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Saudi defense minister guest of honor at Pakistan Day parade

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Updated 23 March 2024
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Saudi defense minister guest of honor at Pakistan Day parade

  • Pakistan Day marks adoption of 1940 resolution calling for independent state for Muslims of India 
  • Saturday’s parade kicked off with the fly past of fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy
Updated 23 March 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Day military parade was held today, Saturday, at the Parade Avenue in the federal capital of Islamabad, with the Saudi defense minister attending as a guest of honor.

The parade is being held on the 84th anniversary of “Pakistan Day,” marked each year to celebrate the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the Muslim League, which called for the creation of an independent state for the Muslims of India on March 23, 1940.

Saturday’s parade kicked off with the fly past of fighter jets of the Pakistan air force and navy. 

“Newly inducted J-10 C , indigenously built JF-17 , F-16 and Mirage fighter jets as well as AWACs, P-3C Orion and ATR participated in the fly past,” Radio Pakistan reported. “The Saudi Defense Minister is attending the parade as a guest of honor.”

Contingents of the Pakistan army, navy and air force as well as Special Services Group, Frontier Corps, Rangers, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and Gilgit Baltistan Scouts marched past the dais, presenting a salute to the chief guest and the guest of honor. Troops from Azerbaijan and China also participated in the parade.

Mechanized columns including tanks, armored personnel carriers, rocket launchers, air defense system, guns, UAVs, short and long range missiles Ra’ad, Nasr, Babur, Shaheen, Ghauri and Ababeel were showcased on the occasion. The army’s engineering corps also presented state of the art equipment.

The parade featured the march and fly past of the helicopters of the navy, air force and army.

“Formations of Sherdils and JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets presented breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers spreading a range of colors in the skies,” Radio Pakistan said. “Floats depicting culture of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and the four provinces were part of the parade.”

“The sky divers of Special Services Group exhibited free fall from a height of ten thousand feet, carrying national flags and those of services. Afterwards, the national flag was presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” Radio Pakistan added. “The parade culminated with presentation of a special song themed ‘Pochay Jo Naam Koi Tum Pakistan Batana.’”

“PATH TO RECOVERY”

In a message to the nation ahead of the parade on Saturday morning, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his government was committed to putting the country on the path to economic recovery and prosperity with a “cogent policy reform framework.”

“We are completely cognizant of the serious challenges confronting Pakistan currently including inflation, unemployment, circular debt, fiscal and trade deficit, and above all the growing scourge of terrorism,” the prime minister said.

“I can assure you that we stand committed to put Pakistan on the path to economic recovery and prosperity with a cogent policy reform framework. I hope that these measures will bring economic stability and the current wave of high inflation will recede, bringing respite for our citizens.”

Separately, the Pakistan army congratulated the nation on Pakistan Day, saying “this historic day reminds us of the greatest sacrifices and contributions of our forefathers which they made in the struggle for creation of Pakistan.”

“On this day, Armed Forces of Pakistan renew their resolve to defend the motherland and protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all times and at any cost, and uphold the national flag.”

“Let’s cherish the vision of our forefathers and strive to fulfill the dreams they had for our beloved homeland. Happy Pakistan Resolution Day,” the foreign office said.

Topics: Pakistan Day 23rd March

Pakistan economy grew 1.73 percent in 2nd quarter, government says

Updated 6 sec ago
Reuters
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Pakistan economy grew 1.73 percent in 2nd quarter, government says

  • National Accounts Committee says first quarter real GDP estimate revised up to 1.34 percent due to higher-than expected growth in services sector
  • Announcement came just hours after IMF staff reached deal with Pakistan for new $1.3 billion financing and praised country’s macroeconomic stability
Updated 6 sec ago
Reuters

ISLAMABAD, March 26 : Pakistan’s government said on Wednesday the country’s provisional GDP growth rate was 1.73 percent in the second quarter of the current financial year ending on June 30 and upgraded its estimate for the previous quarter.
The government National Accounts Committee said in a statement that Pakistan had revised the first quarter real GDP estimate up to 1.34 percent from earlier estimates of 0.92 percent due to higher-than expected growth in the services sector.
The announcement came just hours after International Monetary Fund staff reached a deal with Pakistan for new $1.3 billion financing and praised the country’s progress on boosting macroeconomic stability.
The country’s central bank in March said its full-year GDP growth target was at 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent and said it expected economic activity to gain further momentum. (Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield Editing by Tomasz Janowski)

Topics: GDP National Accounts Committee

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia discuss expansion of Makkah Route Initiative for Hajj pilgrims

Updated 57 min 3 sec ago
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Pakistan and Saudi Arabia discuss expansion of Makkah Route Initiative for Hajj pilgrims

  • The initiative streamlines immigration by allowing pilgrims to complete travel formalities at departure airports
  • Pakistan’s religious affairs minister praises the Kingdom for focusing on the welfare of his country’s pilgrims
Updated 57 min 3 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Wednesday discussed expanding the Makkah Route Initiative to more Pakistani cities with Saudi Minister of Hajj Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah while praising the Kingdom for its continued focus on the welfare of Pakistani pilgrims, according to an official statement.
The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers.
“Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf met with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah,” Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry said in a statement. “The meeting included discussions on enhancing facilities for Hajj pilgrims and Umrah visitors, as well as expanding the scope of the Makkah Route Initiative to other cities in Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s religious affairs minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf second from left) in conversation with Saudi Minister of Hajj Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah (right) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 26 March, 2025. (Press release) 

The Pakistani minister said pilgrims from his country had greatly benefited from the special attention given by the Saudi authorities.
Dr. Al-Rabiah congratulated Sardar Yousaf on assuming charge of the religious affairs ministry and reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to serving pilgrims.
“It is an honor to welcome large numbers of pilgrims from Pakistan each year,” he said, adding that “serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims remains one of the Saudi government’s top priorities.”
The ministers also discussed issues related to the registration process for Pakistani pilgrims.
Dr. Al-Rabiah assured the concerns of Pakistani Hajj applicants would be addressed on a priority basis, adding the Saudi authorities had introduced several new measures this year to improve services for pilgrims.
 

