ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan observed its 54th Defense Day on Friday, Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed that Islamabad was prepared to give the “fullest possible” response to India’s actions in disputed Kashmir.
Pakistan celebrates Defense of Pakistan Day on September 6 every year as the anniversary to defend the country’s territory in the 1965 war between Pakistan and arch-rival India.
Tensions have once again flared between the nations since New Delhi on Aug. 5 revoked the constitutional autonomy of the part of Kashmir that it administers, and moved to quell objections by shutting down communications and clamping down on local leaders. Pakistan reacted with fury, cutting trade and transport ties and expelling India’s ambassador.
In a message on the occasion of Defense Day, Khan said: “I have informed the world that Pakistan does not want war, but at the same time, Pakistan cannot remain oblivious to the challenges posed to its security and integrity.”
He added: “We are prepared to give the enemy the fullest possible response.”
Khan said the world community would be responsible for the “catastrophic aftermath” of Indian actions in Kashmir.
“The enemy is once again showing aggressive postures on the Line of Control, it has unleashed reign of terror on innocent and unarmed people of the Occupied Valley after changing the status of Kashmir by abolishing Articles 370 and 35-A in violation of the UN Charter,” Khan said.
At a ceremony in Lahore last week, Khan had said war between nuclear-armed countries was a threat for the entire world but Pakistan would never be the first to start war.
Analysts said the PM’s Defense Day statements on Kashmir reflected a hardening of Pakistan’s position.
“It also reflects heightening tension between the two countries,” author Zahid Hussain told Arab News. “The worsening humanitarian situation in Kashmir has also pushed Imran Khan to up the ante.”
Politics professor Rasul Bakhsh Rais said the Defense Day statement by the PM was both strong and unexpected.
“Until now, Imran Khan has hesitated to hurl threats at India, rather he attempted to allay the fears of war by saying Pakistan will not be the first to start war,” Rais, who teaches at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, said.
“He is showing concern over the month long curfew and reports of atrocities,” he said, adding that another factor at work in hardening Khan’s stance was “a virulent campaign by the opposition parties and some religious groups alleging that Imran is not as aggressive toward India as the situation would demand and that he has ‘sold out Kashmir’.”
Addressing a ceremony at the military headquarters in Rawalpindi to celebrate Defense Day, Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa said the Kashmir issue is an “unresolved agenda” of the realization of Pakistan.
“Pakistan’s armed forces are ready to give any sacrifice for the people of Kashmir… and we and we are prepared to go till any extent,” the chief said. “Pakistan will never leave them (people of Kashmir) alone.”
President Arif Alivi in his message to the nation said September 6 dawned every year with “remembrance of national spirit and for renewal of our resolve to lay down our lives for our beloved motherland.”
He reiterated Pakistan’s will to continue to support the people of Kashmir in their right to self-determination.
“Pakistanis will not rest or sleep, nor acquiesce or give up, until India ceases its horrendous human rights violation ... and the Kashmiris achieve their legitimate right to self-determination as per the United Nations Security Council Resolutions,” Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said.
On Defense Day, PM Khan warns of ‘fullest possible’ response over Kashmir
On Defense Day, PM Khan warns of ‘fullest possible’ response over Kashmir
- Says world community will be responsible for “catastrophic aftermath” of failing to act on Kashmir
- Analysts say PM’s latest statements reflect a hardening of Pakistan’s position on Indian actions in disputed valley
’Not on our watch’: Pakistan PM says won’t let Imran Khan supporters ‘destroy’ economy
- Thousands of Khan supporters protested in Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday, clashing with law enforcers
- Pakistan’s finance ministry says recent protests by Khan’s party cost country a whopping $684 million per day
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday vowed not to let former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party “destroy” the country’s economic progress, lamenting that the recent protests in Islamabad had cost the national exchequer a whopping Rs190 billion ($684 million) per day.
