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Pakistan gets $9.91 million from Japan for flood-hit areas, strengthens climate cooperation with China

Pakistan gets $9.91 million from Japan for flood-hit areas, strengthens climate cooperation with China
Pakistan’s planning minister Ahsan Iqbal and director of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), Luo Zhaohui (right), sign a climate cooperation agreement to implement an information and early warning system in Pakistan, in Kunming, China, on December 17, 2024. (Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Pakistan)
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Updated 17 December 2024
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Pakistan gets $9.91 million from Japan for flood-hit areas, strengthens climate cooperation with China

Pakistan gets $9.91 million from Japan for flood-hit areas, strengthens climate cooperation with China
  • Japanese grant will be used for child and maternal health care in flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  • Pakistan’s planning minister discusses climate change, installation of early warning system with Chinese official
Updated 17 December 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday secured international backing to bolster its resilience against climate disasters, with Japan committing $9.91 million in aid for health care in flood-hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad signing a climate cooperation agreement with China.
According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change, facing annual extreme weather events like floods, droughts and heatwaves that devastate agriculture, infrastructure and livelihoods.
In 2022, record monsoon rains caused catastrophic floods, killing over 1,700 people, inflicting $30 billion in economic losses and affecting 30 million citizens.
The country’s economic affairs secretary, Kazim Niaz, signed a grant to improve maternal and child health services in the flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Japanese Charge d’Affaires Takano Shuichi in the federal capital.




Pakistan’s Federal Secretary of Economic Affairs, Dr. Kazim Niaz, and Acting Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Takano Shuichi, sign a grant-in-aid project to improve maternal and child health services in the flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in Islamabad on December 17, 2024. (PID)

“The Government of Japan has approved grant amounting to $9.91 million for the said Grant-in-Aid project through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),” a statement released by the Ministry of Economic Affairs said. “The project aims to strengthen the diagnostic and treatment systems in the flood affected areas of the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
The grant will provide essential medical equipment for maternal and child health care, particularly benefiting high-risk pregnant women and newborns in the province.
Separately, Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal signed a climate cooperation agreement with China during his visit to Kunming to attend the 3rd China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Blue Economy Cooperation.
During a meeting with the director of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), Luo Zhaohui, Iqbal discussed Pakistan’s ongoing climate challenges, including its Climate Information and Early Warning System Project.
The initiative, launched in 2023, aims to install early warning systems and improve community resilience, particularly in northern regions vulnerable to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
“CIDCA is committed to supporting Pakistan’s post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, solidifying the enduring partnership between the two nations,” Luo said, as quoted by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency.

Topics: Pakistan China Ties Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal

Pakistan’s star batter Saim Ayub departs for London for urgent treatment

Pakistan’s star batter Saim Ayub departs for London for urgent treatment
Updated 7 sec ago
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Pakistan’s star batter Saim Ayub departs for London for urgent treatment

Pakistan’s star batter Saim Ayub departs for London for urgent treatment
  • Ayub suffered fracture in his right ankle last week while fielding against South Africa
  • Pakistan are scheduled to face New Zealand in Champions Trophy opener on Feb. 19
Updated 7 sec ago
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Star left-handed opening batter Saim Ayub has departed for London from Cape Town for urgent medical treatment, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Tuesday, as Pakistan races to get him fit ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 tournament scheduled to kick off in February. 
Ayub suffered a right ankle fracture while fielding in the second Test against South Africa at Newlands last week, with the injury ruling him out of competitive cricket for six weeks. 
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Monday that the board will send Ayub to London for medical treatment, hoping that he can be fit in time for the multi-nation Champions Trophy tournament scheduled to begin in February. 
“Ayub and Assistant Coach Azhar Mahmood depart from Cape Town to London,” the PCB said. “On the instructions of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, expert sports orthopedic doctors from England will check on Ayub tomorrow.”
It quoted Naqvi as saying that Ayub was a “valuable asset” for Pakistan cricket and that “all resources will be provided” for his treatment.
“I pray for Ayub’s full recovery,” he said. “I am in constant touch with the doctors regarding Ayub’s health.”
Ayub has cemented his place in Pakistan’s white-ball squad over the past few months. He was instrumental in Pakistan’s 3-0 whitewash over South Africa in the recently concluded ODI series last month. Ayub scored two ODI centuries in the three matches, winning Player of the Series award for his stellar contributions. 
Pakistan will play the Champions Trophy tournament opener on Feb. 19 against New Zealand in the eastern city of Lahore.

