ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz Wednesday said India had impaired the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) forum with its unilateral decision of canceling a scheduled conference.
About participation in the upcoming Heart of Asia Conference in India, the Advisor said Pakistan was deeply related with Afghanistan and did not want to remain disconnected.
In a private Tv programme, however, he made it clear that Heart of Asia was not a bilateral conference rather it was related to what was happening inside Afghanistan.
To another question, he said the present government had very effectively raised the issue of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) at all
fora, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC).
He said all missions and government’s representatives had been very vocal over the issue.
Sartaj informed that a separate cabinet meeting would be held soon over the grave situation in IoK.
“It is very significant movement. It is a new kind of Intifada, led by the new Kashmiri generation who are carrying Pakistani flags and demanding liberation from illegitimate Indian rule,” he noted.
India harmed SAARC forum: Sartaj
Plant Breeders’ Right Bill, 2016 smoothly sails through Senate
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): The Senate on Wednesday passed the Plant Breeders’ Rights Bill, 2016 with around 29 amendments aimed at ensuring availability of high quality seeds and planting materials to the farmers.
Minister of National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayyat Khan Bosan piloted the bill to encourage the development of new plant varieties and to protect rights of breeders of such varieties [The Plant Breeders’ Right Bill, 2016] in the House.
The proposed bill would encourage plant breeders and seed
organizations of both in public and private sectors to invest in research and plant breeding and development of superior varieties of field, vegetable and ornamental crops.
The bill would also help create healthy competition for variety development among public and private sector organizations, besides effectively controlling menace of counterfeiting in the seed sector for betterment of farmer community and food security.
It would also facilitate in generating revenue for research institutes and financial incentives for plant breeders.
Meanwhile, Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani referred the Hindu Marriage Bill, 2016 to the standing committee concerned for further deliberation.
Minister for Human Rights Kamran Michael moved the bill in the
House.
Pakistan, Ukraine sign deal for upgradation of Al Khalid Tanks, 13 MoUs signed in IDEAS 2016
KARACHI, Nov 23 (APP): Pakistan and Ukraine have signed an agreement for up gradation of Al Khalid Tank. Ukraine will provide engine for these tanks.
As many as 13 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed
during the two days of 4 day International Defence Exhibition IDEAS 2016; started Tuesday, said a statement here Wednesday.
Federal Minister for Defence Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain and
his Ukrainian counterpart signed the agreement.
Rana Tanveer Hussain was confident that the agreement would be
accomplished on the schedule.
He said that by purchasing any equipment Pakistan would also get
its technology.
Pakistani defence industry had maintained high quality standards
that has been recognized over the world.
“We are also working hard to improve our defence industry’s
capabilities,” he re affirmed adding that this was a big agreement which would further strengthen Pakistan’s defence industry.
Similarly, more MoUs and agreements among foreign and local companies had also been signed. These included MoU signed between STI Pakistan and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra for development of simulation of “Super Mushak”, between Pakistan Ordinance Factory (POF) and M/s Czechoslovak Group,
between POF and M/s Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A (PGZ) Co. of Poland ; between Aserbaijan’s Ministry of Defence Industry and POF, etc.
Dignitaries including Governor Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Zafar Iqbal
Jhagra, high officials, delegates and other security analysts and
experts took part in sideline meetings and visited different stalls.
BISP invites leading sportswomen to inspire female beneficiaries
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Chairperson Benazir Income Support
Programme (BISP) Marvi Memon Wednesday said the government was fully committed to create an environment where women were respected and felt elevated and empowered.
She said BISP was an internationally recognized model social
safety net program that provided a unique forum for empowerment to the poorest women.
Marvi stated this while addressing an event organized at BISP Secretariat under “Sisters in Success” initiative where Mehak Gul
and Kiran Khan were invited to interact with beneficiaries and their children, said a press release issued here.
“Sisters in Success” is a BISP initiative to encourage ideal generation and success transfer to motivate the BISP beneficiaries.
Events under “Sisters in Success” initiative provide an opportunity to poor women beneficiaries and their children to draw inspiration from interaction with accomplished women.
This initiative brings international and national women role models in front of beneficiaries to instill hope and motivation so they may break the shackles of poverty and emerge empowered in true sense.
Mehak Gul, a Guiness World Record holder is the youngest chess
player from Pakistan to grab the title of ‘Women Candidate Master’ at World Chess Olympiad 2016.
Mehak, a 16 years old girl achieved this feat at 42nd World Chess
Olympiad.
She is representing Pakistan in international events since 12 years of
age.
She aspires to become Chess Grand Master.
Kiran Khan is first female international swimmer for Pakistan.
She first came to national attention at the 28th Pakistan National
Games in 2001.
She has represented Pakistan at the Olympics and other international forums.
She brought 64 international medals to the country and has 347 national gold medals on her record.
She was bestowed Tamgha e Imtiaz in 2014. Mehak Gul and Kiran Khan while narrating their success journey highlighted that they were pioneers in their respective fields.
It was a tough journey as there was no precedent but they never gave up and emerged victorious holding up the national flag.
They encouraged the beneficiaries that life may be difficult but not impossible.
They should try their best to overcome the miseries of poverty.
They appreciated BISP’s efforts for the downtrodden and marginalized segments of society.
Both champions conveyed their concerns to Ms Memon regarding
lack of patronage from government and shortage of funds because of which they were unable to participate in number of international events.
The minister assured them that she would take up the matter
with the Prime Minister and the concerned ministry.
On the occasion, the Chairperson BISP said that women empowerment
and gender equality was foremost on the agenda of incumbent government.
