R I T O E N H A N C E R E G I O N A L C O O P E R AT I O N
SCO heads of states reaffir m commitment to peacefully resolving disputes through dialogue
cooperation across various sectors including politics security trade finance and cultural ties to build a prosperous, peaceful, safe, and ecologically sustainable planet In a joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the two-day SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting held here the heads of delegations called for sustainable and inclusive economic growth of member states by optimizing the region s potential in areas such as green development, digital economy, trade, e-commerce, finance and banking, investment high technology start-ups and innovation poverty alleviation healthcare including traditional and folk medicine agriculture industry transport logistics connectivity, energy, including renewable energy, communications, science and technology, environment and climate change The heads of delegations reaffirming their desire to ensure stable economic and social development in the SCO region, noted the importance of implementing the
SCO members endorse China’s
and
India pledges to cooperate with Pakistan while leading the SCO : Jaishankar
Speaking
Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam late Wednesday night agreed on judicial reforms of the Constitutional Package while consultations would continue for further points
Addressing the media after a meeting attended by Mian Nawaz Sharif, PM Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and others the Maulana and Bilawal told media that the meeting had agreed on judicial reforms over Pakistan s 26th constitutional amendment, with claims that the required number of votes for its approval have been secured The announcement follows high-level political meetings hosted by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif at his Jati Umra residence in Lahore on Wednesday
According to sources, a crucial meeting took place between key political leaders including Nawaz Sharif JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Maulana Fazlur Rehman, accompanied by the PPP leadership Zardari and Bilawal arrived at Jati Umra where they were greeted by Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif
Discussions began with Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif holding talks with senior PML-N leaders, followed by a more than hour-long consultation between the PML-N and Maulana Fazlur Rehman The talks then extended to a joint meeting between the senior leadership of PMLN and JUI-F Sources indicate that a complete consensus was reached on the proposed 26th constitutional amendment Maulana Fazlur
PAKISTAN EYES STRONGER ECONOMIC TIES WITH TEXAS
Fauji Fer tilizer acquires additional stake in Agritech Limited
Poultr y farmers seek urgent suppor t amid rising inflation
people, both directly and indirectly With an annual production of about 1 3 billion kilograms of poultry meat and over 18 billion eggs it serves as a crucial source of affordable protein for the population To address these pressing issues, the poultry industry requires robust support from both government and industry stakeholders A member of the Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) suggested that subsidies on poultry feed investment in research for disease-resistant breeds, and improved access to affordable veterinary services could significantly ease the sector ’s burdens While the government has imple-
mented some supportive measures these efforts are deemed insufficient Targeted interventions are essential to tackle the specific challenges faced by poultry farmers Although large and medium-scale operations have managed to survive small farmers need urgent assistance for sustainable growth the PPA member stated Ashraf Siraj a poultry farmer from Faisalabad district, criticized the government s focus on price notifications for chicken, stressing the need for a deeper understanding of the demandsupply dynamics that lead to price fluctuations It s crucial to protect the approximately 20 000 poultry sheds run by small-scale farmers The sector is resilient and adaptable, and with the right policies and support, we can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth and prosperity ” he added
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The Prime Minister noted that SCO countries possess immense potential to foster development regional peace and stability as well as improve the quality of life for their citizens He urged participants to use the summit as a platform for exchanging ideas and sharing best practices to enhance economic cooperation for the betterment of their societies The summit held at Jinnah Convention Centre brought together leaders from key member states including Chinese Premier Li Qiang Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and counterparts from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Arif and India s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were also in attendance with Mongolia participating as an observer
