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Russia confirms delivery of first LPG shipment to Pakistan via Iran in expanded energy ties

A security personnel stands guard near a Russian cargo ship carrying crude oil docked at the Karachi port in Karachi on June 28, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 27 September 2023
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Russia confirms delivery of first LPG shipment to Pakistan via Iran in expanded energy ties

  • Pakistan imported 100,000 tons of discounted Russian oil under a government-to-government arrangement in Juna
  • Consultations on second LPG shipment are underway after the first was routed through Iran’s Special Economic Zone
Updated 27 September 2023
KHURSHID AHMED   

KARACHI: In a move marking an expansion of energy ties between the two countries, the Russian diplomatic mission in Islamabad confirmed the delivery of 100,000 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Pakistan through Iran on Tuesday.
The delivery follows an earlier government-to-government (G2G) deal that saw Pakistan import 100,000 tons of discounted Russian crude oil on June 11, which prompted former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to describe it as a “transformative day” for the economically struggling South Asian nation.
The LPG shipment, announced by the Russian embassy in a social media post, comes as Pakistan seeks to diversify its energy portfolio with more affordable options.
“Russia has delivered the first batch of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the amount of 100 thousand metric tons to Pakistan through Iran’s Sarakhs Special Economic Zone,” it said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “Consultations on the second shipment are underway.”

Pakistan has already started blending Russian oil with imported crude from the Gulf markets.
Zahid Mir, a top official at Pakistan Oil Refinery, told Arab News last month that the Russian crude had been successfully processed by the country, adding that the spot deal with Moscow was both technically and commercially viable.
He also informed negotiations for further cargo imports were underway.
Pakistan plans to import about 20 percent of its crude oil from Russia at discounted rates to meet its growing energy demand.
It meets about 43 percent of its LPG requirement, with a total annual consumption of 4,600 metric tons, through local production, according to data compiled by the Petroleum Club of Pakistan.
Pakistani officials could not be approached for comments on the story.

Topics: Russia Pakistan Russia deal LPG shipment

Ancient winter festival in Pakistan’s Chitral concludes with rituals, traditional dance

Updated 22 sec ago
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Ancient winter festival in Pakistan’s Chitral concludes with rituals, traditional dance

  • Chawmos festival is celebrated in December by the Kalash people, who are numbered around 4,000
  • Festival marks welcoming of new year, celebrated with dance, animal sacrifice, singing and feasting
Updated 22 sec ago
REHMAT MEHSUD

PESHAWAR: A religious winter festival celebrated by the Kalash people in the northwestern Pakistani district of Chitral has concluded after featuring rituals, traditional dance and other festivities for two weeks, provincial tourism authority said on Monday.

The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people, possibly Pakistan’s smallest minority, who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith.

They come together each year in December to celebrate the two-week Chawmos festival after the community finishes fieldwork and stores cheese, fruit, vegetables and grains for the year.

The festival features various rituals, animal sacrifice, dance, songs and feasting, preserving the Kalash culture and attracting a number of tourists to Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“The religious Chawmos festival of the ancient Kalash Valley has concluded,” Mohammad Saad, a spokesperson for the KP Tourism Authority, said in a statement.

“The festival continued from Dec. 8 in the three valleys of Bumburet, Birir and Rumbur.”

The Kalash community’s religion incorporates animiztic traditions of worshipping nature as well as a pantheon of gods, and its people live mainly in the three Kalash valleys of Bumburet, Birir and Rumbur.

The Chawmos festival is celebrated to welcome the new year, with the Kalash people indulging in religious practices and distributing vegetables and fruit among each other, according to the official.

The festival was attended by a large number of domestic and foreign tourists who were fully facilitated by the provincial tourism authority.

Topics: Pakistan chitral kalash valley

Pakistan defense minister blames judiciary for delayed verdicts in May 9 cases

Updated 23 December 2024
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Pakistan defense minister blames judiciary for delayed verdicts in May 9 cases

  • National problems require decisions at the earliest, says Khawaja Asif while talking to media in London
  • Protests erupted in several Pakistani cities on May 9, 2023, over ex-PM Imran Khan’s arrest in a graft case
Updated 23 December 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday blamed the judiciary for delaying verdicts in the May 9, 2023, cases, which have so far led to the conviction of 25 supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for attacking government buildings and military properties last year.

On Dec. 21, the Pakistan Army sentenced 25 people for participating in the violent protests that erupted in several Pakistani cities following Khan’s brief detention on corruption charges, resulting in damage to major military facilities and martyrs’ monuments in the country.

However, several suspects are also facing legal charges in anti-terrorism courts, with the military hoping for early verdicts in their cases, according to a statement announcing the sentencing of the 25 individuals, which described the rioting as “politically provoked violence.”

The PTI has denied any involvement in the violence, describing the May 9 incident as a “false flag” operation aimed at crushing the party.

“The judiciary created the biggest hurdle in this [the conviction of May 9 suspects] while this thing was allowed to linger for one and a half years,” Asif said while speaking to the media in London, the city he is currently visiting.

Describing the May 9 protests as a national problem, he said all the cases related to it required verdicts at the earliest.

The conviction of the 25 individuals followed a ruling by a seven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Dec. 13, allowing military courts to share their verdicts. Prior to that, the court had unanimously declared last year that prosecuting civilians in military courts violated the Constitution.

Khan’s PTI party rejected the military’s announcement, with opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan saying they were “against the principles of justice.”

The sentencing of the 25 individuals also raises concerns about Khan, who faces charges of inciting attacks against the armed forces and may potentially be tried in a military court.

Earlier, Asif had regretted the delay in announcing the verdicts, saying that it “raised the morale of the accused and their facilitators.”

“Right now, only the workers, who were used [to generate violence], have been punished under the law,” he had said. “This will not end until the ones, who planned this terrible day, are not brought before the law.”

Topics: Pakistan May 9 protests Khawaja Asif military courts Arab News Pakistan

Pakistan PM reviews security situation amid rising militancy, sectarian clashes

Updated 23 December 2024
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Pakistan PM reviews security situation amid rising militancy, sectarian clashes

  • PM Sharif was briefed by Mohsin Naqvi who recently attended a security meeting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  • Security remained a concern for Pakistan this year, which witnessed renewed attacks on Chinese nationals
Updated 23 December 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif evaluated the security situation during a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Sunday, focusing on measures taken by the authorities to ensure peace across the country.

The talks come days after Naqvi attended a high-level security meeting in the volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan and has seen a surge in cross-border militant attacks.

The region’s Kurram district has been gripped by sectarian clashes since last month, leaving well over 100 people dead, according to local reports.

During the meeting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Naqvi and other stakeholders decided to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies with the federal government’s full cooperation to combat mounting security challenges.

Pakistan has also faced unrest in its southwestern province of Balochistan, where separatist attacks intensified throughout the year.

“Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi provided a detailed briefing to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on the overall security situation in the country,” the statement from the PM Office said. “The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the measures taken to ensure law and order in the country.”

The meeting also included discussions on the country’s political situation, the statement added.

Security remained a major concern for the government this year, which witnessed renewed attacks on Chinese workers, including five fatalities when their convoy was targeted by an explosive-laden vehicle near Besham city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Later in October, two Chinese engineers lost their lives in a blast near Karachi airport.

On Sunday, Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, vowed to hunt down militants and their facilitators, following a deadly attack on a military outpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that left 16 soldiers dead.

Topics: Pakistan

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Pakistan to host India’s Champions Trophy matches in UAE under hybrid model

Updated 23 December 2024
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Pakistan to host India’s Champions Trophy matches in UAE under hybrid model

  • The decision comes after India showed reluctance to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns
  • A PCB official says Pakistan has formally informed the ICC about its choice of the neutral venue
Updated 23 December 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will serve as the neutral venue for matches between India and Pakistan during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy scheduled in February.

