Pakistan Navy announces participation of two Saudi warships in AMAN-25 naval drills

Special Pakistan Navy announces participation of two Saudi warships in AMAN-25 naval drills
Commander of Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Abdul Munib, speaks during a press conference ahead of the 9th Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-25, in Karachi on February 4, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 04 February 2025
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Pakistan Navy announces participation of two Saudi warships in AMAN-25 naval drills

Pakistan Navy announces participation of two Saudi warships in AMAN-25 naval drills
  • The ninth edition of Pakistan’s AMAN exercise will be held this month from February 7 to 11
  • AMAN-2025 will witness the participation of nearly 60 countries with over 200 observers

KARACHI: A senior Pakistani naval official said on Tuesday two Saudi warships, HMS Jazan and HMS Hail, will participate in the ninth edition of his country’s naval exercise, AMAN-25, which is scheduled to be held from February 7 to 11.
The AMAN exercise, held every two years in the North Arabian Sea, is a multinational naval drill organized by the Pakistan Navy to enhance regional maritime security and interoperability among allied forces. The exercise was first held in 2007 and has since attracted participants from across the world.
According to official information, AMAN-2025 will witness the participation of nearly 60 countries and will be conducted in two phases. The harbor phase will take place from February 7 to 9, while the sea phase, running from February 10 to 11, will include search and rescue operations, live weapon firings and an international fleet review.
Rear Admiral Abdul Munib, Commander of the Pakistani Fleet, highlighted his country’s strong maritime ties with Saudi Arabia during a news conference.
“Saudi Arabia is a brotherly country,” he said, as he mentioned the participation of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces in the exercise while pointing out that Pakistan also enjoyed close relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Pakistan’s relations with both these countries are already strong, but there is also a very close navy-to-navy collaboration with them,” he continued. “We have conducted a number of exercises with them, and both countries will also be actively participating in this exercise.”




Commander Pakistan Fleet Rear Admiral Abdul Munib addresses a press briefing ahead of Pakistan Navy’s 9th Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-25 under the slogan “Together for Peace,” in Karachi on February 4, 2025. (REUTERS)

Calling the participation from Saudi Arabia “very encouraging,” the naval official said in addition to the two Saudi ships, the Kingdom’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Underwater Demolition (UWD) teams would also participate.
“The UAE has one ship participating as well, and their SOF and UWD teams are also participating,” he added.
This year’s exercise is expected to include a wide range of maritime professionals, with over 200 observers from around the world in attendance.
The Pakistani rear admiral noted the role of the AMAN Dialogue, which is scheduled to take place alongside the exercise. He informed it will bring together naval chiefs, coast guards and defense forces from participating nations.
The forum will allow military leaders to exchange insights and discuss strategies for addressing emerging maritime challenges.
“More than just a military drill, AMAN embodies Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to fostering regional stability, ensuring safe and secure seas and countering nontraditional and asymmetric threats,” he maintained.
“Above all, it serves as a vital platform for strengthening interoperability, information sharing and mutual understanding among like-minded regional and extra-regional navies, thus reinforcing the belief that maritime security is a shared responsibility,” he added.


Pakistan’s top generals seek ‘concrete’ action from Afghanistan against Taliban militants

Pakistan’s top generals seek ‘concrete’ action from Afghanistan against Taliban militants
Updated 4 min 44 sec ago
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Pakistan’s top generals seek ‘concrete’ action from Afghanistan against Taliban militants

Pakistan’s top generals seek ‘concrete’ action from Afghanistan against Taliban militants
  • Corps commanders call statements by Indian military leaders against Pakistan ‘reckless and provocative’
  • They seek socio-economic development of Balochistan to thwart ‘externally driven narratives of exclusion’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top generals called for “concrete and tangible actions” against militants by the Taliban administration in Kabul on Tuesday, while vowing to take all necessary measures to defend the country’s territorial integrity amid a surge in violence by armed groups in its two western provinces in recent years.
Pakistan’s northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which borders Afghanistan, and the southwestern province of Balochistan, which shares frontiers with both Afghanistan and Iran, have witnessed rising militant and separatist violence. Most attacks in KP are claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella alliance of militant groups.
Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of sheltering anti-Pakistan groups, particularly the TTP, which the Pakistani government refers to as “Fitna Al Khawarij,” saying that these militants launch cross-border attacks from Afghan soil. Kabul denies the allegations, insisting that Afghanistan does not allow its territory to be used against any country.
Pakistan’s overall security situation was reviewed during the 267th Corps Commanders’ Conference, held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and chaired by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
“Expressing grave concern over the continued use of Afghan soil by Fitna Al Khawarij for terrorist activities against Pakistan, the forum stressed the imperative of concrete and tangible actions by the Interim Afghan Government against Fitna Al Khawarij instead of denials, as well as continuing with the strategy of undertaking all necessary measures in defense of Pakistan and its people,” the ISPR said.
The conference also emphasized the need to accelerate people-centric socio-economic development initiatives in Balochistan, while countering “externally driven narratives of exclusion” in the region.
A key strategic province and home to the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Balochistan has long grappled with separatist violence led by groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliates.
These insurgents have carried out coordinated attacks, suicide bombings and targeted killings, primarily against the Pakistani military, Chinese workers and non-Baloch settlers, particularly from Punjab.
The violence has often been linked to grievances over political marginalization and resource control, though Pakistani officials have denied these claims while saying they are carrying out major projects to improve the quality of life and livelihood of people.
“No one will be allowed to disrupt peace in Balochistan, and nefarious designs of foreign-sponsored proxies attempting to mislead and radicalize the youth of Balochistan will be decisively thwarted with the unwavering support of the people of Balochistan,” the statement added.
The top army generals also discussed the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary with India, condemning “human rights violations” in Indian-administered Kashmir and recent statements by Indian military leadership against Pakistan that they termed “reckless and provocative.”
“Pakistan Army remains fully prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” General Munir told the gathering.
“These hollow statements from the Indian military are indicative of their growing frustration and serve only to divert the attention of their masses and the international community from their multiple internal fissures and blatant violations of human rights,” he added. “Any misadventure against Pakistan will be responded to with full and resolute force of the state.”
The corps commanders’ conference also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to its constitutional responsibilities and pledged to continue military training and exercises in both conventional and counter-terrorism domains.


