ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday attended a panel discussion as part of his World Economic Forum engagements in Riyadh, where he highlighted “global inequity” as a major problem in addressing health care needs around the world.
Sharif made the remarks while speaking at a panel discussion, titled “Redefining Global Health Agenda,” during a special two-day meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Saudi capital.
The prime minister spoke about a number of health care issues and recounted to the attendees how the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed health care “imbalances” across the world.
“Today, I think the first and foremost problem is global inequity,” he said. “Now look at COVID, it exposed these imbalances, gaps hugely. Imagine, global north and global south distribution of vaccines and so on and so forth.”
The prime minister highlighted climate change as another major factor affecting health care in the world, explaining the devastation caused in Pakistan by climate-induced floods in 2022.
“Pakistan does not contribute even a fraction of emissions yet we are on the red list of climate change and in 2022, we experienced the worst climate change floods in Pakistan, devastating everything from hostels, schools, lands, agriculture, everything,” he noted.
“And we had to invest hundreds of billions of rupees to rehabilitate people, but when it came to the question of seeking funds from abroad, those were loans, expensive loans.”
Sharif questioned how could a developing country afford such expensive loans to rehabilitate people who were affected by a crisis they did not contribute to.
The Pakistan prime minister arrived in Riyadh on Saturday to attend the WEF meeting on global collaboration, growth and energy. He was extended an invitation to attend the meeting by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Professor Klaus Schwab, the WEF executive chairman.
“PM Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation will present Pakistan’s priorities in global health, fintech, climate change, inclusive energy and rejuvenating growth,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement on X.
The PMO said Sharif will also meet Kuwait’s emir, Meshal Al Ahmed Al Jabr, and Saudi ministers of finance, industry and investment separately.
“The Prime Minister will also meet the Co-Chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and the President of the Islamic Development Bank,” the PMO said.
Prior to Sharif’s departure, the PM Office said he would be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
It said Sharif’s participation in the forum will afford Pakistan an opportunity to highlight its priorities in global health architecture, inclusive growth, revitalizing regional collaboration, and the need for striking a balance between promoting growth and energy consumption.
SHARIF, ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK PRESIDENT DISCUSS ONGOING PROJECTS
Sharif met Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, the president of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) during the sidelines of the WEF meeting to discuss the bank’s ongoing projects in the country.
The two sides reviewed the current progress of IDB’s projects in Pakistan. Sharif thanked the IDB president for the bank’s investment of $1 billion in Pakistan during his tenure, the PMO said.
The Pakistani prime minister thanked the ADB president for the bank’s financial support during the devastating 2022 floods in Pakistan.
“Both sides agreed to complete the IDB’s ongoing projects in Pakistan as soon as possible,” the PMO said. “Both exchanged views on finding new ways to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and the IDB.”
Sharif will also attend the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on May 4-5 in the Gambian capital of Banjul to discuss a variety of regional and global issues, including Palestine, Islamophobia, climate change and the status of minorities, the Pakistani state-run APP news agency reported.
The session will be held under the slogan “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development,” according to a press release issued by the OIC General Secretariat.
The Islamic Summit is a principal organ of the OIC focused on the formulation, development, and implementation of decisions made by 57 member states. It is attended by concerned heads of state such as prime ministers, presidents, emirs and other equivalent heads.
At WEF session in Riyadh, Pakistan PM highlights ‘global inequity’ in health care
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At WEF session in Riyadh, Pakistan PM highlights ‘global inequity’ in health care
- Shehbaz Sharif cites the example of COVID-19 pandemic, distribution of vaccines in global north and south
- The Pakistan PM is in Riyadh to attend a two-day World Economic Forum meeting on global growth and energy
Pakistan’s finmin vows to ‘accelerate’ privatization of state-owned assets ahead of IMF talks
- IMF official confirmed its delegation would arrive in Pakistan next week for talks on new loan program
- Among main entities, Pakistan is pushing to privatize its national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday vowed to accelerate the privatization process of state-owned assets (SOEs) in Pakistan as Islamabad gears up to hold crucial talks for a bailout package with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next week.
Under the last $3 billion bailout package from the IMF that was critical in averting a sovereign debt default last year, the lender has said state-owned entities whose losses are burning a hole in government finances would need stronger governance. Pakistan is now negotiating with the IMF for a larger, longer program for which it must implement an ambitious reforms agenda, including the privatization of debt-ridden SOEs.
Among the main entities Pakistan is pushing to privatize is its national carrier, PIA. The government is putting on the block a stake ranging from 51 percent to 100 percent.
Aurangzeb’s latest statement comes a day after a top IMF official confirmed the lender would send a delegation to Pakistan next week to discuss the contours of another loan program with Islamabad.
