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PAKISTAN RECEIVES $2B DEPOSIT FROM SAUDI ARABIA: ISHAQ DAR
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Wednesday, 12 July, 2023 I 23 Zil Hajj, 1444
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PM SAYS GOVT EXPECTS INVESTMENT OF $40B IN g THANKS KSA LEADERSHIP FOR NEXT 4 TO 5 YEARS, CREATION OF 4M NEW JOBS UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR PAKISTAN PROFIT PPI
INANCE Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday announced that Pakistan had received a $2 billion from Saudi Arabia – a major development given that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was pressing hard to fulfil the requirement of external financing to bridge the current financial year’s requirements. In a tweet, Dar said the amount had been deposited with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), resulting in an increase in foreign reserves which would be reflected in the figures for the week ending July 14. He thanked the Saudi leadership on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir and the people of Pakistan for “their great gesture and support”. Earlier in the day, the prime minister said the government had aimed at fetching billions of dollars in investment from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries into the country’s food and agriculture sectors. He said in a tweet that the GCC countries imported food items and agri-
culture products to the tune of $40 billion annually. Shehbaz said the step would be taken under the supervision of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), for which the ground has been prepared. In the next four to five years, he said, there would be an investment of approximately $40 billion in addition to the creation of four million new jobs. The prime minister mentioned that at the national seminar on agriculture and food security held Monday, he
Indus Motors set to be first automotive firm to export semi-processed parts to Egypt g
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IMC WILL JOIN TOYOTA’S GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN WITH TOYOTA EGYPT DEAL PROFIT
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Indus Motor Company (IMC) has achieved a historic feat by becoming the first Pakistani auto manufacturer to join the global supply chain. The company has inked a deal with Toyota Egypt to export semi-processed parts, opening new avenues for the country’s automotive sector. The first shipment of semi-processed raw materials, slated for July 2023, marks a significant milestone for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Pakistan. IMC aims to expand its exports in the future. The occasion itself Ali Asghar Jamali, IMC’s Chief Executive, attended a ceremony at IMC’s plant in Port Qasim to commemorate the occasion. He expressed his excitement and emphasised the significance of this achievement for both IMC and the nation. He stated, “To witness the ‘Make in Pakistan’ dream extend beyond our borders is a momentous occasion — not only for IMC but for the entire country”. Being a part of Toyota’s global supply chain affirms our dedication to put Pakistan on the world map and strengthen the overall economy. We look forward to further enhancing our capabilities through this collaboration and strive to position Pakistan’s auto industry as a symbol of reliability and quality worldwide.” Why now? IMC highlighted how the partnership supports the Government of Pakistan’s “Look Africa” policy, which seeks to enhance connectivity and trade links between the two regions. However, more importantly, the deal with Toyota Egypt aligns with the Auto Industry Development and Export Policy (AIDEP) 2021-2026. AIDEP outlines the objectives for bolstering the export capabilities of the Pakistani auto industry. AIDEP mandates that OEM contracts that restrict exports from Pakistan must be revised to permit exports to desired destinations and establish Pakistan as an export base for auto parts and vehicles.
