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Italian ship ‘Amerigo Vespucci’ arrives in Pakistan for three-day goodwill visit 

Italian ship ‘Amerigo Vespucci’ arrives in Pakistan for three-day goodwill visit 
Pakistani soldiers welcome Italian ship ‘Amerigo Vespucci’ at Karachi port in Karachi, Pakistan, on December 7, 2024. (Pakistan Navy)
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Updated 08 December 2024
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Italian ship ‘Amerigo Vespucci’ arrives in Pakistan for three-day goodwill visit 

Italian ship ‘Amerigo Vespucci’ arrives in Pakistan for three-day goodwill visit 
  • Vespucci’s arrival makes it the third visit by an Italian Navy ship to Pakistan in last two months
  • Pakistan says visit underscores strengthening of Pakistan-Italian relations, bilateral cooperation
Updated 08 December 2024
Arab News Pakistan
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KARACHI: Italian Navy sailing and training ship ‘IT Amerigo Vespucci’ arrived at the Karachi Port this week for a three-day visit aimed at fostering stronger bilateral ties between the countries, Pakistan Navy said in a statement. 

This marks the third consecutive visit of an Italian Navy ship to Pakistan in the last two months. Upon arrival at the Karachi Port, the Italian ship was received by officials from the Pakistan Navy, Italian Navy and Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Marilina Armellin.

“Italian Navy’s sailing and training ship, ITS Amerigo Vespucci, arrived at Karachi Port for a three-day goodwill visit as part of its global voyage,” Pakistan Navy’s media wing said on Saturday. 

The navy said that Vespucci’s visit underscores the strengthening of Pakistan-Italian relations in general and “growing” bilateral cooperation between the two navies in particular.

“Pakistan Navy remains committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation with regional and extra-regional navies, fostering global partnerships and ensuring a lawful maritime order,” it said. 

Pakistan regularly collaborates with navies from various parts of the world to ensure illicit activities such as smuggling, drug-trafficking and piracy are kept in check. 

Topics: Amerigo Vespucci Pakistan

Pakistan says 2024 dominated by ‘robust exchanges’ with Gulf nations

Pakistan says 2024 dominated by ‘robust exchanges’ with Gulf nations
Updated 11 sec ago
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Pakistan says 2024 dominated by ‘robust exchanges’ with Gulf nations

Pakistan says 2024 dominated by ‘robust exchanges’ with Gulf nations
  • Pakistan has been pushing for foreign investment to shore up its $350 billion economy
  • Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar remained key focus of Pakistan’s bilateral engagements in 2024
Updated 11 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday outlined Pakistan’s key bilateral engagements for 2024 during a year-end briefing, saying 2024 was dominated by “robust” engagements with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. 

Pakistan has been pushing for foreign investment in a bid to shore up its $350 billion economy as it navigates a challenging recovery path and has been buttressed by a $7 billion facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September. It has particularly looked to strengthen ties with allies and friendly nations, particularly the UAE, which said it would invest $10 billion in promising economic sectors, and Saudi Arbia, which has promised a $5 billion investment package that cash-strapped Islamabad desperately needs to shore up foreign reserves and fight a chronic balance of payment crisis.

“There was a robust exchange of high-level engagements between Pakistan and
the GCC countries,” Baloch said in her last briefing of the year 2024, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook four official visits to Saudi Arabia which had consolidated the two nations’ “strategic and economic partnership.”

“Important understandings were reached with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in political security and economic domains, and to translate the commitment between Pakistan and his Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman to expedite investment package worth $5 billion,” the spokeswoman said. 

Pakistani and Saudi businesses signed 34 MoUs worth $2.8 billion in October. The prime minister’s office said this month seven of the 34 MoUs had been actualized into agreements worth $560 million.

The foreign office spokeswoman said trade and investment opportunities also remained a key focus of Pakistan’s bilateral engagements with Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE in 2024.

“Cooperation will be prioritized with these countries in energy, mining and aviation sectors,” she told reporters.

In May this year, Sharif said UAE’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had “made a commitment of investing $10 billion in multiple sectors.”

Last month, the government’s spokesperson Attaullah Tarar said Qatar would invest $3 billion in diverse Pakistani sectors. In June, Pakistan also signed a loan agreement with Kuwait for $25 million for Mohmand Dam, with assurances of support from the Kuwait Fund that it would engage its Arab Coordination Group to finance Diamer Bhasha Dam. 

Pakistan and Kuwait also signed agreements on industrial cooperation and engineering in May. 

