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Pakistan will be held responsible if they do not make sincere efforts to curb terrorism on their western border with Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said.

Talking to reporters Tuesday at the State Department's Foggy Bottom headquarters, Pompeo said this was the message he had delivered to the Pakistani leadership when he travelled to Islamabad in September after Imran Khan became prime minister.

We had made clear that the US policy with respect to south-central Asia has not changed, that our expectation is that Pakistan will not provide safe harbour to terrorists on their western border, he said in response to a question on AfPak.

On September 5, Pompeo met Khan and pressed him "to do more" to rein in the terror groups operating from Pakistan's soil.

"We couldn't make that message any more clear and that Pakistan will be held accountable if they don't see about it... If they're not sincere in that effort."

"We don't believe we can get to the place that everyone wants. Everyone wants reconciliation in Afghanistan, and to achieve that you can't have a safe harbour for Taliban - for Haqqani, and for others inside of Pakistan, Pompeo said.

The Pakistani government knows that "that's our review and this administration has already made significant efforts to hold them accountable and we hope that they'll achieve the goal that we have out for them, said the Secretary of State.

He indicated that there has been no change in the Trump administration's policy with regard to suspension of security aid to Pakistan unless it takes satisfactory measures to eliminate safe terrorist safe havens.

Early this year, US President Donald Trump had suspended $300 million in security aid to Pakistan. India, too, had asked Pakistan to stop supporting and glorifying terrorists and terror activities against India and its other neighbours.

Pakistan will be held responsible if they do not make sincere efforts to curb terrorism on their western border with Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said.

Pakistan will be held responsible if they do not make sincere efforts to curb terrorism on their western border with Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said. Talking to reporters Tuesday at the State Department's Foggy Bottom headquarters, Pompeo said this was the message he had delivered to the Pakistani leadership when he travelled to Islamabad in September after Imran Khan became prime minister. We had made clear that the US policy with respect to south-central Asia has not changed, that our expectation is that Pakistan will not provide safe harbour to terrorists on their western border, he said in response to a question on AfPak. On September 5, Pompeo met Khan and pressed him "to do more" to rein in the terror groups operating from Pakistan's soil. "We couldn't make that message any more clear and that Pakistan will be held accountable if they don't see about it... If they're not sincere in that effort." "We don't believe we can get to the place that everyone wants. Everyone wants reconciliation in Afghanistan, and to achieve that you can't have a safe harbour for Taliban - for Haqqani, and for others inside of Pakistan, Pompeo said. The Pakistani government knows that "that's our review and this administration has already made significant efforts to hold them accountable and we hope that they'll achieve the goal that we have out for them, said the Secretary of State. He indicated that there has been no change in the Trump administration's policy with regard to suspension of security aid to Pakistan unless it takes satisfactory measures to eliminate safe terrorist safe havens. Early this year, US President Donald Trump had suspended $300 million in security aid to Pakistan. India, too, had asked Pakistan to stop supporting and glorifying terrorists and terror activities against India and its other neighbours.

Pakistan must make sincere efforts to curb terrorism on Afghan border: US

A large number of activists from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission in London to mark October 22 as 'Black Day'.

They shouted pro-freedom and anti-Pakistan Army slogans to demand the security forces leave PoK and Gilgit Baltistan who illegally occupied the region on this day in 1947.

Sajjad Raja, President of Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party, UK said, "We all have gathered here to protest against Pakistani invasion of Jammu and Kashmir on October 22, 1947. We are protesting against Pakistan because we think that is the day which caused the division of our state and that is the day when the ill-planning was conceived to suppress our people and victimize our people. That was the conspiracy which still ongoing, which still continuing".

Sajjad added, "We want to convey a message to the world that this sort of activity, this sort of brutality is not acceptable, come what may, we will never ever give up and continue our struggle against the Pakistani occupation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and we believe this was a Pakistani act which resulted in Indian interference as well and consequently our country was divided between India and Pakistan. So, the whole root cause of this division is October 22 which was done in the name of Islam and in the name of brotherhood. We condemn this activity and will continue our struggle".

The protesters carried banners like "Is Azad Kashmir Really Azad?", "Abolish Act 74 &amp; GB Order 2018", "Arrest the Killers of Arif Shahid Shaheed" and "Restore basic human rights and social rights in Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir".

They strongly demanded Pakistan-backed terror outfits including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen to leave the PoK territory.

Rizwan Siddique, General Secretary of Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party, UK said, "We believe, if that adventure was not conducted by Pakistan on October 22 our state would have remained independent. The bloodshed in Kashmir is the result of that blunder by Pakistan".

The protesters raised apprehensions that Islamabad is planning to make Gilgit Baltistan its 5th province to make the path clear for China for its multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Sarfaraz Raza, a protester said, "We will continue to expose Pakistan's nefarious plans. We have apprehensions that Pakistan is planning to take a big decision on Gilgit Baltistan, but we will never allow it to happen because Kashmir is a disputed territory and Pakistan can't take any such decision with the consent of Kashmiris".

Many women from Pakistan occupied Kashmir also participated at the protest and exposed Pakistan for its ill-treatment to the residents.

Shazia GD, Chairperson, Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (Women wing) said, "The Hindus and Sikhs were brutally killed. The tribal invaders sent by Pakistan first kill the Kashmiri Muslims and then Hindus and Sikhs. How long will you (Pakistan) continue to kill people in Kashmir and claim to be sympathizer of Kashmiris?".

"We don't have clean drinking water in Azad Kashmir (PoK), our children are not safe there. They are born outside of hospitals and die. However, your officials and politicians are going abroad for medical treatments. If you claim that Azad Kashmir is part of Pakistan, why don't we have all facilities and why we are all forced to live in exile"?, said Shazia while criticizing Pakistan for its dubious stand on Kashmir.

The protesters also accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorists and jihadists in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We demand you should immediately abolish 80A and National Action Plan in Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir (PoK), release Baba Jan, Comrade Iftikhar and other prisoners in Gilgit Baltistan ", Sajjad said.

A large number of activists from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission in London to mark October 22 as 'Black Day'. They shouted pro-freedom and anti-Pakistan Army slogans to demand the security forces leave PoK and Gilgit Baltistan who illegally occupied the region on this day in 1947.

A large number of activists from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission in London to mark October 22 as 'Black Day'. They shouted pro-freedom and anti-Pakistan Army slogans to demand the security forces leave PoK and Gilgit Baltistan who illegally occupied the region on this day in 1947. Sajjad Raja, President of Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party, UK said, "We all have gathered here to protest against Pakistani invasion of Jammu and Kashmir on October 22, 1947. We are protesting against Pakistan because we think that is the day which caused the division of our state and that is the day when the ill-planning was conceived to suppress our people and victimize our people. That was the conspiracy which still ongoing, which still continuing". Sajjad added, "We want to convey a message to the world that this sort of activity, this sort of brutality is not acceptable, come what may, we will never ever give up and continue our struggle against the Pakistani occupation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and we believe this was a Pakistani act which resulted in Indian interference as well and consequently our country was divided between India and Pakistan. So, the whole root cause of this division is October 22 which was done in the name of Islam and in the name of brotherhood. We condemn this activity and will continue our struggle". The protesters carried banners like "Is Azad Kashmir Really Azad?", "Abolish Act 74 & GB Order 2018", "Arrest the Killers of Arif Shahid Shaheed" and "Restore basic human rights and social rights in Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir". They strongly demanded Pakistan-backed terror outfits including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen to leave the PoK territory. Rizwan Siddique, General Secretary of Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party, UK said, "We believe, if that adventure was not conducted by Pakistan on October 22 our state would have remained independent. The bloodshed in Kashmir is the result of that blunder by Pakistan". The protesters raised apprehensions that Islamabad is planning to make Gilgit Baltistan its 5th province to make the path clear for China for its multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Sarfaraz Raza, a protester said, "We will continue to expose Pakistan's nefarious plans. We have apprehensions that Pakistan is planning to take a big decision on Gilgit Baltistan, but we will never allow it to happen because Kashmir is a disputed territory and Pakistan can't take any such decision with the consent of Kashmiris". Many women from Pakistan occupied Kashmir also participated at the protest and exposed Pakistan for its ill-treatment to the residents. Shazia GD, Chairperson, Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (Women wing) said, "The Hindus and Sikhs were brutally killed. The tribal invaders sent by Pakistan first kill the Kashmiri Muslims and then Hindus and Sikhs. How long will you (Pakistan) continue to kill people in Kashmir and claim to be sympathizer of Kashmiris?". "We don't have clean drinking water in Azad Kashmir (PoK), our children are not safe there. They are born outside of hospitals and die. However, your officials and politicians are going abroad for medical treatments. If you claim that Azad Kashmir is part of Pakistan, why don't we have all facilities and why we are all forced to live in exile"?, said Shazia while criticizing Pakistan for its dubious stand on Kashmir. The protesters also accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorists and jihadists in Jammu and Kashmir. "We demand you should immediately abolish 80A and National Action Plan in Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir (PoK), release Baba Jan, Comrade Iftikhar and other prisoners in Gilgit Baltistan ", Sajjad said.

