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Ministry of Religious Affairs has sought more Hajj applications under government Hajj scheme.
According to the spokesperson of the Ministry Muhammad Umar Butt, the applicants can apply for these limited seats till Monday.
Umar Butt said these applications will be entertained on first come first serve basis.
Applicants can submit their application to Section Officer Hajj Operation.
Source: Radio Pakistan
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar says the current government has put in place a variety of far-sighted policy initiatives in order to bring stability and growth in the economy and for the ease of doing business.
He said this while talking to a delegation of PepsiCo led by Eugene Willemsen, CEO Africa,Middle East and South Asia in Islamabad on Tuesday.
He assured the delegation of well-intended efforts by the government in order to support the company for expanding its business and investment in the country.
Eugene Willemsen extended warm sentiments to the Finance Minister and expressed his confidence in Pakistan and the potential the country offers on the growth front given availability of investment conducive environment.
Source: Radio Pakistan
Pakistan and Italy have agreed to set up a joint framework to tackle climate change and cooperation in water management.
The agreement was reached at the 5th meeting of the ‘Pakistan-Italy Joint Economic Commission’ at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome.
Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman represented Pakistan side while Italian delegation was led by Italy’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi.
Speaking on the occasion, Senator Sherry Rehman said we are building a common framework with Italy to tackle climate change and improve water management.
The two sides hailed the establishment of an Italian Trade Agency office in Islamabad next week.
Source: Radio Pakistan
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar says Pakistan’s contribution in UN peacekeeping missions across the world is reflective of its commitment to international efforts for peace.
She was addressing an event titled ’75 years of UN peacekeeping and Pakistan’s contribution’ held at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Tuesday, in connection with UN Peacekeepers Day.
The Minister of State said role played by Pakistani peacekeepers in UN missions demonstrate our core values of multilateralaism, peace, development and respect for human rights.
She said Pakistan has a long standing commitment to UN missions and currently over 4300 men and women are serving in UN peacekeeping missions across the world.
Hina Rabbani Khar said we salute those who laid down their lives while serving during these missions.
On the occasion, one minute silence was observed for these 117 Pakistanis who died in the line of their duties.
Earlier, Pakistani peacekeepers who had served in different peacekeeping missions shared their experiences and insights.
Source: Radio Pakistan
Pakistan and Belarus have aspired to build a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership that contributes to the prosperity and wellbeing of the people of both the countries.
Addressing a joint press conference along with his Belarusian counterpart Sergei Aleinik, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that we are mutually agreed to undertake practical measures in transforming the profound goodwill shared between our governments and people into a tangible cooperation across various domains.
The Pakistan Foreign Minister said the long term goals for Pakistan-Belarus partnership include strengthening economic ties, expanding trade and commerce, fostering scientific collaboration, enhancing defence cooperation, promoting cultural exchanging and deepening people to people contacts.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said one key outcome of this visit is the signing of an agreement between the governments of Pakistan and Belarus on the abolition of visas for the holders of diplomatic and official passports. He said this landmark agreement will facilitate travel and exchanges between our countries. He further said that an agreement was also signed between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and Belarus Institute of Strategic studies.
The Pakistan Foreign Minister was of the view that such agreements facilitate exchanges and research and lay the foundation of stronger academic cooperation between the two nations.
He said Pakistan is committed to maintaining high level engagements and visits with Belarus to further strengthen our bilateral relations and building trade as economic ties remains a priority area for us. He recalled that the two countries recently held sixth ministerial commission, which explored cooperation in a number of areas, particularly industrial production and agricultural equipment and science.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the two countries continue to build on these discussions to add more substance to their relations.
He said in 2024, both Pakistan and Belarus will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and to commemorate this momentous occasion we will collaborate on the development of the comprehensive plan of actions. He said these planned events will be held in both Pakistan and Belarus, offering an opportunity to celebrate the bond between our two nations, while fostering relations in diverse spheres.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed the confidence and the resolve to move forward in fostering cooperation and friendship between the people of Pakistan and Belarus
Speaking on the occasion, Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik said enhancing trade and economic cooperation is of utmost importance for both the countries. He said Pakistan has great potential for investment and business activities.
