ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif,
Wednesday hosted a farewell reception for the outgoing Chairman
Joint Chief of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood here at the PM
House.

In his remarks at the luncheon, the Prime Minister said General Rashad Mehmood performed his duties with “skill, competence and complete commitment”.

The Prime Minister said General Rashad was chosen for this prestigious position for his leadership qualities and because of his vision for armed forces as more versatile and responsive outfits.

“His elevation to this position also hold itself to the fact that we needed a military leader who could give candid and sincere advice to enable us to tackle threats from terrorism and other external sources,” he said.

The Prime Minister said as Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, General Rashad Mehmood fulfilled his responsibilities to enhance the operational capabilities of armed forces, inter-services cooperation and developing well-integrated force for the defence of country.

“General Rashad Mehmood, you served the nation well. The armed
forces benefitted from your leadership and we are proud of you. You
will always be held in the highest of esteem by all,” he said.

The Prime Minister mentioned that General Rashad also worked
to develop close relationship with military leaders of the friendly
countries, earning high praise for his military diplomacy.

“His capacity as CJCSC dedicated himself to the strengthening
and upgradation of strategic forces, a task that he performed
outstandingly well,” he said.

“We hope to continue to rely on your wisdom and you will find
our doors and hearts always open for you. May Allah bless you and
your family with continued happiness, prosperity and success in all
your endeavours,” the Prime Minister added.

Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, PM’s
Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, National Security Adviser
Lt.Gen. Nasser Janjua and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry attended
the luncheon.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and Chief
of the Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah also joined.

General Rashad Mehmood will retire from his service on the
27th of this month.

KARACHI, Nov 23 (APP): Describing peace in Karachi as vital for country’s development and stability, President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday called for taking the ongoing operation in the provincial metropolis to its logical conclusion, without any concession for criminals.
The president was talking to Director General Rangers, Maj. General Bilal Akbar, who called on him here at the President’s Camp Office.
The president said an indiscriminate action against criminals was the only way to give sense of security to the citizen of Karachi.
He lauded the services of Rangers for restoration of peace in the city and said the nation was of proud of the officers and jawans of security forces and law enforcing agencies, who have rendered invaluable sacrifices for the establishment of peace.
The president said the objective of achieving economic stability was only possible through complete elimination of terrorists and unrest, for which coordination between the people and law enforcing institutions was also essential.
On this occasion, Maj. General Bilal Akbar briefed the President about the law and order situation in various parts of Karachi and actions being taken against criminal elements.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Minister Ahsan said education was one of the key priority areas of the government to lead the country towards sustainable development and better future.
“Students are one of the most important segments of society and our future,” he said while delivering lectures at Cambridge University, Oxford University and Chatham House, a message received here from London said.
The lectures were attended by students, scholars and academia media representatives.
The minister said the government was fully cognizant of the fact that this is an age of knowledge economy and knowledge is the key driver of progress, development and innovation.
He informed that the government increased the budget of the Higher Education Commission from Rs 100 billion in 2013 to Rs 215 billion in 2016.
“Despite the fact that after the 18th Amendment, education is
now a provincial subject, yet the federal government has taken it upon itself to assist provinces in modernizing the education system,” he added.
In this regard, a National Curriculum Council has been set up to update the curriculum.
Similarly, examination boards are being reformed and Teachers Training Programme is being initiatedm, he said adding during the Prime Minister’s visit to the United States, Pakistan US Knowledge Corridor was agreed under which 10,000 PhDs would be produced at the leading US universities to meet research and faculty needs of the Pakistani universities.
To support the deserving students, an Education Endowment Fund has been set up, he added.
The minister called upon the Pakistani students to make the best of educational opportunities in the UK.
He also invited them to come to Pakistan after completion of their education to take advantage of the opportunities especially when the economy is showing steady growth and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) awaits their knowledge and expertise.
At the Oxford University, Minister Ahsan Iqbal delivered talk at Blavatnik School of Government on “China Pakistan Economic Corridor—A Game Changer for the Region”.
His second talk was at China Study Centre on the topic of “China Pakistan Relations—Looking to the Future”.
The minister informed that out of US$46 billions CPEC portfolio, US$35 billions would be spent on power generation which would meet domestic and industrial needs of the country and boost economic growth.
He said 11000 MW electricity would be added to the National Grid by 2018.
Dwelling upon the concept of CPEC, the Minister said that it is the fusion of Chinese One Belt One Road and Pakistan’s Vision 2025.
He stated that CPEC is not a bilateral project but it is a regional project.
The minister informed the audience that CPEC would turn Pakistan geo strategic location to its geo economic advantage. He also responded to the searching questions of the students and academia.
Besides, on 22 November, the Minister gave a talk at Chatham House, a leading think tank of the UK. He talked about China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Representatives of various think tanks, policy influentials, financial experts, research scholars and media representatives were in attendance.
Earlier, in the day, the minister met Dr. Richard Jarvis, Head of National School of Government International (NSGI) at the Cabinet Office in London.
The minister discussed with Dr. Jarvis the civil service reforms in Pakistan and how Pakistan could benefit from UK experience.

