ISLAMABAD: Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Friday pointed out that Pakistan was not the only country facing travel restrictions from the Kingdom due to the fear of coronavirus, adding that the Umrah pilgrims from 22 other states were also facing the same constraint.
Talking to Pakistan’s religious affairs minister, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, the envoy noted that the Kingdom had only imposed a temporary travel ban that would be lifted as soon as its authorities devise an appropriate mechanism for pilgrims’ safety.
According to an official handout circulated on Friday, the minister said that the government was in touch with the Kingdom, adding that it was going to hold another meeting over the issue with Saudi officials next week.
Qadri added that the two countries would continue to make Hajj arrangements as planned.
Earlier in the day, Ambassador Al-Malki told Arab News in an exclusive interview that all Pakistani Umrah pilgrims would be compensated.
“Pakistani Umrah pilgrims who had to travel to Saudi Arabia during the dates of suspension will be compensated in the best possible way,” he said during the interview. “They will be able to travel on the same visa or will be issued a fresh one free of charge.”
Saudi Arabia on Thursday placed a temporary ban on Umrah pilgrims in an attempt to ensure public safety and prevent the spread of coronavirus. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also supported the Kingdom’s decision to protect its citizens from the epidemic.
“All those passengers who have Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) tickets will be able to get full refund from the PIA offices or their travel agents,” the national carrier’s spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan told Arab News on the phone from Karachi, adding it was up to the passengers if they wanted to avail the refund option or get their seats readjusted after the ban.
Meanwhile, Saudi airlines also announced full refund of tickets through a circular which is available with Arab News.
“The Pakistani mission in Saudi Arabia is in touch with the Saudi authorities on this issue and will take all possible measures to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims,” spokesperson of the Pakistani embassy in Saudi Arabia Arshad Munir told Arab News on the phone from Jeddah.
Faizan Akhtar, a member of Pakistan’s Umrah Travel Agents’ Association told Arab News from Rawalpindi that the situation would become clear in the next few days, but all the passengers would get refunds or manage to travel on the same Umrah package after the ban.
“There was a previous incident of flight suspension during the Pak-India standoff last year which disturbed Umrah pilgrims. They were compensated by the Saudi authorities who extended their visas without extra charges and airlines adjusted their seats accordingly. We haven’t received any official communication on this so far, but the situation will become clear in the next few days,” Akhtar said.
Umrah travel ban is for pilgrims’ safety, will be lifted soon — Saudi envoy
https://arab.news/ms8e6
Umrah travel ban is for pilgrims’ safety, will be lifted soon — Saudi envoy
- Says the temporary ban has been imposed on 22 countries owing to coronavirus spread
- Pakistani pilgrims will be compensated, Saudi envoy to Islamabad says
Pakistan cenbank launches ‘cashless’ Eid Al-Adha campaign to promote digital payments
- Campaign aims to streamline sale and purchase of sacrificial animals in 54 designated cattle markets
- Campaign aims to streamline sale and purchase of sacrificial animals in 54 designated cattle markets
KARACHI: Pakistan’s central bank this week announced it has launched a “Go Cashless” nationwide campaign aimed at promoting digital payments and reducing reliance on cash transactions within designated cattle markets in the days leading up to Eid Al-Adha.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has undertaken efforts recently to encourage digital transactions in line with Pakistan’s broader economic reforms, which are aimed at strengthening financial systems and increasing transparency in the country.
Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in the informal sector, are conducted using cash.
Millions of Pakistanis are expected to buy sacrificial animals this year at thousands of cattle markets across the country before the Eid Al-Adha festival in June. These cattle are bought mostly via cash each year.
“The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has initiated a nationwide ‘Go Cashless’ campaign to promote digital payments and reduce reliance on cash transactions within cattle markets during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha,” the SBP said in a statement on Monday.
It said the initiative is in line with the central bank’s goal of fostering digital financial inclusion throughout Pakistan, and will run from May 20 until June 6 or the night of Eid Al-Adha.
“In partnership with the banking industry, the campaign aims to streamline the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals in 54 designated cattle markets across the country,” the statement said.
