ISLAMABAD: The foreign office of Pakistan released the names of countries attending the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), scheduled for October 15-16 in Islamabad, notably excluding Afghanistan, while key member states like China, Russia and India are set to attend.
Afghanistan is not a full SCO member but holds observer status, which has reportedly remained inactive since September 2021, following the Taliban takeover.
Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan have severely deteriorated for more than a year over the issue of cross-border militancy, with officials in Islamabad repeatedly accusing the Taliban-led government of “facilitating” armed groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani soil, an allegation denied by Kabul.
Tensions further escalated last year when Pakistan decided to expel Afghan refugees, citing national security concerns and the alleged involvement of some refugees in militancy and crime.
“Pakistan will be hosting the Twenty-third meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from 15 to 16 October 2024 in Islamabad,” the foreign office said in a brief curtain raiser.
“SCO member States will be represented by the Prime Ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as well as the First Vice President of Iran and External Affairs Minister of India,” it added. “Prime Minister of Mongolia (Observer State) and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan (Special Guest) will also participate in the meeting.”
The foreign office said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will preside over the SCO meeting in his capacity of the current chair of the CHG.
He will also hold important bilateral meetings with visiting heads of delegation on the sidelines of the summit.
The government has made extensive preparations for the event while focusing on both security and beautification of Islamabad.
According to Dawn newspaper, over 10,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of around 900 international delegates.
Special efforts are also being made to enhance the appearance of the city, particularly along VIP routes and the Jinnah Convention Center where the summit will be held.
The prime minister himself has finalized the arrangements by visiting all these places.
The SCO meeting will discuss ongoing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environment, socio-cultural linkages and review the performance of the Organization.
The participants will adopt important organizational decisions to further enhance cooperation among SCO member states and approve the budget of the organization.
Pakistan lists SCO summit attendees, excluding Afghanistan, ahead of high-profile event
https://arab.news/m6jxv
Pakistan lists SCO summit attendees, excluding Afghanistan, ahead of high-profile event
- Afghanistan holds the SCO observer status that has reportedly remained inactive since Taliban’s 2021 takeover
- Pakistan has made extensive preparations for the summit, focusing on Islamabad’s security and beautification
Czech climber missing in Pakistan after fall on Nanga Parbat expedition
- Klara Kolouchova, 46, reportedly fell from a height between Camp I and Camp II
- Recovery efforts are underway to locate and retrieve her body from the fall site
ISLAMABAD: A Czech woman climber has gone missing after a fall during her attempt to summit Nanga Parbat, a Pakistani mountaineering club said on Friday.
Klara Kolouchova, 46, reportedly fell from a height between Camp I and Camp II of Nanga Parbat on Thursday, according to Karrar Haidri, secretary-general of the Alpine Club of Pakistan that organizes various expeditions.
“Authorities and rescue teams were immediately alerted and dispatched,” Haidri told Arab News. “Recovery efforts are underway to locate and retrieve her body from the fall site.”
Klara, an accomplished mountaineer, was globally recognized as the first Czech woman to summit both Mount Everest and K2. She had arrived in Pakistan on June 15, accompanied by her husband and five team members.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the mountaineering community during this difficult time,” Haidri said.
Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest peak in the world at 8,126 meters, is infamous for its difficult terrain and high fatality rate, which has earned it the nickname “Killer Mountain.”
Over 100 climbers and porters have died on its slopes, with the Rupal face considered particularly unforgiving due to avalanche risk and exposure to extreme weather.
Earlier this week, three European climbers achieved a rare feat on one of the world’s most dangerous peaks by scaling Nanga Parbat from the treacherous Rupal face in alpine style, with one of them paragliding down from near the summit in a daring solo descent.
Unlike traditional expedition climbing, alpine style involves climbing in a single push without establishing fixed ropes or pre-stocked camps, requiring climbers to carry all their gear. The approach demands speed, efficiency and a high degree of skill, especially at high altitude.
German climber David Göttler was joined by French mountaineers Tiphaine Duperier and Boris Langenstein for the climb via the Schell route, a steep and rarely successful line up the mountain’s massive southern wall. The Rupal face, rising nearly 4,600 meters from base to summit, is considered the world’s highest mountain face and among the most technically demanding.
“Sometimes you need to be patient … It’s taken five attempts, but now that I’ve achieved it, I know it’s all been worthwhile,” Göttler wrote in a social media post on Tuesday, describing his 12-year pursuit of the route.
He said summiting with his teammates in alpine style was “incredible,” adding that being able to fly down from around 7,700 meters to base camp on the same day took his joy “to the next level.”
