Diplomatic Affairs

Diplomatic AffairsMay 13-19, 2013

An eyeful of weekly

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Resounding victory!

Nawaz set for unprecedented hat-trick

Europe Day celebrated in capitalNigerian High commissioner to pakistan

calls on afghan president

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[email protected] An eyeful of weekly Chief Editor: Abubakar Siddique

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The holding of successful elections is, no doubt, a victory of democracy and the democratic forces. Results of the elections, though not officially announced, show a surprising de-

velopment. Pakistan People’s Party has been washed away from central Punjab. Pa-kistan Muslim League-Nawaz has secured a thumping vic-tory, especially in Punjab. Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaf has proved itself the second major party of the country.

The claims of vote rigging have also come to the surface. Jamaat-e-Islami, Sunni Tehrik, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen boycotted the elections in Karachi, citing massive rigging. Jamhoori Watan Party also boycotted the elections due to similar reasons. Some parties have demanded hold-ing of elections again on four to five NA seats in Karachi. Saying anything about what lies in the store in this respect will be premature. However, comments on the overall holding of elections must contain appreciations, as the Election Commission of Paki-stan’s struggles are creditable.

Pakistan Army must be praised for the role played in the process. Ensur-ing security was indubitably an uphill task amidst the threats of terror activ-ities. Though some mishaps occurred in the country, yet the situation remained calm unlike the fears loom-ing in terms of security. Credit for this indefinitely goes to the caretaker government and the law enforcement agencies.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz deserves congratu-lations on its thumping victory. The party is all set to form federal gov-ernment. Mian Nawaz Sharif, in his victory speech, promised a clean and efficient government after his brother Mian Shahbaz Sharif declared that his brother would become the coun-try’s prime minister for the third time. The nation hopes that PML-N will fulfill all promises it made with the masses.

A very striking element that needs attention here is the challenges lying ahead of the upcoming government.

The new government will have to deal with the eco-nomic problems, amidst the maze of other multifarious issues. It will have to come up with a feasible strategy to address all these problems in an efficient manner. The problems facing the country are not obscure; they

are well-defined and promi-nent like terrorism, energy cri-sis, price hike and law and or-der. The leadership of PML-N has the capability to deal with all the matters, this is why the nation has reposed confidence in it. However resolution to the crises would need a serious contemplation. The problems should not be under-estimat-ed. They must be dealt under a proper mechanism by an efficient team under the new leadership.

Aside from the national chal-lenges, there exist some re-gional issues need to be dealt with a great political acumen. The objective while dealing them should always be an ef-fort on the part of the country

to ensure friendly rela-tions with the neigh-bouring countries without compromis-

ing on the national in-terest, integrity and sovereignty.

This is also a high time for the nation to rise up under a new leadership with a new zeal and energy. The elec-tions held in a democratic manner revitalize the spirit of the nation to stand up against the crises. Nobody can deny a fact that the Pakistani nation has been be-stowed upon the potential that could help it get out of any ordeal. The gravity of the problems and challenges lying in front of the nation and the new leadership is no doubt severe, but the spirit seen in the elections this time lowers it.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf also deserves admiration, as it has truly vitalized the Pakistani youth. Its success in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a remarkable development in the country’s political scenario. The turn-out in the elections shows the enthusiasm the youth of the coun-try demonstrated. PTI has also high responsibilities on its shoulders now, which it will hopefully acknowledge and fulfill. The policy of consensus should be adopted by both the major parties for national interests.

Challenges lying ahead of new government

Pakistan Muslim League-

Nawaz deserves congratula-

tions on its thumping victory.

The party is all set to form

federal government. Mian

Nawaz Sharif, in his victory

speech, promised a clean and

efficient government after his

brother Mian Shahbaz Sha-

rif declared that his brother

would become the country’s

prime minister for the third

time. The nation hopes that

PML-N will fulfill all prom-

ises it made with the masses.

May 13-19, 2013

3

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang will visit Pakistan on May 22 at the

invitation of President Asif Ali Zard-ari.

It is the first ever visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Pakistan after assum-ing the office. The visit takes place immediately after the elections in Pakistan. It will provide an opportu-nity to Premier Li to meet the new leadership in Pakistan.

The visit also provides further im-petus to the two countries’ strategic relations. The friendly ties and the friendship with China is the corner-stone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

The government and people of Pakistan look forward to the visit of Premier Li Keqiang and a warm welcome awaits him, said a Foreign Office statement the other day. DA REPORT

ISLAMABAD

The US Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has issued five

educational scholarships to children affected by conflicts in Khyber Pakh-tunkhwa (KP) and the Federally Ad-ministered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Over the next three years, USAID will provide a total of 1,000 educa-tional scholarships to support conflict victims.

Armed conflict in Pakistan has claimed more than 15,000 lives since 2003, leaving scores of widowed wom-en and orphaned children. To alleviate the impact of the conflicts on commu-nities, USAID, through its three-year $25 million Conflict Victims Support Program is working to provide a wide range of support for individuals, fami-lies and communities suffering losses

from conflict-related violence.This support includes educational

scholarships to the children who have lost family members to conflicts. “I can now finally have peace of mind. I want my children to have a better life than mine and that can only happen with education,” said the mother of one of the scholarship recipients at a ceremo-ny in Islamabad.

The program will collaborate with

Pakistan’s telecom sector to utilize Mobile Financial Services in the dis-bursement of scholarship funding to conflict victims. “The USAID Conflict Victims Support Program will use this alternative service to reach out to ben-eficiaries who have limited or no ac-cess to banks,” said Mr. Adnan Sher, Chief of Party for the USAID-funded program. “The program will deposit scholarships to the mobile accounts of the students, or their guardians, which will be used to complete their schol-arship transaction with the utmost transparency.”

This program is yet another exam-ple of the US commitment to support-ing Pakistan’s people and government in pursuing the country’s development priorities. U.S. assistance includes renovation of power plants and dams, such as Tarbela, construction of irriga-tion systems and schools, as well as educational scholarships and research grants.

Chinese Premier to visit Pakistan on 22nd

USAID provides scholarships to conflict victims in FATA, KP

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

Pakistan said the other day that it considered India’s ongoing efforts to build ballistic missile system as

a destabilising development. Responding to a question at the

weekly news briefing here‚ Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said Pakistan has con-stantly drawn attention of the Indi-an government to this issue through composite dialogue process.

About Pakistan’s short range missiles‚ he said these are meant to address three major concerns ema-nating from India. These include increasing conventional weapons’ asymmetry; India’s offensive doc-trine and development of ballistic

missile system.He said development of Nasr and

Cruise missiles by Pakistan should be seen in this context.

The spokesman made it clear that Pakistan’s entire nuclear and mis-sile programmes are defensive in nature and we have no aggressive designs. Pakistan wants to have minimum credible deterrence.

The spokesman said arrange-ments have been made to bring body of Sanaullah from Chandigarh through special plane. Two family members of Sanaullah are also in Chandigarh and post-mortem of the body has been completed.

He said the manner in which San-aullah was attacked was unfortu-nate and matter of deep concern for Pakistan. Pakistan has conveyed its concern to India in this regard and demanded investigations to help perpetrators of this heinous crime bring to justice. He said Prime Min-ister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has also

called upon India to ensure safety and security of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jail.

To a question, he said according to an estimate there are 5 to 6 hun-dred Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails and 47 of them have completed their sentence.

The spokesman said a Pakistani

UN peacekeeper was killed in ac-tion while performing his duties in eastern Congo. Government of Pa-kistani sympathises with the family of peacekeeper who laid down his life for safeguarding global peace and security. He said Pakistan condemns such acts of aggression against UN peacekeepers and is call-

ing for investigation into the attack and strengthening of measures for safety of UN peacekeepers.

When his attention was drawn towards a host of anti-Pakistani moves by Kabul‚ the spokesman said Pakistan has shown maximum restraint as it wants to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan‚ which is also in the interest of the region.

About President Karzai’s state-ment on Durand Line‚ the spokes-man said this is a settled issue. Pa-kistan considers statement of the Afghan President as a distraction from more pressing of peace and security.

To a question he said so far In-dia has not approached Pakistan in connection with its joining the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.

The spokesman said in all 350 foreign observers from 12 countries would be in Pakistan to monitor general elections.

Pakistan has no aggressive designs: FOSays Durand Line is a settled issue

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

A Pakistani UN peacekeeper was martyred while perform-ing his duties in the strife-torn

eastern Congo. Pakistan is saddened to hear the news and sympathises with the family of the peacekeeper, who laid down his life safeguarding global peace and security.

The incident occurred when a mili-tary convoy of the United Nations Or-ganization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MO-

NUSCO) was ambushed by unidenti-fied assailants in South Kivu.

Pakistan condemns such acts of ag-gression against the UN Peacekeepers and calls on the United Nations to in-vestigate the attack and also strength-en the existing measures in place for the safety of the UN Peacekeepers, who are performing the difficult yet commendable task of maintaining peace in troubled regions of the world.

Pakistan, as one of the leading UN Troop Contributing Countries in the world, is contributing significantly to the cause of global peace and security.

Pakistan peacekeeper martyred in Congo

ISLAMABAD: A group photo of USAID Conflict Victims Support Programme scholarship recipients with the USAID and Telecom Industry officials. DA

May 13-19, 2013

4Stop burning schools, mosques, churches in the name of Islam, Karzai asks Boko Haram

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

Dauda Danladi Mni, Nige-rian High Commissioner to Pakistan, who is also the non-Resident Nigerian

Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, presented his letter of credence to President Hamid Kar-zai in Kabul the other day.

During the meeting with High Commissioner, Dauda Danladi Mni , Afghan President Karzai recalled the activities of the Taliban’s describing it that it was externally motivated and the people were used by the Taliban’s to commit suicide bombing without knowledge that they will be commit-ting suicide. He said in most cases, suicide bombers were given jackets as a gift containing bombs, on wear-ing it somebody will follow and on reaching their targets they detonate it.

Continuing, President Karzai said

that Islamic radicalism is not the product of Islam but it is external using some misguided groups or elements in the name of Islam. Eco-nomic and political factors also con-tribute to insecurity if not well han-dled. President Karzai said that the problem in Nigeria may be as a result of many factors i.e. external, political and social. He called on Boko Haram to lay down their arms if they are true Muslims and embrace peace as of-fered by Government.

Afghan President Karzai said no religion perches violence. ‘Boko Haram should stop burning schools, mosques, and churches in the name of Islam. They should not destroy Ni-geria if they are true Muslims, rather they should protect lives because in Islam if you kill one it is as if you have killed the whole of humanity and if you save one life is as if you have saved the whole of humanity.

Afghan President added that Af-ghans have seen the futility of vio-lence and put behind them the ugly past. They have now embraced peace through dialogue.

President Karzai said today in Af-ghanistan all hands are on deck for economic development. The per capi-tal income has now reached $1,000.00

with a foreign reserve of $8 billion US dollars. This, achievement does not include the exploration of oil and gas, solid minerals and germ stones discovered which is estimated at tril-lion of dollars. All school are open with a total of 9.5 million students, 40 per cent are girls. He said both countries should explore areas and

share experiences of comparative ad-vantage. The Non Resident Ambas-sador of Nigeria to Afghanistan, High Commissioner Dauda Danladi, Mni, commended the great effort of Presi-dent and Karzai’s administration. He assured the President that Nigeria’s Transformation Agenda initiated by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,

GCFR, on the international scene is global peace and economic diploma-cy. Dauda Danladi Mni assured the Afghan President Karzai that areas of manpower development, capacity building and institutional strengthen-ing will be forwarded to relevant au-thorities in Nigeria for consideration under a conducive atmosphere.

Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan calls on Afghan President

Nigeria supports democratic process in Pakistan: envoy

DA REPORT ISLAMABAD

Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dauda Danladi Mni disclosed the other day after Jum-ma (Friday) prayer that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GVFR, of the Federal Republic

of Nigeria supported the democratic process in Islamic Republic of Pakistan for a greater economic development and political stability.

The High Commissioner added that the Federal Gov-ernment of Nigeria has launched a transformation agenda with emphasis on the promotion of globall peace and se-curity.

The High Commissioner, Dauda Danladi, mni also urged the people of Pakistan to accept the principles of democra-cy and eschew violence for smooth conduct of the tomor-row general elections.

He added that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the entire Nigeriaans join hands with the international community to wish the government and the people of Pakistan a peaceful and successful conduct of the general elections.

PRKABUL

Nigerian High Com-missioner, Dauda Danladi also met the Deputy Chairman of

the Higher Peace Council, Ab-dul Hakim Mujahid who was a former Taliban ambassador to United Nations (UN).

