KARACHI: A Chinese diplomat in Pakistan on Tuesday urged political parties and rights groups in the restive Balochistan province to “set aside” their differences and focus on construction and economic development of the region, which has seen violent protests since last week.
Thousands of people have gathered in Gwadar, home to a key Chinese-built deep seaport central to the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), since last week to participate in a Baloch rights movement, organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) group led by 31-year-old human rights activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch, on Sunday.
Tensions soared in the province on Saturday when more than a dozen protesters, enroute to Gwadar for Sunday’s public gathering, were injured in clashes with security forces in the Mastung district, officials and protesters said. The clashes took place 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 later said one protester was killed in the clashes, while the Pakistani army said on Monday that a Pakistani sepoy was killed and 16 others, including an officer, were injured in “unprovoked assaults.”
“Some people said that ‘without the stability of Balochistan, there’s no stability of Pakistan.’ So, I agree with this and this view,” Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong told reporters in Karachi, when asked about Beijing’s view on the protests in Balochistan.
“We hope that all the political parties and social organizations take their overall national interest into account and to set aside that difference and focus on construction and economic development and to take the people’s interest as a top priority.”
Gwadar, situated along the Arabian Sea, lies at the heart of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CEPC), under which Beijing has funneled 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.
Yang said Gwadar was central to CPEC and noted the completion of several projects, including the new Gwadar International Airport, in the southwestern Pakistani city. He emphasized that China was committed “to develop Gwadar into a transshipment harbor.”
“Under Gwadar, Balochistan has great potential,” he said, highlighting the province’s mine and mineral wealth. “We will put that and the cooperation in the mining sectors as a breakthrough of our industry corporations. So hopefully and with the stabilization of the situations and with the consented efforts from both sides, from China, Pakistan, the CPEC will bring more tangible benefit to local peoples.”
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.
The Chinese diplomat said the world was facing a new “period of turmoil and transformation,” with regional conflicts dragging on, and instability, uncertainty and unpredictability spreading globally.
“We want to build Balochistan into a more stable and prosperous province,” he said. “As all-weather strategic cooperative partners, China and Pakistan’s relationship has withstood the test of international changes and remains rock-solid and stable as Mount Himalayas.”
A month ago, Yang said, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had visited China where leaders of the two countries had reached a broad consensus on further deepening the strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan.
“Our two countries maintain close communication and exchanges at all levels and our relationship is very unique,” he added.
The Chinese consul general said the two sides would build on the achievements of CPEC and jointly develop five major corridors for growth, better life, innovation, green development and openness, creating an upgraded version of CPEC and aligning it with Pakistan’s ‘5Es’ framework that focuses on economy, energy, education, environment and equality in order to benefit the two countries and peoples.
“Without security, there is no guarantee for development,” he said, adding that during his meeting with PM Sharif, President Xi Jinping had clearly stated that China supported Pakistan’s fight against militancy and hoped Islamabad would continue to create a “safe, stable and predictable business environment,” ensuring the safety of Chinese people, projects and institutions in Pakistan.
“We firmly believe that with strong guidance from the high-level consensus of the two countries and joint efforts of relevant departments, security cooperation between the two countries will surely reach a higher level, creating a safe environment and providing reliable guarantees for the development of China-Pakistan relations,” Yang added.
Chinese envoy urges government, rights groups to ‘set aside’ differences amid Balochistan protests
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Chinese envoy urges government, rights groups to ‘set aside’ differences amid Balochistan protests
- Gwadar has been site of days-long protests against alleged rights abuses in Balochistan
- Province is at the heart of Beijing's investments in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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’
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.”
