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Pakistan’s UAE envoy calls for collaboration between commerce chambers, B2B joint ventures

Pakistan’s UAE envoy calls for collaboration between commerce chambers, B2B joint ventures
Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, gestures for a group photo with Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce, in Dubai on October 9, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan embassy)
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Updated 1 min 42 sec ago
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Pakistan’s UAE envoy calls for collaboration between commerce chambers, B2B joint ventures

Pakistan’s UAE envoy calls for collaboration between commerce chambers, B2B joint ventures
  • Pakistani ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi meets Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce 
  • Tirmizi briefed Zaabi regarding Pakistan’s investment regime and initiatives by the government for facilitation of foreign investors
Updated 1 min 42 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has called for UAE chambers of commerce to increase collaboration with Pakistani counterparts and set up business-to-business joint ventures for the enhancement of trade and investment between the two countries, Islamabad’s embassy in Abu Dhabi said on Wednesday.
The issues were discussed during a meeting between Tirmizi and Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, the chairman of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UAE Chambers) and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ADCCI). Zaabi is also the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
“Enhancement of collaboration between UAE Chambers with Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Industries and establishment of B2B joint ventures for enhancement of trade between the two brotherly countries were also discussed during the meeting,” the Pakistani embassy said after the meeting between the two officials. 
“Tirmizi briefed Zaabi regarding Pakistan’s investment regime and initiatives of the government for facilitation of foreign investors.”
The envy also briefed the UAE official about potential investment sectors in Pakistan including IT, food and agriculture, textile, leather, tourism, and infrastructure. He also reiterated the invitation to a business delegation from the UAE Chambers to visit Pakistan.
“Both the sides agreed on the enhancement of economic and commercial cooperation between the two brotherly countries through trade facilitation, B2B engagements and mutual exchange of delegations and participation in trade fairs and exhibitions including GITEX and TEXPO,” the Pakistan embassy said. 
Last year, Pakistan set up the Special Investment Facilitation Council, a body comprising Pakistani civilian and military leaders and specially tasked to promote investment in Pakistan. The council is so far focusing on investments in the energy, agriculture, mining, information technology and aviation sectors and specifically targeting Gulf nations.

Topics: Pakistan UAE ties

Rights groups slam Pakistan for blocking activist’s US travel

Rights groups slam Pakistan for blocking activist’s US travel
Updated 25 sec ago
AFP
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Rights groups slam Pakistan for blocking activist’s US travel

Rights groups slam Pakistan for blocking activist’s US travel
  • Ethnic rights activist Mahrang Baloch says officials blocked her from leaving for New York to attend a TIME magazine awards gala
  • Authorities in Islamabad have blocked foreign travel for many Pakistani activists, journalists and dissenting politicians in recent years
Updated 25 sec ago
AFP

ISLAMABAD: Human rights advocates including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai criticized Pakistan on Wednesday for stopping a leading ethnic minority activist from traveling to accept a US award.
Mahrang Baloch, one of Pakistan’s most prominent rights voices, said officials blocked her from leaving Karachi for New York on Monday night to attend a TIME magazine awards gala.
The 31-year-old had been due to accept an award for campaigning on behalf of the Baloch ethnic group, which claims it has been targeted by Islamabad with extrajudicial harassment, arrests and killings.
“Mahrang Baloch’s activism for Baloch people should be recognized, not denied a platform,” Pakistan’s Yousafzai wrote on social media platform X on Wednesday.
“I know this will not deter her from continuing to speak up and protest peacefully for human rights,” she said.
The Pakistan government says its forces are fighting separatist militants, who target state forces and foreign nationals, in southwestern Balochistan province.
Authorities in Islamabad have blocked foreign travel for many Pakistani activists, critical journalists and dissenting politicians in recent years.
Baloch said she held a valid US visa but immigration officials in Karachi prevented her from boarding her flight.
She said she was detained for five hours and that her passport and phone were seized, blaming police and the Federal Investigation Agency, a Pakistani intelligence service.
Neither organization responded immediately to a request for comment.
“This action reflects the growing fear and insecurity of the state toward Baloch voices,” Baloch said in a video statement late on Monday.
“There was no legitimate purpose for preventing my travel, except to silence Baloch voices from being heard internationally,” she said.
Baloch, a doctor, was named on the 2024 TIME100 Next list of “rising leaders” who the magazine believes “will play an important role in leading the future.”
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said blocking Baloch’s travel was “a flagrant violation of her right to freedom of movement and expression.”
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor said on X she was “very concerned.”
Pakistan also banned another ethnic activist organization, the Pashtun Protection Movement, at the weekend.
Amnesty International said it was “part of a systematic and relentless clampdown by the Pakistani authorities on peaceful protests and assemblies by dissenting groups.”
Baloch began her activist career at the age of 16 in 2009, when her father went missing in an alleged “enforced disappearance.” His body was found two years later.
Protests and advocacy among the Baloch are generally led by women, who say their male counterparts have suffered the worst in a decades-long state crackdown.

