ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz on Friday said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's relations remain steadfast as ever and we are determined to further building up these historic fraternal ties. During a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, he termed Pak-Saudi ties as "a relationship of hearts".
The information minister reiterated that the people of Pakistan have great reverence for the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques. He made a special mention of the visit of Saudi Crown Prince HRH Mohammad bin Salman to Pakistan and appreciated his vision 2030, which he said is forward looking and in tandem with the requirements of modern era.
He also commended the arrangements made by Saudi government for Hajj this year despite difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and collaboration in the fields of media and culture.
They also emphasized exchange and telecast of TV plays and screening of movies in each other's country as film is an important medium to promote and project cultural and societal values. Both dignitaries also agreed on production of programs highlighting the life and achievements of Muslim heroes, depicting the true Islamic culture.
Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki said that Saudi Arabia was the first country visited by Prime Minister Imran Khan, adding that Saudi Arabia was at the forefront at extending him good wishes and support.
The ambassador informed about the latest situation of COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia and said that corona cases are now minimal and situation is returning to normalcy. Minister Shibli Faraz stated that Pakistan has successfully tackled the Covid-19 pandemic through effective and prudent policies adopted by the government.
He added that if a leader cares for the marginalized strata of the society then Allah Almighty showers His blessings to meet the most difficult of challenges. The information minister on the occasion also presented the special publication regarding the two years performance of the government to Saudi ambassador.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of I&B. During a press conference, Federal Minister for Information Senator Shibli Faraz said the government was trying to pull Pakistan out from the "grey list".
While lamenting the opposition, he said it is necessary to bring back former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan and the government will ask the Foreign Office (FO) to take steps for his return.
Nawaz Sharif had departed to London for six months by presenting an excuse for his precarious health conditions; however, he neither undergoes any medical test nor sends his health reports sought by the Punjab government.
He criticised that Nawaz Sharif is running politics in Pakistan from London by contacting everyone including Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Maulana Fazlur Rehman except Shehbaz Sharif.
The government will bring back Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan by adopting legal procedures, he announced. The federal government will ask the foreign ministry to take steps for bringing back Nawaz Sharif to the country, said Faraz.
The federal minister said that Maryam Nawaz was not a political leader, and she was not summoned by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for handing over any award but to question her over corruption charges. It was the history of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz of attacking courts, and the NAB office in Lahore had been attacked during the appearance of Maryam Nawaz.
Faraz accused past rulers for becoming billionaires through corruption. He said that former finance minister Ishaq Dar had artificially maintained the exchange rate of the country by spending $6 billion from the national treasury.
While detailing the government's efforts for enacting laws related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Shibli Faraz said that they were trying to pull Pakistan out from the grey list. The opposition parties were blackmailing the federal government despite a severe crisis in the country.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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