ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkmenistan have decided to accelerate work on the TAPI pipeline project linking the energy-rich Central Asian country through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India, Radio Pakistan said on Friday.
The pipeline is expected to carry 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas each year along a route stretching 1,800 km (1,125 miles) from Galkynysh, the world’s second-biggest gas field, to the Indian city of Fazilka near the Pakistan border.
The project was launched in Afghanistan in 2018, when the Taliban was fighting the Western-backed government in Kabul, but it pledged its cooperation for a project it hailed as a key future element of the economic infrastructure.
Afghanistan, which suffers chronic energy shortages, is expected to take 5 percent of the gas itself, with the rest divided equally between Pakistan and India.
“Pakistan and Turkmenistan have decided to accelerate work on TAPI gas pipeline project,” Radio Pakistan reported after Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Cabinet of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredow, who was on a two-day visit to Pakistan.
“Substantial progress has been made through collaboration on the TAPI Gas Pipeline project aimed at promoting economic integration and energy security,” Musadik was quoted as saying by Radio Pakistan.
The CEO of TAPI Pipeline Company who was also at the meeting said the pipeline project had made “significant progress and was on the right track due to the interest of Pakistan’s Ministry of Petroleum and Special Investment Facilitation Council.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredow said that a “roadmap” would be prepared for enhancing cooperation between Pakistan and Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan, a former Soviet republic sitting on 4 percent of the world’s natural gas reserves, plans to triple gas output to 230 billion cubic meters (bcm) over the next 20 years. With a population of only 5 million, it will export nearly 80 percent.
Turkmenistan traditionally sends its gas north to Soviet-era master Russia but is becoming an increasingly important supplier to China, Iran and Europe. India and Pakistan, via the TAPI pipeline, would also offer potentially large new export markets.
Pakistan wants to position itself as a regional trade hub and to leverage its strategic geopolitical position and enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting the landlocked Central Asian reoublics with the rest of the world. In recent months, there has been a flurry of visits, investment talks, and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian states and meetings with leaders from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
Pakistan, Turkmenistan to accelerate work on trans-Afghan gas pipeline
https://arab.news/jz646
Pakistan, Turkmenistan to accelerate work on trans-Afghan gas pipeline
- TAPI pipeline will link energy-rich Central Asian country through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India
- India and Pakistan, via TAPI pipeline, will offer potentially large new export markets to Turkmenistan
Pakistani forces kill eight Afghan Taliban in border clash after ‘unprovoked firing’ — state media
- The two countries have previously witnessed similar skirmishes, leading to the closure of border crossings
- Pakistani officials blame Afghan Taliban for sheltering and facilitating banned militant networks like the TTP
ISLAMABAD: Security forces in Pakistan killed eight Afghan Taliban fighters in a border clash, state-owned media reported on Sunday, following “unprovoked firing” from the other side on Pakistani checkpoints.
This is not the first such skirmish along the border between the two neighboring countries.
Previous clashes have led to the closure of key crossings like Torkham and Chaman, severely disrupting trade and halting the movement of people between the two states.
Last month, the Torkham border was shut down for three days after the Afghan Taliban announced they were investigating reports of Pakistani fighter jets allegedly violating Afghan airspace to patrol Nangarhar and Kunar provinces.
“Afghan Taliban opened unprovoked firing with heavy weapons yesterday from inside Afghanistan, targeting Pakistani check posts,” Radio Pakistan said.
“The Pakistan security forces responded effectively and killed eight Afghan Taliban, including key commanders Khalil and Jan Muhammad,” it continued. “Sixteen Afghan Taliban were also injured in the firing.”
Quoting unnamed sources, Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported that the incident took place along the Pak-Afghan border near the Kurram district in the northwest.
However, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has not released an official statement on the matter.
Pakistani officials have previously accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering and facilitating the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
They have also urged the Kabul administration not to allow such armed factions to use Afghan territory to launch attacks in the region.
The Afghan authorities, however, deny these allegations, maintaining that Pakistan’s security challenges are an internal issue for Islamabad.
Deputy PM Dar seeks increased investment, trade in talks with British-Pakistani lawmakers
- Ishaq Dar briefs these lawmakers on government’s roadmap for the country’s economic revival
- He says young British-Pakistanis should stay connected with their roots by visiting the country
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar discussed the prospects of increasing investment from the United Kingdom, along with expanding bilateral trade volume, during a detailed interaction with a group of British-Pakistani members of parliament in London, according to an official statement released on Sunday.
