Category: General

Pakistan put its weight behind the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in the wake of “statements made against the Kingdom” in the context of the recent OPEC + decision.

 

OPEC+ had recently agreed on oil production cuts, causing a clash with the United States. Saudi Arabia, the de-facto leader of OPEC, said the output cut of 2 million barrels per day (bpd) was necessary to respond to rising interest rates in the West and a weaker global economy.

 

The production cut has come under criticism from the US, with the Biden administration saying that it will “re-evaluate” ties with Saudi Arabia. The Biden administration is also considering trying to discourage US companies from expanding business ties with Saudi Arabia.

 

“In the wake of statements made against the Kingdom in the context of the OPEC + decision, Pakistan expresses solidarity with the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

We appreciate the concerns of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for avoiding market volatility and ensuring global economic stability, the statement added.

 

“Pakistan encourages a constructive approach on such issues based on engagement and mutual respect,” the statement said further.

 

Source: Pro Pakistan

Pakistan’s batting mentor Matthew Hayden invited the team for a dinner at his home in Brisbane as the team gears up for the 2022 T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

The former Australian opening batter invited the Pakistani team to spend the evening at his home after the warm-up game against England.

The video of the dinner shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also shows Indian cricketer turned commentator Sunil Gavaskar talking to the Pakistani players at Hayden’s house.

The video starts with some visuals of the team at the hotel, where skipper Babar Azam can be seen taking pictures of his teammates.

While hosting the team, Hayden said that he feels enormous gratitude and appreciation for the game of cricket.

“It [cricket] starts with brotherhood, then it extends to families and countries and it is a beautiful part of our lives”, he added.

 

Source: Pro Pakistan

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has appealed to the nation, including overseas Pakistanis, to donate blankets for the flood-affected shelter less people before the onset of winter season.

 

Concluding the debate on flood relief activities in the National Assembly on Monday, he said the top priority of the government is to provide relief and rehabilitation to the flood-affected people.

 

The Minister vowed to revive the situation through national unity and support of civil society and national institutions. He said to foster the rehabilitation process we will introduce a proactive strategy soon. He said input of all stakeholders will be of great significance in this regard.

 

Ahsan Iqbal we are making concerted efforts to provide relief to our flood affected people. He said we did not waste our time in by elections as the challenge of rehabilitation was in front of us.

 

The Minister said initially we distributed 70 billion rupees under BISP program to support the flood affected ommunity. He said under this program each family household received 25000 rupees.

 

He said we have also given approval to the distribution of wheat seed worth nine billion rupees to support the farmers in flood affected areas. He said this program will run with the support of provincial governments.

 

Appreciating the efforts of all ministries, departments and security forces for rescue and relief operation, the Minister said without their support it was not possible to restore connectivity at vital links.

 

Ahsan Iqbal said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will announce a package for farmers soon in Farmer’s Convention. He said a comprehensive plan will be formulated to make Pakistan environment resilient to avert any future risks of climate change.

 

Responding to a question during Question Hour in the National Assembly, Minister of State for Interior Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju said that no proposal is under consideration for opening of a new sector in Islamabad.

 

He said the Capital Development Authority is undertaking development work on various sectors previously launched by the authority. He said any new sector will be launched after the completion of developmental work in sectors started earlier.

 

Responding to another question, the Minister of State said that Miywaki Forest has been planted in various locations of the federal capital which include F-9 Park, F-8, F-10, G-9, I-9, D-12 and F-7 sectors.

 

Earlier, the National Assembly resumed its session at the Parliament House in Islamabad with Presiding Officer Aliya Kamran in the chair.

 

The House offered fateha for the departed soul of Former Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Noor Muhammad Meskanzai. Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali led the fateha.

 

The House will now meet again at 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday).

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

President Dr Arif Alvi has called for early finalization of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates to enable Pakistan increase its exports.

 

He was talking to Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi who called on him in Islamabad on Monday.

 

The President underlined the need for exploring new avenues in economic diplomacy and investments with UAE and increase existing bilateral trade volume between the two countries.

 

He highlighted the huge potential for cooperation in the field of renewable energy, commercial, industrial, infrastructure development and hospitality sectors.

 

Dr Arif Alvi noted that remittances sent by 1.6 million Pakistani diaspora in UAE stood at 5.814 billion dollars in 2021-22 which immensely helped Pakistan overcome its foreign exchange requirements.

 

Mentioning Prime Minister’s ‘DigiSkills Training program’, the President asked the ambassador-designate to create digital linkages of the Pakistani diaspora with the online higher education institutions of Pakistan like AIOU and Virtual University to help them improve their income through latest digital skills.

 

He also advised the ambassador to sensitize the UAE leadership regarding increasing Islamophobia in Indian society and their pursuit of Hindutva, which is endangering the lives of minorities, especially Muslims living there.

 

The President conveyed his gratitude to the UAE for its assistance to the flood victims in Pakistan and also appreciated the country’s support to Pakistan at FATF and IMF.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

In Karachi, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in an action has arrested a terrorist involved in attack on Chinese nationals in Saddar area of the city last month.

 

Addressing a news conference in Karachi, Sindh Minister for information Sharjeel Inam Memon said that arrested terrorist belongs to banned organization and is being interrogated.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

Newly appointed Director General Radio Pakistan Muhammad Tahir Hassan says the national broadcaster has been effectively disseminating information and creating awareness among masses.

 

He was addressing a reception hosted in his honour by the PBC CBA Union in Islamabad on Friday.

 

Acknowledging professionalism of the Radio Pakistan’s employees and artists, he asked the PBC professionals to continue working hard for uplift of the organization.

 

Muhammad Tahir Hassan expressed commitment to resolve financial issues of the organization and address grievances of the workers.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

Election Commission has asked the candidates contesting the by elections on eight National and three Provincial Assembly seats to end their respective election campaigns midnight tonight (midnight Friday).

 

According to ECP, no candidate or party leader would address gatherings or corner meetings or take out processions in their respective constituencies after the deadline.

 

The political parties and the candidates must follow the provision of law and exercise self-restraint to enable polls could be held in peaceful manner on Sunday.

 

Legal action would be taken against those political leaders and parties on violating the rule.

 

By elections are being held in eleven constituencies including six constituencies of Punjab, three of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two constituencies of Sindh.

 

The by-polls in NA-45 Kurram-I has been postponed due to law and order situation and polling date will be announced later.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s stance to continue raising its voice for the cause of Palestinian people till the culmination of their just struggle for freedom.

 

He was talking to President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas in Astana on Thursday, on the sidelines of 6th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

 

The two leaders had an emotional interaction that was reflective of the fraternal bond between the two countries.

 

Warmly embracing each other, they exchanged cordial feelings for their respective countries and mentioned the support the two countries have been extending to each other in different contexts.

 

The Prime Minister said Palestine is in our hearts and is part of our faith.

 

As Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Palestinian President for his country’s relief assistance to Pakistan’s flood affected people, the Palestinian President responded that his country couldn’t do enough for Pakistanis who are their brothers and sisters.

 

The Palestinian President said we never forget Pakistan and we have been with Pakistanis since before the establishment of Pakistan.

 

He mentioned how Pakistan took care of the veteran Palestinian leader and grand Mufti Amin el-Husseini until his death.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan