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Pakistan PM complains to US about greater role for India in Afghanistan (Lead)
United Nations, Sep 20 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has complained to the United States about the greater role President Donald Trump wants for India in Afghanistan, according to media reports.
Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua said that in a meeting here on Tuesday with Vice President Mike Pence, Abbassi expressed concern over the greater role that Trump advocated for India in his new Afghan policy, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
She also also said that Abbasi told him that Pakistan categorically rejected allegations against Islamabad in Trump’s Afghan policy speech last month adding that “scapegoating Pakistan will not help bring stability to Afghanistan,” the news agency reported.
A statement from Abbasi’s office only said that the “Prime Minister shared Pakistan’s concerns and views with regard to the US strategy for South Asia” and Januja’s remarks expanded on that.
In his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday Trump had again reiterated his warning of strong action against countries that support or finance organisations like the Taliban, but did not name Pakistan as he had in his speech last month on Afghanistan.
Significantly, Trump did not meet Abbassi, as he had some other prime ministers like Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, and had delegated it to his Vice President.
The Pence meeting was the first high-level direct contact between the US and Pakistan since Trump’s ground-breaking address to the nation on his Afghan policy on August 21 which was met with strong criticism in Islamabad.
Abbasi’s office statement said the discussions with Pence on the sidelines of the General Assembly meeting took place in a “cordial atmosphere”.
In a tweet after their meeting Pence said, “Met w/ Pakistani PM Abbasi at @UN. Reiterated @POTUS’ belief that ‘Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort” in the region.'” (POTUS is the US government acronym for President of the United States.)
In last month’s Afghanistan speech, Trump had asked India “to help us more with Afghanistan” and said a “critical part of the South Asia strategy for America is to further develop its strategic partnership with India — the world’s largest democracy and a key security and economic partner of the US”.
He also had said bluntly, “We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.”
Islamabad had “much to lose” by harbouring terrorists, he warned.
APP quoted Pence as telling Abbassi, “We look forward to exploring ways so that we can work even more closely with Pakistan and with your government to advance security throughout the region.”
In response, Abbasi told him, “Pakistan has been a long-standing partner and we intend to continue efforts to eliminate terrorism in the area.”
Abbasi’s office said, “Both sides agreed to work together to carry forward the relationship which has been a historic partnership for the last seven decades.”
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.