ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday stressed the need to improve Pakistan’s relations with neighboring countries, including India and Afghanistan, to pursue more effective diplomacy on the world stage and raise the country’s international status.
The ex-premier’s statement comes amid Pakistan’s frosty bilateral relations with the neighboring states, particularly India and Afghanistan, over a spectrum of issues, including a protracted territorial dispute and cross-border militancy.
Pakistan severed diplomatic and economic ties with India in August 2019 after New Delhi stripped the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status. Its relationship with Kabul is also at the lowest ebb following a surge in suicide attacks in Pakistan which have been blamed on a militant network, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose leadership is believed to be operating from Afghanistan. These mounting tensions between the two neighbors have also led to the deportation of Afghan nationals from the country due to security reason.
In his past tenures as the prime minister, Sharif tried to improve Pakistan’s relations with its arch-rival and nuclear-armed neighbor, India, for which he also faced criticism from his political opponents. His recent statement is viewed as significant since he is widely believed to be seeking the position of prime minister in the wake of the next general elections slated for February 8.
“How is it possible to achieve global status if your neighbors are upset with you, or you with them,” he questioned while addressing the party’s parliamentary board meeting in Lahore.
“We have to mend our relations with India and Afghanistan,” he continued. “Strengthen them further with Iran and China.”
Sharif said the government should not just focus on economic obligations but display its performance in every sector.
He maintained the country had done quite well during his past tenures in all the fields, including defense and foreign affairs.
Referring to his decision in May 1998 to test nuclear weapons in response to India, he said his administration had bolstered the country’s security.
Sharif recalled that two Indian prime ministers, Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 and Narendra Modi in 2015, had visited Pakistan during his past tenures.
“Did anyone visit before them,” he asked.
The ex-premier returned to Pakistan from London in October after ending a self-imposed exile of about four years to contest the upcoming polls. He will spearhead his party’s election campaign and contend for the top political office in Pakistan for the fourth time.
Ex-PM Sharif advocates improved relations with India, Afghanistan to boost Pakistan’s global standing
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Ex-PM Sharif advocates improved relations with India, Afghanistan to boost Pakistan’s global standing
- Nawaz Sharif faced criticism by his political rivals for trying to improve bilateral ties with India in previous tenures
- His statement is viewed as significant since he is believed to be a strong candidate for the PM’s post after Feb. 8 polls
Pakistani Catholics hold vigils, praise Pope Francis for raising voice for Gaza
- Pontiff had reiterated call for Gaza ceasefire during last public appearance on Easter Sunday
- Pope remembered as revered advocate for peace, interfaith dialogue, and rights of the poor
LAHORE: Catholics in Pakistan have been holding prayers and vigils for Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church who died on Monday, remembering him as an advocate for peace and praising him for speaking up for the “oppressed” in Gaza.
The pope was 88 and had suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia this year, but his death came as a shock after he had been driven around St. Peter’s Square in an open-air popemobile to greet cheering crowds on Easter Sunday.
In the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, a small number of Catholics in the Muslim-majority country held prayers and a candlelight vigil for Pope Francis at the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection.
Church leaders and worshippers described the pope as a revered advocate for peace, interfaith dialogue, and the rights of the poor. The pontiff had reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during his brief appearance before thousands of Catholic pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Vatican’s open-air Easter Sunday mass.
“Pope Francis was a personality who spoke above all for humanity. All his services conveyed a message of peace and harmony. Even his last words, which we can call his final will, were a prayer to God for peace,” priest Irfan Fiaz, 34, said.
“Pope Francis always prayed for the people, for our country, and constantly carried the message of brotherhood, peace, and security. And this message was not just limited to words, he practiced what he preached. There was harmony between his words and actions.”
Syed Mehmood, 50, chairman of a local peace committee, appreciated the pope for speaking up for the rights of Muslims and the “oppressed in Palestine and Gaza.”
“Wherever there was oppression against humanity, whenever there was injustice, the voice of Pope Francis was the first and the loudest to be heard, and his strong voice made a real impact,” Mehmood told AFP.
OIC urges member states to implement science, technology agenda during Islamabad moot
- COMSTECH is holding three-day summit to discuss agenda to promote science and technology among member states
- Representatives from 15 OIC institutions, including those from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Türkiye, Bangladesh participate
Islamabad: An Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) official on Tuesday urged member states to intensify their efforts in implementing the OIC’s Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Agenda 2026 to ensure sustainable development.
