ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Wednesday asked the security forces of Pakistan to concentrate on their professional responsibilities while acknowledging the role played by their sacrifices in the development of the country as he spent Eid Al-Fitr with troops in North Waziristan district.
The area was once considered a hub of militancy due to Pakistan’s porous border with Afghanistan, especially during the time US-led international forces were present in Kabul. The region served as a safe haven for various militant groups, including the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, due to the challenging terrain and lack of effective border controls.
Subsequently, Pakistan initiated efforts to fortify its border by launching a major fencing project in 2017, aiming to control illegal movement between the two countries and reduce violence by armed militants.
Despite such attempts to restore peace in the area, North Waziristan and other parts of the northwestern tribal belt have witnessed a resurgence of militant violence once again. Factors contributing to this resurgence include the complex dynamics of regional politics, the presence of various militant factions and the influence of the Taliban control in Afghanistan.
“Maintain unwavering focus on your professional duties in service to the nation,” the army chief told the troops after receiving a detailed briefing on the security landscape during his visit to Miran Shah and Spinwam in North Waziristan.
According to a statement released by the military’s media wing, ISPR, he said the sacrifices of the troops had create an environment of socioeconomic development in the country.
“Emphasizing the adverse impact of terrorism upon development, COAS underscored the collective imperative to safeguard the hard-earned peace,” the statement added. “He urged all stakeholders, especially the local populace, to remain vigilant against adversarial elements seeking to destabilize the region.”
Pakistani security forces have been actively carrying out intelligence-based operations amid the recent surge of violence along the countries Western border with Afghanistan and Iran.
These operations are focused on dismantling militant networks, preventing their violent activities and ensuring the security of the area.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended Eid greetings to the leaders and soldiers of the Pakistani armed forces on Wednesday.
“The entire nation, including myself, pays tribute to the young soldiers stationed at the borders protecting our homeland,” he said. “On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, the entire nation pays homage to our martyrs and offers tribute to their families.”
Pakistan’s army chief lauds troops’ sacrifices for national development on Eid visit to North Waziristan
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Pakistan’s army chief lauds troops’ sacrifices for national development on Eid visit to North Waziristan
- General Munir asks soldiers to focus on their professional duties after receiving a detailed security briefing
- PM Shehbaz Sharif extends Eid greetings to soldiers of the country’s armed forces deployed in border areas
X ban enters fourth month in Pakistan
- Pakistan has long struggled to regulate social media through different legislations, prompting critics to accuse it of trying to quell dissent
- The Government of Pakistan must ‘uphold the right to freedom of expression,’ restore access to X immediately, Amnesty International says
ISLAMABAD: X remained restricted in Pakistan on Friday as a ban on the social media platform entered fourth month, according to netizens.
Authorities have blocked X, formerly known as Twitter, since Feb. 17 after protests swept the country over allegations of vote rigging in a general election.
Digital rights activists and rights groups have described the shutdown, either partial or full, as a “violation” of civil liberties in the South Asian nation of more than 241 million.
“This ban continues at a time when the government has announced legislative proposals to further restrict digital freedoms,” Amnesty International, a global human rights watchdog, said on X.
Pakistani authorities have long struggled to regulate social media content through different legislations, prompting critics to accuse them of trying to quell dissent. Earlier this month, the government notified a National Cybercrimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to probe electronic crimes, making digital rights activists describe it as yet another official attempt to stifle criticism online.
The NCCIA was approved by the caretaker government of Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar last year to take over cybercrime investigations from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
While the government says the move was meant to protect digital rights of millions of users, encourage responsible Internet use and prevent hate speech and disinformation, digital rights activists say successive governments have drafted new laws or amended old ones to curb online dissent and file criminal charges against journalists and activists to restrict freedom of speech and expression.
“The Government of Pakistan must uphold the right to freedom of expression and restore access to the platform [X] immediately,” Amnesty International added.
PM invites Chinese firm to invest in Pakistan mining sector seeking to boost foreign investment
- The development comes amid the Sharif government’s push to rid the country of its chronic macroeconomic crisis
- Islamabad has also lately seen a flurry of high-level exchanges with Saudi Arabia, Japan, Azerbaijan and other nations
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited Chinese firm, MCC Tongsin Resources, to invest in Pakistan’s mining sector and assured it of maximum facilitation, Sharif’s office said on Friday, amid an increase in bilateral engagements with longtime ally Beijing to boost foreign investment in Pakistan.
The statement came after Sharif’s meeting with a delegation of MCC Tongsin Resources, led by Chairman Wang Jaichen, in the federal capital of Islamabad, according to a statement issued from Sharif’s office.
MCC Tongsin Resources, a research and investment company, is part of the China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC Group), which describes itself as the world’s largest and strongest metallurgical construction contractor and operation service provider.
In his meeting with the Chinese delegates, Sharif said his government would extend all-out facilitation to the company in mining of minerals and their export from Pakistan.
“The government is taking steps on priority basis to increase foreign investment in the country,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office. “In order to increase the exports of Pakistan, investment for the extraction of minerals, their processing and export will be fully facilitated.”
