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Pakistan deputy PM discusses Gaza and Lebanon conflicts with Saudi foreign minister

Pakistan deputy PM discusses Gaza and Lebanon conflicts with Saudi foreign minister
In this file photo, taken on April 16, 2024, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (L) and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar arrive to address a joint press conference at the foreign ministry in Islamabad. (AFP/File)
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Updated 13 October 2024
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Pakistan deputy PM discusses Gaza and Lebanon conflicts with Saudi foreign minister

Pakistan deputy PM discusses Gaza and Lebanon conflicts with Saudi foreign minister
  • The conversation between both leaders come at a time when Israel’s war in Gaza has lasted over a year
  • Both countries support each other on international forums and regularly consult on global developments
Updated 13 October 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday discussed the regional situation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan over the phone, with special focus on the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, according to official statements released by both countries.
The conversation between both leaders come at a time when Israel’s war in Gaza has lasted over a year, leading to nearly 43,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly of women and children.
Israel also opened another front in Lebanon more recently, with the stated objective of destroying Hezbollah targets, raising fears of a wider war in the region, potentially involving Iran.
“Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today held a telephone call with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud @faisalBinFarhan,” Pakistan’s foreign office informed in a social media post.
“They discussed the situation in Palestine and Lebanon and expressed their deep commitment and support for the people of Palestine and Lebanon,” it added.

 
The Saudi Press Agency also shared a brief statement mentioning the development, saying that both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close defense, diplomatic and economic relations, with both nations maintaining strong collaborative efforts across these sectors.
The two countries have consistently supported each other on international platforms and regularly consult on significant regional and global developments.

Topics: War on Gaza Pakistan Saudi Ties Ishaq Dar

Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive despite consecutive losses

Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive despite consecutive losses
Updated 52 min 43 sec ago
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Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive despite consecutive losses

Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive despite consecutive losses
  • Pakistan need to beat New Zealand by “significant margin” to stay alive in tournament, says ICC
  • Skipper Fatima Sana, who missed previous match due to father’s passing, will rejoin team on Monday
Updated 52 min 43 sec ago
Muhammad Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s hopes of making it to the semifinals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup remain alive despite its back-to-back losses to heavyweights India and Australia, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Sunday. 
Pakistan began the tournament on a high note, beating Sri Lanka by 31 runs on Oct. 3 before losing to arch-rivals India by six wickets last Sunday. Pakistan suffered their worst defeat of the tournament so far on Friday, losing to heavyweights Australia by nine wickets. 
The South Asian country will now face a strong New Zealand side on Monday which has already defeated India in the tournament. 
“Pakistan are still in contention for the semifinals but will need to beat New Zealand by a significant margin to stand a chance,” the ICC said in a report. 
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who missed the previous game after her father passed away, will return to lead the team for the New Zealand fixture. 
However, the green shirts will have to do without pacer Diana Baig, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after a calf muscle injury that she sustained during the clash against Sri Lanka. 
“Najiha Alvi will replace Baig in the squad ahead of the final Group clash against New Zealand on Monday,” the ICC said. 
Pakistan squad:
Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Najiha Alvi.

Topics: Pakistan women cricket team Women's world cup

Pakistan, US navies conduct bilateral exercise at Arabian Sea to ensure maritime peace

Pakistan, US navies conduct bilateral exercise at Arabian Sea to ensure maritime peace
Updated 3 min 59 sec ago
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Pakistan, US navies conduct bilateral exercise at Arabian Sea to ensure maritime peace

Pakistan, US navies conduct bilateral exercise at Arabian Sea to ensure maritime peace
  • American navy ship USS O’Kane conducts bilateral exercise with PNS Babur at Arabian Sea
  • These collaborations counter “terrorism,” piracy, narcotics and human trafficking, says navy
Updated 3 min 59 sec ago
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: The navies of the United States and Pakistan this week conducted a bilateral exercise at the Arabian Sea to demonstrate their resolve to uphold regional maritime peace, a statement from the Pakistan Navy said. 
American navy ship USS O’ Kane visited Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Saturday afternoon and participated in a bilateral exercise at the North Arabian Sea with Pakistan Navy’s Babur ship, the navy’s media wing said. 
“The exercise was aimed to enhance interoperability and demonstrate PN-USN resolve toward regional maritime peace,” the director-general of public relations (DGPR) of the navy said on Saturday. 
USS O’ Kane’s commanding officer met Commander Pakistan Fleet Rear Admiral Abdul Munib to discuss matters related to the interoperability of both navies and their tactical proficiency in maritime operations, the DGPR navy said. 
“The visit and bilateral exercise reflect Pakistan Navy’s commitment toward regional peace, stability and maritime order in collaboration with seasoned global partners,” the DGPR navy said. 
“These collaborations have proved befitting in countering menace of terrorism, piracy, narcotics and human trafficking in the region and beyond.”
It said that the American naval ship’s visit to Karachi was a “manifestation” of deep-rooted bilateral ties between their navies in general and countries in particular. 
Once close allies during the Cold War era, Pakistan and the United States have seen fluctuations in their bilateral ties over the decades. Both countries have cooperated on a range of issues, most prominently militancy, especially since the so-called War on Terror. 
However, they often traded blame for the surge in violence in Pakistan’s volatile neighboring country Afghanistan, with Islamabad denying Washington’s allegations it has backed the Afghan Taliban over the years.

