ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has instructed officials of relevant ministries to stay in close contact with their Saudi counterparts to ensure tangible progress in all areas where the two countries had agreed to work together during a recent visit by the PM to the kingdom, a press release by the PM Office said on Monday.
Khan traveled on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this month on the invitation of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The two leaders were present as senior government functionaries from both sides signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding related to trade, energy, media and economy.
“Recalling the warm hospitality and keen interest of the Saudi leadership in forging closer cooperation with Pakistan in diverse fields, in particular bilateral economic and investment ties, the prime minister urged the ministries to ensure quick and robust follow-up on the outcomes,” the official handout added.
Khan maintained there was significant potential for bilateral cooperation between the two countries while chairing a high-profile meeting regarding his visit to the kingdom.
“Highlighting the potential of Saudi Vision 2030, the prime minister mentioned the prospects of job opportunities in skilled and semi-skilled sectors for Pakistanis in the coming decade, which, if optimally utilized, could help transform Pakistan’s economy and development,” said the statement.
He emphasized the importance of developing a close liaison with the Saudi authorities for the completion of all projects within the stipulated period.
Pakistani PM pushes for ‘robust’ follow-up on agreements discussed during Saudi visit
https://arab.news/yqpwd
Pakistani PM pushes for ‘robust’ follow-up on agreements discussed during Saudi visit
- PM Khan went on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia on May 7 to consolidate the two nations’ wide-ranging ties
- Several agreements and memoranda of understanding on trade, energy and media signed and discussed during visit
Pakistan expresses solidarity with Australia as gunmen kill at least 12 in Bondi Beach shooting
- Gunmen targeted people gathered at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach to celebrate Jewish Hannukah festival
- Pakistan, itself a victim of “terrorism,” condemns violence against innocent civilians, says President Zardari
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari expressed solidarity with Australia on Sunday as gunmen killed at least 12 people and wounded a dozen others in the Bondi Beach shooting that targeted the Jewish community in the country.
New South Wales (NSW) police said two people had been taken into custody, and the Australian Broadcasting Corp. said one of at least two gunmen was among those killed. Around a dozen people were taken to local hospitals after the shooting, an NSW ambulance spokesperson said.
The attackers targeted a large group gathered at the northern end of Sydney’s Bondi Beach, near or at Bondi Park playground, as per news reports, when the attack happened. Gunmen attacked people who were there to celebrate an event related to the Jewish festival of Hannukah.
“President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed sorrow over the tragic shooting in Sydney, conveyed condolences to the victims’ families & wished the injured a speedy recovery,” the president of Pakistan’s official account on X wrote.
“Pakistan itself a victim of terrorism, stands in solidarity with & condemns violence against innocent civilians.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the Sydney attack, expressing condolences with victims of the incident.
“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he wrote on X.
As per international media reports, one of the gunmen has been identified as Naveed Akram from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s southwest. His country of origin remains unclear.
One of the world’s most famous beaches, Bondi is typically crowded with locals and tourists, especially on warm weekend evenings.
Videos circulating on X appeared to show people on the beach and nearby park scattering as multiple gunshots and police sirens could be heard. One video showed a man dressed in a black shirt firing a large weapon before being tackled by a man in a white T-shirt who wrestled his weapon off him. A different man was seen firing a weapon from a pedestrian bridge.
Another video showed two men pressed onto the ground by uniformed police on a small pedestrian bridge. Officers could be seen trying to resuscitate one of the men. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.
The attack came almost exactly 11 years after a lone gunman took 18 people hostage at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney. Two hostages and the gunman were killed after a 16-hour standoff.
