The Destination Issue 45 Vol 1

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ISLAMABAD ISSUE: 45 VOL: 1

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Shawal 08, 1468 AH.

NAB committed to make country corruption free

Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Qamar Zaman Chaudhry on Saturday said that the organization is committed to ensure transparency and make the country corruption free. In a statement in Islamabad, he said, “During the last three years, the Bureau has filed more than 150 corruption references against corrupt persons in Accountability Courts and recovered Rs 45 billion.” He said, “The figures of complaints, inquiries and investigations are almost double as compared to the same period of 2015 to 2017.” The Chairman said, “NAB has also introduced a new System of Combined Investigation Team in order to benefit from the experience and collective wisdom of senior supervisory officers.”

India using Afghan soil to spread

terrorism in Pakistan, FO

UN calls for peaceful settlement of diplomatic row among Gulf States

The United Nations Human Rights Chief Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein has reiterated his call for peaceful settlement of diplomatic row among Gulf States. In a press conference in Geneva, a Spokesman of the High Commissioner for Human rights urged the Gulf States to resolve their ongoing differences in a reasonable manner that might not impact their own as well as others’ rights. The Spokesman expressed concern over the demand of closing down Al Jazeera channel and termed it an unacceptable attack on the right to freedom of expression.

Ac c o r d i n g t o R a d i o Pakistan, Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria says India is involved in terror financing and terrorist activities in Pakistan.

In an interview, he said India has been using the soil of Afghanistan against

Pa k i s t a n t o p r o m ot e terrorism.

Na fe e s Z a k a r i a s a id Indian subversive designs against Pakistan have been exposed after the trial of Kulbhushan Yadhave and his confessional statement of Ahsanullah Ahsan.

Registration of Afghan refugees from next month till December 2017

The registration of unregistered Afg han ref ugees residing in parts of KhyberPakhtunkhwa is going to start from July 15 next while those Afghans having legal documents can stay till December 31, 2017.

This announcement was made

by K hyber-Pak ht u n k hwa Director General Afghan Refugees Waqar Maroof in a statement issued. The registration process will jointly be lau nched by K hyberPak ht un k hwa Afghan Commissionrate, NADRA and Ministry of SAFRON, Waqar Maroof said. The registration process will be started across the country and for this purpose as many as 22 centers are being set up out of which 11 are in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

President meets Sarfaraz

President Mamnoon Hussain Sat urday met Captain of National Cricket Team Sarfaraz Ahmed and congratulated him over historic win.

and international community regarding Indian atrocities and human rights violations in the Occupied valley.

Na fe e s Z a k a r i a s a id Kashmiri people are struggling for their basic right to self determination.

Kyrgyzstan establishes diplomatic relations with Lebanon

PM to attend PakistanAfghanistan-Tajikistan Summit in Tajikistan

Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said that Prime Minister Nawa z Sha r if w ill v isit Tajikistan on Wednesday to attend Pakistan-AfghanistanTajikistan summit. Talking to journalists in Islamabad, he said, “Relations with Afghanistan are improving after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana.” He said, “Consultations are underway on Pakistan-Afghanistan coordination mechanism for peace and stability in the region.

The spokesman said Indian barbaric activities against innocent Kashmiris in the Occupied Kashmir have also been exposed to the world.

He said Pa k ist an has i n for me d t he Un it e d Nations General Assembly

Bishkek, / Kabar /. Kyrgyzstan established diplomatic relations with the Lebanese Republic. The joint Communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed in New York by the Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN, Mirgul Moldoisayeva and

Permanent Representative of the Lebanese Republic to the UN, Navaf Salam, the press service of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry reported. The sides established diplomatic relations, guided by the principles and objectives of the UN Charter and international law, in particular, respect and strengthening of international peace and security, equality between states, due respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, independence, observing international treaties and non-interference in the internal affairs of the countries. After the signing ceremony of the Joint Communiqué, a bilateral meeting was held, during which the sides expressed their mutual intention to develop friendly and cooperative relations between states within the UN and other international organizations, as well as supporting each other’s candidatures to international bodies through the UN.

Turkey won’t allow July 15 coup attempt to be forgotten, Erdoğan says

ANKARA—Turkey will not let the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ)-led July 15 coup attempt to be forgotten, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, as Turkey prepares to commemorate the anniversary of hundreds of people who sacrificed their lives for the sake of democracy.

Speaking at a meeting for the Justice and Development (AK Party) Party’s provincial heads, Erdoğan said that Turkey will never allow the brutal coup attempt to be forgotten and the attempts to prevent perpetrators to be held accountable for their crimes.

“We will never let July 15 to be forgotten, or this betrayal to

be concealed” Erdoğan said and added that Turkey is aware of its responsibility to ensure justice for the sake of those who have sacrificed their lives opposing FETÖ coup perpetrators on the night of July 15.

Last year’s deadly coup July 15, undertaken by FETÖ operatives within the military, failed due to serious public backlash.

The government declared a state of emergency a few days later, allowing the firing of tens of thousands of public servants linked to the terrorist group. The government has also set up a commission to review objections to the firings.

FETÖ, led by Fetullah Gülen who currently resides in Pennsylvania, U.S., through its operatives within the judiciary, police, military, other state agencies and media, persecuted anyone they deemed as opponents over the years. FETÖ, recognized as a terrorist group by Turkey, is also active across the world through what they call educational institutions, which are mainly used to generate funds for their illicit activities and recruitment.

The president also said that the party will seek to revive its local organizations, by replacing “exhausted” members with more dynamic, productive, enthusiastic and visionary counterparts. He highlighted that this revival is necessary to boost the party’s strength ahead of the 2019 elections.

Italy urges EU ports to take migrants as pressure builds

ROME, JUL 02 (DNA) - Italy’s interior minister called Sunday on other European countries to open their ports to rescue ships ahead of talks with France and Germany on tackling the migrant emergency. Marco Minniti, who meets his counterparts in Paris later Sunday to prepare for EU talks in Tallinn this week, said in an interview with Il Messaggero daily that “we are under enormous pressure”. With arrivals in Italy up nearly 19 percent compared to the same period last year, Rome has threatened to close its ports to privately-funded aid boats or insist funding be cut to EU countries which fail to help with the crisis.

