Pakistan to establish new missile force after India conflict, says PM Sharif
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the formation of the Rocket Force Command while addressing an Independence Day ceremony in Islamabad attended by senior military officials late on Wednesday.
"It will be equipped with modern technology and capable of striking the enemy from all directions," Sharif said at the ceremony, during which the deadly clash with India in May dominated official speeches and displays.
"It will improve our conventional war capabilities," he said, commending the military for its performance.
Pakistan and India fought an intense four-day conflict in May that killed more than 70 people on both sides in missile, drone and artillery fire, the worst clashes between the nuclear-armed neighbours since 1999.
Pakistan has sophisticated missile capabilities, some of which it deployed in May alongside J-10C Vigorous Dragon and JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
Islamabad is boosting its military capabilities following the conflict, increasing defence spending by 20 percent in the current budget that was passed in June.
The government also announced that it was in discussions to acquire 40 new Chinese fighter jets and new air defence systems.
"After the recent conflict, the object of course is to further strengthen Pakistan's military capability and this is a part of that process," defence analyst Talat Masood, a former general, told AFP.
The May conflict was triggered by a deadly attack on tourists in India-administered Kashmir a month earlier that Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denied the allegation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
5 hours ago
- Gulf Today
India's warehousing demand records 32.1 million sq ft in H1
India's warehousing sector recorded a 42 per cent YoY surge in leasing volumes to 32.1 million sq ft across the top eight markets. This sharp rise in demand was led by the manufacturing sector, which saw a 71 per cent YoY growth in space uptake, accounting for 45 per cent of the total transactions, according to a survey by Knight Frank India. The report highlights the expanding role of India as a resilient, consumption-led, and manufacturing-driven economy whose industrial and warehousing market is benefiting from global trade realignments, government-led infrastructure and PLI investments. The increasing focus on higher grade facilities is also apparent. Transaction volumes reflect this shift as 63% of leased space was Grade A, up from 54% a year ago. Pan-India stock exceeded 500 million sq ft in H1 2025, with Grade A assets constituting 75% of new supply; vacancy dropped from 13.1% to 12.1% as supply lagged demand. The manufacturing sector emerged as the leading occupier during H1 2025, accounting for 45% of all transactions, a significant leap from prior periods. The sector's leasing volume reached 14.6 million sq ft, up 71% YoY in H1 2025. Notably, Mumbai and Pune together absorbed 44% of this space, led by prominent companies such as SKS Fasteners, RenewSys India, Godrej & Boyce, and Lupin. The shift of global supply chains, government support through PLI schemes, and India's competitiveness in energy, chemicals, automotive, and heavy engineering has positioned the country as a viable manufacturing destination. Interestingly, warehouses are also increasingly being retrofitted to industrial specifications to capitalise on the upswing in manufacturing activity. 3PL firms absorbed 8.7 million sq ft (27% share), rising 30% YoY, with Mumbai constituting 35% of the sector's transacted volumes followed by NCR, and Pune. E-commerce, while no longer the dominant sector, made a strong comeback with 3.3 million sq ft, a 61% increase over the previous year, now accounting for 10% of all activity. Transaction volumes grew across all cities except Kolkata. Mumbai led with 7.5 million sq ft, up 63% YoY. Pune and Chennai registered 76% and 135% growth respectively, led by strong manufacturing uptake. Ahmedabad and Bengaluru also recorded notable expansion. The Ahmedabad market reached a new half-yearly high of 3.6 million sq ft, driven by manufacturing firms which took up 48% of the area transacted. Similarly, Bengaluru also saw a 72% YoY surge, with 65% of leasing volume led by manufacturing sector occupiers—the highest share for the city since H1 2023. While the office market has almost reached the one billion sq ft mark, the warehousing and industrial market crossed 513 million sq ft in H1 2025, with 26.9 million sq ft becoming operational across the top eight markets. However, this trailed demand during the period, helped lower the pan-India vacancy to 12.1%, from 13.1% in H1 2024. Grade A properties constituted 75% of the new supply, reflecting developer response to occupier preference for high-specifications, ESG-aligned spaces. Grade A vacancy (12.9%) remained higher than Grade B (10.7%), due to speculative development in anticipation of demand. All primary markets recorded a 3–5% YoY rise in rental values, led by Mumbai at 4.7%, Kolkata at 4.6%, and Pune at 3.8%. Healthy occupier traction and the rising demand for efficient, automated logistics parks with sustainability features has kept rent growth buoyant across markets. A 71% YoY rise in manufacturing-led activity highlights the shift toward India as a preferred production hub amid global realignments. The evolving demand profile, backed by infrastructure build-up, policy stability, and rising investor interest in Grade A assets, signals a more mature and future-ready warehousing ecosystem, said Shishir Baijal, CMD, Knight Frank India. I have given my property for redevelopment and could not travel to India for business purposes. Can I give power of attorney to my uncle to handle this affair? Vivek Pandit, Sharjah. You can appoint your uncle to handle your affairs for this purpose. As the asset is undergoing redevelopment, you must also apply for its mutation before the concerned authority to have your name registered against the property under development. This is important especially at a time when the asset is undergoing redevelopment. I have invested in a project in Bengaluru. Is GST applicable to all types of residential projects? Please clarify. Deepak, Dubai. The impact of GST on residential property depends on the phase of construction, the location as well as the type of project. For example, GST impact will be observed more in case of new launches as compared to near completion projects. Similarly, projects in suburban areas will be more impacted when compared to city-centre projects.
