ISLAMABAD: Afghan Taliban have dispelled the impression that Pakistan’s pressure forced them to start negotiations and said they are holding direct talks with the United States in line with their policy.
Comments by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid came amid reports that Pakistan exerted pressure on the Afghan insurgents to come to the negotiation table.
“We do not adopt or change our policies due to pressure from anyone. I have not seen any pressure,” Mujahid told Arab News.
“The on-going talks taking place in (Qatar) are in accordance with our agenda,” the Taliban spokesman said in reference to the negotiations between the Taliban and the US officials to end the conflict in Afghanistan.
Taliban’s outgoing chief negotiator Sher Abbas Stanekzai said last week that the next round of talks will be held in Qatar on Feb. 25 that will focus on ways to discuss the withdrawal of foreign forces and to prevent Afghanistan from being used for terrorism in future.
“The perception about the use of pressure (by Pakistan) is false as there is no space for such a possibility of any pressure,” Mujahid said.
“We had told the Americans to talk to us instead of starting war even before the invasion. Then we opened political office in Doha in 2013 for political talks with the Americans as the war option was not in the US interest. But the US was unwilling to agree to our proposal and instead preferred war. It is the US which has started negotiations with us, so it is a change in the US approach to come to the negotiation table. Ours is old stance that war has been imposed on us,” he said.
About Taliban approach toward Pakistan, he said Taliban will deal with Pakistan as a brotherly neighbor in the future and want strong relations on the basis of mutual respect. We want similar relations with other neighboring countries.”
The Taliban spokesman described as “misplaced” President Ashraf Ghani’s offer to Taliban to give them office in Afghanistan.
“We do not beg anyone to give us office in our own country. We presently control over half of Afghanistan and if we want we can open office and center anywhere.”
The US, Taliban and regional stakeholders, in the recent past, have had multiple round of talks seeking a political solution to the Afghan conflict. US special envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, is on his latest six-nation tour to the region in a bid to secure a peace deal with the group before the Afghan presidential elections slated for July this year.
The Taliban had until now refused to talk to the Afghan government and appear to be seeking a key role in the new political order of the country.
Foreign affairs experts also do not believe Pakistan could mount pressure on the Taliban and insist that Islamabad can only encourage the Afghan insurgents to join peace process.
“Pakistan may be encouraging the Taliban to sit on negotiation table because the war in Afghanistan has also affected our country,” Pakistan’s former ambassador Asif Durrani told Arab News on Monday.
“Taliban are not naïve to accept pressures but I think they will do whatever is good for Afghanistan,” said Durrani, who has also served in Afghanistan.
“They (Taliban) are Afghans and Afghans are fiercely independent people so the impression of pressure is a move to malign the Taliban,” the former diplomat said.
Defense analyst, Brig. (retired) Said Nazir Mohmand also agrees with the idea of convincing the Taliban instead of pressure as any such policy could “create problems for Pakistan.”
“It was the stated policy of the Taliban that they will only talk to the US as they consider them as occupation force so I do not think there was any pressure on them as the US agreed to start negotiations with them,” Mohmand told Arab News on Monday.
“But there is possibility Pakistan may have used its leverage on the Taliban and convinced them to focus on political solution,” he said.
Will deal with Pakistan as ‘brotherly neighbor’ in future — Taliban
Will deal with Pakistan as ‘brotherly neighbor’ in future — Taliban
- No pressure from Pakistan for peace talks, Taliban say
- Half of Afghanistan under Taliban control, can open office anywhere, says the group
Pakistan gears up for PM Sharif’s visit to China in May
- Planning minister says China has invested $25 billion in infrastructure projects in Pakistan since 2013
- However, the undertaking has been affected by Pakistan’s financial woes, attacks on Chinese in recent years
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is preparing for a possible visit by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China next month and the 13th meeting of a joint cooperation committee (JCC) on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Pakistani planning ministry said on Friday.
The statement came after Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal presided over a meeting with regard to the prime minister’s visit and preparations for the 13th JCC meeting.
Sharif is expected to visit China in May to restore Beijing’s confidence in Islamabad with regard to various Chinese-funded projects, Pakistani state media reported this month, citing a senior official.
“The federal minister said that the prime minister’s visit to China will be of great importance and China wishes that the 13th JCC [meeting] is held before this visit,” the Pakistani planning ministry said in a statement.
“So that projects, including five new economic corridors, can be accelerated and the desired results can be obtained from the visit.”
Beijing is investing over $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of CPEC, a major segment of Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, which will connect China to the Arabian Sea and help Islamabad expand and modernize its economy through a network of roads, railways, pipelines and ports in Pakistan.
