Day: January 18, 2022

Islamabad, January 18, 2022 (PPI-OT):Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that peace and stability in Afghanistan is vital for regional peace. He also said that Afghanistan is passing through a critical juncture and it is incumbent upon all world countries to support Afghan people on humanitarian grounds. He expressed these views while addressing the All Parties Conference held in Islamabad today.

Speaker Asad Qaiser said that Pakistan always desires peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan as its neighbour. He said that Afghanistan is passing through a critical juncture of its history and it is incumbent upon all countries to support the Afghan people. He also said that on the recommendation of the Executive Committee of Pak-Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group, the visa procedure had been made easy for Afghanistan people. He also said that this committee also paved the way for having smooth trade with Afghanistan. He said that hospitals are also being established on the Afghanistan border to cater the serious patients, especially women and children.

Speaker Asad Qaiser said that successful 17th OIC conference of Foreign Minister of Islamic states indicated Pakistan sincerity to sensitize Muslim countries on the issue of Afghanistan. He said that Afghanistan is passing through a humanitarian crisis and it is in dire need of national and international support.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 18, 2022 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed the need of investment in technology sector to create employment for youth and improve the national economy. Addressing the ground-breaking ceremony of Pakistan Digital City Special Technology Zone in Haripur, he called for exploiting the potential of youth in technology sector to benefit the country. The Prime Minister said the Special Technology Zone is a complete ecosystem which will have a positive impact on next generations.

He said in the past, the highly educated youths remained unemployed as the institutions had no connection with the market. However, he said projects like Special Technology Zones would open up new avenues for their employment. Imran Khan said the present government removed impediments in technology sector which took the growth to 45 percent and is expected to touch 75 percent mark this year.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 18, 2022 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says the government has effectively highlighted the Kashmir issue at the United Nations and all other international forums. He was chairing a meeting of researchers of Institute of Strategic Studies and Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad, to discuss regional connectivity, world affairs in backdrop of COVID 19 and the challenges at diplomatic front.

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan, through a dossier based on irrefutable evidence, drew the international community’s attention towards ongoing Indian atrocities and massive human rights violations in the illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said think tanks have a very important role in reorganizing the foreign affairs on modern lines in the changing regional and international scenario. He emphasized on bringing forth international standard of research while keeping in view the challenges on diplomatic front.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 18, 2022 (PPI-OT):The National Command and Operation Centre has decided to implement a new set of non-pharmaceutical interventions to contain the spike in coronavirus cases in the country. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre, chaired by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar in Islamabad. It was decided that the new non-pharmaceutical interventions would be implemented by the provinces in next 48 hours after consultations with all stakeholders.

The meeting reviewed the epidemic curve chart data and national vaccine strategy. It also discussed the global and regional trends of Omicron virus. The meeting was informed that a massive sample testing is being carried out in educational institutions and any decision about them would be taken on the basis of its data.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 18, 2022 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque says the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor is much broader in scope. In an interview with Global Times, he said this phase is focused on industrial relocation, agricultural modernization, science and technology cooperation, job creation and people’s socio-economic well-being.

The Ambassador said despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic in the last two years, the CPEC cooperation and work on all projects continued unhindered. He said development of Gwadar Port and Free Trade Zone are making rapid progress, which would promote regional connectivity and economic integration. He said the recently held 10th meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee reviewed wide-ranging cooperation under the CPEC framework and identified more areas of cooperation.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 18, 2022 (PPI-OT):We are deeply saddened at the earthquake that struck Badghis province in western part of Afghanistan on 17 January that resulted in the loss of many precious lives as well as destruction of property.

The government and people of Pakistan convey their heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones, and also pray for early recovery of those injured in this earthquake.

For more information, contact:
Spokesman,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 18, 2022 (PPI-OT):Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to further promote their bilateral cooperation especially in energy sector. The understanding was reached at a virtual meeting between Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar and Minister for Energy and Chief Executive of Qatar Energy Saad Sherida al-Kaabi on Tuesday. Hammad Azhar thanked Qatar for ensuring timely supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Pakistan despite its shortage globally.

Welcoming the decision of Qatar Energy to invest in setting up the LNG terminal in partnership with a consortium of leading Pakistani companies, the Minister assured all possible support from the public sector. He hoped that Financial Investment Decision (FID) will be concluded soon and will be another milestone in the energy security of Pakistan.

Pakistan signed a ten-year LNG agreement with Qatar in February last year under which it will get 3 million tons of LNG per year from Qatar Energy from January this year. However, on Pakistan’s request, Qatar started early supplies from November last year.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 18, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Senate was informed on Tuesday that two hundred and thirty new train bogies have been procured to provide better services to the commuters. Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati told the house during question hour that the country will receive the first consignment of these bogies in a matter of three to four months.

Azam Swati expressed the commitment to revive Pakistan Railways. He said Pakistan Railways is amongst the state owned enterprises which were ruined in the past due to political appointments. He said we have introduced a computerized system to improve the performance and efficiency of the department.

Responding to a question, Azam Swati said several meetings have been held with Chinese authorities for initiation of work on up gradation of ML-1 from Karachi to Peshawar. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan is visiting Beijing early next month and he has requested him to take up this project with the Chinese President on priority basis. He said this is a win-win project both for Pakistan and China which will help avert train accidents and cut losses of Pakistan Railways.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan laid before the house two ordinances. These included: The Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Oath and Fees) Amendment Ordinance 2021 and Islamabad Capital Territory Trust Amendment Ordinance 2021.

Responding to the points of PPP leader Raza Rabbani, Leader of House in Senate Shahzad Waseem said it is the first government which has framed national security policy. He said inputs from all stakeholders on it were invited. He said we are ready to present the policy at every forum of the parliament. The house will now meet on Friday at ten thirty am.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk