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Pakistan PM discusses economic, regional cooperation with Qatari counterpart

Update Pakistan PM discusses economic, regional cooperation with Qatari counterpart
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) meets Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, in Doha, Qatar on October 31 2024. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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Updated 32 min 54 sec ago
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Pakistan PM discusses economic, regional cooperation with Qatari counterpart

Pakistan PM discusses economic, regional cooperation with Qatari counterpart
  • Sharif is scheduled to meet the top leader of the Arab state, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
  • He will also interact with Qatari business leaders amid investment talks between the two states
Updated 32 min 54 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held extensive talks with Qatari Premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Thursday in Doha, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties through enhanced trade, investment, energy and cultural collaboration, according to an official statement issued in Islamabad.
Sharif’s visit to Qatar, which began Wednesday, seeks to bolster economic cooperation as Pakistan looks to foreign investment to stabilize its economy.
In 2022, the Qatar Investment Authority committed $3 billion for projects in Pakistan, spanning airport management, renewable energy and hospitality.
Qatar has also explored partnering with Pakistan in managing the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, owned by Pakistan International Airlines.
“Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged Qatar’s contributions to Pakistan’s economic growth and expressed gratitude for its continued support in various sectors,” said the statement issued by his office after the meeting.
“He thanked his Qatari counterpart for hosting a large Pakistani diaspora who act as a human bridge between the two brotherly countries,” it added.
Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said during her weekly news conference that Sharif’s meetings in Doha will primarily focus on trade and investment and regional discussions.
The two leaders also discussed global and regional issues, with Sharif commending Qatar’s “principled stance” on Gaza and its diplomatic efforts toward peace.
Qatar has facilitated negotiations between Hamas and Israel, aiming for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing war in the Palestinian enclave.
The Pakistani prime minister also praised Qatar’s humanitarian work and its advocacy for dialogue, recognizing its role as crucial for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Sharif is scheduled to meet with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, inaugurate an exhibition on Pakistani art and architecture at a museum, and interact with a delegation from the local business community.
Before arriving in Doha, Sharif attended the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he discussed trade and investment with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The talks built on recent agreements worth $2.8 billion, including investments in agriculture, semiconductor manufacturing, and energy, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s economy and deepening ties between the two nations.

Topics: Pakistan Qatar ties PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan to hold final bidding for national airline with shortlist of one

Pakistan to hold final bidding for national airline with shortlist of one
Updated 15 min 54 sec ago
Reuters
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Pakistan to hold final bidding for national airline with shortlist of one

Pakistan to hold final bidding for national airline with shortlist of one
  • Groups choosing not to bid raise concerns about government’s ability to meet commitments in long term
  • Pakistan previously stayed away from disposing of PIA since it is likely to involve a large number of layoffs
Updated 15 min 54 sec ago
Reuters

KARACHI: The bidding process for Pakistan’s national airline will open on Thursday, with just one participant in the first major privatization in over a decade.
The cash-strapped country is looking to offload a 51-100 percent stake in debt-ridden Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to raise funds and reform bleeding state-owned enterprises as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
The Privatization Ministry said that the process would begin at 1:30 p.m. (0830 GMT) and bids will be opened at 6:30 p.m. in Islamabad.
The government had pre-qualified six groups in June, but only one — real estate development company Blue World City — met a Tuesday deadline to submit final documents to participate in the process.
Officials from three groups that chose not to bid told Reuters on condition of anonymity that there were concerns about the government’s ability to stand by agreements made for the flag carrier in the long term.
One executive voiced concern about policy continuity once a new government came in. The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has relied on a coalition of disparate political parties.
The disposal of PIA is a step former governments have steered away from as it has been highly unpopular given the number of layoffs that would likely result from it.
Underpinning these concerns over policy continuity and honoring contracts was the government’s termination of power purchase contracts with five private companies earlier this month, as well as the process of re-negotiating other sovereign guaranteed pacts.
Changes in Pakistan’s decade-old agreements with private Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects, largely financed by foreign lenders, to address chronic power shortages, “raises the risk of investing as well as doing business in Pakistan, even in the presence of sovereign contracts as well as guarantees,” said Sakib Sherani, an economist who heads private firm Macro Economic Insights.
Other concerns raised by potential bidders included inconsistent government communication, unattractive terms and taxes on the sector, in addition to PIA’s legacy issues and reputation.

