PESHAWAR, Nov 30 (APP): Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter Faith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said Wednesday that Haji Policy 2016 remained successful whereas further improvement and facilities would be brought in Hajj 2017 policy to provide more succor to the pilgrims.
Addressing a consultative workshop on Hajj 2017 here Wednesday, the
Federal Minister said the Ministry of Hajj with support of the Federal government provided the best possible facilities to the pilgrims in 2016 which was acknowledged by Hajis both facilitated from private and public sectors.
“No complaint was received what so ever by any Haji and they expressed complete satisfaction over the Hajj arrangements,” he explained.
Sardar Yosuaf said that people’s confidence in Government Hajj Scheme has increased as his Ministry received more applications than the quota, which reflected confidence of masses over the hajj government policy.
The number of Hajis in 2017 would increase provided the Saudi Government restored the Hajj Quota, he said, adding efforts in this effect was underway.
The Federal Minister said holding of Hajj Consultative Workshop in
Peshawar meant to evolve a consensual hajj policy in the light of experiments of the hajis who performed Hajj in 2016.
The Federal Government was taking every possible step to provide maximum facilities to the hajis during hajj 2017, he said, Hajj plays a key role in the training of human beings and promote tolerance, justice, truthfulness, unity and brotherhood in the society.
Hajj policy 2017 to provide more facilities to pilgrims than 2016: Sardar Yousaf
Pakistan attaches great value to ties with UAE: Secretary Defence
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP): Secretary Defence Lt Gen (Retd)
Zameer ul Hassan Shah Wednesday had a meeting with Military Attache of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Brig (staff) Ghanem Ali Ghanem Al Ali here at the Ministry of Defence.
He said Pakistan attached great value to its relations with UAE, a press release issued here said.
The military attache stated that there was a lot of scope of cooperation between armed forces of the two countries.
Other matters of bilateral importance also came under discussion during the meeting.
Govt committed to principals of transparency: Ishaq Dar
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP): Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that government is committed to the principals of open government, accountability and transparency.
Chairing a meeting here at the Finance Division with the members of the civil society in order to exchange views and take valuable input a step towards Pakistan’s intent to join the Open Government Partnership Initiative.
Secretary EAD, Tariq Bajwa, said the first meeting today will be a curtain raiser where all the participants together discuss the core principals of the Open Government partnership; accountability, citizen participation, technology and innovation and transparency, a press release issued here said.
The participants will identify barriers and solutions to open government in their areas, with the conversation continuing till we are able to develop a consensus on how to move forward, explore future course of action with timelines to ensure that solutions could be turned into proposed Action Plan commitments for government. These steps will ideally be ambitious, specific time bound, action oriented and measureable.
Welcoming all the participants in the first discussion on the Open Government Partnership initiative, the finance minister said;
the government is committed to the principals of open government, accountability and transparency.
The minister also told the participants that Pakistan is also considering accession to OECD convention on combating bribery which focuses on the supply side of bribery.
Recently Pakistan has also become a signatory to the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax matters.
It demonstrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to adopt international best practices in the field of tax matters and the multilateral fight against tax evasion through mutual and spontaneous exchange of information.
The participants from the civil society which belonged to various organizations from different walks of life appreciated the initiative taken by the government to join in multilateral conventions that can help in improving the governance structure.
They showed deep interest in cooperating with the government in developing a national action plan to help her in achieving the objectives of this initiative.
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) has grown from eight founding governments to 70. Each OGP government partners with civil society to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to improve governance. OGP has become a global movement of reformers working to make government more effective and responsive to its citizens.
The finance minister said as a beginning, civil society and citizens’ open government action plan priorities are being sought. Today’s meeting is the first engagement of the government of Pakistan with the civil society on OGP and all this would help create Pakistan’s Action Plan by the mid June 2017.
The minister also directed that the next meeting should be held in the 2nd week of January to seek in more input.
UN rights chief warns of “spiral of violence” in Myanmar’s Rakhine state
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 30 (APP): The Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed alarm over reports of serious rights violations in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state that cite allegations of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and sexual violence, and a renewed spike in hate speech, including on social media.
OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters that UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has said the Government needs to condemn such inflammatory “potentially very dangerous” rhetoric no matter who is responsible. Failing this, she said there is a real risk that it could exacerbate the current spiral of violence.
Rohingya Muslims, a minority group, have been under attack from Buddhist extremists for years now.
On Oct. 9, OHCHR received reports that three Border Guard police posts in Maungdaw and Rathidaung, also part of the Rakhine State, were attacked during security operations. The High Commissioner “unequivocally condemns the reported use of violence by armed individuals in northern Rakhine state, and recognizes that this is not something the authorities can ignore.”
