DNA

Peshawar, 27 February – The Embassy of Romania in Pakistan proudly announces the opening of the Honorary Consulate of Romania in Peshawar, covering the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) region. This significant milestone marks a new chapter in strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Romania and Pakistan.

His Excellency Dr. Dan Stoenescu, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, inaugurated the Honorary Consulate in a special ceremony attended by distinguished guests, government officials, business leaders, and members of the diplomatic community. During the event, Mr. Masood Ahmad Qazi was formally appointed as the Honorary Consul of Romania in Peshawar.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Dr. Dan Stoenescu emphasized the importance of the new consulate in fostering bilateral trade, investment, and academic collaboration. “This Honorary Consulate will play a crucial role in strengthening relations between Romania and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, promoting economic and cultural exchanges, and providing support to Romanian and Pakistani citizens,” he stated.

Mr. Masood Ahmad Qazi, the newly appointed Honorary Consul, expressed his commitment to fostering closer ties between Romania and KP. “I am honored to serve as Romania’s Honorary Consul in Peshawar. I look forward to working towards enhancing cooperation in business, education, and cultural exchanges between our two nations,” he said.

The establishment of the Honorary Consulate in Peshawar reflects Romania’s commitment to deepening its engagement with Pakistan, particularly in sectors such as trade, higher education, technology, and tourism. The consulate will facilitate diplomatic and business interactions, offering support to Romanian companies looking to invest in KP while assisting Pakistani businesses seeking opportunities in Romania.

The event concluded with discussions on future initiatives to expand cooperation and enhance people-to-people connections. The Romanian Honorary Consulate in Peshawar is expected to play a pivotal role in furthering the longstanding friendship between the two countries.

Zimbabwe Ambassador Visits RCCI, Calls for Enhanced Trade Cooperation

Rawalpindi – His Excellency T.M.J. Abu-Basutu, Ambassador of Zimbabwe, accompanied by W.T. Chiyangwa, Head of Chancery, visited the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and met with RCCI President Usman Shaukat. The meeting was also attended by Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, executive committee members, and other RCCI representatives.

Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade ties, fostering economic cooperation, and identifying key sectors for collaboration. Ambassador Abu-Basutu encouraged the business community to explore opportunities for joint ventures, investments, and trade, particularly in renewable energy (solar and wind) and tourism.

Commending RCCI’s role in promoting trade and facilitating new business ventures, the ambassador expressed his full support for RCCI’s Green Road Initiative and other climate change efforts. He emphasized the importance of sustainable economic partnerships and urged both sides to work closely in expanding trade avenues between Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Travelers who noticed this practice have voiced concerns about the airport or station’s adherence to security regulations. Some passengers argue that it creates an unfair advantage for those granted access through the staff gate while others must wait in long queues for standard security checks

ISLAMABAD, FEB 26 /DNA/ – In a concerning lapse in security protocols, officials at the Islamabad International Airport have been allowing passengers to enter through a gate designated exclusively for staff entry. This deviation from standard procedure has raised significant concerns about passenger safety and operational integrity.

According to reports, security personnel have permitted travelers to bypass the designated passenger entry points and access restricted areas through the staff-only gate. The reasons for this leniency remain unclear, but some sources suggest it may be due to overcrowding at regular checkpoints or a lack of proper enforcement of security measures.

Additionally, the passengers can make it through this gate by paying some ‘bribe’ to the security officials or using their connections.

Allowing unauthorized access through restricted gates poses serious risks. These areas are typically subject to different screening protocols compared to standard passenger entry points, increasing the potential for security breaches. If unauthorized individuals can freely use staff gates, it may compromise the safety of passengers, employees, and critical infrastructure.

Travelers who noticed this practice have voiced concerns about the airport or station’s adherence to security regulations. Some passengers argue that it creates an unfair advantage for those granted access through the staff gate while others must wait in long queues for standard security checks.

When questioned about the issue, security officials provided mixed responses. Some claimed it was a temporary measure to ease congestion, while others insisted it was an isolated incident. However, aviation and transport safety experts stress the importance of strict enforcement of entry protocols to prevent potential security threats.

Security at transport hubs is a crucial aspect of public safety, and any deviation from standard procedures should be addressed immediately. Authorities must conduct a thorough review of current security measures and ensure that only authorized personnel can use staff-designated gates.

As incidents of security breaches continue to emerge globally, it is imperative that the Civil Aviation authorities take immediate corrective actions to maintain safety standards and restore public confidence in security operations.=DNA

Mahnoor Ansar

ISLAMABAD, FEB  26 /DNA/ – The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Islamabad, organised a roundtable discussion on the evolving intersection of technology and terrorism, titled ‘Technology and Terror – A Boon and Bane Relationship.’ The event brought together experts from academia, policy research, and counterterrorism to deliberate on how modern technology has transformed both terrorist tactics and counterterrorism strategies.

The roundtable underscored the dual nature of technological advancements, exploring how they have empowered terrorist groups while simultaneously providing sophisticated tools to combat them. Discussions revolved around AI-driven propaganda, encrypted communications, cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, blockchain-based terrorist financing, and counterterrorism responses using AI, blockchain, unmanned platforms, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Dr Dayyab Gillani, Director of Research Development at the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), discussed the evolving interplay between technology and terrorism. He shared that while terrorists have always adapted to new technologies, they have remained operationally conservative, relying primarily on conventional weapons such as firearms and explosives. However, he cautioned against underestimating the emerging threats posed by cyberterrorism, 3D-printed weapons, and AI-powered radicalisation campaigns. Drawing from historical data, Dr Gillani showed that while the use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons remains rare, increasing reliance on digital platforms and cyber tactics poses significant challenges for law enforcement and counterterrorism agencies worldwide.

