MOSCOW, NOV 27 /DNA/ – Today, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden, near the Kremlin wall, in Moscow, to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of World War II.

He was joined by Mr. Vasily Piskarev, the Chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption. The Speaker, along with a delegation of parliamentarians, is visiting the Russian Federation from November 27-29th, at the invitation of the Chairman of the Duma, Mr Vyacheslav Volodin.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (DNA): A parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is set to begin a three-day visit to Russia on Wednesday, November 27, to strengthen Pak-Russia relations through enhanced inter-parliamentary contacts.

The visit, concluding on December 1, comes at the invitation of the Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Volodin Vyacheslav Victorovich, aiming to strengthen, enhance, and expand friendly relations between the governments and peoples of both countries through parliamentary diplomacy.

The Parliamentary Delegation comprises Members of the National Assembly from all political parties including, Abdul Qadir Patel, Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan, Syed Agha Rafiullah and Dr. Muhammad Farooq Sattar.

The parliamentary delegation will hold meetings with the Chairman of the State Duma, Volodin Vyacheslav Victorovich.

The call on will be followed by the signing of the MoU between the State Duma and the National Assembly of Pakistan, on expanding parliamentary cooperation and contact. Furthermore, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq would also hold bilateral meetings with the Chairperson of the Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko; and with the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Alexei Overchuk to deliberate upon ways to strengthen Pakistan-Russia ties.

Moreover, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz would also call on Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

These meetings will be instrumental in highlighting Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to boost ties with Russia. The meeting with Vice Chairman of State Duma, Alexander Babakov is also included in the schedule.

Besides having high-level meetings with Russian Counterparts, the Parliamentary Delegation would also visit historical and cultural sites of Russia including; the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to attend the wreath-laying ceremony, the State historical-cultural Museum-Preserve Moscow Kremlin, the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, and the State Hermitage.

Notification extending closure of schools, colleges issued

ISLAMABAD: Educational institutions in the twin cities, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, will remain closed for a third consecutive day due to the ongoing protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), officials confirmed.

A district administration official stated that the decision was made in light of the prevailing security situation. An official notification extending the closure of schools and colleges has been issued in this regard.

The Private Schools Association had earlier announced a suspension of academic activities, citing safety concerns, and advised parents to withhold their children from sending schools until the situation normalises.

RAWALPINDI, NOV 26 /DNA/ – Funeral prayers of Naik Muhammad Ramzan Shaheed (age; 47 years, resident of District Karak), Sepoy Gulfam Khan Shaheed (age; 29 years, resident of District Rawalpindi) and Sepoy Shah Nawaz Shaheed (age; 33 years, resident of District Sibi) who embraced Shahadat yesterday during ongoing protest were offered at Chaklala Garrison, Rawalpindi.

Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister, Minister of Information, General Syed Asim Munir, NI(M) Chief of Army Staff, Senior serving Military and Civil Officials attended the funeral.

“Pakistan cannot afford any chaos and bloodshed for achieving vested political purposes. These acts of violence are unacceptable and highly condemnable which are bordering the limits of restraint by the Law Enforcement Agencies. The entire nation pays homage to the martyred Rangers soldiers and all those police officials who have embraced shahadat and those who are injured during these riots”, PM said.

The bodies of Shuhada have been taken to their native home town where they will be laid to rest with full military honour.

LAHORE, NOV 26 /DNA/ – Seventh edition of the Maritime Security Workshop (MARSEW-7) commenced at Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore. The workshop was inaugurated by Commandant of Pakistan Navy War College, Rear Admiral Azhar Mahmood.

MARSEW is a national-level forum organized under the auspices of the Pakistan Navy, with the theme “Secure Seas, Prosperous Pakistan.” The workshop aims to enhance knowledge and understanding of maritime security, geopolitical dynamics in the broader Indian Ocean region, and the Blue Economy, while also exploring Pakistan’s untapped maritime potential. It seeks to highlight the challenges and opportunities in Pakistan’s maritime sector and its critical role in supporting the national economy.

This forum provides a shared platform for participants from the public and private sectors, including senators, parliamentarians, senior bureaucrats, maritime industry professionals, business leaders, academia, think tanks, and media representatives, to deliberate on pressing national maritime issues. A total of 38 participants from the public, private, and military sectors are taking part in MARSEW-7.

In his welcome address, Rear Admiral Azhar Mahmood outlined the purpose of the workshop, emphasizing the need for Pakistan’s intelligentsia to shift its strategic focus towards the sea. He highlighted the developments in the broader Indian Ocean region and their implications for Pakistan’s national security. The Commandant also addressed the wide-ranging challenges faced by the Pakistan Navy and its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests.

The workshop is structured in two phases: the first phase comprises academic sessions at the War College, while the second phase includes a field tour to various naval commands and coastal installations along the Makran Coast. Participants will also visit Gwadar Port to witness ongoing development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Since its inception in 2017, the Maritime Security Workshop has been held annually at Pakistan Navy War College. It plays a vital role in fostering an integrated approach to developing Pakistan’s maritime sector and advancing the Blue Economy.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 26 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko signing a joint communique in Islamabad on 26 November 2024.

Joint Statement between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Belarus

1. The President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan from 25 to 27 November 2024, at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. During the visit, the two leaders comprehensively reviewed the full range of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to deepening friendly ties between the two countries across political, trade, economic, cultural, social, and other areas.

2. This year marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Belarus. Both sides acknowledged that their relationship had grown into a durable, broad-based, and comprehensive partnership of increasing significance. Pakistan congratulated Belarus on its full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with Belarus noting Pakistan’s early support for its accession. The Prime Minister appreciated the active participation of the Prime Minister of Belarus in the SCO Council of Heads of Governments meeting, hosted by Pakistan in October 2024. The two sides agreed to work closely within this important forum to further strengthen their cooperation.

