WEATHER ISLAMABAD Sunny
ISLAMABAD ISSUE: 43 VOL: 1
32°C 89°F
Precipitation: 20% Humidity: 72% Wind: 21 km/h Friday– June 30, 2017
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PAGES: 4 RS: 15/www.thedestination.com.pk
Shawal 05, 1468 AH.
Russian, Iran and Turkey jointly to create de-escalation zones in Syria
Russian, Iran and Turkey are jointly working on a plan to create de-escalation zones in Syria. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov while talking to reporters in Moscow. He said the new round of peace talks will be held in Astana on Tuesday to focus on creating de-escalation zones to reduce tensions in Syria.
World should recognize Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, China
China, Kyrgyzstan hold anti-terror drill in Xinjiang
China and Kyrgyzstan held joint anti-terrorism exercise in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. According to Xinhua News Agency, a total of 700 police officers from the t wo count ries, aided by armored vehicles, were involved in the drill. The exercise, carried out under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, was witnessed by representatives from Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Chinese Assistant of Public Security Wang Jian said the drill reflects SCO member countries’ highly consistent stand and resolution in fighting against terrorism, secessionism and extremism.
Kashmiris struggling for independence from 70 years: FO
Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to eradication of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria in a statement today (Tuesday) stated that the people of Pakistan have rendered immense sacrifices in both blood and material to end this scourge, which has been acknowledged by the international community. He said the 70 year old indigenous struggle of Kashmiris in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir remains legitimate. He said the gross and systematic violations of human rights of the Kashmiri people in occupied Kashmir have been recorded and reported by independent human rights bodies.
BE I J I NG — C h i n a s a id Pakistan was at the forefront of counter-terrorism and had made an important contribution to the international campaign against terrorism. “I must say that Pakistan is at the forefront of counterterrorism and has made an important contribution to the international campaign against terrorism,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said during a press briefing. The spokesperson said the Chinese side maintained that the international commu nit y should step up cooperation against terrorism, and should also fully recognise Pakistan’s efforts in this regard. Regarding counter-terrorism and issues relating to other countries in the region, Lu Kang said, “We have noted the relevant reports.
I would like to say that the Chinese government is consistent and clear on counterterrorism.” He said China opposed all forms of terrorism and linking terrorism with any specific country, adding, “We call for international cooperation against terrorism on the basis of mutual respect.” Responding to a question regarding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, he said, “We have been saying that China welcomes friendly and cooperative relations among all countries, and hope that such kind of relations will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity of the region and beyond.” “We think it is quite normal for leaders of two countries to talk about issues of common
interest, as long as their interaction is conducive to peace, stability, and prosperity of Asia.” About the discussion and consensus between US and Indian leaders on the issue of Afghanistan, the Chinese spokesperson said that the realisation of peace and stability in Afghanistan at an early date served the common interests of the entire region. “China always supports the “Afghan-led and Afghanowned” reconciliation process which is inclusive. We also welcome all parties’ constructive efforts in this aspect,” he added. About the reopening of Nathu-la pass in Sikkim section of ChinaIndia border for Indian pilgrims, Lu Kang said, “We have told the Indian side that the arrangement was put off as an emergency measure in response to the change of the
Our staff reporter Pakistan on Thursday summoned Indian envoy over a recent ceasefire violations that killed a civilian and injured four other people. The Foreign Office said the Director General (SA & SAARC), Dr. Mohammad Fa i s a l , s u m m o n e d t h e Acting Indian Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Raghuram and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by
the Indian occupation forces in Nikial Sector on June 28. A statement said the Indian firing resulted in martyrdom of 1 civilian (Abdul Wahab r/o Dothilla Village of 22 years) and injuries to four others (Muhammad Shakeel r/o Mohra Village of 25 years, Muhammad Arshad r/o Mohra Village, Asif Mahmood r/o Mohra Village and Safira Bibi r/o Mohra Village of 32 years). “The deliberate targeting of
civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws, the Foreign Office said. The Director General urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC.
Pakistan summons Indian envoy over ceasefire violation: FO
Iran says US travel ban is ‘racist’ and ‘unfair’
Iran says the US Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate parts of a travel ban applied to six Muslim-majority countries is unfair. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Tehran that it is regrettable that Washington is closing its eyes to the main perpetrators of terrorist acts in the United States.
