ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif
called on Speaker National Assembly Sardar
Ayaz Sadiq here Monday at Parliament House and discussed matters
pertaining to bilateral relations and regional issues.
The issues of peace and stability in the region also came under
discussion during the meeting, a press release issued here said.
The Iranian Foreign Minister was accompanied by a high-level
delegation along with Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost.
During meeting, the Speaker expressed satisfaction on increasing high-level exchanges
between the two countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
He hoped that the two sides will continue to expand economic
interaction for promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of
trade, investment, energy and connectivity.
While talking with Iranian Foreign Minister, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan
believed in the unity of Muslim countries and stressed the importance of both
Pakistan and Iran working together for resolution of problems faced by the
Ummah.
He also noted that the two countries also need to move forward
with consensus on matters of international importance.
He said that Pak-Iran Parliamentary engagement was
highly imperative for promoting cohesion and stability in the entire region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif thanked the Speaker for
continued efforts for strengthening parliamentary and bilateral relations and
enhancing interaction in all areas including trade and economic cooperation as
well as border and security issues.
He also conveyed the desire of the Iranian leadership and the
government for continued efforts for growth in bilateral ties.
Jawad Zarif added
that Iran consider Pakistan as its partner for peace in the region and
expressed his hope that in future both nations will continue to chart the paths
of prosperity together.
He reiterated Ayaz Sadiq’s proposal for diversification of trade and economic relations and urged
for comprehensive engagement of the Parliamentary committees to explore the
avenues for mutual cooperation.
Pak-Iran share fraternal relations: Ayaz Sadiq
Voting for Deputy Chairman Senate starts
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):The voting for the slot of Deputy Chairman of Senate has started.
The newly elected Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani is chairing the session.
Senator Saleem Mandviwala and Senator Muhammad
Usman Khan Kakar are contesting for the slot of Deputy Chairman.
In the House of 104, at least 53 votes are required to win the
contest. However, there are 103 members who would cast their vote as
Senator elect Ishaq Dar could not take oath due to his medical treatment abroad.
Therefore, 52 votes in this particular situation are required to win the
contest if no vote is rejected.
Nawaz Sharif cannot be removed from politics: Mushahidullah
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Minister for Climate Change, Senator Mushahidullah Khan Monday viewed nobody could remove former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif from country’s politics.
Nawaz Sharif was still most popular leader in the country and living in the hearts of the masses, he said talking to a private news channel.
The minister said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government was effectively working for development and prosperity of the country under its dynamic leadership.
He said Maryam Nawaz held a big and exemplary procession or mammoth in Rawalpindi on Sunday as people had loved and affection with PML-N.
A inept person elected due to unnatural alliance of PPP, PTI: Tariq
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):State Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Monday claimed that an inept person had elected for chairman of the Senate due to unnatural alliance of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
Talking to a private news channel, he said Raza Rabbani was most suitable person for the chairmanship of Senate.
He observed Sadiq Sanjrani’s stature was not equal to Raza Rabbani or Raja Zafar ul Haq and PTI and PPP had proved that they were political orphans parties, adding that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Leadership had presented unconditional support to Raza Rabbani due to his services and work to supremacy of law in the country.
He said winning of Sadiq Sanjrani was not defeat of the government but it was defeat of democratic norms.
The minister said Raja Zafar ul haq was a loyal and seasoned politician and he was with the begum Kalsoom Nawaz during the dictatorial era of former president Gen (R) Pervez Musharraf.
He said PML-N was a matured political party and its leadership was raising voice for the sanctity of vote in the country.
He said rift was created in PPP on the name of Sadiq Sanjrani and ignorance of Raza Rabbani for the Senate chairman.
Tariq chaudhry said people were well awared about that which political party was responsible for introducing derogatory language in the country’s politics, adding that the PML-N leadership had never used indecent words against others.
CPEC to ensure prosperity in Pakistan: Governor
LAHORE, Mar 12 (APP):Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana said on Monday that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would prove to be a game changer and ensure prosperity in Pakistan.
The Governor expressed these views while speaking at the launching ceremony of annual Report on Economic condition: Review and Analysis-2017 prepared by Shahid Javed Barki Institute of Public Policy Institute (SJBIPPI) and Net Sol, at a local hotel. Former foreign minister Khursid Mahmood Kasuri, former State Bank of Pakistan’s Governor Dr Ishrat Hussain, former foreign secretary Shamshad Ahmed Khan, Shahid Najam, Ali Touqeer Sheikh and other renowned personalities also spoke on the occasion.
