FARUKH SHEHZAD

ISLAMABAD, JUN 10: Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad in collaboration with Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Islamabad organized Dialogue with Experts on the topic “Pakistan-ASEAN Cooperation”, on Wednesday, Jun 9.

The event was organized in virtual format at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Islamabad.

This dialogue was attended by the Ambassadors and Diplomatic staff of the ASEAN countries residing in Pakistan. The business community of the ASEAN countries also actively participated in the session.

The session commenced with the opening remarks by Mr. Khalid TaimurAkram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

He expressed his gratitude to all the participants and diplomatic staff of the ASEAN countries.

He stated that the initiative of creating awareness about the new framework of cooperation between ASEAN-Pakistan would bring immense benefits in multiple fields.

Adam M. Tugio, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan gave the welcome remark. He welcomed all distinguished participants and panelists. He shed light on the concept of ASEAN awareness in Pakistan.

H.E. Adam Tugio stated that this initiative would enhance the bilateral relations between Pakistan and ASEAN.

He stated that this broader engagement would further increase people to people and government to government contacts. Therefore, would promote tourism and cultural integration.

Major General Hafiz Masroor Ahmed (Retd), Vice President,CGSS welcomed all the participants. He stated that this era is of cooperation and globalization.

Therefore, we all must identify the areas of joint collaborative measures and integration.

The broader cooperation would benefit all parties involved and enhance multilateral relations, starting from ASEAN-Pakistan cooperation.

Mr. Aamer Ahmed Atozai, DG, East & Asia Pacific Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan stated about a greater aim of Pakistan's look East policy, especially, the ASEAN member states.

He explained that in 1993 Pakistan became the Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) of ASEAN and since then it has been enhancing its efforts to gain the status of full dialogue partner.

He discussed that Pakistan’s status of full dialogue partner would provide momentous to the multilateral and bilateral relations between ASEAN and Pakistan.

Mr. Aamer Ahmed enlightened the audience that Pakistan’s look East policy accounts to increase business-trade relations mainly with ASEAN countries. He highlighted Pakistan's pivotal role in countering the common challenges.

He stated that the Pakistan-ASEAN Sectoral Cooperation Committee is enhancing socio-economic development and working in number of fields.

It has also been laying foundation for ASEAN countries and Pakistan to discover wider areas to progressively work.

Prof. Dr. Saleem Mazhar, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of the Punjab, Lahore gave a detailed presentation on Enhancing Academic Cooperation between Pakistan and ASEAN Member states. He gave brief analysis on ASEAN 2020 targets to be achieved in multiple fields.

He stated that Pakistan holds immense academic potential for the ASEAN region to engage into meaningful intellectual activities.

Prof. Dr. Saleem Mazhar explained that Pakistan has been offering many of scholarship programs in English Language for the ASEAN member states.

He stated that academic cooperation among ASEAN members and Pakistan would increase people to people connectivity and cultural integration.

Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Director, Area Study Center (Russia, China,& Central Asia), University of Peshawar gave a comprehensive presentation on Pakistan role in bringing peace and stability in the region.

He stated that Pakistan is playing a constructive and significant role in regional stability and resolving the Afghanistan conflict.

He stated that Pakistan believes regional integration is the only way to facilitate peace process. It will develop inter-dependence and stakes of regional states in each other's stability.

He also gave his analysis that Pakistan considers inter-organizational cooperation with BRI, CPEC, ASEAN, and CAREC.

He highlighted Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process. He stated that bringing peace to Afghanistan is the responsibility of each state.

Shakeel Ramay, Member Board of Advisors, CGSS gave a detailed presentation on CPEC and prospects for ASEAN countries.

He suggested to gauged potential amid RCEP, CPEC and its significant aspects. Shakeel stated that it is important to increase economic relations through CPEC as it will provide huge opportunities to ASEAN.

