RAWALPINDI, AUG 21 (DNA) – High achiever students in Intermediate exams belonging to Ittehad-e-Tanzeemate-Madaris Pakistan (ITMP) from all over Pakistan met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ.13 students including 4 girls belonging to ITMP achieved top positions in various boards.COAS congratulated the students for securing top positions in various disciplines. He emphasised students to continue working hard and contribute towards prosperous and progressive Pakistan and be part of society as useful citizens.COAS said that ongoing efforts to bring Madaris in fold of mainstream national education system will open avenues for Madaris students to excel in contemporary career streams.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 21 (DNA) – Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul has expressed the commitment to fully enforce the ban imposed on use of plastic shopping bags in the federal capital.Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, she said the ban will be implemented with the cooperation of the people including the civil society and the food chains.Zartaj Gul regretted the incident that took place yesterday with a food chain of the federal capital.She said Islamabad administration and the officials of the ministry of climate change were not acting on personal capacity but they have been fully authorized to ensure implementation of the ban on plastic bags.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 21 (DNA) – As Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led federal government has undertaken a fascinating initiative of ‘Clean and Green Pakistan’ for combating climate change and its adverse impacts on the environment and health, the German Embassy in Islamabad distributed cloth bags among people and students as an alternative to polythene shopping bags.Since August 14, under the Clean and Green Pakistan campaign, polythene bags, plastic bottles, and wrappers for carrying food items have been completely banned in Islamabad.

SYDNEY (DNA) – Pakistani delegation has briefed the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Asia Pacific Group that the country has formulated and implemented strict laws to curb money laundering.The delegation, headed by Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Reza Baqir, has briefed the Asia Pacific Group (APG) – the regional affiliate of the FATF – on 16 recommendations.The international money-laundering watchdog was informed about Pakistan’s legislation, including imposition of heavy fines and sentences for convicts in combating money laundering.The members were told that all travellers within Pakistan have been forbidden from carrying more than $10,000 under the new rules except with the permission from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

RAWALPINDI, AUG 20 (DNA) – Pakistan Army gave a befitting response to Indian CFVs in Tatta Pani Sector along LOC.Indian fire had martyred 3 Pakistani civilians including a 7 years old boy. Pakistan Army targeted Indian posts.As a result 6 Indian soldiers including an officer were killed, many injured, 2 bunkers destroyed.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 20 (DNA) – Federal Cabinet has approved Pak-Turkey Strategic Economic Framework to forge stronger cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey.Briefing newsmen regarding cabinet decisions in Islamabad on Tuesday, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said Prime Minister Imran Khan will head the high-level cooperation committee from Pakistan side while Turkish side will be headed by President Recep Tayyip ErdoganThe framework has nine joint working groups that will be headed by Minister of Economic Affairs from Pakistan side. All sectors of the economy will be covered by joint working groups and 71 actionable items have been included in these.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 20 (DNA) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss the current situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.The Foreign Minister briefed his French counterpart on the illegal and unilateral actions of India to alter the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir,which was in contravention of the international law and UNSC resolutions.He underlined that the steps taken by India in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir entailed a grave risk for peace and security in the region.

–         Says Political complacency also led to Indian decision; calls for a vigorous diplomatic efforts to counter Indian nefarious designs

by Ansar Mahmood Bhatti

ISLAMABAD, Aug 20 (DNA): Azad Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan said on Tuesday weak diplomacy and political complacency encouraged Indian leadership to take audacious step of changing the status of occupied Kashmir.While addressing a crowded press conference at the AJK House today President Masood Khan said vigorous diplomatic efforts were needed to counter Indian nefarious designs.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 20 (DNA) – Scholar and human rights activist of international repute Barrister Rubab Mehdi Rizvi Chairperson International Human Rights Association London (UK) has stated that due to the timely efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi that Kashmir has become global issue and world community will come forward to resolve Kashmir repute.She was addressing a reception in her honor by Ms. Farah Agha Member Punjab Assembly at her residence.Barrister Rubab Mehdi told that on the desire of Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, she has contacted the Human Rights organizations at Washington, New York, London, Paris and brief them about the prevailing the situation in Kashmir.