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Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Air travel to continue: Road travel for Arbaeen pilgrims banned
ISLAMABAD: In a move aimed at ensuring the safety of pilgrims, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday that Pakistani citizens would be prohibited from travelling to Iran and Iraq by road for this year's Arbaeen pilgrimage due to ongoing security concerns. The minister announced the decision through a post on X, following a detailed briefing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the prime minister instructed the Aviation Minister to facilitate the pilgrims by arranging special flights to Iran and Iraq. The meeting also delved into the prevailing law and order situation in the volatile Balochistan province, with the prime minister urging the interior minister to expedite the implementation of the Gwadar Safe City project. In a post on X, Naqvi explained that the decision was made after comprehensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and various security agencies. 'This difficult decision has been taken in the interest of public safety and national security,' he added. However, Naqvi confirmed that pilgrims would still be allowed to travel by air, and this move is expected to ease some concerns amid heightened security threats in regions bordering Afghanistan and Iran. Earlier in May, Pakistan and Iran had agreed to strengthen cooperation to ensure the smooth movement of religious pilgrims. This agreement includes keeping their shared border open 24 hours a day during Muharram and Safar, including the Arbaeen period. As part of the agreement, both countries have committed to increasing the number of flights available for pilgrims and have also explored the possibility of sea travel to alleviate congestion at land crossings. Tehran has also pledged to provide accommodation and meals for up to 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims in Mashhad during the peak season. Pakistan has faced a rise in terrorist attacks in recent years, particularly in the border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, further complicating the safe passage of pilgrims during religious events. Each year, approximately 700,000 Pakistani pilgrims travel to Iraq to commemorate Arbaeen, a significant religious event marking the 40th day of mourning after the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in Karbala. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Chinese nationals: PM announces series of security steps
ISLAMABAD: In a move underscoring the deepening ties between Pakistan and China, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Tuesday a series of intensified security measures to protect Chinese nationals across the country. This development coincides with the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship infrastructure and economic partnership project pivotal to both countries' strategic and economic agendas. The prime minister, while chairing a high-level review meeting on the security arrangements for Chinese nationals in Pakistan, reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Chinese citizens residing and working in the country. Pakistan, China in talks about security for Chinese nationals 'China is a friendly nation with which Pakistan shares historic and brotherly relations,' the prime minister said, emphasising that the security of Chinese nationals is a top priority for his government. The meeting came amid increasing attention on ensuring safe environments for foreign investors and workers as CPEC transitions to a business-to-business model, expanding opportunities for private sector collaboration. 'With the launch of the second phase, our responsibility to build a secure and business-friendly environment for the Chinese community in Pakistan has become even more critical.' Highlighting the government's strides in public security infrastructure, the prime minister pointed to the nationwide rollout of Safe City projects – an initiative aimed at enhancing urban surveillance and law enforcement capabilities through cutting-edge technology. These projects, according to Sharif, reflect Pakistan's growing capacity to meet international security standards. The prime minister also instructed authorities to prioritise the smooth and secure movement of Chinese nationals through airports, aiming to streamline their transit amid heightened security concerns. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi gave a detailed briefing to the prime minister on the special security arrangements already in place for Chinese nationals working in the country including the federal capital. These include increased protection protocols for Chinese nationals, security escorts during travel, and enhanced surveillance at residential developments housing foreign workers. 'We have implemented full coordination between federal and provincial authorities to address terrorism threats and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens,' said Naqvi. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
22-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM reaffirms security of Chinese nationals as top priority
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated that the protection of Chinese nationals in Pakistan remains a top priority for the government, underscoring its significance in the context of the country's economic future and bilateral cooperation with China. Chairing a high-level meeting on security arrangements for Chinese citizens, the prime minister said that creating a safe and business-friendly environment was essential to maintaining the confidence of Chinese companies operating in Pakistan. 'The confidence of Chinese companies in the Pakistani economy is extremely important for our economic future,' he stated. Read More: UN adopts Pakistan-sponsored resolution on 'peaceful dispute settlement' He highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster security for Chinese nationals across the country, including in the federal capital, citing Safe City projects as a key component of this strategy. These surveillance and response systems, he said, were being implemented nationwide in accordance with international standards. 'China is our friendly country, and the safety of our Chinese brothers is our foremost responsibility,' PM Shehbaz said while noting that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had entered its second phase, focused on business-to-business collaboration, further increasing the importance of secure conditions for Chinese citizens. In view of this, the premier directed authorities to take special measures at all airports to facilitate the arrival and departure of Chinese nationals. He also called for the inclusion of Safe City-standard surveillance systems in all upcoming housing projects. Also Read: Punjab opposition leader, PTI supporters sentenced to 10 years in May 9 case During the briefing, the interior minister and senior officials updated the prime minister on security protocols in place, highlighting that special arrangements had been made nationwide in light of potential security threats. Chinese nationals are currently being provided with security escort services for travel, the meeting was informed. The federal and provincial governments are working in coordination on these measures, the briefing added, noting that Safe City projects were being expanded across multiple urban centres. The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, State Minister Talal Chaudhry, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and other senior officials.
