FARUKH SHEHZAD

Relationship between China, Pakistan has set a model for other countries: Chinese ambassador

ISLAMABAD, MAY 2021: China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) launched its second edited book titled ‘Higher than Karakoram: Seven Decades of Pakistan-China Partnership” on May 20, 2021.

Sohail Mahmood, Foreign Secretary was the Chief Guest at the event, while, Nong Rong, Ambassador of People's Republic of China was Guest of Honor.  Other dignitaries and discussants included Mr. Moin ul Haque, Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi, Ambassador Masood Khalid, Dr. Fazal ur Rehman, Director Pakistan Institute of China Studies, University of Sargodha, Dr. Di Yuna, Executive Director, Pakistan Study Center of Science & Technology and Economy, and Dr. Li Jingfeng, Director Regional & Strategic Research Office, Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences.

During his remarks, Nong Rong, Ambassador of People's Republic of China congratulated ISSI and CPSC for launching the book at the important occasion, when China and Pakistan are celebrating the seven decades of diplomatic relations.

While delving on importance of the bilateral relations, Ambassador Nong Rong stated that the relationship between China and Pakistan has set a model for other countries. He underscored the importance of research in propagating the right narrative and also suggested to focus on more areas of common interests.

The Chief Guest, Sohail Mahmood appreciated ISSI and CPSC for publishing the book and underscored that this book will guide the future discourse of the important relationship between Pakistan and China.

 While delving on the seven decades of this relationship, Mahmood stated that the expressions like ‘higher than Himalayas, deeper than ocean, sweeter than honey’ are not mere cliché’s but the realities and substantiation of this important relationship. He further said that the two countries support each other on the issues of their core interest.

 China has stood by Pakistan in supporting our key strategic, economic, and developmental priorities including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

To commemorate the historic event, the Chief Guest said that Foreign Ministers of China and Pakistan unveiled the official logo of 70th anniversary in a simultaneously held virtual ceremony on March 2 2021. Pakistan has planned a series of events, spread over the entire year to commemorate the historic occasion in a befitting manner. He further hoped that such academic exchanges and insightful learning will help understand the significance of this relationship and achieve key policy objectives.

Earlier during his welcome remarks, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General ISSI, congratulated CPSC and outlined how ISSI has created a vision of which the edited books are a part of. Ambassador Chaudhry said that what makes this book unique is that it marks the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.

With their expertise over their respective areas, the authors have provided the readers with valuable information on the past, present and future trends in the multiple dimensions of bilateral ties between China and Pakistan. The fact that both Pakistani and Chinese authors have contributed in this book reflects our commitment to address our challenges collectively.

While introducing the book Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC said that through this book, CPSC has brought to light the fact as to why our relationship is considered to be ‘Higher than Karakoram’. He further hoped this book will help readers have better understanding of this unique relationship and will lead to further meaningful academic exchanges in the times to come.

At the conclusion of the event, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman ISSI presented the Institute’s memento to the distinguished guests.

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NEW YORK, MAY 21: Pakistan on Thursday joined Turkey in urging the UN to deploy an international protection force in occupied Palestinian territories to protect innocents there from Israeli violence.

Speaking at a UN General Assembly special meeting on Palestine, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Gaza has plunged in darkness, literally and metaphorically, while the only light is that of Israeli explosions.

"The General Assembly should call for concrete steps to protect the Palestinians. We should deploy an international protection force, as was called for in General Assembly Resolution ES-10/20 and as demanded by the Islamic Summit Conference on 18 May 2018," Qureshi said.

"If the Security Council cannot agree to send a protection force, a 'coalition of the willing' can be formed to provide at least civilian observers to monitor a cessation of the hostilities and supervise the provision of humanitarian help to the Palestinians," he suggested.

The meeting in New York chaired by Volkan Bozkir, the Turkish diplomat who heads the UN General Assembly, was also attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and foreign ministers from such countries as Palestine, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Algeria, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kuwait, Maldives, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.

This was also the first in-person participation at the ministerial level at UN headquarters since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, according to Bozkir.

Qureshi also called on Guterres and the UN high commissioner for human rights to offer protection to Israel's Arab citizens who are being lynched and murdered by fascist Israeli gangs.

ACCOUNTABLE FOR WAR CRIMES

Qureshi also urged Israel be held accountable for its war crimes and asked the UN to activate the Human Rights Council, International Criminal Court, International Court of Justice, and other avenues to ensure this.

