ISLAMABAD, AUG 8 /DNA/ – A Chinese delegation called on Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa while the members CDA were also present on this occasion. The Chinese delegation was briefed about investment opportunities and various projects in Islamabad.

The Chinese delegation expressed their interest in the upcoming CDA’s projects, particularly in shifting of the CDA office buildings into solar energy. Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa stated that the CDA welcomes global investors, especially from brotherly countries like China, to invest in the development and modernization of Islamabad. He mentioned that the proposals presented during the meeting regarding solarization of CDA office building would be considered, and work on a feasibility plan would begin soon.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa appreciated China’s initiative to invest in various projects in Pakistan. The Chinese delegation also discussed other upcoming CDA projects. Details of the Silicon Valley and Fuor Tier Data Center were also shared with the delegation.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 8 /DNA/ – The Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad, organized an event titled “Pak-Iran Economic Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities” in Islamabad. Mr. Fraz Naqvi of the Iran Program, initiated the session by discussing trade relations between Pakistan and Iran.

He noted that despite cultural similarities, geographical proximity and a common border, both Pakistan and Iran could not fully utilize their trade potential, primarily due to the imposition of US sanctions on Iran.

Mr. Naqvi proposed that Pakistan might benefit from drawing inspiration from the development models of China, South Korea, Japan and other countries to establish alternative mechanisms for enhancing economic ties with Iran.

Mr. Mohsen Shahshargi, an expert on South Asian economy from Tehran, stressed that economic cooperation between Iran and Pakistan was essential to cultivating the partnership on the basis of comparative advantage. Taking a cue from the $10 billion trade goal set between Pakistan and Iran in April this year, Mr. Mohsen emphasized on exploring alternative solutions such as establishing a systemic barter mechanism or conducting trade in third-party currencies like the Chinese Yuan.

Adding on, though the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was still in place, it remained unimplemented for several years which further restricted the signing of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, Mr. Mohsen noted. To evade the US sanctions, Mr. Mohsen highlighted certain areas where the cooperation could be carried out without invoking the US response. Those areas included the transportation, agriculture and services sectors.

Lastly, he concluded by stating that developing border markets, revising visa requirements and ensuring the development and safety of Baluchistan province on both sides could significantly enhance trade and offshore investments between Pakistan and Iran. 

Ms. Noor Fatima, Senior Research Associate at the Research Society of International Law (RSIL), examined the legal dimensions of trade relations between Iran and Pakistan. She asserted that sanctions had been significant tools of foreign policy employed by states or organizations to influence the behavior of other states or entities without resorting to armed conflict.

In Iran’s case, sanctions had been mostly applied unilaterally by countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia etc. Subsequently, the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project which aimed to supply Pakistan one billion cubic feet gas per day was stalled due to US unilateral sanctions on Iran, she added. Ms. Noor further elaborated that in any case, Pakistan had to comply with the sanctions.

However, Pakistan could adopt the transit mechanism of Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) with Iran on which sanctions do not apply, Ms. Noor recommended. Lastly, Ms. Noor concluded that both states must develop a coherent policy prioritizing economic security in line with international trading regimes, ensure uniform policy application and build internal capacity for deeper economic engagement with each other.

Prime minister said he had directed the concerned departments and institutions to plant at least 100 million saplings across the country including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) to save the country from the impacts of climate change

Farrukh Shehzad

ISLAMABAD, AUG 7: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday launched the countrywide monsoon tree plantation drive by planting a sapling here.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said he had directed the concerned departments and institutions to plant at least 100 million saplings across the country including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) to save the country from the impacts of climate change that badly hit the country in 2022. He said the tree plantation would also help reducing air pollution.

The prime minister directed the relevant authorities in the federal and provincial governments to play their role in spreading the plantation drive to every corner to make Pakistan a green and pollution-free country.

He also asked all Pakistani citizens to help the government by fully participating in the plantation drive to save the country from climate change disasters and provide a healthy environment.

On the occasion, the prime minister was also briefed about the area-wise plantation targets across the country.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 7 /DNA/ – The British High Commission invites ambitious mid-career Pakistani professionals to apply for a fully funded one-year master’s degree in the United Kingdom.

Applications to the UK’s prestigious Chevening Scholarship have now opened. Tuition fees, living expenses and travel costs are all fully covered through the scholarship.

Applications are open until November 5, 2024. The scholarship is open to any Pakistani mid-career professional with at least 2 years of work experience. More information on eligibility requirements, and the application portal, can be found on www.chevening.org.

Applications to the South Asian Journalism Programme, a short-term fellowship with the University of Westminster where mid-career professionals can hone their skills and meet leaders in UK journalism, are also open. They close on 5th October 2024. As are applications to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies fellowship, where fellows gain access to leading scholars focussing on the Islamic world while completing a 5-month research project. Applications close 5th November 2024.

Chevening scholars have gone on to become prominent leaders in Pakistan. Successful applicants will join a pool of nearly 2,000 Pakistani Chevening alumni who are leaders across a range of sectors.

High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, encourages potential applicants:

‘Chevening produces changemakers and leaders. It offers an exceptional academic opportunity and helps connect emerging leaders from across the globe. I urge those looking to elevate their careers to seize this opportunity and apply.’

Amal Durrani, Chevening scholar 2022 and alumni of SOAS, University of London said:

The Chevening scholarship, a highly competitive opportunity, opens doors to world-class education and brings incredible networking and career opportunities – making you stand out! It made my dream of studying in the UK a reality and helped me secure a role at UNDP within three months of returning. You should apply if you’re passionate about making a difference and achieving your dreams.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 7: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s decision regarding reserved seats, a move that comes amid growing political tensions in the country.

Sources indicate that the ECP plans to submit the review petition later today, challenging the Supreme Court’s July 12 verdict, which overturned the previous decisions by the Peshawar High Court and the ECP itself.

The ruling granted reserved seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), recognising them as a parliamentary entity.

This decision has sparked significant political debate, prompting both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to file their appeals against the court’s ruling.

The federal government and allied parties had also announced plans to contest the top court’s verdict on reserved seats.

In response to these developments, the Supreme Court’s Practice and Procedure Committee has decided to schedule the review petitions after the September recess.

The decision to grant reserved seats to PTI has been a contentious issue, with implications for the balance of power in the Parliament and provincial assemblies.

The outcome of these appeals will be closely watched, as it could significantly impact Pakistan’s political landscape.