He informed the Nigerian High Commissioner Dauda Danladi that in June 2010, over 1200 el-ders and influential Afghans at-tended the Peace Advisory Jirga in Kabul. At the meeting, the el-ders called for the creation of a high peace council that will be re-sponsible for holding peace talks through reconciliation with the

Taliban’s, other war lords and antigovernment elements with a view to re integrating them into society.

The High Peace Council (HPC) has 69 members that include 9 women. The members of the Council include former Jihad leaders, ex-Taliban members, tribal elders’warlords and gov-ernment officials.

The Deputy Chairman said that contrary to the perception of people, Islam is the religion of peace and in Islam Prophet Mo-hammad PBUH said if you kill one person it is as if you have killed the whole of humanity and advised that war will never end will not bring anything good.

He quoted the Holy Quran Chapter 8 verse 72“Allah said

we have created you into differ-ent nations and tribes so that you can understand one another, the best among you in the sight of Al-lah is he who fears Allah most”. He said if Allah wanted to make all nations Muslims or Chris-tians, He has the power to do so, in His wisdom He chose not to do so. Therefore, the need for reli-gious tolerance, understanding and love is the key to stability in the world. He enjoined all Nige-rians to shun violence, sectarian crisis and any act that will retard the development of Nigeria. He said Afghans have seen the fu-tility of such acts and have now said No to suicide bombing, No sectarian violence and No to in-surgency.

Nigerian envoy meets HPC official

MONITORS REPORTKABUL

After presenting his letter of credence, Ambassador Dauda Danladi Mni paid a

courtesy call on the Afghani-stan First Deputy Minister of Defense, Saran Pooh-Enayatul-lah Nazari.

During the meeting, the Af-ghan Defence Minister advised Nigerians not copy to or emu-late the Taliban’s because they were supported by external forces to cause problems which

made more than half a mil-lionorphans and widows. He pointed also that Afghanistan lost over two million people and made another one million disa-bled and hope this experience

should be a lesson to Nigerians to stop any actions that will destabilize their country.

He said that War is not good it is like a flame and will de-stroy both the good and the

bad, who ever make effort to stop it God will reward him and who so ever try to aggra-vate it will destroy everything and will be responsible before God. He suggested the need for Nigeria to open its doors for Afghan young officers to attend some basic training in Nigeria. He said Africa should not be left out in the promotion of peace in this region. He con-cluded by praying that Nige-ria should not go through the sameproblem experienced by Afghanistan before embracing peace through dialogue.

Meeting with Afghan deputy minister for defense

May 13-19, 2013

5

BUREAU REPORTLAHORE

Pakistan Muslim League-N President Nawaz Sharif, 63, is almost certain to be-come the prime minister

for a third time, as the PML-N has achieved a resounding victory in the general elections.

The country is set to cross a his-toric milestone by making a transi-tion from one elected government to another. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif looks all set for an unprec-edented hat-trick in Pakistan’s politi-cal history by becoming the first man to become the country’s prime min-ister thrice.

This is certainly a big comeback for the man, who has been toppled twice as PM, jailed and exiled. Raucous cel-ebrations have already begun in the country, as the supporters of PML-N are very jubilant to see the party vic-torious.

As election results pour in, the pre-dictions of Sharif being crowned the PM for the third term seem to be com-

ing true. According to the latest trends, Pakistan Muslim League-N has at-tained an overwhelming lead with 130 seats. For a change, the first runner up is Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf with 37 seats and the last is Paki-stan Peoples Party with 35 seats.

Nawaz Sharif has expressed a de-sire to work with all parties to resolve the country’s problems in a victory speech given to his supporters as his lead in the national election became apparent based on vote counts an-nounced by Pakistan state TV.

Nawaz, the other day, also chaired a consultative meeting at his Jati Umra residence with his close aides and discussed with them the post-election scenario in the country. The meeting was attended by Shahbaz Sharif, Hamza Shahbaz, Senator Ishaq Dar, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed and Khwaja Saad Rafique. The meet-ing is believed to have discussed dif-ferent options for forming govern-ments in the Centre and Punjab.

Talking to reporters after the meet-ing, Pervaiz Rasheed said there was no need to convene an all-party con-

ference (APC) on any particular is-sue, as all the political parties have representation in the assembly. He claimed that the PML-N respected the mandate of all elected representa-tives. He also congratulated MQM chief Altaf Hussain over winning a sizable number of seats in Karachi.

Kh Saad Rafique told the media on the occasion it was the right of the PML-N to form government as they have won the majority of seats in the elections. He said they wanted to start work for the betterment of Pa-kistan without wasting any time. He claimed that the elections were over now and they should all work togeth-er for nation-building.

Meanwhile, Pervaiz Rasheed, through a media release, drew the attention of the Election Commis-sion of Pakistan towards the release of election results in Balochistan which could cause unrest and affect the credibility of the entire electoral process. He demanded of the ECP to release the election results without any delay, considering the sensitivity of the issue.

Resounding victory!

Nawaz set for unprecedented hat-trick

BUREAU REPORTLAHORE

Hundreds of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz workers gathered out-side the PML-N Secre-

tariat the other day and chanted slogans of “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif”.

Sweets were also distributed among the workers who also danced to drum beats. The sup-porters seemed very jubilant, as they termed the PML-N success in

the elections as a remarkable vic-tory.

Similarly, the party supporters gathered at various other cities to celebrate. They seemed to be very optimistic and confident that the party government will resolve all the problems facing the coun-try. Talking to media persons, the PML-N workers said it was the time for celebrations as they knew the country will head towards the track of progress under the leader-ship of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Celebrations

DA REPORTJEDDAH

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supporters liv-ing and working in Saudi Arabia held a function to get together and celebrate the party’s victory in the general elections.

A large number of PML-N supporters and social ac-tivists attended the event. Abubakar Memon arranged a

dinner for the participants, which was also attended by PML-N supporters from Mecca and Ta’if. Amjid Hussain cut the cake on the occasion. The participants extended congratulations to Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on the marvelous victory. They prayed to God that Nawaz Sharif may be granted with courage to overcome the economic and other issues facing Pakistan. They stressed that the PML-N President should focus on resolution to the prob-lems of power loadshedding and price hike.

PML-N supporters celebrate victory in Jeddah

FAISALABAD: Supporters of PML-N celebrating the party’s victory. DA

May 13-19, 2013

6

BUREAU REPORTLAHORE

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif has expressed his wish to revive relations

with India from the position they were in 1999, adding that he would like to invite the Indian Prime Min-ister to Pakistan during the oath taking ceremony.

During an interview to the foreign media, Nawaz said he will hold talks with the United States over drone attacks as they are against the sov-ereignty of Pakistan “We will con-vince the US to stop drone attacks.”

Nawaz further said that he will work towards improving rela-tions with Saudi Arabia.

While speaking about the law and order situation in Ka-rachi and Quetta, Nawaz said it will be tackled with the help of other parties, adding that he will do whatever he can to improve law and order in the country.

Nawaz further said that elections were held for the first time without the army, adding that he will work with them in future to solve the problems faced by Pakistan.

Addressing the issue of ter-rorism Nawaz said that he will

develop a national policy to tackle terrorism, adding that several peo-ple fell victim to the problem during the PPP government.

Nawaz Sharif said PTI has won with a majority in Khyber Pakh-tunkhwa and they should form the provincial government there, add-ing that the party should accept the mandate of other political parties and that one should learn to accept victory and defeat.

The PML-N chief added that for the first time free and fair elections were under without the ‘umbrella of the army’ however emphasizing that he would work with the army to help solve the problems of the country.

Nawaz vows to convince US to stop drone hits

MONITORS REPORTLAHORE

Various world leaders have congratulated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif on

his party’s massive victory in the gen-eral elections.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated Nawaz on his “emphatic victory” in historic elections and said he hoped for better relations. Singh wrote on his official Twitter ac-count, “Congratulations to Mr Nawaz Sharif and his party for their emphatic victory in Pakistan’s elections”.

He said he hoped to work with Sha-rif to chart “a new course for the rela-tionship” between the nuclear-armed neighbours and invited him to “visit India at a mutually convenient time”. Singh also congratulated “the people and the political parties of Pakistan for braving the threats of violence and voting in large numbers” in Saturday’s election.

Singh telephoned Nawaz Sharif for his party’s victory. The Indian premier hoped that the relationship between two countries would improve in under Nawaz premiership. Nawaz thanked the Indian premier for his good wishes and added that he would try to resolve

all disputes with Delhi on the negotia-tion table.

Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid hoped that India will continue to have good relations with Pakistan if former prime minis-ter Nawaz Sharif comes to power af-ter the general elections there. “India welcomes whatever result that comes out of a democratic election. Our gov-ernment has had relations with Nawaz Sharif,” Khurshid said.

Singh has written a letter to Nawaz in which he said, “You have received a strong mandate to lead Pakistan to-wards a stable, peaceful and prosper-ous future,” he wrote in his letter. “I wish you all success in meeting the hopes and expectations of your people as you prepare to assume your new responsibilities.”

Terming the elections as historic, he said they are also a significant vic-tory for democracy in Pakistan.” Singh said the people of India have watched with admiration the people of Pakistan braving violence and strife and turning out in large numbers to affirm their democratic rights.

Other world leaders also offered their greetings on Sunday. President Barack Obama congratulated Pakistan on its parliamentary elections and said Washington was ready to work “as

equal partners” with the government that emerges. “My administration looks forward to continuing our co-operation with the Pakistani govern-ment that emerges from this election as equal partners in supporting a more stable, secure, and prosperous future for the people of Pakistan,” Obama said in a statement.

“The United States stands with all Pakistanis in welcoming this historic peaceful and transparent transfer of civilian power, which is a significant milestone in Pakistan’s democratic progress,” he said.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai also telephoned Nawaz Sharif to congratulate him for his massive victory in Saturday landmark polls. Karzai said that he was optimistic that ties between two broth-erly countries would be friendly after Nawaz takes charge of the prime minis-ter’s office. Nawaz vowed that Pakistan would take every step to improve its re-lationship with all neighbours, especially Afghanistan. His personal friends like the leaders of United Arab Emirates, ameers of Qatar and Kuwait also congratulated Nawaz on his victory. Iranian President Mehmood Ahmadinejad conveyed his greetings to the PML-N chief. Turkish President Abdulallah Gul and Prime Min-ister Tayyeb Erdogan also congratulated Nawaz.

World leaders greet Nawaz on election win n turkish, US, indian, afghan leaders express well wishes

DA REPORT ISLAMABAD

Saudi King Shah Abdullah has called Pakistan Mus-lim League-Nawaz Presi-dent Mian Muhammad

Nawaz Sharif and congratulated him on the overwhelming success of his party.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Prime Minister Prince Maqran Bin Ab-dul Aziz also called Nawaz to greet him good wishes.

DNA ISLAMABAD

France hails the holding of elections in Pakistan on the 11th of May. Those elections were character-

ized by the strong and brave mobi-lisation of voters, women and men, who, despite the violence caused by extremist groups, freely chose to express the diversity of their opinions. France conveys its most sincere condolences to the families of the victims of this violence.

An unprecedented number of voters demonstrated the commitment of the Pakistani population to the democratic process. Improvements were noted by the European Union Observation Mis-sion in the organisation of the polls, which allowed for an open competition between political parties.

Along with its partners from the

European Union, France supports this democratic process. France wishes for the future government to be able to efficiently fight against terrorism, pro-gress towards a prosperous economy and establish the bases for sustainable stability in the region. With those objec-tives in mind, France will look forward to collaborating with the new govern-ment.

Meanwhile Canada also hailed elec-tion process in Pakistan. The press release issued by the Canadian High Commission on Monday said, ““Canada congratulates the people of Pakistan for demonstrating their commitment to democracy by voting in the millions in this historic election. “The extremist vi-olence aimed at suppressing the voters should be unequivocally condemned. We send our sincere sympathies to those who lost loved ones. We encour-age Pakistan’s authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

KSA King congratulates Nawaz

France hails holding of elections in Pakistan

n Says will invite indian pm to pakistan

May 13-19, 2013

7

DA REPORT ISLAMABAD

High turnout in Pakistan’s landmark election was a positive step for democ-racy despite the fact the

campaign was marred by violence and irregularities, an EU observer mission said Monday.

Violence during the campaign and on election day had been “ter-

rible, but must not overshadow the achievements of the process”, MEP Richard Howitt told a news confer-ence in Islamabad.

“The turnout in defiance of the threats against the process was an extraordinary vote of confidence in democracy itself.

