Day: July 1, 2024

Prime Minister's Focal Person on Polio Ayesha Raza Farooq has urged every segment of society to play a role in eradicating poliovirus from the country. Talking to PTV today, she said that the anti-polio campaign began in forty-nine selected districts of the country today where more than 9.5 million children under five years of age will be administered polio vaccine drops. She also urged parents to cooperate with polio teams visiting their doorsteps. She said sixteen districts in Balochistan, eleven in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sixteen in Sindh and six in Punjab are part of the campaign. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says increasing the country's exports is the government's top priority, and measures from the current federal budget are being implemented for this purpose. He was speaking to a delegation of prominent businessmen who met him in Islamabad today (Monday). The Prime Minister said the development of industry, agriculture, and information technology will further stabilize the economy and create new employment opportunities. He said the country is moving in the right economic direction and that all possible measures were taken in the budget to provide relief to the people. Shehbaz Sharif further said that the confidence of foreign investors has been restored due to the government's business-friendly policies. On the occasion, the delegation commended the Prime Minister for ensuring a conducive environment for business and investment in the country and for putting the economy on a positive trajectory. They informed the Prime Minister that the business community appreciates the bu dget and expressed hope that it will positively impact business activities in the country. Source: Radio Pakistan

Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is playing an important role in the promotion of IT and telecom sectors in the country. Keeping in view the recommendations of SIFC, the government has issued instructions to the Ministry of IT and Telecom and PEPRA to speed up and improve the digitization of procurement and other government functions. By using the Cloud Services Procurement Framework, the government agencies will process all procurements. The process of auctioning of 5G will also be completed in the current month, for which instructions have been issued to the Law Division to actively work on the cases pending in Islamabad and Sindh High Courts pertaining to 5G. The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Affairs has approved two hundred and thirty five million rupees for Pakistan Startup Fund and two hundred and twenty nine million rupees E-Rozgar program. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif will undertake a two-day official visit to Kazakhstan from Wednesday for the twin Summits of SCO Council of Heads of State and SCO Plus to be held in Astana. He will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and other senior members of the Cabinet and senior government officials. At the SCO Council of Heads of Summit Meeting, the Prime Minister will share Pakistan's perspective on important regional and global issues and underline the importance Pakistan accords to regional connectivity and cooperation with SCO member countries. The Prime Minister will also address the SCO Plus Summit that brings together SCO member States as well as invited Dialogue Partners, Observer States, Guests of the Chair and international organizations. He will share Pakistan's perspective on important regional and global issues, and underline the importance of strengthening the organization for the benefit of the peoples of the SCO region. The Prime Minister will also hold meetings with participating leaders on the sidelines of the Summit. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan's Outgoing Ambassador to the US Masood Khan has emphasized the need to persevere in efforts to enhance Pakistan-US relations. In his farewell video message in Washington, he noted that a robust relationship between the two countries is a work in progress, backed by a history of nearly seventy seven years. He pointed out that Pakistani-American community has become a pillar of strength and a connective tissue for resilient Pak-US partnerships. He said since March 2022, together we tried to build strong Pak-US relations. He thanked the American friends from the Administration, Congress, State Governments and Assemblies, International Financial Institutions, think-tanks, media, civil society and the private sector, as well as the diaspora community for their support in building Pak-US relationship. Earlier addressing a mango festival, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst said the US Pakistan relationship is in the best place it has been in years. She commended Ambassador Masood Khan for his efforts in fostering ties between the two countries, noting that they have achieved stability and expanded the scope of their relationship significantly. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need to enhance trade and investment with Kazakhstan, while also focusing on regional connectivity and security. He was talking to Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin who paid a courtesy call at the Prime Minister House Islamabad today (Monday). The Prime Minister conveyed his greetings to the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and expressed his desire to strengthen the excellent bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. The Prime Minister said he is looking forward to his meeting with President Tokayev during his upcoming visit to Astana for the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting. The Kazakh Ambassador conveyed the greetings of the President of Kazakhstan and briefed the Prime Minister on various activities and initiatives currently in progress to expand relations between the two countries. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the entire nation is united to eliminate the scourge of terrorism. In a statement today, he appreciated police and frontier constabulary for thwarting a terrorist attempt in Takhta Beg area of Khyber District. He paid tributes to police personnel Ijaz and FC personnel Shehzad who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country while fighting terrorists. Praying for the elevated status of martyrs, the Prime Minister condoled with the bereaved families. He noted that the country's armed forces, police and law enforcement agencies have rendered countless sacrifices for peace in the country. He said the nation is proud of its martyrs and their families. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Planning Development Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has emphasized the need to enhance exports, increase per-animal yield in agriculture, develop promising industrial clusters, and address structural issues to achieve rapid economic growth. He was talking to a delegation of a leading global management consulting firm Kearney during a meeting in Islamabad today (Monday) to explore support for Pakistan's private investment initiatives. During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal elaborated on the 5Es Framework that is a cornerstone of the National Economic Transformation Plan, aimed at fostering stability and laying the foundation for future growth in Pakistan. The framework focuses on exports, economic growth, energy, education, and equality. He also highlighted the importance of digital transformation, self-sufficiency in energy, and equitable development in the social sector. The leading global management consulting firm has been engaged to support the Ministry's specific requirements in catalyzing p rivate investment in Pakistan. The firm will work closely with the Ministry and other stakeholders to identify areas of support and provide guidance on approvals and assignments. The meeting aimed to leverage Kearney's expertise to drive economic growth and stability in Pakistan. The Minister also emphasized the importance of collaboration and concerted efforts to achieve the country's strategic goals. Source: Radio Pakistan