RAWALPINDI, Nov 25 (APP): A special ceremony was held at Joint Staff Headquarters, Chaklala as the Armed Forces of Pakistan bid farewell to General Rashad Mahmood, the outgoing Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, who retires tomorrow (Saturday) after 41 years of commissioned service.
While addressing the audience and expressing feelings for his association with the uniform, CJCSC said, “I am very proud to be part of Pakistan Armed Forces and am convinced that the forces are geared up to address Pakistan’s national security challenges.”
He lauded the high spirit of Pakistan Armed Forces evolved over a period of time to meet the contemporary challenges.
CJCSC also reposed full confidence in the national strategic capability and appreciated the high standard of operational preparedness of the strategic forces.
The ceremony was attended by Lieutenant General Najib Ullah Khan, Director General Joint Staff, officers, soldiers, sailors and airmen from the three services.
Outgoing CJCSC retires on Saturday
Info minister condoles death of journalist Anwar Raza’s father
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Marriyum Aurangzeb Friday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of father of senior journalist, Anwar Raza from 92 News TV Channel.
In her statement here, the minister prayed Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.
Ahsan Iqbal stresses research on knowledge economy
LAHORE Nov 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning Development and Reforms Prof Ahsan Iqbal Friday said the government was attaching high significance to the knowledge economy and it was high time to
replace our traditional teaching style with interactive teaching style to create productive thinking among students.
He was addressing the concluding session of a 3 day, 4th International Conference on Research in Education (ICORE 2016) at Punjab University’s Faisal Auditorium.
PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Prof Dr Mumtaz Akhtar, Prof Dr Abid Hussain Chaudhry and a large number of students were present on the occasion.
The minister said youth were Pakistan’s biggest power and if they could be given quality education, they would become the largest driving force for the development of the country.
He said universities must create skills among the students, produce world class research, bridge gap between academia and industry, work for community
uplift and play role for elimination of extremism from society.
He expressed concern over Pakistan being ranked as least efficient innovator.
In knowledge economy era, he said, creativity and innovation were
fundamental drivers of progress and prosperity and no country could afford to ignore innovation.
“We are living in a very competitive world and being categorised as least efficient innovator is a very serious challenge which requires extra
ordinary effort,” he added.
He said the standards of development had changed and now
the development of a country depended upon six things. He said how surplus was the production of the country i.e., the economic development; whether the development was inclusive and all the
areas and segments of society are benefiting from the development and what was the competitiveness of the country?
He said “We need to enhance our production capacity and improve our standard continuously. We need to introduce knowledge and information
revolution in the country and introduce innovations in all the sectors.”
Prof Ahsan said Pakistan’s economy was emerging rapidly
and now heavy investment was being poured especially in energy sector in the country.
The minister said Pakistan has huge potential to get place among top 10 economies of the world for which “We need to conduct research on modern technology.”
He said Pakistan checked the menace of terrorism and also tried to
overcome energy crisis, adding that the power load shedding would end in the next two years.
Ahsan Iqbal said now “We need to portray the positive image of the country to bring foreign investment and economic growth.”
He said under Prime Minister’s 2025 Vision budget for education sector had been raised up to Rs 2115 billion.
He said the academic environment of Punjab University had improved manifold and it was hoped that PU would lead in all these matters.
PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran lauded Prof Ahsan Iqbal for extending all out support to the universities.
He said because of special attention of Prof Ahsan Iqbal, as many as Rs 8.4 million were given to Punjab University in 2014 15 session for various academic and development projects.
Pakistan to become hub of trade, commerce through CPEC: UK FS
LAHORE, Nov 25 (APP): British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson Friday
said that Pakistan was becoming a hub of trade and commerce due to the revolutionary initiative of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He was addressing the students and faculty members of the Government College University Lahore here.
GCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Hassan Ameer Shah was also present on the occasion.
He said that it was his ambition to make UK Pakistan relations as close
as it could be with in laws.
Boris Johnson said, “The British High Commission in Islamabad is one of our biggest diplomatic missions in the world while the UK aid programme in Pakistan is the biggest in the world, totalling 375 million Pounds this year.”
He said that no fewer than 1.2 million Britons had Pakistani heritage
among them were Members of Parliament, hugely successful sportsmen, popstars, journalists, scientists, scholars and business people.
The Foreign Secretary said, “Monuments in so many Pakistani cities serve as permanent reminders of the British contribution and people can see it in the architecture, in the cricket that unites our country and the whole of South Asia.”
He said, “In trading terms, Pakistan embraces the geographical heart of
Asia where India, with over a billion people, lies only 15 miles away, to the West are Afghanistan and Iran, with a combined population of more than 100 million and north west are the energy rich states of Central Asia.”
Pakistan was the natural junction between all of these huge markets and the immense resources at their command. He stressed the need to develop more silk roads by constructing the modern links from East to West and West to East to overcome poverty. He was of the view that nations should adopt open and free trade policy which served as an engine not only of economic success but of progress in every sense.
