Russia says at 'advanced stage' of negotiations to build long-delayed gas pipeline in Pakistan

Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, left, addresses a media briefing with his Russian counterpart Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov in Moscow on January 30, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan's foreign ministry)
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Updated 30 January 2023

Russia says at 'advanced stage' of negotiations to build long-delayed gas pipeline in Pakistan

  • Moscow and Islamabad agreed in 2015 to build a 1,100-kilometer pipeline to deliver LNG inside Pakistan
  • Both countries have "conceptually agreed" that Russia would provide cheap crude oil to Pakistan from March

ISLAMABAD: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov said on Monday Islamabad and Moscow were in the "advanced stage" of negotiations to build the long-delayed Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline (PSGP), which is to be set up in Pakistan in collaboration with Russian companies.

The two sides agreed in 2015 to build the 1,100-kilometer pipeline to deliver imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Karachi on the Arabian Sea coast to power plants in the northeastern province of Punjab.

“We are currently in the advance stages of work on the agreement on PSGP and I am sure that in the near future, we will see more progress,” Lavrov told reporters at a joint media briefing with Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is in Moscow for delegation-level talks.

Bhutto Zardari's visit comes weeks after Pakistan and Russia announced they would try to finalize by March a deal for Moscow to sell discounted oil products to the cash-strapped South Asian nation.

A Russian delegation was in Pakistan earlier this month to attend the 8th Pakistan-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) meetings, during which multiple memoranda of understanding were signed and it was "conceptually agreed" that Russia would provide cheap crude oil to Pakistan as it struggles to meet its energy needs amid a severe foreign exchange crisis. Russia also said this month it would allow Pakistan to pay for the energy imports in currencies of friendly countries.

Historically Pakistan has had no major commercial relations with Moscow, unlike neighbouring India, and as a traditional US ally, it had also been hesitant to do trade or any business with Moscow in the past.

It currently depends on oil from Gulf countries, which often extend facilities such as deferred payments and can supply with lower transport costs, given Pakistan's relative proximity.

The G7 economies, the European Union and Australia agreed to a $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian seaborne crude oil effective from Dec. 5 over Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine. And last week, the US State Department said the cap would allow "energy markets to continue to be resourced while depriving Moscow of the revenue it would need to continue to propagate and fuel its brutal war against Ukraine.”

“The United States and its allies will make obstacles but our friends from Pakistan have mentioned that they are first of all guided by their legitimate national interest of developing their economy and helping their people by providing all the necessities including the energy,” Lavrov told media, appreciating Pakistan for its "impartial and balanced position" on the Ukrainian conflict.

“I have shared my views [with Bhutto Zardari] on the situation related to the consequences of the western activities to use Ukraine to launch a hybrid war against the Russian Federation,” he added.

Bhutto Zardari said the Pakistan government was committed to fulfilling the energy and other needs of its people at all costs.

“We had detained discussions on this [energy cooperation] and are expecting positive progress on our discussion on energy cooperation,” the Pakistani FM said. “As far as other countries are concerned, I expect them not to interfere in the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia.”
 
On the issue of the war in Ukraine, Bhutto Zardari hoped "dialogue and diplomacy" would prevail over "polarization and conflict."

“We have a firm belief that all conflicts can be resolved peacefully and there are no obstacles which diplomacy cannot surmount, and the Ukraine conflict is no exception,” he said, adding that developing countries like Pakistan were facing the negative consequences, especially economic, of the conflict.

“Pakistan sees itself as a bridge builder and we want to see cooperation regionally and internationally even between the great powers,” he said. “We value our relationship with Russia and equally value our relationship with the United States and Europe.”

“We intend to intensify cooperation with Russia in the areas of trade, economy, security counter-terrorism, defense," Bhutto Zardari said, "as well as cultural, educational, and people-to-people ties."