Rafique Rajwana was of the view that CPEC had not only great importance for Pakistan but also for the entire region, citing that the economic corridor would benefit immensely the far-flung and under developed areas as well as the agriculture sector.
The Governor also appreciated the SJBIPPI Chairman Shahid Javed Barki and his team for their endeavors of preparing the best report that encompassed all facets of the CPEC and its benefits for Pakistan. He added that CPEC project would take the country to new heights of economic development after fully functioning of Gawardar Port, as it would not only increase Pakistan’s revenues and exports but also enhance its foreign exchange reserves.
Rafique Rajwana added that with the establishment of Special Economic Zones along sides the CPEC route, the world’s investors and major companies had now started making investments in Pakistan. This trend would ensure establishment of new industries, which would subsequently help create vast employment opportunities for the educated youth of Pakistan, besides stabilizing the country’s economy, he cited.
The Punjab Governor said that China, under the One Belt-One Road initiative, was playing an eminent role in the region, asserting that Pakistan and all other regional countries must become part of this great project and take optimum benefits of this golden opportunity.
On this occasion, former foreign minister Khursid Mahmood Kasuri, former State Bank of Pakistan’s Governor Dr. Ishrat Hussain and other speakers had also the same views that CPEC was a golden opportunity to put Pakistan on path to speedy development and revive its economy on strong footing. They also agreed to get optimum benefit from this vital project of socio-economic development.
They suggested the government to constitute a special CPEC unit under the Council of Common Interests.
In his opening speech, Shahid Javed Barki said that CPEC was the central topic of the Institute’s annual report that elaborated all aspects of this project. He was of the view that CPEC would link Pakistan with Global Economic System, and possibly increase the country’s GDP growth rate up to two percent.
Pakistan’s IT industry is advancing rapidly
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and its departments are steadfastly committed to provide enabling environment for the industry and boosting exports of the country.
According to official data , Pakistan’s IT industry has exhibited positive growth trends for the last four years with 100% growth in export earnings.During 2016-17, Pakistan’s IT exports were $3.3 billion, which have jumped to $5 billion and are expected to grow to $6 billion next years.
Pakistan’s IT industry is growing at a fast pace across different categories. Enterprise software has grown by 17%, marketing tech 15%, financial services 13%, consumer goods 9%, retail/e-commerce 8%, professional services 8%, internet of things/hardware 7%, health care 4%, media 4% and non-profit 3%.
Facebook, Amazon and other giants of IT sector are anticipating something huge in the start-up world of Pakistan as evidenced by the huge number of sponsors.
Pakistan government has also started promoting start-ups, for example, it has given three-year exemption from taxes to the start-ups and set up national incubation centres in Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar ,Karachi and Quetta.
Department working under IT & Telecom ministry, Pakistan Software Export Board has selected 30 IT professionals and 28 IT companies and given certifications in Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) platform.
Moreover, 134 IT companies got certifications in ISO 9001, ISO 20001 and ISO 27001 helping them to generate IT exports from developed countries.
Managing director of PSEB Asim Shahryar Husain told the directors in their previous meeting that PSEB has achieved significant milestones in IT promotion over the last four years.
PSEB participated in 11 international trade fairs along with 65 IT companies. He told the boards that Pakistani companies were able to generate more than 2 thousand leads with the help of those events, he added.
He said, Trade fairs and exhibitions have promoted Pakistan as a viable destination for outsourcing, Pakistan’s exports increased due to PSEB efforts of organizing participation in International expos along with IT companies.
Ministry official told APP, PSEB in partnership with National ICT R&D Fund (IGNITE) has placed 1700 plus IT graduates as interns in various IT companies and banks and more than 60 percent of interns had a job offer from their respective companies.
Later in another meeting, Minister of State for IT Anusha Rahman, approved “DigiSkills” programme to provide training to 1 million youth to streamline excellence in technology, innovation, and professionalism, focusing on building a workforce for future driven by 4th Industrial revolution.
Shipping Activity at Port Qasim
KARACHI, Mar 12 (APP):Shipping activity remained active at the port where three ship Prosper,Christian-and Sea Fortune
carrying Container Cola and chemicals were arranged berthing at
Qasim International Container Terminal Multi-Purpose Terminal and
Engro Vopak Terminal respectively on Sunday.
Meanwhile two more container ships, MSC Earth and MSC Asya
also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim on Monday morning.
