ISLAMABAD/COLOMBO, 22 April, 2021 (TON): On Wednesday, the Sri Lankan High Commission and Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) have agreed to enhance bilateral trade relations in diverse fields.

On Wednesday, in order to discuss the bilateral trade opportunities between the two countries, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry delegation led by President Mohammad Nasir Mirza along with Senior Vice President Osman Ashraf and Vice President Shahraiz Ashraf Malik had a meeting with High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Vice Admiral (Retd.) Mohan Wijewickrema and U.L. Niyas Counselor (Political and Trade) at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Islamabad.

Sri Lanka has deep historical, cultural and trade ties with Pakistan, said Sri Lankan High Commissioner Mohan Wijewickrema while talking to the delegation.

The relations between the two countries have been further strengthened since Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Sri Lanka in February earlier this year.

However, the recent meeting with the Secretary Aviation and the PIA Chairman regarding direct flights had been fruitful, besides, mutual relations in the fields of pharmaceuticals, food, gems, jewellery, tourism and education can be enhanced.

KABUL, 22 April, 2021 (TON): Taliban’s unwillingness has caused a delay in the UN-led Afghan peace conference in Turkey, said the Afghanistan’s parliament on Wednesday.

The Speaker, Mir Rahman Rahmani said, “The Istanbul conference is a historic opportunity for the Taliban, the government and the people of Afghanistan which shouldn’t be wasted.”

“Unfortunately, there is no will from the side of the Taliban movement,” said Sayed Saadat Mansour Nadery, the State Minister for Peace Affairs.

“The side of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan under one umbrella and twice as much as the Taliban should be at the negotiating table and when there is power-sharing in the future,” said State Minister for Peace Affairs Sayed Saadat Mansour Nadery.

However, the UN-led Afghan peace conference in Turkey was scheduled to take place on 24 April, but now the summit has been postponed because of non-participation by the Taliban.

Turkey, the UN, the US and Qatar made several attempts in the past to convince the Taliban to ensure their participation in the conference, but the efforts did not yield an outcome whereas the Taliban have been insisting that the U.S. first needs to implement the Doha agreement before the start of the Istanbul conference.

TEHRAN, 22 April, 2021 (TON): The President of Iran Hassan Rouhani has called for full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the nuclear deal 2015.

On Wednesday, Rouhani said in a cabinet meeting, "The JCPOA must be implemented well. We want the implementation of the same JCPOA document, neither a word less nor a word more."

He added that Iran does not want "a JCPOA plus."

Rouhani stressed that the new round of talks about the nuclear deal should aim to map out three steps. He said, "The first step is the lift sanctions by the US. As the second step, we want to verify the lift of sanctions thereafter."

He added that at the third step, Iran will implement its own commitments under the deal.

However, Iran gradually stopped implementing parts of its commitments in May 2019 a year after the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned the agreement and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

MOSCOW, 22 April, 2021 (TON): As a consequence of tit-for-tat retaliation, the U.S. embassy in Moscow has been informed by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday that 10 of its diplomats have to leave the country within a month, i.e. till 21 May.  

Summoned deputy chief of the U.S. mission Bartle Gorman and gave him a note declaring these people persona non grata," said the ministry.

The ministry called the decision a mirror-like response to the "unreasonable" expulsion of staffers at the Russian Embassy in Washington and the Russian Consulate General in New York.

On Friday, the ministry announced a package of countermeasures, including the expulsion of 10 U.S. diplomats and an entry ban on eight incumbent and former American high-ranking officials.

However, it vowed to take further steps in the near future, as announced on April 16, in response to a recent series of illegal U.S. sanctions against Russia.

JERUSALEM, 22 April, 2021 (TON): Israel seeks to put in more efforts to further develop the Israel-China ties, said the Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday.

Rivlin made the remarks at the Presidential residence when he received the credentials presented by the new Chinese ambassador to Israel, Cai Run.

Rivlin said Israel will always keep in mind the selfless help provided by the Chinese people to the Jewish refugees during the World War II.