Topics: Saim Ayub

Pakistan raises alarm at Sudan’s worsening food security situation, calls for ceasefire

Pakistan raises alarm at Sudan’s worsening food security situation, calls for ceasefire
Updated 46 min 23 sec ago
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Pakistan raises alarm at Sudan’s worsening food security situation, calls for ceasefire

Pakistan raises alarm at Sudan’s worsening food security situation, calls for ceasefire
  • United Nations-backed committee’s report in December outlined famine in five areas of Sudan
  • Twenty-month-long war between Sudanese army, paramilitary group has killed over 24,000 people
Updated 46 min 23 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram this week raised alarm at the Security Council over the worsening food security situation in Sudan, urging both warring parties to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire as civil war in the African country rages on.
The UN-backed Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) published a report last month outlining famine in five areas, including in Sudan’s largest displacement camp, Zamzam, in North Darfur province. The IPC’s report also warned that famine will likely spread to another five areas— Um Kadadah, Melit, el-Fasher, Tawisha and Al-Lait, by May 2025.
Sudanese people have suffered due to a 20-month war between the army and a paramilitary group that has killed over 24,000 and driven over 14 million people from their homes, according to the UN. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have crossed into neighboring countries, including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan, to escape the horrors of the conflict. 
Akram said on Monday that Pakistan was “deeply grieved” by the current ordeal of the people in Sudan by the war. 
“We call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” Akram said. “The parties need to find a sustainable political resolution to the conflict through dialogue. It will not be resolved on the battlefield. War will only bring more death and destruction for the Sudanese people.”
He said that the worsening food security situation in the country is “alarming,” noting that over 24.6 million people in Sudan face high levels of acute food insecurity.
“We have reviewed the 24th December report of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC),” he said. “We note that the Sudanese government has questioned the IPC’s malnutrition data and assessment and its ability to collect data from conflict zones and those controlled by the Rapid Security Forces. These views need to be taken into account.”
The Pakistani envoy urged the international community to work with the Sudanese government in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the country, calling on Sudanese authorities to facilitate the delivery of aid to the needy.
“We appreciate the recent steps taken by the Sudanese authorities in opening additional air, sea and land borders for humanitarian aid and extending the Adre border crossing, which has brought some improvement in the humanitarian situation,” Akram noted. 
The Pakistani ambassador called on the international community to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and bridge the 36 percent funding gap for humanitarian appeals relating to Sudan. 
“The international community must unite to support a common vision for return to peace and normalcy in Sudan,” he said. “Foreign interference in the internal conflict of Sudan must stop. The UNSC arms embargo on Sudan must be respected.”
As the war reached its peak in April 2023, Pakistan joined other countries in evacuating its nationals from Sudan, rescuing about 1,000 people from the African nation.

Topics: Pakistan Sudan Ties Sudan war Pakistan at UN

German diplomat found dead at his residence in Pakistan’s capital

German diplomat found dead at his residence in Pakistan’s capital
Updated 07 January 2025
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German diplomat found dead at his residence in Pakistan’s capital

German diplomat found dead at his residence in Pakistan’s capital
  • Preliminary reports suggest diplomat previously experienced minor heart attack, says state media
  • Thomas Jurgen Bielefeld was serving as second secretary at Germany’s embassy in Islamabad
Updated 07 January 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: A German diplomat was found dead in his residence located in Islamabad’s heavily guarded Diplomatic Enclave on Monday, state-run media reported, saying that preliminary reports suggest he had previously suffered a heart attack.
Thomas Jurgen Bielefeld, 58, was serving as the second secretary at the German Embassy in Islamabad. His body was discovered after embassy staff raised concerns about his two-day absence from work, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
The state media reported that the German embassy staff broke into his apartment and found him unresponsive, following which the authorities were notified.
“He [police spokesperson] said the body was taken to the Polyclinic Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was conducted to ascertain the cause of death,” APP said. “Preliminary investigations suggested that the diplomat had previously experienced a minor heart attack, which could potentially be linked to his cause of death.”
APP said the German embassy was in touch with Pakistani authorities and its officials were cooperating with the investigation.
“Further investigations are underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident,” APP quoted the police spokesperson as saying. 
Pakistan’s English language newspaper Dawn quoted the police as saying that the diplomat was found “dead with his eyes, nose and mouth bleeding at his residence located in Karakoram Heights.” 
The report added that the diplomat last used the WhatsApp messaging platform at 7:44 p.m. on Saturday.

