Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                      19 Nov 2017

Omar Behi, Minister of Commerce of Tunis along with his delegation visited Lulu Hypermarket, Al Gharrafa recently. Salah al Salhi, ambassador of Tunis to State of Qatar was also present on the occasion.

He was received upon arrival by Shaijan M. O., Regional Director and Shanavas P. M. , Regional Manager of Lulu Hypermarket Group.

Tunisian Minister of Commerce inspected different sections of the Hypermarket and discussed on the import of Food Products from Tunis.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                    18 Nov. 2017

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar re-assured on Saturday that the State of Qatar is still committed to resolving the GCC crisis.  In an interview with U.S. TV network MSNBC, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani described the propaganda waged against the State of Qatar accusing it of terrorism without any evidence was baseless. He said that Qatar's  commitment towards resolving GCC crisis is a result of Qatar's belief that there is a bigger threat in the region, which is terrorism.

He recalled that State of Qatar was a leader in countering terrorism and extremism, the country hosts the Central Command of  global coalition, Qatar is a front runner in combating extremist ideologies, Qatar has established  schools and provides high-quality education to vulnerable societies and poor countries abroad. He said that  Qatar provides education to seven million children in East Asia and Central Asia.

Talking on bilateral ties between the U.S. and the State of Qatar, Qatar Foreign Minister said that the State of Qatar has always been a strong partner and ally to the United States in its fight against terror. This is evident by the fact that Qatar hosts between 11000 and 12000 American troops in Al Udeid Airbase, through which the United States carries out its missions against ISIS. He said that U.S. has always expressed its appreciation on their partnership, and Qatar too highly appreciates the partnership and is working with the U.S. on further developing cooperation.

In regards to US position on siege of Qatar, Qatar Foreign Minister said that Qatar was getting support from the U.S. across the board for putting an end to the siege, whether it was U.S. President Donald Trump or members of his administration such U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis among others. On a question of continuing of siege, he said it was a result of the actions of Saudi Arabia and the UAE towards Qatar and the illegal measures they took against the country by shutting borders and separating families, in addition to creating an anti-Qatar propaganda campaign. Sheikh Mohammed bon Abdulrahman AlThani said that , however, State of Qatar was committed to reaching a resolution, because the country realizes that terrorism is a bigger threat facing the region.

On ties between the State of Qatar and Iran, he said that Qatar has a unique relationship with Iran. He said that State of Qatar is located between and shares borders with two big countries - Saudi Arabia and Iran. He noted, however, that there were concerns of Iran's increasing influence in the region, but stressed that those fears must be addressed peacefully and that is what the State of Qatar is encouraging other Gulf states to do.

He said that during 2016 GCC summit,  decision was taken to engage in dialogue with Iran on the principle that the GCC will be one entity and Iran the other.

On question whether Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was a threat to Qatar's Future, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that there was a diversion in the policy of Saudi Arabia and the UAE from the GCC agreement which was the engagement in dialogue. There was also a sense of unpredictability when it comes to the policies of Saudi Arabia and UAE in the region,

He said that there was a lot of chaos and crisis in the region, and  Qatar was part of a bigger strategy now seen in Lebanon too.

Srinagar                                                                                                                                                                                              Indian Aministered Kashmir                                                                                                                                                            18 Nov 2017                                                                                                                                                                                (AlJazeera News)

Six separatists and an Indian air force commando have been killed in a fierce gun battle in Indian-administered Kashmir, according to police.

Security forces on Saturday launched an operation in Hajin village, 40km from the main city of Srinagar, after receiving intelligence information about the presence of separatist fighters in the area.

Shesh Paul Vaid, state police chief, told Al Jazeera that security forces had killed six fighters linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group.

"The operation is over," Vaid told Al Jazeera. "All the six terrorists killed today were Pakistani," the state police chief told Al Jazeera.

Inspector General of Police Munir Khan confirmed to Al Jazeera that one Indian Air Force commando was killed and another one wounded in the fighting.

As the news of the killings spread, protesting residents chanting anti-India slogans took to the streets in various parts of Kashmir.

In Hajin, police attempted to disperse protesters and prevent them from reaching the site of the gun battle, according to a junior-ranking officer in the area.