President Alvi writes to PM Sharif, expresses concern over ‘glaring violation’ of fundamental rights

Updated 19 sec ago

President Alvi writes to PM Sharif, expresses concern over ‘glaring violation’ of fundamental rights

  • The president says ‘frivolous cases’ against politicians and journalists are tarnishing Pakistan’s image internationally
  • He also describes the election commission’s decision to postpone Punjab polls as ‘flagrant violation’ of constitution

ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, expressing concern over the recent political development in the country while mentioning “glaring violation” of fundamental rights of opposition activists and media personnel to stifle dissenting voices in Pakistan.
Alvi’s letter comes at a time when the government has registered a slew of cases against former prime minister Imran Khan and leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in recent months. Khan has also criticized the police and other law enforcing agencies for abducting and torturing his party supporters and charging them terrorism and sedition.
The president, a close Khan ally, quoted various constitutional provisions related to freedom of speech, dignity of citizens and right to fair trial in his letter, adding their spirit and mandate had been “clearly transgressed.”
“Events have taken place in the recent past highlighted by the print, electronic and social media about glaring violations of Fundamental and Human Rights that need to be brought to your notice to ensure remedial measures and preventive action,” he said.
“Multiple fake and frivolous cases have been registered against politicians, workers, journalists and media persons,” he added. “Houses of political workers have been raided and citizens abducted without warrants and lawful justification.”
The president said such incidents had tarnished the image of the country and had serious repercussions for the future of democracy and state of human rights in Pakistan.
He also mentioned the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to postpone the elections in Punjab from April 30 to October 8 in a recent proclamation while describing it as “flagrant violation of the Constitution … by the executive authorities and government departments.”
The president said Article 220 of the constitution required state institutions to help the election commission hold free and fairs polls, though the relevant departments were ostensibly failing to extend such cooperation.
He also blamed the prime minister for not holding any meaningful consultation with him over policy issues.
“The Prime Minister, being head of Government, is responsible for the safeguard of Human Rights as well as Fundamental Rights of every citizen of Pakistan as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.
The president added: “It is further emphasized that all concerned executive authorities of Federal and Provincial Governments should be directed to refrain from abuse of Human Rights and also to assist the [Election Commission of Pakistan] to hold general elections in provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, within the timeframe in compliance of Supreme Court’s Order dated 1st March, 2023, to avoid further complications including Contempt of Court.”


Pakistan presents prestigious gallantry award to Saudi defense attaché

Updated 19 min 9 sec ago

Pakistan presents prestigious gallantry award to Saudi defense attaché

  • Major General Awad Bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani was given Hilal-e-Imtiaz for strengthening security ties between the two countries
  • Commander of Bahrain National Guards Shaikh Mohammed Bin Salman Al-Khalifa also received Nishan-i-Imtiaz from the president

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government has given the second highest civilian award to Major General Awad Bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani, the Saudi defense attaché in the country, to acknowledge his services in promoting and strengthening security ties between the two countries.

The Hilal-e-Imtiaz or Crescent of Excellence is bestowed upon both civilian and military officials, and is open to Pakistani nationals and foreign citizens who have made significant contributions to the country’s security or national interests, world peace, cultural or other public endeavors.

The award is given to prominent individuals on Pakistan Day, celebrated annually on March 23 to commemorate the adoption of the Lahore Resolution in 1940, which called for the creation of an independent sovereign state for the Muslims of the Subcontinent.

“Heartiest felicitations to Maj Gen (Pilot) Staff Awad Bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani, the Defense Attache of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on being awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) by the President of Pakistan,” Senator Sehar Kamran, a former Pakistani parliamentarian, wrote in a Twitter post.

Al-Zahrani also received the award for his personal efforts in facilitating the early supply of relief goods during the unprecedented floods in Pakistan last year, which claimed 1,700 lives and affected over 33 million people.

In addition to the Saudi official, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the commander of Bahrain National Guards, was also awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz or Order of Excellence award.

During Thursday’s ceremony, President Dr. Arif Alvi presented awards to 135 citizens and foreign nationals in recognition of their contributions to their respective fields.

Among the recipients were 49 officers and soldiers of Pakistan’s army, navy, and air force, including the families of four martyred troops.
 


