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PAKISTAN, CHINA AGREE TO UPGRADE CPEC 2.0 WITH FIVE NEW CORRIDORS
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Friday, 5 September, 2025 | 11 Rabiul Awal, 1447
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PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF, CHINESE PREMIER LI QIANG DISCUSS BILATERAL TIES, ECONOMIC COOPERATION
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 59 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
PAKISTAN, CHINA INK $8.5 BLN ACCORDS; PM SHEHBAZ TERMS STEP AS 'LONG MARCH OF ECONOMIC GROWTH'
BOTH LEADERS REAFFIRM SHARED RESOLVE TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN IRON-CLAD, ALL-WEATHER STRATEGIC COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CHINA AND PAKISTAN BEIJING
mian abrar
AKISTAN and China on Thursday, expressing satisfaction over the positive trajectory of their relations, agreed to continue working closely on the next phase of the upgraded ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0), with its five new corridors. The bilateral ties and cooperation were discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang here. During their warm and friendly meeting, the prime minister expressed his deepest gratitude to the Chinese leadership and nation for their unflinching support to Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and socio-economic development. Building on the important consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and the Prime Minister in their meeting on Tuesday (September 02, 2025), both leaders reaffirmed their shared resolve to further strengthen the iron-clad, allweather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China. The signing of the Joint Action Plan 2024-2029 was deemed an important step in this regard. Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated the Chinese leadership on the successful hosting of the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin and extended his felicitations to China on the 80th anniversary of the success of the Chinese people in the War of Resistance and the World’s Anti-Fascist War.
Paying rich tribute to China’s impressive transformation under President Xi Jinping’s visionary leadership, the prime minister stated that Pakistan wanted to emulate China’s successes and build a stronger and closer PakistanChina community with a shared future. He noted that his government’s tireless reform efforts were yielding promising results, made possible through China’s strong support. He also shared Pakistan’s intent to float Panda Bonds in the Chinese capital market soon. On the economic front, the prime minister highlighted the significant contribution of the CPEC — a flagship project of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in Pakistan’s socio-
UN urges Pakistan to halt refugee expulsions after deadly quake in Afghanistan ISLAMABAD agencies
The UN refugee chief has urged Pakistan to pause its mass expulsions of Afghan refugees after a devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan killed nearly 1,500 people. “Given the circumstances, I appeal to the Government of Pakistan to pause the implementation of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said on X. He warned that those being forced out are “returning to a disaster zone”. His appeal came as rescue teams continued struggling to reach survivors after the shallow, magnitude-6.0 quake struck the mountainous region bordering Pakistan late Sunday, collapsing mud-brick homes as families slept. Taliban government authorities said 1,469 people were killed and more than 3,700 injured, with over 500,000 people affected — one of the country’s deadliest quakes in decades. Pakistan has hosted Afghans fleeing violence for more than four decades, from the Soviet invasion to the 2021 Taliban takeover. Some refugees were born and raised there, while others have been awaiting relocation to third countries. Various cohorts of Afghans have found differing degrees of stability, including access to work and education. However, Islamabad, citing a rise in militant attacks and insurgent campaigns, launched a crackdown in 2023 to evict Afghans, describing the population as “terrorists and criminals”. More than 1.2 million Afghans have since been forced to return, including over 443,000 this year alone, according to the United Nations.
economic development in the past decade and stressed the need for early implementation of ML-I, KKH realignment and operationalization of the Gwadar Port. Emphasizing the vast potential for B2B cooperation and investment, the prime minister briefed the Chinese Premier on the B2B Investment Conference held earlier in the day, where more than 300 Pakistani and 500 Chinese companies were in attendance. He identified agriculture, mines and minerals, textiles, the industrial sector and IT as priority areas for mutually beneficial economic collaboration. The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s support for President Xi Jinping’s
landmark initiatives to strengthen multilateralism, including the Global Governance Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative as well as Global Civilization Initiative. Both countries would celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties next year. The two leaders also attended the ceremony of the exchange of Memorandums of Understanding and agreements signed and announced between the two countries with regard to cooperation in the development of CPEC 2.0, science and technology, IT, media, agriculture, etc. The delegation-level talks were followed by a sumptuous luncheon, hosted by the Chinese Premier in honor of the prime minister and his delegation. PM assures to remove all hiccups as Pak, China business firms sign $8.5 bln pacts Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured the Chinese investors that all red-tape hiccups in investment procedures would be removed as Pakistan and China business firms signed massive $8.5 billion worth 21 memorandums of understanding in different areas. The prime minister unveiled a bold new vision for Pakistan-China economic cooperation, announcing the formal launch of “CPEC 2.0” during his keynote address at the Second PakistanChina B2B Investment Conference held in Beijing. Welcoming the high-level delegates, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the forum as a reflection of the iron-clad brotherhood between Pakistan and China.
