Exclusive Statement of Sabina Aliyeva of Azerbaijan on March 31- Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis

ISLAMABAD, MAR 31: Sabina Aliyeva the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan has said that one of the bloodiest pages of the policy of ethnic cleansing pursued by the Armenian nationalists against our people at different stages of history is the genocide committed against the Azerbaijanis in March-April, 1918.

The genocide against the Azerbaijani people committed by the armed groups of dashnak Armenians and their supporters had resulted in mass killing of tens of thousands of civilians due to their ethnicity and religion in Baku city and different regions of Baku governorate, and other cities, including Shamakhi, Guba, Khachmaz, Lankaran, Hajigabul, Salyan, Kurdamir and other districts.

The residential areas, cultural monuments, mosques and cemeteries were brutally destroyed. Many ancient buildings, including “Ismailiyya” Building, one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Baku, the offices of “AchigSoz”, “Kaspi” and “Baku” Newspapers, and shrines were destroyed by artillery fire, the minarets of the “Tazapir” Mosque were severely damaged, and the ancient “Juma” Mosque in Shamakhi was set on fire.

The mass annihilation and pillaging started in Baku province later continued in Karabakh, Zangazur, Nakhchivan, Iravan, Goycha and other regions. Tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis became victims of mass atrocities committed by the Armenians.

The dashnaks had destroyed, burned and plundered 110 villages in Shamakhi, 167 in Guba, over 150 in Karabakh, 115 in Zangazur Provinces, and 98 in Kars Oblast; innocent people, including women, children and the elderly, were brutally murdered. Furthermore, 199 villages in and around Iravan city, which was a historical territory of Azerbaijan, have been ruined and 132,000 Azerbaijanis have been mercilessly murdered.

Based on the Presidential Decree of March 26, 1998, “On the Genocide of Azerbaijanis”, the genocide of the Azerbaijanis perpetrated by the Armenians was made a political and legal assessment. So, March 31 is marked annually as “The Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis”.

Within past years, many new facts and evidential documents have been collected as a result of investigations carried out in recent years, and a mass grave was discovered in Guba city. GubaGenocide Memorial Complex, which has been established in this site, visually reflects the vandalism of Armenians against innocent Azerbaijanis.

The massacre of tens of thousands of civilians in 1918 on ethnic and religious grounds, the planned and gradual manner of these criminal acts, as well as commitment of such crimes in various parts of Azerbaijan must be interpreted as a crime of genocide.

The UN General Assembly Resolution 96 (I) of December 11, 1946 states that genocide is denial of the right to existence of entire human groups, as homicide is the denial of the right to live of individual human beings. According to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 260 (III) of December 9, 1948, genocide means any act committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

Unfortunately, the genocide committed against Azerbaijanis in 1918, has not yet received its political and legal assessment at the international level.

The indifference demonstrated by the international community to the crimes of genocide against one nation committed as a result of hatred speech policy pursued for centuries, as well as the failure to bring the perpetrators to justice may cause the development of impunity syndrome, provoking new crimes and widespread human rights violations.

We call on the world community and international organizations not to remain silent about the genocide committed against the Azerbaijanis in 1918, which is a crime against humanity, to recognize this heinous crime as an act of genocide at the international level, and to show determination and justice, without double standards, being guided by the norms and principles of international law.

 

Sabina Aliyeva

The Commissioner for Human Rights

(Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan

March 26, 2021

This Statement is addressed to the UN Secretary-General, UN Security Council, UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Office of High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Human Rights Council, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, European Union, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, International and European Ombudsman Institutions, Asian Ombudsman Association, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Ombudsman Association of its member states,  Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, European Network of Ombudspersons for Children, International Peace Bureau, different ombudsmen and national human rights institutions, embassies of the Republic of Azerbaijan in foreign countries and the foreign embassies in Azerbaijan,  as well as to the Azerbaijani Diasporas.

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COURTESY Azerbaijan Embassy in Islamabad

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SPECIAL REPORT: $2.5bn raised in govt’s first foray into international market

ISLAMABAD, MAR 31: A day after ouster of Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, the government raised $2.5 billion in three dollar bonds of five, 10 and 30 years from the international capital market on Tuesday.

Receiving over 50 per cent oversubscription to $5.3bn, this was the first international capital market transaction since the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf came to power in August 2018. Last week’s revival of the $6bn IMF programme after a year of virtual suspension followed by $1.3bn commitment from the World Bank have improved investor confidence.

