US lobbied UN rights council to dilute Pakistan’s Gaza proposal, diplomats say

Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, attends a side event during the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, March 26, 2024. (REUTERS/ File)
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Updated 04 April 2025
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US lobbied UN rights council to dilute Pakistan’s Gaza proposal, diplomats say

  • UN rights council adopted the resolution moved by Pakistan seeking Israel's accountability
  • Despite forsaking the council, US lobbied to block any new UN investigation against Israel

GENEVA: Two months after President Donald Trump announced a halt to US engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council, Washington is influencing its work by applying pressure publicly and behind the scenes, seven diplomats and rights workers said.

The United States left its seat empty during a six-week session of the 47-member council ending on Friday, but its lobbying and pressure had some success, the sources told Reuters.

They said the US, which has accused the council of an anti-Israel bias, had focused on blunting a proposal by Pakistan on the creation of an International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM), the most rigorous type of UN investigation, on Israel's actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The version of Pakistan's proposal that was passed on Wednesday by the council, whose mission is to promote and protect human rights worldwide, did not include the creation of the IIIM.

The council already has a commission of inquiry on the Palestinian Territories, but Pakistan's proposal would have created an additional probe with extra powers to gather evidence for possible use in international courts.

A March 31 letter sent by Brian Mast, Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, and James R. Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, cautioned against voting the proposal through.

“Any HRC member state or UN entity that supports an Israel-specific IIM ... will face the same consequences as the ICC faced,” the letter said.

It appeared to be referring to sanctions approved by the House of Representatives on the International Criminal Court in protest at its arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and former defence minister over Israel’s campaign in Gaza.

The final version of Pakistan’s proposal referred only to an invitation to the UN General Assembly to consider an IIIM in the future.

Two Geneva-based diplomats said they had received messages from US diplomats before the change of wording asking them to oppose the new investigation.

“They were saying: ‘back off on this issue,’” said one, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Reuters could not establish whether the revision was a direct result of US actions.

A US State Department spokesperson said it was complying with the executive order signed by Trump on Feb. 4 withdrawing the US from the council and would not participate in it, adding: “As a matter of policy, we do not comment on private diplomatic conversations.”

Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Geneva did not respond to a request for comment.

“The US seems to be trying to have it both ways. It doesn’t want to pay for or participate in the UN but it still wants to boss it around,” said Lucy McKernan, Deputy Director for United Nations at Human Rights Watch’s Geneva office.

‘RAW POWER’

The US and Israel are not members of the council but, like all UN member states have informal observer status and a seat in the council’s meeting chamber.

International human rights institutions are now at a critical juncture, said Phil Lynch, Director of International Service for Human Rights, a non-governmental organization.

“We are potentially confronting a future characterised by lawlessness and raw power,” he said.

The US was once the top donor to the UN rights system, but Trump has said the UN is “not being well run” and aid cuts by his administration have forced scalebacks.

The US and Israel have also opposed the mandate of one of the council’s independent experts during this session.

The Israeli ambassador said on March 24 that Francesca Albanese, a critic of Israeli actions in Gaza, had breached a UN code of conduct through “blatant antisemitic behaviour and discourse,” a diplomatic note showed.

The US State Department spokesperson said Albanese was “unfit for her role.”

“The correspondence received is under consideration,” council spokesperson Pascal Sim said, adding that whenever the council makes a nomination, “it does so with the knowledge that the mandate-holder is expected to serve up to six years in this function.”

The internal body that ensures UN experts adhere to a code of conduct condemned what it described as a coordinated campaign against Albanese, according to a letter from the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures dated 28 March.

It found no evidence to support Israel’s complaints against Albanese. However, it is introducing social media guidelines for UN experts in light of some concerns raised about her X posts.

 


Pakistan to deploy AI, global experts in push to modernize agriculture

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Pakistan to deploy AI, global experts in push to modernize agriculture

  • PM orders reform plan to increase yields, exports and climate resilience
  • Sector contributes 23% to GDP but lags behind in technology and output

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to harness artificial intelligence and international expertise to overhaul Pakistan’s struggling agriculture sector, which employs more than a third of the national labor force but suffers from declining productivity and growing climate stress.

