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Saudi Arabia never asked for loan return

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Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have the same stance on [normalising relations with] Israel,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s stance has not wavered

Saifullah/DNA

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting speculation that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s ties have deteriorated over the past few weeks, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Monday that the Kingdom has neither asked Islamabad to return its loan nor has it suspended oil supply to Pakistan.

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have the same stance on [normalising relations with] Israel,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s stance has not wavered.

He said that Saudi Arabia has also not changed its stance on occupied Kashmir.

The foreign minister spoke about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Pakistan, describing it as one of “utmost importance”, adding that China is also supporting the peace process in Afghanistan.

The foreign minister said that a discussion will be held with the Taliban on Tuesday which will focus on the intra-Afghan peace discussions.

Referring to the possible instability in Afghanistan, the foreign minister said that “there is a group in Afghanistan that is causing a rift [to develop and hinder peace talks]”.

Speaking on Pakistan-China ties, the foreign minister said that Islamabad and Beijing will collectively act to safeguard integrity and peace in the region.

Qureshi said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will benefit the entire region and despite India’s statements, the project will go ahead.

“India can keep on saying whatever it wants to say. The project will continue,” he said.

The foreign minister revealed that during his recent visit to China, the issue of Indian occupied Kashmir also came up, where Beijing dismissed Indian claims over the valley.

FM Qureshi said that China had rejected India’s August 5 move and termed it ‘unilateral’, thanking Beijing for its clear stance on the Kashmir issue.

Speaking on Indian atrocities, the minister said that India has failed to project the impression that things are improving in occupied Kashmir.

“The International Crisis Group called the situation in the valley a resistance movement, and has demanded that India rescind its August 5 decision,” he said.

FM Qureshi said that Prime Minister Imran Khan raised the matter of IoK before the United Nations, adding that India is running away from the matter and lying to the global community.

The Kashmiri struggle of the right to self-determination which had started since 1989 has now gained new political momentum and the joint-declaration was the first testimony to this fact, he said.

Qureshi said that New Delhi’s August 5 move had made matters worse for the people of the occupied territory.  He said that anger and frustration are on the rise in the region due to restrictions and a communications blackout imposed by authorities.

The foreign minister said that India’s move had crippled occupied Kashmir’s economy, wondering how investment could thrive with so many armed personnel holding the local population hostage.

Inter-Parliamentary Union to play its role for Kashmiris rights: President Alvi

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 24 – President Dr. Arif Alvi on Monday expressed the confidence that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) would play its role to protect the rights of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Talking to the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Gabriela Cuevas Barron in Islamabad, Dr. Arif Alvi said the people of IIOJK were in extreme misery as India had unleashed a reign of terror against the innocent people which was a clear violation of UN resolutions.

President Arif Alvi urged the World Community to take notice of Indian oppression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

In her remarks, Gabriela Cuevas Barron, who is also a Mexican Senator, said Mexico wanted to work with Pakistan to promote closer ties in areas of mutual interest.

Both sides emphasized the need to further strengthen bilateral relations in all fields to the mutual benefit of the people of Pakistan and Mexico.

WhatsApp Image 2020-08-24 at 3.25.51 PM

President Dr. Arif Alvi expressed the hope that the visit of the IPU president to Pakistan would help strengthen parliamentary relations between the Parliament of Pakistan and IPU member parliaments.

The meeting was also attended by the Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi.

Earlier, the President of IPU Gabriela Cuevas Barron also held a meeting with the Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, and expressed resolve to work jointly for the promotion of mutual contacts. DNA

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CM Buzdar reviews Muharram security plan

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ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik in Lahore today to review security arrangements during Muharram-ul-Haram and prices of edible items including flour and sugar in the province.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister Usman Buzdar directed the authorities concerned to bring stability in the prices of edibles. The chief minister directed them to take legal action against those involved in hiking the prices of essential commodities on their own.

Usman Buzdar directed the administrative officers and price control magistrates to ensure sale of essential commodities at the government rates.He ordered the Police to provide foolproof security to all mourning gatherings ‘Majalis’ and mourning processions during Muharram-ul-Haram while ensuring implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to Coronavirus.

