Geneva pledges to expedite rehabilitation work in flood-hit areas: Bilawal

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday said the reconstruction and rehabilitation process in flood-hit area will be expedited as Pakistan has secured pledges of over $9 billion from international community and the global financial institutions at the Geneva conference. In a video message shared on his Twitter handle from Geneva, the foreign minister termed the co-hosting of the ‘Resilient Pakistan’ conference in Geneva as a huge success for Pakistan as pledges received there exceeded expectations. Good news 🇵🇰. #ResilientPakistan conference has exceeded expectations. international community has united in solidarity with Pakistans flood victims & pledged 9 billion dollars for recon. , rehab. & relief. We are particularly grateful to @antonioguterres for his leadership. pic.twitter.com/0IyXR1pZGZ — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 10, 2023 Expressing gratitude to the international community, the foreign minister said that with this financial support, they would be able to commence work on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the flood-affected areas, repairing of damaged infrastructure, agricultural, and poverty alleviation. Foreign Minister Bilawal said that they were thankful to all the countries and institutions for making pledges of more than $9 billion and particularly mentioned the United Nations Secretary-General, China, the United States, the European Union, French President Macron, the Middle East countries, all friends and others. “The entire world stands shoulders to shoulders with Pakistan,” he said. Also read: $10.7b pledged as Pakistan races against time “Good news, Resilient Pakistan conference has exceeded expectations. The international community has united in solidarity with Pakistan’s flood victims & pledged 9 billion dollars for recon, rehab & relief. We are particularly grateful to Antonio Guterres for his leadership,” he wrote in a tweet. The major pledges made at the conference, included $4.2 billion from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), $2 billion from the World Bank, $1.5 billion from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), $1 billion from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and $1 billion from Saudi Arabia. Officials from some 40 countries as well as private donors and international financial institutions attended the meeting in what is seen as a major test for who pays for climate disasters as Islamabad seeks help covering around half of a total recovery bill of $16.3 billion. The conference called for securing global support and forging long-term partnerships to help the country cope with the challenges of the devastating floods of 2022.

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Shoe hurled at Rana Sanaullah’s vehicle outside Punjab Assembly

A shoe was hurled at the vehicle of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah outside the premises of Punjab Assembly in Lahore, it emerged on Tuesday. In a video went viral on social media, Sanaullah can be seen sitting in a front passenger seat of his official vehicle when the “political projectile” hit the windscreen of his car. Express News quoting sources reported that the shoe was allegedly thrown by the driver of PTI Member of Punjab Assembly (MPA) Rashid Hafeez. Footage of a shoe being thrown at the vehicle of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah by an unidentified person outside the Punjab Assembly in Lahore went viral on Tuesday.#etribune #Latest #RanaSanaUllah #PunjabAssembly #viralvideo pic.twitter.com/isx4gwAslU — The Express Tribune (@etribune) January 10, 2023 The incident took place following the conclusion of the Punjab Assembly session which witnessed commotion as PML-N lawmakers demanded Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi to take confidence vote. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and PML-N leader Ata Tarar were also present inside the vistor’s gallery of the assembly. The opposition lawmakers also chanted slogans against the CM while demanding him to take confidence vote in line with the order of Governor Balighur Rehman.

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Terror uptick: Imran warns govt against 'attacking Afghanistan'

