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Kim Jong Un Makes Public Treatise to Mark Centenary of Birth of Kim Il Sung

Pyongyang (KCNA) -- The dear respected Kim Jong Un made public treatise titled "The Great Comrade Kim Il Sung Is the Eternal Leader of Our Party and People" on April 20 to mark the centenary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung.

Kim Jong Un said in his treatise:

The celebrations of the centenary of the President's birth were the Korean people's expression of boundless reverence and noble sense of moral obligation towards him and a grand political festival of all people praising the 100-year-long history of Juche Korea. It is the greatest honor and pride of the Korean people and happiness of posterity to hold the President in high esteem as an eternal leader as he is revered by the entire Korean nation and the world. Comrade Kim Il Sung was the most prominent leader and peerlessly great man in the 20th century.

The world does not know such a prominent leader, peerless patriot and great revolutionary as Kim Il Sung who glorified the 20th century as the century of victory in the cause of independence against imperialism, the cause of socialism while enjoying absolute support and confidence of the people from his teens to the 80s with his outstanding idea, leadership ability and noble virtues. His whole life was the noble life of a popular leader who regarded believing in people as in Heaven as his maxim and embodied it in his ideas and leadership, translating it into a reality.It was thanks to the leadership of the President that the new historical era, there came the Juche era in which the popular masses once sidelined in history hew out their own destiny by their own efforts in the center of the times and history. It was a historic event to be specially recorded in the history of human thinking and the revolutionary struggle of the popular masses that the President held aloft the banner of independence and formulated it as the principle and way for making a revolution and put it into practice.

The President steadily developed the relations with foreign parties and states on the principle of independence.He was an invincible and iron-willed commander and military genius who started the Korean revolution and led it to victory with arms. He was highly praised and deeply trusted by the world people as an iron-willed commander, outstanding strategist and a symbol of victory in the anti-imperialist struggle as he defeated the formidable enemies, the Japanese and U.S. imperialists who were superior in numerical strength and military technique with politico-ideological, strategic and tactical superiority in the last anti-Japanese revolutionary war and the Fatherland Liberation War.

He was the greatest man whom no one could match in the revolutionary traits and personality. For a long period since he embarked upon the road of the revolution, he suffered bitterest grief and agony, but he always thought of the revolution only and devoted his all to its victory. In the course of the protracted revolution, the President protected in a responsible manner the destiny and future of those whom he once made comrades. He took care of tens of thousands of revolutionary soldiers and deeply trusted them and showed every possible loving care for them.

With warm humanity and exceptionally simple and unassuming personality, he took deep care of the people. He trusted all those who loved the country and the nation and put them forward as eternal companions in the way of working for them. He, possessed of broad and deep humanity, forged close friendship with many foreign party and state leaders as well as famous political, social and academic figures who aspired after independence. He had the biggest number of comrades and friends in the world. The President was the eternal leader of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean people and the sun of Juche who laid the eternal foundation for the victorious advance and completion of the revolutionary cause of Juche.

The President founded the great Juche idea, ushering in a new era of the Juche revolution and leading the social revolution at various stages to a shining victory by applying the Juche idea and performing undying feats in all fields of the revolution and construction.The Korean revolution is making a dynamic advance while working historic miracles in all domains of socialist construction despite unimaginable difficulties and ordeals. This is thanks to the WPK, a revolutionary party of Juche-type, the DPRK, a genuine people's government, and the matchless People's Army which were founded and developed by the President, and the people whom he reared to be strong in thinking and faith.

The single-minded unity of the party, army and people around the leader firmly assures the political stability and solidity of the state and society and it serves as a powerful engine for defending the socialist country and vigorously pushing forward the revolution and construction. He successfully solved the issue of succession to the revolutionary cause, providing a sure guarantee for the steadfast succession and victorious completion of the revolutionary cause of Juche century after century and generation after generation. He, regarding the country's reunification as the most important patriotic cause of the nation, worked heart and soul for the development of the movement of the country's reunification and performed precious feats in the efforts to realize the cherished desire of the nation.

