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Pak-Qatar ties bringing mutual benefit to both nations: Pm Friday, 1 November, 2024 I | 28 Rabi ul Sani, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 115 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
g PM Shehbaz holds extensive Acknowledges Qatar’s contributions to and productive meeting with Pakistan’s economic growth and expresses Qatari counterpart gratitude for continued support g Qatari PM stresses strengthening ties with Pakistan is in line with Qatar’s vision for economic growth and regional stability g
Pakistan greatly values its special bond of friendship with Qatar: PM DOHA
STAFF REPORT
P
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday emphasized that his visit to Qatar would further solidify the strong bonds of friendship, mutual respect, and cooperation between Pakistan and Qatar, bringing mutual benefit to both nations. He expressed these views during an extensive and productive meeting with Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani in
Doha on Thursday. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed avenues to further strengthen bilateral relations, particularly focusing on enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, energy, and cultural exchange. The Prime Minister acknowledged Qatar’s contributions to Pakistan’s economic growth and expressed his gratitude for Qatar’s continued support in various sectors. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening economic ties and emphasized the potential for expanded collaboration. He also thanked his Qatari counterpart for
in letter to Pm, mnas ‘hit back’ at us Congress’ push for imran’s release ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Reacting strongly to 60 Congressmen letter to President Joe Biden, 160 members of Pakistan’s National Assembly characterised the congressional appeal as an intrusion into Pakistan’s internal affairs, according to a local media report. Last week, 60 US Congress members wrote to President Joe Biden, asking to pressure Pakistan into releasing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s founding chairman Imran Khan. Reportedly in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, 160 National Assembly legislators have condemned a letter from US Congress members, seeking to pressure Pakistan into releasing incarcerated Imran Khan from jail. The MNAs, including notable figures such as Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Naveed Qamar, Mustafa Kamal, Aasiya Naz Tanoli, and Khalid Magsi, expressed deep concerns over the perceived interference. They called upon Prime Minister Sharif to formally convey to the US Congress that Pakistan is currently grappling with democratic challenges, which have been compounded by what they labelled as disruptive politics. The letter outlined accusations against Imran Khan, asserting that he promoted political violence and made criminal threats against state institutions. It specifically referenced the large-scale unrest on May 9 2023, during which protesters allegedly incited by Imran targeted buildings including Parliament, state-run television, and Radio Pakistan. The Pakistani lawmakers’ letter further stated that Imran Khan’s tactics were not new, citing previous incidents in August 2014 and May 2022 when his political moves allegedly ‘paralysed the country.’ The letter added that Imran Khan continues to provoke unrest and violence from jail, with particular reference to his use of social media for what the lawmakers described as “digital terrorism.” The letter also suggested that disgruntled expatriates in the US and UK have played a role in Imran Khan’s negative campaign, leading to heightened concerns within both countries about the activities of their citizens.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif along with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani visited the gallery of Pakistani artworks titled “Manzar: Art and Architecture of Pakistan from 1940s to Today” at the National Museum of Qatar on Thursday. After attending bilateral delegation level meetings, the Amir of Qatar and the Prime Minister travelled together to the museum. The Amir of Qatar and, his sister Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani who is also Chairperson of Qatar Museums showed the prime minister the artworks in the exhibition and introduced organizers and
hosting a large number of Pakistani diaspora who act as a human bridge between the two brotherly countries. The two leaders discussed global and regional issues, underscoring the need for peaceful solutions and mutual coop-
the Pakistani artists in an informal and friendly atmosphere. PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for holding the art gallery titled “Manzar” and promoting the Pakistani artists. He said holding of this exhibition was a matter of pride for every Pakistani. The prime minister emphasized that establishment of “Manzar” art gallery based on Pakistani artworks reflected the strong brotherhood and social bonds between Pakistan and Qatar. During the visit, the prime minister met with renowned Pakistani architect Nayyar Ali Dada, Pakistani photographers, painters, calligraphers and other artists. Pakistani paintings, photography, calligraphy and other artworks were displayed in the exhibition.
eration to address challenges. Shehbaz Sharif also commended Qatar’s principled stance on the Gaza conflict and its persistent efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
PIA gets bid of Rs10b from Blue World City below government minimum of Rs85b g
Privatisation Commission said it had asked bidder to match minimum bid PROFIT
REUTERS
The final bidding process for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines attracted just one bid of Rs10 billion for a 60% stake, the Privatisation Ministry said on Thursday. The government had prequalified six groups in June, but only real-estate development company Blue World City participated in the bidding process, placing a bid that was below the government-set minimum price of Rs85 bn. Pakistan was looking to offload a 51-100% stake in debt-ridden PIA to raise funds and reform state-owned enterprises as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. The Privatisation Commission said it had asked the bidder to match the minimum bid. Blue World City Chairman Saad Nazir however stood by its bid. “We wish the government all the best if they don’t want to accept our bid,” he said. Officials from three groups that chose not to bid told Reuters on condition of anonymity that there were concerns about the government’s ability to stand by agreements made for the flag carrier in the long term.
