ISLAMABAD: September 22
Federal Minister for Privatisation Fawad Hasan Fawad, Handing over a mutation Deed of FBR land situated at Faisalabad to the successful buyer
ISLAMABAD: September 22
The Former Chief Economist DFID, Stefan Dercon and the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ms Jane Marriott call on Caretaker Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affair Dr. Shamshad Akhtar at the Finance Division
ISLAMABAD: September 22
ISLAMABAD: September 22 – The Former Chief Economist DFID, Stefan Dercon and the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ms Jane Marriott call on Caretaker Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affair Dr. Shamshad Akhtar at the Finance Division. APP/ABB
Pakistan looks forward to fulfillment of COP28 climate change commitments: PM
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 22 (APP):Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday said that Pakistan looked forward to the fulfillment of the climate change commitments made at COP28 by the developed world including the provision of over $100 billion in annual climate finance.
The prime minister, in his address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, said the developed countries had committed to allocate at least half of climate finance for adaptation in developing countries, besides operationalising the Fund and funding arrangements for Loss and Damage.
The developed world had also pledged to accelerate their carbon emission mitigation targets to “keep alive” the goal of restricting global warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade.
The prime minister called for resisting the attempts to selectively provide such funds on the basis of geo-political considerations.
He told the world leaders that Pakistan’s triple food, fuel and finance challenge was a prime illustration of the impacts of COVID-19, conflicts and climate on developing countries.
Prime Minister Kakar said Pakistan was one of the worst affected countries from the impacts of climate change.
The epic floods of last summer submerged a third of our country, killed 1700 and displaced over eight million people, destroyed vital infrastructure and caused over $30 billion in damage to Pakistan’s economy.
He said Pakistan was gratified by the commitments of over $10.5 billion for Pakistan’s comprehensive plan for recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction with resilience – the 4RF Plan – at the Geneva Conference last January.
“Specific projects are being submitted to ensure timely funding and execution of the 4RF Plan. I hope our development partners will accord priority to allocation (release) of funds for our “resilient” recovery Plan which has been costed at $13 billion,” the prime minister remarked.
The Caretaker Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi addressing the press conference at Governor House Karachi. Governor Sindh kamran Khan Tessori also present on the occasion
KARACHI: September 22
All political parties to be provided level-playing field for elections: Solangi
KARACHI, Sep 22 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi Friday reiterated the caretaker government’s commitment for providing a level-playing field to all registered political parties during the general elections.
Addressing a news conference alongside Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori, the minister assured impartial treatment to any political group during the election campaign.
Solangi said the caretaker government’s tenure was extended a little bit due to the approval of fresh census results by the Council of Common Interest.
He pointed to Article 51 (5) of the Constitution, stating that elections would be held in line with the recently approved census after delimitation of the constituencies.
The minister disclosed that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was actively engaged in the delimitation process and announced that preliminary results of the process would be announced on November 27, with the final results set for release on November 30.
In accordance with the Election Act, he said the ECP would have to give 54 days to political parties for their election campaign.
Solangi welcomed the announcement by the ECP that elections would take place in the first week of January, which ended propaganda against the caretaker government.
As regards the criticisms of Fawad Hassan Fawad, who served in the civil service for over 35 years, the minister highlighted that Fawad had worked with various governments.
He stressed that civil servants had no power over choosing their assignments, and that unfounded criticism of someone who had been unjustly imprisoned was unfair.
Solangi also clarified that Fawad Hassan Fawad had no political affiliations.
Responding to a query, the minister expressed his commitment to pursuing justice in the Jan Muhammad Mahar murder case, noting that he had personally raised the matter with the interim chief minister of Sindh.
Solangi said the caretaker government had nothing to do with Nawaz Sharif’s matter, adding his cases were in the court, and it was inappropriate to speculate on the issue.
He stressed that all citizens in the country were entitled to their fundamental rights, highlighting the importance of student organizations as a pillar of democracy.
The minister underscored the role of the independent and empowered Election Commission in ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections, with the caretaker government requiring ECP approval for transfer postings.
Solangi said government was actively working to address the issues of workers in newspapers and TV channels.
He confirmed the lawful arrest of journalist Khalid Jamil by the FIA and emphasized adherence to constitutional and legal procedures, including producing individuals before the court within 24 hours.
Solangi said the caretaker government would not interfere in judicial matters.
To another query, he said the institutions were functioning freely and if anybody had any issue, they could reach out the relevant forums.
Pakistan, OIC to propose further steps to combat Islamophobia: PM Kakar
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday said that Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries would propose further steps to combat Islamophobia, including the appointment of a Special Envoy, creation of an Islamophobia data Centre, legal assistance to victims and an accountability process to punish Islamophobic crimes.
