The first Uzbekistan flight landed in Lahore as per the schedule according to which the Uzbek flagship carrier will operate two flights a week – Wednesday and Friday – from Tashkent to Lahore.
Uzbekistan Airways resumed its flight operation from Tashkent to Lahore on Wednesday following a four-year pause.
Uzbekistan Airways suspended its flight operation for Pakistan in 2013 after it lacked a required number of passengers. Later, Tashkent-to-Lahore flight operation was rescheduled and had to resume in July 2016.
Even some air tickets had been sold out for the Lahore-Tashkent flight scheduled on July 20 last year, but yet its resumption was cancelled for an indefinite period.
Now after a four-year gap, the Lahore-Tashkent flight operation has successfully resumed.
Earlier this year, the General Manager of Uzbekistan Airways Hamid met the top officials of Uzbekistan Airways in Tashkent. Later he confirmed to media about the resumption of the Lahore-Tashkent flight operation in April 2017.
The Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Furkat Sidikov, described the resumption of Lahore-Tashkent flight operation a great achievement.
The Uzbek ambassador said that the flight operation will take the already-enhanced relationship between Pakistan and Uzbekistan to the next level. He said that the flight operation will also improve the people-to-people contact, and eventually it will help cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Uzbekistan Airways will launch two flights a week from Lahore to Tashkent.
This was confirmed by General Manager of Uzbekistan Airways Hamid Mahmood here on Friday by reaching Islamabad after his successful meetings with top administration of Uzbekistan Airways in Tashkent.
Hamid Mahmood said that flights would operate on every Wednesday and Friday..
It may be mentioned that Uzbekistan Airways in in 2013 suspended flight operations from Pakistan due to less load issue but now a plan has been chalked out to keep smooth operation intact in future.
Uzbek Embassy in Islamabad had been working to resume flights since new Ambassador Furqat SIDIQOV took over charge since year 2015 as he believes that enhancing bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan needs people to people contact and travelling to and from Pakistan to Uzbekistan became expensive after suspension flights between the two countries.
General Manager of Uzbekistan Airways Hamid Mahmood said that his meeting with Tuldashev Dilshod Commercial Director Uzbekistan Airways was successful and decision came out of meeting or resumption of flights from the first week of new schedule of Uzbekistan Airways.
It may be mentioned that Uzbekistan Airways changes flight schedule on April 1 of every year for switching to its Winter Schedule.
Hamid Mahmood further said that Uzbekistan Airways has planned to enhance tourism activities between the both countries and his meeting with Mukhamedjanov the Chief of Tourism Division ended with an understanding that both the countries would enhance tourism visa quota so tourism between the two friendly countries could be increased in year 2017.
Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Conservation: News,Stories And Experiences From Allover The World
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
Saturday, 4 February 2017
IRAN: Iran Starts Issuing Electronic Visas
Iran will start issuing electronic visas for foreign tourists, Masoud Soltanifar, Iran’s vice-president said.
Soltanifar, who heads Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, added that Tehran also pursues the issue of mutual visa waiver with certain countries, to promote tourism sector.
He did not unveil the names of countries with which Iran plans to eliminate the visa, but said that boosting the country’s tourism sector is a priority for the Iranian administration.
The Islamic Republic, currently issues 30-day visas for citizens of 190 countries upon arrival in its airports which can be extended for another 15 days, the Iranian official added.
He also said that Iran needs to attract foreign investment to develop its tourism sector.
According to Soltanifar, Iran stands as world’s 36th country for tourism revenue with an annual income of $7.5 to $8 billion.
The country should increase the share of tourism income from 0.5 percent to two percent of the country’s total revenues by 2021, based on the 20-year economic development plan.
Some 3.8 million of foreign tourists visited Iran, bringing $1.11 billion worth of income to the country in 2012. The figure stood at 4.77 million in 2013, 24.4 percent more year on year.
The foreign tourists were mainly from India, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Soltanifar, who heads Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, added that Tehran also pursues the issue of mutual visa waiver with certain countries, to promote tourism sector.
He did not unveil the names of countries with which Iran plans to eliminate the visa, but said that boosting the country’s tourism sector is a priority for the Iranian administration.
The Islamic Republic, currently issues 30-day visas for citizens of 190 countries upon arrival in its airports which can be extended for another 15 days, the Iranian official added.
He also said that Iran needs to attract foreign investment to develop its tourism sector.
According to Soltanifar, Iran stands as world’s 36th country for tourism revenue with an annual income of $7.5 to $8 billion.
The country should increase the share of tourism income from 0.5 percent to two percent of the country’s total revenues by 2021, based on the 20-year economic development plan.
Some 3.8 million of foreign tourists visited Iran, bringing $1.11 billion worth of income to the country in 2012. The figure stood at 4.77 million in 2013, 24.4 percent more year on year.
