ISLAMABAD, JUN 26  /DNA/ – The French Embassy in Pakistan, in collaboration with the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC), is proud to announce a new initiative aimed at promoting children’s rights. The event, held at the French Residence, was attended by key figures including Madam Senator Ayesha Farooq, chair of the NCRC, Mr. Allah Dino Khowaja, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, members of Parliament, colleagues from the Diplomatic corps, and representatives from media and organizations dedicated to child protection.

During the event, the French Embassy’s contribution to the NCRC awareness campaign was highlighted. Senator Ayesha Farooq, whose enthusiasm and determination led to this collaboration, will provide further details on the campaign. The initiative includes the creation of short educational videos addressing critical issues such as child labor, sexual abuse, and the right to education.

The French Embassy’s commitment to defending and promoting children’s rights aligns with international standards and highlights the shared priorities of France and Pakistan. This joint effort underscores the importance of protecting children from violations and ensuring their rights are upheld.

Among the many projects that NCRC wanted to launch, we opted for this great idea of making short videos explaining, in a very simple and accessible way, that there are things that should never be imposed on a child – child labor, sexual abuses and being deprived from their right to education.

Defending and promoting children’s rights is an integral part of human rights and of our diplomatic action. France has adhered to all international texts protecting and promoting children’s rights. First of all, of course, the 1989 International Convention on the Rights of the Child, which it signed the next year, like Pakistan. France also joined to the optional protocols, namely those dealing with the involvement of children in armed conflict, the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

Among our priorities, one stands out: the protection of children in armed conflicts. Between 2005 and 2022, the UN has documented more than 315.000 serious violations of children’s rights in conflict-affected regions. In order to protect “children of conflict”, France played a leading role in the adoption of UN Security Council resolutions 1539 and 1612, which established a Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on Grave Violations against Children in Armed Conflict.

Through this mechanism, the UN Secretary-General publishes a report each year listing the parties to armed conflicts which have been responsible for serious violations against children.

Another factor that particularly hits children is climate change, knowing also that Pakistan is, globally, one of the countries most affected by global warming. This represents an existential threat to the health and well-being of millions of children today, and of the future generations. Globally, more than a billion children currently live in countries at “extremely high risk” of suffering the effects of climate change. As a result, half of the world’s children could be victims of irreparable harm as our planet continues to warm.

Protecting the right of the child is our collective obligation and this commitment is also to be made on the ground, in concrete terms. It involves the responsibility of all stakeholders. In this regard, I would like to pay tribute to the tireless commitment of Mrs. Ayesha Farooq and her great team, as the awareness campaign led by the NCRC responds directly to article 42 of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, which deals with the commitment to inform children and adults of children’s rights in order to popularize among the general public the rights of children and the risks of

violence, discrimination and exploitation to which they can be submitted. At this point, I would like also to thank Ms. Madeeha Raza who made these animations. A great job, Madam, because explaining complicated or delicate situations to children or their parents in a simple way and in 3 minutes is a real challenge, which you were able to meet brilliantly. I would also like to thank the Embassy team who immediately embraced this project and did their best to make it a reality.

Beside or support to NCRC, this embassy has developed several projects to support children and children’s rights. Four examples: our support to the Prosperity Fellowship Program carried out by the Center for Law & Justice (CLJ), represented here by Mary Gill, whom I warmly greet. This program aims to promote the empowerment of young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly the families of sanitation workers, to help them escape from their social assignment linked to their belonging to these families.

We are also proud to support the coming project of Group Development Pakistan (GDP) represented here by Mrs. Valérie Khan – bonjour Valérie ! -. And the Embassy is also happy to support the actions of Secours Islamique France in Pakistan where, a month ago, my wife and I attended a great event dedicated in particular to children, at the invitation of Mr. Altaf ABRO, whom I am also happy to say hello here.

Finally, France is very much involved in the eradication of polio in Pakistan, in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO and the Pakistani authorities, with a project dedicated to children under 5 years old which amounts to a total of 55 million euros. In this regard, let me congratulate you, dear Ayesha Farooq, on your appointment as Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication in Pakistan.

Beyond this, many specific contributions from the French Government have a direct impact on children: 3 million EUR to UNICEF Pakistan last year to support to basic health and immunization in Sindh ; 3 million EUR to UNHCR Pakistan in 2022-23 ; 7 million EUR were given to World Food Program actions in this country after the tragic 2022 floods, for nutrition intervention for pregnant and lactating women and children under 3. More is to come this year including a first grant of 2 million EUR from France’s Food Assistance Program aiming at supporting school-based interventions, including the distribution of school meals, in Baluchistan and South Punjab. And another grant of 1 million EUR, which will take the form of a contribution to strengthen food security and cash transfers in areas impacted by the 2022 floods.

Among the many victims of inequalities, conflicts and natural disasters, children are obviously the most vulnerable. This is why specific actions must be taken to protect and support them. All of us here want to contribute to it and, together, we can do it better. I am therefore very happy with this cooperation between the French Embassy and the NCRC, which unites our will, our means and certainly our heart behind a common objective which is to help the children of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 26 /DNA/ – Institute of Regional Studies in collaboration with Asian Institute of Eco-Civilization Research and Development (AIERD) held a seminar On President Raisi’s vision of regional cooperation. Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam was the keynote speaker alongwith Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mohammad Mudassir Tipu. Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Ramay acted as the moderator for the discussion.

