€65m EU grants signed

According to The Express Tribune, Pakistan and the European Union signed three grant agreements on Monday worth €65 million, or Rs20.64 billion. The deals will finance three programmes covering foreign investment, renewable energy in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the rule of law. The accords were signed by EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis and Economic Affairs Division Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim.

The first initiative, Global Gateway Development Facilitation for Pakistan, seeks to draw in greater overseas capital through tax reforms and sharper long-term financial planning by the Pakistani government. The second will extend renewable power to rural communities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa that are off the electricity grid, and offer training that aims to bring private investment into the province's energy sector. The third will widen citizens' access to the police, prosecutors, courts and free legal aid in K-P and Balochistan, while Punjab and Sindh receive support for alternative and commercial dispute settlement tools.

Karim welcomed the EU's continued backing and partnership, and said the timing of the assistance matched Pakistan's goals on investment, rural electricity access and legal standards. Karoblis said the agreements reflect the EU's commitment to economic development and investment under the Global Gateway initiative, and would help K-P build a more resilient energy sector.