Pakistan committed to SCO as a platform for regional cooperation
DNA
ISLAMABAD, SEPT 15 – Responding to media queries regarding Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ statement on today’s meeting of the NSAs of SCO member states, the MOFA Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri stated that Pakistan is committed to SCO as a platform for regional cooperation. We are actively playing a positive and constructive role and following the SCO charter to not let our bilateral relations with any country impact our engagement with SCO.
Today, at the meeting of NSAs of SCO member states, India tried to vitiate the atmosphere by objecting to Pakistan’s official map. The map reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to the UN Security Council Resolutions and the supremacy of the UN Charter. We categorically reject baseless Indian assertions on the issue.
British High Commission hosts roundtable on int’l day of democracy
ISLAMABAD, SEPT 15 (DNA) – The British High Commission hosted a roundtable discussion to demonstrate the UK’s support for democracy in Pakistan, and to mark the International Day of Democracy on 15 September.
The event, chaired by the British High Commission’s Political Counsellor, Iona Thomas, brought together a range of experts from civil society, legal community and academia.
The United Kingdom holds democratic values in the highest regard. Democracy as a system of governance allows for individual freedom and is the fairest way to govern human societies and states.
The list of those attending were: Harris Khalique – Secretary General, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Oves Anwar – Director Research Society of International Law, Sadaf Khan – Co-Founder and Director, Media Matters for Democracy and Imaan Mazari – Lawyer and academic at Quaid-e-Azam University.
Political Counsellor Iona Thomas, OBE, said: “The themes of democracy and human rights are central to the newly constituted Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), harnessing the best of what were formerly FCO and DFID to be a force for good in the world.
We are committed to supporting democracy and human rights in Pakistan – a country with immense potential, and one of the world’s biggest democracies. A vibrant civil society and strong democratic institutions are vital to these ideals, and we want to be a supportive friend to Pakistan in securing these through our development and diplomatic work.” DNA
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PAF aircraft crashes in Pindi Gheb during routine training
ATTOCK, SEPT 15 (DNA) – An aircraft of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has crashed in Makial near Pindi Gheb, Attock on Tuesday. According to spokesperson of Pakistan Air Force, the crashed aircraft was on a regular training flight. Fortunately pilot remained safe and no loss of life or property was reported at the crash site.
He added that Air Headquarter has constituted an investigation board to investigate the reasons behind the incident. DNA
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Paper market traders assure PIAF-Founders Alliance of full support in LCCI polls
DNA
LAHORE, SEPT 15 – The traders of paper market and Urdu Bazar have assured their full support to the PIAF-Founders Alliance in the forthcoming elections of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) for 2020-21. The Alliance candidates under the leadership of Alliance Co-convener Mian Nauman Kabir visited the paper market and Urdu Bazar.
The paper market and Urdu bazaar leadership including Khamis Saeed Butt, while welcoming the Alliance Associate Class candidates, said the business community would continue support the alliance as whenever the businessmen of the market approached the LCCI over some issues, they got a quick response. They said that all the alliance candidates are known businessmen and would win the forthcoming LCCI polls with thumping majority.
Alliance Co-convener Mian Nauman Kabir, who is PIAF chairman as well as former LCCI senior vice president, said that LCCI is a true representative of the business community and the alliance had selected right persons for the polls. He said that the outgoing LCCI office-bearers had given a marvelous performance. He said that the country was passing through critical times and a true business leadership at every tier could help pull the country out of these economic issues.
Mian Nauman Kabir said that the government would be asked to rationalize the energy prices in the larger interests of the manufacturing sector and the trading community.
He said that they are fully satisfied with the performance of the Lahore Chamber, being run by the PIAF-Founders Alliance for last 16 years. He hoped that they would win the forthcoming election with a thumping majority, as their manifesto stands for services to LCCI members. He promised that Alliance would raise all the business issues at all relevant forms, help ensure businessmen access to cheaper loan for their working capital needs or expansion plans.
He said that the Alliance tried its best to introduce sector specialists as their candidates for the LCCI Executive Committee with the sole objective to forward solid proposals to the government for economic progress and prosperity.
The Associate class candidates include Nasir Hameed, Kashif Bashir, Maqbool Siddiqi, Salim Asghar, Shehzad Butt, Naeem Hanif, Shahid Nazir and Ali Afzal.
British Airways announces direct flights from Lahore to London Heathrow
ISLAMABAD, SEPT (DNA) – British Airways has announced it will begin flying direct from Lahore, Pakistan to London Heathrow four days a week, commencing on 14 October 2020. Tickets are on sale now.
The ‘City of Gardens’, Lahore is known for its rich culture and will be the second city in Pakistan that British Airways will connect to London, US and Canada. The airline already flies every single day from Islamabad, connecting friends and family as well as business contacts.
Flights will be operated by a Boeing 787-8 departing from Heathrow Terminal 5, landing into Lahore’s International Airport.
British High Commissioner Christian Turner CMG said: “The first ever British Airways flights to Lahore is a sign of confidence in Pakistan, and the deepening ties between our two countries. I hope it will open up even more opportunities for business links, people-to-people ties and tourism”
Moran Birger, Head of Sales for The Middle East and Asia Pacific, said: “We are delighted to start direct flights four times a week from Lahore to London offering convenient travel options for customers flying for leisure or business.
“Our new services from Lahore will connect two of Pakistan’s biggest cities with London, and offer seamless transfer options to Manchester, the United States and Canada.