In his welcome address, President IRS Ambassador Jauhar Saleem hailed the ‘Neighbourhood Policy’ of President Ebrahim Raisi (late). He recalled that Ambassador Jauhar pointed out that IRS was the first institution that had arranged a seminar on this policy and highlighted Raisi’s successful diplomacy for revival of ties with UAE and Egypt and rapprochement with Saudi Arabia in 2023. He also underscored that Iran’s relations towards its east, especially with Pakistan have been always cordial and cooperative, which were further strengthened in the wakwe of late President Raisi’s visit to Pakistan. Stressing upon the need of a multilateral cooperative framework, Ambassador Saleem underlined the need for promoting intra regional and inter regional connectivity and cooperation.

Ambassador Reza Amiri thanked IRS for organizing the seminar and noted that regional cooperation was the key agenda during the tenure of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Dr. Amir Abdollahian. That was very much reflected by 28 foreign visits that President Raisi undertook. Ambassador Amiri stressed that President Raisi’s visit to Pakistan was his most extensive visit in which he visited three cities and met with top leadership of the country including the President, Prime Minister, Speaker National Assembly, Chairman Senate and Army Chief. The MoUs signed during the visit in the areas of free trade agreement, economic cooperation and promoting tourism were the attestation to the strong brotherly ties which both Pakistan and Iran share, Ambassador Amiri expressed. He also praised President Raisi’s ambition of prioritizing regional cooperation through SCO, Caspian Sea Summit and BRICS. Ambassador Amiri assured that the new government in Iran would uphold the legacy of President Raisi and continue to promote cooperation vis-à-vis regional states and Pakistan.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran, Mr. Mohammad Mudassir Tipu highlighted President Raisi’s dedicated efforts to bolster the enduring cultural and economic bonds with Pakistan. He explained that President Raisi and other Iranian officials shared the deep sense of respect for Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal. President Raisi’s stance on increasing bilateral trade with Pakistan to $10 billion annually and his interest in fostering the security cooperation with Afghanistan exemplified his commitment to economic cooperation and regional stability, Ambassador Tipu said.

Major General Samrez Salik, former DG ISSRA at National Defence University, Islamabad paid rich tribute to President Ebrahim Raisi. While mentioning President Raisi’s achievements, Major General Salik particularly highlighted his contribution to consolidating Pak-Iran relations through trade.

In conclusion, Mr. Zahid Latif Khan, Chairman AIERD, detailed the internal and external policies of Iran under President Raisi. He also suggested that think tanks across Iran and Pakistan should elevate President Raisi’s legacy by collaborating with each other in research.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 25 /DNA/ – Eminent scientist and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea for Science and Technology, Professor Dr. Sung-Chul Shin, met with Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi today. The discussion focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in science and technology.

The Foreign Secretary noted the significant advancements of the Republic of Korea in science, technology, and innovation and the importance of bilateral scientific cooperation between the two countries. He also underlined the need for collaboration between Pakistani and Korean educational and research institutions and linkages between scientists and researchers.

Professor Dr. Sung-Chul Shin is visiting Pakistan from June 24 to 27 June 2024, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to foster collaboration in science and technology between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea.

DNA

GUJRAT: The PTI President Pervez Elahi is likely to leave PTI. Sources privy to this development confided to this news agency that Pervez and Ch. Shujaat have already held two meetings on this subject.

Ch. Pervez Elahi was recently released on bail. There were rumours that his release may be part of a deal and he was released only after his solemn assurance that he will leave the PTI.

Pervez Elahi resisted the pressure and refused to part ways with the PTI but he was told that PTI has not future, at least in the foreseeable future so you better reconcile with your cousin Ch. Shujaat and join him.

Sources say after immense pressure from family circles, he has made up his mind to finally divorce the PTI. The decision is likely soon, the sources claim. 

LONDON, JUN 25 /DNA/ – Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Mohammad Faisal has said that International Defence Exhibition & Seminar (IDEAS), Pakistan is a mega event that has emerged as the international rendezvous of top entrepreneurs to promote defence collaboration, joint ventures, global peace & prosperity. He was speaking at a webinar titled “Doing Defence & Security Business with Pakistan in perspective of establishing UK Pavilion at IDEAS-2024” organized by Defence Wing of the Pakistan High Commission, London and ADS Group,  Defence & Security Exports at the Department for Business and Trade, UK. The webinar was attended by senior officials from Pakistan High Commission, London; Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), Government of Pakistan;  Department for Business and Trade of UK; British High Commission, Islamabad; IDEAS management and entrepreneurs.

The High Commissioner said that IDEAS, scheduled to take place in November, 2024 at Karachi, is indeed a testimony to our pledge to encourage technological growth. He expressed the hope that IDEAS would pave way for fostering and promoting Pakistan’s strategic relations with UK.

Major General Asad Nawaz Khan, Director General of Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), Government of Pakistan stated that Pakistan has successfully established strategic partnerships with various countries. He added that IDEAS truly demonstrated a successful public-private partnership model. Its participation and international attendance was indeed a manifestation of our deeply embedded and mutually beneficial relations with international fraternity.

Commodore Zeeshan Nabi Shiekh, Defence & Naval Adviser and Shafiq Ahmed Shehzad Minister (Trade) of Pakistan High Commission, London provided an overview of  Pakistan – UK trade potential and opportunities for future collaboration in defence sector.

During the webinar, discussions were held on promoting awareness of the potential commercial opportunities for UK firms to do business in Pakistan. It was assured that Pakistan High Commission, London would provide full facilitation to entrepreneurs & companies from UK intending to participate in IDEAS 2024.

Since its inception in 2000, IDEAS Pakistan has grown exponentially over the years, with 532 exhibitors, 350 delegates from 57 countries participating in the 2022 exhibition.