LAHORE : Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid has said that the government took concrete steps to defeat the Covid-19.
Talking to newsmen in Lahore, she said that the World Health Organization (WHO) is appreciating Pakistan’s steps taken to control the pandemic.
She said that we increased medical facilities in the Health sector therefore infection rate in Punjab is low as compared to other provinces.Yasmin Rashid said that the health department is constantly monitoring the Covid-19 situation after reopening of all educational institutions in the province.
The minister said that the government has established nineteen BSL-3 labs across the province for testing of coronavirus patients while 32000 recruitments have also been made in the Health Department in a transparent way.
It was reported on September 29 that as many as 145 students had been tested positive for the coronavirus at public and private schools in Punjab, according to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.
A spokesperson for the department had said 70,750 students were tested for Covid-19 at educational institutions after they reopened on September 15, out of whom 145 turned out to be positive.
ISLAMABAD, Oct 1 : National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) has planned to hold Annual Folk Festival “Lok Mela” from 6th to 15th November.
According to an official announcement , Lok Virsa annual mega event is scheduled from November 6th to 15th November at Lok Virsa Complex, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian, Islamabad.
The inaugural ceremony of the 10-day event will be held on November 6 which is expected to be graced by Federal Minister for Education, Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood.
The main features will include provincial cultural pavilions from all provinces, GB, AJK including an international pavilion, artisans at work, folk songs and dance performances, exotic craft bazaar, cultural nights, folkloric performances, food courts, and many other activities.
As per tradition, the festival will formally open with a chadarposhi/ dastarbandi ceremony, which is a way of proclaiming Lok Virsa’s commitment to the high stature that craftspeople and folk artists have in the cultural mainstream.
This year, one established master crafts woman and one male folk artist/ musician will be honoured with chaddarposhi and dastarbandi by the chief guest.
Culture departments of all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and diplomatic community have been invited to set up pavilions presenting their indigenous folk culture, artisans, folk artists and traditional cuisine as link nodes of the festival‘s foundation grid.
Special attractions featuring folk singers, folk entertainers and other entertaining shows will be organized throughout the festival period duration.
Display of traditional folk dances from all over Pakistan will be held in the open air theater at intervals.
Folk entertainers and rural musicians are invited from all over the country to participate in the festival.
An exotic craft bazaar with score of tastefully decorated pavilions offering a variety of knick-knacks souvenirs, antiques, craft items, gems & jewelry, and cultural materials will also be set up erected.
Each province, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir will hold its cultural night during Lok Mela in which eminent folk artists and folk performers hailing from the respective province/ region will perform live in a concert.
Traditional mouth-watering Pakistani cuisines will be arranged at the venue of the festival.
The festival will culminate with a colorful award ceremony which is scheduled to take place on the last day November 15 in which cash awards will be distributed among the most talented and deserving artisans on the recommendations.
ISLAMABAD, Oct 1 : President Dr. Arif Alvi on Thursday called upon parliamentarians and media persons to play an effective role in creating awareness amongst masses about breast cancer.
In his letters addressed to members of parliament and media representatives including television anchorpersons, the President advised them to highlight the issue of breast cancer as October is globally marked as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
President Dr Alvi said breast cancer killed millions of women every year round the globe including several thousand deaths in Pakistan.
Pakistan has higher mortality rate of breast cancer compared to other South Asian countries, with reason being lack of awareness about the disease, he said.
Ninety-eight percent of women, he said, could recover from the disease if diagnosed at first stage.
He called upon the parliamentarians to carry out awareness campaigns at national level and within their constituencies.
He asked the media to create awareness through public welfare messages, talk shows and newspaper articles during the entire month of October.
The President appealed to the anchorpersons, newscasters and also guests appearing at talk shows to wear pink ribbons during the current month as symbol to highlight the issue of breast cancer.
LAHORE : The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday gave the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the health department and other respondents more time to furnish their comments on a petition challenging the recent 262 per cent hike in prices of essential life-saving drugs.
Justice Sajid Mahmood Sethi heard the petition filed by advocate Nadeem Sarwar requesting the high court to declare the government’s September 22 decision of jacking up rates of 94 essential medicines illegal.
