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Pakistan, Ethiopia eye private-sector partnerships at ‘Made-in-Pakistan’ expo in Addis Ababa

Pakistan, Ethiopia eye private-sector partnerships at ‘Made-in-Pakistan’ expo in Addis Ababa
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan (fourth left) and other officials visit stalls at the Made-in-Pakistan Exhibition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on October 16, 2025. (Facebook/@pakafricatrade) 
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Updated 1 min 24 sec ago

Pakistan, Ethiopia eye private-sector partnerships at ‘Made-in-Pakistan’ expo in Addis Ababa

Pakistan, Ethiopia eye private-sector partnerships at ‘Made-in-Pakistan’ expo in Addis Ababa
  • Commerce minister meets chairman of African Union Commission to discuss trade initiatives
  • Discussions centered on manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, pharmaceuticals and textiles
Updated 1 min 24 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Ethiopia are exploring private-sector partnerships at a ‘Made-in-Pakistan’ exhibition in Addis Ababa, Pakistan’s commerce ministry said, with both sides aiming to boost trade and investment ties.

The statement was issued on the second day of the 5th Pakistan–Africa Trade Development Conference (PATDC) and Made-in-Pakistan Exhibition in Ethiopia’s capital, which was attended by Pakistani Commerce Minister Jam Kamal and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.

Pakistan and Ethiopia have enjoyed friendly relations since 1973, with growing economic and diplomatic ties. Under a bilateral agreement, Pakistan exports health care products, chemicals, machinery, sugar, rice and textiles to Ethiopia, while it imports pulses, red kidney beans, hides, tea and coffee.

Kamal and Youssouf toured the exhibition together and met many Pakistani exhibitors, commending their efforts to promote “South-South cooperation” and foster trade between the two countries.

“The day’s business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions attracted a larger turnout of buyers, importers, and investors from Ethiopia, Pakistan, and other African countries,” the Pakistan commerce ministry said in a statement.

“Discussions centered on manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and textile industries, leading to new commercial linkages and promising future collaborations.”

Youssouf emphasized that the Pakistan–Africa Trade Development Conference has become an effective model for inter-regional collaboration, aligning with the African Union’s vision to enhance trade integration, industrial partnerships, and inclusive economic growth across the continent.

“Through sustained dialogue and focused initiatives like PATDC, Pakistan is unlocking opportunities for partnership, innovation, and shared growth across Africa,” he was quoted as saying.

“Our objective is to build relationships that go beyond trade — anchored in trust, technology, and long-term development.”

On the occasion, Kamal said the event reflected Pakistan’s proactive global outreach strategy and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to deepening long-term partnerships with Africa.

The conference ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen trade, investment and institutional cooperation across Africa.

Topics: Pakistan Africa ties Pakistan Ethiopia ties Made in Pakistan expo

Pakistan tells India ‘no space for war’ in nuclearized environment, settle issues as per norms

Pakistan tells India ‘no space for war’ in nuclearized environment, settle issues as per norms
Updated 6 sec ago

Pakistan tells India ‘no space for war’ in nuclearized environment, settle issues as per norms

Pakistan tells India ‘no space for war’ in nuclearized environment, settle issues as per norms
  • The statement comes days after India’s army chief said Pakistan must stop ‘backing terror’ if it wanted to ‘remain on the world map’
  • Field Marshal Asim Munir says Pakistan’s military successfully displayed its capabilities, delivering a ‘decisive blow to the adversary’
Updated 6 sec ago
Fatimah Amjad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief on Saturday said there is “no space for war” between two countries in a nuclearized environment, urging India to resolve all core issues with Pakistan as per globally recognized norms.

The statement came days after India’s army chief General Upendra Dwivedi told soldiers near the Pakistan border that Islamabad must stop “backing terror” if it wanted to “remain on the world map.”

Dwivedi said India would not show the restraint it exercised during a brief war with Pakistan in May. Recent Indian political and security rhetoric has included similar public statements and assertions of “bloodshed” narratives ahead of local elections.

Speaking at a passing-out ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy, Field Marshal Asim Munir said Pakistan’s defense doctrine is predicated on credible deterrence and perpetual readiness, encompassing the full spectrum of capabilities.

“The battle-hardened Army which has fought for over two decades in the sub-conventional domain has successfully displayed its capabilities in conventional domain as well by delivering a swift and decisive blow to the adversary,” he said in a clear reference to India.

