KARACHI: Alibaba, a Chinese-owned platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce, has launched online logistics services that are tailored to assist Pakistani exporters in optimizing their international trade processes, it said this week.

The explosive growth of cross-border e-commerce has created new opportunities for Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which face significant challenges in optimizing their export processes to participate in global trade. Logistics has been identified as a major obstacle as businesses must find effective and reliable shipping solutions to ensure timely deliveries while minimizing costs and risks, according to the e-commerce giant.

Alibaba has partnered with leading international express delivery companies, such as CPEX, with the goal of supporting the export of Pakistani goods to over 200 countries and regions around the world. The service not only supports fast and reliable international shipping options but also integrates the entire logistics process from packaging and warehousing to delivery, thus helping businesses optimize costs and time.

Through its international express delivery partners, Alibaba will ensure that goods are transported safely and on schedule, while also providing detailed order tracking tools, and customs advisory services. These features will help businesses minimize risks and enhance their competitiveness in the international market.

“Online logistics services are essential for small and medium-sized enterprises in global trade. They not only streamline operations and reduce costs, but also empower businesses to reach global markets with ease,” said Summer Gao, head of global supply chain at Alibaba.

"By leveraging advanced technologies and comprehensive solutions, Alibaba.com helps support Pakistani SMEs in enhancing their competitiveness, ensuring timely deliveries, and responding swiftly to market demands, ultimately fueling their growth and success in the global arena."

Pakistan, which is currently treading a long path to economic recovery, has urged local businesses to increase exports as the government looks to boost trade and investment to revive the over $350 billion South Asian economy.

Launched in 1999, Alibaba serves buyers and suppliers from over 200 countries and regions around the world. It is engaged in services covering various aspects of commerce, including providing businesses with tools that help them reach a global audience for their products and helping buyers discover products, find suppliers and place orders online fast and efficiently.

The e-commerce giant said its logistics services for Pakistani sellers are cost-effective, have enhanced order tracking and control capabilities, and offer a fully digitalized order fulfillment process for packages dispatched to multiple countries and regions.

“The introduction of Alibaba.com's logistics services has greatly accelerated our transaction processes and bolstered customer trust,” said Zulqarnain Baryar, CEO of Clush Industries that specializes in garment production.

"With features such as detailed tracking and optimized shipping routes, these services ensure timely deliveries and improved risk management. These enhancements have not only streamlined our operations but have also facilitated new business opportunities internationally, allowing us to confidently expand our presence."

Berry Ma, head of Pakistan business at Alibaba, said their new logistics services aim to support Pakistani exporters by providing efficient solutions to overcome traditional barriers in international trade.

“We're committed to offering essential tools to help Pakistani businesses tap into significant growth opportunities in global markets,” Ma said.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ranked seventh in the world for civilian casualties from explosive weapons and second most affected nation in terms of casualties from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) last year, UK-based monitor Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) said this week.

In its annual report, the AOAV said it had recorded 67,026 deaths and injuries as a result of the use of explosive weapons around the world, which was the highest since 2010.

The report said 89% of 59,524 civilians were either killed or wounded by explosive weapons in 2024, adding that 41% of them, or 24,147 individuals, were killed in incidents of explosive violence.

Pakistan was the seventh most affected country for civilians harmed by explosive weapons last year, with 790 civilian casualties (210 killed) in 248 incidents, a 9% decrease from 2023. However, there was a 11% increase in incidents compared to 218 in 2023.

“The majority of civilian harm was attributed to non-state actors, who were reportedly responsible for 76% (603) of civilian casualties. In particular, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) killed and injured 119 civilians in Pakistan last year,” the report read.

“The Islamic State (Daesh) affiliate in the region, Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS-KP), was the reported perpetrator of 45 civilian casualties in Pakistan last year, down from 194 recorded civilian casualties in 2023. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) killed and injured 10 civilians last year, down from 32 in 2023.”

Unknown non-state actors accounted for 54% of civilian casualties (423), down from 541 recorded in 2023, in Pakistan. The BLA was the reported perpetrator of 15% (119) civilian casualties, marking a 440% increase from 22 in 2023.

Pakistan is currently battling twin insurgencies: one led my religiously motivated groups, including the TTP, mainly in its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and the other by ethno-nationalist Baloch separatist groups like the BLA in Balochistan.

Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan and India of supporting the TTP, BLA and other militant groups who have mounted their attacks in Pakistan in recent years. Kabul and New Delhi deny the accusations.

In terms of IEDs, Lebanon saw the highest level of harm globally, with 3,373 civilians killed and injured across only 16 incidents, accounting for 58% of civilian casualties from IED attacks globally, according to the report.

Pakistan saw the second highest level of civilian harm due to IED attacks, with AOAV recording 485 civilian casualties (139 fatalities) in 132 incidents.

“This is a 30% decrease in civilian casualties, but an 8 % increase in incidents,” the monitor said.

Other countries which saw elevated levels of civilian harm from IEDs in 2024 included Nigeria (385 civilian casualties), Iran (378), Somalia (270), Syria (253), Afghanistan (170), and Myanmar (84).