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Pakistan affirms full political support for CPEC during Chinese Communist Party official’s Islamabad visit

Pakistan affirms full political support for CPEC during Chinese Communist Party official’s Islamabad visit
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar (right) meets a senior Chinese Communist Party leader Liu Jianchao in Islamabad, Pakistan on June 21, 2024. (@ForeignOfficePk/X)
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Updated 21 June 2024
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Pakistan affirms full political support for CPEC during Chinese Communist Party official’s Islamabad visit

Pakistan affirms full political support for CPEC during Chinese Communist Party official’s Islamabad visit
  • Liu Jianchao is visiting Islamabad to co-chair the meeting of the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism on CPEC
  • Ishaq Dar says the Pakistan-China relations and CPEC have opened new vistas of progress, prosperity and development
Updated 21 June 2024
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Friday the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) enjoyed the complete support of political parties in his country while welcoming a senior Chinese Communist Party leader Liu Jianchao at the foreign office in Islamabad.

The Chinese official arrived in the country on Thursday night to co-chair the 3rd Meeting of the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM), focusing on the progress of CPEC projects.

Established in 2019, the JCM for political parties on CPEC serves as a regular consultation platform between the Communist Party of China and Pakistani political parties.

Its inaugural meeting took place in Beijing in March 2019, and the second meeting, held virtually in August 2020.

Welcoming Liu, the deputy PM said Pakistan and China had always been strategic partners and trusted neighbors who had consistently supported each other’s core concerns on the world stage.

“Pakistan-China relations and CPEC [enjoy] full support and confidence of all political parties in Pakistan as [they have] opened up new vistas of progress, prosperity and development,” the foreign office quoted him as saying in a social media post.

The Chinese official also described the bilateral ties between the two states as unique, with “no parallel in modern inter-state relations.”

He also underscored China’s commitment to work with Pakistan to add further substance and scope to relationship and upgrade CPEC as envisaged by the leadership of both countries.

The two officials agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level engagements and to further enhance communication on important regional and global issues.

Liu is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his stay in the country.

He will also interact with leaders of various political parties and Pakistan’s top military officials.

Pakistan and China have agreed to advance CPEC into its second phase, expanding beyond infrastructure and energy to broader economic and social development, including rural revitalization, agricultural modernization, industrialization, and green development.

This phase also emphasizes establishing Special Economic Zones to promote industrial growth and job creation.

Topics: CPEC Chinese Communist Party

Pakistan offers assistance to Myanmar, Thailand as quake death toll passes 1,000

Pakistan offers assistance to Myanmar, Thailand as quake death toll passes 1,000
Updated 29 March 2025
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Pakistan offers assistance to Myanmar, Thailand as quake death toll passes 1,000

Pakistan offers assistance to Myanmar, Thailand as quake death toll passes 1,000
  • The earthquake quake flattened buildings, downed bridges, and cracked roads across swathes of Myanmar, demolished a 30-story skyscraper in Bangkok
  • Aid agencies say Myanmar is totally unprepared to deal with a disaster of this magnitude, where a civil war has already displaced some 3.5 million people
Updated 29 March 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday offered Pakistan’s assistance to Myanmar and Thailand following a deadly earthquake that has claimed more than 1,000 lives, with many still feared to be trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
The shallow 7.7-magnitude tremor hit northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar on Friday afternoon and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.
It flattened buildings, downed bridges, and cracked roads across swathes of Myanmar, and even demolished a 30-story skyscraper under construction hundreds of kilometers away in Bangkok.
Sharif said he was saddened by the devastating earthquake and his thoughts and prayers were with the people of the two Southeast Asian nations in this difficult time.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with Thailand and Myanmar, offers our support and wishes them strength, safety, and a swift recovery from this catastrophe,” he said on X.
At least 1,002 people were killed and nearly 2,400 injured in Myanmar, the ruling junta said in a statement. Around 10 more deaths have been confirmed in Bangkok.
But with communications badly disrupted, the true scale of the disaster is only starting to emerge from the isolated military-ruled state, and the toll is expected to rise significantly.
It was the biggest quake to hit Myanmar in decades and junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, issued an exceptionally rare appeal for international aid on Friday, indicating the severity of the calamity.
Offers of foreign assistance began coming in, with President Donald Trump on Friday pledging US help.
“It’s a real bad one, and we will be helping. We’ve already spoken with the country,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
An initial flight from India carrying hygiene kits, blankets, food parcels and other essentials landed in the commercial capital Yangon on Saturday.
China said it sent an 82-person team of rescuers to Myanmar.
Aid agencies have warned that Myanmar is totally unprepared to deal with a disaster of this magnitude. Some 3.5 million people were displaced by the raging civil war, many at risk of hunger, even before the quake struck.

