ISLAMABAD, Sep 05 (APP): The Uzbekistan Embassy in Pakistan celebrated its Independence Day with a gathering of distinguished guests and diplomats.
Among the attendees were Caretaker Federal Minister for Commerce & Industries and Productions Dr Gohar Ijaz, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Islamabad Ambassador Otajan Mavlamov, senators, MPAs, former federal ministers and secretaries, ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of international organizations, prominent experts, and journalists.
During the celebration, Ambassador Aybek Arif Usmanov expressed gratitude to President Dr Arif Alvi, the Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force for their cooperation in strengthening connectivity between the two countries.
He highlighted the significant progress in the bilateral relationship, emphasizing the elevation of cooperation to a strategic partnership. The achievement, he noted, was a result of confident political dialogue, the strengthening of trade and industrial ties, technological projects, and active military cooperation between the armed forces of both nations.
In the last year, he added,”our brotherly cooperation has been elevated to a level of the strategically partnership due to confidant political dialogue, strengthening the trade and industrial, technological projects as well as the active military cooperation between our armed forces.
“Only this year after successful high-level summits of his President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, both countries had conducted the 8th Joint ministerial commission in Tashkent.
“And nowadays we are implementing new connectivity projects with the help of chambers of commerce and industrial associations in Islamabad and all provinces of Pakistan” he added.
Usmanov praised the collaborative efforts between Uzbek and Pakistani officials, particularly Federal Minister Dr. Gohar Ijaz and Secretary Muhammad Sualeh Ahmad Faruqui, for their relentless work in facilitating dynamic bilateral trade growth.
He pointed out that in just the last two years, bilateral trade had increased by nearly half a billion dollars through transit and preferential trade agreements with Afghanistan.
The ambassador underlined the importance of the recently signed Trade and Industrial Cooperation Road Map, which aims to further boost trade, investment, and industrial collaboration.
He also acknowledged the role of Prime Minister Office, ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industries, Railways and Aviation, Finance, Economic and Security Divisions, and Ministry of Food Security in advancing bilateral ties.
He mentioned the successful high-level summits and joint ministerial commission meetings that have taken place between the leaders of Uzbekistan and Pakistan. “These meetings have led to the implementation of new connectivity projects, involving chambers of commerce and industrial associations in Islamabad and all provinces of Pakistan,” he added.
The ambassador expressed gratitude for the tireless efforts that had resulted in over a dozen high-level meetings and more than a hundred ministerial summits. These initiatives had strengthened people-to-people contacts, business-to-business forums, and regional institutional connectivity.
He informed the audience about the recent adoption of a new Constitution in Uzbekistan, reflecting the government’s commitment to reforms and checks and balances. He highlighted the government’s focus on serving the people, ensuring political stability, promoting economic development, and enhancing social protection.
He extended thanks to Pakistani politicians, military leaders, experts, and journalists who observed the referendum and presidential elections in Uzbekistan, praising their contributions to the democratic process.
The ambassador expressed the hope for the continued growth of bilateral relations, especially in pharmaceutical production, energy, agriculture, IT, textiles, and logistics.
He emphasized the significance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway construction project, which recently saw progress with the signing of a protocol on feasibility studies, financing, and construction.
The ambassador concluded by conveying best wishes to Pakistan’s new Caretaker Government, Pak Army, and the brotherly Pakistani nation, foreseeing significant successes and dynamic development in their endeavors.
APP/fur-zah
ISLAMABAD, Sep 05 (APP): The Caretaker Minister of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Muhammad Sami Saeed reiterated that the caretaker government was committed to providing avenues for the ease of doing business in the country while directing the relevant ministries to play their effective role in the implementation.
The minister made these remarks while chairing a “Sub-Committee on Proposed Law of Pakistan Business Portal” to promote the ease of doing business in the country, said a press release issued here.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary Ministry of Finance, Secretary Board of Investment (BOI), Joint Secretary Ministry of Commerce, Senior Joint Secretary Power Division and representatives from the Law Division were also present at the occasion.
The digitalization of regulatory bodies for the ease of doing business was the priority of the government, said the minister while directing the relevant ministries to ensure the complete facilitation for the ease of doing business in the country.
