National Day of France celebrated in Islamabad

The French Embassy in Pakistan celebrated the National Day with a grand event that witnessed the participation of government officials diplomats from various countries members of the media and individuals from diverse segments of society Addressing the event, the Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Nicolas Galey acknowledged the positive trajectory of bilateral relations between France and Pakistan and expressed gratitude to various sectors within Pakistan including government departments businesses cultural institutions and the media for their active and positive contributions in strengthening these ties

The ambassador particularly highlighted the notable increase in the number of Pakistani students studying in France through university cooperation programs

Furthermore he said France s development agency has been actively engaged in major infrastructure projects in Pakistan, with a recent focus on the crucial agriculture sector, as prioritized by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ” The mutual cooperation and progress achieved in these areas exem- plify the ongoing positive engagement between France and Pakistan signifying a successful resolution to a challenging period, the envoy added He recalled that in the multilateral institutions process, France supported the efforts that have led to a favourable outcome for Pakistan by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) The multilateral institution s process received backing from France, which contributed to this positive outcome” he added He said “We’re also very happy for the negotiation between Pakistan and the IMF contributed positively

This opens obviously and encouraging prospects for the Pakistani economy and therefore, for increasing international investments in Pakistan, he added About the GSP plus free trade program he said “We naturally support the fruitful negotiation between the EU and Pakistan over concentration of this essential program for the Pakistani economy

The ambassador emphasized the importance of the relationship between Pakistan and the EU, in particular through the GSP plus free trade program of which Pakistan is the largest beneficiary in the world

Maulana Yusuf Shah, and Maulana Dr Ataur Rehman expressed their gratitude for the warm reception

They extended an invitation to Chinese leaders urging them to visit Pakistan and witness firsthand the rich cultural heritage and religious practices that form an integral part of the bilateral relationship

Moreover the delegation highlighted the pivotal role of religious diplomacy in strengthening Pak-China relations

They emphasized that understanding and appreciating each other s religious values could forge deeper connections and pave the way for mutual respect and cooperation

The dinner reception concluded on a positive note with both the Pakistani delegation and the Guilin City representative expressing their optimism for the future of bilateral relations This event not only showcased the warm hospitality of the local government but also symbolized the commitment of Pakistan and China to build a prosperous and harmonious relationship rooted in mutual understanding and respect

‘Driving Sustainable Impact: SEED Ventures' 'EcoSummit' Sparks Change with Innovative Platform 'What's the Alternative?’

TA F F R E P O R T

SEED Ventures inaugurated their sustainability platform What s the Alternative today EcoSummit –the inaugural event for 'What's the Alternative,' was delivered in collaboration with the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI) The summit aimed to engage industry leaders and understand the innovative and alternative practices organizations employ towards environmental sustainability

The event commenced with an inaugural speech delivered by Amir Paracha, President OICCI and Chairman and CEO of Unilever Pakistan Ltd “In Pakistan a significant 60% of the population indicates a willingness to pay a premium for sustainably produced products while 51% recognize the reality of climate change and express concern over its palpable repercussions These sentiments underscore a wealth of indigenous examples of organizations leveraging innovative practices to embrace sustainability

To elevate these efforts, it's crucial we amplify the discourse around such alternatives This will not only shine a light on the impressive work underway but also position Pakistan prominently on the global sustainability map

Three more human traffickers arrested as crackdown continues

LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested three more human traffickers during the ongoing countrywide crackdown linked with the migrant boat tragedy off the coast of Greece

According to details, FIA s Anti-Human Trafficking

Circle Gujarat arrested three human traffickers –identified as Arshadullah, Mubashir Nazir and Umar Hayat – from Mandi Bahauddin and Malakwal

In a statement the FIA spokesperson said the suspects were allegedly involved in sending Pakistanis to Europe illegally They have also received huge millions of Rupees to send the citizens to Europe the spokesman added The raiding teams also recovered several videos from the cellphones of arrested suspects, wherein migrants can be seen crossing the border on boat

The spokesperson said the suspects have uploaded the videos on multiple social media platforms in a bid to attract citizens for travelling to Europe illegally