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Khan's visit creating new chapter in Pak-US relationship

06:43 PM | 24 Jul, 2019
Khan's visit creating new chapter in Pak-US relationship
President Trump’s July 22 summit with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Washington, D.C., was a historic moment to reset a relationship that has been vital for both countries, but difficult and drifting in recent years.

Both leaders seemed to strike an immediate liking to each other. They both were celebrities before their rise to power. Prime Minister Khan came to office on a mandate of change, and like President Trump, he is set on dismantling the status quo. His rallying call to build a “New Pakistan” that delivers for all citizens rather than a tiny elite is a theme familiar to President Trump. Like the president, the prime minister doesn’t mince words and the traditional circumspection of bureaucracy doesn’t prevent either of them from making bold decisions.

Khan knows how deeply Trump is committed to ending the long-running Afghanistan war. He is also keenly aware that Trump inherited this painful conflict and that despite ill-informed external criticism of the administration, the president’s bold steps towards peace are bearing fruit. Although challenges remain, the prospects for peace look brighter than ever before.

Prime Minister Khan also appreciates that to both rectify the strains in Pakistan’s relations with the United States, and build a mutually beneficial security and economic partnership, a lasting solution to the Afghan conflict must be found.

But let us not misinterpret Pakistan’s efforts to stabilize Afghanistan as aimed at pleasing the United States. For Pakistan it is about its own security, stability and prosperity. A peaceful Afghanistan would refocus Pakistan’s limited resources towards its own economic development.

Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful Afghanistan should be seen in the larger context. Since 9/11 alone, more than 70,000 Pakistani security forces and civilians have laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism. As estimated by Pakistan’s government, its economy has suffered over $100 billion in direct economic losses. The indirect cost that the war against terrorism has imposed by disrupting our natural economic and social trajectory is incalculable.

Pakistan’s response to large-scale terrorism has been to build national consensus for its effort and then to deploy nearly 200,000 troops to its tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. This was the largest counter-terrorism mobilization anywhere in the world.

As a result of a series of costly and painful military operations that followed, Pakistan is now far more secure. Terrorist incidents have rapidly declined, with civilian deaths down by more than 80 percent since 2014. Today, the former tribal areas are clear of any organized presence of militants. Politically, these tribal areas have been assimilated into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, implementing the state’s laws and writ. Post-conflict, the country is using its strained financial resources to build roads, schools, hospitals and markets.

What makes Pakistan’s experience unique is that it has not only fought the war against terrorism. It is that it is winning the war against terrorism through a combination of force, politics and economics. Pakistan’s experience is a model for what can be achieved in Afghanistan.

Pakistan-U.S. collaboration on behalf of the free world led to the collapse of the Soviet Empire. Our cooperation after 9/11 decimated al Qaeda. Pakistan is again working for peace in the region with vigor and its support for Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad’s efforts has been unconditional.

The only expectation is the assurance that Afghan soil would not be used to destabilize Pakistan. Regional momentum for peace can be further augmented by the United States encouraging Pakistan and India to initiate a peace dialogue. Prime Minister Khan has repeatedly demonstrated, with words and actions, a commitment to normalize Pakistan’s relations with India through dialogue. Both leaders should also agree on a framework to tackle together all emerging security challenges, including ISIS.

Importantly, hard security should not be the only concern for the two countries. Pakistan-U.S. collaboration for peace in Afghanistan should include an understanding to lay the foundation for economic prosperity in conflict zones. Postwar economic activity in Afghanistan that has U.S. private sector backing would offer immense opportunities to the entire region, including Pakistan. Prosperity would be the only long-term guarantee for peace.

Bilaterally, an enhanced cooperation in trade and investment offers vast potential.  Pakistan is a significant and growing buyer of natural gas, steel scrap, soybeans and technology services—all major U.S. exports. The U.S. offers the world’s largest market for all products, including Pakistan’s major exports. Under President Trump, the U.S. is seeking balance in its trade relationships. Wins are on offer in multiple areas of trade and investment. Economic systems and financial markets in the two countries would take a cue from their leaders to reinvigorate this relationship to mutual advantage.

By striking a personal bond with a promise to work closely with each other in the months to follow, President Trump and Prime Minister Khan are creating the conditions for a peaceful South Asia and an enduring partnership between the two countries. This is a momentous opportunity.

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Rupee remains stable against US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham and Riyal; check forex rates

Pakistani rupee remained stable against US dollar in the open bank market on Friday.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Friday, the US dollar was being quoted at 285.3 for buying and 288.15 for selling.

Euro moves down to 311 for buying and 314 for selling. British Pound rate stands at 358.5 for buying, and 361.5 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED stands at 78 whereas the Saudi Riyal rate stands at 76.20.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan – 1 December 2023

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 285.3 288.15
Euro EUR 311 314
UK Pound Sterling GBP 358.5 361.5
U.A.E Dirham AED 78 78.7
Saudi Riyal SAR 76.2 77
Australian Dollar AUD 187.2 189
Bahrain Dinar BHD 759.67 767.67
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.59 39.98
Danish Krone DKK 41.38 41.78
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.63 36.98
Indian Rupee INR 3.39 3.5
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 926.7 935.7
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.38 60.98
New Zealand Dollar NZD 173.44 175.44
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.25 26.55
Omani Riyal OMR 741.26 749.26
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 77.63 78.33
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 26.93 27.23
Swiss Franc CHF 325.9 328.4
Thai Bhat THB 8.23 8.38

Gold rates drop in Pakistan; Check today’s gold rates 1 December 2023

KARACHI – The gold price continues to climb up in the local market in line of upward trend in international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 1 December 2023

On Thursday, the single tola of 24 Karat gold was available at Rs217,400, and the price for 10-gram gold reached Rs186,390.

Meanwhile, the 22 Karat Gold price stands at Rs199,282, 21 karat rate for each tola is Rs190,225 and 18k gold rate hovers around Rs163,050.

In international market, the price of precious metal hovers around $2,045 per ounce.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Karachi PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Islamabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Peshawar PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Quetta PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Sialkot PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Attock PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Gujranwala PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Jehlum PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Multan PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Bahawalpur PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Gujrat PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Nawabshah PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Chakwal PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Hyderabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Nowshehra PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Sargodha PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Faisalabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Mirpur PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696

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