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Pakistan has strongly condemned the attack on the Saudi consulate general’s car in Karachi resulting in the death of an official of the diplomatic mission.
The minister of state for foreign affairs Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar spoke to the Saudi foreign minister prince Saud Al Faisal on phone and expressed her shock and anger over the killing and assured that a full investigation into the incident was underway and that perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice. The minister of state expressed her profound sympathies for the family of the deceased Saudi official.

 

 

Pakistan government should investigate how Osama bin Laden managed to hide in a compound in Abbottabad, Says Haqqani

Washington: In an interview to US TV, Pakistan’s ambassador to US Husain Haqqani said he didn’t know whether the al-Qaeda leader had help from his the government or military to stay concealed in Abbottabad, adding he did not think that speculations were going to solve the problem. "What we need now was for Pakistan’s elected leaders to exercise the leadership and get to the bottom of the matter," Haqqani said, during the interview.
Haqqani urged patience, saying said the US shouldn’t rush to judgment about whether to withdraw military aid or to put undue pressure on the Pakistani government.

 

It would be catastrophic if any other country even thinks of following the example of the United States, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir
Islamabad: Breaking the silence foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said in a press conference today,  "We feel that that sort of misadventure or miscalculation would result in a terrible catastrophe". He further said that "There should be no doubt Pakistan has adequate capacity to ensure its own defence."
 

The battle against Al-Qaeda continues despite Osama bin Laden’s death, Clinton 

Rome: The battle against Al-Qaeda continues despite Osama bin Laden’s death, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday on her first foreign visit since US commandos shot the Al-Qaeda leader dead.
“Let us not forget that the battle to stop Al-Qaeda and its affiliates does not end with one death. We have to renew our resolve,” Clinton said at a joint press conference with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. 

 

Pakistan either incompetent or involved: Leon Panetta

Washington: While giving a closed-doors briefing to the House members, Panetta told lawmakers "either they were involved or incompetent. Neither place is a good place to be."
Panetta was responding to a question from a member of Congress about Pakistan, which was the first question of the hour-long classified briefing, sources told foreign news organisation. He said that it would not be in the United States' best interests to retaliate against Pakistan over Osama bin Laden's presence in that country.

 

Pakistan and Iran have decided to formulate a five year strategic plan to triple the level of their bilateral trade.
This has been agreed at a meeting of Pak-Iran Joint Trade Committee in Islamabad. Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim led Pakistan delegation while Iranian delegation was headed by Commerce Minister Dr. Mehdi Ghazanfari. The meeting decided to constitute a joint working group comprising representatives of public and private sectors to take stock of annual target of twenty-five percent increase in bilateral trade. The two sides also decided to explore the possibility of Free Trade Agreement.

 

China-South Asia Business Forum
Established in 2004, China-South Asia Business Forum( CSABF) has been actively involved in promoting trade between China and eight nations of South Asia under the joint management of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SAARC CCI) and China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Yunann sub-council, Kunming, China.
 

 


The American Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff has warned that abandoning Pakistan would be a dangerous mistake in the war against terror.
US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mulen has admitted setbacks in cooperation with Pakistan and warned it would be a dangerous mistake to abandon the war partnership. Talking to newsmen in Washington, he feared that if the United States again scaled back its involvement as we did in 1990s after Russian withdrawal from Afghanistan, it would create instability, which will be much more dangerous. He said Pakistan Army gives high priority to the sovereignty of the country which is precious to them as we do.

 

کسی طاقت کو پاکستان کی طرف میلی آنکھ سے دیکھنے کی اجازت نہیں دینگے، چینی وزیراعظم وین جیاباؤ
چینی وزیراعظم وین جیاباؤ  نے کہا ہے کہ پاکستان کی علاقائی سلامتی، آزادی اور خودمختاری کا احترام کیا جائے، امریکہ کو پاکستان کی مشکلات کا احساس کرنا چاہئے کسی بھی ملک کو پاکستان میں مداخلت کا حق نہیں،انہوں نے  یہ باتیں وزیراعظم یوسف رضا گیلانی کے ساتھ ملاقات کے بعد ۔    ۔۔۔مزید


Malaysia Conferred `Diamond Trade & Investment Award’
KARACHI - At the inaugural Diplomatic & Foreign Investment Award 2010 ceremony held on 7 May 2011 in Karachi, Malaysia was conferred with a Diamond Trade and Investment Award. The event organised by Diplomatic Call International Magazine is held as to acknowledge and recognise ...more

 

An Exclusive Interview of Dr. Ghulam Mujtaba

Part 1

Part 2 Part 3

The Afghan President, Hamid Karzai has categorically stated that Indian presence in Afghanistan cannot be used against the brotherly country Pakistan.
In an interview with Pakistan's national TV he lauded the role of Pakistan for enhanced cooperation with Afghanistan to achieve peace and stability in the region and socio-economic uplift of his country. To a question, he agreed that relations between the two countries have improved a lot during the current PPP government. To another question, President Karzai said that Afghan people have to bear responsibility for protecting their country and strengthening peace and stability.

 

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has called upon the investors and friendly countries to invest in mega projects like Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.
He was addressing a joint news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Islamabad. The Prime Minister said that speedy completion and implementation of these projects would change the regional horizon and people's destinies. To a question, the Prime Minister said the importance of Pakistan-Afghanistan-US cooperation for regional peace is indispensable. The Afghan President said there is a need to work diligently to ensure peace and security in the region. He said Afghanistan is committed to expand relations with Pakistan in all fields. The Afghan President has now returned home.

 

Pakistan’s leadership has welcomed the clear affirmation by Senator Kerry that US has no designs against Pakistan’s nuclear and strategic assets.
In a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari and Senator John Kerry where the Prime Minister and chief of the army staff were also present , John Kerry stated that he was prepared to personally affirm such a guarantee regarding Pakistans nuclear assets.
In furtherance of its existing commitment to fight terrorism, Pakistan agreed to take several immediate steps to underscore its seriousness in renewing the full cooperative effort with the United States. Pakistan and the US also agreed that both countries must recognize and respect each other’s national interests, particularly in countering terrorism and in working together for promoting reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan.
It was agreed that all tracks of US-Pakistan engagement need to be revisited, with a view to creating a clear understanding on ways and means to carry forward their cooperation, in a mutually-beneficial manner. It was conveyed during the meeting that the secrecy surrounding the operation was strictly for reasons of operational security and not of mistrust of Pakistani leadership. Senior US officials will visit Pakistan soon to have further discussions on the way forward and to complete preparatory work for secretary of state Clinton’s visit to Pakistan in the near future. It was agreed that the two sides would intensify their engagement through official channels and that negative media messages were misplaced and detrimental to the core national interests of both US and Pakistan.

 

CIA has begun showing lawmakers death photos of slain al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden that President Barack Obama said were too gruesome to be released to the public.
"Absolutely, no question about it. I've seen them. That was him. He's gone. He's history," US Senator.

Washington: Senator James Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma, said he was shown 15 photographs taken of bin Laden after he was killed in a US commando raid on May 2. In an interview with American TV, Inhofe agreed that the photos taken immediately in the compound in Pakistan immediately after bin Laden was killed were "pretty gruesome."

"One of the shots went through an ear and out through the eye socket. Or it went in through the eye socket and out -- then exploded," he said. "That caused the brains to hang out of the eye socket, so that was pretty gruesome."

Three photos were taken after bin Laden's body was removed from the compound and flown to a US aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, Inhofe said. They show the al Qaeda leader's body being washed and prepared for burial according to Muslim rites, and then lowered into the sea, he said.

"They had taken enough blood and material off his face so it was easier to identify who it was," Inhofe said. "Then of course the burial at sea, had the transition -- first of all, identifying who it was. Then of course the fact that they buried him at sea," he said.

Inhofe said he had no doubt the man was bin Laden.

