Doha 31 Oct 2018 (QNA)
Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited on Wednesday morning the 12th International exhibition on Homeland Security and Civil Defense (Milipol Qatar 2018), held in the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
Amir of Qatar toured the pavilions and inspected various sections of the exhibition, which witnesses the participation of several international companies and companies from State of Qatar. He was given briefing on the latest products of the companies in field of safety, defense and internal security, especially cyber security and security management of major events, communications software, airport security systems, and others.
He also visited several sections of Qatar Ministry of Interior and the pavilion of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya). Amir of Qatar was also briefed on the command and control unit of Hamad Medical Corporation. He was also briefed on a number of security, safety, and surveillance applications designed by young Qataris for individuals and institutions.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of State of Qatar was also present on the occasion.
Doha 31 Oct 2018
The 12th edition of the leading international internal security and civil defence exhibition “Milipol Qatar 2018” concluded successfully in Doha Exhibition and Convention Center this evening.
Maj. Gen. Nasser bin Fahad Al Thani, President of Milipol Qatar lauded as great success of 2018 Milipol Qatar held from 29-31 October in Doha. Present on the occasion were Brig. Saud Al Shafi, Assistant Director Logistics Department of Ministry of Interior, Qatar and Michael Weatherseed, member of Milipol Qatar Committee and Milipol Vents Director for announcing the statistics of the expo.
He also announced of 13th edition of Milipol Qatar to be held in 2020 from 26 to 28 October.
Maj. Gen. Nasser Al Thani said that, 222 exhibitors from 24 countries, including 7 new countries such as Greece, India, Latvia, Morocco, Russia, Slovenia and Switzerland participated in the 12th edition of the expo and there were 5 International Pavilions from UK, Germany, Italy, France and North America. 90 companies from Qatar took part in the exhibition, he told.
He said that 8, 487 visitors attended the exhibition in addition of number of Ministers, Deputy ministers, Police Chiefs, Undersecretaries, Commanders of Jendermaire, representatives of ministries and high ranking security chiefs from brotherly and sisterly countries attended the exhibition. He noticed that 39 % more visitors comparing to 2016 were recorded attending on a 30% more area than earlier in 11th Exhibition. He also said that around 352 reporters from different parts of the world covered the event.
Brig. Al Shafi said that the last contracts signed for the Ministry of Interior of Qatar during the expo valued about QR 48 million in the area of cyber security and also another contract worth QR 20 million riyals with Diyar Al Sharq Al Awsat, another cyber security company.
Michael Weatherseed, Director, Milipol vents pointed out that the expo has achieved huge success according to the statistics announced by the Milipol Qatar president, compared to the statistics of Milipol 2016 edition and the total value of the contracts worth QR 527.5 million signed during the expo is also a great evidence of the success of the expo. This year’s exhibition was excelled compared to previous years in terms of expo space, exhibitors and the countries participated for the first time.
Brig. Al Shafi announced today in a press conference the details of contracts signed for the Ministry of Interior on the third day of the expo.
The first contract worth QR 9,365,634 was signed with Ideal Solutions company for importing and fixing vehicle tracking devices and its maintenance, while the Mannai trading company bagged the contract worth QR 92,515,343 for preparing infrastructure and upgrading vocal communication systems and technical support for Cisco systems.
The third contract worth 3,152,428 was signed with Orbis systems for upgrading documents reading and iris attendance systems, while the forth contract with GET company worth QR 20,700,000 was for importing ID cards for expatriates and driving license and its components.
Doha 28 Oct. 2018
Pakistan's State Minister of Interior, Shaharyar Khan Afridi reaffirmed Pakistan's government full support to Kashmiri brothers in their struggle for self determination as per UN Resolutions.
