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Pakistan army says soldier killed in attack by ‘violent mob in garb of’ Baloch rights movement 

People from the Baloch community take part in a demonstration demanding greater rights in Gwadar of Pakistan's Balochistan province on July 28, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 29 July 2024
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Pakistan army says soldier killed in attack by ‘violent mob in garb of’ Baloch rights movement 

  • Military says 16 soldiers, including an officer, injured in “unprovoked assaults,” vows to bring those responsible to justice
  • Baloch Yakjehti Committee, which advocates for rights of ethnic Baloch people, has summoned ‘Baloch Raji Muchi’ gathering in Gwadar 
Updated 29 July 2024
KASHIF IMRAN & Saadullah Akhtar

ISLAMABAD/QUETTA: A Pakistani sepoy was killed and 16 other soldiers, including an officer, were injured in attacks by a “violent mob in garb of so-called Baloch Raji Muchi,” the military said, referring to an ethnic rights protest movement in the southwestern province of Balochistan.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which advocates for the rights of the ethnic Baloch people, summoned the ‘Baloch Raji Muchi,’ or Baloch National Gathering, in Balochistan’s Gwadar port city on Sunday against alleged human rights abuses, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances in Balochistan that rights activists and the families of victims blame on Pakistani security forces. The government and security agencies deny involvement.

On Saturday, more than a dozen protesters who were en route to Gwadar for Sunday’s gathering were injured in clashes with security forces in the Mastung district, officials and protesters said, amid a shutdown of Internet, mobile phone and broadband services in parts of Balochistan. Gulzar Dost Baloch, a BYC member who was leading a caravan in Quetta, said supporters were leaving Mastung for Gwadar when “security forces attacked the buses with straight gun fire.” The BYC says one protester was killed in the clashes. 

But in a statement released on Monday, the Pakistani military’s media wing said a Pakistan soldier was killed and 16 others were injured in “unprovoked assaults by the violent protesters.”

“Fake and malicious propaganda is being spread on social media using doctored pictures and videos by the propagandists to gain sympathy and support for the unlawful violent march,” the army said. 

“The violent actions of the mob are unacceptable and those responsible will be brought to justice. All citizens are urged not to fall prey to the propaganda, remain calm and peaceful, and to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining public safety and order,” the military added, vowing that it would thwart any “attempts of sabotaging peace and stability of Balochistan.”

Shortly after the army’s statement, the BYC said on X the Pakistani Army and paramilitary FC soldiers had “launched another brutal and violent attack on the peaceful Baloch National Gathering sit-in in Gwadar” and were firing “indiscriminately upon peaceful protesters.” It reported “multiple injuries and the arrest of hundreds,” which could not be independently verified by Arab News. 

“FOREIGN HAND“

Pakistan’s Balochistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, is the site of a low-level insurgency for the last two decades by separatists who say they are fighting what they see as the unfair exploitation of the province’s wealth by the federation. The Pakistani state denies the allegation and says it works for the uplift of the impoverished province. The government and army have often blamed neighbors India, Afghanistan and Iran of stoking tensions in Balochistan and funding the insurgency, which they deny. 

On Friday, authorities blocked all entry and exit points of the provincial capital of Quetta, and imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, that prohibits the assembly of four or more people, in parts of the province as BYC supporters attempted to leave for the Gwadar protest, which is being led by activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch. Protesters subsequently staged sit-ins on key highways in Quetta, Mastung, Kech and Turbat districts.

On Monday, the BYC gave the provincial government 48 hours to release all its detained members or else it would expand its ongoing protests, now in their third day, across Balochistan. 

“If the government doesn’t accept our demands, we will expand our protests across Balochistan,” Beberg Baloch, a BYC leader who is leading the protests in Mastung, told Arab News on Monday, adding that the group wanted all its arrested members released within 48 hours and provincial highways opened so people could move freely to protest sites.

Deputy Commissioner Quetta Saad Bin Asad said on Monday 22 people had been arrested in the provincial capital as they were disrupting traffic by blocking a main road.

Gwadar, situated along the Arabian Sea, lies at the heart of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CEPC), under which Beijing has funnelled tens of billions of dollars into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan. But the undertaking has been hit by Islamabad struggling to keep up its financial obligations as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants in Balochistan and elsewhere in the country.

