Author: Asghar Ali Mubarak

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: The Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, Than Swe, arrived in Islamabad on a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries. He was received at the airport by the Director General of the East Asia Pacific Division of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with officials from the Myanmar Embassy. The visit comes at a time when both Pakistan and Myanmar are seeking to deepen diplomatic engagement and explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. During his stay, Than Swe is expected to hold a series…

Pakistan’s mining sector surges as SIFC-led global partnerships deliver landmark economic gains, signaling a transformative moment for national growth and investment By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has described the Reko Diq project as a landmark achievement in its minerals sector, presenting it as a symbol of growing international confidence and a key pillar of the country’s long-term economic prospects. Officials said facilitation by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and its broader vision were helping to promote global partnerships in Pakistan’s mining industry, calling recent developments a major success for the national economy. The remarks followed a meeting between…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Indonesia during a meeting with the Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan, Chandra W. Sukotjo, in Islamabad today. Speaking at the meeting, Malik highlighted the significant potential of Pakistan’s mineral and exploration sector, noting that Indonesian companies could play a key role by partnering with local exploration and mineral firms. He said that such collaborations could unlock opportunities for sustainable growth in both countries, while fostering stronger economic ties. Ambassador Sukotjo welcomed the discussion, expressing Indonesia’s keen interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally accepted an invitation to join the Board of Peace, signaling its commitment to contributing to lasting stability in Gaza. The decision, announced by the Foreign Office, is part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan under the framework of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803. The invitation was extended to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by US President Donald J. Trump, reflecting international recognition of Pakistan’s longstanding support for the Palestinian people. In accepting the role, Pakistan expressed hope that the Board of Peace would help facilitate…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak/Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: The 10th Ministerial Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) on Disaster Risk Reduction began from Jan 21 and would end on Jan 22 in Islamabad, bringing together ministers, senior officials, and representatives from regional and international partner organizations. Hosted by Pakistan and organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the two-day forum aims to strengthen collective efforts to enhance disaster resilience across the ECO region. The opening session featured inaugural remarks reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. Pakistan’s delegation, representing the host country, was…

Warning that exports were the only durable path to economic stability, Prime Minister said Pakistan needed a joint push by the state and business to improve branding, packaging, market intelligence and access to global markets By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s exports reaching $2.7bn in the first month of the new fiscal year, describing the trend as encouraging for the wider economy. Export promotion, he said, was essential for sustainable growth and required joint efforts by the government and the private sector, including better branding, improved packaging, market intelligence and greater access…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly witnessed a heated exchange between Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) during debate over the Gul Plaza tragedy in Karachi. Representatives of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan (MQM-P) called for the creation of new administrative units and the strengthening of local government institutions, framing the move as a necessary step to improve governance in Karachi. Speaking after the tragic fire at Gul Plaza, party leader Farooq Sattar said the incident had “burned in the hearts of every citizen of Karachi,” reflecting the deep shock and grief that had swept…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has received Rs800 billion over the past 15 years to counter terrorism, praising the province’s resilience while urging all provinces to benefit equally from national resources for Pakistan’s overall development. Speaking at a national workshop with KP participants, the prime minister lamented the use of propaganda and disinformation to influence young minds, saying that social media often disrespects the sacrifices of martyrs while echoing hostile voices from across the border. “The nation will not rest until all attackers, whether inside or outside Pakistan, are eliminated,”…

By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that after achieving economic stability, the government is now focusing on concrete measures to boost growth. He made the remarks in his opening statement while chairing a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad. The prime minister said the government had signed a memorandum of understanding with a financial technology company to promote digital transactions. Under the agreement, digital infrastructure will be developed, and transactions will be carried out through data centres and cryptocurrency. He said this would significantly benefit Pakistan’s economy. Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated the armed forces and…

World Liberty Financial will work with the Finance Ministry to explore regulations, pilot initiatives, and uses of digital finance in trade, remittances, and other services By Asghar Ali Mubarak/Mehrab Shah Afridi ISLAMABAD: World Liberty Financial (WLF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, marking a significant step in the country’s engagement with emerging financial technologies. The agreement was aimed at exploring innovation in digital finance, with a particular focus on the use of stablecoins for cross-border transactions. Officials described the MoU as a signal of growing global interest in Pakistan as a potential hub…