WASHINGTON: Pakistan has played an important role in supporting the peace process in Afghanistan, according to a top Pentagon official.
Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Affairs David F Helvey made this statement while addressing lawmakers of the Senate Armed Services Committee in the US on Saturday.
He was responding to a question from Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, about his “assessment of Pakistan” and its intelligence agencies and the role expected by both in the future.
“Pakistan has played an important role in Afghanistan. They supported the Afghan peace process. Pakistan also has allowed us to have overflight and access to be able to support our military presence in Afghanistan,” Helvey said.
He said the US will continue its conversation with Pakistan because of its support and contribution to the future of Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told lawmakers in New York that Pakistan was seeking a broad-based, strategic partnership with America, which would also cover Afghanistan.
He had emphasised on the need for “a broad-based strategic partnership” in the interest of both countries.
Last month, US President Joe Biden announced to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September 11 this year.
The US and the Taliban signed a landmark deal in Doha on February 29, 2020 to bring lasting peace in war-torn Afghanistan and allow US troops to return home from America’s longest war.
Under the US-Taliban pact signed in Doha, the US agreed to withdraw all its soldiers from Afghanistan in 14 months.
There are currently 2,500 American troops left in Afghanistan, the lowest level of American forces in the war-torn country since 2001.
KARACHI, May 24 (DNA): Interpol in a letter to Pokarachi terror actslice and the CTD has sought details of the Belgian citizens involved in terror activities in Karachi.
Interpol Brussels chapter, in a letter to Additional I.G. Police Karachi and DIG Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) via the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), has sought the list of the citizens of Belgium involved in terrorism in Karachi, sources said.
According to sources, Belgian authorities had sought details of the terror suspects from the Interpol.
It is to be mentioned here that the CTD Karachi DIG Omar Shahid Hamid had wrote a letter for arrest of the Belgian nationals involved in anti-state activities in Karachi.
It had requested the foreign ministry to share the Joint Interrogation Team (JIT) report of alleged Muttahida Qaumi Movement London (MQM-L) terrorist Wahid Hussain alias Guddu with the Belgium Embassy.
“Wahid Hussain alias Guddu is holding dual nationality of Pakistan and Belgium”, the letter read.
Wahid Hussain had disclosed names of his associates including Arif Ajakia, Saleem Belgium and others in committing various crimes, according to CTD.
The CTD in its letter further said that the terror network comprises of 30 to 40 members. “Those staying in Belgium also collecting funds from the Pakistani community, which used for terrorism acts in Karachi,” according to the letter.
The CTD had requested the foreign ministry to share the JIT report with the Embassy of Belgium.
Earlier in February, the Counter-Terrorism Department of the Sindh Police had arrested Wahid Hussian aka Guddu, during a raid conducted in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area.
ISLAMABAD: Responding to media queries, the Spokesperson stated that there was no U.S. military or air base in Pakistan; nor was any such proposal envisaged. Any speculation on this account was baseless and irresponsible and should be avoided.
The Spokesperson added that Pakistan and the U.S. have a framework of cooperation in terms of Air Lines of Communication (ALOC) and Ground Lines of Communication (GLOC) in place since 2001. No new agreement has been made in this regard.
MUZAFFARABAD, May 24 (DNA): The Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Sakib Foric, called on President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan at Aiwan-e- Sadar, Muzaffarabad on Monday.
The AJK President and Ambassador Sakib Foric during the meeting discussed ways to strengthen relations between the people of Bosnia, Pakistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The AJK President expressed his immense pleasure to receive the Bosnian envoy and said that Bosnia is a great nation with a history of the valiant struggle to fight tyranny, ethnic cleansing and genocide. “You have been a beacon of light for other nations in the heart of Europe,” he said.
Terming Ambassador Sakib Foric as one of the most dynamic diplomats in the diplomatic community in Pakistan, President Masood said Ambassador Sakib’s tenure in Pakistan remained very productive in furthering the friendly relations between Bosnia, Pakistan, and Azad Kashmir.
“During your tenure the Bosnian President Mr. Sefik Dzaferovic visited Pakistan and I had the honour of meeting him and discussing the dire situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir”, the AJK President said adding that he had also discussed with him promotion of closer ties and exchanges between Bosnia and Azad Kashmir.