During the hearing, a lawyer, representing the DRAP, appeared before the court and sought time to submit response to the petition. The court granted his request and adjourned the hearing until October 7.Earlier, the petitioner stated before the court that rates of essential life-saving medicines have been increased by up to 262 per cent by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) in violation of the laws, which has added to the miseries of inflation-hit people. He pleaded with the bench to declare the increase illegal.
The Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF) is a platform launched in 2011 and co-chaired by Morocco since 2016. Its membership consists of 30 members (29 countries + the European Union) and cooperates closely with many international, regional and sub-regional organisations, including the United-Nations
RABAT (DNA) – The Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF), co-chaired by Morocco and Canada, adopted at its 17th Coordination Committee meeting, held on 29 September 2020, a Ministerial Declaration conveying a message of unity and commitment to face the constant threat posed by terrorism in the current pandemic context.
The Ministerial Declaration emphasises the importance of a continuous mobilisation of the Forum’s members to face the global threat posed by terrorism, and acknowledges the efforts made by Morocco and Canada as co-chairs of the GCTF, the working Groups co-chairs as well as the Forum’s Initiatives co-leads, in order to maintain a positive and active work dynamic in the current pandemic context.
This meeting was also an opportunity for the members of the Forum to renew their trust in the co-chairmanship of Morocco and Canada by extending their mandate for an additional year compared to the initially planned period. As such, it should be noted that Morocco is co-chairing the GCTF for the third consecutive term which should be extended until September 2022.
In addition, the forum also adopted two good Practices documents dealing with issues pertaining to preventing and countering Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism as well as to the Nexus between Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime.
The Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF) is a platform launched in 2011 and co-chaired by Morocco since 2016. Its membership consists of 30 members (29 countries + the European Union) and cooperates closely with many international, regional and sub-regional organisations, including the United-Nations.
On September 27, 2020 the armed forces of Armenia blatantly violating the ceasefire regime have launched another aggression against Azerbaijan, by intensively attacking the positions of the armed forces of Azerbaijan along the frontline, as well as the villages of Qapanli of Terter district, Chiragli and OrtaGaravend of Aghdam district, Alkhanli and Shukurbeyli of Fizuli district and JojuqMerjanli of Jabrayil district, using large-caliber weapons, mortar launchers and artillery.
As a result there have been casualties among the civilians and military servicemen of Azerbaijan. Extensive damage has been inflicted on many houses and other civilian infrastructure.
In order to repel another military aggression by Armenia and ensure the security of civilians and densely populated residential areas deep inside the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan undertake counter-offensive measures within the right of self-defense and in full compliance with the international humanitarian law.
The recent aggression by Armenia against Azerbaijan is yet another blatant violation of fundamental norms and principles of international law, the international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and its Additional Protocols, as well as the United Nations Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874, 884 of 1993 demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the armed forces of Armenia from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
This act of aggression by Armenia against Azerbaijan is the continuation of the latest provocations of the Armenian side, including its armed attack in the direction of Tovuz region on 12-16 July, 2020, the sabotage-reconnaissance group’s provocation in the direction of Goranboydistrict on August 23, illegal settlement of ethnic Armenians in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, as well as other provocative statements and actions of the Armenian leadership (non-exhaustive list is herewith attached).
With these actions, Armenia has undermined the process for the peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Full responsibility for the present situation falls on the political-military leadership of Armenia.
At this situation, when Armenia clearly disregards norms and principles of international law, undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, grossly violates international humanitarian law by deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, it is incumbent on the international community more than ever to demonstrate principled position and express its solidarity with Azerbaijan in its just struggle to defendits sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protect its population.
Being well aware of the fact that the illegal presence of the armed forces of Armenia in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions of Azerbaijan is a serious threat to regional peace and security and demonstrating the principled position based on the norms and principles of international law in face of the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and its illegal activities, the international community should extend firm support to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of borders of Azerbaijan, and its actions in self-defense, and strongly condemn Armenia’s policy of aggression and provocative activities against Azerbaijan and force Armenia to comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. This is the moment of truth for entire international community
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Joint statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan
On 27 September 27 2020, the Armed Forces of Armenia, in gross violation of the ceasefire regime, launched another aggression against Azerbaijan shelling the positions of the Republic of Azerbaijan along the line of contact from large-caliber weapons, mortars and artillery.
