Monitoring Desk: “Construction of a new Mazar-e-Sharif-Herat Railway track will link Uzbekistan to the port of Bander Abbas of Iran through Trans-Afghan corridor, ” said Uzbek Foreign Trade Minister Jamshid Khodjaev.
Jamshid stated that this new route would significantly increase the export and transit potential of Uzbekistan.
Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan: Uzbekistan will reach port of Bander Abbas through Trans-Afghan corridor
“The railway will definitely increase the trade turnover and our transit potential. Uzbekistan will have a direct access to the port of Bander Abbas (Iran). In terms of transit, it will be possible to use this railway to transport Iranian oil to China, “Khodjaev said, speaking at the Press Center of the international conference on Afghanistan, which starts on March 26.
He said Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have a greater desire for cooperation and the intention to complete the project for the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway corridor as soon as possible.
Thus, real steps are being taken to create new transcontinental corridors “China-Central Asia-Caucasus-Europe” and “China-Central Asia-Afghanistan-Iran”.
In connection with the Afghan direction, plans remain for the construction of the railway “Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China”. The countries have already agreed that in August an understanding will be developed on the feasibility study of the project, and by the end of the year – a vision for solving all financial issues.
Widely deemed as Economic Hub of Pakistan, the Country’s most populous City Karachi is poised to entertain the Cricket World by hosting the Final of PSL 2018 between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United at its National Stadium tonight.
It’s been almost a decade since National Stadium Karachi hosted the game of Cricket featuring International Players as Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test Match held here from February 21-25 was the last time, spectators watched their national heroes competing with foreigners.
Amid security concerns, extra security measures coupled with special traffic plans have been taken in and outside the Stadium to avoid any untoward incident as apart from foreigner players, high profile personalities including Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Federal Ministers and leadership of mainstream political parties would also be present in the Final.
PSL Final brings more glitters to ‘City of Lights’. Thanks to PCB, foreign players, govt administration, security apparatus and the resilient Pakistanis. Terrorism imposed on us is on the way out; we are on the way to our rightful destination of enduring peace and stability, IA.
Considering the fact that not only in PSL 2018 but throughout the History of Pakistan Super League, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi – which also won the title in 2016 and 2017 respectively – have been the most successful teams in the league, people are expecting another thriller and neck-to-neck competition between them in the high-voltage PSL final.
By and large, Islamabad United stand top with regard to securing the best winning percentage as out of 31 T20s, they won 18 matches and lost 12, maintaining 59.67% winning percentage. Whereas Peshawar Zalmi with 19 wins out of 33 matches, have 59.37% winning percentage.
In bilateral battles, Islamabad United also have a slight edge over Peshawar Zalmi as out of 7 encounters between them, the former won 4 matches and suffered defeat in 3.
Prior to the beginning of the Final, a Closing Ceremony will also take place at the venue wherein Strings, Shahzad Roy, Ali Zafar, Farhan Saeed and Aima Baig will perform.
Monitoring Desk: The conference on Afghanistan titled “Peace Process, Cooperation in the Sphere of Security and Regional Interaction” starts today in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, Pakistan, India and Turkey are attending this conference while diplomats from China, European Union, Germany, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United Nations, United States and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have confirmed their participation in Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan. Afghan delegation is led by President Ashraf Ghani.
Agenda of Conference includes deliberations to find a peaceful solution of Afghan civil war but main stakeholder of Afghan war—the Taliban are not attending this conference. Taliban claim they have not been invited for this conference.
Available information suggest that “Tashkent Declaration” will be issued at the end of Conference including a demand for Afghan-lead solution for Afghan Civil War but will also urge fighting factions to accept Afghan Constitution and talks within the parameter of existing Afghan Parliament and the prevailing political system.
Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan starts today
It is pertinent to mention that Afghan Taliban do not accept existing Afghan Parliament and political system and its Constitution and demand talks for imposition of Shariah in war-ridden country. Taliban have time and again say that peaceful solution of Afghan civil war lies in withdrawal of foreign troops (NATO, US, ISAF members) from Afghanistan at first move towards dialogue while US-backed Kabul government wishes talks with Taliban without sending foreign troops out of Afghanistan and by using military power before and during process of political talks with Taliban.
TORONTO, Canada: The Canadian politicians have praised the positive and constructive role being played by the Pakistani Community in Canada for further strengthening of Pakistan-Canada relationship.
In an Impressive Ceremony held at Markham Town Hall in Toronto for Pakistan Day Celebration, the participating Canadian politicians highlighted the importance of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Canada.
In the Ceremony, the government of Ontario was represented by Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of International Trade, Rob Oliphant, Yasmin Ratansi and Hon Iqra Khalid, Members Parliament, Mayor of Markham His Worship Frank Scarpitti and Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
The Ceremony started with recitation from the Holy Quran. The messages of the President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were read out by the Consul General of Pakistan Imran Ahmed Siddiqui.
The Consul General raised the Pakistan flag to the tune of the national anthem in the presence of Canadian parliamentarians, members of diplomatic Corp and Pakistani Community.
The Canadian dignitaries including HW Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of Markham, Hon Yasmin Ratansi, Hon. Michael Chan, Minister of International Trade, Hon Rob Oliphant, Member of Parliament, Hon Iqra Khalid, Member of Parliament, Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, MPP, Mr. Erik Jolliffee, York Regional Police Cheifi also delivered speeches.
The Premier of Ontario, Hon. Khatleem Wyne sent messages of felicitations on the occasion which were read out by Hon. Michael Cha.