He checked and foiled the moves of the imperialist reactionaries for domination and worked hard for the development of the world socialist movement, the victory of independent cause against imperialism, the establishment of independent and fair international relations and global peace and security under the uplifted banner of independence and international justice.The President is alive as the sun of Juche and the 100-year-long history of Juche Korea shines with his august name because leader Kim Jong Il firmly defended the idea and cause of the President and wisely led the drive for carrying out them.Kim Jong Il was the closest revolutionary comrade and the most faithful comrade-in-arms of the President as he upheld the President, regarding it as his lifelong mission to adhere to his idea and cause and glorify them.

Kim Jong Il formulated the revolutionary idea of the President as Kimilsungism and put forth the modeling of whole society on Kimilsungism as the supreme programme for the party and the revolution, bringing about an epochal turn in carrying out the revolutionary cause of Juche. He made sure that the President was held in high esteem as the eternal leader of the party and people and the eternal President of the DPRK and aroused the whole party and army and all the people to the drive to carry out his behests, taking them as a programme of the party.

Under the banner of Songun, Kim Jong Il protected the dignity and supreme interests of the country and the nation in reliance on powerful arms and glorified the socialist country of Juche as an invincible socialist power.

Kim Jong Il ushered in the June 15 era of reunification and brought about a new phase in developing foreign relations with his energetic leadership true to the behests of the President.The history of Kim Il Sung's nation, Kim Jong Il's Korea, is a glorious course in which the Korean revolution started in Mt. Paektu and has recorded victories. This is a path of eternal victory to be followed by the Korean people for final victory and a path of prosperity of the countryIt is the revolutionary duty and noble moral obligation of the party and people of the DPRK to hold Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in high esteem for all ages and successfully carry forward and accomplish generation after generation the revolutionary cause of Juche bequeathed by them, Kim Jong Un said in his treatise, putting forth the tasks for carrying them out.

Kim Jong Un called for firmly preserving and glorifying the idea and exploits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il for all ages, cherishing the unshakable conviction that they are with the Korean people forever.He underlined the need to take Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism as the unique guiding idea and permanent guidelines of the Korean revolution and advance the revolution and construction as required by Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism.He also called for carrying forward the idea and exploits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in the building of party, state and revolutionary armed forces and underscored the need to build the party, state and army in the way they did.

All the sectors and units should glorify the records of leadership provided by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il to them and carry through their behests to bring the intentions and desire in their lifetime into reality, Kim Jong Un said.He also called for successfully carrying forward the Juche-oriented ideas of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on cultural construction and the feats performed by them in it and giving full play to the advantages and vitality of Korean-style socialist culture.

He stressed the need to accomplish the historic cause of national reunification without fail true to the noble patriotic intentions and last instructions of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, boost foreign relations of the DPRK in the idea of independence, peace and friendship and make positive contributions to global independence.He stressed that the WPK and the army and people of the DPRK would faithfully carry forward the idea and cause of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche under the uplifted banner of Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism.

Visit to Families of Working People

Marshal Kim Jong Un, First Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, First Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, together with his wife Ri Sol Ju, visited families of working people who moved into new flats in Changjon Street.

The first leg of his visit was the house of Sim Tong Su, lecturer at Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering, living Jongno-dong in Changjon Street. The new apartment houses built in Changjon Street are the ones to which General Kim Jong Il paid deep attention from selecting sites to designing and building, he said, adding if he were alive, he would visit them before any others.

After looking round every room, he sat down on the floor of the room unreservedly and had a talk with family members. Saying that it is a custom of Koreans to visit a new house with a box of matches, he added he brought with him household articles as he could not come there with a match box alone. Learning that housewife Han Un Sun is a teacher at a secondary school and her two daughters are teachers, he said with satisfaction that they are a family of educators.

Noting that educators are patriots who faithfully devote their conscience for the future of the country, in others’ presence or behind their back and not caring whether their service was appreciated or not, he stressed that the WPK attaches great importance to education and holds educators in public esteem. Wishing the family members success in their future work, he offered a toast to them with his loving care before having a photo taken with them. The next leg of his visit was the family of Pak Sung Il, a worker of the City Beautification Office in Central District.

