Pakistan, China agree to strengthen security & political cooperation (FO)

Photo credit: APP | Pakistan-China Delegation to Meet for Third Round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) in Beijing, March 18, 2023 - APP

The two countries are also discussing strengthening mechanisms for high-level engagement and dialogue.

As part of an attempt to overhaul bilateral ties, Pakistan and China agreed to expand and strengthen political and security cooperation, bilateral trade, economic and financial cooperation, tourism, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties, Das said State Department in a statement on Sunday.

The development came as the two countries met in the third round of bilateral Pakistan-China (BPC) political consultations - a regular institutional mechanism between the two countries - held in Beijing on March 18. The Pakistani delegation of

was led by Foreign Minister Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, and the Chinese side was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.

Pakistan and China will also strengthen high-level engagement and dialogue mechanisms and further strengthen communication channels, according to the FO. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), both sides reaffirmed their commitment to CPEC, which remains the main pillar of bilateral cooperation and a symbol of deepening friendship between the two countries.

They also agreed to continue their efforts to develop the CPEC, including involving third parties, to enhance regional connectivity and collaboration. Dr Majeed thanked the Chinese side for their continued generous support for Pakistan's economic stability and humanitarian aid provided to the country during last year's devastating floods. Separately, Sun reiterated China's support for Pakistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity and economic security.

"The two sides exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest and expressed satisfaction with their close cooperation and involvement in key regional developments, including in Afghanistan," the press release reads.

He added that Pakistan and China will continue to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in multilateral platforms.

Bilawal Proposes Setting up a Special Task Force to Ensure Financial Justice

Photo Credit: The economic times| Bilawal Bhutto 

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday proposed setting up a special task force of experts within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to develop a strategy to ensure equal treatment in rules and in the financial, trade and tax structure develop.

“We must also call for rapid debt restructuring of 60 financially troubled countries, redistribution of unused SDRs (Special Drawing Rights) to developing countries, huge loans from multilateral development banks, massive investments in public-private partnerships, sustainable infrastructure, and the mobilization of $100 billion in climate finance He said during his keynote speech as Chairman of the United States Council of Foreign Ministers OCI (CFM) during the two-day 49th session of the CFM in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

The Foreign Minister recalled that Pakistan was hit hard by devastating floods last summer after coping with the negative impact of COVID-19, inflation, the economic collapse in Afghanistan and the aftermath of the war in Ukraine.

He thanked fraternal Islamic countries for their generous support of Pakistan at this difficult time. On the Palestinian issue, the Foreign Minister said that OIC member states should continue to condemn Israel's repeated aggression against Al-Aqsa Mosque and the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Palestinian people must have their own state within the 1967 borders with the capital at Al Quds. "It may seem like a tall order today, but I am convinced that the arc of history in the hands of the Almighty leads toward justice."

Imran Khan waves to Supporters after Police exit the Former PM's Home

Photo Credit: Arif Ali |Imran Khan 

Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan saluted supporters after violent clashes outside his home hours when police tried to arrest him.

He addressed the crowd and took photos with those who had gathered near his fence in the city of Lahore.

In a video he can be seen with a gas mask. Police fired tear gas canisters at clashes throughout the night. An official told the BBC that the arrest operation had been suspended.

Punjab Interim Information Minister Amir Mir said the court-ordered operation to arrest Khan was suspended on Wednesday to allow for a cricket tournament nearby after the brawl sparked protests.

He said the deal is likely to go ahead after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final on March 19.

International cricket was not played in Pakistan for six years after gunmen attacked a Sri Lankan team in 2009. International players have also returned after years and the current tournament includes a major security operation.

"We cannot afford to compromise the security of the PSL," a senior police official told Reuters.

Paramilitary officers and guardsmen were seen exiting the suburb of Zaman Park where the home is located, some reportedly exiting checkpoints and checkpoints.

