The Destination Issue 41 Vol 1

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Ramadan 25 1468 AH.

Gavi praises Pakistan’s vaccines and immunization programmes

Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) has advised developed nations to follow Pakistan in improving their system of immunity injections and vaccination.

Gavi’s board meeting was held in Switzerland’s Geneva city. Among the 78 countries, Pakistan came out the only country entitled to receive the f inancial aid and has been obtaining it from the past several years. Pakistan’s Director General Health Dr Asad Hafeez while giving a detailed presentation informed the members that Pakistan has been successful in bringing worthy improvement in vaccination programmes during the past three years as a result of GIVA’s financial assistance.

CAOS awarded with the Legion of Merit for promotion of Pakistan-Turkey defence ties

Federal govt not to cut gas supply to CNG stations on Eid

Federal gover n ment has decided not to cut gas supply to CNG stations across country in the next week as festive of Eid-ul-Fitr approaches.

According to details, the federal government has issued clear directives to ministry of petroleum in this regard and has instructed petro-traders to ensure smooth provision of gas and petrol to masses on Eid.

OIC strongly condemns attack on Muslim worshippers in London O rga n i zat ion of Isla m ic Cooperation has strongly condemned the attack on Muslim worshippers in London. A statement issued by the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah says the attack has stated that the incident reflects the rise of Islamophobia in Europe which is a cause of concern for the Muslim communities.

The statement says that targeting worshippers of any faith is an attack on the shared values of tolerance. It expressed solidarity and sympathy with the affected Muslim communities.

ISPR—Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Turkey on official visit; on arrival, COAS visited Ataturk Mausoleum and laid floral wreath to pay homage to the father of Turkish nation and penned down his respects on the visitor’s book.

COAS visited Tu rk ish Land Force Headquarters where he was received by General Salih Zeki Çolak, C o m m a n d e r Tu r k i s h

Land Forces and was presented guard of honour.

At the Turkish Land Force Headquarters, COAS was briefed on the regional security situation as well as the Turkish Land Forces and their various undertakings in field of training, defence production and peace keeping operations.

COAS was awarded the Legion of Merit in a simple and gracef ul ceremony in recognition of his

services for promotion of Pakistan-Turkey defence ties. Speaking on the occasion, COAS underscored the special place that turkey enjoys in the hearts of all Pakistanis. He dedicated the award to the Shuhada of both Pakistani and Turkish Armed Forces.

Later, COAS called on chief of Turkish General Staff, General Hulusi Akar and discussed matters related to regional security and

UN lauds Pakistan to hosts 1.4mln refugees; largest number in the world

the role Armed Forces of both countries play towards peace and stability. The two military leaders agreed to further enhance defence cooperation in multiple fields. Turkish military leadership was greatly grateful of the role Pakistan Army plays against terrorism as well as in peace keeping operations and as a factor of stability in a very volatile region.

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Turkmenistan President greets the participants of the exhibition

“International Economic Cooperation 2017”

All-pu r pose ex hibition “International Economic Cooperation 2017” opens in the Turkmen capital. The President of Turkmenistan addressed his welcome message to the participants.

Having congratulated on the opening of the exhibition, the Head of the State noted that versatile review is to play an important role in trade, economic and business partnership of Turkmenistan with other states of the planet.

Today, Turkmenistan is positioned in the world as a state with stably developing economy attracting advanced technologies and know-hows, establishing high technology enterprises provided with the most modern equipment. Growing interest of foreign consumers in high quality competitive goods with “Made in

Turkmenistan” trademark promotes annual increase of foreign trade turnover of the country. Programme measures for taking ecological quality domestic production to the world’s markets and development of beneficial relations with foreign partners are implemented.

The efficiency of foreign trade sphere depends directly on effective operation of transport sphere. Modern transport and logistic infrastructure is established in Turkmenistan for efficient use of favourable geographic location of the country, - the message says. International initiatives of the country are aimed at consolidation and expansion of bilateral and multilateral relations taking into account modern realities. Proposals on bring international dialog to

quality new level are an integral part of versatile activity of the state for accumulation of economic power.

New branches and various high technology enterprises are established owing to social and economic reforms.

Large-scale construction expanded in Turkmenistan, quality production of plants and factories provided with equipment from the leading world’s manufacturers, high level of services in different spheres and other achievements are the subjects of special pride. The main purpose of current review is the development of versatile cooperation with foreign countries and effective mechanisms of cooperation as well as increase of export potential, - the message of the President of Turkmenistan highlights.

Pakistan captain gets hero’s welcome in Karachi

World Refugees Day was observed across the globe

The day aims at highlighting the plight of refugees who are forced to leave their homes besides commemorating their courage and perseverance in the wake of ordeals confronting them. According to the annual Global Trends report by Office of UN High Commissioner for Refugees, an unprecedented 65.6 million people faced displacement from their homes by conflict and persecution during the last year. In Pakistan various events were held to commemorate the day.