On September 27-29, as part of the ongoing military aggression of Armenia, along with the Terter, Aghdam and Jabrayil regions of Azerbaijan, the Goranboy, Naftalan and Dashkesan regions were subjected to artillery fire by the Armed Forces of Armenia.
Armenia, in violation of the norms and principles of international law, in particular international humanitarian law, and the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, deliberately shelled civilian population and infrastructure of Azerbaijan, and thus committed various crimes against the civilian population.
As of September 29, 2020, 10 Azerbaijani civilians were killed, including two schoolchildren aged 13 and 14 respectively. 30 civilians were injured.
On 27 September 2020, circa 6 p.m., an artillery shell fired by the armed forces of Armenia, hit the courtyard of a private residential house in the village of Gashalty-Garagoyunlu, Naftalan district, that belonged to a resident of the village Mr. Elbrus Isa oglu Gurbanov. As a result of the shell explosion, those present in the house – Mr. Gurbanov and 4 members of his family – were killed. Regional prosecutor’s office has initiated a criminal case under Articles 120.2.1 (premeditated murder by a criminal organization), 120.2.4 (murder by a group of persons, previously committed by a group of persons with hooligan intentions, with particular cruelty), 120.2.7 (premeditated murder of two or more persons), 120.2.12 (premeditated murder with intent to national, racial, religious hatred or enmity), 100.2 (conduct aggressive war) and other relevant articles of the Criminal Code.
As a result of intensive fire from large-caliber weapons, artillery and mortars by the armed forces of Armenia along the line of contact from the occupied territories of Aghdam region, a shell hit the Evoglu village of Aghdam district on September 28, 2020 circa 7 a.m. Mr. Joshgun Anver oglu Pashayev, born in 1979, was badly injured and died later at the hospital.
On September 28, 2020, circa 11 a.m., Mr. Mehman Sovet oglu Aliyev, born in 1975, died from shell shrapnel near the administrative building of the District Court on Heydar Aliyev avenue in Tartar. The driver of the ambulance Mr. Ganbar Asgar oglu Asadov, born in 1968, and police officer Mr. Fakhraddin Farman oglu Huseynov, born in 1994, and another resident of Tartar city Mr. Tural Firdovsi oglu Ibrahimov, born in 1991, were injured.
Circa 7 p.m., as a result of artillery shell explosion in the yard of a multi-level apartment building built for the disabled and IDPs located in Shikharkh settlement of Tartar region, the residents of Tartar region Mr. Khalig Asif oglu Abbasov, born in 1981 and his brother Mr. Elshan Asif oglu Abbasov, born in 1987, as well as Mr. Sabit Usub oglu Asadov, born in 1981, were killed. Mr. Seymur Fuzuli oglu Mammadov, born in 1984, and Mr. Faig Malik oglu Mahmudov, born in 1989, were hospitalized with various injuries.
On 28 September 2020, circa 6:40 p.m., the armed forces of Armenia shelled the “Shamlig” area near the village of Jojuq Marjanli with large-caliber artillery. Village resident Mr. Hilal Murad oglu Hazila, born in 2000, was injured.
In all incidents, the regional prosecutor’s offices in charge launched official criminal investigations in accordance with the Criminal Code articles.
The prosecutor’s office personnel are taking all necessary investigative measures in combat conditions, including appointment of relevant experts to determine the severity of human injuries and damage to civil infrastructure.
Five criminal cases were sent to the Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office to continue the investigation.
We strongly condemn these war crimes, for which Armenia bears the responsibility, and demand to put an end to attempts to target civilians and intimidate the peaceful population.
We call on the international community to strongly condemn the new aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, shelling the Azerbaijani civilians and infrastructure, and to ensure that Armenia complies with its obligations under international law, as well as international humanitarian law.
Armenia’s provocative actions since Nikol Pashinyan
has become the Prime Minister of Armenia on May 8, 2018
Date
Action
8 May 2018
In his address to Armenia’s National Assembly, prior to his election as PM, N.Pashinyan raised the issue of participation of the illegal regime established in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan as a party to the negotiations. Thus, he has started questioning the format of negotiations and has been doing so on numerous occasions.
