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Ukraine, EU felicitate Bilawal on becoming Pakistan’s foreign minister

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  • European Union’s Fontelles, Ukraine’s Kuleba congratulate Bilawal.
  • PPP chairman says he looks forward to working with them.
  • Oxford-educated Bilawal has become youngest foreign minister.

Ukraine and European Union officials Thursday congratulated PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on assuming the charge of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba congratulated Bilawal.

The Oxford-educated PPP chairman became the youngest foreign minister of Pakistan after he was sworn in as a federal minister a day back.

President Arif Alvi administered the oath to Bilawal, who was 33 years, seven months, and six days of age — a development that came after much delay and deliberation.

Ex-prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 35 years, five months, and ten days old when he was sworn in as the foreign minister, while Hina Rabbani Khar was 33 years, eight months, and one day old.

In his congratulatory tweet, Fontelles wrote: “Congratulations to Bilawal Bhutto for his appointment as Pakistani Foreign Minister. Looking forward to cooperating and on strengthening EU-#Pakistan relations.”

In response to Fontelles, Bilawal thanked him and said he was seeking to strengthen Pakistan’s multi-faceted partnership with the European Union.

Ukraine’s Kuleba said he was looking forward to working with the newly-appointed foreign minister and hoped to strengthen bilateral ties with Pakistan.

“Looking forward to working together with the newly appointed Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. We count on further developing bilateral ties and our mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan,” Bilawal said.

Replying to Bilawal’s tweet, Bilawal said he looked forward to working with him to further Pakistan’s friendly bilateral relationship with Ukraine for the mutual benefit of our country’s people.

Earlier, in a Twitter post, Bilawal said he was “honoured” and humbled to take the oath as foreign minister.

He and his PPP “will play our part in restoring democracy, passing electoral reforms, fighting for a fairer economy & advocating Pakistans case on the world stage,” Bilawal wrote.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, Bilawal took charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Office officials briefed the newly-appointed minister on Pakistan’s international relations.

The newly-appointed foreign minister — along with a high-level delegation — is accompanying the prime minister on his maiden foreign visit to Saudi Arabia.

PM Shehbaz announced a 41-member federal cabinet after he took over from ousted premier Imran Khan earlier this month.

Khan has alleged that the United States backed a conspiracy to topple him just because he refused Washington’s advice not to visit Russia in February, a charge Washington denies.

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Zaidong, the ambassador, said China will fully back Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations.

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Reaffirming on Thursday that China will provide Pakistan with unwavering support in its fight against terrorism is Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.

In an interview that was broadcast on television, the ambassador promised to cooperate with Pakistan and said that China will protect the interests and safety of the citizens of the two friendly nations.

Zaidong underscored that efforts to undermine the two nations’ bilateral relationship would be thwarted by China’s cooperation with Pakistan.

Also, he emphasized how crucial China-Pakistan relations have become strategically given the changing nature of the world.

In highlighting the transformative impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the ambassador reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to seeing it through.

In addition to creating thousands of employment, he said, “the CPEC has facilitated significant advancements in power generation and transportation infrastructure with over $25 billion in direct investments and substantial infrastructure development.”

Zaidong stressed the value of sharing ideas and knowledge between Pakistan and China, acknowledging their shared security objectives.

Stressing that both countries have a common future, he envisioned their partnership having a greater social impact.

Concerning the terrorist attack on Chinese nationals [working on the Dasu dam], the ambassador expressed gratitude to the Pakistani people for their condolences and sympathy and commended the government for its prompt action.

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Mild rain in Lahore improves the weather

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Early on Friday, light rain in the province capital Lahore and its surrounding areas improved the weather.

But rain also led to power outages in several areas of Lahore, as multiple feeders of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) blew, leaving whole sections of the city without power.

Details show that rain was observed in a number of locations throughout the city, including Model Town, Gulberg, Garden Town, Mall Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Gulshan Ravi, Jail Road, and Sanda.

However, the Met Office has forecasted an additional day of rain for the city during the next 24.

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The government will begin coordinated action against lawbreakers in the Katcha region

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On Friday, Mohsin Naqvi, the interior minister, announced that the government would begin a coordinated operation in the Katcha region to eradicate the miscreants for good.

He stated that collaborative efforts in the Katcha region will make use of contemporary technologies, including drones.

According to Mohsin Naqvi, all security agencies, including the police, should make sure that SOPs are fully implemented in order to protect Chinese nationals living in Pakistan.

He declared that any carelessness in this respect will not be accepted at all while presiding over a meeting to review the National Action Plan’s implementation at NACTA headquarters in Islamabad.

According to Naqvi, failure to follow the SOPs for the safety of foreign nationals will result in severe disciplinary action.

“We have to outfit our departments with cutting-edge technology to eradicate terrorism,” stated the interior minister. He declared that the provinces will receive all the assistance from the federation in this area.

Anti-state forces will be permanently driven out of the Katcha region, according to Naqvi. The interior minister expressed satisfaction with the anti-smuggling operations and stated that all ministries need to make sure that smugglers face stern legal action.

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