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Tough and deep rooted fiscal, monetary and economic reforms have paved the way for economic turnaround in Pakistan

Paris, September 14, 2016: Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs has said that tough and deep rooted fiscal, monetary and economic reforms have paved the way for economic turnaround in Pakistan which led to the improvement of fiscal and monetary  indicators of the country, recognized and appreciated by Credible international  rating agencies.This was stated by him during his address at the Foundation of Strategic Research (FRS), a premier think tank of France, in Paris this morning. The event was jointly organized by FRS and Centre de Recherche International (CERI), another leading thing tank of France. 

the country had recorded the highest GDP growth of 4.7 % in the last eight years, and is fully set to achieve 5.5% GDP growth during the current financial year and 6% -7% GDP growth in the coming years.

In his Talks on the theme, Pakistan and Economic Turnaround Story”, Ishaq Dar said the owing to the prudent and farsighted reforms introduced by the government for revenue generation, tax collection, infrastructure development and increased budgetary allocation to social sector,  the country had recorded the highest GDP growth of 4.7 % in the last eight years, and is fully set to achieve 5.5% GDP growth during the current financial year and 6% -7% GDP growth in the coming years.

Pakistan’s economic turnaround have termed it the tenth fastest emerging market of the world and have predicted Pakistan to be the 18th largest global economy in 2050.

He added that renowned international economists and institutions while acknowledging Pakistan’s economic turnaround have termed it the tenth fastest emerging market of the world and have predicted Pakistan to be the 18^th largest global economy in 2050. Finance Minister said that he would like this time frame to be reduced by half.

Expressing his grief and sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Nice he said that Pakistan is itself a victim of terrorism for over a decade having suffered immense human and financial losses. He informed the audience that since June 2014, Pakistan has launched the zarb-e-Azb Military operation which has broken the back bone of the terrorists’ organizations and their networks. He said that we are fighting this war to restore peace in our country and for the regional and global peace.

The Minister said that Pakistan is committed to build and maintain peaceful relations with all its immediate neighbors and rest of the world.

 He said Pakistan is ready to talk with India to resolve all outstanding issues including the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.  He drew the attention to the recent human rights violations by the Indian security forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir on the unarmed and innocent Kashmiris to curb their right for exercise of self-determination. He called on France to play its due role as permanent member of UNSC to urge India to resolve the issue of Kashmir in accordance with UN SC resolutions.

The Finance Minister is on an official visit to Paris, France accompanied by Dr. Miftah Ismail, MOS/Chairman Board of Investment and a business delegation.

Dr. Aurore Didier, Director of French Archaeological Mission in the Indus Basin accompanied by Dr. David Sarmiento-Castillo called on the Ambassador today in his office.

The Archaeologists explained activities of their Mission in Pakistan including recent excavation of historical sites of Indus basin in Sindh,survey and test of surrounding regions, scientific research and support to the Government of Sindh and the Department of Archaeology and Museums of Pakistan.

The French Mission of Archaeology which started working in Pakistan in 1958 is also imparting training to the select students of Pakistan and is pursuing short training scholarships in France and their advanced studies. A team of experts led by Dr. Didier is due to visit Pakistan for their field work in January 2017.

the Ambassador commended the extraordinary support extended by Dr. Didier and her team and ensured continued support of the embassy to the French Archaeological Mission. He also proposed to organize and exhibition  of artifacts of Pakistan in France in colloboration with the French Archaeological Mission in 2018.

The Director presented two books prepared by the French Archaeological Mission in the Indus Basin to the Ambassador and shared report on her excavation works carried out at the historicla site of Chanhu-Daro, Taluka Sakrand, District Nawabshah (Shaheed Benazirabad.

[textblock style=”1″]The people of Pakistan are its biggest and the most valuable asset and it is because of their resilience that despite immense difficulties the country is on its way to peace, prosperity, economic development and a strong hope of bright future[/textblock]

The Ambassador of Pakistan to France Mr. Moin ul Haque has said that people of Pakistan are its biggest and the most valuable asset and it is because of their resilience that despite immense difficulties the country is on its way to peace, prosperity, economic development and a strong hope of bright future. He was addressing the flag hoisting ceremony of 69th Independence Day of Pakistan in the Embassy of Pakistan here this morning. Explaining various steps the government was taking to strengthen the economy, he said that by providing necessary infrastructure including number of energy projects in order to enable industry to move ahead, the government was making its best efforts to secure bright future for its coming generations. He particularly mentioned CPEC which, he said had all the potential of being a game changer not only for Pakistan but for the whole region by opening immense opportunities for enhanced economic activity.

