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.

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.

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.”

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.”

GENEVA: The United Nations chief warned Monday that human rights were being “suffocated” globally, including by wars and violence as well as autocrats crushing opposition and trampling on international law.

“Human rights are the oxygen of humanity,” United Nations chief Antonio Guterres told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“But one by one, human rights are being suffocated,” he said, adding: “by autocrats, crushing opposition because they fear what a truly empowered people would do. By a patriarchy that keeps girls out of school and women at arm’s length from basic rights.”

Warmongers meanwhile “thumb their nose at international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter”, he said, while wars and violence were stripping people “of their right to food, water and education”.

Guterres also pointed to the impact of “a morally bankrupt global financial system”, and to “runaway technologies like artificial intelligence that hold great promise, but also the ability to violate human rights at the touch of a button”.

He highlighted “growing intolerance against entire groups — from Indigenous peoples, to migrants and refugees”, as well as “voices of division and anger who view human rights not as a boon to humanity, but as a barrier to the power, profit and control they seek”.

All combined, “this represents a direct threat to all of the hard-won mechanisms and systems established over the last 80 years to protect and advance human rights”, he warned.

Nick Jonas’s relationship with his wife, Priyanka Chopra, is still going strong after more than five years of marriage.

On Saturday, an insider told Life & Style that a key ingredient to their successful relationship is that the singer has “learned a ton” from his brother Joe Jonas’ failed marriage, ensuring he doesn’t make the same mistakes.

“Nick isn’t the oldest Jonas brother, but he is the undisputed leader and plan-setter of the band and the rampant perfectionism that he brings to every TJB project has crossed over to his marriage,” the source said.

The confidant further told the outlet that Nick become more protective of his relationship with the Bollywood diva.

“It’s not that he’s ridiculously demanding of Priyanka, it’s that he holds himself to an incredibly high standard as a husband and a partner,” shared the source.

“This is not a person you have to nag to take out the garbage or wash the dirty dishes,” continued the insider. “To be fair, he’s a bit more of a homebody than Priyanka is – she loves travelling for work and meeting new people, and Nick is somewhat less open to that kind of thing than she is.”

“But he’s also painfully aware of the pitfalls that come with being a former child star and he has honed his work ethic and personal discipline to an extreme degree, because he doesn’t want to become a cautionary tale and he absolutely doesn’t want his marriage to be a casualty of his still-growing fame,” added a tipster.

RAWALPINDI: New Zealand have won the toss and elected to field first in the Champions Trophy 2025 match against Bangladesh, being played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

This is the first match of the ongoing tournament which will be played at the Pindi stadium.

It may be noted that after the humiliating defeat against India in yesterday’s high-stakes clash in Dubai, it is crucial for Pakistan that Bangladesh win today’s match to stay in the league.

The Men in Green were beaten by the arch-rivals by six wickets in a Group A match of the Champions Trophy 2025.

The result of today’s match is one of the conditions that affect the host nation’s campaign in the tournament.

To ensure smooth proceedings, Rawalpindi Police have deployed over 5,000 officers for security duties, while more than 350 traffic officers are managing traffic flow.

The Rawalpindi central police officer said that a special control room had been set up to monitor the arrangements, with Safe City cameras and other CCTV systems keeping an eye on the stadium and the garrison city.

He said that snipers had been strategically positioned on rooftops along the route and around the stadium, while Police, Dolphin Force, and Elite Force units were actively patrolling.

Spectators will only be allowed entry after passing through walk-through gates and full-body searches, he added.

The police official further stated that in accordance with security protocols, parking outside designated areas was strictly prohibited.

Meanwhile, senior officials are conducting regular security briefings and inspections to ensure foolproof arrangements, coordinated with the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and other security agencies.

Fans attending the match should note that power banks, hands-free devices, AirPods, food items, and any prohibited objects will not be allowed inside the stadium.

The largest-scale structure in the known universe, which is a group of galaxy clusters and clusters of galaxy clusters that spans across roughly 1.3 billion light-years and contains a mind-boggling 200 quadrillion solar masses, may have been discovered by astronomers.

The newly found structure is dubbed Quipu after an Incan system of counting and storing numbers using knots on cards, reported Space.com.

Made up of one long filament and multiple side filaments like a Quipu cord, the structure is complex.

Potentially making it the largest object in the universe in terms of length, it spans roughly 1.3 billion light-years (more than 13,000 times the length of the Milky Way), beating out previous record-holders such as the Laniākea supercluster.