“There are NGO ships, Sophia and Frontex boats, Italian coast guard vessels” saving migrants in the Mediterranean, he said, referring to the aid boats as well as vessels deployed under EU border security missions. “They are sailing under the flags of various European countries. If the only ports where refugees are taken to are Italian, something is not working. This is the heart of the question,” he said. “I am a europhile and I would be proud if even one vessel, instead of arriving in Italy, went to another European port. It would not resolve Italy’s problem, but it would be an extraordinary signal” of support, he said.

Over 83,000 people rescued while attempting the perilous crossing from Libya have been brought to Italy so far this year, according to the UN, while more than 2,160 have died trying, the International Organisation for Migration says.

Italy’s Red Cross has warned the situation in the country’s overcrowded reception centres is becoming critical.

Interior Minister Minniti was set to meet counterparts Gerard Collomb of France, Thomas de Maiziere of Germany and European Union Commissioner for Refugees Dimitris Avramopoulos at 1800 GMT in the French capital.

Even before the meeting, his plans were being met with scorn on Italy’s political right. “The attempt to involve Europe, which clearly doesn’t give a damn, is pathetic,” said Paolo Romani, the head of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party in the Senate, calling for the ports to be barred.

Minniti said Rome would be pushing for a way to shift the asylum application process from Italy to Libya, and safely bring to Europe those who win the right to protection.

“We have to distinguish before they set off (across the Mediterranean) between those who have a right to humanitarian protection and those who don’t.

“And, on the basis of the decisions made by the UNHCR, we must ensure the former depart for Europe while economic migrants are voluntarily repatriated” to their countries of origin, he said.

Unsourced Italian media reports said Rome was likely to call for a European code of conduct to be drawn up for the privately-run aid boats, with the Corriere della Sera saying vessels that did not comply could be “seized”.=DNA

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Sacrifices of Pakistani nation against terrorism will not go waste: PM

ISLA M A BA D -P r i me Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif says the sacrifices of Pakistani nation against terrorism and extremism will not go waste.

In a statement issued on Sunday, he said the elements engaged in the activities against the solidarity, unity and development of Pakistan will be defeated.

The Prime Minister said that the victims of the Parachinar

blasts incident will be looked after and compensated completely. He said the people’s sacrifices against terrorism and extremism would never squander. The elements poised to undermine the unity and development of Pakistan would face defeat, he added.

The Prime Minister directed Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra to distribute relief

cheques among the victims of Parachinar terrorism incident.

Gover n ment K hyber Pakhtunkhwa has been given the task for the distribution of the Prime Minister’s announced package for Parachinar blasts’ victims.

The prime minister also directed Governor KP to take full care of victims of the Parachinar terror incident.=DNA

Pakistan on Sunday denied India consular access to convicted spy Kulbhushan Jadhav who was sentenced to death by a military tribunal in Pakistan on charges of espionage and terrorism earlier this year.

A day earlier, as Pakistan and India exchanged lists of prisoners under the 2008 Agreement on Consular

Access, with India reiterating its commitment “to addressing on priority all humanitarian matters with Pakistan”, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs renewed its demand for consular access to Jadhav.

India called on the Pakistani government for the “early release and repatriation of Indian prisoners, missing

Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats whose nationality has been confirmed by India”.

The Foreign Office (FO), however, rejected New Delhi’s demand for consular access to Jadhav, stating the equating the case of the Indian spy to civilian prisoners was a “travesty of logic”.

ROME: Demands made of Qatar by four other Arab states were designed to be rejected, Doha’s foreign minister said, explaining that their ultimatum was aimed not at tackling terrorism but at curtailing his country’s sovereignty.

However Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, speaking to reporters in Rome, added Doha was still ready to sit down and discuss the grievances raised by its Arab neighbors. He was speaking ahead of a deadline set by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates [UAE], Bahrain and Egypt for Doha

to accept 13 demands.

Officials say they are aimed at ending a rift that erupted last month over accusations that Qatar supports terrorism, charges it denies.

Qatar working with US, Kuwaitis on response to Gulf demands “This list of demands is made to be rejected. It’s not meant to be accepted or … to be negotiated,” Sheikh Mohammed said, adding that Qatar was willing to engage in further dialogue given “the proper conditions”.

The demands included severing ties with terrorist groups, closing down the pan-Arab

Al Jazeera satellite channel, downgrading ties with arch-rival Iran and closing a Turkish air base in Qatar.

Arab states have said the demands are not negotiable and warned that further unspecified measures will follow if Qatar does not comply.

But Sheikh Mohammed was adamant. “Regarding the demands and our position, we have been from the beginning very clear on this. We are not going to accept anything that infringes on our sovereignty or anything that is imposed on Qatar,” he said.

A five member US Senate delegation led by Senator John McCain, Chairman Senate Armed Services Committee called on the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, on Sunday 2 July 2017. Other members of the delegation included Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator David Perdue and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua was also present in the meeting.

Welcoming the US Senators, the Adviser reiterated the importance of regular high level contacts and particularly appreciated Senators McCain, Graham and Whitehouse for their continued engagement and regular visits to Pakistan to promote understanding and cooperation between the two countries. The Adviser underscored the significance

of the longstanding cooperation between the two countries and the need to make this partnership diverse and multidimensional. Pakistan and US strategic partnership, he said, was critical to achieve peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Senator McCain, thanking the Adviser on behalf of the delegation, appreciated the contributions and sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. He said that continued engagement with Pakistan, a close friend and ally of the US, was important. The Senators also praised the economic turnaround, as manifested by investors interest and confidence in Pakistan.They agreed with the need for the US and Pakistan to forge closer cooperation in confronting the peace and security challenges in the region and beyond.

Mr. Sartaj Aziz also apprised the US Senate delegation, comprising of very prominent Senators from both Democratic and Republican parties, about Pakistan’s success in combating ter ror ism th rough Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fassad and informed thatthe terrorist networks have been dismantled, their sanctuaries eliminated under the overarching National Action Plan.

The dividend of these policies, he stressed was empirically verifiable.

The Adviser said that Pakistan remained committed to support efforts for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Adviser noted that QCG process remains a credible and effective vehicle to facilitate reconciliation and restore peace, stability and economic prosperity in Afghanistan.

