The Destination Issue 36 Vol 1

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Ramadan 21 1468 AH.

UNSC to pull over 8,000 peacekeeping troops from Sudan The United Nations Security Council has planned to pull more than eight thousand troops of peacekeeping force out of Darfur region of Sudan.

According to a top Sudanese diplomat, the UN’s peacekeeping department has submitted a proposal to the UN Security Council to reduce the number of peacekeepers deployed in Darfur and modify the terms of the peacekeeping mission’s mandate. He said we have received assurances that the decision will be made to reduce the troops stationed at Darfur as agreed upon earlier between Khartoum, the UN and the African Union as part of a gradual exit strategy.

CHINA LAUDS PAKISTAN’S MILITARY SUPPORT IN FIGHTING TERRORISM

Shandur Polo Festival from July 21

Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) has forwarded a summary to Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to get his nod for holding threeday annual mega Shandur Polo Festival from July 21 to 23. This was told in a meeting held here Tuesday with Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Tourism Abdul Muneem Khan in the chair. Members Provincial Assembly (MPAs) from Chitral Saleem Khan and Sardar Hussain, Secretary Sports, Tourism, Archaeology, Museums, Culture and Youth Affairs Mohammad Tariq, Commandant Chitral Scouts Nizamuddin, Brigadier Iqbal of Headquarter 21 Division Malakand, TCKP Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed K ha n, General Ma nager Sajjad Hameed, Director Culture Ajmal Khan, District Nazim Chitral Maghf irat Sh a h , Polo A s s o ciat ion President, Sikandar-ul-Mulk, Director Hindukush Travels, Maqsood-ul-Mulkand other officials attended the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Muneem Khan said that Shandur Polo Festival would be organised in a befitting manner to attract domestic and foreign tourists to the scenic region.

BEIJING—Hailing the traditional all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan, China’s top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng said China appreciates the Pakistani government and military’s firm support for China in fighting terrorism.

During his meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen. Zubair Mahmood Hayat here, he called on both sides to enhance military-to-military cooperation so as to safeguard the security of both the countries as well as regional peace and stability, Chinese media reported here on Friday.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also

called for implementation of the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries to promote the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and forge a community of shared future.

Gen. Zubair said Pakistan would like to increase cooperation between the two militaries and provide security for the construction of the economic corridor.

Me a nwh i le, Me mb e r of China’s Central Militar y Commission (CMC) Gen. Fang Fenghui said that the bilateral military relations between China and Pakistan have maintained a healthy and stable development momentum, as evidenced by the in-depth and pragmatic cooperation in the areas of high-level contacts,

joint training, weapons and equipment, anti-terrorism operations.

Speaking at the 12th ChinaPakistan Defense and Security Consultation held here, he stressed that the Chinese side will unswervingly practice the important consensus reached by the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani leaders, deepen the cooperation between the two militaries and work together with Pakistani military to jointly safeguard the security of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor.

Chinese military will promote the development of the Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism in Counter Ter rorism by Afghanistan-China-PakistanTajikistan Ar med Forces

ISLAMABAD—Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that Pakistan’s relations with Russia are on a positive trajectory and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be warmly welcomed in Pakistan once he takes a decision in this regard. “Pakistan also welcomes the mediation offered by him to resolve Paki-India tension,” the Spokesman said during his weekly news briefing in Islamabad. .

He described grant of permanent membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to Pakistan as “a milestone and significant achievement in the foreign policy.”

Regarding the sideline meeting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the SCO summit, the Spokesperson said, “An immense potential exists in the field of education, culture, trade, and defense for further boosting the bilateral relations between the two countries.”

To a question, Zakaria said, “Growing activities of terrorist organizations are a matter of concerns not only for Pakistan, but for the entire world. The world should join hands to cope with this challenge.”

He said, “Indian agencies in collaboration of terrorist organizations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Abhinav Bharat have staged terrorist attacks and blamed them on others to use as an excuse to justify use of brute force against innocent people in occupied Kashmir.” “Showing complete disrespect to the Holy month of Ramazan, Indian forces martyred more than 25 Kashmiris and injured over 200 using pellet guns,” he said adding that Jamia Masjid was locked down and Kashmiris were not allowed to offer Juma Prayers. The Spokesperson said, “One of the worst sufferers of the Indian brutalities are the Kashmiri children. They have not only suffered direct injuries

with bullets and pellet guns but have also been witness to all the gory incidents that have occurred in Kashmir.

