Pakistan to remember strong Kashmiri women facing Indian atrocities in IIOJK: FO

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch says as the world observes International Women's Day on Friday, we would like to remember the strong women of Kashmir who have faced the brunt of Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. At her weekly media briefing in Islamabad, she said the women in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir have endured widespread devastation and confronted obstacles that impede their access to essential needs and their capacity to lead a dignified life. She said the Kashmiri women widowed and orphaned because of fake encounters by Indian forces do not even get time to mourn for their dead husbands and fathers and are forced to become the sole breadwinners for their families. The Spokesperson said women heading households face additional difficulties in the society and face hurdles in finding respectable jobs. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said women activists including Hurriyat leaders Aasiya Andrabi, Naheeda Nasreen and Fehmeeda Sofi remain incarcerated in different jails of Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and India. She said the Kashmiri women deserve to live their lives as they choose and enjoy their rights and freedom including the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The Spokesperson said Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions. Source: Radio Pakistan

PM to pay day-long visit to Muzaffarabad today

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay a day-long visit to Muzaffarabad on Friday. During the visit, he will meet Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq and interact with the rain and snowfall affected people of the area. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also distribute relief cheques among the affectees. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan voices opposition to G-4 model for UNSC Reform

Pakistan has voiced opposition to the G-4 model for UN Security Council Reform, as presented by India on behalf of the Group of Four during the IGN meeting. Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram expressed these views during the Fourth IGN on Security Council Reform (Model Presented by Group of Four - G-4) in New York. Ambassador Akram criticized the G-4 model, labeling it as undemocratic, unaccountable, and inequitable, asserting that it does not serve its intended purpose. During his remarks at the fourth IGN meeting on the UNSC Reform, Ambassador Akram questioned the rationale and intentions of the G-4 countries in proposing this reform model. He raised concerns about the involvement of aspiring new permanent members in addressing conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza. He said as a member of the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) Group, it is evident that our position has consistently opposed the issue of the creation of new permanent members, and this notwith standing would be different from the distinguished representative of the United States. He said the G-4 model would direct us in the opposite direction. It would expand 6 new permanent seats, but only 5 new non-permanent seats. It would reduce the proportionality between permanent membership and non-permanent membership by half and reduce the chances of representation for the rest of the 182 countries who will not be permanent members on the Security Council. Source: Radio Pakistan

Army, LEAs stand with people of Balochistan for peace: COAS

Army Chief General Asim Munir has said success of Balochistan is the success of Pakistan. During his visit to Awaran district of Balochistan, the Army Chief said people of Pakistan are proud of the brave people of Balochistan who have stood tall against all odds. He said Armed Forces of Pakistan and Law Enforcement Agencies will continue to render their services in support of the people of Balochistan for peace and prosperity. The Army Chief interacted with the local elders, farmers and families of Shuhada and assured them of the Army's unstinting support for their security and welfare, while paying rich tribute to the sacrifices rendered by the Shuhada. While interacting with the notables and farmers of Awaran, COAS emphasized the importance of agriculture and Army's commitment to the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI). He said that farmers will be provided with all kinds of agricultural facilities, including the provision of easy agricultural loans, seeds, fertilizers, solar tube wells and guidance by ag riculture experts, so that they can cultivate their lands and become partners in the progress and development of Pakistan. Later on, COAS inaugurated Cadet College Awaran and interacted with faculty members and students. The Army Chief appreciated the establishment of yet another Cadet College in Balochistan for the people of the area. He reiterated his commitment that Pakistan Army will continue development and relief activities in Balochistan in collaboration with the concerned civil departments. Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Corps Commander Balochistan Corps. Source: Radio Pakistan

PM arrives in Muzaffarabad on day-long visit to AJK

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Muzaffarabad on a day-long visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq accorded a warm welcome to him at the helipad During the visit, the Prime Minister will meet and interact with the rain and snowfall affected people of the area. The Prime Minister will also distribute relief cheques among the affectees. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan, Kuwait reiterate desire to deepen bilateral relations

Pakistan and Kuwait have reiterated the desire to further deepen and broaden bilateral relations.

The desire was expressed by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah during their meeting in Kuwait today.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the importance Pakistan attaches to its relationship with Kuwait and reiterated the desire to further expand bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

He underscored the resolve to forge deeper economic engagement between Pakistan and Kuwait-including in trade, energy, IT, Labour, Mineral and investments.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar expressed satisfaction at close cooperation between the two countries at multilateral fora.

He appreciated the measures undertaken by Kuwait for recruitment of Pakistani manpower in the fields of health, security and infrastructure.

The Crown Prince of Kuwait reciprocated the sentiments of the Prime Minister.

It is pertinent to mention that the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is on a two-day official visit to Kuwait with the primary objective of signing of MoUs in multiple areas geared to transforming the six decades’ long bilateral relations into mutually beneficial economic ties.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan unveils National Climate Finance Strategy, establishes SFB

The Ministry of Planning and Development has chalked out a comprehensive policy for tackling climate change-related challenges.

In a press release by the Ministry, the National Climate Finance Strategy is focusing on leveraging private sector engagement, international climate finance and carbon markets.

It said that Pakistan is among countries in the world that are most affected by climate-related hazards.

Significantly, the Sustainable Finance Bureau has been established to revolutionize climate finance and reorient the Public Sector Development Programme towards sustainable finance.

Source: Radio Pakistan