Former Pakistan PM’s ex-wife Reham Khan launches Pakistan Republic Party

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Updated 16 July 2025
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Former Pakistan PM’s ex-wife Reham Khan launches Pakistan Republic Party

  • Reham describes move as ‘national mission’ to restore hope and dignity for Pakistanis
  • She came into the spotlight after marrying former prime minister Imran Khan in 2015

ISLAMABAD: Reham Khan, ex-wife of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, on Tuesday announced the launch of a new political party — the Pakistan Republic Party — aimed at representing women, farmers and other marginalized groups.

A journalist by profession, Reham first entered the political spotlight in January 2015 after marrying the cricketer-turned-politician, who was then chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

She was allegedly involved in behind-the-scenes politics that sparked controversy within PTI, with some senior party members uncomfortable with her presence and eventually sidelining her from party affairs.

The couple divorced less than a year later, with Reham later claiming that political pressure contributed to the split.

“Today, I am sharing the name [of my party] with you, InshAllah, Pakistan Republic Party, which would speak of a republic, where there will be no room for mob behavior, where horizontal leadership will be spoken about, and where those with working experience, what we call ‘lived experience’ in English, will be given representation,” she said at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club.

She pledged to push for legal reforms that improve the lives of ordinary citizens — especially women and farmers — and called for policies that reflect the public’s real struggles.

Reham described the initiative as a national mission rather than just a political movement, focused on restoring hope, dignity and meaningful representation.

“This is a party for the public,” she later said in a post on X. “I will involve you, the public, in the manifesto, the direction, the operating structure.”

“Already been connected to amazing people that you & I have never heard of, but they have been doing great work in their hometowns,” she continued. “These fresh faces will decide how to proceed.”

The announcement comes as PTI begins a 90-day “do or die” protest movement calling for Imran Khan’s release. The former premier remains in jail on multiple charges he says are politically motivated.

Earlier this month, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr., grandson of the late former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, also announced plans to form a political party focused on farmers’ rights.


Pakistan hails ‘significant milestone’ as satellite launched with China to boost disaster response, food security

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Pakistan hails ‘significant milestone’ as satellite launched with China to boost disaster response, food security

  • SUPARCO says the satellite will support precision agriculture, climate monitoring and urban planning
  • The launch deepens Pakistan-China space ties as astronaut training for Tiangong mission underway

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday announced the successful launch of its Remote Sensing Satellite in collaboration with China, calling it a “significant milestone” and expressing hope that the development will aid disaster management, food security and environmental protection.

The launch marks another step in Pakistan’s growing engagement with outer space with Chinese assistance. The two countries are also preparing to send the first Pakistani astronaut into space aboard China’s Tiangong space station, with training programs currently underway.

“Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the National Space Agency of Pakistan, proudly announces a historic achievement with the successful launch of Remote Sensing Satellite from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), China,” SUPARCO said in a statement.

“Remote Sensing Satellite will provide imaging capabilities to revolutionize urban planning, disaster management, food security and environmental protection,” it added. “It will also greatly aid in monitoring climate change, managing water resources, mapping agricultural patterns and tracking deforestation.”

The satellite was launched with technical cooperation from the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) and MICROSAT China.

SUPARCO said the satellite will also support national development initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by mapping transportation networks and identifying geohazard risks.

The statement noted the launch would serve as the foundation for an integrated Earth Observation System aimed at supporting national priorities and sustainable development.

It informed that Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also praised the efforts of engineers and technical experts from both countries, calling the launch a symbol of “unwavering commitment to technological progress.”


Pakistan says ‘landmark’ trade deal reached with US as Trump announces oil cooperation

Updated 9 min 43 sec ago
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Pakistan says ‘landmark’ trade deal reached with US as Trump announces oil cooperation

  • Finance ministry says the deal will reduce tariffs on Pakistani exports and expand market access
  • Minister Aurangzeb says his country sought to go beyond trade, deepen strategic ties with the US

KARACHI: Pakistan said Wednesday it had reached a trade deal with the United States after weeks of extensive negotiations, paving the way for reduced tariffs and deeper economic ties, as US President Donald Trump highlighted a new partnership to develop Pakistan’s oil reserves.

The announcements came after the US imposed a 29 percent “reciprocal tariff” on Pakistani exports under Trump’s trade measures announced in April, a move that raised alarm in Islamabad amid concerns over its fragile economic recovery. Washington later suspended the tariffs for 90 days to allow for negotiations with affected countries, including Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb led the negotiations from Pakistan’s side with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The breakthrough came just ahead of the August 1 deadline.

“In a landmark development, Pakistan and the United States finalized a trade agreement today aimed at boosting bilateral trade, expanding market access, attracting investment and fostering cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” Pakistan’s finance ministry said in a statement issued from Washington.

