ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said it has initiated work on a number of green financing instruments, buoyed by widespread global investor interest in the country's first green bond floated in the international market last week.
A Pakistani utility company on May 27 launched the country's first-ever US dollar-denominated green Eurobonds, seeking $500 million for environmentally friendly projects to enhance the clean energy share in the country's power generation mix, which relies heavily on fossil fuels -- particularly coal.
"The green bond was six times oversubscribed ... which shows there is a global appetite for a country that has economic stability and as well as green credibility," Climate Change Minister Malik Amin Aslam told Reuters.
The South Asian nation, which is the host country of the UN's annual World Environment Day on June 5, is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change and has been hit hard by extreme weather events including devastating floods.
It is now looking to become a major player in the global green financing market.
Aslam said Pakistan plans to further tap the green bond avenue for building and transport financing.
Pakistan on Thursday also completed its first assessment for blue bonds, a financing instrument that raises capital from global investors for projects that protect ocean ecology and related industries, such as fisheries and eco-tourism.
For this, Aslam said that Pakistan had launched its first blue carbon estimation, aided by the World Bank.
He said the World Bank had estimated the country's new plantation projects -- including planting 10 billion trees over the next few years -- if nurtured successfully would be worth $500 million by 2050.
The World Bank, he said, had used conservative estimates for carbon pricing, and the valuation could go up to $2.5 billion.
Pakistan on Thursday also released a joint statement with Canada, Britain, Germany and the United Nations Development Program outlining its push to establish a "Nature Performance Bond" to provide the country with accelerated access to development financing and debt relief in exchange for meeting ecosystem restoration targets.
"The nature bond is chartering totally unchartered territory," Aslam said. The bond will be developed by a consortium of financial advisers and is in its initial stages.
Pakistan rolls out plans to tap global green financing avenues
https://arab.news/wjstx
Pakistan rolls out plans to tap global green financing avenues
- The country is vulnerable to the world climate change and plans to be a major player in the global green financing market
- Pakistan has also completed its first assessment for blue bonds to protect ocean ecology and related fisheries and ecotourism industries
Pakistan warns citizens against traveling to Iran as Tehran’s conflict with Israel intensifies
- Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight into Sunday, stoking fears of a wider conflict
- Pakistan taking steps to ensure the safe return of Pakistani citizens currently in Iran, reports state media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government this week warned its nationals against traveling to Iran “for a limited period,” state-run media reported, amid Tehran’s worsening conflict with Israel.
Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight into Sunday, stoking fears of a wider conflict after Israel expanded its surprise campaign against its main rival with a strike on the world’s biggest gas field.
Israel’s military said more missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel overnight, with direct strikes targeting its energy industry and Defense Ministry headquarters, while Tehran unleashed a fresh barrage of missiles blamed for the deaths of four people. The strikes late Saturday night represented the latest salvo since a surprise attack by Israel on Friday aimed at decimating Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.
“The Government of Pakistan has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid traveling to Iran for a limited period due to the recent Israeli attacks,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Saturday.
APP reported that the government is closely monitoring the situation in the region. Citing officials, it said that the latest advisory has been issued to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani nationals.
“In line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives, necessary steps are already being taken to ensure the safe return of Pakistani citizens currently in Iran,” APP said.
Pakistan on Friday advised its citizens planning religious travel to Iran and Iraq to reconsider their plans, citing security concerns after Israel launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities earlier in the day.
That advisory mentioned Pakistani “Zaireen,” or Shia Muslim pilgrims who travel to Iran and Iraq to visit sacred religious sites, particularly in Mashhad, Qom, Najaf and Karbala.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry has established a 24/7 Crisis Management Unit to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani nationals and pilgrims in Iran.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday vowed Islamabad would extend diplomatic support to Israel at international forums.
Pakistan has condemned Israel’s strikes against Iran and said Tehran has the right to defend itself. Islamabad has also called on world powers to intervene through dialogue and diplomacy to resolve surging Middle East tensions.
Pakistan names women’s squad for AFC qualifiers amid bid to elevate football’s profile
- The team will play Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Jakarta from June 29 to July 5
- The move aims to strengthen women’s football in a cricket-dominated South Asian state
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Saturday unveiled its squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, as the country seeks to uplift its women’s football program and strengthen its profile in a sport where its men’s team has also struggled to gain traction.
Pakistan’s men’s national team, briefly competitive in regional tournaments in the decades following independence, has long languished near the bottom of Asian rankings amid administrative issues and lack of sustained investment.
In contrast, women’s football in Pakistan began to take shape in the early 2000s, with the formation of the country’s first women’s football clubs in 2002 and the launch of the National Women’s Football Championship in 2005.
“The Pakistan Football Federation has named a squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia from June 29 to July 5,” said the PFF in a statement.
Placed in Group E, the team will open its campaign on June 29 against Chinese Taipei, confront host Indonesia on July 2 and conclude the group stage against Kyrgyzstan on July 5.
A preparatory training camp, led by Coach Adeel Rizki, will be held at Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium from June 19 to 26.
Football enjoys a considerable fan base in Pakistan despite the country’s cricket dominance.
