ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week held Israel responsible for killing thousands of Palestinians since last year, calling on world powers to intervene and end the Jewish state’s military campaign in Gaza.
Israel launched a war on Gaza on Oct. 7 after Hamas fighters stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israeli military campaign has since demolished swathes of the besieged enclave, killed more than 41,00 people, displaced nearly all of its 2.3 million people multiple times, and given rise to deadly hunger and disease in the area.
With thousands of civilians killed in Gaza, questions have been raised at the UN Security Council’s ineffectiveness in brokering a ceasefire. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres this week described the Security Council as an “outdated,” “unfair” and “ineffective system,” saying its failure to end Israel’s war on Gaza has damaged the credibility of the organization.
“We have been condemning Israel’s aggression and barbarity and will condemn it today as well,” Sharif said on Thursday while addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet.
“But the matter has now reached a point beyond condemnations. The international conscience must awaken and fulfill its obligations [to end Israel’s war],” he added.
He criticized Israel for killing UN aid workers in Palestine and also violating resolutions passed by the Security Council on Gaza.
“UN staff members responsible for arranging polio [vaccinations] and food were killed there,” Sharif lamented. “If these incidents had taken place in any other country, it would have caused a storm.”
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other multilateral platforms. The South Asian country has also dispatched several aid consignments for the Palestinians.
Pakistan urges world powers to intervene to end Israel’s war on Gaza
https://arab.news/b5869
Pakistan urges world powers to intervene to end Israel’s war on Gaza
- PM Shehbaz Sharif laments Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza that have killed over 41,000 since last year
- Condemns Israeli military for killing UN aid workers in Gaza, ignoring UN Security Council resolutions
Pakistan PM calls PIA privatization ‘vote of confidence’ as government pushes reforms
- The loss-making national flag carrier was sold to a Pakistani consortium for $482 million after two failed attempts
- Finance minister vows to continue economic reforms, engage international partners through trade and investment
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday the privatization of state-owned Pakistan International Airlines marked a “vote of confidence” in the country’s economy, as the government presses ahead with structural reforms aimed at easing pressure on public finances and attracting investment.
The sale of the loss-making national carrier by a Pakistani consortium, which secured a 75 percent stake for Rs135 billion ($482 million), follows two previous attempts to privatize PIA. The development comes as Pakistan seeks to build on macroeconomic stabilization after a prolonged balance-of-payments crisis, with authorities trying to shift the economy toward export-led growth and policy continuity.
“It was our firm commitment to the people of Pakistan that speedy and concrete steps would be taken to privatize loss-making state-owned enterprises that have been a burden on the economy,” Sharif said in a post on X. “The successful completion of the transparent and highly competitive bidding process for the privatization of PIA marks an important milestone in fulfilling that commitment.”
“The strong participation of our leading business groups and some of Pakistan’s most seasoned and respected investors is a powerful vote of confidence in our economy and its future,” he added.
https://x.com/cmshehbaz/status/2003498418984128908?s=46&t=SApcAZAv0zK56lMSgiF_fg
The government has made privatization of state-owned enterprises a key pillar of its reform agenda, alongside changes to taxation, energy pricing and trade policy, as it seeks to stabilize the economy and restore investor confidence.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told an international news outlet Pakistan had reached a critical turning point, with macroeconomic stability and sustained reforms helping shift the economy from stabilization toward growth.
“Macroeconomic stability, sustained reforms and policy continuity are restoring confidence, shifting the economy from stabilization to export-led growth,” he said in an interview with USA Today, according to a statement issued by the finance ministry, adding that the government was opening new opportunities for domestic and global investors.
Aurangzeb said inflation had eased sharply, external balances had improved and foreign exchange reserves had risen above $14.5 billion, while Pakistan had recorded both a primary fiscal surplus and a current account surplus for the first time in several years.
The finance minister noted that economic growth remained insufficient to meet the needs of a fast-growing population, pointing out the importance of continuing structural reforms and encouraging investment in sectors such as agriculture, minerals, information technology and climate resilience.
Despite ongoing risks from global commodity prices, debt pressures and political uncertainty, Aurangzeb said the government remained committed to staying the reform course and engaging international partners through trade and investment.
