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PM says Azerbaijan has reaffirmed commitment to invest $2 billion in Pakistan

PM says Azerbaijan has reaffirmed commitment to invest $2 billion in Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) is being seen off by Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Elnur Mammadov, at Lachin International Airport in Lachin, Azerbaijan, on May 29, 2025. (Government of Pakistan)
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Updated 29 May 2025

PM says Azerbaijan has reaffirmed commitment to invest $2 billion in Pakistan

PM says Azerbaijan has reaffirmed commitment to invest $2 billion in Pakistan
  • Sharif made the remarks as he left the city of Lachin in Azerbaijan and flew onwards to Tajikistan
  • Tajikistan is the last stop in a five-day regional diplomacy tour that also took Sharif to Turkiye and Iran
Updated 29 May 2025
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday Azerbaijan had reaffirmed its commitment to invest $2 billion in Pakistan and would increase cooperation in spheres such as commerce, defense, education and health. 

Sharif made the remarks as he left the city of Lachin in Azerbaijan on Wednesday evening and flew onwards to Tajikistan, the last stop in a five-day regional diplomacy tour that also took him to Turkiye and Iran. 

“We have discussed joint cooperation in the fields of trade, commerce, investments,” Sharif said after meeting President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. 

“He again reiterated his commitment to invest $2 billion in Pakistan and … have more coordination in commerce, defense production, education and health and many other areas.”

On Wednesday, Sharif, Aliyev and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had met for a trilateral summit in Lachin and pledged to work together for the goal of economic development and regional prosperity and to turn their brotherhood into a “strategic partnership.”

Turkiye is a longtime ally of Pakistan, while Baku and Islamabad have moved closer in recent years with a flurry of visits and bilateral agreements.

Erdogan and Aliyev had also openly pledged support for Pakistan and expressed solidarity during its latest military confrontation with archrival India earlier this month.

“Political, valid economic, energy, mutual investment, transportation, defense, agriculture, information, technology, and other spheres are the ones where there are ample opportunities to advance cooperation through joint projects,” Aliyev said as he addressed Wednesday’s summit, adding that Azerbaijan had invested over $20 billion in the Turkish economy and was prepared to invest $2 billion into Pakistan’s.

He also said Azerbaijan envisaged closer cooperation with Pakistan’s defense industry. 

“We do believe there is great potential and it’s of great importance. Joint military exercises and projects in the defense industry amplify the potential of our armed forces or defense cooperation ensures peace and stability across a vast geography,” Aliyev said. 

There have been widespread reports in recent weeks that Azerbaijan may have dramatically increased its procurement from Pakistan of JF-17 “Thunder” light multirole fighter aircraft from an initial 16 units to a staggering 40, in a deal reportedly valued at $4.2 billion. 

The aircraft in question are said to be the latest and most advanced iteration of the JF-17 family— Block III— a 4.5-generation fighter co-developed by Pakistan and China and hailed as one of the most cost-effective combat aircraft in the current global market.

Topics: Pakistan Azerbaijan trade Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

UN releases $600,000 for flood-hit Pakistan as monsoon deaths cross 800

UN releases $600,000 for flood-hit Pakistan as monsoon deaths cross 800
Updated 13 sec ago

UN releases $600,000 for flood-hit Pakistan as monsoon deaths cross 800

UN releases $600,000 for flood-hit Pakistan as monsoon deaths cross 800
  • Around 174,074 people evacuated from flood-prone areas near Sutlej River, says PM’s Office
  • Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 408 deaths, 258 injuries since Aug. 15
Updated 13 sec ago
Waseem Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations has released $600,000 in emergency relief funds for Pakistan, the UN secretary-general’s spokesperson confirmed this week, as the death toll from deadly monsoon rains and floods across the country crossed 800. 

Monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across Pakistan, damaging crops, killing livestock and destroying thousands of houses in the country. Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported 802 deaths from monsoon rains and floods since Jun. 26 and 1,088 injuries. 

Rain continues to batter several parts of the country, especially its eastern, most populous Punjab province, where rising water levels in the Sutlej and Ravi rivers have prompted authorities to evacuate over 170,000 people from vulnerable areas. 

