ISLAMABAD: China has called for measures to lower heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over a recent attack in India-administered Kashmir, while several other countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, have offered Islamabad assistance in resolving the crisis.
New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the deadliest attack in Indian-administered Kashmir since 2000 that killed 26 tourists on April 22. Islamabad denies the claim and has offered to participate in a credible international probe.
The two nuclear-armed neighbors have since exchanged gunfire, diplomatic barbs, expelled each other’s citizens and shut border in a series of punitive measures against each other.
Top Pakistani leaders have reached out to senior officials in China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt and other countries amid fears that India’s possible actions over the attack may lead to a wider conflict in the region.
“China welcomes all measures that will help cool down the current situation and supports carrying out fair and just investigations at an early date,” Guo Jiakun, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said at a press briefing on Monday, hoping Pakistan and India would uphold regional peace.
“As the neighbor of both India and Pakistan, China hopes that India and Pakistan will exercise restraint, work in the same direction, handle relevant differences properly through dialogue and consultation, and jointly uphold peace and stability in the region.”
The statement came as New Delhi said India had signed a contract to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets from France, amid fears that India may carry out limited airstrikes or special forces raids near the border with Pakistan.
The last time India conducted such strikes against Pakistan was in 2019, when it retaliated for a suicide bombing in Pulwama in Indian-administered Kashmir in which at least 40 Indian paramilitary police were killed. Pakistan had denied complicity in that assault and the Indian strikes were followed by Pakistan’s downing of an Indian fighter jet and capturing of an Indian pilot, bring the two neighbors to the brink of an all-out war.
On Monday, India said it had responded to ‘unprovoked’ small arms firing from Pakistan along the de facto border in Kashmir for the fourth consecutive night. There was no immediate comment from the Pakistani side.
Several regional countries have urged bilateral consultation and dialogue between the two countries to prevent tensions from escalating any further.
Late last week, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as foreign minister, briefed his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Islamabad’s response to India’s retaliatory moves, saying his country would respond firmly to any external aggression.
“Both leaders agreed to continue consultations and coordination on the evolving regional situation,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday offered to mediate the crisis between the two South Asian nations.
“India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbors, we consider them our foremost priority,” he said on X.
“Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time.”
Pakistan and India have fought multiple wars, including two of them over the disputed region of Kashmir, since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both rule the region in part but claim it in full.
New Delhi routinely accuses Pakistan of supporting armed separatist militants in Kashmir. Islamabad denies the allegations and says it supports the Kashmiri people diplomatically and politically.
China urges restraint, Riyadh and Tehran offer help to mediate Pakistan-India conflict
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China urges restraint, Riyadh and Tehran offer help to mediate Pakistan-India conflict
- The development comes amid fears India may carry out limited airstrikes or raids near the border with Pakistan over attack in Pahalgam
- The two neighbors have exchanged gunfire, diplomatic barbs, expelled each other’s citizens after the attack that killed 26 tourists
Pakistan voice disappointment after ‘World Championship of Legends’ match against India called off
- WCL features retired, non-contracted players from India, Pakistan, England and other nations
- The match was called off after India’s Shikhar Dhawan withdrew from fixtures against Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani veteran cricket stars on Sunday voiced their disappointment after their match against India, part of the “World Championship of Legends (WCL)” tournament, was called off on Sunday, with Indian players withdrawing because of political tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.
Sporting ties between arch-rivals India and Pakistan have remained limited due to years of political tensions, which heightened after the two countries engaged in a four-day military standoff over an attack in the disputed Kashmir region before a ceasefire was reached on May 10.
The WCL is a T20 tournament approved by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) held in England every year. The tournament features retired and non-contracted players from cricketing giants, including England, India, Pakistan, Australia, West Indies and South Africa.
“On behalf of Pakistan Champions, we express our deep disappointment over WCL’s decision to call off the match against India,” Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan said in a statement.
“This decision not only undermines the spirit of the game but has let down cricket fans across the globe.”
In a statement released on its social media accounts, the WCL said it had decided to call off the India-Pakistan match in Birmingham and apologized again for “hurting the sentiments” of Indian fans.
