Pak-Iran share fraternal relations: Asad Qaiser

Pak-Iran share fraternal relations: Asad Qaiser

ISLAMABAD, JAN 22 - Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardost called on Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser on Tuesday at Parliament House and discussed matters pertaining to bilateral relations and regional issues.

Referring to warm relations between Iran and Pakistan, the Speaker remarked that both countries are intertwined by stronger multi-dimensional relations and underlined the need for renewed commitment to diversification of strategic, trade, economic, cultural and Parliamentary relations in the face of regional and global challenges.

Highlighting deep rooted religious, cultural and moral ties between the two countries, the speaker said that the trade volume between both countries is not optimum. He urged that both countries can benefit from mutual imports and exports.

Asad Qaiser also recommended frequent exchange of delegations to assign substantive meanings to inter-Parliamentary relations.

He termed Pak-Iran Parliamentary engagement as ‘highly imperative’ for cohesion of the entire region. The Speaker said that stronger Pak-Iran relation is inevitable for regional peace, security and prosperity.

He said that Pakistan believed in the unity of Muslim countries and stressed the importance of both Pakistan and Iran working together for resolution of problems faced by the Ummah.

The Speaker noted that the two countries also need to move forward with consensus on matters of international importance.

Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardost thanked the Speaker for continued efforts for strengthening parliamentary and bilateral relations and enhancing interaction in all areas including trade and economic cooperation.

He also conveyed the desire of the Iranian leadership and the government for continued efforts for growth in bilateral ties.

He added that Iran consider Pakistan as its partner for peace in the region and expressed his hope that in future both nations will continue to chart the paths of prosperity together.

He reiterated Asad Qaiser’s proposal for diversification of trade and economic relations and urged for comprehensive engagement of the Parliamentary committees to explore the avenues for cooperation.

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Uzbek, Pak cultural and people to people ties improved manifold: ambassador Furqat

Uzbek, Pak cultural and people to people ties improved manifold: ambassador Furqat

Historical movie Islam Khodja screened at PNCA

ISLAMABAD, JAN 22 – Ambassador of Uzbekistan Furqat Sidikov has said relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan are growing at a fast speed adding our special emphasis has been on promoting and strengthening people to people contacts.

He expressed these views on the occasion of screening of a movie Islam Khodja. A large number of people hailing from all walks of life including diplomatic corps witnessed the movie.

The embassy organised the movie show in collaboration with Mayor of Islamabad and the National Art Gallery.

The ambassador further said culture was yet another field where both countries had a big potential to increase cooperation.

The particular interest of Pakistani viewers was also atrracted by the fact that this film has historical ground based on existing archive materials without a single change in happened events.

He particularly thanked the Mayor of Islamabad and PNCA for assisting in the organization of such an important cultural event, which allowed highlighting the cultural potential of Uzbekistan, as well as strengthening the Uzbek-Pakistani cultural cooperation.

The ambassador told such events shall be organised in other major cities of Pakistan including Lahore and Karachi.

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AIOU to hold exams for overseas students from February 3

AIOU to hold exams for overseas students from February 3

ISLAMABAD, - Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will hold final exams of Metric, FA, BA, B.Ed (1.5 years) and MBA COL programs for Pakistanis settled in Middle-East from February 3.

According to a notification, these exams will take place in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman and Bahrain. The exams will continue till February 21.

These will be conducted through Pakistani missions in these countries.

Roll number slips to all the enrolled students have been sent at their given addresses. Date sheet/roll number slips have also been placed at website Overseas@aiou.edu.pk .

Students abroad could also contact for further information from University’s Directorate of Overseas Education and e-learning in Islamabad, at phone numbers 92-51-9250140 or e-mailoverseas@aiou.edu.pk. 

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Brexit: Theresa May's deal is voted down in historic Commons defeat

Brexit: Theresa May's deal is voted down in historic Commons defeat

LONDON, JAN 16 - Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal has been rejected by 230 votes - the largest defeat for a sitting government in history.

MPs voted by 432 votes to 202 to reject the deal, which sets out the terms of Britain's exit from the EU on 29 March.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has now tabled a vote of no confidence in the government, which could trigger a general election.

The confidence vote is expected to be held at about 1900 GMT on Wednesday.

The defeat is a huge blow for Mrs May, who has spent more than two years hammering out a deal with the EU.

The plan was aimed at bringing about an orderly departure from the EU on 29 March, and setting up a 21-month transition period to negotiate a free trade deal.

The UK is still on course to leave on 29 March but the defeat throws the manner of that departure - and the timing of it - into further doubt.

