KARACHI: Pakistan has strongly denied the presence on its soil of a notorious Interpol-wanted Indian criminal, Dawood Ibrahim, after the Indian media spotted the gangster’s name on a recent list by the Pakistani Foreign Office of individuals whose assets have been frozen over terrorism links.
Ibrahim has led an organized crime syndicate in Mumbai, India, and is also wanted for ordering a series of bomb explosions that took place in the city in 1993. His name and address in the Pakistani metropolis of Karachi appeared on the statutory notification (SRO) issued by Pakistan on Aug. 18 in a move to avoid the country’s blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which monitors money laundering and tracks activities of terrorist groups.
“The assertions, made by some sections of the Indian media, as to Pakistan admitting to the presence of certain listed individuals on its territory, based on the information contained in the SRO, are baseless and misleading,” the Foreign Office said in statement on Saturday evening, in response to the Indian press reports.
The statement said the information contained in the SRO was reproduced from the United Nations Security Council’s lists on sanctioned individuals belonging to terrorist groups, which also mention the names of persons who are already dead.
On Sunday, Indian media reported that Pakistan had admitted Ibrahim’s presence on its soil after the SRO mentioned three residential addresses of the gangster in Karachi. The addresses, which could not be independently verified, were first reported in a story by freelance journalist Ghulam Husnain in the Newsline magazine’s September 2001 issue. The same article later became grounds for India to claim that the criminal was living in Pakistan. Interpol issued an arrest warrant for Ibrahim in April 2006.
Ibrahim’s addresses were published on the Pakistani Foreign Office’s website already in November last year.
On June 26, Indian media outlets reported that Ibrahim had died of the coronavirus.
Pakistan denies presence of Interpol-wanted Indian gangster in Karachi
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Pakistan denies presence of Interpol-wanted Indian gangster in Karachi
- Dawood Ibrahim is wanted for leading an organized crime syndicate and ordering a series of bomb explosions that took place in Mumbai in 1993
- Indian media reported that Pakistan had admitted Ibrahim’s presence on its soil after a statutory notification mentioned his three addresses in Karachi
Pakistan PM calls for faster CPEC implementation, pledges security for Chinese workers
- Shehbaz Sharif pushes expanded cooperation in agriculture, IT and mining under CPEC phase two
- Chinese envoy reaffirms Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and economic development
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for speeding up projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged stronger security guarantees for Chinese workers and investments, during a meeting with China’s ambassador in Islamabad.
Sharif made the remarks as the two countries strive to launch the second phase of CPEC, a multibillion-dollar infrastructure and energy initiative launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
CPEC’s first phase focused largely on power generation and transport infrastructure aimed at easing Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages and improving connectivity. The second phase seeks to expand cooperation into industrial development, with an emphasis on special economic zones and export-oriented growth.
“While highlighting the importance of accelerating ongoing CPEC projects, the Prime Minister stressed on the need to enhance cooperation in agriculture and IT and mining & minerals,” said a statement circulated by the PM Office after the meeting.
“He also underscored Pakistan’s resolve to provide a secure and conducive environment for Chinese personnel, investments, and institutions in Pakistan,” it added.
Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan have faced security threats in the past, including attacks by militant groups targeting infrastructure sites and convoys. Islamabad has repeatedly vowed to tighten security and has deployed special protection units for Chinese workers.
China is Pakistan’s closest ally in the region and a key economic partner, with CPEC widely regarded by Islamabad as central to long-term economic growth.
During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, particularly on the occasion of the Chinese New Year.
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, reiterated Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and socioeconomic development, according to the statement. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to maintain close coordination.
