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Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff: China corridor is ‘stabilizing force’ for South Asia

Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff: China corridor is ‘stabilizing force’ for South Asia
The screengrab taken from the video by China News Service on September 13, 2024 shows Pakistan's Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza addressing 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, China. (China News Service via Reuters)
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Updated 13 September 2024
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Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff: China corridor is ‘stabilizing force’ for South Asia

Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff: China corridor is ‘stabilizing force’ for South Asia
  • General Sahir Shamshad Mirza emphasizes Pakistan’s strategic bond with China at a major Beijing forum
  • He hails CPEC as a game-changing initiative to ensure greater regional connectivity and economic growth
Updated 13 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza said on Friday the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was not just beneficial for his country’s economy but also a “stabilizing force” for South Asia.

CPEC is a massive infrastructure and economic development initiative that was launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It aims to enhance connectivity between the two states through a network of roads, railways, energy projects, and special economic zones.

The primary goal of CPEC is to improve Pakistan’s infrastructure, boost trade, and create jobs while providing China with direct access to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan’s Gwadar Port.

It is widely viewed as a strategic partnership between the two countries that has the potential to reshape the region’s economic geography.

“Our relations with [the] People’s Republic of China are truly special and time-tested relationship that not only serves as a testament to our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership but also as a cornerstone for peace and stability, both for Pakistan and the region that are today fraught with challenges,” Mirza said while addressing the Security Cooperation and Asia-Pacific Prosperity and Stability Session of the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China.

“Ladies and gentlemen, [the] China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative,” he continued. “It is an initiative of enhanced regional connectivity and economic development. Indeed, CPEC is not only a game changer for Pakistan’s economy, but also a stabilizing force in South Asia.”

The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum is being held from September 12 to 14, with unprecedented participation from over 100 countries and organizations. Under the theme of “Promoting Peace for a Shared Future,” this year’s event features critical discussions on global security, regional stability, and innovative technologies in defense.

The Pakistan government is already negotiating “CPEC 2.0” to mark the second phase of the joint corridor project carried out by the two countries, shifting the focus from infrastructure and energy projects to industrial cooperation, agriculture, socio-economic development and technological advancements.

CPEC 2.0 also aims to develop new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to attract foreign investment and boost industrial growth, as part of Pakistan’s economic revitalization strategy.

– With input from China News Service via Reuters

Topics: Pakistan China Ties CPEC General Sahir Shamshad Mirza Arab News Pakistan

Afghan mission says no disrespect intended by consul general during Pakistan anthem

Afghan mission says no disrespect intended by consul general during Pakistan anthem
Updated 18 September 2024
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Afghan mission says no disrespect intended by consul general during Pakistan anthem

Afghan mission says no disrespect intended by consul general during Pakistan anthem
  • Mohibullah Shakir remained seated during the national anthem at a conference, facing diplomatic criticism
  • Afghan authorities say he did not stand due to the background music which they consider forbidden in Islam
Updated 18 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Afghan Consul General Mohibullah Shakir had no intention of disrespecting Pakistan, said a representative of the Afghan diplomatic mission on Tuesday, after the foreign office in Islamabad called it “reprehensible” that he remained seated while the country’s national anthem was played at a conference in Peshawar.
Videos widely circulated on social media showed Shakir attending the Rehmat-ul-Alameen Conference, hosted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, in which Shakir and another Afghan official can be seen seated as the Pakistani national anthem was played while everyone else in the room stood up in respect.
Pakistan’s foreign office described the act of the Afghan officials as contrary to diplomatic norms, calling it “reprehensible” and stating that Pakistan would convey its strong protest to the Afghan authorities.
“There was no intention to disrespect or dishonor the Pakistani national anthem,” Shahid Ullah, the spokesperson for the Afghan Consulate in Peshawar, told Geo News.
“The Consul general did not stand during the anthem because of the music in it,” he continued, adding that Afghan authorities had banned their own national anthem for the same reason.
The Afghan spokesperson said if the anthem had been performed without music or by children, the Consul general would have definitely stood and placed his hand on his chest.
The Afghan Taliban believe that music is forbidden in Islam, though there are several schools of thought within the same religion that do not agree with their contention.
Traditionally tense relations between Islamabad and Kabul have soured further in recent months amid a surge in militancy in Pakistan that it blames on its neighbor.
Islamabad says militants mainly associated with the Pakistani Taliban group frequently launch attacks from hideouts in Afghanistan, targeting police and other security forces. Islamabad has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for facilitating anti-Pakistan militants. Kabul denies the charges.
Last week, Chief Minister Gandapur said he would hold direct talks with Kabul’s Taliban rulers to take action against Afghanistan-based militant groups.

