Current Projects
CHINA WATCH [May 16 – 22] CHINA EVOKES PANCHSHEEL ON KASHMIR
China has said that it would like to adhere to Panchsheel (five principles) of coexistence in order to address the Indian concerns regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo has warned against a new kind of security threat to the CEPC. The government has shared information about various projects of the CPEC. China Evokes Panchsheel on Kashmir: China has said that it would like to adhere to Panchsheel (five principles) of coexistence in order to address the Indian concerns about the CPEC. China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying told the media “we would like to follow the five principles of coexistence in developing friendly relations with other countries.”[i] Panchsheel Treaty was an agreement signed between India and China in 1954 to promote relations on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. She went on to say “[A]s per the concern over Kashmir region as we said before, it is an issue between India and Pakistan. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will not change China’s position on the Kashmir issue. Belt and Road Initiative is open and inclusive one.” China has stepped up its efforts to persuade India to join the multi-billion dollars BRI launched by President Xi Jinping. Beijing has shown considerable flexibility in separating bilateral issues with India from BRI-related efforts. But the Indian government of Prime Narendra Modi has proven more resilient and aggressive against all Chinese inducements. Security Threats to CPEC: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo drew attention to a new kind of security threat to the CEPC. While condemning the May 13 killings of 13 Sindhi labourers in Gwadar he said that those militants “who are getting free in Syria” may pose threat to the CPEC.[ii] He expressed his concern that such subversive forces might move to Pakistan and consequently raise problems with...
Economic Relations Must Not Be Affected By Political Relations between Afghanistan And Pakistan: Mian Iftikhar, ANP
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) organized a high level policy discussion “Fostering Public Private Dialogue for Economic Reforms” between private sector and political parties’ representatives on May 20, 2017 at Pearl Continental, Peshawar. Mr. Zahir Ali Shah, former Minister Health KPK and a parliamentarian from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) remarked that in the previous government of PPP, Pakistan not only attained self-sufficiency in wheat production but also exported it, due to timely announcement of wheat support price by the government. Investment in renewable energy resources is systematically discouraged as it has less scope for corruption, he added. He also proposed to have a charter of economy between KPK Chambers of Commerce and politicians in the province. Miss Shagufta Malik, former MPA of Awami National Party (ANP) emphasized on the importance of women in development. She told the quorum about the remarkable talent in women of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Lots of women want to work. They should be provided soft loans. CPEC ought to give space to women too, she added. Ex-senator Mr. Ghulam Ali gave the suggestion to carve out a long term strategy for commerce and industry to flourish. Short term planning is damaging our economy. Lastly, Mian Iftikhar Hussain Shah, ex-minister of ANP said that there seemed to be more politics in business community itself rather than amongst politicians. This needs to stop. Legal protection to corruption is another impediment in the way forward. He expressed hope in Afghanistan, as it was the viable potential market for Pakistan in the region. Economic relations must not be affected by political relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, he commented. Members of business community – including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber, Mardan Chamber, Kohat Chamber, Tribal Chamber, FPCCI and other private sector representatives - thanked CRSS efforts for providing them with a platform, where they can give feedback to the...
Pak-Afghan Relations: Detente?
Afghanistan's Khaama Press news agency on Saturday quoted President Ashraf Ghani as saying that "Pakistan is in isolation but an isolated Pakistan is not in favour of Afghanistan." The country must be encouraged to refrain from supporting terrorist groups, an obvious reference to the Afghan Taliban's sanctuaries in the border regions. Ghani made these remarks during a meeting with local tribal elders of southern Kandahar province Friday evening. If reported correctly by the news agency Ghani's quote on Pakistan offers some glimmer of hope as far as the bilateral relations are concerned, particularly to the context of the bloody exchanges of fire and loss of life in the Spin Boldak district near the Durand Line earlier this month. Ghani's remarks coincided with two important statements. One by US Forces in Afghanistan said at least 750 militants affiliated with the Afghan chapter of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) - ISIS Khurasan - were killed in the past two-and-a-half months in Afghanistan. Their territory and fighting strength have been reduced two-thirds. The second statement emanated from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Headquarters. Released May 19 after a stakeholders' meeting it said all members reaffirmed their commitments to sustainable security in Afghanistan and to their strong partnership with Afghanistan. For Pakistan, this situation represents both an opportunity as well as challenges. It is an opportunity because President Ghani's "less hostile and diagnostic" tone on the disadvantages of an "isolated Pakistan" to Afghanistan reflects the realisation that such attempts (by India) will only precipitate his country's fragility and insecurity. Also, if one were to go by the optimism of some pro-active and well-meaning Afghan officials, Pak-Afghan acrimony probably has already peaked (because of acts of terrorism in February and March) and now may be heading for de-escalation. They believe that the relationship is not entirely...
