President, PM, army chief pay tributes to armed forces

 

KARACHI: Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have paid tributes to the armed forces for successfully foiling the terror bid on the Karachi airport through a well-coordinated operation.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said security forces protected the national assets with great courage and valour. The prime minister talked to Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan and directed him to proceed to Karachi and hold meetings with officials of Rangers, army, police and the Civil Aviation.


The PM said security forces protected the national assets with great courage and valour.Gen Raheel Sharif paid rich tributes to all martyred and the injured for their supreme sacrifices. He directed the DG Rangers and corps commander Karachi to take stringent action against the terrorists.


Taking notice of the attack at the Karachi airport, the army chief spoke to the Karachi corps commander and DG Rangers on phone and asked them to monitor the operation. Gen Sharif said, “I salute all the troops who took part in this undefeated the troops who took part in this undefeated counter-terrorism operation.”


Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, patron-in-chief of the Pakistan People’s Party, has appreciated Inspector General of Police, Director General Rangers and Corps Commander Karachi for personally commanding their forces in the operation against the terrorists who attacked Karachi airport.


“Let us salute the members of law enforcing agencies and armed forces for display of bravery during their engagements with the ruthless and blood-thirsty terrorists armed with heavy weapons and suicidal vests,” he added.


Bilawal also praised Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah for personally monitoring the situation on the site and encouraging the morale of the law enforcers fighting the terrorist gang.He also paid rich tributes to the security personnel who laid down their lives for protection of the citizens, passengers and others adding nation takes pride in having such brave martyrs and salutes them.


Talking to media persons, DG Sindh Rangers Major General Rizwan Akhtar said the terrorists had come in two groups and they gained access to the terminal through the Cargo gate and Fokker gate.


He said no aircraft was damaged in the attack and all sensitive installations remained safe.At least 18 people including thirteen security personnel have been martyred and ten terrorists killed in an operation to clear Old Terminal of Karachi Airport from terrorists.


The terrorists attacked the airport after 11:00pm on Sunday with grenades and automatic weapons and gained access to the old terminal, he said.Afghan President Hamid Karzai strongly condemned the terrorist attacks and the other terrorist attack that targeted buses carrying Shia pilgrims in Balochistan.


“The government of Afghanistan believes that the continuation of such attacks is a testament to the fact that our region is facing a rising insecurity. We all must, therefore, have recognized by now that the use of extremism and violence as a tool serves no one’s interest,” Karzai office said.


“Having suffered so much from such acts of violence imposed on them, the people of Afghanistan once again call on Pakistan to sincerely cooperate in the elimination of this evil scourge to which the people of Pakistan are also unfortunately falling victim today, so that the region can achieve peace and prosperity.”


He said Afghanistan stresses once again on the need for an effective cooperation between the two countries, and believes that without comprehensive cooperation to fight terrorism and an end to the use of extremism as a tool, the region won’t be able to achieve stability, peace and prosperity.


Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced monetary compensation for the victims of Karachi airport attack.He has announced Rs2 million for each martyred Rangers personnel and Rs1 million for each martyr of police and Airport Security Force (ASF). Each injured will get Rs100,000.


Ansar Burney Trust International Chairman Ansar Burney has condemned terrorist attack on Karachi airport and appreciated the great role of armed forces in foiling the terror bid. He said terrorist group TTP has claimed responsibility of Karachi airport attack.


“Attack on Pakistan army personnel is an attack on us, our homes, country and nation. Now may I request my nation that this is the right time to stand with Pakistan Army,” he said. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage (IB&NH) Senator Pervaiz Rasheed has said that involvement of foreign hands in Karachi Airport attack could not be ruled out.


He said the militants launched the attack to paralyze Pakistan. He claimed that those who planned and funded the attack didn’t belong to Pakistan. Paying tributes to armed forces at a press conference here on Monday, the minister said that terrorists will be dealt with the same fashion.


He said Jinnah International Airport had started functioning after being cleared of militants.Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the attack of terrorists on Jinnah International Airport Karachi and paid tributes to the security forces over their successful operation against the saboteurs.