 

Malaysia has every thing to offer, says H.E Mr. Khalid Abdul Razak

Buy an Apartment in a Malaysian Resort & get rent immediately, says Dato Alexander

 

32nd Anniversary of Islamic Revolution - Islamic Republic of Iran

 

Iranian Consul General Abbas Ali Abdollahi on Thursday called the Holy Prophet of Islam Benefactor of Humanity and said the roots of Iran’s Islamic revolution lay in the new world order ushered in by the Last Prophet (peace be upon him).

H E Abbas Ali Abdollahi Consul Gen of Iran’s Address on 32nd Anniversary of Islamic Revolution
H E Abbas Ali Abdollahi's Address Dignitaries present on this occasion National Anthems of Iran and Pakistan Cake Cutting Ceremony


Karachi (10 Feb 2011): Speaking on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of Iran’s Islamic revolution, Mr Abdollahi said this year was especially auspicious because the anniversary of the revolution coincided with Rabi-ul-Awwal.

 

Iran had made amazing progress in economy and technology, including nuclear technology, and had surprised the world by the resilience its people had shown.


Quoting verses from Allama Iqbal, he said the Poet of the East had predicted Iran’s revolution, and asserted that the people of Pakistan and Iran were united in indissoluble links of religion and culture and were one people living in two countries.Relations between Pakistan and Iran were closer than ever before, and the volume of trade between the two countries had increased to $1.3 billion.
Over the last three decades, he said, Iran had made amazing progress in economy and technology, including nuclear technology, and had surprised the world by the resilience its people had shown. The revolution led by Imam Khomeini, he said, had stunned the world, especially those governments which had the latest means of collecting information and intelligence at their disposal. The revolution, he said, had enabled Iran to break free from superpower politics and deal with all nations of the world on a footing of equality.
The consul general was lustily cheered, because he spoke in Urdu. Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Khuhro and MQM leader Dr Sattar Farooq cut the cake.The reception was attended by diplomats, ulema and business leaders.

 

 

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 Click to watch complete interview

 

Iran, Bangaladesh, Sri Lanka and Switzer Land's new consul Generals gathered in a dinner by Mr. Farukh Mazher  in Karachi. Mian Zahid Hussain , S. M. Munir, Anjum Nisar and President KCCI and other renowned personalities were also present at this occasion.

 

An Exclusive Interview with Malaysian Consul General

What is ASEAN?

 

1st  ASEAN Diplomatic Bowling Tournament  2010

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

 

Brunei Darussalam then joined on 8 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.

 

 

Build Asia 2010

 

 
       
Build Asia 2010 - Chairman PIDC Gul Mohd Rind Talks to Media-A Build Asia 2010 Chairman PIDC Gul Mohd Rind Talks to Media B Build Asia 2010 - Gul Mohd & ASEAN Delegation with Ahsan Zuberi visit the exhibition-A Build Asia 2010 - Gul Mohd & ASEAN Delegation with Ahsan Zuberi visit the exhibition-B
     
Build Asia 2010 - Hubcrete's Chief Executive Mr. Sadiq A Sharif talks with Jeevey Pakistan-A Build Asia 2010 - Hubcrete's Chief Executive Mr. Sadiq A Sharif talks with Jeevey Pakistan-B Build Asia 2010 - Ihsan Ullah Khan CEO Pakistan Stone Development Company talks to Media  


 

