ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday condemned the attack on Robert Fico, his Slovakian counterpart who was shot multiple times while coming out of a government meeting, saying he was praying for the leader of the central European state.
Fico was rushed to a hospital after the gun attack on Wednesday where he fought for his life in what was described by his administration as a “political assault.”
Speaking to the media after Fico’s surgery, Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba said the medical procedure had gone well and the 59-year-old Slovakian leader was expected to survive the assassination attempt.
“Strongly condemn shocking attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico,” the Pakistani PM said in a social media post. “Our thoughts and prayers with him and his family. Wish him quick recovery and good health.”
“We stand by government and people of Slovak Republic in these critical moments,” he added.
Fico’s party won the last general election in the European state held in September 2023.
The Slovak leader is a four-time prime minister and political veteran who has been criticized by his rivals for swaying his country’s foreign policy in Russia’s favor.
The gun attack was described as unprecedented, with analysts pointing out there had been no such previous incident reported against any minister or prime minister in Slovakia.
Pakistan PM condemns gun attack on Slovakian counterpart, offers prayers for recovery
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Pakistan PM condemns gun attack on Slovakian counterpart, offers prayers for recovery
- Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times while coming out of a government meeting on Wednesday
- The attack was described as unprecedented in a country where no such previous incident has been reported
Pakistan, ADB ink $61.8 million agreements for three development projects
- Agreements pertain to the upgradation of ML-1 railway link, key bus project in Quetta and water sector development in Balochistan
- Pakistani official says projects will “significantly contribute” to long-term, sustainable economic growth, address infrastructure needs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday signed agreements for three major development initiatives worth $61.8 million to boost connectivity, urban transport and water sector in various parts of the country, state-run media reported.
The two side signed agreements relating to project readiness financing for the Karachi-Rohri Section of the Main Line-I, a critical link needed to transport copper and gold from the Reko Diq mine in southwestern Pakistan to export hubs, for $10 million.
Another project readiness financing agreement was signed for a bus rapid transit project in the southwestern city of Quetta worth $3.8 million. The last agreement pertained to additional financing for the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project, which amounts to $48 million.
“The secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, expressed appreciation for ADB’s role as a trusted development partner, and its continued support to Pakistan to complement the development agenda of the country,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
He said the critical projects would “significantly contribute” to Pakistan’s long-term and sustainable economic growth, address urban infrastructure needs of the provincial capital of Quetta, and enhance agricultural productivity in Balochistan.
ADB’s Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan appreciated Pakistan’s commitment toward development initiatives.
“She also reaffirmed ADB’s continued commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and other stakeholders to ensure its support remains aligned with Pakistan’s development priorities,” APP said.
ADB has undertaken initiatives to support Pakistan’s economic recovery by strengthening its public finances, social protection systems and helping Islamabad with its post-flood reconstruction efforts.
The bank says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance to the South Asian country totaling $43.4 billion to date.
