UNITED NATIONS, Feb 28 (APP):The United Nations has a roadmap for ending the raging civil conflict in Yemen, but the warring parties are not showing the required commitment to implement it, the outgoing UN Special Envoy, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmad, has said, while appealing to the country’s decision-makers to show political will for restoring peace.
“We do have a peace roadmap for Yemen. The practical suggestions to launch it and build confidence among the parties have been agreed upon,” he said in his last briefing to the UN Security Council before the end of his mandate.
“The only part missing is the commitment of parties to make concessions and give priority to the national interest. This is what makes us doubtful of their real intention to end this war,” the envoy added.
“Today, I would like to announce, for the first time, that we were about to reach agreement on a peace proposal, developed in consultation with the parties, but they refused to sign in the last minute, “Ould Cheikh Ahmad said. “In the end of the consultations, it became clear that the Houthis were not prepared to make concessions on the proposed security arrangements. This has been a major stumbling block towards reaching a negotiated solution.”
He referred to peace talks in Biel in 2015 and Kuwait in 2016, but did not indicate when the Houthis dropped out of negotiations. The discussions had led to a “peace roadmap with a clear timeline” that was never implemented, he said.
Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who has worked on Yemen since 2015, painted a bleak portrait of a country that is breaking apart, and with no “peace roadmap” between the Houthis, local forces and a Saudi-led coalition, the calamity is unlikely to end any time soon.
“We see daily reports about civilians dying of poverty, hunger or illness but we should not forget that many politicians from all sides are profiting from this conflict, from trading of arms and exploiting public properties for personal purposes,” Ould Cheikh Ahmed said.
His concerns were echoed by UN humanitarian John Ging, who said three years of war had led to “catastrophic” conditions in Yemen, with some 1.1 million new cases of cholera since April 2017 and 8.4 million Yemenis on the brink of famine.
A proxy war is playing out in Yemen between Iran and US ally Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015, backing President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government against the Houthis.
Ould Cheikh Ahmed will be replaced by Martin Griffiths, a veteran peace-broker and former British diplomat who currently runs the Brussels-based European Institute of Peace (EIP) and is expected to bring fresh approaches to ending the war.
Tuesday’s meeting comes amid the change of UN envoys and heightened diplomatic focus on a conflict that has hitherto garnered few headlines and little interest from major powers despite what the UN calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
UN envoy urges Yemeni decision-makers to end war
Nasser Janjua, Afghan ambassador exchanges views on bilateral relations
ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP):Ambassador of Afghanistan, Omar Zakhilwal Wednesday called on National Security Adviser Lt. General (R) Nasser Khan Janjua and exchanged views on bilateral relations and ongoing efforts for peace and stability in region.
Ambassador briefed Nasser Janjua on today’s international peace conference in Kabul, said a press release here.
He informed that President Ashraf Ghani had given a message of peace and reconciliation to Taliban, together with a message of closer engagement and cordial relations with Pakistan, with a view to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
The ambassador hoped that being the closest neighbor of Afghanistan, Pakistan would make its due contribution to the process which would help both the countries.
National Security Adviser told that Pakistan wanted an early closure to the internecine bloodshed in Afghanistan adding that peace in Afghanistan was essential for peace in our country.
“Pakistan believes in a vision of common and shared future with the people of Afghanistan, that is why it has all along supported efforts for political reconciliation in Afghanistan under international and regional peace initiatives.”
Pakistan welcomed President Ghani’s offer of seeking peace through dialogue and understanding and would do its best to facilitate the realization of this noble initiative, he added.
The two agreed to seize this moment collectively and to maintain their contacts in pursuit of the common objective.
Women cricket to be promoted in Germany with technical expertise of Pakistan: German ambassador
LAHORE, Feb 28 (APP):German Ambassador to Pakistan, Martin Kobler said on Wednesday that efforts will be made to promote women cricket in Germany with the technical expertise of Pakistan.
He said this after his visit to the National Cricket Academy here where he met the Pakistan Women Cricket team. Also present on the occasion were, Chief Operating Officer, PCB, Subhan Ahmad and captain of the women team, Bismah Maroof.
“We have our own women cricket team and I am hopeful that our team will play Pakistan women cricket team in near
future,” he said.
In a light vein the German Ambassador said: “Most likely our team will lose when it plays Pakistan.”
He said his visit to NCA is a part of the efforts for boosting women cricket ties between Germany and Pakistani and he will continue his efforts in that regard.
“It will be my utmost effort that both (Germany and Pakistan) women teams visit each other to foster cricket ties and it will be a big way of learning for my team,” he said adding, “The ultimate objective is to promote cricket in Germany where football is the most popular sport.”
The German Ambassador said every sport has its own importance sports are the effective medium to bring closer people of different countries.
