Current Projects

Afghan Officials Pin Hopes on Gen Raheel’s Visit

KABUL: Senior Afghan officials hope the upcoming visit of Pakistan’s army chief will not only provide an impetus to efforts for resurrecting a moribund peace process but also help mend fractured ties between the two neighbours. Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif is likely to visit Afghanistan this week, Pakistani and Afghan sources told The Express Tribune. “Both sides have agreed that the visit should take place before December 30,” said one Kabul-based Afghan source. A senior official in President Ashraf Ghani’s administration said Gen Raheel’s visit would have two dimensions. “The two sides will focus on ways to improve Pak-Afghan relations, and explore options for talks with the Taliban,” said the official who did not wish to be named. “We will also touch upon the understanding reached during the recent ministerial meeting of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process that envisages action against irreconcilable elements,” said the official, who was part of the Afghan delegation at the trilateral and quadrilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia conference in Islamabad. Officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the United States attended these meetings. “There is a window of opportunity over the next four months to push for peace because after that the Taliban would launch their so-called spring offensive which could create problems,” the Afghan official said. Last week, President Ghani said the peace process should resume “in weeks not months”. And a section of the Afghan media quoted National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar as saying that talks could begin in “two to three weeks”. A senior Pakistani official also said the resumption of talks should take “no longer than two weeks … I would say the first week of January we will see the process restart again.” He told Reuters that the current plan was for the meetings to be held in Pakistan. The aim was to bring Afghan and Pakistani leaders together with special representatives from China and...

Economic Corridor: Govt Plans New Train Tracks: Report

ISLAMABAD: From the shores of Arabian Sea to the ice-capped mountains of Khujarab Pass, the government has planned to lay and upgrade the railway tracks under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Under the plan, new lines will be laid from Gwadar to Quetta and Jacobabad via Besima, Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday. Over 560 kilometres long track will be laid from Bostan to Kotla Jam on Main Line-II via Zhob and Dera Ismail Khan. In addition, new track stretching 682 kilometres will also be laid from Havelian to Khunjrab on Pak-China border. The plan will see upgrading of 1,872 kilometres railway track from Karachi to Peshawar.

UAE to Gain from China-Pakistan Trade Link

ABU DHABI -A new trade link between China and Pakistan will greatly benefit the UAE and other GCC countries over the next five to 10 years, according to the Pakistani ambassador. Asif Durrani, who has been in the UAE for the past two years, said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which was introduced in April, would significantly increase trade in the region. “Chinese trade will grow with GCC countries,” he said. “In five years, the corridor will become almost fully operational, and Pakistan is the foremost transit country so this will enhance the trade with Pakistan and the GCC. It holds the best promise for GCC oil and gas exports.” Last week, the adviser to the Pakistani prime minister on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, said that Pakistan’s economic relations with the UAE would continue to expand. “This corridor will save large ships time and money through Gwadar [a city on the southwestern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan],” Mr Durrani said. “Right now, it is difficult for oil tankers but this is the largest deep seaport in the region so [Pakistan] will become the foremost transiting country. The UAE is the hub for the Middle East and North Africa, so this corridor will benefit the UAE a lot.” Analysts said the corridor is one of the largest trade development projects yet. “For China, the corridor is critical to the development of its western regions, which lag behind the rest of the country. So there’s important political dimensions for Beijing, as well as economic,” said Sabahat Khan, senior analyst at the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis in Dubai. “Beijing is also desperate to get a firm footing in Central Asian markets, and faster, cheaper access to the Middle East for its western regions. Pakistan sits at the crossroads between Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and the Arabian Gulf, so the corridor is a game-changer for the entire region.” He said the project was of great significance for the UAE. “The UAE will want to position itself...

