ISLAMABAD, AUG 14(DNA) – British High Commissioner to Pakistan Philip Barton has said it is up to the British police to look into Altaf Hussain’s statements whether they are inflammatory or not and the British government has nothing to do with this issue.The British government is however fully aware of sentiments of Pakistani people because of Altaf Hussain’s statements, Philip Barton said while giving an interview to a private TV channel.
He further said he had a number of meetings with Pakistan interior minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan however he will not share details of these bilateral meetings. He admitted to had met other high ranking Pakistani officials also on Altaf Hussain issue.
Democracy strengthening in Pakistan, says Philip Barton
The glass is half full by Philip Barton
The first week back from a holiday brings a fresh perspective and a new impetus to your work. While of course the day-to-day business of diplomacy goes on – as witnessed by the successful visit to Pakistan by the Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon – it is a chance to step back and reflect.From outside Pakistan, you get a clearer view of how the country is perceived by the wider world. There is no point in mincing words: Pakistan is too often seen as synonymous with terrorism and violence. Every diplomat has their own story to tell of being asked “Did they make you go to Pakistan?” or “Isn’t that a war zone?” and having to explain what a great place Pakistan is to live in. Nevertheless, this perception is deeply embedded and makes it hard for Pakistan to make the most of the global marketplace and the benefits of global opportunities.
Cyprus solution hopes re-kindled
Cyprus, an island inhibited by Greeks and Turks, got independence from Britain in 1960. For the first three years of independence both the communities somehow managed to co-exist however in 1963 disturbances started. According to the Turkish Cypriots, the then leadership of Greek Cyprus denied even basic rights to the Turkish community and started killing them. The tense situation continued on the island and a time came in 1974 when the Greek leadership tried to have enosis (reunion of the island with Greece). Then the Turkish forces landed at the island on July 20, 1974 to prevent this enosis. Since then the North side celebrates July 20 as the peace and operation day. I had a chance to attend these celebrations. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the chief guest on the occasion.
Turkey to deal with terrorism with an iron hand, says Tayyip Erdogan
Cyprus solution only on the basis of bi-zonality, bi-communality: Akinci
By Ansar Mahmood Bhatti in Nicosia
Nicosia, North Cyprus,) – President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his country would deal with terrorism with an iron hand adding terrorists cannot stop them from their struggle to nip this menace in the bud. The Turkish president was speaking to media upon his arrival in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to attend 41sr anniversary of peace and freedom operation. The Turkish president was referring to July 20 terrorists’ attacks in Turkey in which 28 people were killed.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister: ECHR judgment should also guide OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs
On 16 June 2015, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) announced its judgment (Merits) on the case of Chiragov and others v. Armenia. At the outset, could you please provide some general background information on this case?
– As you know, the case that you are referring to originated in an application against the Republic of Armenia lodged with the ECHR on 6 April 2005 by six Azerbaijani nationals, who were forcibly expelled from the occupied Lachin district of Azerbaijan during the Armenian aggression. In essence, the applicants submitted to the Court that they were prevented from returning to their homes in the Lachin district and were thus unable to enjoy their properties located there due to continuing occupation of the district of Lachin by the armed forces of Armenia. They submitted that this amounted to continuing violations of their property rights, guaranteed under Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and Article 8 of the Convention that protects the right to respect for private and family life. They also submitted that there was a violation of Article 13 of the Convention in that no effective remedy was available in respect of the above complaints. Finally, with a view to all complaints set out above, they complained that they were subjected to discrimination by virtue of ethnic origin and religious affiliation in violation of Article 14 of the Convention.
Palestine thanks Pakistan for supporting human rights council resolution
ISLAMABAD, JUL 10 (DNA) – Dr. Riad Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine has thanked MR. SARTAJ AZIZ, Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, thanking Pakistan, through a letter, for supporting the resolution of the Human Rights Council in its 29th Session on “Ensuring accountability and justice for all violations of International law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem”, Pakistan voted on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in favour of the resolution, where 41 out of 47 members voted ‘Yes’ in favour of the resolution, 5 abstained including India and 1 USA voted ‘No’.
Money laundering and the West By Imtiaz Gul
The European Union (EU) and Switzerland signed a tax transparency agreement late last month that will put an end to Swiss banking secrecy for EU residents. The two sides will start sharing data on residents’ financial accounts from 2018. The data will include names, addresses, tax identification numbers and dates of birth, as well as a broad set of other financial and account balance information, according to the agreement.Work on similar deals with small princely states such as Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino, some of the most favoured tax havens and parking lots for dirty funds, are also underway. Notorious current and ex-rulers can easily stash funds there without disclosing their source. Not only have members of ruling elites from Pakistan, India, most African countries and the Gulf abused the Swiss laws and off-shore companies hidden ill-gotten money, even celebrities such as Boris Becker, John McEnroe did the same, without declaring their funds at home. These Western celebrities often paid heavily for non-declaration of funds in Switzerland or in the accounts of off-shore companies because financial accountability and the rule of law hardly leaves anybody off the hook.
Changing Regional Scenario & Role of China-Pakistan
By (Mohammad Abdullah Gul)
Historical Background
Hardly ever before in the history of this region an Asian heartland power has had a conflict free access to the warm waters of The Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. While it is unprecedented it is also highly alarming for the imperial powers and their affiliates who have held unchallenged sway over the region for centuries. It redounds to the credit of the special relationship between China and Pakistan over the past six decades. This historical miracle has now started to blossom; manifestly, in the form of the trading corridor between Kasghar & Gawadar – a strategically located deep sea port at the mouth of Persian Gulf which produces major quantities of oil & gas without which the engine of progress of all developed and developing countries cannot run.
Basit Maqsood Abbasi A “game changer” for economy
TUSDEC CEO gives an interview to Centreline and DNA
By Yasir Habib Khan
Pakistan’s embattling economy looks to be on the mend. Index provider MSCI tends to consider Pakistan among emerging markets of the world. Inflation has been subsiding gradually and foreign exchange reserves gain steady upswing. Efforts are afoot to spur economic growth to around 7 percent. GDP growth is expected to ramp up to 4.7 percent in 2016.