“We will take this forward and there will also be public-private sector partnership in it,” Aurangzeb said about the privatization of SOEs at a pre-budget conference in Lahore.
“We will accelerate the privatization agenda.”
Aurangzeb said he and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar were on the “same wavelength” that there are no strategic SOEs.
“After a meeting tomorrow, we will go back to these ministries to say, ‘Hand over all of these [assets] to the private sector,’” he said.
The finance minister said investors’ confidence in the country’s economy was improving, crediting the government’s policies for the positive outcome.
Aurangzeb said Pakistan needed structural reforms, saying that the business community should be made a part of the tax net like the salaried class.
Pakistan’s key stock index crossed the 73,000 mark on Friday to close the weekend trading session at an all-time high, as investors banked on renewed hopes of an interest rate cut and improving economic indicators in the country.
Pakistan saw one of the highest inflation regimes last year, with 38 percent inflation recorded in May 2023, which eased to 17.3 percent this April. Pakistani analysts expect a further fall in May, renewing optimism of an interest rate cut from the current 22 percent in the upcoming monetary policy.
Government in Pakistan-administered Kashmir invites protesters for talks after violent clashes
- Government exercised restraint despite one cop getting killed, multiple injured in clashes, says Azad Kashmir government spokesperson
- Clashes broke out in several areas of Azad Kashmir on Saturday after protesters demanded subsidized wheat flour, cheaper electricity
ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir on Sunday invited protesters for talks, a day after demonstrators demanding subsidized wheat flour and cheaper electricity clashed with police, resulting in one cop getting killed and multiple injured.
The clashes erupted between police and supporters of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in various parts of Azad Kashmir on Saturday. One cop was killed when he succumbed to a gunshot wound to the chest while at least 90 were injured in the clashes. The protests turned violent when police attempted to stop a rally headed for Azad Kashmir capital Muzaffarabad via Kotli and Poonch districts.
JAAC representatives said protesters are demanding the provision of electricity as per hydropower generation cost in Azad Kashmir, subsidized wheat flour, and an end to privileges enjoyed by the country’s elite.
“The situation is currently peaceful and under control, and we are trying to settle issues through talks,” Abdul Majid Khan, a spokesperson of the Azad Kashmir government who is also its finance minister, told Arab News.
“We have invited the action committee to come and sit with us for dialogue on all their demands.”
Khan warned that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands, emphasizing that the government has exercised significant restraint as it recognizes that traders are also patriotic residents of the self-governed area.
The minister said the government had exercised restraint despite protesters killing a police officer and injuring another 35 others in Mirpur yesterday (Saturday).
“While no civilian death is reported so far, there is one incident where a protester fell in a ditch while escaping from police but he was also rescued,” Khan said. He lamented that protesters also set fire to three vehicles before police used limited tear gas to disperse them.
Khan said the government has engaged in dialogue with JAAC before, adding that while some issues were resolved, others are related to legislation but work has already begun on addressing them.
“The government has signed an agreement with the action committee on February 4, 2024, which contained 10 points out of which six have already been implemented and work on the remaining is ongoing as it involved legislation and cooperation of Pakistan’s federal government,” he added.
Khan said JAAC had later added a few more demands to the earlier agreement.
“In Pakistan, the domestic rate of electricity is around Rs30 per unit whereas in AJK, it is Rs18 per unit,” the minister said. “Additionally, Pakistan’s electricity bill incurs around 10 types of taxes, while AJK’s bill has only four taxes.”
Khan said the government is providing wheat in Azad Kashmir at Rs3,100 [$11.16] per 40kg which is already heavily subsidized and cheaper than in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, where wheat is primarily produced.
He warned protesters against playing into the hands of Pakistan’s arch-rival India.
“As there are elections ongoing in a neighboring country [India] and they will also like to benefit from the situation in Azad Kashmir if it is not peaceful,” he added.
The Himalayan region of Kashmir has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan since 1947 when the two countries gained independence from British colonial India. Two out of the three wars fought between the arch-rivals have been over Kashmir.
Both countries claim the territory in full but administer parts of it. The western portion of the larger Kashmir region is administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity.
JAAC core committee member Amjad Ali Khan accused the government of deviating from the February agreement, alleging it had withdrawn the notification after issuing it earlier this year.
“The government signed an agreement with us in February, issued a notification about it, and then reneged on the agreement,” he told Arab News.
He said the government compelled people to protest as it had not listened to their legitimate demands.
“Our core committee is meeting today to decide on the future course of action, and we will act accordingly regarding the future of talks with the government,” the JAAC activist said.
