For the first time, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has carved out a robust South Asia policy with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman’s historic visit to first Pakistan then to India having consequences for Pakistan’s rising regional clout, Iran’s nuclear aspirations, Pak-Indo stability, rising Asian energy and vast consumers’ markets and Afghanistan’s peace efforts. In other words, the KSA now is on the balance reorienting it’s calculus to Asian-centric then to American centric policy.
Foreign Minister Qureshi meets U.S. lawmakers in Munich Security Conference
BERLIN, (DNA) – Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi today met a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers led by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.Sen. Graham chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and also serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sen. Graham was joined by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D), Senator Chris Coons (D), Senator Rick Scott (R), Senator John Barrasso (R), Senator Bob Menendez (D). Meanwhile from the US House of Representatives Congressmen Mike Gallagher (R), Jim Banks (R), Mac Thornberry (R), Mike Turner(R), Tom Malinowski (D), Jim Langevin (D), Elise Stefanik (R), Elissa Slotkin (D), Dan Crenshaw (R) and Joe Wilson (R) attended the meeting. Former Senators Joe Lieberman and Saxby Chambliss also joined the US lawmakers.
Saudi Prince now will come on Feb 17
ISLAMABAD, FEB 15: The Saudi Crown Prince who was supposed to come on Saturday will now come on Sunday.
He will be here for two days and will leave on Monday.
NAB to launch probe into Firdous Ashiq Awan’s assets
LAHORE (DNA) – After initiating probe against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Aleem Khan, the National Accountability (NAB) has now decided to investigate asset details of Firdous Ashiq Awan.Details suggest that NAB has summoned the details of Awan’s properties from Lahore Development Authority (LDA).Her NIC number has also been provided to LDA.
Afghanistan: 30th anniversary of Soviet troops withdrawal being observed
KABUL, (DNA) – In Afghanistan, 30th anniversary of withdrawal of Soviet troops from the country observed on Friday.In this regard a ceremony was held in Kabul in which representatives of the families and relatives of those who lost their lives in the fight against the Soviet forces in Afghanistan participated.
Saudi Crown Prince to arrive in Islamabad on Saturday
ISLAMABAD (DNA) – Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Salman will arrive in Islamabad on Saturday on a two-day official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.The Crown Prince will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation including members of the Saudi Royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen.This will be the first state-level visit of the dignitary to Pakistan since his elevation to the position of the Crown Prince in April 2017.During his visit, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman will call on the President Dr. Arif Alvi. He will also meet PM Imran and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Indonesian puppeteers present mesmerizing show at Rafi Peer theatre
LAHORE, FEB 15 (DNA) – Indonesian embassy took an active part in the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop being held in Lahore and puppeteers from Indonesia prestned a mesmerizing show. The festival will continue till 17th.The Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop is a unique cultural organization with a history spanning more than four decades.Ambassador of Indonesia Iwan S. Amri along with his team participated and inaugurated the event together officials of Rafi Peer Theater including well-know actor and playwright Usman Pirzada, Faizan Pirzada and others.Rafi Peer Theatre expertise comprises production of cultural festivals, live events in the fields of music, puppetry, theatre and cultural collaborations on an international scale.
Korea provides equipment for conservation of movable heritage
ISLAMABAD, FEB 15 (DNA) – Pakistan and South Korea have warm cultural relations which are deep routed in the history.Especially, common heritage of Buddhism is of particular importance for further cementing cultural and religious ties between the two countries.The Republic of Korea and its Embassy in Pakistan are committed to increase relations with Pakistan for preservation of cultural heritage and to promote tourism in Pakistan.
Islamabad United prevail over Lahore Qalanders in PSL-4 opener
DUBAI (DNA) – Islamabad United kept their nerves after losing three early wickets in one over from Rahat Ali to register an impressive five-wicket victory over Lahore Qalanders in the opening match of the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL-4) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.Faheem Ashraf hit a six on the second ball of the 20th over bowled by Lahore Qalanders captain Muhammad Hafeez to seal the match for the defending champions Islamabad United
Pence demands EU isolate Iran as Israelis, Arabs unite
WARSAW (DNA) – US Vice President Mike Pence demanded Thursday that Europeans drop a nuclear deal with Iran and join in seeking to cripple the regime, a cause that united Israel with longtime Arab rivals at a conference in Warsaw.Major European powers sent low-level representation to the US-initiated meeting, suspicious of US President Donald Trump s hawkish impulses and convinced the 2015 deal under which Iran drastically scaled back its nuclear programme is working.
