Divorced from ground reality: Pakistan rejects US State Deptt’s country report on HR practices

ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Pakistan on Thursday categorically rejected the recently released 2023 Country Report on human rights practices issued by the US State Department terming its contents “unfair, based on inaccurate information and completely divorced from the ground reality.” The Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Bloch, in a statement, said that the US State… Continue reading Divorced from ground reality: Pakistan rejects US State Deptt’s country report on HR practices

PM launches Shuhada Package for martyred federal govt officials; resolves to eliminate smuggling

ABBOTTABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday launched the Shuhada Package to support the families of the federal government officials martyred in the line of duty, comprising cash assistance, housing allowance as well as free education and medical treatment. The prime minister, who visited the family of late Customs Inspector Syed… Continue reading PM launches Shuhada Package for martyred federal govt officials; resolves to eliminate smuggling

Envoy visits Netherlands’ DRU Industrial Park to explore avenues for cooperation

ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): Ambassador of Pakistan to the Netherlands Suljuk Mustansar Tarar on Wednesday visited the DRU Industrial Park in Ulft town and had a productive meeting with its director. The purpose of the meeting was to explore the potential of meaningful and mutually beneficial collaboration with counterpart organizations in Pakistan, said a press… Continue reading Envoy visits Netherlands’ DRU Industrial Park to explore avenues for cooperation

Pakistan, Iran agree on swift FTA finalisation, target $10 b trade over five years

ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): Pakistan and Iran agreed to expeditiously finalize the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and boost their bilateral trade to USD10 billion over the next five years through joint economic projects, setting up of joint border markets, economic free zones, and new border openings. The bilateral ties and cooperations were discussed during the… Continue reading Pakistan, Iran agree on swift FTA finalisation, target $10 b trade over five years

Pakistan, Iran sign eight accords to strengthen bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors

ISLAMABAD, Apr 22 (APP): Pakistan and Iran on Monday signed a total of eight accords on varying subjects to enhance cooperation in the different fields including trade, science technology, agriculture, health, culture, and judicial matters. The documents were signed between the two countries on the occasion of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s three-day official visit to… Continue reading Pakistan, Iran sign eight accords to strengthen bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors

PM Shehbaz, President Raisi plant a sapling to mark Earth Day

ISLAMABAD, Apr 22 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and visiting Iranian President Syed Ebrahim Raisi on Monday planted a sapling in the lawn of the Prime Minister’s House to mark the annual Earth Day. Accompanied by his spouse and a high-powered delegation of ministers and businessmen, the Iranian president arrived here on a three-day… Continue reading PM Shehbaz, President Raisi plant a sapling to mark Earth Day

Iran’s President Raisi arrives to red carpet welcome in Islamabad on three-day visit

ISLAMABAD, Apr 22 (APP): President of Iran Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi arrived here Monday on a three-day official visit till April 24, to meet the leadership and discuss the regional developments as well as bilateral cooperation. This marks the first visit by any head of state to Pakistan after the general elections in February 2024. As… Continue reading Iran’s President Raisi arrives to red carpet welcome in Islamabad on three-day visit

President lauds Banking Mohtasib for providing Rs 1.26 b relief to bank customers

ISLAMABAD, Apr 19 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday lauded Banking Mohtasib for processing over 25,000 complaints and providing monetary relief amounting to Rs. 1.26 billion to banking customers in 2023. The president expressed these views talking to the Banking Mohtasib Pakistan (BMP) Sirajuddin Aziz, who called on him and presented the Annual Report… Continue reading President lauds Banking Mohtasib for providing Rs 1.26 b relief to bank customers

Remembering activist poet Abeda Iqbal Azad on her 12th death anniversary

ISLAMABAD, Apr 19 (APP): As Pakistan’s literary landscape commemorates another year without Abeda Iqbal Azad, her memory remains as fresh as ever. Even 12 years after her passing on April 20, 2012, Abeda stands tall by the virtue of her metaphoric presence in modern-day literature whose impact continues to reverberate across generations, her works serving… Continue reading Remembering activist poet Abeda Iqbal Azad on her 12th death anniversary

Pakistan “deeply disappointed” by UNSC dissensus on Palestine’s full UN membership; regrets US veto: FO spox

