KARACHI, Nov 22 (APP): Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain Tuesday said the IDEAS-2016 exhibition would provide a great opportunity to Pakistan, especially the Ministry of Defence Production, for promotion of products.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of 9th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar IDEAS-2016, he appreciated the efforts of
Defence Exports Promotion Organisation (DEPO) for marketing of Pakistan’s defence products.

He said Pakistan would further coordinate with foreign defence production companies.

He said the Ministry of Defence Production, under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, was fast expanding its scope of production.

Earlier, Director General of Defence Exports Promotion Organisation (DEPO) Major General Agha Masood Akhtar said the IDEAS exhibition was a source of inspiration for Pakistan’s armed forces. It had achieved the status of one of the major festivals in the country; providing many opportunities of mutual benefit to the participating countries.

He expressed his satisfaction that the halls at the expo centre here were full to their capacity. This year, two more halls—hall No.7 and hall No.8- were constructed to meet the increased demand for the space by the exhibitors.

The cultural shows and the sideline conferences were also the main feature of IDEAS-2016 exhibition, he said.

He thanked the federal ministries of Defence Production and Commerce, three armed forces and other stakeholders for organizing this very important event of IDEAS-2016 and making it successful.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP): Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal has urged the international community including the United Kingdom to play their constructive role in ending human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and resolving the dispute.

He emphasized that the insensitivity of international community towards the sufferings of the oppressed people of Kashmir can feed to the narrative of extremists.

The minister for Planning and Development was speaking at a lunch hosted by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK, Syed Ibne Abbas in honour of cross party British parliamentarians at the British Parliament, according to a message received here from London on Tuesday.

The lunch, organized to apprise the British parliamentarians on economic turn around of Pakistan, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the regional situation including Kashmir, was also attended by Minister of State Dr. Miftah Ismail.

Ahsan Iqbal raised with the parliamentarians the issue of the worst human rights violations by the Indian security forces in IOK.

Speaking on India-Pakistan relations, the minister highlighted the escalation in tension between India and Pakistan due to unprovoked violations of Line of Control and the Working Boundary by India.

He said Pakistan has so far shown maximum restraint but it should not be taken as its weakness.

Ahsan Iqbal briefed British parliamentarians on the government’s reforms agenda.

He elaborated Four E’s—Economy, Energy, Extremism and Education, the priority areas of the government—and updated them on the significant progress made by the government in these four key areas.

The minister also updated the parliamentarians on CPEC, and highlighted its importance in economic integration of the region and socio economic uplift of the people not only in Pakistan but in the entire region.

The minister informed Lords and MPs about the four pillars of CPEC which includes: a) Regional Economic integration, b) Development of Gwadar Port, c) Connectivity with China, and d) Development of economic zones.

The minister shared his views on how UK can benefit from CPEC initiative.

Ahsan Iqbal explained in detail the achievement made by Pakistan in its fight against extremism and terrorism.

He said security situation in the country has significantly improved, particularly in Karachi, where business and commercial activities are picking up again and crime rate has significantly come down.

Responding to a question of an MP, the minister explained that federal government was working closely with all the provinces on various infrastructure projects including the CPEC.

The parliamentarians appreciated government of Pakistan’s efforts for economic turnaround and its improved revenue collection. They also spoke positively about improved security situation in the country.

The Lords and MPs were of the view that Pakistan UK trade and economic relations can further expand in the wake of Brexit as the UK would be looking for new trade partners.

The parliamentarians who attended the lunch included Mr Khalid Mahmood MP, Lord Nazir Ahmed, Lord Qurban Hussain, Mr Rehman Chisti MP, Ms Yasmeen Qureshi MP, Shadow Minister for Justice, Ms Naz Shah MP, Nusrat Ghani MP, Ms Julie Cooper MP, Ms Liz McInnes MP, Shadow Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Graham Jones MP, Mr Andrew Stephenson MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary, Mr. John Spellar MP, Mr Gavin Shuker MP, Mr Mark Pritchard MP.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP): The Inaugural session of Pakistan-Jordan Bilateral Political Consultations was held on Tuesday in which the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including political, economic, defence and cultural cooperation were discussed.

