Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: The second round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban has formally begun in Istanbul, Turkiye. The first round of talks in Doha between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban resulted in a ceasefire, following clashes between the two countries. Official sources told Pakistan Television Digital&nbsp;on Saturday that discussions are focused on a three-point agenda: establishing a joint monitoring and oversight mechanism to curb cross-border terrorist movements; ensuring adherence to existing laws and international obligations safeguarding national sovereignty; and addressing trade barriers, refugee repatriation, and the need to keep bilateral issues separate from domestic politics. Long-term political understanding&nbsp;Officials confirmed that the talks will also explore the possibility of reaching a long-term political understanding between the two sides. Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Office Spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, while addressing a regular press briefing on Friday, described the recent engagement in Doha as a &ldquo;positive marker.&rdquo;&nbsp; He said, &ldquo;There has been no major full-scale terrorist attack emanating from Afghan soil in the last two to three days. We would like the trend to continue in Istanbul and post-Istanbul.&quot; On the Afghan side, the Taliban government&rsquo;s chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid earlier confirmed on a post on X that Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib is leading Kabul&rsquo;s delegation to Istanbul. &ldquo;The remaining issues will be discussed at this meeting,&rdquo; Mujahid said. &lsquo;Primary expectation&rsquo;&nbsp; Earlier, Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office spokesperson said that &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s basic focus is to stop terrorist attacks emanating from Afghan soil,&rdquo; adding that the ceasefire between the two sides &ldquo;by and large still stands.&rdquo; Pakistan has been battling a renewed wave of militancy in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan since the Taliban&rsquo;s return to power in 2021. Clashes broke out between the two countries after the Afghan Taliban attacked Pakistani posts at a time when their foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was in India. Officials in Islamabad said the decision to hold talks was taken &ldquo;on the request of the Afghan side,&rdquo; and that both countries agreed &ldquo;through mutual understanding&rdquo; to pursue dialogue aimed at de-escalation. Islamabad maintains that sustained engagement and cooperation between the two neighbors remain essential for ensuring regional peace and stability.

Foreign Affairs

Security

Focus on establishing a joint monitoring mechanism to curb cross-border terrorist movements; ensuring adherence to existing laws, safeguarding national sovereignty, and addressing issues such as trade barriers and refugee repatriation.

Pakistan, Afghan Taliban in second round of talks in Istanbul: sources

Muhammad Imad Abbas

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan are preparing for a second round of talks in Istanbul, a follow-up to discussions held in Doha earlier this month, aimed at establishing what Islamabad calls a &ldquo;verifiable monitoring mechanism&rdquo; to address cross-border militant activity.&nbsp;The Pakistan Foreign Office confirmed on Friday that the dialogue will continue under T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s facilitation.&nbsp;The Afghan government also confirmed the talks. In a statement posted on X, Afghan spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the Acting Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib had departed for T&uuml;rkiye &ldquo;to follow up on the agreement reached in Doha several days ago.&rdquo;&nbsp;At the time this report was filed, Pakistan had not publicly announced its delegation.&nbsp;While the agenda is expected to focus on preventing cross-border attacks, analysts caution that the core issues driving tensions remain unresolved.&nbsp;&lsquo;Elephant in the room&rsquo;Abdul Basit, senior associate fellow and head of the South Asia desk at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR), told Pakistan TV Digital that progress will remain stalled unless Kabul acknowledges the presence of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Afghan soil.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Afghan side is not ready to accept the fact that the militant Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan continues to operate from its soil,&rdquo; Basit said. &ldquo;As long as Kabul continues to refute that, any breakthrough will remain but a distant dream.&rdquo;&nbsp;Basit said Pakistan wants the Taliban authorities to dismantle militant hideouts used to orchestrate attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul, meanwhile, has demanded assurances that Pakistan will respect Afghanistan&rsquo;s sovereignty following recent cross-border strikes. &ldquo;Both parties are entering the talks with different aims,&rdquo; Basit said.&nbsp;Strained public sentimentJournalist and Afghanistan-Pakistan affairs analyst Sami Yousafzai said mutual distrust is deepening, particularly after recent clashes along the border.&nbsp;&ldquo;Healing that relationship will likely require consistent diplomatic engagement, confidence-building measures, and perhaps third-party facilitation at some stage,&rdquo; Yousafzai told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;Without trust, analysts argue, discussions will remain procedural rather than transformative.&nbsp;Possible scenarios aheadBasit warned that if Kabul continues to deny the presence of TTP militants, Pakistan may see &ldquo;only one option, to target the leadership of the TTP in Afghanistan,&rdquo; a move he said would be justified by Islamabad in the name of national security.&nbsp;Analyst Inam Ul Haq described the Taliban&rsquo;s current posture as &ldquo;maneuvering the roof&rdquo; under the Doha framework, maintaining diplomatic cooperation while preserving ideological space for groups aligned with their worldview.&nbsp;T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s roleThe Istanbul round reflects T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s growing role as a mediator between the two uneasy neighbors. Ankara facilitated the Doha discussions, where both sides agreed to continue dialogue and maintain a ceasefire announced on October 19.&nbsp;Despite the challenges, analysts say continued engagement is preferable to confrontation.&nbsp;The upcoming talks, Basit said, represent &ldquo;an opportunity to begin reshaping the relationship, provided both sides are ready to speak plainly about the realities on the ground.&rdquo;