PoK activists hold anti-Pakistan protest in London

A Pakistani court on Tuesday extended the remand of PML-N chief and opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif by 14 days in the Rs 1,400 crore housing scam.&nbsp;

Shahbaz, 67, the younger brother of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on October 5 in the Ashiana-e-Iqbal housing project scam. He was remanded to a 10-day custody to NAB.

The former Punjab chief minister was brought to the accountability court amid high security. A large number of PML-N workers were also present at the court premises.

He told the accountability court judge Najamul Hasan that he had committed no illegality in the award of the contract (in the housing project).

He also said the NAB was unable find any evidence against him during his 10-day remand.

Shahbaz asked why the NAB wanted extension of his remand when he was fully cooperating.

"No NAB official investigated me in the last three days," he said, adding that his government had followed the legal procedure in award of contract the housing project.&nbsp;

"I have served the country and saved billions of rupees in different development projects during my tenure as chief minister (2008-2018)," he said.

Shahbaz's counsel opposed the extension of his remand, saying the NAB has failed to present any proof of his involvement in the scam.

"Therefore the NAB's plea for further extension to his client's remand be dismissed," he said, adding that the case against Shahbaz had been instituted on "political grounds" as he had not issued any illegal orders being the chief minister.

The NAB prosecutor requested the court to grant extend Shahbaz's remand, which was accepted.&nbsp;

The court remanded Shahbaz into NAB's custody for another 14 days (till October 30).

Shahbaz is accused of ordering the cancellation of a contract given to successful bidder Chaudhry Latif and Sons in the Ashiana housing in order to oblige his 'favourite fir' - Lahore Casa Developers, resulting in a loss of Rs 193 million to the exchequer.

He is also accused of directing the Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC) to award the consultancy services of the Ashiana project to Engineering

Consultancy Services Punjab (ECSP) for Rs 192 million while the actual cost was supposed to be Rs 35 million as quoted by Nespak.

Nawaz Sharif has termed his brother's arrest as political victimisation. "Shahbaz Sharif being the chief minister of Punjab had set great examples of transparency and honesty in all projects. The Imran Khan's government is responsible for this political victimization."

Meanwhile, NAB may take Shahbaz to Islamabad on Wednesday to take part in the National Assembly session. The NA Speaker has already issued production order of Shahbaz, directing the NAB to allow him to take part in the parliament session.

A Pakistani court on Tuesday extended the remand of PML-N chief and opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif by 14 days in the Rs 1,400 crore housing scam. Shahbaz, 67, the younger brother of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on October 5 in the Ashiana-e-Iqbal housing project scam.

