ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army on Tuesday conducted a successful training launch of its surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-II, the military’s media wing said, explaining that the exercise was aimed at training troops and evaluating the performance of sub-systems incorporated to ensure improved accuracy of its missiles.
Pakistan sees its missile development as a deterrent against nuclear-armed neighbor India, with which it has fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947. Both nations have been developing missiles of varying ranges since they conducted nuclear tests in May 1998. In December 2023, the Pakistan Army successfully conducted the flight test of the Fatah-II missile, which has a range of 400 kilometers.
As Pakistan and India continue to test missiles and build their weapons armor, analysts warn Asia may be sliding into an accelerating arms race.
“Pakistan today conducted successful training launch of surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-II,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. “The training launch was aimed at training of troops, validating various technical parameters and performance evaluation of different sub-systems incorporated for improved accuracy and enhanced survivability.”
The military’s media wing said the launch was witnessed by senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, Army Strategic Forces Command, scientists and engineers of strategic organizations.
It said that the director general of the Strategic Plans Division appreciated the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of scientists who contributed toward the “landmark achievement.”
“The President, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Services Chiefs congratulated the scientists and engineers on this achievement,” the ISPR concluded.
Pakistan conducts successful training launch of surface-to-surface Shaheen-II ballistic missile
https://arab.news/2y2fz
Pakistan conducts successful training launch of surface-to-surface Shaheen-II ballistic missile
- Training launch aimed at training troops, validating various technical parameters, says military’s media wing
- Pakistan sees its missile development as a deterrent against its nuclear-armed South Asian neighbor India
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia resolve to strengthen economic cooperation during Davos summit
- Pakistan finmin Muhammad Aurangzeb meets Saudi Arabia's Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih
- Al-Falih appreciated Pakistan's potential, particularly its natural resources, strategic location, says Pakistan Finance Division
KARACHI: Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih met in Davos this week, resolving to strengthen ongoing bilateral cooperation by working closely together and maintaining high-level contact, Pakistan's Finance Division said.
Islamabad and Riyadh have moved closer to broaden their cooperation in recent months, signing a landmark defense pact in September 2025 and agreeing to launch an economic cooperation framework a month later to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations.
Aurangzeb met Al-Falih during the sidelines of the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos on Thursday, Pakistan's Finance Division said in a statement. The two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and reviewed progress on existing and planned projects across various sectors, the statement added.
"Both sides reiterated their strong resolve to expand bilateral collaboration by working closely together, strengthening institutional linkages and maintaining regular high-level contacts," Pakistan's Finance Division said on Thursday.
"They agreed that sustained engagement and mutual understanding would help translate shared objectives into concrete and mutually beneficial initiatives."
The Finance Division said Al-Falih appreciated Pakistan's importance and potential, particularly its natural resources, strategic location and emerging opportunities for investment.
"The meeting concluded in a positive and forward-looking spirit, with both ministers expressing confidence that closer partnership and continued dialogue would further strengthen economic and investment ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the statement said.
The two countries enjoy cordial relations dating back decades and firmly grounded in shared values, culture, faith and economic ties. The Kingdom is home to over two million Pakistani expats, making it the largest source of foreign remittances for cash-strapped Pakistan.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed 34 business agreements worth $2.8 billion across multiple sectors in 2024, further strengthening their economic cooperation.
Riyadh has also bailed Pakistan frequently out of economic crises over the years, providing it crucial loans and oil on deferred payment basis.
