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Express Tribune
24-07-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
BYD to begin EV assembly in Pakistan by mid-2026
A view shows a logo of BYD, on the BYD SEAL electric vehicle, displayed at the BYD Pakistan Metropole Experience Center in Karachi, Pakistan July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File photo Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD plans to roll out its first car assembled in Pakistan by July or August 2026 to capture growing demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the region, a company executive said on Wednesday. BYD, the world's top EV maker, has been expanding rapidly outside its home market, where it is in a strong price war. The Pakistan plant addresses rising demand from emerging markets and allows the company to take advantage of incentives offered by the Pakistani government. The plant has been under construction since April near Karachi in a partnership between BYD and Mega Motor Company, a subsidiary of Pakistani utility Hub Power, Danish Khaliq, vice president of sales and strategy at BYD Pakistan, told Reuters. It would initially have the capacity to produce 25,000 units a year on a double shift, he said. He did not elaborate on when the plant would achieve full capacity or say when mass production would begin there. The plant will start by assembling imported parts, with some local production of non-electric components, Khaliq said, adding it would initially produce vehicles for the domestic market, with potential to export to right-hand drive countries in the region depending on freight costs and business economics. "We do not foresee excess capacity in our system as demand in Pakistan will catch up," he said. BYD started delivering imported EVs in Pakistan in March. Khaliq did not give an exact sales number but said the sales of a few hundred cars had exceeded internal targets by 30%. Khaliq said he expected the market size of EVs and plug-in hybrid cars in Pakistan to grow three to four times in 2025 from around 1,000 total units in 2024. BYD is targeting a 30-35% share of the segment, Khaliq said. Based on a HUBCO filing, BYD Pakistan made around 444 million rupees ($1.56 million) in profit in the 2025 March quarter. BYD will launch its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid pickup truck in Pakistan on Friday. China's MG already sells a PHEV SUV, while rival Haval is set to join the segment soon. Plug-in hybrids offer a more practical option in Pakistan as the country faces a lack of charging stations for all-electric vehicles. The government slashed power tariffs for chargers by 45% in January to encourage EV uptake and private charging stations.
The Star
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Pakistani Islamist militants use drones to target security forces, officials say
People from Pakistan and Afghanistan's border region tribal areas wave white flags and chant slogans during a rally to protest against the militant violence and killings of their elders and political figures in bomb attacks and to demand to restore peace, in Karachi, Pakistan July 13, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) -Islamist militants in Pakistan have started using commercially acquired quadcopter drones to drop bombs on security forces in the country's northwest, police said, a potentially dangerous development in the volatile region. The use of such drones, which are powered by four rotors allowing for vertical take-off and landing, is worrying the overstretched and under-equipped police force, the frontline against militant attacks, officials said. Two quadcopters sent by the militants targeted a police station earlier this month, killing a woman and injuring three children in a nearby house in Bannu district, said police officer Muhammad Anwar. A drone spotted over another police station on Saturday was shot down with assault rifles, he said. It was armed with a mortar shell, he said. At least eight such drone attacks have targeted police and security forces in Bannu and adjacent areas in the last two and a half months, he said. Regional police chief Sajjad Khan said militants were still trying to master the use of the drones. "The militants have acquired these modern tools, but they are in the process of experimentation and that's why they can't hit their targets accurately," he added. The militants are using the quadcopters to drop improvised explosive devices or mortar shells on their targets, five security officials said. They said these explosive devices were packed with ball bearings or pieces of iron. Provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said the police lacked resources to meet the new challenge. "We do not have equipment to counter the drones," he told the local Geo News channel on Sunday. "The militants are better equipped than we are," he said. No militant group has claimed responsibility for the drone strikes. The main militant group operating in the northwest is the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban. But they denied using the drones. "We are trying to acquire this technology," a TTP spokesman told Reuters. In 2024, Islamist militants carried out 335 countrywide attacks, killing 520 people, according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, an independent organisation. In recent weeks, thousands of residents from the border region have staged protests, aimed against both the attacks by militants and what they fear is an offensive planned by the army, according to a statement issued by the demonstrators. They said they feared that a military operation against the militants would displace them from their homes. A sweeping operation against militants in 2014 was preceded by a forced evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents. They spent months, and in many cases years, away from their homes. Pakistan's army did not respond to a request for comment on whether an operation was planned. (Reporting by Mushtaq Ali in Peshawar; writing and reporting by Asif Shahzad in Islamabad; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Pakistani Islamist militants use drones to target security forces, officials say
