Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced via social media that, by the grace of Allah Almighty, Pakistan has been elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term, securing a significant majority victory.
Senator Ishaq Dar expressed gratitude to all UN member states for their support, saying that this success represents recognition of Pakistan’s strong stance, contributions, and active role in the global human rights framework. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing cooperation with the international community based on tolerance, respect, inclusivity, consensus, and constructive engagement.
Dar further emphasized that Pakistan would continue to play an active role in promoting human rights, protecting minorities, and advancing equality at the global level.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb Highlights Pakistan’s Agricultural Vision at World Bank Event
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, participated in a high-level panel discussion titled “AgriConnect: Farms, Firms, and Finance for Jobs” during the World Bank Group’s Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.
The session was attended by global policymakers and experts, including World Bank President Ajay Banga, Ukraine’s Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko, and Guinea’s Agriculture Minister Mariama Sylla. The discussion centered on strengthening family farms, which account for nearly 80% of the world’s food production.
In his remarks, Minister Aurangzeb highlighted the central role of agriculture in Pakistan’s economy, accounting for nearly one-fourth of GDP and providing livelihoods to millions of small farmers, most of whom own less than five acres of land. He said the government’s goal is to facilitate rather than interfere in the sector, enabling the private sector to lead effectively.
He outlined various ongoing initiatives aimed at improving agricultural productivity, access to finance, and strengthening the value chain. Pilot projects have shown promising results through enhanced seed quality, fertilizer access, satellite crop monitoring, and formal credit availability, leading to higher yields and reduced dependence on middlemen.
Aurangzeb emphasized the need to scale up these initiatives through financial inclusion and institutional collaboration. The government, he said, is offering first-loss guarantees, subsidized loans, and collateral-free credit schemes to encourage banks to increase agricultural lending — thereby creating a sustainable system that empowers farmers and supports long-term growth.
Speaking about climate resilience, the Minister stressed that agriculture and climate are deeply intertwined. Referring to recent floods that devastated rice crops, he underlined Pakistan’s efforts to enhance climate adaptation under its ten-year Country Partnership Framework with the World Bank, where one-third of projects focus on climate resilience and carbon reduction. He also called for faster implementation of available funds to meet urgent needs.
Highlighting the government’s focus on agricultural research and technology, Aurangzeb noted that about 1,000 Pakistani students are currently pursuing advanced agricultural education and training in China, aiming to apply modern farming, mechanization, and research practices at home.
On the role of the private sector, the Minister said that Pakistan is promoting investment in cold-chain infrastructure, warehousing, and value-added agriculture through deregulation and enabling policies. He noted that Pakistan’s agricultural exports, especially rice, are rising, with rice exports expected to reach $3.5 billion this year.
Concluding his remarks, Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government’s determination to build a modern, technology-driven, and inclusive agricultural economy, noting that agriculture contributes around 40% to Pakistan’s total economy when the full value chain is considered. He said the government is gradually reducing middlemen dependence by expanding farmers’ access to financial and institutional support.
Earlier, Senator Aurangzeb also attended the G-24 Ministers and Governors Meeting in Washington, D.C., where he highlighted Pakistan’s recent progress toward macroeconomic stability and ongoing reforms.
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