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Aug 8 Attack Mastermind Arrested, Says CM Zehri

Balcohistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri on Thursday announced the arrest of both the mastermind and facilitators of the Civil Hospital massacre which left more than 70 people dead in Quetta. No other details were provided by the chief minister. At the same time, he said, the perpetrators behind the Police Training College suicide attack were being actively pursued. Zehri said that a joint investigation team (JIT), comprising senior officials and experienced investigators, had already been formed to probe the attack. He contended that if the previous governments had taken effective action, the security situation in the province would have been far better. Referring to a terrorist attack in which he was personally targeted and his son, brother and other family members lost their lives, he said he boldly faced terrorists and had pledged to eliminate them once for all. Outlining his government’s achievements, he said that the national anthem, once shunned in all educational institutions, was sung in all schools and colleges across Balochistan. He said that terrorists were beating a hasty retreat. “Pakistan’s flag is now being proudly unfurled everywhere in Balochistan, confirming that terrorists and separatists have been defeated,” he added. The chief minister also presided over another meeting which reviewed development plans for Kalat division. This article originally appeared in The Express Tribune , 11 November, 2016. Original link. Disclaimer: Views expressed in the article are not necessarily supported by CRSS.

WB Urges Pakistan, India to Agree On Mediation

The World Bank (WB) on Thursday urged India and Pakistan to agree to mediation in order to settle on a mechanism for how the Indus Water Treaty should be used to resolve issues regarding two dams under construction along the Indus river system. The Bank released a statement in which it made the appeal telling both the countries that it was responding to their separate proceedings initiated under the Indus Water Treaty 1960. It also held a drawing of a lot to determine who will appoint three umpires to sit on the Court of Arbitration that Pakistan has requested. It proposed to the two countries the names of three potential candidates for appointment as neutral experts, following India’s request. “The World Bank Group has a strictly procedural role under the Indus Water Treaty and the treaty does not allow it to choose whether one procedure should take precedence over the other. This is why we drew a lot and proposed potential candidates for the neutral expert today,” said senior Vice President and the Bank's Group General Counsel Anne-Marie Leroy. “What is clear, though, is that pursuing two concurrent processes under the treaty could make it unworkable over time and we therefore urge both the parties to agree on mediation that the World Bank Group can help arrange. The two countries can also agree to suspend the two processes during the mediation process or at any time until the processes are concluded.” The Indus Water Treaty 1960 is seen as one of the most successful international treaties and has withstood frequent tensions between India and Pakistan, including conflict. The Bank is a signatory to the Treaty. The Treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers, known as the Permanent Indus Commission which includes a commissioner from each of the two countries. It also sets out a process for resolving so-called “questions”, “differences” and “disputes” that may arise between the...

Ties With Trump’s America

INTO the void of uncertainty that is the policy outlook of US president-elect Donald Trump, has stepped Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In congratulating Mr Trump on his election victory, Mr Sharif has struck a sensible note: recognising the essential democratic nature of his soon-to-be American counterpart’s victory; noting the long-standing relationship between the two countries; and mentioning the need for the US and Pakistan to work together for the common causes of peace, stability, security and prosperity in this region. Yet, there ought to be a clear-eyed understanding of the potential challenges ahead. The American voter has installed in power a US president and Congress that are neither drawn to the idea of deepening ties with Pakistan nor necessarily willing to continue the old ways of doing business between the two countries. With Mr Trump, the major concern is obvious: he may choose to see Pakistan predominantly through an Indian, or perhaps even Afghan, prism. The vexed issue of hyphenation — Pakistan on some issues wanting to be considered in the same policy breath as India and regarded separately in others — has long bedevilled the Pak-US relationship. Complicating that issue are at least two factors. First, there is a government in India that may not only see a natural ally in Mr Trump, but could move quickly to try and cast Pakistan as a common rival of India and the US. Second, Mr Trump’s campaign rhetoric on China and his need to perhaps reassure the world about some policy continuity could translate into a quick embrace of the current Indian government’s priorities. Certainly, the triangular Pak-India-US relationship is not a zero-sum game and Pakistani policymakers should not fall into the trap once again of viewing it so. However, policymakers here should prepare for both possibilities — that a Trump presidency may seek to positively influence the Pak-India relationship, help defuse regional tensions and possibly nudge India towards addressing...

