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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, US explore new trade avenues amid warming ties
US Chargé d'Affaires Ms. Elizabeth Horst calls on Finance Minister Aurangzeb in Islamabad on July 28. Photo: Radio Pakistan Listen to article United States Chargé d'Affaires Elizabeth Horst met Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad on Monday to discuss economic cooperation and reaffirm the strengthening trajectory of bilateral ties, Radio Pakistan reported. According to a finance ministry statement, the meeting provided 'an opportunity to exchange views on matters of mutual interest' and underscored growing collaboration between Pakistan and the US. Aurangzeb thanked the US for its long-standing support of Pakistan's economic development, particularly the backing for macroeconomic stability achieved over the past 18 months. He also recalled his recent visit to Washington, DC, where he held what he described as 'productive meetings' with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer. The minister said those discussions had contributed to a 'healthy momentum in bilateral engagement'. 'The United States remains Pakistan's largest trading partner,' Aurangzeb said, while expressing Pakistan's interest in expanding cooperation beyond traditional sectors. He noted growing potential in information technology, minerals, and agriculture as key areas for mutually beneficial investment and collaboration. Aurangzeb also briefed the visiting diplomat on Pakistan's improving macroeconomic indicators, including recent sovereign rating upgrades and renewed investor confidence. He outlined key reforms being undertaken in taxation and energy aimed at fostering long-term, sustainable growth. The minister further shared updates on Pakistan's successful participation in Middle Eastern capital markets and plans to issue the country's first Panda bond, along with upcoming ventures in the Euro and US dollar markets. The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation and build on the progress made in recent months.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan launches week-long polio vaccination drive in Balochistan amid spike in cases
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities will launch a week-long polio vaccination campaign in the country's southwestern Balochistan province today, Monday, amid a fresh spike in cases of the infection. According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, the vaccination drive will begin in 'sensitive union councils' across Balochistan on Monday to target children under the age of five. 'According to Provincial Polio Emergency Operation Center, more than five hundred thousand children up to the age of five will be vaccinated,' Radio Pakistan said. It said the campaign will cover 123 'high-risk' union councils including those in the provincial capital of Quetta, Pishin, Chaman, Dera Bugti, Duki, Zhob and Killa Abdullah districts. The polio drive takes place a day after Pakistan's National Emergencies Operation Center reported three fresh cases of the disease, taking the total tally of polio cases this year to 17. Two of the cases were reported in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province while the third case was reported from the country's southern Sindh province. Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children and can cause permanent paralysis. There is no cure, but it can be prevented through multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and a complete routine immunization schedule, experts say. Pakistan, one of only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic, the other being neighboring Afghanistan, has made significant gains in recent decades. Annual cases have fallen dramatically from an estimated 20,000 in the early 1990s to single digits by 2018. However, the country has witnessed a worrying resurgence recently. Pakistan reported 74 cases in 2024, raising alarms among health officials and global partners supporting the eradication campaign. In contrast, only six cases were recorded in 2023 and just one in 2021. Despite decades of effort, Pakistan's polio eradication drive has faced persistent challenges, including misinformation about vaccines and resistance from conservative religious and militant groups who view immunization campaigns with suspicion. Some clerics have claimed the vaccines are a Western conspiracy to sterilize Muslim children or part of intelligence operations. Vaccination teams and police providing security have also been targeted in militant attacks, particularly in remote and conflict-affected areas of KP and Balochistan. These threats have at times forced the suspension of campaigns and restricted access to vulnerable populations.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Trade talks with US will be breakthrough in potential FTA'
State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani has said the ongoing trade talks with the United States will be a breakthrough in a potential Free Trade Agreement, which will be a game changer for Pakistan's economy. Talking to a private news channel, he also welcomed US acknowledgment of Pakistan's counter terrorism efforts and regional role, Radio Pakistan reported. Kayani said Pakistan is actively strengthening its diplomatic and economic relations with the US, China, Russia, and Gulf countries on an equal footing.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Visa exemption for Pakistani officials, diplomats traveling to UAE now in effect
The United Arab Emirates has formally implemented a visa exemption for Pakistani diplomatic and official passport holders, effective July 25, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on Sunday. Announcing the development on the social media platform X, Dar said the move follows a bilateral agreement signed in Abu Dhabi on June 24, 2025, during his meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 'We both agreed to grant visa exemptions to holders of diplomatic and official passports and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bring this into effect,' Dar stated. 'The signed MoU came into force 30 days after the signing date.' In my meeting at Abu Dhabi on 24th June 2025 with my brother Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of UAE, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we agreed mutual visa waivers on diplomatic and official passports between our two brotherly countries and we both… — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 27, 2025 Dar confirmed that UAE authorities have now fully activated the waiver, allowing holders of diplomatic and official passports to enter the UAE without a visa. He also noted that, under the reciprocal arrangement, UAE citizens will now be granted visa-free entry at all Pakistani airports. The agreement is expected to ease official travel and strengthen diplomatic ties between Pakistan and the UAE. Last month, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutual exemption of visa entry requirements among other agreements during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission held in Abu Dhabi. The session was co-chaired by Pakistan's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Senator Ishaq Dar, and the UAE's minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two countries signed different agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in areas such as investment, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, reported Radio Pakistan. Read: Pakistan, UAE reaffirm commitment to peace The meeting was held in a spirit of mutual understanding and brotherhood, with both sides exchanging views on regional and international developments. They reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Arab News
Eight killed, 18 injured as passenger bus meets accident in eastern Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Eight people were killed while 18 others were injured after a passenger bus met with an accident in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province on Sunday, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. As per local media reports, the passenger bus was heading to the eastern city of Lahore from Pakistan's capital Islamabad, when one of its tires burst near the Balkassar Interchange on the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M2). Pakistani English language newspaper Dawn reported that the tire burst caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, due to which it fell into a ditch and overturned. 'Eight people were killed while eighteen others injured in a passenger bus accident in the area of Balkassar in Chakwal today,' Radio Pakistan reported. 'According to Rescue 1122, ambulances and rescue vehicles promptly reached the site of the incident.' The state-run media said that the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads as well as a majority of vehicles are in poor condition. Pakistan motorway police frequently warns masses on its social media platforms against violating traffic regulations and overspeeding.
