ISLAMABAD: MAR 17 (DNA) – Pakistan’s newly-appointed ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ejaz on Sunday presented his credentials to King Salman bin Abdul Aziz in a ceremony held at Al -Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.The Custodian of two Holy Mosques welcomed the ambassador to the Kingdom. He wished him success and hoped that he will play a leading role to further enhance the relations between the Kingdom and Pakistan, said a statement issued by the Pakistan Embassy in the Saudi capital.
Cricket brings happiness, light in people’s lives: Ehsan Mani
KARACHI, MAR 17 (DNA) – Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board, Ehsan Mani while addressing the closing ceremony of the PSL 4 said cricket is the only sport that brings happiness and light in the lives of Pakistani people and one should never forget this lesson of the sports.Mani thanked CM Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Commander Karachi, IG Police Sindh, Karachi Police, DG Rangers, Home Secretary Sindh, Karachi Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, Chairman Organizing Committee for stepping up and working tirelessly when the PCB decided to hold all eight games of the PSL 4 at the National Stadium Karachi.
Foreign Minister Qureshi to visit China on March 17
ISLAMABAD, MAR 17 (DNA) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is scheduled to visit China from March 17 to 20, to attend the First Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.Both sides will hold comprehensive discussions on the entire range of bilateral relations including CPEC. Both sides shall also discuss the regional situation and cooperation at multilateral fora.
Foreign Minister of New Zealand phones FM Qureshi
ISLAMABAD, MAR 17 (DNA) – The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand, Rt. Honourable Winston Peters, called Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on telephone and expressed his deepest condolences over the killing of Nine Pakistani nationals and one critically injured, in the terrorist attack on two mosques in the Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March.He conveyed his condolences and sympathies with the bereaved families of the innocent victims.
New Zealand wants answers from tech giants after mosque attack livestream
WELLINGTON: (DNA) – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Sunday said she would be looking for answers from Facebook and other social media firms about how an attack that killed 50 mosque-goers was livestreamed on their platforms.Saying there were “further questions to be answered” by the tech giants, Ardern said Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg had been in contact and “acknowledged what has occurred here in New Zealand”.A horrific video shot by the gunmen who carried out the mosque massacre was livestreamed on Facebook before being removed by the company.
Band performance; delicious cuisines add color to Francophonie festival
ISLAMABAD, MAR 17 (DNA) – Spell-binding band performances and delicious delicacies of various Francophonie member countries added color to the Francophonie Festival held the French Culture Center.Embassies of Argentina, France, Tunisia, Belgium and Switzerland displayed various items at the stalls. Visitors enjoyed home-made delicacies especially prepared by the spouses of the ambassadors for the event.Visitors literally pounced upon the Tunisian stall when it was opened for people. A variety of Tunisian delicacies and traditional Tunisian handicrafts attracted audience in large number.
PM Imran Khan announces national award for Pakistani hero Naeem Rashid
ISLAMABAD (DNA) – Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Sunday announced a national award for a Pakistani Naeem Rashid, who had fought courageously with terrorist Brenton Tarrant while he was mercilessly killing worshippers in Al-Noor and Linwood mosques during Friday’s prayers in New Zealand.The premier also announced assistance for the bereaved families of the nine Pakistani victims.
Iran envoy emphasizes strong counter-terrorism cooperation
ISLAMABAD, MAR 16 (DNA): Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost has called for stronger counter-terrorism cooperation between Iran and Pakistan.The ambassador was speaking at a seminar on ‘Pak-Iran Relations: Current scenario and future prospects’ at Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI).“Iran and Pakistan are victims of terrorism. This concern should be at the top of the agenda of negotiations and consultations between the relevant authorities,” he said.
Belt and Road cooperation brings benefits to Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, MAR 16 (DNA): In recent years, western scholars and media have been pointing fingers at China-Sri Lanka cooperation under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, accusing China of leading Sri Lanka into a “debt trap”.However, with cooperation between the two countries growing stronger and broader, such accusations have been proven to be totally baseless.The cooperation between China and Sri Lanka dates back to decades ago. Even during Sri Lanka’s civil war which lasted for nearly 30 years and ended in 2009, China helped Sri Lanka by constructing the A9 Highway in the war-torn areas.
Six Pakistanis martyred in Christchurch terror attacks, confirms FO
ISLAMABAD, MAR 16 (DNA) – At least six Pakistani citizens have died in the Christchurch terrorist attack, Foreign Office confirmed on Saturday.Three other Pakistanis are still missing and yet to be identified, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said in a statement on Twitter.Authorities in New Zealand have identified the Pakistani martyred as Sohail Shahid, Syed Jahandad Ali, Syed Areeb Ahmed, Mahboob Haroon, Naeem Rashid and his son Talha Naeem.
