Embassy of Pakistan
France
***
PRESS RELEASE
Webinar on Roshan Digital Account for Pakistani community France
Paris; June 8, 2021
The Embassy of Pakistan France arranged a webinar on Roshan Digital Account in collaboration with Meezan Bank to provide information regarding Roshan Digital Account (RDA) to members of the Pakistani community living in France. Senior officials of State Bank of Pakistan, Central Depositary Company of Pakistan and Meezan Bank explained the modalities related to the RDA and responded to queries.
Participants were assured that investment done in RDA is not only safe but also sharia compliant. Upon completion of formalities the account is opened in just 48 hours and banks are carrying out their monitoring of the accounts on 24/7 basis. Funds can be deposited from overseas and withdrawn from Pakistan and any time can be repatriated out of Pakistan.
Charge d’Affaires a.i. Mr. Amjad Aziz Qazi thanked the management of Meezan Bank for arranging this webinar which provided valuable information to the Pakistanis living in France.
While expressing his views he said that government had won the hearts of overseas Pakistanis by taking the RDA initiative and mentioned that members of the Pakistani community in France had been looking for means to securely invest their hard-earned money in Pakistan, which was possible through RDA.
———
Embassy of Pakistan
(France)
***
PRESS RELEASE
Community meeting at Pakistan Embassy France
Paris; June 4, 2021
A meeting of the Pakistani community was held at the Pakistan Embassy here today. Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Mr. M. Amjad Aziz Qazi said that as per the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Embassy is making all-out effort in serving the Pakistani community in France. Members of the Pakistani community play an important role, not only in sending valuable remittances back home, but also in creating a positive image of the country in their host countries, he added.
Mr. Qazi said that on the instructions of Prime Minister’s Office four Khuli Katcheris have been held in which complaints of the community were listened to and steps taken for their prompt redressal. He said last Friday of each month has been fixed for these meetings so that community members can plan their engagements accordingly in advance.
He emphasized that the Embassy is doing its best to facilitate the community and provision of services to the community was kept operational even during lockdown period. He informed that WhatsApp groups have been made for Pakistani students and professionals so that their issues can be resolved without delay.
He mentioned that throughout the Covid-19 pandemic support was provided to destitute community members, especially for the transportation of dead bodies to Pakistan. To facilitate the members of Pakistani community an online appointment system has been launched so that people do not have to wait for their turn. However, all those who come to the embassy without prior appointment are also entertained, he added.
Charge d’Affaires told the community members that the Roshan Digital Account initiative of the government of Pakistan has been a resounding success as more than 150,000 Pakistanis from over 170 countries have so far invested 1.25 billion dollars in it. He encouraged the community members to make best use of the opportunities provided by it.
He informed the community members that on the longstanding demand of Pakistani community, a NADRA desk will soon be operational at Pakistan Embassy Paris, which would create efficiency in provision of consular services.
Members of the community appreciated the services being provided by the Embassy in a timely manner and gave their suggestions. They also requested the Embassy to play a role in resumption of PIA flights to France. Charge d’Affaires assured them of embassy’s full cooperation in further facilitating the community.
———–
Embassy of Pakistan
(France)
***
PRESS RELEASE
Pakistan Day celebrated in France
Paris; March 23, 2021
Pakistan’s flag was hoisted at a ceremony held at Pakistan Embassy in Paris this morning to celebrate Pakistan Day. Participation at the event was restricted due to recent lockdown imposed by the French government in view of the ongoing third wave of Covid-19.
Messages of President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion.
In his remarks Charge d’Affaires. Mr. M. Amjad Aziz Qazi said this day changed the course of history as Muslims of the Indian subcontinent adopted a resolution demanding a separate homeland for themselves under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the annual session of All-India Muslim League on 23 March 1940.
He said on this day we pay homage to the Quaid and other leaders of Pakistan movement who made Pakistan a reality in just seven years after passing of the resolution. He also said that path showed by Quaid continues now under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan to make Pakistan an Islamic democratic welfare state on the model of Riasat-e-Madina.