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Tuesday warned the federal government against making 'dangerous and careless' statements about ‘attacking' Afghanistan.  The former premier's remarks came during his address at the PTI’s seminar on the resurgence of terrorism. He also urged the Centre to immediately begin debate regarding the recent uptick in terror activities in Pakistan and include the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government in the talks. LIVE: KP Govt’s Seminar on “Resurgence of Terrorism” Chairman PTI Imran Khan will also address the seminar at 3:30 Link: https://t.co/bNRZjM6dSW — PTI (@PTIofficial) January 10, 2023 Imran highlighted that the chief minister of K-P – the province most affected by terrorism – was not present at the last meeting of the federal government. He emphasised that the Centre should have constant meetings, with K-P’s input, regarding the second biggest problem facing the country. He added that the most casualties will be in the province and if the federal government did not focus their attention on this problem then Pakistan would revert back to past scenarios. “Terrorism is a very important matter right now and if it is not addressed properly then the consequences can be exacerbated at a time when our economic situation cannot bear them,” he stated, adding that when Pakistan was part of the war on terror, the international coalition funding covered a fraction of the cost of being involved. He emphasised the importance of staying “neutral” and that he also called for neutrality during the war on terror. Read Top military brass vows to fight terror amid TTP resurgence “When dirty water is allowed to stand still, mosquitoes collect over it. We should have remained neutral,” he said. Imran claimed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) announced jihad against Pakistan because it believed the country to be a collaborator of the United States during the war on terror. “Had we remained neutral these attacks would not have occurred. Their [the TTP] narrative was that Pakistan was helping America, and thus, suicide bombings in Pakistan were jihad,” he stated. Imran furthered that people called him “Taliban Khan” because they did not understand the situation the way he did after having travelled the tribal northern regions that border Afghanistan. ‘Golden opportunity’ The PTI chief went on to say that the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan was a “golden opportunity” for Pakistan because, for the first time, there was a pro-Pakistan government at the helm of Afghanistan. He added that the Taliban government was pro-Pakistan because Islamabad had facilitated talks between the Afghan Taliban and the US, as well as the Taliban and the “pro-India Ghani government”. Imran furthered that during this “golden opportunity”, Islamabad could negotiate with the Taliban government and reach a “settlement” regarding the return of TTP members to Pakistan. He stated that his government had “regular meetings” about this matter. Read More Are you with us or with TTP, Pakistan to ask from Afghan Taliban According to the deposed premier, during the FATA merger, all political parties from all provinces decided to give 3% of their National Finance Commission (NFC) award to FATA to help uplift the region. “However, after 2018 only the K-P and Punjab governments gave the funds, despite everyone agreeing to the merger,” he said, adding that when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came into power, they stopped the funds because they did not understand that they would have to focus on the TTP’s resettlement into Pakistan. He stated that his government, during its National Security Council (NSC) meetings would focus on spending the money on TTP resettlement, but that the current government only aimed to end its own corruption cases. “Pakistan is facing the worst economy in its history, as well as increased terrorism,” he reiterated, once again highlighting that K-P bore the brunt of the danger that came with terrorism. He warned the government to not mislead the populace with “propaganda” about peace talks with the banned outfit and instead urged all stakeholders to sit together and talk about resettlement. “Military operations can only be a fraction of the whole peace agreement, but it is never successful. Military operations have their own adverse effects,” he remarked. Imran also “regretted” the dangerous and careless statements about “attacking Afghanistan” made by “unintelligent ministers with no knowledge of the entire situation”. “If the Afghan government stops cooperating with us then the war on terror will not stop,” he said. The PTI chief also questioned why the incumbent foreign minister was not visiting Afghanistan and suggested that ruined relations with the neighbouring country would be a torment. He furthered that the current “crime minister” (a negative spin on prime minister) criticised Imran when the former premier had said “absolutely not” to allow US bases in Pakistan. Imran recalled the “more than 400” drone attacks by the US during the previous war on terror, which he stated were carried out during Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s tenure. “The people whose loved ones died would take revenge on us,” he cautioned.

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France's Macron pledges $10.7m in humanitarian aid for Pakistan

