KARACHI: A report published by an Islamabad-based think tank said this week that Pakistan suffered the highest number of militant attacks across the country since November 2014, with experts attributing the surge in attacks to the freedom with which militants from Afghanistan have been operating from within their country since 2021.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) recently released a report that said a total of 99 “acts of terrorism” took place across the country in August, adding that it was the highest number of militant attacks in Pakistan since November 2014, when suicide attacks were on the rise as Islamabad grappled with an insurgency led by the Pakistani Taliban in its northwestern tribal areas.
According to the report, the attacks last month caused 112 deaths and 87 injuries, with a majority of the casualties being security forces personnel and civilians.
“There was an 83 percent rise in militant attacks compared with July as 54 attacks were reported in July,” the report said.
The PICSS report mentioned four suicide attacks took place in August compared to five in July, of which three occurred in the tribal districts of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province while one took place in mainland KP.
“Overall, the country has witnessed 22 suicide attacks in the first eight months of 2023, in which 227 people have been killed and 497 injured,” the report stated.
Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province and the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in northwestern Pakistan were most affected by militant violence in August compared to July, the report said.
It added that Balochistan witnessed a 65 percent increase in militant attacks from 17 in July to 28 in August while the erstwhile FATA witnessed a 106 percent increase in attacks from 18 in July to 37 in August.
Both regions also saw a decrease in fatalities, by 19 percent and 29 percent respectively, the report added.
“The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (excluding tribal districts) also saw a significant increase in militant attacks, from 15 in July to 29 in August, a 93 percent rise,” it said. “The deaths and injuries also increased by 188 percent and 73 percent respectively,” adding that most of these attacks were claimed by the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or their splinter groups.
The TTP has launched some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistan since over a decade-and-a-half, killing thousands of Pakistanis. The militant group seeks to enforce its own brand of strict, Islamic law and has stepped up attacks in Pakistan once again after a fragile truce between the state and TTP militants broke down in November 2022.
Abdullah Khan, the managing director of PICSS, noted the “free movement” that the TTP militants enjoyed in Afghanistan and safe havens for Baloch militants in Iran were contributing factors to the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan.
“As the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan enjoys free movement in Afghanistan, the Baloch militants seem to operate from safe heavens in Iran despite the neighboring country’s assurance to Pakistan,” Khan told Arab News.
Khan attributed the rise in militant attacks by TTP against Pakistan to the change of regime in Afghanistan in 2021, adding that it provided the Pakistani Taliban with increased freedom and support from within the war-ravaged country.
“Previously people would go from Pakistan for Jihad-e-Afghanistan to fight against the USSR and later the USA,” he said. “Now, Afghan nationals are coming for ‘Jihad-e-Pakistan’ under the platform of the TTP, which is a big factor we have witnessed after Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.”
Khan said the Afghan Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan had also boosted the morale of the Pakistani Taliban, adding that mosques in Pakistan had celebrated the Kabul takeover in 2021.
Dr. Asfandyar Mir, a senior expert at the US Institute of Peace, emphasized that support from the Afghan Taliban had made the TTP a more lethal and “formidable threat” to Pakistan.
“The TTP is an increasingly formidable threat confronting Pakistan,” Mir said. “Not only has it been inspired by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, it is also enjoying deep state support from the Taliban regime.”
He said that on the other hand, Pakistan’s response to the rising TTP challenge has been hampered by economic woes and political instability.
“And the TTP has exploited this to its advantage,” Mir concluded.
Pakistan saw highest number of militant attacks in August since 2014 — report
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Pakistan saw highest number of militant attacks in August since 2014 — report
- Report by Islamabad-based think tank says attacks in August claimed 112 lives, injured 87
- Experts attribute rise in attacks to Afghan government’s support for the Pakistani Taliban
Climate change effects reduce Pakistan mango production for third consecutive year — union
- Export target for mangoes reduced from last year’s 125,000 metric tons to 100,000
- Union calls on government to develop new mango varieties compatible with climate change
KARACHI: The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association said on Thursday there was a “significant reduction” in mango production for a third consecutive year due to climate change, which meant the country may not be able to meet its export targets.
The Association has set a target of 100,000 metric tons of mango exports in the current season, with exports expected to start from May 20 with a focus on China, America, Turkiye, Japan, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia.
“The impact of climate change is having a pronounced negative impact on mango orchards in Pakistan, leading to a significant reduction in production and due to non-availability of export quality mangoes, the export target could not be attained last year as well,” Waheed Ahmed, patron-in-chief of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, said in a statement.
“This year the export target has been set at 100,000 metric tons, whereas last year the export target was 125,000 metric tons but the export of mango remained at 100,000 metric tons.”