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz assures foolproof security for Chinese nationals across Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday assured that foolproof security arrangements are being implemented nationwide to safeguard Chinese nationals, amid the growing scope of bilateral cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Chairing a high-level review meeting, the premier said the government was committed to enhancing security infrastructure and surveillance capabilities in major cities to ensure a safe, business-friendly environment for Chinese citizens working and living in Pakistan. 'China is our friendly nation, and the safety of our Chinese brothers is of utmost importance,' he said. 'We are building a secure environment for long-term collaboration and investment.' He stressed that with CPEC entering its second phase, focusing on private sector and business-to-business partnerships, securing Chinese personnel and assets has become even more critical. The meeting was briefed on existing measures, including the deployment of dedicated security escorts, high-resolution surveillance in residential areas, and fast-tracked facilitation for Chinese citizens at airports and border points. Ongoing coordination between federal and provincial authorities was also reviewed. Sharif directed relevant departments to accelerate the installation of Safe City systems across urban centres and ensure that all new housing projects include surveillance infrastructure aligned with national standards. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, and SAPM Tariq Fatemi were among the officials present. 'The confidence of Chinese companies in Pakistan's economy is vital to our economic future,' the prime minister noted, urging authorities to remove any gaps in the protection framework.
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
‘I had to skip work again': Karachiites struggle with Ajrak number plates process
KARACHI: Muhammad Jamal bought his Alto in 2022 through a bank loan, expecting the excitement of car ownership to be matched with smooth formalities. But three years later, he still doesn't have an Excise-issued number plate. 'I don't even know if the plate will be delivered to me or to the bank,' said Jamal, frustrated. With his original documents locked with the bank until the loan matures, and the Excise office requiring those same papers to issue the plate, Jamal finds himself at a bureaucratic dead end. He's not alone. Across Karachi, from business owners to delivery riders, ordinary citizens are caught in the confusion and delay caused by the Sindh government's drive to replace old number plates with new, Ajrak-themed ones. While officials argue the move is part of a broader Safe City initiative, people say the process has been anything but safe or smooth. Here's how to apply for new Ajrak design number plates online Umair Alam, an entrepreneur, also took his car out of the showroom in 2022 and registered it soon after. Since then, he's heard little more than what he called 'broken promises'. 'They told me the number plate would come by April 2025. Then in May, I followed up, and now they're saying July,' he told Business Recorder. Alam paid for registration once, but when the government introduced the Ajrak plates mid-process, he was told to pay again. Abid Hussain, a delivery boy who had come to the Excise office to apply for a number plate, said that was his second visit to the office. 'I had to skip work again, but I couldn't apply today either due heavy rush,' he lamented. On the other hand, Muhammad Qaiser, a private employee, told Business Recorder that he had preferred to apply online. 'However, after applying online, I neither received a payment confirmation SMS nor any information about when the number plate will be delivered,' he said. Qaiser said the tracking ID was only showing whether the plate had been printed or delivered. 'It does not specify when it will actually be received.' He added that there was no home delivery option available for online payments. 'At one point, I saw a courier option, but when I clicked it, it turned out to be invalid.' Two office for a population of over 20 million Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, has a population of around 20.3 million as per Census 2023. Yet, currently there are only two Excise offices - one at Hassan Square and the other in Clifton - to offer services related to vehicles registration and new number plates. Number plates with Ajrak design: only Excise-issued plates are valid, says minister When the scribe visited one of the two offices, several people were seen complaining about the shortage of counters and staff. They said establishing only two registration offices for such a large city was 'incomprehensible' and imposing a strict deadline on top of it was 'irrational'. The citizens called for an increase in the number of registration offices and an extension of the August 14 deadline. Agents were also seen taking advantage of people's plight outside the Excise Office. The scribe, not disclosing the identity, asked an agent standing outside the office how much he would charge to get the number plate work done. The agent responded that it would cost Rs10,000 for a car and Rs7,000 for a bike, with a delivery time of one to one and a half months. Meanwhile, not far from Excise offices, local shops continued to make duplicate number plates despite Sindh Excise and Taxation minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla's warning that only Excise offices could issue the new Ajrak design number plates and those issued by outside agents or shops would not be considered valid. A local craftsman who makes duplicate number plates told Business Recorder that most of his customers were students or delivery riders. According to the craftsman, people believe that police enforcement is limited to major roads, while students mostly ride their bikes in neighborhoods, so they prefer duplicate plates. He also mentioned that a duplicate plate for a bike costs around Rs500 to Rs600, whereas the official excise plate costs nearly Rs2,000. 'Due to limited financial resources and time, riders opt for duplicate plates.' Why new Ajrak design number plates? Earlier this month, Excise minister Chawla, explaining why Ajrak number plates were important, said the Safe City Project could not succeed until the security-enhanced number plates issued by the government were fully implemented. Talking to Business Recorder then, the minister ruled out the use of old or the number plate manufactured in open market/shops. Sindh extends deadline for Ajrak number plates until August 14 Emphasising the use of Ajrak number plates, the minister described the features of the number plate adding that the plates included threads in the background, 3D holograms, and barcodes. The Safe City cameras would also be able to read the plate number in night, he added. Chawla stated that the excise department had launched three different colored number plates: white plates for private vehicles and bikes, yellow plates for commercial vehicles, and green plates for government vehicles. He mentioned that the fee for vehicle number plates—whether government or commercial—was set at Rs2,450, and Rs1,850 for two wheelers.
