Latest news with #MuhammadIshaqDar
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
AD Ports Group opens Islamabad office, expanding its strategic presence in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: AD Ports Group officially launched its first representative office in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, marking a significant milestone in the Group's international growth journey and its long-term commitment to enabling trade and logistics across South and Central Asia. Complimenting the Group's global network of more than 140 offices, and strategically located in close proximity to Pakistan's key federal ministries, regulatory bodies, and state-owned enterprises, the new office will serve as a critical platform for deepening engagement with government stakeholders and advancing priority infrastructure and trade initiatives. As a client-facing and administrative hub, the Islamabad office will also support ongoing operations and facilitate strategic partnerships in the ports, maritime, logistics, and industrial development sectors. The inauguration ceremony was attended from Pakistan's side by Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs; Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister for Railways; Jam Kamal, Federal Minister for Commerce; Attaullah Tarrar, Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting; Khalid Hussain Magsi, Federal Minister for Science and Technology. Also in attendance were Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, the UAE Ambassador in Pakistan; Abdulaziz Zayed Al Shamsi, Regional CEO, AD Ports Group; AbdulAziz Al Balooshi, Regional CEO, AD Ports Group, and other senior officials, reflecting the depth of the bilateral relationship and shared vision for long-term economic cooperation. The opening of the Islamabad office follows a series of high-impact investments by AD Ports Group in Pakistan, including US$295 million committed towards the development and enhancement of container, bulk, and general cargo terminals at Karachi Port's East Wharf. These investments are central to the Group's strategy to support the transformation of Pakistan into a regional trade and logistics hub. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said, 'The opening of our Islamabad office represents a key milestone in our global expansion strategy and underlines our deep and enduring commitment to Pakistan. This move will enable closer collaboration with government entities and strategic partners, positioning AD Ports Group as a key contributor to Pakistan's economic transformation. Our growing footprint, underpinned by significant investments in critical port infrastructure, aligns with our wise leadership vision for trade facilitation, industrial diversification, and sustainable development.' Pakistan holds a strategic geographic position as a maritime gateway to Central Asia, making it a vital component of AD Ports Group's broader vision for developing an integrated trade corridor spanning from China to Europe. The Group has already made strategic inroads into key markets along this corridor, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Georgia. In 2022, AD Ports Group entered the Pakistani market through a landmark 50-year concession to develop and operate container terminal berths 6–10 at Karachi Port's East Wharf, in partnership with Kaheel Terminals. This was followed by a second 50-year concession signed in 2023 to develop and manage berths 11–17 for general and bulk cargo. Through its operating entity, Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL), the Group has introduced world-class operational systems, advanced equipment, and global best practices to significantly enhance terminal productivity, reduce vessel dwell times, and increase cargo throughput. These enhancements have elevated Karachi Port's standing as a key logistics hub, boosting the resilience and competitiveness of Pakistan's export infrastructure and contributing to the country's economic diversification agenda. In parallel, AD Ports Group has signed several high-level agreements aimed at expanding its integrated logistics and digital trade ecosystem in Pakistan. These include: • A Memorandum of Understanding with the Pakistan Board of Investment to explore the development of a dedicated industrial zone near Karachi Port and Port Qasim. • A strategic agreement with Pakistan Single Window to co-develop a unified digital trade platform, streamlining customs and trade procedures. • A collaboration with the Bahria Foundation to enhance dredging, vessel pooling, and marine services. • An initiative by Noatum Logistics, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, in partnership with KGTL, to establish a multi-modal logistics corridor linking Pakistan with Central Asia via integrated air, sea, and land transport solutions, along with warehousing, distribution, and cold chain infrastructure. Through these initiatives, AD Ports Group aims to catalyse the modernisation of Pakistan's logistics and trade infrastructure, unlock new avenues for foreign direct investment, and promote greater regional connectivity. The Islamabad office represents a strong foundation for furthering these objectives, enabling the Group to engage more closely with key stakeholders, accelerate project delivery, and support Pakistan's journey towards becoming a leading regional trade gateway.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
AD Ports Group opens Islamabad office, expanding its strategic presence in Pakistan
5 Aug 2025 20:09 ISLAMABAD (WAM)AD Ports Group officially launched its first representative office in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, marking a significant milestone in the Group's international growth journey and its long-term commitment to enabling trade and logistics across South and Central the Group's global network of more than 140 offices, and strategically located in close proximity to Pakistan's key federal ministries, regulatory bodies, and state-owned enterprises, the new office will serve as a critical platform for deepening engagement with government stakeholders and advancing priority infrastructure and trade initiatives. As a client-facing and administrative hub, the Islamabad office will also support ongoing operations and facilitate strategic partnerships in the ports, maritime, logistics, and industrial development inauguration ceremony was attended from Pakistan's side by Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs; Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister for Railways; Jam Kamal, Federal Minister for Commerce; Attaullah Tarrar, Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting; Khalid Hussain Magsi, Federal Minister for Science and in attendance were Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, the UAE Ambassador in Pakistan; Abdulaziz Zayed Al Shamsi, Regional CEO, AD Ports Group; AbdulAziz Al Balooshi, Regional CEO, AD Ports Group, and other senior officials, reflecting the depth of the bilateral relationship and shared vision for long-term economic opening of the Islamabad office follows a series of high-impact investments by AD Ports Group in Pakistan, including US$295 million committed towards the development and enhancement of container, bulk, and general cargo terminals at Karachi Port's East Wharf. These investments are central to the Group's strategy to support the transformation of Pakistan into a regional trade and logistics Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said, 'The opening of our Islamabad office represents a key milestone in our global expansion strategy and underlines our deep and enduring commitment to Pakistan." He added, "This move will enable closer collaboration with government entities and strategic partners, positioning AD Ports Group as a key contributor to Pakistan's economic transformation. Our growing footprint, underpinned by significant investments in critical port infrastructure, aligns with our wise leadership vision for trade facilitation, industrial diversification, and sustainable development.'Pakistan holds a strategic geographic position as a maritime gateway to Central Asia, making it a vital component of AD Ports Group's broader vision for developing an integrated trade corridor spanning from China to Europe. The Group has already made strategic inroads into key markets along this corridor, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and 2022, AD Ports Group entered the Pakistani market through a landmark 50-year concession to develop and operate container terminal berths 6–10 at Karachi Port's East Wharf, in partnership with Kaheel Terminals. This was followed by a second 50-year concession signed in 2023 to develop and manage berths 11–17 for general and bulk cargo. Through its operating entity, Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL), the Group has introduced world-class operational systems, advanced equipment, and global best practices to significantly enhance terminal productivity, reduce vessel dwell times, and increase cargo enhancements have elevated Karachi Port's standing as a key logistics hub, boosting the resilience and competitiveness of Pakistan's export infrastructure and contributing to the country's economic diversification parallel, AD Ports Group has signed several high-level agreements aimed at expanding its integrated logistics and digital trade ecosystem in Pakistan. These include:• A Memorandum of Understanding with the Pakistan Board of Investment to explore the development of a dedicated industrial zone near Karachi Port and Port Qasim.• A strategic agreement with Pakistan Single Window to co-develop a unified digital trade platform, streamlining customs and trade procedures.• A collaboration with the Bahria Foundation to enhance dredging, vessel pooling, and marine services.• An initiative by Noatum Logistics, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, in partnership with KGTL, to establish a multi-modal logistics corridor linking Pakistan with Central Asia via integrated air, sea, and land transport solutions, along with warehousing, distribution, and cold chain these initiatives, AD Ports Group aims to catalyse the modernisation of Pakistan's logistics and trade infrastructure, unlock new avenues for foreign direct investment, and promote greater regional connectivity. The Islamabad office represents a strong foundation for furthering these objectives, enabling the Group to engage more closely with key stakeholders, accelerate project delivery, and support Pakistan's journey towards becoming a leading regional trade gateway.
