ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be visiting Belgium from December 6 to 8 to co-chair the sixth round of Pakistan-European Union Strategic Dialogue, the Pakistani foreign office said on Sunday.
Pakistan and Belgium enjoy cordial and friendly relations, based on shared values of democracy, pluralism, mutual respect and close cooperation.
Over the years, the partnership has grown stronger in diverse fields, including political, economic, trade, education and culture, and people-to-people contacts. With a trade volume of $982 million, Belgium is the fifth largest trading partner of Pakistan in the EU.
The foreign minister is visiting Brussels on the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium Sophie Wilmes, the foreign office said in a statement.
“As a key component of the visit, the foreign minister will co-chair the 6th round of Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue with EU High Representative and Vice President Josep Borrell,” the statement read.
“The European Union is one of the largest trade and investment partners of Pakistan and the current volume of bilateral trade stands at US $10.883 billion. Pakistan’s relations with EU are manifested in frequent and close engagements through structured dialogues.”
The two sides signed the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) in June 2019, which provides solid framework and blue print for future cooperation. This would be the first in-person session of the strategic dialogue since the signing of the landmark SEP, according to the foreign office.
It follows the seventh round of Pakistan-EU Political Dialogue, which was virtually co-chaired by Pakistani Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and EU Deputy Secretary-General Enrique Mora on December 3.
FM Qureshi leaves for Belgium for sixth round of Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue
https://arab.news/9ktzc
FM Qureshi leaves for Belgium for sixth round of Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue
- He will co-chair the dialogue with EU High Representative and Vice President Josep Borrell
- EU is one of largest trade and investment partners of Pakistan with a volume of $10.883 billion
Pakistan launches double-decker buses in Karachi after 65 years to tackle transport woes
- Karachi citizens will be able to travel in double-decker buses from Jan. 1, says Sindh government
- City faces mounting transport challenges such as lack of buses, traffic congestion, poorly built roads
ISLAMABAD: The government in Sindh province on Wednesday launched double-decker buses in the provincial capital of Karachi after a gap of 65 years, vowing to improve public transport facilities in the metropolis.
Double-decker buses are designed to carry more passengers than single-deck vehicles without taking up extra road space. The development takes place amid increasing criticism against the Sindh government regarding Karachi’s mounting public transport challenges and poor infrastructural problems.
Pakistan’s largest city by population faces severe transportation challenges due to overcrowding in buses, traffic congestion and limited bus options. Commuters, as a result, rely on private vehicles or unregulated transport options that are often unsafe and expensive.
“Double-decker buses have once again been introduced for the people of Karachi after 65 years,” a statement issued by the Sindh information ministry said.
Sindh Transportation Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah inaugurated the bus service. The ministry said the facility will be available to the public starting Jan. 1.
The statement highlighted that new electric bus routes will also be launched across the entire province starting next week. It added that the aim of introducing air-conditioned buses, low-fare services, and fare subsidies is to make public transport more accessible to the people.
The ministry noted that approximately 1.5 million people travel daily in Karachi using the People’s Bus Service, while around 75,000 passengers use the Orange Line and Green Line BRT services.
“With the integration of these routes, efforts are being made to benefit up to 100,000 additional people,” the ministry said.
