The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, on Sept 29, 2015 while speaking at Asia Security Conference in the German city of Munich said the perpetual instability in Afghanistan had telling effects on the region adding despite hurdles, peace and reconciliation were of vital importance for a larger settlement in Afghanistan.The COAS also highlighted that instability within and without had deeply affected the socio-economic climate in Pakistan. He said the current approaches to restore stability within Pakistan had opened up economic opportunities for the country and the region. He certainly had a point when he categorically stated that some practical steps were required to manage the Pak-Afghan borders for gainful conclusion of the military operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Song Jong-hwan : Celebration ‘Korea Month’ to further cement Korea-Pakistan ties
Ambassador of Republic of Korea Talks to DNA and Centreline
Ansar Mahmood Bbhatti
Ambassador of Republic of Korea Mr. Song Jong-hwan gave an exclusive interview to Diplomatic News Agency (DNA) and Centreline. He talked about a variety of issues ranging from bilateral relations to regional matters. Ambassador Song Jong-hwan is a career diplomat and has precise grip over regional as well as global issues. He is extremely keen to see South Korea, Pakistan relations growing at a fast speed. He talked about a number of projects, especially in the field of energy, which after completion, would ease out Pakistan’s energy related issues. Here is the text of the interview.
Chinese company to build LNG, gas pipeline projects in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: A Chinese firm will be awarded the contract to build $2.5 billion Gwadar liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline in November, Interstate Gas Systems (ISGS), who opened the technical bid for the construction of projects told media personnel on Wednesday.Mubeen Saulat, ISGS managing director, said that the Chinese state firm China Petroleum Pipelines Bureau (CPP) has submitted technical and commercial bids in accordance with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules. While ISGS, after scrutinising the documents opened the technical bid adding that the commercial bid will be opened in November.
Pakistan says occupation of Afghan territory by any group ‘unacceptable’
NEW YORK:Commenting on the capture by the Taliban of the Afghan city of Kunduz, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the occupation of a part of Afghanistan by any group was “unacceptable” to Pakistan.“Afghanistan is being run by a democratically elected and legitimate government and occupation of its territory by any group is unacceptable,” the top diplomat told reporters at a news briefing.“Pakistan believes that the solution to the Afghan issue lies in further cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” he said. “We should avoid blame game and find means to a lasting solution between the two countries.”
PM proposes formalization of LoC ceasefire, demilitarization of Kashmir
NEW YORK, Sept 30 (DNA): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday proposed formalization of the 2003 ceasefire along the Line of Control and expansion of the UN observers to monitor the ceasefire.Addressing the UN General Assembly he also suggested demilitarization of Kashmir.“I want to use the opportunity today to propose a new peace initiative with India, starting with measures that are the simplest to implement,” he said.
Over 750 Hujjaj killed in Mina
MAKKAH, SEPT 24: As many as 750 Hujjaj were killed during a stampede in the process of throwing stones at Satan. Over 900 people were seriously injured in this process. The stampede took place at the ground floor. There are three floor dedicated for this purpose. This is very strange that every year this process takes place and every year people are killed in this process. No steps seem to have taken to overcome this problem. Earlier this month over 140 people were killed in crane incident.
20 incluidng army Captain killed as TTP attacks air forece camp: 13 terrorists killed
PESHAWAR: 20 people inlcluding an army Captain were killed in air force camp attack. 13 terrorists have also been killed. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) camp at Inqalab road in Peshawar’s Badaber area came under attack early Friday.Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani claimed responsibility for the attack in an e-mail sent to journalists.Thirteen militants were killed by security forces, Director-General (DG) Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Asim Bajwa said on Twitter. According to ISPR so far 08 terrorists have been killed while four army personnel got injuries. The injured have been shifted to hospital.Sixteen people offering prayers at a mosque inside the airforce camp were killed by a group of militants, Bajwa said.Two junior PAF technicians were killed in the attack, a PAF spokesperson said, adding that both airmen were deployed at the guardroom when the attack occurred.Terrorists entered the camp at two points, splitting into sub-groups, Bajwa claimed. The encounter began immediately due to the quick response from security forces, he said.
Turkmenistan one of most repressive counties in the world. HRW report
World Report 2014: Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan remains one of the world’s most repressive countries. The country is virtually closed to independent scrutiny, media and religious freedoms are subject to draconian restrictions, and human rights defenders and other activists face the constant threat of government reprisal. The government continues to use imprisonment as a tool for political retaliation. The release of several political prisoners and the adoption of some new laws that some have hailed as “reform,” have barely dented this stark reality.
Turkish airlines direct flight to Baku from next month
ISLAMABAD, AUG 27 (DNA) – Turkish Airlines is planning to launch direct flights from Islamabad to Baku twice a week by the end of September 2015 and all necessary preparations for this purpose are being finalized, observed Mr. Yunus MERT, General Manager, Turkish Airline during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.He said Turkish Airlines has already started daily flights for Islamabad and Lahore and now it was planning to connect Pakistan with Central Asia by launching twice a week flights from Islamabad to Baku. It shows the commitment of Turkish Airlines to serve the people of Pakistan and contribute to bring two brother countries further closer.
Nedim Makarevic Bosnia a heaven for foreign investors
Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina talks to Centreline and DNA
Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mr. Nedim Makarevic talked to Centreline and Diplomatic News Agency(DNA) on a variety of issues. He specifically talked about the areas where both countries could cooperate with each other besides discussing business prospects in Bosnia. Nedim Makarevic is a highly qualified person. His two books were recently launched in Pakistan. Excerpts from his interview: Let us begin with bilateral relations. How would you describe Pakistan-Bosnia relations in the field of politics and business?
