EU’s decision to remove Pakistan from the list of high-risk countries

Islamabad, March 29, 2023 (PPI-OT): We welcome the decision by the European Union to remove Pakistan from the list of high-risk countries thus recognizing Pakistan’s performance in overcoming technical issues in its Anti-Money Laundering / Countering Financing of Terrorism. This follows UK’s decision to remove Pakistan from a similar list in November 2022.

The removal from the list will ease financial transactions between entities from Pakistan and the European Union. Pakistan looks forward to building on this development for mutually beneficial economic cooperation with the European Union and sharing its experience in the up-gradation of AML/CFT regimes with partner countries.

For more information, contact:
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk

2nd Round of Pakistan-Malaysia Bilateral Political Consultations

Islamabad, March 29, 2023 (PPI-OT): The Second Round of Pakistan-Malaysia Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 28 March 2023. The talks were co-chaired by Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia and Pacific), Mumtaz Zahra Baloch and Dato’ Norman Bin Muhamad, Deputy Secretary General (Bilateral Affairs), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.

The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Malaysia relations and renewed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral strategic partnership. Pakistan and Malaysia will enhance engagement and dialogue at all levels, revitalize existing bilateral mechanisms and establish new areas of engagement.

The two countries will increase cooperation across multiple domains including bilateral trade and investment, defence and security, agriculture and food security, energy, health, education, and science and technology. Parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts will be encouraged, including hiring of additional Pakistani manpower to Malaysia.

There was a convergence of views on a range of regional and global issues of mutual interest, including regional peace and security, islamophobia and climate change. The two sides reiterated their interest in close cooperation at multilateral platforms including in OIC and the UN. Pakistan also expressed a desire for enhanced engagement with ASEAN, leading to a full-dialogue partnership. Additional Foreign Secretary conveyed the gratitude to Malaysia for its generous support and humanitarian assistance for flood affectees in Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk

50 new cases of Coronavirus cases reported during last 24 hours across country

Islamabad, March 29, 2023 (PPI-OT): Fifty new cases of Coronavirus cases have been reported during the last 24 hours across the country.

As per the data shared by the National Institute of Health, the case positivity ratio was 1.77 percent while 23 patients were in critical condition.

No death was reported from the Coronavirus in the last 24 hours while 2,818 Covid-19 tests were conducted.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Government providing relief to low-income people: Prime Minister

Islamabad, March 27, 2023 (PPI-OT): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the government is making all efforts to providing relief to low-income people. He was talking to media during his visit at free flour distribution centers in Rawalpindi on Monday. The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure resolving issues related to flour distribution. He said elderly people and women should be provided flour on priority basis.

He said special counters in collaboration with the National Database Registration Authority and Punjab Information Technology Board will be opened at distribution centers to register people, who are not registered with Benazir Income Support Programme.

Shehbaz Sharif said three bags of flour will be provided to people one time to save their time and transportation expenses. He it is for the first time in the history of the country that free flour is being distributed. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that flour distribution process will be improved gradually.

He said one hundred million people will be benefitted from this programme, launched in the holy month of Ramadan to help the needy people. He lauded administration and police for maintaining discipline at flour distribution centers. During the visit, he directed the authorities concerned to ensure resolving issues related to flour distribution.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

LG elections polling underway in 15 districts of Sindh

Islamabad, March 26, 2023 (PPI-OT): Polling of Local Government elections underway in 15 districts of the Sindh today. The polls started at eight in the morning and would continue till five in the evening without any break. According to our Hyderabad correspondent, the polls are being held for the seats of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Member District Council and General Members.

A total of 109,687 registered voters are casting their votes in 24 union councils of the province. 81 polling stations have been set up across the districts, including separate stations for men and women as well as combined stations.

15 districts of the province include Mirpurkhas, Umarkot, Tharparkar, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Badin, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Larkana, Qamber Shahdadkot, Sukkur, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sanghar. In this regard, foolproof security measures have been made at all polling stations.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Government will restore country’s economy, make people prosperous: Marriyum

Islamabad, March 26, 2023 (PPI-OT): Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb says present government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will restore Pakistan’s economy and make people prosperous. Addressing a news conference in Lahore today, she said first time in country’ history, present government is providing free flour to deserving segment of society during Holy Ramadan.

The Minister said previous PML-N government, led by Nawaz Sharif, had left country on the path to progress and prosperity with 6 percent growth rate while Imran Khan left behind a Pakistan with grave issues of price hike, unemployment and poverty.

She said all projects including Youth Program, Employment Program boasted during former PTI tenure were actually launched by Nawaz Sharif Government. Marriyum Aurangzeb said people of Lahore rejected PTI chairman Imran Khan and his ten points agenda at Minar-e-Pakistan yesterday.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Caretaker Punjab Cabinet approves distribution of free 20Kg flour bag instead of 10Kg

Islamabad, March 25, 2023 (PPI-OT): Caretaker Punjab Cabinet today approved distribution of a free 20 KG flour bag instead of 10 KG to the deserving families, to save people from repeated visits to distribution centers. The meeting reviewed provision of free flour in the province in detail and decided to implement this decision from 29th of this month. The meeting was told that so far more than seven million flour bags had been distributed among deserving people. It also approved restructuring of Child Protection Bureau.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk