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82 killed in three days of Pakistan sectarian violence

82 killed in three days of Pakistan sectarian violence
Relatives gather to collect the body of a person who was killed when gunmen fired on vehicles carrying Shiite Muslims Thursday, at a hospital in Parachinar, main town of Kurram district of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on November 22, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 24 November 2024
AFP
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82 killed in three days of Pakistan sectarian violence

82 killed in three days of Pakistan sectarian violence
  • Mobile network across Kurram is suspended and traffic on main highway remains halted amid tensions
  • Around 300 families fled on Saturday as gunfights with light and heavy weapons continued into the night
Updated 24 November 2024
AFP
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PESHAWAR: Three days of bitter sectarian gunfights in northwestern Pakistan have killed at least 82 people and wounded 156 more, a local official said Sunday.
Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country but Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province — near the border with Afghanistan — has a large Shiite population and the communities have clashed for decades.
The latest bout of violence began on Thursday when two separate convoys of Shiite Muslims traveling under police escort were ambushed, killing at least 43 and sparking two days of gunbattles.
“The clashes and convoy attacks on November 21, 22, and 23 have resulted in 82 fatalities and 156 injuries,” said a local administration official speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Among the deceased 16 were Sunni, while 66 belonged to the Shia community,” he told AFP.
Around 300 families fled on Saturday as the gunfights with both light and heavy weapons continued into the night, however no fresh casualties were reported on Sunday morning.
“The mobile network across Kurram remains suspended and traffic on the main highway is halted,” said the local administration official.
Police have regularly struggled to stymy violence in Kurram, which was part of the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas until it was merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.
A delegation from the provincial government held talks with the Shiite community on Saturday and is scheduled to meet the Sunni community later on Sunday.
A security official in the provincial capital of Peshawar told AFP the negotiators’ helicopter had come under fire as it arrived in the region, although no one was harmed.
“Our priority today is to broker a ceasefire between both sides. Once that is achieved, we can begin addressing the underlying issues,” provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi said Sunday.
Last month at least 16 people, including three women and two children, were killed in a sectarian clash in Kurram.
Previous clashes in July and September killed dozens of people and ended only after a jirga, or tribal council, called a ceasefire.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 79 people died between July and October in sectarian clashes.
Several hundred people demonstrated against the violence on Friday in Pakistan’s second largest city of Lahore and Karachi, the country’s commercial hub.

Topics: Kurram Agency kurram district parachinar

Pakistan win bronze at 22nd Asian Junior Squash Team Championships

Pakistan win bronze at 22nd Asian Junior Squash Team Championships
Updated 7 sec ago
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Pakistan win bronze at 22nd Asian Junior Squash Team Championships

Pakistan win bronze at 22nd Asian Junior Squash Team Championships
  • Republic of Korea made national sporting history as their men’s team won the tournament for the first time
  • In women’s event, Hong Kong ended Malaysia’s decade of dominance by claiming title for first time in 14 years
Updated 7 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan team has won a bronze medal at the 22nd Asian Junior Squash Team Championships held in Hong Kong, state media reported on Monday.

The Asian Junior Team Championships have been held biennially since 1983.

“South Korea secured the gold medal while Malaysia got silver,” Radio Pakistan reported. “Pakistan and India won bronze medals.”

The Republic of Korea made national sporting history as their men’s team won the tournament for the first time, while in the women’s event, hosts Hong Kong ended Malaysia’s decade of dominance by claiming the title for the first time in 14 years.

Prior to Sunday’s conclusion at Hong Kong Squash Center, Republic of Korea had never reached the final of the Asian Junior Team Championships.

Completing the medals in the men’s event were No.6 seeds Pakistan, who beat No.5 seeds Japan in the quarterfinals but lost to Republic of Korea in the semis, and No.4 seeds India, who upset hosts Hong Kong, China in the quarter-final before losing out to Malaysia in the semis.

Completing the medals in the women’s event were No.3 seeds India and No.5 seeds Singapore, with India finishing second in Pool B after comprehensive wins over China, Macau – China, and Mongolia, before losing out to the hosts in the semifinals, and Singapore coming second in Pool A after wins over No.4 seeds Republic of Korea as well as Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei before eventually exiting to Malaysia in the last four.

