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Pakistan Deputy PM arrives in Iran for Economic Cooperation Organization summit 

Update Pakistan Deputy PM arrives in Iran for Economic Cooperation Organization summit 
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar (2R) arrives in Mashhad, Iran on December 2, 2024, to attend the 28th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers. (Photo courtesy: MOFA)
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Updated 02 December 2024
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Pakistan Deputy PM arrives in Iran for Economic Cooperation Organization summit 

Pakistan Deputy PM arrives in Iran for Economic Cooperation Organization summit 
  • Economic Cooperation Organization founded in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkiye
  • ECO aims to remove trade barriers within ECO region, develope intra-regional trade
Updated 02 December 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, arrived in Iran today, Monday, on a two-day official visit to attend the 28th meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Council of Ministers, the Foreign Office in Islamabad said. 
The ECO is a political and economic intergovernmental organization that promotes economic, technical, and cultural cooperation among member states. The ECO was founded in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan, and Turkiye, and was established to succeed the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), which existed from 1964 to 1979. 
The ECO’s objectives include contributing to the development of member states, removing trade barriers within the ECO region, developing intra-regional trade, promoting the ECO region’s integration with global markets and strengthening cultural and historical ties among member states.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has arrived in Mashhad, Iran to attend the 28th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers,” the foreign office said, adding that the Pakistani dignitary was received at the airport by Vice Governor General of Razavi Khorasan province , Mohammad Ali Nabipoor and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu.
In his address at the ECO meeting in Mashhad, Dar will highlight the potential of greater connectivity in the ECO region, according to a press briefing by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch.
“Deputy PM will reiterate Pakistan’s commitment to the ECO charter and highlight the potential of greater connectivity in the ECO region to development of road and rail networks, liberalization of visa regimes, simplification of border procedures and to maintain sustainable growth and enhance geo-economic potential of the ECO region,” Baloch said.
“Deputy PM will sign the charter for ECO clean energy center and hold bilateral meetings with participating ministers and other dignitaries on the sidelines.”
Dar will also reiterate Pakistan’s concerns over hostilities in the Middle East that endanger peace and security of the region.
Dar’s visit comes weeks after Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi was in Islamabad to hold consultations with Pakistani leaders on the Middle East situation following Israel’s invasion of Gaza and Lebanon, and to discuss bilateral ties.

Topics: Pakistan Iran Ties Ishaq Dar

Pakistani humanitarian organization unveils Rs15 billion ‘Rebuild Gaza’ initiative

Pakistani humanitarian organization unveils Rs15 billion ‘Rebuild Gaza’ initiative
Updated 18 January 2025
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Pakistani humanitarian organization unveils Rs15 billion ‘Rebuild Gaza’ initiative

Pakistani humanitarian organization unveils Rs15 billion ‘Rebuild Gaza’ initiative
  • Alkhidmat Foundation has previously carried out Gaza relief activities worth about Rs5.5 billion
  • ‘Rebuild Gaza’ will help reconstruct a hospital, schools and mosques, provide temporary shelters
Updated 18 January 2025
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani humanitarian organization on Saturday announced a Rs15 billion ($54 million) “Rebuild Gaza” initiative over the next 15 months, following the announcement of a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.
The ceasefire, which begins on Sunday, comes after extensive negotiations involving Qatar, Egypt and the United States. It will end the conflict that began in October 2023, killing over 46,000 Palestinians and leaving Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins.
The Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, which has previously carried out relief activities worth Rs5.5 billion ($20 million) in Gaza, announced the initiative during a press briefing. The new program will build on previous efforts, raising its total aid commitment to Rs20 billion ($72 million) within a little more than a year.
“The people of Pakistan have always stood by their brothers and sisters in Gaza during times of crisis, and we are hopeful they will once again contribute wholeheartedly to this noble cause,” the foundation’s president, Dr. Hafeez Ur Rehman, said, as per a statement.
The “Rebuild Gaza” plan includes providing temporary shelters, essential supplies such as food and medicines, mobile health units and ambulances.
It also aims to reconstruct five damaged schools, rehabilitate one hospital, rebuild 25 mosques and launch over 100 clean water projects.
Additionally, a residential tower will be constructed to provide housing, and 3,000 orphaned children will receive long-term sponsorship.
Dr. Rehman said the foundation, in collaboration with its partner organizations, remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering aid and ensuring the rehabilitation of affected communities in Gaza.

