PARIS, MAY 16 (DNA) – The virtual meeting held in Paris yesterday was aimed at strengthening the link between the Embassy and community, take stock of the situation and problems being faced by the community in the ongoing coronavirus crisis in France, and seeking community’s views on further improving consular services for them.

The Ambassador of Pakistan to France  Mr. Moin ul Haque briefed the community members about services provided to them during the lockdown, including continuous availability of Embassy officials, ration distribution scheme for the needy, operation of special flight to take back home stranded Pakistanis, and catering to all emergent consular issues. While thanking the community for its contribution to ration distribution scheme, he urged them to donate generously to the Prime Minister’s Covid 19 Relief Fund.

He also urged the community to keep the Kashmir issue alive in these testing times and continue expressing their solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

The community members expressed their satisfaction over the role of Embassy during the coronavirus lockdown and offered their services for Embassy’s various projects in promoting Pakistan’s national interest abroad.

In conclusion, the Ambassador stressed that Pakistani community should follow the guidelines of the French government to keep themselves safe from the coronavirus pandemic.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, May 16 (DNA) – A Chinese medical team sent by the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) is on duty 24 hours at Gwadar Port to serve the local people amid spread of COVID-19.

The team is providing medical services since the outbreak of the pandemic in Pakistan, reports Gwadar Pro.

The medical team has compiled and released a work program to control and prevent COVID-19 for Gwadar port, which has integrated the practical situation here and the effective measures proven in China.

It has also tried its best to raise people’s awareness of controlling and prevention of COVID-19.

The medical team has turned the B zone of charity hospital into a quarantine site. The team has also arranged anti-pandemic materials to prepare for the outbreak here.

The medical team’s head Chen Gang said, “Though we are not doctors on infectious diseases, we can deal with the treatment of patients with slight symptoms and guide people how to protect themselves.”

Chen added that the team would like to use their professional medical knowledge and experience to serve well the development of Gwadar port.=DNA

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Tashkent, MAY 16  –  – The World Bank has provided more than US$370 million to Central Asian countries to combat coronavirus (COVID-19). Funds were allocated as part of the global emergency response package, as well as reallocated from projects currently being implemented in these countries with the financial assistance of the World Bank.

“The World Bank has quickly mobilized funds to counter the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with the governments of Central Asian states, we are also reviewing our investment portfolio in the region for a total of US$9.7 billion to provide additional funds to strengthen health systems and mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 for these countries,” said Lilia Burunchuk, Regional Director World Bank in Central Asia during an online briefing organized by the World Bank.

Assistance from the World Bank will enable a wide range of activities to increase the effectiveness of national health systems and primary health care, improve epidemiological monitoring and reporting, and train health workers interacting with infected patients.

The funds provided will also be used to procure important medical equipment, including test kits, laboratory reagents, equipment for intensive care units, as well as personal protective equipment for medical workers.

In addition, depending on the priorities of specific Central Asian countries, funding will allow their governments to expand programs to provide social protection to the most vulnerable segments of the population, establish a distance education system and solve other priorities as part of the mitigation of the pandemic.

“The global economy is experiencing an unprecedented crisis in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, we are on the verge of the worst economic crisis since the Second World War,” said Ivaylo Izvorski, World Bank lead economist in Central Asia during an online briefing. “To mitigate the consequences of COVID-19, countries in the region need to act quickly, starting with planning a way out of the crisis and identifying clear measures and structural reforms to restore economic growth.”

As of 14 May 2020, the World Bank Central Asia response package to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 includes the following projects:

Kazakhstan – as part of the restructuring of the social health insurance project, US$10 million was allocated to purchase 236 mechanical ventilation devices (IVLs) needed to treat patients infected with COVID-19 in various regions of Kazakhstan. Additionally, US$17 million is allocated for the acquisition of 123 mechanical ventilation devices and other medical equipment.

Tajikistan – US$11.3 million under the global emergency response package under the expedited procedure will help expand the capacity for emergency care for the population. The funds are intended for the purchase of medical equipment for resuscitation departments, personal protective equipment for medical workers, test kits and laboratory reagents, as well as training for resuscitation staff and outreach activities to prevent COVID-19. The most vulnerable groups will be protected through temporary social support measures.