“The [Pakistani] authorities are leading the response, with support from the United Nations and local partners,” Stéphane Dujarric, the UN secretary-general’s spokesperson, told reporters during a media briefing on Monday. 

“Over the weekend, Tom Fletcher, our Emergency Relief Coordinator, released $600,000 from the regional pooled fund to support the ongoing efforts.”

Unusually heavy rains since Aug. 15 have killed 489 people and left 348 injured. Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has reported the highest deaths since mid-August, 408 and 258 injuries according to figures shared by the NDMA. 

Dujarric said that according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Pakistanis affected by the flooding need shelter supplies, medical assistance, cash, hygiene kits, clean drinking water and education. 

Pakistan’s top economic decision-making body earlier on Tuesday approved the release of Rs3 billion ($10.8 million) in emergency funds for flood-affected families in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. 

EVACUATIONS, RISING WATER LEVELS

Separately, the NDMA issued an advance alert to the provincial disaster agency in Punjab, the PDMA, regarding rising water levels in the Sutlej River and potential floods. The alert prompted large-scale evacuation operations in areas near the Sutlej River.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to review the flood situation and relief operations across the country, his office said. 

Sharif directed that rescue operations in the flood-hit districts of Punjab, affected by the overflowing Sutlej river, be further accelerated, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. 

Officials informed Sharif that residents of vulnerable areas near the Sutlej River have been relocated, and that no loss of life has been reported so far.

“Rescue operations are continuing in flood-affected districts near Sutlej River and so far, 174,074 people have been safely evacuated,” the PMO said. 

The prime minister was informed that work to restore power in KP’s flood-affected areas was underway, while in Gilgit-Baltistan, a two-kilometer stretch of the National Highway remains submerged. 

“The meeting was informed that in the next 12 to 24 hours that heavy rainfall is expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Rawalpindi divisions as well as in the districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Gilgit Baltistan,” Sharif’s office said. 

Officials say the ongoing monsoon spell is expected to last until at least Sept. 10, while the NDMA has warned the rains could rival the scale of the catastrophic floods of 2022, which killed more than 1,700 people and caused over $30 billion in damage.

Annual monsoon rains are crucial for Pakistan’s agriculture and water supply but in recent years have also unleashed devastation, intensified by shifting climate patterns.

Despite contributing less than 1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan ranks among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. In recent years it has endured increasingly erratic weather, including droughts, heatwaves and record-breaking rains that have caused widespread loss of life and damage to property.

Experts warn that without urgent adaptation and mitigation measures, the human and economic toll of climate change in Pakistan will only deepen in the years ahead.

Topics: Monsoon 2025

International association Andersen Global expands presence in Pakistan with ‘Bridge Factor’

International association Andersen Global expands presence in Pakistan with ‘Bridge Factor’
Updated 56 min 33 sec ago
AP

International association Andersen Global expands presence in Pakistan with ‘Bridge Factor’

International association Andersen Global expands presence in Pakistan with ‘Bridge Factor’
  • Anderson Global is an international association of firms featuring tax, legal, and valuation professionals
  • Bridge Factor firm’s expertise spans power, sustainable energy, banking, finance and infrastructure sectors
Updated 56 min 33 sec ago
AP

SAN FRANCISCO: Andersen Global has added transaction advisory capabilities in Central Asia through a collaboration agreement with Bridge Factor, headquartered in Pakistan.

Bridge Factor is a financial advisory firm specializing in capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, project finance, restructuring, and valuation. Operating for more than two decades, the firm’s sector expertise spans power and sustainable energy, banking and finance, infrastructure, telecom, transportation, and manufacturing, serving a client base of investors, multinationals, and government entities across Pakistan, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

“We work with purpose and precision to deliver clear, actionable results in complex financial environments,” said Akbar Bilgrami, CEO of Bridge Factor. 

“Our team has built a reputation for excellence by guiding clients through some of the most challenging and transformative financial transactions. Our collaboration with Andersen Global marks a significant milestone in our journey, expanding our reach and enhancing our ability to support clients navigating high stakes.”