Topics: Pakistan Palestine pakistan palestine ties War on Gaza

Pakistan’s deputy PM orders timely assistance for victims of Morocco boat tragedy

Pakistan’s deputy PM orders timely assistance for victims of Morocco boat tragedy
Updated 18 January 2025
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Pakistan’s deputy PM orders timely assistance for victims of Morocco boat tragedy

Pakistan’s deputy PM orders timely assistance for victims of Morocco boat tragedy
  • More than 40 Pakistanis are feared to have drowned while attempting to reach European shores
  • Pakistan has intensified efforts against human smugglers who facilitate journeys for illegal migrants
Updated 18 January 2025
Muhammad Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Ishaq Dar on Saturday instructed the government to provide timely assistance to the victims of a recent boat tragedy off the coast of Morocco, where more than 40 nationals of his country are feared to have drowned while attempting to reach European shores.
Pakistan’s foreign office confirmed on Thursday that a migrant boat with 80 passengers on board, including several Pakistanis, had capsized near Morocco en route to Spain.
According to Moroccan authorities, 36 people were rescued on Wednesday from the vessel, which had departed Mauritania on January 2 with 86 migrants on board, including 66 Pakistanis, according to minority rights group Walking Borders.
The group’s CEO, Helena Maleno, said 44 of the 50 presumed dead were from Pakistan. The boat was reportedly heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands when it capsized.
Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister (FM), held a meeting in Islamabad earlier in the day to review the situation.
“The DPM/FM issued instructions for coordination of government response and asked the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior to ensure provision of efficient and timely assistance to the Pakistani victims of the tragedy,” the foreign office said in a social media post.
Media reports claim almost all the Pakistanis who were on the boat were from cities in the eastern Punjab province.

Ahsan Shahzad, father of Suffian Ali, one of the victims of a migrant boat that capsized in West Africa’s Atlantic coastline, is consoled by relatives at his home in the village of Dhola, Lalamusa district, Pakistan on January 17, 2024. (AP)

The government has intensified its efforts in recent months against human smugglers who facilitate perilous journeys for illegal immigrants to Europe and has made several arrests.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for enhanced cooperation with international agencies, seeking swift action against human trafficking networks.

Ahsan Shahzad, shows a picture of his son, Suffian Ali, one of the victims of a migrant boat that capsized in West Africa’s Atlantic coastline, on his cell phone at his home in the village of Dhola, Lalamusa district, Pakistan on January 17, 2024. (AP)

He has also instructed the Federal Investigation Agency to compile a detailed report on migration-related incidents over the past year and implement an Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) to monitor and prevent illegal movement.
The incident near Morocco once again highlighted the perilous journeys many migrants, particularly Pakistanis, undertake due to conflict and economic instability in their home country.

Mohammad Akram, left, father of Abu Bakar, one of the victims of a migrant boat that capsized in West Africa’s Atlantic coastline, is consoled by relatives at his home, in Jura village, in the Lalamusa district in Pakistan on January 17, 2024. (AP)

In 2023, hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, drowned when an overcrowded vessel sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek town of Pylos.
It was among the deadliest boat disasters ever recorded in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mohammad Akram shows a picture of his son Abu Bakar, one of the victims of a migrant boat that capsized in West Africa’s Atlantic coastline, on his cell phone at his home, in Jura village, in the Lalamusa district in Pakistan on January 17, 2024. (AP)

 

Topics: Boat capsizing PAkistani migrants Pakistan foreign office

Noman and Sajid help Pakistan dominate West Indies in spin battle

Noman and Sajid help Pakistan dominate West Indies in spin battle
Updated 18 January 2025
AFP
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Noman and Sajid help Pakistan dominate West Indies in spin battle

