Assalam-o-Alaikum, and welcome to our Briefing. Let me begin by Prime Minister’s official visit to Turkey. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook his first official visit to Turkey from 31 May to 2 June. The visit depicts the importance attached to our strong bilateral ties with Turkey, rooted in shared history, and manifest in cultural affinity, people-to-people linkages and steadfast support on all issues. The Prime Minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, members of cabinet, SAPMs and senior officials. During the visit, the Prime Minister had tête-à-tête with President Erdo?an, followed by delegation-level talks. Besides the entire gamut of bilateral relations, the two leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. During the visit, 6 MOUs were signed between the two countries in the following areas: 1. Public Debt Management, 2. Cooperation between credit guarantee institutions for SME financing, 3. Housing, 4. Public private partnership models especially in transportation and health, 5. Knowledge Sharing in economic and social policy planning, and 6. Technical cooperation in highway engineering. A Joint Ministerial Statement on Developing Bilateral Trade and Economic Relations was also signed on the occasion, in which the two sides resolved to achieve 5 billion dollars bilateral trade volume in three years. The Turkish Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Health also called on the Prime Minister. A Pakistani business delegation comprising representatives of leading companies travelled separately to Turkey for business engagements. Along with this delegation, the Prime Minister had extensive interaction with leading Turkish businessmen and potential investors from diverse sectors. On 31 May, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was hosted over dinner by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavu?o?lu in Ankara. The two Foreign Ministers had a comprehensive exchange of views on a range of subjects including ongoing cooperation in various fields. During the visit, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Turkish President also unveiled a joint logo marking the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. As we speak, the Prime Minister is in Gawadar for the inauguration of East-Bay Expressway-another milestone in context of CPEC. It is the only expressway connecting Gwadar and the N-10 Makran Costal Highway. It also organically connects the South and North Free Zones of Gwadar Port and provides necessary land transportation support for the distribution, import and export of the goods in Gwadar. Ladies and Gentlemen, On 27 May, H.E. Mr. Mitsuhiro Wada, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s Office. Views were exchanged on further strengthening the bilateral relationship. The Prime Minister extended a cordial invitation to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to visit Pakistan. On 30 May, Prime Minister Sharif had a telephone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Prime Minister Johnson renewed felicitations to Prime Minister Sharif on his assumption of office, and underlined UK’s desire to further enhance the bilateral relationship with Pakistan. Prime Minister Sharif extended felicitations to UK on platinum jubilee celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation. During the week, the Uzbek, Qatari and Turkmen Ambassadors called on Minister of State Hina Rabbani Khar. The Minister of State also received a telephone call from Lord Tariq, UK MOS for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs. They discussed a range of bilateral & regional issues of interest. Ladies and Gentlemen, The 118th meeting of the Pakistan-India Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was held in New Delhi from 30-31 May 2022. A wide range of water-related issues between Pakistan and India were discussed which included the advance sharing of flood information, the program of tours/inspections and signing of the report of the Permanent Indus Commission for the year ending March 31, 2022. Pakistan also highlighted its objections on India’s hydroelectric projects on the Western rivers. Both sides reiterated their commitment to implement the Indus Waters Treaty in its true spirit and expressed the hope that the next meeting of the Commission would be held at an early date in Pakistan. Yesterday, Pakistan dispatched 2nd tranche of 15 tons of humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine, comprising medicines, blankets and ration, by two special C130 flights. MOS Khar handed over the items to the Ukrainian Ambassador at the airport. Ladies and Gentlemen 28 May 2022 marked the twenty-fourth anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear tests conducted in 1998 in response to testing of nuclear weapons by India. The tests not only demonstrated the resolve of the Pakistani nation to safeguard Pakistan’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, but also the desire to preserve strategic balance in South Asia. On 29 May, Pakistan joined the international community in celebrating the “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers”. As one of the top troop-contributing countries, Pakistan deeply values the vital role played by “blue helmets” in maintaining international peace and security in many conflict-ridden areas around the world. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a message also paid tribute to the contributions, professionalism and sacrifices of the Pakistani peacekeepers serving under the UN umbrella. Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a ‘Twitter Space’ to highlight Pakistan’s role and contribution to UN peacekeeping since 1960. In a public diplomacy exercise, the Ministry and the British High Commission jointly participated in a symbolic beacon lighting event to celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in a ceremony on June 2. Coming over to the Situation in IIOJK Pakistan strongly condemns extra-judicial killing of ten more Kashmiri youth in staged “cordon-and-search” operation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) during the past week. Indian Occupation Forces have stepped up extra-judicial killings of Kashmiris, particularly targeting Kashmiri youth, following the malafide conviction and sentencing of Hurriyat leader Mr. Yasin Malik in a grossly suspicious and contrived case. Pakistan reiterates its call on the international community to hold India accountable for its gross and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in IIOJK. Pakistan also urges the international community to play its role in facilitating a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, for durable peace and stability in South Asia. Let me also update you that the Foreign Minister has addressed a letter to UN Secretary General on the worsening situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, particularly highlighting the case of Mr Yasin Malik. I thank you and am ready take questions.
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