S E C U R I T Y, C L I M AT E, A N D E C O N O M I C C O O P E R AT I O N: Shehbaz Sharif outlined several key areas of focus for the summit including economic cooperation regional stability and climate change He pointed out that Pakistan had been heavily impacted by the effects of climate change, referencing the devastating 2022 floods which displaced millions and caused severe damage to agriculture and infrastructure He urged SCO nations to devise a collective strategy to mitigate these ef-
fects and strengthen regional resilience
The impact of climate change is being felt worldwide and Pakistan has been particularly hard-hit, Shehbaz Sharif said We must work together to address these challenges,” he added
Addressing the issue of Afghanistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need to prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorism, calling for international attention to humanitarian assistance in the country
“Afghanistan plays a crucial role in regional stability but terrorism from Afghan soil must stop he said
He also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in transportation and energy sectors within the region
Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) now entering its second phase as a significant contributor to regional development He called the Belt and Road Initiative a key driver for economic growth across the region
address Shehbaz Sharif also focused on poverty alleviation describing it as both an economic and moral issue
He urged SCO members to prioritise efforts aimed at eradicating poverty through addressing its root causes and
expanding economic opportunities
The prime minister concluded by thanking the heads of state for their participation in the summit, expressing hope that the discussions would lead to productive outcomes for all member states
Earlier Prime Minister Sharif welcomed the attending leaders at the venue before a group photo was taken Leaders from various SCO member states in attendance include:
n Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of China
n Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Belarus
n Olzhas Bektenov Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
n Mikhail Mishustin Prime Minister of Russia
n Kohir Rasulzoda, Prime Minister of Tajikistan
n Abdulla Aripov Prime Minister of Uzbekistan
n Zhaparov Akylbek Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan
n Seyyed Mohammad Atabek, Trade Minister of Iran
n Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India Additionally Mongolia participated in the summit as an Observer State represented by Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, while Turkmenistan attended as a Special Guest, represented by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov
04
COMMENT
Movement on the Constitution
Summoning of Parliament may mean another attempt at the Constitutional Cour t
TH E summoning of Parliament today, as soon as the dignitaries assembled have gone off after the SCO Summit indicates that the government feels it is in a position to pass the constitutional amendment it failed to table last month, after several days of keeping both Houses in attendance ready to take up the case The government had shrouded the whole process with urgency and secrecy, thus giving rise to fears even among sympathizers that the amendments were merely an excuse to carry out certain shortsighted measures for its own political purposes not to bring about changes beneficial to the country as a whole
One of the major developments that has occurred is the JUI(F) is reported to have acceded to the PPP and agreed to support the amendments The government will be unable to complete the numbers needed for the Amendment (two–thirds majorities in each House) unless the JUI(F) comes on board While the recent Supreme Court verdict on the review petition against its judgement opens the way to PTI-backed MNAs voting as they wish, there may not be enough floor crossers in the Senate Whatever the various permutations the bottom line is apparently the government feels it has the requisite numbers The important caveat is that that is how the government felt last time, and ended up with egg on its face That may happen again The main reason is that the country is not really behind the amendment It is not like an ordinary law, where parties may decide on their own Also, this is not a minor matter of detail but a major overhaul of the judicial system with the introduction of an entirely new court at the apex of the judiciary This would involve the government unveiling, indeed publicizing, the proposed changes and then unleashing its supporters to take their case to the public PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that more time might be needed Mr Bhutto Zardari is convinced that there must be a constitutional court even more so than Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who sees it as solving certain political problems, not as a promise inherited from his mother He seems to be expressing the correct position, that there has probably not been enough debate on the amendments for them to be brought before Parliament At the same time, the JUI(F) effort to bring the PTI on board does not seem fruitful, though it does allow the JUI(F) wiggle vroom in case it wishes to back out
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
