Turkmenistan set to become first Central Asian state to gain access to Gwadar port under CPEC — report

In this photograph taken on October 4, 2017, a Pakistani naval personnel stands guard near a ship carrying containers at Gwadar Port. (AFP/File)
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Updated 16 September 2024
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Turkmenistan set to become first Central Asian state to gain access to Gwadar port under CPEC — report

  • Pakistan and Turkmenistan will soon sign agreement in this regard, Pakistani state media says
  • Both countries already working on TAPI gas pipeline, rail track and fiber connectivity projects

ISLAMABAD: Turkmenistan is set to become the first Central Asian country to gain access to Pakistan’s strategically positioned Gwadar port under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistani state media reported on Sunday.

The Gwadar port lies at the heart of CPEC, a part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative under which Beijing has pledged more than $60 billion in infrastructure and energy projects in Pakistan.

It aims to connect China to the Arabian Sea through a network of roads, railways, pipelines and ports in Pakistan and help Islamabad expand and modernize its economy.

Pakistan and Turkmenistan will soon sign an agreement in this regard, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

“The government has constituted a committee to examine the draft agreement between Gwadar Port and Turkmenbashi Port under CPEC,” the report read.

Pakistan and Turkmenistan are already working on various joint projects, including Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline, rail track and fiber connectivity, to connect South and Central Asia.

Cash-strapped Pakistan hopes to leverage its strategic geopolitical position and enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting the landlocked Central Asian republics with the rest of the world.


Pakistan rejects Amnesty claims of Israeli spyware use, calls reports ‘disinformation’

Updated 05 December 2025
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Pakistan rejects Amnesty claims of Israeli spyware use, calls reports ‘disinformation’

  • FO denies any link with Israel, says Pakistan has “absolutely no cooperation” on surveillance tools
  • Islamabad accuses India of delaying clearance for relief aircraft bound for flood-hit Sri Lanka

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday rejected an Amnesty International report alleging the use of Israeli-made invasive spyware in the country, calling the findings speculative and misleading.

Amnesty’s investigation, published Thursday under the title Intellexa Leaks, cited the case of a Pakistan-based human rights lawyer who reported receiving a suspicious WhatsApp link in 2025. According to Amnesty International’s Security Lab, the link bore signatures consistent with Predator, a spyware product developed by Israeli manufacturer c

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi dismissed the suggestion that Islamabad had deployed the tool or maintained any technological cooperation with Israel.

“These are all media speculations. These are all rumor-mongering and disinformation. There is absolutely no cooperation between Pakistan and Israel on anything, let alone a spyware or these kinds of tools. So, I would reject it quite emphatically,” he said at a weekly briefing.

Andrabi also accused India of obstructing humanitarian operations, saying New Delhi delayed flight clearance for a Pakistani relief aircraft carrying aid to flood-affected Sri Lanka.

“The special aircraft carrying Pakistan’s relief goods had to wait for 48 hours, in fact more than 48 hours, around 60 hours, while the flight clearance from India was delayed,” he said.

He added that the eventual conditional flight window was too narrow to be workable.

“The partial flight clearance which eventually was given after 48 hours was operationally impractical, time-bound just for a few hours and hence not operable, severely hindering the urgent need for the relief mission for the brotherly people of Sri Lanka,” Andrabi stated.

“Humanitarian assistance is like justice, if it is delayed, it is denied.”

Responding to India’s claim that clearance was granted within four hours, he said Pakistan has documentary proof contradicting New Delhi’s version.

On a separate question about reported delays in the arrival of a Turkish delegation aimed at mediating between Islamabad and Kabul, Andrabi said Pakistan welcomed Ankara’s initiative but was unaware of the cause of postponement.

“We stand ready to receive the Turkish delegation. That delegation has not arrived as yet. And I’m not aware of any schedule. Pakistan is ready to hold negotiations, discussions,” he said, adding that the delay may be linked to coordination with the Afghan side.