A Pakistani court on Tuesday extended the remand of PML-N chief and opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif by 14 days in the Rs 1,400 crore housing scam. Shahbaz, 67, the younger brother of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on October 5 in the Ashiana-e-Iqbal housing project scam. He was remanded to a 10-day custody to NAB. The former Punjab chief minister was brought to the accountability court amid high security. A large number of PML-N workers were also present at the court premises. He told the accountability court judge Najamul Hasan that he had committed no illegality in the award of the contract (in the housing project). He also said the NAB was unable find any evidence against him during his 10-day remand. Shahbaz asked why the NAB wanted extension of his remand when he was fully cooperating. "No NAB official investigated me in the last three days," he said, adding that his government had followed the legal procedure in award of contract the housing project. "I have served the country and saved billions of rupees in different development projects during my tenure as chief minister (2008-2018)," he said. Shahbaz's counsel opposed the extension of his remand, saying the NAB has failed to present any proof of his involvement in the scam. "Therefore the NAB's plea for further extension to his client's remand be dismissed," he said, adding that the case against Shahbaz had been instituted on "political grounds" as he had not issued any illegal orders being the chief minister. The NAB prosecutor requested the court to grant extend Shahbaz's remand, which was accepted. The court remanded Shahbaz into NAB's custody for another 14 days (till October 30). Shahbaz is accused of ordering the cancellation of a contract given to successful bidder Chaudhry Latif and Sons in the Ashiana housing in order to oblige his 'favourite fir' - Lahore Casa Developers, resulting in a loss of Rs 193 million to the exchequer. He is also accused of directing the Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC) to award the consultancy services of the Ashiana project to Engineering Consultancy Services Punjab (ECSP) for Rs 192 million while the actual cost was supposed to be Rs 35 million as quoted by Nespak. Nawaz Sharif has termed his brother's arrest as political victimisation. "Shahbaz Sharif being the chief minister of Punjab had set great examples of transparency and honesty in all projects. The Imran Khan's government is responsible for this political victimization." Meanwhile, NAB may take Shahbaz to Islamabad on Wednesday to take part in the National Assembly session. The NA Speaker has already issued production order of Shahbaz, directing the NAB to allow him to take part in the parliament session.

Court extends Shahbaz's remand by 14 days in Rs 1,400 crore housing scam

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Pakistan's deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appeared before an anti-corruption court hearing graft cases against him, in his first court appearance after getting bail last month in a major corruption case that wrecked his political career.

Sharif appeared before the accountability court after Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik on Monday warned that he may cancel his surety bond and issue arrest warrants if the former premier failed to appear before the bench.

After a brief hearing, the court adjourned hearing of Al-Azizia and Hill Metal corruption case against Sharif till Wednesday, Radio Pakistan reported.

On the orders of the Supreme Court, the National Accountability Bureau had filed three corruption cases against the 68-year-old three-time former prime minister.

A top Pakistani court last month suspended the jail sentences of Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law in the Avenfield corruption case, one of the three corruption cases. The trio were released from a jail following the court order.

Apart from the Avenfield case, the Sharifs face jail terms if they are convicted in two more corruption cases related to the Al-Azizia and the Flagship Investment cases.

The cases against the family stemmed from the Panama Papers case in April 2016.

The Flagship Investment Ltd case is based on information the NAB had obtained from the report filed by the Joint Investigation Team constituted by the

Supreme Court to probe money laundering allegations against Sharif and his family.

The court had summoned Panamagate joint investigation team head and prosecution's star witness Wajid Zia to record his statement on Monday.

However, Zia's statement could not be recorded as the former premier and his counsel did not appear for the hearing.

Expressing anger over their absence, Judge Malik on Monday remarked, "A suspect cannot skip a hearing on his own will."

The judge was further irked when defence counsel Khawaja Haris requested, through his associate Munawwar Iqbal Duggal, for a two-day adjournment of

Flagship, Al Aziziya and Hill Metal Establishment case hearings, owing to health issues.

When the judge inquired about Sharif's absence, Duggal said that the accused was supposed to appear and sought time to find out why the former prime minister did not turn up.&nbsp;

"Neither the suspect nor the counsel are present. Am I supposed to wait all day?" Judge Malik asked. "I adjourned hearings of other cases to hear yours, please tell me what you all want," he further said.

He added, "I will write down an order and then you all keep challenging it."

To this, the deputy counsel said he is trying to contact Sharif and asked for a few minutes to update the court.

Later Duggal told the court that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo did not appear owing to "genuine confusion".&nbsp;

Sharif and his sons, Hussain and Hasan, are accused in all three corruption cases whereas his daughter Maryam and her husband Capt (retd)

Muhammad Safdar were accused in the Avenfield case only.

The two brothers, based in London, have been declared as proclaimed offenders by the court.

Pakistan's deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appeared before an anti-corruption court hearing graft cases against him, in his first court appearance after getting bail last month in a major corruption case that wrecked his political career.