Topics: Pakistan Navy

No signs of thaw in India-Pakistan relations as Islamabad prepares to host SCO summit

No signs of thaw in India-Pakistan relations as Islamabad prepares to host SCO summit
Updated 13 October 2024
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No signs of thaw in India-Pakistan relations as Islamabad prepares to host SCO summit

No signs of thaw in India-Pakistan relations as Islamabad prepares to host SCO summit
  • Analysts believe high-level participation from regional states will dispel the perception of Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation
  • Summit is also expected to bolster Pakistan’s economic standing, reflecting an intent to integrate into regional market
Updated 13 October 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan gears up to host its first-ever Council of Heads of Government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Islamabad, analysts warn that hopes for a breakthrough in ties with arch-rival India remain slim despite the participation of a delegation from the neighboring country.
The summit, scheduled for October 15-16, is considered significant as Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will attend the gathering, marking the first visit by a senior Indian official to Pakistan in nearly a decade. However, no bilateral talks are expected due to ongoing tensions over Kashmir. The last high-level interaction between the two nations took place during the SCO meeting in Goa in May 2023, where strained relations persisted.
“They are coming here not for Pakistan but for the SCO meeting, and given the past and the recent history of our relationship, I don’t think we can expect a significant softening, especially when it’s a minister-level official, not a leader of the country,” Dr. Nafees Zakaria, who served foreign ministry spokesman, told Arab News this week while responding a question about the Indian delegation.
The summit comes amid heightened security concerns, following the killing of two Chinese nationals in a suicide bombing in Karachi earlier this month, as well as a general rise in militant attacks across the country.
Asked about his expectations from the regional summit, Zakaria expressed a desire for the SCO to take concrete steps toward promoting peace in the region.
“It would be a significant milestone if these countries could agree on a security arrangement, making the security of this region a shared and collective responsibility,” he said.
REGIONAL INTEGRATION
Speaking to Arab News, Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director of the China-Pakistan Study Center at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, emphasized the significance of the summit, noting the participating states would focus on trade, connectivity and security.
He stressed that member nations need to set aside their territorial disputes in order to enhance business opportunities and strengthen regional economies for the benefit of their populations.
“We increase our business, we enhance our connectivity, we enhance our economy, and we have to think for the good of the general population of our country, of the region,” he said while also highlighting the political benefits for Pakistan in hosting the multilateral forum.
“There is propaganda against Pakistan that it is being isolated by the world powers, but [this meeting] will prove it’s not true,” he continued. “Had it been isolated, a number of heads of state would not have come to our country.”
Dr. Khaqan Najeeb, former adviser to Pakistan’s finance ministry, said the upcoming SCO meeting could foster regional cooperation on economic issues while addressing shared challenges like security and trade barriers.
“The summit can help Pakistan bolster its economic standing by demonstrating its intent to integrate more deeply into regional and global markets,” he said. “Any enhanced trade agreements with SCO member states could open new markets for Pakistani goods.”
Another analyst, Shakeel Ramay, who writes on regional economic developments, agreed, noting the SCO presents multiple opportunities for Pakistan to tackle its economic and energy challenges.
“Pakistan can benefit from the vast market, as SCO member states constitute 40 percent of the world’s population and have a combined GDP of around $24 trillion,” he told Arab News. “They control 20 percent of the world’s oil and 44 percent of its gas reserves.”
He further added: “With the inclusion of Saudi Arabia and other aspirants, the market size, energy resource share and economic potential will be further enhanced.”
Pakistan has announced that the prime ministers of China and Russia, the vice president of Iran, India’s external affairs minister, along with other heads of government and representatives from multilateral organizations, will attend the regional summit.
To ensure the safety of approximately 900 delegates, stringent security measures have been implemented, with over 10,000 police, paramilitary and army personnel deployed.
Additionally, the federal government has declared public holidays in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on the two days of the summit.

