ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday hailed as “important diplomatic success” an agreement among leading Palestinian groups to form an interim unity government during talks in China.
Various Palestinian factions agreed to end their divisions and strengthen Palestinian unity by signing the Beijing Declaration on Tuesday morning in China, according to Chinese state media. The declaration was signed at the closing ceremony of a reconciliation dialogue among the factions held in Beijing on July 21-23.
A total of 14 Palestinian factions including the leaders of rival groups Fatah and Hamas also met with the media, with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi present, CGTN said in a social media post. As the meeting wrapped up, China’s top diplomat said the groups had committed to set up an “interim national reconciliation government” to govern Gaza.
Welcoming the Beijing Declaration, the Pakistan prime minister praised China for the efforts to unite the Palestinian factions, urging the world to press Israel for an end to its “brazen violence” that has destroyed Gaza and killed thousands of Palestinians since Oct 7 attacks by Hamas.
“For long the people of Palestine have seen nothing but pain and suffering,” Sharif said on X. “Today’s agreement ignites hope that lasting peace can be achieved.”
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza in October last year, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations and demanded international powers and multilateral bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza.
“Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause,” Sharif said. “Unity among Palestinian factions is essential for a strong & effective voice for peace, justice & statehood. We stand with the Palestinian people in their quest for self-determination.”
Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas after militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in a cross-border assault on Oct. 7, 2023, according to Israeli tallies.
The death toll among Palestinians in Israel’s retaliatory offensive since then has surpassed 39,000, Gaza health authorities say.
Pakistan hails reconciliation among Palestinian groups at China talks as ‘important diplomatic success’
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Pakistan hails reconciliation among Palestinian groups at China talks as ‘important diplomatic success’
- Various Palestinian factions agreed to end their divisions and strengthen Palestinian unity by signing the Beijing Declaration on Tuesday morning
- PM Shehbaz Sharif says the ‘agreement ignites hope that lasting peace can be achieved,’ urges world to press Israel to end ‘brazen violence’ in Gaza
Pakistan’s counterterrorism force kills five militants in shootout in southwest
- CTD says it carried out operation against TTP ‘sharpshooters’ planning militant attacks in Balochistan
- Official statement says these militants were based in a compound of an Afghan refugee camp in Pishin
QUETTA: The Counterterrorism Department (CTD) of the police in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province announced in a statement on Friday night it had killed five militants of the proscribed militant network Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the Surkhab area of Pishin district after a shootout.
Balochistan, a strategic region bordering Iran and Afghanistan, hosts key China-led infrastructure projects, including a port and a gold-copper mine. The province has long grappled with a separatist insurgency, with Baloch militants accusing the central government of exploiting its mineral and gas resources. The Pakistani state denies these allegations, asserting it is working to uplift the region through development initiatives.
Last month, over 50 people were killed in coordinated attacks claimed by one of these militant groups. While the TTP, which emerged from the northwestern tribal areas with Al Qaeda-inspired ideology, does not share the Baloch separatists’ objectives, it has a deadly history of targeting civilians and security forces. Pakistani officials suggest it has also forged ties with Baloch militants, intensifying activities in the southwest.
“Five terrorists belonging the banned TTP were killed during an exchange of fire between the CTD personnel and the terrorists,” a CTD spokesperson, who did not want to be named, told Arab News. “A cache of arms and explosives, including hand grenades, improvised explosive devices and a motorbike were seized from their compound.”
He further, said one of the militants belonged to Spin Boldak, a bordering town in Afghanistan and close to Pakistan’s southwestern bordering city of Chaman.
“The CTD has lodged a first information report of the incident and started looking for other group members in the nearby areas,” he added.
According to the department’s official statement, it received information that five sharpshooters belonging to the TTP were residing in a compound of an Afghan refugee camp in Surkhab and planning militant activities.
The Pakistani security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations in the area since the deadly Balochistan attacks last month.
The federal government on Friday also granted special powers to the army, civilian armed forces and the provincial authorities to combat militants in the region after amending the Anti-Terrorist Act of Pakistan to deal with the uptick in militant violence.
India releases five fishermen among nine Pakistani prisoners — Pakistan high commission
- Pakistan and India exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels on Jan 1 and July 1 each year
- Indian and Pakistani fishermen are routinely detained by both maritime agencies on charges of illegally entering each other’s waters
ISLAMABAD: India has released nine Pakistani prisoners, including five fishermen, who have been repatriated home, the Pakistani high commission in New Delhi said on Friday.
Pakistan and India exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels each year on Jan 1 and July 1, in pursuance of the Consular Access Agreement of 2008.
On July 1, India shared the names of 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistanis or believed to be Pakistanis, according to a report published by The Hindu, citing Indian foreign ministry.
Similarly, Pakistan shared the names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody who were Indians or were believed to be Indians.
“Today, 9 Pakistani civil prisoners & 5 fishermen were repatriated through Attari-Wagah border,” the Pakistani high commission said on X.
“Our efforts will continue for the release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners in India.”
Indian and Pakistani fishermen are routinely detained by both maritime agencies on charges of illegally entering each other’s territorial waters.
The nuclear-armed nations’ borders are not clearly defined in the Arabian Sea and many fishing boats lack the technology to steer clear of any intrusion.
Pakistani resident of Canada arrested on US terror charges
- Muhammad Shahzeb Khan aimed to carry out a mass shooting in support of Daesh at a Jewish center in Brooklyn
- The attack was planned on the October 7 Hamas attack anniversary, US wants to seek his extradition from Canada
WASHINGTON: A Pakistani man living in Canada has been arrested on charges of plotting to carry out an attack on Jews in New York City, the US Justice Department said Friday.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested on Wednesday on charges filed in the United States, the department said.