Economy ME
6 hours ago
- Economy ME
Key takeaways from Trump-Putin summit: What lies ahead for U.S.-Russia relations?
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a 'very profound' and 'extremely productive' meeting. 'Many points were agreed to,' Trump mentioned during a joint press conference following their gathering in Alaska on Friday. He indicated that he would discuss the outcomes with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. 🇺🇸🇷🇺 — The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 15, 2025 In his comments, Putin noted that Trump seeks to get to the 'crux of the matter' regarding the conflict in Ukraine. He expressed hope that the 'agreements' would serve as a 'starting point' for a 'solution of the Ukrainian issue.' Additionally, Putin invited Trump to Moscow for their next conversation. 'I expect that today's agreements will be the starting point not only for the solution of the Ukrainian issue but also will help us bring back business-like and pragmatic relations between Russia and the U.S.,' Putin stated. (Photo Credit: White House) In a Fox News interview recorded in Alaska after his meeting with Putin, Trump declared, 'It's up to Zelenskyy' now to finalize a deal. 'Now it's really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done,' he emphasized. Trump mentioned that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyt want him to be present at a future potential meeting between the two leaders to discuss a path to peace. He acknowledged that he and Putin agreed on most points, but noted that there remain one or two issues where they disagree. (Photo Credit: Kremlin) Positive remarks from the Kremlin Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked: 'The conversation is really very positive. This is the very conversation that allows us to confidently continue moving forward together on the path of seeking resolution options.' The United Nations took note of the outcomes from the Russian-U.S. summit and welcomed the ongoing constructive dialogue, according to UN Secretary-General's Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. The UN chief reiterated his call for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward peace in Ukraine. (Photo Credit: White House) On August 15, 2025, global attention shifted to Anchorage, Alaska, as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin convened for their most eagerly awaited diplomatic engagement in years. The summit, hosted at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, aimed to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine and broader U.S.-Russia relations. (Photo Credit: Kremlin) Setting the stage Air Force bases are rarely the venues for international diplomacy, yet the joint Alaskan installation provided enhanced security and a stage rich in symbolism. A red carpet unfurled across the tarmac, flanked by fighter jets, creating a dramatic backdrop for what President Trump labeled a 'feel-out meeting.' The two leaders emerged from their respective planes almost simultaneously, exchanging warm handshakes—Trump even applauding Putin's arrival, a moment captured by photographers and broadcast worldwide. This cordial greeting established a tone of initial optimism, spectacle, and high expectations, with press banners proclaiming 'Pursuing Peace' and the global media documenting every interaction. (Photo Credit: Kremlin) Behind closed doors Following a brief ride in the presidential limousine, the leaders retreated indoors. The summit's agenda shifted unexpectedly from an anticipated one-on-one meeting to a more formal three-on-three format, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff accompanying Trump, while senior Kremlin officials joined Putin. Media were granted a brief photo opportunity before the closed-door discussions commenced, lasting around two and a half hours. (Photo Credit: Kremlin) During these discussions, Trump advocated for a ceasefire in Ukraine—the stated U.S. priority—but remained uncertain about the prospects for an immediate breakthrough. Putin reiterated Russia's longstanding position: any settlement must address 'the primary causes' of the conflict and take into account Russia's 'legitimate concerns.' Despite the challenging subject matter, both leaders characterized the talks as 'productive' and 'respectful,' although they failed to announce a concrete agreement. (Photo Credit: Kremlin) Read more: Trump and Putin to meet next week as tariffs on Russian oil loom Press conference without closure Upon their emergence for the scheduled press conference, expectations for a significant announcement ran high. Instead, what followed was a brief, scripted address in which both Trump and Putin spoke of progress and 'common ground' but offered few specifics. Neither leader took questions from the press, and notably, the term 'ceasefire' never formally appeared in their remarks. President Trump suggested that more progress had been made than was publicly visible, yet he acknowledged that 'significant sticking points' persisted—chief among them, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Putin, for his part, implied that the summit would 'build momentum' for future discussions, even proposing a follow-up in Moscow—a suggestion Trump acknowledged with a wry smile and a quip about potential political repercussions. (Photo Credit: Kremlin) What wasn't said The summit's conclusion was steeped in ambiguity, with both leaders departing Alaska without a definitive agreement. Throughout the discussions, Trump indicated a willingness for further negotiations and even floated the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though this was not confirmed. Meanwhile, Russia's position on territorial control in Ukraine and skepticism from European observers left many questions unanswered. Critics within the diplomatic community noted that the absence of an accord or even a temporary ceasefire left both leaders vulnerable to scrutiny at home and abroad. Nonetheless, the leaders' mutual emphasis on continuing dialogue implied that this was merely the first round in a renewed phase of U.S.-Russia engagement.
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE condemns terrorist attack targeting police station in Pakistan's Peshawar
The UAE has condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that targeted a police station in Peshawar, northern Pakistan, which resulted in the death of a number of security personnel and the injury of others. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its constant rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism that aim to destabilize security and stability. The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims of this cowardly attack, and to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and its friendly people, wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured. At least five policemen were martyred and as many injured as terrorists conducted simultaneous attacks in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, Geo News reported. Terrorists also attacked Hassan Khel police station, located about 30 km southwest of Peshawar, late Wednesday, according to the police officials. According to Geo News, police officials said they repelled militant attacks on Hassan Khel Police Station nd two checkposts. However, one policeman was killed and another injured in attack on the police station.
