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Pakistan navy gets third guided missile warship from China

Pakistan navy gets third guided missile warship from China
Pakistan Navy officers holding Pakistan flags as Type 054A class guided-missile arrives at Karachi port from China on June 9, 2023. (Photo courtesy: @PakistanNavy/Facebook)
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Updated 09 June 2023
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Pakistan navy gets third guided missile warship from China

Pakistan navy gets third guided missile warship from China
  • Pakistan ordered four Type 054A variants from China in 2017-2018
  • The first of the three ships entered service in November 2021
Updated 09 June 2023
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: A third, Type 054A class of guided-missile frigate built in China for the Pakistan navy has arrived in Karachi, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.

The warship is a further development of the Type 054 frigate, but compared to its predecessor, the Type 054A has medium-range air defense capability in the form of a Type 382 radar and vertically launched HHQ-16 surface-to-air missiles.

“The ship, PNS Shahjahan, reached Karachi port where it was given a warm welcome,” Radio Pakistan said. “Commander Pakistan Fleet Rear Admiral Faisal Abbasi took a round of the ship and congratulated the crew on its commissioning.”

A spokesperson for the Pakistan navy said the inclusion of the new warship in Pakistan’s fleet “will further strengthen the defence of country's maritime borders and interests.”

Pakistan ordered four Type 054A variants from Hudong-Zhonghua in 2017-2018. The first ship entered service in November 2021.
 

Topics: Pakistan Navy China

Pakistan welcomes UN chief’s warning to Security Council of impending ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza

Pakistan welcomes UN chief’s warning to Security Council of impending ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza
Updated 9 sec ago
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Pakistan welcomes UN chief’s warning to Security Council of impending ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza

Pakistan welcomes UN chief’s warning to Security Council of impending ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza
  • US abstained last month to allow Security Council to adopt a resolution calling for pauses in fighting
  • Seven-day pause that saw release of hostages and increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza expired on Dec. 1
Updated 9 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday welcomed the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ rare move this week to formally warn the Security Council of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza and a global threat from the war.

In a letter to the UN Security Council, Guterres said the war in Gaza “may aggravate existing threats to international peace and security.” He invoked Article 99 of the founding UN Charter that allows him to “bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”

The article has not been used for decades.

“Pakistan welcomes the UN Secretary-General’s decision to invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter, to bring to the attention of the UN Security Council the dire security situation and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza,” the Pakistani foreign office spokesperson said at a briefing on Thursday.

“This decision of the Secretary General demonstrates his conscionable assessment of the catastrophic situation in Gaza … We join the Secretary General in his call to the international community to end the ongoing situation and avert a humanitarian catastrophe.”

Pakistan called on the Security Council to perform its responsibility to impose an “immediate and unconditional” cease-fire and protect the people of Gaza from an “impending genocide.”

The foreign office also called for an international conference for long-term peace on the conflict, saying durable peace would emerge from the internationally agreed two-state solution and from the creation of a “secure, viable, contiguous, and sovereign state of Palestine” on the basis of the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

The United States and close ally Israel oppose a cease-fire, arguing that it would only benefit Hamas. Washington has instead supported pauses to protect civilians and allow for the release of hostages taken by Hamas in a deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says so far 16,015 people have been killed in the enclave of 2.3 million since Israel launched its offensive in early October. Guterres told the Security Council in his letter that there was no effective protection of civilians and that “nowhere is safe in Gaza.”

Topics: Gaza Palestine

Pakistan sets up Industrial Advisory Council to meet ‘vision’ of $100 billion exports

Pakistan sets up Industrial Advisory Council to meet ‘vision’ of $100 billion exports
Updated 8 min 8 sec ago
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Pakistan sets up Industrial Advisory Council to meet ‘vision’ of $100 billion exports

Pakistan sets up Industrial Advisory Council to meet ‘vision’ of $100 billion exports
  • Pakistan’s exports for the year 2022 stood at $39.42 billion, a 24.94 percent increase from 2021
  • Pakistan needs to increase private investments and exports to sustain strong economic growth
Updated 8 min 8 sec ago
Aamir Saeed

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani ministry of industries and production on Thursday held the inaugural meeting of a new Industrial Advisory Council (IAC), set up to realize the country’s vision of $100 billion exports.

