FARUKH SHEHZAD

ISLAMABAD, NOV 30 - Shahera Shahid has been appointed Additional Secretary Information Division. According to a notification, Shahera Shahid has also been assigned additional charge of DG/ PIO Press Information Department (PID).

The Establishment Division has issued the notification of the posting.

Presently, Shahera Shahid is serving as DG/PIO Press Information Department.

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Romania has contributed to the development of Pakistani economy by building cement factories in Labelled and Kohat, refineries in Karachi, tractor assembly factory near Islamabad and many other projects in various fields: Nicolae Goia

ISLAMABAD, NOV 30 - In 2020 COVID-19 affected almost all countries and more than 50 million people around the world. It has governments operating in a context of radical uncertainty, and faced with difficult trade-offs given the health, economic and social challenges it raises. By spring 2020, more than half of the world’s population had experienced a lockdown with strong containment measures. Beyond the health and human tragedy of the coronavirus, it is now widely recognized that the pandemic triggered the most serious economic crisis since World War II.

Our countries are facing unprecedented challenges from COVID-19 the strain on our governments is extreme, and the impact on people all over the world continues to grow.

Under the terms of a government emergency ordinance, Romania’s government is taking steps to address the short-fall in income that people and businesses may be experiencing. The measures pertain to the technical unemployment allowance, the granting of free paid days to parents for the purpose of child-care, and the payment of the return to work incentive, amongst others.

The next measures taken by the Romanian authorities against the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Romania benefited from a high percentage of approval from the population and were considered to be qualitative.

BILATERAL RELATIONS:

Romania and Pakistan have established diplomatic relations in 1964, we have had uninterrupted diplomatic ties for  56 years, during which my country has contributed to the development of Pakistani economy by building cement factories in Labelled and Kohat, refineries in Karachi, tractor assembly factory near Islamabad and many other projects in various fields.

We have tradition, we have many success stories, and we have all the necessary ingredients to reset our economic cooperation to a much higher level that it is right now. As the ambassador of Romania in Pakistan, I will put high on my agenda laying down the foundation for increasing the people to people contact, work system so that our expertise in the fields like construction, infrastructure, insurance, banking and finance, MSE etc. will be transferred to our Pakistani partners. We are going to encourage Romanian businessmen to invest in Pakistan, we will support the process of training young Pakistani in Romania.

Bilateral political relations between Romania and Pakistan are from cordial to excellent. An important number of high level visits on both sides have given impetus to these relations.

We aim to expand our bilateral political dialogue and keep in mind that the consultations between Ministries of Foreign Affairs are becoming instrumental in promoting and supporting the mutually beneficial items on our common agenda, as well as in preparing high level contacts.

The real potential of parliamentary relations between Romania and Pakistan demands more frequent contacts at the different level (Parliament or Senate), in order to identify and employ all the resources available for promoting and developing the cooperation in the political, economic, trade, education, defence, cultural fields, as well as, fighting against terrorism and extremism.

The very existence of the Romanian and Pakistani parliamentary friendship groups is important to continue parliamentary contacts at all levels with Pakistan, especially to the political-diplomatic dialogue between both Parliaments.

The economic and trade relations between both countries have been growing for the last decades and Romania is an important trading partner of Pakistan. Both countries have been enjoying historical friendship and traditional cooperation in many fields for the past many years but there is a need to enhance trade volume between booth countries. Our main priority is to increase and diversify the commercial exchanges between Romania and Pakistan, in a balanced manner for exports and imports.

MUTUAL COOPERATION:

Nowadays, there is a strong need to strengthen the international economic cooperation and, simultaneously, to reconstruct the traditional relationship with the old friends, Pakistan among them.

Besides the bilateral cooperation through mutual investments, we are also interested to find options of working together on the third markets where, Romania and Pakistan might conjugate their resources and energies in the most constructive way. This is, unfortunately, a domain which had been somehow neglected lately because of focusing on the internal reconstruction of economy. Romania and Pakistan do have common areas of interest both geographically (Near East, Northern Africa etc.) and thematically (the common interest of developing sectors as IT and communications, civil constructions and infrastructure, agriculture etc.).

