Tue, 21-Oct-2025

PM Shehbaz hopeful of positive outcomes of govt-PTI talks

PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday assuring the government’s sincere efforts and contributions, expressed the hope that the talks initiated between the ruling coalition and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf would bring about positive outcomes to promote peace and economic stability in the country.

The prime minister, in his opening remarks at the meeting of the federal cabinet he chaired, said that on the National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s initiative, the first round of talks with PTI was held on Monday with the second one scheduled on January 2, 2025.

He said the government’s committee comprised Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaulah, Irfan Siddiqui, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Abdul Aleem Khan, Ijazul Haq and Khalid Magsi.

He said the process would meet success only if both parties set aside their likes and dislikes for the sake of national interests.

“I do not doubt anyone’s intentions. I hope both PTI and the government party will bring about the outcomes for the country’s benefits and promote the economic stability” the prime minister said and mentioned the reduced policy rate to 13%, inflation below 5%, constant surge in exports and remittances.

Referring to his meetings with Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr Yunus, and the presidents of Indonesia and Turkiye on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in Cairo, he said Pakistan-Bangladesh ties were entering a new era as the latter had abolished erstwhile 100% scanning of Pakistan’s export products and special desk at airports for screening Pakistani passport holders.

He said Pakistan was also reciprocating with positive indicators and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was scheduled to visit Dhaka in February.

“But all these efforts will come to fruition if we promote the national unity and solidarity. This is a good initiative of the National Assembly speaker. We will contribute with sincerity. But it takes two to tango. I hope both parties will play their part to serve the national interests and promote national stability,” the prime minister added.

Coming to the US sanctions on NDC and other entities, the prime minister called the move illogical as Pakistan’s nuclear system was not meant for any aggression but only deterrence.

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Naveed says govt proposed to dissolve all assemblies on Aug 8

Naveed Qamar dissolve all assemblies

ISLAMABAD: Federal Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar has said that the government has been proposed to dissolve all assemblies on August 8. He said this while having informal talk at Parliament House, here on Tuesday. Naveed observed that the decision to dissolve the assemblies has to be taken by the federal government, adding that the PPP … Read more

IMF delegation meets with PPP’s economic team

IMF delegation meets with PPP’s economic team
  • IMF Representative Esther Perez Ruiz met with PPP’s finance team
  • PPP extended its support for program in wider interest of country.
  • IMF seeking support from political parties in new loan program.

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held a meeting with the economic team of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

Meanwhile, the PPP extended its support for the program in the wider interest of the country.

IMF Representative Esther Perez Ruiz met with the People’s Party’s finance team. Federal Minister for Commerce Naveed Qamar and Saleem Mandviwala were included in the delegation of the People’s Party.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the standby agreement between Pakistan and the IMF. According to the declaration of the Ministry of Commerce, the delegation of the People’s Party has expressed its willingness to support the program in the national interest.

The talks between the IMF representative and the finance team of the People’s Party are being seen as a positive step towards economic reforms and stability in Pakistan.

Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar, representing the finance team, recognized the importance of the standby agreement and expressed his commitment to work closely with the IMF to ensure the implementation of the program.

Meanwhile, the IMF representative for Pakistan said in a statement that Esther Perez Ruiz is contacting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan People’s Party, seeking support from political parties in the new loan program of three billion dollars.

The IMF said that the purpose of the contacts is to get support for the continuation of the policies and IMF wants to inform the political government about the policies now after the next election. The approval of Pakistan’s loan program is to be given in the executive board meeting in a few days.

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Commerce Minister urges diversification of Pakistan’s exports to EU

EU exports

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce and Investment Syed Naveed Qamar expressed Pakistan’s desire to diversify its export portfolio with the European Union. The federal minister met Executive Vice President of European Union Commission and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on Friday during an official visit to Brussels. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European … Read more

Commerce Minister briefs VP EU Parliament on climate-induced floods

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Commerce and Investment Syed Naveed Qamar, who is on an official visit to Brussels met Vice President of the European Parliament MEP Heidi Hautala. Ambassador of Pakistan to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union Dr Asad Majeed Khan and other officials were also present during the interaction. The minister briefed Vice President … Read more

Commerce Minister discusses GSP Plus, trade ties with EU officials

commerce minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce and Investment Naveed Qamar on Monday held important and productive meetings in the EU Parliament and the European Union Commission. The federal minister is visiting Brussels on a weeklong official visit from October 23 to 29. The commerce minister met the Chair of the European Parliament’s committee for International Trade … Read more

Raw materials used in export industries are now tax-free

Raw materials

PM Shehbaz Sharif urges removal of all taxes on raw materials used in the export industry. He also orders formation of task teams to encourage investment in a variety of areas. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Naveed Qamar and Murtaza Mahmood. KARACHI: As part of his government’s ambition to establish an export-oriented economy, … Read more

Wheat procurement target will be achieved by end of June, Naveed Qamar tells NA

Naveed Qamar

National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that wheat procurement target set for the current season will be achieved by the end of June. Read more: Nawaz Sharif chairs ‘crucial’ PML-N meeting amid battered down economy Minister for Commerce Naveed Qamar told the House during question hour that the country is self-sufficient in wheat production but over … Read more

Naveed Qamar takes off his coat and gets ready to fight in the National Assembly

Naveed Qamar takes off his coat and gets ready to fight in the National Assembly

Government and opposition members in the National Assembly came face to face, both sides slammed each other’s leadership, PPP’s Naveed Qamar became emotional and took off his coat and got ready to fight. In a meeting chaired by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, PPP members were outraged when Federal Minister Ali Zaidi spoke against the PPP … Read more

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto to call APC of opposition

Bilawal Bhutto

Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has mobilized to convene an all-party conference of the opposition. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has sent a message to the leadership of PML-N and proposed to call APC soon. Regarding the APC feeding, Bilawal Bhutto has contacted a League leader in which it was said that Shehbaz Sharif … Read more