The Things Trump Has Said About Pakistan

While the world still reels from quite possibly the most shocking election result in US history, the key concern for Pakistan is what Trump’s unexpected victory means for the country. The president-elect has made numerous statements on Pakistan but most have been in passing and don’t necessarily hint at an unfavourable policy shift towards Pakistan. But who knows with Donald. Here’s what we found so far: Pakistan-India relations: Trump’s election has Pakistanis wary that he may accelerate what they see as a shift in American policy to favour arch-foe India in the long rivalry between nuclear-armed neighbours, analysts said on Wednesday. Top of Form Do you think Pakistan's relations with US will improve under Trump? Yes No Business as usual View Results Polls are non-scientific, reflect only the online audience and can be manipulated. Bottom of Form Donald Trump has hinted at playing the role of a “mediator or arbitrator” in appeasing the current flare-up of tensions between India and Pakistan. “If it was necessary I would do that. If we could get India and Pakistan getting along, I would be honoured to do that. That would be a tremendous achievement… I think if they wanted me to, I would love to be the mediator or arbitrator,” Trump said in response to a question during an exclusive interview with the Hindustan Times. “If I’m elected president, the Indian and Hindu community will have a true friend in the White House, that I can guarantee you,” said Trump at an event sponsored by the Republican Hindu Coalition to raise money for victims of terrorism. “We will defeat radical ‘Islamic terrorism” when I’m president. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with India in sharing intelligence and keeping our people safe mutually,” he added. Pakistan’s nuclear weapons: Donald Trump said in March that Pakistan is a vital country for the United States because it has nuclear weapons. He also told Fox News in May he would favour keeping nearly 10,000 US troops in Afghanistan...

CPEC Route Through Mianwali A Bombshell For Landowners

A compulsory land acquisition award notification has been issued in connection with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for nine revenue estates in Mianwali tehsil. This ends speculation about the corridor’s route, which had remained a mystery for some time. A similar notification is expected for land in Isakhel tehsil. When the corridor was announced last year, the route it would take had become the centre of a hot debate. Yet the government had remained silent on the subject until the recent notification outlined the inclusion of Mianwali district in the corridor. It appears as if some powerful people, with the right connections, had an idea about the CPEC route as several business tycoons had been purchasing land in the designated estates for a few months. MPA Dr Salahudin Khan (PP-44) told Dawn that Package-3 of the CPEC ran in his constituency yet the National Highways Authority had never shared the details with him. He confirmed that land transactions had occurred at a large-scale over the last few months and that the secrecy around it was to benefit the buyers. Business tycoons lured people into selling their land prior to issuance of acquisition notification Those who had sold land in the area prior to the notification said they had been lured into selling land at market or slightly higher rates. The announcement of the route this week shot up prices overnight. Several residents of the district shared how they had viewed the land deals with suspicion but had no idea that it would be a part of the CPEC route. The buyers include auto-industry owners, a business tycoon who has recently entered the real estate world and a member of the ruling family. “We feel robbed of our valuable land by tricksy businessmen,” one of the land sellers said. Prior to the notification, thousands of kanals of barani land in Massan mauza had been traded. A company named SAS Co had bought 6,000 kanals, Khalid Nadeem of Rawalpindi had bought 1,300 kanals and Haji Sikandar...