Hundreds of children have been blinded, completely or partially, during this past year alone.”

He said, “Pakistan’s offer to get their eyes treated in any country in Europe still holds. Pakistan has broached this issue with UN HR officials in Geneva.

Pakistan has also effectively taken up violations of Kashmiris’ rights and Indian atrocities at the ongoing 35th session of Human Rights Council in Geneva.”

Zakaria said, “As we speak today, Indian occupation forces may be brutally beating up Kashmiris for celebrating Pakistan cricket team’s win in semi-final as they did when Pakistan won on 12 June at Cardiff. The occupation forces broke into shops and looted goods to punish Kashmiris for celebrating Pakistan’s victory.”

Pakistan’s relations with Russia on a positive trajectory: Zakaria

JIT seeks SC’s approval to visit Qatar

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has filed request with apex court’s registrar for visiting Qatar, to record the statement of Prince Hamad Bin Jasim Bin Jaber al Thani regarding the Panama Leaks case.

According to The News, the JIT reviewed the latest proposal of the Qatari prince in which he offered to record his statement but maintained that the JIT would have to come to Qatar as he could not come to Pakistan due to his business engagements.

Gas pipeline should be extended from Quetta to Khuzdar Senior Leader of Pakistan Teh reek Insaf (PTI) and President Women Wing of Balochistan, Fehmida Jamali said Balochistan is the least developed province of Pakistan where a basic infrastructure even for future economic development had been denied deliberately for the past seven long decades. She said the 1200 kilometers long Mekran Coast remained unexplored and backward while it could have been a gold mine for Pakistan and it could have earned billions of dollars a year for being a port of transit for the landlocked countries of Central Asia, including Afghanistan.

(Four-nation counter-terror Mechanism), elevate the level of cooperation between the two militaries and jointly maintain the security and stable development of the region, Fang added.

Du r ing the Defense and Secu r it y Consult ation, General Fang and General Zubair Mah mood Hayat, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), conducted in-depth exchange of views on international and regional security situations and bilateral military relations. The consultation achieved positive results.

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ICJ rejects India’s request to delay Jadhav’s case proceedings

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has rejected India’s request for sixmonth time to submit response in Jadhav’s case and has issued order to submit it by September 13 instead. According to the Attorney General (AG) Ashtar Ausaf Ali, ICJ has not accepted India’s request on delaying the proceedings of Jadhav’s case for six months and has ordered India to submit their reply after 2 months.

He said that the court’s registrar had informed

Pakistan through its consulate in Netherlands of the development. “The ICJ has written a letter to Pakistan informing us of their decision,” the attorney general said. India had asked the ICJ to offer them time till December to file pleadings in the Jadhav case, however, “the court has dismissed their request,” the AG added.

“India had adopted the stance that the matter was one of life and death, but Pakistan had stated that the ICJ is not a court of

appeals.” The attorney general further pointed out that the world tribunal was supposed to decide on giving the convicted spy consular access. “The ICJ is supposed to conclude whether or not Jadhav can receive consular access, for which a time period of two to three months is more than enough to file a response.”

Sources privy to the information noted that Pakistan will submit its response to the ICJ in December, while the court proceedings will begin in January 2018.

Two terrorists killed in Rangers raid in DG Khan A major terrorist activity foiled in Dera Ghazi Khan where two terrorists were killed, according to Pakistan Army’s public affairs department. According to press

release by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Rangers Punjab conducted intelligence based operations in Dera Ghazi Khan last night.

During exchange of fire, two terrorists were killed during the operation. The ISPR said the killed terrorists were planning terrorist action during a religious activity.

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THE DESTINATION

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL PHOTO OF THE DAY

Vanessa to scale “K-2” next month

Vanessa Audi Rhys O’Brien, a British-American world record holder mountaineer in Pakistani traditional dress, during her press conference to promote her upcoming K-2 expedition in Islamabad — Exclusive photo by The Destination team (photo credits: Imran Haider Hamdani)

Imran Haider Hamdani Va n e s s a O ’ B r i e n , a n American-British mountaineer is leading an expedition to K-2 next month addressing a news conference here Thursday she said; there are six mountaineers in the expedition. She said, the members of her expedition are highly excited to be in Pakistan and they are looking forward to attempting to conquer world’s most difficult peak, the second highest after Mount Everest.

