ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):Former captain Misbah ul Haq Thursday said he was fully focused on the 2018 Pakistan Super League (PSL) and was hopeful to achieve good results.
Talking to media-persons at Pindi Stadium Rawalpindi, Misbah, who is also captain of Islambad United, said all teams and young players were taking part in the third edition of the league with full preparation.
“I hope more young players will come to fore in this PSL edition,” he said.
Waqar Younis, who is also associated with team Islamabad United as coach, said PSL matches should also be held in Rawalpindi. “The people of Rawalpindi can witness their cricket stars in the exhibition match today,” he said.
Team owner Ali Naqvi said holding of the PSL final in Karachi was a good omen. “I hope the PSL’s fourth edition matches will be played in Rawalpindi also,” he added.
Misbah fully focused on PSL
COAS for facilitation to tribal brethren
RAWALPINDI, Feb 15 (APP):Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Thursday directed for facilitation to tribal brethren in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
“Watan Cards earlier issued as ID document for payment of compensation to Temporarily Displaced Persons, are no more required. Henceforth, CNIC will be taken as ID document. Those without CNIC can use Watan Card till May 31 and obtain CNIC by then,” said an ISPR press release.
Grand opening of CPEC Cultural Caravan festival on Feb 25: Jamal Shah
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):The grand opening of a series of exhibitions and festival of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Cultural Caravan will be held at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Sunday February 25.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Director General (PNCA) Jamal Shah said PNCA has the honor of executing two very important initiatives; National Art’s Convention and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Cultural Caravan (CCCC).
He said that the CPEC Cultural Caravan festival includes visual and arts and photography exhibitions, film screenings, film, dance performance, fashion and textile show, book launch, seminar, handicrafts display and cultural cuisine from China and Pakistan.
He said that the festival was aimed to project the paintings, drawings and art work produced by artists during cultural caravan journey.
He said that PNCA would also organize an International Academic Seminar on the history and culture and current relevance of historic Silk Route in Asia.
“Series of short films and documentaries by filmmakers, each dedicated to one of the city/caravanserai on the CPEC route would also be showcased,” Jamal Shah said.
He said that these films would show the historical background and contemporary relevance, culture, history, tourist attractions and monuments.
Director General PNCA said that the caravan travelled from Xi’an (China) to Gwadar (Pakistan), documenting and reflecting upon the land, life and people along the CPEC route during the month of November 2017.
He said that the festival and seminar was also aimed to showcase the caravan deliverable and to deliberate on the measures, policy and regulatory frameworks to be implemented in order to benefit from the opportunities presented by the creative economy and culture and creative industries in general and to focus and evaluate the potential of bilateral trade and cooperation in culture and creative industries and cultural exchange between China and Pakistan.
He said that a series of grand exhibitions will be held between February 25 to March 2, 2018 in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. He said that next year the cultural caravan will be expanded and artists of Centeral Asia would also be invited to participate in the month-long journey of cultural caravan.
He said that National Artists’ Convention is an initiative by PNCA to underscore various issues and problems confronting the artist’s community which have been adversely affecting the cultural environment of the society at large.
He said that more than 300 artists will participate in three-day event.
National Artist’s Convention is a moot of renowned Pakistani artists from all the fields to discuss the validity of art and culture and to ponder upon the challenges faced by arts and artists.
He said that the experienced artists will deliberate on important issues and prepare a charter of demand for consideration during three-day convention.
He said that PNCA would also establish its offices at nine places including FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan.
He said that government has approved National Film Academy Project which is big achievement. He said that artist’s welfare funds will also be established.
Qualifying round of Cholistan Jeep Rally held
BAHAWALPUR, Feb 15 (APP):Qualifying round of 13 Cholistan Jeep Rally was held at Sutlej River near Empress Bridge here Thursday, registration and technical evaluation of vehicles was also conducted at the occasion.
More than 90 drivers including two drivers from Thailand, one from Canada and three female drivers participated in the qualifying round.
Senator Ch Saud Majeed, Chairman Punjab Revenue Authority Dr Raheal Ahmad Siddiqui, Managing Director TDCP Ahmar Malik were also present.
