ISLAMABAD, APR 07 (DNA) – The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided closure of the COVID-19 vaccination centres across the country once a week.

The NCOC approved weekly holiday of coronavirus vaccination centres and issued directives to the provincial chief and health secretaries regarding its closure for a day in a week.

According to sources the vaccination centres will be closed on Friday in order to give rest to the administrative and medical staff. On the weekly holidary, the vaccination centres will complete their tasks including vaccine transfer and other related matters.

Earlier on April 5, the government had decided to administer Covid-19 jabs to elderly people aged 80 and above at their homes after the National Command Operation Center (NCOC) approved the recommendation.

The decision came after NCOC huddle had given go-ahead to the recommendations put forward by the huddle and has thus directed all the provinces to begin vaccination drive at home for the elderly who cannot wait at designated centers.

The local health authorities will be responsible to facilitate the home vaccine drive, sources confirmed, as the people will reach out to local officials to get themselves registered.

The NCOC’s decision comes in a bid to encourage the elderly to take the jabs readily without hassle while about a million people have been already vaccinated against the global pandemic to develop immunity against it. = DNA

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ISLAMABAD, APR 07  (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday met with a Russian delegation led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan.

A multitude of important issues were discussed in the meeting including improving bilateral relations as well as a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

The Prime Minister fondly recalled his interaction with President Vladimir Putin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek in June 2019, where he had underscored his desire to take the bilateral relationship to a new level.

Imran Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to expeditiously conclude the requisite legal process for the “Pakistan Stream” (North-South) Gas Pipeline project and commence the work as early as possible. He reiterated the importance Pakistan attached to its relations with Russia as a key foreign policy priority.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the steady growth in bilateral ties, including deepening cooperation in trade, energy, security and defence.

Enhanced bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, industrial modernization, railways and aviation was discussed. It was agreed that the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC), due to meet in Moscow later this year, would closely pursue specific proposals and projects in that context.

Views were also exchanged on the health and economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister congratulated Russia on its development of Sputnik-V Vaccine and underscored Pakistan’s procurement plans in that regard.

In the regional context, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of a negotiated political settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan. Pakistan appreciated Russia’s efforts in promoting the Afghan peace process including through the hosting of the recent meeting of Extended Troika in Moscow.

With reference to the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Prime Minister shared Pakistan’s perspective on issues of peace and security in South Asia, including the need for peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Views were also exchanged on the situation in West Asia, the Gulf, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. The Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to President Putin to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.  = DNA

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ISLAMABAD, APR 7 /DNA/ – A memorendum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad and Karachi University to foster joint efforts in the areas of research, dialogue and publications on policy related affairs.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the two institutions by Vice Chancellor Karachi University Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, Chairman IPS Khalid Rahman, Director ORIC (Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization), Karachi University Dr Alia Rehman, IPS’ Vice Chairman Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain and IPS’ GMO Naufil Shahrukh in a ceremony held via video link.

Speaking on the ocassion, Dr Khalid Iraqi, Khalid Rahman, Syed Abrar Hussain shed light on the need and significance of collaborated efforts for promotion of policy studies. Prior to signing of the agreement, IPS’ focul person in Karachi University Assistant Professor Samina Qureshi shared views on longstanding relations between the two institutions and probable areas of cooperation for future.

Karachi (DNA): Pakistan Turkey Joint Business Council (PTJBC) of The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEİK) organized a joint meeting/session “Interconnected Business Series: Turkey Pakistan” at Federation House, Karachi and DEIK Head Office, Istanbul, Turkey virtually to enhance the bilateral trade and economic relations between both countries. The meeting was followed by B2B networking sessions on Food, Beverages, construction, construction material & Machinery, Medical Equipment and their Technologies in order to provide the new avenues of bilateral trade and investment.

