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People of Balochistan helped state in busting foreign sponsored terror net: COAS

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People of Balochistan helped state in busting foreign sponsored terror net: COAS

QUETTA Nov 22 (APP): Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on
Tuesday said the people of Balochistan had clearly rejected foreign sponsored terrorists and helped the state in busting their network.

He said this while addressing the officers and troops for Southren
Command, as part of his farewell visits. The COAS had earlier arrived Quetta.

While paying tribute to the officers and soldiers of Southern Command and Frontier Corps, he said the tide in Balochistan has been turned
against terrorists and their sympathizers, and large number of Ferraris were surrendering, “we will continue to work with the provincial and federal governments towards greater security and stability.”

He said, as COAS, security and assistance to civil government in
institution building and development work in remote areas has been his priority which brought him to Balochistan almost every month.

The COAS commended Southern Command for managing an arduous task of construction of over 1,000 KM long road network in the rugged and hostile terrain by FWO and NLC which helped in operationalization of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in a stipulated time frame.

He said Gwadar port and CPEC will usher into new era of hope and prosperity for the area with dividends reaching a common man.

He appreciated Southern Command for reintegrating youth by their mass induction into FC/Army, rehabilitation of earthquake hit Awaran and training of 6,000 policemen and Levies.

He also appreciated the improvement in Management of long and
treacherous border with Afghanistan and Iran which has helped improve overall security situation in the province.

Earlier on arrival at the venue, Lt Gen Aamir Riaz, Commander Southern
Command and Maj Gen Sher Afgun, IG FC Balochistan received the COAS.

New Israeli legislation will be ‘another nail in the coffin’ for two-state solution: UN expert

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov 22 (APP): A new piece of Israeli legislation would enable the confiscation of privately owned Palestinian land and if passed, would deal yet another severe blow to hopes of lasting peace in the region, according to a United Nations human rights expert.

Michael Lynk, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
in the occupied Palestinian territories, expressed deep concern over the proposal to legalize more than 100 illegal outposts in the occupied West Bank. The legislation passed its first reading in the Knesset on
November 16.

According to Lynk, the unauthorized outposts have been set up on
private Palestinian land, deep within the occupied West Bank, and are considered illegal under current Israeli domestic law. To retroactively legalize them would be “another nail in the coffin for the two-state solution,” he said.

“These outposts undermine the Palestinian right to self-determination, violate their rights to property, freedom of movement, and development, and continue to confine the Palestinians into smaller and smaller cantons of non-contiguous lands within their own territory.”
If adopted, the legislation would allow the Israeli state to appropriate private Palestinian lands where the outposts have been  built, thereby repurposing them for use by Israeli settlers. The Special Rapporteur emphasized that international law prohibits the confiscation of private
property, such as proposed by the current law.

“The Knesset should not be giving the green light to theft by changing the law,” said Lynk, adding that violating international law would be neither lessened nor mitigated by the bill’s proposed measures to compensate Palestinians whose land has been unlawfully taken.

The current draft follows a recent ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court that the Amona outpost must be evacuated by December 25 – thereby rejecting a request for delay from the Israeli government.

“Among the purposes of this legislation is to regularize the legal status of Amona,” the Special Rapporteur said.

Lynk was alarmed to note that some senior Israeli cabinet ministers not only supported the bill, but were also openly calling for annexation of large parts of the West Bank.

“The international community must be very clear with the Government
of Israel,” he said. “The annexation of occupied territory likewise would
be a profound breach of international law. If Israel proceeds with
either step, the international community must be prepared not only to condemn the action, but also to adopt appropriate measures to reverse these violations.”

“An occupying power is expressly prohibited from transferring its civilian population into an occupied territory. This violates the 4th Geneva Convention of 1949, and is contrary to numerous UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, as well as a major advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice in 2004,” he said.

Lynk is part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, which is part of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Rapporteurs are neither UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

New Pakistani films doing good business: Nadeem

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LAHORE, Nov 22 (APP): Famous film star Nadeem has said new Pakistani films are doing very good business.