“Following the relaunch of services from Islamabad to Heathrow earlier this year, this new flight from Lahore represents our continued investment in Pakistan, and we look forward to welcoming our customers on board.”
Return fares from Pakistan if booked on ba.com start from $657 in World Traveller, $998 for World Traveller Plus, and $1806 for Club World.
In response to Covid-19, British Airways has introduced a range of measures to keep its customers safe. Prior to travel, they will receive information on changes at their airport and onboard experience and tips on how to prepare for their journey. Customers will also be asked to help manage the wellness of everyone travelling by:
Checking-in online, downloading their boarding pass and where possible self-scanning their boarding passes at the departure gate.
Observing social distancing and using hand sanitisers that are placed throughout airports.
Using new contactless, automated features at our lounges, including a new online food and drink service.
Wearing a facemask at all times and bringing enough to replace them every four hours for longer flights.
Ensuring they have everything they need from their hand luggage before departure, and where possible, storing their carry-on bag under the seat in front of them.
Not travelling if they think they have any symptoms of Covid-19.
On board, all cabin crew will wear PPE and a new food service has been introduced which reduces the number of interactions required with customers. Surfaces including seats, screens, seat buckles and tray tables will be cleaned after every flight and each aircraft is completely cleaned from nose to tail every day.
The air on all British Airways flights is fully recycled once every two to three minutes through HEPA filters, which remove microscopic bacteria and virus clusters with over 99.9% efficiency, equivalent to hospital operating theatre standards. DNA
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NHMP recover a lost bag containing valuables worth Rs. 46,900/-
DNA
ISLAMABAD, SEPT 15 – According to details, a woman passenger while travelling from Jhelum to Rawalpindi left her bag containing valuables worth Rs. 46,900/- in an unknown Hiace Van, when she changed vehicle at Gujjar Khan.
On receipt of information through control room by lady JPO Saba Ilyas, the patrolling officer namely IP/SPO Naseem Abbas responded immediately, reached at Gujjar Khan Bus stand and traced out the said Hiace van. The NHMP officer contacted the driver of the hiace van and recovered the lost bag containing valuables of the passenger.
Later on after completing codal formalities the same was handed over to the brother of concerned passenger who appreciated the honesty, courtesy and quick response of NHMP officers. The DIG N-5 North Muhammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan admired the performance of NHMP officers and awarded them commendation certificates, shield and cash reward.
Pakistan expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia, calls for UN-brokered peace in Yemen
DNA
ISLAMABAD, SEPT 15 – Pakistan strongly condemned the recent missile and drone strikes by Houthis on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is a violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We commend how Saudi Arabia’s successful defensive actions prevented loss of many innocent civilian lives. Pakistan expresses full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and supports the Kingdom’s right to defend itself against aggression.
Pakistan has consistently urged all parties to the conflict in Yemen to engage in a meaningful and peaceful dialogue to end the hostilities, in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2216. In this regard, we appreciate the positive step taken by the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, when it unilaterally declared ceasefire earlier this year. It is, however, regrettable that this step was not reciprocated positively.
Pakistan expresses deep concern at the recent escalation of conflict in Yemen, as the city of Marib is threatened by the Houthi militias. We believe that if military conflict engulfs Marib, it will result in a serious humanitarian catastrophe. This will further compound the existing precarious humanitarian situation in the country that has already seen countless deaths and injuries, and millions displaced.
We urge all parties to the conflict in Yemen, in particular the Houthis, to cease military actions, engage in a serious dialogue to end the conflict on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and respond positively to the proposals made by Martin Griffith, the United Nation’s Special Envoy to Yemen.
Pakistan believes that war serves no purpose, and all issues can be resolved through peaceful dialogue. Adopting this path early will save thousands of innocent lives, as well as the future of the Yemeni people.
Founder Group’s supporters vow to clean sweep the ICCI elections
ISLAMABAD/DNA
Mian Akram Farid, Chairman, ICCI Founder Group said that the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry was the real representative body of traders and industrialists of the federal capital and all market associations of Islamabad were supporting the Founder Group in the annual elections of ICCI.
He said that the last five months of lockouts were very tough for business community, but ICCI played important role in highlighting the key issues of traders and industrialists during these difficult times for redress. He said this while speaking at a dinner, which was hosted by Rana Akram and Rana Qaiser in honor of ICCI Founder Group. Senior members of the Founder Group, its nominated candidates and a large number of business community were present at the occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi, Chairman, Election Campaign of Founder Group introduced all the nominees of the Group and said that they were all educated people and represented their respective constituencies. He said that the candidates have been nominated on merit and insha-Allah the Founder Group would clean sweep the ICCI elections. Former Presidents of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Zafar Bakhtawari and Khalid Iqbal Malik expressing their views said that the opposition was without any agenda due to which it has been losing elections continuously for the last several years. They said that the Founder Group candidates would achieve a landslide victory in ICCI elections while the opposition will get lesser votes than the last year. Sardar Tahir Mehmood, President, Islamabad Estate Agents Association and Chaudhry Masood, a well-known business leader, on the occasion announced full support for the Founder Group and said that the Founder Group would win by a landslide margin.
Ashfaq Chatha, Former Vice President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that today’s gathering has proved that the victory belonged only to the Founder Group. He welcomed Atique Janjua Secretary General Traders Welfare Association I-9 Markaz and Asif Altaf for joining the Founder Group.
