OTTAWA, APR 5 /DNA/ – The High Commission hosted the Pakistan Day Reception to commemorate the 85^th anniversary of Pakistan Day in Ottawa today. Around 250 guests including Canadian dignitaries, senior government functionaries, members of diplomatic corps, international organizations, business community, representatives of academia, media, civil society, Pakistani community and students attended the event.

In his address on the auspicious occasion, High Commissioner Muhammad Saleem underscored the significance of Pakistan Day reflecting on the country’s journey shaped by the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the sacrifices of Pakistan’s founding leaders.

The High Commissioner shared encouraging economic developments in Pakistan over the past year. He highlighted stabilization and growth driven by key reforms, improved fiscal management and increased investor confidence. He noted that foreign exchange reserves have strengthened while remittances and exports have also risen contributing to the country’s economic resilience.

Emphasizing the friendly and enduring ties between Pakistan and Canada, Saleem highlighted the potential and promising opportunities for enhancing bilateral political, economic, investment, trade and cultural ties. Highlighting Canada among the top 5 investor countries in Pakistan last year, he urged the business community for enhancing investment portfolio in mining, IT, agriculture, energy and infrastructure sectors. He also commended the vibrant Pakistani-Canadian diaspora for their significant contribution in public and private sectors enriching Canada’s diverse society while maintaining strong ties with their heritage.

The High Commissioner reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, prosperity, and inclusivity while stressing the importance of deepening Pakistan-Canada relations in all domains.

RAWALPINDI, APR 4 /DNA/ – Security forces conducted an intelligence based operation in general area Buleda, Kech District, on reported presence of terrorists.

During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and after an intense fire exchange, two terrorists were sent to hell.

The killed terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area against the law enforcement agencies as well as the innocent civilians.

Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.

ISLAMABAD, APR 4: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a 12-member steering committee to deal with the reciprocal tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump on Pakistani goods, a move that could challenge the country’s export competitiveness.

“The prime minister has been pleased to constitute steering committee for in-depth analysis and policy responses to recently announced US Reciprocal Tariffs,” stated a notification issued by the Prime Minister Office (PMO) on Friday.

The 12-member committee includes finance minister, commerce minister, petroleum minister, special assistant on industries, Federal Board of Revenue Chairman, Foreign Affairs Secretary, Pakistan Ambassador to US Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ali Sarfaraz Hussain, former WTO envoy Dr Manzoor Ahmad, Ijaz Nabi, Minister Trade and Investment, Washington DC, and Secretary Commerce.

The move came after Trump imposed sweeping reciprocal tariffs on the US’s trading partners. The day was termed “Liberation Day” by Trump, who signed an executive order imposing a flat 10% tariff on almost all nations and then additional tariffs on those countries that the US accuses of charging higher levies on American goods.

The Trump administration imposed a 29% tariff on Pakistani imports, in addition to a 10% baseline tariff applied to all imports, bring the total tariff on Pakistani products to 39%.

In his remarks, President Trump said, “Pakistan has been charging us a 58% tariff on our goods. Hence, we are imposing a 29% tariff on their products.”

The baseline 10% tariff will apply from April 5, 2025, with the additional 29% reciprocal tariff, starting April 9, 2025.

A senior official at the Commerce Ministry told The News that the move will reduce Pakistan’s price competitiveness and make it harder to maintain sales in the US market against “lower-tariff countries” such as India and Turkiye.

The penalties announced by Trump triggered a plunge in world financial markets and drew condemnation from other leaders reckoning with the end of a decades-long era of trade liberalisation.

Meanwhile, the notification — issued by the PMO on Friday — also stated the Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the working group.

The committee would guide and supervise the working group on US reciprocal tariffs; deliberate and approve the recommendations presented by the working group; negotiate with US as a major trading partner on as and when required basis; brief the premier on developments/initiatives basis regular regarding related; any other tasks as deemed appropriate by committee chair.

The 12-member committee could also appoint any additional members on need basis. “Ministry of Commerce Division shall notify the working group and provide secretarial support,” it added.

Tariffs’ impact on Pakistan

The move has virtually replaced Pakistan’s trade status under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), which offered lower duties (typically 4-5%) on certain goods.