The rally will start from Derawar Fort on February 16. Total distance of 474 kilometers will be covered in two loops of 220 and 254 kilometers respectively.
Move to place Pakistan on global terrorist financial list designed to hamper its economic progress: Senate told
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):Minister of State for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Thursday apprised the Senate that the move to place Pakistan on a global terrorist financing list was a politically motivated one, which was designed to hamper its economic progress.
Pakistan, he said, had taken extraordinary measures to stop anti-money laundering and curb terror financing as compared to other countries.
He was responding to a point of public importance raised by Senator Farhatullah Babar regarding a motion to place Pakistan on a global terrorist financing list put forward by the United States and the United Kingdom, and co-sponsored by France and Germany, ahead of a meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to be held in Paris on terrorist financing and its implications.
The minister said the initiation of the action without waiting for completion of Pakistan’s Mutual Evaluation was designed to manipulate the FATF’s process. “This move is politically motivated and designed to hamper Pakistan’s economic progress,” he said.
He said in order to counter the US and UK’s politically motivated move, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had adopted a proactive approach, besides taking special measures.
He said special envoys of the prime minister had been sent to FATF member states to seek support for Pakistan’s position. The Interior Minister visited the US, the UK, Norway, and Ireland while Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs was currently on a visit to the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and Germany.
”The Chairperson BISP is undertaking a visit to South Korea and Japan and the Minister for Power has also visited Malaysia,” he said, adding the Foreign Secretary visited France and Italy in order to seek diplomatic support of those countries. The Foreign Secretary also visited China earlier this month for the same reason, he said.
Moreover, the Special Secretary (UN&EC) visited Moscow at the start of the month, he added.
Rana Afzal said the Foreign Minister held meetings in Islamabad with the ambassadors of countries, including the US, the UK, Germany and France, which had nominated Pakistan for the “grey list”. “We expressed our deep disappointment at the politicization of the FATF forum and pressed upon these nominating countries to withdraw their proposal in the wake of recent enforcement actions undertaken by the government of Pakistan to address the “residual concerns” related to implementation of 1267 Sanctions measures against LeT, JuD, FiF,” he said.
He said separately, the Special Secretary (UN & EC) briefed all the resident embassies of the FATF member countries in Pakistan with a view to seek their support against the clear politicization of the FATF forum.
The embassies were also apprised about the recent enforcement actions and takeover of the moveable / immovable assets of the JuD/FiF. as well as the amendment introduced in Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, he said.
He said Pakistani ambassadors in all FATF member countries were also continuously in touch with relevant host authorities for lobby efforts.
The minister said it would be a dangerous move and it would be difficult to get funds for development projects if the country were placed in the gray list.
He said FATF was an inter-government body established in1989 at the initiative of G7 countries. Its objectives were to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system, he said.
He said through ICRG (International Cooperation Review Group) process, FATF monitored implementation of the standards by its members or members of its various regional bodies. FATF could take punitive measures against any country for non compliance by issuing a public statement (black grey list).
“Pakistan is not a member of FATF, however, it is a member of its regional body i.e., Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG). Every country goes through a peer based evaluation process called Mutual Evaluation (ME) for monitoring of compliance with FATF standards,” he added.
Pakistan’s ME, he said, was conducted in 2009 by the APG and based on that evaluation identified “strategic deficiencies” in Pakistan’s AML/CTF regime. In February 2012, Pakistan was listed in FATF’s “grey list,” he added.
He said to overcome those deficiencies, he said, Pakistan agreed to implement an action plan in 2010. As a consequence, a series of new rules and guidelines were introduced by various authorities of Pakistan and those actions include but not limited to:
i. Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly issues SROs to reflect changes in the UNSC sanctions regime and to suggest measures that need to be taken for implementation of Pakistan’s obligations under this sanctions regime.
ii. NACTA established a National Task Force on combating financing for terrorism.
iii. State Bank of Pakistan introduced new rules and guidelines on CTF/AML.
iv. Stand alone legislation on Money Laundering was also enacted by the Parliament.
v. Operationally independent and administrative Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) was established under the AML law with the sole mandate of receiving, analysing and disseminating Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Currency Transaction Reports.
