ISLAMABAD: Two girls were killed and six others, including a driver, injured when a school van came under attack in Pakistan’s Attock district on Thursday, the latest deadly assault in the region on school going children.
While schools vans and campuses have been attacked in the past by militants who are opposed particularly to girls going to school, an initial police probe into the latest violence suggested personal enmity between the driver’s family and the unknown attackers.
“This incident occurred in Dheri Chohan village near the Saddar area of Attock,” Muhammad Safeer, a police spokesperson in the area, told Arab News. “It was the result of an enmity between two groups, with the van driver as the main target.”
“However, during the indiscriminate firing, two girls were killed and six others injured, including five girls and the driver.”
Safeer said the driver was the main target of the attackers, not the children traveling with him.
The two girls killed in the attack were nine and 10 years of age, according to Rescue 1122 officials in the area, while other children in the van were between eight and 12 years old.
“Those who target innocent children do not deserve to be called human,” he said. “Firing on children in a school van is an act of brutality,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement. “Those who display such barbarism do not deserve any leniency.”
Maryam Nawaz, the chief minister of Punjab where Attock is located, also took notice of the incident and sought a report from the area’s administrative officials.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai was 14 when she was shot in the head in 2012 in Swat Valley by Taliban militants over her advocacy for girls’ education and opposition to terrorism. Since then, many schools in Pakistan’s northwestern regions bordering Afghanistan have been attacked by suspected militants.
Pakistan police say ‘personal enmity’ behind attack on school van, killing two girls
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Pakistan police say ‘personal enmity’ behind attack on school van, killing two girls
- Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai was 14 when she was shot in the head in 2012 in Swat Valley by Taliban militants
- Since then, many schools in Pakistan’s northwestern regions bordering Afghanistan have been attacked by suspected militants
IMF board to discuss Pakistan’s $7 bln bailout on Sept 25 as PM hails friendly states for support
- The South Asian country reached a staff-level agreement with the global lender in July, but approval for the 37-month program has been pending since then
- Pakistan’s last $3 billion IMF program helped avert a sovereign default last year, amid a decline in foreign exchange reserves and local currency devaluation
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board will meet on September 25 to discuss a $7 billion program agreed with Pakistan this year, an IMF spokesperson said on Thursday, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated “friendly” countries for their support in meeting the lender’s requirements.
The South Asian country reached a staff-level agreement with the global lender in July, but the IMF board’s approval for the 37-month program has been pending since then.
Pakistan’s last $3 billion IMF program helped avert a sovereign default last year, amid a decline in foreign exchange reserves to critical levels, currency devaluation and record inflation.
“The board meeting is scheduled to take place on September 25 and this is following Pakistan obtaining necessary financing assurances from its development partners,” IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said in a press briefing.
The development came hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated “friendly” countries for helping Pakistan meet requirements necessary to secure the IMF bailout.
“I’d like to say that our friendly and brotherly countries have supported us and have come all the way,” Sharif said on Thursday, while addressing a federal cabinet meeting.
The premier avoided delving into details and said the incumbent government was focusing on the commitments made with the IMF.
“For now, it would be fine to say that the finance minister, other government institutions and our ambassador in China have worked hard together for this,” he said.
Islamabad has for years relied on China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for financial assistance to meet external financing requirements and avoid sovereign default, which it came close to last summer.
Pakistan’s sovereign dollar bonds rallied on Thursday afternoon, with the 2031 maturity trading 1 cent higher to bid at 79.93 cents on the dollar, according to Tradeweb data.
Sharif said Pakistan’s economy would greatly benefit if the monetary policy rate also reached single digits like the inflation rate, highlighting that the dialogue with the IMF was moving ahead in a “good manner.”
PM Sharif said Pakistan will take decisions regarding the growth rate once the program is finalized.
Pakistan has been struggling with boom-and-bust cycles for decades, leading to 22 IMF bailouts since 1958. The latest economic crisis has been the most prolonged and has seen the highest-ever levels of inflation, pushing the country to the brink of a sovereign default last summer before an IMF bailout.
The conditions of the fresh IMF bailout have become tougher such as higher taxes on farm incomes and electricity prices. The bailout is aimed at cementing stability and inclusive growth in the crisis-plagued South Asian country.
Ex-PM Khan’s party postpones Friday protests, vows to hold Lahore rally on Sept. 22
- The party last week held rally in Islamabad to demand Khan’s release, which led to arrest of nearly dozen lawmakers
- Sunday’s PTI party rally was mostly peaceful but clashes between police, some PTI supporters injured one police officer
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has postponed its nationwide protests on Friday on the instructions of the ex-premier, party members said on Thursday, vowing to hold a “grand rally” in Lahore on September 22.
The PTI last week held a rally in Islamabad to demand the release of Khan, who has been in prison since August last year on a slew of charges. Nearly a dozen PTI lawmakers were arrested this week for violating the recently passed Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024, which allows authorities to set time limits and designate special areas for public gatherings.