The Bosnian Ambassador said that his country was fully aware of the plight of Kashmiris and sought full respect for their fundamental rights. President Khan thanked the ambassador for the solidarity shown by the Bosnian People towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ambassador Sakib Foric said that President Sefik Dzaferovic had especially asked him to convey his greetings and good wishes to President AJK. President Masood Khan reciprocated with warmth and gratitude.
Sharing his memories of the Balkan Wars of the 1990s, AJK President said that he had the honor of drafting and steering resolutions on Bosnia in the Third Committee and the General Assembly of the United Nations. He said that Pakistan, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, had made resolute efforts to stop ethnic cleansing and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
President Masood Khan said that deep scars left by the crimes against Bosnian people and massacre of innocent Muslims in Srebrenica are still fresh in our hearts. Pakistan, he said, had sent its peacekeeping forces to the area to help Bosnian people.
President Khan said we had supported Bosnians not merely because they were Muslims but because it was a matter of humanity.
The President suggested the exchange of students, academics, and journalists between AJK and Bosnia as part of people-to-people contacts to strengthen relations between the people of the two regions.
AJK President also expressed his gratitude to Bosnia for providing generous help to build a girls school at Chattar Kalass near Muzaffarabad and constructing a hospital there after the earthquake 2005.
The Ambassador thanked AJK President and conveyed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bosnia by promoting cooperation in multiple areas, including defense, particularly training of Bosnia’s armed personnel in military institutions of Pakistan.
Mr. Sakib Foric acknowledged Pakistan’s endeavours for promoting unity among the Muslims and also thanked Pakistan for extending assistance to Bosnia in a number of sectors and widely recognizing its position and sovereignty at the international level.
The Bosnian Ambassador arrived in Muzaffarabad to deliver computers to the children of the school built at Chattar Kallas through Bosnian funding. The computers provided by the Embassy of Bosnia were delivered to the management of the school at a simple ceremony held at the Presidency. Earlier the AJK President thanked the Ambassador for their gesture in the midst of COVID-19.
ISLAMABAD, MAY 24 – Leader of the House in Senate, Senator Dr. Shahzad Waseem during meeting with Ikram Mohammad Ibrahim Ambassador of Malaysia has emphasized to further enhance bilateral trade, investment and tourism between Pakistan and Malaysia. He said that the present state of bilateral economic ties does not commensurate with the potential and there is need to explore possibility of cooperation in diverse fields. The Ambassador of Malaysia paid a farewell on Leader of the house in senate here at his residence today on Monday.
Dr. Shahzad Waseem said that Pakistan highly values its cordial and brotherly relations with Malaysia. He said that both the countries have always supported each other at international forums which are testimony to the fact that both value bilateral relations. Leader of the House lauded the efforts of Malaysian ambassador for increased cooperation between the two countries.
Leader of the House pointed out that geostrategic location of both Pakistan and Malaysia calls for strong connectivity through direct flights between both countries.
The Ambassador said that Pakistan is an important regional country and Malaysia wants to further deepen mutual ties and strengthen linkages for mutual benefit of the people of two sides. The Malaysian Ambassador apprised Leader of the House regarding plans to increase imports of agricultural products from Pakistan.
Covid situation was also discussed during the meeting. Ambassador appreciated the efforts of Pakistani government to mitigate the threat posed by the virus. Ambassador also lauded robust vaccination program launched by government of Pakistan.
Leader of the House also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing Ambassador for strengthening bilateral relations between the two sides.
Islamabad, MAY 24 – Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health, DrNausheen Hamid, has said that the tobacco taxation and related health issues need constant monitoring systems and hence, the federal government is committed to come up with such systems. She said this while speaking at the webinar ‘Fiscal intervention for health policy; Advocating the case of imposing higher taxes on Tobacco regime,’held by sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), here on Monday.
Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI, indicated the void in tobacco taxation policies. He added that the tobacco industry is aware of the impending Track and Trace System and is making all out efforts to delay it. Dr Suleri emphasized the need of tobacco taxation as it is one of the significant clauses of IMF program where Pakistan needs to abide by the commitments.
“As the federal budget is in the offing, the tobacco companies are advocating for a decrease on taxes on the tobacco products. However, the federal government has been in the mood to impose higher taxes on the tobacco products and bring these products under the trace and track system,” Dr Suleri maintained and added further that that a control on the illicit trade of tobacco products will play a key role in this regard.
Dr Suleri said that SDPI is in favor of the Two tier-taxation system, and keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic, the revenue collected should be diverted to the health expenditure. He suggested that the chewable tobacco should also be the brought under the taxation regime as well.
