ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday visited Azad Kashmir and reassured his country’s support to the Kashmiri people in their struggle for their right to self-determination, as Pakistan observed a public holiday to show solidarity with Kashmiris.
Pakistan, which observes the Kashmir Solidarity Day every year on February 5, calls for the right to self-determination to the people of Indian-administered Kashmir and has repeatedly urged New Delhi to hold a plebiscite in the disputed territory in line with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir has been a flashpoint between Pakistan and India since their independence from the British rule in 1947. Both Pakistan and India rule parts of the Himalayan territory, but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the disputed region.
During his visit to Azad Kashmir’s capital Muzaffarabad, PM Kakar met with the Azad Kashmir prime minister, Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, and Chaudhry Latif Akbar, speaker of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly.
“The entire Pakistani nation, including me, is standing by their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in the struggle for their right to self-determination,” PM Kakar was quoted as saying by his office.
“The final and just solution to the Kashmir issue is possible only under a free and impartial plebiscite according to the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.”
He said “Indian atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir” were not hidden from anyone and the silence of the international community on the matter was “alarming and reprehensible,” according to a statement issued by PM Kakar’s office.
“Pakistan will continue to provide moral, political and diplomatic support to its Kashmiri brothers and sisters until they achieve their right to self-determination,” the Pakistan prime minister said.
The Azad Kashmir prime minister and speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly welcomed the Pakistan PM’s visit to Muzaffarabad on the Kashmir Solidarity Day.
“They said Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s visit to Muzaffarabad for the Kashmir Solidarity Day conveyed a clear message to India that the hearts of Pakistani and Kashmiri brothers and sisters beat together,” PM Kakar’s office said.
Every year on Feb. 5, Pakistanis from all walks of life hold demonstrations, form human chains and organize events in many parts of the country to express their support for the people of Indian-administered Kashmir.
In his message on the Kashmir Solidarity Day, Pakistan’s President Dr. Arif Alvi said Kashmiris had been struggling for their rights for the past 76 years.
“Today, IIOJK (Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir) is one of the most militarized zones in the world,” Alvi said. “Kashmiris are living in an environment of fear and intimidation.”
While Pakistan says it politically and diplomatically supports Kashmiris in their struggle for self-determination, New Delhi alleges that Islamabad trains and harbors militants who carry out attacks in its part of the disputed Himalayan region.
Ties between the two nuclear-armed rivals have been on ice since a suicide bombing of an Indian military convoy in Indian-administered Kashmir in 2019 that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denies the allegation.
PM Kakar visits Azad Kashmir, reassures Pakistan’s support on Kashmir Solidarity Day
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PM Kakar visits Azad Kashmir, reassures Pakistan’s support on Kashmir Solidarity Day
- Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day on Feb. 5, calls for right to self-determination to people of Indian-administered Kashmir
- Both Pakistan and India rule parts of the Himalayan territory, but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the disputed region
Pakistan, China discuss $2.2 billion maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim
- The proposal aligns with Pakistan’s push to modernize port infrastructure and link Central Asian trade routes to sea lanes
- The project may include shipbuilding, shipbreaking and a port-linked steel mill, as authorities streamline port operations
KARACHI: Pakistan and China discussed plans for a large maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim involving up to €2 billion ($2.2 billion) in investment on Thursday, as Islamabad seeks to modernize its ports and position itself as a regional trade and logistics hub, a government statement said.
The proposal comes as Pakistan looks to upgrade port infrastructure to handle higher trade volumes and improve connectivity between sea lanes and landlocked Central Asian states, leveraging its geographic position at the crossroads of South and Central Asia. The effort aligns with the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has underpinned Chinese investment in Pakistan’s energy, transport and infrastructure sectors with the aim of boosting regional connectivity.
The project was discussed during a meeting between a delegation from China’s Shandong Zinxu Group and Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, according to the statement.
“Proposal for a comprehensive maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim was reviewed during the meeting,” Chaudhry said in a statement circulated after the talks.
“The proposed project could involve investment of €1–2 billion,” he added.
Chaudhry said the project under discussion could include the establishment of shipbuilding and shipbreaking facilities, as well as a modern, port-linked steel mill aimed at reducing Pakistan’s reliance on imported steel.
He added that the revival of the steel jetty at Port Qasim would be critical for the project’s viability.
The minister said employment generation, value addition and environmental considerations would be prioritized as part of the proposed investment, which, if approved, could rank among Pakistan’s largest industrial projects.
Pakistan has in recent months stepped up efforts to streamline port operations, including the introduction of artificial intelligence-based technologies to improve efficiency, reduce congestion and speed up cargo handling.
Only a day earlier, the maritime affairs minister met a delegation from Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways to discuss plans to establish a railway station and modern storage facilities at Port Qasim, aimed at improving logistics and cargo movement to and from the port.
