KARACHI: Pakistan’s newly appointed finance minister, Shaukat Tarin, received a vote of confidence from some of the country’s most renowned economic experts on Sunday, as the reportedly ‘aggressive’ banker-turned politician faces the daunting challenge of spurring growth and curtailing inflation while meeting conditions attached with a $6 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
Pakistan’s Prime minister Imran Khan on Friday reshuffled his cabinet, appointing Tarin as Minister for Finance and Revenue. He is the fourth finance chief since the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government came into power in 2018.
Before the formal announcement of Tarin’s appointment as finance minister, PM Khan met with financial experts to introduce his new appointee. Those who attended the meeting hard-talked the new finance minister about his economic vision.
“He is aggressive,” Samiullah Tariq, head of research at Pakistan Kuwait Investment (PKI), who attended the meeting, told Arab News.
“He wants to bring the growth rate to 6-7% to create more jobs,” he added.
The central bank of Pakistan expects that economic growth will be around 3% during the current fiscal year ending in June.
Those who attended the meeting say the new finance minister has targeted 10-12 areas for improvement, including energy, saving and economic growth.
“Out of these targets, if they achieve at least six, that would be a major turnaround,” Tariq said.
“Tarin also hopes to avail opportunities being offered by CPEC. During the meeting, he said China was offering 85 million jobs worldwide and Pakistan can grab at least 10 million,” Tariq said.
Earlier in its tenure, the PTI government has appointed Asad Umar, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, and Hammad Azhar as finance ministers.
Tarin, 68, a banker-turned-politician, served as finance minister between 2008 and 2010 in the government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and played a crucial role in helping the country avert a default by securing a bailout from the IMF.
He has publicly called for the renegotiation of the IMF bailout program, and people familiar with Tarin say they are confident the incumbent finance minister will overcome current challenges.
“From member of advisory council to becoming federal finance minister to becoming member of National Assembly or Senate, Shaukat Tarin can succeed in overcoming numerous challenges on the economic front,” Dr Ikram ul Haq said, a senior economist told Arab News.
“The biggest challenge (for him) is meeting IMF conditions without hampering growth. This is not an easy task. They are no out of the box solutions,” he added.
Dr. Khaqan Najeeb who has served as advisor to the ministry of finance, said that the economic game plan at this stage should preserve, yet deliver beyond the IMF program.
“It should have at its heart a push for moving the economy to a higher growth trajectory,” he said and added: “Sensible economic governance is to keep the long-term perspective in mind, yet know the urgency of solving current issues.”
Pakistan needs to push on with the IMF program to meet its annual refinancing needs of around $25 billion.
One of the key reasons cited for the ouster of Dr Abdul Hafeez last week was his failure to tame inflation, which has increased by 9.1% on a year-on-year basis in March 2021, according to senator Shibli Faraz, then information minister.
Dr. Najeeb emphasized the need to coordinate a government approach to address immediate concerns including easing the supply of food items, dealing with issues of power sector efficiency, raising tax compliance and broadening the taxpayer base.
But experts also added that until fiscal consolidation is achieved and the debt trap is overcome, higher growth paths cannot follow.
For this, long-delayed and much-needed fundamental structural reforms are needed in tax administration, a rational tax policy and drastic cuts in wasteful and unproductive expenditures.
'He’s aggressive:' Experts weigh in on Pakistan’s new finance minister and challenges ahead
https://arab.news/zakhf
'He’s aggressive:' Experts weigh in on Pakistan’s new finance minister and challenges ahead
- Pakistan needs to push on with IMF program to meet annual refinancing needs of $25 billion
- Tarin wants to spur growth rate to 6-7%, insiders say
Pakistani journalist Farhan Mallick arrested by Federal Investigation Agency— family
- Mallick is the founder and chief executive officer of Pakistani online news media platform “Raftar“
- FIA official says Mallick ran programs against Pakistan’s “security establishment,” says local media report
Islamabad: Pakistani journalist Farhan Mallick, the founder and chief executive officer of prominent online news media platform “Raftar,” was arrested by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials on Thursday without providing any justification, his son wrote on social media platform X.
The former news director of Pakistani TV channel Samaa, Mallick heads Raftar which describes itself as a “dynamic platform dedicated to driving social change through the power of storytelling” on its social media platforms. Raftar, which has over 749,000 subscribers on YouTube, has released documentaries and videos critical of the Pakistani government and powerful military’s policies.
A message posted from Mallick’s account on social media platform X by his son said FIA officials “barged” into his office on Wednesday night. The statement said the FIA officials verbally summoned him to their office on Thursday.
“Like any law-abiding citizen, he went— only to be made to wait for hours without cause,” the statement said. “Then, at 6 PM, they arrested him. No explanation. No justification. Nothing.”