Topics: Pakistan PIA Islamabad International Airport

Pakistan’s youngest taekwondo champion Ayesha Ayaz represents country at Qatar championship 

Pakistan’s youngest taekwondo champion Ayesha Ayaz represents country at Qatar championship 
Updated 59 min 18 sec ago
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Pakistan’s youngest taekwondo champion Ayesha Ayaz represents country at Qatar championship 

Pakistan’s youngest taekwondo champion Ayesha Ayaz represents country at Qatar championship 
  • Ayaz, born in 2011 in Swat valley, started practicing martial arts at the age of 3 and made her international debut at 8
  • Around 1,440 players from 40 countries are competing in the event across four categories: cadet, juniors, youth and adults
Updated 59 min 18 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Qatar International Open Taekwondo Championship will begin today, Thursday, with Pakistan’s youngest taekwondo champion Ayesha Ayaz representing her country, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.

Around 1,440 players from 40 countries are competing in the event across four categories: cadet, juniors, youth and adults. The tournament, featuring morning and evening sessions, will run through Saturday with daily awards for winners.

“The fourth Qatar International Taekwondo Championship will be held today at Lusail Hall,” Radio Pakistan reported. “Pakistan’s youngest Taekwondo champion Ayesha Ayaz will represent the country in this prestigious event.”

Ayaz, born in 2011 in the northwestern Swat valley, started practicing taekwondo at the age of 3 and made her international debut at 8. She is also the youngest national champion.

Ayaz’s father is the coach of Pakistan’s national taekwondo team while her mother is a double national champion. Her father also runs a martial arts training academy in Swat. She has two brothers, both of whom are taekwondo practitioners.

Ayaz was the youngest competitor to win a bronze medal for Pakistan in the 27 kg category at the Al-Fujairah Open Taekwondo Championship in Dubai in 2019. In Feb. 2020, the talented young athlete earned a gold medal in the 34 kg category at the 8th Al-Fujairah Open Taekwondo Championship in Dubai. She has also secured the title of district champion five times and been crowned a provincial champion twice.

Topics: taekwondo Ayesha Ayaz

Pakistani PM celebrates religious diversity, honors Hindu community’s contributions on Diwali

Pakistani PM celebrates religious diversity, honors Hindu community’s contributions on Diwali
Updated 31 October 2024
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Pakistani PM celebrates religious diversity, honors Hindu community’s contributions on Diwali

Pakistani PM celebrates religious diversity, honors Hindu community’s contributions on Diwali
  • Sharif statement comes as Pakistan occasionally grapples with violent incidents against minority communities
  • His message echoes the vision of Pakistan’s founding father who championed a pluralistic state in August 1947
Updated 31 October 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed pride in Pakistan’s cultural and religious diversity while honoring the contributions of its Hindu community as he extended Diwali greetings on Thursday, with his government emphasizing an inclusive national identity amid recent violence targeting minorities.
Diwali, celebrated by millions of Hindus around the world, is the “Festival of Lights,” symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and hope over despair.
Sharif’s message comes as Pakistan grapples with violent incidents against its minority communities, such as last year’s attacks in Jaranwala, where mobs burned multiple Christian homes and churches following blasphemy allegations. The Hindu community in Pakistan has also complained of forced conversions, especially in the southeastern province of Sindh.
Pakistani authorities, striving to improve the country’s image regarding religious tolerance, have repeatedly asserted the state’s commitment to diversity and equal rights for all citizens.
“As Pakistanis, we take pride in the diversity of our society, which strengthens our national fabric and enriches our shared culture,” Sharif said in a message to mark Diwali. “I pay tribute to the valuable contributions of Pakistan’s vibrant Hindu community, whose roles in our social, economic, and political sectors continue to strengthen our nation.”
Sharif underscored the government’s commitment to upholding equality for all communities and ensuring that Pakistan offers equal opportunities for growth, regardless of faith.
He pointed to the Hindu community’s collaborative efforts with Muslim Pakistanis in advancing national development, which he described as “a source of resilience and unity among our people.”
Sharif’s statement echoes the vision of Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who championed a pluralistic state in a landmark August 11, 1947, address to the Constituent Assembly, assuring religious minorities they would be free to practice their faith and affirmed the state’s commitment to equal citizenship for all.
“May this Festival of Lights bring peace and prosperity to your lives and foster strong bonds of unity and brotherhood among people of all religions in our country,” the prime minister said.
 

Topics: Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif Diwali

Electric vehicles, air quality sensors proposed to curb severe winter pollution in Lahore

Electric vehicles, air quality sensors proposed to curb severe winter pollution in Lahore
Updated 31 October 2024
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Electric vehicles, air quality sensors proposed to curb severe winter pollution in Lahore

Electric vehicles, air quality sensors proposed to curb severe winter pollution in Lahore
  • The eastern Pakistani city has witnessed unprecedented rise in Air Quality Index during this week
  • WWF-Pakistan calls for removal of industrial zones from urban centers, reliance on renewables
Updated 31 October 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: A leading environmental conservation organization in Pakistan on Wednesday recommended adopting electric vehicles and installing air quality sensors to combat rising pollution in Lahore, one of the world’s most polluted cities during the winter smog season, according to a statement it circulated.

