Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev would visit Pakistan in April to formalise agreements for investment projects worth $2 billion.

“This is going to be a mutually beneficial arrangement for both countries,” said the premier — who is on a two-day official visit to the Central Asian country — while addressing a business forum organised in collaboration with the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO).

Earlier in the day, the two countries signed multiple accords to boost bilateral cooperation in different fields including trade, energy, tourism, education and others, further solidifying the partnership between the two countries.

The prime minister and Azeri president witnessed the documents exchange ceremony, following their bilateral meeting and the delegation-level talks encompassing cooperation in multiple sectors.

Addressing the business forum, PM Shehbaz said that both countries have agreed on a “very clear-cut way forward”. “We are going to enhance our bilateral trade, which is just $40 million and hardly reflects the strength of our relationship, to $2 billion as soon as we can,” he vowed.

Citing an example, he said, the Azerbaijani president “very generously exempted” the import duty on basmati rice from Pakistan and “this is how we can move forward”.

Similarly, he asked the commerce minister and deputy prime minister, who were present on the occasion, to focus on those areas “where we can lower these tariffs so that our import and exports can really enhance”.

Giving details about the bilateral trade, the premier said liquified natural gas (LNG) was another trading commodity which could be added to the trading pool.

“JF-17 fighter jets is another high ticket item which Pakistan and Azerbaijan are very actively pursuing,” he said, expressing optimism that if they really put the act together “we can achieve $2 billion worth trade between two countries”.

“This is how the water of Arabian Sea is meeting with water of Caspian sea…this rigour and this enormous energy and synergy is going to really transform our great relations into unprecedented trade and investment portfolios and commitments,” he added. 

Appreciating the work achieved by both teams, PM Shehbaz expressed confidence that smaller issues would be addressed within one month.

Shehbaz further stressed close and enhanced cooperation between the two business communities to explore further avenues of trade and investment and cited agriculture, industry and IT sectors with immense potential for growth.

The prime minister also announced the constitution of a permanent bureau in Pakistan, comprising both sides to work in this regard with the assistance of AI and real-time information, assuring that an effective mechanism would be put in place. The teams should work out a robust mechanism, which alone could help them in a big way, he added.

The premier opined that the North-South Corridor would be an efficient, reliable and cost-effective transportation means of connectivity which would help achieve their targets.

The Gwadar Port would play a very pivotal role, he said and assured to work closely on this project.

There were enormous opportunities on both sides which should be fully explored, emphasised the premier.

President Ilham Aliyev, in his remarks, said that such an initiative was although a smaller one, but an important part of their brotherhood.

Earlier, the premier received a guard of honour by Azerbaijan’s armed forces at the Zagulba Presidential Palace, where the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed.

The premier, marking his second visit to the country since taking office in March 2024, has been accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation.

The delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Investment and Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi.

MoUs exchanged

The two countries signed an MoU between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and Pakistan State Oil Company Limited for collaboration in Machike-Thallian-Tarujabba White Oil Pipeline Project.

The documents were exchanged by the President of SOCAR Rovshan Najaf and Director General of FWO Abdul Sami.

Meanwhile, President of SOCAR Rovshan Najaf and MD PRL Zahid Mir exchanged the documents of an MoU between Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) and Pakistan State Oil Company Limited.

Both countries also signed an amendment agreement No 1 to Framework Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of LNG cargoes related to Master LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement. The SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf and CEO Pakistan LNG Limited Masood Nabi exchanged the pre-signed documents.

SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf and CEO PSO Syed Muhammad Taha exchanged documents of an MoU between PSO and SOCAR Trading SA and Acknowledgment for Term Sale and Purchase Agreement for Petroleum Products by and between PSO and SOCAR Trading.

Dar and his Azeri counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov exchanged the documents of an MoU between Nakhchivan, a city of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan and Lahore to promote cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism, urban development, education, economy, and science and technology.

