ISLAMABAD, APR 04 (DNA) – To celebrate the 243rd anniversary of American Independence, the U.S. Embassy hosted Pakistani officials, businesspeople, civil society, celebrities, and friends for a celebration that included traditional American food, and simulated fireworks. The evening’s guest of honor was Mr. Omar Ayub Khan, Federal Minister for Energy.  Under the theme of “Building a Vision,” speakers, photos, and video displays highlighted the common values underpinning U.S. and Pakistani friendship and the shared goals of the two countries. In his remarks, Ambassador Paul Jones, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., explained theRead More

ISLAMABAD, APR 04 (DNA) – The 10th round of Bilateral Political Consultation between Pakistan and Norway was held in Islamabad today. Additional Secretary (Europe) Zaheer A. Janjua and Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith, Director General (Regional Affairs) of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs led their respective delegations. The two sides took stock of the whole range of bilateral relations, including political, economic, trade, investment, education and cultural fields. The Norwegian side was briefed on the progress made by Pakistan in strengthening democracy, emerging economy, trade and investment and future prospects of growth. Norwegian companies were invited to invest and benefit from Pakistan’s investor friendly policies, particularly in clean and green energy, agriculture, fisheries, oil and gas and water and waste management sectors. The two sides exchanged views on important global and regional issues of mutual interest. The Norwegian side was briefed on the Indian aggression and Pakistan’s measured response, as well as steps taken to de-escalate tensions, including release of the captured Indian pilot, opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, return of the High Commissioner to New Delhi and restoration of hotline between Military Operations Directorate. The Pakistan side urged the international community to take cognizance of the situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the atrocities perpetrated by the Indian security forces against the Kashmiris The Norwegian side was also briefed on Pakistan’s efforts aimed at bringing peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. It was emphasized that a politically negotiated settlement, led and owned by the Afghans, was the only viable way forward. The Norwegian side appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in the Afghan peace process. The Norwegian side briefed on the situation in the Nordic region and relations with its neighbours, and appreciated Pakistan’s overtures of peace aimed at normalizing the situation with India. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation at the international fora, including at the UN, and agreed to continue supporting each other. The next round of Pakistan-Norway Bilateral Political Consultations would be held in Oslo at mutually agreed dates.

ISLAMABAD:  (DNA) – Outgoing German Ambassador Martin Kobler, who is returning to Germany soon, has got a Sherwani. Martin Kobler donning black coloured Sherwani took to Twitter saying “SURPRIZE!! I also made a sherwani on my way out.. have a look and tell me if it suits me?” He also thanked the tailors for such a wonderful Sherwani. “I wonder how people will react in Berlin when I wear this,” he said. German Ambassador Martin Kobler is very popular in Pakistan for sharing Pakistani culture. Recently he got a vespaRead More

ISLAMABAD, APR 04 (DNA) – Ingrid Johansson, Ambassador of Sweden to Pakistan visited the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and called on Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Muhammad Asghar, Executive Director HEC at the Commission Secretariat. She was accompanied by Mr. Hans Pohl, Programme Director STINT (Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education). The two sides discussed measures to revive Swedish-Pakistan collaboration in higher education and research fields. Talking to the delegation, the Executive Director said HEC, since its establishment in 2002, is pursuing its key objectives of access, qualityRead More

LAHORE (DNA) – A resolution calling for reinstatement of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Ishaq Dar as the minister of finance “on contract” has been submitted in the Punjab Assembly on Thursday. Reportedly, the resolution was tabled by PML-N Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Hina Pervez Butt. The resolution states that federal Finance Minister Asad Umar is incompetent to resolve economic issues of the country, and the incumbent government has affirmed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the US dollar would be raised to 169 against Pakistani rupee. It further maintainsRead More