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Pompeo tells Pak to act against terrorists threatening regional security
Islamabad, Sep 5 (IANS) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Pakistan on Thursday to take decisive measures against terrorists threatening regional peace.
In his meetings in Islamabad with Pakistani leaders, he “conveyed the need for Pakistan to take sustained and decisive measures against terrorists and militants threatening regional peace and stability,” his spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement.
Pompeo, who is on his way to New Delhi for the 2+2 Strategic Dialogue, stopped over in Islamabad to meet the recently-elected Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa.
He was accompanied by US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford.
While congratulating Khan on the formation of his government and “the further strengthening of civilian institutions,” Pompeo in his meeting with Bajwa “welcomed the smooth transition of power to a new civilian government, stressing the importance of strong democratic institutions,” Nauert said.
With “Qureshi, Secretary Pompeo discussed the potential for the United States and Pakistan to work together to advance joint priorities, including regional peace and stability,” she added.
The statement did not mention anything about two crucial issues clouding US-Pakistan relations: the withholding of US, and Washington’s refusal so far, to back Islamabad’s request for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout for the cash-strapped country.
Giving the Pakistani version of the the meetings, Qureshi said both sides agreed to “reset” their bilateral relations, GeoTV reported.
In a meeting en route to Pakistan with reporters accompanying him, Pompeo had said on Wednesday, “I wanted to get out there at the beginning of his (Khan’s) time in an effort to reset the relationship between the two countries.”
GeoTV reported that Qureshi told a news conference, “We presented realistic stance to the US authorities.”
“We have given a clear message to the US that we all are on one page and we won’t get anything from the blame game,” he added.
Qureshi acknowledged that there had been friction in US-Pakistan relations during the past year and that no one tried to bridge the differences, according to GeoTV.
Pompeo and US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis are to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday for the 2+2 Strategic Dialogue.
–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.