DNA

ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) and the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework of cooperation between the two organizations to carry out joint efforts for the establishment of an industrial estate alongside the Rawalpindi Ring Road (R3) project on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, to be known as the “ICCI Islamabad Industrial Estate”.

Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President ICCI and Raja Tariq Mehmood, Chairman, RDA signed the MoU during a ceremony held at Chamber House. Fatma Azim Senior Vice President, Abdul Rehman Khan Vice President ICCI, Khalid Javed Convener ICCI Committee on New Islamabad Industrial Estate, Mian Akram Farid Chairman Founder Group, Muhammad Junaid Taj, Deputy Director RDA and others were present in the ceremony.

Speaking at the occasion, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that Pakistan’s progress and prosperity was linked with industrialization and hoped that the signing of this MoU between ICCI and RDA would be instrumental in setting up a new industrial estate to boost investment and start a new era of rapid industrial growth in the region. He urged that the government should extend the construction package for another year to attract maximum investment. He further said that the government should also set up a real estate regulatory authority in order to regulate the activities in the construction and real estate sector and promote regulated businesses in this field.

Raja Tariq Mehmood, Chairman RDA said that his organization would make all possible efforts for the establishment of ICCI Industrial Estate as this project was in the best national interest and would be helpful in attracting local and foreign investment to the region. He said that the project would also create plenty of new jobs and contribute towards tax revenue of the country, therefore, its early materialization would support the efforts for stabilizing the economy.

By signing this MoU, ICCI shall arrange preparation of technical and financial feasibility for industrial estate project and submit them to RDA for evaluation and approval. ICCI shall also help in generating partial funding for acquisition of land for industrial estate while RDA shall acquire the required land from the land owners and commit industrial plots to the investors who will be providing funding for land acquisition. ICCI shall mobilize investors for investment in the industrial estate to set up small, medium and large-scale industries in order to produce manufactured and export-oriented products. ICCI shall also assist RDA towards formalization of the industrial estate by holding meetings with the relevant departments of the Punjab and Federal governments. Moreover, ICCI in consultation with RDA shall help finalize modalities and SOPs for the sale/purchase of plots in the industrial estate.

RDA shall acquire required land for the ICCI Industrial Estate and shall get notified of the acquired land from the Punjab Government. RDA shall earmark the land after approval of feasibility for ICCI Industrial Estate project and determine sizes and modalities for sale of industrial plots in consultation with ICCI. RDA will also negotiate with the Punjab Board of Investment to acquire approval for this industrial estate under SEZ model and will be responsible for developing its master plan in consultation with ICCI which will then be proposed to the potential investors for investment.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 28 (DNA) – Islamabad Ramana police team has arrested five members of a criminal gang involved in incidents of dacoity as well as street crime and recovered, motorbikes mobile phones and weapons from their possession, a police spokesman said.

According to details, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan ordered crackdown against criminal elements. Following these orders, DIG (Operations) has directed all zonal officers to accelerate their efforts to curb the crime in the city.

SP (Saddar-zone) Muhammad Sarfraz Virk constituted police team under supervision of DSP Zulfiqar Ahmed to ensure arrest of criminals.  On a tip off, Police team including  SHO Ramana Police station Sub-Inspector Tarbul-Hassan, ASI Haider Shah along with others successfully arrested five  members of a criminal gang involved in snatching mobile phones and other valuables at gun point from the citizens.

The gangsters have been identified as Arslan, Iqbal, Imtaiz Alias Goga, Javed and Said while police recovered two motorbikes five mobile phone and weapons from their possession

During preliminary investigation, dacoit gang revealed that they have remained jail birds earlier for his involvement in several incidents of dacoity and snatching valuables at gunpoint from various areas Golra, Shalimar, and Karachi company. Cases have been registered against them and further investigation is underway from them.

DIG (Operations) has appreciated this overall performance and directed all police officials to ensure effective policing measures.

LAHORE, DEC 28 – The Pakistan Democratic Movement has summoned a meeting with all the opposition party heads in Lahore’s Raiwind on January 1.

It will be presided over by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The meeting will discuss the anti-government rallies that were held across the country starting October this year, the plan for the upcoming year and the Senate elections.

The leadership of the movement is adamant on giving the PTI government a tough time with its resignations and a long march. PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif will give their opinions regarding resignations.