Following last week’s Doha talks, Islamabad and Kabul meet today in Istanbul to discuss a verifiable monitoring mechanism, though analysts warn progress remains uncertain amid ongoing disputes over militancy and border security.

Pakistan, Afghanistan to resume talks in Istanbul amid persistent tensions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited Qatari investors to explore new avenues of collaboration under the government&#39;s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) framework. Talking to Qatar&#39;s Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani in Islamabad on Friday, the prime minister underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation, emphasizing opportunities in energy, agriculture, food security, information technology, tourism and infrastructure development, said a report published by state-run Radio Pakistan. &lsquo;Positive trajectory&rsquo;&nbsp;The prime minister expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Qatar relations, anchored in shared faith, values, and mutual respect. He also appreciated Qatar&#39;s role as an important partner and an influential regional mediator. The prime minister conveyed Pakistan&#39;s deep appreciation for Qatar&#39;s consistent support on regional and global issues and reiterated Pakistan&#39;s desire to strengthen collaboration at regional and multilateral fora. In his remarks, Qatar&#39;s Minister of Commerce and Industry conveyed warm greetings from the Qatari leadership and reaffirmed Qatar&#39;s commitment to further deepen economic engagement with Pakistan. Joint Ministerial Commission&nbsp;Qatar&#39;s Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani is in Pakistan to co-chair the 6th Session of Pakistan-Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission.&nbsp; He noted that the 6th Session of the JMC provided an important platform to review existing cooperation and identify new initiatives to advance mutually beneficial partnerships. Both sides agreed to continue close coordination to translate shared understandings into tangible outcomes, including greater facilitation for business-to-business linkages and investment projects. Earlier, a press release issued by the Press Information Department of Pakistan on Thursday regarding 6th Session of Pak-Qatar JMC For Economic, Trade, and Technical Cooperation, stated: &quot;In the realm of trade, economy, and investment, the signed protocol commits both nations to realizing His Highness the Amir of Qatar&rsquo;s vision of investing USD 3 billion in Pakistan through the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) or other investment vehicles.&quot;&nbsp; &quot;A key focus was strengthening direct engagement between Pakistan&rsquo;s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the QIA to streamline investment processes and create a conducive environment for Qatari investors. The SIFC was highlighted as a pivotal platform to facilitate investments in priority sectors, ensuring seamless coordination and support for Qatari businesses,&quot; it said.&nbsp;Pak, UAE leaders discuss bilateral issues&nbsp;Meanwhile, a statement issued by Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Office of the Spokesperson) on Friday, Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke on the phone late last night with the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. &nbsp; &ldquo;The two leaders discussed bilateral &amp; multilateral issues of mutual interest as well as recent regional &amp; global developments, and agreed to stay closely engaged,&rdquo; it said. Flow of remittances Dar also chaired a meeting to review the flow of remittances from abroad, particularly from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, said another statement issued by the ministry. He emphasized the need to increase, improve, and facilitate remittance flows through the use of digital technologies, reducing transfer time and minimizing transaction costs to better serve overseas Pakistanis and their families.&nbsp; The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa, the Governor and Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan, and other concerned officials.

Business

Talking to Qatar's Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani in Islamabad on Friday, Pakistan's prime minister underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation, emphasizing opportunities in energy, agriculture, food security, information technology, tourism and infrastructure development.