While giving a detailed presentation, Shakeel discussed positive outcomes associated with CPEC, i.e., complementarities, existing potential in diverse areas and enhanced competitiveness.

He suggested that ASEAN and Pakistan can cooperate in number of fields amid CPEC, including industrial, textile sector along with the energy sector.

He stated that ASEAN countries have great financial capability. Thereby, financial investment in multiple economic projects in Pakistan would enhance cooperation.

He concluded by stating that the agriculture and tourism sectors have a lot of potential to cooperate, thereby, there should be great focus on the collective and win-win situation of all countries involved in the process of inclusive economic development.

Prof. Dr. Saeed-ul-Hassan Chishti, Vice Chancellor, University of Sialkot gave a detailed presentation on improving industrial cooperation through ASEAN's integrated framework: Prospects for Pakistan's SMEs. He highlighted the relationship between ASEAN and Pakistan.

Prof. Dr. Saeed gave a detailed analysis on Pakistan's SMEs with relevance to ASEAN industrial cooperation.

He stated that all big and famous cities of Pakistan, i.e., Sialkot, Lahore, Karachi have been recognized as a hub of wider industrial activities.

He stated that ASEAN and Pakistan trade volume is $6.3bilion, scaling up to enhance economic engagement with ASEAN through its countries.

He enlightened the audience that CPEC provides great opportunities to the ASEAN countries to enhance the multilateral ties and trade activities.

Prof. Dr. Saeed stated that multilateral industrial cooperation would enable ASEAN-Pakistan to explore opportunities in a lot of fields.

Rehan Younas, Executive Director, University of Sialkot stated that there are a lot of opportunities that come in the form of leadership and enhanced geo-economic relations.

He explained that CPEC provides unprecedented opportunities. Therefore, universities and academic centers connected through CPEC can enhance cooperation in many diverse areas.

Rehan proposed that there should be an integrated framework of collaboration on CPEC for sharing ideas and innovation.

In this regard, UICI framework of reference for CPEC would ensure sustainability and consistency in enhancing relationship. It will further boost relationship and inspire all.

He stated that the UICI framework of reference for CPEC will benefit all countries and universities connected through CPEC.

Major General Hafiz Masroor Ahmed (Retd), Vice President, CGSS gave the closing remarks and congratulated all the panelists and participants for successfully conducting the event.

He appreciated and admired all the worthy speeches, presentations and encouraged for future cooperation.

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OTTAWA, JUN 10: BA Canadian Muslim group demanded on Wednesday that all levels of the government immediately convene a National Action Summit on Islamophobia.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) established an online petition that has already garnered 22,287 signatures as of early Wednesday afternoon.

The call for action was spurred by the murder of four members of a Muslim family, victims of a hit and run "terrorist attack" on Sunday in London, Ontario.

"We call on all levels of government-federal, provincial, territorial, municipal-across the country to come together for a National Action Summit on Islamophobia to take immediate action on dismantling both violent forms of Islamophobia and systemic Islamophobia," according to a statement.

"These actions are urgent and necessary to ensure that no one else suffers the way #OurLondonFamily has suffered."

The NCCM move followed a vigil Tuesday in London and across Canada, attended by thousands. Several speakers urged politicians to not just express sorrow for the deaths, but to take steps to combat Islamophobia.

Nusaiba Al-Azem from the London Mosque was one who demanded "an immediate action summit on Islamophobia."

Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Afzaal and Salman Afzaal's 74-year-old mother, Talat, were killed, while their son Fayez, 9, remains in a hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

They were run down by a truck while taking a walk and were standing at an intersection when a half-ton truck jumped the curb and plowed into them.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was at the vigil in London, said there was no doubt it was a "terrorist attack" motivated by hate.

It was not the first horrendous attack on Muslims on Canadian soil. It was just a little over four years ago on Jan. 29, 2017, when a gunman attacked a Quebec City Mosque, killing six worshippers and wounding 19.

Along with the petition, the NCCM struck a defiant note in its statement.

