Islamabad, Baghdad to come in twin-city relationship
The agreement was reached during a meeting between CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Iraqi Head of Mission Abdul Qadir Sulaiman Al-Humaeri.
Held at CDA Headquarters, the meeting focused on fostering bilateral cooperation, with special emphasis on strengthening municipal-level ties.
Both sides agreed to formally sign a MoU to establish the twin-city relationship.
This initiative aims to promote cultural exchange, people-to-people linkages, and collaboration in urban development.
Al-Humaeri praised the efforts led by Randhawa to enhance Islamabad's development, beauty, and environmental sustainability. He expressed strong interest in boosting economic, cultural, and tourism ties between the two countries, and emphasised Iraq's readiness to actively engage in the implementation of joint initiatives with CDA.
The proposed MoU will pave the way for collaboration in several sectors including preservation of cultural heritage, urban planning, infrastructure enhancement, beautification of public spaces, and sustainable development.
It is expected to strengthen diplomatic and municipal cooperation between the capitals of both nations.
During the meeting, Randhawa briefed the Iraqi envoy about the modernisation and uplift of the Diplomatic Enclave under the directions of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
He stated that renowned landscape experts and architects are being engaged to transform the Enclave in line with international standards, making it a secure and vibrant hub for diplomatic missions and cultural activities.
Al-Humaeri appreciated this initiative and expressed Iraq's support.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Blackouts and broken promises: lessons from KE's privatisation — II
Lessons and way forward The bottom line for consumers is that privatisation did not deliver reliable power, reasonable rates, or responsible management. Instead, they have faced many of the same issues that plague public utilities — load shedding, line losses, billing disputes — plus new frustrations like feeling powerless against a monopoly. This experience holds important lessons for the wider power sector privatization agenda. As the government prepares to offload FESCO, GEPCO, IESCO and others from its portfolio, that the country cannot afford to repeat. To ensure that future transactions genuinely serve consumers and the economy, the following safeguards must be made non-negotiable in all upcoming privatization deals: Robust Service-Level Agreements (SLAs): Contracts must specify maximum allowable outage hours per feeder and include automatic, pre-specified financial penalties that bite—not token fines that become a cost of doing business. Smart Metering Enforcement: Advanced metering infrastructure should be deployed to its full potential. Delinquent connections must be isolated at the sub-feeder level, ensuring compliant consumers never suffer for others' theft or nonpayment. Blackouts and broken promises: lessons from KE's privatisation — I Automatic Profit Rebates: Tariff structures must embed an automatic 'claw-back' mechanism, with rebate payments to consumers triggered immediately once earnings thresholds are breached—delay through litigation must be disallowed. Safety and Infrastructure Mandates: Investment commitments for line insulation, transformer replacements and real-time network monitoring must be mandatory, audited by third parties and published publicly every quarter. Independent Oversight Body: Beyond Nepra, an independent 'Power Service Commission' — with equal representation from federal, provincial and consumer bodies—should have authority to review SLAs, impose penalties, and even revoke licenses in extreme cases. Consumer Grievance Escalation Path: A transparent, tiered complaints process—culminating in a binding arbitration panel—will give consumers and businesses a credible avenue to resolve billing or service disputes without endless bureaucratic delay. If these mechanisms are not embedded from the outset, Pakistan risks entrenching private monopolies that are just as opaque and unaccountable as the public ones they replace, only with even fewer tools for course correction. The next phase of privatization must not merely change ownership, it should rewrite the rules of engagement between utilities and the people they serve. Anything less will repeat the same mistakes, at a much higher cost. (Concluded) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
KE reappoints Alvi as CEO
KARACHI: The Board of Directors, in its meeting held recently has reappointed Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of K-Electric with effect from July 30, 2025. Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi joined KE in 2008, and has held key roles in the Organisation as CFO, Company Secretary and Head of Treasury prior to his appointment as CEO in 2018. He brings to the helm 30 years of diversified financial experience and has led the creation of a future-ready entity by emphasizing digitisation, customer centricity and investments across the energy value chain. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
China air chief praises performance of PAF
ISLAMABAD: The Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), Lieutenant General Wang Gang, has praised the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)'s exemplary performance during the recent conflict with India, calling it a 'textbook example of precision, discipline, and courage' in the face of unprovoked aggression. The remarks came during a high-level meeting at Air Headquarters Islamabad, where General Wang led a Chinese defence delegation and called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force. General Wang commended PAF's cutting-edge capabilities and its seamless integration of Multi-Domain Operations, highlighting China's keen interest in learning from PAF's battle-proven experience. He also paid tribute to the strategic foresight and professional acumen of the PAF leadership. The two sides discussed regional security dynamics, mutual interests, and avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation, particularly in airpower and operational synergy. The Air Chief reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to strengthening strategic and technological cooperation with China. During the meeting, the visiting delegation was briefed on PAF's evolving force structure, operational doctrine, and strategic initiatives. Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reiterated the historic and time-tested nature of Pakistan-China ties, rooted in mutual trust and shared aspirations for regional peace and stability. The engagement reaffirmed the two countries' resolve to deepen their defence partnership through collaboration, innovation, and mutual learning. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