The Islamabad administration had allowed the PTI to hold Sunday’s rally from 4pm till 7pm, but the gathering went on until around 11pm. Police said PTI lawmakers were detained over violations of the new law. On Tuesday, the National Assembly speaker ordered an inquiry into the arrests, citing that under Pakistani law, legislators cannot be detained from within the precincts of parliament without the speaker’s permission.
Speaking at a presser on Thursday, PTI member Salman Akram Raja said the party had decided to postpone Friday’s protest to give some more time to the government, while the rally in Lahore would “take place at any cost.”
“Therefore, we appeal to the public to be mindful of these updates, act courageous because fear doesn’t have a meaning anymore in this country,” Raja said. “We are not fearful and will not stop till we reach our destination.”
Prior to the Lahore rally, Raja said, the PTI would hold a public gathering in the Karak district of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province next week.
Sunday’s PTI rally was mostly peaceful, but there were clashes between police and some PTI supporters en route to the rally venue, in which one police officer was injured.
The PTI says it has faced an over a year-long crackdown since protesters allegedly 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, which says Khan and his party were behind the attacks, has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.
Khan, who is in jail since last August, was ousted from the PM’s office in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence after what is widely believed to be a falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military, which denies being involved in politics.
Since his removal, Khan and his party have waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the military and now the PTI is aiming to mobilize the public through rallies to call for their leader’s release from jail in “politically motivated” cases.
Court seeks government clarification on Pakistan ex-PM Khan’s possible military trial
- Imran Khan fears arrested former spy chief will be made an approver in May 2023 riots cases and he will be transferred to military custody
- The former premier, who is in jail since August 2023, has been indicted under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism law in connection with last year’s violence
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday sought clarification from the Pakistani government about a possible military trial of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan in connection with violent protests over his arrest last year that targeted government and military installations.
Protesters linked to Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party attacked and damaged government and military buildings on May 9, 2023, after his brief arrest that day in a land graft case. Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many continue to remain behind bars as they await trial. The military has also initiated trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.
Last month, the army arrested retired general Faiz Hameed, former head of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, who was widely believed to be close to Khan when he was PM from 2018-2022. The military said “multiple instances” of violation of the Pakistan Army Act post-retirement had been found against Hameed, in what was widely seen as a veiled reference to his continued support to Khan and his party, including in planning the May 2023 riots.
The developments raised fears within Khan supporters of his possible trial by a military court as Defense Minister Khawaja Asif even referred to Hameed as a “strategic adviser” to the PTI during the violence, prompting Khan to file a petition in the IHC against his possible military trial.
“The court has ordered the additional attorney general of Pakistan to clear the ambiguity by Monday, Sept 16 or the court will issue an interim order,” the PTI said in a statement sent to reporters. “The government, so far, has failed to maintain if the possible military trial of a former prime minister is still on the cards or if it was just a ploy to buy time for more gimmicks.”
In his petition, Khan has referred to Hameed’s arrest and to widespread media reports and speculation that the former spy chief would “be made an approver against the petitioner [Khan] in cases pertaining to May 9 and 10, 2023 and the petitioner will be transferred to military custody on this basis.”
The ex-premier also referred to recent statements by government officials that he should be tried in a military court and that the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 were applicable to him.
Khan and the PTI say the May 2023 riots have been used as a ruse by political rivals and the military to crack down on the party, which is arguably the most popular in Pakistan. Khan has also been indicted under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism law in connection with the violence. A section of Pakistan’s 1997 anti-terrorism act prescribes the death penalty as maximum punishment. Khan has denied the charges under the anti-terrorism law, saying he was in detention when the violence took place.
Khan has been in jail since August 2023 on a slew of charges that he says are “politically motivated” to keep him out of power and suppress the popularity of the PTI. Authorities deny the allegations.
Khan was convicted in four cases since he was first taken into custody, all of which have been either suspended or overturned by the courts. He, however, remains in jail on new charges relating to the illegal sale of gifts from a state repository while he was the prime minister.
Pakistan says keen to explore trade avenues among Shanghai Cooperation Organization members
- The statement came as Pakistan hosted 23rd meeting of ministers of SCO member states responsible for foreign, economic and trade activities
- During the meeting, the South Asian country highlighted its geographical location as a natural hub for trade and investment collaboration
ISLAMABAD: Commerce Minister Jam Kamal on Thursday said Pakistan was keen to explore trade avenues among the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries, highlighting his country’s geographical location as a natural hub for trade and investment collaboration.
The minister expressed these views while presiding over in Islamabad the 23rd meeting of ministers of SCO member states responsible for foreign, economic and trade activities. The SCO represents a major cross-regional bloc, accounting for nearly half of the world’s population and a substantial portion of global gross domestic product (GDP).
Pakistan hosted the meeting in its capacity as the incumbent chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government, the second highest SCO forum, which deals with all economic, trade, social, cultural and humanitarian issues as well as personnel and budgetary matters of the organization.
