ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Dr. Moeed Yusuf on Friday criticized the United States for making the mistakes of the past by leaving Afghanistan without waiting for a political settlement in that country.
“The Afghans have now been left on their own to fight among themselves,” he said in an interview to the Voice of America (VOA). “It’s fine [for some] if the region remains unstable. However, this is exactly the mistake the world made in the 1990s and pledged not to repeat it again.”
The American international broadcaster shared excerpts of the interview which is yet to be aired on its website and social media accounts.
Yusuf acknowledged that the US had heavily invested in Afghanistan and would not want the situation to deteriorate in that country. However, he maintained it was tragic that history was repeating itself in the region.
Pakistan’s top officials have raised concerns about the Afghan security situation and maintained that the world could witness another civil war in their neighboring state.
The country has also urged the United States to wait for an inclusive power-sharing agreement in Afghanistan before making an exit from the region.
However, President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that US military operations would end on August 31 while defending his administration’s decision to withdraw its troops from the war-battered country after a span of two decades.
“We did not go to Afghanistan to nation build,” the American president said in a recent speech. “Afghan leaders have to come together and drive toward a future.”
The Pakistani NSA, however, said the US was not pulling out its forces responsibly since the hasty withdrawal could result in greater regional instability.
He noted that his country would continue its efforts for peace in Afghanistan, though he added that factional fighting in the neighboring state should concern all international stakeholders.
Yusuf also highlighted Pakistan’s precarious position with reference to Afghanistan.
“We were accused of interfering [in Afghan domestic affairs] when we used to offer them advice [in the past],” he said. “Now that Pakistan has stopped advising them at all, we are blamed for not doing enough [for peace in that country].”
He added it was not right to criticize Pakistan for the international community’s failures in Afghanistan.
The Pakistani NSA pointed out that his country had invested a great deal of energy in Afghan peace efforts, yet it was only asked to “do more” by the United States in return.
He pointed out that Islamabad was willing to work with Washington, though it desired to broaden its relations with the US after turning geoeconomics into the central pillar of its international engagements.
Asked about the possibility of accommodating more Afghan refugees in case of factional fighting in that country, Yusuf said it would not be possible due to Pakistan’s security concerns.
He continued that India had been using the Afghan soil to launch terrorist operations in his country, adding that militant elements could also enter Pakistan if more refugees were allowed in the coming days.
Pakistan’s NSA criticizes United States for repeating past mistakes in Afghanistan
https://arab.news/yjy5k
Pakistan’s NSA criticizes United States for repeating past mistakes in Afghanistan
- Moeed Yusuf says the US decision to pull out its forces without a power-sharing agreement in Afghanistan could lead to regional instability
- The Pakistani NSA maintains his country will not be able to accommodate Afghan refugees in case of a civil war due to its own security concerns
Pakistani conglomerate Descon announces local incorporation in Saudi Arabia
- Pakistan’s Descon Engineering operates in the engineering, power and chemical sectors
- It has a long-standing strategic partnership with the Olayan Saudi Holding Company
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Descon Engineering, which operates in the engineering, power and chemical sectors, on Tuesday announced the incorporation of Descon Engineering Arabia, a registered entity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with its long-standing strategic partner, Olayan Saudi Holding Company (OSHCO.)
OSHCO is a Saudi-based diversified business enterprise with commercial and industrial operations spread across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East and North Africa regions. The company’s portfolio includes more than 25 companies operating in five sectors, namely, food and beverages, restaurants, health and personal care, information and communications technology (ICT), and energy.
Descon, a group of companies headquartered in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, is active in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, and South Africa.
“This significant development reaffirms Descon’s continued commitment to the Kingdom and highlights its focus on localization within Saudi Arabia,” Descon said in a statement.
“Through Descon Engineering Arabia, the company is further expanding its regional footprint, reinforcing its position as a trusted and established service provider dedicated to meeting the needs of customers across the Kingdom.”
The company said the “new chapter” had strengthened its resolve to make a broader global impact, ensuring enhanced value delivery to clients in Saudi Arabia, while supporting the development of local talent and capacity building.
“As we establish Descon Engineering Arabia in partnership with OSHCO, we reaffirm our commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its vision for sustainable growth. This step represents a deepening of our long-standing relationship with the region, enabling us to deliver tailored solutions while contributing to local talent development and capacity building,” Taimur Saeed, CEO of Descon Engineering, said.
