Army says Pakistan’s ‘enemies’ exploiting ‘sense of deprivation’ of impoverished Balochistan province

This file photo taken on October 11, 2023, shows Pakistani military spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry during an event at the National Defense University in Islamabad. (NDU/File)
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Updated 05 September 2024
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Army says Pakistan’s ‘enemies’ exploiting ‘sense of deprivation’ of impoverished Balochistan province

  • Pakistan has blamed a recent surge in militant attacks on regional neighbors, including rivals India and Afghanistan
  • Military says court martial proceedings initiated against former spy chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed based on “concrete evidence” 

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan army on Thursday acknowledged a “sense of deprivation and perceived notion of state brutality” among the people of Pakistan’s impoverished southwestern province of Balochistan but said these sentiments were being exploited by the country’s “internal and external enemies,” who were behind recent militant attacks also.

The statement comes nearly ten days after separatist militants killed over 50 people in the country’s largest province in a string of coordinated attacks on army and paramilitary camps, police stations, railway lines and highways on the night of Aug. 25-26. Elsewhere in the country, particularly the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, religiously motivated groups like the Pakistani Taliban have also stepped up attacks, daily targeting security forces convoys and check posts, and carrying out targeted killings and kidnappings of security and government officials.

Pakistan has blamed the recent surge in attacks on regional neighbors, including Afghanistan, where it says the coming to power of the Afghan Taliban in 2021 has emboldened anti-Pakistan groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Kabul says it does not allow its territory to be used by terror groups. 

Pakistan also says that India and Afghanistan are fomenting militancy in Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan and has been the site of a decades-long separatist insurgency. Ethnic Baloch militants say they are fighting for secession due to what they see as the unfair exploitation of the province’s mineral and gas wealth by the federation, which denies the charge.

“We are aware that there is a sense of deprivation and perceived notion of state brutality among Balochistan’s people, which certain external forces often exploit,” military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said at a media briefing. “The terrorist attacks on the night of August 25-26 was part of the ongoing game of this external conspiracy and funding.

“These acts were conducted with the assistance of internal and external enemies and their facilitators. The aim was to hurt the peace of Balochistan and its development by targeting innocent civilians.”

The August assaults were the most widespread in the resource-rich province, home to major China-led projects such as a port and a gold and copper mine. Balochistan is an important part of China’s $65 billion investment in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a wing of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road initiative. It also houses key mining projects, including Reko Diq, run by mining giant Barrick Gold and believed to be one of the world’s largest gold and copper mines. 

The attacks came as the province was in the grips of protests by an ethnic rights movement led by young Baloch, many of them educated women, who have been calling for an end to what they describe as a pattern of enforced disappearances and human rights abuses by security forces, which deny the charge. The army and government have recently repeatedly referred to the protest movement as a “terrorist proxy,” with independent analysts and politicians calling on the state to take a more even-handed approach to the protesters and take their demands seriously to avoid the province slipping into more instability and violence. 

Speaking about ongoing operations against militants, Chaudhry said security forces and law enforcement agencies were conducting over 130 intelligence-based operations across the country daily, with 32,173 operations conducted so far this year in which 90 militants were killed.

“In the last eight months of 2024, 193 officers and soldiers embraced martyrdom during counter-terrorism operations,” the military spokesman said.

COURT MARTIAL OF EX-SPY CHIEF 

Commenting on last month’s unprecedented arrest of a former spy chief, Lt Gen (retired) Faiz Hameed, Chaudhry said court martial proceedings initiated against him were based on “concrete evidence.” 

“Following a detailed inquiry based on concrete evidence, the Pakistan Army announced on August 12, 2024, that the relevant officer had violated sections of the Army Act,” the military spokesman said, adding that the army had found Hameed to be involved in “several instances of violation of the Army Act,” following which court martial proceedings had been initiated.

Chaudhry said the army believed in “self-accountability.”

“This process of self-accountability works on solid proof and evidence instead of allegations,” he added. “This self-accountability system comes into effect speedily without any discrimination whenever there is a violation of army laws and regulations.”

The military spokesperson said the case against Hameed reflected that the army viewed violations carried out for personal and political motives “very seriously,” and had initiated action according to the law and without discrimination.

Hameed was widely believed to be close to Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan when he was PM from 2018-2022. Other than charges relating to a land development case, the military at the time of his arrest also said “multiple instances” of violation of the Pakistan Army Act post-retirement had been found against Hameed, in what was widely seen as a veiled reference to his support for Khan and his party, including in planning the May 9 riots of last year in which protesters linked to Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party attacked and damaged government and military installations. 

Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many continue to remain behind bars as they await trial. The military has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.

Government officials have repeatedly said Hameed worked with Khan to plan the May 9 riots. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told Geo TV last month that Khan provided the manpower while Hameed “masterminded the conspiracy.” Current army chief General Asim Munir said in May that there could be “no compromise or deal with the planners and architects of this dark chapter in our history.” He did not name anybody.

Khan is on trial in a civil court for allegedly abetting the My 9 violence, a charge he has denied. But he can face more serious charges of treason and mutiny after Hameed’s arrest. Treason and mutiny are tried by a military court, which is not open to the public, and the charges carry a maximum punishment of death.

Khan has been feuding with Pakistan’s all-powerful military after a falling out with then-army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in 2022, following which he was ousted from office in a parliamentary vote that he said was orchestrated by the generals. The army says it does not interfere in political affairs.


‘History has been made’: Sirbaz Khan becomes first Pakistani to summit world’s 14 tallest peaks

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‘History has been made’: Sirbaz Khan becomes first Pakistani to summit world’s 14 tallest peaks

  • The Pakistani climber has summitted 11 of the 14 highest mountains without using supplemental oxygen
  • His fellow climbers praise him for his skill and say his name is etched in history and will inspire everyone

KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: Renowned Pakistani climber Sirbaz Khan made history on Friday by becoming the first Pakistani to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, with his successful ascent of Shishapangma, standing at 8,027 meters, as confirmed by Pakistan’s Alpine Club and Imagine Nepal.

The 14 peaks, often referred to as the “eight-thousanders,” are over 8,000 meters high and are considered the ultimate test in high-altitude mountaineering. Khan, who was born and raised in Hunza, embarked on this journey in 2017 with the ascent of Nanga Parbat, one of the deadliest mountains in the world.

Over the years, he has climbed formidable peaks, including K2, Everest and Annapurna, solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s elite mountaineers. He also completed 11 of these summits without supplemental oxygen, demonstrating his remarkable endurance and skill.

“Sirbaz Khan has become the first Pakistani mountaineer to conquer all 14 of the world’s peaks above 8,000 meters, in an incredible display of courage and determination,” Karrar Haidri, the general secretary for the Alpine Club of Pakistan, told Arab News in a text message. “This extraordinary accomplishment demonstrates his unwavering passion and dedication to the sport of mountaineering.”

Haidri said Khan had faced the most extreme conditions during his mountaineering career.

“Faced with freezing temperatures, treacherous avalanches, oxygen-depleted altitudes, and the constant threat of crevasses, he has repeatedly demonstrated his resilience and strength,” he added. “His success not only represents personal triumph but also serves as an inspiration to mountaineers worldwide.”

Khan’s achievement was also acknowledged by Imagine Nepal, the tour company that organized the expedition, in a social media post.

“In an extraordinary achievement, 11 climbers from Imagine Nepal reached the true summit of Mt. Shishapangma (8,027m) at 4:06 p.m. CST [Central Standard Time] on 04 October 2024,” it wrote on Facebook.

“Mr. Sirbaz Khan has earned his place in history by summiting all 14 of the highest peaks, making him the first Pakistani climber to achieve this feat,” the company added.

Speaking to Arab News, Shahbaz Khan, the Pakistani climber’s brother, said the whole family was celebrating the moment.

“We are gathered to attend the marriage ceremony of our cousin,” he said. “All of our relatives are here and celebrating Sirbaz’s achievement.”

He said everyone was praying for his safe descent from the treacherous mountain, adding the next step would be to warmly receive him upon his arrival in Pakistan.

Khan also started receiving congratulations from fellow climbers soon after the news of his success began to spread.

“I salute your monumental achievement,” Shehroz Kashif, a young climber who has already conquered 13 of the world’s tallest peaks, said in a Facebook post. “Becoming the first Pakistani to summit all 14 8,000ers is a testament to your unwavering determination, resilience, and mountaineering prowess.”

“Your name etched in history inspires a nation,” he added.

Kashif noted that he will be following in Khan’s footsteps “in a few days,” as he prepares to summit the last of the 14 peaks on his list in Tibet.

Pakistan’s prominent female mountain climber Naila Kiani also applauded the development on social media.

“First Pakistani to summit all 14 X 8,000m peaks,” she said without naming Khan. “History has been made.”