The foreign tourists were mainly from India, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Sunday, 28 February 2016
INDIA; Pakistani Envoy For Liberal Visa Regime For Religious Tourism
"We would like to see our visa regime liberalised in the context of religious tourism so that people can visit easily and freely from both sides," Basit said here today.
The Pakistani envoy was speaking at the launch of a book "Lost Heritage: The Sikh Legacy in Pakistan" by Singapore-based author Amardeep Singh.
According to Basit, religious tourism is scheduled to be one of the major talking points once the two countries resume dialogue, in an attempt to enable more Indians to travel to the neighbouring country for pilgrimage.
"There have been many proposals as to how to facilitate more Sikh pilgrims going to Pakistan and in this context I can tell you that recently the two governments agreed that they will have religious tourism as one of the main subjects of the dialogue process.
"So, we hope as and when our dialogue resumes, religious tourism will become an important subject of our discussions.
The two sides will be able to take concrete steps towards promoting religious tourism because there is deep mutual desire to facilitate religious tourism," he said.
Referring to several failed attempts towards having a "corridor" for easier travel of citizens across the border, the Ambassador said it could materialise only if the two countries "stick together and work together".
"Unfortunately for decades now, we have been reflecting on this but so far we have not been able to move ahead into implementing the proposal of having a corridor," he said.
Urging for support from India, he said, "I can assure you that our incumbent government under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is very much committed towards doing this. Now it takes two to tango."
The book "Lost Heritage: The Sikh Legacy in Pakistan" chronicles the author's month-long travel in Pakistan and gives an insight into the Sikh heritage in the neighbouring country between the 15th and the 21st centuries.
Disagreeing with the author over the "lost" heritage, Basit said the Pakistan government takes minorities "very seriously" and has been preserving their heritage.
"Although they form 2-3 per cent of our total population, they are an important part of our national mosaic. And, there is simply no reason we can dispense with our minorities.
"We are proud that all minorities including Sikhs are contributing immensely to our national development. We share this heritage and we take great pride in it. So, there is no question that Pakistan should do anything that would be against the interest of the minorities," he said.
The Pakistani envoy said his government had formed a separate ministry for minorities and given them quota in government and educational institutions.
He said the Hindu population in Pakistan had gone up from 1.3 per cent to 1.6 per cent since Partition.
"Out of the 23 per cent of the Hindu population in Pakistan, more than 21 per cent were in the then East Pakistan and not West Pakistan. So, today you will be surprised to know that Hindu minority in Pakistan has actually increased from 1.3 to 1.6 per cent contrary to what the general opinion of the facts are," he said.
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
NEPAL: Nepal To Woo Chinese Tourists With Free Visas
Nepal will grant free visas to visitors from neighbouring China as the Himalayan nation seeks to rebuild its tourist industry after two devastating earthquakes in April that killed nearly 9,000 people.
The first of Nepal's tremors struck during the peak of the tourist season, forcing thousands of visitors to flee early while thousands of others cancelled.
China - the second-largest source of tourists to Nepal - was one of several countries that subsequently warned their citizens to stay away.
China lifted its Nepal warning on Friday, after the two countries' foreign ministers held talks in Beijing.
"This will help increase the number of Chinese tourists and boost our economy," Sherdhan Rai, Nepal's minister for information and communications technology, said on Saturday.
Nepal has already turned to China to beat an acute fuel shortage following a blockade at India border crossings enforced by ethnic Madhesi groups. They complain that a constitution adopted in September has failed to address their grievances.
Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks including Mount Everest, received 800,000 tourists in 2014. Of those, 123,000 were Chinese, second only to 135,000 Indian visitors, who do not require a visa for Nepal.
Nationals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the other members along with India and Nepal in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, also get a free visa every year.
Tourism accounts for 4 per cent of Nepal's economy. On Friday, eight months after the twin earthquakes, Nepal gave the green light for its National Reconstruction Agency to begin work and appointed a chief.
The first of Nepal's tremors struck during the peak of the tourist season, forcing thousands of visitors to flee early while thousands of others cancelled.
China - the second-largest source of tourists to Nepal - was one of several countries that subsequently warned their citizens to stay away.
China lifted its Nepal warning on Friday, after the two countries' foreign ministers held talks in Beijing.
"This will help increase the number of Chinese tourists and boost our economy," Sherdhan Rai, Nepal's minister for information and communications technology, said on Saturday.
Nepal has already turned to China to beat an acute fuel shortage following a blockade at India border crossings enforced by ethnic Madhesi groups. They complain that a constitution adopted in September has failed to address their grievances.
Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks including Mount Everest, received 800,000 tourists in 2014. Of those, 123,000 were Chinese, second only to 135,000 Indian visitors, who do not require a visa for Nepal.
Nationals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the other members along with India and Nepal in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, also get a free visa every year.