Pakistan's deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appeared before an anti-corruption court hearing graft cases against him, in his first court appearance after getting bail last month in a major corruption case that wrecked his political career. Sharif appeared before the accountability court after Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik on Monday warned that he may cancel his surety bond and issue arrest warrants if the former premier failed to appear before the bench. After a brief hearing, the court adjourned hearing of Al-Azizia and Hill Metal corruption case against Sharif till Wednesday, Radio Pakistan reported. On the orders of the Supreme Court, the National Accountability Bureau had filed three corruption cases against the 68-year-old three-time former prime minister. A top Pakistani court last month suspended the jail sentences of Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law in the Avenfield corruption case, one of the three corruption cases. The trio were released from a jail following the court order. Apart from the Avenfield case, the Sharifs face jail terms if they are convicted in two more corruption cases related to the Al-Azizia and the Flagship Investment cases. The cases against the family stemmed from the Panama Papers case in April 2016. The Flagship Investment Ltd case is based on information the NAB had obtained from the report filed by the Joint Investigation Team constituted by the Supreme Court to probe money laundering allegations against Sharif and his family. The court had summoned Panamagate joint investigation team head and prosecution's star witness Wajid Zia to record his statement on Monday. However, Zia's statement could not be recorded as the former premier and his counsel did not appear for the hearing. Expressing anger over their absence, Judge Malik on Monday remarked, "A suspect cannot skip a hearing on his own will." The judge was further irked when defence counsel Khawaja Haris requested, through his associate Munawwar Iqbal Duggal, for a two-day adjournment of Flagship, Al Aziziya and Hill Metal Establishment case hearings, owing to health issues. When the judge inquired about Sharif's absence, Duggal said that the accused was supposed to appear and sought time to find out why the former prime minister did not turn up. "Neither the suspect nor the counsel are present. Am I supposed to wait all day?" Judge Malik asked. "I adjourned hearings of other cases to hear yours, please tell me what you all want," he further said. He added, "I will write down an order and then you all keep challenging it." To this, the deputy counsel said he is trying to contact Sharif and asked for a few minutes to update the court. Later Duggal told the court that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo did not appear owing to "genuine confusion". Sharif and his sons, Hussain and Hasan, are accused in all three corruption cases whereas his daughter Maryam and her husband Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar were accused in the Avenfield case only. The two brothers, based in London, have been declared as proclaimed offenders by the court.

Nawaz Sharif appears before Pakistan anti-corruption court

Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Mehmood Shah Qureshi has said that Islamabad is open to discuss the issue of Dr Shakil Afridi, who is considered a Central Investigation Agency (CIA) hero in the United States for helping Washington track down terrorist Osama bin Laden.

Afridi was sent behind the bars for helping the US by the Pakistan regime.

Fox News quoted Qureshi as saying, "Openings are always there. He is viewed in a particular light in Pakistan; he is viewed as a traitor in Pakistan. But he is viewed as a friend in the US. So we have to bridge this gap." Qureshi asserted that courts will decide Afridi's fate and not politics.

"We have a legal process. Afridi went through that legal process, he was given a fair chance to plead his case. He was sentenced, he was convicted and is serving a sentence. We expect you to respect our legal process, as we respect yours," he said.

Afridi, who has been awarded a 26-year sentence, is believed to have committed treason by working with CIA, however, he was convicted on the pretext of having ties with a militant group Lashkar e-Islam. His lawyers have denied the claims of his ties with terrorist outfit calling them bogus.

Trump administration has time and again asked Islamabad to release Afridi.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Mehmood Shah Qureshi has said that Islamabad is open to discuss the issue of Dr Shakil Afridi, who is considered a Central Investigation Agency (CIA) hero in the United States for helping Washington track down terrorist Osama bin Laden.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Mehmood Shah Qureshi has said that Islamabad is open to discuss the issue of Dr Shakil Afridi, who is considered a Central Investigation Agency (CIA) hero in the United States for helping Washington track down terrorist Osama bin Laden. Afridi was sent behind the bars for helping the US by the Pakistan regime. Fox News quoted Qureshi as saying, "Openings are always there. He is viewed in a particular light in Pakistan; he is viewed as a traitor in Pakistan. But he is viewed as a friend in the US. So we have to bridge this gap." Qureshi asserted that courts will decide Afridi's fate and not politics. "We have a legal process. Afridi went through that legal process, he was given a fair chance to plead his case. He was sentenced, he was convicted and is serving a sentence. We expect you to respect our legal process, as we respect yours," he said. Afridi, who has been awarded a 26-year sentence, is believed to have committed treason by working with CIA, however, he was convicted on the pretext of having ties with a militant group Lashkar e-Islam. His lawyers have denied the claims of his ties with terrorist outfit calling them bogus. Trump administration has time and again asked Islamabad to release Afridi.