Taking hands of the family members greeting him with great excitement, he asked them about their jobs. He entered the room, pleased to hear that all of the family members are workers. Taking deep care of their living down to all details as their real parent would do, he unreservedly sat down with them and had a talk with them. He listened with pleasure to the house owners who said excitedly they would like to boast to the whole world that the DPRK is a world of the working class and a country of people where comers lead happy and comfortable living.

It is the socialist system of the DPRK that the interests of the people are placed above everything else and all the policies of the Party and the state are enforced to serve the people, he said, adding with deep emotion how greatly Kim Jong Il would have been pleased if he had seen this present reality. Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju also offered toasts to Pak Sung Il and his wife Jang Sun Nyo and presented them with gifts. Kim Jong Un had a picture taken with the family members, wishing them happiness in the new flat.The last leg of his visit was the newly wed family of Labour Hero Mun Kang Sun, a worker of the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill.
Kim Jong Un offered toasts to the newly wed couple, had a picture taken with them and gave them household articles as souvenirs.

Tribute Paid to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il

Marshal Kim Jong Un, First Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, First Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun at 00:00 on September 9, the 64th anniversary of the DPRK, to pay high tribute to Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. He was accompanied by members of the Central Military Commission of the WPK, the DPRK NDC and the operations command staff of the Supreme Headquarters of the KPA. He entered the hall where the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are standing. Lined up on both sides of the statues were the flags of the WPK and the DPRK and the colours of the KPA, and the guards of honour of the ground, naval, and air and anti-aircraft forces of the KPA and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards were standing there.

The head of the guards of honour made a salute report to the statues of the Generalissimos. A basket of flowers in the name of Marshal Kim Jong Un was laid before the statues. Also laid there was a floral basket in the name of the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces. Kim Jong Un, together with the participants, paid high tribute to the statues. He then entered the hall where Kim Il Sung lies in state and made a bow to him in the humblest reverence, together with them.

Rosh Hashanah marked

Kathmandu : The Beit Chabad in cooperation with the Embassy of Israel organized a festive dinner in Kathmandu and in Pokhara to observe Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year falls during the first two days of the Jewish month of Tiseri and is often referred to as the High Holy Days or the day when the World was built.  This year it falls on 17 and 18 September 2012. Around one thousand Jewish and Israeli people living in and traveling to and from Nepal attended this festive dinner.  The Embassy along with Beit Chabad has been celebrating this Holy Day in Nepal for more than 20 years. Attending the festive dinner amidst the crowd, Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, H.E. Mr. Hanan Goder said, "I am proud to be associated with the important work Chabad is doing worldwide and Rabbi Yechezkel Lifshitz is doing here in Nepal.  This event marks the new beginning of New Year, which we wish that it is going to bring peace to all of us in all parts of the world".

On the first day, apples dipped in honey are eaten as a symbol of wishing for a sweet new year.  Another popular practice is walking up to the flowing water such as a creek or a river, on the afternoon of the first day and emptying pockets into the river, which symbolizes casting off sins. People greet each other for a good year on these days.  This greeting refers to the belief that a person's fate for the coming year is decided during the High Holy Days. The Shofar is an important symbol of Rosh Hashanah.  It is an instrument made of Ram's horn and is blown one hundred times during each two days of Rosh Hashanah.  The sound of Shofar blast reminds people of the importance of reflection during this important holiday. On the second night of Rosh Hashanah, pomegranates are eaten symbolizing hope that good deeds in the coming year will be as many as the seeds of the fruit. Such Holy Days and festivals bring thousands of Jewish and Israeli people to Nepal for the celebration as Nepal is one of the popular destinations in the world for celebrating Jewish festivals, promoting tourism in Nepal.

The Embassy of Israel family wishes all the people “L'shanah tovah!”

Pakistani Politician Hina Rabbani Khar Biography

On her first visit to India as Foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar created controversy by meeting separatist leaders of Kashmir before meeting Indian government representatives. She faced criticism from Indian media as well as from BJP, the opposition party of India. BJP termed Khar's meet with separatists as a "Breach of Protocol" and also demanded an inquiry into the matter.

