Day: May 6, 2023

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Simultaneous elections of all assemblies are in best interest of Pakistan: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the leaked audio of Justice (retired) Saqib Nisar’s son has exposed the judges who benefitted Imran Khan and used their power to bring him into the power.

Talking to media persons in London on Saturday, he said all the suo-motu notices of Saqib Nisar were aimed at benefitting PTI Chief Imran Khan and they had nothing to do with public welfare.

He said Mian Nawaz Sharif was indicted under fake and baseless allegations.

Regarding elections in Punjab, he said elections in all the provinces and center at the same time are in best interest of Pakistan.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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PM holds warm interaction with dignitaries on sidelines of King Charles III’s coronation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held warm and cordial interaction with dignitaries on the sidelines of King Charles III coronation ceremony in London.

In a tweet on Saturday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the Prime Minister interacted with President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of State UK Andrew Mitchell, President of Maldives Ibrahim M Solih, President of Republic of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema and President of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun.

The Minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met Secretary General Commonwealth Patricia Scotland.

She said the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to Commonwealth countries.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Pakistan committed to further strengthen relations with China: FM

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed Pakistan’s firm commitment to further strengthen relations with China and take them into the new era.

He made the remarks at the delegation level talks with China currently underway at the foreign office in Islamabad.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pointed out that across the political spectrum and divide; there is absolute unison when it comes to Pakistan-China strategic partnership.

He said China has always proved to be a reliable partner and a trusted friend. He said a recent manifestation of this friendship was the prompt Chinese support and assistance in the evacuation of our nationals from Sudan. Friendship with China is cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

The Foreign Minister was appreciative of China’s firm support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and national development as well as its principled and just stance on Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said Pakistan continues to support China firmly on all its core issues including the One China policy.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said China Pakistan Economic Corridor has strategic significance for our countries and Pakistan is fully committed to timely completion of the corridor project.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Muqam stresses on enhancing bilateral ties b/w Pakistan & Uzbekistan

Adviser to Prime Minister for Political and Public Affairs, National Heritage and Culture Engr Amir Muqam has stressed on enhancing bilateral cultural relations and economic ties in all sectors between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

He stated this during his visit to Bakhshi International Festival along with the Pakistan delegation in the city of Gulistan, Uzbekistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Amir Muqam said that Pakistan and Uzbekistan are interlinked in culture, history and beautiful cultural heritage.

He took keen interest in the artwork displayed at the festival.Earlier, He was cordially welcomed by Minister of Culture and Tourism of Uzbekistan Nazarbekov Ozodbek Akhmadovich.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Federal govt committed for development of all regions including AJK: Dar

Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar has said that federal government is committed for the development and progress of all regions including Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He was talking to the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar Ul Haq who called on him in Islamabad on Saturday.

The Finance Minister further added that the welfare and development of the people of Kashmir is among the top priorities of the government and no stone will be unturned for the development of the area.

Chaudhry Anwar Ul Haq discussed financial matters related to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the pace of development schemes and projects in the region with the Finance Minister in the meeting. The Prime Minister AJK apprised the Finance Minister of the initiatives of AJK Govt to enhance its revenue generation and sought support of the Federal Government in this regard.

Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar also shared the economic outlook of the country and said that despite challenging situation, the government is determined to set the economy on stability and growth. The Finance Minister extended all possible support of the Federal Government to the AJK government in its quest for economic progress and development.

Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq thanked the Finance Minister for extending support for the progress of the people of Kashmir.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Govt to Pay Rs. 300 Billion to CPEC Power Companies Next Month

The government of Pakistan has decided to clear the outstanding dues of Rs. 300 billion, owed to Chinese independent power producers (IPPs) in July with the Chinese Foreign Minister visiting the country.

The issue was raised by China’s Charge d’ Affairs recently with SAPM on Coordination, Syed Tariq Fatemi who later wrote to the power division inquiring about the payments. The Chinese power companies claim the overdue payments have reached $1.5 billion.

Chinese businesses are highly concerned about the situation with their power plants at Hub, Sahiwal, and Port Qasim also complaining about currency exchange restrictions, causing difficulty in coal import. Companies claim that the non-payment can potentially cause the plants to default, ultimately suspending operations. Pakistan on the other hand, had a different proposal to settle the issue of capacity payments in the long term.

Pakistan has offered to sell 1200-MW electricity to China for onward supply to Afghanistan. The government has also requested to renegotiate the contracts per other IPPs which can reportedly save $14.26 billion for the life of these plants, or $0.48 billion per year for an average project life of 30 years.

While Pakistan is likely to have a surplus of 3970 MW by 2030 per the current power balance, the renegotiation can affect the sanctity of contracts signed under CPEC especially when the Chinese realize that the requests will be actually coming from Western Financial Institutions.

Source: Pro Pakistani