Since its initiation in 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funnelled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects. But the undertaking has also been hit by Pakistan struggling to keep up its financial obligations as well as militant attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan.
From 2013 to 2018, Iqbal said, China invested $25 billion in Pakistan under CPEC that improved economic condition of the country.
He said his government was currently taking steps to implement CPEC projects and was determined to soon complete them.
Green glamor: Young Pakistani innovators transform electronic waste into fashionable jewelry
- Jewelry crafted from electronic scrap appeals to a young demographic that values innovation, ethical lifestyle choices
- Sameer Asif began to pursue entrepreneurial dream by partnering with a classmate to launch ‘Wired Wonders’ in 2023
ISLAMABAD: In a room filled with discarded computer components and broken electronic items, 21-year-old Sameer Asif works under a bright fluorescent light, meticulously shaping an old motherboard into a heart-shaped pendant.
His project is more than a hobby; it’s the core of his entrepreneurial dream, “Wired Wonders,” a venture launched in 2023 to transform electronic waste into wearable art.
Jewelry crafted from electronic scrap aligns with a global trend in sustainable fashion, appealing to a young demographic that values innovation, individuality and ethical lifestyle choices.
Despite its niche market appeal, this form of jewelry reflects a growing interest in repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to landfills, offering a creative solution to the challenge of electronic waste.
For Asif, however, the whole thing began as an accident.
“I was always into arts and crafts as a child,” he told Arab News in a conversation this week. “I enjoyed giving handmade things, and the first-ever necklace I made from a motherboard was also a gift for my friend.”
“She wore it to the university, and people started asking her about it,” he continued. “That’s when we thought this could actually become a business since people were interested in it.”
Asif said he was fascinated by electronics since childhood, using his tools to dismantle sophisticated gadgets to understand how they worked.
“When I was like five or six years old, on my birthday, someone gifted me a toy set of mechanical things,” he recalled. “It had nuts and screws, and it came with a screwdriver. I used that screwdriver to open my brother’s PlayStation 2 which he really loved.”
“I just opened it but couldn’t fit it back,” he recalled with a smile, saying his brother and parents were not pleased with him.
Asif partnered with his friend Maham Usman to launch Wired Wonders, asking her to manage the social media, sales and marketing.
Asked about the challenges of developing a small niche business, Usman said the biggest problem was procuring discarded motherboards that were not readily available.
“There are like one or two scrapyards in Rawalpindi where they sell discarded electronics in bulk,” she said. “To tackle this challenge, we have started a recycling initiative where we ask people to donate the electronic devices they want to dispense with. Not only will this help us with business, but it is also good for the environment.”
Making a single piece of jewelry can take about two hours. The process involves cutting and shaping motherboard pieces, removing the sharp edges and then pouring resin – a transparent, viscous liquid – over it for shine and preservation. Thereafter, the piece is left to dry for 24 hours.
Asked about the prices of their products, the Wired Wonders’ team informed that they ranged from $1.40 to $7.
“The gold and copper in motherboards add unique value to our jewelry,” Usman said.
China unveils first Hangor-class submarine developed for Pakistan
- Islamabad signed agreement for the acquisition of eight submarines during President Xi’s visit to Pakistan
- Under the contract, four submarines will be built in China, while other four will be built at Karachi Shipyard
ISLAMABAD: China on Friday unveiled the first Hangor-class submarine that it has developed for Pakistan, the Pakistani military said.
The Pakistani government had signed an agreement with Beijing for the acquisition of eight Hangor-class submarines during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pakistan.
The first of these submarines was launched at a ceremony held at Shuangliu Base in China’s Wuhan, which was attended by Pakistan’s Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf as the chief guest, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“Under the contract, four submarines will be built in China while the other four will be built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works Limited in Pakistan,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“These submarines will be equipped with advanced weapons and sensors to target long-range targets.”
The ISPR said the project would add a new dimension to Pakistan-China friendship. China has been one of Pakistan’s most trusted friends and both countries have worked on a number of joint projects in the field of defense in recent years.
Besides, Beijing is investing over $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major segment of its Belt and Road Initiative designed to give China a shorter, more secure trading route to the Middle East and beyond, while also boosting Pakistan’s economy.
Since its initiation in 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funnelled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects. Beijing has also often provided financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbor in times of a financial crunch.