Tourism accounts for 4 per cent of Nepal's economy. On Friday, eight months after the twin earthquakes, Nepal gave the green light for its National Reconstruction Agency to begin work and appointed a chief.
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
NEPAL: Nepal Woos Chinese Tourists With Free Visas
Nepal will grant free visas to visitors from neighbouring China as the Himalayan nation seeks to rebuild its tourist industry after two devastating earthquakes in April 2015that killed nearly 9,000 people.
The first of Nepal's tremors struck during the peak of the tourist season, forcing thousands of visitors to flee early while thousands of others cancelled. China - the second-largest source of tourists to Nepal - was one of several countries that subsequently warned their citizens to stay away.
China lifted its Nepal warning on Friday, after the two countries' foreign ministers held talks in Beijing. "This will help increase the number of Chinese tourists and boost our economy," Sherdhan Rai, Nepal's minister for information and communications technology, said on Saturday.
Nepal has already turned to China to beat an acute fuel shortage following a blockade at India border crossings enforced by ethnic Madhesi groups. They complain that a constitution adopted in September has failed to address their grievances.
Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks including Mount Everest, received 800,000 tourists in 2014. Of those, 123,000 were Chinese, second only to 135,000 Indian visitors, who do not require a visa for Nepal.
Nationals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the other members along with India and Nepal in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, also get a free visa every year.
Tourism accounts for 4 percent of Nepal's economy. On Friday, eight months after the twin earthquakes, Nepal gave the green light for its National Reconstruction Agency to begin work and appointed a chief.
The first of Nepal's tremors struck during the peak of the tourist season, forcing thousands of visitors to flee early while thousands of others cancelled. China - the second-largest source of tourists to Nepal - was one of several countries that subsequently warned their citizens to stay away.
China lifted its Nepal warning on Friday, after the two countries' foreign ministers held talks in Beijing. "This will help increase the number of Chinese tourists and boost our economy," Sherdhan Rai, Nepal's minister for information and communications technology, said on Saturday.
Nepal has already turned to China to beat an acute fuel shortage following a blockade at India border crossings enforced by ethnic Madhesi groups. They complain that a constitution adopted in September has failed to address their grievances.
Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks including Mount Everest, received 800,000 tourists in 2014. Of those, 123,000 were Chinese, second only to 135,000 Indian visitors, who do not require a visa for Nepal.
Nationals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the other members along with India and Nepal in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, also get a free visa every year.
Tourism accounts for 4 percent of Nepal's economy. On Friday, eight months after the twin earthquakes, Nepal gave the green light for its National Reconstruction Agency to begin work and appointed a chief.
Monday, 7 December 2015
UAE: Etihad Signs Codeshare With Pakistan International Airlines
Etihad will place its EY code on PIA flights between Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Abu Dhabi.
PIA’s PK code will be placed on Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore and the code will also be added to Etihad’s flights from Abu Dhabi to many of its global destinations.
“There is a long and proud history of travel between Abu Dhabi and cities across Pakistan, and this new codeshare agreement – between the national airlines of the UAE and Pakistan – will make that experience, as well as travel onwards to Africa, Europe, and the United States, that much easier,” said Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways chief strategy and planning officer.
Friday, 4 December 2015
PAKISTAN: Pakistan Rejects 30 Immigrants, Stops Them To Disembark From Plane,Sends Them back To Europe
Migrants from Pakistan landing in Kos, Greece, in August. Pakistanis have been among the huge influx of asylum seekers into Europe this year, but they are viewed as economic migrants.
Pakistan sent 30 migrants back to three European countries after refusing to allow them to disembark from a chartered plane at an airport in Islamabad, officials said, a move that reflected growing frustration over the treatment of asylum seekers.
Sarfraz Hussain, a spokesman for the Pakistani Interior Ministry, described the migrants as “unverified deportees,” most of whom were sent back from Greece, saying the authorities would not permit anyone to enter the country without proper documentation.
A Greek police official, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity, said all 49 passengers on the plane were Pakistani citizens. “They had Pakistani Embassy documents,” he said. “Why would Pakistani Embassy staff give documents to people who are not from Pakistan?”
The Pakistani interior minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, said last month that European countries were sending people back to Pakistan without identifying their nationality. But the episode Thursday was the first time that the country had refused to admit deportees.
In a statement, the European Union said on Thursday that Pakistan was requiring identification information about the deportees above and beyond what was called for in a readmission agreement reached in 2010, and that the case illustrated the need to improve the accord.
Officials said none of the passengers, who were flown to Benazir Bhutto International Airport, were initially allowed to leave the plane. The passengers were questioned, and the authorities then allowed 19 people to disembark after they were confirmed to be Pakistani citizens. They were taken into custody by a unit of the Interior Ministry that deals with human trafficking.