"Israel's crimes against humanity should not escape accountability. There should be no impunity for violation of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and other human rights conventions," he said.

Qureshi said that so far over 250 Palestinians have been killed and thousands other injured, one-third of them women and children.

"Death echoes in every home in Gaza. The Israeli airstrikes are responsible for the taking of every single life of the Abu Hatab family. Two were women and eight children," he said, adding that so far over 50,000 Palestinian have fled their homes in Gaza.

He added that Israeli airstrikes destroyed entire buildings to kill and terrorize innocent Palestinians and even silence the media.

"It is time to say 'Enough!'" he said.

He underlined his country's full support for the Palestinian people, saying, "The voice of the Palestinian people cannot and will not be silenced. We, the representatives of the Islamic world, are here to speak with them and for them."

Qureshi also expressed regret over the Security Council's failure to halt Israeli attacks, saying: "It is appalling that the Security Council has been unable to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council has failed even to demand a cessation of hostilities."

"Those preventing the council from doing so bear a heavy responsibility," he added, referring to the US blocking Security Council statements demanding an immediate cease-fire.

Qureshi ended his speech with a verse from his country's resistance poet saying: "O Land of Palestine! I too, am there for you."

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By Khalid Taimur Akram

                  ‘’A friend in need, is a friend indeed’’                  

On 21 May 1951, Pakistan and China established their diplomatic relations. However, the attachment of true friendship date back to centuries-old trade relations, when Chinese traders travel through the sub-continent for business trips to Europe, Middle East, and the world’s other parts via the ancient Silk Route. Both countries are enjoying strong cordial ties since the commencement of diplomatic relations. 

The relationship bloomed into an “All-weather cooperative partnership” with many projects of inclusive economic development. 2021 is a year in which China and Pakistan are celebrating the 70^th anniversary of everlasting friendship. Seventy years of unprecedented and close bilateral relations are based on mutual respect, trust, harmony, and goodwill between both nations. Cultural exchanges have resulted in enhancing people-to-people contacts. 

The non-regional powers tried to create many ups and down in both state’s diplomatic and economic partnership. However, they have remained failed to fracture the strong bond between both countries. Therefore, this article aims to highlights the potential contours of the bilateral relations between China and Pakistan. Moreover, the study also gives a brief analysis of the seventy years of mutual cooperative and successful patterns of collaboration between China and Pakistan.

China and Pakistan: Iron Brothers

Pakistan considers China one of the closest partners, and China termed the relationship with Pakistan as Iron Brothers.Both countries have shared weal and woe, established an all-weather friendship and carried out all-round cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations.In the past 70 years, both states adhere to some fundamental principles in developing the relationship.In this regard, the contours of the first principle are as follows:

• ·    Equality
• ·    Respects of each other’s sovereignty, integrity and independence.
• ·    Trust and mutual assistance

The contours of the second principles are as follows:

• ·    Decision-making based on joint consensus
• ·    Approaches of mutual benefits
• ·    Win-win cooperation to collectively pursue progress and inclusive development.

The Contour of the third principles are as follows:

• ·  Close cooperation and coordination in major international and regional issues, ensuring the common interests of the two countries and other developing states.

Under these principles, it is a proud time to witness the China-Pakistan relationship as the model of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation of countries with different cultures and social systems.China, a rising superpower has left no stone unturned to help its true friends in the time of crisis. The world is multipolar Now. The changing dynamics of global politics and multilateral civilizational patterns have enabled countries to indulged in cooperation and defy orthodox notions of confrontation.  In this regard, with the full support of Pakistan, China has emerged as a significant player in regional and international socio-politico and economic discourse.

China’s Grand Initiatives under the Incumbent Visionary leadership of China: Role of Pakistan

China is integrating and engaging all countries through its grand visions of cooperation and inclusive economic development. China’s Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), its mega flagship project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and many other potential projects are the clear manifestation of President Xi Jinping’s integrating visions. These initiatives of grand alignments always acquired full support from Pakistan. Pakistan has remained one of the best allies of China in every leap and bound.

Moreover, China and Pakistan contribute to regional peace and security through the narratives of significant alignments. In this regard, Beijing’s exceptional ideas such as ‘Dialogue of Civilizations’ and ‘Building a Community with Shared Future’ are resulting in achieving mutual benefits and prosperity. Therefore, Pakistan is also working closely with China to establish an integrated framework of cooperation and grand regional alignments to find solutions for the common challenges. These narratives will definitely bring peace, unite nations, and tackle the issues collectively.