Afridi is on visit to State of Qatar to attend 13th Milipol Conference & Exhibition. He was addressing to a large gathering of Pakistanis including Kashmiri community members at Pakistan embassy premises gathered to mark Kashmir Black Day and to show their solidarity with the people of Indian Held Kashmir. 71 years before, just only 2 months and 13 days after creation of Pakistan as a new country on world's map, Indian forces landed at Sri Nagar airport on 27 October 1947 and occupied a portion of Kashmir region. Then Indian leadership took the case to UN Security Council for ceasefire where it promised to hold plebiscite for people of Kashmir to decide to stay with India or as part of Pakistan. However, India later start denying the right of self determination to Kashmiri people. Tens of thousands of Kashmiris have been killed by Indian land forces, thousands of ladies are raped, their houses has been demolished and thousands are kept in jails.
Afridi stressed on proactive diplomatic initiatives in regards to highlight Kashmir issue. On the silence and being world body as spectator on the worst atrocities being committed by Indian forces on innocent Kashmiris, he regarded as highly pathetic. Afridi said on one side world is talking about human rights, women rights so much so of animal rights, on other side Indian held Kashmir is bleeding and suffering and the world is silent.
Third Secretary, Pakistan embassy Sarwar Hussain Sher conducted the program organised by Pakistan embassy on Saturday. He read special messages from President and Prime Minister of Pakistan on the occasion. Both the Pakistani leaders stressed on world body to act on UN Security Council Resolutions on Kashmir. They expressed their full moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris in Indian Held Kashmir on their struggle for the right of self determination.
Murad Baseer, Charge d’ Affairs of Pakistan stressed on Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir issue through self-determination. He said that Pakistan will provide full support through political and diplomatic ways.
Among other speakers included Prof Dr. Farhan Chak, Mohammad Khan, renowned Pakistani businessman, President Pak-Kashmir Welfare Council and Rama Anwar Ali, Chairman, Sohni Dharti, AlKhor Community, a Pakistani vibrant socio-cultural forum. Speakers stressed on Pakistani leadership not to depend on few forums or countries like US and few other capitals of European countries, but to raise the issue on various forums in different regions of the world.
Speakers paid their homage on the sacrifices in Indian held Kashmir and assured that their sacrifices will bear its fruits.
On the occasion, a documentary was also shown witnessing atrocities on Kashmiris by the Indian forces.
24 Oct. 2018
Saudi Arabis's King Salman bin Abdulaziz AlSaud and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman AlSaud received Jamal Khashoggi's sons Salah and Sahel at the Yamama Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday, where Saudi ruler expressed their condolences, reported by official news agency of Saudi Arabia.
It is also reported by media that Salah Khashoggi is on Exit Control List, a ban on travelling outside the country.
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman is believed generally involved directly in killing has come under mounting international pressure with critics suspecting he ordered the high-profile assassination, or at least knew about it.
AlJazeera News reported Crown Prince bin Salman has come under mounting international pressure with critics suspecting he ordered the high-profile assassination, or at least knew about it.
"They brought him to the royal court to accept condolences. The look on his face. This photo makes me want to scream and throw up," wrote Manal al-Sharif, author of Daring to Drive: a Saudi Woman's Awakening.
Chris Doyle, from the Council of Arab-British Understanding, told Al Jazeera the meeting between Khashoggi's family members and the Saudi leadership was designed to help its reputation, but the reaction on social media indicates it was yet another communications failure surrounding the murder.
"They were seen being generous towards the family, but we see an image here that speaks 1,000 words. Really it tells such a story of the pain of Salah, Jamal Khashoggi's son, in meeting King Salman - and particularly the crown prince," said Doyle.
Islamabad 23 Oct. 2018 (APP)
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday agreed to place a deposit of $3 billion with Pakistan for one year as balance of payment support, besides providing a one-year deferred payment facility of up to $ 3 billion per year for the import of oil for three years.
The decisions came following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Saudi Arabia and his successful talks with the Saudi leadership.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed its interest in the oil refinery project in Pakistan, the PM Office said here in a statement. Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman agreed to the Prime Minister’s suggestion to reduce visa fee for Pakistani workers, which is a significant step towards enhancing the country’s workforce in Saudi Arabia, as well as facilitating travel of people from both the countries.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Finance Asad Umar, Minister for Information Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood and Chairman Board of Investment Haroon Sharif.
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Saudi Arabia has resulted in significant understandings between the two countries. He visited Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to participate in the Future Investment Initiative Conference on October 22-23.
