ISLAMABAD: China is paying close attention to the situation in Kashmir and wants a peaceful resolution of the dispute between the two South Asian nuclear-armed nations, said a Pakistan-China joint press statement on Wednesday while providing details of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s two-day visit to Beijing.
The Pakistani leader left for Islamabad after concluding his visit to China where he was invited by his counterpart Li Keqiang. During his stay in Beijing, the prime minister also met President Xi Jinping and interacted with Chinese business community.
According to the joint statement, leaders of the two countries agreed “that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia was in the common interest of all parties.”
“Parties need to settle disputes and issues in the region through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect,” it added.
The Pakistani delegation also underscored that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a transformational project. The two countries agreed that the second CPEC phase would promote industrial and socio-economic development in the South Asian state.
Pakistani officials told the Chinese authorities that the Gwadar Port had been given various facilities since the government wanted to make it the region’s trade and logistical hub.
The two sides also expressed determination to speedily execute CPEC projects to make the corridor a high-quality demonstration for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
China and Pakistan also reviewed the “excellent” bilateral defense cooperation and agreed to strengthen it further “in the areas of military exercises, training cooperation, personnel exchanges, and equipment and technology cooperation.”
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and called on all countries to strengthen international cooperation on counterterrorism.
China appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices in countering terrorism, asking “the international community to objectively recognize Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and security through its success in fight against terrorism.”
The two sides also underlined that educational links between them were becoming stronger.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked Chinese leadership for providing opportunities to Pakistani students to study in China. He hoped that those students will play an important role in further deepening historic and deep-rooted ties between the two iron brothers,” the statement added.
Chinese authorities say Beijing paying close attention to Kashmir situation
Chinese authorities say Beijing paying close attention to Kashmir situation
- As Prime Minister Khan concludes his visit, the two countries praise bilateral defense cooperation, agree to strengthen it further
- The second CPEC phase will promote industrial and socio-economic development in Pakistan, says joint statement
Pakistan’s Shahzeb Rind successfully defends lightweight title at Karate event in Florida
- Rind, 26, defeats three-time world champion Edgars Skivers 7-0
- Rind boasts a combined Wushu and Kickboxing record of 75-4
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Karate fighter Shahzeb Rind successfully defended his lightweight title against former three-time world champion Edgars Skrivers, defeating him 7-0 at the Karate Combat (KC) 52 event in Miami, the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PMMAF) announced on Sunday.
The KC52, a professional full-contact karate league, is part of a global karate MMA series featuring skilled fighters in action-packed competitions.
Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
During the two and half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.
“In a stunning display of skill and determination, Rind has claimed his second championship title after a hard-fought victory against Edgars Skrivers,” the PMMAF said.
“The intense showdown unfolded on Friday in Miami, captivating audiences with its electrifying energy and showcasing the best of competitive spirit.”
The statement said Rind delivered an “extraordinary” performance that kept his fans excited throughout the match, adding that his “dedication, relentless training, and remarkable skill” had solidified his position as one of the top contenders.
“Rind’s triumph is a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work,” the sports body said. “As fans celebrate this incredible achievement, they eagerly await what the future holds for this rising star.”
The Pakistan Embassy in New York congratulated Rind on defending his title.
“Heartfelt congratulations to MMA fighter Shahzaib Rind, the brave son of Pakistan who hails from Balochistan, on defending his lightweight title in Miami, Florida, USA and becoming the world champion for the second time,” the embassy said on X. “Shahzaib Rind dedicated his victory to the people of Pakistan.”
Rind boasts a combined Wushu and Kickboxing record of 75-4, the majority of which was attained while training himself by watching YouTube videos. He is currently training under Asim Zaidi at the renowned Goat Shed gym in Miami.
Zaidi is the president of Karate Combat, a brand that promotes the first professional full-contact karate league, hosting worldwide events since April 2018.
Pakistan sacks 18% railways employees in bid to implement IMF reforms in state entities
- Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs review meeting on Pakistan Railways performance
- IMF has pressed Pakistan to improve governance in state-owned assets for financial bailouts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has sacked 18% of its “unnecessary staff” in a bid to improve the state-owned asset’s performance, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed on Monday according to a statement from his office, as Islamabad moves to implement ambitious reforms mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in exchange for a financial bailout.
Improving governance in loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has long been on the IMF’s list of recommendations for Pakistan, which has turned to the international lender for frequent financial bailouts, the latest of which was a $7 billion loan last year. Pakistan’s prolonged economic crisis has forced the country to implement an ambitious reforms program designed by the IMF, which includes privatizing public sector organizations and laying off unnecessary staff to enhance their revenue.
Pakistan’s SOEs have accumulated losses in the billions over the years due to mismanagement, operational challenges, high debt loads, inefficiencies and alleged corruption. Pakistan’s railways sector has also been poorly managed over the years, with the country witnessing several train accidents over the past few years due to decades-old signal systems and tracks.
Sharif chaired a meeting to review the railway sector’s performance on Monday which was attended by senior cabinet ministers and officials, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
“As part of the Pakistan Railways rightsizing process, 18% of unnecessary staff has been laid off,” Sharif was briefed during the meeting, according to the PMO.
Sharif issued instructions to Pakistan Railways to attract passengers in a competitive manner, calling on the organization to provide better travel services to passengers through public-private partnerships.
He also instructed railways to hire professional and capable manpower, and replace its old system with modern technology that is more in line with today’s age, the PMO said.
