Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                       27 May 2018

As part of its continuous support for home-based businesses, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has launched the 3rd edition of “Ramadan Bazaar Markets 2018” in cooperation with Bedaya Center and Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) at The Gate Mall.

In the framework of the bank’s Home-based Business National Program (HBBNP) for developing Home-based businesses launched in 2015 to encourage and support local talents/entrepreneurs to contribute effectively to the local economy.

The 'Ramadan Baazar Markets' was inaugurated by Ibrahim Al Mannai, Executive Director, Advisory Services and Incubations at Qatar Development Bank, Abdulsalam Abu Issa, CEO of Salam International, and Mrs. Aysha Al Mudahka, QBIC CEO, in the presence of participating entrepreneurs and shoppers.

The “Ramadan Bazaar Markets” is set to run from 26th of May until 8th of June from 8 pm to 1 am at the Gate Mall - Vatrena 17, at the Al Duhail Sports Club - Dukan Bedaya (Night Market), and at Katara - Dukan Bedaya (Night Market). It will feature a variety of homemade products and innovative handcrafts made expertly by 150 entrepreneurial projects and initiatives, available for shoppers during the holy month of Ramadan.

Commenting on the occasion, Ibrahim Al Mannai, Executive Director of Advisory Services and Incubations at Qatar Development Bank, said, ' Due to the pivotal role the Home-based business play and the significant impact they have in contributing to the development of the national economy.

'3^rd edition of the Ramadan Bazaar Markets is organized as a continuation to the success of the previous editions. The Ramadan Bazaar Markets 2018 offers home-based businesses a unique opportunity to display and sell their products, create new marketing and distribution channels, and showcase their projects on a wide scale. This comes in line with QDB’s strategy to support home-based businesses and to improve their economic and social stability and in return contribute to the sustainability and diversification of the national economy, which is in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030. QDB is committed to support and empower these businesses, enhance entrepreneurs’ skills, improve levels of production and provide them with market access opportunities to transform these businesses into larger enterprises.”

During the event, a special interview was held with Abdulsalam Abu Issa, CEO of Salam International, where he shared his career path success stories with the participating entrepreneurs and guests.

QDB continues to offer various programs and initiatives aimed at assisting Qatari entrepreneurs and qualifying them to successfully enter the labor market, taking into consideration the pivotal role the SMEs provide to the economy and its effective contribution in achieving the main objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 which aims at building a diversified and competitive knowledge-based economy.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                       24 May 2017

Home improvement and lifestyle store, ACE has opened its first store in Doha, Qatar.

Located in Doha Festival City, the store has a gross leasable area of 39,719 sq. ft. and retail space of 25,300 sq. ft.

ACE Doha offers customers a wide range of products in four key categories including Do-it-Yourself (DIY) and Hardware, Outdoor Living, Home Improvement, and Home Living.

“We are extremely pleased to introduce the ACE brand to customers in Qatar. Entering the Qatar market is an important strategic step for us and part of the group’s expansion plan for the region,” said Wayne Cohen, Managing Director of ACE.

The store boasts a wide range of products from world-renowned brands including Weber, Leisuregrow, Karcher, Gardena, Karcher, Black & Decker, Makita, Clark + Kensington, SUKI, Craftsman Valspar, Bosch, Sentry, Dewalt, in addition to exclusive ranges from ACE, Worx power tools, Addis home products and Broil King all under one roof.

The store also features an in-store garden centre with plants and accessories for the perfect garden.

The store also offers a range of services including paint mixing, key cutting, free timber cutting on wood bought-in store, repotting, home delivery and installation, and click and collect.

Cohen said on the occasion that “The new store features over 14,000 home improvement and lifestyle products giving customers more choices to improve their living space. At ACE, it is in our DNA to make our customers’ lives more comfortable and the new store will bring our unique blend of personal, knowledgeable and helpful service along with our home improvement expertise that will put us at the forefront of Qatar’s home improvement sector. We welcome all shoppers to our store and look forward to establishing the brand as a new destination for families in Qatar.”