The discussions also focused on expanding trade and investment, enhancing cooperation in the energy sector, synergising efforts to deal with climate change, deepening defence collaboration, and fostering cultural exchanges.

As part of his engagements, PM Shehbaz and the Azerbaijani leadership will also address the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Business Forum today.

The forum will bring together business leaders from both countries to explore avenues for joint ventures and trade and investment opportunities, emphasising business-to-business (B2B) collaboration.

Pakistan and Azerbaijan share a long-standing bond of brotherhood, underpinned by shared values and common aspirations. This visit underscores the commitment of both nations to deepening their bilateral ties, enhancing economic cooperation, and fostering regional collaboration.

Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) will start its two-day 4th Annual Book Fair, Cultural, and Spring Festival here from Tuesday

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 24th Feb, 2025) Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) will start its two-day 4th Annual Book Fair, Cultural, and Spring Festival here from Tuesday.

A university spokesperson said here on Monday that the inaugural ceremony would be arranged at 9 a.

m. and a number of colorful events would be included in the festival. The festival would help promote literature, cultural heritage and beauty of the spring season while the attendees will experience a variety of stalls, book exhibitions, cultural performances and other recreational activities.

باکو: وزیراعظم شہباز شریف نے کہا ہے کہ پاکستان اور آذر بائیجان کے درمیان دو ارب ڈالر کی سرمایہ کاری کے معاہدوں کو ایک ماہ میں حتمی شکل دینے پر اتفاق ہوا ہے، ہم مختلف شعبوں میں تعاون پر آذر بائیجان کے شکر گزار ہیں۔

آذر بائیجان کے شہر باکو میں بزنس فورم سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے وزیراعظم شہباز شریف نے کہا کہ دونوں ممالک کی قیادت کے درمیان تعمیری بات چیت ہوئی ہے، دونوں کے درمیان تجارت کو مزید فروغ دیا جائے گا ہمارے درمیان دو ارب ڈالر کی سرمایہ کاری کے معاہدوں کو ایک ماہ میں حتمی شکل دینے پر اتفاق ہوا ہے، دفاع پیداوار کے شعبوں میں تعاون کو فروغ دیں گے ہم مختلف شعبوں میں تعاون پر آذر بائیجان کے شکر گزار ہیں۔

یہ پڑھیں : پاکستان اور آذربائیجان کا تیل و گیس سمیت مختلف شعبوں میں تعاون بڑھانے پر اتفاق، کئی معاہدے

انہوں نے کہا کہ پاکستان میں غیر ملکی سرمایہ کاروں کو سہولت فراہم کررہے ہیں، دونوں ممالک کے درمیان معاشی سرگرمیوں سے معیشت میں استحکام آئے گا۔

قبل ازیں انہوں نے کاراباخ جنگ کے ہیروز کو خراج عقیدت پیش کرنے کے لیے باکو میں یادگار کا دورہ کیا اور پھول رکھے۔

Jessica Gunning has shared her advice on prioritising mental health while doing demanding projects after the 2025 SAG win for Baby Reindeer.

The 38-year-old actress spoke to the media in a virtual press room on Sunday, February 23, where she gave advice to actors on how to protect their mental health when playing complex characters.

Gunning said, “I think it’s about checking in and getting help from friends, family, and trusted professionals to make sure you’re taking care of yourself as you’re doing these kinds of projects.”

She added, “That’s obviously something we had to bear in mind when we were filming because Baby Reindeer is based on Richard Gadd’s story. He was playing himself but as a character version.”

She continued, “I think because Richard had done two stage versions of Baby Reindeer and also [the comedy show] Monkey See Monkey Do. It was almost like a little test run of the show. So he was in a really good place when we were filming.”

“He’d already done the play versions and knew the story so well. And like I said, we were playing characters, so it didn’t feel as emotionally raw, in a way, because I always saw him as a character…Make sure you’re just checking in with yourself as well, when doing intense projects like that,” the Pride star emphasised.

