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PAKISTAN, IRAN AGREE TO ‘EXPEDITIOUSLY’ FINALISE FTA, ENHANCE MUTUAL INTERACTION Thursday, 25 April, 2024 I 16 Shawwal, 1445
28-point joint statement underscores significance of energy cooperation and electricity trade
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ISLAMABAD
Two countries also declare Reemdan border point as an int ’l border crossing point under TIR Convention
Staff RepoRt
N a joint statement consisting of 28 points, Pakistan and Iran have underscored the significance of energy cooperation and electricity trade, notwithstanding hints from the United States regarding potential sanctions following Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s recent visit to Pakistan. Shortly after the Iranian president’s departure from Karachi to Tehran, the Foreign Office issued a joint statement detailing bilateral agreements, including plans related to the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, agreed upon by both nations. The statement from the Foreign Office comes in the wake of a warning from the US State Department concerning the “potential risk of sanctions” associated with business deals between the two countries. A spokesperson from the State Department cautioned, “We advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions.” Despite this warning, both countries have agreed to expedite the finalization of a free trade agreement (FTA) and aim to increase their bilateral trade to $10 billion over the next five years through collaborative economic projects. These projects include establishing joint border markets, economic free zones, and new border openings. Discussions on bilateral ties and cooperation took place during delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iran’s President Raisi, who visited Pakistan accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and other cabinet members and senior officials.
Transforming the common border from a ‘border of peace’ to a ‘border of prosperity’ was a shared goal, with both countries emphasizing cooperation in the energy sector, including electricity trade, power transmission lines, and the IranPakistan gas pipeline project. Both sides stressed the importance of a long-term, sustainable economic partnership and a collaborative regional economic and connectivity model, particularly for socio-economic development in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan and Pakistan’s Balochistan provinces. The joint statement also highlighted commitments to strengthen fraternal relations by promoting academic, cultural, and tourism activities, enhancing tourism to historic religious sites, and forging regular cooperation between political, military, and security officials to combat various threats, including terrorism, narcotics smuggling, and human trafficking. Efforts are underway to finalize the FTA, with plans to hold upcoming sessions of the Annual Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) and Joint Business Trade Committee (JBTC) as well as the 22nd round of negotiations of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC). Additionally, both countries aim to facil-
itate the regular exchange of economic and technical experts and delegations from chambers of commerce to intensify economic cooperation. Other agreements include the operationalization of barter trade mechanisms, full implementation of the TIR Convention for efficient and barrier-free trade, and expansion of connectivity between Gwadar and Chahbahar ports. On the international front, both countries condemned terrorism in all its forms, stressed the importance of peaceful dispute resolution, and called for the peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue and an end to Israeli aggression against Palestinians. Furthermore, they expressed support for combating Islamophobia and welcomed the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution titled “Measures to Combat Islamophobia,” calling for the early appointment of a United Nations Special Envoy to address Islamophobia. Raisi concluded his inaugural threeday official visit to Pakistan with what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described as “productive discussions” between the two nations. During his stay, President Raisi engaged in meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz
CM Murad unhappy with lack of access to Prime Minister KARACHI
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Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed his disappointment over the lack of support from the federal government in initiating new development schemes in the province, during a meeting held at the CM House in Karachi. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aimed to address various issues concerning the development of Sindh following the premier’s arrival in Karachi for a day-long visit. CM Murad highlighted that over the past four years, the federal government had neglected Sindh in the allocation of new schemes, hin-
dering the province’s progress. Despite this setback, he expressed hope that the arrival of the prime minister would prioritize resolving Sindh’s issues. In his briefing to PM Shehbaz, CM Murad discussed the aftermath of the devastating floods in 2022, where it was agreed that 70% of rehabilitation funds would be provided by donor agencies, with the remaining 30% shared by the federal and provincial governments. However, he lamented that despite the commencement of reconstruction efforts, the federal government had failed to contribute funds for vital projects, such as housing for flood victims and school construction initiatives.
Following CM Murad’s presentation, PM Shehbaz assured his commitment to jointly resolving the province’s problems. The meeting was attended by federal ministers and provincial officials, with discussions covering various governance issues and strategies to address the law and order situation. In a separate development, the provincial apex committee approved plans to curb street crime in Karachi, focusing on monitoring stolen goods and intensifying efforts to combat criminal activities. The meeting highlighted a decrease in certain types of crime while emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and law enforcement measures to ensure public safety.
