ISLAMABAD, DEC 26 /DNA/ – Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov has said that Heydar Aliyev was a visionary leader who shaped Azerbaijan’s History. He was briefing the audience about the inauguration of Heydar Aliyev Auditorium at the National University of Sciences Technology (NUST).

Ambassador said that Heydar Aliyev was born on May 10, 1923, in Nakhchivan City of Azerbaijan. As 2023 was declared the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” in our country, this important occasion is being celebrated solemnly in Azerbaijan and abroad.

He said, Every nation has genius personalities who played the role of saviors in the history of national freedom and independence. Those geniuses with their determination led their people behind them and played the role of victor in the most fateful moments.

He further said that the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, has left a bright and indelible mark on the history of the modern world as a great personality, an innate talent, and a wise statesman. The meaningful life path, and rich and diverse heritage of national leader Heydar Aliyev, who gained eternity with his exceptional services, is an inexhaustible lesson.

Looking back on the past years, it can be once again witnessed the important historical achievements of the Azerbaijani people under the leadership of wise leader Heydar Aliyev.The renaissance and awakening of national consciousness started with Heydar Aliyev’s coming to power, and thanks to him, the independence of Azerbaijan became eternal and irreversible.

Azerbaijan was able to rise to the level it deserves in the world thanks to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s foresight, wisdom, determination, iron will, and rich statehood experience.

Heydar Aliyev proved that he was a visionary and decisive politician when he first led the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic from 1969-1982. As a result of theintense activities of Heydar Aliyev, great successes were achieved in the economy, industry, agriculture, education, and culture. Numerous industrial enterprises, cultural and educational centers, andmedical institutions were built.

New mass housing and roads were built, and gas lines were laid in remote areas. In those years when Heydar Aliyev led Azerbaijan, the solid foundation of state independence was laid, and the national spirit and ideology of Azerbaijanism started to rise.

Decisive steps were taken in the direction of nationalization of the cadres. Every year hundreds of young people were sent to the most advanced universities of the USSR to acquire various important qualifications, and Azerbaijanis were promoted to important state positions.

Moreover he said that the adoption of the Constitution of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1978 and the establishment of the Azerbaijani language as the state language are the services of national leader Heydar Aliyev.

At that time, when the totalitarian Soviet regime ruled, the determination of the legal basis for the preservation and development of the moral wealth of the Azerbaijani people, especially the language, in the supreme law of the republic is considered a very brave step.

He was Heydar Aliyev who was able to cope with this difficult task, which was in complete contradiction with the requirements of the Soviet national policy.In this respect, the period after Heydar Aliyev’s leadership of the republic is accepted as the beginning of national consciousness and national self-return.

Later, it was a very proud moment that Heydar Aliyev, the only Muslim at that time, held a high position as a member of the Political Bureau, and first deputy chairman of the USRR Council of Ministers.

In 1987, in protest at the policy pursued by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Heydar Aliyev resigned from his posts.

Having returned to Baku on 20 July 1990, Heydar Aliyev left for Nakhchivan two days later, where he was elected as a member of the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

In 1991, Heydar Aliyev was elected as chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, and in accordance with the legislation as deputy chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He held this post until 1993.

In May-June 1993, when Azerbaijan was at the verge of civil war and loss of independence, the people of Azerbaijan demanded to bring Heydar Aliyev to power.

On 15 June 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected as chairman of the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan, and on 24 June took the office of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 3 October 1993, in a nationwide voting which saw a high turnout, Heydar Aliyev was elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 11 October 1998, Heydar Aliyev was re-elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

When Heydar Aliyev came to power,he eliminated chaos and anarchy, economic and political difficulties in the country.

The Agreement of the Century, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, and other internationally important projects are associated with the name of Heydar Aliyev. As a result of the great leader’s wise policy, high-speed socio-economic development was ensured in Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan became a country with a strong position in international relations. Thanks to him, the independence of Azerbaijan became eternal.

Heydar Aliyev is the architect of the development of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations. He attached great importance to Pakistan.

On 9-11 April 1996, Heydar Aliyev paid an official visit to Pakistan. Several documents were signed between Azerbaijan and Pakistan during the visit. That visit played an irreplaceable role in the development of relations between the two countries.

He said about 2 countries: “Pakistan and Azerbaijan have very good and friendly relations. These relations are based on our ancient historical traditions.

It is no accidental that Pakistan is one of the first states to recognize the independence of our country after Azerbaijan declared its independence.”

Current President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attaches great importance to Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations, which were constructed by Heydar Aliyev. The ties between the two brotherly countries are at a high level in all fields.

