Iranian president arrives in Pakistan for three-day visit to bolster ties

Update Iranian president arrives in Pakistan for three-day visit to bolster ties
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greets Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on his three-day official visit in Islamabad, Pakistan April 22, 2024. (PM Office)
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Updated 22 April 2024
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Iranian president arrives in Pakistan for three-day visit to bolster ties

Iranian president arrives in Pakistan for three-day visit to bolster ties
  • Ebrahim Raisi arrives in Islamabad with high-level delegation and “large” team of businesspersons, says foreign office
  • Raisi’s visit to Pakistan takes place amid surging Middle East tensions following Israel’s airstrikes against Iran last week

ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Islamabad on Monday for a three-day visit to the country, Pakistan’s foreign office said, with his trip aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries amid surging tensions in the Middle East.

The Iranian president arrived in the federal capital with his spouse, a high-level delegation of cabinet members and a team of businesspersons. He was welcomed at the Islamabad Airport by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu.

Raisi’s visit takes place days after Iran and Israel exchanged drone and missile strikes, escalating tensions in the already volatile Middle East.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi at the Prime Minister’s House,” Sharif’s office said in a statement. “Both representatives exchanged good wishes for one another.”




Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (center) arrives in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 22, 2024. (Government of Pakistan)

Raisi was presented with a guard of honor by a Pakistan Army contingent upon his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House. Sharif and the Iranian president then planted a sapling at the Prime Minister’s House to mark the annual Earth Day. 

The Iranian president also met Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, during which the two agreed to enhance cooperation in various areas. “They also discussed regional and global developments and affirmed commitment to peace and constructive dialogue for resolving regional challenges,” the foreign office said. 




This handout photograph taken and released by the Pakistan Foreign Office on April 22, 2024, shows Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi (R) speaking with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (L) during their meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Pakistan's Foreign Office)

During his visit from April 22-24, the Iranian head of state is scheduled to meet Pakistan’s prime minister, president, Senate chairman and National Assembly speaker, the foreign office said in a statement on Friday, adding that he would also visit Karachi and Lahore cities to meet the country’s provincial leadership.

Raisi’s visit will be the first by any head of state to Pakistan after the contentious elections of February 2024.

Pakistan and Iran are often at odds with each other over instability on their shared porous border, with both countries routinely trading blame for not rooting out militancy.

Tensions surged in January when Pakistan and Iran exchanged airstrikes, both claiming to target alleged militant hideouts in each other’s countries. Both sides have since then undertaken peace overtures and restored bilateral ties.

“The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts,” the foreign office said.

Discussions would also focus on regional and global developments as well as bilateral cooperation to combat “terrorism,” the statement added.

“Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong bilateral ties anchored in history, culture and religion,” the foreign office said. “This visit provides an important opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations.”


Peshawar reports second case of mpox virus in Pakistan this year

Peshawar reports second case of mpox virus in Pakistan this year
Updated 20 sec ago
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Peshawar reports second case of mpox virus in Pakistan this year

Peshawar reports second case of mpox virus in Pakistan this year
  • Authorities detected the virus in a five-month-old girl, who arrived at the Peshawar airport along with her parents from Qatar
  • Since reporting its first case in August, Pakistan has implemented screening protocols at all airports and border entry points

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar has reported a second case of mpox virus in the South Asian country this year, health authorities confirmed on Thursday.

People who contract mpox get flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications from the infection.

Health officials detected the virus in a five-month-old girl at the Peshawar airport, according to Attaullah Khan, who speaks for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s adviser on health Ihtesham Ali.

“The girl landed along with her parents at the Peshawar airport from Qatar,” Khan said in a statement. “Health department has started testing the parents for the virus after the infant girl tested positive.”

Authorities last week detected the virus in a 35-year-old man during screening at the Peshawar airport, Pakistani state media reported. The patient was shifted to an isolation ward at Police Services Hospital.

Pakistan reported at least eight mpox cases in 2024 and has enforced screening protocols at all airports and border entry points, since the first case emerged in August last year.