Pakistan again denies India counsel access to Jadhav

Qatar rejected Arab states’ demands

PM Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaz Aziz meets US delegation at Foreign Office

2 Monday - July 03, 2017

THE DESTINATION

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL PHOTO OF THE DAY

Xi draws “red line” for handling mainland-HK relations

Golden Peak is a mountain in Spantik-Sosbun Mountains subrange of Karakoram in Nagar Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Its northwest face features an exceptionally hard climbing route known as the “Golden Pillar”.

Portugal makes early 1-billion euro repayment to IMF LISBON—Portugal has made an early repayment of one billion euros to the International Monetary Fund and intends to repay a further 2.6 billion euros of bailout loans by August, the government said. As part of a bailout in 2011, Portugal was loaned 29.6 billion euros by the IMF, more than half of which has already been repaid. But Lisbon aims to reduce interest on borrowings with further early payments.

The IMF interest currently stands at 4.6 percent, compared to available market rates of 3.0 percent over 10 years. “The early repayment to the IMF is significant in improving the viability of debt by reducing its cost,” the finance ministry said in a statement. Once the next 2.6 billion euro sum is repaid, 10.4 billion euros of debt will remain to be repaid, according to the government.

Thailand backtracks on labour law after migrant workers flee BA NGKOK—T h a i la nd’s military government said it will delay enforcing new labour regulations after thousands of migrant workers fled home to neighbouring countries this week fearing arrest and heavy fines under the new decree. The scramble is the latest chaos triggered by Thailand’s efforts to regulate the millions of foreign workers who prop up its economy with jobs in factories, fishing boats and other low-paid work. The junta has trumpeted

a flurry of campaigns aimed at registering migrant workers and cracking down on illegal smuggling routes, but the efforts are often ad-hoc and short-lived.

As a result, much of the migrant work force remains undocumented and vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers and unscrupulous employers. On Friday the junta said it would suspend parts of a new foreign labour law, which came into effect on June 23, for 120 days after the

regulations sparked a panic among migrant workers and their employers. “(During this window) there will be no arrests or crackdown on illegal workers except for those who violate human trafficking laws,” Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam told reporters.

The reprieve comes after thousands of labourers fled home to neighbouring Myanmar and Cambodia fearing arrest and fines of up to $3,000 under the law which punishes migrant

workers lacking valid work permits. Employers can also be fined up to 800,000 baht ($24,000) for each undocumented worker they hire. In Samut Sakhon, a seafood industry hub known as “Little Burma” for its concentration of Myanmar migrant workers, around 500 labourers have been returning home daily during the past week, said Suthasinee Kaewleklai from the Migrant Worker Rights Network (MWRN).— Diplomatic News Agency

immigrants who will be awarded by the philanthropic foundation honoring immigrant’s roles in the American society.

Mavalvala was born in Lahore but raised in Karachi. She

moved to the United States in 1986 where she received her higher education. She later went on to do her PhD at MIT and later joined its Physics facult y in 2002. Nergis Mavalvala was among the team of scientists who worked on gravitational waves, which was a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s work based on 1915’s general theory of relativity.

“Our annual tribute to Great Immigrants demonstrates the richness of talent, skills, and achievements that immig rants f rom arou nd the world bring to every sphere of American society,” said Vartan Gregorian, president of Car negie Cor poration of New York. “This campaign reminds us of the debt the United States owes to

generations of immigrants who become citizens and contribute to the progress of this country. Today, we celebrate and thank them.”

They are working with other partner organizations, initiating works and raising awareness about the naturalization process and to provide assistance to those who are in need.

The corporation has recognised countless immigrants from 30 different countries who have played a vital role on a high level of professional leadership in countless fields.

Nergis will be awarded on the Fourth of July, among other prominent figures like Academy Award- winning actor Anthony Hopkins and Max Levchin co-founder of PayPal.

Pakistani-American Nergis Mavalvala to receive Great Immigrants award

WASHINGTON—Carnegie Corporation of New York recently an nounced that Pakistani-American Nergis Mavalvala has been honoured with ‘Great Immigrants’ award. She’s among 38

HONG KONG, (Xinhua)— President Xi Jinping drew the “red line” for handling relations between the mainland and Hong Kong, warning against attempts to undermine national sovereignty or challenge the central government’s power. “Any attempt to endanger national sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses the red line, and is absolutely impermissible,” he said.

Xi made the remarks at a gathering celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the fifth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Hong Kong people enjoy more extensive democratic rights and freedom than at any other time in its history, he said. “The people of Hong Kong, now masters of their own house, run their local affairs within the purview of autonomy of the HKSAR,” he said. The president stressed the importance of having a correct understanding of the relationship between “one

country” and “two systems.”

The concept of “one country, two systems” was advanced, first and foremost, to realize and uphold national unity, according to Xi. “In conducting day-to-day affairs, we must be guided by a strong sense of ‘one country,’ firmly observe the principle of ‘one country,’ and thus correctly handle the relationship between the HKSAR and the central government,” he said.

On the other hand, Xi said, the “two systems” should and have every reason to stay in harmony and reinforce each other on the basis of “one country.”

“We must both adhere to the ‘one country’ principle and respect the differences of the ‘two systems,’” he said.

The central government will unswervingly implement the policy of “one country, two systems” and make sure that it is fully applied in Hong Kong without being bent or distorted, he said.

DANGER OF INTERNAL RIFT Hong Kong cannot afford to be torn apart by reckless moves or internal rift amid the intense global competition, Xi warned. Hong Kong is a plural society with “different views and even major differences on some specific issues,” he acknowledged. However,

“making everything political or deliberately creating differences and provoking confrontation will not resolve the problems,” Xi said. “On the contrary, it can only severely hinder Hong Kong’s economic and social development.” “Hong Kong is an affluent society, but it also faces enormous challenges posed by profound changes in the global economic environment and the increasingly intense international competition,” he said.

“It is imperative to always maintain a harmonious and stable social environment,” he said, noting that “harmony brings good fortune, while discord leads to misfortune.” The concept of “one country, two systems” gives expression to the vision of peace and harmony in the Chinese culture, and it embodies a very important tenet, namely, seeking broad common ground while setting aside major differences, Xi said. “On the part of the central government, we are ready to talk to anyone who loves the country, loves Hong Kong and genuinely supports the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, no matter what political views or position he or she may hold.”

DEV EL OPM E N T TOP PRIORITY FOR HK

Xi urged Hong Kong to always focus on development as the top priority.

