KARACHI: US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald A. Blome on Monday unveiled four new initiatives to bolster the capabilities of Pakistani law enforcement in their efforts to safeguard local communities in the country’s southwest, the embassy said in a statement.
The United States and Pakistan have cooperated on civilian security and rule of law for more than 40 years. Their partnership involves justice institutions and providing law enforcement agencies with tools to secure Pakistan’s border, fight narcotics trafficking and combat terrorism.
During a visit to Quetta on Monday, Blome announced four new projects, including the expansion of an anti-terror training facility, constriction of new police stations, upgradation of existing ones and equipment support.
“A $4 million assistance package will facilitate the expansion of Balochistan Police’s Anti-Terrorist Force training facility, doubling its current capacity, and allowing simultaneous instruction for an additional 800 trainees,” the embassy said, referring to a southwestern Pakistani province.
The US also allocated $2 million to repair and upgrade 10 flood-damaged police stations. These facilities will include modern infrastructure, such as digital record management and support for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to support more responsive services for local communities. The facilities will also feature dedicated gender desks that will provide a private space for vulnerable populations to report crimes and receive special care for problems or injuries resulting from those crimes.
“An additional $2 million will be dedicated to constructing 10 new police stations to improve service to women, girls, and all Pakistanis,” the embassy added. “Recognizing the risks faced by law enforcement officers, the United States announced a $250,000 equipment grant to better protect enforcement officers as they undertake their duties.”
The four projects are funded and will be implemented in collaboration with the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL). INL currently provides approximately $20 million in assistance nationwide.
Blome, along with Inspector General of Police Shaikh and representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), also on Monday inaugurated Balochistan’s first Women and Juvenile Facilitation Center. The center was constructed in collaboration with UNODC and enhances the ability of law enforcement to protect and serve women and girls.
During the trip, Blome also met with Chief Minister of Balochistan Ali Mardan Khan Domki.
Discussions covered a range of topics including US assistance programs, and the ambassador “reaffirmed strong US support for the economic development of all parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan.”
US announces new initiatives to bolster counterterrorism abilities in southwest Pakistan
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US announces new initiatives to bolster counterterrorism abilities in southwest Pakistan
- United States and Pakistan have cooperated on civilian security and rule of law for more than 40 years
- Partnership involves justice institutions, tools to secure Pakistan’s border, fight drugs and terrorism
Malaysian PM arrives in Pakistan to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties
- Malaysian PM arrives in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on three-day visit with high-level delegation
- Anwar Ibrahim will also participate in Pakistan-Malaysia Business to foster trade, investment ties
ISLAMABAD: Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Islamabad on a three-day visit to the country on Wednesday, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s office said, with his visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment and other sectors.
Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, rooted in shared Islamic values and historical ties. Since 1957, they’ve fostered economic cooperation, defense collaborations, and cultural exchange.
The Pakistan-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement of 2008 boosted trade and investment, while regular high-level visits have solidified their partnership, underpinned by mutual respect and trust. Ibrahim is being accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Malaysian ministers, deputy ministers and senior officials.
Sharif welcomed his Malaysian counterpart and the high-level delegation upon their arrival in the capital, with senior Pakistani government officials by his side.
“Pakistan-Malaysia bilateral cooperation will be discussed during the visit and important progress related to the partnership between the two countries will be made,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
“The prime minister of Malaysia will also participate in the Pakistan-Malaysia Business Forum for cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries,” it added.
Sharif’s office said Ibrahim will also meet Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari during his visit.
Pakistan’s foreign office said earlier this week that the two sides will discuss a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Malaysia ties. These diverse fields include trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, halal industry, tourism, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Malaysia was recorded at $1.5 billion in 2023-24. The major exports of Pakistan to Malaysia include rice, condensate oil, onions, potatoes, home textiles, corn, seafood, and meat, palm oil and its products, petroleum, LNG, computers and laptops, nonwoven wadding, and fiberboard, according to the High Commission of Pakistan in Malaysia.
Tourism between both countries has gained momentum over the past few years and Malaysia currently ranks among the top tourist source countries to Pakistan, the foreign office said.
Around 160,000 Pakistani nationals are residing in Malaysia and over 3,800 students from Pakistan are also enrolled in Malaysian higher education institutes, making the country the third largest source of international students in Malaysia.
Pakistan is also one of the major workforce source countries for Malaysia in various key sectors including plantation, construction, manufacturing, agriculture and services, the foreign office said.