After becoming the first women Foreign minister of the country she first visited Afghanistan and then India for peace talks. Her first visit to India brought about much attention among the general public because the national media in the country was much talking about her beauty and her fashion instead of the talks at hand. Few sections in Indian Media, discussed Khar as style icon in detail, which included discussing the bag she carried, her shades, pearl necklace among other things.

Born on 1977 in Multan, Hina Rabbani Khar is the daughter of Ghulam Noor Rabbani Khar and niece of Ghulam Mustafa Khar who are good politicians. Hina Rabbani is a popular Pakistani member of parliament, affiliated with the PPP. In 2003 to 2007, Hina Rabbani Khar served as the State Minister for Economic Affairs and Statistics as National Assembly member of PML-Q.

She is married to Feroze Gulzar. They have two daughters Annaya and Dina . She is the co-owner of the Polo Lounge, a popular upscale restaurant located on the Lahore Polo Grounds in Lahore.

Education and Career:

In 1999, Hina done B.Sc Economics from Lahore University of Management Sciences and went on to earn a M.Sc. in Management from the University of Massachusetts in 2001. She was named to the World Economic Forum’s list of young global leaders in 2008. Hina Rabbani was elected as a member of National Assembly with a ticket from PPP from the constituency of Muzaffargarh, Punjab.

Bilateral Agreement in Criminal Matters

The Sri Lanka Cabinet granted approval to enter into a Bilateral Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters with the Russian Federation.

The Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act No.25 of 2002 provides for the provision of assistance by Sri Lanka to foreign countries relating to criminal matters and for obtaining of similar assistance from such countries by Sri Lanka. The objective of this agreement is to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement of both parties relating to the investigation, prosecution and prevention of crime and confiscation of criminal proceeds.

Thailand Medical & Wellness Tourism Trade Fam Trip 2012 - TAT

Bangkok : Nearly 90 tourism facilitators, health tourism organizations and health insurance companies from 18 countries gathered at the Centara Grand at Central World in Bangkok for the "Thailand Medical & Wellness Tourism Trade Fam Trip 2012" organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, "The Thailand Medical & Wellness Tourism Trade Fam Trip is the first trade event targeting medical tourism organizations and health insurance companies. During the first day of the event, the visiting tourism facilitators had meetings with over 110 Thai medical and wellness providers to earn about the tremendous variety and high quality of services available in the Kingdom."

In addition to the meetings, the TAT also organized a 3-day trip that will provide the opportunity for those on the Fam Trip to experience Thai health and wellness providers, hospitals, spas, and specialized clinics onsite. Governor Suraphon added, "Thai medical providers are well prepared and ready to expand into the global market." For example, 18 Thai hospitals have received JCI Accreditation, which is the highest number of any Asian country. In the wellness spa sector, Thailand is recognized by various international agencies as "The Spa Capital of Asia."

Mrs. Vilaiwan Twichasri, Deputy Governor for Tourism Business and Products for the TAT, said, "Prospective buyers visiting Thailand are interested in a wide range of medical tourism products, including wellness spas, medical spas, and especially integrated medicine and anti-aging products. Thai herbal medicines and therapy, as well as an array of Eastern medical knowledge, are also focal points for many international tourism operators, especially in the Russian market. The TAT believes that this is a great opportunity for the Thai health tourism sector, since the high standards of the Thai medical profession are well-known around the world."

Governor Suraphon concluded that the Thailand Medical & Wellness Tourism Trade Fam Trip 2012 is an excellent opportunity for Thai medical providers to meet their international counterparts to help expand the market into countries such as China and Russia. In addition, the Fam Trip emphasizes Thailand’s reputation - in the eyes of tourism facilitators from all over the globe - as the world leader in wellness tourism and beauty.

The TAT believes that the Thai health & wellness tourism sector will help generate a significant portion of the total expected national tourism revenue of two trillion Baht in 2014.