Meanwhile, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday received $498.7 million (equivalent to SDR 350) tranche from the International Monetary Fund.

The government contracted $1bn 5-year bond at an interest rate of 6pc, another $1bn of 10 years at 7.375pc and about $500 million of 30-year bond at cut-off yield of 8.875pc, sources in the ministry of finance and debt office told Dawn.

SBP receives $498.7 million tranche from International Monetary Fund

They said the authorities had initially given to banking consortium initial price guidance of 6.25pc, 7.5pc and up to 9pc for 5-year, 10-year and 30-year papers respectively and healthy investor response helped reduce return on bonds.

Pakistan had last raised $2.5bn in international bonds in November 2017. This included a $1bn 5-year Islamic Sukuk at 5.625pc and another $1.5bn in 10-year Eurobond at 6.875pc.

As such, all the three bonds contracted on Tuesday were relatively expensive when compared to the 2017 papers.

Director General Debt Management Office Abdul Rehman Warraich said the bankers to the transaction had barred the government of Pakistan from commenting on the transaction. Another official said this was because newly-appointed Finance Minister Hammad Azhar wanted to declare victory himself on Wednesday at a live news conference. The authorities have remained tight-lipped on the issue since the banks were hired for the transaction a couple of months ago.

Deutsche Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, JPMorgan, Standard Chartered, Credit Suisse and BOC International were the arranger to the transaction. The authorities had originally targeted up to $2bn bonds but decided to go for higher kill in view of encouraging investor turnout and cancellation of up to $1bn Islamic Sukuk following controversy over allocation of F-9 Park in Islamabad as collateral. It was not immediately clear if the government would soon be prepared for the Islamic bond as fresh properties are yet to be evaluated.

One of the reasons behind the encouraging investor response was also stated to be Dr Shaikh’s decision to exempt investors of these bonds from 30pc income tax. The federal cabinet had approved the tax exemption on sovereign bonds.

Earlier in the day, New York-based Fitch Rating – one of the three leading international rating agencies – assigned “B-negative” rating with “Stable Outlook” to Pakistan dollar bonds.

The agency said the rating on the new bonds was sensitive to any changes in Pakistan’s Long-Term Foreign Currency sovereign rating. It said the main factors that could, individually or collectively, lead to positive rating action/upgrade were external finances with continued implementation of policies sufficient to facilitate a rebuilding of foreign exchange reserves and ease external financing risks.

Also, sustained fiscal consolidation, for instance through a structural improvement in revenue, sufficient to put the debt to GDP ratio on a downward trajectory over the medium term, sustained improvements in the business environment that contribute to improved medium-term growth and export prospects were noted as positive factors.

The main factors that could, individually or collectively, lead to negative rating action/downgrade also included reduced access to external finance leading to financing strains.

Last week, the IMF executive board had approved disbursement of $500m to Pakistan after reviving the $6bn Extended Fund Facility suspended in February last year after authorities conceded misreporting of sovereign guarantees.

The government has given an international commitment to generate more than Rs700bn additional revenues through general sales tax and income tax in the coming budget, increasing power tariffs by over 34pc (about Rs900bn) and withdrawing Rs140bn worth of corporate income tax exemptions. The commitments for steep adjustments and inflationary pressures are reported to have cost former finance minister Shaikh his job even though the entire package of commitments was approved by the federal cabinet led by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“Reaching the FY2022 fiscal targets rests on the reform of both general sales tax and personal income taxation,” said the IMF board. “Vigorously following through with the updated IFI-supported circular debt management plan and enactment of Nepra amendment act would help restore financial viability through management improvements, cost reductions, regular tariff adjustments and better targeting subsidies,” it added.

This include a tariff increase of Rs1.39pc unit in June followed by Rs2.21 per unit in July 2021 and another Rs1.76 per unit in July 2022 coupled with withdrawal of subsidies for consumers with monthly consumption of 201-300 unit, officials explained.

The executive board “completed today the second through fifth reviews of the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan,” said an IMF statement, adding that the “decision allows for an immediate disbursement of SDR 350m ($500m), bringing total purchases for budget support under the arrangement to about $2bn”.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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Premier UK Education Qualifications Made Available in Pakistan

• Learning Resource Network Qualifications Launched in Pakistan with ECMCC Partnership

LONDON, KARACHI, MAR 31: Learning Resource Network (LRN), signed an agreement with Extreme Commerce Magna Carta College (ECMCC) for UK qualifications on to UK universities to pursue UK’s quality higher education from Pakistan.

