US imposes sanctions on suppliers to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program

Pakistani military helicopters fly past a vehicle carrying a long-range ballistic Shaheen III missile take part in a military parade to mark Pakistan's National Day in Islamabad on March 25, 2021. (AFP/File)
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Updated 12 September 2024
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US imposes sanctions on suppliers to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program

  • State Department says a Chinese research institute worked with Pakistan to procure equipment for Shaheen-3, Ababeel systems
  • The latest sanctions also targeted three China-based firms alongside Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese national

The US State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies it said have been involved in supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
Washington similarly targeted three China-based companies with sanctions in October 2023 for supplying missile‐applicable items to Pakistan.
Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry had worked with Pakistan to procure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems and potentially for larger systems.
The sanctions also targeted China-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co, alongside Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese national, for knowingly transferring equipment under missile technology restrictions, Miller said.
“As today’s actions demonstrate, the United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern, wherever they occur,” Miller said.
The embassies of China and Pakistan in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


Emerging fintech operator in Middle East, Pakistan to acquire FINCA Microfinance Bank

Updated 7 sec ago
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Emerging fintech operator in Middle East, Pakistan to acquire FINCA Microfinance Bank

  • FINCA operates in 108 cities in Pakistan, providing state-of-the-art deposit and payment solutions 
  • ABHI established global headquarters in Abu Dhabi in Jan. 2024, has expended to Dubai and Saudi Arabia 

KARACHI: Abhi Private Limited, an emerging fintech operator in the Middle East and Pakistan, and leading tech conglomerate TPL Corp. Limited, are all set to jointly acquire FINCA Microfinance Bank Limited, a statement from Abhi said on Tuesday. 

FINCA Pakistan, part of a global FINCA network, operates in 108 cities across Pakistan, providing state-of-the-art deposit and payment solutions, including micro-credit facilities aimed at improving livelihoods. 

ABHI established its global headquarters in Abu Dhabi in January 2024 and has also expanded its business through partnerships in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

“The strategic alliance between Abhi and TPL Corp. aims to reshape financial inclusion efforts across Pakistan by combining FINCA’s extensive microfinance network and expertise with Abhi’s innovative digital solutions and TPL Corp’s presence in retail, insurance and technology sectors,” Abhi said in a statement. 

“By bringing together these complementary strengths, the partnership is set to diversify and expand access to financial products and services that cater to underserved communities, including rural populations, small businesses, and lower-income individuals.”

The acquisition will combine TPL’s diverse business portfolio and FINCA Pakistan’s established presence and deep knowledge of the market, with the combined entity being “well-positioned to introduce customer-focused solutions that can make a tangible difference in underserved regions.”

“At Abhi, we’ve always believed in creating accessible financial solutions for everyone,” said Omair Ansari, CEO & Co-founder of Abhi. 

“By joining forces with TPL, we’re making a stride toward expanding our reach and delivering impactful financial products to millions of Pakistanis who have previously lacked access to essential services.”

Looking ahead, Abhi, TPL and FINCA plan to focus on delivering a new range of financial products “tailored to underserved communities, driving financial inclusion and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.”

“FINCA Pakistan delivered on its promise to develop a nationwide microfinance network that is creating economic opportunity throughout Pakistan, especially for women,” said Jeff Smith, chair of the FINCA Pakistan Board of Directors. 

“Abhi and TPL share FINCA’s commitment to expanding access to financial services for small entrepreneurs. The infusion of new capital and more comprehensive digital services have the potential to significantly accelerate financial inclusion in Pakistan.”
 


Top leaders of Imran Khan’s party briefly arrested, released in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi

Updated 56 min 27 sec ago
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Top leaders of Imran Khan’s party briefly arrested, released in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi

  • Leader of the opposition in the national assembly and other PTI leaders had arrived at Adiala jail to meet Khan
  • Ex-PM has been in jail since August last year and faces a slew of legal challenges he says are politically motivated 

ISLAMABAD: Top aides of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan were briefly detained before being released in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi as they arrived to meet their leader at a local prison, his party said on Tuesday, with police saying they were arrested for breaking a law against public gatherings. 

Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, and several other leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had arrived at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail to meet Khan when they were arrested for what Punjab Police has described as violating Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code, a legal provision that empowers district administrations to prohibit the assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period. 

“PTI workers were detained for violating Section 144 but were released after being issued a warning,” Punjab Police Spokesperson Sajjadul Hassan told media. 

The PTI says the leaders were detained to block them from meeting Khan who has been imprisoned since August last year and faces a slew of legal cases, from corruption to terrorism, which he says are politically motivated. 

“PTI leadership has been set free, after being kept in custody till the time for scheduled meeting with Imran Khan was over,” the party said in a text message to reporters.

In a post on X, the PTI said the arrests showed the “blatant misuse of power” of the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s PML-N party, which it said was “aimed at silencing PTI leaders and anyone standing with Imran Khan.”

“This assault on political freedoms is a grave warning for all citizens. The nation must stand up for itself, get organized, and peacefully protest,” the PTI said. “This is not an issue of any one person or party; it is a matter of Pakistan’s survival and integrity.”

Since his ouster from the PM’s office in 2022 in a parliamentary no-trust vote, Khan has been embroiled in over 150 cases and has been sentenced in several, including to three years, 10 years, 14 years and seven years to be served concurrently under Pakistani law. Khan’s convictions were later overturned in appeals but he cannot be freed due to other, pending cases against him.

He has maintained his innocence and has argued that the cases are an attempt to sideline him politically by keeping him out of the public area. The government denies it is persecuting Khan or his party. 


