Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief to sign several aid deals in Islamabad tomorrow 

Beneficiaries receive food packages from KSRelief in Pakistan on April 6, 2022. (Saudi Embassy in Pakistan/File)
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Updated 07 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief to sign several aid deals in Islamabad tomorrow 

  • Established in 2015, the Saudi charity organization has one of the largest humanitarian budgets available to any aid agency across the world
  • Pakistan is the fifth largest beneficiary of KSrelief’s humanitarian aid and has greatly benefited from its assistance since 2022 monsoon floods

ISLAMABAD: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) is set to sign several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with various organizations in Islamabad on Tuesday, Pakistani state media reported.

The Saudi charity organization has one of the largest humanitarian budgets available to any aid agency across the world, which has allowed its officials to undertake a wide variety of projects in more than 80 countries. Pakistan is the fifth largest beneficiary of its aid and humanitarian activities and has greatly benefited from its assistance since 2022 monsoon floods.

The event at which the agreements are to be signed will be attended by Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, along with Pakistani government officials as well as representatives of international and local humanitarian organizations, the APP news agency reported on Monday, citing the Saudi Press Attaché Dr. Naif Al-Otaibi.

“These agreements will encompass aid and construction projects in multiple underprivileged regions of Pakistan, in alignment with KSrelief’s comprehensive aid plans,” he was quoted as saying by the APP.

Established in 2015, KSrelief aims for high humanitarian goals in its operations to provide assistance to the needy and disaster victims anywhere in the world, according to Dr. Naif.

These tasks are carried out by the United Nations (UN) bodies and international and local non-profit organizations under the right monitoring procedures and modern methods of rapid transition.

“These aid projects cover all areas of relief and humanitarian work, including food security, camp management, shelter, initial rehabilitation, conservation, education, water and environmental reform, nutrition, health, humanitarian aid support, including logistics services, and emergency communications,” he was quoted as saying.


Pakistan all-parties conference urges OIC to call emergency summit on Gaza war

Updated 5 min 12 sec ago
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Pakistan all-parties conference urges OIC to call emergency summit on Gaza war

  • PM Shehbaz Sharif says Pakistan will form a special working group to engage Islamic countries in raising a collective voice against Israeli actions
  • Joint communique of All Parties Conference calls for full implementation of UN General Assembly Resolution demanding end to Israeli occupation

