ISLAMABAD, MAR 04 (DNA) – Speakers on Monday called for providing internal autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan instead of keeping its identity in perpetual limbo adding governing coalitions may be formed that function through cooperative mechanisms like negotiation and compromise.These recommendations were put forward by speakers during the second part of the IPRI National Dialogue Series roundtable on ‘Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Concerns, Reservations and Aspirations: Mainstreaming GB’ moderated by former Federal Law Minister and President of Research Society of International Law (RSIL) Ahmer Bilal Soofi.
Amid mounting protests, Algeria’s Bouteflika promises to quit early if re-elected
ALGIERS: (DNA) – Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s campaign manager has formally submitted official papers on Sunday confirming that he will seek re-election.He said he had offered to step down after a year if re-elected.Abdelghani Zaalane submitted the papers at the constitutional council in Algiers responsible for collecting the papers of candidates for the April 18 presidential election. The president also wrote a letter that was read out on state television by Zaalane on his behalf.
Saudi Arabia ranks 9th most powerful country in new US study
JEDDAH: (DNA) – A US study has ranked Saudi Arabia as the ninth most powerful country in the world in terms of political and financial influence.Saudi Arabia was described as a “Middle East giant” and the Kingdom has very large oil reserves and exports to many countries around the world, and millions of Muslims visit Makkah throughout the year for pilgrimage.The study published by the Business Insider magazine listed the US at the top of the list, followed by Russia, China, Germany and Britain.
Space power plant and a mission to Mars: China’s new plans to conquer the final frontier
Beijing, (DNA) – China says it is working to develop a solar energy plant in space that could one day beam enough power back to Earth to light up an entire city.If scientists can overcome the formidable technical challenges, the project would represent a monumental leap in combating the Earth’s addiction to dirty power sources which worsen air pollution and global warming.A space-based solar power station could also provide an alternative to the current generation of earthbound and relatively ineffective renewable energy sources.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May phones Imran Khan
ISLAMABAD, MAR 03 (DNA) – UK Prime Minister Theresa May made a phone call to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday.Prime Minister Imran Khan apprised the UK Prime Minister of Pakistan’s perspective on the developments since the Pulwama incident.Prime Minister May welcomed Prime Minister’s decision of releasing the Indian pilot, which has been widely appreciated by the international community.
Uzbekistan Tourist Information Centre opens in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, MAR 3 (DNA) – The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Furqat Sidiqov along with Minister of State for Climate Change, Government of Pakistan Zartaj Gul inaugurated “Uzbekistan Tourist Information Centre” on Sunday.“Uzbekistan Tourist Information Centre” would help further promote Uzbekistan and its tourism along with Uzbek culture in Pakistan by providing information, guidance, support, help and contacts for tourism promotion as well as for educational and business opportunities present in Uzbekistan for people of Pakistan.Since Uzbekistan is the only country for Central Asia having direct flight contact (regular flights from Pakistan to Tashkent), therefore this Information Centre is being considered as Gateway to Central Asia.
Palestine ‘top priority’ for Saudi Arabia: Al-Jubeir
ABU DHABI: (DNA) – Saudi Arabia will be relentless in its pursuit of a Palestinian state according to 1967 borders and with Jerusalem as its capital, the Kingdom’s minister of state for foreign affairs told his Islamic counterparts at a meeting in Abu Dhabi.Adel Al-Jubeir headed the Kingdom’s delegation to the 46th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers, which started on Friday.
Trump rips into Mueller probe at CPAC during lengthy speech
WASHINGTON, (DNA) – President Donald Trump attacked special counsel Robert Mueller’s credibility Saturday, disparaging former Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former FBI Director James Comey as Washington waits for Mueller’s report in the coming weeks.In a largely unscripted, wide-ranging speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference lasting more than two hours, Trump hit on several key issues in a characteristic fashion — mocking proponents of the Green New Deal, vowing to protect free speech on college campuses with an executive order and taking shots at his longtime rival and 2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren.
Captain among eight Indian soldiers killed, 32 injured: Dr Rajiv Tripathi
SRI NAGAR (DNA News) – Indian army has been suffering heavy casualties along the Line of Control (LoC) after Pakistan armed forces retaliated to unprovoked ceasefire violation by India.Twitter account of Dr Rajiv Tripathi, who had been updating about casualties of Indian soldiers in Rajouri district of Indian-occupied Kashmir (IOK), has been blocked after he tweeted that dead bodies of eight soldiers including a captain of Indian army were brought to a hospital.Furthermore, he stated that 32 injured paramilitary troops were also being treated at the hospital.Meanwhile, media was restricted from entering into the hospital and doctors were ordered to conceal that information from the public and media.
Flight operations resume at Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport
LAHORE (DNA News) – Following slight ease in intense standoff between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India, flight operations at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore have been resumed after four days, Dunya News reported.Meanwhile, all airlines have been informed about the resumption of flight operations.All domestic and international flight operations were suspended on Wednesday after Pakistan shot down two Indian fighter jets for violating Pakistan’s airspace.However on Sunday, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has informed all airlines to reschedule their flights.
