PESHAWAR, Sep 10 (APP): Newly appointed US Consul General in Peshawar, Thomas Eckert, called on Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi at the Governor's House on Wednesday.

Governor Kundi congratulated the Consul General on his new assignment and extended best wishes for his tenure. Both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, bilateral public relations, and opportunities to enhance cooperation in various sectors.

The Governor informed the Consul General about investment prospects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s natural resources and said that Pakistan and the United States share a longstanding relationship.

He appreciated the US partnership in development initiatives, particularly in supporting the youth of the merged districts, and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in this regard.

Kundi said that the province’s youth have exceptional talent in sports and other fields, stressing the need to provide them with opportunities in collaboration with international partners.

He also highlighted the challenges of terrorism and climate change facing the province and called for special focus on the agriculture sector in southern districts.

He said millions of acres of barren land there could be made cultivable to bring about an agricultural revolution.

Consul General Eckert thanked the Governor for his hospitality and reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthening cooperation and expanding joint projects in multiple fields.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP):Auditor General of Pakistan, Muhammad Ajmal Gondal Wednesday paid a farewell call on President Asif Ali Zardari here at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The president appreciated the reforms introduced by the Auditor General’s office to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery, and commended its constitutional role in strengthening financial discipline and accountability, a Presidency’s news release said.

He stressed the importance of adopting modern practices, including technology-based audits, to further enhance fiscal governance and curb corruption.

Gondal briefed the President on key initiatives taken during his tenure, including impact audits, citizen participatory audits, and digitization reforms, noting that these steps have made the Department of the Auditor General of Pakistan more transparent, inclusive, and responsive to public expectations.

While acknowledging his contributions in strengthening the country’s financial accountability system, the president wished Gondal success in his future endeavors.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said that Pakistan greatly values its brotherly ties with the Kingdom of Bahrain, which are rooted in history, shared faith, and close people-to-people bonds.

The president was speaking to General Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Minister for Interior of Bahrain, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The president appreciated the existing cooperation between the two countries, including the visa abolition agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, and expressed hope for enhanced collaboration in security, immigration, counterterrorism, and narcotics control. He noted that over 120,000 Pakistanis are living and working in Bahrain, contributing to the prosperity of both countries.

The president also emphasised the need for modernising visa systems and exploring digital solutions to facilitate Pakistani professionals and workers in Bahrain.

The president reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Bahrain and invited officials from Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior to visit Islamabad for further exchanges and cooperation.

General Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa conveyed the warm greetings of the leadership and people of Bahrain to President Zardari. He reaffirmed Bahrain’s strong commitment to further strengthening its fraternal relations with Pakistan, and appreciated the valuable contributions of the Pakistani community in Bahrain’s development.

He expressed Bahrain’s desire to expand cooperation with Pakistan in diverse fields, particularly in security, counter-terrorism, and capacity building.

The Bahrain delegation also included Mohamed Ebrahim Mohamed Abdulqader, Ambassador of Bahrain to Pakistan; Major General Hamad bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Deputy Chief of Public Security and Nasser Ahmed Al Junaid, General Supervisor, Ministry of Interior Affairs.

Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi; Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry, and Senator Nadeem Mandviwalla also attended the meeting.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 10 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar today spoke with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov.

The two leaders discussed bilateral matters of mutual interest and followed up on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.

They also reviewed recent regional & international developments, and reaffirmed the commitment to further deepen multifaceted partnership between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

ISLAMABAD, SEP 10 (DNA) —A convoy of 20 trucks loaded with relief supplies was dispatched by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to Punjab on Wednesday, with Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) set to manage the distribution.

The relief goods, comprising heaters, folding beds, mattresses, and quilts, were sent from NDMA’s Islamabad warehouse in accordance with directives issued by the Prime Minister.This latest dispatch follows an earlier operation on September 9, when NDMA sent a convoy of 10 trucks loaded with blankets and water cans, which were also handed over to PDMA Punjab.

So far, NDMA has provided a total of 1,660 tons of relief assistance to the Punjab province. The aid includes blankets, tents, mosquito nets, water filtration plants, quilts, folding beds, water cans, and 17 boats.

The NDMA reaffirmed its close coordination with civil and military institutions and emphasized its active monitoring of ongoing relief efforts to ensure timely and effective support for affected communities.— DNA

DOHA: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Doha and met Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Wednesday to discuss the strong ties between the two countries and the repercussions of the Israeli attack on Qatari territory, Khaleej Times reported.

The meeting took place at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, during the UAE ruler’s visit to Qatar.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reaffirmed the UAE’s resolute solidarity with Qatar and its steadfast support for all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its people.

He stressed that the criminal attack constituted a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and of all international laws and norms, warning that such actions threaten the region’s security, stability, and prospects for peace.

Sheikh Mohamed also praised the efforts of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to promote peace and stability in the region.