“The defendant is alleged to have planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7 of this year with the stated goal of slaughtering, in the name of (Daesh), as many Jewish people as possible,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
“Thanks to the investigative work of the FBI, and the quick action of our Canadian law enforcement partners, the defendant was taken into custody,” he said.
According to the criminal complaint, Khan planned to travel to New York and carry out a mass shooting in support of Daesh at a Jewish center in Brooklyn on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
He revealed his plans in conversations with conspirators who were actually undercover law enforcement officers, it said.
Khan was taken into custody by Canadian authorities in the town of Ormstown some 12 miles (19 kilometers) from the US-Canada border.
The Justice Department said it will seek his extradition from Canada.
Khan is charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Pakistan army chief urges nation not to let ‘political differences turn into hatred’
- The statement appeared to be directed at supporters of jailed ex-PM Imran Khan, who has waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the country’s military
- Gen Asim Munir says any efforts to weaken national solidarity will never succeed, urges the Pakistani nation to demonstrate unity, tolerance and harmony in social affairs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir on Friday urged the nation not to let “political differences turn into hatred,” maintaining that unity among the country’s armed forces and the nation will continue to keep the enemy designs from succeeding.
The army chief said this while addressing a ceremony at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi to mark the country’s Defense Day, which commemorates the sacrifices of the heroes of the 1965 war against India.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Azad Kashmir prime minister, and senior military and government officials as well as families of the martyrs.
During his address, the army chief urged the Pakistani nation to demonstrate unity, tolerance and harmony in social affairs.
“The ulterior motives to weaken national solidarity will never succeed,” he said. “It is a must for national solidarity that we stay above religious intolerance and protect the rights of minorities as per the Constitution of Pakistan, and not to let political differences turn into hatred.”
Gen Munir’s statement appeared to be directed at the supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, who has waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the country’s military since his ouster in a parliamentary no-trust vote in April 2022.
Khan has accused the then army leadership of orchestrating his ouster together with his political rivals as part of a United States-backed “foreign conspiracy.” The military, Khan’s rivals and Washington have repeatedly denied this.
In May 2023, supporters of the ex-premier went on a rampage after he was briefly arrested, vandalising military installations across the country in one of the most serious challenges to the Pakistani military that has ruled the country for nearly half of its history.
During his address, Gen Munir said the principles of “unity, faith and discipline” of Pakistan’s founder Muhamad Ali Jinnah were a guiding light for the nation.
“Apart from its geographical location, Almighty Allah has blessed Pakistan with countless natural resources,” he said. “Our real asset is the public, especially our young generation that has a critical role in the country’s integrity and development.”
He paid a tribute to the civilians and officials and soldiers of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies, who laid their lives for the independence, security and honor of the country.
“As long as such dignified sons are present on this soil, the defense of the country will remain invincible,” the army chief added.
On Defense Day, Pakistan inducts two new warships in its naval fleet
- Pakistan celebrates Defense Day on Sept. 6 to honor soldiers who fought against India in 1965
- The ships, Babur and Hunain, have been equipped with anti-ship and anti-air warfare weapons
KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday inducted two new warships, Babur and Hunain, into its naval fleet, the Pakistan Navy said, as the nation marked its Defense Day.
The South Asian country celebrates its Defense Day each year on September 6 to honor the soldiers who fought against India in the 1965 war.
A ceremony for the induction of MILGEM Class Corvette Babur and Offshore Patrol Vessel HUNAIN was held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari graced the occasion as the chief guest, according to the navy’s Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR).
“The Chief Guest dilated upon the precarious geo-strategic environment in the Indian Ocean and the need to have a potent Naval force to counter growing traditional and non-traditional challenges,” the DGPR said in a statement.
“He reiterated that induction of these ships in PN Fleet will consolidate and enable the Fleet to meet its ever-growing operational responsibilities.”
President Zardari formally handed over the ships’ scrolls to the commander of Pakistan Fleet, which marked the induction of the two warships.
Hunain is a multipurpose medium-sized offshore patrol vessel, equipped with state-of-the-art electronic warfare, anti-ship and anti-air warfare weapons, sensors, and self-protection and terminal defense system, according to the DGPR.
The Babur-class corvette is a subclass of the Turkish MILGEM project. The corvette class is heavier and larger than the Turkish Ada-class corvette and also equipped with vertical launch systems.
In his welcome address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf termed the induction of these ships a “major milestone in capacity building of PN [Pakistan Navy] Fleet.”
“He acknowledged the government’s full support for providing best possible resources for this purpose,” the DGPR said.
The induction ceremony was attended by Turkiye’s Deputy Minister of National Defense Bilal Burdali, chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, political leadership and high-ranking officials of the armed forces.
On Thursday, Pakistan’s Embassy in Abu Dhabi hosted a reception to mark Defense Day aboard Pakistan Navy Ship Shamsheer at the Cruise Terminal, Mina Zayed Port, the mission said in a statement.
Pakistan’s envoy to the UAE, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, along with Commodore Shahid Wasif SI (M), Mission Commander of the Pakistan Navy, welcomed chief guest General Salem Saeed Al Jabri, UAE’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Military and Security Affairs, and Brig. Abdullah Al Mohairbi, Deputy Commander of the UAE Navy, at the reception, which was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and officials of the UAE government.