Army chief stresses economic stability as key to national sovereignty at Green Pakistan conference
- General Asim Munir says army will continue to support the government with economic development of Pakistan
- He tells the gathering the military will provide comprehensive national security, work for Pakistan’s collective good
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir emphasized the importance of economic stability for a country to achieve full sovereignty while addressing the Green Pakistan Initiative conference on Friday, adding that his institution would continue to support the government in these efforts.
The initiative was launched as a response to the severe climate change impacts that Pakistan has faced over the years, including droughts, catastrophic floods, and extreme heatwaves. The program aims not only to mitigate the effects of erratic weather patterns by improving forest cover and restoring the ecosystem but also enhance the country’s resilience against future climatic shocks.
Pakistan has witnessed a growing awareness about the nexus between environmental issues and national security, prompting various sectors, including the military, to contribute to such green efforts.
“Pakistan is a blessed land with an industrious and resilient nation which needs to come together for national development,” the military’s media wing, ISPR, quoted the army chief in a statement circulated after the conference.
“Pakistan Army will continue to provide all possible support for the economic development of Pakistan,” he continued while pointing out the efforts of his institution to provide comprehensive national security and work for the collective good of the nation.
The state-owned PTV News reported the army chief warned all those who were trying to stop the country from progressing that their efforts would be wasted.
“In today’s era, the concept of complete sovereignty is not possible without economic stability,” he added.
Senior members of Pakistan’s federal cabinet were also present at the conference.
The participants reviewed the progress made under the initiative, expressing satisfaction that the country had achieved significant milestones under the program by establishing model farms, launching water management schemes and enhancing agricultural productivity.
‘Shares on fire’: Pakistan’s key stock index nears 73,000 level after hitting another historic high
- Analysts say the bullish sentiment owes to IMF talks and optimism around Saudi investment, key policy rate cut
- The benchmark KSE100 index has surged by 8,081 points since January, gaining about 80% in US dollar terms
KARACHI: Independent financial experts in Pakistan said on Friday the country’s equity market was on fire as stocks hit another all-time high of 72,739 points amid euphoria surrounding the government’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for another loan along with possible Saudi investment and interest rate cut optimism.
The benchmark KSE100 index ended the weekend trading session with a gain of 771.7 points despite a relative decline in the morning. However, the market rebounded in the second half and soared to a new record high, closing at the 72,739 level.
The prevailing positive momentum began at the beginning of the year, making the KSE100 gain 8,081 points since January.
“Pakistan’s share market is on fire,” commented Muhammad Sohail, CEO of Topline Securities. “It is hovering around the 73,000 mark and still soaring.”
Sohail said Pakistani stocks were “leading the pack” with nearly an 80 percent gain in US dollar terms over the past year, maintaining their number one position.
The market on Friday saw selling pressure in the morning but recovered in the second half, mainly due to the fertilizer and banking sectors.
“Initial pressure in the morning session was mainly due to the rollover week,” said Sheheryar Butt, Portfolio Manager at Darson Securities. “Later, the fertilizer sector led the buying spree, helping with the market recovery.”
Other sectors that contributed to the highest ever close included commercial banks, cement and the power sector since they collectively reversed the previous negative close and created a more bullish trend.
“Foreign inflows, a stable rupee, speculation ahead of the central bank policy rate decision on April 29, and firm IMF new loan talks played a key role in the record close,” said Ahsan Mehanti, CEO of Arif Habib Corporation.
The KSE100 index has gained 5.4 percent on a week-on-week (WoW) basis, with many attributing this positivity in the market to investor expectations of an interest rate cut in the upcoming monetary policy meeting on Monday.
The economic indicators also played a major role in the bullish trend of the stock market, particularly the current account number for the month of April which showed a 9-year-high surplus of $619 million.
Additionally, media reports that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was going to Saudi Arabia where he would request the kingdom to expedite investment in Pakistan’s oil, gas, and mining sectors also kept the bullish sentiments alive.
“Investors expect that Pakistan’s prime minister will speed up the investment of $5 billion,” Butt said. “If he brings any good news, the market will see it positively.”
The stock market is also expecting that after keeping the policy rate high at 22 percent since June 27, 2023, the central bank will make some changes in its monetary policy statement next week. “Expectations are high this time,” he continued. “The interest rate can come down by 50 to 100 basis points.”
Pakistani stocks have largely witnessed a bullish trend after the country secured $3 billion in short-term financing in July last year to stave off sovereign debt default.
The government is now expecting the final disbursement of $1.1 billion of IMF financing after the approval of its executive board.
A new IMF program being negotiated by the authorities has also led to positive sentiment in the capital market and can lead to another round of bullish spells if and when it materializes.