Pakistan and Germany agreed to expand and further strengthen their bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields including economy, education, defence, infrastructure and energy.
Both the countries have had indepth discussions on initiating strategic dialogue; enhance investment and economic ties and boost defence cooperation. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who arrived here on Saturday on two day visit to Pakistan, discussed security situation on the Afghan-Pakistan border with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Addressing a joint press conference here at the foreign office after the bilateral talks, they said the meeting was focused on Strategic Dialogue which was decided by the leaders of two countries in the past. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said, “We shared concept papers of German-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue.” He said, “We have good discussion and it will continue as more time is needed to discuss bilateral relations especially in the economic and defence fields.” Qureshi thanked the German Foreign Minister for unprecedented contribution of German government and German people for flood affected people adding that it was close to 300 million dollars that included 210 million dollars that was came from ordinary German people. He also thanked the German government for the support it has given to Pakistan in getting larger share in export to European Union, he said. Qureshi said, “We discussed potential of investment in Pakistan and economic relations enhancement between the two countries especially in the area of renewable energy and agriculture sector.” He said Pakistan is the third largest milk producing country and Germany can help Pakistan to preserve milk and milk products. The foreign minister said, “We also discussed education as Germany is the third largest country for higher education for the Pakistani students and Germany has been providing scholarships.” He said Pakistan has also asked Germany to increase the number of scholarships. He said both the foreign ministers also discussed vocational training and setting up new training centers in Pakistan. In defence field, Pakistan urged Germany to liberalize export control policy towards Pakistan so that the country could get export licenses for defence equipment. Pakistan needs defence equipment to enhance its capacity in counter-terrorism. Qureshi said, he also briefed his German counterpart about Pak-Afghan relations and latest situation on Pak-India relations. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle addressing the press conference said bilateral relations are deep and Germany is true friend of Pakistan and both the countries always stood by each other in very difficult times. He said German people and government have always shown solidarity with Pakistan especially in difficult circumstances.
German Foreign Minister said Pakistan is facing important challenges, politically and economically and especially after the recent flash floods. He assured that Germany will continue its engagement and cooperation with Pakistan in all the fields. He expressed deepest condolences over the assassination of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer. The German minister said, “It showed our engagement is necessary to fight against every terrorist. We encourage Pakistan and Afghanistan to closely cooperate in the security issues and Germany as a friend will support you in this regard.” He said many issues on bilateral agenda including vocational training to Pakistanis was discussed in the talks today. “We have some concrete projects, to discuss with Pakistani leadership how we can cooperate and work together,”said the German Foreign Minister. He said, “You can count on Germany and you can rely on us.” To a question the German Foreign Minister appreciated the role of Pakistan in the war against terrorism. Clarifying the statement of German Chancellor about Pakistan during the visit of Indian Prime Minister to Berlin last year, the German Foreign Minister said the statement was misinterpreted. He said Germany, according to its official position, appreciates the role of Pakistan in the war against terrorism, as it has given much sacrifices in this war, adding, Germany also encourages both Pakistan and Afghanistan for efforts towards peace and stability in the region. In response to a question about Germany’s military export control regime, Guido Westerwelle said Germany has a strict military export control regime, which is its principle position for all and not country-specific. About Pak-India relations with particular reference to the forthcoming meeting between the foreign secretaries of two countries in Thimphu, the German Foreign Minister welcomed it and said his country desires close cooperation between Pakistan and India. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi reiterating the country’s stated position said Pakistan desires friendly and neighbourly relations with India, adding, but the only way forward is the meaningful and result-oriented dialogue. Qureshi said if the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India during their meeting in Thimphu finalize the agenda for composite dialogue, he would be happy to visit New Delhi.
The German Foreign Minister, to another question, said there was no military solution of Afghanistan issue and the solution lies in political engagement and Germany supports such engagement. Foreign Minister Qureshi said Pakistan has been striving to convince the world that the problems in Afghanistan should be resolved through political means. He also referred to the visit of the delegation of High Peace Council, led by Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, to Pakistan and said Pakistan has assured the delegation of its all-out support for peaceful resolution of the problems in Afghanistan. Development Cooperation with Germany is an important component of bilateral relations. Germany significantly enhanced the Development Assistance from Euro 64 million in 2007-08 to Euro 145.35 million in 2009-2010.
The assistance focused on four priority areas, namely, Basic Education, Primary Health Care, Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency and Micro Finance/Poverty Elevation. Germany also provided US$ 22.6 million as Humanitarian Assistance for IDPs during 2009-10. Besides bilateral assistance worth US$ 89.1 million, the German public also donated over US$ 210 million for the flood victims in Pakistan.
Germany is Pakistan’s overall the fourth largest trading partner, and the largest in the EU. Bilateral trade has touched US$ 2.24 billion in 2009-10. Despite global recession, Pakistan exports to Germany have witnessed an increase of 22.13% and have reached US$ 830 million during 2009-10. Around 21 Pakistani companies participated in the MEDICA International Trade Fair held in Dusseldorf (Germany) in November 2010. The bilateral Trade Investment Treaty signed in December 2009 with Germany has opened a new chapter in economic relationship and helped in re-enforcing business relations between the two countries. Presently, Germany is the eighth largest investor in Pakistan and several German multi-nationals are operating in Pakistan. Germany has also extended active support to Pakistan’s initiatives with the EU for providing greater market access to Pakistani exports to EU. It has also been a strong supporter in the EU for Pakistan specific concessions owing to twin impact of terrorism and the flood devastation that caused heavy toll on Pakistan socially and economically. As one of the founding members of the FoDP, Germany has actively participated in the group’s meetings. It pledged Euro 115 million at the Tokyo Donors Conference (Euro 80 million provided under Bilateral Development Cooperation). There are at present 2000 Pakistani scholars enrolled in German Universities for higher studies. Westerwelle landed in Lahore because of fog and poor visibility in Islamabad and then travelled to the capital later in the evening for holding talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

