ISLAMABAD: The Afghan President’s Special Envoy for Pakistan, Mohammed Umer Daudzai, said on Wednesday Pakistan should use its influence over the Taliban to help break a deadlock in peace talks between the insurgent group and the Kabul government, but warned that Islamabad should push the Taliban to support democracy.
Talks between a Kabul government delegation and the Taliban have been going on in Doha since mid-September, but progress has been slow and rising violence in Afghanistan has sapped trust.
Nearly 6,000 Afghan civilians have been killed or wounded in the first nine months of the year as heavy fighting between government forces and Taliban insurgents rages on despite efforts to find peace, the United Nations said this week.
The peace talks follow a deal in February between the United States and the Taliban that will pave the way for foreign forces to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counterterrorism guarantees from the Taliban, who agreed to negotiate a permanent cease-fire and a power-sharing formula with Kabul.
“We are pleased at the agreement between the Taliban and the US; it has proved that Pakistan has influence on the Taliban,” Daudzai told Arab News. “Since they have influence, so they should also help us. This is our expectation. Pakistan has not refused to help us. They have also not denied their influence [on the Taliban].”
Neighboring Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan has for years been ambiguous — it is a US ally but is also accused of supporting the Taliban as its proxy in Afghanistan, part of its wider jockeying with regional rival India. Islamabad denies this. It also insists its influence with the Taliban has waned over the years.
“Pakistani leaders know our position as what do we want, what do we expect from them. But when and how will they do that is up to them. But we want urgent actions,” Daudzai said, adding that the Afghan government expected Pakistan to support democracy in Afghanistan.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan would hold “detailed discussions” on the peace process with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani when they met in Kabul later this year.
Pakistan should use its influence over Taliban to help us, Afghan special envoy says
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Pakistan should use its influence over Taliban to help us, Afghan special envoy says
- Talks between Kabul government and Taliban ongoing in Doha since mid-September, but progress has been slow
- PM Khan to hold “detailed discussions” on peace process with President Ghani when they meet in Kabul later this year
Pakistan’s finance chief eyes ‘step-change’ US investment after Washington trade talks
- Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb hints at forthcoming ‘leadership-level’ announcement in coming days
- Says both sides have identified investment areas including minerals, mining and artificial intelligence
KARACHI: Pakistan and the United States are exploring a shift in their economic engagement from a trade-focused relationship to one anchored in long-term investment, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said in a video message after high-level talks in Washington on Friday.
The meeting between Aurangzeb, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer followed a virtual discussion last month during which both sides agreed to push negotiations forward “at the earliest.”
The talks come after the US imposed a 29 percent “reciprocal tariff” on Pakistani exports under President Donald Trump’s trade measures announced in April, a move Islamabad said could undercut its fragile, export-led recovery.
“One thing we discussed was that we have to move beyond the immediate trade imperative for it to be brought into the next level and bring in a real step change,” Aurangzeb said after his interaction with US officials.
“So, the investment imperative will come forward, and areas have already been identified in terms of minerals and mining, in terms of AI [artificial intelligence], in terms of digital infrastructure [and] crypto,” he continued. “We feel that this will be a real game changer, God willing, in terms of the relationship and the economic relationship between Pakistan and the United States.”
The Pakistani finance chief said both sides were committed to resolving outstanding trade issues to move “toward the finishing line” and begin investment-related discussions “very quickly.”
He also hinted at forthcoming announcements “at the leadership level,” which he said would reflect all the hard work and efforts that have been put in both by Pakistan and on the US side.
“We begin with trade, and then it will very quickly be followed through with investment discussions between the two countries and real execution of the investment upside,” he said, calling the next phase a “real win-win for Pakistan and the United States.”
Pakistan’s finance ministry has said the US remains its largest trading partner while emphasizing Islamabad’s interest in expanding cooperation beyond textiles to other sectors.
