Official statistics reveal Pakistan has nearly 450 confirmed coronavirus cases

In this file photo, people wear facemasks amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus chat before the departure of a train at Karachi Cantonment railway station in Karachi on March 16, 2020. (AFP)
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Updated 21 March 2020
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Official statistics reveal Pakistan has nearly 450 confirmed coronavirus cases

  • The government is relying on Internet to supply authentic information on the global pandemic that has engulfed the country
  • The official portal about the outbreak has been launched at a time when there is plenty of misinformation about the virus

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has 447 confirmed cases of coronavirus, reveal the official data on a newly launched government website, while five people have recovered from the infection that has claimed three lives in the country.
The government on Thursday launched a website to provide authentic information to people regarding the confirmed number of coronavirus cases in the country.
The portal – www.covid.gov.pk – gives area-wise statistics of infections and also specify the number of new cases and virus-related deaths within a span of the last 24 hours.
It may be recalled that Prime Minister Imran Khan warned the nation in a televised speech on Tuesday that coronavirus was going to spread further, adding that even developed countries with greater financial resources and better medical facilities where struggling to deal with the pandemic.
Khan also emphasized the importance of social distancing and good hygiene practices to prevent the possibility of contracting the virus. While such precautionary measures have also been highlighted by experts and public figures, there are still plenty of rumors and misinformation about the outbreak in the country.
By setting up the website with recent and reliable information, the government is trying to address that problem, hoping that this information will also trickle down to those with little or no access to the Internet.


China’s ADM Group to invest $350 million in Pakistan’s EV sector

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China’s ADM Group to invest $350 million in Pakistan’s EV sector

  • The South Asian country plans to convert 30 percent of all vehicles to electric power by 2030
  • The Chinese firm will set up electric vehicle manufacturing plant, over 3,000 charging stations

ISLAMABAD: Chinese enterprise ADM Group has announced an investment of $350 million in Pakistan’s electric vehicle (EV) sector, Pakistani state media reported on Saturday.

As part of the initiative, the Chinese firm will establish more than 3,000 electric vehicle charging stations across the South Asian country, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

Of these 3,000 charging stations, 1,000 will be set up in Sindh, 1,500 in Punjab, and 750 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

“The ADM Group will allocate $250 million for the establishment of an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Pakistan,” the report read.

The Chinese enterprise will provide $90 million for developing the necessary charging infrastructure, according to Pakistani state media.

The electric vehicles, which will be capable of traveling up to 300 kilometers on a single charge, are expected to help reduce carbon emissions and lessen the country’s dependence on conventional fuel sources.

Pakistan’s Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said in November that 30 percent of all vehicles in Pakistan would be converted to electric power by 2030 as the South Asian country takes step to combat air pollution and other climate change effects.

“Pakistan aims to convert 30 percent of its vehicles to electric by 2030,” Khan said as he addressed the “Transport and Digital Middle Corridor and Beyond” session at the UN COP29 summit in Baku.

“Significant steps are underway to support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in Pakistan … the government is actively working on infrastructure development for EVs, including the installation of charging stations.”

Hybrid electric vehicle sales have more than doubled in Pakistan in the past year. BYD Pakistan, a partnership between China’s BYD and Pakistani car group Mega Motors, said in September up to 50 percent of all vehicles bought in Pakistan by 2030 will be electrified in some form in line with global targets.

Warren Buffett-backed Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD announced its entry into Pakistan in August, making the nation of 250 million people one of its newest markets.

Pakistani media reported in August that standards for EV charging stations had been drafted by the power ministry, with the government considering offering them affordable electricity.

Under the government’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) policy announced last month, the government has introduced subsidies of Rs50,000 for electric motorcycles and Rs200,000 for three-wheelers like rickshaws, with a total allocation of Rs4 billion. These subsidies will be distributed through auctions. So far, two companies have been granted licenses, and 31 more applications are under review.

Additional initiatives include offering free electric bikes or scooters to high-achieving students and reducing duties on EV components to encourage local manufacturing. The government is also set to establish a New Energy Fund and a New Energy Vehicle Center to support these measures.


