ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) on Tuesday clarified that it had not issued any statement to reject the PEMRA Amendments Bill 2023.
“This is to clarify that some media persons have tweeted regarding the rejection of “PEMRA amendments bill 2023”, CPNE has not issued any such statement,” the council said in a tweet.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP):Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has received a telephone call from the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and discussed the regional security situation, cooperation for lasting peace in Afghanistan, and bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
During the talk, both sides expressed satisfaction at the current positive momentum in Pak-U.S. ties, a statement issued by the foreign office spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The Foreign Minister underscored that Pakistan valued its longstanding and broad-based relationship with the U.S. and wished to further deepen the partnership. He noted that during the past one year, apart from holding six Dialogues, exchange of high-level visits had diversified and solidified the relationship.
The Foreign Minister underlined the priority attached to economic and trade relations and Pakistan’s particular interest in advancing cooperation on climate change and green energy.
Thanking the U.S. for its support, the Foreign Minister said that the Standby Arrangement between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would provide impetus to Pakistan’s economic and development imperatives and that Pakistan was committed to bringing structural reforms in its economy to make it more competitive and attractive for business and foreign investment.
The two Foreign Ministers underlined the importance of constructive engagement between Pakistan and the United States for promoting peace, security and development in the region. They also discussed the regional security situation, including the threat from terrorism, and reaffirmed their desire to continue close cooperation for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Minister noted the importance of the Black Sea Grain Initiative especially from the perspective of developing countries and concerns regarding food security and inflation, and stressed the need for continued concerted efforts with a view to reviving the deal at the earliest.
Secretary Blinken stressed that democratic principles and respect for the rule of law are central to the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and these values will continue to guide this partnership forward.
This was the fourth telephone call between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Secretary Blinken since the Foreign Minister assumed his responsibilities.
BEIJING, July 25 (APP): Chairman of the National Assembly Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Muhammad Abu Bakar has said that exchange of tourists between Pakistan and China would help create new economic opportunities for the two countries, especially Pakistan.
Pakistan is rich in natural beauty and the Chinese tourists could visit Karachi, Lahore, and other cities and especially the northern areas of Pakistan which have a lot of attractions for Chinese tourists, he told China Media Groups Urdu Service in a special conversation.
While inviting Chinese friends to visit Pakistan, he hoped that the promotion of tourism exchanges between the two countries would lead to creating new economic activities which would not be beneficial for the two people of Pakistan and China but also for the region.
He said that the people-to-people exchange between the two countries should be promoted for a better understanding of each other and as per the requirements of the new era.
Talking about Chinese-style modernization, he lauded the remarkable development of the People’s Republic of China under the able leadership of President Xi Jinping.
Muhammad Abu Bakar also congratulated the Chinese leadership upon the 0th anniversary of the Belt Road Initiative (BRI).
In response to a question about Pakistan-China all-weather friendship, he said, We have been hearing about Pakistan-China friendship since childhood. This friendship seems to be stronger and stronger in every era.
About his visit to China, he said that it was his first visit to China and he has learned a lot from the high-level meetings held here.
Expressing happiness over the rapid development of China, he said, found China much more developed than what I had heard and read about this great country.
He said that China always supported Pakistan and stood firmly by Pakistan in difficult times and added, We are proud of this great neighbor and friendly country.
Regarding China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that this is a pilot project of the BRI and is truly a game changer for Pakistan and the region.
The CPEC has provided Pakistan with valuable opportunities for high-level development.
About the Chinese investment in Pakistan, he said that it is bringing positive changes in Pakistan and expressed confidence that economic cooperation between China and Pakistan will further help Pakistan to achieve its goal of development.
Muhammad Abu Bakar opined that CPEC will bring about many new opportunities for development in Pakistan.
He thanked the Chinese friends for their warm hospitality and expressed good wishes for the Pakistan-China friendship.
PESHAWAR, Jul 25 (APP): Like others parts of the globe the World Drowning Prevention Day was observed by Rescue 1122 here on Tuesday.
Director General Rescue 1122 Dr Khateer Ahmed said in a message issued here that Rescue 1122 diver service is available in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said 1122 has provided services in 3501 drowning incidents since its inception, adding that most incidents occurred in Mardan where 525 cases were reported.
Similarly, 492 cases were reported from Peshawar, 390 Swat, 369 Nowshera, and 200 Charsadda 200.
The number of similar incidents that occurred in other districts of the province included Swabi 154, Malakand 143, DI Khan 133, Chitral 127, Haripur and Mansehra 101.
He said that Rescue staff rescued more than 5211 people during the search operations.
The Rescue 1122 diving service is equipped with all the latest equipment including rubber boats, fiber boats and jalar (local boats) boats for hilly areas.
He said the divers of Rescue 1122 are trained to conduct search in canals, seas, dams and ponds in different ways including line search, zigzag search, open search and diving.