Our priorities, bilaterally, but also at EU level, are to support the democratic evolution of Pakistan, to intensify commercial trade and investments, and to consolidate  regional stability, with special focus on the situation in Afghanistan.

I am fully aware that the huge  potential of our bilateral relations demands more frequent contacts at the government level, in order to identify and employ all the resources available for promoting and developing our cooperation in the political, economic, trade, energy, culture, education, defence fields.

Romanian companies could be involved in development project in Pakistan by supplying equipment and other components. Our companies have the capacity and technical expertise to cooperate in areas such as oil and gas exploration and extraction, petrochemical refining facilities, tractors and farm equipment, training aircraft for military pilots, helicopter maintenances, security and surveillances systems, construction of high power lines, equipment for power plants, assembly of trucks and motor vehicles.

I would like to point out in this context the excellent cooperation between Pakistan and Romania in the military field. Romania Damen Shipyards – Galati constructed two modern 2,300-ton corvettes for Pakistan Navy. The last corvette was launched on September of 2020. The ships will be used by Pakistan Navy for a range of tasks, including maritime security operations, surveillance and intelligence gathering, combat search-and-rescue (CSAR), and anti-surface and anti-air operations.

PEOPLE TO PEOPLE CONTACTS:

Bilateral cultural relations are playing an important role in the development of friendship and partnership between the peoples of Romania and Pakistan. I believe that cultural ties thanks to historical relations and the warm feelings that the two peoples share for each other create a huge potential for greater collaboration. We are also convinced that future holds even better prospects as regards cultural relations between Romania and Pakistan.

Culture is an area where we can cooperate with each other in order to increase  people to people cooperation between the two countries . I genuinely believe Pakistan has a rich cultural background and so does Romania, therefore, multiplying the number  of contacts in this particular area shall be high on my agenda during my stay.

I am fully aware that the huge  potential of our bilateral relations demands more frequent contacts at the government level, in order to identify and employ all the resources available for promoting and developing our cooperation in the political, economic, trade, energy, culture, education, defence fields.

I believe that the bilateral political dialogue is ripe enough to accommodate periodical exchanges of views and assessments on regional stability and security issues, related mainly to the strategies embraced by our governments that aim at managing and solving the frozen conflict and at ensuring a balanced regional development with a special emphasis on Afghanistan.

I am interested in continuing to update and modernize the bilateral framework, taking into account that Romania is a   member of  the EU.

Romanian companies could be involved in development project in Pakistan by supplying equipment and other components. Our companies have the capacity and technical expertise to cooperate in areas such as oil and gas exploration and extraction, petrochemical refining facilities, tractors and farm equipment, training aircraft for military pilots, helicopter maintenances, security and surveillances systems, construction of high power lines, equipment for power plants, assembly of trucks and motor vehicles.

There is a big interest in developing cooperation in the education and culture sector shown by Romanian and Pakistani institutes. I hope that the number and the diversity of the cultural exchanges between our both countries will increase in the future, for a better reciprocal understanding, strengthening our traditional friendship and enhancing the people contacts.

YOUR IMPRESSIONS ABOUT PAKISTAN

Pakistan is strategically located between the twin forces of competition and collaboration in the mega-region that embraces Central Asia, South Asia, Middle East, and Caucasus. In this context it is important to note that Pakistan has a versatile geopolitical potential which can multiply opportunities for cooperation with important regional players.

Increased regional stability could have a stabilizing effect for ongoing domestic efforts, hence Pakistan had committed itself to supporting the reconciliation effort in Afghanistan and is working toward normalization of relations with India.

In my opinion Pakistan has been very active diplomatically since its inception and the new government it working with success on global perception management in order to achieve foreign policy objectives.

I, as the Romanian Ambassador in Pakistan, have developed a true affection for your country, my second home for a while, and wish with all my heart that Pakistan will enjoy stability, peace and prosperity the Pakistani people so much deserve.

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COURTESY DNA NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 30 – Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, head of the Research and Innovation Organization of the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was targeted and martyred in a terrorist attack in Tehran province on Friday evening, November 27th 2020.

