ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): A high-powered delegation led by Chairman, China-Pakistan-Economic Corridor (CPEC) Council on Monday expressed keen interest to further invest in refinery, mining, cement and real estate sectors in Pakistan.

Talking to the delegation, Federal Minister for Industries, Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi invited the Chinese companies to invest in food processing, auto mobile industry and Pakistan Steel Mills.

“Pakistan has great investment potential and the Chinese investors
should take benefit of investment climate and invest in Gwadar Export Processing Zone,” he added.

The Chairman of the Council showed keen interest in investment in different sectors particularly in manufacturing of Solar energy panels.

They informed the Federal Minister that the output of solar energy
increases about 25 to 30 percent with the use of state of the art technology.

The Chinese investors want to transfer PV Panel industry in Pakistan
as Pakistan is becoming a big market of solar energy, they said.

Murtaza Jato said, several commercial buildings spread over 300 acre
area have been allocated in Korangi Creek Industrial Park for the investors.

The Chinese companies could take benefit of investment in real estate
sector, he added.

The Chinese delegation also expressed interest in various options
including Pakistan Steel Mills privations, joint ventures due to which Pakistan Steel Mills could be upgraded on modern lines besides increasing its production.

The minister also asked the Chinese businessmen to invest in Bin Qasim Industrial Park which has recently been constructed over 900 acres piece of land.

The Chinese delegation said, the CPEC Council is also constructing
three centres for welfare of orphans in Pakistan being set up at Zehri Pur, Gilgit and Gwadar.

The head of the delegation informed that more than 100 companies are
ready to invest in Pakistan while representatives of six big industrial groups would visit Pakistan next week to explore business and investment opportunities.

The Chief Engineering Development Board invited the Chinese investors
to invest in refinery sector.

In the response, the Chinese investors said, the proposed refinery would be equipped with the latest technology.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): The fourth bilateral exercise between Pakistan Navy (PN) and Peoples Liberation Army of China (PLA) encompassing Harbour and Sea phases concluded on Monday in the North Arabian Sea.

This highly significant exercise included series of operational and tactical activities and engagement of mutual interests, a PN press release issued here said.

The harbor phase of the exercise comprised various calls on, visits, sports activities and table top discussions as preparatory warm up for sea phase.

The sea phase of the exercise covered wide spectrum of maritime and naval operations by ships, helicopters, Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Joint Boarding Operations by Special Forces, Air Defence Exercises, communication drills and joint maneuvers by ships.

Enhanced collaboration between PN and PLA(N) is aimed at improving interoperability for conducting combined maritime operations to ensure a stable maritime environment vital for economic stability and growth as well as ensuring peace and security in the maritime commons.

Accordingly, this exercise is reflective of strong mutual desire to improve the level of coordination and interoperability at operational and tactical levels.

The deep rooted naval collaboration between PN and PLA Navy has become even more important in the backdrop of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to effectively handle complex challenges in the maritime domain.

In this context, bilateral exercises are expected to go a long way in promoting maritime security and stability in the region.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Pakistan and Jordan will hold the inaugural round of Bilateral Political Consultations here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (November 22).

The Jordanian delegation, led by Ambassador Nayaf El-Zidan, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is on a two-day visit to Islamabad.

Additional Secretary (Middle East) Tasawar Khan will lead the Pakistan delegation, a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Monday said.

The two sides will review important aspects of bilateral relations with focus on upgrading their existing economic and commercial relations.

Exchanges will also take place on regional issues and international developments, especially the current situation in the Middle East.

The inaugural session of Bilateral Political Consultations will afford an opportunity to review the existing state of bilateral relations, discuss the way forward and to exchange views on the regional and international issues of mutual interest.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Monday held a consultative meeting with senior journalists on proposed code of conduct and proposed guidelines for media for general elections 2018.

The meeting was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan while members of the commission and other senior officials of the ECP attended the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, the CEC said the main task of the commission was to hold a peaceful, fair and transparent election.

He added the commission has prepared draft Code of Conduct and proposed guidelines for media for elections 2018.

He said the meeting was called to seek suggestions from media persons before finalizing code of conduct.

He said the commission will ensure peaceful environment for voters to cast their votes.

He said the commission will fully train the polling staff for 2018 elections.

He added the ECP has stepped up efforts to maintain its credibility and impartiality.

He said media’s role was important to educate voters to come and cast their vote on election day.

He added the media has an important role to promote respect and tolerance in society during election days.

He said it was high time to educate voters properly though media on election process, casting of vote and registration of votes.

