ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (APP): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday arrived Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on a two-day official visit.
The foreign minister and his Saudi counterpart will discuss the Pak-Saudi ties.
During the visit, the foreign minister will co-chair Joint Sub-Committee meeting of the Political and Security pillar of the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council (SPSCC) with his Saudi counterpart.
He will also hold a meeting with Secretary General of the GCC during his visit, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.
Besides, the official engagements, the foreign minister will have interaction with the local media and other dignitaries of the Kingdom.
“The visit of the foreign minister will further deepen Pakistan’s engagement with Saudi Arabia for enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation between the two brotherly countries,” it was further added.
ISLAMABAD, Nov 09 (APP): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Wednesday said that the court was looking forward to examine some really “interesting questions” in the de-seated MPAs’ case from Punjab Assembly.
A three-member Supreme Court’s bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha A Malik heard the appeals against the de-seating of 25 former PTI members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
During the course of proceedings, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial advised petitioners who had challenged their de-seating from Punjab Assembly to make the newly elected members respondents in the case.
He said that new members had been elected after the former members defected from their party.
Meanwhile, Advocate Umar Aslam, counsel for the petitioners, said that he had been hired last night to plead this case.
Addressing the counsel, the chief justice said “The court grants you time for preparation.”
The Supreme Court also allowed dissident MPA Mohsin Ata Khan Khosa to withdraw his appeal.
Later, the case was adjourned till the date in office.
Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmad launched the ESRM manual during Sustainable Banking Conference organized by SBP in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation
KARACHI, Nov 09 (APP): The State Bank of Pakistan, on Wednesday, launched the Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) Implementation Manual for banks and development finance institutions (DFIs) to promote green banking in the country.
The manual was launched by Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmed in the inaugural session of Sustainable Banking Conference, organised here by SBP in collaboration with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.
The objective of the conference was to create critically needed awareness related to climate change and sustainability within the financial sector and to launch the ESRM Implementation Manual.
Governor SBP in his keynote address remarked that ESRM manual was a procedural guide for the banks and DFIs to establish their environmental social risk management systems, as per SBP’s Green Banking Guidelines (GBGs).
November 09: State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad addressing to Sustainable Banking Conference
Further, he highlighted that the conference was an effort to spread awareness on the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on the financial sector of Pakistan and a step towards SBP’s endeavor to reduce the vulnerability of financial sector from such risks.
Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change as we have witnessed during the recent floods; therefore, it is critical time for Pakistan’s financial sector to become sensitive to financial consequences arising from environmental and social risks, he added.
SBP has also undertaken certain initiatives like Green Banking Guidelines and Financing Scheme for Renewable Energy to ingrain sustainability considerations into the financial sector as per international best practices, the SBP governor noted.
He encouraged the entire banking industry to take full benefit of the manual to establish their ESRM systems and procedures and assured that the central bank would keep on providing necessary support and guidance at every stage of ESRM implementation.
IFC Regional Director for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Middle East Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, termed launch of ESRM manual as a significant step towards promoting sustainable banking practices in Pakistan.
November 09: IFC Regional Director for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Middle East Khawaja Aftab Ahmed addressing to Pakistan Sustainable Banking Conference
He added that the manual can help the banking industry better manage environmental and social risks throughout their lending practices, and subsequently enable a green and inclusive economic recovery at a critical time.
The conference was attended by IFC Country Manager Zeeshan Ahmed Sheikh, Consul General of Japan in Karachi Toshio Odagiri, Chairperson, PSX Board Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, IFC Senior Policy Adviser Yaseen Anwar and other high profile dignitaries besides presidents and CEOs of banks and DFIs, senior officials from Pakistan Banks Association, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency and other relevant stakeholders.
The conference also included two high-level panel discussions on important topics including ESG integration in financial sector, climate finance risk and climate disclosures wherein.
November 10: Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov meets business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
ISLAMABAD, Nov 09 (APP): Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan and Dean of Diplomatic Corps Atadjan Movlamov on Wednesday said that Turkmenistan and Pakistan have huge potential of bilateral trade that can be enhanced through people-to-people contacts.
He said that Turkmenistan is rich in energy and can meet energy needs of Pakistan.
He said that Turkmenistan wants more access through the sea, as it is a landlocked country. He said that transit trade is important for his country, as the shortest route of trade is through Karachi and Gwadar ports.
He said this while addressing the business community during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).
Ambassador of Turkmenistan aaddressing the business community during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).
The ambassador said that Turkmenistan is producing electricity at a very cheap rate and gave a detailed presentation on the TAPI project, which will help Pakistan to meet the energy needs of its growing population.
He said that both countries should be connected through optical fiber cable by Arabian Sea and Pakistan can benefit millions of dollars from it. He said that both countries have 30th years of diplomatic relationship and expressed a desire to strengthen these relations through trade and investment.
