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Pakistan, UAE vow to bolster ‘strategic partnership’ in joint statement

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  • PM Shehbaz holds meetings with UAE leadership.
  • Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relationships.
  • UAE announces $3 billion economic relief for Pakistan.

Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed on the need to intensify the “strategic partnership and cooperation” between the two countries during a bilateral meeting, a joint statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) said Friday. 

The statement was issued at the conclusion of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s two-day official visit to the Gulf country during which he met UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and held detailed discussions on concrete measures to strengthen the bilateral relationship. 

On Thursday, the UAE also provided a $3 billion lifeline to Pakistan to help the country amid depleting forex reserves.

During the meeting, the two sides — with a view to developing tangible and meaningful bilateral cooperation in key areas — agreed to intensify consultation and coordination to bolster strategic partnership and cooperation, particularly in the field of information and communication technologies and work together for bridging the digital divide.

The two leaders, the statement added, also exchanged views on regional political and security matters. 

“They also discussed a specific initiative to enhance cooperation in political, defence, economic, commercial and cultural areas, developing joint ventures, and strengthening collaboration in the human resource sector,” it said. 

The prime minister thanked the UAE president for generous assistance during the recent floods in Pakistan, particularly through an air bridge established for this purpose.

During PM Shehbaz’s interaction with the UAE leadership, both countries reaffirmed their historical and brotherly ties, rooted in shared religion, culture, values, and pursuit of regional and global peace and security. They also expressed satisfaction at the convergence of views on a host of regional and global issues.

Based on their decades-old fraternal ties, both countries expressed solidarity with each other in efforts to preserve their sovereignty and territorial integrity, read the statement. 

Moreover, the two sides signed Memoranda of Understanding in the field of combating human trafficking, information exchange, and between the diplomatic academies of both countries.

Accepting PM Shehbaz‘s invitation to Pakistan, President Nahyan agreed to visit Pakistan at a later date.

This was the prime minister’s third visit to the UAE after assuming office. He is also accompanied by a high-level delegation, including key members of the cabinet. 

Loan to Pakistan

A day earlier, the UAE president agreed to roll over the existing loan of $2 billion and provide an additional $1 billion loan to Pakistan. 

The much-needed relief was critical for cash-strapped Pakistan’s distressed economy as the ninth review of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme to clear the release of the next $1.1 billion tranche of funds has been pending since September.

Pakistan faces a severe economic crisis, with its central bank foreign exchange reserves falling to a critical level of below $5 billion, which is barely enough for three weeks of imports.

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Protectors of the Highest Battlefield in the World: The Pakistan Army’s Valiant Position on Siachen Glacier

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Siachen, the highest battleground in the world, is a potent symbol of the bravery, sacrifices, and unwavering resolve of Pakistan Army soldiers who are always prepared to protect their country.

With unmatched tenacity and fortitude, they survive at elevations of 21,000 feet and temperatures as low as -40°C.

With courage and determination, the courageous men of the Pakistan Army spearhead every mission, from saving the lives of those suffering from oxygen shortages to rescuing wounded comrades in avalanche-prone locations.

There is no comparison to the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army to defend the country’s boundaries.

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Session of the National Assembly: Government Prioritising Youth Skill Development: Ch Salik Hussain

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The National Assembly was informed that the government is concentrating on developing the skills of young people in order to meet the demand for skilled workers in other countries. To this end, the government has inked agreements with several countries.

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PTA provides a significant update on Pakistan’s Starlink launch.

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Starlink applied for a license on February 24, 2022, and is currently in communication with the new regulatory body, according to a briefing given to the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT, which was chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, the PTA Chairman.

Starlink needs to register with both the PSB and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) before to starting its satellite services in Pakistan. According to the PTA Chairman, the body will proceed with further actions after the registration procedure is over.

Along with Starlink, Shanghai Space Technology is also making its debut in Pakistan, which should boost internet access and spur technical advancement in the nation.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also made it plain that until it has government approval, it is unable to grant a license to Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink.

The chairman stated that Starlink has promised to adhere to government regulations and not circumvent the system.

The committee also chose to call a meeting of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) to take up the topic of space technology regulation. Additionally, the committee asked why the PTA is assigning its duties to other groups.

Prior to the launch of Starlink in Pakistan, Elon Musk, the CEO of SPACEX, stated that he was seeking permission from the Pakistani government.

According to information, Pakistani social media user Sanam Jamali and Elon Musk had a discussion on the launch of Starlink in Pakistan on the social media site X (previously Twitter).

Sanam asked Musk to launch Starlink in Pakistan, claiming that it might open the door to a better future by giving people access to the internet and chances to advance.

In response, Musk said that he is awaiting Pakistani official approval to introduce Starlink there. Through a massive network of satellites, SpaceX’s Starlink offers internet services.

Starlink

SpaceX, a private aircraft manufacturer and space transport services provider established by Elon Musk, is the developer of the Starlink satellite internet network. The constellation uses a network of thousands of tiny satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) to deliver fast, dependable, and worldwide internet connectivity.

The way we access the internet could be completely changed by this cutting-edge technology, particularly in isolated and underdeveloped locations where conventional fiber-optic and cellular networks are scarce or nonexistent.

High-speed internet access with latency as low as 20 ms is what the Starlink constellation is intended to provide; this is on par with or even better than many current fiber-optic networks.

Every Starlink satellite includes a phased array antenna, which enables it to connect with numerous users at once, offering a flexible and high-capacity network. Fast and dependable internet connection is available to users from almost anywhere in the world with Starlink, which is an exciting advancement for digital inclusion and global connectedness.

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