Who Are You Calling a colony?
Some 29 countries, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund participated in the Belt and Road Forum (B&RF) for International Cooperation, including senior leaders and officials from the US, Japan and South Korea. On the occasion, President Xi Jinping pledged a major funding boost to the new Silk Road, including an extra 100 billion yuan ($14.5 billion) for the existing Silk Road Fund, 380 billion yuan in loans from two policy banks and 60 billion yuan in aid to developing countries and international bodies in countries along the new trade routes. Initiatives such as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and the New Silk Road essentially underscore the Chinese quest for stability and staggering of risks. It is also rooted in the belief that stability and development go hand in hand. The Beijing leadership also believes that without an economically developing and politically peaceful region, it can neither expand its markets nor can it share the dividends of its own development. In an apparent endorsement of China’s initiatives, Britain’s finance minister told the summit that his country was a “natural partner” in the new Silk Road. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif praised China’s “vision and ingenuity”. India, on the other hand, chose to boycott the Forum, with its External Affairs Ministry spokesperson saying his country “cannot accept a project that violates its sovereignty and territorial integrity.” This position came on the heels of New Delhi’s open expression of disapproval of CPEC on many occasions, ever since President Xi signed off investments and assistance worth over 57 billion dollars (as of May 2017). The ‘colonising’ reference is specifically aimed at Pakistan, as the media in New Delhi, since this week has been actively claiming that Islamabad would become Beijing’s colony by 2030. ‘Beijing plans to turn Pakistan into its economic colony’ read a headline in Indian daily Times of India. The story claimed to “confirm that Pakistan will become...
Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue Session One
The Center for Research and Security Studies held its first Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue under its newly undertaken initiative – the Afghan Studies Center, at its head office in Islamabad on Thursday, on May 18, 2017. It was attended by 20 participants, some of who traveled from Karachi, Bajaur Agency and Peshawar to participate in this dialogue. Mr. Imtiaz Gul, CRSS Executive Director, Mr. Mian Sanaullah, former Ambassador and advisor at CRSS, Mr. Aized Ali, Project Director of CRSS’ Pakistan-Afghanistan Track 1.5/II project Beyond Boundaries and Sitwat Waqar Bokhari and Saddam Hussein, editors at Afghan Studies Center, represented CRSS. The dialogue began with Mr. Imtiaz Gul welcoming the participants in his opening remarks and highlighting the importance of youth forums to serve as a bridge between the people of both countries and in mitigating the rising hostility in recent years. Mr. Aized Ali further informed the participants about CRSS’ Pakistan-Afghanistan Track 1.5/II Project Beyond Boundaries which comprised of a total of 12 meetings, 6 each in Pakistan and Afghanistan, between parliamentarians and civil society members from both countries. He stated that the idea of the Afghan Studies Center emerged from the engagement with the youth during Beyond Boundaries’ members’ visits to universities in both countries. Mr. Mian Sanaullah next welcomed the participants and expressed his optimism in the youth of both countries to take forward the message of peace. A short video of a cultural event featuring singers from both countries hosted by CRSS in Islamabad in Beyond Boundaries’ last meeting was shown to the participants. Sitwat Waqar Bokhari, who was moderating the session, introduced the theme “Understanding Pak-Afghan Trust Deficit: The Role of the Youth in the Way Forward” to the participants and opened the floor for discussion. The discussion began with participants from both sides sharing their insightful views on the theme and the role of the youth in...