Pakistan expresses ‘deep concern’ over Middle East tensions after Iran’s missile attack on Israel
- Pakistan’s foreign office calls for de-escalation, urges all parties to “prioritize peace“
- Iran launched missiles into Israel on Tuesday for its military campaigns in Lebanon, Gaza
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson expressed “deep concern” over escalating tensions in the Middle East and urged all parties in the region to prioritize peace, a day after Iran launched scores of missiles into Israel.
Sirens sounded across Israel and explosions rattled Jerusalem late Tuesday as Iran marked its largest military blow to the Jewish state when it launched scores of missiles into its territory. Tehran said its assault was a response to Israeli killings of militant leaders and aggression in Lebanon against Hezbollah and in Gaza.
No injuries were reported in Israel, but one man was killed in the occupied West Bank, authorities there said, in the attacks that Iran described as defensive and solely aimed at Israeli military facilities.
The United Nations Security Council scheduled a meeting about the Middle East for today, Wednesday, and the European Union called for an immediate ceasefire as Washington said it would work with Israel to ensure Iran faced “severe consequences” for the attack.
“Pakistan expresses deep concern over the escalating hostilities in the Middle East, urging all parties to prioritize peace,” the foreign office spokesperson said in a statement.
The foreign office said Israel has increasingly violated international law and the UN charter in recent months, blaming the Jewish state for endangering regional peace and security with its “ongoing genocide in Gaza.”
It said Israel’s recent invasion of Lebanon have intensified these tensions and affected the lives of innocent civilians.
“The people of Palestine, Lebanon, and the wider region deserve to live free from fear and violence,” the statement said. “It is crucial for all sides to step back from the brink and for the international community to take swift action to de-escalate the situation.”
The foreign office spokesperson called on the international community to address the “prevailing culture of impunity and disregard for international law” urgently.
“Pakistan reiterates its call for the UN Security Council to uphold peace and security in the region, safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty, and put an end to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the statement said.
Pakistan’s national airline announced earlier on Wednesday it was suspending the use of Iran’s airspace until further notice amid growing tensions.
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza since October last year, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other multilateral platforms and demanded international powers and bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Pakistan, Russia sign agreements to boost imports and exports at bilateral trade forum
- Pakistan’s privatization minister leads delegation of over 70 businesspersons at inaugural trade and investment forum in Moscow
- Both sides agree to cooperate in IT, Safe City projects, minerals and boost trade in agriculture, fruits, vegetables, leather and textiles
ISLAMABAD: Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Russian officials on Wednesday to boost bilateral trade and investment, as business delegations from both countries interacted at a bilateral trade and investment forum in Moscow, the privatization ministry said.
The three-day Pakistan-Russia Trade and Investment Forum in Moscow kicked off on Tuesday with Khan leading a delegation of over 70 chief executive officers of Pakistani companies. The Russian side included the heads of over 100 companies and Platonov Vladimir, the president of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce.
The two sides signed a historic barter trade agreement a day earlier, entering into agreements for the exchange of goods, including chickpeas, rice, mandarins, potatoes and red lentils.
“Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan along with Russia’s Deputy Minister for Trade Alexey Gruzdev and Russian Federation Adviser Evgeny Fidchuk also signed various MOUs according to which Russia and Pakistan will increase imports and exports of food items,” Pakistan’s privatization ministry said about the meeting of the two officials on Wednesday.
The statement added that both officials also agreed that Russia would cooperate with Pakistan in IT Technology, Safe City projects and setting up IT centers in Pakistan.
Both countries agreed to increase bilateral trade in leather and textile, agricultural products, fruits and vegetables as well, the statement said.
“Federal Minister for Board of Investment Abdul Aleem Khan termed the visit to Russia as successful and beneficial and said that Pakistan is ready for joint ventures with Russia for the promotion of bilateral business,” the ministry said.
Both sides agreed to prepare lists of companies as Pakistan invited Russia to participate in the Textile Expo set to take place in the country this month.
Vladimir thanked Khan and the Pakistani delegation for participating in the event, the privatization ministry said. He said both countries can cooperate in high technology, minerals, information technology and other sectors.
“Khan further said that the purpose of his visit to Moscow is to encourage mutual trade, increase the confidence of the business community and promote harmony between the two countries,” the ministry said.
