Maryam, US diplomats discuss enhanced cooperation
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif met US Chargé d'Affaires Natalie A Baker and Consul General Kristin K Hawkins and discussed matters pertaining to further strengthening the long-standing Pak-US relations and enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The CM appreciated Natalie Baker's dynamic and positive role as Chargé d'Affaires in Pakistan. She also appreciated the constructive and positive role of the United States in the recent Pakistan-India strained relations.
The chief minister expressed solidarity with the people of California on being a sister state. She described her meeting with the US Congressional Pakistan Caucus as positive and constructive. She highlighted the active and positive role of the United States and deemed it highly important for attaining sustainable peace in the South Asian region. Pakistan-US relations are a valuable partnership based on shared values and strategic interests.
She highlighted, 'Pakistan is emerging as a strategic partner for the United States in various sectors including textile. Punjab is the largest and most economically vibrant province in the country and welcomes US investment and cooperation in multiple sectors. The Pakistani-American community played the role of a strong bridge in further strengthening cordial relations between the two countries.'
The CM outlined, 'We deem the United States as an important global ally on confronting formidable challenges such as climate change, food security and sustainable development. The Punjab government is keen to further expand its strategic partnership with the United States.'
She apprised that Punjab province holds the honour of establishing the first Women's Virtual Police Station.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
17 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Iran-Israel tensions threaten Pakistan's fragile recovery
The world is holding its breath as tensions between Iran and Israel reach a boiling point. What began as a shadow war – fought through covert attacks, cyber strikes, and regional proxies – now teeters on the edge of open warfare. For many, this may seem like another distant Middle Eastern flashpoint. But for Pakistan and other oil-importing, investment-hungry economies, the potential fallout from a full-scale Iran - Israel war could be immediate, destabilizing, and enduring. Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran war within two weeks, White House says The Strait of Hormuz Iran has long warned that if it is attacked directly, it would retaliate by closing or disrupting the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly a fifth of the world's oil and one-third of global LNG passes. If war breaks out and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps acts on this threat, the effect would be seismic. Oil prices could jump to $150–$180 per barrel, if not higher, within days. Energy markets would convulse, and strategic reserves would be tapped globally. For Pakistan, where nearly 30% of the import bill is fuel, this would mean an instant blowout of the current account deficit, a weakening rupee, and imported inflation feeding into everything from electricity tariffs to grocery prices. A rise in oil would also raise transport costs and production expenses for exporters – particularly in textiles and manufacturing – shrinking competitiveness just when the country is trying to climb out of economic stagnation. Iran says no nuclear talks under Israeli fire, Trump considers options US Involvement: The risk of a regional war Should Israel launch a significant military operation against Iran's nuclear infrastructure, U.S. involvement is almost guaranteed – if not militarily, then through security and diplomatic cover. Iran could retaliate through its extensive network of regional allies: Hezbollah in Lebanon, armed groups in Syria and Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. In response, Israel may strike across multiple fronts. The Gulf, already skittish, could be drawn into this widening circle of conflict. This would be a pan-regional war, not a bilateral spat – and global markets would respond accordingly. For Pakistani businesses and policymakers, this isn't just an oil story – it's about the collapse of confidence. Equity markets across the region would take a hit, FDI flows into emerging economies would pause, and the risk premium for countries like Pakistan – already contending with political instability and IMF obligations – would rise further. That means higher borrowing costs, capital flight, and declining investor appetite for anything deemed 'exposed to the region.' Trade corridors under threat Even beyond the Strait, Iran serves as a critical trade conduit to Central Asia and Turkey. With road and rail links passing through its territory, Pakistan has in recent years viewed Iran as a potential bridge to diversify trade routes. If Iran becomes a war zone or faces renewed and expanded US sanctions, these overland corridors could shut down indefinitely. The Pakistan-Iran-Turkey freight corridor, a pillar of Pakistan's regional trade ambitions, would collapse. And as regional tensions rise, other initiatives – such as Iran's role in China's Belt and Road – could also stall, indirectly affecting Pakistan's own CPEC trajectory. The perils of regime change Some voices in Western capitals quietly suggest that an Iran–Israel war could trigger regime change in Tehran. But regime change rarely brings instant democracy or economic liberalism. More often, it brings chaos, uncertainty, and power vacuums. In Iran's case, a collapsed regime could unleash internal civil strife, embolden separatist movements, and leave critical oil and gas infrastructure vulnerable. A successor regime – military, clerical, or revolutionary – might be more aggressive, not less. And either way, it would take years to stabilize one of the region's largest energy exporters, further compounding oil market