Underpinning the Contours of Inclusive Economic Development: Pakistan-China Integrated Framework

It is a time to recall with pride the collective achievements of China-Pakistan and draw advanced horizons for taking the truly unique friendship and partnership forward. One of the main essences of this strong bond is an economic partnership. In this new era, CPEC is the major highlight of both countries’ relationships.It has been anticipated that the total Gross Domestic Product(GDP) of Pakistan would be US$ 4.2 trillion by 2050. CPEC covers and cooperate in all the fundamental fields and beyond, such as science & technology, research & development agriculture, economic paradigms, and infrastructure development. As per the official sources, CPEC would bring approximately 700,000 new jobs for Pakistan’s people in many diverse sectors.

Apart from economic assistance, both countries are also facilitating each other in this period of the Covid-19 pandemic. During China's fight against the COVID-19, Pakistan immediately donated medical aid to China.All walks of life in the country voiced their support for China and opposed politicizing the pandemic and targeting China.On the other hand, China is the first country in the world that has quickly recovered from the severe shocks of the pandemic and revived its economy. Moreover, China is a prominent country, assisting and providing Covid-19 vaccines to many countries, including Pakistan. During the Covid-19 surge in Pakistan, groups of Chinese medical experts, as well as batches of medical supplies, have been sent to assist the country. The two sides are firmly supporting each other in relative fields and different other sectors.

All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners:

The cooperation that began with economic assistance can lead to strategic partnership and collaboration in many other fields. China state’s policy has consistently recognized Pakistan’s potential part in enhancing the strategic partnership. Both countries have deepened their defence ties on overland routes through CPEC to foster maritime diplomacy through joint naval exercises in the Arabian sea. The famous lines ‘Sweeter than Honey, Higher than Mountains’ regarding Islamabad-Beijing relations are gaining strong grounds, despite the challenges posed by regional or international players, i.e., India or U.S.A. Pakistan has a location in the fulcrum of South Asia that can comprehensively serve positive Chinese interest in this region. In this aspect, Beijing’s strategic interest in Pakistan has been significantly increased. Both states are assisting and significantly contributing to end terrorism and hostile/extremist groups. They are heading towards a new era of long-term security and strategic ties. Therefore, the strategic partnership of both countries has potential impacts on regional and international discourse. The strategic ties of both countries have been strengthening from the very beginning. Both nations’ leadership has promoted a joint political vision for peace and security in South Asia and beyond. Thereby, it increased defence cooperation and signed many economic projects and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).This strategic partnership has an immense potential to seek the attention of other regional and international states’ business actors to get aligned with the game-changer project, CPEC.

Academic- Cultural Exchanges: Enhancing People-to-People Contacts

Pakistan and China have a special relationship with deep civilizational roots and a history of mutually enriching interaction spanning several millenniums. Both countries enhance academic cooperation by providing a number of opportunities and scholarships with a conducive visa policy. CPEC also provides ample opportunities to increase people-to-people connectivity via cultural exchange and joint ventures. CPEC has also been termed as ‘China-Pakistan knowledge Corridor’ as it covers major areas of research & development. The mutually benefited partnership has been future resulted in harmonies cooperation for a glorious future.

Progressive Grounds for Future Collaboration:

Marking the 70^th anniversary of a highly prosperous relationship between China and Pakistan is unprecedented. Colossal efforts, cooperation in many areas and assisting each other in every leaps and bounds have paved the way for future cooperation and profound diplomatic ties.  With each passing day, this relationship is becoming more closely integrated into each other’s respective development strategies. Therefore, with the joint efforts, China and Pakistan will make new grounds for collective benefits and win-win development under a robust framework. The relationship portrays a great model of inter-state diplomatic ties.

By Mr. Khalid TaimurAkram, Executive Director, Center for Global &

Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad

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BAKU, MAY 20: Head of the Press Service of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Leyla Abdullayeva has commented on the statement of the official spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of India on the recent developments along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

“Let me first underline that the key reason of the border issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan is Armenia’s illegal occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories till November 2020. Hence, it is Armenia that violated Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized borders. And now Azerbaijan is just restoring its internationally recognized borders. 

As it has been officially stated Azerbaijan continues its work on the border protection system within the territorial integrity of the country and this process is carried out on the basis of maps available to each of the sides that define the borderline between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Several disagreements occurred between the sides on border issues earlier, and all of them were settled via negotiations among the sides to the trilateral statements.

