ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that he will prepare a complete road map for the economic recovery.

A meeting of the senior political leadership and economic team of the party was held under the chairmanship of Imran Khan. During the meeting, the country’s political situation and deteriorating economic conditions were discussed in detail.

A special committee consisting of political and economic experts was established under the chairmanship of former finance minister Shaukat Tarin. The committee set up will also recommend measures to protect the poor and needy from the worst effects of the economy and help them.

On this occasion, Imran Khan said that a good, stable and developing economy was brought to ruin by foreign conspiracy, while the country was subjected to political instability and a bunch of incompetent people was imposed without preparation, he added. The PTI Chairman went on to say that the hard work done to stable the economy was destroyed within weeks.

The only way to get the country out of the mire of economic disaster is transparent and early elections, said the former premier.

ISLAMABAD, SEP 20 (DNA) — Rector of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai has said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is a great leader whose honesty, hard work, academic ability and political understanding are examples of world history and world leaders have always acknowledged his vision.

Dr. Masoom, while addressing a seminar on “Message of Quaid e Azam and contemporary requirements” said that youth should make the best use of their time to enhance the country’s development through excellence in the field of education. The seminar was organized by Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue, Department of Urdu, Department of Political Science & International Relations and Department of History and Studies of IIUI.

The keynote speaker Professor Dr. Ehsan Akbar said that Pakistan was achieved after great sacrifices and it was Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, whose efforts made it possible. He said that even today the Muslims living in India are suffering. Addressing the students, he further said that they should value Pakistan and learn the sacrifices of their forefathers by studying the history.

 Among the speakers were the vice president Academics IIUI, Prof. Dr. Ayaz Afsar, Allama Iqbal Open University’s professor and historian Dr. Abdul Basit Mujahid and chairman of Pakistan Studies at Islamia University Bahawalpur Dr. Aftab Hussain Gilani.

 The speakers shed light on Quaid-e-Azam’s efforts, vision and his practical life in detail and advised the students to follow the guiding principles and teachings of Quaid-e-Azam. A large number of university teachers and students participated in the seminar. =DNA

ISLAMABAD, SEP 20 (DNA) — Maria ARENA, Chair Subcommittee on Human Rights alongwith Mr. Peter Van Dalen and Mr. Petras AUŠTREVI?IUS, Members of the European Parliament met with the members of the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights at the Parliament House.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, leading the delegation from the Pakistani side, thanked EU for support in flood relief but raised three concerns on human rights. He said floods in Pakistan are climate-induced and Pakistanis are suffering due to climate change effects of other countries policies.

He said Pakistan is ravaged by floods and Ukraine by war, but Pakistan got ‘peanuts’ but Ukraine got billions. Surely, he asked the EU Parliamentarians, Pakistanis are not children of a lesser god? He said even UN Secretary General has called for ‘climate justice’.

Secondly, he said Europe faces a grave threat of right wing racism and religious bigotry, with Islamophobia and anti-Semitism as electoral trends in Sweden and Italy testify. Third, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed condemned double standards of European countries: annexation of Crimea by Russia is condemned while annexation of Occupied Kashmir by India is condoned.

Ms. Maria ARENA expressed solidarity with the people of Pakistan in the wake of the devastation caused by the recent floods. She also highlighted the importance of GSP Plus for Pakistan and the need to strengthen work on issues of human rights, labor rights, freedom of expression and environment.

Mr. Peter Van Dalen stressed on the need of strengthening the criminal justice system in Pakistan for expedient disposal of cases. Mr. Petras AUŠTREVI?IUS highlighted the issue of Taliban in Afghanistan especially its adverse effect on public life of Afghans.

Senators Seemee Ezdi and Abida Azeem brought the attention of the EU Delegation on the climate catastrophe facing Pakistan. They also reiterated the need for assistance from the international community to address the issues of climate change.

The meeting which had a frank and candid exchange ended on a note of thanks from both sides. =DNA

ISLAMABAD, SEP 20: /DNA/ – At a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan Foreign Office Women’s Association (PFOWA) handed over a consignment of relief goods for the flood affected areas of Balochistan to Pakistan Air Force. The relief goods will be airlifted by Pakistan Airforce and distributed among the valiant flood affected people. The items include blankets, shelter, food, medicines and other essentials.

The relief items were presented by the President of PFOWA Mrs. Mahwish Sohail to PAF representative.

The donations made by PFOWA to the national flood relief effort demonstrate solidarity and support for the affected compatriots.

PFOWA has actively participated in such relief efforts in the past including during the devastating floods in 2010 and 2011 .

PFOWA is a registered non-governmental organization bringing together spouses of Pakistan Foreign Service officers and Pakistan’s lady diplomats for charitable endeavours.

Staff Report / DNA

ISLAMABAD: Riina Kionka, Ambassador of European Union (EU) called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ, today.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation and bilateral cooperation with European Union (EU) were discussed. COAS said that Pakistan values its relations with EU countries and we earnestly look forward to enhance mutually beneficial multi-domain relations based on common interests. COAS congratulated the Ambassador for assuming her new appointment. Both the dignitaries hoped to further enhance bilateral engagement based on common interests.

The visiting dignitary expressed her grief over the devastation caused by ongoing floods in Pakistan and offered sincere condolence to the families of the victims. She offered full support to the people of Pakistan.

She also appreciated Pakistan’s Army efforts for assisting civil administration in rescue and relief efforts in flood affected areas and pledged to play her role enhancing relations between Pakistan and EU.

COAS thanked for the EU’s support and reiterated that assistance from our global partners shall be vital in rescue/ rehabilitation of the victims.