Day: July 23, 2026

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday met Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and President-elect of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly Khalilur Rehman, on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila.

During the meeting, they reviewed the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and the renewed impetus provided by the Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to Bangladesh last year. They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.

The two sides welcomed growing engagement between the two countries, including enhanced people-to-people contacts and improved connectivity following the commencement of direct flights this year, and agreed to sustain this positive trajectory.

They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and senior U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) officials in Washington to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, seek support for Pakistan’s reform agenda and private-sector investment, and discuss accelerating sustainable, export-led growth.

According to press release issued by finance ministry here Wednesday, the minister in meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, highlighted Pakistan’s journey from macroeconomic stabilization to sustainable, export-led growth, while noting the economy’s vulnerability to regional geopolitical developments.

He sought greater U.S. support for Pakistan’s road to market, underpinned by improved access to international capital markets, higher foreign exchange reserves, and enhanced sovereign credit ratings.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral economic cooperation, promoting greater U.S. investment, and advancing strategic projects.

Meanwhile, the minister also met with representatives of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in Washington, D.C and sought expedited support for priority private sector-led projects in the energy, information technology, infrastructure, minerals, food and agriculture sectors.

He noted that the DFC’s focus on ports, telecommunications, information technology, energy, minerals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and supply-chain development closely aligns with Pakistan’s development priorities.

The Finance Minister invited a DFC team to visit Pakistan to identify bankable projects and work with relevant stakeholders in developing viable business plans.

Discussions also covered the possibility of establishing DFC representation in Pakistan and engagement with future U.S. congressional delegations.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said on Wednesday that Pakistan and Iran have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, expanding railway cooperation and enhancing regional connectivity.

During a meeting with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, Hanif Abbasi welcomed him to Pakistan and said the visit was an important step towards further deepening the longstanding brotherly ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, also attended the meeting, said a news release.

The minister paid tribute to the resilience, determination and steadfastness demonstrated by the Iranian nation, government and leadership during the recent crisis.

Hanif Abbasi also expressed respect for Iran’s Supreme Leader and paid homage to the innocent civilians who lost their lives during the crisis.

The two leaders reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen the religious, historical and cultural bonds between Pakistan and Iran and stressed the importance of promoting peace, stability, diplomatic engagement and mutual cooperation across the region.

The meeting focused on expanding railway cooperation, improving cross-border connectivity and facilitating bilateral trade through enhanced rail links.

Hanif Abbasi informed the delegation that work on the upgradation of Main Line-3 (ML-3) is expected to commence during the current fiscal year, with completion anticipated by December 2029.

He said ML-3 would serve as the principal railway corridor linking Pakistan and Iran and would significantly boost bilateral trade and regional connectivity upon completion.

The minister also appreciated the cooperation extended by the Iranian government and Iranian Railways in the restoration of the Zahedan-Taftan railway section.

He said Taftan Railway Station had been designated as a customs clearance station at the request of Iranian Railways, a move that would facilitate cross-border freight movement and shunting operations.

The two sides also discussed the revival of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train service to promote regional trade and connectivity.

Both countries agreed to further expand railway collaboration under the 1959 bilateral railway agreement and the 2025 Framework of Cooperation.

They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening railway links, cross-border trade, economic cooperation and regional connectivity for the mutual benefit of Pakistan, Iran and the wider region.

On the occasion, Eskandar Momeni expressed gratitude to Federal Minister for the warm hospitality extended to him during his visit to Pakistan and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.

During the meeting, Momeni said Pakistan and Iran enjoy deep-rooted, historic and brotherly relations that continue to grow stronger with the passage of time.

He said that bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries had reached an exemplary level over the past two years, reflecting the shared commitment of both governments to enhancing cooperation in various sectors.

The Iranian minister also appreciated the support and cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan and thanked the country’s leadership for its constructive role in promoting bilateral relations.

Referring to the recent regional tensions, Momeni commended Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their diplomatic efforts and support, describing their role as commendable.

He said the Iranian nation would always remember Pakistan’s sincere efforts and support during a difficult period, adding that Pakistan had demonstrated the true spirit of brotherhood when Iran needed it most.

Reaffirming Iran’s desire to further deepen engagement with Pakistan, Momeni expressed confidence that the two countries would continue expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, further strengthening their longstanding partnership and regional collaboration.

Islamabad: The Punjab government will invest Rs60 billion over the next three years to establish four agro-processing park clusters in Sargodha, Okara, Khanewal and Bhakkar under the Punjab Economic Transformation Plan, aiming to attract private investment, boost value added agricultural exports, support more than 500 firms and create around 20,000 jobs, official documents revealed on Wednesday.

According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, each agro-processing park will be developed over 250 acres with a government investment of Rs15 billion and will serve as a hub for modern agricultural processing, storage, certification and logistics services.

