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PM, UAE PRESIDENT VOW TO DEEPENING TIES ACROSS DIFFERENT SECTORS Monday, 6 January, 2025 I 5 Rajabul Murajjab 1446
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UAE PRESIDENT INFORMALLY EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH PM SHEHBAZ, DRIVES VEHICLE AT RY KHAN AIRPORT
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ISLAMABAD
PM REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN’S COMMITMENT TO ELEVATE PAK-UAE COOPERATION TO A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Staff RepoRt
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates here and discussed matters of mutual and bilateral interest. President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan drove the vehicle and the prime minister accompanied him at the Rahim Yar Khan Airport. In the vehicle, the two leaders exchanged views in an informal and pleasant manner. The prime minister welcomed the UAE president in his second home Pakistan. During the meeting, both leaders expressed their shared commitment to deepening economic, political, and cultural ties. They discussed a wide range of issues, including economic collaboration, regional stability, climate change, and the promotion of mutual interests on the global stage. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the UAE’s visionary leadership and its role as a key partner for Pakistan in development and investment. He underscored Pakistan’s readiness to expand cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, technology, trade, infrastructure and skill development. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan highlighted the UAE’s keen interest in collaborating with Pakistan in the mining, minerals, and agriculture sectors. He expressed admiration for the manner in which Pakistan’s economy has stabilized and is moving in the right direction under the
leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He emphasized that this renewed economic vigour has created prospects for enhanced bilateral investment and collaboration. In his remarks, His Highness also reiterated the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its longstanding partnership with Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of people-to-people connections and shared prosperity. Prime Minister Sharif extended his gratitude to His Highness for the UAE’s unwavering support during critical times, particularly in humanitarian assistance and development aid. Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to peace and
progress in the region, vowing to work closely on matters of mutual interest. The meeting concluded with a joint resolve to foster greater cooperation, particularly in priority sectors, ensuring a brighter future for both nations. During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Muammad Ishaq Dar, Chief Minister of Punjab Ms. Maryam Nawaz, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi were present. In a post on X, the prime minister later said, “Delighted to meet with my
‘Govt hinges on PPP’s support,’ Marri cautions PML-N against ‘unilateral decisions’ ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) spokesperson Shazia Marri on Sunday lambasted the federal government for “repeatedly making unilateral decisions”, including the establishment of the Pakistan Maritime and Seaport Authority, warning the government will collapse if the party withdraws its support. In a statement, PPP leader Shazia Marri reacted strongly to the Maritime and Shipping Port Authority decision, saying the federal government is consistently making decisions without consulting PPP, including the establishment of the Pakistan Maritime and Shipping Port Authority (PMSPA). “While we have said it again and again that the federal government has PPP’s support, the day we withdraw that support, the federal government will collapse,” Marri warned, adding, “Perhaps, the PMLN does not realise this.” She added that the PPP was not taken into confidence regarding the decision to establish the Pakistan Maritime and Seaport Authority. “Both the Sindh government and the Pakistan People’s Party were kept in the dark regarding the
decision to establish the authority,” she stated. She stated that both the Sindh government and PPP were kept in the dark about the establishment of the authority. “As long as PPP continues to support the federal government, it will remain in power, but once that support ends, the government will cease to exist”, she warned. Marri further pointed out that the PPP had been demanding the convening of the National Interest Council meeting for a long time, yet it has not been called in eleven months. The PPP spokesperson said that the ongoing violation of the constitution by the Prime Minister, who is legally bound to convene the Council of Common Interests every three months, is alarming. Marri demanded that the matter of the establishment of the Maritime and Shipping Port Authority be brought to the Council of Common Interests, emphasizing that decisions on key national issues should not be made without consulting the allies and provinces. She further stated that the federal government’s actions are incomprehensible and could lead to deeper divisions. She urged that the country be governed
according to constitutional and legal principles, with consultations with allies and provinces before making decisions on maritime issues and port authority recommendations. Earlier, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider had said the alliance with the PML-N had damaged the PPP in the country’s political powerhouse, Punjab. However, he predicts that now it is the PML-N’s turn to bear the brunt of this alliance. Haider, who belongs to the PPP, took the oath of office after a power sharing deal struck between the PPP and the ruling PML-N in the wake of the February 8 general elections. According to the agreement, the PPP chose the constitutional positions of the president, governorship of two provinces Punjab and KP and Senate chairmanship in return for propping up the PML-N led coalition government in the Centre. The PPP and the PML-N, arch rivals prior to the emergence of the PTI, had a long history of turf war in the country’s most populous province which the PML-N had snatched from the PPP. There is a general impression that the anti-PML-N voter in Punjab is disillusioned with the PPP after it came closer to the PML-N and later started voting for the PTI.
