Japan, Pakistan agreed on debt deferral of JPY 40 billion

ISLAMABAD, APR 27: Japan and Pakistan agreed on debt deferral amounting to JPY 40 billion (approximately USD 370 million) for making fiscal space to fight against COVID-19 in Pakistan. This is in line with the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) agreed on April 15, 2020 and the MOU signed between Pakistan and the creditor countries on June 9, 2020.

Notes to this effect were signed and exchanged between MATSUDA Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and Mr. Noor Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, in Islamabad on April 27, 2021.

Concessional loans utilized for infrastructure development:

The concessional loans, which are subject to the debt deferral, have been utilized for infrastructure development such as roads, tunnels, power plants and grids, irrigation, water supply, drainage facilities in Pakistan from the early 1990s to the mid-2010s. These concessional loans have favorable conditions for Pakistan in terms of low interest rate, long grace and repayment period.

Ambassador MATSUDA said, “after the stability of Afghanistan is realized, I believe some of these projects must be a part of the connectivity between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia.” Under this agreement, repayments for the debt and interest due between May 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 will be rescheduled after June 15, 2022.

Japan’s support from both economic & medical perspectives:

Economic shock caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 has continued on a global scale. Japan provided Pakistan with direct support of USD 9.5 million and multilateral support of USD 7.41 million to contain COVID-19, as well as the quick delivery of diagnostic kits and non-governmental support, all of which were on a grant basis.

International solidarity on the medical and economical front is necessary to fight against infectious diseases with no borders. Ambassador MATSUDA added, “This agreement, which we signed today, represents Japan’s solidarity with Pakistan on the economic front.”

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Pakistan expresses condolences with Indonesia over loss of precious lives

ISLAMABAD/JAKARTA, APR 25: After publishing the sad news of Indonesian Submarine sank as hopes of rescuing 53 sailors on board faded on Saturday, the Pakistani authorities conveyed their sympathies and condolences with the Indonesian government and its people and especially with those families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident.

Indonesia Embassy in Pakistan also said, we are truly sorry for your loss. We would like to offer you and your families our deepest & most sincere condolences and may the soul of your great submariners rest in peace.

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Pakistan, Azerbaijan discuss further expanding political, economic and inter-parliamentary ties

ISLAMABAD, APR 22: Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Ali Alizadeh met with Chairman of the Senate of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Sadiq Sanjrani at Parliament House on Thursday.

From the Azerbaijani Embassy in Pakistan that the Pakistani Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ali Alizadeh, who noted that the friendly and brotherly country, the people and the leaders of the two countries and the cordial relations existing between the two leaders at the meetings at the highest level of relations between the two countries, said that the establishment of conditions.

Noting the important role of parliaments in strengthening friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, the ambassador thanked the chairman and members of the Senate for the principled position of the Pakistani Senate in the Great Patriotic War, the adoption of resolutions condemning Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan.

Chairman of the Senate of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Sadiq Sanjrani asked to convey his special greetings and invitation to Pakistan to the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

He noted that Azerbaijan is a brotherly country for Pakistan and Pakistan is interested in further expanding political, economic and inter-parliamentary ties with Azerbaijan.

Congratulating the Azerbaijani people and state on Azerbaijan's just victory in the Second Karabakh War, Sadiq Sanjrani expressed confidence that the Pakistani Senate will continue to support Azerbaijan, increase inter-parliamentary relations and mutual visits, and spare no effort to develop economic and trade relations between the two countries. He said.

 

The sides also exchanged views on increasing the number of joint projects and meetings between the friendship groups of the parliaments of the two countries, as well as strengthening cooperation in regional and international organizations.

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COURTESY apa.az

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Japanese ambassador condemns terrorist attack in Quetta; condoles the loss of precious lives

ISLAMABAD, APR 22: MATSUDA Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in the parking lot of Serena Hotel in Quetta, Balochistan on Wednesday and express his sorrow over the loss of precious lives.

Ambassador MATSUDA has expressed his deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the early recovery of those injured.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this gruesome incident. Japan condemns terrorism in all its forms”, said Ambassador MATSUDA in his condolence message.

The Ambassador further stated that the Government of Japan is committed to continuing to support the Government of Pakistan and its security forces to combat terrorism.

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PAK, AZERI FRIENDSHIP: Azerbaijan envoy meets Pakistan's Naval Chief

ISLAMABAD, APR 21: Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Ali Alizada called on Naval Chief Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi in Islamabad on Tuesday, APA reports citing Radio Pakistan.

The two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including bilateral defence cooperation and regional security.

The visiting dignitary lauded Pakistan and Pakistan Navy, in particular, for gathering countries around the world on a single platform through Peace Exercises.

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COURTESY apa.az

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