Islamabad                                                                                                                                                                                            By Kamal Alam

As the dust settles in on President Donald Trump’s Afghanistan speech there has been quite a lot of fuss about Pakistan’s role in providing support to militants in Afghanistan.  That this allegation comes up again is nothing new or earth shattering. It has been a tried and tested formula for the United States (US) to lash out at Pakistan publicly. Yet scratching beneath the surface and behind the headlines, one will notice reliance on the Pakistan military and its intelligence services for American and British security since 9/11.

Further to this, the Pakistani army are the leading trainers of Arab militaries and a key balancing act between the tinder box of tensions between Iran, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Furthermore, the Pakistani Army has become the first Army  from the Islamic world to train British and international officer cadets at the world’s oldest elite military training school the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS). Aside from this, the United Nations’ Centre for excellence for peace keeping training is located in Pakistan where officers from all over the world come to be trained in conflict resolution. This article analyzes the Pakistan Army’s role in securing stability around the world, in the West and Middle East in particular.

Pakistan’s Army has undergone a transition post- the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Prior to the terrorist attacks in the United States, Pakistan’s army had trained for conventional war against its arch enemy India. Indeed, it had fought three major wars against India. Yet as the insurgents fled from Afghanistan into Pakistan, the Pakistanis had to re-train their doctrinal ethos into sub-conventional warfare and counter insurgency.

After initial failures in the tribal areas and Swat Valley, the Army turned a significant corner by routing the insurgency from 2014 onwards. Some of the leading Western sceptics wrote openly how the Pakistan Army had won its war on terror. During this time according to Lt. General Patrick Sanders, Commander Field Army of the British Armed forces said that the Pakistan Army achieved in Waziristan what the British could not achieve in 200 years. The Pakistan Army has one of the highest casualty rates on the Afghan border. This meant they have become extremely battle hardened and sought after as trainers in the Arab world and beyond.

The Czech Republic and Germany are both seeking training from the Pakistani military following in the footsteps of the British Army; despite German media pressure to not to get too close to the Pakistani military. So why are so many countries and militaries cozying up to the Pakistani Army despite pressure to do the opposite?

Despite the politics and headlines, senior American officials and leaders have gone quite far to praise the Pakistani military’s fight against terror and the capture of senior al Qaeda leadership. Former Vice President Dick Cheney in particular went into some detail about decisions taken by Pakistani generals despite militant threats against their personal lives and their children. General Tommy Franks talks about the key air and land corridors that were provided by the Pakistan military that led to the first push into Afghanistan to fight Al Qaeda.

So how does this sit with the allegations of Pakistani duplicity in Afghanistan? One cannot argue against those allegations within the parameters of this article but again senior Western generals have come into the defence of the Pakistani military. Former commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan and ex CIA director David Petraeus in a public lecture at the Royal United Services Institution (RUSI) said that in his time he saw no evidence of direct Pakistani involvement in Afghanistan. Britain’s former ambassador to Afghanistan, Sherard Cowper-Coles in his book mentioned that the British Army and its Generals were always concerned about making the Pakistan Army happy much to the disappointment of President Karazai. British former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lord David Richards also worked very closely with the Pakistan Army to ensure the Afghan operations were not compromised.

In the Middle East, the Pakistan Army is no longer taking sides with any one country and instead providing balance to tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Pakistan is also at the moment of writing training 156 Saudi Cadets in its academy in Abbottabad and also dozens of Iraqis and Arab militaries both in country and abroad.

Pakistan was also one of the few countries that Iraq thanked after the liberation of Mosul last month that was not part of the overall international coalition to fight ISIL in Iraq. This was also a result of the extensive training that the Pakistanis have been providing to the Iraqi Air Force. The veteran British Afghan expert and journalist Sandy Gall in his book on the Taliban actually starts out by saying how much the Jordanians respect and like the Pakistan Army for helping them fight the PLO during Black September. One of Pakistan’s leading pilots was given full honours and highest military awards by Jordan as he helped their King train the Jordanian air force during the war against Israel.

The key to the Pakistan Army’s strategic importance lies in what Churchill called importance of having an Army that can help stability in the Middle East and West Asia. As an army that inherited most if not all of its regiments from the British in India, it has strived for excellence in training and performing in multiple arenas around the globe.