Topics: Pakistan Gulf Ties Pakistan Saudi Ties

Pakistan discovers gas reserves in northwest with potential to produce 2.14 million cubic feet daily

Pakistan discovers gas reserves in northwest with potential to produce 2.14 million cubic feet daily
Updated 39 min 38 sec ago
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Pakistan discovers gas reserves in northwest with potential to produce 2.14 million cubic feet daily

Pakistan discovers gas reserves in northwest with potential to produce 2.14 million cubic feet daily
  • Discovery is expected to enhance the South Asian nation’s energy self-sufficiency, says state media
  • Pakistan had recently reported decline in gas reserves, raising concerns about higher energy imports
Updated 39 min 38 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has discovered gas reserves in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with the capacity to produce 2.14 million cubic feet of gas per day (MCFD), the state broadcaster reported on Thursday.

Pakistan heavily relies on oil and gas imports and has faced gas outages in recent years due to a decline in domestic gas supplies and failed attempts to purchase expensive gas from the international spot market.

Last year in June, the Energy Planning Resource Center, which operates under the planning ministry, reported a sharp decline in gas reserves, raising concerns about future gas production and supply in Pakistan. The center projected that natural gas production might shrink to 2,306 MCFD by 2030.

“Under the natural resources exploration projects of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, the OGDCL has discovered significant gas reserves in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Radio Pakistan said. “The discovered reserves are capable of producing up to 2.14 million cubic feet of gas per day.”

It added the discovery would enhance Pakistan’s energy self-sufficiency and pave the way for further exploration in the mining sector.

In October, the China Central Depository and Clearing Company signed a deal with the OGDCL to develop Pakistan’s tight gas potential. Tight gas, a type of unconventional gas requiring advanced extraction methods, is found in reservoir rocks with low permeability, most often sandstone.

In February, the OGDCL announced the discovery of a new natural gas reserve in the Khairpur district of southern Sindh province.

In October last year, Mari Petroleum Company Limited, an Islamabad-based petroleum exploration and lease company, unveiled a substantial gas discovery in Pakistan’s southern Ghotki-Sindh region, with initial estimates indicating a daily yield of 1.11 MCFD.

In September 2022, the OGDCL also discovered gas deposits in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Founded in 1961, the OGDCL explores, drills, refines and sells oil and gas in Pakistan. The company has gained importance as the country seeks to boost domestic supplies and attract foreign investment.

Topics: Pakistan OGDCL gas Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

South Africa win toss and choose to bowl first in Boxing Day test

South Africa win toss and choose to bowl first in Boxing Day test
Updated 26 December 2024
Reuters
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South Africa win toss and choose to bowl first in Boxing Day test

South Africa win toss and choose to bowl first in Boxing Day test
  • The pitch at Centurion traditionally offers plenty of seam movement for the bowlers
  • Pakistan has selected a side without a specialist spinner, brought back Babar Azam
Updated 26 December 2024
Reuters

PRETORIA: South Africa won the toss and put Pakistan into bat on the opening day of the first test at Centurion on Thursday, hoping to make early inroads with an all-out pace attack.
South Africa are chasing a place in next year’s World Test Championship final but, in order to do so, must win at least one test in the two-test series against Pakistan.
“It was a tricky decision to make but we’d like to have a go with the new ball,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma after winning the toss.
The pitch at Centurion traditionally offers plenty of seam movement for the bowlers.
The home side named their team on Tuesday with 30-year-old fast bowler Corbin Bosch to debut in an all-seamer bowling line-up, joining Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Dane Paterson in the home attack as he gets an opportunity because of a long injury list among the country’s fast bowlers.
Pakistan also selected a side without a specialist spinner, with Mohammad Abbas, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad in their bowling attack.
Abbas plays a first test in three years while Naseem is back after being dropped for the last two tests against England in October. Shahzad was injured for that three-test series.
“The last couple of times we’ve played at Centurion, we’ve gone with the seam attack and we’ve seen some success. The pitch does not favor the spinners at all,” said Bavuma.
“Conditions favor the seamers,” added Pakistan captain Shan Masood, “but you get a lot of value for your shots so it’s about picking the right balls and getting a decent first innings score on the board.”
Babar Azam, also dropped for the last two tests against England at home in October, returns which means Masood will open the batting alongside Saim Ayub.
The 22-year-old Ayub scored two centuries as Pakistan thrashed South Africa 3-0 in their One Day International series last week.
Teams:
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas.

Topics: Pakistan v South Africa Cricket Test Match

Tributes pour in as acclaimed Pakistani writer Bapsi Sidhwa dies at 86

Tributes pour in as acclaimed Pakistani writer Bapsi Sidhwa dies at 86
Updated 59 min 2 sec ago
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Tributes pour in as acclaimed Pakistani writer Bapsi Sidhwa dies at 86

Tributes pour in as acclaimed Pakistani writer Bapsi Sidhwa dies at 86
  • Born in Karachi and raised in Lahore, Sidhwa was known for keen social observations and vivid storytelling
  • Her novel ‘Cracking India,’ a poignant account of Partition, was adapted into acclaimed film by Deepa Mehta
Updated 59 min 2 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Bapsi Sidhwa, one of Pakistan’s most celebrated writers and a pioneering voice in English-language literature, passed away on Wednesday in Houston, Texas, at the age of 86, according to media reports quoting her family.

