Army Chief meets Qatar top leadership; reviews passing out parade at Ahmed Bin Muhammad Military College
DOHA (DNA) Qatari leadership has reiterated that Pakistan and Qatar share brotherly relations of strategic value. While expressing their satisfaction over level of defence relations between the two Armed Forces, both sides underscored the importance of further enhancing the cooperation.
It may be mentioned here that General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Qatar on two days official visit. During the visit, COAS witnessed passing out parade at Ahmed Bin Muhammad Military College. He appreciated high standards of institution and its efforts towards grooming of young cadets to take on challenges of future battlefield.
The COAS called on His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani – Emir of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Doctor Khalid Bin Muhammad Al-Attiya – Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence Affairs and Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanim Bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim – Chief of Staff Qatar Armed Forces. During the meetings, matters of mutual interest, defence & security cooperation and regional geo-political environment were discussed.
The analysis of the reforms and changes undertaken in Uzbekistan demonstrate that a new model of society and state relations is being shaped. This model’s objective is to ensure the well-being of the people on the basis of mutually trustful and beneficial collaboration between society and the state, raising the sense of involvement of each person in the development of the country. The barometer for the effectiveness of such cooperation is a positive change in the quality of life of the citizens of the country.
In addition, it forms a strong foundation for the unification and mobilization of the huge potential and resources of society, as well as state institutions for the development of the country.
Of course, the road Uzbekistan chose is a complex one, but at the same time the most effective.
It can now be stated with confidence that new Uzbekistan under the leadership of Shavkat Mirziyoyev has successfully passed an important stage of development. It involves directing the activities of government agencies to serve the people and the society becoming an active initiator and participant in the reforms. Another important aspect. is that political system considers the setting up mutual strategic communication with the society as an important factor of the development. The president of Uzbekistan pays special attention to the active, educated and independent position of citizens in the affairs of society and the state.
Now, the task before us is to move forward without slowing down the pace against the backdrop of the results and achievements. It can be similar to a process of striving forward with new vigour to retain the title after winning a championship in sports. Or, as one of the founders of modern physics, A.Einstein said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must move”.
The analysis indicates that the words spoken by Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan are not a pre-arranged texts or attractive set of words, but a kind of challenge to society that reflects the realities and strategic goals.
It can be observed in the initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan, which he put forward with great precision and determination in his speeches at home and abroad. It is noteworthy that Shavkat Mirziyoyev, when making any proposal, clearly indicates its implementer and deadline.
In my opinion, the historical changes observed in the socio-political life of Uzbekistan over the past period are as follows.
First, freedom of speech has been ensured in the society. Citizens started to speak openly about their problems and their attitudes towards government agencies. This, in turn, has steeply reduced the “distance” which has been formed over many years between citizens and officials. This can be seen in all means of mass media like television, radio, press and social networks. At the same time, through objective observation of the information space of Uzbekistan, one can conclude that there are still a lot of problems in the country. In fact, the people are proposing to sort out existing problems together.
Significantly, there have been dramatic changes in the minds of Uzbek people. The people who have lived under “internal censorship” for several years, have warmly welcomed the transparency put forward by the President and expressed their readiness for changes. This is the historical achievement of Uzbekistan in a short period of time. As it happens, positive changes in human thinking directly contribute to changes in the society.
Second, through his reforms, the President has managed to transform people from the “traditional spectator role” into the initiators and active participants in changes in society. This is one of the important positive changes. After all, progress can only be achieved if everyone is equally responsible for the development of society and the state. It is noteworthy that Shavkat Mirziyoyev sets an example for real leaders. There is no segment of the population in Uzbekistan with whom he has not met and communicated (teachers, constructors, engineers, entrepreneurs, farmers, youth, etc.). The famous phrase of 26th President of the USA T.Roosevelt says: “A leader works openly, a boss works behind closed doors. Leader guides, but boss controls”.
Third, a critical spirit has emerged in Uzbek society. Public control over the activities of government agencies is being established. Of course, this process is now being carried out more by media representatives, including bloggers. As a result, government organizations are forced to consider public opinion. This ensures one of the main constitutional norms in public administration – the principle of accountability of government to the people. Along with this, there has been formed institutionalization of the relationship between the people and government agencies.
