Current Projects
Why Does India Want Pakistan And China’s CPEC To Fail? [ANALYSIS]
CPEC may be a game-changer project for the entire Asia, but India is doing everything it can to disrupt the multi-billion joint China and Pakistan project. While China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an ambitious project for improving connectivity and economic integrity in the region, there is one Asian nation that opposes the project and views it as a threat to its security, defense and strategy interests. That country is – India – Pakistan and China’s traditional rival that has nuclear weapons. 7 Reasons Why India Is Worried About CPEC India has several major issues with CPEC, which is a 3,000-kilometer sophisticated network of roads, railways and pipelines that connect Xinjiang in China to Gwadar in Pakistan. CPEC passes through Pakistani regions disputed by India. The two nuclear-armed neighbors claim Kashmir as their own. Islamabad and New Delhi have fought three wars over the disputed territory, including the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1947 and 1965, as well as the Kargil War in 1999. India fears that CPEC may result in internationalization of the Kashmir dispute, and China – with its tremendous influence both in Asia and in the international community – would eventually win the Kashmir dispute in favor of Pakistan, safeguarding and guaranteeing the integrity of CPEC, in which Beijing has invested $46 billion. India is concerned over China’s military presence in the Indian Ocean. The CPEC project will enable China to get direct access to the Arabian Sea, which could embolden the Chinese to substantially step up their military presence there, something that India views as an existential threat. India is worried that China is planning to use the Gwadar port –deep-sea port located in Pakistan’s Balochistan province – to monitor India’s naval activity and allegedly even exploit it to expand and improve its own navy. However, China’s naval power is already almost 4x times stronger than India’s (714 vs 295 of fleet strength, according to Global Fire Power). India is...
Who is the real winner in Af-Pak tensions?
Recently, when Pakistan decided to move heavy artillery towards the Afghan border, many wondered if a full-scale war was about to be initiated between the two countries. Surprisingly, Kabul refrained from retaliating when Pakistani forces shelled terror camps on the other side of the border. It was hard to fathom such an action as Afghanistan has always been considered “a brotherly neighbour”. Where India has always remained our nemesis, Afghanistan now might well be pilfering the former’s title of being our “arch rival”. So how did we end up in this mess where brothers have turned into fierce rivals? Firstly, since 2001, both the countries have fuelled a never-ending cycle of blame game. This back and forth blame game was activated soon after major attacks took place in both countries. Even though Pakistan’s blame is divided between Afghanistan and India, Afghanistan’s current and only scapegoat is Pakistan. Secondly, the shift in regional alliances has also somewhat contributed in souring these ties. While Hamid Karzai was less explicit in his support for India, President Ashraf Ghani, on the other hand, has embraced the country with open arms. He holds India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “brother replacement” for Pakistan. The shifting of these alliances was witnessed recently in a couple of high-profile meetings in India and Russia. When the Heart of Asia conference was organised in Amritsar last year, Afghanistan not only joined hands with India in shaming Pakistan and calling it a ‘facilitator of terror’, it also refused a generous amount of financial aid from Islamabad. It seemed as if President Ghani was more than okay to play Modi’s sidekick in supposedly isolating Pakistan on the global stage – an Indian policy still far from fruition. Nonetheless, Afghanistan’s stand surely angered Pakistan. Kabul was irked by Russia organising a trilateral moot on Afghanistan in Moscow, inviting only China and Pakistan to discuss the imminent rise of Islamic...
Role of Community Vital for Crime-Control
The role of public is crucial for crime control in the society in its partnership with police. The radio programs as part of Ulasi Police project have helped us incorporating several policing needs of the communities into our services on-offer. The advocacy and awareness campaign of this project has been critical in ameliorating the public-police trust deficit. The Charsadda Police, showing an exceptional courage and valor, foiled a major terror attack; stopping three suicide bombers from causing havoc at a local court. The efforts for the capacity building of KP police have made them much more capable of fighting terrorism. The Dispute Resolution Council in Charsadda is an extremely important forum for addressing the civil matters of local population. These were the remarks made by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Nazir Khan during a consultative meeting on police reforms at Model Police Station, Sardheri, Charsadda. The meeting was a part of the project “Ulasi Police”, which is an awareness and advocacy campaign undertaken by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) – as part of USAID Small Grants and Ambassadors’ Fund Program – to strengthen the rule of law in KP province by promoting and disseminating the significant police reforms aimed at incorporating local communities’ policing needs and international human rights standards. The endeavor aims to tackle the trust deficit between the public and police, help KP police become an accountable and community-focused police force. Mr. Nazir Khan said that the gaps between the public and police could give rise to crimes in the society. The Charsadda police is performing quite well and successfully preempting terrorist attacks. Had the tragedy in local courts not been averted, it would have been a catastrophe. The Charsadda police has also arrested most of the terrorists involved in the target killing of several police officials. At the core of initiatives for the capacity building of KP...
