– Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has not yet forwarded the summary to the president for convening the National Assembly session, with the sitting now likely to be held next week.

According to parliamentary sources, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs had sent a summary to the prime minister seeking to convene the National Assembly session on Monday at 5pm.

Sources said a decision to reschedule the session was taken during a meeting between the president and the prime minister.

Parliamentary sources added that the National Assembly session is now expected to be summoned next week.

China and the United States discussed tariff cuts, agricultural trade and other issues at their first trade council meeting on Friday, China’s Commerce Ministry said on Saturday, days ahead of a leaders’ meeting in Shenzhen next week.

The Ministry of Commerce said: “The two sides had open, in-depth and constructive exchanges on issues of common concern, such as the implementation of the results of the previous China-US economic and trade consultations, including tariffs, the “US$30 billion for US$30 billion” mutually beneficial tax reduction regime, and agricultural trade.” It did not disclose whether any agreement had been reached. The Ministry of Commerce added that both sides will continue to use the council to resolve trade issues, expand cooperation and reduce outstanding issues. After a summit between President Xi Jinping and President Trump in Washington in September, the two sides proposed a $60 billion plan to cut reciprocal tariffs that would cover $17 billion worth of Chinese imports of U.S. agricultural products by 2024, but the plan has not yet been finalized.

A Reuters analysis of customs data earlier this month showed that China’s purchases of U.S. agricultural products, excluding soybeans, will hit a seven-year low this year, despite an agreement for $17 billion a year through 2028, underscoring lingering uncertainty over the deal. Beijing has repeatedly called on Washington to implement a $60 billion tariff reduction deal, saying it is a prerequisite for increased purchases of US agricultural products.

The White House said Trump will meet with Xi Jinping on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Shenzhen.

A Saudi business delegation led by Prince Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Saud has expressed interest in investing in Karachi’s port infrastructure, logistics links and green initiatives, Pakistani authorities said Monday, as Islamabad seeks to expand maritime cooperation with its longtime Gulf ally.

The visit comes amid efforts by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to expand economic partnership from traditional trade, remittances and financial support to investment-based cooperation in infrastructure, energy and other areas. Pakistan is also seeking to modernize its ports, improve connections with land transport networks and expand transshipment operations to strengthen its position in regional trade.

Prince Mansoor, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Chapter of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, led a high-level corporate delegation to Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qasim and South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited, where officials were briefed on investment opportunities and ongoing modernization projects.

The briefings focused on the proposed 140-acre Maritime Business District in Karachi and the development of Manora Shipyard.

“Prince Mansour expressed keen interest in KPT’s Maritime Business District, Green port initiatives, terminal infrastructure expansion and connectivity initiatives, recognizing their scope for mutually beneficial Saudi investment and joint ventures,” the KPT said in a statement. The Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council serves as a platform for companies and investors from both countries to identify commercial opportunities, develop partnerships and form joint ventures. Prince Mansour has led several delegations to Pakistan as the two governments seek to translate their long-standing political and defense ties into greater private sector investment. In June, KPT signed a memorandum of understanding with its Saudi Arabian and Pakistani partners to explore the development of a maritime business zone on MT Khan Road in Karachi.

The proposed development involves the Saudi Arabian Business Council – Najd Gateway Holding Company, Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited and a consortium of Pakistani companies and is intended to accommodate commercial and maritime businesses.