Islamabad /DNA/ – – The 10^th edition of 3-day long ‘Aurat Hunar Mela’ (National Women-at-Work Festival) to showcase women’s work, products and services at the Lok Virsa, Shakarparian, Islamabad from March 8. This is the annual flagship event of Devcom-Pakistan (Development Communications Network) to mark the UN’s International Women’s Day that falls on March 8. This year the event is being organized in collaboration with the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), Federal Ministry of National Heritage and Culture.

Speaking to this scribe, Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed said: Over 100 marginalized communities and self-employed women will showcase their products, skills and services. They will be coming from different far flung areas such as northern parts including Chitral, Gilgit and Baltistan, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and South Punjab. This is in essence the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day that emphasizes “inspire inclusion”.     

He said several women folk singers will perform all three days while paintings of women artists will also be put on display at the Heritage Museum Gallery at the Lok Virsa. A conference on CSR for Women Development will highlight the importance of the corporate sector’s initiatives for women development. Some of the best initiatives will be recognized with awards.   

He said: The 8 March is a significant UN day dedicated to ensuring women’s rights, empowerment and mainstreaming of their work. The celebration of the Day has played a key role in the global growth of women’s rights campaigns, participation in the political and economic arenas and empowerment movement. Theme of 2024 International Women’s Day is very close to the heart of Devcom-Pakistan, a nonprofit voluntary organization, that has been promoting and mainstreaming marginalized women’s work since its inception in 2003.

Ahmed said: Devcom-Pakistan founded “Aurat Hunnar Mela” (National Women-at-Work Festival) was founded in 2012 to celebrate women’s work to inspire more women to enter into different sectors with proactive approaches. This event especially includes, promotes and mainstream women’s human rights and economic empowerment, and the work of community women to strengthen their voices for social, economic and political participation.

From this year, Munir Ahmed said, Devcom-Pakistan will launch awards to recognize, encourage and appreciate the corporate sector for their great work under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for women development. The Devcom-Pakistan CSR Award for women development will include significant initiatives of the organizations in the corporate sector contributing to the women’s education, health and hygiene, food and nutrition, skills development, economic empowerment, and to ensuring the women friendly policies and practices with women’s internal engagement.

Munir Ahmed said CSR plays a pivotal role in community development to educate and empower women, and also to keep them active and healthy. There are many such initiatives but not accounted for in Pakistan’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the way it should be. The importance of CSR for SDGs must be highlighted and counted in the progress of national SDGs.

Dutch OHC Bully Hockey Club wins 3-match series; Rising Stars Hockey Club presents special gift to the winning Dutch hockey team

DNA

ISLAMABAD: The Chairman High Education Commissioner Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed hosted dinner in honour of the Dutch and Pakistani hockey teams that took part in three-match league. Among others the dinner was also attended by the Charge d Affaires of the Romanian Embassy Eduard Preda, Rector Bahria University, Executive Director HEC Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Qayyum, Muhammad Raza Chohan Adviser and other senior members of the management.

Earlier, The Dutch hockey club OHC Bully won hockey series by defeating HEC team on penalty shoot-outs. The two matches players earlier in Lahore ended in a draw. The hockey series was facilitated by the Khawaja Junaid academy, run by Olympian Khawaja Junaid.

High Commissioners of Australia Neil Hawkins, Ambassadors of Brunei, Romania, Kyrgyzstan and Morocco also witnessed the final match apart from a large number of spectators.

International Umpire Sohail Janjua of the Rising Stars Hockey club supervised the final match along with the Dutch. President of Rising Stars Hockey Club Mehmood Ahmed along with team members and officials of the Rising Stars Hockey Club presented a souvenir to the Dutch hockey team.  The female players of the Rising Stars club acted as the support ground staff. Azeem Jutt, Ali Rizwan and Adnan headed the Jury.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 23 /DNA/ – The Foreign ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan had a telephone conversation today.

Jilani to Amir Abdullahian: Everyone in Pakistan is waiting for President Raisi’s visit.

