Day: May 29, 2024

The Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, has arrived in Islamabad on a two-day official visit. He was warmly received at the Islamabad International Airport by Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia), Ahmed Naseem Warraich. During his visit, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov is scheduled to hold important meetings with key Pakistani officials. He will call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, to discuss bilateral relations and regional matters of mutual interest. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan and Caribbean island country, Saint Lucia have formalized their diplomatic relations. Pakistan's Permanent representative to the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram and his Saint Lucian counterpart Ambassador Menissa Rambally signed the joint communiqué on behalf of their countries at a ceremony at Pakistani mission in New York today. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Munir Akram said Pakistan and St. Lucia have been cooperating at multilateral fora and establishment of formal relations will further expand their bilateral ties in trade, commerce, political cooperation, and tourism. He said people of Pakistan and St. Lucia share love for cricket and we look forward to stronger people-to-people bond. The Ambassador said there is immense tourism potential in both the countries that can be explored through visits of tourists. In her remarks on the occasion, Ambassador Menissa Rambally said Pakistan and Saint Lucia already enjoy wonderful relationship and the formalizing of diplomatic ties will provide an opportunity to further build on the existing ties. She mentioned that former West Indies cricketer, Darren Sammy, who belongs to St. Lucia is an honorary Pakistani citizen and always talks about Pakistan and the hospitality of its people. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain has said Pakistan will provide vocational training to Sri Lankan students in the medical and religious fields. Talking to Sri Lankan Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake, who called on him in Islamabad today, he said the number of scholarships for Sri Lankan students is also being increased Chaudhry Salik Hussain informed the visiting dignitary that Gandhara culture, art, and structures are being preserved in Pakistan. He highlighted that Pakistan is taking care of many holy places of Sikhs and other religions in Hasan Abdal. Sri Lankan Religious Minister Vidura Wickramanayake said opportunities should also be created for Sri Lankan youth in the tourism sector in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafan also called on Chaudhry Salik Hussain and discussed issues of mutual interest and bilateral relations. During the meeting, it was agreed to further promote bilateral relations and share Pakistani students' data with Kazakhstan so that there is no incident of violence. Chaudhry Salik Hussain emphasized that the concerned authorities of both countries should organize a security dialogue. He said the two countries have great potential in the airline business and Kazakhstan's airline can become a means of communication with Pakistan. The Kazakhstan Ambassador said dealing with Islamophobia is one of the priorities of Muslim countries. He said Kazakhstan is preparing to organize a religious conference next month and hoped that Pakistan's participation in the conference will strengthen religious dialogue. Source: Radio Pakistan

Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohammad Azhar Bin Mazlan has called for enhancing bilateral trade up to 12 billion dollars. Addressing the businessmen at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said that the current volume of trade between the two countries is less than the mutual trade potential. He said there are many opportunities for development in the halal industry in Malaysia and Pakistan. He urged private sector of both countries to play their full role by taking tangible steps. Malaysian High Commissioner said his country would extend full cooperation to Pakistan to become a regional hub of halal industry. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan has reaffirmed the resolve to cooperate with Central Asian countries to boost economic and trade activities in the region. The expression was made by Minister for Privatization and Board of Investment Abdul Aleem Khan while addressing 'Road to Tien Shan' regional forum in Tajikistan. The Minister said international trade will ensure development and prosperity of the entire region. He said Pakistan's Port Qasim and Gawadar port are available for central Asia's trade routes. Abdul Aleem Khan said this international conference will also open up new avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and Tajikistan. Source: Radio Pakistan

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered an investigation into the fifteen incidents of forest fire at the Margalla Hills in a single day. He directed the authorities concerned to form an investigation committee to probe the incidents and determine whether the fire was initiated intentionally or it happened accidentally. Source: Radio Pakistan