ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exchanged Eid greetings and discussed boosting economic and trade relations in phone calls with leaders of Gulf countries and Malaysia on Wednesday, inviting their leaders to visit Pakistan to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Pakistan’s engagement with most of these countries has remained pivotal in recent years, with successive governments in Islamabad aiming to deepen diplomatic and strategic ties while pursuing enhanced trade relationships with them to mitigate its prolonged economic crisis.
Facing financial challenges, Pakistan is actively seeking to get investment from these nations while also trying to secure external financial assistance from global entities like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Speaking to United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the prime minister lauded the strong bonds and close cultural, religious and historical affiliation between the two countries.
“While expressing his gratitude for the warmth extended by the leadership of the UAE upon his assumption of office, the Prime Minister underscored that his government’s highest priority would be to transform the traditionally fraternal ties with the UAE into a mutually beneficial economic partnership between the two brotherly states,” said a statement released by the PM Office after the phone call.
The UAE leader also reiterated his country’s support to Pakistan and reaffirmed the shared desire of both sides to further strengthen these fraternal ties meaningfully.
Sharif also spoke with Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, expressing satisfaction at the fraternal ties with the two countries.
He highlighted the need to enhance bilateral trade and investment and urged the two countries to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Sharif highlighted the historically cordial ties between Pakistan and Kuwait after receiving a phone call from Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to further strengthen the bilateral relationship with a view to securing mutual benefit for the peoples of both countries.
He emphasized the need to enhance economic and trade ties between Pakistan and Kuwait and assured the Kuwaiti side that the successful and timely implementation of the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed by the two sides last year would be ensured.
The prime minister also invited a trade delegation from Malaysia during a conversation with his counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, and asked him to undertake an official visit to Islamabad later this year.
Sharif informed Ibrahim the writings of Pakistan’s national poet, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, were being “translated into Malaysian language and the translated works may be launched by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his visit.”
Among other important issues, the leaders of the Muslim countries also discussed Israel’s war in Gaza and efforts to promote peace in Palestine.
Pakistan PM seeks to boost economic ties with Gulf nations, Malaysia in Eid diplomacy push
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Pakistan PM seeks to boost economic ties with Gulf nations, Malaysia in Eid diplomacy push
- Shehbaz Sharif emphasizes deeper trade ties in phone calls with leaders of UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Malaysia
- Leaders of the Muslim countries also discuss Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and efforts to promote peace in Palestine
Pakistan accuses India of manipulating Chenab flows, seeks clarification under Indus Waters Treaty
- Foreign office spokesperson says sudden variations in river flows threaten agriculture, food security and livelihoods downstream
- He also condemns a hijab-removal incident in India, calling it part of a broader pattern of religious intolerance and Islamophobia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday it had observed abrupt variations in the flow of the River Chenab during the ongoing month, accusing India of manipulating river flows at a critical point in the agricultural cycle and saying it had written to New Delhi seeking clarification.
Local media reported quoted Pakistani officials as saying India released about 58,000 cusecs of water at Head Marala on Dec. 7–8 before sharply reducing flows to roughly 870–1,000 cusecs through Dec. 17, far below the 10-year historical average of 4,000–10,000 cusecs for this period.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi told a weekly media briefing in Islamabad India had failed to share prior information or operational data on the Chenab flows, a practice he said New Delhi had previously followed under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. New Delhi said earlier this year it had put the treaty “in abeyance” following a gun attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that it blamed on Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denied, calling instead for an impartial and transparent international investigation.
Pakistan also described India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty as a violation of international law and an “act of war.”
“Pakistan would like to reiterate that the Indus Waters Treaty is a binding international agreement, which has been an instrument of peace and security and stability in the region,” Andrabi said. “Its breach or violation, on one hand, threatens the inviolability of international treaties in compliance with international law, and on the other hand, it poses serious threats to regional peace, principles of good neighborliness, and norms governing interstate relations.”
Andrabi said Pakistan viewed the sudden variations in the Chenab’s flow with “extreme concern and seriousness,” saying the country’s Indus Waters Commissioner had written to his Indian counterpart seeking clarification in line with procedures outlined in the treaty.
“Any manipulation of river flow by India, especially at a critical time of our agricultural cycle, directly threatens the lives and livelihoods, as well as food and economic security of our citizens,” he continued. “We call upon India to respond to the queries raised by Pakistan.”
He said Pakistan had fulfilled its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty and urged the international community to take note of India’s “continued disregard” of a bilateral treaty and to counsel New Delhi to act responsibly under international law.
Andrabi maintained Pakistan remained committed to peaceful resolution of disputes with India but would not compromise on its water rights.
In the same briefing, he also condemned an incident in which the chief minister of the Indian state of Bihar was seen in a video forcibly removing the hijab of a Muslim woman during a public interaction, followed by remarks by a minister in Uttar Pradesh who mocked the episode, saying it reflected a broader pattern of religious intolerance and Islamophobia and warranted strong condemnation.
