ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador Donald Blome visited the key strategic port city of Gwadar on Tuesday where he was briefed about the trade potential of the area and explored development opportunities for the southwestern province of Balochistan.
Located on the Arabian Sea near Iran, Gwadar is central to a multibillion-dollar regional connectivity project jointly launched by China and Pakistan. The two countries view the city as an industrial and shipping hub that will not only benefit their economies but also enhance trade opportunities for Central Asian economies with the rest of the world.
China and Pakistan have also worked together to develop a deep-sea in Gwadar while asking other regional and international actors to participate in the economic connectivity project, though the United States has largely remained aloof of their strategic endeavors.
“US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome visited Gwadar, Balochistan, on September 12, to underscore the United States’ commitment to the people 0of Balochistan, a partnership that remains steadfast and robust,” said a statement released by the American embassy in Islamabad.
“Ambassador Blome also visited Gwadar Port and met with Port Authority Chairman Pasand Khan Buledi to learn about port operations and development plans, Gwadar’s potential as a regional trans-shipment hub, and ways to connect with Pakistan’s largest export market: the United States,” it added.
The embassy noted the United States and Balochistan had a history of collaboration while recalling that the administration in Washington had helped 661,000 people in the face of last year’s devastating floods by providing food and much-needed cash assistance.
It added that nearly 90,000 children were given nourishing meals to combat the threat of starvation in the province, where 41 health facilities had also been renovated with US support in the last one year.
Ambassador Blome also held productive discussions with political leaders, representatives from the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce, and a diverse group of government and private sector leaders during his visit.
He reiterated US support for Balochistan’s development while discussing economic growth, disaster relief and preparedness. Additionally, he mentioned the benefits of US trade and investment and highlighted various measures Pakistan could take to strengthen and improve its investment climate.
“Ambassador Blome’s meeting with members of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce focused on ways to increase US trade and investment in the region’s business, logistics, tourism, fisheries, and blue economy sectors,” the embassy said in the statement.
“The group shared how growing these business-to-business relationships can help create inclusive, Pakistani-led growth that supports jobs across Balochistan,” it added. “They also discussed how deepening business partnerships can enhance technical skills in Balochistan and help increase bilateral trade.”
In a meeting with Pakistan Naval West Command, Ambassador Blome also discussed regional issues and emphasized a continued partnership in the years ahead.
Pakistani officials openly acknowledged earlier this year they had been finding its difficult to balance its relations with the US and China amid their growing rivalry on the world stage.
The country’s former defense minister, Khawaja Asif, told an American publication in a wide-ranging interview in June that Washington should avoid pushing Islamabad into situations where it was forced to make hard political or geostrategic choices.
Prior to that, Pakistan’s former state minister for foreign affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, also pointed out it was not in her country’s interest to take sides as tensions mounted between the administrations in Beijing and Washington.
Last month, the US said it wanted Pakistan to succeed economically and had no issues with any country making “transparent investments” and following sustainable financing practices.
However, it added that had not seen that with respect to investments by China in countries around the world.
US envoy visits key strategic town of Gwadar, central to China-Pakistan regional connectivity endeavor
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US envoy visits key strategic town of Gwadar, central to China-Pakistan regional connectivity endeavor
- The United States says it has a history of collaboration with Balochistan while mentioning assistance to flood-hit families
- Ambassador Blome holds meeting with the port authority officials, discuss Gwadar’s trans-shipment potential for trade
Pakistan to launch yuan-denominated Panda bonds by June, finance minister says
- The South Asian country intends to raise approximately $200 million from Chinese investors through Panda bonds
- Muhammad Aurangzeb says the move is part of a strategy to achieve sustainability in Pakistan’s balance of payments
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that Pakistan plans to launch yuan-denominated Panda bonds in June to enhance its presence in Chinese capital markets, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday.
The development follows an upgrade in Pakistan’s sovereign rating by all three major credit agencies. The country aims to get into the “single-B” category that would allow it to return to global bond markets to raise funds.
Aurangzeb said the South Asian country intends to raise approximately $200 million from Chinese investors through the issuance of the Panda bonds, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“This step is part of a broader strategy to transition Pakistan’s economy toward export-driven growth, with a focus on achieving sustainability in the country’s balance of payments,” he was quoted as telling Hong Kong’s TVB news channel.
The South Asian country is navigating a challenging economic recovery path and has been buttressed by a $7 billion facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September. The government is optimistic it will meet the terms of the program.
Pakistan is being advised on the issuance of Panda bonds by the China International Capital Corporation, a partially state-owned financial services company, according to the finance minister. However, the latest figure is lower than the $300 million targeted by Pakistan last year.
Aurangzeb extended an invitation to Hong Kong to send delegations to explore trade and financial opportunities in Pakistan, according to the Radio Pakistan report.
“Hong Kong could serve as a strategic hub for joint ventures between Chinese and Pakistani companies,” he said.
To revive its $350 billion economy, Pakistan has been making efforts to position itself as a regional trade and transit hub by leveraging its strategic geopolitical position.
The South Asian country has witnessed a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity involving officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, China and Central Asian nations in recent months.
Pakistani security forces kill five militants in volatile southwest — military
- The militants were killed while attempting to ‘infiltrate’ Pakistan’s border in Balochistan’s Zhob district
- Islamabad blames a surge in militancy on militants operating out of Afghanistan, Kabul denies allegation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have gunned down five militants in the country’s southwestern Balochistan province, the Pakistani military said on Sunday.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province in terms of landmass that borders Iran and Afghanistan, has been the site of a low-level insurgency by Baloch separatists and religiously motivated militant groups.