The US is Pakistan’s largest single-country export market, with exports valued at approximately $6 billion annually, predominantly textiles.

Certain goods such as copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber, gold, and energy are exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, as per a White House fact sheet, though they may still face the 10% baseline unless otherwise specified.

However, the new reciprocal tariffs established by the US president’s order are in addition to any other duties, fees, taxes, exactions, or charges applicable on some articles such as if the existing tariff on synthetic apparel is 32%, the new tariff will be 61% (32+29), reveals a paper prepared for the premier by the Commerce Ministry about the impact of the US tariffs on Pakistan exports.

However, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Secretary General Shahid Sattar said Pakistan will have a “marginal impact” on exports, as the regional economies face more tariffs than Pakistan.

He highlighted that Bangladesh faces 37% reciprocal tariff plus a 10% baseline tariff, Sri Lanka 44% plus 10%, Vietnam 40% plus a 10% baseline tariff, and China 34% plus a 10% baseline tariff.

However, Washington says if any country reduces tariffs on US products, it will further reduce duties on that country’s products. He suggested that Pakistan should reduce the tariffs on US products. He said the textile industry is importing cotton from the US on zero duty.

The paper prepared by the Commerce Ministry says the tariff hike significantly increases the cost of Pakistani goods in the US, potentially reducing export competitiveness, especially in textiles, which account for a major share of its $6 billion in annual exports to the US.

This could lead to job losses in export-driven industries, a wider trade deficit, and higher consumer prices domestically if Pakistan retaliates or shifts trade elsewhere.

While some analysts suggest lower global commodity prices from trade disruptions might offset import costs for Pakistan, the immediate effect on its US-bound exports is likely to be negative, given the market’s importance (about 19% of Pakistan’s total exports in the first half of FY25).

This policy aligns with Trump’s broader strategy to shrink the US trade deficit ($918.4 billion in 2024) and boost domestic manufacturing, though Pakistan’s trade surplus with the US ($3 billion in 2024) is relatively small compared to giants like China.

The exact impact will depend on Pakistan’s response, potential negotiations and whether it can redirect exports to other markets. For now, the 39% total tariff marks a sharp escalation from prior concessionary rates, reflecting the administration’s aggressive stance on reciprocity.

Under the latest scenario, Pakistan will have a cost advantage of 46% over Vietnam, 49% over Indonesia, 49% over Cambodia, 54% over China, and 37% over Bangladesh. However, Pakistan will face a cost disadvantage of 26% over India, 10% over Turkey and 23% over Jordan, Egypt, and Central America.

This means Pakistan may still be competitive against higher tariff-hit nations but may struggle against lower tariff markets such as India and Turkey.

This new tariff is not applicable on the goods having more than 20% of the US originating material. Pakistani entrepreneurs will still have an option for the industry to use US cotton more and avail exemption.

KARACHI, APR 4: City administration and law enforcement in Karachi on Friday started the ‘forced repatriation’ of an estimated 16,138 Afghan Citizenship Card (ACC) holders, with over 150 so far detained as part of the government’s policy to deport all undocumented foreign nationals, officials said on Friday.

The interior ministry, in a statement on March 6, stated, “All illegal foreigners and ACC holders are advised to leave the country voluntarily before 31 March 2025; thereafter, deportation will commence wef 1 April 2025.”

On February 13, the interior minister instructed the Sindh government to initiate the repatriation of all ACC holders to their country of origin under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP). As part of the plan, voluntary return until March 31 ended and “forced repatriation” from April 1 has begun.

As per the IRFP prepared by the Sindh Home Department and seen by Dawn.com, a control room has been set up at the department while “holding points” have been set up in Karachi and Jacobabad, with a “transit point” in Sakrund, Shaheed Benazirabad housing a total capacity of 1,500.

The plan added that the main repatriation centre has been set up at Ameen House in Sultanabad in Karachi’s Keamari area.

South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza told Dawn.com on Friday that so far, 162 ACC holders have been brought to the holding facility as some of them were returned or released as being Proof of Registration (POR) holders.

