Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday said 'highly successful' second visit of Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia within a month to participate in the World Economic Forum, was historic and major development, which would eventually bring about extensive positive results within next few months.

Addressing a press conference along with Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, he said comprehensive planning by Saudi Arabia for investment in Pakistan was a turning point in the bilateral relations.

Tarar said that multiple meetings were held with the Saudi ministers on the sidelines of the WEF during the Prime Minister’s visit. “In two days, 12 high-level meetings were held with ministers and major personalities of Saudi Arabia including ministers for finance, industries, investment, energy and climate change”, he said.

The Saudi ministers expressed their commitment to work with Pakistan with regard to bilateral cooperation and investment on the special directives of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, he added. 

Within a short span of just one month, the Prime Minister had two meetings with the Saudi Crown Prince that had a historic significance for the two brotherly countries. 

He said immediately after Eidul Fitr, the Saudi Finance Minister visited Pakistan along with relevant ministers and extensive consultations were held regarding economic cooperation
and investment.

On the directives of the Saudi Crown Prince, the Saudi ministers formulated a comprehensive programme for cooperation with Pakistan , he added.

The minister said that it was was the new robust initiative in Pakistan-Saudi relations, and the specific results of the Prime Minister’s historic visit have started to come to fore.

Attaullah Tarar said that in follow-up to the PM’s Saudi visit, a delegation of Saudi businessmen was also coming to Pakistan in the next few days.

“This is the outcome of successful foreign policy of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “, he said, adding that the exchange of delegations will continue between the two brotherly countries. He said that a delegation of Pakistani ministers including Petroleum Minister Mussadaq Malik, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal, Minister for Energy Awais Laghari and officials of Special Investment Facilitation Council had reached Saudi Arabia a day before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and returned one day after him as they held meetings on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.

He said when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said during his speech at the World Economic Forum that peace in the world was not possible without peace in Gaza, the entire hall clapped for him.

Attaullah Tarar said that a campaign by a section of media, intelligentsia and academia regarding online harassment and fake news was witnessed on social media recently.

He opined that there must be an end to any harassment, including online and said suggestions should be put forward to the government on how to counter such campaigns.

He said that there was also call for specific authority to address the issue of online harassment as at present there was no law to protect digital rights of consumers.

He said it was imperative to avert propaganda and rumors on social media and ensure the protection of people’s digital rights.

He said it was high time to take measures to prevent trends on social media targeting specific persons. He said it was necessary to create awareness among the general public about their digital rights.

He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had issued directives for increasing the wheat procurement target to facilitate the farmers who contributed heavily in the rural economy.

Lahore: The chief election commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja’s appointment has challenged in Lahore high court (LHC). 

According to the details, chief justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan heard the plea of advocate Talib Hussain.

It is stated in the plea that chief election commissioner’s appointment was done without any advertisement. Sikandar Sultan was appointed on political grounds under the one-man agenda appointing a retired officer in a constitutional institution is an insult to the country and the nation.

However, the petitioner requested the court to declare the appointment of Sikandar Sultan Raja as illegal.

During the hearing, the public prosecutor opposed the plea and took the position that the plea is not admissible such kind of plea should be filed in Islamabad high court (IHC).

Later then the court postponed the hearing till May 6 while summoning the response regarding the plea being admissible.

Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday urged the international community to hold India accountable for espionage in foreign countries that is in violation international law.

The call was made by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch while responding to questions at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad today.

The spokesperson said India's expanding spies’ network is a matter of concern for international community. She said Pakistan has already presented concrete evidence of involvement of Indian agents in terror attacks inside Pakistan.

These are illegal acts in violation of international law and against the basic precepts of justice and due process. Replying another question, the Spokesperson said Pakistan urges India to ensure peace along the Line of Control and desist from taking any action that may contribute to difficulties.                                             

To a question regarding Pak-Iran bilateral ties, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan will continue to strengthen cooperation with Iran and the two countries have mechanisms to discuss counter-terrorism and security matters to ensure peace along Pak-Iran border.

On Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson said Indian brutalities could never quell the Kashmiri people's struggle and passion for freedom and India's illegal ceasing of their properties is also destined to meet similar failure.                                     

About the Gaza situation, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's support to the Palestinian people and urged the United Nations Security Council to impose immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

She said Israeli actions are in breach of international law and undermine prospects for a two-state solution to the conflict. She said Pakistan is deeply concerned over Israel's bellicose statements regarding Rafah and that any assault on Rafah would be unacceptable.