However, Ms. Shamdasani added that it is “essential” that the
Government’s attempts to restore security are “firmly grounded in
international human rights laws and standards,” and are recognized by the affected population.
Likewise, offensives in Kachin and Northern Shan state continue to cause human rights violations and displacement.
“Protection of civilians and unfettered humanitarian access to
conflict affected areas is critical,” underscored the UN rights chief.
“Measures that may heighten the vulnerability or pose threats to the
safety and security of internally displaced people, such as requiring internally displaced persons (IDPs) to cross conflict lines “must be avoided,” he added. The UN rights Office also stressed that the authorities must respect international humanitarian law and the rights of IDPs, pointing out that continued failure to do so would draw a sharp response from the international community.
The High Commissioner also regretted that, beyond the formation of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine state led by Kofi Annan, the Government has largely failed to act on the recommendations made in an OHCHR report in June on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.
The report documented a wide range of human rights violations and abuses against the Rohingya, including arbitrary deprivation of nationality, severe restrictions on freedom of movement, threats to life and security, denial of rights to health and education, forced labour, sexual violence and limitations to political rights, among others. It also raised the possibility that the pattern of violations against the Rohingya may amount to crimes against humanity.
Chairman US Senate Armed Services Committee praises Gen. Raheel Sharif
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (APP) – US Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, on Tuesday highly praised Gen. Raheel Sharif who retired on Monday and said that he looked forward to working with new Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
“I congratulate, and express my gratitude to, General Raheel Sharif upon his retirement as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff. General Sharif has been an important partner for the United States in the battle against terrorism,” Senator McCain said in a statement.
He said that since taking office in November, 2013, General Sharif made
a concerted effort to target terrorists operating within the borders of Pakistan and has carried the fight to the northwest frontier provinces of Pakistan.
“In doing so, General Sharif has demonstrated that taking action
against extremist groups is firmly in the national security interests of Pakistan. I wish General Sharif well as he enters a well-earned retirement. I know he will continue to serve the cause of Pakistan,” he added.
“As we look to the future, Pakistan must demonstrate that the commitment to fighting domestic terrorism is not dependent on a single individual,” he said. “In that spirit, I look forward to working with General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s selection to be the next Chief of Army Staff.”
“And I congratulate Pakistan on carrying out a second consecutive
transition of power in the military according to the processes established by the civilian government,” he added.
Appreciation, criticism on govt policies beauty of democracy: Zafarullah
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP): Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Zafarullah Wednesday said the appreciation and criticism on government policies and performance was a beauty of democracy.
“24th amendment would be passed with consensus of the opposition parties including Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI). The dialogue option is always opened in democratic system,” he said talking to a private news channel.
He said the politicians should choose suitable words in their statements and appealed all the political parties to adopt civilize attitude in this regard.
He said PTI was responsible to prove its allegations regarding Panama Papers before the court with evidences.
If the Supreme Court constituted a commission on Panama Papers case, then it would have more powers to investigate the matter, he said.
Zafarullah said whatever PTI prosecutor had been presenting before the court was just summary of arguments.
Tsinghua University initiates research study on Role of Think Tanks in Promoting Cultural and Economic Ties Between Muslim World and China
by Rafia Haider
BEIJING, Nov. 30, APP: Tsinghua University International Center for Communication and its Pakistan Culture and Communication Studies Center, have launched a cross culture study tracing history of similarities and cordialities enjoyed by Chinese and the Muslim civilizations in the bygone era, amidst the urgency to revive the spirit in a period that itself is in the cusp of massive change.
Prof. Li Xiguang, Director of the Tsinghua University’s Centers for International Communication and Pakistan Culture and Communication talking to APP in a meeting said the research is focused on the role of think tanks pertaining to Muslim Countries and China in the revival of strong cultural and economic ties between the two holds extreme relevance in the backdrop of rapid geo-political developments currently witnessed on the global scene.
“It enhances need for close contact and linkages between China and Muslim world, who ought to come closer and pave way for the “New World Order” based not on war but on the principles of peaceful co-existence,” he said.
The seasoned scholar of international repute reiterated that significance of Islamic world in strengthening way for a New World Order
can not be ignored and China with a key role in the emerging situation must not commit the mistake of ‘otherizing’ them, as done by the west.
This, he feared will compromise the geo-political as well as economic potential of the historic initiative being materialized in the form
of One Belt One Road (OBOR).
Prof. Li Xiguang, also the Director, UNESCO – UNAOC, UNITWIN’s Global Chair on Media and Information, Literacy and Inter-Cultural Dialogue, mentioned with concern the growing “Islamophobia” and fear of associated terrorism registered among many in China itself who tend to see things from the prism of a biased media.
He said the issue needed to be addressed through close contacts between academics, scholars, researchers, artistes and media personnel representing the Muslim countries and China to initiate dialogue on regular basis regarding misgivings or reservations about one another particularly linked to myths and misconceptions created about Islam and the wave of extremism and terrorism engulfing many of the muslim countries, with their spill over effects in general.
The scholar said there never had been any clash of interests between Muslim and Chinese civilizations nor they ever went to war but on the contrary had traditionally supported each other and benefited from each other.
“Despite the fact that Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism were practised in dynastic era of China yet there was no conflict registered among Chinese and the Muslim empires practising Islam and even in the present times also no conflict could be recorded between China or any of the muslim country,” Prof.Li said.
To another query, he said China has historically benefited from the rise of the Islamic world and the same spirit maintained through the Belt and Road initiative will help achieve the Islamic Dream and the Chinese Dream together- bringing these historical and great civilizations partners rather than adversaries.
“Although the present day Chinese are largely atheist yet they can be noticed to cherish similar values and ethos as promoted by Islam, the Religion of Peace, hence it is important that these are turned into tools of partnership instead of any hostility,” he said.
These, he said are the facts that must be highlighted and promoted to influence the foreign policies of the concerned countries, particularly that of China.
It should be well understood that rise of China as a global leader and its key role in the new world order must be based on Chinese characteristics and understanding about Muslim world by directly learning from the Islamic Culture, rather than looking at the muslim world as an enemy through the Western lens, he elaborated.
Agreeing that cultural differences as well as the discrepancies in terms of “sectarianism” persists in the Islamic world, the scholar said these too could be understood with due realization that basic and core principles are the same among the Muslim Ummah (nation) and that “Differences” must not be exploited.
“For better understanding of Muslim culture, we need to read the Quran and as this is not possible to read in Arabic, we can access translations, which may also have their limitations hence leaving us at current point of time to read translations and discuss through round table conferences between Chinese and Muslim scholars,” he said.
The senior scholar and researcher said equal responsibility lies upon the Muslim countries to make Chinese understand that Islam, that denotes to the term Peace, is for promotion of peace in the world and that Islamic “Shariah” (Law) is different from what is being imposed by extremists in the name of Islam and projected by the western media.
He suggested that Muslim scholars must also highlight relevance of Halal food and other similar concepts/practices that may be part of lifestyle are needed to be deciphered in their proper context by the Non-Muslims.
Communication, he regretted is a major barrier and recommended that hundreds of muslim students attending different academic institutions in China, alongwith, professionals, businessmen, scholars and so-forth visiting China must take learning of Chinese language as a responsibility to bridge the gap, so very crucial for themselves, their countries and the unfolding new world order.
Prof. Li Xiguang said that China is a strong proponent of developing countries, with vast majority of Islamic world including those located on OBOR route, are as a policy encouraged to use their own path towards development.
The policy was said to be reflection of the Chinese concept of “multiculturalism” and the diversity of culture which has been frequently
appreciated as the future of humanity by many Muslims leaders in recent times.
In a nut shell “Harmony” comes from the acceptance of differences and to communicate with differences, commented the scholar.
Reminding that underlying principle of the Belt and Road initiative is to integrate and to be tolerant towards the other cultures and civilizations instead of coercing them, he said China and Muslim world need to engage themselves in formation of an environment of mutual respect with underlying principle being that Harmony is unity and diversity, not uniformity.
“We need to make concerted efforts to engage one another by finding grounds of mutual interests where we are on the same parameter to discuss with one another,” said the scholar.
In particular context of Islamic World and the OBOR – Silk Road, he said with the construction of ports in South Asia, China has become an Indian Ocean power, likewise by increasing connectivity in Central Asia and in the Pacific, China has also manifested itself as a Central Asian country and a Pacific region power.
“It has therefore become all the more important that alongwith the economic belt a culture belt is also developed enhancing our shared religious values, cultural values and giving people their choice of development models,” the scholar in reply to a question said.
He was also of the opinion that China should play a proactive role to end crisis in countries like Iraq, Libya and Syria.
Prof. Li Xiguang in the same breath regretted that local media while does highlight terrorism related incident in Pakistan and Afghanistan but often fail to report crucial developments that are equally important for economic development for the two countries and also for China being a close and trusted friend of the two.