Pakistan produces around 1.8 million metric tons of mangoes annually, of which 70 percent are produced in Punjab province, 29 percent in Sindh and one percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“This year, due to weather effects, the production of mango in Punjab is 35-40 percent, while in Sindh it is less than 20 percent and thus the total production is feared to be reduced by 0.6 million metric tons,” Ahmed said. “This estimate was made at the start of production and is likely to increase further as the season progresses.”
With an export target of 100,000 metric tons of mangoes during the current season, Pakistan could earn foreign exchange of $90 million, Ahmed said, adding that the sector, including mango processing, packaging and warehousing, was an over Rs100 billion industry that provided employment to millions of people.
“The sector is facing problems due to significant increases in costs of electricity, gas, transportation, garden maintenance, pesticides and water management, making it difficult to compete for exports,” Ahmed said.
“The effects of climate change have emerged as the biggest threat to mango production, which can well be gauged from the fact that mango production has declined for the third year in a row.”
Ahmed said long winters, rains and hail, combined with severe heat waves, had changed the pattern of agricultural diseases in Pakistan:
“There is certainly a lack of serious efforts at the federal and provincial levels to protect the agricultural sector from the effects of climate change, particularly through research enabling the orchards of mangoes and other fruits to develop sufficient endurance to sustain against the tough weather conditions and reduction in disease resistance. Research-based solutions must be found urgently to address this, otherwise mango production and export will be at risk.”
The association called on federal and provincial agricultural research centers to work on an emergency basis to help farmers deal with the effects of climate change.
“In order to continue the production and export of mangoes, it is imperative to develop new varieties of mangoes that are compatible with the climatic changes in Pakistan,” Ahmed said.
“Similarly, prevention of diseases and supply of suitable agricultural pesticides are also needed to minimize the effects of climate change.”
Pakistan vows to track masterminds of attack on Chinese engineers during deputy PM’s Beijing visit
- Ishaq Dar reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to the regional connectivity initiative launched by China’s Xi Jinping
- The two countries express satisfaction at their expanding space cooperation and agree to build on it further
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan vowed to pursue the masterminds behind a suicide attack that claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers earlier this year while reaffirming its commitment to the regional connectivity initiative launched by President Xi Jinping’s administration during Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s three-day visit to Beijing.
According to a statement issued by the foreign office of Pakistan on Thursday, Dar, who is also the foreign minister, began his trip to China on May 13 where he co-chaired the Fifth Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with his counterpart Wang Yi before concluding his visit.
During his stay in Beijing, the two sides discussed multiple global and regional challenges, including the second phase of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The foreign office said both countries condemned the March 26 suicide attack on the Chinese workers who were on their way to the Dasu Hydropower Project in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“In keeping with its ironclad friendship with China, the Pakistani side would hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice, take more effective security measures, and make all-out efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan,” the statement said while providing details of the discussions between both countries.
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Sharif, said last week the attack was planned in “terrorist sanctuaries” in neighboring Afghanistan while addressing a news conference.
His assertion came amid accusations from officials in Islamabad that the administration in Kabul was not doing enough to prevent groups like banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from launching cross-border attacks.
“The two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude, and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and security through a comprehensive approach,” the foreign office continued.
Pakistan also agreed to work with China to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and forge an upgraded CPEC version by jointly building growth, livelihood, innovation and green corridors and aligning them with Pakistan’s development framework and priorities.
“The two sides agreed to accelerate progress on major connectivity projects including upgradation of ML-1 [railway infrastructure], the Gwadar Port, realignment of Karakoram Highway Phase II, strengthen cooperation in agriculture, industrial parks, mining, information technology and other fields according to local conditions, and enhance Pakistan’s capacity for sustainable development,” the foreign office informed.
“The two sides believe that the Khunjerab pass plays an important role in promoting bilateral trade and people-to-people exchanges, and agreed to speed up efforts to make sure that the Khunjerab Pass can function all year round,” it continued.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination over issues related to Afghanistan, calling for concerted efforts of the international community to help deal with the humanitarian situation in that country.
They agreed to play a positive and constructive role in helping Afghanistan achieve stable development and integrate into the international community.
Additionally, Pakistan and China expressed satisfaction at their expanding space cooperation and agreed to further build on it for a peaceful and mutually-beneficial exploration of space.
Earlier this month, Pakistan sent an imaging device in outer space as part of China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission.
Pakistan establishes Hajj control rooms in Makkah, Madinah to facilitate pilgrims
- Around 15,819 Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia weeks before Hajj 2024 kicks off
- Hajj control rooms in Makkah and Madinah are open 24 hours a day, says Pakistani official
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has established two control rooms, one each in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to facilitate Hajj pilgrims, the religion ministry confirmed on Wednesday, as thousands of Pakistanis continue to arrive in Saudi Arabia ahead of the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) has confirmed that around 15,819 pilgrims from the country have arrived in Saudi Arabia weeks before the Hajj begins.