Talking to APP here on Tuesday, he said films were being produced in
Karachi and Lahore which were reviving the industry and thousands of people attached with the industry had started their earnings.

He said at present, Pakistan was making films of high standards which
were also being released in international market. Nadeem added Pakistani viewers were appreciating these movies.

Prime minister visits governor Sindh

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KARACHI, Nov 22 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday visited Governor Sindh Justice (Rtd) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui here at a hospital and enquired after his health and wished him early recovery.

The Prime Minister expressed the optimism that after recovery, the Governor would soon take up his constitutional responsibilities, the Governor House spokesman said.

The two leaders also discussed matters of mutual interest on the occasion.

Governor Sindh thanked the Prime Minister for his visit and said the doctors’ report was encouraging and his health was improving.

Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit.

Panama Papers accusers now finding ways to escape: Marriyum

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP): Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb Tuesday said on the day one the prime minister had decided that all the proofs in the Panama Papers case would be submitted to courts.

The minister, in a statement, said there was no point to present the proofs before the media or the opposition. However, when the prime minister submitted the proofs in the court, those levelling allegations had now started to find ways for escape, she added.

She advised Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan to better think about himself and his proofs instead of seeking others ‘search’ and worry about his own ‘search’.

She hoped that Imran Khan would not take the pretext of head injury, or that it was his political statement.

Imran Khan was now a ‘symbol of failure’ as he had not learnt any lesson from his political mistakes during the last three years, she added.

The minister said,”Imran should definitely follow the ‘Sunnah’ of marriage but he should also read Hadith about telling lies and levelling baseless allegations.”

Defence production aimed at maintaining balance of power: President

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Defence production aimed at maintaining balance of power: President

KARACHI, Nov 22 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain Tuesday said Pakistan had kept the region safe from any mishap by maintaining nuclear balance and the purpose of increase in defence production was also to maintain balance of power in the region.

Speaking at the seminar “Stability and the Economics of Regional Peace in South Asia” on the occasion of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2016, here, he said Pakistan was a peace-loving country and wanted cordial relations on the basis of equality with all the neighbouring countries, including India.

President Mamnoon emphasised that regional peace and stability was vital to ensure development and prosperity in the region. The regional countries should learn from past mistakes and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of others, he added.

He said Pakistan was swiftly moving forward in defence production and different other fields, and the participation of the increasing number of countries in the IDEAS-2016 proved that fact.

Pakistan, he said, had set a precedent for the world by effectively curbing terrorism through the Operation Zarb-e-Azb and National Action Plan.

He said the excellent exhibition of defence production reflectd the extra-ordinary expertise and dedication of the experts and workers associated with their field.

The President pointed out that the government through a comprehensive strategy had invested in education and also promoted healthy activities among the youth, and those efforts were producing very fruitful results.

About the Kashmir dispute, he said it was the biggest challenge to peace in the region. The people of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of their right to self-determination and were facing brutalities at the hand of occupation forces.

Pakistan, he added, would continue moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir.

President Mamnoon said repeated unprovoked ceasefire violations by India on the Line of Control were claiming precious lives.

No one should misconstrue the policy of restraint, as Pakistan was fully capable to respond to any aggression, he added.

He said India’s refusal to attend the 19th meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) hurt the efforts for regional peace, and violated the SAARC Charter.

The President reiterated that Afghanistan was a close neighbour and brotherly country, and its stability and prosperity was necessary not only for the region, but also for Pakistan.

About China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, he said the whole region woukld hugely benefit from the initiative.

President Mamnoon said the efforts by Pakistani experts in defence production were for regional peace. “We want that by maintaining balance of power, regional stability, development and prosperity be ensured,” he added.

He said the IDEAS-2016 was a milestone towards achieving those objectives, which gained international recognition in very short period.

“We are proud of our scientists and technical experts, who have produced the most effective, sophisticated and low-cost weapons of international standards.”

He said,”We want to invite our friends and the world community to join these endeavours through joint ventures and investment. Our this offer would be very beneficial for the economy of regional peace.”

Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, armed forces chiefs, Director General Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO) Maj-Gen Agha Masood Akram, parliamentarians, and a large of delegates attended the seminar.

Govt to fully facilitate Chinese investors in country: Dastgir

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APP43-22 ISLAMABAD: November 22 - China Zhongde International Investment Group in the leadership of Executive Chairman, Zhao Guobin called on the Federal Minister for Commerce, Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan. APP

ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP): Minister for Commerce, Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan assured the Chinese delegation that the government will fully facilitate the Chinese investors in the country.

He said in a meeting with China Zhongde International Investment Group was led by Executive Chairman Zhao Guobin and Executive Secretary General Li Xin Sheng, a statement issued by Ministry of Commerce here on Tuesday said.

“Pakistan is an unexplored market and offer lucrative investment opportunities in different sectors”, he said.

The minister informed the delegation that commerce ministry will facilitate the Chinese investors in exploring opportunities in different sectors like Energy, Textile, Sports goods and Agricultural processing.

“The best foundation for China-Pakistan relationship is Economic Partnership”, the minister added.

Head of Chinese delegation Zhao Guobin said six companies from China are interested in coming to Pakistan and investing in different sectors especially Refinery, Steel and Energy projects.

These companies are particularly interested in making investment in Solar Energy Projects.

Safe City project to provide peaceful environment to people: CM

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LAHORE, Nov 22 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday presided over a meeting to review progress on Safe City Project and different matters regarding the project.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said, “Protection of life and
property of the people and provision of peaceful environment to them is our priority and Safe City Project is an important step towards achieving these objectives.”

The Project was a milestone in achieving the goal of peaceful, prosperous and safer Punjab, he said and added that it was a mega project of public welfare which would have to be completed by working in a professional manner.

Shehbaz Sharif said that transparency, quality and speed in development projects were identity of the Punjab government.

Third Party Audit policy had been adopted for ensuring quality and
transparency in the projects, he said and added that the policy was also being implemented in the Safe City Project.

The Chief Minister said the government would extend all out cooperation to speedy completion of Safe City Project and no compromise could be made over quality and speed.

He said that in addition to Lahore, Safe City Project would be launched in other big cities of the province.

The delegation of Chinese Company Huawei said that Safe City Project
would be completed speedily at the earliest.

Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah, Chief Secretary, Inspector
General Police, Secretary Home, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board, Chief Executive Officer Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab, Commissioner Lahore Division and concerned officials attended the meeting while Chairman Planning and Development participated in the meeting through video link.

PEMRA issues show cause notice to ARY News

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP): Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Tuesday issued show cause notice to ARY News TV for telecast of irresponsible and unprofessional remarks about Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on November 11.

PEMRA notice said the comments given by the host and the expert were unprofessional and an effort to damage the reputation of COAS.

At a time when professionalism of Pak Army and its role in war against terrorism were being appreciated, such comments were unacceptable.

By telecast of these comments, the channel has violated the Articles 19 and 204 of the Constitution, Pemra Act 2007, PEMRA rules 2009 and the code of conduct of the electronic media implemented on Supreme Court directives.

The management of ARY TV has been given 7 days to respond to the notice. The PEMRA has the right to ban the programme or impose Rs 1 million fine on the said channel or even suspend its license.

Pakistan’s protest to India over ceasefire violations on LoC

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP): The Director General (SA & SAARC), Dr.Mohammad Faisal, Tuesday summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner, J.P. Singh and strongly condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations on 21 November 2016, by the Indian occupation Forces on the LoC.

According to Foreign Office spokesman, the incident occurred at Jandrot, Nikial, Karela and Baroh sectors, resulting in Shahadat of four innocent civilians and injuries to 10 others.

The Director General stated that the deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is deplorable.

The Director General also condemned the violation of Pakistan’s Maritime Exclusive Economic Zone by the Indian Naval Submarine on 14 November 2016 in violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Director General urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and UNCLOS, investigate the continued incidents of violations and instruct the Indian forces/authorities to respect the ceasefire and international borders, in letter and spirit.