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Page 1: Governor & Chancellor Muhammad Zubair and Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Professor Dr ... Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ... He also distributed Shaheed
Page 2: Governor & Chancellor Muhammad Zubair and Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Professor Dr ... Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ... He also distributed Shaheed
Page 3: Governor & Chancellor Muhammad Zubair and Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Professor Dr ... Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ... He also distributed Shaheed
Page 4: Governor & Chancellor Muhammad Zubair and Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Professor Dr ... Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ... He also distributed Shaheed
Page 5: Governor & Chancellor Muhammad Zubair and Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Professor Dr ... Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ... He also distributed Shaheed
Page 6: Governor & Chancellor Muhammad Zubair and Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Professor Dr ... Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ... He also distributed Shaheed
Page 7: Governor & Chancellor Muhammad Zubair and Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Professor Dr ... Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ... He also distributed Shaheed

Pages 04 Volume 04 Issue 23 Thursday 1st February 2018 to Thursday 15

th February 2018 Price : PKR 10 / USD 1 / SAR 1 / GBP 1 / CAD 1 / ZAR 10 / NOK 10

Karachi: Governor & Chancellor Muhammad Zubair and Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Professor Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan

pay attention on National Anthem in the 28th Convocation. ( Photo Writer Times)

PM Inaugurates Karachi

North Bound Carriageway

Pakistani Peacekeeper Killed in a Rebel

Group’s Ambush in D.R. Congo

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Sunday inaugurated the North Bound Carriageway which was part of much awaited Lyari Express-way project. The entire ex-pressway became operational immediately after its inaugura-tion. Governor Sindh Muham-mad Zubair and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah were also present on the occasion. The total length of project including ramps is 38 km with a construc-tion cost of Rs. 10 billion. It in-cludes 4 interchanges at Sorab Goth, Manghopir, Sir Shah Suleman and Maripur. Besides, 20 major bridges are also part of the project. The project carries immense importance in reducing the ever-growing traffic volume inside the city. The traffic coming from port and Super Highway (now M9) will use the expressway to reach their destinations without enter-ing into the city. It will also reduce the flood damages to the areas along the river and add to the environmental protection of the entire area. (APP)

Rawalpindi - January 28, 2018: Pakistan continues to contribute towards global peace and stability. Another Pakistani peacekeeper soldier gave his life as Part of UN Peace keeping force at Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This happened when Pakistani Peacekeeping Convoy was ambushed by armed rebels near Lulimba, 96 km south West of Baraka, South Kivu Province. Dur-ing exchange of fire, Naik Naeem Raza em-braced shahadat while sepoy Bilal got in-jured. Pakistani peacekeepers effectively responded to fail the armed rebels. Pakistan is a permanent contributor to global peace under UN flag. To date, 156 brave Pakistanis including 23 officers have sacrificed their lives for global peace and stability under UN auspices. As of today, over 6000 Pakistani officers and men are performing their duties as part of UN peace keeping assignments. (ISPR)

KU 28th Convocation 1962 students’ conferred degrees, 187 gold medals

Graduates are the

pride of the country

Research-based education is the need of the time

Governor & Chancellor Muhammad Zubair congratulated the students

As many as 1962 students were awarded with degrees during 28th Con-vocation of University of Karachi held on Saturday at the campus’s Valika Ground. Meanwhile, 187 gold medals were also awarded to the students who secured first positions in their respective departments. More than 10,000 people attended the annual convocation which made it the largest academic gathering of the country. Speaking on the occa-sion, former alumni of University of Karachi and presently the Chancellor KU, Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair congratulated the graduating students, faculty and the Vice Chancel-lor for holding the largest convocation of the country. “It’s a great honor for me to come at my alma mater as the Chan-cellor; KU is one of the most distin-guished academic institutions of the country. KU has already remained amongst my top priorities and the fed-eral government has approved the es-tablishment of medical college and hospital of the University of Karachi in Karachi package which has been an-nounced by the Prime Minister as well. Federal government will continue sup-porting Karachi University” He an-nounced that the ground breaking cere-mony for the medical college and hos-pital will be held in a month by the federal government. “It is heartening to see the majority of female students in the graduating student which is a sign that in Pakistan, the women are empow-ered. 75 to 80 percent of the students in varsities are girls out of whom only around 15 percent girls continue their professional lives while remaining ma-jority leave their professional careers soon which is disheartening. It’s the moral responsibility of our female grad-uates to repay their society with their studies”, he added. Lauding the efforts of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mu-hammad Ajmal Khan, Governor Sindh said that in just a short span of one year, two convocations are being held, the