The league’s owners include its founder, Indian entrepreneur Harshit Tomar and Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn.
The WCL statement came hours after Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan wrote on X that he was withdrawing from India’s WCL matches with Pakistan.
“We believe cricket should rise above and transcend political differences,” Khan said.
Saudi agency distributes aid among crisis-hit people in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Lebanon
- The agency distributed 500 food baskets to families returning from displacement in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah state
- In Pakistan, the agency distributed 2,167 food baskets in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Rajanpur in the Punjab province
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact by providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
The agency distributed 500 food baskets to families returning from displacement in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah state, benefiting 3,999 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
In Afghanistan, KSrelief distributed 100 food baskets at the Omari camp near the Torkham border crossing to Afghan citizens returning from Pakistan.
In Lebanon, 569 food baskets were distributed to Syrian refugees and vulnerable host families in the Koura district of North Lebanon, benefiting 2,845 people.
In Pakistan, the agency distributed 2,167 food baskets in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Rajanpur in the Punjab province, reaching 18,210 people in flood-affected areas.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,588 projects worth more than $8.1 billion across 108 countries, in partnership with more than 321 organizations.
Islamabad, Kabul vow closer cooperation to tackle militancy, improve border management — FO
- The statement comes after Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with his Afghan counterpart in Kabul
- Analysts say back-to-back visits reflect a push to address Pakistan’s security concerns and strengthen bilateral ties
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan have reaffirmed their commitment to countering militancy and improving border management, the Pakistani interior ministry said on Sunday, following a meeting between the two interior ministers in Kabul.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Kabul on Sunday for a day-long visit to hold talks with Sirajuddin Haqqani, his counterpart in the Afghan interim government, days after top Pakistani officials visited Kabul to sign a framework agreement for a joint feasibility study on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project.
Naqvi’s visit also followed the inaugural additional secretary-level talks between both sides in Islamabad to discuss trade, visas, security, connectivity and refugee issues as well as a meeting of the Pakistani, Afghan and Chinese foreign ministers in Beijing, which resulted in the upgradation of Pakistan-Afghanistan diplomatic relations to the ambassador’s rank.
During their meeting, the Pakistani and Afghan interior ministers discussed bilateral relations and matters relating to the Pakistani Taliban and counter-terrorism, border management, narcotics control and the process of repatriation of Afghan citizens illegally residing in Pakistan, according to the Pakistani interior ministry.
“Both interior ministers emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence, stability, and cooperation,” the Pakistani ministry said in a statement. “They agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation to eliminate the scourge of terrorism and Pak-Afghan border management.”
The TTP, which mainly operates in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan, has stepped up its attacks against Pakistani security forces and law enforcers in recent months. Islamabad has often said the group has sanctuaries in Afghanistan, an allegation denied by Kabul.
Naqvi said militant groups were causing chaos and instability in the region, and that Pakistan wishes brotherly and lasting relations with Afghanistan, according to the statement.
“We have to stop it [militancy] together,” he was quoted as saying. “Pakistan has selflessly hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades, and its doors are open for the legal entry of Afghan citizens.”
Pakistan this year said it wanted 3 million Afghans to leave the country, including 1.4 million people with Proof of Registration cards and some 800,000 with Afghan Citizen Cards. There are a further 1 million Afghans in the country illegally because they have no paperwork, according to officials.
Analysts link the recent high-level engagements between Pakistan and Afghanistan to a growing effort toward regional peace, suggesting that the process should continue to address militancy, refugee resettlement, and broader bilateral cooperation.
“These continued high-level engagements are crucial for promoting peace in our surrounding, but they should not be one-off efforts, instead, a sustained and continuous process of engagement is needed,” former Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Dr. Nafees Zakaria told Arab News.
“Constructive engagement with Afghanistan is important to help stabilize the [security] situation, which is ultimately in Pakistan’s interest,” he said, adding that it was essential for Kabul to not provide space to “inferior elements” for bilateral relations to have a stable trajectory.
Zakaria said both countries needed to consider all other aspects of their relationship, including cultural cooperation and refugee issues.