Pakistan’s exports for 2022 stood at $39.42 billion, a 24.94 percent increase from 2021. The Industrial Advisory Council — with CEOs from leading industrial groups in Pakistan and the secretaries of industries, commerce and finance as members — aims to work exclusively on increasing Pakistani exports.

Thursday’s meeting was chaired by the Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Dr. Gohar Ejaz, “bringing together the collective expertise and insights of the industry leaders to address critical issues and propose actionable strategies for the enhancement of the country’s industrial sector,” the ministry said in a statement.

“During the meeting, each private sector member of the Industrial Advisory Council presented their perspectives and expertise. The presentations shed light on the challenges faced by the industrial sector and provided valuable, practical suggestions for its improvement.”

“This gathering symbolized a collaborative effort to harness the vast potential of Pakistan’s industrial landscape and it aligns with the national objective of achieving $100 billion in exports,” the ministry added. 

“The Ministry anticipates that the outcomes of this meeting will pave the way for innovative solutions, policy recommendations, and collaborative initiatives that will contribute significantly to the growth and sustainability of the industrial sector.”

The World Bank has said Pakistan needs to increase both private investments and exports to sustain strong economic growth. Key factors currently hindering exports include high effective import tariff rates, limited availability of long-term financing for firms to expand export capacity, inadequate provision of market intelligence services for exporters, and low productivity of Pakistani firms.

“The long-term decline in exports as a share of GDP has implications for the country’s foreign exchange, jobs, and productivity growth. Therefore, confronting core challenges that are necessary for Pakistan to compete in global markets is an imperative for sustainable growth,” the World Bank said in a report last year. 

The report recommended gradually reducing effective rates of protection through a long-term tariff rationalization strategy to encourage exports and reallocating export financing away from working capital and into capacity expansion through the Long-Term Financing Facility. 

It also advised consolidating market intelligence services by supporting new exporters and evaluating the impact of current interventions to increase their effectiveness and designing and implementing a long-term strategy to upgrade productivity of firms that fosters competition, innovation and maximizes export potential.

Topics: Pakistan Pakistan industry Pakistan economy

Pakistan plans to showcase ‘rich pool of talent’ at Riyadh Expo — PM’s adviser

Pakistan plans to showcase ‘rich pool of talent’ at Riyadh Expo — PM’s adviser
Updated 07 December 2023
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Pakistan plans to showcase ‘rich pool of talent’ at Riyadh Expo — PM’s adviser

Pakistan plans to showcase ‘rich pool of talent’ at Riyadh Expo — PM’s adviser
  • Jawad Sohrab Malik embarked on special Saudi visit last month to explore employment avenues for Pakistani professionals
  • During the visit, Malik signed agreements and letters of intent with multiple Saudi recruitment agencies and companies
Updated 07 December 2023
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Jawad Sohrab Malik, on Thursday chaired a meeting on arrangements to showcase a “rich pool” of Pakistani talent at the upcoming Human Resource and Labor Services Expo in Riyadh.

The event will be held in the Kingdom from Dec 24-27 where Pakistan will host a “dedicated pavilion” to highlight the skills of its workforce.

The Expo comes on the heels of a whirlwind visit to Saudi Arabia by Malik to explore and unlock employment avenues for Pakistani professionals, focusing on development projects that could open up jobs for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers. During the visit Malik signed agreements with multiple Saudi recruitment agencies and companies.

The Kingdom is home to the largest number of Pakistani expats, over two million, and is the biggest contributor to remittance inflows to the South Asian nation.

“Through Expo, which is scheduled to take place from December 24 to December 27, 2023, Pakistan aims to showcase its rich pool of talent and human resources on a global platform,” the overseas ministry said in a statement. “The discussions [during Thursday’s meeting] centered around the meticulous arrangements required for the successful setup and operation of the Pakistani pavilion at the expo.”

The primary objective of Pakistan’s pavilion “is to amplify employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce … attract potential employers and collaborators, fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations,” the ministry added. 

Malik said the pavilion would serve as a “strategic platform” to connect Pakistani job seekers with opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

Last month, the SAPM met the heads of leading business conglomerates in Saudi Arabia to explore and seek employment opportunities for Pakistanis, including Rashid Saad Al-Rashid, chairman of the Al-Rashid Group of Saudi Arabia.

