KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: A Pakistani government-owned company and a leading Chinese transportation organization on Tuesday resumed a bus service connecting Pakistan and China through the high-altitude Khunjerab border pass after 14 years, officials said as locals praised the initiative, saying it would lead to further economic opportunities for them.
The bus service used to operate on the Khunjerab Pass, which connects Pakistan’s semi-autonomous northern Gilgit-Baltistan to China’s Xinjiang region. It was suspended in 2010 after a massive landslide at Hunza’s Attabad village damaged a 14 kilometer portion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) connecting the two countries. The landslide killed at least 20 people and displaced 6,000 in the area.
The damaged road was restored by the GB government while the Northern Areas Transportation Company (Natco), a Pakistan government-owned company, collaborated with the Chinese transportation company Xinjiang-Kashgar Xin Lu Transportation Co. Ltd.,to restore the bus service from Gilgit to China’s Kashgar city.
“After 14 years, the bus service resumed officially from Tuesday,” Aziz Ahmed Jamali, Natco’s managing director, told Arab News over the phone. “The bus will run for this route twice a week and the fare per passenger is Rs18,000 [$64.69].”
Jamali said at least 320 passengers will be able to travel by the bus service each month.
“Natco has been serving in Gilgit-Baltistan since 1974 and it carries 500,000 passengers every year,” he said. “It is operating on 40 routes across GB at national and international destinations.”
According to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), 96 percent of trade between Pakistan and China consists of China’s exports to Pakistan, while Pakistan’s share of exports to China is only 4 percent.
The main items imported from China into Pakistan include electronic items, shoes, garments and spare parts while Pakistan exports gemstones, dry fruits, medicinal herbs and clothing items to the neighboring country.
The Natco official said direct traveling from Gilgit to Kashgar will save traders time and enhance their economic opportunities.
“After a long time, the bus service between Pakistan and China has resumed. It will enhance the connectivity between the two regions,” Iman Shah, special assistant to GB’s chief minister on information, told Arab News over the phone.
Shah described the bus service as an “urgent need” to accelerate travel and trade between Pakistan and China.
“I have also traveled to China from Gilgit in a Natco vehicle in 2003-4,” Shah said. “Now this time we have modern buses and it will be very beneficial for both countries.”
Chinese interests in Pakistan have suffered attacks from separatist groups and religiously motivated militants in recent months. A suicide blast in northwestern Pakistan killed six Chinese engineers in March while last month, a blast near the airport in Karachi killed two Chinese nationals.
Shah said that since Natco was a semi-government company, people would feel safe traveling in its buses from Gilgit to Kashgar.
Locals spoke optimistically of the bus service, saying its restoration would bring in more opportunities for everyone, especially traders.
Muhammad Iqbal, a businessman, told Arab News he had traveled many times in Natco’s buses before the service was suspended in 2010.
“The resumption of bus service is a good omen for both countries, especially the people of Gilgit-Baltistan,” Iqbal said. “Hundreds of locals are involved in trade and tourism activities in GB. So this development will open the door of new opportunities and help enhance the connectivity between two regions.”
Cross-border bus service between Pakistan and China resumes after 14 years
https://arab.news/w6w7v
Cross-border bus service between Pakistan and China resumes after 14 years
- Gilgit and China’s Kashgar was suspended in 2010 after massive landslide damaged Karakorum Highway’s portion
- Locals, government officials praise resumption of bus service saying it would enhance trading and travel opportunities
Pakistan rejects ‘baseless’ Indian media reports of deploying nuclear-capable missile
- Indian media outlets reported Pakistan used ‘Shaheen’ ballistic missile during recent conflict with Delhi
- Pakistan’s foreign office says “inflammatory and unverified” content by Indian media undermines regional stability
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson on Monday rejected “baseless” reports by the Indian media which claimed Islamabad had deployed its nuclear-capable ‘Shaheen’ missile against India in the recent conflict between the two countries.
India and Pakistan were involved in the worst fighting between the two nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999 earlier this month. Both Pakistan and India struck each other with missiles, fighter jets, drones and artillery fire for four days before US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on May 10.
The Indian Army shared a video on Twitter on Sunday purportedly showing the use of Pakistan’s Shaheen missile. The video was picked up by several Indian media outlets, such as NDTV and News Arena India.