Iranian Foreign Minister, on behalf of the leadership and people of Iran, congratulated FM Jilani on the successful conduct of Pakistan’s parliamentary elections 2024. FM Jilani deeply appreciated the warm wishes from the brotherly people of Iran.

Reflecting on close fraternal ties between the governments as well as peoples of Pakistan and Iran, the two Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.

Since the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to Pakistan earlier this month, the two countries have fully restored official engagements.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 23 /DNA/ – China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI) hosted a Roundtable, entitled “Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Pakistan’s Policy, Priorities and Opportunities.” Ambassador (R) Babar Amin, Pakistan’s first-ever National Coordinator for SCO, delivered a keynote address. Eminent discussants from academia and think-tanks presented their perspectives. The Roundtable provided valuable insights into Pakistan’s upcoming pivotal role in the SCO in the run-up to Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit to be hosted by Pakistan as well as its vision for regional cooperation and economic integration.

In his welcome remarks, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood underscored the significance of SCO as a trans-regional platform. He highlighted the importance of SCO in contemporary global milieu, opportunities for Pakistan as the country prepares to take a leading role in the Organization, and the challenges that should be kept in view regarding SCO’s objectives and role in future. He highlighted that since its establishment in 2001, SCO has grown to become a ‘big family’ of 26 countries, including member states, observers and dialogue partners. He added that, commutatively, SCO accounts for 60% Eurasian landmass 40% of global population, and nearly 30% of global GDP. The Organization continues to carry the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, equality, respect for diversity and pursuit of common development, as opposed to any zero-sum perspectives or notions of geopolitical confrontation or civilizational clash.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood further emphasized that Pakistan has considered SCO as an important platform from the outset and the country’s forthcoming responsibilities in various Councils as well as the apex decision-making body, the Council of Heads of State, entails important opportunities for advancing SCO’s objectives of regional peace and stability. It would be important for Pakistan to be both imaginative and proactive as its steers the various SCO meetings and Summit processes in 2024 and beyond. He concluded by highlighting the challenges that may confront the Organization in the form of diversity of member states, effects of major-power competition, and changing nature of security threats in the region, and called for careful resolution of such challenges with close consultations among the member countries.

Ambassador Babar Amin, in his keynote address, outlined Pakistan’s strategic objectives within the Organization. He highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with Russia through the SCO platform and emphasized the importance of connectivity and infrastructure development, particularly in addressing energy crises. He noted that Pakistan can act as a natural partner with SCO for promoting connectivity, trade and economic cooperation in the region. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) aligns naturally with goals of SCO for regional connectivity and promotion of trade. Pakistan can also assist SCO member countries in the area of security cooperation due to its extensive counter-terrorism experience and collaboration with the RATS (Regional Anti Terrorism Structure) mechanism of SCO. Ambassador Babar Amin added that by actively participating in SCO meetings and initiatives, Pakistan aims to strengthen its historical ties with Central Asia and further solidify its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, he added.

Ambassador Babar Amin said that the key strategic priorities for Pakistan within the SCO include establishing itself as a credible partner, particularly in contrast to India’s selective engagement and perceived alignment with Western preferences. He said that Pakistan seeks to enhance non-traditional security cooperation through the RATS mechanism within the SCO, fostering collaboration on defense and security matters. Additionally, SCO platforms provide opportunities for constructive engagement with India, presenting avenues for future bilateral meetings and dialogue on the sidelines.

Dr. Liaqat Ali Shah, Executive Director of the Centre of Excellence for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), emphasized the multifaceted nature of SCO’s agenda, aligning with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Dr. Shah stressed the potential for synergy between SCO and BRI, and in extension, with CPEC, is essential to promote regional integration. He also emphasized the need for inclusivity and multilateral participation in economic cooperation at the SCO forum. For this to better materialize from Pakistani side, there needs to be better coordination in policymaking and implementation.