Balochistan Home Minister Meer Ziaullah Langove said the latest protests were a “conspiracy” against CPEC, alleging a “foreign hand” in instigating the protests.

“Despite being attacked by the protesters, people of Balochistan, police, and security forces have shown restraint to maintain peace,” Langove told Arab News.

“The government considers the protesters as our brothers and sisters, we have to treat them with respect and we are ready to talk with them,” Langove added. “But defaming the state and [playing] personal politics on these [rights] issues has escalated the tensions.”

Meanwhile, life in various cities of Balochistan remained at a standstill for a third consecutive day, with protesters still blocking highways N-25 Quetta- Karachi, M-8 Turbat- Hoshab and a coastal highway that connects Gwadar with Pakistan’s commercial hub of Karachi.

Topics: Baloch Yakjehti Committee

Pakistan PM directs measures to increase sugar industry revenues, end hoarding

Updated 21 December 2024
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Pakistan PM directs measures to increase sugar industry revenues, end hoarding

  • Sugar remains one of the largest consumed food commodities in the South Asian country
  • PM Sharif says government making efforts to ensure supply of sugar at affordable prices
Updated 21 December 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked officials to take steps to increase revenue collection from the sugar industry and to end hoarding of the commodity, Sharif’s office said on Saturday.
The prime minister issued the directives at a meeting he presided over in Lahore to review the implementation of a strategy to improve revenue collection.
Sugar remains one of the largest consumed food commodities in the South Asian country and is used in large amounts in food processing, beverages, and bakery items.
Owing to its huge demand, the government sets its procurement prices while the sugar industry is protected by a 40 percent import tariff to ensure prices remain stable. 
“Revenue collection will improve after the installation of video analytics in the sugar industry,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office. “These reforms will end sugar hoarding and help balance prices.”
The prime minister said the government was making all efforts to ensure the supply of sugar at affordable prices.
“Regular monitoring of sugar stocks should be carried out so that the sugar supply chain is not affected,” he instructed officials, calling for strict and indiscriminate action against sugar mills that were evading taxes.
Over the decades, Pakistan has failed to generate tax revenues in higher amounts due to a narrow tax base, low compliance rate, an inefficient tax administration and massive tax evasion.
The South Asian country has set an ambitious target of collecting $46 billion through taxes this financial year (July 2024 till June 2025), amid efforts to revive its fragile $350 billion economy.

Topics: Sugar export sugar industry Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan rejects US allegations over missile program as ‘devoid of rationality’

Updated 50 min 42 sec ago
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Pakistan rejects US allegations over missile program as ‘devoid of rationality’

  • A senior US official this week said Pakistan was developing long-range missiles that could threaten the US
  • The statement came after Washington said it was imposing new sanctions related to Pakistan’s missile program
Updated 50 min 42 sec ago
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Saturday dismissed as “unfounded” and “devoid of rationality” the allegations by a senior United States (US) official that its missile program posed a threat to the United States.
The Foreign Office statement came in response to comments made by US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer, who said nuclear-armed Pakistan’s development of long-range ballistic missiles could potentially target the US.
The statement came after the US said it was imposing new sanctions related to Pakistan’s missile program, including on the state-owned defense agency that oversees the program. The sanctions freeze any US property belonging to the targeted entities and bars Americans from doing business with them.
The Foreign Office said that Pakistan had made it abundantly clear that its strategic program and allied capabilities were meant to thwart a “clear and visible existential threat from our neighborhood” — a reference to arch-foe India — and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.
“The alleged threat perception from Pakistan’s missile capabilities and delivery means, raised by the US official are unfortunate. These allegations are unfounded, devoid of rationality and sense of history,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
“Since 1954, Pakistan and the US have enjoyed a positive and broad-ranging relationship. The recent spate of US allegations toward a major non-NATO ally would be unhelpful for the overall relationship, especially in the absence of any evidence in this regard. Pakistan has never had any ill-intention toward the US in any form or manner, and this fundamental reality has not changed.”
Finer’s statement underscored how far the once-close ties between Washington and Islamabad had deteriorated since the 2021 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. It also raised questions about whether Pakistan has shifted the objectives of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs long intended to counter those of India, with which it has fought three major wars since 1947.
But the Foreign Office said Pakistan’s strategic capabilities were solely meant to defend its sovereignty, highlighting Pakistan’s long history of cooperation with the US, particularly in the counter-terrorism domain.
“We wish to reiterate that Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia,” it said.
“Pakistan cannot abdicate its right to develop capabilities that commensurate with the need to maintain credible minimum deterrence as well as evolving and dynamic threats.”
Relations between the US and Pakistan have seen significant ups and downs. The countries collaborated during the Cold War and in the fight against Al-Qaeda after 9/11.
However, ties have been strained due to coups in the South Asian country by Pakistan’s military, support for the Taliban’s 1996-2001 rule in Afghanistan, and over the nuclear weapons program.

