Page 48 - Pakistan

US temporarily suspends foreign assistance to Pakistan for re-evaluation

The US has temporarily suspended foreign assistance to Pakistan for re-evaluation following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, according to a media report on Tuesday. This move has instantly stopped a number of important United States Agency For International Development (USAID) projects in Pakistan, including the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), which is the flagship programme to promote cultural heritage preservation and protection, the Geo News reported. According to the US embassy here, the AFCP fund "helps protect historic buildings, archaeological sites, museum collections, and traditional cultural expressions like indigenous languages and crafts around the world". Quoting an unnamed official at the US Consulate in Karachi, the report said the US has paused Pakistan's foreign assistance for re-evaluation as per the executive order issued by Trump. Five projects related to the energy sector have also come to a halt as a result of this decisi

Trump 2.0 has garnered strong Muslim support: Pakistani American bizman

In his second term, US President Donald Trump has garnered strong support from the Muslim community on foreign policy issues like Gaza, a prominent Pakistani American businessman has said, dismissing the narrative that the Republican leader is opposed to Muslims. The biggest difference between Trump 1.0 and Trump 2.0 is that he got endorsements from the Muslims in cities like Detroit in Michigan," Sajid Tarar, a businessman and founder of Muslims for Trump, told PTI. "At this time, he has a massive support of Muslims. The way he is handling Gaza, the Muslim Americans are behind him. They are very thankful to him, Tarar said. Tarar, a supporter of the US president since 2016, argued that a false narrative is being constructed that Trump is against the Muslim community. This is certainly not the case, he said. Speaking about India-US ties, Tarar said that Trump's second term has re-energised and reactivated the relationship. He pointed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio's first ...

Pakistan's central bank cuts key interest rate by 100 basis points to 12%

Pakistan's economy grew 0.92 per cent in the first quarter of fiscal 2024-25 which ends in June, according to data approved by the National Accounts Committee, released by its Statistics Bureau in Dec

Bangladesh high commissioner announces direct flights with Pakistan

To further strengthen bilateral ties, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to Pakistan announced plans to begin direct air services between Bangladesh and Pakistan. According to The Express Tribune, Mohammad Iqbal Hussain was speaking at a press conference in Peshawar on Saturday. Hussain emphasised the deep and historic relationship between the two countries and expressed the intention to initiate direct flights to facilitate travel and connectivity. He noted that such a move would enhance cooperation in various sectors, including tourism, education, and trade. However, no timeline for the direct flights was announced. The High Commissioner also highlighted the growing trade and diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, stating that these ties would continue to grow stronger. He underscored Bangladesh's commitment to freedom of expression, noting how social media has empowered the younger generation to voice their rights, contributing to a robust culture of free speech in

Pak court awards death sentence, 80-yr-imprisonment to four over blasphemy

A Pakistani court has awarded a death sentence and 80-year imprisonment to four persons for uploading blasphemous content on Facebook, an official said on Saturday. Additional Sessions Judge Mohammad Tariq Ayub on Friday convicted four suspects -- Wajid Ali, Ahfaq Ali Saqib, Rana Usman and Suleman Sajid -- for insulting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his companions, and his wives. The court official said the convicts uploaded blasphemous content on Facebook from four different IDs. "The judge after hearing arguments of both prosecution and defence and witnesses accounts awarded the death penalty and 80 years imprisonment to each of them on different counts," the official said. They were also slapped with a fine of PKR 5.2 million. Pakistan's Federal Investigation (FIA) Cybercrime registered a case under Section 11 of the PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act) and 295A, 295B, 295C, 298A, 109 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of Shiraz Farooqi, a citizen. According t

Chinese nationals move Pakistani court against police harassment

Six Chinese nationals in Pakistan petitioned a high court against police harassment, including demanding money and putting restrictions on their movement in the name of security. They filed the plea in the Sindh High Court in Karachi on Friday, where a two-judge bench heard the case. The bench issued notices to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others, including the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and its consulate in Karachi and relevant federal and provincial law officers. Xu Hui, Deng Huan and four other Chinese nationals filed the petition through their counsel, submitting that they came to Pakistan after fulfilling all required legal formalities and invested a significant amount of money and resources in various business ventures and sectors in the country. It is the first time Chinese nationals have approached a high court against harassment by police in Pakistan. The petitioners cited Sindh's chief secretary, the provincial home secretary, the inspector general of police, and