Topics: SCO summit 2024 SCO Summit Islamabad Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

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Women’s World Cup: Pakistan braces for Kiwi challenge as S. Africa, NZ enjoy wins

Women’s World Cup: Pakistan braces for Kiwi challenge as S. Africa, NZ enjoy wins
Updated 13 October 2024
AP
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Women’s World Cup: Pakistan braces for Kiwi challenge as S. Africa, NZ enjoy wins

Women’s World Cup: Pakistan braces for Kiwi challenge as S. Africa, NZ enjoy wins
  • New Zealand take on Pakistan in last group match on Monday
  • Pakistan lost to Australia by 9 wickets earlier this week
Updated 13 October 2024
AP

DUBAI: South Africa and New Zealand enjoyed easy wins at the Women’s T20 World Cup on Saturday to boost their bids for semifinal spots.
South Africa beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in Dubai and finished with six points from three wins and a loss in Group B. England and West Indies have four points each in the same group. England has two games left, West Indies one.
Earlier, New Zealand had an emphatic eight-wicket win over already-eliminated Sri Lanka in Group A at Sharjah.
Two teams advance from each group.
Opening batter Tazmin Brits top-scored with 42 runs off 41 balls as South Africa cruised to 107-3 with 16 balls to spare.
Bangladesh spinner Fahima Khatun (2-19) had skipper Laura Wolvaardt (7) stumped in the third over but Brits was well supported by Anneke Bosch, who scored a run-a-ball 25 as they put on a key second-wicket partnership of 53 runs.
Earlier, Marizanne Kapp (1-10) and the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Nonkululeko Mlaba(1-11), both in four overs, set up South Africa’s victory by restricting Bangladesh, which won the toss, to 106-3 on a slow surface of Dubai International Stadium.
Bangladesh batters couldn’t score freely against fast bowlers Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka and were restricted to 21-1 in the first six overs. Sobhana Mostary (38) and captain Nigar Sultana (32 not out) tried to push the scoring rate, but South African bowlers always looked in control in the latter half of the innings. Mostary hit four boundaries before she was bowled by Mlaba in the 18th over.
Bangladesh, which beat first-timer Scotland in the opening match of the tournament, lost three matches in a row and bowed out of the event with two points.
PLIMMER LEADS NZ CHASE
New Zealand opener Georgia Plimmer led the chase with 53 and Amelia Kerr was brilliant with an unbeaten 34 and two wickets. New Zealand reached 118-2 with 15 balls remaining after limiting Sri Lanka to 115-5.
Asian champion Sri Lanka crossed the 100-run mark for the first time in the tournament but rounded off its below-par campaign with four straight losses in Group A.
Unbeaten group leader and defending champion Australia has all but secured one semifinal berth. The other spot depends on if India beats Australia on Sunday then New Zealand’s last group match against contending Pakistan on Monday.
In an intense heat of 38 degrees, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu made 35 off 41 balls with five fours, but once Kerr bowled her in the 14th over, Sri Lanka struggled to hit boundaries in the death overs.
New Zealand struck through spinners Kerr (2-13) and Leigh Kasperek (2-27).
Plimmer’s second T20 fifty came off 44 balls. Her and Suzie Bates (17) shared a 49-run opening stand. Plimmer holed out in the outfield and gave Athapaththu a consolation wicket.
Kerr scored better than a run-a-ball 34 with three boundaries, and captain Sophie Devine knocked off the winning runs with the only six of the game.

Topics: Pakistan women cricket team Women's world cup

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Pakistan says will launch ‘smart kinetic operations’ against separatist groups in southwest

Pakistan says will launch ‘smart kinetic operations’ against separatist groups in southwest
Updated 12 October 2024
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Pakistan says will launch ‘smart kinetic operations’ against separatist groups in southwest

Pakistan says will launch ‘smart kinetic operations’ against separatist groups in southwest
  • Announcement follows the killing of 20 coal miners with heavy weapons by unidentified militants
  • Balochistan’s chief minister says he has full support from the federation to deal with the situation
Updated 12 October 2024
SAADULLAH AKHTER

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti on Saturday announced plans for “smart kinetic operations” against separatist militants operating in the southwestern Pakistani province after unidentified assailants killed at least 20 coal miners with heavy weapons in Duki, located in the Loralai Division.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, sparked protests from labor organizations, with miners halting operations to demand better protection for workers. The attack was widely condemned, including by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who directed authorities to provide urgent medical treatment to the seven people injured.

Bugti reiterated the government’s resolve to tackle militants during a media interaction after visiting the trauma center in Quetta to meet the injured.

“We are going to launch smart kinetic operations against terrorist groups,” he told the reporters. “Terrorists have an advanced communication system. We have to think whether we have provided advanced technologies to our security agencies [as well].”

He said the security forces had launched a search operation in Duki after the attack and were pursuing the militants.

In response to a question, the chief minister said the province had full support from the federal authorities to deal with the situation.

“I am saying again there isn’t any need for a full-scale military operation in Balochistan, but we have to rethink our strategies,” he continued.

Balochistan, which shares its border with Iran and Afghanistan, has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatist militants who blame the government for exploiting the province’s mineral resources without benefiting its residents. The charge is denied by the state which says it has launched several high-profile projects for the development of the region.

Last August, ethnic nationalist militants hit several civil and military targets in a string of coordinated attacks in the province, killing more than 50 people.

A majority of the assaults were claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the most prominent among a number of separatist groups operating in the province that is home to key China-led infrastructure projects, including a port and a gold-copper mine.

The government refused to launch a full-scale military operation after the attacks, but the military has stepped up intelligence-based operations to quell the rising tide of the separatist insurgency in Balochistan.

Topics: Balochistan separatist groups

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