Kyrgyz Republic – US$21 million of funding was allocated for the purchase of necessary medical and laboratory equipment, ambulances, mobile equipment for emergency response teams and personal protective equipment for medical workers who are at the forefront of the epidemic.

Uzbekistan – US$95 million will be spent on improving the national health care system, as well as supporting the poor, affected by the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic. The World Bank also provided US$200 million to provide additional funding to the budget amid a significant reduction in tax revenues and an unexpected increase in spending as part of a government anti-crisis program to mitigate the socio-economic effects of the pandemic. In addition, US$17 million was allocated as part of a project to improve the emergency medical care system in Uzbekistan, which will allow the purchase of mechanical ventilation devices, x-ray machines, infusion pumps, test kits, equipment for monitoring the health of infected patients, etc.

Around the world and in Central Asia, the poor and vulnerable groups have been hit hardest by the economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result of rising unemployment, lower wages, higher prices and lower access to education and health services.

To help Central Asian countries mitigate the negative economic consequences of the pandemic, the World Bank, together with the governments of the region, is assessing the situation and studying existing projects with a view to reorganizing and reallocating resources. The World Bank plans to mobilize additional funding to rebuild national economies. His assistance is aimed at maintaining incomes, developing livestock and agriculture, providing social protection services, developing a digital economy, managing information data, etc.

As countries around the world work to improve control over the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, the World Bank Group is taking large-scale and operational steps to help developing countries increase the effectiveness of their response to the pandemic. Over the next 15 months, the World Bank Group will raise US$160 billion to help countries around the world rebuild their economies.

Tashkent, MAY 16 – –– The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Rome organized a video conference of representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Italy-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (СIUZ), Dunyo reports.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed practical joint measures for the development and expansion of bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation this year.

Chairman of the CCI of Uzbekistan Adham Ikramov informed the Italian side about the support provided by the state to small and medium-sized businesses, the conditions created in the country for the development of entrepreneurial and investment activities.

Particular attention is paid to measures to support the business in the context of the СОVID-19 pandemic. In particular, it was noted that the resolution adopted the day before by the President of Uzbekistan is already the fourth document in recent years aimed at assisting business entities.

The talks also announced plans to hold the First Tashkent International Investment Forum (TMIF) in November this year, integrate Uzbekistan into the WTO and the GSP + system. It was noted that the latter will help expand cooperation with foreign partners and opportunities for exporting domestic products to international markets.

The recent visits by Italian business circles to Uzbekistan, including the visit of the delegation of the Lombardy region in November 2019 and the Uzbek-Italian business forum, were highly appreciated. Representatives of large Italian companies were invited to participate in the TMIF in November this year.

Chairman of the Italy-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce Luigi Iperti, in turn, noted that Italy welcomes the achievements and pace of socio-economic development of Uzbekistan over the past three years, as well as the country’s activity in expanding trade and economic relations with foreign countries, including with Italy. He praised the qualifications of Uzbek specialists with whom Italian partners interact.

Iperti emphasized that Uzbekistan is considered in Italy as a key state in Central Asia, which has great economic potential. According to him, our country, with its promising market and the conditions created for business, can become a good outpost for Italian companies to enter the markets of neighboring countries.

In order to strengthen cooperation, the parties expressed their intention to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation, as well as jointly organize online sectoral business forums in the areas of furniture, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.

Tashkent, MAY 16 –– President Shavkat Mirziyoyev once again emphasized that the man-made accident at the reservoir was a great test, a government commission was created and all the forces and opportunities were mobilized to deal with the effects of the flood.

– Again, for the fourth time, I have come to you to organize work and find out how things are with the residents of Syrdarya. Every hour, every minute I ask about the situation here, they report to me by phone, the head of state said.

It was noted that the main task is to restore the living conditions of the population, work has begun on the repair of damaged houses and the construction of new housing.

– Both the repair and the construction of new houses will be free of charge carried out by the state. By 1 September, people will be able to relocate to new apartments and their renovated homes. At the same time, the land under the destroyed houses will remain at the disposal of their owners, the President said.