Pakistan issues dengue prevention advisory as outbreak expected in 10 cities this month

Updated 19 min 44 sec ago
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Pakistan issues dengue prevention advisory as outbreak expected in 10 cities this month

  • Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Larkana, Multan at risk
  • Dengue fever is endemic to Pakistan, which experiences year-round transmission with seasonal peaks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government-run National Institute of Health (NIH) on Friday issued a dengue prevention advisory after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned at least 10 Pakistani cities could face an outbreak in October. 

Over 21,000 dengue cases were reported in Pakistan last year while 8,909 cases have been reported so far this year, the NIH said. 

Dengue is an illness that spreads through vectors, carried by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is currently no cure or vaccine for dengue fever, which in its most severe form can lead to fatalities. People affected by dengue go through intense flu-like symptoms including high fever, intense headache, muscle and joint pain, and nausea and vomiting, typically persisting for approximately a week.

“It is imperative to work on prevention while staying vigilant for detection of cases and ensuring preparedness to launch response activities for curtailing the transmission of dengue fever,” the NIH said, urging the strengthening of disease surveillance and awareness campaigns by authorities and personal protection by members of the public. It also called on hospitals to improve preparedness. 

“Based on the analysis, the environment has become conducive from mid of September 2024 for dengue onset and it is predicted that it may outbreak in October 2024, particularly in ten major cities of Pakistan i.e., Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Larkana and Multan as well as in post monsoon rainfall affected areas of Pakistan,” the PMD said in an advisory last week. 

“It is advised to all stakeholders to take preemptive measures for the dengue outbreak in the districts. National Health agencies and Dengue control centers are advised to keep themselves updated on the PMD website.” 

The PMD said dengue outbreaks occurred in the post-monsoon season, which usually falls between Sept. 20 and Dec. 5 if conditions are favorable. It added that the active period for dengue attacks was two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset, while breeding stopped once the temperature fell below 16°C. 

Dengue fever is endemic to Pakistan, which experiences year-round transmission with seasonal peaks. 


Indian external affairs minister to visit Pakistan for SCO summit amid strained relations

Updated 22 min 2 sec ago
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Indian external affairs minister to visit Pakistan for SCO summit amid strained relations

  • Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visit comes at a time when Pakistan has criticized Indian elections in Kashmir
  • The last high-level visit between the two countries took place in 2023 when Bilawal Bhutto went to Goa

ISLAMABAD: Indian authorities announced on Friday their External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will visit Pakistan amid frosty relations between the two countries to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit scheduled for this month.

This will be the first visit by an Indian external affairs minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade, though it is unclear whether he will meet Pakistani officials on the sidelines of the event.

Relations between India and Pakistan hit a major low in 2019 when New Delhi revoked Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Muslim-majority state of Kashmir.
Jaishankar’s visit comes at a time when India has held elections in the disputed Himalayan region, a process criticized by Pakistan as illegitimate and an attempt to normalize its control over the territory.

“The external affairs minister will lead a delegation to Pakistan to participate in the SCO summit which will be held in Islamabad on October 15 and 16,” Indian external affairs ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal announced during a news conference.

The South Asian neighbors have fought three wars, including two over control of the disputed Kashmir region in the Himalayas. New Delhi accuses Islamabad of aiding and abetting Islamist militants fighting Indian rule in the region, a charge Pakistan denies.

The last high-level visit between the two countries took place in May 2023 when Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Pakistan’s foreign minister at the time, attended the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in India’s coastal state of Goa.

While Bhutto-Zardari did not meet any Indian leaders, he and Jaishankar used the forum to trade blame for their frosty ties.

- With input from Reuters


Pakistan calls for ‘comprehensive’ global counter-terrorism reforms

Updated 04 October 2024
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Pakistan calls for ‘comprehensive’ global counter-terrorism reforms

  • Pakistan’s representative made the call in his statement at the sixth committee of the UN General Assembly in New York
  • Usman Jadoon emphasized Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism and its key contribution in dismantling Al-Qaeda

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s acting permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Usman Jadoon regretted insufficient progress on evolving and diverse forms of terrorism and called for “comprehensive” global counter-terrorism reforms, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.

The Pakistani diplomat said this in his statement at the sixth committee of the UN General Assembly in New York, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
Jadoon emphasized Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism and its key contribution in dismantling Al-Qaeda as well as the 80,000 casualties it suffered in the war on terror.

“He raised concerns about state-sponsored terrorism from across Pakistan’s borders, highlighting threats posed by groups like the TTP, Daesh, and the [Baloch separatist] Majeed Brigade,” the report read.

