ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry vowed on Saturday that the government will not show any leniency toward those involved in attacks targeting international food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken’s (KFC) outlets in various parts of the country, vowing to ensure protection for foreign investment.
The minister’s remarks came after charged mobs attacked and vandalized KFC outlets in various parts of the country this week, angered by growing anti-United States sentiment in Pakistan and in opposition to Israel for its military campaign in Gaza.
In videos shared widely on the Internet, men carrying sticks can be seen hurling abuses at customers and staff at various KFC outlets, forcing them to leave the eatery while they vandalize the outlets’ property.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Chaudry said around 20 such incidents across the country have taken place this month in which one KFC employee lost his life. He said 12 complaints have been registered for such incidents in Punjab, where 142 people have been arrested for their involvement in the attacks. In Islamabad, he said 15 people were arrested for their involvement in attacks on KFC outlets.
“It cannot happen that someone brings investment into Pakistan, gives its people employment, pays 100 percent tax, and also spends on welfare, education and health activities, and then someone attacks it,” Chaudry said.
“We will not let this happen. I am just not issuing a warning but practically it is being implemented in all four provinces. They are not being shown leniency anywhere and neither will we show them leniency,” he added.
The minister said those arrested for attacking KFC outlets across the country were ashamed of their actions. He said Pakistan’s religious and political parties had distanced themselves from these incidents.
Chaudry said since Friday, no attacks have been reported on any KFC outlets across the country after the prime minister took notice of the incident.
He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Palestine, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had raised his voice for the people of Gaza repeatedly.
However, he said the government would ensure protection for foreign investment in the country whether it be in the mines and minerals sector or international food chains.
The minister said such attacks would be “unacceptable,” adding that Pakistan’s government and interior ministry were available 24 hours to respond to such incidents.
“Any such attack will be unacceptable and it will be treated similar to when a terrorist attacks an unarmed man,” Chaudry said.
Western brands have been hit by boycotts and other forms of protests in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries in recent months over Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The war was triggered by the Palestinian group Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.
Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Pakistan vows no leniency toward perpetrators of KFC mob attacks
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Pakistan vows no leniency toward perpetrators of KFC mob attacks
- One person was killed in around 20 attacks targeting KFC outlets this month, says Pakistan’s minister of state for interior
- Charged mobs fueled by anti-US and anti-Israel sentiments attacked KFC outlets in various parts of the country this week
Pakistan to send delegation to key world capitals to highlight stance on India standoff
- PM Shehbaz Sharif has asked former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to lead Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach
- The delegation will visit London, Washington, Paris, and Brussels in the coming days to counter India’s narrative
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday tasked former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari with leading Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach to major international capitals to present the country’s perspective on the recent military conflict with India, as hostilities persist despite a US-brokered ceasefire following four days of cross-border strikes.
The move follows an April 22 gun attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. India blamed Pakistan for the assault, a claim Islamabad denied while calling for an international investigation.
The incident triggered retaliatory military action by India across the Line of Control in Kashmir and in mainland Pakistan, followed by Islamabad’s reprisal strikes. US President Donald Trump later announced a ceasefire on May 10, with his administration saying the countries had agreed to begin talks at a neutral venue to resolve outstanding disputes.
However, India has pushed back against the understanding, with New Delhi announcing to dispatch a delegation to key world capitals earlier on Saturday. Pakistan’s decision to do the same came later in the day.
“The prime minister has decided to send a diplomatic delegation to expose Indian propaganda and nefarious conspiracies at the international level,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement, adding that Sharif had contacted Bhutto-Zardari in this regard.
“The delegation will expose India’s propaganda and efforts to destabilize regional peace in London, Washington, Paris and Brussels,” it added.
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad a day earlier, Sharif said India and Pakistan had fought several wars in the past, though these conflicts had not helped them resolve their disputes.
He urged India to begin dialogue to address mutual concerns and ensure peaceful coexistence.
Bhutto-Zardari also confirmed the assignment in a post on social media platform X.
“I was contacted earlier today by Prime Minister @CMShehbaz, who requested that I lead a delegation to present Pakistan’s case for peace on the international stage,” he wrote. “I am honored to accept this responsibility and remain committed to serving Pakistan in these challenging times.”
The delegation aims to lobby officials and diplomats on Pakistan’s narrative.
Besides Bhutto-Zardari, the team includes Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Sherry Rehman, Hina Rabbani Khar, Faisal Subzwari and former diplomats Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani.
IMF says Pakistan’s loan ‘fully financed,’ with $6 billion inflows expected next fiscal year
- The global lender releases its country report, acknowledging improvements in Pakistan’s financial position
- IMF says despite the recovery, Pakistan’s growth in the first half of the fiscal year was below expectations
KARACHI: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Saturday Pakistan’s bailout program is “fully financed,” citing nearly $6 billion in external inflows expected in the next fiscal year and renewed commitments from key allies to roll over maturing debt.
The IMF released its country report on Pakistan earlier in the day, offering financial reassurance for the country, which in 2023 was on the verge of default and had to secure emergency funding.
Islamabad had to line up financing guarantees from friendly nations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and China before the IMF agreed to revive its lending program, a standard condition to ensure the country could meet its external obligations.
Pakistan also secured a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) last year after the international lender acknowledged the country’s progress in implementing stringent reforms that led to improved macroeconomic indicators.
“The program is fully financed, with firm commitments for the next 12 months and good prospects for the remainder of the Fund-supported program,” the IMF said in the report.