Re-emphasizing that China needed to shift its focus towards the Islamic World where its future lies, the scholar said western propaganda about
Chinese ambition to seek hegemony must also be dispelled through historical facts as well as current policies of the Chinese government.
“China is not a nation state- it is a civilization state and even though it expanded it never occupied nor did it colonize the way as Europeans did,” the scholar said, mentioning that Chinese culture focuses on existence and coexistence coupled with mutual respect and harmony.
CJCSC pays maiden visit to Air Headquarters
ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP): Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff
Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mahmood Hayat on Wednesday paid
maiden visit to the Air Headquarters, after assuming the charge of
the office.
According to a PAF press release, on his arrival, the CJCSC was received by Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.
A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) presented guard of honour.
He laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument to pay homage to the
Martyrs’ of PAF.
He was introduced to Principal Staff Officers of Pakistan Air
Force.
General Zubair and Air Marshal Aman held a meeting for some time and discussed matters of professional interest.
The CJCSC lauded PAF’s instrumental role in the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb and appreciated the sound professionalism of PAF personnel.
He expressed satisfaction on the combat readiness of PAF and the progress made in various on going modernization / up-gradation programs.
UN chief calls for ‘urgent steps’ to revive two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 29 (APP): Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the world to reaffirm commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people and working to build a future of peace, justice, security and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
In his message on the Day, the secretary-general Ban said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a “long-standing, gaping wound that has fed tension and conflict throughout the Middle East.”
In recent years, there have been unsuccessful negotiations for a peaceful settlement, three armed conflicts, thousands of people killed
(the majority of them Palestinians), rampant incitement, terror attack
and an expanding illegal Israeli settlement that undermines Israel’s democratic values and own society.
This year, Israeli forces demolished more than twice the number of Palestinian homes and other structures compared to 2015. Gaza continues to be a humanitarian emergency and tens of thousands are displaced while the economy remains paralyzed.
“All this had led to growing anger and frustration among Palestinians and profound disillusionment among Israelis,” Ban said.
“It has strengthened radicals and weakened moderates on both sides. Making matters worse is a dangerous vacuum within the international community as crises elsewhere claim the attention of world leaders,” he added.
Moreover, internal divisions and in-fighting in the West Bank add a
new worrying dimension to the paralyzing lack of Palestinian unity,
and undermine democracy and the rule of law. The 50th year of Israel’s occupation is approaching, and meanwhile prospects for a two-state solution are disappearing.
Nonetheless, the United Nations reaffirmed its commitment to working with partners of the Middle East Quartet, who recently produced a report on the conditions required for successful negotiations. Additional key stakeholders include the European Union, the Russian Federation, and the United States.
“On this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, let us all reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people and working to build a future of peace, justice, security, and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis alike,” stated Mr. Ban.
The date 29 November was chosen for this Day of Solidarity because on that day in 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted the Partition
Resolution which provided for the establishment of a “Jewish State” and
an “Arab State” within Palestine, where Israel serves as a corpus separatum under a special international regime. So far, only the Jewish State of Israel has come into existence.
The International Day of Solidarity is an opportunity to draw the international community’s attention to the fact that the question of Palestine is unresolved and that its people have yet to attain their inalienable rights namely, the right to self-determination without external interference.
Dar, Martine discuss matters of bilateral interest
ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): Ambassador of France to Pakistan Martine Dorance called on Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Tuesday and discussed matters of bilateral interest.
The Ambassador was accompanied by the French Political and Press Councilor and the Head of Economic Department at the French Embassy.
The Finance Minister welcomed the French Ambassador and her colleagues and appreciated the long standing friendly relationship between Pakistan and France, said a statement issued here.
Ishaq Dar said that the economic cooperation between Pakistan and France would not only continue but would further grow and strengthen in future.
The French Ambassador thanked the Finance Minister for the warm welcome.
She also appreciated the efforts being made by Pakistan to introduce reforms in various sectors which provided macroeconomic stability to the country.
She appreciated the efforts of the current government to introduce international best practices in the country and improve governance through action against corruption and bribery.
The French Ambassador also informed the Finance Minister about the interest shown by the French investors in supporting clean energy projects of Pakistan and said that the French Agency for International Development (ADF) is keen to support Pakistan in developing clear energy projects which can contribute effectively towards Climate Change initiatives.
The Finance Minister appreciated the continued cooperation which Pakistan receives from the French Agency for Development.
The Finance Minister informed that Pakistan is actively engaged with the OECD and has recently signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance and is considering to join the OECD convention on combating bribery.
The French Ambassador said that Pakistan’s ongoing engagements with the OECD are an important signal to international community about Pakistan’s commitment to improve governance and transparency.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Economic Affairs Division.