PM hails growing ties with Azerbaijan

Calls for comprehensive housing reforms

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan were brotherly countries and their bilateral ties were growing stronger with every passing day.

The prime minister, in a meeting with Justice Minister of Azerbaijan Farid Turab Oglu Ahmadov, who called on him here, conveyed his warmest greetings for Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, while fondly recalling their telephone conversation earlier this week.

The prime minister was assisted by Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch.

During their "warm and cordial" meeting, the prime minister welcomed the visiting minister and said that the relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan were growing stronger day by day. While thanking the prime minister for receiving him, the Azerbaijani minister thanked Pakistan for the warmth and hospitality extended to him.

He briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz on the ongoing collaboration between the two countries in the field of legal and judicial cooperation.

As part of their existing mechanisms, the two sides are working together actively to enhance mutual legal assistance mechanisms as well as to ensure capacity building of the judicial systems of the two countries.

The prime minister appreciated the efforts of the two sides and said that he looked forward to meeting President Ilham Aliyev soon, in order to continue the excellent bilateral cooperation between the two sides, across all spheres.

Housing reforms

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Pakistan's housing sector as rapid population growth and unplanned urban expansion were increasing pressure on agricultural land and required an effective long-term strategy.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on housing sector reforms here, the prime minister said provision of affordable housing for low-income groups, promotion of low-cost housing schemes, encouragement of private sector participation and improvement in public amenities were among the government's top priorities, a Prime Minister's Office news release said.