"We will never be intimidated. We will never stop marching for love, justice, and goodness. We stand with #OurLondonFamily."

No government officials had responded to the call for action as of early Wednesday.

Separately, the US-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on President Joe Biden on Tuesday to condemn and confront the growing phenomenon of global Islamophobia following the attack.

America's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, in a statement, also urged Biden to appoint a special envoy to "monitor and combat Islamophobia, which has spread from America and endangered Muslims in Austria, China, Burma, France, India, Israel, Kashmir, and numerous other countries."

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COURTESY Anews

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 10: Knowledge Platform (KP), a leading EdTech organization in Pakistan, partnered with AFS Intercultural Programs to offer a fully funded scholarship program for Pakistani students.

The program is sponsored by the Government of Japan under the Kakehashi cultural exchange program. Knowledge Platform has selected five students from a total of 5,000 applicants across Pakistan after a rigorous evaluation process.

Ten other brilliant Pakistani students from the previous cohorts successfully completed the scholarship program in Japan and returned to Pakistan.

This scholarship program is a unique and exciting learning opportunity for Pakistani students aged between 14 to 17 years.

The selected students will attend regular school in Japan, as well as participate in co-curricular activities, such as arts and crafts and sports.

They will also get an opportunity to interact with Japanese students and learn the Japanese language. This additional skill will help them communicate more effectively with the Japanese people.  Japan will be hosting these five students hailing from different cities of Pakistan.

These students will travel to Japan in August 2021 and return to Pakistan in March 2022.  The school itinerary for these visiting students includes numerous engaging activities and trips to make their stay both educational and enjoyable.

Knowledge Platform’s CEO, Talhah Munir Khan, said: “We, as Knowledge Platform, feel immensely gratified to be investing in the future of Pakistan.

Here, in Pakistan, we have the most talented and brilliant children. It is a pleasure to be helping the youth of the country, so that they can showcase and exhibit their talent and skills in the global village, thus contributing to the country's pride and honour.

Knowledge Platform will work with full dedication and zeal to accomplish the dreams of our ambitious kids. We are grateful to the AFS Intercultural Program for making this scholarship program a great initiative towards a progressive Pakistan.”

Knowledge Platform is an innovative online learning platform, which provides gamified learning opportunities for students and schools in Pakistan.

Approximately, 450,000 students, 10,000 teachers, 900,000 parents, and 1,000 Schools in Pakistan subscribe to and use the digital blended learning solution designed by Knowledge Platform. 

Knowledge Platform will be announcing the Kakehashi cultural exchange program scholarship for 2022 by the end of 2021. If you wish to participate in the upcoming scholarship program, then please stay connected to our platform Learn Smart Pakistan and immediately sign in at leansmartpakistan.org today.

For additional details, please contact:

Omer Iqbal, COO, Knowledge Platform, at oiqbal@knowledgeplatform.com.

Kyiv, JUN 9 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday Russia has pulled out only 11,000 out of 105,000 border troops.

Briefing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the security situation in the east and near Ukraine during a phone talk, Zelensky said only part of the Russian troops and heavy weapons has been withdrawn from Ukraine’s border.

“Russia has almost not withdrawn its troops. Out of 105,000 Russian servicemen, only 11,000 went back,” Zelensky said, stressing the importance of maintaining international pressure on Russia.

For his part, Trudeau reassured Zelensky of Canada’s “unwavering support,” adding that the two countries “remain great friends.”

The two leaders also discussed ways to support Ukraine’s efforts toward NATO membership and coordination of efforts between Ukraine and Canada in the case of the downing of the PS752 flight by Iran.

In April, Kyiv accused Moscow of gathering a large group of armed forces on its border, voicing concern over possible annexation of the Donbas region. In response, Russia said it was concerned by the upcoming NATO exercises in Ukraine and the gathering of the Ukrainian armed forces in Donbas.