“We look forward to fostering stronger collaborations and continuing to serve the Kingdom with the reliability and expertise that have defined our journey for nearly five decades.”
Through Descon Engineering Arabia, Descon Engineering is positioned to deliver even greater value, continuing its “dedication to excellence and local growth” for customers in Saudi Arabia and the region, the company added.
Ayub century helps Pakistan crush Zimbabwe, level series
- Ayub struck unbeaten 113 as Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets to level one-day international series with one match to come
- Zimbabwe were all out for 145 at Queens Sports Club as they sought a second victory over the tourists
ZIMBABWE: Saim Ayub struck an unbeaten 113 as Pakistan crushed Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in Bulawayo on Tuesday to level a one-day international series with one match to come.
Zimbabwe were all out for 145 at Queens Sports Club as they sought a second victory over the tourists in three days having won by 80 runs in a rain-shortened tour opener.
Pakistan then atoned for a poor batting show on Sunday with Ayub and fellow opener Abdullah Shafique (32 not out) unstoppable as they reached their target in 18.2 overs.
Ayub struck 17 runs and three sixes off 62 balls in a 75-minute stand while Shafique claimed four fours in the southern city.
Ayub reached his century off 53 balls — the second fastest in an ODI international by a Pakistani after Shahid Afridi.
Zimbabwe, seeking a first ODI series win over Pakistan, utilized five bowlers, but none made an impression with Brandon Mavuta, who conceded 47 runs in four overs, particularly expensive.
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe were quickly in trouble with openers Joylord Gumbie (five) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (four) back in the pavilion with less than four overs bowled.
Only Dion Myers, who struck six fours in his 33, and veteran Sean Williams, who posted 31 before being trapped leg before by Ayub, impressed for the home team.
Pakistan-born all-rounder Sikandar Raza, often the batting savior for Zimbabwe, made just 17 before becoming one of three victims of Salman Ali Agha.
Abrar Ahmed took four wickets and Ali Agha three for Pakistan, who arrived in southern Africa after a 3-0 ODI series loss in Australia.
The Zimbabwe ODI series decider is set for Thursday, followed by three Twenty20 internationals from Sunday, also in Bulawayo. Pakistan then visit South Africa for an all-format tour.
VPN demand increased 253% in Pakistan between Nov. 24-26 — Top10VPN
- Pakistani authorities have suspended mobile Internet services and blocked several VPNs amid a protest by PTI opposition party
- Social media platform X has been blocked since February and the government is also moving to implement a national firewall
ISLAMABAD: Top10VPN, an independent VPN review company, said this week VPN demand had more than tripled in Pakistan following the tightening of social media restrictions between Nov. 24-26, days that coincide with the launch of a protest movement by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Pakistani authorities have suspended mobile Internet services and blocked several VPNs amid a protest launched by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been jailed since August 2023 on a spate of charges from corruption to terrorism.
The government has been cracking down on VPN use for weeks, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority announcing that businesses and freelancers would be able to legally use VPNs by registering with the government, but unregistered VPNs will be blocked in Pakistan after Nov. 30. Authorities say the measures are meant to deter militants and other suspects who use VPNs to conceal their identities and spread “anti-state propaganda” and promote “blasphemous” or other illegal content online.
Digital rights activists say the move is part of government attempts to block vital tools that allow users to bypass restrictions amid a wave of digital crackdowns, particularly as the use of VPNs has sharply risen in Pakistan since February this year when the government banned X.
“Demand for VPN services initially increased by 102 percent in Pakistan on November 24 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior,” Top10VPN said in a report.
The PTI had launched its ‘long march’ protest to the federal capital, Islamabad, on Nov. 24.
“VPN demand intensified the next day [Monday], at 253 percent above the baseline on November 25 and continues to remain elevated,” the website added. “The surge followed reports that WhatsApp had been targeted by the authorities, preventing media sharing.”
The federal government is also moving to implement a nationwide firewall to block malicious content, protect government networks from attacks, and allow the government to identify IP addresses associated with what it calls “anti-state propaganda” and terror attacks. Internet speeds have dropped by up to 30-40 percent over the past few months due to the firewall, according to the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP).
In August, the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) warned that frequent Internet disruptions and low speeds caused by poor implementation of the national firewall had led many multinational companies to consider relocating their offices out of Pakistan, with some having “already done so.” The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the country’s top representative body for the IT sector, warned last week Internet slowdowns and the restriction of VPN services could lead to financial losses and closures and increase operational costs for the industry by up to $150 million annually.