Uzbekistan took 44th place in the Open Data Monitoring International Index, rising to 125 positions. An significant factor was the introduction of the practice of disclosure of indicators in 20 areas of public administration.
Fourth, Mr. Sh.Mirziyoyev trusts the youth. There is not only the factor that more than 60% of the population of Uzbekistan consists of young people, but also the factor that in today’s rapidly developing world, only young people can withstand various challenges and create a new society. This approach is also based on strategic goals such as the rational use of the intelligence and potential of young people, its proper direction in the development of society and the state.
Definitely, a number of pertinent questions arise in this regard. In particular: how can the potential of young people be realized in the modern world? What position does Uzbek leader hold in this regard?
In this respect, it should be noted that a new system – “continuous knowledge chain” has been created in the country. This can be observed in the process of preschool-secondary school-professional and higher education”. In particular, in modern Uzbekistan, kindergarten is treated not only as an educational institution, but also as the foundation of education. In this regard, it should be noted that a separate system, which has no analogues in the world, has been established – the Ministry of Preschool Education. As a result, the coverage of young children with preschool education has doubled within 4 years to 60%, and the number of kindergartens has tripled.
In turn, school education is being specialized in certain disciplines based on the requirements of modern development. In particular, schools with focus on chemistry, biology, mathematics, IT, physics, in-depth teaching of foreign languages are being established. It is noteworthy that a systematic approach is being taken to demonstrate the talent of students not only domestically but also internationally. In his address to the Oliy Majlis President put forward the initiative to organize the International Science Olympiad in Physics named after Akhmad Fergani.
In the short term, the level of higher education coverage in the country has almost tripled to 25% (four years ago this figure was only 9%). This was achieved through the opening of new universities, including branches of leading foreign universities, and the organization of part-time and evening education.
Another important historic decision in the higher education system of Uzbekistan is the granting of academic freedom to 30 leading universities of the country this year.
Thus, the strategic goal of the leader of Uzbekistan in this regard is to encourage young people to acquire in-depth knowledge, to form the country’s youth, first of all, as educated, high-potential and mature people who can meet modern requirements and increase the attractiveness of science.
Fifth, there have been major changes in the field of external migration. This is directly related to the management and liberalization of migration processes. It should be noted that migration processes are transnational and specific to all countries. It is known that Uzbekistan is a country with a high labour force due to the fact that the majority of the population is young. Until recently, however, the country did not establish cooperation with recipient countries on the safe, orderly organization of migration processes. In the past period, 12 normative and legal acts directly or indirectly regulating the industry were adopted. Work experience will be considered if citizens participating in labour migration pay social taxes on time. Most importantly, Uzbekistan protects the rights of its citizens working in other countries. This is a proof that Shavkat Mirziyoyev guarantees the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Uzbekistan, wherever they are.
Despite the closure of borders between the two countries due to the pandemic, more than 600,000 of our compatriots have been brought to our country. Necessary assistance has been provided to about 100,000 of our citizens in difficult situations abroad
Sixth, it is well known that foreign policy is an integral continuation of domestic policy. This approach can be seen as a strategic direction of the foreign policy of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who has been the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan for many years. In this respect, it can be said that the priority of Tashkent’s foreign policy is to establish equal relations with foreign countries and directly ensure the interests of the population.
This can be seen in the systematic implementation of tasks such as attracting investment in the socio-economic sphere, creating favourable conditions for investors, providing assistance to citizens of Uzbekistan in difficult situations in foreign countries. In general, this can be interpreted as a contour of domestic policy in foreign policy activity.
At the same time, one of the most important results of the effective foreign policy of the President of Uzbekistan in the past period is the creation of an atmosphere of dialogue, practical cooperation and good neighbourhood relations around Uzbekistan. In this way, Uzbekistan has created a common “point of attraction” in the Central Asian region. Another important aspect is that Uzbekistan does not claim individual leadership in the region, but seeks the harmonious development of the whole region. Such an approach of the Uzbek leader towards the region can be considered as a model of “mutual benefit and common success”.
The initiatives put forward by Uzbekistan at international events at various levels in practice set the agenda for such events. In the international arena, the proposals put forward by Uzbekistan are supported and put into practice.
