Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts to ease Mideast tensions: PM Shehbaz - The Express Tribune

The federal cabinet on Wednesday ratified the Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement.

The agreement was finalised on June 11, 2023, to promote cooperation between the two countries in the defence sector.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said the Kuwaiti government had ratified the agreement on July 19.

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت وفاقی کابینہ کا اجلاس آج اسلام آباد میں منعقد ہوا. وفاقی کابینہ نے خیبرپختونخوا میں انتظامی امور کی سہل انجام دہی اور گورننس کی مزید بہتری کیلئے وزیر اعلی کو تفویض شدہ اختیارات کی صوبے میں ایمرجنسی کی مدت کے دوران روزمرہ کے امور کی انجام… pic.twitter.com/cMBpEs9Bc8

The agreement establishes a framework for military cooperation between the Kuwaiti and Pakistani armed forces, covering military training, education, intelligence sharing, logistics, defence technology, research and exchanges of expertise, to strengthen institutional military ties between the two countries.

It also provides for cooperation in military manufacturing, electronic communications systems, scientific research, military media and cultural and sports activities.

Under the agreement, a joint military committee will oversee implementation, including the organisation of joint military exercises, official visits and other cooperative programs.

The pact will remain in force for five years and will be automatically renewed unless either side decides to terminate it. It also commits both countries to protecting confidential military information and resolving any disputes arising from the agreement through diplomatic channels.

The ratification follows a series of high-level contacts between Kuwaiti and Pakistani military officials in recent months aimed at expanding bilateral defence coordination.

The agreement comes as Kuwait continues to deepen security cooperation with international partners amid heightened regional security challenges in the Gulf.

Kuwait has been among several Gulf countries targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks during the recent regional escalation. Tehran has said the strikes were aimed at US military facilities hosted by Gulf states, while Kuwaiti authorities said their air defences intercepted projectiles that entered the country's airspace.

The federal cabinet also approved the transfer of powers delegated to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister to the provincial governor for the conduct of day-to-day affairs during the period of emergency.

According to the PMO statement, the move was intended to facilitate administrative matters and improve governance in the province. The governor would submit a monthly report to the federal government reviewing the exercise of these powers.

The cabinet expressed hope that the K-P Advisory Council, under the governor’s leadership, would work for the welfare and prosperity of the province’s people and help restore peace and security.

The prime minister also said a Rs160 billion development package had been finalised for K-P, with security given priority.

He said a large number of terrorists had been eliminated in the province and expressed confidence that terrorism would be eradicated through the sacrifices of security personnel and the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, the provincial government and the federal government.

Describing K-P as Pakistan’s most beautiful province, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised its people for resisting terrorism for decades and paying a heavy price in sacrifices.

He said Balochistan had also faced terrorism for a long time, adding that the menace had been eliminated in 2018 but had unfortunately resurfaced. He expressed hope that it would once again be comprehensively suppressed. He added that the federal and provincial governments would work with security institutions to eliminate terrorism.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of Finance, the cabinet approved the designs of new currency notes after receiving a detailed briefing on the process.

The briefing informed the meeting that proposals had been invited from artists and designers across the country. A cabinet committee established by the prime minister had also held consultations with relevant stakeholders on the proposed designs.

The new notes would feature enhanced security measures to prevent counterfeiting and use modern materials intended to extend their lifespan, the statement said.

The cabinet also approved the introduction of a Rs10 coin to replace the existing Rs10 banknote.

The Federal Cabinet further ratified decisions taken at the October 26 meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government-Owned Institutions.

It also ratified decisions taken at meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases held on January 22, February 26, August 5, 18 and 27, and September 11 and 22.

PM Shehbaz also said Pakistan was continuing diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability, while the government was taking measures to shield the public from rising international petroleum prices.

He also announced that the fuel subsidy programme would continue until the end of December and said a Rs160 billion development package had been approved for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Addressing a cabinet meeting in Islamabad, he said international oil prices had risen sharply amid unrest in the region and that Pakistan was continuing to play its role in efforts to establish peace.

He said a Pakistani delegation had visited Tehran twice during the previous week, while Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had also travelled to Iran, along with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Senior officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkiye had held discussions there, which, according to the prime minister, took place in a positive atmosphere.

The discussions also covered ways to promote regional understanding in connection with an agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, he said.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی کابینہ اجلاس میں ابتدائی گفتگو https://t.co/43KiQFGNV5

The prime minister said the government’s fuel subsidy programme would continue until the end of December, adding that 15 million people had used tokens under the scheme. Assuming an average family size of five, he said, the programme had benefited at least 75 million people.

He said the government had provided approximately Rs28 billion in subsidies and was closely monitoring the programme to ensure transparency.

However, reports of irregularities at some petrol pumps had emerged, prompting him to direct Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to shut down outlets found involved in malpractice and take strict action against those responsible.

PM Shehbaz said the government had also prevented an increase of Rs15 per litre in petrol prices from being passed on to consumers following a rise in international petroleum prices the previous Friday.

He said the petroleum minister and his team had held discussions with refineries and persuaded them to absorb the additional cost instead of transferring the burden to the public. The prime minister congratulated the minister and his team for their efforts.

The prime minister said the government had ended what he described as the LNG import mafia, which he said had earned billions of rupees over several decades.

He praised the deputy prime minister, the energy and finance ministers and their teams for their efforts, saying LPG imports and management were now being handled through government institutions, including Pakistan State Oil and Pakistan Petroleum Limited, under a competitive and transparent mechanism.

PM Shehbaz said LPG imports would be opened to competition, while the locally produced LPG quota would be auctioned. The government would use the resulting profits to provide subsidies to consumers, he added.

PM Shehbaz said the government was holding meetings every two to three days to review preparations for the winter season, particularly in view of challenges affecting maritime routes and the availability and supply of fuel, LPG and other resources.

He said the government would make every possible effort to ensure that the required quantities of LPG and petroleum products reached consumers and that power generation plants continued operating.

It would also seek to contain the impact of rising prices and prevent supply-related difficulties, he added.

PM Shehbaz congratulated the nation on Pakistan’s successful test of an air-to-air missile, which he said had taken place the previous day.

He credited Field Marshal Munir, his team and the institutions and individuals involved in the test for the achievement.

The prime minister also congratulated Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on his election as chairman of the Group of 24. He said Pakistan would fulfil the responsibility with diligence and effectively present its position at international forums.

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