Day: May 23, 2024

Pakistan Coast Guards has been continuing its operations to thwart smuggling of drugs and other prohibited goods. The Coast Guards during these operations seized cloth, cigarettes, drugs, dairy products, cosmetics, electronic equipment, refrigerators, laptops, spare parts of vehicles, Iranian petrol and diesel, camels and other items. Action has also been taken against twenty five foreigners, who were rounded up during the operations. Source: Radio Pakistan

President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has expressed the commitment to invest ten billion dollars in Pakistan. He made this commitment during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Abu Dhabi today. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan assured UAE's support in all circumstances and made commitment of investing ten billion dollars in multiple sectors in Pakistan. Shehbaz Sharif conveyed gratitude to the UAE leadership for hosting 1.8 million Pakistani diaspora and highlighted Pakistan's huge human resource potential that could be engaged in multiple sectors. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss whole gamut of bilateral relations including cooperation in political, economic, social, cultural and defence sectors. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of galvanizing existing cooperation and strengthening strategic partnership including in the field of information technology, renewable energy and tourism. He highlighted steps taken by the government aimed at ensuring socio-economic stability in the country and building investors' confidence. He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to ensure meaningful implementation of investment cooperation agreements in the areas of Energy, Port Operations Projects, Wastewater Treatment, Food Security, Logistics, Minerals, and Banking and Financial Services. Both leaders exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest including regional and global developments. The Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to the UAE President for an official visit to Pakistan. The UAE President accepted the invitation. He also offered condolences on the passing away of close family members of Al Nahyan family. Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Abu Dhabi on a day-long visit to the United Arab Emirates. On arrival, he was welcomed by Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Source: Radio Pakistan

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb presided over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Federal Cabinet in Islamabad today. The Committee approved the summary presented by Ministry of Aviation to allow the utilization of eight million dollars available with the National Bank of Pakistan to pay severance and other operational expenses of Roosevelt Hotel. The ECC allowed the request of Industries and Production Division for the release of over 2,159 million rupees from already approved budgetary allocation, to pay gas bills of Pakistan Steel Mill (PSM). The Committee also considered the summary of Finance Division to make amendments in policy for equity investment abroad to facilitate IT exports. Additionally, the ECC considered and approved proposals for Technical Supplementary Grants such as development expenditures in the Power Division and compensation packages for casualties at the DASU Hydropower Project. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan and the United States are looking towards the future of both the countries with confidence. This was stated by the Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Masood in an interview with China Global Television Network-America's programme 'The Heat'. Masood Khan said Pakistan and United States have held many dialogue processes to promote shared objectives and we will continue to work on an agenda that is mutually beneficial for the two countries. He said the two countries have decided to enhance space available, given the geostrategic complexities of the region for building a stand-alone relationship. On Pak-China relations, Ambassador Masood Khan observed that this relationship has proved to be productive. He emphasized that our relationship with China is not at expense of our friendship with the United States. Terming China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project as very significant, Masood Khan said after completing early harvest projects under CPEC, the two countries realized that the mega project should also have an organic persona. The Ambassador said CPEC is the flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative, so we have reputational commitment to this project so that it succeeds under all circumstances. Turning to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's forthcoming visit to China, the Ambassador said the agenda would include strengthening defence ties, deepening economic cooperation and investing in cultural exchanges. Source: Radio Pakistan

The government has decided to formulate National Registration Policy aimed at making the process of citizenship registration transparent and safe. The decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad today. Speaking on the occasion, the Interior Minister said the authenticity of national identity card bears the utmost importance and consensus of all the provinces would have to be sought on this policy. He said the policy will also prevent illegal registration of citizenship. Mohsin Naqvi said the plan should be finalized and implemented in the next few days. He also directed to set up NADRA counters at Khidmat Centers. The meeting reviewed the plan to increase NADRA centers in six major cities of the country and it was decided to include Multan in this plan apart from Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Source: Radio Pakistan