“Development, an abiding pursuit, is crucial for Hong Kong’s survival, and it holds the golden key to resolving various issues in Hong Kong,” he said. The mainland’s continuous and rapid development over the years provides an invaluable opportunity and an inexhaustible source of strengths and broad space for Hong Kong’s development, Xi said.

The central government will continue to support Hong Kong in growing its economy and in leveraging its strengths and role in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, the GuangdongHong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Reminbi internationalization and other strategies, Xi said. “It is important to put people first, help them overcome difficulties, especially address prominent economic and livelihood issues that people are concerned with,” he said. The central government will continue to support the Chief Executive and the HKSAR government in exercising law-based governance, the president pledged.

“I am convinced that the practice of ‘one country, two systems’ in Hong Kong will write a new chapter,” he said.

Elected members of British Parliament to raise voice for rights of Kashmiris ISLAMABAD— President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have high expectations from the newly elected members of the British parliament to raise their voice for the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris.

He stated this while speaking at a function at Bradford, said a message received here.

President AJK said that the clout of the Kashmiri and Pakistani diaspora community in the UK has increased and he lauded their efforts to inform the British lawmakers and public opinion of the killings and massive human rights violations in the Occupied Kashmir.

Sardar Masood Khan congratulated the 12 British Members

of Parliament of Kashmiri and Pakistani extraction over their election in the recent elections. He particularly thanked the members of the House of Commons who had held a debate in January this year at which they expressed their support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, called for activation of the UN’s role in resolving Kashmir and demanded that India end its brutalities in the Occupied Kashmir.

President Masood Khan said that the new and social media were reporting Indian atrocities in IOK but many governments in the West were hesitant to act because of their trade and economic interests tied with India. He called on them not to look the other way when India, in violation of international law, kills and

imprisons Kashmiris with impunity in IOK and across the Line of Control.

The Azad Kashmir President said that the Kashmiri disput could not be resolved through military means.

“It was time to accelerate political and diplomatic struggle to liberate Kashmir and this track was tronger than Indian occupation forces’ brutal military campaign and terrorism in Kashmir”, he said.

Sardar Masood Khan said “Kashmiris will win and prevail no matter what because they were championing a just cause and they had rejected the illegal occupation of the IOK. If India has failed to annex Kashmir through oppression in the past seventy years, it won’t be able to do so now”.

Paying tribute to youth of

Kashmir, he said Kashmir is ringing with the slogans of freedom – freedom from Indian captivity and freedom from denials of all political rights. These voices would not be silenced, he said. The AJK President said that the Kashmir issue is an international issue; its resolution should not be left to the manipulation of India through the farce of bilateral talks which have not produced any results. He thanked Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for their steadfast support for the cause of Kashmir and underlined that Kashmiris’ resolve had become stronger than ever to get their inalienable right of self-determination.—DNA

Canada’s economy grows 0.2pc in April, solid start for second quarter

Brazil must continue seeking pension overhaul

Mauritius current account deficit widens in Q1

World’s first ATM machine turns to gold on 50th birthday

Canada’s economy grew by 0.2 percent in April on widespread strength, Statistics Canada said on Friday, indicating a solid start to the second quarter as the Bank of Canada mulls a hike in interest rates next month. The increase - which matched the forecast of analysts in a Reuters poll - marked the sixth consecutive month of growth after a long slump caused when oil prices crashed in 2014. The Bank of Canada cut rates twice in 2015 to keep the economy on track. This week two top policymakers at the central bank said that strategy had worked, ramping up market expectations for a rate rise in July.

It is important that Brazil continues to pursue reforms to boost productivity, especially by revamping the social security system, in order to cut interest rates in a sustainable way, central bank chief Ilan Goldfajn said on Friday at an event.

Goldfajn also repeated that the central bank has more room for currency interventions when necessary after reducing the stock of outstanding currency swaps.

He added that this greater leeway for action is desirable at this moment.

Mauritius’ current account deficit widened in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the same period last year, hurt by a poor trade performance, data from the central bank showed. The deficit rose to 5.0 billion rupees ($145.56 million)from 2.5 billion rupees a year earlier. As a percentage of gross domestic product, the current account deficit is estimated at 4.6 percent against 2.5 percent a year ago.

“The deficit on the goods account widened to 19.5 billion rupees in (first quarter 2017), from 14.4 billion rupees in first quarter 2016, reflecting a lower value of exports combined with an increasing value of imports,” the Bank of Mauritius said in a statement.

Five decades since it heralded a transformation in the way people obtained and used cash, the world’s first ATM was turned into gold for celebrations of its fiftieth anniversary.

The brainchild of Scottish inventor Shepherd-Barron, the first ATM (automated teller machine) was opened on June 27, 1967 at a branch of Barclays bank in Enfield, north London, the first of six cash dispensers commissioned by the bank. English actor Reg Varney, who starred in the British TV comedy show “On The Buses”, was the first person to withdraw cash from the new machine.

THE DESTINATION

Monday - July 03, 2017

3

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL Akbar Ali

B

razil is a unique country, with breathtaking destinations. But there are many other things one may not know and that make Brazil a very special place to experience unforgettable moments.

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

Travel to Brazil Beach in the city of Fortaleza

In Brazil, exuberance is everywhere: in the vastness of the desert sands of Lençóis Maranhenses, in the 7,000 kilometers of beaches, in the rivers so large that they resemble the sea. In the Amazon Forest, the largest on the planet. In the 250,000 km² of Pantanal, the impressive natural reserve and a World Heritage Site. Beauty is also in the 44 national parks that preserve the ecosystem, in the archaeological sites of Piauí, in the sky of Brasilia and in the pampas of Rio Grande do Sul. In Brazil, wherever you go you can live many unique experiences that will delight and thrill you.

Brazil is internationally known for carnival, soccer and for tourist attractions like Corcovado, the Amazon, Pantanal and Iguazu Falls. But like its people and its culture, the country’s tourism options are diverse and exciting. In cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador, visitors have at their disposal a wide range of cultural options such as museums, quality cuisine and music of all styles - from folk to classical.

Brazil is in the route of most international airlines, and Brazilian airports have invested heavily in improving their infrastructure, providing greater accessibility and comfort to tourists.