The central bank said within these cattle markets, digital payment solutions can be utilized for various transactions, including the purchase of sacrificial animals, payment for necessities such as water and feed, and settlement of parking fees.
The SBP said to support buyers and merchants, it has temporarily raised transaction limits effective from May 19 to June 15, 2025 for the following accounts:
For branchless banking level-1 accounts, Asaan Account/Asaan Digital Account and Merchant Accounts, the SBP said it has eliminated daily transaction limits and increased the per-month limit to Rs5,000,000 [$17,694].
“The public is strongly encouraged to take advantage of these convenient and secure digital financial services during the Eid-ul-Azha period,” the central bank said.
Pakistan has witnessed significant growth in digital transactions in recent years. The SBP said in a statement last month that its instant payment system, Raast, processed over 892 million transactions amounting to Rs20 trillion ($72 billion) since its launch in 2021.
In the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 alone, Raast handled 795.7 million transactions worth Rs6.4 trillion ($23.04 billion)., it added.
Two soldiers killed as militants ambush security forces convoy in northwest Pakistan— army
- Nine militants killed by security forces in Lakki Marwat, Bannu and North Waziristan districts, says military
- Islamabad has struggled to contain militancy since a 2022 truce between state, Pakistani Taliban collapsed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan military’s media wing said on Monday that two soldiers were killed were militants ambushed a security forces’ convoy in the country’s northwestern province bordering Afghanistan.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said it conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the northwestern Lakki Marwat district on Sunday night, where five Pakistani Taliban militants were killed. In the second IBO in the northwestern Bannu district, the military said two militants were killed by security forces.
However, in the North Waziristan district, Pakistani Taliban militants ambushed a security forces convoy in which two militants were killed and also two soldiers.
“However, during the intense fire exchange, two brave sons of soil, Sepoy Farhad Ali Turi (age: 29 years, resident of District Kurram) and Lance Naik Sabir Afridi (age: 32 years, resident of District Kohat) having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat [martyrdom],” the ISPR said.
The military’s media wing said sanitization operations were being conducted to eliminate any other “Khawarji” found in the area, the term the army uses for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Pakistani Taliban militants.
“Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism perpetrated by Indian proxies, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR said.
The Pakistan military described TTP militants as “Indian-sponsored,” emphasizing its earlier allegations that New Delhi funds and arms militants in Pakistan.
India, however, denies using militant proxies in Pakistan.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban and Islamabad broke down in November 2022. The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides carrying out targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
Pakistan says the takeover of Kabul by the Afghan Taliban in 2021 has emboldened the TTP as it is able to operate out of and launch attacks from safe havens in neighboring Afghanistan. Kabul denies the allegation.
Pakistan says $2 billion received since creation of special investment council
- Pakistan formed Special Investment Facilitation Council in 2023 to attract foreign investment in priority sectors
- Minister says SIFC plays crucial role in removing “bureaucratic hurdles” that earlier discouraged investors
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Monday that the country has received $2 billion in foreign investment since the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was formed in 2023.
Pakistan’s government formed the SIFC in June 2023 to attract international investment in key economic sectors such as tourism, livestock, trade, infrastructure, mining and minerals.
The government decided to form the hybrid civil-military forum after Islamabad narrowly avoided a sovereign default in 2023 before it was saved by a last-gasp bailout program by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Since its inception, more than $2 billion in foreign investment has flowed into Pakistan, and our economic indicators are improving,” Chaudhry informed lawmakers during a question hour at the National Assembly, the lower house of Pakistan’s parliament.
Responding to a question by lawmaker Shazia Marri, Chaudhry said the SIFC played a crucial role in removing “bureaucratic hurdles” that previously discouraged international investors.
Answering a supplementary question from lawmaker Arshad Abdullah, the minister acknowledged that Pakistan’s bureaucratic processes had long deterred global investors.
“In our system, even setting up a petrol pump requires 21 NOCs (no objection certificates), while in Indonesia, only one NOC is needed to establish an industry,” Chaudhry said.
He stressed that the SIFC’s goal is to eliminate such inefficiencies.
“We are moving from manual to automated systems to streamline investment processes,” he shared.