“Malik thanked the chairman for hiring a significant number of Pakistani workers. He specifically requested the Al-Rashid Group to hire more Pakistani workers for their projects,” the overseas Pakistanis ministry had said in a statement after the meeting. “He also assured full cooperation in recruitment from Pakistan. Both heads agreed to further strengthen cooperation.”

The chairman of the Group said the company had a “long and positive history” of working with Pakistani companies and workers and valued their contributions to its projects:

“We are committed to continuing to hire Pakistani workers in the future. We are also open to exploring new areas of cooperation with Pakistan.”

Malik also met with the CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Dallah Healthcare Company, Dr. Ahmad Bin Saleh Babaeer, and VP (HR) of Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib hospitals, Mr. Badr Al Rowaili.

“The two hospitals are the leading health care service providers in Saudi Arabia having a number of ongoing expansion projects across the Kingdom. They expressed their satisfaction and recognized the work quality of Pakistani doctors, nurses and paramedical staff working in their hospitals,” the Pakistani overseas ministry said in a statement.

“They further expressed their keen interest in more recruitments from Pakistan and agreed on developing training and orientation mechanisms for Pakistani health care professionals in order to effectively engage them in the Saudi health care sector.”

The engagement with the two key players from the Saudi health care sector would be beneficial for the training and orientation of Pakistani professionals and create job opportunities for them in the Kingdom, the statement added.

During Malik’s visit to Saudi Arabia last month, agreements and letters of intent have been signed with multiple Saudi recruitment agencies including The First National Company (FNRCO) and Maharah Human Resources. 

Malik also signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Saudi-based global conglomerate, Al Bawani Holdings, to unlock jobs for Pakistani expats, and invited Takamol, a Saudi initiative to develop human capital, to open more testing and training centers in Pakistan. He offered full cooperation to the company to operate as an independent training and certification company in Pakistan.

“[Saudi] TVTC (Technical and Vocational Training Corporation) can also collaborate for training initiatives in Pakistan,” the SAPM was quoted as saying in a statement released last month. “[Pakistan’s] NAVTEC (National Vocational and Technical Training Commission) and TVTC shall sign MOU very soon.”

The Pakistan Overseas Employment Corporation (POEC) and NESMA & Partners, a leading contracting company in Saudi Arabia, have also signed an agreement to export manpower to the Kingdom.

The “landmark” agreement will allow the export of skilled Pakistani labor to Saudi Arabia, specifically for ongoing and upcoming projects of NESMA, which specializes in construction.

Topics: Riyadh Expo 2030 Pakistan Saudi Ties

Cameron Bancroft makes half-century against Pakistan in ‘bat-off’ to replace Warner

Cameron Bancroft makes half-century against Pakistan in ‘bat-off’ to replace Warner
Updated 07 December 2023
AFP
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Cameron Bancroft makes half-century against Pakistan in ‘bat-off’ to replace Warner

Cameron Bancroft makes half-century against Pakistan in ‘bat-off’ to replace Warner
  • Pakistan declared at 391-9 after captain Shan Masood completed a double century
  • Pakistan’s warm-up match will follow a three-Test series beginning in Australia next week
Updated 07 December 2023
AFP

SYDNEY: Cameron Bancroft hit 53 and Marcus Harris 49 against Pakistan Thursday in their quest to become Australia’s new Test opener, but neither was able to push on and make a big score.
They helped the Prime Minister’s XI reach 149-2 at stumps in Canberra to trail by 242 in Pakistan’s only warm-up match before the three-Test series starting in Perth next week.
The visitors declared at 391-9 after captain Shan Masood completed a double century, having resumed day two of the four-day game at Manuka Oval on 156, smashing 14 fours and six in his 201 not out.
South Australian quick Jordan Buckingham took 5-80.
Billed as a “bat-off” to replace David Warner, Bancroft and Harris got the nod to open ahead of Matt Renshaw, who is also a contender to fill the void left by the veteran when he retires.
Warner has indicated he plans to quit the longer format after the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January, his home venue.
Bancroft, best known for his role in the notorious “Sandpaper-gate” ball-tampering scandal in 2018, was patient in building a half-century before he was trapped lbw by Khurram Shahzad.
Harris, who has been in and around the Test side since his debut in 2018, fell short of his 50 when caught by Shahzad at mid-off from the spin of Abrar Ahmed.
Renshaw was not out 18 and Cameron Green was unbeaten on 19.