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COURTESY Anews

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LAHORE, JUN 9: Ten public and private sector universities of Pakistan have retained their positions in the QS World University Rankings 2022 with a slight improvement.

Three universities feature in the 355-500 rank band, one in the 651-700, three in the 801-1,000 and as many in 1,001+ rank band.

The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) Islamabad has retained high position among Pakistani universities in the QS World University Ranking figuring in the 355 rank band, the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) stood second and figured in the 373 rank band while the Quaid-i-Azam University grabbed third position and figured in the 454 rank band.

The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is in the 651-700 rank band while COMSATS University Islamabad, University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore and University of the Punjab are in the 801-1000 rank band. The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, the University of Karachi and the University of Lahore are in the 1000+ rank band.

There are six indicators determining the institutions’ rankings — academic reputation (40pc), employer reputation (10pc), faculty-student ratio (20pc), citations per faculty (20pc), proportion of international students (5pc) and the proportion of international faculty (5pc).

The QS World University Rankings is a publication of university rankings, published annually by British company Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

In the 2022 edition, 1,673 institutions from 93 locations were covered and 1,300 were finally ranked. Only 10 institutions from Pakistan feature in the list.

The Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) recognises the QS World University Rankings only.

PU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed claimed that QS World ranking of the university had improved by 16pc for the year 2022. He said the university had been counted among top 61.6pc universities of the world and it was a landmark achievement. He said for the first time, PU’s 13 subjects had been ranked internationally by QS and PU’s subject of Petroleum Engineering was ranked among top 100-150 institutions of the world.

Mr Ahmed said the research publications of the university had increased due to promotion of research culture and the university, for the first time in its history, had allocated a hefty amount of Rs380m for research last year. He appreciated PU Ranking Committee Chairman Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood for making efforts to improve the university’s ranking.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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By Khalid TaimurAkram

The advanced mechanism in international relations has been going through a profound transformation and evolutionary development.

New regionalism or regionalization has emerged as a significant trend in international affairs.

Now, countries have deepened cooperation among other states and region.Along with the explicit benefits these processes bring, fundamental pillars of the new regionalism are institutions and organizations that provide integrated platforms.

It builds qualitatively modern forms of interactions.The interdependence of markets exerts reciprocal influence on the dynamics of economic processes in various regions and strengthens trade relationships. In this aspect, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is aninclusive model for extensive collaboration.

It is a front runner and substantially increasesthe socio-economic development of Asia Pacific regional countries while enhancing multilateral cooperation.

Apart from the regional economic, social and cultural development, ASEAN has an ambitious agenda to promote regional peace and stability by adhering to justice and the rule of law in the inter-state relationships.

In its more than 40 years of history, ASEAN has steadily progressed in internal economic integration.

In 2003, the ASEAN leaders established an ASEAN integrated community comprising three pillars: security community, economic community, and socio-cultural community.

In this aspect, it can be seen that the ASEAN countries are inclined towards resolving their internal disputes, combating Non-Traditional Security (NTS) threats vis-à-vis cooperation under the ASEAN framework, and contributing to the stability of the Asia Pacific region.

Therefore, the paper explains the intra-ASEAN cooperative patterns and highlights the profound developments in recent times.

The study also provides aprofound analysis of thesocio-economic and political structure of ASEAN.

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): A Robust Intra-StateFramework

ASEAN is amid three major pillars, i.e., political security community, economic community, and socio-cultural community. The ASEAN Economic Community(AEC)focusedon wider economic integration.In 2015, its establishment paved the way for implementing its blueprint in recent times.

The primary AEC goals incorporatemultiple sectoral dimensions.  There are various transformative mechanisms of ASEAN’s economic integration that are interconnected.

AEC is an ‘’FTA-Plus’’ economic integration, and it targets the level of market integration, similar to those of the Economic Partnership Agreement. Thus, it is highly praised for its integration and steady development process.  

