ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP):Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said since both Pakistan and the United States were stakeholders in peace and stability in Afghanistan hence they should join hands to achieve this goal.
Expressing Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan, he said, this called for Pakistan and the US to work together as if they failed even for a day such a situation will translate into a “big bonus” for the elements who were trying to destabilize the region.
The interior minister was speaking at a formal ceremony held at the US Embassy to celebrate the US National Day and the President’s Day on February 22 .
He said both Pakistan and the US have special relationship and geo-politics of the region have made it inseparable, therefore they need to cooperate for peace and stability in the region.
The minister said if there was peace in Afghanistan, Pakistan would get dividends and if there was instability there, it would suffer.
Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan and the United Stated needed to work for strengthening the longstanding relationship.
He said that trade between the two countries was now at the highest level because the private sectors from the two sides had done a good job. Now it was for the diplomats of two countries to achieve such level of cooperation in other fields as well, he added.
The Interior Minister appreciated the US role in giving scholarships to Pakistani students under the Fulbright Program, adding he wanted more students from Pakistan to be in the best US universities.
US Ambassador David Hale in his remarks on the occasion said that America had built roads, dams, hospitals and schools in Pakistan and wanted it a safe and prosperous country both for Pakistanis and the Americans.
He said the United States had spent billions of dollars for development and upkeep of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
The Interior Minister also joined the US ambassador in cutting the cake to mark the day.
Among others, the ceremony was attended by a large number of people including ambassadors of various countries, politicians and members of the parliament.
Hot topics of participants were the Supreme Court’s Wednesday verdict declaring former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif ineligible to hold the office of the president of the PML(N).
The first president of the United States George Washington’s birthday was Feb 22, 1732 which is state holiday and is celebrated as National Day and Presidents’ Day since 1885.
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill, which moved several federal holidays to Mondays. During the debate on the bill, it was proposed to have birthday of George Washington be renamed as Presidents’ Day to honor the birthdays of both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Pakistan, US should join hands to achieve peace, stability in Afghanistan: Ahsan Iqbal
NCHD to empower neglected part of society
ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP):If the neglected part of society gets employment and any source of earning, it creates empowerment
among them to become independent, resourceful and useful citizens of the country, chairperson NCHD Razina Alam Khan said here on Friday.
Addressing the women on the distribution of sewing machines by NCHD in its newly established Functional Literacy Centers at Bonah Mohallah at Noorpur Shahan, chairperson NCHD said Skill development is the main objective along with literacy for the deprived sections of society, especially the women.
She said it is encouraging to note the decrease in Out of School Children from 24 million to 22.8 million and adjusted net enrollment rate from 72% to 77%, total gross enrollment of all sectors & levels of education increased from 44.4 million to 47.5 million.
She said “a literate society is only our social, economical and political safety; outside of this ark, all is coddle.” “We the nation of 207 million, where one fourth children of 5-9 age groups are still out
of school and 40% of adult illiterate population, hampers development and progress of the country,” she added.
Keeping in view the low literacy rate in the country NCHD adopted a two-pronged approach to provide access to education i.e. Adult Literacy Programme for the mothers and Universal Primary Education through its Feeder Schools in the remote areas for the unprivileged children, she informed. NCHD has designed its education programs focusing especially for the deprived women, she added.
Talking on the occasion she marked, NCHD had made 3.8 million literate among them 95% literacy centers were for women in the remote areas. The society should be made aware that both boys
and girls are equal, and they have equal access and opportunities to education as well as other resources, she observed. There are 5,949 formal feeder schools of NCHD functional all over the country with 355,000 enrollment alongwith 6000 adult functional literacy centers, she viewed.
“I urge my field staff to devote their energies towards education, skill development and empowerment of women, which refers to strengthening the social, economic and educational status of women” she stressed.
Director General NCHD Ms. Samina Waqar, CEO Pakistan Human Development Fund (PHDF) Zafar Haider Jappa and other experts and educationists also attended the event.
Ambassador of Romania calls on NSA, discuss issues of mutual interest
ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP):Ambassador of Romania Nicolaie Goia called on National Security Adviser Lt. Gen (R) Nasser Khan Janjua on Friday.
During the meeting, both the discussed issues related to promotion of bilateral relations, matters pertaining to regional security situation and regional connectivity.
NSA warmly received the guest and said that Romania was a great country with rich history. Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Romania and considers Romania as an important member of European Union.
The envoy traced the history of Pakistan Romania relations and said that ever since establishment of diplomatic relations in 1964, both the nations have come very close to each other.
“Romania considers Pakistan as a credible and responsible country and supports Pakistan at every international forum including GSP Plus status which has increased Pakistan’s exports to the EU by more than 30 percent.” the Ambassador said.
In addition, both the countries share the commonality of opinion on regional and international issues. The two countries have longstanding cooperation in political, economic, defence, cultural fields and people to people contact.