Trump’s Offer Of Mediation Between Pak, India On Kashmir Dispute Welcome: Foreign Office

Foreign Office (FO) Spokesman Nafees Zakaria on Thursday said that Pakistan 'welcomed' the US president-elect Donald Trump's offer to mediate between Pakistan and India on the Kashmir dispute, Radio Pakistan reported. During a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, while responding to queries about the victory of Republican Donald Trump in the US presidential elections, Zakaria said that the president-elect had earlier offered mediation between Pakistan and India on Kashmir dispute and said that Pakistan had welcomed that offer. Zakaria reiterated Pakistan's concern over continued 'atrocities' committed by Indian forces in held Kashmir and said Pakistan would continue to raise the issue at the international level and extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the cause of the Kashmiris. The FO said Pakistan desires a close relationship with the US, and wishes to further strengthen ties in areas including the economy, defence, science and technology, education, strategic issues and counter-terrorism. Pakistan will continue to promote and strengthen existing ties in areas of common interest, the FO said. Responding to a question regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, the FO said Pakistan has approached the World Bank to establish a Court of Arbitration regarding the matter and is looking forward to its establishment at the earliest. Pakistan lodges protest The Foreign Secretary on Thursday summoned the Indian High Commissioner and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary, said a statement released by the Foreign Office. "The Foreign Secretary summoned the Indian High Commissioner this evening and condemned the continued unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation Forces on the LoC and the Working Boundary, in complete violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and the International Law," said the statement. The Foreign Secretary urged India to investigate the continued incidents of...

Trump's Offer Of Mediation Between Pak, India On Kashmir Dispute Welcome: Foreign Office

Foreign Office (FO) Spokesman Nafees Zakaria on Thursday said that Pakistan 'welcomed' the US president-elect Donald Trump's offer to mediate between Pakistan and India on the Kashmir dispute, Radio Pakistan reported. During a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, while responding to queries about the victory of Republican Donald Trump in the US presidential elections, Zakaria said that the president-elect had earlier offered mediation between Pakistan and India on Kashmir dispute and said that Pakistan had welcomed that offer. Zakaria reiterated Pakistan's concern over continued 'atrocities' committed by Indian forces in held Kashmir and said Pakistan would continue to raise the issue at the international level and extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the cause of the Kashmiris. The FO said Pakistan desires a close relationship with the US, and wishes to further strengthen ties in areas including the economy, defence, science and technology, education, strategic issues and counter-terrorism. Pakistan will continue to promote and strengthen existing ties in areas of common interest, the FO said. Responding to a question regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, the FO said Pakistan has approached the World Bank to establish a Court of Arbitration regarding the matter and is looking forward to its establishment at the earliest. Pakistan lodges protest The Foreign Secretary on Thursday summoned the Indian High Commissioner and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary, said a statement released by the Foreign Office. "The Foreign Secretary summoned the Indian High Commissioner this evening and condemned the continued unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation Forces on the LoC and the Working Boundary, in complete violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and the International Law," said the statement. The Foreign Secretary urged India to investigate the continued incidents of...

A Blessing in Disguise For Pakistan?

Here you have it! As unreal as it sounds, Donald J Trump is the next president of the United States of America. While the world still reels from quite possibly the most shocking election result in US history, the key concern for Pakistan is what Trump’s unexpected victory means for the country. There are no easy answers. The reason is that Trump has dropped no clear hint on his possible foreign policy, let alone on Pakistan, during the bruising election campaign. Second, the element of unpredictability that the president-elect brings with him has cut out the work of Pakistani policymakers to come up with a prudent strategy. Top of Form Do you think Pakistan's relations with US will improve under Trump?Bottom of Form Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wasted no time in sending a felicitation message to Trump for his victory in the hope that the two countries would work together to improve their relations under his presidency. But his felicitation message aside, strategic and foreign policy experts have a word of caution for the government. At the same time, however, they see an opportunity for Pakistan in this changing scenario. “Pakistan will have to wait and see,” said defence analyst Lt-Gen (retd) Talat Masood, who like the rest of the world did not expect Trump to win. Although there will be no ‘fundamental’ change in the US policy towards Pakistan, the Trump administration may be more assertive, he said. “He [Trump] will be more demanding….he may put more pressure on Pakistan when it comes to the war on terror.” Historically, Pakistan-US relations have been security driven. Their current engagement is also primarily linked to the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan. Despite being allies, their cooperation has often been marred by misgivings and trust deficit. The main stumbling block over the years has been the concern in the US administration that Pakistan was not doing enough to deal with certain militant groups. Islamabad, however, has its own complaints...