Thousands of supporters of Khan’s PTI entered Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday morning, braving teargas and arrests and crossing security barriers across the country. Pakistan’s government said clashes between Khan supporters, who were demanding the jailed former premier’s release from prison, left three Rangers personnel and one cop dead. The PTI says eight of its supporters were killed and “hundreds” were feared dead, a claim the government challenges.
Khan supporters fled the capital after security forces launched a sweeping midnight raid on Tuesday. The party, however, has said its sit-in protest against the government will continue, without specifying where it will take place.
“My heart cries tears of blood that after working so hard, we should let Pakistan be destroyed at the hands of such anarchists and enemies of the state?
“It is not possible, it will not happen. Not in our time, not on our watch. It will not happen, god willing,” Sharif said. “Together we will take Pakistan out of this.”
Sharif cited the finance ministry’s statement which had earlier this week said Pakistan suffered losses of $684 million per day due to the protests.
The prime minister urged the government to think about the future course of action regarding these protests, saying that it cannot be “business as usual.”
“We cannot let Pakistan be sacrificed under any circumstances,” Sharif said. “We will break the hand that wants to sacrifice Pakistan.”
The PTI’s protest took place during a three-day visit by the president of Belarus, who arrived in Islamabad with a 68-member delegation from his country, to take part in talks related to trade and investment.
Khan, who was ousted from power in a parliamentary no-trust vote in 2022, has been in prison since last year. He faces a slew of charges from terrorism to corruption that he says are politically motivated to keep him in jail and away from politics.
The charges kept Khan away from Feb. 8 general elections that his party says were rigged, an accusation denied by the election commission.
Qatari ambassador discusses bilateral investment and ties with Sindh governor
- Qatari envoy expressed interest in large-scale investments in Pakistan, particularly Karachi, says Sindh Governor
- PM Shehbaz Sharif last month visited Qatar to boost foreign trade, investment to stabilize $350 billion economy
KARACHI: Qatar’s Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater met Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori on Wednesday to discuss ways to increase bilateral investment and foster stronger ties between the two countries, the Governor House said.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last month visited Qatar as he sought to bolster economic cooperation amid the country’s efforts to boost foreign investment and stabilize its frail $350 billion economy.
Islamabad and Doha have attempted to forge closer business ties over the past few months, with a Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) team also expected to visit Pakistan this month to set up an information technology (IT) park.
Al-Khater called on Tessori at the Governor House in Karachi where the two held a detailed meeting to discuss investment and other matters.
“The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest and fostering stronger bilateral ties,” the Governor House said. “During the visit, the Ambassador praised the Governor’s initiative and expressed Qatar’s desire to strengthen relations further with Pakistan, particularly in economic collaboration.”
Tessori spoke to reporters after the meeting, acknowledging that Qatar had always supported Pakistan. He added that Pakistanis harbored “immense affection for Qatar.”
“He shared that the Ambassador conveyed Qatar’s keen interest in large-scale investments in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi,” the statement said.
Tessori highlighted that Qatar was interested in government-to-government investments and joint ventures with Pakistani businesses.
The Sindh governor said Al-Khater assured him of local Qatari investors’ readiness to invest in Pakistan.
“I will provide detailed insights into sectors that can yield immediate results for investments, ensuring that this partnership benefits both nations significantly,” Tessori said.
He emphasized that Qatar’s interest is particularly crucial given Pakistan’s current economic challenges.
“We are committed to providing a conducive environment and guarantees for Qatari investors to achieve substantial returns,” Tessori said.
Pakistan’s desire to forge closer economic ties with allies come amid its attempts to increase trade and foreign investment after the country narrowly escaped a default last year by securing a last-gasp $3 billion financial assistance package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Pakistan dispatches 21st aid consignment for Gaza, Lebanon and Syria
- Islamabad dispatches 17 tons of blankets, food, medicines to Damascus in Syria from Rawalpindi
- Israel’s military campaigns have killed over 44,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October last year
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday dispatched its 21st relief consignment for the war-affected people of Syria, Lebanon and Gaza who have suffered from Israeli military aggression in the Middle East.
