PM stresses realization of SIFC’s envisioned long-term economic dividends

  • COAS assures unwavering support of Pakistan Army for economic initiatives being undertaken
  • Cabinet approves MoUs to be signed with Kuwait for $10b investment during PM’s upcoming visit

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Friday, appreciating the efforts of relevant ministries for identifying prospective areas of collaboration under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), directed all stakeholders for efforts to realize the envisioned long-term economic dividends.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar was chairing a special session of the Apex Committee of SIFC held here to foster strategic partnerships with friendly countries.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, ministers and high-level government officials, a PM Office press release said.

The apex committee reviewed the existing level of collaboration and unanimously approved various initiatives to be broached with friendly countries and directed to fast-track implementation of various projects conceived under these initiatives.

The Chief of Army Staff assured the unwavering resolve of the Pakistan Army to support economic initiatives being undertaken by the Government of Pakistan.

Pak-Kuwait will sign seven MoUs for $10b investment

Pakistan and Kuwait will sign seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for investment worth $10 billion in Pakistan through seven projects in multiple fields including environment, mining and food security.

In this regard, the federal cabinet, in its meeting held here on Friday approved seven MoUs to be signed during the upcoming visit of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar to Kuwait.

Consequent to the efforts by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), both countries would sign MoUs on multiple projects including the expansion of water reservoirs, mining facilities, conservation of mangrove forests on coastal areas, information technology and food security, a PM Office press release said.

Prime Minister Kakar and the cabinet members appreciated the efforts of the SIFC and the relevant ministries. The prime minister, who chaired the meeting, instructed to ensure cooperation with the provinces for early and fair execution of the projects. The body also endorsed the decisions of the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases it had taken in its meeting on November 14, as well as those of the Economic Coordination Committee meeting on November 15, 2023.

Earlier in a separate meeting, Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar expressed gratitude to Imam-e-Kaaba His Excellency Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Muhammad Humaid, recognising Saudi Arabia’s consistent support for Pakistan during challenging times and its assistance across various fields.

The caretaker prime minister highlighted the strong historical relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, rooted in commonalities of religion, values, and traditions. Kakar thanked Saudi Arabia for its development assistance in education and health sectors and commended the exemplary support provided to Pakistani manpower in the Kingdom.

Kakar brought attention to recent gestures of support for the Palestinians by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the crown prince during an emergency session of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC). He strongly condemned the atrocities against Palestinians and the tragic events in Gaza, emphasising the need for an uninterrupted humanitarian corridor to provide assistance to the people in Gaza.

Addressing Islamophobia, the prime minister stressed the importance of educating the younger generation through documentaries on Islamic teachings, history, and culture. He proposed translating these documentaries into various languages and broadcasting them worldwide to project the true essence of Islam. Kakar highlighted the significance of the Union of OIC news agencies in disseminating the correct narrative from an Islamic perspective.

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Imam-e-Kaaba praised the brotherly and exemplary ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, acknowledging the significant contribution of the Pakistani diaspora to the development and progress of Saudi Arabia. He emphasized the importance of nurturing the young generation along the principles of Islam and its teachings, expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him during his visit to Pakistan.

Interim federal ministers Aneeq Ahmed and Madad Ali Sindhi, PM’s Special Assistant Tahir Ashrafi, Saudi ambassador Nawaf Bin Saeed Al-Malki, and senior officials were also present during the occasion.

 

 

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