The clusters are being established near major crop-producing regions to strengthen agricultural value chains and reduce post-harvest losses. Sargodha will focus on citrus processing, Okara on potatoes, while southern Punjab, including Khanewal and nearby mango-growing belts, will support mango processing and export-oriented industries.

The facilities will include sorting and grading units, quality testing laboratories, certification centers, cold storage facilities, logistics infrastructure, business support services and capacity-building centers aimed at improving productivity and competitiveness.

To encourage private sector participation, the government will offer a package of manufacturing incentives, including reimbursement of duties on imported plant and machinery through a dedicated Rs50 billion support fund.

The parks will support complete value chains for citrus, mango and potato products. Citrus and mango processing facilities will handle activities ranging from farm-gate collection and grading to packing, polishing, waxing and the production of pulp, puree and jams.

Similarly, potato processing units will cover procurement, grading and cold storage while facilitating the production of dehydrated potato flakes, frozen fries and potato chips.

Government estimates suggest the initiative will catalyze more than Rs20 billion in private investment and help over 500 firms expand processing and export activities. The project is expected to facilitate exports of 40,000 tons of value-added citrus and mango products and 50,000 tons of processed potato products annually.

Officials estimate the establishment of 20 value-addition units under the programme will generate an additional $200 million in export earnings while increasing Pakistan’s raw agricultural exports by five per cent. The initiative forms part of Punjab’s broader strategy to modernize the agriculture sector, enhance industrial processing capacity and strengthen the province’s contribution to national export growth.

Islamabad: Pakistan and Iran reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and enhancing cooperation on regional security during high-level talks between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Momeni arrived at Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior to a warm reception by Naqvi, where a smartly turned-out contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented a guard of honour.

The two ministers exchanged greetings before senior officials from both sides were introduced, underscoring the significance attached to the visit.

The Iranian delegation included the Governor General of Sistan-Baluchestan, Iran’s deputy interior minister, the deputy minister for urban development and transport, the head of the National Iranian Oil Company, the special representative of the Iranian agriculture minister and other senior officials.

On the Pakistani side, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the federal interior secretary, the chairman of NADRA, the director general of the FIA, the director general of the Anti-Narcotics Force, the inspector general of the Federal Constabulary, the director general of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, the director general of Immigration and Passports, the chairman of the Capital Development Authority, the inspector general of Islamabad Police and additional secretaries of the interior ministry attended the meeting.

During their bilateral discussions, the two ministers reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-Iran relations and expressed a shared resolve to further deepen economic and commercial ties. Delegation-level talks followed, focusing on practical measures to improve coordination and expand institutional cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

Security cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. Both sides agreed to enhance collaboration in counterterrorism and anti-narcotics operations and to strengthen joint efforts against illegal immigration and human trafficking. The ministers also emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to prevent the flow of narcotics and terrorism from the Afghan border region, describing it as a shared challenge that requires collective action.

Naqvi said Pakistan was fully prepared to expand cooperation with Iran in all sectors and stressed the importance of better coordination mechanisms to translate political understanding into effective implementation.

In remarks reflecting the broader regional context, the Pakistani minister praised Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni for what he described as their extraordinary efforts for peace. ‘We hope that positive developments will emerge soon and that peace will prevail,’ he said.

The visit, marked by ceremonial honours and substantive negotiations, highlighted the growing momentum in Pakistan-Iran engagement at a time when both countries are seeking closer coordination on border management, regional stability and economic connectivity.

Islamabad: Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain Wednesday that the government was making every possible effort to facilitate farmers by ensuring the uninterrupted availability of fertilizers at reasonable prices.

The minister chaired a meeting with Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah to review the availability, pricing and supply of fertilizers across the country, with particular focus on ensuring affordable fertilizer for farmers ahead of the upcoming crop season.

The meeting discussed a range of measures aimed at stabilizing fertilizer prices through close coordination between the Federal Government, provincial governments and fertilizer companies.

Speaking on the occasion, Rana said consultations were underway with all provinces and relevant stakeholders to develop a coordinated strategy for maintaining price stability and improving the supply chain.

The minister said he has requested fertilizer companies to reduce urea prices in the larger interest of farmers. He emphasized that sufficient stocks of urea are available in the country and categorically rejected reports of any fertilizer shortage.

“There is no shortage of fertilizers in Pakistan. Fertilizer manufacturing plants are operating normally, adequate quantities are available in the market, and there is no likelihood of any shortage in the coming months,” he stated.

Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s full cooperation with the Federal Government.

He said both governments would work together to ensure that farmers have timely access to fertilizers at affordable prices.

He added that coordinated efforts between the Federation and the provinces would help prevent market distortions, improve fertilizer distribution and safeguard farmers’ interests.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to maintain close coordination with provincial governments and fertilizer manufacturers to ensure adequate availability, stable prices and uninterrupted supply of fertilizers across the country, thereby supporting agricultural productivity and national food security.