Asia in Review Archive (2019-2020)

Pakistan

India: Authorities detain 75 in Kashmir after anti-Modi alliance wins local polls

(lm) India’s government has detained at least 75 Kashmiri political leaders and activists, including separatist leaders and members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami group to forestall political unrest. Days before, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an amalgam of seven local political parties that is pro-India but favors self-governance in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory, won a majority of seats in District Development Council (DDC) elections. Elections were also being held to fill over 12,000 vacant seats in panchayats (village councils) and more than 230 in urban local bodies [see AiR No. 47, November/2020, 4]. [The Straits Times] [Al Jazeera] [The Straits Times]

Held in a staggered eight-phase process, the polls were the first vote  in the region since the revocation of Article 370 and subsequent bifurcation of the former state of Kashmir [see AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1]. After the results for 278 of the 280 segments were declared (counting has halted in the remaining two), both the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Modi and the PAGD claimed victory. While the BJP has ended up with the largest seat share (75), the PAGD has finished as the largest pre-poll alliance (110). [Hindustan Times]

But what is more, the BJP has the highest contested vote share in the Jammu region and the lowest among major parties in the Kashmir region – once again highlighting the fault lines in the union territory´s politics. For a start, Jammu and Kashmir is the only union territory that has a Muslim majority population.  This majority, however, is not equally distributed across the regions: While Islam is practiced by more than 95 percent of population in the 10 districts of the Kashmir valley, Hindus comprise about 60 percent of the population in the districts of the Jammu region. [Deutsche Welle]

In the run-up to the elections, the two main regional political parties – the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – had come together with other parties under the PAGD to contest the elections. However, many prominent Kashmiri politicians and public figures remained in detention with no recourse, or under threat. The BJP, meanwhile, flew some of its top national leaders and cabinet ministers, hoping to make a strong showing in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley [see AiR No. 47, November/2020, 4].

Addressing an event in Kashmir through video link on December 16, Prime Minister Modi said that development of Jammu and Kashmir is his government’s top priority, terming the recent DDC elections a new chapter, saying it showed the strength of India’s democracy. [Anadolu Agency]

China seeks additional guarantees from Pakistan for new $6 billion loan

(lm) Citing Pakistan’s weakening financial position [see AiR No. 50, December/2020, 3], China has sought additional guarantees before sanctioning a $6 billion loan for the construction of the Mainline-1 (ML-1) project. Beijing also proposed a mix of commercial and concessional loan, notwithstanding Islamabad’s desire to secure the cheapest lending. [The Express Tribune]

The single-largest project to date under the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement, ML-1 involves upgrading and track-doubling railway lines in the Peshawar – Lahore – Karachi corridor. In August, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) had approved the strategically important $6.8 billion upgrade of railway infrastructure in the Pakistani-administered part of Kashmir [see AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]. Islamabad then decided in November to seek an initial $2.7 billion loan from Beijing for the construction of package-I of the ML-1 project. [AiR No. 46, November/2020, 3]

In light of the strategic importance of the project, Pakistan had expected China to provide up to 90 percent the of financing, further assuming that Beijing was ready to accept a 20 years repayment period, subject to the condition that the grace period should be 10 years. However, China has offered to finance only 85 percent of the project cost, with a payback period of 15 to 20 years in biannual tranches. [Economic Times]

India, Pakistan step up efforts to entice Central Asian nations

(lm) Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to sign a letter seeking $4.8 billion loan from the World Bank for a trilateral railway project connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. The two landlocked countries have long been trying to connect with Pakistan’s warm water ports – most notably the China-operated Gwadar port [see AiR No. 51, December/2020, 4]. Islamabad, in turn, aims to expand its footprint in Central Asia by gaining access to the economies of neighboring countries and redirecting their trade through Pakistani ports. [The Express Tribune] [Dawn]

Moreover, Afghanistan was also invited by India to join the next meeting on the joint use of Chabahar Port, a seaport located in southeastern Iran that is being increasingly seen as a fulcrum of connectivity to Afghanistan and central Asia. The announcement came just a week after India held its first trilateral with Iran and Uzbekistan to boost trade ties among the three countries [see AiR No. 51, December/2020, 4]. [The Week]

Pakistan says one soldier killed by Indian shelling along disputed Kashmir border

(lm) A Pakistani soldier was killed in border clashes with Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC), the military control line in the disputed Kashmir region. The incident came on the heels of Indian shelling in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, resulting in the death of one civilian and injuries of three more. [Al Jazeera 1] [Al Jazeera 2]

Tensions are running high since Islamabad earlier this month accused New Delhi of attacking a vehicle carrying two UN employees who were traveling through the Pakistani-controlled part of Kashmir to meet with the victims of a prior Indian violation of the ceasefire agreement. The UN has confirmed has the incident, saying it is being investigated. India, however, denies its forces opened fire. [Anadolu Agency]

Pakistan: Chief of Islamist militant organization convicted on charges of terror financing

(lm) An anti-terrorism court has sentenced Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Islamist militant organization Jama’at-ud-Da’wah (JuD), to fifteen-and-a-half years in prison on charges of terrorism financing – his fourth conviction this year on similar charges [see AiR No. 47, November/2020, 4]. [Hindustan Times]

Saeed’s latest conviction relates to the ongoing efforts of the Pakistani government to fulfil its commitments to the FATF, an inter-governmental organization that monitors global money laundering and terrorist financing – early next year. During the FATF’s last review in October, Islamabad was urged to complete the internationally agreed action plan by February 2021 and to demonstrate that terrorism financing probes resulted in effective sanctions. In the run-up to the meeting, India had mounted a determined effort to hold Pakistan responsible for its role in supporting terrorism and terrorist infrastructure [see AiR No. 43, October/2020, 4]. [Frontline]

Pakistan: Opposition alliance gathers to commemorate 13th death anniversary of former PM Bhutto

(lm) Ignoring a government ban on public gatherings due to the coronavirus, thousands gathered in southern Pakistan on December 27 to commemorate the 13th anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s death. The first woman to head a democratic government in a Muslim majority nation, Benazir was killed in a gun-and-bomb attack in the city of Rawalpindi in 2007, weeks after she arrived from years-long self-exile in Dubai and London. [Anadolu Agency]

Leaders of the opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) [see latest AiR No. 50, December/2020, 3] used the gathering in the city of Larkana – home town of the Bhutto political dynasty – to accelerate its ongoing campaign to oust the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Addressing the public gathering, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman and son of Benazir, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, said the opposition had united on PDM’s platform to rescue the country from the government’s alleged inefficiencies. [Dawn]

Pakistan’s foreign minister embarks on two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates

(lm) Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on December 17 embarked on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for talks on bilateral matters, making the welfare of the Pakistani diaspora in the UAE a priority. Timing and context of the visit are noteworthy, because it comes weeks after the UAE stopped issuing work visas to Pakistanis, along with the nationals of 12 other countries. On Sunday, the UAE’s foreign minister said the decision to suspend the issuance of visas to Pakistani citizens was taken due to the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions were ‘temporary’. [Dawn] [Gulf News]

For Pakistan, which is currently trying to retain its dwindling foreign currency reserves [see AiR No. 50, December/2020, 3], foreign remittances provide a financial lifeline, and the UAE is the country’s second-largest source of remittances. Besides, Pakistan’s ailing economy has no employment opportunities for people who would otherwise have found work in the UAE. Thus, the current suspension will not only keep the unemployment rate in Pakistan high, but will also further increase pressure on government of Prime Minister Imran Khan [see AiR No. 50, December/2020, 3].

Observers assume that the reason for the visa ban lies in the recent Pakistani government’s foreign policy decisions, which have irked the Gulf monarchies. Qureshi earlier this year had expressed frustration over the inaction of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Saudi Arabia, insisting that the OIC was not doing enough to pressure India on the Kashmir issue. In response, Saudi Arabia withdrew 2$ billion in loan, cancelled investment commitments of another $20 billion in Pakistan, and also asked its ally UAE to choke Islamabad economically by suspending work visas to its citizens. At the time, China had come forward and extended $1 billion in loan to help Islamabad avoid any adverse impact of the partial withdrawal of the Saudi lifeline [see AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]. [The Interpreter]

Pakistan to fence off city of Gwadar to shield Chinese-operated port

(lm) Authorities in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan have started putting up barbed wire around large parts of the port city of Gwadar, as part of security measures to protect the fulcrum of 50$ billion in projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Following on the heels of a visit to Islamabad by Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe earlier this month, the move comes at a time when Beijing is stepping up efforts to boost the CPEC [see AiR No. 49, December/2020, 2]. [Nikkei Asia] [The EurAsian Times]

Part of a safety plan which authorities initiated following a large number of attacks from Baloch militants, the fencing takes places against the larger backdrop of mounting security concerns for Chinese interests in Gwadar. A case in point, Pakistan’s leading Taliban group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), had announced its reunification with three formerly estranged factions earlier this year. The TTP’s reunification had put China in a tight spot, given that Beijing was long-since pressing Islamabad to crack down on ethnic separatist groups in the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh to protect projects linked to the CPEC [see AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]. [Business Recorder]

Separately, a joint venture formed by three Pakistani companies entered into an agreement with the Chinese company running Gwadar port to move liquefied natural gas (LNG) onto special purpose trucks for regasification at various industrial sites across the country. The agreement comes after Pakistan’s Federal Energy Minister last month said that the country’s indigenous gas reserves were rapidly depleting [see AiR No. 45, November/2020, 2]. Further, the government this week announced that it had arranged twelve liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes for upcoming January, after citizens all across the country had lamented gas shortage and low pressure in several areas of Pakistan. [The News] [Pakistan Today] [Dawn] [Geo News]

Pakistan will not recognize Israel until resolution of Palestinian issue, says foreign minister

(lm) Following on the heels of his two-day trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) [see article in this edition], Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on December 21 said he had made clear to the UAE that Islamabad could not recognize Israel until a ‘concrete and permanent settlement’ of the Palestinian issue. In the same vein, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan later the same day said Pakistan would refuse to recognize Israel until Palestinian rights were guaranteed. [Dawn 1] [Anadolu Agency]

Timing and context of the remarks are noteworthy, because they are but the latest in a recent series of events pertaining to the relationship between Pakistan and Israel: First of all, they come at times when other Muslim-majority countries have already normalized diplomatic and economic relations with Israel. After Saudi Arabia gave its tacit affirmation, the UAE in August, and Bahrain in September did so through collective agreements known as the Abraham Accords. Sudan and Morocco followed in October and earlier this month, respectively. Some other Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, are also reportedly weighing options to normalize relations.

Days after the UAE formally revived ties with Tel Aviv, foreign and local media carried reports suggesting that Saudi Arabia and the UAE were pressing Pakistan from behind the scenes to be next in recognizing Israel. Lending further credence to the argument, Prime Minister Khan made headlines in November when revealing that Islamabad had been under pressure from some ‘sisterly’ countries to recognize Israel, adding that Pakistan would not budge until the Israel-Palestinian issue was resolved.

Earlier this week, then, reports – mainly from Israeli media – suggested that Islamabad had secretly sent a messenger to Tel Aviv, a move that would certainly send shock waves across Pakistan’s powerful radical Islamic groups. Against this backdrop, the Foreign Office was forced to intervene before the rumors sparked demonstration or worse, always close to the surface in a nation where religious forces have regularly showcased their ability to stir street protest. [Arab News] [Middle East Monitor]

What is more, they also take place against the larger backdrop of an unease in relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia over diverging geopolitical perceptions [see AiR No. 45, November/2020, 2]. Last week, China agreed to immediately provide a $1.5 billion financial lifeline to Pakistan, which was preparing to repay the second tranche ($1 billion) of a $2 billion loan from Saudi Arabia [see AiR No. 50, December/2020, 3]. A high-level Saudi delegation, led by Prince Faisal bin Farhan, is expected to visit Islamabad early next month. A Pakistani delegation is also expected to visit Riyadh soon afterwards. [Dawn 2]

Pakistan: New anti-rape laws approved after protests over attacks

(lm) Pakistan introduced a rape law on December 15 that includes the establishment of special courts to expedite rape trials and the chemical castration of serial rapists. The presidential decree, which requires ratification by the parliament within four months to remain in effect, also prohibits the disclosure of the identity of rape victims and will create a national sex offenders’ register. [The Straits Times] [The Indian Express]

The new legislation comes months after Prime Minister Imran Khan promised to remove deficiencies in existing legislation to expedite justice for rape victims. It also follows outrage over the gang-rape of a woman whose car ran out of fuel. Massive protests rocked the country after the investigating police officer appeared to blame the victim for travelling alone. [CNN]

Pakistan: Journalists union petitions high court against social media rules

(lm) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has admitted a petition filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists against the recently enforced Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards), Rules 2020. The government approved the social media rules in November despite criticism from human rights activists and organizations. [Pakistan Today]

One of the new rules requires a social media company to remove, suspend or disable access to any online content within 24 hours, and in emergency situations, within six hours, after being intimated by the authority, even though the rules do not define what constitutes emergency cases. The IHC raised questions over the government’s new social media rules earlier this month, observing that criticism was essential for democracy and discouraging it would have a detrimental impact [see AiR No. 49, December/2020, 2].

Pakistan: Election Commission announces by-elections in eight constituencies

(lm) The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to immediately hold by-elections election in eight constituencies of national and provincial assemblies, which have been pending for the past eight months in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision comes after the ECP earlier this month announced that it decided not to hold any pending by-elections before January 31, 2021. [Dawn 1]

Observers say the ECP’s announcement to immediately hold all pending by-elections has put the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of leading opposition parties [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4] in a fix whether to participate or boycott them as the timing coincides with the Senate elections and the possible resignations by national and provincial lawmakers belonging to its constituent parties [see AiR No. 50, December/2020, 3]. [The News]

The federal government last week decided to hold Senate elections in February and to invoke advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court on open voting for the polls. The elections are to be held for 52 seats of the upper house as half of the members of the Senate will retire on March 11, after completing their six-year constitutional term. What is more, over 65 percent of the senators who are set to retire next year belong to the opposition parties. [Dawn 2]

United Kingdom it would consider potential extradition treaty request against former PM Sharif

Against the larger backdrop of Pakistan’s failure to persuade the United Kingdom to repatriate former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to serve his jail sentence for corruption, Islamabad in October withdrew clearance for a flight chartered by the United Kingdom to take deportees from London to Islamabad. While Pakistan has denied any links to the row over Nawaz Sharif’s repatriation, the move last month prompted a letter from British Home Secretary Priti Patel to a Special Assistant to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan. [The Sun]

In October, Pakistan’s federal government had written to British authorities for a third time, requesting the UK to consider cancelling Sharif’s visa [see also AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]. In her written response, Patel pointed out that the UK government was subject to international law, adding that London would give a potential extradition treaty request ‘full attention the provision of UK law.’ [The News]

Sharif, who was jailed in a corruption case in 2018, has been residing in London since November last year after a court granted him indefinite bail to seek medical treatment. The former prime minister is facing a number of corruption charges in Pakistan and is considered by the courts to have absconded. He is also facing sedition charges for accusing the military of political interference [see AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2, AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3].

China again bails out Pakistan to pay maturing 2$ billion Saudi loan

(lm) China has agreed to immediately provide $1.5 billion finance line to Pakistan, which is preparing to repay the second tranche ($1 billion) of a $2 billion loan from Saudi Arabia. The remaining $1 billion is due in January 2021. [The Express Tribune]

Pakistan had forwarded a formal request in November for granting a rollover of the $2 billion Saudi loan [see AiR No. 45, November/2020, 2], which was part of a $6.2 billion financial assistance package announced by Saudi Arabia in November 2018, when Islamabad was struggling with rapidly expanding trade deficit and declining foreign reserves. The package included $3 billion in cash assistance and a $3.2 billion worth of annual oil and gas supply on deferred payments [see AiR (5/10/2018)]. Islamabad has already paid back 1$ billion out of the $3 billion in May this year, after taking a $1 billion loan from China, while $2 billion are still with the State Bank of Pakistan. [AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]

Prior loans were extended through China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) deposits or as commercial loans. This time, however, both countries have agreed to augment the size of an existing bilateral Currency-Swap Agreement (CSA) by an additional $1.5 billion, thereby increasing the overall size of the trade facility to $4.5 billion. The benefit of this arrangement will be that the additional $1.5 billion Chinese loan will not reflect on the book of the federal government. But what is more, the loan will not be treated as part of Pakistan’s external public debt, and thus will not further burden the country’s dwindling foreign currency reserves, which currently stand at $12.2 billion [see AiR No. 46, November/2020, 3]. [Moneycontrol]

The CSA, which was signed between the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) in December 2011, is scheduled to mature in May next year. Pakistan last month decided to seek a rollover. In the event Pakistan fails to secure a third extension, the SBP will be liable to repay Beijing $3 billion by using dollars to buy Chinese yuan, a move that analysts say will certainly affect the country’s foreign reserves [see AiR No. 45, November/2020, 2].

Pakistan: Opposition movement announces long march on Islamabad

(lm) In the culmination of the first phase of protests, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PMD) [see e.g. AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1] continued to build momentum, as tens of thousands of people defied coronavirus restrictions to protest in the city of Lahore on December 13. Leaders of the PMD also announced a long march on the capital of Islamabad in a bid to pile pressure on the federal government of Prime Minister Imran Khan [see also AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4], but stopped short of giving a specific date. [Dawn] [Al Jazeera]

Held in what is regarded as the bastion of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan’s largest opposition party, the rally in Lahore assumed added significance. What is more, the city is located in the state of Punjab, which is considered the backbone of the Pakistani security establishment’s institutional power and public support base. Thus, analysts expected the rally that targeted the military’s leadership for its alleged support for Prime Minister Khan and his government [see e.g. AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1] to beckon a clear action plan for taking the opposition movement to its next phase. [The Diplomat]

Prime Minister Imran Khan on December 14 declared the PDM’s rally a ‘flop power show’, adding that the anti-government movement was buried in Lahore. The prime minister also lashed out at the leaders of the movement for staging public meetings at a time when the country is reeling under the impact of COVID-19. [Dawn 1]

In the run-up to the protests, the PDM stated that all national and provincial lawmakers belonging to its constituent parties would hand over their resignations to their respective party heads by the end of the year. It is noteworthy, however that mass resignation might not stop the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) from acquiring a majority in the upper house of the parliament after the Senate elections in March 2021, because laws and the Constitution are silent on any specific requirement related to number of lawmakers to be present in the house for voting. What is more, over 65 percent of the senators who are set to retire next year, after completing their six-year constitutional term, belong to the opposition parties. Thus, these parties will not be able to retain their majority in the upper house of parliament, even if their members do not resign from the legislatures. [Dawn 2] [Dawn 3] [Republic World]

The Islamabad administration, meanwhile, on December 11 extended a ban on all kinds of gatherings of five or more people, processions, and demonstrations at any public place in the capital, including the ‘red zone’, which houses parliament, the prime minister’s office, and most foreign embassies, for a period of two months. [WION]

Pakistan, India among the top five most dangerous countries for practice of journalism in the world

(lm) A report published by the International Federation on Journalists (IFJ), the largest union worldwide representing journalists, listed Pakistan and India among the top five ‘most dangerous countries for practice of journalism in the world’. According to the White Paper, murders of journalists in Pakistan (138) and in India (116) have featured almost every year in the ‘journalists killed list’ since 1990, making up 40 percent of the total deaths in the Asia Pacific region. [IFJ]

Pakistan, China hold military exercise, in the wake of signing significant military MoU

A joint military exercise between the Pakistani and Chinese air forces kicked off in Pakistan on December 9, coming in the wake of the two longtime allies signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further enhance defense cooperation between the Pakistan Army and the People’s Liberation Army [see AiR No. 49, December/2020, 2]. [Anadolu Agency]

While details of the pact have not been made public, analysts believe it contains new commitments to intelligence-sharing that will help Pakistan track the movements of Indian forces across their tense shared border. Hence, the signing has to be seen vis-à-vis the recently signed information-sharing pact between India and the United States, which commits both countries to provide reciprocal access to each other’s military facilities, securing military communications, and sharing geospatial data from airborne and satellite sensor [see AiR No. 44, November/2020, 1]. [Nikkei Asia]

India: Third phase of local elections in Kashmir completed

(lm) Kashmiris on December 4 voted in the third out of eight phases of the first elections since the revocation of Article 370 and the subsequent bifurcation of the former state of Kashmir [see AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1]. During the first phase, nearly 52 percent of the people voted on November 28, while the second round held on December 1 saw 49 percent voting amid tight security.[Al Jazeera]

Until December 22, nearly six million voters across the Jammu and Kashmir union territory’s 20 districts are eligible to elect 280 members of the newly created District Development Councils (DDC). While they are aimed at strengthening the system of local self-government of villages in the union territory, the DDC will have no power to legislate or amend laws in the region now directly run from New Delhi. Elections are also being held to fill over 12,000 vacant seats in panchayats (village councils) and more than 230 in urban local bodies. [AiR No. 47, November/2020, 4]

In the run-up to the elections, the region’s two bitter rivals – the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had come together for the first time as part of People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to contest the elections [see AiR No. 42, October/2020, 3].

China, Pakistan to enhance defense ties, expedite infrastructure/investment projects

(lm) Following his trip to Nepal [see AiR No. 48, December/2020, 1], Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe arrived in Islamabad on December 1 to meet top officials, including President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Kahn. During a meeting with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the two militaries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further enhance bilateral defense cooperation. [The Hindu] [Hindustan Times]

What is more, however, both sides also discussed ongoing projects under the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC), a flagship program under China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Prior to Wei’s visit, China’s recently appointed envoy to Pakistan last month had already met with the General Bajwa, who is also heading the CPEC Authority [see AiR No. 36, September/2020, 2], and conducted a ‘comprehensive review’ of the CPEC projects. [The Diplomat]

Significantly, Beijing’s efforts to boost the CPEC come at a time when a crucial 10th meeting of the CPEC’s Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) – the highest decision-making body of the CPEC – has been further delayed after both countries could not agree on a future roadmap for industrial cooperation. [Observer Research Foundation]

Pakistan’s Parliament, meanwhile, is likely to vote on the CPEC Authority Bill 2020 in the second week of December. Last month, the Standing Committee on Planning and Development cleared the bill that had previously been blocked by opposition members. The legislation is likely to empower the Pakistan’s Army, assigning CPEC projects under the jurisdiction of the CPEC Authority, instead of the Planning and Development Ministry. [The EurAsian Times]

Pakistan: Court questions government’s new social media rules

(lm) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on December 4 raised questions over the government’s new social media rules, observing that criticism was essential for democracy and discouraging it would have a detrimental impact. The IHC Chief Justice also expressed his displeasure over the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) counsel citing the example of India to justify social media curbs. [The Nation]

The court was hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) against the recently approved regulations titled ‘Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2020’. The PBC contended that the rules violated rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The government approved the social media rules last month despite criticism from human rights activists and organizations. One of the new rules requires a social media company to remove, suspend or disable access to any online content within 24 hours, and in emergency situations, within six hours, after being intimated by the authority, even though the rules do not define what constitutes emergency cases. Earlier this year, Pakistan’s government had passed the “Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules 2020” that required social media companies to disclose any information or data demanded by any designated investigation agency, whenever asked [see AiR No. 7, February/2020, 3]. [The Express Tribune]

Pakistan: Court declares former PM Sharif ‘proclaimed offender’ in corruption cases

(lm) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on December 2 declared supreme leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif in absentia a ‘proclaimed offender’ over his prolonged absence from the proceedings pertaining to two corruption cases. Sharif, who was jailed in a corruption case in 2018, has been residing in London since November last year after a court granted him indefinite bail to seek medical treatment. [The Economic Times]

In October, the IHC had issued a proclamation against Sharif in the two references– Al-Azizia and Avenfield –and had ordered advertisements to be published in two British newspapers calling for him to appear before court until November 24 [see AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2]. The court last week then had adjourned the hearing of appeals in the cases [see AiR No. 48, December/2020, 1].

The former prime minister is facing a number of corruption charges in Pakistan and is considered by the courts to have absconded. He is also facing sedition charges for accusing the military of political interference [see AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2, AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3].

Pakistan: Provisional provincial status granted to Gilgit Baltistan

(lm) Prime Minister Imran Khan on December 2 said that the newly formed government in the Pakistan-administered region of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) would work on a priority basis to grant ‘provisional provincial status’ to the region. Last month, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and its ally Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Pakistan (MWM) had emerged as the largest political alliance in the provincial assembly elections, despite failing to achieve a clear majority [see AiR No. 46, November/2020, 3]. [The Hindu]

In the run-up to the hotly disputed elections, Khan had announced on November 1 the granting of ‘provisional-provincial status’ to GB. To date, Islamabad has fallen short of declaring the strategic region as its fifth province, ostensibly to protect its claim on the entirety of Kashmir in the event of a resolution of the Kashmir dispute with India. As a consequence, the region has been caught in constitutional limbo and denied representation in Pakistan’s national legislature [see AiR No. 44, November/2020, 1].

Geopolitical observers remark that elevating the status of Gilgit-Baltistan has been encouraged by neighboring China, at least in part. The region is home to the Moqpondass, a region selected for one of the proposed nine priority Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project, said to be Beijing’s largest-ever overseas investment, stretches from China’s Xinjiang to the Chinese-operated port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. [South China Morning Post]

While the region’s political and legal status remains unclear, an unstable security environment provides yet another challenge for both Beijing and Islamabad, who are keen to expand the project into GB [see article in this edition]. In a dossier released following the recent artillery duel between Indian and Pakistani forces in Kashmir [see AiR No. 46, November/2020, 3], Islamabad accused New Delhi of attempting to stir nationalist and sectarian tensions in GB through covert operations. The dossier, which was handed over to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week, included evidence that Indian intelligence agencies were funding the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and ethnic Baloch armed separatist groups that conducted attacks from Afghan soil, aimed at destabilizing Pakistan and undermining its economic partnership with China [see AiR No. 46, November/2020, 3].

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) adopts resolution on Kashmir conflict

(lm) Pakistan on November 28 announced that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) had unanimously adopted a resolution at its 47th session of Council of Foreign Ministers, reaffirming its ‘strong support’ for Islamabad on the Kashmir issue, and calling on India to rescind the abrogation of the contested territory. Further, the OIC denounced the use of pellet guns by Indian troops in India-held Kashmir and urged New Delhi to respect the international human rights laws, according to the statement. [Dawn 1] [The EurAsian Times]

In August last year, India unilaterally abrogated Article 370 of its constitution, breaking the state of Kashmir into two union territories – one comprising the Hindu-dominated Jammu region and the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, known as Jammu and Kashmir, and the second being the Buddhist enclave of Ladakh [see AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1]. The resolution came as a surprise, because the official agenda of the Niamey meeting made no specific mention of Kashmir. A diplomatic source had separately said that this time the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir would not meet either, because the hosts declined a Pakistani request for a meeting on the pretext of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Dawn 2] [Dawn 3]

The unanimous resolution comes despite some recent disunity among major Islamic countries, especially after ties between Islamabad and Riyadh had remained strained over what Pakistani diplomats called ‘unfulfilled expectations’. In August, Pakistan’s foreign minister Qureshi expressed frustration over the inaction of the OIC on the Kashmir issue, insisting that the international organization was not doing enough to pressure India on it. Calling again on Saudi Arabia, which is considered the most influential member of the OIC, to convene a special meeting of its Council of Foreign Ministers – a request that was initially turned down in February – Qureshi threatened to bypass the OIC, saying that Islamabad was willing to proceed ‘with or without’ support from Riyadh [see AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2].

Shortly thereafter, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa met with Saudi Arabian officials to sooth the waters [see AiR No. 33, August/2020, 3], after Riyadh had withdrew a $1 billion interest-free loan, and further demanded another $1 billion. In October, then, Qureshi and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held a telephonic conversation to further ease frictions in their relationship [see AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2].

Against the backdrop of remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron [see AiR No. 44, November/2020, 1], the OIC also unanimously adopted a Pakistan-sponsored resolution urging the UN Secretary General to initiate a global dialogue to counter rising Islamophobia and promote interfaith harmony. [Dawn 4]

Pakistan, India hand dossiers to UN bodies, accusing each other of ‘stoking terrorism’

(lm) Pakistan has handed over a dossier to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres accusing India of stoking ‘terrorism’ in Pakistan. Further, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a letter to both the president of the UN Security council (UNSC) and the secretary general alleged ‘gross and systematic violations of human rights’ in the Indian-administered territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. [Dawn]

Earlier this month, Pakistan said it had compiled a dossier with evidence that Indian intelligence agencies were funding the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and ethnic Baloch armed separatist groups that conducted attacks from Afghan soil, aimed at destabilizing Pakistan and undermining its economic partnership with China. The exchange of such allegations between the two South Asian countries is common, but the heightened level of detail and specificity of this round of Pakistan’s accusations was unprecedented in recent history. [AiR No. 46, November/2020, 3]

Last week, then, India summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat over what New Delhi said was a foiled attack in the frontier territory of Jammu and Kashmir by a Pakistan-based militant group, a charge Islamabad firmly denied [see AiR No. 47, November/2020, 4]. On November 23, New Delhi provided a dossier to five permanent UNSC members about the attempted attack, accusing Islamabad of giving material support to the militants fighting its rule in Muslim majority Kashmir. [Al Jazeera] [Reuters]

Pakistan: Three more prominent members of Islamist militant group indicted

(lm) An anti-terrorism court has indicted three aids to Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Islamist militant organization Jama’at-ud-Da’wah (JuD), in three cases of terrorism-financing. The three men are members of Al-Anfal Trust, a charity organization associated with the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), one of the largest militant organizations in South Asia, whose members, inter alias, carried out the 2008 Mumbai attacks that left at least 174 people dead and more than 300 wounded. [The News International]

An anti-terrorism court last month sentenced Saeed, who was already in jail serving two sentences of five-and-a-half years each, to another ten years in prison on two charges of terrorism-financing. Two of his aides were also sentenced to ten-and-a-half years each, while his brother-in-law was sentenced to six-month imprisonment. [AiR No. 47, November/2020, 4]

Pakistan: Opposition alliance PDM to hold protest in Multan

(lm) Reiterating his call on the oppositional Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4, AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1] to cancel its scheduled public gatherings at a time when the country is reeling under the impact of COVID-19, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the federal government would not allow the opposition alliance to hold its rallies as the health guidelines did not permit large gatherings. [Dawn 1]

The newly-formed PDM has so far held four public meetings in Gujranwala, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar, while two more are scheduled for November 30 and December 13 in Multan and Lahore, respectively. In the run-up to a rally held in Peshawar earlier this month, PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman [see AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1] said that the alliance had rejected Khan’s request and announced that its remaining three public meetings would be held as planned. [AiR No. 47, November/2020, 4]

In the run-up to Tuesday’s rally, hundreds of activists of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) overcame containers and obstacles set up by authorities to reach the venue of November 30 public gathering. Following the attempt, several leaders of the PDM, including the son of former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani were taken into custody. [Dawn 2]

Pakistan: United Kingdom likely to extend former PM Sharif’s visa for six months

(lm) The British government is expected to extend the visa of former prime minister and current leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif for another six months. Pakistan’s federal government in October asked British authorities for a third time to consider cancelling Sharif’s visa [see also AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3].