Since its inception in 2023, the SIFC has also been instrumental in ensuring several trade and investment deals were signed between Pakistan and its regional allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were signed.
Pakistan explores collaboration opportunities with UAE-based banks for economic growth
- Pakistan finmin meets representatives of Sharjah Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and Ajman Bank
- Pakistan finance ministry says Islamabad open to commercial partnerships that contribute to economic growth
KARACHI: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday held meetings with three UAE-based banks which concluded with both sides expressing their desire to explore potential avenues for collaboration for economic growth, Pakistan’s finance ministry said.
The ministry held a series of virtual meetings with three UAE-based banks, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and Ajman Bank. The meeting, chaired by Aurangzeb, focused on the banks’ support for Pakistan’s development and fiscal objectives, the finance ministry said.
“The meeting concluded with mutual interest in continuing the dialogue and exploring potential avenues for collaboration,” the finance ministry said.
“The finance minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s openness to quality commercial partnerships that contribute to economic growth, development financing, and investor confidence.”
Aurangzeb said Pakistan is on the path to macroeconomic stability. He noted that this year, Pakistan’s forex reserves are approaching the $14 billion mark, which would provide the nation with three months of import cover.
Pakistan has undertaken structural, financial reforms in recent months mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in exchange for bailout programs from the international lender.
These include increasing its tax base, introducing reforms in the energy sector and privatizing loss-making public assets. Aurangzeb underscored that the government is “firmly committed” to long-term reforms.
“We have broken away from the old boom and bust cycle,” the minister said. “The current stability is backed by difficult but necessary reforms— and we are staying the course.”
He shared that Pakistan is set to reach a tax-to-GDP ratio of 10.6 percent by June 2025, with a target of 11 percent in the next fiscal year, the ministry said.
“During the interactive sessions, senior executives of the three banks acknowledged the progress and shared their comments and views on Pakistan’s economic plans,” the statement said.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the US, and a major source of foreign investment, with over $10 billion invested in the last two decades.
The Gulf country is also home to over a million expatriates from Pakistan, the second-largest overseas Pakistani community globally, and a major source of remittances.
Pakistan Met Office says heatwave to continue this week
- High pressure likely to persist in upper atmosphere during current week, says Met Office
- Says temperatures likely to remain 04 to 06°C above normal in southern Pakistan this week
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Monday that the ongoing heatwave in various parts of the country is expected to continue this week, calling on citizens to take precautionary measures for safety.
The Met Office warned last Wednesday of a heatwave in the country that it said will last from May 15 to 20. Its warning came amid increasingly erratic climate patterns across South Asia, with cities in Pakistan experiencing more frequent and intense heat waves in recent years, a trend climate experts link to global warming.
The Met Office said in its latest advisory that high pressure is likely to persist in the upper atmosphere during the current week.
“Heatwave is likely to continue during the current week,” it said. “Day temperatures are likely to remain 04 to 06°C above normal in the southern half (Sindh, southern Punjab and Balochistan) from 20th to 24th May.”
It said temperatures during the day are likely to remain 05 to 07°C above normal in the upper half of the country (central and upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan) from 20th to 24th May.
“Dust storm/gusty winds are expected at isolated places over plain areas due to excessive heating during the forecast period,” it added.
The Met Office advised women, the elderly and children to take precautionary measures during the heatwave period. It warned them to avoid exposure to direct sunlight during the day and remain hydrated at all times.
The Met Office advised farmers to manage their crop activities, keeping in view the latest weather conditions and to also take care of their livestock.
“Rising temperatures in northern areas may enhance snow melting rate during the forecast period,” it said. “Judicious use of water is requested in all fields of life.”
Pakistan ranks among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change and has grappled in recent years with increasingly frequent extreme weather events from deadly heat waves and floods.
In June 2024, almost 700 people died in a heat wave in less than a week, with most deaths recorded in the port city of Karachi and others in the southern province of Sindh, according to the Edhi Foundation charity.
A 2015 heatwave claimed over 2,000 lives in Karachi alone while floods in 2022 left more than 1,700 dead and over 33 million displaced nationwide.