Operation Radd ul Fasaad

Measures to improve security situation along the PakAfg border continue. In line with the directions of COAS, phased fencing of entire PakAfg border has commenced. In phase 1, high infiltration prone borde r a rea s i n Bajau r, Moh mand and K hyber Agencies are being fenced.

In phase 2 fencing of remaining border areas including Baluchistan will be executed.

Besides fencing, Pakistan Army and FC KP are constructing new Forts / Border Posts to improve surveillance and defensibility. A secure Pak-Afg border is in common interest of both countries and a well coordinated border security mechanism is essential for enduring peace and stability.

Kashmiri leader urges Pakistan to take Kashmir dispute to ICJ

NEW YORK—The United Nat ions has appreciated Pakistan for hosting the largest number of refugees in the world. A report prepared

by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said Pakistan has generously hosted the world’s largest refugee population for three decades, and it is essential to obilise more support from the international community. The United Nations has said that currently 60 million people in the world are refugees, asylum seekers or homeless in their own country whereas Pakistan hosts 1.4 million refugees.

This makes Pakistan the second country after Turkey to host the largest number of

refugees out of which a large number of them comprises of Afghan nationals, BBC reported.

According to a report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an increase of 3,00,000 refugees was seen in 2016 as compared to 2015. This number is much lesser than the year 2014-2015 when at least 5 million people were homeless.

Despite the decrease, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has termed it as a “disappointing failure” of the UN legateship. He said, “It seems the world is no longer capable to maintain peace.”He said, “The longstanding disputes remain un resolved

while new disputes are also upsurging. As a result people are becoming homeless.” He said, “Forced homelessness indicates a never ending war.”

Grandi warned that, “This was burdening the poorest countries of the world because 84 percent of the asylum seekers hail from countries with low economy.”

He stated that, “How can I ask the low resources countries of Africa and Middle East to host the asylum seekers when the rich countries decline to do so?” He expressed hope that this report will provide an opportunity to the rich countries to rethink to host the refugees.—DNA

KARACHI—Men, women and children packed Karachi airport as Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed returned from England, where the team thrashed arch-rivals India in the ICC Champions Trophy final to be crowned surprise winners.

Hundreds of fans gave Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed a hero’s welcome as he arrived home carrying the ICC Champions Trophy

early on Tuesday. Men, women and children packed Karachi airport as Sarfraz returned from England, where Pakistan thrashed arch-rivals India to be crowned surprise winners.

Sarfraz held up the trophy to loud cheers and chants of “Long live Sarfraz!” as a police band played patriotic songs nearby. The prayers of the whole nation,” Ahmed said in brief comments as he

jostled his way through the crowd of well-wishers.

Pakistan’s victory by 180 runs on Sunday has sparked widespread celebrations in the country, where cricket is the number one sport.

Sarfraz was showered with bouquets and given a traditional skull cap and an ‘ajrak’ shawl, which is usually presented as a mark of honour.

Senior local officials also

ISLAMABAD—Supreme Court (SC) will announce its reserved decision on leaked picture of Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz. A threemember bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal will also read its verdict on recording the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) session that was reserved on June 14 on the request of Hussain Nawaz.

It is to be mentioned here

that Hussain Nawaz submitted a petition in SC against his leaked photo, stating the purpose of this act was to humiliate him. He also demanded to identify the person behind it and to form a commissionunder a retired judge for proper inquiry.

Earlier, JIT submitted a written reply, claiming that a probe was launched immediately while culprit was traced within 24 hour

and his department was also informed about the mischief.

“The individual was immediately removed from his assigned duties and reverted to his parent department.

The department has confirmed that an (internal) inquiry has been completed and appropriate disciplinary action taken against the (said) individual,” said the reply.—DNA

turned up to greet the captain before he was whisked away under escort by police commandos along with team-mate Rumman Raees.

Sarfraz’s residential block in central Karachi was adorned with colourful lights and Pakistan flags, while fans climbed on rooftops and balconies to watch him return home

JIT photo leak issue: SC rejects Hussain Nawaz’s plea

2 Wednesday - June 21, 2017

THE DESTINATION

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL PHOTO OF THE DAY

Ex-Barclays CEO charged with fraud over Qatar funding

Kallar Kahar: There are hundreds of peacocks around Kallar Kahar lake and usually peacocks of lake remain hide and come in night.

Exclusive photo by The Destination team.

Malaysian will help Turkey to tackle FETÖ threat K UA L A LU M P U R— Malaysian Ambassador Abdul Wahab said Turkey and Malaysia are on the right path toward a more comprehensive and strategic partnership, including in the fight against FETÖ ter rorism, adding that Ankara is becoming one of the major regional players with its fast development Malaysian Ambassador to Ankara Abd Razak Abdul Wahab said Malaysia and Turkey are on the right path toward a more comprehensive and strategic partnership, while adding that such partnership will certainly mutually benefit both sides. Even though there is a geographical distance, deep rooted bilateral relations between Turkey and Malaysia started to flourish in recent years.