Dr Usman W. Chohan, Advisor on Economic Affairs at CASS, explored the economic perspective of the technology-terrorism nexus. His discussion focused on blockchain, cryptocurrency, and financial crime networks, highlighting how terrorist groups use decentralised financial systems to fund operations while evading regulatory oversight. Dr Chohan critically examined the effectiveness of global anti-money laundering institutions, such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and argued that despite various reforms, loopholes remain that allow illicit financial flows to persist. He further talked about the role of PPPs in countering terrorist financing through advanced technological tools such as blockchain analytics.

Muhammad Amir Rana, President of the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), provided insights into how cyberterrorism and online radicalisation had created new challenges for policymakers. He stressed the importance of collaborations between governments, tech companies, and financial institutions to curb the exploitation of digital platforms by terrorist organisations and belligerent non-state actors.

A key segment of the discussion focused on Pakistan’s unique challenges and opportunities in adopting technology-driven counterterrorism strategies. Discussants highlighted resource constraints, need for enhanced institutional coordination, and the role of emerging tech ecosystems in strengthening counterterrorism efforts. It was stressed that AI-driven data analytics could detect early signs of radicalisation, identify terrorist networks, and optimise resource allocation for law enforcement; and hence called for greater collaboration between academia, private industry, and government agencies to ensure a proactive approach in integrating technological solutions into national security frameworks.

Following the expert presentations, an interactive question-and-answer session was held. The discussion explored the ethical considerations of surveillance technologies, risks of AI misuse in counterterrorism, and need for a balanced approach between ‘security’ and ‘privacy’.

The roundtable concluded with remarks by President of CASS, Islamabad, Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed (Retd.), who reiterated the significance of using technology for national security while ensuring it does not become a tool for adversarial forces. He stressed that Pakistan must stay ahead of emerging threats by fostering a culture of technological innovation in counterterrorism efforts. President CASS highlighted the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to mitigate the risks associated with technological misuse by terrorist organisations and regional adversaries.=DNA

ISLAMABAD, FEB 26 (DNA):  At the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Thursday will arrive here on his first official visit to Pakistan.

“He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers and senior officials, as well as prominent business leaders. This visit underscores the deep-rooted fraternal ties between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and reflects the shared commitment to further strengthen bilateral economic partnership,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press statement on Wednesday.

During the visit, the crown prince will engage in wide-ranging interactions with the leadership of Pakistan, to exchange views on matters of mutual interest, reinforce historical bonds and promote economic as well as investment cooperation.

Several agreements and Memorandums of Understandings will be signed during the visit to bolster existing robust framework for long-term collaboration in multifaceted sectors.

These commitments are expected to open new opportunities for joint ventures and projects aimed at furthering economic cooperation between both the countries and their peoples.

“Pakistan and the UAE have always enjoyed a relationship characterized by mutual respect, trust, and shared aspirations. The visit of Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan demonstrates commitment of two countries to elevate the mutual cooperation, reflective of growing partnership and robust people to people linkages,” it was further added.

Rawalpindi, 26 Feb /DNA/ – A high level defence delegation led by Major General Burkhonov Akhmad Jamalovich, Deputy Minister of Defence & Commander of the Air Defence Forces and Air Force of the Republic of Uzbekistan called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. Matters pertaining to mutual interest, avenues to enhance bilateral military cooperation, joint training and technological collaboration in the aerospace domains were discussed during the meeting.

Upon his arrival, a smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented Guard of Honour to Major General Burkhonov Akhmad Jamalovich.

During the meeting, Chief of the Air Staff highlighted the robust bilateral military ties between the two brotherly countries and assured that PAF is commited to extending full support for the basic to tactical-level training for pilots, as well as technical training of maintenance crews for capacity building of the personnel of Uzbekistan Air Force. The Air Chief further said that both Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy long standing religious and cultural bonds which are based on convergence on all important issues related to regional peace and security.

The visiting dignitary lauded the historic & exemplary professionalism demonstrated by the personnel of Pakistan Air Force and praised PAF’s notable progress in developing a thriving domestic capability in the aviation industry. The dignitary articulated his desire for enhanced Air Force to Air Force collaboration between the two countries, emphasizing the need of joint training in the face of evolving security threats. He also expressed his earnest desire to expand the existing Mushshak aircraft fleet of the Uzbek Air Force, through procurement from Pakistan Air Force. Both the commanders agreed on establishment of a more comprehensive two way exchange of expertise with specific focus on niche and disruptive technologies in the domains of Cyber, Space and Electronic Warfare capabilities.

The delegation also visited PAF Cyber Command and National ISR & Integrated Air Operations Centre established at Air Headquarters, where it was briefed about the operational capabilities  of Pakistan Air Force.

The visit of this high level defence delegation of Uzbekistan to Air Headquarters Islamabad signifies a resolute commitment of both countries to reinforce their military partnership, fostering collaboration and promoting robust relations.