ISLAMABAD, July 6 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday said Pakistan wants to expand trade and investment relations with Qatar and translate the brotherly relations into mutually beneficial economic ties.

“Pakistan desires a partnership with Qatar in the energy sector and looks forward to Qatari investments in various sectors of the economy”, he said in a meeting with the outgoing Ambassador of Qatar to Pakistan, Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Faisal Al-Thani, here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The President appreciated the Government of Qatar for hosting the Pakistani diaspora which served as a strong bridge between the two brotherly countries. He expressed the hope that Qatar would increase the number of skilled Pakistani workers and would open more visa facilities in Pakistan.

He lauded the leadership of Qatar for making efforts against Islamophobia, adding that the Islamic world needed to make collective efforts against the rising tide of Islamophobia in the world.

He also highlighted the gross human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as well as the persecution of minorities, especially Muslims, in India.

He underlined that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the atrocities being committed by the Indian Security Forces in IIOJK continued to threaten regional peace and security.

Regarding Afghanistan, the President said that Pakistan and Qatar should continue to work together for bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan as well as the provision of necessary humanitarian assistance to Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

The President appreciated the leadership of Qatar for making excellent arrangements for the FIFA World Cup 2022, saying that Qatar had done a commendable job by successfully organizing such a mega sports event. He also thanked Qatar for providing humanitarian relief and assistance to Pakistan during last year’s floods.

The President wished the Ambassador success for his future and appreciated his contributions towards further strengthening all-around cooperation in areas of mutual interest between Pakistan and Qatar.

ISLAMABAD, Jul 6 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged the civilized world and the global peace institutions to play a positive role in containing the incidents of Islamophobia.

The prime minister, in a tweet, said the desecration of the Holy Quran, as happened in Sweden and anywhere else in the world, was unacceptable for Muslims.

He said the incident hurt the sentiments of 1.25 billion Muslims of the world and stressed that giving space to evil-minded elements was a threat to global peace.

“It is urgent to save the world from unrest, hatred, and violence on the basis of the religious divide,” he said.

To highlight the message, he said, the joint sitting of the Parliament being held today, would express the resolve to uphold the sanctity of the Holy Quran.

Also, a nationwide protest will be held on Friday where public rallies would raise voices against the blasphemous incidents in Sweden.

He urged the citizens to participate in the protests in condemnation of the desecration of the Holy Quran.

ISLAMABAD, Jul 06 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said Israel, encouraged by global silence and without any care for the consequences, was committing war crimes against Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank.

“The killing of 12 Palestinians including five children as a result of the Israeli aerial and ground operations in Jenin Refugee Camp may just be a statistic to the world, but they are real people of flesh and blood who are being massacred for demanding their fundamental rights,” he wrote on Twitter.

The prime minister said the sight of thousands of refugees being forced to flee the camp owing to Israeli air strikes would continue to haunt the world conscience.

TORGHAR, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, July 6 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that it was high time for the nation and state institutions to join hands in making progress for the country.

The prime minister emphasized that it was the responsibility of the government, judiciary, armed forces, and the people to work together to ensure the development of the country.

He made these remarks while addressing local elders in Torghar after laying the foundation stone for the Torghar Bunir Highway, the Bunir-Karakar Link Tunnel, and the Torghar-Bunir RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) bridge.

The prime minister highlighted the significance of unity, hard work, and dedication by the nation to create a brighter future for Pakistan.

He mentioned that Pakistan recently faced financial challenges but managed to reach a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund to prevent default. He acknowledged the supportive role of army chief General Asim Munir in securing the $3 billion deal with the global lender.

The prime minister expressed confidence that Pakistan would soon hold a significant position among nations.

PM Sharif stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was blessed with natural resources. However, he stressed the need to explore avenues of development for the benefit of the people.

He acknowledged the sacrifices of the locals’ forefathers, who donated their lands during the formation of Pakistan 70 years ago.

PM Sharif expressed regret over the neglect of the area by past political leaders, who failed to integrate it into the journey of national development. He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities to the locals to help them prosper in education and professional fields.

He expressed concern that, without the bridge, the locals had to travel a distance of 250 kilometers. The construction of the bridge would reduce the distance to just one kilometer.

He directed the completion of the bridge within one year instead of the initially planned three years, stating that the three infrastructure projects, worth Rs 18 billion, would greatly benefit the locals.

PM Sharif announced the establishment of a Danish school in the area, which is an educational facility project previously launched by him in Punjab for underprivileged children.

He also announced the establishment of two colleges in the area and stated that work would soon commence to ensure a stable supply of electricity.

Pakistan Muslim League leader retired Captain Muhammad Safdar mentioned that the underdeveloped area of Torghar, formerly known as Kala Dhaka, was in dire need of development and infrastructure.

He expressed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Torghar was a positive sign for the people of the area, who are now destined to progress under his vision of development.

PM’s Adviser Amir Muqam stated that the bridge would connect the Hazara and Malakand divisions, facilitating the locals.

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Adviser Ahad Cheema, and local government officials were present at the event.