Regarding bilateral relations, Ambassador Abdul Wahab said cooperation with Turkey continues to expand, generating greater mutual benefit for both countries while he underlined that there is already strong commitment on both sides to further strengthening relations at all levels and in all fields.

Malaysia and Turkey are countries where Islam is the most widely followed religion and both countries have been shown as proof that the Muslim faith is

the provision of unlawful financial assistance” linked to capital raising from Qatar in 2008 worth billions of pounds (euros/ dollars).

The SFO added in a statement that former chief executive John Varley was one of those to face court following a fiveyear investigation. “The charges relate to Barclays Plc’s capital raising arrangements with Qatar Holding LLC and

Huge collection of original Nazi artifacts found in Argentina

perfectly compatible with multi-party democracy.

C om me nt i ng on how Turkey and Malaysia can cooperate in the f ight against extremism and terrorism, Ambassador Abdul Wahab said that as a matter of principle, Malaysia strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and he added that Malaysia will assist Turkey in its fight against FETÖ, which is categorized as a terrorist organization by the (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) OIC. Daily Sabah: Even though Malaysia and Turkey lie nearly 5,000 miles and seven time zones apart, bilateral relations roots to centuries. How would you evaluate the current level of

bilateral relations between the two countries?

Abd Razak Abdul Wahab: I have been in Ankara for nine months now. I have visited a number of cities such as Çanakkale, Eskişehir, Istanbul and Konya as part of my official functions.

I look forward to visiting other cities such as those in the Black Sea region and other parts of Anatolia. To me Turkey really is a beautiful country. It has many attractive places and is a root to many civilizations.

The people here are very friendly and they know Malaysia quite well. Turkey is now fast developing, becoming one of the major regional and global players.

The embassy in Ankara is an important diplomatic

mission for Malaysia. I feel honored to be assigned here at a time the relations between our two countries are growing in scope and intensity.

We have completed the 50th year of the diplomatic relations in 2014, which were officially established in 1964. Nevertheless, our relations with Turkey date back to the time before Malaysia’s independence in 1957. Historically, the relations can be traced to as far back as the 15th century when there were already contacts and interactions between the Malay sultanates and the Ottoman Empire then.

Global rights bodies urged to visit detainees in Indian Occupied Kashmir’s jails SR I NAGA R—T he H ig h C ou r t Ba r A sso ciat ion (HCBA) while expressing concern over deteriorating conditions of detainees and under-trial prisoners in different jails of the occupied Kashmir has sought the intervention by international human rights bodies to mitigate their sufferings.

HCBA General Secretary, Bashir Siddiq in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the detainees arrested during 2016 mass uprising were firstly booked in different

LONDON—Britain’s Serious Fraud Office said Tuesday it had charged Barclays bank and four former managers, including a chief executive, with “conspiracy to commit fraud” linked to emergency fundraising from Qatar during the financial crisis.

“The Serious Fraud Office has today charged Barclays Plc and four individuals with conspiracy to commit fraud and

Challenger Universal Ltd, which took place in June and October 2008,” the SFO said.

It added that they relate also to a $3-billion loan facility made available to the State of Qatar acting through the country’s Ministry of Economy and Finance in November 2008. The other three charged are Barclays’ former executive chairman of investment banking Roger Jenkins, the former chief executive of Barclays wealth and investment management Thomas Kalaris and former European head of financial institutions group Richard Boath. The defendants will appear before London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on July 3, the statement added.

In a separate statement, Barclays said it “is considering its position in relation to these developments” as it “awaits further details of the charges from the SFO”. Investigations have focused on advisory services worth £322 million, which Barclays agreed to pay the Qatar Investment Authority.

In early trading, shares in Barclays were down around half a percent on London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index, which was flat overall. By raising money from Qatar, Barclays avoided a UK government bailout at a time when rivals Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds had no choice but to be pumped with billions of pounds of British taxpayers’ money.—DNA

cases and later were detained under the draconian law, Public Safety Act (PSA) and lodged in jails.

He said, a two-member HCBA team after visiting Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu has compiled a report, which says that even those Kashmiris, arrested in 2016 and booked under draconian Public Safety Act have not been released despite the quashing of their detention quashed by the High Court of the territory.

The statement said that these detainees, lodged in different

police stations, were not granted bail in cases registered against them. It said that the detainees had approached courts to secure bail, but their applications could not be decided as they are booked under the PSA again.

While divulging the details of the report, the HCBA General Secretary cited the case of a detainee, Tanveer Ahmad War, who was arrested on October 21, 2016 in Baramulla and was, later, booked under the PSA and was lodged in Kot Bhalwal Jail, Jammu.

P SA a g a i n s t h i m w a s quashed by the High Court on December 14, 2016 but instead he was shifted to Baramulla police station where he was kept under unlawful detention till he was again booked under the PSA on May 27, 2017 and was shifted back to Kot Bhalwal Jail.