Quoting the example of his own country, the German Ambassador said after the World War II, Germany established good relations with his enemy countries through sports. He also quoted the example of America and Russia in that regard saying sports played paramount role in developing relations between them.
” Sports are the best formulae to develop good relations and through sports enemies become friends”, he asserted.
He said it was a very good experience to visit the NCA and to meet the Pak omen cricket team which enjoys good international status due to the talented players in the team.
He said he also visited fashion designing school in Lahore where women are getting international standard education and training in the field of fashion designing. “In march world Women Day will be celebrated around the globe and efforts are underway for women empowerment through education and allied methods “,he said.
He said cricket was a popular sport in Pakistan, which has impressive standing in the game. ” Women cricket is also at rise in Pakistan as PCB is making solid efforts to provide equal opportunity to the women folk in the field of cricket.”
COO, PCB Subhan Ahmad said PCB believed in empowering women and women cricket and its allied projects speak volume of PCB effort in that regard.
He expressed his gratitude to the German ambassador for visiting the NCA and said his visit would play a big role in strengthening cricket relations between the two countries.
Women cricket captain, Bismah Maroof said Pakistan team was delighted with the visit of the German ambassador. ” We look forward to play the Germany women team in near future and will play our part to promote women cricket in Germany “,she added.
She said Pak team coming assignment against Sri Lanka in the ICC women cricket championship round is very vital and team is being prepared on solid lines to win it.
Cricketer Shahzaib gets one year ban and Rs one million fine
LAHORE, Feb 28 (APP):Pakistan Cricket Board’s anti corruption
tribunal here on Wednesday banned cricketer Shahzaib Hasan for one
year and fined him Rs 1 million for his role in spot-fixing during
the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) last year in
United Arab Emirates.
The 27-year old opener who was charged on three violations of
code of PCB anti corruption code, was found guilty on two counts
of breaching Clause 2.4.4, which deals with a failure to disclose
corrupt approaches, and one count of Clause 2.4.5, failure to report
any incident a player is aware of that will amount to a breach of
the anti-corruption code.
Shahzaib who represented Pakistan in three one-day internationals
and 10, T20 matches, is the sixth player who has been punished in the
spot fixing scandal that rocked the PSL last year. Sharjeel Khan was
banned for five years, Khalid Latif was also banned for five years,
Mohammad Irfan for one year , Mohammad Nawaz for two month and Nasir
Jamshed for one year as the of them got punihsments according
to their role and involvement in the spot fixing scandal.
He was suspended last year on March 17 and PCB’s anti-corruption
unit charged him for violating three clauses of its anti-corruption
code: for luring cricketers into the scam, not reporting approaches
by the bookies, and hiding information regarding his contacts with
the bookies.
Shahzaib was not found guilty of breaching the far more serious
Clause 2.1.4, which involves “directly or indirectly soliciting,
inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating
any participant to breach any of the foregoing provisions
of this Article 2.1.” That would have likely led to a significantly
longer ban.
“PCB is taking every step to clean the game of cricket from ill practices and we
strongly believe that PCB has dealt the spot fixing scandal with an iron hand as all of
its characters have been given punishments according to their role in it “,said PCB’s
legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi while talking to the media after the verdict of the
case.
Shahzaib was suspended by the PCB on March 18 last year and in
the given circumstances, his ban will end in coming three weeks times.
“We are waging a war against corrupt practices in cricket and
PCB has zero tolerance for any such negative practice”, he said.
When asked that Shahzaib’s ban will be ending, he said “This
does not mean that he would resume his cricket career as soon as
possible”.
“His ban may end on March 17, but remember that according to the anti-corruption
code, you have to go through a rehabilitation process.
The first step towards beginning rehabilitation is the acceptance of
guilt. If he does not accept that he was guilty, then his rehabilitation process cannot begin.”
The tribunal hearing the case against Shahzaib had reserved its
verdict on January 31.
President for expanding trade ties with Jordan
ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday while stressing significance of trade between Pakistan and Jordan said regular exchange of trade delegations could play a vital role in enhancing business ties between the two countries.
Talking to the outgoing Ambassador of Jordan Nawaf Khalifa Saraireh who paid a farewell call on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, he said Pakistan and Jordan enjoyed close friendly and brotherly relations and their relationship was gaining strength with each passing day.
He said King Hussein Bin Talal of Jordan was a very popular figure in Pakistan and was also considered a true friend of Pakistan. He said King Abdullah–II of Jordan was playing his part towards further strengthening of relations between the two countries.
He also stressed stronger people-to-people contact between the two countries in order to deepen the educational, cultural and trade relations. The president also appreciated the services of outgoing ambassador of Jordan towards strengthening the relations of the two countries.
Pakistan, US want to move forward in mutual relationship: FO
ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP):The recent visit of United States National Security Council official Lisa Curtis is indicative that Pakistan and the USA want to move forward in their mutual relationship, Foreign Office Wednesday said.
