Bahrain says it has shut airspace after Iran attack on US air base in Qatar
Bahrain is home to the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, whose area of responsibility includes the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
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Arab News
17 hours ago
- Arab News
Bahraini crown prince affirms support for Palestine during meeting with Israeli ambassador
LONDON: Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the crown prince and prime minister of Bahrain, affirmed his country's support for the Palestinian cause during a meeting with the departing Israeli ambassador, Eitan Naeh, at Al-Qudaibiya Palace on Monday. The crown prince also emphasized the importance of diplomatic channels in efforts to promote constructive dialogue in pursuit of peace, stability and regional development. He reiterated Bahrain's 'steadfast position in supporting the Palestinian cause, aimed at achieving a just and lasting solution that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,' the Bahrain News Agency reported. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the ongoing delivery of humanitarian supplies to Gaza, and praised the efforts of allied countries to provide aid to the people of the territory. He underscored the need for deescalation in Gaza, the protection of civilians, and the release of hostages and detainees. Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, the minister of finance and national economy, and Hamad Al-Malki, the minister of cabinet affairs, also took part in the meeting. Israel and Bahrain established formal diplomatic relations in September 2020 as part of the US-backed Abraham Accords.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Pakistan sets up separate immigration counters for foreigners to boost tourism, investment
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has established separate immigration counters for foreigners at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport to reduce clearance delays, an official said on Sunday, with the facility to be extended to airports nationwide. The development follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's directives to authorities this year to improve services at airports across Pakistan to facilitate passengers, businesspeople, tourists and overseas Pakistanis as part of the country's efforts to boost tourism and foreign investment. Pakistan, bolstered by a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, is currently making efforts for export-led economic growth and has signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding with a number of countries, particularly those in the Gulf and Central Asia. 'Practical steps have been initiated to improve the immigration system and new immigration counters have been established for foreign passengers at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore this week,' Mehmood Ali Khokhar, a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) spokesperson, told Arab News. 'With these new counters, foreign travelers will no longer face unnecessary delays in immigration clearance.' Pakistan's travel and tourism market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.75 percent between 2025 and 2029 to reach an estimated market volume of $5.53 billion by 2029, according to Statista, a German online platform that specializes in data gathering. Similar immigration counters would gradually be established at all international airports across the country, according to Khokhar. This would also make the immigration process faster and easier for Pakistani citizens returning home. 'The purpose of these measures is to upgrade immigration services to meet international standards,' he added.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Minister urges swift launch of Pakistan's first ferry service, licensing reforms
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Friday called for a swift launch of the country's first service, immediate reforms in licensing procedures and financial facilitation for operators to ensure affordable sea travel and boost maritime connectivity. Pakistan has been mulling routes for a ferry service it plans to launch to connect its southwestern Gwadar port with the Gulf region, according to the country's maritime affairs ministry. Five privately-owned firms submitted their proposals, showing growing interest of the private sector, as officials reviewed technical and financial aspects of ferry operations last month. Highlighting broader benefits of sea travel, Chaudhry pointed out that ferry services could provide an affordable and reliable travel solution for pilgrims aspiring to visit Iran and Iraq. 'Beyond tourism and business, this service can greatly facilitate religious travel. We can offer pilgrims a new, secure, and cost-efficient option for their journeys,' he was quoted as saying by his ministry. 'Every year, 700,000 to 1,000,000 Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) travel to Iran and Iraq. If even 20 percent opt for ferries in the first three years, that's 140,000 to 200,000 passengers annually, representing significant economic potential.' The development comes amid Pakistan's efforts to capitalize on its geostrategic location to boost transit trade as it slowly recovers from a macroeconomic crisis under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program. The country also plans to cut container dwell time at its seaports by up to 70 percent to improve trade competitiveness and ease congestion, while it last month reduced port charges for exporters by 50 percent at the second largest Port Qasim. During a briefing by Ports and Shipping Director-General Alia Shahid on Friday, Chaudhry directed digitization of the ferry licensing process and its integration into the Pakistan Single Window platform, similar to existing ship registrations, to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks. He specifically ordered the reduction of the current six-month license issuance period to just one month. 'There's no justification for a half-year delay. We must eliminate red tape and act decisively,' the minister said. He called for exploring flexible financial models for ferry operators to attract private sector participation. 'We must assess whether a bank guarantee, insurance guarantee, or a hybrid model is most viable,' Chaudhry said. 'Our aim is to support not hinder entrepreneurs who wish to invest in this sector.' Pakistan is currently holding consultations with stakeholders, including private operators and regional maritime authorities, regarding the ferry service, according to the maritime affairs ministry. A pilot launch is expected in the coming weeks after the finalization of feasibility studies and regulatory frameworks. 'If implemented effectively, this service could become a vital new transport link across the region,' Chaudhry added.
