Category: 1. Pakistan

Pakistan and China on Thursday inked bilateral accords worth $8.5 billion in various sectors, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif terming the development a “long march of economic growth”.

The Chinese and Pakistani companies have signed $7 billion memoranda of understanding and $1.54 billion joint ventures (totaling $8.5 billion) in sectors including agriculture, electric vehicles, solar energy, health, chemical and petrochemicals, irons and steel besides others, at the Second Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference held in Beijing.

In his keynote address on the occasion, the prime minister said the “long march” would lead to growth of enormous opportunities of investment and job creation.

The prime minister unveiled a new vision for Pakistan-China economic cooperation, announcing the formal launch of “CPEC 2.0” which will attract investment into diverse sectors.

Welcoming the high-level delegates, the prime minister described the forum as a reflection of the iron-clad brotherhood between Pakistan and China.

Addressing concerns about bureaucratic delays, the prime minister assured the Chinese investors to remove all red tape hiccups in investments. He issued a clear and direct message: “We will not tolerate a second’s delay. I recently ensured that a Chinese entrepreneur was facilitated within 24 hours. That’s the level of commitment I am talking about.”

He reassured the Chinese delegation of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to investor facilitation, stating that Chinese investors will be treated as partners and that “Pakistan is your second home, just as China is ours.”

Security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, he said was a top priority, adding “the safety of Chinese citizens is paramount.”

“This is one of the largest business conferences I have attended during my visit to this great country. Our relationship with China is unmatched, higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the deepest oceans, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel,” said the prime minister.

Referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement signed in 2015 during President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif credited the first phase of CPEC with transforming Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure landscape.

“We were facing up to 20 hours of power outages daily. Today, thanks to President Xi’s dynamic and visionary leadership, Pakistan became energy self-sufficient. That was the turning point,” he noted.

PM Shehbaz Sharif announced the launch of CPEC 2.0, which will shift focus toward business-to-business (B2B) investments in agriculture, IT and AI, minerals, and industrial relocation.

“Our agriculture sector employs 60% of our population. China has excelled in this field, and we seek your partnership to modernize our agricultural practices and increase exports,” he urged Chinese investors.

He emphasized the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in attracting investment, offering competitive advantages such as cheaper skilled labor and joint ventures to produce high-quality export goods.

In an emotionally charged segment of his speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz recounted his first visit to China in 1982.

“Even back then, I said China is suffering from success, not failure. Today, China is the second-largest economy and a global military power, having lifted over 700 million people out of poverty. This is the model I want to borrow and replicate in Pakistan,” he said.

He commended President Xi Jinping’s leadership in promoting multilateralism and shared prosperity, saying that China has changed the destinies of many nations, a testament to its “visionary and dynamic leadership.”

In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his determination to transform Pakistan’s economic landscape. “We know the path is difficult, but not impossible. With China’s support and our commitment, we will make Pakistan a strong and vibrant economy. Let today mark the beginning of that journey.”

Chinese and Pakistani investors, government officials, and dignitaries, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the Ambassador of Pakistan to China Khalil Hashmi, and Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, federal ministers and others were present on the occasion.

Chinese PM

Pakistan and China, expressing satisfaction over the positive trajectory of their relations, on Thursday agreed to continue working closely on CPEC 2.0, with its five new corridors.

The bilateral ties and cooperation were discussed in a meeting between PM Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

During their “warm and friendly” meeting, the prime minister expressed his deepest gratitude to the Chinese leadership and nation for their unflinching support to Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and socio-economic development.

Building on the important consensus reached between President Xi and the prime minister in their meeting on Tuesday, both leaders reaffirmed their shared resolve to further strengthen the iron-clad, all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China. The signing of the Joint Action Plan 2024-2029 was deemed as an important step in this regard.

The prime minister congratulated the Chinese leadership on the successful hosting of the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin and extended his felicitations to China on the 80th anniversary of the success of the Chinese people in the War of Resistance and World’s Anti-Fascist War.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s support for President Xi’s landmark initiatives to strengthen multilateralism, including the Global Governance Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative as well as Global Civilisation Initiative.

Both countries would celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties next year.

The two leaders also attended the ceremony of exchanging of memorandums of understanding and agreements signed and announced between the two countries with regard to cooperation in the development of CPEC 2.0, science and technology, IT, media, agriculture, etc.

The delegation-level talks were followed by a sumptuous luncheon, hosted by the Chinese Premier in honor of the prime minister and his delegation.