Supreme Court accepts ECP issues objections on pleas for larger bench PTI intra-party elections for the third instance in military courts case ISLAMABAD ISLAMABAD
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The Supreme Court (SC) has taken steps to address appeals regarding the annulment of civilian trials in military courts by accepting requests for the formation of a larger bench. Led by Justice Aminuddin, the six-member bench, including Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Shahid Waheed, Musrrat Hilali, and Irfan Saadat Khan, considered the pleas during the hearing. The application, brought forward by former CJP Jawad S. Khawaja’s lawyer, cited notes from Justices Afridi and Mansoor Ali Shah as grounds for a larger bench. During proceedings, questions arose about the influence of these notes on the current bench. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar clarified that Justice Afridi’s observations were restricted to the final verdict. The lawyer highlighted the risk of pleas being dismissed if the bench delivered a split 3-3 decision, prompting Justice Mazhar to suggest the possibility of convening a larger bench. Following these discussions, the SC accepted requests for a nine-member or larger bench, forwarding the matter to the judges’ committee. In a previous hearing, the court had sought details from the attorney-general regarding individuals sentenced to three years in military courts. Furthermore, 20 accused, previously sentenced to one year in jail, were ordered to be released before Eid, with their details submitted to the SC. The decision to conduct military trials stems from violent clashes nationwide on May 9, sparked by the arrest of a former prime minister at the Islamabad High Court. Subsequently, the government opted for military court trials for those implicated in attacks on military installations during the unrest. This move led figures such as Imran Khan, Jawwad S Khawaja, Aitzaz Ahsan, and civil society members to challenge the constitutionality of military trials before the apex court.
Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 296 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
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According to sources, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has once again raised doubts regarding the recently conducted intra-party elections of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Alleged irregularities in the polls held on March 3 prompted the electoral authority to issue a notice to the former ruling party. The ECP’s Political Financing Wing has summoned PTI representatives to appear before the commission on April 30. This marks the third instance where the electoral watchdog has expressed concerns about the internal elections of the troubled party. The PTI filed the documents related to its intra-party polls to the ECP on March 4. The documents, submitted by PTI’s Federal Election Commissioner Raoof Hasan, included details of the newly-elected party office-bearers, a certificate of the party chief containing Form 65, names of the core committee members, and other relevant records. The party, which elected Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Omar Ayub as its chairman and secretary general on March 3, needs the relevant certificate to qualify for the allocation of its electoral symbol “bat” by the electoral body. After being kicked out of the election race following the Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the ECP’s decision wherein the electoral body had revoked its “bat” symbol citing unlawful intra-party polls, the PTI conducted fresh polls last week. However, the recent intra-party polls have been once again challenged by PTI’s founding member Akbar S Babar who had filed two separate pleas with the electoral body seeking annulment of the intra-party elections. According to the Election Act (2017) all registered political parties in Pakistan must hold intra-party elections as outlined in their constitution within a specific timeframe.
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Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, as well as chief ministers and governors from Sindh and Punjab. Accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation, including the foreign minister, cabinet members, senior officials, and business representatives, Raisi visited Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. In Lahore, he paid his respects at the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and visited GC University, where he met with CM Maryam Nawaz and Governor Baligh Ur Rehman. Expressing his affinity with Pakistan, Raisi expressed a desire to hold a public gathering, although logistical constraints prevented its realization. In Karachi, Raisi addressed a ceremony at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House, emphasizing the enduring strength of bilateral relations between Islamabad and Tehran. He reiterated the historical, cultural, and religious ties binding the two neighboring nations. During his visit to Quaid’s mausoleum, Raisi paid homage to the founder of Pakistan. He then met with Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori to discuss mutual interests, agreeing to enhance cultural exchanges. In recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, Tessori, as the chancellor of the University of Karachi, conferred an honorary doctorate in philosophy (PhD) upon the Iranian president. Raisi’s visit, the first by a head of state to Pakistan since the February 8 general election, was marked by stringent security measures and temporary internet suspension to ensure his safety and minimize public inconvenience. Local holidays were declared in Lahore and Karachi to mitigate disruptions.
PM seeks businessmen’s support to double exports in five years
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EXPORT-LED GROWTH WILL HELP RESOLVE COUNTRY'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE ISSUE, SAYS SHEHBAZ PROFIT
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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed the confidence that the country’s exports volume would be doubled over the next five years with the support of the business community. He said the government, in consultation with the business community, would chalk out a comprehensive policy framework to increase exports that would ultimately help ensure sustained economic growth. The export-led growth would also help resolve the country’s foreign exchange reserves’ issue, he added. “You are actually the backbone of the national economy as without your support, the government cannot bring the country out of economic crisis,” the prime minister said while addressing the business community. He asked the business community to sit with the government to resolve their issues and challenges as it was the only way to move forward, and bring development and prosperity to Pakistan. “We should get together in the larger national interest. The brilliant minds should together find ways to overcome the challenges and problems hindering the country’s development and prosperity.” It was the only way to regain the country’s lost glory, the prime minister said. PM Shehbaz highlighted that the government was fully focused on bringing revolution in sectors of agriculture, mines & minerals, information technology and industry. He also expressed the government’s resolve to work for reducing unemployment, poverty and inflation in the country, which, he said, could not be possible without the support of the business community. As regards the sugar situation in the country, the prime minister said the government might opt for export of the commodity in case its stock was in surplus. He said the government was also focusing on curbing smuggling of the commodity. PM Shehbaz highlighted that due to the efforts of interim and current governments, positive news were being received about macro economic indicators.
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