Pakistan open to talk about doctor who helped US to track Osama Bin Laden

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Islamabad has invited Saudi Arabia to become the third partner in the Beijing-funded Belt and Road corridor of major infrastructure projects inside Pakistan, Pakistan's information minister said on Thursday.

The announcement comes on the back of a two-day trip to Saudi Arabia by new Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had been expected to push for financial assistance from Islamabad's ally to help Pakistan deal with a brewing currency crisis.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry did not reveal if Saudi Arabia would be loaning money to Pakistan to help top up its dwindling foreign currency reserves, but said he expected Saudi Arabia to invest in Pakistan in a major way.

"Saudi Arabia is the first country whom we have invited as third country partner in CPEC," Chaudhry said, referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Pakistan leg of China's vast Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

Beijing has pledged $60 billion to build power stations, major highways, new and upgraded railways and higher capacity ports, to help turn Pakistan into a major overland route linking western China to the world.

Chaudhry said a Saudi delegation will be coming to Pakistan in the first week of October, including the Saudi minister for finance and energy, and that should lay down a "foundation for a very big partnership".

"God willing, very big investments will be coming to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia this way," he added.

Khan's term began with new doubt over the CPEC projects, when his commerce minister was quoted as saying Pakistan would suspend them for a year and review them. The minister later said his comments were taken out of context, and Pakistani officials reassured Beijing there would be no delay.

Pakistan has in the past suggested that other countries could join CPEC, but the response has been lukewarm due to concerns that China would dominate any relationship.

Saudi Arabia has a history of bailing out Pakistan financially. In 2014, six months after Pakistan obtained its last IMF bailout, Saudi Arabia loaned it $1.5 billion that the government used to strengthen its rupee currency.

Ahead of Khan's visit to Saudi Arabia speculation was rife that Islamabad will be asking for a loan to help Pakistan avoid being forced to seek another IMF bailout.

Islamabad has invited Saudi Arabia to become the third partner in the Beijing-funded Belt and Road corridor of major infrastructure projects inside Pakistan, Pakistan's information minister said on Thursday.

Islamabad has invited Saudi Arabia to become the third partner in the Beijing-funded Belt and Road corridor of major infrastructure projects inside Pakistan, Pakistan's information minister said on Thursday. The announcement comes on the back of a two-day trip to Saudi Arabia by new Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had been expected to push for financial assistance from Islamabad's ally to help Pakistan deal with a brewing currency crisis. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry did not reveal if Saudi Arabia would be loaning money to Pakistan to help top up its dwindling foreign currency reserves, but said he expected Saudi Arabia to invest in Pakistan in a major way. "Saudi Arabia is the first country whom we have invited as third country partner in CPEC," Chaudhry said, referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Pakistan leg of China's vast Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. Beijing has pledged $60 billion to build power stations, major highways, new and upgraded railways and higher capacity ports, to help turn Pakistan into a major overland route linking western China to the world. Chaudhry said a Saudi delegation will be coming to Pakistan in the first week of October, including the Saudi minister for finance and energy, and that should lay down a "foundation for a very big partnership". "God willing, very big investments will be coming to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia this way," he added. Khan's term began with new doubt over the CPEC projects, when his commerce minister was quoted as saying Pakistan would suspend them for a year and review them. The minister later said his comments were taken out of context, and Pakistani officials reassured Beijing there would be no delay. Pakistan has in the past suggested that other countries could join CPEC, but the response has been lukewarm due to concerns that China would dominate any relationship. Saudi Arabia has a history of bailing out Pakistan financially. In 2014, six months after Pakistan obtained its last IMF bailout, Saudi Arabia loaned it $1.5 billion that the government used to strengthen its rupee currency. Ahead of Khan's visit to Saudi Arabia speculation was rife that Islamabad will be asking for a loan to help Pakistan avoid being forced to seek another IMF bailout.

Pakistan invites Saudi Arabia to join China's Belt and Road corridor

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