stressed the importance of revitalizing agriculture as a harbinger of the second Green Revolution. “The second Green Revolution is about making agriculture the major driver of our economic growth, leading to food security that reinforces our national security,” he said. He said the seminar was not a routine event meant for churning of rhetoric, but it represented the beginning of a long overdue national effort for the economic revival of the country owned
by all stakeholders. “The future holds the promise of departing from loans to building a resilient economy, which stands on its internal strengths,” he said. In addition the Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Saudi leadership for their generous and unwavering support for Pakistan, which, he said, was particularly instrumental in securing the deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He was talking to Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy, who called on him, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The prime minister asked the ambassador to convey his special gratitude to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for the deposit of $2 billion dollars with the State Bank of Pakistan. He also apprised Ambassador Nawaf about the formation of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SFIC) to facilitate and fast-track potential investments from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan, China always stand test of time: PM ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that as ‘Iron Brothers’ and old friends, Pakistan and China always stood together in difficult times and had extended unflinching support to each other on issues of mutual concern. The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with Charge d’affaires of the People’s Republic of China Pang Chunxue, who called on him. The prime minister felicitated the Communist Party of China on its 102nd anniversary and thanked the CPC leadership for its firm support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, integrity and economic development, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. Recalling his substantive interactions with President Xi Jinping and more recently with Premier Li Qiang, the prime minister appreciated the strong personal commitment of the Chinese leadership for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. Noting the upward trajectory in Pakistan-China ties and deepening economic and financial relationship, the prime minister thanked China for its support for Pakistan’s economic stability and expressed his firm commitment to further deepen development cooperation between the two countries under the rubric of Global Development Initiative and China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Conveying the best wishes and felicitations of the Chinese government for Pakistan, Pang underscored that Pakistan was an all-weather strategic cooperative partner of China and a time-tested friend. She highlighted that the Chinese
government and the Communist Party of China accorded a special place to Pakistan in its neighborhood diplomacy and looked forward to further deepening relationship in all fields of bilatral cooperation. Thanking the prime minister for his virtual participation in the first High-Level Forum on Global Development Initiative (GDI), Chinese Charge d’ Affaires expressed China’s resolve to implement GDI projects in Pakistan as envisaged by the leadership of two countries. She further underscored that CPEC was a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative and that Chinese leadership would continue supporting Pakistan’s efforts for developing CPEC as the highquality demonstration project of the BRI. She reiterated that China regarded Pakistan as an important economic partner and would continue its efforts for promoting socio-economic development and financial stability of Pakistan. PM PRAISES IB’S PERFORMANCE, ROLE: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday appreciated the performance and role of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in strengthening the country’s solidarity, sovereignty and thwarting threats posed
by local and foreign elements. The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with IB Director General Fawad Asadullah Khan who presented a one-year performance report of the Bureau, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. He expressed his satisfaction over the performance of the IB and observed that it had played a very critical role in national solidarity and safeguarding its sovereignty. The prime minister said that he had tasked the IB with additional tasks after assuming his office and the Bureau had achieved them successfully. It also played an effective role in rooting out criminal activities and performed well in the anti-terrorism efforts, he said, adding the IB’s role was also excellent with regard to gleaning of timely information, leading to correct decisions. He said the nation felt pride over the sacrifices of its Shuhada who embraced martyrdom for the security and defence of the country. The prime minister lauded professional ability of the DG IB and his efforts to further improve the Bureau, and also commended the role and performance of IB officers and staff.
Israel’s criticism of human rights in Pakistan ‘politically motivated’: FO ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Foreign Office on Tuesday termed a statement by Israel on human rights situation in Pakistan during a United Nations (UN) session “politically motivated” and “fundamentally at variance with the positive tone” with the agenda of the meeting. The FO rebuttal came after Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN Adi Farjon said during a sitting of the UN Human Rights Council that the country was “deeply concerned about the overall rights situation in Pakistan where enforced disappearances, torture, crackdown on peaceful protests and violence against religious minorities and other marginalised groups remain prevalent”. FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated t: “Israel believes that it is essential that Pakistan heeds our recommendations to take all appropriate steps to prevent arbitrary arrests, torture and other ill-treatment and bring perpetrators of such acts to justice and end the widespread use of the death penalty, especially against children and persons with disabilities.” The envoy said Israel also called for Islamabad to “decriminalise same-sex activities” in line with international human rights standards and adopt a “comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation” in this regard. She further mentioned that Israel was also concerned over the National Assembly passing amendments in January to tighten the blasphemy law in Pakistan, which she claimed was “often used to target and persecute religious and other minority groups”. In its rebuttal, the Foreign Office (FO) noted that Pakistan’s Universal Periodic Report — a process which involves a review of the human rights records of UN member states — was adopted unanimously in the same session. “Several states and civil society organisations commended Pakistan on the progress achieved in promoting human rights,” the statement said, adding that Israel’s “politically motivated statement is fundamentally at variance with the otherwise positive tone of the session and the statements made by a vast majority of states”. “Given Israel’s long history of oppression of Palestinians, Pakistan can certainly do without its advice on protecting human rights,” the statement added. ‘India-Israel nexus with PTI stands exposed behind May 9 mayhem’ Meanwhile, government representatives linked the statement by Israel’s envoy to UN with the PTI, with Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman seeing criticism of the country’s human rights situation as Tel Aviv’s “support for Imran Khan”. Addressing a press conference alongside Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Interior Attaullah Tarar in Islamabad, she said Israel had issued a “highly condemnable” statement on the alleged violation of PTI’s human rights. “It is now evident that they have a nefarious alliance, they have a collusion that is an old one,” she alleged. Sherry went on to say that “it was a collusion in which Pakistan’s enemies, who spew venom against Palestinians, Muslims and Kashmiris at every international forum across the world, were now together supporting the PTI.” The minister also linked the statement to the events of May 9, when countrywide protests had erupted after Imran’s arrest during which several properties, including military installations, were vandalised. “Everyone now knows who benefitted from May 9. Everyone knows why there was foreign funding. Everyone now knows why Imran Khan is called a foreign agent,” she said. Sherry also berated Israel for its treatment of Palestinians. Speaking on the occasion, SAPM on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar said the fake narrative of the Israeli government at a United Nations meeting about the human rights violations in Pakistan was the clear evidence that the Jewish state extended support the PTI chairman in carry out the May 9 arson and mayhem. “We have been pointing out since the first day that those who carried out the mayhem have links with the enemy,” he added. SAPM Tarar said Hakeem Saeed Shaheed had indicated decades ago that a leader would be imposed on the country with the nexus of Jewish lobby. In the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s foreign funding case, it also transpired that the money trail was from Israel. The PTI had close links with anti-state elements since Israeli would not have funded any pro-Pakistan party, he added.
