Day: May 24, 2024

The Chairman of Pakistan Hindu Council Dr. Ramesh Kumar has said minorities enjoy equal rights in Pakistan and they are playing their best to play their due role for development of the country. Addressing a press conference in Karachi today, he said Pakistan Hindu Council will organize the biggest job fair on 27th of this month in Karachi. Dr. Ramesh Kumar said the fair would include stalls of various industries including banking sector, cement industries, textile industries, Higher Education Commission, motor industry, IT industry, overseas sector and Federal and Provincial Governments. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan and Lithuania have agreed to enhance high-level exchanges and cooperation, especially in the spheres of trade and investment. The understanding to this effect came during the 7th Round of Pakistan-Lithuania Bilateral Political Consultations that was held in Islamabad on Friday. The Pakistan side was led by Additional Foreign Secretary Europe, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, while the Lithuanian delegation was headed by Lithuanian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Egidijus Meilunas. The Lithuanian delegation also included non-resident Ambassador Recardas Degutis and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Consultations provided an important opportunity to review the entire scope of bilateral relations and regional and global issues of common interest. The Additional Foreign Secretary briefed his Lithuanian counterpart on the broad contours of Pakistan's foreign policy, perspectives on regional and global issues, and the challenges related to geopolitical developments. The two si des also expressed satisfaction at the engagement and cooperation at international forums, including at the United Nations, and agreed to continue supporting each other. The two countries are commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the security and safety of Chinese citizens is the top priority of the government. Talking to a delegation of representatives from Chinese companies in Pakistan, who called on him in Islamabad on Friday, he said all possible steps are being taken to provide foolproof security to Chinese citizens. The Prime Minister encouraged the Chinese companies to set up industries in Special Economic Zones under business to business arrangement. He invited Chinese textile industry to set up their industrial units in Pakistan. The Prime Minister said the focus of his upcoming visit to China will be CPEC-II and further development of economic relations between Pakistan and China. He said for the next phase of CPEC, we have to provide the best technical training to our workforce. He said the way China lifted 700 million people out of poverty is an inspiration for us. The Prime Minister said we also want to get benefit from China's experience in terms of increasing exports. He further said China should help Pakistan in the light of its experiences in delivering Pakistan's exports to China and other countries in the region. The Prime Minister said Pakistan is committed to the strategy of increasing agricultural production using innovation and technology in the agriculture sector. Pakistan wants to benefit from the expertise of China's IT industry for the development of the IT sector. Inviting Chinese companies to set up electric and hybrid vehicle plants in Pakistan, the Prime Minister directed to resolve all problems of Chinese companies. The representatives of Chinese companies expressed their determination to further expand their business and investment in Pakistan. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland Simon Harris on Friday to felicitate him on his assumption of office. The Prime Minister remarked lightheartedly that his youth and dynamism would bring major changes in Ireland. On the issue of Palestine, the Prime Minister expressed deep admiration for the recent decision taken by the Government of Ireland to recognize the state of Palestine. He said Ireland's decision would send a message of hope and solidarity to the innocent Palestinians who were suffering Israel's brutal atrocities. It would also go a long way in promoting the Palestine cause and would urge other countries to follow Ireland. The Prime Minister said Pakistan has always advocated that a two-state solution, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, is the only way to bring lasting peace to the Middle East. He reaffirmed Pakistan's strong commitment to the just struggle of the Palestinian people and lauded the decisio n of the ICJ to order Israel to stop its assault on Gaza and Rafah. He also expressed the hope that the oppressed people of Kashmir would receive similar attention from the international community, as they too have been enduring a brutal occupation and denial of fundamental human rights for the last seven decades. Prime Minister Simon Harris said that Ireland has taken a principled decision in consultation with other European allies because the extent of Israel's military action in Gaza could no longer be condoned in any way. The Irish felt that this decision was necessary to promote normalization in the occupied territories. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral ties between Pakistan and Ireland and expressed their common desire to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The Prime Minister lauded the Irish decision to open its resident mission in Pakistan and said that this new mission, along with Pakistan's mission in Dublin, would play a vital role in promoting bilateral trade, inve stment and people-to-people exchanges. He also extended a cordial invitation to Prime Minister Simon Harris to undertake an official visit to Pakistan. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the United Nations Security Council and the international community to immediately implement the decision of the International Court of Justice to stop the Israeli operation in Gaza. In a statement on Friday, he welcomed the decision of the International Court of Justice on the case filed against the genocide in Palestine. The Prime Minister paid tribute to thirteen judges who ruled in favor of oppressed humanity and to South Africa for filing the petition. He said Pakistan had supported South Africa's petition, and will continue to fight the case of all Palestinians. The Prime Minister said following the court decision, the UN Commission of Inquiry should be given immediate access to Gaza and Rafah. The Prime Minister further said decision to open roads, provide immediate food and medical aid should be implemented so that the oppressed people can get relief. Source: Radio Pakistan

At the United Nations, Pakistan has affirmed its steadfast support of the OIC for Bosnia and Herzegovina's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. In a statement, Pakistan Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram emphasized the importance of upholding international borders and fostering Bosnia's multiethnic and multicultural identity. He urged the United Nations to remain vigilant in preventing future genocides like those in Srebrenica and Rwanda. Ambassador Munir Akram stressed that the international community must act swiftly against early signs of ethnic or religious targeting to prevent such tragedies. He said this support is rooted in a commitment to uphold Bosnia and Herzegovina's internationally recognized borders, enabling it to function autonomously, meet its international obligations and preserve its multiethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious character. The United Nations General Assembly had adopted a resolution designating July 11 as the Internationa l Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. Eighty-four countries including Pakistan voted in favor of the draft resolution, nineteen opposed it, and sixty-eight countries abstained from voting. Source: Radio Pakistan