On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency over the spread of a new mutated strain of mpox named clade I, which first emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spread to several countries, leading to increased monitoring and preventive measures worldwide.

Pakistan has so far not reported any cases of the new mutation.


Army major among two soldiers, six militants killed in Pakistan’s troubled northwest

Army major among two soldiers, six militants killed in Pakistan’s troubled northwest
Updated 16 min 7 sec ago
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Army major among two soldiers, six militants killed in Pakistan’s troubled northwest

Army major among two soldiers, six militants killed in Pakistan’s troubled northwest
  • The deaths occurred during an intelligence-based operation in the North Waziristan district, which borders Afghanistan
  • Islamabad blames a surge in militancy on militants operating out of neighboring Afghanistan, Kabul denies the allegation

ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani soldiers, including an army major, and six militants were killed in operation in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Thursday, amid a surge in militancy in the restive region.

Pakistan has witnessed the surge in militancy in KP, which borders Afghanistan, since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the state broke down in November 2022.

The soldiers and the militants were killed in an exchange of fire during an intelligence-based operation in the North Waziristan district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.

“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji [militant] found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.

The development comes days after Pakistan security forces killed 30 militants in separate engagements in KP’s Lakki Marwat, Karak and Khyber districts.

The TTP and other militant groups have stepped up their attacks against security forces, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials, in recent months.

Islamabad has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering anti-Pakistan groups which launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny allowing the use of their soil against any country.


Pakistan envoy identifies textiles, agriculture as key sectors to focus in exports to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan envoy identifies textiles, agriculture as key sectors to focus in exports to Saudi Arabia
Updated 47 min 31 sec ago
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Pakistan envoy identifies textiles, agriculture as key sectors to focus in exports to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan envoy identifies textiles, agriculture as key sectors to focus in exports to Saudi Arabia
  • Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close regional partners, and the Kingdom remains the largest source of remittances to the South Asian country
  • Ambassador Ahmad Farooq stresses need to improve vocational training of Pakistani workers to meet standards required for mega Saudi projects

KARACHI: Pakistan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq on Wednesday identified textiles, agriculture and red meat as key sectors for Pakistani businesses to focus on in order to increase the country’s exports to the Kingdom.

Farooq identified the key sectors during his visit to the Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday, where he met with leading Pakistani businesspersons and industrialists, according to the KCCI.

The ambassador highlighted that Pakistan’s exports to the Kingdom had registered a 40 percent increase during 2023-24, with the information technology (IT) sector witnessing an impressive 50 percent growth.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year signed 34 agreements worth nearly $3 billion, of which, memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth $700 million have already entered the implementation stage, according to Farooq.

“We want large businesses to connect with local distributors in Saudi Arabia to facilitate exports,” he was quoted as saying by the KCCI. “A list of key exporters in these sectors should be shared with the [Pakistani] embassy so we can work together to strengthen trade relations.”

Farooq said Pakistani textile, agriculture and meat (beef and mutton) products had already seen a “remarkable growth” in the Saudi market, adding that the Kingdom offers vast opportunities for Pakistani businesses.

“The purpose of my visit is to discuss business opportunities with the Karachi business community and update them on how Pakistan’s embassy can support them in accessing the Saudi market,” he added.

Speaking about the rising demand for skilled manpower, the Pakistani envoy said more than 3 million Pakistanis were currently living in the Kingdom, however, 97 percent of them were “blue-collar workers.”

Saudi Arabia is currently developing its public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation and tourism as part of a strategic framework, Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy beyond oil. The

Kingdom’s ambitious plan coincides with Pakistan’s efforts to boost trade and foreign investment to revive its fragile economy.

“Saudi authorities have advised us to improve vocational training for Pakistani workers to meet the standards required for upcoming projects,” Ambassador Farooq said, stressing the need to enhance training programs to equip these workers with modern technical skills.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close regional partners, and the Kingdom remains the largest source of remittances to the South Asian country, contributing $7.5 billion in the last fiscal year (July 2023-June 2024), according to KCCI President Jawed Bilwani.