ISLAMABAD: An All Parties Conference (APC) in Pakistan on Monday called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to convene an emergency summit to address the situation in Palestine, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announcing the formation of a special working group to engage other Islamic countries in raising a collective voice on Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
The APC came as Pakistan observed Palestine Solidarity Day to mark one year of Israeli invasion of Gaza that has claimed the lives of more than 41,800 Palestinians so far.
The conference took place at the Presidency in Islamabad, with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Sharif, and leaders of key Pakistani political parties in attendance.
Speaking at the APC, PM Sharif said it was time for the Muslim World to move forward and take practical steps to prevent Israel from further bloodshed in Palestine.
“Pakistan has decided to form a special working group which will go to different lobbies and reach out to other countries in the Islamic world to raise a collective voice against Israeli atrocities,” he said.
“The first priority should be to stop the bloodshed in Palestine, which is a foremost duty and for this, the platform of the OIC is available.”
While reading out a joint communique by all parties, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the APC called for full implementation of a UN General Assembly resolution, ES 10/24 of September 18, which inter alia demanded an end to Israeli occupation.
“[This APC] calls on the OIC to convene an emerging emergency summit to discuss the situation in Palestine, Israel’s brutal aggression in the region and its implications for the regional peace and security and underscores the need for unity of the Islamic ummah,” Dar said.
He demanded implementation of provisional measures by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which called for preventing Israel from committing further acts of genocide against the Palestinian people, as well as the ICJ’s advisory opinion of July 19 that reaffirmed the illegality of the Israeli occupation.
Dar said the APC expressed full support for the ongoing political and diplomatic efforts by the OIC, the League of Arab States, the United Nations and brotherly countries in addressing the prevailing situation in Palestine as well as for peace and stability of the broader region.
In his speech at the conference, President Zardari regretted the fact that the international community had failed to stop Israel from committing the “genocide” in Palestine.
“The prevailing culture of impunity and disregard for international law must be urgently addressed and it is crucial for the international community to take swift action to de-escalate the situation,” he said.
The president reiterated Pakistan’s firm support and vowed to continue raising its voice at all regional and international forums to stop Israel’s human rights violations and aggression against the Palestinians.
Nawaz Sharif, a three-time former prime minister and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party supremo, questioned the world silence on Israel’s “genocide and war crimes” in Gaza.
“The government should contact the Islamic community after preparing recommendations for an effective role in the Palestine conflict, reflecting the nation’s desire to contribute decisively,” he said.
Nawaz urged Muslim countries to unite and develop a joint strategy to stop the ongoing bloodshed in Palestine.
“We have not seen such atrocities anywhere in the world as those being committed by Israel, yet many countries do not recognize it as a humanitarian crisis,” he added.
Speaking at the conference, Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman called for practical steps to help the Palestinians, instead of “passing resolutions and issuing condemnations.”
“A joint platform of leading Muslim countries should be formed to evolve a common strategy to face multiple challenges in Palestine,” he added.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Naeem-ur-Rehman said Pakistan had to take a very clear stance on Israeli brutalities against the Palestinians.
“Pakistan should take steps to convene a meeting of the Islamic countries to adopt a common stance in this regard,” he said, adding that Islamabad should play a proactive role to launch a diplomatic campaign to highlight this issue at world fora.
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, 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. The South Asian country has also dispatched several aid consignments for the Palestinians.


Pakistan eyes up to $7 billion rice exports to support dwindling economy

Updated 34 min ago
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Pakistan eyes up to $7 billion rice exports to support dwindling economy

  • While India has been the largest exporter of rice worldwide, Pakistan holds 25 percent of the European rice export market
  • Commerce Minister Jam Kamal stresses need for collaboration between government, exporters to maintain this edge

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal said on Monday the South Asian country aimed to boost its rice exports from the existing $4 billion to as much as $7 billion to support its dwindling economy, Pakistan state media reported.
Kamal said this during a meeting with the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) representatives. Rice exports play a vital role in Pakistan’s economy, ranking second in export value after cotton.
Pakistan is trying to navigate a prolonged economic crisis by actively pursuing foreign investments and enhanced trade opportunities, while it has also reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $7 billion loan.
The South Asian holds 25 percent of the European rice export market, compared to India’s 16 percent, and there is a need for collaboration between the government and exporters to maintain this competitive edge, according to the commerce minister.
“Rice exports play a vital role in Pakistan’s economy, ranking second in export value after cotton,” Kamal was quoted as saying by the state-run APP news agency. “Rice exporters are a primary source of revenue and employment, with the government aiming to increase exports from $4 billion to $6-7 billion in the near future.”
Pakistan exported rice worth $3.9 billion this year as compared to $2.15 billion last year. It has also withdrawn the minimum export price for all rice varieties to compete with Indian exporters in the global market.
India has been the largest exporter of rice worldwide, followed by Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. The South Asian arch-rivals are also the only countries that produce basmati rice which is famous for its unique flavour and aroma around the globe.
“We are focusing on improving our standards to meet international food safety requirements, especially in Europe,” Kamal said.
Increasing rice exports to Malaysia were also part of the discussions held during a recent visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who will host a business delegation led by Kamal in November to explore new opportunities.
REAP Chairman Malik Faisal Jahangir said Pakistan’s rice exports faced fewer regulatory challenges with only 74 rapid alerts for pesticides issued last year compared to 264 for India, according to the APP report.
He said Pakistan remained one of the “lowest-risk countries” concerning food safety standards.
Stressing the need to educate farmers to improve quality of rice production, Kamal called for a joint effort by all stakeholders to develop a five-year strategy to enhance the country’s rice export capacity and international standards compliance.
He urged REAP to give proposals on how to meet the government’s export targets within the next year, keeping in mind the “stringent” food safety standards in the European Union.