9 May 2018
On the next day of the election, together with his wife, N.Pashinyan visited the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. In Khankendi, he participated in celebration of occupation of the Azerbaijani city of Shusha, discussed the issue of improving of the mechanism of “restraint of the enemy” and opened the “Armenian Dram Museum” in Shusha.
16 June 2018
N.Pashinyan visited again the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, inspected positions of the armed forces of Armenia in the eastern part of the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region and held military consultations with illegal regime “officials”.
9 July 2018
N.Pashinyan sent his son to undergo military service in the units of armed forces of Armenia deployed in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. He said that this gesture had been intended to encourage more Armenians to be enlisted in the army.
8 Sept. 2018
In meeting with the Russian-Armenian businessmen in Moscow, N.Pashinyan openly said that “he perceived Artsakh as part of Armenia in the future”.
27 February 2019
Armenia’s National Security Service Director Artur Vanetsyan at a press conference in the occupied Khankendi city said: “The program that we call a resettlement program, in my and everyone’s assessment will be the main guarantee of our country’s security. Because there are those speeches, those expressions, and those people who always manipulate this subject as if the lands will be returned, will be negotiated, conceded, etc. As a result of that program, we will send a clear message to all our people and the world that we have no intention to give up an inch of land; on the contrary, our compatriots must settle on those lands and build our country.”
12 March 2019
N.Pashinyan visited the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and in Khankendi city of Azerbaijan, held joint meeting of the Security Councils of Armenia and the illegal regime created by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
30 March 2019
In a meeting with the Armenian community in New York the Armenian Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan stated that a “territories for peace” approach will no longer be applied. “As the minister of defense, I announce that this format, territories for peace, I have re-phrased it. We are doing the opposite – a new war for new territories,” Tonoyan said. He also said that Armenia will increase the number of its strike units.
9 May 2019
N.Pashinyan visited the occupied territories of Azerbaijan where he took part in the celebrations of occupation of Shusha city.
30 May 2019
Armenia grossly violated the ceasefire regime on the front line. At a time when the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group paid a visit to Azerbaijan, on May 30 in the morning, a major of the Azerbaijan Army Mr. Agil Omarov was shot and killed by a sniper of the armed forces of Armenia in the direction of the Aghdam district.
10 June 2019
Minister of Defence D.Tonoyan confirmed that he had personally ordered the killing of an Azerbaijani soldier in the direction of Tartar district of the front line and publicly awarded the murder of an Azerbaijani soldier.
5 August 2019
Ahead of the start of the Pan-Armenian Games, N.Pashinyan declared that “Artsakh is Armenia. Period.” and the crowd chanted “Miatsum” (Unification).
6-17 August 2019
Armenia held pan-Armenian Games, for the first time, in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
9 August 2019
Armenia announced another 4-year project aimed at changing infrastructure of the Sarsang Water Reservoir. Also, the Armenian side announced construction of the third highway to connect Armenia with the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. These infrastructural changes, which are in violation of international law and Azerbaijani legislation, aim at consolidation of occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan.
24 Sept. – 5 October 2019
Armenian armed forces held large-scale military exercises entitled “The expansion of the Armed Forces: Combating the adversary’s aggression” in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan
23 December 2019
Joint session of the Security Councils of Armenia and the illegal regime established by Armenia in the occupied territories was held in Yerevan co-chaired by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and “President” of the illegal regime Arayik Harutyunyan.
31 March 2020
Armenia held illegal “parliamentary” and “presidential” elections in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
21 April 2020
Commenting the remarks by Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, S.Lavrov, on “liberation of a number of areas around Nagorno-Karabakh and the unlocking of transport, economic and other communications”, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said: “There have not been and will not be any concessions. The Armenian sides will never exercise that approach”.
23 April 2020
Armenia’s MFA declared that proposal for a peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, envisaging a step-by-step approach, is not acceptable.
26 June 2020
Armed forces of Armenia, with the participation of the Chief of Staff Onik Gasparyan, held military exercises in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
10 July 2020
Armenia adopted a revised National Security Strategy, which defined that the goal of the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict was to consolidate the outcomes of the war launched by Armenia against Azerbaijan.
