ISLAMABAD: The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Dr Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Al Ghadeer called on the Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan here yesterday.
Welcoming the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal’s upcoming visit to Pakistan, the Minister said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy unique brotherly relations which are rooted deep in history. He said their special ties have grown with the passage of time and the government of PML (N) under the leadership of Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is keen to take it to new heights.
This meeting could take place as early as end of January 2014, in which few important agreements relating to security cooperation, combating illicit trafficking and smuggling as well as transfer of prisoners could also be signed.
Crimes against women rising
KABUL: Violent crime against women in Afghanistan hit record levels and became increasingly brutal in 2013, the head of its human rights commission said yesterday, a sign that hard won rights are being rolled back as foreign troops prepare to withdraw.
Restoring fundamental women’s rights after the Taliban were ousted by a US-led coalition of troops in 2001 was cited as one of the main objectives of the war.
Under the Taliban, women were forced to wear the head-to-toe covering burqa and barred from leaving their homes without being escorted by a male relative. Schools for girls were shut down.
A leading advocate of women’s rights said improving the situation would be difficult as laws with provision to protect them were notoriously difficult to implement.
Telecom allows free 3G trial
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is granting three months free trial of the next generation technology services to major cellular mobile operators (CMOs) companies in the country to enable them to improve their preparedness before its complete adoption.
Chairman PTA Ismail Shah said yesterday that limited permission by the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) will enable the cellular mobile operators to identify their technical challenges before rolling out the new services to the people.
The CMOs will be able to fine-tune their services and prepare for the next generation technology during the trial period that is expected to begin this month, he said.
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