PAKISTAN NEWS

Opening Remarks for the Press Briefing by Spokesperson on 23 February 2023Foreign Minister has just completed a 2-day visit to Hungary from 21-22 February, where he held detailed talks with his counterpart Peter Szijjarto. The two Foreign Ministers discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchanged views on important regional and global issues. They agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties and explore new avenues of cooperation. Three MoUs were signed during the visit: on Cooperation between the Foreign Service Academies of the two countries; on Sports & Sports Education; and on enhancing scholarship program for Pakistani students in Hungarian universities. With today’s signing of the MoU, number of annual scholarships for Pakistani students in universities in ...

6 terrorists were killed during the operation in Lakki MarwatSix terrorists were killed in a joint operation by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and the police in LAKKI MARWAT district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Lakki Marwat Police Spokesperson Shahid Hameed said that the police and counter-terrorism department acted on the information about the presence of terrorists involved in various bomb attacks and terrorist incidents within the limits of Dadiwala police station. He said that the police had received information that the terrorists were planning to attack Chowki Abbasa. Firing started from many sides. A senior police officer said that the slain terrorists were wanted by the Marwat Police and Counter-Terrorism Department in attacks on police and terror incidents, who were h...

The President signed the mini budgetPresident Dr. Arif Alvi signed the Supplementary Finance Bill 2023 (Mini Budget). The government had approved the 170 billion rupees supplementary finance bill 2023 (money budget) from the parliament on the conditions set for obtaining a loan from the IMF. After the approval of the Parliament, the Bill was sent to the President's House for the final assent of the President.President Dr. Arif Alvi has signed the Supplementary Finance Bill 2023, the bill will be implemented immediately. With the approval of the bill, the government's one percent increase in GST and other government initiatives including increasing the tax on tobacco have received legal protection.Editor: Raja Kamran

UN General Assembly calls for immediate end to war in UkraineAt its resumed eleventh emergency special session, the world body adopted a new resolution calling for an end to the war, only hours before the conflict enters its second year on Friday.The results were 141 Member States in favor and seven against - Belarus, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria. Among the 32 abstentions were China, India and Pakistan. By the terms of the 11-paragraph resolution, the Assembly reiterated its demand that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine and called for a cessation of hostilities”.The Assembly, through the resolution, urged Member States to cooperate in th...

Italian ambassador to Pakistan H.E  Andreas Ferrarese called on chairman senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanrjani at Parliament house in IslamabadH.E Andreas Ferrarese, the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, called on the Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, at the Parliament House in Islamabad. During the meeting, the two discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and regional security. They also emphasized the need to enhance people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Italy to further strengthen their ties.The Chairman Senate appreciated the positive role of Italy in promoting peace and stability in the region and expressed the hope for greater collaboration between the two countries. The Italian Ambassador expressed hi...

 Joint anti-narcotics operation at sea by Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and Anti-Narcotics ForceJoint anti-narcotics operation at sea by Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and Anti-Narcotics Force.  The operation was conducted on the basis of intelligence information. The value of seized drugs is about 3 billion rupees.The arrested traffickers and seized drugs were handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Force authorities for further legal action. Pakistan Navy along with other law enforcement agencies will continue its efforts to prevent illegal activities in the country's maritime boundaries.Editor: Raja Kamran

Prime Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Levies check post in MastungPrime Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Levies check post in Mastung. Praying for the elevation of the ranks of the Levies personnel who were martyred in the Prime Minister's attack. Prime Minister's condolence to the bereaved.Prime Minister prays for the recovery of those injured in the attack. The determination and morale of the security forces to destroy the terrorists is high. The entire nation salutes the martyrs: Prime Minister.Editor: Raja Kamran

Terrorists have attacked Levi's post located near Babri area of Mastung district of BalochistanAccording to Levies officials, 2 Levies personnel were martyred in the attack on the post. The Levies administration has said that after the attack, the terrorists also took weapons.According to AC Mustang, the area has been cordoned off and the search for the accused has been started.Local people have blocked the Quetta Taftan national highway in protest after the incident.Editor: Raja Kamran

Alliance of GSP Countries seeks bipartisan support for renewal of US GSP Program Masood Khan terms US GSP Program critical in strengthening trade ties, spurring growthAlliance of GSP Countries, comprising 27 nations, has called upon the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, in a letter, for their bipartisan support to expedite legislation for renewal of US Generalized System of Preference (GSP) Program for developing and the least developed countries. Pakistan also joined the Alliance and Ambassador of Pakistan, Masood Khan, co-signed the letter, along with other 26 ambassadors. With 118th Congress in place, we hope there is a window of opportunity for bipartisan legislation renewing the Generalized System of Preference stated the letter written by the Alliance to the Chair ...