Earlier in the day, the Punjab health department has declared an alert for the government hospitals during the month of Muharram.

In a circular, the health department has cancelled leaves of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other staff of government hospitals.

Provincial health authorities have also directed teaching hospitals’ administrations to take necessary steps to meet any emergency situation and ensure availability of life-saving medicines and keeping operation theaters in working condition.

The staff of hospitals’ emergency departments have been directed to remain alert until 10th of Muharram (Yom-e-Ashur).

Pak, India tensions-SAARC Chamber no more functional

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 24 –  The diplomatic and political brawl between Pakistan and India has reportedly paralyzed SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) as the Association has barred Pakistan from using its nomenclature being a suspended body.

Pakistan’s renowned businessman and Chairman UBG Iftikhar Ali Malik, has been nominated the President of SAARC CCI after an agreement between the incumbent President FPCCI Anjum Nisar and former President Daroo Khan Achakzai at the Supreme Court level.

Only July 6, 2020, Fazulrahman Rahmani, Director, HRT, SAARC Secretariat wrote a letter to the heads of the SAARC recognised regional apex bodies saying that according to SAARC guidelines and procedures, their recognition status has expired.

The recognition of 24 bodies (six apex bodies and 18 recognized bodies) has expired while previously, SAARC bodies used to continue their working as per schedule despite expiry of recognition but this is the first time, they have been barred from functioning.

According to the letter, in terms of guidelines and procedures for granting/ renewal of recognition by SAARC to the ‘SAARC recognized regional apex bodies’, the Standing Committee is the competent SAARC body to take a decision on this matter. Given the fact, the status of recognition of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is no more valid beyond its date of expiry and stands pending until the competent body of SAARC meets and considers the matter relating to the Chamber, including the question of renewal of recognition.

SAARC Secretariat has asked SAARC CCI to discontinue its activities under the nomenclature of SAARC until its status of recognition is renewed by the competent body of SAARC.

The sources said, the competent body means the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs of member countries, adding that the issue cannot be resolved until their meeting is not held. However, there is no indication that India will agree on early meeting of the apex body.

Pakistan’s relevant entity, sources said, recently wrote a couple of letters to the concerned authorities of SAARC, showing concern on delaying tactics on the part of some office holders of the organization.

Iftikhar Malik along with a delegation also met with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and sought his help to resolve the issue. There are also reports that the SAARC CCI is collecting fee for SAARC sticker in dollars from businessmen despite the fact the organization’s license has expired.

SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been enjoying the Apex Status of SAARC since 1992, has been playing a vital role for the economic integration of the South Asian region.

“The due date of the next SAARC Standing Committee meeting is uncertain and a meeting of the SAARC Standing Committee has not been held since 2016, over the past four years. As a responsible and well reputed institution, the SAARC CCI is not in a position to discontinue its activities for an uncertain period of time.

Moreover, the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry has invested PKR 600 crores on its Permanent Headquarters in Islamabad. With work in progress and certain contractual obligations signed under the SAARC nomenclature, it may drag the SAARC CCI and its leadership in unnecessary legal complications and litigations process.”

However Pakistan has requested the concerned authorities to allow SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry to operate under SAARC patronage and nomenclature to carry forward agenda of regional integration within the ambit of SAARC Charter, Constitution of SAARC CCI and the Guidelines and Procedure for Apex bodies, till next meeting of standing committee. DNA

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The Sexual Health Crisis in Pakistan: Here is how Oladoc is making an impact

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DNA

Islamabad, AUG 24  – Sexual health has always been a taboo topic in Pakistan. Even though access to sexual education and sexual health resources is one of the basic human rights, the cultural context of the Pakistani society has made it extremely hard for people to talk openly about it.

Regardless of numerous trained medical professionals operating in the country who specialize in sexual health, people are still reluctant to consult, because societal messaging has convinced them that it is a shameful act to even take help from medical professionals when it comes to sexual and reproductive health.

The impact of this unnecessary cultural taboo has been drastic. Sexual and reproductive health in Pakistan is at an all-time low. People all around the country are contracting sexually transmitted infections and, on top of it, suffering in silence. The officially calculated numbers are drastic on their own but since people never report their sexual issues the actual figure is probably a lot higher.

