ISLAMABAD, AUG 12 (DNA) – President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday said Pakistan attached utmost importance to its bilateral relations with Afghanistan and was fully committed to further improving ties in all areas of mutual interest.

The President stated this during a meeting with the outgoing Afghan Ambassador Atif Mashal, who paid a farewell call on him, here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The President said Prime Minister Imran Khan had deep interest in strengthening relations with all neighbours especially Afghanistan.

He said that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan and the region, adding that the goals of economic prosperity and regional connectivity, could not be realized without a stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

The President also welcomed the Loya Jirga decision’s to release the remaining prisoners as per US-Taliban peace agreement.

The President told the Ambassador that Pakistan treated Afghan refugees like brothers and provided them all health facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan by building hospitals, schools, universities and roads.

He also lauded the government’s decision to open Gwadar port for Afghan trade and expressed the hope that it would facilitate Afghan transit trade as well as improve economic relations between the two countries.

The Afghan Ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s contribution in promoting peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

He also thanked the government of Pakistan for its support during the coronavirus pandemic by allowing trade and movement of Afghans at crossing points of the border. = DNA

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ISLAMABAD, AUG 12 (DNA) –  Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif on Wednesday has announced to present privilege motion over including name of party lawmaker Rana Tanveer in the FIR filed against clash that erupted outside the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office on the occasion of Maryam Nawaz’s appearance.

Addressing the National Assembly session, the PML-N leader said that Rana Tanveer’s name was illegally added into the FIR as he was present in the assembly at the time of the incident.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also supported Khawaja Asif’s stance and said that putting name of Rana Tanveer on the FIR without reason is not right as he was in the session and had no hand in the clash.

The reaction came day after a clash erupted between outraged PML-N workers and police as Maryam Nawaz reached the NAB office in a case pertaining to illegal transfer of 180 acres of land in Raiwind.

PML-N workers – who accompanied Maryam Nawaz from Jati Umrah to the NAB office in a convoy – pelted stones at police officials and tried to break the barriers outside the anti-corruption watchdog’s office.

In retaliation, the police resorting to aerial firing, shelling and baton charge to disperse the infuriated crowd. Several protesters including women were arrested. Maryam Nawaz left the NAB office premises without appearing before the accountability bureau and then came back for the second time.

“Police threw stones at my car which broke its screen. I am here to give answers to the NAB questions. Why did you summon me if you are so scared? Now have some courage to listen to me,” the PML-N vice-president said. = DNA

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RAWALPINDI,: Pakistan’s Intelligence Agencies have repelled a major Cyber attack originating from India targeting senior Pakistani government Civilian & Military Officials.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that Pakistan’s Intelligence Agencies have identified a major Cyber attack by the Indian Intelligence Agencies involving a range of Cyber crimes including deceitful fabrication by hacking personal mobiles and technical gadgets of government Officials and Military Personnel.

The ISPR said that various targets of Hostile Intelligence Agencies are being investigated.

It said that the Pakistan army has further enhanced necessary measures to thwart such activities including action against violators of standing operating procedures (SOPs) on Cyber Security.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 12 (DNA) – The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) has established a Facilitation Centre of Islamabad Police in its premises to resolve the issues and provide police related services to its members in the premises of  Chamber.

Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, Inspector General of Islamabad Police formally inaugurated the Facilitation Centre during a ceremony held at ICCI.

Addressing the ceremony, Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan said that ICCI should propose a committee to resolve issues of business community and Islamabad Police would issue its notification.

He said that a parent committee along with sector-wise committees in order to resolve issues of business community of all sectors. He said that business community was the backbone of the economy and it was the responsibility of police to provide them peaceful environment for business activities.

He said that under Safe City Project, 1880 security cameras were installed in Islamabad and 97% of them were in working condition.

He said that after Aug 14, 2020, e-challans would be issued in Islamabad and after Lahore, the federal capital would be the second city of the country to issue e-challans. He said that with the good performance of Islamabad Police, crime rate has been reduced by 37% in Islamabad while accidents have reduced by 50% and he was feeling proud on his police. He said that civil society should fully cooperate with police to control crimes as its cooperation was key.

He said that Prime Minister has fully supported Islamabad Police in controlling land mafias in Islamabad. He lauded ICCI for setting up Islamabad Police Facilitation Centre and said it would provide all services the business community that were being provided by F-7 Facilitation Centre.

Speaking at the occasion, Muhammad Ahmed Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that providing maximum facilitation to its members on a key priority of ICCI so that they could promote business activities more smoothly.

He said that the inauguration of Facilitation Centre of Islamabad Police would be a great facilitation for the members of business community as they would be able to get police related services from Chamber instead of visiting various police stations. He said that ICCI has already setup the Facilitation Desks of Pakistan Customs, ICTA while more such desks of other organizations would be established soon to facilitate the business community.

He thanked Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, IGP Islamabad for visiting ICCI to inaugurate the Facilitation Centre and hoped that he would always cooperate with ICCI in resolving police related major issues of the business community.

Speaking at the occasion, Mian Akram Farid Chairman Founder Group appreciate the good performance of Islamabad Police that produced many prominent officers who rendered great services to the nation.

He said that Islamabad Police has created peaceful environment for business activities in the federal capital, which was laudable.

He highlighted the parking problems and traffic issues in Blue Area and gave proposals for resolving them. He said that Islamabad Police should further improve the working of security cameras installed under Safe City Project and gave many suggestions for this purpose.

Tahir Abbasi Senior Vice President and Saif ur Rehman Vice President ICCI stressed that Reconciliation Committees and Citizen Police Liaison Committees revived that would greatly help in resolving police related issues of business community and citizens. Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi, Baser Daud, Malik Sohail Hussain, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Sardar Tahir, Malik Rab Nawaz, Khalid Chaudhry, Amin Pirzada and others also highlighted various police related issues and gave useful suggestions for their solutions.=DNA

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DNA

Paris; August 12,: A Pakistani sports goods company Euro King Sports based in France has launched a new brand of cricket bat by the name of “Ambassador.”

 CEO of the company Mr. Amjad Sandhu met Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires a.i, Mr. M. Amjad Qazi at the launching ceremony held at the Embassy today. Commercial Counsellor Mr. Moin Wani was also present on the occasion.

Charge d’Affaires a.i. appreciated the company for launching its own brand in a sport which is most loved by the Pakistani people. He said it would help popularize cricket in France as well as in mainland Europe. Pakistani businesses would also gain a foothold  in the European sports goods market, he said.

Mr. Sandhu informed that in addition to this professional cricket bat, his company has also introduced a tennis ball cricket bat. He said this is the first cricket brand in mainland Europe for which Pakistan’s willow is being used.

He also said that cricket is becoming increasingly popular in European countries like France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland and Belgium. In France alone there are around 35 cricket clubs registered with the Association Francaise de Cricket (French Cricket Association). In addition to local players, immigrants from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are also members of these club teams.

Pakistan Embassy France sponsors the most prestigious annual cricket tournament held in France called Jinnah Trophy.