‘Black Money One of the Main Sources To Fund Terrorism’: Afghanistan Welcomes India’s Decision On Demonetisation

Underlining that black money is one of the main sources of funding terror activities, Afghanistan on welcomed India's decision to demonetise high-denomination currency, saying the move will benefit the region. Afghan Ambassador to India Shaida Abdali said the move will help curb economic terrorism by foiling the usage of counterfeit currency for terror activities. "Black money is one of the main sources of funding for activities related to terrorism. And therefore it will help in fighting against it. Terrorism certainly has no boundary and so India's move will help the region too," he said on the sidelines of the 'Heart of Asia' seminar in New Delhi. The two-day seminar, organised by International Council for World Affairs (ICWA), is being held in the run-up to the 'Heart of Asia' conference in Amritsar in December, which India will co-chair with Afghanistan. Earlier, speaking at the event, Abdali appreciated the role of 'Heart of Asia' in the stabilisation of Afghanistan and the region while pitching for for bold, result-oriented regional leadership. "The National Unity Government of Afghanistan took unprecedented steps to address the question of terrorism and improve our relations with Pakistan. We have exchanged with Pakistan several delegations, to secure Pakistan's cooperation in ending war and violence," he said. "We appreciated the initial gestures of goodwill of the Pakistani government...but we are yet to see tangible steps to be taken towards the peace process," he said. He said zero-sum postures must be discarded and win-win strategies adopted to secure Afghanistan against the same threats that undermine the security of every nation in South Asia and Central Asia, and the countries that neighbour these resourceful regions in Asia. Abdali said a well-defined regional counter-terrorism strategy was a necessity and no longer an option for stabilisation. The seminar is being attended by representative from several member and supporting countries of 'Heart...

'Black Money One of the Main Sources To Fund Terrorism': Afghanistan Welcomes India's Decision On Demonetisation

Underlining that black money is one of the main sources of funding terror activities, Afghanistan on welcomed India's decision to demonetise high-denomination currency, saying the move will benefit the region. Afghan Ambassador to India Shaida Abdali said the move will help curb economic terrorism by foiling the usage of counterfeit currency for terror activities. "Black money is one of the main sources of funding for activities related to terrorism. And therefore it will help in fighting against it. Terrorism certainly has no boundary and so India's move will help the region too," he said on the sidelines of the 'Heart of Asia' seminar in New Delhi. The two-day seminar, organised by International Council for World Affairs (ICWA), is being held in the run-up to the 'Heart of Asia' conference in Amritsar in December, which India will co-chair with Afghanistan. Earlier, speaking at the event, Abdali appreciated the role of 'Heart of Asia' in the stabilisation of Afghanistan and the region while pitching for for bold, result-oriented regional leadership. "The National Unity Government of Afghanistan took unprecedented steps to address the question of terrorism and improve our relations with Pakistan. We have exchanged with Pakistan several delegations, to secure Pakistan's cooperation in ending war and violence," he said. "We appreciated the initial gestures of goodwill of the Pakistani government...but we are yet to see tangible steps to be taken towards the peace process," he said. He said zero-sum postures must be discarded and win-win strategies adopted to secure Afghanistan against the same threats that undermine the security of every nation in South Asia and Central Asia, and the countries that neighbour these resourceful regions in Asia. Abdali said a well-defined regional counter-terrorism strategy was a necessity and no longer an option for stabilisation. The seminar is being attended by representative from several member and supporting countries of 'Heart...