Pakistani forces kill two militants, capture five in Balochistan operations

Pakistani forces kill two militants, capture five in Balochistan operations
Frontier Corps Balochistan (North) personnel stand guard during a protest oustside the office of a Returning Officer in Quetta on February 9, 2024. (AFP/File)
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Updated 19 October 2024
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Pakistani forces kill two militants, capture five in Balochistan operations

Pakistani forces kill two militants, capture five in Balochistan operations
  • Military’s media wing says the militants were involved in several attacks on Pakistani officials and civilians
  • Security forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, explosives and suicide vests

ISLAMABAD: Security forces in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province conducted two separate intelligence-based operations, killing two militants and apprehending five more, according to an official statement circulated by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Saturday.
Balochistan, which shares its border with Iran and Afghanistan, has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatist Baloch militant groups. Pakistani authorities believe these armed ethnic outfits are also supported by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose fighters mainly generate violence in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Nearly two months ago, Balochistan witnessed a series of coordinated militant attacks across different parts of the province, killing more than 50 people. Subsequently, Pakistani officials vowed to launch “smart kinetic operations” to deal with the situation, rather than a full-scale military campaign.
“On 18 October 24, security forces conducted a successful intelligence-based operation in [Balochistan’s] District Pishin on the reported presence of Khwarij [militants],” the ISPR said in the statement. “During the operation, five Khwarij were apprehended, and a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, including three suicide vests, were seized.”
The statement said the captured militants were involved in multiple attacks targeting security forces and civilians.
It added that in another operation in District Zhob on October 17, two militants were killed during an intense exchange of fire.
The ISPR said Pakistani forces recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from the possession of the dead militants.
It noted that security forces remain steadfast in their commitment to eradicating militant violence from the country and protecting the people from such armed factions.


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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
 


Pakistan’s Sindh invites Qatari, Thai envoys to explore investment opportunities in province

Pakistan’s Sindh invites Qatari, Thai envoys to explore investment opportunities in province
Updated 14 December 2024
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Pakistan’s Sindh invites Qatari, Thai envoys to explore investment opportunities in province

Pakistan’s Sindh invites Qatari, Thai envoys to explore investment opportunities in province
  • Sindh chief minister meets consul generals of Thailand, Qatar separately to discuss bilateral investment 
  • Pakistan seeks closer financial ties and improve bilateral relations with regional allies amid economic crisis

ISLAMABAD: The chief minister of Pakistan’s Sindh this week invited the envoys of Qatar and Thailand to explore investment opportunities in the province, as Islamabad attempts to attract increased foreign investment to remedy its economic woes. 

Pakistan has forged closer trade, investment, and economic ties with regional allies as it seeks to escape an economic crisis that has drained its resources and weakened its currency significantly over the past two years. 

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah met the consul generals of Thailand and Qatar on Friday in separate meetings in the provincial capital of Karachi, ensuring them of the Sindh government’s full support to them in matters related to investment. 

“Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has invited the investors of Thailand and Qatar to take advantage of the several investment opportunities in the province,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Friday. 

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah (right) meets with Consul Generals of Thailand, Surashete Boontinand, at CM House in Karachi, Pakistan, on December 13, 2024. (@SindhCMHouse/X)

During his meeting with Qatar Consul General Naif Shaheen Al-Sulaiti, Shah discussed various investment opportunities present in Sindh and invited the Qatar Investment Authority to invest in Sindh, the state broadcaster said. 

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Qatar in October as he sought to bolster economic cooperation amid the country’s efforts to boost foreign investment and stabilize its frail $350 billion economy.

In November, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori met Qatari’s Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater to discuss ways to enhance investment and improve bilateral ties between the two countries.