He was an official of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and his assassination is a clear violation of international law, contrary to the UN Charter and internationally recognized laws and norms. Along with him, some other citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran have been martyred or wounded, which in turn, turns this attack into an act against human rights and a violation of the right to life.

The traces of the terrorist and criminal Zionist regime (of Israel) are evident in this cowardly assassination, and any legal responsibility for this assassination will fall on this regime and its allies. This assassination is part of a series of assassinations carried out by the Zionist regime in Iran and in the region, and is therefore considered state terrorism.

All countries, especially those claiming to defend human rights and fight against terrorism, are expected to respond appropriately to this terrorist act.

The Islamic Republic calls on the international community – especially the officials of the European Union and the European capitals – to end their double standards and to condemn and deal with this state terrorist act in a transparent manner. This assassination shows that the enemies of diplomacy are living in anxious days and intend to endanger world peace and security by disturbing the region.

An important goal of the US-Israeli militants and their regional partners is to impose an extra-ordinary condition in the Middle East in order to achieve their sinister goals.

The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to respond to this crime and to punish the perpetrators while being aware of the conspiracies of the enemies of peace, stability and security in the region and the world.

If a government or an individual thinks that he can use the means of terror to prevent Iran’s progress and advancement in the path of science, knowledge and technology, his ideas are completely wrong. Efforts to progress and succeed in all scientific fields will continue with vigor and speed.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while condemning this criminal assassination, calls on all governments and free and truth-seeking individuals to raise their voices in opposition to this barbaric act and do not let the enemies of Islam and Muslims block the way for the development and prosperity of the countries in the region with these assassinations. Everyone should be aware of the dangerous consequences of such moves in this area. The failure of the enemies in their sinister plan to create insecurity and instability in this region is possible only through the coordinated and sympathetic action of the countries of the region against the enemies.

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran- Islamabad

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Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan

It seems that the OIC has shown a cold shoulder to the Kashmir issue much against its previous proclamations. Let us recall the 22nd session of the OIC in December 1994 at Casablanca on Jammu and Kashmir with binding effect on the OIC. It has shown no interest in condemning Indian efforts to change the Muslims majority status by unlawfully bringing in non-Kashmiris to settle there for the first time in the 93 year history of state Subject Law.

In order to change the demography and frustrate plebiscite. United Nation too has neglected Kashmir. It has not called any session of General Assembly or Security Council to consider Indian violation of its first undertaking of 8 January 1948, violation of UN resolution of 30 March 1951 and non-compliance of the recommendations made in the June 2018 and July 2019 reports of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. These reports reflect the crimes against Humanity being committed by India. It is unfortunate that a brotherly country was unhappy when the Foreign Minister of Pakistan reminded the OIC of its obligations. He may continue in his efforts undeterred using his diplomatic skills. Pakistan has an option of invoking the advisory jurisdiction of ICJ.

Besides, pursuing the matter under International Law. Let us remind the OIC of its commitment on Kashmir at Casablanca by referring to the salient points of the resolutions

• Reaffirming the importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to selfdetermination enshrined in the Charters of the OIC and the United Nations.
• Recalling all its previous resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. · Recalling the Report of the OIC Fact Finding Mission on the situation in Kashmir following its visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir in February 1993, and regretting that the human rights situation in Indian held Jammu and Kashmir remains grave.
• Regretting also that the Government of India has not responded favorably so far to the offer of the Good Offices Mission made by the Twentieth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and renewed by the Sixth Islamic Summit Conference. · Takes note of the Report of the Secretary General on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and endorses the recommendations contained therein (Document No.ICFM/22-94/PIL/D.3). · Calls for a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions and as agreed upon in the Shimla Agreement.
• Calls upon Member states to take all necessary steps to persuade India to cease forthwith the massive human rights violations of the Kashmiri people and to enable them to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as mandated by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.
• Requests the Secretary General to take necessary steps for enabling the true representatives of the Kashmiri people to have their views expressed in OIC and other international fora. · Recommends that member states continue to coordinate their positions and to take joint action at the UN General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights and other relevant international fora to promote respect for the fundamental human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

• Requests the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir to continue its efforts for promoting the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people in accordance with the UN Resolutions and for safeguarding their fundamental human rights. Something is gone wrong and we have to revisit the policy on Kashmir and assess the situation in the light Indian robust diplomacy. Indolence can also be attributed to the government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir whose important duty was advocacy on Kashmir issue before the OIC and National Institution of Human rights. It has failed in doing this. There is need for coordinated and robust efforts on the part of Government of Pakistan and Government of AJK in this context.