MPs who want either a further referendum, a softer version of the Brexit proposed by Mrs May, to stop Brexit altogether or to leave without a deal, will ramp up their efforts to get what they want, as a weakened PM offered to listen to their arguments.

Laura Kuenssberg: May's nightmare

History was made tonight with the scale of this defeat - a higher figure than the wildest of numbers that were gossiped about before the vote.

But the prime minister's dilemma is a more serious version of the same it's always been.

She has no majority of her own in Parliament to make her middle way through stick. 

And her many critics don't agree on the direction she should take - a more dramatic break with the EU, or a tighter, softer version.

Those two fundamental and clashing positions have always threatened to pull her and the government apart.

The Brexit debate has cut across traditional party lines.

Some 118 Conservative MPs - from both the Leave and Remain wings of her party - voted with the opposition parties against Mrs May's deal.

And three Labour MPs supported the prime minister's deal: Ian Austin (Dudley North), Kevin Barron (Rother Valley) and John Mann (Bassetlaw).

The most controversial sticking point was the issue of the Northern Irish backstop - the fallback plan to avoid any return to physical border checks between the country and Ireland.

Mrs May had hoped new assurances from EU leaders this week, saying the backstop would be temporary and, if triggered, would last for "the shortest possible period", would help her garner more support.

But in the debate leading up to the vote, members from all sides of the House said the move did not go far enough.

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Saudi, Pakistan Trade Mission begins in Jeddah

Saudi, Pakistan Trade Mission begins in Jeddah

JEDDAH, JAN 15 - In line with the Saudi-Pakistani business and economic relations, the Saudi-Pakistani trade mission has started in Jeddah on Sunday.

30 Pakistani and 86 Saudi food and building material companies met to discuss and explore opportunities to export Saudi products to Pakistan. 

This trade mission is organized by Saudi Export Development Authority “Saudi Exports”.

The Pakistani delegation, upon his arrival in Jeddah on Saturday, had a meeting with His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Eng. Abdul Aziz Al-Abdulkarim and the Secretary General of Saudi Export Development Authority Eng. Saleh Al-Solami. 

The two sides discussed aspects of joint cooperation and ways to enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries. 

Then, a dinner was held in the presence of His Excellency with the Pakistani delegation, concluding with taking memorial photographs.

The Trade mission ceremony started on Sunday, with a speech from Eng. Saleh Al-Solami welcoming Pakistani brothers in their second country, saying: “I am pleased to welcome you to this special meeting, which reflects the strategy of enhancing economic and trade relations and investment cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. 

It also highlights the strong relationship between the two countries, As the leaders in both countries are keen to consolidate this relationship for the benefits of both countries and people”

“In addition to our relations with our brothers in Pakistan, this participation of Saudi Arabia represented by “Saudi Exports”, opens many export opportunities. 

Which emphasizes the strength of trade relations and keenness to increase economic cooperation between the two countries. 

I would like to thank you for attending and hope that our efforts will succeed in achieving the aspirations of both countries” said Al-Solami.

Then, the Deputy Chairman of Jeddah Chamber Eng. Ziad Al Bassam welcomed the Pakistani delegation and praised the trade mission which will lead to various investment opportunities.

Afterwards, the Pakistani Commercial Consul in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Shahzad Khan, delivered a speech in which he referred to the depth of the Saudi-Pakistani relations and the contribution of this trade mission in enhancing trade exchange, activating partnership and encouraging mutual investments between the two countries. 

Mr. Khan also praised the hospitality that the Pakistani delegation received, and thanked "Saudi Exports" for their efforts and organizations for the cooperation between both countries.

Business matching meetings between Saudi exporters and potential buyers from Pakistan began after that. 

Meetings will continue until Monday (January 14th), which is an opportunity for companies to have many deals to develop their businesses.

This trade mission is an extension of the historical economic and trade relations between the two countries. 

The total non-oil exports from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan during the past five years has reached SR17 billion, with over SR191 million for food exports and more than SR365 million for building materials during the same period.

This trade mission reinforced “Saudi Exports” efforts to support local exporters and promote their products and services to expand in international markets, reflecting the Saudi 2030 vision and its objectives to increase non-oil exports from 16% to 50% of total GDP and diversify sources of income for the national economy.

It is worth mentioning that "Saudi Exports" invests all its capabilities to improve the efficiency of the export environment, overcome the obstacles that exporters may face, raise awareness about export practices, and develop human competencies in the field of export.

It is also working to raise the export readiness of the targeted enterprises through an assessment of the export readiness and consultation services to improve the export capacity of the target enterprises. 

