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Pakistan inaugurates nation’s first maritime science and technology park 

Pakistan inaugurates nation’s first maritime science and technology park 
Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf (second from left) is being briefied at International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) exhibition in Karachi, Pakistan, on November 20, 2024. (Pakistan Navy)
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Updated 44 sec ago
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Pakistan inaugurates nation’s first maritime science and technology park 

Pakistan inaugurates nation’s first maritime science and technology park 
  • Park to be hub for AI, cybersecurity, ocean renewable energy, seafood processing, shipbuilding and coastal tourism
  • Naval chief says park will address Pakistan’s economic challenges, be expanded to Islamabad, Lahore and Gwadar
Updated 44 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s naval chief inaugurated the country’s first Maritime Science and Technology Park (PMSTP) in the southern port city of Karachi on Wednesday, according to the navy’s media wing, which said the facility would prove to be a “significant step” in addressing the country’s economic challenges. 

The navy said in its press release that the PMSTP is Pakistan’s first dedicated maritime science park integrating academia, industry and the government in a unique collaboration to foster growth across the country’s maritime sectors. 

It said the park’s initiatives will target diverse fields including naval technologies, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, ocean renewable energy, seafood processing, shipbuilding and coastal tourism. Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf inaugurated the park on Wednesday during the second day of the International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) exhibition in Karachi. 

“PMSTP is envisioned as a transformative hub for innovation and advancement, focusing on maritime science and technology to bolster Pakistan’s blue economy,” the navy said. “The project represents a significant step toward addressing Pakistan’s economic challenges, with plans for expansion beyond Karachi to Islamabad, Lahore, and Gwadar.”

Pakistan, home to multiple sea ports, has tried to tap into them to enhance its economic growth especially in the trade and tourism sectors. Pakistan’s ports, which have access to the Arabian Sea, employ thousands of people in fishing, shipping and other marine sectors.

IDEAS is Pakistan’s premier weapons expo, held biennially since its inception under former army chief General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s administration in 2000 and has grown into a key event for the defense sector. 

This year’s exhibition is running from Nov.19 — Nov. 22 and is expected to host over 550 exhibitors, including 340 international defense companies, alongside more than 350 senior civil and military officials from 55 countries.

Topics: Maritime Science and Technology Park IDEAS 2024 Karachi Pakistan Pakistan Navy

Pakistan launches new ‘Game Changer’ high-altitude drone capable of carrying heavy weapons

Pakistan launches new ‘Game Changer’ high-altitude drone capable of carrying heavy weapons
Updated 37 sec ago
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Pakistan launches new ‘Game Changer’ high-altitude drone capable of carrying heavy weapons

Pakistan launches new ‘Game Changer’ high-altitude drone capable of carrying heavy weapons
  • ‘Shahpar-III’ can fly up to 35,000 feet and carry heavy weapons such as bombs, missiles and torpedoes
  • Cruise missile fired from ‘Shahpar-III’ drone can strike within 250 kilometer range, says manufacturing company
Updated 37 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir this week unveiled the “Shahpar-III” drone capable of flying 35,000 feet into the air and carrying heavy weapons such as bombs, cruise missiles and torpedoes, with the head of the company that manufactured the drone describing it as a “game changer” in battlefield. 

Developed by Global Industrial Defense Solutions (GIDS), a state-owned Pakistani defense conglomerate, Shahpar-III represents the third generation of the Shahpar series of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The latest edition is capable of carrying a payload of up to 500 kilograms, which enables it to transport a variety of heavy weapons. 

Munir unveiled the drone during the ongoing International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) expo in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Wednesday. Pakistan’s premier expo, running from Nov. 19-22 at the Karachi Expo Center, will host over 550 exhibitors, including 340 international defense companies, alongside more than 350 senior civil and military officials from 55 countries.

“It is a main game changer in a battlefield with the kind of weapons it can carry,” Asad Kamal, Chief Executive Officer of GIDS, told Arab News, adding that the drone would soon be inducted into the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). 

UAVs offer a unique advantage to combat forces around the world as they can be deployed in hazardous environments without risking human lives, mostly in conflict zones, to carry out precision strikes. 

Apart from its obvious military advantages, UAVs or drones can also be used for civilian purposes such as search and rescue missions, reconnaissance, surveillance, agriculture monitoring and delivery services.

The Shahpar-III is a successor to the Shahpar-II drone which could fly up to 20 hours at a maximum altitude of 23,000 feet in the air, according to GIDS website. The Shahpar-III can fly up to 35,000 feet for 24 hours and carry a payload of up to 500 kilograms. 

GIDS, which has been selling its products to around 14 countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, introduced Shahpar-II in 2021. The drone’s impressive endurance and high-altitude capabilities make it a formidable asset for military operations. 

“This has a more strategic value to an armed force in comparison to Shahpar-II,” Kamal explained. “Shahpar-III is a natural step up when you’re making UAVs drones.”
Kamal said the drone can see targets at night and “take on the enemy” with heavy weapons. 