During his inaugural address, Khan noted that the SCO region was home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and a significant portion of the global population that presented immense potential for trade and economic collaboration.
“Pakistan’s geographical location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East positions it as a natural hub for trade and investment,” he said. “Pakistan is keen to leverage this strategic advantage to contribute to the collective growth of the SCO region.”
The minister said trade not only drives economic growth but also serves as a bridge to encourage mutual understanding, peace and prosperity among peoples of SCO countries.
“Pakistan welcomes and remains committed to deepening trade ties among the SCO member states in line with the national laws and policies of the member states,” he said. “We believe that by leveraging our collective strengths, we can create a more integrated and prosperous region.”
Citing the intra-SCO trade data, Khan said the overall trade between SCO member states remained 16 percent of their total foreign trade last year.
“Member countries imported 19 percent of their total imports from within SCO, while for export this was about 14 percent,” he added.
He said Pakistan envisions a robust and interconnected SCO region where trade flows seamlessly across the borders, where businesses thrive, and where innovation and entrepreneurship are nurtured, within the national laws and policies of member states.
Participating in the meeting virtually from New Delhi, India’s Deputy Commerce Minister Sunil Bharatwal highlighted the significance of the SCO region in the world economy.
“We see trade as an engine of growth and driver of economic development,” he said, adding that it was “mutual trust, inclusiveness as well as transparency” that were key to preserving the fundamental principles and objectives of the multilateral trading system and sustaining global supply chains. India’s priorities in SCO were shaped by the development of the global economy, he added.
“SCO stands for security, economic development, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and humanitarian protection,” he said.
Ling Ji, Vice Minister for Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative, emphasized that SCO member states must take the “right steps” to participate in the global economic and social reforms.
“To strengthen the various aspects of cooperation, one is to stick to the original intention of promoting trade and investment, liberalization and convenience between the member states,” he added.
In their country-wise statements, the SCO ministers also shared their views on the prospects and measures to deepen the economic and trade cooperation among SCO countries.
Adoption of SCO ministerial statement
The Pakistani commerce ministry said the collective vision of the SCO ministers on these issues was articulately summarized in the ministerial statement adopted by the meeting, which among other things underscored the importance of fair-trade practices and the pursuit of sustainability in economic development.
“The statement also emphasized the need to counter the protectionist trade measures, promote innovation and cooperation in digital technologies as well as to strengthen trade ties within the SCO region,” the ministry said, adding that to this end, members underscored the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and called for strengthening a WTO-based, non-discriminatory multilateral trading system.
“One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the approval of the Pakistani proposal on cooperation between the Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) of the SCO region.”
The commerce ministry said the implementation of this Pakistani proposal would meaningfully enhance collaboration between trade promotion bodies of SCO member states, facilitate greater trade integration and create new economic opportunities across the region.
The statement added that the meeting also approved the Kazakh proposal for the creation of a database of economic preferences for the SCO region, which will act as a comprehensive resource for member states to access information on economic incentives and preferences within the bloc, fostering a more cohesive business environment.
“Additionally, the ministerial meeting approved the Russian proposal on the promotion of the creative economy within the region, highlighting the importance of innovation-driven economic growth,” the ministry added.
Founded in 2001, the SCO is a major trans-regional organization spanning South and Central Asia, with China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan as its permanent members. The SCO member states collectively represent nearly half of the world’s population and a quarter of global economic output.
The organization’s agenda of promoting peace and stability, and seeking enhanced linkages in infrastructure, economic, trade and cultural spheres, is aligned with Pakistan’s own vision of enhancing economic connectivity as well as peace and stability in the region.
Pakistan central bank cuts key rate by 200 bps to 17.5%
- Thursday’s move follows cuts of 150 bps in June, 100 bps in July that brought down the rate from an all-time high of 22% to 17.5%
- Pakistan’s annual consumer price inflation rate slowed to 9.6% in August from a high of nearly 40% in May last year
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central bank cut its key policy rate by 200 basis points to 17.5% on Thursday, it said in a statement, making it the third straight reduction since June as the country looks to spur growth as inflation eases.
Most respondents in a Reuters poll this week expected a cut of 150 basis points after inflation fell to single digits in August for the first time in nearly three years.
Thursday’s move follows cuts of 150 bps in June and 100 bps in July that have taken the rate from an all-time high of 22% — set in June 2023 and left unchanged for a year — to the current 17.5 percent.
Pakistan’s annual consumer price inflation rate slowed to 9.6 percent in August from a high of nearly 40 percent in May 2023.
Economic indicators have stabilized in the South Asian nation since last summer when the country came close to a default before a last-gasp bailout from the International Monetary Fund.
But concerns have risen once again with the global lender’s board yet to approve a staff level agreement struck in June for a new, $7 billion, three-year program.
The government initially said it expected the board approval in August, and later said it was likely in September. The issue is yet to be placed on the IMF board’s agenda.