The ultimate demise of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Pakistan

Access to good sexual and reproductive health-care is not only a matter of better life quality, it is a matter of life and death if we take into account the number of people who get impacted by chronic infections such as HIV/AIDS or women who lose their life during illegal abortions. According to a report by UNAIDS, there has been an increase of 369% AIDS related deaths in Pakistan in a period of just eight years (2010-2018). The number of infected people has also risen from 14 000 to 22 000. The same report indicates that only 4.29% of men and women in Pakistan knew accurate ways of preventing the transmission of the HIV infection. The same can be said for other sexually transmitted diseases since the precautionary steps for STDs are all the same.

Apart from STDs Pakistanis also lack an understanding of reproductive planning. According to estimates, the most popular contraceptive method in Pakistan is abortion because people either do not know about regular contraceptives or consider them immoral or against their religious values. The worst part is that, since Pakistan’s law does not consider abortion as legal, women are forced to do them under dangerous circumstances with bad facilities. According to a 2012 report by a U.S based population council, Pakistan has one of the highest abortion rates in the entire world 48-50 per 1000 births. In 2012, a total of 2.2 million abortions were performed in Pakistan while the use of other contraceptives did not gain any momentum as it should have been.

How oladoc- a digital healthcare company, is working for better sexual healthcare in Pakistan?

oladoc is a doctor booking platform that aims to make improved healthcare universally accessible to all of Pakistan’s population. Noticing that sexual and reproductive health is in shambles in the country, oladoc set out on a mission to utilize the platform for the betterment of this crisis. The team identified that the problem could be tackled by focusing on three areas-education, counseling and bridging the gap between medical professionals and the local public.

The first step was to educate people about the extent of the problem and at the same time making them realize that they did not have to suffer in silence and that the resources were out there. Since the topic is considered a taboo and people are reluctant to engage in such conversations, the best chance of successfully imparting this education was through the digital space.

The three main tools that oladoc used for this purpose were its Youtube channel, Health Blog and social media channels such as facebook and instagram. Knowing that there was already a lot of misinformation present on the internet, oladoc made sure that the content that they produced was 100% correct. For this purpose, interviews with practicing sexologists, gynecologists and andrologists were conducted and then uploaded to the Youtube channel. This activity was important because it not only imparted educational material but also decreased the gap between practitioners and the patients as it showed people that talking to a medical professional without shame and awkwardness was possible.

The first Youtube video was published on 27th July, 2018. It was an interview with a renowned sexologist in lahore (Dr. Samra Amin) and was based on erectile dysfunction and infertility in men. The video now has more than 4.5 lac views and has motivated countless people to seek out treatment for their sexual problems. Since July 2018, oladoc has posted more than 20 detailed interviews with sexual health experts on their Youtube channel covering a wide range of topics within the subject of sexual and reproductive health. These videos combined have a viewership of more than 3 million. On other fronts, oladoc has been regularly posting blog articles that are penned down by sexologists themselves. These articles combined have a viewership of more than a quarter million.

The response to the Youtube videos and the blog articles was overwhelming and they successfully achieved the target of educating people. The next step was to provide people a space where they felt safe enough to ask for guidance and counseling. oladoc’s Facebook page came in handy at this stage as countless people started sending in messages to ask for guidance on how they could get access to medical professionals who were educating the masses on Youtube from the platform of oladoc. The oladoc team while responding to these messages made sure that people do not feel any shame or embarrassment and can ask questions freely.

The whole campaign was not only for the sake of awareness and as anticipated had an actual impact on people’s attitude towards sexual and reproductive health and oladoc has data to show that. The campaign started in July 2018, the total number of appointments related to sexologists for that year were just around 300 but as the campaign progressed and people got more aware, the number of appointments increased by 300% during 2019. The year 2020, brought an even bigger revolution for sexual health as an additional increase of 150% was seen in the number of appointments booked with sexologists and the number is increasing still. oladoc is dedicatedly working to keep up the pace for the mission of providing improved sexual and reproductive healthcare avenues to the Pakistani population. DNA

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FBR’s Member Inland Revenue visits Sialkot

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DNA

LAHORE, AUG 24 – The FBR’s Member Inland Revenue (Operations) Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed visited Sialkot on invitation of the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA).

Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue RTO, Sialkot Dr. Tariq Mahmood Khan received the Member Inland Revenue (Operations) at the RTO Sialkot and thereafter accompanied him to the PRGMEA House for a meeting with the business community.

The meeting held at PRGMEA House was attended by the whole business community of industrial hub of Sialkot including the President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, all exporters’ associations chairmen and representatives, i.e. PRGMEA, Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Surgical Instruments Manufacturing Association of Pakistan, Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association and Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association.

The Member IR (Operations) while addressing the meeting, assured all the exporters of Sialkot that sales tax and Income Tax refunds will be paid on priority basis to the exporters to overcome their financial crunch amidst post-corona slowdown, hitting the whole industry across the country, especially the industry of Sialkot which is the foreign exchange earner of more than $2.5 billion.

The Member IR (Operations) was very much in the favour of revival of industry and growth of exports for the maximum employment generation in line with the vision of PM Imran Khan. He said that Sialkot is the hub of SME sector, which extremely needs the working capital for its smooth operations. He also announced his next visit to Sialkot in Sept 2020.

The Member IR (Operations) reiterated the resolve of the government for expeditious payment of tax refunds transparently and removal of all irritants in this regard. He said that release of refund claims have been expedited and it would be ensured that all sales tax refunds are paid within 72 hours. He assured that all the systematic issues relating to Annexure H would be removed within a week, which will facilitate exporters in the filing of claims.

The business community of Sialkot, while giving a warm reception in honour of the Member Inland Revenue (Operations), applauded his open door policy for every visitor, as everyone can approach him and visit him without any restriction and prior appointment which is really encouraging for the businessmen. They also hailed the Regional Tax Office Sialkot for adopting the same policy for the industry and taxpayers.

Chairman PRGMEA Mr. Sohail A. Sheikh and Chief Coordinator PRGMEA Mr. Ijaz Khokhar observed that the Member Inland Revenue (Operations) and Chief Commissioner RTO Sialkot are easily available and accessible and appreciated their friendly approach. They appreciated the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision and policies for enhancing the volume of exports.

They highlighted the issues like mechanism for refund of sales tax on services and transfer of jurisdiction in various cases to the LTUs and the same were addressed by the Member IR (Operations). They appreciated the government and FBR for releasing tax refunds and DLTL in critical time of Covid-19.

NAB consider fight against corruption as its national duty: Chairman

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ISLAMABAD: AUG 24 (DNA) – Justice (RETD) Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB has said that NAB is absolutely committed to root out corruption where fight against corruption is being taken as a national duty. He said that NAB was established to rid the nation from corruption and corrupt practices.

He said that “NAB’s faith is Corruption free Pakistan”. He said that the hard work, commitment, dedication and merit being put in by NAB officers are being appreciated by national and international reputed organizations from time to time.

He said that NAB officers should double their efforts in nabbing corrupt elements and recover from them the hard earned looted money of the innocent citizens of Pakistan.

He said that NAB has introduced a “Combined Investigation Team” (CIT) system where two investigation officers and a legal consultant, financial expert, forensic expert under the supervision of Additional Director/Case officer and concerned Director are working as a team for a fair, transparent and unbiased, inquiry/ investigations.

He said that the quality of inquiry and investigation of NAB must have further improve due to establishment of NAB’s first Forensic Science Lab (FSL) in Islamabad which has all facilities of Digital Forensics, Questioned Documents and Fingerprint Analysis which will help is lending quality and solid evidence in conduct of inquiries and investigations. He said that NAB has devised Monitoring & Evaluation System (MES) in order to monitor NAB performance of NAB and all Regional Bureaus in qualitative and quantitative terms which has proved He said that NAB is the Chairman of SAARC Anti-Corruption Forum. This was a reorganization of NAB’s excellent work.

He said that NAB is absolutely committed to nab corrupt elements and our overall conviction ration is about 68.8% in Accountability Courts. He said that NAB Ordinance 1999’s preamble emphasizes on recovery of looted money.