We, however, need to increase our trade and strengthen the economic dimension of our relationship” he added.
While discussing the prospects of regional connectivity, NSA told the Ambassador that Pakistan was an exceedingly important country not only for the region but for the world at large.
Connectivity potential of Pakistan was unique and immense. Pakistan is a country of future from which whole of the world will benefit.
“Participation of Romania in this connectivity will also bring Pakistan and Romania closer to each other” he added.
Discussing the regional security environment, the envoy applauded Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability. We understand that Pakistan is caught in a complex security situation and is facing multidimensional challenges” he commented.
NSA briefed the ambassador on regional security situation with particular reference to Afghanistan and reiterated that Pakistan and its people are determined to defeat the menace of terrorism to embrace a brighter future.
To give new impetus to Pak-Romanian relations, both sides agreed to explore new avenues for cooperation and to increase the momentum of interaction.
PM attends first leg of TAPI’s link-up groundbreaking ceremony in Serhatabad
ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday attended the link-up ground-breaking ceremonies of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project and laying of power transmission lines and fibre optic, here at the Serhatabad city of Turkmenistan.
This was the first leg of the ground-breaking ceremony, which was also attended by Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and India’s Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar, according to information received here.
An Agreement on Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power line was also signed on the occasion.
A Pakistani cultural troupe performed at the occasion along with their counterparts from partner TAPI countries.
The prime minister also attended a special handicrafts exhibition in the city along with heads of other member countries representing arts, culture of the four states followed by the inaugural ceremony.
Prime Minister Abbasi later proceeded to Herat, Afghanistan where he attended the second leg of the ground-breaking ceremony.
The ambitious natural gas pipeline project entered its practical phase in Pakistan after the process of initiating front-end-engineering-and-design (FEED) route survey was formally inaugurated last year.
Plantation the only solution to environmental problems: Mushahidullah
ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP):Federal Minister for Climate Change, Senator Mushahidullah Khan Friday said that plantation was the only solution to resolve issues related to environment including environmental imbalances and threat to biodiversity.
He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of honey-bee farm and spring plantation campaign at Zoo cum Botanical
Garden Bara Kahoo.
“We are depended upon plants for our food, clothes, medicines and air,” he said at the function which was organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Pakistan Tobacco Company, adding that a country needs 25% of forests on its total area but Pakistan has less than 5%” he added.
He further said that less forest cover was cause of floods, dust, and many disasters. The floods of 2010 affected 2 million people that include 2000 deaths as well.
The illegal forest cutting has disturbed environmental balance, he said adding that the biodiversity was under
threats and many important species of birds and animals were endangered.
He also highlighted that plantation was the only solution to all these problems, adding the botanical garden attaches a great importance in this issue.
He said the Ministry of Climate Change with the collaboration of Pakistan Tobacco Company has started plantation
campaign in Botanical garden, which he said would help protect biodiversity from negative impacts of climate change.
He said that human beings themselves were responsible for destroying the world, which was created with perfrction adding that in Islam was a religion that talked about climate change first about fourteen hundred years ago.
The unsustainable development of developed countries created issue of climate change and developing countries were facing the consequences.
The developed countries must pay the developing countries for their capacity building. Everyone should play role as a religious duty.
Parliamentary Secretary and MNA Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam also told the audience that they were trying to involve university students and school students in “Ghar Ghar Aik Shajar” campaign to create awareness among public.
She also highlighted to follow facebook page of Ministry of Climate Change MOCCPak to follow its activities.
Senator Ms. Nuzhat Amir Sadiq also appreciated the efforts of Ministry of Climate Change to increase forest cover through dedicated work.
Mr. Tajammul Shah Legal Director and External Affair also told the participants that a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed with Ministry of Climate Change to develop this Botanical garden.
The event was attended by Secretary Ministry of Climate Change Khizer Hayat, Inspector General Forest Syed Mehmood Nasir, senior officers of Ministry of Climate Change Pakistan tobacco Company, local people and media.
First death anniversary of veteran actor Farooq Zameer observed
ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP):Famous Pakistani TV actor Farooq Zameer was remembered on his first death anniversary on Friday.
A businessman by profession, Farooq Zameer started his artistic career from PTV in the 60s and shot to fame for his roles in various television serials and plays, including Guriya, Shamail and Suragh-i-Zindagi.
Farooq’s performance soon got noticed and he was offered more roles, even by by private channels. Mukmala Aur Mahira was a hit and he won rave reviews for his acting in the serial, Private news channel reported.
He also worked in Khandan-i-Shughlia, another hit drama serial. He also acted in Tum Bhi Kaho and Kaghaz Ki Nao, two hit serials aired by PTV and ATV. He was conferred Presidential Pride of Performance award in 2001.