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday pledged €10 million ($10.75 million) to support Pakistan after the last year's devastating floods. "We tried to address urgent needs right from the start. France has sent equipment and staff (...)," Macron said via videoconference at the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan in Geneva, jointly hosted by Pakistan and the UN. The president added that humanitarian needs – food in particular – are growing as winter has arrived. "France will take its responsibility by adding a new contribution of €10 million to this urgent call," he said. Solidaires avec le Pakistan qui a fait face à des inondations dévastatrices, nous sommes là pour répondre à l’urgence et aider à bâtir la résilience face aux conséquences du changement climatique. La France sera au quotidien et dans la durée aux côtés du peuple pakistanais. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 9, 2023 Macron underlined the importance of "resilience" and "reconstruction" while taking climate risks into consideration. He said that climate adaptation has been the core of the French Development Agency's action and that France allocates €2 billion to it every year. "We have thus decided to mobilize a total of €360 million ($386.5 million) in projects that will be implemented in Pakistan" for resilient rebuilding and climate adaptation, Macron added. Also read: Saudi Arabia mulls increasing investments, deposits to Pakistan Macron further said that Paris was ready to support Pakistan in its talks with financial institutions, as the country faces huge losses from recent floods. France will continue to provide expertise and some financial support to the country, Macron said in a video address as Pakistan and the United Nations held a conference in Geneva aimed at marshalling support to rebuild the country. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his speech said the "terrifying wall of water killed more than 1,700 people, injured thousands more, and affected a total of more than 33 million, displacing 8 million people." Torrential rains and devastating floods have left a third of Pakistan under water since mid-June last year. Millions of acres of agricultural land were ruined, and more than 2 million homes damaged or destroyed, Sharif said.

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Sanaullah warns PTI of imposing governor’s rule in Punjab

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that the Centre can impose governor’s rule in Punjab if Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi-led government takes any unconstitutional step in the province. Speaking to the media in Lahore on Tuesday, Sanaullah said that according to the Constitution Pervaiz Elahi will not remain chief minister of Punjab if he did not seek the confidence vote on Governor Balighur Rehman’s instructions. He asserted that CM Elahi did not have required numbers for the trust vote, and challenged him to obtain the confidence vote from the provincial legislators if he enjoyed the support of the majority of the lawmakers. Sanaullah said Hamza Shehbaz is the unanimous candidate of PML-N and PPP for the post of Punjab chief minister. “I am not aware that there are any ongoing negotiations with Chief Minister Elahi but if he takes any unconstitutional step, the government can impose governor's rule which will remain in place for six months,” he remarked. Sanaullah said that the snap elections in Punjab would have only happened if the assembly was dissolved. “Now they [PTI] are running away from dissolving the assembly of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.” Also read: Opposition noisier but less effective in Punjab Assembly “[PTI chief] Imran Khan is working on enemy’s agenda and his workers are at the peak of misguidance,” he added. Sanaullah said all stakeholders including establishment and judiciary as well as the nation wanted stability in the country except Imran Khan who he said will not get any relief from courts. His statement came a day after the parliamentary leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) put their heads together to reclaim Punjab. A meeting of the joint parliamentary party was held on Monday in which more than 160 members were in attendance. Sources said federal ministers Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Asif, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Ataullah Tarar were also present. Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique, the senior party leader, who presided over the meeting, admitted that PTI Chairman Imran Khan was doing “good politics” with them. He said that Hamza Shehbaz was not active due to which the PML-N was facing difficulties in Punjab. He added that he asked the prime minister to ask Hamza to form a strong opposition in Punjab. “If we do not get a place now, we would not even get a place to put our feet in Punjab,” sources quoted him as telling the participants of the meeting. “If we get Punjab for four to five months, we will do a lot.” Punjab Assembly Parliamentary Leader Hasan Murtaza said that they need to be proactive otherwise the PTI would take things away from them.

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Anchorperson Mishal Bukhari passes away at 38

