Shehbaz Sharif landed in Riyadh on Saturday for a three-day visit to attend the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy

DNA

RIYADH: Highlighting the problems being faced by the cash-strapped nation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the ‘deathtrap’ — debt trap — and soaring inflation posed a huge challenge to Pakistan.

He made the remarks while speaking at the closing plenary of a special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

PM Shehbaz landed in Riyadh on Saturday for a three-day visit to attend the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy.

He was invited to attend the moot by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud and the chief executive of the WEF Klaus Schwab.

Addressing the closing session of the moot, PM Shehbaz said: “There is also a problem of inflation and debt trap, [whom] I call ‘deathtrap’, [as] all this together pose a huge challenge [to Pakistan].”

Lauding the leadership of the kingdom, he thanked the Saudi government for its support extended to Pakistan.

Talking about his government’s efforts to steer the country out of crisis, the country’s chief executive said: “Pakistan is going for massive reforms to deal with economic challenges.”

“We have taken the reins of the country after the February 8 elections and I am now determined to put things in order. It’s easier said than done.”

He further said that the country’s electricity sector was in a shamble as power theft was in a massive fashion. Moreover, the premier lamented that the “elitest culture” is prevailing in the country wherein “handouts are being given to those who don’t deserve it”.

“We have to stand on our own feet. I know this is difficult but not impossible. We are now going for a deep-rooted structural reform.”

“Then we have to go for austerity, a meaningful austerity, but not just for publicity,” he added. 

Moving on to climate change, the premier said that global warming brought disaster in Pakistan in 2022 in the form of catastrophic floods.

“Pakistan is among those countries who do not have any role in climate change,” he added.

Referring to sky-rocketing inflation, the prime minister said: “Due to the war in Ukraine, prices of goods have increased globally. Stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the PM said that world peace is linked with normalcy in the besieged enclave.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Yahya, praised the humanitarian initiatives of PRCS under the leadership of Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari since assuming the role. He acknowledged their commitment to aiding the vulnerable, especially during crises, highlighting the significance of enhancing partnerships between UN entities and PRCS by aligning programs.

ISLAMABAD, APR 29 /DNA/ – Chairman Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Sardar Shahid Ahmed Lagahri, held a significant meeting with United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Yahya, at the UN office here on Monday. The meeting marked a pivotal moment in the collaboration between PRCS and the United Nations, reaffirming their shared commitment to alleviating human suffering and advancing humanitarian efforts.

Chairman Laghari congratulated Mohamed Yahya on assuming his new role as the UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan, emphasizing it as a milestone in the partnership between PRCS and the United Nations. The discussions at the meeting revolved around matters of mutual interest, particularly focusing on resilience building in communities and effective coordination through collaboration between UN entities and PRCS programs.He also highlighted the PRCS program collaboration with partner organization including, IFRC ,ICRC, NorCross, German Red Cross,Turkish Red Crescent and different national societies.

In attendance were PRCS Secretary General, Muhammad Abaidullah Khan, and UN OCHA Head of Office, Carlos Geha, providing a comprehensive platform for dialogue and collaboration. Chairman Laghari provided insights into the ongoing programs and projects of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, highlighting the historic PRCS monsoon floods 2022 and the ongoing recovery efforts.

With PRCS boasting the largest volunteer base in the country, Chairman Laghari emphasized the organization’s dedication to serving humanity. He underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships between UN entities and PRCS aligning programs and projects focusing on Disaster Response and Preparedness, Healthcare, Food Security, Water and Sanitation, Gender Equality, Volunteer Engagement, Child Protection, Climate Resilience, Innovation & Technology, and Capacity Building.

He lauded PRCS humanitarian efforts spearheaded by Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari, in extending aid to the vulnerable, particularly amid crises. Emphasizing the imperative of collaborative efforts in fortifying community resilience, he voiced a keenness to investigate opportunities for cooperation and exchange of insights and proficiency concerning Search & Rescue and Contingency Planning for disaster preparedness. Yahya underscored the pivotal roles both organizations play in confronting the challenges of climate change and its repercussions.

Mohamed Yahya and UN OCHA Head of Office Carlos Geha pledged to visit the PRCS National Headquarters in the coming days, further solidifying the partnership.

