DNA
RAWALPINDI, SEPT 11 – General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr, Commander US CENTCOM, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Geo-strategic environment, regional security, Pak – US military cooperation including Afghanistan Peace Process and Kashmir situation discussed.=DNA
BEIJING, SEPT 11 (DNA) – Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque has invited Chinese businessmen to take advantage of the dividend of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being set up under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pakistan has identified nine special economic zones and three of them are now in advanced stage of preparation.
“We are going to share all the details very soon,” he said in an interview with Economic Daily-China Economic Net (CEN).
Pakistan has been committed to building industrial clusters in recent years to improve its ability to undertake the relocation of Chinese industries.
Chinese companies have also been paying continuous attention to the implementation of preferential policies in Pakistan’s special economic zones.
In this regard, Haque said: “We have learned a lot from the Chinese experience of developing special economic zones.”
Talking about China-Pakistan trade relations during the COVID-19 pandemic, he pointed out: “First of all, we are very happy that China has posted a very positive and more than 3% growth in the second quarter.
Despite the pandemic, the first quarter of this year we saw our bilateral trade increase.”
In this second quarter, there was a little dip because of the disruption of international travel. The updated FTA is very important. Over 300 items are now enjoying duty-free access to each other countries, including fisheries and pharmaceuticals.
“So there are many opportunities for the traders of the two countries to work in this area. We hope that in the months and years to come, our trade will increase from our previous figures.”
Talking about his experience in the first month of his new duty, Ambassador Haque first mentioned the second strategic dialogue between China and Pakistan which was held in August in south China’s Hainan Province.
” While thanking China for its very valuable support to us during the pandemic, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi appreciated the announcement made by Chinese President Xi Jinping that whenever a vaccine is developed, it would be considered a public good.
Regarding the ML-1 railway a multiplier effect for the Phase II of CPEC, he said, The spectrum of Pakistan-China relationship is very broad and very deep, adding,
“We cooperate in all areas from defense to security, from trade to investment, culture, education, science and technology, agriculture, and tourism. CPEC is a very important element of our relationship.
The industrial development cooperation of phase two is also in sync with the social-economic development agenda of our current government. So these will be very important areas that I’ll be working on during my term,” he said.
Ambassador Hashmi said, Diamer-Bhasha Dam is also as part of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision, to provide a clean and affordable energy to our country. “And we are very grateful to Chinese companies for taking a lead in the construction of this dam.”
“ML-1 is the largest project on the CPEC. It is a very important project for both Pakistan and China. It will help to provide very economical and efficient inland travel in Pakistan.
I think it will also be very important as a multiplier effect for the phase II of CPEC,” he added.
After fully expressing the necessity of agricultural modernization, Ambassador Haque introduced Pakistan’s industry and service industry. “Like China and many other countries, our work and life were also affected by the COVID-19. There were new ideas, new concepts and new products.
Ambassador Haque said, “Another area is automobile industry. China and Pakistan are working together to make new brand automobiles.
Many Pakistani fashion products are very popular in the world. Our IT applications are very popular. A company like NetSol has a sizable business in China.
Pakistan is the 3rd or 4th largest country in milk production. We are making new investments in value-added products such as cheese, butter, yogurt and others. We hope that more Chinese investors can come to Pakistan in this field.”
While answering various economic questions, he shared his views on the learning curve and economic diplomacy.
“The economic relationship between China and Pakistan has always been very important. Like diplomacy has changed from traditional diplomacy to economic diplomacy.
China, he added, played a very important role, not only in producing news items and information, but also in bringing the two countries together in the fields of culture and economy. Pakistan has beautiful landscapes and a very rich history.
We’d like more and more Chinese tourists to go to Pakistan and see for themselves the beauty and diversity of Pakistan,” he added.
