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Pakistan’s Persistent Security Challenges

On 2 December 2015, Pakistan executed four militants involved in the 16 December 2014 attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar. The hour-long siege of the school had resulted in the deaths of 151 persons, including 125 children. The executions were possible because the government lifted a seven-year old moratorium on the death penalty in response to the security crisis. Among the country’s security concerns are religiously inspired militants in its north-western border territories and politically patronised criminal syndicates in the south. To make matters worse, Pakistan continues to have extremely volatile relations with both Afghanistan to the west and India to the east. Pakistan’s war on terror and criminal gangs expanded during 2015 with a discernible decline in violent incidents across the country. The attack on the Army Public School galvanised the top civilian and military leadership to create the 20-point National Action Plan (NAP) in January — virtually the first counter-terrorism roadmap in Pakistan. The NAP aimed to strengthen the National Counterterrorism Authority, renew action against communication networks between terrorist organisations and rescind the moratorium on executions. By early December 2015, the number of executions had surged to nearly 300, most of them convicts who had been on death row for years. Both the President Mamnoon Hussain and the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif dismissed appeals for mercy at special military courts, which were established following the Peshawar attack. Building upon Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which began in June 2014, military and civilian law enforcement agencies have also continued raids against terrorist networks and criminal syndicates nestled in the mountainous northwest bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan’s re-evaluation of its counter-terrorism measures has created an unprecedented space for critical discourse on other fundamental issues. Take for example the Supreme Court’s recent observations in...

Fear and Hope In Kabul

The air in Kabul is filled with acute scepticism, fearful uncertainty and a bit of optimism pinned on the inauguration of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline and the expected visit by Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif. Most Kabulites, both ordinary citizens as well as the ruling elites, remain extremely sceptical of Pakistan’s commitment to counterterrorism. They continue to be wary of Pakistan’s ‘nexus’ with the Taliban and the Haqqanis. They also point to the existence of jihadi groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, as something contrary to Islamabad’s claim that “Afghanistan’s enemy is Pakistan’s enemy”. They still insist that Operation Zarb-e-Azb excluded the Afghan Taliban from action on the ground. Accompanying this scepticism is the fearful uncertainty that the relentless Taliban attacks and advances — Kunduz, Helmand, Ningarhar and the suicide bombing on a Nato base near Bagram on December 21 — are generating. Most Afghans view this terror campaign as a ploy to bring the Taliban back. This situation makes the majority of Afghans uncertain about the future of the current National Unity Government (NUG) and is instilling fear in them. The situation is also marked by impatience vis-a-vis Pakistan, as well as disagreements within the NUG over whether to talk to the Taliban or to take them on as terrorists who are killing Afghan women and children indiscriminately. If Afghans agree on this, Pakistan should respond accordingly and not spare anybody who is using its soil for planning terror inside Afghanistan. Amidst this uncertainty, the government has announced that the TAPI pipeline would create about 7,000 jobs — a promise that has rekindled some hope. This optimism has received further impetus by the news of General Raheel Sharif’s impending visit. Some in Kabul are hoping this visit might inject new confidence in the bilateral relationship. This is how one could sum up the Afghan reservations and observations...

Experts Call for Strict Pak-Afghan Border Management

KABUL: With militants crossing Pak-Afghan border becoming a major issue, experts from Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to put in place a stronger, mutually coordinated border management mechanism. This decision was taken at an unofficial security dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan that concluded in Kabul on Tuesday. Retired generals, parliamentarians and security experts from both sides deliberated upon key issues and would now share their recommendations with their respective governments. A joint declaration issued after the conference called for devising a formal mechanism to coordinate security operations on both sides of the border. It recommended establishing hotlines and developing other communication systems between commanders on ground for intelligence sharing and enforcing developing standard operating procedures. This was the first round of meetings as part of a series of seven Track 1.5/II meetings between Afghan and Pakistani security sector stakeholders. This initiative supported by the British government is organised by the Centre of Research and Security Studies in partnership with Duran Research & Analysis (Afghanistan) and the Foundation for Integrated Development Action (FIDA). Organisers say the project has been launched in an effort to help connect civil society and security stakeholders of both countries, improve relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Participants of the dialogue also met Afghan Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah, who described terrorism as a common threat and stressed that all countries in the region should fight jointly. “There should be no bad and good terrorists,” he said.”Afghanistan’s sovereignty should be respected.” He added Kabul wanted amicable relations with all neighbours. “We do not want any interference and hope that others will also follow the same policies,” he said. The dialogue also stressed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be condemned and violence by non-state...

Kabul: Security Workshop for Pak-Afghan Track-2 Talks Ends

ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Regional security workshop arranged in Kabul for Pak-Afghan Track-2 talks on Tuesday ended. Joint action for stopping terrorists’ funding, establishment of hotline for better border management and integrated action against terrorists, reported Dunya News. A 7-point declaration was released at the end of the operation which said that all kinds of terrorism must be condemned on both sides of the border. It also stated that the extremist actions by non-state actors will be considered terrorism. Moreover, drugs, arms smuggling, kidnapping for ransom are sources of funding for terrorism and a clear framework will be made for stopping them. The declaration advised Pakistan and Afghanistan governments to work for better border management, put up integrated action to target the terrorists on both sides of the border, set up hotline connection between the border commanders of both the countries and formulate strategy for intelligence sharing. The declaration further states that steps need to be taken to stop national and international funding of the seminaries. It adds that the seminaries curriculum must be kept under strict surveillance. “Governments should work on unbiased reporting of Pak-Afghan relations”, the declaration says. It also advised setting up a joint civil society monitoring commission for the implementation of Pak-Afghan bilateral agreements. Published on http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/314146-Kabul-Security-workshop-for-PakAfghan-Track2-ta

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...

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...

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...