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Jeevey Pakistan : How do you see 2009 for Malaysia?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General : The year 2009, saw the change in Malaysia’s leadership with the appointment of the Honorable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak as the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia in April 2009 through a peaceful and smooth transition of leadership which been a tradition since 1957. The New Prime Minister has chosen “One Malaysia – People First, Performance Now” as his guide and goal for his premiership. As the same time, the world is experiencing unprecedented displacements and distortions to the global financial order. This financial meltdown translated into devastating consequences for the real economy, companies, jobs, people and families – all around the world. Malaysia too has not been spared but has undertaken a decisive response to blunt the impact of the global economic downturn. The government have put together two stimulus packages amounting to RM67 billion (US $ 19 Billion) or roughly 9% of GDP to be spent over two years. The financial package comprised comprehensive measures aimed at easing the hardship of affected individuals and businesses, stimulating aggregate demand in the short term and building the long-term capacity of the economy. The Government have ensured that businesses have sufficient access to financing and implemented various initiatives to provide financing to SMEs, established mechanisms to provide guarantees to support private sector financing as well as reactivated debt resolution mechanisms.
Jeevey Pakistan :What is the larger challenge for Malaysia?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General :The larger challenge before us lies not in addressing the short –term vulnerable and dislocations but over the long-term national competitiveness. In the last three decades, we have made great strides in poverty sector financing as well as reactivated debt reso mechanisms. The larger challenge before us lies not in addressing the short-term vulnerabilities and dislocations but over the long term national competitiveness. In the last three decades, we have made great strides in poverty eradication, enhancing the living standards of Malaysians, developing world class infrastructure and providing respectable economic growth. But we cannot and will not be caught in the middle income country trap. We need to make the shift to high income economy or we risk losing growth momentum in our economies and vibrancy in our markets. The challenge of managing such a major transition is not easy and has been made more considerable by the weakness in the global financial architecture and intensifying competitive pressures arising from dramatic changes in the global economy.

 

 

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan will welcome a solution to the Afghan problem led by afghan people and the afghan government.
Addressing a joint news conference with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gull President Zardari said that Pakistan and turkey would continue to play their role to resolve the Afghanistan problem.

 

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said he would consider his job well done if relations with Pakistan are normalized.
Talking to reporters on board his plane while returning from Kazakhstan Manmohan Singh said if he could succeed in normalizing relations between India and Pakistan as they should prevail between two normal states, he would consider his job well done.
Last month Singh invited the Prime Minister, to watch the cricket world cup semi-final between the two countries, in a move quickly dubbed as cricket diplomacy. Prime Minister Gilani has declared his talks with Manmohan Singh as very useful as both the leaders agreed to discuss all outstanding issues including Kashmir issue.