He said that Jawans of security forces have foiled the evil designs of terrorists by laying down their lives and safeguarded national assets through their courage and bravery. He said that security personnel have achieved martyrdom and the whole nation is proud of them.


He said that the Jawans of security forces have set a noble example of courage and valor by laying down their lives in the line of duty and their sacrifices will never go waste. He said that attack on Karachi airport is highly deplorable. He prayed for the early recovery of the injured security officials.


Former President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned terrorist attacks on Karachi airport and Taftan.He said there are no strong words for condemnation of this series of heinous attacks in which our brave soldiers and innocent civilians have been martyred and injured.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage (IB&NH) Senator Pervaiz Rasheed has said that theinvolvement of foreign hands in the Karachi Airport attack could not be ruled out. He said the militants launched the attack to paralyse Pakistan. He claimed that those who planned and funded the attack didn’t belong to Pakistan.

Paying tributes to the armed forces at a press conference here onMonday, theminister said that terrorists will be dealt with in the same fashion. He said the Jinnah International Airport had started functioning after being cleared of militants.—Agencies

Islamabad: armed clash leaves two dead, five injured

ISLAMABAD: At least two people were killed and five others sustained bullet injuries in armed clash between two groups here on Tuesday night, Geo News reported.

Police said exchange of fire took place within the limits of Bara Kahu police station. The dead and injured have been shifted to hospital.

Armed conflicts can be disastrous: Nawaz

 

BOAO, China: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has urged the Asian countries to prioritise conflict resolution as armed conflicts could turn disastrous.
Delivering his keynote address at the Boao Conference in China’s Hainan province on Thursday, Nawaz Sharif called for coordinated efforts for economic prosperity.The Boao Asia Forum (BAF), a non-governmental organisation, arranged the four-day event.

The prime minister said top priority should be given to the resolution of disputes as peace is a prerequisite to economic development. He particularly appreciated China’s economic revival and growth in the last several years.

Nawaz said Asian countries should particularly focus on regional connectivity to strengthen mutual contacts through road, sea, and train links. He said the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor will open new avenues for development in the region.

The prime minister said the Asian countries should take effective steps to tap the energy of their youth. He said the Pakistani government has started the Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loans scheme and announced scholarships for youth to integrate them into the national economic mainstream.

Nawaz said the government is also concentrating on overcoming the energy shortfall to ensure its economic development.The prime minister said Pakistan has emerged from the lengthy war on terror, which has negatively affected its economy, trade and industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Nawaz’s Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang said China wants the eradication of poverty from the world. He said Asian countries should build a consensus, make active efforts and jointly fulfil their due responsibilities to achieve peace and stability in Asia.

“We should actively explore the establishment of a regional security cooperation framework in Asia,” the Chinese premier said at the opening ceremony.“We should promote security dialogue and consultation, strengthen cooperation on non-traditional security issues, including disaster management, maritime search and rescue, counter-terrorism and combating transnational crimes,” he said.

The four-day conference features the theme of “Asia’s New Future: Identifying New Growth Drivers” this year.The Chinese premier said, “We have excellent cooperation in all sectors with Pakistan and we have convergence of policy on regional and global issues.”

Earlier, Nawaz said, “Destiny has made us neighbours and put us together. Let us now make conscious efforts to build a harmonious region, through mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development.”

He said since its inception, the BFA has transformed itself into a globally recognised platform contributing to evolving ideas that truly reflect the voice of Asia, on global economic issues. He said the conference was taking place at a critical juncture as recently the world witnessed the worst financial crisis of modern history that crippled the global economy.

“We are witnessing a transition of economic power from West to East, as Asia is increasingly becoming the powerhouse of the global economy,” he said. He said the forces of globalisation, urbanisation and innovation in technology were changing not only the destiny of Asia, but also of the entire world.

Nawaz said despite stagnant growth rates in various parts of the industrialised world and the massive shocks faced by international financial system since 2008, China has consistently registered high growth rates. “This remarkable growth augurs well for all of us,” he added.

Nawaz said all growth strategies would be futile without investment in green energy technologies and closer attention to clean environment and sustainable development.