KARACHI, Dec 26 (APP/DNA): President Dr. Arif Alvi on Tuesday said that self-sustenance is inevitable for the success in the world and expressed the confidence that Pakistan would progress and develop.

Addressing as chief guest on the occasion of the 35th Convocation ceremony of Pakistan Navy Engineering College (PNEC) at Baharia Auditorium here, he said that the world needed intellect at the moment and there was no dearth of it in Pakistan.

Rector National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Lt General (R) Mehmood and Commander Karachi Rear Admiral Muhammad Saleem were also present.

During the convocation, a total of 368 graduates were awarded Bachelors’ and Postgraduate degrees including the foreign students.

The President also awarded 39 medals to the students on their outstanding performance.

Addressing the convocation, President Dr. Arif Alvi appreciated the efforts put in by the PNEC for maintaining high standards of education by providing quality engineers to the evolving industry of Pakistan.

He emphasized that responsibility of PNEC has further increased in present realm of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

He also acknowledged that foreign students were a testimony to the College’s credentials in the engineering sector.

He highlighted that NUST PNEC will continue with its legacy of being the premier engineering and technology institution, fulfilling present day engineering needs of the country.

The President felicitated the graduating students and their parents and advised the graduates to be active members of society in building a stronger and prosperous Pakistan and keep themselves abreast and with fast changing advancements in technology.

President Dr. Arif Alvi termed the completion of degrees by students as an opening of the doors to the knowledge for the students and said, they must learn more and more.

Earlier, Commandant PNEC Commodore Tauqeer Ahmad Khawaja apprised that PNEC was making all out efforts to provide the best engineering education to its students in multiple disciplines.

Further, he highlighted the achievements of students in various events held at national and international levels.

He highlighted the opportunities provided to the students at different forums in order to groom and nurture the young engineers.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of military and civil dignitaries and parents of graduating students.

ISLAMABAD, /DNA/ – A three-day international course on “Outbreak Investigation and Control of Infectious Diseases” has been started  at the Secretariat of the OIC Standing Committee on Science and Technology (COMSTECH).

The course, facilitated by 5 renowned experts in virology and Infectious diseases from the Pasteur Institute of Iran and two from ICCBS  has attracted overb100 participants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, Yemen, Nigeria, Uganda, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Jordan, and Bangladesh, participating both virtually and physically. The course is jointly organized by COMSTECH, Pasteur Institute of Iran, and Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, ICCBS, University of Karachi.

The inaugural ceremony graced by the Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan who expressed gratitude to the COMSTECH team for organizing these unique and valuable capacity-building events. Dr. Moghaddam pledged full support for such collaborations, emphasizing the enduring cooperation between COMSTECH and Iran.

During his speech, the Iranian Ambassador highlighted Iran’s remarkable scientific achievements, despite challenges and sanctions. He said that Iran has emerged as a global leader, publishing over 78,000 scientific articles in 2022 and ranking 15th worldwide. He underscored Iran’s commitment to scientific development, with notable progress in various fields and a focus on inclusivity, evident in over 50% of Iranian students being women. He assured of the full support of Iran in COMSTECH Inter Islamic Cooperation in Science and Technology.

Addressing the audience, Coordinator General COMSTECH, H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration with the Pasteur Institute of Iran, considering it the beginning of a fruitful partnership with a leading institution of the Muslim World.  Dr. Choudhary highlighted COMSTECH’s mission to advance the Muslim Ummah in S&T, Technology for Health, and all fields. Furthermore, Dr. Choudhary announced plans to collaborate on vaccine development in Pakistan with the Pasteur Institute. He shared the vision for the training of 10 virologists in each Muslim country, promoting scientific exchange and fellowship in the area of infectious diseases.  This international course, with participants from various countries, is a stepping stone towards fostering a collaborative approach to tackle infectious diseases

The three-day course, scheduled to continue until December 28, 2023, symbolizes the commitment of COMSTECH and the Pasteur Institute of Iran to advancing scientific knowledge and cooperation within the OIC community.

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GAZA: Pope Francis lamented the war in the Holy Land where Palestinian health officials said airstrikes killed at least 78 people on in one of the Gaza Strip’s deadliest nights in Israel’s 11-week-old battle with Hamas.

Israeli strikes that began hours before midnight persisted into Day on Monday. Local residents and Palestinian media said Israel stepped up air and ground shelling against al-Bureij in central Gaza.

At least 70 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting Maghazi in central Gaza, health ministry spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra said, adding that many were women and children.

