Pakistan says train hijacking ‘orchestrated’ from Afghanistan, urges Kabul to rein in militants

A paramilitary soldier stands guard at a railway station in Quetta on March 12, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 13 March 2025
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Pakistan says train hijacking ‘orchestrated’ from Afghanistan, urges Kabul to rein in militants

  • Separatist Baloch Liberation Army outfit stormed train in Balochistan on Tuesday, held over 400 passengers hostage 
  • Analysts say attack reflects “strategic shift” in BLA’s approach of moving away from just military targets to civilians 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said on Thursday a train hijacking by separatist militants in southwestern Balochistan was orchestrated from neighboring Afghanistan, calling on Kabul to crackdown on insurgents operating from its soil.

Militants blew up the rail tracks and opened fire on the Jaffar Express as it made its way to Peshawar in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from Quetta, the capital of mineral-rich Balochistan, on Tuesday. 

Separatist groups are fighting a decades-long insurgency to win secession of the southwestern mineral-rich province, home to major China-led projects such as a port and a gold and copper mine. Balochistan is also home to key other 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. Though Pakistan’s largest province by area, Balochistan is the smallest by population. Balochistan also has a long Arabian Sea coastline, not far from the Gulf’s Strait of Hormuz oil shipping lane.

The decades-old insurgency has continued to keep the province of some 15 million people unstable and created security concerns around Pakistan’s plans to access untapped resources. 

A total of 21 hostages and four security troops were killed in the latest standoff, according to the military, but the BLA — the largest of Balochistan’s armed ethnic groups battling the government, which claimed the attack — said 50 hostages were executed.

On Wednesday night, the military said the day-long rescue operation had ended, with 21 hostages and four security troops killed.

“The latest terrorist attack against Jaffar Express near Sibi, Balochistan, was also orchestrated and directed by terrorist ringleaders operating from abroad,” Khan said in a weekly press briefing. 

“Terrorists were in direct communications with Afghanistan-based planners throughout the incident.”

The spokesman said Pakistan had repeatedly asked the interim Afghan government to deny the use of its soil to terror groups.

“We urge Afghanistan to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers of this reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism, to justice.”

Khan added that the government remained determined to take care of the problem of terrorism “aggressively.”

“STRATEGIC SHIFT?”

The BLA is the strongest of a number of insurgent groups long operating in Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan and Iran. The insurgents have been fighting to lay a claim to local resources which they say belong to their people.

Balochistan’s mountainous and remote border regions serves as a safe haven and training ground for the Baloch island other militants. 

The BLA shocked the country’s security establishment when it stormed army and navy bases in 2022. Last August it conducted a series of coordinate attacks in Balochistan in which over 50, including troops, were killed. It has deployed women suicide bombers in recent years, including in an attack on Chinese nationals at a university in Karachi and a bombing in southwest Balochistan. An umbrella group of several Baloch ethnic groups said last week that it had convened all factions in a bid to unite them under a unified military structure. A dormant BLA splinter group called BLA (AZAD) became active in recent weeks.

Hundreds of Baloch activists, many of them women, have protested in Islamabad and Balochistan over alleged abuses by security forces — accusations the government denies.

Islamabad accuses India and Afghanistan of backing the militants to damage Pakistan’s relations with China, a charge both countries deny.

Speaking to Arab News, security analysts described Tuesday’s hijacking of the train as a “strategic shift” by the BLA in terms of moving away from just military targets to unarmed civilians.

“This may give them instant public and media attention but will weaken their support base within the civilian population which is their ultimate objective,” Syed Muhammad Ali, an Islamabad-based security analyst, told Arab News. “This attack on train passengers will reduce sympathy for BLA and improve public support for military action against terrorists.”

Another security analyst, Dr. Qamar Cheema, Executive Director at the Sanober Institute, said the real challenge was the vast and mountainous terrain of Balochistan, which militant organizations were able to exploit. 

He said Pakistan needed to invest in more technology including drones, artificial intelligence and other advanced systems, to monitor and manage remote areas in Balochistan where there was little to no population presence.