“I advise and firmly caution the Indian military leadership that there is ‘no space for war’ in a nuclearized environment. Settle the core issues with Pakistan as per the international norms, on the basis of equality and mutual respect.”

The disputed region of Kashmir has long been a flashpoint between Pakistan and India, with both claiming the territory in its entirety and fighting multiple wars for its control. The conflict in May was also triggered by an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied the allegation.

Munir said that India, having failed in its belligerence against Pakistan in May, continues with “state-sponsored terrorism” as a preferred policy.

“Our adversary’s use of Fitna Al-Hind [Baloch separatist groups] and Fitna-al-Khawarij [Pakistani Taliban] as hired guns, exposes its cowering, hypocritical and heinous face to the world,” he said.

“Equally disconcerting is the use of Afghan soil for terrorism in Pakistan. We urge the people of Afghanistan to choose mutual security over perpetual violence and progress over hard-line obscurantism. Taliban Regime must rein in the proxies, who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan.”

There was no immediate comment from New Delhi or the Taliban to the Pakistani army chief’s statement. It came amid ongoing hostilities between Islamabad and Kabul over a surge in militant attacks by the Pakistani Taliban in Pakistan’s western regions that border Afghanistan.

Pakistan has frequently accused Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil and India of backing militant groups for attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi both deny the allegation.

Topics: Pakistan army chief Pakistan Afghan Ties Pakistan India Ties

Army chief calls Islamabad-Riyadh defense pact step toward peace in Middle East, South Asia

Army chief calls Islamabad-Riyadh defense pact step toward peace in Middle East, South Asia
Updated 51 min 43 sec ago

Army chief calls Islamabad-Riyadh defense pact step toward peace in Middle East, South Asia

Army chief calls Islamabad-Riyadh defense pact step toward peace in Middle East, South Asia
  • Field Marshal Asim Munir’s comments come amid cross-border clashes and airstrikes between Pakistan and Afghanistan
  • The clashes have drawn the attention of ֱ, US and Qatar, who have mediated and sought to stop the fighting
Updated 51 min 43 sec ago
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Saturday said the recent defense pact between Pakistan and ֱ formalized their longstanding relations, describing it as a step toward peace in the Middle East and South Asia.

Pakistan and ֱ signed the defense pact in Riyadh on Sept. 18, cementing decades-old security ties into a formal agreement. The deal, signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to ֱ, stipulated that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both.

The two countries share longstanding ties rooted in faith, mutual respect and strategic cooperation, with Riyadh remaining a key political and economic partner of Islamabad and both sides now expanding collaboration in trade and investment.

Field Marshal Munir said the world has witnessing increased fragility and volatility with a discernible shift toward violence as an instrument for attaining political objectives, referring to various conflicts around the world.

“Our Armed Forces contribute immensely to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions across the globe,” he said at a passing-out parade ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), according to the Pakistani military’s media wing, ISPR.

“The recent Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Kingdom of ֱ is a reinforcement and formalization of Pakistan-Saudi brotherhood and a step toward ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East and South Asia.”

Munir’s comments came amid days of cross-border clashes and airstrikes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, killing dozens of people on both sides. Although the two countries have clashed in the past, the fighting this month is their worst in decades.

The clashes have drawn the attention of ֱ and Qatar, who have mediated and sought to stop the fighting. Qatar is hosting leaders from both countries for talks to end the crisis. US President Donald Trump has also said he can help resolve the conflict.

“For people and Armed Forces of Pakistan, it is a moment of unique pride to reaffirm our faithful commitment to defense of Harmain Shareefain,” Field Marshal Munir said quoting a verse by Allama Iqbal that calls for the unity of Muslims to safeguard the holy sites in the Kingdom.

The statement also came a day after Pakistan’s Foreign Office applauded ֱ’s stance during the conflict, which it said called for stability and de-escalation in the region.

“Pakistan and the Kingdom of ֱ are longtime close allies and partners who are committed to each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said during his weekly media briefing. “In this context, we are fully confident of each other’s position.”

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated in recent years, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of sheltering fighters from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), allowing them to stage cross-border attacks from Afghan soil. Kabul denies the allegations, saying it does not permit its territory to be used against other countries.

Sporadic clashes between the two countries began last Saturday night, killing dozens of people on both sides before the two reached a 48-hour truce on Wednesday. The truce ended on Friday and was followed by Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan, which Afghan authorities said killed at least 10 people.

