Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Friday met with Makhtar Diop, Managing Director and Executive Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group (WBG), to discuss IFC's ongoing and pipeline portfolio in Pakistan.

Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Finance Minister; Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister of Economic Affairs, and senior officers of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs attended the meeting.

The prime minister appreciated the WBG's recently launched new decade-long Country Partnership Framework (CPF) (2026-2035) with its unprecedented commitment of US$40 billion. It would include sovereign lending of US$ 20 billion by the International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). IFC will mobilize another US$ 20 billion to foster private sector investments in Pakistan.

The prime minister lauded IFC's role in fostering private sector investments and expanding portfolio in Pakistan.

He encouraged IFC to enhance its support under the key areas including infrastructure and logistics, outsourcing of large airports, agriculture, information technology, mining, climate resilience, healthcare and water and sanitation.

He also encouraged IFC to enhance collaboration with the private sector arms of other multilateral institutions for maximizing private sector participation in the development process and achieving greater impact.

The prime minister emphasized on export led growth. He underlined the need for digitization of the entire ecosystem of Pakistan's economy. Ongoing digitization efforts of the Federal Board of Revenue were also highlighted.

Mr. Diop reciprocated by highlighting the need for increased private sector investments to improve the road and power sector infrastructure, especially transmission lines, airport services, wheat storage infrastructure including silos to enhance the private sector's role in facilitating exports.

In order to have a healthy population for sustained economic growth, the need of private investment in water, health and sanitation - with desired social safeguards was also highlighted at the meeting.

Mr. Diop appreciated Pakistan's productive engagement with IMF and successful ongoing economic reforms.

He shared that government's efforts to create an enabling environment for the private sector operations in Pakistan, under the dynamic leadership of the prime minister, has increased investors' confidence.

He assured the prime minister of IFC's continued support to the private sector in Pakistan duly aligned with the government's priorities.

The prime minister underscored the need to design various programs to foster human development especially the youth of Pakistan.

He noted that the youth of Pakistan was provided skills training through various initiatives.

Mr Diop committed to enhance IFC's focus on the priority sectors of the government and thanked the prime minister and other relevant stakeholders of the government for their continued support to IFC's interventions in Pakistan.

Islamabad: The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad on Friday approved the post-arrest bail requests for three workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in a case related to protests on November 26.

Civil Judge Sohaib Bilal Ranjha heard the case of two accused, Fahim Ashraf and Faqir Khan. The court granted them bail against surety bonds of Rs. 20,000 each. Both accused are facing charges registered at the Kohsar police station.

In a separate hearing, Civil Judge Murid Abbas approved the post-arrest bail of Atif Hussain against the surety bonds of Rs. 30,000. Hussain is implicated in a case filed at the Sumbal police station.

The accused were represented in court by their lawyers, Sardar Muhammad Masroof Khan Advocate and Amina Ali Advocate. The cases stem from protests held on November 26, which led to legal action against the PTI workers.

Islamabad: Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training, National Heritage, and Culture, Farah Naz Akbar, informed the National Assembly on Friday that the Cambridge Education System is being introduced in Federal Directorate of Education (FDE)-owned colleges.

During the question hour, she said that the initiative is being launched as a pilot project and will be expanded to other institutions in phases.

She added that the plan is currently in its initial stages, with a few selected educational institutions under the FDE set to implement the system first.

Islamabad: The National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) apprehended a fugitive wanted for fraud in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and successfully extradited him to the Islamabad Capital Police on Friday.

An official told reporter that the arrested suspect, identified as Mian Hassan Kamal, was wanted by Islamabad Capital Police in connection with a fraud case registered at Kohsar Police Station.

The arrested individual had issued a cheque worth Rs 6 million for the purchase of a flat, which was later dishonored. Following the fraudulent transaction, he fled abroad and had been evading arrest since 2022, an official added.

FIA NCB Interpol had issued a Red Notice for his arrest, leading to his capture in Abu Dhabi. The suspect was subsequently transferred to Islamabad Airport, where FIA Immigration officials handed him over to Islamabad Police for further legal proceedings.

The successful extradition was made possible through close coordination between Interpol Islamabad and Interpol Abu Dhabi. He emphasized that NCB Interpol, equipped with advanced technology, maintains round-the-clock global communication to track and apprehend fugitives. An official further told reporter that efforts are ongoing to bring more fugitives to justice through enhanced international cooperation.

Authorities reiterated their commitment to utilizing all available resources to bring fugitives to justice.

Islamabad: In a significant move towards combating climate change and promoting sustainable energy, Azerbaijan and Pakistan have agreed to collaborate on renewable energy production, transmission, and trade.

This partnership was formalized during a high-level meeting between Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Ali Alizadeh, and Pakistan's Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam, held here on Friday.

The discussions centered on the urgent need to transition to sustainable energy sources to meet global decarbonization goals.

Both nations emphasized the importance of green technologies, such as green hydrogen and green ammonia, in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy security.

Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, offers a clean alternative for fuel and energy storage, while green ammonia technology provides a cost-effective solution to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Romina Khurshid Alam highlighted the critical role of regional collaboration in realizing the potential of green energy technologies.

She stressed that forming a strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Pakistan could lead to the joint development and transmission of green energy, essential for ensuring energy security and promoting a greener, more sustainable future for the region.

Ambassador Ali Alizadeh underscored the significance of the Green Energy Corridor, a platform that currently includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

This initiative aims to create a renewable energy pathway that benefits both domestic markets and global partners.

He described the collaboration as a major step towards achieving regional energy integration, fostering sustainable economic development, and ensuring a clean energy transition.

Alam expressed Pakistan's keen interest in exploring potential participation in the Green Energy Corridor.

She noted that this initiative would not only enhance the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan but also help both nations meet their climate commitments for environmental sustainability.

The partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan marks a pivotal moment in the global effort to combat climate change.

Islamabad: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Muhammad Shoaib Khan held a Khulli Katcheri (open court) at his office on Thursday to address public complaints and concerns.

A police spokesman told reporter that SSP Shoaib listened to grievances from both citizens and police officials. Senior police officers were also present during the session.

Following the special directives of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, the SSP marked complaints to the relevant officers for timely action and instructed them to submit reports within the given timeframe.

SSP Shoaib emphasized that strict action would be taken against officials involved in bribery or corruption, reiterating a zero-tolerance policy in this regard.

"The Islamabad Police will leave no stone unturned in securing the lives and property of citizens," SSP stated, adding that Khulli Katcheris would continue to promote friendly policing, ensure self-accountability, and lead to the swift resolution of public grievances.