ISLAMABAD: The Joint Communiqué on Official Visit of President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon to Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been issued.

According to the joint declaration, on the invitation of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon paid an official visit to Pakistan on 14-15 December 2022.

During the delegation level talks, the two leaders exchanged views on a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the existing fraternal ties between the two countries which are based on a shared history, culture, geographical contiguity and common faith.

The leadership of the two countries expressed satisfaction on the steady growth and momentum of the bilateral relations and agreed to enhance these relations towards a strategic cooperation for mutual benefit of the two countries and their peoples. The two leaders agreed that the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which will further enhance bilateral cooperation, should be finalized at the earliest and be signed during the visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan to Dushanbe next year.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan and the President of Tajikistan exchanged felicitations on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. The two countries enjoy excellent bilateral cooperation at the multilateral forums including the UN, SCO, OIC, ECO and CICA. It was agreed to further boost multilateral cooperation for global and regional peace, stability and sustainable development.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan supported nomination of the Republic of Tajikistan as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2028-2029 and appreciated Tajikistan’s support for Pakistan’s candidature to the same body for the term 2025-26. The Prime Minister of Pakistan highly appreciated efforts of the President of Tajikistan as one of the founders of the SCO and expressed support for his initiative to establish the SCO Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan underlined the importance of engagement with Tajikistan under Pakistan’s “Vision Central Asia” policy which is based on the five pillars of bilateral cooperation i.e. political, trade & investment, energy & connectivity, security & defence and people-to-people contacts. Both sides welcomed Pakistan’s initiative to hold Regional Connectivity Summit early next year. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s support to Tajikistan for its membership in Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA).

Noting efforts of the Central Asian states aimed at establishing on atmosphere of good-neighborliness, trust and friendship in the region, the Prime Minister of Pakistan welcomed holding of the fifth anniversary of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in the Republic of Tajikistan on September 14-15, 2023. Satisfaction was expressed on the existing inter-parliamentary cooperation and it was agreed to have regular visits of parliamentary delegations to forge fruitful and further enhanced bilateral ties.

The two sides agreed to enhance bilateral economic ties by exploring new avenues, opportunities and ventures. In this regard, both sides held discussions on early establishment of road, rail and air connectivity between the two countries through active consultations at expert level in relevant fields. The two leaders also noted with satisfaction the progress made through the Joint Working Groups (JWGs), which were constituted earlier to boost bilateral cooperation in multifaceted fields particularly trade, investment, transport, energy, culture and tourism. The two sides agreed to convene meetings of these JWGs regularly to follow up on the exchanges.

The two sides expressed readiness to hold the 7thSession of Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific Technical Cooperation in Islamabad, at an early date. The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the existing cooperation within the framework of this agreement and re-affirmed the commitment to regularly hold its meetings to further strengthen economic ties. The two leaders further resolved to substantially enhance bilateral trade which is currently not commensurate with the level of political relations.

The two leaders reaffirmed early finalization of the flagship power project CASA-1000. They agreed that completion of the project would open new avenues for future energy corridors, leading to prosperity for the whole region. They emphasized the need to fully tap the vast potential in the fields of energy, connectivity, agriculture and industry.

The Prime Minister informed the Tajik President about the operationalization of Gwadar seaport and offered Tajikistan the opportunity to avail themselves of the facility of Pakistani seaports and CPEC. He highlighted that the Pakistani seaports offer the most efficient, shortest and economic route for the Central Asian countries including Tajikistan to the markets in Middle East and beyond. The Tajik President, noting potential and experience of Pakistan in the field of investment and new technologies, invited the Pakistani side to actively participate in the creation of joint ventures in Tajikistan, on the basis of existing industrial enterprises and free economic zones.