The agreement was signed by Zohaib Tariq, CEO of LRN, and Mr. Hameer Ali, General Manager – ECMCC. The agreement was signed in the presence of, Mike Nithavrianakis, British Deputy High Commissioner, Karachi and UK Trade Director Pakistan.

Earlier this month, ECMCC was inaugurated by Mike Nithavrianakis, British Deputy High Commissioner, Karachi and UK Trade Director Pakistan along with Mr. Saeed Ghani, Provincial Minister of Sindh for Labour, Education and Literacy and Human Resources, Sindh.

The CEO of LRN, Zohaib Tariq, said: “I am extremely proud and honoured that, Learning Resource Network is firmly established in Pakistan. Our partnership with ECMCC will enable Pakistani students to gain UK qualifications and progress on to UK universities thus opening up splendid opportunities to pursue a much treasured higher education.” He further said, “I would like to express my very special thanks to British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Mike Nithavrianakis, who very kindly attended the LRN and ECMCC launch ceremony.”

The British Deputy High Commissioner Karachi Mike Nithavrianakis and UK Trade Director Pakistan appreciated ECMCC’s mission of providing top-notch education and impeccable entrepreneurial skills that will enable the youth of today to become the leaders of the future.

Sunny Ali, Founder Extreme Commerce on the launch of the institution said, “We are extremely pleased to partner with the Magna Carta College and together, we will help build human capital at par with the international standards in Pakistan. Through the ECMCC partnership, we aim to provide quality educational resources to everyone in Pakistan and help enhance their career progression chances”.

In his message to the participants, Professor David Faulkner, Dean, ECMCC said, “With this partnership, we aim to help deliver quality education in Pakistan. This will enable Pakistani knowledge seekers to pursue their dream for a state-of-the-art UK education in Pakistan”. Sharing his vision for ECMCC, Mr. Ejaz Chowdary, CEO – Magna Carta College Oxford, shared, “ECMCC will provide a unique platform for Pakistani youth to develop themselves as future business leaders with an entrepreneurial acumen combined with the recognised British qualifications.”

Launched in 2011, LRN is recognised as an awarding organisation by Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). In producing its qualifications, LRN uses the skills of a variety of UK and International experts. This allows LRN to draw on the knowledge of a varied project team in utilising the experience and expertise of academics, professionals working in the pertinent industries. LRN relies on the wealth of industry practice and knowledge of validation, verification, delivery and assessment.

In April 2020, LRN received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. LRN is one of 220 organisations in Britain to be recognised with this prestigious accolade. This was recognition of the expansion which LRN has brought to the overseas qualification market.

LRN has been awarded international accreditation as part of its quality controls, policies, systems and overall approach to its management systems. These awards are externally validated by the British Assessment Bureau.  LRN has achieved accreditation in the form of l ISO 9001: Business Management Systems, ISO 14001: Environment Management Systems and ISO 27001: Information Security Management Systems.

LRN has achieved the prestigious award of Customer Service Excellence by the Cabinet Office. This is in recognition of its customer service practices, approach to managing and dealing with UK and Overseas customer needs, including the diverse needs of its centres.

LRN was the first UK Awarding Organisation to be awarded Customer Service Excellence.

Following reaccreditation in 2019, LRN was awarded further in receiving Customer Service Excellence: Compliance Plus. This demonstrates how LRN went further in the delivery of its customer service principles.

Formed by the partnership between Extreme Commerce, Pakistan, and Magna Carta College, UK, ECMCC aims to serve as a modern scholastic and incubation hub in Karachi, Pakistan, where experienced national and international faculty and independent industry practitioners can teach the best of modern British management qualifications and skill-based learning against the background of digital technology-enabled change.

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SPECIAL REPORT: Saudi prince calls PM Imran, invites him to Riyadh

ISLAMABAD, MAR 30: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday received a telephone call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who invited the premier to visit Saudi Arabia. Both leaders discussed bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, the prime minister wrote a letter to Saudi royals, lauding their “Saudi Green Initiative and Green Middle East Initiative”.

According to the Prime Minister Office, the crown prince inquired about the prime minister’s health and wished him speedy recovery. PM Khan also inquired about the wellbeing of the crown prince who had recently undergone a surgical procedure.

