KATMANDU: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) needed to keep striving to achieve economic, cultural and social growth in the region, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said during a visit to its secretariat in Katmandu on Tuesday.
“SAARC had immense potential for strengthening the economies of the member countries and to promote collaboration in various areas of mutual significance,” he said.
During his speech, Abbasi stressed the increased level of connectivity needed among SAARC member states for a prosperous region. “Pakistan attaches great importance to SAARC and remains committed to its principles and objectives of its charter,” he said.
Visiting Katmandu to plant a sapling of pine at the secretariat, Abbasi said that Pakistan had always strived to make SAARC a vibrant vehicle for regional cooperation based on the principle of sovereign equality.
In 2016, Pakistan was scheduled to host the 19th SAARC meeting in Islamabad. Due to strained ties with India, however, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government did not attend the conference, citing “increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in the region and growing interference in the internal affairs of member states.”
As host of the next SAARC summit, Abbasi said: “Pakistan looks forward to convening the summit at an early date” and said that it would “play a positive role in further strengthening regional cooperation.”
He said that Pakistan had at all meetings of SAARC advanced its belief that a secure and peaceful environment in South Asia was crucial for the advancement of the region’s development and prosperity.
Amjad Hussain B Sial, SAARC secretary general, said: “Pakistan is playing an important role in SAARC and had previously hosted two summits. Holding SAARC summits meant renewing impetus among member states and was therefore significant.”
SAARC can build a prosperous region — Abbasi
SAARC can build a prosperous region — Abbasi
Pakistan, South Korea conduct joint drill in Arabian Sea to deter piracy, drug trafficking
- Exercise included tactical maneuvers and communication drills to foster interoperability
- Pakistan, South Korea are both part of 46-nation Combined Maritime Forces partnership
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy’s PNS Zulfiqar conducted a joint exercise with South Korea’s Wang Geon ship in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday, the navy said, with the drill aimed at intensifying efforts to deter illicit maritime activities such as piracy and drug trafficking.
Both ships took part in the exercise under the task forces of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), CTF-150 and CTF-151, respectively. The CMF is a 46-nation naval partnership, which exists to promote security, stability and prosperity worldwide.
Pakistan Navy said the Passage Exercise included tactical maneuvers and communication drills, adding that these were aimed at enhancing operational interoperability and fostering professional ties between the two navies.
“CTF-150 and CTF-151 focus on deterring illicit maritime activities such as drug trafficking and piracy, which threaten security in international waters,” the navy said in a statement.
Pakistan said the exercise demonstrated both navies’ commitment to uphold maritime security, support lawful activities at sea and promote stability and cooperation in the region.
“Pakistan and the Republic of Korea consistently contribute ships and aircraft to maritime security efforts under the CMF banner,” the navy said.
“This collaboration is particularly valuable for building mutual understanding and operational synergy.”
Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates and holds joint military exercises with allies and countries that are part of the CMF to deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities.
Pakistan, China agree to strengthen defense ties amid regional challenges
- General Asim Munir hosts vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission at the GHQ
- Chinese general praises Pakistan’s commitment to ties with Beijing, counter-terrorism efforts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Wednesday agreed to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, with both sides emphasizing the strategic importance of their partnership during high-level discussions at the army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, led a delegation to meet Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir. The visit included a one-on-one meeting between the two generals, followed by delegation-level talks.
"The engagements focused on matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, measures for regional stability, and enhancing bilateral defense cooperation," the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
"General Asim Munir underscored the enduring and all-weather nature of Pakistan-China relations, emphasizing their foundation of mutual trust and cooperation," the statement added, noting that the army chief thanked the Chinese leadership for standing firmly with Pakistan, irrespective of changes in the international and regional environment.
The ISPR also quoted the Chinese general praising Pakistan’s commitment to the strategic partnership, commending the army’s professionalism and resolve in counter-terrorism efforts. He reiterated China’s determination to strengthen defense ties and deepen collaboration for regional stability.
China already plays a pivotal role in Pakistan’s economic and strategic framework, primarily through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, Chinese authorities have expressed concerns over attacks on their nationals working on various CPEC projects by militant groups of differing ideologies.
Earlier, General Zhang paid tribute to Pakistan’s fallen soldiers by laying a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument upon his arrival at GHQ. He was accorded a ceremonial guard of honor by a contingent of the Pakistan Army.
inflation seen slowing to 5.8 percent-6.8 percent in November, ministry says
- Inflation may further slow to 5.6 percent-6.5 percent in December, says ministry
- Pakistan slashed interest rates by 250 basis points earlier in November
KARACHI: Inflation in Pakistan is expected to slow to 5.8 percent-6.8 percent in November, and then further to 5.6 percent-6.5 percent in December, the finance ministry said in its monthly economic report on Wednesday.
The South Asian country slashed interest rates by 250 basis points earlier in November in a bid to revive a sluggish economy amid a big drop in the rate of inflation.
Inflation clocked in at 7.2 percent in October, a sharp drop from a multi-decade high of nearly 40 percent in May 2023.