She said, she wanted to

conquer K-2 last year and the year before but the Mother Nature did not favour them.

She said, there was a security perception about Pakistan in the world but now they feel that Pakistan’s security environment is quite satisfactory.

She recalled the words of Pakistan’s founder Quaid-iAzam Mohammad Ali Jinnah who was a great patron of sports and adventure. She said that Mr. Jinnah also said that women were a great power greater than any other power

on earth. The expedition includes to young women.

After the news conference the expedition members were presented Pakistan’s national flag which will be mounted at the K-2 after the expedition is successful. There will be two other flags, one of the United States and the other United Kingdom. Those present at the news conference included world famous mountaineer Nazir Sabir, Director General EP Wing, Ministry of Information and media

persons.

Vanessa Audi Rhys O’Brien, a British-American mountain climber, explorer, public speaker and former business executive. She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Member of The Explorers Club. She has climbed the highest peak on every continent and has a Guinness World Record for doing so in 295 days, setting a record for the fastest time a woman first achieved this goal,

Chinese FM to visit Kabul, Islamabad soon for mediation: Sartaj ISLA M A BA D —Advisor to Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz has said that China has expressed its willingness to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan for improving their bilateral ties.

Talking to VOA, he said, “China will facilitate the negotiations between the two neighbors.” The Advisor said,

“China is ready to mediate for rapprochement between Afghanistan and Pakistan and for this purpose China’s foreign minister will undertake visits to Kabul and Islamabad in the current month.”

He said , “T he meet i ng between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in

Astana took place in friendly environment.” “At the meeting, the two sides agreed that leveling allegations against each other will not work, therefore, they should work to do away with trust deficit,” he said. He said, “As China wants good relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan so it is good option to involve it.”

Sartaj Aziz further said, “At the Astana meeting, it was agreed upon in principle that there is need for a mechanism for the redressal of each other’s concerns.”He hoped that, “Bilateral relations will improve after the recent meeting between Ashraf Ghani and Nawaz Sharif.”—DNA

Sanctions on Iran still hampering Iran Pakistan gas pipeline project

Kabul, Islamabad should work out differences: UN Chief

ISLA M A BA D —A few international sanctions on Iran including ‘dollar transaction’ are causing delay in execution of the much awaited Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project, official sources in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources Friday said. “As soon as the sanctions are completely lifted, practical work will be started on the project,” they told APP. Answering a question, the sources informed that Pakistan had conveyed to Iran that international financial institutions were not ready to finance this project due the dollar transaction ban.

They said there was another

issue of the ‘snapback’ clause, under which sanctions could be revived against Iran in case it violates its nuclear deal with the West.

“The transaction of dollars has not been allowed and investors are not willing to finance due to `snapback’ clause which may lead to sanctions again on the project,” they said and added ‘Snapback’ is the provision of re-imposing the sanctions, if Iran was in non-compliance.

The sources said Pakistan was ready to complete the gas pipeline within 30 months in its part once the sanct ions on I ran were lifted. They said the

government had allocated Rs 25 billion in the current fiscal year for the development of gas infrastructure across the country including the IP project.

Shar ing details of the project, they said InterGovernmental Framework Declaration was signed between the two countries on May 24, 2009, while GSPA had reached on June 2009.

Subsequently, Pakistan issued sovereign guarantee on May 28, 2010. Project consultant was appointed on April 11, 2011, while the design, feasibility, route survey and other formalities of the project were completed on September 8, 2012.

The 56-inch diameter pipeline will initiate from South Pars gas field Iran and end at Nawabshah covering a distance of around 1,931 kilometer with 1,150 km portion in Iran and 781 km in Pakistan.

The implementation is to be done on the basis of a segmented approach whereby each country will be responsible for construction of pipeline in the respective territory. Around 750 mmcfd gas flow in the pipeline is projected to help generate around 4,000 MW electricity also, along with creating job opportunities in backward areas of Balochistan and Sindh.—DNA

KABUL, 16 JUNE (DNA) On his maiden trip to Kabul, U N Se c r e t a r y- G e ne r a l Antonio Guterres urged the need for a peaceful solution to the Afghan conflict while urging Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their differences via dialogue.