The prime minister wrote: “It gives me immense pleasure to extend my best greetings and hope that Your Royal Highness is in good health and safe from the pandemic. I would like to convey deep respects and warm wishes for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz.”

PM lauds kingdom’s green initiatives

Mr Khan added: “I am delighted to learn about Your Royal Highness’s plans for launching ‘Saudi Green Initiative’ as well as rallying the region for the larger ‘Green Middle East Initiative’ aimed at protecting the nature and planet.”

He said the two initiatives which, inter alia, included plantation of 10 billion trees in the kingdom and its further upscaling to 50 billion in the region as part of the Green Middle East Initiative, expansion of protected areas to more than 30 per cent, protection of marine and coastal environments and generation of 50pc of the kingdom’s energy from renewable by 2030, were highly commendable.

Mr Khan said the vision of Saudi leaders closely aligned with the government’s “Clean and Green Pakistan” initiative which was investing in nature-based solutions to address climate change impact in the country.

“After successfully planting one billion trees from 2014 to 2018, our ‘10 billion Tree Tsunami’ initiative is well under way across the whole country. We are also expanding our protected areas — over 15pc land and 10pc marine — by 2023. These initiatives have demonstrated that planting trees not only protects nature and restores ecosystem to fight climate change, but also expands eco-tourism and creates thousands of green jobs for the youth as well as local communities,” he added.

Prime Minister Khan said: “We are also committed to shifting our energy mix towards a clean and low carbon trajectory. Like the kingdom’s vision, we are targeting 60pc of our energy to be clean energy by 2030, which will require a major expansion of solar, wind and hydro power generation capacity in the country.

“Pakistan cherishes its cordial and brotherly relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and we would like to extend our support for Your Royal Highness’s excellent ‘Green’ initiatives. While our two countries maintain close cooperation on climate change issues at all multilateral forums, a meaningful and structural bilateral engagement can help advance our shared vision and create mutually beneficial opportunities for partnership. We would also be happy to share experience, knowledge and lessons from our nature-based approaches and initiatives.”

He said the challenge of climate change was one that called for greater international collaboration and a shared aspiration for sustainable development as the world had no choice but to tread this green pathway and define a new development paradigm for the 21st century. “I wholeheartedly appreciate Your Royal Highness’s efforts toward this transition,” he added.

The prime minister also conveyed best wishes for the royal highness’s good health and happiness, and for continued progress and prosperity of the people of Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Siddiqui called on the prime minister and briefed him on relations between the two countries. The prime minister directed the high commissioner to continue efforts to promote bilateral relations. He conveyed good wishes for the leadership and people of Bangladesh.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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CGSS to organize online Int'l moot titled “Evolving Global Security Challenges in the Post-COVID World” on Mar 31

ISLAMABAD, MAR 30: Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad is organizing an Online International Conference titled “Evolving Global Security Challenges in the Post-COVID World”. The conference aimed to discuss the transforming security paradigm in the context of new challenges of global security in the post-pandemic world. It will focus on the policy options at both the regional and the international levels to address the universal security threats including the non-traditional as well as the traditional threats.

Renowned subject experts from Pakistan, China, Turkey and Indonesia will participate as Guest Speakers, the details are as below:   

 

1. Mr. Tolga Sakman, Chairman, Center for Diplomatic Affairs & Political Studies (DIPAM), Istanbul, Turkey

Topic of Speech: Re-evaluating the international security architecture in Post-Covid19 era: Potential Areas and Policy Options for Eurasia

 

2. Prof. Dr. Iram Khalid, Chairperson, Department of Political Science & IR, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Topic of Speech: The Impact of COVID-19 on Security Dynamics of Asia

 

3. Dr. Shafiah F Muhibat, Director of International Relation, Center for  Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta, Indonesia

Topic of Speech: Security Challenges and Alignments in East Asia

 

4. Dr Aiysha Safdar, Head of International Relations Department, Kinnaird College For Women University, Lahore, Pakistan

Topic of Speech: Redefining national security in context of Pakistan

 

5. Dr. Adam Saud, Dean, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Topic of Speech: Shifting of focus from War on terror towards the strategic competition between US, China and Russia

 

6. Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Ramay, Director, China Study Center, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad, Pakistan

Topic of Speech: Covid-19 pandemic reshaping the China-US competition

 