Sergei Aleinik said Belarus is committed to further develop and fortify the existing sustainable relations with Pakistan. He said Belarus is ready to extend cooperation in the agricultural sector.
He also commended Pakistan’s role for peace and stability in the region. He said Pakistan is our reliable partner and this partnership will definitely grow further in future.
On the occasion, different agreements and Memorandums of Understanding, including visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and service passports, were also signed.
Earlier, Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik during his visit to Foreign Office Islamabad planted a sopling in the garden.
Source: Radio Pakistan
The Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP) has officially opened applications for Phase-VI of the PM’s Youth Laptop Scheme, as announced on the program’s Twitter account on Tuesday.
Registration
Applicants can register for the scheme through the official PMYP Website.
Personal information, including the CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) number, mobile number, and email address, must be provided accurately. It is crucial to submit correct information, as any incorrect or false data may lead to the cancellation of the registration.
After completing the registration, the applicant needs to log in to their account.
To check the status of the application, the applicant should navigate to the “Application Status” section. This will provide them with information regarding the progress of their application.
Applicants should check the List of Eligible Universities available on the website to determine if their university is eligible for the Phase VI of the scheme.
In case of any issues in receiving SMS notifications during the application process, a complaint can be registered by sending an email to [email protected], providing detailed information about the problem and including your cell phone number.
Source: Pro Pakistani
The Pakistani rupee reversed Monday’s losses against the US Dollar during intraday trade today after opening trade at 285.6 second day in a row.
The Pakistani rupee was stable es during the afternoon with the interbank rate briefly falling as low as 286 before rebounding. However, open market rates across multiple currency counters stayed on the 310-320 level.
The informal exchange rate was still trading above 310 to as high as 325 with the frenzy of Hajj season and massive crowding at informal exchange channels piling the pressure. Today’s cash rate per dollar in Hundi averaged 318.
At close, the PKR appreciated by 0.02 percent and closed at 285.35 after gaining seven paisas today.
The Rupee was stable today after early-day losses which saw the PKR lose roughly 40 paisas against the USD after opening at the 285 level.
Traders didn’t change their mood over gains today but welcomed the respite after some clarity from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “The government shared its plans for FY24 which the IMF is currently reviewing. The fact that both sides want the SLA to be presented before the IMF Executive Board is a positive. But markets still expect to see more red in the coming weeks,” one of them remarked.
The Government of Pakistan has shared budget proposals for the fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ministry of Finance (MoF) sources told ProPakistani.
The government is looking to resolve pending budgetary issues with the IMF to unlock stalled funds before the year-end. The forex impact would help the exchange rate normalize if there’s consolidation.
Despite today’s recovery, the rupee is down nearly Rs. 59 since January 2023. Since April 2022, it is down over Rs. 107 against the greenback. As per the exchange rate movements witnessed today, the PKR has gained seven paisas against the dollar today.
The PKR was green against some of the other major currencies in the interbank market today. It gained one paisa against the Saudi Riyal (SAR), two paisas against the UAE Dirham (AED), and 96 paisas against the Euro (EUR).
Conversely, it lost one paisa against the Australian Dollar (AUD), 12 paisas against the Canadian Dollar (CAD) and 38 paisas against the Pound Sterling (GBP) in today’s interbank currency market.
Source: Pro Pakistani
The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) has suggested a rescheduling of examinations starting from next year due to the growing threat of heatwaves in May and June.
The annual intermediate examinations are traditionally held in May and June throughout Sindh, including Karachi. However, the increased risk of heat waves resulting from climate change has raised concerns for the well-being of the students.
In a letter addressed to Sindh’s Education Minister, Syed Sardar Shah, Chairman of Intermediate Board Karachi, Prof. Saeeduddin, proposed shifting the annual examinations to April and May next year to mitigate the hazards associated with heatwaves in May and June.
The letter highlighted that the high intensity of the heat during these months makes it challenging for both students and administrators to conduct exams effectively.
Prof. Saeeduddin urged the steering committee to approve the rescheduling of intermediate examinations during their next meeting and subsequently seek approval from the relevant authority.
It is worth noting that the annual intermediate examinations commenced today, May 30, across Sindh, including Karachi, and will continue until June 27.
Source: Pro Pakistani