Greece is the most popular entry point for asylum seekers in Europe, and on Thursday, its migration minister said the country would take steps to address the deteriorating situation along the border with Macedonia.
Pakistanis have been among the huge flow of asylum seekers into Europe this year, but unlike those from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, who are fleeing war at home, Pakistanis are rarely allowed to remain because they are viewed as economic migrants.
The Greek police official said “action will be taken” when the migrants returned to Greece, but he did not elaborate, noting that the flight was organized by Frontex, the European Union’s border monitoring agency.
He said 39 had been deported from Greece and the other 10 from Austria and Bulgaria. Of the 30 who were not allowed to enter Pakistan, 26 had been deported from Greece.
Pakistan tightened its policy on readmitting migrants last month, and Mr. Khan said an agreement to take migrants back in was the subject of “blatant misuse” by several European countries. Yiannis Mouzalas, the Greek migration minister, said it was the responsibility of the European Union to intervene.
Mr. Khan said many of the 90,000 citizens of Pakistan who were deported last year had been treated unfairly, and he expressed concern that many from his country who were found traveling without proper documents were being labeled terrorists.
After a meeting on Nov. 23 between Mr. Khan and Dimitris Avramopoulos, the European Union commissioner for migration, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation. On Thursday, however, Mr. Hussain said Greece had violated the agreement, complaining of “immoral, inhuman and illegal” conduct.
In Greece, Mr. Mouzalas said the authorities were determined to resolve peacefully the situation at the border with Macedonia in the next 10 days.
The International Organization for Migration said that the borders had been closed because of protests and rioting, and that a 22-year-old Moroccan citizen had died after being electrocuted.
The police and local aid workers said he was killed after he touched a high-voltage cable when he climbed on top of a stationary train near the border.
Sarfraz Hussain, a spokesman for the Pakistani Interior Ministry, described the migrants as “unverified deportees,” most of whom were sent back from Greece, saying the authorities would not permit anyone to enter the country without proper documentation.
A Greek police official, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity, said all 49 passengers on the plane were Pakistani citizens. “They had Pakistani Embassy documents,” he said. “Why would Pakistani Embassy staff give documents to people who are not from Pakistan?”
The Pakistani interior minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, said last month that European countries were sending people back to Pakistan without identifying their nationality. But the episode Thursday was the first time that the country had refused to admit deportees.
In a statement, the European Union said on Thursday that Pakistan was requiring identification information about the deportees above and beyond what was called for in a readmission agreement reached in 2010, and that the case illustrated the need to improve the accord.
Officials said none of the passengers, who were flown to Benazir Bhutto International Airport, were initially allowed to leave the plane. The passengers were questioned, and the authorities then allowed 19 people to disembark after they were confirmed to be Pakistani citizens. They were taken into custody by a unit of the Interior Ministry that deals with human trafficking.
Greece is the most popular entry point for asylum seekers in Europe, and on Thursday, its migration minister said the country would take steps to address the deteriorating situation along the border with Macedonia.
Pakistanis have been among the huge flow of asylum seekers into Europe this year, but unlike those from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, who are fleeing war at home, Pakistanis are rarely allowed to remain because they are viewed as economic migrants.
The Greek police official said “action will be taken” when the migrants returned to Greece, but he did not elaborate, noting that the flight was organized by Frontex, the European Union’s border monitoring agency.
He said 39 had been deported from Greece and the other 10 from Austria and Bulgaria. Of the 30 who were not allowed to enter Pakistan, 26 had been deported from Greece.
Pakistan tightened its policy on readmitting migrants last month, and Mr. Khan said an agreement to take migrants back in was the subject of “blatant misuse” by several European countries. Yiannis Mouzalas, the Greek migration minister, said it was the responsibility of the European Union to intervene.
Mr. Khan said many of the 90,000 citizens of Pakistan who were deported last year had been treated unfairly, and he expressed concern that many from his country who were found traveling without proper documents were being labeled terrorists.
After a meeting on Nov. 23 between Mr. Khan and Dimitris Avramopoulos, the European Union commissioner for migration, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation. On Thursday, however, Mr. Hussain said Greece had violated the agreement, complaining of “immoral, inhuman and illegal” conduct.
In Greece, Mr. Mouzalas said the authorities were determined to resolve peacefully the situation at the border with Macedonia in the next 10 days.
The International Organization for Migration said that the borders had been closed because of protests and rioting, and that a 22-year-old Moroccan citizen had died after being electrocuted.
The police and local aid workers said he was killed after he touched a high-voltage cable when he climbed on top of a stationary train near the border.
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
PAKISTAN: Intoxicated Pilot Crashed Shaheen Air Flight
112 passengers and 7 crew members suffered a rough landing on board a Shaheen Air Boeing 737.