Dar embarked on his first five-day official visit to Britain last week following the change of government in the UK, where the Labour Party won the general elections in July and returned to power after 14 years.
He addressed a wide range of issues with senior administration officials in London, including the resumption of Pakistan International Airlines flights to the UK, which he emphasized as a “major priority” for the government.
The last elections in the UK also saw 15 members of Pakistani heritage elected to parliament, many of whom met the deputy prime minister at a dinner hosted by Pakistan’s High Commissioner, Dr. Muhammad Faisal, at the diplomatic facility.
“The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated the newly elected British-Pakistani Members of Parliament,” said the statement released by his office, adding their success in the elections reflected the strength of British democracy and success of its citizens of Pakistani origin.
“The Deputy Prime Minister asked the Members of Parliament for suggestions on how the government could draw more British foreign direct investment in Pakistan and increase the bilateral trade volume,” it added.
He briefed the British-Pakistani lawmakers on his government’s roadmap for the economic revival of the country, acknowledging that security issues over the past several years had caused significant challenges for Pakistan.
However, he emphasized that the government was committed to steering Pakistan back toward economic growth and development. Dar explained the Pakistani administration had to implement politically unpopular measures, noting that they were gradually starting to yield positive results.
He mentioned that inflation had been reduced to single digits and the current account deficit had been brought under control, along with stabilizing the currency.
Dar also highlighted the widespread institutional support for economic reforms and noted that the Special Investment Facilitation Council, established by the government last year, was attracting foreign investors to Pakistan’s energy, mining, information technology and agriculture sectors.
The deputy prime minister further stressed the importance of young British-Pakistanis staying connected with their roots and noted that the Pakistani government had introduced a new visa-free policy to encourage Pakistani expatriates to visit the country.
Pakistan to hold next month’s England Tests in Multan and Rawalpindi — report
- Reports earlier said schedule for next month’s series can be altered due to construction at proposed grounds
- England are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on October 2, with the first Test match starting on October 7
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will be holding a three-Test series between Pakistan and England in Pakistan, an international cricket website reported on Sunday, citing a spokesperson of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
England last week sought clarity from the PCB over their upcoming Test tour of Pakistan following reports that matches could be moved to another country.
The development came amid ongoing construction work as Pakistan prepares to bring its stadiums at par with international standards before Champions Trophy next year.
“The ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board] has given the go-ahead to hold the series in Multan and Rawalpindi,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Naqvi’s spokesperson Mohammad Rafiullah as saying.
The ECB is satisfied with the venues, Rafiullah added.
England are scheduled to play the first Test in Multan from October 7, followed by matches in Karachi and Rawalpindi, but renovations ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy appear to be causing issues at the latter two venues.
However, there has been no official comment from the PCB and the board has yet to officially finalize venues for each of the three Test matches for the series, according to the report.
England coach Brendon McCullum addressed the issue on Thursday while speaking to reporters at The Oval ahead of the third Test against Sri Lanka.
“We don’t really know (what is happening in Pakistan) but we can’t pick a team until we know where we’re going to play,” he said. “It would be nice if, over the next couple of days, we found out.”
England are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on October 2, with the first Test starting on October 7.
Party of ex-PM Imran Khan holds Islamabad rally for his release
- Khan, who has been in jail since August last year, was convicted in four cases, all of which have been either suspended or overturned by the courts
- Authorities say several cops injured in clashes with Khan supporters, PTI says law enforcers using “brutal violence” against peaceful rally-goers
ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party on Sunday held a large public rally in Islamabad and called for his release from prison within two weeks, as authorities said “several” policemen were injured after Khan supporters pelted them with stones.
Khan, who has been in jail since August last year, faces a slew of charges and was convicted in four cases since he was first taken into custody, all of which have been either suspended or overturned by the courts. Khan remains in jail, however, on new charges brought by Pakistan’s national accountability watchdog regarding the illegal sale of gifts from a state repository while he was prime minister from 2018 till 2022.
The rally by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) comes after it was postponed twice before. The gathering was previously planned for July and then August but was called off both times after permission was revoked over what officials described as security threats and concerns about unrest.
