Ansar M Bhatti

AS the chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Uzbekistan hosted the annual Summit 2022 of the SCO Heads of State Council on September 15-16 in Samarkand. In the upcoming conference, transit trade and commercial cooperation among the members was discussed. The member states also talked about establishing industrial zones and in this regard, the first industrial zone of SCO countries will be established in Samarkand region, Uzbekistan. For the first time, discussions on the promotion of digital transformation and poverty reduction in the SCO space were available to the member countries to benefit from the experiences of one another. The eradication of poverty and economic development was the main focus of this conference, which provided an opportunity for mutual cooperation and dialogue to the member states.

The Uzbek Ambassador in Pakistan H.E. Mr. Oybek Usmanov, in his recent interview had said that Pakistan and Uzbekistan had a very important role to play in providing trade and economic integration to the SCO member states, which will usher in a new era of economic integration. The Ambassador further said that the SCO has important member states in terms of geo-economic and geopolitical position, including developed countries, which can play an important role in the development of global and regional economies through this organizational platform. The holding of the SCO Summit in Samarkand was indeed a landmark achievement for Uzbekistan and people of the Uzbekistan when the leaders of the member states visited this great country. Uzbekistan is touching new heights of development during the tenure of the incumbent President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who ever since becoming the head of the state, has introduced a number of reforms with a view to empowering people of Uzbekistan. Economically, Uzbekistan is very well poised and over past few years the infrastructural and socioeconomic development in Uzbekistan has been phenomenal.

The SCO summit took place in the historical and touristic city of Samarkand. Having been to this wonderful city, I can say on authority that this city has a lot to offer to the tourists, particularly those who are interested in religious tourism. The city is noted as a centre of Islamic scholarly study and the birthplace of the Timurid Renaissance. In the 14th century, Timur (Tamerlane) made it the capital of his empire. The Bibi-Khanym Mosque remains one of the city’s most notable landmarks. Samarkand’s Registan Square was the city’s ancient centre and is bounded by three monumental religious buildings. The city has carefully preserved the traditions of ancient crafts: embroidery, gold work, silk weaving, copper engraving, ceramics, wood caning, and wood painting. UNESCO added the city to its World Heritage List as Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures.

Imam Al-Bukhari Research Center is also located in Samarkand. The Center was formally opened in January 2019 and was equipped with all latest scientific and technical facilities that are required for in-depth research and enrichment of knowledge. Various facilities are offered at the Center with essential briefing about Imam Al-Bukhari and his contribution towards making Islam well-understood not only in the Muslim world but in the Western world also.

The security situation in Uzbekistan is meticulous. It is because of fool proof security that foreigners come to this country without any hesitation and fear. During past few years number of tourists coming to Uzbekistan has multiplied. The Uzbek Government led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has already taken a number of measures to ensure security of tourists besides development and improvement of the touristic places.

Both Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy excellent relations. The trade and economic volume between the two countries has also increased manifold while both sides are making earnest efforts to further solidify bilateral relations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the SCO Summit along with a high-level delegation. It was a great opportunity for both sides to interact closely and explore more avenues of cooperation. Besides, the Pakistani Prime Minister, on the sidelines of the SCO summit, met with other prominent leaders as well. The Uzbek leadership and people deserve credit and applause for holding the historic event in the most befitting manner.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 17 /DNA/ – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan categorically stated that the public overwhelmingly rejected the imported government in the Sunday-last by-elections, which was actually a referendum against the PDM; therefore, he gave some more days to these bandits for the sake of the country to fix date for early elections or else he would announce his party’s long march within few days.

Speaking at a press conference following the party’s high level meeting here on Monday, PTI Chairman warned that these cable of thieves should bear in mind that elections date should be announced forthwith otherwise he would not delay the long march beyond October, as his party completed all the necessary preparations in this regard.

Imran Khan made it clear that the nation wanted an immediate election as they had already given their verdict against the imported rulers imposed through foreign conspiracy. “I will pay tribute to the voter and supporters for this historic triumphant,” he added.

“This was not an election but a referendum, the voters knew that we were not supposed to sit in the assembly, yet people voted our candidates repeatedly,” he maintained.

Imran Khan warned the government that if once we announce the March, then no one can give a guarantee as to what will be the result, as multitudes of people would take to the streets responding to his call to the nation for the anti-government march.

The PTI Chairman said that in May 25, PTI was not pre-prepared but this time around we have completed our preparations and Rana Sanullah have no idea about it.