7. Dr. Naheed S. Goraya, Assistant Professor, Centre for South Asian Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Topic of Speech: Collaborative approach worldwide to counter Non-Traditional Security Threats

 

8. Prof. Sun Lu,  Associate Professor, School of Government &  Public Affairs, Communication University of China, Beijing, China

Topic of Speech: China’s approach in context of rising Multi-polarity and the Emerging geopolitical environment

 

The Conference will be held on 31^st March 2021 at

 

1200 hrs (Turkey Time)

1400 hrs (Pakistan Time)

1600 hrs (Indonesia Time)

1700 hrs (China Time)

You are requested to join us via Zoom Application.

The Zoom Meeting ID is: 863 6622 1090 Or Visit the Link : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86366221090

Please find attached the Invitation Card, Speakers Profile & Topic of Speeches with the email.

Looking forward to your kind participation.

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COURTESY CGSS

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UAE Leading Entrepreneur and Guinness World Record Holder Suhail M. AL Zarooni Launched AAA OCTA

ISLAMABAD, MAR 30 - AAA Associates, Pakistan's leading group of companies, launched their 8th real estate project, the luxury AAA OCTA in the heart of Bahria Town Rawalpindi. It includes Al Zarooni- Mall of streets, Five star Pearl Continental Hotel, Luxury Penthouses (Villas in the air) and the AAA Executive Club, providing exciting investment opportunities.

Suhail M. Al Zarooni launched the event by cutting the ribbon and prayers for the project. H.E. was accompanied by Vice Chief Executive Bahria Town, MPA Mr. Haji Amjad Chaudhary, Chief Operating Officer Hashoo Group Haseeb A. Gardezi, GM OperationsHashoo Group Mr. Jan Verduyn, Chief Architect of Malik and Malik Mr. Shoaib Malik and Board Members of AAA Associates.

Another major announcement of the event was that the permission was granted by His Excellency to name the Mall after his name, making it Al Zarooni – Mall of streets.

Member of Provincial Assembly and Vice Chief Executive Bahria Town, Haji Amjad Chaudhry, talking at the event, said, "Bahria Town was a dream that came true. We are happy that projects like these are benefitting the economy and bringing employment opportunities. It is good that RDA is now making rules to build high rises in Rawalpindi."

Speaking on the occasion Chief Operating Officer Hashoo Group Mr. Haseeb A. Gardezi said that, “Keeping in view the future potential of this area the Five Star Hotel Pearl Continental was visioned in AAA OCTA. Further talking to the gathering, he praised AAA Associates as a group of young, educated and energetic people.”

Shoaib Malik (Chief Architect) explained the complete concept of the project to the audience. "I am extremely grateful and overly joyed to see the launch of this exciting new addition to Bahria's skyline. Congratulations to everyone who is involved in this project - InshaAllah, we will continue to work on exciting new projects like these. We are a company of the people and for the people. We started with six team members and AlhamduLillah, we are around 400 members now." said MD, LT Col Shahzad Ali Kiani (Retd), speaking at the launch event.

AAA Chairman Mr. Shiekh Fawad Bashir, appreciated and thanked H.E. Suhail Muhammad Al Zarooni for coming to Pakistan on his invitation. He also thanked Member of Provincial Assembly, Vice Chief Executive Bahria Town, Haji Amjad Chaudhry for gracing the occasion. Chairman especially showed his gratitude to Mr. Malik Riaz, Mr. Ali Malik and Mr. Shahid Qureshi for providing a platform for everyone to prove himself. He appreciated DG planning Mr Ehsan for his continuous support to AAA. Chairman AAAA associates was extremely thankful to Mr. Murtaza Hashwani, CEO of Hashoo Group for showing trust in AAA Associates and associating the name of Pearl Continental with AAA OCTA. He also paid homage to Director Meerab Properties Mr. Ali Pervaiz for joining us from UAE.

AAA Associates - an amalgamation of a group of companies, aiming at a different niche, envisioned to implement innovative business practices. The organization has been exceeding the expectations in Real Estate, Construction, Aircraft Maintenance, IT Solutions and Marketing plans.

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Experts from Islamabad, Beijing hold a focus group discussion on “Dialogue of Civilizations”

ISLAMABAD, MAR 30: Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future and Communication University of China, Beijing jointly organized a Focus Group Discussion on “Dialogue of Civilizations”.