Senior army officer among six Pakistani soldiers killed in gunfight with militants laid to rest

Updated 07 October 2024
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Senior army officer among six Pakistani soldiers killed in gunfight with militants laid to rest

  • Lt. Col. Muhammad Ali Shoukat and other soldiers were killed in an encounter with militants in North Waziristan
  • Pakistan blames a recent surge in militancy on groups operating from Afghanistan, Kabul denies the allegation

ISLAMABAD: A senior army officer among six Pakistani soldiers, who were killed in a gunfight with militants in Pakistan’s restive northwest last week, were laid to rest in their native towns with full military honors, the Pakistani military said on Monday.

Lt. Col. Muhammad Ali Shoukat and five other soldiers were killed in an encounter with militants in the North Waziristan district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.

The gunfight late Friday night also left six militants dead in the restive district that borders Afghanistan.

“A large number of serving senior military officers, military personnel, families of martyrs and local elders attended the funeral prayers,” the ISPR said in a statement. “These sacrifices of our martyrs strengthen our determination and courage in the ongoing war against terrorism.”

Pakistan has seen a rise in militant attacks in recent months and says militants mainly associated with the Pakistani Taliban frequently launch attacks from hideouts in neighboring Afghanistan, targeting police and other security forces.

Islamabad has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for facilitating anti-Pakistan militant groups. Kabul denies the charges.


Who are Pakistan’s ethnic militants behind attack near Karachi airport?

Updated 11 sec ago
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Who are Pakistan’s ethnic militants behind attack near Karachi airport?

  • Separatist militant group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, which they said had targeted Chinese nationals
  • The BLA specifically targets Chinese interests, in particular Gwadar port on Arabian Sea, accusing Beijing of helping Islamabad exploit Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Two Chinese nationals were killed in an explosion near the international airport of the southern Pakistani city of Karachi on Sunday night, the Chinese embassy in Pakistan said, in what it described as a “terrorist attack.”
Separatist militant group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, which they said had targeted Chinese nationals, including engineers. Here are some facts about the group, which has specifically targeted Chinese interests in the past.
WHAT ARE THE BLA’S GOALS?
The BLA seeks independence for Balochistan, a province located in Pakistan’s southwest and bordering on Afghanistan to the north and Iran to the west. It is the biggest of several ethnic insurgent groups that have battled the federal government for decades, saying it unfairly exploits Balochistan’s rich gas and mineral resources.
Balochistan is home to key mining projects, including Reko Diq, run by mining giant Barrick Gold and believed to be one of the world’s largest gold and copper mines. China also operates a gold and copper mine in the province.
WHAT ARE THE BLA’S TARGETS?
The BLA often targets key infrastructure projects and security posts in Balochistan, but has also launched attacks in other areas — most notably in Karachi, where a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was attacked near the airport on Sunday.
In August, the BLA launched several coordinated attacks in Balochistan, killing more than 70 people.
The BLA specifically targets Chinese interests, in particular the strategic port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, accusing Beijing of helping Islamabad to exploit the province.
It has previously killed Chinese citizens working in the region and attacked Beijing’s consulate in Karachi. The BLA showed its muscle when it stormed army and naval bases in 2022, and has expanded its traditional use of guerrilla gunmen to include women suicide bombers, as seen in an attack on Chinese nationals on a university campus in Karachi, also in 2022. The group has also targeted both military and Chinese officials, including launching an attack on Gwadar in March. The BLA, separately, was also at the center of tit-for-tat strikes earlier this year between Iran and Pakistan over what they called militant bases on each other’s territory, which brought the two neighbors close to war.
THE ATTACK’S SIGNIFICANCE
Pakistan is preparing to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in the capital Islamabad next week, which authorities have vowed to secure, as high-level Chinese representation is expected, as well as the first visit to the country by an Indian foreign minister in a decade.
Beijing and Islamabad are working together in the aftermath of Sunday’s attack, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying that the country would “leave no stone unturned” to ensure the security and well-being of its “Chinese friends.”
Balochistan is an important part of China’s $65 billion investment in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a wing of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road initiative.
The decades-old insurgency has continued to keep the province of some 15 million people unstable and created security concerns around Pakistan’s plans to access untapped resources under Balochistan’s desert and mountainous terrain. It is Pakistan’s largest province by size, but the smallest by population and strategically located.
Balochistan also has a long Arabian Sea coastline in the south, not far from the Gulf’s Strait of Hormuz oil shipping lane. Hundreds of Balochs, many of them women, have protested in Islamabad and in Balochistan recently over alleged abuses by security forces — accusations the Pakistani government denies.
 