Dr. Talat Shabbir, director of the China Pakistan Study Center at the Institute of Strategic Studies, said the BLA’s attack on a passenger train is a reflection of its increasing capacity to carry out acts of “terrorism” and killing people on a larger scale. 

“This also speaks of some gaps somewhere due to which terrorists could have that intelligence to carry out such an operation,” he told Arab News.

However, Shabbir acknowledged that Pakistan’s security forces also responded swiftly to effectively manage the situation.

He said the train hijacking would not only impact investor confidence in Balochistan, but also create a “ripple effect” across the country.

“The solution to this problem lies in simultaneously implementing security measures to suppress terrorist attacks and politically engaging with the people of Balochistan,” he added. 

Brig. (Retd.) Masud Ahmed Khan, a defense analyst, said the main target of the attacks was the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project in Balochistan with Chinese investment. 

“The real target is CPEC and Chinese investment, with an aim to destabilize Balochistan and target Chinese interests in the province,” Khan said. 

With inputs from Reuters


Pakistani YouTube star charged with blasphemy over perfume

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Pakistani YouTube star charged with blasphemy over perfume

  • Rajab Butt has one of the largest online followings in the Muslim-majority country and has been embroiled in controversy for years
  • In a recent video, since deleted from social media accounts, Butt launched his ‘295’ perfume which refers to blasphemy legislation

LAHORE: A Pakistani YouTube star has been charged with blasphemy after launching a perfume named after the very law he has fallen foul of, police said Tuesday.
Rajab Butt has one of the largest online followings in the Muslim-majority country and has been embroiled in controversy for years, including over his brief custody of a lion cub.
In a recent video, since deleted from his social media accounts, Butt launched his “295” perfume which refers to blasphemy legislation in the penal code.
He said it followed a case filed against him last year over an earlier video deemed blasphemous by Islamists.
His perfume publicity sparked further ire, prompting the leader of the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to file a complaint late Monday.
“Our religious sentiments have been hurt,” said TLP leader Haider Ali Shah Gillani, whose party puts blasphemy as its central concern.
“There are numerous sections in the penal code but why did he choose blasphemy-related sections to name a perfume?,” he told AFP.
“This means you acknowledge the offense and are celebrating it. This is essentially an attempt to normalize such actions,” he said.
A police charge sheet seen by AFP and authenticated by a police official on Tuesday details the accusations against Butt, including blasphemy and cybercrime.
Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Pakistan, where even unsubstantiated accusations can incite public outrage and lead to lynchings.
In both cases against him, the social media personality risks up to 10 years in prison.
Butt issued an apology video on Sunday, asserting he is not against the country’s blasphemy laws.
“I apologize for the words I uttered during the launch of the perfume,” he said while holding a Qur’an.
“I apologize and announce the discontinuation of this perfume,” he added.
Butt has previously drawn a parallel with his “mentor,” the slain Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala, who released a song titled “295” in reference to religious incitement.
In other legal troubles, Butt pleaded guilty in January to owning an undocumented wild animal after accepting a lion cub as a wedding gift.
He avoided jail by promising a judge to post animal rights videos for a year.
 


Pakistan gets first iPhone trade-in program

Updated 25 March 2025
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Pakistan gets first iPhone trade-in program

  • Jazz, leading digital conglomerate, and Mercantile, Apple’s authorized distributor, launch initiative 
  • Customers can trade in old PTA-approved iPhone 11, newer models for discount on iPhone 16 series

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s leading digital conglomerate Jazz has partnered with Mercantile, Apple’s authorized distributor, to introduce the country’s first-ever iPhone trade-in program, a press release said on Tuesday. 

Under the initiative, customers can trade in their old PTA-approved iPhone 11 or newer models to receive a discount on the latest iPhone 16 series. Jazz and Mercantile are also offering an additional subsidy bonus on top of the trade-in value.

