PAKISTAN NEWS

Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs held a meeting with IMF review Mission led by IMF Chief Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs Dr. Shamshad Akhtar held a meeting with IMF review Mission led by IMF Chief Mr. Nathan Porter at Finance Division, today. The meeting was attended by IMF resident representative Ms. Esther Perez Ruiz, Governor SBP Mr. Jamil Ahmed, Chairman FBR, Chairman SECP, Secretary Fianance, members of IMF delegation, and senior officers from Finance Division. The caretaker Minister for Finance, Revenue, & Economic Affairs Dr. Shamshad Akhtar welcomed the delegation and shared progress on the Standby Arrangement (SBA). The Minister briefed the Mission on fiscal measures being taken by the Government t...

General Elections in the country on 8th February 2024On today's order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr Sikandar Sultan Raja, along with the Attorney General for Pakistan, Mr Mansoor Usman Awan, and four members of the Election Commission of Pakistan, came to meet President Dr Arif Alvi, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, to discuss the date for holding the forthcoming General Elections in the country.The President heard about the progress the ECP has made in delimitation and for elections. After a detailed discussion the meeting unanimously agreed to hold General Elections in the country on 8th February 2024.Editor: Raja Kamran

Former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar met with the American Ambassador Donald Blome Former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar met with the American Ambassador Donald Blome, at Parliament House & discussed strengthening the enduring relationship between Pakistan & the United States. The discussion covered various crucial topics, including the Economy, ongoing Afghan Refugees Issue, and the IMF's SBA program. Senator Dar emphasized Pakistan's commitment to regional peace, economic ties, and upcoming General Elections in 2024.Ambassador Blome acknowledged Pakistan's sovereignty in dealing with illegal migrants & Senator Dar expressed optimism about the IMF program's second review. They both expressed hope for free & fair General Elections in 2024.Editor: Raja Kamran

The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists: Statement by Matthew Miller, Spokesperson More than 350 journalists have been killed since the UN General Assembly established the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists in December 2014, according to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to ending impunity for crimes against journalists, and we call on the global community to unite in holding accountable those who direct and perpetrate violence, harassment, and intimidation against media workers. The United States is committed to continued partnership with the Media Freedom Coalition and our partners in the global human rights community to promote accountability for those who carry out violence again...

NPMC reviews prices of essential commoditiesThe National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) reviewed the prices of essential commodities on Thursday and expressed satisfaction over stabilization of prices of essential items. The Committee directed the relevant stakeholders to keep vigilant eye on food prices to provide relief to the common man. The meeting was Chaired by the Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives, Muhammad Sami Saeed, attended by the Secretary Planning Ministry, Awais Manzur Sumra, Chief Statistician from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Chief Economist of Pakistan, representatives from all provinces, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Ministry of Food Security & Industries, and other relevant stakeholders were also present in the me...

BILATERAL EXERCISE OF PAKISTAN NAVY AND QATAR NAVY SPECIAL FORCES CONCLUDES AT KARACHIThe 6th edition of bilateral exercise MUHARIB-AL-BAHR between Pakistan Navy Special Service Group (SSG(N)) and Qatari Naval Special Forces (QNSF) was conducted at Karachi. The exercise is conducted annually alternatively at Pakistan and Qatar. The two weeks long exercise comprised of various operations such as Frogman Ops, coordinated Maritime Interdiction Operations, Ship Visit- Board-Search & Seizure (SVBSS) Procedures, Sniper Weapon Firing, Day & Night Counter Terrorism Training, Close Quarter Combat (CQC) at Ship in a Box Mockup and Fast Rope Insertion Extraction Techniques (FRIETS). The exercise was aimed at strengthening military relationship and improving coordination and interoperabi...

Minister for Finance, Revenue, & Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akthar addressed the UNCTAD conferenceMinister for Finance, Revenue, & Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akthar addressed the UNCTAD conference titled "Development Finance for 2030 Agenda: Environmentally Safe Industrialization," held in Geneva, on 1st November, 2023. In her keynote speech, Dr. Akhtar highlighted that Pakistan has adopted an ambitious NDC plan to cut GHG emissions by 50%, while SBP and SECP have issued guidelines for the adoption of Green Industry practices. Dr. Shamshad Akhtar also stressed on the need of global action to accelerate investment in SDGs while tackling debt distress in developing economies.Editor: Raja Kamran

Executive Director (designate) World Bank, called on the Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic AffairsDr. Tauqeer Hussain Shah, the Executive Director (designate) World Bank, called on the Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, at the Ministry of Finance. The Ministers for Privatization & Energy, Chairman SECP, Chairman FBR, Secretaries of Finance & Economic Affairs & Country Director World Bank were also present on the occasion.Finance Minister appreciated the contributions of Dr. Tauqeer Hussain Shah to public service and hoped that Dr. Shah will utilise his experience in fostering strong collaboration between Pakistan and the World Bank. Dr. Shah thanked Finance Minister for her guidance and immense support and assured to fo...

Afghan Affairs Minister Sardar Ahmed Shakib met with Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed BugtiIn the meeting, bilateral issues and the return of Afghan citizens to their homeland were discussed. Interior Minister said The return of foreigners residing illegally in Pakistan continues. Instructions have been issued to treat those returning to their homeland with the utmost respect and dignity. No action is being taken against those holding Proof of Registration and Afghan Station Card.In this regard, any negligence and misbehavior will not be tolerated at all. A control center and helpline have been set up in this regard in the Ministry of Interior. The Afghan Embassy should appoint a representative, who will be in constant contact with the control center for immediate resolu...