Pakistani forces kill two militants, capture five in Balochistan operations

Pakistani forces kill two militants, capture five in Balochistan operations
Frontier Corps Balochistan (North) personnel stand guard during a protest oustside the office of a Returning Officer in Quetta on February 9, 2024. (AFP/File)
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Updated 19 October 2024
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Pakistani forces kill two militants, capture five in Balochistan operations

Pakistani forces kill two militants, capture five in Balochistan operations
  • Military’s media wing says the militants were involved in several attacks on Pakistani officials and civilians
  • Security forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, explosives and suicide vests

ISLAMABAD: Security forces in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province conducted two separate intelligence-based operations, killing two militants and apprehending five more, according to an official statement circulated by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Saturday.
Balochistan, which shares its border with Iran and Afghanistan, has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatist Baloch militant groups. Pakistani authorities believe these armed ethnic outfits are also supported by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose fighters mainly generate violence in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Nearly two months ago, Balochistan witnessed a series of coordinated militant attacks across different parts of the province, killing more than 50 people. Subsequently, Pakistani officials vowed to launch “smart kinetic operations” to deal with the situation, rather than a full-scale military campaign.
“On 18 October 24, security forces conducted a successful intelligence-based operation in [Balochistan’s] District Pishin on the reported presence of Khwarij [militants],” the ISPR said in the statement. “During the operation, five Khwarij were apprehended, and a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, including three suicide vests, were seized.”
The statement said the captured militants were involved in multiple attacks targeting security forces and civilians.
It added that in another operation in District Zhob on October 17, two militants were killed during an intense exchange of fire.
The ISPR said Pakistani forces recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from the possession of the dead militants.
It noted that security forces remain steadfast in their commitment to eradicating militant violence from the country and protecting the people from such armed factions.


Pakistan’s deputy PM says will attend OIC meeting on Gaza in Jeddah on Mar. 7

Pakistan’s deputy PM says will attend OIC meeting on Gaza in Jeddah on Mar. 7
Updated 30 sec ago
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Pakistan’s deputy PM says will attend OIC meeting on Gaza in Jeddah on Mar. 7

Pakistan’s deputy PM says will attend OIC meeting on Gaza in Jeddah on Mar. 7
  • OIC meeting to take place in wake of US President Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinians from Gaza to other countries 
  • Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other countries have rejected Trump’s plan, called for Palestinians’ right to self-determination

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday he would represent Pakistan at the upcoming Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Jeddah on Mar. 7, where the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Palestinian cause will be discussed. 

The OIC meeting will reportedly take place next month amid backlash and uproar from Arab and OIC countries over US President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to redevelop Gaza into an international beach resort, after resettling Palestinian inhabitants. The US president called on Jordan and Egypt to take in Palestinians, with the remarks drawing sharp reactions from both countries as well as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and others. 

Dar, who was in New York on a three-day visit to the US to attend a United Nations conference on multilateralism this week, told reporters he had discussed Trump’s proposal with the foreign ministers of Iran, Egypt, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye recently.

“He said reportedly Arab leaders were scheduled to meet on the situation on Feb. 27 and Gulf leaders on Mar. 5 ,which would follow the extraordinary CFM meeting on Mar. 7 in Jeddah in which he would represent Pakistan,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. 

Dar pointed out that Pakistan had also issued a strong statement on proposals to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, saying that they had all the right to their land.

Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, said despite limited resources Pakistan sent several consignments of relief goods to Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. He said Pakistan also hosted around 200 Palestinian medical students, allowing them to complete their medical education in Pakistani medical colleges.

Israel’s war on Gaza, which began after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and displaced almost all of Gaza’s 2 million population by laying waste to swathes of neighborhoods, schools and hospitals. A six-week uneasy truce announced on Jan. 19 between Hamas and Israel ended 15 months of war. 

Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

The South Asian country regularly sent relief supplies for the people of Gaza during Israel’s 15-month war. 


Pakistan fined for slow over-rate in New Zealand defeat

Pakistan fined for slow over-rate in New Zealand defeat
Updated 18 min 4 sec ago
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Pakistan fined for slow over-rate in New Zealand defeat

Pakistan fined for slow over-rate in New Zealand defeat
  • ICC referees panel says skipper Mohammad Rizwan pleads guilty to offense
  • Pakistan lost to New Zealand by 60 runs in Champions Trophy 2025 opener 

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council on Thursday fined Pakistan five percent of their players’ match fee for a slow over-rate in the Champions Trophy defeat to New Zealand in Karachi.

New Zealand smashed 320-5 in their 50 overs with Pakistan bowled out for 260 in 47. 5 overs, losing by 60 runs on Wednesday.
“Pakistan have been fined five percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand,” said an ICC statement.

Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Mohammad Rizwan’s side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

Rizwan pleaded guilty to the offense and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing, the ICC said.
“On-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula, third umpire Joel Wilson and fourth umpire Alex Wharf levelled the charge,” the ICC added.

Pakistan now face arch rivals India in Dubai in a must win game on Sunday to keep their semifinal hopes alive from Group A.
Bangladesh are the other team in the group while Australia, England, South Africa and Afghanistan are in Group B.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals.

The Champions Trophy runs until March 9 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.


