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Pakistan to draft national action plan to protect endangered sharks in Arabian Sea

Pakistan to draft national action plan to protect endangered sharks in Arabian Sea
Fishermen load ice blocks before their departure for fishing in the Arabian sea from Ibrahim Hyderi in Karachi on January 7, 2025. (AFP/File)
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Updated 9 min 36 sec ago

Pakistan to draft national action plan to protect endangered sharks in Arabian Sea

Pakistan to draft national action plan to protect endangered sharks in Arabian Sea
  • The move follows concerns over continued catching of banned shark species threatening biodiversity
  • Government says plan vital to Pakistan’s coastal economy, to be developed with Sindh and Balochistan
Updated 9 min 36 sec ago
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Pakistan will develop a national action plan to conserve endangered shark species in the Arabian Sea, the maritime affairs minister said on Saturday, as the government steps up efforts to curb illegal fishing and protect marine biodiversity.

The plan, which will be prepared in consultation with provincial governments and fisheries authorities, is aimed at ensuring sustainable marine practices and meeting global conservation standards.

“The continued catching of banned sharks, including requiem, hammerhead, thresher, mackerel and whale sharks, threatens both marine biodiversity and Pakistan’s international conservation commitments,” Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said, according to an official statement.

He said the initiative would align with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks, which urges countries to adopt national strategies to reduce waste and promote sustainable fishing.

Chaudhry noted the basking shark, a highly migratory species in the Arabian Sea, is classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and faces growing threats from fishing nets and boat strikes.
Unsustainable fishing practices, he warned, risk damaging the country’s seafood trade and reputation if not urgently addressed.

The minister said consultations would include the Sindh and Balochistan fisheries departments and other relevant institutions to review current enforcement and monitoring systems for banned and vulnerable shark species.

He also called for closer coordination with international conservation organizations and regional fisheries bodies to strengthen Pakistan’s marine protection measures.

“These consultations will help create a unified strategy to protect shark populations while ensuring Pakistan’s fishing industry meets international sustainability standards,” Chaudhry said.

He also pointed out that protecting marine biodiversity was vital for the health of Pakistan’s coastal economy and the livelihoods that depend on it.

Topics: national action plan National Action Plan for marine life

Pakistan says defense minister in Doha to hold talks with Afghan officials to end cross-border militancy

Pakistan says defense minister in Doha to hold talks with Afghan officials to end cross-border militancy
Updated 24 sec ago

Pakistan says defense minister in Doha to hold talks with Afghan officials to end cross-border militancy

Pakistan says defense minister in Doha to hold talks with Afghan officials to end cross-border militancy
  • Negotiations follow days of deadly border clashes and Pakistani airstrikes in Afghan cities of Kabul and Kandahar
  • Pakistan denies reports of civilian casualties from airstrikes, calling them propaganda to support militant groups
Updated 24 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif is leading the delegation of his country to Doha to hold talks with Afghan officials today, Saturday, demanding an end to “cross-border terrorism,” said the foreign office in a statement.

The development comes after days of fierce battles between the two neighbors along their long and porous border, which led to the deaths of dozens of people on both sides, with Pakistan carrying out airstrikes in Kandahar and Kabul before the two sides reached an uneasy truce that opened the window for bilateral talks arranged by Qatar.

Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of sheltering militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and facilitating their attacks against its civilians and security forces. Kabul denies the allegation, though it has become a key sticking point between the two countries and has led more serious skirmishes than ever before.

“A high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by our Minister of Defense, will hold discussions with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha today,” the foreign office said in a social media post. “The talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border.”

“Pakistan does not seek escalation but urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honor their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities,” it added.

The foreign office also appreciated Qatar’s mediation efforts, adding it hoped the discussions would lead to peace and stability in the neighborhood.

Only a day earlier, there was a militant attack on a Pakistani security compound in the northwest that killed at least seven soldiers, eliciting airstrikes from the authorities in Islamabad in an Afghan border town against the Hafiz Gul Bahadar group involved in the suicide bombing and gun attack at a military camp.

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.

However, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday Pakistan had carried out “precision strikes” in which about 70 militants had been killed.

“All speculations and assertions being made regarding targeting of civilians are false and meant to generate support for terrorist groups operating from inside Afghanistan,” he added.

Security sources said that the Doha talks were held to convey a single point to the Afghan administration, which is to stop supporting “terrorism inside Pakistan.”