It is noted that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was set up to bring foreign direct investment to revive the country’s economy which envisages capitalising Pakistan’s untapped potential in key sectors which include defence production, agricultural and livestock, minerals and mining, information technology and energy.
During the meeting, the BOI gave a detailed briefing while highlighting the key features of the proposed law. The proposed law provides a legal mandate for establishing a registry to map regulations prescribed by government departments and then empirically assess the need for these regulations through global best practices necessary to attract, realize, and retain investments with an aim to eliminate unnecessary regulations, simplify and automate cumbersome procedures.
The BOI representatives informed the meeting that the implementation of this law will have several benefits for the economy, including increased investment, job creation, and economic growth. It will also help improve our competitiveness in the global market and attract foreign investors who are looking for a stable and predictable regulatory environment.
“The Sub Committee has geared up its efforts for creating an enabling environment to facilitate the ease of doing business in the country,” said the minister while directing the relevant stakeholders to ensure the digitalization of the regulatory bodies in order to facilitate the ease of doing business and new startups in the country.
During the briefing, the minister was also apprised about the several steps taken by the BOI which include Pakistan Regulatory Guidebook, Regularity Principles and Code of Practice, Assan Karobar Act, Pakistan Business Portal PBP and Pakistan Regulatory Modernization Initiative, a key initiative of the government for the modernization and regulation of local business for providing a conducive business environment in the country.
It is noted that the caretaker prime minister has already set up a cabinet committee on economic revival to focus on short-term actions. Since the caretaker government has assumed the charge, several steps have been taken to improve the country’s economy.
ISLAMABAD, Sep 05 (APP): The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its judgment in a petition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) challenging amendments in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law.
A three-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah heard the case at length.
During the course of proceedings, the CJP observed that the top court did not take suo-moto actions as it had learnt lessons from the past. As his retirement was near, the bench would pass an appropriate order in the case before it, he added.
The chief justice asked PTI’s lawyer Khawaja Harris that whether he had read the NAB report. The Bureau had narrated the reasons for returning of the references till May. Everything was now on record that whose references had been returned, he added.
CJP Bandial noted that the first amendment in Section 23 of the NAB law was introduced in May while the second was enacted in June. The references which were returned before May were still with the anti-corruption watchdog, he added.
He questioned whether there was any provision in the amendments to shift the cases to other forums, observing action must be taken against the crimes including corruption of public assets, smuggling and money laundering. Lack of clarity about such cases in the law was disappointing, he regretted.
It was the state’s responsibility to ensure the public protection and its prosperity, he said, adding a law should be clear.
The CJP asked whether the crimes would be eliminated with the application of the amendments from the past a,d what was the purpose to apply them from the past. As per the amended law a convicted person could seek setting aside his sentence (for corruption) and demand for returning of the money recovered, he observed.
The chief justice asked whether the court could send the matter again to the Parliament to remove weaknesses in the law.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that there was no need of any law for shifting of the cases to the relevant forums. The cases must be sent to any other forums for proceedings, he said.
He asked which article of the Constitution stopped the Parliament from legislation to apply the law from the past. The court could view the law when the basic rights, if any, was affected by the legislation, he added.
Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan said that the pending inquiries and investigations had been frozen after the amendments. It would affect the public rights until a mechanism was introduced for the shifting of cases to other forums, he added.
He observed that the Parliament was not authorized to do everything. It could not abolish a crime by applying the amendments from the past, he added.
The court subsequently reserved its verdict after the respondents completed their arguments.
Makhdoom Ali Khan and PTI chairman’s lawyer Khawaja Harris also gave arguments on the occasion. However, the Attorney General for Pakistan could not appear before the bench due to his visit abroad. The NAB prosecutor also submitted a report and apprised the top court regarding the details of references returned after the amendments.
ISLAMABAD, Sep 05 (APP): Country Director World Bank, Najy Benhassine called on Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, and Privatization Dr. Shamshad Akhtar on Tuesday.
Njay Benhassine was accompanied by his team including Tobias Akhtar Haque, Lead Country Economist, and Gailius J Draugelis, Operations Manager. Secretary Finance, Secretary Economic Affairs Division, and senior officers from Finance and Economic Affairs Division were also present in the meeting, said a press release issued here.
