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Business Recorder
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
China vows support to Pakistan for securing peace, stability
China vowed on Thursday to support Pakistan to achieve the common desire of both countries to secure peace and stability in South Asia. This was stated by Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House today, said a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). During the meeting, the PM conveyed his warm wishes to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and expressed sincere thanks to China for its strong and steadfast support in the prevailing situation in South Asia. PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan had always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and thanked China for its endorsement of his sincere offer to conduct a credible, neutral and transparent international investigation into the Pahalgam incident. 'The Prime Minister said that India's decision to weaponize water was extremely regrettable especially as there was no provision for either party to walk away unilaterally from its commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty,' said the PMO. He also underscored that peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute was the only way to ensure lasting peace in South Asia. On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated their firm resolve to uphold regional peace and stability, promote mutual respect and understanding, and jointly oppose unilateralism. Both leaders agreed to maintain close communication and coordination at all levels to advance their shared objectives of peace, security, and sustainable development in the region and beyond. Following the Pahalgam attack, India faced a setback at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as Pakistan, backed by China, blocked New Delhi's attempts to frame the attack in its favor.
Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bushra seeks 'better class' in Adiala Jail
Former prime minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking a court order directing Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail superintendent to provide her "better class" in prison under the Prison Rules 1978. According to the petition filed on her behalf by a team of lawyers, Bushra remained the first lady from August 2018 to April 2022 and was a resident of the Prime Minister House. "The petitioner is accustomed [of] a better living in her previous life and qualifies the prescribed criteria enshrined in Prison Rules, 1978 for acquiring the better class in the prison," it said.
Arab News
13-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan PM seeks stronger trade, connectivity with Uzbekistan in talks with envoy
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his administration's interest in bolstering bilateral trade and physical connectivity with Uzbekistan during a conversation with the envoy of the Central Asian state on Thursday, his office said in a statement. Sharif met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent last month during a trip to the region, where both leaders set an ambitious target to increase bilateral trade from $404 million to $2 billion in the foreseeable future. They also discussed the proposed railway project spanning approximately 573 kilometers from Termez in Uzbekistan to Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul in Afghanistan, before extending to Peshawar in Pakistan. The project holds strategic significance for Islamabad, as it could provide direct access to Central Asian markets, boosting trade and economic integration while positioning the country as a key regional trade hub. The issue was also raised during a meeting between Sharif and Uzbek Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad. 'The Prime Minister expressed his complete satisfaction at the excellent progress made between the two countries during his visit, which included the formation of a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, as well as the signing of a number of important agreements and MOUs [memorandums of understanding] in various fields,' said a statement released by the PM Office. 'The Prime Minister said that, upon his return from Tashkent, he had tasked the concerned Ministers of relevant areas to ensure prompt follow-up on the decisions taken by the two leaders,' it added. 'He particularly highlighted Pakistan's interest in enhancing cooperation with Uzbekistan in mining & minerals, railways (including the Trans-Afghan Railway project), special economic zones, banking, tourism, culture and renewable energy.' Sharif conveyed his warm greetings to President Mirziyoyev, expressing gratitude for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their visit to Tashkent. He also underscored the need to devise a roadmap to enhance bilateral trade to $2 billion, in line with the agreement reached between the two leaders. The Uzbek envoy reaffirmed his country's commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan and transforming their political relations into mutually beneficial economic cooperation. He also informed Sharif that President Mirziyoyev would visit Pakistan later this year, with the dates to be determined through mutual coordination between the two sides.
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM orders bi-weekly meetings on economy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the relevant ministries and other authorities to prepare within a week for bi-weekly sector-wise special meetings with the businessmen to work out tangible action plans to boost the national economy. Talking to the delegation of prominent businessmen from across the country at the Prime Minister House, Shehbaz announced that he would chair the sector-specific biweekly meeting from next Thursday, which would be attended by relevant government officials and businessmen. A four member delegation from the businessmen community would represent their respective sectors, whereas the government side would be led by the secretary of the relevant ministry, Shehbaz said. The meeting would aim at holding focussed interactions and taking necessary decisions, he added. "The first such meeting will discuss the agriculture sector," the prime minister said, adding that it was the government's priority to target exports, employment, agriculture and other critical sectors to revive the struggling national economy. The prime minister emphasised that investments were always led by local investors and then direct foreign investment ensued. "The government will only act as a catalyst to make enabling environment for businessmen to invest and attract global investors," he said. "It is the businessmen who have to drive the wheel of economy and the government is their facilitators," he continued. "You all invested your capital in this country even in difficult times for the country's industrial and economic development. Thanks to your efforts," he added. "The country's economy is moving and people have found employment. With your advice and useful opinions, the economy will continue its journey towards improvement and reforms in all sectors. The economy is moving in the right direction as the interest and inflation rates have decreased significantly." In the meeting, the participants expressed full confidence in the government's business-friendly policies and paid tribute to the government for the establishment of the National Seed Development Authority to ensure the provision of quality seeds for the development of agriculture in the country. Two sessions Separately, talking to Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, Shehbaz conveyed his warm greetings and good wishes to China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on the successful convening of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing. During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral strategic relations, and thanked China for its longstanding and steadfast support to Pakistan on all its core issues. He also reaffirmed Pakistan's consistent and unflinching support to China on its core issues and said that the leadership and peoples of both the countries remained determined in their shared resolve to further strengthen their "all weather strategic cooperative partnership" and elevate it to new heights. Progress on security and counterterrorism cooperation between both countries was also discussed.
