Latest news with #GhulamQadir
Arab News
6 days ago
- Arab News
Father kills daughter, nephew in latest ‘honor killing' case in Pakistan's Balochistan
QUETTA, Pakistan: A father has shot and killed his teenage daughter and nephew in a so-called 'honor killing' in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, police said on Wednesday, days after a similar killing sparked outrage across the country. The incident took place Tuesday evening in the Lashar Abad area along Quetta's Qambrani Road, and came just days after a viral video showed a young couple being executed in a separate honor killing in Balochistan's Digari area in Quetta district. That case, involving a tribal jirga ordering the deaths of a woman and man over an alleged illicit relationship, has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed calls for legal reform. According to Abdul Majeed, the Station House Officer of Kechi Baig Police Station, the latest victims were identified as Ghulam Qadir, 19, and Nazneen, 18. 'The slain man and woman were cousins and the father, named Abdul Latif, shot and killed both his daughter and nephew inside his house,' Majeed told Arab News. 'The girl was from the Lehri tribe and the boy hailed from the Rind tribe.' The officer said the killings were motivated by accusations of an 'illicit relationship' between the pair, adding that the case had been handed over to the Serious Crime Investigation Wing (SCIW) and a search was underway for the father, who was on the run. The family of the male victim had retrieved his body for burial, but no one from the girl's family had come forward to claim her, Majeed added. Rights groups say honor killings - the murder of individuals, often women, by relatives for allegedly tarnishing family 'honor' - remain widespread in Pakistan, particularly in tribal and rural regions. Activists estimate as many as 1,000 deaths a year in the name of so-called honor. Although Pakistan passed a landmark law in 2016 to close loopholes that once allowed families to 'forgive' perpetrators, conviction rates remain extremely low, often below 2 percent, according to UN estimates. The recent video from Balochistan, showing the execution-style killing of a couple in the Digari area in Quetta district, reignited public debate over jirga justice and the state's failure to prevent such crimes. Police said 11 suspects had been arrested in the Digari case, including two men named in the first information report (FIR) filed by police after the killing. That attack, caught on video, appeared to show the victims being shot in a mountainous area on the orders of a tribal council.
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rice exports to China surge 84% in first half
Pakistan's rice exports to China have exhibited significant growth during the first six months of 2025, marking an encouraging development under the framework of China's economic policies aimed at enhancing trade relationships and diversifying supply chains. According to recent data from the China General Administration of Customs, Pakistan's shipments of semi-wholly milled rice (commodity code 10063020) to China soared to $29.53 million, with the volume reaching 66,960,601 kilogrammes in the January-June period. This marks a remarkable increase compared to the same period of last year, when exports were valued at $5.23 million. Pakistan Embassy Trade and Investment Counsellor in Beijing Ghulam Qadir told the China Economic Net that total rice exports from Pakistan to China for the first half of 2025, including both premium and broken rice, reached approximately $35.93 million. In comparison, exports during the same period in 2024 were valued at $19.53 million, signifying a growth of more than $16.40 million, or an impressive 84% increase. Broken rice, notably Irri-6 (commodity code 10064020), crossed $4.52 million in export value with a quantity of around 13,377,000 kilograms. Additionally, a specific category of broken rice, with rice length less than 6mm and L-W ratio less than 2 (commodity code 10064080), exceeded $1.87 million in exports during the period under review. Ghulam Qadir said that the boost in rice exports aligns with China's broader policies to diversify import sources and stabilise its food security strategy. Pakistan's consistent increase in rice exports not only reflects its expanding role as a key supplier but also underscores the potential for deeper economic integration between the two nations. As bilateral trade continues to flourish, Pakistani rice producers are optimistic about further market expansion, supported by ongoing improvements in trade policies, quality standards, and diplomatic ties. This trend promises beneficial economic implications for Pakistan's agriculture sector and enhances its stature as a reliable rice exporter to China. This article originally appeared on the China Economic Net
Business Recorder
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
Pakistan embassy to host matchmaking event for Pak, Chinese entrepreneurs
BEIJING: In a bid to attract investment and strengthen business ties, the Pakistan Embassy in China will organise a matchmaking event between Pakistani and Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing by the end of next month. 'We are expecting 100 to 150 Pakistani business leaders or company representatives to visit China during the upcoming meeting of heads of government of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states. For them, we are arranging matchmaking sessions with nearly 300 Chinese companies,' Ghulam Qadir, Commercial Counsellor at Pakistan Embassy in Beijing said on Sunday. Talking to APP, he noted that meetings will be scheduled in advance, allowing participants to familiarise themselves beforehand. 'Rather than meeting for the first time on the event day— which usually leads to limited outcomes— we aim to facilitate meaningful connections through early engagement and preparation,' he explained. A ministerial committee led by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal, has been formed to oversee the initiative. Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan serves as the convener, while Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, is the co-convener. Ghulam Qadir expressed optimism about the event's impact, anticipating significant results and long-term benefits. He highlighted seven priority sectors identified to boost Chinese investment and bilateral trade: Electric Vehicles (EVs) & Battery Storage, Solar Panel Manufacturing, Steel, Copper, Food & Agriculture, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), and Chemicals/ Petrochemicals. Qadir emphasised the potential of electronic vehicles or EVs in reducing Pakistan's fuel import bill, which amounts to billions of dollars annually. The government has launched a new EV policy and aims to attract more investment from companies like BYD, Geely, and Chery in Pakistan. The sectors including battery production, and charging infrastructure will also improve. With over $2 billion spent annually on solar panel imports, Pakistan is seeking to localize production. 'There are strong demand, an existing market, and the potential for exports,' he said, noting that local manufacturing will cut imports and generate jobs. The government is also looking to introduce green steel technology from China, Qadir noted, adding that steel is essential for EVs, construction, and other key industries. Pakistan offers ample land and demand for setting up such industries. Currently, Pakistan exports raw copper worth around $1 billion. 'We aim to process and refine copper locally, increasing export value to $4–5 billion with the right investments,' he said, adding that collaboration with Chinese firms is crucial. Terming food and agriculture sectors the backbone of the economy, Qadir said the government is focusing on improving crop yields, livestock quality, and food processing capabilities. This would enable Pakistan to export surplus agricultural products to meet China's growing demand. In the area of Information & Communication Technology, Pakistan has a skilled and cost-effective tech workforce, while China has a huge market,' he said, emphasising the scope for partnerships in the ICT sector. Pakistan imports significant volumes of oil and petroleum products. 'We are encouraging joint ventures with Chinese companies for investment and technology transfer in petrochemical sectors which would help serve local needs and open up export opportunities,' he said. Qadir concluded by stressing the need for robust cooperation in these seven sectors, alongside chemicals and petrochemicals. He stated that such partnerships will drive technology transfer, attract foreign investment, expand local manufacturing, increase exports, and create employment opportunities in Pakistan.
Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Knitwear exports to China rise 11%
Textile and apparel exports have stagnated around $1.4 billion per month, which is $600 million below the installed capacity of $2 billion a month. PHOTO: afp Listen to article Pakistan's exports of knitted and crocheted apparel, including jerseys, pullovers, cardigans and waistcoats, to China have grown steadily by 11% during the first five months of 2025, reaching $4.30 million, up from $3.87 million in the same period of last year, according to the latest data from China Customs. This growth highlights Pakistan's increasing presence in China's competitive apparel market, especially in mid-range and winter-wear segments. Industry insiders attribute the growth to Pakistan's expanding capacity in cotton-blended knitwear production and improved compliance with Chinese quality and certification standards. "Pakistani exporters have upgraded their production lines with better dyeing and finishing techniques, which has helped meet Chinese consumers' preference for comfort and durability in winter clothing," said Mohammad Azhar, a Lahore-based trade expert. Market observers note that most of these exports are routed through China's eastern coastal provinces, with Zhejiang and Jiangsu leading in import volume. Jiangsu province imported more than $2.79 million worth of products, followed by Zhejiang and Henan. Trade and Investment Counsellor Ghulam Qadir stated that Pakistan benefits from zero-tariff access under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, which gives it a competitive edge over other regional suppliers.
Arab News
21-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Popularity of Himalayan salt grows in China as Pakistan exports reach $1.8 million in FQ25
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan exported $1.83 million (Rs512 million) worth of salt to China in the first three months of 2025, an increase of 40 percent compared to the same period last year, state-run media reported on Monday, showing the growing popularity of the product in the Chinese market. Pakistan primarily exports salt to the United States, Canada, China, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Other significant destinations include Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Pakistan's salt exports are known to be mined at the Khewra Salt Mine and surrounding deposits. The Khewra Salt Mine is one of the world's oldest and second largest, turning out 325,000 tons of salt a year. The mine is renowned for producing Himalayan pink salt, which is popular globally for its unique color and health benefits. The mine contributes significantly to Pakistan's exports, especially to China, and is also a major tourist attraction due to its historical and geological significance. 'Pakistan exported over 13.64 million kilograms of salt to China worth $1.83 million (Rs512 million) in the first quarter of 2025 whereas last year in the same period it was $1.3 million (Rs364 million),' the Associated Press of Pakistan said in a report, quoting Ghulam Qadir, the Trade and Investment Counsellor of Pakistan in Beijing. 'Pakistan is exporting salt to China under three categories, edible salt, pure sodium chloride and other salt.' The report attributed the increase to better trade ties between the two nations and China's increasing appetite for premium-grade edible salt as well as for salt for industrial consumption, particularly for use in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food processing sectors. Industry experts attributed Pakistan's salt export growth to 'improved logistics, competitive pricing and enhanced quality standards' adopted by Pakistani exporters. 'This surge is a testament to Pakistan's expanding capacity to meet international market demands, and a positive sign for diversifying our exports to China,' the report said, quoting a Trade Development Authority of Pakistan official.
