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Iranian FM on Islamabad visit, says Tehran reserves right to ‘legitimate defense’ against Israel

Update Iranian FM on Islamabad visit, says Tehran reserves right to ‘legitimate defense’ against Israel
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (second left) calls on Pakistan Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 5, 2024. (Pakistan Government)
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Updated 05 November 2024

Iranian FM on Islamabad visit, says Tehran reserves right to ‘legitimate defense’ against Israel

Iranian FM on Islamabad visit, says Tehran reserves right to ‘legitimate defense’ against Israel
  • Araghchi is in Pakistan on a two-day visit to discuss Middle East tensions, bilateral ties
  • Decries Israel’s “acts of genocide” in Gaza, ongoing attacks in Lebanon, assault on Iran on Oct. 26
Updated 05 November 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday for a two-day official visit to discuss a range of issues, including tensions in the Middle East, saying at a press conference that Tehran reserved the right to a “legitimate defense” against Israeli aggressions though it did not seek escalation.
Araghchi was addressing a joint media briefing with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in which he spoke about Israel’s “crimes and acts of genocide” in Gaza, its ongoing attacks in Lebanon and its assault on Iran on Oct. 26.
Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the US with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its allies. Any further attacks from either side could engulf the wider Middle East, already teetering over Israel’s assault of the Gaza Strip and its ground invasion of Lebanon, into a wider regional conflict as the US goes into a presidential election today, Tuesday.
“Unlike the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek escalation,” Araghchi told reporters. “However, we reserve our inherent right to legitimate defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and we would certainly respond to the Israeli aggression in a proper time and in a proper manner.”
Since the deadliest attack by Hamas in its history on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has carried out air and ground strikes in Gaza in which over 42,000 people have been killed. Since late September, it has also been at war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are allies of Iran.
Pakistan, a major ally of ֱ, shares a long border with Iran but ties have been frosty over a range of issues, including cross-border militancy.
During Tuesday’s press conference, the Iranian foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s stance in condemning Israeli aggression against Iran.
“We [Muslim nations] are working toward a solution to stop these atrocities and to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza and Lebanon at the upcoming OIC meeting, especially as winter approaches, which will only intensify the hardships of the homeless and refugees in Gaza and Lebanon,” Araghchi added.
ֱ will also host a joint Arab-Islamic summit on Nov. 11 to address Israeli assaults in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.
PAK-IRAN TIES

Speaking about bilateral relations, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s commitment to the promotion of ties with Pakistan in all areas, including economic, political, academic, cultural, and tourism.
“The objective of this round of consultation is the promotion of the all-out relations between Iran and Pakistan with a new focus on the bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade and economy,” he added.
Speaking at the media briefing, Pakistani FM Dar said during his meetings with Araghchi, he had emphasized the need for an “urgent” ceasefire, de-escalation, and dialogue aimed at realizing the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
“We also resolved that in the upcoming joint Islamic summit in Jeddah, which has been scheduled for the 11th of November, we would pool our efforts in order to make sure that we come up with a joint approach to the issues for which this joint summit has been called,” Dar said.
Dar said both sides had also discussed ways to enhance cooperation across several key areas, including trade, energy, and border security.
“We agreed to intensify collaboration on border management and address shared challenges as we underscored that terrorism and extremism pose a serious threat to the regional peace and pledged to coordinate our joint efforts to eradicate these challenges,” he added.
Araghchi later held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen its relations with Iran by maintaining regular high-level exchanges and enhancing mutually advantageous cooperation across all spheres of shared interest, according to Sharif’s office.
“During the meeting, the worrying situation in the Middle East region came under discussion. While reaffirming Pakistan’s unequivocal support to the Palestinian people in their just struggle for self-determination and statehood, the Prime Minister reiterated strong condemnation of and grave concern over the Israel’s ongoing genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister also emphasized upon the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, provision of unhindered humanitarian assistance and, above all, grant of the inalienable right to self-determination to the Palestinian people, as guaranteed to them by the relevant resolutions of the UN, as well as OIC.”
Sharif once again condemned Israel’s attack against Iran on October 26, reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the statement. The Iranian foreign minister thanked the prime minister for Pakistan’s principled position and briefed him on Iran’s perspective regarding the situation in the region.
Pakistan and Iran have had a rocky relationship despite several commercial pacts between the two countries on trade, energy, and security. Both countries signed the $7 billion Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project agreement in 2004 but 20 years on, the project remains incomplete due to funding challenges and threats of US sanctions over doing business with Tehran.
Iran has completed the pipeline’s construction on its side of the border while Pakistan is seeking a US waiver to go ahead with building the project. Pakistan has also hired two prominent US law firms, Willkie Farr & Gallagher and White & Case, to defend its position in an international arbitration case initiated by Tehran over the stalled gas pipeline project, the attorney general confirmed to Arab News on Monday.
Pakistan and Iran are also often at odds over instability on their shared, porous frontier, with both countries routinely trading blame for not doing enough against militants who carry out cross-border attacks.
Tensions surged in January when Pakistan and Iran exchanged airstrikes, both claiming to target alleged militant hideouts in each other’s countries

