ISLAMABAD, April 5 (APP):Minister for Defence Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan has met his counterpart Defence Minister of the Russian Federation General Sergei Shoigu on the sidelines of the Moscow Security Conference currently taking place in the Russian capital.
Both the dignitaries noted the increasing convergence of views between Pakistan and Russia on international issues, particularly regarding sustainable peace in Afghanistan, establishment of energy corridors, and combating violent extremism and drug trafficking, a message received here from Moscow Thursday said.
They reviewed the positive developments since the unprecedented 2014 Pak-Russia Agreement on Military Cooperation and agreed to extend mutual cooperation further in training of armed forces personnel, in naval field, and in conduct of a wider range of joint military exercises.
They expressed a shared concern about presence of ISIS in Afghanistan and increased drug cultivation in Afghanistan and use of drug money for terror financing.
The defence ministers of Pakistan and Russian Federation decided to enhance the level of delegations to discuss Pakistan-Russia defence matters comprehensively and regularly.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 5 (APP): Minister for Planning Development and Reforms Professor Ahsan Iqbal here on Thursday reaffirmed the government commitment to establish at least two university campuses at every district of the country in order to ensure easy access to higher education in order to harness the talent of national youth to achieve the target set under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for creating a better world for every one.
Addressing SDG 16th Innovative Challenges organized by Ministry of Planning Development and Reforms in collaboration with United Nation Development Programme, young development Corps and Accountability Lab, he said that youth was comprising over 64 percent of the local population.
He informed that SDG 16 innovation competition was an initiative for the young people of Pakistan to find creative solutions for SDG-16, which was based on peace, justice and strong institutions.
The minister said that youth were the key stakeholder in the Sustainable Development Goals and have many ideas that could help to achieve the goals and making the country more prosperous and secure.
He said that the competition would help and support young people to develop ideas, build skills and connect with each other working towards these shared goals.
He said that it was proper initiative to engage youth in positive activities and help them to prepare the home grown solutions of different issues and challenges being faced by the country, adding that it would also help in enhancing the participation of young people in policy making process.
Ahsan Iqbal said that the present was the era of knowledge, innovations, digitization and competitiveness, adding that such changes were also observed in the country, which were taking place very swiftly and entering among the top 25 performing economies of the world.
He said that national youth was the better judge and could make a comparison of Pakistan what it was in 2013 at that time it had to face energy crisis, security challenges, deteriorating economy with lower foreign investment and about empty foreign exchange reserves.
He said that today, Pakistan was a better Pakistan and rising Pakistan as the energy issues were addressed, security was improved and economy was gaining momentum as it achieved highest GDP growth as compared to last ten years.
He said that government had make huge investment in youth on their higher education and established university campuses at every district of the country, adding that four campuses were established at different areas of Balochistan.
He informed that about 8,000 students were getting higher education in campus established in district Nohshki of Balochistan and youth and women were becoming economically empower after the initiation of CPEC in Thar Parker areas.

LAHORE, Apr 05 (APP):Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Thursday said statements of PTI Chairman Imran Khan
and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari were continuously damaging democracy.
In a statement, the minister said that Imran and Zardari might quarrel with each other but not
with democracy.
He said that former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his companions were facing injustice and the entire game of justice and accountability was prejudice.
He said nothing would be obtained by insulting the PML-N leaders.
“The national solidarity is interlinked with internal unity and supremacy of the Constitution,” he added.
Commenting on the attack on a Madrisah in Qundooz, Afghanistan, he termed it as inhuman and a war crime.
“The crop of peace can not be harvested by sowing bombs,” he added.
“May Allah bless the entire Muslim Ummah with force of unity,” he prayed.
About the accountability process, he questioned: “The real job of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is to investigate or publicise the issues.”
He said that it was a unique investigation as a circular received later while
its news was released earlier.
“Who will be responsible for the media trial if nothing is proved,” he questioned.