Topics: Mahrang Baloch Baloch Yakjehti Committee

Pakistan approves new energy market system allowing consumers to choose electricity suppliers

Pakistan approves new energy market system allowing consumers to choose electricity suppliers
Updated 30 min 2 sec ago
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Pakistan approves new energy market system allowing consumers to choose electricity suppliers

Pakistan approves new energy market system allowing consumers to choose electricity suppliers
  • Cabinet Committee on Energy has approved an independent entity to transition to multi-player electricity market
  • The initiative is expected to help address issues like circular debt, power theft and transmission losses in Pakistan
Updated 30 min 2 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on Energy on Wednesday approved the formation of an independent entity to reform Pakistan’s energy market by enabling consumers to purchase power from multiple suppliers, moving away from the current government-controlled system, where it is the sole buyer of electricity.
Pakistan’s energy sector has long struggled with financial strain due to circular debt, power theft and transmission losses, which have led to blackouts and high electricity costs.
The development of the independent market is viewed as a critical step toward addressing these issues by fostering competition, improving transparency and attracting foreign investment, ultimately easing the financial burden on the government and consumers alike.
The committee gave principal approval for the creation of the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, though the decision still requires endorsement by the federal cabinet for implementation.
“ISMO will gradually replace the government as the sole buyer of electricity and transition the energy market into a multi-player independent market,” the PM Office said in a statement issued after the meeting. “Consumers will be able to purchase electricity from suppliers other than just distribution companies under this system.”
“This initiative will help establish an efficient, transparent and competitive electricity market in Pakistan,” it added.
The creation of ISMO is also expected to reduce circular debt and stabilize electricity prices.
“The ISMO board will include experts from the energy sector to ensure smooth operations,” the statement informed.
Addressing the meeting, the prime minister emphasized the need to expedite efforts to reduce theft and losses in the electricity sector.
“We are taking priority-based measures to reform Pakistan’s energy sector,” Sharif added.

Topics: Pakistan electricity

Saudi Arabia top contributor as Pakistan worker remittances grow 29% year-on-year

Saudi Arabia top contributor as Pakistan worker remittances grow 29% year-on-year
Updated 09 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia top contributor as Pakistan worker remittances grow 29% year-on-year

Saudi Arabia top contributor as Pakistan worker remittances grow 29% year-on-year
  • Highest inflow of $681.3 million was recorded from Saudi Arabia, followed by UAE, UK, US
  • Remittances bring billions of dollars annually from overseas Pakistanis and are vital to economy
Updated 09 October 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan

KARACHI: Pakistan recorded year-on-year growth of 29 percent in workers’ remittances with inflows of $2.8 billion in September, the central bank said on Wednesday, with the highest contributions from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 
Remittances bring billions of dollars annually from overseas Pakistanis and are vital to Pakistan’s struggling economy. These inflows bolster foreign exchange reserves, stabilize the balance of payments, and support the Pakistani currency. 
“Remittances inflows during September 2024 were mainly sourced from Saudi Arabia ($681.3 million), United Arab Emirates ($560.3 million), United Kingdom ($423.6 million) and United States of America ($274.9 million),” the central bank said.
In the first quarter of the fiscal year 2025 (Q1-FY25), Pakistan received $8.8 billion in remittances, representing a significant growth of 38.8 percent compared to the same quarter last year (Q1-FY24), central bank data showed. 
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday announced a three-time increase in monetary incentives for exchange companies to bring more remittances into the country. 
The bank increased incentives to Rs4 per US dollar for exchange companies on home remittances effective Oct. 1. According to the circular, ECs will be paid on a fixed component with a base rate of Rs2 for each US dollar of home remittances surrendered to SBP-designated banks. On the variable component, ECs will be paid Rs3 for each incremental US dollar surrendered to encourage growth in home remittances up to 5 percent or $25 million (whichever is lower) than the previous year. Further, Rs4 per US dollar will be paid against incremental remittances above 5 percent or over $25m, compared to the previous year.

