Category: 1. Pakistan

Pakistan has stepped up efforts to position itself as a regional logistics and transit hub and in this backdrop Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry chaired a meeting on Friday to map out priority infrastructure projects linking the Middle East, Central Asia, China and beyond.

He urged senior officials from key ministries and state institutions to identify projects for rapid funding, propose regulatory reforms and strengthen trade and transport corridors. He also announced the creation of a joint working group by bringing together maritime, communications, railways and defence ministries to produce a short list of workable projects in its first meeting next week.

Discussions focused on integrating Karachi Port, Port Qasim and Gwadar Port with regional transport corridors through rail, road and air networks.

Junaid Anwar underlined the importance of the long-delayed ML-I railway project, which was expected to boost freight and passenger traffic from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to southern ports. He stressed that Pakistan must match its development agenda with the connectivity needs of partner countries.

“We are not merely compiling lists of projects; we are shaping a national roadmap for logistics and connectivity,” he said, stressing that ports, shipping, aviation, IT systems, energy logistics and trade facilitation must all be factored into the plan. “Pakistan performs best under compressed timelines and this is one such moment.”

Technical Adviser for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Jawad Akhtar proposed new projects with Saudi Arabia, including the Karachi-KSA and Gwadar-KSA Gateway Terminals, expansion of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) fleet in partnership with Riyadh, starting direct shipping lines from Karachi to Jeddah and Gwadar to Dammam, and establishing 20 green ship recycling yards at Gadani.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s poverty alleviation program is ready with data and mechanisms to reach families devastated by the recent floods but is waiting for the prime minister’s direction and fund allocation to begin the process, its chairperson said on Friday, adding the program has lifted 2 million household out of poverty so far.

The statement comes amid friction between the government and one of its allies, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), over how to assist over 4.7 million people affected by monsoon floods in the breadbasket Punjab province.

The PPP maintains that the Benazir Income Support Program is the most effective and fastest mechanism to assist flood victims, while the government of PM Shehbaz Sharif’s party in Punjab insists on channeling aid through its own relief card initiative.

Launched in 2008, BISP aims to support low-income families and empower women. Named after late former PM Benazir Bhutto, it has a budget of Rs716 billion ($2.5 billion) for fiscal year 2025–26. Through its Benazir Kafaalat program, BISP provides quarterly stipends of Rs13,500 ($48) to around 10 million women.

“As far as help for flood-affected families is concerned, we haven’t started yet because the funds we have are already committed,” BISP Chairman Rubina Khalid told Arab News in an exclusive interview.

“In the past, relief was extended through BISP with funding provided by the prime minister from his own or other government resources. It is the prime minister who will direct us to move ahead.”

The rains and floods, which began in late June and peaked in Punjab in late August, have killed over 1,000 people nationwide and submerged crops on more than 2.5 million acres of land, mainly in Punjab.

Khalid stressed that the BISP is not mandated to directly conduct flood relief operations.

“BISP is not there to act as another NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority). This is NDMA’s job to make the assessments and arrangements. We are just saying that we are the vehicle of this cash transfer,” she said.

The BISP’s strength lies in its geotagged beneficiary database, which enables quick intervention in case of disasters, according to its chairman.

“When NADRA (National Database & Registration Authority) or the PDMA (Provincial Disaster Management Authority) declares a district a disaster area, we can immediately reach out with cash assistance,” she said.

“This quick injection of cash is essential because displaced families need more than food and shelter. They need financial support to restart their lives.”

About transparency in funds distribution, Khalid insisted any political interference in BISP operations is impossible.

“Even if the president or prime minister asks for someone to be enrolled, it cannot be done. There is a clear process, and only those who meet the prerequisites are registered,” she said. “Our system is apolitical and mechanical, leaving no room for favoritism.”

She underlined that women remain central to the program.

“The beauty of this program is that it empowers women. Millions who were previously unaccounted for are now recognized in the national database,” she said.

Lifting households out of poverty

Khalid revealed the BISP, which supports around 10 million families or nearly 60 million people, recently graduated two million households out of poverty through a recertification exercise.

