Pakistan drawing Saudi interest in mine stakes, adviser says

Pakistan drawing Saudi interest in mine stakes, adviser says
A file photo of the site of the gold and copper mine exploration project of Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) in Reko Diq, in Balochistan, Pakistan. (Photo courtesy: TCC)
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Updated 14 November 2023
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Pakistan drawing Saudi interest in mine stakes, adviser says

Pakistan drawing Saudi interest in mine stakes, adviser says
  • Pakistan has hired a global adviser to value the mine’s stake and hopes to finish the valuation by Dec. 25
  • Government plans to get into talks with Riyadh after the valuation process for Reko Diq mines is over

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has shown interest in acquiring government stakes in Pakistan’s Reko Diq gold and copper mine, a Pakistani official said on Tuesday, in what would be a major deal for the crisis-ridden $350 billion South Asian economy.
Barrick Gold Corp, which owns a 50 percent stake in the mine, considers the mine one of the world’s largest underdeveloped copper-gold areas.
Pakistan narrowly averted sovereign default earlier this year after a last-gasp $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund, but the deal rests on bringing in foreign direct investment to shore up critically low foreign exchange reserves.
Islamabad has appointed an international adviser to do an valuation of its stake in the mine and expects this to be completed before Dec. 25, after which talks will begin with Riyadh, Jahanzeb Khan, the prime minister’s adviser special investments, told journalists.
Alongside Barrick Gold the remaining 50 percent of the mine is held by the governments of Pakistan and the province of Balochistan.
Khan did not identify the adviser but media outlet Arab News reported that United Arab Emirates-based consulting firm RB&A Partners has been hired. The firm declined comment in an emailed response to a Reuters query.
Pakistan has previously said Barrick would invest $10 billion in the project. Barrick in August said it was open to bringing in Saudi Arabia as one of its partners in the mine.
The Saudi Arabian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Khan said Saudi Arabia and other traditional Middle Eastern allies could potentially line up around $70 billion in investments in various sectors.
Khan said that Pakistan was keen on having Saudi Arabia on board, but stressed that Islamabad was “not in a rush” and did not want to have “distress sales” for any of its assets and would protect its national interests.
He said Pakistan set up its Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in June to help make investing faster and easier and with a focus on sectors including agriculture, mining and information technology.
Khan said even the IMF had inquired about the SIFC’s powers but that the body would ensure transparency in all transactions.
Regarding the inclusion of Pakistan’s army chief in the SIFC Khan said the military was key to ensure physical security for investors Reko Diq is located in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan which is in the grip of multiple insurgencies.


Pakistan accuses Kabul of playing ‘double game’ to avoid handing over TTP militants

Pakistan accuses Kabul of playing ‘double game’ to avoid handing over TTP militants
Updated 40 sec ago
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Pakistan accuses Kabul of playing ‘double game’ to avoid handing over TTP militants

Pakistan accuses Kabul of playing ‘double game’ to avoid handing over TTP militants
  • Jan Achakzai say Pakistan will ‘go to any extreme’ until Afghan authorities meet its security demands 
  • The Balochistan minister condemns people protesting strict border controls, threatens to ‘crush them’ 

ISLAMABAD: A senior Pakistani official in southwestern Balochistan province on Saturday accused Taliban officials in Afghanistan of playing a “double game,” asserting that despite multiple requests from Pakistani authorities to hand over militants targeting its people and security forces, they had not received a positive response. 

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks and suicide bombings since the beginning of the year, which it attributes to the proscribed militant network, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose leadership is said to be based in Afghanistan. 

After a major suicide attack in Peshawar that claimed nearly 100 lives earlier this year, Pakistan raised the issue with Kabul but complained of not receiving a favorable response. 

Subsequently, officials in Islamabad launched a deportation drive against “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghans, after informing the public that Afghan nationals in Pakistan had been found involved in most suicide attacks that had occurred during the year. 

“Pakistan has been repeatedly demanding Afghan Taliban to hand over terrorists involved in the violent activities on Pakistani soil,” Jan Achakzai, Balochistan’s interim information minister, told a news conference in Quetta. “However, the Afghan Taliban are still continuing with their double game with insensitivity.” 

He said Pakistan had presented its demands to the Afghan Taliban and was willing to “go to any extreme” until they were fulfilled. 

Achakzai said militants involved in violent activities in Pakistan mostly possessed Afghan identity cards, showing that these migrants remained a continuing threat for the security of the country. 

“For this reason, the Afghan immigrants possessing with these identity cards will also need to leave Pakistan,” he continued. “We have reached our limit. No Afghan national will be allowed to enter Pakistan without passport.” 

He also warned people protesting the government decision to tighten border control and only allow people with valid travel documents to enter the country, saying the state was going to “crush those raising anti-Pakistan slogans at the sit-in near Chaman border crossing.” 

The minister said the passport condition had now been fully in implemented at Pakistan’s frontier with Afghanistan. 