Pak reports first Mpox case of 2025 at Peshawar airport, count reaches 10

Pakistan has reported its first Mpox case this year during the screening of incoming passengers at one of its airports in Peshawar city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Express Tribune quoted a health ministry spokesperson saying that Border Health Services staff detected the patient at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar. The patient reportedly had a travel history visiting the Gulf countries. "We are ensuring effective measures to protect the public from Mpox. All airports have robust screening systems and compliance with international health regulations is being ensured. Both federal and provincial governments are committed to combating Mpox," Health Coordinator Dr. Mukhtar Bharth said. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Advisor Ehtesham Ali confirmed that Peshawar Airport had reported the first Mpox case in 2025. He said that upon detection, the public health monitoring team immediately reached the airport. "The team transferred the patient to the Police Ser

Keeping a close watch on neighbours: India as ISI officials visit B'desh

Against the backdrop of an increase in engagement between Bangladeshi and Pakistani military officials, India on Friday said it keeps a close watch on developments in the neighbourhood having a bearing on national security and takes "appropriate" action if required. Pakistani spy agency ISI's Director General of Analysis Maj Gen Shahid Amir Afsar and certain other officials are currently visiting Bangladesh, according to reports. The visit to Dhaka by the Pakistani military officials came after a delegation of Bangladeshi military officials toured Pakistan and held meetings with the three service chiefs. "We keep an eye on all activities around the country and in the region, as well as all activities affecting national security, and the government will take appropriate steps," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to a question at his weekly media briefing. He said India's approach towards Bangladesh has been to maintain friendly ties. "We support

Rice exports steady in 2024 despite curbs; basmati shipments surge

The country's rice exports in 2024 stood at 17.8 million metric tons, marginally down from 17.86 million tons shipped a year earlier

Pak's largest international airport starts operations, welcomes 1st flight

Pakistan's largest international airport, funded and built by all-weather ally China, in the restive Balochistan province was officially opened on Monday. The Gwadar International Airport and the Gwadar deep sea port built in the province under the USD 42 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC) are seen as important for boosting trade and regional connectivity by both countries. The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) PK 503 aircraft was the first commercial flight to arrive at the new airport after its inauguration carrying commercial passengers and high-ranking officials. The aircraft which took off from Karachi after a 45-minute delay landed after an hour and 10 minutes flight. China and Pakistan see the port city of Gwadar and its deep sea port and international airport as a hub of connectivity for the corridor, and an indispensable interchange for a 21st century Silk Route. The airport, equipped with modern facilities, is expected to play a critical role in

Here's why jailing Imran Khan won't fix Pak's economic, political problems

Khan has languished in jail since May 2023 while multiple criminal cases against him run their course

Pakistani, Chinese companies ink $250 million MoUs to boost medical sector

Pakistani and Chinese companies have signed pacts worth around USD 250 million to boost trade in the medical and surgical sector, according to media reports on Saturday. The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed at the China-Pakistan B2B conference in the medical equipment and surgical instrument sector in Beijing on Friday, reported Radio Pakistan. This collaboration aims to steer more Chinese companies to engage in trade and set up joint ventures in Pakistan in the medical instrument sector, the report stated. The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported that Pakistan's embassy in Beijing confirmed the signing of three MoUs during the conference. The embassy said it hosted, in collaboration with the Board of Investment (BOI), the sixth moot in a series of sector-specific B2B matchmaking meetings focused on investment partnerships between Pakistan and China in the medical sector. Over 80 Chinese companies and associations and more than 20 Pakistani companies participat

