US acknowledges Pakistan’s anti-terror financing efforts in 2023

US acknowledges Pakistan’s anti-terror financing efforts in 2023
A Pakistani paramilitary ranger frisks a motorcyclist at a checkpoint a day after attacks by separatist militants on the outskirts of Quetta on August 27, 2024. (AFP/File)
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US acknowledges Pakistan’s anti-terror financing efforts in 2023

US acknowledges Pakistan’s anti-terror financing efforts in 2023
  • Pakistan continued to face significant money-laundering and terror financing risks last year, State Department says
  • The country conducted a sectoral vulnerability assessment and reported militant groups to law enforcement for action

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities took significant steps to counter terror financing and completed an updated National Risk Assessment (NRA), which included terror financing components, in 2023, the United States (US) State Department said this week.

The South Asian country continued to face significant money-laundering and terrorist financing risks last year, the State Department noted in its country report for 2023 issued last week.

Pakistan assessed 87 militant organizations and conducted a sectoral vulnerability assessment, which revealed that 41 militant organizations had been active in the country with varying degrees of operations.

“The assessment also identified donations and extortion as key sources for terrorist financing, with cash/cash couriers and illegal money or value transfer services as the most common channels, noting that Pakistan’s porous border with Afghanistan was an important contextual challenge,” the report read. 

“Pakistan disseminated the assessment to relevant law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders, directing them to implement policy and operational priorities.”

In 2022, Pakistan was removed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing watchdog, from a list of countries under “increased monitoring” for terror financing, following years of rigorous efforts by Pakistani authorities.

FATF added Pakistan to the list in June 2018. The South Asian country, which risked being blacklisted by the watchdog, was removed from the list of countries with vulnerable financial systems after it successfully implemented 34 action points to counter money laundering and terror financing.

Pakistan witnessed a significant increase in the number of terrorist attacks in 2023, compared with 2022, according to the State Department. The government continued to operate “deradicalization” camps offering “corrective religious education,” vocational training, and counseling last year.

“Military, paramilitary, and civilian security forces conducted CT (counter-terrorism) operations throughout Pakistan against anti-state militants in 2023,” it said.

“Pakistan participated in several formal and informal multilateral fora where CT cooperation was discussed, including, the Global Counterterrorism Forum, and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.”

Pakistan witnessed an increase of 17 percent in militant attacks that hit the country in 2023, the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) said in its report in January.

This was the third year in a row when the number of militant attacks and consequent casualties surged in Pakistan, according to the Islamabad-based research and advocacy think-tank. A total of 306 militant attacks took place in Pakistan in 2023, including 23 suicide bombings, which killed 693 people and injured 1,124 others. 

Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant attacks in its northwestern and southwestern parts that border Afghanistan since the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) called off its fragile truce with the government in Islamabad in November 2022. The militant group is separate from but a close ally of the Afghan Taliban.

Islamabad has blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for facilitating the TTP and other anti-Pakistan militant groups who launch attacks from their soil. Afghan officials deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.


Pakistan reaffirms resolve against militancy on 10th anniversary of Peshawar school attack

Pakistan reaffirms resolve against militancy on 10th anniversary of Peshawar school attack
Updated 6 sec ago
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Pakistan reaffirms resolve against militancy on 10th anniversary of Peshawar school attack

Pakistan reaffirms resolve against militancy on 10th anniversary of Peshawar school attack
  • On Dec. 16, 2014, militants stormed Army Public School in Peshawar, killing 134 children and over a dozen staffers
  • In their messages, Pakistan president, premier extend sympathies to families of victims, vow to root out militancy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reaffirmed their resolve to wipe out militancy from the country as the South Asian nation observed 10th anniversary of a militant attack on an army-run school in Peshawar, which killed more than 130 children in 2014.

A group of heavily armed militants belonging to the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) entered Army Public School (APS) Peshawar on Dec. 16, 2014, killing 134 children and over a dozen staff members. The incident took place in a high-security area in Peshawar, capital of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The massacre at the school sparked worldwide condemnation and in response, Pakistan reinstated the death penalty after a six-year moratorium and executed many TTP militants as well as launched a military campaign in the country’s northwestern tribal districts to purge the area of TTP militants.

Thousands of Pakistanis have lost their lives in attacks claimed by the TTP since 2007, including an assassination attempt on Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. The country has also seen a renewed surge in attacks since a fragile truce between the TTP and the government broke down in Nov. 2022.

