Day: June 5, 2024

International Day Against Illegal Fishing was observed on Wednesday. In his message on the occasion, Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh stressed regulations needs to be tightened to prevent illegal fishing, He said the federal government intends to give licensing authority to Sindh and Balochistan for fishing. He said Pakistan desires cooperation with China for fishing in open sea. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured provision of foolproof security and facilitation to Chinese nationals and investors in Pakistan. Addressing Pakistan China Business Forum in Shenzhen today, he said government has taken various measures to protect the lives of every Chinese working across the country ever since the dastardly terrorist act in Bisham. He said no effort will be spared for the protection of Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Highly praising the advancement made by China over the years under the dynamic and visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping, the Prime Minister expressed the firm resolve to follow this model of great economic transformation in Pakistan. He said we have already started structural changes in Pakistan envisaging measures also to control corruption. Alluding to the country's potential, he said the country's mineral deposits value around ten trillion dollars. He said Pakistan has potential to bolster its exports by bringing to use its gold and copper mines. The Prim e Minister assured to extend full support and facilitation to the Pakistani businessmen stitching mutually beneficial deals with Chinese companies. He asked the Pakistani enterpreneurs to hold serious discussions with their Chinese counterparts for joint collaborations and investments in diverse areas including textile, leather, steel and engineering. In his remarks on the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the Chinese companies will be fully facilitated to set up their businesses in Pakistan on fast track basis. He mentioned that Special Investment Facilitation Council has been established with the purpose to facilitate the investors and businesses. He pointed out the labor cost is competitive in Pakistan. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that all macroeconomic indicators are moving in right direction with a positive trajectory in the country. Addressing China-Pakistan Business Forum, he said under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's direction, the government is pu rsuing the home-grown agenda for economic revival of the country. He said as part of this home grown agenda, markets and not the government are going to anchor our economy. The Minister said the Agriculture GDP growth during the current fiscal year remained 6. 25 percent, which is a real bright. He said on fiscal side, we have a primary surplus, which reflects fiscal consolidation and fiscal discipline. He said remittances have grown and exports have moved up in all sectors including textile, agriculture and Information Technology. Muhammad Aurangzeb said the government will keep on focusing on information technology, and agriculture as these sectors will be real leaders of growth in the future. The Minister said our current account deficit is going to be less than a billion dollars during this fiscal year and our currency has been stable over the last few months due to administrative measures and structural changes. He said our foreign reserves are over nine billion dollars. Muhammad Aurangzeb said the g overnment is committed to ensuring provision of policy framework and policy continuity for encouraging foreign investment. He said we are also pursuing a policy for SOE reforms and accelerating the privatization agenda. The Minister said we are implementing the Road to Market approach which includes Export-led Growth, Foreign Direct Investment in terms of G2G and B2B and Access to International Capital Market, as its main pillars. The Minister said the government wants to go in with Pakistan inaugural Panda Bond during the next fiscal year to attract the Chinese capital market, which is the second largest and deepest market in the world. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited Nanshan One Stop Services Center in Shenzhen. During the visit, the Prime Minister directed the federal ministers and the relevant officials to finalize the plan for establishing such a modern system in Pakistan by holding discussions with the Nanshan One Stop Services Center today. The Prime Minister was given a detailed briefing on the digital system regarding the registration of companies under one roof and other operations. He appreciated the modern system for company and business registration in Nanshan One Stop Services. The Prime Minister also instructed the Pakistani authorities to introduce such a modern system to provide basic facilities to the people. Shehbaz Sharif also visited the Shenzhen Exhibition Museum. He visited various parts of the museum and appreciated the development journey of Shenzhen. Source: Radio Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for building "technology highways" in the country by enhancing students' access to IT infrastructure. He was talking to Vice Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Professor Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, in Islamabad l today. President said providing laptops to students would increase their access to education, bridge digital divide and equip them with technology skills. He said top position holders of Quaid-i-Azam University should be given Presidential Awards with cash to encourage students in their studies. He appreciated university's role in Pakistan's academic sector and assured Vice Chancellor of his support in getting financial issues. Vice Chancellor briefed President about role of Quaid-i-Azam University in providing quality education, its educational programmes, and other administrative affairs. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan held a meeting with Congressman Jake LaTurner, member House Committees on Appropriations and Oversight, in Washington DC. They discussed enhancing Pak-US ties in trade, investment, renewable energy, climate change, extractive industries, education as well as security cooperation, counter-terrorism and defence. Meanwhile, in a meeting with Congressman Mike Turner, Chairman House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, in Washington DC, both the sides exchanged views on further strengthening Pak-US cooperation in defence, security, and counterterrorism. They also agreed to continue engagement for diversifying broad-based relationship. Ambassador Masood Khan also met with Congressman Chuck Edwards, member House Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations,and Related Programs (SFOPS), in Washington DC. They discussed the significance of enhanced economic partnership between Pakistan and US in achieving mutually shared obje ctives of inclusive growth and sustainable development. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said relations between Pakistan and China are entering a new era which is an important milestone for Pakistan's economy. Talking to the media in Shenzhen, he said the CPEC is being upgraded. He said discussions are taking place with the Chinese side for promotion of cooperation in diverse sectors. Source: Radio Pakistan