Pakistan conducts coordinated military strikes against ‘terrorist hideouts’ in Iran

Pakistani police officers stand guard outside Pakistan's Foreign Ministry building in Islamabad on January 18, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 18 January 2024
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Pakistan conducts coordinated military strikes against ‘terrorist hideouts’ in Iran

  • Islamabad says it will continue to take ‘all necessary steps’ to preserve safety, security of Pakistanis 
  • Thursday’s strikes were in pursuit of Pakistan’s security, national interest which is paramount, it adds 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has conducted coordinated military strikes against “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province, the Pakistani foreign ministry said on Thursday, amid mounting tensions between the two countries.
Tensions between Pakistan and Iran soared after Tehran conducted an airstrike in Pakistan’s southwest on Tuesday that it said targeted alleged militant bases.
Pakistan said the Iranian strike killed two children and injured three women in a border village, with Islamabad recalling its ambassador to Tehran.
On Thursday, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, a spokesperson for the Pakistani foreign ministry, confirmed the strikes in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan were part of an “intelligence-based operation” by the Pakistani military.
“This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran,” Baloch said in a statement on Thursday.
“A number of terrorists were killed during the Intelligence-based operation – codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’.”

The operation codename translates to “death to the guerrilla fighters.” Baloch separatist groups in Pakistan’s insurgency-ridden Balochistan province often use the term, sarmachar, to describe their fighters.

Pakistan has long accused the neighboring Afghanistan and Iran of providing sanctuaries to Baloch insurgents and other militants who carry out attacks in Pakistan.

Several people were wounded Thursday in Iran as explosions were heard in the restive southeastern region, Iranian media reported.
“An explosion was heard, followed by a drone and missile attack on the city of Saravan in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, leading to injury of several people,” according to Iran’s Mehr news agency.
Baloch said Pakistan had consistently shared serious concerns about the “safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists,” calling themselves sarmachars, on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran.
Islamabad shared multiple dossiers with “concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists” in its engagements with Iran, according to her.

“However, because of lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity,” the foreign ministry spokesperson said.
“This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large scale terrorist activities by these so called Sarmachars.”
She described the Pakistani strikes as a manifestation of the country’s “unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats.”
“The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred,” Baloch said.
“Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised.”
As a responsible member of the international community, she noted, Pakistan upheld the principles and purposes of the United Nations (UN) Charter, including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states.
“Guided by these principles, and in exercise of our legitimate rights within international law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances,” Baloch said.
“Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges, including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endeavor to find joint solutions.”

Tuesday’s Iranian missile and drone attack targeted the Jaish Al-Adl militant group in Pakistan, Iran’s government said. 
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry had denounced the “unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty” before recalling its ambassador from Iran and blocking Tehran’s envoy — currently in Iran — from returning to the country. 
Tehran and Islamabad frequently accuse each other of allowing militants to operate from the other’s territory to launch attacks, but it is rare that official forces on either side engage.

 


Masood defends Pakistan’s spin-spiced formula after Windies win

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Masood defends Pakistan’s spin-spiced formula after Windies win

  • Pakistan completed the win before tea on the third day as spinners Sajid Khan grabbed 5-50 and Abrar Ahmed finished with 4-27
  • The Test lasted fewer than eight sessions on a dry, grassless Multan Stadium pitch, with spinners taking 34 of 40 wickets to fall

MULTAN: Skipper Shan Masood defended Pakistan’s formula of using spin-friendly pitches to win home Test matches after a 127-run victory over the West Indies in Multan on Sunday.
Pakistan completed the win before tea on the third day as spinners Sajid Khan grabbed 5-50 and Abrar Ahmed finished with 4-27 to dismiss the West Indies for 123 after setting a 251-run target.
The Test lasted fewer than eight sessions on a dry and grassless Multan Stadium pitch, with spinners taking 34 of the 40 wickets to fall.
Sajid finished with nine wickets, fellow spinner Noman Ali six and the West Indian left-armer Jomel Warrican took a maiden 10-wicket haul.
Pakistan bowled just one over of pace in the match.
“If we want to be a top side in the World Test Championship then we have to sacrifice some things, like we did with the fast bowling in this Test,” Masood said.
Pakistan made drastic changes after going winless in 11 home Tests since 2021, using industrial fans and patio heaters to dry the Multan pitch against England last year.
Sajid and Noman took 39 of the 40 wickets to give Pakistan a come-from-behind 2-1 series win against England, repeating the same ploy against the West Indies.
Masood’s captain counterpart Kraigg Brathwaite had no issue with it.
They will play the second Test from January 25 at the same venue.
“They’re at home so they got their decision how they want the pitch to behave,” said Brathwaite.
“It was a difficult pitch to bat on for sure.
“We expect the same type of pitch in the second Test so we got to come better with bravery and belief.”
Left-hander Alick Athanaze hit the only half-century for the tourists in the match with 55, an innings Brathwaite wants his batters to learn from.
“He swept it on both sides so we just have to be brave,” said Brathwaite.
“We have got one more Test and we have to believe in ourselves.”


