LAHORE, DEC 12 /DNA/ – The 8th edition of Pakistan Navy’s Maritime Security Workshop concluded at Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore. Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest underscored the need for exploiting Pakistan’s blue economy potential. He also emphasized on value of oceans which have become crucially important in twenty first century. He stressed on the importance of ensuring regional maritime security and lauded Pakistan Navy’s efforts in safeguarding Pakistan’s maritime frontiers. The Chief Guest also appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Navy in sensitizing the nation on the importance of oceans and its undeniable link with national security. While highlighting the potential of national maritime sector, the Chief Guest recounted the need to expand the existing capacity of country’s shipping and fishing sectors in order to facilitate improved returns for economic and socio-economic uplift.

Earlier, the Chief Guest was received by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, upon his arrival at PN War College. Commandant Pakistan Navy War College Rear Admiral Sohail Ahmad Azmie in his welcome address, provided an overview of workshop’s activities.

The Maritime Security Workshop is an annual event organised by Pakistan Navy aimed to bring about improved understanding of the maritime security and geopolitical underpinnings in the wider Indian Ocean. Participants included parliamentarians, policy makers, bureaucrates, academics, entrepreneurs, Armed Forces officers and media representatives.

LAHORE, DEC 12 /DNA/ – A high-level AFD delegation led by Director for Asia Mr. Cyrille Bellier visited NGC Headquarters at WAPDA House, Lahore to discuss ongoing and future power transmission projects.

The delegation included Regional Director Mr. Yazid Bensaid, Country Director Mr. Baptiste Deniau, Head of Energy Division Mr. Ouafae Sananes, and Mr. Nauman Bhutta, Team Lead Energy & Development. NGC General Manager (Design & Engineering) Engr. Taqi Ud Din, General Manager (Technical) Engr. Shahid Shafi Sial and concerned Chief Engineers were also present on the occasion.

Chief Engineer PMU Engr. Muhammad Tahir presented the implementation status and financial performance of AFD-financed projects, demonstrating appreciable progress on current initiatives. Discussions also covered NGC’s future projects in pipeline, with AFD showing particular interest in financing the Ludewala Upgradation Project.

The AFD mission commended NGC’s project execution and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Pakistan’s transmission infrastructure development, strengthening the strategic partnership between both organizations.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 12 /DNA/ – The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, will participate in the 16th Sir Bani Yas Forum in the United Arab Emirates from 12 to 14 December 2025, at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates.

The Sir Bani Yas Forum is a high-level annual gathering that brings together senior statesmen, policymakers, and global experts to deliberate on key regional and international issues, including peace, security, and economic cooperation.

During the Forum, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister will engage with international leaders and experts on matters related to regional stability, sustainable development, and the expansion of economic partnerships. He will also present Pakistan’s perspectives on promoting dialogue, addressing regional challenges, and fostering enhanced opportunities for economic cooperation.

ASHGABAT, DEC 12 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, today, on the sidelines of the International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust in Ashgabat.

During their warm and cordial meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the significance of the historic and deep fraternal bonds between the two nations, that were rooted in shared values and a common aspiration for peace and prosperity.

While expressing his satisfaction at the frequent leadership level engagements between Pakistan and Turkiye this year, the Prime Minister expressed his firm resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Turkiye in all areas of mutual interest including political, energy, economic, defence and investment.

In this regard, the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction at the convening of the 16th session of the Pak-Turkiye JMC that would ensure implementation of the decisions of the 7th HLSCC.

While identifying energy, petroleum and minerals as priority sectors, the Prime Minister welcomed Turkish interest and investments in these areas. He urged the two sides to ensure the timely implementation of the recently signed MOUs/agreements in these critical sectors. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan sought to benefit from Turkish expertise in the privatization of distribution companies. In this regard, it was decided that Ministerial level exchanges between the two countries would take place very soon.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of regional connectivity as manifested by the revival of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul rail network.

Both leaders also exchanged views on regional as well as global developments. The Prime Minister appreciated

President Erdogan’s bold leadership and strong commitment to peace efforts in Gaza. He also thanked Turkiye for its constructive role in facilitating talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime but stressed that peace would only be possible if Pakistan’s security concerns were fully addressed.

President Erdogan thanked Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for his views , particularly his kind words and expressed his desire to work together with a view to build stronger ties between the two countries.

ASHGABAT, Dec 12 (APP/DNA):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful settlement of global disputes, while urging the international community to press the Afghan Taliban to honour their international obligations and curb terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.

“Peaceful resolution of disputes is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign diplomacy. It is in the same spirit that Pakistan supported the Gaza Peace Plan and its subsequent endorsement by the UN Security Council,” the prime minister said in his address to the international forum held in connection with the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality, and the anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.

The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan began the year by assuming its place as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, where the country was striving to uphold global peace and security.

“While we persevere in this quest for peace, the scourge of terrorism is, however, raising its head yet again, and this time, unfortunately, Afghan soil,” he said urging the international community to press the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and rein in terrorist elements operating from its territory.

Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to the brotherly countries- Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran- for their sincere desire and efforts to achieve permanent ceasefire, “which, as I speak, is still very fragile”.

He said the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2788 earlier this year was a strong endorsement of Pakistan’s vision for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The prime minister hoped that as part of the group of eight Arab Islamic countries, the ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East will ultimately protect and save the lives of innocent Palestinians, ensuring a lasting and permanent ceasefire, allow the flow of critical humanitarian aid, and help in the reconstruction of Gaza.

He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support all efforts aimed at upholding the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, as well as for the brave and resilient Kashmiri people.

The prime minster noted that the pursuit of lasting peace was intrinsically linked to the path of sustainable development. In this regard, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development presents a universal blueprint for a better and peaceful world. Socioeconomic development and the welfare of our people are my government’s foremost priority.

“We have made significant strides in several key areas, including by advancing financial inclusion, bringing women and the marginalized into the economic mainstream,” he said adding that in the face of global warming, Pakistan had demonstrated its strong commitment to undertake cleaner and greener solutions, transforming our landscape and setting a global example in ecosystem restoration. “However, like many developing nations, our quest for sustainable development is facing the headwinds of climate-induced disasters and inequities in international economic relations.”

PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had suffered in 2023 devastating floods, faced human life losses and economic losses, and then again this year it faced catastrophic situations because of climate change devastations.

The prime minister added that climate change, poverty and inequality were not isolated challenges. These are transnational threats that demand international solutions built on the foundation of shared responsibility and unity of purpose.

“Access to advanced technologies, especially digital technologies, must also be equitable and without any kind of discrimination,” he added.

He also appealed the global leaders to let this forum serve as a genuine call to action and urgent action for a new paradigm of international relations, where we move from zero-sum mindsets to purposeful cooperation.

“Let us invest in connectivity, not just as conduits for transportation of goods, but as bridges for people, ideas and prosperity.”

Earlier, the prime minister felicitated the leadership of Turkmenistan on the 30th anniversary of its permanent neutrality and on the success of its initiative for designation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust by the United Nations.