Positive change is visible; the faculty must support Dr. Ajmal Khan in his initiatives which will prove to be vital for varsity’s progress in the longer run. He further added that whenever you will ensure transparency, you will face oppo-sition. Today, parents deserve all the appreciation, they are happy today see-ing their students graduate today. Fac-ulty members are not the most rewarded people in the country but they must be given their due credit for training their students. The Vice Chancellor KU Professor Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan while ad-dressing the convocation said that uni-versities are the seats of learning where knowledge is not only created but also dispensed. “I have brought changes to improve the working in the administration by stop-ping leaks and hindrances, improved working atmosphere. Despite not having full time director finance, we worked very hard to improve our fiscal condi-tions by taking several positive measures that have created great differ-ence including installation of water meters which led the saving of 75 mil-lion Rupees per year in the bills. We are working on several aspects to bring financial stability” He thanked Governor Sindh for his interest and support in convincing federal govern-ment to include a medical complex for KU in Karachi package. He further added that our Asian ranking has im-proved from 251 to 125 which is a great achievement in such a short span of time. 1700 research papers of KU fac-ulty published this year in journals of international repute. “We are also streamlining the examina-tion department, we have already dented the old system and we hope to eradicate the malpractice from examination de-partment for good. I promised the teach-ers during the last convocation that their pending selection boards will be held; I am delighted to inform that cases

pending from advertisement of 2012-2013are almost and hope to finish re-maining selection boards soon. We also took a more formidable challenge to make our admission process online and we were successful in that. This initia-tive enabled students to submit their applications from their homes so that they don’t have to come to university and stand in long lines”, Dr. Khan in-formed the audience. He thanked the Chief Minister of Sindh by added that I am also indebted to the Chief Minister of Sindh for approving a project costing 520 Million to improve our water and sewerage system. He also provided 100 Million grant to support our budget during the last fiscal year. This year he has also approved 200 Million for us and we expect to receive the payment shortly. I am also hearing news that a summary of about 500 Million at his desk and I am sure that he will approve this too. I would like to thank honorable chief Minister for his kind help and support to KU “A developing country could only become developed if it in-vests in science. Governments need to invest sustainably for at least three decades in promoting and sustaining science culture in Paki-stan which would lead to quality science and eventually will produce technology that will make this country rich”. In total 1962 students were awarded with degrees in which 211 degrees were awarded in BA Hons, 17 in B.E, 11 in B.ED, 10 in B.L.I.S., 155 in B.S. 19 in BS(CS), 16 in BS(SE), 3 in BBA (hons), 7 in BPA (Hons), 283 in B.Sc (Hons), 15 in LL.B, 355 in M.A., 2 in M.A (E & F), 11 in MAS, 69 in MBA, 34 in M.Com, 16 in M.C.S., 35 in M.H.R.M., 4 in M.I.B.F., 5 in M.L.I.S., 43 in M.P.A., 11 in MPP, 408 in M.SC., 127 in Pharm.D, 1 in M.D., 21 M.Phil. While 73 PhD. degrees were awarded He also distributed Shaheed Hakim Said awards to prominent personalities on the occas ( Staff Reporter)