O M P R E H E N D I N G text is a skill Like any other skill it needs to be learned It remains a rare capability despite the rise in the school-going population globally
Most schools, it seems, are no longer interested in teaching reading comprehension, or are not capable enough What many fail to understand is that in any text each sentence needs to be understood first and foremost not just through the meaning of its words but also via its turn of phrase or idiom A great many people struggle to grasp the intended meanings of texts despite dictionaries now being merely a click away This is because text comprehension takes much more than knowing the meaning of words It is the construction of the sentence including the figure of speech employed that determines which one of the many dictionary meanings is intended by the author Next, because the sentence itself could have multiple meanings if taken independently, each sentence must be seen in its context– both the immediate one as well as the larger scheme of the work It is the context that often decides what (out of the many possibilities) exactly a sentence is talking about and whether something is meant literally or figuratively The same applies to paragraphs, passages, sections and chapters
Another aspect that escapes many is the crucial consideration of the speaker of any part of the text, whether it is the author or is a character inside the work of literature who is doing the talking Equally important is considering whom any speech is addressed to Of course the entirety of the narrative is intended for the reader but not everything is necessarily a maxim or a moral lesson for him Nor is everything the author ’s stance on any given issue or his message to the world at large To ignore or not appreciate any of the above is a certain recipe to misguide oneself and others Reading text therefore demands utmost meticulousness
Extracting the true essence out of a text to any degree, then, is quite an exercise in care and caution Which is easier said than done– at any rate, for a wide section of human beings who keep quoting texts to make absolutely the wrong points There is no dearth of folks who are fond of mechanically repeating certain couplets or excerpts from prose to prove some point
that the poet or the author could not possibly have meant in his dreams To keep careful track of who is saying what and to whom is crucial not only in fiction but also in nonfiction and poetry The
Without due consideration of the context, any sentence or passag
can be given any meaning under the sun, which defeats the
purpose of any text. Without taking into account the speaker of any por tion of speech, exactly the opposite of the writerÊs intent can be extracted Without taking into consideration the addressee of those words, it is ver y easy to make a fool of oneself tr ying to punch ridiculously above oneÊs weight
S i r S y e d i n t h e l a p o f h i s m o t h e r
Ahmad Khan was born in Delhi on 17 October 1817 and died at Aligarh on 27 March 1898 His ancestor has migrated from Herat, Afghanistan, in the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir, and settled in the capital, Delhi He was welcomed warmly at the court and given appropriate employment and was thus given not only shelter but wealth status property and titles Sir Syed s grandfather was made a Mansab Qazi and was given the title Mir Imdad Ali Khan by the Emperor Alamgir II In this way, Sir Syed’s family name became Khan Before that no one used the name Khan in their family Sir Syed’s father Mir Muhammad Muttaqi became the personal adviser of the Mughal Emperor Akbar II and had been very close to him since the latter s childhood as a prince Sir Syerf was awarded the title Asif Jang by the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar Sir Syed’s maternal grandfather, Khwaj Fareeduddin was appointed Wazir (minister to the Emperor) and given a set at court The Mughal Empire was undergoing a decline and Sir Syed left it alone and joined hands with the British, who were the implacable enemies of the Mughals, the Muslims and the whole empire of India He even saved the lives of British Europeans during the 1857 War of Independence Sir Syed was rewarded a
Knight Commander of the Order of the Str of India, for his loyalty to the British Crown, through his membership of the Imperial Legislative Council 8 Award of an honorary PhD by the University of Edinburgh in 1889 Sir Syed s mother, Azeezun-Nisaa Begum, was a religious-minded housewife Her education was traditional being gotten at home and comprising recitation of the Holy Quran Words and sentences to recite were part of her daily routine She gave her spiritual allegiance (ba ait) to Hazrat Ghulam Ali, a religious personality of those times She strongly condemned the worship except of the Almighty She fervently believed in Tauheed (His Oneness) Sir Syed himself quoted a saying of hers with great pride: Har baat ke liye sirf khuda se dua ki Jaawe phir woh jo chahe karega (I have prayed to the Almighty for everything Then whatever happens is as He wills ) Azeezin-Nisaa Begum was a woman of principles Once Sir Syed, who was then in his 11th year bet n old family servant When Sir Syed’s mother learnt of this she became very angry with him to the extent that she put him out of the house He stayed at his maternal aunt s house, which was nearby After three days his aunt took him back home, Azeezun Nisaa Begum said angrily that
