Day: July 1, 2024

Pakistan's Outgoing Ambassador to the US Masood Khan has emphasized the need to persevere in efforts to enhance Pakistan-US relations. In his farewell video message in Washington, he noted that a robust relationship between the two countries is a work in progress, backed by a history of nearly seventy seven years. He pointed out that Pakistani-American community has become a pillar of strength and a connective tissue for resilient Pak-US partnerships. He said since March 2022, together we tried to build strong Pak-US relations. He thanked the American friends from the Administration, Congress, State Governments and Assemblies, International Financial Institutions, think-tanks, media, civil society and the private sector, as well as the diaspora community for their support in building Pak-US relationship. Earlier addressing a mango festival, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst said the US Pakistan relationship is in the best place it has been in years. She commended Ambassador Masood Khan for his efforts in fostering ties between the two countries, noting that they have achieved stability and expanded the scope of their relationship significantly. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need to enhance trade and investment with Kazakhstan, while also focusing on regional connectivity and security. He was talking to Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin who paid a courtesy call at the Prime Minister House Islamabad today (Monday). The Prime Minister conveyed his greetings to the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and expressed his desire to strengthen the excellent bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. The Prime Minister said he is looking forward to his meeting with President Tokayev during his upcoming visit to Astana for the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting. The Kazakh Ambassador conveyed the greetings of the President of Kazakhstan and briefed the Prime Minister on various activities and initiatives currently in progress to expand relations between the two countries. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the entire nation is united to eliminate the scourge of terrorism. In a statement today, he appreciated police and frontier constabulary for thwarting a terrorist attempt in Takhta Beg area of Khyber District. He paid tributes to police personnel Ijaz and FC personnel Shehzad who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country while fighting terrorists. Praying for the elevated status of martyrs, the Prime Minister condoled with the bereaved families. He noted that the country's armed forces, police and law enforcement agencies have rendered countless sacrifices for peace in the country. He said the nation is proud of its martyrs and their families. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Planning Development Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has emphasized the need to enhance exports, increase per-animal yield in agriculture, develop promising industrial clusters, and address structural issues to achieve rapid economic growth. He was talking to a delegation of a leading global management consulting firm Kearney during a meeting in Islamabad today (Monday) to explore support for Pakistan's private investment initiatives. During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal elaborated on the 5Es Framework that is a cornerstone of the National Economic Transformation Plan, aimed at fostering stability and laying the foundation for future growth in Pakistan. The framework focuses on exports, economic growth, energy, education, and equality. He also highlighted the importance of digital transformation, self-sufficiency in energy, and equitable development in the social sector. The leading global management consulting firm has been engaged to support the Ministry's specific requirements in catalyzing p rivate investment in Pakistan. The firm will work closely with the Ministry and other stakeholders to identify areas of support and provide guidance on approvals and assignments. The meeting aimed to leverage Kearney's expertise to drive economic growth and stability in Pakistan. The Minister also emphasized the importance of collaboration and concerted efforts to achieve the country's strategic goals. Source: Radio Pakistan

Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor has become a catalyst for investment and technological transfer and skill development. He was addressing a ceremony of the "China Chamber of Commerce Sustainable Development Report 2023" in Islamabad today. Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani said that the CPEC is a nonpartisan agenda in Pakistan as all opposition parties support the government on it. He said the government of Pakistan is mindful of the challenges faced by the Chinese companies, and people working on various projects under CPEC and is ensuring fool proof security for the Chinese nationals. Yousaf Raza Gillani informed that the bureaucratic processes are being streamlined to expedite different projects under the second phase of CPEC. The Chairman Senate said that CPEC has created 155,000 skilled and unskilled jobs for local masses in Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Minister Counsellor, Yang Guangyuan said that within three months of the new governm ent's operationalization all economic indicators have improved significantly. Source: Radio Pakistan

Frontier Works Organization (FWO) organized a free medical camp in Lorak village of Kohistan district. Over eleven hundred patients including women and children were treated in the medical camp. They were also provided with free medicines. The FWO is also building a twenty one megawatt hydropower project at Lorak village. In addition, FWO is also playing an important role in promotion of education in Tangir Valley. Source: Radio Pakistan