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Pakistan, China sign multiple MoUs focusing on flood rehabilitation, IT and development

Pakistan, China sign multiple MoUs focusing on flood rehabilitation, IT and development
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witnesses the signing of different agreements between China and Pakistan regarding cooperation in various fields in Islamabad on April 23, 2024. (Photo courtesy: PMO)
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Updated 23 April 2024
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Pakistan, China sign multiple MoUs focusing on flood rehabilitation, IT and development

Pakistan, China sign multiple MoUs focusing on flood rehabilitation, IT and development
  • Agreements were signed during meeting of Chinese International Development Cooperation Agency officials with PM Sharif
  • Pakistan PM commended CIDCA for its vital support during 2022 floods that killed 1,739 people, caused $30 bln losses
Updated 23 April 2024
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Tuesday signed multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) that focused on flood rehabilitation, information and communication technologies, and development, Pakistani state media reported.

The agreements were signed during a meeting between a high-level delegation of the Chinese International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), led by Luo Zhaohui, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

The MoUs pertained to flood rehabilitation, information and communication technologies, Juncao technology to address soil erosion and desertification, and China-Pakistan Development Cooperation Planning (2024-2028).

“Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister said China is Pakistan’s most trusted friend and appreciated China’s steadfast support to Pakistan,” the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

“Acknowledging CIDCA’s pivotal role in bolstering Pakistan’s economic development, the Prime Minister specifically commended CIDCA for its vital support during the 2022 floods and for its relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan.”

In 2022, downpours swelled rivers and at one point flooded a third of Pakistan, killing 1,739 people. The floods also caused $30 billion in damages, from which Pakistan is still trying to rebuild.

The prime minister witnessed the signing of agreements alongside a Letter of Exchange on the establishment of a First Aid Center in Balochistan and Protocol on Cooperation in Human Resources Development under the Global Development Initiative.

“These agreements signify the deepening cooperation between Pakistan and China across various sectors,” the report read.

The meeting was also attended by China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, members of PM Sharif’s cabinet and senior officials of Pakistan.

Beijing has been one of Islamabad’s most reliable foreign partners in recent years, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbor.

In July last year, China granted Pakistan a two-year rollover on a $2.4 billion loan, giving the debt-saddled nation much-needed breathing space as it tackled a balance-of-payments crisis.

China has inked more than two trillion dollars in contracts around the world under its Belt and Road investment scheme, with billions pouring into infrastructure projects in Pakistan.

Topics: Pakistan China Ties

Saudi Arabia, UAE top destinations for Pakistanis wanting to relocate abroad — survey

Saudi Arabia, UAE top destinations for Pakistanis wanting to relocate abroad — survey
Updated 28 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia, UAE top destinations for Pakistanis wanting to relocate abroad — survey

Saudi Arabia, UAE top destinations for Pakistanis wanting to relocate abroad — survey
  • Ipsos survey says Saudi Arabia (30%), UAE (20%) top list of destinations where Pakistanis wish to relocate
  • Most Pakistanis wanting to leave are frustrated by a decline in purchasing power, limited employment opportunities
Updated 28 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: An end-of-year survey released by market research firm Ipsos has shown that the primary destinations for Pakistanis wanting to leave the country are Saudi Arabia and the UAE, debunking the commonly held belief that young people from the South Asian nation want to migrate to Western countries.
During the year 2015, the highest number of Pakistanis, 946,571, went abroad for the purpose of employment, according to the Pakistani Bureau of Emigration. As of September this year, 525,378 Pakistanis had moved for jobs abroad, while over 800,000 Pakistanis left the country of 220 million to take up jobs in 2022. This was up from a pre-pandemic total of 625,876 in 2019, and 382,439 the year before that.
Most Pakistanis wanting to leave the country are believed to be frustrated by a decline in purchasing power and limited opportunities to improve their standard of living.
“Among those who express a desire to relocate, the primary destinations are economically stable countries in close proximity to Pakistan, with Saudi Arabia (30%) and the UAE (20%) topping the list, nullifying the commonly believed myth of youth’s interest toward Western countries,” the survey report said. 
It also said an “acute majority” of young Pakistanis, 74%, desired to stay in Pakistan, while a privileged 
youth segment — which comprised people in the ages of 18-24 age in upper socio-economic classes living in the federal capital of Islamabad — had a greater inclination toward leaving Pakistan.
“The trend reveals that Pakistani youth (74%) are committed to their country and are NOT inclined to leave,” the Ipsos survey data showed.
“A couple of years back, Oct 2022 saw a 32% consider leaving, this number plummeted to 23% by February 2024 amidst pre-election hope indicating stability toward the end of 2024.”
Amid a prolonged economic crisis in recent years, Pakistani officials have expressed increasing worries about the snowballing brain drain that could hamper the country’s eventual recovery.
“The huge exodus of educated youth is of great concern,” Ahsan Iqbal, minister for planning, development and special initiatives, told reporters earlier this year.
“It is our responsibility to provide them an enabling environment to stem the emigration.” 
The government has launched several development initiatives which it hopes will help retain talent, he added. 
They include establishing 200,000 paid internships for young engineers, a 10-billion-rupee ($37.35 million) innovation fund and a 40-billion-rupee program to develop 20 poor districts.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties

UK’s Jeremy Corbyn says ‘deeply concerned’ about detention of Pakistan’s Imran Khan

UK’s Jeremy Corbyn says ‘deeply concerned’ about detention of Pakistan’s Imran Khan
Updated 34 min 7 sec ago
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UK’s Jeremy Corbyn says ‘deeply concerned’ about detention of Pakistan’s Imran Khan

UK’s Jeremy Corbyn says ‘deeply concerned’ about detention of Pakistan’s Imran Khan
  • Several world leaders have called for Khan’s release in recent weeks, including Trump nominees Richard Grenell, Matt Gaetz
  • Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and faces dozens of cases since he was removed as prime minister in 2022
Updated 34 min 7 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: British politician Jeremy Corbyn, who has been a member of parliament for Islington North since 1983, said this week he was “deeply concerned” about the continued detention of Pakistan’s former premier Imran Khan, calling for the release of all political prisoners around the world.

Several world leaders have called for Khan’s release in recent weeks, including Richard Grenell, US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for presidential envoy on special missions, and former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, who Trump wants to serve as the nation’s top lawman. In October, over 60 Democratic lawmakers from the US House of Representatives wrote to President Joe Biden, urging him to use Washington’s leverage with Pakistan to secure the release of Khan.

“I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of Imran Khan,” Corbyn wrote on X on Monday.

“His disgraceful treatment is an affront to the democratic rights of the people of Pakistan. We must continue to speak up for the release of all political prisoners everywhere.”

Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced dozens of cases since he was removed as prime minister in 2022 after which he launched a protest movement against a coalition of his rivals led by current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Khan says cases against him, which disqualified him from contesting the 2024 elections, are politically motivated. He had a fallout with Pakistan’s military that he blames for his ouster. The military denies political interference. Pakistan’s government denies being unfair in the treatment of Khan or his supporters. 

Candidates whom Khan backed secured the highest number of seats in the elections. However, his rivals formed a coalition government. A UN human rights working group has said Khan’s detention violates international law.

Topics: Jeremy Corbyn Pakistan UK Imran Khan PTI

Pakistan, UN agree to engage religious scholars, schools in combatting AIDS spread

Pakistan, UN agree to engage religious scholars, schools in combatting AIDS spread
Updated 28 min 21 sec ago
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Pakistan, UN agree to engage religious scholars, schools in combatting AIDS spread

Pakistan, UN agree to engage religious scholars, schools in combatting AIDS spread
  • UN country director for AIDS urges Pakistani scholars to spread awareness about AIDS
  • Pakistan’s National AIDS Control Program has registered 72,515 HIV cases as of September
Updated 28 min 21 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Nations have agreed to strengthen cooperation to prevent Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) from spreading, state-run media reported on Tuesday, with both sides also exploring the possibility of employing religious scholars to raise awareness about the disease. 

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks and destroys infection-fighting CD4 cells (CD4 T lymphocytes) of the immune system, while AIDS is the most advanced stage of the disease. People with HIV who are not on medication and lack consistent control of the virus can transmit it through sexual intercourse, sharing needles, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. However, if HIV is properly controlled, the risk of transmission is nearly zero.

Pakistan is the second largest country in South Asia, only behind India and Nepal, in terms of the HIV epidemic, according to the National Institute of Health. Despite many efforts, the HIV infection rate has increased significantly over the past few years in the country. 

UN country director for AIDS, Trouble Chikoko, met with the Secretary of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman in Islamabad to discuss the various ongoing programs to curb the disease.

“Pakistan and the UN have agreed to enhance cooperation to curb the spread of AIDS,” Radio Pakistan said. “Chikoko said scholars and religious schools can play a positive role in raising awareness about AIDS prevention among the public.”

During the meeting, Rehman stressed the need for cooperation with relevant UN agencies and other partners to prevent AIDS, polio and other diseases from spreading across the country.

Pakistan’s National AIDS Control Program, established in 1986-87 aims to prevent and control the disease. It has registered 72,515 HIV cases as of September 2024, with 49,939 individuals currently on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in 94 centers across the country. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), since the start of the epidemic, 88.4 million people have been infected with HIV, and approximately 42.3 million have died from AIDS-related causes. By the end of 2023, an estimated 39.9 million people were living with HIV globally. 

Around 0.6 percent of adults aged 15–49 are living with HIV, although the impact of the epidemic varies significantly across countries and regions.