Purely as a fighting force and in matters of intelligence sharing, it remains critical to security in the West and the Middle East. Away from the politics it shall continue to dominate the defence diplomacy with the West and evolve with its handling of international relations. Whilst the Islamic State spread rapidly throughout non-Arab Muslim countries it has failed to take root in Pakistan. The Saudis and other Arab states have noticed the army’s success in overturning the insurgency and hence made a Pakistani general in charge of its ‘Islamic NATO’. Ironically whilst the West criticises the Army interfering in politics, prominent US Senator John McCain called for General Raheel Sharif to have his tenure extended in 2016. Similarly a leading editorial in Washington Post argued that the General‘s departure could be bad news. Hence to conclude we can say that, Pakistan Army is leading the fight and is playing a key role in warfare and security provision in an increasingly volatile world.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                   16 Nov 2017

The eighth World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) closed today with a global call to education leaders to prepare future generations for a changing world by placing knowledge at the centre of society. More than 2,000 participants from over 100 countries attended the biennial Summit, which has become a premier international education gathering since its establishment in 2009.

The theme of WISE 2017, ‘Co-Exist, Co-Create: Learning to Live and Work Together’, sparked debate around the crucial role that education must play in times of global disruption and economic uncertainty. Key speakers included journalist and commentator Fareed Zakaria, Dean Kishore Mahbubani of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, entrepreneur Sebastian Thrun, and the celebrated Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie.

Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, opened WISE 2017 with a passionate call for greater international effort to address a range of education challenges today. She presented the 2017 WISE Prize for Education to Dr. Patrick Awuah, founder of Ashesi University, in Ghana.

The Education Above All Foundation, established by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in 2012, featured sessions on refugee issues, new learning models, and education leadership.

The WISE Majlis featured experiential learning sessions for nearly 700 12 to 14-year-old local students and their teachers. The Majlis also included an exhibition space for WISE research authors, opportunities to interact with Qatar-based education organizations, and many other activities. The two-day event featured diverse networking opportunities for delegates to interact and share experiences on their interests, projects, and education visions.

The WISE Summit, an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), closed with a discussion entitled: From Knowledge Economies to Knowledge Societies.

Following six projects were honoured this year :

Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, honored project representatives of the six WISE Awards winning projects during a special ceremony at the 2017 World Innovation Summit for Education on Wednesday 15 Nov 2017.

WISE previously named the six winning projects of the 2017 WISE Awards. The six winners were selected from a group of 15 finalists by a panel of expert judges from Parthenon-EY.
The 2017 WISE Awards winners:

42 (France/US) – a free computer programming training program open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 30, whether they possess an academic degree or not. The program focuses on project-based, peer-to-peer learning. The project representative is Olivier Crouzet.

Lights to Learn (Spain/Latin America) – a program led by the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) that provides electricity  to support quality education and community development in rural and marginalized regions of Latin America through the installation of photovoltaic systems, Internet, IT equipment, teacher training and community development. The project representative is Mr Paulo Speller.

PhET Interactive Simulations (US/global) - an engaging education solution promoting science and math literacy through interactive simulations, founded by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman and housed at University of Colorado Boulder. The project representative is Dr Kathy Perkins.

The Learner Guide Program (Tanzania/UK) - a mentorship program led by Camfed Tanzania to support education and employment opportunities for young women in rural areas. The project representative is Ms Lydia Wilbard.

The Speed School project (US/global) – an intensive, child-centered program run by the Luminos Fund to enable out-of-school children to attain their grade level at government schools. The project representative is Ms Caitlin Baron.

Ubongo Edutainment (Tanzania) – a Dar-es-Salaam-based initiative providing  fun learning to millions of children in Africa through animated educational content across multiple platforms including television, SMS and smartphones. The project representative is Ms Nisha Ligon. 

Replays of plenary sessions at WISE 2017 will be available for viewing  http://www.wise-qatar.org/summit

New York                                                                                                                                                                                        16 Nov. 2017                                                                                                                                                                             (Misc Media)

Salvator Mundi, the long-lost Leonardo da Vinci painting of Jesus Christ commissioned by King Louis XII of France more than 500 years ago, has sold at Christie’s in New York for $450.3m, including auction house premium, shattering the world record for any work of art sold at auction.

The painting, which was once part of Charles I’s Royal collection and was sold for just £45 in the 1950s when it was mistaken for a copy, is the last remaining Leonardo in private hands.

