Families split by India-Pakistan rivalry lose hope

In this photograph taken on July 28, 2024 Ghulam Ahmad, an Indian apricot farmer sits beside a portrait of his father who died in Pakistan, as he speaks during an interview with AFP near Line of Control (LOC) - the border between India and Pakistan, at the Hunderman village in Kargil district. (AFP)
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Updated 13 August 2024
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Families split by India-Pakistan rivalry lose hope

  • India and Pakistan, who both celebrate 77th independence day this week, have fought three major wars since 1947 partition
  • Despite restrictions, people say can now connect with relatives on other side of border due to Internet, telecommunication services

Hunderman: The ancient trade route over the Himalayan passes of Hunderman once brought communities together, but the rugged peaks are now used as fortifications by nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan.

Indian apricot farmer Ghulam Ahmad, 66, separated from his parents as a teenager in the chaos of war that saw control of his village swap from Pakistan to India, dreams of seeing his mother’s grave.

If the crossing was open, it would be a day’s trek of 50 kilometers (30 miles) to Pakistani territory.

But to visit the site now requires a roundtrip of some 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), visa permission that is hard to obtain, and expenses he cannot afford.

“What can we do?” said Ahmad. “Many here have died without meeting, only in hope of meeting.”

India and Pakistan have only one tightly restricted border point where people can cross, in Punjab state far to the south, but few do so.




This photograph taken on July 27, 2024 shows a sign board near Line of Control (LOC) - the border between India and Pakistan, at the Hunderman village in Kargil district. (AFP)

The rivals, who both celebrate their 77th independence day this week, have fought three major wars and countless border conflicts since they were partitioned out of the Indian subcontinent in 1947.

They remain bitterly at odds over control of the restive territory of Kashmir, divided between the two countries and claimed in full by both.

“If someone reopens this border many would go there,” he said. “And many from there would come here to meet relatives.”

Ahmad’s village in the Kargil area lies beside a raging glacial meltwater tributary of the Indus river, at the fortified line of control dividing Kashmir between the countries.

Imposing snow-capped peaks shadow the village dotted with rival army posts.

Kargil was also the site of the last major clash between New Delhi and Islamabad in 1999.




In this photograph taken on July 27, 2024 Ghulam Ahmad, an Indian apricot farmer speaks during an interview with AFP near Line of Control (LOC) - the border between India and Pakistan, at the Hunderman village in Kargil district. (AFP)

Ali, 49, who uses only one name, is a tour guide in the summer months when curious tourists come to visit, and otherwise leads donkeys carrying supplies to Indian military mountain outposts.

He has never met his uncle’s family across the border.

“My mother’s brother and their entire family are on the other side,” Ali said, saying his mother “keeps crying about her separation from them.”

He recalled the terrifying 10-week conflict in 1999, in which at least 1,000 people were killed.

“It was a really tough period,” Ali said, describing how villagers would shelter in mountain caves.

“The men only came out at night to water the fields and take care of the animals.”

After a quarter of a century of relative peace, the narrow valley is far less isolated.

India’s military has made a giant push to bolster strategic infrastructure, such as roads and telecommunication lines.

Families can now connect online, swapping messages after decades of silence — or even, for the first time.

“There was nothing here in 1999,” said Kargil veteran Major General Lakhwinder Singh. “Now small townships are coming up, new hotels.”

But Mohammad Baqir, 51, said while he had now reconnected with relatives in Pakistan, his desire to meet in person and pray at a mosque together was just a dream.

“I’ve seen our soldiers fortify defenses and have no hope of a thaw,” Baqir said. “There’s always fear that something may happen.”

Ahmad, the apricot farmer, said he showed his late father’s photograph to his teenage grandson, but he was not interested.

The young generations were “entirely disconnected,” he said.

Villager Ali Mohammad, 55, said his memories of the other sides were now “blurred,” the fading remnants of a once vibrant community split in two.

“A generation has been lost, and the young haven’t connected on either side.”


68-member Belarusian delegation arrives in Pakistan to strengthen economic ties

Updated 5 sec ago
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68-member Belarusian delegation arrives in Pakistan to strengthen economic ties

  • Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko will reach Islamabad for three-day visit on Monday
  • Several agreements and memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed during the visit

ISLAMABAD: A high-level Belarusian delegation arrived in Pakistan on Sunday as the two countries prepare to deepen bilateral economic collaboration, with the president of the Eastern European state, Aleksandr Lukashenko, scheduled to reach Islamabad tomorrow.
The 68-member delegation, which includes key Belarusian ministers, was received at Islamabad airport by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and officials from Pakistan’s foreign ministry.
Pakistan and Belarus established diplomatic ties in 1994 and have since worked to strengthen their relationship, with recent efforts focusing on industrial and technological collaboration, trade and investment.
Belarus exports machinery, fertilizers and synthetic yarn to Pakistan, while Pakistan provides textiles, leather goods and surgical instruments to Belarus.
“On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, we warmly welcome the Belarusian delegation,” Naqvi said in a statement circulated by the interior ministry, as he interacted with the foreign dignitaries.
“This visit is of great importance for strengthening bilateral relations and fostering collaboration in various sectors, including industry and trade,” he added.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, the delegation includes 43 business leaders and 25 ministerial officials. It is led by Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, who is accompanied by colleagues holding portfolios in energy, industry, justice, communications, natural resources and emergency situations.
The chairman of Belarus’s Military Industry Committee is also part of the group.
The visit of the delegation marks another step in enhancing bilateral ties, with both countries aiming to explore new avenues of cooperation.
The foreign office said in a statement on Thursday “President Lukashenko will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and discuss areas of bilateral cooperation and engagement.”
“Several agreements and MoUs [memorandums of understanding] will also be signed during the visit,” it added.
Naqvi also emphasized the significance of the visit, hoping it would further solidify the relationship between our two countries.
 


Pakistan shuts down schools in Islamabad amid opposition party’s protest call

Updated 45 min 54 sec ago
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Pakistan shuts down schools in Islamabad amid opposition party’s protest call

  • Capital administration says closure applies to all public and private educational institutions
  • Such closures have been a recurring practice during times of political unrest, high-profile visits

ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Islamabad announced on Sunday that all educational institutions in the federal capital will remain closed tomorrow, citing the ongoing situation linked to a protest call by former prime minister Imran Khan to his party supporters.
The decision comes as leaders and workers of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) continue their march to the city, demanding the release of the ex-premier and protesting alleged election rigging and perceived threats to judicial independence.
“The decision to close schools has been taken in view of the current circumstances,” the Islamabad Capital Territory administration said in a statement.
It added that the closure applies to all public and private educational institutions in the city.
Such closures have become a recurring practice in Islamabad during times of political unrest or high-profile visits by foreign dignitaries. Pakistani authorities also shut down schools and colleges during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in October.
Officials have intensified security measures in the capital, deploying police and paramilitary personnel equipped with riot gear across the city and sealing key roads with shipping containers to prevent protesters from entering the federal capital.
Additionally, mobile Internet services have been suspended, and Wi-Fi connections remain slow in Islamabad.


Pakistan vows order as Imran Khan’s party launches protest before Belarusian president’s arrival

Updated 24 November 2024
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Pakistan vows order as Imran Khan’s party launches protest before Belarusian president’s arrival

  • Deputy PM questions PTI motives, calling protest march ‘conspiracy’ against Pakistan’s honor
  • Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi asks Ali Amin Gandapur to prioritize stability in his own province

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: Tension continued to mount in Pakistan on Sunday as the government vowed to prevent any disruption in Islamabad during a high-level visit by the Belarus president, as supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan began marching to the capital to demand his release.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is spearheading a “long march” to the capital after more than a year of his incarceration on charges he claims are politically motivated. The party is also protesting alleged rigging in February’s general elections and raising concerns about judicial independence, which it says has been undermined by recent constitutional amendments, a claim the government denies.
Security in Islamabad has been tightened, with paramilitary forces deployed and major roads sealed with shipping containers. The interior ministry has suspended mobile data services in sensitive areas, and highways have been blocked to thwart the arrival of protesters.
Addressing the media in Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi criticizing PTI’s timing ahead of the three-day visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to discuss for bilateral economic cooperation.
“Protecting the lives and property of citizens is a priority,” he said. “Disruption during the arrival of foreign guests will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Anyone spreading chaos will be arrested.”
Naqvi also urged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a close aide of ex-PM Khan, to prioritize stability in his own province instead of staging protests, calling such demonstrations harmful to national interests.
He also informed the authorities had detained “extremists” in Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also questioned PTI’s motives, describing its protest as “a deliberate conspiracy against the country’s honor and dignity.”
Earlier, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal accused Khan’s party of attempting to disrupt Pakistan’s economic recovery by launching a demonstration right ahead of the Belarusian president’s visit.
“I am hopeful this drama will end tonight, and normalcy will return,” he said at a press conference in Lahore.
Iqbal defended the government’s strict measures, highlighting its responsibility to ensure law and order.
Meanwhile, residents of Islamabad said they were already grappling with disruptions. Mohammad Hayat, a 32-year-old fruit vendor, lamented the impact of the ongoing political friction between the government and the opposition party on his livelihood.
“Since morning, I haven’t had a single customer. Roads are blocked, people can’t come out, and my fruit is perishing,” he said.
Another resident, Sayyed Sarmad from E-16 sector, criticized the road closures, claiming, “A girl died in an ambulance yesterday. The government should allow protests but manage them better.”
PTI leaders also remained resolute as caravans from KP headed toward Islamabad.
Asif Khan, a party lawmaker, declared “we will go to our destination at any cost,” highlighting transportation challenges as booked vehicles were allegedly blocked. “We arranged vehicles from other districts and captured videos to show our strength,” he added.
Iman Tahir, a women’s leader from Attock, underscored the movement’s peaceful nature.
“We have always been peaceful and will go peacefully this time again,” she said. “Today, all of Pakistan will rise, and Khan’s final call will be a successful one.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, leading the rally, reiterated his commitment while traveling in official protocol.
“We are going to D-Chowk at any cost, and we will not return before reaching D-Chowk,” he said at the Peshawar Motorway toll plaza, referring to an iconic spot in Islamabad that has witnessed political protests for decades.
Another PTI lawmaker, Arbab Sher Ali, echoed the party’s determination to reach the federal capital, saying, “We are instructed to reach Islamabad and are following Khan’s directives. If we can’t reach today, we will reach tomorrow or the day after.”
PTI leaders have hinted at an indefinite sit-in in Islamabad, saying the will not return until their demands are met by the government.


