Day: August 23, 2022

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari along with Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah visited the flood relief camps in Ratodero, Naudaro and Ghari Khuda Bux Bhutto Larkana.

Speaking to the flood affected people in the relief camps, he said we will not leave our people alone in this hard time.

The Foreign Minister directed the Chief Minister Sindh to monitor the relief work and provide every necessary item in the relief camps.

He directed to establish the medical camps in every relief camp.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a big relief for common people by exempting more than half of the electricity consumers from Fuel Adjustment Charges.

Talking to media in Doha on Tuesday, he said there are around 30 million electricity consumers in Pakistan out of which 17.1 million will be exempted from the FAC, while a strategy to provide relief to rest of the users will also be evolved.

Shehbaz Sharif said that 300,000 agricultural tube wells will also be exempted from the Fuel Adjustment Charges. He said Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan will formally announce a mechanism in this regard.

The Prime Minister said FAC is linked with the fluctuation in the prices of fuel in the international market. He said increased fuel prices in the international market in June this year led to higher electricity bills that month.

The Prime Minister said the government has already withdrawn fixed tax levied on traders. He said there will be gap of 42 billion rupees after repealing this tax and this gap will be filled through other means instead of burdening the small traders. He said this tax was levied on small businessmen to save them from blackmailing of various departments, but outcome of this taxation was not good.

Shehbaz Sharif said increasing traders' problems is against the spirit and vision of the present government. He said a committee has been constituted to probe this matter and fix the responsibility.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited Qatari investors to invest in Pakistan’s energy, aviation, agriculture and livestock, maritime, tourism and hospitality sectors.

He was talking to a delegation of the Qatar Investment Authority in Doha today (Tuesday).

The Prime Minister underlined Pakistan’s unique geographic and demographic advantages, which combine its strategic location with a huge middle-class market and a large skilled workforce.

Highlighting Pakistan’s liberal and business-friendly investment policies,, he also urged Qatari investors to explore the opportunities presented by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to promote regional connectivity and mutual prosperity.

Lauding Qatar’s rapid economic development under the visionary leadership of His Highness the Amir, the Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan attaches high importance to its relations with Qatar and wanted to upgrade the traditionally warm political ties between the two countries into a comprehensive economic partnership.

He stressed the need to further enhance bilateral economic and investment engagement, particularly in the renewable energy including solar and wind power generation, aviation, maritime, industrial and infrastructure development, and hospitality sectors.

The Prime Minister assured full facilitation to QIA through transparent and expeditious processes.

As part of the event, a number of presentations were made by the relevant Ministries highlighting the potential of foreign investment in the fields of food security, energy, maritime, aviation, hospitality and tourism sectors.

The Prime Minister appreciated the QIA’s rejuvenated interest in investing in Pakistan. It was agreed that designated focal persons on both sides would closely follow-up on the key proposals for investments.

Chief Executive Officer Mansoor Bin Ebrahim AL-Mahmoud, and Chief Investment Officer of Africa and Asia-Pacific Regions Sheikh Faisal Thani Al-Thani represented the QIA at the meeting.

This was the first engagement of the Prime Minister, right after his arrival in Doha on his two-day official visit. The Prime Minister was accompanied by key members of the Cabinet and senior officials.

Shehbaz Sharif invited Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mehmoud and Sheikh Faisal Thani Al-Thani to visit Pakistan at their earliest convenience to build on the momentum generated by the visit.

Terming Pakistan as a priority country, the QIA delegation expressed keen interest and readiness of the QIA to actively pursue investment opportunities in Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention that the Qatar Investment Authority is one of the largest sovereign wealth funds of the world.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Doha on a two-day official visit to Qatar.

Qatari Transport Minister Jassim Saif Al Sulaiti received him at the airport.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by a high level delegation including key members of the cabinet.

During the visit, Shehbaz Sharif will hold in-depth consultations with the Qatari leadership. The two sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with a particular focus on advancing energy related cooperation, deepening trade and investment ties and exploring greater employment opportunities for Pakistanis in Qatar. They will also exchange views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister will also engage with leading Qatari and Pakistani business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs.

He will visit Stadium 974 in Doha, where he would be briefed on the extensive preparations undertaken by Qatari government to host FIFA World Cup.

Source: Radio Pakistan