Pakistan to send trade delegations to Bangladesh on Jan. 19, 20 amid thaw in ties

Updated 54 min 9 sec ago
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Pakistan to send trade delegations to Bangladesh on Jan. 19, 20 amid thaw in ties

  • Pakistan to send business delegations of citrus, date fruits to Bangladesh next week
  • Trade exhibition to showcase Pakistan’s potential in Bangladeshi market, says organizer

ISLAMABAD: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said on Sunday it will send two trade delegations to Bangladesh from Jan. 19-20 in a bid to increase bilateral relations and economic collaboration, as both countries move to repair strained ties. 

Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.

In the years since, Bangladeshi leaders, particularly former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, chose to maintain close ties with India. Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August 2024, witnessing a marked improvement.

The TDAP said that it would send two Pakistani trade delegations focusing on the trade of date fruits and citrus between the two countries.

“The first delegation of dates comprising 13 exporters will leave for a week-long visit on Jan. 19 while the second delegation of citrus will leave for a business-to-business (B2B) meeting on Jan. 20,” the TDAP said. 

It said the business delegations aimed to explore more trade opportunities, promote business partnerships and Pakistan’s export potential in the Bangladeshi market. 

Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, TDAP chief executive, said the authority planned to organize a trade exhibition in Bangladesh where Pakistani entrepreneurs will have a chance to showcase their products. 

“Pakistan is one of the top ten importers of Bangladesh, covering sectors such as textiles, agriculture, food, chemicals and basic metals, but there is still room for further expansion of these imports,” he said. 

He said both countries have been in talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) since 2002, adding that it could pave the way for greater opportunities for the people of both countries. 

The development comes after Tuesday’s signing of a landmark agreement between Pakistan and Bangladeshi businesspersons to establish a joint business council between the two countries.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to visit Dhaka at the start of February to further consolidate the relations between the two countries.


Pakistan says ‘CPEC 2.0’ to attract more Chinese companies and investment

Updated 19 January 2025
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Pakistan says ‘CPEC 2.0’ to attract more Chinese companies and investment

  • CPEC, a multi-billion-dollar project, connects China and Pakistan through network of highways, railways and pipelines
  • Pakistan says CPEC’s second phase will involve advanced technological transfer, and focus on industrialization and SEZs 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will attract more Chinese investment and companies, as Islamabad eyes greater collaboration with Beijing to bolster its economy. 

CPEC is a multi-billion-dollar project that connects China and Pakistan through a network of highways, railways and pipelines. In December 2024, Pakistan announced that both countries would work on the CPEC project with a renewed focus. 

The government has said that the second phase of the CPEC project would be known as “CPEC 2.0” and would involve deeper collaboration, advanced technological transfer and transformative socio-economic projects.

“Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the importance of CPEC 2.0,” Pakistan’s finance ministry said while speaking to Hong Kong’s TVB News. 

“The second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will attract more Chinese companies and investment,” the finance minister said. 

Aurangzeb, who this week attended the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, invited the Asian country to send delegations to explore trade and financial opportunities in Pakistan.

“Hong Kong can be a suitable location for joint ventures between Chinese and Pakistani companies,” the finance minister was quoted as saying. 

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said last week that the second phase of the project would focus on industrialization and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as well as on clean energy, agriculture and livelihood projects. 

However, the project has been hit by Islamabad struggling to keep up financial obligations as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants, especially in the country’s southwestern province. 
 


Pakistan’s Sajid and Abrar demolish West Indies in first Test win

Updated 19 January 2025
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Pakistan’s Sajid and Abrar demolish West Indies in first Test win

  • Sajid Khan takes 5-50 and match figures of 9-115 to bamboozle West Indies
  • Test lasted fewer than 8 sessions, with start delayed on first day by poor visibility