On this occasion two documentaries titled “Ancient Pakistan” and Emerging Pakistan” were also screened.
LONDON: The Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Monday said overseas Pakistanis were the ambassadors of Pakistan, adding it was the responsibility of the State to resolve the their issues on priority basis.
Talking to a delegation of Overseas Pakistanis in London, Shahbaz Sharif said the Punjab government had established the Overseas Pakistanis Commission. He said through the institution the overseas Pakistanis were given their rights.
Shahbaz Sharif – who has recently been elected as the President of ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – said the Overseas Pakistanis Commission had been resolving the problem of overseas Pakistanis and giving them relief.
DAKAR, Senegal: To celebrate the 78th National Day of Pakistan, a flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Dakar, the Capital of Senegal.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Senegal Muhammad Imran Mirza hoisted the national flag along with the National Anthem.
The messages of President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were also read out in the ceremony.
In their message, the president and the prime minister said that Pakistan came into being through a long democratic struggle and that the key to its stability and development also lies in democracy. They also expressed that the spirit of tolerance and patience were the fundamentals of democracy.
Both the leaders reiterated their resolve to ensure freedom, equality and social justice for every citizen of Pakistan as envisaged by Quaid-e-Azam.
The ambassador acknowledged the importance of Pakistani diaspora towards progress and development of Pakistan and urged them to unite and come forward for nation building.
Pakistani Community residing in Senegal and six other Countries of accreditation attended the ceremony.
Islamabad, Pakistan: Islamabad will urge again all stakeholders of Afghan civil war to find political solution of the conflict instead of trying to use of more military power in unending Afghan conflict.
According to sources in Foreign Office of Pakistan, Foreign Minister of Pakistan Khawaja Muhammad Asif who is representing Pakistan in the Tashkent conference on Afghanistan titled “Peace Process, Security Cooperation and Regional Connectivity” will emphasis a political solution for Afghan Civil War instead of using military power as military campaign against Taliban has not successful during the last 17 year war in which United States and its allies including NATO used everything thing from Mother of the All Bombs to Daisy Cutters.
Delegations from China, European Union, Germany, France, Italy, India, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United Nations, United States and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached Tashkent to attend Conference on Afghanistan.
United States has sent Under Secretary level official to participant while Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov is reaching Tashkent. According to available information, Thomas Alfred Shannon who is an American diplomat and the current Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs will lead the U.S. delegation to the Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan, hosted by the government of Uzbekistan. Over 20 countries will be represented by foreign ministers including foreign ministers for Pakistan and India while Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will lead his delegation.
Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan: Pakistan will urge political solution of Afghan civil war
China will be represented by Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong. He is a career diplomat who served as the Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations from 2010 to 2013.
Afghan Taliban are not attending Tashkent Conference as they claim that they have not been invited to attend the conference. European Union has urged Taliban to accept dialogue with Afghan Government while Taliban claim that they are winning war and there is no urgency for dialogue unless foreign troops leave the soil of Afghanistan.
With the construction of Motorways network across the Country, certain initiatives including the introduction of M-Tag for Commercial Vehicles plying on Motorways are being undertaken as well, aimed at facilitating the commuters and avoiding unnecessary long queues at toll booths.
Stretching over 4,000 kilometers across Pakistan, Motorways have been playing an anchor role in Country’s economic progress since their various phases became operational.
Initially NADRA-controlled E-Tag facility was brought in with the issuance of RFID Stickers and introductions of separate E-Tag Lanes on Motorways. However, E-Tag is now being replaced with M-Tag under the initiative of Frontier Works Organization (FWO).
M-Tag is meant to be issued for Commercial Vehicles for their entry on Motorways. As per the new directive, any Commercial Vehicle without being issued M-Tag won’t be allowed to enter Motorways after March 31, 2018.
As per FWO Officials, right now M-Tag has been declared compulsory for Commercial Vehicles only but later on, Private Vehicles will also have to follow the same procedure.
The Commuters have lauded the M-Tag initiative on Motorways, saying that it would not only halt the occurrence of long queues of heavily loaded vehicles at toll booths but it would also help capture vehicles – stolen or used for nefarious activities.
Earlier in February 2018, the National Assembly was informed that the federal government would establish Emergency Response Centres at every 40-kilometer distance of Motorways across the Country, aiming at to provide prompt treatment facilities to commuters and accident victims.
The House was informed that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had accorded approval to the project, and the physical work on establishing the Emergency Response Centres would be started from mid-March.
Monitoring Desk: The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov while addressing at Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan on Tuesday March 27, 2018 has said that Afghan conflict cannot be resolved by force and only solution left for peace is dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
He is of the view that the ideas of a military solution are divorced from historical experience and today’s reality.
“Only through the launch of a constructive dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban movement it is possible to achieve genuine peace and stabilization,” maintained Lavrov.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan has said that Afghan conflict cannot be resolved by force rather through constructive dialogue between Afghan government and Taliban
He expressed his grave concern over spread of Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Afghanistan and said:
“Particularly disturbing is the expanding penetration of the so-called. “Islamic State”, especially in the northern provinces bordering on the CIS countries. There, strong points are being created, and people from Central Asia, Russia and other countries are trained. We see in this a direct threat to regional and international security”.
He was of the view that drugs business was on rise in Afghanistan, and Russia as well as Central Asian states were deeply concerned because drugs were ultimately effecting neighboring societies.