Second, it is quite strange that in past 30 years the MFA of India has not made an appeal for the withdrawal of the occupying forces of Armenia from the Azerbaijani territories, and is now speaking about pulling back forces. Apparently, this latest statement was made without a proper thorough examination of various dimensions of this issue.

I would like to remind that Azerbaijan has always been calling for, and continues to call for, the full respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of states. We believe that mutual respect for and strict adherence to these principles is the only way to settle any dispute and build truly good neighborly relations.

I must also stress that Azerbaijan as a current chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, has made the promotion of the Bandung Principles one of the priorities of its chairmanship. These principles have contributed to the promotion of justice and equality in international relations and ensured respect for the norms and principles of international law. Any attempts that harm the unity within the NAM are deplorable,” Abdullayeva said.

“Unfortunately, we observe a dramatic rise in intolerance and xenophobia in Armenia. What is particularly troubling is that this trend is aimed not only against Azerbaijan but now covers any nation or group that would dare to express an opinion even slightly differing from an Armenian line. In this country, the Nazi collaborators are idolized and international terrorists are glorified. An incomprehensible act of vandalism was recently taken against the monument to such a world-known proponent of peace and tolerance as Mahatma Gandhi.

Such trends of extremism are dangerous and they must be addressed immediately. Armenia must be encouraged to abandon toxic ideas of national supremacy and territorial expansion. Armenia must finally start abiding by international law and making its key principles a basis for the normalization of relations with neighboring states. Only then will Armenia start benefiting from the good neighborhood and regional cooperation.

Azerbaijan, in its turn, continues to be strongly committed to peace, security, regional development and cooperation on the basis of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders,” she added.

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NEW YORK, MAY 20: The UN Human Rights Council said on Thursday it would hold a special session on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, amid Israel's deadly violence against the Palestinians in Gaza.

The session, planned for next Thursday, will address “the grave human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem”, the council said in a statement.

The session was requested by Pakistan, which is the coordinator of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Palestinian authorities, it said.

It will be the 30th extraordinary meeting of the UN's top rights body since its creation 15 years ago.

The United Nations did not immediately say how many of the Geneva-based council's 47 member states had backed the call, but at least a third must come out in support for a special session request to be granted.

Thursday's announcement came as Israeli air strikes continued to hammer Gaza and as diplomats stepped up efforts towards a ceasefire to stem the devastating violence that erupted 10 days ago.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed 230 Palestinians, including 65 children, according to the Gaza health ministry, leaving vast areas in rubble and displacing tens of thousands in the crowded territory.

Israel's army has meanwhile said Hamas and other Islamist armed groups in Gaza have fired 4,070 rockets towards Israel, the overwhelming majority of them intercepted by its Iron Dome air defences. The rockets have claimed 12 lives in Israel, including one child, with one Indian and two Thai nationals among those killed, the police said.

Meirav Eilon Shahar, Israel's ambassador in Geneva, urged member states to oppose next Thursday's meeting.

“The convening of yet another special session by the Human Rights Council targeting Israel is testament to the clear anti-Israeli agenda of this body,” she said on Twitter.

“The sponsors of this session are only rewarding the actions of Hamas, a terrorist organisation, that has indiscriminately launched over 4,000 rockets at Israeli civilians, using the people of Gaza as human shields.

“I call on all member states of the council to strongly oppose this meeting,” said Eilon Shahar.

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NEW YORK, MAY 20: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the international community on Wednesday to persuade Israel to end its aggression against the Palestinians and to take concrete steps for a solution to the Palestine issue.

The foreign minister arrived in New York on Wednesday evening on a Palestine peace mission and to attend an emergency meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), called by the Organisation of Islamic Corporation (OIC) and the Arab League.

Pakistan has joined hands with Palestine, Sudan and Turkey to take a united stance at the UNGA session scheduled today. This will be the first UN meeting that will see the physical presence of foreign ministers since the Covid-19 pandemic paralysed the world. Prior to this, UN had been holding virtual meetings in the wake of the pandemic.

Soon after his arrival in New York, Qureshi hosted a working dinner of the foreign ministers of OIC member states to discuss the situation in Palestine.

“We hope the UNGA meeting will send a strong message … to end the Israeli aggression and to take concrete steps to find a solution to the Palestine issue,” said the foreign minister while addressing the dinner.