According to media reports, Sharif sought legal advice for an extension on his visa, which expired mid-November. In his application, he stated that his necessary medical treatment could not be completed due to non-availability of doctors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this month, he made a string of unscheduled hospital visits in London after he developed acute pain due to stones in his kidney. [The Express Tribune]

Sharif, who was jailed in a corruption case in 2018, has been residing in London since November last year after a court granted him indefinite bail to seek medical treatment. The former prime minister is facing a number of corruption charges in Pakistan and is considered by the courts to have absconded. He is also facing sedition charges for accusing the military of political interference [see AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2, AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3].

In this context, the Islamabad High Court has adjourned the hearing of appeals in two cases – Al-Azizia and Avenfield – against the former prime minister until December 2. In October, the IHC had issued a proclamation against Sharif in the two references and had ordered advertisements to be published in two British newspapers calling for him to appear before court until November 24 [see AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2]. In case Sharif fails to appear, he will likely be declared a proclaimed offender and the IHC will order the seizure of assets. [Daily Times]

India: Regional parties to contest local polls in Jammu & Kashmir union territory, checkmating ruling BJP

(lm) In a first since the revocation of Article 370 and the subsequent bifurcation of the former state of Kashmir [see AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1], elections will be held in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory. From November 28 to December 22, the newly created District Development Councils (DDCs) will go to the polls in eight phases. Along with 280 DDC seats, election will be held to fill over 12,000 vacant seats in panchayats (village councils) and more than 230 in urban local bodies. [Hindustan Times]

Aimed at strengthening the system of local self-government of villages in the union territory, the DDCs are set to become a new unit of governance in Jammu and Kashmir. Every district in Jammu and Kashmir will be divided into 14 territorial constituencies to elect members of the body in the maiden DDC elections. A legislation to this effect was brought in by the central government earlier this year, amending the Jammu and Kashmir’s Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. [The Indian Express 1]

In a surprise move, six constituents of the recently formalized ‘The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration’ (PAGD) [see AiR No. 42, October/2020, 3] announced the alliance would contest the elections. The PAGD’s decision assumes added significance when considering that the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), both founding members of the conglomerate, had boycotted regional polls held in 2018 to protest the abrogation of Article 370. In May, the NC had even pulled out of the Delimitation Commission, which was set up to redraw parliamentary and assembly constituencies of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and Jammu and Kashmir, and accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of seeking to divide the union territory on religious lines by manufacturing a Hindu dominance in the Kashmir valley [see AiR No. 36, September/2020, 2]. [India Today]

Observers therefore put particular emphasis on the dilemma faced by the regional parties which had to decide whether they would officially boycott the polls and risk getting further marginalized or accept the elections without resistance and ended up legitimizing the unilateral abrogation [see AiR No. 44, November/2020, 1]. Lending further credence to the argument that the BJP was expecting a political landscape void of competitors, the Minister of Home Affairs called the PAGD an ‘unholy global gang’, accusing its members of hobnobbing with foreign players. [The Hindu 1] [The Hindu 2] [The Print]

In the run-up to the election, the central government has issued orders to move an additional 25,000 security personnel to Jammu and Kashmir. But what is more, leaders and candidates of the PAGD allege that while candidates of the ruling BJP are allowed to canvass voters, candidates of the alliance are being whisked away by police to ‘cluster accommodations’ due to a perceived threat to their lives, leaving their movement and ability to campaign severely restricted. [The Indian Express 2] [The Wire]

Asian countries divided over UN death penalty moratorium

(dql) In a poll on a resolution which calls for a moratorium on the use of capital punishment eleven countries from the Asia-Pacific region were among the 39 countries which voted against the resolution in the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. They include Afghanistan, Brunei Darussalam, China, India, Japan, the Maldives, North Korea, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Tonga.

120 countries voted for the resolution, including over 15 Asia-Pacific countries. Among them are Sri Lanka and the Philippines. 24 countries abstained from the vote. Asia-Pacific countries among these are Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. [Human Rights Watch]

Pakistan: Soldier, four fighters killed in shoot-out near the border with Afghanistan

(lm) During a raid in Pakistan’s restive North Waziristan region, on November 22, four suspected militants and one soldier were killed in an ensuing gun battle. [Al Jazeera] [Anadolu Agency]

A part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the district of North Waziristan long served as a headquarters for local and foreign rebels until 2017, when the army said it had cleared the semi-autonomous tribal region of fighters following a series of operations. The region still sees sporadic attacks, mainly targeting security forces. [see AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1, AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]

India summons Pakistani diplomat over foiled terrorist attack

(lm) India has summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat over what New Delhi said was a foiled attack this week in the frontier territory of Jammu and Kashmir by a Pakistan-based militant group, a charge Islamabad firmly denied. [The Straits Times]

On November 19, four members of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed in a gun battle with Indian security forces in the Jammu district of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory. JeM’s primary motive is to separate Kashmir from India and merge it into Pakistan through attacks on security and government targets. In February 2019, the group claimed responsibility for a suicide attack that killed 40 Indian soldiers in the Indian-administered Kashmir town of Pulwama, the worst such attack on Kashmiri soil [see AiR (3/2/2019), AiR (4/2/2019)]. [The Hindu]

Earlier this month, Pakistan said it had compiled a dossier with evidence that India was sponsoring ‘terrorist’ activities from Afghan soil, aimed at destabilizing the country and undermining its economic partnership with China. [AiR No. 46, November/2020, 3]

In separate developments, an Indian soldier was killed and another wounded by Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir between the two nuclear-armed rivals. Earlier this month, Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged fire across the highly-militarized frontier, leaving 12 people dead, including three Indian and one Pakistani soldier, and wounding at least 36 on both sides. The fatalities were some of the highest reported in recent years [see AiR No. 46, November/2020, 3]. [Japan Times]

Pakistan: PM Khan approves creation of coordination body for intelligence apparatus

(lm) Prime Minister Imran Khan has green-lighted the formation of the National Intelligence Coordination Committee (NICC), which is supposed to serve as a mechanism to coordinate the over two dozen intelligence organizations in the country. The NICC will likely be headed by the director general of the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The decision is part of a long-awaited reform of Pakistan’s intelligence apparatus, which until recently had come to a standstill due to differences over the leadership of the new body. [Dawn]

Pakistan: Opposition alliance defies ban on public gatherings and holds rally in Peshawar

(lm) Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 22 said the federal government would be compelled to enforce a complete lockdown if the opposition did not desist from holding public gatherings at a time when the country was reeling under the impact of COVID-19. The previous day, the newly-formed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4, AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1] held a rally in Peshawar, despite not holding a permission. [Dawn 1]

In the run-up to Saturday’s protests, the prime minister and several members of his Cabinet had criticized the PDM for allegedly playing with the lives of common people – a claim Khan repeated on Sunday, saying the PDM would be responsible for the consequences if it continued with public gatherings amidst a second wave of coronavirus cases. [The Express Tribune] [Dawn 2]

In the run-up to the rally, the opposition alliance had sought permission to hold a public meeting. Noting that the rate of coronavirus cases in the city had already exceeded 13 percent, the local government, however, refused to grant the permission, saying that a public gathering was likely to further increase the spread of the virus. In light of the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases, the local government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province constituted a five-member committee to meet parliamentary leaders of the opposition to convince them to call off the Peshawar rally, but the alliance’s leaders refused to join the meeting. [Dawn 3]

On November 16, the prime minister then imposed restrictions on public gatherings and called upon on citizens to observe standard operating procedures to curb the second wave of the virus. He also suspended public gatherings of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and asked other political parties to follow suit. PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman [see AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1] the next day announced that the alliance rejected Khan’s request and announced that its remaining three public meetings would be held as planned.

The PDM will continue its campaign in Multan (November 30), followed by protests in Lahore (December 13). The parties plan to end the campaign with a ‘long march’ march on Islamabad, the capital, in 2021.

Pakistan: High Court rejects petition seeking lift of broadcasting ban

(lm) The Islamabad High Court has dismissed a petition against a notification by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) that prevents all television channels in Pakistan from broadcasting or rebroadcasting speeches, interviews and public addresses by proclaimed offenders and absconders. [Daiji World]

The petition, which was filed by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) along with some journalists, also challenged a ban imposed on the broadcasting of commentary, opinions or suggestions about the potential fate of any matter, which is sub-judice in the courts. The petitioners argued that both PEMRA orders would deny people their right to information, which they say is constitutionally guaranteed. [Dawn]

Taking place against the backdrop of a larger political confrontation between the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the newly-formed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the notification was published just days after electronic media had live broadcasted a speech from former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, in which he had offered a direct attack on the country’s powerful military. Sharif had addressed the PDM’s multi-parties conference through video link from London [see AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1]. Earlier, Sharif had been declared in absentia an absconder over his prolonged absence from the proceedings pertaining to a corruption case [see AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]

Pakistan: Anti-terrorism court hands down 10-year imprisonment to Jamat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed

(lm) An anti-terrorism court has sentenced Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Islamist militant organization Jama’at-ud-Da’wah (JuD), to ten years in prison on two charges terrorism-financing. The sentences – five years each – will run concurrently. Saeed is already in jail serving two sentences of five-and-a-half years each, handed down to him in February this year. Two of his aides were also sentenced to 10-and-a-half years each, while his brother-in-law has been sentenced to six-month imprisonment. [The Indian Express]

The UN lists JuD as an alias of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), one of the largest militant organizations in South Asia, whose members, inter alias, carried out the 2008 Mumbai attacks that left at least 174 people dead and more than 300 wounded. The Indian government’s view is that Pakistan, particularly through its intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has both supported the group and sheltered Hafiz Saeed. [The Straits Times]

Last year, New Delhi provided evidence on the issue to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental organization that monitors global money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF had placed Pakistan on its rating list of countries tagged as prone to illicit financial activity in June 2018. Since then, Islamabad has been facing possible blacklisting by the FATF, which could lead to economic sanctions from institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

During the FATF’s last review in October, Islamabad was urged to complete the internationally agreed action plan by February 2021 and to demonstrate that terrorism financing probes resulted in effective sanctions. In the run-up to the meeting, India had mounted a determined effort to hold Pakistan responsible for its role in supporting terrorism and terrorist infrastructure. [AiR No. 43, October/2020, 4]

Pakistan says it will provide ‘irrefutable evidence’ India sponsor ‘terrorist’ activities

(lm) Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on November 14 accused India of sponsoring ‘terrorist’ activities from Afghan soil, aimed at destabilizing the country and undermining its economic partnership with China. Further elaborating on the issue, he added that Islamabad would present ‘irrefutable evidence’ of Indian involvement in ‘terrorist’ activities to the United Nations and other international bodies. This comes days ahead of Khan’s visit to Afghanistan, his first since he assumed office in August 2018. [The Express Tribune] [Al Jazeera]

Pakistani officials have long claimed that India sponsors violent groups in Pakistan – claims that India has always denied – but Saturday’s announcement provided a heightened level of detail and specific accusations. Pakistani officials said they had compiled a dossier that documented Indian financial and material sponsorship of the Pakistani Taliban and insurgents from the restive province of Baluchistan who have claimed responsibility for attacks on Chinese infrastructure projects as part of an effort to sabotage the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) [see also AiR No. 43, October/2020, 4]. [Deutsche Welle] [Dawn] [South China Morning Post]

New Delhi dismissed the allegations on Sunday, calling them ‘fabricated’ and ‘figments of imagination.’ [Hindustan Times 1]

The Afghan government also rejected the allegation that its territory was being used to train terrorists targeting Pakistan, adding that Islamabad should raise such issues through existing mechanisms such as the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS). In September, Pakistani diplomats met under the APAPPS with Afghan officials in Kabul to discuss bilateral ties and security issues [see AiR No. 35, September/2020, 1]. [Hindustan Times 2]

Pakistan: Asian Development Bank to lend $300 million to Islamabad

(lm) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is expected to lend $300 million to support Pakistan’s fragile foreign exchange reserves after Islamabad met all but one of the conditions to qualify for the loan. The board of directors of the regional lender is expected to approve the second tranche of a $800 million budgetary support program by the end of this month. The first tranche worth $500 million was disbursed in August last year. [The Express Tribune]

So far, the ADB has extended over $600 million in loans to Pakistan in the current fiscal year. After the upcoming approval, its lending will jump close to $1 billion. More recently, the ADB and Islamabad signed a $2 million grant agreement to strengthen Pakistan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, the regional development bank had announced on November 5 that it would provide $10 billion in financial assistance to Pakistan over the next five years to help tackle the economic and social challenges thrown up by the pandemic. [Pakistan Today]

Both the money and timing of approval are crucial for Pakistan, which to date has been unable to restore the $6 billion bailout program of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which was suspended in April after Islamabad failed to meet all requirements [see AiR No. 14, April/2020, 1]. The approval of the policy loan will be an indication to markets that global lenders are still engaged with Islamabad, although the government is currently sailing through choppy waters. That is, the loan will partially support the country’s dwindling foreign currency reserves, which currently stand at $12.2 billion, ahead of some major unplanned repayments, including $2 billion to Saudi Arabia [see AiR No. 45, November/2020, 2]

Moreover, Islamabad reportedly decided on November 13 to seek an initial $2.7 billion loan from Beijing for the construction of package-I of the Mainline-1 (ML-1) project. The costliest project to date under the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement, ML-1 involves upgrading and track-doubling railway lines in the Peshawar – Lahore – Karachi corridor. In August, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) had approved the strategically important $6.8 billion upgrade of railway infrastructure in the Pakistani-administered part of Kashmir [see AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]. [The Express Tribune]

About 90 percent of the costs will be provided by Chinese banks in the form of long-term loans on conditions yet to be negotiated between Beijing and Islamabad. As per decision from the project’s financing committee, Pakistan will initially request China to sanction only $2.73 billion in loan out of the total estimated Chinese financing of about $6.1 billion. [Global Construction Review]

Pakistan: PM Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leads in Gilgit-Baltistan polls

(lm) The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of Prime Minister Imran Khan is emerging as the single largest party in the provincial assembly elections in the Pakistan-administered region of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Despite failing to achieve a clear majority, the ruling PTI grabbed ten seats, followed by independent candidates who secured seven seats in Sunday’s polls, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results. [The Times of India]

Taking place against the backdrop of a larger political confrontation between the PTI newly-formed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4, AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1], the election saw unprecedented levels of campaigning as well as wide media coverage. In the run-up to the provincial assembly elections, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on November 1 the granting of ‘provisional-provincial status’ to the region. To date, Islamabad has fallen short of declaring the strategic region as its fifth province, ostensibly to protect its claim on the entirety of Kashmir in the event of a resolution of the Kashmir dispute with India. As a consequence, the region has been caught in constitutional limbo and denied representation in Pakistan’s national legislature [see AiR No. 44, November/2020, 1].

Usurpingly, leaders of the PDM rejected the results, alleging electoral rigging. Observers expect the PDM to use the alleged electoral malpractices to weaponize its rhetoric for the upcoming rallies. After a three-week break for the GB elections, the PDM will continue its campaign in Peshawar (November 22), followed by protests in Multan (November 30), and Lahore (December 13). The parties plan to end the campaign with a ‘long march’ march on Islamabad, the capital, in 2021. [The International News] [samaa] [Dawn]

Pakistan: FIA’s anti-terrorism wing lists 1,210 ‘most wanted’ terrorists

(lm) The Counter Terrorism Wing (CTW) of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has updated and released its list of ‘most wanted and high-profile terrorists’ in the country. Of the total 1,210 suspects listed in the document, a majority are wanted by law enforcement agencies in the northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. [The Express Tribune] [India Today]

Responding to the publication, India said the longlist would ‘glaringly omit’ the key conspirators and controllers of the 2008 Mumbai attacks that left at least 174 people dead and more than 300 wounded. In November 2008, 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terror entity based in Pakistan, carried out 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks lasting four days across Mumbai. [zee news]

India, Pakistan report deadly violence along disputed Kashmir border

(lm) In one of this year’s deadliest days along the heavily militarized Line of Control (LoC) separating India and Pakistan, at least 10 civilians and five security personnel were killed in cross-border shelling on November 13. Hundreds of villagers were moved away from the LoC in Indian-controlled territory, while Pakistani officials said dozens of homes were set ablaze by Indian shelling on their side. [Al Jazeera]

According to Indian officials, the barrage of mortars and other weapons along several parts of the de facto border began after troops from the Indian army foiled an infiltration attempt from Pakistan in northern Kashmir. Pakistan’s military, in turn, said in a statement it had responded to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing by the Indian army. [Daily Sabah] [South China Morning Post]

The new peak in tensions came only weeks after Pakistan summoned a senior Indian diplomat to lodge a formal protest over recent ceasefire violations by Indian forces along LoC, resulting in serious injuries of two civilians. [AiR No. 44, November/2020, 1]

Russia, Pakistan hold small-scale joint military exercise

(lm) A contingent of 150 members of the Russian Army has arrived in Pakistan to participate in the annual installment of the joint training exercise ‘DRUHZBA-5’. Established in 2016, the drills aim at enhancing compatibility between the two armies in counter-terrorism and special operations. [The Express Tribune] [The EurAsian Times]

In September, a contingent of the Pakistan armed forces participated in the opening ceremony of the Russian-led military exercise Kavkaz 2020 in Astrakhan in southern Russia. [AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4]

Battling to bring a gaping current account deficit under control, Pakistan seeks rollover of foreign loans

(lm) As the second tranche of a $3 billion loan from Saudi Arabia is maturing next month, Islamabad is looking for various options to retain its dwindling foreign currency reserves estimated at $12.2 billion.

In this context, Pakistan has forwarded a formal request for granting a rollover of a $2 billion Saudi loan. The loan was part of a $6.2 billion financial assistance package announced by Saudi Arabia in November 2018, when Islamabad was struggling with rapidly expanding trade deficit and declining foreign reserves. The package included $3 billion in cash assistance and a $3.2 billion worth of annual oil and gas supply on deferred payments [see AiR (5/10/2018)]. Islamabad has already paid back 1$ billion out of the $3 billion in May this year, while $2 billion are still with the State Bank of Pakistan. Further, Islamabad has sought rollover of a $2 billion deposit loan obtained from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for another year. [The News]

In August, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had expressed frustration over the inaction of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Saudi Arabia, insisting that the OIC was not doing enough to pressure India on the Kashmir issue. Threatening to bypass the OIC, Qureshi also said that Islamabad was willing to proceed ‘with or without’ support from Riyadh. In response, Saudi Arabia withdrew a $1 billion interest-free loan, and further demanded another $1 billion. At the time, China had come forward and extended $1 billion in loan to help Islamabad avoid any adverse impact of the partial withdrawal of the Saudi lifeline. [AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]

Moreover, Pakistan decided on November 7 to seek a rollover of a $3 billion Chinese trade finance facility, which is scheduled to mature in May next year. The bilateral currency swap agreement (CSA) was signed between the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) in December 2011. Originally meant to promote bilateral trade, Islamabad, however, utilized the additional trade finance facility available under the CSA to repay maturing foreign debt and keeping its foreign currency reserves at comfortable levels. In the event Pakistan fails to secure a third extension, the SBP will be liable to repay Beijing $3 billion by using dollars to buy Chinese yuan, a move that analysts say will certainly affect the country’s foreign reserves. [The Express Tribune] [The Economic Times] [Pakistan Today]

To date, Islamabad has been unable to restore the $6 billion bailout program of the International Monetary Fund, which was suspended in April after Pakistan failed to meet all requirements [see AiR No. 14, April/2020, 1]. Later the same month, the IMF approved an additional $1.4 billion loan for Pakistan to meet the balance of payment needs after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, members of the G-20 decided to include Islamabad in a debt relief plan, repackaging payments due between May and December 2020 [see AiR No. 16, April/2020, 3].

Russia approves new structure for North-South Gas Pipeline with Pakistan

(lm) Russia has provided a new structure for the North-South Gas Pipeline Project (NSGPP), offering Russian companies TMK (global supplier of tubular products) and ETK (trader in chemicals) under its Federal State Unitary Enterprises (FSUE) scheme. A Russian delegation with representatives is expected to visit Pakistan later this month to negotiate changes in the Inter-Governmental Agreement to account for changes in the capital structure. [The International News]

Signed in 2015, the $2.25 billion project passes through the provinces of Sindh and Punjab, taking an east-ward route. In the past, it has faced delays due to US sanctions against the Russian state-owned conglomerate Rostec and a dispute over transport fees. Since then, the Russian side has changed the structure of the firm six times to avoid sanctions but no success has been achieved so far. [The Express Tribune]

In the run-up to the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Moscow earlier this year, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the completion of the NSGPP was a priority for both countries. [AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]

Last month, Pakistan’s Federal Energy Minister said the country’s indigenous gas reserves located in the provinces of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were rapidly depleting. To compensate, Pakistan is predicted to be in need of importing 400,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) liquefied petroleum gas during four months of the current winter season to meet the requirements of consumers. Already, Pakistan’s largest integrated gas company, Sui Northern Gas Company, is relying excessively on the import of Renewable Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG). [pt Profit] [Link News] [Dawn]

Making matters worse, ExxonMobil has pulled out of a deal with the Pakistani consortium Energas for the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal near Karachi. In 2018, the US energy giant had signed an agreement with Energas to support the development of Pakistan’s third LNG import terminal. [Hellenic Shipping News]

In a related development, the federal government is advancing plans for two main gas transmission pipelines to connect LNG import terminals located on the Arabian Sea coast with major inland cities including Lahore, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. [Pipeline Technology Journal]

Pakistan, European Union hold 5th Strategic Dialogue

(lm) The European Union and Pakistan on Wednesday held their 5th round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue through video conference. [Associated Press of Pakistan]

In a nod to recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron on Islam [see AiR No. 44, November/2020, 1], Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi raised deep concerns over the ‘resurgence of Islamophobic acts’ in some EU Member States that had hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world, including in Pakistan, according to Qureshi. Defending the European position on the issue, High Representative of the European Union Joseph Borrell said, individual rights and freedom were ‘central’ to the European society based on secular values – a model, he said, often ‘difficult’ to be understood in societies whose values differ from Europe’s.

To further their engagement, both sides also agreed to hold the first meeting of the new EU-Pakistan Security Dialogue in 2021. Pakistan and the EU had last year signed a Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) to provide a framework for greater cooperation and stronger ties between the two sides [see AiR (4/6/2019)]. [Dawn]

Pakistan: Police recover teen girl after alleged forced conversion and marriage

(lm) Facing mounting pressure from campaign groups, a Pakistani court has ordered the police to take into custody a man accused of kidnapping, forcibly converting and marrying a 13-year-old Christian child until the next hearing in the case later this week. The girl was taken into protective custody on October 2, after the court ordered that she be taken to a women’s shelter pending further investigation in the case. [Al Jazeera]

This reversal comes weeks after the girl’s family had first filed a kidnapping complaint with local police on October 13. Two days thereafter, police informed the family that the alleged abductor had produced a marriage certificate stating that the girl was 18 and had converted to Islam. The family claimed the identification papers were fake but when the case went to court on 27 October, the Sindh High Court granted the alleged abductor custody of the minor, ruling that she had married the man of her own ‘free will’. [Inter Press Service] [bbc]

Pakistani law prohibits child marriage and forcible conversion, a growing problem in the southern province of Sindh, where a recent surge in reported cases has brought the issue back into the limelight. Last month, however, the head of the parliamentary panel tasked with probing those allegations said that most cases of forced conversion ‘have some degree of willingness on the part of the girl’. [Dawn]

Pakistan: Hindu temple vandalized; families saved by Muslims from angry attackers

(lm) Two places of worship of the country’s Hindu minority have been vandalized. In the first incident, an angry mob looted a temple in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh. The attackers also attempted to attack over 300 Hindu families living on the complex, but were stopped by Muslim families residing in and around the compound, from entering the neighborhood. After the incident, more than 60 Hindu families shifted to other areas of the city. [Deccan Herald]

Moreover, another Hindu temple was vandalized in Karachi, the province’s main city, making it the third desecration of a place of worship within the past 20 days [see AiR No. 42, October/2020, 3]. [Sputnik International]

Hindus constitute Pakistan’s largest non-Muslim minority, estimated at between two and four percent of the population. Most of them live in southern province of Sindh.

Pakistan: Council of Islamic Ideology approves construction of new Hindu temple in Islamabad

(lm) The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), a constitutional body that advises the government on whether legislation is compliant with the laws of Islam, has given approval for the construction of a new temple for minority Hindus, ruling that Islamic law allows minorities a place of worship. The council also permitted the building of community centers for the minority group to hold weddings and to perform the last rites of their deceased, which the council noted was their constitutional right. [Al Jazeera]

Noting that there was no tradition of using public funds for construction of non-government worship places in Pakistan, however, the CII also ruled that the provision of public money for the temple could not be recommended. At the same time, the council’s ruling left open the possibility the money could be distributed to the Hindu community to use as it sees fit. [Anadolu Agency]

The plan to build a temple complex in Islamabad for the city’s minority Hindu residents and visitors was approved in 2017 under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government, but construction had been delayed until this year by administrative hurdles. In June, the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan allotted land and promised $600 million in funding for the project. Shortly thereafter, however, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) put the construction on hold, responding to massive public disapproval and political uproar against the project. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) the following month then disposed all petitions against the construction of the temple and ruled that the construction could continue once the building plan was approved by the CDA. In spite of the ruling, opposition from several right-wing parties, which objected to the use of public money to build the place of worship, forced the government to refer the matter to the CII [see AiR No. 28, July/2020, 2].

Pakistan: Military to brief parliamentarians on national security situation

(lm) Military officials will brief lawmakers of both upper and lower houses of parliament on matters related to national security in Islamabad on Wednesday, November 12. [The Express Tribune]

In September, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had stressed the need to enhance the military’s combat readiness to better respond to 5th generation and hybrid warfare tactics [see AiR No. 36, September/2020, 2]. At the time, increased ceasefire violations committed by the Indian military along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both in its entirety, as well as human rights violations in the disputed territories were noted as major causes of concern for regional peace and stability. [AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]

Pakistan: Balochistan assembly seeks withdrawal of presidential ordinance on islands

(lm) The provincial assembly of Balochistan on October 29 adopted a resolution against the controversial Pakistan Islands Development Authority (PIDA) Ordinance which seeks to takeover islands in Sindh and Balochistan, demanding its immediate withdrawal. Cutting across party lines, the resolution also found support from members of the provincial government, which is run by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. [The Balochistan Post]

The move comes after Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chairman of the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) (JUI-F) openly threatened the federal government and the establishment not to usurp the islands in Sindh and Balochistan. Rehman, who is last month was appointed as chief of the newly-formed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) [see AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1], was speaking in Quetta, where he attended the anti-government alliance’s third rally [see AiR No. 43, October/2020, 4]. Within five days, JUI-F’s political alliance in Balochistan, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, then tabled the resolution in the provincial assembly. [South Asia Monitor]

Earlier last month, members of the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had criticized the Khan government for not tabling the PIDA Ordinance before the National Assembly or the Senate when both houses were in session the in late October. Further, opposition parties submitted a resolution to the Senate, seeking disapproval of the PIDA Ordinance [see AiR No. 42, October/2020, 3]. At same time, though, Sindh, which is ruled by the PPP, has not yet been able to adopt a similar resolution to oppose the federal ordinance.

President Arif Alvi promulgated an ordinance for establishing the ‘Pakistan Islands Development Authority’ (PIDA) on August 31 with the primary purpose to develop and maintain Bundal and Buddo islands, which are located in the coastal belt of Sindh province. The ordinance gained public attention in early October after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari posted the ordinance on social media, calling it an ‘illegal annexation’ by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) [see AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2].

Pakistan: PM Imran Khan acquitted in 2014 Parliament attack case

(lm) An anti-terrorism court on Thursday acquitted Prime Minister Imran Khan in the 2014 Parliament attack case but summoned other senior ministers, including Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on November 12 for indictment. Further, the court halted proceedings against incumbent President Arif Alvi due to the presidential immunity granted to him in the constitution. The acquittal comes days after Khan urged the court to acquit him, saying that the prosecution was longer interested in pursuing the case. [The Hindu]

In August 2014, police had invoked sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act against Khan and other leaders of the now-ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) for sparking violent clashes between protesters and the police, killing 3 and injuring 26 others. Back then, tens of thousands of protesters swarmed towards Pakistan`s parliament after using bolt cutters and cranes to swiftly remove barricades designed to keep them away from the city’s ‘red zone’ which houses parliament, the prime minister’s office and most foreign embassies. 

