ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday the government is working to increase innovation, sustainability and modernization in the agriculture sector to support farmers, according to an official statement issued to mark World Food Day.
The day, celebrated annually on October 16, marks the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and promotes global food security by raising awareness of hunger and encouraging action for a sustainable future.
As an agricultural nation, Pakistan faces significant challenges from climate change, with erratic weather patterns, heatwaves and droughts affecting agricultural yields.
In response, Pakistan has sought collaboration with nations like China, focusing on technology and innovation to modernize its agriculture sector and address climate-related issues.
“Our farmers are the backbone of the food system, who with their dedication and hard work, ensure that we have enough to eat,” the prime minister said. “We are committed in supporting them with policies that focus on innovation, sustainability, and modernization in the agricultural sector. Our government is facilitating farmers to equip themselves with the technology they need to thrive in today’s world, including access to modern agricultural machines, improved infrastructure, and better market access.”
He noted that his administration was promoting and facilitating support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the food processing sector.
“Our focus is the empowering the rural women entrepreneurs, who form a key component of our rural economy, to ensure that they also actively participate in this sector,” he added. “Our vision is to integrate Pakistan into the global food value chain by fostering public-private partnerships, encouraging foreign investment, and promoting export-oriented growth in agriculture and food processing.”
The prime minister expressed confidence that Pakistan would be able to overcome the challenges of hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity by implementing efficient policies in the area.
“Let us work together to build a society where farmers are supported and facilitated to adopt sustainable agricultural practices so that everyone has access to nutritious food, and we are also able to ensure food security for our future generations,” he said.
Pakistan PM pledges innovation to boost agricultural yield on World Food Day
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Pakistan PM pledges innovation to boost agricultural yield on World Food Day
- An agricultural nation, Pakistan has faced significant challenges in the field of agriculture due to climate change
- PM says his government wants to empower rural women entrepreneurs, ensure their participation in the sector
Pakistan at UN declares Jammu and Kashmir ‘will never be’ integral to India
- Pakistani diplomat tells special UNGA committee the region’s final status will be decided through plebiscite
- He criticizes India for maintaining heavy military presence to suppress people’s voices in the disputed region
ISLAMABAD: Jammu and Kashmir will never be an integral part of India, Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said on Tuesday, adding the disputed territory’s ‘final disposition’ should be decided by the Kashmiri people through a plebiscite.
The Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir has been divided between Pakistan and India since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both countries govern parts of the territory but claim it in full, having fought two of their three wars over the disputed region.
Addressing the General Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonization Committee, a Pakistani diplomat, Ansar Shah, criticized India for maintaining heavy security presence in the region to suppress people’s voice.
“First, Jammu and Kashmir is not, never has been, and will never be an integral part of India,” he said. “It is a disputed territory, whose final disposition is to be decided by the people of Jammu and Kashmir through a UN-supervised plebiscite, as demanded by numerous resolutions of the Security Council.”
Shah said India had killed over 100,000 Kashmiris since 1989, many of them in “fake encounters.”
“All pro-freedom Hurriyat Leaders have remained incarcerated for years and many have died in custody under suspicious circumstances,” he said. “India seeks to portray the legitimate Kashmiri struggle for liberation and self-determination as terrorism.”
The Pakistani diplomat also lambasted India’s threats of taking over Azad Kashmir, reiterating Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s stance of responding “decisively” to any Indian aggression.
Over two dozen Lahore students injured in clashes over alleged rape
- Social media reports of security guard allegedly raping college student triggered protests this week
- Students initially protested on private college’s campus and later at provincial assembly, clashing with police
LAHORE, Pakistan: More than two dozen students were injured in clashes with Pakistani police over reports of an on-campus rape of a young woman, officials said Wednesday.
The students were hurt in violence on Monday and Tuesday in the eastern city of Lahore in Punjab province after reports about the alleged rape were spread on social media.