The Ministerial Standing Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) is organizing the sixth meeting of the OIC steering committee for the implementation of the organization’s Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Agenda 2026 from Apr. 22-24 in Islamabad.
The OIC’s STI Agenda 2026, launched at the First OIC Summit on Science and Technology in Astana, Kazakhstan in 2017, is a strategic framework to advance science and technology by fostering collaboration, promoting sustainable development and enhancing the scientific capabilities of member states.
“I stress the utter importance of intensifying our efforts in implementing the OIC STI Agenda 2026 until it expires,” Ambassador Aftab Ahmed Khokhar, the OIC’s assistant secretary general for science and technology, said in his address during the meeting’s inaugural session.
This high-level meeting is being attended by the heads and representatives of 15 OIC institutions from Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Jordan, Uganda, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Pakistan.
The STI agenda’s progress is reviewed through regular meetings of the OIC Steering Committee. These meetings assess achievements, identify challenges and set future directions for the agenda’s implementation.
Khokhar highlighted the urgency of reviewing the STI Agenda, addressing associated challenges and outlining a way forward to ensure impactful outcomes.
“The OIC STI agenda, which is expiring in 2026, may be extended for another 10 years from 2027 to 2037, splitting into several shorter time frames with measurable and realistic actions to be executed,” he said.
COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary said that with a population of 2 billion people across 57 countries, the OIC is focused on equipping its youth with science and technology to drive socioeconomic change.
“The OIC STI Agenda 2026 focuses on 12 priorities including ensuring quality education for all, enhancing youth employability through skills and training, and securing access to food, water, and energy as essential foundations for sustainable development,” Choudhary told Arab News.
He said it was very important to understand climate change and its impact on human life, highlighting it as one of the key areas where member states were working together under the STI agenda.
The COMSTECH official said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia could lead the Muslim world in this field. He noted that in recent years, the Kingdom under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership, has achieved major milestones in science and technology-driven socio-economic development.
“I think Pakistan and Saudi Arabia can work together not only for bilateral benefit and cooperation but also to benefit other countries in the Muslim world,” Chaudhary explained.
He said Saudi Arabia had a leader’s role to play in developing an economically inclusive Muslim world through the use of science, technology and industry.
Pakistan, Russia resolve to strengthen cooperation amid surging ‘terrorism’ in Afghanistan
- Pakistan, Russia joint working group to counter international “terrorism” meets in Moscow
- Discussions revolved around growing need for adaptive strategies, says Pakistan foreign ministry
ISLAMABAD: Senior officials from Pakistan and Russia on Tuesday agreed to strengthen cooperation in the face of evolving “terrorism” in Afghanistan and the region, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan and Russia have both struggled with threats from armed militant groups. Islamabad complains about increasing “cross-border” attacks by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that it says originate from Afghanistan, allegations denied by Kabul.
Russia also faces threats from Daesh militants. On Mar. 22, 2024, a deadly attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow killed over 140 people and injured several. The attack, claimed by Daesh militants, was one of the deadliest in Russia in recent years.
Both sides discussed counter-terror strategies during the 11th meeting of the Pakistan-Russia Joint Working Group to Counter International Terrorism in Moscow on Tuesday. Pakistan’s delegation was led by Special Secretary (United Nations) Nabeel Munir, while the Russian side was led by Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Vershinin, for talks that will go on till Wednesday.
“The two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on the global and regional terrorism landscape, with particular attention to the evolving threat posed by terrorism in Afghanistan and the region,” Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry said.
“The discussions focused around the increasingly transnational nature of terrorism and the growing need for adaptive and cooperative strategies.”
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their resolve to strengthen cooperation amid shared challenges posed by militants. The two delegations also recognized that collective efforts remain essential to maintaining regional and global stability, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
Both sides decided to hold the working group’s next meeting in 2026.
Pakistan and Russia held the last meeting of the working group on Nov. 16, 2023, during which Moscow and Islamabad discussed national strategies and measures in combating “terrorism.”
The platform provides both sides an opportunity to share their experiences and best practices in battling militancy.
Pakistan praises Islamic Development Bank’s anti-polio efforts, with $587 million disbursed since 2013
- PM’s focal person for polio eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, meets IsDB delegation in Islamabad
- IsDB is one of largest financiers of Pakistan’s anti-polio program, announced $587 million loan in 2023
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani prime minister’s aide on polio eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, on Tuesday acknowledged the Islamic Development Bank’s (IsDB) financial and strategic contributions to sustain its anti-polio program in the country.