“This election was a step forward, but one from which we call on all those elected to sustain their com-mitment to reforms, in the interests

of good government for the people and governance for the state,” he said.

Michael Gahler, chief of the mis-sion, congratulated Pakistan’s elec-tion commission for making im-provements to its election law and improving its voter roll, as well as or-dering re-polling in a contested seat in Karachi.

But the mission said “women and vulnerable groups” were persistently

under-represented” despite nearly three times the number of women candidates and a higher women’s turnout than at the last polls in 2008.

Observers said voting procedures were mostly followed and that in a “vast majority” of stations all essen-tial material was present, but classi-fied nine percent of stations visited as “poor or inadequate”.

But the mission did not go at all to the southwestern, insurgency-torn

province of Baluchistan or the semi-autonomous tribal belt on the Afghan border where the Taliban and Al-Qaeda have strongholds.

It also only “undertook limited observation” in Karachi, where the mission said observers saw “some serious problems in polling and were also restricted in their activities”.

Karachi was the focus of most complaints reported by rival political parties.

EU sees Pak polls as a step forward

Poll observers hold media briefing

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

National Democratic Institute and ANERIL held ‘Media Briefing 2013

International Election Observers Mis-sion to Pakistan’ the other day.

Speakers spoke on the occasion on the elections recently held in the country and expressed their views on different aspects of the landmark development.

May 13-19, 2013

8

BUREAU REPORTLAHORE

Ambassador of Algeria Dr Ahmed Benflis has said that his country wants to increase bilateral trade by

establishing direct contact with the business community of Pakistan and by exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), he said that Pakistan faces acute energy shortage and Algeria could help Islam-abad by exporting LNG.

Similarly, Pakistani businessmen should explore opportunities and ex-port rice and textile products directly to Algeria, he said, adding that the two countries should expand business-to-

business relations by tapping all avail-able resources.

Exchange of delegations and sector-specific measures are needed to boost two-way trade, which is very low, de-spite the fact that the two countries enjoy excellent political and economic relations, he said.

Dr Benflis also urged the LCCI presi-dent to arrange a strong delegation to Algeria to explore further opportuni-ties for trade and investment.

He said an Algerian business del-egation is also planning to visit Paki-stan in coming months.

Farooq Iftikhar, president of the LCCI, said that Pakistan and Algeria are members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and have ex-cellent cordial and brotherly relations. Moreover, Pakistan is among the first

countries to recognise Algeria in 1962 upon achieving independence from France.

The ambassador’s initiative to visit the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a step in the right direction because Algeria is one of the few Is-lamic countries, which have very little interaction with the business institu-tions such as the LCCI, he said, adding that it is always helpful to have such interactions to build close working re-lations with each other.

Although the total size of two-way trade is too little but in recent years, some improvement has been wit-nessed in it, Iftikhar said.

However, in contrast to growth in exports, there has been downward trend in imports from Algeria, he added.

Algeria wants to export LNG to Pakistan: envoyn Exchange of delegations to boost trade ties stressed

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KARACHI

Europe is experiencing fast political and economic changes these days that is fuelling its fear on terror-

ism along with human and drug traf-ficking emerging from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Therefore, Pakistan should see how it can allay Europe’s fear by effectively dealing the problems of extremism and terrorism emerging from this region, Career Diplomat Shahid Ameen said.

He stated this while speaking at a workshop on ‘Politics of Identity in Contemporary Europe’ organised by The Area Study Centre for Europe and The Hans Seidel Foundation, Is-lamabad at University of Karachi the other day.

“Europe has to find out the solu-tions of its financial crisis, likewise

Pakistan needs to focus on its biggest issue of extremism and terrorism it-self as it has caused a lot of concerns in Europe about the Muslim coun-try,” he said. Europe is facing prob-lems of migration issues, euro zone crisis and the rise of right wing politi-cal parties but at the same time it is also trying to find out the problems of such issues, so one should not be much apprehensive of the future of Europe, he added.

Incharge, Area Study Centre for Europe, KU, Prof Dr Uzma Shujaat, in her introductory remarks, highlight-ed the increasing role of supranation-al, as opposed to intergovernmental, decisions-making and the establish-ment of a European citizenship had promoted to a certain extent the de-velopment of a political community of the European Union.

History has shown that the emer-gence of a sense of belonging and community and related issues such

as perceptions of identity and soli-darity take a long time. Compared to the time that nation-states took to consolidate, the history of European integration is still rather short.

“Europe is characterised not only by its common heritage. There is as much diversity and conflicts as there are common roots. The history of Europe suggests that the traditions of diversity, division, and conflict are at least as strong as the common cul-tural heritage,” She said.

European identity continued to be considered as something that would make it appear as one entity to outsiders; with the introduction of the common market however, the Maastricht Treaty also brought about completion of the economic union. Europe was from then on “in need of a soul” as Jacque Delors described in 2010.

Chairman Department of Inter-national Relations and Political Sci-

ence, University of Sargodha Prof Dr Rashid Ahmad Khan, elaborated on the difference between ethnic move-ments, nationalist movements and ethno-nationalist movements. On the rise of right wing politics in Europe, Prof Dr Mutahir Ahmed of Depart-ment of International Relations, KU said the far right intellectuals of West propagated the fears of clash of civi-lizations in West in last two decades that had also played a big role in the current rise of far right politics in Eu-rope.

The economic and immigration problems have gained much more importance in contemporary Euro-pean politics. This is high time when Islamabad and Brussels - the head-quarters of European Union - should invest in more close relationship on trade, extremism and terrorism, said Prof Dr Tanveer Khalid, Department of Political Science, KU.

The framework of EU is integra-

tion at regional level while at the sub-regional level states are experiencing nationalism and secession, said Saj-jad Ahmad, Senior Research Fellow at Area StudyCentre for Europe, KU.

The West especially Europe has proved to be responsible democ-racy. The current tide of nationalism which Europe is facing is not conflict-ual rather consensual, as we see in the relationship of Scotland vis-à-vis rest of the United Kingdom, he added.

The nationalist movement of Scotland is not violent as compared to other parts of the world where such movements are violent and the response of the UK is also very ac-commodating rather than exercising its power to stop such demands. He said the future of Scotland and its secession was dependent upon the attitude of voters and the way Scot-tish National Party leads its nation-alist campaign in referendum that is scheduled on September 18, 2014.

‘politics of identity in contemporary Europe’

Diplomat says Pakistan needs strategy to allay Europe’s fears on terror

DA REPORT RAWALPINDI

A five-member US Congres-sional delegation (CODEL), led by Senator Joe Donnelly called on Secretary De-

fence, Lt Gen (retd) Asif Yasin Malik at the Ministry of Defence here the other day.

Ambassador of USA to Pakistan, Richard Olson also attended the meet-ing, said a press release issued here. The meeting discussed important is-sues relating to bilateral ties between Pakistan and the US.

The US commended Pakistan’s efforts, role and support in the war against terror. Senator Joe Donnelly also paid tribute to the spirit of sacri-fice of the armed forces on the ‘Youm-e-Shuhada’.

The meeting primarily focused on

regional security matters. It was urged by both sides to improve security en-vironment and overcome security challenges faced alongside Pak-Af-ghan border.

Senator Donnelly stressed that there was a rapid improvement in relations post-Salala incident and the relationship was on an improved tra-jectory. “The improvement in the rela-tions between the two countries could be seen by some visible increase in cooperation and restoration of ground lines,” the Senator added.

Lt Gen (retd) Asif Yasin stressed the importance of smooth transition in Afghanistan, adding there should be a synergy of joint efforts to support reconciliation, capacity building and necessary assistant towards success-ful transition of power, leading up to a draw down of international forces and the time thereafter.

US delegation calls on secretary defence

LAHORE: A delegation of foreign journalists in a meeting with caretaker chief minister Punjab, Najam Sethi, at CM House. DA Desk

May 13-19, 2013

9Dutch crowning

Netherlands celebrate birthday of queen, investiture of new king

ABUBAKAR SIDDIQUE ISLAMABAD

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Hugo Gajus Scheltema held a reception to celebrate the birthday of

queen and investiture of her eldest son, the Prince of Orange, who be-came King Willem-Alexander under constitutional law at Serena Hotel.

King Willem-Alexander has be-come Europe’s youngest monarch by succeeding mother Beatrix. The King has begun his reign by paying tribute to his mother Princess Beatrix who abdicated in his favour after 33 years as Queen.

The guest of honour was caretaker Federal Minister for Overseas Paki-stanis, Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel and he was accompanied by care-

taker Federal Minster for Petroleum, Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui. The national anthems of Pakistan and Netherlands were played at the onset of the cel-ebrations.

Addressing the guests, Ambassa-dor Scheltema said that the House of Orange has symbolised the unity of the Netherlands over many cen-turies and Queen Beatrix had been exemplary as a Head of State. He said the people of Netherlands wished the new king all the best in this challeng-ing position, adding that King Willem-Alexander had already demonstrated his great personal interest in some of the economic strengths of the Neth-erlands, such as water management. The Netherlands, as an important trading country, celebrates this sig-nificant day both at home and world-wide, including Pakistan. He conclud-

ed by thanking guests for accepting his invitation to celebrate the occa-sion and expressed his appreciation to the Dutch companies in Pakistan — EngroVopak, Philips, Shell, SPG Prints and Unilever — who sponsored and supported the event.

The guest of honour congratulated his hosts on the auspicious occa-sion; spoke of the bilateral ties be-tween Pakistan and the Netherlands and wished the new king a long and prosperous reign. In a lighter vein he mentioned ‘delicious Dutch cheese’, which brought a smile to many lips as they had been enjoying it as a snack while waiting for him to arrive! The event was attended diplomats and high commissioners of various coun-tries.

May 13-19, 2013

10

MONITORS REPORTMULTAN

Canadian High Commis-sioner Greg Giokas has said Pakistan has a fabu-lous agriculture sector.

“Pakistan has a fabulous agri sector which is perhaps spend-ing 20 per cent of their GDP in it whereas we spend three per cent of our GDP. We have highly pay-ing jobs in the sector for which we need highly educated people,” said Greg Giokas while addressing a meeting of representatives of busi-ness community of South Punjab at Shamim Committee Room of MCCI here.

Appreciating Canadian Pakistani community, the envoy said that about 300,000 Pakistanis were liv-ing in Canada and they were con-tributing positively towards the Canadian economy. He stressed the need to focus on education for

growing economy of Pakistan. He informed that their embassy was setting up visa centres in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad soon for convenience of visa seekers.

President Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Muham-mad Khan Sadozai said that Pa-kistan and Canada enjoyed cor-dial relations with each other and strong traditions of friendship.

He said economic ties between the two countries were develop-ing at very fast pace, however, agriculture, power and oil & gas needed to be exploited to strength-en the cooperation of both the countries. Sadozai urged the high commissioner to establish their commercial office at Multan and opening up Canadian corner at MCCI library.

Former senior vice president MCCI Nauman Khan extended the vote of thanks to dignitary for visit-ing MCCI.

Ex-president MCCI, Tanvir Sheikh, Romana Tanvir Sheikh, Kousar Sheikh, Khawaja Younis, President RY Khan Chamber, Ijaz Gill, President South Pujab Wom-en Chamber, Zahra Jabeen and others attended the meeting.

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Liu jian paid a farewell call on the Chief of the Air Staff

Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt at the Air Head-quarters here the other day.

The air chief thanked the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China for playing a vital role in opening various areas of co-operation between the two nations.

canadian visa centres in Karachi, lahore, islamabad on the cards

Chinese envoy calls on air chief

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced to lend $99.1 million for improving water supply,

sanitation and solid waste manage-ment facilities of eight smaller cities of Sindh under the Sindh Cities Im-provement Investment Programme (SCIIP) tranche 2.

Werner E Liepach, ADB’s coun-try director for Pakistan, and Muhammad Shahzad Arbab, secretary of Economic Affairs Divi-sion, gov-e r n m e n t of Paki-s t a n s i g n e d t h e l o a n a g r e e -ment.

Arif Ahmed Khan, additional chief secretary development, and Niaz Ali Shar, managing director of the North Sindh Urban Services Corporation

Limited (NSUSC), were also the signa-tories of the project agreement on be-half of the government of Sindh. The SCIIP 2 was approved by ADB’s board of directors on December 18, 2012. It aims to provide urban utility services to over six million residents of eight major towns in north Sindh, including Jacobabad, Gothki, Khairpur, Larkana, New Sukkur, Sukkur, Rohri, and Shi-karpur.

“Im-

provements in urban services for bet-ter quality of life in these fast growing cities have already been initiated un-der the tranche 1 of the program,” said Werner Liepach.