Imran Khan then appeared outside and addressed his followers. "The police and guards sent to harm Imran Khan were opposed by the population," his PTI party tweeted.

Release from Lahore court for Khan by Thursday 10Am

Photo Credit: The economic times| live update on Imran Khan

• A court in Lahore ruled that former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan cannot be arrested before 10:00 AM on Thursday.
• Security forces withdrew from near Khan's residence in Lahore due to a cricket match scheduled for Wednesday in the city.

The Lahore High Court ordered police to stop arresting former Prime Minister Imran Khan until 10:00 (05:00 GMT) Thursday.

The court heard a petition from Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Fawad Chaudhry, calling for an end to the “atrocities” at the Khan Zaman Park residence in Lahore.

The Islamabad Supreme Court is also expected to rule on another PTI indictment of Khan's arrest warrant on Wednesday.

Updates on Imran Khan's Arrest: Protests Against the Arrest of Imran Khan

Photo Credit: Desiblitz | Imran Khan

Pakistani workers and supporters of Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have taken over Zaman Park in Lahore after police who earlier arrived to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakan case were removed from Canal Road, reported ARY News on Tuesday. Police failed to arrest the PTI leader seven hours later, according to a Pakistani news channel, as PTI workers besieged the path leading to Imran Khan's home and Canal Road.

During the takeover of Zaman Park, PTI staff and supporters chanted pro-Imran Khan slogans.

Similar protests also broke out in many other cities.

China has Set an Economic Growth Target of 5% by 2023, The Lowest in Decades

World News

Beijing: China on Sunday announced one of its lowest economic growth targets in years and started parliamentary sessions aimed at giving Xi Jinping a third term as president and approving an increase in government spending.

In its opening report, the Chinese government said it was targeting economic growth of “around 5 percent” for the coming year, one of the weakest in decades. 

China's Annual National People's Congress opened in Beijing | Creditor : THOMAS PETER 

China posted growth of just 3% last year, well above its stated target of around 5.5%, as the economy was weighed down by China's tough Covid-19-related lockdown measures and the housing crisis.

"Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, we have carried out the response to Covid-19 and advanced economic and social development in an efficient and well-coordinated manner," government report presented by outgoing Premier Li Keqiang at the opening of the ha said the National People's Congress on Sunday.

"We have overcome major difficulties and challenges and managed to maintain generally stable economic performance," he added.

Analysts say there will be few surprises at the carefully orchestrated National People's Congress, as thousands of politicians have traveled from across China to vote on laws and personnel changes pre-approved by the ruling Communist Party (CCP).

The high point of the PA's agenda will be Xi's reappointment as president on Friday after he stalled for another five years as party and military leader two of China's most important leadership positions in Chinese politics at a convention in October.

Since then, Xi's 69-year-old leadership has faced unexpected challenges and trials, including mass protests against his zero-Covid policy and subsequent abandonment that unleashed a deadly coronavirus wave. .

But such questions will almost certainly be avoided at the conclave in Beijing this week, which will also unveil Xi's new prime minister and former party leader in Shanghai.

Creditor : East Asia forum

Creditor : CGTN

No Challengers 

Xi enjoys a "fairly strong" position at the top of the party, making him virtually unbeatable, Alfred Muluan Wu, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at National Peking University, told AFP Singapore.

Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London, said Xi now has an opportunity to show his response to the pressure of last year's unrest.

“He acted decisively when protests included demands for him and the CCP to quit. He removed them and eliminated the cause," he told AFP news agency.

“He can present himself as a leader instead of having to react."

Also on lawmakers' agenda are slowing China's economy and increasing its defense budget, the second largest in the world.

According to official media, the delegates to the PNA and the parallel Political Consultative Conference (Cpcpc), which began on Saturday will also discuss a range of issues ranging from economic recovery to improving sex education in schools. The meetings serve as a forum for participants to present national projects, but have little to say on broader Chinese governance issues.