IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL

ASIA'S IRAN OIL BUYS START TO RISE 

AFTER NUCLEAR DEAL

Asian buyers increased purchases of Iranian crude by 25% in last month of January from a year ago as the grip of sanctions imposed by US since 2012 loosened following a landmark agreement in November to curtail Tehran’s nuclear programme.

China, India, Japan and South Korea together bought an average of 1.25 million bpd last month, government and industry data showed. They bought 1.03 million bpd in January. Increased crude exports from Iran may cap oil prices after other oil producers such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq raised output to fill the gap created by the Western sanctions and outages in North Africa and the Middle East.

Iranian exports are increasing and that means more supplies are coming into a market that is already well supplied. The import figures confirm data from sources who track tanker movements that show Iran’s exports have been rising since the nuclear deal was struck in Geneva.

Last month the United States and the European Union began following through on promised sanctions relief for Iran on oil exports, trade in precious metals and automotive services as the November agreement went into effect on Jan. 2014.

Talks on reaching a final settlement to the decade-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme have made a good start, European Union. Toughened sanctions placed on Iran in 2012 more than halved its crude exports, costing it billions of dollars a month in lost oil revenue.

The West says Iran’s nuclear ambitions are aimed at making a weapon. Tehran says it only wants to develop nuclear power. Japan, the world’s fourth biggest oil importer purchased 210517 bpd from Iran last month compared with 239085 bpd in January a year ago according to the trade ministry data showed here on Friday.

China is the largest oil client of Iran. China may buy more Iranian oil in 2014 as state-run trader Corp is negotiating a new condensate contact.

India’s imports from Iran more than doubled last month from December, reaching the highest since February 2012 as one state refiner returned from three month break as a buyer.

At last China, India, Japan and South Korea are together cut their purchases of Iranian crude by 15 percent in 2013 to an average of 10000bpd.

CHINA SUPPORT PAKISTAN ECONOMY

PAKISTAN KEEN TO LEARN FROM 

CHINESE ECONOMIC

Pakistan is keen to learn from the Chinese economic and development miracle and benefit from its expertise in diverse areas of defence, energy, industry, agriculture, communications, commerce and trade.  

Underscoring the importance of greater connectivity between both the countries, Pakistani president Mr. Mamnoon asked the Chinese Defence Minister that the ongoing gigantic project of China-Pakistan  Economic corridor would transform the entire region into a vibrant trade, energy and economic corridor besides further boosting Pak-China bilateral trade to new heights.

The expression of satisfaction from Pakistan on the growing Pak-China defence relations, Pakistan appreciates the vulnerable assistance of China in its efforts to achieve self-reliance in defence field.

Pakistani president thanked by heart and eye to the Chinese government and leadership for its proactive role in socio-economic development and strategic stability of Pakistan.

Appreciating the contributions of Chinese nationals, engineers and workers for economic development of Pakistan. the government of Pakistan accords highest priority to the security of Chinese nationals and assured that the government has undertaken all possible steps for their safety and security.  

The time tested friendship between Pakistan and China was solidly anchored on convergence of strategic interests, commonality of views on regional and international issues, high degree for mutual trust, driven by an abiding interest  in progress and prosperity of each other and promotion of peace and stability in the region.

Pakistan deeply values China’s support on issues of its national security and territorial integrity. Solid foundation of our time-tested and all weather friendship provided by strong mutual trust, excellent cooperation and convergence of views on regional and global issues. China and Pakistan enjoy a unique relationship and deeply appreciated the Chinese support for the projects included in the China-Pakistan Economic corridor in the recent Joint Cooperation Committee.

China-Pakistan economic corridor would not only benefit both nationals, but transform the region’s economy and dovetail perfectly with the strategy of developing and connecting the South and Central Asian regions of the world.