“They (Afghan refugees) are now returning to their country... their proper resettlement is crucial, otherwise, it could become a humanitarian catastrophe,” he said.
Qamar Cheema, executive director of the Sanober Institute think tank that focuses on South Asia issues, said these continued engagements were essential to fill “gaps” in bilateral relations between the two countries.
“Pakistan wants the Afghan Taliban to hold the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan accountable and for this matter, multiple means are being used, including the multilateral and or trilateral forum like Pakistan, Afghanistan and China,” he told Arab News.
“Pakistan is seeking further assurances and aims to persuade the Afghan Taliban to continue summoning the TTP leadership and issuing clear political statements in order to prevent the TTP from launching attacks or crossing the border into Pakistan.”
Syed Muhammad Ali, an Islamabad-based analyst, said the visit follows a trilateral push for a trans-regional rail link that offers major benefits for war-torn Afghanistan.
“Sino-Pakistan offer to include Afghanistan in the multi-billion-dollar worth of CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) reflects Islamabad’s intent to offer lucrative geo-economic incentives to the Kabul administration,” he said.
“These incentives aim to encourage recognition of Pakistan’s security concerns regarding terrorist organizations operating from Afghan soil and to reduce their space and capacity.”
One arrested over Balochistan ‘honor killing’ after video goes viral online
- So-called honor killings are common in Pakistan, where relatives sometimes kill women and men for marrying of their choice
- Pakistan Ulema Council says killing of a woman or a man in the name of honor is ‘un-Islamic, anti-Sharia and terrorism’
KARACHI: A suspect has been arrested for involvement in a recent “honor killing” of a couple in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, a provincial government spokesman said on Sunday, after a disturbing video of the incident went viral online.
The video clip, which shows the couple being shot at by armed men for marrying of their choice, has sparked nationwide outrage and calls for bringing the perpetrators to justice as well as the safety of basic human rights in the region.
Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said the incident captured in the viral video had taken place in Balochistan around Eid Al-Adha holiday.
“This area [where the incident took place] has been identified,” Rind said. “Both families did not report the incident. We will have a case registered with the state as complainant.”
The couple had been executed on the orders of a jirga, a council of tribal elders, according to reports.
Rind said they had taken data of the suspects after their identification through the viral video clip.
“Raids are being conducted to arrest other suspects,” he said, adding the government will not consider any kind of pressure.
So-called honor killings are common in Pakistan, where family members and relatives sometimes kill women and men who don’t follow local traditions and culture or decide to marry of their own choice.
On Sunday, the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), a group of clerics and religious scholars, said killing of a woman or a man in the name of honor is “un-Islamic, anti-Sharia and terrorism” and terrorism cases should be filed against people involved in such incidents.
“Pakistan Ulema Council demands of Chief Minister Balochistan, Governor Balochistan and IGP Balochistan to arrest the culprits who killed a woman under ‘Honour Killing’ as depicted in a viral video on social media,” the council said in a statement.
“Those killers should be tried in the Terrorism Court and the culprits should be prosecuted at the very place in the same way.”
Pakistan’s interior minister in Kabul for talks with Afghan counterpart amid thaw in ties
- The visit follows the inaugural additional secretary-level talks between Pakistani and Afghan officials in Islamabad
- Analysts say back-to-back visits reflect a push to address Pakistan’s security concerns and strengthen bilateral ties
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Kabul on Sunday for a day-long visit to hold talks with Sirajuddin Haqqani, his counterpart in the Afghan interim government, the Pakistani interior ministry said, amid a thaw in bilateral ties between the two neighbors.
The visit comes just days after Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, along with Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, visited Kabul to sign a framework agreement for a joint feasibility study on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project. During the trip, they also met with the top leadership of the Afghan Taliban government.
It follows the inaugural additional secretary-level talks between both sides in Islamabad to discuss trade, visas, security, connectivity and refugee issues as well as a meeting of the Pakistani, Afghan and Chinese foreign ministers in Beijing, which resulted in the upgradation of Pakistan-Afghanistan diplomatic relations to the ambassador’s rank.