After 19 minutes of dueling, with four bidders on the telephone and one in the room, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” sold on Wednesday night for $450.3 million with fees, shattering the high for any work of art sold at auction. It far surpassed Picasso’s “Women of Algiers,” which fetched $179.4 million at Christie’s in May 2015. The buyer was not immediately disclosed.

There were gasps throughout the sale, as the bids climbed by tens of millions up to $225 million, by fives up to $260 million, and then by twos. As the bidding slowed, and a buyer pondered the next multi-million-dollar increment, Jussi Pylkkanen, the auctioneer, said, “It’s an historic moment; we’ll wait.”

Toward the end, Alex Rotter, Christie’s co-chairman of postwar and contemporary art, who represented a buyer on the phone, made two big jumps to shake off one last rival bid from Francis de Poortere, Christie’s head of old master paintings.

The price is all the more remarkable at a time when the old masters market is contracting, because of limited supply and collectors’ penchant for contemporary art.

And to critics, the astronomical sale attests to something else — the degree to which salesmanship has come to drive and dominate the conversation about art and its value. Some art experts pointed to the painting’s damaged condition and its questionable authenticity.

“This was a thumping epic triumph of branding and desire over connoisseurship and reality,” said Todd Levin, a New York art adviser.

Christie’s marketing campaign was perhaps unprecedented in the art world; it was the first time the auction house went so far as to enlist an outside agency to advertise the work. Christie’s also released a video that included top executives pitching the painting to Hong Kong clients as “the holy grail of our business” and likening it to “the discovery of a new planet.” Christie’s called the work “the Last da Vinci,” the only known painting by the Renaissance master still in a private collection (some 15 others are in museums).

“It’s been a brilliant marketing campaign,” said Alan Hobart, director of the Pyms Gallery in London, who has acquired museum-quality artworks across a range of historical periods for the British businessman and collector Graham Kirkham. “This is going to be the future.”

The artwork has been the subject of legal disputes and amassed a price history that ranges from less than $10,000 in 2005, when it was spotted at an estate auction, to $ 200 million when it was first offered for sale by a consortium of three dealers in 2012. But no institution besides the Dallas Museum of Art, which in 2012 made an undisclosed offer on the painting, showed public interest in buying it. Finally, in 2013, Sotheby’s sold it privately for $80 million to Yves Bouvier, a Swiss art dealer and businessman. Soon afterward, he sold it for $127.5 million, to the family trust of the Russian billionaire collector Dmtiry E. Rybolovlev. Mr. Rybolovlev’s family trust was the seller on Wednesday night.

There was speculation that Liu Yiqian, a Chinese billionaire and co-founder with his wife of the Long Museum in Shanghai, may have been among the bidders. In recent years, the former taxi-driver-turned power collector has become known for his splashy, record-breaking art purchases, including an Amedeo Modigliani nude painting for $170.4 million at a Christie’s auction in 2015. But in a message sent to a reporter via WeChat, a Chinese messaging app, Mr. Liu said he was not among the bidders for the Leonardo.

“There is extraordinary consensus it is by Leonardo,” said Nicholas Hall, the former co-chairman of old master paintings at Christie’s, who now runs his own Manhattan gallery. “This is the most important old master painting to have been sold at auction in my lifetime.”

Washington DC                                                                                                                                                                                     15 Nov. 2017                                                                                                                                                                            (Washington Times)

A handful of House Democrats officially introduced five articles of impeachment for President Trump Wednesday, accusing him of everything from breaking the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause to being mean in his tweets about the press.

Led by Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, the Democrats say Mr. Trump has obstructed justice in his dealings with then-FBI Director James Comey, and his businesses are taking money that is illegal under two separate parts of the Constitution.

The lawmakers also said Mr. Trump has undermined the judiciary by using his pardon powers on former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and that he’s undermined the press corps covering him by berating news outlets or calling them “fake.”

“It’s time for Congress to take action to stop this reckless and harmful behavior by removing Mr. Trump from office and to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States,” Mr. Cohen said.

Every recent president has faced similar calls for impeachment, though President Bill Clinton and President Andrew Johnson remain the only ones to have been impeached by the House — and both were acquitted by the Senate.

The new charges brought by Democrats against Mr. Trump are a mixture of serious and weird.

Democrats also say Mr. Trump is violating the Constitution because his business empire is collecting money from government agencies for services performed — such as the Secret Service renting golf carts on Trump properties.