Sharif was briefed that the railways suffered losses of Rs10 billion during the devastating floods of 2022, during which most of its tracks remained underwater for 35 days.
“Pakistan Railways improved its performance through various measures after the 2022 floods and has so far earned a profit equal to the initial cost of its freight operations,” the PM was told.
The Pakistani premier urged railways to use its land for business activities in collaboration with the private sector, directing it to formulate a strategy to increase trade in the region, especially with Central Asian countries.
Chinese official criticizes Pakistan’s ‘false rhetoric’ on economic corridor, raises ‘serious’ security concerns — report
- Shengjie says Pakistan’s rhetoric has given “unrealistic expectations” to locals
- Recent attacks have forced Beijing to publicly criticize Pakistan over security lapses
ISLAMABAD: China’s political secretary to Islamabad, Wang Shengjie, has criticized Pakistan’s “false rhetoric” around projects that are part of a joint multi-billion-dollar economic corridor, expressing “serious concerns” over the scheme’s future due to security challenges, a recent report in the Guardian newspaper said.
Beijing has pledged to build energy, infrastructure and other projects as part of the over $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) scheme launched in 2015 as a flagship of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative to grant China access to trade routes in Asia and Africa.
Recent attacks, including one in October 2024 in which two Chinese workers were killed in a suicide bombing in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, have forced Beijing to publicly criticize Pakistan over security lapses and media has widely reported in recent months that China wants its own security forces on the ground to protect its nationals and projects, a demand Islamabad has long resisted.
Progress on the economic corridor has been slow, particularly in the restive southwestern Balochistan province where China is building a deep-sea port and last week opened Pakistan’s largest airport in the coastal town of Gwadar, among other mega projects. Ethnic separatist groups target Chinese interests in the area, blaming both the governments in Pakistan and China of exploiting the province’s natural resources and neglecting the local population, allegations both Beijing and Islamabad deny. Gwadar residents have held intermittent protests for months, saying Chinese projects in the area have not improved the lives of the local population.
In a report published in the Guardian on Sunday, Shengjie spoke about enduring security challenges in Pakistan.
“Shengjie accused the Pakistani government of using ‘false rhetoric’ around CPEC projects, which had given unrealistic expectations to locals,” the Guardian reported on Sunday,
“We don’t work in rhetoric like Pakistan – we just focus on development,” he was quoted as saying. “If this kind of security situation persists, it will hamper development.”
The report said the Chinese official expressed “serious concerns” over the future of CPEC due to security challenges.
“If the security is not improved, who would come and work in this environment? There is hatred against the Chinese in Gwadar and Balochistan,” Shengjie was quoted as saying . “Some evil forces are against the CPEC, and they want to sabotage it.”
Pakistan has repeatedly assured China it would protect its nationals in the country from militant outfits and has tightened security protocols for Chinese investors and nationals. Islamabad says attacks on Chinese nationals are an “international conspiracy” to sour ties between the two longtime allies.
Pakistan condemns attack on Saudi Hospital in Sudan, killing at least 70
- War between Sudan’s army and Rapid Support Forces broke out in 2023 due to disputes over integration of two forces
- Conflict has killed tens of thousands, driven millions from their homes and plunged half of the population into hunger
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday condemned a drone attack that killed at least 70 people at the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in the city of El-Fasher in Sudan, the foreign office said.
The war between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which broke out in April 2023 due to disputes over the integration of the two forces, has killed tens of thousands, driven millions from their homes and plunged half of the population into hunger.
The conflict has produced waves of ethnically driven violence blamed largely on the RSF, creating a humanitarian crisis.
“The attack leading to unfortunate deaths reportedly of seventy people clearly violates international law and puts innocent civilians at grave risk. Pakistan extends its deepest sympathies to the victims and their families,” the foreign office said about the attack on the Saudi hospital.
“This attack underscores the urgent need for upholding the sanctity of health care facilities and adherence to the principles of international humanitarian law.”
The foreign office urged the resolution of the Sudanese conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, while affirming “full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan.”
Darfur Governor Mini Minnawi said on X that an RSF drone had struck the emergency department of the Saudi hospital in the capital of North Darfur, killing patients, including women and children.
Fierce clashes have erupted in El Fasher between the RSF and the Sudanese joint forces, including the army, armed resistance groups, police, and local defense units.
Last week, the RSF issued an ultimatum demanding army forces and allies leave El Fasher city in advance of an expected offensive.
West Indies win Test in Pakistan for first time in 35 years
- Spinner Jomel Warrican took five wickets as West Indies beat Pakistan by 120 runs
- Babar Azam top-scores with 31, Rizwan makes 25 as Pakistan fail to chase 254 runs
MULTAN, Pakistan: Spinner Jomel Warrican took five wickets as the West Indies won a Test match in Pakistan for the first time in nearly 35 years on Monday.
The West Indies won the second Test in Multan by 120 runs on day three to draw the series 1-1.
Pakistan won the first Test by 127 runs, also in Multan.
Warrican finished with nine wickets in the match — 19 in the series — to give the hosts a taste of their own medicine on spin-friendly pitches.
The last time the West Indies won a Test in Pakistan was in Faisalabad in November 1990, having gone winless on their 1997 and 2006 tours.
Resuming on 76-4 and chasing 254, Pakistan’s hopes of victory rested on Saud Shakeel but Kevin Sinclair had the left-hander caught in the slip for 13 to further dent the home team’s fading chances.
Babar Azam top-scored with 31 while Mohammad Rizwan made 25.