“As a digital leader, Jazz is committed to bridging the digital divide in Pakistan. Our partnership with Mercantile to launch the first iPhone Trade-In Program reflects our focus on innovation and customer convenience,” Ali Fahd, Head of Marketing at Jazz, said. 

“By making premium devices more accessible, we are empowering customers to enhance their digital lifestyle with seamless connectivity and value-added services.”

Nauman Durrani, CEO of Mercantile Pakistan, said the launch would simplify how people in Pakistan could access latest iPhone models:

“By working with Jazz, we’re offering a clear, straightforward way for customers to upgrade from older devices and enjoy a better user experience.”

The program is currently available at Jazz Experience Centers in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. The trade-in offer applies to full-price purchases only and is not available on postpaid installment plans at this stage.

In addition to the trade-in program, Jazz has introduced an exclusive six-month bundle for customers purchasing a PTA-approved iPhone 16 through Jazz. This package includes 200GB of Internet, 6 months of free airtime, e-SIM activation, discount vouchers, and handset insurance worth up to Rs. 100,000 covering theft, loss, and damage for 6 months.

Jazz is also offering the iPhone 16 series on an 18-month installment plan for only postpaid customers, providing flexible payment options to suit varying needs.


Pakistan warns drought may ‘intensify’ in parts of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan 

Updated 25 March 2025
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Pakistan warns drought may ‘intensify’ in parts of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan 

  • Meteorological department says drought may exacerbate in coming months due to rising temperatures and low rainfall 
  • Advises stakeholders to take pre-emptive measures for drought-prone areas, urges farmers to seek updates from PMD

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) this week warned that the existing drought situation in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan provinces may “exacerbate and intensify” in the coming months due to below-normal rainfall, rising temperatures and acute shortage of stored water in the country’s dams. 

In its latest advisory issued on Monday, the PMD noted that drought conditions still persist in Sindh, southern parts of Balochistan and lower eastern plain areas of Punjab. It said that the overall, below-normal rainfall deficit of 40 percent was observed across Pakistan from Sept. 1 to Mar. 21, adding that the major rainfall deficits were observed in Sindh at 62 percent, Balochistan at 52 percent and Punjab at 38 percent. 

The PMD noted that there is an “acute shortage” of stored water in the Tarbela and Mangla dams, while water in different rivers is flowing at an “extreme low level.” The advisory said that the mean temperature recorded during March in the lower half of the country is two to three degrees above normal. 

“Keeping in view the current weather situation and seasonal climate outlook, the drought situation may exacerbate and intensify in the following drought affected areas of the country,” the advisory said. 

The advisory said that in Sindh, a “moderate” drought situation is likely in Padidan, Shaheed Benaz­irabad, Dadu, Tharparkar, Ume­rkot, Kha­irpur, Hyde­rabad, Thatta, Badin and Karachi while a “mild” drought situation is likely in Ghotki, Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Khairpur and Sanghar.

In Balochistan, it said the drought conditions will be moderate in Gwadar, Kech, Lasbela, Panjgur and Awaran, with mild conditions in Chagai, Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Sibbi, Nushki and Washuk.

In Punjab, the affected areas for mild drought conditions will be Bahawalnagar, Baha­walpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

The PMD said it is continuously monitoring the country’s meteorological conditions, warning of the emergence of a “flash drought” in the upcoming months due to the rainfall deficit and increasing temperatures. 

“Hence, it is advised to all stakeholders to take pre-emptive measures for drought prone areas,” the PMD said. “Farmers/agriculturists are advised to keep themselves updated from PMD website.”

Pakistan has the fourth-highest rate of water consumption in the world. The country’s agriculture sector uses the most amount of fresh water than any other sector. Rainfall has steadily declined over the past few decades and experts have been warning for years the country will approach “absolute scarcity” of water by 2025.

The results of the latest census in 2023 counted 241.49 million people across Pakistan with a growth rate of 2.55 percent. Linked to that, per capita water availability has been on a downward trend for decades.