Earlier this week, Achakzai told the media the government had given instructions to the police to arrest about 1.7 million Afghans living in Pakistan illegally. 

He informed the authorities had been asked to deport 10,000 Afghan nationals every day. 


Eight bus passengers killed by unknown gunmen in northern Pakistan

Eight bus passengers killed by unknown gunmen in northern Pakistan
Updated 03 December 2023
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Eight bus passengers killed by unknown gunmen in northern Pakistan

Eight bus passengers killed by unknown gunmen in northern Pakistan
  • The incident happened near Chilas which is located near a China-backed dam under construction
  • Militants had opened fire on the bus on Saturday evening, though no group has claimed responsibility

KARACHI: Gunmen attacked a bus near the town of Chilas in northern Pakistan on Saturday, killing eight passengers and injuring at least 15, district and regional officials said.
Muhammad Ali Johar, a spokesman for the regional government, said militants had opened fire on the bus on Saturday evening and the wounded had been taken to a local hospital.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack and the motive for the shooting was not clear.
Chilas lies in the mountainous region of Gilgit Baltistan, near the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where attacks have been rising in recent years, including some claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Chilas is a popular stopping point for tourists and is also near a China-backed dam under construction.


Despite criticism, David Warner named in Australia squad for first Pakistan test

Despite criticism, David Warner named in Australia squad for first Pakistan test
Updated 03 December 2023
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Despite criticism, David Warner named in Australia squad for first Pakistan test

Despite criticism, David Warner named in Australia squad for first Pakistan test
  • Warner wants to end his career at Sydney, his home ground, while continuing to play white ball cricket
  • Pakistan are scheduled to play against the Prime Minister’s XI at Canberra between December 6 and 9

SYDNEY: David Warner has been handed the chance of a hoped-for Sydney Cricket Ground farewell after being named in Australia’s squad for the first of three home tests against Pakistan.
The squad named Sunday, which includes the 37-year-old opener, is only for the first test at Perth from Dec. 14-19.
If he holds his place for the second test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting on Boxing Day, Warner will be in line for his dream farewell on his home ground in Sydney from Jan. 3 to 7.
Warner’s recent test form has been mixed and he has averaged 28 in test matches since the summer of 2019 when he made a triple century against Pakistan at Adelaide. He has made clear his wish to end his Baggy Green career at Sydney while continuing to play for Australia in white ball cricket.
Warner will start the summer opening the batting with Usman Khawaja while opener candidates Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris will have a chance to stake their claims with the Prime Minister’s XI which plays Pakistan at Canberra from Dec. 6 to 9.
Fast bowler Lance Morris is closer to a test debut after being recalled to the 14-man squad. Cameron Green also returns after previously losing his test spot to Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey has been named wicketkeeper after losing that role at the recent one-day World Cup.
Spinner Nathan Lyon is back after recovering from a calf injury which ruled him out of the latter stages of the Ashes series. He replaces Todd Murphy.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey said the incumbents had earned the opportunity to play the first test of the summer after an outstanding winter in which Australia won the World Test Championship and retained the Ashes.
“Thirteen members of the squad were part of the victorious World Test Championship and successful Ashes tours over the winter and Lance Morris has been recalled after recovering from his back injury over the same period,” Bailey said.
“As ever, there will be opportunities in the short to medium term to break into this squad and we look forward to seeing the continued strong performances from players who have been performing domestically, many of whom will get a tremendous opportunity in the PM’s XI fixture against Pakistan later this week.”
Morris has taken 11 wickets at 25.5 in three Sheffield Shield matches for West Australia since returning from the back injury which ruled him out of the Ashes.
Warner’s decision to publicly announce his hope for a Sydney finish was met with strong criticism from his former Australia teammate, fast bowler Mitchell Johnson.
In a column Sunday in the West Australian newspaper, Johnson took issue with Warner.
“As we prepare for David Warner’s farewell series, can somebody please tell me why?” Johnson wrote. “Why a struggling test opener gets to nominate his own retirement date.
“And why a player at the center of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrants a hero’s send-off?”
Johnson made reference to the Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal involving the Australia team in South Africa in 2018. Warner received a 12-month ban for his role in the scandal.
“Although Warner wasn’t alone in Sandpapergate, he was at the time a senior member of the team and someone who liked to use his perceived power as a “leader,” Johnson wrote. “Now the way he is going out is underpinned by more of the same arrogance and disrespect to our country.”


Pakistan Cricket Board drops ex-captain Salman Butt from selection panel after backlash

Pakistan Cricket Board drops ex-captain Salman Butt from selection panel after backlash
Updated 02 December 2023
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Pakistan Cricket Board drops ex-captain Salman Butt from selection panel after backlash

Pakistan Cricket Board drops ex-captain Salman Butt from selection panel after backlash
  • The PCB announced the appointment of Butt as consultant to Pakistan chief selector on Friday
  • The 39-year-old was sentenced to prison in 2011 in a spot-fixing scandal, banned for 10 years

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dropped ex-cricketer Salman Butt from its panel of consultants for team selection, Chief Selector Wahab Riaz announced Saturday, following backlash over Butt's appointment. 