Why is Pakistan’s former PM Imran Khan in jail?
- Khan first arrested in May 2023 over allegations he received a land bribe through a trust created when he was in office
- Khan, now in jail since August 2023, also faces charges of terrorism and is accused of revealing state secrets
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s capital Islamabad was gripped by violence on Tuesday as protesters demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with security forces near the parliament.
Here is a look at some of the allegations against the 72-year-old cricketer-turned-politician — named in dozens of cases since he left office in 2022 — that have kept him behind bars for more than a year.
GRAFT ALLEGATIONS
Khan was first arrested in May 2023 in relation to allegations that his wife, Bushra Bibi, and he received land worth up to 7 billion rupees ($25 million) as a bribe through a trust created in 2018, while he still held office.
His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has maintained the land was donated for charitable purposes.
Khan was released on bail after three days in prison, during which his supporters attacked and set fire to military and other state installations, with eight people killed in the violence.
ABETTING VIOLENCE
Khan is facing anti-terrorism charges in connection with the violence that followed his arrest in May last year, and in relation to which several of his supporters have already been sentenced.
PTI said in July that authorities had issued fresh arrest warrants for him in three different cases related to the clashes.
STATE SECRETS
Khan was accused of making public a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington in 2022, while he still held office.
He was acquitted in the case in June.
UNLAWFUL MARRIAGE
Khan and his wife were accused of breaking Islamic law by failing to observe the mandated waiting period between Bibi’s divorce from her previous husband and their marriage in 2018 .
1,000 Pakistan protesters arrested in pro-Khan capital march
- More than 10,000 protesters surged into Islamabad on weekend, defying a ban on public gatherings
- Government has called the protests “extremism,” vowing no mercy for the oncoming marchers
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan police said Wednesday they had arrested nearly 1,000 protesters who marched on the capital demanding the release of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan, after crowds were evicted from the city center in a sweeping security crackdown.
Khan has been jailed since August 2023, sidelined by dozens of legal cases he claims were confected to prevent his comeback in elections this year marred by rigging allegations.
Since the February vote, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has defied a government crackdown with regular rallies, but Tuesday’s gathering was by far the largest to grip the capital since the poll.
More than 10,000 protesters surged into the city on the weekend, defying a ban on public gatherings and a lockdown to skirmish with 20,000 security forces enlisted to turn them back.
The government said at least one police officer was slain in unrest on Monday, while four state paramilitary personnel were also reported killed when protesters ran them over in a vehicle on Tuesday.
The crowds aimed to occupy a public square outside parliament and the prime minister’s house.
Overnight, security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters wielding sticks and slingshots, as roadblocks were set ablaze.
By early Wednesday, AFP staff saw the main thoroughfare toward Islamabad’s government enclave cleared of crowds, and security forces in riot gear being bussed away from the area.
Islamabad Police Inspector General Ali Nasir Rizvi said 954 protesters had been arrested between Sunday and Tuesday, when the crowds came within one mile (1.6 kilometers) of the government enclave.
“610 of those arrests were made only on Tuesday alone,” he said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement that security forces had “bravely repulsed the protesters.”
Khan had issued a call from his cell outside Islamabad on Tuesday evening, telling more people to join the crowds.
“All Pakistanis participating in the protest must remain peaceful, stay united, and stand firm until our demands are met,” he said in a social media statement released by his party, who often meet him in jail.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the protests “extremism.” Since Sunday, his ministers held regular press conferences in central Islamabad vowing no mercy for the oncoming marchers.
But as they retreated from the capital, there were growing calls for reconciliation to prevent future flare-ups impacting regular citizens in the country of 240 million.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in a statement that Khan and Sharif’s parties should “immediately enter a purposeful political dialogue.”
“It is high time that they agree on a peaceful way forward instead of whipping up the emotions of their respective political workers and bringing the country to a standstill,” the organization said.
Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at The Wilson Center, said on social media platform X that “Pakistan’s protests had no winners.”
Anger toward the establishment has increased over the crackdown, he said, while at the same time, PTI was forced to retreat.
“Pakistan on the whole is burdened by a worsening confrontation,” he said.
Khan, a charismatic 72-year-old former cricket star, served as premier from 2018 to 2022 and is the lodestar of PTI.
But in his absence, the protests were led partially by his wife, Bushra Bibi, who was also jailed this year but released last month.
Sharif’s government has come under increasing criticism for deploying heavy-handed measures to quash PTI rallies.
Mobile Internet was cut across Islamabad, schools shut on Monday remained closed on Wednesday, and roadblocks prevented thousands of workers from reaching their jobs.
Amnesty International said that “as protesters enter the capital, law enforcement officials have used unlawful and excessive force.”
Khan was ousted by a no-confidence vote after falling out with the kingmaking military establishment, which analysts say engineers the rise and fall of Pakistan’s politicians.
But as opposition leader, he led an unprecedented campaign of defiance, with street protests boiling over into unrest that the government cited as the reason for its crackdown.
PTI won more seats than any other party in this year’s election, but a coalition of parties considered more pliable to military influence shut them out of power.