PESHAWAR, Apr 05 (APP):The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Engineer Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has assured the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) that the entire Pakistani nation supports the right of self determination of the Kashmiri people.
“While writing these words to express deepest solidarity on my own behalf as well as on behalf of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA with our oppressed, armless and innocent Kashmiri brethren and sisters, I feel deeply shocked on the constant spate of brutal atrocities at the hands of Indian security forces against them in Indian Occupied Kashmir,” he said in a press statement.
The Governor said the recent killing of 20 innocent people on a single day reminds us of the gory and tragic incidents that have been perpetually taking place over the past seventy years or so.
He said all this has been done by the Indian forces to silence the loud voice of freedom of the Kashmiri people and to continue its illegitimate occupation against the will of the people.
Taking cognizance of the rapidly aggravating current situation, which is getting worse with every passing day in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, the Governor said the decision of the Federal Cabinet of Pakistan to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on 6th April and approach the free world to realize its moral and diplomatic responsibilities is indeed a wise and timely initiative.
Prime Minister
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi deserves special tributes for taking the courageous decision of sending high level delegations of envoys to various countries and international institutions for highlighting the plight of the oppressed people of Occupied Kashmir.
At this testing time, the Governor assured the people of Indian held Kashmir that the entire Pakistani nation supports the right of self determination of the Kashmiri people and will continue their moral, diplomatic and political support till achievement of their goal.

MUZAFFARABAD, April 05 (APP)::Solidarity day on the call of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be observed throughout Azad Kashmir on Friday to express solidarity with the people of Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) who are facing worst atrocities since a massacred in Shopian and Annatnag district last Friday.
More than 17 youth were killed, highest in a day during last two decades, and more than 200 were injured by the Indian forces last Friday after which the whole valley was besieged by the forces cutting down all communication means including Internet.
Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan would lead the main rally in Muzaffarabad in connection with solidarity day from district complex to Alamdar Chowk.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association will also hold a rally in the city to express solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and condemn the atrocities being committed by Indian army against innocent people.
Muthida Jehad Council chief Syed Sallah Uddin will also lead a separate rally of the citizen and refugees migrated from IOK since 1989 against the Indian atrocities on innocent people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Rallies and public gatherings would also be held in cities and towns of Azad Kashmir like Mirpur, Kotli, Plunderi, Rawalakot, Bagh and Hattian Azad Kashmir to express solidarity with the people of IOK.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 5 (APP):Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Anusha Rehman Thursday said every possible effort was being made to enhance growth of the IT Industry in the country as top priority, the current government had assigned to the sector from day one.
While addressing the 38th meeting of the Board of Directors of Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), the minister said that IT industry was growing in terms of the number of companies, revenue, exports and workforce every year, thereby demonstrating clear confidence in the ability of the local companies to deliver IT solutions and services which met expectations of foreign clients.
The meeting was convened to review various initiatives for accelerating growth of the IT sector between
2018-21.
The Board discussed the proposals at length that would take Pakistan’s IT & ITeS industry in the next phase of growth.
“Pakistan’s IT & ITeS Sector has developed phenomenally due to our strenuous constant efforts and generous incentives and facilitation granted to the sector which include income tax exemption on IT exports till June 2019, 100% foreign ownership, 100% repatriation of capital and dividends, 3-year tax exemption for IT startups, and tax holiday for venture capital funds till June 2024.”
She said that Pakistan’s growth rate of IT & ITeS exports had jumped 150% over the last five years, which was a remarkable achievement.
The board was apprised that 15%increase had been witnessed in the number of call centers during last one year.
The Minister said, “Although we have achieved our major targets but there is much more to do to enhance IT Company’s representation from Pakistan at international fora.”
She directed Pakistan Software Export Board management to have more coordination with all stake holders to enhance the country’s participation in key international events to enhance contribution of its IT sector’s economy through foreign exchange earnings and job creation and take all possible measures to brand Pakistan as an ideal IT destination for IT outsourcing.
