Tag: PAKISTAN

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Russia warns Pakistan it might ban rice imports over safety concerns

The FSVPS has asked the plenipotentiary and trade representative at the Pakistani embassy in Russia for an immediate investigation into the matter…reports Asian Lite News

Russia has warned Pakistan it might ban rice imports if their phytosanitary concerns are not addressed in future consignments, Dawn reported on Sunday.

The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) of the Russian Federation issued a notification regarding violations of international and Russian phytosanitary requirements over a shipment of rice imported from Pakistan.

The notification, numbered FS-SA-3/6592 and dated April 2, 2024, highlights the presence of a quarantine organism, “Megaselia scalaris (Loew),” in the rice consignment, Dawn reported.

The FSVPS has asked the plenipotentiary and trade representative at the Pakistani embassy in Russia for an immediate investigation into the matter.

A copy of the notice issued by the Russian authorities shows that the FSVPS has asked the relevant official in the Pakistani embassy to prevent such violations in the future and emphasised the importance of adhering to phytosanitary standards to ensure the safety of agricultural products traded between countries, Dawn reported.

Meanwhile, the trade wing of Pakistani embassy in Moscow has forwarded the English translation of the Russian authority’s letter to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) in the Ministry of Food Security and other relevant government offices.

The letter by the embassy to the DPP states, “In view of the above, it is requested that an investigation may be conducted immediately and the results of the investigation may please be shared with FSVPS in order to avoid any possible ban on rice exports in the future.”

Meanwhile, the FSVPS has also sent an official communication to the director of DPP, seeking a higher degree of cooperation in the field of plant quarantine, Dawn reported.

Russia had previously imposed a ban on similar grounds in 2019, which remained in place for around two years. It was lifted after a series of negotiations between officials of both sides. Earlier, in December 2006, Russia also stopped the import of rice from Pakistan for not meeting food safety standards. (ANI)

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Shehbaz Sharif, UAE President Discuss Climate Challenges

The UAE President thanked Pakistan for its good wishes and expressed sympathy for those affected by the recent rains and flooding in Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone talk with President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss enhancing cooperation to counter challenges associated with climate change, according to the Prime Minister’s office.

In the phone call, Sharif said the UAE leadership has confronted the challenges that have emerged from the recent rains in the country, calling for collective actions to combat the challenge of climate change, the office said in a statement on Friday.

“Both countries should strengthen their collaboration in this field,” he said, adding that Pakistan has also witnessed heavy rains in recent days, resulting in the loss of many precious lives, Xinhua news agency reported.

The UAE observed unprecedented rainfall on Tuesday, marking the highest recorded rainfall in the last 75 years since climate records started in 1949, according to the country’s National Centre of Meteorology.

During the conversation, the UAE President expressed appreciation for good wishes from Pakistan and reciprocated the warm sentiments for the people affected by the rains and flooding in Pakistan.

Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in multifaceted areas, the Prime Minister’s office said.

At least 87 people have been killed and 82 others injured in separate rain-triggered incidents in Pakistan over the past week as heavy downpours continued to wreak havoc in parts of the country, the country’s National Disaster Management Authority said on Friday.

ALSO READ: Challenges Loom as Pakistan FM Eyes India Trade Resumption

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Foreign Nationals Narrowly Escape Suicide Bombing in Karachi

Police officers inspect a damaged police van at an explosion site in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, July 30, 2021. (Photo by Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua)

The incident occurred when the convoy enroute to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was passing through the Malir Sharif Goth police station limits….reports Hamza Ameer

 Five foreign nationals had a narrow escape on Friday after their convoy was attacked by two suicide bombers in Landhi’s Mansehra Colony in Karachi.

“At least two terrorists were killed in a suicide attack targeting a convoy of foreign nationals, crossing through Mansehra colony in Karachi’s Landhi area. At least two security guards and a passer-by were among the injured,” police said.

The incident occurred when the convoy enroute to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was passing through the Malir Sharif Goth police station limits.

Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud explosion followed by gunfire.