“Drug crime remains another serious challenge coming from Afghanistan. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, last year in Afghanistan record-breaking production of opium poppy was again recorded. Afghan heroin provides substantial financial “fueling” to terrorists and extremists both in Afghanistan itself and to an increasing extent far beyond its borders. All this urgently requires intensifying efforts to curb common threats to all of us, strengthening cooperation in the interests of the establishment of a peaceful, independent Afghanistan free of terrorism and drug trafficking,” added Lavrov.
Host President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was of the view that the regional cooperation including that of Pakistan, Iran and other neighboring countries is very important for bringing peace in Afghanistan. He was of the view that Afghan people should have their own voice and opinion in the future. He said that the regional cooperation including that of Pakistan, Iran and other neighboring countries is very important for bringing peace.
The Afghan President Ashraf Ghani while speaking at Conference said that military campaign against terrorists is (was) successful and large operations have been carried out in the past two weeks to eliminate threats. He said the fight against drug smuggling has also been enhanced.
President Ghani claimed that ISIS fighters in Afghanistan were not more than two thousands.
The Afghan president was of the view that ties need to be strengthened with regional countries in order to fight terrorism and Afghanistan will do everything to bring about peace. He stated that recent Kabul Process meeting had been a clear sign that Afghanistan wants to end the war and to show that international allies support government in its quest.
Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan: Uzbekistan offers to host direct talks between the government of Afghanistan and Taliban
Monitoring Desk: Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has offered hosting direct talks between the government of Afghanistan and Taliban at the territory of his country.
Addressing at Tashkent Conference on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, he stated that refraining from combat activities and unconditional compliance with ceasefire both by the armed opposition and the Afghan national security forces can initiate Afghan-led and Afghan-owned dialogue.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has offered hosting direct talks between the government of Afghanistan and Taliban at the territory of his country
“The flame of war was imposed to the Afghan people from outside and thousands of peaceful citizens became victims of the confrontation while millions of people had to flee their homes and sought shelter in other countries”, said Mirziyoyev.
He stated that Uzbekistan supports decisions adopted by participants of the second meeting in the framework of the Kabul process in favor of launching direct talks between the Afghan government and Taliban movement «without preliminary conditions and threats of use of violence».
“At the intra-Afghan level – it is necessary to ensure start of a direct dialogue, without preliminary conditions, among the central government and main forces of the armed opposition, primarily, the Taliban movement”, said Mirziyoyev.
“In order to ensure success of peace process, it is important that the choice of format, time and venue of peace talks should be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned. Sharing the common responsibility for a peaceful future of Afghanistan and based on traditionally friendly relations between the Uzbek and Afghan people, we stand ready to create all necessary conditions, at any stage of the peace process, to arrange on the territory of Uzbekistan the direct talks between the government of Afghanistan and Taliban movement”, offered Mirziyoyev.
Uzbek President with international delegates at Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan
Full speech of Uzbek President released by offocial website of Government of Uzbekistan is hereunder:
Excellency President Mr. Ashraf Ghani!
Dear Ms. Federica Mogherini!
Distinguished foreign ministers, heads of delegations!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Allow me on behalf of the people of Uzbekistan to cordially welcome all participants and guests of the high-level international conference on Afghanistan in the capital city of our country.
I sincerely thank you for your participation in this Forum and I am pleased to see you on the hospitable land of Uzbekistan.
This conference is a joint initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
It is a logical continuation of the efforts to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan made by the international community.
I would like to extend a special gratitude to His Excellency President Mr. Ashraf Ghani for his personal participation in our Forum.
I also express a sincere gratitude to the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres, who from the onset has supported our initiative to hold the international conference and sent his welcoming address to its participants.
We highly appreciate the commitment of Mr. Antonio Guterres to advancement of negotiations in the framework of the process of peace settlement in Afghanistan, as well as his efforts in terms of assistance to security and sustainable development in our region.
In January this year the debate on Central Asia and Afghanistan under the presidency of Kazakhstan took place at the United Nations Security Council. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express a sincere gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev for the initiative to discuss this most important problem.
I am also grateful to all members of the United Nations Security Council for valuable proposals enunciated in the course of discussions. Many of them were taken into account in the draft of the final document of our conference – Tashkent Declaration prepared jointly with the Afghan colleagues.
I am pleased from the bottom of my heart to also welcome:
– High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Ms. Federica Mogherini;
– the heads and representatives of foreign policy institutions of the People’s Republic of China, Russian Federation, United States of America, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, Turkey, India, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, as well as international and regional organizations.
I would like to underscore that the representatives of all Permanent Member States of the UN Security Council and countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are gathered today in this hall.
Dear participants of the Conference!
These days we are broadly celebrating our traditional holiday of spring and renewal – Navruz. From of old, during this period the wars used to cease, people forgave grievances to one another and used to come to accord even on the most, as it seemed, the insoluble problems.
I am confident that today we will also be able to constructively discuss and elaborate the joint solution on one of the most acute regional and global problems of modernity – the conflict in Afghanistan, which, to a great regret, has already been going on for nearly 40 years.
In essence, «the flame of war» was imposed to the Afghan people from outside. It is not his choice. For over these years hundreds of thousands of peaceful citizens became victims of the confrontation while millions of people had to flee their homes and seek shelter in other countries.
The constant engagement of new forces in the conflict has led to its unprecedented aggravation. This conflict has ceased to be exclusively Afghan one while transforming in greater terms into a complex international problem.
The expansion of presence of international terrorist groups in Afghanistan, ongoing violence and bloodshed, and drug business – all of this speaks about that it is inadmissible to ignore by the international community the situation in this country.