“Tanveer Ahmad is a handicapped person and is unable to walk without crutches. He remains bedridden for the whole day, as he is incapacitated to move on account of his ailment,” he added.

BUENOS AIRES—In a hidden room in a house near Argentina’s capital, police believe they have found the biggest collection of Nazi artifacts in the country’s history, including a bust relief of Adolf Hitler, magnifying glasses inside elegant boxes with swastikas and even a macabre medical device used to measure head size. Some 75 objects were found in a collector’s home in Beccar, a suburb north of Buenos Aires, and authorities say they suspect they are originals that belonged to high-ranking Nazis in Germany during World War II. “Our first investigations indicate that these are original pieces,” Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich told on Monday, saying that some pieces were accompanied by old photographs.

“This is a way to commercialize them, showing that they were used by the horror, by the Fuhrer. There are photos of him with the objects.” Among the

disturbing items were toys that Bullrich said would have been used to indoctrinate children, a large statue of the Nazi Eagle above a swastika, a Nazi hourglass and a box of harmonicas.

Police say one of the mostcompelling pieces of evidence of the historical importance of the find is a photo negative of Hitler holding a magnifying glass similar to those found in the boxes.

“We have turned to historians and they’ve told us it is the original magnifying glass” that Hitler was using, said Nestor Roncaglia, head of Argentina’s federal police. “We are reaching out to international experts to deepen” the investigation.

The photograph was not released to the public, but was shown on the condition that it not be published.

The investigation that culminated in the discovery of the collection began when authorities found artworks of illicit origin in a gallery in north Buenos Aires. Agents with the

international police force Interpol began following the collector and with a judicial order raided the house on June 8. A large bookshelf caught their attention and behind it agents found a hidden passageway to a room filled with Nazi imagery.

Authorities did not identify the collector who remains free but under investigation by a federal judge. “There are no precedents for a find like this. Pieces are stolen or are imitations. But this is original and we have to get to the bottom of it,” said Roncaglia. Police are trying to determine how the artifacts entered Argentina.

The main hypothesis among investigators and member of Argentina’s Jewish community is that they were brought to Argentina by a high-ranking Nazi or Nazis after World War II, when the South American country became a refuge for fleeing war criminals, including some of the best known.

A s le a d i n g m e m b e r s of Hitler’s Third Reich were put on trial for war

crimes, Josef Mengele fled to Argentina and lived in Buenos Aires for a decade.

He moved to Paraguay after Israeli Mossad agents captured Holocaust mastermind Adolf Eichmann, who was also living in Buenos Aires.

Mengele later died in Brazil in 1979 while swimming in a beach in the town of Bertioga.

While police in Argentina did not name any highranking Nazis to whom the objects might have originally belonged, Bullrich noted there were medical devices. “There are objects to measure heads that was the logic of the Aryan race,” she said.

Ariel Cohen Sabban, president of the DAIA, a political umbrella for Argentina’s Jewish institutes, called the find “unheard of ” in Argentina. “Finding 75 original pieces is historic and could offer irrefutable proof of the presence of top leaders who escaped from Nazi Germany,”

USAID Renew Ongoing Cooperation for Development in Pakistan I SL A M A BA D —T h e United States is providing an additional 19 billion Pakistani Rupees to create economic opportunities and pursue economic and political reforms that promote prosperity in Pakistan.

The additional funds will be obligated for development in Pakistan through an amendment to the Pakistan En hanced Par t nership

Agreement signed recently by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Finance.

The USAID programs to be supported through this agreement were developed in consultation with the Pakistani government and support the Government of Pakistan’s Vision 2025, which sets forth a roadmap

for a prosperous Pakistan.

The agreement reaffirms the U.S. Government’s commitment to continue its engagement with Pakistan through bilateral cooperation and robust civilian and security assistance.

The additional funding will enable the U.S. and Pakistan to work jointly on issues that are important to both countries: energy,

economic growth, stability, governance, education, and health.

Between 2005 and 2016, the United States, through USA I D, has provided nearly 840 billion Pakistani Rupees of development funds to Pakistan, making the country one of America’s largest recipients of foreign assistance.

Russia names new ambassador to Turkey

Ru ssia ap p oi nt e d A lexei Yerkhov to be Moscow’s new ambassador to Turkey, under a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin. Yerkhov, previously the head of the Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Management Center, replaces Andrey Karlov, who was assassinated at an art exhibition in Ankara on December 19, 2016. Karlov was delivering a speech at the opening of an art gallery when an armed assailant shot him several times. Turkish-Russian relations were tested after Karlov’s assassination. However, Russian President V ladi mi r P uti n declared the shooting a “provocation” designed to undermine bilateral ties.

