Pakistan appreciates Saudi Arabia for support in wake of deadly floods

Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa (right), the secretary general of the Muslim World League, shakes hands with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 6, 2022. (APP)
Short Url
Updated 06 October 2022
Follow

Pakistan appreciates Saudi Arabia for support in wake of deadly floods

  • Muslim World League secretary general is visiting Pakistan
  • Dr. Al-Issa will be in Pakistan until October 14

ISLAMABAD: Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the secretary general of the Muslim World League, called on Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today, Thursday, with the latter expressing his appreciation for Saudi Arabia for supporting the South Asian nation in the wake of deadly floods that have killed at least 1,700 people and left 33 million scrambling to survive.

The Muslim World League is an International Islamic NGO based in Makkah that aims to spread the true message of Islam and advance moderate values that promote peace and tolerance.

Al-Issa will be in Pakistan until October 14.

“Highlighting the ongoing devastating impact of the floods in Pakistan which have affected more than 33 million people all across Pakistan, [PM] appreciated the support provided by Saudi Arabia to Pakistan during these hard times,” a statement from the PM’s Office said.

“Prime Minister also highlighted that the role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Muslim World League and His Excellency [Al-Issa] for important Muslim causes, especially on Palestine and Kashmir is commendable.”




Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa (second from left), the secretary general of the Muslim World League, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki (right), Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, call on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (right) is Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 6, 2022. (APP)

The statement added: “The Prime Minister expressed that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relationship with Saudi Arabia which is rooted firmly in our common religion, shared values and culture.” 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close allies, with over 2.5 million Pakistani expats living in the kingdom, which is also the largest source of remittances to Islamabad. 


Pakistani business federation says EU envoy pledges support for training industrial workforce

Updated 4 sec ago
Follow

Pakistani business federation says EU envoy pledges support for training industrial workforce

  • Support aims to boost competitiveness as Pakistan expands skilled labor for exports and remittances
  • FPCCI says the country’s economic future hinges on preparing its workforce for modern technologies

ISLAMABAD: The European Union’s top diplomat in Pakistan has pledged support for the country’s push to train its industrial workforce, exporters and small businesses through the national technical and vocational education system, Pakistan’s top business federation said in a statement on Tuesday, calling the assistance critical for boosting competitiveness.

The commitment came during the first annual conference on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), jointly organized by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the TVET Sector Support Program, where the EU envoy addressed business leaders and government officials.

“Pakistani industries, exporters, trade bodies and SMEs will be facilitated and supported in their training, and exporters should draw maximum benefit from the GSP+ program,” said EU Ambassador Raymonds Kroblis, according to the FPCCI statement, referring to the EU trade scheme that grants Pakistan preferential, duty-free access for most exports in return for implementing international conventions.

He added that Pakistan’s economic future depended on preparing its workforce for modern technologies.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said Pakistan could “change its economic trajectory” through large-scale skills development and called for a sustained public–private partnership to modernize vocational training.

He said the federation would train 1,000 officials from chambers and trade bodies to strengthen workforce readiness.

Sheikh said Pakistan’s youth had “immense potential” and required structured opportunities to advance, both for domestic industry and for overseas employment.

Pakistan has been working to expand its pool of skilled workers to tap opportunities in Gulf economies, where higher-skilled migration could help lift remittances, a major stabilizing force for Pakistan’s economy.

Speakers at the conference said aligning Pakistan’s workforce with international standards was key to improving productivity, securing export growth and preparing workers for global labor markets.