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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM to continue remittance scheme for overseas Pakistanis amid record inflows
Increase in manpower export should improve workers' remittances to around $32 billion in current fiscal year, compared to the record high of $31 billion in previous year. photo: file Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to continue Pakistan's facilitation scheme aimed at encouraging overseas Pakistanis to send remittances through formal channels, the Prime Minister's Office said Saturday. According to the official statement, the prime minister directed the Ministry of Finance to immediately release funds on a priority basis under the Workers' Remittances Incentive Scheme. 'Overseas Pakistanis are a vital asset and strength of the country,' said Prime Minister Shehbaz. 'The hard-earned remittances sent by them play a significant role in Pakistan's development — a contribution valued by the entire nation, including myself.' وزیرِ اعظم شہباز شریف کا بیرون ملک مقیم پاکستانیوں کی ترسیلات زر پاکستان بھیجنے کی سہولت اسکیم کو جاری رکھنے کا فیصلہ@CMShehbaz — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 26, 2025 The premier highlighted that in the fiscal year 2025, overseas Pakistanis sent a record-high $38.3 billion in remittances. He noted this was instrumental in securing a current account surplus — Pakistan's first in 14 years — and helped meet the import bill while boosting foreign exchange reserves. Shehbaz Sharif also emphasised that contributions come from all sectors of the diaspora — from labourers to business professionals — and underscored the need to remove barriers to remittance flows. 'Efforts are ongoing to make the remittance system more efficient, effective, and user-friendly for our hardworking overseas community,' he added. The incentive scheme aims to channel more remittances through formal banking channels, a crucial factor for Pakistan's economic stability.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, China reaffirm 'iron-clad' friendship
Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir shakes hand with the Vice President of China, and Foreign Minister Han Zheng in a meeting in Beijing. Photo: PTV News Listen to article Pakistan and China reaffirmed their "ironclad" friendship and all-weather strategic cooperative partnership as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir concluded a series of high-level meetings with Chinese political and military leadership in Beijing on Friday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the visit underscored the growing depth of politico-military ties between the two nations and their shared resolve to advance regional peace and stability. During his meetings with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, discussions focused on the evolving regional and global political landscape, connectivity under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the need for coordinated responses to shared geopolitical challenges. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the depth of bilateral engagement and reiterated their commitment to sovereign equality, multilateral cooperation, and long-term regional stability. The Chinese leadership lauded the Pakistan Armed Forces as "a cornerstone of resilience" and a "vital contributor to peace in South Asia." China, Pakistan seek to deepen defence ties On the military side, Field Marshal Asim Munir met General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), General Chen Hui, Political Commissar of the PLA Army, and Lieutenant General Cai Zhai Jun, Chief of Staff of the PLA Army. The COAS was presented with a guard of honour at the PLA Army Headquarters, symbolizing the longstanding camaraderie between the two armed forces. The engagements featured detailed exchanges on defence and security cooperation, including counterterrorism collaboration, joint training, defence modernisation, and enhancing institutional linkages. Emphasis was laid on improving operational interoperability and strategic coordination to counter hybrid and transnational threats. The Chinese military leadership expressed full confidence in the strength of the bilateral defence partnership and acknowledged Pakistan's pivotal role in promoting regional peace. Field Marshal Asim Munir appreciated China's consistent support and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further expanding military-to-military cooperation across all domains. Meanwhile, according to the Chinese State news agency, Vice President Han Zheng hailed China and Pakistan as "ironclad friends and all-weather strategic cooperative partners," adding that the bilateral relationship is marked by "high-level mutual trust, solidarity through challenges, and a shared future." Han said China is willing to work with Pakistan to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen the all-weather friendship, expand all-round cooperation, and accelerate building "a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era." Field Marshal Asim Munir noted that developing friendly cooperation with China is the consensus of the entire Pakistani society. He said Pakistan supports China's three global initiatives and "firmly stands with China." The military, Munir said, is ready to further implement the leaders' consensus and continuously deepen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Dar seeks 'stable relationship' with US in meeting with Rubio
DPM Ishaq Dar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, DC on July 25, 2025. Photo: Foreign Office Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Pakistan sought an 'expanded and stable' bilateral relationship with Washington, highlighting the 'strong convergences' between the two sides on several issues. Dar held talks with Rubio in Washington in their first face-to-face meeting at the State Department, following several telephonic conversations. A statement issued by the Foreign Office said that upon his arrival at the State Department, Dar was received by senior US officials. Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh accompanied him during the visit. Senior officials from both sides also joined the delegation-level talks. The discussions focused on bilateral relations and prospects for cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology, and minerals. Pleased to meet Secretary @MarcoRubio for a comprehensive discussion on the full spectrum of bilateral relations. We reaffirmed our commitment to the long term Pakistan-US partnership, with renewed focus on economic, trade, investment, IT/AI and CT cooperation. We also exchanged… — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 25, 2025 Both sides reviewed the progress in the ongoing Pakistan-US trade dialogue, expressing optimism over positive developments. Dar highlighted Pakistan as an attractive destination for US businesses and investors. On regional security, the leaders discussed counterterrorism cooperation and broader peace efforts. Dar lauded President Donald Trump and the US leadership for their efforts to promote global peace, particularly appreciating the President's role amid recent Pakistan-India tensions. Secretary Rubio acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and appreciated its positive role in promoting regional and global peace. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's desire for expanded and stable bilateral relations, underscoring that there is a strong convergence of views and shared interests between the two countries on regional peace and stability. He also appreciated the role of the Pakistani-American community as a 'bridge' between the two nations. نائب وزیر اعظم /وزیر خارجہ پاکستان محمد اسحاق ڈار کا دورہ امریکہ اور امریکی زیر خارجہ مارکو روبیو سےملاقات@MIshaqDar50 — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 25, 2025 Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance institutional cooperation in diverse sectors, expressing determination to work together for long-term stability and prosperity. This marked the first formal meeting at the foreign minister level between Pakistan and the United States in several years, as the previous administration under president Joe Biden had largely ignored Islamabad. The meeting between Dar and Rubio came against the backdrop of a renewed push by both sides to reset their ties, which have often been marred by mistrust. Contrary to expectations, under President Trump's second term, relations between the two countries took a positive turn. It was Pakistan's assistance in arresting and extraditing one of the masterminds of the Kabul Airport attack in August 2021 that led to the reset in ties with the US. President Trump publicly praised Pakistan's efforts in his first address to the US Congress. Also Read: US hosts Pakistan military chief at White House, India responds by warming to China The India-Pakistan conflict also brought the two countries closer, as Trump repeatedly took credit for brokering the ceasefire between the two South Asian rivals. Then, amid the Iran-Israel war, President Trump hosted Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the White House in an unprecedented move that raised eyebrows in New Delhi. Following the army chief's meeting at the White House, there have been increased contacts between the two countries. The meeting in Washington on Friday was seen as Pakistan's push to revive the structured mechanism between the two countries.