Topics: hajj Makkah Route initiative Saudi Minister of Hajj Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah

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Pakistan reviews preparations for nationwide polio campaign as six cases confirmed for 2025

Updated 56 min 1 sec ago
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Pakistan reviews preparations for nationwide polio campaign as six cases confirmed for 2025

  • Next vaccine drives scheduled to be held in April and May
  • Pakistan saw a surge in cases last year with 74 confirmations
Updated 56 min 1 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national polio management team on Wednesday reviewed preparations for a nationwide polio vaccination campaign set to be held in April and May as the country reported six new cases in 2025 and 74 last year. 
Polio is a crippling disease with no cure and multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, along with timely completion of routine immunization for children under five, are essential to building protection against the virus.
The government has planned several nationwide immunization campaigns in 2025 to address immunity gaps after a surge in cases last year. 
“Prime Minister’s focal person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq emphasized making the April and May campaigns more effective to stop the spread of the virus,” the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) said on Wednesday.

Pakistan Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq (center) and National Emergency Operations Center Coordinator Muhammad Anwarul Haq (left) hold review meeting at the NEOC center in Islamabad on March 25, 2025. (Handout/NEOC)

“She said no child should be left unvaccinated in the upcoming polio campaign.”
Pakistan’s polio eradication program was launched in 1994, but progress has been hindered by persistent vaccine misinformation and resistance from conservative clerics who view immunization as part of a foreign conspiracy. 
Polio vaccinators have also faced targeted violence from militants in many regions of the country.

Topics: Pakistan Polio Service Polio cases in Pakistan

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Pakistan set New Zealand 129-run target in final T20

Updated 26 March 2025
AFP
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Pakistan set New Zealand 129-run target in final T20

  • Captain Salman Agha scores half-century in fifth T20 in Wellington
  • New Zealand team has 3-1 lead in the series against Pakistan so far
Updated 26 March 2025
AFP

Wellington: A half-century by captain Salman Agha lifted Pakistan to 128-9 in the fifth and final Twenty20 against New Zealand in Wellington on Wednesday.
Salman was eventually dismissed in the penultimate over for 51 after he and Shadab Khan rescued Pakistan from 52-5 in the 10th over.
Jimmy Neesham, who removed both Salman and Shadab, was the most successful New Zealand bowler with 5-22.
New Zealand, with an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the series, need 129 to win.
After another poor start by Pakistan, Salman and Shadab shared a 54-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Shadab was caught behind off Neesham for 28.B
Pakistan again had problems with the top order.
Jacob Duffy claimed the first wicket in the second over when he removed Hasan Nawaz for his third duck in the series.
He added Omair Yousuf in his following over as Pakistan struggled to cope with Duffy’s swing and seam movement, as well as the bounce generated by Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears.
New Zealand, who won the toss, made one change for the match with Sears coming in for Zak Foulkes.
Pakistan made five changes with Omair, Usman Khan, Jahandad Khan, Sufyan Moqim and Mohammad Ali all coming in.

Topics: Pakistan v New Zealand Cricket

Pakistani finance chief calls for coalition of developing nations to push for fair trade, financial reform

Updated 26 March 2025
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Pakistani finance chief calls for coalition of developing nations to push for fair trade, financial reform

  • Muhammad Aurangzeb floated the proposal while addressing the Asia Annual Conference 2025, held in China
  • He called for reforming the global sovereign debt system, with G20 and IMF supporting debt relief, financial justice
Updated 26 March 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb has proposed the formation of a global coalition of developing nations to collectively advocate for fair trade and better representation in international financial institutions, while criticizing the global economy as unequal, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.
The finance chief made these remarks during his address at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, held in China.
The forum, often referred to as the “Asian Davos,” is a high-level platform where leaders from government, business and academia across Asia and other continents gather to discuss pressing global and regional issues, with this year’s conference — titled “Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future” — running from March 25 to 28.
“Developing countries must unite to demand fair trade principles and improved representation in global financial institutions,” Aurangzeb said, according to a finance ministry statement, as they asked them to form a global coalition.
He said globalization’s had led to general progress, but its benefits remained unevenly distributed.
“The global economy has undoubtedly driven economic growth,” Aurangzeb said, according to a statement released by Pakistan’s finance ministry. “However, it remains highly unequal and fragmented.”
“Such an economy primarily benefits developed nations, while countries in the Global South are often overlooked,” he added.
Highlighting the structural challenges faced by developing nations, Aurangzeb pointed to high tariffs, discriminatory trade practices and barriers to market access that limit their ability to participate fully in the global economy.
He also stressed the urgency of reforming the global sovereign debt system, urging multilateral institutions such as the G20 and the IMF to play a more constructive role in debt relief and financial justice.
“The G20 and IMF must reform the sovereign debt system to enable debt forgiveness and ensure financial fairness,” he said.
Calling for inclusive and sustainable growth, Aurangzeb advocated for stronger multilateral cooperation to promote equitable market access, enhance regional connectivity, and build a global economy that works for all.
“An inclusive global economy is not a choice but a necessity,” he said.
He also underscored the role of technology in closing the global equity gap, recommending the creation of international AI and fintech funds to support digital inclusion in developing countries.
“Technology should serve as a tool for equity,” he said.
The finance minister further called for sustainability and environmental justice to be integrated into globalization policies.
He stressed the need for increased climate financing and easier technology transfer to countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
 

Topics: Pakistan's economy Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb

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