Athletes have recently expanded into Olympic swimming and achieved international success in javelin, demonstrating a broader ambition to elevate sports beyond one stronghold.
PFF officials say the women’s squad aims to make a statement on the Asian stage and inspire broader development.
Pakistan will be seeking its first-ever Women’s Asian Cup appearance, while the men’s side continues to fight for relevance amid FIFA rankings that reached a historic low before recent suspensions were lifted.
Pakistan’s national women’s football team was officially formed in 2010 and has yet to qualify for a Women’s Asian Cup or World Cup, but played in multiple SAFF Championships and remained a bright spot in domestic football.
Pakistan confirms OIC participation as PM Sharif, Türkiye’s Erdogan discuss Iran crisis
- OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on June 21-22
- Event comes as two OIC members have faced military standoffs with their regional rivals
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday assured Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of his country’s participation in the upcoming Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul, as both leaders expressed deep concern over Israel’s recent attack on Iran and pledged to coordinate peace efforts.
The telephone call came as the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) prepares to convene in Türkiye on June 21–22 at a volatile moment for the bloc, with two of its member states — Pakistan and Iran — having faced military standoffs with their regional rivals.
While Pakistan’s border exchange with India lasted four days before a US-brokered ceasefire was reached last month, Iran remains in a state of heightened uncertainty following Israel’s strike on its military and nuclear facilities on Friday, as the war shows no signs of easing.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye, this evening,” Sharif’s office said in a statement after the call. “During their most warm and cordial conversation, both leaders discussed the deeply worrying situation in the region in the wake of Israel’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Iran.”
“The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role for peace, both as member of the UN Security Council, as well as in other forums such as the OIC,” the statement added. “In this regard, the Prime Minister said that Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar would represent Pakistan at the upcoming OIC CFM meeting in Istanbul.”
Both leaders condemned Israel’s strikes, saying they violated Iran’s sovereignty and defied international law.
They also voiced solidarity with Palestine amid what they described as Israel’s “brazen military aggression,” which they said had continued “with complete impunity.”
The two leaders emphasized the international community and the United Nations must act collectively and urge Israel to immediately end its “aggressive posturing and illegal actions” against Iran, Palestine and other countries in the region.
Pakistan, Uzbekistan launch direct air link to deepen regional connectivity
- Uzbekistan Airways flight departed Islamabad for Tashkent with 126 passengers Saturday afternoon
- Pakistan is also advancing plans for a railway link connecting Peshawar with Kabul and Tashkent
KARACHI: Pakistan on Saturday hosted the inaugural direct flight by Uzbekistan Airways between Islamabad and Tashkent, marking yet another step toward enhanced regional connectivity and deeper economic ties with Central Asia.
Pakistan has been pushing to forge stronger trade links with landlocked Central Asian nations by offering access to its Arabian Sea ports. While several regional states border Afghanistan, Uzbekistan is seen as a strategic gateway due to its central location in the region and its larger economy.
“The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) proudly hosted the inaugural flight ceremony of Uzbekistan Airlines’ direct service from Islamabad to Tashkent (Flight HY466), marking a significant milestone in enhancing regional air connectivity and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Central Asia,” said a PAA statement.
The flight, carrying 126 passengers, departed Islamabad at 1:09 p.m. on Saturday, following a festive check-in at Zone 1 of the international airport adorned with balloons, the statement said.
It informed that ambassadors from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan attended the ceremony, joined by airport officials, tourism executives and Uzbekistan Airlines’ country manager.
Pakistan is also advancing plans for a railway link connecting Uzbekistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan. Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi and Uzbek officials about the proposed 573‑km Uzbekistan‑Afghanistan‑Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project.
The corridor aims to link Tashkent with Kabul and Peshawar, enhancing freight movement and reducing transit time by up to several days.
The overland route via Afghanistan connects Pakistan’s road and rail network through the mountainous frontier into Afghanistan and onward to Central Asia, offering an alternative to existing northbound trade routes.
Pakistan arrests suspects in visa fraud targeting job seekers hoping to reach Gulf, Europe
- All three suspects, including a woman, took large sums from people before going into hiding
- FIA arrested them from different cities after they failed to deliver on promised overseas jobs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday arrested three individuals, including a woman, for allegedly defrauding job seekers by promising employment in Gulf countries and Europe, state media reported.
The arrests were made during raids in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Multan, and Lodhran. The suspects, identified as Abid Hussain, Hira Noor and Ajmal, are accused of collecting large sums from citizens in exchange for fake overseas job arrangements.
“These suspects were arrested for their involvement in visa fraud and human smuggling,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency said, adding all three went into hiding after failing to deliver on their promises.
The report further said Abid Hussain received Rs800,000 ($2,800) from one victim for a job in Saudi Arabia. Hira Noor allegedly took over Rs2.9 million ($10,150) from another individual, promising work in Europe. Ajmal is accused of charging Rs400,000 ($1,400) to arrange employment in Dubai.
The arrests come amid renewed efforts by Pakistan to crack down on human smuggling networks after a series of deadly boat tragedies in recent years involving Pakistani nationals trying to reach Europe as undocumented migrants.
Despite enforcement drives, criminal syndicates continue to exploit economically vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities abroad.
