ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to improve transportation of goods at the Karachi port during his visit to the southern Pakistani city, Sharif’s office said on Sunday, amid Pakistan’s push to boost trade to support its fragile economy.
The prime minister issued the directives at a meeting he presided over with regard to the Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation in Karachi, where he is expected to meet the business community during the day-long visit.
Sharif said Pakistan held a key geographical position in the region and provided the most convenient sea trade route for the Central Asian states, citing his recent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Central Asian leaders in Kazakhstan.
“Central Asian states have expressed deep interest in using Pakistan’s ports for trade,” the prime minister was quoted as saying by his office. “Through modern system at ports and improved access to them, Pakistan can earn billions of dollars in foreign exchange.”
He directed authorities to keep the Lyari Expressway open for cargo round the clock to ensure uninterrupted transportation of goods to and from the Karachi Port Trust.
The Malir Expressway should be connected with the seaport to ensure swift delivery of goods, he said, adding instructing officials to enhance railways’ capacity to shift goods to the Karachi port.
“He stressed the need to ensure early installation of state-of-the-art scanning machinery at the seaports and called for steps for the capacity building of Pakistani ports to take full advantage of their potential,” Sharif’s office said.
The prime minister instructed authorities to decrease customs clearance time by installing modern equipment and machinery at the Karachi Port Trust and Port Qasim.
Pakistan aims to enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting Central Asian republics with the rest of the world by leveraging its strategic geographical position.
The South Asian country has invested in infrastructure projects like roads, railways and pipelines while seeking greater economic connectivity under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative. In April this year, Pakistan opened its trade gateway to Central Asia with first potato shipment to Tajikistan.
During his day-long visit, Sharif is expected to meet business community in Karachi — Pakistan’s largest financial and industrial hub and home to over 20 million people.
The city has a vibrant business community and several industrial sites, but its deteriorating law and order situation and poor infrastructure have frustrated traders, who have regularly sought interventions from the government to resolve some of the metropolis’ teething issues.
“He is also expected to meet a delegation of businessmen from the export and import sectors,” Sharif’s office said, adding that the premier would be briefed on increasing the country’s national income, facilities for the business community and reforms in the export and import sectors.
“Important decisions will be taken in this regard,” it added.
PM Sharif calls for improving goods transportation at Karachi port amid Pakistan trade push
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PM Sharif calls for improving goods transportation at Karachi port amid Pakistan trade push
- The prime minister says Central Asian states have expressed deep interest in using Pakistan’s ports for trade
- Premier asks officials to keep Lyari Expressway open round the clock to ensure uninterrupted transportation
After UAE, Saudi Arabia expansion, Pakistan’s ABHI acquires FINCA microfinance bank
- FINCA operates in 108 cities across Pakistan, providing state-of-the-art deposit and payment solutions
- Partnership to help ABHI introduce financial services such as gold backed loans, salary advances for millions
KARACHI: After expanding its services in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Pakistani fintech ABHI has announced on Tuesday it has acquired FINCA microfinance bank to improve financial inclusion for millions of Pakistanis across the country.
Abhi is a Pakistani fintech company that enables people to achieve financial empowerment through various services such as the Earned Wage Access (EWA) facility. Founded in 2021, Abhi has been serving customers in Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh through its credit-bridging products.
FINCA Pakistan, part of a global FINCA network, operates in 108 cities across Pakistan, providing state-of-the-art deposit and payment solutions, including micro-credit facilities aimed at improving livelihoods.
“Together, these three entities are set to redefine financial inclusion in the country,” a statement from ABHI said. “By integrating ABHI’s digital solutions, FINCA’s extensive microfinance network, and TPL Corp’s diversified expertise across retail, insurance, and technology, the partnership paves the way for a new era of accessible and innovative financial services.”
It said FINCA Pakistan has empowered millions of Pakistanis through lending, savings and financial education over the past few years. The statement said the partnership will enable ABHI to introduce several financial services such as gold backed loans, salary advances, savings accounts and value-added offerings like bill payments.