Based on the analysis, we can say that the formula of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy is clear, official Tashkent has a strong position, which is in the interests of the people of Uzbekistan.
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To conclude, the people of Uzbekistan and the system of government in a short period of time have come a long way, which is the basis for complex and at the same time positive changes. In this regard, as noted above, relying on the interests of ordinary people in government, creating a “bridge” of constant communication with them, in my opinion, is an important factor in the changes taking place in the new Uzbekistan. This is an important basis for the next big strategic leap. Uzbekistan has enough potential and resources for this, because, as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said, there is no way back, all the bridges have been burned down.
ISLAMABAD, JAN 29 – Pakistan on Thursday rejected New Delhi’s claim that Islamabad and Beijing are backing the ongoing protests by farmers in India.
In a weekly news briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said the “baseless and irresponsible” accusations are a continuation of India’s tactic of blaming others for its “internal failings.”
“It may be recalled that Indian Union Minister Raosaheb Danve had alleged that China and Pakistan were behind the ongoing protests by farmers,” Chaudhri said in response to a question.
“Such a baseless and irresponsible statement from Indian Minister reflects the true mindset of the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] government, who finds it convenient to blame India’s neighbors for all its internal failings.”
He said New Delhi’s actions against minorities have “fully exposed the so-called largest democracy in the world.”
“We have been repeatedly saying that India is not a democracy but an extremist Hindutva regime. The BJP government’s actions against minorities have revealed the true face of India to the world,” said Chaudhri.
Stressing that minorities in India are “finding themselves increasingly insecure,” he reiterated Pakistan’s stance that the prevalent mindset in New Delhi “is not only dangerous for Indian minorities but also imperils regional peace and security.”
Thousands of farmers have been protesting on the outskirts of the capital New Delhi since November against three laws that the government claims are aimed at liberalizing the agriculture sector.
Protesters say the new rules will threaten their livelihoods and leave them at the mercy of major corporations.
Tensions have soared since this week’s violence, with at least one person killed and multiple injuries reported as farmers clashed with police at the historic Red Fort on India’s Republic Day, the anniversary of the country officially adopting its Constitution on Jan. 26, 1950.
ISTANBUL, JAN 29 – Turkey’s parliament speaker has said his country was resolute in protecting its legitimate rights based on international law.
Speaking at an Istanbul-based commemoration program dedicated to the Turkish independence struggle, Mustafa Sentop commented on his country’s goals and political stance.
We are determined to protect and defend Turkey’s legitimate rights arising from international law, Sentop said, adding the threats his country faced over a century ago were still existing.
Stressing that the Turkish administration worked hard to make Turkey stronger, safer, and more peaceful, he noted that Ankara was seeking to transform Turkey into a center for social, economic, and cultural initiatives.
According to the official, Turkey endeavors to ensure the safety of its citizens and friendly nations by responding to threats through cross-border operations.
Responding to the so-called “Neo-Ottoman” policies of Turkey, Sentop said such discourse was nothing but paranoid allegations, and the Ankara administration was aware of realpolitik.
ISLAMABAD, JAN 29 (DNA) – Palestinian Ambassador to Pakistan Ahmed Rabei met Tunisian Ambassador at the Tunisian embassy in Islamabad.
The conditions in Tunisia were reassured, and Ambassador Ahmed Rabei wished stability, security and prosperity to Tunisia and the Tunisian people.
The situation in Palestine, the upcoming elections, the two ambassadors exchanged cordial conversations and the common relations between the two embassies.=DNA
ISTANBUL, JAN 29 – Houston Rockets defeated Portland Trail Blazers with a 104-101 score in Friday’s NBA game. Christian Wood led the Rockets to victory, making a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds at Toyota Center.
Victor Oladipo was the highest scorer of his team with 25 points and seven rebounds, while John Wall produced 20 points.
For the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard helped his team with 30 points and nine assists in the losing effort.
Following this win, the Rockets improved to 8 wins and 9 losses to be in the 10th spot in the Western Conference standings.