“We did a recertification process which ended on June 30. Two million people are now out of the program, and we will be adding two million new beneficiaries,” she said.

The program holds data of 35 million people, out of which 10 million of the poorest households are shortlisted for cash support, according to the BISP chairman.

Asked about past concerns about missed families, Khalid said: “We now have a dynamic registry system with offices across Pakistan, down to tehsil level. People being missed out is no longer a big problem.”

The program also runs education stipends under the Nashonuma health initiative and recently launched a skills training initiative.

Khalid admitted that inflation has reduced the value of their cash transfers, but stressed that they still help bridge the income-expenditure gap for Pakistan’s poorest. She said international donors, such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, finance various programs of BISP and the program will continue evolving.

“It is an income support program, not a handout,” she said. “Our recipients are like family. We will look after them like family.”

The Foreign Office (FO) has distanced itself from the controversy surrounding the supposed inclusion of columnist Shama Junejo in Pakistan’s delegation for a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting.

On September 25, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had addressed a UNSC session on artificial intelligence. However, photos from his speech had spread like wildfire on social media platform X as users had pointed to Junejo sitting in the background and shared several screenshots from her Twitter (now X) timeline from several years ago, expressing support for Israel.

Following the social media furore, Asif clarified that he had given the speech instead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the latter had other engagements; the premier has been attending the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“This woman or whoever sat behind me was and is at the discretion of the Foreign Office,” Asif said.

The defence minister said that for the past 60 years, he had an emotional attachment and personal commitment to the Palestine cause. He added that he had Palestinian friends and colleagues while working in Abu Dhabi and was still in contact with them.

“My views on Gaza are clear and I express them openly,” he said, expressing his hatred for Israel and Zionism.

“Who is this woman, why is she with the delegation, and why was she seated behind me? Only the FO can answer these questions. It is not appropriate for me to respond on their behalf,” Asif said.

He said that his account on X was a testament to the fact that his relationship with Palestine was part of his faith.

Subsequently, in a post on X late on Friday night, the FO said that it had noted the queries regarding “the seating of a certain individual behind the defence minister at a recent meeting of the UNSC”. The FO did not explicitly name Junejo.

“To clarify, the individual in question was not listed in the official letter of credence for the Pakistan delegation to the 80th UNGA session, signed by the deputy prime minister and foreign minister,” it said.

“As such, her seating behind the defence minister did not have the approval of the deputy prime minister/foreign minister,” it added.

Meanwhile, Junejo also took to X and posted screenshots of previous posts where she had called out Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

“Youthias are calling me a Zionist when for the past two years I have tweeted about Gaza almost daily, calling [Israeli PM] Netanyahu a war criminal and showing Israeli atrocities,” she said.

The term “youthia” is a derogatory term commonly used as a slur for PTI supporters.

“Once again, this entire campaign has been launched against me because they only fear me,” she said.

Uproar

Former human rights minister Shireen Mazari had stated that one could not sit behind a minister in the UNSC or the United Nations General Assembly unless they were identified as an official representative of the government.

“So who allowed this to happen and why? Is there a covert policy agenda at work viz rogue entity Israel, Bagram base, Abraham Accords? GoP needs to come clean — who is responsible?” she asked.

Mehlaqa Samdani, the director of the Community Alliance For Peace and Justice, said: “To include Shama Junejo, who champions a pro-Israel and pro-normalisation agenda, in Pakistan’s #UNGA delegation is not a good look for Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, journalist Ahmad Noorani said that questioning Junejo’s patriotism or “branding her ‘pro-Israel’ over her views on diplomacy is disgraceful”.

“This vile smear campaign is being pushed by dirty-minded trolls,” he said.

Pakistan informed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday that it will not be able to achieve this quarter’s Rs3.1 trillion tax target but hoped to recoup the shortfall through inflation, economic growth and higher imports of solar panels.

In a briefing to the IMF delegation, tax authorities said the July-September target would be missed by a significant margin. In a separate meeting, the Power Division apprised the lender about developments in the power sector, particularly settlement of Rs1.25 trillion circular debt through bank borrowings.