only if the sera vnt forgave him would she let him back Ultimately Sir Syed had to apologize to the servant and only then did his mother pardon him In later life, Sir Syed said that the incident had great deal of influence on him Azeezun Nisa Begum not only brought up her son but also provided him his early education at home For Quranic education she provided him a female tutor even though it was against the tradition of the times Syed Ziaur Rehman wrote about the thought and efforts made by Azeezun Nisaa Begum for her son, to get him educated in both ways, traditional as well as modern: “Their mother Aziz-un-Nisa played a formative role in Sir Syed s early life raising him with rigid discipline with a strong emphasis on modern education Despite his mother s great wish and efforts, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan did not reach the highest degree in worldly education He took up a clerical post with the East India Company in 1838 and ended his education He stopped getting an education as he embarked on his career with the British with unstinted loyalty His mother had wished he would get the highest qualification and degree, but this was never fulfilled, Instead he was more interested in serving the British, the Est India Company and the Crown This he did in opposition to the Mughals the Muslims and the Indian freedom fighters
The writer is a freelance columnist
new path for Balochistan
whose major purpose was to deliver the goods produced by the industries located in the western states to South Asia, East Asia, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and Europe All this has worked wonders for China Pakistan should not consult China only on matters related to debt restructuring and investment; we should also learn from its experience
Amidst endless conflict
and
by
Dr AFzAAl
Khan
HASAN AFTAB SAEED
Today is S ir Syed ’s 207th bir th anniversar y
Suicide spree among students
TDecember 2018 asking respondents to share their views and stories about suicide A few findings include: n 38 percent of respondents said they personally know someone who has attempted suicide n 45 percent said they had thought about suicide but never acted on it n Ninr percent said they have tried to end their lives n 38 percent of total respondents said they knew someone who had taken their own life A low eight percent of respondents considered suicide an immoral act However almost a quarter considered it a sign of weakness The most common opinion was that suicide is A way to escape pain Like other regions of Pakistan the suicide rate has also been on the rise in Balochistan According to a press report, Nabeel Qadir, a well-known singer of Balochi language was found dead on 23 September 2018 around 6:00 AM in his room According to his family the cause of death was suicide There was no real indication as to what caused him to go down this route A boy named Momen hanged himself in 2017 in Buleda-a village in district Kechwhen he was pressurized by his family due to some domestic issues Another 14-year boy named Mujahid from the same village also hanged himself due to domestic issues Likewise according to another press report, a boy named Irfan Baranzi, who always topped his class, finally ended his life in January 2021 because he could not afford the registration fee for his annual exam And 45 cases of suicides have been reported in Balochistan province in 2022 among which 7 were by women Also Makran division in Balochistan is the latest hub of growing sui-
Students
cide cases “Poverty, incomplete needs, unsupportive family or friends, comparison with one another are some causes that lead people to attempt suicide said Mehreen Sheran a clinical psychologist based in Turbat Makran Unfortunately there is a lack of psychiatric treatment in Balochistan, she added Student suicides usually occur when young people feel overwhelmed by various pressures and believe there is no way out They often feel immense pressure to perform well in school or college Many are expected to achieve top grades or get into prestigious universities, even if they struggle with their studies When they fail to meet these high expectations, they may feel like
they are disappointing their families and society Issues like depression, anxiety, and stress are common among students but often go unrecognized or untreated
least with, of all countries India This is the India that fought alongside Canada against the Japanese and Germans in the Second World War; a fellow democracy and member of the Commonwealth that is an ostensible ally against authoritarian states like China Yet, relations between the two countries have just turned from bad to worse with neither government apparently in any hurry to make nice
The latest chapter in a saga that is becoming increasingly personal was written on Sunday, when the Indian government released a scathing statement that said New Delhi had received a note from Canada suggesting that its High Commissioner in Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma and other diplomats are “persons of interest in the investigation into the killing in Canada last year of a Sikh separatist The statement rejected these preposterous imputations and blamed the political agenda of Justin Trudeau s government, which it said “is centred around vote bank politics” in the Sikh community
