PESHAWAR: The government in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has formed a grand council of elders to broker a ceasefire in the region’s Kurram district where over 130 people have been killed in sectarian clashes since last month and two earlier deals to stymie the fighting have failed, members of the new council said on Tuesday.
Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country, but Kurram has a large Shiite population, and the communities have clashed for decades. At least 133 people have been killed and 177 injured in sporadic clashes since Nov. 21, with two failed attempts at a ceasefire.
On Monday, the provincial cabinet approved what it called a “comprehensive action plan” aimed at “restoring durable peace and stability” in Kurram. The plan involves a new grand jirga comprising former parliamentarians and senators from tribal districts with representation from both the Sunni and Shiite sects, ex-senator Saleh Shah, a member of the council, told Arab News.
“We are fully empowered by the provincial government to move the peace efforts forward to settle the Kurram saga once and for all,” Shah said on Tuesday. “Because of the representation of members of both the sects in the jirga, I’m very much optimistic that we can settle the Kurram issue ... Since the day the jirga was formed, we are getting positive signals for a breakthrough.”
The latest fighting broke out last Thursday when two separate convoys of Shiite Muslims traveling under police escort were ambushed, killing more than 40. Since then days of fighting with light and heavy weapons have brought the region to a standstill, with major roads closed and mobile phone services cut as the death toll surged.
Shah said the jirga had already had its first meeting, and also met with KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. Meetings were now also planned with the Peshawar corps commander, the prime minister, the president and the army chief to discuss the overall security situation of the area.
The jirga will head to Kurram district after the apex committee meeting, attended by the prime minister, his cabinet and all three services chiefs, which was scheduled to be held on Dec. 5, Shah said.
“The jirga members have the capacity to arrest peace in Kurram as we have seen many ups and downs in the region,” Shah said. “We are active in politics on the ground in KP and the tribal areas and we have the ability to set things on track.”
Another member of the Jirga, Sajjid Hussain Turi, a former minister for overseas Pakistanis, said the northwestern tribal areas in general and the Kurram district in particular were experiencing a “complete collapse of law and order.”
“I’m sure the newly-formed jirga can deliver in helping the government to identify pathways leading to eternal peace in Kurram,” he said. “All members of the jirga are well-experienced and political heavyweights to tackle challenges effectively.
“Our main purpose is to give a permanent solution to the people of Kurram. Second, we want to give peace to our children, otherwise we have spent our youth in incessant wars and fighting.”
Pakistan province forms grand jirga to broker truce after 133 killed in sectarian feuding
https://arab.news/jv8ba
Pakistan province forms grand jirga to broker truce after 133 killed in sectarian feuding
- 133 people killed, 177 injured in sporadic clashes in Kurram district since Nov. 21 with two failed attempts at a ceasefire
- Grand jirga has participation of former lawmakers from tribal districts with representation from Sunni and Shiite sects
Pakistan’s Dewan Farooque Motors to launch Chinese electric trucks in 2025
- Completely Built Units of the ‘Kama’ have already arrived in Pakistan for local assembly
- New Chinese electric truck leverages robust structure of diesel-powered Shehzore model
KARACHI: Dewan Farooque Motors Limited, a Pakistani automobile importer and manufacturer based in Karachi, will assemble Chinese electric trucks locally, with the vehicle’s launch scheduled for the first quarter of next year, a project director at the company said.
Pakistan approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP) in 2019 with the goal that electric vehicles would comprise 30 percent of all passenger vehicles and heavy-duty truck sales by 2030. It has set an even more ambitious target of electric vehicles comprising 90 percent of all vehicle sales by 2040.
“The ‘Kama,’ our new Chinese electric truck, leverages the robust structure of our diesel-powered Shehzore model. For Test trial, CBU (completely built) units have already arrived in Pakistan for further proceeding to local assembly, with a launch planned within first quarter of 2025,” Kashif Riaz, Director Projects at Dewan Farooque Motors, told Arab News.
“Traditionally, commercial trucks have a voracious appetite for fuel. Electrifying them dramatically reduces operating costs. This light commercial vehicle has a 300 Kilometer e-range and supports rapid charging.”
Riaz said the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in Pakistan could bring international acclaim and even secure carbon credits from the World Bank, presenting a “golden opportunity” as Pakistan possessed the necessary capacity, skilled workforce, and infrastructure for domestic manufacturing.
“With abundant lithium resources and the potential for in-country battery production, 100 percent localized electric vehicle manufacturing is within reach,” the project direxctor added.
“By eliminating the need for traditional engines and transmissions, and by localizing production of key components like batteries, Pakistan can position itself as a global exporter of electric vehicles. Stronger support for domestic EV manufacturing will undoubtedly accelerate production.”
NEW EV POLICY
Hybrid electric vehicle sales in Pakistan have more than doubled in the past year. BYD Pakistan, a partnership between China’s BYD and Pakistani car group Mega Motors, said in September up to 50 percent of all vehicles bought in Pakistan by 2030 will be electrified in some form in line with global targets.
