PAKISTAN NEWS

Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer at the Hand Over Ceremony of U.S.-Donated Medical Oxygen Commodities and Refrigeration TrucksIt is an honor to be here today for this important event. We know how important it is for people to have access to quality health care. In partnership with Pakistan, we continue to make strategic investments to improve Pakistan’s health care system, especially here in Punjab. On behalf of the government and people of the United States of America, I am pleased to announce that we have completed delivery of $2 million worth of oxygen commodities to 37 hospitals across Punjab. This support is enhancing hospitals' capacity to provide oxygen therapy to patients suffering from COVID-19 as well as many other lung conditions. I am also pleased to announce that...

Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab met with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan RajaAn important meeting was held in the Chief Minister's House under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, in which the members of the four provinces of the Election Commission of Pakistan and the members of the Punjab Cabinet participated. A detailed review of the Punjab government's preparations was made. During the meeting, a detailed briefing was given by the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding the preparations for the general elections in Punjab. In the meeting, a briefing was also given on the security arrangements for the general elections, the caretaker Punjab government and the Election Commission expressed their determination to ens...

Statement by the Spokesperson, Ministry of the Foreign Affairs PakistanThe following statement is attributable to the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, in response to media queries:“We have seen the press statement by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) applies to all illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan, irrespective of their nationality and country of origin. The decision is in exercise of Pakistan's sovereign domestic laws, and compliant with applicable international norms and principles.All foreign nationals legally residing/registered in Pakistan are beyond the purview of this Plan. The Government of Pakistan takes its commitments towards protection and safety needs of t...

Fire exchange took place between security forces and terrorists in general area Khoro, Awaran District of BalochistanOn 29 October 23, fire exchange took place between security forces and terrorists in general area Khoro, Awaran District of Balochistan. Own troops effectively engaged the terrorists' location and resultantly two terrorists were sent to hell, while two terrorists got injured. However, during intense exchange of fire, Naib Subedar Asif Irfan (age 37 years, resident of District Okara) and Sepoy Irfan Ali (age 22 years, resident of District Sargodha) having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat.Sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area. Security Forces are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrific...

Ambassador Masood Khan receives Hubert Humphrey Fellows from Pakistan“It is a great opportunity for Pakistani students and professionals to visit the United States and benefit from globally recognized seats of learning and hone their skills for better service delivery,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States. “Pakistan and United States have long-standing educational ties and both the countries are partnering to further strengthen these bonds with increased number of exchanges,” he continued. “Immersion would be a good approach to learn new technologies; and build networks to bring the professionals of the two countries closer,” he said. The Ambassador made these remarks while interacting with a group of 15 mid-career Pakistani professionals, from public and private secto...

Foreign Minister’s telephone conversation with UK Foreign Secretary Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani received a telephone call from the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly today. They discussed bilateral cooperation and stressed the importance of high-level engagement and dialogue to further strengthen Pakistan-UK relations.Foreign Minister underlined the strong legacy of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and expressed his desire to jointly craft a more robust and long-term vision for this important bilateral relationship.Foreign Secretary Cleverly appreciated Pakistan for its support and cooperation in facilitating relocation of Afghans sponsored by the UK government. Foreign Minister Jilani reiterated Pakistan’s continued commitment to facilitate relocation of A...

Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs presided over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the CabinetThe Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar presided over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, today.The meeting was attended by the Caretaker Minister for Privatization, Mr. Fawad Hassan Fawad, Caretaker Minister for Planning and Development, Mr Sami Saeed, Caretaker Adviser to the Prime Minister on Aviation, Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan, Federal Secretaries, and other senior officers from relevant ministries. The meeting considered a single item agenda submitted by the Aviation Division.The Aviation Division submitted a proposal for prov...

Pakistan Observes 76th Anniversary of India’s Occupation of Jammu and Kashmir as ‘Black Day’ Today, the Government and people of Pakistan and the Kashmiri people are observing the 76th anniversary of the Indian troops’ landing in Jammu and Kashmir as a ‘Black Day’.The President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, in their special messages on the occasion, have reiterated Pakistan’s unflinching moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmir Cause. They have also underscored the need to reverse India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, which have triggered a process aimed at changing the demographic structure and political landscape of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).The Foreign Minister has addressed letters to the President ...

ISSI holds Seminar titled “October 27, 1947: A Black Day for Humanity”The India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized a seminar today, titled “October 27, 1947: A Black Day for Humanity.” Dr. Khurram Abbas, Director ISC in his introductory remarks highlighted the significance of this day and the importance of mobilizing the international community to advance the Kashmir cause. Other participants included: Dr. Maria Saifuddin Effendi, Assistant Professor Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, NDU; Mr. Imran Shafiq, Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan and International Law Expert; Ambassador Syed Ishtiaq Hussain Andrabi, former Ambassador of Pakistan; Mr. Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Convener APHC; and Mr. Ilyas Mehmood Nizami, DG South Asia and...

Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland’s Call with Pakistani Caretaker Foreign Minister JilaniActing Deputy Secretary of State and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland spoke today with Pakistani Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani to discuss critical issues in the U.S.-Pakistan partnership. Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland and Foreign Minister Jilani discussed our mutual interest in facilitating the safe and timely resettlement of eligible Afghans to the United States. They also agreed on the importance of free and fair elections that are inclusive and held in a manner consistent with Pakistan’s laws. Both the Acting Deputy Secretary and Foreign Minister Jilani discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Acting Deputy Secretary highlighted the United St...