Huge scope for Tajikistan, Pakistan Cooperation in Energy; other sectors
SHERALI JONONOV
Ambassador of Tajikistan talks to Centreline and DNA
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
Mr. Sherali Jononov is a career diplomat. Ever since his appointment as Ambassador to Pakistan, he has undertaken a number of steps to further strengthen relations between Tajikistan and Pakistan. The construction of Tajik Embassy building inside the diplomatic enclave has already started, which speaks volumes for the close relationship between the two brotherly countries. Mr. Jononov is keen in further expanding and diversifying bilateral relations. His country is especially keen to help Pakistan in the energy sector. Here are excerpts from his interview for readers’ interest.
NW Operation: The Ideas of March
BEYOND MOUNTAINS
Fakhar Kakakhel
There are speculations about operation in North Waziristan. If there are negotiations what kind of negotiations going on and on what conditions?. If there would be operation what kind of operation it would be? And what would be the aftermath? These are the burning questions giving birth to speculations, arguments and counter arguments.
Changes in the priorities
Muhammad Mehdi
Iran’s landmark accord should not be bracketed with solely America. Russia and China are also the main players. Iran cannot neglect them and afford a complete bent merely on the US. In this perspective, a debate has intensified that Pakistan must follow the footsteps of Iran and learn a lesson from its well-knitted pact. However, before this awesome pact is judged by its spiral benefits, tipping point is how it affects Iran-Saudi Arab relations.
EVERGREEN BUT NEVERGREEN
ALI SUKHANVER
Separation of the East Pakistan from the West Pakistan seems one of the most favourite topics of our friends in India. They always eagerly spend a lot of time in highlighting the reasons, the circumstances and the aftermaths rather the after shocks of this unfortunate incident. For the people of Pakistan this incident would always remain a chapter of painful memories; a tale of brutal conspiracies and a story of unshed tears but for our Indian friends it is a glimmering symbol of victory and achievement. They made a plan and succeeded in materializing it with the help of their hereditary ‘skill and talent’ but at the same time their success owes to the inborn innocence of our brothers in Bangladesh. We, the Pakistanis, as a nation, are trying our best to act upon an old wise saying, ‘let bygones be bygones’.
GSP PLUS STATUS: Don’t squander EU goodwill
Imtiaz Gul
The Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) that the European Parliament recently granted to Pakistan for three years underscores an unusual level of goodwill for the conflict-hit country. The status has evoked considerable optimism, embedded in the potential of increased partially zero tariff exports to the European triggered. This also prompted Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar to speculate that theoretically the GSP Plus could add up to $2 billion to Pakistan’s exports to the EU, which are currently valued at about $5.6 billion a year, with textiles accounting for the majority of it (the duty on textile exports will be reduced to zero from existing level of 9.6 percent).
Asian youth ministry officials to convene in India
London, 4 February 2014 – Senior government officials from Commonwealth countries in Asia convene in Chandigarh, India this week to review their priorities for youth development.Representatives of Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore and Sri Lanka will attend the senior officials meeting on 5 and 6 February, which is being convened by the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP). India’s head of delegation is Mr Rajeev Gupta, Secretary for Youth at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
BISP To Be Made A Transparent, Efficient Entity
ENVER BAIG
Waheed Hussain BISP was initiated in October 2008 with an initial allocation of Rs.34 billion (US $ 425 million approximately) for the financial year 2008-09. The Programme aimed at covering 3.5 million families in the financial year 2008-2009. The allocation for the financial year 2012-13 is Rs. 70 billion to provide cash assistance to 5.5 million families, which constitutes almost 18% of the entire population. Thus the Programme aims at covering almost 40% of the population below the poverty line. BISP is being implemented all across Pakistan including: all four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, and Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK),Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Islamabad Capital Territory(ICT). To know more about BISP and its future plans Centreline and DNA conducted an exclusive interview of Chairman Enver Baig. Here are excerpts from his interview.
Syrian forces step up deadly attacks on Aleppo
DAMASCUS: Syrian forces bombarded Aleppo with barrel bombs and air raids for a second day Sunday, with scores of people killed in 48 hours, a monitor said, after peace talks ended inconclusively. At least 36 people were killed in Sunday’s attacks alone on Syria’s second city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, after reporting 85 deaths the previous day. Saturday’s toll was one of the bloodiest in weeks and reflects the deep divide between the government of President Bashar al-Assad and his opponents despite 10 days of peace talks.
Strong earthquake rattles Greek island
ATHENS: A strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck near the Greek island of Cephalonia in the Ionian Sea early Monday, the the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The quake hit at 5:08 am (0308 GMT) with its epicentre just 12 kilometres from the town of Lixourion, 300 kilometres west of Athens, the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of any damage or casualties. A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck the same region late last month. That quake was felt on several Ionian islands and as far away as the capital Athens. Greece is one of Europe’s most earthquake-prone countries.
