Day: June 3, 2024

Chairman Board of Investments Gilgit Baltistan Fathullah Khan has said that the government is committed to provide best possible healthcare facilities to the people at their doorstep. Speaking at the ceremony to lay the foundation stone of a 30-bed hospital project in Jaglot, he said the new hospital will not only cater to the health needs of Jaglot but also provide services to the surrounding areas. He emphasized that Jaglot is a crucial hub connecting Gilgit, Skardu, and Diamar, and with the Karakoram Highway passing through it. The hospital will also provide medical assistance in emergency situations, such as traffic accidents. Source: Radio Pakistan

Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Jiang Zaidong says the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China will become another a milestone in the development of China-Pakistan relations. In an interview with APP, the Ambassador said the leaders of both countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. He said China stands ready to work with Pakistan through this visit to make greater progress in our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. The Ambassador said the landmark BRI project brought a total of 25.4 billion dollars in direct investment, 236,000 jobs, 510km of highways, more than 8000 megawatts of electricity and 886km of core transmission network. Under the second phase of CPEC, he said both countries would implement the important consensus reached by their leaders including upgradation of ML-1, the Gwadar Port and realignment of Karakoram Highway Phase II. Moreover, the two countries will strengthen cooperation in industry, agricul ture, mining, new energy, information technology and other fields based on local conditions and further negotiate and promote trade liberalization. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan and Korea have pledged to strengthen economic cooperation and to work collectively towards addressing mutual concerns for the benefit of both nations. The pledge was expressed at a meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb with Korean Ambassador and representatives of Korean Companies working in Pakistan in Islamabad today. The Minister underscored the significant macroeconomic improvements and noted the positive trend in foreign exchange reserves. He also reiterated the commitment of the government to address the challenges faced by Korean companies operating in Pakistan and in this regard urged the relevant authorities to ensure their facilitation for smooth business operations. The Korean Ambassador appreciated the government's economic initiatives and strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Korea. He emphasized the need to fully exploit the untapped potential for further collaboration. Representatives from Korean companies briefed the Minister on their concerns regarding p roject timelines and operational efficiency. Source: Radio Pakistan

Policy initiatives on the part of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) are leaving a positive impact on the business environment in the country. Under the policy measures, the visa policy has been revised by removing unnecessary barriers, which has increased the confidence of foreign investors. National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority has been set up to provide high quality seeds to the farmers which will not only ensure increase in crop production but also in provision of better advice and guidance to the farmers. A formal Cannabis Regulatory Authority has been established and work has begun on policy formulation to explore the medical benefits of cannabis. A comprehensive policy has been prepared to enable the export of seafood to other countries, through which fish and other products will be processed according to international standards, which will benefit the industry. Due to the facilitation of the SIFC, the country was able to implement a national space policy. I-Cube Q satell ite reached the moon and another communication satellite was launched last Thursday. A lot of progress has also been made in upgrading the existing refineries to Euro-5 standard which will help in providing high quality petroleum products to the consumers. The SIFC played a key role in bringing about greater coordination between the provinces and the center. Source: Radio Pakistan

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Gulbar Khan called on Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad today. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the federal government for its continued support, particularly the wheat subsidy provided to the region. He highlighted several areas where Gilgit-Baltistan requires further assistance and appealed for increased support in the upcoming budget to address these issues. The Finance Minister emphasized the numerous opportunities available in Gilgit-Baltistan, noting its potential as a prime location for tourism. He pointed out that the region is rich in gems and mineral resources and suggested that GB government can leverage its resources to generate revenue and unlock its true potential. The Federal Finance Secretary, who was also present in the meeting, recognized the potential areas for investment in Gilgit-Baltistan, reiterating that the federal government has generously supported the region in the budget. The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to continue working together to address the challenges and harness the opportunities in Gilgit-Baltistan for the benefit of its residents. Source: Radio Pakistan

Government Spokesperson for Legal Affairs Barrister Aqeel Malik has said PTI used Cipher for political objectives and put national security at stake. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad this afternoon, he said national security is supreme and there will be no compromise on it. Source: Radio Pakistan