the tourism relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan, an establishment of a working group on tourism is already under consideration. Once names of the members are
nominated by Pakistan, the working group will start functioning. PTDC and Tajikistan’s National Tourism Institutes can sign an agreement on cooperation in tourism sector which will help boost tourism of both the countries.
Hakim Abdulohi Rahnamo said the agreement on tourism cooperation will definitely increase tourist flow between the two brotherly countries. Since its independence in 1991, Tajikistan has developed its tourist industry within a span of only five years. The
hospitality of Pakistani people is unforgettable. Tajikistan government will offer sponsored training programs in the tourism sector for Pakistani youth. The road link and flights will ensure increased flow of tourists to both the countries.
Other members of the delegation were Head of the Department on Social Sciences Problem Studies Of the Center for Strategic Research Kurbonov Abdurahmon Sherovich, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Abdurahmonov Marufjon, Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics and Demography of the Academy of Sciences Mirsaidov Abror and Akbarov Akramhoja, Media Executive from National Information Agency of Tajikistan.
SC urged to take suo motu of Faheem Khan’s murder
RAWALPINDI, Apr 06 (APP):Muslim Student Federation (MSF) President, local chapter Junaid Bhatti urged the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan to take suo motu notice on the murder of ex-president MSF Matiullah Faheem Khan to bring his murderers back by the Interpol here on Friday.
Addressing to the condolence reference held under the auspices of MSF Rawalpindi, Bhatti said no delaying tactics of the police officials would be tolerated in bringing back the notorious and wanted criminal in various cases Arshad alias Langra. He said the student federations of all political parties would hold protests across the province if any delay is done in the arrest of the murderers of
Fahim Khan.
He expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the murder of Matiullah Faheem Khan and advised the workers of MSF to remain calm.
Meanwhile, MSF Punjab Region strictly condemned the murder of Faheem Khan and insisted on the arrest of Khan’s murderers without any delay. They also announced to start protest movement all over the province for the arrest of the culprits.
PMLN wants election on time: Nawaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD, Apr 6 (APP):Quaid Pakistan Muslim League(N) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday said his party wanted that elections should be held on time and every political party should be given a level playing field to take part in the polls.
Talking to mediamen outside the Accountability Court here, he said he agreed with recent statements of Chief Justice about timely elections. Chief Justice remarked that there was no chance of delay in elections.
He said he was disqualified for not taking salary from his son. While pointing towards Hasil Bizenjo and Mehmood Khan Achakzai sitting with him, he said he was an ideological person and the persons sitting right and left of him were also ideological persons.
“If I have committed corruption these persons will not be sitting with me.” He said there was no evidence of corruption or kick back against him.
He told that Sharif family built seven houses on a 100 kanal land in 1969 in Model Town Lahore, adding their steel factory, the biggest in Pakistan was nationalized in early 1970s. So they had enough resources in the past and the present allegations were absurd.
He said he had asked the judge to broadcast live the proceedings of his case in the court. “I have repeatedly said that an open trial should be held.”
Nawaz Sharif said Imran Khan accepted the allegations against him but a different legal standard was adopted for him.
He said he has asked Prime Minister Shahid Khan Abbasi to inquire into the kidnapping of his party’s workers during the election campaign for Lahore constituency NA-120.
He said after his ouster from office, inflation was again rising, problems were increasing and rupee had weakened against the dollar.
The former prime minister said in his political career he neither retreated from his standpoint nor took a U- turn. He said his movement for the respect of vote was not against anybody, adding the slogan “respect my vote” was coming from the people of Pakistan.
“I do not want that a situation is created where I have to give a call to people. If a situation arises, I will give a call to the people whether I am in jail or anywhere else.”
The PMLN Quaid said law of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was draconian and was made during the period of Pervez Musharraf to target politicians. “When I was in Attock fort jail, the law was made to punish me.” He said when the time will come, the NAB law will be changed.
To a question about claim of Asif Ali Zardari that next chief minister Punjab would be from Peoples Party, he said PPP was only getting few hundred votes from constituencies of Punjab in previous elections so first it needed to get votes from people.
Nawaz Sharif criticized the buying and selling of votes in the election of Senate and for the post of Chairman Senate.
Chief of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Mehmood Khan Achakzai said it was the job of the parliament to make laws and it was responsibility of the institutions to protect the constitution.
Leader of National Party, Hasil Bizenjo said he could not find anything against Nawaz Sharif during the proceedings in the court for the last one week.
Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to work closely for peace, prosperity
KABUL (Afghanistan), Apr 06 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Afghan President Muhammad Ashraf
Ghani Friday re-affirmed their resolve to build mutual trust and confidence by working closely for peace, prosperity and stability in their countries.
The two leaders agreed that Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) provided a useful framework for broad-based and structured engagement on all issues of mutual interest and decided to operationalize the five working groups under it.
Prime Minister of Pakistan who arrived here on daylong visit on the
invitation of President Ghani held one-on-one meeting, followed by
high-level delegation level talks at Afghan Presidential Palace.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua.
They discussed the entire gamut of Pak-Afghan ties including peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, return of Afghan refugees, bilateral trade and regional connectivity.
