ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 (DNA) – Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at Islamabad today.

Professional matters pertaining to Pakistan Air Force were discussed during the meeting.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 – Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of surface to surface ballistic missile Ghaznavi, capable of delivering nuclear and conventional warheads upto a range of 290 kilometers. This training launch was the culminating point of the Annual Field Training Exercise of Army Strategic Forces Command.

The training launch was witnessed by Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, senior officers from Strategic Plans Division, Army Strategic Forces Command, Scientists and Engineers of the strategic organizations.

Commander Army Strategic Forces Command appreciated the operational preparedness and display of excellent standard in handling and operating the weapon system. He also expressed full satisfaction on the training standards of participating troops, attained throughout this training activity.

President, Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Service Chiefs have congratulated all ranks of Army Strategic Forces Command, the scientists and engineers on successful conduct of today’s launch.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 (DNA) – Pakistan National Council of the Arts in collaboration with Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur hosted a book launch titled “TRAGEDY IN KASHMIR” authored by (late) ABDUL HAQ SUHARWARDY, the first and only Kashmiri origin Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir after partition. The author has comprehensively covered the struggle for freedom by Kashmiri Muslims despite the atrocities put forward before the partition.

The book also covers the narrative of the foul play and sinful plot of Nehru family and the British raj that made the heavenly valleys of Kashmir into a living hell for their true citizens. The story of how Muslim majority districts of Gurdaspur and Batala were given to India to establish a road connection to India.

The tragedy of Kashmiri leadership, Sheikh Abdullah whose lack of foresight ended up in the debacle of the Indian Occupation of Kashmir. Finally, the heroic struggle of the tribal people and Poonchi exarmy servicemen who were successful in liberating what we now know as Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit and Baltistan.

The book traces how the Kashmiris, a race of strong fighters in the days of Sultan Shahabuddin, changed over 200 years of Sikh oppression and subjugation. Yet they rose up against Dogra Raj in 1930 and were able to develop an indigenous political movement.

The development of the Muslim Conference and later its division into the National conference led by Sheikh Abdullah and a Muslim conference which was a popular party but lacked a recognizable public leader. How Mr Nehru identified Mr Abdullah and developed a strong relationship with him, showering him with favors to induce him to support accession to India. It details the background intrigues involving the Radcliffe commission, the British government in India with Indian leaders to pave the way of accession to India by subterfuge and clever manoeuvring.

The chief guests for that ceremony were Mr. Shafqat Mehmood, Federal Minister for Education & National History & Culture Division., Senator Walid Iqbal, Chairperson of the Senate Committee for Defence along with DG, PNCA, Dr. Fouzia Saeed. Renowned anchor and media person Mr Ahmed Qureshi hosted the book launch followed by the presentations of Dr Zarqa Suharwardy who briefly demonstrated the essence of book and role of todays youth towards Kashmir Cause.

Mr. Shafqat Mehmood, Federal Minister for Education & National History & Culture Division in his remarks stated that this is a very important time in the history of Kashmir and this book on the bases of content and ideology is most relevant and resonates to the current situation. He appreciated the efforts of Dr Zarqa and DG PNCA for making this event happen.

Senator Waleed Iqbal enlightened the sacrifices of Kashmiri people and suggested a way forward under the vision of Dr Allama Iqbal.DG PNCA Dr Fouzia Saeed gave a brief insights on PNCA activities on Kashmir Solidarity Day and shared her thoughts on the extra ordinary efforts by Dr Zarqa in these critical times. Other speakers of that evening were Mr. Farhan Bukhari, International Journalist and Ghulam Safi, Convener Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu Kashmir (THJK) Host Mr Ahmed Qureshi concluded the session and showed his gratitude towards distinguished chief guests, speakers and the worthy participants for making that launch successful.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 (DNA) – Pakistan must take concrete measures to materialize the recently announced ‘Look Africa’ policy in real terms, said Ambassador (retd) Najam-us-Saqib, former Pakistan’s envoy to South Africa, Brazil, Kenya, Bangladesh and Cuba, at a webinar titled ‘Pakistan’s relations with Southern African countries’ held at Institute of Policy Studies.

The session was chaired by Chairman IPS Khalid Rahman and moderated by Sr. IPS Associate Ambassador (retd) Tajammul Altaf and attended by many foreign policy analysts and researchers.

Commenting on Pakistan’s bilateral relations with South Africa, which is the biggest country in the southern region and member of G-20 and BRICS, the former ambassador said that  Pakistan enjoys strong ties with it, especially defense cooperation as the COASs from both countries visit each other regularly.