Topics: Pakistan Afghanistan

Shehroze Kashif sets out to make record as only Pakistani to summit all 14 ‘Eight Thousanders’

Shehroze Kashif sets out to make record as only Pakistani to summit all 14 ‘Eight Thousanders’
Updated 49 min 29 sec ago
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Shehroze Kashif sets out to make record as only Pakistani to summit all 14 ‘Eight Thousanders’

Shehroze Kashif sets out to make record as only Pakistani to summit all 14 ‘Eight Thousanders’
  • Shehroze Kashif, currently in Nepal, has already ascended 13 of the world’s tallest peaks
  • Another Pakistani, Sirbaz Khan, will also try to summit the same mountain in coming days
Updated 49 min 29 sec ago
Nisar Ali

KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistan’s leading mountaineer, Shehroze Kashif, is set to embark on a journey to Tibet next week in pursuit of becoming the first high-altitude climber from his country to conquer all 14 peaks towering above 8,000 meters, with Shishapangma, yet unconquered by Pakistani adventurers, marking the final summit.
The Pakistani climber, currently in Nepal, having already ascended 13 of the world’s tallest peaks, revealed that his ambition to complete all 14 began nearly five years ago.
Shishapangma, standing at 8,027 meters, requires permission from Chinese authorities, which can sometimes be difficult for mountaineers to secure.
“I was 11 when I started climbing,” Kashif told Arab News over the phone from Nepal. “When I summitted Broad Peak in 2019, it was my dream to climb all 14 peaks as the youngest climber in the world. Now, many young climbers have come in the field. I couldn’t do it on time due to financial reasons.”

This photo, posted on September 15, 2024, shows young mountaineer Shehroze Kashif in Nepal as he is set to become only Pakistani to summit all 14 ‘Eight Thousanders.’ (Photo courtesy: Instagram/@thebroadboy)

He said that he wanted to conquer Shishapangma last year, but the Chinese authorities closed the mountain for climbing after an accident in which four people were killed.
“Now, I have reached Nepal and will leave for Tibet to summit the last peak,” he continued.
Kashif said he had finalized all the arrangements, adding that he was both mentally and physically fully prepared.
Asked about the most memorable peak during his mountaineering career, he said it was Nanga Parbat in Pakistan.
“We were declared dead when we were stuck at the height of 7,800 meters,” he recalled. “That’s why this mountain will always remain in my heart.”
Speaking to Arab News, Karrar Haidri, the secretary-general of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said it was a proud movement for the country.

This photo, posted on September 15, 2024, shows Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif in Nepal as he is set to become only Pakistani to summit all 14 ‘Eight Thousanders.’ (Photo courtesy: Instagram/@thebroadboy)

“The young climber Shehroze Kashif has reached Nepal and will soon summit Shishapangma,” he said over the phone, adding that another Pakistani climber, Sirbaz Khan, was also preparing to conquer the same peak.
He said that more and more people in Pakistan were becoming interested in mountaineering and entering the field.
Other renowned Pakistani climbers also wished Kashif luck.
“Shehroze is fast, got iron will and power,” Anam Uzair, a Pakistani female climber who summited Mt Manaslu and Gasherbrum-II, told Arab News over the phone. “I pray for his safe climb. He will get it this year, if God wills.”

This photo, posted on September 15, 2024, shows Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif in Nepal as he is set to become only Pakistani to summit all 14 ‘Eight Thousanders.’ (Photo courtesy: Instagram/@thebroadboy)

Naila Kiani, another prominent female mountaineer, noted that despite Pakistan having five of the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000 meters, no Pakistani had yet climbed all of them.
“This will be a significant achievement as two Pakistani climbers are set to summit all 14 peaks this time,” she said. “One of them [Sirbaz Khan] has climbed 11 peaks without using supplemental oxygen.”
Geographically, Pakistan is considered a climbers’ paradise, rivalling Nepal with its abundance of peaks over 7,000 meters. In addition to K2, Pakistan is home to four of the world’s 14 summits exceeding 8,000 meters.
The unspoiled beauty of northern Pakistan was once a major tourist draw, though the tourism industry suffered setbacks due to years of violence. However, the security situation has remained stable in Gilgit-Baltistan, which continues to attract foreign trekkers and climbers.

Topics: Shehroze Kashif Pakistani mountaineer

US calls Pakistan ‘long-term partner’ despite sanctions related to missile program

US calls Pakistan ‘long-term partner’ despite sanctions related to missile program
Updated 18 September 2024
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US calls Pakistan ‘long-term partner’ despite sanctions related to missile program

