ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan said Wednesday that Pakistan and Iran have direct stake in peace and stability in Afghanistan.

PM Imran Khan while talking to Iranian Chief of General Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri in Islamabad said that Pakistan wishes to see a peaceful and stable Afghanistan with sustainable economy and promoting connectivity.

The Prime Minister underscored that the international community must remain positively engaged, provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance, and take steps to prevent economic collapse. He also stressed the need for unfreezing of Afghanistan’s financial assets to help support the Afghan people at this critical juncture, especially before the onset of the winter. Imran Khan also underscored the importance of national reconciliation and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan, a press release issued by the PM Media Wing here said.

The prime minister welcomed the visiting dignitary and highlighted upward trajectory in bilateral engagement between Pakistan and Iran. He recalled the meeting with President Raisi in Dushanbe on the margins of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, which had imparted further impetus to bilateral cooperation.

The prime minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to enhance closer bilateral trade relations as well as enhanced economic and energy cooperation.  He described the Pakistan-Iran border as a border of ‘peace and friendship’, and underlined the importance of steps taken for enhanced security on both sides.

‘Eid Milad-un-Nabi will be celebrated across country in befitting manner’

The prime minister also noted agreement on the establishment of Border Sustenance Markets and stressed that the operationalization of these markets would facilitate livelihood in the region.

The opening of two additional border crossing-points in the last one year had further facilitated regulated movement on both sides, he added.

The prime minister appreciated Iran’s steadfast support on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, especially by the Supreme Leader, adding that Kashmiris looked forward to Iran’s strong voice in support of their just cause.

Imran Khan conveyed cordial greetings for President Raisi and renewed his invitation for him to visit Pakistan.

‘Development projects in GB’

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that the federal government was focused on accelerating the pace of work on various development projects in Gilgit Baltistan by taking effective measures to ensure the delegation of administrative and financial powers.

He directed the authorities concerned to clear all legal and procedural hiccups in that regard to facilitate the people of Gilgit Baltistan who had to travel long distances to reach Islamabad for getting their issues resolved.

The prime minister was chairing a meeting held here to review the progress of integrated development plan for Gilgit Baltistan.

He also directed to provide internet connectivity to the area at the earliest in order to provide better communication facilities to the local population.

Earlier, the prime minister was briefed that the implementation had started on historic five years development package for Gilgit Baltistan, announced by his government early this year.

Under the package, Rs 370 billion would be released to Gilgit Baltistan for various development projects till the fiscal year 2025-26.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Syed Amin-ul-Haque, Dr Muhammad Farogh Naseem, Special Assistant to PM Dr Shahbaz Gill and Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Khalid Khursheed along with senior officers concerned.

‘12th Rabi-ul-Awwal to be celebrated across country’

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said with the holding of ceremonies across the country, 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal would be celebrated in a befitting manner with great fervor and zeal.

The ceremony of 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, to be held in Islamabad, would be a historic event, Imran Khan said while presiding over a high-level meeting about the preparations for 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal ceremony.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed in detail about the preparations for 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal.

Federal Ministers Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Shafqat Mehmood, Special Assistants to PM Shehbaz Gill, Usman Dar, Senator Faisal Javed, Member National Assembly Amir Mehmood Kayani and relevant officers were present in the meeting, which was also attended by Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, Senator Saifullah Niazi and Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman via video-link.

‘PM asks Muslims to care for environment’

Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday said Muslims should have been the leading environmentalists caring for our future generations.

In a tweet on his social media account, he said, “Almost 1500 years ago our Prophet PBUH emphasised that our actions on this earth must consider their impact on our future generations. So farsighted. Hazrat Ali AS emphasised the same. We Muslims should have been the leading environmentalists caring for our future generations.”