The IsDB has contributed over $587 million to eradicate poliovirus from Pakistan since 2013, making it one of the largest financiers of the country’s anti-polio program. It announced a loan of $100 million in December 2023 to support Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.
Farooq met a high-level delegation of the IsDB’s Regional Hub in Turkiye at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme said.
“The Islamic Development Bank has been a pillar of strength for the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, especially during its most challenging phases,” Farooq was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s anti-polio program.
“Your financial and strategic contributions have been instrumental in sustaining the program and ensuring that vaccination campaigns reach the most vulnerable children across the country.”
Pakistan is only one of two countries worldwide where polio remains endemic. The Pakistani government launched a seven-day nationwide campaign on Monday to vaccinate over 45 million children against the disease.
Dr. Walid Mohamad Abdelwahab, director of the IsDB’s regional hub in Turkiye, reaffirmed the institution’s support for Pakistan in achieving a polio-free future, the statement said. He commended Pakistan for its efforts and collaboration in the fight against polio, it added.
The delegation briefly visited the NEOC control room following the meeting, where they were informed about the national reach of the campaign. The IsDB delegation was told the campaign would cover over 45.4 million children through the efforts of more than 400,000 frontline health workers via door-to-door vaccinations.
“IsDB commended the Government of Pakistan’s relentless efforts and reaffirmed its support in reaching the last mile of polio eradication,” Pakistan’s anti-polio program said.
In 2024, Pakistan reported an alarming 74 polio cases. The country’s polio program, launched in 1994, has faced persistent challenges including vaccine misinformation and resistance from some religious hard-liners, who claim immunization is a foreign conspiracy to sterilize Muslim children or a guise for Western espionage.
Militant groups have also repeatedly targeted and killed polio vaccination workers during nationwide drives.
Pakistan looks to boost US imports, remove non-tariff barriers to escape Trump measures
- Pakistan’s government mulling options which range from importing crude oil from the US to abolishing tariffs on American imports
- Islamabad is trying to appease the US to seek reprieve from the 29 percent reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump last month
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told Bloomberg this week Pakistan is looking to buy more goods from the US and remove non-tariffs barriers to escape President Donald Trump’s high tariffs.
Pakistan’s government is mulling options, which range from importing crude oil from the US to abolishing tariffs on American imports, as Islamabad attempts to offset a trade imbalance that has triggered higher tariffs from Washington.
“It’s a bigger canvas that we are looking at in terms of engaging the US,” Aurangzeb said in an interview with Bloomberg News on Monday ahead of the IMF-World Bank spring meetings in Washington. “We will constructively engage, and we will have a formal delegation coming in.”
Pakistan is looking to buy more cotton and soybean from the US, the finance chief said, adding that it is also in talks to tear down non-trade barriers to open its markets to more US products.
“We can also look at if there are any issues with respect to non-tariff discussion, whether there are any onerous inspections at our end for US products, we can obviously view that.”
Islamabad is trying to appease the US to seek reprieve from the 29 percent reciprocal tariffs imposed by Trump. While those levies are on hold until July, Pakistan has said it will send a trade delegation to Washington in the coming months to bridge the trade gap.
The US is Pakistan’s largest export market with over $5 billion in annual exports as of 2024, while Pakistan’s imports from the US are about $2.1 billion.
The finance minister said the country is also open to foreign direct investments from US firms in its recently opened minerals and mining sectors.
Aurangzeb, a close aide of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is in the US for a nearly week-long trip to participate in the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The former JPMorgan Chase & Co. banker said that the crisis-ridden nation will tap the international capital markets to secure more funds for a sustainable growth.
“What we are looking for is how we get away from a boom-and-bust cycle which Pakistan has gone through and get on to a sustainable growth path,” he told Bloomberg.
Pakistan is preparing to debut its first-ever Panda bond in the range of $200 million to $250 million that will likely take place in the fourth quarter of this year, the minister added.
Authorities are trying to rebuild Pakistan’s tattered economy after it came close to a default in 2023. Last month, the South Asian nation won an initial nod for a $2.3 billion IMF loan that will give it funding visibility until 2027.
Last week, Fitch upgraded Pakistan’s credit rating, citing confidence that the South Asian country will be able to sustain reforms under the IMF loan program.
