MERKEL: EUROPE WORRIED ABOUT UKRAINE AND NAVALNY
BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed concern over Russia for the military buildup on the border with Ukraine and health condition of opposition figure Alexey Navalny, saying Europe was “extremely worried” about both situations but had a common agreement to deal with such conflicts.
Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Tuesday, Merkel defended Germany and Europe’s response over conflicts with Russia, saying the bloc has a common approach to tackle issues with the Kremlin.
“We do have common sanctions when it comes to Navalny as well as the annexation of Crimea [by Russia] and the occupation, or the [pro-Russian] separatists of Donetsk and Luhansk. We have a European agreement on that level and we have a common approach to Russia.”
Merkel pointed out that in the Navalny case the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights holding his detention as “unjustified and arbitrary” and calling for his release was important. “Right now we are extremely worried about Navalny, and the German government, along with others, is doing everything it can to make sure he receives appropriate medical care,” she said.
Conflicts like in the case of Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea make relations with Russia “particularly difficult,” noted Merkel, adding: “We have to keep a chance of dialogue open.”
The European countries were working together and supporting one another, as Germany and France set up a continuous mechanism under the Minsk format on the Ukraine crisis, she said.
“[French President Emmanuel] Macron and myself spoke to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky recently, because the situation is very worrying and tense because of the concentration of forces on the Russian side of the Ukrainian border,” Merkel added, responding to a question by Polish lawmaker Aleksander Pociej on the EU’s relations and Germany’s ambiguous position with Russia.
Germany is the biggest consumer of Russia’s natural gas and has continued to back the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline, designed to carry the gas avoiding the main overland routes across eastern Europe. Despite opposition from certain European countries and the US threatening penalties on the project, Berlin has rejected calls to halt the construction of the pipeline amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Merkel expressed hope that Nord Stream 2 will not result in a conflict because of Germany’s wish to trade with Russia.
The session witnessed high drama as Ukrainian lawmaker Oleskii Goncharenko took to the floor twice, first, asking Merkel: “I want to have a simple answer, with yes or no. Is Putin a murderer?”
He also unfurled a Ukraine flag marked with blood and gunshots, much to the annoyance and dismay of the chair, as he sought to remind the parliamentarians on the Ukraine conflict, and territorial integrity, and sovereignty of member states, saying: “It’s from our men fighting for freedom and independence of Ukraine.”
Unlike US President Joe Biden’s words branding the Russian president as “a killer,” Merkel answered diplomatically. “When it comes to Mr. Putin, let me put in my own words. If you are expressing criticism then I am going to make no bones about the fact that I engage with these issues in personal conversations. I have raised human rights issues, certainly, I have singled out the issue of Alexey Navalny, but I could have homed in all kinds of human rights issues when it comes to Russia.”
LONDON CITY AIRPORT LAUNCHES NEW TRAVEL PORTAL
LONDON, APR 20 – As Britain gears up for a summer like no other, London City Airport has produced a new travel portal to help passengers make informed travel plans.
With the latest travel guidelines set out by the UK providing only part of the picture, the portal is a one-stop-shop for understanding the entry requirements of individual countries, links to the latest tourist board information and Covid-19 rates, as well as local expectations on where travellers will need to wear a face mask.
For example, it reflects the latest update announced by Portugal that UK visitors no longer need to quarantine on arrival.
From the portal, passengers will be able to directly book the lowest possible fares for their destination as well as the necessary pre-departure or UK arrival test at London City’s onsite testing centre.
Neil Dillon, marketing director, London City Airport, said: “For the time being, there is a lot more for passengers to consider when making their travel choices.
“We hope our new travel portal will help demystify the experience as well as inspire them to discover some of our amazing UK and European destinations this summer.
“With the Covid-19 vaccination programme ramping up across Europe, the portal will be regularly updated to capture the easing of restrictions across all our key markets and will help passengers shape their summer 2021 travel itineraries.”
The airport’s home-based carrier, British Airways operated by BA CityFlyer (BACF), recently announced new twice weekly services to Jersey and Gibraltar and expect to offer services to a variety of summer sun destinations across the Mediterranean including Ibiza, Palma, Faro, Malaga, Nice, Santorini and Mykonos.