Future Implications of Afghan Moot in Moscow
Russia announced this week that it is going to convene a six-party conference on Afghanistan with high level representation from regional powers in mid-February. It reiterated its stance to include the Taliban in the constructive dialogue. This time the leading regional stakeholders include the Afghan Government, India and Iran, in addition to China and Pakistan, which had been part of the first round of trilateral talks held in Moscow on December 27, 2016. The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a press conference on February 7 in the presence of his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani who was on a trip to Moscow at the time. Back in December 2016, the Afghan Government had been upset for not being invited to the trilateral meeting which ostensibly discussed “the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan” but also expressed support for the ‘reintegration of armed opposition into peaceful life’ as a way to facilitate an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and conciliation process. In the joint statement released after the first trilateral talks, China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, even confirmed their “flexible approach to delisting Afghan individuals from the UN sanctions lists”, a condition put forth by the Taliban for engaging in reconciliation talks. This came at a time when the militant Islamic State group had expanded its presence in Afghanistan, battling against not only the Afghan Government but also some of the Afghan Taliban factions. Following reports about a growing Russia-Taliban thaw, the Afghan Government raised concerns over such moves. However, Russia has claimed to be concerned about the expansion of Daesh operatives in Afghanistan and has argued that the meeting with the Taliban is to combat Daesh in Afghanistan. Russia has made it clear that it fully backs the present government in Kabul but condemns the growing terrorism in Afghanistan. In Russia’s view, including the Taliban on...
Afghan Weekly (Feb 17 - Feb 23, 2017)
Pakistan has experienced one of the ferocious weeks in recent history. More than 100 people have been killed in a series of attacks across the country. In response, the country’s military launched a countrywide armed operation, named Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, on February 22 to eliminate what it claimed were terrorists found to have ties to Afghanistan’s militants after a suicide attack on a packed shrine in the southern city of Sehwan killed at least 88 worshipers. The Islamic State Khorasan, ISIS’ affiliate in Afghanistan and Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the bombing in a phone call to CNN.[1] In the aftermath, Pakistan demanded from the Afghan government to hand over 75 terrorists, who supposedly planned, directed and supported terrorism across the border.[2] All routes along the Durand Line with Afghanistan have been closed in the same connection. Authorities issued shoot-at-sight orders for those found trying to cross over the border illegally.[3] As a result, traffic and transit trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan also remained suspended. In response, the Afghan government rejected the allegations regarding recent attacks inside Pakistan and impressed upon the necessity to work together against the menace of terrorism. This was followed by the receipt of a demarche from the Afghan Foreign Ministry demanding the arrest and handover of 85 leaders of Taliban, Haqqani Network and other terrorist groups and action against 32 alleged terrorist training centers inside Pakistan. The Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah responded to the situation saying, “Afghanistan is a victim of terrorism and it is unfair to accuse the state of supporting terror and violence”.[4] The spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Nafees Zakaria, yesterday also said that terrorism is the common enemy of both Pakistan and Afghanistan and effective border management is vital for preventing the cross-border movement of terrorists.[5] While hours after Lahore...
Sabawoon Showcase: February 21, 2016
Regional Review of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) The latest episode of Da Simay Jaaj (regional review) took up different issues of public concern such as potable water, terrorism, language, and education. The lack of safe and clean drinking water in Mingora, Swat, has caused many diseases while the district administration is negligent to the issue. A mega project of water was announced a year ago but so far, it has not been implemented. The bomb-blasts in Mohmand Agency on February14 and Charsadda on February21 and their victims were also discussed. To spread awareness about the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity, the International Mother Language Day (IMLD) was observed in KP. Finally, the show shed light on the initiation of various awareness campaigns by the political administration in Kurram Agency to promote quality education, the spirit of accountability and eradicate the culture of cheating in examinations. Callers Response: Two callers participated via live calls. They appreciated the sacrifices of KP police in the war against terror. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Simay Jaaj gives an overview of the top stories from KP and FATA regions. Jwandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for, youth, students and women. Socio-cultural affairs are discussed in Ranra on Thursday.
Sabawoon Showcase: February 20, 2017
Recent wave of terrorism and the Government’s strategies to tackle this menace The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) discussed the recent surge in terrorist activities across Pakistan and the government’s plans to counter this threat. The show also analyzed the role of Operation Zarb-e-Azab, National Action Plan (NAP) and political parties in curbing terrorism, military courts and the punishments of terrorists, presence of terrorist groups in Pakistan, status of Afghan refugees, violence- and conflict-related content in the curriculum of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) educational institutions, Pakistan’s relations with neighboring countries, and mainstreaming the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Mr. Arif Yousaf, Advisor to the chief minister of KP, and Mr. Kashif Uddin, a Peshawar-based senior journalist, took part in the show as studio guests. Mr. Yousaf said: “Full implementation of the NAP is vital to eliminate terrorism and militancy. Therefore, both federal and provincial governments should be on the same page in executing NAP.” Mr. Kashif said: “The time has come for political parties to get united, mainstream FATA and take serious measures against terrorist groups in Pakistan.” A radio report shared the data about the recent bomb blasts in the country and their victims. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Simay Jaaj gives an overview of the top stories from KP and FATA regions. Jwandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and...