The Chinese firm expressed “keen interest” in increasing its investment in the mining and mineral sector in Pakistan.
“The company gave a detailed briefing to the prime minister regarding the construction of a mineral park in Pakistan and informed about further investment plans,” Sharif’s office said.
The development comes amid an increase in bilateral engagements between Pakistan and China in recent weeks as Islamabad attempts to boost foreign investment.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is in China since May 13, has held several meetings with Chinese business officials and entrepreneurs, and invited them to establish labor-intensive industries in Pakistan. The visit is aimed at bolstering Pakistan’s relations with China and assuring Beijing that Pakistan would enhance the security of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.
Beijing has been one of Islamabad’s most reliable foreign partners in recent years, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbor. In July last year, China granted Pakistan a two-year rollover on a $2.4 billion loan, giving the debt-saddled nation much-needed breathing space as it tackled a balance-of-payments crisis.
China has invested over $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project is part of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. CPEC is designed to provide China with a shorter and safer trading route to the Middle East and beyond through Pakistan.
Dar’s visit comes amid Pakistan’s recent push for foreign investment, with Islamabad seeing a flurry of high-level exchanges from diplomats and business delegations in recent weeks from Saudi Arabia, Japan, Azerbaijan, Qatar and other countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to rid the country of its chronic macroeconomic crisis through foreign investment and efficient handling of the economy.
Ancient spring festival concludes with rituals and dance in Pakistan’s picturesque Chitral
- Chilam Joshi celebrated in May by the Kalash, a group of about 4,000 people and possibly Pakistan’s smallest minority
- Festival coincides with coming of spring and is marked by dance, animal sacrifice and highly prescribed roles for men and women
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Tourism Authority said on Friday a spring festival celebrated by the minority Kalash people living in the country’s northern Chitral District had concluded with the practice of community rituals and song and dance.
The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people, possibly Pakistan’s smallest minority, who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith. Each year in May, they come together for Chilam Joshi, a festival that coincides with the coming of spring and is marked by dance, animal sacrifice and highly prescribed roles for men and women. The community’s religion incorporates animiztic traditions of worshiping nature as well as a pantheon of gods and its people live mainly on the three Kalash valleys of Bumburet, Birir and Rumbur.
“A large number of domestic and foreign tourists had arrived for the religious festival celebrated on the arrival of spring,” Mohammad Saad, the spokesperson of the tourism authority said in a statement. “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority’s tourist facilities in Dir Upper and Chitral Lower remained open during the festival.”
He said the Kalash tribe celebrated the festival with song and dance as well as the rituals of distributing milk, performing traditional dances for newborns and praying for the safety of livestock and crops.
On the first day, boys and girls go to the higher pastures to pluck wildflowers and walnut leaves to the beat of drums, while the second day, when milk is distributed, goat stables are decorated with wildflowers and walnut leaves, and songs and ceremonies take place in every village.
On the third day, villagers get together and distribute dried mulberries and walnuts in ceremonies for new born babies. On the fourth day, during the Ghona ceremony, villagers of the Kalash community gather at one main venue and different rituals and ceremonies are performed.
Throughout the festival, women usually dress up in vibrantly colored traditional clothes, wear gold and silver jewelry and elaborate headgear, while men wear traditional shalwar kameez with a woolen waistcoat.
Experts urge Pakistan government to probe capital flight after ‘Dubai Unlocked’ revelations
- Dubai Unlocked investigative project has revealed Pakistanis own residential properties worth $11 billion in Dubai
- Real estate experts, tax lawyers say poor governance, rapid currency depreciation driving Pakistanis to invest in Dubai
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Tax lawyers and real estate experts said on Wednesday Pakistani authorities should initiate a probe to determine factors behind the flight of capital and possible tax evasion following a new leak of records that revealed the offshore real estate wealth of the country’s political, military and business elite.
Dubai Unlocked, an investigative project involving more than 70 media outlets around the globe, has revealed the ownership of properties in the Emirate of prominent global figures, including alleged money launderers and drug lords, political figures accused of corruption and their associates, and businessmen sanctioned for financing terrorism, among others.
The data spans 2020 and 2022, and only includes residential properties.
“This is a serious issue of capital flight, therefore the Federal Board of Revenue should launch a thorough probe following the data leak,” Dr. Ikram ul Haq, an economist and tax layer, told Arab News.
He said the probe should determine whether Pakistanis had bought the assets through legitimate funds or not, adding that Pakistanis who bought properties in Dubai were legally bound to declare their rental incomes and any profit proceeds from real estate in annual tax returns.
“Pakistanis can transfer $500,000 abroad for investments with prior approval of the central bank,” Dr. Haq explained. “It is now up to the FBR [Federal Board of Revenue] to see if the funds are legally remitted to Dubai for the investments and the assets are properly declared by their owners.”
The FBR and Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency could not be reached for comment despite several calls and text messages.
Pakistanis listed in the leaks include President Asif Ali Zardari’s three children, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s wife, Sindh provincial minister Sharjeel Memon and family members, Senator Faisal Vawda, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat, and half a dozen lawmakers from the Sindh and Balochistan assemblies.