“A total of 196 Afghans from different areas were brought to the camp on April 3,” the DIG said. “Of those, 20 were released as they held POR.

“Similarly, a total of 90 Afghans arrived at the camp on April 4 (Friday), with 10 being released. Thus, a total of 242 Afghans have been brought for repatriation to Afghanistan,” he added.

DIG Raza said that a joint mapping exercise conducted by the police’s Special Branch, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, found a total of 16,138 ACC holders in Karachi, with most of them living in the East and West districts.

Giving a breakdown of each district, South police said that there were 11,233 ACC holders in the East district, 2, 792 cardholders in the West district, 910 in Korangi, 396 in Malir, 406 in the Central district, 203 in Keamari, 120 in the South district and 78 in the City district.

Meanwhile, Keamari Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Captain (retired) Faizan Ali visited the Ameen House holding camp on Friday, a statement issued by the Keamari Police Media Cell said.

According to the statement, SSP Keamari reviewed the process of transferring illegal immigrants and issued instructions to personnel in charge of security and other arrangements.

“Special arrangements have been made for transportation, food and health facilities for the people transferred to the holding camp,” the SSP was quoted as saying. “The transfer of foreign immigrants to their native country with all facilities, security and dignity will be ensured.”

However, lawyer and founding member of the Joint Action Committee for Refugees (JAC) Moniza Kakar told Dawn.com that 500-600 Afghans have been detained in “crackdowns” in various localities of the metropolis.

“As in other parts of the country, Afghans complain of ‘harassment and bribery’,” Kakar alleged, claiming that Afghans have been detained in different areas by the police.

“We have already filed petitions in Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Rawalpindi and are waiting for their outcome before we initiate the same process in Sindh as well,” she added, highlighting that following the crackdown, Afghans are not going to work out of fear of being detained.

Kakar highlighted that there are a total of 850,000 ACC holders in the country who received their cards in 2017. Of them, 70,000 were reportedly living in Karachi.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International launched the ‘#undothedeadline’ campaign against what it termed the “unlawful deportation of Afghan nationals”, according to a press release.

The rights group launched the campaign by releasing a report titled ‘“Treat us like human beings”: Afghans in Pakistan at risk of unlawful deportation’.

According to the press release, Amnesty “aims to amplify the voices of Afghans at risk of unlawful deportation, advocate for the respect of their human rights and raise awareness about the urgent need to stop their forced deportations from Pakistan”.

The report highlights the stories of 10 Afghan migrants, refugees and asylum seekers “who cannot afford to go back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and not only risk their lives but also stand to lose decades worth of lives built in Pakistan”.

“Afghan nationals including refugees and asylum seekers in Pakistan have been living in a state of fear since the Pakistani authorities announced their phased deportation plans in October 2023,” Babu Ram Pant, deputy regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, was quoted as saying in the release.

“Many Afghans have been in Pakistan for more than four decades. Their lives stand to be completely upended as a result of the Pakistan government’s insistence on violating their obligations under international human rights law, specifically the principle of non-refoulement,” he added.

Pant warned that Afghans seeking refuge in Pakistan after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 are particularly at risk, including Afghan women and girls, journalists, human rights defenders, women protestors, artists, and former Afghan government and security officials.

“Pakistan must reverse its existing policy of forced return to ensure the safety of these individuals,” he was quoted as saying.

The Interior Ministry says the IFRP was implemented on November 1, 2023. “In continuation to the government’s decision to repatriate all illegal foreigners, national leadership has now decided to also repatriate ACC holders,” the March 6 statement stated.

Under the IFRP, over 700,000 undocumented Afghans have already left Pakistan since the process was launched in November 2023.

Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, in a meeting with Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq in Kabul on March 22, had asked Pakistan to give more time to the ACC holders as repatriation of so many people could create difficulties for his government.

RAWALPINDI, APR 4 /DNA/ – Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), chaired the 268th Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) at the General Headquarters (GHQ).

Forum offered Fatiha and paid profound tribute to the supreme sacrifices of Shuhada of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies and the citizens who have laid their lives for peace and stability in the country.

The forum received a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing geo-strategic environment, emerging national security challenges, and Pakistan’s strategic response to evolving threats.

