Pakistan PM pushes for deeper economic and security ties with visiting US delegation

Pakistan PM pushes for deeper economic and security ties with visiting US delegation
Members of a US delegation call on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on April 9, 2025. (PID)
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Updated 09 April 2025
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Pakistan PM pushes for deeper economic and security ties with visiting US delegation

Pakistan PM pushes for deeper economic and security ties with visiting US delegation
  • Shehbaz Sharif encourages US companies to invest in Pakistan’s minerals sector, calls it a ‘priority area’
  • The visiting delegation also discusses Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue scheduled for June this year

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated his administration’s desire for closer collaboration with the United States in trade, investment and counterterrorism during a meeting with a visiting American delegation attending the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad.
The US and Pakistan have had a complex relationship, ranging from close defense cooperation during the Cold War, particularly after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, to more strained and uneven ties in recent decades.
Despite challenges, Islamabad has sought to broaden and deepen relations with Washington. However, its ambition to pivot to an export-driven economy by expanding global trade took a hit when President Donald Trump imposed a 29 percent tariff on Pakistani goods last week.
Still, the visiting US delegation, led by Eric Meyer, Acting Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, praised Pakistan for hosting the investment forum and expressed American interest in the country’s mineral sector.
“While underscoring the significance of Pakistan-US relations not only in the bilateral context but also for regional peace and security, the Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s desire to work with President Trump and his Administration to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States,” Sharif’s office said in a statement after the meeting.
“The Prime Minister underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest including trade and investment, as well as counterterrorism,” it added.
Sharif also encouraged US companies to invest in Pakistan’s minerals sector, calling it a “priority area” with immense potential.
Meyer congratulated Pakistan on organizing the two-day event and acknowledged the interest of American firms in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan’s mining industry.
Separately, the American official met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and held detailed discussions on bilateral cooperation in counterterrorism, anti-smuggling and narcotics control.
Both sides agreed to enhance collaboration, with Naqvi highlighting that a Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue scheduled for June in Islamabad would be “an important step in strengthening joint efforts.”
Meyer condemned last month’s deadly terrorist attack on the Jaffer Express, a passenger train targeted in Balochistan province by separatist militants, and offered condolences for the loss of life.
“Pakistan cannot fight this war alone,” Naqvi said. “The international community must support it.”
He noted that, like the US, Pakistan was also grappling with the issue of illegal immigration, referring to the presence of Afghan nationals in the country whom the government is working to repatriate to the neighboring state.
Naqvi also expressed hope the American delegation’s participation in the minerals forum would serve as a milestone in advancing investment and bilateral ties.


Elephants undergoing medical treatment in Karachi show signs of recovery — wildlife expert

Elephants undergoing medical treatment in Karachi show signs of recovery — wildlife expert
Updated 14 sec ago
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Elephants undergoing medical treatment in Karachi show signs of recovery — wildlife expert

Elephants undergoing medical treatment in Karachi show signs of recovery — wildlife expert
  • Safari Park elephants Madhubala and Malika were diagnosed with tuberculosis earlier this month
  • Authorities brought in a Sri Lankan wildlife health specialist to oversee the elephants’ treatment

KARACHI: Medical experts treating two elephants diagnosed with tuberculosis at Karachi’s Safari Park said on Friday the animals were responding well to treatment and remained under constant observation as part of a long-term recovery plan.

The update was shared at a news briefing by Dr. Budhika Bhandara, a wildlife health specialist from Sri Lanka, who was on a 17-day visit in Karachi to supervise the treatment of elephants Madhubala and Malika.

The two elephants were diagnosed with TB earlier this month, prompting the park to launch an intensive treatment program under international protocols.

“We are treating them very well,” Dr. Bhandara told reporters. “The elephants are showing clinical signs, but they are not weak. We have started with a two-month initial phase of daily doses, followed by a continuation phase as per the standard operating procedures.”

Under the treatment plan, the elephants will receive continuous medication and monitoring for ten months after the initial phase.

The animals are being kept under round-the-clock supervision, and park officials have restricted access to the enclosure for one year to minimize stress and prevent any risk of disease transmission.

Dr. Bhandara, who has previously treated 15 elephants for TB, expressed optimism that Madhubala and Malika would recover.

He noted that both elephants are closely monitored and undergo health evaluations every two months, with full medical screenings scheduled every six months. Their most recent dose was administered 13 days ago.

Visitors to the Safari Park are currently only allowed to view the elephants from designated buses or a safe distance, as part of efforts to ensure a stress-free environment during their recovery.

The cautious approach follows years of concern raised by international animal welfare organizations over the treatment of elephants in Karachi.

