China welcomes Pak-Afghan ties upgrade
Addressing a regular news briefing, he said that recently, the Pakistani government and the interim Afghan government announced that they would upgrade Pakistan-Afghanistan relations to the ambassadorial level.
"China welcomes this and believes that it will help Pakistan and Afghanistan enhance mutual trust, strengthen cooperation and jointly maintain peace and stability in the region," he added.
The spokesperson said that this is also an important positive measure for Pakistan and Afghanistan to implement the outcomes of the informal meeting of foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan in May this year.
"China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in promoting the improvement and development of relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan," he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Chidambaram pokes holes in Modi's Pahalgam narrative
A senior leader of India's Congress party dealt a severe blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi government narrative, saying that there was no proof that the assailants, who carried out the Pahalgam attack on April 22, had come from Pakistan. As Indian forces claimed to have killed "three foreign terrorists" linked to Pahalgam attack in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), former Indian minister P Chidambaram questioned why the government was not releasing the investigation report of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The Indian army claimed in a statement on social media that the three were killed "in an intense firefight" near the major Hindu shrine of Amarnath in the mountains of Dachigam, around 30 kilometres from Srinagar. Though the army did not identify the deceased, a police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity that they were all "foreigners". Two Indian TV news channels, however, claimed that the men were suspected to be behind the Pahalgam attack. In Pakistan, however, the state media while quoting security sources said that India had initiated a new covert military operation, "Operation Mahadev," aimed at staging fake encounters to cover up the failure of its earlier campaign, "Operation Sindoor." Under this plan, according to a Radio Pakistan report, the Indian Army was killing detained Pakistani citizens in staged shootouts, branding them as "terrorists" to mislead the international community. It added that Operation Mahadev aimed at suppressing the freedom movement in IIOJK. On April 22, gunmen shot dead 26 tourists in Pahalgam. with presenting any evidence India blamed Pakistan. Pakistan vehemently denied the accusation and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered an independent investigation into the incident and offered Pakistan's full cooperation. However, in the night between May 6-7, India fired missiles at Pakistani civilian targets in six cities under its 'Operation Sindoor'. However, Pakistan gave a forceful reply, downing six Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. Furthermore, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in the morning of May 10, hitting 26 Indian military targets, inflicting heavy damage on the enemy's war machines. Hours later India agreed to a ceasefire after intervention from US President Donald Trump. During an interview given to the Indian newspaper 'The Quint', Chidambaram said that the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not yet presented any evidence that those who attacked Pahalgam had come from Pakistan. "The second thing is that the government is not bringing out the report of the NIA to see what the agency investigated during this time. Was the agency able to identify the terrorists? And where did they come from? These terrorists may be local. Why are you assuming that they came from Pakistan?" He said that the Indian government was hiding the losses incurred during the four-day war. When asked what the Indian government was trying to hide, Chidambaram said the government was trying to hide what the Indian Chief of Defence had pointed out that India made strategic mistakes. The Radio Pakistan report said that Operation Mahadev attempts to restore the dwindling political credibility of Modi's government, following the embarrassment of Operation Sindoor, which ended in failure after India's aggressive posturing against Pakistan backfired. According to the report, on April 24, two innocent Kashmiri citizens, Muhammad Farooq and Muhammad Deen, were extrajudicially killed by Indian forces after they mistakenly crossed the border. Additionally, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) disclosed in April that 723 Pakistanis were illegally detained in Indian jails, with another 56 forcibly disappeared by Indian intelligence agencies. There are growing fears that these detainees may be used in fake encounters under Operation Mahadev, where they could be coerced into recording anti-Pakistan statements before being killed and labelled as "terrorists." The sources indicate that Indian media is being fed fake videos, planted weapons, and staged images immediately after these encounters to reinforce New Delhi's false claims. This tactic mirrors past Indian false flag operations, where innocent individuals were framed as militants to justify military aggression. Operation Mahadev would constitute a grave violation of international law and human rights, the sources say. Pakistan has repeatedly exposed India's history of fake encounters, including the Pahalgam false flag operation earlier this year, which India used to justify its military aggression. Human rights organisations and the United Nations have been called upon to investigate India's alleged atrocities in IIOJK. With tensions still simmering after the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, the international community must prevent further escalation by holding India accountable for its actions. (WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, BD vow to deepen bilateral ties