The long term national planning framework VISION 2025 committed to
pursue women empowerment as a key priority area across all sectors of planning and development.
It focused on providing an enabling environment to every woman
to develop her full potential to equally reap the benefits of economic and social development.
Pakistan forces giving befitting response to Indian aggression: Asif
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif Wednesday said Pakistan valiant armed forces has been giving befitting response to Indian aggression at the Line of Control (LoC).
“Our armed forces retaliated Indian forces firing along LoC in which seven Indian soldiers were killed. India have been facing big losses due to its aggression policies,” he talking to a private news channel said.
The minister said India was trying to divert attention of the world community and Indian people from its atrocities and barbarism on innocent Kashmiris in the occupied valley.
India has been facing big problems within the country because of its wrong policies, he said.
Defence Production Minister meets various foreign delegates
KARACHI, Nov 23 (APP): Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday held meetings with various foreign
delegates on the sideline of 9th International Defence Exhibition and
Seminar IDEAS 2016 in progress at Karachi Expo Centre.
He met with Azerbaijan’s Minister for Defence Industry Yaver Jamalov, Poland’s defence delegation led by its Deputy Minister for Defence Production, South African defence delegation headed by its Deputy Minister for Defence Immanuel Ramaotana Kebby, with South African defence production company’s team led by its Director and with Nigerian Defence Minister Dan Ali Mansoor.
Rana Tanveer Hussain had also sessions with Iranian delegation and
Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan and discussed bilateral issues including possibilities of entering joint ventures.
He underlined the need for exchange of delegations and exploring
avenues for joint ventures.
Govt mulling over framework for gas connections to domestic consumers
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal Khan Wednesday said the government was mulling over a mechanism to provide gas connections to domestic consumers.
Speaking in the National Assembly during Question Hour, the minister
the LNG (liquefied natural gas) imported to Pakistan was being provided to CNG (compressed natural gas), fertilizers and power sectors. By the time it was not provided to domestic consumers, he added.
He said it was under consideration of the government to provide new connections to the consumers but the gas shortage was the major hurdle. “Therefore, a mechanism is under consideration and a framework is expected within next couple of months.”
Answering a supplementary question, the minister informed the House
that companies working in gas sector had been directed to facilitate local people in their areas of operation with appropriate jobs.
However, in some cases where the expert professionals were not
available in respective areas of operation, they were recruited from other areas, he added.
He said as far as routine labour or technical staff was concerned,
they were hired by nearby areas of the place of operation by the gas exploration companies.
Responding to another question, Law Minister Zahid Hamid said the information required about dual nationality of superior courts judges
was still awaited and as soon as it was received, it would be placed before the House.
When the Deputy Speaker questioned about the reasons of delay, the minister said the government has sent them a reminder and “that is all
we can do in this regard.”
PTI has no respect for institutions: Musadik
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Musadik Malik Wednesday said Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf (PTI) leaders had no respect for state institutions.
They maligned the institutions, but they were always ready to accept their decisions, if the same were in the PTI’s favour, he said while talking in a PTV programme.
He said the PTI leadership was in the habit of levelling ‘baseless’ allegations but they tried to find ways for escape when asked for evidence.
They had earlier hurled electoral rigging charges and were now engaged in politicking on the Panama Papers, but they had nothing to prove the same, Musadik said.
The Adviser said the PTI was blaming the government for delaying the Panama Papers case in the Supreme Court but in fact the party’s counsel were adopting delaying tactics and and taking time from the court.
He said the prime minister had presented himself and his family for investigations on the Panama Papers on the PTI’s demand and now they should also face the cases filed against them.
There had been a lot of contradictions in the statements of PTI chief Imran Khan about his assets as he should clarify his position, he added.
Musadik said the government was determined to further strengthen accountability process through legislation and it would be carried out in consultation with all the stakeholders.
Cabinet approves increase in basic salaries of MPs: Dar
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Minister for Finance Mohammad Ishaq Dar Wednesday informed the Senate that the federal cabinet had approved
increase in basic salaries of members of parliament (MPs) with effect from October 1, 2016.
Speaking in the House, the minister said today he had fulfilled his commitment made in the National Assembly during the budget session that salaries of the parliamentarians would be revised once the Prime Minister returned from London after heart surgery. The total financial impact would be Rs 450 million, he added.
Dar said with revision, the basic salary of a senator and member
of the National Assembly would be Rs 150,000, Senate Chairman and NA Speaker Rs 200,500, and Senate Deputy Chairman and NA Deputy Speaker Rs 185,000.
Similarly, he said the basic salary of a federal minister would be Rs 200,000 and minister of state Rs 180,000.
The minister said the provision for salary raise was incorporated
in the Finance Bill 2016 17.
AJK President strongly condemns unprovoked Indian firing at various sectors on LoC
MIRPUR (AJK), Nov 23 (APP): President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan has strongly condemned the continued
unprovoked Indian firing at various sectors on the Line of Control (LoC) in AJK including targeting a civilian vehicle in Neelum valley near Dhudnial causing in the deaths of four civilians and critical injuries to seven on Wednesday.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the president denounced
Indian aggression in Khuiratta, Nikyal and Bhimber sectors that resulted in casualties and paid tribute to the martyrs citizens.
Sardar Masood Khan said international community should take serious notice of Indian violations of the LoC and protect civil population from its aggression.
Expressing deep sense of shock and sorrow over the martyrdom
of civilians, he also condoled with the families of the martyrs.
He emphasized the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to investigate these incidents and assign responsibility for these violations of ceasefire.
Sardar Masood Khan also called upon the UN Security Council to deliberate on the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir and along the LOC on the basis of the UNMOGIP reports.