Before, an estimated 50,000 protesters, led by Kahn and PAT founder Tahir-ul-Qadri had been holding demonstrations in Islamabad for five days to demand the resignation of the government led by then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Interestingly, prosecution lawyers in Pakistan are appointed by the government and take instructions from it. The 2014 prosecution team under the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had fought the Parliament attack case but with a new team under the PTI government, the situation has seemingly changed. [Dawn]

Pakistan, Bangladesh: Anti-France protests continue, as President Emmanuel Macron seeks understanding

(lm) At least 50,000 people have participated in the third major anti-France demonstration in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka over French President Emmanuel Macron’s support for cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. The rally, which had been organized by Hefazat-e-Islam, the biggest Islamic group in the country, was stopped from getting close to the French embassy where security had been stepped up. Hefazat-e-Islam has called for the diplomatic outpost to be closed in 24 hours. [The Straits Times] [Nikkei Asia Review]

Macron has been the target of protests in several Muslim-majority nations after he eulogized a French teacher who was decapitated by an Islamist radical who for using cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression [see AiR No. 43, October/2020, 4]. The renewed protests came after the French president’s interview late Saturday with Qatar-based broadcaster Al-Jazeera. During the interview, Macron said that he understood the shock Muslims felt at caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad but also defended the ‘right to blaspheme’ under freedom of expression rights and France’s secular values. [Al Jazeera]

In Pakistan, police fired tear gas at hundreds of supporters of the main Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, who had broken through security blockades in Karachi in a failed attempt to demonstrate at the French Consulate in the city. Protests and gatherings marking the occasion were also held in the cities of Multan, Lahore and Peshawar. [Associated Press]

At least 34 civil society organizations in the Maldives have called on the government to cease all economic and political cooperation with France pending an apology to Muslims all over the world. [SunOnline]

Pakistan: Provincial status given to Gilgit-Baltistan, two weeks before local assembly elections

(lm) In the run-up to provincial assembly elections in the Pakistan-administered region of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), scheduled for November 15, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on November 1 the granting of ‘provisional-provincial status’ to the region. The announcement comes after Pakistan’s Minister of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan last month stated that the prime minister would soon visit the region to make an official announcement [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4]. [Dawn]

Formerly known as the Northern Areas, Gilgit-Baltistan is the northernmost territory administered by Pakistan. Constituting the northern portion of the greater Kashmir region, the territory borders the Indian-administered union territories Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to the southeast. Not surprisingly, the decision drew condemnation from India, which maintained that Gilgit-Baltistan is ‘an integral part’ of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which acceded to the Union of India in 1947 [see also AiR No. 45, November/2019, 1, AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1]. [The Hindu] [South China Morning Post]

To date, Pakistan fell short of declaring the strategic region as its fifth province, ostensibly to protect its claim on the entirety of Kashmir in the event of a resolution of the Kashmir dispute with India. As a consequence, the region has been caught in constitutional limbo and denied representation in Pakistan’s national legislature. Faced with growing demands from the locals, in 2009, the federal government introduced the Gilgit Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order. The order granted gave the region limited autonomy by creating, among other things, an elected legislative assembly and creating a legal framework to potentially provide anyone living in Gilgit-Baltistan with formal residency. [European Foundation for South Asia Studies]

In a ruling earlier this year, Pakistan’s Supreme Court allowed the federal government to amend a 2018 administrative order to conduct provincial assembly elections and to set up a caretaker government during the interregnum period. The polls were to be held in August, but Pakistan’s election commission in July decided to postpone the elections, citing the coronavirus pandemic. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) completed its five-year tenure earlier this year, and is expected to regain power in the forthcoming election. [The Diplomat] [Kashmir Observer]

Observers remark that elevating the status of Gilgit-Baltistan represents a new spin to Pakistan’s geo-strategy. The region also hosts the Moqpondass, a region selected for one of the proposed nine priority Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project, said to be Beijing’s largest-ever overseas investment, aims to connect China’s Xinjiang with Pakistan’s coastline in Balochistan, and therefore has to pass through Gilgit-Baltistan. [The Nation]

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has angered both New Delhi and Islamabad after a new currency note issued by the Gulf nation to commemorate the kingdom’s presidency of the G20 depicts disputed Kashmir as a state independent from either India or Pakistan. [The EurAsian Times] [Middle Eastern Monitor]

India: Federal government changes land laws in Jammu and Kashmir union territory

(lm) In a significant move, India’s central government enacted on October 27 a series of new land laws – and amended some – ending the protections on land rights in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory. The most important change has been made in the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act that governs the disposal of land in the union territory, as the government has ‘omitted’ the term ‘being permanent resident of the state’ as a criterion. The new laws also authorize the Indian army to declare any area as ‘strategic’ for operational, residential and training purposes against Kashmiri rebels. [Scroll.in] [The Straits Times] [The Hindu 1]

Residents and rights groups fear the new laws are aimed at changing the demography of the region, exacerbating concerns that Kashmir could turn into ‘India’s settler-colonial project’. The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, a newly formed conglomeration of parties in the Jammu and Kashmir union territories [see AiR No. 42, October/2020, 3], called the notification a ‘huge betrayal’. [Kashmir Observer]

Two days after New Delhi enacted the new land laws, suspected separatist rebels shot dead three members of the BJP. Moreover, on October 31, the Kashmir Valley then observed a total shutdown in a general strike called for by Tehreek e Hurriyat (All Parties Hurriyat Conference, APHC), a conglomerate of 26 separatist parties. The same day, government forces in riot gear were stationed in large numbers in areas of the region’s main city of Srinagar and across the valley. [Al Jazeera 1] [Al Jazeera 2] [The Indian Express]

In the face of growing anxiety and protests, the provincial government on November 2 said the recently introduced land laws would ‘afford protection to over 90 percent of the land in the Union Territory’, adding that the previous laws were ‘anti-people’. [The Hindu 2]

In August last year, India unilaterally abrogated Article 370 of its constitution, breaking the state of Kashmir into two union territories – one comprising the Hindu-dominated Jammu region and the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, known as Jammu and Kashmir, and the second being the Buddhist enclave of Ladakh. Heretofore, the state had enjoyed a special status, which allowed it to make its own rules about permanent residency and property ownership [see AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1].

Since then, India has brought in a slew of changes through new laws. The federal government earlier this year issued new domicile laws for the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which opened up the eligibility criteria for becoming permanent residents. [AiR No. 14, April/2020, 1]

Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over ceasefire violations along disputed border in Kashmir

Pakistan summoned a senior Indian diplomat on October 30 to lodge a formal protest over recent ceasefire violations by Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region, resulting in serious injuries of two civilians. New Delhi called on Islamabad to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and to investigate the incident. [The Straits Times] [The Express Tribune]

Earlier this month, Islamabad summoned an Indian diplomat to protest another ceasefire violation by Indian forces along the LoC on October 14, which left two civilians injured.

India designates 18 Pakistan-based individuals as ‘terrorists’

(lm) India has designated 18 Pakistan-based individuals as ‘terrorists’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), saying the individuals were involved in various acts of terrorism from across the border. Prior to an amendment in August last year, the government could only designate organizations as terrorist organizations. Since then, 13 individuals have been designated as terrorists without a trial. [Deccan Herald] [The Tribune]

Among those designated as terrorists is Syed Salahudeen, head of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, a pro-Pakistan Kashmiri separatist militant organization operating in Kashmir. Salahudeen also leads the United Jihad Council, a Pakistan-based conglomeration of jihadist militant groups allegedly sponsored by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), with the goal of annexing Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan. Already, Salahuddin is listed on the Most Wanted List of India’s National Investigation Agency. Moreover, on 2017, the US Department of State designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). [The Hindu]

India: Forces kill top militant commander in Indian-administrated Kashmir

(lm) Indian police on Sunday confirmed that a top militant commander of the largest militant group in Indian-administered Kashmir was killed in a gun battle with security forces in the city of Srinagar. Shortly after the gun battle, anti-India protests broke out in the neighborhood. Police fired tear gas and shotgun pellets to stop scores of stone-throwing young men from marching in the area. [Al Jazeera] [The Straits Times]

The dead commander, Saifullah Mir, was the chief of operations of Hizbul Mujahideen, a separatist militant group that seeks the integration of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory with Pakistan. For decades, the outfit has spearheaded an armed rebellion against Indian rule. According to officials, Mir took charge of the Hizbul Mujahideen in the Kashmir valley after his predecessor Riyaz Naikoo was killed by Indian security forces in May. [Deutsche Welle]

According to Indian police, 190 militants have been killed in the Muslim-majority region so far this year, with another 50 believed to have surrendered silently. Last week, three young BJP workers were shot dead by militants in southern Kashmir [see article in this edition]

India regularly accuses Pakistan of supporting Kashmiri militants – a charge Islamabad has denied. [Reuters]

Pakistan: Journalist returns home after ‘going missing’ for 22 hours

(lm) A reporter working for Pakistan’s Geo News television returned on October 24 after he had gone missing for nearly a day in the southern port city of Karachi. Observers claim the reporter’s abduction may have been related to his work on recent political events, including the arrest of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mohammad Safdar [see AiR No. 42, October/2020, 3]. [The Guardian] [Dawn]

Journalists and press freedom advocates often accuse the Pakistani military and security agencies of pressuring media outlets to prevent critical coverage. Earlier this month, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) – a top body of lawyers –constituted a Journalistic Defense Committee to provide legal assistance and services to journalists and their elected bodies [see AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1]. In July, Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan, a vocal critic of the military`s involvement in government affairs, was released from a brief abduction [see AiR No. 30, July/2020, 4].

Pakistan: Police and military in direct conflict while opposition builds momentum

(lm) The 11-party alliance called the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) followed up its two rallies over the weekend with a third in the city of Quetta on October 25, presenting Khan’s administration with its biggest political challenge yet as is grappling with double-digit food inflation and negative economic growth. The rallies are a part of a campaign to oust Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, who they accuse of being installed by the military in a rigged 2018 election [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4, AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1]. [BloombergQuint] [Times Now News]

In the run-up to Sunday’s rally, the provincial government of Baluchistan appealed to PDM leaders to postpone the demonstration after authorities had issued a security alert, warning that Pakistan’s leading Taliban group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) [see No. 37, September/2020, 3] planned attacks. Indeed, a bomb blast hit the provincial capital on Sunday, leaving at least three people dead and injuring seven others. [The Tribune]

At the same time, the government’s crackdown on opposition groups and the media has intensified. Police on October 20 registered a case against Maryam Nawaz, the daughter and political heir to former three-time Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and some 2000 other party members for holding an anti-government rally in Karachi on October 18 where she called Prime Minister Imran Khan a ‘coward, selected and puppet’. [see AiR No. 42, October/2020, 3]. [The Straits Times]

A few hours after the second rally, Nawaz husband and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Muhammad Safdar on October 26 was taken into custody in connection with charges against him for leading a crowd in chanting against the country’s military during a visit to the mausoleum of Pakistan’s founder ahead of the rally [see AiR No. 42, October/2020, 3]. Safdar has been released on bail on Monday. [Al Jazeera]

Following the arrest, opposition parties alleged that the Police Chief of Sindh province had been kidnapped by paramilitary and coerced to order the arrest of Safdar. Soon thereafter, in a show of open defiance against the military, several police officers in Karachi threatened to go on mass leave, claiming that it had become hard for them to ‘discharge [their] duties in a professional manner’. Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa ordered a probe into the so-called ‘Karachi incident’. [Hindustan Times] [The Hindu]

The next rally is set to be held in Peshawar (November 22), followed by protests in Multan (November 30), and Lahore (December 13). The parties plan to end the campaign with a ‘long march’ march on Islamabad, the capital, in 2021.

Pakistan: Keel laying ceremony of third Turkish-made anti-submarine warship

(lm) The keel-laying ceremony of the third Turkish anti-submarine class ship for Pakistan was held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by Pakistan navy officials and Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. [Anadolu Agency]

Bilateral defense and security cooperation between the countries were initially boosted with significant defense deals in 2018, elevating Turkey to become Pakistan’s second-biggest arms supplier after China [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4, AiR No. 46, November/2019, 2]. That year, the Pakistan Navy, inter alia, signed a contract with Turkey’s state-run defense firm and shipyard corporation, ASFAT, to acquire four MILGEM-class ships. Under the agreement, two corvettes will be constructed in Turkey and two in Pakistan.

In October 2019, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the steel cutting ceremony to mark the formal recognition of the start of the construction of the first MILGEM ship in Istanbul. The steel-cutting ceremony for the second corvette was held in Karachi this June. The first ship is slated to be delivered to Pakistan in 2023 in line with its schedule. [Dawn]

Pakistan: Separatists in tribal areas continue to target Chinese development projects

(lm) A corps commander conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on Tuesday undertook comprehensive review of a recent surge in terrorist incidents in Pakistan, particularly in the country’s semi-autonomous tribal regions and Baluchistan. [Pakistan Today] [Dawn]

Earlier this month, separatists killed 14 in an attack on an oil convoy that in the southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, which has become a nexus of Chinese development projects and heavy security crackdown. [Asia Times] [Al Jazeera]

Since 2014, the military has conducted a series of operations in these regions to eliminate Pakistan’s leading Taliban group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) [see e.g. .AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1, AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]. In September, the group announced its reunification with three formerly estranged factions, a move that analysts say could pose a security risk to projects linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in northwestern Pakistan [see No. 37, September/2020, 3].

Pakistan to remain on FATF greylist until next review in February 2021

(lm) A virtual meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Friday announced to keep Islamabad in on the groupings Compliance Document, also known as ‘grey’ monitoring list, until the next review in February next year. Within the last months, Pakistan has made progress and completed 21 out of 27 action items, with the remaining six rated as partially complete. [Anadolu Agency]

Founded in 1989, the FATF is an inter-governmental organization that monitors global money laundering and terrorist financing. As a policy-making body, the FATF sets international standards that aim to combat these illegal activities, with more than 200 countries and jurisdictions committed to implementing them.

In June 2018, the FATF had placed Pakistan on its rating list of countries tagged as prone to illicit financial activity and issued 27 conditions for review for complying. Islamabad has since twice escaped being placed on the watchdog’s financial crime blacklist with the support of Turkey, China and Malaysia. During the last three-day session, Turkey reportedly proposed that the FATF member states should consider Pakistan’s good work and instead of waiting for completion of the remaining six of the 27 parameters, an FATF on-site team should visit Pakistan to finalise its assessment. However, no other member seconded the move. [Dawn] [The Hindu] [Hindustan Times]

The FATF plenary was originally scheduled for June but Islamabad got an unexpected breather after the global watchdog against financial crimes temporarily postponed all mutual evaluations and follow-up deadlines in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Paris-based agency also put a general pause in the review process, thus giving additional four months to Pakistan to comply with the action plan [see AiR No. 26, June/2020, 5].

In the run-up to this week’s meeting, India has mounted a determined effort to hold Pakistan responsible for its role in supporting terrorism and terrorist infrastructure. New Delhi hopes that the United States — even though somewhat distracted by its presidential election scheduled for November 3 — will use forceful diplomacy to keep Pakistan pinned down on its failure to meet the FATF requirements that, in normal times, would have probably dragged Islamabad down to the black list. [The Diplomat]

However, India is up against a spiteful China that is ready to fight it across fora. Although Pakistan is yet to report total compliance with the FATF’s 27-point action plan, China tried their best during the meeting to support Pakistan’s poor performance. When Yao Jing, China’s outgoing ambassador to Pakistan, made a farewell call on September 17 – a day after the APJG meeting – he was quoted in an official statement as expressing ‘his confidence that FATF’s October review will go well for Pakistan’. [AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4]

These technical hide-and-seek games notwithstanding, there is little doubt that the FATF is unhappy with Pakistan’s performance. Citing meagre progress on a total of 40 technical recommendations of the FATF to fight money laundering and terror financing, the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) recently decided to retained Pakistan on its ‘Enhanced Follow-Up’ list [see AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2]. The APG is a FATF style regional inter-governmental body that currently consists of 41 member jurisdictions in the Asia-Pacific region and a number of observer jurisdictions and international/regional observer organizations.

Pakistan, Bangladesh up in arms over comments by French President Emmanuel Macron on Islam

(lm) More than 40,000 people participated in march through Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on October 27 calling for a boycott of French products and burning an effigy of President Emmanuel Macron. The rally was organized by Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB), one of the country’s largest Islamist parties, and started at Bangladesh’s biggest mosque. [The Straits Times 1]

The French leader has been the target of protests in several countries after he dedicated a high-level ceremony to a teacher beheaded by an Islamist radical who wanted to avenge the use of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression. Defending the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet, Macron said the teacher ‘was killed because Islamists want our future’. That comment compounded earlier controversy after, he also earlier this month described Islam as a religion ‘in crisis,’ and announced plans for tougher laws to tackle what he called ‘Islamist separatism’ in France. [The Straits Times 2] [Anadolu Agency]

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan added his voice to the growing criticism of Emmanuel Macron, accusing the European leader on October 25 of ‘attacking Islam’. The following day, Pakistan then summoned France’s ambassador in Islamabad to lodge a diplomatic protest against a ‘systematic Islamophobic campaign’ in the European nation. [The Straits Times 3] [France 24]

Prime Minister Khan has also appealed to Facebook to ban Islamophobic content on the site, warning that growing Islamophobia was ‘encouraging hate, extremism and violence across the world, and especially through the use of social media platforms, including Facebook.’ [Reuters] [Deutsche Welle]

Khan’s comments come amid increasing religious tensions in Pakistan. Earlier this month, a Pakistan appeals court acquitted a Christian man who spent about seven years in jail on the accusation of blasphemy, a charge that led to communal rioting that saw two churches and about 150 homes in Lahore’s Christian neighborhood of Joseph Colony burned down by an enraged mob in 2013 [AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2]. In July, a US citizen on trial for blasphemy was shot dead in a crowded courtroom in the northwestern city of Peshawar [see AiR No. 31, August/2020, 1]

India: Kashmir parties forge group for restoration of ‘special status’

(lm) After chairing a meeting of Kashmir’s main parties, the president of one of Jammu and Kashmir’s oldest parties, the National Conference (NC), announced a new grouping called the ‘Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration’ to seek a peaceful restoration of the disputed region’s autonomy. Prior to this, the Indian government ordered the release of former Kashmiri Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti after a 14-month detention, who promptly called for a campaign to restore Indian-administered Kashmir’s special rights. [Hindustan Times] [Al Jazeera]

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year unilaterally abrogated the special status hitherto enjoyed by its side of the state of Kashmir, cracked down on opposition and rounded up hundreds of people to forestall protests [see AiR No. 45, November/2019, 1] [AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1]. After revoking the region’s autonomy, New Delhi imposed a protracted communication blackout with mobiles phones, internet links and landlines cut. In August, authorities then ordered the restoration of high-speed 4G internet services in two of Kashmir’s 20 districts on a ‘trial basis’ from after India’s Supreme Court ruled that an indefinite shutdown of the internet was illegal [see AiR No. 33, August/2020, 3].

In May, the NC had pulled out of the Delimitation Commission, which was set up to redraw Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and Jammu and Kashmir, and accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of seeking to divide the Union Territory on religious lines by manufacturing a Hindu dominance in the Kashmir valley. [AiR No. 36, September/2020, 2]

Pakistan re-elected to United Nations Human Rights Council

(lm) Securing the highest number of votes among five candidates from the Asia-Pacific region, Pakistan on October 13 was re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Islamabad is currently serving on the UNHRC since January 2018 and will continue as a member for another three-year term, starting on January 1 2021. Since the UNHRC’s establishment in 2006, this is the fifth time that Pakistan has been elected to the UN’s premier body on human rights. [Anadolu Agency]

While Russia and Cuba ran unopposed in the secret ballot at the UN General Assembly, Pakistan vied for membership in a five-nation race for four spots with Saudi Arabia, China, Uzbekistan and Nepal. Pakistan received 169 votes, Uzbekistan 164, Nepal 150, China 139 and Saudi Arabia 90 votes – ending Riyadh’s bid to again be a member of the UN’s top human rights body. [Al Jazeera]

Pakistan: Hindu temple desecrated

(lm) In the latest manifestation of persistent discrimination faced by the Hindu community in Pakistan, a place of worship in the country’s southern province of Sindh where capital city Karachi is located has been vandalized. Hindus constitute Pakistan’s largest non-Muslim minority, estimated at between two and four percent of the population. Most of them live in southern province of Sindh. Condemning the recent vandalism, a human rights activist said that only 20 temples out of more than formerly 420 are now left in the province. [Hindustan Times]

Presumably the most iconic example of the deplorable condition of Pakistan’s beleaguered Hindu community is the deconstruction of Shri Krishna Mandir, the first temple in Pakistan’s capital for the city’s minority Hindu residents and visitors. Soon after the land had been allocated to the city`s Hindu community in 2017, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had put the construction on hold, responding to massive public disapproval and political uproar against the project. In July, the Islamabad High Court disposed all petitions against the construction of the temple and ordered that the construction can continue the after the building plan was approved by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Notwithstanding the decision, the government referred the case to the Council of Islamic Ideology, a constitutional body that advises it on whether legislation is compliant with the laws of Islam. The final decision was expected for September. [see AiR No. 28, July/2020, 2]

Mistreatment of minorities also damages Pakistan’s international image: Based on the annual report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which had accused Pakistan of engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act, the US government in December last year redesignated Pakistan as a ‘country of particular concern,’ or CPC. [see AiR No. 53, December/2019, 5]

Pakistan: Opposition criticizes federal government for not laying PIDA ordinance before parliament

(lm) Opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) criticized the Khan government for not tabling the controversial Pakistan Islands Development Authority (PIDA) Ordinance that would affect especially the Sindh province – one of the four provinces of Pakistan that is located at the southeastern coastline -, before the National Assembly or the Senate when both houses were in session the previous day. Further, opposition parties submitted a resolution to the Senate, seeking disapproval of the PIDA Ordinance. [Dawn 1]

Prior to this, a key member of the federal government accused the provincial administration of ‘playing politics’ over the issue after senior PTI leader and Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi posted on social media a provincial government letter through which it had made ‘available’ Bundal Island to the federal government. Shortly thereafter, Prime Minister Imran Khan on October 15 directed the state governor of Sindh to sort out the matter related to the project in consultation with PPP-led provincial government of Sindh. [Dawn 2] [Dawn 3] 

President Arif Alvi promulgated an ordinance for establishing the ‘Pakistan Islands Development Authority’ (PIDA) on August 31 with the primary purpose to develop and maintain Bundal and Buddo islands, which are located in the coastal belt of Sindh province. The ordinance gained public attention in early October after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari posted the ordinance on social media, calling it an ‘illegal annexation’ by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Alleging mala fide intent, PPP leaders argue that the federal government is overreaching into the concerns of the province, as any island within 12 nautical miles of the maritime boundaries falls within the jurisdiction of the provincial government, according to the constitution. [AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2]. [Nikkei Asia Review]

Pakistan: Arrest warrant issued against former president Asif Ali Zardari

(lm) Pakistan’s anti-corruption watchdog, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), on October 15 issued an arrest warrant against former President and co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari in a case relating to money laundering through suspicious bank accounts and companies. Further, the NAB asked the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to deny Zardari a pre-arrest bail. The IHC, however, exempted Zardari from personal appearance in the case for medical reasons. Earlier last week, Zardari had been shifted to a hospital after feeling ‘unwell’. [Anadolu Agency] [Hindustan Times]

Zardari, who is facing multiple corruption and money laundering cases, was arrested in June 2019 by anti-corruption officials in a separate money laundering case and granted bail by the IHC on medical grounds in December [AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]. The court adjourned the hearing till November 5. 

Pakistan: Court prevents government from publishing a proclamation against former PM Sharif in UK 

(lm) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) rejected a petition filed by the federal government seeking publication of a proclamation against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in two British newspapers. The federal government had submitted a compliance report relating to the publication of proclamation issued in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield references against Sharif in two Pakistani newspapers. [The New Indian Express]

The proclamation was issued earlier this month, after arrest warrants against Sharif had not been received in London, where he has been residing since November last year [see AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]. [AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2]

Further, the IHC registrar office in a letter to the foreign secretary ordered the country’s High Commission in the United Kingdom to display the proclamation in the vicinity of Sharif’s residence in London. [Dawn]

Pakistan: Tens of thousands demand resignation of PM Khan

(lm) Tens of thousands of opposition supporters rallied on October 18 in the city of Karachi as part of a campaign to oust Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, who they accuse of being installed by the military in a rigged 2018 election. The rally in Karachi followed a protest by 50 000 people in eastern Gujranwala, a stronghold of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on Friday. The night before Friday’s rally the government embarked on mass detentions and arrests of about 500 opposition figures and activists, mainly from the opposition PML-N. [Dawn] [The Guardian] [Hindustan Times]

Weekend’s protests were the first held by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a joint platform of eleven opposition political parties that was formed last month to oust Khan from power [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4]. The alliance marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that all opposition political parties have come together to challenge the military’s interference in politics. The three mainstream opposition parties – PML-N, Pakistan People’s party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) – are at the forefront of the movement [see AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1].

Speaking via video link from London to the Gujranwala gathering, former Prime Minister Sharif Nawaz accused army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa of orchestrating his ouster in 2017 and installing Imran Khan as prime minister the following year. The PML-N supremo further accused Bajwa and the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s intelligence agency, of interfering in political affairs and coercing the judiciary. [Deutsche Welle]

Sharif, who has been in London for medical treatment since November is facing a number of corruption charges and is considered by the courts to have absconded. The Pakistan authorities are attempting to get him extradited back from the United Kingdom [see AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]. He is also facing sedition charges for accusing the military of political interference [see AiR No. 41, October/2020, 2, AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]. Referring to those charges, he told the crowd it was common for ‘dictators’ to label politicians as traitors. [The Straits Times]

In the wake of the PDM’s announcement, there have been multiple arrests of opposition senior figures in retaliation to the mounting anti-government criticism. Pakistani police detained the son-in-law of Nawaz Sharif on Monday after he led a crowd in chanting against the country’s military at the tomb of the Pakistan’s founder. Last month, anti-corruption forces arrested Shehbaz Sharif, leader of PML-N, and the brother of Nawaz Sharif. He and other opposition politicians have accused the Khan government of political victimization. Khan, who won the 2018 election on a strong anti-corruption platform, denies the accusation [see AiR No. 39, September/2020, 5]. [Arab News]

The anti-government rallies on Friday and Sunday were the first in a series of demonstrations planned to increase pressure on Khan. The next rally is set to be held in Quetta October 25, followed by protests in Peshawar (November 22), Multan (November 30), and Lahore (December 13). The parties plan to end the campaign with a ‘long march’ march on Islamabad, the capital, in 2021. The opposition leaders have said they would use mass resignations and votes of no confidence in parliament to take down the government.

Pakistan, United Kingdom hold consultations on arms control, non-proliferation

(lm) Representatives of Pakistan and the United Kingdom on October 13 held virtually the fifth round of their bilateral consultations on arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament. Both sides agreed to hold the sixth round of consultations next year on a mutually agreed date. [British High Commission Islamabad]

The same day, both sides also agreed to closely work together for timely implementation of an Extradition Treaty to surrender alleged criminals for prosecution or punishment. Both sides further agreed for timely finalization of a Readmission Agreement for the return of illegal citizens staying abroad. [The Nation]

Pakistan: Civil society, opposition reject plan to create new city claiming an annexation by China

(lm) A presidential ordinance aimed at developing two islands in the coastal belt of Sindh province has kicked up a political storm in Pakistan, with the opposition and civil society groups calling it an “illegal annexation” by China. While the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had hitherto managed to keep the issue out of the limelight, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday posted the ordinance on social media, vowing to oppose it. [Dawn 1] [The Express Tribune]

Sindh, the third-largest province in Pakistan by area, borders the Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan to the east, and Arabian Sea to the south. The province’s coastal belt hosts around 300 big and small islands; and Pakistan’s federal government twice in the last two decades has floated the idea of building a city on two, Bundal and Buddo Islands. In mid-September, Pakistan President Arif Alvi chaired a meeting to discuss infrastructure projects inter alias on Bundal Island, informing real estate players and investors that the locations were very much attractive for foreign investment. [Dunya News] [The Express Tribune] [Dawn 2]

Prior to this, on August 31, the president had promulgated an ordinance for establishing the “Pakistan Islands Development Authority” (PIDA) with the primary purpose to develop and maintain islands in the littoral waters of Pakistan. Still, only the twin islands are mentioned as “specified areas”, which are to be promoted as “trade, investment and logistics centers and hubs, duty free areas and international tourist destinations”. Importantly, no court or any other authority will have jurisdiction to question the legality of any action taken by the PIDA. [propakistani]

To date, the provincial government in Sindh argues that the federal government has no authority over the islands, saying that according to the constitution any island within 12 nautical miles of the maritime boundaries falls within the jurisdiction of the provincial government. During an emergency meeting held on October 6, the PPP-led government unanimously rejected the presidential ordinance and demanded that the federal government immediately withdraw it. [Gulf News]

Recent developments have to be seen against the backdrop of a wider resentment against Chinese economic expansion in Pakistan under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework. In September, for example, fishermen announced a campaign against the arrival of Chinese deep-sea trawlers off the coast of Sindh and Baluchistan. Political leaders in Sindh are now fearing that the federal government is preparing to hand over some of the islands off the province’s coast to Beijing. [Dawn 3]

Further, since the launch of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of the BRI, the list of outlawed groups has been expanded to include ethnic and sectarian groups from the southwestern province of Balochistan and the northern region of Gilgit Baltistan. In May, the federal government banned Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz-Arisar (JSQM-A), a Sindh-based political party well known for criticizing China’s BRI, along with two militant groups from the same province for alleged terrorist links [see AiR No. 21, May/2020, 4]

Pakistan: High Court issues proclamation against former PM Nawaz Sharif

(lm) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a proclamation against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in two cases – Al-Azizia and Avenfield – and ordered advertisements to be published in two newspapers calling for Sharif to appear before court. The proclamation was issued after arrest warrants against Sharif had not been received in London, where he has been residing since November last year after a court granted him indefinite bail to seek medical treatment [see AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]. In case Sharif does not appear before court until November 24, he will be declared a proclaimed offender and the IHC will order the seizure of assets. [Business Standard] [Samaa News] [NDTV]

Earlier this month, an Islamabad anti-corruption court had ordered the seizure of assets for Sharif’s failure to appear in the Toshakhana graft case, two weeks after the IHC had rejected his plea for exemption from court appearance and issued a non-bailable warrant [see AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1, AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4].