That behavior is similar to former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, who charged the Secret Service rent to use a cottage on his Delaware waterfront property while they were guarding him. Mr. Biden did not face similar calls for impeachment over that arrangement.

Democrats also said Mr. Trump was guilty of trying to subvert the First Amendment by being mean to the press, including linking online to a video showing himself wrestling a man covered in a CNN logo.

The Republican National Committee said the impeachment push was a sign of the lack of an agenda on the part of Democrats.

“House Democrats lack a positive message and are completely unwilling to work across the aisle, so instead they’ve decided to support a baseless radical effort that the vast majority of Americans disagree with,” said Michael Ahrens, a spokesman for the RNC.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                    14 Nov. 2017                                                                                                                                                                                      (MOFA)

Emir of State of Qtar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani addressed at the opening of the 46th ordinary session of the Advisory Council of State of Qatar on Tuesday morning at the Council's premises.

Among present on the occasion were Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani,  Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani, Deputy Emir, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Special Representative of the Emir, 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 Interior Minister  and a number of  Sheikhs, Ministers, Heads of the diplomatic missions  and the state's dignitaries.

Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani delivered the following speech on the opening of the Advisory Council's 46th Ordinary Session.

In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

Sisters and Brothers, Members of the Advisory Council,

I express to you my best greetings at the opening of the 46th session of the Advisory Council, and at the outset I want to extend sincere thanks to the brothers, the former members of the Council for their appreciated efforts during their term of office. I welcome also the brothers and sisters the new members, wishing them every success in serving their country.

Honorable Brothers and Sisters,

Our annual meeting to which we look forward to comes to assess activities in the preceding year, and to glimpse the future prospects of our development march that, thanks to God, is striding confidently towards achieving our national goals.

As you know, Qatar has come under an unjust blockade, during which all established values and norms - not only those prevalent among fraternal and friendly countries, but even among enemies - were breached. It was evident from the nature of the steps that were taken, as well as the accompanying behavior and rhetoric, that their goal was not to reach a solution or settlement.

I will not elaborate on the repercussions of those steps, as they have already been discussed at every social gathering and household, especially since the blockading countries have left nothing without endangering it, i.e., the norms, values, consanguineous relations, private properties and interests. Accordingly, they provoked the condemnation and repulsion of the Gulf, Arab and global public opinion.

They have built their campaign on fabrications since the hacking of Qatar News Agency's website. Their propaganda campaign drives them to get embroiled in more lies which hurt them alone.

As you know, Qatar has pursued a policy of self-restraint, moderate response, and has risen above all wrangles and misbehavior in respect for our values and norms and out of our keenness to maintain the fraternal relations among the Gulf peoples. Qatar's political approach and diplomacy have gained the respect of the whole world.

It seems that the countries which imposed the blockade on Qatar have been embroiled in it. They have become captives of their own media rhetoric, as attempts made to give them a way out through mediations and dialogue as well as our declared readiness for settlements, etc., did not succeed. It also seems that, this has become their approach, as they became hasty in taking steps in other countries as well, without having any exit strategy from the situation they tend to implicate themselves in.

The fabrications regarding supporting and financing terrorism leveled against the State of Qatar have failed to convince the international community, especially the major powers and active countries in this field. Paradoxically, our originally good relations with these countries are now better than they were before the crisis. The State of Qatar has a well-known and documented counterterrorism record. Qatar has acceded to the international and regional treaties in this respect, foremost of which is the United Nations Convention against the Financing of Terrorism of 1999, and has contributed to every international and regional effort in this regard. Recently, it has signed a detailed Memorandum of Understanding with the US administration on combating terrorism and its financing.

Many foreign officials have asked the blockading countries to submit evidence for their claims; and you all know that they did not submit anything because they haven't anything to submit. They know, and everyone who visits them from the politicians knows, that their campaign against Qatar has nothing to do with terrorism.

Brothers and Sisters,

Here in Qatar, we are used to frankness between the leadership and the people, as is the case in a family. I am addressing you very clearly that we mean what we say when we express our readiness for settlements within the framework of dialogue based on mutual respect for sovereignty and joint commitments. On the other hand, we are aware that the indicators we receive reveal that the siege countries are unwilling to reach a solution.

These countries began in their conduct a new phase in the relations between the Gulf states. We have benefited from this experience, as it brought out the best talents and spirit of challenge inherent in this people, and contributed to crystallizing its national identity, and enhanced cohesion between the people and the leadership.

