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Arab News
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, Uzbekistan to devise joint strategy for completion of UAP rail connectivity project
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to formulate a joint strategy for the completion of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway project, Pakistani state media reported, amid Islamabad's efforts to open new regional trade avenues. The development followed a meeting between Pakistan's Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and Uzbek Ambassador to Islamabad, during which the two figures held detailed discussions on the approximately 850-kilometer-long railway connectivity project, which includes a 647-kilometer rail track passing through Afghanistan. The trilateral initiative was launched in 2021 to enhance regional connectivity by linking Central Asia with Pakistan's southern ports of Gwadar and Karachi through Afghanistan. The project aims to improve trade access for landlocked countries and strengthen economic integration across the region. 'Upon completion of this project, Pakistan will gain the shortest and most efficient route to Central Asia, which will not only increase trade volumes but also strengthen the region's economy on a solid footing,' Abbasi was quoted as saying by the APP news agency. 'This railway corridor will significantly reduce transit time and transportation costs, benefiting all stakeholders.' Pakistan is seeking to leverage its strategic position as a key trade and transit hub to connect Central Asia with global markets and since last year, there has been a flurry of high-level visits, investment discussions and other economic engagements between Islamabad and Central Asian republics. Abbasi highlighted that the corridor is expected to handle an annual freight capacity of 15 million tons, which could help boost exports and imports across the region, according to the report. 'This project will not only reinforce economic ties but will also play a pivotal role in promoting regional peace and stability,' he said. On the occasion, Ambassador Tukhtaev acknowledged investment opportunities in Pakistan's railway sector and emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to foster economic prosperity and create employment for both peoples, according to the APP report. Both officials also acknowledged the positive impact of the UAP project in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan. Last week, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also held a phone call with his Uzbek counterpart, Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich, to discuss steps to advance the UAP railway project, including the framework agreement and its signing mechanism. Over the years, the project has faced significant challenges, including security concerns in Afghanistan, and the need to reconcile differing railway gauges across the three countries. 'Emphasizing the importance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project for regional connectivity, both leaders agreed to work closely for an early finalization of the framework agreement,' the Pakistani foreign office said.
Arab News
18-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan says eyeing transit hub role to connect South, Central Asian economies
Islamabad: Pakistan's Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said that Islamabad aims to emerge as a key transit hub connecting the economies of South and Central Asia, state-run media reported on Sunday. Pakistan has been working to strengthen its position as a key trade and transit hub, connecting landlocked Central Asian states to the global market through its strategic location. Last year saw a surge in visits, investment discussions and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian nations as well as Gulf countries. Khan was speaking at the 'Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum' being held from May 13-18 in the country's Kazan region. This forum is the main platform for economic cooperation between Russia and Islamic countries as per its website. 'Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan says Pakistan aims to emerge as a key transit hub, bridging the economies of South Asia and Central Asia,' state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. Addressing the closing session of the Kazan Forum, Khan noted the Gwadar Port in southwestern Pakistan has already started shipment and cargo services. He added that Islamabad intends to facilitate landlocked Central Asia's access to warm waters. Khan spoke about Pakistan's strategic plans to connect its Karachi, Quetta and Gwadar cities with Central Asia and Europe through road networks. 'Abdul Aleem Khan welcomed the holding of the Kazan Forum and reaffirmed Pakistan's strong commitment to playing an active role in regional development,' the report said. Pakistan's recent push to engage Central Asian countries and the Middle East takes place as Islamabad seeks to escape a prolonged macroeconomic crisis that has drained its country of financial resources and weakened its balance of payment position and currency. Islamabad has sought to attract international investment in key economic sectors since it narrowly avoided a sovereign default in 2023 before a last-gasp International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout helped it avoid that.
Business Recorder
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
JCC under CPEC to meet in June: Agri tech, energy and Gwadar projects discussed
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Planning discussed various projects relating to agriculture technology, energy and Gwadar and preparation and arrangements for the forthcoming Joint Cooperation Committee to be held in June under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal chaired progress review meeting of CPEC on Friday which was attended by officials from Ministry of Communications, Economic Affairs Division, Board of Investment, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, National Highways Authority, Quetta Electric Supply Company, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, and Gwadar Development Authority. Officials from all provincial governments attended the meeting online. Key issues discussed during the meeting were formation of agricultural technology working group to spearhead innovation and cooperation in agro sciences, and arrangements for hosting 5th JWG Meeting in Pakistan and preparations for forthcoming JCC in June, distribution of agricultural equipment, operationalisation of Gwadar's desalination plant, installation of 15,000 household solar power lighting units in Balochistan. Regarding preparations of JCC, the minister was briefed by relevant departments about their Joint Working Group meetings' status. He directed them to complete all meetings in May 2025. Regarding the substantial agricultural assistance given recently by China to Pakistan, which includes 12billion rupees worth of agricultural machinery and equipment, the minister directed provincial departments to distribute them to grassroots farmers within 10 days. PARC official briefed planning minister that the donated machinery includes 40 tractors, 40 multipurpose harvesters, and other machinery, which will enhance the capacity of agricultural research institutions and farming communities in Pakistan, ultimately contributing to the country's food security and economic development. 'All provinces must shift towards agricultural mechanisation to enhance the capacity of Pakistan's agricultural production,' emphasised the minister. Special secretaries of agriculture from provinces briefed the minister on their status of agricultural machinery distribution plans. Most of the provinces had done all required meetings with stakeholders and stated that they had received demand from relevant departments. The minister directed them to expedite the distribution of machinery as per their plan. During the meeting, the installation status of Chinese donated solar systems to Balochistan was also discussed. During the last meeting, the minister had directed Balochistan government's Energy Department to complete list of 15,000 beneficiaries and upload their list on website to ensure transparency. The minister was briefed by relevant officials that installation has been completed in seven districts while installation process in remaining districts is underway. Stressing the fact that this project will address energy shortages and climate-related concerns, the minister instructed the authorities to expedite the process of installation in all 36 districts. The minister strictly directed Power Division, Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) and Ministry of Maritime Affairs and completion of transmission line to Gwadar south free zone so that the desalination plant of 1.2MGD can be operationalised at the earliest. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Free Malaysia Today