In 2021, the global group Four Paws assessed the city’s African elephants and called for urgent medical care, improved nutrition and enriched environments to support their wellbeing.

The issue gained further attention after the deaths of two elephants — Noor Jehan in 2023 at the Karachi Zoo and Sonia in late 2024 — both of which highlighted systemic gaps in animal care.

Since then, local authorities have taken steps to improve conditions, including the formation of a technical committee and increased collaboration with foreign veterinary experts.


PM Sharif invites India to open dialogue, says past wars failed to resolve key issues

PM Sharif invites India to open dialogue, says past wars failed to resolve key issues
Updated 16 May 2025
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PM Sharif invites India to open dialogue, says past wars failed to resolve key issues

PM Sharif invites India to open dialogue, says past wars failed to resolve key issues
  • The prime minister says Pakistan and India are neighbors and must choose between being peaceful or unruly
  • He thanks Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries for helping de-escalate the recent conflict

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for renewed dialogue with India, saying the two nuclear-armed neighbors had fought three wars since independence without resolving their disputes while emphasizing the need to engage in talks to address outstanding issues.

Sharif made these remarks during a ceremony in Islamabad commemorating the “Day of Gratitude,” held to honor Pakistan’s military response to Indian strikes inside its territory last week. The event was attended by the chiefs of the armed forces, senior officials and dignitaries. The event featured a flypast and national songs.

The recent India-Pakistan standoff was triggered by an attack in Pahalgam, a tourist hotspot in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. India accused Pakistan of involvement, an allegation Islamabad denied while seeking an impartial international probe. The situation escalated into missile and drone exchanges before a ceasefire was announced on May 10.

“Whether we like it or not, we are there forever as neighbors,” the prime minister said, referring to India and Pakistan. “It’s up to us whether we want to be unruly neighbors or peaceful ones.”

“We have fought three wars that solved nothing,” he continued. “Rather, they brought more poverty, unemployment and other problems on both sides. So the lesson is that we have to sit down at the table like peaceful neighbors and settle our outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.”

Sharif reiterated that Pakistan had no involvement in the Pahalgam incident and expressed gratitude to countries that assisted in de-escalating the conflict.

“I’m extremely grateful to all those friendly countries who have been very helpful in promoting peace and ceasefire in this part of the world... particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Türkiye, China and others,” he added.

Sharif extended special thanks to US President Donald Trump for his role in mediating the ceasefire.

“Above all, I would like to mention and thank President Trump for his very brave leadership and his vision that peace must be restored in South Asia sooner rather than later,” he said. “His path-breaking and strategic leadership... averted a very lethal looming war in this part of the world,” he said.

The prime minister emphasized the importance of resolving key issues to ensure lasting peace in the region.

“Without resolving these issues, I don’t think we will have peace in this part of the world on a long-term basis,” he said. “If we want permanent peace, then we need permanent solutions of Jammu and Kashmir and water distribution.”


Pakistan rejects Indian media reports of radiation leak, warns against regional arms buildup

Pakistan rejects Indian media reports of radiation leak, warns against regional arms buildup
Updated 16 May 2025
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Pakistan rejects Indian media reports of radiation leak, warns against regional arms buildup

Pakistan rejects Indian media reports of radiation leak, warns against regional arms buildup
  • Foreign office says India is following ‘hegemonic policy’ by procuring ‘advanced weaponry’
  • It says Pakistan is mindful of the threat and remains ready to deal with any military challenge

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Friday dismissed Indian media reports alleging radiation leaks during last week’s conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors as “preposterous,” while voicing concern over India’s acquisition of advanced weaponry, calling it a threat to regional stability.

The remarks came amid heightened tensions following a brief but intense military exchange that included missile and drone strikes.

Some Indian media outlets speculated that Pakistani nuclear facilities were compromised during the hostilities, leading to potential radiation leaks.

“What I can say about radiation leakage in Pakistan is that these reports are absurd and preposterous,” foreign office spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said during his weekly news briefing. “This is part of disinformation and fake news peddled by Indian media, which has distinguished itself recently with blatant lies and fabrication.”

“As a responsible nuclear weapon state,” he added, “Pakistan categorically rejects this irresponsible reporting with the contempt it deserves. India will be well advised to check such manufactured falsehoods and stop the fall of its media to new low.”

Some recent reports have also quoted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as saying “no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan” had occurred, dismissing the Indian media claims as unfounded.

Ambassador Khan also criticized India’s military posture during the news briefing, saying New Delhi’s ambitions were destabilizing the region.

“India is pursuing aggressive, or rather hegemonic policy in the region, and its defense budget reflects that,” he said. “We remain concerned about the acquisition and procurement of advanced weaponry by India which creates security imbalance in the region.”

