ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday demanded the world hold Israel accountable for the killing of dozens of journalists in Gaza, Sharif’s office said.
Sharif’s statement came on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, a United Nations-recognized international day that is observed annually on Nov. 2.
Since Israel began its war against Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, at least 134 journalists have been killed and 41 injured in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Lebanon, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
In his statement, Sharif lamented that dozens of journalists were “deliberately” killed in Gaza to block the “path of truth,” despite the international conventions to protect journalists.
“The United Nations and international organizations should bring Israel to justice for the massacre of journalists,” he said. “Freedom of press is not possible without the protection of journalists.”
Sharif said his government was determined to prevent crimes against journalists, ensure punishment of perpetrators and protect journalists.
“The Constitution of Pakistan gives the right to freedom of expression, freedom of press and access to information, and the Government of Pakistan ensures this,” he added.
Pakistan itself consistently ranks among the most dangerous countries for journalists, with many facing threats, intimidation, and violence. According to the CPJ, 103 journalists and media workers have been killed in Pakistan between 1992 and 2024.
Pakistan PM calls for justice for journalists killed in Gaza
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Pakistan PM calls for justice for journalists killed in Gaza
- Shehbaz Sharif’s statement came on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
- The Pakistan prime minister says freedom of press is not possible without the protection of journalists
Pakistan says $50 million meat export deal with Tajikistan nearing finalization
- Islamabad expects to finalize agreement soon after Dushanbe signals demand for 100,000 tons
- Pakistan is seeking to expand agricultural trade beyond rice, citrus and mango exports
ISLAMABAD: Tajikistan has expressed interest in importing 100,000 tons of Pakistani meat worth more than $50 million, with both governments expected to finalize a supply agreement soon, Pakistan’s food security ministry said on Tuesday.
Pakistan is trying to grow agriculture-based exports as it seeks regional markets for livestock and food commodities, while Tajikistan, a landlocked Central Asian state, has been expanding food imports to support domestic demand. Pakistan currently exports rice, citrus and mangoes to Dushanbe, though volumes remain small compared to national production, according to official figures.
The development came during a meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Ambassador of Tajikistan Yusuf Sharifzoda, where agricultural trade, livestock supply and food-security cooperation were discussed.
“Tajikistan intends to purchase 100,000 tons of meat from Pakistan, an import valued at over USD 50 million,” the ambassador said, according to the ministry’s statement, assuring full facilitation and that Islamabad was prepared to meet the demand.
The statement said the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in meat and livestock, fresh fruit, vegetables, staple crops, agricultural research, pest management and standards compliance. Pakistan also proposed strengthening coordination on phytosanitary rules and establishing pest-free production zones to support long-term exports.
Pakistan and Tajikistan have long maintained political ties but bilateral food trade remains below potential: Pakistan produces 1.8 million tons of mangoes annually but exported just 0.7 metric tons to Tajikistan in 2024, while rice exports amounted to only 240 metric tons in 2022 out of national output of 9.3 million tons. Pakistan imports mainly ginned cotton from Tajikistan.