Undertaking a meticulous assessment of regional and internal security dynamics, the forum reaffirmed its resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations regardless of the cost. It reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to bringing the full force of the state against facilitators and abettors acting on the behest of hostile elements seeking to destabilize the country.

The forum reaffirmed that, “No one will be allowed to disrupt peace in Balochistan and nefarious designs of foreign-sponsored proxies including social disruptive elements and their so-called political supporters advancing their narrow political interests at the cost of stability and prosperity of Balochistan will be decisively thwarted with the unwavering support of the people of Balochistan, InshaAllah. The real face of all foreign and domestic elements, the nexus between them and their endeavours to induce chaos and thrive on it stand fully exposed and will be dealt without impunity. “

Emphasizing the swift and effective implementation of Vision Azm-e-Istehkam under the ambit of National Action Plan (NAP), the forum underscored the imperative of a whole-of-the nation approach. The state apparatus and institutions will resolutely implement the law within the confines of the Constitution and no leniency and infirmity will be shown. COAS lauded the initiation of District Coordination Committees across Pakistan and stressed the necessity of sustained, coordinated efforts in alignment with governmental directives to expedite the implementation of NAP, ensuring seamless inter-institutional collaboration.

COAS reiterated that “Pakistan Army will extend full support to the government and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in enforcing stringent legal measures against illicit economic activities, which are intrinsically linked to the financing of terrorism. There is no space for terrorists and their facilitators in Pakistan”.

Expressing deep concern over the persistent and egregious human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and the Indian Army’s unprovoked ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), the forum underscored “Pakistan’s deep and unwavering support to the just cause of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the need of sustained diplomatic engagement to highlight ongoing human rights abuses and violations on the global stage.”

The forum expressed complete solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemned serious human rights violations and war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza. Forum also reiterated unequivocal diplomatic, political and moral support to the people of Palestine.

In the end, COAS directed field commanders to uphold the highest standards of operational readiness and professional excellence, ensuring rigorous training to maintain peak combat preparedness.

Tashkent, APR 4 /DNA/ – A parliamentary delegation led by the Chairman of the Senate of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, is on a visit to Uzbekistan. This distinguished delegation arrived in Tashkent to participate in the 150th Anniversary Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which will be held from 5^th to 9^th April.

As part of the visit’s program, a meeting between the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, Tanzila Narbayeva, and the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani took place on April 4.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the further development of inter-parliamentary cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, strengthening the legal framework of bilateral relations, and expanding interaction in mutually beneficial areas.

Both sides expressed satisfaction that the traditional brotherly and friendly ties between the two countries continue to develop in the spirit of strategic partnership.

Particular attention was paid to further deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations, enhancing cooperation in trade and economic relations, investment, transport and logistics, as well as in the fields of communications and information technology.

The importance of increasing bilateral trade turnover to $2 billion was emphasized, along with the implementation of joint projects in the fields of pharmaceuticals, agricultural sector, agricultural machinery, geology, and other areas.

The parties also exchanged views on the development of inter-parliamentary relations, the expansion of cooperation within the framework of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, the activation of friendship groups, and the establishment of joint parliamentary oversight to ensure the timely and high-quality implementation of agreements reached at the highest level.

The Senate Chairpersons of the two countries agreed to develop and implement Joint Action Plan aimed at strengthening cooperation between the parliaments, including their upper chambers.

PESHAWAR, APR 04 (DNA): The district administration has intensified efforts to demolish illegal bunkers in Kurram as part of the Kohat peace agreement, with 988 structures already razed in Upper and Lower Kurram.

Officials confirmed that 353 bunkers were razed in Lower Kurram, while 635 were destroyed in Upper Kurram. The operation, which is part of the ongoing peace efforts, aims to eliminate all illegal structures that have fueled conflict in the region. 

“The demolition process is progressing rapidly, and we will continue until all unauthorized bunkers are removed,” a district administration spokesperson said.

 Authorities have hailed the initiative as a major step toward lasting stability in Kurram. 

Under the peace deal, both conflicting parties agreed to allow the government to dismantle their fortified positions. Locals have welcomed the move, expressing hope for a new era of peace in the violence-hit district.