Pakistani Regional Security Delegates Arrive for Track 1.5/ II in Kabul

A Nine member Pakistani delegation comprising senior security officials, members of parliament and media arrived in Kabul on Sunday December 20th, for the first round of meetings as part of a series of seven Track 1.5/II meetings between Afghan and Pakistani Security Sector Stakeholders and civil society leaders. This initiative titled -“Beyond Boundaries” - supported by the British Government is undertaken by Center of Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in partnership with Duran Research & Analysis (Afghanistan) and the Foundation for Integrated Development Action (FIDA). The project “Beyond Boundaries” has been launched as part of the efforts to help connect civil society and security stakeholders of both countries, improve relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The process comprises two working groups, the Regional Security Group, and Regional Civil Society Group, aimed at facilitating and promoting people-to-people contacts. The working groups on Regional Security and Regional Civil Society will address varied themes that are important in the peace process between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is also meant to build upon existing people to people relations and increase future contacts by building synergies and partnerships. The key objectives of the initiative are: expanding the peace constituency through friendship groups in both countries; improving support for better Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship through dialogue among the influential stakeholders; and informing policy makers through consensus recommendations. The Regional Civil Society Group has had two round of talks, in Islamabad (November 2015) and Kabul (December 2015). The third in a series of seven meetings marks the first meeting of the Regional Security between senior security and parliamentary stakeholders from both countries. These talks are taking place at a time of increased hope for mutual cooperation, particularly in the economic arena, especially after the Heart of Asia...

Paper: China-Pakistan Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

by Zeeshan Salahuddin, Senior Research Fellow, CRSS This paper was presented at the Comprehensively Promoting China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership Conference held at the China Institute for International Studies (CIIS), in Beijing, China, December 16-17, 2015. Introduction When we speak of countering terror, we devote a lot of time, effort and energy into eliminating the physical presence of the enemy. But as history has shown repeatedly, equally important is targeting the radical mindset behind such insurgencies or movements. In order to overcome the significant security threats faced by both of our great nations, we must also find ways to neutralize the ideological underpinnings of these groups and individuals, generate public consensus and support for these interventions, and strive for regional stability. It is in the mutual interest of both countries, part of our shared destiny, to counter and neutralize terror in all forms within Pakistan and China, as well as the immediate region A Game of Numbers In the pursuit of this, I present to you a game of numbers. We have three opportunities at present, and three corresponding threats to our combined way of existence, and the road forward, both literal in the form and PCEC and theoretical. Opportunities First, our three opportunities consist of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as minister councilor Yao Wen mentioned, the recently rekindled relations with India after a long period of mutual vitriol, and Pakistan's potential role in the region following the Heart of Asia conference. The CPEC is critical because it has given Pakistan what 60 years of US foreign policy could not give us: a tangible, long-term, mutually beneficial, economic reason to bring about peace, stability and build cooperation in the region. Riding the momentum from the NAP, the CPEC has only pushed the Pakistan security establishment in the right direction, where the distinction between friend and enemy is...

CPEC to Benefit Entire Region: President

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday said law and order situation had been improved because of huge sacrifices rendered by our armed forces. He was addressing a conference held under the auspices of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics in Islamabad. He said nation faced terrorism with determination due to which extremism and terrorism was decreasing day by day in the country. The president said foreign investors are coming to Pakistan after the restoration of law and order in the country. He said after the completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Pakistan would emerge as a key player in the region. The president said countries located in the region will also get benefits from CPEC. He said CPEC project would generate huge employment opportunities for youth. Mamnoon Hussain said government had launched a number of development projects to bring Pakistan at par with developed countries. He said the future of Pakistan was linked with these projects. He urged all segment of society to join hands with government to foil nefarious designs against these development projects. Mamnoon Hussain has said that coordination and harmony among all institutions was vital for the progress of society. The president also appreciated the services of PIDE for economic development in the country. Courtesy: Aaj.tv http://aaj.tv/2015/12/cpec-to-benefit-entire-region-president/

CPEC to Benefit Entire Region: President

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday said law and order situation had been improved because of huge sacrifices rendered by our armed forces. He was addressing a conference held under the auspices of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics in Islamabad. He said nation faced terrorism with determination due to which extremism and terrorism was decreasing day by day in the country. The president said foreign investors are coming to Pakistan after the restoration of law and order in the country. He said after the completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Pakistan would emerge as a key player in the region. The president said countries located in the region will also get benefits from CPEC. He said CPEC project would generate huge employment opportunities for youth. Mamnoon Hussain said government had launched a number of development projects to bring Pakistan at par with developed countries. He said the future of Pakistan was linked with these projects. He urged all segment of society to join hands with government to foil nefarious designs against these development projects. Mamnoon Hussain has said that coordination and harmony among all institutions was vital for the progress of society. The president also appreciated the services of PIDE for economic development in the country. Courtesy: Aaj.tv http://aaj.tv/2015/12/cpec-to-benefit-entire-region-president/