The PDM held a rally in Larkana on Sunday. PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in his speech, said the opposition will march to Islamabad if Prime Minister Imran Khan doesn’t resign by January 31.

What is the Pakistan Democratic Movement?

The PDM, which comprises 11 opposition parties, has been staging anti-government rallies across Pakistan.

The first rally was held in Gujranwala on October 16, the second in Karachi on October 18, and the third in Quetta on October 25. The movement’s fifth rally was held in Peshawar on November 22 and its sixth in Multan on November 30.

The opposition members said there should be accountability for anyone accused of corruption, not just the opposition. At the rallies, the opposition leaders also challenged the country’s powerful establishment, accusing them of bringing the PTI government to power through systematic rigging.

RAWALPINDI, DEC 28 (DNA) – A launching ceremony of the book “Mehwar-e-Do Jahan” by senior poet Naseem-e-Sahar was held under auspices of Punjab Council of the Arts in collaboration with Halqa Ilam o Adab Pakistan.

The ceremony was presided over by Prof Dr Ehsan Akbar while Khawar Ijaz, Dr Farhat Abbas, Dr Arshad Mehmood Nashad was chief guests and Sharfudin Shafi was among the guest of honor of the evening. President  Halqa Ilam o Adab Arif  Farhad hosted the function.

Prof. Dr. Ehsan Akbar said that the Hamdo and Naat written by Naseem Sehar are full of devotion and are written on a strong level. Naseem Sehar has emerged as a strong poet of Hamdo Naat, he added.

On this occasion, Naseem Sehar also presented selected poems of his new composition to the audience and got much appreciation from the audience. Director Arts Council Waqar Ahmed said that intellectual thinking would help us to express ourselves.

The new book with Hamdo Naat is a gift for the new generation. In the book, Naseem Sahar has presented his love for Hazrat Muhammad “P.B.U.H” in a new way, which will be liked by the fans. Dozens of people from literary circles attended the book lunching ceremony.=DNA

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 28 – Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) commences admissions for the programs offered in the 1st phase of spring 2021 semester including matriculation, intermediate, ATC, BS (face to face) as well as MS/M Phil and PhD from January 15, 2021 across Pakistan, AJK and northern areas. According to the admission department, university has taken special measures to ensure availability of the admission prospectuses at the doorsteps of the students.

In this regard, prospectus sale points are being established at the union council level throughout the country. The information about the prospectus sale points would be uploaded on the university website soon. Prospectuses for all the programs will be available online on the university website (www.aiou.edu.pk).

The university has recently signed MoUs with the telecom operators of Pakistan to facilitate the students in fee depositing. In accordance with these agreements, students would be able to deposit admission fee through Jazz cash, Easypaisa, Upaisa mobile application *786# stickering, retailer agent, franchises and Mobilink, Telenor and U bank branches.

Admissions in the 2nd phase of spring 2021 semester will be commenced from March 1, 2021 and will continue till 15 April, 2021 for the programs including BA (Associate Degree), BS and B Ed. The Vice Chancellor, AIOU, Prof Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum, has instructed the relevant admission authorities to take special measures to provide admission facilities in the nearest and approachable vicinities of the students.

This objective would be achieved by providing admission facilities not only at the main campus of the university, but also at all regional offices. He, further, instructed the regional directors to establish ‘admission desk’ well equipped with computer system and internet services at the regional offices to facilitate the students in online admission process.

Experts were of the view that Kazakhstan is emerging as the most powerful country with a lot of opportunities in the future

DNA

ISLAMABAD:  Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad organized an Online Conference on, “Kazakhstan’s Parliamentary Election 2021: A Way Forward for Further Strengthening Democracy & Political Setup”.

The conference aimed to understand the Kazakhstan government’s attempts to strengthen fair democratic and political values in the country to give a neutral and unbiased perspective on how such steps will be effective for free and fair parliamentary elections in the country on 10^th January 2021.

The conference was commenced with the speech of Dr. Mahboob Hussain, Chairman, Department of History & Pakistan Studies, University of Punjab, Lahore. He discussed Kazakhstan Parliamentary Election 2021: A Giant Step Towards Liberal and Functional Democracy. He mentioned the historical and cultural importance of Central Asia dating back to ancient times. Hundreds of poets, writers, and Sufis migrated from central Asia to South Asia, thereby contributing significantly to the literature, history, science, and culture of South Asia.

