Category: Pakistan

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has said that Pakistan suffered a lot and sacrificed seventy thousands lives during American war in Afghanistan.Talking to media in Lahore on Thursday he said it is a world history that nobody could ever succeed in Afghanistan. He said he has also talked to foreign leaders on the issue of Afghanistan.

ISLAMABAD: The MET department Thursday forecast wind-thunderstorm/rain in upper and central Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and Pothohar Region during next 24 hours.While hot and dry weather is likely to prevail in other parts, while very hot in plain areas of the country.Weak monsoon currents are penetrating upper and central parts of the country and likely to continue during next 2 to 3 days.Maximum temperature’s recorded in (C): Dadu 50, Sibbi, Turbat 48, Jacobabad, Rohri, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sakrand, Attock and Peshawar 46.

RAWALPINDI: Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, New York Ambassador Munir Akram Thursday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa here at General Headquarters (GHQ). During the meeting, matters of mutual interests, overall regional security situation including Afghanistan reconciliation process and Kashmir dispute, were discussed, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release. The Army Chief appreciated the mission’s role and efforts in the service of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu Thursday visited the 3rd Main Jet Base in Konya, Turkey to review the multi-national air exercise “Anatolian Eagle-2021”. The Air Chief was given a detailed briefing about the conduct of the exercise, said a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) media release received here. While interacting with the participants, the Air Chief praised the operational readiness and professionalism of the participating aircrew. He also underscored the significance of training in air operations for synergetic and effective employment of assets in a real scenario. He said, “Such exercises contribute immensely in achieving greater synergy and cooperation amongst friendly forces. ” “Anatolian Eagle” is an annual event held alternately in Turkey and Pakistan. This year the exercise features participation from Air Forces of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Qatar. The PAF contingent comprises of JF-17 Thunder aircraft along with personnel from various PAF units and squadrons. The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability between the participating air forces.

BEIJING: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday reaffirmed to the Chinese nation that they will always find Pakistan as most reliable partner, an ironclad brother and trusted friend who will stand by China, not only amid the gentle tides of peace and prosperity, but also in the rising storms of peril and predicaments. “Let us join our hands together to build a Closer China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the New Era,” he said in an article contributed to China”s one of most prestigious newspaper Global Times to mark the special occasion of 70 years of diplomatic ties and the 100th anniversary of the found of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Following is the text of the Prime Minister”s article:- “This is a historic moment for the peoples of Pakistan and China. Our two countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and China is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. On this landmark occasion, I congratulate the governments and peoples of the two countries. Longstanding ties between our peoples date back to the ancient Silk Road, when traders, academics, monks, and ascetics like Fa Xian and Xuan Zang traversed treacherous Karakoram Mountains and laid the foundation of beneficial interactions and exchanges between the Chinese civilization and the Indus Valley civilization. Pakistan was the first Muslim country to recognize the People”s Republic of China in 1950 followed by the establishment of formal diplomatic relations a year later. Over the past seven decades, our fraternal relations have withstood the vicissitudes of time, and grown from strength to strength, unaffected by changes in the regional and international environment. With unrelenting efforts of successive generations in the two countries, our relationship has transformed into an “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. “During this momentous journey, Pakistan became the most vocal supporter of the lawful rights of China in the United Nations. It also facilitated the famous “secret” visit of Mr. Henry Kissinger, the then US National Security Advisor, to Beijing in 1971, which became the harbinger of Sino-US rapprochement. This July marks the 50th anniversary of that seminal development, which had a decisive impact on East-West relations. The Pakistan-China relationship is characterized by deep mutual trust, understanding and commonality of interests. This unique, time-tested, and ironclad brotherhood has scaled many peaks. We support each other in our respective core interests. Pakistan has always upheld the “One-China Policy” and supported China on Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and South China Sea issues. China has stood by Pakistan in supporting our key strategic, economic, and developmental priorities. The people and government of Pakistan deeply value China”s just and principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Pakistan-China friendship is rooted deeply in the hearts of the people of the two countries. We have the finest tradition of standing by each other through difficult times. For instance, Pakistan provided support to China during the earthquake in 2008 and China helped Pakistan in the wake of devastating floods in 2010.In line with this tradition, our cooperation against the COVID-19 pandemic has remained exemplary. In the wake of the outbreak of the pandemic, Pakistan extended diplomatic and material support to China. President Dr. Arif Alvi visited China in March 2020 to express solidarity with our Chinese brothers and sisters. Similarly, China has provided critical material support and COVID-19 vaccines in our fight against the pandemic. This vital Chinese assistance has helped Pakistan fight the pandemic and save precious lives. China”s own fight against COVID-19 has set a new standard for the world to emulate. Since 1949, China has made remarkable accomplishments in all walks of human endeavor. After assuming office in 2018, I have visited China three times, which has provided me with a rare insight into the philosophy and strategy behind its rapid economic development. In just 40 years, China is leading global efforts for mitigation of climate change and exploring new frontiers in aviation, space, and medical sciences. China”s stellar growth and prosperity provide a model for developing countries for national development and socio-economic progress. Pakistan is one of the earliest supporters and participants of President Xi Jinping”s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). We emphatically endorse the spirit and philosophy of the BRI, which seeks to transcend national boundaries and lay bridges for a win-win cooperation and closer economic integration for a shared future. As the flagship project of the BRI, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) complements my government”s vision of “Naya Pakistan. “The CPEC is a transformational project.

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques launched its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season. Acting Minister of Media Majid Al-Qasabi said the country’s leaders and people are honored to serve the Two Holy Mosques and all who come to them as pilgrims or visitors. “The Kingdom’s government has enabled all the concerned sectors in the country to facilitate the service of pilgrims, and to harness all the security, safety and health capabilities to facilitate the services (that allow) pilgrims to perform the rituals of Hajj with ease,” he added. Al-Qasabi said this year’s Hajj pilgrimage will be the second under the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, and takes place as new variants of the coronavirus continue to emerge. He added that the decision to limit Hajj to 60,000 pilgrims, all of them from inside the Kingdom, aims to protect them and ensure their rituals can carried out as safely as possible, Arab News reported . Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said the authority is working to put in place all possible health precautions, while also ensuring that the Hajj rituals can take place, the experience is enriched, and proper hospitality is provided in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. He added that the presidency’s plans are based on a several pillars that highlight the values of generosity and hospitality in providing services to the pilgrims. Regarding the provision of water to pilgrims, Al-Sudais said that the presidency will hand out bottles of sterilized Zamzam water. The latest artificial intelligence technology will be employed to distribute the water using robots and high-tech smart vehicles, he added, in accordance with precautionary procedures. The presidency will provide more than 800 manual and electric vehicles to help people move around within the Grand Mosque and its courtyards, he said, and make it easier for elderly and disabled pilgrims to perform their ritualsAl-Sudais also revealed that about 5,000 workers have been recruited to sterilize the Grand Mosque, its courtyards and other facilities 10 times a day, using more than 60,000 liters of disinfectant and the latest cleaning technologies. The presidency also plans to provide gifts, including umbrellas and sterilizers, that will make it easier, safer and more comfortable for pilgrims to perform their rituals.