During the weekly press briefing here, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said both the countries are trying to find common ground in their bilateral relations and this visit is part of those efforts which are happening outside public glare.
He said Pakistan has been conducting various counter terrorism operations to create regional stability. “Pakistan has been rendering numerous sacrifices in war against terrorism and world must realize its positions”, he added.
Replying to a question he said the government of Pakistan has been taking actions against all the deficiencies pointed out by the FATF.
“National Security committee has also decided to take all the regional countries on board regarding Pakistan’s status in FATF”, he added.
He said Pakistan has always maintained that the only solution of Afghan conflict lies in politically negotiated settlement, which is Afghan led and Afghan-owned.
He pointed out that military approach of seventeen years has failed to render desired results and increased miseries of Afghan civilians.
Replying to another query about statements by Indian army chief, the spokesman said these statements reflect the jingoistic mindset penetrating in Indian society.
He said as a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan opts not to reciprocate such statements. “Although, our armed forces are fully capable of responding to any threat,” he added.
Regarding development of drone technology by India, he said its use should be consistent with the principles of UN Charter and international human rights law and established norms of a responsible state.
He said development of drone technology by India is worrying in the context of its expanding military capabilities in conventional and non-conventional domains.
Dr Faisal said Indian occupation forces killed two Kashmiri youth who was detained in Tral and Hajin areas. Amnesty International in its Annual Report of 2017-18 has highlighted the impunity enjoyed by the Indian forces for human rights abuses”, he added.
He said Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA)’s ban on Pakistani artists is unfortunate. “Art and cinema which bring people together by acting as cultural bridges are being held hostage to hate and xenophobia, he said.
Nations fostering cultural heritage remain successful: President
ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday said the nations promoting their cultural heritage remained successful in all fields of life.
Addressing here at the closing ceremony of Abdul Majeed Parveen Raqam Youth Calligraphy Competition, he said severing ties with heritage leads to lagging behind among comity of nations.
The president said the exhibition of different forms of calligraphy by young calligraphers showed that cultural legacy of Muslims was being transferred from one generation to the other and the artistic expressions by the young Pakistani practitioners was a reflection of this bright cultural heritage.
The president appreciated the strenuous efforts of National History and Literary Division under the inspiring leadership of Adviser to the Prime Minister Irfan Siddiqui for revival of this art.
He said attributing this activity to renowned calligrapher Abdul Majeed Raqam was itself commendable and provided an opportunity to pay tribute to the people who contributed significantly in the field of calligraphy.
He said there was a time when the art of calligraphy like oriental medicine, classical music and other fine arts was transferred from one generation to another in specific families.
He mentioned Masjid-e-Nabvi in Medina where Ustaad Shafiq uz Zaman from Pakistan demonstrated his true love and dedication in the form of his remarkable artistic designs.
The president said the nations that followed the path of development by neglecting their cultural heritage ultimately failed as compared to those which remained connected to their cultural heritage.
He said cultural values created such a depth and beauty in the conduct and lifestyle of the culturally rich nations like Pakistan which became a guarantee of their success and development.
He said cultural values provided basis for educational, cultural and economic development besides enhancing the passion for progress among the people.
The president said the work of young calligraphers was not limited to pen and paper but was a national service, adding that manifestation of calligraphy could also be found in all Muslim countries including Turkey and Iran.
He emphasized that instead of becoming indifferent towards fine arts due to invention of modern era, focus should be given to promotion of the art and culture because it was the course followed by the developed nations.
Irfan Siddiqui highlighted the importance of calligraphy competition.
Chinese, Pakistanis hold business meetings at PCJCCI
LAHORE, Feb 28 (APP):Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (PCJCCI) here Wednesday organized B2B (business to business) meetings of 31-member high profile, multi-sector Chinese Trade delegation with Pakistani businessmen, investors, and entrepreneurs.
The delegation was headed by Teng Shuang, Deputy Minister China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Jinan. The Delegation came with a purpose to hold interactive B2B meetings with potential partners in Pakistan. The area of interest was mainly Auto Parts manufacturing sector including electrical accessories, electrical equipment, sheet metal processing, , fiber laser cutting machine and precision machinery along with many other.
The head of delegation, Teng Shuang invited the PCJCI members to Jinan and extended her precious regards and offer to fully cooperate with the Pakistani officials. The B2B meetings were exclusively arranged by the members of PCJCCI to increase the scope of trade and investment in the above-mentioned areas.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr Iqbal Qureshi, Senior Vice President of PCJCCI. In the interest of promoting bilateral trade facilities between China and Pakistan, he expressed utmost aspiration
to make these business engagements purposive and productive for the businessmen of both countries.