“Pakistan and China have very special ties. It’s a relationship between two friends, between two partners, between two brothers. No wonder that we call each other Iron Brothers,” Ambassador Haque remarked. DNA
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ISLAMABAD, SEPT 11 (DNA) – Committed to upholding the Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines shared by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the universities countrywide are all set to start a phase-wise reopening procedure, resuming their operations as per the Government’s instructions on September 15.
This was stated by Chairman HEC while addressing the 32nd Vice Chancellors (VCs) Committee meeting.
More than 150 VCs, Rectors, or Presidents of universities participated in the meeting to discuss in detail the reopening plans and procedures.
Addressing the university heads, Mr. Banuri said the HEC as well as the government have full confidence in the VCs, that they will be able to adopt all measures needed for protection of the campus community without compromising the quality and delivery of education.
He said COVID-19 has rendered almost all the academic operations harder, so it required the dedicated personal leadership of the Vice Chancellors to inspire both faculty and students, and ensure that educational standards are maintained and anti-Covid SOPs are strictly enforced.
“I call upon all of you to resist any attempts to lower the quality of education,” he emphasised.
The Chairman HEC affirmed that the universities will follow the HEC’s guidelines — available at HEC website — to contain the spread of COVID-19 and will firmly implement their respective reopening policies.
These guidelines include the permission to open universities on 15 September, measures to screen out potentially infected individuals, and the minimum SOPs to be followed on campus. These measures are to wear face masks in public places, maintain social distance, and undertake strict monitoring to identify and isolate any incidence of the disease.
Within these guidelines, universities have to adopt suitable policies regarding rotation of courses or other measures to ensure proper social distancing and manage population density.
He strongly rebutted the news circulating in a section of press that HEC has directed all universities to adopt a ‘single policy for rotation of courses or managing social density. He said the universities should adopt the policies and measures that suit their respective circumstances, and in line with their local needs.
“The most important responsibility of the Vice Chancellors is to announce clear and unambiguous policies, assign responsibilities to various key personnel (both faculty and staff members), establish proper lines of communication, refrain from arbitrary or ad hoc policy changes, and remain in personnel command of the evolving situation”. He said that they must maintain total vigilance to prevent and control any incidents of virus recurrence, including through active surveillance of health conditions, earmarking isolation facilities, and facilitating access to medical and isolation facilities.
He advised university leaders to keep in close touch with district administration officials, health departments, and medical universities in their vicinities to seek support in case of any need. He said that the government and health departments have assured of providing assistance all-possible assistance to universities, and that HEC was available to provide advice or ensure timely liaison with government entities.
The Convener of the VC Committee, Dr. Muhammad Ali, VC of Quaid e Azam University, assured the HEC Chairman that universities are committed to complying with the government instructions, following all possible precautions, and implementing the safety protocols prescribed by HEC, even though he would personally have preferred a single policy in order to reduce the decision making burden on VCs. He proposed that a follow-up meeting be held in the near future to review progress.
On the occasion, a number of universities provided details of the policies they had already announced and publicised. These include Punjab University, GIK Institute, Sukkur IBA; Women’s University of Swabi; Karakoram International University, GCWU Sialkot, and others. Some VCs shared the unique challenges they faced, and asked for support to resolve them. A handful of universities hadn’t yet announced their reopening plans or policies, but they promised to do so forthwith.
Chairman HEC appreciated all the universities that had demonstrated due diligence in adopting and publicising their reopening plans, and stressed upon the few remaining universities to do so immediately. DNA
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Shaheen Hanif
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran khan has welcomed the announcement regarding commencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations on 12 September 2020. Finally, our combined efforts have brought forth the day that the Afghan people have been yearning for.
For more than 40 years, Afghans have suffered from continued conflict and bloodshed. Pakistan has endured the fall-out — reflected in incidence of terrorism, loss of precious lives, and huge economic cost.
I have underlined for a long time that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that the only way forward is a negotiated political settlement.
Through relentless efforts, Pakistan has played a pivotal role in facilitating the Afghan peace process to this juncture. We feel deeply gratified today as we have fulfilled our part of the responsibility.