“At Abhi, our mission has always been to create accessible financial solutions for everyone,” Omair Ansari, the chief executive officer and co-founder oof ABHI, said.
“This acquisition represents a significant leap forward, allowing us to reach communities that have historically been excluded from the financial system. Together with TPL and FINCA, we are determined to transform financial access across Pakistan.”
Jeff Smith, chair of the FINCA Pakistan board of directors, said TPL and ABHI will live up to FINCA’s legacy of serving people.
“By combining their expertise and innovation, this partnership will accelerate financial inclusion in Pakistan, particularly for women and small entrepreneurs, empowering them to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the nation’s economic growth,” Smith said.
The statement noted that ABHI has become the first fintech company in Pakistan to be invited to participate in Davos 2025, pointing out that it recently raised its pre-series B round of $25 million with a mix of equity and debt.
Pakistan approves lifetime ID cards with wheelchair logo for people with disabilities
- NADRA to issue juvenile cards for children with disabilities, identity cards with donor logos for registered organ donors
- Around 7.5 million people in Pakistan have disabilities, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics report in 2023
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has approved the issuance of national identity cards with lifetime validity for people with disabilities, a press release said on Tuesday.
The unprecedented amendments to NADRA Rules 2002 are aimed at improving inclusivity, simplifying documentation processes and acknowledging the distinct needs of people living with disabilities in Pakistan.
According to a census report published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in 2023, around 7.5 million people in Pakistan have disabilities. An estimated 1.3 billion people – about 16 percent of the global population – currently experience significant disability.
“One of the primary changes involves the issuance of distinct identity cards for special persons with lifetime validity,” NADRA said in a statement announcing the amendments.
“Adult special citizens, whether resident or non-resident, duly recognized by respective federal or provincial entities, will be eligible for national identity cards featuring a wheelchair logo with lifetime validity.”
NADRA will also issue child registration certificates or juvenile cards with the wheelchair symbol for children who have disabilities. Pakistani citizens who register as organ donors will be issued national identity cards featuring a donor logo, also with lifetime validity.
“By introducing lifetime validity for these cards, the federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to simplifying procedures and providing recognition to those who contribute to society in unique ways,” the statement concluded.
People with disabilities in Pakistan face many challenges, including discrimination, exploitation, and mistreatment. However, some recent steps have been taken to improve their situation including the passage of the ICT Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2020 and the ratification in 2011 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Disabled Persons Employment and Rehabilitation Ordinance 1981 also provides job quotas for people with disabilities living in Pakistan.
‘Draconian law,’ says opposition party as Pakistan senate approves controversial cybercrime bill
- Bill proposes Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority to block illegal online content
- Disinformation will be punishable by up to three years in prison and fine of $7,150 under new law
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s upper house of parliament on Tuesday passed a bill to amend the country’s cybercrime law amid a walkout by opposition leaders and journalists who fear the new legislation will be used to censor social media platforms.
Pakistan adopted the much-criticized Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in 2016, granting sweeping powers to regulators to block private information they deemed illegal. The law provided for up to seven years in prison for “recruiting, funding and planning of terrorism” online. It also allowed “authorized officers” to require anyone to unlock any computer, mobile phone or other device during an investigation.
The government said at the time restrictions under the new law were needed to ensure security against growing threats such as terrorism and to crackdown on unauthorized access, electronic fraud and online harassment. However, journalists and rights activists complain that the law has been largely used to go after journalists, bloggers and other people critical of the government and state institutions like the military.
The new amendment bill now proposes the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority to perform a range of functions related to social media, including awareness, training, regulation, enlistment and blocking. SMPRA would be able to order the immediate blocking of unlawful content targeting judges, the armed forces, parliament or provincial assemblies or material which promotes and encourages terrorism and other forms of violence against the state or its institutions. The law also makes spreading disinformation a criminal offense punishable by three years in prison and a fine of two million rupees ($7,150).
After being passed by both houses of parliament, the bill now needs the president’s ascent to become law.