Sindh’s smaller cities are experi-encing rapid population growth and a severe deficit of reliable urban in-frastructure that has created major health and hygiene problems, affect-ing economic growth and livelihood opportunities of the people.

The NSUSC will implement the project over the next four

years (2013-17) in co-ordination with the

planning and de-velopment de-

partment. The total funding

volume of SCIIP 2 is $139.8

million of which ADB will finance

a total of $99.1 million: $74 million from ADB’s special funds resourc-

es, and $25.1 million from ADB’s ordinary capital resources.

The government is to fund re-maining $40.7 million.

Sciip programme

aDB to give $99.1m loan for infrastructure

Envoy urged to establish commercial office at Multan

ISLAMABAD: Former PM Norway Kjell Bondevik exchangeing views with Inte-rior Minister Malik Mohammad Habib Khan. DA ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Malik Mohammad Habib Khan talking to a delegation of National Democratic Institute.DA

BUREAU REPORT KARACHI

Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Ole E Moesby, has termed the trade ties between the two countries very stable

and improved. “We can do more than what we are

doing now”, he remarked and added that the trade relations between Denmark and Pakistan can be improved further.

Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Ole E Moesby said that Denmark is in the forefront internationally in the whole sector of energy and energy consump-tion.

The envoy pointed out that in the af-

termath of the energy crisis in the 70s, they made more energy efficient society in Denmark.

Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Ole E Moesby was of the view that Paki-stan can also learn a bit from the Danish experience in this regard. Ole Moesby believed that Pakistan has the ability to overcome the energy problems and move forward.

Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Ole E Moesby also conferred the Danish award-the Order of the Night of Danne-brog, on Ms Naheed Irshaduddin, Consul General of Denmark in Karachi, for her excellent contribution for developing the relationship between Denmark and Pakistan.

Trade ties between Denmark, Pakistan stable: envoy

May 13-19, 2013

11

BUREAU REPORTKARACHI

A strong voice for release of Pakistani national Dr Aafia Siddiqui is spread-ing all over the world and

recently peace activists held a dem-onstration in Washington in front of the US Department of Justice, demanding release of the Pakistani woman.

The governments of Pakistan and the United States of America should

respect the sentiments of peace-loving global community and ensure early release and repatriation of Aafia, said Dr Fowzia Siddiqui here the other day.

She, quoting the former US Attor-ney General, and internationally re-nowned human rights icon Ramsey Clark, said: “America needs Muslims to stand up for Islam...it is the one rev-olutionary force that truly cares about humanity.” She said the continuing imprisonment of Pakistani mothers is also disturbing peace loving people also in the United States of America.

She said the previous day the National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms (NCPCF) led a human rights dem-onstration at the US Department of Justice. The NCPCF is running a cam-paign - Scapegoat and Buried Alive- to free political prisoners.

Aafia Movement Pakistan leader Dr Fowzia Siddiqui further said that it is high time to shack the world con-sciousness on the issue of Aafia, who has become daughter of the Pakistani Nation.

She reminded that Aafia along

with her minor children had been kidnapped from Karachi and traf-ficked first to Afghanistan and then to the USA, where she was handed a 86-years imprisonment in a fake case despite lack of any concrete evidence. She said the trial of Aafia Siddiqui is a unique example of mishandling the principles of law, justice and equity in the written le-gal history of world.

She said still there is a chance for the governments of the US and Pa-kistan to realize and correct their

wrongdoing in the case of Aafia Sid-diqui in order to avoid a shame for their coming generations, as the his-tory forgives none.

Fowzia Siddiqui thanked the peace activists of Pakistan, USA, European Union and other countries for their continuing support to Aafia.

She hoped that the mounting pres-sure of this global peace-loving com-munity would ultimately force the tormentors of Aafia Siddiqui to dole out justice swiftly and firmly to mis-treated Aafia and her children.

Voice for aafia release grows strong in Washington

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

The Foreign Ministry of Pa-kistan issued a travel advi-sory for all citizens trave-ling to India.

Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement that more than 600 pilgrims who are scheduled to visit Ajmer Sharif for the annual Urs this month might also be at serious risk. He said that the government wishes to advise its citizens who are plan-ning to travel to India to exercise due caution and care while travel-ling to various parts of India. The spokesman also called upon the Indian government to take appro-priate measures for the security of Pakistani travelers. In a related de-velopment, two family members of Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ran-jay, who is in a Chandigarh hospi-tal after being attacked in a Jammu jail, have reached India Tuesday after being granted permission from Indian officials. Sanaullah Ranjay suffered massive head injuries in a prison in the northern city of Jammu in an apparent tit-for-tat attack after an Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh was attacked by jail inmates.

Officials of the Pakistani High Com-mission met with Ranjay’s brother-in-law and nephew at Wagah border. Sanaullah’s relatives would seek his release from the Indian govt to bring him back home.

The relatives were later taken to the city of Chandigarh where Ranjay was airlifted last week to be treated at a state-run hospital. In a bulletin, the hospital said he remains “critically

sick” and in “deep coma.”On Monday Pakistani High Com-

missioner Salman Bashir visited the hospital. A prisoner identified as a former Indian army soldier just 24 hours after Singh’s death in a Lahore jail attacked Ranjay, from the Paki-stani city of Sialkot.

AFP adds: Relatives of a Pakistani prisoner savagely attacked in an In-dian jail travelled to India Tuesday to visit the inmate who remains criti-cally ill in a ‘deep coma’ in hospital.

Sanaullah Haq suffered massive head injuries in a prison in an appar-ent tit-for-tat attack after an Indian prisoner, Sarabjit Singh, was fatally assaulted in Pakistan.

Sanaullah’s brother-in-law and nephew, in India on a 15-day visa, were met by officials of the Pakistani High Commission (embassy) at Wa-gha, the land crossing between the two countries.

They told reporters at Wagha, 29 kilometres from the northern Indian city of Amritsar, that they would urge the Indian government to release Sanaullah, a convicted murderer, so that they could take him back to their home country. The relatives were later taken to the city of Chan-digarh where Sanaullah was airlifted last week to be treated at a state-run hospital. In a bulletin, the hospital said he remains ‘critically sick’ and in ‘deep coma’.

On Monday Pakistani High Com-missioner Salman Bashir visited the hospital. Sanaullah, from the Paki-stani city of Sialkot, was attacked by a prisoner identified as a former In-dian army soldier just 24 hours after Singh’s death in a Lahore jail.

travel advisory issued for pakistanis visiting india


Pakistan will no more have to use the US dollar as an inter-mediary currency to trade with China since a currency

swap arrangement (CSA) between the State Bank of Pakistan and People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has been imple-mented, the central bank said.

The swap agreement amounts to Chinese Yuan (CNY) 10 billion ($1.62bn) and Rs140 billion ($1.45bn).

Analysts said that with the execu-tion of this agreement, Pakistan and China now will be able to trade directly within their own currencies.

The trade volume between China and Pakistan stood at $12.4 billion in 2011-12.

The currency swap is a foreign exchange agreement between the two banks to exchange the equal net present value principal of a loan de-nominated in a different currency at a determined time, and pay the interest corresponding to each currency.

This move is expected to push the global use of yuan and increase the in-fluence and share of China in regional and international trade, they said.

The two countries are important trading partners, but most of their mu-tual trade is denominated in US dol-lars, said the analysts. Now, Pakistan will add Chinese currency to its foreign

exchange reserves, they added.Under this agreement, the Pakistani

importers will settle their letter of credits in Pak rupee instead of dollars in the Chinese banks.

In order to ensure transparency in determination of market interest rates, the SBP has decided to conduct com-petitive auctions of CNY loan facility. As part of the implementation guide-lines, SBP has already announced an auction of CNY loan facility, it stated.

The CSA was signed between SBP Governor Yaseen Anwar and PBoC Deputy Governor DU Jinfu in Decem-ber 2011 in Islamabad.

According to a statement, the currency swap agreement between the two central banks will give a positive signal to the market on the availability of liquidity of other country’s currency in the onshore market. The arrangement will aug-ment the pool of liquidity available to finance bilateral trade between the two countries, supplementing the already available sources of li-quidity, it said.

Based on the participation of banks in the auction, SBP will draw on the swap line and provide CNY to banks in Pakistan. Banks will lend this liquid-ity to importers/ exporters involved in trade denominated in CNY.

At maturity, the importer/ exporter will repay the foreign currency to the lending bank, which in turn will repay

to the respective central bank. In order to provide sufficient lead

time for banks to arrange Chinese Yuan to importers/exporters, the first auction will be conducted on 4 June, 2013 with settlement on 13 June, 2013.

The State Bank of Pakistan directed all banks to educate their customers on the additional option of denominat-ing their trade documents in Chinese Yuan.

The State Bank of Pakistan would encourage banks to hold sessions with local trade bodies.

All importers/ exporters are also requested to contact their respective banks for more details on how they can borrow CNY liquidity to finance bilateral trade.

The objective of the currency swap arrangement is to promote bilateral trade and investment between the two countries in the local currencies.

Since the currency swap arrange-ment is a bilateral financial transac-tion, all terms and conditions apply equally to both countries and the pricing is based on standard market benchmarks, which are widely ac-ceptable in the respective domestic markets.

The People’s Bank has signed cur-rency swap agreements worth up to 1.7 trillion yuan ($275 billion) with more than 20 countries, including South Korea, Australia and Russia since the global financial crisis in 2008.

Pak-China currency swap accord implemented

ISLAMABAD: Head of the GEM Mission, Sabra Bano, speaking during a press conference on the launching of Gender Elec-tion Monitoring & Sharing the Findings of Multi-Stakeholders Roundtable organised by Gender Concerns International at a local hotel. DA

May 13-19, 2013

12

SPECIAL REPORTISLAMABAD

The head of delegation of the European Union, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark held a reception at Serena Hotel the

other day to mark the Europe Day.Ambassadors and high commissioners

of various countries attended the recep-tion. A cake was cut on the occasion of cel-ebrations while Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark and notable guests addressed the gathering.

Europe Day is an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. There are two separate designations of Europe Day: 5 May for the Council of Europe, and 9 May for the European Union (EU). For the EU, the day is also known as Schuman Day, commemo-rating the historical declaration by French foreign minister Robert Schuman.

The Council of Europe’s day reflects its own establishment in 1949, while the Eu-ropean Union’s day celebrates the day the EU’s predecessor was proposed in 1950. Europe Day is one of a number of Euro-pean symbols designed to foster unity among Europeans.

Europe Day celebrated in Capital

May 13-19, 2013

13

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

The UAE embassy in Islamabad held a colourful function to celebrate the 37th Armed Forces Uni-fication Day, hailing the armed forces for their chivalry, peace-keeping and deterrent abilities.

The event was attended by Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer, President Inter-national Islamic University Islamabad, Dr Ahmad Yousif Al-Draiweesh, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Khalid Shamin Wynne, Chief of Naval Staff Asif Sandila and others.

UaE armed Forces Day celebrated in pakistan

May 13-19, 2013

14


President Asif Ali Zardari decorated Chinese Ambas-sador to Pakistan Mr Liu Jian with the award of Hi-

lal-i-Quaid-i-Azam during a special investiture ceremony held at Bilawal House the other day.

The President conferred the award on Mr Liu Jian in recognition of his pivotal role in further cement-ing and expanding the already ex-isting strategic friendship between Pakistan and China and for his untiring efforts to enhance mutual cooperation between the two coun-tries in diverse fields.

The investiture ceremony was attended among others by Chief Minister Sindh, Justice (Retd) Zahid Qurban Alvi, Spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar, foreign secretary Mr. Jalil Abbas Jillani, ministers, members of diplomatic community, senior officials of Chinese embassy

and other senior officials.The citation read on the occa-

sion said that that Mr. Liu Jian has played a pivotal role in furthering, strengthening and expanding the strategic friendship between Pa-kistan and China during his three years tenure of duty in Pakistan and that the Ambassador devoted his energies to forge ties in

the field of Defence, strategic relations, culture, sports, people-to-people contacts. Gwadar Port Project, which is a hall mark of Pak-China Strategic Partnership, was handed over to Chinese Company during the Ambassador’s tenure, the citation said.

Mr Liu Jian being a great friend of Pakistan would be remembered for his commitment to strengthen the bilateral relations in diversified fields, the citation adds. “In recogni-tion of his meritorious services to the cause of strengthening Pak-Chi-na relations, the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan is pleased to

confer the award of Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam on Mr. Liu Jian, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan.”