To know more information and study on friendly relations between Nepal and  the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Please contact :

The Secretary General
Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association
Post Box No. 285 Maitighar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone : 4262426   Mobile : 9851024388
Email : manju_sakya@hotmail.com

Introductory Remarks by the Author Himalaya S. Rana
Book Launch : Reminiscences and Reflections

First, as a Rana, listed in the roll of succession to Prime Minister, I was a witness to the halcyon days of the Rana regime and it’s abrupt downfall due to the political revolution in 1950. Committed to democracy, I rebelled against  the Rana  regime  in  1949 and was thrilled when King Tribhuvan announced in February 1951, that democratic governance will be ushered in the country. I had the unique privilege of serving the country as the first Finance Secretary and then as the first Governor of the Central Bank i.e. Nepal Rastra Bank in the decade 1951-1960.

Following a coup d’etat by King Mahendra in 1960, my tenure as Governor was terminated in the purge of the top civil servants regarded as pro-democracy. Finding out that I was under surveillance and could be trapped as a saboteur, I decided to go abroad and applied for a job to the United Nations Secretariat. My innings with the UN and United Nations Development Programme which began in 1962 spanned twenty-four years. I returned to Nepal in 1986.

In 1990, I was a witness to the second revolution resulting in the dissolution of the partyless Panchayat regime, restoration of democracy, and eventually the end of the license and permit regime. Bored with a retired life and buoyed by liberal economic policy, I ventured into industry and private sector banking with notable success.The Nepal Communist Party-Maoist launched the People’s War in February 1996. Deeply disturbed by the massive loss of lives and property due to the armed strife, I took the initiative to publish on July 25th, 2002 a public appeal in the Kantipur daily signed by prominent members of the Civil Society, calling for peace talks between the Government and the Maoists. This was the beginning of my inning as a conflict resolution activist. Once the 12-point Understanding between the leaders of the Seven-Party Alliance and the Chairperson of the CPN-Maoist was signed on November 22nd, 2005, I virtually closed my conflict resolution organization named “Nepal Citizen’s Forum.” I regard the 12-point Understanding as the agreed route to peace and end of the transition, and am worried that it is being sidelined today.

Fortuitously, numerous assignments as a national civil servant, international civil servant, industrialist, private sector banker, and civil society activist, have come my way driving my life time of eight decades. I wished to share my experiences with my compatriots and foreign friends. Hence this book.

 In the first chapter I have briefly described my childhood as a Rana boy, the traumatic experience of the 1934 earthquake, and the festivals joyously enjoyed by the Kathmandu residents during the Rana period. In the second chapter, captioned “Inquilab Jindabad” i.e. Long Live Revolution, I have tried to unfold how my years in Bombay as a student transformed me to a commoner and a revolutionary. I joined the Nepal Democratic Congress in Calcutta in 1949 which was then treason. My revolutionary activities are mentioned in this chapter.

The third chapter gives a rare picture of Nepal’s political, administrative, economic and social situation during the Rana period. The years 1951-1960 were an eventful decade for me. In the fourth chapter, I have given an account of my assignments. As the First Finance Secretary I set up the Ministry of Finance, prepared the first four budgets of the government, modernized the customs offices, established the Excise Department and the Office of the Accountant General, and prepared for instituting income tax. Next, as the first Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank I succeeded, among others, in arranging for the circulation of the Nepalese rupee as the legal tender in the Terai region of Nepal, in stabilizing the exchange rate between the Nepalese and the Indian currencies, and making Nepal independent in foreign exchange transactions. Furthermore, my comments on the Koshi agreement and on the Trade and Transit Treaty signed with India bring to light some background to these treaties not known to many.

I had inklings of King Mahendra’s coup d’etat in 1960. In the fifth chapter I have given my version of why it was staged.In chapters six and seven I have attempted to give an account of my UN assignments as development practitioner and administrator in New York, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Indonesia and Pakistan. Channeling and coordinating a variety of technical and pre-investment assistance from the numerous United Nations Agencies, to countries at various stages of development to trigger and accelerate their socio-economic progress posed challenges. It required a deep understanding of the development priorities of the country and thorough knowledge of the capacity of the UN Agencies to deliver.  Monitoring timely implementation of projects and evaluating their impact were the other challenges. Facilitating scores of UN personnel and experts, hailing from different countries, to perform satisfactorily in their assignments required wide administrative experience and personnel management skills. Vignettes of some features of each country where I served should be of interest to the readers.

