Press Releases

Pakistan has made impressive economic gains in the last three years, characterized by macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth rate, and record- breaking performance of its stock market

Paris, September 15, 2016: France is willing to bolster trade and economic ties with Pakistan and to mutually benefit from conducive investment environment in the country. Pakistan has made impressive economic gains in the last three years, characterized by macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth rate, and record- breaking performance of its stock market. Pakistan can maintain high growth rates in the coming years with continuation of current policies. The achievements in the war against terrorism are equally laudable.

These views were expressed by Mr. Michel Sapin, French Minister for Finance, Economy and Industry in his meeting today in Paris with Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs. He congratulated Senator Ishaq Dar on presiding over the economic resurgence of Pakistan.

Senator Ishaq Dar told Mr. Sapin that Pakistan infused a number of bold structural economic and fiscal reforms together with stabilization measures to make the country’s economy stable. The positive trajectory has been acknowledged by renowned international economists and financial institutions, which are projecting Pakistan to be one of the top 20 economies of the world in the coming decades.

It is about time for Pakistan and France to step up their efforts to enhance the trade and economic ties between the two countries for the mutual benefit of their people.

He added that it is about time for Pakistan and France to step up their efforts to enhance the trade and economic ties between the two countries for the mutual benefit of their people. There is a need to explore new avenues for further cooperation in diverse areas including energy, agriculture, food processing, aviation, information technology, automobiles and engineering.

Noting with satisfaction that business communities of France and Pakistan are already engaged in negotiations on several projects, both the Ministers agreed to facilitate the businessmen and to significantly raise the current level of bilateral trade through joint efforts. They also agreed to discuss upgrading of the Administrative, Economic and Trade Committee to Ministerial level in the form of Joint Economic Commission.

Senator Ishaq Dar invited the French Finance Minister to visit Pakistan and see for himself the economic transformation going on in the country.

Paris, September 14, 2016: Pakistan became a signatory today to the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs signed the Convention along with Mr. Angel Gurria, Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in a dignified ceremony in Paris.

OECD invitation to Pakistan to sign the Convention was possible after a long process of over two years which included peer reviews and amendments in Pakistani domestic income tax laws to meet the requirements of OECD. It demonstrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to adopt international best practices in the field of tax matters and join the multilateral fight against tax evasion through mutual, auto and spontaneous exchange of information. The Convention, which is currently signed by over 80 countries, would facilitate international cooperation on national tax laws and provide administrative cooperation among member countries to combat tax evasion.

The Finance Minister also held a bilateral meeting with the OECD Secretary General to discuss ways and means to further strengthen the existing ties between Pakistan and the OECD. He conveyed Pakistan’s desire to become a key OECD partner country. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to cooperate with the OECD on all important areas of mutual interest. He informed the Secretary General about the various economic and fiscal reforms undertaken by the government to stabilize Pakistan’s economy, and the increased budgetary support for health and education sectors. He also invited Secretary General to visit Pakistan.

The Secretary General congratulated the Finance Minister on historic signing of the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matter, and for his central role in economic turnaround in Pakistan in the last three years. He acknowledged that Pakistan has made great strides in economic field, which has deservedly received accolades from international financial institutions. He invited Pakistan to take part in various OECD global fora and meetings.

The OECD is an intergovernmental forum, which focuses on issues including trade, taxation, environment, technology and education. It has 35 member countries in Europe, Americas and Asia Pacific. Pakistan, though not a member of the OECD, has been regularly invited to participate in its various committee meetings.

Paris, September 12, 2016: Pakistan high end textile products displayed artistically was viewed and appreciated by thousands of participants, visitors and business persons in the 39th Edition of four day Texworld Exhibition being held in Paris, France from 12th September 2016.

Pakistan cotton and cotton based high end products which included apparels, garments and finished and unfinished associated products displayed by over 33 Pakistani renowned companies were one of the main attractions of the exhibition.

The businessmen who attended the exhibitions from over 26 countries visited the Pakistan stalls and showed keen interest in the high quality Pakistani textile products.

The Ambassador of Pakistan in Paris, France His Excellency, Moin ul Haque visited the exhibition and met with the organizers of the Pakistani exhibitors. He appreciated the businessmen and Pakistani companies which have participated in the exhibition in Paris France which is world’s tops fashion and apparel hub.

He said the introduction of the Pakistani high end and top quality textile products in Paris France will certainly help Pakistan in boosting its exports of textile and associated products not only to France but also to rest of Europe.

While taking to the media during his visit he said that current government of Pakistan has taken number of steps to give impetus to industry and trade and commence in the country.

He added that as result of the successful energy policy of the government, uninterrupted electricity and gas is being supplied to the industries along with unprecedented upgrading and construction of new road network which has given added impetus to growth and development of industry specially the textile industry in Pakistan.

He stressed the need for diversification of textile products and the textile markets with is view to add upon the profit margin and increase the value of the exports.

The Ambassador also advised the representative of TDAP and commercial councilor to extend all out assistance Pakistani exporters in their effort to promote textile export in France to the facilitate the Pakistan textile manufacturing and help them in establishing network with buyers in France and to improve the presentation and diversify the products being displayed in the exhibition in future.

The Texworld which is organized in Paris France twice in a year first in February and later in September every year cater to the entire market of Europe and is being participated by 1147 renowned textile related companies from around the world. .

Paris, September 13, 2016: Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization presented a strong case about Pakistan’s economic turnaround in the last three years, to a large gathering of senior executives of more than sixty leading French companies, who gathered this morning at a business and investment event hosted by MEDEF (Association of French Entrepreneurs) in his honor.

French businessmen are key to strengthen trade and economic linkages with Pakistan and take advantage of vast investment opportunities in all fields of the economy.

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. In his address at MEDEF, he gave an overview of Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability, acknowledgement by prestigious international financial institutions of the country’s achievements, improvement in law and order situation, and immense scope for business and investment opportunities in Pakistan. He urged the French businessmen to strengthen their trade and economic linkages with Pakistan and take advantage of vast investment opportunities in all fields of the economy.

Earlier, Dr. Miftah Ismail gave a presentation on investment opportunities in Pakistan, assuring the French business community of all the support to engage with Pakistan. Emphasizing Pakistan’s geo-starategic location and the positive impact on economy with the ongoing China –Pakistan Economic Corridor projects, he invited French companies to visit Pakistan and experience first-hand the available opportunities.

There was keen interest in the audience about Pakistan’s growing economic potential and its emergence as a hub of economic activity in South and Central Asia. The participants acknowledged the positive developments taking place in Pakistan and expressed interest in diverse areas like construction, agriculture, banking, aviation, transportation and electronics. MEDEF announced that it would take a French business delegation to Pakistan early next year.

The Finance Minister also held one on one business meeting with senior representatives of important French companies including SNCF (Railways) Airbus (aircraft manufacturer), Suez (energy and gas), Lazard (debt and asset management), CNIM (solutions in energy, environment and defense) and ADIT (consultancy). 

In the evening, Senator Ishaq Dar and Chairman BoI met with Mr. Francois Pupponi, President of France-Pakistan Friendship Group in the French National Assembly. Mr. Paul Giacobbi, Vice President of the Group was also present. The Finance Minister briefed them about the positive developments in Pakistan, since the present government took office in 2013, including economic stability and successful war against terrorism and extremism. He stressed that the friendship groups in the Parliaments of both the countries could play a pivotal role in bringing the two peoples together and enhancing trade and economic linkages. Both the French Parliamentarians expressed their desire to visit Pakistan later this year with a business delegation. They also appreciated the role of Pakistani diaspora in Pakistan, who are setting an example for other Muslim communities in France to live in a peaceful manner.

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.