On behalf of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, material assistance in the amount of 40 million soums and gifts containing household appliances in the form of televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, mini ovens, electric kettles, and irons are transferred to each of about 4.5 thousand homeowners affected by the flood.

Funds in the amount of US$10 million donated by our compatriot Alisher Usmanov were also sent for these purposes. Khokimiyats, ministries and departments, business associations and entrepreneurs also provide sponsorship to Syrdarya region.

Sardobins who were present at the meeting were presented with appropriate gift certificates and bank cards.

TASHKENT, May 15 (agencies):Uzbekistan has extended quarantine measures until the end of May, while lifting a number of restrictions imposed earlier, the Special Republican Commission to Combat Coronavirus said Friday.

The quarantine measures to counteract the spread of COVID-19 are extended until June 1, while domestic air and rail links will be partially resumed starting on May 18, the commission said.

When organizing air and rail transportation, the public must comply with all quarantine rules, including limiting the number of passengers, disinfection and other sanitary requirements, it added.

Earlier this month, Uzbekistan introduced red, yellow and green zones in the country depending on the sanitary and epidemiological situation of COVID-19.

Many businesses are allowed to operate and citizens are allowed to drive their vehicles in green and yellow zones starting from May 18.

Also, for the first time since the lockdown was imposed, parks and museums will reopen while sticking to social distancing rules.

Uzbekistan has registered 2,652 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 11 deaths, and 2,136 people have recovered from the disease so far as the country resumed airlifting its citizens from abroad this week.

Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan

On May 15, Palestinians living around the world commemorated 72^nd Nakba Day. It represents massive displacement of real owners of holy land, the Palestinians. It showcases colossal pains, grieves and sorrows of native people of Palestine. It upholds unshakable peaceful resolve of helpless Palestinians against vicious forces of Israel, the champion of illegal occupier on the lands of Palestinians. Last but not least, it also portrays unfinished struggle, uncompromised commitment and unfading desire of Palestinians to reclaim their lands from Israel.

Due to ongoing deadly and infectious coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the state of emergency announced in the West Bank, Palestinians marked this year’s “Nakba Day” with statements and speeches.

Palestinians on Friday marked the 72nd anniversary of “Nakba Day” (“Day of Catastrophe”) by vowing to thwart Israel’s plan to apply sovereignty to parts of the West Bank and US President Donald Trump’s plan for Mideast peace, also known as the Deal of the Century.

Despite due to natural calamity and sever cruelty of Israel  a number of Fatah activists held a small rally to protest US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Israel this week. The activists carried a sign “Palestine is ours, Jerusalem is ours.”

PA President Mahmoud Abbas said in a televised speech that “those who created our catastrophe wanted Palestine to be land without people or territories and were betting that the name of Palestine would be erased from the records of history.”

To achieve their goal, Abbas said, “they practiced the ugliest conspiracies, pressures, massacres and liquidation projects, the latest being the so-called Deal of the Century.”

Abbas said that “despite all the obstacles, and despite all the aggressive occupation policies, measures and violations, we are proceeding with confident steps towards the restoration of our full rights and the removal of this hateful occupation.”

The Palestine President again repeated his threat to renounce all agreements with Israel if the Israeli government implements its plan to apply sovereignty to any part of the West Bank.

On its part, Fatah faction said in a statement that it would not abandon the goals of its “revolution, particularly achieving the right of return [for Palestinian refugees and their descendants to their former homes in Israel, self-determination, and national independence.”

The immediate goal today, Fatah said, is to “confront the Deal of the Century and the Israeli plan to annex areas of the West Bank.” Fatah added that the Palestinians would “resist in every way this scheme that aims to liquidate the Palestinian cause and the political rights of the Palestinian people.”

PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said that the “biggest challenge the Palestinians are facing today is the Israeli threat to annex” parts of the West Bank. The move, he said, “constitutes the last chapter of a systematic campaign to destroy the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.”

A Palestinian state can’t be established without Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and all of the West Bank, including Area C and the Jordan Valley, Shtayyeh emphasized he added. He further warned that the Israeli plan would not only end the two-state solution, but also pose a threat to regional security and stability.