Both the leaders agreed that peace, prosperity and stability of the two countries are interlinked.
They agreed that there was no military solution to the ongoing Afghan conflict and that the political solution was the best way forward.
They called on the Taliban to respond positively to the peace offer and join the peace process without further delay.
Prime Minister Abbasi welcomed Afghan President’s vision for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and his offer of peace talks to Taliban.
The two leaders reiterated that terrorism was a common enemy and
a threat. They agreed not to allow their soils to be used for anti-state
activities against each other.
They re-affirmed their resolve to work together to address all issues
of bilateral transit and trade between the two countries.
They also expressed their firm resolve not to allow politics to affect
their economic relationship which was important for the welfare of the peoples of the two countries.
The two leaders re-affirmed their commitment to regional connectivity as they had done in Herat this year while jointly inaugurating the entry of Tajikistan Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline from Turkmenistan into Afghanistan.
They agreed to hold an early meeting of the Joint Economic Commission to take forward planning and implementation of key rail and road gas pipeline and energy projects that would integrate Pakistan and Afghanistan with the Central Asia.
The two leaders also agreed to move forward on the projects of
Chaman-Kandhar-Herat railway line and Peshawar-Kabul Motorway and other connectivity projects which could help realize the tremendous potential of South and Central Asian regions by providing shortest access through the seaports of Gwadar and Karachi.
They emphasized early completion of TAPI and Central Asia and South Asia (CASA-1000) projects.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan announced a gift of 40,000 tons of
wheat for the Afghan people. He also announced waiver of additional regulatory duty on Afghan export to Pakistan to help lift the Afghan economy.
The two sides also agreed to initiate discussions on consular matters
and exchange of civilian prisoners.
They agreed to continue the exchange of high level visits and Prime
Minister Abbasi extended invitations to President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to visit Islamabad at his earliest convenience.
The Prime Minister met Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and both leaders discussed the entire range of bilateral matters and agreed on regular leadership contacts.
The Prime Minister also met with senior political leaders including Gulbadin Hekmatyar, Ustad Mohammad Mohaqiq, Ustad Mohammad Karim Khalili, Pir Sayed Hamed Gailani, to convey the support of the Government and people of Pakistan to all ethnic groups in Afghanistan and underscored Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Global food price index rises for 2nd consecutive month: UN
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 6 (APP):Global food prices rose for the second consecutive month with the index for these commodities averaging 172.8 points in March, 1.1 per cent higher than in February, the United Nations food security agency announced Friday.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the rise was driven by “robust increases” in the prices of cereals (165.6 points) and dairy products (197.4 points), averaging 2.7 per cent and 3.3 per cent higher, respectively, than their prices the previous month.
Wheat prices increased mostly on weather worries, including prolonged dryness in the United States of America and cold wet conditions in parts of Europe. Similarly, maize “another major cereal “ saw its prices rise on back of strong global demand and deteriorating crop prospects also in Argentina.
FAO said it also anticipates that 2018 world maize and wheat production could decline based on early forecasts. Worldwide wheat output could drop to 750 million tonnes, about 1 per cent below its near-record level of the previous year.
In 2017, worldwide cereal production, including wheat, hit a record level, up 33 million tonnes from 2016, to nearly 2,646 million tonnes globally.
Price indices for sugar and vegetable oils, however, recorded declines in March, averaging 186 points and 156.8 points, respectively. The meat price index (169.8 points) remained almost unchanged from February.
Pakistan can progress if institutions stay in constitutional limits: Baligh
ISLAMABAD, Apr 6 (APP):Federal Minister Engr Muhammad Balighur Rahman on Friday said that all the institutions realize that Pakistan will make progress if everybody stayed within constitutional limits.
“If any institution crossed limits of the constitution then it will be disastrous for the country,” said Baligh ur Rahman in an exclusive talk with APP.
He stressed that the constitution is supreme and no institution should act beyond the constitution.
In the past, unfortunately the democracy could not flourish in the country adding that present government was the second in the history of Pakistan which would complete its tenure.
In reality, he said present government of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) was the first which was purely formed through a democratic process as the last government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was established due to National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).
Pakistan moved ahead when democracy and constitution remained in the country, he added.
PML-N governed the country in a transparent way which was unprecedented, he said.
Last year, he said the report of Transparency International declared that Pakistan improved its ranking which showed that corruption was decreasing in the country.
The general elections would be held in 2018, he said adding, “we will go to the masses in the election campaign on the basis of our performance.”
He said the present government completed important development projects, including those started by the previous governments.
He said whenever coalitions were made by political parties it was against the “development work” of the sitting government and the same was expected to happen this time as PTI and PPP will make an alliance and they will only criticize the development projects of PMLN government in the Punjab and at the federal level.
Writers community urged to highlight plight of Kashmiris
ISLAMABAD, Apr 06 (APP):Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH), Irfan
Siddiqui Friday urged the writers’ community to highlight the plight of
Kashmiris, their exemplary sacrifices and struggle for independence
through the power of their pen.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of four-day Annual National Book Festival being
arranged by National Book Foundation (NBF), Irfan Siddiqui said, “International
community must fulfil its commitments and Kashmiris be given their due
right of self-determination, as per United Nations resolutions”.