The pilot of a plane that averted a major disaster when it crash-landed on a runway in Lahore, Pakistan, is reported to have been drunk during the flight.
Medical reports have found the pilot was "under the influence of alcohol" and was suffering from a lack of sleep when the plane made its emergency landing.
According to reports at the time, Shaheen Air flight 142 was coming into land when it skidded off the runway.
Images taken moments after the incident showed the plane in a field with its emergency slides deployed so passengers could exit the aircraft.
The images also show the partially pulled off engines and collapsed landing gear.
All passengers and crew on board the Boeing 737 flight were unhurt, but the aircraft's landing gear, windows and right wing were damaged in the landing.
According to a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), medical reports have confirmed that the pilot was tired and had consumed more than the permitted amount of alcohol before the flight.
Investigations into the crash are still on-going.
The pilot of a plane that averted a major disaster when it crash-landed on a runway in Lahore, Pakistan, is reported to have been drunk during the flight.
Medical reports have found the pilot was "under the influence of alcohol" and was suffering from a lack of sleep when the plane made its emergency landing.
According to reports at the time, Shaheen Air flight 142 was coming into land when it skidded off the runway.
Images taken moments after the incident showed the plane in a field with its emergency slides deployed so passengers could exit the aircraft.
The images also show the partially pulled off engines and collapsed landing gear.
All passengers and crew on board the Boeing 737 flight were unhurt, but the aircraft's landing gear, windows and right wing were damaged in the landing.
According to a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), medical reports have confirmed that the pilot was tired and had consumed more than the permitted amount of alcohol before the flight.
Investigations into the crash are still on-going.
Monday, 23 November 2015
PAKISTAN: Factory Set On Fire In Pakistan After Blasphemy Allegation
A chipboard factory was set ablaze by an angry mob over allegations of blasphemy on owner and workers of the factory in Pakistan's Jhelum District on Friday.
The place of worship was located in Jhelum's Kala Gujran area which was under guard of local police forces.
The Islamists have announced Protest and March for release of one Muslim Mumtaz Qadri on death row on killing of Governor Salman Taseer after Friday prayers while government of Punjab to give them free hand not adopted security measures of worship places of religious minorities nor deployed police contingents to stop protestors from taking law in hand to please them.
Lieutenant Colonel Khurram of the Pakistan Army soon pacified the mob and they started chanting praises to the army.
The trouble started amid rumors that a senior security official of the factory had allegedly desecrated Quran. These rumours gained credibility when people started using the public address system in mosques to condemn this "blasphemous act".
Infuriated mob provoked after rumuors pertaining to blasphemy circulated in the Punjab's district Jhelum set a factory in. No casualties were reported in the arson attacks. "We registered a blasphemy case against Tahir, who is Ahmadi by faith, and arrested him after confiscating the burnt material, which also included copies of the Quran", Malik said.
"Three members of our community have been arrested by police under the charges of blasphemy".
But around 14 people living in the factory, including eight women and four children, fled to safety with the help of the administration.
This drew people not only from the neighborhood but also from a nearby village.
Hussain said a crowd had also set ablaze a factory the previous day after workers found copies of the Quran near a fireplace.
"Police were already present there and tried to disperse them by using tear gas and firing into the air, but the protesters hit back and pelted stones forcing them to run away", he said. Subsequently, three men were reportedly injured and situation was seemed to be out of control.
The place of worship was located in Jhelum's Kala Gujran area which was under guard of local police forces.
The Islamists have announced Protest and March for release of one Muslim Mumtaz Qadri on death row on killing of Governor Salman Taseer after Friday prayers while government of Punjab to give them free hand not adopted security measures of worship places of religious minorities nor deployed police contingents to stop protestors from taking law in hand to please them.
Lieutenant Colonel Khurram of the Pakistan Army soon pacified the mob and they started chanting praises to the army.
The trouble started amid rumors that a senior security official of the factory had allegedly desecrated Quran. These rumours gained credibility when people started using the public address system in mosques to condemn this "blasphemous act".
Infuriated mob provoked after rumuors pertaining to blasphemy circulated in the Punjab's district Jhelum set a factory in. No casualties were reported in the arson attacks. "We registered a blasphemy case against Tahir, who is Ahmadi by faith, and arrested him after confiscating the burnt material, which also included copies of the Quran", Malik said.
"Three members of our community have been arrested by police under the charges of blasphemy".
But around 14 people living in the factory, including eight women and four children, fled to safety with the help of the administration.
This drew people not only from the neighborhood but also from a nearby village.
Hussain said a crowd had also set ablaze a factory the previous day after workers found copies of the Quran near a fireplace.
"Police were already present there and tried to disperse them by using tear gas and firing into the air, but the protesters hit back and pelted stones forcing them to run away", he said. Subsequently, three men were reportedly injured and situation was seemed to be out of control.
