Day: June 20, 2024

Deputy Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme Van Nguyen called on Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam in Islamabad today. During the meeting, both sides discussed matters related to the climate risk mitigation, climate finance for adaptation and mitigation measures, agriculture insurance, and urban flood resilience. The UNDP representative assured her organisation's all-out support to access the financial and technical support provided by the initiative to build Pakistan's climate resilience. Romina Khurshid thanked and lauded the UNDP - Pakistan for their generous offer for helping Pakistan through the climate change and environmental coordination ministry to build up resilience of the climate-vulnerable sectors, particularly agriculture, urban flood resilience and early warning for disaster risk reduction. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged all the political parties to work together for the development and prosperity of the country and public welfare. He was talking to a delegation of Pakistan People's Party headed by Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari that called on him in Islamabad today. The delegation included Chairman Senate Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Syed Khurshid Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held discussions national political issues. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said further consultation was held with Pakistan Peoples Party regarding the budget 2024-2025. He said economy is showing positive indicators while stock market has witnessed historic boom. The Prime Minister said steps have been taken to provide relief to the common man in the budget of the new financial year. He said more consultation will continue through committees. A dinner was given by the Prime Minister in honour of the Pak istan Peoples Party delegation. Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervez Malik and former Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique were also present in the meeting. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan has presented his credentials to Governor General of the Commonwealth of Bahamas, The Most Honorable Cynthia A. Pratt, as non-resident High Commissioner-Designate of Pakistan in a special ceremony held at Governor General's Office Bahamas. In his speech Masood Khan said the Government of Pakistan is focused on enhancing its international relationships and we see Bahamas as a key partner in this endeavor. Outlining future roadmap for strengthening bilateral ties, Masood Khan said that two nations have immense potential to enhance trade and investment ties, particularly in sectors such as tourism, financial services and information technology. He said we are committed to facilitating cultural, educational, and social exchanges that will not only deepen our understanding of each other's rich heritage but also forge lasting bonds of friendship between our citizens. Pakistan's High Commissioner-designate also pointed out that Bahamas active participation in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) positioned it as a vital link for Pakistan to enhance its engagement with the regional bloc. He said Pakistan acknowledges the importance of CARICOM in promoting regional stability and economic integration and sees potential for collaboration in areas of mutual interest such as trade and technology. Masood Khan said that Pakistan worked closely with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) group to combat climate change and to advocate for just economic and financial order for vulnerable countries. Governor General Cynthia A. Pratt, while accepting the letters of credence of Pak envoy, said that Bahamas recognizes Pakistan significant contributions to regional stability, and global peacekeeping efforts. She said Bahamas deeply admired Pakistan's rich cultural heritage, its diverse traditions and the remarkable resilience of the people. She said Bahamas stands in solidarity with Pakistan in its pursuit of peace, stability, and prosperity. The Governor General assured the Ambass ador that her government was keen to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation with Pakistan across various sectors, including trade, tourism, education, and cultural exchange. Thanking the Government of Bahamas for its support to Pakistan's candidature for the U.N. Security Council, Masood Khan pointed out that mutual collaboration in multilateral organizations presented an excellent opportunity for both the countries to advance common goals and address global challenges such as climate change. Earlier, Ambassador Masood Khan called on Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training of the Commonwealth of Bahamas Glenys Margaret Elaine Hanna-Martin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Bahamas Fredrick A. Mitchell M.P. Permanent Secretary Melvin Seymour and Director General Jerusa Ali from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahamas also joined the meeting. The Ambassador also met Mr. Sameer Bhatti, CEO of The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC). Same er Bhatti, a Bahamian of Pak descent, briefed the Ambassador about BTC and how the company was serving the community in the field of technology. Source: Radio Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for enhancing the capacity of the Law Enforcement Agencies to effectively counter terrorist elements in Balochistan. He expressed these views while chairing a meeting on law and order situation in Balochistan, in Gwadar today. The President was briefed about the overall security situation of the province as well as the role of LEAs in successfully countering terrorist attacks in various districts of Balochistan. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the prosecution system needed to be improved so that the terrorist elements could not escape justice. Asif Ali Zardari said political dialogue is the way forward to bring prosperity, development and peace in Balochistan. Underlining the need to improve the socio-economic condition of Balochistan, the President called for focusing on the skill development of its people and producing more skilled professionals. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti thanked the President for visiting Gwadar. He sai d President's visit would give the people of Balochistan a sense of ownership as well as strengthen the resolve of the LEAs to eliminate terrorism. Source: Radio Pakistan

World Refugee Day was observed on Thursday to honour the courage, strength and determination of refugees who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. This year's theme of the day is 'Solidarity with Refugees." Pakistan continues to be one of the world's largest refugee hosting countries, providing safety to millions of people forced to flee their countries. These include mainly Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration, besides a small number of refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries such as Myanmar, Yemen, Somalia and Syria. Source: Radio Pakistan