Speaking at the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoy mutually respectful and cordial relations, which are supported by history, culture and religion.
He urged both countries to focus on enhancing bilateral trade and economic relations as they have good potential to do trade in many items.
He said that CPEC provides a good opportunity to increase bilateral cooperation and shift the focus of the relationship to address the socio-economic challenges, build economic linkages and enhance bilateral trade.
He stressed that both countries should focus on developing strong business linkages between their private sectors to explore all untapped areas of mutual collaboration.
Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan should facilitate frequent exchange of trade delegations and organize single country exhibitions on reciprocal basis to promote trade ties.
He highlighted the connectivity issue and suggested that one Transport and Goods Company should be established to solve the logistic problems between the two countries.
Ambassador of Turkmenistan in a group photo with business community during his visit at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
He also suggested a long-term visa for businessmen to facilitate frequent exchange of trade delegations from both sides. He termed it important to establish air, road and railway connectivity between Pakistan and Central Asian Republics to improve trade relations. He underscored the importance of establishing road link via Istanbul, Turkmenistan and Karachi, which is the shortest route of 6 days for transport, even at a speed of 50 km/hour, whereas transportation of goods through sea takes about 35-day besides incurring huge freight cost.
Faad Waheed, Senior Vice President said that ICCI is planning to organize ECO Business Forum in which diplomats and relevant Government officials shall be invited to discuss important issues including TAPI project and developing direct links between Pakistan and Turkmenistan.
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ISLAMABAD: November 09 - Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Rana Tanveer Hussain addressing the Seminar on Iqbal Day celebrates at Islamabad College for Girls F-6/2. APP/SMR/ABB
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ISLAMABAD: November 09 – Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Rana Tanveer Hussain cuts cake at a seminar on Iqbal Day at Islamabad College for Girls F-6/2. APP/SMR/ABBAPP03-091122
ISLAMABAD: November 09 – Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Rana Tanveer Hussain cuts cake at a seminar on Iqbal Day at Islamabad College for Girls F-6/2. APP/SMR/ABB
RAWALPINDI, Nov 09 (APP): The Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) on Wednesday extended felicitations to National Cricket Team on qualifying for T20 World Cup’s finals .
In a tweet on his official twitter handle, Major General Babar Iftikhar wrote, “Congratulations Team Pakistan for a stellar performance and winning #SemiFinalT20WC.”
He further said, “Good luck for the Final. Pakistan Zindabad!”
Ned Price, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State
WASHINGTON, Nov 09 (APP): The United States Wednesday urged all political parties in Pakistan to refrain from violence and respect the rule of law amid rising tensions following the assassination attempt on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and the violence at protest marches by his supporters as well as the threat to resume the long march.
Responding to a question from a private Pakistani TV reporter at his daily press briefing, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price again condemned the shooting of Imran Khan, adding that “violence has no place in politics.”
“We’re concerned about these reports of violence,” Price said, adding, “We call on all parties to refrain from violence, harassment, intimidation, and to respect the rule of law.
“We are deeply committed to a democratic and peaceful Pakistan, and we stand with the people of Pakistan.”
When asked what would be US message for the heads of political parties amid the situation in Pakistan, he said: “We are concerned about what has happened in Pakistan in recent days. All parties should never resort to violence.
“They should express their disagreements peacefully, using – employing universal rights – freedom of expression, freedom of assembly – but violence is never the answer,” he added.
When asked about cases registered against ARY News owner Salman Iqbal, Price said the US routinely raises press freedom concerns with Pakistan and other countries around the world.
“We’ll continue to have those conversations with Pakistani authorities,” he added.
ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday appreciated the Pakistan cricket team over their victory in the semifinal against New Zealand to reach the final contest of the T20 World Cup.
“Well done Team Pakistan for an incredible comeback,” the prime minister tweeted after the green shirts booked their place in the final at Melbourne Cricket Ground opposite India or England, as the two are set to clash on Thursday in the second semi-final.
Passion, commitment & discipline
Well done Team Pakistan 🇵🇰 for an incredible come back.
The prime minister also mentioned three traits of “passion, commitment and discipline” as a reference to the driving force behind the victory of the Pakistan cricket squad.
Meanwhile, talking to private media in London, UK, the prime minister congratulated the whole nation over the sensational win and hoped that the national team would emerge victorious in the final match.
“Well played Pakistan,” President Alvi also tweeted and particularly eulogized the “excellent performances” by Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan and Haris.
Well played Pakistan. Excellent performances by @iShaheenAfridi@babarazam258@iMRizwanPak & our upcoming @iamharis63 Green shirts you make us proud. On to the finals. Our best wishes with you, Inshallah you will win. 👋👋👋
“Green shirts you make us proud. On to the finals,” President Alvi said and conveyed his best wishes for the final match expressing hope for their win.
