Month: June 2022

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Wednesday said that Pakistan needed a big jump in exports to cope with economic challenges and urged the business community to play a role to boost exports.

The Minister said that private sector was the driver of economic growth and the government would facilitate them in promoting business activities that would help in reviving the economy. He said that the government was working hard to turn around the economy and hoped that the rupee would stabilize after the deal with the IMF.

Mr Iqbal said this after inaugurating an Environment Expo along with Atadjan Movlamov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, organized by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in its premises to promote the concept of environmental sustainability and conservation.

He appreciated the initiative of ICCI for organizing the Environment Expo, which was a good effort to highlight the environmental challenges and finding out their solutions. Ms. Seeme Ezdi, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, ambassadors of different countries also visited the Expo and took great interest in the stalls. The students of various universities and reputable organizations working in different areas of environment displayed their stalls in the Expo.

Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President ICCI said that as per the Global Risks Report 2020 of the World Economic Forum, the top five threats to our lives and the earth were related to the environment, therefore, it was very important to create maximum awareness about the measures in masses that would help in controlling the climate change phenomenon and improving the environment for healthy and sustainable lives.

He said that the Environment Expo was organized to raise awareness about taking the initiatives that were important to reduce the effects of climate change and improve our environment. Turkmenistan Ambassador Atadjan Movlamov said that the first World Environment Day titled “Only One Earth” was organized in 1974 and since then, every year it was celebrated by more than 100 countries in an effort to recognize the importance of our environment.

He lauded the ICCI for organizing the Environment Expo to promote the concept of a clean and healthy environment. Jamshaid Akhtar Sheikh Senior Vice President, Muhammad Faheem Khan Vice President ICCI, Khalid Iqbal Malik Chairman Founder Group, former presidents of ICCI and members of business community were also present on the occasion. Later, the President ICCI Muhammad Shakeel Munir presented certificates to the students at the ceremony.

ISLAMABAD: Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi called on Finance Minister Miftah Ismail here in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The meeting discussed prevailing economic and security situation of the country. The Finance Minister commended the efforts of Pakistan Navy in protecting the country’s sea frontiers and maritime interests. He further expressed confidence in the role of Pakistan Navy in safeguarding maritime frontiers of the country and extended government’s full support to Pakistan Navy. The Vice Chief of Naval Staff thanked Finance Minister for his support and appreciation.

ISLAMABAD: The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada, Zaheer Aslam Janjua has inaugurated new premises of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Vancouver, official website of the Consulate General and Pakistan-Western Canada Trade Association.

This is in line with the vision of the political leadership’s focus on economic diplomacy to capitalize the trade potential between Pakistan and western Canada. The High Commissioner held deliberations with the community leaders and emphasized on serving the Pakistani diaspora across western Canada. Zaheer Aslam Janjua also interacted with the local media highlighting the potential of Pakistan-Canada bilateral trade and important contributions of the Pakistani diaspora based in western Canada.

ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf has said the Constitution of Pakistan protects the rights of the minorities in the country.

He was addressing a national conference here in Islamabad on Wednesday. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf emphasized on making Pakistan a peaceful country, irrespective of any religious affiliation. Paying rich tribute to the services of minorities for the country, he said the government and people of Pakistan respect the Christian community for their unmatched participation and support in the independence movement.

ISLAMABAD: Qatari Ambassador Sheikh Saoud Abdulrahman Al-Thani called on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar here in Islamabad on Wednesday.

They exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The two sides agreed to continue close cooperation in energy, trade and investment fields.

Earlier, while talking to Chairman National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Tariq Malik here on Wednesday, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar lauded the operation of latest border management system installed by NADRA at Chaman Border in Balochistan.

During the meeting, Chairman NADRA briefed the Minister of State in detail about the Integrated Border Management System.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was hosted over dinner by Mevlut Cavugoglu, Foreign Minister of Republic of Turkey, in Ankara.

While thanking his Turkish counterpart for the warm hospitality, the Foreign Minister noted that the bilateral relations between the two countries were grounded in love and affection that the two peoples had for each other. According to a statement issued here on Wednesday, the two Foreign Ministers held an all-encompassing exchange of views on a range of subjects and took stock of the ongoing cooperation in various fields.

He underlined that the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) and the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) continued to serve as useful mechanisms for taking bilateral relations to a higher plane. Pakistan looked forward to the session of HLSCC later this year in Turkey. The Foreign Minister thanked the Turkish Government for its steadfast support and principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He also exchanged views on regional issues.

The Foreign Minister appreciated Turkey’s contribution towards peace and security in its immediate neighborhood and beyond. On Afghanistan, the Foreign Minister underscored the need for continued engagement between the international community and the interim Afghan government to achieve shared objectives of peace, stability and progress in Afghanistan.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also appreciated the constructive role of Turkey in the Ukraine crisis and personal efforts of the Turkish Foreign Minister in promoting dialogue and diplomacy. The Foreign Minister is accompanying the Prime Minister on an official visit to Turkey. It was the second meeting of the two Foreign Ministers in less than a month.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Wednesday reported 66 new covid cases and no death in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has risen to 1,530,451. The nationwide tally of fatalities stands at 30,379 on Wednesday.

According to the latest figures by the National Institute of Health (NIH), at least 66 persons were tested positive for COVID-19 across the country in the past 24 hours.

Pakistan has conducted 14,058 tests in the past 24 hours out of which 66 persons were tested positive for the disease. The COVID Positivity Ratio was recorded at 0.47 percent.