NATION CELEBRATES the 78th PAKISTAN DAY WITH ZEAL AND FERVOUR
Military parade marks on Pakistan Day in Islamabad
The day is being celebrated to commemorate the Lahore Resolution 1940 of All India Muslims which laid the foundation of independence of Muslim majority regions of British-occupied India and finally led to creation of Pakistan comprising of those Muslim majority regions.
- Islamabad : March 23, 2018 | Pakistan Day celebrations kicked off (Friday) with a joint military parade at the Parade Ground near Islamabad’s Shakarparian Hills.
- The ceremony began with recitations from the Holy Quran. President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest of the ceremony.
- The parade was held in the presence of Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and Air Chief Mujahid Anwar Khan.
- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena was the guest of honor at the event.
- New-appointed air chief, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, then led a fly-past, followed by several other squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force as a salute to the head of the state.
- Mechanized columns of various prestigious services of the country exhibited inventory of highly sophisticated and modern weaponry and arsenal. Pakistani armed forces displayed tanks, jets, drones and other weapon systems in the parade.
- Troops from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated in the parade for the first time. The parade also featured troops from Jordan.
- Subsequently, the parade showcased local cultures of the four provinces. Cultural delegates and floats from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir were featured during the ceremony.
- The president then addressed the nation and praised the country’s people and armed forces for their resolve.
- Indian delegation attends military parade. Three senior officials of the Indian High Commission attended the military parade, these include Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, Deputy High Commissioner J.P. Singh and Military Attaché Brig P. Vishwasrao.
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Pakistan conducts Sub-Launched Nuclear-Capable ‘Babur’ Crouse missile
RAWALPINDI (29 March): (SLCM) ‘Babur’ having a range of 450km, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in statement. The missile was fired from an underwater dynamic platform, which successfully engaged its target with precise accuracy, meeting all the flight parameters, the statement read. SLCM Babur is capable of delivering various types of payloads and incorporates state-of-the-art technologies, including underwater controlled propulsion, advanced guidance and navigation features. “The missile provides Pakistan credible Second-Strike Capability, augmenting the existing deterrence regime,” the ISPR said in its statement. “Development of this capability also reflects Pakistan’s response to provocative nuclear strategies and posture being pursued in the neighborhood through induction of nuclear submarines and ship-borne nuclear missiles, leading to nuclearisation of Indian Ocean region,” it said further. Pakistan eyes this landmark development as a step towards reinforcing the policy of credible minimum deterrence through indigenization and self-reliance.
The test was witnessed by director general (DG) of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), NESCOM chairman, commander of the Naval Strategic Force Command (NSFC), senior officials, scientists and engineers from strategic scientific organizations. The President / the Prime minister of Pakistan and The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) and services chiefs have congratulated the scientists, engineers and NSFC personnel for successful achievement of this highly significant milestone.
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Pakistan ready to further strengthen partnership with IAEA: PM Abbasi
ISLAMABAD (12 March) | Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that with decades of experience in the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, Pakistan was ready to further strengthen its partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency and contribute towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals worldwide.
Talking to Director General of IAEA ‘Yukiya Amano’ at the PM Office, the prime minister said, with extensive experience and expertise in the nuclear field, Pakistan was well placed as a provider of services for various IAEA programmes and activities. During the meeting issues related to cooperation between Pakistan and IAEA were discussed.
Prime Minister Abbasi appreciated the positive role played by the IAEA in the promotion of peaceful use of nuclear technology in Pakistan. PM Abbasi briefed the IAEA chief about Pakistan’s energy development plans and the significance of nuclear power generation in the energy mix as a clean and environment-friendly source of energy. He said Pakistan looks forward to the Agency’s assistance in expanding nuclear power production. During his stay in Pakistan, the Director General of the IAEA would visit various civilian facilities and installations to see for himself the strides made by the country in the application of nuclear technology in agriculture, health, industry, water resource management, environment protection and food safety.
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One-on-one meeting between P.M. Abbasi & (CJP) Saqib Nisar
Islamabad : 27 March, 2018| Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi called on Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar and showed keen interest in providing all possible assistance to revamp the judicial system of Pakistan as visualized by the CJP. This assurance was given by the prime minister during his one-on-one surprise meeting with the Chief Justice which was held on Tuesday evening in the Supreme Court building. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere in the Chambers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
“The government will furnish all resources to the judiciary in order to enable it to provide speedy and inexpensive justice, in addition to facilitating easy access of justice to the people,” Abbasi said. Both the dignitories also exchanged views over better interaction among the state institutions, general elections, delimitation of constituencies, caretaker government setup besides legal and constitutional matters.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted the difficulties faced by the Federal Board of Revenue and the Tax Department on account of pendency of litigation involving revenue in different Courts.
