PESHAWAR, NOV 16 (DNA): A roundtable discussion on Pakistan and Afghanistan has suggested for giving a chance to an all-encompassing diplomacy where all segments of society including intelligentsia, religious leaders, media, academia and traders play their positive role for reducing frictions and creating an atmosphere conducive for peace and tranquillity.

“It’s time to make use of `Citizen Diplomacy’ through meaningful people-to-people contact for improving relations between the two neighbouring countries,” it added.

Relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan is complex and this complexity has immediate, as well as far reaching implications not only for both countries but the region as well, observed participants of the roundtable.

According to a press release issued here on Sunday, the roundtable titled as “Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions and Their Regional Implications” was organized by Advocacy for Sustainable Policy and Implementation Reforms (Aspire-KP), a not-for-profit and registered platform of public service professionals from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Former Chief Secretary KP and Chairman Aspire, Muhammad Shehzad Arbab opened the deliberations with a brief introduction of Aspire-KP and objectives of the roundtable.

The participants of the roundtable made several recommendations and observed that being neighbours, Pakistan and Afghanistan are dependent on each other in so many ways and it is almost impossible for both to find alternatives for substituting this dependency.

It was also suggested that government may press into service the intellect and experience of those who understand Afghanistan and Afghans. It will lead to reinforcement of our approach to the subject.

“Conflict, friction and tension do not resolve differences and will create more problems miseries for both countries especially the Pashtuns,” it added.

The loss for Afghanistan will be catastrophic in view of its current situation of economic and social instability, the roundtable warned.

The roundtable observed that separating trade from politics is in the interest of people in both the countries as Pakistan and Afghanistan are centuries old trading partners.

Chambers of Commerce and Industry, traders, exporters, importers, and clearing agents are major stakeholders in Pak-Afghan trade and marginalizing of these stakeholders will have devastating effect on the trade which will lead to unemployment and resultant militancy in the region.

Likewise, students seeking admissions in different universities in Pakistan may be allowed to carry on their education and complete their higher studies.

Regarding repatriation of Afghan refugees, the roundtable recommends a high degree of care and stringent oversight to eliminate the impression of maltreatment and excesses.

Those who attended the roundtable included Habibullah Khan Khattak, Former ACS FATA and Federal Secretary, Arbab Muhammad Arif, Former Home Secretary and ACS FATA, Himayatullah Khan, Former Federal Secretary, Zaffar Iqbal, Zia ul Haq Sarhadi Senior Vice President PAJCCI, Former Senior Member Board of Revenue, Rukhshanda Naz, Former Ombudsperson KP, Dr Muhammad Rasul Jan, Former VC, Dr Qibla Ayaz, Former Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology, Dr Azmat Hayat, former VC Peshawar, Senator Nur ul-Haq Qadri and others.

PESHAWAR, Nov 15 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday said that work on the establishment of Dera Ismail Khan International Airport was progressing in a phased and satisfactory manner, expressing confidence that the project would transform the socio-economic landscape of the entire region.

The Governor made these remarks during a meeting with senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Zafar Ali Khan Gandapur, who called on him at the Governor House Peshawar.

Governor Kundi said that Section 4 has been imposed on the land identified for the airport, while specialised teams from the aviation department are actively engaged in preliminary planning at the site.

He added that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, would soon inaugurate the landmark project.

He said the D.I. Khan International Airport will not only generate employment opportunities at the local level but also boost economic activity across all southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Zafar Ali Khan Gandapur appreciated the Governor’s role in promoting major public-sector projects in D.I. Khan and called for expanding NADRA, passport, and Benazir Income Support Programme facilities in the district.

KP Tourism Authority Hosts Ceremony to Honour Climbers of Tirich Mir Summit

ISLAMABAD, NOV 15 /DNA/ – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), in collaboration with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, organized a special ceremony to honour the mountaineers who successfully summited Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush mountain range.

The event also recognized trekkers who reached the base camp and highlighted the contributions of various tourism stakeholders.

The ceremony was held at a private hotel in Islamabad and attended by distinguished guests, including H.E. Ms. Rita Dhital, Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan; Imad Rasheed, Honorary Consul General of Tunisia; Habibullah Arif, Director General KPCTA; Umar Arshad Khan, Director Tourism; Muhammad Ali Syed, Director Tourism, along with mountaineers, trekkers, and other notable personalities from the tourism sector.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Ms. Rita Dhital praised the initiative of the KP government and KPCTA in supporting the successful summit of Tirich Mir. She stated that such achievements will significantly promote mountain tourism and adventure tourism in Pakistan in the coming years.

DG KPCTA Habibullah Arif remarked that summiting Tirich Mir by Pakistani mountaineers for the first time is a major milestone and a matter of national pride. He added that this achievement will help attract more international climbers to Chitral and other regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Alongside the summit attempt, 70 trekkers successfully completed the trek to the Tirich Mir Base Camp, benefiting over 100 local porters involved in the expedition. During the ceremony, honorary shields were distributed among all climbers and trekkers.

At the event, the Ambassador of Nepal also unveiled a sculpture dedicated to the mountaineer who summited Tirich Mir.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 15 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at the Prime Minister’s House this evening.

The discussions during the meeting focused on further deepening bilateral relations as well as exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation in the economic, trade, investment, health, science and technology, education, as well as defence sectors. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing strategic and economic ties between Pakistan and Jordan, as well as expanding mutually beneficial collaboration at regional and international fora.