He said that terrorism in Pakistan was being fast driven to its final destiny and now it is only a matter of time that the country will be back to normalcy, free of this menace. He said that decisive response of our people and security agencies has eliminated the safe havens for terrorists and their facilitators. He further said that incidents like Quetta are desperate and cowardly acts of the retreating enemy. He thanked French President for expressing solidarity on behalf of French people with the victims of Quetta blast and condemning this act of terrorism. The Ambassador expressed that it was an evidence that the world had realized that Pakistan itself was a victim of terrorism and that a unified response was needed to eliminate it.

He said that the government of Pakistan recognizes the role and importance of overseas Pakistanis in the uplift of economy and movement towards development of the country and that it gives top priority to addressing their problems. The Mission aims to look after them in every possible way, he said. He announced to grant Jinnah Scholarship in studies for outstanding young Pakistanis living in France.

Earlier, he hoisted the National Flag as National Anthem was played. The messages of the President and the Prime Minister issued for the occasion were read out. Apart from large number of Pakistanis living in Paris, their families and children and women, Member Punjab Provincial Assembly, Mr. Amir Mohammad Khan also attended the ceremony. A group of children presented “jeeway jeeway Pakistan” ‘milli naghma’. The officers and staff of the Mission and their families were also present. A reception was also hosted by the Mission for attending guests.  

Pakistan Places great emphasis on the cause of Education at National level

The Ambassador of Pakistan to UNESCO Mr. Moin ul Haque has said that Pakistan places great emphasis on the cause of Education at national level. He said this while presenting his credentials to Ms. Irina Bokova, Director General UNESCO as Permanent Delegate/Ambassador of Pakistan to the prestigious UN organization here this morning. ADG UNESCO Mr. Eric Falt and Deputy Permanent Delegate of Pakistan to UNESCO Mr. Sajid Baloch were also present.

Our Constitutional provision, 25-A, had established Education 'a Fundamental Right' for 
all children till the age of 16 years.

The Ambassador told the DG that Pakistan had included Constitutional provision 25-A to make Education a Fundamental Right till the age of 16 years. Our parliament has passed “The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2012”, he said. He thanked the DG for raising the cause of Education, especially girl’s right to Education and Malala Fund at various global fora. He informed the DG that Pakistan has the honor of being the present Chair of E-9 member states, which comprise over half the world’s population. The Permanent Delegate/Ambassador appreciated the close working relationship between Pakistan and UNESCO and the personal commitment of Director General, UNESCO, which had been mutually beneficial. The Ambassador informed that Pakistan had always pro-actively supported UNESCO, including the discussions in Executive Board meetings, and that it will continue to do so.

“We believe that continued interventions in these sectors will bring nations together and eventually improve the lives of the common people”

The Ambassador further said that Pakistan acknowledged and strongly supported the key role played by UNESCO in the most important sectors of education, culture and science. “We believe that continued interventions in these sectors will bring nations together and eventually improve the lives of the common people”, he said. The Ambassador informed that Pakistan was making best efforts for bringing solid and positive results in UNECSO’s areas of competence including Culture, Science & Technology, and Information & Communication. However, there were some issues of capacity and resource constraints, he said. He said that Pakistan welcomed collaboration in areas like Science, ICT etc. The Ambassador assured that Pakistan will extend full help and co-operation to UNESCO in implementation of its plans and policies. The Ambassador informed that the vibrant and rich cultural heritage of Pakistan was an asset that we intended to preserve for our coming generations.

The Director General UNESCO appreciated the positive role played by Pakistan in UNESCO, and observed that Pakistan is one of the most active countries who participate meaningfully as the elected member of Executive Board, in all important committees and bodies of UNESCO. She expressed her pleasure over the civil award given to her by Government of Pakistan, and her fruitful visit to Pakistan.

The Director General UNESCO appreciated the active contribution of Pakistan especially its Permanent Delegation, as a member of SDG Education Steering Committee and Chair of E-9 Initiative, in the drafting and finalization of the Education Agenda 2030 Framework for Action, as well as targets and indicators. She also supported the valid ambitions and aspirations of Pakistan and other E-9 countries. The DG informed that UNESCO hopes that more donors will come forward to support the initiative of Malala Fund for Girls Education in the near future. The Director General also invited Pakistan to explore and share the areas of further co-operation at country level, including science and culture.

The Director General encouraged Pakistan to consider ratifying the “Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions 2005”. She stated that Pakistan has rich culture and a variety of cultural crafts as well as cultural industry.

Pakistan became a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 14th September 1949. Pakistan was elected to the prestigious UNESCO Executive Board in November 2015.