As part of the opening, ACE will be offering customers special prices on selected products across all categories.

The ACE store is open Sunday to Wednesday 9am to 10pm and on Thursday to Saturday from 9am to midnight. The store will be closed on Fridays between 11:30am until 1pm.

 

 

Strelna, Russia                                                                                                                                                                                    24 May 2018                                                                                                                                                                                        (Tass News)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he discussed with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron the situation following the US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal.

"We exchanged opinions on the situation that has developed as a result of unilateral moves by the US to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program," he said.

Macron, in his turn, told reporters that the nuclear agreement with Iran should be preserved, and the Islamic Republic should honor its commitments under the deal.

"As we have already mentioned during the EU-Western Balkans summit, we need to achieve a situation in which Iran strictly fulfills its obligations under the nuclear agreement and honors its obligations," he said.

The French leader said that "pragmatic agreements" are needed, under which French companies "keep their economic profit, despite the US sanctions, and maintain their economic presence in Iran."

The two leaders also addressed the situation in the southeast of Ukraine.

"We emphasized the importance of strict compliance with the Minsk agreements to ensure a stable comprehensive settlement of the crisis in Ukraine," the Russian president said after the talks.

Iran’s supreme and spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has set out seven conditions to be met by Europe to preserve the international nuclear deal, the Al-Jazeera TV quoted him as saying.

Those conditions include measures by European banks to safeguard trade with Tehran even after US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and EU guarantees on further sales of Iranian crude. Besides, EU nations must promise they would raise the issue of Iran’s ballistic missile program and the Islamic Republic’s regional activities.

"We have no conflicts with regard to these three countries [United Kingdom, France and Germany]; but we do not trust them, based on previous experience," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday at a meeting with representatives of the three branches of the Iranian government.

"If the Europeans linger over our demands, Iran has the right to resume its nuclear activities. When we see that the JCPOA was useless, one way forward is to restart those halted activities," he said.

Iran nuclear deal issue

In 2015, Iran and six major powers (five member states of the United Nations Security Council - Russia, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China and Germany) agreed on the final Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which particularly stipulated the removal of sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear program.

On May 8, Trump announced Washington’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. He said that old sanctions on Iran would be restored and new ones would be introduced in case Tehran attempted to pursue its nuclear ambitions.

In the wake of Trump’s decision, the leaders of Great Britain, Germany and France called on other participants in the deal to continue fulfilling it. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Tehran would not abandon the JCPOA and would continue to comply with its obligations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Washington’s withdrawal from the JCPOA would violate the United Nations Security Council’s resolution. He added that Russia would seek to maintain the agreement despite US plans to resume sanctions against Iran.

On May 21, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo laid out Washington’s 12 demands for a new nuclear deal with Iran.

 

The Hague                                                                                                                                                                                             25 May 2018                                                                                                                                                                                        (Tass News)

Australia and the Netherlands have officially accused Russia of its alleged involvement in the 2014 flight MH17 crash in Ukraine and plan to hold Moscow responsible, the Dutch government said in a statement on Friday.

"The Netherlands and Australia hold Russia responsible for its part in the downing of flight MH17. The government took a decision on this matter, on the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stef Blok. Our two countries have informed Russia of their decision," the statement said.

"The downing of flight MH17 caused unimaginable suffering,’ said Dutch foreign minister Stef Blok. ‘The government has always said that the truth surrounding the MH17 disaster had to be brought to light and that justice must be achieved for the victims and their next of kin. The Netherlands has the support of the international community in this respect," the document said.

The Netherlands and Australia are convinced on the basis of JIT’s conclusions that "Russia is responsible for the deployment of the Buk installation that was used to down MH17." "The government is now taking the next step by formally holding Russia accountable."

On Thursday, the Joint Investigation Team, consisting of representatives of Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine, released its update in criminal investigation of flight MH17 crash. According to JIT, "the BUK-TELAR that was used to down MH17, originates from the 53rd Anti Aircraft Missile brigade (hereinafter 53rd brigade), a unit of the Russian army from Kursk in the Russian Federation."