After shock defeat, Pakistan face Ireland in second T20I in Dublin today
- Ireland dealt massive blow to Pakistan on Friday when it beat visitors by five wickets
- Fast bowler Mohammad Amir expected to feature in today’s match against Ireland
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan cricket team will have its hands full with a confident Ireland squad today, Sunday, when it takes the field against the minnows for the second T20I of the series after suffering a shock defeat on Friday.
Ireland beat Pakistan for the first time in a T20I fixture in the series opener on Friday, courtesy of a heroic 77-run knock by Andy Balbirnie that helped the home side win by five wickets against Babar Azam’s squad.
The defeat was a blow for the South Asian squad as it prepares for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled to take place from June 2 in the United States and West Indies, by playing separate cricket series against Ireland and England.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Dublin on Saturday to hold meetings with the team to boost their morale ahead of the second T20I.
“Immediately after arriving, he [Naqvi] held meetings with the team captain and coach,” the PCB said in a statement on Saturday. “He will also meet the team later today.”
Pakistan are most likely to play left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir in the playing XI against Ireland today. The bowler could not play the first T20I against Ireland as he arrived in the country on Friday due to visa delays.
After the Ireland series, Pakistan will travel to England to play a four-match series against the home side from May 22-30 in Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff and London before departing for the US for the mega event.
Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against the United States on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India in a high-octane clash on June 9 in New York.
Squads:
Ireland: Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir (unavailable for first T20I), Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan
Pakistan deputy PM to head to China on Monday for talks on trade, economic cooperation
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to co-chair strategic dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, says state media
- Beijing has been one of Islamabad’s most reliable partners in recent years, providing financial aid to its fragile economy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will leave for China next week to hold important discussions on bilateral trade, cooperation and upgradation of multi-billion-dollar infrastructure corridor, state-run media reported on Sunday.
Beijing has been one of Islamabad’s most reliable foreign partners in recent years, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbor. In July last year, China granted Pakistan a two-year rollover on a $2.4 billion loan, giving the debt-saddled nation much-needed breathing space as it tackled a balance-of-payments crisis.
Dar will leave for Beijing on Monday for a four-day official trip during which he would also co-chair the 5th Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
“The two sides will comprehensively review Pakistan-China bilateral relations including economic and trade cooperation, high-level exchanges and visits; upgradation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and future connectivity initiatives,” the state-run Radio Pakistan said.
China has invested over $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project is part of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. CPEC is designed to provide China with a shorter and safer trading route to the Middle East and beyond through Pakistan.
Since its initiation in 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funneled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects. But the undertaking has also been hit by Pakistan struggling to keep up its financial obligations as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants.
“They will also exchange views on the unfolding regional geopolitical landscape and bilateral cooperation at the multilateral fora,” the state-run media reported.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Dar’s visit to the country reflects the importance the two countries attach to deepening their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”
Dar’s visit to China takes place in the backdrop of Pakistan’s moves to seek foreign investment from its allies as it tries to navigate an economic crisis that has seen its reserves dip to low levels and its currency weaken against the dollar.
Islamabad has seen visits by diplomatic and business delegations from Saudi Arabia, Japan and Uzbekistan in recent weeks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to ensure an enabling business environment in Pakistan for foreign investors and traders.
Pakistan praises Saudi Arabia’s use of technology to enhance pilgrim experience with ‘flying taxis’
- Saudi authorities have announced plans to test ‘flying taxis and drones’ during this year’s Hajj season
- Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry says the kingdom has consistently increased its use of technology
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry on Saturday applauded Saudi Arabia for using advanced technology to improve the pilgrimage experience for Muslims, the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported, after the kingdom announced its plan to test “flying taxis and drones” during this Hajj season.
Saudi Minister for Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser spoke earlier this week about intense competition among transportation companies in the kingdom to provide the best traveling means to people. Previously, he also said the flying taxis and drones would be tested during Hajj to provide pilgrims with maximum comfort.
According to some reports, the Saudi Airlines was also considering plans to operate flying taxis to ferry Hajj pilgrims from the Jeddah airport to their hotels in Makkah.
“Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernizing the pilgrimage experience through innovative technology demonstrates their dedication to ensuring pilgrims’ comfort and convenience,” Muhammad Umar, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry, said.
Umar, who has remained closely involved in his country’s Hajj operations since 2009, also mentioned how the Saudi authorities had introduced various mobile applications to help pilgrims.
“I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and efforts of the Saudi government in facilitating the sacred journey of millions of pilgrims,” he added.
He also highlighted significant improvements in crowd management and the provision of enhanced facilities to pilgrims by Saudi authorities over the years.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry. Of them, 63,805 pilgrims will be performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest would be accommodated by private tour operators.