Our government knows that what we have said about the productive society, self-sufficiency in food and medicine and the national security, and establishing balanced bilateral relations based on the mutual interests between Qatar and other countries, are tasks for implementation that cannot be delayed.

The blockading countries want to distract us in battlefronts they open against Qatar everywhere, so that our internal and external policies are disrupted. But this will not happen, as we continue to pursue our positive and effective foreign policy and meet our humanitarian and international obligations, which contribute also to defending our people and our country. Domestically, we have to continue to work and produce more vigorously under the new circumstances. I do not need to remind you of the number of countries that are thriving with sea and air routes, without having land crossings.

The Qatari society knows how to lead a normal life, flourish and develop, whether the blockade is prolonged or not.

We do not fear the boycott of these countries against us, we are a thousand times better off without them. But vigilance is required. Their claims that they will only adopt boycott are not true, as they continue to interfere in the internal affairs of our country and take collective punitive measures against the Qatari people, and practice incitement everywhere against the State of Qatar, thus wasting the energies and resources of their peoples although these efforts hurt them. This dispute is a nowin situation. Its continuation will dent the reputation and interests of all the GCC countries.

On this occasion, I extend my sincere thanks to my brother HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the brotherly State of Kuwait, for all his commended efforts in mediating between our Gulf States and my special appreciation for his strong will, wisdom and keenness on the future of the GCC, which he expressed in his latest cautionary appeal on 24 October to heal the rift and halt the deterioration; a call which was promptly and positively responded to by the State of Qatar. I also extend thanks to all the countries who supported us in our stance during this crisis.

Brothers and Sisters,

We have, of course, taken the necessary measures to counter the new challenges in areas of air and maritime transport and to find alternative sources of goods and services that had adversely been affected. These matters have, thank God, been restored to almost normal levels, and on stronger bases than before.

As you know, before the present crisis we were preoccupied with curbing the impacts of falling oil prices on our development plans, as oil and gas prices fell by 49% in 2015, and a further fall of 18% in 2016.

As expected, this cumulative decline, has led to low growth rates in all GCC countries, including Qatar, where GDP growth in fixed prices fell from 3.6% in 2015 to 2.2% in 2016.

Despite this decline, per capita income in Qatar, according to purchasing power is still among the highest in the world, according to international institutions' reports such as the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. However, this shouldn't lead us to self-conceit, as this achievement was not easily achieved, and maintaining it requires redoubling the effort. It is not to be taken for granted.

It is reassuring that although the hydrocarbon share in GDP has fallen by about 1%, Qatar's growth rate has improved, as the share in GDP from other sources has risen by about 5.6%.

Our achievement of this rate does not mean that we are satisfied with it, as it is less than our ambitions, and we will strive to achieve higher growth rates in the future. Our commitment to implement prepared plans in the fields of industry, agriculture, trade, tourism and services, will contribute to that end.

Brothers and Sisters, Members of the Advisory Council,

The measures taken by the blockading countries were aimed at creating a political shock, affecting Qatar's stability and forcing us to accept tutelage and cede our independence. Then they have moved on to a second plan that is still being applied. It could be summed up as an attempt to harm our economy. But they have erred in their evaluation of the will of the Qatari people and the State, as well as in their estimates of our economy.

The negative impacts of the blockade were temporary and our economy has managed to contain most of them very quickly, while adapting and developing itself in the course of the crisis management.

These campaigns have not affected our major exports of oil and gas. On the contrary, our respect for our gas export contracts - even to countries that have played a leading role in the campaign against our country - has boosted the confidence of the international community in our credibility to honor our commitments, in addition to our keenness not to harm a brotherly people.

Efforts exerted in previous years to achieve Qatar's national vision have steadily proceeded. In continuation of efforts to support small and medium industries, an industrial zone has been developed with state-of the-art basic services and facilities, in addition to the construction of industrial facilities which are ready for the private sector.

Work is underway to implement economic development projects that would help in fortifying our economy, these include establishing areas for storage, developing logistics areas and introducing a number of food security projects.

The State has given special attention to water security and has constructed new desalination plants and mega storage reservoirs for potable water, the largest of its kind in the world. Its first stage will be commissioned in the first half of next year.