Topics: Earthquake in Myanmar Myanmar Earthquake Thailand Earthquake Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

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Pakistan slashes petrol price by Rs1 for next fortnight

Pakistan slashes petrol price by Rs1 for next fortnight
Updated 29 March 2025
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Pakistan slashes petrol price by Rs1 for next fortnight

Pakistan slashes petrol price by Rs1 for next fortnight
  • Petrol is mostly used in the South Asian country for private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers
  • The fortnightly adjustment of fuel prices ensures the net impact of changes in import costs is passed on to consumers
Updated 29 March 2025
Usama Iqbal Khawaja

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has reduced the price of petrol by Rs1 per liter for the next fortnight, the Finance Division announced late Friday.
After the latest revision, a liter of petrol will now cost Rs254.63, while the price of high-speed diesel remains unchanged at Rs258.64, according to a Finance Division notification.
“The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has worked out the consumer prices of petroleum products based on the price variations in the international market,” the notification read.
Fuel prices in Pakistan are reviewed and adjusted fortnightly. The mechanism ensures that the net impact of changes in import costs is passed on to consumers, helping sustain the country’s fuel supply chain.
Petrol is mostly used in Pakistan for private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers. At the same time, diesel powers heavy vehicles used for transportation of good across the South Asian country.

Topics: Pakistan petrol prices petrol prices petrol prices in Pakistan

On Ramadan nights, Islamabad residents are all cued up and ready to win

On Ramadan nights, Islamabad residents are all cued up and ready to win
Updated 29 March 2025
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On Ramadan nights, Islamabad residents are all cued up and ready to win

On Ramadan nights, Islamabad residents are all cued up and ready to win
  • Snooker tournaments at clubs often increase during holy month, providing social and recreational outlet after breaking the fast
  • Pakistan has strong tradition in snooker, with players like Muhammad Asif achieving significant success on the international stage
Updated 29 March 2025
Shahjahan Khurram & Falak Mahmood Khan

Usman Sartaj reached for the small, cube-shaped chalk on the edge of the snooker table and rotated it over the cue tip in a smooth, circular motion. 

He then struck the cue ball hard, sending it crashing into the others, dispersing them from their triangular formation to all parts of the table. 

During Ramadan, snooker games and tournaments at cue-ball clubs often increase, providing a social and recreational outlet for people after breaking their fast. Things are no different in Islamabad where many youngsters like 25-year-old Sartaj, who runs a business of importing and exporting cars, frequent snooker clubs and play until the pre-dawn suhoor meal. 

“There is a lot of buzz in snooker clubs during Ramadan, tournaments are held and various players come from different places,” Sartaj told Arab News at the “Snooker 13” club in Islamabad’s G-13 area where he had come to play after offering the voluntary Tarawih night prayers earlier this week.

Local players stand around a snooker table at “Snooker 13” club in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 27, 2025. (AN Photo)

Why does he prefer snooker over other games?

“Snooker is a great game, it eliminates a person’s tension and stress,” Sartaj said.

Abdul Hadi, the supervisor at Snooker 13, said around 500 people visited the club daily, a number that surged to around 1,500-1,600 in Ramadan during the hours between the iftar and suhoor meals.

One reason for its popularity was affordability, Hadi said. 

“It’s around Rs150-200 [$0.54-0.71] for a normal frame,” he told Arab News. “It’s a regular rate, not too cheap and not too expensive. So everyone can afford it, even the students and people under 18 years.”

A local player plays a shot during a snooker match at “Snooker 13” club in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 27, 2025. (AN Photo)

Muhammad Shahbaz, a 27-year-old driver who works in Dubai but was in Pakistan to spend Ramadan and Eid with his family, was a fan of famed British snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan, and said he hoped to emulate his favorite athlete’s performances during Ramada games.

“We admire Ronnie’s game and love to watch and follow him,” Shahbaz said. “We try to follow his tricks and his shots.”

Pakistan has a strong tradition in snooker, with players like Muhammad Asif achieving significant success on the international stage, including multiple IBSF World Snooker Championship titles.

“There is a lot of snooker talent in Pakistan and if we want to promote it [further], the government has to support it,” Shahbaz said.

Shavez Ahmed, a 30-year-old realtor who was enjoying a game at one of the nine tables at the club, said there was no doubt snooker was one of the most popular games in Ramadan. 

“Other games are impressive too, we play cricket and badminton as well,” he said. “But the craze for snooker in Ramadan never ends.”

Topics: Ramadan 2025 Ramadan in Pakistan

Chapman blasts ton as New Zealand win first Pakistan ODI by 73 runs

Chapman blasts ton as New Zealand win first Pakistan ODI by 73 runs
Updated 13 min 13 sec ago
AFP
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Chapman blasts ton as New Zealand win first Pakistan ODI by 73 runs

Chapman blasts ton as New Zealand win first Pakistan ODI by 73 runs
  • Chapman’s career-best 132 formed the foundation of an imposing 344-9 at McLean Park before Pakistan’s promising chase capitulated to be all out for 271
  • The tourists looked on track at 249-3 with more than 11 overs remaining, but New Zealand seamer Nathan Smith helped spark a late collapse with his 4-60
Updated 13 min 13 sec ago
AFP

NAPIER: Mark Chapman struck a sublime century and Nathan Smith claimed four wickets Saturday as New Zealand eased to a 73-run win over Pakistan in the first one-day international in Napier.
Chapman’s career-best 132 formed the foundation of an imposing 344-9 at McLean Park before Pakistan’s promising chase capitulated to be all out for 271 in the 45th over.
The tourists looked on track at 249-3, at that point needing 96 runs to win, with more than 11 overs remaining.

