Page 6 - Pakistan Government

China remains Pak's top bilateral creditor, share drops to 22%: World Bank

With almost USD 29 billion in loans, China continued to be Pakistan's largest bilateral creditor while Saudi Arabia emerged as the second largest bilateral lender with about USD 9.16 billion, a World Bank report has said. However, China's share in Pakistan's total external debt went down to 22 per cent compared to 25 per cent in 2023 with Saudi Arabia increasing its share from 2 per cent in 2023 to 7 per cent in 2024. The World Bank's International Debt Report 2024 released on Tuesday ranks Pakistan among the top three loan recipients from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this year and also notes that Pakistan's high debt-to-export and debt-to-revenue ratios indicate a weakening fiscal position. The International Debt Report 2024 put Pakistan's total external debt (including that from IMF) at USD 130.85 billion in 2023, accounting for 352 per cent of its total exports and 39 per cent of gross national income (GNI) while Pakistan's total external debt servicing amounted to 43 p

Pakistan govt to implement steps to stop terrorists from using social media

Pakistan government on Tuesday said it will take comprehensive steps to curb the activities of banned terrorist organisations from operating on social media platforms. During a meeting of the National Action Plan (NAP) Coordination Committee, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the government will work to block the accounts of terrorist groups. Provinces are also expected to implement a cohesive strategy to prevent the usage of illegal SIM cards. Naqvi strongly condemned the recent terrorist incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, calling them "deeply regrettable and condemnable". He said to counter terrorism, the professional capabilities of Counter Terrorism Forces (CTFs) in these regions will be enhanced through full cooperation. The minister said efforts to strengthen law enforcement agencies such as the police and the Frontier Constabulary would be prioritised to improve security. "To imp

After days of clashes, ceasefire reached in Pakistan's Kurram region

A ceasefire agreement has been reached between two warring tribes in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province following days of clashes between them that killed 130 people in the volatile Kurram district. Deputy Commissioner Kurram Javedullah Mehsud confirmed on Sunday that peace has been established across the conflict zones in the restive Kurram district. The clashes between Alizai and Bagan tribes in the district started on November 22, after an attack on a convoy of passenger vans near Parachinar in which 47 people were killed a day earlier. Several passengers who had sustained grave injuries succumbed later, raising the toll in the convoy killing to 57. The death toll from the violence surged to 130, with at least six people killed and eight injured on Sunday, as clashes in the volatile Kurram district continued for the eleventh consecutive day. The district administration finally succeeded in arranging a lasting ceasefire on Sunday between two warring tribes engaged in

NYC pays $220 mn to rent Pak govt-owned hotel, Ramaswamy calls deal 'nuts'

In 2023, Pakistan government leased out Roosevelt Hotel, a property of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to the New York City Administration for three years against $ 220 million

Death toll in Pak's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rises to 124 as gunbattle continues

Death toll in Khurram tribal sectarian violence rose to 124 with two more deaths on Saturday as a gunbattle continued between Shia and Sunni groups despite a ceasefire in Pakistan's northwestern Province Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. More than 170 people have been injured in the sectarian violence raging for the last last ten days, authorities said. Province's governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday extended an offer to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to personally visit the disturbed area. Clashes between Alizai and Bagan tribes in the district started on November 22, after an attack on a convoy of passenger vans near Parachinar in which 47 people were killed a day earlier. Several passengers who had sustained grave injuries succumbed later, taking the death toll to 57. At least 37 people have been killed and scores injured over the last two days alone in the violence that began in Bagan Bazaar area and spread to other parts such as Balishkhel, Khar, Kali, Junj Alizai, and Maqbal. The ...

Why India shouldn't go to Pakistan: Broken ties go beyond cricket disputes

Broken cricket relationships in the subcontinent aren't about any disputes over the game, nor Hindu-Muslim issues. They are about the state of the nations, and what goes on between them

Violence rages in Pakistan's Kurram; 107 dead in a week despite ceasefire

At least 107 people have been killed in a feud between communities in the Kurram district of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including 52 due to the attack on a convoy on November 21

1,000 detained, 10 dead: What's behind Pakistan's latest political chaos?

With the political standoff between the government and Imran Khan supporters showing no sign of abating, Pakistan finds itself once again teetering on the edge of instability

Pakistan, China hold military level talks on counter-terrorism, security

Pakistan and China military officials held talks on counter-terrorism and regional security amid unease following the recent attacks on Chinese nationals. General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) China and one of China's two top military leaders, is visiting Pakistan along with a high-level delegation, according to a military statement. General Zhang held a one-on-one meeting with Army Chief Gen Asim Munir on Wednesday, followed by delegation-level discussions. According to the statement, the engagements focused on matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, measures for regional stability, and enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. General Zhang spoke about Pakistan's ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, which remain a key topic of discussion between the two countries due to the rising frequency of attacks targeting Chinese nationals working in Pakistan. Newspaper Dawn reported that there have been media reports that Beijing is seek

US mission to Pakistan issues security alert, cites threat to Serena Hotel

'Do Not Travel' advisory by the US asks American citizens to follow guidelines such as avoiding the location, exercising caution, reviewing a personal security plan, monitoring local media for updates

