ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):The Foreign Office Monday expressed deep condolence over the tragic crash of a Russian
passenger aircraft.
It said “Government and people of Pakistan express their deep condolences over the
tragic crash of a Russian passenger aircraft, resulting in the loss of seventy-one precious
lives.”
Pakistan has conveyed its deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the
bereaved families, according to a statement issued by Foreign Office.
The people and the Government of Pakistan share the pain of the people
and the Government of the Russian Federation and stand by them in this hour
of grief, it added.
Pakistan pays condolences over Russian plan crash
Pakistan always stands with world for peace, prosperity : Nasser Janjua
ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):A German delegation consisting 22 participants of Course for Senior Officials-2018 from Federal Academy of
Security Policy, Germany, along with German Ambassador called on National Security Adviser, Lt. General (Retd)
Nasser Khan Janjua on Monday.
Nasser Janjua gave a presentation on regional security situation with a particular reference to Pakistan focusing
on challenges and opportunities in prevailing scenario.
Talking to the delegation, he said Germany was a great country with resilient nation and highlighted role of Pakistan in recent history and sacrifices rendered by Pakistani people and its Armed Forces in on-going war against terrorism.
He said Pakistan had always stood with world for peace and prosperity.
Discussing situation in Afghanistan, he stressed upon the fact that there was a dire need to end sufferings of Afghanistan and its people, saying that instead of “Winning the War” in Afghanistan, the world must cooperate to seek closure of this conflict which could be made possible by way of political processes.
The presentation was followed by a brief question and answer session.
The Federal Academy for Security Policy is a Federal German Government Research Institution responsible for providing comprehensive and advance training to current and future executive personnel both from Federal and State institutions and from Private Sector for relevance of Security Policy.
Turkish, Netherlands’ ambassadors call on Defence Production Minister
ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):`Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan, Mustafa Yurdakul called on Federal Minister for Defence
Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain here on Monday.
The minister said that defence industrial and technical cooperation was integral part of strategic relationships between the countries.
He expressed the satisfaction on the ongoing cooperation in defence technical field.
In a separate meeting with Ambassador of Netherlands, Ardi Stoios-Braken, the minister discussed the existing cordial relationship between the two countries.
He said that the existing relations could be translated into an active interaction in the field of defence. He expressed the desire to identify the avenues for establishing joint ventures related to the defence products.
He suggested that exchange of visits at various levels would explore the avenues of prospective collaboration in the spheres of defence and defence production industry.
Newly appointed Turkish Ambassador calls on COAS
RAWALPINDI, Feb 12 (APP):Newly appointed Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, Ishan Mustafa
Yurdakul called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa Monday
here at General Headquarters (GHQ).
Matters of mutual interest including regional security issues were discussed during the meeting, said a press
release issued here by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The two noted the exceptional mutual relations between the brotherly nations and
pledged to further improve these.
The visiting dignitary also acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan army’s contributions for peace and stability in the
region.
President lauds COMSTECH’s role in promotion of science and technology
ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday said scientists and researchers in the Islamic world could play a significant role in ensuring development in its true spirit for the benefit of mankind.
Chairing a meeting of COMSTECH – the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said progress in the field of science and technology was very important for Pakistan and the Muslim world.
President Mamnoon said COMSTECH was immensely contributing to the promotion of activities related to scientific research.
COMSTECH’s Coordinator General Dr Shaukat Hameed apprised the meeting about the outcome of First OIC Summit on Science and Technology held in Astana, Kazakhstan in last September.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain, Secretary Science and Technology Yasmeen Mehmood, Adviser COMSTECH Dr Qasim Jan and senior expert Dr Khursheed Husnain.
CPEC to take Pak-China relations to new heights, Chinese Ambassador
ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor was a mirror of the ages-old
friendship between the two countries and it would be taken to new heights by our coming generations.
Addressing to a reception dinner in a local hotel here, the ambassador said, “Now I see the enthusiastic
young blood in abundance around me which will take the two countries to new heights of friendship never reached
before”. He also urged the gathering to keep on working to further strengthen people to people contacts at multilateral
levels.
Expressing his affection with Pakistan, the ambassador informed that it was his third assignment in Pakistan.
“Pakistan is my second home and its not a new place for me ”, he remarked.