Express Tribune
14-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, Turkey set sights on $5b trade
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey on Thursday agreed to deepen their bilateral ties, setting a $5 billion target for bilateral trade as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced President Trump's Gaza takeover plan. Erdogan, leading a high-powered delegation on the last leg of his three-nation tour, held a series of meetings in Islamabad. The two sides held formal talks at the Prime Minister House and Erdogan and Shehbaz co-chaired the High-level Strategic Cooperation Council. They also attended a Pakistan-Turkey Business form. The Turkish President separately also met his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari. During talks, the two sides reviewed bilateral ties particularly trade relationship, defense cooperation and discussed key regional and international issues. "With Mr Prime Minister, we agree to increase our efforts to reach the target of $5 billion in trade volume," the Turkish President said during a joint news conference with Prime Minister Shehbaz. Erdogan underscored the importance of private-sector collaboration, encouraging Turkish investors to expand their activities in Pakistan. "(Through Türkiye-Pakistan Business Forum) We encourage our investors, who are the driving engine of economic cooperation, to engage in more activities in Pakistan," he said. As part of the high-level talks, 24 agreements were signed to strengthen cooperation in various sectors. Erdogan expressed gratitude for Pakistan's strong support in Türkiye's fight against terrorism. "We reiterate our support for Pakistan in its fight against terror in all its kinds and forms. We feel Pakistan's strong support in our fight against all forms of terrorism, including PKK, YPG, DAESH, and FETO." Erdogan described Türkiye and Pakistan as two great countries tied by unshakable bonds, emphasising the deep-rooted relationship between the two nations. The Turkish president also acknowledged Pakistan's continued support for the rights of Turkish Cypriots, calling it highly meaningful. Erdogan also reiterated Türkiye's firm stance on Palestine, saying that they will continue to fight with patience for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. "We believe that we need to strengthen our resolute stance in a period when there are unlawful and unethical proposals to uproot our Gazan brothers and sisters from their homeland," he added. "Gaza belongs to our Gazan brothers and sisters and will remain so forever," he said in a televised speech at a business forum in the capital, Islamabad. Erdogan arrived on a two-day visit on Wednesday night. "The homeland for which the Palestinians have sacrificed tens of thousands of their children is not up for bargaining," he added. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Türkiye's economic progress and its leadership in advocating for Muslim nations. He said Türkiye is currently one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and that the country has always stood up for the rights of Muslim nations, especially the oppressed. He added that the Muslim world listens to Türkiye closely and attentively. Sharif further emphasised the unique bond between the two nations, calling it an unparalleled relationship based on shared history and values. Meanwhile, a joint statement issued after the talks described the relationship between Pakistan and Turkey as 'Two Souls, One Heart' as the foundation of bilateral relations between the two countries. The HLSCC is the main political forum that guides bilateral relations in all fields. According to the joint statement, the Joint Working Groups of the HLSCC will be named as "Joint Standing Committees" (JSC) henceforth to better reflect their permanent nature. Three new JSCs, namely "Security, Defence, and Intelligence JSC", "Health JSC" and "Science and Technology JSC", have been established under the HLSCC mechanism. The two sides underscore the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiris. In this regard, Pakistan expresses its deep appreciation for Türkiye's principled stance on the issue. The two countries reiterate full and resolute support for the efforts towards the just, lasting, and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue. Pakistan reaffirms its support to the Turkish Cypriots and to Türkiye in this regard. Türkiye expresses its deep appreciation for Pakistan's principled stance on the issue. Both countries reiterate their support for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and for advancement of international efforts aimed at building a more sustainable future for the Afghan people through continued, coordinated and coherent engagement with the interim Afghan authorities including on countering terrorism. In this regard, they underlined the importance of inclusive governance, and respect for fundamental rights, particularly of girls and women in Afghanistan. The two sides also stressed the need for sustaining humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. They further underscored that Afghanistan should not become a safe haven for terrorist groups. All necessary measures to counter terrorism need to be taken by interim Afghan authorities including against TTP and DAESH, which remain listed under the 1267 UNSC sanctions regime. Both sides underscore the need for strengthening multilateralism, including through universal and consistent adherence to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter to address the existing and emerging international challenges, in an effective and credible manner. The two sides emphasized that the United Nations Security Council needs to be made more representative, democratic, transparent, and accountable through a comprehensive United Nations Security Council reform process, based on widest possible consensus. In addition, they underlined the need for the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions to resolve the long-standing disputes on the agenda of the Security Council, especially those pertaining to the Muslim Ummah. The two sides expressed their grave concern at the unprecedented loss of lives and property as well as displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians as a result of indiscriminate use of force by Israel. Welcoming the Gaza ceasefire, they expressed hope that the truce would lead to a permanent and durable ceasefire. They urged the need for scaling up of humanitarian assistance, including through continued and unobstructed operation of UNRWA, return of all displaced Palestinians to their homes, as well as concerted international efforts for the early reconstruction of Gaza. They underscored that any attempts to displace the Palestinians from their land as well as to continue illegal settlements constitute blatant violation of international law. Both sides urged the need to find a just and comprehensive solution for the establishment of a sovereign, independent, and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