He lauded the long history of the friendship between the Jewish and Chinese people.

In recent years, said the Israeli president, the bilateral relationship has made positive headway and the cooperation between the two sides has yielded fruitful results in various fields.

However, the President’s remarks came noting that the next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Israel and China.

ISLAMABAD, 22 April, 2021 (TON): On Wednesday, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan opened a new border “Pishin-Mand” with Iran to boost economic and trade exchanges.

This newly opened border was the third crossing point after Taftan and Gabd.

This happened amid Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s three-day visit to Iran to bolster bilateral relations.

Located in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, near the country's Gwadar port, the Mand crossing point will not only facilitate import and export of goods with Iran, but also help reduce pressure on crossings in handling thousands of Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iran.

In December last year, the two countries inaugurated the Rimadan-Gabd border gateway, whereas the Taftan border has been operational for decades.

Speaking at an inaugural ceremony, Pakistan's Minister for Defense Production Zubaida Jalal said, "It will prove to be a milestone in providing employment and trade benefits to Pakistan, particularly for the people of Baluchistan."

However, the ceremony was attended also by Iranian Minister for Road and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami.

MALE, 21 April, 2021 (TON): After the Finance Ministry requested to extend the period of government overdraw from the public bank, a temporary nine-member committee of the parliament will be making an inquiry.

The Ministry requested the extension in order to cover the expenses of the state. 

In April, 2020, the parliament approved the move for an overdraft for a period of one year.

In a signed letter by the Minister, the Finance Ministry requested the parliament to extend the period for a further one year. 

On Tuesday, the Speaker announced that the parliament had failed to reach a decision on the matter, however, massive differences of opinion were observed among lawmakers.

Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef proposed forming a special committee for the purpose of assessing the request.

48 MPs voted against the move while just 12 voted in its favor.

The Speaker of the parliament announced the agenda for today’s sitting whereby a way to proceed regarding the request by the Ministry could be voted for and decided upon.

Alifushi MP Mohamed Rasheed proposed forming a temporary nine-member committee consisting of MPs from all political parties as well as independent lawmakers.

However, the move was approved by 51 MPs. 

AMMAN, 21 April, 2021 (TON): On Wednesday, the Parliament Speaker said that the Syrian President Bashar Assad submitted documents for the third term run in 26 May election.

On Sunday, the parliament announced the election date.

Washington and the Syrian opposition have denounced it as a farce designed to cement Assad’s authoritarian rule.

However, this is the10th anniversary of a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters which triggered a civil war that has left much of Syria in ruins. Besides, multi-sided conflict has sucked in world powers, killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions more, but is now nearing its end with Assad, supported by Russian and Iranian allies, back in control of most of the country.

MOSCOW, 21 April, 2021 (TON): On Wednesday, supporters of ailing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny plan to defy authorities and stage protests across Russia.

The supporters demand that he should be given life-saving medical care.

The 44-year-old's health is quickly deteriorating at the prison camp where he is being held, said the Navalny’s team.

The supporters announced to protests in more than 160 Russian cities and towns to draw attention to his plight.

In several Russian cities, authorities sealed off city centers ahead of the planned protests.

However, in Moscow, numerous metal barriers were erected not far from Red Square.

PARIS, 21 April, 2021 (TON): On Tuesday, France lauded to Chad’s President Idriss Deby Itno as a courageous friend and great soldier.

This came while urging stability and a peaceful transition in the African country after his shock death.
The veteran leader died from wounds sustained while commanding troops fighting a rebel incursion, according to the army, opening a period of uncertainty in Chad, a key strategic ally of the West in the Sahel region of Africa.

The office of President Emmanuel Macron said in statement, “Chad is losing a great soldier and a president who has worked tirelessly for the security of the country and the stability of the region for three decades.”

However, the statement emphasized France’s insistence on the stability and territorial integrity of Chad as it faces a push by rebel forces toward its capital, N’Djamena.