The Indian Army, however, deleted the video from its Twitter account upon realizing “the claim was unsubstantiated,” Pakistan’s foreign office said.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly rejected the unfounded allegations circulating in certain segments of the Indian media, which falsely claim that Pakistan employed the Shaheen missile during Operation Bunyanun Marsoos (BM),” the foreign office spokesperson said.
He said some Indian outlets have continued to propagate the “misinformation,” noting that the Indian Army has not offered any clarification or retraction on the matter.
“Analysts observe that such disinformation campaigns are part of a deliberate attempt to obscure India’s setbacks in Operation Sindoor, which were a result of Pakistan’s demonstrated conventional military capabilities,” it said.
“Additionally, these fabricated stories align with New Delhi’s ongoing efforts to promote a misleading narrative regarding the ceasefire and baseless allegations of so-called ‘nuclear blackmail’ by Pakistan.”
The foreign office said Pakistan Army had mentioned the use of the weapons it used against India in a press release issued by the military’s media wing on May 12.
It said the army used precision-guided, long-range Fatah series missiles— F1 and F2— as well as advanced munitions, highly capable long-range loitering killer drones and precision long-range artillery.
“Disseminating unverified and inflammatory content not only undermines regional stability but also reflects poorly on the professionalism of official institutions,” the foreign office said.
India’s defense minister last week urged the International Atomic Energy Agency to take charge of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, calling Pakistan an “irresponsible and rogue” nation.
Pakistan responded by saying that India’s “irresponsible remarks reveal his profound insecurity and frustration regarding Pakistan’s effective defense and deterrence against Indian aggression through conventional means.”
Both India and Pakistan have fought two out of three wars since 1947 over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir. They both administer parts of the territory but claim it in full.
Pakistani firms sign $13 million contracts at first Pakistan-Bahrain investment summit
- Around 25 Pakistani companies, over 125 delegates took part in day-long summit on May 17
- Pakistani companies represented IT, stock exchange, tourism and other sectors, says organizer
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani companies signed contracts worth over $13 million related to various investment projects at the first edition of the Pakistan-Bahrain Investment Summit last week, the chief organizer of the event said on Monday.
The day-long event titled ‘Pakistan-Bahrain Investment Opportunities Summit and Smart Expo,’ organized by the Pakistan Association of Exhibition Industry (PAEI) with the Pakistani embassy in Bahrain, was held in Manama on May 17.
Over 125 Pakistani delegates showcased investment-ready projects across various sectors, attracting strong interest from the overseas Pakistani community and business leaders from Bahrain.
“The event was truly remarkable, featuring 25 Pakistani companies and more than 125 delegates where in just one day, contracts worth $13 million were signed across various investment projects in different sectors,” Mohammad Khurshid Barlas, PAEI founder, told Arab News over the phone from Bahrain.
“This figure is expected to increase further as many leads generated during the event are currently in follow-up stages and likely to mature soon,” he added.
Barlas said the participating Pakistani companies and delegates represented various sectors such as information technology, stock exchange, tourism, human resource services and real estate.
“Throughout the day the event was attended by more than 20,000 delegates from the Pakistani community and business leaders and representatives from Bahrain,” Barlas disclosed.
During the summit, he said discussions focused on a wide range of topics including the stock exchange, capital markets, overseas employment, real estate and tourism.
“The event is expected to significantly boost trade with Bahrain and attract further investment into Pakistan,” Barlas said.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain Saqib Rauf said the event marks the beginning of “a promising series of engagements we plan to organize in Bahrain.”
“We are in continuous dialogue with the business communities of both countries and envision future events to focus on specific sectors of mutual interest,” he said.
“Our goal is to foster synergies between businesses and deepen trade and investment ties, paving the way for a stronger and more dynamic partnership between our nations.”
Zahid Latif Khan, chairman of ZLK Islamic Financial Services, a premier brokerage and financial services provider at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, said the event provided an excellent opportunity to engage with businesses from across the Middle East.
“People in the region are viewing Pakistan from a very positive perspective as we witnessed a renewed sense of hope and enthusiasm for doing business and trade with Pakistan,” Khan told Arab News.
Latif said he also highlighted the vast potential of the Pakistan Stock Exchange, which drew strong interest from business leaders in Bahrain.
“As the founder of the first Islamic brokerage house in Pakistan, I met with representatives from Bahrain’s Central Bank who were also present at the conference and their response was very encouraging, and I look forward to exploring further opportunities,” Latif added.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, Pakistan’s trade with Bahrain ranges between $500 million and $1 billion. Major exports include meat, vegetables, rice, tobacco and textiles.
