ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP):Pakistan and Spain have expressed satisfaction at the growth of bilateral trade, which crossed US $ 1 billion mark for the fourth consecutive year besides agreeing to take tangible steps to improve mobility of businessmen, students and tourists.
According to Foreign Office announcement, the 4th round of Pakistan-Spain Annual Bilateral Consultations held in Islamabad on Thursday reviewed the current state of bilateral relations, including political, economic, trade, investment and cultural cooperation. Consular matters also came under discussion. The two sides agreed to take concrete measures to strengthen cooperation in all spheres, including trade and investment.
Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua led the Pakistan side, while the Spanish delegation was headed by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Ildefonso Castro López.
The Foreign Secretary presented an overview of the achievements made by the government including strengthening of democracy, political stability and maturity as well as economic revival and energy security. The successes achieved in the fights against terrorism and implementation of the National Action Plan were also highlighted.
Exchange of views also took place on the UN reforms and it was agreed to further augment cooperation at the international and regional organizations.
Pakistan and Spain closely cooperate in bilateral and multilateral issues. Annual Bilateral Consultations provide a useful platform to review progress in various fields and identify avenues of future cooperation. The two sides agreed to hold the next round of Annual Bilateral Consultations in Madrid at mutually convenient dates in 2019.
Pakistan and Spain agreed to improve mobility of businessmen, students and tourists.
Qalandars hopeful of better fortune in PSL 3
ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP):Lahore Qalandars may have not been able to qualify for the play-offs in the first two seasons of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), but they are confident of changing their fortunes with a new squad in the third edition of the league.
With Aaqib Javed replacing Paddy Upton as head coach. Atiq-uz-Zaman and Kabir Khan joining him in the coaching staff, mentoring by stalwarts such as Inzamam ul Haq and Shoaib Akhtar has given confidence to the owners of Lahore Qalandars for a good show in the league this season.
Atif Rana, the CEO of Lahore Qalandars talking to private news channel said that team has put a massive effort in preparing for the league and said that no stone was left unturned in achieving perfection.
“We have put in our 200 percent effort in order to cover the gaps and overcome our flaws from the last two seasons in the combination and performance of the team,” Atif Rana said.
“Obviously we are 100 percent confident,” Atif said asked him if he’s hoping for a change in team’s fortune this year.He added that Lahore Qalandars will not let down fans this season.
“Last two seasons didn’t go as planned but we have worked really hard all year round in order to promote and develop cricket in Pakistan and provide a promising platform for youngsters. And hopefully, we’ll continue doing so and won’t disappoint our fans this time,” he said.
“Last time there were a few reasons of our loss. We faced some setbacks prior to the second season of PSL. A few of our players were injured and couldn’t play for the team. This time we have a good team combination and we have really worked hard with them in order to furnish the skills and the team as a whole. So we are confident in our preparations and hopefully this will show in our performance,” Rana hoped.
Rana also expressed confidence in Brendon McCullum’s leadership skills and said the way the team fought while defending low targets last season was a reflection of Brendon’s quality as captain.
Talking about the team’s strength, Rana Atif said that there is a lot of power in Lahore Qalandars squad in the form of Brendon, Chris Lynn, Fakhar Zaman, Umar Akmal and Sohail Akhtar.
“We are expecting great amount of sixes not only from the Bash brothers but all the other power hitters in the squad as well,” he said.
“Sohail Akhtar is another player to watch out for. We are very hopeful and confident that all our young Qalandars will perform to the best of their abilities. All the training and grooming provided to them all year round by cricketing legends such as Aqib Javed will hopefully benefit them and the team as well,” he said.
Talking about the success of PSL, the CEO of Lahore Qalandars said that the way people in Pakistan have supported the PSL is a great sight and everyone in Pakistan is enjoying it.
He, however, said that it would be premature to comment on how many of Lahore Qalandars’ players will arrive in Pakistan to play the matches in Lahore and Karachi.
“All will be decided in due course as the tournament progresses. Right now we are only concentrating on getting the tournament started with a bang and on a high note. Our main focus, for now, is on our preparation and performance,” he concluded
Afghanistan suffered over 10,000 civilian casualties in 2017: UN
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 15 (APP):The United Nations said on Thursday that more than 10,000 civilians were killed or wounded
in the ongoing war in Afghanistan in 2017, with militant bombings responsible for inflicting a major proportion of casualties.
In its annual report released on Thursday, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
and the UN Human Rights Office, documented 3,438 deaths and 7,015 injuries – a decline from the record-high figure in 2016.
“The chilling statistics in this report provide credible data about the war’s impact, but the figures alone cannot capture the appalling human suffering inflicted on ordinary people, especially women and children,” Tadamichi Yamamoto, the secretary-general’s special representative for Afghanistan, said in
a statement.
At nearly 2,300, 2017 recorded the highest number of civilian casualties from suicide and complex attacks in a single year since the UN mission began documentation in 2009.
The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) – suicide and non-suicide – by armed groups led to the majority of the casualties last year, with ground engagements accounting for the second-highest number of victims.