As a result of Qatar's strong economy and its ability to withstand the crises rapidly and efficiently, the monetary authorities, in collaboration with the fiscal authorities, the banking and financial systems, were able to counter and foil attempts to harm the Qatari Riyal, thus maintaining the financial and exchange rate stability and free remittances.

As you know, Hamad Port, one of the largest and most modern ports in the Middle East, was opened and commissioned recently. Several agreements have been signed with important shipping lines to connect the port to international ports in Turkey, China, Taiwan, Oman, Pakistan, Singapore, Kuwait and Australia.

These achievements were realized despite that the blockading countries have made relentless efforts to disrupt and obstruct them by various means, which started with the blockade itself, and included pressure on other countries in addition to even spreading rumors and fabrications, and acting against hosting of the World Cup in 2022 by Qatar.

Brothers and Sisters,

Based on our awareness of the new situation that must be addressed, our strategy to fortifying the national economy must be based on the following:

First, completion of the necessary legislations and decrees to facilitate investment, reduce bureaucracy, and reform the banking system to be compatible with the major tasks that we face in the new stage of building the economy and the state.

Second, completion of food and water security projects over a specified time frame, and development of new industries and services necessary to respond to any contingencies, and implementing constructions and facilities that are essential for oil and gas industry.

Third, expanding existing economic and trade relations and developing new bilateral relations.

Forth, completion of the current infrastructure projects under construction now, as well as the 2022 World Cup projects in line with the National Development Plan and Qatar Vision.

Fifth, development of sea ports and the expansion in concluding agreements with international shipping companies to connect the ports of Qatar directly with international ports, and enhancing Qatar Airways' cargo and passenger capacity.

Sixth, accelerating the implementation of tourism strategy over a specified time frame.

Seventh, encouraging the private sector to engage in these areas and facilitating them for it. Yet, the private sector has to acknowledge its responsibilities towards its country.

Brothers and Sisters,

The government is currently preparing for the Advisory Council elections, including drafting legislative measures necessary to ensure that these elections are conducted perfectly well, so as to avoid the need for further amendment in each stage. There are legal shortcomings and legal issues that must be addressed beforehand, in order to have a fair Advisory Councils elections. These measures will be submitted to your esteemed Council during the next year.

Due to of the importance of achieving justice and keenness on developing the judicial system and enhancing its abilities to cope with the rapid developments our society has seen in all fields, I have directed that it is necessary to upgrade our justice system to ensure the consolidation of the independence of the judiciary, avoiding prolonged litigation (as it is said: slow justice is tantamount to injustice), and taking the necessary measures to provide all human, administrative and organizational capabilities and necessary equipment for the courts of law, the prosecution and the assisting agencies, in addition to opening new branches for them in various locations in the State. The Government will present to your esteemed Council soon the draft laws prepared for this purpose.

Brothers and Sisters, Members of the Advisory Council,

With regard to our foreign policy, we continue to draw our policies guided by our values and based on a balance between our firm principles and the interests of our people, and the peoples of the region, and our political reality.

We follow with deep concern the deterioration of the political situation at the regional level, and call for de-escalation to spare the peoples of the region the perils of tension and emergence of axes. It is not plausible that the countries and societies be regarded as mere spheres of influence or spaces to settle old scores between regional countries. There is a geopolitical reality that forces us to resolve our differences through dialogue. Qatar has been calling for that in line with its approach of resolving disputes by peaceful means. In the case of the Gulf and the region this is not only an option, but an urgent necessity. Relevant mechanisms must be found to address this.

We congratulate our Palestinian brethren on the unity which has been realised. We hope that ending the Palestinian rift will lead to lifting the siege on Gaza and unifying efforts to find a just and durable solution for the Palestinian issue based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and the two-state solution, and the establishment of a Palestinian State on the borders of 5 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Qatar, as you know, has exerted extensive and long-term efforts to achieve unity as part of its multifaceted support for the brotherly Palestinian people. Qatars diligent efforts were characterized by no considerations other than the national interest of the Palestinians.

With regard to the brotherly Iraq, as terrorism receded from most of the areas it had controlled as a result of recent victories by the Iraqi Government, we hope that this plague will be eliminated from the rest of the regions in the near future. We also support the territorial integrity of Iraq, and call on the central government and the Kurdistan region to solve the lingering problems between them by constructive dialogue based on the Iraqi constitution, to preserve the fraternal relations between all components of the Iraqi people and Iraq's territorial safety.