Guter res concluded his one-day trip to Kabul on Thursday. Upon his arrival in Kabul a day earlier, he met with some of the 800,000 Afghans displaced by conflict over the last 18 months.

On this “solidarity trip,” he said was also fasting to express solidarity with Muslims all around the world, and called for peace and compassion.

“All those that are related to the Afghan crisis should come together to understand that this is a war that has no military solution, that we need to have a political solution. We need to have peace,” he said.

Later in the day, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani hosted Guterres at the Arg (Presidential Palace).

Ghani told Guterres about his meeting last week with

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Kazakhstan where the two leaders agreed to use the platform of the Quadrilateral Cooperation Group (QCG), the US, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan for peace in the conflict-riddled country. Accusing Pakistan of harboring terrorists, Kabul has long blamed Islamabad for an “undeclared war” against Afghanistan.

The UN chief also met with Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of the National Unity Government in Kabul. Abdullah spoke more bluntly about Pakistan.

“At the regional level, Afghanistan’s main problem is with Pakistan,” he said, asking Guterres to convince Pakistan to support the peace process in Afghanistan, and stop supporting and arming armed rebel groups.

Last month the Afghan capital was rocked by a string of terrorist attacks, including a massive truck bombing that killed up to 150 people and left more than 400 wounded. Afghanistan’s spy agency NDS blamed the Taliban’s Haqqani Network

for carrying out this attack in the diplomatic enclave with the support of Pakistan’s spy agency ISI. This claim has been rejected both by the Taliban as well as the army of Pakistan.

Wrapping up his short trip to Kabul, Guterres expressed hope the United Nations General Assembly next week will approve a new counter

terrorism-structure, which he said would enable the UN to effectively support member countries against terrorism.

He threw his weight behind an Afghan-led and Afghanowned peace process. “My message to any country that supports terrorism anywhere in the world is that this is the wrong thing to do,” he said.

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NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL

Founder and Chief Editor: Rana Tahir Shahbaz Editor: Tayyaba Imran Contact #: 051-8314196 Fax#: 051-8315196 Mob#: 0300-8503803, 0347-5959747 www.thedestination.com.pk info@thedestination.com.pk

C

hina-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) is a long-term broad framework with multiple sectoral projects, which will be completed in different phases through bilateral agreements agreed upon by both sides as a win-win equation. Minister AhsanIqbal, while briefing over CPEC explained that the initial investment worth $46 billion would be primarily used for developing the infrastructure and producing energy, and the bulk of this amount, that is, $35 billion would be utilized for energy, and the rest for developing the infrastructure.

The main focus of CPEC is energy projects and the direct rewards(especially long-term) are immense. However, there are some other hidden benefits that can change the future of Pakistan. One of these advantages is stepping close towards “Digital Pakistan” goals

Engr. Dr. Mustansar Ali Ghazanfar BSc (Gold Medalist) Pakistan; MSc PhD UK

Astola Island declared Pakistan’s first ever Marine Protected Area

KARACHI, 16 JUNE (DNA) - The Astola Island, an island famous for its scenic beauty, has been desig nated as Pakistan’s first ever Marine Protected Area (MPA) under Convention on Biological Diversity.

Covering an area of about 40 0 squ a re k ilomet res, Astola Island is located about 39 kilometres east of Pasni, Balochistan and is considered the largest island along the coast of Pakistan.

Through a notification, issued on Thursday, the government of Balochistan declared Astola Island as the first dedicated marine protected area in

the country.

Pakistan has different protected areas such as 26 national parks across the country, 72 wildlife sanctuaries, 66 game reserves, 19 Ramsar protected wetlands, 9 littoral protected areas and 2 biosphere reserves, which are recognised by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

But declaring Astola Island as first ever Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Pakistan is the biggest news in the nature conservation.

Astola Island was declared as Marine Protected Area under the Convention on

Biological Diversity (CBD) to which Pakistan is a signatory, which requires nations under Article 2 to designate, regulate and manage geographically defined areas (marine protected areas) to achieve the specific conservation objectives.

By declaring the Astola Island Mar ine Protected A rea, Pakistan has started complying with the Aichi Target 11, which requires that by 2020 at least 17 percent of terrestrial and inland water areas and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas are conserved.

