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Monday, 1 December, 2025 | 9 Jamadiul Sani, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 145 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
PAKISTAN, EGYPT LAUNCH MAJOR PUSH TO RESET ECONOMIC TIES WITH NEW BUSINESS COUNCIL, FORUM
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DAR, ABDELATTY UNVEIL TWIN PLATFORMS TO ENERGISE TRADE AND INVESTMENT WITH ISLAMABAD TO SHORTLIST 250-500 TOP FIRMS FOR B2B ENGAGEMENTS
DAR SAYS BOTH NATIONS VOW ‘CONCRETE, SOLID STEPS’ TO BOOST CONNECTIVITY AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION
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TWO FMS REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO BRING BUSINESS, TRADE AND INVESTMENT TIES IN LINE WITH LONGSTANDING POLITICAL GOODWILL BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES FIRST PAKISTAN–EGYPT BUSINESS FORUM MEETING SET FOR CAIRO IN Q2-2026 WHILE JOINT MINISTERIAL PROCESS REVIVED AFTER 14-YEAR HIATUS
EGYPT TO MIRROR PAKISTAN’S BUSINESS WHITELISTING PROCESS, EASE VISAS, BESIDES CAIRO DOUBLES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PAKISTANI STUDENTS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
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ISLAMABAD
islamabad, Cairo reaffirm commitment to regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity: Fo
Saleem jadoon
AKISTAN and Egypt on Sunday agreed to significantly upgrade their economic partnership with the announcement of a new Pakistan–Egypt Business Council and a Pakistan–Egypt Business Forum, marking the most structured commercial engagement between the two nations in more than a decade. The decisions were unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at a joint press conference with Egypt’s visiting Foreign Minister Dr Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, signalling a renewed push to bring business, trade and investment ties in line with the longstanding political goodwill between the two countries. Dar said the Business Council would institutionalize commercial cooperation, while the Business Forum — to be cochaired by both foreign ministers — would hold its first meeting in Cairo in the second quarter of 2026. Leading private-sector companies from both countries would be represented, with a clear focus on boosting business-to-business (B2B) linkages.
ISLAMABAD
Staff report
He noted that despite the deep affection and historic ties between the two states, bilateral trade still hovered around $300 million, far below its potential. To address this gap, Pakistan would share a list of 250 business houses representing key economic sectors, shortlisted through a transparent, merit-based process coordinated with the FPCCI and relevant chambers. These firms would be facilitated to enhance trade and investment engagement with Egypt before being placed on a mutually agreed whitelist. A
second batch of 250 companies would be added after six months, raising the total to 500. Egypt, Dar added, would follow a parallel process. The deputy prime minister/foreign minister said both sides also agreed to ease visa facilitation for businesspeople. He further announced that after a long pause since 2010, senior officials from both foreign ministries would resume bilateral political consultations in the first quarter of next year.
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Security forces kill three terrorists in response to attack on FC’s Nokkundi headquarters QUETTA
Staff report
At least three terrorists were killed on Sunday in a swift retaliatory operation by security forces after one of the attackers detonated himself at the main gate of the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Nokkundi, Balochistan, officials said. The incident marks the latest in a series of escalating attacks in the province targeting law enforcement and security installations. According to a statement issued by the FC Balochistan South
spokesperson, the attackers belonged to Fitna al-Khawarij, a designation used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The spokesperson said the assault began when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the FC headquarters’ main gate, prompting quick response force personnel to engage the remaining assailants, killing three terrorists. Security forces continue a clearance operation at the site, with officials stating that the “last of the terrorists will also be dealt with soon.” Preliminary reports indicated that at least six armed militants entered
the headquarters compound following the initial blast. The operation was ongoing past midnight, with no further casualties confirmed at the time. Meanwhile, a checkpost in Gurmakan, Panjgur district, also reportedly came under attack during the day. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have witnessed a surge in terrorist incidents since the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. Following the ceasefire’s collapse, the group vowed to target security forces, police, and other law enforcement personnel.
govt announces reduction in petrol, diesel prices from today ISLAMABAD
Staff report
The government announced late on Sunday a reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel to provide relief to consumers amid rising fuel costs. According to the finance notification, petrol prices have been reduced by Rs2 per liter, bringing the
new petrol price to Rs263.45 per liter while high-speed diesel has also become cheaper, with a cut of Rs4.79 per liter. The revised price of high-speed diesel now stands at Rs279.65 per liter. The revised fuel prices will take effect from Monday, December 1, 2025, the notification said. This latest adjustment in petrol prices comes as part of the govern-
ment’s routine fortnightly review aimed at easing the burden on motorists and transporters. Officials say petrol prices will continue to be monitored closely in the coming weeks, particularly as international oil markets remain volatile. Earlier, petrol prices in Pakistan were expected to fall by Rs3.70 to Rs6.35 per liter from December 1, 2025, for the upcoming fortnight.
notification appointing first CdF to be issued ‘in due course of time’: Kh asif
ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday moved to address rising speculation over the government’s
delayed transition to the new higherdefense architecture, confirming that the notification appointing Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) would be issued “in due course of time” now that the formal
process had begun. His remarks came at a moment of heightened scrutiny, with the abolition of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) post on Nov 27 and the highly watched Nov 29 date—the day on which the original three-year tenure of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir was set to expire—both passing without any formal notification. “Please be informed that the process has been initiated. PM is returning shortly. Notification will be issued in due course of time,” Asif wrote in a post on X, indicating that the final step hinges on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s return from London. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, however, later told the media that the prime minister would be back in Pakistan on Monday.
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The visit of Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty to Pakistan has further strengthened the longstanding bilateral relationship and provided a significant opportunity to deepen cooperation across political, economic, defence, cultural, and educational sectors, a Foreign Office spokesperson said on Sunday. The FO statement said that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together for regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
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NDMA and Army deploy relief, rescue teams for Sri Lanka floods ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Pakistan has launched a comprehensive humanitarian relief operation to assist Sri Lanka as the island nation faces devastating floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah and persistent monsoon rains. Acting on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has arranged the dispatch of the first consignment of relief supplies, accompanied by a 45member Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team with support from the Pakistan Army. A C-130 aircraft will transport 100 tons of aid from Nur Khan Air Base to Colombo, under the supervision of NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik. The relief cargo includes rescue boats, water pumps, life jackets, family tents, blankets, food items, infant formula, essential medicines, and other critical supplies. A fully equipped mobile field hospital will also be deployed to provide emergency medical support to affected communities. In addition, Pakistan Navy Ship SAIF, currently in Colombo for the International Fleet Review-25, has initiated humanitarian assistance operations, handing over food staples, ready-to-eat meals, dry rations, firstaid kits, and emergency equipment to Sri Lankan authorities. The Navy confirmed it remains ready to provide further assistance as required. The dispatch ceremony at Nur Khan Air Base was attended by senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NDMA, and diplomatic representatives. Officials said Pakistan will continue providing humanitarian support to Sri Lanka as recovery needs evolve, reaffirming the country’s commitment to regional solidarity during crises.