“I am particularly appalled by the continued indiscriminate and unlawful use of IEDs such as suicide bombs and pressure-plate devices in civilian populated areas,” Yamamoto said. “This is shameful.”
The report attributed 42 percent of the casualties to the Afghan Taliban, while noting an increase in victims of attacks by ISIS/Da’esh group, which was responsible for 10 percent of the casualties.
Pro-government forces, including Afghan national security forces and international military forces caused a fifth of the civilian casualties.
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called for the “perpetrators to be held accountable”.
“The people of Afghanistan, year after year, continue to live in insecurity and fear, while those responsible for ending lives and blighting lives escape punishment,” he said in a statement.
“Such attacks are prohibited under international humanitarian law and are likely, in most cases, to constitute war crimes.
In its annual report released on Thursday, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN Human Rights Office, documented 3,438 deaths and 7,015 injuries – a decline from the record-high figure in 2016.
“The chilling statistics in this report provide credible data about the war’s impact, but the figures alone cannot capture the appalling human suffering inflicted on ordinary people, especially women and children,” Tadamichi Yamamoto, the secretary-general’s special representative for Afghanistan, said in a statement.
At nearly 2,300, 2017 recorded the highest number of civilian casualties from suicide and complex attacks in a single year since the UN mission began documentation in 2009.
The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) – suicide and non-suicide – by armed groups led to the majority of the casualties last year, with ground engagements accounting for the second-highest number of victims.
“I am particularly appalled by the continued indiscriminate and unlawful use of IEDs such as suicide bombs and pressure-plate devices in civilian populated areas,” Yamamoto said. “This is shameful.”
This year, a wave of attacks by armed groups have killed nearly 150 people in recent weeks.
Militants in Afghanistan have ramped up their assaults on urban centers in response to US President Donald Trump introducing a more aggressive US strategy in Afghanistan in August including a surge in air strikes on militant strongholds.
On May 31, in the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital, at least 150 people were killed after a massive truck bomb ripped through the heart of Kabul’s diplomatic district.
To date, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Women and children continued to bear the brunt of the armed conflict.
UNAMA reported a five percent rise in female deaths at 359, with 865 injured.
Total child casualties stood at 3,179 (861 killed and 2,318 injured) – an overall 10 percent decrease compared with 2016.
Despite the decline in overall figures, Danielle Bell, UNAMA’s human right director, said, “Much more needs to be done.”
Women and children continued to bear the brunt of the armed conflict.
UNAMA reported a five percent rise in female deaths at 359, with 865 injured.
Total child casualties stood at 3,179 (861 killed and 2,318 injured) – an overall 10 percent decrease compared with 2016.
The UN agency also reported cases of sexual abuse and child recruitment by Afghan national security forces and anti-government elements.
Islamabad United victorious in exhibition match
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):Islamabad United beat Quetta Gladiators by 59 runs in an exhibition match played at Pindi
Stadium Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Batting first, Islamabad piled up a total of 290 runs for 3 in 20 overs. Asif was the pick of the
batsmen scoring 126 runs while Iftikhar 54, Sahidzada 44 and Misbah 28 batted well.
For Quetta, Anwar, Rambo and Saud bagged 1 wicket each for 41, 19 and 45 runs, respectively.
In reply, Quetta could make 231 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 8 wickets. Umar Amin 77, Ramiz
Raja jr 38, Azam Khan 32 and Moin Khan 20 played well.
For Islamabad, Zafar Gohar grabbed 3 wickets for 41 runs while Hussain Talat and Ali Naqvi
took 2 wickets each for 10 and 43 runs, respectively.
No compromise on self respect: Nawaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):President Pakistan Muslim League (N) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
here Thursday said he and his family will not compromise on its self respect
but will be tolerant and patient.
Talking to media outside the Accountability Court here, he
said, “We will not compromise on our dignity. We are patient and tolerant.
Every human being has a conscience.”
He said, “Allah
has given every person self-respect and we will not compromise on our
self-respect. They are other people who
compromise on their self respect. No matter is one sided.”
Maryam Nawaz Sharif,
daughter of Nawaz Sharif said names of those should be put on the Exit
Control List (ECL) who in broad day light made a mockery of the law and
constitution and ran away from the country.
“Their name was not put on the ECL but it is being said
that name of Nawaz Sharif and her daughter should be put on ECL, although we
came from London to Pakistan to face the cases and were daily going to the
courts to face false cases,” she added.
Nawaz Sharif not against Judiciary: Mohsin Ranjha
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha on Thursday said that the former prime
minister and head of Pakistan Muslim League N, Nawaz Sharif was not against the judiciary.
Talking to a private news channel, he said Nawaz Sharif had only expressed reservations over the verdict of apex court
regarding disqualification on basis of “Iqama”.
Criticizing the decision was the constitutional right of Nawaz Sharif, he said.
The people were also not accepting the decision of the court regarding disqualification from the premiership, he said.
Some elements wanted to create rift between the Parliament and Judiciary, he said.
