President calls for expanding Pak-Russian cooperation
PM reiterates resolve to
make Pakistan polio-free country
Imtiaz Ali Abbasi
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the confidence that Pakistan will become a polio-free country soon.
Presiding over an
important meeting on polio eradication in Islamabad today (Monday), he
expressed the commitment to defeat challenges like polio collectively.
The Prime Minister
said we will not be sitting calmly until polio is defeated forever. He also
commended the efforts of the government polio team to eradicate the disease.
Shehbaz Sharif
directed Coordinator National Health Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Focal Person
for Anti-Polio Ayesha Raza Farooq and Secretary National Health, to visit the
most polio-affected areas in the country during the recent anti-polio campaign.
He also instructed to
conduct a third party audit of the anti-polio drive. He also directed to evolve
a comprehensive strategy regarding the immunity gap.
During the meeting,
the Prime Minister was briefed regarding recent polio cases and anti-polio
campaign in the country.
It was informed that
currently, the number of active polio cases in the country has reached
forty-one and out of this, there are twenty-five cases in which routine
immunization is not optimal.
The meeting was further briefed that the areas with better
polio vaccination rates among children have lower polio prevalence.
PM to attend 8th Edition
of Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh
October 28, 2024
Prime
Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to Saudi
Arabia to attend the two-day 8th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative,
starting in Riyadh from tomorrow.
According
to Foreign Office, the Prime Minister will be accompanied by key Cabinet
ministers.
The
Future Investment Initiative serves as an important platform for countries to
showcase their economic strength, draw foreign investments, and engage in
dialogue to shape a sustainable future.
This
year's Future Investment Initiative Edition is themed as "Infinite
Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow" and will focus on global
investments aimed at addressing major issues such as Artificial Intelligence,
robotics, education, energy, space, finance, healthcare, and sustainability.
The
Prime Minister is expected to hold important bilateral talks with the Saudi
Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and other senior Saudi
officials.
The
two sides will discuss economic and strategic partnership between Pakistan and
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and explore bilateral cooperation in the economic,
energy, and defence domains.
The Prime Minister is also expected to engage with participating
leaders and entrepreneurs at the FII 8th Edition Conference.
President calls for expanding Pak-Russian cooperation
October 28, 2024
President Asif Ali
Zardari has said Pakistan-Russia relations are based on mutual respect and
mutual commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields.
Talking to a Russian
parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Ms Valentina Matvienko in
Islamabad today, he underscored the need to strengthen cultural linkages
through people-to-people contacts and scholarship programs.
He also pointed out
that both countries have enormous potential for increasing economic cooperation
and called for Russian investment in Pakistan.
Both the sides
underscored the importance of diversifying trade and economic cooperation,
besides enhancing regional connectivity and commercial relations through the
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the North-South Transport Corridor.
The Russian Speaker
emphasized that her country accords priority to its relationship with Pakistan.
She hoped that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
Parliaments of the two countries would further deepen bilateral relations.
She expressed
satisfaction over the growth in bilateral trade. She also conveyed the special
greetings from President Putin.
Additionally, she congratulated Pakistan on the successful
hosting of the SCO Heads of Government as well as Pakistan’s candidacy for a
non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Russian Speaker affirms respect for Pakistan's sovereignty, culture
October 28, 2024
Speaker
of the Federation Council of Russian Federal Assembly Ms Valentina Matvienko
has said Russia respects Pakistan's sovereignty, culture and history.
Addressing
the special sitting of the Senate today (Monday), she emphasized that this
relationship is based on mutually beneficial and respectful grounds, asserting
that there are no minor or major partners in it.
The
Russian Speaker expressed a firm desire to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in
diverse fields including economy, trade and energy.
She
said the recent visit of the Russian Prime Minister and that of the current
delegation will greatly contribute to further promotion of cooperation between
the two countries.
She
said Russia is ready to scale-up supplies of mineral fertilizers, modern
agriculture machines and share modern technology with Pakistan to increase its
agricultural productivity.
Ms
Valentina Matvienko said both Pakistan and Russia can learn a lot from each
other and open new horizons for this friendship. She expressed the
confidence that parliaments of the two countries will play their role in
improving the legal framework for their cooperation.
The
Russian Speaker said Pakistan has a favorable geographical location and has
considerable logistics and transit potential.
Ms
Valentina Matvienko said Pakistan-Russia have a long history. Even in the most
difficult times, they have maintained the dialogue. She expressed satisfaction
over the similarities of their approaches on the majority of international
issues. She pointed out that both the countries have consistently
promoted and strengthened the UN central coordinated role in international
relations.
Welcoming
the election of Pakistan to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member,
the Russian Speaker said this shows the increasing influence of Pakistan on the
global arena.
She
expressed the confidence that Pakistan will make a significant contribution to
a more efficient Security Council and to the achievement of goals of global
security and peace.
She
was confident that Pakistan's balanced position, rich experience and profound
wisdom of its people and leaders will bring a new perspective by addressing
many global problems.
She
was also appreciative of Pakistan's active participation in the UN peacekeeping
missions in many regions of the world.
Earlier,
Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, in his welcome remarks, said the
visit of Ms. Valentina Matvienko represents another important step in
strengthening the growing ties between Pakistan and Russia. He said the two
nations are connected by a shared commitment to regional stability, peace, and
prosperity.
He
extended rich tribute to Ms. Valentina Matvienko for her experience in
governance, diplomacy, and international cooperation.
The
Chairman also commended her contribution towards women empowerment and social
development. He said Ms. Valentina Matvienko's commitment to multilateralism
resonates deeply with Pakistan's values.
Syed
Yousaf Raza Gillani expressed the confidence that this visit will be a stepping
stone toward a brighter future of cooperation between Pakistan and Russia.
In
a vote of thanks, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar extended
deepest gratitude to Ms. Valentina Matvienko and her delegation for engagements
and dialogue, saying this reflects the spirit of friendship, respect and mutual
cooperation between our nations.
He
said the relationship between Pakistan and Russia is rooted in mutual respect,
shared interests and a collective desire to contribute to regional stability
and economic prosperity. Over the past seventy-six years, our two countries
have worked together across various domains, strengthening economic
cooperation, promoting cultural exchange and advancing regional connectivity.
Azam
Nazeer Tarar said this visit offers a chance to explore new avenues of
collaboration not only in energy and trade but also in education and cultural
exchange, technology and many others.
Senator
Ali Zafar called for taking the inter-parliamentary relationships between
Pakistan and Russia to new heights. He said Russia can be a crucial and leading
partner for us.
Sherry
Rehman said the visit is a great milestone in our relationship as it embodies
both our countries' collective commitment to democratic ideals, dialogue,
multilateral engagements and fostering of joint goals.
The House will now meet tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11 a.m.
