RAWALPINDI, NOV 11 /DNA/ – Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Chief of the Australian Army, met with General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, today at the General Headquarters (GHQ).

During the meeting, both leaders engaged in discussions covering matters of mutual interest, particularly the global and regional security environment. The COAS emphasized Pakistan’s appreciation for its ties with Australia, noting the importance of strong bilateral relations in promoting shared goals of peace and stability. Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in defense and security, recognizing the value of continued collaboration for regional and global peace.

Lieutenant General Stuart commended Pakistan’s efforts in countering terrorism and expressed his resolve to deepen bilateral defense and security cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier, upon his arrival at GHQ, the Chief of the Australian Army laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada to honor Pakistan’s martyrs. He was accorded a warm welcome, with a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army presenting a guard of honor to him.

KARACHI: The police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) have arrested three terrorists, including a woman, who were involved in a deadly blast that killed two Chinese nationals among three people near the Karachi airport, Sindh Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar said on Monday.

“Javed alias Sami, who is the mastermind of the [airport] attack, and the woman facilitator Gul Nisa were arrested from RCD highway [which connects Karachi to Quetta],” the provincial minister said while addressing a press conference in the metropolis.

Last month, a massive explosion occurred on a road near Jinnah International Airport, killing a total of three people and injuring at least 16 others, including another Chinese citizen. The police confirmed that it was a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), which also damaged approximately 15 vehicles.

According to the Bomb Disposal Squad’s (BDS) report, they have found that the terrorists used 70-80 kilogrammes of explosives, which were planted in a double-cabin vehicle. As the Chinese convoy approached the airport signal, the attacker crashed the explosives-laden vehicle into the coaster carrying the Chinese nationals.

Giving details of the incident, Lanjar said that the investigators recovered the chassis number and registration plate, which belonged to a double-cabin vehicle, from the spot. “Shah Fahad, who is the suicide bomber, was identified by fingerprints,” he added.Play Video

Furthermore, he said, two more suspects — identified as Farhan and Muhammad Saeed — were along with the rickshaw driver. “Saeed Ali and [a] bank employee, named Bilal, were also involved in the facilitation,” he added.

The home minister added that the vehicle, used in the attack, was purchased from Karachi and the payment was made through a private bank in the Hub district.

Meanwhile, the law enforcers have also identified more terrorists — Danish, Gul Rehman, and Bashir Zaid — who were involved in the attack and are yet to be arrested. “Accused Javed tipped off his accomplices about Chinese nationals’ exit from the airport.”

It is pertinent to mention here that the responsibility for the attack was claimed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade via social media.

The CTD, in the copy of its initial report submitted to the administrative judge of the anti-terrorism courts, revealed that the bombing was made possible with the involvement of the banned outfit.

According to the report, the horrific attack was carried out with support from an intelligence agency of a hostile country.

The attacker drove his vehicle close to a convoy carrying Chinese nationals and detonated his charge, the report said, adding that the explosion took place near the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) guardroom.

An FIR No 142/24 was filed under the Pakistan Penal Code’s sections 302 (murder), 353 (assault to deter public servant from discharging duty), 324 (attempted murder), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharging public functions) and 427 (mischief causing damage).

The case registered at a CTD police station on the complaint of the Airport Police Station’s House Officer (SHO) Kaleem Khan Moosa also includes sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

BLA releases video message by Karachi airport suicide bomber

The BLA, following the attack, released a video message recorded by Shah Fahad, the suicide bomber involved in the attack.

In the video running for six minutes and nine seconds, Fahad, a member of BLA’s Majeed Brigade, was seen wearing a light blue shalwar kameez and sitting in a car. The clip appears to have been recorded shortly before the attack.

Both at the beginning and at the end of the video, which was published on BLA’s media channel ‘Hakkal’, he can be heard issuing a warning.

It is important to note that a high-level team of Chinese investigators also visited Karachi to inspect the site of the suicide attack near the airport signal that targeted a Chinese delegation and their security convoy.