Later, Chinese Ambassador Mr. Liu Jian also called on the Presi-dent and discussed matters relat-ing to Pak-China bilateral relations. Spokesperson to the President Sen-ator Farhatullah Babar said that the

President while congratulating the Chinese ambassador on the conferment of the award of Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam , appreciated the invaluable contributions made by him during his three years tenure as ambassador in Pakistan to further strengthen the time tested friend-ship between Pakistan

and China and brining the two countries further closer. The Presi-dent said that the high level visits and frequent interaction between the leadership of the two countries were a testimony of Liu Jian’s untir-ing efforts to further enhance the close and brotherly ties between our two countries.

president confers Hilal-i-Quaid-i-azam upon chinese ambassador

MONITORS REPORTWASHINGTON

US Secretary of State John Kerry the other day named James Dobbins, an expe-rienced diplomat with a

history of difficult assignments from Kosovo to Somalia, as his special rep-resentative for Pakistan and Afghani-stan.

“This is a pivotal moment for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, with in-terconnected political, security and economic transitions already under way in Afghanistan, and Pakistani elections just days away, marking an important and historic democratic transition,” Kerry said in a statement released by the State Department.

Dobbins, 70, a former assistant secretary of state for European affairs and ambassador to the European Un-ion, is expected to confront a fraught relationship between Washington and Islamabad, as well as a rapidly

dwindling American military pres-ence in Afghanistan.

The special representative post was first held by Richard Holbrooke, a flamboyant diplomat who assembled an extensive staff at the State Depart-ment and threw himself into a broad range of political and development is-sues in Afghanistan.

After Holbrooke’s death in Decem-ber 2010, the job went to Marc Gross-man, another career diplomat who de-voted his tenure to efforts, ultimately fruitless, to negotiate a political settle-ment with the Taliban. Grossman is said to have deliberately cultivated a lower profile than Holbrooke, scaling back his staff and negotiating behind

closed doors.Dobbins, who is currently the di-

rector of the RAND International Security and Defence Policy Center, a Washington-based think-tank, has plenty of experience with diplomatic troubleshooting, including in Afghani-stan.

During the Bill Clinton and George Bush administrations, he served as an envoy to Bosnia, Kosovo and Haiti, as well as to Somalia, where he oversaw the withdrawal of American troops.

After the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, Bush appointed him as the American representative to the Afghan oppo-sition, and he took part in the Bonn conference in late 2001, at which a new post-Taliban Afghan government was named.

Secretary Kerry said he had made it a priority to find the right person for the job, adding Dobbins would “con-tinue building on diplomatic efforts to bring the conflict to a peaceful conclu-sion.”

US names new AfPak envoy

DA REPORT ISLAMABAD

Pakistan has welcomed the appoint-ment of new US Special Represent-ative to Afghanistan and Pakistan and hoped that the appointment

would help improve their joint efforts to es-tablish peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

US Secretary of State John Kerry named James Dobbins, a career diplomat, as the new special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“The Government of Pakistan welcomes the appointment of Ambassador James F Dobbins, who enjoys the reputation of a sea-soned US diplomat and is merited with vast and valuable experience in conflict resolu-tion and management,” the Foreign Ministry

said.As the first special envoy for Afghanistan

after the fall of the Taliban in December 2001, Dobbins will take up a post left vacant in December when Marc Grossman stepped down.

Secretary of State John Kerry said that he called leaders in Islamabad and Kabul on Friday to let them know former ambassador James Dobbins, a career diplomat who has served in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Haiti, will be the new special envoy.

As the first special envoy, Dobbins repre-sented Washington at the Bonn Conference that helped establish a new Afghan govern-ment.

American and NATO troops have planned their exit from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 following a bloody and costly war that has entered its 12th year. Washington has been

seeking a positive Pakistani role in this pro-cess and beyond.

A career foreign service officer, who turned 71 by the end of this month, Dobbins was spe-cial envoy for Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Haiti and Somalia under the administrations of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He also served as assistant secretary of state for Eu-ropean affairs as well as special assistant to the president for the Western Hemisphere. He is director of the International Security and Defense Policy Center at the Rand Cor-poration, a think tank in Washington DC.

Kerry said, “This is a pivotal moment for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, with inter-connected political, security and economic transitions already underway in Afghani-stan, and Pakistani elections just days away, marking an important and historic demo-cratic transition.”

Pakistan welcomes new appointment

Overseas Pakistanis to vote in next elections

DNAISLAMABAD

President Asif Ali Zardari on the advice of the Prime Min-ister the other day approved and signed the ‘Electoral

Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis to cast their vote from abroad. However the decision will be effective from next general elections.

Giving details of the ordinance, Spokesperson to the President Sena-tor Farhatullah Babar said that ordi-nance provides that the Election Com-mission of Pakistan at least 14 days before the day fixed for poll abroad, shall establish polling stations with as many polling booths as may be neces-sary in the premises of an Embassy, a Mission or a Consulate provided that the Ministry of Foreign affairs have obtained consent of the host countries for establishment of the polling sta-tions.

The ordinance further says that an overseas Pakistani not later than ten days before the day fixed for poll abroad, register himself as an elector in the embassy, mission or consulate where he intends to cast his vote. To ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent poll, the Election Com-mission shall appoint as many inde-pendent monitors as necessary at a polling station abroad, the ordinance says.

The Spokesperson said that the Ordinance shall come into force at once but shall take effect on the date or dates to be notified by the Election Commission in the official gazette.

May 13-19, 2013

15


Zubair Ahmed Malik, presi-dent of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry

(FPCCI), and Alfredo Leoni, am-bassador of Brazil, the other day discussed the possibility of joint ventures in various sectors, a state-

ment said.During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the potential of halal foods, information technol-ogy and poultry sectors for joint ven-tures. At present, trade between the two countries is carried out through a third country such as Abu Dhabi and Turkey.

The two countries also discuss ra-tionalisation of trade rules and tariffs to promote trade.

Possibilitiy of joint ventures in various sectors with Brazil discussed

DNAKARACHI

Renowned businessman and newly-appointed Consul General of Romania in Karachi Tariq Saud has said vast scope for promotion of trade between Pakistan and Romania existed and if exploited properly rela-

tions between the two countries would surely get new dimen-sions.

This he said while giving and exclusive interview to DNA. Tariq Saud furterh said’ I am here to build an image of Pakistan and also I want very good relations between Romania. Romania is hub of Europe, so strategic value of Romania is very impor-tant. We are in textile sector business we have lots of friends in leather business, construction, dairy and all fields’.

He said this is very important for me to build good image of Pakistan. You see law and order situation is bad in Pakistan. I have to bring the investment by convincing them that Pakistan provides level playing field for businessmen. When I will start, I will go and approach them, I will contact all the chambers over there and the trade bodies and my trade bodies as well.

People are very keen to have very good relations with Roma-nia because they are very good people. When I met former Prime Minister, he said they are very good people, and our Ambassador told us. We are hearing from my friends, all other friends so this we have to build up the image of Pakistan. We are here to build the image of Pakistan and to get businesses from Romania.

Last time you see our counsel to Karachi Foreign Affairs called about thirteen Ambassadors in Karachi. So when, I met the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yousuf Raza Gillani, when I said.

“We just had a meeting of 13 ambassadors in Karachi they came to Karachi. They met Sindh speaker, Nisar Khoro, they met Gov-ernor, they met Chief Minister, they met businessesmen and they stayed about two to three days. He said “This is what I want”. So this is very important, we have to provide them with very good platform.

To a question he told DNA that he had talked to many business people. ‘We are preparing to take our people, our delegation good businessmen to Romania. They can meet the chambers there, they can meet the businessmen as well. When they sit together they will have dialogues with one another. So definitely it will bring lots of change. Karachi is very important and is a hub of Pakistan we have to make them sure this is a very very good place for the investment’.

The Consul General said when Romania businessmen will come to Pakistan, they will have lots of opportunities, lots of businesses over here. Pakistan is doing business to other Euro-pean countries. You say every time many people, lots of people going to Germany, why not people go to Romania if the labor is cheap, they have lots of potential.

When they will go they will see all the opportunities over there, they will discuss, they will have meetings with them. I think they will definitely come to Pakistan and Pakistan people they will ex-port to Romania lots of things because all businessmen are doing business in Europe.

The main challenge is law and order. After election, I think all the things will be settled and we hope law and order situation will improve. I am expecting and I hope so Inshallah that the situation will improve and which government will come after the next election it will be friendly government in my opinion and

let’s hope for the best. I am very optimistic.People are very happy. Big groups like Gul Ahmed, Al-Karam,

Orient and the other groups, are very much interested and I am also trying to make a counsel for Friends of Counsel General. So this will also be very helpful. My doors are open and we have to work because this is now my duty. This is my passion.

Consul General emphasizes promotion of Pak, Romania trade

MONITORS REPORTFAISALABAD

The Korean International Corporation Agency (KOI-CA) will establish a Techni-cal Research Centre at Na-

tional Textile University, Faisalabad, with the cost of 6.5 Million Dollars to conduct Research in 5 Textile Disci-plines.

A Record of Documents (RD) was signed today between Director General KOICA in Pakistan, Mr. Sung Choonai

and the Rector NTU Dr. Niaz Ahmed for the establishment of this Techni-cal Research Centre. The 5 areas of Selection in which Technical Research will be conducted include: Protective Textiles, Medical Textiles, Geo Textile, Sports Textile and Agro Textile.

KOICA to establish tech research centre at National Textile University

Revival of Pak-India trade agreement stressed

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

The Harvest Tradings CEO, Ahmed Jawad has said that to boost trade with the neighbouring country,

the caretaker government needed to review Pak-India trade agreement.

He said that there was not other option than enhancing trade to nor-malise the bilateral political and dip-lomatic relations with India. He said though volume of trade increased af-ter fiscal year 2010-11 but most of the exports were from Indian side. The Harvest Tradings CEO said that in 2010-11 India exported $2.64 billion goods to Pakistan while in return trade export volume was only $1.7 billion.

He warned that if equal opportu-nities were not provided to export-ers and local industrialists before implementing South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) Pakistan had to face three billion rupee loss annually.

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

Acumen, a pioneering non-profit global ven-ture firm addressing poverty across Africa

and in South Asia, the other day announced its first investment in the growing rural energy sector of Pakistan.

Acumen is giving a loan of Rs 86 million to Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP) to support the creation of four community man-aged micro-hydel units in Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. These plants will provide 24-hour clean electric-ity to remote off-grid communities in Chitral district, a region with lim-ited access to electricity.

“There is a growing need for reli-able power in Pakistan’s rural com-munities right now,” said Acumen Fund Pakistan Country Director Farrukh H Khan. “AKSRP’s com-munity-based model has the poten-tial to provide millions with access

to an important basic service and revolutionise the way poor Paki-stanis access energy.”

Acumen Fund and AKRSP have joined hands to address the press-ing energy needs of isolated rural communities in Chitral who are currently not connected to the na-tional grid. Households living in the off-grid villages rely heavily on fuel wood and fossil fuels to meet their daily energy needs, thus adding to environmental fragility. Innova-tive private and community-based models of energy generation from clean sources can help address the energy crisis in such remote and underserved regions.

Acumen Fund announces first energy investment in Pakistan

MONITORS REPORTFAISALABAD

Huge trade and investment potential exists between Pakistan and Turkey, said Pak-Turk Business-

men Association (PTBA) secretary general Taner Kocyigit.

Addressing the Faisalabad Cham-ber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here the other day, he said that Dr Muhammad Iqbal University would be established in Lahore with Turkish collaboration.

He said that the university would be established at the level as that of the Cambridge University where ed-ucation in many disciplines, includ-ing engineering and medical, would be imparted. He said that the associa-tion worked for promoting the busi-

ness relations between Turkey and Pakistan.

He said that the PTBA had been engaged in Pakistan since 1995 and running 22 schools in different cities of Pakistan under a centralised edu-cation system up to higher second-ary level. He said that the PTBA in-tended to establish Turkish Cultural Centre, Turkish Language Centre and Pak Turk School in Faisalabad in 2014 and more projects would be launched in Faisalabad in collabora-tion with the FCCI.

He said that PTBA motivated the Turkish businessmen to invest in Pa-kistan and after the general elections in Pakistan, many Turkish investors had shown their interest to invest in the country in the fields of Hilal meat, livestock, agriculture, textile, educa-tion and other sectors.

ptBa active to promote bilateral trade

Turkish cultural, language centres to be set up in Faisalabad

May 13-19, 2013

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MONITORS REPORTKARACHI

Thai Airways Pakistan General Manager Polapat Neelabhamorn has stated that Thai Airways, after

the national carrier, would like to be the second largest carrier operating between Pakistan and Thailand.