“No amount of time can erase the trauma of the children who witnessed the unfathomable horrors on that day, nor can it ease the grief and suffering of the families who lost their loved ones. As we honor their memory, the entire nation joins me in paying tribute to the bravery of our children, the heroism of the teachers, the sacrifices of their families, and the valor of our security forces,” PM Sharif said on X.

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to building a safer, more secure Pakistan, where no innocent will be harmed, no child will have to live in fear, injustice will be punished and punished severely. This is a promise we must make together. We owe it to the victims of this tragedy, to ensure that their lives were not lost in vain.”

Pakistani authorities also announced closure of schools and colleges in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore on Monday on the anniversary of the deadly attack.

In his message, President Zardari said the day reminded the nation to unite against militancy and increase efforts to eliminate this menace, Pakistani state media reported. He extended his sympathies to the relatives of innocent children, saying that Pakistan would never let militants succeed in their nefarious designs.

“The APS tragedy united the nation against terrorism,” Zardari said. “The history was witness that Pakistani nation did not lose courage in the face of tragedies.”

In recent months, Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, which border Afghanistan, have witnessed a number of attacks by the TTP and other religious and separatist militant groups that targeted security forces convoys and check posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers, government officials and civilians.

The TTP, or the Pakistani Taliban, is a separate group but a close ally of the Afghan Taliban.

Pakistan has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups, urging the Taliban administration in Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by armed factions to launch cross-border attacks.

Afghan officials deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.


Pakistani, Bahraini naval officials discuss maritime security, defense collaboration

Pakistani, Bahraini naval officials discuss maritime security, defense collaboration
Updated 10 min 33 sec ago
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Pakistani, Bahraini naval officials discuss maritime security, defense collaboration

Pakistani, Bahraini naval officials discuss maritime security, defense collaboration
  • Pakistan regularly holds joint exercises with allies to deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities
  • Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf also met Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa, who appreciated Pakistan’s role in maritime security

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf on Sunday called on the highest civil and military leadership of Bahrain, and discussed maritime security and defense collaboration between the two countries, Pakistan Navy said.
During the official visit, the naval chief held meetings with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, according to Pakistan Navy’s Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR).
Admiral Naveed Ashraf met the Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defense Force (BDF), Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Commander of Bahrain National Guard, General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, and Commander of Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF), Rear Admiral Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Binali.
“During these engagements, professional matters of mutual interest, including regional maritime security and bilateral defense collaboration, were discussed,” the DGPR said in a statement.
“The [Pakistani] naval chief emphasized the importance of enhancing interactions between the armed forces of both countries through joint exercises, mutual visits, and training exchange programs.”
Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates and holds joint military exercises with allies to increase synergy, promote regional peace and stability and deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities.
Admiral Ashraf also visited RBNF Ship Manama and the Royal Command and Staff College.
In his address at the Royal Command and Staff College, the Pakistani naval chief elaborated on current and emerging environment in the Indian Ocean region and highlighted the need for a “region-centric maritime security construct,” according to the DGPR.
The visit is expected to further strengthen and expand defense ties between the two brotherly nations.


Pakistan cuts diesel price by Rs3 per liter, keeps petrol unchanged

Pakistan cuts diesel price by Rs3 per liter, keeps petrol unchanged
Updated 20 min 49 sec ago
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Pakistan cuts diesel price by Rs3 per liter, keeps petrol unchanged

Pakistan cuts diesel price by Rs3 per liter, keeps petrol unchanged
  • Prices of kerosene and light diesel oil have also been decreased by Rs3.32 and Rs2.78, respectively
  • Pakistan revises petroleum prices every fortnight based on variations in the international market

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has reduced the price of high-speed diesel Rs3 per liter, but kept the price of petrol unchanged, the finance ministry announced late Sunday.
Pakistan revises petroleum prices every fortnight. After the latest revision, a liter of diesel will cost Rs255.38, while that of petrol will continue to sell for Rs252.10.
Petrol is mostly used in Pakistan for private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers. At the same time, any increase in the price of diesel is considered highly inflationary as it is mostly used to power heavy transport vehicles and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.
“The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has worked out the consumer prices of petroleum products in view of the fluctuations in the international market in the last fortnight,” the finance ministry said on X.
“It has accordingly revised the petroleum products for next fortnight starting from December 16, 2024.”
The government also reduced the prices of kerosene oil and light diesel oil by Rs3.32 and Rs2.78 to Rs161.66 and Rs148.95, respectively.
On Dec. 1, Pakistan increased the price of petrol by Rs3.72 per liter due to varying prices of petroleum products in the international market.
Fuel prices in energy-starved Pakistan are instrumental in contributing to inflation. The South Asian country saw inflation hit a record high of 38 percent in May 2023.
Pakistan’s annual consumer inflation slowed to 4.9 percent in November, cooling from 7.2 percent in October.