The Al-Azizia reference pertains to the family of Sharif being unable to justify the source of funds used for setting up the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment companies in Saudi Arabia, making it a case of owning assets beyond means. The Avenfield reference pertains to the undeclared purchase of property owned by the Sharif family in London. Both references had been filed by the country’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in September 2017 [see AiR (2/7/2018)]. In July 2018, an anti-corruption court had then sentenced Sharif in absentia to ten years in jail, five months after the ruling by the Supreme Court that had banned Sharif from parliament for life [see AiR (2/7/2018), AiR (3/4/2018)]. [Dawn]

Pakistan: High Court bars Federal Investigation Agency from arresting journalist

(lm) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restrained the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from arresting a physically-challenged journalist over his alleged objectionable tweets. The journalist, who had filed a petition with the IHC is being provided legal assistance from the Journalistic Defense Committee constituted earlier this month by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) [see AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1]. [The Hindu]

His lawyers asserted that he was being harassed by the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing solely because of opinions and views he had expressed on social media. For this reason, the FIA has served the journalist an undated notice, summoned him and later raided his house. [Dawn]

Presuming abuse of power under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), the IHC adjourned the hearing in the case until October 12 and summoned the inquiry officer of the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing to testify in court. [New Indian Express]

Pakistan: High Court acquits Christian sentenced to death for blasphemy

(lm) A Pakistani High Court (HC) has overturned the 2014 conviction of a Christian man sentenced to death for blasphemy. The convict had first been arrested in 2013 in the eastern city of Lahore on charges of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Following his arrest, a mob set his home on fire, along with two churches and about 150 homes in Lahore’s Christian neighborhood of Joseph Colony. [The Straits Times]

In his appeal against the death sentence he advanced objections on police investigation and prosecution claiming among other issues that the charges had been intentionally fabricated by locals who wanted to take over the Joseph Colony land. [The Express Tribune]

Noteworthy, an anti-terrorism court had previously acquitted all those accused of involvement in the Christian neighborhood mob attack, for “want of evidence”.

Pakistan, Malaysia committed to enhancing strategic partnership

(lm) Speaking via telephone to his Malaysian counterpart Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday reiterated Islamabad’s continued interest in further enhancing existing strategic-level partnership with Malaysia in the fields of economy, trade, defense, education and science and technology. Qureshi also appreciated efforts by the Malaysian government to ensure the well-being of the Pakistani community residing in Malaysia and that Malaysian nationals in Pakistan would be extended all possible assistance by the Pakistani authorities. [The Nation] [Associated Press of Pakistan]

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia hold phone call to ease recent friction in bilateral ties

(lm) Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held a telephonic conversation on October 7 in what appears to be an effort by the two sides to ease the recent friction in their relationship stemming from differences on certain issues. [The Express Tribune]

In mid-August, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa met with Saudi Arabian officials to sooth the waters, after Mahmood Qureshi had earlier expressed frustration over the response of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Saudi Arabia, insisting that the OIC was not doing enough to pressure India on the Kashmir issue. Calling again on Riyadh to convene a special meeting of its Council of Foreign Ministers – a request that was initially turned down in February – Qureshi said that Islamabad was willing to proceed “with or without” support from Riyadh. [AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]

At that time, Saudi Arabia had responded in the negative and even forced Islamabad to repay a $1 billion Saudi loan early, while also demanding yet another $1 billion of the loan. The original loan was part of a $6.2 billion package announced by Saudi Arabia in November 2018, when Islamabad was struggling with rapidly expanding trade deficit and declining foreign reserves. The frosty reply had been explained by some analysts by saying that Saudi Arabia does not want to risk its business interests in India for supporting Pakistan over Kashmir [AiR No. 33, August/2020, 3].

India: Pakistan, China are building new missile sites along country’s western border

(lm) Citing sources in India’s security establishment, Indian newspaper The Telegraph reports that Chinese troops are conducting joint patrols with Pakistan’s army in the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Further, Beijing is allegedly helping Pakistan set up sites for surface-to-air missile defense system near the Line of Control (LoC). Previously, Indian Air Force chief Air Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria on October 5 had confirmed that Chinese and Pakistani armies were carrying out joint exercises, adding that there was nothing to suggest that both countries were colluding for a “two-front war”. [AiR No. 40, October/2020, 1] [The Telegraph]

Sources at India’s security establishment further alleged that Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), following a new modus operandi, has been instructed to push a maximum number of unarmed infiltrators into the Jammu and Kashmir union territory, who would then be provided with arms and ammunition through drones. [The Print]

Asia-Pacific Group keeps Pakistan on enhanced follow-up list

(lm) Citing meagre progress on a total of 40 technical recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to fight money laundering and terror financing, the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering has retained Pakistan on its “Enhanced Follow-Up” list. The publication of the APG report comes just days ahead of the FATF’s virtual review meeting, scheduled to be held from October 21 to 23, where the inter-governmental body is expected to decide on Pakistan’s “grey list” status. [Dawn] [APG Mutual Evaluation of Pakistan]

In June 2018, the FATF placed Pakistan on its rating list of countries tagged as prone to illicit financial activity and issued 27 conditions for review for complying. After the groupings member states last year recommended that the country would stay on the grey list, Islamabad in June was given the third extension to comply with the action plan [see AiR No. 26, June/2020, 5]. If the global body finds that Pakistan has failed to meet its requirements, Islamabad may be placed in the ‘black list’ along with North Korea and Iran.

As part of efforts to comply with the requirements of the FATF, in September, a joint sitting of Pakistan’s parliament amended at least 15 laws to match its legal system to the international standards as required by the FATF. Islamabad also tightened curbs on leaders of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), freezing a total of 964 assets and indicting four leaders of the JuD in four more cases [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4]. The government has already submitted its report to the FATF review groups and has detailed its compliance with the 13 remaining action points. [Republic World]

Pakistani security forces continue crackdown on suspected terrorist activities in northwestern border region

(lm) During an intelligence-based operation in the country’s northwest tribal district of North Waziristan, Pakistani security forces on Sunday killed two suspected terrorists and apprehended another. The operation took place just two days after security forces conducted an operation on a terrorist hideout in the same district on Friday, killing two terrorists, including an improvised explosive device (IED) specialist. [Daily Pakistan]

These operations are the latest in a series of operations conducted by Pakistan’s military on multiple hideouts and administrative camps of terrorists in North Waziristan, an area that borders Afghanistan. In September, security forces had claimed to have killed a key militant commander along with his three accomplices near the Afghanistan border, describing it as a major breakthrough in ongoing security operations against suspected terrorists. [AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]

Pakistan: Pakistan Bar Council constitutes committee to defend rights of journalists in the country

(lm) Amid increasing incidents of harassment and intimidation of journalists, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) – a top body of lawyers – has constituted a Journalistic Defence Committee to provide legal assistance and services to journalists and their elected bodies. The committee was formed in light of laws, in particular the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), that would make it increasingly difficult for journalists to perform their duties in accordance with the demand of their professional obligations and journalistic practices, the PBC said. [Dawn]

Last week, a local media watchdog had reported that the Cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan had not once discussed the issue of violence against journalists since September 2018, notwithstanding the 91 attacks on journalists which were recorded between May 2019 and April 2020. Further, a leading Pakistani journalist had previously revealed that the country’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered cases against 49 media persons and social media activists under the PECA [see AiR No. 39, September/2020, 5].

Moreover, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned the broadcast and rebroadcast of any speech, interview or public address of absconders or proclaimed offenders – just days after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had offered a direct attack on the country’s powerful military. Previously, Sharif had been declared in absentia an absconder over his prolonged absence in a corruption case. [The New Indian Express]

Pakistan: New criminal case registered against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

(lm) In the run-up to the opposition rally scheduled for October 16, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered on Monday against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other party leaders for “conspiracy to wage war” against the country and state institutions. Further, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) the same day dismissed a petition seeking a ban on the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader’s speeches. [The Diplomat] [Dawn] [Hindustan Times]

Earlier this week, an Islamabad anti-corruption court ordered the seizure of assets of Sharif for his failure to appear in the Toshakhana graft case, two weeks after the IHC rejected his plea for exemption from court appearance and issued a non-bailable warrant [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4]. Sharif, who was jailed in a corruption case in 2018, has been residing in London since November last year after a court granted him indefinite bail to seek medical treatment. [The New Indian Express]

While addressing a meeting of his Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) through video link the same day, Sharif said he would no longer remain quiet on the “dual standards” of accountability in Pakistan. In remarks that clearly echoed his attack on the country’s powerful military made earlier this month [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4], Sharif added that although Prime Minister Imran Khan is to blame for the country’s current state, “it is those who brought him into power who are truly responsible”. [BW Businessworld]

In March, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had accused former president Asif Ali Zardari and Sharif of illegally retaining expensive vehicles gifted to them from foreign rulers and dignitaries instead of depositing them in the Toshakhana (state gift repository) during Zardari’s tenure from 2008 to 2013. The NAB had further maintained that Yousuf Raza Gilani, as then-prime minister, relaxed the procedure for the acceptance and disposal of gifts to the benefit of Zardari and Sharif. Pakistan’s accountability court then indicted Gilani and Zardari on September 9, while Sharif was declared in absentia an absconder over his prolonged absence from the proceedings [see AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]

Pakistan: Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman to head anti-government alliance

(lm) On October 3, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F, ‘Assembly of Islamic Clerics’) president Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman was unanimously appointed as chief of the newly-formed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an anti-government alliance launched by 11 opposition parties to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4]. [The Nation]

Considering that Fazl-ur-Rehman had already showcased his ability to effectively mobilize people to protest against the present Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government [see AiR No. 47, November/2019, 3], PDM leaders agreed that he should lead the movement in the first phase. Member parties further decided that the movement’s three major parties will share the three top offices of the PDM on a rotational basis. That is, the offices of senior vice-president and the general secretary of the PDM will be given to the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). [The New Indian Express]

Rehman’s nomination to lead the PDM came only a week before the formal launch of the anti-government campaign, with the movement’s first public meeting scheduled for October 11 in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Pakistan: High-level meetings between opposition and military exposed 

(The Pakistan Army on Wednesday disclosed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Mohammad Zubair in recent weeks had twice reached out to Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to discuss political and legal woes of PML-N leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz. [The Nation] [Dawn]

Earlier in the day, Maryam Nawaz had said that no any representing his father Nawaz Sharif had met COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Maryam, who was at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for a hearing of an appeal against her conviction in the Avenfield property reference added that political decisions should be made in the parliament, not at the General Headquarters (GHQ). Maryam Nawaz was referring to a meeting on September 16, in which General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed counselled opposition leaders to refrain from dragging the military into political issues [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4]. 

The meeting took place just days before Pakistan’s main opposition parties united to launch the “Pakistan Democratic Movement” (PDM) against the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the involvement of the country’s powerful military in politics. Breaking a nearly yearlong silence from exile in London, during the meeting Mr. Sharif had claimed that the military had ushered in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government by way of rigged election, adding that the army had gone from a “state within a state” to a “state above the state” [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4].

Following the revelations, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif banned his party members from holding any private meetings with the country’s military leadership. [Pakistan Today]

Pakistan: Cabinet did not discuss violence against journalists since inauguration

(lm) Despite multiple crimes of violence against journalists, [see e.g. AiR No. 11, March/2020, 3, AiR No. 25, June/2020, 4], the Cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan has failed to take up the issue during its first 62 meetings between September 1, 2018 and January 30, 2020, a local media and development sector watchdog said, adding that at least 91 attacks on journalists were recorded in Pakistan between May 2019 and April 2020. Freedom Network had filed a request with the government in February “to seek official information on how many times the issue of the growing number of murders, attacks, and intimidation of journalists was taken up by the Cabinet”. [Deccan Herald]

Previously, a leading Pakistani journalist revealed that the country’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered cases against 49 media persons and social media activists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Although being adopted for fighting cyber-crimes and explicitly not to be used against journalists and media, the act is increasingly being applied to restrict the freedom of expression and media. Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari the same day refuted the reports. [Hindustan Times]

Against the backdrop, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Sunday issued a declaration expressing serious concern over torture, abduction and arrest of journalists, unannounced censorship through financial curbs on media houses, threats to owners and journalists by anti-media forces to compel them to toe the official line or face government’s wrath. [Dawn]

Pakistan currently ranks 145 out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders’s (RSF) 2020 World Press Freedom Index. The country has dropped three places from its rank in 2019. [Reporters Without Borders]

Pakistan: Supreme Court halts terror suspect’s extradition to United States

(lm) Pakistan’s Supreme Court (SC) on September 21 barred the government from handing over a Pakistani-American terror suspect to the US. In August, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had paved the way for the extradition of the terror suspect by relaxing hitherto tough conditions set for his handing over to the US authorities. Both the federal government and the father of the suspect had challenged the decision of the single-member bench. [The Nation] [Dawn]

The SC directed the Secretary Foreign Office to submit details of extradition treaties with the US and the United Kingdom, within the next two weeks. If there is no agreement between Islamabad and Washington, then how can the accused be extradited, the court questioned. [Daijiworld.com] 

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) accuses the suspect of being an ISIS sympathizer, and involved in planning of multiple terror attacks in New York City. He was arrested in Pakistan in 2016 after US authorities identified him as one of three suspects, allegedly involved in planning attacks at a Times Square subway, and at a concert hall. [Anadolu Agency]

Pakistan: Opposition leader arrested in corruption case

(lm) Pakistan’s High Court on Monday ordered the arrest of opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, shortly after it rejected his application for bail on charges of money-laundering and maintaining assets beyond known sources of income. The two-judge panel decided that Sharif – the president of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and former chief minister of Punjab province – was needed for further interrogation at the request of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). [Dawn] [Al Jazeera]

Last week, the NAB had filed a reference against Sharif and his sons after a financial monitoring unit had detected 177 suspicious transactions of Sharif’s family. Sharif has denied all charges, contending that the assets that NAB is probing are in his relatives’ names and that he has no connection to them or how they were acquired. [Bloomberg] [Anadolu Agency]

The arrest came a week after Shahbaz Sharif’s brother, Nawaz Sharif, who served thrice as Pakistan’s prime minister, broke a nearly yearlong silence from exile in London. On September 20, Pakistani opposition parties had cemented their alliance through the announcement of a new coalition, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), and agreed upon a six-point action plan to depose the incumbent government, starting with nationwide rallies in October [see AiR No. 38, September/2020, 4]. 

Earlier Monday, an accountability court indicted the co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the second largest opposition party in Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and his sister in a separate money laundering case. Previously, on September 23, the court had rejected Zardari’s plea seeking acquittal in three corruption references. Zardari is currently on bail and is regularly attending court hearings against him. [The Nation] [The New Indian Express]

Prime Minister Imran Khan has made an anti-corruption drive the centerpiece of his rule, with his government pursuing cases against many longtime political leaders, including the Sharifs, former President Asif Ali Zardari [see e.g. AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3, AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2], the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) group led by Fazl-ur-Rehman, and several members of each of their families. Critics, including the opposition, say the anti-corruption drive has been politically motivated, using trumped-up corruption charges to target Khan’s political opponents while leaving members of his ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) or their allies largely untouched. [NY Times]

Asia: Rise in discrimination due to Covid-19 

(nd) A recent survey conducted by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) highlights that the spread of Covid-19 gave rise to discrimination towards vulnerable communities in Asia. The survey asked 5,000 people in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Pakistan, with half of the asked people blaming Chinese people, immigrants and foreigners for the spread of the virus. Also, “illegal foreigners” were blamed, linking it to the arrests of undocumented migrants and refugees made by Malaysian authorities. United Nations warned this policy might deter vulnerable groups from seeking treatment.

Higher education obtained by the interviewees made it only slightly less likely for them to hold the above-mentioned groups responsible in all of the surveyed countries. [Reuters]

Pakistan: Army contingent participates in opening ceremony of Kavkaz 2020 in Russia

(lm) On Saturday, a contingent of the Pakistan armed forces participated in the opening ceremony of the Russian-led military exercise Kavkaz 2020 in Astrakhan in southern Russia. From September 21 to 26, roughly 150,000 military personnel are expected to participate in the country’s largest international military drill in many years. [The Express Tribune]

Beyond Russia and fellow Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, additional foreign participants reportedly will include Mongolia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Belarus, Turkey, Armenia, Turkmenistan and Myanmar. [The Jamestown Foundation] [The EurAsian Times]

India, initially scheduled to take part with 200 troops, ultimately dropped out on the excuse that Pakistan and China were included. In what observers believed to be a compensation for New Delhi’s withdrawal from the annual capstone strategic-operational exercise, the navies of the countries held joint maneuvers near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands earlier this month [see AiR No. 36, September/2020, 2].

Pakistan to open up defense sector for private players, hopes for Turkish investment

(lm) In an effort to promote the country’s military-industrial complex, Pakistan is reportedly planning to open up its defense industry for private sector participants. To that effect, Islamabad is planning new policies for defense production and defense offset, and is further re-organizing its prominent state-owned defense enterprises to give them greater independent control. [Janes]

To initially help Islamabad in defense production, Turkey is reportedly inking a deal with Pakistan’s Ordinance Factory on urgent note to procure an “unspecified quantity” of rifles. Further, Pakistan, alongside with Bangladesh and Pakistan will be sending military delegations to participate in this year’s Defense Port Turkey exhibition, which is set for October 26 until 28. [Hurriyet Daily News] [South Asia Monitor]

Bilateral defense and security cooperation between the countries were initially boosted with significant defense deals in 2018, elevating Turkey to become Pakistan’s second-biggest arms supplier after China [see also AiR No. 46, November/2019, 2]. In October 2018, the Pakistan Navy commissioned a fleet tanker, built in collaboration with Turkish defense company STM in the southern port city of Karachi. The same year, Ankara won a multibillion-dollar tender to supply four corvettes to the Pakistan Navy and 30 Turkish-made T129 ATAK multirole combat helicopters. In addition, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) agreed to upgrade 41 F-16 fighter jets for the Pakistani Air Force, including avionics and structural modernization of the aircraft. [AiR No. 40, October/2019, 1, AiR (1/6/2018), see also AiR (4/9/2018)] [IISS]

Accompanied by a large delegation of ministers, investors and business representatives, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Islamabad in mid-February to participate in the sixth round of the Pakistan–Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. Turkish official sources said one of the primary purposes of the visit was to “further synchronize military relations”. [AL Monitor]

Pakistan: Four terrorists killed during operation in Balochistan

(lm) Four terrorists were killed by security forces in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, according to the Pakistan Army. In a separate incident, at least two soldiers were killed on Saturday in a shoot-out with militants during an operation near the country’s northwestern border with neighboring Afghanistan. The attack is the latest one in a string of ambushes on security forces following the killing of a key militant commander along with his three accomplices in North Waziristan earlier this month. [Deccan Herald] [Anadolu Agency]

Once dubbed the heartland of militancy, the restive North Waziristan region is one of seven former semi-autonomous tribal regions in Pakistan where the army has conducted a series of operations since 2014 to eliminate Pakistan’s leading Taliban group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Last month, the group announced its reunification with three formerly estranged factions [see No. 37, September/2020, 3].

Pakistan: Islamabad to make Gilgit Baltistan its 5th province, says federal minister

(lm) Notwithstanding strong protest from India, Pakistan has decided to elevate the status of its Gilgit-Baltistan region to that of a full-fledged province, entailing all constitutional rights and adequate recognition in all constitutional entities, notably the National Assembly and the Senate, according to a federal minister. The minister also said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is soon to visit the new province to make a formal announcement. [Hindustan Times]

Administrated by Pakistan since 1947, Gilgit-Baltistan is constituting the northern portion of the greater Kashmir region, which is being referred to by the United Nations as “Pakistan administered Kashmir”. The territory also borders Indian-administered union territories Jammu and Kashmir (union territory) and Ladakh to the south and is separated from it by the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between India and Pakistan. Elevating the status of Gilgit-Baltistan represents a new spin to Pakistan’s geo-strategy, as the region also hosts the Moqpondass, a place selected for one of the proposed nine priority Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). [CPEC] [The Straits Times]

New Delhi last year unilaterally abrogated the special status hitherto enjoyed by its side of the state of Kashmir, breaking it into two union territories – one comprising the Hindu-dominated Jammu region and the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, known as Jammu and Kashmir, and the second being the Buddhist enclave of Ladakh. In October 2019, India then issued a map in which it laid claim on the disputed area in its entirety, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan [see AiR No. 45, November/2019, 1, AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1]. This August – a day before both countries observed the first anniversary of the revocation of the region’s constitutional autonomy – Pakistan’s government also unveiled a new political map, laying claim to all of Jammu and Kashmir [see AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]

An emergency meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, which was called earlier on Friday, had to be postponed after leaders from opposition parties Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) threatened to boycott it. [The News International] [SAMAA]

Pakistan, India: Islamabad rejects nomination of India’s new charge d’affaires in Pakistan

(lm) Pakistan on Sunday denied visa to Indian diplomat Jayant Khobragade, who was designated as the new acting head of India’s mission in Islamabad, saying the proposed officer’s seniority would not be commensurate with Pakistan’s decision of downgrading the diplomatic relations. The proposal was first made in June, just days before India asked Pakistan to halve the strength of its High Commission in New Delhi within seven days [see AiR No. 26, June/2020, 5]. [Hindustan Times] [Dawn]

In August 2019, Pakistan downgraded the diplomatic relationship in response to India’s decision to unilaterally abrogate the special status hitherto enjoyed by its side of the state of Kashmir. Since then, the Indian and Pakistani high commissions in the two national capitals have been headed by the deputy chiefs of mission. 

Pakistan, India: Islamabad demands inquiry into killing of 3 Kashmiris

(lm) Pakistan on Saturday called for a “transparent judicial inquiry, under international scrutiny” into the “extra-judicial” killing of three Kashmiris in the Indian-administered Kashmir, this July. The previous day, in a rare admission of wrongdoing, the Indian army announced it had launched disciplinary proceedings against an unspecified number of soldiers after an inquiry into the killing of three youths had found its soldiers had exceeded their powers. [Dawn]

In July, the army said it had killed three “unidentified terrorists” in an “cordon and search” operation against militants in the Shopian district of the disputed Himalayan region. The family members of deceased laborers had alleged that the Indian army killed the trio in a staged gunfight and passed them off as militants. [Anadolu Agency] 

India, Pakistan: Islamabad rejects New Delhi’s demand for Queen’s counsel in Jadhav case

(lm) Pakistan on September 18 categorically rejected India’s request to allow a Queen’s Counsel or an Indian lawyer to represent former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who currently sits on death row in Pakistan [see AiR No. 28, July/2020, 2]. Earlier this month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the federal government to give India another chance to appoint a lawyer to represent Jadhav and adjourned hearing until October 3 [AiR No. 36, September/2020, 2]. Since then, India kept insisting that it should be allowed to select a lawyer of its choice, but the Pakistan government says only a lawyer allowed to practice in the country can be appointed as Jadhav’s counsel. [Hindustan Times 1]

In keeping with the 2019 ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Pakistan’s National Assembly on Monday extended an ordinance to allow Mr. Jadhav to appeal against his conviction and sentencing in court. The “International Court of Justice (Review and Reconsideration) Ordinance” was first promulgated in May and was set to expire on September 17 [see AiR No. 30, July/2020, 4]. [Hindustan Times 2]

Pakistan: Opposition parties protest against role of military in Pakistan’s politics

(lm) At a day-long multiparty meeting on September 20, Pakistani opposition parties cemented their alliance through the announcement of a new coalition, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). Following an invitation by current chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, opposition lawmakers rallied against the ruling party and Prime Minister Imran Khan, and even threatened to resign to force fresh elections. [Dawn 1] [The Diplomat]

In their 26-point resolution, the opposition parties expressed their “extreme concern” over the increasing interference of Pakistan’s army in domestic affairs, calling it a “danger to the nation’s stability and institutions”. Opposition leaders also called for Mr. Khan’s resignation and agreed upon a six-point action plan to depose the incumbent government, starting with nationwide rallies in October. [Deutsche Welle]

Former prime minister and current leader of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, broke a nearly yearlong silence from exile in London, offering a direct attack on the prime minister and the country’s powerful military. Claiming that the military had ushered in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government by way of rigged election, he warned that the army had gone from a “state within a state” to a “state above the state.” Mr. Sharif, who was jailed in a corruption case in 2018, addressed the meeting through video link from London, where he has been residing since November last year when a court granted him indefinite bail to seek medical treatment. [South China Morning Post]

Earlier, addressing the conference also via video link, former president Asif Ali Zardari delivered the opening speech. In his remarks, Mr. Zardari criticized the government over what he called were “tactics” to suppress the opposition and media. Mr. Zardari, who is also facing charges of corruption, is currently out on bail on account of his health [see AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]. [Dawn 2]

In a meeting just days before the multiparty conference, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed counselled opposition leaders to refrain from dragging the military into political issues, according to a federal minister. Initially held to discuss the impending changes in the constitutional status of Gilgit-Baltistan [see further below], opposition leaders used the meeting to voice their concerns about other issues, namely the military’s alleged interference in politics and allegations of persecution of its leaders on the pretext of accountability. [Dunya News] [Dawn 3]

Speaking against the backdrop of Sunday’s multiparty conference, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday dismissed Nawaz Sharif’s reckoning saying that “once again a fugitive sitting in London is maligning the state institutions”. While addressing members of his ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the prime minister also said that the PDM’s conference was an attempt by opposition politicians to malign the state institutions in a bid to cover their financial corruption. [The Express Tribune]

Pakistan: FIR registered against journalist for ‘negative propaganda’ against Pakistan military

(lm) A first information report (FIR) has been registered against a journalist for posting “negative propaganda against the state, Pakistani institutions and the Pakistan Army” on his social media account. The case is the third in a series of complaints to be registered against a journalist within the past week. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the registration of the case. [Dawn]

Pakistan joint session of parliament passes 3 FATF-related bills

(lm) As a plenary session of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) prepares to make a final decision on Pakistan’s “grey list” status at a meeting on October 21-23, a joint sitting of Pakistan’s parliament on September 16 passed three crucial FATF-related legislations [see AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]. Islamabad will have to submit a progress report by 30 September. [The Print] [Times of India]

The FATF placed Pakistan on its rating list of countries tagged as prone to illicit financial activity in June 2018 and placed 27 conditions for review for complying. After the groupings member states had last year recommended that Pakistan would stay on the grey list, in June, Islamabad was given the third extension to comply with the 27-point action plan [see AiR No. 26, June/2020, 5]. At a virtual meeting on September 15 and 16, the Asia Pacific Joint Group (APJG) of the FATF then reviewed Islamabad’s actions to counter terror-financing and money laundering. [The Hindu]

Although Pakistan is yet to report total compliance with the FATF’s 27-point action plan, China reportedly tried their best during the meeting to support Pakistan’s poor performance. Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing expressed this view during a meeting with the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Hafeez Shaikh. When Yao Jing, China’s outgoing ambassador to Pakistan, made a farewell call on the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue on September 17 – a day after the APJG meeting – he was quoted in an official statement as expressing “his confidence that FATF’s October review will go well for Pakistan”. [Hindustan Times] [The News International]

As part of efforts by Prime Minister Imran Khan to have the country lifted from the FATF rating list, Islamabad also tightened curbs on leaders of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), freezing a total of 964 assets and indicting four leaders of the JuD in four more cases. [The News International]

Pakistan: Court orders arrest of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif

(lm) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday rejected former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif’s plea for exemption from court appearance in a corruption case and issued a non-bailable warrant the day after. Mr. Sharif, who was jailed in a corruption case in 2018, has been residing in London since November last year after a court granted him indefinite bail to seek medical treatment [see AiR No. 37, September/2020, 3]. [The News International]

Last week, Pakistan’s accountability court had declared him in absentia an absconder over his prolonged absence from the proceedings. Mr. Sharif’s lawyer then filed a review petition in the IHC stating that his client’s health condition would not allow him to surrender and appear in the corruption reference. In its verdict, the IHC noted that the defendant’s lawyers had failed to satisfy the bench; therefore, an appeal for exemption from the hearings was rejected. The court further ruled that the federal government should execute the warrants through the Pakistan High Commission in the United Kingdom and ordered to produce him before the court on September 22. The Pakistan High Commission in London received the arrest warrants on Thursday. [Dawn]

Speaking against the backdrop of the IHC’s ruling, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif announced that Mr. Sharif would not return to Pakistan before completion of his medical treatment. [Pakistan Today]

Pakistan’s ex-president indicted; former PM declared absconder

(lm) Pakistan’s accountability court indicted former president Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in corruption cases on Wednesday, while former premier Nawaz Sharif was declared in absentia an absconder over his prolonged absence from the proceedings. Mr. Sharif, who was jailed in a corruption case in 2018, has been residing in London since November last year after a court granted him indefinite bail to seek medical treatment. The court, after issuing the warrants, adjourned the hearing until September 24. [The Indian Express] [The Express Tribune] [South Asia Monitor] [The Straits Times] [The Nation]

In March, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had accused Mr. Zardari and Mr. Sharif of illegally retaining expensive vehicles gifted to them from foreign rulers and dignitaries instead of depositing them in the Toshakhana (state gift repository) during Mr. Zardari’s tenure from 2008 to 2013. The NAB had further maintained that Mr. Gilani, as then-prime minister, relaxed the procedure for the acceptance and disposal of gifts to the benefit of Mr. Zardari and Mr. Sharif – a move that caused a heavy loss to the national exchequer, according to the NAB. An arrest warrant had been issued against the co-chairman of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party for failing to appear before court in June. [AiR No. 26, June/2020, 5]

Last month, the accountability court formally framed separate charges against Mr. Zardari for buying assets overseas from undeclared sources. He was accused of having dozens of bogus bank accounts – a charge he denies. The court also dismissed another application of Mr. Zardari that challenged the accountability court’s jurisdiction and sought transfer of the case to a banking court. [AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2]

Pakistani Taliban reunification might pose threat to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

(lm) While peace negotiations between the Afghan Taliban and the government in Kabul are still underway [see e.g. The Straits Times, The Diplomat], Pakistan’s leading Taliban group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has announced its reunification with three formerly estranged factions – a move that analysts say could pose a security risk to projects linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in northwestern Pakistan. [Nikkei Asian Review 1] [News Live TV]

Founded in 2007 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the TTP is a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO) that draws its ideological views from al-Qaida. Until they splintered in 2014 over internal rifts within the TTP leadership, the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, the Hizb ul-Ahrar and Hakeemullah Mehsud group were the three major factions in the TTP. Last month, it was announced the militant outfits would reunite, and also being joined by a faction of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a banned terror group operating in the western province of Balochistan. [The Straits Times]

The group’s initial footprints were in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and in semi-autonomous tribal regions bordering Afghanistan, where Pakistan’s army has conducted a series of operations since 2014, forcing the group to take sanctuary over the border in Afghanistan. Islamabad claims the terrorist network has now set up command and control structures in both Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in eastern Afghanistan to attack Pakistani security forces. Experts say it is possible the TTP will use its sustained militant presence along the border to create a buffer zone between Afghanistan and Pakistan to, once again, declare a state of the Pakistani Taliban, which hosts Islamist foreign fighters. [Voice of America] [The Diplomat]

Pakistan’s military on Sunday claimed to have killed a key militant commander along with his three accomplices near the Afghanistan border, describing it a major breakthrough in ongoing security operations against suspected terrorists. [Anadolu Agency]

The TTP’s reunification has put China in a tight spot, given the fact that they were pressing Pakistan to crack down on ethnic separatist groups in Balochistan and Sindh due to projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a part of the BRI. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s remote areas, Chinese companies are involved in several development projects, mainly in the field of hydro-electricity generation and infrastructure, such as the Karakoram Highway Phase II. To advance Beijing’s interest in the Afghanistan-Pakistan belt, Chinese officials have reportedly stepped up contacts with Afghan Taliban representatives, offering to build a road networks in Taliban-controlled territories as well as energy projects, provided the militants can ensure peace in Afghanistan after the US military withdrawal. [Financial Times] [Nikkei Asia Review 2]

India, Pakistan: New Delhi denies Islamabad’s request to allow Indian lawyer in Jadhav case

(py) Tensions between Pakistan and India over the case of a former Indian naval officer, who currently sits on death row in Pakistan [see AiR No. 28, July/2020, 2], continue to rise, as Islamabad denied New Delhi’s request to allow an Indian lawyer to represent its citizen in his appeals. [Times Now News]

According to the Pakistani government, only locally registered lawyers would be allowed to appear before the bench in Mr. Jadhav’s trial. In keeping with the 2019 International Court of Justice (ICJ) verdict, Islamabad further claimed to have provided India “uninterrupted and unimpeded” consular access to Mr. Jadhav and said it would continue to do so in the future. [Daily Pakistan 1] [Daily Pakistan 2]

Previously, Islamabad had inquired New Delhi about the appointment of a legal representative for Mr. Jadhav after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had directed the federal government to give India another change to appoint a lawyer for Mr. Jadhav and adjourned the hearing until October 3. [AiR No. 36, September/2020, 2]

Pakistan: Army Chief stresses importance of protecting nation’s interests

(lm) While presiding over the Corps Commanders’ Conference held at Pakistan army’s general headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa stressed afresh the need to enhance the military’s combat readiness to better respond to 5th generation and hybrid warfare tactics [see AiR No. 36, September/2020, 2]. The previous day, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) briefed the military’s leadership about the situation on the Line of Control (LoC). [Ukranian News] [The News]

Increased ceasefire violations committed by the Indian military along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both in its entirety, as well as human rights violations in the disputed territories were noted as major causes of concern for regional peace and stability.