Most importantly, the entire generation grew up in Afghanistan in the conditions of armed confrontation and violence. However, this is not «a lost generation» as some experts cynically refer to.
These are just people who have tired of war, deprivations and hardships, who want and try to put an end to enmity and return to peaceful life and creativity for the good of their country.
I am deeply convinced: the Afghan people have strength, wisdom, courage and perseverance to start a new and peaceful life, and to build it for the sake of prosperity of their children and future generations.
The states and high-profile international organizations, whose representatives are today participating in our Forum, can and must play a decisive role in assisting peaceful settlement of situation in this long-suffering country.
The events in the Middle East and North Africa led to the fact that the situation in Afghanistan was left for some time out of focus of world politics. However, the conflict didn’t lose its tenseness and sharpness.
The following factors have necessitated the proposal to hold the international conference in Uzbekistan and the need to unite efforts aimed at ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
First, our initiative fully corresponds to Uzbekistan’s foreign policy concept, which defines as a main priority consolidation of friendly and mutually advantageous relations with neighboring countries.
Second, for over the span of millennia the people of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan developed in one culture and civilization space.
Since the ancient times, the people have been residing on both banks of Amudarya River. They share similarity of languages, common sacred religion and spiritual values.
Amudarya River has always been a source of life for us, but never a barrier for a free movement of people, development of close trade ties, exchange with scientific achievements and mutual enrichment of cultures.
Such outstanding representatives of the Central Asian Renaissance as Abu Raikhan Beruniy, Lutfiy, Alisher Navoiy, Kamoliddin Bekhzod, Zakhiriddin Muhammad Babur, Boborakhim Mashrab and many others – our great ancestors lived and created in the Afghan land.
Today Uzbekistan and Afghanistan lead close political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian relations. Millions of Uzbeks live in Afghanistan. In line with Afghanistan’s Constitution, Uzbek is one of the official languages.
Third, all of us are firmly convinced that security is indivisible and it can be ensured only through joint efforts. We must not, and speaking more concretely, we do not have a right to perceive some threats as «our own» and yet others as «not ours».
Afghanistan’s security is security of Uzbekistan, linchpin of stability and prosperity of entire greater region of Central and South Asia.
It must not be allowed for the international terrorist organizations to turn Afghanistan into their constant safe heaven.
Fourth, Uzbekistan has the experience of assisting the peaceful process in Afghanistan.
In 1999 on the initiative of Uzbekistan the meeting of the Group «6+2» took place in Tashkent on the level of heads of foreign policy institutions of states neighboring on Afghanistan, as well as Russia and the United States.
The representatives of the Northern Alliance and Taliban movement also participated at that meeting.
On the outcomes of negotiations, the Tashkent declaration on major principles of peaceful settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan was adopted, which became an official document of the 54th Session of the UN General Assembly and Security Council.
In this regard, we have all grounds, both political and moral right to speak about our common future with Afghanistan and raise issues which equally bother both our Afghan brothers and us.
It is therefore that Uzbekistan calls upon all countries of the world to support our efforts in this noble cause.
Dear friends!
At present, the multifaceted and not simple issues of settlement of the situation in Afghanistan are broadly discussed on the regional and international levels.
The Kabul process, Moscow format, International Contact Group, Istanbul process – «The heart of Asia», Contact group «SCO-Afghanistan» and other multilateral platforms deserve most serious attention which are established to seek ways of settlement of the military-political crisis in Afghanistan.
Uzbekistan supports decisions adopted by participants of the second meeting in the framework of the Kabul process in favor of launching direct talks between the Afghan government and Taliban movement «without preliminary conditions and threats of use of violence».
However, we believe that the main condition of advancement towards peace is, first of all, to draft and implement in practice the sole, both regionally and globally endorsed Comprehensive peace program for Afghanistan.
Proceeding from this, the following must become our major goals and tasks:
First is to draft basic principles of peaceful settlement and secure broad international consensus on them;
Second is to develop a mechanism to start negotiations between the Afghan government and the armed opposition;
Third is to adopt a «Road map» of assistance by the international community to the process of national reconciliation in Afghanistan.
And finally, it will be of invaluable significance the resolute and unanimous appeal of all interested external forces to the armed opposition with a call to come to the negotiating table with the Afghan government and put an end to confrontation and violence.
There is no alternative to this. In our opinion, this is the key message of today’s meeting.
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
Taking into account the extremely complex and contradictory nature of the conflict in Afghanistan, the involvement of various forces in it, and based on the certain resolutions of the UN Security Council, we believe it is important to ensure promotion of a comprehensive peace process on three interrelated and interdependent levels.
At the intra-Afghan level – it is necessary to ensure start of a direct dialogue, without preliminary conditions, among the central government and main forces of the armed opposition, primarily, the Taliban movement.
The questions that the parties have towards one another may become a subject of the forthcoming negotiation process.
It is obvious that the start of the intra-Afghan political process can no longer be postponed. Its delay will cost the lives of many more innocent people.
In order to ensure success of peace process, it is important that the choice of format, time and venue of peace talks should be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.
Primarily, the point is about refraining from combat activities and unconditional compliance with ceasefire both by the armed opposition and the Afghan national security forces.
Sharing the common responsibility for a peaceful future of Afghanistan and based on traditionally friendly relations between the Uzbek and Afghan people, we stand ready to create all necessary conditions, at any stage of the peace process, to arrange on the territory of Uzbekistan the direct talks between the government of Afghanistan and Taliban movement.