The actor was suffering from lungs disease for some time and was under treatment at Lahore’s Combined Military Hospital. He died on February 23, 2017.He left behind a widow, three sons and a daughter.
He had a prominent name in Pakistani dramas history.
PM arrives in Herat to attend 2nd leg of TAPI’s link-up ceremonies
ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday arrived in Afghanistan’s city of Herat to attend the
second leg of ceremonies, connected with Turkeministan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline link-up projects.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister attended ground-breaking ceremony of TAPI’s link-up projects of power transmission line and fiber optic in Serhatabad, Turkmenistan, according to the information, given issued by the PM Office.
President AJ&K calls on Army Chief
ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP):Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Friday at GHQ.
They discussed matters of mutual interest particularly situation on Line of Control (LOC), said ISPR press release issued here. There was agreement to continue policy of restraint on Indian provocations as on both sides, it were Kashmiris who suffer from escalation.
President appreciated the Army’s contribution towards security and development in AJ&K, it added.
Ahsan Iqbal calls on Punjab CM
LAHORE, Feb 23 (APP):Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here on Friday.
During the meeting, different matters of mutual interest including steps taken for eradication of terrorism, overall situation in the country and ongoing political issues came under discussion.
Both the leaders expressed their satisfaction over the positive steps taken for bringing about improvement in general situation of law and order in the province.
On the occasion, the chief minister said that it was the best time to maintain solidarity because the country would move forward with the power of unity. Terrorism, fanaticism and sectarianism are not the fate of the people and in a Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, there is no room for such societal menaces, he added.
Pakistani nation has given tremendous sacrifices in war
against terrorism and the commitment and passion of the nation
is much bigger than the challenge of terrorism. It is satisfying
that well-coordinated implementation of national action plan
has broken the proverbial backbone of terrorists, he added.
He said that Pakistan would be made a haven of peace by
decisively defeating the menace of terrorism and every person
would have to play its role to maintain law & order in the
country.
The chief minister said that the people of all provinces
and other territories including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad
Kashmir would equally benefit from China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) related projects. China is making historic
investment of billions of dollars in Pakistan through CPEC
and the project was a game-changer initiative in real sense,
he added.
The CPEC has opened the doors on foreign investment in
Pakistan and it would also play an important role in
elimination of terrorism and fanaticism in the region, and
help overcome poverty, he added.
He hoped that CPEC project would alter the course of
history and vowed that no conspiracy would ever be allowed
to be succeeded against it.
PML-N acting president to be elected in 7 days : Ahsan Iqbal
LAHORE, Feb 23 (APP):Minister for Interior, Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal Friday said acting party
president will be elected within seven days, while a permanent president will be chosen in the next 45 days.
He said Central Working Committee (CWC) of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was authorized to elect party president in the wake of apex court verdict.
Talking to media during an international conference at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), he said NAB was apparently not doing its job.
He stressed that there should not be any kind of confrontation among the institutions.
To a query, the Interior Minister said the country faced internal and external threats and enemies of the country were wary of economic progress of Pakistan, adding all had united to disrupt peace in the country. He said India had threatened to launch surgical strikes against Pakistan.
About electing Shehbaz Sharif as party president, he said as per party constitution,
the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
was authorized to elect party president in the wake of apex court verdict. The acting party
president will be elected within seven days while a permanent president will be chosen
in the next 45 days, he added.
To another query, he said former Prime Minister and PML-N president Nawaz Sharif is
the soul and spirit of the party and would always be the a guiding star for the party.
To a query, Ahsan Iqbal said PML-N was not a drawing room party, adding it had roots
and popular votes from Karachi to Gilgit Baltistan (GB).
Earlier, addressing the International Conference on ‘Role of Tasawwuf in the Promotion
of Peace and Harmony’, the Interior Minister said self-confidence was a pre-requisite to
progress and freedom, adding people with a negative mind-set become victims of despondency
and hopelessness.
Ahsan Iqbal said change was already conspicuous in the country,adding, “Pakistan is an
emerging economy today”.
The change is visible as the load-shedding had been reduced to the minimum, terrorism
had been exterminated, and economic index had risen to 6 percent in 2018 while Pakistan
stood fifth among the fastest growing economies of the world, he said.
He said the people had to bear the trauma of 20-23 hours long load-shedding in 2013
while dozens lost their lives daily in the face of terrorism during the past regimes.
About PML-N government’s initiatives in different sectors, Ahsan Iqbal said the
government had increased the higher education commission budget to Rs 35 billion
from a meagre Rs 13 billion, adding that all this was achieved through indigenous
resources and the government never begged from the US.
He said sports activity in the playgrounds of the country got restored, adding risinig
Pakistan was the vision of PML-N government.
Addressing the students, the Interior Minister said a person should not lose heart
in the face of failures,as one could achieve success from failures.
He urged the students to work hard,acquire knowledge ,and contribute to peace
and harmony in the society.