EU, with aging population, looks to enhance legalized migration of skilled Pakistani workers

European Union Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Ylva Johansson (left) and Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar address a joint press conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 14, 2022. (Photo courtesy: @YlvaJohansson/Twitter)
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Updated 14 November 2022
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EU, with aging population, looks to enhance legalized migration of skilled Pakistani workers

  • EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs says EU has launched ‘comprehensive dialogue’ with Pakistan on migration, mobility
  • Hina Rabbani Khar says two-way exports increased by 60 percent under GSP plus scheme, hopes for continuity in trade arrangement

ISLAMABAD: European Union (EU) Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said on Monday the EU and Pakistan had launched a “comprehensive dialogue” on issues such as migration and mobility as European countries sought skilled workers.

Johansson arrived in Islamabad on Sunday on a two-day visit and held meetings on migration, mobility, border management, and security cooperation.

“I am very happy that we together have launched today this comprehensive dialogue on migration and mobility as EU is an aging society and we are lacking skilled workers in many areas at different levels,” Johansson said at a joint press conference with Pakistan’s state minister for foreign affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, in Islamabad.

“Pakistan is very much prepared in the area of legal migration to the EU and I am happy to explore and intensify our cooperation on the legal migration,” she said, adding that both needed to work together on counter smuggling and irregular arrivals, and step up return and re-admission.

“In all these areas we are also ready to step up our financial contributions and other ways to cooperate with Pakistan,” Johansson added.

Recognizing Pakistan as a very important strategic partner, she said the EU was committed to building on 60 years of relations in diverse areas, including trade.

“I have seen that Pakistani authorities are making good and sound border management and sophisticated counter-terrorism strategies that are being designed and implemented. These efforts are necessary and are well advanced,” the EU Commissioner added, saying this illustrated a “responsible approach” by Pakistan as an influential and leading actor in the region.

“The stable security situation is in the interest of all including beyond the region, that is why I would like to see deeper cooperation in the area of security between Pakistan and the EU,” she added.

In her remarks, Khar said Pakistan gave high importance to a sustained engagement with the EU, especially on GSP Plus status.

GSP+ is a special trade arrangement offered to developing economies by European nations in return for their commitment to implement 27 international conventions on human rights, environmental protection and governance.

On 21 September 2021, in its review of the GSP+ scheme, the European Commission introduced six new conventions, pertaining in particular to children’s rights, environmental safety and persons with disabilities.

Last April, the European Parliament moved a resolution against Pakistan, seeking an immediate review of its eligibility for GSP+ status over what it called violence and discrimination against religious minorities and other vulnerable groups, as well as a crackdown on media. The EU Ambassador to Islamabad said last October the South Asian nation would have to “redouble” its efforts to meet international rights conventions in order to continue to be a part of GSP+.

The current GSP framework will come to an end in December 2023.

“Through GSP Plus, we have seen an escalation in two-way exports of more than 60 percent,” Khar said. “I think this is a win-win situation and therefore we are looking toward the ongoing dialogue on that and the continuation of that to offer possibilities for the two.”

She said Pakistan was continuously working to minimize the possibility of illegal migration, but also wanted doors opened for legalized migration.

“Pakistan with its 65 percent young population is well-placed today to provide the EU skilled workforce in various areas, including information technology,” she said, hoping that the dialogue on migration and mobility would be fruitful and add another dimension to Pakistan-EU ties.


Efforts at reconciliation in northwest Pakistan after clashes at gathering by ‘banned’ Pashtun group

Updated 10 October 2024
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Efforts at reconciliation in northwest Pakistan after clashes at gathering by ‘banned’ Pashtun group

  • Thursday’s jirga was called by KP CM Gandapur, with archrivals Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi in attendance
  • At least three people were killed in clashes Wednesday between Pakistani police and supporters of the recently banned PTM civil rights group