Due to this reason, NAB has recovered Rs. 466 billion since its inception. He said that since its inception, NAB had adopted the Enforcement based approach in its fight against corruption.

Special focus is now being given to Awareness and Prevention activities besides Enforcement to aware people about the ill effects of corruption as corruption is the mother of all evils. DNA

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15,000 security personnel to guard Muharram gatherings in Islamabad

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 24 – As many as 15,000 personnel of Islamabad Police, Pakistan Rangers and FC would perform security duties during Muharram ul Haram and to maintain high vigilance to thwart any untoward incident, said Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Islamabad Waqar Uddin on Monday.

In his video message, DIG (Operations) said that Islamabad Police have finalized comprehensive security arrangements for the processions, religious gatherings during Muharram ul Harram and to ensure implementation on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the government.He said that officials of Islamabad police, District administration have conducted meeting with the organizers of various gatherings and processions.

He said that elaborate security plan would be in place for Muharram.Flag march are being conducted in various areas to make security more effective and strict vigilance would be maintained like previous years to maintain law and order in the city.

As per directions of IGP Islamabad Aamir Zulfiqar, Islamabad Police headed by Additional SP Farhat Abbass Kazmi conducted flag march with an objective to maintain peace and tranquility in the city during Muharram ul Haram.The flag march was participated by SDPOs, SHOs of police stations, personnel of Islamabad Traffic Police, bravo vehicles, Police Commandoes, Rescue 15 police officials and police patrolling officials.

Flag march started from Pakistan Sports Complex and culminated at the same point after passing through various areas of the Saddar police Zone.According to police spokesperson, all SPs have been asked to maintain close liaison with peace committees and and organizers of Majalis and processions.

He said that cooperation of organizers would be ensured with the police and law enforcing officials.The DIG (Operations) has directed all SDPOs and SHOs for strict security arrangements on these occasions and special checking of participants.

He said that it should be ensured to make arrangements for checking of participants of Majalis and processions thorough using metal detectors. Strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure that security measures are in place by the police as well as peace committees.He said that it would be ensured that processions to pass through the fixed routes and timings of processions to be observed strictly.

He said that DIG (Operations) has also directed for effective patrolling and use commando vehicles for the purpose.Meanwhile, the IGP Islamabad Aamir Zulfiqar has also directed for maintaining close coordination among all wings of Islamabad police and staff. The IGP asked SSP (Traffic) to ensure arrangements for avoiding any inconvenience to road users and special deployment should be made for smooth flow of traffic at alternate routes when processions will be carried out. 

It should be ensured that parking lots to be far away from the processions with proper security arrangements there and metal detectors would be used at entry and exit points too.DIG (Operations) has also asked all SPs, SDPOs to take steps to curb wall chalking or pasting posters which may hurt sentiments of people.Patrolling officers must conduct visit of all the routes of Muharram processions and Imambargahs and rooftops to be covered by the police officials.

Lady Police would be deputed for the female gatherings while police officers and Jawans would perform security duties outside the Imambargahs.All Station House Officers (SHOs) would get the complete bio data of those volunteers performing security duties.  Peace committees would be asked to ensure that no stranger is allowed to stay in the worship places for security reasons during the month of Muharram.DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin has also asked citizens to cooperate with Islamabad police and assist the force to ensure effective policing.  DNA

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Diplomats call for strong links between Chabahar and Gwadar port

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ISLAMABAD, Aug. 24 (DNA): The cooperation between Iran’s Chabahar and Pakistan’s Gwadar ports would enhance ties between the two countries, a group of diplomats and experts on foreign relations from Pakistan and Iran said.

According to a report published by Gwadar Pro, they stressed the use of capacities of regional economic organizations to strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations.

The diplomats and experts expressed the views during the Webinar “Iran-Pakistan Economic Partnership in the Post-Corona era” hosted by Golden Ring Economic Federation (GREF) in Lahore with the cooperation of the embassy of Iran.

