Security forces kill nine militants, lose two soldiers in Pakistan’s northwest

Security forces kill nine militants, lose two soldiers in Pakistan’s northwest
This handout photo, taken and released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on March 15, 2025, Pakistani security forces gesture for a group photograph following an intelligence-based operation in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. (Handout/ISPR)
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Updated 15 March 2025
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Security forces kill nine militants, lose two soldiers in Pakistan’s northwest

Security forces kill nine militants, lose two soldiers in Pakistan’s northwest
  • Pakistani forces carried out two separate intelligence-based operation in Mohmand and Dera Ismail Khan
  • An official statement says the armed forces recovered weapons, ammunition from the deceased militants

KARACHI: Pakistani security forces killed nine militants in two intelligence-based operations in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement on Saturday, adding two soldiers also lost their lives in one of the encounters.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen a surge in violence by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in recent months, with deadly suicide bombings, attacks on security checkpoints and targeted of civilians and security personnel.
Pakistani security forces have conducted several intelligence-based operations in the region, with the latest ones carried out in Mohmand District and Dera Ismail Khan between March 14 and 15.
Pakistan refers to TTP militants as “khwarij,” a historical term describing an extremist sect in early Islam known for rebelling against authority and declaring other Muslims apostates.
“On reported presence of Khwarij, an intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in Mohmand District,” the ISPR said. “During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarijs’ location, resultantly, seven khwarij were sent to hell.”
“However, during intense fire exchange, two brave sons of soil, Havildar Muhammad Zahid (age: 37 years, resident of District Malakand) and Sepoy Aftab Ali Shah (age: 26 years, resident of District Chitral) having fought gallantly, rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat [martyrdom],” it added.
The second operation was carried out in Maddi, Dera Ismail Khan District, where security forces engaged militants in a gunfight.
“A fire exchange took place between own troops and khwarij,” the statement continued. “Resultantly, two khwarij were effectively neutralized.”
The ISPR said security forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the militants, who, according to the military, were actively involved in multiple violent activities.
The statement informed that “sanitization operations” were ongoing in both districts to eliminate any remaining militants.


Pakistan Navy launches second Hangor-class submarine in China to boost maritime defense

Pakistan Navy launches second Hangor-class submarine in China to boost maritime defense
Updated 5 min 47 sec ago
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Pakistan Navy launches second Hangor-class submarine in China to boost maritime defense

Pakistan Navy launches second Hangor-class submarine in China to boost maritime defense
  • Equipped with advanced weapons and sensors, the submarine will strengthen Pakistan’s deterrence capabilities
  • The deal with the Chinese company will get Pakistan six more submarines with technology transfer agreement

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy launched its second Hangor-class submarine, PNS/M Shushuk, at a ceremony in Wuhan, China, as part of a strategic initiative to bolster its maritime defense capabilities, according to an official statement on Saturday.
The country’s defense ministry signed an agreement with China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan in 2015 to acquire eight of these submarines. Under the deal, four submarines are being built in China, while the remaining four will be constructed at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works under a transfer of technology program.
Equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, these submarines are expected to enhance Pakistan’s naval capabilities by enabling precision strikes at standoff ranges.
Pakistan’s Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami, attended the ceremony as the chief guest.
“While addressing the ceremony, the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff highlighted the importance of maritime security in the prevailing geo-strategic environment of the region, as well as Pakistan Navy’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and ensuring a safe and conducive maritime environment for all,” the official statement circulated by the Directorate General of Public Relations of Pakistan Navy said.
“He emphasized that Hangor-class submarines, equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, will play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of power and maritime order in the region,” it added.
Pakistan’s deal with the Chinese company is expected to enhance its naval defense in the Indian Ocean region by equipping its fleet with stealth-capable submarines designed for low acoustic signatures, making them harder to detect.
These advanced vessels also aim to strengthen the country’s deterrence capabilities while reinforcing Pakistan-China military ties through strategic defense collaboration.
Beyond the Hangor-class project, Pakistan is enhancing its naval capabilities through collaborations with other nations.
In 2018, the country signed a contract with Turkiye for the construction of four MILGEM-class corvettes.
Additionally, a Turkish company was also engaged to upgrade Pakistan’s Agosta 90B-class submarines.


Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch

Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch
Updated 15 March 2025
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Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch

Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch
  • Skipper Salman Ali Agha says the team will try to produce better results in New Zealand
  • A three-match ODI series, set to follow the T20I action, will run from March 29 to April 5

KARACHI: Pakistan are all set to take on New Zealand in a five-match T20I series starting Sunday, the country's cricket board said in a statement, with the first game to be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The Pakistan squad arrived in New Zealand on Thursday and held their first training session on Friday afternoon. Before their arrival, the T20I squad underwent a pre-series camp from March 7 to 10 in Lahore.
Pakistan’s squad includes three uncapped players — Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali — who earned call-ups to the national side following their impressive performances in recent domestic events.
Skipper Salman Ali Agha, who led the team to a 2-1 T20I series win in Zimbabwe in his first series as captain, expressed satisfaction with the players' performance ahead of the series.
“The team's preparations are going well, and we will try to produce better results in New Zealand," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) quoted him as saying in a statement. "We have some young players in the side, and it is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent at the international level after performing well in domestic cricket.”
Pakistan have an upper hand over New Zealand in the 44 T20I contests between the two sides, with 23 wins, while the Black Caps have secured victory in 19 fixtures.
The last T20I series featuring the two sides, played in Pakistan in 2024, ended in a 2-2 draw, with one match abandoned due to rain.
More recently, though, Pakistan's cricket squad has come under significant criticism for their performance following their early exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy after losses to New Zealand and India.
During their tour to New Zealand, Pakistan will play their second match at University Oval in Dunedin on March 18, while the third match of the series will be played at Eden Park in Auckland on March 21.
The fourth and fifth T20Is will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui and Sky Stadium in Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.
A three-match ODI series will follow the T20I action and will be played from March 29 to April 5.


Pakistan deadline for illegal foreigners to leave country to expire in less than three weeks

Pakistan deadline for illegal foreigners to leave country to expire in less than three weeks
Updated 15 March 2025
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Pakistan deadline for illegal foreigners to leave country to expire in less than three weeks

Pakistan deadline for illegal foreigners to leave country to expire in less than three weeks
  • Islamabad says it has already granted sufficient time to these foreigners for their ‘dignified return’
  • Pakistan initially launched the deportation drive in Nov. 2023 following a string of suicide bombings

ISLAMABAD: A deadline set by Islamabad for undocumented foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card-holders will expire in less than three weeks, Pakistani state media reported on Saturday.
The Pakistan government on March 7 announced that all undocumented foreigners and Afghan nationals, including ACC-holders, residing illegally in Pakistan must depart voluntarily by March 31 or face deportation starting April 1.
The ACC scheme, initiated in 2017, provided temporary legal status to undocumented Afghans in Pakistan. It differs from the Proof of Registration (PoR) system, which grants refugee status to Afghan nationals recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Pakistan government.
The recent directive will primarily impact the ACC-holders along with other undocumented Afghan nationals, many of whom fled to Pakistan following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
“Seventeen days are left for illegal foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave Pakistan,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The government has assured that no mistreatment will occur during the process and it has made arrangements for food and health facilities for those returning.” 
Unlike PoR-holders, who are protected under international refugee frameworks, ACC-holders were never formally recognized as refugees and were only granted temporary permission to stay in Pakistan.
The Pakistani government said on March 7 it was already implementing the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP) since Nov. 1, 2023.
“In continuation to Government’s decision to repatriate all illegal foreigners, national leadership has now decided to also repatriate ACC holders,” it said, adding that it had granted sufficient time to these people to ensure their “dignified return.”
The Pakistani government launched the deportation drive against “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, in Nov. 2023 after a string of suicide bombings in the country. Officials in Islamabad cited security concerns for the decision, alleging that a number of Afghan nationals had been involved in militant activities, including attacks on Pakistani civilians and security forces, a claim denied by the Taliban authorities in Kabul.
Last year, the government also announced that Afghan citizens residing in Islamabad would require No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) after alleging that many of them had participated in an anti-government protest led by former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party, which later turned violent.
The government’s directive will affect numerous Afghans in Pakistan awaiting resettlement to third countries, including the United States. Many of them had assisted international forces and now fear retribution from the Taliban. However, recent policy changes under President Donald Trump’s administration have all but suspended US refugee admissions, leaving thousands in limbo.


Pakistan, IMF make ‘significant progress’ on first review of $7 billion program — IMF mission chief

Pakistan, IMF make ‘significant progress’ on first review of $7 billion program — IMF mission chief
Updated 15 March 2025
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Pakistan, IMF make ‘significant progress’ on first review of $7 billion program — IMF mission chief

Pakistan, IMF make ‘significant progress’ on first review of $7 billion program — IMF mission chief
  • The development comes as an IMF mission concluded its weeks-long visit to Pakistan to review Islamabad’s progress on key conditions under the program
  • Progress has also been made in discussions on Pakistan’s climate reform agenda, which aims to reduce natural disasters-related vulnerabilities, IMF says

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have made “significant progress” on the first review of a $7 billion loan program Islamabad secured last year, the IMF mission chief said on Friday.
The South Asian country, which has faced an economic meltdown in recent years, is treading a long path to economic recovery under the $7 billion IMF program it secured in Sept. last year.
An IMF mission visited Pakistan from Feb. 24 till Mar. 14 to analyze Islamabad’s progress on key conditions as part of the first review of the facility. A successful review will result in the release of around $1 billion as second installment under the program.
In a statement on Friday, IMF Mission Chief Nathan Porter said the two sides made significant progress toward reaching a staff-level agreement on the first review under the 37-month program, and they would continue policy discussions virtually to finalize the review over the coming days.
“Program implementation has been strong, and the discussions have made considerable progress in several areas including the planned fiscal consolidation to durably reduce public debt, maintenance of sufficiently tight monetary policy to maintain low inflation, acceleration of cost-reducing reforms to improve energy sector viability, and implementation of Pakistan’s structural reform agenda to accelerate growth, while strengthening social protection and rebuilding health and education spending,” Porter said.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb have previously said they were confident of meeting targets of the IMF program.
The South Asian country was able to build some trust with the IMF by completing a short-term, nine-month program last year. Previous loan programs in Pakistan ended prematurely or saw delays after the governments at the time faltered on meeting key conditions.
Pakistan also seeks to secure an additional $1.5 billion loan from the IMF to deal with climate-related issues under a Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement.
“Progress has also been made in discussions on the authorities’ climate reform agenda, which aims to reduce vulnerabilities from natural disasters-related risks, and accompanying reforms which could be supported under a possible arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF),” Porter said.
“The IMF team is grateful to the Pakistani authorities, private sector, and development partners for fruitful discussions and their hospitality throughout this mission.”


Pakistan looks forward to strengthening ties with Canada under Mark Carney, PM Sharif says

Pakistan looks forward to strengthening ties with Canada under Mark Carney, PM Sharif says
Updated 15 March 2025
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Pakistan looks forward to strengthening ties with Canada under Mark Carney, PM Sharif says

Pakistan looks forward to strengthening ties with Canada under Mark Carney, PM Sharif says
  • Carney was sworn in after overwhelmingly winning a Liberal Party vote to replace Justin Trudeau
  • Islamabad has friendly ties with Canada, which was one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is looking forward to strengthening its relations with Canada under Prime Minister Mark Carney, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday, as he felicitated his new Canadian counterpart.
Ex-central banker Carney was sworn in as prime minister of Canada on Friday after overwhelmingly winning a Liberal Party vote to replace Justin Trudeau as leader.
Pakistan enjoys friendly relations with Canada, which was one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan as a sovereign independent state in 1947.
The two countries regularly hold bilateral consultation on political matters, while Pakistani diaspora in Canada numbers around 500,000. Islamabad has also awarded the Reko Diq gold mine project to a Canadian firm which is the largest in terms of foreign direct investment in Pakistan.
“I congratulate Mr. Mark Carney on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Canada,” Sharif wrote on X. “Wish him a successful tenure in office and look forward to working with him to further strengthen Pakistan-Canada relations in all spheres.”
Over the years, the bilateral cooperation and engagement in the political, economic, and cultural arenas between Pakistan and Canada has witnessed a consistent upwards trajectory, according to the Pakistani foreign office. At present, there are two Pakistan-origin senators and six House of Commons members in the Canadian parliament, who act as a bridge between the two countries.
Carney’s election, however, comes at a time Ottawa has been rattled by collapsing cross-border relations since Donald Trump returned to power in January, launching a trade war and demanding that Canada surrender its independence to become the 51st US state.
Carney, a political novice, said he will fly to Paris and London next week, part of an effort to reinforce alliances overseas as ties with the United States unravel. Those talks will include trade and security.