Home Blog Page 3202

Pakistan calls for judicial inquiry into extrajudicial killing of three innocent Kashmiris

DNA

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 19 – Pakistan calls for a transparent judicial inquiry, under international scrutiny, into the extra-judicial killing of three innocent Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on 18 July 2020.

The Indian occupation forces had martyred 25-year old Imtiyaz Ahmed, 20-year old Mohammad Ibrar, and 16-year old Abrar Ahmed in so-called “cordon and search” operation in Shopian on 18 July 2020. The young Kashmiri boys had come from Rajouri to work in apple orchard as labourers.

To cover up the “cold blooded” murder of these innocent Kashmiris, the Indian occupation army had claimed that the three were “unidentified terrorists.” To further hide their crime, instead of handing over the human remains to the families of the victims, the occupation forces had buried them in a graveyard marked for “foreign terrorists.”

Two months after the killing, the Indian occupation Army itself has admitted that the three innocent Kashmiri labourers were killed extra-judicially — a hallmark of Indian occupation forces’ state-terrorism in IIOJK. In a statement issued on 18 September, the Indian Army has accepted that the powers vested under the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) were exceeded.

As the world community is aware, since its illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in IIOJK, India has taken its brutalization of innocent Kashmiris to a new level. More than 300, mostly young, Kashmiris have been extra-judicially killed by the Indian occupation forces in fake “encounters” and staged “cordon-and-search” operations in IIOJK during the past one year.

Pakistan has been consistently sensitizing the world community, including the United Nations and the international human rights organizations, about India’s serious crimes against the Kashmiri people. The Indian Army’s statement of 18 September is an acknowledgement that Indian occupation forces are guilty of war crimes in IIOJK.

The BJP leadership must realize that they are directly responsible for crimes against the Kashmiri people. No illegal and inhuman Acts such as Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA) can provide impunity against the crimes that are being perpetrated in IIOJK.

India should be well-aware that use of brutal force, including extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture in custody, use of pellet guns, burning and destruction of Kashmiris’ houses to inflict collective punishment, cannot break the will of Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the inalienable right to self-determination.

The international community must take immediate cognizance of the 18 July 2020 episode in IIOJK as well as other acts indicative of the RSS-BJP regime’s genocidal tendencies and hold it accountable for continuing crimes against the Kashmiri people.

4 terrorists killed during IBO in Central Makran: ISPR

DNA

RAWALPINDI – Security forces conducted IBO  on confirmation of presence of terrorists in Central Makran range in Awaran Distt, Balochistan.

4 terrorists killed in exchange of fire. Terrorists hideout including logistic base destroyed while large  cache of arms, ammunition and communication equipment recovered. multiple hideouts and administrative camps of terrorists have been destroyed. DNA

========

Rashakai SEZ: A land of growing opportunity for the region: Report

DNA

Islamabad, Sep 19 – Rashakai Special Economic Zone (RSEZ), is considered a land of opportunity that would not only bring employment opportunities for common people but also will change the destiny of the region, said Mr. Hassan Daud Butt, CEO, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment & Trade (KP-BOIT).

Talking to China Economic Net Hassan Daud said that Rashakai SEZ would be developed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor located at Nowshera- Mardan Road, around 57km away from Peshawar airport in the country’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province.

He said that anything that is produced within this SEZ can easily be exported to Afghanistan and through road connectivity from Gwadar, it can easily be exported to the rest of the world. Therefore, this is a great milestone that has been achieved by both governments.

A signing ceremony of the development agreement of the Rashakai SEZ was held on 14 September 2020 in Islamabad and Mr. Hassan Daud Butt signed the treaty from the Pakistani side.

“I think Rashakai special economic zone will contribute immensely towards the geo and socio-economic conditions of not just only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but entire Pakistan.

It will create around 200,000 job opportunities and will bring different industries that can-do import substitution and bring new technologies” he told CEN in an exclusive interview.

Daud mentioned this project is within the umbrella of CPEC and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This is the first special economic zone that is being developed in a public-private partnership. if this experiment proves to be fruitful, I think many similar special economic zones will follow.

The other important aspect is the location of the special economic zone that is near to Peshawar and also not too far from the Pak-Afghan Torkham border, he added.

Regarding the question about what kind of incentive Chinese investors would get, Daud told, there are many incentives under the framework of CPEC Special Economic Zone Act 2013; that stipulates industry that is set up in any special economic zones under CPEC would get tax relief for 10 years on import duty and also on income tax for a similar period.

