ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has signed an agreement with an Emirati consultancy firm, AT Kearney Middle East Limited, for the promotion of foreign investment in the country’s diverse sectors, Pakistani state media reported on Saturday.
Islamabad established the SIFC, a civil-military hybrid forum, in June last year to attract foreign direct investment in agriculture, mining, information technology, defense production and energy sectors.
A team of AT Kearney and Pakistan’s Public-Private Partnership Authority officials held a detailed meeting with the SIFC national coordinator to discuss the roadmap for collaboration, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The UAE company will provide expertise over a period of eighteen months focusing on a number of key areas to drive foreign investment,” the report read.
“The agreement includes strategies for attracting investment in key sectors and conducting pre-feasibility studies for selected projects.”
The development comes amid a push for foreign investment by Pakistan, which has been facing low foreign exchange reserves, currency devaluation and high inflation.
The South Asian country is making desperate attempts to boost foreign investment and has reached a $7 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support its $350 billion fragile economy.
Pakistan signs agreement with UAE firm for expertise to drive foreign investment
https://arab.news/pa37z
Pakistan signs agreement with UAE firm for expertise to drive foreign investment
- Islamabad established the SIFC, a civil-military hybrid forum, in June last year to attract investment
- The UAE consultancy firm will provide expertise over a period of 18 months focusing on a number of areas
Saudi Arabia, US, Türkiye condemn separatist attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan
- Kingdom says it stands with Pakistan as security forces kill 133 militants in counteroffensive this week
- Attacks hit multiple districts including Quetta and Gwadar, killing civilians and security personnel
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia, US, Türkiye and Qatar this week condemned separatist attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, expressing solidarity with Islamabad after a wave of coordinated violence killed civilians and security personnel across multiple districts.
In a statement cited by the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Kingdom said it rejected violence in all its forms and stood with Pakistan as its security forces responded to the attacks.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the attacks carried out by separatist elements in various areas of Pakistan’s Balochistan province,” he said in a social media message on Saturday.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia renews its firm position rejecting all acts of terrorism and extremism.”
Pakistan’s military said on Saturday its forces killed 92 militants, including three suicide bombers, while repelling coordinated attacks across the southwestern province, following assaults that targeted civilians and law enforcement personnel in several towns, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung and Kharan.
The military said it had killed 41 militants on Friday in separate operations in Panjgur and Harnai, bringing the total number of militants killed in the past two days to 133.
The military said 18 civilians, including women and children, were killed in attacks on laborer families in Gwadar and Kharan, while 15 security personnel died during clearance operations and armed standoffs.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry also conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, reaffirming its support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard stability and security.
US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker also condemned the attacks in a statement shared by the US embassy on Sunday.
“The United States remains a steadfast partner of Pakistan in its efforts to ensure peace and stability. We stand in solidarity with Pakistan during this difficult time,” Baker was quoted as saying.
The Turkish foreign ministry also condemned the attacks and prayed for the souls of the soldiers who were killed.
Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks as well and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the State of Qatar’s firm position rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts in all forms, regardless of their motives or justifications.”
https://x.com/MofaQatar_EN/status/2017643162211438683
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has faced a decades-long separatist insurgency marked by attacks on security forces, infrastructure projects and civilians, as Pakistan steps up counter-militancy operations in the region.