Topics: Pakistan UN Aids HIV

PM says Pakistan’s nuclear program ‘solely for deterrence,’ calls US sanctions ‘unjustified’ 

PM says Pakistan’s nuclear program ‘solely for deterrence,’ calls US sanctions ‘unjustified’ 
Updated 21 min 28 sec ago
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PM says Pakistan’s nuclear program ‘solely for deterrence,’ calls US sanctions ‘unjustified’ 

PM says Pakistan’s nuclear program ‘solely for deterrence,’ calls US sanctions ‘unjustified’ 
  • Washington last week announced fresh sanctions against entities contributing to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program 
  • Shehbaz Sharif says entire nation united behind Pakistan’s nuclear program, vows government will not compromise on it
Updated 21 min 28 sec ago
Falak Mahmood Khan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday criticized Washington for imposing fresh sanctions on Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, saying it was intended only for deterrence purposes and not for aggressive designs. 

The US State Department announced on Dec. 18 that it was imposing more sanctions related to nuclear-armed Pakistan’s long-range ballistic-missile program, including on the state-owned defense agency that oversees the program. The sanctions freeze any US property belonging to the targeted entities and bars Americans from doing business with them. 

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that the measures slapped on the National Development Complex (NDC) and three firms were imposed under an executive order that “targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.”

Pakistan’s foreign office responded sharply to the announcement the same day, describing the move as “double standards and discriminatory practices,” warning it endangered regional and international peace and security.

“The sanctions imposed on the National Development Complex and other firms, there is no justification for it,” Sharif told members of the federal cabinet during a meeting. “Pakistan does not harbor any intentions in which its nuclear system is aggressive, it is 100 percent in Pakistan’s defense. It is just deterrence, nothing else,” he added. 

Sharif said Pakistan’s nuclear program did not belong to either him or members of the federal cabinet. Rather, he said it belonged to the 240 million people of the country. 

“There will be no compromise on it [nuclear program] and the entire nation is completely united on this,” the Pakistani premier declared. 

A State Department factsheet said the Islamabad-based NDC had sought to obtain components for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic-missile program and missile-testing equipment. It said the NDC “is responsible for the development of Pakistan’s ballistic missiles,” including the Shaheen family of missiles.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists research organization says the Shaheen series of missiles is nuclear-capable. Pakistan conducted its first nuclear-weapons test in 1998, becoming the seventh country to do so. The Bulletin estimates Pakistan’s arsenal at about 170 warheads.

Islamabad has refused to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the cornerstone of the international system designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

The other three entities slapped with the US sanctions were Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited and Rockside Enterprise, all located in Karachi, the factsheet said. It said the companies worked with the NDC to acquire equipment.

Relations between the US and Pakistan have seen significant ups and downs. The countries collaborated during the Cold War and in the fight against Al-Qaeda after 9/11.

However, ties have been strained due to coups in the South Asian country by Pakistan’s military, support for the Taliban’s 1996-2001 rule in Afghanistan, and over Islamabad’s nuclear weapons program.

Topics: Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif US Pakistan missile program

Pakistan government’s coalition partner calls for ‘digital bill of rights’ amid Internet clampdown

Pakistan government’s coalition partner calls for ‘digital bill of rights’ amid Internet clampdown
Updated 24 min 44 sec ago
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Pakistan government’s coalition partner calls for ‘digital bill of rights’ amid Internet clampdown

Pakistan government’s coalition partner calls for ‘digital bill of rights’ amid Internet clampdown
  • Pakistani authorities have been criticized for cracking down on VPNs, installing firewall that has curbed Internet speeds 
  • PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticizes disconnect between Pakistan’s policymakers and citizens’ digital realities 
Updated 24 min 44 sec ago
Fatimah Amjad

ISLAMABAD: A key coalition partner of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration on Monday called for a “digital bill of rights,” criticizing Pakistan’s restrictive Internet policies during a university graduation ceremony in southern Sindh.

The government has faced sharp criticism from activists and opposition parties for what they describe as a digital clampdown in recent months. A proposed national firewall, ostensibly designed to curb “anti-state propaganda” and “blasphemous content,” has slowed Internet speeds across the country.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also intensified its crackdown on virtual private networks (VPNs), allowing their legal use only after users register with the government— posing challenges for freelancers and businesses relying on online access.

“We must strive for a digital bill of rights for our era,” Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, said at the Sindh University Jamshoro. “This digital bill of rights should not be something I write on my own, declaring, ‘These are your rights,’ and then campaign for it.”

“No,” he added. “I want us— you, me, the students and the youth of this country— to collectively draft our own digital bill of rights, based on what we believe are our inalienable rights.”

He maintained these rights could not be taken away from the people of Pakistan, though the “elders, bureaucrats, and politicians sitting in Islamabad simply do not understand them.”

Bhutto-Zardari criticized the government’s restrictions while hinting at a disconnect between policymakers and the digital realities faced by citizens.

“They don’t understand because they don’t use these technologies— it doesn’t affect them,” he said. “Whether the Internet is slowed down or VPNs are blocked, it doesn’t matter to them.

But it will make your life miserable, and it will make my life miserable. This is our democratic right, and we will fight for our rights.”

Earlier this month, Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja defended Internet restrictions, citing security concerns.

“No one is interested in shutting down the Internet,” she told parliament. “Law and order is paramount for us, but we will make every effort to ensure no disruption to the industry.”

Topics: Internet digital right Pakistan VPN Arab News Pakistan

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