Pacers’ LeVert underwent successful cancer surgery
Indiana Pacers guard Caris LeVert underwent successful surgery to treat renal cell carcinoma of his left kidney, an NBA said Charania announced on Twitter.
“He is expected to make a full recovery,” Shams Charania added.
LeVert, 26, averaged 18.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 12 games for the Nets during the 2020-21 season before going to Pacers as part of the James Harden trade.
Longtime NBA writer, analyst dies
A longtime NBA reporter and analyst Sekou Smith died because of coronavirus at age 48. Smith covered the news around the NBA for more than 20 years.
“The NBA mourns the passing of Sekou Smith, a beloved member of the NBA family. Sekou was one of the most affable and dedicated reporters in the NBA and a terrific friend to so many across the league,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
Smith covered the NBA for Turner Sports in the last 11 years.
“The Turner Sports family mourns the loss of our very own, Sekou Smith. Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” a message on Twitter by NBA TV said.
ISLAMABAD, JAN 29: Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry has called upon the government to take new policy measures aimed at promoting the documented economy that would help in improving the tax revenue collection and achieving sustainable growth. He said that the IMF has projected Pakistan’s GDP growth rate at 1.5 percent for the current fiscal year 2020-21, but this forecast was based on the formal economy, which was almost half of the total economy.
He said that according to various surveys and reports, the informal economy in Pakistan accounted for 35-50 percent of the total economy, therefore, the real GDP growth of the country could be enhanced significantly by bringing informal sectors in the formal economy. He said that IMF’s World Economic Outlook 2021 has projected the global economy to grow at 5.5 percent, emerging economies 8.3 percent, India 11.5 percent, China 8.1 percent, Malaysia 7 percent, Turkey 6 percent, France 5.5 percent, USA 5.1 percent, Mexico 4.3 percent. However, Pakistan’s growth projection was quite low than its actual potential and its main reason was that undocumented economy was not being considered.
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that if the government wanted to bring more people into the tax filing system, it should take confidence building measures for taxpayers. He said that lack of education about the tax system was holding back many potential taxpayers from coming into the tax system and urged that FBR should organize awareness sessions at chambers of commerce & industry in major cities to educate maximum traders about the benefits of tax filing. He said that FBR was withdrawing cash from bank accounts of the business community through scrutiny and it should stop this practice as it will promote trust deficit and encourage people to remain in the informal economy in order to save themselves from unnecessary troubles. He said that a friendly tax system would restore the confidence of taxpayers and bring more people into the tax system, therefore, the government should give top priority to developing a business friendly tax regime.
ICCI President Pakistan was confronted with many economic challenges including rising debt burden, fiscal deficit, low tax revenue collection and the best way to overcome these challenges was to focus on promoting documentation of the economy. He said that the government was under obligation to ensure that the benefits of development and other steps aimed at public welfare were judiciously and equitably accessible to all its citizens. However, this objective could not be achieved without getting rid of foreign loans and generating enough indigenous resources for which proper documentation of the economy and increasing the size of the formal economy was very important.
Fatma Azim Senior Vice President and Abdul Rehman Khan Vice President ICCI said that the construction package announced by the Prime Minister Imran Khan was a step in the right direction to bring hidden assets in the documented economy and encourage more businesses and investors to participate in the legal economy. He emphasized that the government should announce such packages for other sectors of the economy that would be helpful in promoting the documented economy and accelerating the pace of industrialization across the country.
ISLAMABAD, JAN 29 (DNA) – Greek Ambassador to Pakistan Andreas Papastravou on Friday called on Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi.
Greek Envoy emphasised on the importance of shipping and showed keen interest in furthering cooperation. Federal Minister laid out his vision and discussed various ideas to enhance trade and also spoke about possibilities to learn from Greece’s experience and success in the maritime sector. Issue of seafarers and water pollution also came under discussion.
Shipping being one of the 3 main pillars of the Greek Economy, Ambassador offered all support and help. Ambassador Papastravou also thanked Minister Zaidi for receiving him and agreed on close coordination in future.
The Envoy also appreciated the efforts of Minister Zaidi for developing the maritime sector and the blue economy in Pakistan along with focusing on export growth and facilitation.=DNA
ISLAMABAD, JAN 29 (DNA) – Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI) on Friday called on the government to put in place strong policies and take difficult decisions for the country’s long-term gain.