During the visit, Prime Minister had detailed bilateral discussions with King Salman and the Crown Prince.
Far-reaching decisions on bilateral economic and financial cooperation were also reached, which included:
– A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Finance Minister Asad Umer and Saudi Finance Minister Muhammad Abdullah Al-Jadaan under which Saudi Arabia would place a deposit of USD three billion for a period of one year as balance of payment support.
It was agreed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would also provide a one-year deferred payment facility for import of oil, up to USD three billion and this arrangement would be in place for three years, which would be reviewed thereafter.
– The earlier visit of the Saudi delegation had evaluated the possibility of investing in a petroleum refinery in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia confirmed its interest in this project, and an MoU will be signed after obtaining cabinet approval.
– Saudi Arabia expressed interest in development of mineral resources in Pakistan. For this purpose, the Federal Government and the Government of Balochistan will consult, following which a delegation of the Kingdom will be invited to visit Pakistan.
Today (October 23), after the inauguration of the FII conference, a Pakistan-specific session was organized, in which the Prime Minister underlined the country’s priorities towards optimizing the economy and attracting foreign investment.
Stressing the focus of his government on human resource development, the Prime Minister highlighted the potential of Pakistani youth, and identified lucrative investment opportunities in the tourism sector, minerals, coal and gas exploration and information technology.
He mentioned the successes of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, which had brought peace and stability to the country. He also elaborated the significance of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including the investment opportunities in the special economic zones.
The Prime Minister also took several questions from the audience comprising hundreds of business entrepreneurs.
The Prime Minister had arrived in Madina Munawara on Monday, where he was received by Prince Faisal bin Salman, Governor of Madina.
After Ziarat-e-Khas at Masjid-e-Nabwi (Peace Be Upon Him), the Prime Minister proceeded to Riyadh, where he was received by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh.
The Telegraph (UK) 23 Oct. 2018
Donald Trump’s administration has announced penalties against the suspected Saudi Arabian killers of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as the US president called his death “the worst cover-up ever”.
Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, said suspects had already been identified in Saudi Arabia’s intelligence agencies, royal court, foreign ministry and other parts of the government.
Mr Pompeo said some of those identified would have their visas taken away or monitored, adding that the Trump administration was considering whether wider sanctions should be implemented.
It is the toughest response yet to Mr Khashoggi's death from the Trump administration.
Mr Pompeo did not give names or say how many would people would be impacted, stressing that the full facts were still emerging. “These penalties will not be the last word on the matter from the United States,” Mr Pompeo said.
“We're making very clear that the United States does not tolerate this kind of ruthless action to silence Mr Khashoggi, a journalist, through violence.”
Minutes before the announcement, Mr Trump had told reporters in the White House that attempts to conceal Mr Khashoggi’s killing amounted to the “worst cover-up ever”.
Mr Trump said: "They had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups."
However he also appeared to question the tone adopted by Recep Erdoğan, the Turkish president, in a speech on Mr Khashoggi on Tuesday, saying he had been “pretty rough on Saudi Arabia”.
Mr Trump also stressed the importance of the US-Saudi relationship and suggested that Congress, rather than his administration, would take the lead on whether to sanction the country in punishment. "I’m going to leave it up very much to Congress,” Mr Trump said.
Mr Erodgan said on Tuesday that the death of Mr Khashoggi was “a savage murder” planned in advance by Saudi officials, as he rejected Riyadh’s claim that the journalist was killed accidentally by rogue operatives.
Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, responded by summoning Mr Khashoggi’s son to the royal palace for a photo opportunity where he and the king “expressed their condolences” over the journalist’s death.
In his first major speech since Mr Khashoggi disappeared on October 2, Mr Erdogan said Turkish intelligence indicated the killing was “a planned operation” and called for “those who gave the orders” to be held accountable for the crime.
Despite promising to reveal “the naked truth”, Mr Erdogan left several major questions unanswered. He did not say if Turkish intelligence indicates that Crown Prince Mohammed ordered the killing, as several US senators have alleged.
