ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf will not be holding talks with his India counterpart on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) event in Tajikistan later this week, state-run news agency, the Associated Press of Pakistan, said on Saturday.
Yusuf will leave for Tajikistan today to participate in a meeting of national security advisers of the SCO’s member states in the capital city, Dushanbe, from June 22-23, his office said on Saturday.
During the visit, Yusuf is expected to meet the NSAs of Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and China, but not India’s Ajit Doval.
Doval had walked out of the virtual session of the SCO meeting last year after Yusuf reportedly projected a map that inaccurately depicted the two countries’ borders.
The two nuclear-armed neighbors both control parts of Kashmir but claim it in full.
In August 2019, India withdrew India-ruled Kashmir’s autonomy to tighten its grip over the territory, sparking outrage in Pakistan. The move also resulted in the downgrading of diplomatic ties and the suspension of bilateral trade between the two nations.
Since then, Pakistan has maintained that it would be ready for talks with India only if it restored Kashmir’s original status.
On Saturday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi underlined that “durable peace in South Asia can only be achieved by peacefully resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute” as per the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions and the “wishes of the Kashmiri people.”
Kashmir has been a flashpoint since India and Pakistan gained independence from British rule in 1947, with both countries fighting two wars over the region. Pakistan accuses India of rights violations in Kashmir, and India says Pakistan supports militants in its part of the region. Both deny the charges.
Established in 2001, the SCO is an intergovernmental organization comprising China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Pakistani NSA to attend SCO conference, no planned meeting with Indian counterpart
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Pakistani NSA to attend SCO conference, no planned meeting with Indian counterpart
- Both officials will be participating in a meeting of national security advisers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s member states in Dushanbe this week
- Islamabad has maintained it will hold dialogue with New Delhi only if it restored Kashmir’s original status
Karachi port sees rise in transshipment activity as Middle East tensions reshape shipping routes
- Two vessels dock simultaneously at Karachi terminals as regional cargo redistribution grows
- New feeder service has been launched to link Karachi with UAE hubs Fujairah and Khor Fakkan
KARACHI: Karachi Port is seeing increased transshipment activity and new feeder links to Gulf logistics hubs as shipping lines adjust regional routes amid tensions linked to the war involving Iran, port authorities said on Thursday.
Two vessels carrying transshipment cargo docked simultaneously at the port, according to a statement, highlighting its growing role in redistributing containers across Middle Eastern shipping routes.
The development comes as the conflict in the Middle East raises concerns about disruptions to critical energy and trade corridors.
The war has already pushed up oil and gas prices and heightened risks for shipping across Gulf waters, prompting logistics companies to reassess routes and rely more heavily on regional hubs outside potential conflict zones.
“The simultaneous handling of transshipment containers at Karachi Port highlights the port’s strong operational capacity, efficient port infrastructure, and strategic geographic advantage in supporting regional maritime logistics, container shipping operations, and uninterrupted international trade during ongoing disruptions in global shipping routes,” the official statement said.
“As transshipment cargo volumes continue to increase, Karachi Port is steadily strengthening its reputation as a key maritime logistics hub in South Asia and the Middle East regions, further reinforcing Pakistan’s role in international shipping and maritime connectivity,” it added.
FEEDER SERVICE
Separately, Karachi Gateway Terminal (Private) Limited (KGTL) said a dedicated feeder service linking Karachi with the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan has begun operations, strengthening connectivity between Pakistan and key Gulf transshipment hubs.
The inaugural voyage of the service arrived at the terminal on the evening of March 11, marking the start of regular operations aimed at maintaining reliable links between Pakistani exporters and global shipping networks.
“The commencement of this feeder service reflects KGTL’s continued commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s maritime connectivity and supporting the country’s trading community,” Khurram Aziz Khan, KGTL chief executive officer, said in a statement.
“By linking Karachi directly with major UAE transshipment hubs, this service provides importers and exporters with reliable access to global shipping networks while reinforcing the role of Karachi Gateway Terminal as a key gateway for international trade,” he added.
Chairman of the Karachi Port Trust Rear Admiral (r) Shahid Ahmed said stronger links with regional hubs would help facilitate smoother cargo movement.
“The introduction of this feeder service further enhances Karachi Port’s connectivity with key regional hubs and supports Pakistan’s growing trade requirements,” he said.
“Strengthening maritime links with the UAE will help facilitate smoother cargo movement while providing greater flexibility for the country’s trading community.”
