BEIJING: A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, while commenting on the meeting of Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) on Tuesday said this consensus could create a sound environment for peace and stability in Afghanistan as well as peace and development of the two countries and the region.
“We believe this consensus can create a sound environment for peace and stability for Afghanistan as well as peace and development of the two countries and the region,” Lu Kang said during his regular press briefing held here.
Both Afghanistan and Pakistan had agreed in the meeting held in Islamabad on Monday that effective and full implementation of APAPPS would contribute toward the common objectives of eliminating terrorism and achieving peace, stability, prosperity, and development of the people of the two countries.
The spokesperson said as a neighbor and friend of the two states, the Chinese side was willing to play a constructive role in this regard and promote trilateral cooperation.
In pursuance of the seven principles agreed in the meeting between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi during his visit to Kabul last month, the two sides had finalized the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).
APAPPS provides a framework to strengthen mutual trust and deepen interaction in all spheres of bilateral engagements. It is also a mechanism for finding solutions to bilateral areas of concern.
Pak-Afghan consensus may create sound environment for peace, development in region — China
Pak-Afghan consensus may create sound environment for peace, development in region — China
- Both Afghanistan and Pakistan had agreed in the meeting held in Islamabad on Monday that effective and full implementation of APAPPS would contribute toward the common objectives of eliminating terrorism and achieving peace
- A Chinese foreign ministry spokespersons aid as a neighbor and friend of the two states, the Chinese side was willing to play a constructive role in this regard and promote trilateral cooperation
Curfew extended in Gilgit-Baltistan, probe ordered after deadly Khamenei protests
- At least 15 people were killed in clashes with law enforcement agencies over the weekend in Gilgit-Baltistan
- Government also announces a de-weaponization campaign, crackdown on hate speech and cybercrime in region
ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region on Tuesday extended a curfew in Gilgit district and ordered a judicial probe into violent protests over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes last week, an official said.
At least 15 people were killed in clashes with law enforcement agencies over the weekend in GB, where protesters torched and vandalized several buildings, including United Nations regional offices, an army-run school, software technology park and a local charity building.
The violence prompted regional authorities to impose curfew in Gilgit and Skardu districts on March 2-4 as officials urged people to stay indoors and cooperate with law enforcers, amid widespread anger in Pakistan, particularly among members of the Shiite minority, over Khamenei’s killing.
On Tuesday, the GB government convened to review the situation and announced the extension of curfew in Gilgit among a number of security measures as well as ordered the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the weekend violence in the region.
“The government has made it clear that the law will strictly take its course against elements involved in vandalism at government institutions, private properties and incidents of vandalism in Gilgit and Skardu and no kind of mischief will be tolerated,” Shabbir Mir, a GB government spokesperson, said in a statement.
“In view of the security situation, curfew will remain in force in Gilgit, while the decision to extend the curfew in Skardu will be taken keeping the ground realities and the changing situation in view.”
The statement did not specify how long the curfew will remain in place in Gilgit.
Besides the formation of the judicial commission to investigate the violent clashes, the government also decided to launch a large-scale de-weaponization campaign in the entire Gilgit district, for which relevant institutions have been directed to immediately complete all necessary arrangements, according to Mir.
In addition, a crackdown has been ordered on hate speech, spread of fake news and cybercrime.
“The aim of these decisions is to ensure the rule of law, protect the lives and property of citizens and crack down on miscreants,” he said. “Approval has also been given to immediately survey the affected infrastructure and start their restoration work on priority basis.”
Demonstrators in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi also stormed the US Consulate on Sunday, smashing windows and attempting to burn the building. Police responded with batons, tear gas, and gunfire, leaving 10 people dead and more than 50 injured.
Pakistani authorities have since beefed up security at US diplomatic missions across the country, including around the US consulate building in Peshawar, to avoid any further violence.