Topics: Asian Junior Squash Team Championships squash champion

Nearly 250 Pakistani firms showcase agro-based products at Gulfood trade exhibition in Dubai

Nearly 250 Pakistani firms showcase agro-based products at Gulfood trade exhibition in Dubai
Updated 17 February 2025
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Nearly 250 Pakistani firms showcase agro-based products at Gulfood trade exhibition in Dubai

Nearly 250 Pakistani firms showcase agro-based products at Gulfood trade exhibition in Dubai
  • Since its inception in 1987, Gulfood has become a powerful trade forum and has been driving the global food and beverage industry forward
  • Pakistani companies are presenting rice, meat, dairy, spices, cheese, processed food, bakery items, salt, and others products at the event
Updated 17 February 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Nearly 250 Pakistani firms are participating in the 30th edition of Gulfood trade exhibition in Dubai and are showcasing various Pakistani agro-based products to global buyers, the Pakistani consulate said on Monday.
Since its inception in 1987, Gulfood has become a powerful trade forum and has been driving the global food and beverage industry forward. The event, running from Feb. 17 till Feb. 21, will be featuring over 5,500 exhibitors from 129 countries.
Pakistan’s Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi inaugurated the Pakistan Pavilion at the exhibition held at the Dubai World Trade Center on Monday, where 45 Pakistani companies are showcasing rice, cereals, meat, dairy, spices, cheese, processed food, bakery items, salt, herbal products, honey, horticulture, juices and beverages.
These companies are participating under the umbrella of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), while another 200 Pakistani firms are participating privately in Gulfood 2025, reflecting the country’s growing presence in the global food market, according to the Pakistani consulate.
“It is a matter of great pride that 45 companies under TDAP, along with a total of 200 Pakistani companies privately, are participating in this prestigious event,” Ambassador Tirmizi said after the launch of Pakistan Pavilion.
“Our stalls are ideally designed and strategically located, with increased space to attract local and global buyers. There is significant interest in our products, including basmati rice, spices, pink salt and cheese.”
He highlighted the upward trend in Pakistan’s agro-based exports, particularly to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and emphasized the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) role as one of Pakistan’s key trading partners.
“Gulfood offers an unparalleled platform for collaboration and innovation, enabling Pakistani exporters to maximize business-to-business opportunities through knowledge exchange, networking and collaboration with global business leaders,” the ambassador said.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of foreign investment valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE’s foreign ministry. Policymakers in Pakistan consider the Gulf country an optimal export destination due to its geographical proximity, which minimizes transportation and freight costs while facilitating commercial transactions.
Ali Zeb Khan, the trade and investment counselor at the Pakistani consulate, shared that Pakistan’s agri-food exports had reached $8 billion globally in fiscal year 2023-24, which ended in June, marking a 37 percent increase compared to the previous year.
“This growth was driven by significant increases in the exports of rice, maize, sesame, meat, edible fruits, and vegetables,” he said.
On the occasion, Shabbir Merchant, president of the Pakistan Business Council Dubai, pledged full support to Pakistani exhibitors, emphasizing the council’s commitment to promoting Pakistani products in the UAE and beyond.

Topics: Gulfood trade exhibition

Pakistan to revamp trade bodies in bid to boost export-led growth, commerce minister says

Pakistan to revamp trade bodies in bid to boost export-led growth, commerce minister says
Updated 17 February 2025
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Pakistan to revamp trade bodies in bid to boost export-led growth, commerce minister says