Police officials present on duty told IANS that one of the attackers blew himself up while the other was neutralised after being confronted by them.

“One of the two attackers detonated his suicide vest while the other assailant was killed in the firing by police. He was also wearing a suicide vest. All foreign nationals were safe,” said one of the police officials.

“Two security guards who were accompanying the convoy were injured in the attack,” said the police officer.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Tariq Masoi confirmed that the attack on the foreign national’s convoy was a suicide attack.

“The vehicle was targeted in a suicide attack but it was thwarted as two terrorists were killed. The police have also find a bag filled with grenades from the crime scene. The foreign nationals were safe. However, their two guards and a passerby were injured and shifted to the hospital”, he said.

Police also confirmed that the second attacker, shot dead by the police, was also wearing a suicide vest.

Police confirmed that the attacked convoy consisted of at least two vehicles, which were carrying the Managing Director of a company while four other foreign nationals were traveling in the following van.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. But this is the second targeted attack on foreign nationals, which has raised serious concerns among the security forces and government authorities.

Earlier, in March this year, at least five Chinese engineers were targeted and killed as an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into the bus carrying the engineers to the Dasu Hydropower Dam.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has condemned the suicide attack and has said that terrorism in the city would never be tolerated.

“Terrorism will not be tolerated in the city under any circumstances,” he said.

ALSO READ: Challenges Loom as Pakistan FM Eyes India Trade Resumption

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Challenges Loom as Pakistan FM Eyes India Trade Resumption

Dar said that the business community of the country had expressed its willingness to reopen trade routes with India…reports Hamza Ameer

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has revealed that he has started internal consultations with the country’s business community on the revival of trade activities with India.

The latest statement from the Foreign Minister is an extension of his previous statement in which he expressed the desire to re-open trade with India.

Dar, while speaking with mediapersons at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, said that the business community of the country had expressed its willingness to reopen trade routes with India.

He said that trade of general commodities and medicine is already being done through different routes, including Dubai, which increases the cost of trade and business.

He added that his earlier statements in which he expressed his aspiration to reopen trade routes and trade with India were based on the strong recommendations and demands of the business community.

The Minister said that he is working on a plan that includes having discussions and approval from the relevant quarters.

The Foreign Minister’s statement comes at a time when his own party colleague and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said that there was zero possibility for trade with India due to the ongoing Kashmir dispute.

Experts say that while Dar’s statement is heartening, it still remains uncertain if it would sail through approvals from the military establishment and the other relevant ministries, including the Cabinet that has maintained a rigid position on matters related to India.

“Pakistan’s official position is that it will not have any talks with India on trade until the issue of Kashmir is not given top priority. Keeping this in view, I do not think that re-opening of trade would be a very easy step to take for Pakistan,” said senior political analyst Adnan Shauqat.

“Ishaq Dar has had a fair share of criticism from all sides when he gave such a statement after taking over as Foreign Minister. Secondly, consultation with the business community may just be far easier than trying to present the same to the Cabinet and especially the military establishment for approval,” he added.

Islamabad-based senior journalist Kamran Yousaf said that the concerns of the business community are justifiable because the cost of trade with India through the Wagah-Attari border would be far much cheaper than routing it through Dubai.

“The business community is right to demand the reopening of the India-Pakistan trade route through Wagah because it is cheaper than using a third country like Dubai for trade of basic commodities,” he added.

“However, we have to keep it in mind that, according to Dar, it is just an initial phase of consultation being done with the business community and there is a lot more to be done before getting any tangible outcome. Secondly, India is in a phase of elections at the moment and until that is over, there would be no clarity on the issue,” he said.

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Pak Govt Rapped over X Ban

The court further instructed the authorities to present solid evidence and justify that X is indeed a security “threat” to Pakistan…reports Hamza Ameer

Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday slammed the federal government over banning X, saying that the social media platform X is banned on mere speculation.

Khurram Agha, Secretary Interior appeared before the IHC and submitted a report while responding to a petition questioning and challenging the ban on X.