The minister said in 2015, after strenuous efforts, Pakistan exited the “grey list’ and was referred to APG for continued monitoring due to residuary concerns regarding implementation of UNSCR 1267 sanction on some entities, i.e, Lashkar-e-Tayibah, JuD, and FIF. Pakistan had been entities continuously reporting to APG on those “residual concerns”.
He said on January 6, Pakistan shared its latest report with APG, which reflected a wide range of enforcement actions taken by it. The report also included a number of additional actions taken by Pakistan to implement UNSC 1267 sanctions on JuD and FIF, he added.
In recent months, he said, Pakistan had also taken more actions while the APG was analyzing its recent report.
Rana Afzal said on January 20, the US and UK jointly submitted a letter to the FATF nominating Pakistan for the list. France and Germany subsequently joined that nomination.
Pakistan, he said, had serious concerns over and objections to the introduction of that new procedure, which was unprecedented and in clear violation of the established rules practices of FATF.
“Since 2015, time and again the goal posts have been shifted for reporting by Pakistan. This has made it into a never-ending monitoring process. The objective of raising these new issues seems to be to suddenly raise an alarm on the overall integrity of Pakistan’s AML/CFT framework,” he added.
Pakistan has concern over its placing on FATF watch list: FO
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):Pakistan has serious concerns regarding motion with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for placing Pakistan on a watch list, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal Thursday said.
During his weekly media briefing here, he said FATF is an international body that sets standards relating to combating of money laundering and terrorist financing. “Such motions are aimed to hamper the economic growth of Pakistan”, he added.
He said Pakistan remains committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and ongoing terrorist combating operations by Pakistan army are proof of our commitment towards combating this menace.
Replying to a question, Dr Faisal said Afghan president’s tweets regarding Naqeeb ullah Mehsud case is an act of interference in Pakistan’s internal affair.
He said Pakistan strongly rejects the allegations of certain Indian police and defense officials and media insinuations in connection with the reported attack on Sunjwan camp in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Replying to another query, Pakistan and India has fundamental dispute regarding Kashmir issue and all other problems cannot be solved between the two countries unless the political settlement of Kashmir issue takes place.
“A particular segment in the Indian media runs with their clear intention to malign Pakistan and whips up public frenzy, we hope world community would take due cognizance of India’s smear campaign against Pakistan and the deliberate creation of war hysteria,” he added.
On the recent comments of the Defense Minister of India, Dr Faisal said familiar Indian tendency of apportioning blame on Pakistan, without concrete evidence, is regrettable. The reflex assignment of blame and smear campaigns, based on unfounded allegations, carry no credibility.
Spokesperson said India’s rapidly growing nuclear programme poses threat to regional peace and stability and negates India’s own claims of disarm policy.
He said Pakistan is never apologetic regarding its foreign policy and is fully committed and capable of defending itself against any act of aggression.
“We expect the international community to take cognizance of the belligerent and repeated Indian statements against Pakistan, which are not only against international law but also threatens regional peace and security”, he added.
Regarding the media reports of deputy leader of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Khalid Mehsud Sajna, he said Pakistan appreciates any action taken against the enemies of Pakistan.
He said Pakistan does not support any move by foreign states to interfere in the internal affairs of Maldives and influence its upcoming elections. “Non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries has always been the key principle of our foreign policy”, he added.
He paid condolences on the behalf of people and the Government of Pakistan over the tragic crash of a Russian passenger aircraft, resulting in the loss of seventy-one precious lives.
Pakistan offers lucrative investment opportunities: President
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Thursday said Pakistan was a land of opportunity and the government through good legislation and facilities has opened up new vistas for investors from across the world.
Talking to Pakistan Turkish Business Forum delegation, who met him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr the President said Pakistan would be pleased to offer these facilities to traders and merchants from brotherly country of Turkey.
Turkey’s Ambassador to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul and investors from Pakistan and Turkey and high officials were present on the occasions.
The President said relations between Pakistan and Turkey were of extraordinary nature, which were difficult to replicate in the world of foreign relations. He said trade and investment needs to increase between the two countries and called for an increase in exchange of trade, manufacturers and investors.