Pakistan and Bangladesh have pledged to strengthen bilateral relations after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Bangladesh's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Touhid Hussain, on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations in New York on Monday. This marks the fourth high-level interaction between the two countries since October 2024, indicating a renewed momentum in Pakistan-Bangladesh ties following years of strain. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the two leaders conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing political, economic and cultural cooperation. They also agreed to promote connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, with plans to facilitate high-level bilateral visits in the near future. Both sides expressed deep concern over the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli military aggression against Palestinians. They underscored their unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and stressed the need for meaningful outcomes from the ongoing conference on the two-state solution. Ties between Islamabad and Dhaka have witnessed a notable thaw since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government in August last year, which had long maintained a tough posture on Pakistan over historical grievances. The change in government in Dhaka has allowed for more pragmatic and forward-looking engagement between the two South Asian Muslim-majority nations. Last week, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Dhaka, where he held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Lt Gen (R) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The two sides reached a landmark agreement to grant visa-free entry to holders of diplomatic and official passports – a move widely seen as symbolic of growing mutual trust and a step toward easing travel restrictions for future trade and official exchanges. With regional dynamics shifting, particularly in light of China's rising influence and the decline of traditional regional groupings such as SAARC, Pakistan and Bangladesh appear to be recalibrating their foreign policy strategies. Both countries are now exploring issue-based cooperation focused on development, trade and strategic autonomy, moving beyond historical baggage. The recent engagements also reflect Pakistan's broader diplomatic push to reconnect with South Asian neighbours, strengthen Muslim world solidarity and project a more constructive role in regional diplomacy. Since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government, Bangladesh's interim administration has removed restrictions on Pakistani diplomats and imports, giving a fresh impetus to bilateral ties.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pak-Kyrgyz trade target set at $100m
Trade between the two nations has declined from $11.2 million in 2022-23 to $5.18 million in 2024-25. Leghari stressed the need to reverse this trend.. photo: file Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have pledged to expand bilateral trade to $100 million and signed multiple agreements to boost cooperation in trade, energy, health, investment, and education during the 5th Session of the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) held in Islamabad. According to an official statement released on Monday, the meeting, co-chaired by Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari and Kyrgyz Deputy Chairman Edil Baisalov, marked a renewed push to strengthen economic, scientific, and technical collaboration between the two countries. Trade between the two nations has declined from $11.2 million in 2022-23 to $5.18 million in 2024-25. Leghari stressed the need to reverse this trend. "We acknowledge the pressing need to revitalise our trade engagement and reaffirm our shared aspiration to elevate bilateral trade up to $100 million," he said. Both sides agreed to diversify exports and imports, revive the Pakistan-Kyrgyz Joint Business Council, and organise B2B exchanges, business forums, and trade fairs. Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed. The first was between Kyrgyzstan's Centre for Standardisation and Metrology and Pakistan's Standards and Quality Control Authority to collaborate on conformity assessment, metrology, and quality systems. The second MoU was between Kyrgyzstan's National Investments Agency and Pakistan's Board of Investment to promote investment, especially in textiles, minerals, IT, pharmaceuticals, and tourism. The third MoU involved Halal trade cooperation between Pakistan's Halal Authority and Kyrgyzstan's Halal Development Centre. Energy and environmental cooperation were also discussed. Kyrgyzstan proposed joint work on a power transmission line linking Kyrgyzstan, China, and Pakistan. Both sides agreed to explore electricity imports, renewable energy, hydrocarbons, mining, and institutional partnerships. Connectivity and logistics were key themes. Both sides agreed to strengthen postal services, cargo, civil aviation, and rail transport. Pakistan urged Kyrgyz airlines to shift from charter to scheduled flights. Kyrgyzstan proposed a new air route via China and invited Pakistani participation in a high-speed fibre-optic cable project. On finance, the State Bank of Pakistan and the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic agreed to cooperate on Islamic banking, financial innovation, and training programmes through Pakistan's National Institute of Banking and Finance. Health and pharmaceutical cooperation were also advanced. The sides agreed to support Pakistani pharmaceutical exports to Kyrgyzstan, ease medicine registration, and explore joint vaccine production with the National Institute of Health. Discussions also focused on public procurement participation and regulatory alignment. Cultural exchange was highlighted as essential to people-to-people ties. Both sides agreed to increase cultural events, sports participation, and content sharing between media outlets. Cooperation in cinema and broadcasting training was proposed. Education and scientific collaboration were emphasised. Pakistan pledged continued support to Kyrgyz students through the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme (PTAP). Joint research, academic exchanges, and training in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) will be encouraged. The two countries also agreed to explore labour cooperation through a Joint Working Group. Tourism and hospitality also featured in talks. Both nations agreed to finalise an MoU and promote tour operator exchanges, joint exhibitions, and marketing of natural and cultural heritage. Agriculture cooperation gained momentum with the signing of an MoU on trade in Kyrgyz legumes and Pakistani Basmati rice. Veterinary and phytosanitary control collaboration will ensure food safety and efficiency in trade. Pakistan welcomed Kyrgyz interest in investing in its mining sector, especially in copper and gold. Discussions also included digital commerce and implementing cargo operations under a 1995 transportation agreement. Leghari called the At-Bashi Logistics Centre offer to Pakistan's National Logistics Corporation a model of enterprise-level cooperation and proposed enhancing online visibility of investment opportunities through updated SEZ and tax incentive information. On energy, Pakistan reiterated its interest in the proposed 500 kV TorugartXUARGilgit Baltistan transmission line as part of a KyrgyzstanChinaPakistan electricity corridor. In conclusion, both sides agreed to hold the 6th IGC session in Kyrgyzstan, with dates to be decided through diplomatic channels. The Ministry of Economic Affairs called the session a key milestone in Pakistan's engagement with Central Asia. "These initiatives will contribute to sustainable development, shared prosperity, and stronger people-to-people ties," the ministry stated. Leghari echoed this vision in his concluding remarks: "Let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a stronger, integrated, and resilient partnership anchored in mutual respect, cooperation, and regional peace."