THE DESTINATION

Wednesday - June 21, 2017

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NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL Kyrgyzstan is truly the center of jailoo tourism. As summer comes, thousands of kyrgyz shepherds in different parts of the country move with their livestock to high summer pastures called jailoo. It is a centuries-old tradition still regularly practiced in Kyrgyzstan. T here the families erect round felt yurts (known as boz ui) and stay up until the beginning of October.

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

Koumiss Treatment Koumiss (or kymyz) treatment is a developing form of health tourism in Kyrgyzstan during the summer season. Koumiss is a dairy product obtained as a result of fermentation of mare’s milk.

Doctors recommend it in the treatment of tuberculosis, gastritis, pancreatic disease, anemia, neurasthenia and cardiovascular diseases.

Kyrgyzstan Destinations Continued since 20-06-2017

Rana Tahir Shahbaz

Hiking and Trekking Kyrgyzstan is a true heaven for trekking and outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its beautiful mountain sceneries, large number of sunny days and huge choice of trails with varying degrees of difficulty from easy to extreme.

There are a large number of trails, many of which exist since Soviet times. The most favorite areas for hiking are: - in north: Ala Archa, Alamedin, Issyk Ata, Chon Kemin, Altyn Arashan and Karakol gorges, Eki Naryn valley, the plateau of Son Kol lake, Talas range; - in south: Karavshin gorge, Chatkal valey and Arslanbob valleys, Sary Chelek lake, Aigul Tash mountain.

Mountaineering About 95% of Kyrgyzstan’s territory is covered by mountains, which belong to two major mountain systems of the world – Tien Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. There are great opportunities for both beginners and professional mountaineers and climbers.

Every year more than a thousand climbers come from all corners of the world to conquer the heavenly mountains of Kyrgyzstan, including the world-famous Pobeda (7439m), Khan Tengri (7010 m) and Lenin (7134 m) peaks, which are on the territory of Kyrgyzstan.

Khan Tengri is in world climbers’ elite list and every self-respecting mountaineer at least once in a life must climb it.

Cycling Tours One of the most popular and recommended methods for exploring Kyrgyzstan is cycling.

Especially, lovers of extreme sports will appreciate the country’s potential.

Road around Issyk-Kul lake, Bishkek-Torugart and BishkekOsh highways, Suusamyr – Son Kol and Osh – Sary Tash roads, Karakol and Chon Kemin gorges are the popular routes. Best season: June – October.

Britain, EU start historic Brexit talks

Jeep and Motorbike Tours Nearly 70% of the roads in Kyrgyzstan are not paved. This makes the country an ideal place for jeep and motorcycle journeys.

One can enjoy the beauties of Kyrgyzstan’s pristine nature and learn about the rich history and culture of the nomads while driving from one place to another.

Food and Drink The modern Kyrgyz cuisine is quite rich in the sense that it has adopted elements from culinary cultures of both nomadic and settled Turkic peoples of Central Asia, as well as those of Eastern (Chinese and Indian) peoples.

As for the traditional Kyrgyz cuisine, it is dominated by meat and dairy products with their natural appearance and flavor and have a high calorie content and nutritional value.

Hunting with Eagle Kyrgyzstan is one of the fewest places on Earth, where real hungting with birds of prey is still practiced.

Training a bird is a very timeconsuming and meticulous process. Especially, eagle training requires special mastery.

Horseback Tours

Usually deer, fox, lynx and other small animals are chosen as prey. A well-trained eagle is capable of killing even a young wolf. There are legends about some famous golden eagles, who were powerful enough to take snow leopards. The season of hunting with eagles in Kyrgyzstan begins in October and ends in February.

Horseback tours in Kyrgyzstan are as popular as trekking and hiking. Trails go through the virgin landscapes of Tien Shan and Pamir with pristine mountain lakes, beautiful spruce-fir forests and alpine meadows.

One can taste kymyz, local kyrgyz beverage made of mare’s milk, learn about the local culture and spend unforgettable night in bozui. The best season for this kind of vacation is from mid-June to September.

Holidays in Jailoo

EU Council vows to strengthen cooperation with Turkey

Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking Want to color your holiday in Kyrgyzstan with sharp and vivid impressions? Then you should definitely try white water rafting.

Of the Central Asian countries Kyrgyzstan has the best conditions for rafting and kayaking. The country has plenty of wild mountain rivers suitable for this kind of activity.

Skiing and Snowboarding Thanks to wonderful climatic conditions, abundant snow, pistes suitable for both amateurs and professionals and excellent service provided by ski resorts Kyrgyzstan has become the center of winter ski vacation in Central Asia.

The number of tourists visiting Kyrgyzstan for skiing is dramatically increasing from year to year. (source: http://www.discoverkyrgyzstan.org)

Britain, EU start historic Brexit talks

BRUSSELS—Britain and the European Union began their first formal Brexit negotiations, under pressure to seal a deal amid disarray in London over whether to go for a hard or soft divorce.

At stake is not just Britain’s future but also Europe’s postwar political order and its place in the world which could be fatally undermined without an agreement by the March 2019 deadline.