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Business Standard
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
In a first, UNSC report names TRF as group behind Pahalgam terror attack
In a diplomatic win for India, The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has found mention for the first time in a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report for its role in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 in which terrorists killed 26 people. It is also the first time that TRF has been mentioned in any UN document. This also marks the first mention of the LeT and any other Pakistan-based terror group in the report since 2019. Days after the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan had blocked India's efforts to get the UNSC to name TRF in its condemnation of the attack. Government sources said the latest report of the UNSC Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team demonstrates India's strong counter-terrorism credentials and their recognition by countries worldwide. It is also a reflection of close cooperation between India and like-minded countries in the UNSC, the sources said. The inclusion of TRF in the Monitoring Team report, despite Pakistan's efforts for its removal, highlights Islamabad's undeniable involvement in fomenting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), and also attests to India's credibility in the UN on the counter-terrorism front, the sources said. 'It highlights Pakistan's obstructive approach to counter-terrorism efforts, recognition of the international community of the continuing threat posed by Pakistan-based terror groups and their proxies, and the key exporter of terrorism to the world,' one of the sources said. The development is particularly notable as all decisions of the 1267 Sanctions Committee, including Monitoring Team reports, are adopted by consensus by the members of the Security Council. The UNSC's 1267 Sanctions Committee is tasked to implement sanctions against terrorists, terror groups, and entities. The government sources said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has undertaken comprehensive and coordinated efforts, and provided detailed inputs on TRF and other Pakistan-sponsored terror proxies to the UNSC Monitoring Team since December 2023. In 2024, on two occasions, the MEA had provided inputs to the Monitoring Team on the activities of TRF and its linkages to the LeT. An MEA-led inter-ministerial delegation briefed the Monitoring Team and other senior UN officials in New York in May 2024, and also shared a dossier on TRF, the sources said. The inter-ministerial delegation had held separate briefings for like-minded countries in the Security Council and other major UN member states. Resident Missions in New Delhi and Indian Missions in key capitals ensured sustained follow-up, backed by parliamentary delegations raising TRF's role in interactions abroad, the sources added. They pointed out that Pakistani foreign minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar had earlier boasted in the Pakistan National Assembly about forcing the removal of references to TRF in the UNSC press statement condemning the Pahalgam attack. 'Now, the mention of TRF in the Monitoring Team Report is evidence how the world views Pakistan's lies and deceitful narrative,' the sources said. Pakistan's strategy of plausible deniability — that is using seemingly secular and modern names like The Resistance Front and People Against Fascist Front for its jihadi proxies to divert attention from LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and give an indigenous appearance to its terrorist activities in J&K — now stands punctured, the government sources said. The Monitoring Team report quoted one unnamed member state as saying that the April 22 terror attack in J&K could not have happened without the support of the LeT and that there was a relationship between the 'LeT and The Resistance Front'. 'On April 22, five terrorists attacked a tourist spot in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty-six civilians were killed. The attack was claimed that same day by The Resistance Front (TRF), who in parallel published a photograph of the attack site. The claim of responsibility was repeated the following day. On April 26, however, TRF retracted their claim. There was no further communication from TRF, and no other group claimed responsibility,' the report said. "Regional relations remain fragile. There is a risk that terrorist groups may exploit these regional tensions. One member state said the attack could not have happened without LeT's support, and that there was a relationship between LeT and TRF," the report said. "Another member state said the attack was carried out by TRF, which was synonymous with LeT. One member state rejected these views and said that LeT was defunct," it said. The member state which claimed that LeT was defunct largely appears to be Pakistan, the sources pointed out.
Gulf Today
05-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Azerbaijan to invest $2 billion in economic sector of Pakistan
Pakistan and Azerbaijan on Friday signed a partnership agreement of US$2 billion investment in Pakistan, reflecting the continuing flow of investment in Pakistan, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. In the presence of Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov signed the agreement for investment of a total of US$2 billion by Azerbaijan in the economic sector of Pakistan. The agreement was signed between the two countries after a cordial meeting between the Prime Minister and the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Khankandi. The agreement has taken investment and trade relations between the two countries to a historic level, according to APP. The agreement will prove to be a milestone for further promotion of brotherly relations between the two countries and for strengthening of trade partnership. Both countries also agreed on further exchanges to promote cooperation in various sectors. WAM
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Azerbaijan to invest $2bn in economic sector
SHUSHA, (Azerbaijan): Pakistan and Azerbaijan in a major development Friday signed a partnership agreement of $ two billion investment in Pakistan. The agreement was reflective of the continuing flow of investment in Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. In the presence of the prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov signed the agreement for investment of a total of $ two billion by Azerbaijan in the economic sector of Pakistan. The Pakistani delegation was also present on this occasion. PM Shehbaz urges regional unity, highlights India's 'weaponisation of water' at ECO summit The agreement was signed between the two countries after a cordial meeting between the Prime Minister and the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Khankandi. While the final and detailed agreement will be signed during the Azerbaijani President's visit to Pakistan. The agreement has taken investment and trade relations between the two countries to a historic level. This agreement will prove to be a milestone for further promotion of brotherly relations between the two countries and for strengthening of trade partnership. Prior to the recent visit of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Pakistani diplomatic mission and delegations reached consensus on different aspects of this agreement. Both countries also agreed on further exchanges to promote cooperation in various sectors. While talking to media in Shusha, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told that Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed investment agreement of $ two billion, adding in future the investment will be increased manifold. 'We are thankful to President of Azerbaijan for investment in Pakistan,' he remarked. He said he had a productive and useful meeting with the President of Azerbaijan. The prime minister said the member countries at the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, water resources and different other fields. The member countries also agreed to increase cooperation on issue of melting of glaciers, he added.