Pakistani English language newspaper Dawn quoted FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Center Additional Director Shahzad Haider as saying that an inquiry was initiated against Mallick around three months ago.
According to Dawn, the official said Mallick had run “several programs against the security establishment,” adding the Raftar founder was arrested on Thursday after the inquiry against him was formally completed.
In a statement, Raftar confirmed Mallick had been arrested but said they were not informed why. The platform said it was deeply concerned about the “blatant intimidation of independent journalism” in Pakistan.
“We demand immediate clarity on Mr. Mallick’s arrest and call for the protection of journalists and media professionals from unjust harassment,” it said.
Successive governments in Pakistan have enacted different laws and introduced amendments in existing laws to enhance their control over social media content and discourage dissent by filing cases against journalists and activists for violating the laws. The government says it has enacted these laws to ensure data protection, privacy and to ensure people’s safety on social media.
In recent years, journalists in Pakistan have complained of increasing government and military censorship, intimidation and harassment as well as digital abuse. Authorities deny they persecute journalists. Last year was a dangerous one for the press in Pakistan, with at least six journalists killed in direct or suspected relation to their work, the CPJ said in October 2024.
A recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) ranked Pakistan as the 12th-worst country for press freedom in South Asia. According to the CPJ, 103 journalists and media workers have been killed in Pakistan between 1992 and 2024.
Pakistan and UK discuss security cooperation, adopting joint strategy against ‘terrorism’
- Pakistan PM’s adviser Rana Sanaullah meets British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, says state media
- Both discuss reinforcing intelligence sharing and operational cooperation in counter terrorism efforts
ISLAMABAD: Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, met British High Commissioner Jane Marriott on Thursday to discuss enhancing security cooperation between the two countries and adopting a joint strategy against “terrorism,” state-run media reported.
Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long-standing relationship built on strong diplomatic, economic and security ties. Over the years, the militaries of both countries have maintained robust cooperation, particularly in the fields of counterterrorism and professional training.
The meeting between the two officials took place amid Pakistan’s struggle to contain surging militancy, particularly in its southwestern Balochistan province, where separatist militants last week hijacked a train and held hundreds hostage before the army launched a rescue operation. The military said it killed all 33 militants while 31 Pakistani soldiers, staff and civilians were killed.
“The discussion also focused on adopting a joint strategy against terrorism, increasing security cooperation, and taking collaborative measures to ensure regional peace and stability,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported about the meeting between Sanaullah and Marriott.
“Both dignitaries agreed on reinforcing intelligence sharing and operational cooperation in counter terrorism efforts.”
The APP said both also spoke about strengthening economic partnerships, enhancing trade relations and exploring new avenues of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.
“Additionally, cultural exchanges and the promotion of people-to-people ties were discussed to further strengthen relations between the two nations,” the statement said.
Pakistan and the UK have a long and multifaceted relationship, with the latter hosting a large Pakistani diaspora community. Pakistan is also a member of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 countries out of which the vast majority are former British territories.
Former Pakistan coach Bradburn fined after discriminatory conduct during Glamorgan stint
- Bradburn was sacked by Glamorgan in December following internal investigation into his behavior
- Bradburn allegedly asked players from Asian background what their “real age” was, implying they lied
LONDON: Former Glamorgan coach Grant Bradburn has been fined and warned about his future conduct after admitting to discriminatory conduct during his spell with the Welsh county cricket side.
Bradburn was sacked by Glamorgan in December following an internal investigation into the New Zealander’s behavior.
A Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) found the former Scotland and Pakistan coach twice made comments with “racist connotations” and also made a remark with “sexist connotations.”
The 58-year-old has been ordered to attend an educational course and fined £500 ($648), in addition to the reprimand.
In its written reasons for the sanction, the CDC said it was alleged Bradburn asked players from an Asian background what their “real age” was, implying they do not tell the truth about their age.
It was also alleged he said during a pre-season team meeting that when making cricket selection decisions in Pakistan, players would pick their friends or cousins or pick names out of a hat.
Bradburn allegedly used the phrase “this isn’t Western Storm” (a former women’s team) during a fielding practice session when he considered that male players were demonstrating a lack of intensity, “throwing like girls.”
Bradburn, a former New Zealand off-spinner, coached Scotland from 2014 to 2018.
He worked as Pakistan’s fielding coach, subsequently taking over as head coach in 2023 — a role he left after less than a year, prior to joining Glamorgan in January 2024.
At least 1,141 Pakistanis killed and injured due to ‘terrorism’ from Jan. 1 to Mar.16— minister
- Tallal Chaudry says three law enforcement personnel, two civilians are killed daily across Pakistan due to “terrorism”
- Minister of state for interior urges opposition to support government in its war against surging militancy in country
ISLAMABAD: At least 1,141 Pakistanis have been killed and injured from Jan. 1 to Mar. 16 in “terrorism” incidents, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry said on Thursday, urging provinces to support the central government in its battle against militants.
