Day: June 5, 2024

Jordanian Ambassador Dr Maen Khreasat called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad today. Speaking on the occasion, the President said Pakistan and Jordan have close brotherly relations and there is a need to further strengthen these ties. The Ambassador invited the President to attend the conference on humanitarian aid in Gaza being held in Jordan on Tuesday. The President assured the Ambassador of Pakistan's participation in the conference in Jordan. The Ambassador said Jordan has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Brotherhood Foundation to provide humanitarian assistance in Palestine. The President appreciated Jordan's efforts in providing assistance to Palestine. The Ambassador, on behalf of Jordanian King, conveyed a felicitation message to Asif Ali Zardari on his election as President of Pakistan. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated his commitment to advancing an innovative, inclusive and sustainable digital transformation for Pakistan. He expressed this resolve, while visiting the Huawei Technologies Corporation headquarters in Shenzhen today. Commending the latest innovative technologies, he invited Huawei to expand its investment portfolio in Pakistan. During the visit, it was also discussed as to how Huawei and Pakistan can collaborate to build a better, digital future together. On his arrival at the headquarters, Huawei Chairman Liang Hua received the Prime Minister and his delegation. The Prime Minister also visited the Exhibition Centre of the Huawei and commended the innovation of company's operations. At the exhibition centre, he was briefed about different fields, especially, e-governance, digital banking, telecommunication and artificial intelligence. The Prime Minister appreciated the safe-city projects in Pakistan, which were completed with Huawei's cooperation. Later the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with the chairman of Huawei Corporation. Shehbaz Sharif apprised the chairman about the measures taken by the government of Pakistan to promote investment and ease of doing business. He encouraged the Huawei Corporation to establish safe-city projects on priority basis in different Pakistani cities, especially were projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are underway. The Prime Minister said Pakistan is taking steps to digitize government offices on priority basis. He said a big conglomerate like the Huawei Technologies Corporation has ample investment opportunities in Pakistan in various fields like tax system, e-governance, and the artificial intelligence. He invited Chairman Huawei Corporation to invest in modern technology in the agriculture sector of Pakistan. The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to Huawei Chairman to visit Pakistan. Later, a framework agreement between the Ministry of Information Technology of the Government of Pakistan and Huawei was signed. Under the framework agreement, Huawei will provide free training to 200,000 Pakistani youth in the field of Information Technology, including the artificial intelligence. Besides, Huawei will extend its cooperation in establishing safe-cities in Pakistan, e-governance, and digitization of economy. The Chairman Huawei hosted a luncheon in honour of the Prime Minister and his delegation. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister of State for Power Ali Pervaiz Malik has categorically rejected the impression that the government is going to impose any duty or tax on solar panels. In a video message today, he said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his government are committed to their renewable energy policy and there is no plan under consideration to impose any duty on solar panels and their production. He said the government will encourage people to install solar panels to meet their electricity requirements. He said any change in the policy will be taken, if the need arises, with the consultation of relevant stakeholders. The Minister of State said unfortunately a section of media ran the story that the government intends to tax the solar penal without having any confirmation from the concerned quarters. He reiterated the government's commitment to carry forward the mission of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to enhance the share of renewable energy and strengthen the economy. Source: Radio Pakistan