Business Observer

Chief of Pakistan Navy Admiral Naveed Ashraf participated in the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium held in China. The theme of the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium was "A Shared Future with the Sea". Representatives of different countries participated in the symposium Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf held separate meetings with Commander US Pacific Fleet, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff of Royal Navy, Commander-in-Chief Russian Federation Navy. Admiral Naveed Ashraf also met with Chiefs of Indonesian Navy, Bangladesh Navy, Chief of Naval Operations of South Korea, Chief of Navy of Singapore and Acting Deputy Commander of Brunei Navy. During the meetings, the Naval Chief highlighted the role of the Pakistan Navy in dealing with the growing threats in the global maritime domain and the blue economy. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Navy has been participating in the Western Pacific Naval Symposium as an observer since 2014. The recent visit of Naval Chief will strengthen bilateral cooperation with participating navies to enhance regional and global maritime security. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb has expressed the confidence that the government's economic reforms agenda will lead to improved trust of businesses and attract more investments to Pakistan. He was talking to Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan Jakob Linulf and a delegation of Danish company Moller-Maersk (APM) Terminals led by its CEO Keith Svendsen in Islamabad today. The Finance Minister said Pakistan is keen to explore future projects and investments with the APM especially in the maritime sector. He emphasized the need to further enhance economic ties between the two countries. The Finance Minister said the government is fully committed to facilitate an environment conducive to business and investments. On the occasion, the delegation head Keith Svendsen said APM Terminals is pleased to engage with Pakistan and sees great potential in the Pakistani market. Affirming confidence in the country's growth prospects and development agenda, he expressed commitment to enhance its investment and opera tions to support the country's trade, Matter related to improvisation in customs rules and regulations for efficient execution of the maritime was also discussed and the Finance Minister assured his support to delegation in this regard. Both sides acknowledged the importance of continuous dialogue and collaboration between public and private sectors to further boost the economic ties. Source: Radio Pakistan

A delegation from the world's leading company Moller-Maersk (APM) Terminals has expressed willingness to collaborate with Pakistan in developing existing ports and modernizing facilities through capacity building and other programs. The interest was shown during a meeting between the delegation, led by its CEO Keith Svendsen, and Pakistan's Minister for Maritime Affairs, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, in Islamabad today. The Danish Ambassador to Pakistan, Jakob Linulf, was also present at the meeting. Discussions revolved around investment prospects in Pakistan's ports and terminals sector. The delegation head highlighted Moller-Maersk's prominent global position and its robust relationship with Pakistan, which reflects a market share of approximately 20 percent in containerized import-export activities. Recognizing the immense growth potential, Keith Svendsen proposed investments to enhance integrated supply chain solutions, including the upgrading of ports and logistics infrastructure. The delegation pledged supp ort for the advancement of maritime affairs in Pakistan and for nurturing a skilled workforce in this sector. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister reiterated the government's dedication to promoting the blue economy to drive the overall economic progress of the country. He emphasized the significance of public-private partnerships in realizing the full potential of Pakistan's maritime sector. The Minister also highlighted the robust role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in facilitating foreign investors by providing opportunities for doing business with ease. Both sides expressed optimism about the transformative impact of these initiatives on the country's economic landscape. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said the government is taking all possible measures to eliminate terrorism from the country. Responding to a calling attention notice moved by Nikhat Shakeel Khan and others, he said the National Action Plan is being reviewed, while maximum facilitation is being extended to the provincial governments to combat terrorism. He said the government is also focusing on Intelligence Based Operations to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the soil of Pakistan. The Minister said the federal government is also extending full cooperation to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government for the capacity building of the provincial Counter-Terrorism Department. He informed the House that Sindh Chief Minister has assured Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to install a safe city network in Karachi to fight crimes and terrorism. Attaullah Tarar said maintaining law and order is the sole responsibility of provinces under the constitution and everyone should join hands to el iminate the menace of terrorism from Pakistan. Responding to another calling attention notice moved by Omar Ayub Khan, Information Minister said the name of an individual is placed on the Exit Control List, Provisional National Identification List or Black List on the request of the investigation agencies after following due procedure. Attaullah Tarar said no one is placed on these lists for being a member of the parliament. Meanwhile, the National Assembly also unanimously adopted a resolution calling for taking notice of inappropriate and obscene language by some members of the House against women political leaders. The resolution, moved by Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, urged the House to ensure the dignity of all women political leaders and workers. The House has now been adjourned to meet again tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Source: Radio Pakistan

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar says the government will fully address the concerns raised by farmers regarding wheat prices. In response to queries raised in the Senate today [Thursday], he expressed confidence that wheat prices will stabilize soon. He highlighted ongoing consultations between the federal government and the Punjab Government, emphasizing agriculture's pivotal role in Pakistan's economy. Tarar mentioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's establishment of a daily-operating special committee to tackle the issue. Additionally, he informed the House about the cabinet-level discussion on the matter, with the Prime Minister ordering an inquiry into the unnecessary wheat import despite sufficient domestic stock. The House is scheduled to reconvene tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan has categorically rejected the 2023 Country Report on Human Rights by the US State Department. In a statement today, the Foreign Office said contents of the report are unfair, based on inaccurate information and are completely divorced from ground reality. It said the report lacks objectivity and politicizes the international human rights agenda, clearly demonstrating double standards. The Foreign expressed concern that the US State Department's report has highlighted human rights situations around the world but ignored the gross human rights violations in Gaza and Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It said the US State Department's annual exercises of preparing such unsolicited reports remains inherently flawed in their methodology as they use a domestic social lens to judge human rights in a politically biased manner. The statement said if the US must engage in this exercise, then we expect the US State Department to at least demonstrate objectivity, impartiality and responsibility in conducti ng assessment of complex issues. It also emphasized that the state department report should demonstrate requisite moral courage to speak truth about all situations and play a constructive role for bringing an end to atrocities in the most urgent hotpots of gross human rights violations. The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan's commitment to strengthen its own human rights framework, promote international human rights agenda and uphold fairness and objectivity in the international human rights discourse. Source: Radio Pakistan