Concluding the meeting, Chairman Laghari presented a commemorative souvenir and PRCS book highlighting the PRCS achievements under the leadership of Chairman Laghari to UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Yahya, symbolizing the spirit of humanitarian collaboration between PRCS and the United Nations.

RAWALPINDI, APR 29 /DNA/ – General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Commander Turkish Land Forces called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS),  at General Headquarters, today.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and measures to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation were discussed.  Both sides expressed satisfaction over deep-rooted relations between the two countries, based on historic, cultural and religious affinity. COAS emphasized the need to further strengthen existing military to military cooperation between the two Armed Forces.

The visiting dignitary appreciated the role of Pakistan Army in ensuring peace and stability in the region.

Earlier on arrival at GHQ, Commander Turkish Land Forces, laid floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented the guard of honour to the visiting dignitary.

LAHORE, APR 29 /DNA/ – During his visit to the Passport Office in Garden Town today, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi observed the issues faced by citizens in obtaining passports.

The office was plagued by corruption, with a thriving market for bribes and a dominant agent mafia. The token machine was also found to be malfunctioning, causing frustration for citizens trying to get passports.

Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with citizens who were there to get passports and inquired about their problems. The citizens presented evidence of having to pay the agent mafia to get passports. Additionally, they highlighted the necessity of paying a “tax” to cross the gate of the Passport Office.The Director and Assistant Director were unable to provide satisfactory answers to any questions.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed concern after observing the conditions at the passport office, stating that demanding money without providing services is unacceptable. Minister Mohsin Naqvi immediately replaced the Director and Assistant Director, and ordered disciplinary action against the Assistant Director.

Citizens and elderly individuals present at the passport office in front of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lodged numerous complaints. They reported that even the walls of the passport office were asking for money, and if they paid, their passports were processed faster. Citizens conversing with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi mentioned that everyone, from agents to officials, was demanding money.

Mohsin Naqvi inquired about the situation from the citizens, assuring them that he was there to address their complaints and would investigate the matter personally. He emphasized that it is our responsibility to provide convenience to the citizens. The citizens praised Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for his exemplary work in the past and expressed confidence that he would also improve the functioning of this office.

RIYADH, APR 29 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with Saudi Minister for Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, ARAMCO CEO Amin H. Nasir, and ACWA Chairman Mohammed A. Abunayyan  on the sidelines of the Meeting for Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh. There is great potential for enhanced energy cooperation between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lambasted the fake inept Punjab government for economic murder of farmers by destroying their livelihoods through its wrong, flawed and anti-people policies and strongly condemned the harassment and use of force against the famers.

PTI Spokesperson, in a strongly-worded reaction over the farmers’ protest against the mandate theft government’s delay in procuring wheat and harassment of farmers, vehemently denounced the detention of Punjab Kisan Board head and harassment of the farmer leaders through illegal raids at their houses.

He noted that the farmers were coerced to sell wheat in the open market at a much lower than the officially fixed rate owing to the inept and incompetent imposed government’s faulty and anti-poor policies with regard to the procurement of wheat.

PTI Spokesperson recalled that history was a witness that whenever pirates of Jati Umra grabbed the powers, who were anti-people, they did the worst economic exploitation of the farmers of the country.

He warned the mandate thieves against shifting and placing of the burden of their worst economic policies onto the shoulders of the farmers, adding that it was estimated that the rural economy specially the farmers would face billions rupees of loss due to the possibility of selling wheat at a rate 20% or 25% less than the farmers support price.

PTI Spokesperson pointed out that the farmers were bearing the brunt of the government’s wrong decision of importing 3 million tons of more wheat then the local’s needs in October.

He asked that the government should give an explanation as to what was the strategy and rational behind importing extra wheat at such high price.

PTI Spokesperson went on to say that the fake government’s flawed policies and mismanagement as well as its inability to ensure timely purchase would directly impact the public in the form of expensive flour.

He reminded that Imran Khan-led government had adopted a commendable policy to put the struggling economy back on the track by giving farmers a better reward for their hard work.

PTI Spokesperson highlighted that the during the PTI government, the farmers were given reasonable and timely payments ever first time in the history of the country, resultantly a total of Rs. 1100 billion were added to the rural economy of the country.

He contended that even at present, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has devised a comprehensive plan under Imran Khan’s farmer-friendly policy to purchase wheat from farmers at rate of Rs. 3,900 to prevent their exploitation.