The Chinese investigation team visited the blast site and, after inspecting the area, were briefed by Pakistani investigation officers on the findings thus far.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 11 /DNA/ – Pakistan and Denmark today held the fourth round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Islamabad. The Pakistan delegation was led by Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, while the Denmark side was led by State Secretary for Foreign Policy, Ambassador Lisbet Zilmer-Johns.

The two sides conducted a comprehensive review of the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation, encompassing political relations, trade and investment, climate change, renewable energy, infrastructure development and people-to-people contacts. Important regional and global developments were also discussed.

Expressing satisfaction at the upward trajectory of bilateral cooperation, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining momentum in bilateral relations and coordinating closely on all issues of mutual concern, including at multilateral forums. They also agreed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Denmark in a befitting manner this year. 

The two sides will explore new avenues of cooperation in green technologies within the framework of the Green Framework Engagement Agreement signed in September 2022. 

The next round of Pakistan-Denmark Bilateral Political Consultations will take place in Denmark on mutually agreed dates.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 11 /DNA/ – I am pleased to join you for the launch of the U.S.-funded Climate Smart Agriculture Activity. Through this five-year investment, the United States will partner with farmer organizations, local businesses, and research institutions.  We will focus on better farming practices and technology; new digital tools; and assistance with business models, financing, and international connections. These programs will improve crop yield while helping the environment – and putting more money in farmers’ pockets.  Together, we’re planting the seeds of success. 

First, we will ensure Pakistani farmers can access cutting-edge agricultural technology to improve productivity.  This includes supporting partnerships among researchers, businesses, and farmers’ organizations to ensure that newly-developed, improved seeds are available to farmers.  We will work with farmers to introduce modern machinery that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planting process.   We will also introduce automated irrigation systems to ensure water is used effectively, which is crucial in regions dealing with water scarcity.  We will also make new technology available for crop monitoring, farm management, and weather forecasting.  All of this translates into more productive crops.

Next, we will help farmers bring their goods to market and maximize their profits.  We will do this by connecting farmers with financial services to help them buy better seeds, tools, and machinery.  We will also provide instruction in marketing to make sure Pakistani farmers are getting the best price possible.  We will also help farmers find the right buyers by connecting them directly with businesses, cooperatives, and online platforms.  This ensures they don’t lose money by waiting too long to sell or going through middlemen.  Overall, this means more crops are sold, faster and at better prices.

The United States and Pakistan have a long and strong partnership in agriculture.  Over half a century ago, a U.S. scientist partnered with Pakistani colleagues to revolutionize agriculture here and around the world.  The story of Dr. Norman Borlaug and his work with Dr. Mohammad Manzur Bajwa is one of an enduring U.S.-Pakistani partnership helping to bind our two countries together in friendship.  The resulting strain of wheat enabled Pakistan to double its wheat production between 1965 and 1970.  This extraordinary yield was known as the “Green Revolution” – a term coined in 1968 by USAID administrator William Gaud.

Our partnership didn’t stop there.  As Dr. Borlaug worked on wheat yields, American and Pakistani scientists working at the University of California, Riverside developed the Kinnow.  They shared it with their Pakistani colleagues at the University of Agriculture, here in Faisalabad, who perfected methods to grow some of the sweetest citrus in the world.  Today, the Kinnow is known and loved throughout Pakistan, and exported around the world.

From there, our collaboration continued to grow and flourish.  In 1977, the United States supported the establishment of the National Agricultural Research Center and endowed funds that support critical agricultural research in Pakistani universities and research institutions.  And, of course, the United States helped build this great university and continues to support it through an endowment and research projects.  

This robust partnership helped transform Pakistan from a food-insecure country to a net food exporter.  We continue to build on that success, working with our partners across Pakistan to develop new crop varieties, improve management practices, and increase farmers’ access to new technologies and irrigation water.

 Today, we are partnering with Pakistan to respond to climate change.  Agriculture both affects — and is affected by –climate change.  Unpredictable weather, heatwaves, and irregular rainfall are making it harder for farmers to grow the crops that support their families and feed the nation.  We all know how important it is that agriculture in Pakistan continues to grow and thrive.

Together, we’re working to help Pakistan become more resilient to climate threats.  Through the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework, the United States is making strategic investments in renewable energy, water management, and smart agriculture to help better position Pakistan to mitigate and adapt, to meet the threat of climate change head-on.  We have also contributed $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund and have unlocked millions of these dollars in climate mitigation and adaptation projects to enhance Pakistan’s resilience. 

In agriculture alone, our investments have benefited more than one million rural households.   We have helped farms and firms increase the value of their sales by more than $1.47 billion and create more than 100,000 new jobs.

From the “Green Revolution” to the “Green Alliance” the United States and Pakistan have worked together to benefit the people of both our countries.  I can’t wait to see what discoveries and innovations grow from the seeds we are planting today.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 11 /DNA/ – Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) is honoured to host The Magic of Pastels, a solo exhibition by acclaimed contemporary artist Mr. Naveed Khan, on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Gallery #10, National Art Gallery, Islamabad. Mr. Rahat Saeed, Operational Manager, Creative Wing, Pakistan National History Museum, Islamabad, inaugurated the exhibition. Mr. Rahat Saeed is a senior artistis a graphic designer and has been exploring a variety of mediums in his paintings for many years.

In his remarks, the Chief Guest, Mr. Rahat Saeed, praised Mr. Naveed’s contributions to Pakistan’s art landscape: “Mr. Naveed Khan’s dedication to the pastel medium is a testament to his vision and artistic spirit. His work not only showcases technical expertise but also offers a profound connection to the diverse beauty of our world. This exhibition is an inspiration, expanding the potential of pastel art in Pakistan and encouraging future generations to explore this versatile medium.”

The Magic of Pastels celebrates Mr. Khan’s twenty-year journey with pastels, presenting an impressive array of portraits, figures, birds, and landscapes. Known for his distinctive style, Mr. Khan explores a range of genres, from hyper-abstraction to realism, with a focus on light, shadow, and intricate textures. This exhibition aims to challenge traditional perceptions of pastel art, presenting it as a major fine art medium in Pakistan.

Mr. Naveed Khan’s distinguished career spans over 15 years, during which he has excelled as an artist, educator, critic, and curator. He has exhibited in nearly 70 national and international exhibitions, including seven solo shows, and has earned over fifty national and international awards, including the National Award 2009 from the Government of Pakistan.
To further celebrate pastels as a fine art form, PNCA will also be organizing a Pastels Workshop on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from 2 pm to 4 pm. This workshop, led by Mr. Khan himself offers an opportunity for both aspiring and established artists to explore pastel techniques and experiment with the medium under his guidance.

The Magic of Pastels will be on display until November 17, 2024. The exhibition is open to the public daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Saturdays, the galleries are closed.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 11 /DNA/ – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with Irfan Neziroglu, Ambassador of Republic of Turkiye to Pakistan, who called on the Finance Minister at Finance Division today.

During the meeting, various aspects of historical and longstanding brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, particularly the growing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and defense, came under discussion.

Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb welcomed Mr. Irfan Neziroglu on his diplomatic assignment in Pakistan. He highlighted the historical and fraternal bonds and the great potential for enhancing the current volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Türkiye.

The Minister also recalled his meeting with Mr. Mehmet Şimşek, Türkiye’s Treasury and Finance Minister, in Washngton DC on the sidelines of the World Bank Group/IMF Annual Meetings 2024 in Washington DC last month.

He said Pakistan could learn from Türkiye’s experience of power sector reforms and invited Turkish firms to enter into mutually beneficial joint ventures with Pakistani counterparts, particularly in the field of information technology and agriculture.

Mr. Irfan Neziroglu expressed his appreciation for the economic reforms and the resultant macroeconomic stability in Pakistan. He assured his full commitment and support for further strengthening the ties between both the nations’ relations.