ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has brought back 250,000 nationals who were stranded in various countries across the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi commending the “extraordinary” efforts of the government and related organizations.
“I would like to acknowledge extraordinary efforts of all our officers, who, in addition to coordinating tirelessly across multiple (government) branches of Pakistan & host countries, went above & beyond call of duty, for their fellow countrymen,” he tweeted on Sunday.
According to the state-run news agency, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis were repatriated from more than 70 countries after they were left stranded there due to an international travel ban to limit the spread of coronavirus across the globe.
However, Pakistan began operating special flights for the repatriation process in April with Prime Minister Imran Khan saying last week that the government would “continue supporting overseas Pakistanis in every way possible.”
Meanwhile, a statement by Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on National Security, Moeed Yusuf, released on July 2, said that while some countries had stopped the flights of national carrier Pakistan International Airlines, other flights would continue to operate.
“Ninety percent of the stranded Pakistanis are in Gulf countries, and for them, special flights will continue,” the statement said.
250,000 Pakistanis repatriated from 70 countries so far – Qureshi
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250,000 Pakistanis repatriated from 70 countries so far – Qureshi
- Foreign minister says efforts part of PM Khan’s endeavours to support overseas nationals in “every way possible“
- Pakistan began operating select flights for the repatriation process from April
Pakistani official joins global finance leaders at event hosted by Trump-backed venture
- Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Chairman Bilal bin Saqib attends World Liberty Financial event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate
- Discussions focused on future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation, says Saqib’s office
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman and Minister of State Bilal bin Saqib joined global finance leaders at an event hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture linked to US President Donald Trump’s family, Saqib’s office said on Thursday.
The event was hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto-based finance platform launched in September 2024 linked to Trump’s family. According to Saqib’s office, the gathering was held at Mar-a-Lago, the private estate and club owned by Trump in Florida.
Speakers and attendees at the event included David Solomon, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, Adena Friedman, chairperson and CEO of Nasdaq as well as Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange, Saqib’s office said. The event was organized and hosted by Eric Trump and American businesspersons Zach Witkoff and Alex Witkoff.
“Discussions focused on the future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation and the evolving relationship between regulation and emerging financial technologies,” the statement said.
It said Saqib’s attendance at the event reflected Pakistan’s growing engagement with global discussions shaping the next phase of financial and technological transformation.
“As Pakistan moves toward modernizing its financial infrastructure and strengthening its position in the global digital economy, such high-level engagements signal increasing international recognition of the country’s regulatory direction and leadership,” the statement added.
Last month, Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding with a company affiliated with World Liberty Financial to explore the use of a dollar-linked stablecoin for cross-border payments.
Pakistan has stepped up efforts recently to regulate its digital asset sector and is exploring digital currency initiatives as part of broader measures to reduce cash usage.
