DNA

RAWALPINDI, SEPT 5 – Defence day is the remembrance of the fact that Pakistani nation has always stood firm and tall against our adversaries.

No matter it is an aggressive country or enemy within us like miscreants or drug traffickers.

Today we present our tribute to our “Shuhadas & Ghazis” and pledge to ourselves that we will not waste their sacrifice and protect the legacy as “Sacred Duty”.

The celebrations of defence day are a true message to the enemies that nation stands united and emerged victorious like 1965 war, against lager enemy. The nation will stand firm and will not hesitate to give any sacrifice. We will face the world in line with the principals of our Quaid “Faith, Unity and Discipline”.

Being the head of leading drug law enforcement agency of Pakistan, I and my force are fighting against this curse. As a citizen of Pakistan it is your and my joint responsibility to support the government and institutions in the fight against drugs.

I assure you that ANF will fight against drug menace with extreme professional commitment and despite all odds and challenges will pursue the assigned mandate with devotion and dedication.

I, here will pay homage to “Shuhadas of ANF” and “6^th September 1965” who sacrificed their present for our future generation. DNA

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DNA

Islamabad, Sep 5 – The 2020 Beijing International Forum on People-to-people Friendship that was held online stated that the Sino-Pak cooperative partnership is getting stronger with a passage of time under CPEC.

The forum was co-sponsored by Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(BPAFFC) and Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges (Beijing NGO) under the guidance of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC).

According to Gwadar Pro, the forum attracted more than 200 participants, including representatives of 58 friendship organizations from 30 countries.

The event was centered on the theme of people-to-people friendly cooperation under BRI.

Ikhlaque Usmani, the president of All Pakistan-China Friendship Association (APCFA) and Farwa Zafar, the secretary-general of APCFA, attended this conference on behalf of people-to people friendship organizations in Pakistan.

Usmani in his speech said, Pakistan and China enjoy a very special relationship that are evergrowing. In this May, they marked the 69th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations with China. The two countries have witnessed how the friendship has grown since 1950.

He also mentioned that CPEC has significantly benefited Pakistan. He said: “In Pakistan, the BRI’s signature project of CPEC, over past five years has progressed smoothly and has been a drivering force of Pakistan’s economic growth by one to two percentage points every year and created 70,000 jobs in Pakistan.

In the town of Gwadar, the port and Free Zone have already become operational, creating opportunities for employment, investment and commerce.

Pakistani women working under CPEC projects can access better health care facilities and education, and enjoy better professional working environment in Chinese companies.

Socially, CPEC is aimed at mobilizing the people to work together for the betterment of our two nations, he added.

Usmani believes that people-to-people friendship organizations are an important part of a country’s soft power and voice in the world. In this role they can be crucial players for the BRI.

And young people are the mainstay of friendship between our people. BRI can bolster youth forums and youth camps, facilitated by friendship organizations.

Further youth exchanges in education, art, media, cultural heritage, science and technology can be realized through more opportunities and financial support by friendship organizations across China and related institutions,” he added.

Regarding COVID-19 pandemic, he stated that friendship associations are of great significance in fighting against the virus through measures.

He further said, we can put our focus on activating of a Healthy Silk Road through battling against the COVID-19 together.

The BRI corridors, ports and logistics hubs are now being used to provide medical support to partner countries and the friendship organizations with their people-to-people outreach can facilitate this activity,” Usmani suggested.

KARACHI, SEP 04 (DNA) – Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar has said that under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan PTI government extended helping hand and very conducive environment has been provided for trade and investment in Pakistan and the business community of UK and Pakistan can get benefit by enhancing current bilateral trade volume among two countries.

He stated this while addressing Virtual Investment and Trade Opportunity Forum 2020 organized by UK Pakistan Business Council (UKIPBC) on Thursday. The forum was conducted by General Secretary UKPBC Atta ul Haq form London while the session was organized under the supervision of Mr. M Khaurshid Barlas from Pakistan.

The forum was represented by Chairman UK Pakistan Business Council Ambassador Javed Malik, President UK Chapter Mr. Saleem Sheikh, President Pakistan Chapter M. Khurshid Barlas, Chairman Board of Investment & Trade Punjab Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, Minister for Trade & Investment London UK M. Shafiq A Shahzad, Chairman FIEDMC Mian Kashif Ashfaq.

A large number of experts, representatives of various Trade Organizations, professionals and general public participated in the high level Forum and questioned about the proceedings and deliberations of speakers. Governor Punjab, Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar highlighted the salient features of Federal and Provincial Government adopted for promotion of trade and industry.

He said that grievances of overseas Pakistanis were being resolved on priority basis and Overseas Commissions are working up to district level which can be contacted to resolve the issues of overseas Pakistanis. He also mentioned various steps including establishing special tribunals for early decision of overseas Pakistanis court cases.