12-16 July 2020
Armenia attacked the positions of Azerbaijan at the Armenia-Azerbaijan international border, in the direction of the Tovuz district. 12 servicemen of Azerbaijan and one civilian were killed.
23 July 2020
N.Pashinyan declared that after the July clashes the Armenian position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict has been strengthened and he put forward 7 conditions, stipulating, inter alia, the following: the system of security of Armenia and the illegal regime “to be strengthened, the illegal regime “must become the full-fledged party to negotiations”, international monitoring of the cease-fire regime must be strengthened, and etc.
4 August 2020
After the devastating explosion in Beirut, Armenia announced its plan to implant Lebanese Armenians to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. According to the Armenian mass media, several Armenians from Lebanon have already settled in the occupied territories, including in Shusha. Thus, Armenia intensified its illegal settlement policy in 2020.
11 August 2020
The illegal regime announced its intention of transferring “key administrative offices” to the occupied Shusha city.
17 August 2020
The illegal regime threatened to strike Azerbaijani city of Ganja.
26 August 2020
The Armenian Defense Ministry announced the plan to create a nationwide militia that would reinforce Armenia’s armed forces and could be deployed at “endangered sections” of Armenia’s borders or “line of contact with the adversary”.
28 August 2020
N.Pashinyan held the ceremony to award Armenian servicemen who conducted military operation against Azerbaijan on July 12-16, 2020. In his speech, he again praised Armenian terrorists, such as Monte Melkonian, for their deeds against Azerbaijani civilians in the course of military operations in early 1990s.
25-31 August 2020
Anna Hakobyan, the wife of Armenia’s Prime Minister, together with other women participated in combat and shooting training courses in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Videos and photos of the training were widely distributed in media.
29 August 2020
N.Pashinyan visited the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. He awarded servicemen who took part in the military aggression against Azerbaijan both in early 1990s and in July 2020.
21 Sept. 2020
N.Pashinyan issued a message to the nation on 29th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. 2nd line of the message reads “To the proud citizens of the Artsakh Republic!” [i.e. Karabakh].
ISLAMABAD, OCTOBER 1, 2020 – The United States Embassy in Islamabad welcomes Pakistan as a new partner under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The Convention will put in place an internationally recognized legal framework to resolve cases of parental child abduction between our two countries.
Pakistan will now be able to use the Hague Convention as a vital tool to deter international abduction and secure the return of abducted children between the United States and Pakistan. Preventing and resolving cases of international parental child abduction is one of the State Department’s highest priorities and we look forward to working with Pakistan as a new partner in this global effort.
The resilience of Pakistan China friendship can be gauged from the fact that even during the global pandemic, it stood firm like a rock. The people of both countries supported each other during the pandemic by extending solidarity and medical support. The foreign ministers of both countries held a meeting on the eve of the second strategic dialogue and reached an important consensus on the comprehensive development of China-Pakistan relations. Historically, the relations between the two countries have been friendly and in the future, China hopes to further cement this relationship with mutual trust and dignity. Next year i.e, 2021 will be the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. China is firm to take CPEC forward and is working with Pakistan to promote the high-quality development of CPEC.
2020 is a remarkable year to China. The biggest goal for China is win the battle against poverty and build a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects set up the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Government. It is a long journey since the founding of the People’s Republic of China 71 years ago an important step in realizing the China Dream. We have the full confidence of achieve it under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping.
Over the past 71 years, the CPC and the Chinese government have always regarded the people’s yearning for a better life as our goal, leading the people of the whole country to stay true to their original aspirations, work hard, and develop China from a weak and poor populous country to the world’s second-largest economy. China has successfully lifted 760 million poor people out of poverty. It has become the first developing country to achieve the United Nations poverty reduction goal and contributes more than 70% to global poverty reduction. In 2019, China’s total economy exceeded 99 trillion yuan (14.4 trillion US dollars), and the per capita GDP exceeded 10,000 US dollars. Since 2017, China’s economy has contributed more than 20% of the world’s economic growth, becoming an important engine for world economic growth. The Chinese nation, with an entirely new posture, now stands tall and firm in the East.