Pakistan invites Qatari investors to explore new avenues of collaboration  

Muhammad Usman Amin

PESHAWAR: Security concerns have once again overshadowed trade at the Pakistan&ndash;Afghanistan border, where hundreds of trucks carrying Afghan produce remain stranded at the Torkham crossing amid escalating tensions between the two neighbors.&nbsp;The closure followed a series of cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan after, according to Pakistani military officials, Taliban fighters and affiliated militants attempted to infiltrate across the frontier. Relations between the two neighbors have since remained strained, with trade through key crossings suspended. A ceasefire between the two sides was finalized in Doha on October 19, with the next round of talks scheduled to take place in Istanbul.&nbsp;Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan interim government to take &ldquo;credible and effective action&rdquo; against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and similar groups launching attacks from across the border. But officials say those requests have gone unanswered, forcing Islamabad to prioritize national security over trade.&nbsp;Officials have stated that Pakistan&rsquo;s security concerns take precedence over trade, emphasizing that cross-border commerce can only resume once the frontier is secure and free from militant activity.&nbsp;Afghan exports rot as border stays shutFor weeks, hundreds of trucks laden with fresh Afghan produce, tomatoes, onions, grapes, and pomegranates, have been stranded at Torkham. With no access to Pakistani markets, the goods are spoiling in the heat, costing Afghan traders millions of dollars in losses.&nbsp;&ldquo;This has been happening for years, but this time it&rsquo;s worse,&rdquo; said Soleiman Safi, an Afghan fruit wholesaler based in Peshawar.&nbsp;&ldquo;Our fresh produce is rotting before it reaches the market. I&rsquo;m now thinking of switching to importing coal. It doesn&rsquo;t spoil.&rdquo;&nbsp;While Pakistan also faces trade losses, its diversified economy can absorb the shock. Afghanistan, however, remains critically dependent on cross-border commerce.&nbsp;Economic fallout hits Afghanistan hardAccording to the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Afghanistan consumes about 6.8 million metric tons of wheat annually but produces only 4.8 million, importing the rest, mostly from Pakistan.&nbsp;Similarly, the country&rsquo;s sole sugar mill in Baghlan province, which restarted operations in early 2025 after decades of closure, can meet only a fraction of domestic demand. The majority of sugar imports also come from Pakistan.&nbsp;Without this trade, Afghan consumers face rising food prices and shortages of essentials such as wheat flour, rice, cooking oil, and processed foods.&nbsp;Business leaders call for swift resolutionJunaid Altaf, president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the closure is causing severe financial losses.&nbsp;&ldquo;We estimate losses of nearly one billion rupees a day from the Torkham crossing alone,&rdquo; he told Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;We have urged our counterparts in Afghanistan to press their government to normalize the situation so trade can resume.&rdquo;&nbsp;Limited alternatives, lingering challengesKabul has explored alternate trade routes through Iran&rsquo;s Chabahar Port and via Central Asia, but traders say these are costly and impractical substitutes for the shorter, better-developed Pakistani corridor.&nbsp;&ldquo;For time-sensitive exports like fruits and vegetables, there is no alternative to Pakistan&rsquo;s route,&rdquo; an Afghan logistics operator said.&nbsp;Officials in Pakistan Customs confirmed that &ldquo;all preparations for reopening have been completed,&rdquo; and staff are &ldquo;on standby,&rdquo; but added that the final decision depends on security clearance from higher authorities.&nbsp;As Afghanistan&rsquo;s economy continues to reel, Islamabad maintains that the solution lies not in seeking alternative trade routes but in tackling the security threats that have strained cross-border ties.&nbsp;&ldquo;A stable, terrorism-free border is the only prerequisite for trade to resume in full,&rdquo; a senior Pakistani official reiterated.

Economy

Trade between Islamabad and Kabul remains suspended as security concerns persist following cross-border clashes. Islamabad prioritizes border safety over commerce, saying trade will resume only once militant threats are contained, leaving Afghan traders facing mounting economic losses.