IMF downgrades Pakistan's GDP growth outlook for 2025 from 3.2% to 3%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised cash-strapped Pakistan's economic outlook, downgrading its projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 2025 to 3%, down from 3.2% forecasted just three months ago, according to a media report on Saturday. The adjustment comes amid a broader global economic assessment presented in the IMF's "World Economic Outlook Update: Global Growth Divergent and Uncertain", The Express Tribune newspaper reported. The IMF's revised projections also indicate that Pakistan's GDP growth will remain at 4% in 2026. However, the latest downgrade reflects ongoing economic challenges in the country, although the IMF did not provide specific reasons for the revision. This latest revision mirrors the forecast made by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) last month, which also adjusted Pakistan's growth forecast to 3% for the fiscal year 2024-25, up from a previously projected 2.8%. Both institutions have cited challenges faced by Pakistan's economy but h

Al-Qadir Trust case: Former Pak PM Imran Khan sentenced to 14 yrs in prison

Ex Pakistan PM Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were convicted for their roles in the 190 mn British Pounds Al-Qadir Trust case, involving illicit land and funds transfers linked to Bahria Town

China successfully launches Pakistani satellite 'PRSC-EO1' into space

China successfully launched a Pakistani satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Friday. The satellite, named PRSC-EO1, was launched at 12:07 p.m. (Beijing Time) by a Long March-2D carrier rocket and entered its planned orbit successfully, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The rocket also carried two other satellites - Tianlu-1 and Lantan-1. This launch marked the 556th flight mission involving the Long March carrier rocket series. China has been launching satellites for Pakistan in the last few years broadening their all-weather alliance into the space arena. Last year, China launched a multi-mission communication satellite for Pakistan. In 2018, China sent two Pakistan satellites into orbit. The PRSS-1, Pakistan's first optical remote sensing satellite, and the PakTES-1A, a smaller observation craft.

Boat carrying migrants capsizes near Morocco; over 40 Pakistanis dead

Pakistan on Thursday said that a boat carrying 80 migrants attempting to reach Spain capsized near Morocco, with over 40 Pakistanis reportedly among the dead. Migrant rights group Walking Borders said as many as 50 migrants may have drowned. Moroccan authorities rescued 36 people a day earlier from a boat that had left Mauritania on January 2 with 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis. Forty-four of those presumed to have drowned were from Pakistan, Walking Borders CEO Helena Maleno said on X. They spent 13 days of anguish on the crossing without anyone coming to rescue them, she said. The Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement that its embassy in Morocco was in touch with the local authorities. Our Embassy in Rabat (Morocco) has informed us that a boat carrying 80 passengers, including several Pakistani nationals, setting off from Mauritania, has capsized near the Moroccan port of Dakhla. Several survivors, including Pakistanis, are lodged in a camp near Dakhla, it said. It

Pakistan cuts charging stations' power tariff by 45% to boost EV adoption

The government is also planning to introduce financing schemes for e-bikes and the conversion of two- and three-wheeled petrol vehicles

Pakistan orders probe after airline ad gets flak for evoking 9/11 memories

Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a probe into a PIA ad that sparked outrage for resembling 9/11 visuals

Human rights activist warns over abduction of nuclear engineers in Pakistan

Additionally, Mirza criticized the lack of an immediate response, such as deploying helicopters to pursue the abductors. He described the security lapse as highly suspicious

Pakistan's Peshawar HC suspends deportation of 100 Afghan musicians

A high court in Peshawar has stopped the forcible deportation of over 100 Afghan musicians seeking political asylum in Pakistan and directed the federal government to decide their cases in two months. A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) disposed of the case after hearing arguments on Friday and instructed security agencies not to take any action against them during the two months. The bench headed by Justice Waqar Ahmad gave the judgement during the hearing of the petition filed by Hashmatullah who argued they belonged to Afghanistan but migrated to Pakistan after the establishment of the Taliban government as their lives were under threat. The petitioner argued they had already lost their livelihoods and in Pakistan, they faced further harassment and threats of forced deportation, which they asserted is a violation of human rights. They argued that under international laws, the Pakistani government cannot forcibly deport them. The petitioner's lawyer Mumtaz Ahmad