CPEC to Benefit Entire Region: President

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday said law and order situation had been improved because of huge sacrifices rendered by our armed forces. He was addressing a conference held under the auspices of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics in Islamabad. He said nation faced terrorism with determination due to which extremism and terrorism was decreasing day by day in the country. The president said foreign investors are coming to Pakistan after the restoration of law and order in the country. He said after the completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Pakistan would emerge as a key player in the region. The president said countries located in the region will also get benefits from CPEC. He said CPEC project would generate huge employment opportunities for youth. Mamnoon Hussain said government had launched a number of development projects to bring Pakistan at par with developed countries. He said the future of Pakistan was linked with these projects. He urged all segment of society to join hands with government to foil nefarious designs against these development projects. Mamnoon Hussain has said that coordination and harmony among all institutions was vital for the progress of society. The president also appreciated the services of PIDE for economic development in the country. Courtesy: Aaj.tv http://aaj.tv/2015/12/cpec-to-benefit-entire-region-president/

Chinese Hospitality Appreciated

Islamabad: The bonds of friendship between Pakistan and China are strong despite the cultural differences between the two countries. To promote goodwill and also understanding of this difference, the embassy of China has been sending Pakistani women from different walks of life to visit China and experience the hospitality and cultural sites and sounds of the country. The groups include artists, entrepreneurs, teachers, ladies of the Foreign Office and those from showbiz. To show her appreciation and discuss the visit, a member of one group, Fauzia Memon, a woman with multiple interests, hosted a lunch at her residence which was attended by other group members and a few other ladies. The guest of honour was the friendly wife of the ambassador of China, Diana Bao who is also on the Board of the International Foreign Women’s Association. (IFWA). It was a working day so there were a few late arrivals but those who were present set the ball rolling and related their experiences about the wonderful time they had and how much they had learned about the country. Some of them spoke of the shopping and how inexpensive things were even those in high end stores; a couple of them who were impressed with the heritage sites marveled at the way they had been preserved and were looked after; the art lovers were in raptures over the artwork and all of them had taken the opportunity to buy pearls as gifts for friends and family! When questioned about women from China coming on reciprocal trips the guest of honour replied, “Maybe next year” but I think she was being diplomatic and they are probably waiting for an invitation from the government of Pakistan! One of the ladies did say something to that effect but she only got smiles in return, which kind of confirmed the presumption. When they do come it will be chance to show our appreciation and the hospitality for which we are generally known. Lunch featured Syrian -- or Mediterranean -- cuisine and there was a great interest shown...

Impressions from Kabul

Pakistan believes I am pro-India. Yes, I am and there are reasons for every Afghan to be pro-India.” This is how Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of the Afghanistan’s Unity Government begins his talks after formally greeting the Pakistani delegation of Afghanistan-Pakistan Track 1.5/2 Dialogue at his palatial office in the heart of Kabul. For the visiting Pakistani delegates, Dr Abdullah’s comments were not unusual. Their interactions with senior media persons, members of civil society, cabinet ministers and political elites had made them realise that the only issue on which all Afghans are united is ‘hatred for Pakistan’. Any Afghan you meet in Kabul will tell you — “Pakistan is imposing Taliban on us”. But, personally, this unprecedented hike in anti-Pakistan sentiment among the Kabulis is quite alarming. This level of mistrust and hatred was never witnessed during the previous visits to Afghan capital. Despite the negative sentiment for Pakistan, the delegates of Pakistan-Afghanistan Track 1.5/II peace initiative titled ‘Beyond Boundaries’, jointly organised by Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies and the Kabul-based Durran Research & Analysis, were warmly received. The delegates met the former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, cabinet members, political leaders and Dr Abdullah. “We have foreign guests… Pakistani diplomats,” our liaison officer Taufiq tells security officials as we were stopped at a check post while entering the highly secured Wazir Akbar Khan locality. “…And the Indian diplomats too,” Taufiq hastily added. “Diplomathaani Hindi and Pakistani” in Dari when the check post guards further argued. “Diplomathaani Hindi,” the security guard quipped with a smile and let the car pass without further questioning. “The reason is simple. Afghans believe India wants peace and development in Afghanistan,” said Waheed Omar, an Afghan delegate who was a spokesman for the former president, Hamid Karzai. The incident at the...