Islamabad (APP): 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: The Ministry of Finance has released funds to end the current passport backlog.

According to the media reports quoting sources of the Passport Office, the international advertisement for the tenders for the purchase of printing machines and e-passport machines has been issued, while the international advertisement for the lamination papers used in printing has also been released.

It is also reported that the backlog will end as soon as the procurement of passport machinery and lamination paper is completed. At this time more than 800,000 passports are being delayed in printing.

According to passport and immigration officials, 20 to 25 thousand passports are being printed daily, while 40 to 45 thousand applications are being received for issuance of passports based on customs clearance.