Tangible Solution to Ongoing Political Turmoil?
Just one week after a suicide bomber blew himself up and killed at least 88 people at the Lal Shabaz Qalandar Shrine in Sehwan the military in Pakistan has announced the launch of “Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad”. An operation designed to clean up society from the (existential threats) enemies that are attacking its unity and integrity, creating differences (religious, sectarian) and disputes (political and social through violent means) within it and challenging its very right to exist. Has this not been vowed and tried before by the State? What makes the current military operation different from others that the military had launched before? There is little doubt in the minds of most of the security analyst that the current rise in the violent actions (suicide bombings) in Pakistan is linked to the announcement of holding the final of PSL (Pakistan Super League in Lahore). Lahore was the first city that appeared as a target on the radar screen of the terrorists and since then the upsurge in the suicide attacks that we have witnessed has engulfed the entire country. Ironically, the cost in terms of causalities at Lal Shahbaz Shrine suicide bombing was quite similar to the one at APS Peshawar (145 people were killed including 132 schoolchildren) that took place on 16 Dec 2014. Like Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad the (military sponsored and suggested) National Action Plan (NAP) was also announced just days after the cowardly incident at APS Peshawar. On that occasion PM Nawaz Sharif chaired the all political parties conference and in a rare show of political consensus it was decided not only to set up military courts but also undertake a number of military and non-military activities to tackle the problem of terrorism in this country — the announcement of initiation of NAP was made personally by PM Nawaz Sharif in a countrywide televised address to the nation. Announced under a familiar condition of national vulnerability — NAP demonstrated political ownership whereas Operation...
The Spate of Terrorist Attacks in Pakistan
In the space of five days in mid-February, Pakistan suffered ten acts of terrorism, affecting all four of its provinces. On February 13th a suicide bomber killed 15 people outside the provincial assembly in Punjab, including two senior police officers. On February 16th more than 80 were killed and over 200 injured when another suicide bomber targeted the throngs of worshippers at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a Sufi shrine in the southern province of Sindh. Yet more bombs killed police and soldiers in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), along the border with Afghanistan. The attacks are all the more shocking because deaths from terrorism in Pakistan have fallen dramatically in recent years (see chart), the result of a sustained counter-terrorism campaign by the security services. Swathes of territory once lost to militants have been recovered. Operation Zarb-e-Azb, launched in 2014 to retake North Waziristan, a part of FATA that had become a jihadist stronghold, was a turning point. Until then, fretful politicians had postponed confrontation with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistani offshoot of the militant Muslim group that ruled Afghanistan until the American invasion of 2001 and threatens its government to this day. It was a faction of the TTP that claimed responsibility for the attack on the Punjab assembly. Islamic State, the extremist group that controls parts of Iraq and Syria, said it was responsible for the bombing of the Qalandar shrine, although it is likely to have worked through a local group. But Pakistan’s army identified a third culprit: Afghanistan. It said the Afghan government was not doing enough to stamp out militant groups, and that the militants, in turn, were using Afghanistan as a base to plan attacks in Pakistan. It closed all border crossings and shelled what it said were militant camps on the Afghan side of the border. The army also demanded the immediate arrest of 76 terrorists it...
Terrorism is the common enemy of Pakistan, Afghanistan: FO
Spokesperson for the Foreign Office, Nafees Zakaria, has said that terrorism is the common enemy of both Pakistan and Afghanistan and effective border management is vital for preventing the cross-border movement of terrorists. He expressed these views while responding to a question in a weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday. Zakaria stated that the enemies of Pakistan and Afghanistan are taking advantage of the turmoil in Afghanistan and using its soil to orchestrate terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan is ready to work with Afghanistan on those issues in the spirit of mutual respect, trust, and cooperation. He underlined the need for working together by the two countries in order to combat terrorism. Responding a question, he said that Pakistan is committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan and supports the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) and other roadmaps aimed at bringing peace in Afghanistan. On the Afghan government's complaints regarding refugees in Pakistan, Zakaria affirmed that Pakistan is providing all possible support to the refugees here. He assured the gathering that the Pak-Afghan border will be opened in due course. Regarding suspected Indian involvement in the recent wave of terrorism, he said that law enforcement agencies were investigating the matter. Pakistan does not want to give a knee-jerk reaction, "We do not believe in rhetoric, though Indian involvement in terrorism and terror financing in Pakistan to destabilise the country is a well-proven fact," he added. He believed that the enemy was taking advantage of the turmoil in Afghanistan and using its soil to launch terrorist attacks against Pakistan. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has issued instructions to deal with the terrorists with absolute resolve, while the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies' personnel are pursuing their aims to eradicate the threat from the country. He shared that almost all Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) member countries...
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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.