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Pakistan launches initiative with UK for repatriation of ‘looted wealth’
Islamabad, Sep 17 (IANS) Pakistani Law Minister Farogh Naseem and British Home Secretary Sajid Javid on Monday announced a joint justice and accountability initiative aimed at repatriating “the looted wealth of the country”.
The initiative, which the duo insisted will not target individuals but was a broader arrangement between the two governments to collaborate for the elimination of a variety of crimes, was launched during Javid’s visit to Islamabad, Dawn online reported.
“The aim of this declaration is to bring back the looted wealth of the country,” said Shahzad Akbar, the Special Assistant to the Pakistan’s Prime Minister on Accountability, adding that “the agreement on exchange of convicted personnel will also be renewed”.
The British Home Secretary said that the eradicating the scourge of corruption was the top priority of both nations.
“When it comes to corrupt individuals, we have deepened our cooperation. The UK is not reluctant in helping Pakistan, there is good cooperation between the two countries,” Javid said while addressing a joint press conference with Naseem.
“We have not discussed individual cases,” the Pakistan Minister said, refusing to comment on the extradition of former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, absconding in a corruption investigation, and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz — declared absconders in a corruption reference that sent their father to jail.
Javid said that London also wanted to work together with Islamabad in the anti-terror fight and that British firms were exploring investment options in Pakistan.
“We will assist Pakistan in the education and defence projects in whatever capacity we can,” said the Home Secretary during his maiden visit to Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while meeting Javid at the Foreign Office, stressed on the need for expansion in cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.
The two had discussed various aspects of regional and bilateral cooperation, particularly regional security, counter-terrorism, organised crime, migration, human trafficking, money laundering and asset recovery.
The two countries closely cooperate under the institutional framework of the Enhanced 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.