RIYADH: The inaugural day of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference 2025 in Jeddah, running from December 8 to 10, marked a significant milestone in advancing water sector technologies and sustainability initiatives. Nine major agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed, highlighting strong collaboration between governmental, private, and academic entities. The Saudi Water Authority spearheaded six key cooperation agreements aimed at promoting innovation, developing new technologies, and enhancing service efficiency. Notable technical agreements were signed with the General Irrigation Corp., the Singapore Water Association, the National Polyethylene Co., and Arabian Qudra Co. Additionally, an MoU was inked with the…
Author: Imran Ali Khan
Islamabad: Pakistan’s immediate risk of economic free fall has eased, but the country remains on a narrow stabilization path, according to the latest projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Fund, which released its updated forecasts alongside a fresh disbursement of around $1.2 billion to Pakistan, highlighted that while inflation has moderated and fiscal deficits are shrinking, the economy continues to grapple with weak growth, high debt, and limited relief for households. IMF projections show Pakistan’s GDP growth inching up from 2.6% in FY2024 to 3.2% by FY2026—a pace barely matching the population growth of 240.5 million. Per capita…
Riyadh: Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Riyadh on Monday, receiving a warm welcome from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as both countries took another significant step in strengthening their strategic partnership, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Emir co-chaired the eighth meeting of the Qatari-Saudi Co-ordination Council in the Saudi capital, underscoring the commitment of both nations to expand cooperation across multiple sectors. Sheikh Tamim was accompanied by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, who had visited Riyadh earlier on Thursday to hold talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal…
ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s first-ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has sent a strong and unequivocal message to the Taliban in Kabul, stating that they must choose between supporting the mischief-makers (Khawarij) or aligning with Pakistan. In a statement issued by ISPR, he emphasized that while Pakistan remains a peaceful nation, no one will be allowed to test its territorial integrity or sovereignty. Let everyone know that the idea of Pakistan is invincible, and its protection is ensured by the firm resolve of faithful, brave soldiers and a united nation, Field Marshal Munir asserted, highlighting the nation’s…
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to work with all South Asian nations willing to move towards deeper regional integration, enhanced trade, and strengthened energy and connectivity corridors marking the 40th anniversary of the Saarc Charter with a renewed call for collective progress. In their separate messages, both leaders underscored that Pakistan remains firmly committed to the principles and objectives enshrined in the Saarc Charter, insisting that only a cooperative, forward-looking regional order can unlock South Asia’s untapped economic and human potential. President Zardari stated that Challenges are shared and so must…
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s military on Friday issued a stern warning to PTI founder Imran Khan, with Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry asserting that the former prime minister’s “anti-army rhetoric” has gone beyond politics and now constitutes a “national security threat.” Speaking at a press conference in Rawalpindi, Lt Gen Chaudhry described a “creeping national security threat” emerging from what he called the “delusional mindset” of a political figure whose personal ambitions outweigh the interests of the state. He pointedly referred to Imran, imprisoned since 2023, saying, “This threat emanates from a delusional person captive…
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Qatar reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral and regional ties during the executive committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh on Thursday. The session was co-chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the meeting reviewed ongoing cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, exploring initiatives aimed at enhancing strategic, economic, and cultural collaboration. Both sides commended the work of the council’s various committees, which have actively contributed to strengthening institutional ties between the two…
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries recorded a historic surge in merchandise foreign trade in 2024, with the total volume, excluding intra-GCC trade, rising 7.4 percent to reach $1.6 trillion, according to the GCC Statistical Center. This marks the highest level recorded between 2017 and 2024, reflecting the council’s growing economic clout in global trade. The data showed merchandise exports reached about $850 billion, up 3.4 percent from $821 billion in 2023, driven by a 22.5 percent increase in non-oil exports and a 1.4 percent rise in re-exports, while oil and gas exports declined slightly by 1.8 percent. Imports, however,…
TEHRAN: Iran conducted a large-scale missile exercise on Friday in the Sea of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, state television reported, marking the second day of the naval drill aimed at showcasing the country’s military strength in the region. The report stated that Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched a series of missiles from mainland Iran, striking designated targets in the Oman Sea and nearby areas. The missiles reportedly included Qadr-110, Qadr-380, and Ghadir cruise missiles, with ranges of up to 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles), along with a ballistic missile identified as 303, although no additional details were…
JERUSALEM/CAIRO: Yasser Abu Shabab, a prominent Bedouin tribal leader and head of an armed Palestinian faction opposing Hamas in Gaza, has died while mediating a family dispute, his group confirmed on Friday. The death is widely seen as a blow to Israeli efforts to support Gazan clans against the Palestinian movement. Abu Shabab, who operated from Israeli-controlled areas in southern Gaza, led the largest of several small anti-Hamas factions that emerged during the ongoing conflict that began over two years ago. His faction, the Gaza-based Popular Forces, said in a statement that he was shot while intervening in a family…