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Pakistan blames India after vehicle blast kills 7 troops
Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both Hindu-majority India and Islamic Pakistan. (AP pic) ISLAMABAD : Seven Pakistan army soldiers were killed today when their vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device, Pakistan's military said, blaming arch rival India for the attack. Ties between the two nations have been strained since the April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that targeted Hindu tourists, killing 26. India accused Pakistan of involvement, saying two of the three suspected attackers were Pakistani nationals. Islamabad has denied the accusation but says it is fully prepared to defend itself in case of attack, prompting world powers to call for a calming of tensions. Pakistan's military said members of the Baloch Liberation Army, which it described as an 'Indian proxy', targeted its vehicle with an improvised explosive device in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan. The BLA is the strongest of a number of insurgent groups operating in the area bordering Afghanistan and Iran, a mineral-rich region that is home to Beijing's investment in Gwadar deep water port and other projects. India's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the statement. The rivals have announced a slew of measures against each other, from suspending trade and a key water treaty to closing their airspace and reducing embassy staff. Yesterday, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres emphasised the need to avoid a military confrontation that could 'easily spin out of control'. 'Now is the time for maximum restraint, and stepping back from the brink,' he said. UN Security Council members were briefed on the situation in the region and told of intelligence indicating an 'imminent threat' of action by India, Pakistan's foreign ministry said, referring to the council's meeting yesterday in New York. 'They called for dialogue and diplomacy to diffuse tension and avoid military confrontation… and to peacefully resolve issues,' the ministry said in a statement. Civil defence drills Pakistan has held two missile tests in three days and India has unveiled plans for civil defence drills to be conducted in several states tomorrow, from sounding air raid sirens to evacuation plans. Today, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with the deputy prime minister, foreign and defence ministers, and the military chiefs visited the headquarters of its top ISI spy agency. Pakistan is currently a non-permanent member of the security council. India is not, but New Delhi has been in talks with council members ahead of Monday's meeting. An Indian source familiar with the discussion said many members expressed concern that Pakistan's missile tests and nuclear rhetoric were 'escalatory' factors. 'Pakistan's efforts to internationalise the situation also failed,' said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. 'They were advised to sort out the issues bilaterally with India.' Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both Hindu-majority India and Islamic Pakistan, although each controls only a part of the Himalayan region. They have fought two wars over Kashmir and New Delhi accuses Pakistan of backing an uprising in Indian Kashmir that started in 1989 but has now waned. Pakistan says it only offers diplomatic and moral support to a Kashmiri demand for self-determination. India's foreign ministry said it rejected a statement from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in which it reaffirmed 'support for the Jammu and Kashmir question'.
CNA
06-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Pakistan blames India for vehicle blast that kills seven soldiers
ISLAMABAD: Seven Pakistan army soldiers were killed on Tuesday (May 6) when their vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device, Pakistan's military said, blaming arch rival India for the attack. Ties between the two nations have been strained since the Apr 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that targeted Hindu tourists, killing 26. India accused Pakistan of involvement, saying two of the three suspected attackers were Pakistani nationals. Islamabad has denied the accusation but says it is fully prepared to defend itself in case of attack, prompting world powers to call for a calming of tension. Pakistan's military said members of the Baloch Liberation Army, which it described as an "Indian proxy", targeted its vehicle with an improvised explosive device in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan. The BLA is the strongest of a number of insurgent groups operating in the area bordering Afghanistan and Iran, a mineral-rich region that is home to Beijing's investment in Gwadar deep water port and other projects. India's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the statement. The rivals have announced a slew of measures against each other, from suspending trade and a key water treaty to closing their airspace and reducing embassy staff. On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised the need to avoid a military confrontation that could "easily spin out of control". "Now is the time for maximum restraint, and stepping back from the brink," he said. UN Security Council members were briefed on the situation in the region and told of intelligence indicating an "imminent threat" of action by India, Pakistan's foreign ministry said, referring to the council's meeting on Monday in New York. "They called for dialogue and diplomacy to diffuse tension and avoid military confrontation ... and to peacefully resolve issues," the ministry said in a statement. CIVIL DEFENCE DRILLS Pakistan has held two missile tests in three days and India has unveiled plans for civil defence drills to be conducted in several states on Wednesday, from sounding air raid sirens to evacuation plans. On Tuesday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with the deputy prime minister, foreign and defence ministers, and the military chiefs visited the headquarters of its top ISI spy agency. Pakistan is currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council. India is not, but New Delhi has been in talks with council members ahead of Monday's meeting. An Indian source familiar with the discussion said many members expressed concern that Pakistan's missile tests and nuclear rhetoric were "escalatory" factors. "Pakistan's efforts to internationalise the situation also failed," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "They were advised to sort out the issues bilaterally with India." Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both Hindu-majority India and Islamic Pakistan, although each controls only a part of the Himalayan region. They have fought two wars over Kashmir and New Delhi accuses Pakistan of backing an uprising in Indian Kashmir that started in 1989 but has now waned. Pakistan says it only offers diplomatic and moral support to a Kashmiri demand for self-determination.