“He urged the international community to ensure that counter-terrorism measures are not misused to violate human rights and international humanitarian law as is occurring in occupied Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir.”

Pakistan, which has fought militants for decades, has strengthened its protocols and agreed to enhance cooperation with multiple countries in counter-terrorism domain in recent years.

In January, Pakistan and Britain agreed to further enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism at a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Secretary Aftab Akbar Durrani and Simon Ridley, second permanent secretary of the British Home Office, in Islamabad.

In Dec. 2023, Islamabad hosted an inaugural session of the Pakistan-UK Counter-Terrorism dialogue, according to the Pakistani Foreign Office. The Pakistani side was led by Director-General (Counter-Terrorism) Abdul Hameed, while the UK delegation was led by Chris Felton, head of Counter-Terrorism and Extremism Network (CTEN) for Asia.

The dialogue covered a wide range of areas, reflecting the depth and breadth of counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, the Pakistani Foreign Office said.


Pakistan can be Malaysia’s ‘gateway’ to Central, West Asia — PM Anwar Ibrahim

Updated 04 October 2024
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Pakistan can be Malaysia’s ‘gateway’ to Central, West Asia — PM Anwar Ibrahim

  • Ibrahim concludes three-day state visit to Islamabad, Pakistan to open Malaysian Trade Office in Karachi 
  • Pakistan says will export halal meat worth $200 million, 100,000 tons of basmati rice annually to Malaysia 

ISLAMABAD: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday Pakistan had the “potential” to be a gateway for Malaysian companies wanting to venture out into the Central and West Asian markets. 

Ibrahim left Pakistan on Friday after concluding a three-day visit accompanied by a delegation of ministers and senior officials who held wide-ranging talks with Pakistani counterparts on trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, the halal food industry, tourism, and cultural and educational exchanges. The visit came as Islamabad is pushing for foreign investment from allies and beyond in a bid to shore up its $350 billion economy while navigating tough reforms mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

During a joint press stakeout on Thursday, Ibrahim and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced setting up a Malaysian trade office in Karachi. It was also agreed that Pakistan would export halal meat worth $200 million and 100,000 tones of basmati rice to Malaysia per year.

“I believe Pakistan has the potential to be a gateway for Malaysian companies that want to expand the market in Central Asia and West Asia,” Ibrahim said in a farewell message posted on X. 

He said his state visit had “opened the widest possible space” for Malaysia and Pakistan to discuss and explore cooperation in various fields, including economic zones, trade and market issues, transport, halal industry, tourism, education, skilled labor and others.

Trade between Malaysia and Pakistan currently stands at $1.4 billion, including in palm oil, apparel, textiles, chemical and chemical-based products, and electrics and electronic products. Among South Asian countries, Pakistan is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner.

“As part of the efforts to boost bilateral trade, both leaders agreed that Pakistan would export Halal meat worth $200 million per annum and 100,000 metric tones of Basmati Rice to Malaysia,” state news agency APP reported after Sharif and Ibrahim addressed a joint press stakeout on Thursday evening. 

In his remarks to reporters, Sharif said the two leaders had discussed the export of Pakistani basmati rice as well as of halal meat from Pakistan to Malaysia worth $200 million per annum.

“He said the Malaysian PM had also assured to address the discrepancies in the import of Pakistan’s rice into his country,” APP reported, saying the two leaders also discussed cooperation in defense, tourism, agriculture, green energy, skilled labor and youth empowerment.

In his remarks, Ibrahim said both sides had agreed on a number of issues and follow-up discussions would be held in an upcoming joint commission meeting in Kuala Lumpur later this month “to ensure swift implementation of the decisions.”

“He assured that a Malaysian trade office would be opened in Karachi soon to strengthen economic collaboration between the two countries,” APP said. “He said Malaysia was seeking more skilled labor in various sectors including IT, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors and Pakistan could also be a source for such skilled labor.”

“Our focus is on professionals required to satisfy new demands, massive investments, probably the largest in the ASEAN region in terms of information technology, digital and artificial intelligence,” Ibrahim told reporters.

The two prime ministers also witnessed the exchange of signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and a Letter of Cooperation. This included an MoU between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Cooperation (MATRADE) on trade cooperation, and an MoU for cooperation in halal trade between the Pakistan-Malaysia Business Council (PMBC) in Pakistan and the Malaysia-Pakistan Business Council (MPBC) in Malaysia.

A Letter of Cooperation between the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was also signed. Pakistan’s aviation ministry and Malaysian airline AirAsia also signed an agreement for four weekly flights.