Pakistani PM announces internet service, promises new jobs for impoverished northwest region

Prime Minister Imran Khan addresses the nation on Nov. 16, 2020. (PID/File)
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Updated 20 January 2021
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Pakistani PM announces internet service, promises new jobs for impoverished northwest region

  • The prime minister vows to bring ‘olive revolution’ to the area, saying the tribal district has tremendous potential to produce the fruit
  • Khan’s visit to the area coincided with a wheel-jam strike in neighboring North Waziristan against recent incidents of violence 

PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday announced a number of development initiatives while visiting South Waziristan district, saying his government would operationalize high-speed Internet service in the area from today. 

“I know the importance of 3G and 4G for education and development, and I talked to the army leadership about this,” he said while addressing a ceremony of tribal elders. “It was a pressing demand of the youth here.”

Last April, thousands of students protested across the tribal belt, including South Waziristan, due to the lack of Internet in the area after Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission directed universities to hold online classes amid virus-related lockdowns in the country. 

Khan said the Internet service was delayed in the area since there were some security concerns that online connectivity could benefit militant operations. 

Soon after his arrival in Wana, the headquarter of South Waziristan, the prime minister addressed tribal elders at a ceremony in which he also distributed checks among successful applicants of the Kamyab Jawan Loan Scheme and Youth Internship Program. 

Khan described the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as an uphill task, though he added that time would prove it to be the right decision since it would serve the interests of the tribal people. 

The prime minister also maintained that his administration was well aware of the established tribal traditions and would allow alternative dispute resolution to settle tribal feuds. He added that the implementation of the mechanism amounted to upholding the traditional jirga system in the area. 

“It is just the change of name,” he said. “You will take the decisions.” 

Khan noted that at least 70 percent of the people in South Waziristan lived below the poverty line, adding that his government was striving to help them by giving out cash stipends and scholarships. 

“Every family will get a health insurance card,” he continued, “that will enable its members to avail medical treatment of Rs700,000 from any hospital annually.” 

He said that South Waziristan had a huge potential to produce olives, adding that his government was working to trigger an “olive revolution” by planting saplings to generate more revenue and create greater employment opportunities. 

This, he added, would increase people’s income and the tribesmen would not have to travel abroad for jobs.

The prime minister said the residents of the tribal belt had sacrificed a great deal for the country during the war against religious militancy, adding that his government would promote education in the area by building schools, colleges and universities. He also inaugurated a project for the extension of Cadet College Wana. 

Meanwhile, people in neighboring North Waziristan district observed a wheel-jam strike against what they called a recent wave of target killings in the area. 

“We have already given a wheel-jam call against a latest series of violent incidents such as target killings in which an assistant professor, Dr. Waliullah Dawar, lost his life,” said a senior PTM leader, Saud Dawar, while talking to Arab News. “Our workers have also been harassed. All the main arteries leading to and from North Waziristan district are blocked today.” 


PM Sharif orders formation of committee to promote e-commerce in Pakistan

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PM Sharif orders formation of committee to promote e-commerce in Pakistan

  • Shehbaz Sharif meets six-member delegation of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group in Islamabad
  • E-commerce a vital element in realizing government’s vision of an export-led economy, says prime minister

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met a delegation of the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group on Thursday, directing authorities to form a committee to further promote e-commerce in Pakistan.

Pakistani financial analysts say the country’s growing Internet penetration — with over 80% teledensity — was already fueling e-commerce, despite the fact that it still accounts for less than 1% of the overall retail market. This has also forced several retailers to shift to digital platforms.

A six-member Alibaba Group delegation, led by the group’s president of international markets James Dong, called on PM Sharif to discuss promoting e-commerce in the South Asian country. During the meeting, Sharif noted that 300,000 Pakistanis are currently selling locally produced products on e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba Group.

“The prime minister directed the formation of a committee to develop a roadmap for further promoting e-commerce in the country,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.

Sharif also instructed authorities to take steps to increase the number of Pakistani businesses selling their products on e-commerce platforms, noting that e-commerce is a major means of increasing exports significantly.

“E-commerce is a vital element in realizing the government’s vision of an export-led economy,” the prime minister said.

Dong praised the key role of the Pakistani business community in promoting international trade via e-commerce, the PMO said. He noted that around 300,000 locally made Pakistani products are currently being sold on Alibaba’s website.

“He also noted that Pakistani textile products are the most in-demand and best-selling items on the Alibaba platform,” the PMO said.

Dong expressed “strong interest” in providing technical training to entrepreneurs in e-commerce to increase the number of Pakistani traders on Alibaba’s platform.

Realizing the growth and importance of e-commerce platforms in the country, Pakistan’s government imposed fresh taxes on international e-commerce giants in its recent federal budget.

The new measures, introduced through the budget passed on June 26, include an 18% sales tax on goods delivered by courier companies on behalf of foreign platforms, a 5% fixed income tax on digital retailers and a reduction in the duty-free threshold for imported parcels from Rs5,000 to Rs500 ($18 to $1.80).


Pakistan, Egypt agree to enhance agriculture, food security and farming cooperation 

Updated 31 min 28 sec ago
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Pakistan, Egypt agree to enhance agriculture, food security and farming cooperation 

  • Agriculture constitutes largest sector of Pakistan’s economy. Contributing 24 percent to country’s GDP
  • Pakistan, Egypt to sign MoU “soon” to strengthen research exchange, training and innovation in agriculture

ISLAMABAD: Senior officials of Pakistan and Egypt discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in agriculture, food security and farming on Thursday, Pakistan’s food security ministry said, with Islamabad expressing interest in learning from Cairo’s successful experiences in these areas. 

Agriculture constitutes the largest sector of Pakistan’s economy, contributing about 24 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). As per official figures, it accounts for half of Pakistan’s employed labor force and is the largest source of foreign exchange earnings for the South Asian country.

Pakistan’s National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain met Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan, Egypt’s ambassador to Pakistan, at the ministry in Islamabad on Thursday. 

“The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, food security, and climate-resilient farming systems,” the food security ministry’s statement said. 

Hussain praised Egypt’s “remarkable progress” in the agricultural sector, especially in water resource management, arid-zone farming and the adoption of modern technologies, the statement said.

He emphasized Pakistan’s keen interest in learning from Egypt’s successful experiences, calling for enhanced collaboration in seed development, agricultural science, drip irrigation, capacity building and climate-smart technologies.

“One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the mutual agreement to formalize cooperation between Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Egypt’s Agricultural Research Center (ARC), as well as the Egyptian International Center for Agriculture (EICA),” the statement said. 

It added that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two research institutions is expected to be signed “soon” to strengthen research exchange, training and innovation in agriculture.

Hussain also highlighted Pakistan’s challenges in post-harvest losses, especially in wheat storage. He appreciated Egypt’s successful efforts in improving wheat storage through better silo systems and logistics. 

Both countries agreed to share experiences and technical solutions to reduce such losses in Pakistan, which currently range between 20–30 percent, the food security ministry said. 


At least 87 killed, 149 injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan since June 26

Updated 10 July 2025
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At least 87 killed, 149 injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan since June 26

  • Those killed include 42 children, 29 men and 16 women, national disaster authority says in latest report
  • WHO, Pakistan government finalize contingency plan to maintain essential health services in high-risk districts

KARACHI: At least 87 people have been killed and 149 others injured in rain-related incidents across Pakistan since June 26, according to figures released Thursday by the country’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab, reported 29 deaths including 15 children, while the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province recorded 30 deaths, 14 of them children. The southern province of Sindh reported 16 deaths, eight of them children, and the southwestern province of Balochistan saw 11 fatalities, five of them children. One man lost his life in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the NDMA said.

“The total number of 87 deceased include 42 children, 29 men and 16 women,” the NDMA report said, adding that 149 people were injured, 61 children, 52 men and 36 women.

Heavy rains have also damaged at least 242 houses nationwide, including 71 that were completely destroyed and 171 that were partially damaged.

Flood relief operations have been underway since late June, with authorities distributing tents, ration bags, blankets, sandbags, quilts, gas cylinders, mattresses, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, plastic mats, hygiene kits and food packets to affected families.

A total of 24 relief camps have been set up in Punjab and two in Sindh, providing shelter to 176 people. According to the NDMA, around 245 people have been rescued in 21 operations carried out across the country.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Pakistani government, has finalized its Monsoon Contingency Plan 2025 to ensure a coordinated emergency response and maintain essential health services in high-risk districts.

The plan will be implemented in 10 districts in Punjab and Sindh, nine in Balochistan and four in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“WHO stands with Pakistan and partners to be ready to save lives by supporting rapid response, surveillance and the continuity of essential health services in the event of a natural disaster,” Pakistani state media quoted WHO Representative Dr. Dapeng Luo as saying.

“In a context marked by the impacts of climate change, which are exacerbating risks, it is crucial to be ready to protect the health of all, particularly the most vulnerable,” Luo added.

Pakistan has also rolled out a location-based SMS alert system to warn citizens living in flood-prone areas about imminent weather threats.


Pakistani PM orders urgent overhaul of tariff commission that sets trade duties

Updated 10 July 2025
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Pakistani PM orders urgent overhaul of tariff commission that sets trade duties

  • Third-party review planned to boost Commission’s performance
  • Automated research capacity seen as key to solving business challenges

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday ordered an urgent overhaul of a top government body responsible for regulating customs duties on imports and exports, aiming to strengthen its legal, administrative and institutional powers amid growing calls to modernize the country’s trade policy.