The militants were killed while attempting to infiltrate Pakistan’s border in Balochistan’s Zhob district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
“Pakistan has consistently been asking Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“Interim Afghan Government is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by Khwarij [Pakistani Taliban militants] for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.”
The Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have frequently targeted Pakistani forces in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. The group has also maintained some presence in Balochistan.
This week, Pakistani security forces also killed 27 militants in an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Kacchi district, according to the ISPR. The deceased militants had been involved in militant activities against security forces as well as innocent civilians and were “highly wanted” by law enforcement agencies.
Islamabad has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
Masood defends Pakistan’s spin-spiced formula after Windies win
- Pakistan completed the win before tea on the third day as spinners Sajid Khan grabbed 5-50 and Abrar Ahmed finished with 4-27
- The Test lasted fewer than eight sessions on a dry, grassless Multan Stadium pitch, with spinners taking 34 of 40 wickets to fall
MULTAN: Skipper Shan Masood defended Pakistan’s formula of using spin-friendly pitches to win home Test matches after a 127-run victory over the West Indies in Multan on Sunday.
Pakistan completed the win before tea on the third day as spinners Sajid Khan grabbed 5-50 and Abrar Ahmed finished with 4-27 to dismiss the West Indies for 123 after setting a 251-run target.
The Test lasted fewer than eight sessions on a dry and grassless Multan Stadium pitch, with spinners taking 34 of the 40 wickets to fall.
Sajid finished with nine wickets, fellow spinner Noman Ali six and the West Indian left-armer Jomel Warrican took a maiden 10-wicket haul.
Pakistan bowled just one over of pace in the match.
“If we want to be a top side in the World Test Championship then we have to sacrifice some things, like we did with the fast bowling in this Test,” Masood said.
Pakistan made drastic changes after going winless in 11 home Tests since 2021, using industrial fans and patio heaters to dry the Multan pitch against England last year.
Sajid and Noman took 39 of the 40 wickets to give Pakistan a come-from-behind 2-1 series win against England, repeating the same ploy against the West Indies.
Masood’s captain counterpart Kraigg Brathwaite had no issue with it.
They will play the second Test from January 25 at the same venue.
“They’re at home so they got their decision how they want the pitch to behave,” said Brathwaite.
“It was a difficult pitch to bat on for sure.
“We expect the same type of pitch in the second Test so we got to come better with bravery and belief.”
Left-hander Alick Athanaze hit the only half-century for the tourists in the match with 55, an innings Brathwaite wants his batters to learn from.
“He swept it on both sides so we just have to be brave,” said Brathwaite.
“We have got one more Test and we have to believe in ourselves.”
Pakistan to send trade delegations to Bangladesh on Jan. 19, 20 amid thaw in ties
- Pakistan to send business delegations of citrus, date fruits to Bangladesh next week
- Trade exhibition to showcase Pakistan’s potential in Bangladeshi market, says organizer
ISLAMABAD: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said on Sunday it will send two trade delegations to Bangladesh from Jan. 19-20 in a bid to increase bilateral relations and economic collaboration, as both countries move to repair strained ties.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.
In the years since, Bangladeshi leaders, particularly former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, chose to maintain close ties with India. Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August 2024, witnessing a marked improvement.
The TDAP said that it would send two Pakistani trade delegations focusing on the trade of date fruits and citrus between the two countries.
“The first delegation of dates comprising 13 exporters will leave for a week-long visit on Jan. 19 while the second delegation of citrus will leave for a business-to-business (B2B) meeting on Jan. 20,” the TDAP said.
It said the business delegations aimed to explore more trade opportunities, promote business partnerships and Pakistan’s export potential in the Bangladeshi market.
Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, TDAP chief executive, said the authority planned to organize a trade exhibition in Bangladesh where Pakistani entrepreneurs will have a chance to showcase their products.
“Pakistan is one of the top ten importers of Bangladesh, covering sectors such as textiles, agriculture, food, chemicals and basic metals, but there is still room for further expansion of these imports,” he said.
He said both countries have been in talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) since 2002, adding that it could pave the way for greater opportunities for the people of both countries.
The development comes after Tuesday’s signing of a landmark agreement between Pakistan and Bangladeshi businesspersons to establish a joint business council between the two countries.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to visit Dhaka at the start of February to further consolidate the relations between the two countries.
Pakistan says ‘CPEC 2.0’ to attract more Chinese companies and investment
- CPEC, a multi-billion-dollar project, connects China and Pakistan through network of highways, railways and pipelines
- Pakistan says CPEC’s second phase will involve advanced technological transfer, and focus on industrialization and SEZs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will attract more Chinese investment and companies, as Islamabad eyes greater collaboration with Beijing to bolster its economy.
CPEC is a multi-billion-dollar project that connects China and Pakistan through a network of highways, railways and pipelines. In December 2024, Pakistan announced that both countries would work on the CPEC project with a renewed focus.
The government has said that the second phase of the CPEC project would be known as “CPEC 2.0” and would involve deeper collaboration, advanced technological transfer and transformative socio-economic projects.
“Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the importance of CPEC 2.0,” Pakistan’s finance ministry said while speaking to Hong Kong’s TVB News.
“The second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will attract more Chinese companies and investment,” the finance minister said.
Aurangzeb, who this week attended the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, invited the Asian country to send delegations to explore trade and financial opportunities in Pakistan.
“Hong Kong can be a suitable location for joint ventures between Chinese and Pakistani companies,” the finance minister was quoted as saying.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said last week that the second phase of the project would focus on industrialization and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as well as on clean energy, agriculture and livelihood projects.
However, the project has been hit by Islamabad struggling to keep up financial obligations as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants, especially in the country’s southwestern province.
