Pakistan achieved remarkable successes in different fronts including foreign relations, economy & sports during 2024

ISLAMABAD, Dec 31 (SABAH): The year 2024, was an active year for Pakistan’s diplomacy. President Asif Ali Zardari visited Turkmenistan to attend the International Forum on “Interrelation of Times and Civilizations – Basis of Peace and Development” held in Ashgabat on 10-11 October 2024.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan undertook visits to Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and the UAE. Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar also undertook important visits to Azerbaijan, Belgium, Egypt, Gambia, Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

These visits afforded an important opportunity to enhance bilateral relations, promote important political understandings and strengthen trade and investment ties.

There was a robust exchange of high-level engagements between Pakistan and the GCC countries. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif undertook four official visits to Saudi Arabia.

The European Union has lifted a four-year ban imposed on Pakistan International Airlines, leading to resumption of PIA flights to Europe.

Pakistan was chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Heads of Government Meeting held this year in October in Islamabad.

Pakistan was also elected as the member of International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors for a two-year term (2024-26) and the Chair of UN disarmament Commission for 2024. On economic front, Pakistan also achieved remarkable successes during 2024.

Pakistan’s financial team secured a seven billion dollars IMF bailout that stabilized the economy. Inflation dropped dramatically from 29.2 per cent in November 2023 to 4.9 per cent in 2024. The stock market surged, with the KSE-100 index gaining 78 per cent, making it the world’s second-best-performing market after Argentina.

In sports also, green shirts set new records during the year. Besides other triumphs, Arshad Nadeem clinches Pakistan’s first Olympic track and field medal after winning gold at the men’s javelin throw at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Let 2025 be the year dialogue triumphs over division, cooperation replaces conflict, and the promise of progress becomes a reality for all.