Pakistan’s Babar Azam plays a shot during the 1st ODI cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park in Napier on March 29, 2025. (AFP)

However, seamer Smith (4-60) helped to spark a late collapse, with the last seven wickets falling for 22 runs.
Earlier, the recalled Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 78 off 83 balls but it was his dismissal that started the rot.
Salman Agha struck a defiant 58 off 48 but he was let down by a series of loose shots from lower order teammates as New Zealand moved one-up in the three-match series.

Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha plays a shot during the 1st ODI cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park in Napier on March 29, 2025. (AFP)

Chapman’s 111-ball innings featured 13 fours and four sixes, lifting New Zealand out of early trouble after they were asked to bat and stuttered to 50-3.
The left-hander put on 199 for the fourth wicket with Daryl Mitchell (76 off 84) before the home side’s innings was finished off in record-breaking fashion by debut allrounder Muhammad Abbas.
Pakista-born Abbas struck 52, setting a world record for the fastest half-century on debut when he reached 50 off the 24th ball he faced.

New Zealand’s Muhammad Abbas celebrates 50 runs during the 1st ODI cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park in Napier on March 29, 2025. (AFP)

Pakistan’s seam-heavy attack capitalized on lively bounce but they were punished later.
Left-arm quick Akif Javed claimed 2-55 on his international debut, but the best figures were recorded by part-time seamer Irfan Khan, who took 3-51 off five expensive overs at the death.

Pakistan’s Akif Javed bowls during the 1st ODI cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park in Napier on March 29, 2025. (AFP)

Both teams feature numerous changes to those who played out a five-match T20 series, won 4-1 by New Zealand.
The second match of the series is in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Topics: Pakistan vs New Zealand Mark Chapman New Zealand cricket team Pakistan cricket team

Danish firm to train 100 Pakistani engineers in mining as Islamabad seeks to exploit mineral resources

Danish firm to train 100 Pakistani engineers in mining as Islamabad seeks to exploit mineral resources
Updated 29 March 2025
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Danish firm to train 100 Pakistani engineers in mining as Islamabad seeks to exploit mineral resources

Danish firm to train 100 Pakistani engineers in mining as Islamabad seeks to exploit mineral resources
  • Pakistan’s landscape is a treasure trove of diverse mineral deposits from huge coal reserves to gold and copper deposits to gemstone
  • The South Asian country is currently making efforts to utilize these vast mineral resources to stabilize its $350 billion fragile economy
Updated 29 March 2025
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: A Copenhagen-based multinational mining company, FLSmidth, will train 100 Pakistani engineers in mining, the Pakistani government said on Friday, amid Islamabad’s efforts to utilize the country’s vast mineral resources for economic gains.
The statement by Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) came after Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik’s meeting with Danish Ambassador to Pakistan Jakob Linulf in Islamabad that focused on bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in mining and technological collaboration.
Malik recognized that FLSmidth’s advanced solutions in cement production, mineral processing and decarbonization align with Pakistan’s goals of increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact in its extractive industries, according to the PID.
He emphasized the Pakistani government’s commitment to creating an investor-friendly environment and invited Danish companies, including FLSmidth, to explore partnerships with Pakistani firms during the Pakistani Minerals Investment Forum on April 8-9.
“FLSmidth will be launching a training program named BRIMM (Bradshaw Research Initiative for Minerals and Mining) under which hundred Pakistani engineers will be provided training,” the PID said, citing the Danish ambassador.
“FLSmidth has already entered into 5 partnership agreements in minerals sector of Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s landscape is a treasure trove of diverse mineral deposits from huge coal reserves in the southern Sindh province to gold and copper deposits in the southwestern Balochistan province. The northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is home to several gemstone mines, including emerald mines in Swat, Mardan’s pink topaz mines, and peridot mines in Kohistan.
The South Asian country is currently making efforts to utilize these vast mineral resources through foreign investment and collaboration to stabilize its $350 billion economy.
Petroleum Minister Malik expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in leveraging Danish technology and investment to optimize resource extraction and processing as the South Asian country has significant mineral reserves. He extended his full support and offered the government’s good offices to facilitate Danish investment and technology transfer in Pakistan’s growing mining sector, according to the statement.
The ambassador reaffirmed Denmark’s support for Pakistan’s energy transition and industrial growth, and said they were looking forward to Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum.
“He noted that Danish companies are eager to share their expertise in green mining solutions, automation, and digitalization to help Pakistan achieve its economic and environmental objectives,” the PID said.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to facilitate further engagement between Pakistani stakeholders and Danish technology providers, with FLSmidth playing a pivotal role in advancing modern mining practices in Pakistan.

Topics: Pakistan Denmark ties Ali Pervaiz Malik Mining Mining in Pakistan

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