WASHINGTON, Feb 02 (APP/DNA): Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Masood Khan, told Pakistani-American businessmen Thursday that the present government was facilitating and offering attractive incentives to financiers to invest in all areas of the country’s economy.

“Promoting Pak-US bilateral trade and enhancing US investment in Pakistan is the foremost priority,” he said in the course of a virtual meeting with the leadership of California-based Pakistan American Chamber of Commerce (PACC), which is headed by its Chairman Waqar Ali Khan.

Other members of the Chamber — Dr Sana Khan, Fawad Ismail, Zubair Rao, Maqsood Chaudhry, Dr Salahuddin and Mr Farrukh — also took part in the meeting.

In addition, Pakistan’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Asim Ali Khan, and Trade and Investment Counselor Quratulain Fatima were present.

In his remarks, Masood Khan said, “The newly established Special Investment Facilitation Council is taking practical steps to remove hurdles in the way of foreign investors undertaking profitable business ventures in Pakistan.”  Masood Khan said.

 Appreciating the role of PACC in promoting trade activities and connecting business communities of the two countries, the Ambassador underscored the need for greater collaboration between various chambers and trade organizations working across the United States to boost Pak-US trade and investment ties.

“By investing their resources back home, Pak-American investors would not only be reaping huge dividends but would also be contributing towards the socio-economic progress of their motherland,”  the Ambassador said. 

PACC Chairman Waqar Ali Khan briefed the Ambassador about various activities of the chamber, especially the successes achieved in promoting trade activities in the health, food and textile sectors.

He said that PACC was working closely with the Pakistani Consulate in Los Angeles to organize a single-country expo in Los Angeles in the near future.

Waqar Khan also suggested a sister-city partnership between Karachi and Los Angeles which, he said, would not only boost trade activities but facilitate the transfer of technology.

Dr. Sana Khan said that Pakistani radiologists and technicians were being trained to remotely operate and provide radiology services to the Middle East, Europe and the United States.

Consul General Asim Ali Khan said that a detailed presentation had been made to the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce on the Special Investment Facilitation Council and how the Council was facilitating businesses with innovative and business-friendly approach. The LA Chamber has over 1800 business entities attached to it.

Counselor Quratulain Fatima apprised the meeting about efforts to promote trade linkages and organise trade activities in collaboration with relevant trade bodies and organizations.

Rawalpindi, 2 Feb: /DNA/ – On night 29/30 January 2024, terrorists attacked Mach and Kolpur Complexes in Balochistan. Law Enforcement Agencies deputed on security offered stiff resistance and forced the attackers to repulse. These terrorists were then hunted down in the ensuing sanitisation and clearance operations which have now been concluded after clearing and securing the area.

During the fire fights and sanitisation/ clearance operations, in last three days, twenty four terrorists have been sent to hell. Terrorist Shehzad Baloch, Attaullah, Salah Uddin, Abdul Wadood and Zeeshan are key terrorists among the dead. Identification process of remaining terrorists is in process.

However, during intense exchange of fire, four brave members of Law Enforcement Agancies, having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat along with two innocent civilians.

Effective response by Law Enforcement Agancies is a testament of their unrelenting resolve in fight against terrorism.

Pakistan’s Security Forces stand shoulder to shoulder with other Law Enforcement Agencies to ensure peace & stability in the country.

Mehtab Pirzada

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Thursday directed to improve the performance of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and accelerate action against drug smugglers and hoarders.

Chairing a meeting of the Federal Cabinet, the prime minister instructed to compile the recommendations for necessary legislation regarding the deregulation of drug prices and its onward presentation before the Parliament by the next elected government.

Addressing the cabinet meeting, he said the government was taking all possible steps to provide medicines to the common man at reasonable prices.

He further said the government was framing such policies which would benefit the common man and also help develop the pharmaceutical industry.

The cabinet approved the increase in the prices of 146 essential life-saving medicines, keeping in view the rising prices of their raw material in the global market under the hardship category.

The meeting was informed by the Ministry of National Health Services and DRAP that through the online portal of the Authority, citizens could file complaints regarding the non-availability of medicines in the market.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of Finance, the cabinet approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Competition Commission of Pakistan and the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) China. Under the MOU, exchange of information and technical capacity would increase between the two countries.

The cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allowed renowned Pakistani psychologist Muhammad Saleem Khan Tareen to receive the award of Member of the British Empire from King Charles (III), in honour of his services in the field of psychology.

It also allowed Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to receive the Gold Medal for Aeronautical Merit awarded by Italy,
in recognition of his services for the increased cooperation between the air forces of the two countries.

The cabinet approved the decisions taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) held on January 26, besides endorsing the decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases taken on January 26 and 31, 2024.