“I have heard more ‘yes’ than ‘no’, so the bill is approved,” Syedaal Khan, deputy chair of Pakistan’s Senate, said amid protests from the opposition and journalists who walked out of the gallery.
The main opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, called the law “draconian,” saying it would be used to suppress media freedom.
“Second battle will be a constitutional battle in the courts and for that the [party] leadership is consulting lawyers,” the PTI said in a statement shared with reporters.
“We will challenge this and we will keep resisting till this black law is taken back.”
A copy of the bill seen by Arab News has set imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of Rs2 million or both for “whoever intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits, or transmits any information through any information system, that he knows or has reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest in general public or society.”
The bill was presented in the National Assembly on Thursday by Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party of premier Shehbaz Sharif.
“The bill will not harm but protect working journalists,” Information Minister Ataullah Tarar told reporters after the passage of the bill by the lower house of parliament last week. “This is the first time the government has defined what social media is. There is already a system in place for print and electronic media and complaints can be registered against them.”
He said “working journalists” should not feel threatened by the bill, which had to be passed because the Federal Investigation Agency, previously responsible for handling cybercrime, “does not have the capacity to handle child pornography or AI deep fake cases.”
Tarar said the government was also aiming to bring social media journalists, including those operating YouTube accounts, under the tax framework.
The operative part of the new bill outlines that the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority would have the power to issue directions to a social media platform for the removal or blocking of online content if it was against the ideology of Pakistan, incited the public to violate the law or take the law in own hands with a view to coerce, intimidate or terrorize the public, individuals, groups, communities, government officials and institutions, incited the public to cause damage to governmental or private property or coerced or intimidated the public and thereby prevented them from carrying on their lawful trade and disrupted civic life.
The authority will also crackdown on anyone inciting hatred and contempt on a religious, sectarian or ethnic basis as well as against obscene or pornographic content and deep fakes.
Rights activists say the new bill is part of a widespread digital crackdown that includes a ban on X since February last year, restrictions on VPN use and the implementation of a national firewall.
The government says the measures are not aimed at censorship.
PCB chairman meets USA Cricket CEO, discusses tri-series with Canada
- Discussions also held on bilateral series between Pakistan and US men and women’s cricket teams
- Naqvi offers to train US coaches, invites Atkeison to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan next month
KARACHI: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohsin Naqvi, met USA Cricket Chief Executive Officer Johnathan Atkeison in Washington and discussed a tri-series with Canada and the training of American coaches in Pakistan, the PCB said on Tuesday.
Naqvi, who is also the country’s interior minister, has been on a visit to the US since last week.
“Naqvi and CEO USA Cricket discussed possibilities of a tri-series between Pakistan, Canada and USA. Discussions regarding arrangement of bilateral series between Pakistan and USA men’s and women’s cricket teams also took place,” the PCB said.
Naqvi assured Atleison of “all possible support” for the development of American players and the promotion of cricket in the US. He also offered to train US coaches in Pakistan and invited Atkeison to visit Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which starts next month.
Cricket in the US is a sport played at the amateur, club, intercollegiate and international competition levels with little popularity, with 200,000 players across the country.
Major League Cricket is the highest level of domestic T20 cricket currently played in America, with T20 being the format of the game that much of the recent growth in American cricket is occurring in.
Pakistan outlaws disinformation with three-year jail term
- Law was rushed through parliament with little warning last week
- New bill will now pass to the president to be rubber stamped
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan criminalized online disinformation on Tuesday, passing legislation that enshrines punishments of up to three years in prison, a decision journalists say is designed to crack down on dissent.
“I have heard more ‘yes’ than ‘no’, so the bill is approved,” Syedaal Khan, deputy chair of Pakistan’s Senate, said amid protest from the opposition and journalists, who walked out of the gallery.
The law targets anyone who “intentionally disseminates” information online that they have “reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest.”
The law was rushed through the National Assembly with little warning last week before being presented to the Senate on Tuesday, and will now pass to the president to be rubber stamped.