The PCB announced the appointment of Butt along with Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum as consultants to Riaz on Friday, amid a reshuffle in the national side and the board’s management.  

Pakistanis took to social media and strongly criticized the PCB for the appointment of Butt, who was sent to prison in 2011 and banned from playing for 10 years for his part in a conspiracy to bowl deliberate no-balls during a 2010 Test match against England at Lord's. 

Speaking at a press conference at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, Riaz said it was his decision to appoint Butt his consultant as he understood cricket. 

"Salman Butt's name has now been withdrawn," he said, adding that there was no pressure from anyone. 

"I took the decision to make Salman Butt a consultant. Now, I am also taking the decision to remove Salman Butt." 

Butt represented Pakistan in 33 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is. He made 5,209 runs spanning the three formats with 11 international centuries. He was in the T20 World Cup winning squad in 2009. 

His appointment came as part of a reshuffle that began amid Pakistan's poor show at the World Cup that saw the national side crashing out of the showpiece tournament even before the semi-final stage. Pakistan finished fifth in the 10-team World Cup tournament that culminated last month, with Australia lifting the trophy for a record sixth time. 

Following below-par performance of the team, Babar Azam resigned from the captaincy in all formats and Shan Masood was made test captain. Shaheen Afridi was appointed as skipper of T20 side.  

Riaz was appointed Pakistan’s chief selector last month, after Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down in October following allegations of a conflict of interests, while former captain Mohammad Hafeez was named as team director, who will also be the head coach of the team on the twin tours of Australia and New Zealand. 

The PCB last month also appointed former international players Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as bowling coaches for the national team. 


Pakistan top judge says won’t ‘favor anyone’ after ex-PM Khan asks for equal opportunities in polls

Pakistan top judge says won’t ‘favor anyone’ after ex-PM Khan asks for equal opportunities in polls
Updated 02 December 2023
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Pakistan top judge says won’t ‘favor anyone’ after ex-PM Khan asks for equal opportunities in polls

Pakistan top judge says won’t ‘favor anyone’ after ex-PM Khan asks for equal opportunities in polls
  • Through a letter written this week, Khan had drawn Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s attention toward ‘discrimination’ faced by his party
  • Chief Justice Isa is fully cognizant of his constitutional duties and will continue to abide by the oath of his office, his secretary says

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Saturday said he would “neither be pressurized nor favor anyone” as he responded to a letter written by former prime minister Imran Khan that sough equal opportunities for all political parties in the upcoming general elections. 

In his letter written to CJP Isa this week, Khan had drawn CJP Isa’s attention toward the “discrimination” faced by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, citing “disappearances” and “arbitrary arrests” of his supporters. The ex-premier said there was no possibility of a fair general election on February 8 without the intervention of the apex court to halt these widespread arrests. 

The development came amid a months-long crackdown on supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which began after violent attacks on government and military installations over Khan’s brief arrest in a graft case in May this year. Several top aides and members of Khan’s party have since distanced themselves from the party, while many still remain behind bars. 

In response to Khan’s letter, the chief justice’s secretary, Mushtaq Ahmed, said the top judge was fully cognizant of his duties and would continue to abide by the oath of his office. 

“Let all be assured that Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, is fully cognizant of his constitutional duties and will neither be pressurized nor favor anyone, and by the grace of the Almighty shall continue to fulfil his duties and abide by the oath of his office,” Ahmed said in a press statement. 

Referring to Khan’s letter, Ahmed said the office of the chief justice received an undated seven-page application on Friday, which comprised a typed application, tabulated tables and photocopies, altogether 84 pages, without the identity and contact details of the advocate who had prepared it. 

Surprisingly, before receiving the document (in a sealed envelope), it had already been distributed to the media, the chief justice’s secretary noted. 

“As per the envelope, the document was couriered by ‘Intazar Hussian Panjutha (Adv)’. Misgivings also arise when the political party on whose behalf the document has ostensibly been sent is well represented by advocates,” the statement read. 

“Only recently its advocates conducted two significant cases in the Supreme Court, on the military courts and on the elections.” 

Khan, who was ousted in a parliamentary no-trust vote in April 2022, wrote the letter amid repeated accusations by his PTI party against the current caretaker administration and the military establishment of having a soft corner for three-time former premier Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party. 

Sharif, who was convicted of corruption in 2018 and returned to Pakistan in October after nearly four years in self-imposed exile, was on Wednesday acquitted in a case relating to the purchase of upscale London flats. He was previously sentenced to 10 years in prison in the case. 

Khan, who is in jail since August 5 after being convicted in a case involving the sale of state gifts, says the cases against him are “politically motivated” and aimed at keeping him out of politics, while his loyalists see the recent judgments granting relief to Sharif and his family members as favors given to the PML-N, which appears to be poised to take over the reins of the country once again.