Instead of following the UN resolutions starting from resolution 38 of 1948 onwards and Indian commitment to respect the wishes of people of Jammu and Kashmir it has illegally brought about a change in the status of Kashmir as reflected in Article 370 of the Indian constitution and has illegally and under coercion annexed Kashmir making it a province of India. This act of the Indian government is destitute of the will of the people. The all party conference of 2000 has categorically denounced the purported document of accession to Indian. This is mere fabrication. Kashmir remains an international conflict zone and India is not allowing UN and other independent delegations to visit Kashmir and see for themselves the war crimes being committed with impunity by India.

The previous High Commissioner of Human Rights condemned Indian for not allowing inspection. The sub-committee of Human Rights Council through its report of 1997 authored by Mr. Palley called the Indian Army as a Rogue Army. For purposes of advocacy we should start addressing the National Institutions of the Human Rights in the 160 countries of the world. My services are always available as being the former Chairmen of the National Commission for the Human Rights. I have contacts with the Global body of the National Institution of Human Rights in the Geneva.

We cannot allow inertia to prevail. The Kashmir issue has to be kept alive. We have to raise voice against the war crimes in Kashmir before the world and the UN. This is our obligation. The Author is a former International Judge of the UN at The Hague, Chief Justice of the Gambia, First Chairman of National Commission for the Human Rights Pakistan, Judge of the superior judiciary, Co-Chair Person UNESCO, Professor of International Law etc.

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KARACHI, NOV 30 - “Hameed Haroon, President, Sarmad Ali, Secretary General, All Pakistan Newspapers Society on behalf of the Office Bearers and members of the Society have expressed profound grief over the sudden and sad demise of Syed Mukhtar-ul-Hasan Gohar, Chairman M/s. Bilal Associates.

The APNS Office Bearers expressed their condolence and prayed that Almighty Allah may rest the departed soul in peace and give patience to bereaved colleagues and family to bear the irreparable loss.

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 30 – The British High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner, CMG in his frank and interactive discussion highlighted the importance of UK-Pakistan relations at the CASS Conversations with Ambassadors on “Pakistan – United Kingdom Relations – Challenges and Opportunities” organised by the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies, here in the capital today.

The High Commissioner said he was making efforts to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and to propel the volume of bilateral trade to boost inclusive and export-led economic growth through collaborative joint ventures in the areas of healthcare, clean energy, combating climate change, education and tourism sectors in Pakistan.

Moderated by Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani, Director Foreign Policy at CASS, the discussion was followed by a candid Question/Answer session between the High Commissioner and the participants.

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RAWALPINDI, NOV 30 – General Wei Fenghe, Minister of National Defence, China met General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security and enhanced bilateral defence collaboration were discussed. Visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s sincere efforts for regional peace and provision of secure environment for CPEC projects.

COAS thanked the dignitary for China’s unwavering support to Pakistan on all key issues at regional and international forums. COAS said that Pakistan Army greatly values our time-tested and brotherly relations with China.

We have been standing together all along , and our relations will be no different in wake of future challenges, COAS reiterated.

Later on, an MoU was also signed for enhancement of defence cooperation between both the Armies.

Earlier on arrival at GHQ, Minister of National Defence, laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented the Guard of Honour to visiting dignitary.

Hashoo Group collaborates with SNQ Resorts (Pvt) Limited to boost adventure travel and promote tourism in the valley

ISLAMABAD, NOV 30 /DN/ – The latest addition to their leading chain of hotels across Pakistan, Hashoo Group has announced to launch a new brand of four-star hotels by the name of “PC Legacy”.

Hashoo Group is the leading chain of hotels, which already owns and operates the five-star Pearl-Continental Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels, and the select-service Hotel One brand in Pakistan.