For Tasha Jessen, the long journey from Pakistan to ‘The Voice’

Updated 24 March 2023

For Tasha Jessen, the long journey from Pakistan to ‘The Voice’

  • Jessen this month became the first Pakistani to be chosen to compete on the super hit American singing show
  • Hailing from Faisalabad, Jessen moved from Pakistan with her family at the age of 12, currently lives in the US

KARACHI: Tasha Jessen this month became the first singer from Pakistan to be chosen to compete in the American singing competition ‘The Voice’ after her successful debut at the ‘Blind Auditions’ stage of the contest. 

Jessen, originally named Sitaaish Ayub, grew up in Pakistan’s Faisalabad city where she described herself as the only Christian girl in her all-Muslim class. According to widely published media reports, Jessen left Pakistan with her family when she was 12 to escape religious persecution and immigrated to Thailand and onwards to Ontario, Canada. The 21-year-old finally moved to the US a few years ago where she currently lives with her husband, also a singer and guitarist, in Colorado Springs. Her family is still based in Canada. 

Jessen’s performance of Leon Bridges’ ‘River’ at the Blind Auditions of Season 23 of The Voice moved the judges, including Chance the Rapper, country superstar Blake Shelton and former One Direction member Niall Horan, who all turned their chairs during her soulful rendition. 

Jessen will next appear during battle rounds, which begin March 27. The show airs at 7pm Mondays and 8pm Tuesdays on NBC. 

“I was the first Pakistani to ever go on that stage and that was a big thing on its own, and that was a really proud moment for me, for my country,” Jessen told Arab News in a Zoom interview from Colorado Springs on Thursday. 

“I really hope that everybody watching at home and everybody in Pakistan is really proud as well because it’s a big deal for all of us.” 

 

Recalling her journey to The Voice, Jessen said she searched online on how to audition for the show and then did a virtual audition after which she heard back "pretty quickly." 

“All of a sudden, I was in LA” she said. “I was standing on stage and I was shaky because I couldn’t believe I was standing there with all these big celebrities talking to me. It was a really fast journey. Like, I blinked and it happened. It took me months and months to prepare and get ready and now it is all done.” 

“Your voice is hard to define,” Blake Shelton, who Jessen chose as her coach on The Voice, said after her audition. “Which is the best thing you could have going for you … Tasha looks like a star. Nobody else sounds like Tasha, and she’s on Team Blake.” 

Growing up, music was always “the most important part of life” for Jessen. Most of the members of her immediate family are recording artists and musicians and she recalled nights throughout her childhood spent singing with her mother and siblings while her father played the harmonium. She also participated in almost every competition at the Beaconhouse International School System in Faisalabad where she used to study when she lived in Pakistan. 

Jessen dropped out after high school and never went to college, which she said really disappointed her mother who wanted her to pursue medicine. 

“I did a lot of gigs and did a lot of worship [groups] in church and stuff like that,” Jessen said, speaking about her journey after dropping out of school. “And so, it’s always just been music and sports, to be honest.” 

Jessen put music on hold when she moved to the US in September 2021 to spend time with her husband and try to find a job, which she did, as a showings agent for a property management company. 

But seeing The Voice was a “wake-up call,” she said, and propelled her back into the world of music. 

Today, Jessen says she has overcome all her fears: “Being a woman and then a Pakistani woman and then having a completely different faith [Christian] as well.” 

“I just had to be where the music was, it’s all that carried me through,” she said. 

And indeed, music did get her through it all: 

“When I actually made it onto the stage [of The Voice], it was just this picture of, okay, if I can do it, if a little brown Pakistani girl can do it, then anybody can do it.” 

Looking forward, Jessen said she was writing songs with her husband and hoped to release an album and go on tour one day. 

“The goal is to someday … spread the same love that we have for music with everybody else, share a bit of our story with everybody else,” Jessen said. “That’s the ultimate goal.” 


Pakistani defense minister rules out martial law, says ‘no room’ for army to abrogate constitution

Updated 51 min 28 sec ago

Pakistani defense minister rules out martial law, says ‘no room’ for army to abrogate constitution

  • Pakistan has been ruled by all-powerful military for nearly half of its 75-year history
  • Khawaja Asif’s statement comes amid rising political instability and economic turmoil

ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Friday ruled out the possibility of a military intervention in Pakistan amid growing political instability, saying there was “no room”for the army to abrogate the constitution by carrying out a coup against a civilian government.