In 1947, when Pakistan was created, the figure stood at about 5,000 cubic meters per person, according to the World Bank. Today it is 1,000 cubic meters. It will decline further with the population expected to double in the next 50 years, climate change experts say, pointing out that Pakistan needs intervention on a range of water-related issues: from the impact of climate change to hydropower, from transboundary water-sharing to irrigated and rain-fed agriculture, and from drinking water to sanitation.


Pakistani artists put spotlight on country’s rich cultural heritage at UAE exhibition

Updated 25 March 2025
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Pakistani artists put spotlight on country’s rich cultural heritage at UAE exhibition

  • Syrian, Egyptian and Lebanese artists also present their works
  • Pakistan aims to deepen cultural ties with the UAE through art

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s envoy to the United Arab Emirates on Monday emphasized the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening people-to-people contacts, said an official statement, as he addressed an art exhibition in Ajman that highlighted his country’s rich cultural heritage.
The exhibition comes amid growing efforts by Pakistan to deepen economic and cultural ties with the Gulf nation. The UAE is one of Pakistan’s largest export destinations in the region due to its proximity, and Pakistani firms often use it as a base to target the broader Middle Eastern market.
In recent years, Pakistan has also hosted similar exhibitions featuring fruits, vegetables and industrial goods in a bid to enhance trade opportunities.
“Art, music, cuisine and sports have the power to unite people,” Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said during the ceremony. “For greater harmony and peace, we must encourage more cultural exchanges.”
“The UAE’s beauty lies in its ability to bring together over 200 nationalities, creating a melting pot of cultures,” he added.
The exhibition featured a blend of traditional and contemporary works not only by artists from Pakistan but also other Muslim countries like Syria, Egypt and Lebanon.
The Pakistani envoy toured the venue following the inauguration, interacting with artists and appreciating their creative expressions.
The event concluded with the ambassador distributing certificates to participating artists in recognition of their work.
There was also a cake-cutting ceremony at the exhibition to mark Pakistan Day, annually celebrated on March 23.


Canada says India, Pakistan among nations with potential to meddle in upcoming election

Updated 25 March 2025
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Canada says India, Pakistan among nations with potential to meddle in upcoming election

  • Canada is set to hold general election on April 28 amid chilly relations with both India and China
  • Its spy service says state actors are increasingly leveraging AI to meddle in electoral activities

OTTAWA: China and India are likely to try to interfere in the Canadian general election on April 28, while Russia and Pakistan have the potential to do so, the country’s spy service said on Monday.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) made its comments at a time when Ottawa’s relations with both India and China are chilly. Beijing and New Delhi have denied previous allegations of interference.
Canada was slow in responding to efforts by China and India to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 elections but their outcomes were unaffected by the meddling, an official probe concluded in a final report released in January.
Vanessa Lloyd, deputy director of operations at CSIS, told a press conference that hostile state actors were increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to meddle in elections.
“The PRC (People’s Republic of China) is highly likely to use AI enabled tools to attempt to interfere with Canada’s democratic process in this current election,” she said.
Earlier this month Beijing announced tariffs on more than $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products, retaliating against levies Ottawa slapped on Chinese electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products last year.
Canada said last week that China had executed four Canadian citizens on drug smuggling charges, and strongly condemned Beijing’s use of the death penalty.
Asked for a response to the CSIS comments at a regular news briefing on Tuesday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said China had always adhered to the principle of not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, and had “never had any interest in interfering in Canada’s internal affairs.”
Canada last year expelled six Indian diplomats — including the head of mission — over allegations they were involved in a plot against Sikh separatists on Canadian soil.
“We have also seen that the government of India has the intent and capability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic processes,” said Lloyd.
The Indian diplomatic mission in Ottawa was not immediately available for comment.
Russia and Pakistan could potentially conduct foreign interference activities against Canada, Lloyd added.
“It’s often very difficult to establish a direct link between foreign interference activities and election results ... Nevertheless, threat activities can erode public trust in the integrity of Canada’s democratic processes and institutions,” she said.