“Expanding our transactional capabilities is a priority as we continue to build a seamless, integrated platform that delivers best-in-class advisory services to clients worldwide,” said Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen.

 “Bridge Factor brings the deep experience, discipline, and market relationships essential to navigating the complex financial landscapes of the region. Their exceptional track record in executing high-value corporate finance engagements, combined with their sectoral expertise, enhances our ability to deliver strategic solutions to clients.”

Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax, legal, and valuation professionals around the world. 

Established in 2013 by US member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 20,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 500 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms.

Topics: Andersen Global

China gives $6 million grant to rebuild flood-hit homes in southwest Pakistan

China gives $6 million grant to rebuild flood-hit homes in southwest Pakistan
Updated 26 August 2025

China gives $6 million grant to rebuild flood-hit homes in southwest Pakistan

China gives $6 million grant to rebuild flood-hit homes in southwest Pakistan
  • Thirty houses have been completely destroyed and 145 partially damaged in Balochistan
  • China and Pakistan have been working on multibillion-dollar CPEC projects in the province
Updated 26 August 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received a $6 million grant from China for the reconstruction of houses destroyed by floods in the southwestern province of Balochistan, state media said on Tuesday.

The ongoing spell of monsoon rains has killed 802 people and injured 1,088 across the country, with 24 fatalities in Balochistan since June 26.

Thirty houses have been completely destroyed and 145 partially damaged during the ongoing monsoon season in the province, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

“The monthly foreign economic assistance report released by the Economic Affairs Division for July 2025 reveals that the grant of $6 million from China has been disbursed,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported.

The Chinese aid will help displaced families by providing them with durable housing solutions. It is part of China’s broader development assistance to Pakistan which also includes funding for infrastructure, energy and scientific research.

The APP also quoted Khurram Shehzad, the adviser to Pakistan’s finance minister, as saying China’s support underscored its commitment to strengthening infrastructure and housing in Pakistan’s most vulnerable areas.

China has previously aided Pakistan following floods with grants, relief supplies and reconstruction support.

The two countries are close allies and have been jointly working on multibillion-dollar energy and infrastructure development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Topics: floods Monsoon 2025

PM Sharif lauds police, CTD for killing nine militants in northwestern Pakistan

PM Sharif lauds police, CTD for killing nine militants in northwestern Pakistan
Updated 26 August 2025

PM Sharif lauds police, CTD for killing nine militants in northwestern Pakistan

PM Sharif lauds police, CTD for killing nine militants in northwestern Pakistan
  • Pakistan police, CTD officials killed nine militants in northwestern Dir district, says PMO
  • Pakistan says militant groups based in Afghanistan carry out attacks against its country
Updated 26 August 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday lauded police and the counterterrorism department (CTD) in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province for killing nine militants during a counterterror operation, Sharif’s office said in a statement.

As per the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), police and CTD officials in the northwestern Lower Dir district killed nine militants belonging to the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban.

The TTP has claimed responsibility for some of the deadliest attacks in northwestern Pakistan in recent years. Their attacks have increased since November 2022, when a fragile truce between the state and the militants broke down.

“CTD and police officers and personnel are working day and night to protect our beloved homeland from the evil intentions of the Khawarij,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office.

Pakistan’s government and military frequently use the term “khawarij” to describe TTP militants.

“The entire nation, including myself, is proud of our brave officers and personnel,” Sharif added.

Local media quoted SSP Upper Dir Syed Muhammad Bilal as saying that two civilians lost their lives while 10 police, CTD personnel sustained injuries during the operation.

Sharif expressed sorrow over the loss of civilian lives in the operation and prayed for patience and strength for the families of the victims.

“He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the personnel injured in the operation and directed that they be provided with the best possible medical care,” the PMO said.

Pakistan has frequently blamed Afghanistan for not taking action against the TTP and other militant groups it alleges operate from the country.

Kabul has denied the allegations and urged Pakistan to solve its security challenges itself. Pakistan’s accusations have strained its ties with Afghanistan in recent months.

