Friday 1 April 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Brussels airport eyes Sunday reopening as govt, police agree security deal

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - Bomb-hit Brussels Airport is on track to reopen on Sunday, a Belgian government source said, after the authorities reached a deal with police on introducing tighter security at the key travel hub following the March 22 suicide attacks.There is an agreement, Vincent Gilles, head of the SLFP police union, told AFP after lengthy talks Friday.He said the government and the airport operator had given in to their main demand for systematic checks of passengers and their luggage before going through customs.The agreement removed the final obstacle standing in the way of the airports partial resumption of services. The next step is for the government to give the formal go-ahead for the reopening.We hope that the airport can reopen Sunday morning, a government source told AFP.The operator of Brussels Airport, whose departure hall was wrecked in last weeks blasts, had said Thursday the airport was technically ready to resume partial services after testing new, temporary check-in facilities.But no flights were announced as police unions held up the planned reopening, threatening to go on strike unless stricter checks were imposed.Complaining about lax security in the past, they proposed using metal detectors to check all visitors before they enter the airport zone and introducing checks on cars.The airport operator warned however that such moves would create long queues outside the building that could be another target for attackers.There arent any European airports that apply such measures, Brussels Airport spokeswoman Florence Muls said earlier Friday.It was not immediately clear if the new security checks agreed in the deal would take place outside or inside the temporary departure hall.When Zaventem airport does reopen, it will still only be working at 20 percent capacity, the operator has warned, handling 800 to 1,000 passengers an hour. Chief executive Arnaud Feist has said it could take months to return to normal.The airports spokeswoman Florence Muls, speaking to AFP before the deal with police was announced, also said flights would resume on Sunday at the earliest.Once we have a formal agreement on the security measures, approved by the interior ministry, we can start calling employees and carriers can contact their passengers, this will take some time, she said.Symbolically importantA total of 32 people were killed in the coordinated Islamic State blasts on the airport and a Brussels metro station, the worst-ever attacks in the de facto capital of the European Union.As Belgium seeks to turn the page on last weeks traumatic events, the reopening of the airport is symbolically and economically important, the spokesman of Prime Minister Charles Michel told Belga news agency.Brussels Airport, which says it contributes some three billion euros ($3.4 billion) annually to the Belgian economy, has not released any figures on the financial impact of the attacks, but the ripple effects have been felt throughout the travel industry.Its top carrier Brussels Airlines has said it was losing five million euros daily in what it called the biggest crisis of its history.With 260 companies on-site employing some 20,000 staff overall, the airport is one of Belgiums largest employers and accounts for just under one percent of gross domestic product (GDP).Since the attacks, thousands of passengers have had to be rerouted to nearby airports in and around Belgium and hotel bookings have plummeted as tourists stay away, either out of fear or to avoid the travel disruptions.Hotel reservations in the capital have fallen by 50 percent since March 22, the Brussels Hotels Association said.

Obama says world should carry out its end of Iran nuclear deal

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama said Friday that world powers should carry out their end of the Iran nuclear deal and allow companies to do business in the Islamic republic.So long as Iran is carrying out its end of the bargain, we think it is important for the world community to carry out our end of the bargain, he said after a nuclear security summit with other world leaders.This year, the international community lifted a raft of sanctions on Iran in exchange for the country curbing its controversial nuclear program.But this month, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Washington of failing to respect the terms of the agreement.Meanwhile, international businesses have been cautious about returning to do business in Iran, fearing that they could fall afoul of continuing US sanctions aimed at Tehrans other non-nuclear policies.What I would say is also important is Irans own behavior in generating confidence that Iran is a safe place to do business, Obama said.The US president said Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and his counterparts within the P51 nations that negotiated the deal with Iran would be providing clarity to businesses about what transactions are in fact allowed.And it is going to take time over the next several months for companies and their legal department to feel confident... there may not be risks of liability if they do business with Iran.But the spirit of the agreement involves Iran also sending signals to the world community of businesses that it is not going to be engaging in a range of provocative action that might scare business off, he said.When they launch ballistic missiles with slogans calling for the destruction of Israel, that makes businesses nervous.The limited polls that are conducted in Iran show skepticism about the countrys economic situation following decades of sanctions.A host of non-nuclear sanctions related to terrorism sponsorship, ballistic missile programs and a crackdown on demonstrators remain in place.According to a CISSM and IranPoll.com survey released Thursday, Iranians have a less favorable impression of the countrys economic situation now than they did before the deal came into effect in January.While a majority of those polled back deeper economic engagement with the West, almost 70 percent do not believe the United States will meet its promises under the agreement.Officials say that even with sanctions lifted, US and other non-Iranian companies have been reluctant to do business with Iran for fear of getting tangled in a thicket of US regulations.