Pak asks Kbaul

to hand over

terrorists’ big guns

Pakistan calls for full implementation of ICJ judgement on Gaza

Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: In view of the recent spike in terrorism in Pakistan, the Foreign Office (FO) Thursday urged Afghan authorities to take immediate and effective action against the terror entities and hand over their leadership to Islamabad.

Earlier today, at least one person was killed and four others were injured as multiple blasts were reported in different parts of Balochistan including the provincial capital Quetta.

At her weekly briefing in Islamabad, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “Pakistan has been raising concerns over the terror threat emanating from Afghanistan.”

Responding to a question, she said the Indian external affairs ministry had not denied the veracity of our credible evidence regarding New Delhi’s involvement in extraterritorial and extra-judicial killings in Pakistan.

“India is involved in terrorist incidents inside Pakistan,” she added.

The spokesperson also said Pakistan had also shared the evidence of India’s involvement in terror acts with friendly countries and other relevant countries, especially the ones with which we need further cooperation in holding to account the individuals behind the terror acts.

She said that India’s charges of terrorism against Pakistan are neither new nor credible, describing them as ridiculous. 

The spokesperson pointed out that India has been involved in terror incidents and extraterritorial and extra-judicial killings in countries around the world.

Baloch also voiced serious concerns over the attacks on Muslim places of worship in India. She said there is a concerted campaign to demolish mosques in India and replace them with temples.

These acts, she said, would remain a blot on the face of Indian democracy for the times to come.

The spokesperson said Pakistan would observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on Monday next (February 5). She said an elaborate program has been outlined to mark the day.

She said Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

When asked about the killing of nine Pakistani workers in Iran, the spokesperson said this was an inhumane act which has been condemned both by Pakistan and Iran.

She said Pakistan expects the Iranian authorities to share details of the attack as soon as the investigation into the incident is completed.

“Pakistan also calls for the full implementation of ICJ’s provisional judgment to uphold human rights, dignity, and identity of the Palestinian people as per the UN Charter, relevant resolutions, and international law. The implementation of these provisional measures requires an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to bring about an end to the suffering faced by the people of Gaza,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in her weekly press briefing.

Expressing deep concerns over the oppression of Palestinian people, she strongly condemned the Israeli attack inside the Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin which, she said, fell in the category of war crimes being perpetrated against the Palestinian people.

“These ongoing atrocities go against the spirit of the provisional measures decided by the International Court of Justice to protect the people of Gaza,” she remarked. 

Besides, she said the suspension of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) also went against the spirit of the ICJ’s provisional measures. We urge reconsideration of the decision to suspend funding of UNRWA which has a crucial role in protecting and supporting the Palestinian people, she remarked. 

Highlighting the diplomatic engagements taken place during the last week, spokesperson Baloch mentioned the ongoing visit of Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani to Brussels to attend the Third EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum.

On the sidelines, he also held bilateral meetings with a number of European Union officials, including the Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, Stefano Sannino; the EU Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, Frans van Daele; the Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra; and the Chair of European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the countries of South Asia, Nicola Procaccini.

He was talking to the ambassadors-designates of Russia, Italy and Mongolia, who separately called on him and presented their diplomatic credentials

ISLAMBAD: Ambassadors of Russian, Italy and Mongolia presenting credentials to the President of Pakistan.-DNA

Ansar M Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday urged the need to further expand trade, economic, cultural and people-to-people relations with Russia, Italy and Mongolia.

He said that Pakistan offered immense investment opportunities for foreign investors, who should benefit from its business-friendly environment by investing in various economic sectors.

The president expressed these views while talking to the ambassadors-designates of Russia, Italy and Mongolia, who separately called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr and presented their diplomatic credentials.

Speaking to the Ambassador-designate of the Russian Federation to Pakistan, Albert P. Khorev, President Alvi expressed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen bilateral relations with Russia in the fields of trade, economy, tourism and culture.

He expressed the hope that the new ambassador would further promote bilateral ties between the two countries.

Talking to the Ambassador-designate of Italy to Pakistan, Marilina Armellin, the president highlighted the need to further enhance bilateral trade between the two countries.

He said that Italian investors should benefit from the investment opportunities under the Special Investment Facilitation Council in various sectors.

He stated that the Pakistani diaspora was playing an important role in the development of Italy and was acting as a bridge between the two countries. He also asked the ambassador to help in expediting the issuance of visas to Pakistani students.

Speaking to the non-resident Ambassador of Mongolia to Pakistan, Tuvvshin Badra, the president said that both countries needed to further promote, trade, economic, and cultural relations for the mutual benefit of the two sides.

He congratulated the newly appointed envoys and expressed the hope that they would play their role in further improving bilateral ties of their countries with Pakistan.

