ISLAMABAD, FEB 14 (DNA) – CJCSC General Nadeem Raza witnessed the conduct of Maritime Counter Terrorism demonstration as part of Naval Exercise AMAN-21. More than 40 countries are participating with Ships, Aircraft, Special Operations Forces / Maritime Teams and observers in 7th edition of exercise being held in Pakistan (North Arabian Sea) from 11 to 16 February 2021.

AMAN is a major multinational exercise, organised by Pakistan Navy, every two years since 2007 aimed at practicing operational drills and manoeuvres countering non-traditional threats and improving upon joint operations at sea through effective Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) with focus on enhancing operational skills & interoperability in a diverse maritime environment.

CJCSC General Nadeem Raza lauded the professionalism of participants and appreciated efforts of Pakistan Navy in conducting the multinational exercise in a befitting manner. CJCSC said the exercise would promote regional cooperation & stability, greater interoperability, and a united resolve against terrorism and crimes in maritime domain.

CJCSC General Nadeem Raza also emphasised that Pakistan is demonstrating its commitment to forge peaceful co existance & shared global cooperation. AMAN 2021 successfully exhibits efforts made by Pakistan in line with our vision for regional peace and stability, CJCSC concluded.

Earlier, Chairman JCSC also witnessed the International Band Display by Navies from different countries. CNS Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi was also present on the occasion.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, FEB 14 (DNA) – The management of Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started preparations to celebrate the Spring Festival. In order to provide affordable and quality entertainment facilities to the people of the city, traditional music including Santoor, Flute, Tabla, Dholki, Violin have also been introduced in the important markets of the city. The musical show will be performed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 8 pm.

According to details, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to organize large-scale celebrations in collaboration with other government and non-government agencies, including the Environment Department, to provide recreational facilities to the citizens of the federal capital on the occasion of Spring Festival. In this regard, in first phase, provide affordable and quality entertainment facilities to the citizens, the company has invited traditional musical instruments and musicians in the major markets of the city. Violins are being placed in Jinnah Supermarket and Santoor in Kohsar Market.

The authority will also hold a large-scale flower show in March to further enhance the colors of the Spring Festival, while instrumental music, theater, poetry and other events will be organized on the occasion, for which local, national and International artists and poets will be invited. CDA administration says that the purpose of holding such events is to highlight the culture and traditions of the citizens by providing affordable, quality and positive recreational facilities to the citizens.=DNA

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Ever since Mr. Ali has taken over charge of the Chairman CDA, he is continuously engaged in various development activities. His main thrust has been on further beautifying the city and improving facilities for general public

CITY DIARY

Saifullah

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad seems to have been given a new look under the dynamic leadership of its Chairman Aamir Ahmed Ali, who also happens to be the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad. Ever since Mr. Ali has taken over charge of the Chairman CDA, he is continuously engaged in various development activities. His main thrust has been on further beautifying the city and improving facilities for general public.

Recently the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with Pakistan National Council of Arts decided to begin cultural activities for citizens in various markets. Preparations have been completed in this regard. Different cultural and musical events will be organized in the markets for providing entertainment opportunities to the citizens. The citizens of Islamabad will be able to enjoy these events with their families. These festivities are part of the Jashn-e- Baharan festival of the CDA. Renowned musicians will perform in various markets of Islamabad on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the evening. This arrangement is first of its kind and credit for which goes to Chairman, who has taken personal interest in this initiative.

Chairman CDA Aamir Ahmed Ali is keen in retrieving the land occupied illegally by various individuals and organizations. In this regard he ordered crackdown against the illegal housing societies which are looting the citizens. In the first phase showcase notices were served to these housing societies. CDA had  issued the list of illegal housing societies at its website to guide the citizens. However the process of taking action against Ghauri town, Rawal Enclave, Ideal Residencia, and other illegal housing societies has begun.

On the financial side, the civic body has done wonders. It collected Rs 32.27 million during the month of January through the completion certificates of commercial and residential buildings, building plans, and NOCs, which is again an important milestone achieved by CDA. Due to the remarkable policies of the administration of CDA the department of Building Control collected the revenue of more than Rs 32 million during the last month. The BCS department of CDA received total 09 cases of the completion certificates of residential buildings during the month of January.