Federal Secretary IT Aamir Ashraf Khawaja, Member Telecom Mudassar Hussain, Member IT Syed Raza Shah, Chairman Pasha Barkan Saeed, Acting MD PSEB Syed Ali Abbas Hasani and other Board members were also present in the meeting.

MIRPUR (AJK), April 5 (APP)::President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan Thursday said that corruption and misgovernance were scourges which affected progress of economic and social development.
“Every effort in this regard will be made to eliminate these evils from their roots”,
the AJK President made these remarks during a call on meeting by Chairman Azad Jammu
and Kashmir Ehtesab Bureau Raja Muhammad Aslam, wherein he also presented the President with the bureau’s Annual Report, 2017.
President AJK said that developing economies must be very watchful over the abuse of
power, financial mismanagement and maladministration.
He urged that relevant institutions must establish a culture of accountability and transparency.
Civil servants and elected representatives, he said, were all accountable to the
people and the electorate.
President Masood said that the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government had established a
three-point agenda which would focus on accelerating the freedom struggle in IOK;
practicing good governance through accountability, transparency, and upholding
merit and finally, prioritizing economic and social development throughout AJK.
The Chairman said that in 2017 stringent efforts had been underwaty to making the Ehtesab
Bureau more stable and effective in achieving its goals.
Despite numerous challenges including delays, finances and human resources, the Ehtesab Bureau
had displayed better performance at all its divisional offices.
AJK’s government, the President said, had made impressive strides in strengthening
governance in all spheres, especially through merit-based appointments,
finalization and execution of economic projects through transparent and
rigorous professional processes.
He further said that with growing economic activity and implementation of the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, infrastructure uplift and hydropower projects
the need for vigilance, monitoring, evaluation and accountability has become
ever more important.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 5 (APP):Women have increased their presence at important decision making
forums and are actively participating at important institutions like
Parliament giving vital input for bringing social and economic change.
Talking to APP, parliamentarian Asia Naz Tanoli said that Pakistan was
a country whose 51% of population consisted of women, but this dominant
chunk of populace had to face many challenges.
“Legislative and oversight roles provide female parliamentarians with
an important platform to influence social change and contribute to
peace, security and development.”
She said from agriculture to business, women were actively
participating in all the fields.
“Access to resources is key to encourage women for playing pro-active role in progress and
prosperity of the country,” she remarked.
She said Pakistan continued to encourage women in all aspects of
society and it was the duty of every woman to realize her basic rights
and come forward to participate actively in the political system of
Pakistan.
“Women role in politics of Pakistan is historic and has significant
value since Pakistan came into being, her representation in all departments is tremendous,” she added.
She further said that women had been empowered in Pakistan more as compared to
other countries and they were playing vital role in different
departments.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 05 (APP):Participation of China in the upcoming National Book Festival
will add more charm to the mega event, enhance people-to-people contacts and
help strengthen literary and cultural ties between Pakistan and China.
This was observed by Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary
Heritage (NH&LH), Irfan Siddiqui during a meeting with Chinese Cultural
Counselor, Mr. You Yi, held here Thursday.
The meeting was aimed at exploring more avenues of cooperation between the two countries in fields of literature, art and culture.
Welcoming China’s decision to participate in the National Book Festival, Advisor to Prime
Minister said, “Participation of China in the festival will
prove as catalyst for promoting book reading culture”.
“Participation of China in such events will bring the exemplary friendship of Pakistan and China
to the new heights of glory”, he observed.
Irfan Siddiqui said compilation of Urdu-Chinese dictionary, which was in process, would
enable people of both the countries to understand each other’s culture and bring
them closer.
Speaking during the meeting, You Yi appreciated the efforts of the Advisor for
promoting of literary activities in the country.
He thanked the Advisor for inviting him to the
National Book Festival and said “we are looking forward to Advisor’s visit to
China”.
Joint Secretary, NH&LH division, Syed Junaid Akhlaque was also present during the
meeting.