"Saudi Exports" is also working to facilitate the creation of suitable opportunities and export markets suitable for enterprises by preparing the manuals of market access and market studies on demand. 

"Saudi Exports" contributes to the emergence of Saudi products to the target groups through participation in international exhibitions. 

"Saudi Exports" also provide a service to facilitate linking exporters with buyers and potential partners through trade missions and bilateral meetings on the sidelines of international exhibitions. 

The work of the "Saudi Exports" reflects the Kingdom’s vision 2030 and meets the aspirations of the wise leadership in order to diversify sources of income for the national economy.

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Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities

Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities

ISLAMABAD, -  The Embassy of Ukraine in Islamabad celebrated “Happy Malanka” and this event offered excellent opportunity of festivity to children, young and not very young participants.

Happy Malanka in the Embassy of Ukraine in Islamabad was celebrated in connection with New Year and Winter Season`s Festivities together with Ukrainian citizens and Pakistani alumni of Ukrainian Universities.

Children had several games to show their creativity while parents had opportunity to tell their children that they have a young child still alive inside them.

What is Happy Malanka?

Malanka (Ukrainian: Маланка) is a Ukrainian folk holiday to be celebrated on 13 January, which is New Year’s Eve in accordance with the Julian calendar.

The Ukrainian New Year obtained the name Malanka from a Christianized folk tale of pagan origin, as collected and published by a Ukrainian ethnologist.

According to available information, the story is based on the creator god Praboh, and his four sons and one daughter. One of his sons was the Devil, the second son was St. George (Yar-Yarylo), the third St. John (Rai), and the fourth was Lad or Myr (Peace).

Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities

The one daughter is an earth goddess named Lada, who had two children: a son called the Moon and a daughter “Spring-May”, later referred to as Mylanka because she was loving (мила).

As mother Earth, she was responsible for the blooming of flowers and the greenery of spring. In a version of the myth of Hades and Persephone, Mylanka’s evil uncle (the Devil) desired her presence in the underworld and abducted her one-day when the Moon was hunting.

While she was gone, the Earth was left without spring and once she was released from the vices of the Devil, flowers began to bloom and greenery spread around the world.

In simple words, Malanka is celebration of beginning of Spring and change of weather from worse to normal.

In Indo-Pak subcontinent, this event is also celebrated but with different mythological background and this is called Basant Bahar. Throwing wheat to doorstep is also an important ingredient of celebration of Basant Bahar in Indo-Pak celebration, particularly in Punjabi traditions.

How do Ukrainians celebrate Happy Malanka?

Therefore, Ukrainians celebrate Malanka to symbolize the onset of spring and they dress in traditional Ukrainian clothing and holding props such as the star and go door to door to their neighbours, nearest friends and family.

This is called a Koliada, which starts on 6 January, Christmas Eve (Sviaty Vechir) and ends on 19 January.

Ukraine embassy hosts Ukrainian Diaspora in Pakistan to celebrate winter festivities

Traditionally, the first thing to do when you are invited into the family’s house is to have the eldest male throw wheat grains around the entrance, which gifts the family with happiness, health, love, luck and more. 

As the male is throwing the wheat grain, he is saying a verse (вірш).

Once this is completed, the rest of the carolers join in. Each person sends wishes to the family through these verses, they perform little skits and in between each of these, they sing traditional Ukrainian carols (Kolyadka).

The Embassy of Ukraine in Islamabad is actively celebrates different traditional festivities in embassy to promote Ukrainian culture and invite Ukrainian families living in and around Islamabad.

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USUF’s travel to Ukraine Initiative at NYT Travel Show 2019

USUF’s travel to Ukraine Initiative at NYT Travel Show 2019

KIEV,  - For the third year in a row, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF) will be promoting Ukraine as an attractive travel destination through its participation in the New York Times Travel Show, January 25-27, 2019.  

The exhibition, now in its 16th year, is considered the largest and most prestigious gathering of its kind, with a record 32,000 visitors in 2018.

The featured participants of USUF’s Travel to Ukraine booth (#478) are Vacanture Ukraine travel agency and the Agency of Regional Development of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, the latter of which is highlighting tourism opportunities in the Carpathian Mountains. 

Ukraine, with its rich history, beautiful architecture, vibrant culture and hipster restaurant and pub scene, continues to draw accolades as a largely undiscovered “must see” travel destination in Europe.

Please do stop by our Travel to Ukraine booth and talk to our experts about why Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Ivano-Frankivsk and other Ukrainian cities have become a magnet for hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists annually.

The New York Times Travel Show will be held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.  For exhibit times and ticket information visit the exhibition’s website.

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