He said that for the developer there is an exemption on import of development equipment for one time so that they can develop the special economic zone on modern lines.

Besides this, the government offers special security for foreign investors. Lastly, the human resource of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not just cheap but is also extremely efficient.

Daud specified that they had a discussion with Chinese and other potential investors that showed interest in consumer products, light engineering products, textile, food processing and even mobile phones which can be not just used to Pakistan but also exported to China and other part of the world.

Butt said that Rashakai Special Economic Zone will be developed in three phases, in the first phase, the infrastructure and road network will be developed, and also the industries can start the development after the bidding process.

The first phase would be completed in less than two years. The second phase, which will largely be about expansion and looking at modern trends and inviting new technologies. The last phase will again be about the expansion of this SEZ. Initially, Rashakai SEZ would cover about 1,000 Acre land and will be increased to 4000 Acre after the completion of all phases.

After the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) With Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province more and more youngsters are now getting a higher education and employed in not just from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but in entire Pakistan.

The people from FATA will naturally become the employment pool for this special economic zone because they are extremely hardworking, extremely talented, and they have the historic knack of economic and trade activities, he added.

Daud mentioned that many Chinese investors have shown interest to invest in this special economic zone because they are aware of the importance of the location and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) as a place which is called a land of growing opportunity for local and particularly foreign investors.

China’s COVID-19 inactivated vaccines available by 2020 end

DNA

BEIJING, Sept. 19  – The Chinese-made COVID-19 inactivated vaccines may be available on the market by the end of 2020, according to China National Biotec Group(CNBG), a subsidiary of China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation, Gwadar Pro reported on Saturday.
.
Yang Xiaoming, President of CNBG said at 2020 Zhongguancun Forum that novel coronavirus inactivated vaccines developed by the company have covered more than 40,000 people in clinical trials so far.

An additional 350, 000 people are receiving the vaccines for emergency use. Both of the vaccines’ safety and efficacy are sound. It is hoped that the vaccines will be on the market before the end of 2020.

Yang also said that the inactivated COVID-19 vaccines of CNBG can be effective to multiple novel Coronavirus strains around the world based on the cross-neutralization test.

In terms of the production of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccines, CNBG has set up its production workshops in just two months.

The workshops’ actual capacity can reach 300 million doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines a year. CNBG is also expanding its capacity, trying to make 600 to 800 million doses annually.

Vaccination is regarded as the most important way to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. China has been leading the world in the research and development of COVID-19 vaccines.

By early August three vaccines under research in China had entered phase three clinical trials, accounting for half of the world’s total, according to the World Health Organization.

China has stated that it will make its COVID-19 vaccine a global public good when available, contributing to vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.

CNBG is a comprehensive biopharmaceutical enterprise focusing on human vaccines, blood products, medical aesthetics and animal healthcare.

CNBG’s parent company China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.(Sinopharm), is a large healthcare group.

Sinopharm has a full chain in the industry covering R&D, manufacturing, logistics and distribution, retail chains, healthcare, engineering services, exhibitions and conferences, international business and financial services.

Border markets at Pak-Afghan, Pak-Iran will provide better trade opportunities: Chairman PAJCCI

DNA

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 19 – The announcement by Prime Minister of Pakistan to establish 18 markets along its border with Iran and Afghanistan was highly lauded by Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The proposal iterated that twelve markets will be established along the Afghanistan border and six at border areas with Iran, whereby initially three markets would be made operational as pilot project by February 2021, two in Balo­chistan and one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Chairman PAJCCI welcomed the move and stated these markets will not only boost trade and curb the menace of smuggling across borders but also generate significant employment opportunities for deprived segments in adjoining border areas.

Motiwala, however, established that in order to reap potential benefits through these markets, appropriate border management mechanisms should be in place without compromising security and facilitation of entities involved. He mentioned that such markets have been making valuable contributions internationally and adopting the same in our region will add to economic prosperity, socio-economic connectivity and enhance well-being of residents across the borders.

COMSTECH announces annual scholarships for Turkish scholars at ICCBS

ISLAMABAD, Sep 19 (DNA): COMSTECH has announced five annual scholarships for the Turkish graduate and post-graduate scholars in the field of chemical and biological sciences at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, through The World Academy of Science (TWAS)/ COMSTECH fellowship programs.

