
UAP railway line project discussed
Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Thursday expressed the hope that the respective three countries would soon sign the framework agreement for Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project.
The project was discussed during a telephonic discussion between Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich, according to a Foreign Office press release.
The deputy prime minister shared with him his recent discussions in Kabul regarding the project and hoped that the three countries would soon sign the framework agreement for this important regional connectivity project.
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Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Dar-led body to oversee funding strategies for dams
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday termed India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) as "a blatant violation and act of water aggression" and warned that Pakistan will give a befitting response under the decisions taken in the April 24 National Security Committee (NSC) meeting. Chairing a high-level meeting on water resources at the Prime Minister's House, he vowed that, just as Pakistan achieved victory in the recent war, it would also triumph on the water front. Emphasising the urgency of enhancing water storage, PM Shehbaz Sharif ordered the establishment of a high-powered committee under Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to oversee funding strategies for new dam projects. The committee will include all provincial chief ministers, the Prime Minister of AJK, and relevant federal ministers, and is directed to submit its recommendations within 72 hours. "We will prioritize the construction of non-controversial reservoirs. Wherever there is unanimity, we must act without delay. These dams are not political - they are a national necessity," the Prime Minister said. He made it clear that any project with cross-provincial consensus will be fast-tracked and completed on a priority basis. A detailed briefing was given during the meeting on Pakistan's water infrastructure. Officials informed the participants that the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam is underway and expected to be completed by 2032, while the Mohmand dam is likely to be completed by 2027. Currently, Pakistan has 11 dams with a total storage capacity of 15.318 million acre-feet. Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), 32 small and large dams are under construction, while 79 projects are underway under annual development programs. "This is a battle of justice, and like every battle we have fought with unity, we will defeat India's water aggression with resolve and wisdom," said the prime minister. He emphasised that living nations confront challenges head-on and make strategic, lasting decisions to protect their future generations. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the Indian threats to weaponise water by attempting to violate the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty are increasing each day. He highlighted that the treaty, a binding international agreement, does not allow any party to unilaterally withdraw, and India's claims are politically and legally hollow. All provincial chief ministers, along with the leadership of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, strongly condemned India's water threats and unanimously reaffirmed their support for the federal government's position. The Prime Minister lauded this united stance, calling it "a reflection of our collective national resolve to protect Pakistan's water security". PM Shehbaz also pointed to the serious problem of silting in existing reservoirs like Tarbela and Mangla, which has drastically reduced their water retention capacities. He said bold decisions must be taken now, or history will judge today's leadership harshly. "We owe it to our 240 million people to act decisively. This is not about politics — it's about survival. The future generations must remember this leadership with respect for the choices we make today," he declared. PM Shehbaz congratulated the Finance Minister, Economic Affairs Minister, and relevant secretaries for successfully securing loans from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank despite strong Indian lobbying. "India tried to sabotage our projects at the ADB for three days, but failed. Our diplomatic victory is a testament to Pakistan's principled stand and growing credibility," he noted. Concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his unwavering belief in the collective strength of Pakistan's national, provincial, and military leadership. "Just as our brave armed forces stood firm in the battlefield, we must now stand united in securing every drop of water for our people," he said. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal COAS General Asim Munir, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Power Minister Owais Leghari, Water Resources Minister Muneeb Wattoo, and other key federal cabinet members. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, AJK PM Anwarul Haq, and GB Chief Minister Gulbar Khan were also present, along with senior civil and military officials.


Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Conflict with India: Gilani praises Britain's behind-the-scenes diplomacy
ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani took centre stage on Thursday in a high-stakes diplomatic sit-down with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott – pitching Pakistan as a peace-driven, climate-hit, and investment-hungry nation eager to deepen relations with the UK. Calling himself 'a man of peace,' Gilani praised Britain's behind-the-scenes diplomacy for easing tensions between nuclear neighbours Pakistan and India during the recent four-day clash between the two archrivals. With Marriott nodding along, Gilani pressed the UK to double down on its counter-terror cooperation and back efforts to stamp out extremism and cross-border threats – code for trouble brewing from across the Indian border. Gilani didnot mince words, once again calling for a UN-backed peaceful resolution to the decades-old flashpoint of Kashmir dispute, while urging London to use its diplomatic muscle. Gilani also flashed Pakistan's humanitarian credentials, reminding the world Pakistan has hosted more than three million Afghan refugees over the years – and is still footing the bill. He pleaded for global help in fixing what he called a simmering refugee crisis. On the green front, Gilani sounded the climate alarm. With Pakistan battered by floods, droughts, and rising temperatures, he pitched partnerships with Britain on everything from clean energy to disaster response. On trade, Gilani said that the £4.1 billion in annual volume barely scratches the surface of what Pakistan and the UK could achieve, urging both sides to unlock the 'untapped goldmine' of economic potential. He called for fresh trade deals, a surge in UK investment, and faster, friendlier student and work visas, saying it is time to supercharge academic links and crank up economic engines on both sides. Cybersecurity, defence, intelligence, training – Gilani put them all on the table during his meeting with Marriott, sketching out what he dubbed a 'dynamic and forward-looking' UK-Pakistan partnership. Marriott, for her part, gave a diplomatic thumbs-up, praising the 'constructive dialogue' and pledging Britain's full-throttle support for a safer, greener, and more prosperous Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
PM blasts New Delhi's IWT suspension move
ISLAMABAD: With a stern warning that Pakistan won't sit quietly while India plays dirty with a vital lifeline, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday ripped into New Delhi's brazen move to unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) – slamming it as a blatant violation and a bold act of water aggression. The prime minister while chairing a high-level meeting focused on water security, warned that any threat to Pakistan's water rights would be addressed through decisions already adopted under National Security Committee (NSC)'s guidelines issued on April 24. 'This is a battle of justice,' he said, urging unity amid escalating regional tensions. 'Like every battle we have fought with unity, we will defeat India's water aggression with resolve and wisdom.' The high-level meeting which was attended by top political and military leadership, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir, federal ministers, the chief ministers of all four provinces, the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, and senior officials from federal and provincial governments. Sharif accused India of weaponising water and emphasised that the 1960 IWT – a binding international agreement – does not permit any party to withdraw unilaterally. He dismissed India's stance as politically and legally hollow. He welcomed the unified front shown by the political leadership of the country, noting it as a reflection of our collective national resolve to protect Pakistan's water security. In response to the crisis, Sharif ordered the immediate establishment of a high-level committee headed by Ishaq Dar. The committee's mandate is to develop funding strategies for new dam projects, with representatives from all provinces, AJK, and relevant federal ministries, and to submit recommendations within 72 hours. 'We will prioritise the construction of non-controversial reservoirs,' he said. 'Wherever there is unanimity, we must act without delay. These dams are not political – they are a national necessity.' He said that the dam projects agreed upon by all provinces will be fast-tracked and given priority. During the session, officials provided a technical briefing on Pakistan's current water storage capacity and infrastructure. The country currently operates 11 dams with a total capacity of 15.318 million acre-feet. Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), 32 dams are under construction, with 79 additional projects underway through annual development schemes. Among ongoing projects are the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, expected to be completed by 2032, and the Mohmand Dam, scheduled for completion in 2027. Sharif highlighted the challenge of sediment build-up in existing dams such as Tarbela and Mangla, which has diminished their effectiveness. He urged leadership to take decisive action, stressing the responsibility owed to Pakistan's 240 million citizens and warning that future generations will judge them on their choices. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025