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Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz urges regional unity, highlights India's ‘weaponisation of water' at ECO summit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) member states to deepen collaboration in response to pressing regional and global challenges, particularly climate change and geopolitical instability. Addressing the 17th ECO Summit, the prime minister underscored the urgent need for collective action as ECO member states struggle with the severe consequences of climate change, from melting glaciers and desertification to extreme weather events and declining agricultural productivity. 'These challenges threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions. Pakistan remains among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change,' he said, recalling the catastrophic 2022 floods that displaced over 33 million people in Pakistan. Just last week, he said several lives were tragically lost in the affected districts of Pakistan. 'Pakistan on its part has undertaken a series of climate-related policy initiatives and is aggressively pursuing of 4F plans focusing on resilience, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction,' he added. The prime minister said in this regard Pakistan proposed the development of low emissions corridors and a regional disaster resilience system. 'A dedicated framework to mobilise climate finance along with regional clean energy corridors and eco-tourism initiatives can further drive inclusive sustainable growth, creating green jobs, especially for youth and women and supporting livelihoods,' the prime minister said. PM Shehbaz discusses trade, regional peace with Presidents of Turkiye, Iran, Uzbekistan On the economic front, Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the need to operationalise long-pending agreements under ECO Vision 2025, especially the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) and transport corridors connecting member states. He referenced ECO's origins as the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), a partnership between Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey in the 1960s, as a historic blueprint for present-day integration. 'Promotion of trade and investment is key to achieving common goals of regional connectivity, energy security, and economic growth.' The prime minister thanked ECO member states for designating Lahore as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2027, inviting all delegates to experience Pakistan's rich cultural heritage. 'Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan, will enthral all who visit us. We extend a warm invitation to all member states.' Pakistan condemns Indian hostilities in IIOJK The prime minister said that the unprovoked and reckless Indian hostility directed towards Pakistan after an unfortunate incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was yet another attempt to destabilise regional peace. 'The world witnessed the steadfast resolve of our valiant armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir,' the prime minister said. He also appreciated the support and solidarity extended to Pakistan by the brotherly ECO member states in the aftermath of Indian aggression earlier this year. He strongly condemned Israel's barbarism in Gaza, saying 'Pakistan stands firmly against those who perpetrated barbaric acts against innocent people anywhere in the world, whether in Gaza or IIOJK or Iran'. India's water aggression The prime minister also drew attention to what he called the 'weaponisation of water' by India, referencing New Delhi's alleged violations of the Indus Waters Treaty and the recent ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. 'This defiance is completely unacceptable. The Indus waters are a lifeline for Pakistan's 240 million people. India's actions amount to aggression.' He made it clear that under no circumstances can India be permitted to pursue this dangerous part, which will amount to an act of aggression against the people of Pakistan. PM calls Israeli strikes on Iran 'unjustified' Condemning Israel's recent strike on Iran, the prime minister called it 'unlawful, unjustified and uncalled for,' and expressed deep condolences to the Iranian people. 'Pakistan strongly condemns this act of Israeli aggression. We pray for a speedy recovery of our injured brothers and sisters in Iran.'
Business Recorder
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
4th ECO TPO forum meeting held
KARACHI: The 4th Economic Cooperation Organization, Trade Promotion Organization's forum was held at Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Head Office, Karachi, today 6th of May,2025. Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan & Türkiye heads of the of trade promotion organizations / nominees participated. The meeting was chaired by Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, Chief Executive, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. The meeting started with welcome note by Zahid Abbasi from Economic Cooperation Organization Secretariat. Zahid Abbasi welcomed all the delegates and highlighted the business opportunities that exist in the countries. Faiz Ahmad highlighted the role of ECO. He highlighted that Trade and Commerce is one of the potent instruments for economic development and poverty alleviation. He highlighted the role of the bloc and felt happy that ECO is working on the formulation of ECO Vision 2026-2035. The ECO Member presented their country statement on the role and the future road map on the importance of TPO in promotion of trade of the region. ECO Trade and Development Bank role was also discussed and the need for stronger regional integration through ECO-TDB was emphasized. The ECO Trade Agreement was discussed it was decided the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan will make ECO Pavilion in its flagship event i.e. Food-AG which is scheduled to be held in October 2025. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