“If Imran Khan is not released within two weeks, then we ourselves will have him released,” close Khan ally, Ali Amin Gandapur, chief minister of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, told a charged crowd in Islamabad’s Sangjani area. “Are you ready to get your [right]? I will lead you. Do not fall back.”
Gandapur announced the party would hold its next rally in Pakistan’s political heart of Lahore, saying authorities would “forget about Bangladesh,” referring to recent protests in the South Asian nation that saw autocrat Sheikh Hasina ousted from power after 15 years.
This was the first rally held by the PTI since the Feb. 8 national elections and was met by authorities in Islamabad blocking dozens of main roads and key intersections to “ensure public safety” during the gathering.
Khan supporters and the police clashed at at least one location in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where police and the interior ministry said several cops were injured after they were pelted with stones “without provocation” by Khan supporters. Khan’s party in turn alleged law enforcers were “shelling and attacking attendees for no reason.”
The PTI says the main aim of the rally was to mobilize supporters for the release of Khan who has waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against Pakistan’s powerful military and blamed the then army leadership of orchestrating his ouster in a parliamentary no-trust vote in April 2022. The army says it does not interfere in political affairs.
Khan also faces the prospect of a military trial for treason and attempting to incite a mutiny in the army following the recent unprecedented arrest of former Pakistani spy chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed.
Khan’s key ally Gandapur told participants of the Islamabad rally that nobody would be able to hold a military trial of the jailed premier, distancing his party from Gen Hameed who is accused of violating the Pakistan Army Act.
“Fix your institution, fix your generals, fix yourself,” Gandapur said, in a direct reference to the army.
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said the PTI had failed to gather a large number of people and was sharing “fake” visuals to demonstrate its strength among the public.
“The millions of people who had to come out [for the PTI rally] in the form of an ocean are not to be seen. Yes, a rally was held as per usual like other rallies, as should happen, it’s a democratic right, and should be held in the time allotted by district administration,” he told the media in a video statement.
“But I fail to understand that to hide the failure of their rally they are tweeting [fake] visuals. Footage from other countries are being run.”
Independent analysts said the PTI had managed to put on a decent show.
“Strong turnout for PTI rally despite the state’s tactics to limit numbers through roadblocks and containers, and despite the risk of violent crackdowns and arrests,” tweeted Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute Director at the Wilson Center in Washington.
“Its size and popularity ensure its mobilization capabilities remain intact despite relentless attempts to curb it.”
The PTI says it has faced a months-long crackdown since protesters linked to the party attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after Khan’s brief arrest that day in a land graft case. Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many remain behind bars as they await trial. The military has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.
The party says it was not allowed to campaign freely ahead of the Feb. 9 general election, a vote marred by a mobile Internet shutdown on election day and unusually delayed results, leading to accusations that it was rigged and drawing concern from rights groups and foreign governments.
The PTI says it won the most seats but its mandate was “stolen” by PM Sharif’s coalition government which formed the government with the backing of the all-powerful military. Both deny the claim.
Authorities declare northwestern Pakistani province mpox-free after all patients recover
- Health officials had confirmed four cases of the viral infection in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last month, all of whom had travel history
- All of the infected individuals were screened at the Peshawar airport and test results of the last patient came negative on Sunday
PESHAWAR: Health authorities on Sunday declared Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province mpox-free, saying all four patients infected with the virus had recovered from it.
Health officials had confirmed four cases of the viral infection last month, all of whom had a travel history, according to Atta Ullah Khan, a spokesperson of the provincial health department.
All of the infected individuals were screened at the Peshawar airport. Three of them were shifted to the isolation ward of Police Services Hospital in Peshawar, while one was quarantined at his home in the Mardan district.
“PCR [polymerase chain reaction] tests of the patients were sent to the National Institute of Health in Islamabad and the results of all the individuals came negative,” Khan told Arab News, adding the result of the PCR test of the last patient quarantined at his Mardan home came negative on Sunday.
“Currently, there are no active mpox cases in the province.”
Patients who contract mpox get flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Mpox is usually mild but can kill, and children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications from the infection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) urged countries around the world to take precautionary measures after declaring the disease a public health emergency on August 14, as a new offshoot of the virus first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo began spreading to other neighboring states.
Khan said provincial health authorities had managed to limit the spread of mpox in a short period of time.
“But screening at entry points, including Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar and the Torkham border crossing, still continues,” he added.