The think tank said this while launching its annual report ‘Pakistan Outlook 2021 – Politics, Economy & Security’, which provides an in-depth analysis and forecast of the political, foreign policy, security, and economic trends in the country. The report also takes an exclusive look at energy security.
IPI noted that policymaking in the country has for long been reigned by a reactionary approach that panders to short-term solutions. Such an approach, it cautioned, subdues symptoms while leaving the root causes untouched.
Without an effective policymaking and implementation framework in place, IPI Executive Director Prof. Sajjad Bokhari said, “it would be difficult for the country to unshackle itself from the chains of frequent boom-bust economic cycles and problems like food inflation and circular debt would continue to hinder sustainable growth.”
Policy Analyst and Member of IPI Advisory Board Raza Rumi emphasized on the need for a consensus among the political elites on reforming public owned enterprises, restoring parliamentary oversight over the executive, legal and judicial reform, strengthening federalism, and transferring powers and resources to local governments.
During 2021, he believed the challenges to governance would intensity unless a political settlement is reached among the opposition, the government, and the establishment.
Former Defense Secretary Lt Gen (R) Asif Yasin Malik, while deliberating on the emerging security environment in the current year, also stressed on improved governance and restoring the public’s confidence in the government’s ability of deliver.
“Serious measures have to be taken to improve the governance standards in the country so as to bring socio-economic justice to the doorstep of every Pakistani. This is most requirement for the national security,” he maintained.
Gen Malik underscored that the biggest hazard to national security on the internal front is the loss of trust by the populace in the ability of the state to safeguard their interests against foreign and domestic threats, and provide a balanced social structure for one and all.
This may be the year of ‘make or break’ significance, he said.
Former Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, while evaluating the foreign policy challenges, observed that in an unsettled global and regional environment, the outlook for Pakistan in 2021 will remain uncertain.
On the issue of engaging the new Biden administration in the United States, Amb. Bashir was of the opinion that ties with the US are longstanding and new areas of common interests will have to be identified.
Pakistan, the former foreign secretary suggested, will have to spell out its own geo-economic perspective to the Biden Administration and seek avenues for private sector cooperation in all sectors.
Academician Dr Adnan Arshad in his take on COVID-19 said that while pandemic was ill-fated, but its occurrence provides an opportunity to set up a different kind of world where health care can be delivered to all in a cost-effective manner.=DNA
ISLAMABAD, JAN 29: Kuwait’s Assistant Foreign Minister of Asian Affairs Ambassador Ali Suleiman Al-Saeed, concluded his four day visit to Islamabad on 29 January, 2021. The visit took place in the backdrop of the meeting of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi with his Kuwaiti counterpart on the sidelines of the 47th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Niamey, Niger, in November 2020.
The Assistant Foreign Minister held the Third Round of Bilateral Political Consultations co-chaired by Ambassador Khalid H. Memon, Special Secretary (Middle East) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The political consultations centered on reviewing the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, collaboration on issues of mutual interest at regional and international forums, and possibilities for enhanced collaboration in other fields including food security, agriculture, poultry, livestock, tourism and oil exploration. Discussions were also held on possible Kuwaiti investments in the CPEC-related projects in Pakistan.
In addition to his call on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Minister also met the Minister of Interior, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development (OP&HRD), Chairman Board of Investment (BOI), and Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs. Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood hosted a working luncheon for the Kuwaiti delegation.
Pakistan and Kuwait have a long-standing fraternal relationship, marked by warmth between the leadership and abiding ties between the two peoples, rooted in shared faith, culture and traditions. The President of Pakistan visited Kuwait in October 2020 to offer condolences on the sad demise of Late Emir of Kuwait. Earlier, the Foreign Minister had visited Kuwait in May 2019. Pakistan’s brotherly cooperation with Kuwait was further solidified as the two countries cooperated intensively in health sector and food security in the wake of the global pandemic.
Kuwait is an important country of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The leadership of Kuwait played a pivotal role in facilitating the resolution of outstanding differences among the brotherly countries of the GCC through diplomatic means – a role appreciated by Pakistan as well as the wider international community.=DNA
