Azerbaijan president speaks to PM
The Prime Minister offered his warm felicitations to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan on the historic peace agreement that was recently concluded between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
During their warm and cordial telephone conversation, the Prime Minister lauded the visionary role of President Ilham Aliyev in bringing the three decades-old conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia to a peaceful and mutually beneficial end especially as it would usher in a new era of prosperity for the Caucuses.
The Prime Minister particularly appreciated the role played by US President Donald Trump in facilitating this historic deal that would now bring peace and prosperity to the region. He also mentioned the positive role of the President Trump in ending the recent Indo-Pak war and appreciated President Trump as peace maker across the globe.
President Aliyev expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan's longstanding and consistent support to Azerbaijan on the Karabakh issue.
The Prime Minister responded that it has always been a matter of duty for the people of Pakistan to extend their support to their Azerbaijani brothers and sisters on this core issue and it was heartening to note that under President Aliyev's bold leadership and statesmanship, peace had finally been established in this region.
While thanking the Prime Minister, President Aliyev said that peaceful development in the region would create new opportunities for enhanced connectivity between Pakistan and Central Asia.
The two leaders also expressed their satisfaction on the positive trajectory of their bilateral cooperation. While recalling their recent interactions in Lachin and Khankendi, the Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to President Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Pakistan soon. Both leaders are also expected to meet in Tianjin on the margins of the upcoming SCO Summit.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Over 1,500 EU officials warn Gaza nearing catastrophic point of no return
ISLAMABAD: A group of over 1,500 European Union (EU) civil servants have issued a letter to EU President Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, warning that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was approaching a catastrophic point of no return, declaring 'time is running out'. The letter, available with Business Recorder, was signed by EU Staff for Peace and addressed to Ursula von der and Kaja Kallas. The letter urged EU institutions to confront what the officials called the EU's moral and political failure to stop Israel's siege of Gaza. Citing historical precedent and statistical modelling, the officials predicted that without immediate and large-scale restoration of aid, Gaza could soon witness over 100 starvation-related deaths per day – many of them children – within weeks. 'Famines do not follow a linear trajectory,' the officials wrote, comparing the current trajectory in Gaza to historic atrocities such as the Holodomor and the great Chinese Famine. 'Once a critical threshold is reached, mortality rates can rapidly escalate, doubling each day.' Gaza civil defence says Israeli strikes on Gaza City intensifying The letter accused Israel of enforcing a blockade on food, baby formula, and medical supplies into the enclave, and called the situation 'a defining test' for the EU's credibility and founding values. The officials also sharply criticised the EU existing humanitarian strategy, claiming that air drops had been insufficient and, in some cases, ineffective. Notably, the letter condemned the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), accusing it of contributing to the deaths of around 1,000 people since May. The authors cited multiple reports of Israel and a GHF contractor firing upon civilians approaching aid depots, and called on von der Leyen and Kallas to take urgent and concrete action, including the opening of all land crossings into Gaza and allowing humanitarian ships to dock freely. 'Israel cannot be allowed to disdain yet another agreement and disrespect the European Union,' the officials stated, referencing the understanding announced by Kallas on 15 July. The letter proposed a series of unprecedented policy actions, including targeted sanctions against Israeli leaders obstructing aid, suspension of diplomatic relations with Israel, and the recalling of the EU ambassador from Tel Aviv; an immediate halt to all EU cooperation with Israeli entities under the NDICI-GE and Horizon Europe frameworks; forensic audits of past and current EU-funded research involving Israeli institutions; and an investigation into the alleged pillaging of Gaza's maritime gas reserves by Israeli and EU member state interests. 'These measures are not merely symbolic,' the letter says. 'They are the last available levers for the EU to reaffirm its commitment to international law and human rights.' The letter was part of a broader initiative launched by EU Staff for Peace, which has rapidly gained momentum. An internal petition hosted on the official EU survey platform garnered over 1,000 staff signatures within 48 hours. The civil servants also called on trade unions and staff committees to support the initiative and resist what they described as increasing 'intimidation, silencing, and professional reprisals' against staff critical of EU policy towards Israel. The movement claimed that staff had faced removal from projects, cancellation of events, and accusations of antisemitism for expressing concern over Israel's military actions. In a follow-up communication addressed to Kallas, EU Staff for Peace urged her to take action on suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement at the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting. The letter called for emphasising the 'moral and legal imperative,' citing Article 2 of the agreement, which binds all parties to uphold human rights. The communication also referenced the findings of a now-public report by Olof Skoog, the former EU Special Representative for Human Rights, published by EU Observer in June. The 35-page report detailed alleged Israeli violations of international law in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. 'By trampling international law, the European Union risks taking a dangerous turn, undermining democracy, the rule of law, and human rights,' the officials write. The group urged trade unions and staff committees to take a formal stance defending the rule of law, oppose retaliation against whistle-blowers, and explore staff rights to strike or conscientiously object to assignments that might implicate them in policies they find ethically indefensible. In one reported incident, seven officials wearing t-shirts bearing the slogan 'Say No to Genocide' were forcibly removed from the European Council's Europa canteen by security personnel. According to the group, one staffer had their arm twisted during the removal, while another was compelled to delete video footage of the protest – not only from their phone but also from the device's trash folder. For Trump administration, US air drops of Gaza aid were never a serious option, sources say The letter further referenced a pattern of retaliation against unnamed protesters, including the non-renewal of employment contracts and pressure to resign. It also highlighted an unexplained decision to ban an internal pro-Palestinian survey that had garnered responses from 1,514 colleagues in under 48 hours. Additionally, the letter pointed to the presence of Israeli Colonel Moshe Tetro – a senior defense official accused of war crimes by the Brussels-based Hind Rajab Foundation—at the staff entrance of the European Commission headquarters on June 25. In a final statement, EU Staff for Peace reminded leaders of the EU's Nobel Peace Prize status, 'The EU can finally regain the dignity of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, to advocate for the respect of human rights and the enforcement of international and humanitarian law.' The EU spokesperson could not be reached for comment. However, reports citing the spokesperson indicated that the commission maintained EU foreign policy was determined by member states and had cautioned its employees to refrain from political activity. The EU spokesperson Arianna Podestà characterised the internal backlash over the EU's refusal to cut ties with Israel as inherently political, emphasising that staff was expected to 'comply with their duties and obligations … in an impartial, loyal and neutral manner'.
Business Recorder
16 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Neglected and overlooked: Pakistan's livestock sector seeks government support
Livestock farmers say their sector has a lot of potential but has been severely neglected by the government. It has highlighted the need for a comprehensive policy to export animals and their meat, and said it needs help to scale down energy costs and get proper water supply to pens,. They said if farmers in Sindh and Punjab are encouraged with proper facilities, it will be a game changer in terms of meat export. Talking to Business Recorder, veteran livestock farmer and Memon Dairy Cooperative Farming Society President Jamil Memon said Saudi Arabia procures over 3 million sacrificial animals, including mostly lambs and sheep, during Hajj from Australia and New Zealand as the animals in Pakistan cost 30% to 40% more. Australia produces more and more lambs when it faces drought and farmers are unable to feed them. These lambs weigh between 60kg to 200kg and are disease-free. In order for Pakistan to compete, policymakers must reduce energy costs including gas, electricity and fuel, ensure proper water supply and water connections to pens, remove encroachments and announce incentives for farmers with a view to promoting animal farming and the export of both live animals and meat. Water issues and property rights Memon said local livestock farmers are facing numerous problems. When it comes to a host of pens on the Superhighway (the M-9 motor from Karachi to Hyderabad), 200,000 to 250,000 big animals including cows and buffaloes are present at a number of pens from Sohrab Goth to Kathore, Gadap Town, Malir District in Karachi. However, not a single sweet water connection is allotted to any pen there and farmers have to use groundwater. The 30-year land lease of the Superhighway areas from 1992 to 2022 has expired and farmers are distraught that they have no property rights. Then there is the Bhains /Cattle Colony in Landhi, which spreads to 3,000 acres and has 400,000 animals. Half of the colony is supplied water by Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation and the rest of the colony farmers have to use groundwater, according to Memon. He added that its 30-year land lease from 1965 to 1995 has also expired, which means farmers have had no property rights for around 30 years. Due to this, commercial farmers and new investors fall prey to confusion which dents confidence. Sindh's potential Meanwhile Sindh Livestock / Animal Husbandry deputy director Dr Mazhar Ali Rind said Sindh small animals and their breeds such as goats, lambs, sheep and others. These exist in large numbers in Shaheed Benazirabad, Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Hyderabad and other districts, while big animals are available in Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta and others. He said Pakistan can produce and export disease-free and healthy animals if certain policies are implemented. For instance, there is a dire need to establish disease-free zones in areas such as Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Rahim Yar Khan and Tharparkar. Types of livestock farming When it comes to types of animal farming, livestock experts and commercial farmers said there are three types of farming: range farming, intensive farming, and semi-intensive farming. In range animal farming, animals are raised on open land like pastures and various ranges. In intensive farming, animals are raised under proper shades or pens in a confined area while in semi-intensive farming, animals are reared on open land for some hundred meters and enclosed with metal fences to protect them from predators.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Green tractor scheme: applications will be received from 13th
LAHORE: The Punjab government will begin receiving applications for the second phase of Chief Minister's Green Tractor Programme from August 13, 2025, offering substantial subsidies to farmers in a bid to modernise agriculture and boost productivity. Under this phase, 10,000 locally-manufactured tractors of 50-65 horsepower will be provided with a Rs. 500,000 subsidy each, while another 10,000 locally-manufactured or imported tractors of 75-125 horsepower will be subsidised at Rs. 1 million each. Digital balloting at the tehsil level is scheduled for September 15. Announcing the initiative at a review meeting on ongoing projects under the transforming Punjab agriculture programme, Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said the provincial government was committed to 'revolutionary programmes' aimed at uplifting farmers' incomes. He revealed that under the high-tech financing programme for the next fiscal year, farmers will receive 11 types of modern agricultural machinery on subsidy, with 1,000 units to be distributed. A budget of Rs. 30 billion has been allocated, offering interest-free loans of up to Rs. 30 million, repayable over five years, for machinery purchase. In water management, the Chief Minister's Water Conservation Project will line 1,400 watercourses and distribute 500 laser land levellers this year, with another 500 next year via transparent balloting. The Minister said the kissan card scheme remains a flagship project, enabling timely purchase of agricultural inputs. In its second phase, Rs. 94.15 billion has been allocated, with farmers already utilising Rs. 49.33 billion. Under the Chief Minister's Wheat Support Programme, Rs. 14 billion has been disbursed and 978 tractors distributed through transparent balloting. The province is also expanding its model agriculture malls, with facilities in Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Sargodha completed and 10 more planned in the next phase. The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Agriculture Nabeel Awan, Additional Secretary Agriculture Planning Aamir Shehzad, Director Generals Ch. Abdul Hameed, Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Engineer Sajid Hassan, Rana Tajammul, and other senior officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