Expressing solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people, Irfan Siddiqui said, “The people of Kashmir have been rendering great sacrifices for their right of independence. They
have strongly resisted against injustice and defeated aggressions with strong determination”.
He said literary persons must bring the exemplary story of Kashmiris’ struggle for
their rights and sacrifices in front of the world.
Irfan Siddiqui said “it is heartening to see that despite advent of modern
technology, people are still having a strong connection with the books. A large
number of books are written, published and sold out every year which is a
welcoming sign”.
He said last year, over 300,000 book lovers participated in the National Book
Fair and books of private publishers worth Rs. 18 million were sold out which
reflect peoples’ urge and love for books.
Irfan Siddiqui said, NBF is publishing one book daily and providing to the readers on
discounted rates.
He said a suggestion is under-consideration to give national award to the publishers who
will publish more books annually for their encouragement.
Irfan Siddiqui revealed that the Endowment Fund of Rs. 500 million created by the
former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has started generating funds which
would be utilized for the welfare of writers’ community.
He said the government will publish and promote books of those writers who cannot
afford to further promote book culture.
Irfan Siddiqui said, as per suggestion of President Mamnoon Hussain during the
previous National Book Fair, Translation Bureau (Dar ul Tarjuma) has been
established which has started translation of various books.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Secretary, NH&LH division, Engineer Aamir Hasan
and Managing Director, NBF, Dr. Inam ul Haq Javed said NBF book outlets will
also be opened in five new cities to provide books on discounted rates.
They informed that NBF is also opening Kitab Ghar at Islamabad and Karachi Airports
soon.
This year, 132 book stalls have been established at the National Book Festival and
70 different colourful programmes will be held to entertain the book lovers.
NBF has entered into 46th year of performance and last year sold out
books worth Rs.335.4 million which is a landmark achievement, they said.
Dastgir holds meeting with Russian Minister for Industry
ISLAMABAD, Apr 06 (APP):Minister for Defence Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan has held a bilateral
meeting with Minister for Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Mr.
Denis Manturov in Moscow, on the sidelines of the 7th Moscow Conference on
International Security.
Both the ministers are co-chairmen of the Pakistan-Russia
Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and
Technical Cooperation.
Ambassador of Pakistan to the Russian Federation Khalilullah
Qazi was also present in the meeting, said a message received here on Friday.
Dastgir said that Pakistan attached great importance to its
relations with Russia. He said that bilateral relations had improved
substantively since 2013 under the shared vision of the highest political
leadership of both nations.
He also noted that bilateral trade was growing, and
had great potential to rise further.
Denis Manturov observed that IGC provided a good platform for
periodic high-level meetings and underlined that further deepening of
cooperation between Russia and Pakistan would be helpful in promoting peace and
stability in the region.
The two ministers reviewed the progress made on the execution of
decisions taken during the 5th Meeting of Pakistan-Russia IGC held in Moscow in
November 2017 and agreed to further enhance cooperation in the fields of trade,
energy, defence, science and technology, agriculture, education, health and
information technology.
Both sides reiterated the commitment to implement the
Inter-Governmental Agreement on North-South Gas Pipeline Project signed in
Islamabad in October 2015.
Denis Manturov assured Khurram Dastgir Khan that a Russian delegation would visit Pakistan in the near future to expedite implementation of the project.
PM Abbasi to arrive for BFA annual meeting in China on Sunday
BEIJING, Apr 6 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will arrive in Sanya, the southernmost city on China’s Hainan Island, on
Sunday to attend Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual meeting.
“The prime minister will be accompanied by Foreign Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Interior Minister Ahsan
Iqbal and Minister for Power Awais Khan Leghari,” according to official sources here on Friday.
Besides addressing the annual meeting, the prime minister will hold a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping
and discuss a range of bilateral, regional and global issues.
The prime minister has been invited to attend this year’s meeting to be held on April 8-11 under the theme “An
Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity”.
Other attendees include Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte,
Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands, Singaporean
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and International Monetary Fund
Managing Director Christine Lagarde.
All the leaders will discuss bilateral, multilateral practical cooperation, global governance, economy and trade.
And they will build a new consensus and produce new outcome.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the forum, and new measures to further open up
the Chinese economy, will also be announced.
The forum would showcase China’s progress in reform and opening up, and the over 2,000 attendees will
“hear a series of new opening-up measures that China will take as a vision for the future.
This year’s annual meeting of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) will highlight themes of reform, opening up and
innovation.
Scheduled in Boao, a coastal town in China’s southern island province of Hainan, the conference will be
themed “An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity”.
In addition to China’s opening up policy, this year’s forum will also focus on Asia’s integration and
China’s stance on building a community with a shared future for Asia and humanity.
The BFA will launch three reports, which will focus on the integration of Asian economies, the
emerging economy and Asia’s competitiveness respectively in an effort to promote Asian countries’
joint development.
As 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up drive, the conference will also
focus on structural reform. Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international
organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to
their development goals.