The ambassador also expressed satisfaction on the working of All Pakistan China Friendship Association
(APCFA) for enhancing socio-political to cultural linkages between the two countries. .
Earlier, in her welcoming remarks, Mrs. Attia Qutub, President APCFA noted that bilateral ties were strengthening
at diverse areas of mutual cooperation. She also expressed her association’s resolve to further bridging the links.
It is worth mentioning here that the association has been actively working to promoting the friendly relations between
the two countries for the last 40 years.
The dinner, hosted by APCFA the other day, was attended by members of executive committee of APCFA, Senior
patrons, former Presidents and their families, and the officials from Chinese embassy. The association gifted a unique
Truck Art panel to Yao Jing and wished him and the Chinese guests a very happy Chinese New Year.
The representative from China Desk of Foreign Office, Ms Saima offered full cooperation in materializing the vision
of further strengthening Pak-China friendship.
Nawaz Sharif visits residence of late Asma Jahangir
LAHORE, Feb 12 (APP):Former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, on Monday visited residence
of late Asma Jahangir to condole her death with the bereaved family.
They expressed condolences with bereaved family members, Munizae Jahangir
and Hina Jillani, and also paid homage to the services of Asma Jahangir. Attorney
General Ashtar Ausaf and others were also present on the occasion.
Later, talking to media, Nawaz Sharif paid tribute to Asma
Jahangir’s struggle for democracy and rule of law in the country.
He said that Asma was not only a prominent lawyer but also a
very good human being who cared for the poor and marginalised.
Maryam Nawaz said that Asma Jahangir was a voice for the
poor and marginalised sections of the society. Every human who
had a heart should advance her cause, she added.
Asma Jahangir, eminent lawyer and human rights activist,
passed away on Sunday at a local hospital.
CDWP approves 24 projects worth Rs 184.8 bln
ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):Central Development Working Party (CDWP) Monday approved 24 projects worth Rs 184.8 billion, out of which 10 projects worth Rs 169.6 billion were referred to Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC).
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz, in addition to the projects also approved ‘one position paper’ with a cost of Rs 709 million, said a press release here.
Among others, the meeting was attended by senior officials from federal and provincial governments as well as autonomous bodies.
The projects presented for approval include energy, transport and communication, water resources, physical planning and housing, science and technology, governance, health and mass media.
In energy sector, the CDWP recommended a project on evacuation of power from Suki Kinari, Kohala and Mahl Hydro Power Project in Northern Areas worth Rs 73.6 billion to the ECNEC.
The main objective of the project is construction of 500kV transmission network to provide interconnection facilities for evacuation of power from the said Hydro Power Plants.
Moreover, a project of feasibility study on developing mechanism for tariff based bidding of hydropower projects, review of feasibility studies for hydropower projects through local and foreign experts and capacity building of PPIB employees was approved with a cost of Rs 64.3 million. The project will help enhance the capacity of PPIB.
The CDWP approved 12 projects in transport and communication sector, out of which six were referred to the ECNEC. The projects include up gradation/ renovation of Bahawalpur, Raiwaind, Gujranwala, Karachi, Peshawar, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Lahore and Rawalpindi railway stations with an estimated cost of Rs 1.46 billion, replacement of old and obsolete signal gear from Lodhran-Multan-Khanewal-Shahdara Bagh Main line Section of Pakistan Railways at a cost of Rs 18.6 billion, improvement and widening of Chitral-Booni-Mastuj-Shandur Road with Rs 19.1 billion, construction/rehabilitation of four bridges (Muzhgole Bridge, Osaik Bridge, Pokel Bridge and repairing of Churan Bridge) with approach road and allied components at a cost of Rs. 544.6 million, construction of Ziarat Mor-Kach-Harnai Road and construction of Harnai Sanjavi Road at Rs 10.8 billion, construction of six lane overhead bridge at Imamia colony railway crossing Shahdara at Rs. 2.1 billion, purchase of road clearance/earth moving machinery for prompt emergency response in AJK at Rs 500 million, extension/up gradation of Bannu Airport for A-320/B-737 Aircraft Operations at Rs 715 Million), Improvement of Security at Karachi Int’l Airport, Multan Airport and Islamabad Airport at Rs. 2.2 billion, land acquisition for Rwp-Kahuta Road at Rs. 5.3 billion, Dualization of Rwp-Kahuta road at Rs 10.1 billion).