He added the ECP will evolve a suitable mechanism for the implementation of media code of ethics.

RAWALPINDI Nov 21 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, on the second leg of his farewell visits on Monday arrived in Gujranwala Cantonment and addressed officers and troops of Mangla and Gujranwala Corps.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS paid tribute to the professionalism, dedication and sacrifices of troops while defending motherland at the Line of Control (LoC) and working boundary.

The COAS appreciated the Mangla Corps for successfully undertaking the task of capacity building and imparting anti-terrorists training to troops of three services and law enforcement agencies.

Lt Gen Umer Farooq Durrani, Commander 1 Corps and Lt Gen Ikram ul Haque, Commander 30 Corps received COAS at the venue.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Senate Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage on Monday asked Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to go ahead with its plan to launch an indigenous Direct to Home (DTH) television system in the country.

The meeting chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha was informed by
Chairman PEMRA Absar Alam that last night PEMRA held successful
meeting with cable operators and decided that Pakistani DTH would be
launched in November 2017 by giving time to cable operators for
upgradation of their systems. However, later they announced shut down of cable, he added.

Chairman PEMRA Absar Alam said that cable operators had no problem with illegal Indian DTH and demanded to lift ban on Indian content. But they want abolishment of DTH launch plan by PEMRA, which was strange.

Kamil Ali Agha and other members assured Chairman PEMRA their support in launching of new technology of DTH in the country.

Absar Alam said as per rules all TV channels were bound to make editorial committee functional to ensure self-accountability.

He said that some of the anchor persons did not abide by the decisions of the editorial committee.

He said that PEMRA had taken concrete steps to stop Indian content and Indian movies on the cable, on which Kamil Ali Agha said that the committee appreciated the step taken by PEMRA in the national interest.

He said that PEMRA was not a weak institution as it was taking action against violators across the board. However, he said that sometimes the violators obtain stay from courts by hiring services of senior counsels, which PEMRA could not afford due to lack of required funds.

The committee asked PEMRA to write to Ministry of IB&NH for increasing legal branch funds, and the committee would extend support.

About the TV rating system, the committee suggested that PEMRA should form a mechanism of reliable rating system as present system was not satisfactory.

Absar Alam said that PEMRA had no direct link with the rating and it was issue of PBA and Pakistan Advertisers Association.

Minister of State for IB&NH Marriyum Aurangzeb said that PEMRA
was a regulator and it had not control over the rating system. Regional practices would be followed in this regard, she said.

She assured the committee that her ministry would present a working paper over the issue rating system within two months.

About the issue of indecent programmes during Ramzan, Absar sought two months time for presentation of a report regarding future line of action.

On the issue of missing draft document of code of conduct for electronic media prepared by the Senate Committee in consultation with all stake holders, the committee sought a report from the ministry.

Minister of State for IB&NH Marriyum Aurangzeb assured the committee that her ministry would resolve the matter before next meeting.

On the issue of payment of pensions to LoK Virsa employees, the committee issued directive to take up the matter on humanitarian grounds. It said that in the past two secretaries of IB&NH had promised to resolve the problem, but unfortunately nothing was done.

The minister told the committee that steps were taken to implement the committee’s directive. She said that in Lok Virsa there was no formal CP fund and only a local informal fund was created by the Lok Virsa management and for launch of formal fund approval from the AGPR is required.

Senator Karim Khawaja pointed out that some television channels were
involved in deliberate character assassination of politicians.

Nehal Hashmi pointed out that through a conspiracy characters of the new generation were being destroyed through advertisements being telecast by various tv channels. The committee asked PEMRA to take action against such advertisements.

Marriyum Aurangzeb told the committee that Pakistan National Council of Arts was being activated to engage children and youth.

She said that private sector was being involved for educating the new generation in arts, culture and China Pakistan Economic Corridor at PNCA.

Moreover, special programmes will be organised at PNCA on the occasion of birth anniversary of Qauid-e- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Under the short-term plan, PNCA art and children club was being set up and cultural curriculum was being prepared, she said.

Under the long-term plan, National Film Academy and music academies will be set up and Islamabad Film Festival will be organised, the Minister said.

On the issue of harassment of female PTV anchors, the committee recommended that steps should be taken to make the culprit an example so that nobody should even think of victimization of female colleagues at workplace.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the accused had gone to appeal against Ombudsman’s decision and she would write a letter to the President to request him to expedite the process.

She said that the accused Athar Farooq Buttar had been made an OSD and the decision of his transfer to PTV Academy was wrong.

She said there was zero tolerance for harassment at work place as the government believes in giving more opportunities to women.