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Chinese military officials vow ‘unfettered commitment’ to Pakistan in meeting with top general

Chinese military officials vow ‘unfettered commitment’ to Pakistan in meeting with top general
In this handout photo, taken and released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza reviews guard of honor during his meeting with General Liu Zhenli, China’s Chief of CMC Joint Staff Department, in Beijing on September 14, 2024. (ISPR)
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Updated 15 September 2024
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Chinese military officials vow ‘unfettered commitment’ to Pakistan in meeting with top general

Chinese military officials vow ‘unfettered commitment’ to Pakistan in meeting with top general
  • General Sahir Shamshad holds separate meetings with the top officials of China’s Central Military Commission
  • The Chinese generals acknowledge progress related to bilateral strategic partnership and defense cooperation
Updated 15 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Two top Chinese military officials highlighted their country’s “unfettered commitment” to standing in solidarity with Pakistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday, as they met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza during his visit to Beijing.
China and Pakistan’s strategic partnership, rooted in decades of close ties, has expanded beyond defense cooperation to encompass infrastructure development and regional connectivity. Through projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the administration in Beijing has bolstered Pakistan’s economy by billions of dollars of investment.
Simultaneously, Pakistan remains firmly committed to the One-China policy, underscoring its support to Beijing on key issues like Taiwan and Tibet, while China continues to deepen its defense ties with Pakistan, to serve mutual security interests.
“General Sahir Shamshad Mirza ... on an official visit to [the] People’s Republic of China held separate meetings with General He Weidong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and General Liu Zhenli, Chief of CMC Joint Staff Department, and delivered a talk in 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on the Role of Pakistan toward regional peace and stability,” the ISPR said.
It informed that both sides appreciated the deep and historic relationship between Pakistan and China in multiple domains and acknowledged progress related to bilateral strategic and defense cooperation.
“The Chinese leadership ... reaffirmed their unfettered commitment to support Pakistan on its territorial integrity and sovereignty,” the ISPR added.
Just a day ago, the Pakistani general told a major forum in Beijing that CPEC was not just beneficial for his country’s economy but also a “stabilizing force” for South Asia.
He also maintained that the strategic cooperation between the two countries was “a cornerstone for peace and stability” for a region fraught with security challenges.

Topics: ISPR General Sahir Shamshad Mirza Pakistan China Ties

Key Pakistani politician rejects ‘person-specific system’ amid push for constitutional amendments

Key Pakistani politician rejects ‘person-specific system’ amid push for constitutional amendments
Updated 16 sec ago
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Key Pakistani politician rejects ‘person-specific system’ amid push for constitutional amendments

Key Pakistani politician rejects ‘person-specific system’ amid push for constitutional amendments
  • Bilawal Bhutto says any decisions regarding laws related to the judiciary should be made through consultation
  • He says the Supreme Court is consuming much of its time on political matters occupying 15% of its workload
Updated 16 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The top official of a leading Pakistani political party, which played a key role in helping Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif form his coalition government, said on Tuesday he did not want a “person-specific system” when asked about a major constitutional amendment package the government plans to push through the national parliament.
The package, which proposes 52 amendments to the supreme national document, was expected to be tabled in the National Assembly and Senate during the last session but was postponed since the government did not have enough numbers to meet the required two-third majority.
The Sharif government is proposing to increase the retirement age of superior judges by three years and revisit the seniority principle in the appointment of the country’s top judge.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party of jailed former premier Imran Khan has criticized the constitutional package, saying it is meant to grant an extension to incumbent Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who is widely believed to be aligned with the ruling coalition and in opposition to its chief rival, the PTI.
“I do not want to create a person-specific system that rules someone in or out,” Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), whose support is vital to the government, told ARY News during an interview. “I believe any decision should be made through consultation. There’s no harm if such consultation happens between the executive and the judiciary.”
In response to a question about whether a new chief justice would take oath in October when Isa is scheduled to retire this year, Bhutto-Zardari said he had “no doubt that the next chief justice will be Mansoor Ali Shah.”
The Pakistani lawyers’ associations have already maintained the government is trying to undermine “the unity of the judges” through the constitutional amendment package.
Many believe that Pakistan’s judiciary is divided among judges widely seen to be favoring one political party or another.
The PPP leader maintained neither the judiciary not parliament was working properly.
He also noted that the Supreme Court was primarily consuming its time while adjudicating political matters that occupied nearly 15 percent of its workload.

Topics: Pakistan judiciary Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

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 18 September 2024
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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 18 September 2024
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

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