SNQ Resorts (Pvt) Limited is a new entrant in the market, which will work towards developing tourism in the northern parts of Pakistan.

In this connection, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Pakistan Services Limited and SNQ Resorts (Pvt) Limited in Crystal Ballroom at Islamabad Marriott.

“PC Legacy is our new brand of four-star hotels and I congratulate SNQ Resorts (Pvt) Ltd for becoming the first signers of this franchise. We, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to promote tourism in Pakistan, are delighted to manage this prestigious hotel” expressed Mr. Murtaza Hashwani, Hashoo Group Deputy Chairman and CEO, at the MoU signing ceremony.

SNQ Resorts (Pvt) Limited CEO Mr. Syed Kaiser Mehmood Shah said: “We are proud to collaborate with Hashoo Group for developing a new space for tourism by providing contemporary architecture and modern travel facilities in Naran.”

Nestled amid the majestic Himalayan Mountains, Naran is surrounded by the dense Alpine forest, capturing stunning views of the lush green valley attracting tourists and adventure enthusiasts from around the world.

Designed for both business and leisure travellers, PC Legacy Hotel Naran will offer a host of modern amenities to all guests. At the hotel, they can choose from a combination of 70 rooms and suites for their stay, dine at the in-house restaurants, utilise elegant event spaces, and avail gym and wellness services as well as kids’ recreational facilities in the hotel.

Located in the upper Kaghan valley of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Naran is about 280 kilometres away from Islamabad. A highly popular tourist destination, it attracts scores of tourists to explore its radiant beauty and experience prominent tourist attractions in the vicinity such as the enchanted Saiful Malook Lake, Shogran, Babusar Top, and Siri Paye Meadows.DN

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Munaza Kazmi

Saturday 28 November 2020, an event was conducted namely “Save Tomorrow Walk for a Better World” by Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (KKAWF) with collaboration of Serena Hotels, in which several participants of civil society and senior members of diplomatic community have joined. The walk was basically grounded on raising the awareness for the public regarding the overdose of drug; is one of the curliest enemies of all the times, that had consumed over 130 million youth of Pakistan and not just Pakistan, I would say it is a global issue.

It was a three Kilometers walk, stated from Rose and Jasmine Garden to finished at Open Air Theater Shakrparia. In the way the participants were served by fresh water and truly breath-taking scenes of towering bamboo tree, the beautiful red roses and widespread bushes of Jasmine, there I remembered of my childhood when I come along my family to the nearby parks and much celebrated Lok-Virsa.

Here I would love to add that, now a days our lives held tightly with the 9am-5pm, OH no! since some difficult business owners asks for 9am-6pm working hours, on that the web of virtual world had tighten the grip so hard around us that in that beautiful colorful place my heart felt with disgust when I saw couple of youth hovering over their mobile phones and ignoring the magic of surroundings. Sadly, we don’t have time or we ourselves have engulfed in the technology that we had forgotten how marvelous the nature surrounding us exits. In my opinion much of such events should be organized with public private partnership in order to make the lives more beautiful, healthy and natural.

Well the walk ended at Open Air Theater Shakrparia, where an event began with an energetic performance of all the participants by chanting the National Anthem of Pakistan, followed by speech of KKAWF president Cristina Afridi who stressed on the idea of drug free populace, then prize distribution ceremony and a heartily goodbye with high tea.

Pakistan’s lonely elephant Kaavan arrived in Cambodia by cargo plane on Monday to start a new life with fellow pachyderms at a local sanctuary, the culmination of years of campaigning for his transfer by American singer Cher.

Cher was on the tarmac at the airport of Cambodia’s second-biggest city Siem Reap to greet Kaavan and was photographed in sunglasses, black face mask and white jacket meeting the vets who accompanied the elephant, who made the long journey in a custom-made crate.

Animal rescue organisation Four Paws said Kaavan had another 90-minute drive ahead and would likely arrive at the sanctuary after nightfall, so he would be released in daylight on Tuesday.

“Kaavan was eating, was not stressed, he was even a little bit sleeping, standing leaning at the crate wall. He behaves like a frequent flyer,” said Amir Khalil, a Four Paws vet.

“The flight was uneventful, which is all you can ask for when you transfer an elephant.”