Pakistan spinner Noman Ali bags ICC’s prestigious men’s Player of the Month award

Updated 12 November 2024
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Pakistan spinner Noman Ali bags ICC’s prestigious men’s Player of the Month award

  • Noman Ali, along with spinner Sajid Khan, was instrumental in Pakistan’s Test series win over England last month 
  • Ali’s returned his career-best figures in second Test at Multan, taking 8/46 to help Pakistan secure 152-run victory

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani spinner Noman Ali bagged the International Cricket Council’s ‘Men’s Player of the Month’ award for October, cricket’s global governing body said on Tuesday, for his stellar 20 wickets in last month’s Test series against England that helped his team secure a 2-1 series victory. 

Ali took 11 wickets in the second Test match against England in Multan while he grabbed nine wickets in the second Test to ensure Pakistan beat England. In the first Test, Pakistan beat England by 152 runs while in the second, they completed a nine-wicket rout of the former ODI world champions. 

Ali and spinner Sajid Khan were both picked up for the second and third Test matches in Multan and Rawalpindi, respectively, after Pakistan dropped cricket stars Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and pacer Naseem Shah. The gamble paid off, as Khan and Ali spun Pakistan to a series victory on pitches that were made spin-friendly by curators via large fans and heaters. 

“I am delighted to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month and deeply grateful to all my teammates who helped me put my best performances forward to help Pakistan win a historic home Test series against England,” Ali said in a statement shared by the ICC. “It is always exciting to be a part of such memorable wins for your country.”

The award win comes after Noman entered the top ten of the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings for the first time last month, bowling expertly in tandem with Khan. This was the career-best figures for the left-arm Pakistani spinner. 

Ali also contributed with the bat in the first innings of the third Test match in Rawalpindi, playing an impressive 45-run knock at number nine to help his side gain an impressive 77-run lead. 

Ali, a Test specialist, could next feature in Pakistan’s Test series against South Africa. The green shirts are scheduled to play two Test matches in the African country, three ODIs and three T20Is in December and January 2025. 

West Indies will also tour Pakistan for a two-match Test series in January 2025. 


Cop ‘facilitator’ of attack on Pakistan police compound that killed 86 arrested — official

Updated 12 November 2024
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Cop ‘facilitator’ of attack on Pakistan police compound that killed 86 arrested — official

  • Chief of police says suspect arranged suicide jackets, explosives and militants from Afghanistan
  • Suicide bomber struck mosque inside police compound in Jan 2023, Kabul denies involvement 

PESHAWAR: A policeman considered the main suspect in planning a deadly blast at a police compound in northwestern Pakistan last year has been arrested, the Inspector General Police of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (IGP) province said on Tuesday. 

A suicide bomber struck a crowded mosque inside the Peshawar Police Lines compound on Jan. 30, 2023, killing 86 and injuring nearly 250 people who had gathered for an afternoon prayer congregation. Most of the casualties were police officers. It was not clear how the bomber was able to slip into the walled compound, which houses the police headquarters in the northwestern city of Peshawar and is itself located in a high-security zone with other government buildings.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, IGP Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur said the suspect had been identified as Muhammad Wali, a police constable in Peshawar who had been arrested on Oct. 11 this year from the city’s Jamil Chawak. Two suicide jackets were recovered from the suspect who was nabbed in a joint operation by police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).

 “The suspect was involved in providing suicide jackets, explosives, and terrorists from Afghanistan,” Gandapur said, explaining Wali’s alleged involvement in the planning of the attack. 

“The suspect is affiliated with the banned organization Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA),” he added, referring to a subgroup of Pakistan’s indigenous Taliban movement, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“He joined the police in 2019 and took leave three years ago and traveled to Afghanistan … The suspect provided the map of Police Lines to the suicide attacker through Telegram [messaging service] and escorted him from Khyber [district bordering Afghanistan] to Peshawar’s Pir Zakori area.”

Gandapur said the “facilitator” had received Rs 0.2 million for his assistance in the attack, adding that he was involved in other attacks as well for which he would move suicide jackets and explosives between various locations.

Pakistan has repeatedly blamed a surge in terror attacks on neighboring Afghanistan, saying most assaults are carried out by Afghan nationals and their facilitators and by TTP and other militants who cross over into Pakistan from neighboring Afghanistan. 

The Taliban government in Kabul says Pakistan’s security challenges are a domestic issue and cannot be blamed on the neighbor. 


Pakistan wants ICC explanation after India’s Champions Trophy snub

Updated 12 November 2024
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Pakistan wants ICC explanation after India’s Champions Trophy snub

  • India have refused to travel across the border for next year’s Champions Trophy
  • India have not toured Pakistan since 2008 because of soured political relations 

The Pakistan Cricket Board has sought clarification from the sport’s governing International Cricket Council (ICC) following India’s refusal to travel across the border for next year’s Champions Trophy, a PCB spokesperson told Reuters on Tuesday.

India have not toured Pakistan since 2008 because of soured political relations between the neighbors, who play each other only in global multi-team tournaments.

Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but winners India played all their matches in Sri Lanka under a “hybrid model.”

The PCB has ruled out a similar arrangement for the Feb. 19-March 9 Champions Trophy despite the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) maintaining its stance of not sending a team to Pakistan citing government advice.

“The PCB has sent a letter to the ICC seeking clarification,” the spokesperson said, adding it was awaiting Pakistan government advice before deciding their next step.

“The PCB received an email from the ICC late last week, stating that the BCCI has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan...

“The PCB has forwarded that email to the government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance.”

ICC officials were not immediately available to explain how it planned to resolve the uncertainty around the elite 50-overs tournament.

While India’s presence is crucial to the commercial success of the ICC event, Pakistan might pull out of the tournament should it be shifted out of the country, the Dawn newspaper reported on Tuesday citing sources.

The ICC is in talks with the PCB and the participating boards before finalizing the schedule of the eight-team tournament.