The Indians said the Canadian government has still not shared any evidence leaving no doubt in the mind of the recently re-elected government of Narendra Modi that there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains ” In remarkably undiplomatic language, the statement said that “Trudeau’s hostility to India has long been in evidence following his illstarred visit to the subcontinent in 2018 His cabinet has included individuals who have openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda, regarding India (and) his government was dependent on a political party whose leader (the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh) openly espouses a separatist ideology vis-a-vis India it read New Delhi once again accused Trudeau s government of providing space for violent extremists and terrorists to threaten Indians in Canada “All of these activities have been justified in the name of freedom of speech,” it said “Multiple extradition requests from the government of India in respect of terrorists and organized crime leaders living in Canada have been disregarded The statement said the aspersions cast on the Indian High Commissioner in Ottawa are “ludicrous” and that India reserves the right to “take further steps ” Many of the allegations against Trudeau are familiar and some are
valid But so, it appears, are the counter-arguments made by the RCMP in a highly unusual public statement It said “an extraordinary situation” compelled it to speak about what has been discovered in its multiple ongoing investigations into the murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar and other incidents, that involved agents of the government of India engaging in “serious criminal activity in Canada ” “It is not our normal process to publicly disclose information about ongoing investigations in an effort to preserve their integrity However we feel it is necessary to do so at this time due to the significant threat to public safety The Mounties said that law enforcement in Canada has on more than a dozen occasions had to warn members of the South Asian community and specifically members of the pro-Khalistan movement about credible and imminent threats to their lives The suggestion is that Singh Nijjar s murder was not an isolated case The RCMP said that a senior Canadian law officer, the prime minister ’s national security adviser and the deputy minister of foreign affairs met with Indian officials on the weekend to present evidence about the involvement of Indian agents in homicides and violent acts as well as interference in the democratic process and the use of organized crime to target South Asian communities Those are remarkable allegations to make without providing any evidence What can be said about it? It should be remembered that Trudeau raised the temperature last year when he told the House of Commons that Canada had credible evidence of Indian involvement in a murder, effectively labelling Modi an accessory in homicide The Indian government responded with allegations about vote bank politics that are not entirely baseless Trudeau has allowed diaspora politics to unduly influence foreign policy pledging that Sikh values are Canadian values at events and failing to crack down on suspected Khalistani extremists living in Canada India’s National Investigation Agency has identified individuals in Canada it accuses of extortion terrorism smuggling and money laundering It has sought their extradition but to no avail, on the grounds that suspects could be tortured if returned to India Canada has allowed Sikh extremism to flourish, such as the Khalistani parade float that celebrated the assassination of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi that toured the streets of Toronto in 2023 The government claims that it is powerless because of Charter rights that protect free speech But the Charter does not explain why law enforcement has apparently turned a blind eye to worse excesses The Indian government alleges that Nijjar ran a terror training camp for the militant Khalistan Tiger Force in Mission B C yet he was not arrested or charged
One former Liberal foreign policy adviser, Omar Aziz, wrote in the Globe and Mail that the reason the Trudeau government did not clamp down on Khalistani financing or activities was that the prime minister didn t want to lose the Sikh vote to Jagmeet Singh so we dug in our heels While Canada has arguably provided space” for extremists, it is equally apparent that the Modi government has been engaging in illicit acts to stamp out opposition Modi s Bharatiya Janata Party was reelected in June in part because of his Hindu nationalist agenda that includes standing up to Western neo-colonialism Modi played on the image of being a strongman willing to defend national security, even if it meant going outside India’s borders Revelations in the Washington Post earlier this year that officers in India’s foreign intelligence agency were linked to the Nijjar murder and a plot to kill his New