The EU’s chief negotiator, France’s Michel Barnier, welcomed his counterpart David Davis with a handshake and smiles for the press in the Eu ropea n Com m ission’s

landmark headquarters in central Brussels flanked by the EU and British flags.

“Today we are launching negotiations on the orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU,” said Barnier, a former European commissioner and French foreign minister. Their first task must be to “tackle the uncertainties caused by Brexit,” he said, citing the rights of EU citizens in Britain and the possible impact on the open border between Northern Ireland and the republic.

“I hope that today we can identify priorities and a timetable to allow me to report to (EU leaders) later this week (that)

we had a constructive opening of negotiations.”

Davis, a prominent toughtalking figure in the “Leave” campaign, sounded a positive note too, saying “there is more that unites us than divides us.”

“In testing times like these we are reminded of the values and resolve we share with our closest allies in Europe,” he said, referring to the latest reported terror attack overnight in London and the loss of lives in forest fires in Portugal. Davis said the talks would be carried out in “a positive and constructive tone,” with Britain looking to forge a “strong and special partnership for the future.”

Australia suspends air strikes in Syria after U.S. downing of Syrian jet Australian Defence Minister Marise said today her country is suspending air strikes into Syria following the U.S. downing of a Syrian military jet on Sunday and Russia’s subsequent threat against coalition aircraft.

In a statement Australia’s Department of Defence said that Australian defence force strike operations in Syria have temporarily ceased as precautionary measure.

CITY Of BRUSSELS— Terror is one of the most serious threats to international peace, council says in statement after Luxembourg meeting The Council of the European Union agreed to strengthen cooperation with Turkey through enhanced political dialogue and by offering more support in the fight against terrorism during a meeting in Luxembourg.

In statement released on its official website after the meeting, the council said it adopted its conclusions on EU external action on counter-terrorism. “The Council reiterates its strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever and for whatever purpose…”Terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.”

It called for “strengthened cooperation with the

Middle-East and Nor th Africa, Western Balkans, Turkey, Sahel and the Horn of Africa, through enhanced political dialogue, more cou nter-ter ror ism pro jects and financial support for counter-terrorism and countering and preventing violent extremism, and reinforced strategic communications, in particular through StratComms Task Force South.”

It also urged the “strengthening the EU response in key thematic areas, such as preventing and countering violent extremism, the need to effectively address online recruitment and radicalization, the acute challenge of foreign terrorist fighters, in particular the issue of returnees, aviation security, firearms trafficking, the issue of terrorist financing and money laundering and the links between serious and organized crime and terrorism.”

BRUSSELS—Britain and the European Union began their first formal Brexit negotiations, under pressure to seal a deal amid disarray in London over whether to go for a hard or soft divorce.

At stake is not just Britain’s future but also Europe’s postwar political order and its place in the world which could be fatally undermined without an agreement by the March 2019 deadline.

The EU’s chief negotiator, France’s Michel Barnier, welcomed his counterpart David Davis with a handshake and smiles for the press in the Eu ropea n Com m ission’s

landmark headquarters in central Brussels flanked by the EU and British flags.

“Today we are launching negotiations on the orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU,” said Barnier, a former European commissioner and French foreign minister. Their first task must be to “tackle the uncertainties caused by Brexit,” he said, citing the rights of EU citizens in Britain and the possible impact on the open border between Northern Ireland and the republic.

“I hope that today we can identify priorities and a timetable to allow me to report to (EU leaders) later this week (that)

we had a constructive opening of negotiations.”

Davis, a prominent toughtalking figure in the “Leave” campaign, sounded a positive note too, saying “there is more that unites us than divides us.”

“In testing times like these we are reminded of the values and resolve we share with our closest allies in Europe,” he said, referring to the latest reported terror attack overnight in London and the loss of lives in forest fires in Portugal. Davis said the talks would be carried out in “a positive and constructive tone,” with Britain looking to forge a “strong and special partnership for the future.”

IMF says Japan needs to stick with fiscal, monetary stimulus TOKYO—The International Monetary Fund on Monday urged Japan to avoid withdrawing fiscal policy stimulus and to keep monetary policy accommodative to accelerate growth and achieve higher inflation.

The real exchange rate is in line with medium-term economic fundamentals but Japan’s current account

balance last year was slightly stronger than warranted by economic fundamentals, the IMF said.

“The expiration of fiscal support in 2018 under current policies together with a smaller expansion in foreign demand would reduce growth to less than half of that in 2017,” the IMF said in its annual Article 4 evaluation of Japan’s economy.

“Without additional spending, the fiscal stance could become contractionary in 2018-20 due also to the scheduled consumption tax hike in October 2019.” Japan also needs to move faster on reforms to increase productivity, diversify the labour market and increase corporate investment, the IMF said.—DNA

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

THE DESTINATION

4 Wednesday - June 21, 2017

Pakistan open to any mechanism to bring about peace in Afghanistan WASHINGTON—Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Chaudhry has said Islamabad was open to any mechanism that could bring peace to Afghanistan.