Hidden Benefits of CPEC in terms of “Digital Pakistan” (listed in Vision2025 introduced by Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform) in terms of Internet User’s Density. In 1995, the Internet connectivity was less than

Writers are requested to send their contributions at editor@thedestination.com.pk

1%; however, toady around 40% of the world population has an Internet connection.The number of Internet users has increased tenfold from 1999 to 2013. As per figures of ITU, the 55.5% population of Internet users lives in Asia and the remaining 44.5% lives in the rest of the world.

The penetration of Internet in Pakistan is very low compared to the surrounding region (central Asia). The growth in Internet user has mainly been due to pervasive mobile technology (smartphone and tablets), cheap availability of technology. Activates that attract more Internet users include online shopping, online videos, online search engines, digital social media online gamming and entertainment and many other activities. The Internet traffic is chiefly dominated by multi-billion dollar companies and transnational corporations like Google, Facebook or Amazon and their local pendants Baidu, Weibo or Rakuten.

The penetration of Internet Density in Pakistan was 10.84% with (annual) increase of 9%, in India 19.11% with increase of 14%, China at 46% with increase of 4%, Afghanistan at 6% with increase of 10% in 2014. It is worth noting that in advanced countries the penetration has moved above 80%; for example, Singapore and Hong Kong. The growth of Internet density is slow is Pakistan (despite recent Launch of 4G by Ministry of IT) and as per ITU the penetration for Pakistan is 14.6% in 2015 whereas for India it has raised to 28.3% in 2015.

CPEC have chalked out an impressive program through which we can explore various opportunities in addition to mere energy projects. With the launch of CPEC, the installation of fiber optics and satellite Internet connectionswill be done in remote areas and it can help boosting up the Internet user density. Moreover, once the major infrastructure (renovation of Gwadar and other routes as agreed by all parties) is built, more and more multi-national telecommunication companies willbe attracted by lucrative environment.According to ITU world telecommunication recommendation there should be around 30-40% penetration in 2015-2016 per country in Asia region. With CPEC, these figures can easily be acquired.

CPEC can make lives of Pakistani better and can raise the image of Pakistan worldwide while meeting the targets set by ITU and ICT sector.

“The Great Azerbaijani Poet, Nizami” translated into English Leighton House Museum in London has hosted presentation of the first academic translation into English of Evgenii Berthels’ (18901957) “The Great Azerbaijani Poet, Nizami” book.

T he book by famous O r i e n t a l i s t , p r of e s s o r Berthels, which was originally published in Russian in 1940, was translated by the Nizami Ganjavi Scientific Centre for the Study of Azerbaijan and Caucasus at the University of Oxford, according to Trend.

The book describes the life, work and context of Nizami Ganjavi and his poems.

Evgenii Berthels’ book not only details fascinating stories about the history of Azerbaijan but also portrays Nizami as a remarkable figure, not only in literature and art, but also human civilization in general. Berthel’s evaluation of Nizami reveals

how his work transcends national, racial, religious and geographical borders, and explores how Nizami’s poetry is still relevant 750 years later.

The book was translated into English at the initiative of head of the Nizami Ganjavi Scientific Centre for the Study of Azerbaijan and Caucasus at the University of Oxford, academician Nargiz Pashayeva. Published by Gilgamesh Publishing, the English version of the book will be distributed to the University of Oxford and leading libraries in Europe.

Participants included head of the Nizami Ganjavi Scientific Centre for the Study of Azerbaijan and Caucasus at the University of Oxford, academician Nargiz Pashayeva, Soudavar Professor of Persian Studies at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, the University of

Lagarde to propose IMF participation in Greece bailout LUXEMBOURG— International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde will propose to the fund’s governing board that it join the eurozone’s massive bailout of Greece, ending a months-long feud that nearly sparked a fresh crisis. “I would like to announce my

intention to propose to the IMF’s Executive Board the approval in principle of a new International Monetary Fund stand-by arrangement (programme) for Greece,” Lagarde said in a statement after talks with the eurozone finance ministers in Luxembourg..