On January 31, the discovery was shared in a new paper posted on the preprint website ArXiv.

“Quipu is actually a prominent structure readily noticeable by eye in a sky map of clusters in the target redshift range, without the help of a detection method,” the team wrote in the paper.

Additionally, the research is part of a long-running effort to map the matter distribution of the universe at different wavelengths of light.

Quipu was the largest superstructure that the researchers discovered in their datasets, but they also found four more giant structures.

• Payables to power producers stand at Rs1.608tr.
• Total circular debt hovers around Rs2.381tr.
• Losses due to issues with Discos recorded at Rs170bn.

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ISLAMABAD: In their bid to address the country’s Rs2.381 trillion circular debt, government functionaries are in talks with banks to finalise the term sheet for borrowing Rs1,240 billion, The News reported on Monday.

Top officials privy to the development have said tha the discount rate has tumbled to 12% from 22 %.

“In the time to come, the discount rate may further go down. The authorities want to take advantage of the situation and borrow the amount of Rs1.242 trillion,” said an official, adding that the relevant authorities are engaged with banks and want to finalise the term sheet prior to the arrival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission.

The development comes against the backdrop of two IMF missions set to visit Pakistan in the coming weeks.

The first mission will focus on discussions regarding climate finance, while the second will carry out the first review of the country’s progress under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Expanding on the government’s talks with the banks, the official revealed that State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor and finance minister part of the talks.

He noted that the the government functionaries want to borrow Rs1,240 billion on the interest rate of 6-7% for seven years. However, the banks want to lend loans at a KIBOR+1 rate.

“Once the term sheet is finalised, the government will borrow loans from banks for seven years which will be paid back by electricity consumers through current debt servicing surcharge of Rs3.23 per unit in the tariff,” the official said.

The official said out of Rs2.4 trillion, almost Rs720 billion has already been settled by paying the past dues of six independent power producers (IPPs) whose contracts got terminated and 15 IPPs whose power purchase agreements are switched on the “take and pay” model.

The authorities have settled with IPPs the amount of Rs450 billion (Rs300 billion is paid and Rs150 billion in the head of LPS is waived off). And Rs286 billion dues of Wapda have also been settled with no interest payments.

“If the circular debt is resolved, it will ease out the power sector which is being opened to the private power market and distribution companies (Discos) are being privatised,” the official said.

According to the latest data about circular debt in the power sector till November 2024, the country’s circular debt has slightly tumbled from Rs12 billion to Rs2,381 billion during the July-November period of FY25 and from Rs2,393 billion in June 2024.

However, losses in the wake of Discos’ inefficiency and under-recovery stood at Rs170 billion (Rs94 billion on account of inefficiency and Rs76 billion because of under-recovery).

The payables to power producers stood at Rs1.608 trillion with loan amounts parked in the Power Holding Private Company (PHPL) stood at Rs683 billion.

However, the generation companies (Gencos) payable to fuel suppliers stood at Rs90 billion in the first five months of the fiscal year.

Data shows the budgeted but unreleased subsidies stood at Rs5 billion, while the interest charges on loans of PHPL and payments to IPPs stayed at Rs70 billion.

In the data of November 2024 uploaded on the Power Division’s website, it has also been highlighted pending generation cost under the head of QTA (Quarterly Tariff Adjustments) and FCA (Fuel Charges Adjustments) stood at Rs31 billion. Data also shows the amount of Rs11 billion was payable by K-Electric to CPPA.

• Body recovered after breaking the room’s door.
• Shifted to shifted to hospital for postmortem.
• Waqas Ahmed served as IO in the Ogra case.
  

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ISLAMABAD: The body of a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officer has been recovered from a guest house after he passed away under mysterious circumstances, The News reported on Monday.

Police have said that the deceased — found in a guest house in the city’s Sector G-6/4 within Aabpara Police Station’s jurisdiction — has been identified as Grade-19 officer Waqas Ahmed.

The body, recovered after breaking the room’s door, has been taken into custody and shifted to the hospital for postmortem.

The exact cause of death will be revealed in the postmortem report. The family of the deceased has not yet submitted any written request to the police for further action.

Sources revealed that Ahmed hailed from Lahore and had previously served as the investigating officer in the Ogra case.

After his sudden and mysterious death, investigations are being carried out from different angles to determine the actual reasons for his death.