“At Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan’s Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Nabi Omari received Naqvi,” the interior ministry said, adding that Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, and Interior Secretary Khurram Agha were also accompanying the interior minister.
“During the visit, Naqvi will meet his Afghan counterpart Haqqani,” it said, without disclosing specific agenda items of the visit.
The back-to-back visits come amid a tentative thaw in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, which have been strained in recent years due to a surge in militancy in Pakistan that Islamabad blames on Afghanistan-based militant groups. Kabul denies harboring militants.
A senior Pakistani foreign ministry official described the back-to-back high-level engagements as a “very positive” development in bilateral relations.
“The critical factor which brought thaw in the relations between the two neighbors was Dar’s visit on April 19, and after that, all these things are getting materialized very quickly,” he told Arab News, requesting anonymity.
“These continued engagements are a very healthy and a very positive sign,” the official said, adding this would help reduce cross-border militancy in Pakistan and contribute to improved security situation.
Efforts to repair the Pakistan-Afghanistan ties gained momentum during a China-hosted trilateral dialogue between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China in Beijing in May. Islamabad and Kabul agreed in principle to send ambassadors to each other’s country following an announcement by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the two countries had agreed to upgrade ties.
Analysts link the recent high-level engagements between Pakistan and Afghanistan to a growing effort toward regional peace, suggesting that the process should continue to address militancy, refugee resettlement, and broader bilateral cooperation.
“These continued high-level engagements are crucial for promoting peace in our surrounding, but they should not be one-off efforts, instead, a sustained and continuous process of engagement is needed,” former Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Dr. Nafees Zakaria told Arab News.
“Constructive engagement with Afghanistan is important to help stabilize the [security] situation, which is ultimately in Pakistan’s interest,” he said, adding that it was essential for Kabul to not provide space to “inferior elements” for bilateral relations to have a stable trajectory.
Zakaria expected both sides to discuss the settlement of returning Afghans during the Naqvi’s visit.
“They are now returning to their country from wherever they had sought asylum, and their proper resettlement is crucial, otherwise, it could become a humanitarian catastrophe,” he said.
Pakistan this year said it wanted 3 million Afghans to leave the country, including 1.4 million people with Proof of Registration cards and some 800,000 with Afghan Citizen Cards. There are a further 1 million Afghans in the country illegally because they have no paperwork, according to officials.
Zakaria said both countries needed to consider all other aspects of their relationship, including socio-economic ties and cultural cooperation.
Qamar Cheema, executive director of the Sanober Institute think tank that focuses on South Asia issues, said these continued engagements were essential to fill gaps in bilateral relations between the two countries.
“Pakistan wants the Afghan Taliban to hold Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) accountable and for this matter, multiple means are being used, including the multilateral and or trilateral forum like Pakistan, Afghanistan and China,” he told Arab News.
In recent years, the TTP has stepped up its against Pakistani security forces and law enforcers in the country’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which borders Afghanistan. Islamabad has often said the group has sanctuaries in Afghanistan, an allegation denied by Kabul.
“Pakistan is seeking further assurances and aims to persuade the Afghan Taliban to continue summoning the TTP leadership and issuing clear political statements in order to prevent the TTP from launching attacks or crossing the border into Pakistan,” Cheema said.
Former Pakistani diplomat, Asif Durrani said the exchange of high-level visits between the two neighbors was a pointer to improved relations and a step toward removing “irritants that had bedeviled the relationship.”
“Pakistan is hopeful that the Afghan interim government will take practical steps to contain the TTP’s activities,” he told Arab News.
Durrani said Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral trade and connectivity with Central Asia were areas that could augur well for greater economic and trade cooperation at bilateral and regional levels.
Syed Muhammad Ali, an Islamabad-based analyst, said the visit follows a trilateral push for a trans-regional rail link that offers major benefits for war-torn Afghanistan.
“Sino-Pakistan offer to include Afghanistan in the multi-billion-dollar worth CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) reflects Islamabad’s intent to offer lucrative geo-economic incentives to the Kabul administration,” he said.
“These incentives aim to encourage recognition of Pakistan’s security concerns regarding terrorist organizations operating from Afghan soil and to reduce their space and capacity.”