York-based associate, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, were dismissed without apology in New Delhi The Post story said the Biden Administration, conscious of its need for India to act as a counterweight to China said the U S would refrain from a punitive response if India held those responsible to account The approach was viewed as too accommodating by some U S officials, but it contained the fall-out India s importance in a world that is cleaving into two camps is undeniable and politicians in both Canada and India need to focus on their common agenda and turn down the heat Independent Toronto MP Kevin Vuong posted on X that the latest spat with India comes two days before Trudeau is back on the stand at the foreign interference inquiry He said Canada’s strategic interests are being mortgaged for “selfish short-term political deflection It was a charge the Indian government also made saying that the allegations being made serve the anti-India separatist agenda that the Trudeau government has constantly pandered to for
is simply not in Canada’s interests to be at odds with New Delhi and the first step to restoring a constructive bilateral relationship is for our politicians to
Meerak BaLuch
The silent killer
UK CONSIDERS SANCTIONS ON T WO ISRAELI MINISTERS, CALLS UN SECURIT Y COUNCIL MEETING
Xi Jinping: China, US should boost each other ’s development
Chinese Foreign Ministry
Spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Wednesday that during his current visit Premier Li Qiang has conducted extensive discussions with leaders from Pakistan s government parliament and military which are expected to yield positive outcomes
This marks the first visit by a Chinese Premier to Pakistan in 11 years Mao noted during a regular press briefing addressing questions about the significance and outcomes of Premier Li s trip Mao emphasized
gained renewed energy With strategic guidance from their respective leaders, bilateral relations are experiencing robust momentum China reiterated its commitment to prioritizing its relationship with Pakistan within its foreign policy framework while Pakistan affirmed that its ties with China are fundamental to its own foreign policy, a sentiment that resonates across all sectors of Pakistani society The two countries committed to supporting each other ’s core interests enhancing high-level exchanges and collaborating towards modernization and national rejuvenation They also agreed to accelerate the establishment of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in this new era
Both sides expressed intentions
to enhance synergy in upgrading the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) expedite major infrastructure projects including railways, highways, and ports and promote integrated industrial development They also highlighted the importance of deepening practical cooperation in agriculture minerals information technology energy trade and cultural exchanges all aimed at maximizing benefits for both nations through closer ties During this visit, the leaders attended the completion ceremony of the new Gwadar International Airport symbolizing their collaborative efforts Additionally relevant departments from both countries signed agreements addressing CPEC, livelihood initiatives, science and technology, and media cooperation thereby strengthening their comprehensive partnership
China says Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Pak istan strengthens all-weather bilateral par tnership X i c alls for
CORPORATE CORNER
IESCO ensured power continuit y during Shanghai Conference
BREXIT HIT LONDON: 40,000 JOBS LOST SO FAR, SURPASSING EARLIER ESTIMATES
istan s was a proud sponsor of the inaugural session of the Lahore Biennale Foundation (LBF) 2024 The event focused on sustainability and featured an address by Kamal Amjad Mian Managing Director of Fast Cables Mr Mian emphasized the Lahore Biennale's Biennale's platform for promoting sustainability education through art and culture He commended the organizers for bringing together artists, researchers, and thinkers to address ecological challenges and the pressing issue of climate change In his address, Kamal Amjad Mian, Managing Director of Fast Cables, emphasized that this year's event theme aligns with Fast Cables vision of contributing to the sustainable development of communities and their commitment to the Made in Pakistan philosophy He stated, Sustainability is a core value that guides our decision-making, internal and external engagement, and impact on society "
in Pakistan "Our vision is to provide affordable ecofriendly and reliable transportation for every Pakistani said Nadeem We have designed our range to meet the needs of different segments whether it s young commuters, professionals, or seasoned riders This is just the beginning as we aim to lead
A zure all set for retail expansion, unveils new collection
KARACHI S TA F
T Azure one of Pakistan s leading fashion brands is all set to expand its business with new stores across Pakistan some 30 new outlets in the next 3 years as part of the initial phase The leading name in the women fashion has also announced unveiling of its highly anticipated new collection and expansion of its
