DNA

ISLAMABAD, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz said on Wednesday the past rulers had used the national institutions for their personal interests, and with their help and facilitation looted the national wealth.

 Addressing a press conference here, flanked by Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Adviser to the PM on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan, he said the former rulers’ only objective was to mint money and in the process they made the common people poorer.

 He said the opposition parties had requisitioned the Senate session with a six-point agenda. They were in fact trying to misuse the the Upper House of Parliament to escape from accountability for their misdeeds but they would not succeed. They would be questioned by the treasury benches about the corruption committed by their leadership.

Everyone was bound to answer to the questions raised by the courts or any other relevant institution about their wrongdoings, he remarked.

  To a question, he said any Pakistani citizen could approach the National Accountability Bureau for investigation against any person having assets beyond known sources of income, but no probe could not be initiated on any news published in the press.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday reaffirmed ‘Engage Africa’ policy which was aimed at forging closer ties with the continent by expanding Pakistan’s diplomatic footprint and deepening economic engagement.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with President National Assembly of Republic of Djibouti, Mohamed Ali Houmed, who accompanied by a parliamentary delegation called on him, PM Office media wing in a press release said.

The prime minister warmly welcomed the visiting delegation and noted that the bonds of common faith and values as well as convergence of views on regional and international matters bind the two brotherly nations.

He underlined the salience of Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” policy and said that Pakistan would soon be establishing its resident diplomatic mission in Djibouti.

Both sides affirmed the shared desire to broaden bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani was also present during the meeting.

The prime minister and the visiting delegation also exchanged views on the importance of peace and security in neighboring regional context of both Pakistan and Djibouti.

President National Assembly of Djibouti appreciated Pakistan’s historical support and expressed the hope that visit of Parliamentary delegation would help in further consolidating Djibouti-Pakistan relations.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 30 (DNA) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, responding to threats of resignations and long march by the opposition coalition PDM, has assured that Prime Minister Imran Khan will not resign on January 31 under any circumstances.

The Foreign Minister, addressing a press conference with other party leaders in Islamabad, said that neither is the government guilty of political revenge nor can it back down from pursuing accountability.

“No one is above the law,” he said. Opposition leaders are failing to justify their wealth, which is why there is so much hue and cry. Khawaja Asif should prove his innocence instead of playing politics. He was given the opportunity to answer NAB’s queries multiple times, but seemingly, he failed to satisfy them by providing a money trail, Qureshi added.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi clarified that NAB should not be linked with PTI government as it is an independent and sovereign body, headed by a Chairman appointed by previous government and operating under a law also prepared by previous governments.

The foreign minister said following the arrest of Khawaja Asif, the facts were becoming clearer as to why the opposition had been linking its support to FATF legislation with the abolition of 34 or 38 clauses in NAB law.

“Today, I understand…We were astonished as what was the link between NAB law and FATF. As the things are opening up, it shows they were using FATF as shield to amend NAB law,” the foreign minister remarked.

He said despite government’s efforts to delink the proposed amendments in NAB law with FATF legislation, the opposition was adamant to link their support with acceptance of their demand.

He said things were exposing with the cases of money laundering against opposition leaders and that was why they were seeking National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). “NRO is name of relief. It was a program to save their skin and seek deliverance,” he said.

He told media that even the supporters of Maulana Fazlur Rehman also questioned as how NAB could dare call their leader to explain his assets.

He recalled that Imran Khan never declared himself above law when he was asked to proves his assets rather he produced even decades old documentary evidences for his defence. The opposition should also follow the same course and provide money trail, he added.

He told media that NAB was an independent institution not answerable to the government. Even PTI leadership had nothing to do with the appointment of NAB chairman, who was appointed by the PPP and PML-N during the latter’s government.

To a question, the foreign minister said the government was ready to talk to the opposition at the parliamentary forum, except on the NRO and NAB law

He mae it clear that Prime Minister Imran Khan would not resign by January 31, as demanded by the opposition, so they should go on with their agenda. He said the PDM had been shattered following the PPP’s decision on Tuesday.

However, he questioned the PPP as if they wanted to quit assemblies, why they decided to take part in bye-poll. Moreover, the seriousness of the PML-N regarding resignation was also exposed when the National Assembly Speaker called two of their members to verify their resignations submitted with the NA Secretariat and they refused to appear.

“They are just giving false hopes to the people. PDM should find out as who had cheated them,” he questioned. = DNA

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DNA

Karachi, DEC 30 – In an impressive display of firepower, Pakistan Navy Air Defence Units demonstrated their combat readiness through live weapon firing of Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs).  Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

During Live Weapon Firing, the launched missiles successfully engaged the intended targets.  The successful firings have re-affirming Pakistan Navy’s war fighting capability and combat potential.  Chief of the Naval Staff expressed his complete satisfaction on the operational readiness of Pakistan Navy and its preparedness to defend the national maritime interest.

On the occasion, Naval Chief commended the officers and men for their commitment and professionalism.  He emphasized on continued vigilance to thwart any aggression against the sea frontier and provide a befitting response to any misadventure by the adversary.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 30 – Senate of Pakistan has offered capacity and training facilities to the parliamentarians and staff of the National Parliament of Djibouti from the platform of Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS). This was deliberated during meeting between Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and   President Mohamed Ali Houmed  Acting Chairman of the African Union Parliament and President Djibouti National Parliament here at Parliament House.  President of Djibouti National Parliament Mohamed Ali Houmed is leading a 12-member delegation to Pakistan on the invitation of Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani. He said that training and capacity building remained our priority and we strive to provide best possible trainings and orientations by engaging national and international experts.

Chairman Senate reiterated that African countries are socially and politically very close to Pakistan and we are ready to take measures for enhancing ties between the two sides.  He said that Djibouti and other African countries should explore the prospects for investment in Gwadar which is developing as a trade hub not only for this region but would also facilitate the trade towards the African countries.

Leader of the Parliamentary delegation said that people of both the countries are already very close and there is a need to establish parliamentary cooperation.  He said that with the opportunities for the training of the parliamentarians and parliamentary staff from African countries in Pakistan would further strengthen these relations.