On the Syrian issue, we hope that the international efforts will be active in finding a just solution to this tragedy that fulfills the aspirations of the Syrian people after a lengthy inaction, and alleviates the suffering of the brotherly Syrian people, and ends the breach of their inviolabilities and dignity. We reaffirm the unity of the Syrian territory and people and reject any action leading to its partition.

Regarding Libya, the State of Qatar supports the Government of National Accord in its efforts to bring about reconciliation between the conflicting Libyan factions and to counter terrorism. We will continue to support the international mediation efforts in this brotherly country.

Concerning Yemen, Qatar supports the efforts of the United Nations envoy to end the crisis in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2216. We call upon all parties to a genuine national reconciliation to end this conflict, preserve the stability, safety and territorial integrity of Yemen, and put an end to the suffering of the Yemeni people, who are the major party to bear the whole brunt of the continuation of the war.

On this occasion, I also reiterate the call to the Government of Myanmar to put an end to the suffering of the Rohingya, and to resolve the crisis in a constructive dialogue that preserves the rights of all parties. Qatar will spare no effort in collaboration with friendly states and the international community in this regard.

In conclusion, I reiterate my appreciation to our pedigreed Qatari people and residents of the State for standing up with dignity and pride against the blockade.

God bless you with success, and may God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.

Later in day, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani met in Emiri Diwan former members of the Advisory Council.

The Emir welcomed them and praised their efforts in serving the nation throughout their term in the Council.

He also praised their contributions to the Council’s agenda and discussions.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani, Deputy Emir of Qatar was also present on the occasion. .

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                    14 Nov. 2017                                                                                                                                                                                      (QNA)

Islamabad                                                                                                                                                                                            14 Nov 2017                                                                                                                                                                                        (Daily Dawn, Karachi/Radio Pakistan)

Addressing a two-day int'l conference in Islamabad today, Gen. Zubair Mehmood Hayat, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Pakistan Forces has said that India stoking chaos and anarchy in region.

Indian intelligence agency RAW has established special cell at a cost of $500 m dollars to sabotage  C-PEC. Pakistan is not oblivious to its defense.

Gen. Hayat said Kashmir issues still remains a flash point for a nuclear war between Pakistan and India. He said that  path to relations between Islamabad and New Delhi passes through Kashmir. “There is no bypass,” said he.

Criticizing India's international ambitions, the general said New Delhi policies are becoming a cause of instability in South Asia.

He stressed the need to take into consideration strategic, economic and political affairs of  South Asia.

He said the political and strategic  issues in South Asia were intensifying disputes in the region, adding Pakistan would maintain  strategic balance and equilibrium in the field of conventional weapons because imbalance always gives birth to disputes.

He said the struggle to become guaranteer of peace in the region holds strategic significance.

Commenting on the situation in Afghanistan, he said the war stricken country was an important region between South Asia and Central Asia. He said Islamabad supports a peaceful Afghanistan.

He said South Asia is being destabilized through non-state elements whole and instability in Afghanistan was harmful for the region .

Pointing towards weak  governance  in Afghanistan and fragile peace process in the country, he said Pakistan was paying a heavy price for instability in Afghanistan.

Highlighting Kashmir issue, he said lasting peace was not possible in South Asia without resolving the issue of Kashmir. “Pakistan wants resolution of Kashmir and Afghan issues. We want similar progress on all the issues”.

He said Pakistan was aware of its responsibilities without ignoring its defence. “Pakistan will maintain minimum nuclear capability considering  the circumstances”.

Commenting on rapidly growing extremism in India, General Zubair said India has turned into extremist state.

He said India continues its sub conventional war against Pakistan and New Delhi’s Surgical strike mantra  was an important example in this regard.

The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee said India has committed over 1200 ceasefire violations in which 1000 Pakistani civilians and 300 soldiers lost their lives. “This Indian behavior can turn into a big war,” he warned.

He also accused India of carrying out terror activities in Pakistan through Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatists.  He said Indian conspiracies against CPEC were also no secret , adding that New Delhi has allocated 500 million dollars to sabotage  the CPEC.

He said India was rapidly increasing its missile defence technology, nuclear weapons and conventional weapons.  He said India is also diverting Pakistan’s share of its waters. “India is playing with fire and peace of South Asia,” Geo News quoted him as saying.