Russia’s Defense Ministry rejected all the accusations saying that none of the Russian Army’s air defense missile systems had ever crossed the border between Russia and Ukraine. The ministry also said that Russia provided the Dutch investigators with overwhelming evidence clearly pointing to the complicity of Ukrainian crews of Buk missile systems in destroying the Boeing airliner.

The Boeing-777 passenger plane operated by Malaysian Airlines crashed on July 17, 2014, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur in the east of the Donetsk region. As many as 283 passengers and 15 crew members - citizens of 10 states, were killed in the crash. The parties to the armed conflict in Donbass accused each other of its complicity in the tragedy.

Russian Spokesman Dmitry Peskov commenting on the charges said today "I want to repeat the president’s words to you - the investigation was carried out in the Netherlands, this investigation team did not include the Russian side, though the Ukrainian side was represented," Peskov pointed out.

"Certainly, without having the possibility to be a full-fledged party, Russia does not know to what degree the conclusions of this endeavor can be trusted," he noted.

Moscow had shown its willingness to provide all the necessary assistance to identify those behind this tragedy, the spokesman stressed.

 

 

 

Qingdao, China                                                                                                                                                                                    24 May 2018                                                                                                                                                                                        (Xinhua News)

About 2,000 volunteers are preparing for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the east China city of Qingdao.

During the 18th summit of the SCO, scheduled to be held in June in the coastal city in Shandong Province, the volunteers will offer services such as assisting with guests' arrival and departure, translation, and media requests.

A launch ceremony for the volunteer program was held on Thursday, during which 700 volunteers took an oath.

Local authorities said the recruitment of volunteers, targeting ten universities in the city, began in January 2018. More than 20,000 people have applied for the posts.

Xu Guohui, a teacher at Qingdao University, said the school has 310 student volunteers, and they have been undergoing various kinds of training since March in order to prepare for their roles.

Earlier on Tuesday, 22 May at the 13th meeting of SCO Security Council Secretaries in Beijing, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi on Tuesday called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries to enhance political mutual trust and jointly safeguard regional stability and development.

Zhao made the remarks in a keynote speech in presence of delegates from India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives from the SCO secretariat and regional counter-terrorist agencies attended the meeting.

He called on the SCO countries to give full play to the role of the SCO security council secretaries, and work together to combat forces of terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

The 15th Meeting of Cultural Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States was held in Sanya, Hainan province, on Wednesday and Thursday. 16-17 May, 2018.

Key discussions focused on achieving more in-depth and creative multilateral cultural cooperation.

In a keynote speech at the gathering, Luo Shugang, China's minister of culture and tourism, expressed the goodwill of the Chinese government and people in seeking to build a shared community with other countries. He spoke highly of the cultural ministers meeting mechanism of SCO member states in promoting regional cultural cooperation and mutual understanding of the people.

 

Beijing                                                                                                                                                                                                   24 May 2018                                                                                                                                                                                         (Xinhua News)

President Xi Jinping Thursday told visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel that China will work with Germany to push bilateral ties to a higher level.

Xi welcomed Merkel on her 11th visit to China, hailing the great importance she has attached to bilateral ties.

Since the two countries launched an all-dimensional strategic partnership in 2014, bilateral ties have improved significantly with the cooperation width and depth reaching an unprecedented level, said Xi.

He said China and Germany must set an example of win-win cooperation, take the lead in promoting China-Europe ties, advocate the new type of international relations and override the ideological differences for cooperation.

"This should be the direction that bilateral ties will move to in the next stage," said Xi.

He called on both sides to maintain high-level exchange, enhance top-down planning on bilateral ties, encourage bilateral cooperation in various areas and give full play to dialogue mechanisms.

"We welcome Germany to grasp opportunities arising from China's new round of reform and opening up," said Xi.

