ISLAMABAD, AUG 21 (DNA) – Ali Alizade, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has stated that winners of the essay competition will get the chance to visit Azerbaijan for a week. Ali Alizade while meeting with the winners of “What do I know about Azerbaijan?” on Tuesday, has stated that the winners of the essay competition will visit Azerbaijan for a week at the end of August.On the occasion of his meeting with the six competition winners, Alizade expressed gratitude towards the Pakistani youth for showing interest in the competition. He also praised them for taking part in the essay writing contest 2019, which was organized under the Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 21 (DNA) -Dr Christian Turner CMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in succession to Mr Thomas Drew CMG who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.Dr Turner will take up his appointment by December 2019.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 21 (DNA) – A group of ten high school students of Cadet College Hasan Abdal along with their one accompanying supervisor will be visiting Japan from 13th to 19th September, 2019 on the invitation by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) under the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science which is known as the “SAKURA Science Plan.”The Embassy of Japan today arranged a pre-departure orientation session for the visiting students and also presented travel documents to them.Kuninori Matsuda, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, while speaking on the occasion, congratulated the students upon their selection for SAKURA Science Plan.He hoped that the young Pakistani high schools students would get an opportunity during their visit to Japan to experience the modern scientific and technological advancements of Japan.

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.