The road network in the country is also increasing, and investments in new roads and signage allow tourists to travel more safely. Those who like to travel by car have the opportunity to enjoy the most diverse landscapes and see some particular aspects of Brazil, such as the typical fruits and crafts sold along the roads. From Pakistan, once can reach Brazil through direct flights from Doha, Dubai, Istanbul and many European capitals.

Sun and Beach

Do you think of Brazil as a country to relax? You’re right. If your clients want some rest and relaxation, they will have only one difficulty in Brazil: choosing which destination within the

Biggest ever Participation of Pakistan in World Cultural Festival at Lyon, France

Deputy Mayor of Lyon alongwith Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin ul Haque inaugurated the biggest ever Pakistan Pavilion at the Multicultural World village in Lyon, the second Largest city in the center of France. The event was organized by the Town Hall of Lyon, says a press release received here today from Paris.

Tastefully and creatively decorated Pakistan pavilion adorned with cultural artifacts of Pakistan attracted large number of visitors. The colorful and diverse traditional embroidery and folk dresses, spicy cuisine, display of truck art, photo exhibition by Pakistani artists Mr. Imran Chaudhary and Bilal Javid and folk and popular music of Pakistan were the main attractions of the Festival.

Ambassador of Pakistan to France while talking on the occasion said that our participation in the Festival was a part of the Public Diplomacy initiative launched by the Embassy last year under the banner “Celebrating Pakistan” to introduce Pakistan’s rich social and cultural values, archaeological treasures, tourists attractions and folk heritage of Pakistan to French public living in different parts of France with the objective of creating a better understanding of Pakistan and its people in France. The Ambassador also gifted the photograph of Bilal Javid to the Deputy Mayor. 51 Consulates of over twenty countries participated in the 3-day Festival.

country.

Brazil boasts nearly 5,000 miles of sea coast, of sun and sea, paradise-like beaches and nice weather 365 days of the year.

There is also the Brazil of cities with parties, entertainment and shopping. Regardless of which tourist attractions in Brazil you highlight, one thing is for sure: you will be surprised!!!!

Ecotourism and Adventure

Some think of Brazil as the country of beaches. While this is true, it is also home to many other scenes sure to amaze the

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most demanding ecological tourists. With mountains, fields, rivers, waterfalls and dunes, Brazil offers something for all.

The country also houses swamps, caves, wild forests and tracks in the woods. If your interest is in fauna and flora Brazil has colorful and diversified natural generosity which can be explored on walks, horse rides, dives, boat trips or a simple nature watch. Brazil has options for all tastes.

Culture Do you think of Brazil as the country of Carnival? It is, but it is also the country of the most unique folklore and popular festivities, of spontaneous and contagious joy.

Here you can listen to samba and also frevo, maracatu, axé, forró and bossa nova. Here you can eat feijoada, and moqueca, acarajé, carreteiro rice and barbecue. Do you think of Brazil as the country of Rio de Janeiro? Yes, we have the “wonderful city,” but tourists can also find Brasilia, Ouro Preto and many other heritages trusted by UNESCO. Sports Do you think of Brazil as the country of soccer? The whole world knows that when it comes to soccer, we own the ball.

However few people know that we also have world-class grass, where another ball, in fact a tiny one, reigns: the golf ball.

In addition to golf, other sports amaze tourists. The size of the country, geographical diversity, immense seacoast and the countless lakes and rivers are a natural invitation to the water and nature sports such as sailing, diving and sport fishing. Pick the game and make your packets.

Qatar urges UNSC to speak out publicly on its behalf Our Staff Reporter NEW YORK—Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has met with non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at the Qatari mission to the UN in New York, urging them to speak out publicly on his country’s behalf. l Thani told Al Jazeera that he has asked members of the UNSC to urge a Saudi-led bloc of states to lift their blockade on the Gulf country, nearly one month after it began. He gave them “updates on the situation” and urged “all of them to call for a lifting of the blockade on Qatar.” “Qatar was trying to encourage all the parties to enter a serious dialogue to try to put an end to this,” the Foreign Minister said.

The meeting took place one day after Al Thani’s visit to Washington DC, where US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson promised to try to help resolve the gulf crisis. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5 over allegations that it supports “extremism” and is too close to Iran - charges Doha has repeatedly denied. After more than two weeks, the four Arab countries gave Doha a 10-day ultimatum to comply with a 13-point list of demands in exchange for the end of the anti-Qatar measures.

The demands include that Qatar shut down the Al Jazeera Media Network, close a Turkish military base, scale down ties with Iran, and pay an unspecified sum in reparations. Egypt, a non-permanent member of the Security Council through the end of this year, did not attend the meeting with Al Thani in New York. The Qatari Foreign Minister was set to return to Doha after the meeting, where his country will continue to press its case with a number of different organisation like the international civil aviation organisation, the international maritime organisation, and the human rights council in Geneva. But no formal action is expected in the Security Council.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s transport minister has met twice this past week with the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) at its headquarters in Montreal, Canada, asking it to intervene in the crisis. For nearly a month, many Qatar Airways flights to and from Doha have had to make huge detours, thanks to the airspace blockade by the Saudi-led bloc of states. It has been costly to the airline, disruptive to passengers and, according to the Qataris, dangerous to passengers and illegal under international law. “Really it’s not a political issue, we are talking here about a technical issue, which means

UN approves $600 mn budget cut to peacekeeping UNITED NATIONS—United Nations on Friday approved a nearly $600 million cut to its peacekeeping budget following pressure from the United States to reduce funding to the world body. The General Assembly approved by consensus the annual budget expected to total $7.3 billion, down from the current $7.87 billion spent on peace missions worldwide.

UN member-states agreed to $6.8 billion to finance 14 missions, but an additional $500 million earmarked for peacekeeping in Haiti and in Sudan’s Darfur region will get final approval in December.

The United States, the biggest financial contributor to peacekeeping, had sought a nearly $1 billion cut to the bill and the European Union had also pushed for savings to bring costs down to $7.3 billion. The budget, however, fell short of what UN Secretary-General

Tokyo votes in local polls with national consequences-DNA TOKYO - Tokyo goes to the polls Sunday in a local election that could have national consequences as the capital’s governor mounts a challenge to the party of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose popularity has slumped.

