Pakistan airspace to remain closed for all types of flights till May 11
'The airspace will remain closed for all types of traffic,' a notification from the PAA spokesperson said.
Earlier, Pakistan carried out 'Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos,' striking several Indian military sites on the wee hours of Saturday.
Pakistan launched a counterattack against India in response to missile strikes on three of Pakistan's airbases during the night of May 9-10,.
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Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Govt bans land travel for Arbaeen pilgrims
Listen to article The federal government banned the overland travel for pilgrims heading to Iraq for the Arbaeen, citing security concerns in the restive Balochistan province, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Sunday. Naqvi said that the decision had been taken after consultations with the Foreign Ministry, the Balochistan government, and the security agencies, adding that the pilgrims would be allowed to travel to Iraq only by air. Arbaeen, marking the 40th day of mourning after Ashura, sees millions of pilgrims, including thousands from Pakistan, travel to Karbala, Iraq, annually. Traditionally, many Pakistani pilgrims journey by road through Balochistan and Iran. However, due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the province — including increased terrorist attacks by Indian proxy outfits — the government deemed the move necessary for public safety and national security. "After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that Zaireen will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year," Naqvi posted on X. "Zaireen will, however, be able to travel by air. Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to arrange maximum flights to facilitate their pilgrimage in the coming days," he added. "This difficult decision was taken in the interest of public safety and national security." On the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for arranging flights to facilitate the pilgrims, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced four special flights from Karachi between August 8 and 11, with return flights from Najaf scheduled from August 18 to 21. According to a PIA spokesperson the fare has been set at Rs212,000 per person, and the ticket sales had started. He added that more flights could be scheduled if necessary. Officials said passengers traveling by air individually will have to be sponsored by local people, otherwise they cannot enter Iraq. Meanwhile, private airlines have sharply increased fares, with tickets now ranging between Rs300,000 to Rs350,000. Tour operators estimate group travel expenses at $1,400 per pilgrim, compared to just $550 for land travel. This has raised fears that tens of thousands of low-income pilgrims might be unable to afford the journey. Salars — pilgrim group leaders — argue that the ban that has been announced just 15 days before Arbaeen has caused significant financial losses. They said that many people had already made advance payments for visas, vehicle certifications, and hotel bookings. They demanded that the government allowed supervised bus convoys under security agencies' protection or provide alternative transport arrangements. "This loss isn't borne by the rich but by the poor," a pilgrimage organiser told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymously. He questioned why the ban wasn't announced earlier during a recent trilateral meeting between Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq, where travel restrictions were discussed. During a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Naqvi briefed him on Balochistan's security situation and the new pilgrim policy. The prime minister directed for the initiation of the Gwadar Safe City project to enhance security in the region. Naqvi emphasised the need for better pilgrim management. Starting next year, he said, the pilgrims will only be allowed to travel under officially registered group organisers, with special embassy-issued visas required for independent travel. This system aims to curb illegal travel and overstaying issues. Meanwhile, Naqvi also visited Quetta and Azad Kashmir. In Quetta, he paid tribute to martyred soldiers at the Frontier Corps headquarters, praising their sacrifices in maintaining peace. Later, in Muzaffarabad, he met the family of Major Rab Nawaz, a martyred officer, and offered condolences.
Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Dar says Pakistan for ‘strongest ties' with US
NEW YORK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday Islamabad wished for 'strongest relations' with the United States (US) despite enjoying an iron-clad partnership with Washington's rival, Beijing. In his televised address to the Pakistani community in New York, DPM/FM Dar asserted that Pakistan is no longer isolated and enjoys numerous friends within the international community. This is evidenced by recent high-level meetings with officials from China, the United States, and several other countries that focused on economic and strategic ties. Pakistan maintains a tricky balance in its relations with China and the US. While aligned with the US for military cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts, Islamabad has strengthened economic ties with Beijing through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Rubio lauds Pakistan's anti-terror role, vows deeper ties in meeting with FM Dar Relations between Washington and Beijing have been strained over the past several years as both world powers compete for global influence in several domains. The US and China have disagreements over several issues such as trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea and China's Belt and Road Initiative. 'Our government and we have emphasized and will continue to emphasize that our relations and iron-clad brother partnership with China, our relations [with the US] should not be looked at through that lens,' Dar said. 'We want strongest relations with the United States of America as well.' Dar pointed out that Islamabad, under the previous government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from 2022-2023, had made it clear to Washington that this was its official policy. However, the Pakistani foreign minister said the Joe Biden administration did not engage with Islamabad. 'I'm glad that they [Trump administration] have actively engaged themselves with us,' Dar said. During a nearly two-hour interaction with the Pakistani community at the Pakistan Consulate in New York, the Deputy Prime Minister also stated that Pakistan decisively countered Indian aggression by downing six fighter jets, including four Rafale aircraft. Dar said commended their solidarity during recent Pakistan–India tensions and their efforts to raise awareness on the country's core issues. Senator Dar drew loud applause when he narrated the events of the standoff, including Pakistan Air Force's shooting down of six Indian aircraft, leading up to ceasefire and the nation's unity in support of the of armed forces. He highly praised the leadership of the Army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, in dealing with that crisis. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has stated that Pakistan is experiencing a significant positive boost in its standing on the world stage, saying it had emerged from a period of isolation and witnessing economic revival. 'We have made considerable progress, especially in political and economic fields, in the past three years, despite heavy odds– we are indeed a resilient nation,' he added. The DPM/FM, who earlier in the day returned from Washington, DC, told the slogan-chanting audience that his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday was held in a cordial atmosphere. 'The meeting went very well. We discussed key global and regional issues', DPM/FM Dar said, hoping that US-Pak ties would be further strengthened. Present on the occasion were Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad and the Consul General in New York, Aamir Ahmed Atozai. He painted an optimistic picture of Pakistan's economic trajectory, noting a significant drop in inflation from 40% to 2.4% as of January 2025 as evidence of effective government policies and robust diplomatic efforts. Noting Pakistan's ongoing economic recovery, the DPM/FM cited the successful completion of the IMF programme, reduced inflation, and restored investor confidence, a fact the global credit rating agencies have acknowledged. He reiterated the government's aspiration for Pakistan to join the ranks of G-20 economies. In this regard, Senator Dar credited PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif's leadership who he said continues to guide the federal and Punjab governments, calling him an able statesman. Highlighting key government initiatives, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar briefed the community on the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which streamlines investment procedures across priority sectors. He also informed them that the government is actively working toward the early resumption of PIA flights to New York, after restoring routes to Europe and the United Kingdom. The DPM/FM expressed appreciation for the contributions of the Pakistani-American community to both Pakistan and the United States, acknowledging their vital role in strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing Pakistan's global image. Dar also highlighted Pakistan's active engagement on the multilateral front, particularly its current presidency of the United Nations Security Council, secured with the support of 182 countries—reflecting the international community's confidence in Pakistan's principled diplomacy. He especially referred to the unanimous adoption of Pakistan-sponsored resolution calling for pacific settlement of disputes. Pakistan, he said, was a peaceful country which believes in diplomacy and dialogue to resolve outstanding problems. Referring to regional developments, he underscored Pakistan's outreach to Afghanistan with a view to enhancing regional connectivity through trade and rail corridors to Central Asia. He emphasized Pakistan's expectation that Afghan soil will not be used for terrorism, and noted assurances received from Afghan authorities. Senator Dar said Pakistan will continue to work for the release of Aafia Siddiqui who is incarcerated in an American prison, citing a series of steps already taken in this regard. He concluded by reaffirming the Government of Pakistan's firm commitment to partnering with the Pakistani-American community as strategic stakeholders in national development and in advancing Pakistan–U.S. cooperation rooted in mutual respect and shared aspirations. Earlier, Ambassador Sheikh, the envoy to the US, said that Pakistan's image got a huge boost following its armed forces' spectacular performance in defending the country. He also said, 'To make our defence impregnable, our economy has to be strong,' and urged the community to invest in their homeland.
Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Express Tribune
US, China to resume tariff talks in effort to extend truce
US and Chinese flags and a "tariffs" label are seen in this illustration created on April 10, 2025. Photo: Reuters Listen to article Senior US and Chinese negotiators meet in Stockholm on Monday to tackle longstanding economic disputes at the centre of the countries' trade war, aiming to extend a truce keeping sharply higher tariffs at bay. China is facing an August 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with President Donald Trump's administration, after Beijing and Washington reached a preliminary deal in June to end weeks of escalating tit-for-tat tariffs. Without an agreement, global supply chains could face renewed turmoil from duties exceeding 100%. The Stockholm talks, led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, take place a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets Trump at his golf course in Scotland to try to clinch a deal that would likely see a 15% baseline tariff on most EU goods. Also Read: Israel announces daily pauses in Gaza fighting as aid airdrops begin Trade analysts on both sides of the Pacific say the discussions in the Swedish capital are unlikely to produce any breakthroughs but could prevent further escalation and help create conditions for Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet later this year. Previous US-China trade talks in Geneva and London in May and June focused on bringing US and Chinese retaliatory tariffs down from triple-digit levels and restoring the flow of rare earth minerals halted by China and Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab H20 AI chips and other goods halted by the United States. So far, the talks have not delved into broader economic issues. They include US complaints that China's state-led, export-driven model is flooding world markets with cheap goods, and Beijing's complaints that US national security export controls on tech goods seek to stunt Chinese growth. "Stockholm will be the first meaningful round of US-China trade talks," said Bo Zhengyuan, Shanghai-based partner at China consultancy firm Plenum. Trump has been successful in pressuring some other trading partners, including Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines, into deals accepting higher US tariffs of 15% to 20%. He said there was a 50-50 chance that the US and the 27-member European Union could also reach a framework trade pact, adding that Brussels wanted to "make a deal very badly". Read: Six killed, scores injured in Indian temple stampede Two of Trump's top trade officials, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, will attend the Scotland talks and then travel to Stockholm. Analysts say the US-China negotiations are far more complex and will require more time. China's grip on the global market for rare earth minerals and magnets, used in everything from military hardware to car windshield wiper motors, has proved to be an effective leverage point on US industries. Trump-Xi meeting? In the background of the talks is speculation about a possible meeting between Trump and Xi in late October. Trump has said he will decide soon whether to visit China in a landmark trip to address trade and security tensions. A new flare-up of tariffs and export controls would likely derail any plans for a meeting with Xi. "The Stockholm meeting is an opportunity to start laying the groundwork for a Trump visit to China," said Wendy Cutler, vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Bessent has already said he wants to work out an extension of the August 12 deadline to prevent tariffs snapping back to 145% on the US side and 125% on the Chinese side. Still, China will likely request a reduction of multi-layered US tariffs totaling 55% on most goods and further easing of US high-tech export controls, analysts said. Beijing has argued that such purchases would help reduce the US trade deficit with China, which reached $295.5 billion in 2024. Also Read: Drone debris disrupts trains, suspends flights in Volgograd China is currently facing a 20% tariff related to the US fentanyl crisis, a 10% reciprocal tariff, and 25% duties on most industrial goods imposed during Trump's first term. Bessent has also said he would discuss with He the need for China to rebalance its economy away from exports toward domestic consumer demand. The shift would require China to put an end to a protracted property crisis and boost social safety nets to encourage household spending. Michael Froman, a former US trade representative during Barack Obama's administration, said such a shift has been a goal of US policymakers for two decades. "Can we effectively use tariffs to get China to fundamentally change their economic strategy? That remains to be seen," said Froman, now president of the Council on Foreign Relations think-tank.