The talks are taking place for release of a $1 billion loan tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and another $220 million under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

During the meeting with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the IMF inquired about revenue projections and the impacts of floods on collection this fiscal year. The government has set the Rs14.13 trillion annual target, which may also be missed like last year when the FBR fell short by over Rs1.2 trillion.

Against the July-September target of Rs3.08 trillion, the FBR told the IMF collection may remain below Rs2.95 trillion, said sources. The government hoped to recoup the shortfall from November once economic activities pick up.

Similar hopes were made last fiscal year but remained unfulfilled.

Although a separate session on macroeconomic projections is due next week, tax authorities see the economy growing over 3% this fiscal year despite floods. They also projected inflation picking up due to flood-related supply disruptions, said sources. These two factors may offset some revenue losses.

The Customs Department briefed the IMF about implications of the reduction in regulatory duties. It said import tax collection increased 16% during the first two months. Officials hoped contingency measures would not be needed to offset duty reduction.

Imports grew 9% in dollar terms and in double digits in rupee terms, offsetting duty cuts.

The IMF was told that Rs190 billion projected through enforcement measures will be paid with annual returns. The government hopes the 10% tax on sales in erstwhile FATA will also boost collection.

The FBR also had to back off from an immature proposal to add estimated fair market value in tax returns.

After the faux pas, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a committee chaired by Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar to examine the new column in IRIS tax returns requiring filers to declare estimated fair market value of assets, assess implications, and recommend corrective measures.

The committee met on September 26. After deliberations, it recommended removing the column in the interest of simplifying filing. The recommendation was submitted to and approved by the prime minister.

The FBR had claimed the column was solely for data collection to support the Economic Survey, not income or tax liability. But the claim did not hold ground.

Tax authorities hoped increased solar panel imports would offset shortfalls. The IMF had budgeted Rs18 billion revenues from the 10% tax on solar imports. In the first two months, around Rs6 billion was already collected, said sources.

However, the FBR feared a dip in tax collection through electricity bills due to falling demand from the national grid. Grid demand is falling due to higher prices, slowdown and policies pushed by the IMF, World Bank and energy ministry.

Meanwhile, Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari said the current structure of solar net metering remains a critical challenge to sustainable reforms. He has repeatedly stated net metering in its current form poses financial imbalance affecting the broader consumer base.

The Power Division said about 350,000 solar net metering consumers benefit from favourable buy-back rates, with the cost indirectly borne by 35 million other consumers.

Unaffordable energy prices have forced consumers to shift to solar power, and the government is struggling to lure them back as distribution companies face falling residential demand.

The Power Division also informed the IMF about progress in settling circular debt through borrowing, reducing line losses and improving bill recovery. But concerns remain about sustainability.

It said the government has already saved Rs175 billion due to falling interest rates and another Rs242 billion by reducing theft and technical losses.

Advisor to PM on Privatisation, Muhammad Ali, said HBL Chairman Sultan Allana gave full support on behalf of banks to raise Rs1.25 trillion debt for clearing dues of power producers.

“This journey started with our meeting with HBL’s chairman, who assured us of full support in the national interest,” said Ali. He added that although banks initially wanted a smaller number, they eventually agreed with the rationale, supported by the finance minister and State Bank leadership.

The IMF was told that the Rs1.225 trillion syndicated loan was arranged with participation of 18 banks. Repayments will be made from a dedicated surcharge already embedded in bills, guaranteeing predictability for lenders and minimising fiscal burden.

The facility addresses Rs1.225 trillion circular debt through structured Islamic financing of Bai Muajjal, Ijara Financing and floating Sukuk bonds in the stock market.

The financing has been secured at a rate 0.9% below prevailing Karachi Interbank Offered rates (KIBOR) for a maximum of six years. Repayments will be made by charging Rs3.23 on every unit consumed by paying customers.

Under the arrangement, the debt will be cleared in less than six years, with Rs350 billion savings passed onto consumers. The deal also saves Rs377 billion in late payment surcharges, reduces circular debt carrying cost by 1.5% and running financing cost by 1.5% annually.