Sixteen soldiers, eight militants killed in northwest Pakistan gunfight — military

Updated 21 December 2024
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Sixteen soldiers, eight militants killed in northwest Pakistan gunfight — military

  • The killings occurred in the South Waziristan district after a group of militants ambushed a security outpost
  • Pakistan blames the surge in militancy on militants operating out of Afghanistan, Kabul denies the allegation

ISLAMABAD: Sixteen Pakistani soldiers and eight militants were killed in a gunfight in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Saturday, amid a surge in militant attacks in the region.
Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, has witnessed a number of attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups that targeted security forces convoys and check posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
The latest killings occurred in the South Waziristan district during an exchange of fire after a group of militants ambushed a check post of Pakistani security forces in the Makeen area, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted in the area and the perpetrators of the heinous act will be brought to justice,” the ISPR said in a statement. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve.”
The Pakistani Taliban claimed the brazen raid on the outpost near the border with Afghanistan, saying it was staged “in retaliation for the martyrdom of our senior commanders.”
The development came days after the Pakistani military said it had killed 11 militants in separate operations in KP’s Tank, North Waziristan and Mohmand districts.
Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy in KP since November 2022, when a fragile truce between the TTP, or the Pakistani Taliban, and the state broke down.
Islamabad has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
On Saturday, the Pakistani military urged the Taliban administration in Kabul to ensure robust border management after a group of militants tried to infiltrate from Afghanistan, leading to a skirmish that left four militants and a soldier dead a day earlier.


Authorities evacuate over 50 people from remote Pakistan district hit by sectarian clashes

Updated 21 December 2024
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Authorities evacuate over 50 people from remote Pakistan district hit by sectarian clashes

  • Clashes between Sunni, Shia tribes have killed over 100 people in Kurram since last month
  • On Friday, authorities set a deadline of Feb. 1 for the warring tribes to surrender weapons

PESHAWAR: More than 50 injured and ailing persons were evacuated on Saturday from the northwestern Pakistani district of Kurram, which has been hit by sectarian clashes in recent weeks, to Peshawar, provincial capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, disaster management authorities said.
Kurram, a tribal district of around 600,000 near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan where federal and provincial authorities have traditionally exerted limited control, has been a flashpoint for sectarian tensions between Shia and Sunni tribes for decades.
Fresh clashes last month killed more than a hundred people, triggering a humanitarian crisis with reports of starvation, lack of medicine and oxygen shortages following the blocking of the main highway connecting Kurram’s main city of Parachinar to the provincial capital of Peshawar.
The injured and ailing persons were airlifted through helicopters from Kurram and safely transported to Peshawar on the instructions of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
“Fifty-three affected people, including 14 patients, were brought to Peshawar by helicopter from Kurram district,” the PDMA said in a statement.
“The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Relief, Rehabilitation & Settlement Department has declared an emergency for relief activities in Kurram district in view of the prevailing situation. An emergency cell has been set up to safely transfer the affected people to hospitals in Peshawar.”
The PDMA said it was in touch with the Kurram district administration and utilizing all resources in this regard, adding that people could contact its emergency operations center at helpline 1700 for any information or guidance.
The development came a day after KP authorities set a deadline of Feb. 1 for warring Sunni and Shia tribes in the district to surrender all weapons and dismantle their bunkers to stem sectarian clashes in the region.
The decision was made at a meeting of the KP apex committee, which comprises civilian and military officials, to discuss a sustainable solution to the issue. It allowed the launch of a special air service for temporary evacuation from some parts of Kurram to protect people’s lives, according to the apex committee declaration.
“The agreement outlines that both sides will submit a detailed action plan within 15 days for voluntary submission of weapons,” read a declaration issued after the apex committee meeting.
“All weapons are to be deposited with the local administration by February 1. Additionally, it was decided that all bunkers in the area will be dismantled by the same deadline.”
In the meantime, land routes to the area would be opened intermittently on humanitarian grounds and a mechanism was put in place for secure transportation, according to the statement.
“Personnel of police and Frontier Corps will jointly provide security to the convoys,” it read.
Last month’s clashes erupted after rival tribes attacked convoys of passengers on the Parachinar-Peshawar road, which were followed by attacks on each other’s villages.
The apex committee asked both sides to avoid any violent action in the future to keep the land route safe and open at all times, hoping that the parties would fully cooperate with the government for a lasting solution to the issue.