On Sunday, Pakistan’s military said a Pakistani girl was killed and four other villagers critically wounded by Indian troops firing into the Pakistan-administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir. A senior Indian diplomat was summoned the following day to lodge a protest over the “unprovoked” firing. [Daily Sabah] [The Guardian]

Pakistan: Foreign Minister Qureshi meets Russian counterpart in Moscow

(lm) Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday and Thursday joined his counterparts from member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Moscow.

During a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, Mr. Qureshi underscored that Islamabad aimed to establish a long-term partnership with Russia and extended an invitation to Mr. Lavrov to visit Pakistan. Before leaving for Moscow, Mr. Qureshi said the completion of the North-South liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline (NSGP) was a priority for both countries. Signed in 2015, the $2.25 billion project that stretches from Lahore to the port city of Karachi is facing delays due to US sanctions against the Russian state conglomerate Rostec and a dispute over transport fees. [Profit Pakistan Today 1] [Profit Pakistan Today 2] [The News]

Islamabad will also be participating in the Russia-organized multilateral Kavkaz 2020 exercise (to be held between 15 September and 26 in Astrakhan in southern Russia). [The Express Tribune]

On Saturday then, while virtually participating in the 27th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Region Forum (ARF) Mr. Qureshi reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for the ongoing negotiations of Code of Conduct (CoC), which aims to regulate actions in the South China Sea. A single draft of the CoC was first put forth in August 2018, with an agreement reached in November 2018 by China and ASEAN to finalize the CoC within three years, starting from 2019 [see AiR (2/11/2018) AiR (3/11/2018)]. Last month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on ASEAN member states to resume the CoC talks. [DAWN]

Pakistan: Fresh session of National Assembly, Senate see tabling of Financial Action Task Force bill

(py) Fresh sessions of both National Assembly and Senate will likely carry the tabling of bills related to efforts by Prime Minister Imran Khan to have the country lifted from a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) rating list of countries tagged as prone to illicit financial activity. In June, the FATF plenary had given Islamabad another extension on the “grey list” until this October to report total compliance with the FATF’s 27-point action plan [see AiR No. 26, June/2020, 5]. [Asia Times]

Both FATF-related bills, the Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill and the Islamabad Capital Territory Waqf Properties Bill passed the National Assembly, where the ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) holds the majority, on August 24 but were rejected by the opposition-dominated upper house a day later [see AiR No. 35, September/2020, 1]. In order for the bill to become law, both bills will now have to be passed in a joint sitting of parliament, where opposition political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) enjoy a thin majority of nine votes. [DAWN]

Pakistan: PM Imran Khan urges Interior Ministry to expedite consideration of anti-torture bill

(py) On 3 September, Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the Ministry of Interior to speed up the tabling of an anti-torture bill in the National Assembly. Since the country ratified the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) on 17 April 2008, Pakistan is obliged to define and criminalize torture as well as establish an independent mechanism to regulate impunities. However, the passing of the anti-torture bill has been stagnant as the bill has never been brought up in a joint session of the Parliament for almost three years. Hence, domestic law presently does not criminalize the act of torture, despite the Pakistani Constitution bans the use of torture for extracting evidence. [Daily Pakistan] [Human Rights Watch 1] [Human Rights Watch 2] [The Friday Times] [Amnesty International]

Pakistan continues to suffer from an internal human rights crisis. In recent months, there have been reports of torture and ill-treatment towards detainees in Pakistan with those from marginalized groups facing higher risks. Last Saturday, a female journalist and women’s rights activist was shot dead for unknown motives. [Pakistan Today] [Human Rights Watch 3]

Pakistan, China: Xi Jinping cancels Pakistan visit as chairman of the CPEC faces corruption allegations

(py) In an eleventh-hour decision, Beijing cancelled a visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to all weather ally Pakistan, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the postponement. The announcement comes in the wake of corruption allegations leveled against Lieutenant General (retired) Asim Saleem Bajwa, chairman of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority. [The Economic Times]

An investigative report published by news source FactFocus last month claimed that Mr. Bajwa did not declare his wife’s stake in US pizza chain “Papa John’s”. Moreover, journalist Ahmed Noorani in the report alleged that Mr. Bajwa had founded offshore businesses for his wife, sons and brothers using his office. [Pakistan Today 1] [South China Morning Post 1] [News Intervention]

In a press release, Mr. Bajwa categorially denied allegations of financial misappropriation levelled against him on Thursday but decided to step down as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting shortly thereafter. Prime Minister Imran Khan however rejected the request. In addition, his ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party characterized the allegations as an attack on the CPEC Authority and started a social media campaign named #IndianProxiesAttackCPEC. [South China Morning Post 2] [The Diplomat] [Pakistan Today 2]

In May, a committee formed by Prime Minister Khan had for the first time lifted the lid on corruption by unveiling “inflated” costs in major energy projects involving Chinese power producers in Pakistan. [AiR No. 20, May/2020, 3]

India, Pakistan: Islamabad afresh contacts with New Delhi on espionage case

(lm) Pakistan on Monday contacted the Indian government to inquire about the appointment of legal representative for former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who currently sits on death row in Pakistan [see AiR No. 28, July/2020, 2]. Preceding the events, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday had directed the federal government to give India another change to appoint a lawyer for Mr. Jadhav and adjourned the hearing until October 3. [Hindustan Times] [Dunya News]

The Attorney General told the court that to fulfill the 2019 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that ordered Islamabad to conduct an “effective review and reconsideration” of Mr. Jadhav’s conviction by “means of its own choosing”, Pakistan had granted consular access to India and unilaterally petitioned the IHC, seeking appointment of a “legal representative” for Mr. Jadhav. The Pakistan government further tabled in Parliament a special ordinance that allow the review of the sentence. [see AiR No. 30, July/2020, 4]

In July, Indian diplomats had left an arranged meeting with Mr. Jadhav, claiming that they had not been provided “unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional” consular access to the death-row prisoner. New Delhi later accused Islamabad of being “non-serious in its approach”, claiming that it had appointed a Pakistani lawyer for Mr. Jadhav but still couldn’t file a petition “in the absence of power of attorney and supporting documents related to the case”.

Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April 2017 for allegedly being involved in espionage and terrorism.

India, Pakistan: Indian envoy summoned after ceasefire violation along Line of Control

(py) A senior Indian diplomat was summoned to the Foreign Office on Sunday to register Pakistan’s strong protest over ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control yesterday, resulting in serious injuries to one innocent civilian. Islamabad urged India to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding to maintain peace along the LoC and further requested New Delhi to allow the United National Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). [Pakistan Today]

According to the Pakistani Foreign Office, the Indian occupation forces along the LoC (Line of Control) have been continuously violating the ceasefire 2,158 times since the start of the year, resulting in serious injuries to innocent civilians. As part of the 1949 Karachi Agreement, UNMOGIP has the authority to conduct investigations into alleged ceasefire violations which can be submitted from both countries. [The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [UNMOGIP]

During a ceremony marking Defense Day and Martyrs’ Day at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on Sunday, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa issued an open warning to India, claiming that Islamabad was able to win the “fifth generation or hybrid war”. In mid-August Mr. Bajwa had visited met with Saudi Arabian officials to soothing the waters, after Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi had earlier called on Saudi Arabia to adopt a clearer stance in favor of Pakistan regarding the Kashmir conflict [AiR No. 32, August/2020, 2, AiR No. 33, August/2020, 3] [Times Now News]

Pakistan: FATF-mandated Anti-Money Laundering Bill rejected in Senate

(ls) Pakistan’s Senate, the upper house of parliament where the opposition enjoys a majority, last week rejected the Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Waqf Properties Bill, both of which were required by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as a prerequisite to lift Pakistan’s status in order to facilitate international financial transactions. The rejection in the Senate came apparently as a response to what was perceived as insulting remarks of the Leader of the House, where the bills had been approved, against the opposition. Moreover, the government apparently refused to include changes proposed by the opposition into the bill. The government is under pressure also from the military to complete all parliamentary processes involving the FATF’s requirements before the next FATF hearing. Another attempt to pass the laws is likely to be taken this week. [Dawn] [The Diplomat]

New round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks

(ls) Pakistani diplomats met with Afghan officials in Kabul on Monday to discuss bilateral ties and security issues. The meeting was part of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), which is a platform for bilateral dialogue that was launched by the two countries in 2018. The matters discussed included the war against terror, expansion of bilateral economic cooperation, refugee issues, political cooperation, and the Afghan peace process with the Taliban. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s government has focused on building closer ties with India while relations with Pakistan have long been strained over border tensions, trade issues and alleged Pakistani ties with the Taliban. [Arab News]

India: Government orders withdrawal of 10,000 paramilitary troops from Jammu and Kashmir

(lm) After reviewing “the deployment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)”, India`s Ministry of Home Affairs ordered 10,000 Indian paramilitary soldiers to be withdrawn out of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. An official from the regional administration said the decision was “in consonance with an overall view on the improved situation in Jammu and Kashmir right now.” [Anadolu Ajansı] [The Hindu] [The Economic Times]

The order comes amid a rising number of terror attacks on Indian security forces and episodes of encounters between them and terrorists in the valley. One of the deadliest and longest retaliatory gunfights, continuing for two days, left four Indian security forces and three militants dead. [AiR No. 33, August/2020, 3]

India: Rising violence in Kashmir – Partly restoration of internet services

(ls) In one of the deadliest days in Kashmir since its autonomy was ended last year, six people – four Indian security forces and two militants – were killed in an attack and a counter-operation on Monday. The incidents illustrate rising levels of violence as militants have intensified attacks on village council members and other leaders in Kashmir. [AiR No. 31, August/2020, 1] Five have been shot dead in the past three months. As a consequence, about 1,000 village leaders have been moved to high-security zones. [Reuters] [India Today]

At the same time, authorities ordered the restoration of high-speed 4G internet services in two of Kashmir’s 20 districts, Ganderbal and Udhampur, on a “trial basis” from Sunday night. The internet connection had been cut off in a communications blackout in August 2019, when the central government revoked the semi-autonomous status of Kashmir and divided it into two federally ruled territories. In May, India’s Supreme Court ruled that an indefinite shutdown of the internet was illegal. According to the Internet Shutdown Tracker, India has suspended internet services more often than any other country in recent years. [Al Jazeera] [Internet Shutdown Tracker]

Pakistan: Anti-graft court formally indicts ex-president Zardari 

(lm) Pakistan’s accountability court on Monday indicted former President Asif Ali Zardari over a money laundering case. Earlier last week, the court had dismissed the acquittal plea of Mr. Zardari and decided to indict him on August 10. The court had also dismissed another application of Mr. Zardari that challenged the accountability court’s jurisdiction and sought transfer of the case to a banking court. Investigators of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) say during his tenure as the president, Mr. Zardari influenced relevant authorities to get loans released to his front companies – a charge he denies, saying he is being politically victimized by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government. [The Nation] [DAWN] [The Straits Times]

Pakistan issues new political map, lays claim to all Jammu and Kashmir

(lm) A day before Islamabad observed the first anniversary of the revocation of Jammu`s and Kashmir`s constitutional autonomy by India, the Pakistan government on Tuesday unveiled the country`s new political map, laying claim to all of Jammu and Kashmir. The new map marks the Himalayan region as “Indian illegally occupied” Jammu-Kashmir, clearly stating it is disputed territory awaiting final status to be decided by UN resolutions. Mr. Khan introduced the new map after its approval by the Cabinet and endorsement by opposition parties. [AA] [South China Morning Post 1]

The issuance of Pakistan`s political map appears to be a tit-for-tat maneuver in return for India doing the same on October 31 last year following the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional autonomy and bifurcation into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh on August 5 the same year. India, through its map had laid claim on the disputed area in its entirety, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Following its release, the Indian map had been rejected by China, Pakistan and Nepal. [DAWN] [AiR No. 45, November/2019, 1] [AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1]

On paper, the map extends Islamabad’s territorial claim north-eastward up to the Chinese-held Karakoram Pass, linking Pakistan with Chinese-administered territory via the Shaksgam Valley. To the east is the Aksai Chin region – the limit of China’s claims in Kashmir which it has controlled since a 1962 war with India. Between the two lies the Siachen Glacier, an undefined area at the northern extreme of the Line of Control (LoC) between Pakistani- and Indian-administered Kashmir. The map also reflects Pakistan’s position on Sir Creek, a separate maritime boundary dispute with India. [South China Morning Post 2]

Beyond reasserting Islamabad`s claim to all of Indian-administered Kashmir – minus the parts claimed by China, the map also lays new claim to Junagadh – a Hindu majority princely state whose Muslim ruler opted to join Pakistan in 1947 but whose Hindu subjects said they wanted to join India. [The Diplomat]

India`s Ministry of External Affairs issued a press statement rejecting Islamabad`s map as “an exercise in political absurdity”, and accused Pakistan of attempting a form of “territorial aggrandizement supported by cross-border terrorism”. [The Hindu] In light of the recent incursions by China across the Line of Actual Control into Indian-administered Kashmir [see AiR No. 31, August/2020, 1], Pakistan`s new map reinforces the Indian perception of a two-front theatre, as it does hint at the possibility of coordinated operations between Beijing and Islamabad. 

India, Pakistan observe first Kashmir anniversary

(lm) In August last year, India unilaterally abrogated Article 370 of its constitution, breaking the state of Kashmir into two Union territories – one comprising the Hindu-dominated Jammu region and the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, known as Jammu and Kashmir, and the second being the Buddhist enclave of Ladakh. [AiR No. 45, November/2019, 1] [AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1]

On Wednesday – the first anniversary of the revocation of Kashmir’s semi-autonomy – Indian authorities kept tight lid on potential protests in Kashmir, imposing a curfew and prohibiting local politicians to leave their homes. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a temple to Hindu warrior-god Ram at a disputed holy site in the ancient temple town of Ayodhya [see AiR No. 31, August/2020, 1]. His ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had advocated since the mid-1980s for a temple to be built on the site where, in 1992, Hindu activists had torn down a medieval mosque, sparking sectarian riots nationwide that killed nearly 2,000 people. [Reuters 1] [bbc 1] [bbc 2] [South China Morning Post 1]

The same day, a grenade explosion at a rally in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi left dozens of people wounded. The rally had been organized by a one of Pakistan’s major religious parties to express solidarity with the people of Indian-administered Kashmir. An ethnic Sindhi armed separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack and announced its alliance with the Balochistan Liberation Army, a secessionist militant group fighting for the independence of the Balochistan region in southwestern Pakistan [see AiR No. 26, June/2020, 5]. [RadioFreeEurope] [Al Jazeera]

The attack took place as thousands of people rallied in major cities throughout the country to protest and observe the day as “Youm-e-Istehsal” or the “day of exploitation”. Pakistani President Arif Alvi and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi led the largest rally in the capital, Islamabad, where protesters chanted anti-India slogans and urged world powers to intervene on behalf of residents in the Muslim-majority Indian administered region. [AA]

In a surprise move on Thursday, key figure in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and former telecoms minister Manoj Sinha was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. [Reuters 2]

On Monday, a local village chief died of gunshots wounds, becoming the fifth member of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to be killed by militants in Kashmir since last month. The string of attacks has aroused fear within the local ranks of the BJP, with at least 16 of its local members publicly resigning from the party since the attacks began last month – eight of them since last week. [The Straits Times] [Times of India] [see also AiR No. 31, August/2020, 1] 

Pakistan: Increasingly isolated on the Kashmir issue, Islamabad strengthens ties with China

(lm) When Pakistan last week observed the first anniversary of the revocation of Kashmir`s semi-autonomy by India [see above], it also unveiled its new policy to deal with the historic dispute. Importantly, with newly published map being an example in case, Islamabad might increasingly rely on the strategic China-Pakistan nexus to keep the issue alive – both domestically, and internationally. [The Wire]

On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressed frustration over the response of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Saudi Arabia, insisting that the OIC was not doing enough to pressure India on the Kashmir issue. Calling again on Riyadh to convene a special meeting of its Council of Foreign Ministers – a request that was initially turned down by Saud Arabia in February – Mr. Qureshi said that Islamabad was willing to proceed “with or without” support from Riyadh. [Times of India]

The announcement coincided with Saudi Arabia ending a loan and oil supply to Pakistan, forcing Islamabad to repay a $1 billion Saudi loan. The original loan was part of a $6.2 billion package announced by Saudi Arabia in November 2018, when Islamabad was struggling with rapidly expanding trade deficit and declining foreign reserves. The package included $3 billion in cash assistance and a $3.2 billion worth of annual oil and gas supply on deferred payments. According to the Pakistani Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Pakistan has taken the loan of $1 billion from China to pay back the Saudi Arabia loan. [Middle East Monitor] [Nikkei Asian Review] [Daily Times]

The same day, Pakistan`s Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a $ 6.8 billion upgrade of railway infrastructure in Kashmir. The costliest project to date as part of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement, the Mainline-1 (ML-1) project involves upgrading and track-doubling railway lines in the Peshawar – Lahore – Karachi corridor. About 90 percent of the cost will be provided by Chinese banks in the form of long-term loans on conditions yet to be negotiated between the Beijing and Islamabad. [South China Morning Post] [International Railway Journal]

Ties between Beijing and New Delhi have been strained since early May, with Indian and Chinese troops being locked in a simmering stand-off at several points along their Line of Actual Control (LoC). Talks to restore peace and smoothen bilateral relations have hit a roadblock, as both countries in July deployed additional weapons and troops, seemingly preparing for the long-haul on their disputed Himalayan frontier [see AiR No. 30, July/2020, 4].

It was against this backdrop that China on August 5 tried to bring back the Kashmir issue to international attention again. After Beijing supported Pakistan’s bid for a “closed consultation”, the UN Security Council was briefed behind closed doors on the situation in Kashmir. “China is seriously concerned about the current situation in Kashmir and the relevant military actions. We oppose unilateral actions that will complicate the situation,” China’s mission to the United Nations in New York said in a statement. [Reuters]

Kashmir: First anniversary of status change sparks fears of violence

(ls) On the first anniversary of the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution on 5 August 2019, a curfew has been imposed throughout all districts for fears of separatist violence. A separate coronavirus lockdown was extended as well. Since the change of status, anger has been growing across the Muslim-majority population in Kashmir against India’s Hindu-nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly over the granting of rights to tens of thousands of people from outside of the region to buy land. [Hindustan Times] [Channel News Asia]

According to local police, Indian troops have killed 118 militants between January and July this year, as many as in the whole last year. On the other hand, militants killed a politician from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in early July and a local Congress leader in June. Critical observers therefore consider that the status change has created more problems than it has solved. [The Wire 1]

On 5 August 2019, the Indian government unilaterally abrogated the state’s special status, breaking it into two federal territories, one comprising the Hindu-dominated Jammu region and the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, known as Jammu & Kashmir, and the second being the Buddhist enclave of Ladakh. 

Pakistan administers a section of Kashmir but claims it in full. China, which has been entangled in several border standoffs with India in recent weeks, claims Ladakh. Observers expect increasing Chinese support for Pakistan in the Kashmir question. [South China Morning Post]

The full text of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019 can be found here: [The Wire 2]

Pakistan: American accused of blasphemy killed in court

(lf/ls) A U.S. national accused of blasphemy was shot dead in a courtroom in Peshawar, Pakistan. A member of the public walked into the courtroom and opened fire in front of the judge. The U.S. man allegedly had called himself a prophet and was arrested two years ago. He was charged under sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups), 295-A (acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class) and 298 (uttering words to wound religious feelings) of Pakistan’s penal code. While blasphemy can be punished with death, so far, the state has not executed anyone for the crime. However, accusations often lead to deadly attacks. [CNN] [Dawn]

The victim was born into the Ahmadi sect. According to human rights groups, minority groups are disproportionately affected by the blasphemy law. Furthermore, over a dozen people accused of blasphemy have been killed by violent mobs. [BBC]

Pakistan: Deadly clashes over protests at Afghan border

(lf) Protests in Pakistan’s Balochistan province ended in deadly clashes between protesters and security forces. Thousands of people had gathered in protests of a renewed closing of the Afghan-Pakistani border due to security concerns. The clashes started when protestors stormed government offices in close proximity to the border. 

The protests were happening at the Chaman border crossing, one of the most important border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Free movement of labour across the border for trade engagement are under normal circumstances allowed. However, due to the concerns of the spread of the coronavirus, the border has been closed to most people for weeks. Balochistan is a province suffering from poverty. Many residents depend on daily wages and the traditionally porous border with Afghanistan. [Al Jazeera]

Pakistan-India tension over case against Indian naval officer

(lf/lm) Last week, Asia in Review reported that Indian diplomats on July 16 had left an arranged meeting with former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who currently sits on death row in Pakistan, claiming that they had not been provided “unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional” consular access to Mr. Jadhav [see AiR No. 29, July /2020, 3]. In order to fulfill the 2019 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that ordered Islamabad to conduct an “effective review and reconsideration” of Mr. Jadhav’s conviction by “means of its own choosing”, Pakistan on Friday then offered third consular access to India. A day later, then, Islamabad unilaterally petitioned the Islamabad High Court, seeking appointment of a “legal representative” for Mr. Jadhav. [Times of India 1] [The Times of India]

Responding to Islamabad’s move, New Delhi on Thursday (July 23) accused Pakistan of being “non-serious in its approach”, adding that India was exploring available options in the matter. While New Delhi said it had appointed a Pakistani lawyer for Mr. Jadhav and approached the Islamabad High Court on July 18 to file a review petition challenging the death sentence, it still couldn’t file a petition “in the absence of power of attorney and supporting documents related to the case”. Pakistan last month had first announced that Mr. Jadhav had refused to lodge an appeal against his death sentence. In an immediate response, New Delhi had stated that Mr. Jadhav had been “obviously coerced” to forego his right to seek a “review and reconsideration” of his death sentence [see AiR No. 28, July/2020, 2] [Tribune], [Times of India]

The Pakistan government on Monday (July 27) tabled in Parliament the “International Court of Justice Review and Reconsideration Ordinance 2020”. Under the ordinance, which was enacted on May 20, a petition for the review of a military’s court decision can be made to the Islamabad High Court through an application within 60 days of its promulgation. Last week, a similar effort had been foiled by two major opposition parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) – which had staged a walkout from the assembly to protest against the government for “facilitating” the conviction of Mr. Jadhav. Speaking in the National Assembly on Friday, Pakistani Law Minister Farogh Naseem had then asked the opposition parties to “avoid politics” on the issue, saying that India would take the matter to the UN Security Council if the ICJ’s decision was not implemented. [Economic Times 2] [The Hindu]

Pakistan, India relations further deteriorate over Kashmir

(lf/lm) With the first anniversary of India`s decision to revoke Article 370 of its Constitution, and to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories with a legislature looming [AiR No. 32, August/2019, 1], tension between the India and Pakistan continue to rise. The Indian army on Monday reportedly killed at least one Pakistani soldier and injured another eight in retaliatory fire along the Line of Control (LoC) that separates Pakistani and Indian-controlled Kashmir, after Pakistan allegedly resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in several areas of Jammu and Kashmir. [The Hindu]

Last week, Pakistan`s military had blamed India for an escalation in firing and shelling along the de facto border, accusing New Delhi of trying to distract from the unrest in the Indian administrated area of Kashmir. According to the commander of Pakistani troops in Kashmir, India has hitherto violated the ceasefire on almost 1,800 occasions in 2020, comparing to 3,500 incidents in 2019, when violations hit a more than decade-high peak. Fending off the allegations, New Delhi in response said that Pakistan’s military has violated the ceasefire on more than 2,500 occasions this year. [Reuters]

On Sunday, the Pakistani army said it had shot down another “spying quadcopter” after it had “intruded 200 meters inside Pakistan’s territory” along the LoC. This was the 10th quadcopter shot down by Pakistan’s army this year, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the armed forces’ media wing. [Anadolu Agency]

On Monday, Pakistan`s Senate unanimously passed a resolution lauding the “relentless” struggle of and conferring the country`s highest civilian award to Syed Ali Geelani, a veteran Kashmiri separatist, who has been under house arrest since August last year. Geelani also stepped down from the leadership of All Parties Hurriyat Conference last month, a conglomerate of several separatist parties in Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution, jointly moved by both the government and opposition benches, commended the ailing leader’s “unwavering commitment, dedication, perseverance and leadership,” and acknowledged his role in “exposing Indian atrocities, suppressive measures and human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir.” [Anadolu Agency] [Times of India]

The same day, India said it had lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over reports of attempts being made to convert a historic gurdwara – a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs – into a mosque. Pakistan was also called on to look after the safety, security and well-being of its minorities, including the protection of their religious rights and cultural heritage. Located in the eastern city of Lahore, Gurdwara Shahidi Asthan is a historical shrine built at the spot where prominent Sikh martyr Bhai Taru Singh sustained fatal injuries in 1745. [Hindustan Times] [The Indian Express]

Pakistan: Abduction and release of government critical journalist

(lf/lm) Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan, who has been a vocal critic of the military`s involvement in government affairs, was released from a brief abduction on Tuesday night in Islamabad, hours after the government had confirmed the abduction. The incident occurred one day before Mr. Jan was supposed to appear in court over a contempt case in which he had criticized the top Pakistani court over a verdict concerning a top judge. The case led to a wide spread outcry on social media, with some of the posts accusing the Pakistani secret service of the abduction. [Reuters] [DW]

Jan is not the first journalist to disappear and appear in a similar fashion. Many suspect the Pakistani secret service to be behind the crackdown on independent journalism in Pakistan. [BBC]

Pakistan: Supreme Court at the center of controversies, again

(ls) In a judgment over a bail application of a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker and his brother against their arrest by the country’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Supreme Court criticized governmental authorities, saying that laws were being used as a tool to pressure political opponents into submission and fracture political parties. In particular, the judges ruled that the object of bail should neither be punitive nor preventative. In forceful language, the judgment continued: “Lust of power, desire to capture, and rule, and pursuit of self-aggrandization, have resulted in violation of the prescribed jurisdictional limits and ceding of political space in governance.” [Pakistan Today] [Samaa]

At the same time, however, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed issued a contempt of court notice to a journalist over an alleged tweet that criticized the judges and the judiciary. Pakistan’s judiciary has a controversial history marked by incidents of validating martial laws to ousting elected prime ministers while still insisting to remain above any criticism. [The News] [Asia Times]

In addition, an individual Supreme Court judge is under pressure over allegations of undeclared assets. On Monday, Justice Qazi Faez Isa petitioned his colleagues for a review of their order back in June to require further evidence on offshore properties. The court had quashed a presidential reference against Isa but ordered the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to furnish a report about the issue. Justice Isa’s wife also petitioned against this order. [Dawn 1] [Dawn 2]

Pakistan and Afghanistan blame each other over alleged rocket attacks

(lf) Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister has condemned an alleged rocket firing by the Pakistani army across the contested border. A report stated that the rockets were fired into Afghanistan’s north-eastern Kunar province killing four civilians and injuring several more. Pakistan’s police on the other hand, accused Afghan forces to have targeted a house, which has long been a safe place for local rebels and Taliban fighters.

This incident occurs as new peace negotiations between the Pakistani government and the Taliban are expected to be held later this month. They had been stalled due to the prisoner exchange which is part of the US-Taliban peace deal concluded earlier this year. [AiR No. 9, March/2020, 1]

It is not uncommon for Afghanistan and Pakistan to accuse the other of starting fire in the border region. The two countries are divided by the contested Durand line stretching over 2,400 km, often separating villages in two. In 2017, Pakistan started to fence the line. [Al Jazeera]

Pakistan: Tensions in Balochistan as partnership with China and Iran grows

(ls/lf) Last week, eight soldiers were killed in an attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan province which belongs to the cultural-geographic region of Balochistan inhabited by the Baloch people and comprising parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. No group has claimed the attack in the Pakistani province yet. The long-ongoing conflict has been growing tense over recent months which might partly be due to China’s increasing activities in the region, which is rich in resources, including copper, gas and gold.