The report called on IHC to dismiss the petition, insisting that no right of the petitioner has been deprived. “Failure of Twitter/X to adhere to the lawful directives of the government of Pakistan and address concerns regarding the misuse of its platform necessitated the imposition of a ban. Petition against the closure of X is contrary to law and facts,” the report of the Interior Ministry said.

However, IHC said that the brief report submitted by the ministry has failed to satisfy the court as the judge expressed anger over it.

“What is this? Even my Secretary could produce a better one,” the judge said during the hearing at the IHC.

“The government has taken the decision to ban X on mere speculation,” the court observed.

The court further instructed the authorities to present solid evidence and justify that X is indeed a security “threat” to Pakistan.

Civil society organisations including Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have also strongly condemned the prolonged ban on the social media platform, terming it as a clear violation of democratic freedoms in the country.

Pakistan’s FIA Cybercrime Wing had requested X to ban all accounts that were allegedly propagating against the Chief Justice.

“X officials ignored the requests of the FIA Cybercrime Wing and did not respond following which, the decision to temporarily close the site was taken,” the ministry report said.

The report also highlighted that the Interior Ministry issued orders for the closure of X on February 17, 2024, at the request of the country’s intelligence agencies with an aim to protect and safeguard the country’s national security and law and order situation.

“The decision to impose a ban on Twitter/X in Pakistan was made in the interest of upholding national security, maintaining public order, and preserving the integrity of our nation,” the report stated.

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Indian Mother Fights for Children’s Custody in Pakistan

Farzana’s case gained public limelight after she allegedly tortured her husband over a dispute regarding the custody of her sons and some properties in the name of her sons….writes Hamza Ameer

Farzana Begum, an Indian national hailing from Mumbai, is currently in Pakistan fighting for the custody of her children, has refused to return to her native country, stating that her children’s lives are in danger.

Farzana Begum married a Pakistani citizen, Mirza Mubin Elahi, in Abu Dhabi in 2015.

Later, the couple came to Pakistan in 2018 and have two sons aged seven and six.

Farzana’s case gained public limelight after she allegedly tortured her husband over a dispute regarding the custody of her sons and some properties in the name of her sons.

Farzana rejects her husband’s claims that he had divorced her, stating: “If he has divorced me, then there must be a certificate.”

“Me and my children’s lives are in danger in Pakistan over a property dispute. I am confined to my house in Rehman Gardens, Lahore, and my children are enduring hunger,” she said.

Farzana called on the government of Pakistan to provide her with protection until the case was resolved, refusing to leave to her native country without her sons.

“There are some properties in Lahore which are in the name of my sons. My husband has possession of mine and my children’s passports,” she added.

Farzana is the second wife of Mubin Elahi.

Elahi already has a Pakistani wife and children, who Farzana alleges are plotting to bully and intimidate her to return to India and snatch control of properties, which she says belong to her two sons.

Advocate Mohsin Abbas, lawyer of Farzana, said: “Mubin Elahi is spreading false rumours that Farzana’s visa had expired even though her passport was in his possession.”

The case has become the talk of the town, as Farzana is unclear about the status of her visa, and is adamant that she will not leave without her sons.

“I would never return to India without my sons,” Farzana said.

While Farzana has been vocal about the case and her stance, Elahi has been quiet and has not clarified his position on the matter.

Farzana also rejects the accusation of her husband that she tortured him, stating that Elahi is making false allegations to get away from the core issue of the custody of her sons and possession of their properties in Pakistan.

“I know that Elahi is delaying the process to make sure my visa gets expired and I am forced to leave Pakistan. But I will not leave without my sons,” Farzana asserted.

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Pak delegation in US to negotiate fresh loan with IMF

The Finance Minister was greeted at the airport by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, and Embassy staff….reports Asian Lite News

A delegation from Pakistan, headed by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, has arrived in Washington, DC, to take part in the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings, ARY News reported on Monday.

The Pakistani delegation consists of the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Secretary of Finance, the Additional Secretary, and other individuals.

The Finance Minister was greeted at the airport by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, and Embassy staff.

Pakistan-IMF talks hit roadblock again.(photo:IN)

During his stay in US, the Finance Minister will meet IMF and World Bank officials.

