Latest news with #regionalconnectivity
Arab News
18-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan mulls routes as it eyes new ferry service between Gwadar and Gulf region
KARACHI: Pakistan has been mulling routes for a ferry service it plans to launch to connect its southwestern Gwadar port with the Gulf region, the country's maritime affairs ministry said on Friday. The statement came after a meeting presided over by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to review matters relating to the proposed ferry service. Officials at the meeting reviewed technical and financial aspects of ferry operations, according to the ministry. Five privately-owned firms submitted their proposals, showing growing interest of the private sector. 'The ferry service will promote regional connectivity and trade,' Chaudhry was quoted as saying by his ministry. 'It is expected to ease movement of passengers and goods from Gulf countries.' Gwadar, situated along the Arabian Sea, lies at the heart of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), under which Beijing has funneled tens of billions of dollars into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan. Pakistani officials say the geostrategic location of the southwestern Pakistani coastal town in the Balochistan province offers the shortest trade route to the Gulf and landlocked Central Asian states, highlighted its potential as a regional transshipment hub. During the meeting, Chaudhry telephoned Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and discussed provincial cooperation with him, according to the maritime affairs ministry. Bugti assured his full cooperation for the project. 'The ferry service will highlight Gwadar on the international maritime map,' Chaudhry added. 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.
Arab News
17-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan deputy PM to visit Kabul for rail project pact with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to Kabul today, Thursday, to sign a framework agreement to conduct a joint feasibility study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, the foreign office said in a statement. The UAP Railway Project aims to establish a vital trade and transit corridor linking Uzbekistan with Pakistan via Afghanistan, offering the Central Asian republics direct access to Pakistani seaports. The rail link is expected to significantly boost regional connectivity, facilitate trade and contribute to long-term economic integration and political stability in the broader region. For Pakistan, which seeks to position itself as a regional connectivity hub, the UAP railway is also strategically important in strengthening economic ties with Central Asia and securing stable transit through Afghanistan, a country whose internal security dynamics continue to impact broader regional development goals. 'The DPM/FM's visit underscores the importance Pakistan attaches to the successful realization of the UAP Railway Project,' the foreign ministry said in a statement. 'The signing of the Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study between the three participating countries in Kabul will be an important step toward its implementation.' Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed an agreement in 2017 to extend a railroad connecting the two countries that would eventually give Uzbekistan a direct link to seaports. Landlocked Uzbekistan's access to marine shipping is very limited. RENEWED ENGAGEMENT While in Kabul, Dar will also meet Afghanistan's acting foreign minister and is scheduled to call on the country's acting prime minister. The meetings will cover a wide range of bilateral issues as well as regional and international developments. The visit comes amid a tentative thaw in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, which have been strained in recent years due to a surge in militancy in Pakistan that Islamabad blames on Afghan-based insurgent groups. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban-led government to prevent militant groups, particularly Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), from launching attacks on Pakistani security forces and other targets from Afghan soil. Kabul denies harboring militants. In December, the Afghan Taliban said bombardment by Pakistani military aircraft in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province had killed at least 46 people, most of whom were children and women. Pakistan has not confirmed the strikes but has said that it is carrying out 'anti-terrorist operations' against militants it blames for attacks in Pakistan and who it says have safe havens in Afghanistan, a charge that Kabul denies. Efforts to repair the fractured ties gained momentum during a China-hosted trilateral dialogue in Beijing in May between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. Islamabad and Kabul agreed in principle to send ambassadors to each other's country as soon as possible, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had announced after the summit. The upcoming signing of the UAP railway pact, a long-discussed infrastructure project championed by all three governments, is also being seen as one of the first tangible outcomes of renewed engagement between Islamabad and Kabul.
UAE Moments
16-07-2025
- Business
- UAE Moments
Qatar Airways to Resume Flights to Aleppo
Qatar Airways has announced the resumption of three weekly flights connecting Doha and Aleppo starting August 10, with services to increase to four times weekly from September 1. The weekday schedule will include departures from Doha on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays aboard Flight QR414 (08:30–11:40), with the return Flight QR415 from Aleppo departing at 13:55 and arriving in Doha at 17:00. This reinstates Qatar Airways' presence in Aleppo—a destination it has served since 2011—following the successful resumption of flights to Damascus earlier in 2025 . Aleppo now becomes the airline's second Syrian destination, underscoring a strategic expansion to bolster regional connectivity and post-conflict restoration. Reopening this route is a pivotal development for both the aviation industry and Syria's ongoing recovery. Enhanced air access facilitates business travel, humanitarian missions, and family reunions through Hamad International Airport in Doha, a globally renowned hub. For travelers and diaspora families, these flights offer crucial access to Aleppo, a city of deep cultural significance and resilience in Syria. With Qatar Airways affirming its commitment to safety and seamless operations, bookings are now open via the airline's app and website, paving the way for renewed personal and commercial travel. This article was previously published on qatarmoments. To see the original article, click here
Arab News
04-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Trade, connectivity, regional cooperation in focus as Pakistani PM at ECO summit
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan today, where he is expected to present Pakistan's views on regional and global challenges, trade promotion, sustainable development and enhanced connectivity. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Sharif will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders attending the summit to discuss matters of mutual interest. The theme of this year's summit is 'New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future.' 'Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will participate in the ECO summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, where he will speak on global and regional issues, trade promotion, sustainable development, regional connectivity and solutions to regional challenges,' the PMO said. The summit brings together heads of state and government from ECO member states to discuss economic and political cooperation. This is Sharif's third visit to Azerbaijan in 2025. He last traveled to Baku in May, where he held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy and trade. The Economic Cooperation Organization was established in 1985 by Iran, Turkiye and Pakistan and later expanded to include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The ten-member bloc aims to promote economic, technical and cultural collaboration across Central and South Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East.
Free Malaysia Today
29-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Strong response for Labuan-KK express ferry service, says Zaliha
The Express Kinabalu ferry service between Labuan and Kota Kinabalu resumed last month after a three-year hiatus. (Bernama pic) LABUAN : The Labuan-Kota Kinabalu express ferry service has seen a surge in passengers since resuming operations on May 27, following a three-year suspension. To date, more than 3,700 commuters have used the direct sea route, with each trip operating at full capacity of more than 100 passengers. The revival of the service, linking the duty-free island to Sabah's capital, has been hailed by federal authorities as a much-needed boost to regional connectivity. Federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa described the ferry's return as a key development for Labuan's socio-economic growth. 'This express ferry is not just a transportation service, it is a vital connector for regional economic, social and development networks,' she said. Speaking to reporters at the Labuan International Ferry Terminal after welcoming passengers from Kota Kinabalu, Zaliha said the service facilitates community mobility, daily activities, and the transport of goods within local supply chains. She expressed satisfaction with the strong public reception, noting that the ferry is popular among a wide range of travellers commuting between the two cities. 'This route offers a more convenient and time-saving alternative to the roll-on/roll-off ferry via Menumbok, especially for passengers without vehicles,' she said. While the ro-ro ferry is generally preferred for travel to nearby districts such as Menumbok, Kuala Penyu or Beaufort, the express ferry provides a direct, faster option to Kota Kinabalu. Zaliha also expressed hope that the operator would continue to enhance the service, including shortening the travel time, to meet the growing demand.
