Official Blog Of Press Information Department

Courtesy:-  Malik Muhammad Ashraf The recently concluded visits of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan show the recalibrated vision of the PML-N government to build regional linkages for shared economic prosperity, Pakistan’s quest for becoming a permanent member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Chinese strategy to revive the old Silk Route in which Pakistan has a pivotal role to play.  In the backdrop of the MOUs and agreements for implementation of the projects under the China-Pak Economic Corridor, and the newfound bonhomie with Afghanistan, these visits were essential to nudge the process of economic cooperation with the Central Asian states, especially the implementation of trans-regional projects like the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline and Casa-1000 for transmission of electricity from Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

Courtesy:-    Tariq Osman Hyder Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan from 20 to 22 May. Regional energy connectivity lies at the heart of Pakistan’s strategic interests in Central Asia; particularly with Turkmenistan, our oldest and closest partner in this region. This is an opportunity to restore focus to the 1680 km natural gas pipeline project from Turkmenistan. The Prime Minister is well qualified to appreciate that two decades have been lost, as he has been to Ashgabat and other Central Asian capitals more frequently than any other Pakistani leader. He visited Ashgabat in: May 1992 for the first Summit Meeting of Central Asian States, Pakistan, Turkey, and Iran; May 1997 for the ECO Extraordinary Summit after which he and President Niyazov signed a Protocol on the gas pipeline project with Unocal and Delta oil companies of the CENTGAS Consortium; and a one day visit in October 1997 to enquire after President Niyazov’s health following a ma...

Courtesy:-    Malik Muhammad Ashraf The visit of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and COAS General Raheel Sharif to Afghanistan on Tuesday, has a great significance in regards to the consolidation of the gains of cooperative relations between the two countries since the installation of the unity government in Afghanistan, the fast changing geo-political realities in the region, elimination of terrorism as well as peace in Afghanistan through political reconciliation, supported and encouraged by both Pakistan and China.

Courtesy:- MALIK MUHAMMAD ASHRAF  Is Pakistan on track to becoming the promised Asian Tiger? In a striking contrast to the situation two years ago the buzzword among the world lending institutions, international evaluating and rating agencies as well as some prestigious national bodies is that the economy of Pakistan is bouncing back strongly as a consequence of the robust and imaginative macro-economic agenda pursued by the government. Just when the government has started negotiations with IMF for the seventh review under the $6.4 billion Extended Fund Facility in Dubai, an international rating agency Standards & Poor’s has raised Pakistan’s credit rating outlook to Positive from Stable. Explaining the rationale for this up-gradation, the report says, “The positive outlook reflects our expectation of Pakistan’s improved economic growth prospects, fiscal and external performance and the supportive relationship of external donors over the next 12 months.” This evaluat...

Courtesy:-   Mohammad Jamil Martyrs’ Day will be commemorated to pay tributes to the martyrs of the Pakistan Armed Forces that rendered great sacrifices in defence of the motherland and also fighting terrorism. The intention to publish this article before 30th April is to suggest that the entire nation should commemorate this event, and the ceremonies should not be confined to  garrisons  only. Indeed, it was a good initiative by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani who decided to observe April 30 as Martyrs Day from April 2010. Last year, on second Martyrs’ day Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani paid tributes to the troops who laid down their lives in the line of duty. Addressing the ceremony, he had solemnly declared: “Pakistan wants peace with all its neighbours with dignity, but  national  honour and integrity will not be traded just for the sake of prosperity”. The armed forces have indeed played remarkable role in fighting the menace of terrorism ...

Courtesy:- SYED ALI NAWAZ GILANI  Sino-Pak relations: stronger than ever The Chinese President His Excellency Mr Xi Jinping is arriving today on a state visit to Pakistan after taking over the office of President of the People’s Republic of China on March 14, 2013. His visit was earlier postponed due to some preoccupied engagements on both sides. This visit is taking place in the backdrop of a very important geopolitical and regional situation apart from further boosting the exemplary Pak-China relations. This visit is also very important from the Pakistan’s political and economic point of view as we are currently engaged in Pak-China Economic Corridor project which if implemented in letter and spirit will enhance our economic activities manifold and the country will ultimately prospers. The visiting Chinese President who is also the head of ruling Communist Party is expected to lead China for the next decade. Since assuming leadership, he has initiated an unpreced...

Courtesy:-   S Rahman Although every government elected on the basis of popular vote possesses the inherent authority to make action plans according to changing situations and exigencies on the internal and external fronts, Nawaz Sharif government has taken up the matter with the parliament for arriving at the right decisions about the country’s possible role in Yemen crisis. Not only that, the Prime Minister has rather appealed to the parliamentarians to decide what course of action should be adopted particularly after receiving a formal request from Saudi Arabia for extending military support to the latter. The decision thus made by the parliament would be abided by as assured by the PM himself on the floor of the House during the joint session of the parliament the other day. This is indeed a manifestation of democratic mindset of the people in the government. This advice has been sought by the Prime Minister in all earnest although sufficient authority vests in his office an...