Category: 1. Pakistan

 BEIJING:

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong on Saturday to discuss the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to an official release.

Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with a particular focus on industrial development and business-to-business cooperation under CPEC Phase II. Iqbal conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s goodwill message to Beijing and praised China’s support during recent regional tensions.

Read: Pakistan, China gear up for JCC talks

“The people of Pakistan take pride in the everlasting friendship with the leadership and people of China,” he said, noting that China’s development model serves as an inspiration for Pakistan’s move toward an export-oriented, technology-driven economy.

He highlighted that Pakistan’s URAAN initiative, built around a Five Es framework, aligns fully with CPEC Phase II objectives to secure economic, social and institutional stability through people-centric reforms.

Iqbal stressed that developing a skilled, educated workforce and deepening B2B collaboration will be key pillars of the next CPEC phase. Weidong reiterated China’s strong commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors and praised Iqbal’s leadership role in turning CPEC from a blueprint into a multibillion-dollar reality.

Sons of former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party (PTI) founder
Imran Khan slammed the ruling Pakistani regime and pinned their hopes on US President Donald Trump for the release of their father. On Friday, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan said that Trump is one person who could “make a difference” to their incarcerated father’s situation.

The remarks from the sons came during their interview with British journalist Piers Morgan. The sons of the former cricketing legend called for attention to their father’s incarceration for the first time publicly in May. The remarks from Kasim and Sulaiman came after their aunt Aleema Khan revealed that the two applied for visas to visit Pakistan.

In a post on X, she wrote: “The ambassador has intimated that he is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Interior in Islamabad.” When Morgan asked Kasim whether he had any message for Trump, Imran Khan’s son said: “If anyone can make a difference, he (Trump) can.”

A few days ago Suleiman and Kasim applied for their visas with the Pakistan high commission in London. The ambassador has intimated that he is awaiting approval from the ministry of interior in Islamabad.

— Aleema Khanum (@Aleema_KhanPK) August 1, 2025

“We know that Trump has a great relationship with our father and vice versa. They had great conversations when they were both in office, and they seem to have mutual respect for one another,” Kasim told Morgan.

“If Trump was able to make a statement or in any way speak to the establishment over there [in Pakistan] to get our father released, I know he’s one of the few people who can, so of course we would love to kind of have a conversation with him or hope for some help from him or support.”

“When we floated the idea of going, we were told by people in the Pakistani government that we would be arrested and from other people, we heard, you know, we had warnings from family members, inside sources, all sorts of people saying similar [things],” he added.

During the interview, both sons also mentioned how they were struggling to get a visa to go and see their father. “So we’ve still tried to get our visas. We are still looking to go at some point. We’ve applied for our visas, but we haven’t had our responses yet. We’ll see what happens,” Kasim said. They also pointed out how they have been facing threats of arrest if they arrive in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD:

Tremors were felt across several regions of Pakistan early Saturday morning, though no immediate reports of casualties or property damage were received, Express News reported.

According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the earthquake measured 5.4 on the Richter scale, with a depth of 122 kilometres.

Its epicentre was recorded in the Hindu Kush region, approximately 102 kilometres from Bajaur. The tremors were felt in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Affected cities included Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Haripur, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Mingora (Swat), Hazara Division, as well as areas of Hatian Bala, Jhelum Valley, and Chinari.

Reports also confirmed tremors in Ghizer and other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, along with neighbouring Afghanistan and Tajikistan. In Islamabad, the earthquake coincided with heavy rainfall, further heightening public anxiety.

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s chief of army staff, is briefed by Pakistan Army officials during the induction ceremony of Z-10ME attack helicopters on August 2, 2025. Photo: Screenshot from the official YouTube Channel of Inter Services Public Relations Directorate of Pakistan Armed Forces

The Pakistan Army has inducted China’s export-oriented Z-10ME attack helicopter, Pakistani media reported on Saturday. A Chinese expert said that this would mark the first export deal of the Z-10, and the helicopter’s strong firepower and survivability could boost Pakistan’s defense capabilities, especially in the field of anti-terrorism.

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir presided over the induction ceremony of the state-of-the-art Z-10ME attack helicopter into Pakistan Army Aviation during a visit to the Multan Garrison, Pakistani media outlet The News reported, citing a statement by the country’s Inter-Services Public Relations on Saturday.

This state-of-the-art, all-weather platform is capable of precision strike operations day and night. Equipped with advanced radar systems and cutting-edge electronic warfare suites, the Z-10ME significantly enhances the Army’s capability to engage diverse aerial and ground threats, according to the report.

During his visit, the Pakistani army chief also witnessed a firepower demonstration by the newly inducted Z-10ME helicopters at the Muzaffargarh Field Firing Ranges, The News reported.

Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) had displayed its Z-10 attack helicopter for the first time outside its home country at the Singapore Airshow in February 2024. As of then, the model had Pakistan as the only known export customer, but no sales had been announced at the air show, said Dawn, another Pakistani media outlet, in its report on the induction of the Z-10ME on Saturday.

The Chinese side has not announced the deal as of press time on Saturday.

Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Saturday that this would mark the first export deal of the Z-10ME helicopter.

Compared with fixed-wing aircraft such as the J-10CE, the Z-10ME helicopter can take off and land vertically and hover, making deployment more flexible without requiring dedicated airfields, Fu said.

Fu highlighted the potential use of the Z-10ME in Pakistan’s anti-terrorism operations, citing the helicopter’s fast response capability, hovering capability and strong firepower. He added that the Z-10ME can be equipped with rockets, anti-tank missiles and air-to-air missiles for traditional security missions.

Zhang Xuefeng, another Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that compared with the baseline version of the Z-10, the Z-10ME is customized with additional armor plates, warning sensors and jamming systems, which can boost the aircraft’s survivability.

The Z-10ME has outstanding comprehensive capabilities, making it one of the best medium-sized attack helicopters in the world, Zhang said.

ISLAMABAD:

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Multan Garrison, where he reviewed the operational preparedness of the formation and presided over the induction ceremony of the Z-10ME attack helicopters into Pakistan Army Aviation, the military’s media wing said on Saturday. The Z-10ME induction ceremony was held later in the day.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the all-weather platform, equipped with advanced radar systems and electronic warfare capabilities, is designed for precision strike missions. It is expected to significantly enhance Pakistan Army Aviation’s operational capabilities against both aerial and ground threats.

Following the ceremony, Field Marshal Asim witnessed a live firepower demonstration by the Z-10ME helicopters at the Muzaffargarh Field Firing Ranges. The display showcased the Army’s modernised response capabilities and the integration of combined arms tactics, the ISPR said.

The COAS was received by the corps commander and briefed at the Corps Headquarters on ongoing training activities and the overall operational readiness of the formation. He expressed satisfaction over the high state of preparedness and reaffirmed the Army’s unwavering commitment to defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the statement read.

Gen Munir also held an interactive session with members of academia and civil society, where he emphasised the importance of national unity, civil-military synergy, and a whole-of-nation approach in countering hybrid threats and fostering social cohesion, it added.

In his interaction with troops, the army chief praised their high morale, professionalism, and combat readiness. He commended the effective demonstration of battlefield tactics, reiterating the Army’s resolve to maintain an edge amid evolving threats, the statement concluded.

• Outlawed TTP agrees to extend temporary ceasefire.
• Jirga urges TTP to leave populated local areas.
• Talks held at Jamia Masjid Zagai in Mamond Tehsil.
  

The first round of talks between the Bajaur Peace Jirga and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended on Friday, with the Taliban asking for time to consult its leadership before giving a final response.

The next session of talks is expected to be held today, according to sources within the jirga. Members of the peace jirga held discussions with Frontier Corps (FC) officials at the Bajaur Scouts Headquarters and met representatives of the TTP at Jamia Masjid Zagai in Mamond Tehsil.

Speaking to the media, Dr Khalil-ur-Rehman, Chairman of the Mamond Tehsil Council and a member of the jirga, said: “We demanded that the armed groups either return to Afghanistan or, if they are intent on fighting, leave populated areas and move toward the mountains.”

In response, the Taliban requested a grace period until Saturday to consult their leaders. They expressed willingness to continue the dialogue process and assured that a ceasefire would remain in effect on their side until then.

Following the meeting, the jirga members returned to Bajaur.

The talks were being seen as a significant step towards de-escalating tensions in the region, which has witnessed a recent uptick in violence and militant activity.