Dr Iqbal said that “We need strict law regarding the illicit trade of the tobaccos/cigarette and a single tier taxation system in short to long term.”
Senior Research Economist, PIDE,Dr Mahmood Khalid; was of view that the tobacco taxation policy lacks evidence base data which hampers the overall policy framework.
DrSamra Mazhar from Tobacco Control Cell, MoNHSR&C, said that tax imposition on tobacco is an international practice to reduce the use of cigarette in the country. DrWafa Aftab,from Agha Khan University, believedthat there is a direct link between tobacco smoking and health complications. Therefore,prevention is the best way to reduce the expenditure on the health system, as 10% increase of tax on tobacco results in 2-8% reduction in its use.
Country Lead, The Union (Pakistan), Mr Khurram Hashmi, suggested that with the strong support of the of the federal and provincial govts along with independent think tanks can jointly take the agenda of higher taxation a successful culmination.Mr Shehzad Alam Khan, Representative of WHO, said that we need to take a holistic approach in approaching tobacco related policies and taxation regime. Besides, we need some voices in the parliament in support of the raise in taxation system as per WHO guidelines.
He suggested that a study on the role of evasion and avoidance should be conducted in addition to improved data on supply chain as well as the consumption, he added. MrWasif Naqvi, Senior Research Associate, SDPI,earlier, highlighted various aspects of the taxation and the consumption of tobacco.
ISLAMABAD, MAY 24 (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday along with his cabinet members and top military officials visited the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Secretariat, where they were given a briefing on the national and regional security situation.
Director General ISI Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed welcomed the prime minister and other dignitaries on their arrival.
The prime minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza, Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar javed Bajwa, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar.
The prime minister appreciated the diligent efforts of ISI for national security and expressed his satisfaction over its professional preparedness.=DNA
BELARUS, MAY 24 (DNA) – Ambassador of Pakistan to Belarus Sajjad Haider Khan called on Yuri Shuleiko, Chairman of Brest Regional Executive Committee (Governor). Mr. Nasir Hamid, Minister (Trade & Investment) based in Moscow and Abdullah Amin, Deputy Head of Mission at Minsk Embassy were also in attendance. From Belarusian side, Chairman of Economic Committee Mikhail Samolazov, Chief Executive Officer of Brest Free Economic Zone Fiodar Kalanchuk and other senior officials also attended the interaction.
Appreciating the deep rooted bilateral ties between the two counties, the Ambassador highlighted Pakistan’s keen interest in further deepening the trade and investment ties. Briefing the Belarusian dignitary on recent steps undertaken for promotion of multifaceted relations, the Ambassador expressed his full satisfaction over the outcome of his three days tour of the Brest region during which he met over twenty leading businesspersons representing a diverse sectors of economic activities ranging from fish importers, dairy producers, textile importers and garments manufacturer/importers.
Expressing his satisfaction over the growing ties between the two countries, Chairman Shuleiko welcomed the Ambassador to Brest Region and showed his government’s readiness to assist the businesspersons from Pakistan in forging closer trade & investment ties particularly in Agriculture and Textile sectors, where Brest region has lot of scope. He also invited Pakistani investors to take advantage of the investment opportunities in the Brest Free Economic Zone.
The two sides agreed to pursue to common objective of finding ways and means to strengthen commercial ties between Pakistan and Belarus.=DNA
ISLAMABAD, MAY 24 (DNA) – Ambassador Nong Rong, Ambassador of China in Pakistan, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan, today. The subjects covered during the meeting included Pakistan-China bilateral relations, including CPEC; the 70thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties; vaccine cooperation; and high-level bilateral exchanges.
The Prime Minister recalled his earlier telephone conversation with Premier Li Keqiang, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties, which is the reflection of excellent cooperation between Pakistan and China.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the highest priority accorded by the Government to CPEC and the firm commitment to expeditiously complete CPEC projects, which will open up tremendous opportunities for increased economic growth and development in the region and beyond.
The Chinese Ambassador extended President Xi Jinping’s invitation to the Prime Minister to participate in the ‘CPC and World Political Parties Summit’, to be held in July 2021. The Prime Minister graciously accepted the invitation to attend the virtual event.
Ambassador Nong Rong reassured that China will continue to firmly support Pakistan in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and accords high priority to help address Pakistan’s requirements.