Gift from the sky? Slide falls off plane, into American's yard

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - An American woman got the surprise of her life when an emergency escape slide fell off a Boeing 767 and into her yard.We just heard a loud bang and the house shook and so I went to see what was going on, Andrea Self, who lives in the Phoenix, Arizona suburb of Mesa, told AFP.When I opened my front door, I saw what looked like a silver tarp lying there, but it had like a sulfur smell so I called the police, she said.The slide, which fell some 2,800 feet (853 meters), landed on an awning and damaged a tree in her yard, the 31-year-old said.I was just kind of in shock when it happened, Self said.The US Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) confirmed Friday that the plane, which belonged to Atlas Air, lost its over-the-wing escape slide on Wednesday afternoon.The slides are used to evacuate an aircraft quickly in the event of an emergency.Only the slide had deployed. The door remained attached to the aircraft, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor told AFP.He added that the plane landed without incident and that only the flight crew was on board.The FAA is investigating why the slide deployed, he said.

Nuclear terror threat 'constantly evolving': world leaders

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - World leaders reaffirmed their commitment to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of extremists on Friday but warned that the threat is constantly evolving.More work remains to be done to prevent non-state actors from obtaining nuclear and other radioactive materials, which could be used for malicious purposes, the leaders said, in a joint statement at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.US President Barack Obama invited dozens of world leaders to Washington for the summit, where they discussed action plans to secure nuclear fuel stockpiles and radioactive material that could be used in a nuclear device or a dirty bomb.We reaffirm our commitment to our shared goals of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy, the statement said.We commit to fostering a peaceful and stable international environment by reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism and strengthening nuclear security.Sustaining security improvements requires constant vigilance at all levels, and we pledge that our countries will continue to make nuclear security an enduring priority.Annexed to the statement were five action plans designed to improve the coordination of member states with world bodies such at the International Atomic Energy Agency and the police agency Interpol.

Karachi: Law enforcement agencies kill 3, arrest 21 suspects

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Law enforcement agencies late Friday conducted action in various areas of the city and arrested 21 including 10 terrorists during the raids while recovering ammunition as well.According to Rangers officials, the security agency conducted action in several areas and arrested 10 terrorists. Rangers say that the apprehended terrorists belong to a banned outfit. Ammunition was also recovered from the suspects. The captured terrorists have been shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation.Rangers also conducted raids in Saddar and Lyari areas, arresting 3 gangwar operatives. Weapons were also recovered from the suspects. According to Rangers officials, arrested suspects were involved in cases of extortion and target killing.On the other hand, Police clashed with suspects in Orangi Town’s Pakistan Bazaar. One suspect was shot dead while the other was arrested along with his weapon.Two dacoits were also gunned down during an encounter with the police near Malir Link road.Meanwhile police arrested 6 escaped convicts from Saddar area. Ammunition and 2 stolen motorcycles were recovered from the suspects.Special Investigations Unit apprehended 2 street criminals during a raid in Lines area. Ammunition and stolen items were recovered from the perpetrators.