‘Best experience’: Omani motorcyclists praise Pakistan’s landscape, warmth and cuisine
- Motorcyclists from 40-member Bousher Bikers Club are in Pakistan on a 15-day goodwill tour
- Motorcyclists laud food and scenery, plan return with families as Pakistan pushes to expand tourism
ISLAMABAD: Riding more than 2,000 kilometers across Pakistan’s diverse terrain — from snow capped mountain passes to fertile river plains — a group of eight Omani bikers say their journey through the country has been unlike any other.
The motorcyclists from Oman’s Bousher Bikers Club are in Pakistan on a 15-day goodwill tour, part of a broader initiative to promote people-to-people ties between the two nations. Over the past two weeks, they have traveled through Islamabad, the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, the Naran resort town and parts of eastern Punjab, with a final stop planned in Lahore before their departure today, Thursday.
“[This is] the best experience. I say that people here in Pakistan, they open their heart before they open their door for us,” said Majid Al-Rawahi, the group’s leader, speaking outside Islamabad’s Faisal Mosque on Monday.
“We really feel as our country here, as our home.”
The Omani riders, all part of a 40-member club based in the Bousher neighborhood of Muscat, arrived in Pakistan on June 20 on a visit facilitated by the Pakistani embassy in Muscat and the Omani government.
During their journey, they’ve explored Islamabad, the Sargodha region in Punjab, the Naran resort town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Khunjerab Pass, the world’s highest paved international border crossing between Pakistan and China.
Al-Rawahi said that while some of what they had heard about Pakistan before the trip included negative stereotypes, their experience on the road quickly proved otherwise.
“We crossed more than 2,000 kilometers by bike and it was a very interesting trip for us as we met a lot of people, friendly people, peaceful people, and helpful people,” he said.
Issa Al-Hasani, another member of the group, said the journey through northern Pakistan had been filled with “breathtaking landscapes,” including waterfalls, rolling hills, and vibrant small towns. But it was the warmth of the people that left the strongest impression.
“The people were kind and friendly, always greeting us with warm smiles,” he said. “Pakistan is a beautiful country with high security, good people, good manners and respect, and I want to say thank you to everyone.”
EDIBLE MEMORIES
Pakistan has in recent years promoted its northern areas as a haven for adventurists and nature lovers. With snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, historic forts, and expansive deserts, the country offers routes that appeal to both local and international travelers, particularly bikers and overlanders seeking remote, scenic journeys.
Pakistan offers visa-free entry to citizens of 126 countries for tourism and business purposes, effective August 14, 2024. These travelers can obtain an electronic visa within 24 hours, free of charge, and use e-gates at select airports and Gwadar Port. The eVisa is valid for a single entry for 90 days.
The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) projects the travel and tourism industry to grow annually by 6.75 percent from 2025 to 2029, reaching a market size of $5.53 billion by the end of the period.
Still, the experience of traveling in Pakistan isn’t without its challenges.
Al-Rawahi said Pakistan’s roadside infrastructure, particularly rest areas, washrooms and restaurants, could benefit from improvement to better serve tourists.
That said, the group also expressed deep appreciation for what they experienced, especially the food.
“We tried various traditional dishes and found them delicious, especially biryani and local sweets,” said Al-Rawahi.
For Kamil Al-Wahaibi, the memories are also edible.
He said he especially enjoyed kulcha paratha, a flaky, buttery flatbread.
“We call it lola in Oman and we eat it with tea,” he said with a smile.
As the group’s tour enters its final stretch with a visit to Lahore before departure on July 4, the riders are already thinking about returning.
“I want to bring my family, especially to the [Azad] Kashmir side, and during the winter to the desert as it is a good tourism time here,” Al-Rawahi said.
Al-Wahaibi agreed:
“I will come back with my family and with my friends. They will enjoy it.”
Pakistan calls for stronger agricultural and food security cooperation with Egypt
- Pakistan’s food security minister praises Egypt for arid farming and climate-smart technologies
- He also acknowledges Egypt’s support on global issues and cooperation at multilateral forums
KARACHI: Pakistan on Thursday called for enhanced collaboration with Egypt in agricultural science, biotechnology and food security, citing Egyptian expertise in climate-smart technologies and arid farming during a ceremony held in Islamabad.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain represented Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the event marking Egypt’s National Day, which brought together diplomats, government officials and members of the business community.
