ISLAMABAD: Finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has invited Oman to enhance investments in Pakistan, state media reported on Friday, as the South Asian country struggles to meet external financing needs as part of a $7 billion bailout loan that is pending approval by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board.
Aurangzeb has said in recent weeks Pakistan will focus on meeting its external financing needs by speaking with foreign governments and lenders to draw foreign investment as well as seeking loan rollovers. The government is also seeking to focus on more sustainable forms of external financing such as direct investment and climate financing.
Pakistan and the IMF reached an agreement for the 37-month loan program in July. The IMF has said the program is subject to approval from its executive board and obtaining “timely confirmation of necessary financing assurances from Pakistan’s development and bilateral partners.”
On Thursday, Aurangzeb held a virtual meeting with the chairman of the Pak Oman Investment Company Limited, Juland Jaifer Salim Al-Said, “to discuss ways for expanding business collaborations and enhancing investment and trade flows between the two brotherly countries.”
The minister provided an in-depth overview of Pakistan’s current economic situation, emphasizing progress made in stabilizing the economy and fostering a conducive environment for business and investment.
“Aurangzeb said the government is determined to push ahead with its reform agenda to facilitate the private sector, promote businesses and provide a secure and friendly investment climate,” Radio Pakistan reported.
“Finance Minister highlighted the significant strides achieved in recent months to stabilize the economy and put it on a sustainable path of growth. He also mentioned the improvements registered in several macro and micro economic indicators of the economy as well as a host of structural reforms undertaken in various sectors of the economy, including energy, taxation, privatization, and downsizing of government to let the private sector lead the growth with the government playing the role of a facilitator, in the process.”
Radio Pakistan said the Pak Oman Investment Company chairman said Oman viewed “Pakistan as a brotherly country and a potential place for business and investment.”
“He expressed hope that due to opening up of more investment opportunities in Pakistan in the wake of ongoing economic reforms, there would be more business collaborations,” Radio Pakistan said.
The first Pakistani Business Expo will be held in Muscat on October 13-14.
Pakistan is in talks with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and China to meet gross financing needs under the IMF program, Aurangzeb said in July following a trip to China to seek energy sector debt reprofiling.
Rollovers or disbursements on loans from Pakistan’s long-time allies, in addition to financing from the IMF, have helped Pakistan meet its external financing needs in the past.
Tough conditionalities placed by the IMF, such as raising tax on agricultural incomes and lifting electricity prices, have unleashed street protests and prompted concerns about poor and middle class Pakistanis grappling with rising inflation and the prospect of higher taxes.
Pakistan invites investment from Oman as it looks for external financing avenues
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Pakistan invites investment from Oman as it looks for external financing avenues
- Pakistan in July reached a bailout loan deal with the IMF which is pending approval from the lender’s executive board
- Approval dependent on “confirmation of necessary financing assurances from Pakistan’s development, bilateral partners”
Pakistan warns of landslides, avalanche in hilly areas, urges caution
- At least nine people were killed when an avalanche struck a house in Chitral district this week
- Heavy snowfall may trigger road closures in several areas from Jan. 26 to 27, Met Office says
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday warned of possible landslides and avalanches in hilly regions in the country’s north, urging residents, travelers and tourists to exercise caution.
Cloudy weather with intermittent rain, thunderstorm and snowfall is expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and upper Punjab, while heavy rain with moderate to intense snowfall are likely in hilly areas on Jan. 26-27. Rain or thunderstorms are also likely in southern Punjab and upper Sindh during this period.
Heavy snowfall may cause road closure, slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai and Zhob, according to the PMD.
“[There is a] possibility of the landslides/avalanche in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and [Azad] Kashmir during the period,” the Met Office said in a statement.
“Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary traveling during the forecast period.”
The PMD statement came two days after at least nine people were killed while an injured child was rescued after an avalanche struck a house in KP’s Chitral district, according to officials.
Rescuers evacuated dozens of residents and tourists as heavy snow blocked roads in Khyber, South Waziristan and Swat districts, where authorities cleared routes and provided food, clothing and bedding, the Rescue 1122 service said.
Tens of thousands of tourists flock to Pakistan’s scenic north every winter to witness snowfall, often neglecting warnings from disaster management authorities.
In Jan. 2022, at least 21 people, including children, died after they were stuck in freezing temperatures during a snowstorm in the Pakistani hill station of Murree.