Pakistan vows to facilitate Chinese investors in Special Economic Zones

Updated 24 November 2024
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Pakistan vows to facilitate Chinese investors in Special Economic Zones

  • China, a major ally of Islamabad, has pledged $65 billion for a massive economic corridor project in Pakistan
  • Chinese investment and financial support since 2013 have been key for Pakistan’s struggling, fragile economy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan promised to facilitate Chinese investors in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), state media reported this week as Islamabad eyes foreign investment in vital sectors to sustain growth and avoid a macroeconomic crisis.
SEZs are usually subject to different and more favorable economic regulations compared to other parts of the same country, which include tax incentives and the opportunity to pay lower tariffs.
China, a major ally and investor in Pakistan, has pledged over $65 billion in investment in road, infrastructure and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. CPEC is a part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive China-led infrastructure project that aims to connect various countries around the globe through trade. 
“Federal Minister for Privatization and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan says the Board of Investment will provide all facilities to Chinese investors including sale and transfer of land in Special Economic Zones,” Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday. 
Khan, as per the state-run media, was presiding over a meeting in Lahore to discuss difficulties being faced by investors in SEZs. 
“He directed to resolve all problems being faced in the Special Economic Zones across the country,” the state broadcaster said. 
Chinese investment and financial support since 2013 have been key for Pakistan’s struggling economy, including the rolling over of loans so that Islamabad is able to meet external financing needs at a time its foreign reserves are low.
Though time-tested allies, recent security challenges have put a slight strain on Pakistan’s ties with China. Separatist militants have attacked Chinese projects in Pakistan over the past few months, killing Chinese personnel.
In October, a suicide blast claimed by the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) killed three people in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, including two Chinese nationals, who were targeted in the attack.
Five Chinese workers were killed in a suicide bombing in March this year, which was the third major attack on Chinese interests in Pakistan in a week.
China has called on Islamabad to ensure security for its citizens in Pakistan. The South Asian nation has in turn sought to ease Chinese fears, vowing to provide fool-proof security to its citizens living and working in the country.


82 killed in three days of Pakistan sectarian violence

Updated 24 November 2024
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82 killed in three days of Pakistan sectarian violence

  • Mobile network across Kurram is suspended and traffic on main highway remains halted amid tensions
  • Around 300 families fled on Saturday as gunfights with light and heavy weapons continued into the night

PESHAWAR: Three days of bitter sectarian gunfights in northwestern Pakistan have killed at least 82 people and wounded 156 more, a local official said Sunday.
Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country but Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province — near the border with Afghanistan — has a large Shiite population and the communities have clashed for decades.
The latest bout of violence began on Thursday when two separate convoys of Shiite Muslims traveling under police escort were ambushed, killing at least 43 and sparking two days of gunbattles.
“The clashes and convoy attacks on November 21, 22, and 23 have resulted in 82 fatalities and 156 injuries,” said a local administration official speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Among the deceased 16 were Sunni, while 66 belonged to the Shia community,” he told AFP.
Around 300 families fled on Saturday as the gunfights with both light and heavy weapons continued into the night, however no fresh casualties were reported on Sunday morning.
“The mobile network across Kurram remains suspended and traffic on the main highway is halted,” said the local administration official.
Police have regularly struggled to stymy violence in Kurram, which was part of the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas until it was merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.
A delegation from the provincial government held talks with the Shiite community on Saturday and is scheduled to meet the Sunni community later on Sunday.
A security official in the provincial capital of Peshawar told AFP the negotiators’ helicopter had come under fire as it arrived in the region, although no one was harmed.
“Our priority today is to broker a ceasefire between both sides. Once that is achieved, we can begin addressing the underlying issues,” provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi said Sunday.
Last month at least 16 people, including three women and two children, were killed in a sectarian clash in Kurram.
Previous clashes in July and September killed dozens of people and ended only after a jirga, or tribal council, called a ceasefire.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 79 people died between July and October in sectarian clashes.
Several hundred people demonstrated against the violence on Friday in Pakistan’s second largest city of Lahore and Karachi, the country’s commercial hub.