HOLIDAY ON 5th

FEBRUARY 2018 Karachi: Government of Sindh Services, General Administration & Coordination Department has declared 5th February 2018 Monday as a closed holiday throughout the Province of Sindh on occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day with one minute silence at 10:00 a.m.to honor Kashmiri Shuhada for all offices, Autonomous, Semi-Autonomous Bodies, Corporations and Local Councils under the Administrative Councils. Government of Sindh, except essential services .( Press Release )

Chairperson SBI Naheed Memon

Karachi: Consul General Russian Fedration,Aleksender Khosin called on

Chairperson SBI Naheed Memon to discuss Trade and Business Opprtunaties between Two countries (Writer Times)

NASIR SHAH PRESIDES 9TH

MEETING OF SWWB – EXPEDITE THE

WORKERS’ SCHEMES ON PRIORITY

Karachi: Sindh Minister for Labour, transport and Information Syed Nasir Hussain Shah today presided over a 9th meeting of Sindh Workers Welfare Board at his office here. Minister Information Technology Dr. Sikandar Shoro, MPA Rukhsana Shah, Workers’

Representatives Shamshad Qureshi, Rehmatullah Sarki, Secretary Labour Abdul Rasheed Solangi, Secretary Industries Abdul Rahim Soomro, representatives of Education, Health, Works and Services and Secretary SWWB Jalaluddin Mehar attended the meeting. Addressing the 9th meeting Sindh Labour Minister Syed Nasir Shah, reiterated the P-3

Mr. Maqsood Ahmad Khan has

been appointed the Resident Edi-

tor of Writer Times in United

States of America

Mr. Chaudhry Muhammad Fai-

sal Ayoub has been appointed

the Resident Editor of Writer

Times in Norway

HAKIM SAEED WAS A REMARKABLE PERSON : GOVERNOR SINDH

Muhtarma Sadia Rashid has given Sheild to Governor

Khi: Governor Sindh Mr. Mohammad Zubair has said that Shaheed Hakim Said was a true patriot and served the nation in various capacities with utmost devotion and dedication during his entire life. This he said while addressing at corporate rebranding of Hamdard and Hakim Said Awards held at Mohatta Palace. Chairperson Hamdard and daughter of P-2

Page 8: Governor & Chancellor Muhammad Zubair and Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Professor Dr ... Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ... He also distributed Shaheed

03 BUSINESS & FINANCE

Wrier Times, Karachi, Thursday 1st February 2018 to Thursday 15th February 2018

SINDH TO ENHANCE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

Karachi: The Sindh Board of Investment in collaboration with the World Bank Group hosted a press briefing on Ease of Doing Business reform programmed being executed in Sindh. The briefing informed participants about Government of Sind’s strategy to reform business regulations in the province. The briefing started with Chairperson, SBI Naheed Memon explaining why improving the investment climate is a national emergency. She said that as a province and as a country we should strive to be the best place for doing business. Sindh also plans to automate business registration via a portal which will link all provincial and central databases and authorities for starting a business the portal will integrate all departmental procedures online so that entrepreneurs can get required provincial registrations from a single place in real time. This facility will be launched in a pilot form in key government departments and will also be placed in the Karachi Cham-ber of Commerce and Industry Office. The relevant provincial agencies are reforming regulations related to Construction Permits. These reforms include a) De-Notification of Environmental Approval for low- impact projects, b) Simplification of procedures & reduction

