MICHEL A. GALOPIN
The General Manager Islamabad Serena Hotel talks to Centreline and DNA
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
The General Manager of the Islamabad Serena Hotel gave an exclusive interview to Centerline and Diplomatic News Agency (DNA). Here are excerpts from his interview for the interest of readers.
Crimea’s parliament formally declared independence from Ukraine and asked to join the Russian Federation. Consequently a referendum was called and according to Ukraine’s chief electoral official, Mikhail Malyshev, the vote was nearly 97% in favour of joining the Russian Federation, with a turnout of 83%. An agreement then was signed after which Crimea has now again became part of Russia. Ukraine has been a place of strife since long. It is basically a tug-of-war between Russia and Europe, presumably for getting greater role and supremacy in the region, and Ukraine unfortunately has been bearing the brunt of this tussle since long.
By Imtiaz Gul
During his rare visit to Kabul in February, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized categorically that ”the peace and stability of Afghanistan has an impact on the security of western China, and more importantly, it affects the tranquility and development of the entire region”. Most observers interpreted it as an expression of the Chinese concern for the Muslim separatist turmoil in Xinjiang. Yet, recent meetings with leading Chinese scholars and academics in Beijing and Guangzhou markedly went beyond these concerns.
RAWALPINDI, MAR 25 (DNA) – – Sheharyar Mirza who was heading the operations of Karachi Marriott Hotel as General Manager has been re-assigned to Pearl Continental Hotel, Rawalpindi. He served as a General Manager before at Pearl Continental , Rawalpindi besides his previous assignments of General Manager at Holiday Inn , Lahore and Group General Manager – Sales & Marketing for all Marriott’s and Pearl Continental Hotels in Pakistan .
BHARAT RAJ PAUDYAL
Ambassador of Nepal talks to Centreline and DNA
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
Let us begin with bilateral relations. How would you describe Pakistan, Nepal relations especially in the fields of trade, tourism and culture?
Nepal and Pakistan enjoy friendly relations. In the front of trade, we have Trade Agreement signed on July 28, 1982 and both the countries are party to the SAFTA. There is good untapped potential for the trade and commerce between the two countries. A Joint Business Council (JBC) was established in November 1996 between the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has signed MOUs with Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry to promote bilateral trade and investment. We expect holding of the third meeting of the JBC between the apex bodies of the private sector soon.
The government on February 26 unfurled its new security policy in the national assembly. The document aims at setting guidelines and future roadmap in order to nip the menace of terrorism in the bud. The national security policy mainly deals with internal security of the country and envisages activation and revival of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NECTA), creation of a rapid response force and establishment of an internal security division and an intelligence division in the interior ministry. Giving salient features of the policy the interior minister said it was a 100 page document which had been finalized in a period of five months. It is a wide ranging security policy and each of its aspects including the economic security and curbing terrorism needed to be focused, he added. The policy would have three dimensions including secret, strategic and operational. The first dimension deals with day to day affairs and it is to be kept secret. The second dimension is of strategic nature while third dimension, which is operational explains how appropriate actions shall be taken whenever need arises.
By Ali Zulfiqaroglu for DNA / Centreline
22 Years past from the day of 26 February 1992 when Armenian forces committed brutal genocide against civilian population of Khojali town of Azerbaijan. This tragedy occupies significant place in the history of humanity with its horror and from the standpoint of actions which contradict the ethics of mankind. It was not only genocide against Turks, but challenge to humanity too.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will hold long-awaited auctions for 3G and 4G telecoms licences this April, the finance minister said on Friday, a step that could help boost the cash-strapped country’s foreign reserves. A 3G licence will cost $295 million and a 4G licence will cost $210 million, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said. He said the government would be looking for full payment, or a 50 per cent payment with the rest to be paid in five equal installments over five years, with an interest rate of three per cent.