To a question he said that there were hell difference between the cases of Yousuf Raza Gillani of Pakistan Peoples Party
and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
The people had great affiliation with their leader Nawaz Sharif and results of bye-elections in favor of PML-N were evident
in that regard, he said.
Playgrounds guarantee healthy society: Rana Arshad
LAHORE, Feb 15 (APP):Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Rana Muhammad Arshad has said that populated playgrounds ensure a healthy society and healthy children win laurels for countries.
Addressing at the Annual Sports of Unique Group of Institutions at WAPDA Stadium here on Thursday, he said the country’s future in sports was bright as hustle and bustle has been restored to the playing fields in the country.
Test batsman Babur Azam, Director Domestic Development Olympian Naveed Alam, Olympians Khalid Bashir and Khawaja Junaid were among the sports icons who had gathered to inspire students.
Rana Muhammad Arshad said Unique group had relived the sayings of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Poet of the East Allama Dr Muhamamd Iqbal by ensuring curricular and co-curricular activities for children. He said private institutions have been playing positive role in the promotion of education in the province.
He said Punjab government of Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had laid special emphasis on sports and co-curricular activities, adding that Punjab Youth festival and Chief Minister’s Speech and essay writing competitions were a step towards character building of the youth in the province.
The advisor to the Chief Minister said sports and sports fields were vital to defeat racism and intolerance from society, adding that sports helped to achieve the goal of a healthy nation.
Children took part in different games including clown race, tug-of-war, relay race and 50 meter sprint besides presenting beautiful display of PT show and aerobics.
Later, chief guests Rana Muhammad Arshad and Babur Azam gave away prizes among the students. A large number of student, teachers and parents attended the sports event which lasted two days.
No justification for putting name of former prime minister on ECL: Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum while talking to the media outside Ehtsab Court here Thursday said that only the names of the fugitives from law were put on the ECL and there was no justification in demanding the names of the former Prime Minister, his daughter and son-in-law to be put on ECL, who were appearing before the court thrice during the week and sometimes twice a day.
The minister said that the interior ministry would examine whether the request by NAB fulfilled the requirements for putting the names on the ECL or not and then take the decision accordingly. She said that for putting the names on ECL they would have to look at the prescribed legal and constitutional procedures.
She said that the NAB had chosen to write the letter to the interior ministry when the cases were in their last phases and the verdicts were to be delivered. She said how could NAB know what would be the verdict of the court? She said that in her view it should not have been done by NAB at this stage.
Marriyum said that people were watching the filing of supplementary reference after reference adding that they had neither found anything in the six references filed so far nor in the JIT reports. She said that they even failed to ferret out anything from the boxes that the JIT presented in the Supreme Court. The minister said that they had not been able to unearth corruption of even a single penny.
Secretary Sports inaugurates hockey tournament
LAHORE, Feb 15 (APP):Secretary Sports Punjab, Muhammad Aamir Jan inaugurated 9-a-Side Shezan Hockey Gold Cup here at the national Hockey Stadium on Thursday.
In his media talk on this occasion, Aamir Jan said hockey is our national game and we will utilize all our strength and recourses for its revival. “Pakistan has ruled the hockey world for a long time and with some collective efforts we will be able to formulate a strong hockey team in the near future as well”.
He also announced to hold Under-16 Hockey Championship in all districts in near future to trace fresh talent.
“We will pick 33 talented young hockey players from the championship and then they will be trained in top class academies. We are quite confident to give Pakistan hockey team sufficient back-up strength through our solid efforts,” he elaborated.
Amir Jan said: “Effective school hockey is key to revival of this sport in Pakistan and we are focusing to engage all the leading schools in hockey events on regular basis”.
Secretary Sports Punjab said the event will also help in identifying new hockey talent.
“Sports Board Punjab played key role for organizing multiple sports events and establishing several sports venues across the province,” he added.
The 3-day event is being organised by Lahore’s two leading hockey nurseries, Dar Hockey Academy and Rana Zaheer Academy under the supervision of Pakistan Hockey Federation.
Following are the participating teams, Brig (retd) Manzoor Hussain Atif, Munir Ahmad Dar, Ch Ghulam Rasool, Tanveer Ahmad Dar, Saeed Anwar and Afzal Manna.
9-A-side hockey gets underway
LAHORE, Feb 15 (APP):The three day,9-A-Side Shezan Hockey Gold Cup started here on Thursday as two matches were decided at the National Hockey Stadium.
Tanvir Dar , Munirs Dar and Afzal Manna teams fashioned out victories in their respective matches of speedy version of hockey.
Tanvir Dar side defeated Brigadier M.H.Atif team 2-0
Scorers, Awaisur Rehman (25th minute ) and Babar Bashir (33rd minute)
Munir Dar team defeated Afzal Manna side 1-0
Scorer, Asad (32nd minute on PC)
Afzal Manna team defeated Tanvir side 1-0
Scorer, Zeeshan Bukhari (30th minute)
Six teams, all named after Pakistan’s former hockey greats, are competing. Three matches of 35 minutes duration, comprising of two halves of 17 and half minutes each, are scheduled everyday.
It is pertinent to mention that all the six sides have senior and junior internationals in their lineups.