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
BELARUS: Visa Regime Between Belarus And Pakistan, What Happened?
The meeting and negotiations between the prime ministers of Belarus and Pakistan did not come out with any announcements about a soft visa regime of tangible steps for direct air connection between the two countries.
Although Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Belarusian Prime Minister Andrey Kobyakov decided to boost bilateral trade to $1 billion and signed 18 agreements, they did not explain how this trade could be possible without land or air - direct or even indirect - connections between the two countries.
According to Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency, in a joint press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday after one-on-one talks, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, and his Belarusian counterpart, Andrey Kobyakov, said that they had a very productive round of talks that reviewed progress and agreed on concrete steps to further enhance their bilateral cooperation.
They announced an agreement for developing a roadmap for economic cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus, but documents signed by them did not explain this road map, because all documents are almost a form of MOUs without giving details, budget, or nature of resources that would be given by both countries to contacts in the future. They also expressed the resolve to increase their bilateral trade up to $1 billion with a focus on industrial cooperation, agriculture, and infrastructure development. This indicates that Belarus will be provided land and opportunities for constructing heavy mechanical industries in Pakistan, but again no contract was signed to provide special incentives or lands to Belarus by Pakistan.
Both prime ministers agreed on strengthening ties at the governmental and people-to-people levels for the mutual benefit of their countries. However, no announcement was made about a soft visa regime for people-to-people contact. Right now, Belarus did not provide a tourist visa to Pakistanis, and its visa regime is very difficult about Pakistanis.
The two countries inked seven Agreements, six Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and three Protocols to Agreements, in addition to the two Programs on Roadmaps during the visit of Belarusian Prime Minister Andrey Kobyakov to Islamabad. To understand the nature of the contracts, one can read details of them here.
AGREEMENTS
The two Prime Ministers also signed an Agreement between their governments on mutual allotment of the land of plots for their respective diplomatic missions in Islamabad and Minsk.
The inter-governmental Agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters was signed by Advisor to the PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Belarus Valentin Rybakov.
The Agreement between the Health Ministries of Pakistan and Belarus on cooperation in public health was signed by State Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Belarus Valentin Rybakov.
The Agreement on cooperation between the government of Punjab and the Minsk Region Executive Committee of Belarus was signed by Chief Secretary Punjab Khizar Hayat Gondal and Deputy Chairman of Minsk Regional Executive Committee Mr. O.Plavski.
The Agreement on cooperation between the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Brest Branch of Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) was inked by President KCCI Younis Muhammad Bashir and Chairman BCCI Mr. M.Miatlikov.
The Agreement on cooperation between the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Mogilev Branch of Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) was inked by President Lahore CCI Sheikh Muhammad Arshad and Chairman BCCI Mr. M.Miatlikov.
The Agreement between the City District Government, Lahore, Punjab, and the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee (MREC) on the establishment and development of commerce-economic, scientific-technical, and cultural ties was signed by Chief Secretary Punjab Khizar Hayat Gondal and Deputy Chairman MREC Mr V.Nekrashevich.
PROTOCOLS
The Protocol to the Agreement on mutual cooperation between the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (Pakistan) and Ministry of Education (Belarus) in the field of education was signed by State Minister for Education Balighur Rehman and Education Minister of Belarus Mr. Zhuravkov.
The Cooperation Protocol between the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, and the Belarusian State University, Minsk, was signed by Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi and Education Minister of Belarus Mr. Zhuravkov.
The Protocol on cooperation between the government of Balochistan and the Brest Regional Executive Committee, Belarus, was inked by Chief Secretary Balochistan Saifullah Chattha and Deputy Chairman of Brest Regional Executive Committee Mr. A.Klets.
MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING (MOUs)
Two MOUs were signed between the Ministry for National Food Security and Research, Pakistan, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Belarus, on cooperation in the veterinary and sanitary fields and also in the field of plant quarantine and application of phyto-sanitary measures. The respective Ministers Sikandar Hayat Bosan and Mr. Zayats signed the documents.
The MOU on cooperation between the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Vitebsk Region, Belarus, was signed by Chief Secretary KPK Amjad Ali Khan and Chairman of Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Mr. N.Shertnev.
The government of Sindh signed two MOUs on trade-economic, scientific-technical, and cultural-humanitarian collaboration with Gomel Regional Executive Committee, Belarus, and the Regional Executive Committee of Grodno, Belarus. The respective documents were signed by Chief Secretary, Sindh Siddique Memon, Deputy Chairman of Gomel Regional Executive Committee Mr. A.Pirshtouk, and Deputy Chairman of Grodno Regional Executive Committee Mr. Y.Shuleiko.
The MOU between Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Minsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) was inked by President ICCI Atif Ikram Sheikh and Chairman MCCI Mr. M. Miatlikov.