Palestine the land of unlimited prophecies and prosecutions, holy consensuses and modern day conspiracies, existence of divinity and manmade destructions last but not least mercy and mercilessness have been hub of power struggle and domination of national narratives since centuries. In this connection, Nakba Day is commemorated by Palestinians on May 15, the day after the Gregorian calendar date for Israel’s independence.

“Nakba” is the Arabic word for “catastrophe” or “disaster” and the occasion remembers the 700,000 Palestinians forced to flee as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and seek refuge in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, often without citizenship being granted.

Nakba Day commemorations typically take the form of rallies and speeches in cities around Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, with Palestinian marchers commonly brandishing placards, flags and house keys, the latter symbols of the homes and still-deserted villages their families have not been allowed to return to.

However, this year the rallies have been cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has officially authorised digital activities to observe the anniversary, with many planning to join virtual reality tours and Zoom video chats.

This year’s is the 22nd since Palestinian Authority president Yasser Arafat inaugurated the day in 1998 in response to Israeli celebrations marking half a century of independence, but it had been unofficially commemorated as early as 1949.

Till day, more than 5.3 million Palestinian refugees live outside of Israel were  victims of ethnic cleansing during the 1948 conflict and insist on their right to return to territory they consider their homeland.

Israel refuses to meet the demand because doing so would compromise the Jewish nature of the state defying Resolution 194 passed by the UN in 1948, siding with Palestinians on the issue.

As Palestinians around the world mark the 72nd year of their resistance to Israeli dislocation and dispossession, thousands gathered online for a virtual rally to commemorate Nakba Day and stood in opposition to land theft and annexation.

Justice, equality and dignity in Palestine/Israel must include Palestinians realizing their right to return home. Nakba means catastrophe in Arabic, and Nakba Day refers to the destruction of hundreds of Palestinian villages and the violent expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians that began with Israel’s founding, and that continues to this day.

 The catastrophes of the Nakba continue through ongoing land theft and expulsion. Israeli annexation means more deeply entrenched apartheid, more home and village demolitions, and the further loss of Palestinian land, livelihoods, and connections.  All Palestinians stand together in resistance.

Palestinians suffered the pain of displacement between tents and camps and used to sleep on ground under the sky since 1948. Their original homes were stolen and they were left to live in crowded camps.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 47 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli soldiers during the latest protests. Witnesses said the soldiers fired live ammunition, tear gas canisters and rubber coated steel bullets to disperse protesters and keep them away from the fence.

From ancient prophecies to modern profit orientation of modern state, politics and economy, unending struggle of Palestine people against aggression, political isolation economic marginalization and social alienation is still alive and sustainable.

The loyal Palestinians have been confronting the Israeli occupation since 1948. It has been unending journey during which hundreds of thousands innocent people have been martyred, wounded and kept in prisoners.

Unfortunately, Palestinians have also been victim of state terrorism and racist policies of Israel. Constant apartheid policies of Israel has badly damaged basic core of the society. Nevertheless, it has been vivid reflection of its collective struggle, determination, nationalism, patriotic spirits and above all political means to defend its rights of independence despite all hurdles.

With the passage of time, Israeli occupation has been further strengthened which is still being implemented and making lives of common Palestinians miserable and crestfallen. Israeli policy of annexation and grabbing of land from the real owners (Palestinians) have been creating havocs in the lives of our people.

The Israel forces have been wagging unstoppable human siege, cruelty, brutality, drastic demographic decomposition, social and political marginalization, alienation, and ruthless killing in its home land. Israel forces are also engaged to destroy limited resources of human survival in shape of SME, agriculture, demolition of comfort zones (houses/homes) and building, massive displacement, harming natural harmony and racist separation walls etc. According to World Bank report restrictions on Palestinian movement and access have serious repercussions on its fragile national economy.

Despite all hurdles Palestinians are still fighting against all odds and hold the flag of steadfastness and hope that one day siege of darkness and injustice may be over and they will reclaim their lost paradise from illegal occupier Israel in the days to come.