3. During their meeting, the two leaders emphasized the importance of advancing political dialogue and strengthening inter-parliamentary relations. They also focused on expanding trade and economic cooperation, adopting a collaborative approach to regional economic integration and connectivity and enhancing the legal framework to facilitate bilateral collaboration.

4. Recognizing Belarus’s advanced agricultural manufacturing capabilities and the needs of Pakistan’s agriculture-based economy, the two sides agreed to promote the establishment of joint ventures in the agriculture and industrial sectors, including for the production of high-tech and large-scale agricultural machinery.

5. Both sides also agreed to collaborate in sales, manufacturing and servicing of vehicles, including through partnerships between private and public organizations of both countries. This initiative aims to leverage the strengths of both countries in automotive manufacturing and technology, boosting industrial growth and innovation.

6. Both sides also agreed to cooperate in expanding the network of sales and services of Belarusian agricultural machinery in various Pakistani cities, including through partnerships with Pakistani private and public organizations. Additionally, they considered initiating educational programs in sphere of agricultural machines manufacturing.

7. During the visit, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), in collaboration with the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BelCCI), organized a Belarus-Pakistan Business Forum. The event saw participation from over thirty Belarusian companies and nearly one hundred Pakistani counterparts from various sectors, fostering valuable interactions and potential business opportunities.

8. The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the successful organization of the forum. They also agreed to encourage both government and private sectors to collaborate and organize series of seminars on “Doing Business with Each Other” aiming to reduce trade barriers and facilitate market access.

9. To enhance trade linkages, both sides welcomed signing of an MOU between the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and Beltamozhservice and agreed to encourage other stakeholders, including logistics companies, to develop optimal maritime and land routes for efficiently delivering goods to each other’s markets. This initiative aims to streamline transportation, reduce costs, and improve the overall efficiency of trade between the two countries.

10. Recognizing the immense potential for expanding collaboration in science and technology, and noting the progress made over the past decade, both sides agreed to establish stronger ties between their scientific communities. The sides plan to focus on joint scientific and technical projects under the umbrella of the Joint Commission on Science and Technology. During the visit, two agreements in this domain were signed to formalize and promote this enhanced collaboration.

11. Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral trade in pharmaceutical products, medical devices, health-related items, and over-the-counter products. Both parties agreed to develop strategies aimed at improving trade facilitation by identifying and addressing trade barriers, particularly regulatory challenges, to streamline market access. Additionally, the sides committed to exploring and implementing policies that enhance mutual market access for these sectors, ensuring compliance with national regulations, while promoting growth and cooperation.

12. The two sides underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of education and culture, including the promotion of cultural exchange programs, boosting people-to-people contacts through art, music, literature, and other cultural activities. Both countries also committed themselves to enhancing academic collaboration, facilitating student exchanges, and supporting joint research projects between universities in the two countries.

13. During the visit, the two sides signed fifteen important agreements and MOUs, including the “Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Belarus for the period 2025-2027.” This roadmap focuses on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation through various initiatives, such as high-level meetings, timely meetings of inter-governmental commissions, and promoting collaboration in key sectors of mutual interest. Other significant documents are:

• Cooperation in E-Commerce

• Cooperation in Science and Technology

• Cooperation in the field of Accreditation

• Cooperation in Auditing field

• Cooperation in the Exchange of Financial Intelligence Related to Money   Laundering and terrorism financing

• Exchange of Customs Statistics Data of Bilateral Trade

• Cooperation in Science and Technology

• Cooperation in International Road Transport

• Cooperation in the field of Environment & Climate Change

• Cooperation in Disaster Management

• Cooperation the field of Vocational Education

• Extradition Treaty

• Cooperation in the field of Health Services

• Cooperation in Halal Trade

14. These arrangements are expected to open new prospects for the continued development of bilateral relations, based on the principles of mutually beneficial friendship.

15. The two sides also discussed important regional and international issues. The Pakistani side briefed the Belarusian side on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Both sides underlined the need for resolution of all international disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions.

16. The two State leaders expressed deep concern over the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis and significant civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. The Parties called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, strikes on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, ensuring uninterrupted and safe delivery of humanitarian aid, restraint against the background of the threat of expanding the zone of confrontation, stressed the need to intensify their efforts to achieve peace, stability and security for the entire region.

17. The Parties reaffirmed their support to the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state formula, in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly.

18. The two leaders underscored the paramount importance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts and constructive dialogue. They highlighted that the ongoing conflict has far-reaching consequences, not only for the region, but also for global stability and security. Both leaders called on all parties involved to prioritize negotiations and peaceful means to address all underlying issues, reaffirming their commitment to supporting initiatives that foster lasting peace and stability in the region.

19. President Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan, for their warm hospitality and invited the Prime Minister to visit Belarus at a convenient time, which was gratefully accepted by the Prime Minister.

MOSCOW, NOV 26 /DNA/ – Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq arrived in Moscow today along with a six-member parliamentary delegation. At the airport he was received by Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma Mr. Alexander Babakov.

Honourable Speaker arrived in Russia at the invitation of Russian State Duma Chairman H.E. Mr. Vyacheslav Volodin.

In his comments on his expectations about the visit, Mr Sadiq noted that Pakistan wants to have excellent relations with Russia, which are already developing in a very  positive way.

The Speaker also plans to invite his Russian counterpart Mr. Vyacheslav Volodin to visit Pakistan.

The delegation led by the Honourable Speaker includes Mr. Abdul Qadir Patel, Syed Rafiullah,  Mr. Sher Ali Arbab, Dr. Muhammad Farooq Sattar, Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan,.