Citing sources, ARY News reported that the negotiations between Pakistan and the IMF are scheduled for next week.

According to sources, Islamabad will request the IMF for a new loan programme.

Last month, Pakistan and the IMF came to a staff-level agreement over the third and final review of the USD 3 billion standby arrangement.

Should the board of the global lender approve this deal, Pakistan will get approximately USD 1.1 billion.

Although a specific date has not been determined, the IMF board is anticipated to evaluate the case in late April.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Al-Qahtani, CEO of Saudi Arabia Holding Company, stated that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have accelerated the implementation of a massive USD 5 billion investment plan, Geo News reported.

Following the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia and his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the two countries agreed to expedite the implementation of a massive investment plan worth USD 5 billion.

The agreements included increasing the Saudi deposits in the State Bank of Pakistan from USD 3 billion to USD 5 billion and injecting investments into a new oil refinery and copper mines.

Moreover, these steps are part of a broader agreement that was reached previously, where Saudi Arabia is in talks to invest USD 21 billion in Pakistan.

This includes establishing a copper mine at USD 7 billion and an oil refinery at USD 14 billion.

The investments come at a time when Pakistan is crippled by severe economic crisis, high inflation rates and a shortage of foreign currency.

ALSO READ: The Baloch people are alienated: Today so are the Pashtuns in Pakistan

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Iran’s President Raisi Heads to Pakistan Amid Regional Tensions

Iran President’s visit to Pakistan comes after Tehran launched over 300 drones and missiles on Israel in what it calls a retaliation…reports Asian Lite News

Amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel after Tehran’s major and unprecedented missile and drone attack, bringing the region on the edge, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi is set to land in Pakistan on April 22.

Sources said that Islamabad and Tehran have agreed upon the matters pertaining to President Raisi’s visit who will be accompanied by a high-level delegation and would hold meeting with top officials in the Pakistan government including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the military leadership.

Iran President’s visit to Pakistan comes after Tehran launched over 300 drones and missiles on Israel in what it calls a retaliation to Israel’s airstrike in the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria claiming lives of senior commander of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Mohammad Reza Zahedi and senior commander Hadi Haj Rahimi.

The visit also holds great importance to Pakistan as it comes after Tehran carried out cross-border strikes inside Pakistani territory, claiming to have targeted anti-Iran insurgent groups.

Islamabad responded within 24 hours carrying out a tit-for-tat approach to Iran’s aggression and conducing cross-border airstrikes on the Iranian side killing members of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Iran later announced that those killed in Pakistani airstrikes are non-Iranians.

It would be the first time that Iranian President would be landing in Islamabad post January airstrikes, which had put relationship between both countries in a fix temporarily. During the time, Pakistan even withdrew its ambassador from Iran and stated that it would not allow the Iranian envoy to return to Pakistan.

And even though both sides soon restored diplomatic ties allowing respective diplomats to return to their respective posts; relations remained under question.

Iranian President visit becomes even more crucial for Pakistan as the agenda of the visit is focused on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and the Free-Trade Agreement (FTA).

In a show of goodwill gesture, Iran’s President has also approved the release of Pakistanis stranded on a ship seized by the Iranian forces.

Official sources say the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline will remain as the top agenda of the delegation level meetings as both sides are actively looking to complete the important project.

It is also believed that Iran’s airstrikes on Israel would also come under discussion and Pakistan would put forward its call for restraint.

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Pakistan Braces for Record Fuel Price Surge

An employee fills the tank of a car at a fuel station in southwest Pakistan's Quetta on Feb. 1, 2015. Pakistan's Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has reduced petroleum prices to 18 rupees per liter for February. (Xinhua/Irfan/IANS)

Under the commitments made with the International Monetary Fund, the government had set a budget target to collect PKR 869bn as a petroleum levy on petroleum products during the current fiscal year….reports Lite News

As the situation in the Middle East continues to unfold, the higher international market is estimated to push up the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel by about Pakistani currency (PKR) 2.50 and PKR 8.50 per litre, respectively, Dawn reported.

