January 13, 2023 – Page 5 – PPI News Agency

January 13, 2023

Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani Presiding over a Senate House Business Advisory Committee Meeting at Parliament House, Islamabad

Islamabad, January 13, 2023 (PPI-OT):House Business Advisory Committee (HBAC) of the Senate met here at the Parliament House on Friday. The Committee, presided over by Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, discussed in detail legislative business to be transacted during the 324th Session of the Senate. Besides legislative business, the session would take up discussion on current situation of important national and international issues. The HBAC decided that the current session would continue for four weeks.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman Senate, Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Leader of the Opposition Senator Shahzad Waseem, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Senator Muhammad Tahir Bizenjo, Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafeeq Tareen, Senator Mushtaq Ahmad, Senator Hidayatullah Khan, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, and Minister of State for Law and Justen Shahadat Awan and Secretary Senate Mohammad Qasim Samad Khan was also present.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

January 13, 2023

Participation of the Foreign Minister in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum

Islamabad, January 13, 2023 (PPI-OT):At the invitation of President of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will attend the Forum’s Annual Meeting from 16-20 January 2023 in Davos, Switzerland. The Foreign Minister will be accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar.

The Foreign Minister and the Minister of State will participate in a number of WEF events on contemporary global and regional issues. The World Economic Forum annually brings together political and business leaders to identify pathways to overcome economic, social, and environmental challenges. This year’s Forum is being organized under the theme, “Cooperation in a Fragmented World”.

The Foreign Minister will share Pakistan’s perspective on economic and social impact of the evolving geopolitical realities, and challenges for the region’s security and stability. He will highlight the developing world’s perspective on issues of climate change, food and energy security, and social vulnerabilities in times of high inflation, and slowing economic activity. The Foreign Minister and the Minister of State will also meet participating dignitaries including political leaders, corporate executives, heads of international organizations, and leading media and civil society personalities.

For more information, contact:
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk

January 13, 2023

Pakistan’s economy based on strong footing, no chance of default: Ahsan

Islamabad, January 13, 2023 (PPI-OT):Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal says Pakistan’s economy stands on strong foundations and it would come out of economic crisis very soon. Talking to BBC, he said despite economic challenges Pakistan will not default in any case.

Speaking about the flood damages in Pakistan, Ahsan Iqbal said over 1700 people died across the country during the torrential rains and floods last year. He said the rehabilitation and reconstruction continues in the flood hit areas. However, complete recovery would take two to three years’ time.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

January 13, 2023

National assembly secretariat bans /restricts the entry of the unauthorized social media influencers, youtubers, TikTokers in its precincts

Islamabad, January 13, 2023 (PPI-OT):National Assembly Secretariat has banned entry of unauthorized Social Media Influencers, Youtubers, and TikTokers in the precincts of Parliament House. It is pertinent to mention that this decision was taken in the context of an incident of misbehaviour with Honourable Parliamentarians by some unauthorized Youtuber/social media influencers at Gate No.1 of Parliament House on 23rd December 2022. These Youtubers entered in the precincts of Parliament House without authorized entry.

The same incident was also conveyed to President Press Reporters’ Association (PRA) to seek PRA stance in this regard. The PRA formally conveyed that it is only responsible for its members and PRA detached itself from youtubers and social media influencers. Furthermore, PRA also decided to ensure ban on entry of unauthorized individuals in in the Press Gallery and Press Lounge of the House.

It was, further, also decided by National Assembly Secretariat that entry of only those reporters, journalists, Media personnel would be allowed who are associated with Accredited Media Organizations along with Valid Registration card of concerned Media organisation. Social Media influencers who are interested to cover the proceedings of the House may accredit themselves with PID and have valid session card for entry in the Parliament House.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

January 13, 2023

7th Housing and Population Census to commence in March: Naeem Uz Zafar

Islamabad, January 13, 2023 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Bureau of Statistics says the Seventh Housing and Population Census will commence in March and will be completed in April this year. This was stated by Chief Statistician Dr Naeem Uz Zafar at an interactive session with the media in Islamabad on Friday. Dr Naeem Uz Zafar said it will be the first ever digital census in Pakistan’s history in which every individual living in the country will be counted.

He said transparency and inclusivity will be ensured in light of the principles of universality, de-jure, and involvement of stakeholders from concept to conduct. He, however, said the security agencies will provide security to the enumerators and will have nothing to do with the enumeration process.

January 13, 2023

Pakistan committed to further strengthen ties with UAE: Prime Minister

Islamabad, January 13, 2023 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen existing bilateral engagements with the UAE at all levels and fields including trade, investment, energy, culture and tourism. He was talking to Minister for Tolerance of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarik who called on him in Abu Dhabi today.

The Prime Minister invited the UAE to make more investments in energy, aviation and tourism sectors and appreciated the efforts of the brotherly country to promote peace and stability in the region. The UAE’s Minister praised the dedication and hard work of the Pakistani community which is significantly contributing towards the development of the UAE.

January 13, 2023

Pakistan overwhelmed by world response at Geneva conference: Foreign Office

Islamabad, January 13, 2023 (PPI-OT):Pakistan is grateful to the overwhelming international response in terms of financial assistance and solidarity extended for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the flood-affected areas at International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan at Geneva. This was stated by the Foreign Office Spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch at her weekly press briefing at Foreign Office in Islamabad on Friday.

She said the government will work with International Partners Support Group for Pakistan’s Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction to develop detailed plans for specific recovery interventions and building Pakistan’s climate resilience and adaptation.

She said our immediate focus would be in preventing health crisis, mitigating the impact of this winter and the rains in the next monsoon, and restoring livelihoods. About Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to United Arab Emirates and his meetings with the UAE leadership, the Spokesperson said leaders of the two countries agreed to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation especially in the areas of trade, investment and energy.

She said the two sides agreed to deepen bilateral investment cooperation, stimulate partnerships and enable investment integration opportunities. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs will attend the 53rd Annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, taking place in Davos in Switzerland from 16-20 of this month.

She said during the visit, the Foreign Minister and the Minister of State will also meet participating dignitaries including political leaders, corporate executives, heads of international organizations, and leading media and civil society personalities.

Replying to a question, the Spokesperson said terrorism is a common issue. She categorically stated that Pakistan is fully capable to fight terrorism and has full capacity to meet the threat. About prevailing situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, she said the occupying authorities introduced new land lease rules, depriving the local farmers, hoteliers, and businessmen of their long-held lands on lease.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said these developments are yet another manifestation of India’s colonial-settler mind-set and its designs to expand control over Kashmiri lands, which is a clear violation of International Law and the obligations of the occupying power towards occupied lands. She reiterated that Pakistan will continue to extend unstinted moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their quest for self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council’s resolutions.