San Sebastian and Split, which were scheduled to start last summer, will be new routes from the airport with San Sebastian the only direct flight from London to the culinary capital of the Basque country.
For travellers wanting a UK staycation, there will be flights to Belfast City, Edinburgh and Glasgow with British Airways as well as Loganair offering the quickest way to connect from Dundee to London.
CHAIRMAN NAB REVIEWS CONVICTION DATA OF NAB LAHORE FROM 2018-2020
LAHORE, APR 20 (DNA) – Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Tuesday chaired a meeting to review performance of NAB Lahore especially conviction made under Section 10 of National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) during the year 2018 to 2020.
Maj (R) Shahzad Saleem, DG NAB Lahore informed that under the dynamic leadership of Justice Javed Iqbal, during the year 2018 to 2020. According to a press statement, the persons were convicted by the learned Accountability Courts, Lahore under section 10 of NAO-1999.
The detail of persons convicted under section 10 of NAO-1999 during 2020 is as under: 1. State Vs Muhammad Tahir Khan, accused Muhammad Tahir Khan was convicted by the Accountability Court on 21.04.2020 with a fine of 45,000 Ponds.
2. State Vs Faisal Kamran, Khurram Qureshi etc, accused Faisal Kamran was convicted by the Accountability Court on 04.09.2020 with a fine of Rs. 33.1 million. 3. State Vs Faisal Kamran, Khurram Qureshi etc, accused Khurram Qureshi was convicted by the Accountability Court on 04.09.2020 with a fine of Rs. 33.1 million.
4. State Vs Nazir Ahmed Khan etc, accused Nazir Ahmed was convicted by the Accountability Court on 28.10.2020 with a fine of Rs. 5.119 million. 5. State Vs Nazir Ahmed Khan etc, accused Nazir Ahmed was convicted by the Accountability Court on 28.10.2020 with a fine of Rs. 7.288 million
6. State Vs Nazir Ahmed Khan etc, accused Nazir Ahmed was convicted by the Accountability Court on 28.10.2020 with a fine of Rs. 24.706 million. 7. State Vs Nazir Ahmed Khan etc, accused Nazir Ahmed was co
8. State Vs Nazir Ahmed Khan etc, accused Nazir Ahmed was convicted by the Accountability Court on 28.10.2020 with a fine of Rs. 28.06 million. 9. State Vs Zaheer Nasir etc, accused Zaheer Nasir was convicted by the Accountability Court on 25.11.2020 with a fine of Rs. 1.5 million.
10. State Vs Zaheer Nasir etc, accused Maqsood Ahmed was convicted by the Accountability Court on 25.11.2020 with a fine of Rs. 1.5 million. 11. State Vs Zaheer Nasir etc, accused Zeeshan Ahmed was convicted by the Accountability Court on 25.11.2020 with a fine of Rs. 1.5 million.
12. State Vs Asad Kamran, accused Adnan Qayum was convicted by the Accountability Court on 21.12.2020 with a fine of Rs. 7.2 million 13. State Vs Asad Kamran, accused Sulman Farooq was convicted by the Accountability Court on 21.12.2020 with a fine of Rs. 7.2 million.
DG NAB, Lahore also informed the meeting that during the year 2019, due to the efforts of NAB-Lahore 02 persons were convicted by different Accountability Courts under section 10 of NAO-1999. The details of the 02 convicted persons under section 10 of NAO-1999 are as under:
1. State Vs Hafiz Muhammad Javed Cheema etc, accused Hafiz Javed Cheema was convicted by the Accountability Court on 18.05.2019 with a fine of Rs. 6.48 million. 2. State Vs Hafiz Muhammad Javed Cheema etc, accused Saleem Cheema was convicted by the Accountability Court on 18.05.2019 with a fine of Rs. 6.48 million.
Similarly in the year 2018, 28 persons were convicted by different Accountability Courts under section 10 of NAO-1999. The details of the 28 convicted persons under section 10 of NAO-1999 are as under:
1. The State Vs Khawaja Muhammad Tanoli, accused Khawaja Muhammad Tanoli was convicted by the Accountability Court on 03.03.2018 with a fine of Rs. 19.028 million.