PM assurance

PM Sharif on Thursday reiterated Pakistan’s vision of deepening bilateral cooperation with China in industries, agriculture, trade, ICT, mining and minerals.

He was talking to China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Li Lecheng who called on him.

The prime minister regarded China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as central pillar of Pakistan’s socio-economic development and expressed satisfaction at its steady progress in Phase-II.

Admiring the prime minister’s economic reform agenda, Minister Li emphasised that China regarded Pakistan as an ironclad brother and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partner.

He expressed China’s firm resolve to elevate bilateral relations with Pakistan to new heights of cooperation and collaboration.

• UK announces another £1.2m for Sindh; UN allocates $600,000 from Regional Humanitarian Fund
• Health ministry warns of cholera, typhoid, and dengue risks from contaminated water and stagnant pools
• No immediate desert locust threat, despite ideal rain conditions: UN report

ISLAMABAD: As severe flooding devastates the northern region and Punjab, with impending threats to Sindh, the international community, including the United Kingdom and the United Nations with their partners, has stepped up to aid the flood-stricken areas by releasing funds to expedite relief efforts and enhance disaster preparedness across Pakistan.

The United Kingdom on Thursday announced an additional 1.2 million pounds to help the government’s coordinated response and assist communities in Sindh prepare before disaster strikes.

According to a press release from the British High Commission, the new funding brings the UK’s total humanitarian assistance to £2.53m, providing life-saving support to over 400,000 people.

The new funds are being deployed to non-governmental organisations in Sindh to enable early warning systems, community evacuations, pre-positioning of essential supplies and the protection of livestock.

“Sindh is in a critical window to prepare and reduce the impact of the upcoming floods,” British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said. “For every dollar spent on prevention, up to seven dollars are saved in response. More importantly, lives are saved, and destruction is avoided.”

This aid complements £1.33m announced on Aug 22 for early response and relief efforts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. That support includes providing dry food rations, search and rescue operations, mobile medical camps and restoring irrigation channels.

Additionally, the UK has contributed £500,000 to the Start Ready Disaster Risk Financing system in Pakistan. The funds have been released to reach 20,000 people across Punjab, Sindh and KP to anticipate and mitigate humanitarian impacts from future flooding.

UN aid

The United Nations and its partners are also working closely with Pakistani authorities to assess the humanitarian impact of the floods and identify needs.

Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has released $600,000 from the Regional Humanitarian Pooled Fund to support relief and recovery efforts, according to a statement released by the UN Information Centre in Islamabad.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences and solidarity with Pakistan. He commended the Pakistani authorities for relocating more than one million people in Punjab, according to the statement attributed to his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

Health advisories

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health has released advisories to combat the heightened risk of disease outbreaks.

The ministry’s research body, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has warned that extensive water contamination and disease-carrying vectors pose a severe threat to public safety.

The ministry stated that floodwater has contaminated supplies, raising the risk of a surge in diseases like cholera and typhoid. Additionally, vast areas of stagnant water have created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the potential for Dengue Fever, Chikungunya and Malaria.

The advisories, available on the ministry and NIH websites, provide guidance on preventing and controlling vector-borne, food-borne, water-borne, vaccine-preventable diseases and conjunctivitis. A statement issued by the ministry urged all citizens to follow established safety protocols.

No locust threat

Separately, a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report released on Thursday states that Pakistan faces no immediate threat of locusts.

The FAO’s “Desert Locust Bulletin” sta­ted that surveys in August found no locusts in key summer breeding areas, and while very small-scale breeding may still occur, “no significant developments are expected”.

Ikram Junaidi in Islamabad also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2025

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Thursday night said that tremors of a 5.9-magnitude earthquake were felt in the twin cities and areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dawn.com reported.

The PMD said the quake originated at 9:56pm at a depth of 111 kilometres with its epicentre in the Hindu Kush region.

It said tremors were felt in Peshawar, Mansehra, Hangu, Abbottabad, Swat, Attock, Malakand, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

State broadcaster PTV News said on X that the tremors “lasted for several seconds” and caused citizens to come out of their homes.

Today’s quake comes after the PMD said on Tuesday that tremors were felt in Peshawar, Mansehra and Islamabad after another earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan.

A PMD press release said the 5.4-magnitude earthquake had occurred at 5:30pm in southeastern Afghanistan at a depth of 22km with tremors felt all the way in Peshawar, Mansehra, Islamabad, Abbottabad and Swat.

Meanwhile, the US Geological Survey had reported it as a 5.2-magnitude earthquake 34km northeast of Jalalabad city in Nangarhar province.