The Chief Justice assured the Prime Minister that he will look into the matter and such litigation shall be fast tracked. The Prime Minister assured, “All steps will be taken to materialize the vision of the Chief Justice with respect to free education, public health, improvement in Government hospitals and provision of quality and affordable health services, revamping the medical education specially in private medical colleges, provision of clean drinking water, better sanitation and protection of environment, etc.”
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First Commercial shipment from Gwadar leaves for UAE
QUETTA (7 March, 2018) China’s state-owned shipping and logistics services supplier company (COSCO) dispatched the first ever commercial shipment from Pakistan’s port city of Gwadar to UAE, marking the start of a new era of global trade from this South Asian country. The shipment of China Ocean Shipping Company, carrying containers of seafood, left for Dubai’s Jebel Ali port.
Chairman and CEO of China Overseas Ports Holding Company, Zhang Baozhong while detailing the initiation of commercial services from Gwadar, said that the Cosco would operate a cargo ship with a capacity of 5000 containers on the route.
“The service has been designed in a manner to ensure to and fro movement of goods between Gwadar and any country,” Baozhong explained. The official claimed that contrary to other ports of Pakistan, the containers would be offloaded and cleared in less than 48 hours at the Gwadar port and importers/exporters would not face storage space issues.
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China provides tracking system for Pakistan’s missile programme
22 March, 2018 | China has sold Pakistan a powerful tracking system in an unprecedented deal that could speed up the Pakistani military’s development of multi-warhead missiles. News of the sale and evidence that China is supporting Pakistan’s rapidly developing missile programme comes two months after India tested its most advanced nuclear-ready intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range long enough to hit Beijing or Shanghai. Chinese authorities declassified information about the deal on Wednesday 22 March. A statement on the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) website said China was the first country to export such sensitive equipment to Pakistan. Zheng Mengwei, a researcher with the CAS Institute of Optics and Electronics in Chengdu, Sichuan province, confirmed to the South China Morning Post that Pakistan had bought a highly sophisticated, large-scale optical tracking and measurement system from China. The Pakistani military recently deployed the Chinese-made system “at a firing range” for use in testing and developing its new missiles, he said.
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Pakistan becomes fifth fastest emerging economy: Iqbal
ISLAMABAD (March 15, 2018) | Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal has urged business leaders to play their due role in economic development of the country. “We, as leaders, have the responsibility to become ambassadors of Pakistan and show the spirit to take the country to new heights and into the ranks of top 25 economies of the world, as envisioned by the government in 2014,” he said while addressing the second ‘Leaders in Islamabad’ business summit. The theme for this year’s summit was ‘Disrupting the Future’ where innovators, leaders and future thinkers came together to present their ideas. Iqbal said technology was developing at a very fast pace, which changed the mode of doing business, as innovations and new ideas kept on emerging every day. He said average growth of national economy came in at 4.85% over the last five years compared to 3% expansion during the tenure of the previous government. “Pakistan has become the fifth fastest emerging economy among the comity of nations,” he claimed.
The minister said heavy investments had been made in the country’s infrastructure, energy and industrial sectors under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which would result in boosting the national economy. “CPEC is at the initial stage and its benefits are still being felt across the country as far-flung areas are being connected to big cities through the construction of 1,650km motorways, besides generating numerous employment and entrepreneurship opportunities,” he said, adding after completion of the mega project in 2030, Pakistan would become a hub of regional trade, business and manufacturing. ‘Courtesy The Express Tribune’
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Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan to replace Sohail Aman as Air Chief
SLAMABAD: 19 March 2018: Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar currently served as Director General Air Force Strategic Command at Air Headquarters and as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Support). Previously Air Marshal Khan has served as Personal Staff Officer to Chief of the Air Staff, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) and Director General C4I at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.
Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan was commissioned in GD(P) Branch in December 1983 and received the coveted Sword of Honour, Best Pilot Trophy and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gold Medal from PAF Academy Asghar Khan.
During his tenure of service, he has held various Command and Staff appointments including Command of a Fighter Squadron, a Tactical Attack Wing, Base Commander of two elite F-16 Bases and Air Officer Commanding of Regional Air Command. Air Marshal Khan is a qualified Flying Instructor and a graduate of Combat Commanders’ School, Command and Staff College, Jordan, Air War College, Faisal and National Defence University, Islamabad.
The Air Officer has flown various training and fighter aircraft including F-16, F-6, FT-5, T-37 and MFI-17. In recognition of his meritorious services, he has been awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military).
