ISLAMABAD: The government has reaffirmed its commitment to boost Pakistan’s agricultural exports, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announcing a major initiative to upskill the country’s agricultural workforce.
Speaking at the Second World Food and Agriculture Expo in Karachi, the prime minister unveiled plans to send 1,000 agriculture graduates to China for further training. The initiative, fully funded by the government, is part of a broader effort to modernize Pakistan’s agricultural sector and increase export potential.
Prime Minister Sharif stressed that while exports of rice and other agricultural commodities increased by $3 billion last year, this growth was not enough. He emphasized the need for value addition and implementation of concrete measures to further strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural export capabilities.
“Pakistan, by the grace of God, has a huge potential which unfortunately has not been fully utilized due to various reasons,” the prime minister said. He stressed the importance of fully utilizing these resources to promote economic growth and support the national agricultural sector.
As part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve agricultural infrastructure, the prime minister also announced the conversion of 18,000 tubewells to solar power in Balochistan. The aim of this initiative is to promote sustainable agriculture in the region, reduce operating costs and promote environmentally friendly practices.
The prime minister is trying to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh after Yunus took over
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that he sought to “deepen cooperation” between Pakistan and Bangladesh as he sent his best wishes to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who was sworn in as chief adviser to the interim government on Thursday.
Yunus’ appointment to head the South Asian country’s interim government came after violent protests by the student movement forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country earlier this week.
Sharif, 72, came to X to congratulate Yunus, 84, and wrote: “Heartiest congratulations to Professor Muhammad Yunus on his swearing in as Chief Advisor to the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
“I wish him great success in leading Bangladesh to a harmonious and prosperous future. I look forward to working with him to deepen Pakistan-Bangladesh cooperation in the coming days.”
Yunus, who was previously in Paris for medical treatment, returned to his hometown on Thursday after Bangladeshi protesters backed him for a role in the government tasked with holding elections for a new leader.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs website, Pakistan and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations in December 1975.
Bangladesh remains Pakistan’s largest trading partner in South Asia as the volume of bilateral trade exchanges is around $800-900 million annually.
Pakistan hosts a large number of people of Bengali origin. Thanks to a shared history and a common faith, interpersonal relations are of brotherhood and goodwill.
