Day: February 24, 2021

Pakistan, Sri Lanka emphasize on making SAARC more vibrant to promote regional connectivity

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Sri Lanka have emphasized on making South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) more vibrant to promote regional connectivity and reiterated the resolve for mutual cooperation at all international and regional forums.

 

The understanding reached at a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Sri Lankan Counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo on Wednesday. Dinesh Gunawardena warmly received the Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka.

 

During the meeting, they exchanged views on bilateral relations, promoting cooperation in various sectors, and other matters of regional and international importance. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan indicates that Pakistan is eager to expand bilateral relations with Sri Lanka.

 

Pakistan Foreign Minister stressed the need for expanding Free Trade Agreement to enhance bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship programme of Belt and Road Initiative of China and the entire region can benefit from this project for the promotion of economic activities.

 

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said enhancing connectivity between Gwadar Port and Sri Lankan ports will help provide easy access to business centers of Central Asian states. He also called for promoting religious tourism, keeping in view the cultural and traditional ties between the two countries.

 

Both the foreign ministers expressed the resolve to continue common efforts for the promotion of bilateral cooperation in the sectors of trade, investment, health, education, agriculture, science and technology and other fields of mutual interest. They agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation for the development of human resources, regional security and war against terrorism.

World needs political will in face of climate threats: Munir Akram

ISLAMABAD: At the United Nations, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram has called upon the world to stop assault on nature and find more political will to combat climate change.

 

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram while speaking at 5th UN Environment Assembly virtual meeting said the impact of biodiversity loss, though less visible but will be equally devastating for the future of humanity. He said we should work together to identify actions which can help us address climate change, protect biodiversity and reduce pollution, at the same time.

Education system must focus on developing character, promoting creative thinking: President

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has called for removing disparity among different streams of education in the country by ensuring implementation of Single National Curriculum (SNC). Chairing a meeting here on Wednesday, he said focus of our education system should be on character building and promoting critical and creative thinking among students.

 

Highlighting the importance of education, the President said provision of quality and research-based education is essential for socio-economic development of the country. The meeting was informed that SNC has been designed, in consultation with all federating units and other relevant stakeholders, including private sectors and religious schools.

 

It was said that SNC has been developed in accordance with the International standards to meet the educational requirements of the country. The meeting was apprised that the SNC will be implemented in all streams of education. Initially, the new scheme of education would be introduced for the students from Grades 1-5 during Academic Year 2021-22.

 

The meeting was informed that the development of SNC was driven by the key considerations like teachings of Quran and Sunnah, constitutional framework, national policies, aspirations and national standards, alignments with Sustainable Development Goals for goals and targets, visions of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal and focus on our values.

PM inaugurates Sri Lanka’s High Performance Sports Complex

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said he had an excellent meeting with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo on Wednesday.

 

In a series of tweets, he said we discussed our common passion about poverty alleviation especially in our rural areas. He said we also exchanged views on how to give farmers more for their produce and get cheaper food and fruits to the population by using technology to eliminate middle men.

 

Imran Khan said we also discussed other dimensions of our extensive ties to strengthen political and trade ties for our mutual benefit. The Prime Minister said he inaugurated Sri Lanka’s High Performance Sports Complex. He said it was great to meet the Sri Lankan cricket greats invited on the occasion who had played against him.

Economic stability in country essential for successful foreign policy: President

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has said economic stability in the country is essential for successful foreign policy and good bilateral relations with various countries.

 

In an interview with a private news channel, he said Pakistan enjoys good relations with all Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The President said that all measures are being taken in consultation and cooperation with Ulema and the Islamic Ideology Council. In reply to a question, the President said the country cannot afford change of system from parliamentary democracy to any other form.

 

He described democracy as an evolution and said democratic system in UK took 300 years to reach the current level. Dr Arif Alvi said Prime Minister Imran Khan is a strong personality with non-compromising attitude especially towards corruption.

PM emphasizes on improving trade links in sub-continent

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasized on improving trade links among the countries of the sub-continent to bring people out of poverty.

 

Addressing the first Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Conference in Colombo on Wednesday, he said the way forward for the sub-continent is to resolve differences and improve trade relationship. He said our difference is only Kashmir issue, which should be resolved as per the UN resolutions. He said differences can only be resolved through dialogue.

 

The Prime Minister said our problems are subservient to trade and investment. Imran Khan said he came to politics with the dream of a welfare state and poverty alleviation. He said the current Pakistan government has taken a number of steps towards ease of doing business, removing impediments in the way of investment. He said as a result of these measures, Pakistan improved by 28 points in ease of doing business in the world.

 

Imran Khan invited the Sri Lankan business community to participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project that opens the opportunity for them right up to Central Asia. He said incentives have been offered to the business community to invest in Special Economic Zones being established in Pakistan.

 

He said we can learn from Sri Lanka in tourism. He said Pakistan has enormous potential in tourism, including unique mountains, coastal line and also religious tourism. Addressing the ceremony, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan’s focus has now been shifted from geo-politics to geo-economic. He said the current government is committed to take advantage of the geographical location of Pakistan to make it an economic hub.

 

He said economic diplomacy is also one of the most important components of our foreign policy to give boost to the economic activities. The Minister said Pakistan’s economic indicators are on the positive trajectory. He said Pakistan has taken numerous steps to ensure ease of doing business and remarkable achievements have been made in this regard. He said the country’s real estate and housing sectors are also flourishing and contributing to the country’s progress and prosperity.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Adviser on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razzak Dawood said Pakistan’s economy has shown remarkable turnaround during the COVID-19. He said Pakistan provides great opportunities to businessmen to come, invest and enjoy the lucrative environment there. He said the business communities of both the countries must work hard to further build economic relations.

 

Addressing the ceremony, the Sri Lankan State Minister for Commerce said bilateral cooperation in trade is of vital importance to alleviate poverty. He stressed the need for promotion of South-South dialogue and partnership. He said both the countries need to enhance cooperation in trade and investment. He said the resource gap can also be bridged with the promotion of investment.