PTI Spokesperson went on to say that after seizing powers through stealing public mandate, the mandate thieves now eyed to rob farmers and to destroy future of their children as well as the agriculture sector of the country.

He termed that the fascist Punjab government use of force against the farmers, which was the backbone of the country’s economy, was shameful, which, he warned, would pave the way for a new instability in the country.

PTI Spokesperson categorically stated that PTI stood firmly farmers and the mandate thieves would not be allowed to destroy the lives of farmers and the economy of the country under any circumstances.

He urged that the fake Punjab government should shun the project of the economic massacre of the farmers and accept their demands instantly.

PTI demanded that those responsible for importing wheat worth billions of rupees during caretaker government despite record wheat production in the country should be brought to book.

ISLAMABAD, APR 29 /DNA/ – The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), represented by its Director General, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood and the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, represented by Director, Dr. Iqbal Singh Sevea, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a virtual ceremony today. This represented the beginning of a new chapter, being the first MoU signed between the think-tanks of Pakistan and Singapore.

In addition to Ambassador Sohail Mahmood and Dr. Iqbal Sevea, the MoU signing ceremony was joined by Ms Rukhsana Afzaal, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Singapore; Mr Muhammad Junaid, Director East Asia & Pacific Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan; Dr Talat Shabbir, Director China Pakistan Study Centre, ISSI; team India Study Centre, ISSI; and colleagues at ISAS.

In his remarks on the occasion, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood hailed the MoU as a crucial step towards instituting a formal relationship between the two Institutes. He expressed gratitude for the valuable support lent by High Commissioner Rukhsana Afzaal throughout this process. The DG ISSI highlighted the comprehensive scope of the MoU, envisaging mutually-agreed agendas of research, exchanges and dialogue on regional, global and strategic issues of common interest. He also underscored the significance that Pakistan attaches to its relations with Singapore, bilaterally and in the context of ASEAN. He termed the signing of the MoU as an important step towards strengthening soft connectivity and people-to-people links between the two sides.

High Commissioner Rukhsana Afzaal expressed gratification over the conclusion of the MoU. She mentioned ISAS as Singapore’s prominent think-tank and important in terms of connecting Pakistan with Singaporean researchers and academia. Underlining the High Commission’s efforts to foster linkages between research communities of the two countries, she noted seven joint webinars organized earlier in collaboration with ISAS. She said that the goal of these efforts was to generate opportunities for forging better understanding of each other’s perspectives.

Dr Iqbal Singh Sevea stated that the MoU between ISAS and ISSI signified an important step towards mutual collaboration. He highlighted the inter-disciplinary nature of research at ISAS in order to better understand the complexities surrounding South Asian security dynamics. In this regard, he underlined Pakistan as an important country, particularly in terms of its role in the Indian Ocean region and Central Asia.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood congratulated ISAS on their 20th anniversary. The two sides agreed to consult closely to decide on the next steps in this new partnership.

DNA

Islamabad, 29 Apr: President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) upon General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Commander of Turkish Land Forces, during a special investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. He conferred the award in recognition of his services in promoting and strengthening defence relations between Pakistan and Turkiye.

Later, the visiting Commander of Turkish Land Forces, General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, also called on the President, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. The meeting was also attended by the Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir.

The meeting discussed matters pertaining to defence cooperation between the two brotherly countries. Both sides emphasised the need for further expanding bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of Pakistan and Turkiye.

Talking to the Commander of Turkish Land Forces, the President said that Pakistan was proud of its relations with Turkiye, which had always supported Pakistan on core issues. He expressed satisfaction over the collaboration between Pakistan and Turkiye on a number of projects that would further strengthen bilateral ties.

The President highlighted the need for increasing people-to-people contacts, as well as promoting cooperation in the areas of agriculture, education, art and culture to bring the people of Pakistan and Turkiye further closer. He said that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was a true and sincere friend of Pakistan who had made telephonic calls to him on his election as well as at the beginning of Ramzan-ul-Mubarak. This, he added, showed his commitment to broadening Pak-Turkiye ties.

Commander of Turkish Land Forces, General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, reiterated the desire to further improve defence cooperation with Pakistan. He said that both countries could significantly contribute to the promotion of regional peace and stability.

The President congratulated the Commander of Turkish Land Forces on receiving the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) and hoped that he would continue to play his role to further strengthen defence cooperation between the two brotherly countries.