“As the world comes together to defeat COVID-19, Nowruz serves as an inspiration to recover and rebuild in a more just and durable way, in harmony with nature.”UN Secretary-General António Guterres message for 2021
“I congratulate all our dear compatriots, especially the respected families of martyrs and disabled war veterans, on Nowruz and the Persian New Year. I also congratulate all the nations that celebrate Nowruz.”

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, The great leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Nowruz is the Iranian New Year also known as the Persian New Year which begins on the spring equinox, marking the first day of Farvardin, the first month of the Iranian solar calendar. It is celebrated worldwide by various ethno-linguistic groups. Nowruz falls on March 20 in 2021. Over 300 million people around the world celebrate the event of Nowruz which mainly live in the Greater Iran or Greater Persia i.e. the regions of West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia and Transcaucasia where Iranian culture has had significant influence and Iranian languages are spoken. 

International Nowruz Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/64/253 of 2010, at the initiative of several countries that share this holiday. Under the agenda item of “culture of peace”, the member states of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan prepared and introduced a draft resolution (A/64/L.30) entitled “International Day of Nowruz” to the ongoing 64th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations for its consideration and adoption.Nowruz has Iranian and Zoroastrian origins; however, it has been celebrated by diverse communities for over 3,000 years in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. 

Today, Nowruz is the beginning of the New Year not only in Iran but also in Afghanistan, and in some other countries Nowruz is celebrated as a cultural event  including Tajikistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Syria, Georgia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Albania, China, Turkey, Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. In some countries Nowruz is an official holiday, and people in these countries rejoice with the onset of spring.Nowruz is not just the beginning of the new year of nature. Rather, it is an opportunity to preserve the cultural and civilizational commonalities of the nations of the region. The beautiful customs of Nowruz bring us together again.

Believing in the roots of this religion and that the culture and civilization of an ancient nation is formed by these rituals, and according to these rituals, borders, ethnicities, colour and race have lost their value and solidarity among the peoples of the world is increasing. Great rituals can be considered as one of the best factors for communication between nations and establishing friendly relations between countries. Undoubtedly, the victory and pride of every nation and peace of the world, and the freedom, happiness and prosperity of the peoples of the world have and have motives that we can seek those motives in the customs, rituals and legends left by nations of our region. Nowruz is one of these glorious rituals among nations. Preserving these customs and rituals, which are a joyful motivation, can be an effective step for communication between nations and the establishment of peace and tranquility in the world.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (DNA): The Muslims especially the Arabs should take
immediate action of the increased attacks of Houthi rebels at Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Special Aide to
Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Middle East said.

Talking to journalist, Hafiz Ashrafi, who is also Chairman, Pakistan
Ulema Council (PUC) stressed for redoubling the efforts to seek
political solution on the issue of Yemen issue.

Ashrafi said that Pakistan’s stance from day one was that foreign
interference in Arab Islamic countries should come to an end. Countries
and elements who used to support terrorist groups, individuals and
organisations must be held accountable.

Extremism and terrorism on the behalf of Islam was an oppression, which
Muslim countries must handle with mutual unity and stability. Some
80,000 Pakistanis have sacrificed their lives in the war against
terrorism, he said and added that, today, with praise of God, Pakistan
has overcome the menace of Terrorism.

Ashrafi said that the visit of the leaders of the Gulf countries to
Pakistan and the visit of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to Egypt
have given a new impetus to relations between Pakistan and Arab Islamic
Countries. The Government was making continued efforts to promote and
strengthen economic, religious, cultural and tourism relations instead
of seeking debt an aid, he remarked.

To a question, he said that the role of the Emir of Kuwait in the
reconciliation process between the Arab countries was commendable. The
Emir and the Prime Minister of Kuwait have invited the Prime Minister
Imran Khan to visit Kuwait and Pakistan leadership is also looking
forward to meet the Emir of Kuwait and the Prime Minister of Kuwait,
said Ashrafi.

Efforts to resolve the visa issue and enhancing cooperation with Kuwait
in various fields was major success and practical undertaking of the
government’s successful foreign policy. He said that the visa issue
between Pakistan and Kuwait was being resolved after nine years adding
that both of the countries are moving towards mutual understanding.