During his visit to Karachi Cham-ber of Commerce & Industry, he ap-prised that Thai Airways is providing quality services to Pakistanis travel-ling between Pakistan and Thailand.

The Thai Airlines was also offering air cargo services between the two countries.

He confirmed participation of Thai Airlines in the Thai Pavilion of My-Karachi Oasis of Harmony Exhibi-tion 2013. Thai Airways will also of-fer 4 free tickets and gift hampers to the visitors of My-Karachi Exhibition through lucky draw.

While exchanging views KCCI’s President Muhammad Haroon Agar stated that Thailand is an important country of ASEAN bloc. Owing to tremendous business opportunities

existing between Pakistan and Thai-land, the businessmen of two coun-tries frequently travel.

He said that frequent flights be-tween two countries are crucial to facilitate businessmen as well as transportation of air cargo, particularly for perishable goods. Thai Airways offering tourism packages for Thailand can also attract Thai tourists to visit Paki-stan for Buddhist tourism as the country has many points which are centre of attraction for Bud-dhist tourism.

KCCI for promoting trade ties with Thailandn thai airlines to participate in ‘my-Karachi’

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

Students of Japanese language showcased outstanding lin-guistic and cultural perfor-mances in Japanese language

speech contest held at National Uni-

versity of Modern Languages (NUML) the other day.

A play in Japanese language, devel-oped on the theme of dying joint family system and emergence of a generation detached from the social and cultural norms, was performed by the stu-dents and they bagged applause of the

Speech contest

Japanese-speaking Pakistanis impress ambassador

audience by successfully conveying the message. Students also showed off their language skills by singing in Japanese. The students delivered their well-worded, well-sounded and well-articulated speeches.

Naveed Tariq got the first position, Umer Farooq got the second position while Naeem Khan bagged the third position in the Japanese speech con-test.

Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Oe, while addressing students at the occa-sion, said:

May 13-19, 2013

17

DA REPORTRAWALPINDI

General Sir David Richards, Chief of Defence, United Kingdom, called on General

Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chair-man Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.

He remained with the Chairman for some time and discussed mat-ters related to mutual interests. General Richards, who is on his

fare well visit, applauded the sacri-fices made by the Armed Forces of Pakistan in the war against terror. The situation of the region with an emphasis on Afghanistan was also dilated upon.

DA REPORTRAWALPINDI

US delegation headed by Director Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), Lt

Gen Michael D Barbero visited General Headquarters the other day to discuss

Counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) cooperation framework between Pakistan Army’s Counter IED Organi-zation (CIEDO) and JIEDDO.

Lt Gen Barbero called on Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Ra-shad Mehmood and discussed mat-ters related to IEDs and measures required to minimise the effects of this

menace. Thereafter, Director JIEDDO held bilateral talks with Director Gen-eral Military Operations and Chair-man CIEDO.

Bilateral talks were focused on Counter IED efforts of both militaries, further collaboration at regional level and ways to improve the existing coop-eration aspects.

UK Gen calls on Wynne

US delegation visits GHQ

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

National Logistics Cell (NLC) handed over the newly constructed building of Liaqat Ali Khan Engineer-

ing Faculty Block at Bulkh Univer-sity at an impressive ceremony held at Mazar-i-Sharif.

The mega project of the University has been completed by NLC at the cost of 18 million dollars under Pakistan’s Bilateral Assistance Programme for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Afghanistan.

The Faculty Block is the fourth pro-ject completed by NLC in Afghanistan. Other projects constructed by Pakistan’s premier construction company, NLC, include Allama Iqbal Faculty of Arts in Kabul, Nishtar Kidney Centre in Jalal-abad and Sir Syed Post Graduate Sci-ence Faculty in Nanagarahar while work on 200 Beds Jinnah Hospital Kabul is in final stages of completion.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghani-stan Mohammad Sadiq gave away keys of the building to the Chancellor of Balkh University Mukamel Alokozay to formally hand over the project to Af-ghanistan. The Ceremony was attended by Governor Barkh Province Atta Mu-hammad Noor, Minister for Higher Edu-cation Dr Obaidullah Obaid, members of Provincial Council and Wolesi Jirga, faculty staff and a large number of uni-versity students.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassa-dor Muhammad Sadiq underlined the

need for fostering mutual cooperation and friendly relations between the two brotherly countries. He said that the Faculty will become a symbol of Paki-stan’s desire and its contribution to pro-mote higher education in Afghanistan. The Ambassador paid glowing tributes to National Logistics Cell for timely com-pletion of the mega project which would play a major role in promoting the high-er education in the brotherly country. Governor Balkh Atta Muhammad Noor thanked the Government of Pakistan for its continued support in the re-building of Afghanistan and appealed regional countries for launching similar projects in the war torn Country.

Spread over an area of 17,000 square meters, the Faculty Block has 50 class-rooms having the capacity to accommo-date around 3000 students, 2 seminar halls and 60 offices for faculty members besides other allied amenities. The Fac-ulty has its own water supply, sewerage and electrical systems.

It is worth mentioning here that the completion of Project in face of heavy odds and in the difficult environment of the war-torn Country is regarded as landmark achievement of NLC by the Af-ghan Govt. NLC created enormous good-will among the Afghan people through its quality construction and providing unique opportunity to local workforce to enhance their skills and expertise in construction. The Project thus paved way for strengthening the brotherly ties between both Countries with far-reach-ing diplomatic implications.

Nlc constructed university building handed over to afghan govt

A view of Liaqat Ali Khan Engineering Faculty Block at Bulkh University constructed by NLC.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq, Chancellor of Balkh University Mukamel Alokoza and Governor Balkh Province Atta Muhammad Noor, Minister for Higher Education Dr. Obaidullah Obaid.

May 13-19, 2013

18

MONITORS REPORTLONDON

Britain’s Ministry of De-fence (MoD) has said that it will not use its soil for the launch of drone

strikes inside Pakistani territory but Britain’s biggest anti-war group has said that the MoD’s claim can-not be accepted as it operates with-out any accountability and Pakistan may now be targeted from Britain.

A national daily cited Ministry Of Defence official as saying that Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Waddington base in Lincolnshire is being used as the location for the control of the UK’s armed remotely-piloted Reaper air-craft (commonly known as drones)

“in support of operations in Afghan-istan” only and have nothing to do with Pakistan.

The MoD began carrying out missile-carrying Reaper aircraft missions from the newly built head-quarters earlier a week ago but previously, the RAF had been pi-loting the unmanned aircraft in at-tacks against Afghanistan from the Creech air force base in Nevada.

“UK Reapers are the only armed remotely-piloted vehicle the UK oper-ates. UK Reaper aircraft operate only in Afghanistan, primarily in a surveil-lance and reconnaissance role in sup-port of British and Isaf troops and our allies in the Afghan security forces. The capability provided by these air-craft is undoubtedly helping to save

the lives of our forces, our allies and those of countless Afghan civilians,” the official said.

He added, “They are piloted by highly trained professional military pilots who adhere strictly to the same laws of armed conflict and are bound by the same clearly defined

rules of engagement which apply to traditionally manned RAF air-craft. Reaper aircraft cannot release weapons unless commanded to do so by the pilot. In all military opera-tions, everything possible is done to avoid civilian casualties and this is no less the case with these opera-

tions.”The official said that Pakistan

was an ally and the UK and Pakistan were engaged in a common war against terrorism, therefore there is no question of any use of the UK soil for the launch of armed drones aimed at Pakistan.

‘UK soil not to be used for drone strikes on Pakistan’

DA REPORT ISLAMABAD

Pakistan’s High Commissioner in India, Salman Bashir has advised Pakistan and India to show restraint and stop creat-

ing hype over the unacceptable attacks in which two death row prisoners in both countries were grievously at-tacked.

He also demanded an impartial probe and immediate repatriation of Sanaullah Ranjay, who has completed his prison term, back to Pakistan and is on his death bed in what was a tit-for-tat at-tack.

Pakistan has also demanded that con-sular access must be provided within three months of an arrest and repatria-tion must take place within one month of confirmation of national status and completion of sentences.

Sana was given his first consular ac-cess after ten years and finished his pris-on term in 2006 but it took a gruesome attack for him to leave jail and reach hospital. While the Indian electronic media went ballistic over the attack and consequent death of Indian spy, Sarabjit Singh, Pakistani electronic media has more or less ignored Sana’s story, ob-sessed as it is with May 11 elections.

Bashir made these comments af-ter a visit to see death row prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay, who is fighting for his life at PGIMER hospital in Chandigarh.“However, the prognosis is weak, even though the doctors are try-ing to save him. His condition is critical, the outcome is bleak,” said Bashir in a realistic tone as he spoke to the media.

PGIMER hospital saw strict security as Bashir with other Pakistani diplomats

went in to see Sana.Bashir was told by doctors that “Sana’s metabolic param-eters are now settling. The arterial blood gases are satisfactorily maintained on moderate oxygen flow. Meanwhile, Pa-kistan says that it is worried about over 500 prisoners in Indian jails and has asked India to take seriously the recom-mendations of the Judicial Committee on Prisoners which it had sent New Delhi early last year.

According to the Foreign Office, Jus-tice (retd) Mian Muhammad and Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid visited Indian jails in New Delhi, Jaipur and Amritsar as part of the Judicial Committee on Prisoners where 46 Pakistani prisoners in Tihar Jail, New Delhi, 98 Pakistani prisoners at Central Jail, Jaipur and 45 Pakistani prisoners at Central Jail, Am-ritsar were presented before the Com-mittee.

In New Delhi as Minister for Exter-nal Affairs Salman Khurshid says that Sarbajit Singh’s death has an impact resulted in a ‘setback’ for relations with Pakistan, the Indian media was having a field day quoting intelligence sources saying that Sarbajit Singh was a spy sent to Pakistan by RAW, and that is why the government honored him by giving him a state funeral.

“Sarabjit was an Indian spy in Pa-kistan,” said an intelligence source in a media report. “He managed to ac-complish the task given to him but was caught while trying to flee.”Sarabjit had managed to kill 14 Pakistanis in a bomb attack.It now appears that ‘terrorism’ has also become part of the agenda for Indian spies, which was previously an exercise in espionage.

MONITORS REPORTNEW DELHI

South Asia holds the potential to become the world’s engine of growth and emerge prosper provided it strengthens trade

relations and energy linkages. Connecting regional energy resources

is nowhere else as important as in South Asian region, which is home to about one third of the world population.

This was stated by the LCCI Vice Pres-ident Mian Abuzar Shad, while speaking at inaugural session of a two-day inter-national conference on Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation in South Asia: Trends, Challenges and Prospects in New Delhi. Indian Minister for Exter-nal Affairs Salman Khursheed, Director Economic Affairs Division, Common-wealth Secretariat Dr Cyrus Rustomjee, Secretary General SAARC Secretariat Ahmad Saleem and Director General, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) Dr Biswajit Dhar gave an overview of the strengths

and weaknesses need an urgent atten-tion of the respective governments.

The LCCI Vice President was of the view that trade and energy go hand in hand and a sustainable growth could become a reality if these two areas are focused in true sense of the word. Mian Abuzar Shad said that it was a very useful activity to develop strong bonds between the countries of this region He said that the fact remains that one can-not change neighbors therefore under-standing each other could help bring prosperity in this part of the world. If Europe can unite for all the best inter-ests of their region, why can’t we?

The unity of EU has given great eco-nomic strength to the European region, the LCCI Vice President said. He said that enhanced trade among the SAARC countries would result in the vast eco-nomic growth of South Asia.

Mian Abuzar Shad said that Afghani-stan, Iran and Russia are huge markets and there is a need that the SAARC re-gion should work together to capture these markets.

pak envoy calls for restraint over deaths of prisoners

S Asia can become world’s engine of growth

Demands consular access to prisoners after 3 months of arrest

PakTurk School bags 3rd place in environmental competition

BUREAU REPORT PESHAWAR

Two luminous students of PakTurk Schools and Colleges, Peshawar, Adil Rahman and Ali Khan

of class 9 (O level) grabbed 3rd position among 63 projects from 19 countries around the world at “Golden Climate International En-vironmental Project Olympiad”, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The winning project namely ‘Revolutinary Organic Polymer So-lution for CO2 Emissions’ was made possible due to the persistent efforts made by the department of chemis-try, PakTurk Schools & Colleges, in collaboration with the department of chemistry, Peshawar University. Mr. Huseyin Gursoy, lecturer in Chemistry at PakTurk College, put great efforts in order to make this project a success.