Topics: Pakistan Iran Ties Seyed Abbas Araghchi Iran Gaza Israel Palestine Arab News Pakistan

Pakistani tribunal upholds ruling against Gulf-bound worker medical centers for price fixing

Pakistani tribunal upholds ruling against Gulf-bound worker medical centers for price fixing
Updated 15 August 2025

Pakistani tribunal upholds ruling against Gulf-bound worker medical centers for price fixing

Pakistani tribunal upholds ruling against Gulf-bound worker medical centers for price fixing
  • Competition appeals tribunal reduces fines but upholds ruling against price fixing by medical centers
  • Pakistani workers going to Gulf must use approved clinics, where CCP found collusion, overcharging
Updated 15 August 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s competition appeals tribunal has upheld a ruling against 20 medical centers and laboratories that colluded to fix prices and allocate customers for mandatory pre-departure health tests of workers bound for Gulf countries, the competition regulator said on Friday.

The case involves a captive market of low-income Pakistani laborers headed mainly to ֱ, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Under the rules, these workers must undergo tests at centers approved by the Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association (GAMCA), a network of clinics authorized by Gulf states to carry out the mandatory checks.

The regulator found the centers and their five regional associations divided customers on a rotational basis, eliminating competition on price and service quality, and in some cases charging for unnecessary repeat tests.

“The CCP’s investigation concluded that fee fixation, territorial division and equal allocation of customers by GAMCAs violated the Competition Act, 2010,” the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) said in a statement.

“Any anti-competitive conduct will be dealt with strictly under the competition law,” it quoted its chairman, Dr. Kabir Sidhu, as saying.

The competition appeals tribunal upheld the findings but reduced the penalties from 20 million rupees ($70,000) per medical center and 10 million rupees ($35,000) per GAMCA to 2 million rupees ($7,000) percenter and 1 million rupees ($3,500) per GAMCA.

The CCP launched its inquiry after a complaint from the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association, which represents manpower exporters.

Topics: Gulf-bound worker medical centers Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association

Pakistan signs financial advisory deal to privatize state-owned agricultural bank

Pakistan signs financial advisory deal to privatize state-owned agricultural bank
Updated 55 min 59 sec ago

Pakistan signs financial advisory deal to privatize state-owned agricultural bank

Pakistan signs financial advisory deal to privatize state-owned agricultural bank
  • IMF has urged Pakistan to privatize loss-making or under-performing state firms to ease pressure on public finances
  • Government hopes private investment will modernize agricultural finance and help farmers adopt new technologies
Updated 55 min 59 sec ago
Ismail Dilawar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has signed a financial advisory services agreement to begin the strategic privatization of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), the country’s largest state-owned agricultural lender, the privatization commission said on Friday.

The move comes as Islamabad faces pressure to privatize loss-making or under-performing state-owned enterprises under International Monetary Fund loan agreements in recent years.

The government expects the sell-off drive to improve efficiency by putting such entities under competitive, corporate management.

ZTBL’s privatization comes at a time when Pakistan is striving to bolster food security in the face of extreme climate patterns by modernizing agricultural finance, helping farmers adopt new technologies and practices critical for boosting yields and resilience.

“The privatization of ZTBL is designed to catalyze investment in Pakistan’s agricultural future by combining private sector efficiency with the bank’s long-standing expertise in agricultural finance,” the commission said in a statement. “The goal is to ensure farmers have timely access to essential financial resources.”

It signed the financial advisory services agreement with a consortium led by Next Capital Limited.

ZTBL operates a network of more than 500 branches nationwide, providing credit to small farmers and rural communities.

