August 2018 – Page 7 – PPI News Agency

August 31, 2018

Portugal and Ireland are important countries of Europe and Pakistan is keen to enhance its cooperation with both counties in various fields: President

Islamabad, August 31, 2018 (PPI-OT): President Mamnoon Hussain has said that Portugal and Ireland are important countries of Europe and Pakistan is keen to enhance its cooperation with the both counties in various fields. The President said this while talking to Ambassador-designate of Pakistan to Portugal Shah Mohammad Jamal and Ambassador designate of Pakistan to Ireland Shuja Alam who called on him here at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Friday. The President underlined that bilateral trade with both countries do not commensurate with true potential, therefore proactive measures are required to increase the quantum of bilateral trade.

He emphasized that beside political and trade relation there is a need to strengthen cultural and educational cooperation with these countries. He directed the Ambassador-designates to keep close contact with the Pakistan community based in these countries and take all possible measures to address their issues. He underscored that there should be regular exchange of delegation from various fields with the both countries in order to benefit from the experiences of each others. The President directed the Ambassador-designates to encourage the investors from Portugal and Ireland to invest in Pakistan.

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August 31, 2018

President Mamnoon Hussain administers oath of the office to Shehryar Khan Afridi as Minister of State

Islamabad, August 31, 2018 (PPI-OT): President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath of the office to Mr. Shehryar Khan Afridi as Minister of State during an oath taking ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Friday.

August 31, 2018

Dr Shireen Mazari urges international community to come forward and raise the voice against brutalities and worst violations of human rights in Indian Occupied Kashmir

Islamabad, August 31, 2018 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari has urged the international community to come forward and raise the voice against the brutalities and worst violations of human rights in Indian Occupied Kashmir. The people of Indian Occupied Kashmir have been sacrificing their lives for the attainment of the Plebiscite which has been guaranteed by the UNSC and UNCIP resolutions. Besides, the right to self-determination lies at the centre of the International Bill of Rights.

Why the innocent and unarmed people of Kashmir are denied to this fundamental right? She added. She was talking to the Former Australian Senator and Human Rights Activist, Ms Lee Rhiannon who called on her during his visit to Pakistan here in Islamabad on Friday. High officials of the ministry were also present on the occasion. They discussed the matters related to the human rights particularly human rights violations and the protracted rights of innocent people of Kashmir Valley.

Minister apprised the Former Australian senator about the steps of the Pakistan Government to protect and promote the rights of our citizens. While talking to the Ms Lee Rhiannon, Shireen Mazari has said that the Kashmir issue is the question of right to self-determination adding that International conventions guarantees the right of self-determination of Kashmiri people. She called the Human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir the war crimes and crimes against humanity adding that the situation of human rights was very deploring in IOK and I am wondering that where is the conscience of the civilized world and the United Nations.

Dr Mazari urged the Former Australian senator to raise the voice to redress the protracted grievances of Kashmiri people. Talking to the Senator, she said that India is committing serious violations of human rights in Indian occupied Kashmir.

She said that the incumbent government preparing proposal to resolve Kashmir issue, describing the draft as a model for conflict resolution, this proposal will be circulated among all stakeholders, Pakistan was fully support the Freedom movement of the people of Kashmir and against the Indian nefarious attempt of changing the demography of Kashmir by abrogating the Article-35A and demanded to the International community to take immediate and appropriate steps to resolve this issue.

Mazari made it clear that any attempt aimed at changing the demographic character of Indian Occupied Kashmir will be opposed. She said that Pakistan fully supports the Freedom movement of the people of IOK and will continue its political and diplomatic support for the freedom fighters. Ms Lee Rhiannon appreciated the endeavours of government for the promotion and protection of human rights in Pakistan and assured her full support to resolve the issue of Kashmir.

August 31, 2018

UAE envoy calls on Advisor to Prime Minister on Climate Change

Islamabad, August 31, 2018 (PPI-OT): Dy. Head of mission UAE to Pakistan Mr Abdul Aziz Al-Neiyadi called on Advisor to PM on climate change, Malik Amin Aslam here at Islamabad today and discussed the areas of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and UAE including houbar bustard and environment. Federal secretary Climate change Khizar Hayat Khan was also present in the meeting. Advisor to PM on climate change Malik Amin Aslam has said that Pakistan attaches high value to its friendly relations with United Arab Emirate (UAE) and wishes to further take them to new heights especially in the area of environment. Malik Amin Aslam said that we are initiating a mass plantation project and ten billion trees would be planted throughout the country to make the environment more safer.