Multan, Pakistan: Spinner Sajid Khan took five wickets and Abrar Ahmed another four to guide Pakistan to a 127-run win on the third day of the first Test against West Indies in Multan on Sunday.
Sajid took 5-50 for match figures of 9-115, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed snared 4-27 as West Indies were dismissed for 123, falling well short of their victory target of 251.
Pakistan’s spinners took all the wickets in West Indies’ second innings, with Noman Ali chipping in with 1-42, as the home side took an early advantage in the two-Test series.
Left-handed batter Alick Athanaze hit 55, the only half-century of the match for the tourists, and added 41 runs for the sixth wicket with Tevin Imlach.
Sajid removed the dangerous Athanaze, while Abrar’s haul included the final wicket of Jomel Warrican.
Left-armer Warrican had led the spin attack for the tourists with a career-best 7-32 as Pakistan were bowled out for 157 in their second innings.
They were also the best figures by a West Indian bowler in Pakistan, topping fast bowler Malcolm Marshall’s 5-33 at Lahore in 1986.
The Test lasted fewer than eight sessions, with the start delayed on the first day by poor visibility.
The Multan pitch provided sharp turn, with Sajid taking the wickets of skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (12), Keacy Carty (six), Kavem Hodge (0) and Mikyle Louis (13).
Noman then trapped Justin Greaves leg before wicket for nine in the last over before lunch, leaving the tourists tottering on 54-5.
Pakistan had resumed earlier on 109-3 but managed to add just 48 runs.
Warrican’s nagging line and length earned him match figures of 10-101, his first 10-wicket match haul.
He dismissed overnight batter Saud Shakeel for two with the first ball of the day and then had Mohammad Rizwan for the same score in his next over.
Warrican continued the demolition act with the wickets of Kamran Ghulam (27), Noman (nine) and Sajid (five).
The second match starts on January 25, also in Multan.
 


Pakistan livestock exhibition in Karachi draws over 1.2 million visitors in two days

Updated 19 January 2025
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Pakistan livestock exhibition in Karachi draws over 1.2 million visitors in two days

  • Three-day expo showcases 2,000 animals, over 1,000 birds, numerous reptiles, falcons and pets
  • Sindh livestock official says event’s main purpose is to connect breeders, investors and farmers

KARACHI: Pakistan’s largest livestock exhibition featuring thousands of animals in the southern port city of Karachi has drawn more than 1.2 million visitors in the past two days, as per an official, with the three-day event set to conclude today, Sunday. 

The exhibition has been organized by the Sindh government at the city’s Expo Center. It showcases a diverse range of livestock which includes over 2,000 animals, 1,000 birds and numerous reptiles, falcons and domestic pets.

Dr. Nazeer Hussain Kalhoro, director-general of the Sindh Livestock Department, told Arab News on Saturday that the main purpose of the event was to ensure collaboration among breeders, investors and farmers.

“The motto of this Sindh livestock expo is to connect, collaborate and thrive,” Kalhoro said.

“So, we are connecting people, and then we are signing MoUs to collaborate with each other. And then finally, there will be the development when we will thrive together.”

The official said that this was set to be the “largest Pakistan expo ever we have seen,” adding that the exhibition had been visited by 0.6 million people daily since it began on Friday. 

He said the numbers were expected to increase on the last day, which was a Sunday. 

Shakir Umar Gujar, president of the Dairy & Cattle Farmers Association, said it is essential to showcase Pakistan’s livestock globally through such exhibitions. 

“At the same time, these expos help farmers learn and adopt measures to enhance their production,” he said. 

“Livestock is a crucial component of the national economy, and such exhibitions are beneficial for farmers.”

Syed Nazeer Hussain, 45, was happy his children got to learn about the various animals in the country through the expo. 

“They’ll get to see and learn about our culture, the various breeds of animals we have in Pakistan, and gain awareness while being entertained,” he told Arab News. 

Dr. Kalhoro pointed out that climate change, combined with issues such as water scarcity and outdated farming technologies, has drastically altered Pakistan’s agricultural landscape. This added to the livestock sector’s importance. 

“When we got independence in 1947, the contribution of the crop sector was about 68 percent, and the livestock sector was only 32 percent,” he said. 

“Now this has been reversed because of climate change, because of the unavailability of the water, different technologies, and the seed problem.”

This shift, he noted, is directly tied to climate variability, which has led to poor crop yields, rising costs, and an overall decline in traditional farming practices.

Livestock, on the other hand, was thriving and the provincial government was trying to use it to generate capital for the country.

“Pakistan is having 225 million herds of livestock farmed livestock,” Dr. Kalhoro said. “It means that we are now harboring the third largest herd of milk-based or meat-based animals in the world,” he said. 

Muhammad Mikael Abbas, a student of grade five, was quite enthralled with the exhibition’s offering. 

“I saw cows, goats, sheep, dogs, parrots, and birds of all breeds,” Abbas said. “It was really enjoyable, and we’re still exploring to see what else might be here. 

“We’ll check everything out.”