Topics: Pakistan army chief Pakistan Saudi Ties

Finmin advances Pakistan’s economic agenda at Washington meetings with World Bank, other officials

Finmin advances Pakistan’s economic agenda at Washington meetings with World Bank, other officials
Updated 18 October 2025

Finmin advances Pakistan’s economic agenda at Washington meetings with World Bank, other officials

Finmin advances Pakistan’s economic agenda at Washington meetings with World Bank, other officials
  • Muhammad Aurangzeb briefs WB president on Pakistan’s response to recent floods
  • The finance minister requests additional support in light of reduced allocations
Updated 18 October 2025
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday held a series of meetings with officials of the World Bank, Fitch Ratings and others in Washington, aimed at advancing the country’s economic agenda and highlighting its commitment to reforms under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.

Aurangzeb met President of the World Bank Ajay Banga on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank annual meetings and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Bank, according to the Pakistani finance ministry.

He briefed the World Bank president on the government’s response to recent floods, which killed over 1,000, affected another 4 million and caused an estimated $1.3 billion losses.

“The Minister endorsed the proposal of leveraging technology platforms and cooperatives to effectively reach small farmers and enhance agricultural resilience,” the finance ministry said in a statement.

“Aurangzeb thanked the World Bank for its technical assistance in developing Pakistan’s Tariff Policy and informed Mr. Banga about the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed with provinces for the implementation of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF).”

He requested additional support under the International Development Association (IDA) windows in light of reduced allocations and discussed the importance of adopting a holistic approach toward reforming Pakistan’s gas and power sectors to ensure long-term sustainability and efficiency.

The finance minister earlier met officials of Fitch Ratings agency in Washington DC and briefed them on his government’s commitment to structural reforms. He thanked the agency for upgrading Pakistan’s credit rating to B- with a stable outlook and expressed satisfaction that all three major international rating agencies were now aligned in their assessments.

“He briefed the Fitch team on the recently announced Staff Level Agreement (SLA) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and highlighted Pakistan’s progress on key structural reforms in taxation, energy, privatization, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs),” his ministry said.

“The Minister underscored the government’s resolve to expedite the privatization process to enhance efficiency and fiscal sustainability.”

Islamabad has described the agreement with the IMF for the release of a $1.2 billion loan tranche as a strong external validation of Pakistan’s economic reform agenda.

Aurangzeb apprised Fitch officials of the government’s ongoing efforts to issue Panda Bonds in the Chinese market and referred to successful trade and tariff negotiations with the US administration, which saw the lowering of tariffs on Pakistan from 29 percent to 19 percent.

“The meeting concluded with an interactive exchange, during which the Minister responded to queries from the Fitch team and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability and sustaining reform momentum,” the finance ministry added.

Topics: Pakistan World Bank

Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold peace talks in Doha after fierce clashes, airstrikes

Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold peace talks in Doha after fierce clashes, airstrikes
Updated 17 min 11 sec ago

Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold peace talks in Doha after fierce clashes, airstrikes

Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold peace talks in Doha after fierce clashes, airstrikes
  • The development comes hours after another Pakistani strike killed at least 10 people, including three Afghan cricketers
  • The fierce battles broke out last Saturday amid Islamabad’s claims of Kabul sheltering militant groups attacking Pakistan
Updated 17 min 11 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and intelligence chief will be traveling to Doha today, Saturday, to hold talks with representatives of the Afghan Taliban, Pakistani state media reported, hours after another Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan.

The fierce battles between the two neighbors along their long, porous border broke out last Saturday and have led to the deaths of dozens of people on both sides, with Pakistan carrying out airstrikes in Kandahar and Kabul before a two-day truce that expired Friday evening.

Pakistan “conducted precision aerial strikes” in Afghan border areas on Friday, a security official said, adding that it targeted the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Friday’s strikes killed three Afghan cricketers among 10 people, authorities said.

The latest strikes ended 48 hours of calm between the two countries which was earlier reportedly extended for talks between Pakistani and Afghan officials in the Qatari capital of Doha.

“Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Intelligence Chief Lt General Asim Malik are scheduled to depart for Doha on Saturday,” the state-run Pakistan TV reported. “Taliban delegation is expected to be of equivalent seniority.”

The Taliban government said Saturday that the Afghan delegation included the defense minister and the head of the national intelligence agency.

Islamabad said the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group had been involved in a suicide bombing and gun attack at a military camp in the North Waziristan district that borders Afghanistan, which left seven Pakistani paramilitary troops dead on Friday.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board told AFP that three players who were in the region for a tournament were killed by Friday’s airstrikes, revising down an earlier toll of eight.