2. The State Vs Khawaja Muhammad Tanoli, accused Muhammad Khalil Feroze was convicted by the Accountability Court on 03.03.2018 with a fine of Rs. 19.028 million. 3. The State Vs Naeem Imdad, accused Naeem Imdad was convicted by the Accountability Court on 26.04.2018 with a fine of Rs. 3.59 million.
4. The State Vs Tariq Mehmood etc, accused Tariq Mehmood was convicted by the Accountability Court on 31.05.2018 with a fine of Rs. 1.41 million.
5. The State Vs Tariq Mehmood etc, accused Abuzar Jafri was convicted by the Accountability Court on 31.05.2018 with a fine of Rs. 1.41 million.
6. The State Vs Abuzar Jafri & another, accused Abuzar Jafri were convicted by the Accountability Court on 31.05.2018 with a fine of Rs. 58.27 million.
7. The State Vs Shahid Hassan Awan, accused Shahid Hassan Awan was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 805 million.
8. The State Vs Shahid Hassan Awan, accused Zubair Ali Khan was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 805 million.
9. The State Vs Shahid Hassan Awan, accused Majid Rasheed was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 805 million.
10. The State Vs Shahid Hassan Awan, accused Zakaullah Khan Shinwari was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 805 million.
11. The State Vs Shahid Hassan Awan, accused Riffat Shahid Hassan Awan was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 805 million.
12. The State Vs Muhammad Azam Chisti etc, accused Muhammad Azam Chisti was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 43.04 million.
13. The State Vs Muhammad Azam Chisti etc, accused Muhammad Zeeshan Ali was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 43.04 million.
14. The State Vs Muhammad Azam Chisti etc, accused Amir Shafiq was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 43.04 million.
15. The State Vs Muhammad Azam Chisti etc, accused Amir Abbas Ch was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 43.04 million.
16. The State Vs Muhammad Azam Chisti etc, accused Muhammad Azam Chisti was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 1.196 million.
17. The State Vs Muhammad Azam Chisti etc, accused Muhammad Zeeshan Ali was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 1.196 million.
18. The State Vs Muhammad Azam Chisti etc, accused Amir Shafiq was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 1.196 million.
19. The State Vs Muhammad Azam Chisti etc, accused Amir Abbas Ch was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 1.196 million.
20. The State Vs Zul Baja ud Din & another, accused Zul Baja ud Din was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 32.311 million.
21. The State Vs Amir Nadeem, accused Muhammad Amir Nadeem was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 11.685 million.
22. The State Vs Najam-us-Saqib etc, accused Najam-us-Saqib was convicted by the Accountability Court on 23.06.2018 with a fine of Rs. 118.27 million.
23. The State Vs Abdul Rehman, accused Abdul Rehman was convicted by the Accountability Court on 31.10.2018 with a fine of Rs. 28.52 million.
24. The State Vs Yaqoob Loona etc, accused Mian Ghulam Ali was convicted by the Accountability Court on 20.11.2018 with a fine of Rs. 58.145 million.
25. The State Vs Yaqoob Loona etc, accused Zakaullah Bhatti was convicted by the Accountability Court on 20.11.2018 with a fine of Rs. 58.145 million.
26. The State Vs Yaqoob Loona etc, accused Ahmed Shah was convicted by the Accountability Court on 20.11.2018 with a fine of Rs. 58.145 million.
27. The State Vs Yaqoob Loona etc, accused Asad Ali was convicted by the Accountability Court on 20.11.2018 with a fine of Rs. 58.145 million.
28. The State Vs Yaqoob Loona etc, accused Riaz Bhatti was convicted by the Accountability Court on 20.11.2018 with a fine of Rs. 58.145 million.
At the end, Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB appreciated the performance of NAB Lahore under the supervision of Maj (R) Shahzad Saleem, DG NAB Lahore. = DNA
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UAE EXTENDS REPAYMENT OF $2 BILLION LOAN GIVEN TO PAKISTAN
ABU DHABI, APR 20 (DNA) – The UAE has extended the repayment of a $2 billion deposit given to Pakistan by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) in January 2019 to boost liquidity and help overcome financial crisis faced by the South Asian country.
This was announced following a meeting between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Khaleej Times reported Tuesday.