ISLAMABAD, Mar 19 (APP): Pakistan on Friday expressed its disappointment on the United Nations Security Council’s inability to reach a consensus on Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations, also regretting the US decision to veto the draft resolution. “Pakistan is deeply disappointed by the result of last night’s debate at UNSC and its inability… Continue reading Pakistan “deeply disappointed” by UNSC dissensus on Palestine’s full UN membership; regrets US veto: FO spox

Time to turn a new page: President calls for meaningful dialogue, political reconciliation to end polarisation, overcome challenges

ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (APP):President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday, stressing for turning a new page and making a fresh start, called for a meaningful dialogue, parliamentary consensus and fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and political reconciliation to do away with the polarisation and overcome the challenges pervading the country. “In my considered view, it… Continue reading Time to turn a new page: President calls for meaningful dialogue, political reconciliation to end polarisation, overcome challenges

Badar Shahbaz appointed PM’s media coordinator

ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday appointed Badar Shahbaz, a key member of the Pakistan Muslim League-N’s media team, as his Media Coordinator. “The Prime Minister has been pleased to appoint Mr. Badar Shahbaz as Media Coordinator to Prime Minister with immediate effect. The Prime Minister has further been pleased to… Continue reading Badar Shahbaz appointed PM’s media coordinator

Envoy for fulfillment of climate finance commitments to support vulnerable developing states

ABU DHABI, Apr 17 (APP): Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Faisal Niaz Tirmizi on Wednesday citing the gravest threat posed by climate change to human health and global economy, stressed the need to fulfill commitments for climate finance to ensure the implementation of remedial actions by developing countries. The ambassador, addressing… Continue reading Envoy for fulfillment of climate finance commitments to support vulnerable developing states

Saudi investment in Pakistan to strengthen partnership, promote regional stability: Dar

ISLAMABAD, Apr 16 (APP): Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said that the Saudi investment in Pakistan would not only strengthen the deeply valued partnership but also make a sterling contribution to regional peace and stability. The foreign minister, addressing the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) Forum held here and attended by… Continue reading Saudi investment in Pakistan to strengthen partnership, promote regional stability: Dar

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia reiterate commitment to enhanced bilateral strategic, economic partnership

ISLAMABAD, Apr 16 (APP): Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, wherein the two sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relations focused on mutually beneficial economic cooperation. Led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the high-powered Saudi delegation arrived here Monday… Continue reading Pakistan, Saudi Arabia reiterate commitment to enhanced bilateral strategic, economic partnership

PM for maximum utilization of renewable energy resources, improving transmission system

ISLAMABAD, Apr 15 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday emphasising the improvement of power transmission network, directed the energy ministry to maximize the utilization of renewable energy resources to reduce the country’s oil import bill by billions of dollars. “Ultimately, we have to move to renewable energy. The oil import worth billions of… Continue reading PM for maximum utilization of renewable energy resources, improving transmission system

Finance minister briefs PM about his upcoming meetings with IFIs during US visit

LAHORE, Apr 12 (APP): Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and briefed him about the upcoming visit to the United States. The finance minister discussed with the prime minister his scheduled meetings with the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and other institutions, according to a PM Office… Continue reading Finance minister briefs PM about his upcoming meetings with IFIs during US visit

Envoy felicitates Officer Cadet Abdullah for winning Hodson’s Horse Award

LONDON, Apr 12 (APP): Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr Mohammad Faisal on Friday congratulated Officer Cadet Muhammad Abdullah for winning the prestigious Hodson’s Horse Award as part of commissioning course 232 from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. This is after 12 years that a Pakistani cadet has secured an award from the Academy,… Continue reading Envoy felicitates Officer Cadet Abdullah for winning Hodson’s Horse Award

PM Shehbaz, Qatari Amir exchange Eid greetings; discuss bilateral ties

ISLAMABAD, Apr 9 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation with the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and extended greetings on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr. Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated the close fraternal ties between Pakistan and Qatar and reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire… Continue reading PM Shehbaz, Qatari Amir exchange Eid greetings; discuss bilateral ties

PM felicitates as Yusuf Raza Gilani elected Senate chairman, Syedal Khan as deputy

ISLAMABAD, Apr 9 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday congratulated Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Syedal Khan Nasir on their election as the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Senate respectively. Expressing good wishes for them, the prime minister said their election manifested the continuation of the democratic process in the country. He expressed… Continue reading PM felicitates as Yusuf Raza Gilani elected Senate chairman, Syedal Khan as deputy

Author: Ishtiaq Rao