Benefits from most of the investments may not make their way towards the Baloch population, however and may also have stirred up additional resentments against the federal government in Islamabad. Separatist groups have increasingly targeted Chinese construction sites. Last month’s attack on the stock exchange in Karachi by Baloch militants has shed additional light on a long insurgence struggle that involve a number of external players. [Al Jazeera] [Reuters]

At the same time, China and Iran are currently negotiating a major military and trade agreement that is likely to take place within the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Iran’s closer partnership with China means that Pakistan may involve Iran in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which is part of the BRI, and thus have a better chance to protect its security interests in Balochistan. It appears possible that Pakistan, China and Iran may form a joint military force for intelligence-sharing and to carry out targeted operations against militants that use the Pakistan-Iran border to destabilize the region. [The Diplomat]

India–Pakistan relations further strained by spying case

(lf) Indian diplomats left a meeting arranged by Pakistan with the former Indian naval officer Kulbhusan Jadhav who currently sits on death row in Pakistan for espionage. They claimed that they were not provided unhindered consular access. [Reuters]

Jadhav stated last week not to file a review of his case [see AiR No. 28, July/2020,2]. He had been arrested in 2016. India took the case to the International Court of Justice, which stalled the execution and asked Pakistan to review the death penalty while at the same time allowing India full consular access. Relations between India and Pakistan had already been tense since both countries expelled diplomatic staff over corruption allegations earlier this year. [see AiR No. 26/2020, 5]

Bangladesh: Pakistan, Bangladesh hold talks in possible thaw

(yo) Bangladeshi and Pakistani diplomats met to discuss bilateral relations amid frigid relationships. After briefing one another on the coronavirus pandemic and the measures taken, they agreed to further conversation on “bilateral economic and commercial cooperation.” [Anadolu Agency]

Pakistan: High Court rules on construction of Hindu temple

(lf/lm) The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday ruled that legal objections against the allotment of land for the construction of a new Hindu temple and cremation site were invalid. The construction of the temple is, however, not assured, as the Ministry in charge of the project forwarded the case to the country`s Council of Islamic Ideology to request advice on the issuance of government funds for the construction of the temple. The Council is expected to rule on the government`s request in September. [APP] [Al Jazeera]

Soon after the land had been allocated to the city`s Hindu community in 2017, the City District Administration of Islamabad had put the construction on hold, responding to massive public disapproval and political uproar against the project. Pakistan, a majority Muslim country, has a small minority Hindu group of 3.5 million people which make up 1.6 % percent of the whole population. Most of them live the province Sindh. Pakistan has been struggling to protect its religious minority groups, and religious minorities have been targeted under Pakistan’s blasphemy law.

Amnesty International has called on Pakistan to protect the right of religious minorities regarding religious freedom, and called the decision a major set-back, after the opening of the Sikh temple in Kartarpur Sahib to pilgrims in 2019. [Amnesty International]

Former India navy officer allegedly refuses to appeal spying death sentence in Pakistan

(lm) Former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who currently is on death row in Pakistan, has refused to lodge an appeal against his conviction, and instead chose to “follow-up” on his pending “mercy” petition. [The Straits Times]

In May 2017, India had approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with a request for immediate stay on the death sentence a Pakistani military court had handed down against Mr Jadhav on charges of “espionage and terrorism” in April 2017. Last year in July, then, the ICJ ruled that Islamabad had breached its obligations under the Vienna Convention for Consular Relations by denying consular access to Mr Jadhav. While it did not upheld India’s petition to annul the sentence, the ICJ found that Pakistan was under an obligation to conduct an “effective review and reconsideration” of Jadhav’s conviction by “means of its own choosing”. [ICJ] [The Wire 1]

In keeping with the ICJ`s decision, Islamabad reportedly offered Mr Jadhav on May 17 2020 to file an appeal in the Islamabad High Court, and enacted an Ordinance three days thereafter. The official also stated that Pakistan had “repeatedly written to the Indian High Commission to file a petition in the Islamabad High Court and to initiate the process of review and reconsideration of the sentence and conviction of Commander Jadhav before the deadline”, and had further “offered a second consular access to India”. In August 2019, Pakistan had allowed an Indian diplomat to meet with the incarcerated Mr Jadhav for the first time in three years. The meeting, however, was recorded and held in the presence of Pakistani officials. [The Hindu]

India`s response, in a statement issued on Wednesday night, did not comment on the second consular access offer, but outrightly dismissed Pakistan’s Ordinance saying that Mr Jadhav had “clearly been coerced” into not appealing against his 2017 conviction. Describing the Ordinance as violating the ICJ judgement, New Delhi further said Islamabad would continue to “to deny India free and unimpeded access” to Mr Jadhav. [The Wire 2] [read the full statement here: Hindustan Times]

Pakistan: Foreign and health ministers test positive as coronavirus cases on the rise

(ls) Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the country’s Health Minister Zafar Mirza have both been tested positive for the coronavirus. Since the government eased lockdown measures in mid-May, the number of infections has sharply risen in the country. [Bloomberg]

Pakistan: Judge in Sharif Nawaz case dismissed from High Court

(lf) The High Court in Lahore, Pakistan, has dismissed one of its judges. The dismissal raises questions about a court case against the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The now dismissed judge had been part of the accountability court. His career, however, had been threatened ever since a video of him admitting to a lack of evidence against the former PM in the Al Aziza Mill reference case appeared in 2019. In 2018, Sharif received a prison sentence for corruption. The video, which was published by the brother and daughter of Sharif, shows the former judge admitting to being coerced into giving a prison sentence even though crucial evidence was missing. The incident casts an unfavorable light on the accountability court and may reopen the case against Sharif. [The News] [Tribune]

Pakistan and China extend economic relations

(lf) While India and China clash over their border disputes in the Himalayas, Pakistan and China have signed another deal over a hydropower project in Pakistan-administrated Kashmir, which will be a key part in the Sino-Pakistan economic corridor, forming part of the Belt and Road Initiative. The hydropower plant is the second major infrastructure project financed by China in the area this year. 

India has said that no major infrastructure projects should be undertaken in the disputed area and that the new deal undermines that. This aspect might lead to further escalation in an already tense situation. [Nikkei Asian Review]

US report says Pakistan continues to serve as a “save haven” for regionally focused terrorists

(lm) The US State Department on Wednesday released its latest Country Report on Terrorism, saying that Pakistan is yet to take “decisive action” that would undermine the operational capability of India and Afghanistan focused terrorist groups. In its report, the State Department acknowledged the “modest steps” Pakistan had taken last year to tackle terror financing and restrain India-focused terrorist groups from conducting large-scale attacks, however, it also emphasised that the country continues to “serve as a safe haven” for other regional terrorist groups. Specifically, the report took note of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed’s arrest last year but pointed out that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) founder Masood Azhar, who was designated a global terrorist by the United Nations last year, and Sajid Mir were still at large. [The Statesman]

The reaction came on Thursday, with Pakistan in a statement rejecting the United States’ annual report, saying the paper ignored the country’s “crucial role” in degrading Al Qaeda in the region, further “calling it ‘self-contradictory’ and ‘selective’ in its characterisation of Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorism and terror financing. [The Express Tribune]

Following the publication, Indian officials on Sunday said that New Delhi had repeatedly asked Pakistan to extradite Mir, who was indicted for serving as chief planner and controller of the 2008 Mumbai three-day attacks on hotels, a train station and a Jewish centre which left 166 people dead. [The Straits Times]

The report’s publication came on the heels of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary on Wednesday deciding to hand Pakistan another extension on the “Grey List” until October 2020, given its failure to completely implement the FATF’s 27-point action plan. [The Hindu] [The Times of India]

India asks Pakistan to cut embassy staff by half over spying charges

(lm) India last Tuesday summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires and asked him to halve the strength of Pakistan’s High Commission in Delhi within seven days, saying it would do the same in for the Indian mission in Islamabad. New Delhi justified the decision by accusing Indian diplomats of spying and dealing with terrorists, and further expressing concerns over the alleged torture of two Indian staffers working at India’s embassy to Pakistan who were arrested following an alleged hit-and-run in Islamabad last week. According to the Indian Foreign Ministry, the two men returned to India last Monday after they had been detained by Pakistani authorities, where they “provided graphic details of the barbaric treatment that they experienced”. [Al Jazeera] [The Tribune] [SCMP] [AiR No. 24, June/2020, 3]

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry in a statement on Tuesday brushed aside the mistreatment allegations saying its staff in New Delhi had maintained compliance with diplomatic conventions and international law. On Thursday, then, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in an interview accused India of trying to divert attention at home after Indian troops got a “battering” at the hands of Chinese forces in a clash on their disputed Himalayan border. [The Straits Times] [Reuters] [SCMP]

Pakistan: Tensions in Balochistan province turn violent

(cf/lm) Four heavily armed gunmen attacked the Pakistan Stock Exchange in the city of Karachi on Monday in a bid to take hostages, killing two guards and a policeman and wounding seven others before being shot dead. According to a senior counter-terrorism official, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) had posted a photograph and claimed the attack on Twitter. The men in the photo were later identified as member’s BLA’s so-called Majeed Brigade, named after BLA commander Abdul Majeed Baloch. Tensions in Balochistan had been heightened, when protests had erupted last week over so-called death squads, which are allegedly backed by the Pakistani military. [AiR No. 25, June/2020, 4] [Reuters]

The BLA is only one of several secessionist militant groups fighting for Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan. If the claims turn out to be true, this would be the BLA’s second time in Karachi, after the group staged a previous attack on the Chinese consulate in 2018. Other Majeed Brigade/BLA attacks have targeted Pakistani government or Chinese targets in Balochistan province before. Last year the Majeed Brigade attacked a five-star hotel in the port city of Gwadar in Balochistan. The hotel is the centrepiece of a multi-billion-dollar Chinese project and normally hosts the Chinese delegations. [The Indian Express] [bbc]

Pakistan: High-profile corruption cases

(dql) An arrest warrant has been issued on Monday against former president Asif Ali Zardari for failing to appear before court in a 2008 luxury vehicles case in which he is accused of purchasing luxury vehicles from the Toshakhana (state treasure house) at only 15% of the price of the cars. [New Indian Express]

In an earlier move last week a corruption case has been filed against deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif over allegations of being involved in the unlawful allotment of land in Punjab mor than 30 years ago. [Times of India]

Pakistan: Professor arrested for blasphemy

(ls) A professor of literature at Khairpur’s Shah Abdul Latif University in Pakistan has been arrested for charges of blasphemy under the Pakistan Penal Code. The professor is an outspoken critic of the government and the country’s most powerful clerics. The university is located in Sindh province which is home to Pakistan’s largest Hindu population and also a significant number of Shiite Muslims. The professor had blamed the government for the rise of violent extremism undermining Sindh’s sectarian harmony. [DW]

Pakistan: Tensions in Balochistan

(lf) On Sunday, a large number of primarily women and children came together in protest in Pakistan’s province Balochistan. They protested to show solidarity with the victims of so-called death squads, which are allegedly backed by the Pakistani military. [Balochwarna]

The protest came after the leader of the Balochistan National Party, Akhtar Mengal, spoke in front of the Parliament last week and called for Balochistan to be called occupied Balochistan, saying that death squads continued to harm people in the province. The party left the governing coalition. 

Balochistan is one of Pakistan’s biggest provinces and rich in resources. However, large parts of its population are very poor. Grievances with the federal government trace back over seven decades. Balochistan has seen several insurgencies and military suppression. In the last fifteen years, thousands Balochs have gone missing. The government restricts journalists from reporting from the Balochistan. Several journalists have gone missing or turned up dead over the years after reporting on the issue. [The Diplomat]

Pakistan in turmoil – How long will the military support PM Khan?

(ls) Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan is under increasing pressure for the government’s management of several crises. As for Covid-19, the government has decided to lift several measures designed to curb the people’s movement and contain the spread of the virus despite surging infection rates. Protesting doctors have been beaten and arrested by the police. Moreover, a locust plague is about to hit Pakistan in the coming weeks, and Khan has been accused of a lack of preparation. In addition, economic growth, which was about 5 percent in 2018, has now reached negative numbers, with unemployment sharply increasing. 

Observers consider more widespread civil unrest likely. In this situation, it remains to be seen whether the military, a traditionally powerful actor in Pakistani politics, will withdraw its support from Khan. [South China Morning Post]

Kashmir: Suspected militants killed by Indian forces

(ls) More than a dozen suspected militants have been killed by Indian government forces in Indian-administered Kashmir over the course of the last week. So far, more than 20 have been killed in June. [The Hindu] [Anadolu Agency]

India II: Two Indian embassy staffers released in Islamabad after being detained over alleged hit-and-run incident

(lm) Two Indian staffers working at India’s embassy to Pakistan have been released on Monday evening after they were detained by Pakistani authorities in relation to an alleged hit-and-run vehicle-pedestrian accident earlier that day. [CNN]

Alarm was raised Monday morning when Indian media outlets reported that two Indian diplomatic officers had gone missing in Islamabad, further suggesting that the case was related to the recent expulsion by New Delhi of two Pakistani diplomatic officials accused of spying. [Times of India] [AiR No. 23, June/2020, 2]

According to a police report the duo – later identified as a driver and a security officer – was speeding, crashed into a pedestrian, and then caught trying to flee the scene of the incident. India later summoned Pakistan’s envoy in Delhi and issued a demarche to him over the reported arrest, and the two men were released later on Monday. [The Tribune] [BBC]

Pakistan: COVID-19 cases could rise to 1.2 Million by end of July

(lm) Pakistani officials on Sunday warned that nationwide confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections could double by the end of June and peak at more than a million infections just a month later. Urging the nation to strictly comply with safety guidelines, Planning Minister Asad Umar, who is leading the country’s response to the pandemic, reported on Monday that many markets and shops had been sealed because of non-compliance with safety protocols. [The Jakarta Post] [Reuters 1]

Earlier last week, in a letter sent to health authorities of Pakistan’s two most populous provinces, Punjab and Sindh, the WHO recommended an intermittent lockdown as a balance between mitigating the risk of the health system collapsing and keeping the economy going. [Reuters 2]

As cases in the South Asian country have begun to take off since most restrictions were lifted last month, Pakistani authorities should reimpose a strict, intermittent lockdown targeting localities with high coronavirus spread, as well as strengthen quarantine, testing and contact tracing, WHO Pakistan chief Palitha Mahipala added. [Al Jazeera]

In March, Pakistan’s government, led by Prime Minister Imran Khan, had moved quickly to lock down and impose travel restrictions of varying strictness in different provinces. Most measures, however, were eased in late May, ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr. Citing economic hardships threatening the country’s poverty-stricken families, Khan had justified rolling back the lockdown, and has long resisted re-imposing any lockdown restrictions. [Daily Mail]

Just days ago, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had offered to help neighbouring India to disburse cash to the public during the coronavirus lockdown, but India later dismissed the offer. Taking on Twitter on Thursday, Khan had cited a report by the Mumbai-based Center for Monitoring Indian Economy that reported 34 per cent of households across India would struggle to make ends meet without additional assistance due to a drop in financial resources because of COVID-19 lockdown measures. [Reuters 3]

New espionage charges between India and Pakistan

(lf) Two men have been arrested for espionage in the Indian province of Rajastan. They are accused of sharing classified information about the Indian army with Pakistan. [Economic Times]. This comes after last week’s expulsion of two officials working for the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi on the base of espionage. [Asia in Review No. 22, June/ 2020]

India-Pakistan: Protests in Kashmir

(lf/ls) In India, protests continue in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir after Indian forces killed at least nine rebels, including three commanders. Several hundred people clashed with Indian security forces as they tried to march to the area of fighting. 

The situation in Kashmir has been very tense in recent months, as daily fights along the Line of Control between Pakistan and Indian controlled Kashmir have been reported.  India has accused Pakistan to arm and train Anti-Indian rebels, which has been denied by Pakistan. In turn, Pakistan condemned the killing of the nine Kashmiri rebels, referring to it as an act of “state terrorism”. [Aljazeera] [Dawn]

The territory has been contested since both countries gained independence from India in 1947. Since 1989, the conflict has caused the deaths of more than 70,000 people of which the majority have been civilians. Tensions have been especially high since protest arose in Kashmir after Prime Minister Modi renounced the autonomy of the region.

Pakistan and IMF agree on increase of salaries of government employees

(dql) Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached an agreement to increase the salaries of government employees in the upcoming 2020-21 fiscal year budget. The IMF also consented to increase the pension of retired employees and to waive raising electricity bills and gas tariff till October. The budget is to be unveiled in this week. [Eurasian Times]

The agreement came after Pakistan had rejected demands of the IMF that Pakistan freezes government employees’ salaries in the budget 2020-2021 to adhere to the fiscal consolidation path which the IMF believes to be necessary in the face of a high and unsustainable public debt that is expected to reach 90% of the total value of the national economy. [Ary News]

Pakistan: Supreme Court reminds government to take proper action against Covid-19

(ls) The Supreme Court of Pakistan has confronted the government in its management of the corona virus outbreak and demanded the passing of appropriate national legislation instead of ruling by executive orders which negatively affect the rights of the people. One justice asked why the legislatures cannot function when other institutions are functioning. Two Supreme Court judges have tested positive for the corona virus. [Dawn]

Pakistan: ‘Blasphemy’ death row couple’s appeal

(dql) The case of a Pakistani Christian married couple, which was convicted and sentenced to death in 2014 for blasphemy and now waits for an appeal trial against their death sentence in this week, sheds light on the problem of blasphemy allegations in Pakistan which are frequently used to target religious minorities in the country.

Their lawyer, while believing that the evidence used to convict the couple was deeply flawed, warned that judges can be “fearful” of acquitting suspects as they themselves might be targeted by extremists. And even though blasphemy convictions are often eventually reversed on appeal, the acquitted still live in fear of hard-line religious groups chasing them. [BBC]

Pakistan: Prime Minister rejects a second coronavirus lockdown

(dql) Defying rapidly increasing coronavirus cases in Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that he will not impose a second lockdown citing the suffering of the poor during the previous two-months lockdown which ended in late May and saying: “We have to save our people from coronavirus and hunger simultaneously.”

The country has hitherto a total of 72,460 of confirmed Covid-19 cases and 1,543 deaths. Over the past week almost 300 deaths and more than 11,000 new cases were recorded. [AA]

India-Pakistan relations II: Kashmir tensions

(lf) Pakistan has reached out to the UN Security Council; it urges the UN to facilitate a peaceful resolve of the conflict in the Kashmir region between India and Pakistan. Pakistan especially calls to the UN to stop extrajudicial killing in the Indian occupied territories of Kashmir. [The Nation]

India has been repeatedly criticized for not upholding rights in the contested regions. The Indian controlled part of Kashmir and Jammu has been largely under lockdown since August, when a decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modhi to revoke Kashmir’s autonomy was met with protest. [Human Rights Watch]. 

The relations between India and Pakistan, as well as with China, which also claims part of the region have been extremely strained in recent month over the situation. [for more information on India – China and the Kashmir situation bbc] [For more information on the tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir Global Conflict Tracker].

India-Pakistan relations I: Pakistan embassy officials expelled over espionage charges

(lf/lm) India’s foreign ministry on Sunday leveled espionage charges against Pakistan declaring two officials that worked at Pakistan’s high commission in New Delhi “persona non grata”. In a statement, the ministry said the pair had engaged in “activities incompatible with their status as members of a diplomatic mission” and was asked to leave the country “within 24 hours”.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry condemned the expulsion rejecting the charges of espionage against the staffers of its mission and further claiming that the two had been detained and tortured by Indian authorities.

The move is likely to further strain the already tense ties between the neighboring countries, who have a long-running dispute over the Muslim-majority territory of Kashmir. [Deutsche Welle] [The Guardian] [Reuters]

Bangladesh: Pakistan firm plans to import Covid-19 treatment drug from Bangladesh

(yo) Bangladesh will export a generic version of the antiviral medication Remdesivir, that has shown to expedite the recovery process of Covid-19 patients to Pakistan. The drug was developed by Beximco Pharmaceuticals and was granted emergency use by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat patients with severe coronavirus symptoms. Remdesivir was originally developed by US company Gilead Sciences, which has exclusive rights to produce the antiviral. Global trade rules, however, allow least developed countries (LDCs) indicated by the UN to ignore the patent and make the drugs so that they would be more accessible in their countries. Bangladesh is exempted from the patent while Pakistan isn’t. Beximco Pharmaceuticals expressed it will not commercially profit from the import until pandemic is over and make donations. Currently, there is no certainty Remdesivir will reduce number of Covid-19 induced deaths, but cutting the recovery time by about 4 days will help hospitals and governments deal with the pandemic more efficiently. [Dawn] [Arab News]

Pakistan looks to China for more investments and credits

(ls) Like most countries in the world, Pakistan has seen a sharp drop of commercial activities since the beginning of the global coronavirus crisis. Prime Minister Imran Khan is now looking for further investment and credits from China to stimulate the economy. He has prioritized the revival of the construction sector and launched a renewed push for infrastructure projects in the hope they would revitalize associated domestic industries and incentivize new investment in the job-generating manufacturing sector. Several project proposals are currently being finalized as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These include railway, motorway, hydropower and airport projects. Chinese President Xi Jinping was scheduled to visit Pakistan in July, but this visit has been postponed. [South China Morning Post]

The development can be seen against the backdrop of a report on energy project costs commissioned by PM Khan’s government which unveiled significant corruption problems and inflated costs in major projects, many of which belonging to the BRI. [Asia in Review, No. 20, May/2020, 3]

India–Pakistan II: Cooperation to fight the locust plague?

(ls) Despite longstanding animosity and recent tensions, India and Pakistan may cooperate on fighting the current locust plague threatening the agricultural sectors of both countries. India has proposed a trilateral response in partnership with Iran. Pakistan has not yet officially responded to the plan. There is already an ongoing wider regional cooperation in place under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in Southwest Asia (SWAC), which was established in 1964 with Afghanistan, India, Iran and Pakistan as its members. [Voice of America]

In India, small swarms of desert locusts, in the past weeks, have already arrived from Pakistan, moving east into Rajasthan, and reaching Jodhpur. Locust streams could travel over a land corridor passing over Yemen, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India. Another stream could pass over the Indian Ocean, reaching India and Bangladesh. [The Hindu]

Farmers across Pakistan are already suffering the worst plague of locusts in recent history, which has caused billions of dollars in damage and led to fears of long-term food shortages. The government declared a national emergency earlier this year. The impact could be economically devastating as agriculture accounts for 20% of Pakistan’s GDP and 65% of the population live and work in agricultural areas. [The Guardian]

India–Pakistan I: Tension in Kashmir

(lf/ls) The head of the Pakistani army has warned India that any change to the disputed status of what Pakistan considers Indian-controlled Pakistan will be met with full military force. The army chief cautioned India no to endanger the fragile stability in the South Asia region [Andalou Agency]. The statement came after new anti-India riots in Kashmir [Asia in Review No. 20, May/2020, 3]. 

The status of Kashmir, which is separated into the Indian, Pakistani and Chinese Kashmir has been contested for decades. Since August 2019, Kashmir had been under lockdown after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the removal of the status as special administrative region, which was met with protests [Time, October 2019]. Kashmir experienced one of the longest lockdowns observed, and after initial opening [Time, May 2020], movement had been strongly limited due to the coronavirus. 

Meanwhile, health experts warn that communications blackouts imposed by India’s government as part of an effort to limit political turmoil and armed conflict in Kashmir are making the fight against the coronavirus more difficult. During recent blackouts, doctors and other health professionals were unable to consult with colleagues about coronavirus cases. Kashmir is among the Indian regions the worst hit by Covid-19, with confirmed cases increasing sharply. [Reuters]

Pakistan: Political party critical of BRI banned for alleged terrorist links 

(ls) Pakistan’s interior ministry earlier this month banned Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz-Arisar (JSQM-A), a political party based in the southern province of Sindh, along with two militant groups in the same province for alleged terrorist links. The party was well-known for criticizing China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Since the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a BRI project, the list of outlawed groups has been expanded to include ethnic and sectarian groups from the southwestern province of Balochistan and the northern region of Gilgit Baltistan that could pose threats to Chinese investment in the country. [Nikkei Asian Review]

India: Riots in Kashmir after Indian Army shoots Kashmiri man 

(jk) Indian soldiers shot and killed a Kashmiri man at a checkpoint last week after he allegedly refused to stop his car. His death caused anti-India protests with “hundreds” shouting slogans urging India to retreat from the region before Indian forces entered the village and quelled the protests. [South China Morning Post]

Pakistan’s “high costs” in energy projects, including many BRI projects

(jk) Earlier in April, a report on energy project costs commissioned by PM Khan’s government has unveiled significant corruption problems and “inflated” costs in major energy projects. The report issued by a appointed committee which observed projects over an 8 months period revealed malpractices in the signing and execution of contracts, including overstating set-up costs and many more violations of SOPs in bad faith and at the expense of the government. [Profit]

In a piece at [The Diplomat], a former Pakistani Ambassador to the United States focusses on those projects in the report that are part of the Belt and Road’s China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. These make up “at least one third of the projects highlighted in the report” and the author suspects that malpractice and “incomprehensibly” high profiteering by Chinese companies are generated “with the complicity of leaders in the Pakistan government and the loot shared by all parties.” Although it could be argued that Pakistan’s extraordinary financial problems are mainly rooted in “[m]assive military expenditure, deep rooted corruption, and lack of accountability” (as he does) and where the money comes from is of secondary importance, he also concludes that these woes are now seemingly joined by “a new liability” – Chinese investments. 

Pakistan: More Soldiers killed in attacks in Balochistan

(jk) At least seven soldiers have been killed in attacks in the Pakistani province of Balochistan this week. Six soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb when they were returning to their base from patrolling duty and one was shot in a firefight. Six more soldiers have died in a similar attack earlier this months. The earlier attack was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). [Al Jazeera]

Pakistan’s Supreme Court rules coronavirus not a pandemic and orders lifting of restrictions 

(jk) Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled against the government-directed closings of businesses and decided that stores and shopping malls can open immediately in an effort to revive economic activity. The chief justice was quoted saying that “[p]eople will die of hunger even if they survive COVID-19 if the business activities are not resumed in the country,” after a five-member bench of the Supreme Court heard the “suo moto case” regarding the government’s coronavirus pandemic measures. [Geo] [The Straits Times]

A “suo motu”, or “on its own motion” case can be ordered by the Supreme Court without waiting for a particular case to come before it. Suo moto cases have been controversial and widely used in Pakistan, especially over the past ten years. [see e.g. Dawn; Pakistan Today]

India’s territorial and border disputes with Nepal, China and in Kashmir flaring up

(ls) Several incidents have put India’s disputes with neighboring countries and in Kashmir in the spotlight. Last week, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80 km link road through the Lipu Lekh pass, which is a territory disputed between India and Nepal but currently under control of Indian border security forces. Nepal protested against the move and announced to increase the number of security outposts and deploy more armed personnel to the border with India.

Nepal’s interests have suffered several setbacks in recent years. Back in 2015, India and China agreed to include the Lipu Lekh Pass as a bilateral trade route, without consulting with Nepal. And in 2019, India released a new political map including the disputed territories, which led to Nepal’s protest. [Kathmandu Post] [Economic Times] [The Hindu]

At the border between India and China, two small-scale violent incidents in Ladakh and Sikkim occurred between troops of the two countries. Soldiers brawled and threw stones at each other. The acts have led both India and China to send additional troop reinforcements to the area, while at the same time officials played the incidents down. The last major violent clash between the Indian and Chinese troops took place along the Pangong Lake situated between Ladakh (India) and Ngari (China) in September 2019. In 2017, there was a brawl between Chinese and Indian soldiers near Ladakh and the standoff in Bhutan’s Doklam in the same year. [South China Morning Post] [Times of India]

Turning to another hotspot, Kashmir, where Indian troops have intensified operations amid India’s nationwide lockdown. Indian troops killed four militants in gun battles, including Riyaz Naikoo, the commander of the biggest separatist group, Hizbul Mujahideen. News of the operation triggered clashes across the region in which dozens were injured. Authorities disabled mobile internet across the Kashmir region. [Reuters]

Pakistani and Iranian army chiefs consult on border security

(ls) Pakistan’s and Iran’s army chiefs have discussed closer cooperation and possibilities for an exchange of expert delegations to maintain border security and prevent terrorist activities along the common borders. In particular, Pakistan seeks cooperation from Iran in dealing with Baloch militants allegedly operating from Iran’s soil. The development comes against the backdrop of an attack on a Pakistani border patrol last week, in which six troops were killed. [Dawn]

Pakistan-India: Tensions over occupied parts of Jammu and Kashmir 

(hg) The Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir – its ‘Prime Minister’ – urged Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan to militarily attack India since the Indian Meteorological Department’s regional weather center has included Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in its weather reports. In Pakistan Occupied Kashmir – that part of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir which was invaded by Pakistan in 1947 and is effectively controlled by it since then – this was seen as the latest Indian assertion that the territories are an inseparable and integral part of India. [Times Now] [Mumbai Mirror] 

As a retribution, Radio Pakistan has included parts of what it calls “Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir” in its own daily weather bulletin. The initial Indian move, however, followed a decision of Pakistan’s Supreme Court to allow Islamabad to hold elections in the disputed territories occupied by Pakistan last month which prompted India to lodge a “strong protest”. [Livemint] 

Kashmir: More fighting and deaths in the India-Pakistan border region 

(jk) Once again this past weekend saw gun battles and fatalities among Indian security forces and militants in Indian-administrated Kashmir. India regularly accuses Pakistan of training and sending militants across the border to launch attacks and support a Kashmiri separatist movements. India’s army chief reiterated that Pakistan is still following an agenda of pushing terrorists into Kashmir and that India will respond appropriately and with “precision” to any acts of cross-border misadventure after this weekend’s fights. [India Today] In a recent article in a research journal of the Pakistan Army, a Pakistani General firmly lies the fault of the tensions at India’s feet and describes Kashmir as a “nuclear flashpoint”. [WION]

More than 30 militants and several Indian security forces have died alone since the start of the lockdown from late March in “near-daily cross-border firing between India and Pakistan”. [The Straits Times] April has been the deadliest month in Kashmir since August last year when article 370 was abrogated. [The Print]

In J&K itself, many of the “security measures” initially imposed after scrapping Article 370 from the constitution, such as restrictions on internet services and detention of senior mainstream political leaders continue unabated. Last week, the J&K administration extended the restriction on high-speed internet “to curb uploading, downloading and circulation of provocative videos, guard against rumour-mongering/fake news, prevent the use of encrypted messaging and VOIP services for infiltration and coordinating terror activities.” [Observer Research Foundation]

Pakistan: Practicing religion during Ramadan and Covid-19

(ls) As the Pakistani government and religious leaders agreed on 18 April to keep mosques open during Ramadan, it now appears that it is difficult to enforce social distancing rules, according to which worshippers have to keep at least 1.8m apart and those aged over 50 have to pray at home. The Pakistan Medical Association has been critical of the government’s decision. The case illustrates the delicate balance between the right to exercise one’s religion and significant public health interests. Pakistan has extended its lockdown until 9 May but is allowing the resumption of industrial and commercial activities. [Straits Times]

Pakistan: US$1.4 billion loan from IMF for Covid response approved 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a loan of US$1.4 billion for Pakistan to meet balance of payments needs after the outbreak of Covid-19. The IMF said this “Rapid Financial Instrument” is additional to the US$6 billion Extended Fund Facility to help Pakistan’s immediate efforts to COVID-19. [Arynews]

Further to Pakistan’s relief G-20 countries have decided to include Pakistan in a debt relief plan, repackaging due payments from May to December 2020 as new loans.

