Pakistani journalists in Karachi march in solidarity with media workers killed in Gaza

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will provide robust security to protect the interests of investors and partners, its army chief told a minerals conference on Tuesday, amid heightened unrest in key mineral-rich province Balochistan.
Pakistan is hosting a two-day mines and minerals conference with delegates from countries including the United States, China and Saudi Arabia, as well as companies including Barrick Gold and Woods Mackenzie. It is seeking to attract investments in its natural reserves, which are estimated to be worth $6 trillion.
“Pakistan’s army will ensure a robust security framework, (and) proactive measures to protect the interests and trust of partners and investors,” General Asim Munir said.
“You can count on Pakistan as a reliable partner.”
The conference comes weeks after insurgents hijacked a train carrying over 400 passengers, including soldiers, in volatile Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan.
The majority of Pakistan’s mines, including Reko Diq, which houses one of the world’s largest undeveloped deposits of copper and gold jointly owned by Barrick Gold and Pakistan, are located in the southwestern province.
Barrick Gold estimates Reko Dig has the potential to generate $74 billion in free cash flow over 37 years.
Ethnic Baloch separatists, who have long been running an insurgency in the region, oppose any foreign investment which they say is an attempt by Islamabad to solidify its hold through external players on their regional resources.
They have been fighting for decades for a greater share of local resources, but some of their armed groups now say they will not settle for anything less than a separate homeland.
One of the largest insurgent groups, the Baloch Liberation Army, claimed responsibility for the train hijacking, which resulted in the deaths of 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers. At least 33 insurgents were also killed.
“We welcome international organizations to seek investment opportunities and partnership with us in the development of wider resources,” Munir said.
 

ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) Department of State has discontinued its Global Undergraduate (Global UGRAD) exchange program for Pakistani students after 15 years, the US Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) said on Tuesday.
The move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader aid cuts that are aimed at pressuring governments to align with the US foreign policy. These have cuts affected various food, education, medical and cultural exchange programs. 
Global UGRAD, launched by the US in 2010, provided Pakistani undergraduate students with the opportunity to study in the US for one semester. The program aimed to foster mutual understanding between Pakistan and the US through cultural and academic exchange.
Over the last 15 years, the undergraduate exchange program benefited more than 2,500 Pakistani students, enhancing their leadership skills, academic knowledge and cultural awareness, according to the USEFP.
“We regret to inform you that after 15 incredible years, the Global UGRAD has come to an end,” the USEFP said on X. “The US Department of State informed USEFP that the global UGRAD-Pakistan program will no longer be offered.”
https://x.com/usefp/status/1909552532566712697?
The USEFP, which offers a range of educational and cultural exchange programs for Pakistanis, termed the news as “disappointing” for students who applied this year, highlighting the life-changing experiences and the program’s significant impact over the years.
However, the US Fulbright Program for foreign graduate students remains available and continues to offer fully funded scholarships. Mid-career professionals can apply for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, while young English teachers may join the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program, according to the USEFP.
The Community College Initiative Program (CCIP) provides technical skills through one-year certificates at US community colleges. Additionally, the Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program supports government school teachers in enhancing their classroom techniques.