The South Asian country has been ruled by the military for nearly half of its 75-year history and even when the army is not directly in power, it retains an outsized role in political affairs and national security. The last time the military toppled a Pakistani government was in 1999, launching an era of direct and indirect army rule that ended in 2008. Incidentally, the civilian government that was overthrown in 1999 was headed by Nawaz Sharif, who is the elder brother of the current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Since then, three general elections have seen three different parties make the government at the center and despite widespread speculation, the military has not directly taken over, even in moments of intense political crisis.

But over the past year, Pakistan has been in the grips of unending political uncertainty, mainly triggered by the ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan last April, who has since been holding rallies and marches against the PM Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government to demand snap national polls. Khan, who is embroiled in a string of court cases, has been avoiding arrest, which has led to violent clashes between Khan’s supporters and police who have tried to take him into custody in recent weeks.

The situation has given rise to fears of another military intervention, which Asif ruled out in a briefing with foreign correspondents on Friday.

“If you look at the history of four army interventions we’ve had over the last 75 years, those interventions were personally motivated,” Asif said in Islamabad, adding that the situation in those years — 1958, 1969, 1977, and 1999 — never "warranted any intervention."

“There is no link between violence, civil unrest, and the Pakistani army taking over in our history. So speculating that there will be chaos and civil unrest and the army will take over, citing the example of past takeovers [is unfounded] because past takeovers were based on personal ambitions and not for any particular situation of law and order in Pakistan.”

The minister said there were no constitutional provisions in Pakistan that allowed the army to take over and impose martial law.

“If there is civil unrest, then the civilian governments are responsible under the constitution and they will tackle the [situation], and in that process, if they have to call the army in aid of civil power, it is in the constitution but taking over the country is abrogating the constitution and there is no room for that,” the defence minister said.

Asked if he was suggesting the current military leadership had no "personal agenda," Asif said:

“Absolutely, the current military leadership has no personal agenda. Their only agenda is to defend Pakistan, internally and externally.”

The minister said that the government was willing to talk to Khan “for the sake of peace in our country” and to reach some sort of consensus on major issues. But the government wanted a “comprehensive” rather than a "transactional dialogue," he added.

Speaking about elections in Pakistan, including a national election and general elections in Punjab whose legislative assembly was dissolved in January, Asif said polls would be held simultaneously in October as per the schedule. 

Earlier this week, the political crisis in Pakistan deepened as the election regulator announced the postponement of polls in Punjab province from April 30 to October 8.

The decision was made by the Election Commission of Pakistan, Asif said, as the body is empowered to make such decisions, adding that the federal government had only put forward suggestions to delay the polls due to security and financial reasons.

Pakistan has seen a rise in militant attacks in recent months and is also in the middle of a full-blown economic meltdown, which it is trying to avert by signing a loan deal with the IMF.


Pakistanis among nine migrants found hiding in truck in Serbia 

Updated 24 March 2023

Pakistanis among nine migrants found hiding in truck in Serbia 

  • Serbia lies at the heart of Balkan route that refugees, migrants use to reach Western Europe 
  • Migrants often go from Turkiye to Greece or Bulgaria, then to North Macedonia and Serbia 

BELGRADE: Serbia’s customs authorities said Friday they discovered nine migrants hiding among aluminum rolls in a truck headed to Poland from Greece. 

Customs officers on Serbia’s border with North Macedonia spotted the migrants on Wednesday during a scan that showed human silhouettes in the back of the truck, a statement said. 

The migrants were young men from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria, the statement added. 

Serbia lies at the heart of the so-called Balkan land route that refugees and migrants use to try to reach Western Europe and start new lives there. 

Migrants go from Turkiye to Greece or Bulgaria, then to North Macedonia and Serbia. From Serbia they move on toward European Union member states Hungary, Croatia or Romania, or they go to Bosnia first and then on to Croatia. 

Thousands of people fleeing violence or poverty pass through the Balkan region every year. They often face dangers in the hands of people-smugglers who help them cross borders undetected.