Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, held exclusive meetings with key Saudi officials to discuss strengthening economic ties and expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two nations on the sidelines of the 'Made in Pakistan' Exhibition and Business Forum in Jeddah.

During a meeting with Mr. Abdul Aziz Alsakran, Deputy Governor of the General Authority of Foreign Trade, both leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and investment.

Alsakran congratulated the Minister and the Government of Pakistan for organizing a remarkable trade event in the Kingdom, acknowledging its role in promoting Pakistani products and fostering business linkages between the two countries,said a release issued here Thursday.

In another high-level discussion, Jam Kamal Khan met with Mr. Hassan Moejeb Al-Huwaizy, Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, to explore avenues for institutional collaboration.

The Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to deepening economic partnerships with Saudi Arabia and strengthening the role of business chambers in driving bilateral trade.

Recognizing the Federation of Saudi Chambers' contributions to fostering economic cooperation, the Minister emphasized the need for frequent and targeted Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements. He proposed planning structured networking activities between private sector stakeholders from both nations to unlock new trade and investment prospects.

The 'Made in Pakistan' Exhibition and Business Forum, being held from February 5-7, 2025, at the Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Centre, has brought together top Pakistani companies and Saudi investors, providing a unique platform to showcase Pakistan's industrial potential and explore collaborative opportunities in key sectors.

Islamabad: Acting Senate Chairman Syedaal Khan on Thursday invited British businesses to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan and said that the country offers a favourable environment for foreign investors.

During a meeting with the UK Deputy Speaker and his delegation at the Parliament House, he urged British traders and companies to invest in Pakistan's energy, technology, and industrial sectors to enhance economic cooperation between the two nations.

The delegation included the Political Advisor to the British High Commission and officials from the House of Commons.

Syedaal Khan underscored the importance of strengthening parliamentary relations between Pakistan and the UK. Both sides discussed democratic values, parliamentary cooperation, and various aspects of bilateral relations. He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to fostering ties with the UK through parliamentary diplomacy.

Addressing the issue of Palestine, the acting chairman stressed that protecting the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people is a collective responsibility of the global community.

He urged the UK government to play an active role in ending human rights violations in Palestine and to take concrete steps toward ensuring lasting peace in the Middle East. He also called for intensified diplomatic efforts for a just resolution to the conflict.

Highlighting Pakistan's economic potential, Syedaal Khan spoke about the abundant natural resources in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the strategic importance of Gwadar Port.

He stated that effective utilization of these resources could significantly strengthen the national economy.

He also briefed the UK delegation on Gwadar Port's role as a trade hub, offering vast opportunities for international investors.

The discussions also covered parliamentary proceedings, government-opposition consultations, and legislative matters. Both sides agreed on the need to expand economic and trade relations through enhanced parliamentary cooperation.

In honor of the visiting delegation, a special luncheon was hosted at the Senate Banquet Hall by Acting Senate Chairman Syedaal Khan.

The UK Deputy Speaker appreciated Pakistan's democratic progress and thanked the acting chairman for his warm hospitality.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday chaired a review meeting on the task management system established for the privatization process of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and its monitoring.

The prime minister while chairing the review meeting here at the Prime Minister's Office underlined that privatization of state-owned enterprises was part of the government's Uraan Pakistan economic reform and transformation initiative, a Prime Minister's Office news release said.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion emphasised that everyone would have to work together for the development of Pakistan. "I will not allow further losses in SOEs that are wasting the valuable resources of the Pakistani people. The government's job is not to do business, but to provide policy measures and facilities for business and investment," the prime minister said.

He added that the government was rapidly heading towards improving the economy with timely and necessary reforms. The privatization process of the designated institutions should be accelerated without compromising on transparency, the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Sharif directed to hire services of lawyers of good reputation to remove legal obstacles in the privatization process. "I am personally monitoring the privatization process, no kind of delay will be accepted," he said.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister was presented with a review of the task management system created for privatization.

The meeting was also informed about the specific period for privatization of various institutions. The meeting was informed that the privatization of federal government institutions was divided into three phases.

In the first phase, ten institutions would be privatized, in the second phase, thirteen, while in the third phase, the privatization of the remaining institutions would be ensured.

The prime minister directed to expedite the privatization process and ensure the completion of the privatization process within the specified period.