Death toll from last week’s gas tanker explosion in Pakistan rises to 18

Death toll from last week’s gas tanker explosion in Pakistan rises to 18
Updated 04 February 2025
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Death toll from last week’s gas tanker explosion in Pakistan rises to 18

Death toll from last week’s gas tanker explosion in Pakistan rises to 18
  • Truck carrying liquified petroleum gas had caught fire near an industrial area in Multan 
  • Blast damaged nearby structures, deaths caused by ensuing fire and collapse of several roofs

MULTAN: The death toll from a gas tanker truck explosion that happend last week in central Pakistan has jumped to 18, police and hospital officials said on Tuesday.
Police initially said five people were killed and about two dozen others were injured when a truck carrying liquified petroleum gas caught fire near an industrial area in Multan, a city in the country’s most populous Punjab province.
Mohammad Wasim, a doctor at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital, said another 13 people have died in the week since the Jan. 27 blast. He added that another seven people who were injured in the blast were still in critical condition.
Mohammad Bashir, a senior police official, said the blast also damaged nearby shops and homes, and the deaths were caused by the fire and the collapse of several roofs.
He said an initial police investigation showed that the gas tanker truck had exploded while some people were transferring LPG from the truck to cylinders after bribing the driver, who has been arrested.


Saudi Fund for Development approves grant for King Salman Hospital in Pakistan — PM

Saudi Fund for Development approves grant for King Salman Hospital in Pakistan — PM
Updated 04 February 2025
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Saudi Fund for Development approves grant for King Salman Hospital in Pakistan — PM

Saudi Fund for Development approves grant for King Salman Hospital in Pakistan — PM
  • Project will be built in Hazara district with SFD grant of $40 million
  • Riyadh also approves $1.2 billion oil deferred oil payment facility

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) had approved a $40 million grant to build the King Salman Hospital in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The announcement comes a day after Pakistan signed an agreement with SFD to defer by one year a $1.2 billion payment on the country’s oil imports.
SFD has supported more than 40 projects and programs valued at approximately $1.4 billion to finance energy, water, transportation and infrastructure projects in Pakistan since the Fund’s establishment in 1975.
“There are other SFD projects like the King Salman Hospital with an investment of $40 million” Sharif said while addressing a federal cabinet meeting in which he thanked Saudi authorities for approving the $1.2 billion oil facility. “These are grants and the hospital will be fully built with this in Hazara [district].”
The Saudi facility to defer oil payments can help Islamabad boost its foreign reserves ahead of the first review of a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, due in March. The agreement comes as Pakistan continues to navigate a tricky economic recovery path and implement tough conditions attached to the IMF loan program.
“Our brother Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a delegation yesterday [Feb. 4] and our oil facility which was for 10 months in 2023 ended in December 2023,” Sharif added. “Now, it has been renewed and they have provided us with $1.2 billion annually for our oil facility.”
On Monday, Pakistan also finalized a loan agreement for a Gravity Flow Water Supply Scheme in the Mansehra district of KP under which the SFD will provide $41 million to enhance access to clean drinking water for at least 150,000 people, according to Sharif’s office.
The SFD has also proposed a partnership with the Pakistan government to offer training programs for young Pakistanis and impart “modern and relevant” skills to help them meet labor market demands in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistanis constitute one of the largest migrant communities in Saudi Arabia with an estimated 2.64 million working there as of 2023. While 97 percent of them are blue-collar workers, there is a growing demand for skilled labor in the Kingdom as it seeks to modernize its economy under the Vision 2030 scheme.


