ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday said that the target of increasing the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Turkey to 5 billion dollars annually in the next three years is very much achievable. On his Twitter handle, the prime minister referred to his recent visit to Turkey where he attended the swearing-in ceremony of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was re-elected for a third term. The Prime Minister said that in meetings with the heads of leading business groups in Turkey, he highlighted the need for investment and trade in the fields of agriculture, energy, information technology and construction. He added that exciting opportunities for cooperation have arisen, especially after the activation of the historic Agreement on Trade in Goods between Pakistan and Turkey on May 31 this year.
“Glad to see the understandable interest of the Turkish business community in advancing existing partnerships and establishing new ventures,” the prime minister added in his tweet. Earlier in Ankara, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with various world leaders and discussed bilateral relations and cooperation between Pakistan and their respective countries. The Prime Minister met former Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli and congratulated him on his victory in the elections, the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing said in a press release. On this occasion, he also met with the President of Kosovo, Vajusa Osmani Sudariu. The two leaders reiterated their desire to promote bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields.
The Prime Minister also spoke to Vice President of Iran Mohammad Mokhbar. The prime minister referred to the establishment of a market at the Balochistan Sistan border and his recent meeting with the Iranian president. Welcoming the initiation of barter trade between the two countries, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that it would benefit the people of both brotherly countries. In a meeting with Uzbek President Shaukat Mirziyoyev, the two leaders discussed regional cooperation, linkages and further strengthening of bilateral cooperation in various fields. Also, in a message on the occasion of World Environment Day, the Prime Minister said that the government has taken several steps to take Pakistan on the path of sustainable use of resources.
He emphasized the urgent need to deal with plastic pollution under the global theme “Beating Plastic Pollution”. He emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to tackle plastic pollution and embark on a journey towards plastic reduction. As one of the top 10 countries in the world for plastic pollution, with an estimated 70 percent of plastic waste disposed of improperly, Pakistan recognizes the need for urgent action. The government has prioritized adoption of eco-friendly alternatives and is actively working on the Plastics Prohibition Regulation 2023 for the Islamabad Capital Territory.
The regulation will establish a comprehensive framework and timeline for phasing out single-use plastics, while implementing a federal government-wide plan to reduce and ban the use of single-use plastics. An example will also be presented. In a demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to reduce plastic waste in Pakistan, the Prime Minister has directed the Prime Minister’s House to stop the use of single-use plastics, as per the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Communications. , will take the phase-out route. Ban on use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in federal ministries, divisions across the board. In doing so, the government aims to establish a sustainable and responsible approach to plastic use and waste management, ensuring the protection of the environment and the well-being of future generations. The Prime Minister acknowledged that Pakistan has actively participated in important international and national level discussions to develop a comprehensive, legally binding instrument to eliminate plastic pollution, with a target of 2024. has been done The Government of Pakistan recognizes the importance of ensuring inclusion and equality. Within the agreement, the agreement emphasized the need to prioritize so that no one is left behind. The Prime Minister urged all stakeholders including citizens, businesses, civil society organizations and the media to renew their commitment to combat plastic pollution and protect the planet’s biodiversity for future generations. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of empowering local communities, supporting recycling initiatives and promoting a circular economy that minimizes plastic waste.