Three Naval officers promoted to rank of Rear Admiral ISLAMABAD
staff report
Commodore Muhammad Shahnawaz Khan, Commodore Asim Sohail Malik and Commodore Sohail Ahmad Azmie of Pakistan Navy have been promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. Rear Admiral Muhammad Shahnawaz Khan was commissioned in Supply Branch of Pakistan Navy in 1993. The Flag Officer is a graduate of Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore and National Defence University, Islamabad. The Admiral has an illustrious career covering vast experience of various Command and Staff appointments including Command-
ing Officer General Stores Depot, Commanding Officer PNS RAZA, Director Procurement (Navy), Di-
recting Staff PN War College at Lahore, Director Pay, Pension & Accounts and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Education) at Naval Headquarters. The Admiral is currently serving as DG Munitions Productions (DGMP) at Ministry of Defence Productions Islamabad. Rear Admiral Asim Sohail Malik was commissioned in Operations Branch of Pakistan Navy in 1995. The Flag Officer is a graduate of Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore and National Defence University, Islamabad. He has also done Defence Services Command & Staff Course from Bangladesh, Defence & Strategic Studies Course and Masters in operational research & analysis from China.
Balochistan to observe wheel-jam, shutter down strike on Sept 8th QUETTA
news Desk
A province-wide wheel-jam and shutter-down strike has been announced for September 8 in Balochistan in response to a devastating suicide bombing at a Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) rally. The announcement was made during a press conference in Quetta, where BNP-M Chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, head of the Movement for the Protection of the Constitution of Pakistan, condemned the attack and called for peaceful protests across the province. Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal described the incident as “heart-wrenching,” noting that just 15 minutes before the blast, BNP-M workers were chanting “Pakistan Zindabad” (Long Live Pakistan). He questioned the failure of state institutions to prevent such attacks, referencing the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti in 2006. “If lessons had been learned from the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti, we would not have seen this day,” Mengal stated, highlighting a pattern of violence in the region. Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the designated opposition leader in the National Assembly, condemned the attack as an assault on humanity. He announced that on September 8, protests would span from Gwadar to Chaman, with roads, transport, and railway stations closed across Balochistan. “We will hold peaceful public protests throughout the province,” Achakzai said. “We can burn all the police stations in Balochistan, but we choose to protest peacefully. Our slogan will be ‘Long Live Democracy.’” Achakzai also addressed broader grievances, accusing state institutions of treating Baloch and Pashtun communities as “slaves” rather than equal citizens. He demanded the release of political prisoners and the recovery of missing persons, particularly children, who he claimed have been subjected to enforced disappearances. “This government is a thief, but we demand the release of prisoners and the recovery of our missing children,” he said, adding that the relationship between the state and the people of Balochistan is one of “coercion and force.”
SHO among three policemen martyred in Karak attack KARAK
staff corresponDent
At least three policemen, including a Station House Officer (SHO), were killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a police patrol vehicle in the Banda Daud Shah area of Karak district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), on Thursday. According to police, SHO Umar Nawaz was on routine patrol with two constables when their mobile came under a sudden ambush. The attackers sprayed the vehicle with bullets, resulting in the immediate death of all three officers. A spokesperson for Karak police confirmed the incident and said the attackers fled the scene immediately after the assault. Security forces later cordoned off the area and carried a search operation. Authorities have not yet released further details on the perpetrators or the progress of the investigation. Separately, on Tuesday, unidentified gunmen attacked a passenger vehicle in Lower Kurram, killing at least seven people in K-P. According to the police, the attackers opened fire on the passenger vehicle near Ahmad Khan Kalle and fled the scene. Kurram District Police Officer (DPO) Kurram Malik Habib stated that the attack was an attempt to sabotage peace in the area.