The Prime Minister welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein’s visit to Pakistan, highlighting it as a testament to the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Jordan. His Majesty King Abdullah II praised Pakistan’s consistent support for Jordan’s role in regional stability and humanitarian efforts during the Gaza conflict as well as post- war Gaza.

The meeting also featured a comprehensive exchange of views on regional security, peace initiatives.

On the issue of Palestine, both leaders acknowledged the unanimity of views and principled positions taken by Pakistan and Jordan regarding the post-war Gaza; zero-tolerance for any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. The two leaders agreed to enhance coordination among the eight Arab Islamic countries that are working with the U.S. on the Gaza ceasefire and the Gaza Peace Plan signed in Sharm el Sheikh.

The Prime Minister also updated King Abdullah II of Jordan on recent developments in Pakistan’s neighborhood, especially Afghanistan and India. Jordanian King Abdullah-II acknowledged Pakistan’s key role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

His Majesty King Abdullah II thanked the people and Government of Pakistan for their warm hospitality during his visit to Pakistan.

Both the dignitaries witnessed an MoU exchange ceremony in the field of media, culture, and education.

The Prime Minister also hosted a banquet in honour of King Abdullah -İİ and the accompanying delegation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar, Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musaddiq Malik, and senior government officials were also part of the delegation.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 15 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, who conveyed his condolences over the loss of precious lives in the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

They discussed regional developments, including in the Middle East and peace efforts for Gaza.

Emphasizing the importance of continued high-level engagement, FM Abdelatty expressed his desire to visit Pakistan at an early date.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 15 /DNA/ – The German Embassy and the Goethe Institute organised a performance of the “Eva Klesse Quartet”, a jazz band from Germany, at the premises of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad. The band’s highly professional musical performance and the combination of modern jazz and the vibes of their German home city of Cologne energised the public at the PNCA Auditorium. The concert was organised by the German Embassy Islamabad and the Goethe Institute Karachi in collaboration with the PNCA.

German Ambassador Ina Lepel commented: “Germany is of course a country of tradition, but also has a very modern, urban and dynamic culture. We are proud to have the Eva Klesse Quartet with us in Islamabad today because they personify this side of our culture and because they are able to connect really well with the vibrant Pakistani society, especially with young people”.

The Eva Klesse Quartet had previously performed at the “World Culture Festival” in Karachi and at the Alhamra in Lahore. Islamabad is the last station of their trip.

RAWALPINDI, NOV 15: Jordan’s King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day official visit from November 15–16.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed King Abdullah II upon his arrival at the PAF Base Nur Khan in Rawalpindi.

Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman and Minister of State for Federal Education Wajiha Qamar joined the president and prime minister in welcoming the high-level Jordanian delegation.

Shortly after his arrival, King Abdullah II proceeded to the Prime Minister House, where he was presented with a Guard of Honour.

During his visit, King Abdullah II will hold a bilateral meeting with PM Shehbaz, followed by a meeting at the delegation level, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

The FO confirmed the Jordanian leader’s visit on Friday, with a special investiture ceremony scheduled at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House) to confer the highest civilian award upon King Abdullah II.

HYDERABAD, NOV 15: At least two person were killed and several others sustained injuries after a blast occurred in fireworks factory in Hyderabad’s Latifabad area, the assistant commissioner said on Saturday.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 15 (DNA): Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Saturday, spoke with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, conveying warm felicitations ahead of the brotherly Sultanate’s National Day.

“The DPM/FM lauded the enduring Pakistan–Oman fraternal ties. The two sides agreed to reschedule the 8th joint ministerial commission meeting at the earliest mutually convenient date and discussed forthcoming high-level bilateral engagements,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.=DNA

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday signed the Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy Amendment Bills 2025 into law following their approval by parliament.

According to notifications shared by the PPP on the social media platform X, the president gave his assent to the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025.

Advertisement

The bills, presented by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, were passed by both the lower and upper houses of parliament — the National Assembly and the Senate — this week.

What are the key changes?
Under the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, the COAS will concurrently serve as Chief of the Defence Forces for five years. Field Marshal Munir’s tenure will restart from the date the new notification is issued.

Article 243 provisions applicable to a Field Marshal will also apply to a General promoted to the rank. The federal government may authorise the Vice Chief of Army Staff or Deputy Chief of Army Staff to exercise powers of the COAS, under written orders issued on the CDF’s recommendation.

The legislation further clarifies that once the first notification for the dual office is issued, the incumbent COAS’ tenure will be deemed to have recommenced from the date of that notification.

The federal government will determine the duties and responsibilities of the CDF, including multi-domain integration, restructuring and ensuring jointness across the armed forces.

A major structural change approved in the bill is the abolition of the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), to be replaced by the Commander of the National Strategic Command. The prime minister may appoint the commander from among serving Pakistan Army generals for a three-year term, on the COAS/CDF’s recommendation.

The terms and conditions of the appointment will be set by the prime minister, who may also grant a three-year extension in the national security interest. The bill states that any appointment, reappointment or extension for the Commander shall not be challenged before any court.

The Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill, 2025, removes sections 10D, 10E and 10F of the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, which previously dealt with the appointment of the PAF chief as CJCSC, his tenure, extension and retirement.

All references to the CJCSC have been omitted across the Act. Similarly, the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, deletes sections 14D, 14E and 14F concerning the appointment and tenure of the Naval Chief as CJCSC, also removing the term from other provisions of the law.