Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has renewed its $100 million monthly deferred oil payment facility for Pakistan for another year, reproted 24NewsHD TV channel.
Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the PM shared details of a letter from Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, confirming the extension of the Saudi Development Fund’s support. "We are deeply grateful to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi leadership. Saudi Arabia has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times," he stated. The cabinet was briefed on the digitisation of government operations, with officials reporting that 98% of federal divisions had adopted the e-office system, with 100% implementation in 39 divisions. Additionally, 21 divisions have fully adopted inter-ministerial digital communication, while 176 government institutions have also implemented the system.
Moreover, the cabinet approved Pakistan’s participation in a United Nations convention on protecting marine resources in international waters, which is expected to benefit local fishermen.
Additionally, it approved the appointment of Kamran Jahangir as managing director of the National Book Foundation, six nominees for the National Commission for Human Rights, whose names will be sent to the prime minister and opposition leader for final approval, and revised request for the registration of Watim Medical College Rawalpindi, as per Islamabad High Court directions.
The cabinet also endorsed the Economic Coordination Committee’s decisions from its February 14 meeting, as well as those from the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases on February 17. The cabinet approved an addendum to Pakistan’s agreement with Somalia on its National Identity System. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been assisting Somalia with its national identification system.
The addendum includes provisions for verification services, a mobile enrolment application, an official payment gateway, and infrastructure development. The cabinet further approved a commission of inquiry into alleged irregularities in the Pakistan Engineering Council’s governing body elections following a request from the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Additionally, it approved amendments to the Inland Revenue Appellate Tribunal rules and reaffirmed previous economic and legislative decisions made earlier this month.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that Pakistan and Turkiye were committed to take the bilateral trade volume between the two countries to $5 billion mark. Addressing a meeting of the cabinet, the prime minister referred to the recent visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said that he had always supported Pakistan at all global fora. He said, “President Erdogan had been a strong voice for Palestine and Kashmir. Pakistan and Turkiye enjoy brotherly ties and both countries also hold regular consultations and support each other at all fora.”
The prime minister said that a number of MoUs were also signed during Turkish president’s visit and urged the ministry of commerce and other relevant ministries to work jointly for the achievement of bilateral trade mark of 5 billion dollars.
He said that a flyover which was completed in 84 days in Islamabad was named after President Tayyip Erdogan as a sign of affection by the people of Pakistan. The prime minister also welcomed a recent Gallop’s survey, according to which about 55 percent of people had reposed confidence in the government’s pro-business policies.
The prime minister, about his meeting with a delegation of World Bank directors, said that they had unanimously expressed their satisfaction over the reforms agenda and the macro-economic stability. They had praised the government and its credit went to every member of the cabinet, he added. The prime minister said peace in the country was linked with the economic prosperity which would move the wheel of progress rapidly. For economic stability, conducive environment was a requisite, he added.