Find out what's new on ST website and app. People from Pakistan and Afghanistan's border region tribal areas wave white flags and chant slogans during a rally to protest against the militant violence and killings of their elders and political figures in bomb attacks and to demand to restore peace, in Karachi, Pakistan July 13, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Islamist militants in Pakistan have started using commercially acquired quadcopter drones to drop bombs on security forces in the country's northwest, police said, a potentially dangerous development in the volatile region. The use of such drones, which are powered by four rotors allowing for vertical take-off and landing, is worrying the overstretched and under-equipped police force, the frontline against militant attacks, officials said. Two quadcopters sent by the militants targeted a police station earlier this month, killing a woman and injuring three children in a nearby house in Bannu district, said police officer Muhammad Anwar. A drone spotted over another police station on Saturday was shot down with assault rifles, he said. It was armed with a mortar shell, he said. At least eight such drone attacks have targeted police and security forces in Bannu and adjacent areas in the last two and a half months, he said. Regional police chief Sajjad Khan said militants were still trying to master the use of the drones. "The militants have acquired these modern tools, but they are in the process of experimentation and that's why they can't hit their targets accurately," he added. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU introduces compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore AI-powered app accurately identifies pre-dementia seniors, to be available in 2026 Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod to cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt The militants are using the quadcopters to drop improvised explosive devices or mortar shells on their targets, five security officials said. They said these explosive devices were packed with ball bearings or pieces of iron. Provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said the police lacked resources to meet the new challenge. "We do not have equipment to counter the drones," he told the local Geo News channel on Sunday. "The militants are better equipped than we are," he said. No militant group has claimed responsibility for the drone strikes. The main militant group operating in the northwest is the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban. But they denied using the drones. "We are trying to acquire this technology," a TTP spokesman told Reuters. In 2024, Islamist militants carried out 335 countrywide attacks, killing 520 people, according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, an independent organisation. In recent weeks, thousands of residents from the border region have staged protests, aimed against both the attacks by militants and what they fear is an offensive planned by the army, according to a statement issued by the demonstrators. They said they feared that a military operation against the militants would displace them from their homes. A sweeping operation against militants in 2014 was preceded by a forced evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents. They spent months, and in many cases years, away from their homes. Pakistan's army did not respond to a request for comment on whether an operation was planned. REUTERS
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
More than two dozen critics of Pakistan government face YouTube ban
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks with Reuters during an interview, in Lahore, Pakistan March 17, 2023. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo ISLAMABAD - Alphabet-owned YouTube has told more than two dozen critics of the Pakistani government that it is considering blocking their channels after a local court sought to ban them for being "anti-state". The channels that could be blocked in Pakistan include that of the main opposition party and also its leader, jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, as well as journalists critical of the government, according to the June 24 court order seen by Reuters. The judicial magistrate court in Islamabad said it was seeking the ban after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) criticised the channels in a June 2 report for "sharing highly intimidating, provocative and derogatory contents against state institutions and officials of the state of Pakistan". Digital rights campaigners say that any ban would further undermine free speech in Pakistan, where the authorities are accused of stifling newspapers and television and social media is seen as one of the few outlets for dissent. YouTube told the 27 content creators that their channels could be taken down if they did not comply with the court orders. "If you fail to do so, as per our local law obligations, we may comply with the request without further notice," the popular video sharing platform said in emails this week to the channel owners, according to a notice seen by Reuters. YouTube's regional communications manager did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for a comment. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore to hire more than 1,000 new educators annually in the next few years, up from 700 Singapore COE prices rise for all categories Asia Malaysia confirms existence of document central to ex-PM Najib's house arrest bid, reports say Singapore Man who killed cats by throwing them off HDB blocks has jail term doubled to 27 months Singapore $43k fine for undischarged bankrupt doctor who failed to disclose assets worth over $4m Singapore Female primary school teacher charged over alleged sex acts with underage male student Singapore Goodbye fraudsters? Dating app Coffee Meets Bagel rolls out identity verification Asia Amid handshakes and familiar friends, Asean navigates tariffs and tension in KL One of the content creators, Asad Toor, who has more than 333,000 YouTube subscribers, said the move was aimed at undermining fundamental and constitutional rights of the people, political parties and other dissident groups. "It is not about me. It is about these people who are on the left side of the state," he told Reuters. "I have dedicated my platform for these underdogs who have no place to go to and raise their voices against the state oppression." MIGRATION TO YOUTUBE After the government clamped down on traditional media, many independent-minded reporters migrated to YouTube, as did journalists and commentators sympathetic to Khan, who was removed from office in 2022. "It's not only about anchors getting fired or YouTube channels getting banned. It's what they are not allowing to be told and the human rights abuse they are trying to hide from the world," said Zulfikar Bukhari, a spokesman for Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Khan has said his party has faced a military-backed crackdown since his removal, a charge the army denies. "In this day and age you can't suppress digital media," said Bukhari. The order is the latest in a series of laws and regulations from Islamabad that have enabled the authorities to crack down on critics and dissidents. It has blocked social media platforms like X, Facebook and TikTok on several occasions. In January, Pakistan's parliament introduced a new amendment in the Electronic Crimes Act to further regulate cyber content, which included a new social media regulatory authority with its own investigation agency and tribunals. Such tribunals will be able to try and punish alleged offenders with prison sentences of as long as three years and fines of two million rupees ($7,200) for dissemination of information deemed "false or fake". Similar laws to order the removal of disputed content have also been introduced in neighbouring India, which has had disagreements with X and Google over such directives. In recent years, India has banned dozens of YouTube channels citing national security. Digital rights activist Usama Khilji said the Pakistani court did not fulfil due process. "What is jarring is the complete lack of legal process," he said. Toor said neither the court nor the cyber crime agency gave him a chance to respond to the allegations, and that he would be taking legal action against the court order. "It is a dictatorial move. It can't silence me," he said. REUTERS
Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Pakistan condemns Trump's bombing of Iran - a day after nominating him for Peace Prize
FILE PHOTO: Pakistan and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims carry posters of their leaders as they attend what they call 'down with Israel rally', following the Israeli strikes in Iran, in Karachi, Pakistan, June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims attend what they call 'down with Israel rally', following the Israeli strikes in Iran, in Karachi, Pakistan, June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims walk over the posters depicting Israel and U.S. flags as they attend what they call 'down with Israel rally', following the Israeli strikes in Iran, in Karachi, Pakistan, June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro Pakistan condemns Trump's bombing of Iran - a day after nominating him for Peace Prize ISLAMABAD - Pakistan condemned on Sunday the strikes ordered on its neighbour Iran by Donald Trump, a day after Islamabad had said it would nominate the U.S. President for the Nobel Peace Prize. Pakistan on Sunday said Trump's decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities violated international law and that diplomacy was the only way to resolve the Iran crisis. 'The unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran is deeply disturbing. Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond,' Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Also on Sunday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and 'conveyed Pakistan's condemnation of the U.S. attacks," a statement from the Pakistani leader said. Pakistan's information minister and the foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the apparent contradiction in the country's positions over the weekend. In Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi, thousands marched in protest against the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. A large American flag with a picture of Trump on it was placed on the road for demonstrators to walk over. The protesters shouted out chants against America, Israel and Pakistan's regional enemy India. Pakistan on Saturday said it was nominating Trump as "a genuine peacemaker" for his role in bringing a four-day conflict with India to an end last month. It said he had 'demonstrated great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship'. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