The two leaders noted the gradual development of bilateral cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism and security. They reiterated their resolve to further enhance the same in order to overcome security challenges faced by the two countries and the region. The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both sides appreciated their respective contributions and sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism. They emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating trans-national organized crimes, human and drug trafficking. The two sides expressed concerns on the new and emerging threats posed by rise in terrorist attacks on the basis of xenophobia racism, radicalization, and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan appreciated the efforts of the Republic of Tajikistan to promote multilateral cooperation in countering terrorism and it’s financing in the Central Asian region and holding together with UN high-level international conferences in the framework of Dushanbe Process. The Prime Minister of Pakistan expressed gratitude to the Tajik President for the flood-relief assistance. The Tajik President expressed the hope for early re-construction of infrastructure and re-habilitation of the displaced people. The two sides termed climate change as an existential threat and re-affirmed to make concrete and strenuous efforts to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impact of climate change.

The two leaders called upon the developed countries to adhere to their commitments, take the lead role in reduction of emission of greenhouse gases and fulfillment of their commitment to mobilize adequate climate finance, in order to ensure the sustainable development of developing countries. Prime Minister of Pakistan acknowledged the leadership role of Tajikistan in the field of water diplomacy by emphasizing the need for better management of water resources and congratulated him for successful organization of the Second UN Water Conference in Dushanbe in June, 2022.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, taking into account the negative impact of global climate change on the glaciers, supported the proposal of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to declare 2025 the International Year of Glacier Conservation and the creation of the International Foundation for The Protection of Glaciers. He welcomed the planned adoption of the relevant United Nations General Assembly resolution and the High-level Conference on the issue of the protection of glaciers to be held in Tajikistan in 2025.

The two leaders exchanged views on the rise of Islamophobia world-wide and expressed support for the joint initiatives and collective efforts of the OIC to combat this scourge. They welcomed the designation of 15 March as the International day to combat Islamophobia by the UN General Assembly. The Tajik side appreciated Pakistan’s continued humanitarian, material and technical support for Tajikistan’s development and progress. The President also appreciated the excellence and expertise of Pakistani institutions in learning and training of professionals, in a range of fields. Both sides agreed to further enhance educational cooperation by exchanging and awarding scholarships to the students of both countries.

On Afghanistan, the two sides agreed that a peaceful, prosperous, interconnected and stable Afghanistan is fundamental to regional prosperity and progress. They considered it important for Afghanistan to have an inclusive government. In order to further deepen and diversify the bilateral relations, a number of Agreements & MoUs were signed. The two leaders expressed confidence that the understanding reached during the talks would further deepen cooperation between the two countries. The President of Tajikistan thanked the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the warm and gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

The President of the Republic of Tajikistan invited the Honorable Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to visit Tajikistan at a convenient time.

ISLAMABAD : Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar presided over the meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Thursday.

Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for National food Security and Research Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Cheema, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Minister of State for Petroleum Senator Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Coordinator to PM on Commerce & Industry Rana Ihsan Afzal, Coordinator to PM on Economy Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Federal Secretaries, senior officers and office bearers of PSMA attended the meeting.

The ECC considered and approved a summary of Ministry of National Food Security and Research regarding export of sugar during FY 2022-23 and allowed export of sugar up to 100,000 MT. It was further decided that the ECC shall review the situation on fortnightly basis. The ECC further directed and Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) committed that the existing price of sugar will not increase in domestic market at least till 31st January, 2023.

The ECC also approved following Technical Supplementary Grants:

i. Rs. 7 million in favour of Ministry of Climate Change.

ii. Rs. 743.57 million in favour of Ministry of Housing and Works for execution of its development schemes.

ISLAMABAD : Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan called on Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, in Islamabad on Thursday.

Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif expressed best wishes for the military and civil leadership of Tajikistan, and its people and highlighted that being neighbors of Afghanistan, both Pakistan and Tajikistan are facing similar security challenges and threats including terrorism and drug trafficking across the border. Pakistan believes in peaceful resolution of all issues and appreciates the efforts of Tajikistan in promoting peace. Moreover, it was agreed upon that Pakistan will continue to provide assistance in Intelligence capacity building and sharing of technical expertise with Tajik Armed forces.

Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif proposed friendly sports competitions between the Armed Forces and display of military band on reciprocal basis on special occasions of both countries. During the meeting, matters related to bilateral defence cooperation, counter terrorism, defence production and exploration of new avenues to progress and prosperity were discussed.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon assured his government’s commitment and pledged to work with Pakistan to strengthen their bilateral ties. He invited Minister for Defence to visit Tajikistan soon.

ISLAMABAD : Khazar Farhadov, Ambassador of Republic of Azerbaijan and Tamerlan Khalilov, Deputy Head of Mission called on Minister of State Faisal Karim Kundi at his office in Islamabad.

Minister of State, Faisal Karim Kundi apprised the ambassador about the different interventions of Benazir Income Support Program and the recent distribution of 70 billion rupees among flood affected people in Pakistan.

Faisal Karim Kundi and Khazar Farhadov agreed to hold a meeting of officials of Pakistan and Azerbaijan for sharing the experiences and lessons learned regarding social protections programs of both the countries.

Faisal Karim Kundi said that Pakistan is serious in expanding bilateral trade with Azerbaijan.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan said that Azerbaijan too is eager to expedite its planning for various projects with Pakistan. Markets of Azerbaijan have a huge potential for Pakistani products, he added.

ISLAMABAD : Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has urged the international community including the

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to play their role in highlighting the atrocities in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The FO Spokesperson said peace in South Asia has remained hostage to India's illegally occupation of and brutalities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. She said India's hegemonic ambitions have caused tensions with its neighbors and its hubris for domination remains a primary obstacle to meaningful regional cooperation.

This was stated by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch while speaking at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday.

FO spokesperson said that President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday on a two-day state visit to Pakistan. He held comprehensive delegation level talks with the Prime Minister on Wednesday. The Prime Minister also hosted a banquet in honor of President Rahmon on Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning he held meetings with Minister for Defence Khwaja Muhammad Asif and Chairman Senate Mir Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani.

During the meetings, the two sides agreed to further deepen bilateral relationship and to raise it to strategic cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples. It has been agreed that a bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreement will be finalized at the earliest.

She said that a number of Agreements and MOUs were signed on Wednesday in the areas of industry and new technologies; transit trade; combating trafficking in narcotics; cooperation between custom authorities on establishment electronic data interchange; research in the field of water resources; and cooperation in education. The two sides have also released a comprehensive Joint Statement that outlines understanding in a number of areas. The two sides will explore new avenues of cooperation in trade, investment, transport, energy, education, culture, and tourism and climate change issues. They have agreed to further boost multilateral cooperation for global and regional peace, stability and sustainable development.

The two sides have reaffirmed their commitment to complete connectivity projects like CASA-1000 which would open new avenues for future energy corridors. Pakistan also expressed support for Tajikistan’s membership of Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA).

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that as our closest neighbor in Central Asia, Tajikistan is an important partner for Pakistan. We believe that the on-going visit of Resident Rahmon to Pakistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Dushanbe next year will advance cooperation and understanding between our two countries, she said.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is currently in New York to attend the Ministerial Conference of the G-77 and China on 15-16 December 2022. The agenda of the Conference includes discussion on multiple challenges being faced by the developing countries in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the face of Covid-19 pandemic, climate-induced disasters and geopolitical developments.

On Wednesday, the Foreign Minister participated in a high-level debate at the UN Security Council on “Reformed Multilateralism”. In his address, the Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and the UN Charter. He called for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations and its different organs, as well as democratization of the global financial and economic institutions. The Foreign Minister stressed the importance of a plan for emergency actions and systemic reforms in the international financial, trade and technology architecture. He also presented a concrete plan of action for reviving effective multilateralism and underscored that reform of the Security Council must be decided by consensus and should improve democratization of the Council.

She said that the Foreign Minister also had important meetings with UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed and President of the UN General Assembly Csaba Korösi, on Wednesday. During the meeting, he briefed them about Pakistan’s relief and recovery efforts in the wake of recent floods in Pakistan.