The Meeting was addressed by Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, President of FPCCI, Mr. Arshad Jan, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Pakistan,Mr. Amjad Rafi, Chairman, FPCCI Pakistan-Turkey Joint Business Council and Mr. Bilal Pasha Consul General of Pakistan in Istanbul from Pakistan side and Mr. İhsan Mustafa Yurdakul, Ambassador of  Turkey in Islamabad, Mr. Ahmet Cengiz Özdemir, Chairperson, DEIK/Turkey-Pakistan Business Council, Mr. Demir Ahmet Sakin, Commercial Counselor of Turkey and Eyyup Yildirin Commercial Attache of Turkey in Karachi from Turkish side.  The B2B/networking session was attended by more than 135 top Pakistani and Turkish companies representing Food, Beverages, construction, construction material, medical equipment and their Technologies and Directors & members of Pakistan Turkey Joint Business Councils.

In his remarks, Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, President FPCCI underlined the need of harmonization of standards so that the trade via third country could be reduced. He also acknowledged the visit of President of Turkey Tayyib Erdogan in February 2020 and transformation of the existing relations into Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) which is a road map for deepening economic cooperation for enhancement of bilateral relations in trade, tourism, healthcare, hospitality, industry, education, housing, agriculture, aviation and banking.  He also underlined the need of enhancement of commercial ties by expanding interaction of businessmen of both nations, exchange of delegations subject to COVID improvement and holding of Exhibitions etc. He also highlighted the opportunities available in construction industry of Pakistan due to Naya Pakistan project announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan wherein 5 million low cost houses to be constructed and invited Turkish businessmen to invest in low cost houses construction. 

Mr. Amjad Rafi, Chairman Pakistan Turkey Joint Business Council discussed in detail the trade prospects between both countries, highlighted the joint ventures and collaboration in tourism, IT, health and education sectors. He showed his concern over the declining of bilateral trade particularly Pakistan’s export to Turkey due to imposition of additional custom duties on textile and other products by Turkey. He appreciated the presence of Both Diplomatic Missions which shows that Governments are very keen to facilitate business. He also suggested creation of B2B portal of Pakistani and Turkish Companies for trade, joint ventures etc. He also emphasized on the revival of cargo train ITI and suggested that both DEIK (Turkey) and PTJBC (Pakistan) should propose a workable Freight and Time Schedule of both sides jointly advice their government ( Ministry of Railway) Workable Freight Charges and Punctual Time Schedule as this is the interest of all Stakeholders.

Mr. Ahmet Cengiz Özdemir, Chairperson, DEIK/Turkey-Pakistan Business Council underlined the need of enhancement of trade, collaboration in transportation corridor and diversification of relations in various field. He also highlighted the opportunities in energy, CPEC, housing, SMEs, tourism, transportation area for joint collaboration.

Mr. Arshad Jan, Deputy Head of Mission/Minister, Embassy of Pakistan also showed his concern over the pandemic which has reduced commercial activities and highlighted the investment opportunities in economic zones and SEZs of Pakistan. He ensured his continuous efforts and support for the enhancement of trade relations.

Mr. İhsan Mustafa Yurdakul, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey suggested collaboration in blue economy which is linked with maritime activities, ship building and aqua culture. He also appreciated DEIK and FPCCI for providing platform for B2B meetings regularly for business community.

During the second session, Mr. Bilal Pasha Consul General of Pakistan in Istanbul, Mr. Demir Ahmet Sakin, Commercial Counselor of Turkey and Eyyup Yildirin Commercial Attache of Turkey in Karachi made a detail presentation highlighting the business and investment opportunities of Pakistan and Turkey  in Food, beverages, medical equipment and construction sector.

From Pakistan side, Sheikh Sultan Rehman Former Vice President FPCCI moderated the networking session on construction, construction material & technology, Mr. Shahid Ahmed Khan Director PTJBC moderated Food, Beverages and their technologies and Dr. Tasmia Abeer Billo moderated medical equipment sector. The meeting was also attended by Shahzeb Akram, Sr. Vice President FPCCI, Hanif Lakhani Vice President, DHA High Officials,  Syed Masood Alam Rizvi, Secretary General and Directors and Members of Pakistan Turkey Joint Business Council.