He said the two countries should expand industrial and market cooperation, driven by innovation, and jointly explore the third-party markets.

The two countries need to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges to consolidate the basis of friendship, and jointly deal with global challenges, said Xi.

"We would like to promote global governance and multilateralism together with Germany within the multilateral frameworks," said Xi.

China appreciates Germany's support for the Belt and Road Initiative, and welcomes German enterprises' active participation, he said.

For her part, Merkel said she was glad to visit China soon after her re-election as German Chancellor in March.

Echoing Xi's comments on Germany-China ties, Merkel said China is an important member of the international community and an important trade partner of Germany.

As Germany-China ties have entered into a new era, Germany is ready to take the new opportunities of China's reform and opening up to expand cooperation on trade and investment as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges, she said.

On European integration, Xi said China has always firmly supported Europe in choosing a path of integration. He added that China hopes the European Union will maintain unity, stability, openness and prosperity.

China is willing to work with the European side to advocate multilateralism and send more messages that are clear, predictable and confidence-boosting, for the development of international situation that is stable and conducive to all, Xi said.

Merkel said because the international situation has undergone great changes, Germany and China must enhance communication and coordination on international affairs, intensify cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the G20.

Germany backs Europe-China cooperation, she said.

The two sides also exchanged views on international trade, the Iran nuclear issue and other issues of common concern.

Merkel is paying an official visit to China on Thursday and Friday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Also on Thursday, Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met with Merkel, calling for more cooperation between the two countries' legislatures.

Ankara                                                                                                                                                                                                   25 May 2018                                                                                                                                                                                         (Anadolu News)

Ankara and Islamabad have signed a deal for the sale of 30 Turkish attack helicopters, according to an election manifesto the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party announced Thursday.

In a November 2017 interview with the Anadolu Agency, Pakistani Minister for Defense Production Rana Tanveer Hussain said his country planned to procure 30 attack helicopters and four naval ships from Turkey.

Hussain revealed that Pakistan was interested in the T129 ATAK helicopter, developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries and the Italy-based AgustaWestland.

The gunship helicopter was added to the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces in 2014.

On March 23, T129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey participated in a fly-past ceremony in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

Islamabad                                                                                                                                                                                             25 May 2018                                                                                                                                                                                         (Daily The Nation)

The Senate today passed The Constitution Amendment Bill, 2018 with two thirds majority paving the way for merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reported by Radio Pakistan.

It was moved by Law Minister Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk.

Seventy-one members voted in favour of the amendment while five against it.

The constitution amendment was passed by the National Assembly yesterday with two thirds majority.

According to the amendment, the number of seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly will increase to 145 from 124. FATA will be granted sixteen general seats, four seats for women and one seat for non-Muslims in the provincial assembly. Elections to these seats shall be held within one year after the general elections 2018.

The amendment reduces the number of seats in the National Assembly from three hundred forty-two to three hundred and thirty-six. The members of the National Assembly from FATA to be elected in 2018 election shall continue till dissolution of the Lower House.

According to the constitution amendment, the number of seats of Senate has been reduced to ninety-six from one hundred and four. The existing members of the Senate from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas shall continue till expiry of their respective terms of office.

The constitution amendment also envisages amendments in article 246 and repeals article 247 which place the tribal areas under the command and control of President.

In his remarks on the occasion, the chair congratulated the tribal people over the passage of the bill, saying it will bring them to the national mainstream. He said the Upper House today fulfilled its responsibility and the promises made with the tribal people.

Leader of the Opposition Sherry Rehman described the constitution amendment on FATA’s merger as a historic step in the country’s history. She said this will bring the tribal areas to the fold of constitution. She pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has a very important role in the whole transition process. She expressed the confidence that women from tribal areas will also be involved in the decision making.

Speaking on the constitution amendment, Mian Raza Rabbani said that tribal people have rendered immense sacrifices in the war on terror. He said the valiant people of tribal areas have always demonstrated their patriotism and love to the country for which they deserve our appreciation.