‘Surprised’ by PTI’s new demands, delay in presenting CoD: Siddiqui ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The government negotiations committee spokesperson Senator Irfan Siddiqui on Sunday expressed concerns over the PTI’s new demands, including the inclusion of a representative of the establishment in the ongoing negotiations and the party’s reluctance to present a formal charter of demands (CoD). Speaking during a TV programme, Senator Irfan Siddiqui said he was “surprised” by Qaiser’s new demands, stating that they had not been brought up in committee meetings. “What the PTI said in the interview is surprising and very big,” he said. A day earlier, PTI leader Asad Qaiser told the TV channel that the party would not continue negotiations with the government to cease unless the party was granted “uninterrupted access” to ex-premier and party founder Imran Khan for consultation, asserting that only Khan could make any final decisions.
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PML-N always committed to dialogue for resolution of issues: Kh Asif ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) as a political party is always committed to hold dialogue for resolution of the issues. Talking on a private news channel, he said, “the PMLN has consistently encouraged negotiations to strengthen democracy in the country. “We have done numerous past efforts to promote democratic supremacy,” he added. The minister also addressed the ongoing talks between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
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dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, today in Rahimyar Khan. Reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to further strengthen Pak-UAE cooperation and elevate our ties to a mutually beneficial strategic partnership. Matters of mutual interest including investments in Pakistan were discussed with a resolve to move forward together.” PM TAKES NOTICE OF ILLEGAL REINSTATEMENT OF LESCO OFFICERS Meanwhile, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the illegal reinstatement of several officers who were fired for corruption in the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO). According to the details, a high-level committee has been formed to investigate corruption in LESCO, whose notification has also been issued. The committee will complete the investigation and submit a report within 10 days, the committee has asked the Lesko management to respond to the allegations. According to the notification, the Lesco management is accused of rehabilitating 12 officers by taking money, the management is also accused of purchasing equipment from an international company. Earlier, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed a fine of Rs10 million on Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) over failure to implement safety measures. According to NEPRA, LESCO had previously been instructed to complete the earthing of 100% of their poles, but they failed to implement the directions.
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Court again ‘defers’ verdict against PTI founder, wife in £190m reference irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
RAWALPINDI
Staff RepoRt
An accountability court in Rawalpindi again deferred its verdict in £190m case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. According to sources, the verdict which was scheduled to be announced tomorrow has been delayed for the third time meanwhile the lawyers will be informed about the new date tomorrow. Earlier, the AC delayed the hearing of the 190 million pound reference against PTI founder and his wife Bushra Bibi. It is worth mentioning here that n accountability court in Islamabad reserved its verdict in £190 million reference against Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. Accountability court judge Nasir Javed Rana conducted the hearing at Adiala Jail. The court reserved the verdict of the case after the prosecution team and defence lawyers completed their arguments. The verdict of the case will be announced on December 23, Monday. The accountability court took almost one year to complete the hearing of the case. The verdict of the 190 million pound reference against Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi has been delayed again. Whether or not the founders of PTI and courtesy BB will be punished in the 190 million pound reference? Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana was scheduled to deliver the verdict tomorrow. The court reserved judgment on the 190million-pound reference on December 18, having previously set December 23 as the date for the case to be decided, but the court postponed the ruling to January 6. However, sources say that the decision of the 190 million pound reference has been postponed again, the decision of the 190 million pound reference will not be delivered tomorrow, the new date of the decision will be communiated to the lawyers tomorrow.
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