UAE envoy said that his government attaches highest priority to the environment and we are eager to cooperate with Pakistan in the field of environment and ready to sign Mou with Ministry of climate change in this regard. The UAE ambassador congratulated the advisor to PM on climate change on assuming the charge of the Ministry. Appreciating the endeavours of the government , the UAE envoy said that pro environmental initiatives of the current government are highly commendable and UAE attaches immense importance to its relations with Pakistan and would keep on extending its support to utilise huge economic potential in Pakistan for the mutual benefit of both the nations.

August 31, 2018

ADP intends to collaborate with Ministry of Climate Change in the areas of mutual interest

Islamabad, August 31, 2018 (PPI-OT): A two member delegation of Asian development bank (ADP) called on Advisor to PM Malik Amin Aslam to discuss the areas of mutual interest here at Ministry of climate change Islamabad today. Federal secretary khizar Hayat Khan was also present in the meeting. The delegates apprised the Minister regarding ADB’s ongoing projects with the provincial governments including climate change, disaster management and clean drinking water projects. The advisor to PM on climate change said that we believe in “Climate compatible development and it’s a good omen that ADB share the same mandate on many fronts.

He further said that we are going to hold a meeting on clean drinking water with in next week and we also intend to develop a comprehensive drinking water policy at federal level. Advisor to PM Malik Amin Aslam while talking to the delegates said that our earlier billion tree Tsunami project was a successful initiative recognized at national and international level and now we are spreading that program to the whole country and any collaboration with ADB would be welcomed. ADB, s delegates appreciated the vision and endeavours of the government to provide an healthy atmosphere and ecosystem to the people of Pakistan and assured their support in the areas of common interest in near future.

August 31, 2018

Measures a foot to curb prevalence of tobacco use in the country: Health Minister

Islamabad, August 31, 2018 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for National Health Services Aamer Mehmood Kiani said that tobacco use is a major cause of death in Pakistan and this Ministry will take every measure to save lives of people of Pakistan from these deadly products. The Minister took a briefing on Tobacco Control Cell in this office today. The Minister said that coordination would be made with Ministry of Finance to raise taxes on cigarettes. He further said that Provincial Chief Ministers would be requested to ensure enforcement of tobacco control laws in particular enforcement of legislation on Pictorial Health Warning on cigarette packs.

He also directed to launch awareness campaign on hazards of smoking and for promoting tobacco cessation and quitting services. He emphasized on conducting a comprehensive survey to collect data on health indicators including tobacco. The Project Manager briefed the minister on tobacco control situation in Pakistan. He was informed that almost 24 million adults currently use tobacco in any form in Pakistan.

Tobacco Control Cell (TCC) had taken measures to reduce prevalence of tobacco use in the country, in accordance with its mandate. In this regard, TCC notified new enhanced pictorial health warning on cigarette packs and outers, banned sale of loose cigarettes sticks, banned import of tobacco and non-tobacco sheesha and related substances, banned tobacco advertisement in print, electronic and outdoor media, banned cigarette packs having less than 20 cigarettes, illegalized designated smoking areas / smoking rooms, declared public places 100% smoke-free, raised awareness among masses, and built capacity of authorized persons to support enforcement.

The Technical Head TCC highlighted that there were challenges in functioning of tobacco control in Pakistan especially availability of low-priced cigarettes. He informed that TCC had already solicited support of PEMRA for airing tobacco control messages as public service message. He also presented the way forward and future plans. He suggested to ensure implementation of legislation on pictorial health warning on cigarette packs. He further proposed to implement Tobacco Venda Act, 1958 to regulate the sale of tobacco products. The Minister assured that every possible measures would be taken to reduce prevalence of tobacco use in the country and save lives of people of Pakistan.

August 31, 2018

CPEC is the backbone of Pakistan’s Economy: Sh. Rasheed

Islamabad, August 31, 2018 (PPI-OT): Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing on Friday called on Federal Minister for Railways, Sh. Rasheed at Ministry of Railways. They discussed matters related to mutual interest in railways’ CPEC projects, and Ambassador Jing reiterated his government’s desire to work closely with the new government. The Minister on the other hand, praised Chinese support in railway projects.

He said Pakistan could learn a lot from China’s experience in the railway sector. He further added, “CPEC is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy”. Both showed full support to each other in completing the railway projects swiftly. The meeting was also attended by M. Javed Anwar, Chairman, Ministry of Railways, Aftab Akbar, CEO Pakistan Railways, Farukh Taimur Ghilzai, Secretary Railway Board and Munawar Ali Shah, DG Technical.