10 MQM workers arrested for hurling stones at Mustafa Kamal's rally

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MIRPUR KHAS (Dunya News) – Ten workers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were arrested Friday for hurling stones at former Mayor Karachi and Pak Sar Zameen Party (PSP) leader Mustafa Kamal’s rally in Mirpur Khas. Meanwhile MQM claims that police raided the house of party’s Mirpur Khas Zone In-Charge Mujeeb-ul-Haq and have taken two of his sons into custody during his absence.According to the details, MQM workers were arrested by the police for pelting Kamal’s cavalcade with stones which damaged the vehicles and shattered windows of many.Police say that they have taken 10 party workers into custody including MQM’s Zonal Committee’s senior member Abdul Ghaffur Barohi and Shahid Abbasi.Tension ran high earlier as MQM and Kamal’s Pak Sar Zameen Party (PSP) workers clashed with one another in the areas of Mirpur Khas and Tando Allahyar. MQM’s enraged group pelted the vehicles of Kamal’s cavalcade with stones, shattering the windows of many.According to the details, Confrontation occurred between the MQM and PSP group. Both groups chanted slogans against one another. The war of words then escalated into a brawl.A contingent of police arrived and provided a safe passage to Kamal’s cavalcade towards the rally point.

Karachi protest: Case registered against 14 leaders of religious parties

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KARACHI (Dunya News) –Cases have been registered against 14 leaders of religious parties who were found to be involved in a 4 day sit-in protest at Karachi’s Numaish Chowrangi. The cases were registered on the basis of staging a sit-in and the violations of Loud Speaker Act.2 cases were registered by the police of Soldier Bazaar.The religious leaders implicated in the cases include Raza Mehmood, Maulana Abdul Karim, Maulana Altaf Qadri, Hafiz Tahir, Saleem Attari, Suleman Qadri and Rashid Qadri along with others.The sit-in at Numaish Chowrangi was linked to protests and sit-in earlier in Islamabads D -Chowk by religious groups.Religious parties in Karachi had earlier on Wednesday ended their sit-in at Numaish Chowrangi on the 4th day of the protest, after detained party workers were released by the government. M.A Jinnah road blocked by protesters was opened for traffic after successful dialogue.Advisor to Chief Minister (CM) Sindh on Religious Affairs Abdul Qayyum Soomro stated that the demonstrators had ended their protest in peaceful manner.He added that the government had taken no such steps which could have escalated the conflict.Pertaining to the matter, the government has now placed a ban on arranging processions and sit-in at the Red Zone area of Islamabad. Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan has stated that from now on, no one will be able to earn a reputation by marching towards Islamabad, adding that those who enter the Red Zone take the government and the state as hostage.

Modi questions others on nuclear security, forgets own negligence

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WASHINGTON (Dunya News) – India’s Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was seen actively questioning different nations on their nuclear security situation during a Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington on Friday. The Indian PM was apparently so active that he forgot all about India’s own negligence for failing to protect its nuclear material from thieving hands in recurring incidents.According to the details, Modi kept hinting questions about Pakistan’s nuclear situation, without naming the country. However, India’s protection of its own nuclear assets was brought into questioning just last week when international experts expressed severe reservations over India’s security lapse in assuring its nuclear material safety.The country’s security measures have proven to be extremely frail. Since the past two decades, India has been robbed of its nuclear materials 5 times.The security situation proved to be even more flawed as in 2013, a group of militants robbed Uranium from the country’s Army Complex, but the Indian army remained blissfully unaware of it.