For the unversed, in Baby Reindeer, Gunning, who plays Martha, becomes obsessed with bartender Donny Dunn, played by Gadd. She follows Dunn in person and sends him texts and emails that make him feel unsafe.

Notably, the series covers serious topics like stalking, sexual assault, and drug addiction in different storylines.

It is pertinent to mention that Gunning secured the 2025 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance in Baby Reindeer.

The series, which was released last year, has also won six Emmy Awards this year.

رمضان المبارک کے دوران پنجاب بھر کے تعلیمی اداروں کے نئے اوقات مقرر کردیے گئے۔

رپورٹ کے مطابق محکمہ تعلیم پنجاب نے نوٹیفیکیشن جاری کردیا جس کے مطابق ڈبل شفٹ اسکولز میں پہلی شفٹ ساڑھے آٹھ بجے سے ساڑھے 12 بجے تک ہوگی۔

نوٹی فکیشن کے مطابق سیکنڈ شفٹ کے تمام اسکولز دن ایک بجے سے 4 بجے تک کھلیں گے، جب کہ  جمعے کو ڈھائی بجے سے 5 بجے تک اوقات کار ہوں گے۔

Prince William and Kate Middleton have received an exciting news from US after reports Meghan Markle has reached out to Princess of Wales for help.

According to a report by Radar Online, Meghan is making secret phone calls to the Princess of Wales begging for help.

“Meghan is hoping to leverage Kate’s generosity and good nature to get what she wants – an invitation back into the royal fold for her and Harry.”

The royal insiders have also claimed Meghan Markle’s life has fallen short of her expectations after she and Harry stepped down as senior royals.

Amid these claims, there are reports US President Donald Trump is set to invite the future king and queen to the US.

The insider told the Daily Mail, Trump will likely invite the Prince and Princess of Wales to the US this year.

The source said, “President Trump very much enjoyed meeting Prince William in France.

“He was wowed by William and thinks he’s a great guy. He will officially invite both the Prince and Princess of Wales to visit Washington but understands if the Princess of Wales’ health issues prevent her from coming.”

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM – 24th Feb, 2025) Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received a copy of the credentials of Lisa Mae Mastellari Vega, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the UAE.

He wished the new Ambassador of the Republic of Panama success in the performance of her duties and emphasised the UAE’s keenness to enhance the relations between the UAE and Panama in all fields.

The newly appointed Ambassador praised the leading and prestigious position that the UAE enjoys regionally and internationally under the visionary policy of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

کراچی:

قومی ٹیم کے سابق کپتان سرفراز احمد نے کہا ہے کہ پاکستانی عوام بھارت اور ان کے کرکٹرز کو پسند کرتے ہیں اور انھیں ہمسایہ ملک کا دورہ ضرور کرنا چاہیے۔

گزشتہ روز دبئی میں پاکستان اور بھارت کے درمیان میچ کے موقع پر میڈیا سے بات چیت کرتے ہوئے سرفراز احمد نے کہا کہ میں پاکستانی عوام کا مجموعی جائزہ بتاتا ہوں، وہ بھارتی کرکٹ ٹیم کو اپنے ملک میں کھیلتا دیکھنا چاہتے ہیں، پاکستانی عوام بھارت اور ان کے پلیئرز کو پسند اور ان کا احترام کرتی ہے۔

انہوں نے کہا کہ گزشتہ 7، 8 برسوں میں پاکستان میں انٹرنیشنل کرکٹ کی واپسی ہو چکی ہے، اسٹیو اسمتھ، کین ولیمسن اور دیگر کئی ورلڈ اسٹارز پاکستان میں کھیل چکے ہیں۔

مزید پڑھیں؛ ہاردک پانڈیا نے بابراعظم کو آؤٹ کرنے پر کیا انداز اپنایا؟ ویڈیو وائرل