Caretaker govt fully prepared & committed to hold elections on Feb 8: Solangi

KARACHI, Feb 01 (DNA):Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Thursday said that the caretaker government was fully prepared and committed to conduct general elections on February 8.

He was addressing a seminar on “Challenges and Roadmap for the New Government”, organized by the Press Information Department.

The minister said that as the government’s spokesperson, he had been reiterating the caretaker government’s commitment for holding elections as per the schedule given by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

“The election process should continue in any case and  major issues facing the country, including economy, foreign policy, local governments, governance and civil service reforms, should also be discussed to find their solution,” he remarked.

Solangi said that despite many flaws in the democratic system and electoral process, everyone was in agreement that the electoral process should not be stopped and elections should be held.

He said that since the formation of the caretaker cabinet on August 17, 2023, the government had been consistently reiterating its commitment that the elections would definitely be held and also on the scheduled date of February 8.

The minister said that speakers in the seminar had highlighted the historical background of elections in Pakistan thoroughly. Such speeches should end the impression of restriction on the freedom of expression.

He said that some elements had been spreading rumours about delaying the elections on the pretext of security and weather issues.  

He recalled that there were security issues in 2008 and 2013 but the elections were held. Likewise, the 1970 elections, the first elections under the adult franchise system, were held in harsh weather in December.

Today the security and weather problems were real, but elections in the past were held despite such issues, he added.  

He reiterated that the 2008 and 2013 elections had security issues, while the first adult franchise polls were held on December 7, 1970 in bitterly cold weather.  

The minister said that the country was facing multiple  challenges and problems  today.

He said that there was urgent need for tax reforms to stabilize the economy. Apart from that, the system of local governments was mandatory under the Constitution, but unfortunately it had been fully paralyzed.  

He said that after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the resources were transferred to the provinces, which unfortunately could not be further transferred to the lower level.  

Solangi said that there had been problems of a level playing field. The poor and middle classes never got a level playing field.

OIC ombudsmen pledge

 to address global injustices

President of OICOA and Chief Ombudsman of Turkiye, Seref Malkoc, highlighted the escalating issue of Islamophobia in European countries and lamented the collapse of humanity witnessed in the ongoing Palestinian genocide

Mehtab Pirzada

            ISLAMABAD, The ombudsmen of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries have reiterated their commitment to addressing global injustices, with a particular focus on the dire circumstances faced by the people of Palestine.

The ombudsmen of the Muslim world met in the board meeting of the OIC Ombudsman Association (OICOA) attended by members from Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Morocco, and Bahrain in person, while the one from Iran participated virtually, creating a diverse and unified front against these grave concerns, said a news release issued here on Thursday.

Secretary General of OICOA and Federal Tax Ombudsman of Pakistan, Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah stated, “We must elevate our collective voice to echo the cries of the innocent who suffer daily. The brutalities of the Zionist regime cannot go unchallenged,” calling for decisive and impactful advocacy beyond empathy.

Dr. Jah emphasized the need for unified strength and action within the Ombudsman community, saying, “Now, more than ever, our solidarity, effort, and cooperation are vital. We possess the power to drive change.”

President of OICOA and Chief Ombudsman of Turkiye, Seref Malkoc, highlighted the escalating issue of Islamophobia in European countries and lamented the collapse of humanity witnessed in the ongoing Palestinian genocide.

He expressed disappointment in the silence of global leaders amidst the despair and devastation.

Malkoc applauded South Africa’s initiative in bringing Israel’s actions to the International Court of Justice and expressed hope that Palestinians would rise from the ashes.

The Board Members unanimously condemned the ongoing atrocities in Palestine and supported the leadership of OICOA’s call for immediate and practical intervention. They pledged support from their respective ombudsman offices for bringing the atrocities of the Zionist Israeli regime to the forefront.

Executive Secretary OICOA, Almas Ali Jovindah, described the Board Meeting as a significant turning point for the impactful future of OICOA.

He emphasized that the determination to move from passive observation to active intervention was a testament to OICOA’s commitment to upholding human dignity and rights, promising the Palestinian people that their suffering has not gone unnoticed, and their fight for justice is shared by Muslim brothers and sisters worldwide.

At least one person was killed and four others were injured on Thursday as multiple blasts were reported in different parts of Balochistan including the provincial capital Quetta, according to police.

In Quetta, the explosion took place in the Spinny Road area. Police have cordoned off the area and are ascertaining the nature of the blast, Geo News reported.

The explosions also took place in Naseerabad and Turbat districts of the province.

According to police, at least three people were injured when a hand grenade exploded at the Dera Allah Yar Bhatti gate area in Naseerabad and one person was injured in a grenade blast in Turbat’s main market.

Bomb disposal squad and rescue teams have arrived at the site of a blast in Quetta where, according to police, at least one person has died in the explosion.