Chapters eight and nine deal with my activities after returning to Nepal in 1986 on retirement from the UN service. I took the lead in establishing the Gorkha Brewery as a joint venture with a Danish company which brewed and marketed the high quality lager beer, Tuborg, After handing over the company to my partner, I took the lead in establishing the fourth private sector commercial bank, Himalayan Bank Ltd. as a joint venture with  Habib Bank Ltd., Pakistan. I became active in conflict resolution from July 2002 to November 2005, and in observation of the General Elections from the year 2008. I have included an account of the Royal Massacre that I personally happened to know about.

 The Nepal Citizen’s Forum, which I led, has been an advocate since the year 2003, of a Constituent Assembly to draft and proclaim a new Constitution of Nepal. We are deeply saddened by the inglorious dissolution of the CA due to the inability of the political leaders to agree on its features for as many as four years. I have realized the need of a critical mass of independent minded Civil Society members in the country to influence the political leaders, and I have started reviving the Forum for this purpose.

 In the last chapter, entitled “Reflections,” I have expressed my views on some contemporary issues of Nepal. Noting its natural and ethnic diversity, I have chosen to call Nepal a rainbow country. Presently, the country is going through one of its most difficult phases. Politically, leaders have failed. And, I am concerned that Nepal will be a failed state. I have candidly commented on Nepalese politics, the Constituent Assembly, Nepal-India and Nepal China Relations, Water Resources and Economic Policy.As I have stated in the seventh chapter I travelled to China from Myanmar in 1974 to observe living conditions in a communist state because I had concluded that eventually communism would dominate the politics of Nepal. Presently, Nepal is overwhelmingly leftist – democratic socialists and communists in different colours. Models of communism enforced by Stalin, Mao or Castro have been or are being shelved as they ignored the private sector market and ideologically forced people to work for the community. The majority of the Nepalese people are not in favour of political-social transformation by obstructive, destructive and confiscatory campaigns. The challenge to the leftist politicians is to craft a socio-economic policy that is tailored to the country’s socio-economic condition and democratically acceptable to the majority of the people of Nepal. I have suggested a few basic considerations for economic policy.

International Day of Journalists’ Solidarity marked

Kathmandu : September 12 the Russian Centre of Science and Culture jointly with “Yes!” magazine organized a journalist interaction programme within the Nepal-Russia Press Club to mark the International Day of Journalists’ Solidarity. The holiday celebrated September 8 was confirmed in 1958 in Bucharest at the 4th conference of Journalists’ International Union to encourage all the journalists around the world to display unity, especially in defending their own rights.

Deputy Director of RCSC Anastasiya Khokhlova briefed about the importance of this respected profession to the modern society. She also confirmed the information about the arrival of a delegation of Russian businessmen to Nepal on October 1-7. She also drew attention to the 200th Anniversary of the Borodino battle and the Victory in the Patriotic war of 1812. Associate Prof. Chiranjibi Khanal highlighted the masterpiece of Leo Tolstoy “War and Peace”, that describes the events of the Patriotic war of 1812, adding that Nepal Press Institute is always ready to cooperate with the RCSC.

President of Mitrakunj Mr. Ganesh Shah congratulated all the journalists on the occasion of the International Day of Journalists Solidarity.

On the occasion the film “War and Peace ” based on the world famous masterpiece by the great Russian writer LeoTolstoy was screened for the journalists.

Defence Day of Pakistan marked

Kathmandu : To Commemorate Defence Day of Pakistan, Defence Attache of Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan & Mrs. Colonel Mumtaz Hussain hosted a grand Reception.

The Chief of the Nepal Army Rt. Hon' General Gaurav S. Rana was the Chief Guest.