These students will be placed in various sections of ICCBS based on their fields of interest for 6-12 months.

ICCBS will cover their bench fee, accommodation and research expenses, Coordinator General COMSTECH and Director ICCBS, Professor Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary stated this while speaking during a meeting with Consul General, Turkish Consulate General in Karachi, Mr. Tolga Uçak.

In the meeting held at ICCBS, Karachi, the discussion a held on establishment of Pak-Turk Mirror Research Centers in the Field of Halal and Textile Product Development, said a message received here.

Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary briefed the Consul General about the various projects and activities going on at the ICCBS as well as COMSTECH. It was indeed a very useful and pleasant meeting with lots of excellent ideas exchanged.

The Consul General of Turkey welcomed the proposals of collaboration and ensured the full support in both initiatives. He agreed to coordinate with Turkish universities and research institutions in this regard.

A detailed discussion on the status of various clinical trials on COVID-19 drugs and vaccines was also held.

India’s Strategic Confusion: Running with the hare and hunting with the hounds

Jawad Falak

India recently withdrew from Kavkaz 2020 multinational exercise to be held in Russia in the third week of September, citing logistics difficulties due to covid-19 pandemic as the reason for its withdrawal. However, in reality India has backed out of the multinational exercise while conflict between the two Asian nations simmers across LAC in Ladakh. Apparently this symbolic has been taken by the BJP government in order to show that it is “resisting” China on the world stage. In reality it shows that Indian Strategic Confusion is increasing day by day with its tendency of running with the hare and hunting with hounds.

The KavKaz 2020 also referred to as Causasus-2020 is a strategic command and staff exercise including combat, air defence, naval, special forces and support elements. Which will be held at Dongus training ranges in Russian Southern Military district. The invitation for participation has been extended to at least 18 countries including China, Iran, Pakistan, India and Turkey apart from other Central Asian Republic part of the SCO.

Withdrawal from the exercise puts India on a collision course with Russia which places great importance to such exercises as these highlight its strategic outreach and relevance across the world. By withdrawing from the exercise. India has played into US campaign to weaken Russian influence in the wake of the Ukraine crisis. In an attempt to mollify the Russians, Indian Navy on Sep 4-5 has conducted merely a “Non-contact, at sea only” passage exercise under the title ‘Indra 2020′ with Russian Navy Ships which were on transit to their home port Vladivostok from Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

Russia is not the only foreign power India is trying to woo but also the USA which has become Moscow’s greatest tormentor in the recent times. Ever since the continuous military setbacks at the hands of the Chinese in occupied Ladakh, India has been counting the socalled QUAD, a purported military alliance of Japan, Australia, US and India with the aim of containing China. This not only upsets Russia which views any American backed military endeavor as dangerous but also flies in the face of BRICS a group of nations including Brazil, Russia India, China and South Africa that seek to replace the current US Led unipolar world order which is sabotaged by Indian attempts to climb into US camp against China.

Russia and China are not the only countries who bear the brunt of Indian strategic confusion but the USA does as well. While India clamors for USA military assistance, it continues buying Russian military equipment like Su30s. Mig 29s and the S400 air defense system by the dozens. These purchases trigger the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA which could lead to sanctions on the Indian military and inevitably drive the USA and India apart. While initially it gave waivers to India in the past, now the US has signaled that it would not dole out anymore favors to the South Asian nation. The United States government has already hinted India to reconsider its military acquisition from Russia warning that such purchases could trigger sanctions under CAATSA.

It is not only big power relations that are stymied by Indian strategic confusion but also its regional relations. SAARC which was formulated with the aim of promoting cooperation among South Asian nations has been hamstrung due to Indian vendetta against Pakistan as well as bullying its other neighbors. Its own initiated regional programs like BIMSTEC have similarly been sabotaged by its grandiose claims and unreasonable demands from other nations.

India’s strategic confusion arises from its perception of itself as a great power and eternal civilization whose friendship is indispensable to the world. This delusion was bolstered by the exceptional treatment it received at the hands of the USA and USSR during the Cold War and later on US favors such as a nuclear deal despite non conformation of several parameters This strategic confusion has manifested itself in other domains as well such as the military capability which has been hampered by what scholars Stephen Cohen and Sunil Dasgupta have termed as “arming without aiming.