The US is Pakistan’s top export destination, with shipments totaling $5.44 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
From July 2024 to February 2025, exports rose 10 percent from a year earlier, according to official data.
Relief operations underway as Pakistan rain death toll nears 200
- The downpours have also damaged nearly 700 homes across the South Asian country
- Punjab deputy commissioners to remain in field until rainwater drainage is completed
ISLAMABAD: Authorities were conducting relief operations in several areas across Pakistan after this week’s torrential rains appeared to largely subside, with the death toll from rain-related incidents nearing 200 since late June.
Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province has been the hardest hit with 114 deaths, followed by 40 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 21 in Sindh, 16 in Balochistan and one each in Islamabad and Azad Kashmir since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Authorities rescued four special persons who were stranded in floodwaters, while 18 others were evacuated to safety in Kacha Rokhri area in Punjab’s Minawali district, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party said on X, citing authorities.
“Immediate cleaning of landslide-affected roads in different areas of Chakwal has started. Administration, rescue and heavy machinery are present on the spot,” the party said.
“Deputy commissioners have been instructed to remain in the field until rainwater drainage is completed.”
The downpours have also damaged nearly 700 homes across the South Asian country, according to the disaster management authorities. Rations, blankets and tents are being distributed by local administrations in affected areas.
“Scattered thunderstorm/rain with isolated heavy falls is expected over Sindh, East Balochistan and South Punjab,” the NDMA said in its weather outlook for Saturday and Sunday.
Monsoon season brings South Asia 70 to 80 percent of its annual rainfall, arriving in early June in India and late June in Pakistan, and lasting through until September.
The annual rains are vital for agriculture and food security, and the livelihoods of millions of farmers. But increasingly erratic and extreme weather patterns are turning the rains into a destructive force.
In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains combined with glacial melt submerged nearly a third of Pakistan, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing over 8 million. In May, at least 32 people were killed in severe storms, including strong hailstorms.
Pakistani tech firms urge 10-year tax stability, one-window compliance to ‘supercharge’ exports
- Pakistan recorded monthly IT exports of $338 million in June, up by 14% year on year and by 3% month on month
- Tech firms say they aren’t seeking subsidies, but predictability, digitalization and administrative simplification
KARACHI: Pakistan can unlock billions in tech investment if it gives investors predictable taxes, friction-free remittances and a single digital compliance experience, the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) said on Friday.
P@SHA said it presented a “Continuity & Consistency reform package” to the Ministry of Finance earlier this year, laying out a small number of high-impact changes that would slash compliance costs, bring tens of thousands of remote digital workers into the formal tax net, and catalyze both domestic and foreign investment into Pakistani tech firms.
The requested changes are not subsidies; they are predictability, digitalization, and administrative simplification. Most steps can be budget-neutral or revenue-positive once increased documentation, broadened compliance, and higher recorded export flows are taken into account.
“Every serious investor, local or international, asks the same two questions: What will my tax exposure be, and will the rules change after I invest?” P@SHA Chairman Sajjad Syed said.
“Right now, innovators spend too much time navigating overlapping regimes and too little time building export-earning products. If we hard-code continuity and make compliance near effortless, capital will move to Pakistan.”
Pakistan tech firms have been demonstrating their growing potential in the IT sector by showcasing their products and services at global forums, including the LEAP tech conference in Riyadh and GITEX global exhibition in Dubai.
Pakistan recorded monthly IT exports of $338 million in June, up by 14% year on year and by 3% month on month, according to Karachi-based Toplines Securities brokerage and market research firm. This took Pakistan’s annual IT exports to $3.8 billion, up by 18% YoY, in the outgoing fiscal year that ended in June.
In its statement, P@SHA urged continuation of the 10-Year Final Tax Regime (FTR) on information technology/IT-enabled services (IT/ITeS) export income, removal of discrepancies in tax rates where Pakistani IT companies get penalized for running payrolls from Pakistan, exemption of the Capital Gains Tax to secure investor’s confidence among other measures.