He also said nothing about an alleged audio tape which Turkish officials say proves that Mr Khashoggi was tortured and that Saudi Arabia is lying about his death.
While Mr Erdogan stopped short of making direct accusations, his speech adds to pressure on Riyadh, which has been facing a wave of international scepticism since claiming over the weekend that Crown Prince Mohammed was not involved in the killing.
Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary said he was “deeply concerned to hear President Erdogan describe Jamal Khashoggi’s murder as pre-meditated. The world is still waiting for answers.”
Mike Pence, the US vice president, said the killing “will not go without an American response”. “I want to assure the American people we’re going to get to the bottom of it,” he said.
Crown Prince Mohammed, 33, tried to project calm and confidence Tuesday by appearing at an afternoon session of his “Davos in the Desert" summit, where he was greeted with a standing ovation and was mobbed for selfies by young Saudi men.
Earlier in the day, he and King Salman met with Mr Khashoggi’s son, Salah, who is under a travel ban and is unable to leave Saudi Arabia.
The meeting produced a striking photograph of the younger Mr Khashoggi shaking hands and looking into the eyes of the prince, who faces widespread allegations of ordering his father’s murder.
Mr Erdogan later made his own phone call to Mr Khashoggi’s other son, Abdullah, and vowed to do “everything necessary to solve the murder”.
The competing condolences from the two heads of state show how the Khashoggi family find themselves caught up in the broader political rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Turkey in the Middle East.
Ankara 23 Oct 2018 (Anadolu News)
The Oct. 2 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "premeditated", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.
Speaking during his Justice and Development (AK) Party's group meeting at parliament, Erdogan addressed details over Turkey's investigation into the murder of Khashoggi.
"Murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was premeditated", Erdogan said, adding that Turkey has strong evidence that the murder was planned. Erdogan added that all information, evidence that has been revealed till now showed that Khashoggi was the victim of a brutal murder. Erdogan said Saudi teams made explorations in the city's Belgrad Forest and the northwestern province of Yalova before murdering Khashoggi.
In his speech, Erdogan also said that the Saudi government formally admitted to the killing of Khashoggi 17 days after his murder. "Vienna convention would not allow such a "brutal" murder to happen", Erdogan also stated. "Diplomatic immunity, which is a part of the Vienna Convention, will be debated", he remarked.
Separately, Erdogan offered condolences to the family and relatives of Khashoggi.
Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, had gone missing since entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. After denying knowledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts for two weeks, Saudi Arabia on Saturday said he was killed during a fight inside its Istanbul consulate.
His body has not been recovered, nor has Saudi Arabia explained its shifting narrative on what transpired.
On the day of Khashoggi’s disappearance, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while he was still inside, according to Turkish police sources. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Tuesday he was "deeply concerned" at Turkey's description of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder as "premeditated".
Hunt’s remarks came shortly after a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the case which has drawn strong reactions from across the world.
“The world is still waiting for answers,” Hunt said on Twitter. On Monday, Hunt rejected the explanation provided by Saudi Arabia over the murder.
Hunt said the questions of "who authorized the dispatch of 15 officials from Saudi Arabia to Istanbul?", "when the Riyadh government first learned of Khashoggi’s death?", "why there was a delay in allowing investigators into the consulate?" and "why Khashoggi’s death was not disclosed until Oct. 19, some 17 days after it happened?" must be answered by the Saudi government.
“The actions Britain and our allies take will depend on two things: firstly the credibility of the final explanation given by Saudi Arabia, and secondly on our confidence that such an appalling episode cannot - and will not - be repeated,” Hunt added.
Also reacting to Erdogan’s speech, Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said the Turkish president had directed some questions to Saudi officials.
Sky News reported the spokesman as saying that the statement by Turkish president underscores the fact that questions over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi remain which only the Saudis have answers to.
Doha 20 Oct. 2018
2018 Annual Frogh-e-Urdu Adab Award & Int'l Poetry Session to be held on 15th November in City Center Rotana Hotel Doha.
'' Majlis-e-Frogh-e-Urdu Adab, a world- renowned Qatar based Urdu literary forum will present the 22nd Aalmi Frogh-e-Urdu Adab Awards to Prof. Dr. Mazhar Mahmood Shairani, a reputed Urdu scholar from Pakistan and to Syed Mohammad Ashraf, a fiction writer and Urdu scholar from India.