The discussion focused on the worsening situation in Gaza and ways to formulate a unified and unequivocal response from OIC member states to Israeli aggression ahead of the UNGA meeting on Thursday evening.

Foreign Ministers Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey, Riyad Al-Maliki of the State of Palestine, Othman Jerandi of Tunisia and UNGA President Volkan Bozkir also attended the dinner.

Qureshi noted that Israel’s use of indiscriminate and disproportionate force against innocent Palestinians had enraged the entire Muslim ummah.

Israeli aggression has led to the loss of numerous innocent lives, including women and children, he said, reiterating Pakistan’s strongest possible condemnation of Israeli actions.

He said Israel had launched a deliberate and systematic assault against Palestinian worshippers at the Al Aqsa mosque during the month of Ramazan, violating the sanctity of the holy site.

The foreign minister also condemned Israel’s policy of the expansion of illegal settlements, forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes and demolition of their houses with impunity.

Qureshi expressed his deep gratitude to all brotherly OIC countries, who along with Pakistan, played a proactive role in convening the special meeting of the UNGA.

The permanent representative of Pakistan at the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, and the ambassador of Pakistan in Washington, Dr Asad Majeed Khan, also attended the dinner.

A statement issued by Pakistan’s UN mission said that the foreign minister’s visit to New York was part of Pakistan’s intensive diplomatic outreach to mobilise international support for ending the ongoing Israeli aggression against Palestinians.

The foreign minister will address the special session of the UNGA today and highlight Pakistan’s stance on this issue.

The UNGA session follows an intensive international effort to secure a ceasefire in the occupied Palestinian territories after a week of deadly cross-border violence.

Calls for ceasefire

Earlier UN efforts to enforce a ceasefire were blocked by the United States (US). For the third time in a week, the US on Sunday blocked a joint statement from the UN Security Council (UNSC), which called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.

In his address to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General António Guterres also called for ending the current “senseless” cycle of violence in the Middle East.

Terming the hostilities “utterly appalling”, the secretary-general warned that hopes of coexistence and peace between Palestinians and Israelis were being pushed even farther to the horizon.

“[The] fighting must stop. It must stop immediately,” he said. “Rockets and mortars on one side and aerial and artillery bombardments on the other must stop. I appeal to all parties to heed this call.”

On Wednesday, a UN relief agency called for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian assistance to reach the victims.

“Gaza’s one million children are reeling from the mounting consequences of [a] violent conflict with nowhere safe to turn. Lives have been lost and families shattered,” said United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

Fore’s comments followed a report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stating that only five trucks in a 24-vehicle humanitarian convoy had been able to enter southern Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Israeli authorities closed the crossing only hours after reopening it, blaming “militants” of launching mortars.

According to the UNICEF chief, nearly 30,000 children have been displaced in the occupied Palestinian territory since 10 May.

This underscores the need for “an immediate cessation of hostilities on humanitarian grounds to allow the entry of staff and essential supplies, including fuel, medical items, first aid kits and Covid-19 vaccines,” the UNICEF chief said.

The UN secretary-general expressed similar sentiments in a separate message, saying: “We are seeing immense human suffering and extensive damage to homes and vital infrastructure in Gaza.” He urged the international community to “ensure adequate funding for our humanitarian operations in Gaza.”

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BAKU, MAY 20: Azerbaijan’s Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Sabina Aliyeva once again visited the members of an Armenian armed group, who were detained on the territory of Azerbaijan, the Ombudsman’s Office told AzVision.az.

During her next unnoticed monitoring of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice under her National Preventive Mechanism mandate, Sabina Aliyeva once again visited the members of the armed group, who were settled by Armenia in the liberated areas of Azerbaijan, but detained as a part of the countermeasures for criminal acts threatening the lives and health of our civilians and military servicemen and handed over for the investigation being accused of committing terror acts.

It should be noted that those persons were detained during the measures countering criminal and terror acts resulted in the killing of four Azerbaijani servicemen and severely injuring one civilian in the territory of Azerbaijan on 12-13 December 2020 after a month of ceasing all hostilities in accordance with the joint statement of 10 November 2020, signed by the country leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia.

During the tete-a-tete meeting with those persons, the Ombudsman investigated the situation of ensuring their rights.  The accused persons expressed their satisfaction with their detention conditions, nutrition, healthcare service, and treatment.

The ombudsman privately listened to all those persons, presented them legislative acts in their own language, and explained their rights.

An ad-hoc report of the ombudsman based on the outcomes of this monitoring was submitted to relevant international human rights organizations.