disruption and regional instability. Implications for Pakistan Pakistan has always maintained a careful balancing act between Iran, the Gulf Arab states, and the West. A full-scale Iran–Israel war would make that balance nearly impossible to maintain. Pressures to align with either the OIC consensus or international sanctions regimes could limit Islamabad's diplomatic bandwidth and expose it to both economic and political costs. Moreover, if the conflict spreads to the Gulf, the implications for Pakistan's diaspora workers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and beyond – who send home billions in remittances – could be severe. Even minor disruptions to Gulf economies or airline connectivity would affect the lifeblood of Pakistan's foreign exchange. The Iran–Israel confrontation is no longer a question of if – but how far it spreads. For Pakistan and many in the Global South, the imperative now is economic preparedness: building energy buffers, accelerating regional trade alternatives, and strengthening diplomatic channels that could help de-escalate tensions. The current war has the power to reorder global energy, unsettle regional politics, and cast a long shadow over Pakistan's fragile economic recovery. The article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Business Recorder or its owners
Business Recorder
28 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Govt launches Rs180mn Skardu International Airport upgrade project
The government has formally launched the upgrade project of Skardu International Airport, marking a key milestone in strengthening air connectivity and unlocking the economic potential of Gilgit-Baltistan. The formal launch event took place at a local resort in Skardu, where the joint venture consultancy, comprising Swiss firm Intairplan and its Pakistani partners, presented their strategic roadmap for the airport's development. Australian HC team assesses Skardu Int'l Airport Senior officials from the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) attended the meeting, including the Director Planning & Development, the Additional Director Project Monitoring, Project Director Skardu International Airport, and the Airport Manager Skardu. Reforms in aviation sector reviewed: PM for further improvement in facilities at airports Representatives from the local administration, armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholder institutions were also present. According to officials, the design consultancy for the upgrade has been awarded at a cost of Rs180 million. Construction work is expected to begin within a year, following the completion of the detailed design and PC-1. Stakeholders expressed unanimous support for the project and commended the PAA's efforts in positioning Skardu as a hub for international tourism and trade. The project is expected to boost regional development by enhancing air connectivity and enabling broader economic integration. The Skardu International Airport Upgrade Project is being hailed as a transformative step toward promoting sustainable growth and global accessibility in the mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Express Tribune
37 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Field Marshal Munir engages US think tanks on Pakistan's role in global peace
Listen to article During his official visit to the United States for a five-day official visit aimed at reinforcing military and strategic ties between Pakistan and the United States, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, held a detailed and candid exchange with senior scholars, analysts, policy experts, and international media representatives in Washington DC, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Engaging with prominent US think tanks and strategic affairs institutions, the COAS presented Pakistan's principled position on key regional and global matters, deepening mutual understanding of the country's strategic perspective. Read: Trump claims credit for India-Pakistan ceasefire despite Modi's denial US President Donald Trump said it was an honour to meet COAS Munir during a luncheon held at the White House on his remarks, Field Marshal Munir reiterated Pakistan's steadfast commitment to regional peace and a rules-based international order. He referenced key military operations, including Maarka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, and addressed Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting the destabilising role of certain regional actors employing terrorism as a component of hybrid warfare. Read More: Trump calls meeting COAS Munir an honour at White House luncheon He emphasised Pakistan's frontline role in the global war on terror, citing the country's significant human and economic sacrifices for global security. The COAS also spotlighted Pakistan's untapped potential in information technology, agriculture, and mining, inviting global partners to invest in these sectors for mutual benefit. Also Read: Trump hosts Field Marshal Asim Munir in unprecedented White House meet He elaborated on Pakistan's balanced and lawful approach to regional and global conflicts, advocating for diplomacy and cooperative security frameworks. The long-standing Pakistan–U.S. relationship was also reviewed, with a focus on counter-terrorism, regional stability, and economic growth. Participants appreciated the transparency and strategic clarity in the COAS's views. The session was widely regarded as a meaningful contribution to strengthening the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue. Yesterday, During his two-hour meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir discussed a wide range of issues, focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies, according to a statement from the (ISPR). The two leaders also exchanged views on regional security matters, including counter-terrorism efforts, the recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India, and rising tensions in the Middle East.