Pakistan’s agriculture sector, despite accounting for nearly 23 percent of GDP and employing around 37 percent of the workforce, continues to face low yields, water inefficiency, outdated farming practices and limited mechanization.

“To ensure effective use of artificial intelligence and modern technology in agriculture, benefit should be taken from the services of internationally renowned experts,” Sharif said while chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on Monday, according to an official statement.

Pakistan’s agriculture sector faces a host of structural challenges that artificial intelligence and modern technology could help address. These include low per-acre yields due to outdated farming techniques, inefficient water use, erratic weather patterns worsened by climate change and limited access to quality seeds and real-time crop data. 

Farmers often lack timely information on pests, soil health and weather forecasts, leading to avoidable losses. AI-powered tools, such as satellite imaging, predictive analytics, and precision irrigation systems, can optimize resource use, improve forecasting, and boost productivity — critical for a sector that lags behind regional benchmarks in output and resilience.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Sharif called for a “comprehensive short- and long-term action plan” to modernize farming through advanced machinery, quality seed, crop zoning and easy loans for farmers.

The PM said revitalizing agriculture would require activating state research centers and bringing in private sector support to drive innovation.

“Modern research must be ensured in agricultural research centers through public-private partnership,” he said, directing officials to improve per-acre crop yields and promote the value-added processing of farm goods for export.

With the country among the most climate-vulnerable in the world, the prime minister also ordered the adoption of “climate-resistant seeds and modern farming methods” to protect food security. He said farmers should be supported in adapting to changing conditions, especially in flood-hit provinces like Sindh and Balochistan.

He instructed that new cotton farming zones be mapped in consultation with provincial governments, keeping in view changing rainfall and temperature patterns.

“After detailed consultation with the provincial government, comprehensive planning should be done for cotton farming in new suitable areas, especially in Sindh and Balochistan,” Sharif said.

In a move aimed at diversifying Pakistan’s energy sources, the prime minister also called for research into biofuel production using agricultural inputs.

“Research and planning should be done to include biofuels in the country’s energy mix,” he said.

Sharif directed that farmers and key stakeholders be brought into the policy process and coordination with provincial governments be strengthened for the effective rollout of reforms.


Facing price surge, Pakistan turns to sugar imports to ease consumer strain

Updated 1 min 4 sec ago
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Facing price surge, Pakistan turns to sugar imports to ease consumer strain

  • Federal cabinet approves import of 500,000 metric tons of sugar through public sector 
  • Government decision is aimed at stabilizing prices, preventing market manipulation and hoarding

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved the import of 500,000 metric tons of sugar through the public sector to stabilize prices and prevent market manipulation, the Ministry of National Food Security announced on Tuesday, signaling an urgent intervention to cushion consumers from rising costs amid growing political and economic pressure.

The move comes at a time when sugar prices have surged to nearly Rs200 per kilogram in parts of the country, triggering public concern and drawing political heat.

In Pakistan, escalating sugar prices have historically triggered public outcry and become flashpoints for opposition criticism, with allegations of hoarding and cartelization frequently surfacing in election years or periods of economic volatility.

“All arrangements for the import have been finalized, and immediate implementation is now underway,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The decision represents a departure from previous governments’ approach, where artificial shortages were often created, placing a burden on the national exchequer through subsidies,” it continued.

Earlier, the government had allowed sugar exports, but it said in the statement the decision was taken when the domestic sugar supplies were abundant.

Faced with volatile market conditions now, it continued, the government is stepping in to stabilize prices and ensure uninterrupted availability of the essential commodity.

The ministry maintained the aim of the intervention was to strike a balance in prices and protect consumers from the effects of speculative trading and artificial scarcity.


Pakistan’s retailers, struggling against foreign sellers, welcome new e-commerce taxes

Updated 29 min 52 sec ago
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Pakistan’s retailers, struggling against foreign sellers, welcome new e-commerce taxes

  • Foreign platforms shipping up to 30,000 parcels daily now face 18% sales tax under new budget
  • Courier firms tasked with tax collection, but enforcement remains a key concern for stakeholders

KARACHI: Pakistan’s imposition of new taxes on international e-commerce giants such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress is drawing relief from local retailers, who say the foreign firms have been operating in the country without paying taxes, thus undercutting domestic businesses.

The new measures, introduced through the federal budget passed on June 26, include an 18% sales tax on goods delivered by courier companies on behalf of foreign platforms, a 5 percent fixed income tax on digital retailers, and a reduction in the duty-free threshold for imported parcels from Rs5,000 to Rs500 ($18 to $1.80).

The tax regime took effect on July 1.

“This is a very welcome move by the government to have brought the international platforms into the tax net,” Malik Asim Dogar, secretary-general of the Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP), told Arab News.

The policy, he said, would ease the burden on domestic retailers, prevent inflows of “inexpensive but substandard” goods, and help Pakistan’s cash-strapped government raise tax revenue.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration has pledged to collect over Rs14 trillion ($49.3 billion) in taxes this fiscal year, partly to meet targets under a $7 billion loan program with the International Monetary Fund.

Until now, foreign e-commerce platforms had been selling directly to Pakistani consumers, often via social media, without being subject to local tax laws. Formal retail chains in Karachi such as Imtiaz, Chase Up, and Naheed — already paying up to 25% in taxes — said they had struggled to compete with tax-exempt imports offering cheaper prices.

A Temu representative did not respond to questions, while Shein and AliExpress could not be reached. Pakistani courier giant TCS also did not reply to questions about delivery volumes from foreign e-commerce sellers.

CAP estimates Pakistan’s retail sector includes about 5 million shops, generating Rs20 trillion ($70.5 billion) annually, of which only 10% comes from the tax-compliant formal sector.

Daily parcel volumes from foreign platforms have surged from around 1,000 per day in 2023 to between 20,000 and 30,000 this year — a rise of nearly 2,900%, according to internal figures from local courier companies shared by CAP.

“What we have seen is that on a daily basis, tens of thousands of shipments are coming into the country,” CAP chairman Asfandyar Farrukh said. “People order online on these platforms through social media or other websites. All these products are coming into Pakistan.”

Farrukh said the most affected segments include domestic sellers of crockery, home goods, small electronics, and casual clothing, who had reported sales declines of up to 10% in the past six months.

CAP’s Dogar said the lack of regulation previously created an “unfair playing field” for local retailers.

But Shankar Talreja, head of research at brokerage firm Topline Securities, said the new taxes would address a long-standing complaint of local retailers.

“This was an unfair advantage to the importers,” Talreja told Arab News. “Now that a certain percentage of tax is applied to the products sold by foreign vendors, the domestic sellers will get some level-playing field.”

Talreja noted Pakistan’s growing Internet penetration — with over 80% teledensity — was already fueling e-commerce, even if it still accounts for less than 1% of the overall retail market.

Retailers themselves are shifting to digital platforms, albeit reluctantly.

“Nowadays, we are seeing that most of the footfall on digital platforms and online shopping is of those who are young in age and more savvy digitally,” said Salman Bashir, CEO of Chase Up, one of Pakistan’s largest retail chains.

“We as well as the whole retail sector will have to bring this change into their companies.”

However, Bashir expressed skepticism about whether the new tax measures would be properly enforced.

“These [taxes] haven’t been implemented even if they stand passed,” he said, speaking two days after the budget became law on July 2.

Dogar and Talreja echoed his concerns, pointing to implementation hurdles in assigning tax collection duties to banks and courier companies.

Under the new rules, financial institutions are required to withhold a portion of remittances made to foreign sellers. Courier firms are also expected to collect sales tax at the point of delivery — a move some say is burdensome and unrealistic.