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Air Marshal Arshad Malik appointed as vice air chief
ISLAMABAD: He joined PAF in 1978 with 76th GD (P) course and was commissioned as a fighter pilot in December 1983. He has flown various trainer and fighter aircraft, including Mirage, F-6, F-7P, and F-7PG. His staff appointments include Personal Staff Officer to Chief of the Air Staff, Director Operations Project, Director Operational Requirement and Development, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (OR&D), Chief Project Director JF-17, and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Personnel) at Air Headquarters.
Sadiq Sanjrani elected as Senate Chairman &
Saleem Mandviwalla elected deputy chairman
ISLAMABAD: 12 March, 2018| Balochistan Senator Sadiq Sanjrani elected to Senate as an independent in the March 3 election was sworn in as Senate Chairman Monday evening after he secured 57 votes out of the total 103 cast for the seat, defeating the PML-N’s Raja Zafarul Haq, who managed only 46. His election as the first-ever Senate chairman from Balochistan marked the day’s second historic moment.
Sanjrani, an independent, had been backed by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P). Sanjrani was contesting for the post against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) candidate Raja Zafarul Haq, who was backed by the National Party (NP), Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), PML-Functional and Awami National Party.
PPP’s Saleem Mandviwalla was elected as the deputy chairman and sworn in by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sajrani .
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Malala Yousafzai returned to Pakistan on four-day visit After Five Year
I have dreamed of returning to Pakistan for five years, says emotional Malala in homecoming speech
The campaigner was visibly emotional as she gave a short speech about returning home for the trip, and about her passion for empowering women and girls, after a meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Islamabad. “For the last five years I dreamed that I can set foot in my country,” she said, wiping away tears. “It’s the happiest day of my life. I still can’t believe it’s happening,” added Yousafzai, clad in a traditional shalwar khameez outfit with her head covered with a red and blue duppata scarf. While details about her trip are being closely guarded for security reasons, and it is unclear whether she will visit the Swat valley, where the attack in 2012 took place, Yousafzai is expected to use the trip to launch a number of educational intiatives, institutions and scholarships under her foundation, the Malala Fund.
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Wanted SSP Malir Rao Anwar arrested after appearing before Supreme Court
ISLAMABAD (March 21, 2018) A police team along with arrested former Malir SSP Rao Anwar, wanted in the Naqeebullah Mehsud killing case, has reached Karachi, sources informed. He was arrested earlier from outside the Supreme Court after he appeared in the apex court. Sindh Police’s Additional IG Aftab Pathan is accompanying the arrested official who arrived from Islamabad through a private airline’s flight. Anwar was named as an accused in the extrajudicial murder case of 27-year-old Mehsud and three others who were killed in a fake police encounter in Karachi on January 13 on Anwar’s orders.
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Raiwind: 9 killed; 20 others injured in suicide blast
LAHORE(March 14, 2018) The blast took place in the suburb of Raiwind near a mosque hosting a religious congregation. Raiwind serves as the headquarters of Tablighi Jamaat and hosts the annual Raiwind Markaz Ijtema. Police were deployed in the area to provide security to a congregation. Five policemen and four civilians have been killed, according to DIG Operations Haider Ashraf, adding that the blast appears to be a suicide attack that targeted police. No claim of responsibility was immediately made.
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SIUT inaugurates new operation theatre
KARACHI: 2 March,18 | The Bashir Dawood state-of-the-art operation and transplant centre at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) was inaugurated on Friday March 2nd 218. This is the first operation theatre of its kind in the country. SIUT head Prof Dr Adibul Hasan Rizvi addressed the opening ceremony of the Bashir Dawood operation theatre complex, where he said he was proud that the centre was inaugurated. He said that Suleiman Dawood, Bashir’s father, was his friend and that friendship translated into aid for the hospital.
SIUT has 35 modern dialysis machines that are used to treat patients year round free of charge. Dr Rizvi stated that even if someone cannot afford treatment, they still have the right to live. He said that around 10,000 children also undergo dialysis at the institute every year. SIUT is the largest dialysis centre in south east Asia and around 325,000 dialyses are performed at it every year. Dr Rizvi told participants that Bashir always helped improve the hospital.
He also assisted in establishing an oncology centre at the hospital, which is why the cenre is named Hanifa Oncology Centre, after his mother. Dr Rizvi said that everything, from radiology to dialysis, is provided free of charge. He said SIUT also offers brachytherapy, which is a technique that only the Shaukat Khanum Hospital and SIUT offer in Pakistan.
Many other health experts also participated in the opening ceremony.
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