On Thursday morning, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a meeting with British Minister of State for South Asia & Commonwealth at FCDO, Lord Tariq Ahmad where matters of bilateral and regional cooperation were discussed.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha visited Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on his first country visit from 10-12 December 2022. During the visit, the Secretary General called on the Prime Minister of Pakistan and held delegation-level meeting with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He also visited Azad Jammu and Kashmir where he met with the President and Prime Minister of AJK. He visited the Line of Control in Kashmir and met with victims of cross-LOC shelling, who shared details of their sufferings in an interactive session.

She said that the Secretary General shared his initial impressions about the situation in IIOJK in a joint media briefing with the Foreign Minister. He reaffirmed OIC’s commitment and solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and to their right to self-determination in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Secretary General’s visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir comes three years after India’s illegal and unilateral actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir (IIOJK). The visit also marks implementation of a comprehensive Action Plan on IIOJK agreed by OIC at the 48th CFM held in Islamabad last March. The Secretary General will share his findings at the next CFM.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that among upcoming activities -- I would like to share with media that the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan will be held in Geneva on 9th January 2023. The Prime Minister of Pakistan and the United Nations Secretary General will co-chair the Conference. Pakistan will present the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Recovery and Resilience Framework (4RF) at the Conference. This 4RF document is based on the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), launched on 28 October 2022, which estimated flood damages to exceed USD 14.9 billion, economic losses over USD 15.2 billion, and reconstruction needs over USD 16 billion.

She said that the Conference will engage the international community to mobilize support towards building back better after the devastating floods. It will also be an opportunity to hold an informed dialogue on climate adaptation and resilience, and to discuss supportive arrangements for the recovery processes. Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the UN Secretary General António Guterres have jointly addressed an invitation letter to donor countries, international financial institutions, and other development partners for this Conference.

She said that on Wednesday, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar addressed a press conference, wherein she briefed on state terrorism against Pakistan – planned, conducted and funded by India. A comprehensive dossier in this context has been developed by Pakistan highlighting India’s involvement in a deadly terrorist attack that took place on 21 June 2021 in a peaceful neighborhood of Johar Town in Lahore.

She said that in the Lahore terrorist attack, three civilians lost their lives and over 24 were critically injured. Investigation by our Law Enforcement Agencies, with the support of international counterparts, have found concrete evidence that the masterminds, financiers and the facilitators of Lahore terrorist attack were Indian nationals and are located in India. Indian agencies recruited terrorists for this attack, trained them, provided them finances and logistic support. Pakistan has initiated international legal proceedings including from Interpol and Mutual Legal Assistance processes to bring those responsible to justice. Substantiated by forensic evidence, these findings have been documented in a dossier which was shared yesterday by Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan with members of the diplomatic community.

The Foreign Office Spokesperson said a comprehensive dossier has been developed highlighting India's involvement in a deadly terrorist attack in Johar Town, Lahore last year.

She said our law enforcement agencies with the support of international counterparts have found concrete evidence that the masterminds, financiers and the facilitators of Lahore terrorist attack were Indian nationals and are located in India.

She said the Indian agencies recruited terrorists for this attack, trained them, provided them finances and logistic support. Pakistan has initiated international legal proceedings including from Interpol and Mutual Legal Assistance processes to bring those responsible to justice.

Responding to a question, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch rejected the statement by the Indian External Affairs Ministry on the recent visit of the OIC Secretary General to Azad Jammu and Kashmir. She said we consider it as untenable. She said Jammu and Kashmir is one of the oldest internationally recognized disputes on the agenda of the UN Security Council and it remains unresolved due to India's intransigence and unwillingness to implement the UNSC resolutions.

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Thursday that the party will be seeking time from National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf for the verification of their MPs' resignations.