This stunning and fabulous per-formance reminds us of PakTurk Schools & Colleges’ tradition of competing with the world for Paki-stan at an international forum.

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Germany, Dr Cyrill Nunn in a meeting with Prime Minister Justice (retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso at PM House. DA

May 13-19, 2013

19

DA REPORT ISLAMABAD

Centuries old historical and cultural links between the brotherly people of Paki-stan and Tajikistan provide

a strong basis for further enhanc-ing their economic, commercial and trade relations.

These remarks were made by Am-bassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan, Sherali S Jononov, while expressing his views with the business commu-nity of Islamabad Chamber of Com-merce & Industry (ICCI). He said that Tajikistan has huge hydel power po-tential, therefore, both the countries could cooperate in this areas to fur-ther enhance their bilateral relations.

The ambassador said that Tajik-istan is keen to establish direct air-link between Islamabad and Dushan-be which would bring people of the two countries closer to each other. He said that Tajik Air flights on Dushan-be-Islamabad-Dubai would pave the way for increasing tourist traffic and promoting greater people to people contacts as well as he informed the meeting that Qatar Airline is also in-terested to establish Doha-Dushanbe-Islamabad air link which would also create direct air link between Paki-

stan and Tajikistan. Mr Jononov said that Pakistani ce-

ment and textile have great demand in Tajikistan, adding that both the countries could initiate joint ventures in the areas of mutual interests which would open new avenues of coopera-tion.

In his welcome address, Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI said that Pakistan attached great importance to enhance its relationship with all Cen-tral Asian Republic States including Tajikistan as President of Pakistan is also keen to enhance mutually ben-eficial relation between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Bakhtawari said that there should be direct air link between Pakistan and all Central Asian Republic States as well as all these countries should support each other in promoting re-gional connectivity through starting at least two of their flights in a week which would help businessmen in vis-iting each other’s country and explor-ing new areas of commercial linkages.

He said that both the sides must ensure liberal visa policy to enable

the businessmen get visa easily and meet each other which is imperative to boost trade ties between the two countries as there is enough poten-tial in various fields between the two countries to increase trade.

ICCI President also underscored the need for a road link between Pakistan and Tajikistan through the Lowari Tunnel for connecting Chitral and Ta-jikistan saying that the road link will help increasing the trade volume and would benefit the local industries and the population.

Cooperation in energy sector to energise Pak-Tajikistan relations

DA REPORT ISLAMABAD

The US Government, through United States Agency for International Development’s (US-AID) technical and financial support, has made significant advances towards strength-

ening of Pakistan’s supply chains of health goods. Another landmark has been achieved with USAID’s

Deliver Project expanding its web-based Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) across Pa-kistan for improved management, record keeping, procurement and distribution of contraceptives; es-tablishing logistics and procurement cells at provincial and regional health and population departments; and providing Information Technology (IT) equipment support to provinces and districts for LMIS activities.

The project is also assisting the relevant govern-ment departments for developing essential drugs lists with procurement packages for primary and second-ary health care facilities.

USAID has already provided an operator’s training at the district level to make sure that this web-based Logistics Management Information System is effi-ciently and effectively tracking down the need and supplies of the health commodities. With the provi-sion of IT equipment, USAID has ensured that this supply tracking system is operating in all 143 districts of the country. Planning and Development Division, Planning Commission, Central Warehouse (CWH) Karachi, and the recently established Logistics and Procurement Cells (LPC) in departments of Health & Population Welfare are also being provided this equip-

ment.The total value of

hardware support from U S G o v -ernment is $3.5m and this includes servers, desktop computers, laptops, printers, multimedia projectors, photocopiers, barcode scanners, printers and UPS. This will make it possible for the government depart-ments to electronically track and report on monthly consumption of maternal health products and ensure adequate supply.

From 2001 to 2009, Government of Pakistan has spent on average $5 to 6 million per year on contra-ceptive procurement. To meet the elevated demands, the U.S Government has also financed in-kind dona-tions worth $72 million till 2013 to meet all projected needs in the country.

This donation is one of many examples of US Gov-ernment long-term commitment to improve health system in Pakistan. The US Government, through USAID, is also funding construction of various health facilities, such as the new ward at the Jinnah Post-Graduate Medical Center in Karachi, support for the training of medical professionals, and strengthening of maternal and child health services throughout the country.

Significant advancement

US helps Pakistan improve maternal health system

Envoy expresses desire to establish air-link between Islamabad, Dushanbe

ISLAMABAD: Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, chairman Senate, exchanging views with Ambassador of European Union, Mr Lars Gunner-Wigermark at Parliament House, Islamabad. DA

ISLAMABAD: Dr Sania Nishter, former caretaker federal minister for education and trainings, Dauda Danladi, ambas-sador of Nigeria, Walid Ahmad Mahmoud Abu Ali, ambassador of the state of Palestine, Mpendulo Kumalo, high com-missioner of Republic of South Africa, Sherali Jononov, ambassador of Tajikistan, Mustapha Salahdine, ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco and Zaheer A Janjua, chief of protocol ministry of foreign affairs posing for a group photo at the dinner hosted by Dean of Diplomatic Corps Rodolfo Martin Saravia, ambassador of Argentina. DA

MONITORS REPORTBATKHELA

The European Union is com-mitted to resolving civic problems of people in Mala-kand under its ongoing peace

programme. This was stated by Beread De Groot, a representative of the EU, while addressing a managers’ confer-ence for community activists/intuitions organised by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) at Pirkhel, Mala-kand protected area.

Representatives of the village organi-

sations, government officials and elders of the area attended the conference.

Mr De Groot said the EU had been launching different projects in col-laboration with the SRSP in Swat, Dir, Chitral, Shangla and Malakand where village organisations had been formed. People’s problems were being addressed through these village com-mittees, he said, adding under the EU ‘Peace’ programme 100 union councils of Malakand division had been selected for different projects.

The EU representative said capacity of government line agencies and village

organisations had been increased so that they could be able to run smoothly in future. He said under a new project the EU will financially help the SRSP to build strong linkages between masses and government departments in Mala-kand division. The administration, he said also needed to be strengthened for resolution of civic problems.

Mr Groot said burden on judiciary would also be minimised through mak-ing functional the reconciliatory bodies in all parts of Malakand division. These bodies, he said, would be assigned to re-solve petty disputes among locals.

‘EU working for Malakand people’s welfare’

May 13-19, 2013

20


President Karachi Cham-ber of Commerce and Industry, Mohammad Haroon Agar has said

that Pakistan is the most prom-ising land in the region for the fresh British investment as many British corporations are operat-ing successfully and expanding their businesses across Pakistan and beyond.

He exchanged these views with Director, International Trade, UK Trade & Investment, Bir-mingham Chamber of Commerce Group of UK Jonathan Webber during his visit to KCCI. He said that the British companies in Pakistan are enjoying profitable business. However, these con-tributions do not reflect the true existing potential of investment and trade between Pakistan and United Kingdom. Pakistan holds vital geo-political and geo-stra-tegic importance as gateway and trade corridor for Central Asian Countries.

Haroon said in year 2011-2012, Pakistan’s export to UK was

worth $1298 million while the im-ports stood around $699 million and hoped that Pakistan’s trade with UK will make a quantum leap. He proposed signing of MoU between KCCI and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Indus-try. He urged for close liaison between KCCI and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Indus-try to promote reciprocal trade and investment opportunities.

Jonathan Webber recognized Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry as the most vibrant Chamber of Pakistan during his visit to KCCI. He apprised that Birmingham Chamber of Com-merce & Industry was one of the largest Chambers of UK and maintains constant contacts with its members providing an array of services. He hoped that trade and economic cooperation be-tween Pakistan and UK will en-hance with the passage of time. He appreciated the role of KCCI in promotion of trade and indus-try and to uplift economy and asserted upon the need of close cooperation between KCCI and Birmingham Chamber of Com-merce & Industry.

AzHAR MAHMOOD AWAN

ISLAMABAD

US Ambassador to Pa-kistan Richard Olson, while reaffirming the United States govern-

ment’s long-term support to farm-ing communities in Pakistan, said that US is keen to promote agricul-ture in Pakistan.

He said this while addressing a gathering of government officials including Taimur Azmat Osman, Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Dr Iftikar Ahmed, Chairman Pakistan Agri-culture Research Centre (PARC), researchers, and farmers during his visit to the National Agriculture Re-search Center (NARC), which was

established with the help of the US government in the 1980s.

Ambassador Olson said, “The United States is committed to help-ing the small farmers of Pakistan through projects that enhance ag-ricultural productivity.” He also said that since the 1950s, the United States has been working to support agriculture in Pakistan, introducing the Kinnow orange and helping to double Pakistan’s wheat production. Today, we continue our support because improving crop yields, pro-tecting food sources from disease, and boosting milk production will increase farmers’ incomes, improve nutrition, and ultimately strengthen Pakistan’s prosperity.”

The ambassador lauded the pro-gress made by the Wheat Productiv-

ity Enhancement Project (WPEP), a United States Department of Agri-culture (USDA) program managed in collaboration with national and provincial research partners that has successfully introduced the UG 99-resistant wheat variety, “NARC 2011.”

The introduction of this wheat va-riety helps protect Pakistan against UG 99, a virulent wheat disease in the region that poses a threat to Pakistan’s farming community. “Wheat accounts for approximately 60 per cent of the daily caloric intake of the average Pakistani, so our joint efforts to combat this disease are critical,” said Ambassador Olson. “The Wheat Productivity Enhance-ment Project team and Pakistani scientists at national and provincial

research stations have made great progress in the fight against wheat rusts, and I encourage you to con-tinue your work together.”

In addition to support for the Wheat Productivity Enhancement Project, the United States has pro-vided new harvesting machines and funded improvements to research stations around Pakistan to develop more disease-resistant wheat varie-ties. The United States also provides specialised training opportunities to Pakistani wheat scientists.

Dr Muhammad Imtiaz, Country Liaison Officer for the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, noted that without disease-resistant varieties of wheat, such as the one being harvested at NARC, experts estimate that Pakistan’s an-

nual wheat harvest could be reduced by as much as 50 percent if and when UG 99 arrives. “Agriculture contributes 21 percent to the GDP of Pakistan and employs 45 per cent of the labor force, making it one of the most significant economic drivers of Pakistan,” Dr Imtiaz said, adding, that Pakistani farmers grew about 24 million tons of wheat on eight million hectares last year, account-ing for about 2.4 per cent of the GDP.

“Today, our long-term commit-ment to Pakistan’s agriculture sec-tor is sustained through projects that help fight animal and crop dis-eases, increase vegetable and mango production, improve irrigation, in-crease dairy production, and sup-port wheat research, “ Ambassador Olson concluded.

Stressing need for close liason

KCCI calls for boosting Pak-UK trade

cooperation in agri sector

olson reaffirms US support to small farmers

ISLAMABAD:Political Officer of Brithsh High Commission Called on Former AJK PM Barrister Sultan Mahmood. DA

DA REPORTIslamabad

The Law MinisterMr. Ah-mer Bilal Soofi has asked the Solicitor Wing in the Ministry to obtain the

copy of the judgment delivered by the Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court whereby drone strikes have

been declared against the interna-tional law. He further instructed the Ministry Officials to examine the judgment in detail.

Earlier, a high-level meeting was held in the Ministry to examine the legal aspects of drones issue. In this regard, the white paper presumably belonging to US Government avail-able on NBC website came under

discussion.The meeting was chaired by the

Law Minister Ahmer Bilal Soofi and senior officials from Ministry of De-fence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Law participated.

The proceeding with regard to drone matters pending in Lahore High Court also came under discus-sion.

High-level meeting examines legal aspects of drones issue

May 13-19, 2013

21

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

President International Islamic University Is-lamabad (IIUI) Dr Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh par-

ticipated in a ceremony of signing an MoU between Azerbaijan embassy and Inter University Consortium for Social Sciences where he discussed matters pertaining to educational promotion with vice chancellors of different universities.

The ceremony was held in Higher Education Commission (HEC), Is-lamabad, in which Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Chairman HEC Dr Javed Laghari and Vice Chancellors of var-ious universities participated while Rector IIUI Dr Masoom Yasin Zai was also present on the occasion.

During his address in the cer-emony, Dr. Al-Draiweesh said HEC is playing a vital role for providing platforms to universities about mu-tual cooperation in the field of higher education. He showed the desire that

IIUI should also be included in the consortium.

President IIUI invited the partici-pant VCs of the universities to visit IIUI and added that university will welcome every step in the regard of enhancement of bilateral coopera-tion in the field of education.

