ISLAMABAD: Oman has expressed interest in expanding collaboration with the Pakistan Air Force and exploring Pakistan’s indigenous defense production capabilities, according to a statement by the military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Friday.
The announcement follows Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu’s visit to the Arab country, where he engaged in discussions with civil and military leaders. The air chief was received with full military honors, underscoring the importance of the visit in enhancing bilateral relations.
Sidhu highlighted that both countries had consistently supported each other in challenging times, and the Pakistan Air Force was committed to providing training and support for the Royal Air Force of Oman, from basic to tactical-level training.
“During the meetings, the leadership of the Sultanate of Oman showed keen interest in the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park and expressed a strong desire for enhanced industrial and technological collaboration,” the statement said, referring to a high-tech facility established by Pakistan to promote indigenous defense production, aerospace research and technological innovation.
“The leadership of the Sultanate of Oman expressed a deep desire to expand the existing Air Force-to-Air Force collaboration, underscoring the importance of joint bilateral and multilateral aerial exercises, exchange visits and knowledge-sharing platforms,” it added.
Pakistan and Oman have a history of defense cooperation, including joint military exercises and defense procurement. In October 2020, both nations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen military ties through knowledge exchange and expertise-sharing.
Diplomatically, the two countries share close relations based on mutual cooperation and cultural ties. Oman has an embassy in Islamabad and a Consulate-General in Karachi, while Pakistan maintains an embassy in Muscat.
The ISPR statement informed the Omani officials acknowledged the participation of a Royal Air Force of Oman contingent as observers in Exercise Indus Shield-2024, expressing appreciation for the multi-domain airpower strategies demonstrated, particularly the integration of disruptive technologies in space, cyber and electronic warfare.
Oman eyes Pakistan’s indigenous defense production, deeper air force ties
https://arab.news/zfz3r
Oman eyes Pakistan’s indigenous defense production, deeper air force ties
- Both countries have history of defense cooperation, including military exercises and procurement
- Oman’s officials expressed interest in closer defense collaboration during Pakistani air chief’s visit
Pakistan improves water management but remains highly vulnerable to floods, shortages — report
- Asian Water Development Outlook says national water security score up 6.4 points since 2013 but service delivery still weak
- ADB-linked report warns that groundwater dependence, urban demand and ecosystem decline remain critical risks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strengthened its water governance and planning capacity over the past decade but continues to face serious risk from climate shocks, declining freshwater availability and weak service provision, according to the Asian Water Development Outlook 2025.
The regional water security assessment linked to the Asian Development Bank evaluates countries across Asia on water supply, governance, climate resilience, urban systems and environmental health.
The study found that Pakistan has made policy progress since 2013, yet implementation remains inconsistent and the country is still exposed to extreme weather events, rapid population growth and stressed aquifers. The assessment warns that improvement has not kept pace with risk.
“Pakistan’s national water security score improved moderately from 2013 to 2025 by 6.4 points. At the same time, water governance performance, measured through SDG 6.5.1, rose from 50 percent in 2017 to 63 percent in 2023,” the report said.
Despite these gains, rural supply and service reliability remain uneven.
“Pakistan’s rural household water security remains under pressure due to ineffective service models, limited surveillance, and persistent contamination,” while economic performance is hampered by “falling per capita water availability, insufficient storage, and heavy reliance on poorly monitored groundwater resources for industrial activity,” according to the report.
Pakistan’s cities remain under pressure, with infrastructure struggling to match population growth and demand:
“Urban water security has shown only modest gains, with rising demand, untreated wastewater and urban flooding straining infrastructure and service delivery.”
Environmental conditions have also deteriorated, driven by unchecked industrial discharge and limited regulatory enforcement.
“Environmental water security has declined slightly, as rapid population growth, industrial activity, and untreated wastewater continue to degrade aquatic ecosystems,” the report added.
Pakistan remains highly exposed to disasters including major floods, droughts and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The report cites the 2022 monsoon crisis, noting that it “affected over 24 million people.”
While early-warning systems are improving, infrastructure investment and coordinated management remain inadequate.
The document concludes that Pakistan must convert policy gains into ground-level delivery by expanding financing, strengthening provincial coordination and scaling ecosystem protection to stabilize long-term water security.
