Pakistan and Belarus Pledge to Deepen Economic and Defense Cooperation
Islamabad: A seven-member high-level delegation led by Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrynan called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The delegation included the Belarusian Ambassador to Pakistan, His Excellency Andrey Metalista, Commander of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense, Major General Andrey Lakyanovich, and other officials of the Ministry of Defense.
During the meeting, bilateral relations, economic partnership, defense cooperation, and the recent regional situation were discussed.
The Prime Minister said that the friendly and mutually trusting relations between Pakistan and Belarus are strengthening over time.
We want to further promote economic partnership with Belarus, especially to benefit from Belarus’ expertise in manufacturing agricultural machinery.
The Prime Minister said that cooperation in the fields of information technology and defense will be further deepened.
Referring to his visit to Belarus this year, he said that several important agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed between the two countries on this occasion, which will further expand mutual relations.
The Prime Minister expressed his best wishes to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and informed the Belarusian delegation of Pakistan’s position on the current tense situation in South Asia.
He clarified that Pakistan offered an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam incident, but instead of responding positively, India showed aggression and targeted the civilian population, resulting in the martyrdom of innocent Pakistani citizens.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan gave a strong and effective response to the Indian aggression on May 10 to ensure the protection of the country’s sovereignty.
Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrynan conveyed President Lukashenko’s best wishes to the Prime Minister and said that Belarus desires peace and stability in South Asia.
He said that the purpose of his visit to Pakistan is to further advance the progress on the agreements signed between the two countries.
The Belarusian Defense Minister appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s personal interest in bilateral relations and thanked him for the warm hospitality in Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defense Production Raza Hayat Hiraj and other senior officials also participated in the meeting.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs important meeting on Pakistan Railways, reviews progress on system improvement and development projects
An important meeting on Pakistan Railways affairs was held at the Prime Minister’s House today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting discussed in detail the ongoing development projects, reforms, and future strategies of the Railways.
Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister said that the Railways are the backbone of any country’s economy.
Reconstruction of the Railways infrastructure on sustainable basis is indispensable for the economic and industrial development of Pakistan.
He said that developing the railways on modern lines to promote regional connectivity and trade is an important part of the national policy.
The Prime Minister directed to formulate a strategy to expand the railway network to strengthen trade links with Central Asian states. He also stressed on connecting Gwadar to the rail network as soon as possible.
Federal Minister for Railways’ Briefing
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi told the meeting that large-scale reforms are underway in Pakistan Railways and there are vast opportunities for private investment.
The cleaning system at Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan stations has been outsourced, while closed train services have also been restored, including Bolan Mail, Dera Ghazi Khan and Khushal Khan Khattak Express.
The meeting was informed that: Concrete sleeper factories in Sukkur, Khanewal and Kohat are being outsourced Railway hospitals, schools, colleges and rest houses are being given to the private sector on revenue sharing basis
Royal Palm Golf and Country Club is ready for auction Free Wi-Fi in trains and ticket booking facility will be available through modern mobile app 155 railway stations are being converted to solar energy,
which is expected to result in huge savings Rs 10 billion worth of land has been acquired Four subsidiary companies of the railway have been abolished More than 17 thousand posts have been eliminated under right sizing, another 5695 will be eliminated
The meeting was informed that in collaboration with the Punjab government, work is underway on Lahore-Rawalpindi high speed train, upgradation of stations and suburban services on eight branch lines. Green belts and fruit trees will also be planted around the railway lines.
Projects to upgrade the Saryab-Kachlak and Quetta-Chaman railway sections in Balochistan are underway with the support of the Balochistan government.
The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts and reform initiatives of Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi and stressed on the timely completion of the projects.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior officials.