“I am very excited by the China Pakistan Economic
Corridor and I hope that British companies get to participate that will revive the ancient Silk Roads as rebirth of trading caravans connecting East and West,” he observed.
He said that Karachi was 6th largest city in the world and it should be one of Asia’s biggest trading entrepots, alongside Singapore or Shanghai.
“The only way to achieve that goal is closer economic integration and I believe that Britain can play a part in helping you to realise this vision,” he added.
The UK Foreign Secretary said that in recent years, Pakistan made huge progress. He said that national security was improved and the roots of democracy were strengthened while this civilian government took over from another civilian government in a manner that was peaceful and constitutional.
“But of course we all know that Pakistani citizens gave sacrifices during fighting against terrorism and extremism,” he said.
He said that Britain wanted increase bilateral trade between two countries.
He said that Britain not only wanted to widen the horizons of its ties across the world including Pakistan but also wanted a Global Britain and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
Boris Johnson said that there were few better illustrations of the friendship between the two countries than this remarkable institution. The Government College University was established by British administrators over 150 years ago, he added.
Objectives of IDEAS exhibition well achieved: Secy Defence Production
KARACHI, Nov. 25 (APP) : Pakistan has showcased one of the best and technologically advanced air and ground equipment in the global market, which illustrates its achieving self sufficiency in various fields of defence sector.
Pakistan has always believed in arms for peace and desired to live as a harmonious and peace loving country in this competitive world, said Federal Secretary for Defence Production Lieutenant General (Ret) Syed Muhammad Owais Friday, while addressing the closing ceremony of 9th International Defence Exhibition IDEAS 2016 held at Karachi Expo Center from Nov. 22 to 25.
Director General , Defence Exports Promotion Organisation (DEPO)
Major General Agha Masood Akram , Director (Media) DEPO, Commodore Tahir Javed and Director Coordination DEPO Brig. Waheed Mumtaz were also present.
The Secretary Defence Production said the aim of the IDEAS 2016
was to showcase our products, demonstrate our organization skills to
plan and conduct a mega event of international stature and provide
platform to convey our view points on the security issues concerning
Pakistan.
He said that by holding IDEAS 2016 successfully under the prevalent environment was the manifestation to build the image of Pakistan as a modern, progressive and tolerant state that was willing to co exist peacefully with the international community.
While replying to a question, he said we have achieved all targets
of holding the IDEAS 2016.
Ninety foreign defence delegations from 43 countries participated, which showed the significance and success of the exhibition.
He highlighted that foreign delegates as well as exhibitors had a comfortable stay. Hence, a good message would be conveyed to the world that Pakistan was a peaceful country and had the organizational skills to hold a grand event in the most organized way.
Meanwhile, DEPO’s Director General Major General Agha Masood Akram
told the media that Pakistan had been in defence production for decades.
He said Pakistan’s some of the major indigenously developed products were showcased in IDEAS 2016 which included Main Battle Tank, Al Khalid, JF 17 Thunder Fighter aircraft, Super Mushshak, K 8 Aircraft, Fast Attack Craft Missile Boats, UAVs, Armoured Personnel Carriers, Premium Grade Military Hardware and related technology.
We received very good response from Turkey, China, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Far East. 14 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed with different perspective with international partners.
It was pertinent to mention here that a MoU for 52 Super Mushshak
aircraft with Turkey was also signed there and had set a benchmark for shining example of importance of forthcoming IDEAS.
He said the impact of the event would be large. It was an on going process and major deals take time to be materialized. Pakistan was producing high quality defence products which were not only cost competitive but were equal in terms of quality.
Pakistan would continue to hold IDEAS international exhibition biennially and had great potential to export its defence products across different continents of the world.
Dar Academy enters final of Malaysian Invitational Tournament with 4-1 victory
LAHORE, Nov 25 (APP): Dar hockey academy scored a thrilling 4-1 win over Sukma Perak club to enter into the final of Raja Ashman Shah Hockey Academy Invitational tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia on Friday.
It was Dar Hockey Academy’s second last and Sukma Perak’s last match of the three team double league, said the information made available to APP here.The tie was crucial for both, with Dar HA on three and Sukma Perak on four points.
With just 11 minutes left, it was 1-1.In a six minute spell of dazzling hockey at the Azlan Shah stadium, the Pakistani boys added three beautiful goals to ensure their spot it the final.
All the three goal are worth describing. First, Asif released Waseem Akram on the right wing who covered 20 metres before sending
an inch perfect cross on the run, to Usman, standing in front of
goal, who scored with a neat finish.
Soon, Waseem the provider became the scorer in what was the goal of the day. After receiving a ball into circle, in a moment of genius he waltzed past two defenders before rounding the goal keeper to flicking in.