Russia believes it may have killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Oxford, Edmund Herzig, A z e r b a i j a n’s D e p u t y Prime Minister, People’s Writer Elchin Afandiyev, President of Azerbaijan Na t io n a l Ac a d e m y of Sciences (A NAS) A k if Alizade, Director of ANAS Institute of Infor mation Te c h n o l o g i e s R a s i m Alig uliyev, MP Nizami Jafarov, Chief Development Officer at the University of Oxford Development Office Liesl Elder and Associate Director of Development (Academic Programmes) at the office Antony Green, Professor of A rabic at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, the University of Oxford, Julia Bray, professor at Tulane University, US, Elio Brancaforte, Dr Razia Sultanova, University of Cambr idge, t utor in Arabic at the University of Oxford Julian Faultless, Curator, Turkish and Turkic

Collections at British Library Michael Erdman, Managing Di rector at G ilga mesh Publishing Max Scott, as well as members of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, representatives of the British academia, students, representatives of the

diplomatic corps in London, members of general public and intelligentsia. After the speeches ANAS president Akif Alizade presented a certificate of academician to Nargiz Pashayeva in recognition of her scientific activity.—news.az

Turkey has begun issuing free of charge single transit visa with seven days of stay in Turkey to Pakistani nationals travelling with Turkish Airlines to the Schengen countries, UAE, UK and Ireland. According to a statement issued by Gerry’s, these visas can be obtained from the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad or consulates in the rest of the country. The only condition to obtain it is that travellers need to have a valid visa to travel to these countries and are not banned

from entering Turkey. The free of charge visa will be issued to Pakistani nationals who are travelling with

Turkish Airlines to the Saudi Arabia with the aim of Umrah with a valid Umrah visa.

Pakistanis to get complimentary 7-day transit visa to Turkey

US, Pakistan close partnership on regional peace, security: Nauert

General Assembly approves creation of new UN Counter-Terrorism Office

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has approved the establishment of a new UN office to help member states implement the organization’s global counter-terrorism strategy.

Speaking on the occasion, President UN General Assembly, Peter Thomson said the resolution will ensure greater coordination and coherence across the UN system.

The Russian defence ministry says it believes it may have killed the ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi in an air strike south of Raqqa, Syria. In a statement, the ministry said it was still seeking confirmation following the strike in late May. The air strike targeted a meeting of Isis leaders on 28 May, Russian news agencies cited the defence ministry as saying. “According to the information which is now being checked via various channels, Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was eliminated by the air strike, was also present at the meeting,” RIA news agency quoted the ministry as saying. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said Russia has not yet confirmed the death of Baghdadi, and warned against exaggerating the significance of his possible demise. He said the “beheading of terrorist groups has always been presented with great enthusiasm, however, history shows that the fighting capacity of these

structures [terror groups] were then restored” afterwards.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Petrov declined to comment on the reports, saying only that that Russian President Vladimir Putin received reports from the ministry on a regular basis. And the US-led coalition said it was unable to verify that Baghdadi had been killed. The statement from the Russian defence ministry claimed the 28 May strike killed around 30 midlevel Isis leaders and another 300 fighters, during a meeting of Isis’s “military council” on the southern outskirts of Raqqa. The jihadi group’s de-facto capital is surrounded to the north, east and west by advancing Syrian rebel and Kurdish forces backed by the US-led coalition. Russia said multiple Su-24 and Su-25 aircraft were involved in the strike, acting upon intelligence captured by drone footage. It said it had informed the US in advance of the strike.

US State Department spokeswoman dispelled the impression that the policy review is Pakistan-specific.

The United States and Pakistan have a close partnership on regional peace and security.

A US State Department spokeswoman, Ms. Heather Nauert said in Washington that the two countries are continuing to work in many

areas including counterterrorism. She dispelled the impression that the policy review is Pakistan-specific. The Spokesman said policy review is part of an ongoing broader review of our national strategy for South Asia, which includes Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other regional countries.

Published by Rana Tahir Shahbaz from Office # 2 , First Floor, Abbasi Plaza , Bani Gala Islamabad (ph: 051-8314196, fax: 051-8315196) & Printed at Roohani Art Press Islamabad

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ADB to finance Sustainable Energy Sector Reforms program

Over 20,000 Degree Programmes Listed in Pakistan Qualification Register Moona Liaquat Over 20,000 degree programmes of various universities across Pakistan have been listed, till date, in the Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR).