“Referring to Egypt’s impressive progress in agricultural development, the Minister called for enhanced collaboration in areas such as agricultural science, seed development, arid farming, capacity building, drip irrigation and climate-smart technologies, where Egypt has notable expertise,” said an official statement issued after the ceremony.
“Hussain emphasized the importance of joint initiatives in food security, biotechnology and sustainable agricultural practices,” it continued.
“He said that Pakistan and Egypt’s shared experience in managing water-scarce environments offers an opportunity for meaningful partnerships between research institutions and private sectors in both nations.”
The minister acknowledged Egypt’s support to Pakistan on regional and international matters and praised the ongoing cooperation at multilateral forums such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations.
Noting the revival of the Pakistan–Egypt Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), Hussain said both governments are working to finalize new bilateral agreements in trade, agriculture, higher education and cultural exchange.
Egypt’s agricultural sector is on an upward trajectory and has witnessed a strong export performance, though environmental constraints remain a concern.
Pakistan eyes ‘multibillion-dollar benefits’ as it plans direct ferry link to Oman
- Pakistani minister says Oman can boost regional ties via maritime corridor to South and Central Asia
- He proposes boosting bilateral trade through improved port infrastructure and closer cooperation
KARACHI: Pakistan and Oman have agreed to deepen maritime cooperation, including launching a direct ferry service between Gwadar and the Sultanate, in a move that Islamabad says could unlock billions of dollars in trade, investment and transit revenue.
The development follows a high-level meeting on Thursday between Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Oman’s Ambassador Fahad bin Sulaiman bin Khalaf Al Kharusi.
Both officials emphasized the need to boost maritime connectivity and capitalize on their long-standing economic and cultural ties.
“Minister Junaid Chaudhry underscored the economic potential of launching a direct ferry service from Gwadar to Oman, projecting multi-billion-dollar benefits in trade expansion, investment inflows and transit revenue,” said an official statement issued after the meeting.
“He stated that Pakistan stands to earn an estimated $10–15 billion annually through Gwadar’s maritime operations, while Oman could establish a maritime corridor to South and Central Asia, significantly enhancing its regional connectivity,” it added.
Earlier this week, the government announced its plan to launch a ferry service connecting Gwadar Port, a centerpiece of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, aiming to strengthen regional ties, improve passenger movement and access new markets across the Middle East.
Pakistan’s minister of maritime affairs said his country’s exports to Oman stood at $224 million in 2024, and stressed the need to scale this up through improved port infrastructure and bilateral collaboration.
As part of long-term cooperation, he also offered maritime training and education opportunities for Omani students at the Pakistan Marine Academy.
The Omani ambassador welcomed the proposals and emphasized the importance of expanding cultural and commercial ties.
He acknowledged the positive contributions of the Pakistani diaspora to Oman’s development and noted that Urdu was widely understood in his country, reflecting strong social bonds between the two nations.
Tensions rise for Imran Khan’s party as Punjab speaker signals opposition disqualifications
- Malik Ahmad Khan says lawmakers violating constitution have no place in the provincial assembly
- KP Governor Faisal Kundi has also hinted at a no-trust move against PTI-backed CM Gandapur
ISLAMABAD: Political temperatures rose on Thursday as Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmad Khan, suggested opposition lawmakers backed by Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan could be disqualified from the provincial legislature.
Earlier, the speaker had suspended the membership of 26 lawmakers supported by the former premier’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for 15 sessions following chaotic scenes during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s speech during budget proceedings last month.
However, the issue of their disqualification gained traction a day after PTI announced a nationwide protest movement against the government in response to a Supreme Court ruling that denied the party reserved seats for women and minorities in national and provincial legislatures.
“Lawmakers violating the Constitution have no right to remain part of the provincial assembly,” the speaker told reporters on Thursday.
He maintained creating disruption in an assembly was wrong for any political party.
“I will fight this case to uphold the Constitution,” he continued. “I have exercised restraint for over a year and a half as speaker … I now have to fulfill my responsibilities as speaker.”
Last month, Pakistan’s top court upheld a verdict by the Peshawar High Court, ruling that the PTI was not entitled to reserved seats for women and minorities in national or provincial assemblies. The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench ruled that since PTI candidates had contested the February 8 general elections as independents after losing their electoral symbol, they could not claim reserved seats under proportional representation.
The fallout from the Supreme Court verdict has also rattled the PTI’s traditional power base in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province where the party managed to form its government.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who represents the federal government, has warned that a no-confidence motion could be tabled against PTI-backed Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a close aide of the jailed former prime minister.
Gandapur, however, has dismissed concerns about his government’s stability, saying there is no constitutional way to remove him from office.