However, he rued that bilateral trade volume between both countries stands at meager $600 million, and no Pakistani head of the state has paid a visit there in the last 15 years, except former President Mamnoon Hussain, who went there to attend the last rites of late Nelson Mandela.

Najam-us-Saqib believed that despite a large number of Pakistani expatriates living in South Africa, the stretch of cultural and political relations with South Africa and other southern countries including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Mozambique is not significant.

People in South Africa, he informed, still remember the leading role played by Pakistan against the apartheid. However, the benefits of such cordial relationships are yet to be reaped. He further stressed the need for initiating joint ventures in the mining sector with South Africa.

The ambassador emphasized resuming direct flights from South Africa to Pakistan and opening of banking channels as no Pakistani bank operates in South Africa. He also suggested promoting Pakistani films and dramas and organizing cultural events in South Africa to bolster cultural ties.

Concluding the session, IPS Chairman Khalid Rahman opined that Pakistan needs to acknowledge the importance of African countries, especially the southern region, and identify areas of cooperation.=DNA

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All such owners have further been warned that if they do not get their dues settled by this date, the administration shall not be responsible for any damages that may take place as a result of operation against the defiant owners

Mahnoor Ansar

ISLAMABAD: /DNA/ – The Federal Government employees Housing Authority has issued notices to the affectees and owners of land and houses in sector G-14/1, G-14/2, G-15/3, and MOZZAH JHANGI Sayidan to get in touch with the concerned authorities and get compensation.

The Housing Authority has given advertisements in newspapers warning them to get their dues and vacate the land.

They have been asked to make it possible to help award of houses by providing authentic ownership rights documents along with owned house document, Name, Father-name, National Identity Card, and current living address.

So, all the residents and affectees of sub sector whose houses are legally built, have been asked to provide mentioned documents to office of the District Commissioner, Federal Government Employees Housing Authority till 1^st February 2021 in order get received receipt.

All such owners have further been warned that if they do not get their dues settled by this date, the administration shall not be responsible for any damages that may take place as a result of operation against the defiant owners.

It may be mentioned here that the G 14 sector was announced in 2004 but due to illegal Built Up Properties (BUP) it could not be developed.

The foundation further said land for Sector G 14/1,2,3 was acquired by the DC office Islamabad vide an award under Section 11 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894 in January 2005.

The award for Built up Property in G 14/3 could only be announced in 2014 and supplementary award in 2017. Almost 70 per cent of the area of Sector G 14/3 has been got vacated and development work is being executed on the site. It further stated, the measurements for BUP are being conducted in Sector G 14/2 and award of BUPs in G 14/2 was done in February 2020.

Similarly measurements for BUP have already started in G 14/1 and award of BUPs was expected by 31 March 2020, however it is delayed because people have not yet vacated houses despite the fact that they have already received the compensation.

Sources say that the housing authority plans to give possession of the land to allottees within next couple of months. Development work in sub sector G 14/3 and G 14/2 is already underway. Even, people have started house construction after getting possession in these sub sectors.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 (DNA) – The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and local partners, launched the Pakistan Private Sector Energy project today to increase private sector investment in clean energy.

The project will support small and medium-scale energy activities throughout Pakistan to boost local and national economic growth.

The Pakistan Private Sector Energy project will encourage more private investment in the energy sector, with a focus on low-cost, renewable energy sources, which are critical to expanding economic growth.  UNIDO will work with clean-energy project developers and private sector investors to access project financing.

“Sustainable, low-cost energy is a key ingredient in Pakistan’s economic development. Harnessing the power of private sector investment will generate economic growth and create new jobs,” said USAID Mission Director Julie Koenen.

“This new USAID-funded project will complement the Pakistani government’s efforts in facilitating a cleaner, cheaper, more climate friendly, and sustainable energy mix for Pakistan,” said Minister for Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam.

The Pakistan Private Sector Energy project continues USAID’s long-term partnership with the Government of Pakistan.  Since 2010, USAID has partnered with the Government of Pakistan to add more than 3,900 megawatts to the national energy grid.  These investments have benefitted more than 47 million Pakistanis, reduced costs for energy distribution companies by over $400 million, and leveraged more than $2.3 billion in private investment.

USAID has also supported the construction of new transmission lines and substations to evacuate power from wind power projects to the national grid, as well as rehabilitated thermal and hydroelectric power plants.=DNA

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