ISLAMABAD, Feb 9 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain and King Abdullah II of Jordan while agreeing to enhance cooperation in the fields of trade, education and culture said Pakistan and Jordan can benefit from the experiences of each other in various fields.

King Abdullah II of Jordan, who was here on a two-day visit, was accompanied by Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. General Mahmoud A. Freihat and other senior officials, while Minister for Defence Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, Foreign Secretary and other senior officials assisted the President, during their meeting here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

President Mamnoon Hussain said Pakistan greatly values Jordan’s bold stance on the declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the United States of America. King Abdullah II of Jordan appreciated Pakistan’s stance regarding the resolution of challenges faced by Muslim Ummah. President Mamnoon Hussain and underscored that the resolution of long standing issues of Kashmir and Palestine were imperative for international peace and security.

The President said Pakistan and Jordan were connected through deep political, cultural and historical links. He said the bilateral trade was not reflective of their excellent brotherly relations and proposed a regular exchange of trade delegation between Pakistan and Jordan.

Agreeing with the proposal of the President, King Abdullah II said increase in bilateral trade was necessary for further strengthening the economies of the both countries and said it would be taken up at the meeting of Joint Ministerial Commission in March.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 9 (APP):Chief Justice (CJ) Mian Saqib Nisar Friday observed that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to interpret election law on the basis of Islamic injunction.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Nisar heard the case pertaining to determining whether disqualification of lawmakers under Article 62(1)(f) is for life or time specific.
During the course of proceedings, Azhar Siddiqui counsel for civil society claimed that the election law paved the way for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to become party head violates Islamic teachings.
However, the chief justice remarked that if the counsel wanted to examine Section 203 of election law with touchstone of religious provision, he should approach the Federal Shariat Court (FSC).
He observed that the apex court had no jurisdiction as it was an exclusive domain of the FSC.
The court asked Siddiqui to outline provisions in the Constitution that had been violated through the election law.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawyer Advocate Gohar Nawaz Sindhu request to disqualify lawmakers who had voted in favour of this law.
Upon this the chief justice remarked that the bench would slap heavy fine if the petition did not hold up.
The court noted that some parameters had to be set in order to filter filing of frivolous petition.
One of the petitioners’ Advocate Zulifqar Bhutta adopted the arguments presented by MNA Sheikh Rashid’s lawyer, Barrister Farogh Naseem, and PPP’s counsel, Latif Khosa, in previous hearings.
He said there was no way a person disqualified by the apex court could become a political party chief.
To this, the chief justice remarked that the new law passed by Parliament could allow any convicted person to assume the position of political party head.
The chief justice remarked that the apex court could only nullify a law if it contradicts the Constitution. He also pointed out that a representative of the Election Commission of Pakistan was in the standing committee when the Elections Act 2017 was being drafted.
The hearing has been adjourned to February 13.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 9 (APP):King Abdullah II of Jordan left here for home after concluding his two-day visit to Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi saw off the King of Jordan and his delegation here at the Nur Khan Air Base.
A JF-17 Thunder aircraft flew past the venue to pay tribute to the visiting dignitary.
Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir, MNA Ejaz ul Haq, Commander Northern Air Command Air Vice Marshal Sarfraz Khan and Base Commander Air Commodore Mujahid Hussain were present to bid adieu to King Abdullah II.
King Abdullah during his stay in the capital held meetings with President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and vowed to further boost their relations in diverse fields.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 9 (APP):Federal Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan on Friday said that the journey of progress and development of the country will continue despite hurdles of the opponents.
The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) would further bring mega development projects in Karachi and other cities alike Punjab if it comes into power after in the next general election 2018, minister for climate talking to private news channel said.
The PML-N government has won the hearts of the people by giving historic budget for the welfare of the people, adding, ruling party had always served the people and fulfilled its pledges made with them.
Minister said today’s Karachi is different than that of the past.”Now in Karachi there are no strikes and incidents of arson violence.”
It was time that those who were trying to hide behind the Panama issue, should stop deceiving the people and start acknowledging the development works undertaken by the PML-N government.
“We will give more projects to Karachi,” he assured.
He said Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government has completely failed to deliver in the province.
PML-N government is spending millions of rupees on development work including provision of electricity, construction of roads, construction of school buildings and hospitals to facilitate of people.
His government will complete its constitutional term and the people will vote the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz into power again, he hoped.