It is an online database which contains list of approved degree programmes of HEC recognized public and private sector universities including their sub campuses and affiliated as well as constituent colleges.

PQR is aimed to provide clearly defined levels of knowledge, skills and competencies to be acquired by every graduate. The Register has been linked to various

Asian Development Bank will provide three hundred million dollars to Pakistan for financing of Sustainable Energy Sector Reforms program. An agreement to this effect was signed by Secretary Economic Affairs Division Tariq Pasha and ADB`s Country Director Xiaohang Yang in Islamabad on Friday.Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also witnessed the signing ceremony. Under the agreement, the Bank will assist Pakistan in improving reliability, affordability and sustainability of energy sector to support the economic growth.

Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Ministrer said energy sector is central to this program and our efforts in this sector will impact the overall economic progress of the country.

HEC programmes and initiatives including attestation of degrees, local and overseas scholarships, appointment of HEC approved supervisors, award of national research grants, thematic research grants for social sciences, etc.

Though majority of universities have been completing the process proactively, however some universities whose response is slow are being advised to enter their degree programmes in PQR at the earliest so as to streamline abovementioned processes.

HEC started developing a Qualification Framework for higher education sector in

2009 and took necessary steps to develop tools for implementing the framework covering all HEC chartered public and private higher education institutions in the country.

PQF is a level-based and outcomes focused mechanism. It sets out the levels on which a qualification can be recognized in Pakistan. It encompasses a comprehensive list of all quality assured qualifications in Pakistan. Each accredited qualification has been assigned a level. It consists of Entry Level-1 to Level-8, describing the difficulty of qualifications at each level.

PQF has been str uctured

to help lear ners to make informed decisions about the qualification required, and will help employers to assess what qualification a candidate has achieved.

It will help in establishing the national standards of qualifications as well as provide a basis for comparison of qualifications at national as well as international levels.

Further, it will help in international recognition of academic qualifications, facilitate transnational mobility of graduates and learners, in addition to be used as an instrument for qualitative reforms in education system.

Qatar signs deal to buy F-15 fighter jets from US

CPEC has strengthened relations between Pakistan and China: Sartaj Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz says China is Pakistan’s close and iron friend. He was addressing a ceremony after inaugurating Pak-China study center along with Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong in Islamabad on Friday. The adviser said that the multi billion dollars CPEC has further strengthened relations between the two countries over the last four years. He said the mega project will improve connectivity amongst peoples in the region. Sartaj Aziz pointed out China is second biggest economy in the world.

He said both Islamabad and Beijing can make forward movement by taking advantage of each other’s experiences.

In his remarks, the Chinese ambassador said the establishment of the study center will help peoples of the two countries better understand each other’s policies.

The adviser said that tanks in Pakistan must be linked

with their with their counterparts in China to enhance people to people cooperation and exchange of knowledge.

He said that China’s rise is

BIRMINGHAM—Pakistan’s young medium-fast bowler Hasan Ali on Friday appealed the cricket lovers to pray for the victory of Pakistan against India in Champions Trophy final.

In his recent video message, Hasan Ali thanked the people for their love and support and also expressed determination in winning the champions title.

It is to be mentioned here that Hasan Ali has become the leading wicket-taker of Champions Trophy whereas he has also equaled Shoaib Akhtar’s 15-year-old record by taking five wickets twice

in a calendar year since 2002.

Hasan Ali has also become the second youngest bowler to take five-wicket haul in the West Indies. He is also a strong candidate of golden ball award in CT. Earlier, Rohit Shar ma’s unbeaten century sealed India’s place in a Champions Trophy final against archrivals Pakistan after the titleholders thrashed Bangladesh by nine wickets at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Bangladesh’s total of 264 for seven never looked like being enough and was duly made to look inadequate by India s powerful top-order.

Under the agreement, Qatar will purchase thirty six fighter jets worth of 12 billion dollars from the United States. The sale will increase security cooperation and interoperability between the U.S. and Qatar, the Pentagon said in an emailed statement. According to a statement issued by the Pentagon, the sale of fighter jets will increase security cooperation and interoperability between the United States and Qatar. The statement added that the US Defence Secretary James Mattis and Qatari Minister of State for Defence Affairs Khalid al-Attiyah discussed the

current state of operations against the Islamic State group and the importance of

de-escalating tensions so that all partners in the gulf region can focus on next steps in

meeting the common goals.