The President said there were a number of opportunities for investment in many areas in Pakistan and urged the Turkish investors to focus on energy and food processing sectors. The President also pointed to the opportunities in the health and pharmaceutical sectors and called for exploiting these areas for mutual benefit.
The President said Pakistan and Turkey were tied in a strong bond of history, culture and belief and appreciated the cooperation between the two countries in trade and investment.
The President was also appreciative of the fact that Turkish investors in Pakistan were organizing special training for Pakistani engineers and workers in Turkey and hoped it would pay dividends.
ICCI organizes tenpin bowling championship
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):The Sports Committee of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has organized a two day
Tenpin Bowling Championship to promote sports activities in the members of Chamber and their kids.
The championship would feature men’s singles and team, females singles and doubles, mixed team and singles for kids of the members.
Muhammad Naveed, Senior Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry was the Chief Guest of the opening ceremony. Speaking at the occasion, he called upon the government to focus on promoting sports activities in the country in order to develop a healthy and active society.
He said Pakistan was a country of young population and our youth has great scope to excel in every sports. He urged the government for taking measures to develop conducive environment for sports and provide all needed facilities including grounds for promoting sports activities in the country.
He lauded the efforts of Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry Chairman and all members of ICCI Sports Committee for organizing the Tenpin Bowling Championship.
Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry, Chairman, ICCI Sports Committee thanked the business community and their kids for taking active participation in the opening ceremony of Tenpin Bowling Championship.
He said that the Committee was planning to organize many other sports events including matches of cricket, hockey, badminton, table tennis and boxing for the members of Chamber in order to promote the sportsman spirit in the local traders and industrialists.
Beijing expresses firm opposition to Indian PM’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh
BEIJING, Feb 15 (APP):A Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson Thursday expressed firm opposition to the visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a disputed area and urged the Indian side not to take action that could complicate the boundary issue.
“China’s position on the China-India boundary question is consistent and clear-cut,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said in response to reports that Modi visited the so-called Arunachal Pradesh Thursday.
He said the Chinese government has never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader’s visit to the disputed area.
“We will lodge stern representations with the Indian side,” he added.
Geng Shuang said the Chinese side urges the Indian side to honor its commitment and abide by the relevant consensus, and refrain from taking any action that may complicate the boundary question.
He urged India to cherish the hard-won momentum of improvements in bilateral relations and create enabling conditions for the boundary talks and the development of bilateral relations.
The so-called Arunachal Pradesh was established largely on three areas in China’s Tibet — Monyul, Loyul and Lower Tsayul — which are currently under illegal occupation by India.
In February 1987, Indian authorities declared the founding of so-called Arunachal Pradesh.
Pakistan to participate in 3-day SAARC business conclave
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):A delegation of SAARC Chamber Pakistan chapter will participate in the forthcoming 3-days “6th SAARC Business Leaders Conclave” being held from March 16 at Kathmandu, Nepal to explore the investment avenues and promote trade among member countries.
The theme of the conclave is “Unleashing Shared Prosperity through Economic Integrity”, and over,500 leading business leaders, eminent international experts and distinguished dignitaries from private and public sectors will grace the occasion.
Chairing a meeting of the SAARC Chamber Pakistan chapter here Thursday, its Vice President, Iftikhar Ali Malik said this mega event will bring together the region’s economic and business thinkers, doers and change makers on a one common platform.
The conclave would help to discuss, debate and evolve solutions and generate opportunities to take South Asia on the path of shared prosperity through economic integration,” according to a press release.
He said that event will also feature interactive discussion and deliberations between torchbearers and influential leaders of South Asian economy.
He further said that they would bring the issue of reduction of their respective sensitive lists under discussion so that volume of trade would be increased manifold times under SAFTA in South Asian region.
He said Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would continue its work for boosting trade in the region and would remove all hurdles in the way of free trade. He further said that Pakistan is keen to increase trade activities with other countries.
He added that SAARC countries would have to work jointly for the elimination of poverty, peace and prosperity, for which trade among SAARC countries is essential.