A total of nine ship namely, Prosper, Nicoline Maersk, APA
Hwaii, Soho Trader, Zi Jing Song, Sakizaya Wisdom, Christian-L,
Sea Fortune and Silver Eburna are currently occupying berths to
load/offload container, Talc Powder, General Cargo, Soya been
seeds, Coal, Chemicals and Palm oil during last 24 hours.
Cargo volume of 110,922 tonnes, comprising 59,603 tonnes
import cargo and 51,319 tonnes export cargo inclusive of
containerized cargo carried in 3,138 containers (TEUs),(437 TEUs
imports and 2,701 TEUs exports) was handled at the port during
last 24 hours.
Four ships, Prosper, Nicoline Maersk Seo Fortune and Silver
Eburna sailed out to sea on Monday morning, while another ship
APA Hwaii is expected to sail in the afternoon.
Five ships, MSC Asya, MSC Earth, X-press Kailash, Othoni and
Thor Maximum carrying Container carrying Containers Chemicals and
Coal are expected to take berths at QICT, EVTL and PQEPT
respectively on Monday. While chemicals carrier ‘Dreggen’ is due
to arrive at Port Qasim on same day and two more container vessels
Maersk Denver and MSC Tomoko are due to arrive on
Tuesday.
Pakistan looks forward to strengthen partnership with IAEA
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Monday said with decades of experience in the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, Pakistan was ready to further strengthen partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency and contribute towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals worldwide.
Talking to Director General of IAEA Yukiya Amano here at the PM Office, the Prime Minister said, with an extensive experience and expertise in the nuclear field, Pakistan was well placed as a provider of services for various IAEA programmes and activities.
During the meeting issues related to cooperation between Pakistan and IAEA were discussed.
The Prime Minister appreciated the positive role played by the IAEA in the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear technology in Pakistan. Abbasi briefed the IAEA Chief about Pakistan’s energy development plans and the significance of nuclear power generation in the energy mix as a clean and environment friendly source of energy. He said Pakistan looks forward to the Agency’s assistance in expanding nuclear power production.
During his stay in Pakistan, the Director General of the IAEA would visit various civilian facilities and installations to see for himself the strides made by the country in the application of nuclear technology in agriculture, health, industry, water resource management, environment protection and food safety.
Inaugural Chief Executive Railways national women powerlifting championship
LAHORE, Mar 12 (APP):Inaugural Chief Executive Railways national women powerlifting championship will be held here from March 20 under the aegis of Pakistan Railways Sports Board at Railways stadium.
“Country’s top women powerlifting players will be exhibiting
their lifting ability and prowess in the competition which aims at
further promoting the game among women folk”, said Sheikh Muhammad Anwar, organizing secretary of the meet while talking to APP on Monday.
He said teams from all the affiliated units of Pakistan Powerlifting Federation including Pakistan Army, HEC, Wapda, Police, hosts Railways, teams from all the four provinces, Islamabad, Gilgit Biltistan and Azad Kashmir will be contesting in the three-day premier activity.
He said Vice President, PRSB, Dr Farhan Yar Khan presided over a meeting to discuss ways and means for the successful holding of the event . The meeting was also attended by Secretary ,PPLF, Muhammad Rashid Malik and officials of PRSB.
Sh Anwar said Dr Farhan highlighted the efforts of Pakistan Railways for promoting sports, specially among women and termed Railways as an institution which was serving the role of nursery to produce talent in different sports.
“Chief Executive Pakistan Railways, Muhammad Javed Anwar is taking keen interest in the development of the sports in the department and he has announced to make the women powerliftng championship a regular annual event which railways will host”, said Sh Anwar.
The finals and the prize distribution ceremony will be held
on March 22.
Nomination papers for Chairman, Deputy Chairman Senate seats accepted
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):The nomination papers for the seats of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Senate, which were submitted by the two major groups, have been accepted on Monday.
Two candidates have submitted their nomination papers for Chairman Senate that included Senator Raja Zafar-ul-Haq from Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz )and its coalition partners while opposition parties led by Pakistan People’s Party have submitted the nominations papers of Senator Sadiq Sanjrani for the seat of Chairman Senate.
Similarly, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and its coalition partners have submitted the nomination papers of Senator Usman Khan Kakar from Pushtunkhwa Milli Awami party for the seat of Deputy Chairman Senate while opposition parties have submitted the nomination papers of Senator Salim Mandviwala for Deputy Chairman.
The Upper House resumed its session this morning in which newly elected 51 senators took oath and the session was adjourned. The upper house will meet again at 4 pm to elect the chairman and deputy chairman.
The names of the winning candidates will be announced today after which they will also take oath.