Pakistan PM directs measures to increase sugar industry revenues, end hoarding

Updated 21 December 2024
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Pakistan PM directs measures to increase sugar industry revenues, end hoarding

  • Sugar remains one of the largest consumed food commodities in the South Asian country
  • PM Sharif says government making efforts to ensure supply of sugar at affordable prices

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked officials to take steps to increase revenue collection from the sugar industry and to end hoarding of the commodity, Sharif’s office said on Saturday.
The prime minister issued the directives at a meeting he presided over in Lahore to review the implementation of a strategy to improve revenue collection.
Sugar remains one of the largest consumed food commodities in the South Asian country and is used in large amounts in food processing, beverages, and bakery items.
Owing to its huge demand, the government sets its procurement prices while the sugar industry is protected by a 40 percent import tariff to ensure prices remain stable. 
“Revenue collection will improve after the installation of video analytics in the sugar industry,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office. “These reforms will end sugar hoarding and help balance prices.”
The prime minister said the government was making all efforts to ensure the supply of sugar at affordable prices.
“Regular monitoring of sugar stocks should be carried out so that the sugar supply chain is not affected,” he instructed officials, calling for strict and indiscriminate action against sugar mills that were evading taxes.
Over the decades, Pakistan has failed to generate tax revenues in higher amounts due to a narrow tax base, low compliance rate, an inefficient tax administration and massive tax evasion.
The South Asian country has set an ambitious target of collecting $46 billion through taxes this financial year (July 2024 till June 2025), amid efforts to revive its fragile $350 billion economy.


Pakistan slams US claims on missile program as ‘unfounded’ and ‘irrational’

Updated 21 December 2024
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Pakistan slams US claims on missile program as ‘unfounded’ and ‘irrational’

  • A senior US official this week said Pakistan was developing long-range missiles that could threaten the US
  • The statement came after Washington said it was imposing new sanctions related to Pakistan’s missile program

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Saturday dismissed as “unfounded” and “devoid of rationality” the allegations by a senior United States (US) official that its missile program posed a threat to the United States.
The Foreign Office statement came in response to comments made by US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer, who said nuclear-armed Pakistan’s development of long-range ballistic missiles could potentially target the US.
The statement came after the US said it was imposing new sanctions related to Pakistan’s missile program, including on the state-owned defense agency that oversees the program. The sanctions freeze any US property belonging to the targeted entities and bars Americans from doing business with them.
The Foreign Office said that Pakistan had made it abundantly clear that its strategic program and allied capabilities were meant to thwart a “clear and visible existential threat from our neighborhood” — a reference to arch-foe India — and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.
“The alleged threat perception from Pakistan’s missile capabilities and delivery means, raised by the US official are unfortunate. These allegations are unfounded, devoid of rationality and sense of history,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
“Since 1954, Pakistan and the US have enjoyed a positive and broad-ranging relationship. The recent spate of US allegations toward a major non-NATO ally would be unhelpful for the overall relationship, especially in the absence of any evidence in this regard. Pakistan has never had any ill-intention toward the US in any form or manner, and this fundamental reality has not changed.”
Finer’s statement underscored how far the once-close ties between Washington and Islamabad had deteriorated since the 2021 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. It also raised questions about whether Pakistan has shifted the objectives of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs long intended to counter those of India, with which it has fought three major wars since 1947.
But the Foreign Office said Pakistan’s strategic capabilities were solely meant to defend its sovereignty, highlighting Pakistan’s long history of cooperation with the US, particularly in the counter-terrorism domain.
“We wish to reiterate that Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia,” it said.
“Pakistan cannot abdicate its right to develop capabilities that commensurate with the need to maintain credible minimum deterrence as well as evolving and dynamic threats.”
Relations between the US and Pakistan have seen significant ups and downs. The countries collaborated during the Cold War and in the fight against Al-Qaeda after 9/11.
However, ties have been strained due to coups in the South Asian country by Pakistan’s military, support for the Taliban’s 1996-2001 rule in Afghanistan, and over the nuclear weapons program.