Addressing the challenges and opportunities of financial integration within the SCO, Dr. Shazia Ghani, Senior Research Associate at the Grenoble Centre of Research on Economy, France, emphasized the importance of understanding the diverse economies of SCO member states and the necessity for exportable surplus to leverage economic potential effectively. She further added that it is the need of the hour at the SCO platform to discuss prospects of trading in regional currencies, like the Renminbi, as the shift to trading in other currencies now appears inevitable.

Prof. Dr. Syed Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi, Chairman of the Department of International Relations at the University of Peshawar, advocated for a redefinition of power relations within the SCO, stressing the primacy of economics over traditional security paradigms. He highlighted the need for enhanced economic relations with regional and neighboring states and emphasized the importance of strengthening regional connectivity. He added that multilateral platforms like SCO can facilitate dialogue and discussion among adversarial actors, allowing for easing security related concerns to allow greater trade and economic activity in the region.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Director of China Pakistan Study Centre Dr. Talat Shabbir highlighted Pakistan’s upcoming assumption of the rotating annual chairs for the SCO’s governing bodies including the Council of Heads of Government, Council of Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure, and the Council for Heads of State. He emphasized that this opportunity symbolizes Pakistan’s commitment to promoting connectivity and combating terrorism regionally and globally, marking it a cornerstone for regional integration within the SCO framework.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors at ISSI, underscored the dual focus of the SCO on economy and security, likening it to a cart with two wheels. He emphasized the importance of multilateralism in addressing contemporary challenges and urged the SCO to embark on non-traditional projects to foster regional cooperation and development.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP/DNA): President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday said the Kartapur Corridor was a symbol of peace and Pakistan always welcomed Sikh Yatrees to visit their sacred places extending them all possible facilities. During his visit to Kartarpur Corridor in Narowal, the president said that Pakistan, through the corridor had sent a message to the world, expressing its desire for peace.

He said such more steps of inter-religion harmony would promote peace and stability in the region. “Sikhism has always taught peace and unity, bringing people together”, President Alvi said adding that Pakistan’s initiatives for the convenience of Sikh pilgrims were commendable.

On the occasion, Chief Executive Officer of the Project Management Unit briefed the president on the measures taken to facilitate Sikh pilgrims in Kartarpur Sahib. President Alvi was informed about the Sikh religion and the history of Kartarpur Sahib. Later, he visited various places in Kartarpur Sahib and appreciated the arrangements made for pilgrims. The president also visited the museum and Langar Khana.

LAHORE, /DNA/ – Punjab Assembly Speaker Muhammad Sibtain Khan administered oath to the newly-elected  members of the Punjab Assembly (PA) during the 42nd session at the assembly chambers here on Friday.

The speaker chaired the session and felicitated the 315 members provincial assembly (MPAs)  on taking oath of their. He expressed the hope that they will discharge their duties to

the aspirations of the masses.

Earlier, the PA session started two hours behind its scheduled time of 10 am. Punjab Assembly Secretary Amer Habib, on the directions of the Chair, announced the Panel

of Chairman comprising MPAs Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, Syed Ali Haider Gilani, Saima Kanwal  and Raheela Naeem.

The Secretary also announced the announced a schedule of the election to the office of the  Speaker and Deputy Speaker PA.

According to the schedule, the nomination papers for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker may be  submitted by 5 pm on Friday (today). The scrutiny of the nomination papers for the Speaker will

be held at 5.10 pm while scrutiny of the Deputy Speaker’s nomination papers will be at 5.20 pm.

The election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be held on February 24, 2024 (Saturday)  through secret ballot in the assembly chambers.

Speaker PA Muhammad Sibtain Khan will chair the election of the incumbent Speaker PA while  the newly elected Speaker by the House will conduct the election of the Deputy Speaker.

The PML-N has nominated Vice President, Chief Organizer Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the Chief  Minister Punjab. The Chief Minister Punjab designate Maryam Nawaz Sharif has resigned from the  National Assembly (NA 119) seat and taken oath as MPA Punjab Assembly.