PAKISTAN & ITS SOCIETY

FACTS OF PAKISTANI BRAND

There are good people and good things to describe but it must be admitted that human societies have their limitation. Freedom, justice and equality are only ideals. Total justice and peace are not humanly possible. One should look at negatives with a glass half-full approach and should realize that spreading positivity instead of deprivation will serve the cause better.  Many will only remain on the right track if mental discipline is shaped by education and if there is fear of law, justice and punishment. If a society enjoys justice and fair play, it will surely portray a soft image.

If our social economic and administrative systems work reasonably and efficiently no harm can come to Pakistan. every citizen must have confidence in the justice system. There can be no peace without justice and no civilized society without education. In the absence of justice and literacy no one can envision the credibility of a sound reputation for the country.

Pakistan is making all kinds of efforts to tackle terrorism not only for its own good but also for the whole world. Unfortunately, the western world is not giving Pakistan due credit. It keeps on highlighting only those things through which the image of Pakistan can be damaged and their national interests are served but is it sensible to keep waiting for due credit? Putting aside the debate of this being our war or the war of others enforced on our country and steered by our forces, political leaders should get our unparalleled sacrifices and unshaken resolve acknowledged by the world regardless of mindless propaganda.

The soft image of Pakistan can be portrayed by three sources, culture, economy and by media. Pakistan is not able to attract the western world through its historical and culture heritage. Tourism can bring a big change and can play a pivotal role. Cultural events, exchange programmes, broadcasting or teaching the country’s language and promoting the country’s culture and society can be used as soft tools. Basant (kiting) and Valentine’s Day celebrations will not help. We are in dire need of the culture of tolerance in Pakistan. We must think of starting exchange programmes between students. Teachers must be welcomed from abroad to teach their language to young students in Pakistan and vice versa. Science and technology must be given at high preference. Helping other countries in disasters and emergency situations can provoke our soft side instead of highlighting our miseries with the greed of getting aid from the world. The government of Pakistan should keep working on issues of backwardness, unemployment and economic deprivation in the country and keep striving to address these through judicious distribution of resources.

People by brands not products, this is an age-old fact acknowledged by many researchers all over the world. We need to develop our brand which might be called Pakistani brand. Almost every other country is associated with its national characteristics. Italy is associated with style, Japan with technology, India with history and culture, so our efforts with branding must be guided to find our national, religious and economic roles.

in views of all above facts, the media, particularly the electronically can play a major role. We need to have more English news channels to have more of an international audience. The media has hyped bad news but that does not mean that nothing good has happened or is happening. The media has played a huge part in this feeling of desperation by mainly reporting bad news and harping on about it. The media seems to be shunning every positive piece of news because it is not “sexy” enough and gets no advertising. We all know the publicity is what a company or individual receives when the notable event is good, the publicity usually attracts a new client and gives the company something to brag about in future. We as a nation have to say at last that we are going through bad times and all of us in some way or other are contributors to this. Let us all resolve to get out of this rut by doing sincerely and honestly what our individuals’ jobs are before we point fingers at others. 

TALIBAN SHOT DOWN US HELICOPTER

AFGHAN TALIBAN SHOT DOWN US HELICOPTER

Taliban fighters shot at a US helicopter head – on from nearly point-blank range, US law-makers heard Thursday in what was the single deadliest incident for US and NATO forces in the Afghan war.

Lawmakers were grilling US military officials over the August 2011 attack on the Chinook that killed 30 American as it transported Navy SEAL commandos, along with other American and Afghan troops to flush out a Taliban commander in Wardak province.

Families of some of the victims have alleged the military has  not revealed all the facts of the incident failed to punish commanders in charge of the operation and mishandled some of the remains of the dead.

Afghan soldiers have also been suspected, involved in the operation could have passed word to the Taliban of the chopper’s route.

Taliban fighters atop a building near the designated landing zone fired rocket-propelled grenades at the chopper  from nearly head-on at a distance of less than 200  yards according to the defence secretary  operations. The close range left the pilot no chance to perform evasive maneuvers.