Islamabad was scheduled to repay $2 billion funds to ADFD by April 19, 2021. A total of $3 billion lifeline was deposited by the UAE with the State Bank of Pakistan in January 2019 to help fill current account deficit gap and improve foreign exchange reserves to support Pakistan’s currency.
Qureshi visited UAE on a three-day official visit and left UAE for Iran today as part of his regional visit. It was the Pakistani foreign minister’s second visit to the UAE in the last four months, reflecting growing bilateral relations and high-level contacts between the two countries.
Sheikh Abdullah affirmed the depth and strength of relations between the UAE and Pakistan, which, he said, are longstanding and based on mutual trust and respect.
The two sides discussed the ongoing cooperation between the two countries to stem the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, and ways of accelerating global synergy to address the impact of the disease and ensure the delivery of vaccines to all countries of the world.
The Pakistani foreign minister invited his UAE counterpart to pay an early visit to Pakistan, which he graciously accepted.
Qreshi thanked Sheikh Abdullah for this goodwill gesture and described it as a sign of growing bilateral relations between Pakistan and the UAE. He also expressed Pakistan’s enthusiasm for participation in Expo 2020 Dubai as it would provide an excellent opportunity to showcase itself to the world through the Pakistan Pavilion.
“Pakistan will take part in the Dubai Expo 2020 in October this year and showcase its history, geographical importance, civilisation, culture and vast business and tourism opportunities offered by the country,” Qureshi said during the meeting.
Qureshi also appreciated the UAE’s leadership for taking special care of Pakistani citizens during the coronavirus epidemic. The Pakistan foreign minister also appraised the problems faced by the Pakistani community, including difficulties in obtaining visas.
He also briefed his UAE counterpart on the ongoing challenges faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The two ministers discussed important regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the Afghan peace process and bilateral cooperation in international forums. = DNA
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MOFA ORGANIZES A VIRTUAL CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING WORKSHOP
DNA
ISLAMABAD, APR 20 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with Digital Media Wing, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Facebook, organized a virtual capacity building training workshop on usage of social media for government.
150 Pakistani diplomats spread across 90 Pakistan Missions abroad participated in the training session, conducted by Mr. Roy Tan, Politics and Government Outreach Manager for Asia-Pacific at Facebook.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi addressed the session virtually and highlighted the importance of expanding the modern diplomat’s toolkit by learning and adopting modern developments and proactively engaging in digital diplomacy.
Foreign Minister also appreciated the Missions’ for robustly engaging in Digital Diplomacy in line with Vision F.O. manifest through standardization of Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ digital media assets. During his address, Foreign Minister also announced that Ministry would shortly be launching a Digital Media Dashboard to monitor Ministry’s cyber engagement through latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
Digital Media Wing is working in close coordination with Strategic Communications Division at MOFA to strengthen the digital presence of Pakistani missions abroad. This workshop is the first of a series of capacity building trainings that aim to familiarize Pakistan’s diplomats with emerging digital media landscape as a communication tool and organize digital assets of Government of Pakistan.
DR. SANIA BRIEFS FINANCE MINISTER ABOUT EHSAAS EMERGENCY CASH PROGRAM
ISLAMABAD, APR 20 (DNA) – Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety / Chairperson BISP called on the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin at the Finance Division today.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood and Secretary Finance Division also participated in the meeting.
The SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety / Chairperson BISP briefed the Finance Minister about working of flagship Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program regarding direct cash transfers to under-privileged women amid COVID-19 pandemic. At present, the program provides Rs. 12,000/- each to more than 15 million deserving families.
The SAPM also outlined the provision of subsidies for Ehsaas beneficiaries through a chain of Utility Stores outlets across Pakistan and local grocery stores. The underlying rationale is to support the under-privileged and marginalized households through targeted subsidization policy with focus on poverty reduction and women empowerment.
The Finance Minister commended Ehsaas program as one of the largest social protection programs in the world which is critically acclaimed by the development partners including IMF, WB and ADB. Pakistan’s landmark Ehsaas Emergency Cash program has played a significant role in mitigating the economic hardships of the marginalized groups of the society.
