Pakistan lists SCO summit attendees, excluding Afghanistan, ahead of high-profile event

Pakistan lists SCO summit attendees, excluding Afghanistan, ahead of high-profile event
An undated file photo of the flags of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries. (Photo courtesy: the europe today/ website)
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Updated 12 October 2024
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Pakistan lists SCO summit attendees, excluding Afghanistan, ahead of high-profile event

Pakistan lists SCO summit attendees, excluding Afghanistan, ahead of high-profile event
  • Afghanistan holds the SCO observer status that has reportedly remained inactive since Taliban’s 2021 takeover
  • Pakistan has made extensive preparations for the summit, focusing on Islamabad’s security and beautification

ISLAMABAD: The foreign office of Pakistan released the names of countries attending the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), scheduled for October 15-16 in Islamabad, notably excluding Afghanistan, while key member states like China, Russia and India are set to attend.
Afghanistan is not a full SCO member but holds observer status, which has reportedly remained inactive since September 2021, following the Taliban takeover.
Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan have severely deteriorated for more than a year over the issue of cross-border militancy, with officials in Islamabad repeatedly accusing the Taliban-led government of “facilitating” armed groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani soil, an allegation denied by Kabul.
Tensions further escalated last year when Pakistan decided to expel Afghan refugees, citing national security concerns and the alleged involvement of some refugees in militancy and crime.
“Pakistan will be hosting the Twenty-third meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from 15 to 16 October 2024 in Islamabad,” the foreign office said in a brief curtain raiser.
“SCO member States will be represented by the Prime Ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as well as the First Vice President of Iran and External Affairs Minister of India,” it added. “Prime Minister of Mongolia (Observer State) and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan (Special Guest) will also participate in the meeting.”
The foreign office said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will preside over the SCO meeting in his capacity of the current chair of the CHG.
He will also hold important bilateral meetings with visiting heads of delegation on the sidelines of the summit.
The government has made extensive preparations for the event while focusing on both security and beautification of Islamabad.
According to Dawn newspaper, over 10,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of around 900 international delegates.
Special efforts are also being made to enhance the appearance of the city, particularly along VIP routes and the Jinnah Convention Center where the summit will be held.
The prime minister himself has finalized the arrangements by visiting all these places.
The SCO meeting will discuss ongoing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environment, socio-cultural linkages and review the performance of the Organization.
The participants will adopt important organizational decisions to further enhance cooperation among SCO member states and approve the budget of the organization.
 


Pakistan begins providing licenses to VPN service providers

Pakistan begins providing licenses to VPN service providers
Updated 10 sec ago
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Pakistan begins providing licenses to VPN service providers

Pakistan begins providing licenses to VPN service providers
  • Pakistan last year cracked down on VPN use to allegedly deter militants, others from spreading illegal content online
  • Pakistan’s telecom authority grants licenses to two VPN companies, says move will ensure data security and privacy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s telecommunication authority this week announced it has started granting licenses to virtual private network (VPN) service providers, saying the move would enable businesses to utilize their services for “lawful purposes” and ensure data security. 

Pakistan’s government last year cracked down on the use of VPNs, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) asking businesses, freelancers and information technology (IT) companies to register their VPNs to ensure compliance with government regulations. It had warned that unregistered VPNs would be blocked. 

The government says its measures are meant to deter militants and other suspects who use VPNs to conceal their identities and spread “anti-state propaganda” and promote “blasphemous” or other illegal content online. Digital rights activists, however, say the government’s move against VPNs is an attempt to block vital tools that allow users to bypass restrictions in its bid to stifle criticism online. 

“The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has initiated the licensing of Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers under the Class License for the provision of data services in Pakistan,” the PTA said in a statement on Monday. 

The authority said it has approved the applications of two companies and granted them licenses to provide VPN services in the country. 

“This initiative enables businesses to utilize VPNs for lawful purposes, ensuring data security, privacy, and regulatory compliance while promoting transparency,” the PTA said. 

It encouraged VPN service providers to apply online for the Class License on the authority’s official website. 

Pakistan saw a sharp rise in the use of VPNs last year when the government banned social media platform X after allegations of rigging in general elections surfaced in February 2024. Pakistan’s election commission and the caretaker government that organized the polls reject the allegations. 

Rights activists say the government’s measures to regulate the use of VPNs are part of a wave of digital crackdowns, including its move to implement a nationwide firewall last year. 

The government said the firewall intended to block malicious content, protect government networks from attacks, and allow it to identify IP addresses associated with what the government described as “anti-state propaganda” and terror attacks.

The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the country’s top representative body for the IT sector, warned in November 2024 that Internet slowdowns and the restriction of VPN services could lead to financial losses and closures, and increase operational costs for the industry by up to $150 million annually.


Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2

Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2
Updated 25 February 2025
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Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2

Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2
  • In Pakistan, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with sighting moon for new Islamic months
  • Pakistan’s space agency says moon likely to be invisible to the naked eye on Feb. 28

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national space agency has forecast that the Ramadan moon will be invisible to the naked eye on Feb. 28, state-run media reported, meaning that the South Asian country will mark the beginning of the holy Islamic month from Mar. 2. 
In Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with sighting the moon for new Islamic months. Dates for Ramadan and Eid festivals are confirmed by the committee through visual observations and based on testimonies received of the crescent being sighted from several parts of the country. 
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has forecast that due to its low altitude and distance, the crescent will be difficult to sight on Feb. 28. According to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), SUPARCO said the angular distance between the sun and the moon will be 7 degrees on Feb. 28, making the crescent “invisible to the naked eye” that day.
“Based on these observations, the holy month of Ramadan in Pakistan is expected to begin on March 2, 2025,” APP reported on Monday. The report also said that as per SUPARCO’s forecast, the Shawwal moon will be sighted on Mar. 30 in Pakistan, with Eid-ul-Fitr expected to be on Mar. 31.
However, the Pakistani space agency said the crescent may be visible in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 28, making Ramadan likely to start there on Mar. 1, 2025. 
“The final decision on moon sighting rests with the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee,” APP quoted SUPARCO as saying. 
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, where Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual activities from sunrise to sunset. This is followed by the sighting of the new moon and is marked by Eid-ul-Fitr, a religious holiday and celebration that is observed by Muslims across the world.


‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy

‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy
Updated 25 February 2025
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‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy

‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy
  • Pakistan was plagued with injuries to destructive openers Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub 
  • Cricket analysts say Pakistan played cautious and outdated cricket in tournament 

KARACHI: Title-holders and hosts Pakistan crashed out in the group phase of the Champions Trophy after losing to New Zealand and arch-rivals India.
They still have a match to play, against Bangladesh on Thursday, but their tournament is over — a disappointing end to their first hosting of a major international cricket event in three decades.
AFP Sport looks at where it all went wrong for Mohammad Rizwan’s men in the 50-over tournament:

- Uncertain build-up -
Rizwan was appointed white-ball skipper in October last year and led Pakistan to an impressive 2-1 ODI win over world champions Australia — their first series victory in 22 years in the country.
They also won in Zimbabwe and inflicted on South Africa their first home whitewash, with a 3-0 scoreline.
But fast-rising opener Saim Ayub injured his ankle during a subsequent Test in South Africa.
Pakistan delayed the announcement of their Champions Trophy squad until the deadline to wait on Ayub’s fitness but the left-hander failed to recover.
To add to the home team’s woes, fellow opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after the first match — a 60-run defeat to New Zealand — with a muscle injury.
Pakistan’s much-vaunted pace attack of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf — rested from the Test series to keep them fresh — looked rusty and failed to control the death overs.

- Poor squad selection -
Pakistan selectors resisted calls from former players and pundits to include a second spinner in the 15-man squad and instead chose only one in Abrar Ahmed.
They relied on part-time spinners Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah, who have managed just one wicket between them in two matches.
Pakistan also erred by not selecting a regular opener and took the risky step of promoting out-of-form Babar Azam to partner Zaman.
When Zaman was ruled out they brought in Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement. He made just 10 as Pakistan were crushed by title favorites India by six wickets.
In a surprise move they included in the squad all-rounders Khushdil and Faheem Ashraf on the basis of their performances in Bangladesh’s Twenty20 league.
Ashraf had not played an ODI for two years and Khushdil for three.
Former Pakistan captain and television pundit Rashid Latif called it a “political selection,” blaming outside influence

- Old-style cricket -
Former Pakistan captain and popular all-rounder Shahid Afridi accused Pakistan of playing outdated cricket.
“In 2025 Pakistan was playing the cricket style of the 1980s and 1990s while other teams had progressed well to adopt an aggressive and modern style,” he told AFP.
“The ailment of playing too many dot balls also hurt our game.”
Pakistan played 152 dot balls against India in scoring 241 in 49.4 overs, including a record 28 balls with no scores in the first six overs.
Their total of 260 in 47.2 overs in the defeat to New Zealand had 162 dot balls.
“The mindset of Pakistan players does not match with modern-day cricket,” said Afridi.
“We need a complete overhaul of the system so that we can produce players with an aggressive mindset.”


Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy

Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy
Updated 25 February 2025
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Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy

Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy
  • UN Security Council holds key session on three-year anniversary of Russia-Ukraine conflict
  • Pakistan abstains from voting on two competing UNGA resolutions on conflict’s third anniversary

ISLAMABAD: On the three-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict this week, Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations urged international powers to resolve the crisis through constructive and “inclusive” diplomacy, pointing out the dangers of further military escalation for the region. 

Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago on Feb. 24, 2022, amid protests from Western governments and peace activists worldwide. Thousands have been killed on both sides since the conflict began and rages on, with Washington and other powers calling for an end to the fighting that has dealt setbacks to the global economy and developing countries. 

The UN General Assembly adopted two competing resolutions on the third anniversary of the conflict on Monday, with Pakistan abstaining from voting on both of them. One of the resolutions, backed by the European Union and Ukraine, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, demanded the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops, and called for a quick end to hostilities and a peaceful resolution to the war. 

“We believe that the conflict in Ukraine could have been averted through dialogue and diplomacy,” Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s alternate permanent representative to the UN, said at a meeting of the Security Council on Monday. “It must be brought to an end now through constructive and inclusive diplomacy.”

He pointed out that the conflict in Ukraine has caused immense loss of life, widespread devastation and human suffering, adding that its consequences transcend borders and impact the region and beyond.

Ahmad said it was unfortunate how the pursuit of peace remains “largely absent and elusive” in this day and age. 

“That is despite the fact that the vast majority of the member states including the developing world have constantly desired and advocated for a peaceful settlement of this conflict thought dialogue and diplomacy,” Ahmad said. 

The ambassador called on international powers to “redouble” their efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis in accordance with the principles of the UN charter. 

“The pursuit of peace is a collective responsibility that must transcend geopolitical divide,” Ahmad said. “We hope that Council will shoulder its responsibility and unite behind this objective.”

Since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, the balance of power at the United Nations has been clear: the General Assembly, representing all members, has clearly and overwhelmingly supported Ukrainian sovereignty, while the 15-member Security Council has been paralyzed by Russia’s veto power.

Pakistan has moved closer to Russia in recent months, signing trade and investment agreements with Moscow as it seeks to escape a prolonged economic crisis. Islamabad has not criticized Moscow for invading the eastern European country and has consistently called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. 


Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO

Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO
Updated 25 February 2025
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Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO

Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO
  • Pakistan suffered total $1.62 billion losses due to Internet outages and social media shutdowns in 2024, global web monitor says
  • Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim urges government to address issue, citing role of IT-enabled infrastructure in propelling businesses in Pakistan

KARACHI: The blockade of social media platforms and intermittent Internet shutdowns in Pakistan were causing losses running into “hundreds of millions of dollars” to the telecommunications sector and others that relied on online connectivity to run businesses, the CEO of Pakistan’s largest telecom company said this month. 

Pakistan suffered a total $1.62 billion losses due to Internet outages and social media shutdowns in 2024, according to a report by global Internet monitor Top10VPN.com, surpassing losses in war-torn countries like Sudan and Myanmar. The report, released on Jan. 2, said Pakistan experienced 9,735 hours of Internet disruptions that affected 82.9 million users last year, with elections and protests cited as the primary causes.

In an interview with Arab News, Aamir Ibrahim, the CEO of Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital service provider with around 71 million subscribers, said telecommunications had developed into a cross-sector enabler, so when Internet services were interrupted, it was not telcos alone that lost revenue.

“About 70% of the revenue that we generate comes from Internet or data services, so, there is a consequential revenue impact for us as telcos [telecommunication companies] but the real damage actually comes in terms of customer convenience,” Ibrahim told Arab News when asked about the effect of Internet closures.

“So it’s not just that the telcos lose revenue, it’s every other business that relies on the Internet, whether it’s freelancers, whether it is Careem or cab-hailing [services], or whether it is somebody like FoodPanda, or mobile banking, all of them rely on the Internet to be able to offer services to their customers.

“That is the real cost to the economy and that runs in hundreds of millions of dollars with all these Internet shutdowns.”

Aamir Ibrahim, the CEO of Jazz, Pakistan’s largest telecom company, speaks during an interview with Arab News in Karachi on February 14, 2025. (AN photo)

Pakistan, a country of over 240 million, has witnessed up to 40% drop in Internet speeds in the last few months, according to the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP). The speed drop comes amid what activities and opposition parties widely describe as a state-led digital crackdown that has included a ban on X, the imposition of a national firewall and attempts to restrict VPN use. 

The government denies any of the moves are aimed at censorship but rather at protecting national interests and going after terrorists and others who spread misinformation or incite violence online. 

Ibrahim acknowledged that the government had to maintain “a hard balancing act.”

“We have to be cognizant of the fact that there is a lot of fake information, a lot of fake news, things that can be detrimental to the interests of the country and even consumers and citizens and for that, you need a policy framework,” the Jazz CEO said. 

He urged the government to come up with a “mechanism” to tackle “deliberate vilification or other institution-damaging narratives” spread online. 

“So from a digital operator company perspective, we certainly advocate unrestricted Internet but the government has to actually balance it with the security concerns and concerns where information can become detrimental to national causes.”