Bandits attack vehicles on motorway in Rahimyar Khan: police RAHIMYAR KHAN staff report
Ten people were kidnapped and three others were injured after multiple vehicles were attacked by bandits on the Sukkur-Multan motorway in Punjab’s Rahim Yar Khan district on Thursday morning. For decades, dozens of bandit gangs armed with sophisticated weaponry have operated with impunity in northern Sindh as well as southern Punjab. Kidnappings for ransom, extortion rackets, brutal killings and rob-
beries on major highways occur on a daily basis. South Punjab Additional Inspector General of Police (IG) Kamran Khan told Dawn.com that between 20 and 25 suspects attacked vehicles on the motorway. “Three people were injured in the incident,” he said. “Two of them suffered minor injuries, so they were discharged. One remains admitted in hospital with gunshot wounds to the waist and leg.” Additional IG Khan added that 10 people were abducted from the scene by the suspects and that no money or valuables were stolen.
Sheikh Zayed Medical College Hospital (SZMCH) spokesperson Rana Ilyas Ahmed said that three injured people were admitted to the facility. He later said that two of the injured had been discharged, while one was “receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to the leg”. “The injured were aboard the same coach and hail from Sheikhupura,” Ilyas said. Rahim Yar Khan police spokesperson Sub-Inspector Zeeshan Randhawa said that the incident took place on Thursday morning but did not confirm any injuries or fatalities.
Rising water levels in three rivers push threat of major flooding higher MULTAN
staff report
With the rising water levels in the three rivers of Chenab, Sutlej and Ravi, heavy rains have pushed the threat of major flooding in Pakistan higher. Multan Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu has said that the flood relay level in the Chenab River is continuously rising, due to which water has reached the Akbar Flood Dam and Sher Shah headworks and many villages have been submerged, said a statement from his office. The DC’s office added that he inspected the Chenab River Bridge and Sher Shah embankment yesterday during a visit, where he also received a briefing. “The situation is likely to worsen due to the joining of the Ravi River to the Chenab,” DC Sindhu was quoted as saying. “It was crossing level 414 at Greywala Chowk until late at night, which shows a rising trend.” The DC was quoted as saying that the committee is “on board” if the embankment at
Head Muhammad Wala needs to be breached. “Saving human lives in populated areas from floods is the most important thing,” the DC said. The statement added that a record 400,000 people were relocated to safer areas in the district. More than half a million people have been forced to flee in the past 24 hours as the flood threat in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province rises, officials said on Thursday. The evacuations brought the total number of people displaced by the threat since last month to 1.8 million, said Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed. He noted that mass evacuations were still continuing in the floodhit Muzaffargarh district and other areas. The action came as India sent out its third flood alert this week following heavy monsoon rains and water releases from dams to low-lying border regions. India’s National Disaster Management Authority said the new spell of monsoon rains is expected to persist for another 24 to 48 hours, adding that floodwaters are likely to surge into the Indus river, posing a threat
to areas in southern Sindh province. Muzaffargarh is among the worst-hit areas in Punjab, where floods have inundated 3,900 villages since the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers burst their banks two weeks ago, Javed said. The flooding has become substantially worse since Wednesday, said Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Multan in Punjab. “Yesterday we were at the same location and there was just a couple of feet of water,” said Hyder. “But now the villagers are telling us that same area is now under 20 feet of water. In Muzaffargarh, Narowal and Kasur, the government has erected tents to host displaced families”. People who fled their homes in Muzaffargarh described rushing to safety after urgent flood warnings. Ghulam Abbas, 54, who fled his village with his family, said mosque loudspeakers announced a massive flood surge was on its way, urging everyone to leave as soon as possible. “Those who thought the waters wouldn’t reach them are now being rescued by boat,”
ECP postpones Punjab by-elections amid widespread flooding ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed upcoming by-elections in Punjab due to severe flooding that has damaged infrastructure and hampered administrative operations across the province. In an official statement issued on Thursday, the ECP confirmed the delay of polls in four National Assembly (NA) and four Provincial Assembly (PA) constituencies, citing the extensive destruction caused by monsoon rains and floodwaters. “The scale of damage to roads, bridges, schools, government buildings, and communication networks has made it impossible to conduct elections under fair and secure conditions,” the commission
noted. It added that many polling staff, who are government employees, are currently engaged in flood relief efforts and are unavailable for election duties. Several District Returning Officers had reported the unavailability of designated staff and requested replacements from nearby districts. However, logistical challenges and the ongoing emergency response have rendered such arrangements unfeasible. The Government of Punjab also formally urged the ECP to delay the polls, highlighting the overwhelming burden on civil administration and law enforcement due to rescue operations. After reviewing the situation in a meeting held on September 4, the ECP concluded that holding elections in current conditions would compromise voter participation and electoral integrity.