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ISLAMABAD, MAY 20: Pakistan will decide Afghanistan’s future as the United States only has a minor role now in the country after almost 20 years of uninterrupted military presence.

This claim by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani echoed in the US Congress this week, where lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties expressed concern about Afghanistan’s future after the withdrawal of American and Nato forces and deliberated on the key role that must be played by Pakistan in this regard.

The Biden administration plans to withdraw all foreign troops from Afghanistan by September 11, almost 20 years after the first US troops arrived in the country.

In an interview with German publication Der Spiegel earlier this week, President Ghani had said that bringing peace to Afghanistan now was “first and foremost a matter of getting Pakistan on board” and the withdrawal would greatly reduce America’s influence in the country.

“The US now plays only a minor role. The question of peace or hostility is now in Pakistani hands,” he had claimed.

The alarming message was repeated in the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday when Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a California Democrat, read Ghani’s quote during a hearing on “the US-Afghanistan relationship after the withdrawal.”

She described the Afghan president’s claim as “quite a statement” and asked America's chief negotiator on Afghan affairs, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, about the way forward.

"What specifically are you doing to push Pakistan’s leaders and to ensure that they do step up the way we want them to?" she asked the ambassador.

Khalilzad said that he believed Pakistan’s civilian and military leaderships both recognised there was economic benefit in having peace in Afghanistan.

“COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Prime Minister Imran Khan both (also) recognise that this economic benefit is where the future is. Gen Bajwa has said countries do not develop, regions develop,” he said.

“And I know there are challenges inside Pakistan, but I believe that Gen Bajwa’s last visit to Kabul was positive. They have discussed some steps that the two sides will take — working with the United Kingdom — in support of the effort to improve relations between these two countries.”

Ambassador Khalilzad called the Pak-Afghan relationship the Achilles heel of Afghanistan’s recent history that “needs to be overcome and we are hopeful, given the recent developments”.

The US envoy also underlined the need to view Ghani’s statement in the regional context, adding: “President Ghani is right in the sense that the region is important for a peace agreement to bring lasting stability to Afghanistan.

“It needs broad support inside […] Afghanistan and in the region, because part of Afghanistan’s problem has been a […] proxy conflict.”

The US, he said, was trying to build a regional consensus and support for peace and that’s why he “has repeatedly emphasised” the importance of this economic dimension of peace.

“The potential connectivity and trade between Central Asia, Afghanistan and South Asia is a vital part of the future of that region and for Afghanistan,” Khalilzad said while urging Afghans also to avail this opportunity for peace.

“One should not absolve the Afghans of their responsibility. They must accept each other and find a formula that can resolve their differences,” he said.

Congressman Ted Lieu, another California Democrat and a former US Air Force colonel, asked if Pakistan was so important for the success of the Afghan peace process, why was it not being treated accordingly.

“I am just curious about what happened earlier this year when 40 world leaders were invited to the climate summit, including the leaders of India and Bangladesh. And the leader of Pakistan was not invited, even though Pakistan is the fifth most climate vulnerable country. Even though 35 of the 40 countries invited have populations smaller than Pakistan’s,” he said.

“It seems to be disrespectful to not have invited the Pakistani leader to this climate summit when the leaders of India and Bangladesh were invited.

“And now we are asking Pakistan to help us, a lot, in Afghanistan. So, I am wondering what was the thinking (behind) that sort of exclusion of the Pakistani leader?”

Khalilzad said: “Of course, you are right. Pakistan is an important country. We have had periods of great cooperation with Pakistan. And Pakistan has a critical role to play in Afghanistan going forward and in a number of other issues.

“As to the climate summit, I am not in a position to respond as to what decisions were made but Pakistan’s participation, I believe, did occur. If you are interested, we can take that question for a response for the record. But I was not involved in it,” he added.

“Yes, I would like a response for the record,” Congressman Lieu responded.

Congressman Darrel Issa, a California Republican, noted that “during the ten years or twenty years, we have watched our ability to have a positive influence on Pakistan and Pakistan having a positive influence on Afghanistan go from bad to worse”.

Responding to a question from the committee’s chair Congressman Greg Meeks, Khalilzad said the US has recently had productive meetings with Russia, China and Pakistan, calling on the two Afghan sides to reduce violence and engage seriously in negotiations and on the Taliban not to pursue a spring offensive.

“We would like Russia and China and Pakistan to back efforts for a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan. Working to build a consensus on this objective,” he said.