Azam Swati in his remarks said that the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will help free the tribal areas from the clutches of decades old system. He said this initiative will usher a new era of development in the tribal agencies.

Siraj ul Haq said that the merger will prove to the beneficial both for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA. He said this will increase the share of the province in the National Finance Commission.

Maulana Ghafoor Haideri of JUI (F) opposed the merger of FATA withKhyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Lahore                                                                                                                                                                                                    25 May 2018                                                                                                                                                                                         (The Nation)

Former premier Nawaz Sharif Thursday sent a legal notice to National Accountability Bureau Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal, seeking a public apology within two weeks for accusing him of illegally transferring $4.9 billion to India.

Sharif, who was ousted as the prime minister in July 2017 by the Supreme Court, termed the NAB chief’s accusations rigging before the forthcoming general elections.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid sought public apology from NAB Chairman Javed Iqbal in English and Urdu newspapers within 14 days. He also warned him of legal proceedings if he failed to do so.

The notice further stated that a press conference of the NAB chairman on May 9 maligned Nawaz Sharif despite a clarification from the World Bank and State Bank on May 8.

The World Bank stated that neither the name of any person nor was statement related to money laundering mentioned in the report, the notice added.

The World Bank had denied as “incorrect” the reports that Sharif allegedly laundered $ 4.9 billion to India after the NAB ordered a probe against the former prime minister and others.

The World Bank in a statement had said, “There have been media reports citing the World Bank’s Remittances and Migration Report of 2016. These reports are incorrect.” “The World Bank’s Remittances and Migration Report is an effort by the World Bank to estimate migration and remittances numbers across the world,” it had said. “The report does not include any mention of money laundering nor does it name any individual,” said the World Bank.

The World Bank also referred to a statement by the State Bank of Pakistan which rejected estimates of $4.9 billion in remittances from Pakistan to India on September 21, 2016, and provided an explanation of the methodology used in the World Bank report and the official remittances numbers.

Sharif’s notice to the NAB chief said: “it was a dishonesty to make such remarks without confirming from credible sources”. Supreme Court Advocate Barrister Munawwar Dogal sent the notice to the NAB chief on behalf of Nawaz Sharif.

Earlier, Sharif had asked the NAB chief to furnish evidence in the money-laundering allegations against him or tender resignation, accusing Iqbal of his character-assassination. “I have pointed out the biased attitude of NAB several times. The NAB chairman’s press release confirmed my statements. The report of World Bank was made the basis of the case while distorting the facts,” Sharif had asserted.

Responding to Sharif’s demand of furnishing evidence or tendering resignation, the NAB chief had said if carrying out accountability was a crime, then he would continue to do so in the future as well.

Islamabad                                                                                                                                                                                            24 May 2018                                                                                                                                                                                        (APP)

The much-awaited Thirty-First Amendment Bill, 2018, of Pakistan Constitution (formally known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Reforms Bill), finally sailed through the National Assembly on Thursday, amid opposition by government allied parties Jamiat-e-ulema-Islam (JUI-F) and Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP).

A total of 229 members cast their votes in favour of the bill while one opposed it.

The bill aimed at integrating the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) with the respective provinces and the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) with the province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and bringing the people of tribal areas in the main stream.

Minister of Law and Justice Chaudhary Mahmood Bashir Virk piloted the bill further to amend the Constitution [The Constitution (Thirsty-first Amendment) Bill, 2018] in the House.

Amendments in seven articles of the Constitution were proposed under the bill. In the article 1 of the Constitution which defines the territories of Pakistan, it seeks to omit the paragraph “C” of sub-clause-2 of the article-1 under which FATA is placed as separate territory of the country like the four provinces. After the “C” omission, the federally administered tribal areas shall form part of the territory of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

It also seeks to amend the clause-1 of the Article-51 which defines the number of seats in the National Assembly as three hundred and forty-two. The draft bill seeks to reduce the number of seats from 342 to 326 and also replaces the table which gives the seats division between provinces and federal capital, given in the clause-3 with a new one with total 326 seats.

