ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leaders on Thursday said that the Pakistan Tehrik i Insaf chief Imran Khan failed to provide any evidence in Panama Papers case before the Supreme Court.
Addressing a press conference along with Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjgha here, Minister for Commerce, Khurram Dastgir Khan urged Imran Khan to give up the politics of baseless allegations and present proofs in the court.
Khurram Dastgir said that Imran Khan’s moves were hindrance in
the path of progress and development of the country.
“China Pakistan Economic Corridor project was delayed for eight month due to sit inns of PTI”, he added.
The minister said that the government had succeeded in bringing
the country out of crisis of energy and terrorism and it also helped strengthening the country’s economy, which was now being admitted by the world’s leading economic institutions.
Khurram said that the PTI’s wrong allegation against the PML N could not stop the government to move ahead for development of the country.
He said PTI had told a number of lies to the nation regarding corruption, money laundering and writing off the loans from the banks but it could not present any of the evidences in the court.
Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha said baseless allegation of money laundering could not be proved in the court as well.
He said PTI also failed to present any proof regarding the allegation of loans write off.
He said the prime minister had presented his family for accountability.
He said that the Supreme Court had to decide the case and not
Imran Khan.
He said the lawyers of Imran Khan were taking now U turns in the case and one of the PTI lawyers had withdrawn himself from pleading the case due to weak evidences.

ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): Jean Francois Cautain, Ambassador of
the European Union to Pakistan Thursday evening called on the Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
The minister greeted the ambassador and said that Pakistan regards the European Union countries as good friends and excellent trade partners as Pakistan’s exports to the region have been multiplied after GSP plus status given to Pakistan, a press release issued here said.
The minister also said that he hopes that the relationship of Pakistan and European Union would also improve further in future.
The ambassador thanked the minister for his warm welcome and said that his stay in Pakistan has been a pleasant experience and as the security situation has improved in the country, tourists from all over the world are showing interest in visiting Pakistan.
He said Pakistan has a great potential to improve tourism, which should be realized by the government.
The EU ambassador also briefed the minister that the European Union is preparing to offer an Electoral Reform Package (15 million Euros) to train and assist the Election Commission of Pakistan to manage the next elections in the most efficient and transparent manner.
On this the Minister also shared that in Pakistan the Electoral Reforms Committee has also done extensive work with participation from all political parties and wide consultation with the members of the Civil society and it is expected that there will a positive development soon in the introduction of a comprehensive law regarding the electoral
process in Pakistan.
The finance minister assured the ambassador that his support
and assistance will be available in all possible ways to strengthen the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the European Union.

RAWALPINDI, Dec 1 (APP): Ambassador of Turkey S Babur Girgin
called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat at Joint Staff Headquarters here on Thursday.
During the meeting, various facets of brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Turkey came under discussion, an ISPR press release issued here said.

ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): The Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Thursday directed the Privatization Commission
(PC) and Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) to coordinate and suggest measures to resolve the outstanding issues at the mills.
He said this while chairing a meeting here with the Privatization Commission of Pakistan to review the matters related to Pakistan Steel Mills, a press release issued here said.
Chairman Privatization Commission gave a detailed presentation on matters pertaining to Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and its administration.
Secretary Industries and Production informed that the new CEO of PSM has assumed charge and is attending issues related to administration and finance.
After the presentation, the finance minister said the government is committed to finding a way forward and resolving the issues of PSM.
He said the government is keen to encourage the participation of the private sector in PSM in order to make sure that this asset makes its due contribution to Pakistan’ economy, including through creation of jobs.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to the workers of PSM is demonstrated by the fact that the government paying the salaries to the employees, even when no production is taking place.
Chairman, Privatization Commission, Secretary Industries & Production, Special Assistant to Finance Minister, CEO PSM and other senior officials of Finance Division participated in the meeting.

ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): Japanese Embassy on Wednesday hosted
a reception at a local hotel here to celebrate 83rd birthday of Japanese Emperor Akihito.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmed
was the chief guest, who along with Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Takashi Kurai and other dignitaries cut a cake to mark the 83rd birthday of Emperor Akihito.
Speaking on the occasion the minister said relations of Pakistan and Japan were marked by mutual feelings of brotherhood and friendship.
He said that Pakistan and Japan’s have very friendly ties and both
the countries were cooperating with each others since the stablishment of diplomatic relations between the countries 65 years back.
He said relationships between the two countries would further improve with the passage of time.
The minister stressed the need for exchange of business delegations to further deepen economic and bilateral relations between the two countries.
Shaikh Aftab said the reception also acted as an opportunity to reaffirm the cordial bond and friendship which have linked Pakistan and Japan together for many years.
Ambassador of Japan Takashi Kurai while speaking on the occasion said both Japan and Pakistan would celebrate 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relationships.
He said prime ministers of both the countries met in New York in September this year and both had a unanimous views on world issues.
The Japanese envoy also highlighted his country’s contributions in various fields and added that Japan was helping Pakistan in energy, environment, human resource development and health sectors.
The event was attended by parliamentarians, senior officials,
diplomates and dignitaries from various walks of life.

ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): American Ambassador David Hale Thursday met with approximately 25 Pakistani disability rights advocates to discuss the achievements of individuals with disabilities in Pakistan, America, and elsewhere around the world.
The group also discussed how to address challenges that individuals with disabilities still face in society today, such as difficulty accessing mainstream
education and health services, said a press release of the U.S embassy issued here.
“At the State Department, led by our Special Advisor for International Disability Rights Judith Heumann, we campaign to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities,” said Ambassador Hale.
“Earlier this year in conjunction with the Paralympics, we started a campaign called ‘Without Limits.’ This campaign focuses on ensuring that persons with disabilities are employed on an equal basis with others.”
The American Embassy recently concluded a one year $375,000 program, managed by the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), to support Pakistani women with disabilities.
Through this program, STEP organized more than 90 training sessions, TV talk show discussions, and provincial workshops to increase public and Pakistani government awareness about the rights of women with disabilities and to provide livelihood training for women with disabilities.
“While we observe and celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we also need to commit ourselves to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which can create a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities,” said STEP President Atif Sheikh.
Now, the American Embassy, Mobility International, and STEP are beginning collaboration on a new program to empower Pakistanis with disabilities and their allies.
The American Embassy also supports the rights of individuals with disabilities through exchange programs and other activities, such as the International Visitor Leadership Program, the press release added.

ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): Chairman Pakistan Bait ul Maal (PBM),
Barrister Abid Waheed Sheikh on Thursday said, government would
device a concrete policy for the welfare and well being of Persons With Disabilities ensuring a respectable life for inclusive participation in main stream.
PBM is offering every possible assistance to bring a positive change in the life of persons who are facing any physical or mental disability but public private partnership is imperative for certifying a conducive environmental of their bright future.
He was addressing a seminar as chief guest organized here in connection with the celebrations of International Day of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs),
observed on December 3 globally to address the challenges and problems of such person helping them to play a proactive role in society.
Barrister Abid Waheed Sheikh , sharing his remarks on the event held by Pakistan Disabled Foundation (PDF), said any deserving person can easily get wheel chair or other equipment of his requirement from PBM.
“For issuing a wheel chair, just a simple form is required to be filled by the applicant to prove that the has any disability and he or she cannot move without assistance”.
“We are endeavoring to provide latest equipment to PWDs to remove physical barriers from their way of prosperity”, he stated adding that they are blessed with God gifted abilities and the only need is to connect them with opportunities for utilizing their skills and earn respectable earnings for themselves and their families.
It is collective responsibility of all of us to identify problems and hurdles in the lives of Persons With Disabilities, set achievable target for their better life and take all stakeholders on board for their practical solutions within least possible time.
“A consistent struggle is required to get better results keeping in view the social, political and economic barriers of our society”, he further opined.
A representative of PDF raising his demands on the occasion said, a national authority should be established immediately with the participation of concerned ministries officials, staff members of Directorate General of Special Education, representatives of
PWDs and civil society persons which can highlight the major challenges of such persons besides their recommendations for addressing their grievances.
This authority should ensure better resource management for
equal social and financial status of PWDs in the country without any discrimination at federal as well as provincial level, he added.
The seminar was attended by a large number of PWDs and their
family members, officials of Pakistan Bait ul Maal and Pakistan Disabled Forum, teachers students and people from different walks of lives.

ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani has stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan’s economy had achieved stability and was steadily growing.

The country’s economy has attracted international investments in diverse fields, said Akram Khan Durrani while addressing the 7th Bosphorus Summit in Turkey, a message received here from Istanbul on Thursday said.

The summit was hosted by International Cooperation Platform (ICP) and held under the auspices of the Presidency of the Turkish Republic on the theme of “A Better Future Through Cooperation” from November 29 to December 1, 2016 in Istanbul.

Addressing participants of the Summit, Akram Khan Durrani said Pakistan was blessed with immense resources.

He said there was great potential for investment in Pakistan’s energy sector and shared that an estimated 60,000 MWs of electricity could be generated only from the hydel sources.

He informed that Pakistan was the 2nd largest cotton yarn producer, the 4th largest milk producer, the 8th largest wheat producer, the 11th largest rice producer and the 9th largest meat producer in the world.

“We have the 9th largest shale oil deposits in the world and total on-shore natural gas deposits are exceeding 150 trillion cubic feet,” informed Minister Durrani.

Above all, the Minister said, Pakistan population of 200 million people was a huge market for any global investor.

Minister Durrani also spoke about China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) where Chinese and other companies are investing over $46 billion in various fields including energy and infrastructure.

Referring to recent investments in Pakistan, he informed that a Dutch company has invested Euro 500 million in the dairy sector, a Turkish company has invested over US $ 250 million in the durable electrical goods sector and another Turkish company is committing to invest $ 300 million in a private sector LNG terminal.

He asserted that all this was a vote of confidence in Pakistan’s better economic management.

Akram Khan Durrani also referred to reforms undertaken in Turkey under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said “our national goals to modernize our economies have much in common.”

The governments of Pakistan and Turkey are striving to improve the investment climate, expand the domestic market, encourage innovation and develop export opportunities, he added.