Officials said private investment was expected to expand the bank’s product range, introduce modern banking technologies, improve governance and strengthen customer service.

Under the newly signed agreement, advisers will conduct due diligence, market sounding and investor engagement, as well as structure and market the transaction and assist in a transparent bidding process.

Topics: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) agricultural bank

Pakistan, US step up investment talks, move toward joint counterterrorism plan

Pakistan, US step up investment talks, move toward joint counterterrorism plan
Updated 15 August 2025

Pakistan, US step up investment talks, move toward joint counterterrorism plan

Pakistan, US step up investment talks, move toward joint counterterrorism plan
  • Finance minister says new US tariff deal will unlock investment in mines, minerals, IT and energy sectors
  • Interior minister hails US move to blacklist Baloch separatist groups, eyes joint counterterrorism strategy
Updated 15 August 2025
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Senior Pakistani and US officials on Friday discussed next steps in economic investment and the development of a joint counterterrorism strategy in meetings aimed at deepening economic and defense ties between the two countries.

Pakistan’s commerce ministry said earlier this week it had finalized a strategy to implement a recently negotiated tariff deal with the United States that Islamabad hopes will unlock US investment.

Announced last month, the agreement set a reduced tariff rate of 19 percent on Pakistani imports — the lowest in the region — and is expected to revive bilateral trade while opening the way for US firms to participate in various Pakistani economic sectors.

In talks with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s economy had “turned a corner” after a prolonged downturn, a shift recognized by three major international rating agencies.

“The Minister emphasized that the [trade] agreement would usher in a new era of economic collaboration — particularly in energy, mines and minerals, IT, cryptocurrency and other sectors — while expanding market access, attracting investment and fostering cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” the finance ministry said in a statement released after the meeting.

“He expressed hope that the deal would lead to increased US investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure, development projects and digital and mining sectors, which were ready for tangible action and progress,” it added.

Aurangzeb thanked Washington for its continued economic and development support and recalled recent meetings in the US with senior officials to finalize the trade deal.

In a video message after last month’s announcement, he had noted Pakistan’s goal was always to move “beyond the immediate trade imperative,” calling the US-Pakistan pact “a real win-win situation” for both nations.

Pakistan, he added, had “come a long way” in its overall strategic partnership with the US.

COUNTERTERRORISM PLAN

Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met US Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory LoGerfo in Islamabad to discuss closer cooperation to fight militant violence, and to work jointly on border security and anti-narcotics efforts.

Pakistan and the US have shared a defense relationship dating back to the Cold War era, collaborating over decades on regional stability and counterinsurgency in Afghanistan.

The latest talks between Naqvi and LoGerfo came days after Washington designated the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade faction as “terrorist” organizations.

Both have carried out coordinated attacks in Balochistan targeting security personnel, civilians and foreign nationals working on major development projects.

“Naqvi added that counterterrorism dialogue will help in creating a joint strategy,” the interior ministry said in a statement. “He termed the US decision to designate the banned BLA and banned Majeed Brigade as Foreign terrorist organizations a commendable step, expressing hope that Pakistan-US cooperation will yield positive results in eliminating terrorism.”

Naqvi also noted that bilateral ties had improved since President Donald Trump took office, citing transparency, mutual trust and cooperation as the hallmarks of the relationship and called it an opportune time to strengthen engagement in all areas.

Topics: Pakistan US Ties Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi

India says international court lacks authority to rule on Pakistan water treaty

India says international court lacks authority to rule on Pakistan water treaty
Updated 15 August 2025
Reuters

India says international court lacks authority to rule on Pakistan water treaty

India says international court lacks authority to rule on Pakistan water treaty
  • India does not recognize the Court of Arbitration’s jurisdiction over the Indus Waters Treaty
  • Pakistan has hailed ruling backing its position on Indian hydro-power projects on western rivers
Updated 15 August 2025
Reuters

NEW DELHI: The international Court of Arbitration lacks any legal authority to make pronouncements on the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan as New Delhi has never recognized the legitimacy of the court, India’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.

A ruling from the Court of Arbitration last week backed Pakistan by saying that India must adhere to the Indus Waters Treaty in the design of new hydro-electric power stations on rivers that flow west into Pakistan.

Under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, three rivers that flow westwards were awarded to Pakistan, with India getting three eastern flowing rivers. Pakistan fears its neighbor India could choke its main water supply, with 80 percent of the country’s agriculture and hydro-power dependent on those three river flows.