Chairman Board of Investment and Trade Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan appreciated the valuable contribution of UKPBC for linking all related organizations for the cause of trade and commerce promotion among UK and Pakistan. He said Pakistan has given huge incentives and concessions to the investors and traders and large numbers of International organizations are in our contact for their investment in Pakistan.

Minister for Trade & Investment London UK M. Shafiq A. Shahzad talking on the occasion said that there is huge potential of trade opportunities in UK for Pakistan after brexit and the Embassy of Pakistan in London is already working on it to extend all possible assistance to business community.

Chairman FIEDMFC Mian Kashif Ashfaq deliberating on the subject briefed about the working and attractions provided by FIEDMFC to investors and said that first time in the history of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced historical incentives for foreign investors and infrastructure has been developed to facilitate investors.

Chairman UKPBC Ambassador Javed Malik in his address said that the prime objective of UK Pakistan Business Council is to play its due role in economic development of Pakistan especially after COVID-19 situation and under the patronage of President UK and Pakistan Chapter, very successful conference and roundtable talks had been organized with the active participants of stakeholders.

President UKPBC UK Chapter Saleem Sheikh was of the view that Council. M Khurshid Barlas expressed his gratitude to all participants, especially, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Chairman Punjab Board of Investment and Trade Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan and said that collaborated efforts would enable business community to avail trade and investment opportunities being provided in UK and Pakistan.

He said more high level sessions would be organized to discuss business related matters with the objective to provide maximum facilities to the business community and enhancing exports of Pakistan. =DNA

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ISLAMABAD, SEP 04 (DNA) – The final decision regarding reopening schools across Pakistan will be made on September 7 after assessing the coronavirus situation in the country, however, all schools will have to strictly follow SOPs announced by the government, Prime Minister’s Assistant on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said on Friday.

During a media briefing, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood and Sultan issued the precautionary measures that all schools will have to follow when educational institutions reopen.

Schools and parents will have to adhere to the following instructions after the institutions reopen: First secondary classes will start and then primary classes will begin; The number of students in a class will be reduced, which means that half of the students will attend the session one day and half will do it the other day; Students will have to wear face masks at all times.

Dr Sultan said that it’s better if the masks are made at home; Social distancing and washing hands should be strictly implemented; Sanitiser should be installed in schools and students should encouraged to use them repeatedly; Every student attending school in-person will have to get tested for coronavirus in two weeks; Students with lower immunity levels should not be sent to school; and Students will have lunch inside class during breaks.

Mahmood stressed the importance of the role of principals and teachers in the implementation of SOPs. “The student will be the responsibility of the school,” he said.

“In the last six months the educational loss incurred by students has been immense,” the minister said, adding that small schools have suffered the most during this time. He advised that when children come back, their tests should be taken to gauge their learning levels.

In another meeting of the steering committee headed by Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani, it was suggested that educational institutions be reopened in stages.

Classes above the ninth grade should begin on September 15, followed by secondary level classes (grades six to eight) from September 21. Ghani suggested that primary classes should begin the last, from September 28.

“We have sent the suggestions to the federal committee,” he said, adding that a final decision will be taken after the meeting next week. =DNA

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QUETTA, SEP 04 (DNA) – Model court Quetta has acquitted former provincial assembly member Majeed Khan Achakzai in the traffic sergeant murder case on the basis of lack of evidence.

The accused, former MPA Majeed Khan Achakzai, appeared in court along with his lawyers. The court acquitted Majeed Khan Achakzai of the traffic sergeant’s murder case for lack of evidence.

It may be recalled that Traffic Sergeant Ataullah was killed in a hit and run in June 2017 when Achakzai’s SUV, driven by him, rammed into Ataullah from behind. Model Court Judge Dost Mohammad Mandokhel announced the verdict of the case. =DNA

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KARACHI, SEP 04 (DNA) – Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani on Friday laid out recommendations for reopening of educational institutions from September 15

He presided over a meeting of the provincial education department’s steering committee to discuss the reopening of educational institutes and health guidelines to protect students, especially children, from the highly contagious disease.

Ghani said Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood will preside over a meeting of all provincial educational ministers on September 7 to make a final decision on whether or not to reopen educational institutions from September 15.

Expressing satisfaction over the coronavirus situation, he said thankfully, it has improved a lot. He added the steering committee finalised the SOPs and laid out recommendations to be presented during the September 7 meeting.

According to the recommendations, he spelled out, educational institutions should reopen in phases with classes of ninth graders and onward to resume from September 15 while those of primary up to fifth graders from September 28 and classes of sixth-eighth graders be allowed to resume from September 21.

He warned that schools reopening before the agreed date will face legal action as per the law. =DNA

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