Pakistan and Russia, once Cold War rivals, have warmed up to each other in recent years through regular business and trade interactions. As Islamabad seeks to enhance its role as a transit hub for landlocked economies in Central Asia, it has expressed interest in connecting with Russia through Central Asian states for bilateral trade.
Islamabad’s ties with Russia also saw significant improvement in 2023 after Pakistan started purchasing Russian crude oil at a discount rate. The development came after geopolitical tensions almost doubled the fuel prices in Pakistan last year, forcing the South Asian country to opt for cheaper sources of fuel.
Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk arrived in Islamabad on a brief visit in September, seeking to expand trade and investment ties with Pakistan.
ADB approves $320 million to rehabilitate flood-affected roads in northwest Pakistan
- Funds will be used to upgrade around 900 kilometers of roads throughout the province, says state media
- Heavy rains from June to September killed nearly 350 people and injured hundreds of others in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a grant of $320 million to rehabilitate roads destroyed by recent floods in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, state-run media reported on Wednesday.
Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan, especially in its KP and Punjab provinces, killed nearly 350 people and injured hundreds of others from June to September. Thousands of homes were damaged and destroyed in flash floods, landslides and other rain-related incidents.
The regional development bank has committed over $52 billion to Pakistan, one of its founding members, since 1966 in public and private sector loans, grants, and other forms of financing to promote inclusive economic growth in the country.
“ADB has approved 320 million dollars for rehabilitation of roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Wednesday.
KP Rural Roads Development Project will upgrade around 900 kilometers of “flood-affected rural roads” with the help of these funds in the province, the state media said, adding that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) will facilitate the process.
Effective measures would also be taken to design and build sustainable roads that remain safe from climate change effects, Radio Pakistan said.
In December 2023, the ADB approved three projects totaling $658.8 million to improve Pakistan’s domestic resource mobilization, rehabilitate schools damaged by the devastating August 2022 floods, and enhance agricultural productivity to improve food security.
The ADB has been actively involved in various projects in KP. One notable project is the KP Cities Improvement Project, which aims to enhance the livability of five major cities, namely Abbottabad, Kohat, Mardan, Mingora, and Peshawar.
The project aims to do this by “expanding physical investments in urban water, sewerage, solid waste disposal, and green infrastructure, providing institutional support to improve service delivery and the performance of municipal companies and promoting gender-friendly municipal services through empowerment and capacity development.”
Pakistan rudderless after white-ball skipper Babar Azam resigns
- Pakistan’s cricket has suffered due to revolving door of bosses and allegations of nepotism
- Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is considered front-runner for white-ball captain
KARACHI: Pakistan’s limited-overs team was leaderless on Wednesday after captain Babar Azam resigned, compounding a management crisis experts say has badly affected the team’s international performance.
Pakistani cricket is flailing in all formats after a series of stinging losses, with a revolving door of bosses and allegations that nepotism has seeped into the sport.
Azam announced his resignation on his personal social media just before midnight on Tuesday, before an official Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement more than 12 hours later.
Pakistan cricket has plowed through four coaches, three board heads and four captains in the past two years, at the same time sliding down international standings.
“It’s a leadership crisis,” former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif told AFP. “Pakistan cricket is in the ICU with no specialist for treatment.”
Azam’s resignation came hours before England touched down on Wednesday for a three-match Test series that follows Pakistan’s humiliating 2-0 home series defeat to lowly ranked Bangladesh last month.
It was 29-year-old Azam’s second turn as captain after a flip-flop saw him resign in all three formats following Pakistan’s early exit from the ODI World Cup in November.
He returned in March to captain white-ball competitions but lasted just six months, leaving Pakistan leaderless with four major series coming up and the Champions Trophy next year.
Azam was captain when Pakistan crashed out of the T20 World Cup after a bruising loss to newcomers the United States.
He said he stood down to focus on his playing role as a batsman.
“He should not have accepted captaincy again,” Latif said.
“Neither the team was performing nor was he scoring big,” he said. “This resignation has come very late and that has not only cost him badly, but also the team.”
The PCB said on Wednesday the national selection committee would begin the hunt for a successor.
“He believes that dedicating himself fully to his batting will enable him to play a more decisive role in the team’s success in the shorter formats,” a PCB statement said.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is considered the front-runner for the job.
Azam is slated to play in the England Test series starting in Multan on Monday, but red-ball skipper Shan Masood is also facing calls to step down over dire performances.
Pakistan has lost all five matches under his tenure, which began last year.
