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Pakistan agrees with Riyadh, Doha to go for international arbitration on investments

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  • Domestic forums to be given 8 months to provide solution.
  • In case of non-resolution, Doha and Riyadh can approach PCA/ICSID.
  • SIFC gives approval in principle for the establishment Nidra.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan agreed to allow the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to approach the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) or International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) if any issue they face in the multibillion-dollar investments they plan to make in projects, reported The News on Wednesday.

The two sides are holding talks on the exact valuation of the Reko-Diq project and Manara Minerals is finalising the term sheet and valuation.

The Manara Minerals Investment Company is a new venture between the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) that will invest in mining assets globally for Riyadh and support the development of resilient global supply chains. While on Pakistan’s side, the Reko Diq Mining Company (RMDC) has been tasked to hire levies and payment mechanisms defined for Balochistan.

“Pakistan has negotiated to include a graduated approach for settlement of investment disputes between the state and investors. Through this arrangement, there will be a mandatory period of eight months to get the dispute resolved at the domestic forums,” sources told the publication.

An official said that in the case of non-resolution of disputes, it was agreed that recourse could be made to the PCA or ICSID as international forums of arbitration.

The investment chapter can be annexed with a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to be signed with GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, including the process of investor and state dispute settlement through the ICSID as agreed with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which was also shared with the GCC Secretariat.

GCC has told Islamabad that the legally cleansed draft will be shared with Pakistan in due course. 

In this regard, the Pakistani envoy has been tasked to follow up with the GCC Secretariat and give an update before the next Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) meeting.

However, on the Aramco Refinery Project, it has been decided to follow up on the project to materialise it.

SIFC greenlights Nidra

In another major development, the SIFC has given approval in principle for the establishment of the National Industrial Development & Regulatory Authority (Nidra). 

The modalities of the authority will be finalised after consultations are held with the provinces.

The Board of Investment (BOI) has been tasked to launch the process of legislation for the proposed model under Article 147 in consultation with the provincial governments and stakeholders, including formulation of a framework for the unification of all existing economic and industrial zones by March 2024.

Till the legislation is passed, the proposed model will be worked on in consultations with the provincial governments.

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With its second-largest surge ever, PSX approaches 114,000 points.

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Driven by renewed activity from both private and government financial institutions, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw its second-largest rally in history on Monday.

The market regained many important levels in a single trading session as it rose with previously unheard-of momentum.

Intraday trading saw a top increase of 4,676 points, and the PSX’s benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 4,411 points to settle at 113,924 points. This impressive rebound demonstrated significant investor confidence by reestablishing the 100,000, 111,000, 112,000, and 113,000-point levels.

The market also saw the 114,000-point limit reestablished during the trading session.

The positive tendency was reflected when the market’s heavyweight shares touched its upper circuits. Among the most busiest trading sessions in recent memory, an astounding 85.78 billion shares worth a total of Rs55 billion were exchanged.

Experts credited the spike to heightened institutional investor activity and hope for macroeconomic recovery. Considered a major market recovery, the rally demonstrated the market’s tenacity and development potential.

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In interbank trade, the Pakistani rupee beats the US dollar.

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In the international exchange market, the US dollar has continued to weaken in relation to the Pakistani rupee.

The dollar fell to Rs278.10 from Rs278.17 at the beginning of interbank trading, according to currency dealers, a seven paisa loss.

In the meantime, there was a lot of turbulence in the stock market, but it recovered and moved into the positive zone. The KSE-100 index recovered momentum and reached 116,000 points after soaring 1,300 points.

Both currency and stock market swings, according to analysts, are a reflection of ongoing market adjustments and economic uncertainty.

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Phase II of CPEC: China-Pakistan Partnership Enters a New Era

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The cornerstone of economic cooperation between the two brothers and all-weather friends is still the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the initiative’s flagship project.

In contrast to reports of a slowdown, recent events indicate a renewed vigour and strategic emphasis on pushing the second phase of CPEC, known as CPEC Phase-2, according to the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

According to the statement, this crucial stage seeks to reshape the foundation of bilateral ties via increased cooperation, cutting-edge technology transfer, and revolutionary socioeconomic initiatives.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal is leading Pakistan’s participation in a number of high-profile gatherings in China, such as the 3rd Forum on China-Indian Ocean Region Development Cooperation in Kunming and the High-Level Seminar on CPEC-2 in Beijing.

His involvement demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to reviving CPEC, resolving outstanding concerns, and developing a strong phase-2 roadmap that considers both countries’ long-term prosperity.

At the core of these interactions is China’s steadfast determination to turn CPEC into a strategic alliance that promotes development, progress, and connectivity.

Instead of being marginalised, CPEC is developing into a multifaceted framework with five main thematic corridors: the Opening-Up/Regional Connectivity Corridor, the Innovation Corridor, the Green Corridor, the Growth Corridor, and the Livelihood-Enhancing Corridor.

With the help of projects like these, the two countries will fortify their partnership, and CPEC phase-2 will become a model of global economic integration and collaboration that benefits not just China and Pakistan but the entire region.

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