Lastly, construction of northern by pass of Dera Ghazi Khan was recommended to the ECNEC at Rs. 5.6 billion.
In physical planning and housing sector, the construction of Model Custom House at Gwadar was approved with a cost of 1.5 billion.
In water sector, the CDWP approved feasibility study, detailed engineering design and preparation of tender documents of Murunj Dam project was approved with a cost of Rs 371.7 million. The Darawat Dam Project was also recommended to the ECNEC, which would be completed with a cost of Rs 11.8 Billion.
In Science and Technology section, the CDWP approved two projects including one position paper with the total cost of Rs 3.3 billion. The position paper tends on subsidy to scholars aboard under culture exchange program with a cost of Rs 709 million. The project for Development of National University of Medical Sciences, Islamabad was also approved with a cost of Rs 2.6 Billion.
In governance, the CDWP recommended the Federal Programme under Access to Justice Program worth Rs 6.4 billion to the ECNEC.
In health sector, the CDWP approved three projects out of which one was referred to the ECNEC. The projects include establishment of a current cGMP complaint sera processing laboratory for capacity enhancement, biological production division, NIH Islamabad worth Rs 751.1 million. A project titled establishment of centre for Neuro Sciences at PIMS, Islamabad was referred to the ECNEC worth Rs 7.4 billion. In addition, civil works for cancer hospital Islamabad was approved at a cost of Rs 1.99 billion.
The CDWP also approved two projects in mass media sector which included installation of 100KW Medium Wave Digital Transmitter at Mirpur for countering Cross-border Propaganda at a cost of Rs 143.8 million and rehabilitation of medium wave services for Muzaffarabad (AJK) with a cost of Rs 160.6 million.
President promulgates Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018
ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain has promulgated the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, further amending the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997.
The Ordinance, promulgated by the President on February 9, 2018, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, shall come into force at once.
Following is the text of Ordinance dated February 9, 2018 and issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice here on Monday:-
“AN ORDINANEC
further to amend the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997
WHEREAS, it is expedient further to amend the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997) for the purposes hereinafter appearing;
AND WHEREAS, the Senate and the National Assembly are not in session and the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action;
Now, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:-
Short title and commencement.-(1) This Ordinance may be called the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018.
(2) It shall come into force at once.
2. Amendment of section 11B, Act XXVII of 1997.- In the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997), herein after referred to as “the Act”, in section 11B, in sub-section (1), after clause (a), the following new clause shall be inserted, namely:-
“(aa) listed under the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1948 (XIV of 1948), or”.
3. Amendment of section 11EE, Act XXVII of 1997.- In the Act in section 11EE, in sub-section (1), after clause (a), the following new clause shall be inserted, namely:-
“(aa) listed under the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1948 (XIV of 1948); or”.”
NA-154 by-election: Polling process concludes peacefully
MULTAN, Feb 12 (APP):The polling of by-election in NA-154 Lodhran on Monday remained peaceful and no untoward
incident was reported from any polling station.
The polling started at 8:00 am and continued till 5:00 pm without any interval. Polling process in 338 polling stations was carried out under the supervision of law enforcers.
The seat in NA-154 Lodhran had fallen vacant in the wake of disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen by the Supreme Court in December 2017.
The government has deployed security personnel, including army officials, in the constituency in view of avoiding any untoward situation and to ensure free and fair of elections.
The PTI fielded Jahangir’s son Ali Khan Tareen, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Iqbal Shah and Pakistan Peoples’ Party Mirza Muhammad Ali Baig. Another seven candidates are contesting as Independents.
Jahangir Tareen, while speaking to the media after casting his vote, stated that there was no possibility of rigging in the by-election today with the presence of army personnel outside polling stations.
He said the PTI would respond to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s notice of violating its code of conduct, adding that the institution did not take any notice when the PML-N legislators were running the campaign for their candidate.
Tareen said that he would accept the result of the by-poll whatever it may be but added that the PTI candidate will surely defeat his opponents.
However, Iqbal Shah, the candidate of PML-N also observed that he would defeat opponents as people
would reposed confidence in policies of the incumbent government.