ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir on Friday identified violent non-state actors and the spread of disinformation as significant challenges to global peace while addressing a gathering in the federal capital, where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting international stability.
The army chief made the remarks during a special session of the Margalla Dialogue, an annual conference that convenes policymakers, scholars and experts to discuss critical national, regional and global issues, where he highlighted Pakistan’s role in fostering global peace.
Organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), a local think tank, the conference provided a platform for the army chief to emphasize Pakistan’s contributions and express concerns about the issue of cross-border militancy.
“Terrorism by violent non-state actors and state-sponsored entities remains a significant global challenge,” the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported him as saying.
“We expect the Afghan interim government to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against Pakistan and to take strict measures in this regard,” he added.
The army chief’s statement comes against the backdrop of a surge in militant violence in Pakistan’s western provinces bordering Afghanistan.
Officials in Islamabad have frequently accused Afghan authorities of “facilitating” cross-border attacks by armed factions, such as the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which target civilians and security personnel— an allegation Kabul denies.
APP reported the army chief stated that Pakistan would not become part of any global conflict and would continue to play its role in promoting international peace and stability.
General Munir acknowledged the role of technology in disseminating information, though he cautioned that it also facilitated the rapid spread of disinformation.
He asserted that without comprehensive laws and regulations, disinformation and hate speech could destabilize political and social structures.
“Absence of proper regulations for freedom of expression is leading to the deterioration of moral values in societies worldwide,” he added.
The army chief expressed optimism about the country’s future, noting that about 63 percent of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30, adding that the country was endowed with immense natural resources and had emerged as a major global agricultural producer.
He highlighted Pakistan’s significant role in the global freelancing industry and noted that its geographical location and seaports could position it as a vital trade hub for countries around the world.
Pakistan’s army chief flags non-state actors, disinformation as threats to global peace
https://arab.news/vmr7h
Pakistan’s army chief flags non-state actors, disinformation as threats to global peace
- General Asim Munir says Pakistan expects Kabul not to allow its soil to be used for militancy
- He says absence of regulation over freedom of expression is deteriorating moral values
Pakistan targets January launch of first-ever Panda bond
- $1 billion yuan bond program to diversify funding, ease external financing pressures
- Inaugural $250m tranche planned pending Chinese regulatory approvals
KARACHI: Pakistan is aiming to launch its first-ever Panda bond — a yuan-denominated bond issued in China’s domestic market — in January, as the government looks to diversify external funding sources and strengthen debt sustainability under ongoing economic reforms, the finance ministry said on Friday.
The planned issuance would mark Pakistan’s debut in China’s onshore bond market and comes as Islamabad seeks alternatives to dollar-denominated borrowing amid tight global financial conditions and continued reliance on multilateral support.
Panda bonds are renminbi-denominated instruments sold to Chinese investors by foreign governments or companies, offering issuers access to China’s deep domestic capital markets while reducing exposure to foreign-exchange volatility.
“The Panda Bond program is being pursued as a structured and programmatic financing strategy, aligned with prudent debt management objectives,” the finance ministry said in a statement after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired a review meeting on the planned issuance.
The ministry said Pakistan envisages a Panda bond program of around $1 billion, with an inaugural tranche equivalent to $250 million, subject to final regulatory approvals from Chinese authorities expected by early January. It added that preparatory work for subsequent issuances under a second phase of the program has already begun.
According to the statement, approvals from multilateral partners have been secured and engagement with Chinese institutional investors has so far been “constructive,” reflecting confidence in Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization efforts and reform framework. Pricing will be finalized closer to market engagement once regulatory requirements are completed.
Pakistan is operating under a $7 billion, 37-month bailout program with the International Monetary Fund that requires fiscal consolidation, stronger tax collection and structural reforms across energy, state-owned enterprises and the investment climate. The country has faced elevated borrowing costs in international markets in recent years, prompting the government to explore alternative and market-based financing channels, including yuan-denominated instruments.
The finance ministry said the Panda bond would support Pakistan’s medium-term debt sustainability goals by broadening the investor base and reducing reliance on traditional external borrowing sources.