“The agreement will result in reduction of reciprocal tariff especially on Pakistani exports to the United States,” it added. “This deal marks the beginning of a new era of economic collaboration especially in energy, mines and mineral, IT, cryptocurrency and other sectors.”

The statement followed a final round of talks in Washington on Wednesday morning.

Trump also referenced to the agreement in a social media post, saying the two countries had concluded a deal to work together on oil reserves.

“We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves,” he said. “We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership.”

Last week, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the two countries were “very close” to a trade deal following a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.

Pakistan’s finance ministry said the deal complements ongoing efforts to broaden the scope of the strategic partnership between Islamabad and Washington.

“The agreement enhances Pakistan’s access to the US market and vice versa,” it informed. “Additionally, the deal is expected to spur increased US investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure and development projects.”

In a video message, Finance Minister Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s objective was always to move “beyond the immediate trade imperative,” calling the agreement “a real win-win situation” for both nations.

“There are several sectors we will begin working on — starting with energy, then moving to minerals and mining, and also digital infrastructure and the broader new economy we are envisioning,” he said.

“We have come a long way from where we started and where we now stand in terms of our overall strategic partnership with the United States,” he added.


Pakistan approves AI Policy 2025 to create jobs for youth, enhance public services

Updated 31 July 2025
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Pakistan approves AI Policy 2025 to create jobs for youth, enhance public services

  • Policy aims to train one million AI professionals by 2030, set up an AI Innovation Fund and venture fund to boost private sector involvement
  • AI will not only modernize economy but also enhance productivity in agriculture, public services and governance, says PM Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal cabinet this week approved the National AI Policy 2025 to democratize artificial intelligence, state-run media said, aiming to enhance public services and generate employment opportunities for the youth. 

Pakistan has recently undertaken initiatives to digitize its economy and employ the use of artificial intelligence to improve services. Through its ‘Digital Pakistan’ initiative, the government has attempted to focus on expanding broadband and 5G infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, youth engagement and innovation, developing e‑governance services for citizens and supporting investment in tech startups, IT zones and export-driven IT firms.

The AI policy was approved during a meeting of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report. 

“The policy aims to democratize access to artificial intelligence, enhance public services, and open up new employment and innovation avenues,” APP said. 

The AI policy aims to train one million AI professionals by 2030, establish an AI Innovation Fund and AI Venture Fund to boost private sector involvement in artificial intelligence, APP reported. 

The national policy also aims to create 50,000 AI-driven civic projects and 1,000 local AI products in the next five years. The government intends to make the use of artificial intelligence inclusive through the distribution of 3,000 annual AI scholarships and facilitate 1,000 research projects, the state media said.

The policy also aims to ensure the inclusion of women and persons with disabilities through accessible education and financing, strengthening cybersecurity and national data security protocols, promoting global partnerships and compliance with international AI regulations, APP said. 

Sharif said his government aimed to provide the youth opportunities in the field of AI.

“Our youth are Pakistan’s greatest asset,” he was quoted as saying by the APP. “Providing them with education, skills, and equal opportunities in AI is a top priority.”

An AI Council and a comprehensive Master Plan & Action Matrix will oversee the AI policy’s implementation, APP said.

“AI will not only modernize our economy but also enhance productivity across agriculture, public services, and governance,” Sharif said. 


Pakistan’s central bank leaves policy rate unchanged at 11% in surprise move

Updated 30 July 2025
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Pakistan’s central bank leaves policy rate unchanged at 11% in surprise move

  • Central bank says policy rate kept unchanged as inflation outlook worsened due to unprecedented hike in energy prices
  • Economists say state bank will remain cautious, adopt “wait-and-see approach” before taking monetary policy decisions

KARACHI: Pakistan’s central bank announced on Wednesday it was keeping the interest rate unchanged at 11% despite a majority of the economists predicting a rate cut, with analysts linking the “cautious” approach to the government’s aim to ensure price stability amid a surge in energy prices.

The decision came as a surprise after the majority of Pakistan’s economists predicted a reduction of 100 basis points in the policy rate due to easing inflation in the country, which reached 3.2% in June.

The central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged for a second consecutive time after slashing it by 1,100 basis points during the last year to keep inflation in check, which had surged to 38% in May 2023.

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad said the decision was based on easing consumer prices as well as core inflation, which otherwise remains “static” but eased to 7.2% last month. However, an unexpected hike in energy prices had worsened the inflation outlook.

“The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met today and decided to maintain the current policy rate at 11%,” Ahmad said at a press briefing in Karachi after the MPC meeting.

State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmed speaks during a press conference at the SBP building in Karachi on July 30, 2025. (APP)

“The inflation outlook has somewhat worsened in the wake of higher-than-anticipated adjustment in energy prices, especially gas tariffs,” the central bank said in a separate statement.

Economist Khaqan Najeed, Pakistan’s former finance adviser, said the central bank had chosen a “path of continued caution and vigilance,” which aimed to consolidate stability gains before stimulating growth through monetary easing.

