ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said he was not against the West or India, but their policies in the “war on terror” and toward Muslims.
The statement came a week after PM Khan criticized Islamabad-based Western envoys, who in a letter urged Pakistan to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, asking them if they had writer a similar letter to India.
Representatives of 22 countries, including the European Commission, in Islamabad wrote the letter. Islamabad has repeatedly called for an end to violence and emphasized the use of diplomacy to resolve the crisis, but stopped short of condemning Russia.
In recent weeks, the Pakistani premier has also criticized the United States (US) and allies for blaming Islamabad for their defeat in Afghanistan, despite Pakistan suffering 80,000 casualties after joining the US-led war.
“Let me clarify this to all overseas Pakistanis, I have never been anti-US, anti-UK and for that matter, anti-India. Only an illiterate can be against some country because all types of people live in a country,” PM Khan said at a party convention in Islamabad.
“I was against America’s war on terror since day one and will always be against that.”
He said if the government in India gave equal rights to Muslims and to Kashmiris, Islamabad was willing to talk on bilateral issues.
“The step they [India] have taken on August 05, 2019, if they take that back we will again normalize our ties with them and resolve our issues through dialogue,” the prime minister said.
In August 2019, New Delhi stripped India-controlled Kashmir of its autonomy and divided it into two federally-administered territories, prompting Islamabad to downgrade its diplomatic and trade ties with India.
The Himalayan valley is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan. The two countries have gone to war thrice over it, and both rule parts of it.
Pakistani PM says not against West or India, but their policies
https://arab.news/ps2ak
Pakistani PM says not against West or India, but their policies
- PM Imran Khan says he was against US policy in ‘war on terror,’ India’s Hindutva-driven politics
- Talks can be held with New Delhi if it gives equal rights to Muslims and Kashmiris, he adds
Pakistan capital market transitions to T+1 settlement cycle ahead of multiple advanced markets
- A T+1 settlement cycle means that securities transactions are finalized and settled one business day after trade date
- Effective from Feb. 9, all eligible trades at the PSX are now settled on a T+1 basis, replacing the previous T+2 cycle
KARACHI: Pakistan’s capital market has officially transitioned to the Trade plus one (T+1) settlement cycle, a landmark reform that strengthens efficiency, reduces risk and aligns the country with international best practices, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) said on Tuesday.
A T+1 settlement cycle means that securities transactions are finalized and settled one business day after the trade date, which reduces counterparty risk and improves capital efficiency in the exchange of funds and securities.
Effective from Feb. 9, all eligible trades at the PSX are now settled on a T+1 basis, replacing the previous T+2 cycle. The transition was implemented under the guidance of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) through close collaboration among all stakeholders, according to the PSX.
It aligns Pakistan’s capital market with leading markets such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Jamaica and China, which have already adopted shorter settlement cycles. Europe, the UK and Switzerland are set to follow by 2027. By moving early, Pakistan has demonstrated its commitment to modernization and investor protection.
“The transition to the T+1 settlement cycle brings important advantages for Pakistan’s capital market. It enables faster access to funds and securities, improving liquidity, while reducing settlement and counterparty risk through shorter exposure periods,” the PSX said.
“Quicker trade finalization enhances efficiency and the reform strengthens investor confidence, particularly among institutional and foreign investors. Together, these benefits support a stronger and more resilient market aligned with global best practices.”
Pakistan’s stock market has touched historic highs in recent months as broad institutional buying boosted investor confidence amid ongoing economic reforms under international lending programs. Pakistani state media reported in Jan. around 135,000 new investors had joined the PSX over the last 18 months.
SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu commended the PSX, the Central Depository Company and the National Clearing Company of Pakistan for the successful implementation of the T+1 settlement system.
“The reform brings Pakistan’s capital market at par with modern jurisdictions by accelerating trade settlement, reducing counterparty and market risks, and enhancing liquidity,” he was quoted as saying by the PSX.
“The adoption of T+1 will strengthen investor confidence and align Pakistan’s capital market with evolving international standards and global best practices.”