Topics: Cameron Bancroft Pakistan vs Australia

Soaring pollution in Pakistan’s Lahore fills wards with sick children

Soaring pollution in Pakistan’s Lahore fills wards with sick children
Updated 07 December 2023
Reuters
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Soaring pollution in Pakistan’s Lahore fills wards with sick children

Soaring pollution in Pakistan’s Lahore fills wards with sick children
  • Estimated suggest at least 50 percent rise in pediatric patients due to respiratory issues exacerbated by poor air quality
  • Punjab provincial government is researching cloud-seeding to make artificially induced rain to address the smog situation
Updated 07 December 2023
Reuters

LAHORE: In the packed pediatric emergency room of a Lahore public hospital, parents holding sick children lined up for treatment this week, part of a surge of young patients caused by the air pollution crisis in Pakistan’s second most populous city.
“We are disturbed and tense,” said Mohamad Qadeer, holding a nebulizing device to his three-year-old daughter Rameen’s nose, engulfing her face in a billow of steam delivering medication to ease her congested airways.
She and her one-year-old sister Inaaya are among thousands of children suffering from pollution-related health problems. Health officials estimated there has been at least a 50 percent rise in pediatric patients due to respiratory issues exacerbated by poor air quality in the last month.
Lahore, known historically as a city of gardens, is now choking with toxic smog that placed it as the world’s worst for air quality last year.
As cooler temperatures took hold in November, air quality levels spiraled. Twenty-four of the last 30 days had “hazardous” or “very unhealthy” air quality, according to Swiss group IQAir.
“It has gotten a lot worse than the previous years and it is affecting the health of the children,” said Dr. Maria Iftikhar, senior registrar at Sir Ganga Ram hospital’s pediatric department.
The city of 11 million, considered the cultural capital of Pakistan, has been blanketed in thick haze that partially blocks the sun and shrouds streets with fog at night. The problem becomes more severe in cooler months, as temperature inversion prevents a layer of warm air from rising and traps pollutants closer to the ground.
Mohamad and his wife, Shazma, had tried to keep Rameen and Inaaya safe with masks and limiting time outdoors but after days of coughing and fever the children stopped eating.
“We have been sleepless for three nights,” said Shazma, bouncing Inaaya on her knee as she held up the nebulizer to her face. More mothers and children waited nearby for their turn and a doctor rushed through the crowds with an infant in her arms, trailing a porter wheeling an oxygen canister pumping air to the baby.
“Inshallah [God willing], they will be better soon ...,” Shazma said.
CHILDREN MORE VULNERABLE
The UN children’s agency says globally outdoor air pollution contributed to 154,000 deaths of children aged below five in 2019. In Pakistan it is one of the top five causes of death among the entire population and young children are the most severely affected along with the elderly.
“Children are physiologically more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because their brains, lungs and other organs are still developing,” said UNICEF, adding children breath twice as fast as adults, increasing exposure.
“The government should take strong measures because small kids are suffering,” said Shazia, cradling her nine-month-old son Mohammad who spent four days admitted to Sir Ganga Ram’s packed wards for a chest infection. The bed was shared by one-month-old baby Noor, suffering from pneumonia, who cried through her oxygen tubes as her grandmother tried to sooth her.
Provincial health minister Dr. Javed Akram said hospitals were on high alert with beds and ventilators set aside for extra emergency cases.
Four partial lockdowns have taken place since the start of November as well campaigns to promote masks.
Crop burning, carried out by farmers to remove remnants of rice crops to make way for wheat, was a major contributor to the problem, he said, as well as poor quality fuel in vehicles and construction and industrial activity. Without prohibitively costly investments in specialized equipment for farmers, burning could not be fully curbed without risking food security.
The provincial government was researching cloud-seeding to make artificially induced rain to clear the skies. It has also reached out to authorities in nearby India, considered an arch-rival, via diplomatic channels on how to improve the quality of air blowing across the border and consulted with experts in China.
“We are always trying to look at more evidence-based approaches,” Akram said. “Our pediatric hospitals are overwhelmed with the burden from the respiratory issues … the most vulnerable are small children.”

Topics: Pollution smog

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