ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and remain engaged on regional matters, as they reviewed international aid efforts for Afghanistan, the Pakistani foreign office said on Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan and a number of issues of bilateral importance during a phone call on Wednesday evening.
While the world is still pondering humanitarian relief for Afghanistan, where the economy has been in crisis since international donations stopped after the Taliban took control last month, Pakistan has already sent planeloads of supplies to the war-torn neighbor.
“The Foreign Minister underlined that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was of critical importance for Pakistan and the region,” the foreign office said. “He emphasized the need to meet the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people and extend development assistance.”
They also discussed the efforts of the international community to support Afghanistan and provide it with relief aid, as Qureshi called for “solidarity with the Afghan people, both in terms of financial and political support.”
During the call, the ministers also discussed “various dimensions of Pakistan-Bahrain relations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in all fields.”
In July, Qureshi visited the Gulf state to co-chair a session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission to strengthen bilateral cooperation in several sectors, including investment, energy and overseas employment.
Pakistan, Bahrain agree to strengthen cooperation, review Afghanistan aid efforts
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Pakistan, Bahrain agree to strengthen cooperation, review Afghanistan aid efforts
- FM Qureshi discussed with his Bahraini counterpart international aid and support for Afghanistan
- Pakistan has already sent planeloads of supplies to the neighbor whose economy is on the verge of collapse
Pakistan wins the toss and elects to bat in third and final ODI against Zimbabwe
- Pakistan recovered from a first-match loss with a 10-wicket win in the second ODI
- ODI series will be followed by three Twenty20 matches at Bulawayo from Sunday
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in the third and final one-day international against Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
Pakistan bounced back from a shocking loss in the rain-affected first match with a 10-wicket win in the second game after a maiden ODI century from Saim Ayub.
The tourists retained the same winning combination with Faisal Akram, Abrar Ahmed, and Salman Ali Agha the three spin options.
Ahmed and Salman sliced through the Zimbabwe batting lineup in the second match by sharing seven wickets between them with leg-spinner Abrar getting 4-33 in his debut ODI.
Zimbabwe brought in wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande and fast bowling all-rounder Faraz Akram for their first game of the series in place of Brandon Mavuta and Trevor Gwandu.
The ODI series will be followed by a three-match Twenty20 series starting at Bulawayo from Sunday.
US embassy warns of security threat to Pakistani hotel in Peshawar, urges caution
- Serena is part of a luxury hotel chain frequented by foreign visitors, government officials
- Peshawar and other parts of KP have long been vulnerable to militant and extremist violence
PESHAWAR: The United States Embassy in Pakistan issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning of a potential threat to the Serena Hotel in Peshawar and advising American citizens to avoid the area until December 16.
The embassy said it had received credible security information and instructed US personnel to steer clear of the hotel, located on Khyber Road near the Peshawar Golf Club in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“US citizens are encouraged to avoid the hotel and the area around it during this period and reconsider travel plans,” the alert said.
The advisory also reminded American citizens of the existing “Do Not Travel” warning for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province due to the persistent threat of militant violence, last updated on September 10.
The US mission outlined several actions for its citizens to enhance their safety, including leaving the vicinity of the hotel if found there unexpectedly, reviewing personal security plans, monitoring local media for updates and cooperating with authorities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province bordering Afghanistan, has experienced a surge in militant activity in recent months, with security officials regularly warning of threats to public spaces and high-profile locations.
Pakistani authorities have yet to comment on the nature of the threat or any measures being taken to secure the area.
The Serena Hotel, part of a luxury hotel chain, is frequented by foreign visitors and government officials, making it a high-profile target in a region with ongoing security challenges.
The latest warning underscores persistent concerns about safety in Pakistan’s volatile northwestern region, which has long been a focal point of militant operations and has also witnessed sectarian clashes in recent months.
New 10-day truce after over 110 killed in Pakistan sectarian feuding — officials
- Troops will be deployed at key locations in Kurram to enforce the ceasefire, compensation will be provided to victims’ families
- The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 79 people had been killed between July and October in sectarian clashes
PESHAWAR: Feuding communities in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday agreed to a new 10-day ceasefire, as the death toll from a week-long spate of sectarian violence rose to 111, officials said.
“A ten-day ceasefire between the warring parties in Kurram has come into effect as of today,” the office of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the district is located, said in a statement.
The statement caps a day of continuing hostilities, with provincial officials saying that the death toll from the latest spate of violence had climbed to 111, including 79 Shias and 32 Sunnis. Another 88 people were injured.
Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country, but Kurram district — in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the border with Afghanistan — has a large Shiite population and the communities have clashed for decades.
The provincial minister’s office added that troops will be deployed at key locations in Kurram to enforce the ceasefire and compensation will be provided to the victims’ families.
“Negotiations will continue to ensure lasting peace,” the statement said.
The latest violence began last Thursday when two separate convoys of Shiite Muslims traveling under police escort were ambushed, and at least 43 people were killed.
Provincial officials brokered a seven-day truce this weekend but it did not hold.
Police have regularly struggled to control violence in Kurram, which was part of the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas until it was merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.
Last month at least 16 people, including three women and two children, were killed in a sectarian clash in Kurram.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 79 people had been killed between July and October in sectarian clashes.
Pakistan hopes for fair deal from ICC on Champions Trophy impasse with India
- PCB says it’s unacceptable that Pakistanis play in India while Indians don’t come to Pakistan
- Pakistan has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of three stadiums chosen for tournament
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hopes it will get a fair deal on “equality” when the International Cricket Council (ICC) holds a virtual meeting on Friday to finalize details for next year’s Champions Trophy.
There’s an impasse for the eight-team, 50-over format tournament after India declined to tour Pakistan for the event, scheduled to be held from Feb. 19 to March 9.
A decades-long tense political situation between the two South Asian countries hasn’t seen India playing international cricket in Pakistan since 2008 when it competed in Asia Cup.
Both nations have competed in ICC tournaments with Pakistan touring India last year for the 50-overs World Cup.
“I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in Lahore. “We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”
The ICC board could decide the issue in a vote among members.
“Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said. “But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here.”
Earlier this month, the ICC told the PCB that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had informed the game’s governing body it will not tour Pakistan for the event. The PCB sent an email, asking the ICC reasons behind India’s refusal.
Naqvi said he’s been in “constant touch” with the ICC chairman Greg Barckley, but didn’t say whether he got the answers from the game’s governing body as to why India was not willing to tour Pakistan.
Naqvi, who is also the interior minister in the Pakistan government, said that whatever decision the ICC makes on Friday, he will go to his government for the final approval.
Pakistan has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi — the three venues chosen for the Champions Trophy. Naqvi said he hoped the renovation of three stadiums will be completed well in time to host the event.
Pakistani stocks breach 100,000 points first time in history, marking historic milestone
- Pakistan Stock Exchange has surged 150 percent from 40,000 points in just 17 months
- PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates the nation, says investors trust government’s policies
KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) reached an unprecedented milestone on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index surpassing 100,000 points for the first time in history.
The index stood at 100,334.91 after gaining 1,065.66 points by 10:48 AM, recovering from its biggest-ever decline of 3,506 points, or 3.57 percent, earlier this week.
The market’s rally is attributed to a combination of positive economic developments, including Pakistan’s new $7 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has bolstered investor confidence.
The IMF’s disbursement of the first tranche of approximately $1 billion in September, along with fiscal and monetary reforms, has improved market sentiment.
“A remarkable 150 percent return from 40k to 100k in just 17 months,” Mohammad Sohail, CEO of Topline Securities, exclaimed in a social media post. “New IMF loan coupled with fiscal and monetary discipline [is] improving investor sentiment. Moreover, faster than expected fall in inflation and interest rates [is] adding cash liquidity to the stock market.”
The PSX’s historic rise coincides with a steady decline in inflation and interest rates, which have provided liquidity to the market.
Pakistan’s inflation dropped to 12.5 percent in October, from its peak of over 38 percent earlier this year, creating a more favorable environment for investors.
Additionally, the three-day state visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Pakistan has contributed to optimism. The two nations signed multiple agreements aimed at boosting trade and investment, signaling Pakistan’s efforts to stabilize its economy and attract foreign investment.
The PSX’s growth trajectory reflects its resilience over time.
“From less than 1,000 points in the late 1990s to 100,000 today, market is up 100 times,” Sohail said, adding the milestone was a testament to the ups and downs, bull runs and bear runs, optimism and pessimism the market had endured over the last 25 years.”
He maintained the PSX’s performance underscored the resilience and potential of Pakistan’s financial sector, even amid ongoing economic and political challenges.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation on the PSX crossing 100,000 points for the first time.
“This milestone showcases the trust of the business community and investors in our policies,” he said in a statement. “It is a testament to the hard work of our economic team and officials working to promote investment in the country.”
The premier also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring economic stability and national progress.