“That means that from your own borders, you can launch a cruise missile from an unpiloted plane,” he said. “That cruise missile has a range of 250 kilometers. So, it can give any force a lot of firepower value by having this sort of a weapon in its arsenal.”

Topics: IDEAS 2024 Pakistan Karachi Shahpar-III

Pakistan’s white-ball coach urges new players to take ‘advantage’ of Zimbabwe series

Pakistan’s white-ball coach urges new players to take ‘advantage’ of Zimbabwe series
Updated 20 November 2024
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Pakistan’s white-ball coach urges new players to take ‘advantage’ of Zimbabwe series

Pakistan’s white-ball coach urges new players to take ‘advantage’ of Zimbabwe series
  • Pakistan will rest star cricketers Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi
  •  Pakistan will play three ODIs and three T20Is from Nov. 24 to Dec. 5 against Zimbabwe
Updated 20 November 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s new interim-white ball Head Coach Aqib Javed on Wednesday urged upcoming cricketers selected for the Zimbabwe series to take advantage of the matches and cement a place for themselves in the squad, as Pakistan rests key players for the series. 

Pakistani cricket stars Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam and Naseem Shah will be rested for the Zimbabwe ODI and T20I series while skipper Mohammad Rizwan will be rested for the T20I series against the African country.

Pakistan will play their first white-ball match against Zimbabwe on Nov. 24. The green shirts’ tour of Australia ended on a mixed note following the three-match T20I series 3-0 loss after they won the ODI series 2-1. The Zimbabwe series features three ODIs and three T20Is, which will serve as preparation for Pakistan ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament in February-March next year. 

“Similarly in Zimbabwe, both the teams that we have selected, the main players have been rested and a message has also been given to new players that if they’re getting an opportunity, they should take advantage of it,” Javed said, speaking to the media. 

“If we don’t open options the pool of choices and players will never increase.”

 

 

Pakistan ODI squad: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir

Pakistan T20I squad: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan

Zimbabwe ODI squad: Craig Ervine (capt), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams

Zimbabwe T20I squad: Sikandar Raza (capt), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava
 

Topics: Pakistan cricket Aaqib Javed

Pakistan Army chief observes arms by local, international exhibitors at premier defense expo

Pakistan Army chief observes arms by local, international exhibitors at premier defense expo
Updated 20 November 2024
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Pakistan Army chief observes arms by local, international exhibitors at premier defense expo

Pakistan Army chief observes arms by local, international exhibitors at premier defense expo
  • Pakistan army chief meets foreign military officials, delegates at premier defense expo
  • Over 300 foreign delegates from 53 countries are attending event, says army’s media wing
Updated 20 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir visited the International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 expo in Karachi on Wednesday where he observed an array of weapons by local and international exhibitors and met foreign delegates and military officials, the military’s media wing said. 

IDEAS, Pakistan’s premier defense expo, has been held biennially since its inception under General (retired) Pervez Musharraf’s administration in 2000 and has grown into a key event for the defense sector. This year’s exhibition, running from Nov. 19-22 at the Karachi Expo Center, will host over 557 exhibitors, including 333 international ones and 224 local exhibitors. 

“Over 300 foreign delegates from 53 countries attended the event and showed full confidence in the exhibition and the defense industry of Pakistan,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. “During the exhibition, COAS also engaged in meaningful interactions with foreign military officials and defense delegates present at the event.”

The army’s media wing said a state-of-the-art combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) named Shahpar III, developed by the Global Industrial Defense Solutions (GIDS) Pakistan, was the highlight of the exhibition.

“The Shahpar-III boasts advanced capabilities, including an operational ceiling of 35,000 feet and an endurance of over 24 hours,” the ISPR said. “It is equipped to carry a wide range of munitions, including bombs, missiles, and torpedoes.”

While inaugurating the exhibition on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif called for greater involvement of the private sector in defense weapons production and exports. 

“Though Pakistan is now exporting some high-tech products to more than 60 countries, the volume of exports is not at par with its actual potential,” Asif said on Monday. “A crucial factor, however, has been the limited involvement of the private sector in defense production and activity.”
 

Topics: IDEAS 2024 IDEAS Pakistan 2024 International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 General Asim Munir Pakistan Army

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Pakistan decides to deploy paramilitary forces in capital ahead of anti-government protest

Pakistan decides to deploy paramilitary forces in capital ahead of anti-government protest
Updated 20 November 2024
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Pakistan decides to deploy paramilitary forces in capital ahead of anti-government protest

Pakistan decides to deploy paramilitary forces in capital ahead of anti-government protest
  • Imran Khan’s PTI party is gearing up for planned “long march” to Pakistan’s capital this Sunday 
  • PTI says will protest “rigging,” demand judiciary’s independence and release of political prisoners
Updated 20 November 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interior ministry has authorized the deployment of the country’s paramilitary Punjab Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) forces in Islamabad from Nov. 7 onwards, a notification said, to maintain the law and order situation ahead of a planned protest by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. 