It added“substantial progress” had been made in realizing financing committed ahead of the EFF request, with $2.6 billion already disbursed or expected to be disbursed in the coming months.
It said these included support from Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Development Bank and a commercial loan backed by a partial guarantee from the Asian Development Bank.
The Fund projected Pakistan would receive around $6 billion in external inflows during the next fiscal year beginning in July.
It added these consist of fresh disbursements from the IMF, oil imports from Saudi Arabia on deferred payment terms, funding from China and other international financial institutions, budget support loans and proceeds from planned bond issuances.
Pakistan also intends to borrow modestly from commercial banks.
“Firm commitments are also in place for an additional $1 billion of financing in the next 12 months,” the IMF said. “Key bilateral partners remain committed to rolling over existing short-term liabilities in the remaining program period.”
The report noted the country’s financial and external conditions had improved, with foreign reserves exceeding program projections and a current account surplus recorded in the first eight months of the ongoing fiscal year.
It said inflation has declined to “historical lows,” although core inflation remains elevated at around 9 percent.
The Fund also noted economic recovery was continuing, but growth in the first half of FY25 was “somewhat lower than anticipated.”
PM Sharif says Pakistan witnessed world’s biggest drop in gender digital gap in 2024-25
- PM says Pakistan has over 200 million telecom subscriptions and 150 million broadband users
- Mobile manufacturing is up 47.5 percent as Pakistan boosts connectivity through submarine cables
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday Pakistan recorded the world’s biggest reduction in the gender digital divide in 2024-25, with eight million more women gaining access to mobile Internet.
The announcement came on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, observed annually on May 17 to promote the importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs).
The day was institutionalized in 1969 to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on this day in 1865.
Pakistan has been striving to advance gender equality in digital access to serve its broader economic goals, particularly as it seeks to attract foreign investment in its IT sector.
“Pakistan has made remarkable progress in narrowing the gender digital divide,” Sharif said in a statement released by his office.
“In 2024-2025, 8 million more women gained mobile Internet access, reducing the gender gap from 38 percent to 25 percent— the highest improvement globally, led by rural women,” he added.
The prime minister highlighted that Pakistan’s digital transformation includes surpassing 200 million telecom subscriptions, 150 million broadband users and two million fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections.
Additionally, mobile manufacturing has grown by 47.46 percent, and international connectivity has been enhanced through high-capacity submarine cables.
The prime minister noted the mobile ecosystem was now contributing $16.7 billion to Pakistan’s economy.
He said the government was committed to fostering a digital environment that promotes inclusion and empowers women through targeted policies, skills development programs and gender-sensitive digital infrastructure.
Sharif also called on all stakeholders to champion gender-responsive digital transformation and continue building an inclusive and empowered digital Pakistan.
President Zardari visits troops in Gujranwala, lauds swift military response to Indian attack
- He praises people who lost their lives during the conflict, calling their sacrifice a source of national pride
- Pakistan says its response to New Delhi culminated in a successful pushback that neutralized the threat
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday praised the armed forces for swiftly repelling an Indian attack, saying they had changed the battlefield dynamics “within a matter of hours” in a recent military confrontation.
The comments came during a visit to Gujranwala Cantonment, where the president met with troops and top military leadership, including Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.
Zardari’s remarks refer to Pakistan’s military retaliation, launched in response to Indian missile and drone attacks last week in various parts of the country.
The operation, according to Pakistani officials, culminated in a successful pushback that neutralized the threat and shifted the momentum on the ground.
“History will bear witness to how, within a matter of hours, the Pakistan Armed Forces repelled aggression with unmatched precision and resolve, sending an unequivocal message of Pakistan’s strength, resilience and national unity,” Zardari said, according to a statement from the military’s media wing.
During his visit, the president paid tribute to both military personnel and civilians who lost their lives in defense of the country, calling their sacrifice “a sacred trust and a source of enduring national pride.”
He also congratulated troops on the conclusion of the military operation, praising their morale, combat readiness and commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty.
The visit came amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India following cross-border hostilities, though both sides have now been observing a fragile ceasefire.
The president was also accompanied by interior minister Mohsin Naqvi and received at the cantonment by senior army commanders from Gujranwala and Mangla Corps.
Pakistan detains four deportees linked to human smuggling after UAE convictions
- The suspects arrived in Pakistan on emergency travel documents after serving their sentences in the UAE
- Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on human smuggling networks following migrant boat tragedies
KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday detained four men deported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their alleged involvement in human smuggling and prostitution, as Pakistan intensifies its crackdown on such networks following a series of deadly migrant boat tragedies.
The suspects were arrested upon arrival at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, according to an FIA statement, after being convicted in the UAE for participating in illegal activities. After serving their sentences, they were deported to Pakistan on emergency travel documents.
“FIA Immigration carries out a major operation,” the statement said. “Four suspects arriving from the UAE have been taken into custody. The suspects were involved in illegal activities in the UAE.”
“The suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Karachi for further legal action,” it added.
The arrests come amid Pakistan’s broader campaign against human smuggling, which has gained urgency following multiple migrant boat disasters involving Pakistani nationals.
Earlier this year, over 40 Pakistanis were feared drowned near Morocco’s coast while in 2023 more than 200 Pakistanis were presumed dead in a shipwreck off Greece.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to dismantle human smuggling networks that lure citizens into perilous journeys with false promises of better lives abroad.
“Global cooperation is essential to combat prostitution carried out under the guise of human smuggling,” the FIA said.
“All available resources are being utilized to eliminate human smuggling,” it added.
