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Pakistan, European Commission agree to bolster relations

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

EU Commission’s president telephones PM Shehbaz Sharif.
Ursula von der Leyen felicitates Shehbaz on assuming PM office.
The two leaders agreed to stay in contact and work together.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and European Commission Friday agreed to bolster ties, intensify investment and trade cooperation, and enhance mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

The development came during President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a statement from the PM Office.

The European Commission’s president congratulated Shehbaz on assuming the office of the prime minister and underlined the body’s desire to further strengthen its bilateral relationship with Pakistan.

Shehbaz was elected as the 23rd premier of Pakistan on April 11 after the ouster of PTI chairman Imran Khan from the office of the prime minister through a no-confidence vote.

The prime minister expressed his thanks for the felicitations and stated that Pakistan greatly valued its relations with the European Union, which were based on shared values and common objectives of peace, prosperity and development.

PM Shehbaz highlighted the importance of closer trade and investment ties between Pakistan and the EU.

He appreciated the GSP Plus arrangement and underlined that being a mutually beneficial scheme, it had played an important role in the expansion of Pakistan-EU trade.

The premier lauded Leyen’s stewardship of the EU Commission and underscored his resolve to further deepen mutual engagement, while also extending a cordial invitation to the body’s president.

The two leaders agreed to stay in contact and work together to expand Pakistan-EU relations, intensify investment and trade cooperation, and enhance mutual cooperation between the two sides in diverse fields.

Latest News

FO spokesperson: Pakistan will not cede bases to any foreign government.

Published

4 mins ago

Farwa

“The accusations made by Shehzad Akbar are denied. A FO official stated, “We do not target our citizens.

In a conference, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch stated, “The leader of the opposition party should be questioned about his statement on the military bases”. “These accusations are political in nature and unfounded,” she declared.

A FO representative described the event with the German ambassador as regrettable.

In response to a query, she stated that the situation in Gaza is causing worry all throughout the world.

The spokesperson stated that Pakistan is awaiting further information on the report pertaining to the arrest of Pakistani citizens for drug smuggling in India.

“We urge India to refrain from taking any actions that could heighten tensions along the Line of Control; Pakistan has always insisted on peace there,” the FO spokesperson stated.

The date of the trilateral discussions between China, Iran, and Pakistan has not yet been set, according to a FO official. “Pakistan and Iran have multiple communication channels, which have become stronger in the last few months.”

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Pakistan releases their England against Ireland team, and Hasan Ali is back.

Published

9 mins ago

Farwa

The men in green will play a three-match series against Ireland before taking on England in a four-match series.

The 18-player roster now includes Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Ali, and Haris Rauf, who were all reinstated by the national selection committee.

Turn off the silence
Zaman Khan and Usama Mir, meanwhile, were left off the final roster.

Continue reading: Ramiz Raja selects Pakistan’s starting combination for the 2024 T20 World Cup

After the first Twenty20 International at Leeds on May 22, the team will be whittled down to 15 players for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 next month in order to meet the ICC’s deadline of May 24.

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England series:

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Iftikhar Ahmad, Usman Khan, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Salman Ali Agha.

Ireland vs Pakistan T20I series:

10 May: First T20I in Dublin (7pm PST)

12 May: Second T20I in Dublin (7pm PST)

14 May: Third T20I in Dublin (7pm PST)

England vs Pakistan T20I series:

May 22: First T20I in Leeds (10:30pm PST)

May 25: Second T20I in Birmingham (6:30pm PST)

May 28: Third T20I in Cardiff (10:30pm PST)

May 30: Fourth T20I at The Oval, London (10:30pm PST)

Business

Before the IMF delegation arrives, Pakistan will “finalize” its FY2024–25 budget targets.

Published

15 mins ago

Farwa

In order to discuss the new loan program that Pakistan is requesting to handle its financial needs, the IMF delegation is expected to arrive in Pakistan on May 15.

Within days of the IMF mission’s arrival, sources claim that the government accelerated its budget targets preparations. Relevant ministries have been instructed by the Ministry of Finance to meet targets as soon as possible.

Based on the information provided by the sources, the IMF will get a framework for all significant budgetary targets.

Before the IMF mission arrives, a strategic paper on the FY25 budget is reportedly going to be approved by the federal cabinet.

In addition, a preliminary estimate will be created for salaries, pensions, government spending, and loan repayments. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will also set tax collection goals and defense spending.

According to additional sources, the economic team has been given a deadline by the Prime Minister’s Office to finish working on the FY25 budget.