A day earlier, United States 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 Ukrainian 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.”
Pakistani security forces also said on Saturday they had conducted a successful intelligence-based operation in Mughal

Kot sector of Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing two militants.

They added that heavy weapons had also been recovered from the militants belonging to the TTP.

Topics: Pakistan Afghanistan Ties Pakistan Afghanistan ceasefire Pakistan Afghanistan border

șŁœÇֱȄ’s GO Telecom launches AI hub in Islamabad to boost digital cooperation

șŁœÇֱȄ’s GO Telecom launches AI hub in Islamabad to boost digital cooperation
Updated 18 October 2025

șŁœÇֱȄ’s GO Telecom launches AI hub in Islamabad to boost digital cooperation

șŁœÇֱȄ’s GO Telecom launches AI hub in Islamabad to boost digital cooperation
  • The initiative underscores growing Saudi investment in Pakistan’s digital sector
  • It aims to open new avenues for Pakistani startups in training and innovation
Updated 18 October 2025
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: șŁœÇֱȄ’s GO Telecom has opened an artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Islamabad to boost cooperation in AI and data infrastructure, Pakistan’s IT ministry said on Saturday.

The initiative, underscores growing Saudi investment in Pakistan’s digital sector, follows IT and Telecommunications Minister Shaza Khawaja’s visit to șŁœÇֱȄ to discuss bilateral cooperation under Saudi Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s National AI Policy 2025. She met with GO Telecommunications Group CEO Yahya bin Saleh Al-Mansour in Riyadh to discuss collaboration in digital infrastructure, AI and human capital development.

GO Telecom, a key player in șŁœÇֱȄ’s digital transformation offering cloud and data services, has expanded regionally through partnerships with Oman’s Data Park and a majority stake in Ejad Tech. The planned AI hub marks its first major tech venture in Pakistan, broadening its international footprint beyond the petroleum sector.

“In a landmark step toward advancing Pakistan–KSA digital collaboration, GO AI Hub, Pakistan was inaugurated today in Islamabad through joint initiative of Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and KSA’s GO Telecom,” the IT ministry said in a statement.

The launch ceremony was attended by IT Minister Khawaja, GO Telecom CEO Al-Mansour and senior officials from Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council.

The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) this month welcomed the initiative, saying the AI hub would open new avenues for Pakistani startups in training, innovation and bilateral collaboration.

“This is an excellent initiative as it will provide Pakistani AI and telecommunications companies with access to the GO Telecom Group’s platform, enabling greater collaboration and growth opportunities,” P@SHA Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed had told Arab News.

Pakistan and șŁœÇֱȄ have long enjoyed close ties, but in recent years have sought to broaden their cooperation further. During Prime Minister Shehaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh in October 2024, they signed 34 MoUs worth $2.8 billion across multiple sectors.

Both countries are now planning to forge a partnership in the fields of AI and cybersecurity.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties AI Hub Go Telecom

New Zealand elect to field against Pakistan at Women’s Cricket World Cup

New Zealand elect to field against Pakistan at Women’s Cricket World Cup
Updated 18 October 2025
AP

New Zealand elect to field against Pakistan at Women’s Cricket World Cup

New Zealand elect to field against Pakistan at Women’s Cricket World Cup
  • Pakistan are still searching for first win after losing to Bangladesh, India and Australia
  • They go unchanged from squad that played brilliantly with both bat, ball against England
Updated 18 October 2025
AP

COLOMBO: New Zealand won the toss and elected to field against Pakistan at the Women’s Cricket World Cup on Saturday.

Pakistan are still searching for first win after losing to Bangladesh, India and Australia. It came close to beating England in its last match before rain washed it out.

New Zealand beat Bangladesh and also got a point from their weather-affected game against Sri Lanka as rain has continuously disrupted the games in Colombo.

There’s a forecast of rain later Saturday that tempted New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine to “have first crack at the track.” Lea Tahuhu came in place of Bree Illing in the only change New Zealand made from its last game.

Pakistan went unchanged from the squad that played brilliantly both with the bat and ball against England.

TEAMS

Pakistan: Omaima Sohail, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz, Fatima Sana (captain), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (captain), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Lea Tahuhu. 

Topics: ICC Women's ODI World Cup Pakistan vs New Zealand Pakistan women cricket team

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
Updated 18 October 2025

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 18 October 2025
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 18 October 2025

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 18 October 2025
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 India Ties Pakistan Afghanistan Ties

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