DNA
ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood has said exports to the USA surged by 27.2%, the UK 47%, Germany 37.6%, Netherlands 37.5%, and to Indonesia by 151.6%.
He said this during his latest interview.
The PM adviser said the massive increase to Indonesia is the result of a decision taken by the Indonesian government, which unilaterally facilitated Pakistan and extended reduction in duty on 20 items. “Indonesia has been fair to Pakistan.”
ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 (DNA) – Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and University of Agriculture, D.I. Khan has signed Memorandum of Understanding for mutual scientific and technical to strengthen the scientific infrastructure. The signing ceremony was held at PARC HQs, Islamabad in which the representatives of both the organizations signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides. For the purpose, a delegation from University of Agriculture, D.I. Khan headed by Prof. Dr. Masroor Ellahi Babar, Vice Chancellor visited PARC HQs. Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC and other high officials from PARC welcomed the delegation.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC shared that the agreement is aiming to device a program of scientific, technical and academic collaboration for exchange of ideas, skills and techniques on problems of national interests. The other objective of the MoU is to collaborate with the University is to exchange and training of faculty, student’s supervision and technical personnel with no cost for research and academic development.
Under the agreement, internees of UAD may be facilitated at PARC’s laboratories for their internship as well as UAD is to facilitate PARC scientists in research activities at D.I. Khan. Moreover, scientists of PARC, after adopting due protocols would be engaged as co-supervisors for University students in order to create qualified scientists. PARC and UAD will also hold joint conferences, seminars and workshops at national level to create awareness regarding importance using of modern technology to increase per acre yield in agriculture production of the country.
Prof. Dr. Masroor Ellahi Babar, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture, D.I. Khan appreciated PARC efforts in agriculture sector and also thanked Dr. Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC who kindly consented to get MoU signed. He also appreciated the efforts of PARC for development of agriculture sector in the Country. On the occasion, Vice Chancellor also added that this agreement would strengthen the goal of the University of providing an enabling environment to all students to fulfill the demand of need based and market driven qualified scientists in the country.=DNA
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DNA
ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov will be visiting Pakistan on Wednesday on a two-day official visit. This will be the first bilateral visit from Azerbaijan at FM level since 2010. Bayramov is visiting Pakistan on FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s invitation.
At the start of the new year, the visit will provide an opportunity to explore ways and means to deepen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
The two leaders will also discuss possibilities for enhanced collaboration in the fields of oil and gas, agriculture, railways and education. During his visit, Bayramov will also call on President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan and meet other dignitaries.
“Azerbaijan is Pakistan’s long-standing friend and partner. The two countries are bound by an exemplary relationship anchored on common historic, religious and cultural links.
Azerbaijan in its capacity as the member of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir has been steadfastly supporting the just and legitimate cause of the Kashmiri people.
ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 (DNA) – The Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan will hold the 2nd Pakistan-Turkey-Azerbaijan Trilateral Meeting on 13 January in Islamabad.
The 1st round of Trilateral Meeting was held in Baku in November 2017.
The three sides will exchange views on global and regional issues, including new and emerging threats to regional peace and security, address challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic, environment and Climate Change and to achieve economic development targets.
The three Foreign Ministers would also explore possibilities of deepening trilateral cooperation in all areas of common interest, including peace and security, trade and investment, science and technology, education and cultural cooperation.
Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey enjoy close fraternal relations based on common faith, values, culture and history; deeply embedded in mutual trust and understanding.=DNA
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ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 (DNA) – Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President leading a delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Islamabad and held a meeting with Xie Guoxiang, Minister Counsellor (Economic and Commercial) to discuss possibilities of further improving bilateral trade and investment relations between Pakistan and China. Fatma Azim Senior Vice President and Abdul Rehman Khan Vice President ICCI were in the delegation. She Hua Shiang, Gong Dahui and others were also present at the occasion.
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that Pakistan and China enjoyed strategic friendship which could be further strengthened by developing strong trade and economic relations between the two countries. He said that Pakistan was a growing market for business activities and it was the right time for Chinese companies to transfer technology to Pakistan and set up JVs and industrial units in our country. This way, Chinese investors could export their products to many markets of the world including South Asia, Middle East, Europe and Africa. He said that China was the world’s second largest economy with annual trade of trillions of dollars, but Pakistan’s exports to China were around $2 billion. He said that Pakistan’s exports to China could increase to $23 billion only if China provided one percent share in its supply chain through importing raw materials and intermediate goods from Pakistan.
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that Pakistan’s automobile, IT & telecom, industry, agriculture and construction sectors possessed tremendous potential for Chinese investors. He said that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) of Pakistan offered tax holiday for many years, zero duty on import of machinery and plants and a 4-year payment plan to investors, therefore, he stressed that Chinese investors should explore JVs and investment in these SEZs to earn lucrative returns. He said that China was quite advanced in the agriculture sector and it should help Pakistan in improving its per acre yield by sharing its agro machinery and technology with our country. He said that the Embassy should streamline its visa policy for Pakistani business community so that they could easily visit China to explore business collaborations with Chinese counterparts. He said that ICCI was working with the government for One Window facility for investors and assured that ICCI would fully facilitate Chinese investors in connecting them with right partners in Pakistan.