Cher had written songs pressing for Kaavan’s release from grim, isolated conditions at Islamabad Zoo and she had spent the last few days with him in Pakistan.

The multi-award-winning singer has been with a film crew documenting Kaavan’s story and said she was proud to be part of an effort to free an elephant she said had been shackled to a shed for 17 years.

Dozens of wildlife workers and experts led by Four Paws used a winch and rope to pull the sedated elephant into the crate before he was loaded onto the Russian-built cargo plane.

Kaavan’s handlers took more than 200 kg of food including bananas and melons to keep him busy on his journey.

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TEHRAN, NOV 30 - Iran’s English-language Press TV said on Monday that the weapon used in the killing of a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist last week was made in Israel.

“The weapon collected from the site of the terrorist act (where Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated) bears the logo and specifications of the Israeli military industry,” an unnamed source told Press TV.

Speaking before the Press TV report, Israeli intelligence minister Eli Cohen told radio station 103 FM on Monday that he did not know who was responsible.

Separately, Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council, told state TV that Iran’s enemies had launched “a number of failed operations” against Fakhrizadeh in the past.

“This time, the enemy applied a completely new, professional and sophisticated method,” Shamkhani said, without elaborating.

Fakhrizadeh, who had little public profile in Iran but had been named by Israel as a prime player in what it says is Iran’s nuclear weapons quest, was killed on Friday when he was ambushed on a highway near Tehran and his car sprayed with bullets.

Iran began Fakhrizadeh’s burial in a cemetery in northern Tehran on Monday, state TV reported, as the defence minister promised that the Islamic Republic would retaliate for his killing.

Iran’s clerical and military rulers have blamed Iran’s longtime enemy, Israel, for Fakhrizadeh’s killing, raising the threat of a new confrontation with the West and Israel in the remaining weeks of Donald Trump’s presidency.

However, Iran’s rulers are aware of daunting military and political difficulties in attacking Israel. Such an attack would also complicate any effort by United States President-elect Joe Biden to revive detente with Tehran after he takes office on January 20.

Tensions have increased between Tehran and Washington since 2018, when Trump exited Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with six powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.

In retaliation, Tehran gradually breached the deal’s curbs on its nuclear programme. Biden has said he will return the US to the deal if Iran resumes compliance.

Tehran has always denied seeking nuclear weapons.

Fakhrizadeh’s funeral

A funeral service for Fakhrizadeh was held in Tehran today, with the Islamic Republic’s defence minister vowing to continue the scientist’s work “with more speed and more power”.

The service took place at an outdoor portion of Iran’s Defence Ministry in Tehran, with officials including Revolutionary Guard chief Gen Hossein Salami, the Guard’s Quds Force leader Gen Esmail Ghaani, civilian nuclear programme chief Ali Akbar Sahei and Intelligence Minister Mamoud Alavi. They sat apart from each other and wore masks due to the coronavirus pandemic as reciters melodically read portions of the Holy Quran and religious texts.

Defense Minister Gen Amir Hatami gave a speech after kissing Fakhrizadeh’s casket and putting his forehead against it. He said Fakhrizadeh’s killing would make Iranians “more united, more determined”.

“For the continuation of your path, we will continue with more speed and more power,” Hatami said in comments aired live by state television.

Hatami also criticised countries that hadn’t condemned Fakhrizadeh’s killing, warning: “This will catch up with you someday.”

Overnight, the United Arab Emirates, which just reached a normalisation deal with Israel, issued a statement condemning “the heinous assassination.” The UAE, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, warned it “could further fuel conflict in the region.”

Last year, the UAE found itself in the middle of an escalating series of incidents between Iran and the US. Though long suspicious of Iran’s nuclear programme, the Emirates has said it wants to de-escalate the crisis. The UAE just started passenger air service to Israel and Israelis are expected to vacation in the country over Hanukkah in the coming days.

Hatami also called the nuclear arsenal of the US — and the stockpile of atomic bombs Israel long has been suspected of holding — “the most dangerous threat against humanity”.

Mourners later buried Fakhrizadeh in the courtyard of Imamzadeh Saleh mosque in north Tehran.

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