In the end, India’s prevalent strategic confusion is rapidly eroding its standing amongst the nations of the world The time of favors to India is rapidly coming to an end due to dynamic geopolitical changes and the redrawing of alliances which make the Indian government’s approach “to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds’ obsolete in the modern world. Pakistan can exploit this scenario in order to cement ties with countries like Russia and also fortify its position in the emerging world order.

Jawad Falak is and MPhil student at National Defence University, Islamabad and is a resident research associate at Maritime Study Forum.

From 1 October, entry and exit are allowed to Uzbekistan through air, railway and automobile checkpoints

Tashkent, SEPT 18  — For those entering Uzbekistan by air, the following rules are established:

Persons who have been in the “green countries” in the last 14 days are allowed to enter the territory of Uzbekistan without restrictions. These countries include China, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Georgia, Hungary, Finland, Latvia, Austria and Japan.

Persons arriving from the “yellow countries” (Azerbaijan, Belarus, the United Arab Emirates and the EU countries (with the exception of Great Britain and Spain), as well as from the “red countries” (all other countries of the world) are allowed into the territory of Uzbekistan only if they have a negative PCR test, produced in the last 72 hours.

In the absence of such a test with a negative result, the passenger will not be checked in for the flight to Uzbekistan.

If a passenger arriving in Uzbekistan has not passed the test, or has symptoms of coronavirus, then he takes the test at the checkpoint at his own expense.

If the result is negative, he is sent to a hotel or home quarantine for 14 days.

If positive – to a quarantine center in Uzbekistan at his own expense or returns to the country of arrival at his own expense.

Persons entering the Republic of Uzbekistan through automobile and pedestrian checkpoints on the border with Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan are subject to the same conditions as for passengers from the “red countries”: a negative PCR test result and a 14-day quarantine in a hotel or at home. In the absence of a certificate, they take the test at their own expense at the checkpoint and are sent to quarantine.

There are no travel restrictions for citizens of Uzbekistan. Each country in the world independently decides whether to accept the citizens of Uzbekistan or not.

Hotel One Airport to open in the City of lights, Karachi

The purpose built 100-room contemporary hotel to feature dining outlets, event spaces right next to Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.

DNA

Karachi, SEPT 18 – To redefine the modern travel experience by opening a brand-new hotel near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Hashoo Group has collaborated with Ghani Builders & Developers (Pvt) Ltd.

Hashoo Group is the leading and largest chain of hotels in Pakistan, whereas Ghani Builders & Developers (Pvt) Ltd, one of the most trusted names in real estate development and construction.

For this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two companies on Thursday, 17th September 2020. The MoU was signed by Mr. Haseeb A. Gardezi, Chief Operating Officer, Hashoo Group Hospitality Division, and Mr. Jawed Iqbal, Managing Director Ghani Builders & Developers (Pvt) Ltd.

At the MoU signing ceremony, Mr. Haseeb A. Gardezi said, “Hotel One is the fastest growing chain of select-service hotels in Pakistan which is contributing to the economy by providing jobs and by strengthening the tourism infrastructure by providing affordable accommodation. We are pleased to collaborate with Ghani Builders & Developers (Pvt) Ltd, for the opening of the upcoming Hotel One next to the Karachi airport. The hotel is sure to offer a comfortable travel experience, a convenient location for domestic and international travellers along with a wide range of facilities.”

He further said: ”Our investors have full confidence in Hotel One’s management model and we are also very focused delivering maximum returns to them which is why in the near future you will Insha Allah find Hotel One in every city of Pakistan.”

Mr. Jawed Iqbal, said, “This hotel will be strategically located next to Jinnah International Airport Karachi, with its prime location it will provide easy access as an economic and transit hub of the city, where guests will be able to save their commute time instead of travelling to the city to find a good quality hotel.” Mr. Jawed also thanked Hashoo Group for the collaboration between the two organisations and mentioned that the hotel will be ready by August 2022.

The upcoming Hotel One – Airport Karachi will attract both domestic and international guests, offering them quality accommodation and services in the proximity of the Karachi Airport, housing a variety of dining outlets, a Health Club, and banquet spaces, the hotel is designed to help guests feel energised, productive, and at home.

Catering to the business travellers, the hotel will offer them meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology, business services and a dedicated team to deliver seamless business experiences.

Stay Connected

64FansLike
60FollowersFollow

Latest Reviews

Exchange Rates

USD - United States Dollar
EUR
1.17
GBP
1.36
AUD
0.72
CAD
0.74