Pakistan’s IT and ITeS exports have been growing at an average of 30 percent per year, and are on the way to achieve over $15 billion in the next 5 years, according to industry data, provided the government ensures continuity in export, fiscal, financial, SME, infrastructure and IT policies.
“If the VPNs are blocked, most of IT companies, Call Centers, BPO [business process outsourcing] organizations of Pakistan will lose all the major Fortune 500 clients, as well as others – as data protection and cybersecurity are of paramount importance to our clients, and connecting to client systems through VPN is a global norm and standard, and is a basic requirement and expectation of clients around the world,” P@SHA Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed said in a statement released last Tuesday.
“Additionally, no international company of any size tolerates any intrusion into their security protocols by any private or public institution.”
Pakistan army says three militants attempting to infiltrate from Afghan border killed
- Kabul government denies it allows militants to use its soil to attack Pakistan
- Pakistan has seen sharp rise in militant attacks across the country in recent months
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan army said on Tuesday it had killed three militants out of a group that had tried to infiltrate its frontier with neighboring Afghanistan in the northwestern North Waziristan district, calling on Kabul to ensure “effective border management” on its side.
Islamabad, facing a sharp rise in militancy in recent months, says the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group uses Afghanistan as a base to launch attacks and that the ruling Taliban administration has provided safe havens to the group along their shared border. The Taliban government in Kabul denies this.
The TTP is separate from the Afghan Taliban movement but pledges loyalty to the group that has ruled Afghanistan after the US-led international forces withdrew in 2021.
“On night 25/26 November, movement of a group of khwarij [militants], who were trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces in general area Hassan Khel, North Waziristan District,” the army said in a statement. “Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate. Resultantly, three Khwarij were sent to hell.”
The statement said Islamabad had “consistently” been asking the Afghan government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border.
“Interim Afghan Government is expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by Khwarij for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan,” the army added.
“Security Forces of Pakistan are determined and remain committed to secure its borders and eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country.”
What has caused Pakistan’s deadly clashes between police and supporters of Imran Khan?
- Topping the demands of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party is the release of all its leaders, including Khan
- PTI supporters say they will hold ‘do or die’ sit-in at public square near parliament that is a popular protest site
Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan marched on the capital Islamabad this week, breaking through barricades and clashing with police in response to his call for a sit-in protest.
Here is a look at what led to the protest and this chapter of political rallies in Pakistan:
WHAT DO PROTESTERS WANT?
Topping the demands of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is the release of all its leaders, including Khan, who has been jailed on a series of corruption charges since August 2023.
They also seek the resignation of the current government over what they call rigged general elections this year.
PTI supporters from across the country, including Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, have marched on the capital, with large numbers coming from the party’s stronghold in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
They have vowed to enter the capital and rally at a public square near parliament that is a popular protest site, holding what leaders have called a “do or die” sit-in.
HOW HAS THE GOVERNMENT RESPONDED?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has given no indication yet of bending to the demands. Authorities have used shipping containers to block major roads and streets in Islamabad, with police and paramilitary patrolling in riot gear.
Mobile Internet links are down and schools have been closed for several days in the capital and the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi. Gatherings have been banned in Islamabad.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE MARCH BEGAN?
Thousands of supporters clashed with police and paramilitary troops on the weekend, as they tried to enter Islamabad.
Both sides have reported injuries and the prime minister’s office said members of the paramilitary were killed when they were run over by a car in the protest convoy. The interior ministry put the number of those killed at four.
WHERE DO THE PROTESTERS WANT TO GO?
The marchers aim to reach the roundabout near parliament that has long been a rallying point for protests and sit-ins that have marked Pakistan’s turbulent politics for decades.
The site is in Islamabad’s heavily fortified red zone, home to parliament, key government installations, luxury hotels, embassies and the offices of foreign organizations.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF POLITICAL PROTEST IN PAKISTAN?
Stormy politics and unrest during Pakistan’s 77-year history have included protests and sit-ins by opposition parties.
Khan led one of Pakistan’s largest sit-ins in 2014 when his supporters protesting against the PML-N government occupied the roundabout site for 126 days.
PTI supporters last marched on Islamabad in October, sparking days of clashes with police that killed one officer.