PESHAWAR: A grand assembly of political and tribal leaders held on Thursday in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar designated the provincial chief minister to resolve peace-related issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province ahead of a three-day gathering being organized by the recently banned Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).
At least three people were killed in clashes Wednesday between Pakistani police and supporters of the PTM rights group advocating for ethnic Pashtuns. The violence came after the government on Monday banned the PTM saying it supports the Pakistani Taliban, an outlawed militant group. It also banned rallies by the group in the restive northwest, saying the demonstrations are against the interests of Pakistan. The PTM denies backing the Pakistani Taliban and says despite the ban on public gatherings, it will go ahead with holding a Qaumi Jirga grand assembly on October 11 to discuss peace and security in KP province.
Thursday’s jirga, a traditional assembly in Pashtun communities used to resolve disputes and make decisions on social and political matters, was called by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, with archrivals Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also in attendance.
The PTM, founded in 2014, has long advocated against extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Pashtuns and other ethnic minorities in Pakistan, charges the government and military deny. The group has since been waging a campaign to force the military to leave the former tribal regions in the northwest that border Afghanistan.
“The purpose of the jirga is to find a peaceful solution to the conflict through dialogue and mutual understanding,” Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, the KP government spokesperson, said in a statement about Thursday’s gathering. “The jirga has given Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur full authority to resolve the conflict through dialogue and understanding.”
The statement did not mention how the KP government plans to deal with the PTM’s Qaumi Jirga, but Mohsin Dawar, a former lawmaker from North Waziristan who was previously affiliated with the PTM, said authorities had agreed to allow the gathering.
“Participated in the meeting called by the Chief Minister on PTM’s Pashtuns National Jarga,” he said in a social media post. “We demanded from all the political parties in the meeting to allow PTM’s Jirga to be held. Our demand has been accepted and the federal and provincial govts will allow the Jarga tomorrow.”


Amnesty International on Wednesday called on the Pakistan government to revoke the ban on the Pashtun group.
The “latest arbitrary ban under over-broad powers of the terror law is only the tip of the iceberg,” said Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty’s deputy regional director for South Asia, accusing the authorities of “resorting to unlawful use of force, enforced disappearances, and media bans on the coverage of protests or rallies.”


Security forces kill four militants in Pakistan’s northwest

Updated 10 October 2024
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Security forces kill four militants in Pakistan’s northwest

  • Militants were killed in two separate operations carried out in Bannu and North Waziristan
  • Weapons and ammunition were recovered from militants who were involved in several crimes

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have killed four militants in two separate operations in the country’s northwest, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Thursday.
The country has witnessed a surge in militant attacks in the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since a fragile ceasefire broke down between the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the government in November 2022.
Pakistan has frequently said the TTP leadership is based in Afghanistan and gets assistance from the administration in Kabul, though Afghan authorities deny the claim.
“On 9-10 October 2024, four Khwarij [TTP militants] were killed in two separate operations conducted by Security Forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the ISPR said.
On October 9, an intelligence-based operation was carried out in the general area of Janikhel in Bannu district in which two militants were killed.
In another operation, conducted in the general area Hassan Khel in North Waziristan on October 10, Pakistani troops effectively engaged a militant hideout and in ensuing exchange of fire two more militants lost their lives.
“Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as abductions and target killing of innocent civilians,” the ISPR added.
It said the “sanitization of the area” was being carried out to eliminate any other militant found in the territory.


Pakistan, Saudi Arabia ink multiple agreements valuing $2 billion

Updated 10 October 2024
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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia ink multiple agreements valuing $2 billion

  • Saudi investment minister is heading a large business delegation on three-day visit to Islamabad
  • Saudi visit comes as Pakistan seeks foreign investments to navigate tricky path to economic recovery

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing of over $2 billion in agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Saudi and Pakistani businesses on Thursday, calling the ceremony a precursor to many future partnerships.
The event took place as Sharif welcomed Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih at the PM House, describing his visit as an “important milestone” in the economic relations between the two countries.
The Saudi minister brought a large delegation of businessmen representing various economic sectors, including energy, mining, agriculture, tourism and industry, a day earlier, with the aim of finalizing 27 business-to-business deals and MoUs.
The visit took place at a time when Pakistan is seeking to strengthen trade and investment ties with friendly nations, particularly the kingdom, whose leadership reaffirmed its commitment this year to expedite a $5 billion investment package for the South Asian country.
“Today’s ceremony will lead to many more such events in times to come if we are sincere to the cause,” Sharif told the gathering, referring to Pakistan’s commitment to implementing these agreements and turning the MoUs into lucrative business deals.
He assured the Saudi delegation of his government’s full cooperation, saying he would not allow any impediments to thwart the business cooperation between the two countries.
The prime minister said Pakistan’s relations with the kingdom were firmly rooted in history and that both countries had stood by each other through thick and thin.
“Saudi Arabia has always supported Pakistan, whether after floods or earthquakes,” he continued. “This is not only friendship. This is true brotherhood, which we must transform into a relationship of economic development, cooperation and promoting our investments.”
Earlier, the prime minister told the Saudi minister that his visit was “an important milestone in strengthening investment ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for greater collaboration in sectors of mutual interest.”
The prime minister pointed out that Al-Falih’s trip to Pakistan was the third high-level Saudi delegation to visit the country in the last six months, calling it a testament to the growing momentum in the bilateral relationship.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, expressing readiness to strengthen defense ties, including support for the kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to develop indigenous defense and security capabilities.
According to the PM Office, the Saudi minister reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to increasing its investment portfolio in Pakistan, particularly in mining, agriculture, food security and infrastructure development.
He further said the signing of 27 agreements and MoUs was just the beginning of the journey.