“The prime minister’s vision was that the consumer should be the winner from this exercise,” said a special assistant to the PM.

Pakistan announced on Friday that China will provide 85% financing for the realignment of the Karakoram Highway and has also supported Islamabad’s plan to seek financing from multilateral lenders for a strategically important rail link after Beijing declined to extend concessional loans.

Beijing has long been recommending Pakistan to consider settlement of existing debt and finding ways to fund new projects without accumulation of more public debt.

But despite its concerns about Pakistan’s debt situation, China agreed to fund 85% of the Karakoram Highway project as a special case to keep the road link between China and Pakistan open under extreme weather conditions.

Both sides also agreed that roughly $7 billion Main Line-I project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor should now be financed by multilateral banks after Beijing did not extend a concessional $6 billion loan.

The discussions on the past and the future of CPEC took place during the 14th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting that was held in Beijing. Zhou Haibing, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of Planning, co-chaired the meeting.

We have agreed to start bidding on the Karakoram Highway in phases and the Chinese side confirmed 85% financing for the project, said Iqbal after the meeting while talking to The Express Tribune.

The highway needs realignment after parts of it submerged in water due to the construction of major dams. The government has approved the 241-kilometer long Thakot-Raikot section of the project at a cost of Rs576 billion or $2 billion.

The sources said that in the first phase the implementation of the 82-kilometer realignment project of the submerged section due to the Diamer-Basha dam will be taken up and work on the formulation of an innovative financing plan would also continue.

Both sides did not finalise the minutes of the JCC meeting, which still remain open for discussions.

According to proposed minutes that have not yet been vetted by Pakistan, the Chinese authorities suggested that Pakistan should comprehensively consider the disposal of existing debts. It further recommended that the loan requirements for new projects may also be reviewed and the government should find avenues for financing that do not add more public debt.

Iqbal said that the issue of the Pakistani debt was not discussed on Friday in the JCC meeting.

Public debt rose both in absolute and in terms of size of the economy in the last fiscal year, standing at Rs80.5 trillion or little over 70% of GDP.

China is in favour of formulating a practical and feasible financing plan without further increasing Pakistan’s sovereign debt, the sources added.

Beijing also hoped that the Pakistani authorities would strengthen communication to coordinate the progress of the N35 realignment and the Diamer-Basha dam. It had suggested that Pakistan should not store water in the dam, until the realignment project is completed and opened to traffic to avoid road interruption.

ML-I

Iqbal said that China and Pakistan agreed to proceed with the ML-1 project through multilateral financing by the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The ADB has already sent its team for field surveys.

Pakistan and China also agreed to advance the upgrading and reconstruction project of Pakistan’s Main Line 1 (ML1) in phases on the premise of ensuring safety.

The two sides had discussed the financing terms of the ML1 project on multiple occasions, agreed to accelerate the research on the financing plan for the test section (Karachi – Hyderabad) and the subsequent consultations, and initiated the bidding and construction process after reaching an agreement on the financing plan.

“I wish to reemphasize the urgency we have agreed upon for the ML-I project and the realignment, necessitated by major hydropower dams, will preserve uninterrupted connectivity between our nations and the early implementation of both projects will yield far-reaching economic and strategic dividends for the entire region,” said Iqbal in his closing remarks.

Iqbal said that it has been agreed that China would help Pakistan prepare a climate resilience and preparedness plan and both the countries would coordinate in their efforts to revitalise Gwadar Port.

The Chinese also agreed to launch a new round of discussion on the revision of the China Pakistan Free Trade Agreement to provide tariffs for Pakistani products at par with ASEAN countries to allow better market access for promotion of Pakistani exports to China, said the Planning Minister.

Iqbal underscored that exports must serve as the main driver of economic growth in the next phase. Noting that China’s annual imports exceed $2 trillion, while Pakistan’s exports to China are just $3 billion, he urged that Pakistani products be given the same market access as the ASEAN countries.

He called for the development of two government-to-government special economic zones (SEZs) in Karachi and Islamabad as model export-oriented hubs, where industrial relocation from China in textiles, engineering, electronics, pharmaceuticals and electric vehicles could be prioritized.

