ISLAMABAD: Unidentified men on Thursday kidnapped two Pakistan Customs officials and president of a local chambers of commerce and industry in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, a senior administration official said.
Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy in KP since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the state broke down in November 2022.
The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
Unidentified suspects kidnapped Pakistan Customs Superintendent Nisar Abbasi, Inspector Khushal and traders’ representative Saif-ur-Rehman from the South Waziristan district, according to Deputy Commissioner Nasir Khan.
“Customs officers and the [Waziristan] Chambers of Commerce president were kidnapped in Sholam area on their return from Angor Adda,” Khan said.
“The district administration and police have kicked off an investigation.”
While no group immediately claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, suspicion is likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban.
Recently, Khan said, unidentified suspects also kidnapped Dr. Nauman, who worked with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), from Azam Warsak area of the restive district, which borders Afghanistan.
On Jan. 9, the Pakistani Taliban, who have stepped up their attacks in KP, kidnapped more than a dozen workers of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), which is responsible for nuclear energy projects, from the volatile Lakki Marwat district, according to Lakki Marwat police spokesperson Shahid Marwat.
Eight of the abductees were released shortly after the kidnapping, while the militants released one more and body of another hostage on Jan. 25. The fate of the remaining captives remains unknown.
Islamabad has frequently blamed the surge in militant activities on Afghanistan, accusing it of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks.
Afghan officials deny involvement and insist that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
Traders’ union president, two customs officials kidnapped in Pakistan’s northwest
https://arab.news/6be2c
Traders’ union president, two customs officials kidnapped in Pakistan’s northwest
- Unidentified men kidnapped Customs Superintendent Nisar Abbasi, Inspector Khushal and Saif-ur-Rehman from South Waziristan district
- Islamabad blames a surge in militant activities in Pakistan’s northwest on groups operating out of Afghanistan, Kabul denies the allegation
IMF board to meet tomorrow to consider $1.2 billion disbursement for Pakistan
- Pakistan, IMF reached a Staff-Level Agreement for second review of $7 billion loan program
- Economists view disbursement crucial for cash-strapped Pakistan as it tackles economic crisis
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board will meet tomorrow, Monday, to consider and approve a $1.2 billion disbursement for Pakistan, according to the global lender’s official schedule.
The meeting takes place nearly two months after the Fund reached a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA) with Pakistan for the second review of its $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the first review of its $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
The SLA followed a mission led by IMF’s Iva Petrova, who held discussions with Pakistani authorities during a Sept. 24–Oct. 8 visit to Karachi, Islamabad and Washington, DC.
“The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board will convene on Dec. 8 to consider Pakistan’s request for a $1.2 billion disbursement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), according to the Fund’s updated schedule,” the state-run Pakistan TV reported on Sunday.
Economists view IMF’s bailout packages as crucial for cash-strapped Pakistan, which has relied heavily on financing from bilateral partners such as Saudi Arabia, China and the United Arab Emirates, as well as multilateral lenders including the IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank.
The South Asian country has been grappling with a prolonged macroeconomic crisis that has drained its financial resources and triggered a balance of payments crisis. Islamabad, however, has recorded some financial gains since 2022, which include recording a surplus in its current account and bringing inflation down considerably.
Speaking to Arab News last month, Pakistan’s former finance adviser Khaqan Najeeb said the $1.2 billion disbursement will further stabilize Pakistan’s near-term external position and unlock additional official inflows.
“Continued engagement also reinforces macro stability, as reflected in recent improvements in inflation, the current account, and reserve buffers,” Najeeb said.
Pakistan came close to sovereign default in mid-2023, when foreign exchange reserves fell below three weeks of import cover, inflation surged to a record 38 percent in May, and the country struggled to secure external financing after delays in its IMF program. Fuel shortages, import restrictions, and a rapidly depreciating rupee added to the pressure, while ratings agencies downgraded Pakistan’s debt and warned of heightened default risk.
The crisis eased only after Pakistan reached a last-minute Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in June 2023, unlocking emergency support and preventing an immediate default.
