ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Monday said that Pakistan and Iran should work together and make their utmost efforts for enhancing the bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2021.
In a meeting with Foreign Minister of Iran Dr. Javad Zarif, who called on him here, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to enhance mutually beneficial economic cooperation with Iran including bilateral trade, investments and commercial interaction.
During the meeting, both sides discussed efforts for strengthening of bilateral relations and issues related to peace and security in the region.
Prime Minister Abbasi emphasized the need to deepen connectivity to harness benefits from regional economic integration.
He expressed his commitment to work to resolve the issues in implementation of Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project including the financing of pipeline infrastructure and the scope of snap back clause.
The prime minister said that Pakistan was working towards realizing its vision of a peaceful and inter-connected region for shared progress and prosperity.
“We believe that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is vital for economic progress of the region and Pakistan and Iran as the two neighbouring countries can make important contribution for achieving this objective,” he remarked.
He also thanked the Iranian leadership for their steadfast support to the principled struggle of Kashmiris.
The Iranian foreign minister appreciated the increasing high level interaction between the two countries.
He said the mutual efforts of the two countries had resulted into enhanced economic and people-to-people interaction, which should be further strengthened.
Dr. Zarif also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for strengthening border management to prevent illegal cross border activities.
Dr Javad Zarif is visiting Pakistan from March 11-13 for bilateral consultations with the foreign minister. During this visit, he is also having interaction with relevant ministers and senior civil and military officials.
PM for joint efforts to take Iran-Pakistan trade to $5 billion by 2021
FM’s of Iran, Pakistan held bilateral consultations
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Foreign Minister of Iran Dr. Javad Zarif who is on a visit to Pakistan Monday held consultations on bilateral relations including regional peace and security with Foreign Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to foreign office statement, the two sides agreed to continue engagement for enhancing economic cooperation including bilateral trade, investments and commercial interaction to promote shared prosperity.
They reiterated their resolve to achieve the target of $ 5 billion by 2021 through regular exchange of trade delegations, establishing banking channels, holding trade exhibitions and addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers.
They further resolved to conclude the FTA on priority.
The Foreign Ministers underlined that as two brotherly neighbouring countries Iran and Pakistan would deepen connectivity between the two sister ports of Gawadar and Chahbahar to benefit from their complementarities.
Pakistan and Iran strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and appreciated increased cooperation in border security. To facilitate movement of people and goods across the border, it was agreed to expedite operationalization of two new border crossings.
The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on important developments on regional and international peace and security. They supported political resolution of the Afghanistan conflict for durable peace and stability there, and in region.
Expressing concerns about growing presence of Daesh in Afghanistan and its implications for regional security, the two sides underlined the need for further cooperation against trans-national terrorist groups.
Pakistan and Iran reiterated support for the peaceful struggle of the peoples of Palestine and Kashmir for their right to self determination. The two countries also emphasized the need for honouring of the JCPOA commitments by all parties.
Players move to SF in All Pak National Jr. squash
LAHORE, Mar 12 (APP):Muhamad Uzair, Haris Qasim, Muhammad Junaid
Khan and Oan Abbas breezed into the semi-finals of the U19 event of
the All Pakistan National Junior quash championship after winning their respective matches here on Monday at PSA international complex.
Muhammad Uzair (PB) beat Saad Abdullah (Sindh) after 21 minutes in straight sets with a score line of 11/5,11/2,11/6. He dominated with variety of shots and exhibited far reach in all parts of the court.
In the second quarter final Haris Qasim (PB) outstroked Saifullah (KP) 11/7, 10/12, 9/11, 12/10, 11/5 after a grim battle which continued 63 minutes.
Haris came from the brink of defeat with greater zeal to snatch a tough victory from a determined rival who caused panic for him after winning the second and third sets.
Mohammad Junaid Khan (KP) outshone Shahzad Ali Khan (PB) 8/11, 9/11, 13/11, 11/6, 11/6 after 31 minutes struggle. Junaid staged grand recovery after suffering loss in first sets, winning the next three sets with superb all round performance.
Oan Abbas (PB) prevailed over Muhammad Ahsan (PB) in straight sets to score the shortest time win of the day in just 19 minutes 11/9, 11/7, 11/7 for the entertainment of a handful crow.
The U17 category also reached to the semi final stage and Farhan Hashmi, Hamza Sharif, Muhammad Hassaan Raza and Muhammad Saqib qualified for the last four.
Farhan Hashmi (SNGPL) beat Khushal Riaz Khan (KP) 11/2, 8/11, 11/7, 11/13, 11/7 (44 minutes).
Hamza Sharif (KP) beat Ahmed Hassan (KP) 11/5, 11/5, 11/4 (20 minutes).
Muhammad Hassaan Raza (PB) beat Ali Sher (KP) 11/2, 11/5, 11/4 (19 minutes).
Muhammad Saqib Iqbal (KP) beat Ibtisam Riaz (PB) 8/11, 11/9, 11/9,
11/8 (31 minutes).
PML-N always encourages workers for strengthening of country : Kirmani
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) Leader Senator Dr Asif Kirmani on Monday said that his party leadership always encouraged its political workers to make efforts for strengthening of democracy and development in the country.
Talking to media persons outside the Parliament House, he thanked his party leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Muhammad Shahabaz Sharif for assigning him an important task and he was trying best to coming up to their expectations.