CRSS holds Roundtable discussion on CPEC and Regional Security with visiting Chinese delegation of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR)
The Director of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) visited the Center for Research and Security Studies along with his CICIR colleagues; Mr. Yan Shuai, Mr. Chen Wenxin, and Mr. Wang Shida, on Tuesday 16 May, 2017, for a dialogue on ‘CPEC and Regional Security’ hosted by CRSS at its head office in Islamabad. CRSS was represented by Pakistani experts; Dr. Shoaib Suddle; former IG Police, Lt. Gen (retd) Talat Masood; former Defence Secretary, Mr. Salman Bashir; former Foreign Secretary, AVM (retd) Ateeb Siddiqui; former Head and Commandant of Air Force Air war College, and Lt. Gen (retd) Masood Aslam; former Ambassador. CICIR Director, Mr. Xianoqing, in his introductory remarks, noted that the relations of both countries have upgraded to a new level with the commencement of “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” (CPEC); where earlier they were restricted to only a political and military relationship, now Pak-China relations have broadened to include economic cooperation and infrastructure development. Chen Wenxin, Deputy Director CICIR expressed his concern that while the overall security situation in Pakistan has improved, Balochistan continues to face increased terrorist attacks. He also said that it is heartening to see that Pakistan has also become a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organistaion (SCO) recently and now Beijing has friends under the SCO framework. China looks forward to reaping maximum benefits by collaborating with Pakistan under this framework. Former Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir congratulated Chinese friends on a successful ‘China Summit,’ terming it as a prodigious initiative in contemporary times. Pakistan like China also wants India to be part of the “One Belt One Road” (OBOR) initiative, but India has so far decided to stay away, he stated. He further mentioned three factors influencing Indian policy towards Pakistan, namely; a) Extremist ideological narrative of BJP which is itself lethal for Indian Union b) New...
CHINA WATCH [May 9 – 15] SUMMIT OF THE BELT AND ROAD FORUM (BRF) FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
The summit of the BRF for International Cooperation in Beijing was the top story of the last week. China and Pakistan signed new deals worth nearly $500 ahead of the summit. In its efforts to induce New Delhi to attend the BRF summit, China showed willingness to rename the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, India did not participate in the BRF summit and called the initiative as “unsustainable debt”. Two major terrorist attacks in Baluchistan refreshed the questions about the security of the CPEC. In an exclusive report, English daily Dawn has revealed the details of the much-awaited masterplan of the CPEC. A large number of protestors gathered in Skardu to protest against the exclusion of Gligit-Baltistan (GB) form the CPEC projects. The Director of the United States (U.S.) National Intelligence, Daniel Coats, observed that the CPEC “will probably offer militants and terrorists additional targets.” CPEC in the Limelight: China and Pakistan inked new deals worth nearly $500 ahead of the Belt and Road summit in Beijing.[i] Pakistan’s delegation at the summit is led by Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, Chief Ministers of all the four provinces and some cabinet ministers. The agreements signed included: a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Silk Road initiative, agreement for up gradation of the main track ML-I, MoU about a dry port in Havelian, and three agreements related to economic and technical cooperation worth 3.4 billion yuan for the Gwadar port and East Bay Expressway.[ii] On the other hand, the Chinese President Xi Jinping in a meeting with Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif called for pushing forward the construction of the CPEC.[iii] The Pakistani PM warned that CPEC should not be politicised and said the corridor was open to all countries.[iv] He went on to say that “[W]e are not striving to merely leverage geography for economic prosperity; we are also trying to build a peaceful, connected and...