Yuriko Koike is hoping her coalition can beat the local arm of Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which holds a majority in the 127seat Tokyo assembly.Koike, who was elected as governor in a landslide last year, is rumoured to have her eye on Abe’s job. The energetic 64-yearold quit the LDP this month to lead her own party, Tomin First no Kai (Tokyo Residents First), and is hoping to storm the male-dominated chamber after forging an alliance with the local chapter of the Komeito party. Polls suggest the LDP could lose its leading position to Koike’s coalition.

With approval ratings topping 60 percent, Koike has pushed to rein in overspending on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium and venues, pledging to cutting wasteful expenditure under the LDP’s watch. The popular politician has upturned convention by allowing television cameras into what were traditionally closed-door meetings.

A former defence and environment minister, she is also responsible for overseeing a controversial relocation of the world famous Tsukiji fish market.

Tokyo residents, and many others across Japan, have applauded her approach.

“From what I see, the Tokyo assembly (dominated by the LDP) is seriously old fashioned and needs to change,”said Tokyo voter Yoshikazu Niwa, 68, who voiced his support for Koike.

A total of 259 candidates are running for seats in the chamber that administers a city that is home to nearly 14 million people.

Polls opened at 7:00 am (2200 GMT Saturday) and are scheduled to close at 8:00 pm.

While the vote is local, it is an important indicator of national political sentiment and comes as Abe, who was elected prime minister in late 2012, suffers a series of setbacks.

In the last week, his defence minister Tomomi Inada was in hot water over remarks she made at a local LDP rally. She asked for voters’ support and said it was a request from her ministry and the Self-Defense Forces, Japan’s military.

The SDF is supposed to be politically neutral, and Inada retracted the remark.

Abe, 62, is also under fire over allegations he showed favouritism to a friend in a business deal.

The claims come a few months after the conservative premier was forced to deny he had connections to the controversial director of a school which had purchased government land at a huge discount -and counted Abe’s wife as its honorary principal.

A recent poll by public broadcaster NHK showed Abe’s government had a 48 percent support rating, down three percentage points from a month earlier.

His disapproval rating rose six percentage points to 36 percent, the survey showed. All of the LDP’s 57 candidates won assembly seats in the last city election in 2013 when Abe was riding high in the polls and pushing a plan to kickstart Japan’s longlumbering economy.

safety and security of the aviation,” Qatar’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim Saif Al Sulaiti told Al Jazeera.

“I don’t mean just Qatar Airways, but all the international airlines,” he said. It was a challenging case for an agency that is highly technical and known to be publicity shy. The ICAO works on regulation, flight routing and other issues that may not obvious to most travellers, but keep the world’s airlines and airspace running as smoothly as possible. The situation comes as Qatar Airways has been growing exponentially with profits soaring more than 20 percent this year.

It’s one of the world’s leading long-haul airlines and has ambitious plans to buy more planes and fly to more places. It recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of flights into New York by lighting the Empire State Building in the airline’s colours. And just last month it announced it wanted to buy 10 percent of American Airlines. While a negotiated solution to this Gulf crisis seems stalled, Qatar believes its best hope for an end to this air blockade at least might be the technical, safety and security arguments it’s advancing at the ICAO.

Antonio Guterres had sought from member-states.

U N spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the financing is “meaningfully smaller than what we had last year” but that the world body will “make every effort to ensure that the mandates are implemented.”

“We cannot overstate the value of peacekeeping,” said Dujarric. “It remains the most cost-effective instrument at the disposal of the international community to prevent conflicts and foster conditions for lasting peace.” UN officials have repeatedly argued that the cost of peacekeeping is a fraction of military expenditures worldwide. Most of the budget cuts will come from the closure of the mission in Haiti, a sharp drawdown of peacekeepers in Darfur along with some downsizing to the large peace operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Ivanka’s silence on Trump’s tweets attacking Brzezinski speaks volumes WASHINGTON—Ivanka Trump did not respond to questions about the president’s tweet or how it affects her policy efforts. Ivanka Trump has been vocal in using her White House role to advocate for women.

But when President Donald Trump lobbed a demeaning attack on a female TV host on Twitter this week, his daughter and senior adviser kept quiet. It was a moment of silence that spoke to the challenges and calculations Ivanka Trump faces as

she tries to promote family-friendly policies in an administration led by a man whose comments about women have made women cringe and drawn bipartisan rebuke.

In recent weeks, the younger Trump has discussed family leave with lawmakers, travelled to promote job-training efforts and spoken out against human trafficking. She’s also tried to position herself as above the political fray, saying in one interview that she tries to “stay out of politics”

and in another that she’s been surprised by the “level of viciousness” in Washington politics.

The tussle between her father and “Morning Joe” co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough offered a pointed reminder to Ivanka Trump that this is a city where it’s impossible to separate policy and politics. Women close to the president to condemn him for questioning Brzezinski’s intelligence and saying

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

that she was “bleeding badly from a face-lift” in a December encounter.

“It would be the height of hypocrisy to claim the mantle of women’s empowerment while allowing a family member to continue such abusive conduct,” Brzezinski and Scarborough wrote. Ivanka Trump did not respond to questions about the president’s tweet or how it affects her policy efforts.—DNA

THE DESTINATION

4 Monday - July 03, 2017

Two protesters including woman martyred in Indian Occupied Kashmir

SRINAGAR—At least two civilians including a woman were killed and many others injured on Saturday in the indiscriminate firing of Indian troops on peaceful protesters in occupied Kashmir. People took to the streets after Indian troops launched a violent cordon and search operation in Dialgam area of the district.

The troops fired bullets, pellets and teargas shells on the demonstrators killing two civilians, Tariq Ahmed and Tahira Begum, and injuring many others. Eyewitness told mediamen that Tariq and Tahira were hit by bullets. Massive protests were going on in the area when reports last came in. Locals said that the forces’ personnel used civilians as human shield during the operation.

According to the data issued by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service (KMS), Indian troops, in their continued acts of state

t e r r or i s m , m a r t y r e d 37 Kashmiris including two young boys during the last month of June. Of those martyred, six youth were killed in fake encounters. The killings rendered two women widowed and two children orphaned.

During the period, 775 people were injured due to the firing of bullets, pellets and teargas shells on peaceful protesters

by Indian troops and police personnel. As many as 196 persons including Hurriyet leaders, activists and youth were arrested.

At least 56 women were disgraced and 117 residential houses were damaged by the troops, paramilitary and police personnel during siege and search operations in the month.