He also said this day Pakistan reaffirms its support to the brothers and sisters of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir who continue to face Indian military siege. He emphasized that Pakistan will continue to provide political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashimiri people until they get their right of self determination as per UNSC resolutions.
Mr. Qazi told Pakistani community in France that in the evening today a virtual open house will be held in which Charge d’Affaires will interact with members and children of the Pakistani community via video link.
The Embassy of Pakistan also arranged a virtual exhibition of the photos of natural beauty and culture of Pakistan at the Embassy’s website.
——
Embassy of Pakistan
(France)
***
Press Release
Kashmir Black Day observed in France
Paris; October 27, 2020: A special event was organized at the Embassy here today to observe the Kashmir Black Day. Members of French civil society and media as well as Pakistani community in Paris attended the event.
Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Mr. M. Amjad Aziz Qazi highlighted the significance of this day noting that 73 years ago Indian security forces landed in Srinagar to illegally occupy the territory and subjugate the people of Jammu and Kashmir in clear violation of international law and humanitarian norms. International media and human rights organizations continue to document the gross human rights violations committed by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Qazi especially highlighted the illegal actions of Indian government taken on August 5, 2019, under which the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked. He also said that illegal and unilateral Indian actions are in violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
He also stressed that Pakistan will continue to support the Kashmiris in their just struggle and legitimate right to self-determination, in accordance with international law, UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
At the same time, a Photographic Exhibition was also held, in which photographs showing the plight of Kashmiris who are under Indian military siege were put on display. Photographs of a French journalist, Ms. Benedicte Van der Maar were also exhibited. Her photographs were taken last year during a visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The photographs depicted the destruction and injuries suffered by civilians because of Indian shelling and ceasefire violations across the Line of Control.
————————
Embassy of Pakistan
(France)
***
Press Release
Pakistan welcomes French investment, technology & expertise in agriculture sector: Syed Fakhar Imam
Paris; October 9, 2020: Pakistan has huge potential in the field of agriculture and agri-products and the country welcomes French investment, technology and expertise, in a mutually beneficial way. This was stated by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Syed Fakhar Imam in a webinar on the agriculture sector of Pakistan in which 25 French companies participated. The webinar was organized by the largest business federation of France, MEDEF in cooperation with the Embassy of Pakistan, Paris.
He said agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy as it not only provides food security to the people but also employment opportunities to a large percentage of population. In addition to modernizing agriculture we also want to develop related sectors like fisheries, livestock, processing of fruits, meat production and dairy as well as organic farming, he added.
In his introductory remarks, Mr. Thierry Pfilmlin President Total Global Services, who is also President Pakistan-France Business Council, introduced MEDEF, as the largest employer federation in France which was established in 1998. It has more than 750,000 member firms, 90% of them being small and medium enterprises with fewer than 50 employees. Every year, MEDEF International organises a number of delegations of French business leaders with tangible projects to targeted countries, especially developing countries.
Mr. Muhammad Amjad Aziz Qazi, Charge d’Affaires a.i. Embassy of Pakistan Paris, praised the long-standing cooperation with MEDEF, adding there is huge potential in the agriculture sector to enhance mutual cooperation between the two countries. Agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan’s economy and an important sector in French economy, he said, and Pakistan can benefit from French best practices in this sector.
Representative of French Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Mr. Sylvian Maestracci said that France is the world’s seventh largest agricultural producer, fourth largest agricultural exporter and EU’s leading agricultural power, accounting for about one-third of all agricultural land within the EU. More than half of French farms are primarily devoted to animal production, which account for 43% of France’s total agricultural produce equaling 25.7 billion Euros.
The participating French companies expressed keen interest in Pakistan‘s agricultural sector and sought information on various sub-sectors including dairy, animal husbandry, seed production, organic farming and forestation in which they could cooperate with Pakistan.
—————-