ISLAMABAD, FEB 16: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan was working with European partners to curb illegal immigration.

The premier made the remarks while addressing the Pakistan-Austria Business Forum in Vienna, where he arrived on Sunday for a two-day visit.

PM Shehbaz expressed the resolve to combat illegal immigration in collaboration with partners like Austria, Germany and France.

Every year, dozens of Pakistanis lose their lives while seeking a better future, often falling victim to human smugglers and other criminals.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz underscored Pakistan’s commitment to boosting bilateral economic cooperation with Austria while highlighting the country’s vast potential in key sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, mining, and human resource development.

The premier said that Pakistan was an agrarian country and more than 60% people lived in the rural areas, calling upon Austrian expertise to enhance value-addition in citrus and other produce for export markets.

He also invited Austrian investors to explore opportunities in mining, tourism and engineering sectors.

“Austria has world-class expertise in engineering, renewable energy, environmental technology and advanced manufacturing,” he added.

He invited Austrian companies to participate in Pakistan’s renewable energy projects, grid modernisation and energy logging initiatives.

The PM extended a personal invitation to Austrian business leaders to visit Pakistan, promising to showcase investment opportunities and the country’s scenic treasures, from snow-capped mountains to vibrant cultural hubs.

The prime minister said both countries shared a longstanding friendship grounded in historical ties and decades of Austrian business engagement in Pakistan, particularly in areas such as cable car installations, minerals and renewable energy technology.

“Although the level of economic activity in recent years has declined for a variety of reasons, Austrian firms have made impactful contributions in Pakistan,” he said.

The premier noted that discussions with the Austrian Federal Chancellor had been very warm, fruitful and productive, where both leaders agreed to follow up the meetings to take discussions to their logical conclusion.

He said approximately 60% of the country’s 240 million population was young and ready to contribute to global technological and industrial value chains.

“We are working to equip our youth with modern training — laptops, AI skills, IT-led education, vocational and technical training are being rolled out at the federal and provincial levels,” he said, stressing Pakistan’s readiness to supply internationally certified skilled labor to European markets in response to demand.

The prime minister also announced Pakistan’s intention to host the EU-Pakistan Business Forum in Islamabad at the end of April, with participation from Austrian companies expected to further solidify economic collaboration between the two nations.

Pakistan, Austria agree to cement bilateral ties in diverse fields
Separately, Pakistan and Austria have agreed to further strengthen the bilateral relationship in diverse fields including economic cooperation, trade and investment, tourism, hospitality, education, IT, healthcare and human resource development and mobility.

This commitment was expressed at a meeting between PM Shehbaz and Federal Chancellor of Austria Stocker.

The two sides also agreed to work for the early finalisation of memoranda of understanding related to these areas.

Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments. The agreed on the central role of the United Nations in addressing the challenges of peace and security, peaceful settlement of disputes, sustainable development, climate action and protection and promotion of human rights.

They expressed their shared commitment to multilateralism, and appreciated mutual support for each other’s candidatures, while working together with the international community for strengthening the UN system.

It was agreed to expand G2G, G2B and B2B engagements between the two countries through the effective utilisation of the existing platforms.

Earlier upon his arrival at the Federal Chancellery, the premier was received by Chancellor Stocker and welcomed by an impressive guard of honour ceremony. He also inscribed his comments in the guest book.

The two leaders held a restricted meeting, followed by delegation-level talks.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 16 /DNA/ – Bahria University, Islamabad, held its 28th Convocation Ceremony. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Pro-Chancellor Bahria University, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and conferred degrees upon the graduating students.

During the convocation, over 3,300 graduates were awarded degrees in various disciplines. Additionally, 108 gold medals and 105 silver medals were awarded to students in recognition of their exceptional academic achievements.

While addressing the ceremony, Chief of the Naval Staff congratulated the graduating students and their parents on the successful achievement of this important academic milestone. He emphasized the vital role of higher education institutions in national development. The Chief Guest also commended Bahria University’s remarkable growth and its transformation into one of the country’s most prestigious national institutions. He appreciated the launch of a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, as well as the progressive expansion of the University’s infrastructure in major cities across Pakistan.

The ceremony was attended by senior naval officers, members of the civilian community, Bahria University officials, and parents of the graduating students.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 16: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan was working with European partners to curb illegal immigration.

