Muslims bemoan Colombo’s refusal to allow meeting with Pakistani PM 

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (Photo Courtesy: Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa’s office)
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Updated 23 February 2021
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Muslims bemoan Colombo’s refusal to allow meeting with Pakistani PM 

  • PM Khan, Sri Lankan counterpart witness signing of accords in the fields of tourism, investment, education and technology
  • Pakistani experts advice Khan not to interfere in internal conflicts in Sri Lanka, remain within framework of bilateral issues 

COLOMBO/ISLAMABAD: The leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress said on Tuesday the government of the island nation had cited security reasons to reject a request by 15 Muslim parliamentarians to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan during his two-day official visit to Colombo. 
Khan arrived in Colombo on Tuesday afternoon where he was received by prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Bandaranaike International Airport. 
Khan had extensive consultations with his Sri Lankan counterpart at Temple Trees, the Prime Minister’s official residence, soon after his arrival in Colombo. The one-on-one meeting between the two PMs was followed by delegation-level talks between the two sides. 
The two leaders witnessed the signing ceremony of “important MOUs on cooperation in the fields of tourism, investment, education, and technology,” the Pakistani PM’s office said in a statement. 

“The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions with a focus on reinforcing a broad-based and enduring partnership between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to advance the shared objectives of peace, stability and economic prosperity in South Asia,” the PM’s office said, adding that “security and defense cooperation” was also discussed. 
“The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue and promoting the vision of peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia and beyond,” the statement added. 
Meanwhile, Rauf Hakeem, former minister and leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, told Arab News a group of 15 Muslim MPs from different political parties sent a written request through the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo to meet the visiting prime minister, “but unfortunately the government has turned down our request citing security reasons.”
He was speaking during a protest held by the Muslim community near the Shangri La Hotel, where Premier Khan will be staying overnight in the Sri Lankan capital. 
Muslims make up nearly 10 percent of Sri Lanka’s population of 22 million, which is predominantly Buddhist. The community’s representatives say they have been receiving complaints of discrimination from across the country, especially since Easter Sunday attacks 2019, when reportedly Daesh-inspired militants killed over 250 people in churches and hotels across the country in Easter Sunday attacks in 2019.
In recent years, Buddhist hard-liners, led by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) or “Buddhist Power Force,” have stoked hostility against Muslims. 
As Khan landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport, more than 1,000 men and women gathered near the Shangri La Hotel to protest their government’s refusal to let their leaders meet Khan. 
“We wanted to tell the great Muslim leader and sportive Khan about the travails of the Muslim community; about the denial of the basic Islamic rites of cremating the remains of the Covid-19 infected,” Hakeem said, speaking about what has become a rallying cry for the island’s Muslims: The Sri Lankan government’s refusal to let them bury their dead according to Islamic rituals. 
In April last year, Sri Lanka made it mandatory that people dying of the coronavirus be cremated, causing anxiety and protests among the Muslim community, which traditionally buries its dead. On February 9 this year, Rajapaksa told parliament his government would allow the burial of people who had coronavirus. However, a gazette notification to annul the previous order has yet to be issued. 
Former minister and leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Rishath Bathiudeen, told Arab News on Tuesday that the Muslim community had been traumatized due to the cremation order. 
“More than 180 countries are burying such Covid-19 infected bodies and the requests to Lankan government from international organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Conference(OIC) and human rights bodies have fallen on deaf ears,” he said. 
Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman said the community continued to suffer: “People are not afraid of death but they are afraid of cremation.” 

But international affairs expert Zafar Jaspal warned against Pakistan looking at the Colombo trip as anything more than a bilateral visit or making it about the Muslim Unmah. 
“Khan is there to represent Pakistan and not the Muslim Ummah. There is a majority of Sinhali people in Sri Lanka and being the Buddist they have problems with Muslims for quite some time now,” he said. “Pakistan has always supported Sinhali leadership in Sri Lanka. It is in our best interest that we should not enter into the internal conflict of Sri Lanka and try to remain within the framework of the bilateral issues.” 
Former foreign secretary Riaz Khokhar concurred: “Pakistan and Sri Lanka have very historic and good relations. We played a very pivotal role in their victory against Tamil insurgency. Now we should not put our friends in trouble by indulging in any other issue than bilateral relations.”