Trade stalls as security concerns keep Pakistan–Afghanistan border shut

ISLAMABAD: The growing trend of &quot;scream clubs,&quot; which have recently gained popularity in London, offers an outlet for emotional release, but experts warn that while these events provide temporary relief, they may not address the deeper, underlying issues contributing to stress and emotional struggles.&nbsp;So-called scream therapy is a technique that is rapidly growing in popularity on TikTok and has made its way to Britain from the United States, according to AFP. Collective shout&nbsp;According to a YouGov survey published last month, two-thirds of young adults -- aged 16-25 -- in Britain are experiencing or have experienced mental health problems, particularly related to their studies or financial issues. Before the collective shout, participants discuss their loneliness or struggle to find their place in society. In the West, scream clubs are helping young people release emotional tension, but in Pakistan, where strong family bonds and cultural support systems already provide a space for emotional expression, such trends may face limited appeal.&nbsp;&lsquo;Instant relief&rsquo;Arsala Anjum, an Islamabad-based clinical psychologist, while speaking to Pakistan TV Digital on Thursday, said, &ldquo;The idea of scream club phenomenon helps vent suppressed emotions, but it does not have long-lasting effects.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;It provides an instant relief, thus preventing people from working on a deeper level, managing their hidden fears and insecurities,&rdquo; she warns. &nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I think scream clubs may not gain similar attention in Pakistan as our culture is already enriched with strong family and social ties, allowing people to express their emotions in a safe place,&rdquo; the clinical psychologist said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Entertainment

In the West, scream clubs are helping young people release emotional tension; so-called scream therapy is a technique that is rapidly growing in popularity on TikTok and has made its way to Britain from the US. 

Scream therapy: Trending in the West, will it catch on in Pakistan?

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces killed six militants affiliated with the group known as &ldquo;Fitna-e-Hindustan&rdquo; during a counterterrorism operation in Dalbandin, Balochistan, security sources said on Wednesday.&nbsp;According to the sources, the operation successfully dismantled a militant network believed to be operating with external support. The group, referred to by Islamabad as Fitna-e-Hindustan, linked to India-sponsored militants operating in parts of Balochistan.&nbsp;The intelligence-led operation was part of ongoing efforts by security forces to eliminate terrorist elements and maintain peace and stability in the province, the sources said.&nbsp;The militants were reportedly hiding in a mountain cave in the Dalbandin region. Security personnel kept the location under aerial surveillance before carrying out a precise strike once confirmation of the targets was obtained.&nbsp;&ldquo;All six militants were neutralized in the engagement,&rdquo; a senior security official said, adding that the operation reflected effective coordination and intelligence-sharing among Pakistan&rsquo;s security and intelligence agencies.&nbsp;The official added that counterterrorism operations will continue across Balochistan until &ldquo;the complete elimination of all terrorist elements from the province.&rdquo;&nbsp;According to Pakistan TV Digital estimates, more than 880 militants have been killed in various intelligence-based operations across the country between January and September 2025.&nbsp;Earlier this week, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, while addressing participants of the 17th National Workshop Balochistan at General Headquarters (GHQ), reaffirmed the state&rsquo;s resolve to pursue terrorists &ldquo;until peace is fully restored.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;While Pakistan seeks regional peace and stability, any violation of its territorial integrity, direct or indirect, will be met with a firm and decisive response to safeguard the lives and well-being of our citizens,&rdquo; Field Marshal Munir said.&nbsp;Officials said the latest operation in Dalbandin underscores the security forces&rsquo; determination to maintain internal stability and counter external threats aimed at undermining Pakistan&rsquo;s peace and sovereignty.

Pakistan’s security forces killed six militants linked to Fitna-e-Hindustan during a targeted operation in Balochistan’s Dalbandin area. The operation, described as a major counterterrorism success, comes amid continued efforts to eliminate terrorist networks across the province.

Six militants killed in counterterrorism operation in Balochistan: security sources