 

 

Marc Grossman

A veteran at the State Department, where he developed a career over nearly three decades, Grossman has served as assistant secretary of state for Europe and ambassador to Turkey.
His last post before retiring from the foreign service in 2005 was undersecretary for political affairs under former president George W. Bush's first term in office.
He currently serves as vice president of the Cohen Group, a consulting firm. Although the group has several clients with contracts in South Asia, officials told the Post they did not see that as an obstacle to Grossman's appointment.

 

France signed a 9.3-billion-dollar framework agreement to sell two nuclear reactors to India during a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to New Delhi.
India inked the deal with France's state-run nuclear group Areva for the purchase of two reactors for a new plant in Jaitapur in the western state of Maharashtra. The deal is short of a final sale contract, but it means Areva has moved ahead of US and Japanese competitors in the race to sell reactors to India. Russia is already constructing two nuclear power units in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Deals totalling 20 billion dollars have been signed or are about to be signed with Indian companies, Sarkozy's office said, including a leasing agreement for 14 airbus planes and the Modernisation of 51 French-made mirage fighter jets. The French leader is on a four-day trip to India, where he is seeking deeper trade ties while seeking to build a partnership with a democratic country seen as a counterbalance in Asia to China.

 

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President Asif Ali Zardari has offered Sri Lanka assistance in cement, sugar and dairy industry and urged the business leaders of the two countries to start joint venture for their mutual benefit.
Addressing the business forum in Colombo, the President said Pakistan investors are keen to explore several new sectors in Sri Lanka. He lauded the economic polices of President Rajapaksa and noted that the country's growth rate is 8.5 percent which is testimony of its brilliant trade policies. President Zardari said Sri Lanka is a gateway to billions of the people in the region and need modern infrastructure and Pakistan could help assist Colombo in this regard. He also proposed a high level conference of investors bringing together the business leaders jointly chaired by the leaders, of the two countries. President Zardari said recent devastating flood has affected Pakistan economy and government took a number of steps for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood affected areas. Pakistan adopted prudent policies to bring the economy back on the track. The IMF recently acknowledged these policies and extended an economic package.


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1st  ASEAN Diplomatic Bowling Tournament  2010

Pak-Sri Lanka trade to reach $1 billion in next 5 year - Jinadasa
KARACHI: The newly appointed C
ouncil General of Sri Lanka to Karachi, D W Jinadasa has said that bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is likely to double from Rs.28bn to Rs55.5bn by 2015.
“Politically and economically, our ties are sound and are growing from strength to strength. The signing of the Free trade Agreement in 2002 and its implementation in 2005, were significant milestones in our bilateral relations. It has further consolidated, enhanced and strengthened our bilateral tiesm the SL diplomat said adding that he would continue with the efforts made by his predecessors.
While talking to a media, the SL Diplomat said that total trade turnover which was US dollars 158 million in 2005 has increased to US dollars 252 million in 2009 which is quite encouraging but he, however, said that the real potential of bilateral trade is yet to be explored.
Both the countries should strive for increasing the current level of trade to $500 million or even $1 billion within next five years, Jinadasa said adding that given the special characteristics of our cordial relations, positive economic fundamentals and keenness at the highest level followed by close proximity, I strongly feel that this target is within our reach.

“I will extend every possible support to the local as well as Sri Lankan stakeholders to boost the bilateral trade”, Jinadasa assured.

