Saudi Arabia renewed an oil supply facility for Pakistan worth $100 million per month on deferred payment for another year under the Saudi Development Fund, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the federal cabinet on Tuesday.
Chairing the meeting, Shehbaz also dilated on his talks with a delegation of the World Bank and the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who commended Pakistan's macroeconomic stability as a result of the government's reform agenda.
The prime minister informed the cabinet meeting about a letter sent to him by the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He added that he was "deeply grateful to the Saudi leadership" for standing by Pakistan "in every difficult time".
Shehbaz said that the Saudi crown prince, in his letter, had informed him about the renewal of the monthly supply of $100 million for another year by the Saudi Development Fund on the basis of deferred payment for petroleum products for Pakistan.
"We are deeply grateful to Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi leadership," the prime minister stated. "Saudi Arabia has always stood with Pakistan in difficult times," he added.
In his opening remarks, Shehbaz said that the complete elimination of terrorism was the mission of his government, stressing that Pakistan's development and prosperity was linked to it. In this regard, he commended the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
He directed the commerce ministry and other related divisions to make all-out efforts in taking the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Turkiye to $5 billion in light of the resolve expressed during the recently concluded visit of Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan.
The prime minister directed that e-Office implementation in all federal ministries and departments should be completed by March 20. He also directed that the entire system of service delivery in Pakistani missions abroad should be digitised to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis.
The cabinet was briefed that the use of e-Office reached 98% across all the federal government divisions with 100% implementation in 39 divisions. Additionally, 176 institutions had also successfully adopted the system.
The cabinet approved the signing of an international agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for protection and use of diverse marine resources in international waters on the recommendation of climate change ministry. This initiative would benefit the Pakistani fishermen.
The cabinet also approved the signing of Addendum 2 with Somalia regarding national identity system. Currently, Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is assisting Somalia in the national identification system.
On the directives of Islamabad High Court and on the recommendation of the health ministry, the meeting forwarded a review petition for the registration of Watim Medical College, Rawalpindi, to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) for further legal proceedings.
On the recommendation of the human rights ministry, the cabinet sent six nominees for the position of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) member on the National Commission for Human Rights to the prime minister and the leader of the opposition in parliament.
The cabinet approved the formation of a commission of inquiry to investigate irregularities in the governing body elections of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), as recommended by the science and technology ministry.
The meeting approved the amendments to the Inland Revenue Appellate Tribunal (Appointment, Terms, and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2024. It endorsed the decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee and Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases in their meetings earlier this month.
The cabinet approved the appointment of Kamran Jahangir as managing director of the National Book Foundation and appointment of Dr Shahid Aslam Mirza as the managing director of the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority.
PM inaugurates Erdogan Interchange
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday inaugurated the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Interchange near F-8 and F-9 sectors, commending the efforts of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his entire team for completing the project in record 84 days.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the prime minister said that he had advised the interior minister to develop plans for future projects aimed at further beautifying the federal capital and improving the lives of the people, residing in the city and its surrounding areas.
During Erdogan's recent visit to Pakistan, Shehbaz had named the newly-built F8 and F9 Interchange after the Turkish president. "I will send the pictures and detail of inauguration ceremony to the Turkish president to make him realise that he is our close friend and brother," he said.
On the occasion, Naqvi said that the project had been built in 84 days, against the scheduled period of six months. He announced that a large-scale plantation drive would be launched next month on Margalla Hills and throughout the city to combat air pollution and reduce smog.
The Interchange project will benefit residents traveling towards Sector G-8, G-9, Kashmir Highway, and Centaurus Mall. The 1.3-kilometer-long underpass included in the project was completed in 42 days, and a 1.1-kilometer-long flyover has also been constructed.
With input from APP
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