Meeting on safety and security strategy

The Ministry of Interior’s Strategic Planning Department (SPD) has held a meeting of stakeholders involved in the implementation of the public safety and security strategy and other plans in line with the National Development Strategy 2017-2022.The meeting was attended by Brigadier Abdul Rahman Majid al-Sulaiti, director of the Strategic Planning Department; Major Khalid al-Mohannadi, assistant director of SPD; and members of the supervisory committee for the preparation of the national development plan (2017-2022), according to a statement from the MoI.This meeting was aimed at enhancing co-ordination between the efforts made by the different partners to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030, Brigadier al-Sulaiti said.The meet was convened to discuss what had been achieved by the MoI pertaining to preparations for the sectoral strategy for security and public safety, the second strategy to be adopted by the ministry after the 2011-2016 plan. The strategy comprises targets that include protection of the society from drugs, ensuring road safety and reducing accident-related mortality.Another target is to develop an electronic security shield to combat cybercrimes, Brigadier al-Sulaiti informed.The official stressed that the importance of the meeting lay in the exchange of views with the partners, highlighting the challenges faced by them during the implementation of the previous strategy (2011-2016), as well as in finding out the issues the MoI needed to take into account in its programmes, projects and execution plans, and introducing the ministry’s requirements from the partners. The MoI had earlier formed a sub-committee — with the membership of the ministry and other partners — to handle the task of developing plans and strategies. The meeting also discussed priorities for the execution of the sectoral strategy and operational plans and projects.HBKU to host student conferenceHamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)’s Public Policy in Islam programme will host its 3rd Annual Student Conference on March 23, under the theme “Water-Energy-Food Nexus (WEF-N): Interdisciplinary Approaches for Sustainable Development”. Students interested in participating are invited to submit abstracts or presentation ideas on the relationship between the WEF-N and sustainable development. The conference will explore how governments can begin to develop policies overcoming ethical, moral, and technical challenges surrounding the topic. Dr Tareq al-Ansari from HBKU, who is one of the organisers of the event, said, “This conference offers a huge opportunity for students to get recognised for their work through presentations and conference publications.“We are looking forward to receiving students’ abstracts and to meeting students at the conference.”Abstracts on the subject, in either English or Arabic, should be submitted before January1. Best paper and best presentation awards will be announced at the conference.Expat gets 10-year jail term for illicit drug tradeA Sri Lankan man has been sentenced to 10 years in jail and subsequent deportation, in addition to a fine of QR 200,000 by a Doha Criminal Court for illicit drug trade and consumption.Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported yesterday that the Drug Prevention Department of the Ministry of Interior had received information from a secret source that the defendant used to circulate the illicit drug marijuana in addition to taking hashish. The source then contacted the defendant to buy some marijuana for QR1,500, and they agreed to meet at Fereej Al Sudan for the delivery process. The transaction was conducted under the surveillance of police patrols and the defendant arrested.A subsequent search of his accommodation yielded further quantities of the illicit drugs in addition to some cash. A blood test of the defendant proved that he used to consume hashish.Ministry of Economy recalls Lexus RX350 modelThe Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration Abdulla Abdulghani & Bros Co, has announced the recall of Lexus RX350 model year 2016 over a potential defect in the power back door electronic control unit.The MEC said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs. The MEC will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.