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FM Qureshi meets Kuwaiti counterpart, welcomes relaxation of visa restrictions for Pakistanis

Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, left, with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah in Turkey on June 19, 2021. (Photo courtesy: @MOFAKuwait/Twitter)
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Updated 19 June 2021
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FM Qureshi meets Kuwaiti counterpart, welcomes relaxation of visa restrictions for Pakistanis

  • Kuwait suspended visas for Pakistanis in 2011, announced resumption of family and business visas last month
  • Qureshi met Kuwait's FM at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, attended by top political leaders, diplomats, opinion makers and academics
Updated 19 June 2021
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomed Kuwait's relaxation of travel restrictions for Pakistanis during a meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart on Saturday.

Kuwait suspended visas for nationals of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2011 over what it said were difficult security conditions in the five countries. Last month, Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed announced, after meeting the Kuwaiti prime minister, that business and family visas for Pakistani nationals would be “immediately” resumed.

Qureshi met Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey. The forum, attended by top political leaders, diplomats, opinion makers and academics, is being held from June 18-20 in an Antalya resort on the coast of the Mediterranean.

"Pakistan welcomes ease of visa restrictions for our nationals. Pakistan and Kuwait share excellent bilateral relations & we look forward to deepening cooperation at all levels through our ongoing leadership level exchanges," Qureshi said in a tweet.

 

 

Pakistan began visa resumption talks with Kuwait in 2020, after which 208 nurses, doctors and medical technicians traveled to Kuwait on Oct. 22, 2020, according to data from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis.

Three more groups have gone since. On Thursday a fifth batch of Pakistani medical professionals arrived in Kuwait, taking the total number of health care workers who have traveled to the state since October last year to 938.

Topics: Pakistan Kuwait Turkey Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Fakhar Zaman confident of returning for Pakistan at the Champions Trophy

Updated 7 sec ago
AP
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Fakhar Zaman confident of returning for Pakistan at the Champions Trophy

  • Zaman criticized the PCB before Babar Azam was rested for two England Test matches
  • PCB also issued a show-cause notice over Zaman’s social media post supporting Azam
Updated 7 sec ago
AP

ISLAMABAD: Fakhar Zaman is confident of returning to international cricket after eight months when Pakistan hosts next month’s Champions Trophy.
Fakhar hasn’t played international cricket since Pakistan’s first-round exit from the T20 World Cup last June and subsequently missed out on central contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board for the first time in eight years.
“People don’t know that after the T20 World Cup I got sick,” Fakhar explained to the Vipers Voices podcast as he prepared to play ILT20 for Desert Vipers in the United Arab Emirates. “I was not part of the team because of my medical condition, but now [I’m] 100 percent [sure] I will play for Pakistan.”
The veteran opening batter made headlines when he criticized the national cricket administration just before Babar Azam was controversially rested for the final two home test matches against England late last year due to his inconsistent form in red-ball cricket. The PCB issued Fakhar a show cause notice for his social media post in favor of Babar.
The post didn’t go down well with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also expressed concerns over Fakhar’s fitness.
“It cannot happen like that if selection committee is not playing one player, then other players start tweeting to express their displeasure,” Naqvi told reporters at the time. “Players are not allowed to function like this, and we will never allow that. The main issue with [Fakhar] is his fitness test, that he was not able to clear.”
In the absence of Fakhar, Pakistan won three away ODI series over the last two months, beating Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa under the captaincy of new white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan.
Back home, Fakhar returned to competitive cricket during the domestic Champions Cup T20 tournament last month and was the third highest-scorer with 303 runs in 10 games at a strike rate of 132.31.
“The plan was to get fully fit and play in the Champions Trophy,” Fakhar said. “I am lucky to be fit right now. I started from the Champions Trophy 2017 and that went really well for me. Now I am very excited for the next edition also.”
Fakhar had a memorable tournament in 2017 when he scored a match-winning century in the final against India.
Pakistan’s latest white-ball sensation, Saim Ayub, made two ODI centuries in South Africa before he fractured his right ankle during the second test at Cape Town last week. Ayub has been ruled out of competitive cricket for at least six weeks, putting his participation in doubt for the Champions Trophy.
The PCB flew Ayub to London from Cape Town on Monday for treatment, and Fakhar said he hoped Ayub recovers in time as Pakistan prepares to host its first major ICC tournament next month in 29 years.
“I hope he [Ayub] will recover quickly,” Fakhar said. “I was thinking to call Saim yesterday, just to talk to him about this injury. Believe me, he is such a great player that if he continues to play for the next four-five years, he will be among the top three players in the world.”
Fakhar will be playing for Desert Vipers in the ILT20 and was the top target for Tom Moody, who is director of cricket with the franchise. Fakhar said he was excited to play alongside West Indies T20 captain Sherfane Rutherford.
“He is one of the best cricketers in the T20 format and I really enjoy seeing him batting,” he said. “I am very excited to be part of this team, and I want to share the crease with him. He is one of the best players, so I am very excited to play with him.”