Pakistan PM orders delivery of Ramadan relief package 2025 sans public utility stores

Pakistan PM orders delivery of Ramadan relief package 2025 sans public utility stores
Updated 04 February 2025
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Pakistan PM orders delivery of Ramadan relief package 2025 sans public utility stores

Pakistan PM orders delivery of Ramadan relief package 2025 sans public utility stores
  • Sharif instructs food ministry not to use services of utility stories due to complaints of corruption last year
  • Ramadan relief package includes price reductions on essential commodities such as wheat, sugar, oil and pulses

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the ministry of national food security to begin preparations to deliver a Ramadan relief package of subsidized food items to low-income groups without using state-owned utility stories to avoid corruption and customer complaints. 

The annual Ramadan relief package includes subsidies and price reductions on essential commodities such as wheat, sugar, oil, and pulses, among other items, and is usually administered through utility stores. However, each year, consumers complain of long queues, limited stock availability, substandard food items, and difficulties with the process of identification verification needed to receive the discounted package at utility stores. 

Other than in Ramadan also, utility stores have been plagued by reports of corruption and mismanagement for years, with consumers complaining of substandard merchandise being sold and staff accused of vending subsidized products in the open market.

“Ramadan is around the corner and for that I have entrusted the ministry of food security with the responsibility to prepare a Ramadan package without [state-owned] utility stores so that there is no corruption and there is no distribution of spoilt goods,” Sharif said in a televised address to his cabinet. 

“This [distribution of Ramadan goods] cannot continue through utility stores. During last year’s Ramadan, there were countless complaints and now we have found a solution to this that we will introduce a [Ramadan] package minus utility stores.”

Once the food ministry prepares the Ramadan Relief Package 2025, it will be presented to the National Economic Coordination Committee for approval.

Last year, the Sharif-led government announced a “historic” Ramadan package with a subsidy of $26.8 million (Rs7.5 billion) to lower the prices of essential items for over 30,96,00,000 families.

During Ramadan in Pakistan, there is a significant increase in the demand for essential food items at subsidized prices, which overwhelms the capacity of utility stores, causing long lines and potential shortages. 

Ensuring equitable distribution of the package across different regions and demographics can also be difficult in a country of 241 million people, sometimes leading to some areas receiving less benefits than others. To prevent abuse, the government implements strict verification processes like CNIC checks, which also leads to delays and inconvenience for customers. 

The allocated stock of subsidized items at utility stores is also often not sufficient to meet the high demand during Ramadan, leading to disappointment for customers who cannot purchase everything they need. 


Pakistan issues electric vehicle production licenses to 57 manufacturers

Pakistan issues electric vehicle production licenses to 57 manufacturers
Updated 04 February 2025
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Pakistan issues electric vehicle production licenses to 57 manufacturers

Pakistan issues electric vehicle production licenses to 57 manufacturers
  • Pakistan has said it will cut power tariff for operators of EV charging stations by 45 percent as part of ongoing reform of energy sector
  • BYD Pakistan says up to 50 percent of all vehicles bought in Pakistan by 2030 will be electrified in some form in line with global targets

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has granted licenses to 57 manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs), state media reported on Tuesday, as the government moves to transition to green transport solutions and beat climate change. 

The government of Pakistan approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP) in 2019 with the goal of electric vehicles comprising 30 percent of all passenger vehicle and heavy-duty truck sales by 2030, and an even more ambitious target of 90 percent by 2040. For two- and three-wheelers, as well as buses, the policy set a goal of achieving 50 percent of new sales by 2030 and 90 percent by 2040.

“The government is focusing on expanding local EV production, with licenses issued to fifty five manufacturers for two and three-wheelers, and two for the assembly of four-wheelers,” Radio Pakistan said in a report. “A plan is under consideration for establishing charging stations, including fast chargers and battery swapping stations.”

The report said under a new EV policy, free registration and exemption from annual token fees and toll taxes would also be offered to consumers. 

“There is a plan to create at least one electric vehicle zone in each province, including Islamabad,” Radio Pakistan added. 

A Senate Standing Committee last week criticized a lag in the production of EVs in Pakistan, saying only 60,000 had been produced by this year against a target of 600,000.

Last month, Pakistan said it would cut the power tariff for operators of EV charging stations by 45 percent as part of the ongoing reform of the energy sector designed to boost demand. The government is also planning to introduce financing schemes for e-bikes and the conversion of two- and three-wheeled petrol vehicles.

The cabinet on Jan. 15 approved a reduced tariff of 39.70 rupees ($0.14) per unit, down from 71.10 rupees previously, which will be in place within a month. The government expects an internal rate of return of more than 20 percent for investors in the sector.

According to a report submitted to the government by power ministry adviser Ammar Habib Khan and reported by Reuters on Jan. 15, there are currently more than 30 million two- and three-wheeled vehicles in Pakistan, which consume more than $5 billion worth of petroleum annually.

The energy ministry plans to convert 1 million two-wheelers to electric bikes in a first phase, at an estimated net cost of 40,000 rupees per bike, according to the report, saving around $165 million in fuel import costs annually.

BYD Pakistan, a partnership between China’s BYD and Pakistani car group Mega Motors, told Reuters in September up to 50 percent of all vehicles bought in Pakistan by 2030 would be electrified in some form in line with global targets.