• Commits to helping with recovery from 2022 floods, boosting climate resilience
• PM okays steps to check power theft, restructure Discos, curb smuggling
• Shehbaz takes issue with ‘red carpet treatment’

ISLAMABAD: US President Joe Biden wrote to felicitate Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Friday, assuring that Washington will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle “the most pressing global and regional challenges”.

In his first communication with the new administration, the US president noted that the “enduring partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of our people — and people around the world”.

Interestingly, Mr Biden had not had a similar communication with former prime minister Imran Khan when the US president assumed office.

In the letter, the US president recalled the realms in which Washington is helping Pakistan, such as health security, economic growth, and access to education for all.

“Through our US-Pakistan ‘Green Alliance’ framework, we will also continue to strengthen our climate resilience, support sustainable agriculture and water management, and assist with Pakistan’s recovery from the devastating floods in 2022,” the US president wrote.

The US, he wrote, remains committed to working with Pakistan to protect human rights and promote progress, adding: “Together, we will continue to forge a strong partnership between our nations, and close bond between our people”.

At a recent Congressional hearing, senior US diplomat Donald Lu had been asked whether Washington recognises the new government in Pakistan.

The question, posed by Rep Tim Burchett, was based on allegations of rigging and reports of irregularities in the recent Feb 8 elections. US lawmakers and the State Department have repeatedly called for a thorough probe into the claims, while Mr Lu suggested that the Election Commission may want to “re-do” some of the contests.

However, in his response at the time, Mr Lu clarified that the “US does not go around recognising new governments”, rather it just works with the regime in power at the time.

Earlier, in February, a cohort of US Democratic lawmakers had written to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging them to refrain from recognising the new government in Pakistan until allegations of election rigging were thoroughly investigated.

Smuggling and power theft

Chairing a meeting, PM Shehbaz said the government would not allow any political or bureaucratic inter­ference in its move to curb smuggling, corruption, power theft and tax evasion in the country.

According to APP, the agenda of the meeting was ‘Measures Against Spectrum of Illegal Activities and Criminal Mafias’. The participants were briefed on steps taken against the criminal mafias, smuggling, hoarding, money laundering, power theft and repatriation of illegal foreigners etc.

Terming illegal trade and smuggling ‘the biggest challenges’, the PM said both had badly dented the country’s economy.

To counter this, he said, all stakeholders including the provinces, institutions and armed forces would have to collaborate with the federal government to tackle one of the most important challenges of economic revival.

Appreciating the efforts of army chief Gen Asim Munir in curbing smuggling and power theft, PM Shehbaz said there had been a significant decrease in smuggling activities thanks to the commitment, will and cooperation of all provinces, and the personal commitment and interest of the army chief.

The meeting gave approval for agreements among federal and provincial governments on the Anti-Power Theft policy, restructuring of Power Distribution Companies on modern lines and installation of smart meters.

No more ‘red carpet’ treatment

In a late night development, APP reported that PM Shehbaz had expressed unhappiness with the use of ‘red carpets’ at official functions, and directed that such arrangements should not be made in the future.

Quoting a notification issued by the Cabinet Division in this regard, APP reported that red carpet protocol would only be allowed at diplomatic events and it would be forbidden to use them in any other ceremony.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2024