Topics: Fakhar Zaman Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025 Cricket

Iraqi envoy calls for joint security efforts with Pakistan on national army’s 104th anniversary

Updated 22 min 53 sec ago
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Iraqi envoy calls for joint security efforts with Pakistan on national army’s 104th anniversary

  • Ambassador Lafta attended a ceremony as chief guest at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi
  • Pakistan and Iraq have strengthened defense ties in recent years, cooperating in the fight against militancy
Updated 22 min 53 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Iraqi Ambassador to Pakistan Hamid Abbas Lafta emphasized the need for joint security efforts to combat militancy during a ceremony marking the 104th anniversary of his country’s national army, according to Pakistan’s military media wing on Wednesday.
Pakistan and Iraq have strengthened ties in recent years through defense cooperation, with Islamabad providing training to Iraqi security forces. In 2014, Iraq procured Super Mushak trainer aircraft from Pakistan to bolster defense relations between the two Muslim-majority nations.
Lafta attended the ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Iraqi army as the chief guest at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi, Sarai Alamgir, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“The Iraqi ambassador stressed the importance of joint security and counter-terrorism efforts between Iraq and Pakistan,” it said in a statement.
During his speech, Lafta praised the sacrifices made by the Iraqi army in the fight against militancy and emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and Iraq.
He highlighted the importance of security collaboration between the two countries and commended their joint efforts in combating militancy. Lafta called for further cooperation to benefit the people of both nations, expressing his commitment to forge a “united front” in the fight against extremism.
The Iraqi envoy also pledged to work with Pakistan for regional peace and to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
Last year in August, Pakistan’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, met Iraq’s Secretary of Defense, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Dawood Salman, to discuss enhancing defense and security cooperation between the two states.
A few months before, in May, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif met Lafta, seeking greater cooperation in all fields of mutual interest, particularly in defense.

Topics: Pakistan Iraq Ties

Qatar Airways denies reports of office closures in Pakistan

Updated 08 January 2025
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Qatar Airways denies reports of office closures in Pakistan

  • The airline says flights to and from Pakistan have been operating as per schedule
  • Local media had claimed Qatar Airways had shut down offices in Pakistani cities
Updated 08 January 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Qatar Airways on Wednesday denied media reports claiming it was shutting down operations in Pakistan and saying its “offices remain open.”
The airline, Qatar’s national carrier, was founded in 1993 and is wholly owned by the State of Qatar. Operating from its hub at Hamad International Airport in Doha, it has become one of the world’s leading airlines, known for its modern fleet, luxurious amenities, and extensive route network.
The clarification followed local media reports and statements from travel agents earlier this week, alleging that Qatar Airways had closed its offices and call centers across Pakistan, even as flights continued to operate on schedule.
“Qatar Airways flights to and from Pakistan are operating as usual and our offices remain open,” the airline said in a post on X. “Recent published reports claiming that Qatar Airways has closed offices in Pakistan are incorrect.”


Qatar Airways began operations in Pakistan in 1994, the year the airline was established.
Initially, it started flying to Karachi, but it has expanded its services to other major Pakistani cities, including Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar, since then.
The airline offers both domestic and international connections.