Tariq Fatemi meets Obama, addresses Nuclear Security Summit

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WASHINGTON (Dunya News) – Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) Tariq Fatemi Friday addressed a 2 day Nuclear Security Summit being held in Washington. Speaking on the occasion, Fatemi stated that Pakistan Command and Control system regarding the security of its nuclear assets was extremely secure.Addressing the security summits luncheon, Pakistan is resolute regarding its responsibilities of nuclear security. Fatemi added that the country was completely cooperative with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and with other countries in regards to nuclear security.The Special Assistant to PM added that Pakistan has been running a secure civil atomic program for the past 40 years.Fatemi also shook hands with US President Barak Obama during the conference.Earlier President Obama addressed the closing session of the 2 day summit. He stressed that were was need for greater international cooperation pertaining to the nuclear security, in order to protect the nuclear assets from going into the wrong hands such as groups like the Islamic State (IS).Obama further stated that the operation against IS was indeed difficult, but they are achieving successful results in the operation.The US President added that despite great efforts being shown to prevent nuclear terrorism; the threat has been growing gradually however.

Obama warns IS 'madmen' would gladly use nukes

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Extremist madmen from the Islamic State group would not hesitate to launch a catastrophic nuclear attack, US President Barack Obama warned global leaders meeting in Washington Friday.Hoping to galvanize global action to prevent extremists from getting hold of nuclear weapons or material for a dirty bomb, Obama painted an apocalyptic picture of the impact of a nuclear terror attack.That threat has loomed large over the two-day summit, amid revelations that the Islamic State group carried out video surveillance on a top Belgian nuclear scientist.ISIL has already used chemical weapons, including mustard gas, in Syria and Iraq, Obama said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group.There is no doubt that if these madmen ever got their hands on a nuclear bomb or nuclear material, they most certainly would use it to continue to kill as many innocent people as possible.The summit -- attended by dozens of world leaders and delegates -- is focused on securing global stockpiles of nuclear materials, stored by the military and by the medical and power industries.Obama said about 2,000 tons of nuclear materials are stored around the world at civilian and military facilities, but some of them are not properly secured.Just the smallest amount of plutonium -- about the size of an apple -- would kill and injure hundreds of thousands of innocent people, he said.It would be a humanitarian, political, economic and environmental catastrophe with global ramifications for decades, he added.It would change our world.The nuclear security summit comes in the wake of attacks in Paris and Brussels that have killed dozens and exposed Europes inability to thwart destabilizing attacks or track Islamic State operatives returning from Iraq and Syria.As ISIL is squeezed in Syria and Iraq, we can anticipate it lashing out elsewhere, he said.We need to do even more to prevent the flow of foreign terrorist fighters.N. Korea concernsThough the summit is focused on fissile stockpiles, other nuclear concerns inevitably have drawn broad attention, including North Korea and its continued testing of nuclear devices and ballistic missiles.The reclusive nation fired another short-range missile off its east coast on Friday, the latest in a series of North Korean missile launches during what has been an extended period of military tension on the Korean peninsula.The summit opened Thursday with Obama trying to forge consensus among East Asian leaders on how to respond to Pyongyang.New stepsHalfway through the closing day of the summit, delegates described a series of incremental measures, such as enhanced cooperation between nations.Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that Japan had removed all its highly-enriched uranium and separated plutonium fuels ahead of schedule. The fissile material will be downblended in the United States for civilian use or eventual disposal.Obama also used the summit as a chance to hold candid talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping over Beijings alleged military buildup in the South China Sea.US officials have expressed concern that Chinas actions in the South China Sea are inconsistent with Xis pledge at the White House last year not to pursue militarization of the hotly contested and strategically vital waterway.China claims virtually all the South China Sea despite conflicting claims by Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines, and has built up artificial islands in the area in recent months, including some with airstrips.Shadows of Putin, TrumpThis is the fourth in a series of nuclear security summits convened at Obamas behest and with the president leaving office next year, it may well be the last.But it risked being overshadowed by two men who were not even there: Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.Experts say Putins refusal to attend has made it almost impossible to achieve substantive reductions in fissile material -- the vast majority of which is held by the militaries of Russia and the United States.This nuclear security summit is supposed to address all of the stocks, but truth is that all they address really is a small proportion of civilian stocks, Patricia Lewis, international security research director at British think tank Chatham House, told AFP.Obama foreign policy advisor Ben Rhodes earlier described the lack of Russian participation as counterproductive.Americas presidential election also took center stage, with questions about Trumps suggestion that Asian allies should develop nuclear weapons.It would be catastrophic for the United States to shift its position and indicate that we somehow support the proliferation of nuclear weapons, Rhodes said.