In case of the opposition’s participation in the peace talks and achievement of national reconciliation, all conditions should be created for its integration into political life of Afghanistan.
The representatives of the armed opposition, including Taliban, as a part of the Afghan society and citizens of Afghanistan, have a voice in defining the future of their country.
Along with this, it is extremely important to start the inter-Afghan dialogue in the period before the parliamentary and presidential elections in the country which will provide for broad opportunities to all layers of society, including the opposition forces, for their full participation in the construction of a new Afghanistan.
At the regional level – it is necessary to ensure a firm consensus, primarily with the support of Pakistan, India, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the countries of Central Asia.
I think we all well understand that addressing a whole range of key issues of economic development, ensuring security and stability in Afghanistan in many respects depends on neighboring states, on our good will and firm determination, readiness to actively promote national reconciliation and ending violence in this country.
The efforts of all neighboring countries and partners should not replace, but complement one another. We need to develop the agreed measures, approaches and practical mechanisms to resolve this problem.
As the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated at the UN Security Council meeting in January this year, the new dynamics of regional interaction «will open up great opportunities to all of us to fulfill common, long overdue and urgent tasks».
We need to start considering Afghanistan as not a country from the territory of which the threat to peace and stability is emanating. Afghanistan is our friendly partner and neighbor.
I am confident that our common efforts to involve Afghanistan into the system of trade, economic, transport-communication and cultural-humanitarian relations with neighboring countries will significantly contribute to normalization of the situation and returning of this country to a peaceful life.
I have no doubt that in the long run peace on the Afghan soil will open up the new opportunities and bring real benefits to all states of the greater Eurasian continent. It will promote strengthening common security and stability, create favorable conditions for the construction of motorways and railroads, laying of pipelines, development of regional and trans-regional trade.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to note that Uzbekistan is contributing a fair share to the socio-economic revival of Afghanistan.
Since 2002 we have been supplying electricity to Afghanistan.
With commissioning of a new power transmission line Surkhan-Puli-Khumri the volume of electricity supply from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan will sharply increase.
We are jointly promoting the implementation of another strategic project – extension of the currently operating Hairaton-Mazar-i-Sharif railway built by Uzbek specialists up to Herat.
This project will allow to make a real and practical contribution to reconstruction of Afghanistan’s economy, create new jobs and increase the transit potential of the country.
Launching the trans-Afghan transport-communication projects in close integration with other and not less significant regional projects such as Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Oman and Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan–China will also create all necessary conditions for the development of intercontinental transport corridors in almost all directions – from north to south and from east to west through the shortest route.
The relationships in the sphere of humanities are actively developing. A Center for training Afghan citizens specially established in our border town of Termez started functioning in January.
At present, about 100 young men and women from Afghanistan are already studying there.
We intend to expand the list of specialties and fields of training of Afghan specialists in this Center.
At the global level – it is necessary to ensure a principle political support by leading world powers and donor organizations to the peace process and ensure financial assistance to
Afghanistan’s socio-economic recovery.
Thanks to their assistance, the country has already embarked on a path of peaceful development. Today, Afghanistan is absolutely different country from what it used to be 20 years ago.
The open democratic elections gave a start to the new stage of state building and positive changes are witnessed in the life of ordinary Afghan citizens.
The government has been able to widely cover the population with education and health services.
All of this testifies to the aspiration of the Afghan people to a peaceful life and development.
The important political events – the parliamentary and presidential elections are due in the next two years in Afghanistan which must confirm the consistent progress of the country along the path of stable democratic development.
Dear friends!
Obviously, we all need to realize that we are struggling not just for the future of Afghanistan, but for our common security, for a world without terrorism, fanaticism and violence.
We must not repeat the mistakes of the past. We must remember our shared responsibility.
The task of achieving peace in Afghanistan is closely interlinked with efforts aimed at combating terrorism and extremism, which now have indeed turned into an unprecedented threat to global security and development.
We are deeply convinced that it is very important that all external forces unconditionally support the Afghan government in an effort to eliminate the strongholds of foreign terrorist organizations in Afghanistan, deny financial and logistical support to terrorism without any distinction.
Uzbekistan has always adhered to a principle position in the fight against terrorism, ideology of extremism and radicalism.
These threats must be fought not only by use of force, but firstly through enlightenment, especially among the youth, against ignorance which gives rise to violence.
Last year at the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly Uzbekistan proposed to develop and adopt the International Convention on the Rights of the Youth.
Our main goal is to provide universal access for young people to a quality education and create all necessary conditions for their self-realization.
We propose all our foreign partners a close interaction in terms of communicating to people, especially the youth, the humanistic essence of Islam.
To this end, I think it would be expedient to use the potential of the Imam Bukhariy International Research Center, Center of Islamic Civilization and Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan established in Uzbekistan.
As a follow-up initiative, we also propose to establish a special International Fund to Support Education in Afghanistan.
The primary goal is to assist Afghanistan in training its national cadres on the most demanded fields, allocation of scholarships and grants for talented students and young scientists.
We firmly believe that forming the prestige of education in society and promoting strive for self-improvement among youth is a guarantee of sustainable and steady development.
All of this, of course, will contribute to protecting younger generation from the ideology of violence and radicalism.
Dear participants of the forum!
I am confident that conducting this Conference, engaging in constructive dialogue and discussions, and adoption of the final Tashkent Declaration will allow to achieve practical positive results and become a kind of a «Road map» of the peace process in Afghanistan.
In fact, with your support, a document will be adopted which reflects the political will and mutual understanding of all stakeholders on the key issues of Afghan settlement.
