ISLAMABAD, DEC 21: /DNA/ – National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), Islamabad organised two-day International Maritime Symposium (IMS), on the topic “Geo-economic Dimensions of Indian Ocean Region (IOR) – Opportunities for Region and Beyond” on 20 and 21 December 2022. Experts from home and abroad presented their views about the geo-economic importance of IOR.

The focus of second day proceeding was on maritime security in the context of regional connectivity. Air Marshal ZahidMahmood, vice chief of Air Staff was the chief guest. Whereas Vice Admiral Abdul Aleem (Retd) moderated the session discussion. Vice Admiral (Retd) IftikharRao spoke about the Maritime Threats & Challenges in Regional Perspective. He talked about the Malacca strait choke point and its importance to the world, especially to China. He also emphasized that Gwadar is a commercial port and its security is vital for economic dividends.

Dr. Christian Beuger, of University of Copenhagen, talked about the Security of Sealines of Communications (SLOCs) and emphasized collaborative strategy in IOR to meet the non-conventional threats, particularly to SLOCs. He opined that Pakistan is in a position to take the lead in this regard. While delivering talk, Prof. Dr. Azhar Ahmed, of Bahria University, was of the view that Geo- Economics is an instrument to achieve objectives of Geo-Politics. He underscored that without political stability no country can progress.

Air Marshal ZahidMahmood highlighted the importance of maritime security and its linkage with national security. He emphasized on the need of developing operational strategies to meet the maritime security threats. Dr. Hassan Daud Butt, of Bahria University, spoke about the need of regional connectivity, both on land and over sea.

Senator MushahidHussain Syed, key note speaker, while deliberating on the current global security scenario, opined that it is the most dangerous decade after World War II. World is witnessing historic changes; economic and global powers are emerging from East. He was of the view that next war is expected to be at sea and not on land, therefore, Pakistan needs to ensure fool proof maritime security.

The message of Prime Minister of Pakistan was also read out during the session. While emphasizing the Maritime Security of Pakistan, PM opined that Pakistan is heavily dependent on its sea lines of communications because over 90% of Pakistan’s trade and almost 100% energy imports are through sea. Therefore, any disruption in maritime trade has serious repercussions for the national security. The government is well aware of this imperative and is providing all out support to maritime security apparatus especially to Pakistan Navy.

Vice Admiral Faisal RasoolLodhi, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff was the chief guest of the closing session.  He emphasized that effective security is essential to protect the expanding maritime economic activities in Pakistan, region and beyond. Pakistan, therefore, needs proactive diplomacy, well considered economic policies and risk management as important ingredients to harness and sustain the pace of development and potential growth.

The symposium was well attended by maritime professionals, security experts, academia, think tanks and media personnel.

Lahore, DEC 21: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan will announce his next plan of action in an “important” address tomorrow (Thursday), a senior party leader said.

In a press conference in Lahore on Wednesday, PTI Focal Person for Economy Hammad Azhar said that the party would hold a “huge” protest outside Punjab Governor’s House at 5pm to record its protest.

The political situation in Punjab is tense as Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman — belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) — had summoned a session today for a vote of confidence pertaining to Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi.

But defying the directives, Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Sibtain Khan — a PTI member — termed the order against the constitution and adjourned an ongoing session till Friday.

In response, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah threatened that the government would issue a declaration at 4pm today — which is still not out — to remove Elahi as the chief minister.

The PTI has decided to all-out oppose any move that the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led opposition throws its way and called for a protest outside the Governor’s House.

“A circus has been set up across the country,” Azhar said, berating the opposition, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, for allegedly being involved in horse trading.

PML-Q MPs back CM Elahi

In light of a trust or no-trust vote, the votes of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) are extremely important and the opposition was eyeing getting their support through PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat.

However, a statement released from the PML-Q said that the lawmakers of the party have assured their complete support for the incumbent chief minister — Elahi.

In a meeting — presided over by the CM and PML-Q’s parliamentary leader Sajid Bhatti — members gave CM Punjab full authority for all decisions and resolved to remain united under his leadership, the party statement read.

If a no-confidence motion is moved in the provincial assembly, members agreed to vote in favour of the chief minister, speaker and deputy speaker.

In this regard, addressing the press conference alongside Azhar, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry also mentioned that all PML-Q MPs have backed CM Elahi, the speaker, and the deputy speaker.

“We have the numbers,” Chaudhry said, noting that the PTI and PML-Q have joint members amounting to 187.

Letter sent for removing governor

Meanwhile, Speaker PA Sibtain has sent a letter to President Arif Alvi for removing the incumbent governor, Punjab Minister for Environment Protection and Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Basharat Raja said.

The former law minister mentioned that under Article 101(3), the president has the authority to remove the governor.

Basharat said in the letter written for the removal, the speaker has also complained about the governor’s behaviour.

“He has also pointed out the unconstitutional measures of the governor and requested the president to ensure that the governor does not take further unconstitutional steps.”

ISLAMABAD, DEC 21: /DNA/ – On behalf of the President and the Government of the Republic of Belarus, the Ministry of Emergency Situations organized the collection and delivery of humanitarian cargo to Islamabad due to severe consequences of floods in Pakistan.

On December 21, 2022, the cargo arrived at Islamabad International Airport accompanied by a Belarusian delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus, general-major of internal service Igor Bolotov.

The Belarusian Side provided humanitarian cargo weighing 27.7 tons with a total cost of more than 400 thousand U.S. dollars.

The IL-76 transport aircraft delivered frame tents, petrol pumping plants, diesel generators, blankets, medicines, clothing for children and adults, kits for cleaning, conditioning and disinfection of water, hand sanitizers and emergency disinfection, antiseptics.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan were established on February 3, 1994. Both Belarus and Pakistan maintain friendly relations, which have developed to become a multifaceted partnership over a relatively short span of time.

The volume of bilateral trade with Pakistan has varied from $50 to $120 million per year over the past 15 years.

Belarus and Pakistan are closely cooperating on the international arena in addressing pressing issues of the global and regional agenda.