ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host over 150 dignitaries from 44 Muslim and other friendly states for an international conference on girls’ education in Muslim communities from Jan. 11-12 in the federal capital, the foreign office said on Wednesday.
The global summit aims to address the challenges and opportunities in advancing girls’ education across Muslim communities worldwide. The foreign office said the conference also aims to foster dialogue, find actionable solutions to address challenges and will provide an ideal platform for high-level discussions and collaborations.
Pakistan’s education ministry will host the conference titled: “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities.”
“The event will bring together over 150 international dignitaries, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars and academia from 44 Muslim and friendly countries, representatives from international organizations including UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank,” the foreign office said.
“Speakers and panelists will share transformative success stories, showcasing innovative approaches to advancing education equity.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the event and deliver the keynote address at the opening session. The foreign office said that the Pakistani premier will reaffirm the nation’s commitment to promoting girls’ education and gender equality.
It said the conference will conclude with a formal signing ceremony of the Islamabad Declaration, outlining the shared commitment of Muslim community to empower girls through education, paving way for inclusive and sustainable educational reforms, and a brighter future for generations to come.
Pakistan to host over 150 dignitaries from Jan. 11-12 for girls’ education summit
https://arab.news/44c29
Pakistan to host over 150 dignitaries from Jan. 11-12 for girls’ education summit
- Ministers, ambassadors, scholars and academia from 44 Muslim and friendly countries to attend summit, says foreign office
- Summit aims to address challenges and opportunities in advancing girls’ education across Muslim communities worldwide
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