in timeline for water connection at KWSB and c) reduction in number of procedures at SBCA for obtaining a building permit. Some reforms have already been implemented such as Land Administration & Revenue Management Information System (LARMIS) at Board of revenue. The Sindh LARMIS was first the system in the country to automate the process of property registration. The automation of property registration has begun as all current registrations are scanned, indexed and made available online for online title search through Digital Scanning Unit. The time for Execution and registration of deed is now less than 100 days. This procedure took more than 200 days previously. The Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) has also reduced the prerequisites for a new water connection application. Their checklist for a new connection now requires four (4) items only instead of eight (8) items previously. Moreover, the time taken for new connection will be reduced to 21 days. This procedure took 61 days previously. The Chairperson, Sindh Board of Investment is the focal person for Doing Business Reforms in Sindh. The Government of Sindh has formed Sindh Investment Climate Improvement Cell (SICIC) a decided unit for execution of the reform agenda. The reform plan is a part of the larger plan to introduce Doing Business re-forms at the federal and provincial level. The plan outlines reforms related to the following provincial indicators: Starting a Business, Construction Permits, Registering Property, Enforcing Contracts and Paying Taxes. “The Government of Sindh remains committed to making Sindh into an easy and most competitive investment hub in Pakistan”, said Chairperson SBI. The EODB Index- produced annually by the World Bank Group (WBC) – measures the quality and efficiency of business regulation and its enforcement in selected cities across 190 economies including Karachi and Lahore in Pakistan. The index measures regulations against ten (10) indicators. “We are supporting reforms in Pakistan to benefit individuals and companies doing business in the country”, said the Senior Economist of the World Bank Group in Pakistan. _____________________________________________________________________ (Reported by Mujahid Kethran)

E-Commerce On Rise In Pakistan, Says SBP

ISLAMABAD: Business to consumer E-Commerce (e-B2C) is on the rise in Paki-stan as 571 local e-commerce merchants were already accepting payments through banking channels as of end-June 2017, with cumulative annual domestic sales worth Rs 9.8 billion. In addition to that, transactions worth Rs 20.7 billion were carried out by consumers on international e-commerce websites, stated State Bank of Pakistan in its quarterly report quoting latest e-commerce data. According to the report, growing incomes, coupled with advancement in communication technol-ogy and expansion of internet access and branchless banking, have been propelling the sector forward. Various benefits such as comfort of shop-ping from home, wider selection variety, ubiquity of 24×7 service, and interaction possibilities like reviews to make an in-formed decision were the main sources of attraction to the consumers. Businesses, meanwhile, are venturing into digital platforms to increase their reach, the re-port added. “Additional benefit comes from low operating costs and flexibility in inventory management (based on feed-back, recommendation, and just-in-time mechanisms) which results in increasing margins,” the report said. Thus, a range of businesses has shifted to this medium to cater to the growing demand and to re-main competitive in the changing market environment, it added. This is an encouraging trend as it provides a potential to document transactions that would otherwise not become part of the

Formal retail segment. However, a signifi-cant volume of transactions is carried via Cash on Delivery (COD). Pakistan Tele-communication Authority (PTA) in its annual report for FY17 highlighted that more than ninety percent of online orders were fulfilled using COD during the past fiscal year. Businesses are also hesitant to offer online payments options given con-siderable upfront development costs, as this involves expenses on reliable and secured infrastructure, negotiating con-tracts with payment gateway providers. In this situation, COD allows a cheaper al-ternate, it added. From the consumer per-spective, a preference for cash and low financial literacy accentuates the need for Even those customers who are financially literate feel hesitant to share their personal information online due to security con-cerns. A second major issue that keeps consumers from adopting towards ad-vance payment mechanisms is the fear that their products might not be delivered or they might be different in nature or quality from the items mentioned online. The report says, payment on delivery covers their risks in this regard, adding that furthermore, absence of a common payment platform that could integrate mobile wallet, debit/credit card, and bank accounts leads to consumers facing incon-venience and higher charges. (APP)