When Congressman Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, asked how the US would defend its interests in Afghanistan after the withdrawal, Khalilzad said: “We will maintain assets in the region. We are developing opportunities for enhanced cooperation with regional partners.”

And when Congressman Joseph Chabot, an Ohio Republican, suggested that the Taliban were behind last month’s bombing of a girls’ school in Kabul that killed scores of students, Ambassador Khalilzad said: “I don’t believe that they blew up the school. It’s likely ISIS which is seeking to disrupt any potential peace process and the Talibs have been fighting ISIS forcefully, which is positive.”

He pointed out that the Taliban were a formidable force against ISIS and the situation in Afghanistan was different from Iraq where the Shia-Sunni conflict created space for ISIS, while the Taliban and ISIS were from the same sect.

“The Talibs have done a reasonably good job in taking ISIS on,” he added.

Congressman Ami Babulal Bera, a California Democrat, said that since Pakistan “has been supporting the Taliban all along,” how the Biden administration could expect them to support the peace process now.

“There’s no military solution to Afghanistan and that comes to the diplomatic solution and the role of Pakistan. Pakistan has a special responsibility, given the fact that you described,” Ambassador Khalilzad said.

“And if Afghanistan goes towards a protracted war or a long war, Pakistan will suffer and Pakistan will be blamed for it. Gen Bajwa and PM Imran have said they have changed their policy, that peace settlement is the best.”

He noted that Pakistan had signed its name to a document that forbids a Taliban emirate and a military takeover. “We expect that they will deliver on those commitments. And we have found the recent engagement between Afghanistan and Pakistan encouraging,” he said.

Congresswoman Dina Titus, a Nevada Democrat, asked if the US could use its bases in Qatar and Diego Garcia to conduct airstrikes into Afghanistan, if needed.

“We are going to maintain both monitoring and strike capability in the region and expand cooperation with some of the neighbouring states for counter-terrorism purposes,” Khalilzad said.

“We will also maintain financial support and cooperation with Afghan security forces, but direct military support, such as strikes, are not being contemplated at this time.”

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ISLAMABAD, MAY 20: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar on Wednesday said the new policy would focus on growth and development of the automotive industry together with affordability, quality, availability and indigenisation.

In consultative sessions with auto sector stakeholders to discuss the Auto Industry Development & Export Plan (AIDEP) 2021-26, the minister said that the government would like to see an increased footprint of electric vehicles to improve the environment and to reduce oil import bill.

The representatives of Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (Pama) and Pakistan Association of Auto Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (Paapam) held separate meetings with the minister. Commerce Adviser Razak Dawood was also present.

The minister suggested to both associations to table suggestions to reduce the prices of small cars to bring the cost within the affordability of lower middle class of the country.

Pama and Paapam lauded government efforts to formulate the policy as universally accepted by key players.

The bodies also commended the current government for support amid the Covid-19 pandemic through the salary loans, investment loans and slashing down of interest rates to protect the industry.

It was decided to hold the consultative sessions till finalisation of AIDEP draft.

Support for hybrid cars sought

Meanwhile, in another de­­v­elopment the local industry has sought the government’s support and a policy for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). According to the industry, HEVs are a better option for consumers than the electric vehicles (EVs).

The incumbent government has already approved and notified the first-ever EV Policy of the country to facilitate the new transformation in the auto industry.

The policy is aimed at a complete replacement of a conventional internal combustion engine with a battery-backed system.

“Up to three per cent EV Battery degradation every year results in more charging cycles. This means there will be more CO2 and less mileage in addition to huge loss of economic value,” said SM Ishtiaq, CEO SM Engineering.

Talking to media on Wednesday, he said that 30,000 EVs were estimated to consume 1pc of Pakistan’s generation capacity. “One unit of electricity is being sold at Rs50 so Rs2,000 will be required to charge 40 kWh battery to get the mileage of less than 180km. This translates into the cost of Rs11 per km to the consumer,” he said.

“On the other hand, the HEV’s cost is Rs5 per kilometre and internal combustion engine (ICE) cost is around Rs9.3 per km, which is way much efficient for the consumer in comparison with EVs so a sane choice will be either HEV or ICE,” he added.

“The government and policy makers should seriously consider other alternatives to BEVs while formulating or implementing policies in this regard because hybrid remains the most feasible technology as it offers best of both worlds,” said Mr Ishtiaq.