Topics: Pakistan US Ties Pakistan missile program Foreign Office Pakistan's foreign office

Islamabad urges Afghanistan to boost border security as infiltration attempt kills five

Updated 56 min 36 sec ago
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Islamabad urges Afghanistan to boost border security as infiltration attempt kills five

  • Military says four TTP fighters and a soldier were killed as militants tried to enter Pakistani territory
  • Statement comes after media reported a deadly attack on a military outpost that killed 16 soldiers
Updated 56 min 36 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan military on Saturday urged the Taliban administration in Kabul to ensure robust border management after a group of militants tried to infiltrate from Afghanistan, leading to a skirmish that left four infiltrators and a soldier dead.
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated in recent years as militant violence surged in Pakistan, fueled by attacks from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistani officials blame the TTP for the escalating violence, accusing the Afghan authorities of turning a blind eye to militants using their territory to launch cross-border attacks.
However, Kabul denies these allegations, insisting that Pakistan’s internal security is its own responsibility.
“On night 19/20 December, movement of a group of khwarij [TTP militants], trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces in general area Rajgal, Khyber District,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, said in a statement. “Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate. Resultantly, four Khwarij were sent to hell.”
The statement noted that one of the soldiers, Sepoy Amir Sohail Afridi, also lost his life amid intense exchange of fire.
“Pakistan has consistently been asking Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border,” it continued. “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 ISPR statement comes after media reported a deadly attack on a military outpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which was targeted by 30 militants from three sides. According to anonymous intelligence sources, the attack left 16 soldiers dead. The TTP claimed responsibility for targeting the outpost in a statement that described the attack as a retaliation to the recent killings of its top commanders.
The Pakistan military reiterated in its statement it remained committed to securing the borders. It added that its soldiers would also fight to eliminate the menace of militant violence.

Topics: Pakistan Afghanistan border Pakistan Afghanistan Ties militancy in Pakistan Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan

Pakistan Taliban claim raid killing 16 soldiers in northwestern province

Updated 21 December 2024
AFP
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Pakistan Taliban claim raid killing 16 soldiers in northwestern province

  • Officials confirm privately militants set fire to the wireless communication equipment, documents
  • Pakistan’s military has not issued a statement on the siege of its outpost that lasted for two hours
Updated 21 December 2024
AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Taliban claimed a brazen overnight raid on an army outpost near the border with Afghanistan on Saturday, which intelligence officials said killed 16 soldiers and critically wounded five more.
The siege started after midnight and lasted about two hours as around 30 militants pummelled the mountainous outpost from three sides, one senior intelligence official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“Sixteen soldiers were martyred and five were critically injured in the assault,” he said. “The militants set fire to the wireless communication equipment, documents and other items present at the checkpoint.”
A second intelligence official also anonymously confirmed the toll of dead and wounded in the attack in the Makeen area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 40 kilometers (24 miles) from the Afghan border.
Pakistan’s domestic chapter of the Taliban claimed the attack in a statement, saying it was staged “in retaliation for the martyrdom of our senior commanders.”
The group claimed to have seized a hoard of military gear including machine guns and a night vision device.
Pakistan’s military has not yet issued a statement on the incident.
Pakistan has been battling a resurgence of militant violence in its western border regions since the Taliban’s 2021 return to power in Afghanistan.
Islamabad accuses Kabul’s rulers of failing to root out militants staging attacks on Pakistan from over the border.
The Pakistani Taliban — known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — share a common ideology with their Afghan counterparts who surged back to power three years ago.
Kabul’s new rulers have pledged to evict foreign militant groups from Afghan soil.
But a UN Security Council report in July estimated up to 6,500 TTP fighters are based there — and said “the Taliban do not conceive of TTP as a terrorist group.”
The report said the Afghan Taliban show “ad hoc support to, and tolerance of, TTP operations, including the supplying of weapons and permission for training.”
The spike in attacks has soured Islamabad-Kabul relations. Security was cited as one reason for Pakistan’s campaign last year to evict hundreds of thousands of undocumented Afghan migrants.
 