Israel has been attacking what it calls Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, leading Israel to launch a military campaign in which more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and more than 3,500 people in Lebanon.
On Tuesday, Israel approved a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah group that ended nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in Gaza. International aid agencies and the World Health Organization (WHO) have warned Israel’s military operations in Gaza have caused starvation and diseases for thousands of people in the area.
“On the directives of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) continues to provide humanitarian aid to the war-affected people of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria,” the NDMA said in a statement.
The 21st consignment was dispatched from Pakistan’s eastern city of Rawalpindi to Syria. The relief items were sent with the help of the Pakistan Air Force, the NDMA said, adding that they comprised 17 tons of supplies which included blankets, food and medicines.
The NDMA said Pakistan has dispatched a total of 1,273 tons of relief items to the war-affected people of Gaza, 372 tons to the people of Lebanon, and 111 tons to Syria.
“The Government of Pakistan continues to send relief supplies based on the needs of the war-affected populations of Lebanon and Palestine,” the authority said.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other multilateral platforms and demanded international powers and bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Pakistan, South Korea conduct joint drill in Arabian Sea to deter piracy, drug trafficking
- Exercise included tactical maneuvers and communication drills to foster interoperability
- Pakistan, South Korea are both part of 46-nation Combined Maritime Forces partnership
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy’s PNS Zulfiqar conducted a joint exercise with South Korea’s Wang Geon ship in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday, the navy said, with the drill aimed at intensifying efforts to deter illicit maritime activities such as piracy and drug trafficking.
Both ships took part in the exercise under the task forces of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), CTF-150 and CTF-151, respectively. The CMF is a 46-nation naval partnership, which exists to promote security, stability and prosperity worldwide.
Pakistan Navy said the Passage Exercise included tactical maneuvers and communication drills, adding that these were aimed at enhancing operational interoperability and fostering professional ties between the two navies.
“CTF-150 and CTF-151 focus on deterring illicit maritime activities such as drug trafficking and piracy, which threaten security in international waters,” the navy said in a statement.
Pakistan said the exercise demonstrated both navies’ commitment to uphold maritime security, support lawful activities at sea and promote stability and cooperation in the region.
“Pakistan and the Republic of Korea consistently contribute ships and aircraft to maritime security efforts under the CMF banner,” the navy said.
“This collaboration is particularly valuable for building mutual understanding and operational synergy.”
Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates and holds joint military exercises with allies and countries that are part of the CMF to deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities.
Pakistan, China agree to strengthen defense ties amid regional challenges
- General Asim Munir hosts vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission at the GHQ
- Chinese general praises Pakistan’s commitment to ties with Beijing, counter-terrorism efforts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Wednesday agreed to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, with both sides emphasizing the strategic importance of their partnership during high-level discussions at the army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, led a delegation to meet Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir. The visit included a one-on-one meeting between the two generals, followed by delegation-level talks.
"The engagements focused on matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, measures for regional stability, and enhancing bilateral defense cooperation," the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
"General Asim Munir underscored the enduring and all-weather nature of Pakistan-China relations, emphasizing their foundation of mutual trust and cooperation," the statement added, noting that the army chief thanked the Chinese leadership for standing firmly with Pakistan, irrespective of changes in the international and regional environment.
The ISPR also quoted the Chinese general praising Pakistan’s commitment to the strategic partnership, commending the army’s professionalism and resolve in counter-terrorism efforts. He reiterated China’s determination to strengthen defense ties and deepen collaboration for regional stability.
China already plays a pivotal role in Pakistan’s economic and strategic framework, primarily through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, Chinese authorities have expressed concerns over attacks on their nationals working on various CPEC projects by militant groups of differing ideologies.
Earlier, General Zhang paid tribute to Pakistan’s fallen soldiers by laying a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument upon his arrival at GHQ. He was accorded a ceremonial guard of honor by a contingent of the Pakistan Army.