He said “Pakistan is open to any mechanism that may work for bringing peace in Afghanistan and the entire region”. The Ambassador expressed these views duri ng a candid discussion arranged by Washington-based think-tank Indus, also featuring Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hamdullah Mohib.

Ambassador Chaudhry reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment that it will not allow its soil to be used by any militant group against any country, including Afghanistan.

“If Afghanistan is stable, Pakistan is the biggest beneficiary.” The dialogue between the two ambassadors was arranged by Indus think-tank during which the two top diplomats discussed their countries’ common interest and the challenge to their important bilateral relationship.

The think-tank noted on its website that a strengthened relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan was of critical concern to the future of both countries and to their region’s

peace, stability and prosperity.

The issue was also important for American strategic interest, it said. The Ambassador emphasized that the tendency to shift blame on Pakistan for everything by Afghanistan, should be discouraged.

Ambassador Chaudhry underscored that Pakistan and Afghanistan need to cooperate with each other in order to defeat the common enemy - terrorism - for bringing peace and stability to the region.

Speaking on the occasion, the Afghan A mbassador stated that the terrorism was not a bilateral issue between Pakistan and Afghanistan, but a global issue and that all the countries need to address this menace.

He also admitted that conflict in Afghanistan is far beyond Pak-Afghanistan region and involves many international players and forces and requires a comprehensive political solution for lasting peace. af ter the discussion, Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry stated that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during a meeting with his Afghan counterpart on the sidelines of SCO summit in Astana earlier this month, emphasized the same point that blame-game should end. The Ambassador said that

Pakistan has never accused anyone without concrete proof.

He said whenever cross-border involvement was found in terrorist incidents in the country, Pakistan presented proof of that.

Refer ring to the ongoing operation Radd ul Fasaad, the Ambassador said that Pakistan itself was taking steps to improve the law and order and eliminate the menace of terrorism from its soil.

Responding to a question, Ambassador Chaudhry said that Pakistan is for an Afghanowned, Afghan-led reconciliation process and, if in that process Pakistan can facilitate, “we are ready to do that.”

To a question about a media report on a policy review being conducted by the US State Department on Pakistan, the Ambassador clarified that any new administration when takes charge, forms its own policy.

“This is a routine review and is not Pakistan-specific,” he added. At a recent briefing, a US State Department, Ms Heather Nauert, also dispelled the impression if the policy review was Pakistan-specific.

She stated that there were plenty of policy reviews taking place in the State Department.

CDA Mobile van collects samples of water from various sectors ISLAMABAD—During the period from 12th to 16th June, 2017 especially constituted mobile complaint van service teams conducted survey in 108 houses and collected 10 water samples from different areas of the city. Team A conducted survey in sector G-7/2, G-7/1, F-7/3, F-6/1, G-7/4 and surveyed 50 houses. Team B conducted survey of 58 houses in sector G-6/2, G-8/1, G-8/2, G-9/1, G-6/1-2 and G-6/1-1 in addition to get 03 water samples.

During this period, Team A surveyed 50 houses while Team B surveyed 58 houses in addition to the collection of 10 water samples. Capital Development Authorit y’s (CDA) mobile complaint van service is contributing highly in service delivery improvement in the Authority.

Early redressed of complaints pertaining to CDA and MCI is being ensured. Through this service, survey of different areas of is conducting to address the issue of public

general public at their door step. Mobile Complaint Van Service is an organ of public grievance and complaint cell.

In order to achieve desired results from mobile van complaints service, different teams have been constituted, which are targeting different areas of the city on daily basis to record the complaints from the residents of these areas.

Furthermore, on spot water quality testing service is also being provided.—DNA

France elects record number of women to parliament

PARIS— 156 women lawmakers elected to France’s National Assembly. France voted a record number of women into parliament on Sunday, thanks largely to President Em manuel Macron’s decision to field a gender-balanced candidate list for his victorious Republic on the Move (LREM) party.

As of late Sunday evening there were 156 women lawmakers elected to France’s National Assembly, already more than ever before, and with 148 seats as yet undecided. Catherine Barbaroux, LREM’s acting president, hailed the increase of women’s share of parliamentary seats.

“For the first time under the Fifth Republic, the National Assembly will be deeply renewed - more diverse, younger,” she said. “But above all, allow me to rejoice, because this is a historic event for the representation of women in the National Assembly.” Female parliamentary representation has increased steadily in France in recent years, with the 2012 elections seeing a record 155 women—26.9% percent— voted in, up from 18.5% in the 2007 elections and 12.3%

in 2002.

Yet although France has a system in which funding for political parties is restricted if women do not make up at least 49% of its parliamentary candidates, most parties still put up more men for election.

Even where women are put up for election, they tend to be in constituencies where they are unlikely to win, keeping the numbers of women who make it to the Palais-Bourbon low.