Saudi Arabia says SFD could contribute over $100 million to Pakistan’s mining infrastructure

Updated 4 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia says SFD could contribute over $100 million to Pakistan’s mining infrastructure

  • The Kingdom is hosting a three-day Future Minerals Forum summit from Jan. 14-16 in Saudi capital 
  • Saudi minister Bandar Alkhorayef says Manara Minerals looking at investing in Pakistan’s Reko Diq mine

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Mining Minister Bandar Alkhorayef told Reuters on Wednesday that mining company Manara Minerals was looking at investing in Pakistan’s Reko Diq mine, saying that the Saudi Development Fund could contribute over $100 million to Pakistan’s mining infrastructure.
Executives from Manara visited Pakistan in May last year for talks about buying a stake in the Reko Diq mine, considered one of the world’s largest underdeveloped copper-gold areas by global mining company Barrick Gold, which owns the project jointly with Pakistan. 
Manara, a joint venture between state-controlled miner Ma’aden and the $925 billion Public Investment Fund (PIF), was set up as part of the kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy away from oil, including by buying minority stakes in assets overseas.
“Part of what we are looking at is how we can help Pakistan also in some infrastructure,” Alkhorayef said in an interview on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh.
“Without that infrastructure the economics of the deal are not attractive, so through the Saudi Development Fund we are thinking about how we can finance it.”
He also spoke about Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco’s project to extract lithium, saying it is “promising, but not yet commercially viable.” 
Aramco has partnered with the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) for the pilot, Bandar Alkhorayef said. 
Lithium Infinity, also known as Lihytech, a start-up launched out of KAUST, is leading the extraction project with cooperation from Saudi mining company Ma’aden and Aramco.
Lithium is a key component in the batteries of electric cars, laptops, and smartphones. Reuters previously reported that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates’ national oil companies planned to extract the mineral from oil runoffs.


Pakistan’s army, foreign office reject Indian army chief’s ‘epicenter of terrorism’ allegations

Updated 22 min 31 sec ago
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Pakistan’s army, foreign office reject Indian army chief’s ‘epicenter of terrorism’ allegations

  • India’s army chief this week accused Pakistan of being involved in infiltration attempts by “terrorists” in India
  • Pakistan’s army says statement “contrary to facts,” attempt to divert attention from “brutality” in Indian-held Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army and foreign office on Wednesday rejected Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s recent statement in which he referred to Pakistan as the “epicenter of terrorism,” dismissing his remarks as an attempt to deflect the world’s attention from alleged brutalities in disputed Kashmir by New Delhi. 
In a statement on India’s Army Day on Monday, Gen. Dwivedi accused Pakistan of “orchestrating” infiltration attempts in India, describing Pakistan as the “epicenter of terrorism.” He said 60 percent of the “terrorists” India eliminated last year were of Pakistan origin. 
Nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have fought two out of three wars over the disputed Himalayan Kashmir valley. Both claim the territory in full but administer only parts of it. India accuses Pakistan of arming militants in the Kashmir territory under its control, allegations that Islamabad has denied. Pakistan, on the other hand, accuses India of repressing the rights of Kashmiris in India and denying them the right of self-determination. 
“Insinuating Pakistan as the epicenter of terrorism by the Indian Army Chief, is not only contrary to facts, but also an exercise in futility to beat the dead horse of India’s default position — blaming Pakistan for indigenous reaction to state-sponsored brutality,” a statement from the army’s media wing said.
The Inter-Services Public Relations, the army’s media wing, said Dwivedi’s remarks were a case of “extreme duplicity” aimed to diverting the world’s attention from India’s “brutality” in the region of Kashmir under its control. 
The army said that such repression has only strengthened the resolve of Kashmiris for their right of self-determination, which is enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolutions.
“Instead of trying to conjure up a non-existent terror infrastructure in Pakistan, it would be wise not to indulge in self-delusion, and appreciate the ground reality,” the army said. “Pakistan takes strong exception to such baseless and unfounded statements.”
In a separate statement earlier on Wednesday, the foreign office rejected Gen. Dwivedi’s “baseless accusations and unfounded assertions.”
“Pakistan also underscores that provocative statements of this nature are counterproductive to regional peace and stability,” the foreign office said. 
Political tensions between the two countries have remained high since 2019 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdrew Jammu and Kashmir’s special autonomy in 2019 and split the former state into two federal territories. 
Pakistan described the move as unilateral and illegal, saying it was aimed at tightening India’s grip on the Muslim-majority region. Islamabad suspended trade with New Delhi and downgraded diplomatic ties with its neighbor following the decision.


Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan

Updated 15 January 2025
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Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan

  • Food parcels in flood-affected Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, benefiting 13,159 people
  • Latest initiative forms part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan by KSrelief 

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 2,028 food parcels in Pakistan’s flood-affected Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, benefiting 13,159 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Sunday’s initiative forms part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.

The aid reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to assist needy individuals in Pakistan.


Pakistan to cut tariff for electric vehicle charging stations by 45%

Updated 17 min 38 sec ago
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Pakistan to cut tariff for electric vehicle charging stations by 45%

  • The government aims for 30% of vehicles to run on electricity by 2030
  • It has announced a 15-day registration process for charging stations

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided a 45 percent reduction in electricity tariffs for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, cutting rates from Rs71.10 per unit to Rs39.70 per unit, said Pakistan’s Energy Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Wednesday.
Pakistan has actively promoted EV adoption to combat environmental challenges, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and improve urban air quality. Under its Electric Vehicle Policy 2019-2024, the government aims for 30 percent of vehicles to run on electricity by 2030.
However, inadequate charging infrastructure, frequent power outages and the high cost of EVs have hindered progress.
“Today, the prime minister has decided that including taxes, we were charging a tariff of Rs71.10 [$0.26] to these charging stations,” Leghari told reporters in Islamabad. “What the distribution companies used to charge them, we are reducing it approximately by 45 percent and announcing a tariff of Rs39.70 [$0.18] today.”
Leghari said that there were no charging stations for motorbikes, three-wheelers and rickshaws in Pakistani neighborhood.
“And the reason for that absence is the high cost of electricity,” he added. “And the absence of laws and regulations on the basis of which this business can start.”
A statement issued by the power division said the country’s first-ever regulations for establishing EV charging stations and battery swapping points was being implemented under the National Energy Conservation Authority, with an official gazette notification issued.
It highlighted the economic benefits of these measures, saying that switching motorcycles to electric technology at an average cost of Rs50,000 could save $6 billion annually on fuel.
Similarly, electrifying three-wheeled rickshaws could significantly reduce urban travel costs and help combat air pollution.
The reduced EV charging costs are also expected to lower transportation expenses, positively impacting goods delivery and essential commodity prices.
The government has decided to support these initiatives through a one-window registration process for setting up charging stations and battery points, allowing approvals within 15 days.
Registration fees have been set at Rs50,000 to encourage local and foreign investment.
Prime Minister Sharif, while presiding over a meeting in Islamabad, also praised the power division’s policy on electric vehicles, describing it as “highly encouraging.”
He emphasized that the adoption of electric vehicles would reduce foreign exchange expenditure on petrol and diesel imports while providing an environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
The PM also directed the relevant authorities to actively promote the government’s policy on electric vehicles.
 


Pakistani PM orders cooperation with Interpol against suspects running human trafficking schemes abroad

Updated 15 January 2025
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Pakistani PM orders cooperation with Interpol against suspects running human trafficking schemes abroad

  • Illegal immigration in spotlight in Pakistan since last month after five Pakistani nationals killed in boat capsize off Greek coast 
  • In 2023, hundreds, including 262 Pakistani nationals, drowned when an overcrowded vessel sank off Greek coast

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called on the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to work with international police organization Interpol for the extradition of suspects running the “heinous business of human trafficking abroad.”

The issue of illegal immigration has been in the spotlight in the South Asian nation since last month following the death of five Pakistanis when a migrant boat capsized off the southern Greek island of Gavdos. 

The tragedy, which occurred on Dec. 14, underscored the perilous journeys many migrants undertake due to military or political conflicts in their home countries or in search of better financial prospects. 

On Wednesday, Sharif presided over a review meeting to discuss progress on actions taken against human trafficking.

“Prime Minister instructed the FIA ​​to seek cooperation from Interpol for the extradition of the most wanted smugglers running the heinous business of human trafficking abroad,” the PM’s office said in a statement. 

“Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should run an effective awareness campaign about illegal foreign travel and human trafficking.”

Authorities told Sharif dozens of traffickers had been arrested in 2024 and several government officials who were found to be facilitating them had been dismissed and several more were facing disciplinary action.

“Punitive measures are being taken against government officials involved in human trafficking,” the statement added. “Assets worth over Rs 500 million of human traffickers have been seized and the process of confiscating more is underway rapidly … Special prosecutors have been appointed to prosecute human traffickers.”

In 2023, hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, drowned when an overcrowded vessel traveling from Libya capsized and sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek coastal town of Pylos.