Topics: islamabad police

Pakistan’s finmin calls for timely policy measures to address country’s energy, economic needs

Pakistan’s finmin calls for timely policy measures to address country’s energy, economic needs
Updated 40 min ago
Shahjahan Khurram  
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Pakistan’s finmin calls for timely policy measures to address country’s energy, economic needs

Pakistan’s finmin calls for timely policy measures to address country’s energy, economic needs
  • Pakistan has attempted to undertake financial reforms in energy, tax and other sectors of its economy
  • Islamabad has grappled with a prolonged economic crisis that has drained its resources, weakened its currency
Updated 40 min ago
Shahjahan Khurram  

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has called for timely policy measures to address the country’s key economic, energy and industrial needs, state-run media reported this week, as Islamabad attempts to steer the nation toward sustainable economic growth. 
The finance minister was chairing a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), the cabinet’s top economic body, which was attended by senior ministers, officials and federal secretaries of various government departments, when he stressed on need for policy measures. 
Pakistan has sought to ward off a prolonged economic crisis by attracting foreign investment in its vital sectors and undertaking long-term financial reforms concerning loss-making state-owned enterprises, energy and tax sectors. 
“Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday emphasized the importance of timely policy measures to address critical economic, energy and industrial needs, with a focus on transparency and efficiency in implementation,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Monday. 
The ECC reviewed and approved a technical grant of Rs1.945 billion [$7.002 million] for the Ministry of Defense and Rs5.276 million [$18,993.60] for the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), to support the commission’s efforts in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Pakistan.
The ECC also considered and approved a proposal from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for a technical supplementary grant of Rs 2,462.302 million [$8,864,287.2] to facilitate the execution of 15 projects under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for fiscal year 2024-25, the APP said.
Pakistan has registered some economic gains in the past few months, with inflation slowing to 4.1 percent in December 2024 and its stock market experiencing a bullish trend for the past couple of weeks. It has signed investment agreements from foreign countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Central Asian states to ensure sustainable economic growth. 
In October 2024, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) valued at $2.8 billion. In December, Sharif’s office confirmed that seven of the 34 MoUs had been converted into agreements worth $560 million.
Pakistan has also attempted to privatize its state-owned enterprises which have accumulated losses in the billions, including its national flag bearer, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). It failed in its attempt last year to sell the airline, attracting just one bid of Rs10 billion ($36 million) for a 60 percent stake.

Topics: Muhammad Aurangzeb

Pakistan’s Punjab offers Saudi investors incentives in health, education and religious tourism sectors

Pakistan’s Punjab offers Saudi investors incentives in health, education and religious tourism sectors
Updated 07 January 2025
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Pakistan’s Punjab offers Saudi investors incentives in health, education and religious tourism sectors

Pakistan’s Punjab offers Saudi investors incentives in health, education and religious tourism sectors
  • Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz meets Prince Mansour, former governor of Hafr Al-Batin province
  • Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have sought closer business and economic ties in recent months
Updated 07 January 2025
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: The chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province has offered Saudi investors incentives as part of a “special package” to explore opportunities in religious tourism, health, education and infrastructure, state-run media reported this week. 
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met Prince Mansour bin Mohammed Al Saud, the former governor of Saudi Arabia’s Hafr Al-Batin province, on Monday to discuss promoting bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Punjab, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. 
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial ties, with Riyadh frequently assisting cash-strapped Pakistan by supplying oil on deferred payment terms and financial support to stabilize the South Asian country’s economy.
“During the discussions, the chief minister invited Saudi investors to explore opportunities in infrastructure, health, education, and religious tourism in Punjab,” APP reported. “She assured Saudi investors of her government’s full cooperation and the provision of incentives under a special package.”
Sharif praised Saudi Arabia’s longstanding cooperation with Pakistan, saying that Riyadh was like “Pakistan’s elder brother and the hearts of the people of both countries beat together.”
“The Punjab government has ensured foolproof security and established a system based on merit to improve the business environment in the province,” the report quoted her as saying. 
APP said Prince Mansour assured Pakistan of Saudi Arabia’s support. 
“The relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is crucial for the stability and prosperity of the entire region,” he was quoted as saying. “Saudi Arabia will always stand by Pakistan.”
The Kingdom is also home to over 2 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as the source for most overseas workers remittances for Pakistan. Both countries have forged strong business and economic relations in recent months. 
In October 2024, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) valued at $2.8 billion. In December, Sharif’s office confirmed that seven of the 34 MoUs had been converted into agreements worth $560 million.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties Maryam Nawaz Sharif

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