Ambassador Shahzad Ahmad read out the messages of president and prime minister of Pakistan issued on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his official message said that the ‘implementation of the UN resolution was the only plausible, peaceful, logical and conceivable solution to the Kashmir dispute.’

Mohamed Khan, Rana Mohamed Anwar and Zahid Awan while addressing the audience demanded from international community to avoid duality in solving international issues. They gave a wake up call and stressed world body to take immediate steps to solve issue of Indian Occupied Kashmir before it becomes a disaster. “The international community should play its due role in getting the people of Kashmir their right to self-determination,” they said.

A documentary on the alleged atrocities being committed by the Indian Armed Forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir region was shown.

Doha, 26 October, 2016

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has announced the launch of the biggest recruitment drive in the organization’s history to meet the need for specialized clinical and non-clinical staff to work in the new hospitals and healthcare facilities, which are due to open in 2016/17 in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City.

HMC currently has a total of 2690 vacancies, and the drive is expected to fill all these vacancies by the end of this year.

The unprecedented recruitment drive is the result of a collaboration between HMC and the Ministry of Administrative Development and Labor and Social Affairs. The collaboration will support HMC in meeting its workforce needs by recruiting a large number of staff into medical, nursing and allied healthcare roles.

Clinical roles are available to both Qatari and non-Qatari nationals, while administrative posts are available to Qatari nationals only and will be filled in coordination with the Ministry of Administrative Development and Labor and Social Affairs.

Those interested in submitting an application for any vacant positions or are interested in a career with HMC can apply directly through HMC website: https://www.hamad.qa/EN/Join-Us/HR/Apply-Online/Pages/default.aspx

Qatari nationals who are interested in applying for the administrative posts can apply through the Ministry of Administrative Development and Labor and Social Affairs. HMC will be coordinating with the ministry to process these applications.

ISLAMABAD, Oct 24 (APP):
Christine Lagarde, IMF Managing Director said hard work and reforms were starting to pay off. “Pakistan, was recently upgraded from a frontier economy to an emerging market in the MSCI index,” she said that it was an important signal given a changing global landscape, especially for emerging and developing economies.

Lagarde was addressing a seminar on “emerging markets in the world economy” organized by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). She appreciated Pakistan’s economic agenda saying the country was in ‘better fiscal position’ and had the potential to become top emerging economy of the world. IMF chief lauded the government for coping with multiple challenges and achieving macroeconomic stability in a short period of three years.

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and SBP Governor Ashraf Mehood Wathra also addressed the seminar.

Lagarde said,”Pakistan is now in a better fiscal position and certainly out of economic crisis.” She said before the present government came into power, Pakistan’s economy was in severe crisis. However, due to the IMF funded programme and owing to the government’s prudent reforms agenda, the country had achieved macroeconomic stability. It successfully completed the three year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme with the IMF.

She assured that the IMF would continue to support Pakistan technically in its efforts to make the country on the path of higher economic trajectory.

Due to the economic reforms, she said, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves had improved, fiscal deficit had come down and circular debt had reduced significantly, besides increase in tax base and revenue collection.
She stressed the need for promotion of women education and equal job opportunities, besides access to credit and business market which would help boost the country’s economy. “Women are the game changer for Pakistan,” she remarked.

Quoting Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s saying of ‘Faith, Unity and Discipline’, she said if those principles were followed the country would lead to the path of economic prosperity.

Christine Lagarde said 60 per cent of 180 million population of Pakistan were youth and if their potential was fully exploited the would country would progress tremendously. The IMF Chief said,”This is an important time a moment of opportunity for Pakistan, a country undergoing an economic transformation that can place it well among the ranks of emerging market economies.”

Over the past few years, economic dynamism in the world economy she said, had gradually been shifting from advanced economies to emerging markets. Today, she said, these countries were home to 85 per cent of the world’s population, and account for almost 60 per cent of global GDP up from just under half only a decade ago.
While the global recovery had been subdued, emerging economies have contributed more than 80 percent of global growth since the crisis, she added.

The IMF chief said Pakistan needed to rely on the strength of its own policies to generate more growth and jobs, and to join the group of dynamic emerging markets. Highlighting the world economic scenario, she said that overall, global growth had been too low, for too long, and in many countries had benefitted too few people.

“Our forecasts for world growth are 3.1 per cent this year and 3.4 per cent next year well below the 3.7 percent average for nearly two decades before the 2008 financial crisis,” she added.

Underlying this picture is a complex set of factors, she said in advanced economies, despite signs of recovery in some countries, overall growth prospects remained subdued while many of them were still dealing with crisis legacies high debt, low inflation, and low investment but also higher uncertainty.

Low growth and uncertain prospects were feeding into populist and inward looking attitudes adding “what we see today in many places is that belief in an open global system is being tested”.