Dr. Mahboob highlighted that the upcoming elections are an important step towards the political institutionalization setup in the country. Several reforms have been introduced for the upcoming elections in terms of representation and constitutional requirements. It is a very important step in terms of institution building, especially the political institutionalization building.  In the upcoming parliamentary elections, the determining factor will be the new paradigm of the relation between the state and the society. The presidential elections of June 2019, was the first sign that new political players and new political forces are getting their share in the political landscape of the country.

He further mentioned that it is the science of history that politically stable societies gain economic prosperity. Kazakhstan is one of the most economically and socially stable country of Central Asia as a result of the constitutional reforms, the election commission of Kazakhstan has implemented effective reforms including, voter registration reforms and securing representation of women and youth.  If we compare the upcoming elections with the previous elections, there are several key differences. There are new players in the political process, increased transparency, and the enhanced right to speak and participate during joint discussions, meetings of standees committees, etc.

Dr. Ghazi M. Abdullah, Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of the Punjab, Lahore discussed blessings of Political system in Kazakhstan. He highlighted that this topic is very important viz a viz the current political situation in Kazakhstan. It is a country that is economically, politically, historically, geographically and in the foreign policy paradigm is one of the most important countries in Central Asia. The upcoming elections will have a long-term impact on the regional politics and economies of neighboring countries and their relation with China and Russia as well.

Furthermore, historically its relation with Russia and the adjoining territories has always been important. It is witnessed that Kazakhstan is emerging as the most powerful country with a lot of opportunities in the future. In recent reforms, the trade relation of local traders and mercantile associations has enhanced resulting in economic development.

He also mentioned that the most important element in the Kazakhstan political system is the visionary leadership and role of Nursultan Nazarbayev in introducing productive reforms in Kazakhstan, despite all western propaganda and reservations. Keeping in view the present scenario, his role and contribution cannot be kept aside, as it has proven to be a guiding star for everyone and the most important pillar of Kazakhstan’s system.

Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, Member Board of Experts, CGSS & Regional Geopolitical Analyst discussed Vital actors of preparedness of free and fair elections in Kazakhstan in 2021. He mentioned that all actors in Kazakhstan are fully prepared for upcoming parliamentary elections according to international standards and protocols. All preparations for free, fair, and impartial elections have been institutionalized in the country, including peoples friendly policies, equal participation, and structural reforms in all sectors.

He highlighted that there has been an upward trend in the political system of Kazakhstan, the percentage of youth and women has been further increased since the last elections.

Kazakhstan has ensured 30% participation of women and youth, this shows the education, high literacy rate, and the empowerment transition in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Women have been playing a vital role in the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan, it has been witnessed that important roles have been given to women. This is a practical manifestation of diversified political reforms in the country.

Dr. Mehmood highlighted that 5  political parties will be participating in the upcoming elections, all these parties are free to participate and nominate their representatives depending on their popularity, education, and experience of the candidates. Attractive promises have been made by the candidates including, zero corruption, accountability, formation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), microfinancing, and agriculture.

His Excellency Akan Rakhmetullin, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan discussed Kazakhstan’s Presidential Political reforms and its important development in the country. He thanked all panelists for their in-depth analysis of Kazakhstan’s political system and parliamentary elections. Highlighting the importance of enhanced representation of women and youth he mentioned that according to the Kazakhstan constitution people aged 25 can be part of the Majlis, but before these elections, it was not practically manifestoed. All the reforms made by the President are now being practically implemented.

The elections being held in 2021 will hold a uniqueness in that they are held amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and the safety of our citizens is the number one priority for the government. The entire process will be conducted keeping in view the international SOPs to ensure the safety of citizens especially the elderly population of Kazakhstan. Democracy cannot be constructed overnight. In Kazakhstan, we are very sensitive about developing our political system to be more open and transparent. His Excellency Akan Rakhmetullin thanked CGSS for organizing this Conference and stated that we have to keep speeding our friendship and brotherhood.

The conference was moderated by Ms. Palwasha Nawaz, Project Executive, CGSS, and was attended by 50 participants including students and members of academia. It was also viewed by 100 people on social media networks.