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Friday, 24 July, 2026 | 9 Safar, 1448
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 119 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
PAKISTAN AND SAUDI ARABIA PLEDGE CLOSE COORDINATION AFTER RED SEA TANKER ATTACKS g g
PM CONDEMNS HOUTHI ATTACKS, REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN'S FULL SUPPORT FOR SAUDI ARABIA PREMIER CALLS POPULATION GROWTH PAKISTAN'S BIGGEST NATIONAL CHALLENGE
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SHEHBAZ, MBS DISCUSS REGIONAL SECURITY, MARITIME STABILITY
GOVT TARGETS HALVING POPULATION GROWTH RATE BY YEAR 2035
PM Shehbaz welcomes Chinese investment to modernize Pakistan's grain storage ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
P
ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday strongly condemned the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea during a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, reaffirming Pakistan's unwavering support for the Kingdom's security and sovereignty. During what was described as a cordial conversation, the prime minister termed the attacks "totally unacceptable", saying they violated international law, threatened freedom of navigation and commercial shipping, and undermined regional peace, security and stability. He expressed Pakistan's complete
solidarity with Saudi Arabia, stating that he, along with Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the people of Pakistan, stood firmly with the Saudi leadership during this critical period. Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the Kingdom's security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity, assuring the Saudi crown prince that Islamabad would continue working closely with Riyadh and the international community to ensure peace, stability and the uninterrupted flow of lawful maritime trade through the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appreciated Pakistan's steadfast support and praised the longstanding fraternal ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed a Chinese investment initiative to modernize Pakistan's grain storage infrastructure and said that stronger business-to-business partnerships between Pakistan and China would further deepen the two countries' longstanding strategic relationship. The prime minister was speaking during a meeting with a delegation led by Jack Chen, Chief Executive Officer of Chinese agribusiness company FAMSUN, here at the Prime Minister's Office, a news release said. PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and China enjoy exemplary ties, with economic cooperation and bilateral relations continuing to strengthen over time. He welcomed FAMSUN's plan to transform grain storage facilities in Pakistan into state-of-the-art centres. He described the project as an impor-
The prime minister also conveyed his warm regards and best wishes to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz chaired a high-level meeting on population welfare, stressing the need to align population planning with national development, economic stability and human
tant step towards introducing modern agricultural technology and promoting commercial activity. The prime minister directed that skills development and training for Pakistan's workforce should be incorporated into the proposed projects to ensure local capacity building. Jack Chen thanked the prime minister and the Government of Pakistan for their warm hospitality and recalled his meeting with Shehbaz Sharif during the latter's recent visit to China, which led to the company's visit to Pakistan to discuss practical initiatives in the field of food security. According to the briefing, FAMSUN is interested in supporting Pakistan through improved grain storage facilities, technology transfer and training. The company will establish a demonstration centre for green silos in Pakistan, while existing storage centres will be upgraded into modern green silo facilities.
resource development. Describing rapid population growth as one of Pakistan's greatest challenges, he said population control and welfare should be treated as a national responsibility and directed authorities to convene a meeting of the National Population Council at the earliest.
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Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirms resolve to eliminate terrorism, ensure lasting peace in Balochistan RAWALPINDI
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to eliminating terrorism, stating that operations against militant groups would continue with full resolve until the menace and its facilitators were eradicated from the country. The Field Marshal made these remarks while interacting with participants of the 20th National Workshop Balochistan at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Addressing the participants, he said the consistent efforts of the security forces and law enforcement agencies, backed by the steadfast support of the people, would bring lasting peace and stability to Balochistan. He reiterated that targeted operations against the groups referred to by the state as Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan would continue unabated, reaffirming Pakistan's determination to dismantle terrorist infrastructure wherever it posed a threat to the country's security and its citizens. The army chief said foreign-sponsored proxy groups had persistently sought to foment violence, undermine stability and disrupt peace in Balochistan, but their designs would be defeated through the decisive response of the armed forces, supported by the resilience and unity of the Pakistani nation.