1st March 2018

WRITER TIMES

5th

Anniversary

SPSC PASS GIVEN APPOINTMENT ORDERS

Karachi: Provincial Minister for Works and Services Mr. Imdad Ali Pitafi in a ceremony held at Sindh Secretariat dis-tributed appointment orders among the Assistant Engineers (BPS 17) that have passed the Examination of Sindh public Services Commission in November 2017. Speaking on the occasion the provincial Minister stated that Sindh Government believes on merit and these 21 assistant engineers have been appointed totally on merit. While congratulating new Assistant engineers the provincial minister stated that the newly appointed officers will work with all zeal and enthusiasm. While talking to the media on the occasion Imdad Ali Pitafi said that judiciary is only active in Sindh province otherwise in all other province the situation is entire dif-ferent. We respect judiciary but it is con-stitutional right of Sindh Government to appoint Inspector General of police. It’s matter of shame that Imran Khan and Shaikh Rasheed have abused the parlia-ment. We the parliamentarians are repre-sentatives of 22 crore people of Pakistan. While replying to a question he said that it is not right time to resign from the parlia-ment but the leadership of Pakistan People Party will have to take the decision in this regard. Secretary Works and Services Mr. Aijaz Ahmed Memon and other officers were also present of the occasion. --------------------------------(Staff Reporter)

INTERNATIONAL

Haris Umer Memon Resident Editor

United Kingdom +447946659266

Zakaullah Khan Niazi Resident Editor

Canada

1-647 898 4016

[email protected]

Ahmed Hussain Adam Resident Editor

Saudi Arabia

+966503652685

[email protected]

Abu Baker Vayani Resident Editor

South Africa

0823 206752

[email protected]

Maqsood Ahmad Khan Resident Editor

United States of America

+1(210) 414 90 72

Ch. M. Faisal Ayoub Resident Editor

Norway

+47 463 20 145

ALL STAKEHOLDERS

WORK TOGETHER TO

ERADICATE DRUGS

IN THE SOCIETY.

HALEEM SHAIKH

Karachi: Secretary Excise and Taxation & Narcotics Abdul Haleem Shaikh have said that unless all stakeholders includ-ing parents, teacher’s students and government department’s work together to eradicate drugs in the society, we cannot achieve our targets. This he said as a chief guest here in a inter schools tableau competi-tion at National Museum Kara-chi on Tuesday organised by ET & NC Department Sindh. He said that the role of new generation was very important in creating awareness against drugs and he also appreciated the performance and hard work of the teachers and the students who participated in tableau competition. On this occasion while addressing the gathering Director General Excise and Taxation Narcotics Control Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui said that the drugs not only de-stroyed the families but it was also harmful to the society as a whole It is very essential to create awareness against drugs and we all have to work to get the noble cause he added. Shoaib Siddiqui told that Ex-cise Department Sindh collects seven different taxes and dur-ing last fiscal year it collected Rs. 53 billions in term of vari-ous taxes and for current finan-cial year the target is Rs.62 billions and hopefully we will get our target before the year ends. Civil Aviation Authority School got first position, Little Angel School got second while Customs School got third posi-tion in the competition. Aftab Alam and Basur Ahmed Siddiqui performed as judges and Khurram Jamal was the compere of the program. ANF Bridger Noor ul Hasan also attended the program as a spe-cial guest and encouraged the participants. In the end the winners were distributed the prizes and guests were pre-sented shields as well. ------------------(Staff Reporter)

US, Afghanistan losing Kabul : The only face saving for them is to blame Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: There are multiple factors responsible for current situation in Afghanistan . The present US led puppet government in Afghanistan is unable to establish its writ. Afghanistan is a fragile state which consists of powerful tribes. The anti government rebel groups are emerging in Kabul. The political instability is strengthening the footholds of terror-ists in Afghanistan. The Washington must realize that Pakistan is the only resourceful ally of US in the war against terror-ism. Despite of all the sacrifices and coordination, the recent anti-Pakistan statements by US are disappointing. The US policy of involving India in Afghanistan is further escalating the instability and terrorism in Afghanistan. Terrorists are getting stronger in Afghanistan. The presence of Daish in east and north side of Kabul is also a serious concern for Paki-stan. The recent increase in terror attacks exposes government’s writ and instability in Afghanistan. It also indicates the failure of US policies in Afghanistan. The US is now making Pakistan a scapegoat to hide its failure. The Washington must acknowledge and appreciate the role of Pakistan in the war against terrorism. The desirable results in Afghanistan cannot be achieved without Pakistan. The United States is frustrated with its failure in Afghanistan . The Washington is using all means to pressurize Islamabad to hide its failure. Pakistan has rendered matchless sacrifices in the war against terrorism. We have eradicated terrorism at the cost of thousands of innocent lives. Instead of acknowledging our efforts to eliminate the menace of terrorism, the US is trying to degrade our sacrifices. The Afghan government has lost its control in Afghanistan. The nefarious Indian agenda to destabilize Pakistan by using Afghan soil is also exposed.---- (News Desk)