Meanwhile, United States (US) President Donald Trump offered to help end hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“I do understand that Pakistan attacked or there is an attack going on with Afghanistan,” he said in a meeting with the Ukranian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

“That’s an easy one for me to solve if I have to solve it. In the meantime, I have to run the USA. But I love solving wars.”

The clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan broke out amid Islamabad’s claims that the Afghan Taliban had been sheltering banned militant groups like the TTP and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which carry out cross-border attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations.

Topics: Pakistan Afghan Ties Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group TTP

As Afghan refugees depart Karachi, land grabs and demolitions deepen pain of parting

As Afghan refugees depart Karachi, land grabs and demolitions deepen pain of parting
Updated 18 October 2025

As Afghan refugees depart Karachi, land grabs and demolitions deepen pain of parting

As Afghan refugees depart Karachi, land grabs and demolitions deepen pain of parting
  • Since 2023, Pakistan has expelled over 1 million Afghans blaming them for a surge in militancy and crime
  • Of late, land grabbers have stormed a refugee camp in Karachi, prompting authorities to launch a crackdown
Updated 18 October 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: For nearly 40 years, Baz Mir, a young Afghan who escaped war and uncertainty in his home country, called the dusty outskirts near the southern Pakistani city of Karachi his home, where he built a life from scratch in a temporary settlement for people like him.

As bulldozers closed in on what remained of the Afghan refugee camp, the 48-year-old father of six watched on the walls of his modest house tremble, not just by heavy machinery but also from the emotional weight of a life being dismantled.

Mir, his wife, mother and five children are among 1,384 Afghan nationals who are still awaiting repatriation to Afghanistan from Karachi, according to official documents reviewed by Arab News. Authorities say over 14,000 have already returned to Afghanistan from his area, including one of Mir’s son and his wife.

Since late 2023, Pakistan has gradually repatriated more than 1.5 million Afghans blaming them for a surge in militancy and crime. Human rights groups have criticized the policy as collective punishment, warning it would uproot families with no safety net across the border.

“If I have lived here for 40 years and I see my house being demolished in front of me, of course my heart will break too,” Mir, who came to Pakistan in 1989 as a teenager, told Arab News, standing inside his modest home as authorities brought in heavy machinery to demolish the settlement.

But as families depart, a new kind of chaos is taking root in the form of land grabs.

On Tuesday, Karachi police launched a pre-dawn anti-encroachment operation over reports of land grabbers storming the area and marking empty houses as their own.

What began with markings on walls quickly escalated into clashes.

“Around 12 to 14 people were arrested after they attacked police with sticks and stones,” Shayan Anjum, a police officer overseeing the operation, told Arab News. “We are clearing it to hand over the possession to rightful owners.”

The Afghan refugee camp comprises more than 3,100 houses, according to police records. Of them, up to 250 are occupied by Pakistani families, while the rest were built or inhabited by Afghan refugees.

But now others have set their eyes on these houses.

“Wherever a house was empty, they sat there. Where people were still living, they wrote their names on the walls and left, claiming that house as theirs,” Mir said, adding that refugee families leaving for Afghanistan were bothered by both land grabbers and the sounds of the bulldozers dismantling homes.

Officials confirm these attempts.

A recent police report warned that “certain land mafia elements and illegal grabbers are making attempts to illegally occupy and encroach upon” portions of the said land, but those doing so deny wrongdoing and insist they are reclaiming “what was always theirs.”

“Sindhis have returned to their own land and homes, what’s wrong with it,” asked Ali Babbar, an activist who was leading a group of protesters whom the police called “landgrabbers.”

Afghan refugees load their belongings on a bus as they prepare to leave for Afghanistan, in Karachi on April 8, 2025. (AFP/File)

Babbar lamented the authorities were questioning “locals” about documents, while Afghans had lived at the same place for decades.

“For 50 years, these people haven’t been given proper housing,” he said, criticizing the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for not providing housing to the poor people in Sindh, of which Karachi is the provincial capital.

Tensions flared again on Wednesday as Babbar among a group of men pelted stones at police, while the law enforcers responded with tear gas shelling before resuming the demolition drive and arresting some of them.

Amid this chaos, dust and debris, Mir tried to come to terms with the harsh reality.

“It hurts deeply. You spend forty years at a place and then everything is broken right before your eyes, everything gone,” he said. “It would be better if they demolished it after we leave, we won’t feel as much pain.”

Topics: Afghan refugees #pakistan Karachi

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