PM commends FM, COAS for successfully fulfilling FATF conditions

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday telephoned all the persons relevant to the success of Pakistan in meeting the conditions set by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and congratulated them on the important success of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister held a telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and appreciated his efforts made during the process of FATF for removal of Pakistan from the grey list.

The PM also telephoned Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and congratulated him on the important achievement.

He lauded decision of the army chief to establish core cell in the General Headquarters.

Shehbaz felicitated all the civil and military leadership and their team which were part of the core cell.

Talking to the army chief, the Prime Minister said the nation was proud of every person who worked for the success of Pakistan.

He also commended over the phone Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and their teams for achieving the important milestone. Adding to this, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday felicitated the nation and welcomed the announcement of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that Pakistan had met all its conditions for exclusion from the grey list.

In a statement, he said, “Praise be to Allah, return of Pakistan to the white list is a big success of Pakistan.”
He congratulated the government institutions, personalities and relevant team and said their joint efforts brought fruit.

He appreciated the performance of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and team of the Foreign Ministry.

The PM said the efforts of the basic cell related to FATF and of military and civil leadership included in it, were praise worthy and credit went to them for their work in this national endeavor.

“I pay tribute to the whole team working for the success of Pakistan,” he said adding the statement of FATF was recognition of the restoration of the international reputation of Pakistan.

“More such good news will be destiny of Pakistan in future,” he said adding the return of Pakistan to the white list would help in improving the economic and financial situation of Pakistan.

“We are working with the same determination for the economic revival of Pakistan,” he concluded. Meanwhile, to another commitment, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed for the launch of a national initiative of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training throughout the country.

In this connection, the prime minister has issued direction to PM’s Strategic Reforms to immediately launch the initiative, head of PM’s Strategic Reforms Salman Sufi said in a press statement on Sunday.

He further informed that a comprehensive strategy would be announced next week.

He said that CPR had saved countless lives around the world at places where immediate medical assistance was limited.

The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique helpful in different emergencies, such as in case of a heart attack or near drowning, leading to chocking of someone’s breathing or heartbeat.

Sufi said the CPR training to save lives would be made a part of the educational curriculum, whereas, each citizen would be imparted training under the drive.

Prime Minister Sharif had ensured meritocracy in the health sector, provision of quality education of international standards and construction of health facilities in Punjab province, he added.

After assuming the office of prime minister, Sufi said, Shehbaz Sharif was launching health reforms programme at the national level and the CPR training campaign to save lives was the first phase of this reforms agenda.