International community should fully recognize and respect Pakistan’s
efforts in this regard: Zhao Lijian
DNA
BEIJING, Opposing attempts to link terrorism to any
specific country, China on Friday commended Pakistan for making
tremendous efforts and sacrifices in fighting terrorism and called upon
the international community to fully recognize and respect such efforts.
Terrorism is common challenge faced by all countries and Pakistan has
sacrificed much in the fight against terrorism.
“International community should fully recognize and respect Pakistan’s
efforts in this regard” said by a spokesman of the Chinese Foreign
Ministry, Zhao Lijian during his regular briefing.
He said that China opposed to all kind of terrorism added that all
countries should engage themselves in anti terrorism international
cooperation to jointly safeguard the world peace and security on the
bases of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits.
The spokesperson said that 19th anniversary of the September 11 incident
was being marked today which brought many challenges to the global
security.
Zhao said that the Chinese side believed that the United Nations (UN)
should play a leading role in this regard, adding, “We oppose double
standards on counter terrorism and we oppose the attempt to link the
terrorism to any specific country.
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ISLAMABAD, SEPT 11 (DNA) – Fahad Barlas, has been elected un apposed Executive Member from Corporate Class at Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday.
His services for trade and commerce have been lauded by the Rawalpindi Chamber representatives on reposing their confidence on the occasion of Executive body elections.
President RCCI Mr. Saboor Malik congratulated new executive members and expressed the hope that they would up hold the high traditions of Chamber. Fahad Barlas expressed his gratitude to all representatives of Chamber for their support and said that it is great honor for his elevation as Executive Member Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said it is the need of hour that we should work together for expansion of exports and all out efforts would be made to enhance made in Pakistan products. DNA
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FIAZ CH
ISLAMABAD – The United States Library of Congress today
announced the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
literacy program, “Pakistan Reading Project,” as the 2020 recipient of
the International Literacy Program of the Year.
Over the past seven years, and working in tandem with Pakistani
education officials, USAID’s Pakistan Reading Project has improved the
reading skills of 1.7 million Pakistani students by delivering reading
instructional materials to classrooms, training teachers in new
instruction techniques, and encouraging schools to dedicate more
classroom time for reading.
This early grade literacy project has also worked closely with the
Government of Pakistan to improve policies and systems for early grade
reading across national, provincial, and local levels.
“We’re very honored and pleased that the Pakistan Reading Project is
this year’s Library of Congress recipient of this International Literacy
Award,” said USAID/Pakistan Mission Director Julie Koenen. “The program
has proved to be a cornerstone of our partnership with Pakistan in
education by increasing the literacy rates across the country and
improving the reading of so many Pakistani students.”
In 2013, the Library of Congress created the Literacy Awards to honor
organizations working to promote literacy and reading in the United
States and internationally. The project’s implementing partner, the
International Relief Committee, will receive $50,000 from the Library of
Congress for winning this.
DNA
Islamabad: Sept 11 – Commenting on the heinous gang rape incident on Motorway, Parliamentary Leader of the PPP in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman said, “The gang rape incident on the Ring Road has brought to the fore many troubling details of failure by law enforcers but a disturbing faultline of shocking prejudice in high places to the surface.”
“The first issue is why the police were so egregiously late in responding to an emergency call. Despite the woman calling the emergency number 130 and giving them her location. Why did it take so long for them to respond? After changing 5-6 IGs what was the explanation by the Punjab police? Why were the squabbling over jurisdiction even when the serious and heinous nature of the crime was exposed?” she questioned.