The decision was finalized after discussions between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, currently visiting Pakistan.

The move resolves a contentious issue stemming from India’s reluctance to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns. Pakistan, the official host of the tournament, initially refused to opt for a hybrid model, allowing the tournament to proceed with matches involving India being played at a neutral venue. However, its cricket board later accepted the arrangement.

PCB spokesperson Amir Mir confirmed the ICC has been formally informed about the decision.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board has chosen the United Arab Emirates as the neutral venue,” he was quoted in a statement. “Now, India and Pakistan’s Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE.”

The statement said Pakistan had the authority to determine the neutral venue as tournament host, and chose the UAE after careful deliberation.

The hybrid model was also employed during the Asia Cup last year, with Pakistan co-hosting the tournament with Sri Lanka.

Unlike the Asia Cup, however, the Pakistan national team traveled to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup later in the same year. Meanwhile, the Champions Trophy preparations in Pakistan are in full swing, with venues being readied for the event.

The hybrid model for the Champions Trophy will ensure the tournament remains on track while maintaining Pakistan’s position as the host.

Topics: Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025 UAE Hybrid model Pakistan v India Arab News Pakistan

Run machine Saim Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa

Updated 23 December 2024
AFP
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Run machine Saim Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa

  • Left-handed opening batsman made a sparkling 101 off 94 balls in a Pakistan total of 308 for nine
  • Hosts were beaten by 36 runs as match was reduced to 47 overs due to rain with adjusted target
Updated 23 December 2024
AFP

Johannesburg: Rising star Saim Ayub hit his second century of the series — and his third in five innings — as Pakistan completed a series cleansweep over South Africa in the third one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.

Left-handed opening batsman Ayub made a sparkling 101 off 94 balls in a Pakistan total of 308 for nine.

Heinrich Klaasen thrashed 81 off 43 balls for South Africa — but the hosts were beaten by 36 runs chasing an adjusted target of 308. The match was reduced to 47 overs a side because of rain.

Ayub, 22, hit 113 not out in the second one-day game against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last month and 109 in the series opener against South Africa in Paarl last week.

In between his one-day appearances he made an unbeaten 98 in the second Twenty20 international against South Africa in Centurion.

Ayub was named player of the match and player of the series.

“It’s important because we won but it is for all the team, not just me,” he said. “The senior players helped me a lot.”

In contrast to Ayub’s form, his opening partner Abdullah Shafique was out for his third successive duck after Pakistan were sent in to bat.

Pakistan's Mohammad Hasnain attempts a catch off his own bowling during the third International cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 22, 2024. (AP)

But Ayub was seldom troubled as he played shots all around the wicket in partnerships of 114 with Babar Azam (52) and 93 with captain Mohammad Rizwan (53).

Ayub fell to debutant Corbin Bosch, caught behind attempting an audacious flick to leg, after hitting 13 fours and two sixes.

Bosch, the son of the late Test and one-day international player Tertius Bosch, received a call-up after injuries hit South Africa’s fast bowling resources.

For the third successive match, Klaasen was the only South African to make a half-century. He kept South Africa ahead of the required run rate until he was sixth man out, caught on the square leg boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi with the total on 194 in the 29th over.

Pakistan's captain Mohammad Rizwan, right, plays a shot as South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen watches on during the third International cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 22, 2024. (AP)

Ayub followed up his century by taking one for 34 in 10 overs with his mixture of off-spin and carrom balls, claiming the key wicket of David Miller and producing the most economical figures by any bowler in the match.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 308-9 in 47 overs (Saim Ayub 101, Mohammad Rizwan 53, Babar Azam 52, Salman Agha 48; K. Rabada 3-56) v South Africa 271 in 42 overs (H. Klaasen 81, C. Bosch 40 not out)

Result: Pakistan won by 36 runs (DLS method)

Series: Pakistan won the three-match series 3-0

Toss: South Africa

Topics: Pakistan v South Africa Saim Ayub Cricket

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