The epicentre of the tremor was close to where a magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit Afghanistan late on Sunday night, devastating remote areas in mountainous provinces near the border with Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2025

SKARDU: Pakistani singer Quratulain Balouch was injured after being attacked by a bear while camping in Deosai National Park in Gilgit-Baltistan, officials said.

She was shifted to the Regional Hospital in Skardu, where doctors confirmed she is under treatment.

According to hospital staff, both of Balouch’s arms were wounded in the attack, but she is out of danger.

Pakistani-American singer-songwriter, also known as QB or the Humsafar Girl, as she became popular for her title track Woh Humsafar Tha in TV serial Humsafar, is touring Skardu to explore its legendary wild beauty.

Spread over 3,000 square kilometres, Deosai is a stunning wonder with gently rolling hills, bubbling brooks, and a riot of wildflowers. The park is located in the western massif of the Himalayas, east of Nanga Parbat Peak.

The word Deosai, according to reports, is a combination of two words, “Deo” (giant) and “Sai” (shadow). The plateau, at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,200 metres, is part of Conservation International’s Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot.

Its iconic wildlife includes the Golden Marmot, which resembles a furry squirrel, sleek red foxes, and the magnificent brown bear.

These rarely seen animals are endangered, which is why authorities in Deosai have designated the area as a national park to enforce a strict ban on hunting.

According to a 2023 report, bears in Deosai have remained stuck at around 75 in number, and conservationists fear shrinking habitat from human activity and inbreeding may be to blame.

They also warn that rising tourism in the park is pushing people deeper into bear territory, increasing the chances of dangerous encounters like recent attacks.

QB first gained attention in 2011 with her cover of Reshma’s Ankhian Nu Ren De and later performed Panchi with Jal in Coke Studio.

QB went on to sing Kaari Kaari for the Bollywood film Pink and is known for popular Coke Studio tracks like Sammi Meri Waar, Laung Gawacha, and Thagyan.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s remittance inflows hit a historic high of USD38.3 billion in fiscal year 2025, marking a 27 percent year-on-year surge, but the cost of channeling this money through the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) has skyrocketed even faster – up 70 percent to a staggering Rs 124.14 billion compared to Rs 72.95 billion in 2024, official documents reveal.

Compared to fiscal year 2024’s USD30.3 billion, the country saw a 27 percent year-on-year increase in remittances, largely driven by inflows from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK, and the European Union (EU) countries, ranking the country as the world’s fifth-largest remittance recipient and second in South Asia.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) noted that the major reasons for the increase in cost during fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025 were: (i) upward revisions in incentives provided under the Transfer to Cash Incentive Scheme (TTCIS) to arrest the declining trend observed in fiscal year 2023 that continued in the early months of fiscal year 2024, (ii) restoration of the Saudi corridor (which accounts for 25 percent of inflows) under TTCIS, (iii) substantial cumulative depreciation (around 60 percent) of PKR vs SAR, ie, the currency of rebate under TTCIS, and (iv) unprecedented increase in remittances after the changes in policy.

July workers’ remittances rise 7.4pc YoY

Considering the rising cost for the national exchequer, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet, on the recommendation of SBP, has recently rationalized the incentives under TTCIS.

Remittance inflows have surged nearly fivefold since fiscal year 2009, when they stood at just USD7.8 billion to USD38.3 billion in fiscal year 2025. Over the past decade alone, flows have registered a 92 percent growth, surpassing the country’s export proceeds as the largest source of foreign exchange.

The central bank stated that since 2009, PRI has been working towards enhancement of home remittances through formal channels in Pakistan. As a result of active engagements with financial institutions (FIs), the number of FIs on PRI network has increased from around 25 in 2009 to more than 50 in 2024. The FIs include conventional banks, Islamic banks, microfinance banks, and Exchange Companies (ECs).

Further, the Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) are also allowed to receive home remittances by working through the banks. The number of international entities has increased from around 45 in 2009 to around 400 at present. In fiscal year 2024 alone, around 33 new international entities joined the home remittance business with the Pakistani FIs under the PRI channel.

A parliamentary panel was recently informed that the reward structure — previously set between 20 to 30 riyals per incremental transaction — has now been revised to a flat rate of 20 riyals across all transaction sizes. The minimum eligible transaction threshold is being raised from USD100 to USD200.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

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Updated On: Fri, 05 Sep 2025

09:21:22 PKT

CHINIOT (Dunya News) – Extremely high-level flooding has at Head Qadirabad and Chiniot in River Chenab on Thursday inundated dozens of surrounding villages, Dunya News reported.