The Pakistan Army has inducted Z-10ME attack helicopters to reinforce its “integrated battlefield response”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China had displayed its Z-10 attack helicopter for the first time outside its home country at the Singapore Airshow in February 2024, according to Reuters. It also noted that as of then, the model had Pakistan as the only known export customer, but no sales had been announced at the air show.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir presided over the induction ceremony and later witnessed a firepower demonstration by the “newly inducted Z-10ME helicopters” at the Muzaffargarh Field Firing Ranges, the ISPR said in a press release, without specifying the number of the craft acquired.

“The induction of this potent system marks a major leap in the modernisation of Army Aviation, reinforcing its integrated battlefield response and capacity to deliver decisive effects against potential adversaries,” the military’s media affairs wing noted.

In 2021, Defense News reported that China sent three of its Z-10 helicopter gunships for trials in Pakistan, but they failed to sufficiently impress officials and were returned.

However, former Australian defence attaché to Islamabad, Brian Cloughley, had said it was “likely that the Pakistan Army will evaluate the Chinese Z-10ME attack helicopter”.

The ISPR highlighted: “This state-of-the-art, all-weather platform is capable of precision strike operations day and night.

“Equipped with advanced radar systems and cutting-edge electronic warfare suites, the Z-10ME significantly enhances the army’s capability to engage diverse aerial and ground threats.”

Interacting with troops at the Muzaffargarh firing ranges, COAS Munir lauded their exceptional morale, professionalism, and combat proficiency.

He appreciated the “successful demonstration of combined arms tactics, reflecting the army’s firm resolve to maintain a decisive edge in the evolving character of warfare”.

Separately, Field Marshal Munir stressed the importance of national unity and civil-military synergy in countering “hybrid threats”.

He made the remarks as he engaged with members of academia and civil society during an interactive session, following his visit to Multan Garrison.

“He underscored the significance of national unity, civil-military synergy and a whole-of-nation approach in countering hybrid threats and fostering societal cohesion,” the ISPR statement read.

At the garrison, COAS Munir was briefed on the formation’s operational preparedness and ongoing training activities, the report added. He reaffirmed the army’s “unwavering commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

The army chief expressed satisfaction over the high standards of readiness.

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 02 (APP): In a gesture to celebrate shared heritage and deepen bilateral relations, Pakistan has presented a meticulously crafted replica of the Fasting Buddha sculpture to Thailand at the National Museum in Bangkok.

The ceremony, titled “A Spiritual Journey from Gandhara to ASEAN: Celebrating Shared Heritage and Religious Tourism,” highlighted the centuries-old connection between Pakistan’s Gandhara civilization and the ASEAN region, where Buddhism thrived, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson said in a press release on Saturday.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Rukhsana Afzaal presented the replica to Director General of Thailand’s Fine Arts Department Phanomboot Chantrachoti.

The attendees included Thai officials, diplomats, UN representatives, civil society, academics, and media.

Ambassador Afzaal highlighted the replica, crafted by Pakistani artist Jamil Kakar, as a testament to Pakistan’s Gandhara legacy, centered in ancient Taxila, and its role in Buddhist civilization.

She underscored its significance in strengthening Pakistan-Thailand friendship and promoting cultural exchanges under Pakistan’s long-standing ASEAN partnership.

Most Venerable Anil Sakya described the event as a spiritual reconnection, with the Fasting Buddha symbolizing wisdom and balance.

Director General Chantrachoti expressed gratitude, noting the gift as a symbol of enduring diplomatic and cultural ties, reflecting shared Gandharan and Buddhist heritage.

He emphasized its potential to foster collaboration through exhibitions and cultural initiatives.

Executive Director at the Centre for Cultural Development, Islamabad Dr. Nadeem Omar Tarrar also emphasized the sculpture’s spiritual and artistic significance, blending Greco-Roman and Gandharan styles, and its potential to enhance Pakistan-Southeast Asia ties.

The ceremony featured a photographic exhibition of Gandhara artifacts and Buddhist sites in Pakistan by renowned photographer David Chi Lau.

Pakistan, a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN for over three decades, continues to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties, with this gesture reinforcing cultural connections and people-to-people exchanges.