This year, 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj under government and private schemes. Pakistan kicked off a month-long flight operation last week. Five airlines— PIA, Saudi Airlines, Airblue, Serene Air, and Air Sial— will operate 259 flights from eight major Pakistani cities to Jeddah and Madinah till June 9.
The government intends to facilitate thousands of Pakistani pilgrims through Hajj control rooms to ensure their pilgrimage remains free from hassles.
“We have established two control rooms: a main control room in Makkah and a branch office in Madinah to facilitate the pilgrims,” Muhammad Umer Butt, a religious affairs ministry spokesperson, told Arab News via phone from Madinah.
He said both control rooms in Makkah and Madinah would facilitate pilgrims 24 hours throughout the day.
“All pilgrims are provided with a card they wear for identification, and on the back of each card, the control room numbers are listed so they can contact the control room by phone in case of any emergency or complain,” Butt explained.
He said this year Pakistan has followed the Saudi government’s lead in digitizing Hajj through the Pak Hajj mobile application. Butt said the app provides all necessary information, including the ability to lodge complaints and track their status.
“We have a live dashboard established in the control room under the complaint management system which showed all the details of complaints received and solved, movement of the pilgrims and other general queries,” he shared.
During the last seven days, the spokesperson said 195 complaints received through the Pak Hajj mobile app have been resolved, and 25 pilgrims who lost their way to their respective destinations in the holy cities were guided.
He added that the Loss and Found department located 111 bags and seven wheelchairs which were handed over to their owners.
Butt said as Pakistani Hajj pilgrims were currently arriving in Madinah, the control room there was more active compared to the one in Makkah and was staffed with 54 personnel, and 18 Hajj assistants (Muaveneen).
“These pilgrims will go to Makkah from May 17 after their eight-day stay in Madinah,” he said.
Butt said the Makkah control room was staffed with only eight people as Pakistani pilgrims have not started to arrive in the holy city yet.
“Along with this all adviseries issued by the Saudi government and Pakistani Hajj mission are also uploaded on the application through these control rooms,” he said.
PM Sharif to meet officials in Azad Kashmir today following deadly protests in region
- The unprecedented protests against price hikes broke out last Friday and resulted in four fatalities
- The protests were called off after Shehbaz Sharif’s administration approved $82 million in subsidies
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will embark on a daylong visit to Azad Kashmir on Thursday where he will interact with officials and visit the site of a hydropower project, just a few days after a massive public protest in the region resulted in at least four fatalities.
The unprecedented protests against price hikes broke out last Friday and spread across the semi-autonomous Himalayan territory under Pakistan’s administration.
One police officer was killed in the clashes while three protesters lost their lives in clashes taking place in different parts of the region.
The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which organized the demonstrations, announced to end its protest on Tuesday after the Sharif administration approved $82 million in subsidies to provide relief to people who objected to the increase in flour prices and electricity tariffs.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will arrive in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir today for a one-day visit,” his office announced in a statement circulated in the morning. “A meeting will take place between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq.”
Sharif will also address the cabinet of the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir that will be broadcast by the state-owned news channel.
He will also meet with the leaders of the Kashmiri freedom movement.
“The Prime Minister will visit the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project where he will be briefed,” the statement added.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from Britain in 1947, with both countries ruling part of the territory, but claiming it in full.
Pakistan has frequently criticized New Delhi for mismanaging the portion of Kashmir under its rule, accusing it of rights violations while using its forces to suppress people and their aspirations.
Pakistan PM condemns gun attack on Slovakian counterpart, offers prayers for recovery
- Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times while coming out of a government meeting on Wednesday
- The attack was described as unprecedented in a country where no such previous incident has been reported
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday condemned the attack on Robert Fico, his Slovakian counterpart who was shot multiple times while coming out of a government meeting, saying he was praying for the leader of the central European state.
Fico was rushed to a hospital after the gun attack on Wednesday where he fought for his life in what was described by his administration as a “political assault.”
Speaking to the media after Fico’s surgery, Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba said the medical procedure had gone well and the 59-year-old Slovakian leader was expected to survive the assassination attempt.
“Strongly condemn shocking attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico,” the Pakistani PM said in a social media post. “Our thoughts and prayers with him and his family. Wish him quick recovery and good health.”
“We stand by government and people of Slovak Republic in these critical moments,” he added.
Fico’s party won the last general election in the European state held in September 2023.
The Slovak leader is a four-time prime minister and political veteran who has been criticized by his rivals for swaying his country’s foreign policy in Russia’s favor.
The gun attack was described as unprecedented, with analysts pointing out there had been no such previous incident reported against any minister or prime minister in Slovakia.
