Saturday, August 19th, 2017
No reference to be filed against Justice Khosa: NA spokesperson
ISLAMABAD, AUG 19 (DNA) – Spokesperson for National Assembly (NA) Ayaz Sadiq has cleared on Saturday that no reference is being prepared to be filed against Justice Asif Saeed Khosa. In a statement given today, he said that no reference was neither filed not is to be filed against any judge as claimed by some reports in the media. He urged the media to abstain from reportage that could cause a misunderstanding. The reports had earlier claimed that the NA Speaker was to file the reference against the top courtRead More
China must get along with regional powers to make its New Silk Road plan work
BEIJING, AUG 19 (DNA) – Raffaello Pantucci writes that Beijing is seeking to increase its presence in regions where it is going to need more friends than enemies, including India Geopolitics matters. As we move deeper into a multipolar world, the importance of grand strategy will only grow. Relations between states at a strategic, economic and even emotional level will all intertwine to create a complicated web that will require sophisticated diplomacy to navigate. For China this is a particularly important lesson to learn, given its keynote “Belt and RoadRead More
Pakistan eyes ‘Tax Exemption’ deal with Afghanistan on certain commercial items
ISLAMABAD, AUG 19 (DNA) – Pakistan seeks ‘tax exemption’ mutual deal with Afghanistan on certain commercial items, in a bid to expand trade ties with Kabul. The move comes after the relations between Kabul and Islamabad became strained over accusations of harboring militants, Pakistan has “stymied” Afghanistan’s efforts to trade with India. “Pakistan wants to increase exports to [Afghanistan] by exempting tariffs,” said Afghan Economic Expert, Azrakhsh Hafizi. “We should be patient whether to exempt tariffs or not,” he added. Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Industries (ACCI), however, welcomes theRead More
Relaxing medical visa rules for Pakistanis a welcome step
NEW DELHI, AUG 19 (DNA) – The decision by India to relax the rules on medical visas for Pakistanis could not have come at a more opportune time. Celebrating its 71st Independence Day, India did well to revive the efficacy and humanitarian impetus of this matter with the assurance that all bona fide cases pending with the Indian government, which had been forwarded by the then Foreign Ministry of Pakistan, will be looked into. What’s more, medical visa applicants will no longer be required to procure a letter of recommendationRead More
Khurshid Shah’s helicopter takes emergency landing amid bad weather
BALAKOT, AUG 19 (DNA) – Helicopter of Opposition Leader Khurshid Shah had to take emergency landing in the wake of bad weather after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) organised power show in Mansehra. The disaster was averted by skilled pilot who landed the plane in Balakot. Senior PPP leader including Sherry Rehman, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari and Faisal Karim Kundi were also riding it. Khurshid Shah along with PPP leaders was heading to Kaghan after their rally in Mansehra in which party chairman slammed political opponents including Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif.Read More
U.S Commander Joseph Votel makes third visit to Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, AUG 19 (DNA) – General Joseph Votel, Commander, United States Central Command, led a delegation on a two-day visit to Pakistan this week. This was General Votel’s third visit to Pakistan as Commander. General Votel and the delegation met with Prime Minister Shahid Abbasi, Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Hayat, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. In addition, the Pakistani Army hosted a tour of North Waziristan for the delegation. “Military cooperation, and even stronger cooperationRead More