ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Tuesday his country understood the sanctions risk involved in pursuing the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, though he said it would not take “dictation” from other states and follow its own interests.
Earlier this year in March, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu told a Congressional hearing that President Joe Biden’s administration was trying to prevent the construction of the pipeline project that was agreed between the two countries in 2009.
His statement followed Pakistan’s decision to build an 80-kilometer pipeline segment from its border with Iran to the port city of Gwadar in the first phase.
Recent media reports also indicated the government was deliberating over engaging an international law firm to seek US sanctions waiver to implement the project.
“We are not concerned with what other countries say about the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project,” Dar said during a media talk in Islamabad. “We must prioritize our own interests, honor our commitments, and make decisions based on Pakistan’s interests.”
“We won’t be dictated to, nor will we allow anyone to veto our decisions,” he continued. “Pakistan is a sovereign nation, and we expect others to respect our sovereignty just as we respect theirs. The government will make the final decision on the IP gas pipeline.”
The deputy prime minister said the Iranian president visited Pakistan with sincerity, and the government conducted meetings and dialogues with him in a cordial environment.
“This project has long-standing complications, including sanctions from other countries, but we will prioritize Pakistan’s interests when making decisions about it,” he added.
The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, known as the Peace Pipeline, has faced significant delays in the past due to several reasons that include funding challenges.
Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also said last month his country had the right to buy gas at competitive rates from neighboring countries amid its ongoing economic problems.
Pakistan acknowledges sanctions risk for Iran gas pipeline, rejects foreign ‘dictation’
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Pakistan acknowledges sanctions risk for Iran gas pipeline, rejects foreign ‘dictation’
- Ishaq Dar says Pakistan will prioritize its own interest over the issue as a sovereign state
- The pipeline project has faced delays for several reasons including funding challenges
Pakistan seeks economic integration with Central Asia amid push for investment
- Pakistan’s investment minister Abdul Aleem Khan participates in regional business forum in Tajikistan
- Pakistan aims to enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub between Central Asia and the world
Islamabad: Pakistan’s investment minister on Wednesday reaffirmed his country’s resolve to cooperate with Central Asian states in the region, state media reported, as Islamabad pushes forward an ambitious agenda to bolster trade and economic activities while grappling with a macroeconomic crisis.
Pakistan has aimed to enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting the Central Asian republics with the rest of the world, leveraging its strategic geographical position.
The South Asian country has invested in infrastructure projects like roads, railways and pipelines while seeking greater economic connectivity under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative.
“Pakistan has reaffirmed the resolve to cooperate with Central Asian countries to boost economic and trade activities in the region,” the state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
Pakistan’s Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan made these comments while addressing a regional forum titled: “Road to Tien Shan” in Tajikistan.
Khan said international trade would ensure the entire region’s development and prosperity.
“He said Pakistan’s Port Qasim and Gwadar port are available for Central Asia’s trade routes,” Radio Pakistan said
In April, Pakistan opened its trade gateway to Central Asia with first potato shipment to Tajikistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly said Islamabad does not require loans but “mutually beneficial” economic partnerships with its allies.
Islamabad Gandhara symposium, with Buddhist leaders in attendance, highlights Pakistan ancient heritage
- Ministerial-level participants from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam attend two-day symposium
- Symposium features contributions of Gandhara civilization in spread of Buddhism, discussions on inter-faith harmony
ISLAMABAD: A two-day symposium on Gandhara civilization held this week in Islamabad, attended by Buddhist leaders from several countries, put the spotlight on Pakistan’s ancient cultural roots dating back to thousands of years.
Although Pakistan does not have a significant Buddhist population, several parts of the country were historically important centers of Buddhism during the Gandhara period, from around the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE.
The Pakistani government has sought to develop religious tourism in these areas, mainly concentrated in the present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Punjab regions, and has regularly hosted Buddhist pilgrims and religious leaders in recent years.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met a Buddhist delegation visiting Islamabad to attend a two-day symposium on Gandhara civilization.
“The Prime Minister highlighted that Pakistan was proud of its ancient Buddhist heritage, which flourished in northwest Pakistan in the shape of Gandhara art and culture, over two thousand years ago,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
The delegation comprised Sri Lanka’s Minister for Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wikramanayaka, Vietnamese Buddhist leader Duc Tuan, Thailand’s Anil Sakya and Dr. Keshabman Shakya from Nepal, a statement from Sharif’s office said.
The PMO said Sharif underscored the importance his government attached to interfaith harmony, adding that the Pakistani premier acknowledged Buddhist scholars’ and monks’ valuable contributions to promoting interfaith harmony.
The delegation appreciated Sharif’s commitment to fostering “a culture of inclusivity and respect for all religions,” the PMO said. It added that the Buddhist leaders commended Pakistan’s efforts to preserve and promote its Buddhist heritage sites and cultural artifacts.
The two-day symposium and exhibition titled “From Gandhara to the World,” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, kicked off on Tuesday. The event was organized in connection with the ‘Vesak Day,’ which commemorates Gautama Buddha’s birth and enlightenment.
Islamabad-based diplomats, government functionaries, scholars, artists and art lovers attended the symposium.
Pakistan’s foreign office said foreign delegates, including ministerial-level participants from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam attended the symposium as well.
Omani consul general, Pakistani businessmen discuss diversifying exports, enhancing bilateral trade
- Omani consul general leads delegation to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Volume of trade between Oman and Pakistan needs to be enhanced, says KCCI president
ISLAMABAD: Oman’s Consul General Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari on Wednesday held discussions with Pakistani businessmen focused on diversifying exports from the South Asian country to the Gulf nation and increasing bilateral trade, a statement from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said.