The Finance Minister affirmed support and facilitation to Ehsaas program and urged to replace untargeted subsidies with targeted ones to make it more sustainable in the long run.=DNA
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FOREIGN MINISTER SHAH MAHMOOD QURESHI HAS LEFT FOR IRAN
ISLAMABAD, APR 20 (DNA) – In a video message before departure, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the visit will provide him with an opportunity to discuss the regional situation with the Iranian leadership.
The Foreign Minister thanked the Iranian leadership’s categorical stance on Kashmir dispute.
The Foreign Minister said both Pakistan and Iran have supported each other in difficult times and it will be our endeavor to further strengthen the relationship.
During the visit, the Foreign Minister will hold delegation-level talks with Foreign Minister Zarif on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with focus on further deepening cooperation in diverse fields.=DNA
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FM Qureshi concludes UAE visit, leaves gulf country for Iran
ABU DHABI, APR 20 (DNA) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday concluded his three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and left for Iran, where he would be discussing the regional situation with the Iranian leadership.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi was seen off at Abu Dhabi airport by Ambassador Afzal Mahmood and senior officials of foreign ministry.
The foreign minister was seen off by senior foreign ministry officials of the UAE, and Ambassador Afzal Mahmood and senior embassy officials of Pakistan in the at Abu Dhabi airport.
In a video statement prior his departure from Untied Arab Emirates to Iran on Tuesday, shedding light on Iran’s visit, Shah Mahmood Qureshi lauded his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and said that he had visited Pakistan on multiple occasions to discuss key issues between the two countries.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that being the neighbor of Afghanistan, the Afghan peace process is also important for Iran just like Pakistan. He thanked the Iranian leadership’s categorical stance on Kashmir dispute.
“We will be discussing the regional situation with the Iranian leadership,” he said while sharing that new developments have been made in the Afghan peace process, which is important to both Pakistan and Iran.
The visit will help in understanding the Iranian position on the peace process and devising a joint strategy in this regard, he said.
The foreign minister lauded the supreme leadership of Iran for their clear stance and support towards the Kashmir issue and said that the neighbouring brotherly country had always supported Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir issue.
He further said that discussion would also be made on improving bilateral ties between the two countries. “Pakistan has suggested the establishment of border markets which also got a welcome response from the Iranian side,” Shah Mahmood Qureshi said adding that both countries have supported each other in testing times and would further try to strengthen relations between the two countries.
He termed Iran not only Pakistan’s neighbour, but a “tested friend” and expressed desire to strengthen ties in all areas.
During the visit, the Foreign Minister will hold delegation-level talks with Foreign Minister Zarif. He will call on President Dr. Hassan Rouhani and Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
The Foreign Minister will also visit the city of Mashhad.
During the delegation-level talks, the two Foreign Ministers will review bilateral relations with a view to further deepening cooperation in diverse fields. The two sides will discuss regional security situation including the latest developments in the Afghan Peace Process and the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.
They will also deliberate on strengthening regional cooperation under the umbrella of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Foreign Minister Qureshi’s visit to Iran is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Zarif visited Pakistan in November 2020 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Qureshi, while the two Foreign Ministers met on 30 March 2021 on the sidelines of 9th session of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Foreign Minister Qureshi last visited Iran in January 2020. = DNA
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KING SALMAN RELIEF CENTRE PROVIDING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO PAKISTAN TO COMBAT COVID-19
DNA
ISLAMABAD, APR 20 – The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (Ksrelief) has provided humanitarian and development aid to more than 59 countries over four continents. With international, regional and local partners in place in recipient countries to implement our programs and initiatives, we have delivered assistance to millions of beneficiaries worldwide.
On the directive of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques to provide aid to combat the Corona virus to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, KSA is donating several medical items and equipment worth US$ 1.5 Million.
The 3rd wave of corona virus is badly affecting the people of Pakistan. This medical aid will help National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan to combat against this pandemic.
His Excellency the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan stated that the Kingdom’s efforts in supporting Pakistani brethren came from the keenness of the leadership, may Allah protect it, since the era of the founder. May Allah have mercy on him, especially in such crises that the whole world is going through and what the kingdom is doing for Pakistan is undoubtedly a result of the deep fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries.
He is distinguished by his strong relationship, calling on Allah to protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and to make this work in the balance of their good deeds.