Toronto: A Fundraising Dinner & Awareness Session was held on Woodbine banquet hall Toronto. Lot of dignities and local politicians were present on this occasion, particularly Iqra Khalid Member Parliament Dr .Shafiq Qadri

member Ontario assembly were among there. ( Photo by Zakaullah Khan Niazi )

MUTUAL COOPERATION IN VARIOUS AREAS DISCUSSED

Karachi: A five member delegation headed by the Austrian Ambassador Dr. Brigitta Blaha called on the Sindh Minister for Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Syed Sardar Ali Shah at his office in Sindh Archives here on today. They discussed in detail about the possible cooperation and collabora-tion in various projects and areas of the mutual interest, and principally agreed to devise initial feasible re-ports and working plans on selected areas of culture, tourism and arche-ology. The delegation included Mr. Babar Tajammul, Honorary Concul General of Austria in Karachi, Cdre (Retd) Imran Akram, and Ms. Anita D' Cruz, while from the culture de-partment, the Secretary Culture Ghulam Akbar Lashari, DG Antiqui-ties Manzoor Kanasiro, DG Gorakh Hills Authority Nasir Abbas Soomro, Director Culture and Archives Abdul Aleem Lashari, MD Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) Roshan Kanasiro, Director Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel

Management (PITHM) Niaz Malkani, Muhammad Qasim Soomro Member STDC Board and other concerned officers attended the meeting. The Minister Culture Syed Sardar Ali Shah, after formally wel-coming the Austrian delegation, said that the Sindh government warmly welcomes the foreign investment opportunities in the different fields, and said that he would also appreci-ate the investment or collaboration opportunities from the Austrian in-vestors for the promotion, preserva-tion and conservation of culture, tourism and archeology of the prov-ince. He told the Austrian delegation that Sindh is the seat of ancient Indus Valley Civilization and has its rich intangible and tangible cultural herit-age. He told them that there are many investment opportunities in the Tourism sector and that his depart-ment would assist and support the foreign investment for the promotion of tourism and conservation of ar-cheology of the province. The Min-ister Culture briefed them about the

overall initiatives of his department and possible areas of collaboration with other countries including Aus-tria. The Austrian Ambassador Dr. Brigitta Blaha thanked the Minister culture for his warm welcome, and she said that the Austrian govern-ment is looking for the investment opportunities in Sindh province in different fields, and was keen to work with the culture and tourism department. Both the sides discussed briefly on the possible areas of coop-eration, and they principally agreed to work out the feasible strategies for the mutual cooperation in cultural exchange programs, tourism promo-tion and trainings of the archaeolo-gists of the department. The ex-change programs in hospitality in-dustry were also discussed briefly. The Minister Culture Syed Ali Shah presented the Austrian delegation with the traditional gifts of Ajrak, Lungi and the recently published books of culture department that the delegation liked the most. -------------------------(Staff Reporter)