“The mention of ‘somewhat worsened’ inflation outlook due to energy tariffs was a key justification for not easing [the monetary policy],” he said.

Sana Tawfik, head of research at the brokerage research firm Arif Habib Ltd., agreed.

“For now, they will keep the interest rate at 11%, stabilize it and see the impact of its previous rate cuts as well as how recent floods and energy prices translate into the economic indicators,” she told Arab News.

Tawfik said Pakistan’s rising imports and resulting pressure on its external account had also influenced the SBP to keep the policy rate unchanged.

“Going forward, it appears that the state bank will remain cautious and will have a wait-and-see approach to take its decisions according to the global economic developments,” she said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government is attempting to revive Pakistan’s debt-ridden economy with the help of a $7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Mushtaq Khan, an economist who is also the founder of a boutique advisory named “Doctored Papers,” described the SBP’s decision to keep the interest rate unchanged as a “smart move.”

“The external sector will be more vulnerable in FY26, so it’s a cautious step as needed,” he said.

Ahmad said this year Pakistan would need to repay $25.9 billion in foreign debt, of which about $16 billion were in bilateral loans that would be rolled over while the remaining $10 billion would have to be repaid.

This includes $1.8 billion in Eurobonds that are maturing this year.

“Going forward, we will see no difficulty in our debt repayments,” he said, citing increasing remittances that he said would cross the $40 billion mark this year.


Pakistan’s KP to hold tribal council meetings from this weekend over concerns amid Bajaur military operation

Updated 30 July 2025
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Pakistan’s KP to hold tribal council meetings from this weekend over concerns amid Bajaur military operation

  • Province’s local elders, political parties and representatives, stakeholders will be part of councils, says KP chief minister
  • Development takes place amid protests over deteriorating law and order situation in northwestern Bajaur district

PESHAWAR: The chief minister of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Ali Amin Gandapur, announced on Wednesday that the provincial government will hold a series of tribal council meetings or jirgas from August 2 to address people’s concerns, amid protests over the deteriorating law and order situation amid a fresh military operation in the restive Bajaur district.

Located in KP along the Afghan border, the northwestern Bajaur district has long experienced militant violence and multiple military operations, especially during the peak of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) insurgency.

Hundreds of protesters, including tribal elders and youth, rallied on Wednesday in Bajaur district to express concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the area, as the military launched an operation against militants that has left at least three civilians dead and seven injured, according to local representatives. Residents say they are opposing the latest offensive out of fear of displacement, as previous operations in the tribal belt, led to evacuations and long-term instability.

The unrest erupted following a three-day curfew imposed across 16 villages in Bajaur’s Loi Mamund tehsil, where the Pakistan Army began a counterterrorism operation codenamed “Sarbakaf” on July 29. The curfew, announced in a notification by the district’s deputy commissioner, aimed to “ensure public safety” amid intelligence reports of militant activity.

“I am starting jirgas [tribal councils] and from August 2, god willing, our jirgas will begin,” Gandapur said in a video message released by his office.

He added that at first, the jirgas will be held at the division level where all of the province’s local elders, political parties, political representatives, and stakeholders will sit together for consultations.

“The purpose of the consultations is to address the reservations and after these jirgas, we will hold a grand jirga in which we will give our policy, our plan and future strategy after sitting with all institutions,” the chief minister added.

The Pakistani military’s offensive triggered intense clashes with suspected militants, as local residents say the crossfire spilled into civilian areas, forcing many families to flee.

“The situation remains tense, and some families have already relocated to safer areas within the district,” Dr. Hamid ur Rehman, a provincial lawmaker from Bajaur affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, told Arab News over the phone while confirming civilian casualties.

“The operation has been paused today, but there’s still fear in the air,” he added.

He said a provincial assembly session scheduled for August 1 would discuss the crisis.

Pakistan’s military did not respond to a request for comment from Arab News when this report was filed.

Nisar Muhammad, spokesperson for the provincial information department, said the government was “closely monitoring” the situation and had convened an apex committee meeting to review the security response.

“The curfew will be lifted in phases, depending on the ground situation,” he added. “Civilian safety is our priority.”

The escalation has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders.

Aimal Wali Khan, president of the Awami National Party, denounced the violence in a social media statement, saying, “The bloodshed in Bajaur must end.”

Malik Farman Ullah, a tribal elder, voiced frustration over the recurring violence in the region.

“Our people are exhausted from burying the dead,” he said. “We demand that militants and security forces keep their clashes away from civilian homes.”

The Bajaur operation comes amid renewed concerns about the TTP’s presence along the Afghan border and a broader uptick in militant violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The provincial administration, led by Gandapur, has called for greater provincial involvement in security decisions, emphasizing the need to balance counterterrorism with civilian protections.

As tensions rise, the federal and provincial governments face growing pressure to restore stability without repeating past cycles of violence in the tribal belt.