N E W YO R K—T h e U N G e n e r a l A s s e m bl y h a s approved the establishment of a new United Nations office to help Member States implement the Organization’s global counter-terrorism strategy.

Adopting a consensus resolution, the 193-nation body also welcomed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ initiative to transfer relevant functions out of the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and into the new United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.

As a result, the CounterTerrorism Implementation Task Force Office (CTITF) and the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT), currently in DPA, will be transferred to the new office, together with their existing staff and all associated regular and extra-budgetary

resources. The new Office would he headed up by an Under-Secretary-General.

In his report on this issue to the Assembly, the SecretaryGeneral proposed that the new Under-Secretary-General would Chair the Task Force and Executive Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre.

According to the report, the Office would have five main functions: provide leadership on the General Assembly c o u nt e r- t e r r o r i s m m a n dates entrusted to me from across the United Nations system; enhance coordination and coherence across the 38 Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the UN Global CounterTerrorism Strategy; strengthen

the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacitybuilding assistance to Member States; improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations system and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

“The Secretary-General considers counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism to be one of the highest priorities of the United Nations to address a growing threat to international peace and security,” his Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement issued just after the Assembly’s action.

“He therefore hopes that this reform of the UN CounterTerrorism architecture will contribute to the UN’s broader efforts to promote conflict prevention, sustainable peace and development,” the spokesman said.

For his part, General Assembly President Peter Thomson said, “This resolution will enhance the United Nations’ capability to assist Member States in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy across its four pillars by ensuring greater coordination and coherence across the UN system, and by improving visibility, advocacy and resource mobili zat ion for Un ited Nations’ counter-terrorism efforts.”

UN approves creation of new world body’s Counter-Terrorism Office

creating an atmosphere of harmonious prosperity and we are fortunate to be at the centre of this wave of economic connectivity. He said

there is still room for closer cooperation and exchange of ideas which will lead to common development.

Hasan Ali expresses determination to win CT final against India

US moves to seize another $540mn in Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal WASHINGTON—The US has acted to seize another $540 million in assets, including a luxury yacht, allegedly bought with money stolen from Malaysia’s multibilliondollar 1MDB fund, a move Kuala Lumpur slammed on Friday as headline-seeking.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is battling allegations that huge sums were looted from the state fund he founded, in complex overseas deals that are being investigated by authorities in several countries. The latest move by US federal prosecutors compounds court cases launched last year in which Washington sought to confiscate more than $1 billion allegedly embezzled by businessmen with political connections in Malaysia

-- bringing the total amount US officials say was stolen to $4.5 billion. “ T h is money f i na nced the lavish lifestyles of the alleged co-conspirators at the expense and detriment of the Malaysian people,” acting US Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Blanco said in a statement.

I n c ou r t p a p e r s f i le d Thursday in Los Angeles, federal prosecutors said that in 2014, Malaysian businessman Jho Low stole $850 million from funds borrowed from a syndicate of banks, ostensibly to repay options on bonds issued in an earlier stage of the scheme. nstead, the money was used for extravagant purchases, including a $261 million yacht with a helipad,

gym, cinema and pool, and to invest in Hollywood films such as “The Wolf of Wall Street”, which ironically focused on financial crimes.

Prosecutors have identified $540 million of assets that can be seized, ranging from high-end real estate in London, New York and Beverly Hills to artwork by Picasso and Basquiat, officials said Thursday.

The scandal over 1MDB, a sovereign wealth fund created in 2009, has rocked the Malaysian governing class, exposing Najib to allegations of corruption and of personally profiting from the alleged theft, which he has denied. The prime minister’s press secretary, Tengku Sariffuddin, attacked the latest move by US prosecutors

and said: “The judicial process is not served by headline seeking”. Some of the assets highlighted in the court papers were given away by the conspirators as gifts, including a collage by Basquiat and a painting by Picasso, both presented to “Wolf of Wall Street” star Leonardo DiCaprio.

A spokesman for the actor as saying that he had already “initiated return” of the items, which he had accepted for a charity auction for his foundation. The Justice Department in 2010 launched the “Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative” to seize the ill-gotten gains of foreign officials which pass through the US financial system and where possible return them to the victims of fraud.