Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Monday that neither was there pressure on Pakistan for the release of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan nor could any country do so.  Speaking to reporters in Sheikhupura, he said that the former prime minister was facing court cases.  He further said that Pakistan stood by the Palestinian brothers in these testing times and it was high time that the rest of the world also condemned Israeli atrocities in Gaza.  

The minister added that soon a delegation would visit the USA to discuss the issue of tariffs.  He said it was true that neither the government purchased wheat from the farmers nor paid them support price. “The wheat price will come down in 10 to 15 days.” Tanveer said that the government had already reduced the interest rate from 22 per cent to 12 per cent and would reduce it further to eight or nine per cent in the next few days. 

He went on to say that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Belarus was successful. “Both Belarus and Pakistan have signed an agreement under which 150,000 skilled workers from Pakistan would be given jobs in Belarus,” the minister said, adding, “Prime Minister discussed with Belarusian officials collaboration in the sectors of industry, agriculture and transport.”

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)