ISLAMABAD: Ex-army chief General (retired) Raheel Sharif called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday to discuss the regional security environment and counter-terrorism measures taken by a Saudi-led coalition.
Sharif currently serves as the top commander of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) which was formed in December 2015.
The prime minister, for his part, reiterated that his administration wanted to bring enduring peace and stability to the country by supporting various peace initiatives at the regional level. He also emphasized greater regional cooperation to eradicate violence and extremism.
Earlier in the day, Sharif met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad. The minister applauded the IMCTC for making substantial contributions to the security of the region.
The coalition, which had 34 members initially, is comprised of 41 now. Sharif, who played a vital role in Pakistan’s war against religious militancy, was nominated as its first commander-in-chief after his retirement, and the coalition has since been striving to eradicate terrorism from the Muslim world under his guidance.
Raheel Sharif briefs PM Khan on counter-terrorism measures
Raheel Sharif briefs PM Khan on counter-terrorism measures
- Chief of Saudi-led coalition also discussed the regional security environment
- Premier reiterates support for peace and stability
Pakistan to promote mineral sector at Saudi forum this month with 13 companies
- Delegation will take part in the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh from Jan. 13-15
- Petroleum minister will lead Pakistan, participate in a 90-minute country session
ISLAMABAD: Around 13 Pakistani state-owned and private companies will attend the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Saudi Arabia from Jan. 13 to 15, an official statement said on Friday, as the country seeks to ramp up global engagement to develop its mineral resources.
The FMF is an international conference and investment platform for the mining sector, hosted by mineral-rich countries to attract global investors, companies and governments.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik confirmed Pakistan’s participation in a meeting with the Saudi envoy, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki.
Pakistan hosts one of the world’s largest copper-gold zones. The Reko Diq mine in southwestern Balochistan, with an estimated 5.9 billion tons of ore, is partly owned by Barrick Gold, which calls it one of the world’s largest underdeveloped copper-gold deposits. Its development is expected to boost Pakistan’s struggling economy.
“Upon an invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federal Minister informed the Ambassador that Pakistan will fully participate in the upcoming Future Minerals Forum (FMF), scheduled to be held in Riyadh later this month,” Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said in an official statement.
The Pakistani minister will lead his country’s delegation at the FMF and take part in a 90-minute country showcase session titled “Unleashing Potential: Accelerating Pakistan’s Mineral Revolution” along with local and foreign investors.
Pakistan will also establish a dedicated pavilion to highlight the vast potential of its rich geological landscape to the global mineral community.
The Saudi envoy welcomed Pakistan’s decision to participate in the forum and discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in the minerals and energy sectors during the meeting.
According to the statement, he highlighted the potential for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in the minerals and energy sectors, expressing confidence that the FMF would provide a platform to expand collaboration.
Pakistan’s mineral sector, despite its rich reserves of salt, copper, gold and coal, contributes only 3.2 percent to the country’s GDP and just 0.1 percent to global mineral exports.
However, many countries, including the United States, have shown interest in Pakistan’s underdeveloped mineral sector, particularly in copper, gold and other critical resources.
In October, Pakistan dispatched its first-ever shipment of rare earth and critical minerals to the United States, according to a Chicago-based US public relations firm’s report.