US Army Ranger forces had staged an operation earlier targeting Taliban figure and the Navy Seals were flown in to try to cut off the escape route of the fleeing commander.

Reid dismissed the possibility that Taliban militants learned about the helicopter’s route beforehand, and air crew knew the flight route and landing zone. AC-130 aircraft a predator drone and two Apache helicopters had flown over the designated landing area minutes earlier and failed to detect the Taliban fighters nearby. The harsh reality is that  helicopters remain vulnerable and other shoulder launched weapons and the Chinook is the standard helicopter used by troops at high elevations in Afghanistan due to its longer range and that flying modified model designed for special forces would not have made a difference.

Chinooks have been shot down by Taliban previously in Afghanistan in 2005 and in 2002. The facts remains we will always have to balance the tactical requirement to move troops quickly across the battlefield with the dangers of incurring lethal enemy fire and flying in extreme terrain. 

POLIO CASES IN PAKISTAN

STRATEGY FINALISED FOR SECURITY OF

POLIO TEAMS &, HEALTH WORKERS

A comprehensive security strategy has been chalked out with a view to ensure protection to polio teams and workers across the country. The meeting with the representatives of Bill Gates Foundation and the World  Health Organization (WHO) was held on Friday here in Lahore. It was said that Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan were the three countries of the world where polio cased had been reported more. It is also demanded security for these teams in these countries. It was assured the delegation that instructions had already been passed to all the field officers, as well as those at check posts, to remain in touch with polio teams of their respective areas. For the protection of mothers bringing their children for vaccination, police women would also remain on duty during the activity. The police were on high alert to meet the challenges of terrorism and for the purpose, surveillance was being made more vigilant at all entrances and exit point of the country.

EDUCATION CAN END TERRORISM

ONLY EDUCATION WILL END TERRORISM

FOR VITAL ECONOMIC GROWTH IN PAKISTAN.

Pakistan needs to curb terrorism and promote education for its economic development. It is said by British Politicians in Pakistan by visiting to Government College University Lahore  yesterday.

Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam. Terrorists are not serving it or Pakistan; rather their acts hurt the image of our religion and the country. It is also said by him that Pakistan had a quality of human resource, and the government of Pakistan here needed to create an economic ecosystem, in which this resource could be utilized and brain drain from Pakistan could be stopped. 

TALIBAN SEEK SHELTER IN AFGHANISTAN

AFGHANISTAN MUST NOT PROVIDE SHELTER TO FLEEING TALIBAN.

It is hoped that Afghanistan, as per international understanding and bilateral understanding would not allow any terrorists fleeing from tribal areas to be taken refuge on its territory.

According to the foreign office, official, the military action against terrorists is in progress on this side and Pakistan expects the Afghan government and those managing security in Afghanistan to fulfill their responsibility in this regard. Pakistan has assured all its neighbours that it has adopted the policy that its soil should not be used against them and their soil should not be used against Pakistan.

Pakistan and Afghanistan reiterated their commitment at Ankara, that they would not allow their soils to be used against national interests of each other. About terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, we have raised our concern with the countries concerned and hope they would take it seriously. Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized the need for better border management.

Another side, about the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, the Iran has not been able to meet its obligations with regard to provision of credit line to Pakistan for the completion of this project due to international sanctions.

Any company or consortium too has not evinced interest in getting involved in the project due to sanctions. It is hoped that the process is still under way between Iran and International powers to resolve the issue through negotiations and then Pakistan can move ahead on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.

Pakistan intends to supply arms to Syrian rebels. But this peculation was rejected. Pakistan sells arms to states and not entities and that too strictly in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, under the recognition of the right of states to protect their security reaffirmation of rights of states to self-defence and observing relevant national laws and regulations on export of conventional arms.

Pakistan is persistently and strongly opposed to regime change from outside through any means. Pakistan respects territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria and believes in the policy of respect for human rights but stopping of bloodshed their and welcomes Syrian accession to Chemical Weapons Convention.