NATO leaders are ready to make decisions to ensure long-term security, the head of the military alliance said Friday.

He said it is a pivotal moment for the alliance to adapt to challenges, such as “Russia and China pushing back against the rule-based international order, the continued threat of terrorism, sophisticated cyberattacks, disruptive technologies and climate change.”

Stoltenberg said the group’s strategic concept needed to be reviewed since the world has changed since its adoption in 2010.

He expects leaders will give him the mandate to work on the strategic concept to be adopted in 2022.

“My mission is a clear commitment from allies to significantly reduce military missions, and for NATO to contribute to the goal of net zero,” he said.

The new concept is also meant to address challenges of China‘s rising influence that was not mentioned previously, as well as to tackle a more aggressive Russia with whom NATO has “one of the lowest points in its relationship with since the Cold War.”

“The summit will also take decisions on the use of new operational domains, cyber and space,” according to the NATO chief.

Stoltenberg expects to “send a clear message at the summit that NATO is determined to defend itself, in space as effectively as every other domain of land, sea, and air.”

Leaders will also adopt a new policy on conflict-related sexual violence.

The head of the World Trade Organization said on Saturday she hoped that post-Brexit tensions between Britain and the European Union would not escalate into a trade war.

“I would really, really hope that a UK-EU trade war will not take place,” WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in response to a question when speaking to reporters covering a Group of Seven leaders’ summit in southwestern England.

“With all the opportunities there are too for dialogue, I would be a little surprised if we ended up with a UK-EU trade war,” she said. “It’s too costly for both sides. This is not what the world needs right now.”

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUN 12 – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi received a telephone call from Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 During the call, the two Foreign Ministers reaffirmed long-standing and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. On behalf of Pakistan’s leadership, Foreign Minister Qureshi conveyed best wishes to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Saudi Foreign Minister apprised Foreign Minister Qureshi about the challenges of organizing Hajj in 2021 and the policy measures taken by the Kingdom in the larger interest of public health. Foreign Minister Qureshi conveyed his understanding of the situation and expressed confidence in the decisions taken in public interest by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

In view of the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Ministers reviewed the outcomes of the successful visit and agreed to work together towards early and effective implementation of decisions taken by the leadership of the two countries. Foreign Minister Qureshi also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom.

 The two Foreign Ministers also discussed bilateral cooperation in various fields, as well as the two countries’ cooperation in multilateral organizations. They also exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest.

Commensurate with the close and cordial relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Ministers of both countries hold frequent consultations on diverse issues. The two Foreign Ministers met twice in May 2021; first, during the visit of the Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia, and then on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting on Palestine in New York.

DNA

RIYADH, JUN 12 – The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah affirms that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia always places great care and attention on the safety, health and security of pilgrims, and places this at the forefront of its priorities. In compliance with the purposes of Islamic Sharia in preserving the human soul, while providing all the necessary facilities that facilitate pilgrims to perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, and enable them to reach the holy places smoothly and easily, as the Kingdom has had the honor during the past ten years serving more than 150 million pilgrims.
 
In light of what the whole world is witnessing of the continuing developments of the emerging Corona Virus (Covid 19) pandemic and the emergence of new variants, the competent authorities have worked to monitor the global health situation, in order to ensure the performance and facilitation of Hajj rituals according to an optimal model, in light of the accelerating developments accompanying this epidemic. And the extent of the world’s countries’ progress in immunizing their citizens and residents, and the number of infections there, along with warnings of the danger of an increase in the spread of infection and injury in human gatherings, issued by the World Health Organization, and from the concerned authorities in the Kingdom and in many countries.
 
Given the nature of the crowds during the Hajj, which extends at different times in different and specific places according to the order of performing the rituals, which makes the application of the highest levels of health precautions a very vital matter, to protect the health of the pilgrims and ensure their safety.
   It was decided to limit the availability of registration for those wishing to perform the Hajj rituals for the year 1442 AH to citizens and residents inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia only, through the electronic path for pilgrims that will be launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in order to ensure the performance of rituals in health, security and safety, while adhering to regulatory controls, health standards and security requirements in All stages of performing the obligatory prayer, as follows:
 
The total number of pilgrims for the year 1442 AH (60,000 pilgrims), for residents of all nationalities and citizens inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The need for the health status of those wishing to perform Hajj for the year 1442 AH to be free of chronic diseases.
-Performing the Hajj rituals for this year 1442 will be limited to age groups (18 to 65 years) for those vaccinated, in accordance with the instructions and procedures followed in the Kingdom for immunization categories (vaccinated, or vaccinated who completed one dose and spent 14 days, or vaccinated recovering from infection).
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also indicates that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is honored to host pilgrims every year, confirms that this arrangement comes out of its constant concern for the health, safety and security of pilgrims as well as the safety of their countries. Therefore, it has been keen to develop operational plans to achieve all requirements and the availability of all health standards. Which will be announced during the press conference that will be held today, emphasizing the need to follow all precautionary measures and apply them while performing the pilgrimage.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 12 (DNA) – Justice ® Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB has said that NAB is a people and business friendly organization. NAB has great regard for the business community which is playing an important role in the country’s progress.

He said that he had not only addressed business community at Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce Karachi (FPCCI) Chamber of Commerce Lahore and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, Islamabad but held various meetings with a delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce Karachi (FPCCI), delegation of Flour Mills Association, delegation of Cotton Ginners Association and delegation of Gawadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. NAB has referred the cases of Income Tax, Sales Tax and Under Invoicing to FBR. On the direction of Honorable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB, NAB has established a special desk under the supervision of Director and deputy director at NAB headquarters Islamabad to address the complaints of the business community. The business community leaders lauded the efforts of Chairman NAB for taking personal interest in addressing their problems timely which is very much on record and news related to address of Chairman NAB to business community at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad was not only published in all the leading newspapers but also covered live by almost all the leading TV channels.

In this backdrop, NAB totally rejects the impression given in a section of the media that the business community has any fear from NAB. The impression given in media is not only baseless but is a part of malicious propaganda campaign against NAB in order to tarnish its image as the  performance of NAB has appreciated by reputed national and international organizations like  Transparency International Pakistan, World Economic Forum, Global Peace Canada, PILDAT and Mishal Pakistan. As per a survey of Gillani and Gallup, 59 percent people have shown trust upon NAB.

NAB has filed 1273 references in the learned Accountability Courts throughout the country. Out of 1273 references, the references against the business Community are less than one percent.

NAB during the tenure of present management of NAB under the dynamic leadership of Honorable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal has recovered Rs. 487 billion directly and indirectly. The total amount recovered by NAB since its inception is Rs. 814 billion which is a record achievement. Out of recovered money, NAB officers/officials have not received even single rupees as NAB officers consider eradication of corruption as their national duty.

He said that action is being taken against fake/illegal housing societies and modarba scandals on depriving the poor people of their hard earned money. The housing societies neither handed over them plots nor had returned their hard earned money. The poor investors are running from pillar to post to get their money back. NAB has returned billions of rupees to affectees of housing societies after recovering from fake and illegal housing societies which were working in Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar and other areas of the country.

He said that the cases of Sugar, fake accounts, money laundering, LNG, 56 companies, misuse of authority, assets beyond known sources of income  and cheating public at large will be taken to logical conclusion as per law as NAB has no affiliation with any individual, party or organization. NAB strongly believes in zero percent corruption -100% development policy as per law.=DNA

=========