Additionally, Special Awards will be presented to Hassan Abdul Karim Chougule, Chairman, Anjuman-e-Mohibban Urdu Hind, Doha, Saif-ur-Rehman, Incharge, Qatar Urdu Radio Service, Azim Abbas, Chairman, Karwan-e-Urdu, Doha and Kamran Rehmat, Editor Community Section, English Daily Gulf Times for their outstanding services for promotion of Urdu language, literature and poetry.
Launched in 1996, the Aalmi Frogh-e-Urdu Adab Awards (International Awards for promotion of Urdu literature), each of which comprises of a gold medal and cash award of Rs. 150,000/= - are given annually to two Urdu writers / scholars, one from India and the other from Pakistan, for their life-time achievements in creative fiction, research and critical works.
The 22nd Aalmi Awards were decided by two independent juries, headed in India by Prof. Dr. Gopi Chand Narang, recipient of prestigious Padma Bhushan Award in literature and former Chairman, Sahitya Academy of India, with Prof. Muhammad Shafey Kidwai, Rashid Anwer Rashid and Zaheer Ahmed.
Pakistan Jury was headed by Prof. Dr. Khurshid Rizvi and its other members were Prof. Dr. Saleem Akhter, Prof. Dr. Tehsin Firaqi and Prof. Dr. Zahid Munir Aamir.
After the awards presentation, a mushaira will be held in memory of the legendary humourous and satirical writer, Mushtaq Ahmed Khan Yousufi, who breathed his last on 20th June this year. The Mushaira will feature top poets from India, Pakistan, U.K. and Kuwait. Majlis will also release a special souvenir on the occasion.
Guest poets from Pakistan this year are Prof. Dr. Peerzada Qasim, Dr. Tehsin Firaqi, Abbas Tabish, Shakil Jazib, Syed Suleman Gilani and Fartash Syed. The guest poets from India are Manzar Bhopali, Tahir Faraz, Abrar Kashif, Sheen Kaaf Nizam and Dr. Ms. Farida Akhter Tarunnum. Ehsan Shahid from U.K., Khalid Sajjad from Kuwait.
Doha based distinguished poets Atiq Anzar, Farzana Safdar and Roaise Mumtaz will be presenting their poetry.
Prof. Dr. Peerzada Qasim, in whose honour the Majlis held a JASHN-E-MUSHAIRA in 1996, will preside over the mushaira. Prof. Shafey Kidwai, an Urdu scholar from Aligarh Muslim University, India will be the guest of honour. ''
Kabul 20 Oct. 2018 (Pajhwok News)
At least 44 people were killed and 238 others wounded in violent incidents across Afghanistan on Saturday as the country held the long due Wolesi Jirga elections in 32 provinces. Lower House elections could not held in Southern Kandahar and Ghazni provinces. On Thursday in an attack by security guards, powerful provincial Police Chief Abdul Razik and Province's Intelligence Chief Abdul Mohmin died immediately while Provincial Governor Zalmay Wesa died later of his injuries at a hospital.
Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack told The Associated Press that US Gen Scott Miller, commander of US and Nato troops in Afghanistan, was the target. Nato officials say Miller escaped unharmed.
Islamabad 20 Oct. 2018 (MOFA-APP)
Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan met on Friday with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of State of Qatar , during his official visit to Islamabad.
The meeting discussed bilateral relations and means of boosting and developing them, as well as matters of common concern.
Visiting Qatar's top diplomat Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman also met on Friday with Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmoud Qureshi in Islamabad. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways of boosting and developing them, and a number of regional and international issues of common concern.
Associated Press of Pakistan reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani called on Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday.
Matters of mutual interest including regional security issues were discussed, said a press release issued here by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff said that Pakistan would continue to positively contribute towards regional peace and stability.
The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s successes in the fight against terrorism and continued efforts for peace and stability in the region.
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