He added that the hybrid vehicles as better option as compared to the EVs as the latter would huge outflow of dollar in case of the estimated import of 20,000 units per year.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, MAY 19: AAA Associates, A Leading Group of Companies, and JDC Foundation (Jafaria Disaster Management Cell) jointly launched First Free Mobile Restaurant to provide 3-time meal services to the needy and indigent population of Islamabad.

AAA Associates has been partnered to fund the noble cause of JDC free food program initiative by successfully setting up the world’s largest Free Mobile Restaurant outside PIMS Hospital in the Capital City. After the successful launch of Free Mobile restaurant in Karachi, JDC Collaborated with AAA Associates to extend its Free food program initiative to other cities by carrying out similar activity for underprivileged population of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The multi-wheeler food-loaded vehicle will be utilized to make good quality and hygienically cooked food reachable to everyone throughout the whole year. It can provide 3 times meals for 15,000 people on daily basis.The visitors will be served with variety of Food and beverages prepared by a team of Professional Chefs to serve the deprived community in the most dignified manner. The facility not only serves the visitors with variety of dishes but also allow them to take food for their families at home.

The Launching ceremony of First Free Mobile restaurant in Islamabad has been graced by Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony &  Mr. Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari. They have praised the initiative of AAA Associates & JDC for arranging the ‘free mobile restaurant’ as it compliments Government’s vision of Hunger free Pakistan. The Initiative resonate with Prime Minister Imran Khan vision to eradicate Hunger by providing free food and shelter to deprived section of our society.

During the tour of the free mobile restaurant in Islamabad, JDC chairperson Syed Zafar Abbas Jafri showed his gratitude for this partnership with AAA Associates to become part of this great cause and promise to continue his struggle to support oppressed communities of the society in whatever way he can.

Speaking on the occasion, AAA Associates’ Managing Director Lt. Col Shahzad Ali Kiani (Retd) stated that “We feel honoured to be part of such a noble cause that provides us with an opportunity to serve humanity. AAA Associates has been in forefront of reaching out to deprived communities in time of need. As we have grown to a leading group of companies of Pakistan, we take it as our responsibility to bring prosperity within our community especially those who have been neglected over  time. We’ll continue our support to bring an end to hunger in Pakistan”

AAA Chairman Mr. Shiekh Fawad Bashir also shares his views “ AAA Associates was created with an aim to revolutionize the industry by creating such business units that are profitable and at the same time socially responsible towards their community.

We intend to create a culture in which a business community is equally sensitive towards well-being of their surroundings and not limited in profit making practices. I’m glad we are heading towards the right direction and this collaboration with JDC will be a step towards our ambition of socially responsible Business community of Pakistan”

Earlier, AAA associates with collaboration of RCCI had arranged Daily Iftar for 500 people throughout the Month of Ramazan to feed the indigent population of the twin cities with dignity and respect.

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PIDE Webinar with Nobel Laureate Prof. A. Michael Spence on the topic of Global Economy in the Post-Pandemic Recovery Period

ISLAMABAD, MAY 19: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad hosted a successful webinar yet again with a Nobel Laureate for the 4th time. Prof. A. Michael Spence, a Nobel Laureate was the Keynote speaker, at the webinar titled ‘The Global Economy in the Post-Pandemic Recovery Period’ held on 19th May,2021.

Prof. A. Michael Spence was the keynote speaker at the session, where more than hundred people joined and participated. The session was moderated by Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, Vice Chancellor, PIDE.

Professor. A. Michael Spence, had an optimistic view of how Pakistan has handled its crisis contrary to its neighbors. He discussed the post pandemic recovery patterns, vaccine manufacturing on global level and post pandemic recovery of global economy.

While talking about the challenges that the world has to face right now, he also mentioned the hidden opportunities this post pandemic recovery will bring. Professor. A. Michael Spence, predicted that complete global recovery can be expected around 2022 provided the vaccine production and manufacturing increases. He also sees potential for global explosion of entrepreneurial activities.

He expressed that the digital domination during this pandemic has opened new horizons for countries like Pakistan, where people can turn their business global without having to move from one country to another.

Professor. A. Michael Spence mentioned that the high growth sectors post pandemic will be digital transformation, biomedical science and technology, healthcare and energy transformation, while an evident surge in E-commerce will be witnessed globally.

In closing remarks, Professor. A. Michael Spence gave an optimistic view of how Pakistan will emerge as a strong economy post this pandemic referring to its ongoing recovery pattern.

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