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Pakistan takes over UN Conference on Disarmament presidency today.
— Pakistan has achieved yet another huge diplomatic milestone as it is all ready to assume the Presidency of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament today (August 17).
Tahir Andrabi, Additional Foreign Secretary for Arms Control and International Security and Spokesperson of the Foreign Office has been appointed as the new president of the Conference on Disarmament. Andrabi has already reached Geneva and will chair the crucial meetings of the Conference in the coming days.
Pakistan’s main job during its presidency, according to the diplomatic sources, would be to direct the proceedings of the Conference in an orderly, balanced and consensual manner. The President Tahir Andrabi will also compile the annual report of the Conference which will be put before the member nations for adoption. The report will detail the Conference’s activity over the whole year, including discussions, negotiations and progress on its agenda.
Pakistan would assist talks on a draft resolution to be presented to the UN General Assembly, which is likely to approve it in November, the annual report said. Pakistan will also host consultations and negotiations on the agenda of the Conference for 2027 during its presidency.
As president, Pakistan will hold this week a significant debate on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS). The United States and European nations have quite different views on PAROS than China and Russia. Diplomatic sources suggest that one of the primary difficulties of Pakistan’s presidency will be to bridge these gaps.
The Conference will also address nuclear disarmament, prevention of nuclear war, negative security assurances, the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) and developing technologies. Other discussion topics will be the military usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI), international and regional peace and strategic stability.
Pakistan’s president arrives at a moment of heightened global geopolitical tensions. The Russia-Ukraine war, US-China strategic rivalry, upgrading of nuclear weapons, weaponization of outer space and increasing role of AI in military matters have rendered the Conference on Disarmament more relevant than ever. In this scenario, the presidency of Pakistan is a chance to play a substantial diplomatic role in the area of global security.
At the Conference, 41 countries recently advocated for an obligation to provide at least 24 hours notice of long-range ballistic missile and space launch activities.
The UN Conference on Disarmament is the only standing multilateral negotiating venue in the world on disarmament agreements and weapons control. It has 65 member nations.
Latest News
IHC direct Islamabad administration to issue domicile to Lakki Marwat citizen
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Islamabad district administration to issue a residence certificate to Hamadulla, who lives in Lakkimarwat, within five days.
The order was issued while considering the citizen’s application for Islamabad Domicile Certificate.
The court also expressed strong displeasure over the district administration’s decision to send a lower division clerk (LDC) to represent the deputy commissioner’s office instead of a senior official.
During the proceedings, the clerk informed the court that a domicile certificate is issued one year after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the applicant’s previous district. Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar questioned the official about his appointment and asked why the junior officer was being sent to represent the district administration.
Expressing indignation, the Chief Justice pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner were not present in the court. He questioned the rationale behind making citizens wait for a year after issuing NOC and directed the government to complete the household registration process within five days.
The court also warned that if the residence certificate is not issued within the stipulated time, the Deputy Commissioner will have to appear in person.
After issuing the directions, the IHC adjourned further proceedings until next week.
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PM Shehbaz to address COP31 summit in Turkiye, hold key meetings with world leaders
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the high-level climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Turkey today as he begins a busy schedule of engagements with international leaders.
The Prime Minister will attend a high-level meeting titled “Clean Energy Transition 2035: Powering the Future” hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is expected to deliver an important address outlining his vision for renewable energy and the transition towards clean energy.
During the COP31 summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also present Pakistan’s National Statement, highlighting the country’s position on climate justice and the challenges faced by nations severely affected by climate change. The announcement is expected to underline Pakistan’s concerns about the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries and to emphasize the importance of global cooperation and climate justice.
In addition to the planned address, the Prime Minister will hold important bilateral meetings with several world leaders throughout the day. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing common environmental and climate-related challenges.
Later in the evening, Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif will attend a gala dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet world leaders. His participation in the summit provides an opportunity for Pakistan to highlight its climate priorities and strengthen diplomatic engagement with the international community.
Business
Saudi delegation eyes Karachi port investments as Pakistan expands maritime trade
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.
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