Pakistan closes educational institutes in multiple cities on anniversary of Peshawar school attack

Pakistan closes educational institutes in multiple cities on anniversary of Peshawar school attack
Updated 15 December 2024
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Pakistan closes educational institutes in multiple cities on anniversary of Peshawar school attack

Pakistan closes educational institutes in multiple cities on anniversary of Peshawar school attack
  • On Dec. 16, 2014, militants stormed Army Public School in Peshawar, killing 134 children and over a dozen staffers
  • The attack was claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has once again mounted assaults against Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have announced closure of schools and colleges in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore on the anniversary of a deadly attack on Army Public School (APS) Peshawar, which killed more than 130 children in 2014.
A group of heavily armed militants belonging to the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction entered the army-run school building on December 16, 2014, and killed 134 children and over a dozen staff members. The incident took place in a high security area in Peshawar in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. 
The massacre at the school sparked worldwide condemnation and in response, Pakistan reinstated the death penalty after a six-year moratorium and executed many TTP militants a well as launched a military campaign in the country’s northwestern tribal districts to purge the area of TTP militants.
Thousands of Pakistanis have lost their lives in attacks claimed by the TTP since 2007, including an assassination attempt on Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. The country has also seen a renewed surge in attacks since a fragile truce between the TTP and the government broke down in Nov. 2022.
“It is notified that all public/private schools and colleges shall remain closed on 16th December, 2024 (Monday) within the revenue limits of Islamabad Capital Territory,” the Islamabad administration said in a notification.
In a statement, Irfan Nawaz Memon, the Islamabad deputy commissioner, said the holiday was announced in “remembrance of the martyrs of the Peshawar Army Public School tragedy.”
Similar notifications were issued by authorities in the garrison city of Rawalpindi and Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province.
In recent months, Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, which border Afghanistan, have witnessed a number of attacks by the TTP and other religious and separatist militant groups that targeted security forces convoys and check posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers, government officials and civilians.
The TTP, or the Pakistani Taliban, is a separate group but a close ally of the Afghan Taliban.
Pakistan has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups, urging the Taliban administration in Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by armed factions to launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.


Islamabad calls trade corridors from Pakistan to Central Asia ‘need of hour’

Islamabad calls trade corridors from Pakistan to Central Asia ‘need of hour’
Updated 15 December 2024
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Islamabad calls trade corridors from Pakistan to Central Asia ‘need of hour’

Islamabad calls trade corridors from Pakistan to Central Asia ‘need of hour’
  • Pakistan aims to establish itself as a trade and transit hub for landlocked Central Asian republics
  • Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth-largest country by land area and the largest landlocked country

ISLAMABAD: Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said that trade corridors from Pakistan were a “need of the hour” for Central Asian countries, while access to Pakistani ports could help increase bilateral trade between the two sides.
Khan said this during his meeting with Kazakhstan Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin who called on him in Islamabad on Saturday, according to the Pakistani privatization ministry.
The two figures held a detailed discussion regarding investment, commerce and trade corridors between the Central Asian republic and Pakistan.
“Pakistani products are the best option for Central Asian countries,” Khan said. “In order to raise the trade graph of industrial products, display centers should be established for the foreign business community where we can keep these products for sale under one roof.”
Pakistan, which has been facing an economic crisis, wants to position itself as a regional trade hub and to leverage its strategic geopolitical position and enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting China and Central Asia with the rest of the world.
Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth-largest country by land area and the largest landlocked country. There has been a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity between officials from Pakistan and the Central Asian nations in recent weeks.
The privatization minister said Pakistan wanted better road infrastructure to increase investment, which was a top priority of his government to improve the economy.
Ambassador Kastafin said that excellent trade and economic relations with Pakistan were in the wider interest of Kazakhstan and hoped that there would be “visible progress” in this regard in the coming days, according to the Pakistani privatization ministry.