“At the same time, we remain mindful of the threat,” he added. “We are prepared and we are ready, and our forces remain ready to deal with the challenges.”

The recent India-Pakistan standoff, which lasted several days, saw both nations engage in conventional military operations, including missile and drone strikes.

A ceasefire was brokered and announced on May 10, though the potential for escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations persists.


Pakistan’s financial regulator alerts firms to cyber risks after conflict with India

Pakistan’s financial regulator alerts firms to cyber risks after conflict with India
Updated 16 May 2025
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Pakistan’s financial regulator alerts firms to cyber risks after conflict with India

Pakistan’s financial regulator alerts firms to cyber risks after conflict with India
  • SECP highlights potential risks including operational disruptions and data loss in its advisory
  • Recent India-Pakistan hostilities featured coordinated cyberattacks for the first time in history

KARACHI: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Friday cautioned local companies about heightened cybersecurity risks, days after a brief but intense conflict with India that, for the first time, saw both nations engage in cyber warfare alongside traditional military exchanges.
The recent hostilities, which included missile and artillery fire, also featured the deployment of drones and coordinated cyberattacks, an unprecedented escalation in the long-standing rivalry between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
A ceasefire was brokered and announced on May 10, though the digital threat persists.
“The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued an advisory to all the companies, in light of the recent geopolitical situation and resultant heightened cybersecurity threat alerts, urging companies to adopt cybersecurity best practices,” the regulator said in a statement.
The advisory outlined potential risks such as operational disruptions, data loss and reputational damage, recommending measures including stricter access controls, vulnerability assessments, incident response planning and user awareness training.
During the conflict with India, Pakistan’s economic affairs ministry and the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) reported that their official X accounts had been compromised.
The KPT account briefly posted claims of significant damage from an Indian naval strike before the post was deleted and the agency stated its account had been hacked.
Pakistani officials also acknowledged launching retaliatory cyber operations targeting Indian government and financial websites.
Indian authorities reported over 1.5 million attempted cyber intrusions during the conflict, primarily attributed to Pakistan-based hacker groups.
The SECP’s advisory highlighted the ongoing digital risks in the aftermath of the ceasefire, urging companies to bolster their cybersecurity defenses to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data.


Pakistan condemns India’s ‘unprovoked’ military action during talks with UK foreign secretary

Pakistan condemns India’s ‘unprovoked’ military action during talks with UK foreign secretary
Updated 16 May 2025
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Pakistan condemns India’s ‘unprovoked’ military action during talks with UK foreign secretary

Pakistan condemns India’s ‘unprovoked’ military action during talks with UK foreign secretary
  • David Lammy is on his first official visit to Islamabad amid tensions following India-Pakistan standoff
  • Pakistan and UK express satisfaction over bilateral economic cooperation, development partnership

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday condemned what it called India’s “unprovoked and belligerent” military action during talks with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, saying Islamabad had only exercised its right to self-defense with a limited response aimed at avoiding civilian casualties.
The meeting between Lammy and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar took place in Islamabad during Lammy’s first official visit to the country. It came just days after one of the most serious military confrontations between the South Asian nuclear-armed rivals in decades.
Fighting erupted last week when India launched strikes on what it said were “terrorist camps” in Pakistan following a deadly April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people. New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing the militants behind the assault, an allegation Pakistan denies.
Four days of drone, missile and artillery exchanges followed, killing around 70 people, including dozens of civilians, on both sides of the border. The conflict raised fears of a broader war before a ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump.
“The two leaders held detailed discussions on recent developments in South Asia, particularly the situation following the ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India,” said a statement released by the foreign office in Islamabad.
“Dar briefed the UK Foreign Secretary on India’s unprovoked and belligerent actions, which constituted a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, international law, the UN Charter, and established norms of interstate relations,” it continued.
“He underlined that Pakistan exercised its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and that Pakistan’s response remained limited, precise, and proportionate, with utmost care taken to avoid civilian casualties,” the statement added.
Dar also thanked the United Kingdom for its constructive engagement in urging de-escalation during the conflict.
Britain was among several countries that called for restraint, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying at the time that the UK was “urgently engaging” with both sides.
The two officials also discussed Pakistan-UK bilateral ties, expressing satisfaction with the progress in trade, economic cooperation and development partnerships.
Dar acknowledged British support in key areas such as education, health and climate resilience, and both sides pledged to deepen collaboration on global challenges including climate action and sustainable development.
Lammy’s visit, the foreign ministry said, underscored the “robust and multifaceted partnership” between the two nations and their commitment to regional and international peace.

-With input from AFP