Federal Ministers Abdul Aleem Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ahad Khan Cheema and relevant senior officials attended the meeting.

Islamabad: Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Trkiye's Ambassador to Pakistan, Irfan Neziroglu on Thursday discussed avenues for collaboration in information technology, 5G, and artificial intelligence (AI).

During a meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in digital transformation, e-governance, and smart technologies. It was highlighted that 67 million people in Trkiye benefit from the e-governance system, with 8,000 digital services currently operational.

Shaza Fatima reiterated the Pakistan Software Export Board's (PSEB) commitment to fostering international IT collaboration and emphasized the necessity of partnerships between Pakistan and Trkiye in IT, telecom, and digital business.

Ambassador Neziroglu also stressed the importance of bilateral engagement in these sectors.

The discussions included potential business-to-business (B2B) cooperation between Pakistan's National IT Board (NITB) and Trkiye's TurkSat. The minister underscored the growing significance of digital skills over traditional degrees and called for enhanced skill development initiatives.

She further said that the implementation of the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill would bring significant advancements in the economy, e-governance, and data exchange.

Both countries agreed on the need to promote digital growth, employment opportunities, and economic stability through technological cooperation.

Islamabad: Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), has underscored the urgent need for adopting business-friendly policies to tackle the rising cost of production.

He stressed that the government must focus on implementing economic reforms and improving the regulatory environment to create a more conducive atmosphere for businesses, attract foreign investment, and ensure long-term financial stability, said a press release issued here.

In a meeting with visiting business leaders on Thursday, Qureshi emphasized that rather than relying on extensive borrowing, the government should prioritize enhancing the ease of doing business. This approach, he noted, is critical to putting the country's economy on a sustainable growth trajectory.

He criticized the increase in oil prices and electricity tariffs, describing them as a "fuel bomb" for businesses. He argued that these hikes, made to comply with the IMF's conditions for the revival of the stalled loan program, would not only increase the cost of doing business but also escalate inflation to decades-high levels.

He warned that this approach could cripple the industrial and trade sectors, discouraging both local and foreign investment.

The ICCI President also pointed out the damaging effects of high taxes and rising energy costs on businesses, which have led to a surge in power theft and inefficiencies in the energy sector.

He questioned why these issues were being passed onto consumers in the form of higher tariffs, further burdening the already struggling business community.

Concluding his remarks, the ICCI President urged the government to implement measures that would reduce the cost of doing business, including easing the tax burden on the power sector. He also called for stronger efforts to promote exports through incentives for trade and industry and by exploring new international markets to help Pakistan achieve sustainable economic growth.

Islamabad: Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) of the Islamabad Food Authority (IFA), Dr. Tahira Saddique on Thursday said that, in partnership with the Impact International Research Organisation, the authority aims to enforce stricter sodium guidelines, educate the public, and promote healthier eating habits.

Talking to reporter, she emphasized that the Islamabad Food Authority is taking a bold step to address the growing health risks associated with excessive salt consumption.

This initiative seeks to combat chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and kidney problems, which are often exacerbated by high salt intake, she added.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming less than 5 grams of salt per day. However, in Pakistan, people exceed this limit, consuming more than 9 grams per day, largely due to the prevalence of processed foods.

Dr. Tahira explained that the food authority's primary focus is on regulating sodium levels in processed and packaged foods. By setting clear standards and ensuring manufacturers comply, the authority aims to reduce the amount of salt in everyday food products.

This move is expected to make it easier for consumers to choose healthier options without compromising on taste or convenience, she added.

Dr. Tahira highlighted that public awareness is another key component of the initiative. The authority plans to launch campaigns to educate people about the dangers of excessive salt consumption. These efforts will emphasize the connection between high sodium intake and serious health issues, such as elevated blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.

By encouraging the use of food labels that display sodium content, the authority hopes to empower individuals to make informed dietary choices.

Collaboration is at the heart of this initiative. The food authority is working with healthcare professionals, schools, and community organizations to promote a culture of reduced salt intake.

She reiterated that schools will play a vital role in teaching children about the importance of healthy eating, while community programs will focus on making low-sodium alternatives more accessible.

By addressing this issue, the Islamabad Food Authority aims to improve public health outcomes and reduce the burden of chronic diseases. This initiative marks a significant step toward creating a healthier future for all.