Maleeha forcefully

raises Kashmir,

Palestine cause in

UN debate

NEW YORK,: The long-standing Kashmir and Palestine issues have put the credibility of the United Na-tions at stake, says Pakistan’s Per-manent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi . Speaking in a de-bate on the Middle East, she said people’s faith in the world body was withering away owing to non-im-plementation of UN Security Coun-cil’s resolutions on key issues. Ms Lodhi renewed Pakistan’s pledge to keep supporting Kashmiris and Pal-estinians in their struggle for rights. International community must lend a helping hand to Palestinian refugees, she demanded. The ambassador stressed that peace in the Middle East was linked to just and fair resolutions of the issues and lamented efforts to restore peace in the region were fading away. Earlier, she had told a UN committee that there can be no lasting peace in the Middle East without a just solution to the Pales-tinian issue. “A viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine on

the basis of the internationally agreed parameters, the pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, is the only sustainable guarantee for enduring peace in the Middle East,” the ambassador had said. She de-plored Israel’s escalation of settle-ment building in the occupied territo-ries as a blow to the peace process. -------------------- ( Staff Reporter)

Canada 2nd World's

Best Country in 2018

By Zakaullah Niazi (Canada)

Toronto: New ranking that evaluated countries on everything from eco-nomic influence, power, citizenship and quality of life, has declared Switzerland the world's best country for 2018, with Canada finishing runner-up. It's the second time the Swiss have topped U.S. News & World Report's Best Countries re-port, which looked at 80 countries for this year's ranking. After Switzer-land, Canada, Germany, the U.K. and Japan round out the top five spots -- all countries with progressive social and environmental policies, analysts note. Nordic countries like Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway are also heavily represented on the list and top other subcategories thanks to their famously progressive social policies: Denmark, for instance, is named the best country for women, and for raising children, while Nor-way ranks the top country for citi-zenship. "The Best Countries rank-ings continue to show us that just as brands must focus on a wide range of attributes to raise profiles and win over audiences, nations that are mul-tidimensional and that reflect a wider range of qualities, such as innovation and compassion, have the brand appeal that propels them on the global stage Canadian Prime Minis-ter Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were deemed the most respected leaders globally, while U.S. business leaders, elites and general citizens around the world. Participants assessed how closely they associated an attribute with a nation.

Iran reports

changing behavior

of US Navy in Gulf LONDON: An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said on Mon-day that US vessels patrolling the Gulf had changed behavior and now abided by international regulations. Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei’s remarks

followed last week’s comments by US military officials that the Iranian military had halted routine “harassment” of US naval vessels in the Gulf. Each state accuses the other of having flouted international regulations in the sea area, which is a major trade route for oil. In recent years, there have been periodic confrontations between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and US military in the Gulf. “We see that Ameri-cans behavior has changed. They pay more attention to international reg-ulations and avoid approaching Iran’s territorial waters,” Ozmaei, the Guards’ fifth naval district commander, said. In the first such confron-tation since President Donald Trump took office, a US Navy ship fired warning shots when an Iranian vessel approached to within 450 feet (140 meters) last July. The following month an unarmed Iranian drone came within 100 feet (30 meters) of a US Navy warplane as it prepared to land on an aircraft carrier in the Gulf. During the presidential campaign last September, Trump said any Iranian vessel that harassed the US Navy in the Gulf would be “shot out of the water.” ----------------- (News Desk)

Canada: Zakaullah Khan Niazi Resident Editor of Writer Times (Can-

ada) with Ms Iqra Khalid, Member of Canadian Parliament.

OUR NEXT ISSUE # 24 IS THE

SPECIAL SUPPLIMENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE VICTORY OF

THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION DAY OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Gold Rates in other Major Currencies

Currency Symbol 10 Gm 1 Tola 1 Ounce Australian Dollar AUD 535 623 1,663

Canadian Dollar CAD 534 622 1,661

Euro EUR 349 407 1,086

Japanese Yen JPY 47,074 54,848 146,418

U.A.E Dirham AED 1,590 1,852 4,944

UK Pound Sterling GBP 308 358 957

US Dollar USD 433 504 1,346

Karachi: ANF Bridger Noor ul Hasan, Haleem Shaikh Secretary Excise and Taxation & Narcotics, Shoaib Siddiqui D. G, Aftab Alam, Basur Siddiqui & Khurram Jamal stand on stage in an

Inter schools tableau competition at National Museum.