MULTAN, March 28: Germany, China, Russia and France are not forming a bloc though they share identical views on certain international issues, including the Iraq crisis.

This was stated by German ambassador Dr Christopher Bruemmer while speaking at a meeting of the executive committee of the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Friday.

He said there was a room to improve Pakistan-German trade ties.

Dr Bruemmer said foreign investment needed security and political stability. The nuke tests, the 9/11 incident and the military takeover had tarnished the image of Pakistan in the international community. It had, however, improved in recent times. He said currently his country was doing an annual investment of 10 million Euros in Pakistan.

He said an exhibition of German-made textile machinery would be organized soon in Lahore in which more than 20 firms were likely to take part. He urged the business community to visit the exhibition and interact with German businessmen there.

He said German markets were open to Pakistani products. He announced that Germany could give visa to Pakistani businessmen for a period as long as one year.

About the Pakistan-German polytechnic institute, Dr Bruemmer said there had always been skepticism about the effectiveness of the institute. He, however, promised that he would look into the matter of its revival.

RESULTS: The Bahauddin Zakariya University on Friday declared the results of MSc mathematics, first annual examinations, 2002.

In all 51 candidates appeared for the examinations, of them only eight could make through showing a pass percentage of 39.13.

Urs: Three-day Urs of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Suharwardy will start here on April 8.

A meeting was held here on Friday with DCO Azam Suleman in the chair to finalize arrangements for the Urs celebrations.

The Urs ceremonies will start with the Ghusal of the mausoleum of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya after Zuhr prayers.