“Pakistan of 2014 is a confident country, open for business, trade and investment. We assure you ease of business and healthy dividends on your investment,” the prime minister said.Nawaz said the revival of Silk Road can prove an important instrument for the economic growth and prosperity of the region.

He said Pakistan is located at the southern edge of the New Silk Road. He appreciated China’s President Xi Jinping for proposing a visionary concept of the New Silk Road last year and renewing everyone’s interest in the subject.

He mentioned that a policy for revival of Silk Road could be based upon four elements: coordination to ensure mutually beneficial endeavours in peaceful and secure settings; introduction of cohesive laws and regulations regarding movement of humans and merchandize; regional infrastructure for better connectivity by building better transport networks and convertibility of currencies and uniformity in financial and banking sectors.

Nawaz said Pakistan is at the confluence of China, the Eurasian land-bridge and the Middle East which enables it to be en route to a three-pronged economic corridor between China, Central Asia and the Middle East.

He said Pakistan believed that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), with its diverse membership and strong institutional framework, was well positioned to promote peace and security, in the wider neighbourhood.

He said the SCO was playing an important role in settling disputes and managing conflicts which would help revive the Silk Road.Yang Jiechi, State Councillor of China and Zhang Guobao, Chairman Advisory Board, National Energy Commission of China also spoke on the occasion.

Armed forces running 33 petrol pumps, 62 shopping centres

RAWALPINDI: The National Assembly was told on Wednesday that in certain cantonment areas of the country, the Pakistan armed forces were running at least 33 petrol pumps and 62 shopping centres and markets.

In response to a question by Beelum Hasnain, the defence ministry submitted a written reply to the assembly in which it also mentioned that 54 schools were also operational under the armed forces in the cantonment areas.

According to the details provided by the ministry, there were three petrol pumps of the armed forces, one shopping centre in the Sargodha Circle, two petrol pumps, one shopping centre, 14 schools in the Multan Circle, four petrol pumps, 35 shopping centres, 13 schools in the Lahore Circle, seven petrol pumps, three shopping centres, two schools in the Gujranwala Circle, three petrol pumps and two shopping centres in the Hyderabad Circle, two petrol pumps, seven shopping centres, three schools in the Karachi Circle, seven petrol pumps, six shopping centres, five schools in the Rawalpindi Circle and five petrol pumps, seven shopping centres and 17 schools in the Abbottabad Circle.

In its written reply, the defence ministry did not show the income from these petrol pumps, shopping centres and schools. Also it did not inform the House whether this amount had been submitted to the national kitty or not.

However, it has been mentioned in the reply that the relevant board of officers was drawing an estimate of the total income. After such an estimate was made, the respective details will be submitted to the House.

The defence ministry is of the view that the largest number of shopping centres and markets are situated in the Lahore Circle. This number is found to be 35. Moreover, the largest number of petrol pumps are located in Gujranwala and Rawalpindi circles. There are seven petrol pumps in each of these circles.

In the cantonment areas of the militancy-hit capital of Balochistan i.e. Quetta, there are seven shopping centres of the armed forces, while in the Abbottabad Circle and Rawalpindi Circle, there are seven and six shopping centres respectively.

Most of the schools are located in the Abbottabad Circle. Their number is 17.It is pertinent to mention here that the reply covers only the details of businesses run by the armed forces in the country’s cantonment areas. Armed forces and institutions such as Rangers also run petrol pumps, bakeries and general stores in areas other than cantonment, the details of which have not been given in the defence ministry’s written reply.

Armed forces personnel may be booked for torture: Pervaiz

LAHORE: Information and Broadcasting Minister Pervaiz Rashid has said that according to the amended law, a First Information Report (FIR) can also be registered against the armed forces personnel under the torture allegations.

Addressing a regional conference, organised here under the auspices of the Democratic Commission for Human Development (DCHD), the minister said the democratic government of Pakistan Muslim League-N was opposed to any type of torture.

The Constitution of Pakistan barred from all types of human rights violations. He admitted that police torture was a reality but the Fair Trial Article of the 18th Amendment provides protection from torture, the minister said.He said that the conference recommendations would provide a guideline to the government to do legislation to end all types of torture in the country.