Belarus ready to invest in multiple agri projects in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD
Pakistan is honored to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit 2024 in Islamabad, where delegations from various member and observer countries have gathered Today, a highlevel delegation from the Republic of Belarus called on the President/CEO of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) at ZTBL Head Office Islamabad The delegation included Mr Sergei Stolyarchuk Chairman of the Bank of Development of Belarus Mr Vadim Shagoiko Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of Belarus and Mr Ilya Kanapliou, Trade Counsellor of the Embassy of Belarus in Pakistan, The President/CEO of ZTBL, Mr Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti warmly welcomed and received the distinguished Belarusian delegation During the meeting the Belarusian delegation provided detailed insights into Belarus agriculture sector,which plays a pivotal role in the country s economy
SCO MEETING ADOPTS DECISIONS TO GUIDE FUTURE WITH
he added He said Pakistan had already collaborated with the member countries of the region in this regard and it was due to its efforts that several areas of cooperation were now approved including the concepts of economy trade organization development of creative economy and creation of new economy dialogue among the SCO members
The two-day CHG-SCO concluded in serene and idyllic Capital of Pakistan that nestled at the Margalla foothills Pakistan hosted the global event which was attended by leaders of SCO member states who brainstormed in the backdrop of recent global challenges to economy peace and stability SCO is the world s largest conglomerate of the Eurasian countries on the basis of world s population, geographic location and economy with more than 23 percent global GDP
The deputy prime minister said during Pakistan s tenure as the chair of SCO it was a year s long process to reach to these consultations and outcome by emphasizing upon the SCO member states to uphold the Shanghai spirit
Pakistan to showcase its ability to host major international events enhancing the country’s soft and positive image World leaders and delegates will leave with favorable impressions of Pakistan he added In a gesture of hospitality the Prime Minister hosted a dinner for distinguished guests attending the SCO summit, complemented by a cultural event celebrating the heritage of member countries Tarar also mentioned the establishment of a Media Facilitation Center for local and international journalists covering the summit equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to support their work During his address Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted key issues such as regional security, counter-terrorism, and climate change Tarar remarked that forums like this provide crucial opportunities to discuss the challenges faced by countries in the region He underscored the importance of promoting cultural exchanges noting that the shared cultural similarities among regional states play a vital role in enhancing the public and soft image of any country
He said the prime minister of Pakistan during his address in the CHO-SCO meeting, had reiterated country s complete commitment to SCO Charter and objectives, besides stressing that SCO was ideally placed to serve as a vital platform for the sustainable development securing peace and attaining regional prosperity Dar said The joint communique just signed by the leaders is a comprehensive document covering economy, trade, industry, investment, climate change, public health, culture, poverty elimination, women etc ” The heads of government also resolved to further strengthen their commitment to SCO objectives he added
The joint communique also stressed upon the global economic system and open and transparent system for shared and actable future DPM Dar said that the outcome of the joint communique reflected the resolve of the leaders to working together with mutual respect and close cooperation to overcome the future challenges for the shared future of the region
He said the Heads of Delegation considered it important to continue joint efforts to counter protectionist trade measures that were contrary to WTO rules and regulations, as well as to continue working on strengthening the rules-based WTO nondiscriminatory open equitable inclusive and transparent multilateral trading system based on the WTO They also opposed protectionist actions, unilateral sanctions and trade restrictions that undermine the multilateral trading system and impede global sustainable develop-
Jemima Goldsmith calls for Imran Khan’s release, raises concerns over his health in ‘solitar y confinement
’
LONDON
S TA F F R E P O R T
Jemima Goldsmith has called for the release of Imran Khan, expressing serious concerns about his health and treatment in solitary confinement