“En Marche...proactively decided to give winning seats to women,” said 34-year-old Brune Poirson, who beat the FN to be elected to parliament in the Vaucluse district in southeastern France. “This is a really bold move.”

“Normally political parties allocate women seats that are almost impossible to win, so they can say ‘hey, we have as many female candidates as male,’ but at the end of the day they never end up winning,” added Poirson, who has no prior parliamentary experience but has master’s degrees in political science from both Harvard and the London School of Economics.

Poirson decided to become a candidate in January when Macron sent a video to party

members urging more women to put themselves forward. “(Macron)... said: this is your responsibility as well - we need you. It was very powerful, and it really worked,” she told. A macho culture in the upper echelons of power has characterised French politics in the past, but there have been signs in recent times that the veil is lifting on acts that would previously have gone unreported.

Last year Denis Baupin resigned as vice-president of the National Assembly after being accused of sexual harassment by fellow politicians. Shortly after that, the then finance minister Michel Sapin admitted to behaving inappropriately toward a female journalist.

33 -ye a r- old L a u r i a n n e Rossi, a former assistant to a Socialist senator who was elected to Hauts-de-Seine, on the Western outskirts of Paris, said even with the increase in female lawmakers, it would take time to make a real difference. There is still a long way to go before we get real equality between women and men in France... (but) the arrival of so many more women at the National Assembly will really help,” she said.—DNA

Gunmen kill 8 security guards in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, eight security guards have been killed by gunmen who opened fire on them in northern Parwan province. A spokeswoman for the provincial governor in Parwan, Wahida Shahkar said on Tuesday that two other guards were wounded in the attack that happened in Bagram district. She said the guards were attacked on their way to Bagram airbase. No group has accepted responsibility for the attack.

Gwadar-Nawab Shah Pipeline: US-Saudi nexus

GWADAR, JUN 20 (DNA) It seems the latest casualty for Pakistan amidst the diplomatic tensions in the Middle East has been the Gwadar-Nawabshah LNG pipeline project which was shelved by the PM in a recent meeting. The project worth almost $2billion aimed to transport RLNG from the planned LNG terminal at Gwadar to Nawabshah, spanning a distance of 700km.

Conceived as an alternative to the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project which understandably could not be pursued due to US pressure and sanctions, the government hoped to use the pipeline as a main trunk line to supply both imported LNG as well as indigenous gas in a more efficient manner.

According to the project proposal, the pipeline could eventually be extended to Mult a n a nd become the main trunk line for supply to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited. Interestingly though, according to sources at the Planning Commission the aim of policymakers was twofold.

One, as previously mentioned would be to initially transport 600 mmcfd to Sindh and then distribute from there onwards.

However, a clever strategic ploy was to eventually use this pipeline to connect to the IP gas pipeline.

The IP pipeline would begin from South Parsgas field in Iran and end at Nawabshah with a total distance of 1931 km out of which roughly 781 km will be in the Pakistan side. Therefore if the GwadarNawabshah pipeline of 700 km was built, when and if sanctions were removed from Iran,

Pakistan would only have to lay an additional 80-100 km of pipeline till the Iranian border.

The hope was that this way, international powers could not pressurize Pakistan as the pipeline’s main aim for the time being would be to cater to the LNG terminal. Iran has not been too happy with the way the government has preceded on the IP project although US pressure has been one of the main reasons for the delay.

In fact, after assuming office US President Trump has been highly critical of Iran and has called for reinstating sanctions against the country.

Saudi Arabia has also been active in persuading Pakistan to drop the project given its rivalry with the Persian state.

Therefore, the timing of decision which comes right after Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic spate with Qatar could be seen as Saudi and American pressure to shelve the project.

For, there seems no other rational explanation given that the government decided to award the project to China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis in October 2016. The Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM) had also agreed to provide $1.35 financing for the project. This results in not only losing a much needed oppor t u nit y to diversif y energy imports for Pakistan as it relies on Qatar for all of its LNG imports currently; but also reneging on its commitment with the Chinese does not set a favourable precedent in light of the Chinese investment under CPEC.

ISLA M A BA D —With the implementation of ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan, the cultural interaction of Pakistani a nd Ch i nese cit i zens is opening avenue for learning Chinese language in Pakistan.

Numerous institutes are teaching Chinese language to students and professionals in Pakistan, including the Roots Millennium Schools where more than 7,000 students are learning mandarin.

Being a flagship project of Belt & Road, CPEC has attracted many Chinese into Pakistan who aren’t necessarily working on CPEC projects, but with

other enterprises, or running private businesses. CPEC is not only providing economic connectivity, but also helping establish people-to-people ties between the two countries which will be beneficial for the whole region.

China is investing billions of dollars in extensive roads, railways, special industrial zones and energy infrastructure in Pakistan. The massive collaboration dubbed the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, is generating interest among Pakistani students and professionals to learn Mandarin.

Learning Chinese trending in Pakistan amid deepening ties with China