Responding to a question, he said the solution to the confrontation
between Pakistan and India was to resolve the Kashmir issue. Pakistan
does not want war but Pakistan has the capability to respond to any
aggression, said Ashrafi. “Our armed forces as well as the nation
believe in faith, piety and Jehad for the sake of God,” he said.

Indian intelligence agencies had planned to assassinate key Pakistani
clerics and religious scholars, which has been foiled by the Pakistan’s
security agencies successfully. Ashrafi said that there was no question
of recognizing Israel. Pakistan will accept the same solution of Kashmir
and Palestine as accepted by Palestinians and Kashmiris.

He said that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was a very strong forum of
Arab countries and Pakistan has strong ties with GCC and this
relationship will be further strengthened in future.

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BEIJING, March 20 (DNA): China’s steady financial cooperation is one of key reasons behind rise of Pakistan currency “rupee” in the region, according to an article carried by Gwadar Pro on Friday.

It says, Pakistani currency has recovered 12 rupees against dollar. The development is helping increase export bill by reducing burden on import bill leading to give strength to the overall economy.

Rupee has ascended to its highest level of 155.74 against dollar in one year that is considered a remarkable upturn.

Alarmingly, in the past, Pakistani rupee touched 167.7 against dollar vindicating spiraling depreciation of rupee. However it regained its lost strength when rupee hovered to 155.74 against dollar, making a difference of 11 rupee despite the economic tumble due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Pakistan currency has breathed well on the back of consistent China’s FDI inflow, Pakistan’s rising exports to China, unshaken financial assistance in CPEC projects and Chinese investors’ avidity in Pakistan’s market that injected a new life to Pakistan’s economy allowing recovery of rupee.

Besides, rupee strengthening is also associated with strong flows of remittances helping the foreign currency reserves stay stable at $ 20.2 billion.

As per latest data released by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), China is a top destination from where the foreign direct investment arrived in Fiscal Year 2021. Chinese investors invested some $ 493 million in Pakistan during July to February of FY 2021.

Last week, China’s $ 60 million investment in textile sector made everybody sit up and take notice during Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong’s visit to Challenge Textile Factory on Lahore-Multan Road.

China has added over $ 25 billion in FDI to Pakistan under CPEC, stated by Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry at a news briefing.

“Higher foreign remittances and exports receipts support the south Asian currency,” experts say.

In February, workers’ remittances remained above $ 2 billion for the ninth consecutive month. Workers’ remittances amounted to $ 2.266 billion in February 2021, around the same level as the previous month and 24.2 percent higher than that in February 2020, according to the State Bank of Pakistan.

Currency analysts say that flow of foreign currencies has improved post COVID-19 pandemic.

The central bank’s initiative of Roshan Digital Account (RDA) has seen deposits reaching $ 671 million from over 100 countries.

It is estimated that the inflows through RDA are expected to hit $ 1.5 billion by the end of this year.

Economist Slaman Shah said that the State Bank of Pakistan is attracting foreign investments to the country, which is supporting Pakistani rupee against the US dollar.

He said that more positive effects are going to be felt soon as progress is insight on the agreement of trading in Chinese currency Renminbi (RMB) against dollar between Pakistan and China.

Agreement came when the two countries agreed to do business in Pakistani rupee and Chinese currency Renminbi (RMB) during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing.

BENGHAZI, MAR 20 – Eight children were injured when a shell struck a residential neighborhood in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, according to local health authorities on Saturday.

In a statement, Al-Jalal Hospital in Benghazi said the children, aged between seven and 16, sustained moderate and critical injuries in the attack that occurred on Friday in the city’s Zamzam neighborhood.

The statement did not specify the group behind the attack.

Benghazi is controlled by militias affiliated with warlord Khalifa Haftar.

On Thursday, local authorities in Benghazi found 11 bodies with signs of torture and gunshot wounds.

Benghazi is roiled by insecurity amid reports of abuses against civilians by Haftar’s militias.