The DG advised public to wear safety jackets and follow the set rules while taking bathing in ponds, rivers or stream and boating.
WASHINGTON, Jul 25 (APP): Reaffirming a “productive U.S.-Pakistan partnership”, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a phone call with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday, stressed that democratic principles and respect for the rule of law were central to that relationship.
In a statement on the Blinken-Bilawal conversation, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the U.S. top diplomat underscored Washington’s “steadfast commitment to the people of Pakistan, highlighting that the economic success of Pakistan remains a top priority for the United States.”
Apart from discussing the state of Pakistan’s economy, the two leaders also deliberated on Afghanistan-related issues.
“The Secretary noted that the United States will continue to engage with Pakistan through technical and development initiatives and through our robust trade and investment ties,” the State Department said.
“He also welcomed the International Monetary Fund’s approval of a programme to support Pakistan and encouraged continued reforms to promote economic recovery and prosperity”
In this regard, the statement added, “Secretary Blinken stressed that democratic principles and respect for the rule of law are central to the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and these values will continue to guide this partnership forward.
Facing a growing number of cross-border attacks, Pakistan has been calling on the Taliban to rein in the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist groups operating from safe havens in Afghanistan.
“The Secretary noted the Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks and affirmed the United States’ commitment to continued partnership with Pakistan on counterterrorism,” the statement said.
“The Secretary and Foreign Minister also discussed the destabilizing effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine as well as the United States and Pakistan’s shared interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.”
The Blinken-Bilawal phone call took place hours after US Central Command (Centcom) chief, General Michael Erik Kurilla, discussed the regional situation with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir during a meeting in Rawalpindi.
Among the new adverse effects of the Moscow-Kyiv conflict, Russia last week terminated a breakthrough wartime deal that allowed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty.
The termination marks the end of an accord that the U.N. and Turkey brokered last summer to allow shipments of food from the Black Sea region after Russia’s invasion of its neighbour worsened a global food crisis. The initiative is credited with helping reduce soaring prices of wheat, vegetable oil, and other global food commodities.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday spoke with Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General, Hissein Brahim Taha, over the telephone. The call was made against the backdrop of recurring incidents of the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and other European countries.
Condemning the despicable acts, which were clear violations of international law, the Foreign Minister briefed the OIC Secretary General about the resolution adopted by the Parliament of Pakistan in a joint sitting on July 6 2023, and observance of ‘Youm-e-Taqaddus Quran’ across Pakistan on 7 July 2023, reflecting the aspirations of the people of Pakistan to safeguard the sanctity of the Holy Quran.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the urgency with which OIC was responding to these reprehensible acts, under the stewardship of the Secretary-General. He commended the OIC for holding an Open-ended Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee on 2 July 2023, in Jeddah, and issuance of comprehensive Communiqué after the meeting.
The Foreign Minister also welcomed the OIC decision for holding Emergency Ministerial Meeting on this issue and briefed the Secretary-General about his telephone calls with the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye in this regard.
The OIC Secretary General commended Pakistan’s efforts to combat and counter Islamophobia and appreciated the leading role played by Pakistan in this regard at the UN.
The Foreign Minister assured the Secretary-General that Pakistan stood ready to actively participate in all OIC initiatives to arrest the reprehensible tide of Islamophobia.
KARACHI, Jul 25 (APP): Treasury Management Division of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Tuesday issued the following exchange rates.
URRENCY SYMBOL TT Selling TT Buying
U.S DOLLAR USD 288.40 287.90
EURO EUR 320.08 319.53
JAPANESE YEN JPY 2.0412 2.0377
BRITISH POUND GBP 370.28 369.64
SWISS FRANC CHF 332.02 331.45
CANADIAN DOLLAR CAD 219.22 218.84
AUSTRALIAN DOLAR AUD 195.11 194.77
SWEDISH KRONA SEK 27.90 27.85
NORWEGIAN KRONE NOK 28.75 28.70
DANISH KRONE DKK 42.88 42.81
NEWZEALAND DOLLAR NZD 179.28 178.97
SINGAPORE DOLLAR SGD 216.95 216.58
HONGKONG DOLLAR HKD 37.06 37.00
KOREAN WON KRW 0.2256 0.2252
CHINESE YUAN CNY 40.52 40.45
MALAYSIAN RINGGIT MYR 63.19 63.08
THAI BAHT THB 08.36 08.34
U.E.A DIRHAM AED 79.08 78.94
SAUDI RIYAL SAR 76.98 76.84
QATAR RIYAL QAR 79.25 79.12
KUWAITI DINAR KWD 941.01 939.38
CONVERSION RATE FOR FROZEN FCY DEPOSITS
USD 287.7562
GBP 369.7954
EUR 318.7763
JPY 2.0343
SETTLEMENT DATE: 27-07-2023
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