According to sources, petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices experienced a rise of approximately USD 4 and USD 4.50 per barrel, respectively, during the last fortnight, prior to the recent escalation.

As a result, projections suggest that petrol prices could increase by PKR 2.50 to PKR 2.80 per litre, while HSD prices may rise by PKR 8 to PKR 8.50 per litre, pending final calculations, as per Dawn.

The import premium on petrol has dropped by almost 21 per cent to USD 10.7 per barrel over the last fortnight when compared to USD 13.50 in last few days of March and the rupee strengthened by about 40 paisa against a dollar to USD 278.20.

According to Dawn, the net impact is estimated to be about USD 2.80 per litre increase in petrol price from the existing rate of USD 289.41.

The HSD price, on the other hand, was up in the international market and its import premium paid by the benchmark Pakistan State Oil remained unchanged at USD 6.50 per barrel.

HSD rate was thus estimated to be higher by PKR 8 to PKR 8.50 per litre, subject to a final exchange rate adjustment in pricing, from the current rate of PKR 282.24 per litre at the depot stage.

For the purpose of price calculations, officials said the petrol price had gone up by about USD 4 per barrel to USD 98.5 last week, while the HSD price went up by USD 4.50 per barrel to USD 102.9.

Nearly two weeks ago, the government implemented a price hike of PKR 9.66 per litre for petrol and a reduction of PKR 3.32 per litre for high-speed diesel (HSD), effective until April 15.

The government has also reached the maximum permissible limit of PKR 60 per litre in petroleum levy, as mandated by law, for both petrol and HSD.

Under the commitments made with the International Monetary Fund, the government had set a budget target to collect PKR 869bn as a petroleum levy on petroleum products during the current fiscal year. It has already collected about PKR 475bn in the first half (July-December) of the fiscal year, though the government is expected to mop up about PKR 970bn by the end of the year, despite the revised target of PKR 920bn by the end of June.

Currently, the government is charging about PKR 82 per litre in taxes on both petrol and HSD. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Pakistan Welcomes High-Level Saudi Delegation

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Pakistan Welcomes High-Level Saudi Delegation

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (Photo: Twitter@PakPMO)

The visit also holds great importance for Islamabad as it looks towards the privatisation of its assets and invites investments from Saudi Arabia…reports Hamza Ameer

As Pakistan moves ahead towards privatisation of its assets including the Islamabad International Airport and the National Flag carrier airline the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) along with other major projects; a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia will land in Islamabad on Monday to materialise the agreements done between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed the visit stating that the high-level Saudi delegation would be led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, who will be accompanied by a team of important and esteemed figures from the business community.

Saudi delegation comprises important government dignitaries including Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Minister of Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdul Rahman Abdul Mohsen Al-Fadley, Deputy Minister of Investment Badr AlBadr, Head of Saudi Special Committee Mohammad Mazyed Al Towaijri and other senior officials from Saudi Fund for General Investments and the Ministery of Energy.

The delegation will be in Islamabad on 15 and 16 April with an objective to take the agreements done between Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman during the recent meeting in Makkah.

Sources said that the Saudi delegation is scheduled to have important meetings with key figures from various ministries of Pakistan. Meetings are also scheduled with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and the APEC Committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

The Saudi visit is part of the important commitment made by PM Shehbad and Muhammad Bin Salman, in which, both sides assured a commitment to expediting the first phase of Saudi investment of $5 billion in Pakistan.

The visit also holds great importance for Islamabad as it looks towards the privatisation of its assets and invites investments from Saudi Arabia. Other than PIA and Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad is also looking towards a major investment by Saudi Arabia in the Gwadar project and also the Reko Diq.

The investment opportunities will be put forward to the Saudi delegation in other sectors also and will be done as part of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a special platform spearheaded by Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir and being formally authenticated by the political government.

The Saudi delegation would also explore business opportunities in the agriculture, energy, privatisation and other sectors and is expected to inject a much-needed investment pivotal to Islamabad’s crippling economy and growth.

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