He said that the gang of thieves had nothing to do with the country since they have no stake here because they stashed all their plundered wealth abroad. “These bandits will not be bothered by the worst economic scenario in Pakistan. The whole nation has been witnessing that only a small thief is held by the law while the big wigs get expulsion,” he added.

However, he vowed: “Time is up for Nawaz and Zardari, whatever they do they will be defeated,” he exclaimed, adding that giving them more time would be tantamount to plunge the country deep further in the quagmire of problems. 

Lashing out at Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan said that Nawaz wanted to delay the elections because he was scared to go to polls due to the PTI’s rising popularity.

He stated that Nawaz was actually waiting for the PTI’s wave of support to subside before elections could be held but contrary to it the party was gaining more popularity with each passing day as the Sunday’s by-polls was its clear manifestation.

Imran Khan said that Nawaz Sharif can contest the election only when his theft was forgiven, as he was yet to tell where the London flat money came from. He was Nawaz Sharif was a timid person, he can play matches without his own empire, adding that he did not want to compete with the institutions of the country because it would only harm the country.

“We are holding public gatherings and long march within the framework of the constitution, as we will not do any fighting with anyone,” he added.  

Talking about possible talks, PTI Chairman said that some backdoors parleys were held but it did not work because these were not democrats but criminals, adding that one can hold reconciliation talks with Baloch or Sindhi nationalists, but not with the felons like them because the ultimate goal of the ruling coalition was to making necessary legislations to waive off their billions of corruption cases.

To a question about COAS’ appointment, Imran Khan reiterated that neither Nawaz criminal nor Asif Zardari Mr ten percent should make such a high-profile appointment such as that of the army chief. However, he stated that the army chief should be appointed on merit.

About the torture on PTI leaders, Imran Khan expressed his resentment that his party had a detailed discussion about the custodial torture inflicted on PTI leaders.

He said that 75-year-old Senator Azam Swati was stripped naked in custody and tortured mere over a mere tweet, adding that the same treatment was meted out with Shahbaz Gill and anchor Jamil Farooqi. “I felt so ashamed that we humiliate our people this way,” he added.

“Swati was beaten and humiliated in front of his grandchildren and then was taken to police station where law enforcers handed his custody to agencies, who then subjected him to brutal torture,” Khan added.

He lashed out at the Chairman Senate for not issuing Swati’s production order. PTI Chairman made it clear that the incident brought disrepute and disgrace to Pakistan, because the world’s media gave prominent placement to the story that he was tortured and stripped naked for tweeting against the army chief, giving an impression as if the army was above the law.

He said that the party leadership decided that a special sessions of KP and Punjab assemblies would be summoned on the issue and PTI senators would file petition with the Supreme Court.

Besides, Imran Khan stated that the party would also write letters to international oragnisations — human rights committee in Geneva, UN special rapporteur on torture, EU special representative on human rights and international parliamentary union to register its concern pertaining to torture on its party leaders.

Imran Khan went on to say that a person posted in Islamabad was behind this unlawful and unconstitutional act in a bid to please the army chief. He demanded that strict actions should be taken against him because he was doing no service to the country rather violating the Constitution, defaming the country and sowing the seeds of hatred among the public for institutions.

About Karachi by-poll, Imran Khan demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold re-election in Karachi’s NA-237 constituency, as the PPP clinched the seat through rigging, as his party had all the evidence in this regard.

He said that the ECP hold complete reelection in Daska after some complains of irregularities at few polling stations in the constituency.  

He stated that the Sindh election commissioner was on the provincial government’s payroll and they have already approached judicial council against him.

Talking about Jeo Biden’s remarks, Imran Khan said that when he went to America, Donald Trump gave him great respect. When Trump talked about Pakistan on the issue of Afghanistan, I reacted strongly.

He said that America respects those who respect themselves, adding that these people were begging on TV shows and Bilawal was traveling all over the world and Sindh is drowning in floods.

He said that US President Joe Biden said Pakistan was the most dangerous place, which was a clear defeat of the foreign policy of the imported rulers. 

ISLAMABAD, OCT 17 /DNA/ – Pakistan Hotels Association’s annual election results were announced at its 58th annual general meeting, held on September 30, 2022. The following Office Bearers have been elected for the term 2022-23

Mustansir Zakir as Chairman, Mian Akram Farid as Senior Vice Chairman, Mr. Faisal Qayyum Khan as Vice Chairman North, and Mr. Abdul Jabbar Rathod as Vice Chairman South.