KARACHI, Nov 23 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain and First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Yaqub Eyyubov on Wednesday agreed for early finalization of joint ventures in different sectors of economy for mutual benefit.
This was agreed during a meeting between the two leaders here on the sidelines of IDEAS 2016.
Azerbaijan’s Minister for Defence Industry, Yavar Jamalov and Ambassador Ali Alizada were also present in the meeting. Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Secretary Defence, Lt. Gen. ® Syed Muhammad Awais and senior officials also attended the meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Eyyubov on this occasion also delivered a special message of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the President.
President Mamnoon Hussain said Pakistan, which was the third country, after Turkey and Romania, to recognize Azerbaijan, accorded high importance to its brotherly ties with Azerbaijan.
He said the relations between the two countries were rooted in common history, culture, traditions, faith and values.
The president while expressing his satisfaction over the existing close relations between the two countries, stressed the need for further enhancing the defence relations.
He said Pakistan desired to turn the existing ties between the two countries into broad based and multi faceted relations.
The president said Pakistan and Azerbaijan have commonality of views on different issues and cooperate with each other at all regional and international fora including the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Economic Cooperation Organization (OIC).
President Mamnoon Hussain expressed his desire for President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady to pay a visit to Pakistan in February 2017.
He also thanked Azerbaijan for their continued support on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and said Pakistan would continue to support Azerbaijan’s stance on the issue of Nagorno Karabakh. Pakistan desires just and peaceful resolution of Kashmir and Nagorno Karabakh issues, he added.
The president expressed his satisfaction over the continued increase in defence cooperation between the two countries.
He said Pakistani scientists and experts were manufacturing economical and quality weapons, which fulfilled the international standards, adding, Pakistan wants Azerbaijan to also benefit through cooperation in this field.
Besides, the president said, Azerbaijan can also benefit from the services of Pakistan’s defence and civil institutions for the training of its civil and military personnel.
Azerbaijan can also avail the services and expertise of Pakistan in the purchase of defence equipments, he added.
The president said there was a need to enhance the volume of trade between the two countries. Pakistan gives special importance to development and progress in the region as well as regional connectivity, he added.
The First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan on this occasion expressed his appreciation for Pakistan’s defence products, which he said fulfilled international standards and Azerbaijan was very impressed by Pakistan’s expertise in this field.
He also expressed Azerbaijan’s desire to initiate joint ventures with Pakistan in different sectors.

ISLAMABAD Nov 23 (APP): Pakistan would supply 52 trainer Mushshak aircraft to Turkey as an agreement to this effect has been signed between both the brotherly countries.
This landmark sale contract was signed during IDEAS 2016 being
held at Expo Centre Karachi, a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) press release issued here on Wednesday stated.
Air Marshal Arshad Malik, Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Mustafa Seker, Deputy Undersecretary Turkish Ministry of Defence Industry signed the contract.
As per the agreement, PAC will provide 52 Super Mushshak Trainer aircraft to Turkish Air Force for primary training of its pilots.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja
Muhammad Asif, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain and Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force along with high ranking officials of Pakistan and Turkey were also present at the occasion.
This contract would not only open new avenues for export of
aviation equipment to foreign countries but also help in generating revenue for the country.
The Super Mushshak aircraft is already in service with PAF, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran and South Africa.
The deal further strengthens PAC’s status as a world class aviation industry producing the supersonic JF 17 Thunder and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.
Besides this other Memorandum of Understandings were also signed at the occasion.
In the first one, PAC in collaboration with Telec Electronics and Machinery Pvt Ltd will jointly offer the engine repairs and overhaul facilities to the customers.
Another important MoU was signed with STI for the procurement
of 02 Super Mushshak flight simulators.
These contracts have been signed with an aim to support and promote the local aviation industry in the country.