Chief Secretary Punjab replaced on CM Shehbaz Sharif's request

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Chief Secretary Punjab Khizer Hayat was replaced Friday on the request of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif. Hayat has now been designated as Federal Secretary for Industries. Captain (Retd) Zahid Syed will be replacing Hayat as the new Chief Secretary.According to the details, Syed had been working at Grade 22 as Senior Member Board of Revenue Punjab. Syed is linked to Pakistan Civil Services’ 13 Common Groups.The work of computerization of land records in Punjab was also completed during his tenure. Prior to this, he served as Commissioner Rawalpindi. It was during his term that the Metro Bus’s track was completed in Rawalpindi. Syed was also awarded a presidential award for completing Rawalpindi’s Metro Bus project before the deadline.The new Chief Minister has also served as Secretary Excise and Taxation in Punjab. He also served as Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad.Syed has close relations with Punjab CM due to his achievement while performing his duties.

S.Africa's Zuma admits actions 'inconsistent' with constitution

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JOHANNESBURG, (AFP) - South African President Jacob Zuma defended himself Friday after a damning court judgement over public funds used to upgrade his private residence, but admitted his conduct was inconsistent with the constitution.I... respect the finding that failure to comply with the remedial action taken against me by the public protector is inconsistent with the constitution, he said, in a televised address that some predicted would be a resignation speech.I wish to emphasise that I never knowingly and deliberately set out to violate the constitution, he added.The matter has caused a lot of frustration and confusion, for which I apologise, on my behalf and on behalf of government.I urge all parties to respect the judgement and abide by it.Zuma faced a chorus of calls to step down after the Constitution Court delivered a highly critical verdict Thursday on his conduct after a swimming pool, chicken run, cattle enclosure and amphitheatre were built at his rural homestead as so-called security measures.The president had refused the public protectors orders to repay money spent on the upgrades, which became a symbol of alleged corruption and greed within the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party.Any action that has been found not to be in keeping with the Constitution happened because of a different approach and different legal advice, Zuma said in his speech.It all happened in good faith and there was no deliberate effort or intention to subvert the Constitution on my part.

Obama says will 'take time' for Iran to rejoin global economy

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama said on Friday it will take time for Iran to rejoin the global economy, as the country s leadership and citizens express unease that a sanctions windfall has been slow to materialize.It will take time for Iran to reintegrate into the global economy, but Iran is already beginning to see the benefit of this deal, Obama said at a meeting of world powers in Washington.The international community lifted a raft of sanctions on Iran in exchange for the country curbing its controversial nuclear program.Earlier this month, Iran s Supreme Leader ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Washington of failing to respect the terms of the agreement.The United States has lifted sanctions on paper, he said, but they are using roundabout paths to prevent the Islamic Republic from achieving its targets.They have said they lifted the sanctions... but, in fact, they are working to prevent the lifting of sanctions from taking effect, he said.The limited polls that are conducted in Iran also show skepticism about the country s economic situation following decades of sanctions.A host of non-nuclear sanctions related to terrorism sponsorship, ballistic missile programs and a crackdown on demonstrators remain in place.According to a CISSM and IranPoll.com survey released Thursday Iranians have a less favorable impression of the country s economic situation now than they did before the deal came into effect in January.While a majority of those polled back deeper economic engagement with the West, almost 70 percent do not believe the United States will meet its promises under the agreement.Earlier this week, the United States appeared to take further steps toward ending Iran s economic isolation, laying the groundwork to let Iran begin trading in dollars.The move would remove restrictions on foreign firms doing dollar deals with Iran.Officials say that even with sanctions lifted, US and other non-Iranian companies have been reluctant to do business with Iran for fear of getting tangled in a thicket of US regulations.

Di Maria blames van Gaal for United flop

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LONDON, (AFP) - Angel di Maria has blamed Louis van Gaal for his miserable spell at Manchester United and claimed he left Old Trafford because it would give him a better chance to win trophies.Di Maria was one of van Gaals marquee signings when he joined United from Real Madrid for a British record £59.7 million ($84 million, 74 million euros) in 2014.But after a promising start, di Maria felt he was undermined by van Gaals decision to play him in several different positions.The Argentina midfielder eventually left for Paris Saint Germain in August last year, by which time he was relieved to put an end to his United nightmare.Every time I was given the opportunity I did the best I could but it didnt work out, Di Maria told BBC Sports Football Focus.Its more that they didnt let me settle properly than I couldnt settle.I started a game in one position then the next game in another. I scored goals playing in one position, then the next game I was picked to play in a different position. I dont think this helped me settle.Its up to the manager to decide but I think the player should be comfortable in that position and adapt to it.Once it became clear he would struggle to win van Gaals trust, di Maria was delighted to move to PSG, who have already won the French league title this season and host Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.Meanwhile, van Gaals problems have increased this season and it appears likely the Dutchman will leave at the end of the current campaign, with di Maria making it clear his former boss has to take the rap for Uniteds woes.I decided to leave, not only to be happy, but to win things, he added.I left and that team are still playing the same way. Out of the European competitions, far from being champions of the Premier League.I dont think it was my fault, or the fault of my team-mates. Every time I was given the opportunity I did all I could but it didnt work out as I hoped.So I decided to leave, not only to he happy but to win things. Thats what Im doing here.Di Maria is expected to miss PSGs home match with Nice on Saturday after returning with a minor injury from international duty with Argentina.But he has recaptured his best form in the French capital and in another blow for van Gaal he was quick to salute PSG coach Laurent Blanc for allowing him the freedom to express his talents.Im very thankful to the manager (Laurent Blanc). From the beginning he was clear where he wanted to play me and has never changed his mind, di Maria said.He has given me total freedom to move where I need to move and Im very happy here. It wasnt the case over there (United).

Three-day literary conference 'Afkaar-e-Taaza' kicks-off in Lahore

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LAHORE (Web Desk) – Three-day literary conference orgainsed by Information Technology University (ITU) has kicked-off in Lahore, reported Dunya News.The inaugural ceremony of the event was held at Alhamra Cultural Complex Gaddafi Stadium and was attended by people belonging to different walks of life including academicians, scholars, students, thinkers and intellectuals.The ceremony started at 3pm PST. Vice Chancellor ITU Dr Umar Saif stated that “This conference exhibits our commitment to the intellectual revival of Pakistan by bringing world renowned scholars to Pakistan. This event would create an opportunity for our people to interact with these great minds, in a rigourous yet accessible format.”While addressing the event, Director of the Centre for Governance and Policy Dr Yaqoob Khan Bangash shared his thoughts and said “The Afkaar-e-Taaza will provide serious academic work but in a format which will make it easier for the general public to understand and interact with.” He added that the conference was being attended by internationally acclaimed scholars, including Prof. Anna Maria Misra, Dr Rajiv, Dr Jacob, Dr Steve Fish and others, and regarded this as a great success.Talks by renowned figures related to academia and other fields of life, including Najam Sethi, Dr Ishrat Hussain, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, Senator Sherry Rahman, Ambassador Aziz Ahmed Khan, Professor NaazishAtaullah, Dr Nafisa Shah, Mr Kamran Lashari, Zahid Hussain, Ayaz Amir, Dr Ayesha Siddiqa, Dr Wiqar Ali Shah, Saleem Safi, Dr MoeedPirzada, and several others will be taking place in the period of three days.The event will be taking place between April 1-3, 2016, at Alhamra Cultural Complex Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
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