In a statement on social media Jemima revealed that her sons contact with their incarcerated father has been severed and she claimed that Imran Khan is being denied basic rights, including family visits and legal representation She noted that authorities halted his weekly calls to his sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, in early September According to Jemima the former prime minister is currently isolated with the electricity in his cell turned off and his meals have been disrupted due to the jail cook being sent on leave She emphasized that her appeal for Imran s release is not politically motivated but is focused on the well-being of her children and their father Jemima also highlighted that Imran’s family members including his nephew Hassan Niazi and sisters Uzma and Aleema Khan have faced repercussions from authorities with his sisters recently detained for attempting to join a protest Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023 after being convicted in a corruption case and has since been sentenced in various corruption cases, although he has been acquitted or granted bail in most of them Until recently he was allowed to communicate with the media and meet with party leaders and relatives during court hearings However this privilege was revoked last week for security reasons leading Adiala Jail to suspend all visits to inmates until October 18 This re-
striction includes high-profile prisoners such as Imran Khan Barrister Gohar Ali, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), confirmed that medical professionals were finally granted access to Imran Khan at Adiala Jail This visit occurred after PTI canceled a planned protest contingent on ensuring Imran received a thorough health check-up Gohar Ali reassured supporters stating By the grace of God Khan sahab is in good health and even completed an hour of exercise today He mentioned that medical reports would be made available soon and expressed gratitude to PTI supporters for their continued dedication
Pakistan and Iran, on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 2024 summit here on Wednesday discussed ways for strengthening trade relations enhancing industrial cooperation and cultural exchange
According to press release issued by commerce ministry, Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan held a productive bilateral meeting with Iranian Minister for Industry Mining and Trade Mohammad Atabak
During the meeting both ministers emphasized the importance of
boosting economic ties through increased bilateral trade and investment They also explored avenues for collaboration in sectors of mutual interest, realizing that there was a huge potential for bilateral trade, which needed to be exploited
The ministers discussed the potential for Pakistan and Iran to cooperate more closely in the regional market and beyond leveraging the SCO platform to facilitate trade growth and regional stability
Jam Kamal Khan highlighted strategic location of both brotherly countries as a gateway to Central Asia and Middle East He stressed the need for stronger economic cooperation between Pakistan and
Iran not only to enhance bilateral trade but also to promote prosperity in the wider region
Both sides expressed their commitment to continuing discussions and developing action plans to overcome existing trade barriers and streamline regulations to facilitate smoother business interactions between the two countries
The meeting underscores the importance of regional cooperation through platforms like SCO, as both Pakistan and Iran look to strengthen ties and enhance their roles in the global market Finally the Iranian Minister invited his counterpart for a high level visit to Iran the statement added
Punjab CM dismisses Lahore college rape claims as fabric ated
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has categorically rejected allegations of a rape incident involving a student at a private college in Lahore labeling the claims as fabricated and unfounded During a press conference held in Lahore, Maryam Nawaz explained that following the viral spread of the allegations, an extensive investigation was conducted which concluded there was no basis for the claims She stated I chaired the final meeting of the investigative
committee and am presenting the facts
As both a mother and the chief executive of this province, protecting the dignity of women is my responsibility ” The Chief Minister revealed that the alleged incident was reported to have occurred on October 10 but the girl in question had been hospitalized since October 2 due to a serious fall that left her critically injured She was wrongfully portrayed as a rape victim, Maryam added In her statement, she mentioned having spoken to the girl’s mother who expressed distress over the situation and emphasized that she wanted those respon-
sible for fabricating the story to be held accountable I have four more daughters who are yet to be married, the mother reportedly said, urging for a resolution to
the matter Maryam Nawaz further asserted that false accusations circulated on social media had fueled the unrest She attributed the situation to a politically motivated agenda orchestrated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claiming they exploited students and used journalists to spread misleading information
The Chief Minister pointed out discrepancies in the allegations, stating, “There was no evidence to support the claims made on social media and we have video footage showing that the premises were not locked as alleged
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