The PTI is gearing up to lead a “long march” to Islamabad on Sunday over alleged rigging in the Feb. 8 general elections and has also called for the release of political prisoners including Khan and demanded the judiciary’s independence. On Monday, Islamabad’s district magistrate imposed a two-month-long ban on the gathering of more than five people in the capital using Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code. 

Section 144 allows the government to prohibit various forms of political assembly, gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations and other activities for a specified period. Earlier on Wednesday, the PTI and the government both ruled out negotiations with each other while police warned action will be taken against Khan supporters who violate the public gatherings ban. 

“The federal government in exercise of the powers conferred under Sections four and five of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 is pleased to authorize the deployment of sufficient strength of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) and Frontier Constabulary troops in ICT from Nov. 7 onwards to handle the law and order situation,” the Ministry of Interior’s notification, dated Nov. 7 but released on Wednesday, read. 

It said Islamabad’s chief commissioner had requested for the deployment of Punjab Rangers and FC forces in the capital on Nov. 4. The notification added that the number of troops, their requisitioning date and the area of their deployment will be finalized following mutual consultations between all stakeholders.

Pakistan’s parliament also passed a law earlier this year to regulate public gatherings in Islamabad, including by specifying timings for rallies and designating specific areas. The law has set three-year jail terms for participants in illegal assemblies, with a ten-year imprisonment for repeat offenders.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government has thwarted the PTI party’s recent rallies and marches organized to build pressure for Khan’s release. The former prime minister has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced dozens of cases since he was removed as premier in 2022. 

Since then, Khan has launched a protest movement against the coalition of his rivals, which critics say is backed by the all-powerful military which denies political interference.

Topics: PTI protest

Pakistani clerics body says declared VPN usage un-Islamic without government, military’s ‘influence’ 

Pakistani clerics body says declared VPN usage un-Islamic without government, military’s ‘influence’ 
Updated 20 November 2024
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Pakistani clerics body says declared VPN usage un-Islamic without government, military’s ‘influence’ 

Pakistani clerics body says declared VPN usage un-Islamic without government, military’s ‘influence’ 
  • Council of Islamic Ideology last week declared use of VPNs “un-Islamic” after government announced banning them 
  • Independent analysts say CII statement was released due to military, government’s influence to provide ban religious cover
Updated 20 November 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr. Raghab Hussain Naeemi clarified on Wednesday that the top clerics body had described the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) as “un-Islamic” independently and not under the influence of Pakistan’s powerful military or government. 

Pakistani authorities last week announced a ban on the use of VPNs, citing their use by militant groups for financial transactions and violent activities, which was criticized by rights activists and independent analysts. The CII issued a statement later, declaring the usage of VPNs as un-Islamic. The ban followed the government’s earlier move to implement a nationwide firewall to block malicious content, protect government networks from attacks, and allow it to identify IP addresses associated with “anti-state propaganda” and terror attacks. Pakistan has already blocked access to social media platform X since the February general elections, with the government saying the blocking was to stop anti-state activities and due to a failure by X to adhere to local Pakistani laws.

These moves have caused Internet disruptions over the past couple of months. Independent analysts have accused the government and Pakistan’s powerful military of suppressing criticism by former prime minister Imran Khan’s supporters on digital media. They allege that the CII issued its statement against the use of VPNs last week at the government and military’s behest, who wanted to provide a religious cover to the Internet restrictions. The government and Pakistan’s military deny this.

“Even today, it is the council’s own initiative, independent of any influence or direction from the government, [military] establishment, security agencies or any ministry,” Naeemi told Arab News on the sidelines of a press conference. “And it is not directed against any political party or to support anyone but aiming to prevent the immoral use of VPNs and block blasphemous content.”

The cleric said that the importance of social media and other technological tools cannot be denied, adding that their “positive use” has become a necessity of the times.

“Administrative measures should be adopted to prevent their misuse and the council believes that merely imposing restrictions on modern tools is not a solution; it is equally important to enable their positive use and to offer viable alternatives,” the CII chief said. 

Naeemi said the CII has decided to conduct further research on the topic from an Islamic perspective in consultation with experts.

In a press conference earlier, Naeemi said VPNs and other social media applications are not inherently unlawful or un-Islamic. He said their permissibility according to Islam depends on their usage.

“If it is used to spread or access content that involves disrespect, blasphemy, unrest, anarchy or is against national security, such usage will undoubtedly be deemed impermissible in Shariah,” he said. 

Naeemi backed the government’s move to regulate the use of VPNs through registration. 

“Social media should be used for promoting Islamic values, building moral character, advancing education and training, fostering trade, strengthening national peace and security, and other lawful objectives,” Naeemi said.

Topics: VPN Ban VPN Ban in Pakistan Council of Islamic Ideology

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