Replying to a question, he said people should vote for betterment of Pakistan adding that PML-N’s leadership agenda was for the welfare of people.
Zafarul Haq to win Senate chairmanship with majority: Anusha
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Minister of Information and Technology Anusha Rehman Monday said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Raja Zafarul Haq was a competent person and would win the Senate chairmanship with thumping majority.
PML-N was holding majority votes in the Senate and its senators and coalition partners would support Raja Zafarul Haq, she said talking to PTV.
The minister said if PML-N wins the Senate chairman polls that would be considered a victory of people of the country.
She said today’s Senate election would give a positive message inside the country.
She said Raja Zafarul Haq was a strong candidate, who had served for the best interest of the country and masses.
Voting for Chairman Senate starts
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Voting for the slots of Chairman of Senate started here on Monday at 16:18 hours.
The Presiding Officer Sardar Yaqoob is chairing the session.
Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar ul Haq are contesting for the slot of the Chairman while Senator Saleem Mandviwala and Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar are challenging each other for the slot of Deputy Chairman.
In the House of 104, 53 votes are required to win the contest. However, there are 103 members who would cast their vote as one of the elected Senator, Ishaq Dar could not take oath due to his stay in London.
Fifty-two votes in this particular situation would be required to win the contest if no vote of members is rejected.
Timely election of Senate good omen for democracy: Talal
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry Monday said that despite all the tactics, the timely election of Senate was a good omen for democracy.
Talking to media persons here, he said those who were raising so-called slogans were exposed before the public.
He said those who had been abusing Asif Ali Zardari in the past were now fully supporting him.
The so-called politics of change and principles of the political imposters was exposed during the Senate election.
The minister said Asif Zardari had marred the democratic and principled politics of the Pakistan Peoples party.
He said both Imran Khan and Asif Zardari had incurred huge loss to the democracy to show their animosity against Nawaz Sharif. Nawaz Sharif was the champion of the democracy, he added.
During next elections, the people would vote for Nawaz Sharif’s ideology and slogan of ‘Give respect to vote,” he remarked.
Chairman, Deputy Chairman’s nomination papers accepted after scrutiny
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Nomination papers filed in the Senate Secretariat for the slots
of Chairman Senate and Deputy Chairman Senate have been accepted after detailed
scrutiny.
Secretary Senate Amjed Pervez Malik received the nomination
papers from the contesting candidates and supervised the overall scrutiny
process.
Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar
ul Haq filed their nomination papers in the Senate Secretariat for the slot of
Chairman Senate and Senator Saleem Mandviwala and Senator Muhammad Usman Khan
Kakar filed their nomination papers for the slot of Deputy Chairman Senate.
The nomination papers were filed by the candidates in the
office of Secretary Senate Amjed Pervez Malik.
For the slot of Chairman Senate, the name of
Sanjrani was
proposed by Senator Islamuddin Shaikh and Muhammad Azam Swati where as Raja
Muhammad Zafar ul Haq’s name was proposed by Senators Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo,
Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi, Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, Pervez Rasheed and
Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri.
Similarly Senators Kauda Babar and Mohsin Aziz proposed Senator
Saleem Mandviwala for Deputy Chairman Senate. Senators Sardar Muhammad Azam
Khan Musakhel, Mushahidullah and Mushahid Hussain Sayed proposed Senator
Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar for Deputy Chairman Senate.
Senate Secretariat accepts nominations papers after detailed scrutiny
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):The nomination papers filed in the Senate Secretariat for the slots of Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate have been accepted after detailed scrutiny.
According to Senate Secretariat, Secretary Senate Amjad Pervez Malik received the nominations papers and supervised the overall scrutiny process.
It added Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq filed their nomination papers in the Senate Secretariat for the slot of Chairman Senate while Senator Salim Mandviwala and Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar filed their nomination papers for the slot of Deputy Chairman Senate.
The nomination papers were filed by the candidates in the office of Secretary of Senate Amjad Pervez Malik.
For the slot of Chairman Senate, the name of Sadiq Sanjrani was proposed by Senator Islamuddin Shaikh and Muhammad Azam Swati where as Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq’s name was proposed by senators Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Mir Kabeer Ahmed, Muhammad Shahi, Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, Pervez Rasheed and Maulana Ghafoor Haideri.
Similarly, senators Kauda Babar and Mohsin Aziz proposed Senator Saleem Mandviwala for Deputy Chairman Senate while senators Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel, Mushahidullah and Mushahid Hussain Syed proposed Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar for Deputy Chairman Senate.
PML-N to work for resolving real issues: Musadik
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Media Affairs, Senator Dr Musadik Malik Monday said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would address real issues of common man relating to health, clean drinking water, education and others.
All the issues would be highlighted at the forum of Upper House for benefiting the people of this country, he said talking to a private news channel.
He urged the concerned quarters to evolve consensus on national issues at the highest forum of Senate.
He added that PML-N government had always developed consensus on national important matters.
Musadik Malik said PML-N never imposed any curb on media.
He said the his party always talked about freedom of expression.
He said the present government was working for supremacy of Parliament, rule of law and strengthening democracy in the country.
Despite losing Senate chairman seat, he said we would continue to work for best national interest besides focusing on welfare projects.
He said continuity of democratic system was imperative to achieve desirous goals and milestone.