The session was commenced with the opening remarks by Prof. Li Huailiang, Dean, Institute of Community with Shared Future, Communication University of China, Beijing. He stated that the concept of “Clash of Civilizations” has led to numerous wars and killings of thousands of innocent lives. During his opening remarks, he stressed the importance of international communication and international cultural exchange.

Furthermore, he mentioned that to achieve sustainable prosperity and security, a peaceful inter-civilization co-existence is required.

Ms. Palwasha Nawaz, Project Executive, CGSS and Deputy Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, Islamabad briefly presented the concept of Dialogue of Civilizations. She also explained the concept, aim, and objectives of the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future.

Brigadier Zahoor-ul-Haq (Retd), PhD Scholar, National Defense University, Islamabad in his speech, under the concept of Dialogue of Civilizations, stressed upon Muslim and Chinese Civilizations. According to him, the major challenge being faced is the lack of homogeneity in the Muslim civilization. Furthermore, he mentioned that there are various sub-civilizations under the umbrella of Islam.

During his speech, he also explained the commonalities present between the Muslim and Chinese Civilizations. They include the system of governance, the requirement of an egalitarian society, the agenda of reforms, and the distribution of wealth. Prof. Zhang Yanqiu, Vice Dean, Institute of Community with Shared Future, Communication University of China, Beijing highlighted the need for Cultural Inclusiveness through the promotion of global communications.

According to Prof. Zhang, the absence of dialogue between civilizations and states has led to armed conflicts all around the world. Furthermore, she added that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperation and negotiations have led to improved bilateral relations between China and Africa. Additionally, Prof. Zhang mentioned that for the promotion of the concept of “Dialogue of Civilizations”, China’s international communication needs to be improved.

Prof. Zhang also stressed the importance of Constructive Journalism as a means of Public Diplomacy.

Prof. Dr. Iram Khalid, Chairperson, Department of Political Science, University of Punjab, Lahore, and Head of Program “Dialogue of Civilizations”, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future mentioned that the steering of the changing world is in the hands of China. At present, the agenda provided by China for the world is based on Peace, Cooperation, and Security.

Furthermore, she mentioned that the concept of Dialogue of Civilizations mainly provides opportunities for inter-civilizations cooperation. During her speech, she stressed two fundamental areas. They are challenges and solutions in the process of Dialogue of Civilizations. Additionally, Dr. Iram highlighted the need to involve academia in the promotion of the concept of Dialogue of Civilizations.

Dr. Imran Ashraf, Assistant Professor, National Defense University, Islamabad during his speech, mentioned that without the Dialogue of Civilizations, there can be no lasting peace and prosperity. Explaining the concept, he stated that full understanding and development of any civilization can only be achieved if the respective civilizational community not only takes into account but also positively interacts with other civilizations based on equality.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the concept of Dialogue of Civilizations creates hope which enables humankind to thrive under the most adverse of conditions.

Ms. Li Han, Associate Lecturer, Institute for a Community with Shared Future, Communication University of China (CUC), Beijing at the start of her speech, briefly explained and countered the concept of Clash of Civilizations presented by Samuel Huntingtin. According to Ms. Li, the Clash of civilizations is responsible for deepening divisions and divergence, and not convergence and commonalities.

According to Ms. Li, Dialogue of Civilizations is a visionary principle of global governance, world order, equal sovereignty, and lasting peace to all nations regardless of dissimilarity in forms of geopolitical systems, religion, race, transnationality, and transcultural.

She suggested that choosing common grounds and commonality in shared interests and duties for comprehension and collaboration is important.

Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Ramay, Member Advisory Board, CGSS and Director, China Study Center, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad highlighted that for a successful Dialogue of Civilizations, China and Pakistan must recognize common indicators of development. He further elaborated that the Chinese Theory of empathy and mutual coordination is similar to that of the Chinese concept of empathy.

Mr. Ramay also emphasized that the Dialogue of Civilizations must be based on common grounds of interest for maximum benefit.

Mr. Nawaz Ali, Member Advisory Board, CGSS briefly explained the concept of Dialogue of Civilizations. Furthermore, he explained the positive impacts of Dialogue of Civilizations on the world community especially in the bilateral relations of Pakistan and China.

Additionally, he elaborated on the challenges and solutions in the process of Dialogue of Civilizations.