Monitoring Desk

ISLAMABAD: The long-debated Durand Line, a 2,640-kilometer border demarcation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, has once again come into focus as legal experts and political leaders reaffirm its legitimacy as an international border under international law. Historical Context of the Durand LineThe Durand Line was established in 1893 following an agreement between Sir Mortimer Durand, representing British India, and Amir Abdur Rahman Khan of Afghanistan. The line was meant to define the spheres of influence between British India and Afghanistan. Following the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, Pakistan inherited all international treaties and boundaries agreed upon by British India &mdash; including the Durand Line. However, successive Afghan governments have contested its legal status, arguing that the agreement lapsed after the British withdrawal. Legal Standing and International FrameworkLegal expert Ahmer Bilal Soofi notes that the international legal framework supports Pakistan&rsquo;s position. Referring to Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, he explains that while states may withdraw from certain treaties due to a &ldquo;fundamental change of circumstances,&rdquo; boundary treaties remain permanent and binding. &ldquo;This means that once a border treaty is agreed upon, it cannot be unilaterally disregarded due to political changes,&rdquo; Soofi emphasized, pointing out that boundary agreements enjoy a unique status in international law. A 1969 Supreme Court of Pakistan decision also reaffirmed the Durand Line as a valid and recognized boundary, rejecting any interpretation that challenges its legal sanctity. Khurram Dastgir Khan Reaffirms Pakistan&rsquo;s PositionSenior PML-N leader and former federal minister Khurram Dastgir Khan underscored that Pakistan&rsquo;s stance on the issue remains firm and consistent. &ldquo;Pakistan has insisted on and will continue to insist, and as a successor state to Great Britain, that the term &lsquo;Durand Line&rsquo; itself is not acceptable; it is the international border,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;There are multiple agreements, documents, and international laws that declare it as the international border.&rdquo; He added that Afghanistan&rsquo;s continued reluctance to recognize the border stems largely from domestic economic and political factors. &ldquo;Their insistence that it is not the border is mainly due to their economic and political reasons to keep their population somehow questioned regarding the Pakistan situation,&rdquo; Dastgir noted. Emphasizing the importance of securing the frontier, he said Pakistan must invest further in strengthening the border. &ldquo;We have to find ways to secure the border, and we have to make sure that the Pakistan border is now an actual line that demarcates two countries. I cannot emphasize enough how important this issue is; this is really crucial for the future of peaceful Pak-Afghan relations.&rdquo; The Way ForwardThe reaffirmation of the Durand Line&rsquo;s legal status&mdash;both by legal authorities and political leadership&mdash;highlights Pakistan&rsquo;s consistent policy that the border is final and internationally recognized. Pakistani officials stress that effective border management and mutual recognition remain essential for fostering peaceful and stable Pak-Afghan relations in the years ahead.

The long-debated Durand Line, a 2,640-kilometer border demarcation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, has once again come into focus as legal experts and political leaders reaffirm its legitimacy as international border under international law

Pakistan reaffirms Durand Line as international border: legal and strategic perspectives

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb has observed that &ldquo;improved macroeconomic fundamentals have enabled Pakistan to regain access to international commercial markets after more than two years.&rdquo; Aurangzeb, in an interview with CGTN America (China Global Television Network) during his visit to Washington DC for the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, outlined Pakistan&rsquo;s continuing progress on macroeconomic stabilization, structural reforms, and growth-oriented policy measures, said a press release issued by Pakistan&rsquo;s Finance Division on Wednesday. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 585px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1980874049086529583&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=18d9926d3d3369db3b05cd5b23637d87fea6e65e&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The minister noted that over the past year, Pakistan&rsquo;s economy has achieved notable consolidation in macroeconomic indicators. &ldquo;Fiscal and external accounts have stabilized, the exchange rate has remained steady, and foreign exchange reserves have increased to 2.5 months of import cover,&rdquo; Aurangzeb stated. He noted that &ldquo;inflation has returned to single digits, the policy rate has been reduced by half, and all major global rating agencies, including Fitch, S&amp;P, and Moody&rsquo;s, have upgraded Pakistan&rsquo;s outlook for the first time in nearly three years.&rdquo; Growth forecast&nbsp;The finance minister informed that the second review under the International Monetary Fund (IMF)&rsquo;s Extended Fund Facility had recently been completed in Islamabad, resulting in a staff-level agreement. The Fund&rsquo;s management has expressed continued confidence in Pakistan&rsquo;s reform agenda, which remains focused on structural adjustments in taxation, energy, public finance, and privatization, he said, according to the press release. The IMF has raised Pakistan&rsquo;s economic growth forecast to 3.6% for the current fiscal year, exceeding the World Bank&rsquo;s 2.6% estimate, while cautioning of possible higher inflation and current account deficit. The IMF states, &ldquo;the severe flooding in Pakistan during the third quarter of 2025 may have more adverse effects on growth, inflation, and the current account than currently estimated, although these impacts remain highly uncertain,&rdquo; making the figures provisional.&nbsp;Revival of privatization programThe finance minister highlighted the revival of the privatization program, noting the successful completion of the first transaction of the current fiscal year involving the sale of a small bank to a UAE-based conglomerate, with additional investment planned in digital expansion, the Finance Division&rsquo;s press release said. &ldquo;The privatization of the national airline is also expected to be finalized before the end of the fiscal year,&rdquo; Aurangzeb said. He observed that &ldquo;improved macroeconomic fundamentals have enabled Pakistan to regain access to international commercial markets after more than two years.&rdquo; &ldquo;The government has recently secured borrowing from Middle Eastern banks and is preparing to issue the country&rsquo;s inaugural Panda Bond before the end of the year,&rdquo; Aurangzeb said. He added that &ldquo;Pakistan had smoothly repaid a $500 million Eurobond in September and is well positioned to meet the next $1.3 billion repayment due in April 2026.&rdquo;&nbsp;&lsquo;Existential challenge&rsquo;&nbsp;Addressing the economic impact of recent flooding, the minister emphasized that climate change remains &ldquo;an existential challenge&rdquo; for Pakistan. &ldquo;While agriculture, particularly rice and cotton crops, has suffered due to flooding, growth is still expected to remain close to 3.5% for FY2025-26.&rdquo; On Pakistan&rsquo;s partnership with China, Aurangzeb reaffirmed &ldquo;the long-standing and robust nature of bilateral relations, highlighting the launch of CPEC Phase 2.0.&rdquo; The finance minister said the new phase focuses on industrial cooperation, special economic zones, and private-sector-led investments. &ldquo;During the prime minister&rsquo;s recent visit to Beijing, 24 joint venture agreements were signed across key sectors such as mining, agriculture, information technology, artificial intelligence, and pharmaceuticals, signaling strong investment traction.&rdquo; Digital transformation&nbsp;The minister, while elaborating on the government&rsquo;s digital transformation agenda, said: &ldquo;Efforts are underway to digitize all government payments and strengthen digital infrastructure across sectors.&rdquo; &ldquo;These initiatives have contributed to improved transparency and a broader tax base, reflected in the increase of the tax-to-GDP ratio from 8.8% to 10.2%. The integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics has also significantly enhanced the efficiency of tax administration,&rdquo; he added. Trade policy&nbsp;Discussing trade policy, Aurangzeb mentioned that &ldquo;Pakistan recently concluded tariff negotiations with the United States, securing favorable rates that are expected to benefit textile exporters, particularly in the home textile segment.&rdquo; He underlined Pakistan&rsquo;s broader commitment to trade diversification, noting the government&rsquo;s increased engagement with Central Asian republics and South-South economic cooperation frameworks. In reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit held in Tianjin, China, the finance minister expressed support for &ldquo;President Xi Jinping&rsquo;s Global Governance Initiative, which emphasizes sovereign equality, the rule of law, and multilateralism.&rdquo;&nbsp; He noted that these principles align closely with Pakistan&rsquo;s approach to global engagement and cooperation. Aurangzeb underscored that &ldquo;Pakistan remains firmly committed to macroeconomic stability, structural reform, and sustainable, inclusive growth, with a clear focus on strengthening resilience, encouraging investment, and advancing the country&rsquo;s long-term development agenda&rdquo;, the press release concluded.