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
World's Unfriendliest & Friendliest Countries For Tourists
When traveling, some countries just don't like you. Or at least, it can certainly feel that way.
A new report, put out earlier this month by the World Economic Forum, has ranked which countries roll out the welcome mat to travelers and which give the cold shoulder.
The "Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013" ranked 140 countries according to attractiveness and competitiveness in the travel and tourism industries.
Unwelcoming
Among the extensive analyses, one of the most interesting rankings was how welcome tourists are in each country, under the category "Attitude of population toward foreign visitors."
And the world's most unfriendly country, according to the data?
Bolivia took the dubious honor, scoring a 4.1 out of seven on a scale of "very unwelcome" (0) to "very welcome" (7).
Venezuela and the Russian Federation were next.
Interestingly, despite their huge tourist arrivals, South Korea and China tied with four other countries for the eighth least friendly spot.
At the other end of the scale, Iceland and New Zealand were ranked the world's most welcoming nations for visitors.
You can see a top 10 for friendliest and unfriendliest at the bottom of this article.
Strengths and weaknesses
The "friendly" ranking was just one aspect of the report, analyzing each country's competitiveness in travel and tourism. That competitiveness is "based on the extent to which they are putting in place the factors and policies to make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism sector."
In the overall Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Europe was the top region with the first five positions all held by European countries. Switzerland, Germany and Austria were the top three in that order. Switzerland has headed the ranking since the index began five years ago.
Excellent tourism infrastructure and facilities, business travel appeal, sustainable development of natural resources and rich cultural resources were among the key factors in landing the highest positions in the rankings.
Safety/security, underdeveloped infrastructure and concerns about sustainable development were among the factors bringing down countries' competitiveness.
Haiti scored the lowest on the competitiveness index.
The United States (6th) topped the combined Americas, Singapore (10th) just pushed out Australia and New Zealand to lead the Asia Pacific region, the United Arab Emirates (28th) was the highest performer in the Middle East and the Seychelles (38th) overtook Mauritius to head Africa.
The report emphasized the need for continued development in the travel and tourism sector particularly for its role in job creation in a relatively stagnant global economy. The industry currently accounts for one in 11 jobs in the world.
The report used data compiled from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey and hard data from private sources and national and international agencies and organizations such as the ICAO, IATA, UNWTO, World Bank/International Finance Corporation, IUCN, WHO and UNESCO.
Attitude of population toward foreign visitors
(1 = very unwelcome; 7 = very welcome)
Friendliest
1. Iceland 6.8
2. New Zealand 6.8
3. Morocco 6.7
4. Macedonia, FYR 6.7
5. Austria 6.7
6. Senegal 6.7
7. Portugal 6.6
8. Bosnia and Herzegovina 6.6
9. Ireland 6.6
10. Burkina Faso 6.6
Unfriendliest
1. Bolivia 4.1
2. Venezuela 4.5
3. Russian Federation 5.0
4. Kuwait 5.2
5. Latvia 5.2
6. Iran 5.2
7. Pakistan 5.3
8. Slovak Republic 5.5
9. Bulgaria 5.5
10. Mongolia 5.5
A new report, put out earlier this month by the World Economic Forum, has ranked which countries roll out the welcome mat to travelers and which give the cold shoulder.
The "Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013" ranked 140 countries according to attractiveness and competitiveness in the travel and tourism industries.
Unwelcoming
Among the extensive analyses, one of the most interesting rankings was how welcome tourists are in each country, under the category "Attitude of population toward foreign visitors."
And the world's most unfriendly country, according to the data?
Bolivia took the dubious honor, scoring a 4.1 out of seven on a scale of "very unwelcome" (0) to "very welcome" (7).
Venezuela and the Russian Federation were next.
Interestingly, despite their huge tourist arrivals, South Korea and China tied with four other countries for the eighth least friendly spot.
At the other end of the scale, Iceland and New Zealand were ranked the world's most welcoming nations for visitors.
You can see a top 10 for friendliest and unfriendliest at the bottom of this article.
Strengths and weaknesses
The "friendly" ranking was just one aspect of the report, analyzing each country's competitiveness in travel and tourism. That competitiveness is "based on the extent to which they are putting in place the factors and policies to make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism sector."
In the overall Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Europe was the top region with the first five positions all held by European countries. Switzerland, Germany and Austria were the top three in that order. Switzerland has headed the ranking since the index began five years ago.
Excellent tourism infrastructure and facilities, business travel appeal, sustainable development of natural resources and rich cultural resources were among the key factors in landing the highest positions in the rankings.
Safety/security, underdeveloped infrastructure and concerns about sustainable development were among the factors bringing down countries' competitiveness.
Haiti scored the lowest on the competitiveness index.