Arab News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan requests Saudi Arabia to increase Hajj pilgrims' quota to 230,000
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad has formally requested Saudi Arabia to increase its Hajj pilgrims' quota to 230,000, Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said this week, according to state-run media, as the country hopes more people can perform the annual Islamic pilgrimage. Pakistan received a quota of 179,210 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025, evenly divided between the government and private Hajj operators. For this year's pilgrimage, Islamabad has already concluded the registration process, with state media reporting that the country has received over 450,000 Hajj applications in total. 'He [Yousaf] noted that Pakistan has formally requested the Saudi government to increase the Hajj quota to 230,000, in proportion to the country's population to allow more people to undertake the pilgrimage,' the state-run Pakistan Television News reported on Sunday. The minister was on a visit to Darul Uloom Mansehra where he attended a reception in his honor. Yousaf said the increase in the number of people registering for Hajj 2026, over 450,000, reflects that the trust of the public has been restored in Pakistan's religious affairs ministry. 'Furthermore, the minister said that the Saudi authorities are working on digitizing the Hajj management system, which will ensure easier and more efficient services for pilgrims in the future,' PTV News reported. A major portion of the private quota for Hajj pilgrims for 2025 remained unutilized due to delays by companies in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government filled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims. Private operators blamed the situation on technical glitches such as payment issues and communication breakdowns.
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rubio praises Pakistan's regional peace efforts in call with PM Shehbaz
A telephonic conversation was held between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 20, 2025. Photo: AFP/ APP Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, during which both sides discussed a wide range of regional and global issues in what was described as a cordial and friendly atmosphere. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the PM underscored that the escalating Iran-Israel crisis could only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Prime Minister speaks with the U.S. Secretary of State Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, this evening. During their warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for President… — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 20, 2025 He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to playing a constructive role in all peace efforts amid a situation that poses serious concerns not only for the region but for the world at large. PM Shehbaz conveyed his best wishes for US President Donald Trump and lauded his courageous leadership. He also appreciated Rubio's active diplomacy, particularly his role in facilitating the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India. Highlighting Trump's positive statements on Pakistan, the PM called them encouraging steps toward long-term peace in South Asia. He stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through meaningful dialogue between Pakistan and India. In this context, he reiterated Pakistan's readiness to engage in talks with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty, trade, and counterterrorism cooperation. Read: Trump calls meeting COAS Munir an honour at White House luncheon The situation in the Middle East also featured prominently in the discussion. PM Shehbaz reiterated that the only viable solution lies in peaceful dialogue and diplomatic engagement. He reaffirmed Pakistan's willingness to play a constructive role in defusing tensions. On economic matters, he referred to Trump's interest in strengthening bilateral trade and expressed Pakistan's desire to expand cooperation with the United States in key sectors such as trade, investment, energy, minerals, rare earth elements, and information technology. Reaffirming Pakistan's resolve to eradicate terrorism, the PM spoke about ongoing efforts to eliminate the threat posed by extremist groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and others. Read More: Field Marshal Munir engages US think tanks on Pakistan's role in global peace In response, Rubio appreciated Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts and assured the United States' full support in this regard. PM Shehbaz also expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the recent meeting between Trump and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir in Washington describing it as both pleasant and productive. Both sides agreed on the need to translate the recent progress in bilateral dialogue into concrete, practical cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of maintaining high-level contacts and extended a renewed invitation to Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan. He expressed eagerness to meet with the US president soon and invited Rubio to visit Pakistan in the near future as well. Also Read: UN chief urges parties to 'give peace a chance' on Iran-Israel war In closing, US secretary of state thanked the PM for taking his call and expressed the United States' strong desire to deepen cooperation with Pakistan across all areas of shared interest. He also acknowledged Pakistan's continued efforts in maintaining the ceasefire with India and playing a positive role in promoting peace, particularly given its strong relations with Iran. Rubio emphasised that the United States remains committed to working closely with Pakistan to promote both regional and global peace and stability.