Speaking at the occasion, Xie Guoxiang, Minister Counsellor (Economic and Commercial), Embassy of the People’s Republic of China said that 2nd phase of CPEC has started cooperation in industrial and agriculture sectors, health and digital technology between China and Pakistan that would boost its economy. He emphasized that Pakistan should focus on improving its infrastructure that would attract more Chinese investors to Pakistani market. He informed that the Department of Commerce of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China intended to hold an online conference on January 22, 2021 to promote trade cooperation between China and Pakistan that would focus on garment and textile industry, textile machinery & equipment, agricultural products and urged that Pakistani business community should attend it to explore business collaboration with Chinese counterparts. Both sides also discussed signing of an MoU of cooperation between ICCI and Chinese Capital Chamber of Commerce & Industry to promote business linkages between the two countries.=DNA
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ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 (DNA) – Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force called on Lt Gen Ramiz Tahirov, Commander Azerbaijan Air Force, today. Matters of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation came under discussion.
The Air Chief praised the professionalism of Azerbaijan Air Force and assured his counterpart of PAF’s full support; especially in the domain of training. Commander Azerbaijan Air Force commended the high standards of the PAF training system and acknowledged its support towards training of Azeri Air Force personnel.
He also lauded the indigenization efforts under taken by PAF; especially the JF-17 program. Later in the day, the Air Chief also met with Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defence of Azerbaijan.
Matters related to mutual interests were discussed with a consensus to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation. Earlier, the Air Chief also visited the Martyrs’ Alley and laid the floral wreath.=DNA
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ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 (DNA) – Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has announced free matriculation education for the people of Gilgit Baltistan from spring 2021 semester. The admissions will commence from January 15, 2021. This announcement was made by the Vice Chancellor, AIOU, Prof Dr Zia Ul- Qayyum during his media briefing the other day.
He highlighted the role of AIOU in promoting education and enhancing rate of literacy in the country. He was of the opinion that nobody should be deprived of right to education owing to lack of resources. AIOU provides thousands of scholarships to the needy students every semester. The remotest areas of Pakistan are generally deprived of educational facilities.
Therefore, AIOU is paying special attention to provide them educational facilities. He, further, added that the university had already announced free matriculation education for the people of Baluchistan and former FATA.
University will bear all expenditures from the profit on endowment fund. He instructed regional directors to create awareness regarding this initiative so that maximum people can avail this opportunity. DNA
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KARACHI, JAN 12 (DNA) – In an impressive fire power display, Pakistan Navy Fleet units demonstrated combat readiness and war fighting potential through live weapons firing at North Arabian Sea. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi graced the occasion as Chief Guest and witnessed the event along-with other senior naval officers.
Pakistan Navy Submarines successfully engaged their intended targets with Anti-Ship Missiles and Torpedoes. The successful firings have re-affirmed Pakistan Navy’s offensive capability and operational readiness. Chief of the Naval Staff expressed his complete satisfaction on the combat readiness of PN Fleet and commended officers and men for their commitment and professionalism.
On the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff reassured the nation that Pakistan Navy is fully prepared and ready to thwart any aggression against Pakistan’s maritime frontiers. He also underscored that Pakistan Navy will continue to play its part in making defence of the country impregnable.=DNA
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ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 – The Institution of Engineers, Pakistan Rawalpindi, Islamabad Centre (IEP-RIC) organized here a Continued Professional Development (CPD)-lecture on Aviation Electronics (Communication & Navigation Equipment) for the benefit of young engineers.
The event was conducted by Engr Ahmad Shamim and Gp Capt (r) Engr Najamuddin, Secretary IEP-RIC was the Resource Person on the occasion, who explained various technical aspects of Aviation Electronics with special reference to Communication and Navigation system.
Gp Capt ® Najamuddin shared with the participants his vast experience and rich knowledge in the field of Electronics and Communication and briefed them about the basics of Air space management and Air Traffic Control system (ATC).
He explained the functioning of different elements of Civil Aviation Authority with emphases on ATC Eqpt. Also details of evolution of Aviionics Eqpt and components on board Commercial Aircraft was elaborated.
After the lecture Question-Answer session was held that reflected the keen interest of the young engineers to keep them abreast with the new developments in the field of aviation electronics.
The event was presided over by the Chairman of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Center Hafiz Ehsan Ul Qazi, who in his concluding remarks assured that the Center will continue to hold such rich-knowledge-based lectures for the graduate engineers, enabling them to learn from their seniors in the relevant fields.
Islamabad, 12 Jan 2021 : Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi received Ustad Mohammad Karim Khalili, Leader of the Hezb-e-Wahdat-e Islami, Afghanistan, and his accompanying delegation, today.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and progress in the Afghan peace process. The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. He underscored that after the Afghans, Pakistan was the country most desirous of peace in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Minister underlined that the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan were linked through immutable bonds of history, faith, culture and traditions. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Afghanistan in all fields. The Foreign Minister highlighted the various steps taken by Pakistan to strengthen bilateral and transit trade and introduction of revised visa policy to facilitate Afghan nationals.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said Pakistan had always emphasized that there was no military solution of the Afghan conflict and that a negotiated political settlement was the only way forward. He stressed the importance of an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political solution through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
Highlighting Pakistan’s positive contribution to the various milestones achieved so far, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to facilitate the Afghan peace process. He stressed that the Afghan leadership should seize this historic opportunity to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan through the Intra-Afghan Negotiations.
The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s call on all sides to take measures for reduction in violence leading to ceasefire. He also cautioned against the role of ‘spoilers’ within and outside Afghanistan, who did not wish to see return of peace in Afghanistan and the region.
Foreign Minister Qureshi further expressed the hope that the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan would provide a strong impetus to economic development, regional integration, and connectivity, benefitting Afghanistan and the region. Foreign Minister Qureshi also emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to safe and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
Ustad Karim Khalili thanked for Pakistan’s consistent support to Afghanistan, particularly in the peace process and for hosting millions of Afghan refugees for the last many decades. He appreciated the various steps taken by Pakistan to strengthen trade between the two countries and facilitate Afghan nationals through revised visa policy.
