August 2021 – Page 5 – PPI News Agency

August 31, 2021

Pakistan occupies unique place in international community in terms of charity: President

Islamabad, August 31, 2021 (PPI-OT):President Dr Arif Alvi says Pakistan occupies a unique place in the international community in terms of charity at the individual and institutional levels. Speaking at a briefing regarding charitable activities of two NGOs in Karachi, he said the presence of millions of Afghan refugees on Pakistani soil is testament to our hospitality. The President said Pakistan has achieved tremendous success in containing the spread of COVID-19 virus due to timely decisions of the government.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

August 31, 2021

No ‘refugee status’ granted to anyone in wake of foreigners’ evacuation from Afghanistan

Islamabad, August 31, 2021 (PPI-OT):Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has clarified that no ‘refugee status’ has been granted to anyone in the wake of foreigners’ evacuation from Afghanistan. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, he said many people come and return back at Chaman border on daily basis as per past practice related to trade activities, and there is no extra burden on borders.

The Interior Minister said Pakistan is a responsible state and will fulfil its responsibility of national security while meeting international expectations with regard to strengthening of peace in Afghanistan. He said as a major player in international politics, Pakistan has responsibilities to manage things, as it faces enemies like India who can use any sort of terrorist set up to harm the country.

August 31, 2021

UNSC urges Taliban to honour their commitment to let people freely leave Afghanistan

Islamabad, August 31, 2021 (PPI-OT):The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution requiring the Taliban to honour their commitment to let people freely leave Afghanistan. The resolution drafted by the United States, Britain and France was passed with 13 votes in favour and no objections while China and Russia abstained. The resolution said the council expects the Taliban to allow a safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals.

August 31, 2021

U.S. completes withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan: Blinken

Islamabad, August 31, 2021 (PPI-OT):The United States has completed withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan, ending the 20 years of invasion into the country. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in press briefing in Washington said the withdrawal from Afghanistan was a massive military, diplomatic and humanitarian undertaking and one of the most challenging the United States has ever carried out.

He said the United States has suspended its diplomatic presence in Kabul and transferred its operations to Doha. Earlier, announcing the withdrawal, commander of the US Central Command, General Frank McKenzie told a Pentagon briefing that the chief US diplomat in Afghanistan Ross Wilson was on the last C-17 flight out.

August 31, 2021

Foreign Minister urges world community to stay engaged with Afghanistan for peace, stability

Islamabad, August 31, 2021 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged the world community to stay engaged with Afghanistan for peace and stability there. Addressing a joint news conference in Islamabad on Tuesday along with his German counterpart Heiko Maas after delegation level talks, he said humanitarian assistance must flow and economic collapse of Afghanistan must not be allowed.

The Foreign Minister warned against repeating mistakes of the past saying abandoning Afghanistan is not an option as it will have serious consequences. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the world should remain vigilant of spoilers in Afghanistan. He said the international community has to discern between those standing for peace and the spoilers.

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan has been hosting over three million Afghan refugees for decades. We have been providing them with education and health care facilities as well as livelihood opportunities. He emphasized the need for creating such an environment in Afghanistan so that the need for another exodus does not arise again.

Commenting on the collapse of Ghani government, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said they were not speaking the truth on the actual situation in Afghanistan. He said Ashraf Ghani finally fled along with his aides and colleagues. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said recent statements made by the Taliban are encouraging and positive. He said they will have to act on the pronouncements and respect the human rights and international norms. The German Foreign Minister in his remarks expressed his gratitude to Pakistan for playing a significant role in evacuation of foreign nationals including Germans from Kabul.

He said Germany stands ready to support the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan experiencing the impact of Afghan situation. He said his country will not abandon them in facing the challenges. He said we have already provided one hundred million euros in humanitarian assistance and five hundred million euros have also been pledged for various projects in neighbouring countries of Afghanistan.

He said Germany is closely coordinating with Pakistan on Afghan issue as well as bilateral relations. As regards bilateral relations, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed the desire to further deepen relations with Germany in different fields.

He said both the countries have planned a number of activities to celebrate seventy years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. He pointed out that Germany has been an important investor in Pakistan and there are opportunities to further enhance trade and promote relations in the areas of renewable energy, Information Technology, Housing, electric vehicles etc. He said there are also opportunities for German investors in Special Economic Zones being established under the CPEC. The Foreign Minister also expressed satisfaction over the defense cooperation between the two countries.

August 31, 2021

Prime Minister directs to finalize new SME policy to provide incentives, facilities to small business owners

Islamabad, August 31, 2021 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to finalize the new SME policy to provide incentives and facilities to small business owners under the government’s Ease of Business Policy. He was chairing a review meeting on promotion of Small and Medium businesses, in Islamabad.

The Prime Minister said small industries were neglected in the past but the incumbent government is focused on providing facilities to them. The meeting was informed that small and medium enterprises account for 40 percent of the total GDP of Pakistan. It was apprised that Loans will be provided to small and medium enterprises under the supervision of State Bank of Pakistan and special attention will be paid to the business related to information technology sector.

August 31, 2021

Pakistan expresses serious concern over fresh reports of theft, illicit sale of radioactive material in India

Islamabad, August 31, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan has expressed serious concern over fresh reports of theft and illicit sale of radioactive material in India. In response to media queries, Foreign Office Spokesperson said it is a matter of grave concern for international community that an extremely rare Sealed Radioactive Source material like Californium could be stolen.

He said these repeated incidents raise serious concerns about the safety and security of nuclear and other radioactive materials in India, and the possible existence of a black market for such materials inside the country. It also indicates the lax arrangements by India to secure imported Sealed Radioactive Source material. The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s call for a thorough investigation and adequate measures to prevent their recurrence. This is the third such occurrence in India in the last four months.