Pakistan High Commission issues 300 visas to Sikh Yatrees
Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued 300 visas to Sikh Yatrees to visit Pakistan for observing religious occasion of Ranjeet Singh’s death anniversary. More then 150 sikhs are waiting at Attari station since early morning. Unfortunately the Indian authorities are not allowing them despite special train arranged by Pakistan to bring them to Pakistan. Earlier this year, Sikh Yatrees with Pakistani visas, wishing to attend the Jor Mela, were stranded at the Atari station due to “technical reasons” cited by Indian authorities resulting in a large number being unable to attend their religious festivities.
Pakistan declared as “Full Signatory” of Washington Accord Pakistan has been declared as “Full Signatory “of the Washington Accord (WA), a highest prestigious international forum of International Engineering Alliance, in its General Assembly Meeting held in USA on 21st June 2017. Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) was representing the country to attain full signatory status of WA since 2011. Washington Accord is a highly rigorous global standard on
engineering education and accreditation system which grants substantial equivalence of degrees to facilitate global mobility and international recognition to equate the same at par with top leading signatory countries of the world. The process of accreditation of an applicant country is to be checked for its quality of engineering education and competency of engineers. The whole process is subject to
peer reviewed by designated reviewers of at least three to five signatory countries. It is their set criteria and standards to observe for implementation of Outcome-based Education & Assessment system in the jurisdiction of an applicant economy. Pakistan gone through all these reviews at satisfactory levels. Final review by 3 signatories namely Newzealand, UK, and South Korea was taken place in last year.
situation caused by the Indian border troops’ trespass.” He stressed that Indian pilgrims’ trip to Xi Zang required necessary atmosphere and conditions, adding, the Indian side was to blame for the trip not being able to take place as scheduled. “As for when the pilgrimage route will reopen, it totally depends on whether the Indian side can correct its mistake in time.” The Chinese spokesperson continued that China’s construction of a road in Doklam was an act of sovereignty on its own territory.—DNA
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Pakistan warns that new nuclear arms race would set back disarmament efforts
Agencies—Pakistan told the Security Council that declared plans by one nuclear weapons state to expand its nuclear capabilities would renew an arms race and seriously set back global disarmament efforts, says a press release received from London. Speaking in the Security Council debate on ‘Global efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by nonState actors’, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi criticized one of the P-5 states that has vowed to “greatly strengthen and expand nuclear capabilities by outmatching and outlasting potential competitors.” “This “she warned “would renew a nuclear arms race”. Dr Lodhi argued that disarmament and non-proliferation are organically linked and criticized those Nuclear Weapon States that are neither willing to give up their large inventories of nuclear weapons nor their
modernization programmes, even as they pursue nonproliferation with messianic zeal. She also pointed out that grant of discriminatory waivers to some and making exceptions out of power or profit considerations remains a key challenge to non proliferation norms and rules. These “special arrangements”, she warned, carry obvious proliferation risks and open up the possibility of diversion of the material intended for peaceful uses to military purposes, in addition to undermining regional strategic stability. The Pakistani envoy made a strong case for Pakistan’s NSG membership by highlighting her country’s credentials as a credible global partner in international nonproliferation efforts. She expressed Pakistan’s commitment to Security Council resolution 1540 and told the Council that Pakistan has submitted its fifth national implementation report as a manifestation of that
commitment. Ambassador Lodhi called for strengthening of the nonproliferation regime through a transparent, objective and non-discriminatory criteria that ensures equal treatment of non-NPT applicants for the NSG’s membership. The Pakistani envoy emphasized the importance of staying a step ahead of non-State actors, that seek to kill and maim innocent people by using WMDs, especially in view of the rapid advancements in science and technology. And she called for leveraging the cooperative approach abs spirit of national ownership that resolution 1540 engenders. Stressing the importance of supporting member states in need of assistance for implementation of resolution 1540, Ambassador Lodhi expressed Pakistan’s readiness to offer assistance to interested states for capacity building, technical assistance and training in collaboration with the 1540 Committee, in the areas of regulatory infrastructure in export controls and nuclear security, commodity identification training for enforcement officials, training for licensing officers, internal compliance, industry outreach and public awareness raising as well as specialized courses in the field of nuclear safety and nuclear security, CWC-related assistance and protection courses etc.