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar appreciated the role of the World Bank as one of the major development partners of Pakistan.
She also expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s continued support and commitment to Pakistan’s economic growth through its ongoing development projects in the country that will help Pakistan strengthen its fiscal management, undertake foundational reforms, and uplift the masses.
She also informed the delegation about the comprehensive measures being taken by the caretaker Government to enhance revenue collection of the country and pursuance of sound fiscal policies.
Dr Shamshad Akhtar underscored the caretaker Government’s unwavering commitment to the successful fulfillment of its obligations under the IMF program and timely completion of all ongoing development projects.
She emphasized the government’s determination to prioritize the well-being of its citizens, especially those most vulnerable, through targeted initiatives that promote inclusive development and mitigate the impact of economic challenges on the people of Pakistan.
Najy Benhassine commended Pakistan’s dedication to economic reforms and expressed the World Bank’s readiness to provide technical assistance and financial support to help Pakistan achieve its development goals.
He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the World Bank and the Pakistani Government to address pressing economic challenges and promote sustainable development.
During the meeting, both parties exchanged views on their shared vision of promoting economic stability and social development in Pakistan to foster a prosperous and resilient future for the country.
Dr. Akhtar underscored the need for support for strengthening social safety nets, aimed at providing much-needed relief to the masses during challenging economic circumstances.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the partnership for the benefit of Pakistan’s economy and its people.
The World Bank delegation thanked Dr. Shamshad Akhtar and the Government of Pakistan for their warm hospitality and constructive dialogue.
ISLAMABAD, Sep 5 (APP): The British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott Tuesday stressed the need to empower Pakistan’s youth to lead the response against the contemporary challenges particularly climate change.
She made the remarks during an event organized by Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in connection ‘International Youth Day’ here in Islamabad.
“Today’s celebration by the VSO celebrated all that Pakistan’s dynamic youth have achieved, and was also a reminder of the importance of ensuring every child gets a good education.” The envoy added.
Highlighting the organization’s objectives to formalize and improve existing Volunteer Policy, the Country Representative of VSO, Seher Afsheen underscored the invaluable support provided by the UK.
She said education was vital for empowering youth for contributing to the nation’s development prospects.
VSO is the world’s leading international development charity that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone. VSO has been working in Pakistan since 1987 – during these three decades VSO has engaged the skills and expertise of 300 international volunteers and 3000+ national and community volunteers to support livelihood, education, participation, governance, resilience, and youth initiatives.
ISLAMABAD, Sep 5 (APP): The Embassy of Pakistan in Hungary organized the first-ever art exhibition of Pakistani artists in Budapest to showcase the works of talented artists and provide a platform for cross-cultural exchange.
The exhibition titled “ChaharBagh” (four gardens of paradise) showcased the artwork of eight Pakistani artists, according to a press release from the embassy.
Organised in cooperation with the Embassy of Turkiye in Hungary and Yunus Emre Institute, the exhibition will continue till September 8 being held at the said Institute in Budapest.
The opening ceremony was attended by a large number of participants including Hungarian dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, art enthusiasts, students, and media persons.
The ambassadors of Pakistan and Türkiye along with Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Jakob inaugurated the exhibition on September 4.
In his welcoming address, Ambassador Asif Hussain Memon highlighted the theme of exhibition and the rich art tapestry of Pakistan.
He also underscored the importance of organizing such art and cultural events regularly to foster cultural exchanges between Pakistan and Hungary. He also thanked the Turkish ambassador for their support.
The Turkish ambassador to Hungary highlighted the historic bond between Turkiye and Pakistan and assured support for joint collaborations.
Additional Secretary for Asia Pacific department Peter Jakab highlighted growing bilateral relations between Hungary and Pakistan in diverse areas including arts and culture and welcomed the Pakistan embassy’s efforts in this regard.
Sundas Azfar, curator of the exhibition, in her recorded video message, highlighted the theme of the exhibition.
The participants appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan Embassy in organizing the exhibition and providing the opportunity to exhibit the rich art culture of Pakistan at the heart of Hungary for the first time.
The guests were treated with traditional Pakistani cuisine and refreshments.
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