Mishal Bukhari, a talk show host at a private TV channel passed away on Tuesday night at age 38, confirmed her husband and journalist Ameer Abbas. Bukhari had been battling cancer for the last two years. Read Renowned journalist Mudassir Mirza passes away “My wife, journalist Mishal Bukhari, a beautiful heart, an incomparable personality, an incredibly patient, unbelievably brave woman, left an unbearable shock after fighting cancer for two years,” announced Abbas in a heartfelt post on Twitter. گزر تو جائے گی تیرے بغیر بھی لیکن بڑی اُداس بڑی بے قرار گزرے گی میری اہلیہ، صحافی مشعل بخاری، خوبصورت دل، بے مثل شخصیت، کمال صبر دکھانے والی، ناقابل یقین حد تک بہادر خاتون، دو سال تک کینسر سے کمال بہادری سے لڑتے لڑتے ناقابل برداشت صدمہ چھوڑ گئی۔ جنازہ کل 1 بجے جامعہ المنتظر لاہور — Ameer Abbas (@ameerabbas84) January 3, 2023 The funeral prayers are to be held at 1pm on Wednesday (today) at Jamia Al-Muntazar in Lahore. Condolences have poured in from politicians and fellow journalists. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb expressed her grief over the sad demise of the senior anchorperson, reported APP. The minister, in a condolence message, prayed to the Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude. PTI leader Qasim Suri also prayed for the departed soul and the aggrieved family she left behind. إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ اللہ تعالیٰ ان کی مغفرت فرمائے، آپ کو اور باقی لواحقین کو صبرِ جمیل عطا فرمائے۔ آمین — Qasim Khan Suri (@QasimKhanSuri) January 3, 2023 Senior journalist Rauf Klasra and colleague of the late journalist also offered his condolences to her family as he remembered her as a “compassionate”, “young person full of life and passion”. Fellow journalist Shiffa Yousafzai also tweeted about the sad news adding that she had met her at the funeral of Arshad Sharif, a senior journalist killed last year in Kenya. "Saw her physically weak but pretty good in spirits," she reminisced. Terribly tragic news that Mishal Bukhari is no more. After a long and brave fight with cancer she left for her eternal journey. Met her at Arshad Sharif Shaheed’s home, saw her physically weak but pretty good in spirits. She was a wonderful person & a very experienced anchor💔 pic.twitter.com/vyXBjzwKH7 — Shiffa Z. Yousafzai (@Shiffa_ZY) January 3, 2023 "She was a wonderful person and a very experienced anchor," she added. Read More Deadly year for journalists Journalist Awais Hameed expressed his disbelief about the shocking news as he offered his condolences. Hard to believe that Mishal Bukhari is no more with us. She was an important member of the Express News launching team. A civilized, polite, courteous & well-mannered lady. She earned respect by respecting others. May her soul rest in eternal peace!#MishalBukhari #ExpressNews pic.twitter.com/QjeOSF0kkg — Awais Hameed (@awais_hameed) January 3, 2023 Describing her as a "civilised, polite, courteous and well-mannered lady", Hameed said she "earned respect by respecting others".

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Uzbekistan shares study for railway project with Pakistan

Uzbekistan has shared with Pakistan its feasibility study for the Trans-Afghan railway project during a trilateral working group meeting in Islamabad. According to the study, a railway track of 783 kilometres would be laid from Mazar-e-Sharif to Torkham at a cost of $8 billion. Eighty tunnels of 148km would be established on the track. As per the report, the track with tunnels would cost $4 million per kilometre. The report further stated that the track from Mazar-e-Sharif to Torkham would be fully electric. The proposed project is aimed to connect Pakistan with the Central Asian Republics. The Trans-Afghan railway project would not only facilitate the regional and bilateral trade between the participating countries, but also provide better people-to-people connections to the entire region, the Railways ministry said. The three countries – Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan -- have already signed a roadmap strategic plan to construct a new 573km Trans-Afghan railway that would connect Central Asia with ports on the Arabian Sea. It will run from Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan via Kabul to Peshawar and connect with the existing Termez, Uzbekistan-Mazar-e-Sharif cross-border line, which opened in 2012. It will offer a direct rail link between Pakistan and Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. The line will support both passenger and freight services, and is expected to improve the region’s economy and connectivity, particularly for  Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. According to the railway strategy for Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), about 25,000 kms of the main railway corridors in and outside the region connected the countries within it. However, the existing rail network did not necessarily match the changing trade patterns it was meant to serve. The growing export and import activity with China and Europe were not currently being served. Railways had the potential to transform the region from being landlocked into land-linked and connecting it better with its rapidly growing neighbours. The strategy report further read that CAREC countries faced different challenges in upgrading and enhancing transport networks and improving their integration. Differential economic growth, changing trade patterns, and local developments in transport structures had changed the demands for rail freight transport, it added. In the current difficult global economic environment, CAREC countries would need to further strengthen regional cooperation and integration efforts. The report read that investment in freight cars and locomotives, and implementation of related soft measures to enhance trade would be critical factors in making railways attractive for shippers and transport operators. The strategy was endorsed by CAREC ministerial conference held in Islamabad in 2016.(With input from agencies)

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