Triple centurion Brook happy to break Dad’s club record

Updated 10 October 2024
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Triple centurion Brook happy to break Dad’s club record

  • 25-year-old smashed a career best 317 that, coupled with Joe Root’s 262, helped visitors pile 823-7
  • With a big 267-run lead over Pakistan in first innings, England then caught the home team napping at 152-6

MULTAN, Pakistan: England’s rising batting star Harry Brook said he was delighted he had finally eclipsed his father’s highest club score, when he hit a triple hundred against Pakistan in Multan on Thursday.

The 25-year-old smashed a career best 317 that, coupled with Joe Root’s 262, helped visitors pile 823-7 declared — fourth highest total in all Test cricket — England’s third best.

With a big 267-run lead over Pakistan in the first innings, England then caught the home team napping at 152-6. At close, Pakistan still needed 115 to avoid an innings defeat on the final day Friday.

Brook said his father’s highest score was the target.

“I just wanted to get past my dad’s high score 210,” said Brook of his father David’s score in a club match for Burnley in 2001.

Brook had missed a chance of surpassing dad’s best when he scored 186 against New Zealand at Wellington last year.

“I said that to you guys before, I was pretty happy when I got past his score, to be honest.”

Brook said he was satisfied to contribute in team’s strong position.

“I am lost for words, to be honest, I’m just happy that the team’s in a in a strong position to win the game tomorrow morning. It’s an incredible thing.”

Brook and Root enjoyed a run feast on a flat Multan stadium pitch, adding a big 454 for the fourth wicket, England’s highest partnership in Tests.

It eclipsed the 411-run fourth-wicket partnership by Peter May and Colin Cowdrey against the West Indies at Birmingham in 1957.

“It was wonderful batting with Rooty,” said Brook. “We spoke about the game moving forward and going out there after lunch to try and put the foot down and get a decent lead.”

“It makes you feel so comfortable when you’re watching him at the other end, he makes the game look so easy, and he’s playing the ball so late and making the balls look slow.”

Brook completed his triple century with a boundary off part-timer Saim Ayub, reaching the mark off 310 balls before he top-edged a sweep off the same bowler and was caught by Shan Masood.

Brook cracked 29 fours and three sixes in his 439-minute stay at the crease.

It was Brook’s sixth Test century and his fourth against Pakistan following his three in as many Tests when England routed Pakistan 3-0 in 2022.


Imran Khan’s party petitions Pakistani court against ban on jail meetings with ex-premier

Updated 10 October 2024
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Imran Khan’s party petitions Pakistani court against ban on jail meetings with ex-premier

  • Khan’s close aide says the former prime minister has been kept in solitary confinement since October 6
  • PTI’s petition comes after Punjab administration banned meetings in Adiala Jail, citing security reasons

KARACHI: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to challenge the “illegal and unacceptable” ban on meetings with him in jail, said the ex-premier’s close aide on Thursday, expressing concerns that Khan has been kept in solitary confinement since October 6.
The development comes just days after Punjab’s provincial administration imposed restrictions on meetings with inmates at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan is imprisoned on multiple charges.
A letter issued by the Punjab government called for strict security measures at the prison, citing security concerns following a threat alert issued by the police counterterrorism department on October 6.
The restrictions on meetings with Khan followed clashes between law enforcement personnel and PTI supporters who wanted to stage a large protest in Islamabad last weekend, seeking the release of their leader, with scores of people flocking to the capital chiefly from the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“We have filed a petition in IHC against the illegal ban of all meetings with Imran Khan,” Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, a former federal minister and the ex-premier’s aide, announced in a social media post. “From his legal team to family all have are not allowed to meet him for the next 10 odd days. This is completely illegal and unacceptable.”
“It’s obvious the ban has been placed so a lot [of] oppressive action can be taken and his voice is not heard,” he added.

In another post, Bukhari raised concern over Khan’s life and demanded the authorities allow the former premier’s only sister who has not been imprisoned to see him at the earliest.
“Apparently, he is being kept in complete solitary [confinement] and has not seen daylight since 6th of October,” he added. “Naturally during such frictional times with the government & establishment we are worried for his life.”


The PTI petition submitted in the court by Salman Akram Raja, a prominent lawyer and the party’s secretary general, said the “blanket ban” over Khan’s meetings with his family had also affected other Adiala prisoners.
It said that there was a concern that Khan and his wife, who is also in jail on corruption charges, were kept in “inhuman conditions in death cells” with all their basic facilities withdrawn including regular visits by doctors.
Khan, jailed since August last year, was ousted from the PM’s office in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence after what is widely believed to be a falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military, which denies being involved in politics.
Since his removal, Khan and his party have waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the military.