Saudi Arabia has also regularly provided Pakistan oil on deferred payments and offered direct financial support to help shore up Pakistan’s forex reserves.

KCCI Senior Vice President Zia-ul-Arfeen stressed the need to enhance joint ventures between the two countries, urging Islamabad to further improve the ease of doing business for foreign investors.

“Saudi investors should consider Pakistan for investments, particularly in the food sector,” he added.


Pakistan’s Noman Ali enters ICC Test rankings of top five bowlers

Pakistan’s Noman Ali enters ICC Test rankings of top five bowlers
Updated 30 January 2025
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Pakistan’s Noman Ali enters ICC Test rankings of top five bowlers

Pakistan’s Noman Ali enters ICC Test rankings of top five bowlers
  • Ali became 5th Pakistan bowler to grab a Test hat trick in Pakistan’s second Test against West Indies
  • India’s Jasprit Bumrah ranked number 1, followed by Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada and Josh Hazlewood

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani spinner Noman Ali has made it to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test rankings of top five bowlers, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Wednesday.

Ali shone with his brilliant performance in Pakistan’s two-match Test series against West Indies, becoming the fifth Pakistan bowler to grab a Test hat trick.

“He is currently the top-ranked spinner in the format after taking 16 wickets across two Tests vs West Indies,” the PCB said in a statement.

India’s Jasprit Bumrah is ranked number one Test bowler by the ICC, followed by Australian Pat Cummins, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and Josh Hazlewood, also from Australia.

Pakistan triumphed in the first Test in Multan by 127 runs. The West Indies won the second Test in Multan by 120 runs to draw the series 1-1.

This was the West Indies first Test win in Pakistan in nearly 35 years. The last time the West Indies won a Test in Pakistan was in Faisalabad in November 1990, having gone winless on their 1997 and 2006 tours.


Pakistan voices security concerns over presence of US weapons in Afghanistan

Pakistan voices security concerns over presence of US weapons in Afghanistan
Updated 30 January 2025
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Pakistan voices security concerns over presence of US weapons in Afghanistan

Pakistan voices security concerns over presence of US weapons in Afghanistan
  • The weapons and equipment were reportedly left in the aftermath of a chaotic withdrawal of US and allied forces from Afghanistan in August 2021
  • Islamabad says it has repeatedly asked authorities in Kabul to take necessary measures to ensure these weapons do not fall into the wrong hands

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday voiced “profound concern” over the presence of advance United States (US) weapons in Afghanistan, which Washington has sought to be returned by Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers.

The weapons and equipment, coopted by the Afghan Taliban, were reportedly left behind in the aftermath of a chaotic withdrawal of US and allied forces from Afghanistan in August 2021. The previous administration of Joe Biden maintained that US forces had not left behind any equipment during the withdrawal that could be used by militants to target Pakistan.

However, President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 accused the Biden administration of giving “our military equipment, a big chunk of it, to the enemy,” conditioning Afghan aid to the return of these weapons. Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities on Wednesday called for the humanitarian aid not to be politicized.

“The presence of US advance weapons in Afghanistan, left behind in the aftermath of the withdrawal of its troops in August 2021, has been an issue of profound concern for the safety and security of Pakistan and its citizens,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.

“These weapons have been used by terrorist organizations, including the TTP [Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan], to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan.”

The statement came months after Pakistani security sources said custom authorities had seized a large cache of US-made weapons and ammunition worth approximately Rs35 million ($125,000) at a border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The weapons seized at the Torkham border crossing in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province included M4 rifles and magazines, security sources said in Oct. last year.

Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy in KP since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban, or the TTP, and the state broke down in November 2022.

The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.

In 2024 alone, the Pakistani military reported that 383 soldiers and 925 militants were killed in various clashes.

“We have been repeatedly calling upon the de facto authorities in Kabul to take all necessary measures to ensure that these weapons do not fall into the wrong hands,” the foreign office added.

The development comes at a time of strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Islamabad has frequently blamed the surge in militancy on Afghanistan, accusing it of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement and insist that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.