At Chiniot, the water flow in the river has been recorded at 554,998 cusecs, while at Head Qadirabad, the flow exceeded 368,000 cusecs. At Head Khanki, the flow was recorded at 248,840 cusecs.

A medium-level flood has been reported at Head Trimmu, with a flow of 277,922 cusecs, while Head Marala recorded a flow of 117,369 cusecs. At Head Sadhnai on the Ravi River, water levels have decreased to 130,164 cusecs.

Medium-level flooding is also occurring at Jassar and Shahdara in the River Ravi. Jassar recorded a water flow of 78,300 cusecs, and Shahdara 108,960 cusecs.

In Uch Sharif, due to a surge in the Sutlej River, water has entered 20 more residential settlements, submerging standing crops on thousands of acres of land.

Flood destruction has also hit Khanewal, where dozens of villages are now inundated. In Pindi Bhattian, the flood wave from the Chenab River continues to cause devastation, with floodwaters entering the western part of the city and submerging multiple areas.

 

The UK has announced an additional £1.2 million in anticipatory flood response funding for Sindh, bringing its total humanitarian assistance to Pakistan this year to £2.53 million, a British High Commission press statement said on Thursday.

The funding will focus on early warning systems, community evacuations, identifying vulnerable households, pre-positioning essential supplies, livestock protection, and preparing evacuation centres, the statement added.

It follows UK’s £1.33 million package unveiled on August 22, which supported early response and relief in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Flour prices in Peshawar have surged sharply due to supply restrictions imposed on the movement of flour from Punjab, with no signs of stabilization in the local market.

According to market sources, the price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour has reached Rs2,500, while the 80-kilogram bag, after an increase of Rs500, is now selling between Rs9,500 and Rs10,000.

On Thursday, the retail price of different flour varieties in Peshawar stood at Rs2,500 for Fine, Rs2,450 for Super Fine, and Rs2,400 for mixed quality. The price of Fine flour alone has increased by Rs400 in recent days, jumping from Rs2,100 to Rs2,500 per 20-kilogram bag.

The continuous rise in flour prices has also impacted bread weight, which has now dropped to just 80 grams per loaf. Traders and consumers alike attribute the upward trend to the ongoing restrictions on flour supply from Punjab, warning that further hikes are likely if the issue remains unresolved.

On the other hand, a high-level meeting, chaired by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Provincial Minister for Food, Zahoor Shah Toru, was held at the Commissioner’s Office in Mardan to review the availability and prices of flour in the province following Punjab’s recent ban on wheat and flour supply to K-P.

Commissioner Mardan, Nisar Ahmed, briefed the minister, stating that both the open market and government warehouses currently have sufficient stocks of wheat.

He added that the deputy commissioners of Mardan and Swabi have been directed to closely monitor the situation and take strict action against hoarders and those involved in creating artificial price hikes.

Minister Zahoor Shah Toru reassured that the provincial government is closely monitoring the situation and will ensure the protection of people’s rights. He emphasized that under Article 151 of the Constitution of Pakistan, inter-provincial movement of food commodities cannot be restricted. He further informed that Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, along with the Chief Secretary and senior Food Department officials, is in contact with the federal and Punjab governments on the matter.

The minister directed district administrations and the Food Department to review the situation on a daily basis and ensure that flour and bread are made available to the public at official rates across the province.

The meeting was also attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner General Mardan Eid Nawaz Sherani, ADC Relief Iqbal Hussain Khattak, and other officials from the Food Department.

The flour crisis in the twin cities has reached its peak, with wheat in the open market selling at Rs3,900 per maund, pushing the price of a 20kg flour bag up to Rs2,400 — an increase of Rs900.

However, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has fixed the official price of a 20kg flour bag at Rs1,810. Rejecting this rate, the Kiryana Merchants Association announced that it would halt retail sales of flour across the division starting today (Friday).

Association President Saleem Pervaiz Butt said flour mills in Rawalpindi Division and Islamabad are now supplying 20kg flour bags at Rs2,400, while the DC has set a rate Rs600 lower. “We cannot buy expensive flour and sell it at the government’s cheap rate. If the DC supplies us flour at the official price, we are ready to sell it,” he added. The association has issued instructions to all grocery shops to immediately stop flour sales.

Meanwhile, Naanbai Association President Shafiq Qureshi stated that the price of a 79kg flour sack has jumped by a record Rs3,000.