Pakistan has seen a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan and Iran in recent days, especially Balochistan, where separatist militants last Tuesday stormed a train and held hundreds of passengers hostage before the army launched a rescue operation. The army killed all 33 militants while a final count showed 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack.
Days later on Sunday, five people including three paramilitary soldiers were killed in a blast in Balochistan’s Nushki district. A top parliamentary panel met on Tuesday to discuss the prevalent security situation in the country, calling for national consensus and political unity to battle militancy.
“From the previous [month], Jan. 1 to Mar. 16, the figures say that 1,141 casualties of terrorism have taken place. This includes both the martyred and the injured,” Chaudry said during a news conference. “Out of this, 1,127 alone are from KP and Balochistan.”
He said on a daily basis, three law enforcement agencies’ personnel are killed and seven are injured while two civilians are killed and four injured across Pakistan.
The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which is in power in KP province, boycotted the parliamentary panel on national security’s meeting this week and said it would not support any fresh military operation in the country.
Chaudry criticized the PTI, saying that it would not be possible to eliminate “terrorism” from the country if both KP and Balochistan provinces did not join the state in battling militants. The minister blamed the PTI for creating controversies to undermine Pakistan’s war against militancy.
“We are not starting a new operation neither has there been talk of a new operation,” Chaudry clarified. “But whether it is Azm-e-Istehkam or the National Action Plan, they will be implemented, and it will be ensured that they are implemented,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s previous initiatives against militancy.
Pakistan ranks as the second-most affected country by terrorism, according to The Global Terrorism Index 2025. Militancy-related deaths surged by 45 percent, rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024, marking one of the steepest global increases.
Pakistan’s security forces are battling the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Pakistani Taliban militants in KP province. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering TTP militants, an allegation the Afghan Taliban deny strongly.
In Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land but its poorest by almost all social and economic indicators, separatist militants have been fighting security forces for decades for a greater share in the natural resources of the province. Pakistan’s federal government and military point to various education and health initiatives undertaken in Balochistan, reiterating their resolve to bring about progress in the province.
Pakistan to hold Mar. 23 military parade on ‘limited scale’ due to Ramadan
- Parade will mark 85th anniversary of Pakistan’s republic day celebrated each year on Mar. 23 to celebrate adoption of Lahore Resolution
- Pakistan honors foreign dignitaries, national heroes with top civilian awards, features tanks, missiles, UAVs, and air defense systems at parade
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Day military parade will be held this year on Mar. 23 on a “limited scale” due to the holy month of Ramadan, state-run media reported on Thursday, with contingents of the country’s three armed forces set to participate in the spectacle.
The parade will be held on the 85th anniversary of Pakistan’s republic day, marked each year to celebrate the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the Muslim League party, which called for the creation of an independent state for the Muslims of India on Mar. 23, 1940.
While last year the event was held at the Parade Avenue in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, this year it is scheduled to take place within the premises of the Aiwan-e-Sadr or the official residence of Pakistan’s president. President Asif Ali Zardari will be the chief guest on the occasion, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.
“Pakistan Day Parade will be held on Sunday on a limited scale with traditional enthusiasm,” it said. “The decision to hold the parade on a limited scale was made due to the month of Ramadan,” Radio Pakistan said.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets will also conduct a fly past, a ceremonial or honorific flight by an aircraft or group of aircraft, during the occasion.
“Foreign ambassadors and other distinguished guests have also been invited to the event,” the state media reported.
Pakistan honors foreign dignitaries and national heroes on the occasion with top civilian awards. The parade also features mechanized columns including tanks, armored personnel carriers, rocket launchers, air defense system, guns, UAVs, short-and-long-range Pakistani missiles such as Ra’ad, Nasr, Babur, Shaheen, Ghauri and Ababeel every year.
This year the military parade takes place as Pakistan grapples with surging militancy, especially in its southwestern Balochistan province bordering Iran and Afghanistan. Separatist militants last Tuesday bombed a section of the railway track and stormed the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express train carrying over 400 passengers in the mountainous Bolan region.
The crisis was resolved the following day when the armed forces carried out a successful operation to rescue the hostages, killing all 33 militants in the process. A final count showed 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack.
Violence persisted in the region days later as a blast killed five, including three paramilitary soldiers, in the province’s Nushki district on Sunday.
Both attacks were claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an ethnic separatist militant outfit in the province. The BLA is the largest and strongest of several ethnic Baloch insurgent groups which have been fighting for decades to win a larger share of the natural resources of mineral-rich Balochistan, which is also home to major China-led projects including a port and gold and copper mines.