“A letter is being written to the speaker and he is being asked to provide a time when members of the assembly can come for the verification of resignations once again,” tweeted Fawad Chaudhry. He added that they are seeking time for the verification so new polls can be held on the vacated seats.

The former information minister said that in the Supreme Court it was remarked that PTI MNAs were not coming to the assembly but taking their salaries.

“Judges should verify the reports that come on the media. The reality is that this is another lie of the government. The salaries of the resigned members are suspended and no member is getting any salary,” said Fawad.

Fawad's tweet comes after Supreme Court's Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, while hearing PTI plea on NAB amendments, observed that although the PTI lawmakers were not going to the National Assembly, they were receiving their salaries. He had also observed that the Islamabad High Court had asked the PTI legislators to appear before the NA speaker.

Meanwhile, Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf shared a few days earlier had said that PTI lawmakers conveyed messages to him to not accept their resignations. He said that such a situation requires a lot of thought process, adding that he will not accept the resignations until he is satisfied.

ISLAMABAD : Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has announced reduction of Rs 10 per liter in petrol price and Rs7.5 per liter in high speed diesel price. The new prices will remain enforce till 31st December.

While addressing the nation on the state-run TV channel on Thursday, Isahq Dar said that Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif wants to pass on the maximum relief to the masses on the prices of the petroleum products. He said that the new price of petrol is being fixed at Rs 214.80 from Rs 224.80 per liter, high speed diesel price is currently Rs 235.30 per liter and new price will be Rs 227.80 per liter has been fixed.

Ishaq Dar said that the price of kerosene oil is Rs 181.83 and after making decrease of Rs 10 the new price has been fixed at Rs 171.83. He said that the price of the light diesel oil Rs 179 per liter and after making Rs 10 decrease the new price is being fixed at Rs 169 per liter. The new prices will be applicable from today (Friday) and will remain applicable till 31st December.

ISLAMABAD: PTI leader Senator Faisal Javed has said the prices of petrol and diesel should be slashed by Rs 80 per litter at least.

In a tweet he said the oil prices have been curtailed remarkably to 76 dollar per barrel in the international market. During Imran Khan tenure when the price of oil was more than 100 dollar in international market then petrol price stood at Rs 150 and diesel price at Rs 146 per liter in the country.

Islamabad: International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) has extended the last date to apply for admission in more than 100 programs of its 11 faculties till December 26th, 2022.

The university administration made this decision keeping in view the interest and requests of applicants to extend the date.The university has offered admissions in BS, MS and PhD programs of 11 faculties including Social Sciences, Basic and Applied Sciences, Management Sciences, International institute for Islamic Economics, Arabic, Usuluddin, Languages and Literature, Engineering and Technology and Shariah and Law, Faculty of Computing and Faculty of Education.

The applicants can apply by visiting the IIU website or this link http://admission.iiu.edu.pk. Male applicants can also call on 051-9019567 and female applicants can call on 051-9019327 for guidance and details.

Islamabad: In a joint venture between business and academics, Pakistan’s first 5G Innovation Lab was established at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).

The innovation lab’s goal is to establish the value of 5G via a social-economic lens and develop indigenous solutions in health, education, mobility, and business that are appropriate for the local context.

The “innovation lab” is a research initiative supported by Jazz, Pakistan’s major telecom provider, and Huawei Technologies, with many NUST disciplines participating in determining the impact and usability of 5G communication services in Pakistani society.

The project will assist researchers in working on potential 5G use cases in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality and healthcare sector, manufacturing and service industry, agriculture, security, disaster management, entertainment, and the public sector by leveraging its high bandwidth, low latency, and advanced security.

The 5G innovation facility was inaugurated by Mohsin Mushtaq, federal secretary for Information Technology and Telecom (MoITT), who stated that the lab will play a critical role in helping to develop an ecosystem to study 5G-enabled application cases of IT and telecom technologies.

He stated that although Jazz’s objective was to bring 4G to everyone, the company was also making a significant investment to innovation in the nation and investigating the possibilities of 5G to help improve business and society.