Over 50 Pakistanis imprisoned in Sri Lanka due to return home today

Over 50 Pakistanis imprisoned in Sri Lanka due to return home today
Special Task Force (STF) personnel deploy at Mahara prison on the outskirts of Colombo on November 30, 2020. (AFP/File)
Short Url
Updated 06 October 2024
Follow

Over 50 Pakistanis imprisoned in Sri Lanka due to return home today

Over 50 Pakistanis imprisoned in Sri Lanka due to return home today
  • The return of these Pakistani prisoners follows months of diplomatic negotiations between Pakistani and Sri Lankan authorities
  • Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi spearheaded the effort, while Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan announced bearing all expenses

ISLAMABAD: More than 50 Pakistanis, who had been imprisoned in Sri Lanka, were due to return home on Sunday, Pakistani state media reported.

The return of these Pakistani prisoners follows months of diplomatic negotiations between Pakistani and Sri Lankan authorities.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi spearheaded the efforts to secure their release, while Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan announced bearing all expenses in this regard.

“A chartered flight has left for Sri Lanka to bring the Pakistani prisoners back,” the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

Naqvi expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lankan government and the high commissioner for their support in this regard, according to the report.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Ravindra Chandra Srivijay Gunaratne met Naqvi in July and discussed with him matters of mutual interest, including the release of Pakistani nationals imprisoned in Sri Lanka.

A total of 23,456 Pakistani citizens are imprisoned in various countries, local media reported, citing the Pakistani Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights.

Of them, 15,587 have been convicted of different offenses and 7,869 are under-trial.


Islamabad and Ankara agree to strengthen media cooperation, battle Islamophobia 

Islamabad and Ankara agree to strengthen media cooperation, battle Islamophobia 
Updated 14 December 2024
Follow

Islamabad and Ankara agree to strengthen media cooperation, battle Islamophobia 

Islamabad and Ankara agree to strengthen media cooperation, battle Islamophobia 
  • Pakistan’s information minister meets Turkiye’s head of communications in Istanbul 
  • Minister says such measures would bolster public-level connections between both states

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye on Saturday agreed to strengthen media cooperation through joint broadcasts between their state-run television channels, and ways to combat Islamophobia and misinformation, Radio Pakistan reported. 

The development took place during a meeting between Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Turkiye’s Head of Communications Professor Fahrettin Altun at the Turkish Presidency. 

Tarar arrived in Turkiye on Dec. 13 for a three-day visit to the country where he is scheduled to take part in the Stratcom Summit 2024 in Istanbul.

During his meeting with Altun, Tarar discussed strengthening media cooperation, promoting public diplomacy and combating Islamophobia and misinformation by the two countries.

“The two sides agreed to joint broadcasts between PTV and Turkiye’s state-run television TRT, including airing popular Turkish dramas in Pakistan,” Radio Pakistan said in a report. 

Turkish dramas are highly popular in Pakistan, especially historical and period dramas, for their cultural similarities and high-quality production. “Diriliş: Ertuğrul” remains one of the most popular Turkish dramas to have aired in Pakistan, amassing a huge following over the years. 

The report said an agreement was also reached between the two to form a working group between Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Turkiye’s Directorate of Communications, with focal persons designated from both sides.

Tarar highlighted the vast potential for media cooperation between the two countries, noting that such collaborations would help strengthen public-level connections.

“The meeting also covered cooperation in the fields of entertainment and tourism, as well as the development of joint projects,” it added. 

Altun acknowledged that the Turkish drama “Ertugrul” gained significant popularity in Pakistan, Radio Pakistan said. 

“He said media cooperation between the two countries would help in the fight against Islamophobia and misinformation,” the report said. 


Karachi Shipyard to build Pakistan’s first major commercial ship in 40 years

Karachi Shipyard to build Pakistan’s first major commercial ship in 40 years
Updated 56 min 25 sec ago
Follow

Karachi Shipyard to build Pakistan’s first major commercial ship in 40 years

Karachi Shipyard to build Pakistan’s first major commercial ship in 40 years
  • Pakistan’s premier investment body SIFC revives 1100 TEU Container Ship Project, says state broadcaster
  • Project to feature collaboration among navy, Karachi shipyard and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s premier investment body has revived a shipbuilding project through which the Karachi Shipyard will build the country’s first major commercial ship in four decades, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday.

The 1100 TEU Container Ship Project, which had been on hold for nine months, has been revived by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a hybrid civil-military government body formed in 2023 to facilitate foreign investment in Pakistan’s key economic sectors. 

The cargo shipbuilding project will feature collaboration between the Pakistan Navy, Karachi shipyard, and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, the state media said. 

“Under this project, Karachi Shipyard will locally construct its first major commercial cargo ship after forty years,” Radio Pakistan said. 

It said the 24.75-million-dollar contract provides an opportunity for Pakistan to build ships at a cost lower than international market rates. 

“This is a key step toward reducing dependence on foreign shipping companies and promoting Pakistan’s economic self-sufficiency,” the state media said. 

Pakistan has sought to reduce its dependency on bailout programs and aid from allies in recent years. The South Asian country has said it aims for export-oriented growth and wants to reduce its imports to save valuable foreign exchange amid a macroeconomic crisis. 