The association proposed joint working sessions with the Federal Board of Revenue, Ministry of IT & Telecom, State Bank of Pakistan, National Tax Council, and provincial revenue authorities to translate its proposed reforms package into draft language, digital filing flows, and phased rollout milestones, recommending immediate start of technical work.
“Pakistan stands at an inflection point: with its young talent base, global client footprint, and expanding startup ecosystem, the country can compete for high-value digital work, if investors trust the rules,” it said. “P@SHA urges policymakers to seize this moment to send that signal.”
Pakistan dominate IBSF World Snooker Championship in Bahrain with twin titles
- Veteran Mohmmad Asif beats India’s Brijesh Damani 4-3 in a nail-biting Masters encounter
- Hasnain produces clinical display of cue mastery, sweeping past Riley Powell of Wales 4-0
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday stamped their authority on the global snooker stage as Mohammad Asif and Muhammad Hasnain clinched both the Masters and Under-17 titles after a thrilling finale at the IBSF World Snooker Championship 2025 in Bahrain.
Asif faced a stern test in the World Masters final, going toe-to-toe with India’s Brijesh Damani in a nail-biting encounter. After six fiercely contested frames, the Pakistani star cueist held his nerve in the decider to edge Damani 4-3, clinching yet another major title.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz congratulated Asif on his brilliant win in the Masters category.
“Mohammad Asif has brought pride to Pakistan on the global stage by defeating his Indian opponent through sheer hard work, skill, and determination,” she was quoted as saying by her Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) party.
Asif advanced to the final with an impressive 4-2 win over India’s Manan Chandra in the semifinal on Thursday at the Crowne Plaza, Bahrain.
Meanwhile, Hasnain produced a clinical display of cue mastery, sweeping past Riley Powell of Wales 4-0 to seize the World Under-17 Snooker crown.
“The young prodigy remained unshaken throughout, showcasing composure beyond his years to secure the gold,” the IBSF said on its website.
Pakistan plans to build $10.5 million aquaculture park to promote seafood exports
- The development comes amid government efforts for sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth
- Pakistan’s fish and fish preparation exports reached $465.4 million in the last fiscal year that ended in June
KARACHI: Pakistan is planning to build Rs3 billion ($10.5 million) aquaculture park in the southern port city of Karachi, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Saturday, amid efforts to strengthen the country’s blue economy.
According to the World Bank, the blue economy is defined as sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improving livelihoods and creating jobs, while preserving the ocean ecosystem health.
Pakistan has been pushing to modernize its port infrastructure and expand its role in regional trade by improving cargo handling, digitalizing port operations and encouraging public-private partnerships.
Speaking at a meeting to review progress on blue economy, Chaudhry said this new aquaculture park will be built on 120 acres and directed the Qur'angi Fish Harbor Authority to submit its report within 10 days.
“Pakistani coastal waters are very suitable for aquaculture,” he said in a statement shared by the maritime affairs ministry. “The project will be built under a public-private partnership and the park will boost seafood exports.
Pakistan’s fish and fish preparation exports reached $465.4 million in the outgoing fiscal year that ended in June, according to official data. The exports were up 13.4 percent from $410.3 million in the previous year.
Authorities are currently trying to enhance the potential of Pakistan’s fisheries, logistics and marine services while reducing environmental harm.
“Investment in aquaculture and port infrastructure is essential for national development,” Chaudhry told representatives of Gwadar Port, Qur'angi Fish Harbor, Marine Fisheries and Balochistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the meeting.
“The same aquaculture model will be implemented in Balochistan as well.”
In May, the Pakistani government announced the creation of a new Maritime Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), saying it would serve as a specialized platform for uniting stakeholders from across the maritime spectrum to pursue greener policies and long-term economic resilience.
“This chamber will not only support investment and innovation in the maritime sector but also prioritize sustainability at ports, promote green technologies and foster carbon reduction strategies,” Chaudhry said at the time.