At UN rights body, FM Bilawal denounces Holy Quran’s desecration as ‘attack on faith’ CONTINUED ON PAGE 02
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Tuesday described the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden as “the incitement of religious hatred and attack on faith of Muslims” as the UN Human Rights Council debated a motion in the wake of a recent incident of the holy book’s burning in Sweden. The session of the UN Human Rights Council convened in response to the desecrated the Holy Quran in Sweden’s capital Stockholm, resulting in strong condemnation from several Muslim states, including Pakistan, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, Pope Francis and the Swedish government, among others. The motion was brought by Pakistan that sought a report from the UN rights chief on the topic and called on states to review their laws and plug gaps that may “impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred”. It highlighted rifts in the UN body between the West and a Muslim grouping, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, with Western members concerned about its implications for
free speech and challenges posed to long-held practices in human rights protection. During the debate on the contentious draft today, other Muslim nations also joined Pakistan in condemning the act and called for accountability. For his part, Bilawal said while referring to the Holy Quran’s desecration, “We must see this clearly for what it is: incitement to religious hatred, discrimination and attempts to provoke violence.” Addressing the session via a video link, he said “the deliberate desecration of the Holy Quran has continued under the government sanction and with a sense of impunity” and that such acts were designed to “maximise provocation”. “We must join hands in condemning it and, we must isolate those who stoke hatred,” he stressed. Bilawal added that “it is important to understand the deep hurt that a public and premeditated act of the Holy Quran’s desecration causes to Muslims. It is an attack on their faith”. Bilawal further said the call made in the motion for prevention and accountability over such acts was “reasonable and necessary”, adding that he was not losing sight of
the fundamental right of free speech in making this demand. “Free speech is as indispensable as hate speech should be indefensible. Our vigour to protect free speech must not lose sight of the imperative to reject hate speech,” he asserted. Bilawal said no Muslim country allowed the desecration of holy texts of other religions, adding that such an act was “unthinkable” to any Muslim and “forbidden by faith, by culture and by law”. “It is in the same spirit I resolutely stand alongside those who are calling for prevention, legal deterrence and accountability of actions that constitute incitement of hostility against people of faith. “Let us unite against hatred, discrimination and intolerance and forge pathways for mutual respect, understanding and intolerance,” he said, concluding his address. Bilawal’s remarks were echoed by ministers from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia with the latter calling the Holy Quran’s desecration an act of “Islamophobia”. “Stop abusing freedom of expression,” said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. “Silence means complicity.” Germany’s ambassador Katharina Stasch called the burning a “dreadful provo-
cation” and condemned it. But she added that “freedom of speech sometimes also means to bear opinions that may seem almost unbearable”. France’s envoy said human rights were about protecting people, not religions and their symbols. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk told the 47-member council that inflammatory acts against Muslims, as well as other religions or minorities, are “offensive, irrespon-
sible and wrong”. But, he continued, these were “complex areas” and care needs to be taken in setting legal limits on free speech, which could be abused by those in power. Diplomats said intense negotiations had not led to a breakthrough on Tuesday and expect a vote. Such a vote would almost certainly pass since OIC countries make up 19 members of the 47-member body and also have support from China and others.