Dr Iqbal Qureshi said that Pak China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry was highly grateful to the Chinese officials for being amazingly supportive and concerned about the business development of both countries. He said, China had been an incredible support of Pakistan at all times, the constant assistance of China would do wonders for the emerging economic status of Pakistan and these B2B meetings would certainly have a positive impact on the business community.
The meeting included various dignitaries including Sohail Qadri
from Punjab Board of Investment who talked about the investment policies for boost the ongoing economic activities in Pakistan.
He also brought to notice the importance of CPEC in his conversation with high profile delegates from various industries and hoped for the industrial boom of both nations.
PCJCCI invited top most auto parts manufacturing Pakistani companies to represent the auto industry of Pakistan before Chinese investors. Among those companies were Suzuki Master Motor, Toyota Airport Motor,
Ruba Automotive, Roshan Packages, Guard Agricultures and Novamed Pharmaceuticals etc. The meetings were held successfully between the investors and facilitators. The Chinese entrepreneurs highly appreciated the arrangements being done by PCJCCI and they were also satisfied with the positive response of the companies during the meeting.
It was observed that counseling with Chinese business community is mandatory to increase the quantum of trade and investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Tea imports into country grew by 11.35% in seven months
ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP):Tea imports into the country during first seven months of current financial year increased by 11.35 percent as compared the imports of corresponding period of last year.
During the period from July-January, 2017-18, about 115,172 million tons of tea worth US$ 339.997 million imported to fulfill the domestic requirements as against the import of 119,314 million tons valuing US$ 303.343 million of the same period of last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
During the period under review, about 80,171 metric tons of spices worth US$ 93.23 million imported as compared the imports of 68,965 metric tons valuing US$ 75.939 million of same period last year, showing an increase of 22.15 percent.
The imports of milk cream and milk for infants grew by 9.92 percent and about 55,042 metric tons of the commodity worth US$ 152.331 million imported as compared the imports 46,525 metric tons valuing of US$ 138.584 million of same period of last year, it added.
During the period under review, soyabean oil imports into the country also grew by 82.18 percent as about 118.795 metric tons of above mentioned commodity valuing US$ 105.778 million imported as compared the imports of 38,254 metric tons valuing of 58.063 million of same period of last year.
Meanwhile, about 1,662,763 metric tons of palm oil worth of US$ 1.208 billion imported to fulfill the domestic requirements as compared the imports of 1,448,796 metric tons valuing US$ 1.15 million of same period last year.
The imports of palm oil during the period under review grew by 19.04 percent as compared the first seven months of last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
It may be recalled that country earned US$ 2.395 billion by exporting different food commodities during last seven months of current financial year as compared the exports of US$ 2.016 billion of the corresponding period of last year.
During the period from July-January, 2017-18, food group exports from the country grew by 18.83 percent as against the exports of same period last year.
On the other hand food commodities imports into the country during the period under review grew by 9.77 percent and stood at US$ 3.777 billion as against US$ 3.441 billion of same period last year.
However, on month on month basis, imports of food croup decreased by 7.21 percent as it was recorded at US$ 535.339 million in January, 2018 as against the imports of US$ 576.883 million of same month of last year.
Arif Lohar enthralls audience at Cultural Festival
ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP):Famous singer Arif Lohar enthralled audience at on-going National Food and Cultural Festival organized by National Culture Development Forum (NCDF) here at Arts and Craft Village
Arif Lohar stole the show with his superb rendition of ‘Jugni’ and a few other Sufi songs. Clad in a black kurta shalwar with golden embroidery along with a group of four drummers, they created magic.
Arif Lohar usually sings with native musical instrument resembling tongs (called a ‘chimta’). His folk music is representative of traditional folk heritage of the Punjab. He is the son of folk singer Alam Lohar.
Arif Lohar praised the organizer of the event and lauded the audience warm response during his singing. He said that more such events should be organized in Islamabad.
“I have sung folk songs my entire life with the motto of spreading this love and peace” he said.
In 2005, he was awarded Pride of Performance Award from Government of Pakistan-the highest civil award in Pakistan. Worldwide he is among the Top Five Punjabi Folk and Pop Singers. In 2006 he made headlines in the Punjabi music world by his super hit album ’21st Century Jugni’, music produced, arranged and mastered by Mukhtar Sahota in Wolverhampton, UK, and was released by Internalmusic UK. Arif Lohar got big applause from the audience.
Folk Singers Abbas Jutt and Laila Jutti also performed on the occasion and got big applause from the audience. Laila Jutti performed on famous Punjabi song Bhaley Bhaley and enthralled the audience.
Earlier, President National Culture Development Forum President Mushtaq A Khan welcomed the audience in the Mega cultural event.
Talking to APP she said that National Food and Culture Festival was a great experience for her. She said that NCDF was great an important forum for presenting beautiful diverse culture and music of country.
Abbas Jutt presented famous songs of his father legend folk singer Ashiq Jutt and got big applause from the audience at musical show.