Category: Islamabad

Islamabad:Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the Government Negotiation Committee, warned on Tuesday that the committee would be dissolved, if talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are not resumed by January 31.

Speaking to the media outside the Parliament House, Siddiqui stated that the government committee had waited for the opposition for an extended period, even spending 45 minutes in the Speaker's chamber, but PTI had ended the negotiation process.

Siddiqui emphasized that the government's final response is ready and will be presented when the committee meets. He criticized PTI for sabotaging the talks they had initiated, suggesting that PTI likely had other priorities.

Siddiqui said negotiations are now practically over, though the committee will remain in place until January 31. If PTI reaches out to the speaker, the government committee is open to continuing discussions.

The PML-N leader reminded that PTI formed a committee on December 5, and three negotiation sessions took place. The government committee requested seven working days to respond, with an agreement that response details would remain confidential.

He also pointed out that PTI declared the talks over on January 23, citing various excuses to end the discussions. Siddiqui clarified that the speaker has no authority to dissolve the committee, as he only acts as an intermediary. The power to dissolve it lies with the prime minister, he added.

Siddiqui stated that the government committee will not initiate contact with PTI but is open to communication if PTI approaches the speaker directly.

Irfan Siddiqui expressed regret over the damage PTI has caused to democratic traditions and remarked that the founder of PTI was now observing Black Day. He questioned who might have been present to guide him and noted that, although the window for dialogue was open, PTI had closed its own path.

Islamabad:Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the Government Negotiation Committee, warned on Tuesday that the committee would be dissolved, if talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are not resumed by January 31.

Speaking to the media outside the Parliament House, Siddiqui stated that the government committee had waited for the opposition for an extended period, even spending 45 minutes in the Speaker's chamber, but PTI had ended the negotiation process.

Siddiqui emphasized that the government's final response is ready and will be presented when the committee meets. He criticized PTI for sabotaging the talks they had initiated, suggesting that PTI likely had other priorities.

Siddiqui said negotiations are now practically over, though the committee will remain in place until January 31. If PTI reaches out to the speaker, the government committee is open to continuing discussions.

The PML-N leader reminded that PTI formed a committee on December 5, and three negotiation sessions took place. The government committee requested seven working days to respond, with an agreement that response details would remain confidential.

He also pointed out that PTI declared the talks over on January 23, citing various excuses to end the discussions. Siddiqui clarified that the speaker has no authority to dissolve the committee, as he only acts as an intermediary. The power to dissolve it lies with the prime minister, he added.

Siddiqui stated that the government committee will not initiate contact with PTI but is open to communication if PTI approaches the speaker directly.

Irfan Siddiqui expressed regret over the damage PTI has caused to democratic traditions and remarked that the founder of PTI was now observing Black Day. He questioned who might have been present to guide him and noted that, although the window for dialogue was open, PTI had closed its own path.

Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has restored the membership of 23 parliamentarians after they submitted mandatory details of their assets and liabilities, including those of their families.

According to an ECP notification, the restored members include two Members of the National Assembly, 12 Punjab Assembly members, six Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly members, and three Balochistan Assembly members. The submission of asset details is a legal requirement for parliamentarians to maintain their membership status.

Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday condemned the attack at a Saudi hospital in El Fasher city of Sudan which killed around 70 people, calling it a clear violation of international law.

"The attack leading to the unfortunate deaths reportedly of seventy people clearly violates international law and puts innocent civilians at grave risk. Pakistan extends its deepest sympathies to the victims and their families," according to a Foreign Office statement.

It said that the attack underscored the urgent need to uphold the sanctity of healthcare facilities and adhere to the principles of international humanitarian law.

"Pakistan believes that the conflict can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. We express our full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan," the statement added.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, held a crucial meeting to bolster economic cooperation between the two nations.

The discussion focused on preparations for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's state visit to Azerbaijan, according to a release issued here Monday.

Highlighting the importance of people-to-people connections for fostering trade and investment, the meeting underscored the need for timely implementation of agreements.

The Ambassador also shared plans to establish an Azerbaijan Trade House in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

The Minister proposed organizing a business-to-business (B2B) forum during the Prime Minister's visit, followed by a single-country exhibition in Azerbaijan later this year, possibly in July, to gauge the response to the PTA.

The Ambassador assured support for a business delegation and suggested announcing the launch of Pakistan Azerbaijan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Exploring trade opportunities, Minister Jam Kamal Khan suggested importing cotton from Azerbaijan for processing in Pakistan, with plans to export high-end garments to Cambodia.

The Ambassador offered to connect Pakistan with Azerbaijan's leading cotton producers and highlighted mutual trade opportunities in agriculture and technology.

Both sides celebrated the doubling of trade volume compared to the previous year and emphasized building on this momentum.

The Minister invited Azerbaijan to participate in the upcoming Foodag exhibition in Lahore, while the Ambassador reaffirmed Azerbaijan's commitment to establishing strong trade and investment links by sharing contacts of prominent businesses.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to achieving successful outcomes, prioritizing the establishment of the Trade House and Chamber of Commerce as cornerstones of bilateral trade relations.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward deepening Pakistan-Azerbaijan economic ties, with both nations aiming to create long-term partnerships and explore new avenues for trade and investment.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, held a crucial meeting to bolster economic cooperation between the two nations.

The discussion focused on preparations for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's state visit to Azerbaijan, according to a release issued here Monday.

Highlighting the importance of people-to-people connections for fostering trade and investment, the meeting underscored the need for timely implementation of agreements.

The Ambassador also shared plans to establish an Azerbaijan Trade House in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

The Minister proposed organizing a business-to-business (B2B) forum during the Prime Minister's visit, followed by a single-country exhibition in Azerbaijan later this year, possibly in July, to gauge the response to the PTA.

The Ambassador assured support for a business delegation and suggested announcing the launch of Pakistan Azerbaijan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Exploring trade opportunities, Minister Jam Kamal Khan suggested importing cotton from Azerbaijan for processing in Pakistan, with plans to export high-end garments to Cambodia.

The Ambassador offered to connect Pakistan with Azerbaijan's leading cotton producers and highlighted mutual trade opportunities in agriculture and technology.

Both sides celebrated the doubling of trade volume compared to the previous year and emphasized building on this momentum.

The Minister invited Azerbaijan to participate in the upcoming Foodag exhibition in Lahore, while the Ambassador reaffirmed Azerbaijan's commitment to establishing strong trade and investment links by sharing contacts of prominent businesses.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to achieving successful outcomes, prioritizing the establishment of the Trade House and Chamber of Commerce as cornerstones of bilateral trade relations.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward deepening Pakistan-Azerbaijan economic ties, with both nations aiming to create long-term partnerships and explore new avenues for trade and investment.