Jeevey Pakistan :What is the vision of your PM?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General :In the regard, Prime Minister Najib propagated ‘1 Malaysia’ concept to get all Malaysians to work as one team in order to achieve goal and that is towards a developed nation by 2020. The Government have set be base on innovation, creativity and high value, to lift us into the ranks of a high income national within the decade (set a target to be ranked the 10th largest trading nation in the world by 2020).
Jeevey Pakistan :What is new economic Model of Malaysia?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General :Malaysia new economic model is intended to shift our reliance from a manufacturing base dependent on semi skilled and low cost labour to one that hinges on a high technology and modern services and sector dependant upon skilled and highly paid workers. Government have already announced the liberalization measures to enhance the role of the financial sector as a key enabler and catalyst of economic growth. With all this efforts, Malaysia continues to become an international and preferred hub for Islamic financial and banking, halal industries, tourism destinations and higher educational centers of excellence. As end of 2009, International reserves remained at a comfortably high level of US$80.0 billion, adequate to finance 8.3 months of retained imports and is 3.8 times the short-term external debt.
Jeevey Pakistan :How do you see relationship of Pakistan & Malaysia?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General :This year marks the 53 years of close and friendly relations with Pakistan which was established in 31 August of 197. Malaysia and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1957 and throughout the five decades, both countries relations have been very close and friendly. Malaysia and Pakistan share similar, id not identical positions on many international regional issues.
Jeevey Pakistan :How does Trade behaved in this relation ship?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General :No doubt, the major cornerstone of our relations is trade and investment. For 2008, total trade between both countries was recorded at US$1.88 billion (RM6.2 billion), an increase of 34.8% from 2007 (US$1.33 billion). In addition, Malaysia ranks among the leading countries in terms of foreign direct investments in Pakistan.

Jeevey Pakistan :How much Malaysian Investment has come to Pakistan till To Date ?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General :Total gross investment from Malaysia to Pakistan from 2004-2007 was estimated at about (RM3.8 billion). Malaysia is still the largest exporter of palm oil and palm oil products to Pakistan which stood at 1.33 million tonnes in 2008, valued at RM3.98 billion or US$1.13 billion. Other major exports products, machinery and parts as well as textiles and clothing. Pakistan, on the other hand is mainly exporting electric and electronics products, textiles and clothing, cereal, frozen seafood and transport equipment. In terms of investments, a large number of Malaysian companies are actively engaged in development projects, power generation projects, road construction, consultancy and telecommunication ventures in Pakistan, especially in Karachi. Malaysia’s largest bank i.e. Maybank has acquired 20% stake in MCB Bank Ltd, which is the largest-ever private sector cross border investment in Pakistan. In further facilitating the trade and economic relations of the both brotherly countries, a Free trade Agreement (FTA) between Malaysia and Pakistan was signed on 8 November 2007 in Kuala Lumpur. The Agreement is Pakistan’s first comprehensive FTA incorporating trade in goods, trade in services, investment and economic co-operation and Malaysia’s first bilateral FTA with any South Asian country. Certainly, the relations between out two countries could be further increased and enhanced by establishing a wider economic cooperation and private partnership between Malaysian and Pakistani private sectors. In this respect, I would like to invite more Pakistani businessmen to visit Malaysia and eventually explore new areas of cooperation.
Jeevey Pakistan :How is Malaysian Tourism?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General :In the tourism front there is a famous saying i.e. ‘to know Malaysian is to love Malaysia’ In this regard, I would like to urge more Pakistani nationals to visit Malaysia as their favourite holiday destination and experienced the diverse culture and sincere hospitality of Malaysians. Malaysia national carrier, MAS files twice a week directly from Karachi to Malaysia in about 6 hour’s journey.
Jeevey Pakistan :How much tourists Malaysia attracts right now?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General :For the record, in 2009, Malaysia had attracted more than 23.65 million tourists, an increase of 7.2% over 2008 (22.05 million) and contributed some US$14.21 billion towards the national GDP. No doubt, Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage and natural wonders combined with its wide selection of outstanding world-class facilities and Islamic products offered at exceptional prices continue to remain an attractive destination for tourists especially from Pakistan. Notably in 2009, a new record high of more than 80,000 Pakistan tourists visited Malaysia from the figure of 68,000 in 2008.
Jeevey Pakistan :What would you suggest Pakistan to improve its Tourism?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General :Similarly, Pakistani should also take advantage of Malaysia My Second Home Programme or MM2H programme, a Government endorsed project which promotes Malaysia as a long-stay retreat with various advantages and incentives. Until April 2009, it has attracted 13,076 participants from more than 398 joining the program since 2002.
Jeevey Pakistan :Tell us about Malaysian Education?
Khalid Razzak Malaysian Consul General :Malaysia as a centre of educational excellence also offers various private and public higher educational programmes which not only of international standards and quality but at affordable costs. The Pakistani students will find Malaysia a hospitable safe place to be, with many options of study at all levels of education, to learn from Malaysia’s great diversity, rapid economic development, peaceful and harmonious multicultural society. Certainly, Malaysia looks forward to increase and enhanced our countries relationship to greater height. Malaysia will continue to cooperate with Pakistan on matters of mutual interest for the benefit and interest of the two countries and the region.