In his address at the 78th UNGA session, the prime minister said that last year, this Assembly adopted a resolution, proposed by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC, declaring 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Earlier this year, the Human Rights Council adopted an OIC resolution submitted by Pakistan, urging the states to outlaw the burning of the Holy Quran and similar provocations, he added.
He also welcomed the legislation initiated by Denmark and contemplated by Sweden towards this end.
“While Islamophobia is an age-old phenomenon; however, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it has assumed epidemic proportions, as manifested in the negative profiling of Muslims; and attacks on Islamic sites and symbols, such as the recent public burnings of the Holy Quran,” PM Kakar observed.
Pakistan shares concerns about Afghan women’s rights, advocates humanitarian aid: PM
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 22 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday said that Pakistan shared the world community’s concerns about the rights of girls and women in Afghanistan but also advocated continued humanitarian assistance to a destitute Afghan population.
The prime minister, in his address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, said among the destitute Afghan population, Afghan girls and women were the most vulnerable.
Calling Afghan peace a strategic imperative for Pakistan, he emphasised the revival of the Afghan economy and implementation of the connectivity projects with Central Asia.
Prime Minister Kakar said Pakistan’s first priority was to prevent and counter all terrorism from and within Afghanistan.
“Pakistan condemns the cross-border terrorist attacks against Pakistan by the TTP, Daesh and other groups operating from Afghanistan. We have sought Kabul’s support and cooperation to prevent these attacks. However, we are also taking necessary measures to end this externally encouraged terrorism,” he commented.
PM vows to ensure rapid economic recovery by mobilizing FDI, expanding domestic revenues
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 22 (APP):Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday said that the Pakistan government was committed to ensure rapid economic recovery by stabilizing foreign exchange reserves and currency; expanding domestic revenues, and mobilizing significant domestic and external investment in the country.
To that end, he said, “we have established a Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to expedite investment decisions”.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, the prime minister said some 28 projects had been identified in priority sectors, including agriculture, mining, energy and IT, for implementation in collaboration with Pakistan’s partners.
He said Pakistan’s long-term shift to geoeconomics was well underway. The second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had also been initiated covering railway, infrastructure, and manufacturing projects.
“Pakistan also looks forward to the early implementation of the ‘connectivity’ projects with Central Asia,” he added.
He said Pakistan was situated in one of the least economically integrated regions in the world. “Pakistan believes that regions develop together, therefore, Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours, including India. Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India,” he added.
PM calls for security of peacekeepers facing challenges from terrorist groups
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 22 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday, calling the UN peacekeeping a “success story” emphasized the safety and security of peacekeepers as they faced “complex and unprecedented” challenges from criminals and terrorist groups.
The prime minister, addressing the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, told the world leaders that over more than six decades, Pakistan had contributed 230,000 peacekeepers in 47 Missions across the world.
“Today, UN peacekeepers face complex and unprecedented challenges especially from criminal and terrorist groups, as in the Sahel. We must ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers,” he remarked.
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the UN to develop the capabilities and more robust mandates required for successful enforcement actions by UN and international forces where needed.
Govt focused on strengthening capital market to bolster economy: Gohar Ejaz
KARACHI, Sep 22 (APP):Caretaker Federal Minister for Commerce, Industries and Production, Dr Gohar Ejaz, on Friday, said that the government was focused and keen to strengthen the capital markets with the aim of bolstering the economy.
The minister reiterated the commitment while chairing a meeting of board of directors of Pakistan Stock Exchange during his visit to the PSX Karachi. PSX directors including Javed Kureishi, Ahmed Chinoy and Nadeem Naqvi; securities brokers and capital market representatives were present at the occasion.
Dr Gohar Ejaz said that the caretaker government was taking comprehensive and integrated measures in different sectors of the economy which would lead to stabilise and strengthen the national economy.
MD and CEO PSX, Farrukh Khan, gave an overview of the capital market through the digital online platform and briefed about the potential for growth of the capital market, market capitalization to GDP ratio and other relevant matters and also presented suggestions for enhancing its role to benefit the economy.
He said that at present PSX capitalization to GDP ratio was one of the lowest in the region and that the market needed the support of the government along with the able guidance of the SECP to augment the market in this respect.
He termed minister’s visit and meeting with capital market stakeholders as a sign of encouragement for the capital market participants and entities including leading brokerage houses and market fraternity.
Other market participants including securities brokers and capital market representatives apprised the minister on the challenges faced in the path to realization of full potential and growth of the capital market.
The Minister keenly listened to all the participants and informed them that government had sector specific plans to address the issues and boost the economy through the capital market.
Later, PSX Board members presented a memento to caretaker Federal Minister for Commerce, Industries and Production, Dr. Gohar Ejaz.