چیمپیئنز ٹرافی 2017 کے فاتح کپتان کا کہنا تھا کہ ممبئی اور کراچی میں کوئی فرق نہیں ہے، یہاں کے لوگوں کا کلچر بھی یکساں ہے۔

واضح رہے کہ گزشتہ روز چیمپیئنز ٹرافی کے میچ میں بھارت نے پاکستان کو 6 وکٹوں سے شکست دی تھی۔

ایونٹ میں مسلسل دوسری فتح سے بھارتی ٹیم کے سیمی فائنل میں پہنچنے کے امکانات روشن ہوگئے ہیں۔

Meghan Markle has been advised to further delay the release of her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which is set to air on March 4 after being originally planned for January.

The Duchess of Sussex had to delay the release of her show due to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

However, PR expert Edward Coram James has advised the mother-of-two to wait longer before releasing the Netflix series.

Speaking with GB News, Coram James argued that postponing the series even further would be beneficial for Meghan as it would help avoid the perception of her being out of touch.

“One of the biggest challenges celebrities face when addressing crises is the perception that they’re out of touch,” the expert explained.

He added, “Meghan, of course, is no stranger to this, but is an LA native – this isn’t some distant tragedy for her.

“She has every reason to care deeply about the wildfires, not just as a public figure but as a Californian.

“If positioned correctly, her response won’t feel performative – it will feel personal. That’s a major advantage over celebrities parachuting in with generic statements.”

لاہور:

پاکستان ریلویز کو اپ گریڈ کا منصوبہ مکمل ہی نہ ہو سکا  جس کی وجہ سے آئے روز مسافر اور مال بردار ٹرینیں ڈی ریل ہونے لگی  ہیں۔
 

ریلوے ذرائع کے مطابق انتظامیہ مسافروں کو محفوظ سفری سہولت دینے میں ناکام ہو چکی ہے۔سکھر کے بعد اب لاہور ڈویژن میں بھی ٹرینوں کا پٹڑی سے اترنا معمول بن  گیا ہے، جو  ریلوے کے شعبہ مکینیکل اور سول کی کارکردگی پر سوالیہ نشان ہے ۔

لاہور ڈویژن میں ایک ماہ کے دوران 4 ٹرینیں پٹڑی سے اتر گئیں۔ ریلوے ڈویژنل مکینیکل اور سول انجینئر افسران سیٹوں کے مزے لوٹنے میں  مصروف ہیں جب کہ مسافر خود کو غیر محفوظ تصور کررہے ہیں۔

31جنوری کو شاہدرہ پل پر شالیمار ایکسپریس کو حادثہ پیش آیا، جس میں ٹرین کی 3 بوگیاں شاہدرہ پل سے ڈی ریل ہوئیں۔ اسی طرح 18فروری کو مغلپورہ کینال برج پر مال گاڑی کی ایک کوچ پٹڑی سے اتری۔

علاوہ ازیں 20فروری کو بھی کوٹ رادھا کشن میں مال گاڑی کو حادثہ پیش آیا اور 2 بوگیاں پٹڑی سے اتر گئیں۔ بعد ازاں 22فروری کو اوکاڑہ میں مال گاڑی کو افسوسناک حادثہ پیش آیا، جس میں 5سے زائد بوگیاں پٹڑی سے اتر گئیں اور مال گاڑی کا انجن ٹریک سے ملحقہ مین روڈ پر پہنچ گیا۔

ریلوے ذرائع کا کہنا ہے کہ انتظامی نااہلی اور باقاعدہ انسپکشن نہ ہونے کے باعث ٹرین حادثات میں اضافہ ہو رہا ہے۔

درج بالا چاروں حادثات میں کسی متعلقہ آفیسر کو سزا نہیں ہوسکی اور  ریلوے انتظامیہ نے حادثات کا سارا ملبہ ٹرین ڈرائیور ہی پر ڈال دیا۔ ذرائع کا کہنا ہے کہ لاہور ریلوے ٹریک خستہ حالی کا شکار ہے۔