The future of Afghanistan must not turn into an example of failure of the international community to counter challenges and threats shared by all of us.
Today, more than ever it is important for all of us to unite and extend the hand of peace, cooperation and support to the long-suffering people of Afghanistan.
I sincerely wish all participants of the Conference a productive work!
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Japan has extended grant assistance worth Japanese Yen 2,892,000,000 (approx. equivalent to US$ 27,379,515) to Pakistan for the two projects titled (i) The project for Improvement of Airport Security (Phase-2) and (ii) The Economic and Social Development Programme (for provision of meteorological equipment).
The official notes for the grants were exchanged in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The Secretary Economic Affairs Division Syed Ghazanfar Abbas Jillani and the Charge d’ affairs ad interim at the Embassy of Japan Takashi Harada signed the Exchange of Notes and Record of Discussion on behalf of their governments.
The grant agreement for the project for Improvement of Airport Security (Phase 2) was also signed by the Chief Representative JICA Pakistan Office Yasuhiro Tojo and the Joint Secretary Economic Affairs Division Syed Mujtaba Hussain.
Officials from the Aviation Division & Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) also attended the signing ceremony. i) Japanese Grant Aid for the project for Improvement of Airport Security (Phase 2) worth of JPY 2,392 million (approx. equivalent to US$ 22,645,821).
Considering challenging security situation faced by Pakistan for the last many years, Pakistan CAA is in process of re-engineering security of airports and up-gradation of security equipments in line with the international standards, so that gradually every airport of Pakistan will fall in the category of safe and secure airport of the world.
This grant project will definitely help to improve security at international airports of Pakistan through installation of these equipments.
Thus, utilization of this grant will pave the way to safeguard, passengers, their belongings, airlines and its assets, aircraft, national assets and functionaries from the acts of unlawful interference. ii) Japanese Non-Project Grant Aid for the Economic and Social Development Programme worth of JPY ¥ 500 million (approx. equivalent to US$ 4,733,694).
The non-project grant aid will be utilized to procure meteorological equipments for Pakistan Meteorological Department for installation in Punjab and Sindh provinces. These meteorological equipments will be utilized for data acquisition to make products for weather forecasting/advisories/severe weather warnings.
The Secretary Economic Affairs Division appreciated the government and people of Japan for their support with the assurance of extending all necessary facilitation for more meaningful cooperation between the two sides in future.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Security Advisor of Pakistan Lt. General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua on Wednesday said being located geographically at World’s central point, Pakistan offered India immense opportunities to have an easy access to Central Asia and Eastern Europe but for it, India had to leave its hostile approach towards Pakistan and resolve all outstanding disputes peacefully.
“If India looks at Pakistan without hostility and initiates dialogue to settle amicably all bilateral disputes then we can not only bridge India with Central Asia but as far as Eastern Europe and then Europe,” Lt. General (retd) Nasser Janjua said while addressing at a National Seminar organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in Islamabad with the title “Non-Traditional Security Challenges to Pakistan”.
Nasser Janjua said Pakistan was a land of opportunity and it linked the whole World, having a geographically centric position.
The national security advisor said Asia particularly India and Pakistan were at central point of the World, adding both the neighbors could not remain enemies forever.
“India should understand this reality,” Nasser Janjua remarked, terming Pakistan a trade and economic hub of the future World.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Security Advisor of Pakistan Lt. General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua on Wednesday underlined the importance of spending and investing in the people if they really wanted a State that could bridge social fault lines and live in harmony.
“We have to improve social security of people to build a stronger Pakistan. We have to revamp the system if a common man is not feeling equality,” the adviser said in his address at a Seminar titled “Non-Traditional Security Challenges to Pakistan” organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) at Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.
While emphasizing on investing on education of children in individual as well as in State capacity, Nasser Janjua said proud nations invested on human resources and utilized natural resources carefully by considering that those natural resources were for the generation to come.
“My father was a poor man, he invested on my education and now he a proud man,” Nasser Janjua said citing his own personal experience.
The adviser said the population growth must be bridged with growth of resources for providing equality to the people.
“From police reforms to educational reforms and from security to food and water….. We have to work at many fronts,” he was of the view.
However, he added, in a bid to overcome all problematic issues, collective approach was need of the hour.
Nasser Janjua said insurgency-hit Balochistan had been suffering a lot of issues including illiteracy, causing social imbalance in the Country’s largest province.
“But we fought and won hearts of the Baloch people,” he said, adding Balochistan was a story of winning of hearts by providing respect and feeling of equality among the people.
The national security advisor said earlier sense of deprivation was one of the biggest concerns for the Baloch people that helped ills to flourish. He said Pakistan as a State must provide same opportunities equally to every Pakistani to generate strong nationalism against dangerous sub-nationalism. “Nationalism need equality,” he maintained.
Shedding lights on ‘Non-Traditional Security Challenges to Pakistan’, Nasser Janjua said non-traditional threats usually brought traditional threats as both overlapped each other. He said if a State was weaker in economy than it invited others to exploit.
“If the society has poverty than social fault lines increase and those are exploited by enemies,” the advisor said.
The national security advisor was of the view that traditional threats were essentially linked with borders while non-traditional threats broke States from inside. He said non-traditional challenges were threats – not merely a State suffered – rather sometimes they expanded to an entire region.
Nasser Janjua said non-traditional challenges and threats were interlinked, and described the former much more intimidating as compared to the latter.