Pak violence: 10 killed, 21 injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite ceasefire

At least 10 more people have been killed and 21 others injured as sporadic clashes continued between Sunni and Shia tribes despite a cease-fire brokered between the two warring communities in Pakistan's restive northwest, police said on Wednesday. The latest violence took place on Tuesday in Kurram district, bordering Afghanistan, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. At least 10 people died and 21 others injured in the sporadic tribal sectarian violence, police said. "An agreement has been reached for an extension of the cease-fire for another 10 days," Deputy Commissioner of Kurram Javedullah Mehsud said. The deputy commissioner stated that during the past week, 100 people have lost their lives, and 180 others have been injured in the clashes. He further mentioned that all parties will vacate their positions starting tomorrow, adding that both police and army personnel will remain deployed in Kurram. The clashes between Alizai and Bagan tribes in Kurram district started on Friday la

Imran Khan's PTI condemns violence against protestors by security forces

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party alleged that the government's security forces assaulted the peaceful protesters in Islamabad during their rally

Imran Khan supporters breach lockdown in Islamabad, 6 killed in violence

Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's supporters reached the heart of Pakistan's capital on Tuesday after removing barricades and battling police in clashes that killed six security personnel and injured dozens. Four paramilitary Rangers and two policemen were killed late Monday and over 100 security personnel injured when protesters marching towards D-Chowk turned violent, prompting the federal government to deploy the army in Islamabad along with shoot-at-sight orders, state-run media said on Tuesday. The 72-year-old former premier, who has been in jail since August last year, issued a "final call" on November 13 for nationwide protests on November 24, denouncing what he termed as the stolen mandate, the unjust arrests of people and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he said has strengthened a dictatorial regime. Geo News shared footage, which showed Khan's supporters climbing on the shipping containers placed on the roads leading to D-Chowk, which is located close to ..

Islamabad PTI protest: Pak Army ordered to shoot on sight. What's going on?

PTI convoys, travelling across the country since Sunday, have converged in Islamabad for a high-profile power show, demanding the release of their founder, Imran Khan, among other things

Pakistan: Sectarian clashes kills 37 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 30 injured

At least 18 people were killed and 30 others injured in sectarian violence in northwest Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the last 24 hours, police said. The clashes between the tribes of Alizai and Bagan in Kurram district bordering Afghanistan took place following Thursday's attack on a convoy of passenger vans in which 47 people were killed by militants. Gunfire is also continuing in Balishkhel, Khar Kali, Kunj Alizai and Maqbal. The tribes are targeting each other with heavy and automatic weapons. So far, 18 people have been killed and 30 injured in the clashes. Independent and media sources reported more than 30 deaths in the clashes. Homes and shops have also been damaged in the fighting. People from various villages have fled to safer locations. Due to the deteriorating situation, all educational institutions in the district remain closed on Saturday, confirmed Muhammad Hayat Hassan, chairman of the Private Education Network. Over 50 passenger vehicles were

Pak ministries at odds over IMF condition on gas supply cut to industries

Pakistan's finance and energy ministries are at loggerheads over meeting a key IMF condition to reduce gas supplies to industrial power plants by January, highlighting shortcomings in the negotiation of the USD 7 billion agreement. During a recent meeting at the prime minister's house, the Petroleum Division, a part of the energy ministry, claimed that the finance ministry accepted the condition despite its reservations at the time of the programme negotiations, The Express Tribune newspaper reported on Saturday. The division further claimed that abrupt disconnection may cause a Rs 427-billion loss to the government and the industries. However, the finance ministry insisted that the Petroleum Division was fully on board at the time of the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and was now changing its position. The development comes amid the energy ministry's assessment that the complete shifting of industries from gas to electricity would require about two ...

The roads in Pakistan's Kurram have turned into killing fields. Here's why

Kurram, Pakistan's volatile tribal district near Afghanistan, sees 42 killed in a convoy attack, pushing civilian casualties to over 120 in recent months amid sectarian tensions

Under China's glare, Pakistan launches Balochistan offensive to save CPEC

Facing China's mounting demands for better security after attacks on its citizens and CPEC delays, Pakistan is under intense pressure to safeguard Beijing's interests

Pakistan to launch comprehensive operation against militants in Balochistan

Pakistan decided to launch a comprehensive operation against militants in the southwestern province of Balochistan after a series of deadly attacks. The participants of the Federal Apex Committee of the National Action Plan on Tuesday approved a comprehensive military operation, said a statement. The target of the blitz would be the leading terrorist organisations operating in Balochistan including the Majeed Brigade, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), and Balochistan Raaji Anjou-R-Sanger (BRAS) who targeted innocent civilians and foreign nationals to scuttle Pakistan's economic progress by creating insecurity at the behest of hostile external powers. It was decided during a meeting headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by senior civil and military officials, including Army Chief General Asim Munir. The participants of the meeting, which focused on Reinvigorating Pakistan's Counter Terrorism (CT) Campaign, were briefed on the evolv

'Don't trust Pak soldiers': Xi faces flak for Chinese deaths in Pakistan

Many Chinese companies in Pakistan have reportedly turned to Chinese security engineers to gather intelligence amid inadequate local security arrangements