Q1 Security Report – 2017
Executive Summary: After witnessing a marked drop in fatalities from violence during last year, the trend continued, despite a sudden upturn in violence during the second month in this quarter. The CPEC initiative, foreign intervention, and security lapses were some factors that led the militants and their supporters to strike using new strategies. Of all the regions in Pakistan, only Sindh showed an upsurge, when compared to data from last year’s first quarter. Every other province/region had declining amounts of violence-related casualties. While the ongoing military operation against outlaws forced the militant outfits like Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Islami (LI), and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) to go into hiding, Da’ish (or Islamic State (IS)) also made itself known by claiming major suicide attacks at two Sufi shrines in Sindh and Balochistan. In February, eleven coordinated attacks were reported across the country. Having lost thousands of militants in security operations, and with thousands more in custody, the militant ability to continue with such attacks was viewed as a shocking development and unprecedented given Pakistan’s recent gains. Overall, the security situation continues to improve, although we are seeing more of a plateau in progress, as expected. It is hoped that with kinetic gains, the state apparatus also focuses on the softer side of things to try and eliminate extremism, which is the root cause of terrorism in the country. To assess and evaluate what new challenges and threats are being faced by the country, this report makes use of the national print and electronic media sources. CRSS endeavors to ensure that the data is as accurate as possible within the available resources. However, it does not rule out errors and omissions, which are always a possibility in such public-source statistical work. Such mistakes, nevertheless, do not grossly affect the overall outcome and conclusions of this report. It must also be said that this...
CHINA WATCH [May 3 – 8] CHINA REJECTS MEDDLING IN KASHMIR ISSUE
China rejected the suggestion of intervening in Kashmir issue, calling it a bilateral dispute between India and Pakistan. China has reminded India that skipping the ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) summit this month in Beijing would not be favourable for India. Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong has sought to dispel concerns about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Pakistan’s anti-corruption body National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has signed an agreement with China to jointly oversee projects and ensure transparency. China Rejects Meddling in Kashmir Issue: China rejected the proposition of intervening in Kashmir issue, calling it a bilateral dispute between India and Pakistan. China’s Foreign Ministry told IANS in a statement that “China’s position on the issue of Kashmir is clear and consistent. It is an issue left over from history between India and Pakistan and shall be properly addressed by India and Pakistan through consultation and negotiation.”[i] The statement added that “[B]uilding of the CPEC does not affect China’s position on the issue.” The clarification on the part of Beijing came days after a commentary in the state-run Global Times argued that due to its interest of massive investments in the region, time was ripe for Beijing to play its role in resolving the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.[ii] Although China generally supports Pakistan in later’s diplomatic and military equation against India, it adheres to the policy of non-interference in Kashmir issue. Such an approach helps Beijing balance relations with New Delhi’s on the one hand, and on the other, stick to the policy of non-interference in internal affairs of other countries. India’s Refusal to Join OBOR summit: China has reminded India that skipping the OBOR summit this month on May 14 and 15 in Beijing would not be favourable for India. While voicing his views about New Delhi’s hesitation to send its representative to the summit, China’s Foreign Minster Wang Yi said that...
Pakistan Forward, USA, Quotes Data From CRSS’s Annual Security Report 2016 In Its Security Analysis
Following report by Pakistan Forward, USA, is based on the annual security report 2016 by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) which states that as many as 149 Pakistani militants were killed in Afghanistan in the last two years – 111 in 2016 and 38 in 2015 , by US drones, the Afghan armed forces and the Pakistani military’s crackdown against terrorists in the border regions. This statistical evidence suggests that these terrorists fled the Pakistan operations and set up shelters mostly in eastern Afghanistan. Report: Stepped-up action against militants in Afghanistan, Pakistan ‘paying off’ Pakistani Taliban fighters stand with their seized weapons as they are presented to the media in Kabul on January 5, 2016. Nine foreign terrorists were arrested with their weapons by Afghan border police in Nazyan district of Nangarhar province and were transferred to Kabul, Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior said. AFP PHOTO. The security crackdown leaves no room for militant safe havens on either side of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Stepped-up actions against militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan are paying off, according to the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) 2016 Annual Security Report. Pakistani militants hiding across the border in Afghanistan are no longer finding safe havens there, data show. During the past two years, 149 Pakistani militants were killed in Afghanistan — 111 in 2016 and 38 in 2015, the Islamabad-based security think tank reported. “Most of the militants killed in Afghanistan belonged to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and had taken shelter in Afghanistan,” CRSS Executive Director Imtiaz Gul told Pakistan Forward. A few militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) who had escaped from Shawal, North Waziristan, during Operation Zarb-e-Azb were killed in Afghanistan either in coalition air strikes or by Pakistani or Afghan security forces, he said. The killing of TTP and LeJ militants and...
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.