She said it was precisely that open economic architecture that had brought so many benefits to the world, especially for emerging and developing economies including Pakistan. “Over the years, we have seen child mortality go down, and life expectancy increase. Absolute poverty has declined, and school enrollment is on the rise. All this is evidence of a broader trend of economic convergence between poorer and richer nations.

“Today, this convergence trend is slowing and the emerging market group will continue to grow at 4.2 per cent this year and 4.6 per cent next year. “The growth advantage over advanced economies is smaller than before.”

The IMF Managing Director said China and India were growing at about 6 7 per cent, while Brazil and Russia were showing signs of improvement after a period of severe contraction.

Low commodity prices, especially oil, have hit commodity exporters hard, and in the Middle East, countries continue to struggle with ongoing conflicts and terrorism, she added. Ms Lagarde said emerging markets were also undergoing transitions of their own shifts that create challenges but also opportunities.

She mentioned about the two things particularly relevant for Pakistan that the first transition was in China while the world’s second largest economy was rebalancing its economy from manufacturing to services, from investment to consumption, and from exports to domestic services. This means a slower but more sustainable growth path, she added. This transition, however, was not without ripple effects especially through trade.

She said China is now among the top ten trading partners for over 100 economies that accounted for about 80 per cent of the world GDP. “It is also Pakistan’s third largest trading partner accounting for close to 20 percent of overall trade. So clearly, a slowing Chinese economy means fewer exports from Pakistan,” she added.

“Yet there is also good news. As China moves up the value added chain, it will reduce its production of some labor intensive goods. This is an opportunity for countries such as Pakistan, but Pakistan will need to re-tool its economy and train its people to realize this advantage,” she added.

Pakistan, she said, “also stands to gain from the second transition the decline in oil and other commodity prices. At the global level, the fall in oil prices created winners and losers. The IMF Chief said income was redistributed from heavy exporters such as Saudi Arabia and Russia to net importers such Pakistan, India, and many others.

In the case of Pakistan, she said a much lower oil import bill drove a marked improvement in the country’s external balances and benefited consumers and businesses. “Still, faced with such a drastic fall in prices and rising financial pressures, many of the commodity exporters had to adjust and growth slowed. This is the case for the GCC countries. As a result, the growth of remittances from GCC countries, which account for nearly two thirds of total such inflows to Pakistan, also slowed”, she observed.

Sunday October 23, 2016
Doha (QNA)

Doha will host the GCC POWER 2016 Conference and Exhibition under the theme: "Towards Energy Efficiency".

The event will take place from 08 - 10 Nov. 2016 under the patronage of Minister of Energy and Industry Qatar. The event is organized by GCC Cigre and hosted by Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa). Over 50 speakers from 18 countries will share their expertise and knowledge with the participants. More than 35 regional and international companies will be exhibiting their products and services on the exhibition floor.

The 21st exhibition for electrical equipment's covers all aspects of the production, transportation and distribution of electricity. Among participants include large number of industry professionals, manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and specifiers giving them direct access to project directors, GCC ministries, government bodies and a variety of high level decision makers involved in the electricity sector.

Exhibitors will have a unique opportunity to build trade links and enter into partnerships with large multi-nationals, local firms and consultancies. The world's biggest names in the power industry as well as regional experts are attending to take advantage of the fastest growing energy market in the world.

The event is comprised of plenary sessions, tutorials, market opportunities and networking events. The committee received an overwhelming response from industry experts that submitted over 238 plus abstracts for the technical program. This helped the committee to create a robust program that addresses a broad range topics on electrical and energy industry.

A press release by the organizers said that the GCC continues to witness one of the highest growth rates in demand for electricity primarily due to population growth, urbanization and industrialization. "Strong economic and demographic growth shown by the GCC economies' industrialization programs, has led to a dramatic increase in power consumption. As the demand increases, the GCC countries are also experiencing significant requirements for power sector infrastructure development."

"The GCC power sector will require about US$ 50 billion of investment in new power generating capacity. The GCC alone will add 76.8 gigawatts (GW) of capacity for power generation between 2016 and 2020," the press release said.

"The GCC Power Exhibition and Conference in Doha, offers an ideal forum for all those involved in the power sector to develop business relations and discuss the issues and challenges faced by the sector in the region. Participants will have ample opportunity to discuss the latest trends, challenges, developments and strategies to meet the region’s rapidly expanding energy needs through a series of panel and technical sessions. The three day conference will primarily focus on challenges and opportunities in electricity and energy industry through latest research studies and strategies.

"Qatar produces 8,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity of which it consumes 5,300 MW during peak hours. Since its inception in 2000, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation "Kahramaa" has been working to develop and upgrade the electricity sector, the most vital sectors in the country. Therefore, its inception marked the advent of a new era of progress and prosperity for electricity sector in Qatar."

On the first day Kahramaa will participate in the panel discussion on Energy efficiency: optimizing energy resources and decreasing costs along with high level executives from EWA (Bahrain), MEW ( Kuwait), Ministry of Energy (UAE) and Energy Efficiency Program ((KSA).