The premier made the remarks while addressing the Pakistan-Austria Business Forum in Vienna, where he arrived on Sunday for a two-day visit.

PM Shehbaz expressed the resolve to combat illegal immigration in collaboration with partners like Austria, Germany and France.

Every year, dozens of Pakistanis lose their lives while seeking a better future, often falling victim to human smugglers and other criminals.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz underscored Pakistan’s commitment to boosting bilateral economic cooperation with Austria while highlighting the country’s vast potential in key sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, mining, and human resource development.

The premier said that Pakistan was an agrarian country and more than 60% people lived in the rural areas, calling upon Austrian expertise to enhance value-addition in citrus and other produce for export markets.

He also invited Austrian investors to explore opportunities in mining, tourism and engineering sectors.

“Austria has world-class expertise in engineering, renewable energy, environmental technology and advanced manufacturing,” he added.

He invited Austrian companies to participate in Pakistan’s renewable energy projects, grid modernization and energy logging initiatives.

The PM extended a personal invitation to Austrian business leaders to visit Pakistan, promising to showcase investment opportunities and the country’s scenic treasures, from snow-capped mountains to vibrant cultural hubs.

The prime minister said both countries shared a longstanding friendship grounded in historical ties and decades of Austrian business engagement in Pakistan, particularly in areas such as cable car installations, minerals and renewable energy technology.

“Although the level of economic activity in recent years has declined for a variety of reasons, Austrian firms have made impactful contributions in Pakistan,” he said.

The premier noted that discussions with the Austrian Federal Chancellor had been very warm, fruitful and productive, where both leaders agreed to follow up the meetings to take discussions to their logical conclusion.

He said approximately 60% of the country’s 240 million population was young and ready to contribute to global technological and industrial value chains.

“We are working to equip our youth with modern training — laptops, AI skills, IT-led education, vocational and technical training are being rolled out at the federal and provincial levels,” he said, stressing Pakistan’s readiness to supply internationally certified skilled labor to European markets in response to demand.

The prime minister also announced Pakistan’s intention to host the EU-Pakistan Business Forum in Islamabad at the end of April, with participation from Austrian companies expected to further solidify economic collaboration between the two nations.

KARACHI, FEB 16 /DNA/ – Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), has welcomed the Sindh government’s decision to reduce the infrastructure development cess, terming it a historic breakthrough that is expected to reduce the cost of doing business by hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh lauded the provincial government for lowering the cess from the existing 1.85 per cent to a bracket of 0.80pc to 0.85pc. He noted that the business community had been struggling with this issue for the past 20 years; and, the resolution marks a significant relief for trade and industry.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh further highlighted that the infrastructure cess on the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) has been completely abolished, fulfilling a major demand of exporters. The FPCCI’s prolonged struggle has finally borne fruit, providing much-needed fiscal space to the trading community, he added.

Elaborating on the financial implications, FPCCI’s Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, disclosed that approximately Rs350 billion related to the Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess is currently tied up in court cases. Under the new arrangement, traders who withdraw their cases will be offered a structured payment plan.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, elaborating upon relief for withdrawal of cases, traders will be required to pay 15pc of the outstanding amount by July 31, 2026; another 15pc by October 31, 2026; and a further 15pc by July 31, 2027. He noted that the reduction in the cess by one per cent would significantly ease the liquidity burden on importers.

Mr. Abdul Mohamin Khan, VP FPCCI and Regional Chairman Sindh, expressed gratitude to Sindh government representatives – specifically Mr. Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Mr. Zia ul Hassan Lanjar and Mr. Murtaza Wahab, for their role in facilitating the agreement.

Mr. Abdul Mohamin Khan detailed the long-term settlement plan for the backlog, stating that after the initial 45pc payment has been made over the next year and a half, the remaining 55pc of the outstanding cess will be payable over a 12-year period, spanning from 2028 to 2040. This measure will not only cut costs but will also expedite the clearance process at ports, he observed.

Mr. Asif Sakhi, VP FPCCI, clarified the differential rates applicable under the new regime. He stated that for traders with pending court cases who opt for the settlement, the new cess rate will be 0.85pc; whereas, for those without litigation, the rate will be fixed at 0.80pc.

The FPCCI leadership expressed hope that the Sindh government would continue to support the industrial sector with similar business-friendly initiatives in the future.