At the Reception, Chief Guest Nepal Army Chief General Gaurav S. Rana, Ambassador of Pakistan H.E. Mr. Arshed Saud Khosa and Defence Attache Col. Mumtaz Huussain jointly cut the Cake. At the Reception Ambassadors, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Former Nepalese Ambassadors, Senior officers from Nepal Army and Police Forces, Former Ambassadors, Executives of Nepal  Pakistan Friendship & Cultural Association and Pakistan Study Center, and President of Nepal Journalists Association Mr. Manju Ratna Sakya were present.

Likewise Pakistanis based in Kathmandu. Senior media persons and large number of people from Various walks of life were present.

The First Secretary of Embassy of Pakistan Mr. Faisal Usman delivered the welcome speech.

The programe was held at Hotel Hyatt Regency on 15th Sept. - 2012 which was followed by a Cocktail Dinner.

Ethiopian to Launch Flights to Kuala Lumpur

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, is pleased to announce that it will commence scheduled thrice weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur on October 31, 2012, via Bangkok. Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia and dubbed the Garden City of Lights, is renowned for its numerous tourist attractions, which include the Batu Caves, Menara Tower, the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, the Islamic arts museum, the Thean Hou Temple, Dewan Filharmonik, Kulala Lumpur Bird Park, Butterfly Parks, aquariums and the historic Malacca. It is also the economic and financial heart of Malaysia, one of the most dynamic economies in South East Asia.

Ethiopian is also pleased to be the first East African airline to fly to Kuala Lumpur, connecting Africa to the Asia region and in turn strengthening the tourism and trade ties between the peoples of Africa and Asia.

Convenient connections will be available to and from major African cities such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Dar Es Salaam, Entebbe, Harare and Khartoum. As part of its launch package, Ethiopian will have a promotional fare on its Addis Ababa-Kuala Lumpur route. Kuala Lumpur will be Ethiopian's 70th international destination and 18th in the Middle East and Asia. While experiencing the stunning Kuala Lumpur, enjoy earning double miles when flying between Addis Ababa and Kuala Lumpur from October 31, 2012 up to December 31, 2012.

Pakistan calls for end to drone hits

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and US reiterated their commitment to keep on working together for their bilateral interests and for the establishment and maintenance of peace in the region.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in their separate meetings with US special envoy Marc Grossman noted that it was important for the two sides to revive mutual confidence and move forward, adding that Islamabad regarded its ties with Washington as “very important”.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who was in Islamabad on a two-day visit, also met with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, members of the parliament and other officials.

During these meetings, Grossman said that his country believes that its relationship with Pakistan should be enduring, strategic and clearly defined. A US Embassy statement quoted him as saying that the US and Pakistan should work together to identify shared interests and act on them jointly, for the benefit of both nations and the region. Grossman also raised the case of Dr Shakil Afridi, though he failed to achieve any assurance in this regard.

Ambassador Grossman was accompanied by Acting US Ambassador Richard Hoagland, Lt- Gen, Douglas E Lute, Dr Peter Lavoy and other US officials in his meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. On Pakistani side, Defence Minister Naveed Qamar, Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Sheikh, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Secretary General Salman Faruqui, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani and other officials were present.

Senator Farhatullah Babar, while briefing newsmen about the meeting, said that Pak-US bilateral situation, fight against militancy, regional situation, drug trafficking and drone attacks were discussed during the meeting. He quoted the president as saying that it was important for the two countries to work for greater engagements in all fields for mutual interests. The president expressed the hope that the foreign minister’s forthcoming visit to Washington would help jump-starting the bilateral strategic dialogue.

On Afghanistan, the president said that the peace and stability of Pakistan depended on peace and stability of Afghanistan and that Pakistan would continue to assist the international community in a search for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process in that country. He said that the two countries shared a common objective to defeat al-Qaeda and terrorism and that it could best be achieved through coordinated actions across the border.

The president said that Pakistan believed that drug-trafficking and heroine was a major issue as it provided financial backing to the militants. He said that heroine was developed by the international community as a war weapon and it was now for the international community to find a solution to it.

He said that Pakistan would be hosting a conference of the regional countries at the end of this year to formulate a common strategy in fighting drug production, heroine and narco trade in the region to dry up the financial sources of militancy.

On terrorism, the president said that Pakistan had been extending full support to the international fight against terrorism and would continue to do so in the future as well. He said that Pakistan would continue lending every support to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

Ties between Islamabad and Washington have been rocky for years, and have only just resumed after nosediving following the secret raid that killed Osama bin Laden and an air raid that accidentally killed 24 Pakistani troops. US considers Pakistan’s semi-autonomous northwestern tribal belt as the main hub of Taliban and al-Qaeda militants plotting attacks on the West and in Afghanistan.

President Zardari also reiterated his call for an end to the drone attacks, terming them counterproductive in the fight against militancy and in the battle of winning hearts. We need to discuss alternatives on the question of drone attacks, he added. He said that the goal of establishing a long-term, sustained and durable Pak-US equation would remain elusive till the issue of trust deficit was addressed in an effective manner.

In a separate meeting with the US special envoy, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that his country regarded its relations with the United States as “very important” and that Pakistan valued it as a major development partner. “The prime minister said that relations between Pakistan and US are very important and we value United States as a major development partner,” a statement issued by his office said.

Ambassador Grossman agreed with the Prime Minister that it was of fundamental importance to build a relationship based on mutual respect and mutual interest. He said that both the countries shared common objective to fight the scourge of terrorism. He agreed that partnership with Pakistan was important to establish peace and security in the region.

Prime Minister Ashraf said that Pakistan had suffered the most, both in human and material loss, but that could not weaken the resolve to fight terrorism and extremism. “We have no other option but to fight it out so that we have peace and tranquilly in the region,” he said.

The prime minister said that Pakistan had rendered great sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He said that being a political government, “we are sensitive to public opinion and have succeeded in mobilising the people and making them realize that terrorism is a threat to our country and is a menace”.

The prime minister said that cooperation between the two countries would help in achieving the common objective of fighting terrorism and extremism. “We (Pakistan and US) have a shared objective in fighting terrorism and need to cooperate more to get rid of this menace.”

The prime minister said that as far as Afghanistan was concerned there had been a “sea change” in relations with it. “We are just like family members,” he added. The prime minister said, “We need a peaceful and stable Afghanistan in our neighbourhood and we cannot leave our children on the mercy of those terrorists.”

The prime minister recalled his visit to Afghanistan in July last month where he met with President Hamid Karzai and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom. He said that the visit was very helpful in developing understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He expressed the confidence that given the resolve of his government and with the help of international community, specially the United States, Pakistan would be able to overcome the challenges. He referred to recent high level exchanges between the two countries, which he said, were very useful in creating better understanding between them.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that Pakistan was facing energy crises and the United States could help in overcoming it. He said that American cooperation in energy sector would send a good message from the US because it would help reduce miseries of the common man.  Referring to the Diamer-Basha Dam project with storage capacity of 8.1 MAF and capacity of generating 4500 MW of electricity, the Prime Minister said that the participation of the US would be welcomed.

Ambassador Grossman said that future relations between Pakistan and the United States should be based on market access and trade. The US government is working on a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to facilitate US investment in Pakistan and improved market access, he added.

The Prime Minister said that he had directed all the stakeholders and authorities concerned to give their inputs for an early agreement on the BIT. Grossman assured the Prime Minister that the US would continue to work for strengthening Pak-Afghan border to check illegal infiltration. Referring to the energy crises in Pakistan, the Ambassador said that the US had made a promise of $200 million for the construction of Diamer-Basha Dam and was ready to participate in this project.

The US government was working on a bilateral investment treaty to “facilitate” US investment in Pakistan and improve market access, according to the Pakistani statement. It said that the United States has promised 200 million dollars for the construction of Diamer-Basha dam in northern Pakistan.

Charge d’affaires US embassy Richard Hoagland, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor Lt-Gen Douglas E Lute, Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs for Asia Maj-Gen John F Newell assisted Marc Grossman during the meeting. Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Interior Minister Senator Rehman Malik and Senator Syeda Sughra Imam were also present during the meeting.