 

 

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KCFR_LogoKARACHI COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, ECONOMIC AFFAIRS AND LAW (KCFR)

Founder Members

 

Executive Body

Karachi Council on Foreign Relations, Economic Affairs and Law (KCFR) is a leading think-tank, established six years ago (in May 2003) and comprises of former foreign secretaries, former ambassadors, academicians and elite of the city. The genesis of the Council can be traced to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations and its information on the web inspired us and then it was decided to make a council on the same lines. The Council is a forum at which Pakistani and foreign scholars can present the result of their research and studies.

The Council has already been addressed by renowned personalities including  Mr. Shaukat Aziz (former Prime Minister of Pakistan), Mr. L.K. Advani (President BJP and former Deputy Prime Minister of India), Mr. Mike O’Brien (former British Minister of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs), Mr. Douglas Alexander (former British Minister of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) Mr. Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri (former Foreign Minister of Pakistan), Mr. Jaswant Singh (former Foreign Minister of India), Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon (Foreign Secretary of India), Nancy Powel (former US Ambassador), Dr. Gunter Mulack (former German Ambassador) and ambassadors from different countries like France, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Afghanistan, Nepal and ambassadors of Latin American countries. The Council realizes the importance of high quality research on international, regional and bilateral and domestic issues. Therefore, the Council published “WTO and Pakistan : An Overview”. Our forthcoming publications are the monographs on SAARC and India-Pakistan relations, titled as “SAARC: Prospects and Challenges” and “Indo-Pak Peace Process: The New Realities”.KCFR has organized several interactive sessions with the head of diplomatic missions in Pakistan to high light the mutual perceptions of bilateral, regional and global issues to contribute for a better understanding and has made it a regular feature. Recently KCFR organized interactive sessions with H.E. Mr. Mash Allah Shakeri, Ambassador of Iran, H.E. Mr. Daniel Jouanneau, Ambassador of French Republic on “Overview of France and Pakistan Relations”, and H.E. Mrs. Yasmeen Morshed, High Commissioner of Bangladesh on “Changing Security Dynamic: Challenges for South Asia”.For the first time, KCFR hosted a dinner on 21st February 2009 in collaboration with City Naib Nazim, Mrs. Nasreen Jalil in honour of the members of Consular Corps stationed in Karachi at the historic Old KMC Building . In the past, a delegation of Royal College of Defence Studies comprising of senior officers and officials of UK and other countries of the world visited Karachi and held on in-depth discussions with the members of Karachi Council on matters related to strategic balances with special reference to South Asia . Recently, on the 28th April 2009, members of the Karachi Council had a meeting with the delegation of a leading think-tank of USA, Centre for American Progress (CAP), headed by Dr. Lawrence J. Korb (Senior Fellow at CAP and former Assistant Secretary of Defence) to discuss the current regional and international issues. Jeevey Pakistan.com, Pakistan’s first comprehensive and bilingual news website is an official website i.e. (http://www.jeeveypakistan.com/), where you can find all the details of activities of Karachi Council from the day one of its formation and on going activities.This service is free of cost and only to promote bilateral relations between the Karachi Council and the diplomatic corps.

 

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