Taxation

‘Fiscal and external accounts have stabilized, the exchange rate has remained steady, and foreign exchange reserves have increased to 2.5 months of import cover;’ ‘inflation has returned to single digits, the policy rate has been reduced by half’ -- Finance Minister 

Financial stability has helped Pakistan regain access to international markets: finmin

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Energy Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has called for enhanced international collaboration to support the country&rsquo;s energy transition and the responsible development of its critical mineral resources, the information ministry said on Tuesday.&nbsp;Addressing the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 in Sydney, one of the world&rsquo;s leading forums for the mining and resources sector, Malik urged global partners to engage with Pakistan in unlocking what he described as &ldquo;new and promising frontiers&rdquo; for sustainable investment.&nbsp;&ldquo;With strong political alignment, a suite of investor-friendly reforms, and its rich, untapped geological potential, Pakistan offers new and promising frontiers for responsible global partnerships,&rdquo; Malik said, as quoted in the statement.&nbsp;The minister&rsquo;s remarks came during a session themed &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s Energy Transition and Critical Minerals Development: Unlocking New Frontiers for Global Partnership.&rdquo;&nbsp;He outlined the government&rsquo;s ambitions to position Pakistan as a key contributor to the global shift toward clean energy and climate resilience.&nbsp;Malik emphasized Pakistan&rsquo;s vast mineral wealth, including significant deposits of copper, lithium, and rare earth elements essential for green technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan is committed to developing these resources responsibly, aligning economic growth with environmental sustainability,&rdquo; the minister noted.&nbsp;Citing research by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), the statement highlighted that the Reko Diq site in Balochistan contains an estimated 5.9 billion tons of ore, including about 0.41 billion tons of copper content, one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world.&nbsp;Despite contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.&nbsp;The statement noted that the Germanwatch Climate Risk Index ranked Pakistan first among the top ten nations facing severe climate vulnerabilities, with an estimated 765,000 lives lost and $4.2 trillion in direct economic losses between 1993 and 2022.&nbsp;&ldquo;This climate injustice underscores the urgency of Pakistan&rsquo;s transition to cleaner energy systems,&rdquo; Malik said. &ldquo;It is vital for safeguarding our food and water security and ensuring long-term economic stability.&rdquo;&nbsp;The energy minister also pointed to Pakistan&rsquo;s renewable energy targets and regulatory reforms as evidence of a strong policy environment designed to attract global investors. He invited international companies to explore opportunities in mining, renewable power, and sustainable infrastructure.&nbsp;On the sidelines of the conference, Malik met with the Director General for Minerals from the Government of Western Australia, who briefed him on Australia&rsquo;s mining sector and its contribution to national economic growth.&nbsp;Malik, in turn, invited Australian companies to invest in Pakistan&rsquo;s mining industry and collaborate on technology transfer and capacity-building initiatives.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s mineral and energy sectors are open for responsible investment and partnership,&rdquo; Malik said. &ldquo;We welcome global stakeholders who share our vision for sustainability and innovation.&rdquo;