Mr. Mustansir Zakir has been elected as Chairman, who is associated with Hashoo Group for more than 25 years, and is the CEO of Hashwani Hotels Limited, the owners and operators of Islamabad & Karachi Marriott Hotels and Zaver Pearl-Continental Hotel Gwadar.

Mr. Zakir is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and Associate Member of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICAM).

He has done his certification in Hospitality and Strategic Management from Cornell University, USA. Mr. Zakir has remained Chairman and Executive Committee Member of PHA in the past as well, playing a vital role in the hospitality sector on behalf of the Pakistan Hotels Association.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 17 /DNA/ – A Saudi Armed Forces delegation led by Major General Hamed Bin Rafei Al Amri, Director Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force in his office today. During the meeting, matters of regional security situation, enhanced bilateral and defence cooperation were discussed.

Major General Hamed Bin Rafei Al Amri expressed his grief over the devastation caused by recent floods in Pakistan and offered sincere condolence to the families of the victims. He praised efforts of PAF personnel for their support to civil administration in relief activities and rehabilitation process of the flood affectees.

 The dignitary also acknowledged the rising indigenous capability of PAF in aviation industry and agreed to further optimize the existing ties between both the air forces particularly in training and operational domains.

Chief of the Air Staff shared broad contours of PAF’s modernization drive to achieve operational capability in the contemporary warfare in air, space and cyber space domains as per the PAF’s operational construct and said that Pakistan Air Force is fully focused in acquisition and development of these technologies.

The Air Chief said that Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoy longstanding religious, cultural and historical bonds which are manifested through strong ties between both the countries. CAS thanked the visiting dignitary for the unflinching support extended by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reiterated that assistance from our global partners shall be vital for rescue and rehabilitation of the flood victims in Pakistan.

Islamabad, OCT 17 /DNA/ – Hanif Abbasi former Special Assistant to Prime Minister and Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry former Federal Minister along with Senator Ahmed Khan, Zia ullah Shah & Raja Hanif Advocate former MPAs, Sardar Nasim Khan former Mayor Rawalpindi and Farah Naz Akbar President PML-N Women Wing Islamabad visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) to congratulate the new Office Bearers of ICCI.

Addressing the business community, Hanif Abbasi and Dr. Fazal Tariq Chaudhry assured that they would fully support ICCI in its efforts for the establishment of a new industrial zone and representation of sitting President ICCI in CDA Board. They said that 11 new routes for Islamabad have been finalized and very soon the citizens would see electric businesses on the roads of the Capital that would provide quality transport and reduce 50% traffic flow. They said that all dead development projects of the twin cities including Bara Kahu Bypass and Rawal Road Interchange have been revived to address traffic issues and facilitate the growth of business activities. They further assured that they would cooperate in addressing all highlighted issues including expediting work on IJP Road and de-sealing of Centaurus Mall. They also asked the business community to cooperate with the government for providing relief to the flood affectees.

Senator Ahmed Khan also stressed that the government should cooperate with ICCI in materialization of the industrial zone project and representation in the CDA Board.

In his welcome address, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that ICCI has been making efforts since long for the establishment of a new industrial zone in the region to boost industrialization and representation of sitting President in CDA Board to safeguard the interests of business community and requested that both politicians should cooperate with ICCI in these important initiatives. He stressed that the Capital should be made a protests free city and a separate venue may be earmarked for such political activities to save the businesses from any losses. He said that the DC rates for land prices have been hiked by 400-500 percent due to which the business of real estate sector was suffering and emphasized that these rates should be rationalized to facilitate the growth of business activities. He said that work on IJP road may be expedited to save businesses and commuters from problems and a parking plaza in every major market in Capital may be built to address the parking issues.  

Azhar ul Islam Zafar, Vice President, ICCI said that the closure of Centaurus Mall has rendered about 4000 persons unemployed and around 300 families have been made homeless and requested that both politicians should cooperate in resolving this issue amicably.

Zafar Bakhtawari, former President ICCI presented a cheque of Rupees one million to Hanif Abbasi for the relief of flood affectees.  

Khalid Javed, Mian Akram Farid, Zubair Ahmed Malik, Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi, Baser Daud, Sheikh Amir Waheed, Muhammad Naveed Malik, Khalid Chaudhry and others were also present at the occasion.