One executive voiced concern about policy continuity once a new government came in. The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is reliant on a coalition of disparate political parties. The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the concerns. The disposal of PIA is a step former governments have steered away from, as it has been highly unpopular given the number of layoffs that would likely result from it. Underpinning concerns over policy continuity and honouring contracts was the government’s termination of power purchase contracts with five private companies earlier this month and the
process of re-negotiating other sovereign guaranteed pacts. Changes in Pakistan’s decade-old agreements with private power projects to address chronic electricity shortages “raise the risk of investing and doing business in Pakistan, even in the presence of sovereign contracts as well as guarantees,” said Sakib Sherani, an economist at Macro Economic Insights. Commenting on the power contract renegotiations last month, the head of Pakistan’s power ministry said the government had always maintained contractual obligations to investors, both foreign and local, and those contract revisions would be by “mutual consent”.
govt jacks up petrol price by rs1.35 for next fortnight ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
In contrast to the market expectations, the federal government late Thursday night increased the price of petrol by Rs1.35 per litre for the next fortnight, ending on November 15. According to a notification issued by the Finance Division, the new price of petrol will be Rs248.38 per litre, up from Rs247.03 during the last fortnight. “The Oil [and] Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has worked out the consumer prices of petroleum products, based on the price variation in the international market,” read a statement released by the Finance Division late Thursday. Similarly, the price of highspeed diesel (HSD) was increased from Rs251.29 to Rs255.14 per litre — an increase of Rs3.85 per litre. Meanwhile, prices of other petroleum products have been reduced. The new price of kerosene will be Rs161.54, down by Rs1.48 from Rs163.02 per litre. Likewise, the price of light-diesel oil has been reduced by Rs2.61 from Rs150.12 to Rs147.51 per litre. Petrol is mainly used in private transportation, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers. Higher fuel prices significantly impact the budgets of the members of the middle and lower-middle classes, who primarily consume petrol for commuting. On the other hand, a significant portion of the transport sector relies on high-speed diesel. Its price is considered inflationary since it is predominantly used in heavy goods transport vehicles, trucks, buses, trains, and agricultural machinery such as tractors, tube wells, and threshers. The consumption of high-speed diesel particularly contributes to the increased prices of vegetables and other food items.
Pakistan has absolutely no interest in talks with ttP: fo ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Foreign Office has strongly rejected any offers or advice with regards to dialogue between Pakistan and Tehreeke-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), terming any such recommendations affront to the people who have lost their loved ones in the terrorists attacks. At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch reiterated that Pakistan has absolutely no interest in talks with terror groups, which are responsible for the killing of our civilians and security personnel. The FO Spokesperson emphasized that Afghan authorities have the primary responsibility to take action against the terror groups, especially the TTP which are based in Afghanistan. “We have also provided the Afghan authorities with concrete evidence in this regard, but so far, no tangible action could be seen on the ground”, she added. Mrs Baloch said that Pakistan has brought to the attention of the world community towards India’s extra territorial and extra judicial activities. She hoped the international community will urge India to restrain from these activities in Pakistan and around the world. Responding to a question, the FO Spokesperson said Chinese nationals are our valued guests who are making invaluable contributions to the development of Pakistan. “We are committed to providing full security to Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan”, she declared, elaborating on that this commitment has been conveyed at the senior most levels of the Chinese leadership.
Spain mourns 158 dead as rescuers race to find flood survivors VALENCIA
REUTERS
Spain mourned at least 158 deaths on Thursday and authorities told people in floodstricken regions to stay at home as rescuers raced to find survivors in the rare disaster. An exceptionally powerful Mediterranean storm from Tuesday unleashed heavy rains and torrents of mud-filled water that swept away people and wrecked homes, with the eastern Valencia region hit hardest. The body coordinating rescue work in the Valencia region announced that 155 bodies had been recovered there by Thursday afternoon. Officials in Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia had announced a combined three deaths in their regions on Wednesday. With many people still missing and some areas remaining inaccessible to rescuers, government ministers had warned Wednesday’s provisional toll of 95 was
likely to rise. “Please, stay at home… follow the calls of the emergency services,” pleaded Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. “Right now the most important thing is to save as many lives as possible,” Sanchez told residents of the eastern Valencia and Castellon provinces. King Felipe VI warned the emergency was “still not over” and national weather service AEMET put parts of eastern and southern regions on high alert levels for rain on Thursday. Flags flew at half-mast on government buildings and minutes of silence were observed nationwide at the start of three days of national mourning after Spain’s deadliest floods in decades. Eliu Sanchez, a resident of a suburb of Valencia city, recalled how the merciless currents snatched a man who tried to take refuge on a car. “I have been told of people who were clinging to trees, but the force made them let go and they were carried away, call-
ing for help. Trucks, everything was going from here to there,” said Sanchez, 32. ‘Catastrophe’ Emergency services backed by drones and more than 1,200 troops combed mudcaked towns and villages to find survivors and clear roads of debris. Abandoned vehicles lay piled on top of each other like dominoes and some residents grabbed planks of wood to plough through layers of thick, sticky mud, AFP journalists saw in the Valencia region. In Paiporta, a suburb of Valencia city at the epicentre of the damage, 27-year-old musician David Romero lamented a “catastrophe”. “Neighbourhood after neighbourhood, street after street, there is not a business standing,” he told AFP. Hundreds of people are being sheltered in temporary accommodation while road and rail transport have been severely disrupted. It could take up to three weeks to reopen the high-speed line between Madrid and Va-
lencia, Transport Minister Oscar Puente wrote on X. ‘Nobody warned’ Scientists say human-driven climate
change is increasing the length, frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that are increasingly unpredictable and difficult to control.