Pakistan eventually joints SAARC Covid Fund

(jk) When India initiated the creation of a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka – all SAARC member states but Pakistan – have pledged financial support to the fund. India, for instance began with a US$ 10 million pledge. [Asia in Review No. 11, March/2020, 3] [Asia in Review No. 12, March/2020, 4]

Pakistan, initially reluctant and counterproductive, has now changed their approach by proposing an online conference of South Asia’s health ministers and pledging US$3 million to the SAARC fund. [Arynews]

Kashmir: Artillery fire between Indian and Pakistani forces

(ls) Indian and Pakistani forces exchanged heavy artillery fire in Kashmir along the Line of Control that divides the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts. At least four civilians were killed, including a two-year-old boy, and several more injured. Both sides accused each other with violating the 2003 ceasefire. The weekend before, five Indian special operation forces and five rebels were killed in fights along the frontier. [ABC News] [Al Jazeera] 

Pakistan’s foreign ministry had summoned an Indian official to lodge a protest over the incident, also blaming India of hundreds of ceasefire violations this year alone. India accuses Pakistan of training and sending militants across the border to launch attacks and support a Kashmiri separatist movement against Indian rule. [Reuters]

Pakistan: Pharma industry begins shut down due to shortage of raw materials while India lifts export restrictions 

(jk) The pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan has begun shutting down some of its production  due to a shortage of raw material, a majority of which is imported from China and India. In addition, fears over the coronavirus have led to hoarding of medicine stocks. [The Express Tribune]

Meanwhile, India has lifted restrictions on the export of some pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines, according to a  government statement, allegedly due to pressure from the US after a phone call between Modi and Trump on the weekend. [Straits Times] [CNBC TV 18]

Pakistan: prioritizing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects

(jk) Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered a relief package last week that specifically focuses on the construction industry and directed resumption of all China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) related infrastructure projects.

He stated that the coronavirus crisis will not impede CPEC and expressed “profound regards to China for medical relief assistance to help Pakistan fight against COVID-19.” [CPEC Info]

Pakistan: IMF postpones approval of next part of bailout programme

(jk) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has postponed approval of a part of the US$6-billion bailout programme. The delay regards a release of a third loan tranche of US$450 million on April 10, agreed to by Pakistan and the IMF in February, subject to the fulfilling of all conditions by the Pakistan government. [The Express Tribune]

Pakistan: Court overturns death sentence of accused murderer of US journalist 

(jk) The man facing execution for the 2002 kidnapping and murder of a Wall Street Journal reporter in Pakistan, and three co-accused, were acquitted last week in a ruling by the high court of Sindh province. The man has been on death row for allegedly masterminding the kidnap and murder, however his involvement in at least the murder of the journalist has long been disputed and was the subject of ongoing legal disputes. The court found there is not enough evidence for the murder, and the sentence for the kidnapping has already been served. [The Guardian]

The ruling can still be overturned by Pakistan’s supreme court, where the government has made an appeal against the decision. [South China Morning Post]

India – Pakistan: Five army commandos and 5 alleged intruders killed in LoC battle

(jk) Five Indian special forces soldiers and five alleged terrorists were killed during an encounter near the Line of Control after the army intercepted a group of heavily armed men who tried to infiltrate Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir. [Hindustan Times] Pakistani media reports on the death of five insurgents in addition to a second gun battle 24 hours earlier in which another four people died. [Geo News]

India: New domicile rules for Jammu and Kashmir

(jk) The Indian government has released new domicile rules of the new Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir which open up the eligibility criteria for becoming permanent residents there. The new rules mark a change in the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, which previously restricted the availability of local government jobs, scholarships and properties for Indian’s from other parts of the country. [The Print]

Why Pakistan did not close mosques despite the coronavirus threat

(ls) Unlike other Muslim countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, Pakistan has not banned congregational prayers that pose a clear threat to public health. An interesting article investigates the backgrounds of this decision, which also displays the politics around Islamic authority in Pakistan. [TRT World]

Does the Corona crisis revive SAARC?

(ls) Last weekend, leaders and representatives of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) members held a video conference to discuss ways to combat the Coronavirus pandemic. Whereas seven countries were represented by their presidents or prime ministers, for Pakistan the Prime Minister’s special advisor on health took part in the session. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed an emergency fund to fight the pandemic, with an initial offer of $10 million from India. Displaying the difficulties of the SAARC format, Pakistan’s representative raised a different topic when he sought the removal of all remaining restrictions in Kashmir. [The Wire]

Conversely, other news outlets such as [Defenseworld] report that Indonesia is still negotiating a deal to buy Su-35 fighter jets from Russia and has not abandoned it under pressure from the United States. 

Pakistan: Impacts of the deepening US-Indian relations

(dql) AiR reported in [AiR No. 8, February/2020, 4] about the agreement on the expansion of US-Indian security cooperation and the purchase of more than US$ 3 billion of American military equipment during President Trump’s recent visit to India.

Sher Bano at [Modern Diplomacy] informs about the impact of deepening US-Indian security relations on Pakistan and argues that Pakistan, facing an increasing asymmetry in conventional weapons against its neighbor, needs an improvement of its overall conventional capabilities in order to counter the conventional imbalance, along with superior strategy and training as well as stronger ties with China while remaining strategically relevant to the US

Pakistan’s border fence to Afghanistan to be completed this year

(ls) In 2016, Pakistan began to build a 2,600 km border fence to Afghanistan, which is set to be completed this year. The border in difficult terrain has long been crossed by smugglers, militants, traders and families alike. Pashtun tribes had effectively ignored the border for generations. Moreover, Afghanistan disputes the border line drawn by British colonial officials in 1893, known as the Durand Line. Earlier this year, statistics have shown that the number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan has sharply declined over the last years. However, according to observers, corruption and bribery are likely to help people find ways to continue crossing the border. [Straits Times]

Pakistan: Parliament passes law against child abuse

(ls) Pakistan’s parliament has passed a new law against child abuse, which introduces a penalty of life imprisonment for child abuse. The law also requires police to register a case within two hours of a child’s parents reporting them missing. In addition, it includes measures to speed up the process, including the establishment of a dedicated helpline and a new agency to issue alerts for a missing child. The law was enacted about two years after the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl that shocked the country. [The Guardian]

Pakistan/Bangladesh: Arrests and disappearances of journalists

(ls) Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested the editor-in-chief of a major media group that includes some of Pakistan’s biggest newspapers and the Geo television network. He is accused of obtaining illegal concessions in a purchase of land plots back in 1986. Spokespersons said that the media group has been threatened over the last one and a half years over critical reports. In recent years, mainstream media houses have criticized pressure from authorities that has resulted in widespread self-censorship. [Al Jazeera]

In Bangladesh, a journalist went missing last week. Human Rights Watch has called for his immediate location. The journalist was among those accused in a criminal case against a prominent news editor, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, and 30 others under the Digital Security Act. [Human Rights Watch]

India releases prominent Kashmir politician as fights continue

(ls) Indian authorities have released Kashmir’s most prominent politician, Farooq Abdullah. The former chief minister is one of dozens of leaders detained or put under house arrest since the federal government withdrew the region’s autonomy in August last year. [Reuters]

Meanwhile, four militants were killed in a gunfight with Indian forces in Kashmir during a counter-militancy operation. Interestingly, the number of such operations has increased after a communication blockade has been lifted from the region. According to observers, the state’s security tracking system was also hit by the blockade. [AA]

China’s belt and road project in Pakistan risks becoming corridor to nowhere

(jk) Around 7 years after the initiation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), less than a third of projects that were announced have been completed. Problems in Pakistan, including the ongoing struggles in Balochistan, or serious government corruption, are however only one among many headaches for China with regards to its Belt and Road project. The BRI, in many places, is not as successful as leaders in Beijing might have hoped. The slowing down of the PRC’s own economy will not help the situation, least of all in Pakistan – a country that has received 13 – largely US funded- IMF bail-outs since the late 1980s. [Bloomberg]

Pakistan listed 11th largest importer of major arms

(jk) According to report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Pakistan was ranked the eleventh largest arms importer in the world and named China (73%), Russia (6.6%) and Italy (6.1%) as the main suppliers of arms to the country. [The News]

India: New Developments in Jammu and Kashmir  

(tk/jk) Seven months after the Indian government enforced a total communications blackout, authorities in India on Wednesday temporarily restored full internet access in Kashmir for two weeks, until March 17. In January, authorities already partly restored low speed internet access to 301 government approved websites, excluding social media. [Asia in Review No. 4, January/2020] 

During this time, Kashmiris have been using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access blacklisted sites and started posting updates on social media. [Asia in Review No. 8, February/2020] Now, social media is accessible to Kashmiris, but internet access over mobile devices will remain restricted to low speeds. While many welcomed the government’s move, some are concerned that now it would be easier for the government to trace the IP addresses of the users which creates fear to express political thoughts about the situation on social media. [Al Jazeera] 

On Sunday, former lawmakers from three major pro-India parties formed a new political party “Apni Party”, which is the first major political development since last August, when India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and jailed nearly the entire pro-India and pro-freedom leadership. The party aims for the restoration of statehood and seeks guarantees from the Indian government that land and government jobs will stay with region’s residents only. 

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, stated that the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was final and advised pro-India parties to confine their politics to a demand for statehood. Several pro-India politicians have been released from detention only after signing agreements that they would not speak against the removal of autonomy. [AA]

Pakistan: Internet companies threaten to leave the country over strict rules

(ls) Major internet companies, including Facebook, Google and Twitter, have threatened to leave Pakistan over the strict censorship rules due to be implemented by the government. Among other controversial content, the rules would give local authorities the power to demand social media platforms remove any content they deem questionable within 24 hours. The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) stated, “as no other country has announced such a sweeping set of rules, Pakistan risks becoming a global outlier.” [ZDNet]

Pakistani and Indian reactions to the U.S.-Afghan Taliban peace agreement

(ls/ew) As the United States and the Afghan Taliban have concluded a peace agreement last week, government representatives and observers in Pakistan and India have raised their concerns. The agreement signed on Saturday in the Qatari capital, Doha, creates a framework for the U.S. and NATO to withdraw all foreign troops from Afghanistan over 14 months, pending the meeting of certain criteria. United States secretary of state Mike Pompeo cautiously commented on the peace agreement as the first step towards a meaningful and peaceful withdrawal of U.S. troops and the end of an era of conflict [Politico].

Pakistan facilitated the direct talks between the United States and Afghan Taliban since they began in 2018. However, the country has also long been accused by the U.S. and the Afghan government of providing safe havens to leaders of the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the U.S. must be wary of “spoilers” who could derail the process, without elaborating. Commentators said he might have referred to the continued presence of other groups such as ISIS and Al Qaida that are not interested in peace. [Al Jazeera]

India has so far been a development and civilian reconstruction partner of Afghanistan, based on the provision of security by the United States. According to analysts, a withdrawal of U.S. forces and connected substantial security uncertainties could put India in a similar precarious position it was in when the Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan in 1988/89. In prospect, however, India and China are now expected to compete for the Afghan government’s friendship so as to improve their domestic economies and to strengthen their geopolitical hold in the region (in this regard, see also the Background Reading below). [Deccan Herald]

Indian authorities have filed a case against social media users in Kashmir

(tk) Indian authorities have filed a first information report against unnamed social media users in Kashmir under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Section 66-A(b) of the Indian Information Technology (IT) Act, which can lead to detention for months without bail.

After a complete internet blackout for six months since the government had revoked Kashmir’s special status, authorities restored low speed 2G internet on January 24 for 301 websites approved by the administration, which excluded social media [Asia in Review No. 4, January/2020]. Thus, Kashmiris have been using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access blacklisted sites and started posting updates on social media.

The police case aims to take actions against those who misused social media sites for propagating “secessionist ideology and promoting unlawful activities”. According to an official, “anyone found using social media and posting any anti-national material can be called for questioning.” This action created panic amongst Kashmiris, seeing it as a step to ‘criminalize everyone’. A university student said, “I did not use the social media to post any political update, but I am really panicked and have now deleted the VPN and deactivated my social media accounts. It means the can now arrest anyone.”

The IT Act, on which the first information files are based on, was struck down by India’s top court in March 2015 as it violated free speech. Thus, an independent researcher calls the move “unconstitutional” and says that “this is a clear violation of digital rights of people. Today it is being implemented in Kashmir and tomorrow it can become a general practice in India.” [Al Jazeera]

Pakistan remains on Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list

(jk) The FATF, an intergovernmental organization combating money laundering and terrorist financing, met last week to assess Pakistan’s efforts in combating terror financing on its soil. The organization decided to keep the country on its grey list, but refrained from blacklisting Pakistan as some efforts to fight and eradicated terrorism from its soil were recognized. 

Pakistan is on the grey list since June 2018, and is assessed in regular periods over whether or not it is improving or should be fully blacklisted. Pakistan was evaluated on 27 actions points,  of which only a few were sufficiently addressed. The next meeting set for June.[Live Mint] [Washington Post]

India under mounting diplomatic pressure over Kashmir situation

(ls/tk) India is facing increased scrutiny over its handling of the situation Jammu and Kashmir, but maintains that it is a domestic affair. The Modi government rejected a mediation offer from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, saying the focus instead should be on making Pakistan vacate the territories that it has “illegally and forcibly occupied”. According to the External Affairs Ministry, “India hoped that the UN secretary general would stress on the imperative for Pakistan to put an end to cross-border terrorism against India, which threatens the most fundamental human rights – the right to life of the people of India, including in Jammu and Kashmir.” [NDTV]

Guterres expressed “deep concern” at the heightened tensions, demanding India to respect “human rights and fundamental freedoms” when dealing with discontent in the territory. He also called for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir, which date back to 1948, calling for a plebiscite to be held among Kashmiri residents on whether they would join India or Pakistan. [Al Jazeera]

India also sent a diplomatic note to Turkey over President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s remarks on the Kashmir crisis. Erdoğan said the Indian government’s “unilateral steps” in the region over the years have accelerated the suffering of the Kashmiri people, aggravating the current situation and revoking their freedom and rights. [Daily Sabah]

Meanwhile, Debbie Abrahams, a Labour MP from the United Kingdom was denied entry to India. Abrahams has been an outspoken critic of the Indian government for stripping Kashmir of its semi-autonomy last August, demoting it from a state to a federal territory, saying the action betrayed the trust of the people of Kashmir. [The Guardian]

Pakistan: Suicide bombing at religious rally in Quetta

(fs) At least seven people were killed in a suicide attack near a religious rally in city Quetta in the West Pakistani province of Baluchistan and another at least 21 were injured in the incident on Monday. Two police officers were among the dead. The assassin detonated his explosive vest outside the city’s press club when members of the Sunni group Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) held a rally. So far, nobody claimed responsibility for the attack. In the past, the Pakistani Taliban and the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) have claimed attacks on mosques, religious rallies or clerics in the province. [Al Jazeera]

Pakistan & India: Governments adopt strict social media regulations, provoking criticism

(fs/ls) The Pakistani Government passed a regulation concerning social media platforms. Although the cabinet had already approved the “Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules 2020” [Copy of the Regulation] on January 28, this has only now become publicly known through a leak. Only recently, public allegations came up that the government around Prime Minister Imran Khan and the military were already censoring the media and trying to silence the opposition. [RadioFreeEuropeRadioLiberty]

As per the new regulation, social media companies will now be obliged to disclose any information or data demanded by any designated investigation agency, whenever asked. Failing to abide by this will attract fine of up to Rs 500 million (3.2 million USD). It also enables the government to ask social media platforms to remove content deemed “unlawful” within 24 hours, in emergency cases six hours. Furthermore, social media companies are required to establish offices with a physical address in Islamabad during the next three months. [Al Jazeera]

The minister of Information Technology Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqi, said that the law is necessary to preserve “the integrity, decency and respect of individuals and the sanctity of institutions” and would help to “identify and weed out unwanted and slanderous online content.” The opposition Pakistan People Party believes that this is about restricting freedom of expression. [The New York Times]

The Committee to Protect Journalists is also asking the government to change course, fearing the restricting of reporting since journalists could no longer protect sources and contacts. [Committee to Protect Journalists]

Digital rights activists worry that the new rules will give authorities unlimited power to restrict social media. Digital Rights Foundation speaker Nighat Dad gave a statement saying “the worrying part for is that the definition around extremism, religion or culture is so wide and ambiguous and that means they have these unfettered power to call any online content illegal or extremist or anti-state”. [Reuters]

The Indian government introduced new rules for social media companies and messaging apps, too. They are expected to be published later this month. The new guidelines go further than most other countries’ by requiring blanket cooperation with government inquiries, as no warrant or judicial order will be required. [Bloomberg]

Meanwhile, the Modi administration is currently seeking bids from companies to help set up a National Automated Facial Recognition System. It would match photos captured from CCTV with existing databases, with policing a key potential use for such technology. Critics equate the project with the far larger-scale surveillance system in China. [DW]

Pakistan: Plea for Kashmir discussion at IOC denied 

(fs) Saudi Arabia again turned down Pakistan’s immediate request to convene a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) on the current situation in Kashmir. Prime Minister Imran Khan criticized the division between the Islamic countries and stressed the urgency to clear up the issue. He has been lobbying for an OIC foreign ministers’ meeting since India revoked the special status of Kashmir in August last year [The Hindu]. 

Pakistan: Resolution calls for public hanging for child molesters 

(fs) On Friday, Pakistani parliament passed a non-binding resolution calling for the public hanging of convicted child killers and rapists, evoking heavy criticism from human rights organizations. 

Although more than half of the lawmakers voted in favor of the resolution, which was supported by the ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf party, Pakistan’s human rights minister emphasized the government’s disapproval of the parliament’s decision. Amnesty International issued a statement saying “public hangings are acts of unconscionable cruelty and have no place in a rights-respecting society”. The NGO Justice Project Pakistan stated in addition that there is no existence of “empirical evidence to show that public hangings are a deterrent to crime or in protecting the psycho-social well-being of children”.

Human rights organizations urged the country to reinstate a moratorium on the death penalty, which was lifted after the Army Public School massacre in Peshawar in 2014 that killed 151 people. Since then, capital punishment has been executed several hundred times. [Daily Mail] [France24]

Pakistan: Number of terrorist attacks drops substantially

(ls) According to data from Pakistani think tanks, terror attacks in the country have decreased by more than 85% over the last decade. The number dropped from nearly 2,000 in 2009 to fewer than 250 in 2019. However, terror financing remains a problem. Last year, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which is affiliated with the OECD, said Pakistan had implemented only one item from a list of 40 measures to curb terror financing and money laundering. Being blacklisted by the FATF could have significant economic consequences for the country. [AP]

The U.S. State Department acknowledged Pakistan’s improving security situation in its latest travel advisory for the country. Despite the advice to “reconsider” travelling to Pakistan, it now notes that “Pakistan’s security environment has improved since 2014 when Pakistani security forces undertook concerted counter terrorist and counter militant operations.” The U.K .followed with easing its travel advice too. [Newsweek Pakistan] [Express Tribune]

Court acquits 42 Christians in lynching case

(fs) 42 defendants were accused of murder in connection with the lynching of two Muslims mistaken for terrorists, after the twin suicide attacks on Youhanabad churches in 2015. Before Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, a banned military group, claimed responsibility, two Muslim teenagers were captured by the mob and burned alive. After five years of custody, the anti-terror court in Lahore acquitted all suspects. The accused were given the benefit of doubt over the chaotic riot situation. For the duration of the process, the defendants received financial support from the National Justice and Peace Commission of the Pakistani Bishops’ Conference. According to Christian Organization Open Doors, Pakistan ranks as the 5th worst country for Christians regarding persecution. [Anadolu Agency] [Open Doors]

Pakistan: Successful ballistic missile test launch

(fs) Pakistan announced the successful test launch of a ballistic missile, capable of delivering multiple types of warheads up to 290 km day and night. The test marked the second successful launch after one in August last year, shortly following the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over revoking Kashmir’s autonomy. [Economic Times]

Pakistan: Pashtun social movement leader arrested

(fs) In the north-western city of Peshawar, a leader of the Pakistani Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) was arrested on Monday along with nine other members on accounts of alleged sedition and criminal conspiracy. The authorities registered the criminal case based on an anti-military speech he gave earlier in January. A 14-day-detention was later confirmed by a court to investigate the charges.

Over the last two years, PTM rose as a major critic of the powerful Pakistani military, blaming it for alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings under the cover of fighting Islamic terrorism. The organisation has been responsible for nationwide mostly peaceful rallies, demanding justice for victims of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and alleged torture while in security forces’ custody. A PTM speaker claimed the authorities’ actions are the “punishment for demanding our (PTM’s) rights in a peaceful & democratic manner”. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch both condemned the arrest and demanded immediate release. [BBC] [Human Rights Watch] [VOA]

India: Partly restoration of internet access in Kashmir

(tk) In response to the Indian Constitutional Court’s ruling from January 10, in which it declared the long-term internet shutdown in Kashmir as illegal, low-speed mobile internet was restored on Saturday in Kashmir. Eight million people were suffering from this internet suspension nearly for six months after the Centre decided on August 5 last year to revoke Article 370 provisions that gave the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir special status. [Asia in Review No. 2, January 2020]

The restoration applied to 301 websites approved by the administration including search engines and those associated with banking, education, news, travel, utilities and employment. However, people could not access most of the websites due to the 2G data limitation. Affected people are frustrated and call the restauration “a joke”. They say, “it is just a game to tell people we have restored internet services, but on the ground, it doesn’t work and is of no use”. [The Hindu] [The New York Times]

The partial restauration of internet access was then again interrupted on Saturday evening as a precautionary measure for Republic Day on Sunday. [The Hindu] Officials said, low speed internet service was restored on Sunday evening. [Hindustan Times]

Pakistan: Repression of media, opposition and NGOs intensified in 2019

(ls/fs) Human Rights Watch said in a report last week that Pakistan’s government intensified repression of the media, political opposition and nongovernmental organizations in 2019. The organization cites several cases of restrictions of freedom of expression and the press, denial of due process and fair trial rights, detention without charge and extrajudicial killings. [Human Rights Watch]

Moreover, the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) issued its Pakistan Media Freedom Report for 2019. According to the report, at least seven journalists were murdered, 15 injured in the line of duty and 60 imprisoned on the legal basis of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 1997. The biggest threat for the lives of journalists are non-state actors and outlawed militant groups. 

The report also depicts the involvement of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), barring specific TV anchors from appearing on talk shows or issuing notices to TV channels to direct their medial output. Specifically mentioned is the misuse of the 2016 Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Although being adopted for fighting cyber-crimes and explicitly not to be used against journalists and media, the act is nowadays applied restricting the freedom of expression and media. In the World Press Freedom Index, Pakistan ranks 142 out of 180 countries.  [Daily Times] [Pakistan Observer]

Meanwhile, a Pakistani court has sentenced 86 members of a radical Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik party to 55-year prison terms each for taking part in violent rallies in 2018 over the acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, in a blasphemy case. The convicted persons were charged with damaging public property, beating people up and disrupting normal life by staging sit-ins. A party representative announced an appeal against the verdicts, which are unusually harsh even according to Pakistani standards. [The Diplomat]

Pakistan: Chief of Army Staff’s term extended

(ls) Pakistan’s lower and upper houses have passed amendments of the Army Act of 1952 along with the Pakistan Air Force Act of 1953 and the Pakistan Navy Ordinance of 1861 earlier this month. These amendments extend the term of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), currently Qamar Javed Bajwa. From now on, every COAS will enjoy a six-year term, more than an elected representative of the country. A piece in the Asia Times gives additional historical background. [Asia Times]

UNSC views Kashmir issue as “bilateral”

(tk) Another attempt by China to discuss the issue of Kashmir internationally failed at the UNSC on Wednesday. All other 14 members of the UNSC were of the view that this was not a matter that needed discussion at this point. France, Estonia and the UK called this a “bilateral” issue between India and Pakistan, to which Russia agreed. [India Today]

India: Court rules on internet shut-down in Kashmir 

(lf) Last Friday, the Indian constitutional court has ruled the over 150 days long internet shut down illegal in Kashmir. The court’s ruling states an internet shut down can only be temporary and has ordered the Indian government to review the shutdown immediately. [Reuters 1]

India has also opened Kashmir´s doors for foreign diplomats for the first time since August. 15 countries have followed the invitation of a two days organised trip to the region, which lost its autonomy last August and has since then been under lockdown. The Indian government had been highly criticised previously by several foreign governments for blocking diplomats from the US, UK and Germany from entering the region. While the US has been part of the visit of the delegation to Kashmir, several countries including from the EU have declined an invitation and called the visit orchestrated, as it didn’t allow for free movement of the diplomats. [Reuters 2]

Pakistan-China naval exercise in Karachi 

(jk) The sixth instalment of the Pakistan-China joint Naval exercise “Sea Guardians 2020” commenced in Karachi past week. The two navies are working to increase inter-operability and deepen their security cooperation. [The News Pakistan]

Reportedly, India has expressed some concerns over the exercise as they occur in the Arabian Sea region which hosts many important Indian ports as well as Pakistan’s deep water Gwadar port which is being developed on Chinese finance. In what is seen as a direct reaction to the drills, India has deployed its aircraft carrier to the region. [VoA] [The Economic Times] 

Pakistan: Death Sentence for Pervez Musharraf overturned

(jk/tk) In December 2019, the former leader of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf was sentenced to death after being convicted of high treason and subverting the Constitution. The verdict was based on him taking undue influence over much of the judiciary and imposing a state of emergency in an attempt to block a political opposition movement. As reported then, the case marked the first time that a military chief had been handed a death sentence for high treason and it was strongly criticized by the military. The historic verdict, it was said, challenged the military’s predominance and demonstrates the growing assertiveness of the judiciary. [Asia in review, No. 52, December/2019, 4]

In a turn of events, on Monday, the Lahore High Court found that the special court that issued the sentence was unconstitutional. The judges said, that the case against Mr. Musharraf was politically motivated and that the crimes he was accused of committing were “a joint offense” that “cannot be undertaken by a single person.” The death sentence has been annulled.  [New York Times] 

Xinhua begins Urdu service in Pakistan

(jk) Xinhua, the leading state-run press agency of the People’s Republic of China, has launched an Urdu service in Pakistan and signed memoranda of understanding with a dozen local media publishers. It will now provide news services to local news agencies in both English and Urdu. [Nikkei Asian Review]

In Pakistan, a Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information said last week that Xinhua has been portraying a positive image of Pakistan globally and that local news outlets should do similar things with regards to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor [Newsweek Pakistan] which has been criticized time and again, in particular in Baluchistan. 

Xinhua plays a crucial role in the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy to influence narratives in media reporting. 

Pakistan establishes new healthcare program for transgenders

(fs) The Pakistani government now issues a new special health ID card to enhance health care access and supply free medical treatment to disadvantaged sectors of Pakistani society. A recurring problem of the country’s health system is that transgender people often were declined medical treatment simply due to the fact that doctors were not able to decide whether to treat them in the male or female ward. As a reaction to this matter, Dr. Zafar Mirza, a special aide to Prime Minister Imran Khan for health services, announced the government’s plans to establish separate wards for transgender people in hospitals. 

Although the government has improved the rights of transgender people consistently throughout the last years [Asia in Review May/2018, 3|, they are still largely confined to the margins of society, often taunted and violently attacked in public. In a 2017 held census, 10,000 transgender people registered, whereas rights group Charity Trans Action Pakistan gave an estimation of at least 500,000.  [Al Jazeera] [Gulf News]

Pakistan: Protests against killing of Iranian Commander

(fs) In the light of the killing of Iranian Commander Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq, thousands of Pakistani Shi’ite Muslims expressed their resentment through rallying in Karachi. Protestors carried images of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as of Soleimani, chanting slogans of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”. Attempts of reaching the U.S. consulate were prevented by governmental security forces blocking the road with containers, resulting in minor brawls. 

