BELARUS, FEB 19 (DNA) – The Embassy of Pakistan, Minsk in collaboration with Belarusian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BelCCI) organized a business interactive event at the BelCCI, which was attended by businessmen/representatives from more than 100 Belarusian companies, out of which 33 firms participated physically while another 72 businesspersons participated in the business event through Zoom on virtual basis.

Welcoming the participants of the business event titled “Meet the Ambassador”, the Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Vladimir Ulakhovich impressed upon the need to working closely for greater economic cooperation and assured his full cooperation.

On the occasion, Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan made a detailed presentation on “Pakistan-Belarus Trade Prospects”, particularly highlighting Pakistan’s demographic advantages, political and economic strength and trade potential. Referring to the excellent political relations between the two countries, Ambassador Khan pointed out that the existing trade ties was much below the potential, which crossed US $ 52 million during 2020. He urged the participants to take advantage of the improving trade and investment climate in Pakistan in the context of the government’s initiatives and reform agenda.

Mr. Nasir Hamid, Minister (Trade & Investment) at the Embassy of Pakistan, Moscow also briefed the participants over investment and tourism potential of Pakistan through video link. He highlighted the rich economic prospects offered by China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the benefits of enhanced regional connectivity for the firms investing in Pakistan as the project nears fruition.

Two short video documentaries on Pakistan were also screened for the participants after which detailed Q&A session was held, whereby the queries of the participants, both of those attending physically as well as those virtually were addressed. Ambassador Khan subsequently met with the individual businessperson at the networking session responding to the precise queries of Belarusian businesspersons regarding exports, certifications, payments and other procedures. The guests were also entertained with a select Pakistani cuisine.

The event was organized as part of the efforts of the Mission to galvanize the business community in the spirit of government’s initiative to add emphasis to economic diplomacy and facilitate the increase in national exports.

JAKARTA, FEB 19 (DNA) – Ambassador Muhammad Hassan, accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Muhammad Faisal Fayyaz, visited Al-Azhar University, and the Al-Azhar Foundation in Jakarta today. At the university, the Ambassador was received by Professor Dr. Ir. Asep Saefuddin, the Rector of the University and a renowned academic.

During their detailed meeting, both sides discussed the possible areas of cooperation between the university and the Embassy. Ambassador Hassan highlighted the need for enhanced educational collaboration between the universities of Pakistan and Indonesia especially the exchange of students and faculty, for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Later on, the Ambassador visited the Al-Azhar Mosque, where he was received by Honorable Prof. Dr. Jimly Ashiddique, the chairman of the supervisory board of the Al Azhar Islamic Education Foundation (YPI Al Azhar), and Drs. Sobirin, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Foundation.

At the mosque, the Ambassador delivered a speech covering the current status of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Indonesia, especially in the fields of educational collaboration and Islamic affinity.

The Ambassador also touched upon the issues being faced by the Muslim Ummah today, including Islamophobia, Palestine, and Jammu & Kashmir dispute. He described in detail, the ongoing wave of intolerance and state sponsored repression against minorities (especially Muslims) in India with special reference to the plight of the Muslims of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).

The Ambassador conveyed Pakistan’s strong rejection to the illegal actions of the Indian Government, of trying to bring the demographic changes in the area. He expressed firm resolve of the Government of Pakistan to support the case of Jammu & Kashmir at all forums. He also urged the Indonesian brothers and sisters to raise their voices against this injustice being done to the Kashmiri Muslims.

At the end, Ambassador Hassan appreciated the great service being done by the Al-Azhar Foundation Indonesia, in promoting education across the country and expressed desire to work together with the foundation in bringing the people of the two brotherly countries closer.

Al Azhar foundation is one of the biggest and the oldest organization in Indonesia, established in 1952. The organization has more than 200 institutions under its umbrella, from Kindergarten to High Schools and a University. The Embassy of Pakistan and Al-Azhar foundation have a history of close collaboration, and both sides are working to further enhance this partnership.=DNA

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Banjul, FEB 19 – Dr. Ali Ahmed Arain, High Commissioner of Pakistan to the Republic of The Gambia, with residence at Dakar, presented his Credentials to Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia in an impressive ceremony held at the State House of The Gambia on 10 February 2021.

The High Commissioner was escorted to the State House by a large motorcade. He was received by the Head of State Protocol and the Chief of Staff of the President.

During the 30-minute audience, the High Commissioner presented his Letters of Credence to the President which accredited him as the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in The Gambia. The High Commissioner, on behalf of the President and the Prime Minister, conveyed best wishes to President Barrow, the Government and the people of The Gambia. He also shared proposals relating to cooperation in the fields of Higher Education, Agriculture, Trade, Defence, Infrastructure, Tourism and Information Technology. The High Commissioner expressed his desire to work for further strengthening the relations between the two brotherly countries.

President Barrow warmly welcomed the High Commissioner to the State House. Appreciating friendly relations between Pakistan and The Gambia, the President extended warm wishes to the President, Prime Minister and the people of Pakistan. He appreciated the proposed initiatives of the High Commissioner and assured that the government of The Gambia would do its best to get them materialized.

The High Commissioner thanked the President for such warm welcome and presented a hand-made Pakistani carpet, which he greatly appreciated.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has dissolved the lower house of parliament and called for snap legislative elections as activists have launched a campaign to mobilize the street again against authorities.

“I decided to dissolve the assembly and call elections to build a new institution,” Tebboune said in a televised address to the nation, without giving a date for the vote.

The five-year lower house of parliament was formed after the May 2017 election which saw allies of deposed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika winning a clear majority.

Tebboune described the dissolution of the parliament as part of reforms after voters approved amendments to the constitution aimed at giving parliament more powers in November last year.

He also announced that a government reshuffle would take place “within 48 hours at most”, and ordered the release of about 60 detainees of the “Hirak” protest movement that ousted his predecessor, Bouteflika, in 2019.

The release of protesters, who have been in detention since the protests broke out on February 22, has been one of the major demands of the Hirak.

“We have vowed to meet all demands raised by the Hirak,” Tebboune said in the speech.

His speech comes amid calls on social media to stage street marches to mark the second anniversary of the demonstrations.

The Arab Weekly reported that opposition activists launched a large campaign on social media to turn the movement’s second anniversary into a launchpad for a new wave of anti-regime protests.

The new announcements are seen as an attempt to appease protesters.

Thousands of people staged a protest in the town of Kherrata, the cradle of the Hirak, on Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of the movement, defying coronavirus restrictions.

They chanted “President Tebboune is a forger brought in by the army” and “the generals in the trash.”

The protesters called for “a civilian, not military state,” “the release of detainees” and “the exit of the authorities and the generals,” bringing back memories of the political protests that swept Algeria between 2019 and 2020 before the government banned marches in March last year as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Tebboune, once a prime minister under Bouteflika, was elected in December 2019 amid protests demanding the removal of the whole ruling elite, with many people boycotting the vote as they saw it as unfair and not transparent.