Day: May 29, 2024

Renowned high-altitude mountaineer Naila Kiani has been appointed as the National Goodwill Ambassador for Girls' Education by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. Naila Kiani, celebrated for her extraordinary mountaineering achievements, will now leverage her platform to advocate for girls' education across Pakistan. Naila Kiani's mountaineering feats are unparalleled. She is the first Pakistani woman and the overall third Pakistani to have climbed 11 of the world's 14 highest peaks, all above 8,000 meters. She holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani woman to climb an 8,000-meter mountain within Pakistan. She is the first Pakistani woman to summit Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I (G-I), Gasherbrum II (G-II), Lhotse, Manaslu, Broad Peak, Annapurna, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. She is one of only ten mountaineers globally, and the only Pakistani, to have climbed multiple (seven) peaks above 8,000 meters within six months, achieved in 2023. Additionally, she is the fastest Pakistani, re gardless of gender, to climb all eleven 8,000-meter peaks in less than three years. Naila Kiani is the only female athlete to receive the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Pakistan's highest civilian honor awarded, to a female athlete. As the National Goodwill Ambassador for Girls' Education, Naila Kiani aims to highlight the importance of education for girls and support related initiatives by federal and provincial governments. An aerospace engineer and banker by profession, Naila Kiani is a staunch believer in the power of education to empower women and drive national progress. In her new role, she will focus on raising awareness about the critical importance of girls' education, supporting and promoting government's initiatives to improve educational opportunities for girls, and inspiring young girls nationwide to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential. Naila Kiani's appointment underscores her dedication to both her nation and the cause of women's education, promising a brighter future for countless young g irls across Pakistan. Source: Radio Pakistan

Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan says government is taking measures to promote export-oriented industries in the country. He gave this assurance to textile industrialists during his visit to All Pakistan Textile Mills Association Office in Lahore. The Minister said textile industry will be facilitated in export diversification. The commerce minister highlighted the government's determination to bring institutional and structural reforms, resolve energy and tariff issues,and diversify exports to ensure sustainable growth and stabilise the economy. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan has termed the recognition of independent state of Palestine by European countries a welcome step. In a statement, he said the Pakistani government endorses this important development and pays heartfelt congratulations to the Palestinian brothers on this progress. Speaking in favour of the Palestinian state, the minister said that finally the whole world has practically realized the atrocities of Israel in Palestine and it has been proven that everyone should come together for the freedom and independence of Palestine. He further said that Israel's brutality and oppression of innocent citizens has been revealed all over the world. Aleem Khan said the day is not far when Palestinians will be free and their independent state will be established. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan has expressed condolence over the loss of life and property caused by massive landslide in Papua New Guinea. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch in a statement said people and government of Pakistan are deeply saddened by the widespread deaths and destruction caused by a massive landslide in Enga province in Papua New Guinea. She prayed for early recovery of those who are missing. Pakistan stands with the people and government of Papua New Guinea in this hour of national tragedy. Source: Radio Pakistan

Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam has expressed deep gratitude to the Pakistani people, political figures, and government for their condolences and unwavering support following a devastating helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Iran's President and other companions. Addressing a condolence reference in Islamabad, The Iranian Ambassador said the Islamic world is collectively grieving this profound loss. He said the upcoming elections would be crucial in establishing a new government that will navigate the country through this period of mourning and transition. Source: Radio Pakistan

The Finance Ministry says signs of economy stability are becoming more evident. In its monthly economic update and outlook report, the finance ministry states that the GDP growth is on the recovery path while inflation continues its steady decline. Fiscal consolidation efforts are apparent from the positive primary balance, and the resilience of the external sector is evident by the positive current account balance. According to the report, agriculture has emerged as a main driver of economic growth in the current fiscal year, registering growth of 6.25 percent. Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) growth is expected to remain moderately positive on average throughout the second half of the current fiscal year. The CPI inflation stood at 17.3 percent on a year-on-year basis in April this year as compared to 36.4 percent of the corresponding period last year. On the fiscal front, the revenue growth outpaced the growth in expenditures during the first nine months of current fiscal year. Both tax and non-tax col lection grew significantly by 29.3 percent and 90.7 percent, respectively. On the external front, the current account narrowed down significantly, recording a deficit of 0.2 billion dollars compared to last year's 3.9 billion dollars, primarily due to an improved trade balance. In April this year, the current account surplus was recorded at 491 million dollars. Exports in the month of April increased by 23.4 percent to 2.6 billion dollars, fueled by eased import restrictions that enhanced the supply chain for export industries. Total foreign investment during the first ten months of current fiscal year recorded an inflow of 659.3 million dollars as against an inflow of 341.4 million dollars last year. The country's total liquid foreign exchange reserves increased to 14.3 billion dollars this month with State Bank of Pakistan's reserves standing at 9.1 billion dollars and those of Commercial banks' at 5.2 billion dollars. Source: Radio Pakistan