DAMASCUS, (DNA) — The final battle to end ISIS’s caliphate is now underway as US-backed forces push into the group’s last stronghold in Syria.But the predicted victory may be short-lived for Western countries, which will be forced to confront the problem of what to do with their citizens who went to Syria or Iraq to join the militant group.Hundreds of Western ISIS fighters are being held in refugee or detention camps by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria. Many others may still be ensconced in ISIS’s last bastion — which is shrinking by the hour — in the town of Baghouz Al-Fawqani.
Kazakhstan keen to diversify ties with Pakistan: envoy
ISLAMABAD, MAR 4 (DNA) –Ambassador of Kazakhstan Barlybay Sadykov has said that his country was keen to diversify ties with Pakistan adding Kazakhstan and Pakistan have a long history of friendly relationship, with their beginning dating back to the early 1990’s.Pakistan was among the first nations in the world to have recognized Kazakhstan’s sovereignty shortly after demise of the Soviet Union. That was probably the reason of why one of the first international visits of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev was paid to Pakistan in early 1992.
SAARC CCI invites PFC to participate in one-day conference at Nepal
LAHORE, MAR 04 (DNA) – SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) on Monday extended invitation to Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) to participate in one day conference “Role of Chambers in Strengthening Regional Economic Integration” scheduled to be held at Kathmandu, Nepal on March 16.PFC Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq disclosed this while chairing a meeting of board of directors, on Monday.
RCCI to organize All Pakistan Chambers Presidents Conference on MAR 6
RAWALPINDI, MAR 04 (DNA) – The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) is going to organize two days All Pakistan Chambers Presidents Conference (APCPC) on March 6-7 in Islamabad.President RCCI Malik Shahid Saleem while providing details said that it is an honor and legacy for RCCI that it has been organizing this event for the last ten years on regular basis.
Pakistan’s President for exploring Ziyarah tourism potential of Uzbekistan
ISLAMABAD, MAR 4 (DNA) – President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi said on Monday relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan are exemplary adding these relations would get a further boost in the coming days.The President also underlined importance of Uzbekistan in Ziyarah tourism and said both countries have great potential to strengthen bilateral cooperation in this particular field.The President expressed these views during his meeting with Ambassador of Uzbekistan Furqat Sidikov who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Airspace fully reopened: CAA
ISLAMABAD: (DNA) – Pakistan fully reopened its airspace on Monday, authorities said, days after it closed its skies to all air travel, leaving thousands stranded worldwide as tensions with nuclear arch-rival India soared.The decision to close the airspace came last Wednesday after an aerial dogfight with Indian air force over the occupied territory of Kashmir ignited fears of all-out conflict, with world powers rushing to urge restraint.
Speakers call for internal autonomy for Gilgit-Baltistan
ISLAMABAD, MAR 04 (DNA) – Speakers on Monday called for providing internal autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan instead of keeping its identity in perpetual limbo adding governing coalitions may be formed that function through cooperative mechanisms like negotiation and compromise.These recommendations were put forward by speakers during the second part of the IPRI National Dialogue Series roundtable on ‘Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Concerns, Reservations and Aspirations: Mainstreaming GB’ moderated by former Federal Law Minister and President of Research Society of International Law (RSIL) Ahmer Bilal Soofi.
Amid mounting protests, Algeria’s Bouteflika promises to quit early if re-elected
ALGIERS: (DNA) – Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s campaign manager has formally submitted official papers on Sunday confirming that he will seek re-election.He said he had offered to step down after a year if re-elected.Abdelghani Zaalane submitted the papers at the constitutional council in Algiers responsible for collecting the papers of candidates for the April 18 presidential election. The president also wrote a letter that was read out on state television by Zaalane on his behalf.
Saudi Arabia ranks 9th most powerful country in new US study
JEDDAH: (DNA) – A US study has ranked Saudi Arabia as the ninth most powerful country in the world in terms of political and financial influence.Saudi Arabia was described as a “Middle East giant” and the Kingdom has very large oil reserves and exports to many countries around the world, and millions of Muslims visit Makkah throughout the year for pilgrimage.The study published by the Business Insider magazine listed the US at the top of the list, followed by Russia, China, Germany and Britain.
Space power plant and a mission to Mars: China’s new plans to conquer the final frontier
Beijing, (DNA) – China says it is working to develop a solar energy plant in space that could one day beam enough power back to Earth to light up an entire city.If scientists can overcome the formidable technical challenges, the project would represent a monumental leap in combating the Earth’s addiction to dirty power sources which worsen air pollution and global warming.A space-based solar power station could also provide an alternative to the current generation of earthbound and relatively ineffective renewable energy sources.