Students initially protested on the campus of the private college but later gathered outside the provincial assembly, where they clashed with police.
The college administration denied there was an assault, as did the teenager’s parents.
Sexual violence against women is common in Pakistan but is underreported because of the stigma attached to it in the conservative country. Protests about sexual violence against women are uncommon.
A special committee formed by the provincial government said the alleged victim said she slipped at her home on Oct. 2 and was taken to a hospital, where she was treated until Oct. 11. It said the student was absent from college from Oct. 3 to 15.
The Federal Investigation Agency said it was looking into the case, including identifying people who spread the reports on social media.
The Sustainable Social Development Organization said last month that there were 7,010 rape cases reported in Pakistan in 2023, with almost 95 percent of them in Punjab province.
“However, due to social stigmas in Pakistan that discourage women from getting help, there is a high chance that due to underreporting the actual number of cases may be even higher,” it said.
This week’s protests came less than a month after a woman said she was gang raped when on duty during a polio vaccination drive in southern Sindh province.
Police arrested three men. Her husband threw her out of the house after the reported assault, saying she had tarnished the family name.
Pakistan tail frustrates England to reach 358-8 at lunch
- Brydon Carse had Mohammad Rizwan caught behind for 41 in the third over of the day
- England lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first test by an innings
MULTAN: Pakistan’s tail frustrated England as the hosts reached 358-8 at lunch on day two of the second Test in Multan on Wednesday after the visitors took three early wickets.
All-rounder Aamer Jamal and Noman Ali were at the crease on 37 and 29 respectively as they foiled England’s attack with an unbroken stand of 49 for the ninth wicket.
Pakistan resumed on 259-5 and England struck early on a reused Multan Stadium pitch that not only offered some spin but also helped the seamers extract reverse swing.
Brydon Carse (2-43) had Mohammad Rizwan caught behind by Jamie Smith for 41 in the third over of the day.
Rizwan hit five boundaries in his shaky knock.
Carse’s fellow seamer Matthew Potts (2-65) forced an edge off Salman Agha on a sharp rising delivery with Smith taking another regulation catch to leave the hosts on 302-7.
Agha’s knock of 31 also had five boundaries.
Spinner Jack Leach took his third wicket of the innings when he dismissed Sajid Khan for two, caught at short cover by Joe Root.
Debutant Kamran Ghulam struck a century to anchor Pakistan’s innings on the first day.
England lead the three-match series 1-0 following their innings victory in the first Test, also in Multan.
India’s Jaishankar says lack of trust and good neighborliness impeding cooperation within SCO
- Indian external affairs minister says SCO must take lead in demanding UN Security Council reforms
- He says it is important to recognize the constraints on cooperation and focus on the pathway forward
ISLAMABAD: Indian External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar spoke about a lack of trust and good neighborliness within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) while addressing the regional summit in Islamabad on Wednesday, saying the issue had been preventing collaboration and integration among member nations.
In the first visit by an Indian minister since Sushma Swaraj in 2015, Jaishankar arrived in Pakistan a day earlier to attend the SCO meeting and had a brief interaction with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan had extended an invitation to Indian Premier Narendra Modi to attend the event, though New Delhi decided its delegation would be led by its top diplomat.
Jaishankar made his statement to the forum shortly after the Pakistani PM delivered his keynote speech, in which he called for regional connectivity and economic integration, urging member states to rise above their political considerations for the prosperity of the region.
The Indian minister referred to the SCO charter, noting that the regional organization sought greater cooperation, but also highlighted three major challenges of “terrorism, separatism and extremism.”
“It is … essential that we have an honest conversation,” he told the forum. “If trust is lacking or cooperation inadequate, if friendship has fallen short and good neighborliness is missing somewhere, there are surely reasons to introspect and causes to address.”
“Equally, it is only when we reaffirm our commitment most sincerely to the Charter that we can fully realize the benefits of cooperation and integration that it envisages,” he added.
