Islamabad: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa's address at the UK's Royal Military Academy was an "honour for Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday.

"COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa's address at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst UK as a chief guest is not just a matter of honour for the armed forces but also for Pakistan," the premier said in a tweet.

Sharif was of the view that the army chief's participation was a recognition of the Pakistan-UK strategic partnership and the success of the Pakistani armed forces in the war on terror.

The army chief attended the passing out parade at the Royal Military Academy as the first Pakistani chief guest — where he spoke about wide-ranging issues.

COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa's address at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst UK as chief guest is not just a matter of honour for the armed forces but also for Pakistan. This is a recognition of the Pakistan-UK strategic partnership & the success of our armed forces in war on terror.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 12, 2022

The COAS has become the first Pakistani ever to be the representative of the Queen during the sovereign’s parade at the Military Academy Sandhurst. 

Apart from UK cadets, 41 international cadets from 26 various countries including two cadets from Pakistan military academy — Cadet Muhammad Abdullah Babar and Cadet Mujtaba — passed.

This was the 198th sovereign’s parade where General Bajwa became the first Pakistani to be the sovereign’s representative.

Washington: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer recommend quarantines or test-to-stay programs at schools or daycare centers for people exposed to COVID-19, the agency said in updated guidelines on Thursday.

The agency also said it was no longer recommending unvaccinated people be quarantined after exposure as around 95% of the US population has either been vaccinated, had COVID-19 already, or both.

"This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives," CDC scientist v said in a statement.

According to the CDC, people who have been exposed to COVID-19 should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and test on the fifth day, regardless of vaccination status.

"Both prior infection and vaccination confer some protection against severe illness, and so it really makes the most sense to not differentiate with our guidance or our recommendations based on vaccination status at this time," Dr Massetti told reporters.

The CDC's school guidance also removed recommendations to keep children in cohorts in order to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 exposure.

While the agency removed its test-to-stay recommendations for schools, it did say schools could consider implementing screening for COVID-19 for high-risk activities like close-contact sports or at key times of the year.

SOURCE: Reuters

Islamabad: Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani says Pakistan desires to enhance already existing bilateral relations with Brazil in all fields including political, economic and defense.

Talking to Brazilian Ambassador to Pakistan Olyntho Vieira who called on him in Islamabad on Friday, he said parliamentary friendship groups can play an important role in strengthening people-to-people relations between the two countries through dialogue.

The Chairman Senate said the volume of bilateral trade which is currently 1.3 billion dollars can be enhanced.

He said Brazil has investment opportunities in dairy, beef, poultry, Halal food sector, pharmaceutical, agriculture, and IT sectors in Pakistan.