Additional Secretary (Middle East & Africa) Tasawar Khan led the Pakistan delegation while the Jordanian side was headed by Ambassador Nayaf El-Zidan, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory in the bilateral relations and stressed the need to enhance interaction at the leadership level, a press release issued here said.

Close cooperation between Pakistan and Jordan at various multilateral fora, including the UN and the OIC, was also noted with satisfaction.

Acknowledging the deepening economic ties, bilateral trade, agriculture, promotion of investment and regular exchange of visits by business delegations were identified as potential areas to enhance bilateral cooperation further.

It was also agreed to hold the 10th meeting of the Pakistan-Jordan Joint Ministerial Commission in the second quarter of 2017, and the inaugural session of Pakistan-Jordan Business Council at a mutually convenient date.

During the consultations, views were also exchanged on a wide range of regional and global issues.

The Additional Secretary gave an overview of achievements of Pakistan in improving security situation in the country and the measures taken for the implementation of the National Action Plan.

The Jordanian side appreciated Pakistan’s successes in Operation Zarb-e-Azb to root out the menace of terrorism.

The Additional Secretary also apprised the delegation about important regional developments, including the current situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of massive human rights violations being committed by the Indian security forces, as well as the situation in Afghanistan.

Secretary General Nayaf-El-Zidan acknowledged Pakistan’s role and efforts in promoting regional peace.

He also gave a detailed review of the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East especially with reference to the situation in Syria, Iraq and Palestine.

He reiterated that Jordan would continue to play its role towards complete restoration of peace in the conflict ridden areas of the region.

Both sides acknowledged their similarity of views and approaches on various issues of concern and interest in their respective region.

Successful conclusion of the inaugural round of Consultations between Pakistan and Jordan would pave the way for strengthening the fraternal ties in a robust manner.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP): A Pakistani battleship opened its doors to Anadolu Agency Tuesday, with its senior officer expressing his pride at taking part in military exercises in Turkey.

For the exercises, Pakistan’s PNS Alamgir is anchored at Turkey’s naval base in the southwestern province of Mugla, with access to the Mediterranean.

Pakistani Coast Guard Adm. Waseem Akram told Anadolu Agency that they were extremely proud to take part in the Blue Whale – 2016 Invitation Exercises, which conclude on Novemebr 28, according to a report published by Turkish news agency Anadolu on its website.

Hosted by the Turkish Naval Forces, the nine-day exercises involve NATO, U.S., Bulgarian, Pakistani, and Romanian naval forces training in the eastern Mediterranean.

The aim of the exercises is supporting the operations of the joint forces and their mission readiness, coordinated anti-submarine warfare, and submarine and naval air operation training.

“We always see Turkey as our second home. Turkey is very important for the Pakistani people. I graduated from the Turkish Staff Academy. That’s why I love Turkey,” said Akram.

Akram also stressed the importance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan last week for strengthening bilateral ties.

“I hope our close friendship will continue for many years. We always want Turkey be strong. Because if our friend is strong, we feel strong too,” said the admiral.

Cmdr. Imtiaz Ali, the Alamgir’s captain, also said that Pakistani participation in the exercise will boost bilateral relations.

“Turkish and Pakistani sailors are in constant contact with each other and enjoy close relations,” he said.

He added that the Pakistani and Turkish naval forces support each other in such areas as military exercises, training, consultancy, and ship-building.

Ali also thanked the Turkish people and officials for their warm hospitality.

Lt. Cmdr. Zia ur Rehman, the Alamgir’s C.O., praised Turkey, saying his “best years” were in Istanbul in 1997-2002, during his training at the Turkish Naval Academy.

“I have beautiful memories here. I still get together with my classmates,” Rehman said.

Launched in the U.S. state of Florida in 2010, the PNS Alamgir frigate, which is a part of Pakistan’s destroyer fleet, is visiting Turkey for the third time.