The planning minister also proposed the establishment of a Pakistan–China Industrial Relocation Fund to de-risk investors and accelerate foreign direct investment.

The minister went on to say that in the light of geo-politics and to counter negative propaganda of anti-CPEC forces the 14th JCC’s minutes of the meeting will be agreed upon so that the JCC remains conclusive, decisive and result oriented.

LTP

Both sides also discussed the second phase of CPEC to align the CPEC Five Corridors (5Cs) Growth, Innovation, Green, Openness, and Livelihood with Pakistan’s URAAN (5Es) Framework, comprising Exports, E-Pakistan & Innovation, Energy & Infrastructure, Environment & Climate Change, and Equity, Ethics & Empowerment.

Iqbal said that to provide clear strategic direction, he proposed the publication of an updated CPEC Long-Term Plan within 45 days, aligning Pakistan’s URAAN 5Es framework with President Xi’s five corridors of CPEC 2.0.

The two sides agreed to continuously deepen the alignment between the CPEC Five Corridors with the URAAN Pakistan Framework based on 5Es.

The two sides agreed to jointly maintain the stability of the electricity price policy for energy projects under CPEC, resolve disputes through friendly consultation, and neither side shall seek to change the status quo through unilateral actions.

The Chinese side hoped that the Pakistani side would establish a circular account for electricity bill payment as soon as possible in accordance with the agreement on energy project cooperation under CPEC signed by the governments of two sides in 2014.

Acknowledging the special importance of Gilgit-Baltistan as the physical gateway of CPEC, Iqbal proposed a 300 megawatt solar project to end the region’s 18–20 hour daily blackouts and to transform its economy.

He also emphasized that the future of CPEC must pivot from government-to-government cooperation to business-to-business partnerships.

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Updated On: Sat, 27 Sep 2025

21:01:51 PKT

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that Punjab is actively working to address flood-related challenges and urged critics to also contribute by taking action.

Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of PDMA volunteers and the launch of a survey campaign to assess flood damages, Maryam Nawaz emphasised that those who serve humanity are among Allah’s closest friends.

She vowed that PDMA volunteers have taken an oath not to abandon flood-affected people and pledged to compensate every single loss they have suffered.

The chief minister urged everyone to join hands in serving the distressed humanity.

Highlighting the record rainfall in Punjab, she acknowledged the severe impact of floods on the province’s people and praised the commendable relief efforts by volunteers in the affected areas.

The CM added that areas near the rivers Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab suffered extensive damage, with 25 cities severely affected by floods.

CM Maryam defends Punjab’s case: Azma Bokhari

She lauded the tireless efforts of all provincial ministers and specifically commended Marriyum Aurangzeb for working 18 hours straight in flood-hit areas.

She described the disaster as unprecedented in the country’s history.

Maryam Nawaz also announced the reopening of the historic Baoli (stepwell) at Rohtas Fort to the public, calling it a rare heritage site now revitalised under the “Beautiful Punjab Vision.”

Addressing critics, she said, “Punjab is working, and those who criticise should also get something done.”

She added that it was ensured that aid reached cut-off areas via boats where land routes were blocked during floods.

Despite the floods, she said that development work continued uninterrupted, attributing this to the long-standing governance of PML-N in Punjab.

Maryam Nawaz underscored that Punjab is the only province to have rescued 2.5 million people and provided flood victims with three meals daily, treating them as honored guests.

LAHORE   –   Punjab University (PU) and Shaikh Zayed Hospital on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide practical training opportunities for students of Allied Health Sciences. The signing ceremony took place in the committee room of the PU Vice-Chancellor’s office. The event was attended by PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali, Chairman Sheikh Zayed Hospital Dr Akbar Hussain, Director CAMB Dr Rehan Sadiq, Dr Manzoor Hussain, and other dignitaries. Under the agreement, PU students from departments including DPT, MLT, Audiology, and Optometry & Vision Sciences will receive hands-on training at Sheikh Zayed Hospital.