Announcing its federal budget for 2025-26, Pakistan said it planned to cut the overall tariff regime by more than 4 percent over the next five years, as part of reforms aimed at shifting the country toward an export-led growth model. 

As per the National Tariff Policy 2025–30, the government plans to abolish additional customs duties, regulatory duties, and the fifth schedule of the Customs Act, 1969. The policy envisions a streamlined customs structure with just four duty slabs ranging from 0 to 15 percent, which would become the maximum rate. The move is part of Pakistan’s push not just to boost its exports and protect its local industry but also meet international obligations, including aligning with the government’s commitments under a $7 billion IMF program approved last year.

“Reorganization of the National Tariff Commission along modern lines is indispensable to fully meet the requirements of the new tariff regime,” a statement quoted Sharif as saying after he chaired a high-level review meeting on the NTC’s performance.

The PM’s proposed reforms aim to modernize the NTC so it can better support businesses, collect real-time market data and align with the country’s new tariff regime.

The premier directed that a third-party review be conducted to identify weaknesses in the Commission’s performance and make it “more effective.” He also stressed the importance of strengthening the NTC’s research and data-gathering abilities.

“The National Tariff Commission must have an effective capacity to gather all ground realities related to domestic business, imports, and exports market,” Sharif said. 

“The automated and effective research capacity of the National Tariff Commission can play a key role in resolving the problems faced by domestic business.”

He also ordered the immediate activation of the NTC’s Appellate Tribunal, which handles disputes on tariff decisions, a step aimed at improving transparency and efficiency.

The NTC plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s trade policy. In the 2025–26 federal budget, customs duties are projected to contribute around 6 percent of total tax revenue, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25. While relatively small, these duties are politically sensitive and impact competitiveness for domestic industries that rely on protection from cheaper imports.

Pakistan’s economic managers are under pressure to balance protection of local industry with commitments under international trade agreements and IMF-backed fiscal targets. The government says the NTC must adapt to “modern requirements” and be given adequate training and resources to support economic stabilization and export-led growth.

“The government is committed to addressing the lack of training and resources for the National Tariff Commission and to aligning its work with modern requirements,” Sharif said at Thursday’s meeting. 


Sindh government to bury Pakistani actress after family refuses to claim body

Updated 10 July 2025
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Sindh government to bury Pakistani actress after family refuses to claim body

  • Humaira Asghar Ali’s decomposed body was found in flat when a court bailiff arrived to vacate the rented property
  • Initial police investigation using phone records and social media activity shows Ali might have died nine months ago

KARACHI: The Culture Department of Pakistan’s southern Sindh province on Thursday announced it would take responsibility for the burial of actress and model Humaira Asghar Ali, whose decomposed body was found in her apartment this week, nearly nine months after her death.

Sindh’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, said the department would perform the last rites of the actress after her family refused to claim the body.

“Humaira Asghar is not without heirs, the Sindh government’s Department of Culture is her guardian,” Shah told Arab News, calling the case “heart-wrenching.”

“Our first effort will be to persuade the parents to receive the body,” he said. “If that does not happen, the Department of Culture will fully cooperate with the police to ensure Humaira Asghar is laid to rest with dignity and respect.”

Shah said he had contacted the Additional Inspector General of Police in Karachi, and the Secretary for Culture had formally written to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South to hand over the body.

The letter, seen by Arab News, states that the minister for culture was “very much aggrieved” by the lack of cooperation from Ali’s legal heirs.

“Considering her contributions to the arts and culture of the country, the Culture Department, Government of Sindh, is willing to take responsibility for her burial arrangements with respect and in a dignified manner,” it says.

The letter requested police to hand over the body to the department “after fulfilling formalities as per law.”

Ali’s body was discovered earlier this week when a court bailiff arrived at her apartment in Karachi’s upscale Ittehad Commercial area to vacate the property following a complaint by the landlord.

Initially, the post-mortem conducted by Karachi Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed suggested the body had decomposed over a period of about a month. However, further forensic investigation and digital evidence suggest she likely died in October 2024, nearly nine months ago.

Ali’s last known digital activity, including a Facebook post on September 11 and an Instagram post on September 30, supported that timeline, police said.

Her phone records and call detail data also confirm no communication beyond October last year.

Police said Ali’s family had declined to claim the body. It remains unclear whether she was estranged from her relatives or what the exact reason was for their refusal to receive her remains.

Ali rose to fame after winning Veet Miss Super Model in 2014 and appearing in the reality show Tamasha Ghar in 2022.

She featured in television dramas such as Just Married, Ehsaan Faramosh, Guru, and Chal Dil Mere. In cinema, she appeared in the 2015 action-thriller Jalaibee and later in Love Vaccine in 2021.