Day: March 15, 2024

Civil and Military leadership of the country have reiterated the commitment to upholding national interests and working together for a prosperous and secure Pakistan.

This was expressed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir during Prime Minister’s visit to General Headquarters in Rawalpindi today. He was accompanied by key members of the Cabinet.

The Prime Minister was received by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, and was presented guard of honour.

Floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada was laid by the Prime Minister, to pay tribute to the martyrs.

During the visit, Prime Minister and Cabinet members engaged in discussions with military leadership on matters of national security, regional stability and military preparedness.

They were briefed on the current security environment, threat spectrum, response to the security threats and ongoing counter terrorism operations.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured that the Government sh
all provide all the resources required for ensuring operational readiness of the Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet appreciated the professionalism, operational readiness, and sacrifices of Pakistan Army in war against terrorism.

They also commended the dedication of the Pakistan Army in safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and ensuring peace and stability.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is destined to rise and the role of the Armed Forces in ensuring peaceful rise of Pakistan cannot be over-emphasized.

The COAS thanked the Prime Minister for the visit and reposing confidence in the Army.

The COAS affirmed that Pakistan Army will continue to measure up to the nation’s expectations and will resolutely support the Government in addressing the security challenges facing Pakistan.

Source: Radio Pakistan

International Day to Combat Islamophobia was observed on Friday.

The United Nations General Assembly is holding the 62nd plenary in this regard.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram will deliver a statement on the occasion.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan Railways has set a record with the longest and heaviest freight train run in their history.

According to the spokesperson, the freight train, stretching over 2,500 feet and comprising fifty coaches, was propelled by the robust GE U40 locomotive engine.

Departing from Karachi, the train carried over 3,000 tons of cargo to Kotri.

This initiative will not only reduce load on road traffic but also contribute to environmental preservation by minimizing pollution.

Source: Radio Pakistan

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has felicitated Asif Ali Zardari on his election as the President of Pakistan.

In a message, the President of Azerbaijan said elevated level of mutual understanding between the two nations provides a promising foundation for further broadening ties in various sectors.

He expressed confidence to work together to strengthen and deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said his government is focusing on macro-economic reforms to stabilize the economy and attract foreign investment.

He said this while talking to United States Ambassador Donald Blome,who called him in Islamabad today.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction on the present state of bilateral relations. He emphasized the need to maintain the positive momentum by regular convening of existing dialogue mechanisms, focused on trade, investment, energy, health, defence, education, agriculture and climate change.

In this regard, he also highlighted the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council that has been established to fast-track foreign investments in priority sectors in Pakistan.

A number of issues of bilateral and regional significance were also discussed during the meeting. These include situation in Gaza and the Red Sea, developments in Afghanistan, as well as the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, which was raised forcefully by the Prime Minister.

While congratul
ating the Prime Minister on his re-election, Donald Blome said the United States considers Pakistan an important partner and hopes to work with the government to build stronger ties between the two countries.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said that negotiations with the IMF are progressing positively.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today, he highlighted the constructive influence these discussions are having on the stock market and investor confidence.

The Minister, however, regretted that the PTI is bent upon sabotaging the IMF deal. He said the party’s handful of supporters held a protest outside the building of the IMF and the World Bank in the US, demanding the deal not be struck with Pakistan. He said this party has always pursued anti-Pakistani policies and their dream is for the country to default. He made it clear that this anti-Pakistan activity will have no impact on negotiations with the IMF and these will continue.

The Information Minister said Pakistan will move forward on the path of development and witness growth in GDP and exports. He said the decisions of this government will yield positive results. He said the Finance Minister has a clarity and full
grip on the economic matters and he wants early resolution of the problems.

Attaullah Tarar said their mandate is to address the problems facing the people. He said it is the vision of the Prime Minister to work tirelessly to steer the country out of challenges. He said the Prime Minister has given a comprehensive agenda for economic reforms which envisages restructuring of FBR and enhancing the tax collection as well as reducing the government expenditures.

Source: Radio Pakistan

European Union Ambassador Dr. Riina Kionka called on Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad on Friday.

The Finance Minister apprised the Ambassador about the important reform priorities of the government.

He also shared possible areas of mutual collaboration including digitization, export competitiveness, livestock and dairy production.

The EU Ambassador acknowledged the economic agenda of the government and assured the Finance Minister of European Union’s continued support to Pakistan.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the international community to renew its resolve to foster peaceful coexistence, inter-faith harmony, and mutual respect to combat Islamophobia.

In his message on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, he called upon the international community to unreservedly speak out and act against the rising tide of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred.

The Prime Minister said on its part, Pakistan reaffirms its resolve to work closely with the international community in promoting dialogue, harmony and mutual understanding across religions, faiths, cultures and civilizations.

This important day serves to raise global awareness about the unfounded phobia against Islam and its adherents as well as the need to present a united front to stamp out this contemporary menace.

The Prime Minister said the International Day comes at a time of alarming surge worldwide in Islamophobia, fuelled by discriminatory laws, populist politics, and xenophobic narratives.

He said from ban on
public wearing of hijabs to willful desecration of the Holy Quran, and from vilification of revered religious personalities to destruction of holy sites, this dangerous form of religious hatred is infringing upon the basic human rights, dignity and identity of over 1.5 billion Muslims.

Source: Radio Pakistan