Pakistan to revamp trade bodies in bid to boost export-led growth, commerce minister says
  • Record inflation, high interest rates and uncertain investment climate led to economic slowdown in Pakistan in last two years
  • Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan credits joint efforts by the government and the private sector for the economic stability
Updated 17 February 2025
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Pakistan’s commerce minister, Jam Kamal Khan, on Monday said his government was working to revamp the country’s trade institutions to make them more efficient, amid Islamabad’s efforts to boost export-led growth in the country.
Pakistan is currently navigating a path to economic recovery under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, secured in September 2024, and has signed several trade and investment agreements Gulf and Central Asian states as well as other countries.
The organizations the government is restructuring include the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Export Development Fund, Export Facilitation Scheme and the Directorate General of Trade Organizations, according to Khan.
“In the last six months, TDAP has done a very wonderful job given its current capacity,” he said, addressing a pre-budget seminar. “We are working to enhance its efficiency further.”
Pakistan nearly defaulted in 2023 on the payment of foreign debts and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescued it by agreeing to a $3 billion bailout. The South Asian country is now keeping its current account in check primarily through containing imports. The country’s exports rose 10 percent to $19.6 billion in the last seven months till January, while it is keeping tabs on imports that increased by 7 percent to $33 billion, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
“Despite tough [economic] conditions, our exports have not declined but progressed if not having increased significantly,” Khan noted.
In a statement, the Pakistani commerce ministry said Monday’s seminar provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss economic challenges and the roadmap for tariff rationalization.
“The more this ministry would engage the industry, the more we would know how to address the industry and its issues,” Khan said, acknowledging financial difficulties in the last two years, but appreciated the resilience of the industry.
“We have been partially successful despite many challenges. The industry has survived tough times, and I congratulate all stakeholders for their efforts. Their contributions have been effective in steering the economy toward stability.”
Khan said severe challenges, including inflation that peaked to 38 percent in May 2023, high interest rates, and an uncertain investment climate, had led to an economic slowdown, but credited joint efforts by the government and the private sector for economic stability. Inflation came down to 1.8 percent in January, while the Pakistani central bank has slashed interest rates to 12 percent from an all-time high of 22 percent in June last year.
“If we compare today’s situation with two years ago, it is evident that stability has returned. This achievement is the result of the industry’s contribution alongside government initiatives,” he said.
Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul emphasized the seminar’s importance in shaping economic policy and fostering export-led growth, highlighting the role of tariff rationalization in reducing production costs, boosting competitiveness and attracting foreign investment.
Transparent tariff policies enhance investor confidence and economic integration through trade agreements. The National Tariff Policy (NTP) 2019-24 successfully rationalized 85.75 percent of tariff lines, providing Rs92 billion ($330 million) in relief to businesses, according to the official.
The new NTP 2025-30 aims to further support small-medium enterprises (SMEs), green initiatives and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The commerce ministry was committed to stakeholder engagement and targeted reforms to ensure sustainable economic growth and global trade integration.
“We have decided to initiate extensive consultations well before the budget,” Paul said. “This is just the first session and within two to three months, we will be in a stronger position to make informed decisions.”
Commerce Minister Khan assured the business community would be involved at every stage to ensure policy alignment.
“Whatever policies we formulate, the business community will be on board. We will strive for a consensus on majority of issues,” he said.
Joint Secretary Muhammad Ashfaq gave a detailed presentation at the seminar on NTP 2025-30, presenting an impact analysis of NTP 2019-24 and contours of the new draft.
Speaking about structural reforms, Khan highlighted the involvement of 17 sectoral councils in policy recommendations, drawing parallels with the National Economic Development Board (NEDB).
“Although our focus remains on increasing exports, we will ensure that local industries remain competitive,” he shared. “We aim to manage tariffs effectively to support domestic businesses while integrating them into the international market.”
Khan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive and transparent policymaking at the seminar, which was a continuation of a weeklong consultative session between the government and industry representatives.
“The private sector has the potential to drive our economy forward. Over the past six to eight months, we have actively engaged with stakeholders, taken ownership of various business-to-business (B2B) meetings, and strengthened trade mechanisms,” Khan said.
“This pre-budget seminar marks the beginning of a continuous dialogue. We started this process with consensus, and we will conclude it with consensus, ensuring that our economic policies reflect the collective vision of all stakeholders.”

Topics: trade Commerce

Pakistan says will privatize over 50 state entities within four years

Pakistan says will privatize over 50 state entities within four years
Updated 17 February 2025
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Pakistan says will privatize over 50 state entities within four years

Pakistan says will privatize over 50 state entities within four years
  • The statement comes after Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema’s meeting with a World Bank delegation
  • Divestment of state entities is key component of Pakistan’s reform agenda under $7 billion IMF program
Updated 17 February 2025
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema has said that Pakistan plans to privatize more than 50 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) within the next four years as part of its efforts to overhaul public entities and improve their performance, the Pakistani government said on Monday.
Cheema said this during his meeting with a delegation of top officials of the World Bank Group (WBG), according to the Press Information Department (PID) of the Pakistani government. The visit aims to enhance understanding of Pakistan’s economic, political, social and governance landscape, while exploring opportunities for future development support.
The development comes months after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced his government would privatize all state entities, except those considered “strategically important” or essential. In 2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as part of Pakistan’s $3 billion bailout, had stressed the need for stronger governance of SOEs, whose losses were heavily impacting the government finances.
Last year Pakistan’s Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCOP), responsible for the Privatization Program 2024-29, approved the privatization of 24 entities. However, it decided that the inclusion of other state entities would be determined after a review to assess their categorization as strategic or essential enterprises.
“In the first phase, the government is focusing on the privatization of power distribution companies (DISCOS) and in the second phase, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other SOEs are to be privatized,” Cheema was quoted as saying by the PID, following his meeting with the World Bank delegation.
“The minister shared that the government aims to privatize up to 50 SOEs over the next 3-4 years.”
The minister informed the delegation about the challenges faced by the power sector, including high tariffs for consumers, inefficiencies in line losses and efforts to achieve full cost of recovery, according to the statement.
The World Bank delegates commended Pakistan’s efforts in addressing critical challenges and expressed their support for Pakistan’s newly launched Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2026-2035 to help achieve its development goals, with an unprecedented commitment of $40 billion. It would include sovereign lending of $20 billion by the International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank for Reconstruction & Development (IBRD). IFC will mobilize another $20 billion to foster private sector investments in Pakistan.
Last week, Pakistan also signed a financial advisory agreement with a consortium, led by Dubai-based Alvarez & Marsal Middle East Limited, to privatize three major power distribution companies.
The agreement is part of the government’s broader effort to reform the power sector which has long struggled with circular debt, operational inefficiencies and power theft. The divestment of state-run power companies is a key component of Pakistan’s economic reform agenda as outlined by the IMF in its current $7 billion loan program.

