Tag: The Pakistan Times

Pakistan’s Liquid Foreign Reserves PositionThe total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at US$ 13,220.6 million as of 29-Dec-2023. The break-up of the foreign reserves position is as under:i) Foreign reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan: US$ 8,221.2 million ii) Net foreign reserves held by commercial banks : US$ 4,999.4 million iii) Total liquid foreign reserves : US$ 13,220.6 millionDuring the week ended on 29-Dec-2023, SBP’s reserves increased by US$ 464 million to US$ 8,221.2 million mainly due to official GoP inflows.Editor: Raja Kamran

Ambassador of Qatar Calls on the Caretaker Prime MinisterAmb. Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater, Ambassador of the State of Qatar called on Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in Islamabad today.The Prime Minister said that Pakistan and Qatar enjoyed strong, fraternal ties. He expressed Pakistan’s desire to expand bilateral cooperation across all spheres, particularly trade and investment. He also conveyed warm regards to the Amir of Qatar.Emphasizing Pakistan’s focus on the GCC region, the Prime Minister said that SIFC was playing an active role to attract investors from the Gulf countries, including Qatar, to benefit from opportunities in key sectors of the economy. He encouraged the Ambassador to explore the potential for cooperation in tourism and media sectors....

SEA PHASE OF INTERNATIONAL MARINE OIL SPILL EXERCISE BARRACUDA-XIISea phase of International Exercise Barracuda-XII was held today at North Arabian Sea. Chief Minister Sindh Maqbool Baqar graced the occasion as Chief Guest and witnessed the sea phase of the exercise onboard Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Ship KASHMIR.Air and Surface assets of Pakistan Navy, PMSA, Pakistan Air Force and other national stakeholders participated in the sea phase of exercise. Exercises on containment of oil spill, Search and Rescue operations and anti piracy were demonstrated by Pak Navy and PMSA aircrafts, PN & PAF helicopters and PMSA ships. The drills were witnessed by fifteen foreign observers and representatives of various National stakeholders. The foreign observers applauded the efforts...

PTA Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Issuance of SIMs Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Lahore successfully conducted a raid in collaboration with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Circle, against franchisee of a mobile phone company in Sheikhupura, aimed to curb the misuse of illegal SIM cards, often linked to criminal activities such as fraud, identity theft and other illicit operations. During the Raid FIA seized 6 Active SIMs and 11 BVS devices used in the illegal activation of SIMs. Two individuals have been nominated for FIR. FIA is currently investigating the matter further. It is pertinent to mention that PTA has established a monitoring and detection system to identify unusual patterns and anomalies associated with SIM card activations. This t...

President Arif Alvi condoles with IranPresident Dr Arif Alvi has expressed his deep condolences to the Government and people of Iran over the terrorist attack in Kerman.The President condemned the brutal attack and said that Pakistan and its people stood in solidarity with the people of Iran in this hour of grief. He added that Pakistan sympathized with the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the attacks.He also prayed for the elevation of the ranks of martyred and the speedy recovery of the injured.Editor: Raja Kamran

Envoys’ Conference 2024A three-day Envoys Conference is being held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 4-6 January 2024. Pakistan's envoys from important capitals with cross-regional representatives have been invited.The conference will be opened with an inaugural address by Foreign MinisterJalil Abbas Jilani. Prime Minister Anwar-ul Haq Kakar will give a key note address. The conference will deliberate and finalize recommendations on a range of bilateral, regional and global dimensions of Pakistan's foreign policy.The Envoys Conference is a regular feature for in-depth discussion for various facets of Pakistan's foreign policy, in view of regional and global developments.Editor: Raja Kamran

Pakistan Strongly Condemns the Terrorist Attack in Kerman, IranPakistan strongly condemns the dastardly terrorist attack that took place earlier today in the Martyrs Cemetery of the provincial capital of Kerman, Iran, resulting in large number of deaths and injuries.We extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured.Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the Government and brotherly people of Iran in this hour of grief and tragedy.Pakistan believes that terrorism is a menace and threat to regional and global peace and security. It needs to be confronted through bilateral and regional cooperation.Editor: Raja Kamran

Visit of Haji Mullah Shirin, Governor of Kandahar and Deputy Head of Military Intelligence and Strategy of AfghanistanForeign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani today received a delegation led by Haji Mullah Shirin, Governor of Kandahar and Deputy Head of Military Intelligence and Strategy of Afghanistan.They exchanged views on key issues of mutual concern, including peace and security, as well as people-to-people contacts.Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continued engagement and mutually beneficial ties with Afghanistan. He also underscored the importance of addressing all issues of concern to harness the full potential for regional trade and connectivity.The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan for the generous support extended to millions of Afghans for...

NIH issued advisory for the Prevention and Control of JN.1 Sub-variant of COVID-19 virus JN.1 is classified as Variant of Interest (VOI) and fundamentally an offshoot of BA.2.86 sub-variant omicron variant COVID-19 virus, very first reported in August, 2023 by US-CDC. However, in recent weeks, JN.1 has been reported in many countries, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing globally. This rapid growth is observed across the three WHO regions with consistent sharing of SARS-CoV-2 sequences, i.e. the region of the Americas, the Western Pacific and the European regions, with the largest increase seen in Western Pacific from 1.1% in epidemiological week 44 to 65.6% in epidemiological week 48. The objective of this advisory is to alert and facilitate the health authorities and other stakeho...

Mohsin Dawar, the head of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) Was attacked in North Waziristan  Mohsin Dawar, the head of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) and a former member of the National Assembly, was attacked in Tapi, North Waziristan Tribal District, while campaigning for election. An local authority said, "He was fired upon." "He's secure." His car was shot upon by unidentified assailants from two directions. "He has remained safe because the bullets struck his vehicle's bulletproof front and side mirrors."Editor: Raja Kamran