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Pakistan’s PM lands in Beijing to discuss economy, debt
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to meet Chinese leaders and discuss plans for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion investment in the South Asian nation.
The major investment in development and energy projects in Pakistan is part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to improve China’s road, rail and sea routes with the rest of the world, Reuters reported.
Islamabad and Beijing are considered longtime close allies, and Sharif is also expected to discuss security issues while on his visit.
On his two-day maiden visit to Beijing since taking office in April, Sharif will also seek some debt relief from China, in particular the rolling over of bilateral debt, an aide travelling with the prime minister told Reuters.
Chinese loans – around $23 billion – make up the largest chunk of Pakistan’s $27 billion of bilateral debt.
Sharif will be one of the first leaders to meet Xi since he secured a third term in power.
Pakistan had been struggling with a balance of payments crisis even before devastating floods hit the country over the summer, causing it an estimated $30 billion or more in losses.
“My discussions with the Chinese leadership will focus on revitalization of CPEC among many other things,” Sharif said in a statement adding that he will be meeting Xi and other Chinese executives while there.
Sharif’s government alleges that the CPEC project was slowed down during the tenure of ousted former premier Imran Khan, a charge the latter denies.
Sharif’s delegation among others includes the finance and energy ministers.
Pakistan has indicated previously that it will seek bilateral debt relief to lessen its balance of payment problems, but it hasn’t made any official announcement on whether it will formally ask Beijing for such help.
Pakistan’s central bank reserves have fallen to as low as $7.4 billion, barely enough for one and a half months of imports.
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Pakistan shelling in Afghanistan’s Kunar leaves civilian casualties, says IEA
Earlier this month, Afghanistan said that a Pakistani airstrike had hit a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, killing more than 400 people.
The Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, says Pakistani forces carried out heavy shelling on civilian areas in eastern Afghanistan, leaving several residents injured and one person dead.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Fitrat said that members of the Pakistani military regime fired mortars and other heavy weapons at around 5 pm on rural areas and residential neighborhoods on the outskirts of Asadabad, the provincial capital of Kunar Province.
According to him, the attacks targeted villages and civilian homes, resulting in casualties among local residents. Preliminary reports indicate that at least 16 people were injured—most of them women and children—while one person was killed in the incident.
“Once again, the militias of the Pakistani military regime conducted shelling on rural areas and civilian residences located on the outskirts of Asadabad using mortars and other heavy weaponry,” Fitrat stated.
Local sources say the shelling created panic among residents in surrounding communities, forcing some families to leave their homes due to fears of further attacks. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and casualties.
Earlier this month, Afghanistan said that a Pakistani airstrike had hit a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, killing more than 400 people.
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Afghan FM meets Iran’s acting ambassador in Kabul, discusses regional issues
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Ali-Reza Beikdeli, Iran’s acting ambassador in Kabul, to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.
According to a statement from the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi criticized what he called the “aggression” of the United States and Israel against Iran, warning that the expansion of conflict to other countries affects the entire region.
He also highlighted the growing trade relations between Afghanistan and Iran, describing them as a positive sign of cooperation. In addition, Muttaqi praised the “constructive stance” of Iranian officials regarding recent tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing that the resolution of legitimate concerns from both sides is only possible through genuine dialogue.
Beikdeli reaffirmed Iran’s position on U.S. and Israeli actions and described bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan—particularly in trade—as positive. He added that Iran’s leadership is closely monitoring the situation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and supports a peaceful resolution.
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Seventeen dead, dozens injured in floods across Afghanistan
At least 17 people have lost their lives and 26 others have been injured as floods, landslides, and lightning strikes hit multiple provinces across Afghanistan, authorities said on Sunday.
Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Authority, said that in the past 24 hours, the provinces of Parwan, Daikundi, Maidan Wardak, Logar, Herat, Farah, Ghor, Badghis, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Jowzjan, Faryab, and Laghman were all affected by natural disasters.
The disasters have also caused significant property damage. Thirty-seven homes were completely destroyed, while 110 others suffered partial damage. Around 80 kilometers of roads and 582 jeribs of agricultural land were damaged or destroyed.
Authorities emphasized that emergency response efforts are ongoing to provide relief and assistance to the affected communities.
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