It was agreed to continue with the momentum of high-level bilateral exchanges to further solidify strategic cooperative gains between the two countries.=DNA
Heritage is our legacy. A nation that does not respect its heritage and culture cannot stand with dignity. Our cultural and natural heritages are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. However, a sad truth is that, world heritage sights are negatively being affected by Climate Change, while Pakistan’s Heritage Sights are suffering due to negligence. Also, it may not be surprising if people have not even heard the names of a few of these timeless establishments.
Rohtas Fort:
Recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO was built by General Sher Shah Suri, between 1541 and 1548, Jhelum. A magnificent blend of Turkish and Mughal architecture, that enchant the viewer with its grandeur and splendor. However, due to the negligence of authorities, it’s been unkept.
Jain Temples of Nagerparker:
A small town situated at the foot of the dramatic and mineral rich Karunjhar hills, and neighbors the Indian border in TharparkarSindh. There are over twelve Jain temples found in the region, date back to as far as the 14th Century, and are now one of the oldest heritage sites of Pakistan. Although it’s a precious location for tourism however, before writing this article I even never heard about the place. Why is the negligence? No promotion no development, not a single trusted hotel.
Sheikhupura Fort:
The Sheikhupura Fort was built in 1607, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Once a glorious fort is a symbol of the glory of the Mughal era. But sadly, the once great monument is now littered with graffiti and left vandalized by the ignorant trespassers.
The shrine of Hazrat Shah Burhan Chiniot:
Shah Burhanuddin Bukhari was a celebrated Muslim saint, after his death in 1669, Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan commissioned a grand complex spreading over several acres, comprising Burhan’s tomb, a well, a pond and a mosque to honor the saint. The walls and the grand dome are adorned with intricate and colorful fresco work, a hallmark of Mughal architecture. The well and the pond were meant for supplying clean water to the visitors. However, with time the rot set in and people started encroaching upon the shrine land. Although Auqaf department is the keeper of it but the product is quit opposite.
Walled city of Lahore:
The Walled City of Lahore, also known as Old City, forms the historic core of Lahore, Pakistan. The city was established around 1000 CE in the western half of the Walled City, which was fortified by a mud wall during the medieval era. The Walled City was bestowed with numerous monuments during the Mughal era, with some of Lahore’s most iconic structures being located in the Walled City, such as the lavishly decorated Wazir Khan Mosque, the massive Badshahi Mosque, and the Shahi Hammam.Yet, it’s the most colorful city of Pakistan but its splendor was never kept, once the royal alleys are now filled with dirt and filth, on my personal visit I felt embarrassed by what I read about it and what in actual it appeared to. Poor maintenance.
Hindu temple in Hassanabdal:
Hasanabdal is a city famous for Sikh worship places. Panja Sahib is one of the historical places, where Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs have co-existed since centuries. The mosques are safe and filled with people five times a day. Gurdwara Panja Sahib, being a source of revenue, is maintained by the government.The four Hindu temples, on the other hand, are in the private custody of people. These abandoned temples situated in different parts of the city are being used as toilets by the claimants. This month I went to see one of the temples, which is inhabited used by some people, they have used the main building as store and kitchen, however it was clean but crumbling. I question the government is this your heritage preservation policy?
Bahram ki Baradari,Attock Khurd:
Built by Bahram Khan during his chieftaincy in 1681 or a little after, is situated at the ridge of mountains on the southern side of G.T. Road near Attock Khurd.It was probably a 5-star accommodation of yesteryears. But today it is more of a haunted house, I know this place very well because I use to play in the gardens when I was visiting my aunt there. From that days I wished, maybe someday the government may preserve these precious, unmatchable treasures, but to my dismay nothing had happened till yet, even greedy people have made their homes in the backyards.
Nandana Fort and Vishnu Temple:
1500 years old Nandana Fort and Vishnu temple, at Baghanwala, PindDadan khan. The word Nandna means “Lord Vishnu’s garden’, in Sanskrit. Nandana Fort and Temple always had a beautiful fruit garden at its foothill. The once mighty outpost was now in ruins, and so was the fruit garden. Although rumors are of its restoration, but the question is when?
Architectural heritage in ruinsof Hazro:
Another ruin lies in Hazro. Formerly a fortified town with four gates, Hazro is home to many temples,gurdwaras and havelis believed to have been built during the Sikh and British era.
We have much more, that I can’t write in one article but will share time to time. Here I have a petition to the nation to become a helping hand in preserving these precious treasures and become tolerant to other religions and beliefs. This is our heritage and we all belong to it.