It adds a new clause called “3A” after the clause 3 to give legal cover to the representatives who will be elected from FATA in general polls 2018. They will continue as member of the national assembly till dissolution of the National Assembly and thereafter this clause shall stand omitted.

It removes the word “Federally Administered Tribal Areas,” from the clause-5 under which seats of the national assembly are allocated on population bases.

The bill also seeks changes in the Article-59 which deals with Senate. It reduces the number of Senate members from 104 to 96. It omits the sub-clause (b) of the clause-1 of the Article-59 which gives 8 members to FATA thus FATA members will be deleted.

It also delete the sub-clause (b) of the clause-3 of the same article which states that 4 of the Senators elected from FATA shall retire after three years and 4 four after next three years.

Under Amendment to Article 106 of the Constitution, new clauses (1 A) and 1 (B) are inserted which deals with number of seats of FATA in the KP provincial assembly. Out of total 21 seats, 16 seats will be for general, four for women and one for non-Muslim. However, elections to the aforesaid seats shall be held within one year after the General Election, 2018.

The Articles-246 which deals with tribal areas, the clause “C” which defines and names the federally administered tribal areas is omitted. Furthermore, a new clause “d” is inserted which states that the laws applicable in these areas will remain applicable until repealed or changed by competent authority.

Meanwhile, the bill also seeks to omit the Article 247 of the Constitution.

Earlier, opposing the bill, Naeema Kishwar Khan of JUI-F regretted that neither rules nor procedures were being followed to bring the FATA reforms bill in the House. She said that JUI-F also wanted reforms in FATA but the process should not be done in haste. She was of the view that any decision about FATA should be done by its people.

Bilal-ur-Rehman from Aurakzai Agency said that the people of FATA did not want merger and termed , when this bill is being passed, as black day. He said that FATA should be given status of a province or council as the merger would be injustice with the people.

Dawar Kundi of PTI said that the FATA Jirga had opposed this FATA reform bill, adding that the merger was against the spirit of Federation. He said “We should encourage formation of more administrative units instead of merging the existing ones.”

Jamal-ud-Din of JUI-F said that the government has failed to fulfill its promises it had made with the people, adding the bill which is being introduced, is not beneficial for the people of FATA. He said that people of FATA should be asked what they wanted and warned that if any decision was taken against their will, it would not be in the country’s interest.

Naseema Hafeez of PkMAP condemned the bill and demanded that people of FATA should be asked what they want while Shahida Akhtar Ali of JUI-F said that the people of FATA should be given right to self-determination to decide whether they were in favour of merger or not.

Abdul Qahar Wadan of PkMAP demanded that FATA people should be asked what they want. He was of the view that it was not in jurisdiction of the parliament to decide about the FATA’s merger, rather the powers were with the President of the country to conduct referendum in FATA and let the people decide what they want.

Shah Jee Gul Afridi said that FATA Reforms was the part of National Action Plan (NAP) which was signed by the JUI-F and PkMAP and now they were reneging from their promises.

Jamaat-e-Islami Parliamentary Leader Sahibzada Tariq Ullah said that FATA Reforms was good effort of the government but now it should not delay to present in the House.

Vice President PTI Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that it was historic day in the country history and all the political parties should work for the national interest above their political differences.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday said that the historic bill passed by the National Assembly for merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would have positive outcomes for Pakistan and called for similar consensus for resolution of all national issues as demonstrated by the House today.

Addressing the National Assembly after the House adopted a landmark bill by two-third majority, the prime minister said both the treasury and opposition benches had shown a great spirit by supporting the government to enact the legislation.

He said the government had been striving to make the legislation for the last four years and had formed a FATA Reforms Committee led by Sartaj Aziz. Based on the committee recommendations, an implementation body was formed, comprising all stakeholders which helped to evolve consensus, he added.

The prime minister thanked opposition leaders Syed Khurshid Shah, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Farooq Sattar for supporting the government and help accelerate the passage of the bill despite specific complications.