US calls Pakistan ‘long-term partner’ despite sanctions related to missile program
  • State Department official says US policy is to ‘deny support to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program’
  • Pakistan has called the US decision ‘biased and politically motivated’ that can increase ‘military asymmetries’
Updated 18 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The United States described Pakistan as a “long-term partner” on Tuesday, while acknowledging areas of disagreement, noting that Washington’s recent decision to impose sanctions on commercial entities suspected of aiding Pakistan’s ballistic missile program was one such issue.
The US imposed the sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies last week, alleging they had supplied missile-applicable items to Pakistan.
In response, Pakistan criticized Washington for the decision, calling it “biased and politically motivated,” saying similar listings of commercial entities in the past was prepared on mere suspicion and involved items not listed under any export control regime.
Asked about the US decision, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller described it as part of his country’s efforts to strengthen the “international nonproliferation regime by taking action against networks supporting activities of proliferation concern.”
“Pakistan has been a long-term partner of ours, and I think what this action shows is that there continue to be places where we have disagreement, and when we have disagreements, we won’t hesitate to act on those to protect America’s interests,” he said during a media briefing.
“It has been our longstanding policy to deny support to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, and we will continue to use our sanctions and other – our other tools to ensure our national security cannot be – cannot be impacted, and that the US financial system cannot be used by proliferators,” he added.
Miller said the US executive order action last week followed its October 2023 and April 2024 designation of six Chinese and one Belarusian entity since they were supplying Pakistan’s missile program.
He noted there was a listing of numerous Pakistani and third-country entities on the US Department of Commerce Entity List for decades.
“We have been clear and consistent about our concerns with Pakistan’s ballistic missile program for many years,” he continued.
Pakistan said on Saturday it was widely known that “some countries, while claiming strict adherence to nonproliferation norms, have conveniently waived licensing requirements for advanced military technologies to their favored states.”
“Such double standards and discriminatory practices undermine the credibility of global nonproliferation regimes, increase military asymmetries, and endanger international peace and security,” it added.
China also said it would “firmly protect” the rights and interests of its companies and individuals.
One of its diplomats in Washington noted last week his country opposed “unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council.”

Topics: Pakistan US Ties US sanctions on Pakistan

Russian deputy prime minister arrives in Pakistan today on two-day visit

Russian deputy prime minister arrives in Pakistan today on two-day visit
Updated 18 September 2024
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Russian deputy prime minister arrives in Pakistan today on two-day visit

Russian deputy prime minister arrives in Pakistan today on two-day visit
  • Islamabad last year started purchasing Russian crude oil at a discount
  • Pakistan also received first shipment of LPG from Russia last September
Updated 18 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexey Overchuk, will arrive in Pakistan today, Wednesday, on a two-day visit accompanied by a high-level delegation, Radio Pakistan reported.
Islamabad last year started purchasing Russian crude oil at a discount as high prices caused by geopolitical tensions have caused fuel prices to more than double in Pakistan. Pakistan also received its first shipment of liquified petroleum gas from Russia last September, marking Islamabad’s second major Russian energy purchase.
“Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk will hold meetings with the President, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan,” Radio Pakistan said on Tuesday about the Russian deputy PM’s Islamabad visit. 
In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan and Russia enjoyed “cordial relations based on goodwill, amity and trust, which is reflected in the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation including in trade, energy and connectivity.”
Energy imports make up the majority of Pakistan’s external payments and discounted imports from Russia offer a respite as Islamabad faces an economic crisis. It is targeting 100,000 bpd of imports from Russia, compared with the total 154,000 bpd of crude it imported in 2022, in the hopes that will lower its import bill, address a foreign exchange crisis and keep a lid on inflation.
However, the benefits are being offset by increased shipping costs and lower quality refined products compared with the fuels produced with crude from Pakistan’s main suppliers, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
As a long-standing Western ally and the arch-rival of neighboring India, which historically is closer to Moscow, analysts say the crude deal would have been difficult for Pakistan to accept, but its financing needs are great.

Topics: Pakistan Russia Ties Russian Deputy Prime Minister in Pakistan

‘Reprehensible’: Pakistan says Afghan acting consul general ‘disrespected’ national anthem

‘Reprehensible’: Pakistan says Afghan acting consul general ‘disrespected’ national anthem
Updated 17 September 2024
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‘Reprehensible’: Pakistan says Afghan acting consul general ‘disrespected’ national anthem

‘Reprehensible’: Pakistan says Afghan acting consul general ‘disrespected’ national anthem
  • Foreign office says Afghan official acted against diplomatic norms by not standing up for national anthem
  • Shakir was attending an Eid Milad-un-Nabi conference in Peshawar where the national anthem was played 
Updated 17 September 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: The foreign office said on Tuesday it was “reprehensible” that the Afghan Consul General in Peshawar, Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir, had remained seated as the Pakistani national anthem was played at a conference in Peshawar, saying he had disrespected the patriotic song. 

Videos widely circulated on social media on Tuesday showed Shakir attending the Rehmat-ul-Alameen Conference hosted by Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. The event was held in the northwestern town of Peshawar to mark the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi. 

As the Pakistani national anthem was played and everyone in the room stood up in respect, Shakir and another Afghan colleague remained seated.

“The disrespect of host country’s national anthem is against diplomatic norms,” Foreign Office Spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement. “This act of Acting Consul General of Afghanistan is reprehensible. We are conveying our strong protest to the Afghan authorities both in Islamabad and Kabul.”

The Afghan government or consulate have not yet commented on the issue.

Traditionally tense relations between Islamabad and Kabul have soured further in recent months amid a surge in militancy in Pakistan that it blames on its neighbor.

Islamabad says militants mainly associated with the Pakistani Taliban group frequently launch attacks from hideouts in Afghanistan, targeting police and other security forces. Islamabad has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for facilitating anti-Pakistan militants. Kabul denies the charges.

Last week, CM Gandapur said he would hold direct talks with Kabul’s Taliban rulers to take action against Afghanistan-based militant groups.

Topics: Pakistan Pakistan Afghan Ties Afghanistan

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