Surging militant attacks in recent years have become a headache for Islamabad. Pakistan was recognized as the world’s second-most affected country by militant violence in 2024, with deaths rising 45 percent to 1,081, according to the Global Terrorism Index 2025.

Karachi monsoon rains flush industrial waste into sea, threatening marine life

Karachi monsoon rains flush industrial waste into sea, threatening marine life
Updated 26 August 2025

Karachi monsoon rains flush industrial waste into sea, threatening marine life

Karachi monsoon rains flush industrial waste into sea, threatening marine life
  • Activists say storm drains, city rivers carried trash and effluent into the Arabian Sea
  • They warn of harm to coastal ecosystems along with small-scale fishing livelihoods
Updated 26 August 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: A large volume of industrial waste and garbage was flushed into the sea in the wake of the monsoon rains and urban flooding in Karachi last week, environmentalists and fisherfolk said on Tuesday.

The downpours paralyzed Pakistan’s largest city, killing 17 people and renewing scrutiny of the city’s ability to cope with heavy rainfall. Floodwaters also swept plastic waste, bottles and chemical discharges through storm drains into the Arabian Sea, turning stretches of coastline into a dumping ground.

Beaches from Manora to Korangi Creek are now strewn with heaps of trash.

“While many witnessed the deaths and destruction caused by the recent rains in the city, few realize the downpours have also killed countless marine creatures,” Younus Khaskheli, a fisherman and local activist, said. “This has not only damaged the marine ecosystem but also severely affected the livelihoods of fishermen.”

Khaskheli said floodwaters surged through Karachi’s two major rivers — Lyari and Malir — carrying huge amounts of garbage into the sea. The Lyari River, running through most of the city, transported the largest share of debris, while drainage from Clifton and Defense added to the flow.

Industrial effluents from the Korangi Industrial Area also washed into the sea during the rains, compounding the pollution problem.

He said the blanket of waste along the shoreline, previously about 1.5 kilometers from the coast into the sea, had expanded to more than two kilometers after the rains and in some areas is nearly nine feet thick.

Men sail through littered waters at Karachi’s port on August 26, 2025, following monsoon rains in the city. (Photo courtesy: Mozzam Khan/Handout)

“Pollution has also wiped out fish nurseries from Korangi Creek to Port Qasim, mainly due to the industrial runoff,” Khaskheli said, adding that marine life in this stretch had suffered massively.

Experts say the problem is systemic and recurs with every spell of rain.

“It is very difficult to determine the exact quantity [of garbage flushed into the sea] because it’s unclear how much solid waste is collected and how much is not,” said Muhammad Moazzam Khan, technical adviser at WWF-Pakistan.

He cited figures from the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, which told a judicial commission of Justice Amir Hani Muslim that the city generates 12,000 to 13,000 tons of waste daily, but only 8,000 to 10,000 tons are collected.

“The rest becomes part of the environment,” he added. “Ultimately, this waste reaches the sea through rainfall and drains.”

Khan said poor disposal habits worsen the crisis.

“People throw garbage into stormwater drains, turning them into dumping grounds,” he said. “Authorities are responsible for collection, but citizens also need to reduce waste and avoid plastics.”

The impact is visible along Karachi’s shores and beyond, he added.

“When garbage enters the sea, some of it remains near the coast, some floats and some washes up on other beaches,” Khan said. “No beach in Pakistan is safe. Waste generated in Karachi can be seen along the entire coastline and beyond.”

While most commercial fishing grounds lie far from Karachi and remain safe, Khan warned that coastal waters near the city have become heavily polluted, forcing small-scale fishermen to travel further for their catch.

In Rehri Goth, Muhammad Ismail, a fisherman, is the sole breadwinner for his family of eight. As the population grows, his livelihood faces mounting challenges.

“I can’t travel far because of my illness,” he said while informing that he developed kidney problems two years ago, forcing him to limit his fishing trips.

“With more people and more garbage in the water, our chances of catching fish keep shrinking,” he added.

Arab News contacted the Karachi Port Trust and the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) for comment but did not receive a response.

Topics: Monsoon in Pakistan marine pollution

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