Energy Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik invites Australian companies to invest in Pakistan’s mining sector, emphasizing opportunities for sustainable partnerships, technology transfer, and responsible resource development during his meeting with Western Australia’s Director General for Minerals in Sydney.

Pakistan seeks global partnerships to drive energy transition, mineral development

Maryam Shah

ISLAMABAD: Afghan officials recently&nbsp;raised objections to the&nbsp;use of the word &#39;border&#39; in&nbsp;a statement Qatar issued in the wake of a ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Doha.&nbsp; The border has long been internationally recognized as Pakistan&rsquo;s western frontier, a position Islamabad has maintained and articulated consistently. The Durand AgreementThe Durand Agreement was&nbsp;signed on Nov. 12, 1893, between the British Indian government and Afghan ruler Amir Abdur Rahman Khan. Negotiated by a British diplomat, Sir Mortimer Durand, the treaty demarcated zones of influence between the British Empire and Afghanistan. Later, the agreement was reaffirmed three times between the British Indian government and Afghan leaders &mdash; in March 1905, August 1919, and November 1921 &mdash; leading to the recognition of the Durand Line as the international border. Following Pakistan&rsquo;s creation in 1947, it inherited the line&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;which runs from the Chinese border in the north to the Iranian border&nbsp;in the south-west &mdash;&nbsp;as its international frontier with Afghanistan, a status it has upheld ever since. The 1988 Geneva Accords included an agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan that underscored mutual recognition of the Durand Line as the international border. Afghanistan, however, has periodically disputed what it recognized earlier. During an online press briefing on Oct. 19, 2025, soon after the Doha agreement, Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid said:&nbsp;&ldquo;We do not agree to the term &lsquo;border&rsquo;... the Durand Line is imaginary. Its future will be determined by the Afghan nation.&rdquo; Pakistan&rsquo;s position: &lsquo;A closed and settled issue&rsquo;In contrast, Pakistan &mdash; like countries around the world &mdash; has consistently maintained that the Durand Line is its western international border. In 2012, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated:&nbsp;&quot;The Durand Line between Pakistan and Afghanistan is the internationally recognized border. It is a closed and settled issue.&rdquo; In a more recent statement on Jan. 2, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s position: &ldquo;The Pakistan-Afghanistan border is an internationally recognized border. Anybody&rsquo;s statement cannot change the legality of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. It is not up for any discussion.&rdquo; MoFA has repeatedly emphasized that Pakistan retains the sovereign right to regulate and defend its border, condemning what it describes as &ldquo;unprovoked aggression&rdquo; from Afghan territory. Chronology of Pakistan&rsquo;s stanceThe Foreign Office has reiterated this stance on multiple occasions over the years: <blockquote>2012: It described the Durand Line as &ldquo;a closed and settled issue.&rdquo; 2019: It rejected Afghan claims of non-recognition, calling them &ldquo;irresponsible and unwarranted.&rdquo; It reaffirmed that the border was defined under &ldquo;all relevant international laws and conventions.&rdquo; 2020: In response to Afghan objections to border fencing by Pakistan, MoFA said the activity was in line with international norms and aimed at addressing Pakistan&rsquo;s security concerns without encroaching on Afghan territory. 2023: It asserted that any unauthorized construction by Afghanistan inside Pakistani territory was a violation of sovereignty. 2025: It reiterated that the border is &ldquo;not up for any discussion&rdquo; and rejected any challenges to its legitimacy.</blockquote> International recognitionWhile Afghanistan is the only country in the world that refuses to acknowledge the Durand Line, the international community recognizes it as Pakistan&rsquo;s legitimate western border. In October 2012, the US State Department formally endorsed the line. Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said: <blockquote>&ldquo;We see this [Durand Line] as the internationally recognized boundary.&rdquo;</blockquote> More recently, in February 2024, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said: <blockquote>&ldquo;We support the territorial integrity of both Afghanistan and Pakistan within their internationally recognized borders.&rdquo;</blockquote> Today, the United Nations and all countries of the world, except Afghanistan, recognize the Durand Line as the internationally recognized border of Afghanistan and Pakistan in official maps and bilateral dealings.