Jaishankar also urged the SCO to take cognizance of rapid global changes, noting that India had been advocating for the representation of developing nations at the United Nations Security Council, “both in the permanent and non-permanent categories.”
“The SCO must be in the lead of advocating such change, not hold back on a matter of such importance,” he added.
The Indian minister emphasized the need for SCO member nations to renew their commitment to achieving the objectives outlined in the organization’s charter.
“That means recognizing the current constraints on our cooperation and focusing on the pathway forward,” he added.
SCO summit concludes in Pakistan with focus on boosting trade, economic cooperation
- Pakistan PM urges member states not to view economic collaboration through a narrow political lens
- A Pakistani minister describes the presence of India’s FM at Islamabad’s SCO meeting as ‘ice breaker’
ISLAMABAD: The two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit concluded in Islamabad on Wednesday, with member states adopting a joint communiqué calling for enhanced multilateral trade, economic cooperation and electronic commerce within the bloc.
The SCO is a key Eurasian political, economic and security alliance founded in 2001 by China, Russia and several Central Asian nations. Over the years, it has expanded to include countries like India and Pakistan, making it a significant regional bloc.
The 23rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government formally began with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s keynote address, with representatives from China, Russia, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Belarus in attendance.
“The heads of delegations, noting the presence of significant potential and opportunities for further building up trade and economic ties, stressed the importance of implementing the Concept of Cooperation in the Development of the ‘New Economic Dialogue’ between the SCO member states,” the communiqué said.
“The heads of delegations believe it is necessary to effectively utilize the digital economy and scientific and technological innovations in order to give a new impetus to economic development and progress in the SCO space, as well as to enhance the competitiveness of the region’s economy and potential,” it continued, emphasizing the importance of holding regular meetings of the Special Working Group on electronic commerce.
Earlier, Sharif urged member states to expand regional connectivity and economic integration without viewing such initiatives through a narrow political lens.
“While supporting all SCO connectivity initiatives, Pakistan underscores the importance of establishing a robust SCO connectivity framework,” he said in his opening statement. “This framework should not simply boost regional trade but should also advance a vision of connected Eurasia.”
“Flagship projects, like the Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is in its second phase, and the International North-South Transport Corridor should be expanded, focusing on developing road, rail, and digital infrastructure that enhances integration and cooperation across the region,” he continued. “Let’s not look at such projects through a narrow political prism and invest in our collective connectivity capacities, which are crucial to advancing shared visions of an economically integrated region.”
Sharif pointed out that a stable Afghanistan was crucial for achieving this objective.
“While the international community must extend the needed assistance to help the Afghan Interim Government stave off the humanitarian crisis and prevent an economic meltdown, it must also demand from the Afghan Interim Government to take concrete measures to promote political inclusivity, as well as to ensure that its soil is not used for terrorism against its neighbors by any entity,” he continued.
The Pakistani premier maintained that such initiatives were necessary to ensure poverty alleviation across the neighborhood and the prosperity of its people.
He said regional integration and collaboration could also help address the climate crisis and secure a safer future for upcoming generations.
He also called for a ceasefire in Gaza while speaking at the forum and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for an independent Palestinian state.
The SCO summit was significant as it marked the first visit by an Indian minister to Pakistan since 2015, with External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar attending the summit and highlighting what he described as a lack of trust and good neighborliness, which he said was impeding regional cooperation.
Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar described Jaishankar’s visit as an “ice breaker” on the sidelines of the event amid the bitter relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, though there was no bilateral meeting between both countries.
“Neither us nor them requested for a bilateral meeting... but I believe his arrival here is an ice breaker,” Tarar said.
“Yesterday, when all the leaders were being welcomed and there were handshakes, I think positive images were sent out globally,” he continued, referring to the Indian minister’s brief interaction with the Pakistani prime minister.
At the end of the session, Pakistan handed over the chairmanship of the Council of Heads of Government to Russia, which will host the next summit in 2025.