The Warren Buffett-backed Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD announced its entry into Pakistan in August, making the nation of 250 million people one of its newest markets.
Local media reported in August that standards for EV charging stations had been drafted by the power ministry, with the government considering offering them affordable electricity.
Under the new EV policy, the government has introduced subsidies of Rs50,000 for electric motorcycles and Rs200,000 for three-wheelers like rickshaws, with a total allocation of Rs4 billion. These subsidies will be distributed through auctions. So far, two companies have been granted licenses, and 31 more applications are under review.
The policy also incorporates a reduction in the policy rate from 22 to 15 percent, with financing available at a three percent Kibor (Karachi Interbank Offered Rate) and the government covering the financial cost. Consumers will pay monthly installments of around Rs9,000 over two years, an amount lower than their projected fuel savings.
A Credit Loss Guarantee managed by the Finance Division will ensure no financial burden on the Ministry of Industries or consumers.
Additional initiatives include offering free electric bikes or scooters to 120 high-achieving students and reducing duties on EV components to encourage local manufacturing. The government is also set to establish a New Energy Fund and a New Energy Vehicle Center to support these measures.
BYD Pakistan is also collaborating with two oil marketing companies to establish a charging infrastructure network and aims to establish 20 to 30 charging stations within the initial phases concurrent with the rollout of its cars.
BYD Pakistan will initially sell fully assembled vehicles, which are subject to higher import charges than vehicles shipped in parts and assembled locally. Dewan Motors is also set to launch its EVs under the completely knocked down (CKD) license.
Pakistan says 2024 dominated by ‘robust exchanges’ with Gulf nations
- Pakistan has been pushing for foreign investment to shore up its $350 billion economy
- Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar remained key focus of Pakistan’s bilateral engagements in 2024
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday outlined Pakistan’s key bilateral engagements for 2024 during a year-end briefing, saying 2024 was dominated by “robust” engagements with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.
Pakistan has been pushing for foreign investment in a bid to shore up its $350 billion economy as it navigates a challenging recovery path and has been buttressed by a $7 billion facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September. It has particularly looked to strengthen ties with allies and friendly nations, particularly the UAE, which said it would invest $10 billion in promising economic sectors, and Saudi Arbia, which has promised a $5 billion investment package that cash-strapped Islamabad desperately needs to shore up foreign reserves and fight a chronic balance of payment crisis.
“There was a robust exchange of high-level engagements between Pakistan and the GCC countries,” Baloch said in her last briefing of the year 2024, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook four official visits to Saudi Arabia which had consolidated the two nations’ “strategic and economic partnership.”
“Important understandings were reached with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in political security and economic domains, and to translate the commitment between Pakistan and his Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman to expedite investment package worth $5 billion,” the spokeswoman said.
Pakistani and Saudi businesses signed 34 MoUs worth $2.8 billion in October. The prime minister’s office said this month seven of the 34 MoUs had been actualized into agreements worth $560 million.
The foreign office spokeswoman said trade and investment opportunities also remained a key focus of Pakistan’s bilateral engagements with Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE in 2024.
“Cooperation will be prioritized with these countries in energy, mining and aviation sectors,” she told reporters.
In May this year, Sharif said UAE’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had “made a commitment of investing $10 billion in multiple sectors.”
Last month, the government’s spokesperson Attaullah Tarar said Qatar would invest $3 billion in diverse Pakistani sectors. In June, Pakistan also signed a loan agreement with Kuwait for $25 million for Mohmand Dam, with assurances of support from the Kuwait Fund that it would engage its Arab Coordination Group to finance Diamer Bhasha Dam.
Pakistan and Kuwait also signed agreements on industrial cooperation and engineering in May.
Pakistan discovers gas reserves in northwest with potential to produce 2.14 million cubic feet daily
Pakistan discovers gas reserves in northwest with potential to produce 2.14 million cubic feet daily
- Discovery is expected to enhance the South Asian nation’s energy self-sufficiency, says state media
- Pakistan had recently reported decline in gas reserves, raising concerns about higher energy imports
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has discovered gas reserves in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with the capacity to produce 2.14 million cubic feet of gas per day (MCFD), the state broadcaster reported on Thursday.
Pakistan heavily relies on oil and gas imports and has faced gas outages in recent years due to a decline in domestic gas supplies and failed attempts to purchase expensive gas from the international spot market.
Last year in June, the Energy Planning Resource Center, which operates under the planning ministry, reported a sharp decline in gas reserves, raising concerns about future gas production and supply in Pakistan. The center projected that natural gas production might shrink to 2,306 MCFD by 2030.
“Under the natural resources exploration projects of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, the OGDCL has discovered significant gas reserves in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Radio Pakistan said. “The discovered reserves are capable of producing up to 2.14 million cubic feet of gas per day.”
It added the discovery would enhance Pakistan’s energy self-sufficiency and pave the way for further exploration in the mining sector.
