Strengthening of Pak-China ties of utmost importance to me, says Chinese president

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehvaz Sharif (left) shakes hand with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, on June 7, 2024. (Pakistan Foreign Office/File)
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Updated 23 September 2024
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Strengthening of Pak-China ties of utmost importance to me, says Chinese president

  • China’s Xi Jinping wishes Shehbaz Sharif on his 73rd birthday, describes Pakistan and China as strategic partners
  • Chinese president expresses desire to promote cooperation with Pakistan in various fields, says Prime Minister’s Office

ISLAMABAD: Chinese President Xi Jinping wished Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion of his 73rd birthday, expressing his desire to promote cooperation with Pakistan in various fields and saying that strengthening ties between the two nations is of “utmost importance” to him. 

This was said by the Chinese president in a letter that he addressed to the Pakistani prime minister, Sharif’s office said in a statement. It described the Chinese president’s letter as an “unusual progress” in Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with its neighboring country. 

China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan that has pledged over $65 billion in investment in road, infrastructure and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. CPEC is a part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive China-led infrastructure project that aims to stretch around the globe. 

Chinese investment and financial support since 2013 have been key for Pakistan’s struggling economy, including the rolling over of loans so that Islamabad is able to meet external financing needs at a time its foreign reserves are low.

“Strengthening of China-Pakistan ties are of the utmost importance to me,” Jinping wrote, according to the PMO. “I want to work with you to promote China-Pakistan strategic cooperation and construction of CPEC.”

He described Pakistan and China as strategic partners of good and challenging times, adding that history was a witness that the two nations have always trusted and supported each other. 

“Such a strong relationship has been established between the two countries that it has never been affected by the changing international scenario,” he wrote.

The Chinese president also expressed his desire to promote cooperation with Pakistan in various fields and enhance people-to-people contacts, the PMO said. 

Though time-tested allies, recent security challenges have put a slight strain on Pakistan’s ties with China. Separatist and religiously motivated militants have attacked Chinese projects in Pakistan over recent years, killing Chinese personnel. In the most high-profile recent attack, five Chinese workers were killed in a suicide bombing in March, which was the third major attack on Chinese interests in Pakistan in a week.

China has called on Islamabad to ensure security for its citizens in Pakistan. The South Asian nation has in turn sought to ease Chinese fears, vowing to provide fool-proof security to its citizens living and working in the country. 


Chapman ton lifts New Zealand to 344-9 in first Pakistan ODI

Updated 11 sec ago
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Chapman ton lifts New Zealand to 344-9 in first Pakistan ODI

  • New Zealand had slumped to 50-3 in the 13th over, having been asked to bat
  • But Chapman’s career-best 132 formed the foundation of imposing team score

NAPIER: Mark Chapman struck a sublime century and Muhammad Abbas provided record-breaking late fireworks as New Zealand posted 344-9 on Saturday in the first one-day international against Pakistan in Napier.
Chapman’s career-best 132 formed the foundation of the imposing team score at McLean Park, after New Zealand had slumped to 50-3 in the 13th over, having been asked to bat.
Pakistan-born allrounder Abbas ignited the end of the innings with his 52, setting a world record for the fastest half-century on debut when he reached 50 off the 24th ball he faced.
Pakistan’s seam-heavy attack capitalized on lively bounce and movement early on, but their hold on the game slipped when Chapman was joined by Daryl Mitchell (76 off 84 balls), with the pair putting on 199 for the fourth wicket.
Left-hander Chapman was the more aggressive of the pair, facing just 111 balls and striking 13 fours and six sixes.
The 30-year-old was fortunate to survive a dropped catch in the slips by Salman Agha when on just five.
Mitchell’s dismissal in the 42nd over sparked a mini-collapse before 21-year-old Abbas launched his spectacular innings, featuring three fours and three sixes.
All four specialist Pakistan seamers were effective early on but were punished late.
Left-arm quick Akif Javed claimed 2-55 on his international debut, but the best figures were recorded by part-time seamer Irfan Khan, who took 3-51 off five expensive overs at the death.
Both teams feature numerous changes to those who played out a five-match T20 series, won 4-1 by New Zealand.
The tourists have welcomed back captain Mohammad Rizwan and batsman Babar Azam after the key veterans were omitted for the T20 series.
Along with Javed’s debut, opening batsman Usman Khan and seamer Mohammed Ali are both playing their first ODI for Pakistan.
New Zealand handed international debuts to Abbas and opening batsman Nick Kelly, who scored 15.