Furthermore, the advisor said canvass of national security was to watch and keep a constant eye on all traditional and non-traditional threats.
The advisor was of the view that a State could only be called secured if it could preserve its sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom along with its people. He said the contemporary notion of security was not merely focused on sovereignty and territorial integrity; rather, it also primarily encompassed on the values, freedom, well-being and security of its people.
“If the people are not secure than how a Country will be secure?” he questioned. “We need to provide security to everyone to make the State secure including security from poverty and hunger,” he added.
Nasser Janjua further said national security was also linked with global and regional circumstances. Therefore, he added, they all needed to secure and maintain balance in natural resources within their region.
“If you fail to comprehend threats being faced by the region then it would harm your Country later or sooner,” he remarked.
The advisor also said in different blocs of power, the position of a Country was another important outlook. He said an image of a Country worldwide, its recognition as a safe Country, and its level of water and food preservation actually determined the traditional security and behaviour of other powers towards that particular Country.
In addition to that, Nasser Janjua added, political stability also guaranteed national security. He said certain questions such as; How many political parties and political leaders you have? Who carry the federation? Have your political parties reduced to regional/provincial character only? Do you have simmering sentiments like Pushoonistan, Azad Balochistan, Sindhu Desh? What is your political culture? Do you respond politically or militarily? and devolution of powers by the Centre to the Provinces (as guaranteed in 18th amendment in Pakistan’s 1973 Constitutions) were political determinators with regard to a Country’s national security.
Nasser Janjua said level of governance, level of implementation of law, and level of interaction among State apparatus also determined traditional and non-traditional security.
However, he cautioned, the population growth and growth of resources gap was widening with every passing day. He said the population boom needed a growth boom but they were lacking in it, and which would eventually cause illiteracy, poverty, drugs, and other social crimes.
Nasser Janjua said poverty always expanded fault lines in the society while religious intolerance, sectarianism and radicalisation could bring terrorism, adding unfortunately they had already been facing the menace in their society.
The national security advisor further said likewise environmental degradation, water management and its ill-planned usage were immediate threats they had been facing.
“We are misusing resources given by The God to us and we would responsible for consequences,” the advisor concluded.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Careem, an app-based transportation network company, is going to launch its operation in Quetta from Thursday as its demand is burgeoning among the people from all walks of life across the Country.
Talking to the state-run news agency, the Careem Public Relation Officer Sibtain Naqvi informed that only Careem’s ‘Go and Rickshaw’ services are being launched in the provincial capital of Balochistan in the beginning and other services would be introduced in near future.
Sibtain Naqvi said the company would expand the radius of its services to other cities as well in coming days ahead. He hoped that it would receive a good response from the public.
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Pakistan army on Wednesday said if Pakistan hadn’t played a positive role for the World, the United States wouldn’t have become the sole Super Power, adding an unstable Pakistan wasn’t even in India’s interest.
“Pakistan’s role for bringing peace in the region must be looked at positively,” the Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said during his routine media briefing at army’s general headquarters in Rawalpindi.
The director general ISPR said India would also have found itself engulfed in danger if Pakistan hadn’t carried out anti-terror actions.
Major General Asif Ghafoor said if Pakistan was looked at with suspicious eyes, it would undermine its anti-terrorism endeavours.
The DG ISPR said successful holding of Pakistan Super League (PSL) was a positive sign while March 23rd Parade was held in a great manner. He said the entire nation showed unity on Pakistan Day.
The DG ISPR said they wanted to make China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) successful at all costs as it would prove to be immensely beneficial for the entire region.
“Pakistan has geographic relevance. CPEC is vital for regional progress. We paid heavy price to gain peace and stability,” the DG ISPR said.
DG ISPR Press Conference 28 March 2018
While briefing the media about the Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, he said the anti-terrorism Operation had completed one year, and during which 26 major Operations were conducted, seven major terrorist organizations including Ansar-ul-Sharia Karachi, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) Kurram Chapter, Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat (TTS) Lahore Chapter, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Swabi Chapter, TTS Dir-Swat Chapter and Intiqam-e-Waziristan Group were eliminated, and 16 suicide bombers – all Afghans- were arrested.
The director general ISPR further said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had a bilateral security agreement for forces training since 1982. He said Pakistan forces would visit Saudi Arabia under the 1982 bilateral agreement for training and advice mission. He said Pakistan had signed agreements with other gulf Countries as well.
With regard to ceasefire violations from across the eastern border, he said Indian forces had committed 948 ceasefire violations at the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary in 2018. He said India must demonstrate a mature and responsible behaviour, and restraint from escalating tensions at the borders.
Major General Asif Ghafoor said the law and order situation in Karachi had improved drastically as in 2013 there were 70 no-go areas in the Metropolitan City but now not a signal no-go area existed there and people were free to roam around in the City.
Likewise, he added, last year 386 political activities took place in Karachi without turning into a riot or violent protest. He said shutter down strikes – which once had become a routine matter in Karachi – were now hardly called for.
In reply to a question, he said ‘Bajwa Doctrine’ was only related to Pakistan security, and it had nothing to do with 18th amendment and the judiciary. He said ‘Bajwa Doctrine’ was only meant to ensure peace across the Country, without having any political misadventure.
Major General Asif Ghafoor said the time frame of general elections was enshrined in the Constitution. He said it was the Election Commission – not the Army Chief – which had to announce the elections date. He said every person had the responsibility under the ambit of the Constitution to ensure peaceful conduct of elections.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A high-level Russian delegation met the National Security Adviser Lt. General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua in Islamabad on Thursday, and said that Russia considers Pakistan as a reliable partner in South Asia and is keen to develop strong bilateral relations in all possible areas.