Born in Karachi in 1938 and raised in Lahore, Sidhwa belonged to Pakistan’s Parsi community and became an influential literary figure with her keen social observations and vivid storytelling.

Her novel “Cracking India,” a poignant account of the 1947 Partition through the eyes of a young girl, was adapted into the internationally acclaimed film “Earth” by Deepa Mehta in 1998.

The deceased writer also left an imprint over readers in other parts of the world with interest in both literature and South Asian politics.

“One of Pakistan’s greatest writers and one of my last connections to my father … has died,” Iona Italia, managing editor of Quillette, an online publication focusing on long-form analysis and cultural commentary, said in a social media post.

“‘Cracking India’ is the best account of Partition ever written,” she added. “RIP Bapsi Sidhwa, Parsi lady of renown.”

Pakistani politician Khurram Dastgir-Khan highlighted her role as a trailblazer in Pakistani literature, saying, “RIP Bapsi Sidhwa. Pakistan-born novelist. Trail-blazer. Author of ‘The Crow Eaters’ & ‘The Ice Candy Man.’ Claimed English as an authentic Pakistani language.”

Razi Ahmed, the CEO and founder of the Lahore Literary Festival, said Sidhwa’s work would continue to inspire writers around the world. 

Known for her wit and incisive critique of social norms, Sidhwa’s works remain an essential part of South Asian literature curricula worldwide.

Her other notable novels include “The Bride” and “An American Brat,” which explore issues of tradition, modernity and the diaspora experience. Sidhwa moved to the United States in the 1980s but continued to write passionately about Pakistan.

Madiha Afzal, a think tank scholar at Washington’s Brookings Institution, shared the news of Sidhwa’s death with a brief excerpt from her writings on Lahore, reminiscing about the gardens and fragrances of the city.

Zebunnisa Burki, a Pakistani journalist, summed up her influence, saying: “Bapsi Sidhwa: the OG desi writer. May she rest in words.”

The deceased writer’s funeral arrangements are planned in Houston.

Topics: Pakistan Bapsi Sidhwa

Explosion at gas pipeline disrupts supply to parts of southwest Pakistan

Explosion at gas pipeline disrupts supply to parts of southwest Pakistan
Updated 26 December 2024
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Explosion at gas pipeline disrupts supply to parts of southwest Pakistan

Explosion at gas pipeline disrupts supply to parts of southwest Pakistan
  • Police say unidentified individuals planted an explosive device along the pipeline near Quetta
  • Sui Southern Gas Company says repair work will start Friday after the area’s security clearance
Updated 26 December 2024
SAADULLAH AKHTER

QUETTA: An 18-inch diameter gas pipeline was destroyed by an explosion in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Wednesday evening, officials confirmed, suspending gas supply to several areas of the province, including its capital, Quetta.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, is rich in natural resources, including significant natural gas reserves. The Sui gas field, located in the province, is one of the country’s largest and supplies a substantial portion of Pakistan’s natural gas needs.

Attacks on gas pipelines in Balochistan are not unprecedented. Militant groups, particularly Baloch separatists, have a history of targeting infrastructure to express grievances over the alleged exploitation of the province’s resources without adequate benefit to the local population, a charge the government denies.

These groups have previously carried out attacks on gas pipelines, power lines, and other infrastructure, disrupting supplies and causing economic losses. The latest incident targeting the pipeline occurred at Quetta’s western bypass, according to a local police official.

“The explosion has damaged the gas pipeline while police and other law enforcing agencies have commenced investigation,” Mehmood Kharoti, Station House Officer of Brewery Police Station, told Arab News.

He said unidentified individuals had planted an explosive device along the pipeline in the Killi Khali area.

The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) also issued a statement confirming the incident.

“The main gas supply line caught fire after the explosion which has been controlled by the SSGC team but gas supply has been suspended in many parts of Quetta, Kuchlak, Pishin, Yaro, Karbala and Huramzai,” the statement said.

“The repair work of the damaged gas pipeline will be started tomorrow after the security clearance by the law enforcement agencies,” it added.

Balochistan, which shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, has experienced a low-level insurgency for decades. Baloch nationalists have called for greater autonomy and a larger share of the region’s resource wealth. The Pakistani government says it has launched several development projects in the region to address these concerns, but tensions persist.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack.

Topics: Gas pipleline

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