Danish firm to train 100 Pakistani engineers in mining as Islamabad seeks to exploit mineral resources

Updated 17 min 12 sec ago
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Danish firm to train 100 Pakistani engineers in mining as Islamabad seeks to exploit mineral resources

  • Pakistan’s landscape is a treasure trove of diverse mineral deposits from huge coal reserves to gold and copper deposits to gemstone
  • The South Asian country is currently making efforts to utilize these vast mineral resources to stabilize its $350 billion fragile economy

ISLAMABAD: A Copenhagen-based multinational mining company, FLSmidth, will train 100 Pakistani engineers in mining, the Pakistani government said on Friday, amid Islamabad’s efforts to utilize the country’s vast mineral resources for economic gains.
The statement by Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) came after Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik’s meeting with Danish Ambassador to Pakistan Jakob Linulf in Islamabad that focused on bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in mining and technological collaboration.
Malik recognized that FLSmidth’s advanced solutions in cement production, mineral processing and decarbonization align with Pakistan’s goals of increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact in its extractive industries, according to the PID.
He emphasized the Pakistani government’s commitment to creating an investor-friendly environment and invited Danish companies, including FLSmidth, to explore partnerships with Pakistani firms during the Pakistani Minerals Investment Forum on April 8-9.
“FLSmidth will be launching a training program named BRIMM (Bradshaw Research Initiative for Minerals and Mining) under which hundred Pakistani engineers will be provided training,” the PID said, citing the Danish ambassador.
“FLSmidth has already entered into 5 partnership agreements in minerals sector of Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s landscape is a treasure trove of diverse mineral deposits from huge coal reserves in the southern Sindh province to gold and copper deposits in the southwestern Balochistan province. The northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is home to several gemstone mines, including emerald mines in Swat, Mardan’s pink topaz mines, and peridot mines in Kohistan.
The South Asian country is currently making efforts to utilize these vast mineral resources through foreign investment and collaboration to stabilize its $350 billion economy.
Petroleum Minister Malik expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in leveraging Danish technology and investment to optimize resource extraction and processing as the South Asian country has significant mineral reserves. He extended his full support and offered the government’s good offices to facilitate Danish investment and technology transfer in Pakistan’s growing mining sector, according to the statement.
The ambassador reaffirmed Denmark’s support for Pakistan’s energy transition and industrial growth, and said they were looking forward to Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum.
“He noted that Danish companies are eager to share their expertise in green mining solutions, automation, and digitalization to help Pakistan achieve its economic and environmental objectives,” the PID said.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to facilitate further engagement between Pakistani stakeholders and Danish technology providers, with FLSmidth playing a pivotal role in advancing modern mining practices in Pakistan.


Islamabad expresses solidarity with Myanmar, Thailand after earthquake kills over 150

Updated 28 March 2025
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Islamabad expresses solidarity with Myanmar, Thailand after earthquake kills over 150

  • The shallow 7.7-magnitude tremor hit Myanmar’s Sagaing on Friday afternoon and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock
  • The quake flattened buildings, downed bridges, and cracked roads across swathes of Myanmar, demolished a 30-story skyscraper in Bangkok

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday expressed solidarity with Myanmar and Thailand after a powerful earthquake killed more than 150 people and injured hundreds in the two Southeast Asian countries.
The shallow 7.7-magnitude tremor hit northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar in the early afternoon, and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.
The quake flattened buildings, downed bridges, and cracked roads across swathes of Myanmar, and even demolished a 30-story skyscraper under construction hundreds of kilometers (miles) away in Bangkok.
The Foreign Office in Islamabad said the Pakistani people were saddened by the heartbreaking news of the devastating earthquake and their thoughts were with everyone impacted by this tragedy.
“We applaud the courageous individuals and emergency responders who are working diligently on the ground to deliver rescue and relief efforts. Their bravery and commitment during this urgent time are truly admirable,” it said.
“We express our solidarity with the governments and communities affected during this challenging period. May strength and resilience lead those impacted toward healing and recovery.”
While the full extent of the catastrophe is yet to emerge, the leader of isolated Myanmar, in the grip of a civil war, issued a rare plea for international aid.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said 144 people had been killed, with 732 confirmed injured, but warned the toll was “likely to rise.” Eight deaths have been confirmed so far in Thailand, with more expected.
“In some places, some buildings collapsed,” he said in a televised speech. “I would like to invite any country, any organization, or anyone in Myanmar to come and help. Thank you.”
Across the border in Thailand, a 30-story skyscraper under construction collapsed to a tangled heap of rubble and dust in a matter of seconds.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said eight dead bodies have been recovered and, with between 90 and 110 people unaccounted for, the toll is expected to rise.
“We see several dead bodies under the rubble. We will take time to bring the bodies out to avoid any further collapses,” he told reporters.
Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, where six strong quakes of 7.0 magnitude or more struck between 1930 and 1956 near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the center of the country, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the ancient capital Bagan in central Myanmar killed three people in 2016, also toppling spires and crumbling temple walls at the tourist destination.


Pakistan PM calls for national unity to tackle militancy, economic issues

Updated 28 March 2025
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Pakistan PM calls for national unity to tackle militancy, economic issues

  • The statement comes amid Pakistan’s efforts for economic recovery under a $7 billion IMF bailout program
  • The country is also battling twin insurgencies in its western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for unity and harmony in the society to eradicate militancy and address the country’s economic issues.
The prime minister said this while addressing a National Youth and Ulema Convention in connection with Jumatul Wida in the federal capital of Islamabad.
The statement came amid the South Asian country’s efforts to recover from an economic meltdown under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout program secured last year.
Pakistan is also battling twin insurgencies: one led my religiously motivated groups, mainly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the other by ethno-nationalist Baloch separatist groups in Balochistan.
“Unfortunately, the society is being poisoned by disinformation and propaganda,” Sharif said. “We have a chance today as well to place our personal wishes and ego beneath Pakistan.”
According to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), Pakistan is now the world’s second-most affected country by militant violence, with deaths rising 45 percent to 1,081 in 2024.
The 12th annual GTI report, published by Australian-based think tank Institute for Economics and Peace, ranked 163 countries in 2024, covering 99.7 percent of the world’s population and analyzing the impact of militant activities worldwide. Pakistan is second only to West African country Burkina Faso on the list.
Sharif emphasized that people from all walks of life, especially religious scholars, have the responsibility to play their role in ending internal divisions based on religious and ethnic divides.
“We have treasures worth billions present in our mountains,” he said. “Pakistan did not come into being so that we keep taking loans and live a life in debt.”
Sharif underscored the importance of setting aside personal desires and egos in the best interest of Pakistan, saying that Pakistan’s armed forces were making unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against militancy.
He urged the attendees to forge national unity, calling it the “only path to achieving a respectable position in the comity of nations.”


Mobile banking, e-wallets drive 12% growth in Pakistan digital payments

Updated 28 March 2025
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Mobile banking, e-wallets drive 12% growth in Pakistan digital payments

  • Pakistan, home to one of the world’s largest unbanked populations, has undertaken several reforms to document and digitize economy
  • Retail transactions witnessed an 11% increase in volume from Oct. till Dec. 2024, with digital channels processing 88% of transactions

KARACHI: Pakistan witnessed a growth of 12% in the volume of retail digital payment transactions from Oct. till Dec. 2024 on a year-on-year basis, the Pakistani central bank said, attributing it to the largescale use of mobile banking and e-wallet services.
Retail transactions witnessed an 11% increase in volume, reaching 2,143 million, while the value of transactions increased by 12% to Rs154 trillion, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The growth in value was primarily driven by mobile banking app payments, and Internet banking payments, and over-the-counter (OTC) transactions at bank branches.
“Digital payment channels processed 88% of all retail transactions by volume, with mobile app-based banking playing a crucial role,” the SBP said in its quarterly report issued on Friday.
“These platforms which includes mobile banking apps, branchless banking (BB) wallets, and e-Money wallets, collectively processed 1,450 million transactions worth PKR 24 trillion, marking a 12% increase in volume and 28% increase in value.”
Pakistan, with a population of 240 million, is home to one of the world’s largest unbanked populations, with around 64% of its adult population having a bank account, according to central bank figures. The South Asian country has lately undertaken several reforms to document and digitize economy and broaden its tax base.
The number of users leveraging digital banking services also saw a steady rise in the second quarter of this fiscal year, according to the SBP.
“Mobile banking app users grew to 21 million (↑7%), e-Money and BB wallet users increased to 4.7 million (↑13%) and 64.3 million (↑7%) respectively, while Internet banking users reached 13.3 million (↑7%),” it said.
Digital e-commerce transactions increased by 30% in volume to 152 million, amounting Rs193 billion, up by 32%, according to central bank figures.
The SBP-operated Raast Instant Payment System processed 296 million transactions, while the Real-time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) registered a 19% increase in large-value transactions.
The central bank said Pakistan’s transition toward a digital economy was being driven by the SBP’s strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts of banks, fintechs, and payment service providers, and it was committed to further fostering financial inclusion and enhancing payment efficiency for individuals and businesses.