Swiss FM calls for boosting scientific, tourism ties with Iran

During a visit to the city of Isfahan, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has underlined the need for developing scientific and tourism relations with Iran.

Cassis on Saturday arrived in Isfahan, where he visited historical and cultural monuments and held talks with university directors and professors as well as Isfahan Governor General Abbas Rezaei.

He will travel to Tehran Sunday and meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other senior officials.

In a meeting with Rezaei, Cassis said he believed that Iran-Swiss ties should be enhanced in scientific and tourism sectors.

He also noted that a celebration would be held in Tehran to mark the centenary of diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Bern.

Relations between Iran and Switzerland are 100 years old and have continued since the late 19th century with the signing of a peace and trade agreement, he added.

Referring to Switzerland's mediating role between Iran and the US, Cassis stressed that his country is trying to provide the minimums for dialogue between the two states.

During a meeting with directors of Isfahan University of Technology, the top Swiss diplomat described scientific diplomacy as a way for countries to engage more in peace and reconciliation at a time when sanctions have made contacts difficult.

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Swiss FM calls for boosting scientific, tourism ties with Iran

During a visit to the city of Isfahan, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has underlined the need for developing scientific and tourism relations with Iran.

Cassis on Saturday arrived in Isfahan, where he visited historical and cultural monuments and held talks with university directors and professors as well as Isfahan Governor General Abbas Rezaei.

He will travel to Tehran Sunday and meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other senior officials.

In a meeting with Rezaei, Cassis said he believed that Iran-Swiss ties should be enhanced in scientific and tourism sectors.

He also noted that a celebration would be held in Tehran to mark the centenary of diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Bern.

Relations between Iran and Switzerland are 100 years old and have continued since the late 19th century with the signing of a peace and trade agreement, he added.

Referring to Switzerland's mediating role between Iran and the US, Cassis stressed that his country is trying to provide the minimums for dialogue between the two states.

During a meeting with directors of Isfahan University of Technology, the top Swiss diplomat described scientific diplomacy as a way for countries to engage more in peace and reconciliation at a time when sanctions have made contacts difficult.

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17 Worshippers dead in Bangladesh mosque blast

At least 17 people were killed and dozens were injured after a gas pipeline reportedly exploded at a mosque in Bangladesh, officials said on Saturday.

“I saw smoke was belching out of the mosque after the sudden explosion with a big bang and people were screaming. Some were rolling on the street as they tried to put out the flames on their bodies,” said local resident Mohammad Ratan.

Fire officials said gas that accumulated from a leak in a pipeline running underneath the mosque likely triggered the explosion.

Read more: At least 95 killed as fierce cyclone hits India and Bangladesh

“We primarily suspect that gas leaked from the pipeline and accumulated inside since the windows were closed. The explosion was probably triggered due to sparks when the air conditioners were turned on,” said Abdullah Al Arefin, a senior fire service official.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Lax regulations and poor enforcement are often blamed for domestic and industrial fires in Bangladesh.

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'We will secure funds for Sindh from the federal government'

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday assured the citizens of Karachi that no one will be rendered homeless as work is carried out to remove encroachments on nullahs (storm water drains).

"We will clear the nullah encroachments but with fairness. No one's homes will be destroyed. If a house must be demolished, people will be provided an alternate first," Bilawal said, while addressing party workers in Karachi's Nazimabad area.

The PPP leader said that it was "after 100 years" that the country had received such calamitous rains.

He has said that the party would now begin work in earnest on the development of the city as the “reign of terror” in the province is effectively over.

Lamenting the unprecedented destruction in the province caused by the rains, Bilawal said that his party stands by the people in these testing times and will facilitate citizens in every way possible.

He acknowledged that the Green Line bus project had adversely affected the city's drainage system.

"I need you all to extend the kind of support you did to Benazir," he said, speaking of his late mother.

"We will secure funds for Sindh from the federal government," Bilawal vowed.

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17 Worshippers dead in Bangladesh mosque blast

At least 17 people were killed and dozens were injured after a gas pipeline reportedly exploded at a mosque in Bangladesh, officials said on Saturday.

“I saw smoke was belching out of the mosque after the sudden explosion with a big bang and people were screaming. Some were rolling on the street as they tried to put out the flames on their bodies,” said local resident Mohammad Ratan.

Fire officials said gas that accumulated from a leak in a pipeline running underneath the mosque likely triggered the explosion.

Read more: At least 95 killed as fierce cyclone hits India and Bangladesh

“We primarily suspect that gas leaked from the pipeline and accumulated inside since the windows were closed. The explosion was probably triggered due to sparks when the air conditioners were turned on,” said Abdullah Al Arefin, a senior fire service official.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Lax regulations and poor enforcement are often blamed for domestic and industrial fires in Bangladesh.

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'We will secure funds for Sindh from the federal government'

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday assured the citizens of Karachi that no one will be rendered homeless as work is carried out to remove encroachments on nullahs (storm water drains).

"We will clear the nullah encroachments but with fairness. No one's homes will be destroyed. If a house must be demolished, people will be provided an alternate first," Bilawal said, while addressing party workers in Karachi's Nazimabad area.

The PPP leader said that it was "after 100 years" that the country had received such calamitous rains.

He has said that the party would now begin work in earnest on the development of the city as the “reign of terror” in the province is effectively over.

Lamenting the unprecedented destruction in the province caused by the rains, Bilawal said that his party stands by the people in these testing times and will facilitate citizens in every way possible.

He acknowledged that the Green Line bus project had adversely affected the city's drainage system.

"I need you all to extend the kind of support you did to Benazir," he said, speaking of his late mother.

"We will secure funds for Sindh from the federal government," Bilawal vowed.

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Defence Day: COAS Bajwa pays tribute to the martyrs

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday visited martyrs’ monument on Defence Day and laid floral wreath and offered Fateha.

According to details, the main ceremony of the Defence Day was held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi to pay tributes to the martyrs.

A ceremony in connection with Defence and Martyrs Day was also held at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad. Naval Chief laid floral wreath at the memorial of martyrs and offered Fateha.

An impressive change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as the nation is celebrating Defence Day across the country today to pay tributes to the martyrs and ghazis.

A smartly turned out cadets of the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) Asghar Khan Academy assumed the ceremonial guard duties at the mausoleum. Air Vice-Marshal Shakil Ghazanfar graced the occasion as the chief guest.

In Lahore, an elegant change of guards ceremony was also organized at Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum where a contingent of the Punjab Rangers took over guard duties.

The nation is celebrating Defence Day across the country today to pay tributes to the martyrs and ghazis and reaffirms commitment to defend the motherland against all threats.

The day dawned with 31 gun salute at the federal capital and 21 gun salute at provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered after Fajr in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country and independence of occupied Kashmir from the cruel clutches of India. Fateha and Quran Khawani are also being held for the martyrs.

In his message on Defence Day, Prime Minister Imran Khan said September 6 is a day in Pakistan’s glorious history that is commemorated as a symbol of courage, strong will and unmatched spirit of sacrifice by the country’s gallant armed forces.

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