Pakistan and Iran have agreed to boost their road and rail infrastructure, as part of a broader economic partnership. The two countries aim to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion, with 12 agreements and MoUs signed covering trade, energy, connectivity, and cultural cooperation.
Pakistan's first-ever Trade Dispute Resolution Commission (TDRC) has begun operations, marking a significant step towards transforming trade dispute resolution in the country. The five-member Commission includes Chairman Umar Dad Afridi and members Javed Iqbal Khan, Muhammad Hamood-ur-Rauf, Muhammad Rauf Khan, and Riffat Inam Butt. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan announced immediate measures to ensure the Commission's functionality, including securing office space and launching an online complaint portal. The TDRC aims to offer a neutral, efficient, and transparent mechanism for resolving trade disputes, aligning with the global framework under the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). This move is expected to boost exports, attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and strengthen Pakistan's credibility as a fair trading partner.
Pakistan's government plans to respond to Qatar's request for a deferment of 140 long-term LNG cargo shipments beyond 2030. The high-value cargoes, valued at around Rs9 billion each, are currently worth approximately $4.437 billion due to the exchange rate. A delegation led by Federal Minister Ali Parvaiz Malik visited Doha in August to discuss Pakistan's worsening gas demand situation and potential relief options under existing agreements. The proposed deferment is not covered under the current contract terms, as it only applies to cargoes valued at 13.37% and 10.2% of Brent prices, respectively.
The Commonwealth report on elections in Pakistan 2024 has been sought by the PTI party. The report highlights a campaign of mass arrests, office raids, and enforced disappearances targeting PTI leaders during the election period. The government's counter-terrorism strategy has been criticized for being "confused, myopic and flawed" amid a resurgence of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. The National Action Plan (NAP) commitments to KP for education, healthcare, and employment were also criticized for being unfulfilled.
Qatar Condemns Israeli Attack on Doha: Arab leaders demand action after an Israeli airstrike on Qatar, killing five Hamas members. The attack is condemned as a form of state terrorism and an assault on mediation principles by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. An emergency summit of heads of state from Arab and Islamic nations will address the incident and discuss a joint Arab military force proposal. Qatar reassesses its role in Gaza Strip mediation amid the attack, while Hamas denies reports of killed delegation members but admits five were killed, including Khalil al-Hayy, son of leader in Gaza Strip. The international community is urged to reject
Israel's air strikes on Qatar have sparked a discussion for an Arab military alliance. The proposal, under consideration at the emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, aims to create a joint military coalition. Qatar's prime minister is reportedly set to endorse the creation of this alliance on Monday, marking a significant push towards regional military integration.
US Senator Marco Rubio discussed ties with Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, focusing on cooperation in multiple areas. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional and international developments, and global challenges. They expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in their relationship and agreed to build upon existing momentum. The conversation highlighted shared interests in working together on broader global challenges, and both sides reiterated their resolve to strengthen ties across various sectors.
Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed conducting a large-scale drone strike against Ukrainian military infrastructure in western Ukraine, but denied plans to hit targets inside Poland or Romania. A senior Russian diplomat suggested drones may have originated from Ukrainian-held areas, sparking debate about Nato's readiness to confront modern drone warfare. Peter Bator, a former Slovak ambassador to Nato, argued that the incidents reveal gaps in the alliance's deterrence strategy and highlighted the need for more decisive action. Nato officials are calling for additional resources and integrated defence systems, while analysts believe the drone incursions may be part of a deliberate Kremlin strategy to probe Nato's defences without triggering Article 5.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful has urged Russia to face more pressure following airspace violations in Poland and incidents in Romania. He warned Moscow that NATO will react decisively if Russia continues to violate airspace, as reported by DPA.