The Focus Group Discussion was moderated by Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, CGSS, and Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, Islamabad. The discussion was attended by the members of the Institute of Community with Shared Future, Communication University of China, Beijing.

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COURTESY CGSS

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LATEST SURVEY: People gained weight and their health has deteriorated due to home office

OSLO, MAR 30: For many people, one year in “home office mode” has left its mark. In a survey, four out of ten people answered that they had gained weight. Just as many believe that their health has deteriorated.

A total of 38% answered that they had gained weight during the home office corona year. Furthermore, 42% believe that the past year has had a negative impact on their health, while 23% answered that the home office period has been positive for their health.

The survey was conducted by YouGov for the insurance company If.

Almost half answered that they got in less everyday training due to work from home.

At the same time, gyms have been closed for a long time in parts of Norway. In addition, the coziness that was previously reserved for holidays and weekends has also taken over everyday life under corona.

Harder to live healthily

“The study is part of a series of studies that show that people have experienced that it has been difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle through the many months with a lot of staying at home,” researcher Annechen Bahr Bugge at the Consumer Research Institute (SIFO) told news bureau NTB.

She believes that this is due to the fact that people’s movement patterns have changed a lot, as well as changes in their daily food.

“Usually, most people eat one or more meals in a canteen, café or restaurant. Now, these meals have been moved home.”

Work, family, and home school have become mixed up. In the survey, 50% answered that it has become more difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“We believe the lockdown and isolation have led to a greater need to enjoy what you can,” communications director Lars Galtung in If noted.

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COURTESY norwaytoday

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airBaltic to accept range of new cryptocurrencies

RIGA, MAR 30: airBaltic has begun to accept cryptocurrencies – including Bitcoin Cash, Ether and Dogecoin, among others - for bookings made on its website.

The Latvian carrier was the first airline to accept Bitcoin payments for its flight tickets, in 2014.

The new service will be offered in cooperation with provider BitPay.

Martin Gauss, chief executive of airBaltic, said: “As an innovative airline, we always strive to search for ways to improve the customer experience starting from the booking process.

“Over the years around 1,000 clients have used the payment option, which may not seem like a lot, but still offers passengers a unique payment option hard to find elsewhere.”

The ticket prices on the website are displayed in euros.

When airBaltic customers pay for their flight, their crypto currencies are converted into euros automatically at the current exchange rate by the payment system operator BitPay.

Availability of payments in other cryptocurrencies are subject to the cryptocurrency wallet the customer uses.

airBaltic accepts Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE) and 4 USD-pegged stablecoins (GUSD, USDC, PAX, and BUSD) as a payment for tickets sold on its website.

The crypto currency payment option is available when purchasing airBaltic Green tickets.

Payments are free of airBaltic transaction fee and are available for flights booked at least five days ahead of the scheduled departure.

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COURTESY BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS

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SPECIAL REPORT: China, Pakistan need to enhance cooperation on earth sciences

BEIJING, MAR 30: CPEC needs enhanced SinoPak cooperation in field of earth sciences, said Prof. Cui Peng, the Director-General of China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre on Earth Sciences (CPJRC).

He told Gwadar Pro in an exclusive interview that the “CPEC, located at the tectonic junction of the western Himalayas, is a natural museum and laboratory for earth sciences. Thus, research on geological conditions of this region is crucial for the construction of CPEC projects.

What we are doing with Pakistani scientists is aiming to ensure the security and efficiency of CPEC projects construction,” he added.

Cui emphasised that research on earth science can support CPEC projects and local people’s well-being in four respects: providing solutions for adverse engineering and technical conditions; early warning of natural hazards; efficient utilization of mineral, marine, solar, and other natural resources; sustainable development and tackling climate change.

“Pak-China academic cooperation in earth sciences is not an impractical project and far from daily life.

Actually, it’s closely related to people’s well-being and economic development of the two countries,” Prof. Su Lijun, Deputy Director-General of CPJRC, said.

Su also cited a case of landslide on Karakoram Highway in 2010. The landslide blocked 25 kilometers of the main road and people had to cross a dammed lake with height of 118 meters by boat.

In order to cope with the dilemma, scientists of CPJRC designed an advanced plan which was reckoned as impossible to implement.

Finally, thanks to the plan, the landslide and dammed lake were dredged meanwhile saving $200 million as engineering cost. Furthermore, that place has turned into a scenic spot with a beautiful lake now.

