Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari met with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama, where they agreed to promote bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening brotherly ties between Pakistan and Bahrain. The president was presented with the Guard of Honor upon his arrival at the Qasr Al-Qadabiya Palace and was awarded Bahrain’s highest honor, the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, First Class, for his contributions to fostering bilateral ties.
During a one-on-one meeting, President Zardari and King Hamad discussed increasing cooperation in trade and investment sectors. The president invited Bahraini investors to invest in Pakistan and emphasized the need for joint ventures in agriculture, IT, healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure development. He also highlighted defense and security cooperation as a key pillar of Pakistan-Bahrain relations.
In a joint statement, the two leaders emphasized the importance of unity and tolerance in addressing global and regional issues. President Zardari praised the strong bond between the Pakistani community in Bahrain and the two countries’ diplomatic relations, noting that the community plays a vital role in strengthening bilateral ties.
Bahrain’s King Hamad praised President Zardari’s visit as a significant milestone in promoting bilateral relations. He also commended the Pakistani community in Bahrain, saying they have played a crucial role in enhancing ties between the two nations.
In a separate statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that India’s allegations of terrorism are politically motivated and fabricated. He added that Pakistan expects the global community to reject these baseless allegations. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has announced that it will provide new facilities to the officers of the National Police Foundation and work to resolve their promotion issues.
In other news, a severe heatwave is expected to hit Karachi today, with temperatures expected to drop to below 20 degrees Celsius at night. The police reported that a group of robbers were attempting to steal a motorbike from a citizen when they were caught. The city’s traffic was severely affected due to heavy fog in several areas, including Surjani Town, Scheme 25, and Bahria Town.
Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has said that the global oil prices are at their lowest level in four years, but the economy is not improving. Federal Minister Senator Musadik Malik said that the government is getting a 12% interest rate on loans, while in the past, only 50 people were given 4 billion dollars at a zero-interest rate.
Meanwhile, the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has telephoned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The government’s efforts have resulted in a decrease of 123 billion rupees in cross-subsidies in the industry. The Prime Minister and his cabinet have been briefed on the new design of the State Bank’s notes.
In a separate statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that Pakistan expects the global community to reject India’s baseless allegations of terrorism. He added that Pakistan hopes that Iran will maintain peace and stability in the region.
The Nazm-e-Islam party has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not providing financial support to Pakistani cricketers who will be boycotting the World Cup in Bangladesh. Pakistan’s renowned journalist and TV anchorperson, Iqrar ul Hassan, has left his job at the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) and Radio Pakistan.
An American official said that an additional sale of Venezuelan oil is expected in the coming days and weeks. British authorities have warned their citizens to avoid traveling to Iran due to the country’s deteriorating situation, which poses a threat to diplomats and citizens alike.