Likewise, the people of Islamabad had demanded of the Chairman to install lids on the manholes as open manholes were causing problems especially in the night time. The Chairman immediately ordered the Administration of Capital Development Authority (CDA) to promptly install the lids of drain holes, main holes, gutters, and sewerage across the city. Opened holes are dangerous for the lives of the citizens. Lids of main holes and gutters in the city could not be installed for decades. These opened holes have caused a number of accidents. However, the current administration of CDA has directed to cover all the opened holes as soon as possible.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to plant saplings in March on greenbelts on both sides of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus, which fall within the limits of the federal capital. The CDA’s Director General (Environment) inspected the greenbelts on Metro Bus route along with the Director National Highway Authority (NHA) and discussed the plan to plant trees in upcoming plantation drive. CDA official told that climate change ministry would also provide its financial and technical assistance in the plantation drive to ensure maximum survival rate.

Planting saplings is yet another step that has been spearheaded by the Chairman. The govt led by Prime Minister Imran Khan has also set a target of planting billions of saplings by August 2021. The CDA under the directions of the Prime Minister has launched a vigorous drive in this regard. So much so, painting of sideways and footpaths is also in progress. The Capital roads are giving a dashing look as most of the painting work has already been completed.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 14 (DNA) – Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman, Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, has lauded Pakistan Navy’s Maritime Diplomacy as an example of Pakistan’s soft power outreach and ability to bring 45 diverse countries and navies on a common platform of peace in the Indian Ocean Region. He was delivering the Keynote Address at the International Maritime Conference organised by National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), as part of the Pakistan Navy’s AMAN exercises.

Senator Mushahid quoted senior former Indian Ambassador MK Bhadhrakumar as terming AMAN 2021 ‘a spectacular display of Pakistan’s uniqueness as a regional power’ while he also criticised India for ‘a failed Pakistan policy’. Sen Mushahid appreciated the Pakistan Navy’s positive regional role in peacetime, particularly anti-piracy operations and humanitarian help to victims of conflicts and natural disasters in the Indian Ocean Region.

Referring to the geopolitical context,  he talked about about the resurgence of the ‘Asian Century’ with an inexorable shift in the global balance of economic & political power from the West to the East. Senator Mushahid Hussain also analysed two contrasting visions for the future of Asia. There is China’s Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), of which CPEC is the flagship, which focuses on connectivity and cooperation, with over 100 countries signed on to BRI. Conversely, there is talk of a ‘New Cold War’ through policies that seek ‘containment’ of China, led by the Quad of 4 countries: US, India, Japan and Australia.

Talking of Pakistan’s foreign relations, he referred to Quaid eAzam’s vision of ‘peace within and peace without’, hence, Pakistan’s expanding role in regional connectivity.

He said today Pakistan has ‘strategic space’ with CPEC, Pakistan’s pivotal role on peace in Afghanistan, India increasingly mired in its own problems due to Modi’s shortsighted policies and a less interventionist, more inward-looking USA under President Biden.

Given this context, Senator Mushahid Hussain proposed a 3-point plan of policy doables to promote ‘Maritime Diplomacy’.

First, since 50,000 square kilometres has been added to Pakistan’s seabed territory, from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles, thanks to a UN ruling of the Conference of the Law of the Sea, the Government must initiate and implement a comprehensive Maritime commercial policy, with the Continental Shelf in the Indian Ocean as the core, and Pakistan Navy in the lead role.

Second, Pakistan should be the bridge between CAREC, the 11 country Cooperation forum for Central Asian countries, and RCEP, the 15 country free trade agreement in Southeast Asia. China is member of both CAREC and RCEP, while India is member of neither. That will open up huge economic opportunities.

Third, in the wake of this successful ‘Maritime Diplomacy’, Pakistan needs to take a regional initiative on related issues of Climate Change and Cultural Tourism, which can provide a basis for regional cooperation on areas of common interest. Pakistan is among the 5 top vulnerable countries to the vagaries of Climate Change, with South Asia’s 500 million people living along the coastline facing the challenge of global warming. On Cultural Tourism, he referred to opening up of Kartarpur Corridor for the Sikh Community, the Buddhist historic sites in Taxila and Takhtbai as well as Hindu holy sites. Other speakers in the session included Naval leaders from Indonesia & Nigeria, as well as academic, Professor Huma Baqai.

There was an animated question/answer session at the end of the Seminar.=DNA

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