WWF-Pakistan pointed to several key contributors identified by policymakers, including emissions from vehicles, industrial processes, crop residue burning and coal combustion as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached unprecedented levels this week.

The call for reform came on the same day when Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif advocated for diplomatic efforts with neighboring India to address cross-border pollution, as both nations contend with extreme air quality issues.

“Worsening air quality and persistent smog is a serious issue not only for the people but also for biodiversity, especially birds and other animals,” said Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan.

“The adoption of electric vehicles can help reduce vehicular emissions that lead to poor air quality,” he added. “However, financial subsidies and establishing EV charging infrastructure are essential for the transition to electric vehicles.”

WWF-Pakistan’s policy recommendations, drawn from air quality data collected between 2013 and 2024, lay out a comprehensive strategy to improve Lahore’s air quality. Key proposals also include establishing industrial zones away from urban centers, expanding the mass transit network and transitioning industries to renewable energy sources.

Additionally, the report advocates for integrated traffic management, which, when combined with the installation of sensor-based monitoring systems, could help reduce localized pollution in heavily trafficked areas.

“These low-cost air quality monitoring systems can be used to identify air pollution hotspots and can also be synchronized with traffic management,” Khan noted, explaining that measures such as designating alternate routes or restricting heavy transport in certain areas can help reduce emissions in high-risk zones.

The report also recommended building the capacity of farmers to manage crop residue through sustainable practices and alternative uses.

Additionally, it called for mandatory vehicular emission testing, dust control in the construction sector, and promoting solar energy to replace diesel- and coal-based power in industrial sectors like leather, textile and steel.

“Industries emitting high levels of pollutants must install relevant pollution control devices,” said Nazifa Butt, Director Climate and Energy at WWF-Pakistan, highlighting the role of industrial compliance in achieving cleaner air.

Pakistani authorities have enforced new measures to combat hazardous smog, including making mask-wearing mandatory across the city of Lahore.

New, shorter school timings have also been announced in the city while student assemblies will be conducted in classrooms rather than outdoor spaces.

All outdoor activities at schools have also been temporarily suspended, and a ban has also been imposed on fireworks in Lahore until Jan. 31, 2025.

Topics: Pakistan electric vehicles in Pakistan Pollution smog

Pakistan urges US to end Cuba restrictions as UN condemns longstanding embargo

Pakistan urges US to end Cuba restrictions as UN condemns longstanding embargo
Updated 31 October 2024
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Pakistan urges US to end Cuba restrictions as UN condemns longstanding embargo

Pakistan urges US to end Cuba restrictions as UN condemns longstanding embargo
  • UN voted 187-2 in favor of lifting the embargo, with only the US and Israel opposing the resolution
  • Pakistani diplomat says during the debate an end to embargo will improve quality of life in Cuba
Updated 31 October 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani diplomat at the United Nations called for an end to the longstanding American economic restrictions on Cuba, emphasizing that the step would enhance quality of life in the Caribbean nation as the global body condemned the embargo for the 32nd consecutive year.

The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted 187-2 in favor of lifting the sanctions, with only the US and Israel opposing the resolution, alongside one abstention in the 193-member body.

Tensions between the US and Cuba escalated in the 1960s, following Fidel Castro’s revolutionary government’s decision to nationalize American-owned assets without compensation.

This led to US embargo as Washington aimed to isolate Cuba economically and politically, pressuring its government to carry out democratic reforms and curtail alignment with the former Soviet Union.

“Pakistan maintains that the imposition of unilateral economic measures is counterproductive and inconsistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law,” an official statement quoted the deputy permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, as saying during the debate.

The statement said the Pakistani diplomat highlighted the rights of the people of Cuba to their own means of subsistence, especially food and medicine, adding that “ending the embargo would be a significant step toward improving the quality of life for the Cuban people, and will help Cuba advance on the path toward sustainable development.”

Ambassador Jadoon also expressed a deep concern on the impact that the economic, financial and commercial embargo has had on Cuba and its people.

He reiterated Pakistan’s “unwavering commitment to multilateralism,” saying his country believed in the fundamental principles of sovereign equality, non-interference and non-intervention, as enshrined in the UN Charter.

Topics: cuba US Cuba embargo

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