“The responsibility to collect these taxes has been put on courier companies, which would very much affect their business operations,” Dogar said.

Talreja warned that enforcement could falter without better coordination.

“The courier companies often do not have visibility into whether the seller is registered as a local or foreign. Couriers are logistics firms, not tax collection agents by design,” he said.

“This will increase their administrative work, hence the motivation to work in this aspect would be lower.”


Pakistan announce T20I squad for Bangladesh series

Updated 08 July 2025
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Pakistan announce T20I squad for Bangladesh series

  • Three-match series to be played in Dhaka from July 20 to 24
  • Series follows Pakistan’s 3–0 home sweep over Bangladesh in May

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, with middle-order batter Salman Ali Agha retained as captain.

The series will be played from July 20 to 24 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and comes just two months after Bangladesh toured Pakistan in May where they were whitewashed 3–0.

The PCB said the squad for the white-ball series against the West Indies “will be announced in due course.”

“The Men’s National Selection Committee has announced the 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the side in the T20Is,” the PCB said in a statement.

The squad sees continuity in leadership under Salman Ali Agha, who was first handed the T20I captaincy earlier this year. The upcoming Dhaka series offers an opportunity for newer players like Hassan Nawaz and spinner Sufyan Moqim to gain international experience, while selectors continue testing bench strength ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.

The Sher-e-Bangla stadium is known for its spin-friendly conditions, which could suit bowlers like Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz.

Pakistan last toured Bangladesh in November 2021 when they also won a T20I series 3–0.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh T20Is:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.

Team Management:

Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Muhammad Hanif Malik (batting coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Irtaza Komail (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (doctor), and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur).


Pakistan expresses solidarity as 12 Turkish soldiers die in Iraq cave gas incident

Updated 08 July 2025
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Pakistan expresses solidarity as 12 Turkish soldiers die in Iraq cave gas incident

  • Incident occurred during a mission to locate the remains of a soldier killed earlier in operations against PKK group 
  • In past years, Turkish forces have reported discovering elaborate tunnel networks used by PKK fighters in northern Iraq

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday said it was saddened over the deaths of 12 Turkish soldiers who were killed after being exposed to methane gas during a military search operation in northern Iraq, offering condolences and reaffirming solidarity with Turkiye.

According to the Turkish defense ministry, the incident occurred on Sunday during a mission to locate the remains of a soldier killed earlier in operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union.

The soldiers were operating in the Claw-Lock Operation zone, part of a broader Turkish cross-border military campaign launched in April 2022 to root out PKK fighters from northern Iraq’s mountainous terrain. The ministry said several other soldiers exposed to methane gas in the same cave were hospitalized for treatment.

“We are deeply saddened to learn that 12 Turkish soldiers were martyred, after being exposed to methane gas during a search mission in the Claw-Lock Operation zone,” the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“We wish Allah’s mercy upon the martyrs and express deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Pakistan stands in firm solidarity with brotherly Turkiye in this moment of grief.”

While fatal gas exposure incidents in combat zones are relatively rare, the risk of methane buildup in enclosed or underground spaces such as caves or tunnels is well documented in both military and mining contexts. Methane is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas that can displace oxygen, leading to suffocation in confined environments.

In past years, Turkish forces have reported discovering elaborate tunnel networks used by PKK fighters in northern Iraq, often rigged with explosives or hazardous substances. In 2021, three Turkish soldiers were killed in a suspected chemical exposure during clashes in a cave complex in the same region, though Turkish authorities did not publicly confirm the substance involved.

The latest incident underscores the continuing dangers faced by Turkish troops deployed in high-risk terrain as part of ongoing security operations. Turkiye has maintained a network of military bases in Iraq’s Kurdistan region for years, a policy that has drawn criticism from Baghdad but is defended by Ankara as necessary for national defense.

Pakistan and Turkiye share close defense and diplomatic ties, with regular high-level exchanges and joint military cooperation. Islamabad has consistently voiced support for Ankara’s security concerns, including its fight against the PKK.