According to MoU, Azerbaijan will provide scholarships to 36 students to 12 Pakistani universities. Estab-lishment of Heydar Aliyev Chairs & Azerbaijan Study centres in member universities, is also part of MoU.

President IIUI invites VCS of Pak universities

Bulgaria Armed Forces Day marked

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

Majority of the Ameri-cans has incomplete knowledge of Islam and Muslims which is

one of the main hurdles that create a gap between the Muslim world and the USA but in spite of negative propaganda an estimated thirty-thousand Americans convert to Is-lam every year.

These views were expressed by Marriam Ahmed who converted to Islam and working as Assistant Director Programs and Operations in the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at George-town University, America. She was the guest speaker of a lecture titled “Islam and America Today: From 9/11 to Boston Bombings” organized by International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) at the female cam-pus on Wednesday. The lecture was attended by the Director of female campus Dr Zaitoon Begum, Chair Person Department of Politics and International Relations Dr Noor Fa-tima, large number of the students and by the husband of Marriam, Omar Ahmed , a human rights law-yer in the US.

Marriam Ahmed was of the view

that Pakistan and America share constitutional and democratic val-ues and stressed upon the need of bridging the gap, by introducing the common values of both coun-tries which are not widely known on both sides and through dis-seminating the actual message of Islam. “It is urgent for America to comprehend Islam, not only for the sake of its ideals like compassion, knowledge, peace, and interfaith harmony, but in order to achieve peace and understanding with the approximately 7 million Ameri-can Muslims, 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, and 57 Muslim states” Marriam said. She stressed that people in both the US and Pakistan, including in the government, media, academia, and public, must work to understand each other through in-terreligious and intercultural initia-tives. She also noted that Pakistani immigrants in the USA play vital role in its progress and serve as bridge builders between the two na-tions. While talking about IIUI, she said that university truly represents the true diversity of the global vil-lage and it can provide a platform for promotion of interfaith harmony in line with the best of the liberal education tradition and Islamic ide-als and practices.

IIUI holds lecture on ‘Islam and America today: from 9/11 to Boston bombings’

Bulgaria Embassy in Islamabad held a function to celebrate Bulgaria Armed Forces Day. The function was attended by a large number of notables from the diplomatic community. A cake was cut on th occation.— DA Report

May 13-19, 2013

22

MONITORS REPORT GILGIT

The United States celebrated the continued success of programmes to educate the teachers of Pakistan in a

ceremony in Gilgit. The United States, through the

United States Agency for Internation-al Development (USAID), awarded 115 scholarships for future educators who will study in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, including at Karakoram Inter-national University, the College of Ed-ucation, and the Elementary College of Education (Women).

During the ceremony, attendees also congratulated 93 future teachers who recently completed a U.S.-funded Associates Degree in Education (ADE) program and will go classrooms

equipped with new knowledge and skills.

“On behalf of the U.S government and the American people, I am thrilled to see Pakistan’s future teachers pre-pared to thrive in their profession with the help of this important prepa-ration,” said Jo Lesser-Oltheten, US-

AID’s Education Director. “I want to thank the Government of

Gilgit-Baltistan and the Higher Educa-tion Commission for working together tirelessly to create and introduce these student-focused education de-gree programs.” The ceremony was also attended by Dr Ali Madad Sher,

Minister for Education Gilgit-Baltistan and Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Gilgit-Baltistan scholarship program is just one part of the USAID Teacher Education Project, a $75 mil-lion U.S. initiative to educate current and future teachers throughout Paki-

stan. USAID works closely with the Government of Pakistan to develop and implement innovative curricula for two recently-launched degree pro-grams: a four-year Bachelor of Edu-cation Degree, honors program, and a two-year Associate Degree in Educa-tion. The USAID Teacher Education Project also provides scholarships to more than 1,900 students across Pa-kistan so they can benefit from these new degree programs.

Addressing the ceremony, Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister Gilgit-Bal-tistan said, “Teachers play a central role in the education of students, and the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has taken many bold steps to make progress in education, and in teacher education in particular.” He thanked USAID for supporting Pakistani uni-versities and colleges.

collaboration

US awards 115 scholarships to Gilgit-Baltistan teachers

TOKYO: A group photo of the chief guest Ms Midori Matsuma and Ambassador of Pakistan Farrukh Amil with the sponsors of Pakistan-Japan Friendship Bazaar. DA Desk

TOKYO: Former prime minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama addressing the Pakistan-Japan Friendship Bazaar at Tokyo’s Ueno Bazaar. DA Desk

TOKYO: Member Japan-Pakistan Parliamentarians Friendship League, Ms Midori Matsuma and Ambassador of Pakistan Farrukh Amil cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the two-day Pakistan-Japan Friendship Bazaar. DA Desk

DA REPORISLAMABAD

Pakistan the other day urged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to allow multiple-entry business visas to Pa-

kistani businessmen for Dubai and facilitate exports of meat and poultry to UAE from Pakistan.

The demand was made by Federal Minister for Commerce and Textile, Maqbool Rahimtoola during his talks with Minister for Economy of UAE, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri at 3rd Annual Investment Conference.

On the occasion, both the ministers resolved to strengthen trade relations and extend cooperation between the two brotherly countries, according to press statement issued by Ministry of Commerce here.

It is pertinent to mention that UAE is the 3rd biggest foreign investor in Pakistan after USA and UK.

Pakistan’s main exports to UAE are textile, chemical material and com-pounds construction materials includ-ing cement, cotton, fabrics, essential oil and perfumes.

In addition, Pakistan also exports cotton yarn, fish, footwear, fruits and vegetables, jewellery gold and silver ware, machinery and parts, petroleum products, rice and sports goods.

Pakistan asks UAE to allow multiple business visa

BUREAU REPORT LAHORE

Doreen Bailey, economic of-ficer at the US Consulate in Lahore, said that Pakistan has potential to become a

vibrant emerging capital market. Bailey expressed these views dur-

ing her visit to the Lahore Stock Ex-change (LSE) to seek an insight on the country’s capital market. She said that Pakistan has immense poten-tial to increase its economic growth, given that the regulations, the size of the economy, security conditions, po-litical stability and inflation are well maintained.

LSE CEO Aftab Ahmad Chaud-hary shared the structure and per-formance of the capital market. He shared the current market capitali-sation, which is reported to be $44 billion and contributing almost 17 per cent to the GDP.

Chaudhary strongly expressed his desire to establish free trade between Pakistan and India, which could yield benefits and accelerate economic de-velopment on both sides.

US Consulate official says Pakistan has potential for economic growth

May 13-19, 2013

23Piano concert held to mark Franco-German friendship

DA REPORT ISLAMABAD

Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Philippe Thiébaud, with the kind

support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, was the host of an exceptional classical piano concert the other day.

Celebrating the 50th anniversa-ry of the Franco-German Friend-ship Treaty and the universal di-mension of music, the selection of musical masterpieces featured a diversity of European composers.

Martine Mirabel-Pitté, a re-nowned French pianist, started playing piano in her childhood with the clearly stated objective to become a professional. After

her studies at Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, she joined sev-eral ensembles and participated in numerous ambitious art projects linking music, theatre and poetry. She has also extensively explored avenues for dialogues amongst culture by visiting South East Asia and taking lessons with Master Gita Lulin Maung Ko Ko.

The artist, having come es-pecially from France on the oc-casion, Martine Mirabel-Pitté already successfully entertained audiences in Lahore on the 30th of April and in Karachi on the 2nd of May.

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

Thalassemia Awareness & Pre-vention in Pakistan (TAPP) in collaboration with Higher Education Commission, Pa-

kistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Directorate Health Services CDA and Wajeeha Thalassemia Centre Swat cel-ebrated International Thalassemia here at HEC Islamabad.

President TAPP Ms Ayesha Abid pre-sented recommendation and requested to HEC to formulate a policy ensuring compulsory blood screening including blood grouping, blood complete picture followed by test for Thalassemia, if re-quired. Subsequently the students, who are Thalassemia carriers, may be coun-seled and advised family screening.

She also requested for undertaking research on Thalassemia at HEC rec-ognized universities and a survey to update existing statistics of Thalassemia carriers in general population and as well as in index families.

Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director HEC Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed appreciated the efforts of the organizers for creating awareness on this impor-

tant disease. He assured that HEC would take up these recommendations with the vice chancellors and university FM radio channels would be utilized to cre-ate awareness over Thalassemia among the students and community. He was of the view that it is our collective social responsibility that each individual and institution should play their due role for creating awareness on important is-sues like Thalassemia. He also agreed to the proposal of conducting research on Thalassemia at the universities.

Dr Hasan Orooj, Director, Directorate of health Services, extended all its sup-port & commitment for Thalassemia. He further added that the DHS would be pleased to support the awareness component through the DHS headquar-ter and its allied medical centers and he also declared Islamabad as Thalas-semia friendly city. “Any woman who has hemoglobin less than 12 g/dL and any man whose hemoglobin is less than 14 G/dL should make it his business to know, is he a carrier for Thalassemia?, if the answer is yes, than he or she should try to find if his wife or husband are car-riers too, is a plea by Dr. Naila Yaqub, Assistant Prof Pediatrician PIMS.

Thalassemia Documentary, spe-

cial Thalassemia song and applauded performance of Thalassemia Majors grabbed the viewer’s attention.

Earlier it was apprised the cost of supportive treatment for one child is 300,000 PKR/ year. It is a great cost where more than 50% of the population is living below poverty line. In Pakistan, there is no culture of voluntary blood do-nations. Parents have to arrange blood through personal contacts, gradually and slowly all the relatives start hiding from them because they fear that the parents are after their blood. It adds in-sult to injury. There are some organiza-tions supporting Thalassemia but they are not able to cope with the demand. Some parents cannot afford the cost of transport because of escalation in the cost of fuel.

The only solution to the miseries of patients with Thalassemia is a suc-cessful bone marrow transplant which is possible only tissue matches. The results of bone marrow transplant are amazing in children less than 5 years of age who are well managed by their par-ents before transplant. In such a group of children which we call low risk the chances of successful transplant are al-most 90% in our Country.

International Thalassemia Day observed

DA REPORTRAWALPINDI

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Pres-ident, Zubair Ahmed Malik

has said that Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) is playing its due role for the promotion of business activities in the region.

He said that through Single Coun-try Exhibitions in SAARC and other

countries RCCI also setting new trends in national economic uplift. He further said that establishment of incubation center for women entrepreneurs is another landmark of RCCI and FPCCI appreciate said Chamber for taking such steps to endorse business activities.

He was exchanging these views with the President RCCI Manzar Khurshid Sheikh during his visit to the RCCI along with former presidents of Islamabad Chamber

of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Mian Akram Farid, Khalid Javid and media coordinator FPCCI Ma-lik Sohail here on Monday. Group Leader Najamul Haq Malik, Chair-person Handicrafts Association of Shirin Arshid, former presidents RCCI and other members of the Chamber were also present on the occasion.

FPCCI Chief said that cost of do-ing business in Pakistan has in-creased and price hike has become

a common dilemma for the masses. He said that business community is facing immense problems like ener-gy crunch, taxation etc. “It is need of the hour that businessmen commu-nity must stand unite to overcome the prevailing problems”, he added. He also witnessed a Memorandum of Understanding between RCCI & Handicrafts Association and termed that said accord will provide a place for women entrepreneurs.

Speaking on the occasion Presi-

dent RCCI Manzar Khurshid Sheikh said that RCCI always stands by with Federation and play an effec-tive role at national level to highlight businessmen’s issue and also pro-mote exportable products to gener-ate revenue for the motherland. He said that FPCCI is the prime body of business community and it’s the duty of federation to highlight the problems of the community at eve-ry forum and take solid measures to resolve the problems.

‘RCCI setting new trends by holding exhibitions in SAARC’

PARC, Sino firm join hands for production of hybrid seeds

DA REPORTISLAMABAD

PARC signed MoU with M/s Hubei Provincial Seed Group Company of China to promote the development of

rice, cotton, maize and oil crops hy-brid seeds and the commercial pro-duction of those seeds.

Dr Iftikhar Ahmad, Chairman PARC, said that Pak-China scientists will work together to conduct trials for hybrids/ varieties/ germplasm testing under dif-ferent ecologies of Pakistan to deter-mine their productive potential.

ISLAMABAD: Members of Pakistan, Malaysia Business Council posing for a group photo with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry President, Zafar Bakhtawri. DA

May 13-19, 2013

24

We congratulate PML-N President

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharifon thumping victory in general elections 2013

Pakistan Muslim League (N)Ulama Mashaikh Wing

Sahibzada Sultan Fiaz-ul-Hassan QadriChairman

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