In October, the China Central Depository and Clearing Company signed a deal with the OGDCL to develop Pakistan’s tight gas potential. Tight gas, a type of unconventional gas requiring advanced extraction methods, is found in reservoir rocks with low permeability, most often sandstone.
In February, the OGDCL announced the discovery of a new natural gas reserve in the Khairpur district of southern Sindh province.
In October last year, Mari Petroleum Company Limited, an Islamabad-based petroleum exploration and lease company, unveiled a substantial gas discovery in Pakistan’s southern Ghotki-Sindh region, with initial estimates indicating a daily yield of 1.11 MCFD.
In September 2022, the OGDCL also discovered gas deposits in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Founded in 1961, the OGDCL explores, drills, refines and sells oil and gas in Pakistan. The company has gained importance as the country seeks to boost domestic supplies and attract foreign investment.
South Africa win toss and choose to bowl first in Boxing Day test
- The pitch at Centurion traditionally offers plenty of seam movement for the bowlers
- Pakistan has selected a side without a specialist spinner, brought back Babar Azam
PRETORIA: South Africa won the toss and put Pakistan into bat on the opening day of the first test at Centurion on Thursday, hoping to make early inroads with an all-out pace attack.
South Africa are chasing a place in next year’s World Test Championship final but, in order to do so, must win at least one test in the two-test series against Pakistan.
“It was a tricky decision to make but we’d like to have a go with the new ball,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma after winning the toss.
The pitch at Centurion traditionally offers plenty of seam movement for the bowlers.
The home side named their team on Tuesday with 30-year-old fast bowler Corbin Bosch to debut in an all-seamer bowling line-up, joining Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Dane Paterson in the home attack as he gets an opportunity because of a long injury list among the country’s fast bowlers.
Pakistan also selected a side without a specialist spinner, with Mohammad Abbas, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad in their bowling attack.
Abbas plays a first test in three years while Naseem is back after being dropped for the last two tests against England in October. Shahzad was injured for that three-test series.
“The last couple of times we’ve played at Centurion, we’ve gone with the seam attack and we’ve seen some success. The pitch does not favor the spinners at all,” said Bavuma.
“Conditions favor the seamers,” added Pakistan captain Shan Masood, “but you get a lot of value for your shots so it’s about picking the right balls and getting a decent first innings score on the board.”
Babar Azam, also dropped for the last two tests against England at home in October, returns which means Masood will open the batting alongside Saim Ayub.
The 22-year-old Ayub scored two centuries as Pakistan thrashed South Africa 3-0 in their One Day International series last week.
Teams:
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas.
Tributes pour in as acclaimed Pakistani writer Bapsi Sidhwa dies at 86
- Born in Karachi and raised in Lahore, Sidhwa was known for keen social observations and vivid storytelling
- Her novel ‘Cracking India,’ a poignant account of Partition, was adapted into acclaimed film by Deepa Mehta
ISLAMABAD: Bapsi Sidhwa, one of Pakistan’s most celebrated writers and a pioneering voice in English-language literature, passed away on Wednesday in Houston, Texas, at the age of 86, according to media reports quoting her family.
Born in Karachi in 1938 and raised in Lahore, Sidhwa belonged to Pakistan’s Parsi community and became an influential literary figure with her keen social observations and vivid storytelling.
Her novel “Cracking India,” a poignant account of the 1947 Partition through the eyes of a young girl, was adapted into the internationally acclaimed film “Earth” by Deepa Mehta in 1998.
The deceased writer also left an imprint over readers in other parts of the world with interest in both literature and South Asian politics.
“One of Pakistan’s greatest writers and one of my last connections to my father … has died,” Iona Italia, managing editor of Quillette, an online publication focusing on long-form analysis and cultural commentary, said in a social media post.
“‘Cracking India’ is the best account of Partition ever written,” she added. “RIP Bapsi Sidhwa, Parsi lady of renown.”
Pakistani politician Khurram Dastgir-Khan highlighted her role as a trailblazer in Pakistani literature, saying, “RIP Bapsi Sidhwa. Pakistan-born novelist. Trail-blazer. Author of ‘The Crow Eaters’ & ‘The Ice Candy Man.’ Claimed English as an authentic Pakistani language.”
Razi Ahmed, the CEO and founder of the Lahore Literary Festival, said Sidhwa’s work would continue to inspire writers around the world.
Known for her wit and incisive critique of social norms, Sidhwa’s works remain an essential part of South Asian literature curricula worldwide.
Her other notable novels include “The Bride” and “An American Brat,” which explore issues of tradition, modernity and the diaspora experience. Sidhwa moved to the United States in the 1980s but continued to write passionately about Pakistan.
Madiha Afzal, a think tank scholar at Washington’s Brookings Institution, shared the news of Sidhwa’s death with a brief excerpt from her writings on Lahore, reminiscing about the gardens and fragrances of the city.
Zebunnisa Burki, a Pakistani journalist, summed up her influence, saying: “Bapsi Sidhwa: the OG desi writer. May she rest in words.”
The deceased writer’s funeral arrangements are planned in Houston.