The Russian delegation was led by the Deputy Director General Russia Sergey S. Goreslavsky and the Chief Counsellor of Presidential Administration Valery Molostov. They discussed with the national security adviser prospects of Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations and defense cooperation between the two Countries.
The delegation mentioned of Russian support for Pakistan in different international organizations including United Nations and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
They also expressed desire to strengthen cooperation in counter terrorism and offered technical assistance to Pakistan in this area. They appreciated Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism, and said “Pakistan has conducted large scale operations against terrorism and we want to share our skills in this area”.
The Russian delegation regarded military and technical cooperation as a strongest impetus to develop political, trade and economic relations. They also offered cooperation in the domain of cyber security.
Nasser Janjua appreciated Russian spirits to improve the bilateral relationship. He briefed the delegates about regional security situation and the prospects of greater connectivity.
The adviser said that both Pakistan and the Russian Federation are two fortunate Countries who have risen beyond the past to write a fresh and enduring chapter of friendship and cooperation for a better and a brighter future.
Both sides reiterated to work in close collaboration in all possible areas.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Security Adviser Lt. General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua on Thursday stressed that it was imperative for the United States and Pakistan trust each other and continue intelligence sharing and cooperation.
Talking to a US delegation led by the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Ambassador Alice Wells and also including US ambassador to Pakistan David Hale in Islamabad, Nasser Janjua stressed that Pakistan and the United Sates had a common cause in seeking early closure to the decades-old conflict in Afghanistan
The adviser apprised Alice Wells about his recent visit to Kabul where he had in-depth, positive and constructive discussions with the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and other senior government officials.
Lt. General (retd) Nasser Janjua once again welcomed the Afghan president’s peace offer and termed it as a great opportunity to end a perpetual conflict. He called it as a “light at the other side of the tunnel”.
Nasser Janjua said that the need of the hour for all of us is to work together and end the miseries of Afghanistan and its people by seeking an early closure of the conflict instead of winning it. He assured that Pakistan with all the regional countries and US will support the new peace initiative.
On counter-terrorism cooperation, Nasser Janjua apprised about the ongoing efforts of Pakistan and its unswerving commitment to eradicate all forms of terrorism in its own national interest. In this context, he stressed the need for trusting each other and continuing intelligence sharing and cooperation.
The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia agreed on the need to support President Ashraf Ghani’s peace offer and to make efforts for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan through political reconciliation.
The US’ policy on Afghanistan, she explained, was also meant to ultimately bring the insurgents to the peace table for negotiations on finding a peaceful and enduring solution. She encouraged good relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan which will help them to work in a cooperative framework.
Alice Wells assured that United States valued its bilateral relations with Pakistan and was ready to extend cooperation on all issues including the repatriation of refugees and the common objective of peace, development and stability in South Asia.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The price of petrol (Motor Spirit) is likely to reduce by Rs 5.26 per liter with effect from April 1, 2018.
According to the summary, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has forwarded a price-revision summary to the quarters concerned for determining the prices of petroleum products for the next month.
The authority has suggested to decrease petrol price by Rs 5.26 per liter, bringing the MS price at Rs 82.81 per liter, while it proposed a slight increase of Rs 0.65, Rs 0.13 and Rs 0.55 in rates of high speed diesel, superior kerosene oil and light diesel oil respectively.
Pakistan and India on Thursday began two-day talks related to Indus Water Treaty (IWT) – a World Bank-brokered treaty signed in 1960 between the two neighbors to retain their respective jurisdiction over waters of three rivers each – in New Delhi.
From Pakistan, a six-member delegation led by the Country’s Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW) Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah participated in the talks while a delegation led by the India’s Indus Waters Commissioner P K Saxena represented the Host Country.
Amid tense border situation, exchange of terror-related accusations against each other, recent diplomatic scuffle over harassment of Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi, Kashmir & water disputes, and Indian intention to review the continuation of the Indus Water Treaty – the bilateral talks over IWT were described as “forward moving” by one of Pakistani officials while talking to India Today.
In addition to that, Pakistani official also said that the meeting also indicates that “health of IWT is intact” despite the Indian plan to construct dams over waters flowing in Pakistan-controlled Rivers – Indus, Chenab and Jhelum – and New Delhi’s denial to accept the treaty as it was now.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate special flights to Sukkur on the eve of 39th death anniversary of the former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
The PIA authorities has announced special flights on the request of the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah.
As per the flight schedule announced for April 3-4, 2018, on April 3 PIA flight PK-0347 will depart from Lahore at 10:00 am for Islamabad. From Islamabad, the flight will depart for Sukkur at 12:00 pm and arrive in Sukkur at 1:20 pm. On the same day, PIA flight PK-0390 will leave Karachi at 11:00 am for Sukkur.
On April 4, the flight PK-0372 will depart from Sukkur for Lahore at 8:00 pm and arrive in the Punjab’s Capital at 9:30 pm. While from Lahore, it will depart at 10:20 pm and reach Islamabad at 11:20 pm. The flight PK-0391 to Karachi from Sukkur on April 4 will land at 10:00 pm.
The death anniversary of the former prime minister and PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto will be observed on April 4.
In this regard, the Sindh government has already issued a notification declaring April 4 as a public holiday across the Sindh province.
The PPP will hold a public gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on April 4 to mark the death anniversary of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. The PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari among other top party leaders will address the gathering.