Noman and Sajid help Pakistan dominate West Indies in spin battle
  • The spin duo shared nine wickets between them to dismiss West Indies for 137
  • Pakistan stretched their lead to 202 by scoring 109-3 in their second innings
Updated 18 January 2025
AFP

MULTAN: Noman Ali and Sajid Khan guided Pakistan to a strong position against the West Indies after another spin-dominated second day’s play in the opening Test in Multan on Saturday.
The spin duo shared nine wickets between them to dismiss the West Indies for 137 in reply to the home team’s 230 all out.
By the close, Pakistan stretched their lead to 202 by scoring 109-3 in their second innings, with Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel batting on nine and two respectively when bad light ended play 25 minutes early.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (2-17) dismissed Muhammad Hurraira for 29 after an opening stand of 67 and Babar Azam for a second failure, trapped leg-before for five.
Skipper Shan Masood looked solid for his 52, hitting two sixes and two fours, before Warrican ran him out after attempting a quick single.
“The weather is foggy so if we have continuous play and take our lead over 300 then we can win this Test,” said Sajid.
“It’s great to bowl with Noman, who always guides me.”
Warrican wants the target to be under 250.
“Obviously we don’t want to get the lead go over 250 because it’s a spin-favoring surface,” said Warrican.
“We need a good comeback in batting the second time around on this pitch.”
The dry and grassless Multan pitch has already produced 23 wickets in six sessions — 19 on day two — even though two-and-a-half hours were lost on day one and another 30 minutes on Saturday because of poor visibility.
Noman grabbed 5-39 for his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests while Sajid finished with 4-65 to dismiss the West Indies after lunch in a first innings that lasted just 25.2 overs.

Pakistan’s Noman Ali, center, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of West Indies Kevin Sinclair during the day two of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies, in Multan on January 18, 2025. (AP)

Noman and Sajid, who shared 39 of the 40 wickets in the last two Tests against England in Pakistan’s 2-1 series win last year, were once again unplayable.
Sajid opened the bowling and removed Mikyle Louis (one), Keacy Carty (0), Kraigg Brathwaite (11) and Kavem Hodge (four) in his first three overs.
Noman then further jolted the tourists with another four wickets to leave them tottering on 66-8.
The tailenders showed more resistance, with number 10 batsman Warrican unbeaten on 31 and Gudakesh Motie adding 19.
Jayden Seales was the last wicket to fall for 22.
Seales hit three sixes before holing out off spinner Abrar Ahmed.

West Indies Jomel Warrican, center, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha during the day two of the first test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies, in Multan on January 18, 2025. (AP)

Earlier, Warrican took 3-69 as Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 43 runs after resuming at 143-4.
Shakeel top-scored for Pakistan with 84 off 157 deliveries, including six boundaries, while keeper Mohammad Rizwan added 71.
Shakeel added an invaluable 141 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan, lifting Pakistan from a precarious 46-4 on day one.

Topics: Pakistan vs West Indies sajid khan noman ali Saud Shakeel

Pakistan begins mandatory Hajj training by holding first session in Peshawar

Pakistan begins mandatory Hajj training by holding first session in Peshawar
Updated 18 January 2025
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Pakistan begins mandatory Hajj training by holding first session in Peshawar

Pakistan begins mandatory Hajj training by holding first session in Peshawar
  • The country’s religious affairs ministry plans to hold the training sessions at 147 locations across Pakistan
  • These sessions will use audiovisual material and conclude before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan
Updated 18 January 2025
WASIM SAJJAD

PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry on Saturday initiated mandatory training sessions for pilgrims performing this year’s Hajj under the government scheme by holding the inaugural session in the northwestern city of Peshawar.
Earlier this month, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the annual Hajj agreement in Jeddah, which formally confirmed that the South Asian nation would send 179,210 people to perform the pilgrimage this year.
More than 200 pilgrims participated in the first session in Peshawar, held at a private educational institution in the city.
Muhammad Umair Butt, the ministry spokesperson, told Arab News that authorities have planned the mandatory Hajj training sessions at 147 locations across the country.
“According to the Saudi government’s instructions, we have to provide training to Hajj pilgrims to acquaint them with the administrative affairs and other Hajj rituals so they can complete their worship properly,” he said, adding the sessions were also designed to sensitize pilgrims on how to spend their time in Saudi Arabia.