Me a nwh i le , t he pu p p e t authorities have snapped the mobile internet services in the district and imposed curfewlike-restrictions in Dialgam.

The authorities have also

announced closure of educational institutions in the district to prevent students from staging demonstrations against the killing of the woman. They have also imposed restrictions in Srinagar to prevent protests against Indian government’s plan of implementing Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the territory. The authorities have imposed restrictions in Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Maharajgang, Safa Kadal areas and deployed heavy contingents of Indian troops and police personnel in full riot gear.

Complete shutdown is being obser ved in the ter ritor y on the call of the President of Kash mir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), Muhammad Yasin Khan against the implementation of the GST. Shops and business establishments are closed while traffic is off the road.

Investment in IT sector to open new avenues of progress: Dar

ISLAMABAD—Finance Minister Ishaq Dar Friday said investment in the information technology sector due to the government’s initiatives will open new avenues of progress and development in the country.

He was addressing a ceremony in connection with the award of 4G spectrum license here. Cellular company Jazz won the 3rd auction for the 4G spectrum

license with payment of $ 295 million. Ishaq Dar said the government believed in transparency and good governance for running day to day affairs.

Leading multinational companies had acknowledged the conducive business environment in the country, he added. He said Pakistan was moving towards digital and financial inclusiveness that would improve living

standard of the common man.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Anusha Rehman said the total amount of the auction had been deposited in the government’s account. She said that 60 megahertz spectrum had been licensed during the last three years.

She said the government would start preparations for introduction of 5G in the country by 2021.

She expressed hope that Pakistani people would adopt the new technology ahead of all other Asian countries. She said the number of broadband users increased from 3.7 million to 44 million during last four years.

High prestige for Pakistan to be elected as Vice President APPA: Ishtiaq ISLAMABAD–Secretary National Book Foundation ( N BF) Ishtiaq A h mad Malik has said that it is a great honour and high prestige for Pakistan to be elected as Vice President and also Member Executive Committee of Asia Pacific Publishers Association (APPA), an international high level organization and forum of all publishers, think tanks, writers and book makers of the world.

He expressed these views on coming back to Pakistan from Seoul, Korea after he attended and represented his country at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of APPA, said a press release issued here. The AGM discussed two important matters including Amendment of the Constitution, Election of new President and others representatives from among the members. Dominador D. Buhain of Philippines was elected as the President wh ile re present at ive of Pakistan from NBF

Secretary, Ishtiaq Ahmad Malik was elected as vice President as well as member of the Executive committee of APPA. The useful amendments in the Constitution of APPA were approved by the AGM. The NBF is a member of the APPA. It is a high profile forum for participation and playing vital role by the members in upholding the cause of promotion of publishing industry observing international copy rights among member states of Asia – Pacific.

Pakistan being a member and representative through NBF keeps a prominent position in the organization as the leading publisher.

“Pakistan’s participation in the AGM of APPA was desirable to maintain continuity in the dialogue process with international publishers as it is a big source of close liaison and contact as well as sharing of information about our country for foreign scholars, publishers and

authors,” said the Secretary NBF at this auspicious occasion.

He also expressed his views during the Annual General Meeting of APPA and told the audience about the fast track progress of NBF particularly in last few years and especially in publishing remarkable number of international standard books. He said, “NBF has been playing a pivotal role in dissemination of knowledge, literacy and promotion of Book Culture among Pakistanis with a slogan of Book for Peace and Book at your Threshold.” He said, “NBF progress and contribution in the Publishing Industry has been appreciated by all members of APPA in its AGM. They also apprehended the further important place and role of NBF in APPA for enhancement of development of book publishing industry of member states in future.”

Pakistan hands over list of Indian prisoners: FO ISLAMABAD—Pakistan on Saturday handed over a list of 546 Indian prisoners, 52 civil and 494 fishermen, in Pakistan to the High Commission of India in Islamabad, the Foreign Office said. This step is consistent with the provisions of the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India, signed on 21 May 2008, under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July, respectively.

The Indian Government will also hand over the list of Pakistani prisoners to Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, a Foreign Ministry statement said. Pakistan will release 77 Indian fishermen and one civilian prisoner on July 10, the Foreign Ministry said. The two sides exchange prisoners’ lists at a time when the relationship is at lowest ebb over allegations of terrorism and cross-border skirmishes. Pakistan and India also exchange a list of their nuclear installations on January 1 under a bilateral agreement that stops them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities. The agreement regarding nuclear installations was signed on December 31, 1988 and entered into force on January 27, 1991.

Canada celebrates 150th birthday with celebrities, crowds, rain

OTTAWA-The nationwide party comes as Canada is enjoying an unusual amount of interest from the rest of the world, largely due to the election of charismatic and selfie-prone leader Trudeau.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off celebrations on Saturday to mark the country’s 150th birthday amid heavy security as many citizens braved incessant rains and long delays to reach the main site in the nation’s capital.

About 500,000 people were expected to be in Ottawa for the long-anticipated Canada Day festivities, which features a large outdoor celebration in front of the national Parliament, complete with acrobats, fireworks and musicians, including singer Bono and other members of Irish rock band U2.

Trudeau, accompanied by Britain’s Prince Charles, shook hands with some of the thousands of revelers who converged on Canada’s capital Ottawa for the festivities.

“Canada is a country made strong not in spite of our differences but because of them,” Trudeau told the gathering. “We don’t aspire to be a melting pot – indeed, we know true strength and resilience flows through Canadian diversity.”

Some cities are celebrating in more unusual ways. Toronto, Canada’s largest city, will have a giant rubber duck floating in its harbor, while Calgary will have a “living flag” composed of people wearing red and white. Security was already ramped up in the days ahead of the celebration and party-goers must contend with road closures and concrete barriers across entrances into Parliament Hill, located in downtown Ottawa.

Heavy downpours prompted Ottawa firefighters to pump water off the grounds on Parliament Hill and the Ottawa Fire Service urged citizens to follow safety instructions. National and local police were also out in force, with security top of mind for many Canadians in the wake of fatal attacks in London, Paris and Germany. Saturday marks the 150th anniversary of the day Canada officially became a country. Britain had ruled it before 1867.=DNA

Italy urges EU ports to take migrants as pressure builds ROME, JUL 02 (DNA) - Italy’s interior minister called Sunday on other European countries to open their ports to rescue ships ahead of talks with France and Germany on tackling the migrant emergency.

