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Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan, China discuss regional stability post-ceasefire
Pakistan and China discussed on Tuesday regional situation following the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, and stressed adherence to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and international law for maintaining regional peace and stability. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met with Minister of International Department of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao, in Beijing, said a statement released by the Foreign Office (FO). During the meeting, FM Dar appreciated China's firm support to Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to a 'peaceful neighbourhood while affirming its right and capability to defend its territory and people'. 'The DPM/FM underlined the need for the international community to take note of India's unilateral and illegal decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance,' said the FO. The deputy PM also stressed that the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, remains vital for lasting peace in South Asia. During his visit, FM Dar will hold in-depth discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the evolving regional situation in South Asia and its implications for peace and stability. The two sides will also review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-China bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Australia to stay tariff-free for Pacific Islands struggling with aid cuts, says foreign minister
SYDNEY: Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has pledged to keep tariff-free access for Pacific Island goods, after Fiji was hit by a 32% U.S. tariff, in a speech positioning Australia as a reliable partner to the region amid global aid cuts. Australia is the region's largest aid donor and 'a partner the Pacific can count on', Wong said in Suva on Tuesday, her first international speech since the centre-left Labor government was re-elected in May. 'Forty years of tariff-free access into Australia has helped contribute to the prosperity of the Pacific. And I can promise you today, that will not change,' she said at the headquarters of the Pacific Islands Forum, the region's diplomatic bloc. Fiji's main exports include bottled water, sugar and fish. FM Dar tells Australian counterpart Wong Pakistan exercised 'restraint' in India clashes A transport hub for the aid-reliant region that sits strategically between the United States and Asia, Fiji was previously courted by Washington and Beijing for security ties and infrastructure assistance. Vanuatu was hit with a 22% U.S. tariff, while Nauru, population 11,000, drew a 30% tariff. Fiji's prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, had raised concerns about the U.S. aid freeze in Washington in February. 'The Pacific is facing growing challenges, from climate change, cuts to global aid and rules under strain,' said Wong, who will also travel to Vanuatu and Tonga this week. Australia has pledged a record A$2.1 billion ($1.35 billion) in development assistance to the Pacific Islands, she said. 'Recognising the impact of global aid cuts, we have reprioritised our development assistance to dedicate 75 cents of every Australian development dollar to support our region,' she said. China is the second-largest donor country to the Pacific Islands, and has sought increasing policing ties in the region, which Australia sees as a security threat.
Business Recorder
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan, China oppose motion to invite Taiwan to WHO's annual assembly
GENEVA: Member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday rejected a proposal to invite Taiwan to its annual assembly in Geneva. China, which regards the democratically governed island of Taiwan as its territory, and Pakistan opposed the motion and the assembly accepted Taiwan's exclusion. Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who are among just 12 remaining countries with formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, spoke on behalf of a group of countries who brought a proposal to include it as an observer in this year's WHO meeting. FM Dar arrives in Beijing on 3-day official visit Saint Vincent described Taiwan's exclusion as 'unfair and self-defeating' and Belize's envoy said it 'weakens our collective preparedness and response capabilities'. No major Western country spoke for Taiwan or signed the proposal, and the United States, which plans to quit the WHO, left its seat empty. 'The proposal openly challenges the authority of the UN and the post-war international order,' said Chinese Ambassador Chen Xu, who is part of a more than 200-strong Chinese delegation at the meeting. A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said Taiwanese authorities' 'separatist' stance has led to the loss of a political foundation for its participation in the assembly. It denied that there was any gap in pandemic preparedness due to Taiwan's exclusion, calling that a 'political lie'. China vows support to Pakistan for securing peace, stability Between 2009 and 2016, Taiwan attended WHO assembly sessions as an observer under the administration of then-President Ma Ying-jeou, who signed landmark trade and tourism agreements with China. The question of its participation recurs annually. Taiwan is excluded from most international organisations because of objections by China. A delegation from Taiwan campaigned for its inclusion in this year's WHO assembly and a van has been driving through Geneva with images of bubble tea and the Taipei 101 skyscraper.
Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan never considered nuclear option during recent clashes with India, says FM Dar
Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has said Pakistan never considered using nuclear weapons while recejntly defending agression by neighbouring India, describing Islamabad's military strikes as 'measured' and 'strictly in self-defence'. In his first interview since a ceasefire took hold on Saturday, FM Dar told CNN that the situation had grown dangerously volatile after India's cross-border airstrikes on May 7, but denied Islamabad ever planned a nuclear response. 'We were very sure that our conventional capacity and capabilities are strong enough that we will beat them both in air and on ground,' the foreign minister said. The recent exchange of strikes marked the worst military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours since the 1971 war. Dozens of people were reported killed on both sides, while infrastructure was heavily damaged in contested border regions. FM Dar referred to India's actions as a 'wishful attempt to establish its hegemony' in Kashmir. He said Pakistan had 'no choice' but to respond to what he called an unprovoked act of aggression. Despite several days of intense fighting, both sides agreed to a truce on Saturday following US diplomatic efforts. The ceasefire, brokered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, came into effect amid reports of final bursts of shelling in Kashmir. The foreign minister also said that there was no direct contact between Indian and Pakistani officials during the talks. Instead, communication was facilitated by Washington. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said earlier on Monday that New Delhi had only 'paused' its offensive and warned of further retaliation if provoked. FM Dar, however, rejected the suggestion that Pakistan had sought to de-escalate out of weakness. 'They had seen what happened in the sky. They could see how serious the damage was,' he said. He also reaffirmed Pakistan's position that the conflict's root cause lies in Kashmir – a disputed territory claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but administered in parts. The region has triggered three wars since the countries gained independence in 1947. 'Kashmir is the root cause of this regional instability,' FM Dar said. 'Its future must be decided through self-determination.' India blames Pakistan for supporting militant groups operating in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir – a charge Islamabad denies. India's airstrikes followed the killing of tourists in Kashmir in April, which it accuses Pakistan of sponsoring the group. FM Dar condemned the killings and reiterated Pakistan's stance against terrorism 'in all its forms and manifestations'. The foreign minister also raised concern over the water dispute linked to Kashmir's rivers. He warned that New Delhi's reported decision to block flows from the Chenab river could be seen as 'an act of war' if not reversed. Indian media reported last week that the government had reduced water flow from the Baglihar dam, potentially impacting Pakistan's water supply. The foreign Minister said the issue must be resolved in upcoming talks. 'The ceasefire can only hold if such provocations are avoided,' he said. Despite tensions, FM Dar expressed hope for peace. 'We look forward to building a future that provides dignity for both sides,' he said. 'We still hope sense will prevail.' India-Pakistan ceasefire follows escalation, but fragile calm persists A full and immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan was announced on May 10 after days of heightened military exchanges that brought both nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of war. The announcement was first made by US President Donald Trump and later confirmed by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Tensions flared following an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 civilians dead. India blamed Pakistan-based elements without presenting any evidence, Islamabad rejected the allegations. In response, India closed the Wagah border, revoked visas, and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty—moves Pakistan called an 'act of war.' The conflict intensified with India's missile attracks and drone incursions as it lauched its Operation Sindoor. Pakistan's military launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos in retaliation, and announced it had downed five Indian jets—including Rafales—and intercepted 77 Israeli-made Harop drones. Following diplomatic intervention led by Washington, both sides agreed to halt military activity across land, air, and sea. However, hours after the truce, fresh skirmishes were reported along both sides of the Line of Control. Explosions were heard in Srinagar and exchanges of fire were cited by officials on both sides, raising concerns over the ceasefire's durability. Pakistan's Foreign Office reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire while accusing India of violations. DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stressed that Pakistan had not requested the truce, asserting that India initiated the ceasefire request following Pakistan's retaliatory strikes. He described war between two nuclear powers as 'inconceivable' and 'an absurdity.' Chaudhry confirmed that no Indian pilot was in Pakistani custody, dismissing viral claims as misinformation. He called Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos a unified national response to Indian aggression, noting Pakistan had delivered on its commitments to respond decisively and proportionately. Cities across Pakistan observed Youm-e-Tashakkur (Day of Thanks) on Sunday to mark what was hailed domestically as a successful defence of national sovereignty.
Business Recorder
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz, US Secretary of State Rubio discuss regional tensions, bilateral ties
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday evening, during which the two sides discussed recent regional developments, counter-terrorism cooperation, and ways to further strengthen bilateral relations. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, PM Shehbaz conveyed his best wishes for U.S. President Donald Trump and expressed Pakistan's desire to work closely with the U.S. administration across all areas of mutual interest. 'Nothing to do with it, period': FM Dar rejects India's Pahalgam claims, demands 'joint probe TORs' The call comes in the wake of heightened tensions in South Asia following the Pahalgam incident. The Prime Minister shared Pakistan's perspective on the regional situation, strongly condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He underscored Pakistan's longstanding contributions in the global fight against terrorism, citing over 90,000 lives lost and economic losses exceeding $152 billion. Sharif criticised what he termed as India's 'escalatory and provocative behaviour' and said such actions could undermine Pakistan's ongoing counter-terrorism operations, especially against groups such as ISKP, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which he claimed were operating from Afghan soil. The prime minister categorically rejected Indian attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident and reiterated his call for a transparent and neutral international investigation. He urged the United States to encourage India to reduce tensions and avoid inflammatory rhetoric. Sharif also expressed concern over India's alleged move to 'weaponise water,' warning that such actions endangered the lives of 240 million Pakistanis and violated the spirit of the Indus Waters Treaty. He emphasised that the treaty did not permit unilateral withdrawal or violations by either party. On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan's position that a peaceful resolution was essential for long-term stability in South Asia. Turning to bilateral cooperation, Sharif said the U.S. and Pakistan had enjoyed seven decades of strong partnership and that both sides could expand collaboration in key areas, particularly counter-terrorism and economic growth. He specifically mentioned opportunities in the minerals sector as a potential area for enhanced cooperation. The prime minister also highlighted the economic reforms introduced by his government over the past year, claiming that these measures had placed Pakistan on a path toward economic recovery. Secretary of State Rubio thanked the Prime Minister for the detailed exchange of views and emphasised the importance of continued engagement between the two countries to promote peace and stability in the region.