Trainer briefs selected Pakistani pilgrims during Hajj training workshop in Peshawar on January 18, 2025, ahead of the annual pilgrimage in June this year. (AN Photo)

Butt said the training sessions would cover all required topics in two sittings.
“These sessions will be concluded before [the Muslim fasting month of] Ramadan,” he said. “The sessions will be held from January 18 to February 27 across the country in every province.”
The religious affairs ministry has taken several initiatives this year to facilitate pilgrims, including the launch of the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile application to guide them.
The app is available for both Android and iPhone users.

Selected Pakistani pilgrims attend Hajj training workshop in Peshawar on January 18, 2025, ahead of the annual pilgrimage in June this year. (AN Photo)

The ministry spokesperson said each sitting of the training session will last for about three hours, during which pilgrims will receive guidelines through audiovisual material.
Speaking to Arab News, participants of the training session expressed satisfaction with the information shared, saying multiple questions they had about the Hajj rituals had been answered.
“It is good that I attended the first session in which they provided detailed information about the app,” Mujib-ur-Rehman Bhatti, a resident of Peshawar’s Gulbahar neighborhood, said after participating in the training.

Trainer briefs selected Pakistani pilgrims during Hajj training workshop in Peshawar on January 18, 2025, ahead of the annual pilgrimage in June this year. (AN Photo)

He added the ministry had informed all the pilgrims in detail about how to overcome common problems reported during Hajj.
“The things they taught us were for our own ease and can save us from tension ahead,” Bhatti said.
Another participant of the session, Ali Khan, an official at the Civil Aviation who is planning to perform Hajj with his family, called it a “brilliant program.”
“Everything was explained quite well and in significant detail,” he said. “We gathered information from videos, YouTube and other sources. The session was very practical and important.”

Selected Pakistani pilgrims attend Hajj training workshop in Peshawar on January 18, 2025, ahead of the annual pilgrimage in June this year. (AN Photo)

 

Topics: Hajj 2025 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims Pakistan Hajj mission Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry

Pakistan eyes $3 billion investment as Sindh announces China-backed special economic zone

Pakistan eyes $3 billion investment as Sindh announces China-backed special economic zone
Updated 18 January 2025
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Pakistan eyes $3 billion investment as Sindh announces China-backed special economic zone

Pakistan eyes $3 billion investment as Sindh announces China-backed special economic zone
  • CM Murad Ali Shah emphasizes its transformative potential amid hopes for over 100,000 jobs
  • Dhabeji SEZ will be located near Karachi’s ports, offering connectivity to regional trade routes
Updated 18 January 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: The provincial administration of Sindh on Saturday announced the establishment of a special economic zone after the signing of a memorandum of understanding supported by Chinese authorities, projecting the initiative to transform Pakistan’s economy by attracting $3 billion in investment and creating over 100,000 jobs.
The announcement is part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which aims to enhance industrial development by setting up such economic zones. The first CPEC phase focused on infrastructure and energy projects, while the second phase emphasizes industrial collaboration between the two countries.
The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is being developed under public-private partnership by the Sindh administration, is strategically located near Karachi’s ports, offering connectivity to regional trade routes to position it as a vital industrial hub.
“The Dhabeji SEZ is set to transform Pakistan’s economic landscape,” Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said, according to an official statement released after the MoU signing.
He added the project would stimulate industrial growth, reduce reliance on imports, boost exports and create a self-reliant and sustainable economy.
Special Assistant to the CM on Investment, Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar, also highlighted the SEZ’s transformative potential.
“This SEZ will create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, promote value-added industries and empower local communities through skills development.”
The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by members of the Sindh Cabinet, senior officials and other dignitaries.

Topics: Pakistan China Ties China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Sindh government Dhabeji Special Economic Zone Dhabeji

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