Like all Gulf countries, Pakistan enjoys cordial relations rooted in shared faith, culture and history with Oman. The South Asian country also has strong defense and economic ties with Oman.
Khanjari led a delegation comprising the vice consul general of Oman’s consulate, Abdullah Jumah Al Harbi, and other Omani government officials from various ministries in a meeting with Pakistani businessmen and traders at the KCCI’s office on Wednesday.
“Oman has been importing rice from Pakistan since 1982 and we highly appreciate Pakistan for providing best quality rice,” Khanjari was quoted as saying by the KCCI.
“But we would like to see more Pakistani products including several other agricultural products, sugar, textiles, towels and other good quality products being exported to Oman,” he added.
He urged Karachi’s business community to look into exporting agricultural products to Oman such as onions, lentils, mangoes and potatoes to the Gulf country.
Khanjari urged Karachi’s business community to highlight any obstacles that hinder smooth trade with Oman so that they could be removed. He called for holding more exhibitions in the two countries so that their business communities could interact more and explore possibilities for expanding trade.
“Keeping in view the trade potential, the Omani officials expressed the interest of regularly visiting Pakistan every year so that potential products being manufactured here could be exported to Oman,” the KCCI said.
KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh noted that Pakistan’s exports to Oman totaled around $166 million during the first nine months of the current financial year while last year, Pakistan exported $193 million worth of goods to the Gulf country.
“Despite brotherly relationships and immense bilateral trade potential, the volume of trade is low which needs to be enhanced to a reasonable level,” Sheikh said.
He said both countries need to reduce trade barriers, diversify their range of products, simplify customs procedures, promote small and medium enterprises, and foster business collaboration to give a much-needed trade boost for “economic integration.”
The KCCI president noted how the oil and gas sector was the driving force of Oman’s economy while Pakistan faces significant energy sector challenges that impact its economy adversely.
“Importing LNG & petroleum products from Oman at discounted rates or through deferred payments, via government-to-government arrangement, could assist Pakistan in resolving its energy and industrial needs & help in reviving economic growth,” Sheikh said.
Pakistan appoints Dubai-based climber Naila Kiani goodwill ambassador for girls education
- Kiani is the first Pakistani woman climber to summit 11 of 14 highest peaks in the world
- As ambassador, she will raise awareness, support government initiatives for girls education
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s education ministry has appointed prominent mountaineer Naila Kiani as its goodwill ambassador for girls education in the country, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Wednesday.
Dubai-based Kiani is the first Pakistani woman and the third climber from the country to summit 11 of the 14 highest peaks in the world. She is also the first Pakistani woman to summit Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I (G-I), Gasherbrum II (G-II), Lhotse, Manaslu, Broad Peak, Annapurna, Makalu, and Cho Oyu mountains.
Pakistan’s government awarded Kiani the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, the highest civilian honor in the country, earlier this year for her notable achievements. It makes Kiani the only Pakistani woman to have received the award so far.
“I am honored to be appointed as the National Goodwill Ambassador for Girls Education,” Kiani was quoted as saying by the APP.
“Education is the only route to women’s empowerment and success for our country. I am committed to using my platform to support and advocate for educational initiatives that ensure every girl in Pakistan has access to quality education,” she added.
As an ambassador, Kiani will work tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of girls education, APP said. It said Kiani would also support and promote initiatives by the federal and provincial governments aimed at improving educational opportunities for girls.
Earlier this month, she became the first Pakistani woman to summit Mount Makalu in Nepal. The imposing mountain is the fifth-highest one in the world. It stands 8,485 meters (27,838 feet) high.
‘Missing’ poet in police custody, Pakistan attorney general says in case spotlighting enforced disappearances
- Ahmed Shah Farhad went “missing” from Islamabad residence on May 14 following social media posts critical of army
- His family has accused ISI spy agency of being behind his kidnapping, army says it does not suppress critical voices
ISLAMABAD: A Kashmiri poet and journalist who was reported “missing” by his wife earlier this month is in the custody of police in the Azad Kashmir region, Attorney-General Mansoor Usman Awan told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday.
Ahmed Shah Farhad went missing from his Islamabad residence on May 14, prompting his wife to accuse Pakistan’s top spy agency, the military-backed Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), of abducting him and filing a petition with the IHC for her husband to be recovered.
The army has not commented on the development, but it has repeatedly said in the past it does not suppress critical voices. Before his abduction, Farhad had criticized Pakistan’s powerful military in social media posts regarding unprecedented protests held in Azad Kashmir earlier this month.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Munawar Iqbal Duggal and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar appeared before the court to present the state’s case.
“AGP Awan informed the court that Shah was in police custody and presented the police report to the court,” the English-language newspaper Dawn reported on comments that were widely reported in Pakistani media.
Farhad’s case has once more put a spotlight on enforced disappearances in Pakistan in which families say people picked up by security forces often disappear for years, and are sometimes found dead, with no official explanation. Pakistani security agencies deny involvement in such disappearances.
A complaint filed by the police at the Dhirkot Police Station in Azad Kashmir and seen by Arab News said Farhad was arrested by police on Wednesday morning as he tried to leave for his ancestral village in Kashmir from Islamabad.
The complaint said police stopped Farhad’s car at 07:00 a.m. near Kohala bridge in Azad Kashmir to ask for identification following which he misbehaved with police officers and abused them. Farhad was subsequently arrested for interfering in the government’s affairs under section 186 of the Pakistan Penal Code, the complaint said, a provision in law that deals with intentionally hampering, misleading, jeopardizing or defeating an investigation, inquiry or prosecution.
Rights organizations have frequently accused Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies of illegally detaining and torturing dissenters without any explanation or following due process of law. The military and intelligence agencies deny involvement in such acts.
