Planning Minister dubs reforms vital to steer Pakistan out of economic crisis

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal says composite reforms are of vital importance to steer the country out of economic crises.

Talking to media in Shakargarh on Sunday, he said the friendly countries are extending assistance to stabilize the country’s economy.

He said the PTI’s government badly damaged the country’s economy and laid the foundation of country’s devastation.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Coalition Govt making efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s ties with friendly countries: FM

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the coalition government is making efforts to broaden Pakistan’s ties with the friendly countries, besides forging beneficial relations with other countries for the benefits of the people of Pakistan.

In a video message on the advent of New Year, the foreign minister said that the government has focused to enhance its relationship with the old friends and forge new ties with others.

He said “Whenever any allegations were levelled against Pakistan, they befittingly responded to them. In the UN, the Indian side was made to face the reality.”

The foreign minister said they knew how to represent Pakistan and defend it.

Source: Radio Pakistan

President calls for forging unity, infusing renewed spirit for seeking latest knowledge

President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed his confidence that Pakistan will make progress by leaps and bounds in every field by cultivating certain habits and values.

Expressing his views about the one-year performance of the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said he enjoyed a working relationship with the incumbent federal government.

After change in the government, the President said, he tried to steer Pakistan out of the crises of polarization, lack of dialogue for the future of the country which had become critical.

Referring to recent floods in Pakistan, he thanked those countries, institutions, the NGOs, the civilian and military organizations which supported the flood relief activities in Pakistan.

He said disabled should be given access in the society and be encouraged not as dependent, but contributing members of the society.

He opined that the IT sector has witnessed an abrupt and exponential growth, providing a window to Pakistan to find a place among the developed countries within a decade as the world is looking for IT-trained people.

Source: Radio Pakistan

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missile on New Year’s Day

North Korea test fired a short-range ballistic missile into the sea on the first day of the new year this morning.

South Korean military reported that the projectile was launched from the Yongseong area of Pyongyang which landed in the Sea of Japan.

Earlier, North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles yesterday.

Source: Radio Pakistan

North Korea’s Kim orders exponential increase in nuclear arsenal

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for an “exponential” increase in the production of nuclear warheads and ordered the development of a new intercontinental ballistic missile.

In a statement, he said North Korea plans to launch its first military spy satellite soon.

North Korea test-fired more than 70 missiles in 2022.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Croatia enters Eurozone, EU’s passport-free Schengen area

Croatia enters the Eurozone and the European Union’s border-free Schengen area from today.

It is an important milestone for Croatia, which is an EU member since 2013.

Croatia is the 20th member to join the eurozone and the euro becomes its official currency.

On the same date, it also became the 27th member of the Schengen area, which was created in 1985 to allow free movement for all 420 million nationals of the signatory countries.

Source: Radio Pakistan