Pakistan says security of foreign dignitaries ‘top priority’ ahead of SCO summit 

Updated 07 October 2024
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Pakistan says security of foreign dignitaries ‘top priority’ ahead of SCO summit 

  • The inter-governmental Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit is scheduled to be held in Islamabad on Oct. 15-16
  • Security fears have surged after three people, including two Chinese nationals, were killed in a Karachi blast on Sunday

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson said on Monday that the security of high-level foreign dignitaries expected to arrive in Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit next week is a “top priority” for the government, as the South Asian country deals with a surge in militant attacks in the country. 

The foreign office spokesperson’s comments came a day after three people, including two Chinese nationals, were killed and 10 were injured in a blast near Karachi airport on Sunday night. The attack was claimed by the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which said it used a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device to target the Chinese nationals.

Pakistan, the current chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government, will host the summit in Islamabad from Oct. 15-16 which is expected to feature participation from senior dignitaries from China, India and Russia. To bolster security ahead of the summit, Pakistan’s government has deployed the army in the capital till Oct. 17. 

“With regards to the security around the conference that is a top priority of the government of Pakistan and measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of all guests to come to Pakistan for the SCO Heads of Government meeting,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters during a media briefing.

“We are ready to welcome all our distinguished guests and to make their visit and stay in Pakistan as comfortable as possible.”

Last week also saw clashes between police and former prime minister Imran Khan’s supporters in the Pakistani capital. Hundreds of Khan supporters arrived in Islamabad on Friday to protest against the government’s proposed constitutional amendments that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party says are aimed at curtailing the independence of the judiciary. The government denies the allegations. 

One constable was killed while 31 other cops were injured in clashes between Khan supporters and Islamabad Police over the weekend, while police said they arrested over 900 “miscreants” involved in the violent protests. 

Baloch said Pakistan was expecting senior diplomats from member states to attend the summit, including representatives from the observer state of Mongolia and special guest Turkmenistan. The spokesperson said representatives of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Commonwealth of Independent States and the European Economic Community were also expected to attend the high-level summit. 

“The SCO meeting will discuss cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environment, socio-cultural linkages, as well as reviewing the performance of the organization,” she said. Baloch said the world leaders present at the summit would adopt organizational decisions to further enhance cooperation among member states and improve the inter-governmental body’s budget. 

Baloch spoke about the Oct. 4 Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan, saying that Pakistan and other participating countries expressed deep concern over the country’s security situation. 

“The Moscow Format countries noted the continued threat posed by terrorist and separatist groups to global and regional stability,” she said. 

Baloch said Pakistan was led in the consultations by additional foreign secretary of Afghanistan and West Asia, Ambassador Ahmed Naseem Waraich. 

“They [Moscow format countries] emphasized the need for Afghanistan to take comprehensive measures to combat terrorism and prevent its territory from being used against neighboring countries and the wider region,” she said.