Pakistani startup Edufi wins first prize at LEAP 2025 in Riyadh

Pakistani startup Edufi wins first prize at LEAP 2025 in Riyadh
Updated 46 min 21 sec ago
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Pakistani startup Edufi wins first prize at LEAP 2025 in Riyadh

Pakistani startup Edufi wins first prize at LEAP 2025 in Riyadh
  • Edufi wins Rocket Fuel Pitch International Competition by beating over 2,000 other companies
  • Education fintech streamlines borrowing process for students, helping them finance education

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani education fintech startup Edufi bagged first place at an international competition held recently during the four-day LEAP 2025 tech conference in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s state television said on Thursday, bagging $250,000 as cash prize after beating over 2,000 competitors.
The international tech conference was held from Feb. 9-12 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in Malham. Among the highlights of the conference was the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition for startups, which provides entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase innovative ideas to a global audience of investors and industry leaders.
Edufi streamlines the borrowing process for students, helping them finance their education. It does its own credit-vetting, then pays tuition for approved students who repay the loan on a monthly basis as they study. It won first prize at the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition last week.
“Aleena Nadeem from Pakistan has won first place and a cash prize of $250,000 at the International Information Technology Exhibition leap held recently in Saudi Arabia,” Pakistan Television (PTV) said in a report.
“This is the First time in the history of the Rocket Fuel Pitch International competitions that Pakistan has achieved this honor,” the state-run media said, adding that Edufi beat 2,000 competitors to win first prize.
Edufi’s founder and CEO Aleena Nadeem received the award at the ceremony held last week in Riyadh. An MIT graduate who interned at McKinsey during college and then worked in London for Goldman Sachs and Ventura Capital, Nadeem has been involved in education issues since she was in high school, as per Forbes. 
She was included in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2024 for her work with Edufi.


Pakistan sent 727,381 skilled laborers to Middle East, Europe in 2024 — state media

Pakistan sent 727,381 skilled laborers to Middle East, Europe in 2024 — state media
Updated 53 min 17 sec ago
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Pakistan sent 727,381 skilled laborers to Middle East, Europe in 2024 — state media

Pakistan sent 727,381 skilled laborers to Middle East, Europe in 2024 — state media
  • Majority of laborers employed in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Oman, says state media
  • Says move will increase workers’ remittances, diminish unemployment in Pakistan 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis sent 727,381 skilled laborers to Middle Eastern and European countries in 2024, state-run media reported on Thursday, saying that the “record number” of workers abroad would help diminish unemployment in the country and boost remittances.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries are key destinations for Pakistan’s skilled and unskilled workers, whose remittances are vital to the national economy as the country suffers a prolonged macroeconomic crisis. 

“According to official data, 727,381 skilled laborers have been sent abroad for employment,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report. 

“The majority of these laborers have been employed in countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman, with a significant number also working in European countries.”

The statement highlighted the role of the Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Ministry in sending a record number of skilled laborers abroad last year, crediting its success to “aggressive marketing strategies, improved facilitation and strengthened ties with international employers.”

It said the move would positively impact Pakistan’s economy as more workers abroad means increased remittances to the country and a reduction in unemployment.

“This landmark achievement was a shining testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to providing Pakistani workers with lucrative employment opportunities abroad,” APP added.

A senior Pakistani official said in February that the government was working to bridge the skills gap and enhance the global competitiveness of Pakistani workers, especially in the Middle East job market.

In January, Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain said Islamabad was focused on boosting the number of skilled Pakistanis heading to Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for innovative project management and well-trained labor.

Pakistan sends around one million skilled workers abroad annually to help reduce unemployment and boost foreign exchange reserves through remittances.
 


IMF, Pakistan to open $1 billion climate finance talks next week — adviser 

IMF, Pakistan to open $1 billion climate finance talks next week — adviser 
Updated 20 February 2025
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IMF, Pakistan to open $1 billion climate finance talks next week — adviser 

IMF, Pakistan to open $1 billion climate finance talks next week — adviser 
  • Khurram Schehzad says mission would visit from Feb. 24-28 for discussion of climate resilience funding
  • Disbursement will take place under the Fund’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust, created in 2022 

ISLAMABAD: An International Monetary Fund mission will arrive in Islamabad next week to discuss around $1 billion in climate financing for Pakistan, an adviser to the country’s finance minister said on Thursday.
Khurram Schehzad told Reuters that the mission would visit from February 24 to 28 for a “review and discussion” of climate resilience funding.
The disbursement will take place under the Fund’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust, created in 2022 to provide long-term concessional cash for climate-related spending, such as adaptation and transitioning to cleaner energy.
Pakistan made a formal request in October last year for around $1 billion in funding from the IMF under the trust, to address the nation’s vulnerability to climate change.
Pakistan’s Geo News TV had earlier reported that the IMF would issue the $1 billion for climate financing next week.
The country’s economy is on a long path to recovery after being stabilized under a $7 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility it secured late last year.
Another IMF mission will arrive in Pakistan in the first week of March for a first review of that facility, Schehzad said.
The Global Climate Risk Index places Pakistan among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
Floods in 2022, which scientists said were aggravated by global warming, affected at least 33 million people and killed more than 1,700. The country’s economic struggles and high debt burden impinged its ability to respond to the disaster.