In 2023, Pakistan brought a case to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration over the design of Indian hydro-power projects on rivers that were awarded to Pakistan under the treaty.

The court, in a ruling on Friday that was posted on its website on Monday, said it had jurisdiction over the dispute and ruled the treaty “does not permit India to generate hydro-electric power on the Western Rivers based on what might be the ideal or best practices approach for engineering” of these projects.

Instead, the design of these projects must adhere “strictly” to the specifications laid down in the treaty, the court said.

Pakistan’s Attorney General, Mansoor Usman, said in an interview on Tuesday that, by and large, the court had accepted Pakistan’s position, especially on the design issue of the new hydropower projects.

“I am sure it is clear now that India cannot construct any of these projects in violation of the court’s decision,” he told Reuters.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said late Monday that the court ruling said that India had to “let flow” the waters of the three rivers for Pakistan’s unrestricted use.

The court said its findings are final and binding on both countries, according to the foreign office statement.

An Indian official pointed to a June statement by India’s foreign ministry, which said that India has never recognized the existence in law of the Court of Arbitration.

Tensions between the two countries over the Indus Waters Treaty soared when India unilaterally said in April that it would hold the treaty in abeyance in response to the killing of 26 civilians in Indian-controlled Kashmir, an attack it blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denied involvement. Conflict then erupted in May, the most serious fighting between the two countries in decades, before it ended with a ceasefire announcement by US President Donald Trump.

Topics: Pakistan India Ties Indus Waters Treaty

Rains, floods kill nearly 200 in northern Pakistan as relief helicopter crash leaves five dead

Rains, floods kill nearly 200 in northern Pakistan as relief helicopter crash leaves five dead
Updated 15 August 2025

Rains, floods kill nearly 200 in northern Pakistan as relief helicopter crash leaves five dead

Rains, floods kill nearly 200 in northern Pakistan as relief helicopter crash leaves five dead
  • Nationwide deaths have crossed 460 since this year’s monsoon season began in late June
  • KP government announces a day of mourning after MI-17 helicopter goes down in bad weather
Updated 15 August 2025
REHMAT MEHSUD

PESHAWAR: At least 189 people were killed in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and eight in Gilgit-Baltistan over the past 24 hours as rains and floods triggered multiple incidents, while a government helicopter carrying relief goods crashed in bad weather, killing five crew members, officials said on Friday.

Pakistan, which contributes less than 1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Nationwide deaths since this year’s monsoon season began in late June have crossed 460, according to an Arab News tally, evoking memories of 2022 when catastrophic monsoon rains and glacial melt submerged a third of the country, killing more than 1,700 people and causing over $30 billion in damages.

Scientists say rising temperatures are making South Asia’s monsoon rains more erratic and intense, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

“In the last 24 hours, 189 people have died and 21 have been injured in different incidents caused by heavy rains and flash floods,” the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said in its preliminary report about the situation in KP province.

“Among the dead are 163 men, 14 women and 12 children, while the injured include 18 men, two women and one child.”

The authority said 45 houses were damaged, including 38 partially and seven completely destroyed. The incidents were reported in Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Upper and Lower Dir, Mansehra, Shangla and Battagram districts.

“The most affected districts due to heavy rains and flash floods are Buner, Bajaur and Battagram, where rescue operations are still ongoing,” the PDMA said. “Two helicopters have been dispatched to Bajaur and Buner for rescue operations.”

Later, the KP administration confirmed in an official statement that “a provincial government MI-17 helicopter carrying relief goods for rain-affected areas of Bajaur crashed due to bad weather.”

“As a result of this tragic accident, five crew members, including two pilots, were martyred,” Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said in a statement.

Gandapur announced a day of mourning on Saturday, with the national flag to be flown at half-mast across the province.

Relief teams have been dispatched to the crash site and the bodies of the martyrs will be laid to rest with full state honors.

The PDMA also warned that the current spell of heavy rains was expected to continue intermittently until August 21 and directed all district administrations to take precautionary measures.

“PDMA, all relevant institutions, relief teams, district administration and Rescue 1122 are in contact and monitoring the situation,” the statement added.

Separately, officials in the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region confirmed eight deaths in Ghizer and Diamer districts after homes were swept away by floods and landslides.

Topics: Heavy floods falsh floods

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