ISLAMABAD – Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here on Monday and both the leaders agreed to maintain political harmony and consultation.
In the meeting, they also discussed matters related to politics, Sindh province, ongoing development projects in the province, and those of mutual interest, according to a press release issued by PM Office.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Advisor to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah.
Also, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched the Pakistan National Olive Value Chain Policy, aimed at turning the country’s olive potential into prosperity.
Addressing the launching ceremony, he said Pakistan imports edible oil worth four billion dollars annually. He said it will be a great achievement if the country can save four hundred million dollars in a single year by enhancing domestic edible oil production.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Pakistan can become self-sufficient in edible oil within a few years.
He also thanked the Italian Government for its cooperation in promoting olive cultivation and production in Pakistan. He said the country now needs to focus more on oil production, processing and value addition.
Shehbaz Sharif said the Government of Pakistan, at its own expense, can send 100 young agricultural graduates to Italy for acquiring knowledge in various aspects of olive cultivation, production, processing and marketing.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Ugo Ciarlatani said Italy and Pakistan enjoy a longstanding partnership spanning more than seven decades, with cooperation now covering agriculture, science, education, trade and security.
He said the National Olive Value Chain Policy reflects years of cooperation, including the 100-million-dollar Pakistan-Italy Debt Swap Programme, which helped establish olive orchards across the country.
The Ambassador said Pakistan now has more than seven million olive plants, while Italy’s Olive Culture Project has supported laboratories, nurseries, business groups and training for more than 700 stakeholders.
He said Italy is also supporting Pakistan’s technical and vocational education through a 20-million-euro capacity-building programme focusing on high-value agriculture, including olive cultivation and production.
He expressed hope that the new policy would transform Pakistan’s olive sector into a thriving agro-industry, benefiting farmers, women and youth, while further strengthening Italy-Pakistan relations.
Also, prominent Qatari business enterprise Rataj Group and Tamim Holdings has evinced keen interest in increasing its investment portfolio in Pakistan.
The interest was expressed during a meeting between a delegation of the group led by its Chairman Sheikh Nayef bin Eid Al Thani and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad today.
Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister said Pakistan and Qatar have long-standing, strong and brotherly relations.
He mentioned his recent visit to Qatar for condoling the death of Qatari Emir’s father.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is looking forward to the visit of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Istehkam e Pakistan Party called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and discussed the overall situation of the country and matters of mutual interest.
The delegation included Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Aun Chaudhry and members of National Assembly Munza Hassan and Gul Asghar Khan. Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif was also present in the meeting.