The Pakistani list also features the late Gen (retired) Pervez Musharraf, former prime minister Shaukat Aziz, former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa’s son, and more than a dozen retired army generals as well as a police chief, an ambassador and a scientist, all of whom owned properties either directly or through their spouses and children.
Pakistani politicians and others were last named in the 2016 Panama Papers, leaked documents that showed how the rich exploit secretive offshore tax regimes.
Abdul Basit, an Islamabad-based tax consultant, also said the FBR could seek information on whether the properties revealed in the leaks were declared in tax returns or not.
“If an owner of an offshore property fails to prove the asset in Dubai is bought through legitimate money, the tax authority can impose a fine on the beneficiary,” Basit told Arab News.
Meanwhile, real estate experts said lacklustre governance, rapid currency depreciation and poor taxation policies related to the sector in Pakistan were the main factors driving people to invest in Dubai’s residential properties.
“Dubai remains a top destination for real estate investment in 2024 thanks to its dynamic economy, favorable government policies, and robust infrastructure,” Faizan Munshey, an expert on Dubai’s real estate investments, told Arab News.
“Key factors include Dubai’s tax-free environment, booming economy, safe and stable environment, and thriving tourism industry.”
Munshey added that Dubai also offered a strong rental market, impressive return on investments, and projects from world-class developers that made it an attractive choice for both local and international investors.
Asif Sumsum, chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD), said Pakistan’s real estate sector had “huge potential” and could provide employment to thousands and contribute to the national exchequer.
Sumsum urged the government to revisit its policies related to the sector.
“Pakistani rulers and the incumbent government must think why Pakistanis are buying real estates in other countries, why people feel insecure in Pakistan and they opt for a second home abroad,” he said.
Muhammad Ahsan Malik, a real estate analyst, pinpointed four important factors that had discouraged investments in Pakistan’s real estate sector.
“Currency devaluation, high interest rate, poor government policies, and bad taxation of the real estate sector are among the key elements that discourage investments in Pakistan’s real estate,” Malik told Arab News.
POLITICIANS OFFER EXPLANATIONS
Pakistani politicians reacted to the Dubai Unlocked revelations, saying they had bought the properties as per law and declared them to authorities.
Explaining his position on the issue, Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Dubai property bought in his wife’s name in 2017 was fully declared and listed in tax returns.
“It was also declared in returns submitted to the Election Commission as caretaker CM [chief minister] of Punjab,” he said in an X post. “The property was sold a year ago, and a new property was purchased recently with the proceeds.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker and ex-PM Imran Khan aide, Sher Afzal Marwat, admitted he owned an apartment in Dubai, but had declared it with authorities in Pakistan, including the Federal Board of Revenue and the Election Commission of Pakistan.
“It can be confirmed with both the FBR and as well as ECP,” he said.
President Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party also said the properties of its leaders in Dubai had been duly declared in tax returns.
The property records at the heart of the Dubai Unlocked project come from multiple data leaks, mostly from the Dubai Land Department, as well as publicly owned utility companies. Taken together, the data provides a detailed overview of hundreds of thousands of properties in Dubai and information about their ownership or usage.
The data was obtained by the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS), a non-profit organization based in Washington that researches international crime and conflict. It was then shared with Norwegian financial outlet E24 and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which coordinated an investigative project with dozens of media outlets from around the world.
Pakistan licenses Salaam Family Takaful as ‘first ever’ digital only Islamic life insurance provider
Pakistan licenses Salaam Family Takaful as ‘first ever’ digital only Islamic life insurance provider
- Pakistan has lately encouraged the development of Shariah-compliant financial institutions in the country
- In April, Islamabad licensed ZLK Islamic Financial Services Limited as first Shariah-compliant brokerage house
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has licensed Salaam Family Takaful Limited (SFTL) as the country’s “first ever” digital Islamic life insurance provider, Pakistani state media reported Thursday.
Akif Saeed, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), handed the license to Rizwan Hussain, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Salaam Family Takaful Limited.
The SFTL will provide Shariah-compliant, end-to-end digital offerings as per the stipulations and guidelines of the SECP, the APP news agency reported.
“With this license of our new company, we will be revealing a new brand very soon, which will not only resonate with our values of customer centricity and innovation but will also introduce the much-needed game changing Islamic Life Insurance and Savings offering, never seen before in Islamic Life Insurance segment across the globe,” the report quoted Hussain as saying.
“We have done extensive work in developing a comprehensive infrastructure to be the first ever digital only Life Takaful operator, and in’sha’Allah our products will provide an exquisite digital experience.”
The SFTL said the endorsement signified that its operations and offerings were “completely Shariah-compliant,” according to the report.
The organization would introduce products that would not be the usual life insurance or family takaful products, but they would be disruptive in terms of policyholder benefits and include unique features such as real-time information availability.
Pakistan has lately encouraged the development of Shariah-compliant financial institutions in the country.
In April, the SECP approved amendments to the Securities Brokers (Licensing and Operations) Regulations, 2016 and issued license to ZLK Islamic Financial Services (Private) Limited as the first Shariah-compliant brokerage house in Pakistan.