Su believed that in addition to its contribution to the construction of infrastructure projects for people’s livelihood, earth science also plays a role in poverty alleviation.

Geoscience can be integrated with regional poverty alleviation, which is what China is doing, and the same can be done in Pakistan.

“There are two factors that lead to poverty, disease and disaster. Poverty due to disease is familial, poverty caused by disaster is regional and can be alleviated through our efforts.

Up to now, CPJRC headquarter (approximately 50 acres) located on QAU campus is preparing to construct. In addition, CPJRC is cultivating a batch of earth science talents and will enroll more Pakistani scholars to work in this field.

Meanwhile, the information system and sharing platform of CPEC has been designed and its prototype has been constructed, integrating the current data resources.

According to the 2021 plan of CPJRC, Su introduced that they will focus on: Deep lithosphere interaction from ocean subduction to continental; Climate change and environmental effects; Natural hazards and disaster risk reduction; Resources environment and green development.

The institution also is planning to establish field observation stations in Gwadar Port and Hunza.

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PM Imran decides to remove Hafeez Shaikh, give finance portfolio to Hammad Azhar

ISLAMABAD, MAR 30: The government on Monday decided to remove Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh from the post of finance minister and replace him with Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, Senator Shibli Faraz confirmed to Samaa TV.

According to Faraz, Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to bring in a new finance team in view of "the inflation that had taken place".

Azhar is the third finance minister to be appointed since the PTI came to power in 2018.

Prime Minister Imran "gave the portfolio of finance to Hammad Azhar who is a young and able minister so that he devises policies according to the ground realities of Pakistan and the poor get relief", said Faraz.

He said that he did not know about Sheikh's future in the government, adding that further likely changes in the cabinet will be disclosed by tomorrow.

The move comes weeks after Hafeez Shaikh, who enjoyed the status of minister since December last year, lost the bid for a Senate seat to PPP's Yousuf Raza Gilani, leading to questions about his status in the federal cabinet.

Shaikh, who is not a member of Parliament, was previously an adviser to the premier on finance and was appointed as finance minister in December last year. However, as per Article 91 (9) of the Constitution, he cannot remain a minister for more than six months until he is elected to one of the houses. Thus, it was necessary for him to be elected to the Senate this time around in order to continue as the finance minister after June.

Following his loss, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan had questioned how Sheikh could be in the office as an unelected member of the cabinet despite losing the Senate election.

"In truly democratic countries people voluntarily resign from the public offices if [they are] not elected," the chief justice observed and added the establishment of the democracy warranted actions, not mere words.

"It seems Sheikh would hold his bag and just depart once the job is done," he remarked.

The CJ was hearing a petition challenging the appointment of all advisers and special assistants to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Meanwhile, Azhar said he was "honoured to be entrusted with the additional charge of finance" by Prime Minister Imran.

He said the country's economy had made "significant gains towards stabilisation" since the PTI came to power in 2018.

"We shall continue to consolidate these gains and strengthen the growth momentum," he tweeted.

"We navigated [economic] fallout of covid-19 fairly well. The world is witnessing supply chain disruptions & rise in food prices. We shall endeavour to protect our ppl from these shocks," he added.

Reacting to the development, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari declared it a "victory of PDM".

"PTIMF minister needed to be elected to continue in post & senate defeat made that impossible," he added.

The month of February had seen a rebound in prices of consumer items as inflation edged up to 8.7 per cent from 5.7pc in January.

Non-food inflation has steadily been on the rise for the past few months due to higher energy prices.

With shortages in domestic production, inflation at the beginning of the current fiscal year stood at 9.3pc in July, easing down to 8.2pc in August before rebounding to 9pc in September. Since September, inflation has been on a downward trajectory, giving some relief to end consumers.

The opposition blames the government's mismanagement of the economy for having brought the GDP down to as low as 0.4pc from 5.8pc during the PML-N government and the inflation jumping to as high as 14pc from below 4pc.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted the economy to grow 1.5pc this year against the government's target of 2.3pc in the fiscal year 2020-21.

Who is Hammad Azhar?

In June 2019, Azhar had presented the PTI government's first annual budget in the National Assembly.

Azhar graduated with a bachelors degree in Development Economics from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.

He then completed his postgraduate diploma in law from the BPP Law School in London. He enrolled for the Bar Vocational Course in 2004 and was formally called to the Bar at The Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in 2005.

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