A delegation of National Security War course from National Defence University, Islamabad, a premier institution entrusted with the responsibility of training the future Military and Bureaucratic leadership of Pakistan visited the Embassy on 02 May 2016.

Commodore Babar Bilal Haider, Senior Directing Staff Chief of National Defence University, Islamabad along with other members of the delegation made a call on to the Ambassador H.E. Mr. Ghalib Iqbal, Ambassador of Pakistan to France and Monaco and Permanent Delegate of Pakistan to UNESCO for a detailed interactive briefing on Pakistan-France Relationships. The participants asked questions and showed keen interest in the briefing.

The delegation will visit several French Government policy institute, Ministries and interact with French Think tanks a part of their study tour abroad.

A delegation of National School of Public Policy, a premier institution entrusted with the responsibility of training the bureaucrats of Pakistan visited the Embassy on 16 May 2016.

Mr. Shafiq Hussain Bokhari, Chief Instructor of National School of Public Policy along with other members of the delegation made a call on to the Ambassador H.E. Mr. Ghalib Iqbal, Ambassador of Pakistan to France and Monaco and Permanent Delegate of Pakistan to UNESCO for a detailed interactive briefing on Pakistan-France Relationship. The participants asked questions and showed keen interest in the briefing.

Later in the evening, a dinner was hosted by the Ambassador at Embassy Residence in the honor of visiting delegation of National School of Public Policy.

The delegation during their stay in Paris will visit several French Government institutions and interact with think tanks including Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Finance , Economy and Trade, National Assembly and French School of Administration as a part of their study tour abroad.

[quote style=”1″]Pakistani Artists living abroad has a unique angle and approach towards Arts [/quote]

Embassy of Pakistan, Paris arranged an exhibition of renowned Canadian-Pakistani artist Fahim Hamid Ali here this evening. Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador of Pakistan to France H.E Mr. Ghalib Iqbal said that he had observed as a Diplomat working in different countries that Pakistani artists living abroad had a unique angle and approach towards arts. He paid glowing tributes to the canvas and variety of the subjects that the artist had dealt with. He said that where-ever Faheem’s art goes, the name of Pakistan travels with him. Mr. Fahim himself spoke about his inspirations, his journey towards perfection, the subjects he dealt with and his future plans. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka in France H.E. MR. Tilak Ranaviraja, who himself is a painter, attended the exhibition as special guest. He also spoke on the occasion. He appreciated the work of the artist and felicitated the embassy of Pakistan in Paris for holding this exhibition.

Mr. Fahim Hamid Ali emerged on the art scene about two decades ago when he started his first exhibitions.  Gradually, he expanded the horizons of his work concentrating on images from his culture and roots. He does not limit his expressions to calligraphy alone. He paints landscapes, still life and Mughal miniature. Despite working in various directions, the work remains that of Ali. His signature is obvious through his corded lines. He creates stain glass painting effects on canvas with his thick lines.

Soon Ali earned a name in stain glass painting. Ali remains busy painting, decorating homes and holding exhibitions around the world. His successful exhibition at the Lionel Gallery in June 1996 was talk of the town for some time. He met another success when he exhibited his figurative works and Islamic calligraphy in mixed media at Singapore in 1998.

In Canada, he held his first solo exhibition showcasing floral designs, landscapes and calligraphy in mixed media at a private residence in March 1999. Now Ali is a known name in the art circles of Toronto. He is specially asked by the art galleries there to lend his works for display and sales. The Pakistan Canada Association asks him to participate in its multicultural festivals.

Ali is a profound believer in communication. For the purpose, he has chosen an international language of form, colour and line. He generally works in mixed media on paper and canvas. He also is at ease with the wash painting technique where he works with liquid oil paints flowing like water. He seldom uses a brush; instead, he uses his finger to paint. He does not confine himself to a specific technique. He works with freedom of thought, and medium. That gives him an opportunity to also use defined strokes and accidental textures in his work. A play with colour makes the end result a visual pleasure.

In the last five years, Ali has been experimenting at various levels. He created pottery as a base for his script. His hand-painted pots made headlines in the country’s news. Then as an experiment he wrote Arabic in vertical lines. Throughout his career as an artist, he has been traveling around the world. Wild life is another filed where he excels. With love of nature, innate in character, he has a mastery over presentation of wild life in impressionistic technique. Over the years, Ali has also done thematic paintings. He has also painted on the French Revolution and Sultan, a historical hero of the sub-continent. The best thing about Ali’s work is that he is always experimenting with something new. Ali’s interior designing is unique, as he likes to create harmony through new ideas. He believes in breathing life into every comer of the house he is working on.

Large number of French art lovers, diplomats, intellectuals, public figures and journalists witnessed the exhibition and appreciated his work.