Marco Minniti, who meets his counterparts in Paris later Sunday to prepare for EU talks in Tallinn this week, said in an interview with Il Messaggero daily that “we are under enormous pressure”.

With arrivals in Italy up nearly 19 percent compared to the same period last year, Rome has threatened to close its ports to privately-funded aid boats or insist funding be cut to EU countries which fail to help with the crisis.

“There are NGO ships, Sophia and Frontex boats, Italian coast guard vessels” saving migrants in the Mediterranean, he said, referring to the aid boats as well as vessels deployed under EU border security missions.

“They are sailing under the flags of various European countries.

If the only ports where refugees are taken to are Italian, something is not working. This is the heart of the question,” he said.

“I am a europhile and I would be proud if even one vessel, instead of arriving in Italy, went to another European port. It would not resolve Italy’s problem, but it would be an extraordinary signal” of support, he said.

Over 83,000 people rescued while attempting the perilous crossing from Libya have been brought to Italy so far this year, according to the UN, while more than 2,160 have died trying, the International Organisation for Migration says.

Italy’s Red Cross has warned the situation in the country’s overcrowded reception centres is becoming critical.

Interior Minister Minniti was set to meet counterparts Gerard Collomb of France, Thomas de Maiziere of Germany and European Union Commissioner for Refugees Dimitris Avramopoulos at 1800 GMT in the French capital.

Even before the meeting, his plans were being met with scorn on Italy’s political right.

“The attempt to involve Europe, which clearly doesn’t give a damn, is pathetic,” said Paolo Romani, the head of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party in the Senate, calling for the ports to be barred.

Pakistan Railways revenue increases to Rs20bn

ISLAMABAD —Pakistan Railways has experienced surge of more than Rs. 20 billion in revenue and its deficit slashed by Rs. 10 billion during the last four years along with improved services for the people.

It was revealed in a tweet message by Minister for Railways K h awaja Sa a d R af ique which states that Revenue of Pakistan Railways has hiked

by Rs. 20 billion and deficit has been lessened by Rs. 10 billion during the last four years. During the last four years, the minister said that Pakistan Railways achieved exceeding its target set for each year and it would set precedent by achieving more than benchmark of Rs. 53 billion earmarked for the current fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the sources with

in Ministry of Railways told that Pakistan Railways has prepared working paper about the targets set for next year (2017-18) alongwith comprehensive details of generating revenue through diverse measures to achieve it.

The sources further said that Rs. 53 billion had been the revenue target set for fiscal year 2017-18 which would be 33 percent higher as compared to the preceding fiscal year. The revenue target in the current budget is 94 percent higher as compared to the target set in 2013.” Total revenue generation would be over Rs. 53 billion in next year which would be 33 percent higher against than that of preceding year (2016-17),” the sources maintained.

“Pakistan Railways spearheaded by Khawaja Saad

Rafique will set the record of achieving highest ever revenue and its performance and services will further improve in the wake of effective reforms introduced in this sector,” the sources maintained.

Highlighting steps taken by the government to reduce deficit of the department, the sources said passenger sector and freight sector earned billions of rupees due to the reforms inculcated by the present government in its tenure.

“No bailout package was demanded from the government during the last four years and Pakistan Railways have sufficient fuel stock at present to operate the trains,” the sources said while attributing success story of Railway sector to the unrelenting efforts of Khawaja Saad Rafique.

SEOU L — Sout h Kore a n President Moon Jae-In is returning from an official visit to Washington with two ancient royal seals looted during the Korean War, reports said. The repatriation of the Chosun dynasty antiques, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, comes after years of campaigning by the South Korean government, which said they were stolen during the turbulent 1950-53 war.

Moon received the seals during a ceremony in Washington during a visit to the US Friday

and was due to arrive in South Korea with them on Sunday said. The Chosun dynasty, who cultivated a ruling philosophy drawn from Confucianism, governed from 1392 to 1910, when Japan colonized the country. One of the seals was made in 1547 to honor Queen Munjeong (1501-1565), the third wife of Chosun Dynasty’s 11th king, Jungjong.

The other is a jade block created in 1651 to commemorate the installation of the crown prince of King Hyojong. They

were seized by US authorities in 2013 after Seoul clarified these were stolen items.

It marked the third time that Washington has returned South Korean treasures. In 2013 the United States sent back Korea’s first money printing block made in late 19th century and the following year, it handed back nine royal seals. Tens of thousands of old Korean cultural items were spirited abroad during Japan’s colonization of Korea from 1910-45 and the Korean War.

world to what would become Motor City.

Arab-Americans, many of whom are Muslim, now make up about 30 percent of the population of Dearborn and have gone on to become established figures in the community and beyond. They include circuit court judges, highly-esteemed physicians, university professors, and law enforcement officials.

“We have the desire and motivation to be an integral part of securing our country, and when there is this type of rhetoric, when the rhetoric is aimed at Muslims in general, and immigrants in particular, and refugees, then it really erodes some of the confidence that has

been built up over the generations,” said Kassem Allie, the executive administrator at the Islamic Center of America.

Following a Supreme Court decision earlier this week to allow parts of President Donald Trump’s travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries to go into effect, the State Department announced Thursday how it would interpret the Court’s guidance. The Court specified that while the administration could proceed with the order’s implementation, it could not enforce it on individuals from the six countries who have a “credible claim of a bona fide relationship” with a U.S. person or entity.

The Trump administration is interpreting that decision capriciously. Mothers and fathers of U.S. persons will be allowed in, as will children, but not grandmothers and grandfathers, nor grandchildren. Brothers and sisters of U.S. persons, and brothers and sisters-in-law will be granted visas, but not aunts and uncles.

US returns looted royal seals to South Korea

US Muslims express concern over Trump travel ban

Our Staff Reporter WASHINGTON—The Trump administration’s most recent attempt to curtail Muslim im mig ration is having a “counterproductive” effect on its stated goal - securing the nation, according to a top official at one of the nation’s largest mosques.

The Islamic Center of America h a s se r ve d t he Det roit , Michigan area’s substantial Muslim community in its present form since 2005. But the Muslims who call the area home have deep roots in the U.S. dating to the early 20th century when auto-pioneer Henry Ford opened plants in Dearborn and Detroit, attracting immigrants from across the