The United States (6th) topped the combined Americas, Singapore (10th) just pushed out Australia and New Zealand to lead the Asia Pacific region, the United Arab Emirates (28th) was the highest performer in the Middle East and the Seychelles (38th) overtook Mauritius to head Africa.
The report emphasized the need for continued development in the travel and tourism sector particularly for its role in job creation in a relatively stagnant global economy. The industry currently accounts for one in 11 jobs in the world.
The report used data compiled from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey and hard data from private sources and national and international agencies and organizations such as the ICAO, IATA, UNWTO, World Bank/International Finance Corporation, IUCN, WHO and UNESCO.
Attitude of population toward foreign visitors
(1 = very unwelcome; 7 = very welcome)
Friendliest
1. Iceland 6.8
2. New Zealand 6.8
3. Morocco 6.7
4. Macedonia, FYR 6.7
5. Austria 6.7
6. Senegal 6.7
7. Portugal 6.6
8. Bosnia and Herzegovina 6.6
9. Ireland 6.6
10. Burkina Faso 6.6
Unfriendliest
1. Bolivia 4.1
2. Venezuela 4.5
3. Russian Federation 5.0
4. Kuwait 5.2
5. Latvia 5.2
6. Iran 5.2
7. Pakistan 5.3
8. Slovak Republic 5.5
9. Bulgaria 5.5
10. Mongolia 5.5
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
THAILAND: Thailand To Host Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2016 Awards
The lavish event, supported by TAT, is expected to generate extensive publicity for the kingdom’s gastronomic delights, promote Thai cuisine worldwide through various publicity channels, as well as enhance the delight of sampling the huge array of restaurants that have opened in Thailand.
Thailand has been selected to stage “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 Award.” The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with William Reed Business Media is preparing to officially announce this collaboration at Paste, Artisanal Thai Cuisine, Gaysorn Shopping Centre, on 20 October, 2015.
The lavish event, supported by TAT, is expected to generate extensive publicity for the kingdom’s gastronomic delights, promote Thai cuisine worldwide through various publicity channels, as well as enhance the delight of sampling the huge array of restaurants that have opened in Thailand.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “TAT’s support for this event is consistent with the theme of our marketing plan 2015, which is to promote Thainess, Thai culture and Thai cuisine. It will also strengthen the country’s strong brand image and differentiate us from other countries. Moreover, this event will promote the high-end side, especially on the fine dining of Thailand that accommodates various upscale Thai and international restaurants underlined with the expertise chefs and unrivalled services.”
This year, Gaggan in Bangkok took first place in the list of “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants” at a ceremony hosted in Singapore. Also, Nahm took seventh place and was joined by other Thai successes including Chef Tim Butler’s Eat Me (25th place), Bo.Lan (37th place) and Ian Kttichai’s Issaya Siamese Club (39th place).
Mr. Yuthasak added that “Thailand will draw tourists as well as gastronomes to visit Thailand not only for indulging themselves with dishes from the awarded restaurants but also for enjoying a trip in Thailand.”
“Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards” has been held annually since its founding in 2013 by the publishing venture William Reed Business Media. The list is created by the Diners Club Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 300 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia, each selected for their expert opinion of Asia’s restaurant scene.
The Asian countries eligible for voting are: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Lao PDR, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Micronesia, Nauru, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
Thailand has been selected to stage “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 Award.” The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with William Reed Business Media is preparing to officially announce this collaboration at Paste, Artisanal Thai Cuisine, Gaysorn Shopping Centre, on 20 October, 2015.
The lavish event, supported by TAT, is expected to generate extensive publicity for the kingdom’s gastronomic delights, promote Thai cuisine worldwide through various publicity channels, as well as enhance the delight of sampling the huge array of restaurants that have opened in Thailand.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “TAT’s support for this event is consistent with the theme of our marketing plan 2015, which is to promote Thainess, Thai culture and Thai cuisine. It will also strengthen the country’s strong brand image and differentiate us from other countries. Moreover, this event will promote the high-end side, especially on the fine dining of Thailand that accommodates various upscale Thai and international restaurants underlined with the expertise chefs and unrivalled services.”
This year, Gaggan in Bangkok took first place in the list of “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants” at a ceremony hosted in Singapore. Also, Nahm took seventh place and was joined by other Thai successes including Chef Tim Butler’s Eat Me (25th place), Bo.Lan (37th place) and Ian Kttichai’s Issaya Siamese Club (39th place).
Mr. Yuthasak added that “Thailand will draw tourists as well as gastronomes to visit Thailand not only for indulging themselves with dishes from the awarded restaurants but also for enjoying a trip in Thailand.”
“Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards” has been held annually since its founding in 2013 by the publishing venture William Reed Business Media. The list is created by the Diners Club Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 300 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia, each selected for their expert opinion of Asia’s restaurant scene.
The Asian countries eligible for voting are: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Lao PDR, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Micronesia, Nauru, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
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