She said, “The other issue that needs addressing is how the victim is being shamed by Government officials as having been lax in her own security by venturing out unescorted on a public highway or to have run out of petrol? This is a shocking reminder of the deep vein of misogyny that runs through some of our public officials, and it enhances a woman’s insecurity on the streets of Pakistan as opposed to giving them succour or protection. What is the job of the police? Not to become guardians of public morality but to protect the right of all citizens to safely use public facilities like the motorway. It is time our public servants were reminded that their jobs and salaries are maintained by the taxes paid by the ordinary people of Pakistan, and their cavalier responses are completely unacceptable. The police officials who have shifted the burden on the victim better apologise to her and her family, while Government ministers who should know better need to stop protecting anti-women statements”.
“Pakistan ranked 6th on the list of the most dangerous countries for women in 2019. It is the state’s duty and responsibility to provide protection to its citizens. Instead, the CCPO is schooling women on which route to take or what time to go out,” she added.
Addressing a minister’s comment, she said, “He’s saying that the CCPO hasn’t broken any laws so we can’t do much. A person who has been appointed to protect the citizens is clearly telling women that this country is not safe for them is not enough for the government to take action?”
Commenting on the alarming rise in rape cases, the Senator said, “Rape is a very serious crime in any state. But all across the spectrum, with social and public attitudes like the one we are witnessing from key ministers, all forms of violence and abuse against women is on the rise. With no accurate data, the most-cited estimate ranges between 70 to 90% of Pakistani women experiencing some form of physical, emotional or psychological abuse”.
She said, “Minors are also being targeted by paedophiles in playgrounds, streets, markets and shops in congested localities. We are still to see any results over the Kasur incident. What is taking so long?”
“Why is that every time a heinous act like this happens, the identity of the survivor/victim is not protected? Is there no code of ethics? Why is the survivor’s information leaked out?” she said while emphasizing on the role of a responsible reporting.
Parliamentary Leader of the PPP in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman concluded by asking for a proper inquiry into failure and conduct of police and said, “Penalties should not breed more public violence or brutalise society or even encourage people to start taking the law into their hands. Public hanging of rapists is not going to miraculously solve the problem. It may in fact, encourage social norms of private and public brutality. Misogynistic behaviour is a deep-rooted issue which needs to be addressed. What is needed is strict implementation of laws such as life sentencing and rigorous imprisonment of such criminals as most of them criminals escape because of poor investigation by police and then flawed prosecution”.
DNA
Islamabad, SEPT 11 – Huawei and HEC are going to offer free training in ICT skills to 30 undergraduate students across the country as part of Huawei Seeds for The Future Program 2020. In the last 5 years, around 55 students from across the country have been sent to China for 2 weeks training on the Chinese Culture and ICT Skills to further hone their career skills. This year due to COVID-19, HEC and Huawei will arrange the program virtually from 21st September to 25th September 2020.
The Huawei Technologies (Pvt). Ltd Pakistan and The Higher education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan are inviting application from potential Pakistani undergraduate students under Huawei’s “Seeds for the Future” programme 2020.
Huawei will organize online training for 30 outstanding Pakistani students in the field of ICT from September 21-25,2020. The Selected students will be able to obtain valuable cutting-edge ICT Knowledge developed by Huawei’s Headquarters and experience a cross culture communication virtually.
Top two students will be selected and sent to china for the learning tour in early 2021 together with students from around the world. Top ten students will be provided Huawei souvenirs for their participation.
The application procedure is as follows:
It must be noted that the minimum CGPA required for the program is 3.5 or above. Students who are entering their 7th or 8th semester can apply for the program or if they are recent graduates, they are also eligible. Following is the detailed eligibility criteria:
Around 30 students from across the country will be trained by Huawei after final selection by HEC. The deadline for submission of applications is 14th September 2020.
Pakistani football Junaid Khan Afridi was killed in a shooting incident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Jamrud on Friday. The athlete’s father said he was returning from a football match when he came under attack. His brother sustained injuries as well.
His friends had earlier stated that the victim’s brother had a disagreement and attack took place because of that.
In his professional career, Junaid played in the National Football Championship and also took part in an international ‘feet ball’ tournament in the UAE.