Topics: Qatar Airways Pakistan

Pakistan PM to inaugurate faceless customs assessment system today during Karachi visit

Updated 08 January 2025
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Pakistan PM to inaugurate faceless customs assessment system today during Karachi visit

  • Launched as a pilot project last month, the system aims to streamline customs clearance through automation
  • Shehbaz Sharif will also visit PSX to celebrate its achievement as the second-best performing global stock market
Updated 08 January 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to inaugurate the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) new Faceless Customs Assessment System at the Karachi Port Trust during his daylong visit to the city, which began on Wednesday, to examine several key initiatives aimed at improving economic efficiency and health care services.
The Faceless Customs Assessment System, launched as a pilot project in December 2024, aims to streamline customs clearance through automation. By minimizing human interaction, the system seeks to enhance transparency, reduce clearance times and improve trade facilitation.
The initiative marks the first step in a broader government plan to scale up the system to upcountry ports and border stations in the coming months.
“The Prime Minister will visit the South Asia Pakistan Terminal at Karachi Port Trust, where he will inaugurate the FBR’s automated customs clearance system, the Faceless Customs Assessment System,” the PM Office said in a statement. “The Prime Minister had directed the installation of this system during his last visit to Karachi.”
Pakistan seeks to modernize its port facilities to transform itself into a transit trade hub. The country has also invited landlocked Central Asian nations to utilize its ports for access to global sea lanes, enhancing regional trade connectivity.
Sharif is also scheduled to attend a ceremony at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) to celebrate its achievement as the second-best performing stock market globally in 2024, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index rising 56 percent over the year.
His PSX visit comes at a time when the government aims to unlock both foreign and domestic investment to overcome a prolonged economic crisis. Pakistani officials have described the market’s strong performance as a reflection of growing investor confidence and the administration’s commitment to fiscal reforms and improved business facilitation.
Sharif will also attend the launch of the “Manual of Clinical Practice Guidelines” at Aga Khan University, calling it a milestone in Pakistan’s health care sector. The guidelines are expected to standardize medical practices and improve health care delivery nationwide.

Topics: Karachi

US seeks prisoner swap with Afghanistan involving Guantanamo detainee arrested in Pakistan — media

Updated 29 min 36 sec ago
Reuters
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US seeks prisoner swap with Afghanistan involving Guantanamo detainee arrested in Pakistan — media

  • Outgoing US administration seeks to bring back three Americans in exchange for Muhammad Rahim Al-Afghani
  • Al-Aghani reportedly had ties with bin Laden and was the last person brought to the CIA interrogation program
Updated 29 min 36 sec ago
Reuters

WASHINGTON: The Biden administration is negotiating with Afghanistan to exchange Americans detained in the country for at least one high-profile prisoner held in Guantanamo Bay with alleged ties to former Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
Representatives of the White House and the US State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report. Representatives for the Afghan Taliban also did not immediately respond.
US President Joe Biden’s administration is seeking the return of three Americans seized in 2022 — Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi — in exchange for Muhammad Rahim Al-Afghani, the WSJ reported.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to Reuters that the Biden administration has been negotiating with the Taliban since at least July on a US proposal to exchange Corbett, Glezmann and Habibi for Rahim.
The Taliban, who deny holding Habibi, countered with an offer to exchange Glezmann and Corbett for Rahim and two others, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Corbett and Habibi were detained in separate incidents in August 2022 a year after the Taliban seized Kabul amid the chaotic US troop withdrawal. Glezmann was detained later in 2022 while visiting as a tourist.
A spokesperson for the National Security Council said they could not confirm the WSJ story, but added that the administration was “working around the clock” to secure the release of the three Americans.
Rahim’s lawyer, James Connell, told Reuters that neither the Biden administration nor the Taliban had informed him or Rahim of the negotiations.
“It does seem important to include Rahim or his representative in the conversation,” said Connell. “As it happens, he is willing to be traded or exchanged.”
Rahim was “the last person brought into the CIA torture program,” said Connell, referring to an agency program instituted after the Sept. 11, 2001, Al Qaeda attacks that used harsh interrogation methods on suspected Islamist militants.
The CIA denies the methods amounted to torture.
A Senate intelligence committee report on the agency’s so-called enhanced interrogation program called Rahim an “Al Qaeda facilitator” and said that he was arrested in Pakistan in June 2007 and “rendered” to the CIA the following month.
He was kept in a secret CIA “black site,” where he was subjected to tough interrogation methods, including extensive sleep deprivation, and then sent to Guantanamo Bay in March 2008, the report said.
The US-Taliban talks have been in motion since July, according to the WSJ, which cited sources who attended a classified House Foreign Affairs Committee briefing last month with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
On Monday, Biden’s administration sent 11 Guantanamo detainees to Oman, reducing the prisoner population at the detention center in Cuba by nearly half as part of its effort to close the facility as the president prepares to leave office Jan. 20.
 

Topics: US Afghanistan Guantanamo

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