The broader vision of AEC2025 aims to participate in the global value chainand attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Furthermore, it can be evaluated as a successful model of broader association among different countries.

ASEAN envisions AEC2025 as a great achievement towards hybrid alignment in the economic framework. Moreover, it has been perceived that itsenhanced collaboration withsectoral cooperation, resilient structure, and people-centered communityassociated with the global economy would result in a boon for all parties involved.

It has five majortenants and multiple key features that are beingcomprehensively described in the table below:

The Intra-State ASEAN’s framework details mentioned abovereflect that these countriesare likely to gaineconomic benefit from FTA in future and further foster collaborative measures vis-à-vis reinvigorating financial stability, maintaining investment flows, technology transfer, reducing intra-regional transactions costs to doing business, and supporting policy reform.

Moreover, it is also expected that the ASEAN's new member states would also maximizelucrative outcomes from the socio-economic integration projects in the region and beyond.

The broader regional arrangements will help ASEAN countries overcome the conflictby adhering toneeded reforms whileassisting in information sharing for conflict resolution and crisis management.

Flexible Paradigm of ASEAN and Regional Integration Theory

The origins of regional integration theory can be traced back to Viner's study in 1950. His workformulated a structure for analyzing the effect of creating trade &customs union or regional/international organizations for regulating the governments.

The pillars of the regional integration theory amid broader economic aspects. It seeks to explain the establishment of regional or international organizations.

In this aspect, the theory also answers the major question ofhow regional organizations expand their targets, competencies, and members? and what impact they have on states and societies in their regions? ASEAN is a supranational body that has transnational corporations and interest groups encouraged by the integration process.

Therefore, the ASEAN framework can be seen through the prism of the regional integration theory of international relations.

The wider association enables a variety of ripple impactsand path-dependencies that takeconnectivity beyond the regional confines. ASEAN covers the establishment and progress of supranational policies.

The member states promote beneficiaries of socio-economic progress. In this aspect, the wider integration has remained successful because of several reasons:

a.       Robust interstate trade/commerce strategies

b.      Durable liberalization policies while setting high goals

c.       The significant role of the FDI companies

d.      Promotion of trade with countries outside the ASEAN region

e.       Efforts to curtail intra-regional disparities

f.        Upgrading and developing the transportation infrastructure

Indonesia’s Substantial Role in Fostering Intra-ASEAN Socio-Economic Structure

Indonesia is the major economic power in the ASEAN region. Moreover, it has played a pivotal role as a mediator between other ASEAN-states in resolving their disputes.  Within ASEAN, Indonesia enjoys aleading position. 

Pakistan has the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) in ASEAN.  Indonesia has been helping Pakistan to attain the status of a full dialogue partner in the organization. The relationship between Indonesia and Pakistan has marked significant progress in recent times. 

The valuable asset of the relation is that the ASEAN countries are convinced of Pakistan’s sincere intentions to engage fruitfully with the region. In this aspect, ASEAN-Pakistan Joint Sectoral Committee works effectively to seek deeper association with the Asia Pacific and ASEAN countries.

Presently, China’s engagement with ASEAN has increased manifold. Both are linked via multilateral frameworks, institutional involvements, constructive engagements, and aid programs. Moreover, the ASEAN countries are directly part of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) projects.

Therefore, the full inclusion of China as a member state in ASEAN would be beneficial for the region and all parties involved.

The writer of this article is Khalid TaimurAkram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad

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WASHINGTON, JUN 8: The United States continues to focus on Pakistan for a military base in the region, although some American officials believe the negotiations have reached an impasse for now, The New York Times reported on Monday.

The US intelligence agency CIA did use a base in Pakistan to launch drone strikes against militants but “was kicked out of the facility in 2011, when US relations with Pakistan unraveled,” the report adds.

“Some American officials (told the newspaper) that negotiations with Pakistan had reached an impasse for now. Others have said the option remains on the table and a deal is possible,” the report explains.

