Month: July 2024

Pakistan and Belarus have agreed to enhance cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. The understanding to this effect was reached during the Sixth Round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Belarus held in Islamabad today. The two sides also agreed to continue cooperation at multilateral forums, including at the United Nations, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Additional Foreign Secretary Europe, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan led the Pakistani side, while the Belarusian side was headed by the First Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Lukashevich. The two sides reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations covering political relations, high-level engagement and dialogue, trade and investment, military and security cooperation, education, and people-to-people contacts. Ambassador Sergei Lukashevich also called on Foreign Secretary, Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi. Bilateral areas of cooperation and important regional and global developments were discussed. The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further expand and diversify mutually beneficial cooperation. The two countries are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Source: Radio Pakistan

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has directed to expedite the legal process to establish Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority for curbing inflation. She was chairing a special meeting to review amendments to the proposed laws and rules for establishment of the Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority in Lahore today. During the briefing, it was informed that each district would have a District Enforcement Regulatory Board headed by the Deputy Commissioner while a Sub-Divisional Enforcement Officer will oversee enforcement at the Tehsil level. The meeting was informed that the PERA will enable effective action against wholesalers and encroachers based on public complaints. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan and Jordan have agreed to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and education. The resolve was expressed at a meeting between Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema and Jordanian Ambassador, Dr. Maen Khreasat in Islamabad today. On this occasion, Ahad Cheema highlighted the significant demand for Pakistani cotton fabric and invited Jordanian businesses to explore opportunities within country's thriving textile and garment sectors. In his part, Ambassador Khreasat expressed gratitude for the Pakistan Technical Assistance Program scholarships being utilized by Jordanian students and underscored the need to diversify the disciplines offered. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed all relevant institutions to remain high alert during Monsoon season. He issued these directives while chairing a meeting regarding national preparedness for the Monsoon in Islamabad today. The Prime Minister also constituted a high-level committee to deal with any emergency situation during Monsoon season. He also instructed the National Disaster Management Authority to assist all provincial governments and related institutions regarding Monsoon. The Prime Minister said advisory to the people living in affected areas regarding any expected situation in emergency due to monsoon should be ensured. He said advance information should be disseminated to farmers and people living alongside the rivers and canals through media on a daily basis. The meeting was briefed that heavy monsoon rains are expected in all the provinces in first and second week of the current month. It was further informed that spell of monsoon rains will move from south-east to north in Pakistan this year. Rains are expected in Potohar region and eastern part of Punjab in the first week of this month, while heavy rains are expected in Karachi, Mirpur Khas, Nawabshah, Sukkur and Hyderabad in the second and fourth week of this month. The meeting was briefed that spell of monsoon rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will likely to remain active till third week of next month. In Balochistan, heavy rains are expected in the coastal and border areas of Sindh and Balochistan in the second, fourth and first two weeks of the current month. In Gilgit-Baltistan, partial rains are expected in this month, while massive rains are expected in the first three weeks of August. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, massive rains have been forecast with land sliding in the first three weeks of this month. The meeting was also briefed about the preparations to handle any emergency situation due to Monsoon rains across the country. It was briefed that rescue agencies including NDMA PDMA, troops of Pakistan Army are const antly on high alert in the affected areas. NDMA has introduced a Mobile App for monsoon alert and weather conditions as well as advance information which is being used by people. The meeting was informed that a National Monsoon Contingency Plan has already been prepared and delivered to the relevant institutions and provincial governments to deal with any emergency situation. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for enhancing trade, investment and connectivity between Pakistan and Tajikistan. Addressing a joint news conference, along with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe today, he emphasized to further enhance cooperation in diverse fields, including agriculture, education, health and trade. Shehbaz Sharif said today numerous Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the two countries, will be helpful in furthering our relations. He said strategic partnership agreement is of great importance. He congratulated the Tajik side for joining hands to sign this agreement which will further brotherly relations and expanding avenues of cooperation in times to come. The Prime Minister also stressed the need for building rail connectivity between Tajikistan, Afghanistan to all the way to port of Karachi. As regards, bilateral cooperation, the Prime Minister said CASA1000 is likely to be completed next year. This will bring prosperity to the region. The Prime Ministe r further said that he held one on one meeting with the Tajik President, who talked of China-Tajikistan and Afghanistan corridor. Talking about the menace of terrorism, Shehbaz Sharif said both Pakistan and Tajikistan have paid great sacrifices in fight against terrorism. Highlighting Pakistan's sacrifices in the war against terrorism, he expressed the resolve to defeat this menace through collective efforts. He said Pakistan is ready to offer its cooperation in fighting the scourge of terrorism. Mentioning the global challenges, the Prime Minister condemned the ongoing oppression in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Gaza. He said peace in South Asia will remain elusive till the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in light of the UN Security Council resolutions. Shehbaz Sharif also thanked President Emomali Rahmon and the people of Tajikistan for giving a warm welcome to his delegation. He extended invitation to the Tajik President to visit Pakistan. Source: Radio Pakistan

Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi has reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further expand and diversify mutually beneficial cooperation with Belarus. He was talking to the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergei Lukashevich in Islamabad today. During the meeting, bilateral areas of cooperation, and important regional and global developments came under discussion. Source: Radio Pakistan