The 1988 Geneva Accords included an agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan that underscored mutual recognition of the Durand Line as the international border

The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan 

ISLAMABAD: Interim Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has dismissed claims that Afghanistan poses a security threat to its neighbors, even as multiple reports highlight that militant organizations continue to operate from Afghan territory, fueling instability across the region. During a recent visit to India, Muttaqi addressed concerns about militancy and regional security. Responding to questions from the Indian press, he said, &ldquo;Pakistan is not our only neighbor. China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan&mdash;why don&rsquo;t they have any complaints?&rdquo; However, a number of reports, including those by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), suggest that several armed groups maintain a presence in Afghanistan. These groups are said to threaten not only Pakistan but also other countries in the wider region. According to the UNSC&rsquo;s findings, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) remains the most prominent Pakistan-focused militant organization operating inside Afghanistan. The TTP, formed in 2007 and aligned with Al-Qaeda, is estimated to have around 6,000 fighters stationed across Afghanistan&rsquo;s Baghlan, Wardak, Nuristan, Kunar, Ghazni, Kabul, and Helmand provinces. The report further notes that the TTP &ldquo;continues to receive logistical and operational support&rdquo; from Afghanistan&rsquo;s de facto authorities and that its militants are &ldquo;trained in camps set up by Al-Qaeda.&rdquo; In April this year, Pakistan&rsquo;s military reported killing 54 TTP fighters attempting to infiltrate from Afghanistan. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the operation was part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts along the border. Militant groups based in Afghanistan are not limited to the TTP. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has waged an insurgency in Pakistan&rsquo;s southwestern Balochistan province, is also believed to maintain safe havens inside Afghanistan. BLA commander Aslam Baloch, also known as Achu, was killed in Kandahar in December 2018, according to Al-Jazeera.&nbsp; The UNSC report adds that the BLA has a &ldquo;non-aggression pact&rdquo; with the TTP, under which both groups refrain from targeting each other, and that TTP provides training support to Baloch militants. The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), another major group, reportedly commands between 4,000 and 6,000 fighters in Afghanistan, including defectors from the Afghan Taliban, TTP, and Al-Qaeda. ISKP has expanded its reach across the region. Last year, Pakistan, in coordination with T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), arrested ISKP&rsquo;s media head, Abu Yasir al-Turki, during a joint intelligence operation near the Afghan border. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda continues to maintain training facilities across Afghanistan, used by both its members and TTP operatives. The group&rsquo;s South Asian affiliate, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), remains ideologically aligned with the Taliban. AQIS&rsquo;s second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, was killed in a US drone strike in Kabul in July 2022, according to the US Department of War. Other regional outfits, including the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), which targets China, and Tehrik-e-Taliban Tajikistan, reportedly operate from Afghan soil. The TIP, led by Abdul Haq Turkistani, maintains ties with both the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, with Abdul Haq serving on Al-Qaeda&rsquo;s executive council, according to the UNSC. Similarly, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), with an estimated 500 to 800 fighters based in northern Afghanistan, continues to pose a threat to Central Asian states. Afghanistan-based outlet Amu TV has described the IMU as maintaining &ldquo;deep historical ties&rdquo; to Afghanistan&rsquo;s insurgency. Despite these documented presences, the Afghan Taliban government continues to deny harboring foreign militants. Muttaqi&rsquo;s remarks in India reflect Kabul&rsquo;s consistent position that Afghanistan is not a source of regional instability. Still, the contrast between official statements and international assessments underscores the region&rsquo;s lingering security dilemma, where assurances of peace coexist uneasily with the persistent activity of transnational militant networks.

Multiple UN and intelligence reports indicate that militant networks, including the TTP, BLA, ISKP, and Al-Qaeda affiliates, continue operating from Afghan soil despite Taliban denials, raising fresh concerns over regional stability and cross-border security threats

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The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan

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