At the webinar, Mashallah Shakeri, Advisor to the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran and former Ambassador to Pakistan, and Madoud Mohammad Zamani, Senior Expert from Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), gave a wide view of bilateral cooperation between the two neighboring countries through video link.

Other speakers at the webinar were Hasanin Reza Mirza, director of the Golden Ring Economic Research Institute, Defence Analyst Lieutenant General Sikander Afzal (retd), Aref Kamal, and Sanaullah former Pakistani ambassadors, and Qandil Abbas, Professor of international relations at Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad.

The participants in the meeting explained the important and key policies of the two countries, especially in the geopolitical scenario in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, the developments of the subcontinent, and their impact on security and economic stability in the region.

The Iranian diplomats considered the development of cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries as a key factor in the expansion of Iran-Pakistan relations and said that linking the ports of Chabahar and Gwadar will pave the way for regional cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

They called for the use of the capacity of regional economic cooperation organizations, including ECO, and said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Pakistani experts stressed the importance of Iran’s joining CPEC project, saying that it would strengthen the long-term cooperation between Tehran and Beijing.

They praised Iran’s resilience to harsh US sanctions and stressed the importance of advancing energy projects in the region, including the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project with China, to avoid the US pressure and sanctions.

The Pakistani speakers called for the establishment of a joint working group with the participation of the two countries’ private sectors to find ways of development.

The Iranian speakers also appreciated the recent remarks of the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan in support of the Palestinian people against the Zionist regime. The concept of the Golden Ring Economic Bloc was initiated in 2010 based on which GREF was established in 2015. DNA

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Pakistan desires strong linkages with IPU to boost parliamentary diplomacy: Sanjrani

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 24 – The Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani has said that parliaments and parliamentarians have a crucial role in the promotion of peace democracy and development and in this regard Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) has made significant contribution through increased institutional linkages and cooperation.

Chairman Senate expressed these in a meeting with President of the IPU Gabriela Cuevas Barron here at the Parliament House on Monday.  Senator in-waiting Mirza Muhammad Afridi was also present during the meeting.

Chairman Senate observed that IPU has grown into a vibrant global entity helping parliaments and representatives to become more effective by sharing best practices and identifying avenues for action.

During the meeting Chairman Senate expressed his satisfaction on the excellent collaboration between IPU and Parliament of Pakistan.

He said that both these institutions have historically cherished the ideas of democracy, peace and development.  Chairman Senate underlined the need for institutional linkages between Senate and IPU Secretariat.

He observed that Pakistan desires strong linkages with IPU as parliamentary diplomacy plays significant role in strengthening relations between nations and people.  He said that Pakistan is keen to strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties through dialogue and mutual respect.

“In line with IPU objective of peace building and protection of human rights, Pakistan has always highlighted Kashmir cause and the atrocities of Indian government in occupied valley from time to time on every international fora including IPU”, Chairman Senate said.

Sadiq Sanjrani further said that COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges, however, Pakistan Senate reached out to all parliaments of the world for greater collaboration amongst the nations to learn from their experiences in containing this pandemic and collaborate with them effectively.  He said that the pandemic is an unprecedented global challenge that has affected every one especially the poor and the marginalized.

President of the IPU, earlier upon reaching the parliament was warmly welcomed by Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani.  She expressed her gratitude for warm reception at parliament.  The IPU President said that Pakistan is an active and vocal member of the IPU.  He said that IPU paces its relations with Parliament of Pakistan at high esteem and values relations between two institutions.  She said that huge scope for mutual collaboration at bilateral and multilateral level to promote democratic values, peace and development.

Later on the IPU President also interacted with Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation to IPU.  The delegation comprised of Senators Mian Raza Rabbani, Sherry Rehman, MNAs Sher Ali Arbab, Shazia Marri and Ihsan ul Haq Tiwana.

Members of the Parliament highlighted the human rights violations in atrocities being committed in Indian occupied Kashmir and plight of Kashmiri people under Indian occupation and curfew.  They also called for adopting in uniform response for sustainable development and coping with the challenges posed by pandemic.  IPU President said that the challenges faced today do not need any permission to cross the borders and a collective response of the democracies across the world is the appropriate option to face the current challenges. DNA

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