ISLAMABAD, April 19 (APP): Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid Tuesday said in the past politics was done on the pretext of ending corruption and corruption was done in the garb of politics.
Talking to private news channels, elimination of corruption from the country was a national agenda of the incumbent government.
During General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf’s regime, no one could find any record of corruption, he added.
Elimination of corruption part of national agenda: Pervaiz Rashid
Two Pak blind cricketers off to Australia
ISLAMABAD, Apr 19 (APP): Pakistani blind cricketers Anees Javed and
Muhammad Jamil Tuesday left for Australia to train their visually impaired players for the Twenty20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India this November.
Talking to APP, Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) Chairman Syed Sultan Shah said Blind Cricket Australia (BCA) had requested for providing them with two coaches who can train their players for the
World Cup.
“Therefore we recomended the names of Jamil and Anees,” he said. He said both Anees and Jamil will be training the Australians in a two to ten days camp, adding that BCA will bear all the expenses of the two Pakistani blind cricketers on the said tour.
Pakistan's new strategic vision remains mindful of global, trans-regional challenges: Sartaj Aziz
ISLAMABAD, Apr 19 (APP): Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz has stated that Pakistan’s decision in 1980s to get involved in the Western strategy to counter the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to many serious long term consequences for the country.
However, he added that the new Strategic Vision for Pakistan’s Foreign Policy, outlined by the government of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif remains mindful of the global and trans-regional challenges of security and stability.
Adviser to the Prime Minister expressed these views as he delivered a talk at Chatham House, London on Monday (April 18), in which he outlined the “Strategic Vision of Pakistan Foreign Policy” and gave an insight into the country’s role in the security and stability in the region, according to a message received here from London on Tuesday.
Mauritius President for more collaboration in research, trade
KARACHI, April 19 (APP): President, Republic of Mauritius, Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim on Tuesday underlined the need for increasing collaboration between her country and Pakistan in trade, tourism, education, health and research fields.
During her visit to Hussain Ebrahim Jamal (HEJ) Institute of Chemistry at University of Karachi, the President of Mauritius praised the quality of Pakistani educational institutes especially HEJ Institute.
In a dialogue with the faculty members and students at HEJ Institute’s International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), she said there was big potential to enhance bilateral trade.
Sugarcane to be cultivated over 1.125 million hectares
ISLAMABAD, April 19 (APP): The government has set a target to cultivate sugarcane crop over 1.125 million hectares of land across the country to fulfill the domestic requirements of sugar as well as for exporting.
An official in the Ministry of National Food Security and Research told APP here on Tuesday that sugar production targets for the current Kharif season (2016-17) were fixed at 67.535 million tons.
He said sugarcane would be cultivated over 1.125 million hectares of land across the country during current Kharif season as bumper crop was harvested during last season.
Pakistan condemns terrorist attack in Kabul
ISLAMABAD, April 19 (APP): Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kabul in which a number of precious lives have been lost and several are injured.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and pray for an early recovery of the injured,” a statement from the Foreign Office said.
The Foreign Office was reacting to reports of a powerful car bomb followed by a fierce firefight that left many people dead and injured in the Afghan capital Kabul.
President of Mauritius visits Mausoleum of Quaid e Azam
KARACHI, April 19 (APP): President of Mauritius, Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdous Gurib- Fakim paid a visit to Mausoleum of Quaid e Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, here on Tuesday.
She offered Fateha and marked her impressions in the visitors book.
She paid homage to the Father of Nation and appreciated his services. On the occasion, the President of Mauritius was accompanied by Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister, Sharmila Farooqui.
Pervaiz, Saad brief JUP leaders about govt stance on Panama leaks
ISLAMABAD, April 19 (APP): Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique Tuesday briefed Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan leaders Awais Ahemd Noorani and Pir Ijaz Ahmed Hashmi about the government’s stance on the Panama leaks.
During a meeting held here at the residence of Khawaja Saad Rafique, the JUP leaders appreciated the Prime Minister and his family for presenting themselves for accountability, saying this was an important step towards strengthening democracy in the country.
Pakistan, Mauritius to upgrade PTA to FTA
ISLAMABAD, April 19 (APP): Pakistan and Mauritius while noting the importance of economy and trade in boosting bilateral ties agreed to upgrade the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at an early date.
A statement from the Foreign Office Tuesday said the decision came at the delegation level meeting between the two sides during the four-day visit of President of Mauritius Ms. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim to Pakistan.
The two countries inked the PTA on July 30, 2007. Pakistan was the first country to have inked the PTA with Mauritius as it has a huge potential for Pakistani products and serves as gateway for the entire African region.
PM leaves for home; Commission on Panama Leaks to be formed
LONDON, April 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Tuesday said a commission on Panama Leaks would be set up to investigate the matter.
Concluding his week-long stay in London for medical check-up, he was talking to media persons prior to leaving for home. The Prime Minister said he was in favour of setting up such commission and mentioned that efforts had already been made in this regard that included contacting judges to head this commission.
Prime Minsiter Nawaz Sharif said during his stay in London, he had undergone some medical tests that came out with satisfactory results.