Topics: Pakistan attack Militant attack Arab News Pakistan

Pakistan military sentences 25 to prison over May 2023 unrest

Updated 21 December 2024
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Pakistan military sentences 25 to prison over May 2023 unrest

  • Violent protests had erupted in various Pakistani cities on May 9, 2023 over ex-PM Imran Khan’s arrest in graft case
  • Khan’s PTI party rejects military court verdicts against civilians, says they are ‘against the principles of justice’
Updated 21 December 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: The Pakistani military on Saturday sentenced 25 people to prison for participating in violent protests on May 9, 2023, when hundreds carrying flags of former prime minister Imran Khan’s party had attacked government and military installations.
The protests, which erupted in several Pakistani cities, followed Khan’s brief detention on corruption charges from an Islamabad court, resulting in damage to major military facilities and martyrs’ monuments in the country.
Subsequently, hundreds of members and supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party were imprisoned, despite their denial of involvement in violence and claims that the May 9 incident was a “false flag” operation aimed at crushing the party.
The government and military also asserted they had gathered ample evidence that the attack on the country’s most powerful institution was carefully planned and executed by the PTI leadership, sharing videos of the attacks showing people setting fire to government and military properties.
“On 9 May 2023, nation witnessed tragic incidents of politically provoked violence and arson at multiple places, marking a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement, listing down names of all 25 people with sentences ranging from two to 10 years.
“Building on a sustained narrative of hate and lies, politically orchestrated attacks were carried out on the installations of the Armed Forces including desecration of the monuments of Shuhada [martyrs].”
It informed that it gathered “irrefutable evidence” against these people after conducting investigations to prosecute those arrested in the wake of the incident.
“This is an important milestone in dispensation of justice to the nation,” the ISPR added. “It is also a stark reminder to all those who are exploited by the vested interests and fall prey to their political propaganda and intoxicating lies, to never take law in own hands ever in the future.”
The statement informed the military would share the details of other individuals, whose cases had also been referred to the Field General Court Martial.
The ISPR announcement followed a ruling by a seven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on December 13 in which it allowed the military courts to share its verdict.
Prior to that, the court had unanimously declared last year that prosecuting civilians in military courts was in violation of the Constitution.
Khan’s PTI party rejected the military court verdicts against civilians, saying they were “against the principles of justice.”
“Prisoners are civilians and cannot be allowed to be tried in military courts,” Omar Ayub, a senior PTI figure and opposition leader in the National Assembly, said on X.
“The establishment of such courts to hold trials of ordinary civil offense cases against citizens is not only against the independence of the judiciary, but it also negates the principle of the trinity of powers, which is a fundamental feature of the Constitution.”
The sentencing of 25 individuals raises concerns about Khan, who faces charges of inciting attacks against the armed forces and may potentially be tried in a military court.
The ISPR noted that many accused in the May 9 attacks were also facing trials in various anti-terrorism courts.
“However, justice would truly be fully served once the mastermind and planners of 9th May Tragedy are punished as per the Constitution and laws of the land,” it added.
The ISPR statement highlighted the significance of establishing “inviolable writ of the State” as it pointed out that all convicts retained the right to appeal as guaranteed by the law and the constitution.
In a statement, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif regretted a delay in the announcement of the verdicts and said it had “heightened the morale of the accused and their facilitators.”
“Right now, only the workers, who were used, have been punished under the law,” he said. “This will not end until the ones, who planned this terrible day, are not brought before the law.”

Topics: Pakistan Army May 9 protests PTI

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