Imports from Bahrain include petroleum and its products, ferrous waste, scrap and aluminum.
The investment summit takes place amid Islamabad’s efforts to increase foreign trade and investment with its allies, especially the Gulf estates, as it hopes to recover from an economic crisis.
Pakistan formed the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in June 2023 to attract international investment in key economic sectors such as mines, minerals, agriculture, livestock and tourism.
Pakistan stock market sees ‘slower’ activity as investors remain cautious before budget
- KSE-100 index surges 40.49 points or by 0.03 percent to reach 119,689.63 points
- Pakistan is set to unveil its federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025–26 in June
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) surged by only 0.03 percent when trading ended on Monday, with a financial analyst attributing it to “slower trading activity” as investors remain cautious ahead of the upcoming federal budget to be announced by the government.
Pakistan’s federal budget for the next fiscal year, starting July, will be finalized within the next three weeks. Pakistan’s scheduled budget talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which began on May 14 are scheduled to take place till May 23, the finance ministry had said.
The KSE-100 index surged by 40.49 points or 0.03 percent to reach 119,689.63 points when the market closed at 4 p.m. on Monday, data from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) said.
“The KSE100 has started the week on a muted note, which is reflecting in slower trading activity,” Raza Jafri, head of Intermarket Securities, told Arab News.
“It is possible that investors are waiting for the FY26 Budget, expected in early June, before they become more active.”
Pakistan’s stock market suffered an upheaval triggered by the most intense military row between Pakistan and India in years earlier this month. The two nuclear-armed nations agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10 after pounding each other with missiles, drones, artillery and fighter jets for four days.
The crisis triggered a 12 percent decline in the Pakistani stock market from April 23 till May 8.
However, the market recovered nearly all of its losses last week, climbing more than 3,500 points.
Fire erupts in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills, containment efforts underway
- The blaze erupted near Saidpur Darra, Jungle Number 15 and Rumli areas
- Over 70 firefighters are participating in the operation to put out the blaze
ISLAMABAD: A wildfire erupted in the Margalla Hills in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Monday, the Islamabad district administration said, with efforts underway to put out the blaze.
The Margalla range, part of the Himalayan foothills, often experiences bushfires in the summer months. Last year, several incidents of forest fire were reported at the hills as various parts of the country remained in the grip of intense heatwaves.
On Monday, a fire broke out near Saidpur Darra, Jungle Number 15 and Rumli areas on the hills, prompting an immediate response from the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) fire brigade and officials of the district administration.
“More than 70 firefighters are participating in the operation to control the fire,” the district administration said in a statement.
“The fire was brought under control once, but it broke out again.”
No casualties or property damage have been reported in the wake of the fire, according to authorities.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
“The fire will be brought under control again soon,” the district administration added.
Death toll from IED blast in Pakistan’s southwest rises to four
- Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan for decades
- The attack comes days after four paramilitary troops were killed in the province
QUETTA: At least four people have been killed and 12 others wounded in a bomb blast in Pakistan’s turbulent southwestern province of Balochistan, a security official said Monday.
An improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a parked car in Killa Abdullah district of Balochistan, less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the provincial capital of Quetta.
“It seems the IED exploded before reaching its intended destination,” a local security official, Ghulab Khan, told AFP.
“All those killed are civilian passersby,” he added.
Riaz Khan Dawar, a senior local government official, confirmed the details to AFP, adding the explosion took place close to a paramilitary compound on Sunday evening.
Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan for decades, where militants target state forces, foreign nationals, and non-locals in the mineral-rich southwestern province bordering Afghanistan and Iran.
The attack came days after four paramilitary troops were killed in the province.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is the most active group in the region and often carries out deadly attacks against security forces, but the local chapter of Daesh and the Pakistani Taliban have also claimed recent attacks.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence in its regions bordering Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, with Islamabad accusing its western neighbor of allowing its soil to be used for attacks against Pakistan — a claim the Taliban deny.
In Balochistan, separatist violence has intensified, including a March attack by ethnic Baloch militants on a train carrying 450 passengers, which sparked a two-day siege and left dozens dead.
More than 241 people, mostly security officials, have been killed in attacks since the start of the year by armed groups fighting the government in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to an AFP tally.