2020 is an extraordinary year witnessing the global community fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. China suffered a lot. Under the strong and decisive leadership of President Xi Jinping, the whole nation adopted the strictest, most comprehensive and thorough prevention and control measures to effectively curb the spread of the epidemic in a short time. We are proud to quickly achieved the success in the people’s war against the coronavirus and take the country back to order. China’s GDP grew by 3.2% in the second-quarter, and exports rose by 10.4% in July. China became the first major country to overcome the crisis and the first major economy to recover from the pandemic.
China is also actively contributing to the global fight against COVID-19. We have carried out international anti-epidemic cooperation within our capacity, donated US$50 million to the WHO, sent 29 medical expert teams to 27 countries, and provided assistance to 150 countries and 4 international organizations. President Xi Jinping announced that China will provide US$2 billion over two years to help with COVID-19 response and with economic and social development in affected countries. COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment in China, when available, will be made a global public good.
2020 also witnesses the world undergoing profound changes and challenges, something unseen in a century. As a responsible major country, China will continue to adhere to openness, cooperation, win-win, and inclusive development, establish a “dual circulation” development pattern in which domestic economic cycle plays a leading role while international economic cycle remains its extension and supplement. With this new pattern, China’s door will open wider to the world. China will continue to work for the improvement of global governance based on consultation, cooperation and shared benefits. We will continue to take concrete actions to protect the diversity of civilizations and promote exchanges and mutual learning between development models. We will work with other countries, including Pakistan, to jointly uphold the trend of peace and development of our world.
In this year, China-Pakistan relations stood the test of COVID-19 and have become even stronger with greater mutual trust, cooperation and friendship. The governments, people and societies of China and Pakistan strongly supported each other in fighting against COVID-19. In March, President ArifAlvi paid a visit of solidarity to China. In August, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the second strategic dialogue with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmood Qureshi and reached important consensus on the comprehensive development of China-Pakistan relations. The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is advancing steadily, and has made outstanding contribution to Pakistan’s resilience against the challenge. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the domestic epidemic situation in Pakistan has been greatly improved. The unity and tenacity shown by the Pakistani government and people is commendable. We firmly believe that Pakistan will eventually overcome the epidemic and rejuvenate the economy. We will continue to provide support and assistance to our iron brothers and sisters.
Looking back, Pakistan is the first Muslim country to formally establish diplomatic relations with New China. China-Pakistan relations are an outstanding example of relations between countries with different social systems and different historical cultures. No matter how the international situation changes, China-Pakistan relations have been developing in a healthy and stable manner, and the two sides have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning each others’ core interests. When President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan in 2015, the two countries announced the establishment of an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, pushing China-Pakistan relations to a higher level. Since 2018, Prime Minister Imran Khan has visited China three times, and President Xi Jinping have met Prime Minister Imran four times on bilateral and multilateral occasions. Our relations grow steadily under the steer of the leadership of the two countries.
Looking forward, in 2021, we will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. We are ready to work with Pakistan for a closer China-Pakistan Community of a Shared Future, to boost the high-quality development of the CPEC, jointly safeguard our common interest, maintain the momentum of peaceful development in the region, and create a better future for China-Pakistan relations!
Tashkent, Uzbekistan : President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on the appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister for the development of the agricultural and food sectors.
According to the decree, Shukhrat Ganiev was approved for the post of Deputy Prime Minister for the Development of the Agrarian and Food Spheres.
Before the appointment Shukhrat Ganiev held the position of khokim of Ferghana region.
ISLAMABAD : The cricket fans were left all enthused after the owner of Peshawar Zalmi Javed Afridi dropped a suggestion of organising a coronavirus fundraising match between Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) in UAE.
PSL franchise owner pitched the idea on Twitter, following which, scores of Twitteratis jumped in the thread, expressing excitement and approval for the proposal.
Few called it their dream, while others urged Zalmi’s owner to lock the idea as soon as possible. Some got excited saying that if this happens in reality, “it would be amazing and not less than a treat.”
The thirteenth edition of IPL 2020, which started on September 19, is being played without spectators due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier, in an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, former Indian cricketer and member of the IPL Governing Council, Surinder Khanna, had also voiced support for organising matches between the PSL and IPL winners.
Expressing hope that the tensions between India and Pakistan would smooth over soon, the 64-year old cricketer said that the ‘cricketing fans all over the world want to witness Pakistani players take on Indian cricketers.
