The Federal government in collaboration with all the relevant departments including National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is running a comprehensive campaign to create awareness among the masses about hazardous impacts of current heatwave across the country. This was stated by Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam, while addressing a news conference flanked with officials of NDMA in Islamabad today. She said the Ministry of Climate Change and the NDMA have also made an endeavor to spread mass awareness for public through adopting preventive measures about heatwave and to reduce its impacts through issuing advisories, public service messages, ring back tone and awareness campaigns through television, Radio and social media platforms. Romina Khurshid Alam said global climate change induced erratic weather patterns are causing increased recurring disasters with intense impact. She said the rising global temperature across the world is a matter of serious concern. She sa id Pakistan being least contributor towards carbon emissions is the 5th most disaster vulnerable country. The Coordinator on Climate Change said the months of May and June are recorded as driest and hottest in Pakistan with higher monthly average temperature. She said heat wave severity in these months has increased rapidly. She informed the media that thirteen districts of Sindh, nine in Punjab, and four districts of Balochistan are experiencing severe heatwave. Romina Khurshid Alam appealed to the masses particularly children and elderly people to adopt preventive measures to lessen impacts of prevailing heatwave spell in the country. Source: Radio Pakistan
Planning Minister calls for enhanced collaboration between government, private sector
On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, two committees comprising of key stakeholders in public-private partnerships (PPP) are established under Public Private Partnership Authority. The inaugural meeting of the committees was held under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, in Islamabad today. These committees are tasked with advising the government on introducing measures in the upcoming Budget 2024-25 and are aimed at increasing private sector investment in infrastructure financing. Addressing the committees' stakeholders, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the nation's economic challenges, with a significant reduction in the development budget over five years. The Minister outlined Pakistan's financial constraints, including a deficit between income and debt servicing obligations, urging for tax restructuring and innovative financing solutions. He said by providing the right incentives, we can attract private investment for in frastructure projects with commercial potential, while the government can cover any market gaps. He said a collaborative approach between the government and private sector is essential for this success. The Planning Minister urged stakeholders of private sector for their continued support and feedback to develop robust PPP policies, creating a successful and sustainable public-private partnership model in Pakistan. Source: Radio Pakistan
Finance Minister applauds Huawei’s digital vision for Pakistan
Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Pakistan Sun Xiaofei, and his team met Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad today. Sun Xiaofei discussed Huawei's digital and ICT initiatives in Pakistan, emphasizing its 25-year contribution to the ICT industry and country's potential to become an IT hub. The delegation highlighted Huawei's Pakistan Global Service Centre (GSC) and proposed cooperation in tax digitalization, e-invoicing, and revenue automation to advance Pakistan's digital ecosystem. The Finance Minister commended Huawei's proposals and briefed them on the Federal Board of Revenue's progress in digitizing the tax system, highlighting potential synergies. He welcomed Huawei's interest in promoting Pakistan's digital economy through collaboration with the government. Huawei's CEO invited Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb to visit their Shenzhen headquarters for discussions on finance and digital economy cooperation with Huawei's executive leaders. Source: Radio Pakist an
Germany praises Pakistan Army’s counter-terrorism efforts
Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, who is on an official visit to Germany, held meetings with German civilian and military leadership and discussed matters of mutual interest. During the visit, he was received by German Chief of Defence General Carsten Breuer, where he was presented with Guard of Honour by the contingent of German Armed Forces. Army Chief also met his German counterpart Lieutenant General Alfons Mais and visited Army Combat Training Centre, Gardelegen along with the German Army Chief. General Syed Asim Munir was briefed on various facets of the centre and training imparted to German Army and contingents of other Armies. He also witnessed a demonstration on urban warfare and visited different training facilities. Army Chief also met Foreign Policy and Security Advisor to Federal Chancellor Mr Jens Plötner, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr Tobias Linder and State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Mr Nils Hilmer. German leadership acknowledged Pakistan Army's role in fight again st Terrorism and for maintaining peace and stability in the region. Source: Radio Pakistan
PM expresses resolve to transform economy through collaboration with UAE
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the iron resolve of his government to completely transform Pakistan's economy through collaboration, joint ventures, and knowledge sharing partnership with the United Arab Emirates. Addressing a round-table session "Innovate Together: UAE-Pakistan Tech Collaborations," in Abu-Dhabi today, he said the government is fully focusing on how to promote information technology, and artificial intelligence in various sectors of Pakistan's economy, including agriculture, mines and minerals, and industry to enhance exports. He also stressed the need to promote IT skills to empower youth, which is sixty percent of Pakistan's population. The Prime Minister also commended the joint collaboration between the UAE and Pakistani companies to promote digitization of economy and expressed the desire to replicate this in Pakistan. He expressed the commitment to provide highest quality vocational training with modern skills so that they can come to UAE by fulfilling legal formalities . Acknowledging UAE's support to Pakistan through thick and thin, Shehbaz Sharif said he has broken the begging bowl and his visit is focused on seeking joint collaboration and investments, having mutual benefits for investors. On the occasion, three agreements were signed between Pakistani and UAE companies. These agreements were signed between Labware Arabia and Maison Consulting, Info Tech Group and 800 Inc Holdings, as well as Minsait (INDRA) Spain and Info Tech Group. The Prime Minister also distributed awards among the executives of prominent UAE companies who have investment portfolios in Pakistan. Source: Radio Pakistan