Topics: World Bank

Islamabad says unaware of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s decision to engage Kabul on militancy

Islamabad says unaware of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s decision to engage Kabul on militancy
Updated 17 February 2025
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Islamabad says unaware of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s decision to engage Kabul on militancy

Islamabad says unaware of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s decision to engage Kabul on militancy
  • The government in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday announced sending two delegations to Kabul to discuss a surge in militancy in the region
  • Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy, mainly in KP province, since a fragile truce between Pakistani Taliban and Islamabad broke down in 2022
Updated 17 February 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on Monday it had not been informed about a decision by the government in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province to hold direct talks with Kabul regarding a surge in militancy in the region, saying it would act accordingly once it is formally conveyed about the decision.
The development came a day after a KP government spokesman said the provincial government had decided to send two delegations, comprising tribal elders, religious scholars, and political leaders, to Kabul to engage in direct talks with the Afghan Taliban rulers for peace and stability in the province. It followed a statement by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, in which he said the security situation in the region was directly linked to the “developments in neighboring Afghanistan,” following a consultative meeting of various religious and political parties in the province.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in the country, particularly in KP that borders Afghanistan, since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Islamabad broke down in November 2022. The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
Shafqat Ali Khan, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, told Arab News that Pakistan’s foreign relations with any country fall under the domain of the federal government as per the constitution, and in general, a provincial government takes part in a matter involving external affairs only through the federal authorities.
“Under the constitution, foreign relations remain the mandate of the federal government,” he said. “We have not received any communication from them [KP administration] so far and will act accordingly if the KP government contacts foreign ministry.”
Pakistan’s top military and political leadership has blamed the surge in violence on TTP militants launching cross-border attacks from Afghanistan, accusing Kabul of harboring and facilitating them. Afghanistan denies the allegation and says Pakistan’s security is an internal matter of Islamabad.
The TTP continues to get financial and logistical support from Kabul, a United Nations (UN) report said this month, amid Islamabad’s repeated calls for Afghanistan to rein in the group. The ambition and scale of the TTP’s attacks on Pakistan had significantly increased, with over 600 attacks from July to December 2024, the report said.
The KP information department said on Sunday that two separate delegations would soon engage in direct talks with the Afghan Taliban in Kabul to address key issues, including cross-border security, economic cooperation and trade. Provincial government spokesperson Muhammad Ali Saif would be the focal person and will also be part of all delegations in this regard, it added.
“Both delegations will visit Kabul soon as the government has finalized the Terms of Reference (TORs) for the tribal elders,” Saif told Arab News in a statement sent by his office on Monday.
The KP government will formally notify the federal government about the initiative and ensure it is aligned with Pakistan’s foreign and security policies, according to the TOR document seen by Arab News.
“No commitments will be made that override Pakistan’s national security framework or diplomatic stance and a detailed briefing document will be shared with federal authorities before the engagement,” the document said.
The KP government proposes sending a delegation of tribal elders, religious scholars, and political leaders to engage with their Afghan counterparts and address mutual concerns, particularly peace, security, cross-border trade and economic cooperation, through “tribal diplomacy,” according to the document.
“Objectives of the delegations included strengthening cross-border tribal diplomacy, confidence-building measures between tribal communities and authorities in both countries, and facilitating dialogue on regional peace and stability,” it read.
Another aim is to address cross-border security concerns by engaging tribal elders to “dissuade terrorist organizations from using Afghan territory for launching attacks in Pakistan and seek cooperation in monitoring and preventing TTP and other militant groups’ movement across the border,” according to the TORs.
“[The delegations will] discuss initiatives to enhance health care, education, and livelihood opportunities,” the document said, adding that the discussions would also focus on cross-border humanitarian and cultural initiatives for safe movement of people across the border for medical treatment, trade and social engagements.

Topics: KP militancy Pakistan Afghanistan Ties Afghan Taliban Pakistan foreign office

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