After Wasim, Pakistan cricketer Amir retires from international cricket 

After Wasim, Pakistan cricketer Amir retires from international cricket 
Updated 14 December 2024
Follow

After Wasim, Pakistan cricketer Amir retires from international cricket 

After Wasim, Pakistan cricketer Amir retires from international cricket 
  • Amir came out of retirement in April after nearly four years to participate in T20 World Cup 2024
  • Amir, 32, has played 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is for Pakistan since his international debut in 2009

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir has announced his retirement from international cricket, a day after all-rounder Imad Wasim did the same, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday. 

Left-arm pacer Amir, 32, returned to international cricket after nearly four years in April this year for the T20 World Cup. He has featured in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is for Pakistan since making his international debut in June 2009. 

Amir has also taken 271 international wickets and scored 1,179 runs across the three formats. His retirement announcement follows a day after Wasim publicly said he was retiring from international cricket after putting much thought and reflection into the matter. 

“All-rounder Imad Wasim and left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir have announced their retirements from international cricket,” the PCB said. “Both players last featured for Pakistan in this year’s ICC T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies.”

The PCB said Amir and Wasim have both been “key members of the Pakistan men’s cricket team” over the years and also represented the Pakistan U-19 team. 

Amir was also part of the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup winning squad, and with Wasim, both were an integral part of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy winning squad. 

“It has been a great honor to play for Pakistan across all three formats,” Amir said. “I know this is a difficult decision, but I feel this is the right time for the next generation to take the baton and elevate Pakistan cricket to new heights.”

The Pakistani pacer thanked the PCB for extending “much-needed support” over the years and the Pakistani fans. 

After rising as one of the most promising talents in international cricket in 2009, Amir was one of three Pakistan players banned from cricket for five years for spot-fixing during a Test match in England after being caught in a newspaper sting. 

He was later jailed in the UK for six months.

He returned to the squad years later and proved instrumental in helping Pakistan win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England. 


Pakistan launches scholarships for 300 Bangladeshi students amid push to forge closer ties

Pakistan launches scholarships for 300 Bangladeshi students amid push to forge closer ties
Updated 14 December 2024
Follow

Pakistan launches scholarships for 300 Bangladeshi students amid push to forge closer ties

Pakistan launches scholarships for 300 Bangladeshi students amid push to forge closer ties
  • Pakistan, Bangladesh have sought to improve bilateral ties since former PM Hasina’s ouster
  • Fully funded scholarship program supported by NUST, Comsats and LUMS, says state media 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government this week launched a new program through which it will provide fully funded scholarships to 300 Bangladeshi students, state-run media reported, as Islamabad establishes closer ties with Dhaka under a new Bangladeshi administration. 

The scholarship program is backed by Pakistan’s education ministry and supported by leading universities such as NUST, Comsats, and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), the Pakistan Television News reported. 

“During a recent meeting, officials urged universities to promote the program in Bangladesh through events and an online portal,” PTV News said on Friday. 

“The scholarships seek to enhance educational exchanges and cultural connections between the two countries.”

Established together as one independent nation in 1947, Bangladesh won liberation from then-West Pakistan in 1971. Relations between the two countries continued to deteriorate during former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, which prosecuted several members of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party for war crimes relating to the 1971 conflict.

However, relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have improved since Hasina was ousted in a bloody student-led protest in August. Islamabad’s ties with Dhaka have also improved as Bangladesh’s relations with India, where Hasina has sought refuge, have deteriorated.

Pakistan’s foreign office said in September that Islamabad sought “robust, multifaceted, friendly relations” with Bangladesh to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Sharif met Dr. Yunus in New York in September at a ceremony hosted by the Bangladeshi leader to mark the completion of 50 years of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations.

Both sides agreed to forge stronger ties and enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields during their meeting. 


Pakistan PM calls for shutting down outdated power plants with higher fuel consumption

Pakistan PM calls for shutting down outdated power plants with higher fuel consumption
Updated 14 December 2024
Follow

Pakistan PM calls for shutting down outdated power plants with higher fuel consumption

Pakistan PM calls for shutting down outdated power plants with higher fuel consumption
  • Pakistan produces expensive electricity due to outdated infrastructure, reliance on imported fuel, and substantial transmission losses
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif calls for expediting implementation of ongoing reforms and modernization of the country’s power transmission system

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for shutting down inefficient and outdated power plants that produced less power with higher fuel consumption, Pakistani state media reported.
Pakistan produces expensive electricity due to a combination of factors, including outdated infrastructure and inadequate power plants, reliance on imported fossil fuels, inefficient energy mix, substantial transmission and distribution losses, and chronic issues like circular debt and regulatory inefficiencies.
Additionally, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and complex tariff structures contribute to higher electricity prices, while underutilization of domestic resources such as hydropower and coal add to the problem. High power cost is one of the key factors that leads to inflation in the South Asian country.
On Friday, Sharif presided over a meeting in Islamabad to evaluate and discuss future plans for power generation in the country and said only low-cost power projects should be prioritized in the future, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The closure of such [outdated] power plants will not only save valuable foreign exchange spent on fuel imports, but also reduce the cost of electricity for consumers,” he was quoted as saying.
The prime minister called for expediting implementation of ongoing reforms and instructed officials to modernize the power transmission system as per international standards, according to the report.
In October, Sharif said his government was terminating purchase agreements with five independent power producers (IPPs) to rein in electricity tariffs as households and businesses buckled under soaring energy costs.
The need to revisit power deals was part of reforms for a critical staff-level pact in July with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $7-billion bailout. The program was approved in September.
Pakistan has also begun talks to reprofile power sector debt owed to China and structural reforms, but progress has been slow. It has also promised to stop power sector subsidies.