ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exchanged Eid greetings and discussed boosting economic and trade relations in phone calls with leaders of Gulf countries and Malaysia on Wednesday, inviting their leaders to visit Pakistan to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Pakistan’s engagement with most of these countries has remained pivotal in recent years, with successive governments in Islamabad aiming to deepen diplomatic and strategic ties while pursuing enhanced trade relationships with them to mitigate its prolonged economic crisis.
Facing financial challenges, Pakistan is actively seeking to get investment from these nations while also trying to secure external financial assistance from global entities like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Speaking to United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the prime minister lauded the strong bonds and close cultural, religious and historical affiliation between the two countries.
“While expressing his gratitude for the warmth extended by the leadership of the UAE upon his assumption of office, the Prime Minister underscored that his government’s highest priority would be to transform the traditionally fraternal ties with the UAE into a mutually beneficial economic partnership between the two brotherly states,” said a statement released by the PM Office after the phone call.
The UAE leader also reiterated his country’s support to Pakistan and reaffirmed the shared desire of both sides to further strengthen these fraternal ties meaningfully.
Sharif also spoke with Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, expressing satisfaction at the fraternal ties with the two countries.
He highlighted the need to enhance bilateral trade and investment and urged the two countries to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Sharif highlighted the historically cordial ties between Pakistan and Kuwait after receiving a phone call from Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to further strengthen the bilateral relationship with a view to securing mutual benefit for the peoples of both countries.
He emphasized the need to enhance economic and trade ties between Pakistan and Kuwait and assured the Kuwaiti side that the successful and timely implementation of the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed by the two sides last year would be ensured.
The prime minister also invited a trade delegation from Malaysia during a conversation with his counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, and asked him to undertake an official visit to Islamabad later this year.
Sharif informed Ibrahim the writings of Pakistan’s national poet, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, were being “translated into Malaysian language and the translated works may be launched by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his visit.”
Among other important issues, the leaders of the Muslim countries also discussed Israel’s war in Gaza and efforts to promote peace in Palestine.
Pakistan PM seeks to boost economic ties with Gulf nations, Malaysia in Eid diplomacy push
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Pakistan PM seeks to boost economic ties with Gulf nations, Malaysia in Eid diplomacy push
- Shehbaz Sharif emphasizes deeper trade ties in phone calls with leaders of UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Malaysia
- Leaders of the Muslim countries also discuss Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and efforts to promote peace in Palestine
Curfew extended in Gilgit-Baltistan, probe ordered after deadly Khamenei protests
- At least 15 people were killed in clashes with law enforcement agencies over the weekend in Gilgit-Baltistan
- Government also announces a de-weaponization campaign, crackdown on hate speech and cybercrime in region
ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region on Tuesday extended a curfew in Gilgit district and ordered a judicial probe into violent protests over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes last week, an official said.
At least 15 people were killed in clashes with law enforcement agencies over the weekend in GB, where protesters torched and vandalized several buildings, including United Nations regional offices, an army-run school, software technology park and a local charity building.
The violence prompted regional authorities to impose curfew in Gilgit and Skardu districts on March 2-4 as officials urged people to stay indoors and cooperate with law enforcers, amid widespread anger in Pakistan, particularly among members of the Shiite minority, over Khamenei’s killing.
On Tuesday, the GB government convened to review the situation and announced the extension of curfew in Gilgit among a number of security measures as well as ordered the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the weekend violence in the region.
“The government has made it clear that the law will strictly take its course against elements involved in vandalism at government institutions, private properties and incidents of vandalism in Gilgit and Skardu and no kind of mischief will be tolerated,” Shabbir Mir, a GB government spokesperson, said in a statement.
“In view of the security situation, curfew will remain in force in Gilgit, while the decision to extend the curfew in Skardu will be taken keeping the ground realities and the changing situation in view.”
The statement did not specify how long the curfew will remain in place in Gilgit.
Besides the formation of the judicial commission to investigate the violent clashes, the government also decided to launch a large-scale de-weaponization campaign in the entire Gilgit district, for which relevant institutions have been directed to immediately complete all necessary arrangements, according to Mir.
In addition, a crackdown has been ordered on hate speech, spread of fake news and cybercrime.
“The aim of these decisions is to ensure the rule of law, protect the lives and property of citizens and crack down on miscreants,” he said. “Approval has also been given to immediately survey the affected infrastructure and start their restoration work on priority basis.”
Demonstrators in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi also stormed the US Consulate on Sunday, smashing windows and attempting to burn the building. Police responded with batons, tear gas, and gunfire, leaving 10 people dead and more than 50 injured.
Pakistani authorities have since beefed up security at US diplomatic missions across the country, including around the US consulate building in Peshawar, to avoid any further violence.