Topics: Pakistan economy

Root surpasses Cook’s 12,472 test runs as England reaches 232-2 in first test against Pakistan

Root surpasses Cook’s 12,472 test runs as England reaches 232-2 in first test against Pakistan
Updated 09 October 2024
AP
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Root surpasses Cook’s 12,472 test runs as England reaches 232-2 in first test against Pakistan

Root surpasses Cook’s 12,472 test runs as England reaches 232-2 in first test against Pakistan
  • Root is now fifth on the all-time list of test run-scorers behind Sachin Tendulkar’s leading 15,921
  • England lost Zak Crawley’s wicket in the first half-hour when he chipped a catch of Shaheen Afridi
Updated 09 October 2024
AP

MULTAN: Joe Root became England’s highest-run scorer in tests as the tourists continued to score at a rapid pace on the third day of the first test against Pakistan on Wednesday.
Root surpassed Alastair Cook’s 12,472 runs with a straight-driven boundary before lunch to reach 72 at the break and guided England to a brisk 232-2 in 45 overs.
Root is now fifth on the all-time list of test run-scorers behind Sachin Tendulkar’s leading 15,921.
Ben Duckett recovered from a thumb injury which denied him opening England’s first innings on Tuesday afternoon and was unbeaten on 80 off 67 balls as the tourists smashed 136 runs in the first session after resuming on 96-1.
England still trails Pakistan by 324 runs after the home team was bowled out for 556 on a placid wicket of Multan Cricket Stadium.
England lost the wicket of Zak Crawley (78) inside the first half-hour when he chipped a catch of Shaheen Shah Afridi (1-44) after adding 14 runs to his overnight score of 64. Jamal pounced on the opportunity on second attempt at short mid-wicket as Crawley tried to whip the fast bowler on the on-side.
But England continued to exhibit its ‘Bazball’ approach against both pace and spin on a benign wicket. Duckett and Root decoded the mystery spin of Abrar Ahmed with lot of aggression on an unresponsive wicket for the bowlers as the leg-spinner has so far conceded 79 runs off his 12 overs.
In an England-dominated session, Pakistan also lost two of its reviews when it went for a shocking caught behind referral against Duckett soon after the left-hander had completed his half century, but the television replays suggested the bat was nowhere near the ball.
Captain Shan Masood then went for a second referral against Root off the same bowler, but the TV replays showed the ball was missing the leg stump.

Topics: Pakistan vs England

Shehroze Kashif becomes youngest Pakistani to summit all 14 of the world’s tallest peaks

Shehroze Kashif becomes youngest Pakistani to summit all 14 of the world’s tallest peaks
Updated 09 October 2024
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Shehroze Kashif becomes youngest Pakistani to summit all 14 of the world’s tallest peaks

Shehroze Kashif becomes youngest Pakistani to summit all 14 of the world’s tallest peaks
  • Kashif fulfilled his dream by summiting the 8,027-meter-high Shishapangma in Tibet on Wednesday
  • The 22-year-old climbed Broad Peak in Pakistan, his first 8,000-meter mountain, when he was just 14
Updated 09 October 2024
Nisar Ali

KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistan’s Shehroze Kashif has become the youngest high-altitude climber from his country to scale all 14 of the world’s tallest peaks following his successful ascent of Shishapangma in Tibet, the Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed on Wednesday.
The 14 peaks, often referred to as the “eight-thousanders,” are over 8,000 meters high and are considered the ultimate test in mountain climbing.
The 22-year-old Pakistani mountaineer began his career at the age of 11 and summited Broad Peak in his own country, which stands at 8,047 meters, when he was barely 14.
“On October 9, 2024, at 3:30 am PST, Shehroze Kashif successfully reached the summit of Shishapangma (8,027 meters), completing his journey of climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks,” Karrar Haidri, the general secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, announced in a statement.
“This remarkable achievement makes him the youngest Pakistani to conquer these formidable summits,” he continued, adding: “Once again, Shehroze has proudly raised the Pakistani flag on one of the world’s highest peaks, marking a historic moment for him and the nation.”
Seven Summit Treks, a Nepalese tour company that arranged the expedition, also confirmed the achievement, listing Kashif in its list of summiteers.
“A team of international climbers and Sherpas (29 Total) from Seven Summit Treks reached the summit of Shisha Pangma today,” it said in a Facebook post. “This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone for 12 climbers, completing their 14 Peaks challenge and entering the exclusive 8000ers club of mountaineers who have successfully climbed the world’s highest peaks.”
Speaking to Arab News, Salman Kashif, the father of the Pakistani mountaineer, said his family was celebrating the moment after his son successfully completed “Mission 14.”
“As a parent, Shehroze’s achievement is a huge, happy moment as today he has fulfilled his dream of summiting all 14 peaks above eight thousand meters,” he said over the phone.
“When he was stuck on Nanga Parbat last year, we thought he might give up climbing,” he continued. “However, his passion remained high since he had set himself a goal. That’s why he decided to climb the remaining peaks.”
Kashif’s father described his son as “a city boy who loved mountains” and started climbing at a young age.
“All of my family members were awake last night,” he added. “There is a celebratory atmosphere at our house now. People and relatives are visiting to congratulate us.”
He noted everyone at home was excited.
“We will warmly receive Shehroze and celebrate his achievement once he returns.”

Topics: Shehroze Kashif Pakistani mountaineer

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