Islamabad, In a significant step towards environmental advocacy and education, the British Council of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), has unveiled the Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative and a Digital Learning Portal. This launch is part of a broader effort to propel the Green Youth Movement project, aiming to equip young Pakistanis with the skills and knowledge needed to undertake climate action effectively.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the initiative is set to train a cohort of 290,000 youths from universities and communities across the country using a Climate Action curriculum. Within this ambitious project, 60,000 young individuals will receive specialized training as part of the Prime Minister’s Green Youth Movement. This training will enable participants to return to their communities as informed activists, engaging in policy dialogue and advocacy, participating in national and international climate events, and showcasing their successful environmental projects.
The initiative represents a significant investment in the future of Pakistan’s environmental sustainability and the global fight against climate change. By empowering young men and women with the necessary tools and knowledge, the British Council and HEC aim to foster a generation of leaders ready to champion the cause of climate action both locally and globally.
Islamabad, In the latest stride toward enhancing bilateral relations, Pakistan and the European Union convened for the ninth round of their Political Dialogue in Islamabad today. The session, aimed at discussing and expanding cooperation across a spectrum of mutual interests, was chaired by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi and the EU’s Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service, Enrique Mora.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the dialogue spanned the full breadth of the Pakistan-EU bilateral relationship, focusing on the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP), trade and development cooperation, security, climate action, migration, and mobility. The session also provided an avenue for the exchange of views on crucial regional and global developments.
Both parties expressed contentment with the positive direction of their relations and committed to further enhance and broaden Pakistan-EU ties. This commitment is to be facilitated through regular institutional meetings and follow-up actions aimed at realizing mutual interests in various fields.
The dialogue underscored the significance of continued high-level interactions, which have injected new vigor into Pakistan-EU relations. Amidst a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, the necessity for close cooperation and dialogue was mutually recognized as vital for addressing shared challenges and opportunities.
Particularly noteworthy was the discussion on the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus status, which has been identified as a successful model for fostering development through trade and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Foreign Secretary advocated for deeper collaboration with key stakeholders to diversify and sustain trade relations between Pakistan and the European Union.
Furthermore, both sides showed interest in exploring new opportunities under the EU’s flagship initiatives, including the Global Gateway Strategy and Horizon Europe, signaling a forward-looking approach to their partnership.
This round of political dialogue between Pakistan and the European Union highlights a shared commitment to bolstering their partnership across various sectors, reflective of their broad and evolving bilateral agenda.
Islamabad, In a decisive move to streamline national enterprises and enhance fiscal management, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the Privatization Ministry to finalize and present the schedule for the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). During a high-level meeting held today, focused on the privatization of PIA and the restructuring of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Prime Minister underscored the importance of transparency throughout the privatization process of the national carrier, asserting that any form of laziness or carelessness would not be tolerated.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the meeting reviewed the progress of PIA’s privatization and outlined the forthcoming steps. Additionally, Prime Minister Sharif directed the Law Ministry to promptly formulate recommendations for resolving pending legal disputes and cases in courts related to tax collections and revenue. This step aims to remove obstacles hindering the disbursement of 1.7 trillion rupees to the national exchequer and further stressed the need for proposals on establishing a legal department within the FBR.
Highlighting the automation of the FBR as a critical component of the restructuring effort, Prime Minister Sharif approved the proposed automation roadmap and demanded its swift implementation with a clear timeframe. He emphasized that the targets should not only be realistic but also aim to be the fastest in the region in terms of implementation speed. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, he expressed his determination to work tirelessly to achieve these goals, citing them as crucial for the country’s bright future and economic recovery.
The meeting also covered various topics, including ensuring transparency in the FBR system, structural reforms to align with global standards, increasing tax collections through incentives, eliminating corruption and smuggling, and reforming tax rates. The Prime Minister called for the modernization of the tax and revenue system, proposing an incentive-based tax framework and urging the business community to contribute to the development and social services in the country.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister advocated for a thorough review of tax exemptions and the implementation of an effective third-party audit system. He highlighted the potential of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector to accelerate Pakistan’s development and lamented its lack of promotion over the past forty years. The meeting also touched upon Pakistan’s tax to GDP ratio, which Dr. Shamshad Akhtar noted is less than 9.5 percent, significantly lower than global averages. She pointed out the disparity in tax contribution within the country, with a small percentage of the population bearing the majority of the tax burden.
This comprehensive approach towards privatization and fiscal reform signifies the government’s commitment to enhancing efficiency and transparency in its operations, aiming for substantial economic growth and stability.