Monday October 24, 2016
Cairo (QNA)

The Arab League will host on Tuesday a trilateral meeting on Libya. It will be chaired by Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General, Arab League to discuss means of pushing forward the political settlement of the Libyan crisis.

Former Tanzanian president and AU High Representative for Libya Jakaya Kikwete, and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya Martin Kobler will be attending the meeting.

Mahmoud Afifi, Official spokesman for the Secretary-General said in a statement today, Monday 24 October 2016 that the meeting aims at unifying and coordinating the Arab, African and UN efforts to promote a political dialogue between all Libyan stake holdwers. Aims of the meeting are securing the necessary international and regional support to complete the implementation of the benefits provided for by the Libyan political agreement, and succeeding the democratic transition process in the country.

A joint statement at the end of meeting will identify ways to upgrade coordination between the Arab League, the African Union and the United Nations on Libyan issue. This will also serve as a road map for the three organizations in the next phase to promote efforts to achieve national reconciliation in the country.

24 October 2016
Doha

Mamoon Hussain, President of Pakistan, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa AlThani, Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa AlThani, Father Emir attended the funeral prayers of Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad AlThani, Grandfather of Emir of Qatar and former Emir of Qatar (1972 - 1995). Among others who attended the prayers were Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani, Deputy Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al -Thani, Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al -Thani, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Khalifa Al -Thani, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Personal Representative of Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al -Thani, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi, Speaker of the Advisory (Shura) Council, sons of Father Emir, diplomats, dignitaries, citizens and residents

Funeral prayers were performed today on Monday 24th of October 2016 after Asar prayers at Imam Mohammed bin AbdulWahab Masjid Doha.

Qatar News agency reported that Mamoon Hussain, President of Pakistan this morning met Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani, Emir of Qatar at the AlWajba Palace where he offered his condolences on the demise of Grandfather of Emir of Qatar. Present on the occasion were Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa AlThani, Father Emir,
Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani, Deputy Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Personal Representative of Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al-Thani and a number of members of the ruling family.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani and Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin KHalifa AlThani received today at the AlWajba Palace Custodian of Two Holy Masajid King Salman bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, King Hamad bin Issa of Bahrain, a number of Citizens came to offer their condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad AlThani, former Emir of Qatar between 1972 to 1995 and grandfather of present Emir of Qatar.

Leaders of brotherly countries who came today for condolences left Qatar for their home country.

Doha

23 October 2016

President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain had a busy schedule in Doha today. He had one to one meetings with Qatar Minister of Labour and Minister of Defense in his hotel. Qatari business community members including Sheikh Faisal bin Qasim AlThani also met President of Pakistan.

Mamnoon Hussain, President of Pakistan said CPEC program will boost economies of regional states and of Pakistan. He was addressing members of Pakistani community in Doha at the Hotel St. Regis. Pakistani President advised Pakistanis to be careful from propaganda campaign against CPEC which is equally beneficial to all areas of Pakistan. ' Pakistan is on right track and future of economy is very bright. It is economic development which strengthens the nations politically' President of Pakistan said. He gave example of China 30 years back and of today. ' China focused on it's economic development avoiding conflicts in the region and today china is second largest economy in the world', Mamnoon Hussain said.

He advised his nationals to be careful from those who are creating disappointments and frustration in the society. He lauded the untiring efforts of present government and taking out the country from miserable internal security and from sad economic situations. ' We are grateful to State of Qatar for delivery of LNG which has helped in our economic development. 'By end of 2018, Pakistan will have additional 10,000 MW of electricity in grids.

President of Pakistan said Pakistan had 6,700 Billion Pak Rupees domestic & Int'l loan in 2008, by 2013, it increased to 14,800 billion of Pakistani Rupees. Present government on taking over its power managed to clear US$ 10 billion against US$ 15 billion of total loans on Pakistan and today total domestic & int'l loan on Pakistan is only US$ 5 billion. Pakistan will get rid from this loan soon also, President Mamoun said.

President of Pakistan appreciated overseas Pakistanis deep concern towards back home situation, 'without Pakistani remittances to country, present achievements were not possible', he said. Gowadar Sea Port will start it's operation in two months time and soon Pakistan's largest airport in Gowadar will resume it's construction work.

President Mamnoon Hussain advised Pakistanis to discourage strongly corruption and may boycott such people, if they do not listen to you, boycott them'.

APP reports that earlier this morning, President Mamnoon Hussain visited Pakistan Education Center (PEC), a school being managed by Pakistan Embassy in Qatar, and interacted with the students. He inspected classrooms and school library. President Mamnoon Hussain had frank interaction with the students. He also signed a visitors’ book and recorded his expressions.

Earlier upon his arrival at the PEC, the President was received by Principal Nargis Raza Otha and staff members of the Education Center. He was presented a bouquet by two children clad with traditional Pakistani dress. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Shahzad Ahmad, also accompanied the President.

The President was highly appreciative of the standard and quality of education as well as other facilities in the Education Center.