According to NYT, William J. Burns, the CIA director, recently made an unannounced visit to Islamabad to meet the chief of the Pakistani military and the head of the directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence. US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin also has had frequent calls with the Pakistani military chief about getting the country’s help for future US operations in Afghanistan.

Mr Burns did not bring up the base issue during his trip to Pakistan as the visit focused on broader counterterrorism cooperation but “some of Mr Austin’s discussions have been more direct,” the report adds.

Analysing Pakistan’s reluctance in offering a base to the US, the report notes that “the government in Islamabad is unlikely to sign off on any US strikes against the Taliban that are launched from a base in Pakistan.”

Yet, “some American officials believe Pakistan wants to allow US access to a base if it can control how it is used,” the report adds while pointing out that “public opinion in the country has been strongly against any renewed presence by the United States.”

The report also quotes from Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s speech in the parliament last month, saying that “no US base will be allowed by Prime Minister Imran Khan so long he is in power”.

The report points out that the CIA used the Shamsi air base in Balochistan to carry out hundreds of drone strikes during a surge that began in 2008. The strikes focused primarily on suspected Al Qaeda operatives in Pakistan’s mountainous tribal areas, but they also crossed the border into Afghanistan.

The report notes that Pakistan’s government “refused to publicly acknowledge that it was allowing the CIA operations and “will want to proceed cautiously” with a new relationship.

The report claims that in discussions with American officials, “the Pakistanis have demanded a variety of restrictions in exchange for the use of a base in the country, and they have effectively required that they sign off on any targets that either the CIA or the military would want to hit inside Afghanistan.”

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 7: AAA Associates, a leading Group of Companies, officially condemn the violent protest in Bahria Town, Karachi, in which the miscreants targeted public property.

AAA Associates offered condolences to the residence and business community of Bahria Town Karachi over the loss of their property.

The protestors set several shops and vehicles ablaze, terrorizing the local residence and business community of Bahria Town.

Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, when world economies suffer a backlash, Pakistan’s real estate sector has been showing promising growth and a progressive trajectory.

The Pakistan real estate sector is worth anywhere between $300 to $400 billion according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

These violent acts will harm Pakistan's booming real estate sector just as it has started showing positive signs of investments and become one of the leading sectors in the country's GDP growth.

AAA Associates has demanded that Government and Law enforcement Authorities take strict action against the perpetrators, compensate the damages after evaluation and provide total security to the residence and business community of Bahria Town in all cities.

There is a need to devise a security plan to avoid such incidents in the future, as they adversely impact the investment opportunities in the Real estate industry and discourage investors from injecting capital into this sector.

AAA Associates Managing Director Lt. Col Shahzad Ali Kiani (Retd) shared his thoughts on the incident, “At this crucial time when real estate has picked up the pace, and we are witnessing tremendous growth in the real estate industry, such violent incidents will take us to the back foot and hurt the confidence of Investors.

Government and Law-enforcement agencies must ensure the safety and security of the residence and business community that play a pivotal role in developing the real estate sector as an important player in the national building process and bringing our GDP at par with Developed Nations of the world”. 

AAA Associates Chairman Mr. Shiekh Fawad Bashir expressed sympathy to the residence and business community over their losses by saying, "We felt insecure after this incident which has exposed lawlessness at a provincial level.

We demand the Local Government to compensate them and ensure this incident must be handled at the highest levels.

AAA Associates has always stood side by side with our business community in a time of need. We take every step to protect their rights in all forms.

We are committed to building the country’s economy by creating fair investment opportunities and boosting the real estate sector."

AAA Associates has proven to be an important player and a driving force in the Real Estate industry in Pakistan, offering state-of-the-art leisure facilities, unique architectural structure, customized investment plans, and solutions for diverse clients, ranging from small to large investors.

They are a trendsetter in offering integrated single-source solutions for all real estate needs.

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