The Israeli army said it was reviewing the report of a Maghazi incident and was committed to minimising harm to civilians. Hamas denies the Israeli charge that it operates in densely populated areas or uses civilians as human shields.

The Palestinian Red Crescent published footage of the wounded being transported to hospitals. It said Israeli warplanes were bombing main roads between central Gaza, hindering the passage of ambulances and emergency vehicles.

Medics said a separate Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza killed eight Palestinians.

Clergy cancelled celebrations in Bethlehem, the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank city where tradition has it that Jesus was born in a stable 2,000 years ago.

“Tonight, our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once more rejected by the futile logic of war, by the clash of arms that even today prevents him from finding room in the world,” Pope Francis said, presiding at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Palestinian Christians earlier held a vigil in Bethlehem with candle-lit hymns and prayers for peace in Gaza instead of the usual celebrations.

Since a week-long truce collapsed at the start of the month, fighting has only intensified on the ground, with war spreading from the north of the Gaza Strip to the full length of the densely populated enclave.

Read Israel bombs northern Gaza, reports mounting military losses

The Israeli military said 10 of its soldiers had been killed in the past day, following five killed the previous day, its worst two-day losses since early November.

“This is a difficult morning, after a very difficult day of fighting in Gaza,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday. “The war is exacting a very heavy cost from us; however, we have no choice (but) to continue to fight.”

In a later video message, he said troops would fight on deeper into Gaza until “total victory” over Hamas.

Israel has been under pressure from its closest ally the United States to shift its operations into a lower density phase and reduce civilian deaths.

On Saturday, Israel’s military chief of staff said his forces had largely achieved operational control in the north of Gaza and would expand operations further in the south.

But residents say fighting has only intensified in northern districts.

Islamic Jihad leader in Cairo on diplomatic mission

Diplomatic efforts, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, on a new truce to free remaining hostages held by militants in Gaza have yielded little public progress, although Washington described the talks last week as “very serious.”

Islamic Jihad, a smaller militant group allied to Hamas, said a delegation led by its exiled leader Ziad al-Nakhlala was in Cairo on Sunday. His arrival followed talks attended by Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in recent days.

The militant groups have so far said they will not discuss any release of hostages unless Israel ends its war in Gaza, while the Israelis say they are willing to discuss only a temporary pause in fighting.

The delegation would reaffirm the group’s position that any exchange of hostages will have to secure the release of all Palestinians jailed in Israel, “after a ceasefire is achieved,” the official said.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad are still believed to be holding more than 100 hostages from among 240 they captured during their October 7 rampage through Israeli towns, when they killed 1,200 people.

Since then, Israel has besieged the Gaza Strip and laid much of it to waste, with more than 20,400 people confirmed killed, and thousands more are believed dead under the rubble.

The vast majority of the 2.3 million Gazans have been driven from their homes and the United Nations says conditions are catastrophic.

RAWALPINDI: /DNA/ – General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), joined the Christian community at Christ Church, Rawalpindi in Christmas celebrations.

The congregation welcomed COAS and thanked him for sharing the festivity. COAS wished Merry Christmas to the entire Christian community in Pakistan.

COAS expressed reverence for religious community and stressed upon the need for promoting greater interfaith harmony in society in order to follow Quaid’s true vision of a united and progressive Pakistan.

COAS noted that “Islam teaches us the lesson of peace, friendship and encourages interfaith harmony which is the need of the hour”.

COAS stressed upon the importance of having correct perspective, truth and knowledge based opinions about national issues rather than following rhetoric and propaganda, to address complex challenges and issues.

“Enemies of Pakistan are hell-bent towards creating fissures using religious, ethnic and political vulnerabilities. We have to stand together & united to rise as a resolute and strong nation.” COAS remarked.

COAS while paying glowing tribute to Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s great vision and leadership on his 147th birthday, quoted Quaid’s historical remarks made in his speech on 11 August 1947 while addressing the Constituent Assembly, (quote)“You are free. You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan.” (Un-quote)

At the end, COAS befittingly acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices made by the entire Christian community of Pakistan in all the fields and domains.

ISLAMABAD: /DNA/ – Pakistan Condoles the Martyrdom of 12 Turkish Soldiers during Counter-Terrorism Operations. We are deeply saddened to learn that 12 Turkish soldiers have been martyred during counter-terrorism operations on 22-23 December 2023.

We express deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish speedy recovery to the injured. Pakistan stands in firm solidarity with Turkiye in this moment of grief.

Pakistan strongly condemns the scourge of terrorism. We are confident that the brotherly Turkish nation will overcome this tragedy with characteristic grit and determination.