Two minutes later, Mubashar converted a penalty corner off the rebound with a thunderous shot into the net to make it 4-1.
The Lahore based Dar HA had remained at the cruise control almost throughout the first half.
Chances came and went including a PC. One Usman hit came off the pole. Only goal of the first half arrived in the 19th minute.
Waseem Akram received a ball after a good build up. His precise pass provided Ali Aziz acres of space within the circle and Ali scored
with a clinical finish.
After the break, Sukma Perak came out of the blocks in a determined fashion. They laid siege to Dar HA area for the first 10 minutes whose shot stopper Awais Rasheed was called upon to make two good saves. But he had no answer to Lugamn’s high flick from the top of the circle in the 32nd minute of the 50 minute match.
Soon after getting the leveller, the Malaysians missed a chance
to go ahead.
However, the 3 goal Dar HA flurry settled the fate of the match.
Scorers Dar HA: Ali Aziz, Usman, Waseem Akram & Mubashar
Sukma Perak: Luqman
Pakistan, Switzerland agree to enhance cooperation at UN, other multilateral fora
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): Pakistan and Switzerland on Friday agreed to enhance cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral fora.
This was agreed during the 9th round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Switzerland held here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Zaheer A. Janjua, Additional Secretary (Europe) led the Pakistan side while the Swiss delegation was led by Ambassador Johannes Matyassy, Assistant Secretary of State for Asia and Pacific, a Foreign Office statement issued here said.
The two sides reviewed the whole spectrum of bilateral relations and identified opportunities and possibilities for further strengthening bilateral cooperation, especially in commercial and development sectors.
The two sides discussed evolving peace and security
environment in the region. International issues of mutual interest also came under discussion.
Earlier, the delegation called on Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs.
The adviser underlined the importance Pakistan attaches to its relations with Switzerland and the need for expanding commercial ties between the two countries.
The adviser also briefed the Swiss delegation about the grave human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir and the escalation triggered by India along the LoC and the working boundary.
Pakistan and Switzerland enjoy close cooperation in bilateral matters and multilateral forums. Switzerland is an important development partner of Pakistan.
The mechanism of Annual Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Switzerland reviews bilateral relations and discusses the future areas of cooperation.
The last session was held in Bern on November 8, 2014,
the statement added.
Farewell visit of COAS General Raheel Sharif at Okara Garrison
MULTAN, Nov 25 (APP): As part of his farewell visits, Chief of Army
Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif addressed officers and men of Multan and Bahawalpur Corps at Okara Garrison, on Friday.
According to a press release issued by ISPR, the COAS appreciated them for their professionalism and dedication in maintaining an effective vigil along the international border in harsh desert environment, achieveing highest training standards and reaching out to people for help in case of calamities/disasters.
The COAS inaugurated a state of the art special children school both for civil and military families in the region and spent time with children and staff of the school.
Earlier on arrival at Okara, the COAS was received by Multan Corps
Commander Lt. Gen. Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad and Bahawalpur Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Javed Iqbal.
COAS addresses Multan, Bahawalpur Corps
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): As part of his farewell visits, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif Friday addressed officers and men of Multan and Bahawalpur Corps at the Okara Garrison.
The COAS appreciated them for their professionalism and dedication in maintaining an effective vigil along the international border in harsh desert
environment, achieving highest training standards and reaching out to people for help in calamities and disasters, an ISPR press release issued here said.
The COAS inaugurated a state of the art special children school both for civil and military families in the region and spent time with children and staff of the school.
Earlier on arrival at Okara, the COAS was received by Multan Corps Commander Lt Gen Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad and Bahawalpur Corps
Commander Lt Gen Javed Iqbal.
Embassy of Pakistan honors recipient of Foundation Chirac Prize
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): Embassy of Pakistan in Paris Friday hosted a reception to honor Ms. Gulalai Ismail, co founder of NGO “Aware Girls”, who was conferred with Chirac Prize for Conflict Prevention by President Jacques Chirac Foundation.
This was in recognition of “Aware Girls” contributions toward development of a culture of peace and non violence in Pakistan through active involvement of women and youth.
The reception was attended by officials from the French foreign Office, UNESCO members of Pakistani community, Embassy’s officers and staff and media persons, according to a message received here from Paris.
Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin ul Haque while congratulating Ms. Gulalai said that the conferment of the prestigious Chirac Prize was a matter of pride for the country and its youth.
He praised the organization for raising awareness about the rights of women and for spreading the message of peace and non violence.
Ms. Gulalai Ismail, co founder of the Aware Girls while addressing the gathering termed the conferment of prestigious Chirac Foundation Prize as an honor for Aware Girls and Pakistan and an apt recognition of their efforts to empower the women socially and economically specially in conflict zones.
Aware Girls was conferred with Chirac prize in an impressive ceremony held in Quai Branly Museum, Paris on Thursday which was also attended by the French President Francois Hollande.