In his speech, Shia leader Allama Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi praised Soleimani’s engagement in the defeat of Israel, the U.S. and ISIS in the Middle east and called his killing an “act of terrorism” and “an attack on the state’s sovereignty to be condemned”. [Reuters]

A smaller demonstration in the country’s capital Islamabad remained peaceful. It was led by a large number of leaders of the Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM). During the demonstration, an MWM leader rated the U.S. as the “worst and most hated enemy of Islam” and demanded that the Muslim world frees itself from the American influence. Another leader urged Pakistan’s government to clarify its brotherly bond to Iran and to take a stand in the current situation. [Tribune]

Pakistan calls U.S. religious freedom designation “arbitrary”

(fs) After the U.S. Department of State declared last week that it designated Pakistan among other countries as a “country of particular concern for having engaged in or tolerated ‘systematic, ongoing, [and] egregious violations of religious freedom’” [U.S. Department of State Statement], Pakistan’s Foreign Offices rejected the designation and classifies it as the result of a biased and unilateral evaluation. Reasons for the U.S. government’s designation are the steadily reoccurring cases of crimes targeting ethnic or religious minorities and the disproportionate use of its strict blasphemy laws, which either results in death sentences or lax persecution of blasphemy related lynching. [Al Jazeera]

Pakistan: UN heavily criticizes death verdict for academic

(fs/jk) Responding to the death sentence of university lecturer Junaid Hafeez for blasphemy after a six-year process [Asia in Review No. 52, December/2019, 4], UN human rights experts evaluated the verdict as a “travesty of justice”. The judge’s decision against the 33-year-old was made despite dubious evidence and therefore carrying it out would amount to an arbitrary killing, says a UN statement. [UN News]

An opinion piece comes to the unforgiving conclusion: “It is a disgrace that the country cannot at least amend the black law to curb its misuse. But then, the sad reality is that four decades after military dictator Gen Ziaul Haq’s Islamisation programme, Pakistan’s society is so radicalised now that not even a reasoned talk about rewriting, let alone repealing, the blasphemy law is possible.” [Observer Research Foundation]

Death sentence for Pakistani lecturer in blasphemy case 

(jk) A university lecturer in Pakistan has been sentenced to death after being convicted for posting blasphemous remarks on social media in 2013. He was also accused of hosting a British novelist for a guest lecture and sharing blasphemous remarks then. The case of the lecturer was ongoing for over six years and back in 2014, his former lawyer was shot and killed for taking the case. His current lawyer, as well as international rights groups, openly doubt that he, as in many other blasphemy cases, received what would be considered a “fair trial”. [The Guardian] 

Pakistan: Musharraf handed death sentence for high treason

(jk) Former Pakistani President General Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup in 1999 and suspended the constitution and imposed martial law in 2007, one year before he was ousted, has been sentenced to death in absentia by a special court in Pakistan after being convicted of high treason. [Dawn 1]

Musharraf left Pakistan in 2016 for medical treatment and has lived in exile in Dubai since. Back in October, some media reports surfaced claiming that he was planning to make a comeback in national politics by reviving his All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) party despite the trial against him. [Asia in Review, No. 41, October/2019, 2]

The case marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that a military chief has been handed a death sentence for high treason. The military denounced the special court’s ruling, saying they were in “pain and anguish” over the decision. [Asia Times]

To some observers, the verdict is nothing short of historic as it challenges the “military’s predominance and demonstrates the growing assertiveness of the judiciary”. [Dawn 2] A detailed assessment of the verdict, its background and implications can be found here [Brookings].

Amidst the tension regarding the ruling, Justice Gulzar Ahmed took oath as Pakistan’s 27th Chief Justice on Saturday. [AA]

U.S. to Resume Military Training Program for Pakistan

(jk) The United States government has decided to resume Pakistan’s participation in a U.S. military training and educational program (International Military Education and Training Program (IMET)) after it had been suspended by President Trump as part of the U.S. security aid programs for Pakistan he halted in January 2018.

The largest share of the suspensions, worth around two billion USD, will remain in place however and IMET will be an “exception”, if the resumption is approved by the US Congress. [The New York Times]

U.N. Security Council to meet on Kashmir

(ls) The United Nations Security Council meets this Tuesday at China’s request to discuss the situation in the disputed Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting comes after India removed the decades-old autonomy the area enjoyed under the Indian constitution in August, which produced both local protests and international diplomatic rebukes. [Reuters]

Pakistan: Allegations against justice system bowing to Chinese economic pressures 

(jk) After work has begun earlier this year on a large human trafficking case in Pakistan, investigators recently compiled a list of over 600 Christian women and girls who were allegedly trafficked to China to be sold as brides or work as prostitutes. 

Despite evidence warranting further investigations and prosecutions on both the Pakistani and Chinese side, officials now seem to be shutting down the investigation, allegedly in order not to jeopardise trade relations with China. [The Washington Post]

According to one report, investigators are being transferring to different areas to prevent them from pursuing the case. Back in October, 31 Chinese nationals accused of human trafficking were acquitted by at a trial after which it was said that several women brought by police to testify “were bribed or threatened to remain silent.” [National Review]

Pakistani police charge hundreds of student protesters with treason

(jk) According to Pakistani police, hundreds of students and activists have been charged with sedition for making derogatory remarks against the military at a protest against a ban on political activity at universities.

According to the authorities, the protesters had chanted against “state institutions” and in response all 250 or 300 attendees would be charged. [NY Post]

Pakistan Supreme Court confronts army chief and prime minister

(ls) The Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted a six-month extension to the term of the country’s army head, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, after initially blocking a three-year extension of his tenure over several irregularities. The decision could weaken the authority of the government, led by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The government has enjoyed good relations with the armed forces. During Bajwa’s tenure, the military has been accused by opposition politicians of helping Khan win the election last year. [Al Jazeera]

The Court directed the government to complete the necessary legislation regarding the extension rules in the constitution if it wants to extend Bajwa’s term beyond six months. In its judgment, the Court observed that the government kept changing its stance, sometimes referring to a reappointment and other times mentioning an extension. [Gulf News]

The Court’s ruling is seen as a challenge to the army chief’s position, which is rare in a country that has been ruled by the army for more than half of its seven decades. In the last two decades, only General Raheel Shareef retired on time, while General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and President General Musharraf stayed on beyond their prescribed tenures. The current situation reminds of a face-off in 2007 between Musharraf and the judiciary under then Pakistan Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who had been removed by the military ruler. Eventually, this contributed to the downfall of the Musharraf regime. [Indian Express]

Pakistan: Opposition sit-in protests discontinued

(ls) After two weeks of continued anti-government sit-in protests in Islamabad, the opposition Assembly of Islamic Clerics (Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl; JUI-F) and its party chief and protest leader Fazl-ur-Rehman declared to temporarily discontinue the protest, announcing, however, new road blockings. The protesters are mainly from the JUI-F party, and a large number of teachers and students from the party’s extensive network of religious schools across the country. The main opposition parties, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), have backed the protests, while their participation in the actual demonstration has been limited. [Al Jazeera]

The protests come during a time of economic strain for Pakistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government, like many of its predecessors, was forced to turn to the International Monetary Fund for a $6 billion bailout in July. The opposition says Khan’s government is illegitimate and is being supported by the military. [Reuters]

Pakistan looking to increase arms exports

(jk) Pakistani government officials have stated that the country aims to significantly increase its weapons exports. Sale of defence equipment abroad (e.g. to Myanmar, Turkey or Nigeria) has gone up significantly in Pakistan over the past few years and experts say this is largely due to the progress its defence industry has been making since working together closer with China. Pakistan produces weapons at a much lower cost than many Western weapons producers, however the quality of their products is not uncontested. It looks to sell mostly to countries with more budget restraints. [Nikkei Asian Review]

Pakistan and China agree to move CPEC to natural resource sectors

(jk) China and Pakistan reportedly agreed that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will shift from infrastructure projects to resource exploitation, including copper, gold, or oil and gas. The move will anger forces in particular in Balochistan, where a sentiment persists that the state exploits the province and especially its resources without leaving it its fair share. [Business Standard]

Pakistan: Mass protests demand Prime Minister Khan to step down

(ls) Thousands of protesters gathered at an anti-government rally in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad over several consecutive days last week, starting a sit-in to force the government to step down. Conservative opposition leaders called Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government illegitimate and incompetent and criticized the military’s close ties with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The military denied meddling in politics and declared its continued support for Khan’s government. During the past year, the government has arrested and prosecuted several high-ranking opposition politicians, including former Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. [Al Jazeera] [Reuters]

The Tribune describes why the history of anti-government marches, some of which invited military intervention, is as old as Pakistan itself. Since 1953, almost all political and religious parties have used them as a tactic to pressure or topple governments in the past. In 2014, PTI supporters with then opposition leader Khan besieged the parliament for 126 days seeking the resignation of Nawaz Sharif over alleged electoral fraud. [Tribune]

India effectuates Jammu and Kashmir’s end of autonomy, sparking diplomatic protest

(ls) Last Wednesday, the Indian government formally revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional autonomy and split it into two federal territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The state’s constitution, its penal code and state flag were nullified. The region is now subject to the same central laws as all other Indian territories. Jammu and Kashmir will have its own state legislature, while Ladakh will be controlled from the capital. In August, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tabled the relevant legislation in the Indian parliament to approve the end of article 370 of the constitution, which for over 70 years has guaranteed special privileges to the predominately Muslim region. [The Guardian]

Pakistan’s government rejected the move and said that the latest political maps issued by India, which showed the entire Kashmir region as part of India, were “incorrect and legally untenable” under international law. [Telegraph India] China, which considers parts of Ladakh as part of its territory, also condemned India’s decision. A spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry said that “this is awful and void, and this is not effective in any way and will not change the fact that the area is under China’s actual control.” [Reuters]

Pakistan: Opposition starts “long march” on Islamabad, demanding PM’s resignation

(jk) Opposition forces in Pakistan have started a “long march” from Karachi to Islamabad this past weekend. They plan to get to Islamabad by October 31 where their protests against the government and PM Khan will culminate. [Al Jazeera]

Maritime terrorism in Asia: An assessment 

(ls) A paper published by the Observer Research Foundation evaluates the possibility of an increase in maritime terrorist violence in Asia. Based on an analysis of recent incidents, it argues that the vulnerability of high seas shipping to criminal acts of violence and the weak and inconsistent nature of maritime governance raises the possibility of a terrorist strike in the Asian littorals. [ORF]

Money-laundering and terrorism financing: Pakistan remains under investigation as Sri Lanka is white-listed

(ls) Pakistan remains on the grey list of countries that have not yet fully complied with recommendations made by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) vis-à-vis anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). The FATF is an intergovernmental organization that develop policies to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. It monitors through “peer reviews” of member countries. Placement on the grey list is a warning for a country that it may be put on a “blacklist” in case of its failure to take effective measures. Currently, only Iran and North Korea are in this lowest category. [Dawn] [Economic Times 1]

Sri Lanka, however, has been removed from the grey list. According to the FATF, the country made significant progress in addressing the strategic AML/CFT deficiencies identified earlier. It will therefore be relieved from the FATF’s close monitoring procedures. [Economic Times]

Pakistan: First blasphemy conviction under new cybercrime law

(ls) The first person has been found guilty in Pakistan for online blasphemy under the country’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. A special court sentenced the man to five-year imprisonment for posting blasphemous content on social media. Last year, the Pakistani Supreme Court had acquitted Asia Bibi, the first woman to be sentenced to death under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, in a high-profile case that polarized the society. [Free Press Journal]

Kashmir: Increased violence, continued blocking of mobile services

(ls) In a recent spate of violence in Kashmir, Indian security forces killed three separatists, while suspected militants shot dead two people on Wednesday. In a separate incident in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, suspected militants killed a migrant worker from central India. [Reuters 1]

Over the weekend, India claimed that Pakistan shot across the border in northern Kashmir’s Tangdhar region, killing two Indian soldiers and one civilian. On the other side, the Pakistani Armed Forces said that one of its soldiers and three civilians had died by shots from Indian forces. As a consequence, Islamabad summoned the Indian envoy and offered to have diplomats from the U.N. Security Council’s five permanent members visit the border. [Reuters 2]

Meanwhile, after more than two months, Indian authorities briefly lifted its blocking of mobile telecommunication services in the Kashmir valley, allowing the region’s roughly seven million people again to use their cellphones for calls. Internet services remained blocked. [Washington Post] However, only a few hours later, the services were stopped again as a “precautionary measure”. [The Hindu]

Earlier last week, over a dozen women, including former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah’s sister and daughter were arrested for holding a sit-in in Srinagar against the ending of the state’s special status. The women academicians and activists, most of them aged between 60 and 80 years, were released on Thursday after furnishing personal bonds. Farooq Abdullah has been placed under house arrest and charged under the Public Safety Act. [NDTV]

Pakistan– India- China: Imran Kahn’s China Visit and Modi-Xi meeting

(jk) For the third time in a year, Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan visited Beijing last week. While Pakistan has been one of the largest recipients of Chinese BRI investment, its financial input has dropped sharply (77%!) over the past fiscal year. [Bloomberg] Despite the economic slowdown, China has been supportive of Pakistan, not least with regards to the ongoing situation Kashmir vis-a-vis India. The visit came just days before Chinese President Xi was scheduled to meet Indian PM Modi.

PM Khan was accompanied by army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who met with Senior Chinese Generals. China has long been supportive of Pakistan’s army and plays an active role in most of Pakistan’s defence deals. A recent one included support to build and sell (not least by handing out a loan to the purchasing party) JF-17 fighter jets to Myanmar. [Nikkei Asian Review]

The India Summit, a two-day informal summit in India that followed, saw a lot of public “understanding” of each other’s policies and sensitivities, as well as commitments to boost economic ties. The leaders addressed the trade deficit India has with China (some $53bn) and also India’s ongoing concerns over a lack of market access to the Chinese market and the Regional Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (RCEP). The issue of Kashmir was not discussed. [Al Jazeera] Ahead of Xi’s arrival, police detained the chief of the Tibetan Youth Congress and 11 Tibetan students who were allegedly planning to protest during the visit.

On more general level, an interesting recent background paper describes how Pakistan and China are driving Indian defence policy and how the Indian defence sector must reform to stay relevant. [KAS]

Pakistan: Former PM Musharraf to be back in politics?

(ls) According to a media report, former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf (76) said that he is planning to make a comeback in national politics by reviving his party, the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML). However, Musharraf is facing a treason case in Pakistan for suspending the constitution in 2007, which makes it unlikely for him to return to Pakistan anytime soon. Musharraf left for Dubai in 2016 to seek medical treatment and has not returned since. [Economic Times]

India: Impacts of Kashmir and Jammu’s change of status and the internet lockdown

(ls) After India changed the status of Indian-controlled Kashmir and divided it into two centrally governed union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, also the future of Ladakh remains unsure. When the change in governmental status was announced for Ladakh, there were celebrations by its Buddhist population, whereas Muslims largely want to remain tied to the Kashmir valley. Many Buddhists now fear land grabs, loss of trade and damage to the fragile ecosystem of the region’s high-altitude deserts. On the Muslim side, posters and banners demanding Kashmir’s independence from India could be seen at several mosques and religious sites. So far, the tensions between the groups have been confined to cultural and political differences, without violence. The question is whether this is going to change. [Japan Times]

For two months now, the Indian Internet and mobile blockade has cost Kashmir’s IT industry significant losses. Several companies have already laid off workers, many are preparing to move their business away from Kashmir. Apart from 6,000 mobiles used by police and government officials, most of Kashmir’s 880,000 mobile connections and Internet services remain suspended. [Straits Times]

Turkey begins construction of naval warship for Pakistan

(jk) Pakistan has signed a contract over four navy vessels to be bought from Turkey earlier in 2018. The Pakistan navy has witnessed Turkish President Erdogan last week attending a ceremony marking the beginning of the construction of the first of the new naval warships for Pakistan. [Geo]

Pakistan stops postal exchange with India

(td) People in Punjab on the Indian side have stopped receiving regular mail such as magazines, publications, and even letters which they used to get regularly from Pakistan via post. Due to the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan following the scrapping of special status for Jammu & Kashmir, Islamabad has now stopped the postal mail exchange between the two countries.

The deputy director general of the department of post of the Government of India confirmed that the written orders to stop mail via post were issued by the customs department of Pakistan last month. Since August 27, there has been no exchange of post between the two neighbours.  (Indian Express)

Jammu-Kashmir: Block Development Council elections on October 24

(td) In a first major test to the prevailing security situation in Jammu-Kashmir, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer announced that elections for the chairpersons of Block Development Councils will be held on October 24.

The Block Development Council forms the second tier of the Panchayat Raj system. All the 23,629 panches and 3,652 sarpanches of the Panchayats will vote to elect the chairperson of the Block Development Council. There is a total of 316 blocks.

In 2018, Panchayat elections were held in nine phases — from November 17 to December 11 — in J&K. Kashmir’s mainstream political parties, including the PDP and NC, had boycotted the elections. The top leadership of PDP and NC are currently under detention.

Home Minister Amit Shah said: “The decision on Article 370 will strengthen the unity and integrity of India,” adding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir will be completely normal soon.

The Valley has been under a security clampdown since August 5 when the Centre modified the provisions of Article 370 to revoke the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian Constitution. J&K was also bifurcated and reduced to a Union Territory. (Indian Express)

Jammu-Kashmir: Block Development Council elections on October 24

(td) In a first major test to the prevailing security situation in Jammu-Kashmir, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer announced that elections for the chairpersons of Block Development Councils will be held on October 24.

The Block Development Council forms the second tier of the Panchayat Raj system. All the 23,629 panches and 3,652 sarpanches of the Panchayats will vote to elect the chairperson of the Block Development Council. There is a total of 316 blocks.

In 2018, Panchayat elections were held in nine phases — from November 17 to December 11 — in J&K. Kashmir’s mainstream political parties, including the PDP and NC, had boycotted the elections. The top leadership of PDP and NC are currently under detention.

Home Minister Amit Shah said: “The decision on Article 370 will strengthen the unity and integrity of India,” adding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir will be completely normal soon.

The Valley has been under a security clampdown since August 5 when the Centre modified the provisions of Article 370 to revoke the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian Constitution. J&K was also bifurcated and reduced to a Union Territory. (Indian Express)

Pakistan refuses Indian airspace request; independence movement in Pakistan-controlled Jammu and Kashmir grows

(ls) In a continued tit-for-tat over the situation in Kashmir, Pakistan refused a request from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cross its airspace on a flight to Germany last week. Earlier this month, Pakistan also denied use of its airspace to India’s President Ram Nath Kovind. [Reuters]

Meanwhile, news of violence and use of force in Indian Kashmir is spreading. Evidence of torture is mounting. New Delhi says the lockdown, with mobile service and the Internet still cut in most areas, is to prevent “terrorists” backed by Islamabad from stirring up trouble. India’s national security adviser has denied that the military has committed any atrocities. [Straits Times]

At the same time, Pakistani security responses to a growing independence movement can be seen in Pakistan-controlled Jammu and Kashmir. Pro-independence demonstrations that once attracted dozens of protesters are now attracting thousands. This may be due to fears that the possibility to reunify has been slowly slipping away ever since India increased its control of the divided territory and Pakistan did little to stop it other than to offer negotiations that India refused. [New York Times]

Pakistan: Mob violence against Hindu over alleged blasphemy

(ls) In Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh, a crowd ransacked a school and a Hindu temple after a Hindu principal was accused of blasphemy. The violence erupted after a student accused the Hindu principal of blasphemy in comments about the Muslim Prophet Mohammed. It is the latest case to raise concern about the fate of religious minorities in the predominantly Muslim country. Insulting the Prophet Mohammed carries a mandatory death penalty in Pakistan. [South China Morning Post]

India: Senior pro-India politician Farooq Abdullah arrested in Jammu and Kashmir

(ls/td) In India, the former chief minister of the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah was arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) that allows authorities to imprison someone for up to two years without charge or trial. Abdullah is a senior pro-India Kashmiri politician. He has been under house arrest since 5 August when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government stripped Kashmir of its special status and imposed a security lockdown. [Time]

In April, Abdullah had warned that India was “on a precipice” as far as the Kashmir crisis was concerned. His detention and the crackdown against Congress party members in Indian-administered Kashmir indicate a further shrinking of New Delhi’s allies in the region. The Abdaullah family is close to India’s Nehru-Gandhi family, which leads the main opposition Congress party. [Al Jazeera]

In a separate development, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited former Finance Minister Chidambaram in jail. Chidambaram was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 21 August in what some observers as a continued crackdown on opposition politicians. [India Today]

India and Pakistan join SCO anti-terror drills in Russia

(jk) India and Pakistan will both be part of a military drill along with China and five other countries (Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) in Russia this month under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Iran will be present as an observer. Both India and Pakistan entered the grouping as observers in 2005 and became full members in 2017. This is the second time the two participate in the SCO military drills together. [Financial Express]

Pakistan: mob attack on Hindu temple, school and homes

(jk) Mob violence broke out in Pakistan after a group of people came together and vandalised a school, temple and a home based on blasphemy accusations against a school principle. The principle, accused by a student, allegedly insulted Islam  [Geo] [Times of India].

Authorities since arrested some members of the mob. The accused is in custody facing blasphemy charges which carry the death penalty. [BBC]

Bangladesh: Kashmir is India’s internal matter

(jk) The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh has told his colleague from Pakistan that India’s decision to upend Articles 370 and 35a of the Indian Constitution is India’s internal matter, therefore not lending his support to Pakistan, from which the country gained independence in 1971. [Economic Times]

Situation in Kashmir remains tense

(jk) With schools remaining closed and public transport affected, life in Kashmir continues to be disturbed by the abrogation of Article 370 and 35a. While landlines across the valley were allegedly functional, voice calls on mobile devices were working only in some districts of north Kashmir. Markets and other business establishments remained closed, while public transport was off the roads across the valley. Internet services remained suspended across all platforms. While restrictions on the movement or assembly of people have been lifted for some areas of the valley, security forces continued to be deployed to maintain law and order.  (India Today)

Over the last six weeks, there were an average of nearly 20 protests per day against Indian rule despite the security lockdown. [Straits Times 1] It was further reported that authorities over the last few weeks arrested more than 3,800 people of which about 2,600 have been released again. [Straits Times 2]

Pakistan’s PM Khan, in recent interview with [Al Jazeera] was not doing much to lower tension either: he “absolutely” believes a nuclear war with India could be a possibility. He called out what he believes is an illegal annexation by India and an impending genocide. “If say Pakistan, God forbid, we are fighting a conventional war, we are losing, and if a country is stuck between the choice: either you surrender or you fight until death for your freedom, I know Pakistanis will fight to death for their freedom. So, when a nuclear armed country fights to the end, to the death, it has consequences.”

India’s foreign minister has repeated Indian talking points in an interview of his own: India’s approach to Kashmir has been measured, it is done to help develop the region, in line with past agreements made and mediation between India and Pakistan will only happen bilaterally, with no third parties involved. [CNBC]

Kashmir: Tensions remain high as tit-for-tat between India and Pakistan continues

(ls) Amid a growing crackdown across Kashmir, Indian authorities have imposed curfews in several parts of the territory which is contested by Pakistan. Authorities tightened restrictions after police clashed with Shiite mourners during a banned religious procession. The security situation has deteriorated since India withdrew Kashmir’s special autonomous status by revoking Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, deployed troops in the Kashmir valley, restricted movements and cut off communication. [DW]

In the continued tit-for-tat between the two South Asian nuclear states, Pakistan refused a request by India’s President Ram Nath Kovind to fly through its airspace due to New Delhi’s recent “behavior”. Such permissions are usually granted. In August, Islamabad had already downgraded its diplomatic ties with India, expelling the Indian envoy, suspending trade and calling back its ambassador. [Al Jazeera]

Earlier this week, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “We are prepared to give the enemy the fullest possible response. Failing, the world community will be responsible for the catastrophic aftermath.” [Reuters]

Mobile blackouts as a security tool: More case studies from Bangladesh and Pakistan

(ls) Across Asia and other parts of the world, a new security trend is gaining increasing traction: the blocking of mobile internet services. India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia (Papua) and Sudan are among the recent examples. Whereas state authorities cite possible threats to national security and public order as justification, it can reasonably be argued that such interventions may constitute deep restrictions of private life as well as business activities. Taking into account the importance of communication in the era of digitalization, widespread mobile blocking cuts people off from essential services and often disables access by independent observers to information on the ground. Last week, two more case studies from South Asia can be added to the trend.

Bangladesh’s telecommunications regulatory body has asked operators to shut down cellphone services in camps where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar live. The authority referred to a security threat and illegal phone use, for example for drug trade, as reasons for the measure. Operators have already been asked to suspend data and internet service between 5 pm and 5 am every day in the camps in Cox’s Bazar district. Many Rohingya refugees use mobile services to stay in touch with their families. [Firstpost]

Human Rights Watch has criticized the most recent mobile blocking in Bangladesh as a clampdown. [Human Rights Watch]

In Bangladesh, only Bangladeshis with national identity cards are allowed to possess local SIM cards. The sale of cellphone services is banned in the camps. The Rohingya, most of whom fled over the border to Bangladesh in 2017 following a violent campaign led by the Myanmar military, are largely stateless. [New York Times]

Authorities in Pakistan suspended mobile services in Karachi and Nawabshah as part of security measures during Muharram processions on Sunday. Similar actions have been taken in other provinces too. In the Pakistani province of Punjab, 3,000 security personnel have been deployed in Rawalpindi to ensure the safety of the procession. [India Today]

Kashmir: Indian Supreme Court gets involved; Khan joins mass demonstrations

(ls) Over the weekend, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan joined a rally of thousands in Islamabad to protest against India’s decision. He promised to raise also the issue of rights violations allegedly perpetrated by India in the disputed region at the United Nations next month. In addition to the protest in Islamabad, major demonstrations were also held in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. [Al Jazeera]

India’s Supreme Court has taken up legal challenges to the government’s decision to revoke Indian-controlled Kashmir’s special status. The Court ordered the federal government to file replies to several petitions related to the issue. [Straits Times]

Pakistan: New law guarantees women agricultural workers’ rights

(ls) In Pakistan’s Sindh province, the cabinet approved the Sindh Women Agriculture Workers Act 2019, which recognizes the right of women workers to have a written contract, minimum wage, social security, and welfare benefits including for child health, maternity leave, and access to government subsidies and credit. It also requires gender parity in wages and gives the right for women to unionize. The Act is expected to also pass the provincial assembly. [Human Rights Watch]

News summary

Children on death row: Why Pakistan must stop hanging juvenile offenders 

(jk) Despite legislation in Pakistan against capital punishment for offenders below the age of 18 and Pakistan being party to the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) prohibiting capital punishment for juvenile offenders, cases of juvenile offenders’ executions are no exception. The Justice Project Pakistan has launched a book titled “The Death Penalty in Pakistan: A Critical Review” to shed more light on the issue last week. Read an excerpt and more on the project here [Dawn].

Pakistan: Technical difficulties or “brazen censorship”?

(jk) Three news stations that had broadcast a press conference held by an opposition leader and daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were suddenly unavailable due to “technical issues” last week. [NDTV]

Reporters without borders however, who ranked Pakistan 142nd out of 180 countries in its 2019 World Press Freedom Index, have cried foul play and called the move “brazen censorship” indicative of “disturbing dictatorial tendencies” and conducted by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority [Reporters Without Borders]

Pakistan’s government ordered the media regulator recently not to allow press conferences by politicians who had been convicted or were on trial. Media freedom is perceived to be “at its worst in more than a decade”. [Al Jazeera]

Pakistan: Anti-corruption campaign with (un)intended side effects

(ls) Prime Minister Imran Khan’s anti-corruption campaign, implemented by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), is facing increasing criticism. Members of the business community complain that civil servants across the country refuse to sign off on projects in fear of bribery charges, leading to a partial economic standstill. Moreover, the focus of the NAB so far on the new government’s political foes has prompted accusations it is a one-sided purge backed by Pakistan’s powerful military, which is seen to favor Khan. [Reuters]

A number of Pakistan’s opposition politicians including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are in jail on corruption charges. Sharif’s brother and former Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also arrested last year. Last week, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) for “possession of a huge amount of drugs”, allegedly found in his car. Moreover, media censorship is on the rise. [The Hindu]

Important semantics in Pakistan’s parliament but word bans won’t help

(jk) The deputy speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly last week banned lawmakers from using the word “selected” when referring to the Prime Minister. Using the terms “Selected Prime Minster” had become a way for government critics and opposition to suggest that Pakistan’s PM was in fact chosen by the country’s army generals rather than by the people in the elections last year. [Gulf News] Banning the word has of course drawn more attention to the matter internationally, and although opposition figures may now refrain from using the word, other suggestive phrases such as “hand-picked” are already filling the void. [NYT]

Women’s startling disadvantages in Pakistan/Government to create special courts to tackle violence against women

(jk) According to the 2018 World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, Pakistan ranks 148 out of 149 countries in equality for women. [WEF] In addition to that report, the 2017-18 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey [PDHS] analyses more key social indicators to explain why Pakistan’s ranking is so low, and in particular with regards to gender equality, the results are startling: Pakistan’s women are undereducated, often physically and mentally abused and many lack basic access to information or common services. PDHS states that “49.2 per cent of ever-married women aged 15-49 had no education whatsoever” (25.4pc for men), with nearly 61.6pc (33.3pc for men) in rural areas. Half of the women surveyed were illiterate. The data further shows that “only 12.6pc of women reported to have ever used the internet”. [Dawn]

In addition, domestic and other violence against women is a major problem in Pakistan with thousands of cases such as rape, sexual assault, acid attacks, kidnappings or “honour killings” occurring every year. In one positive development, a Supreme Court Judge has said in a televised address that Pakistan will set up special courts to allow victims to speak out without fear of retaliation and in a supportive environment. The Chief Justice said “we are going to have 1,016 gender-based violence courts across Pakistan, at least one such court apiece in every district.” [The Guardian]

Pakistan: Government targets the judiciary

(ls) Pakistan’s government under Prime Minister Imran Khan has moved a reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court and another Sindh High Court judge to the Supreme Judicial Council, claiming that they have not declared their overseas properties in their tax returns. Judge Isa originally comes from insurgency-ridden Balochistan province. He delivered several verdicts that openly criticized the army. [The Diplomat]

In response, all bar councils of Pakistan sought resignation of federal Law Minister Barrister Farogh Nasim and Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan and issued a call for a countrywide strike on June 14, the day when the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) will take up the references. The bar councils also demanded that President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Khan resign, saying that the references were filed in such a dubious manner that one could doubt the move was a ‘fixed match’. [Dawn]

The case is reminiscent of when Pakistani President General Pervez Musharaff sacked and then arrested the then-chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in 2007, which galvanized into a lawyers’ movement, one of the biggest civil protests in the history of Pakistan, and ultimately led to the downfall of Musharaff. [Wikipedia]

Pakistan: A Pakistani journalist arrested for reporting on the Pashtun Protest

(jyk) A Pakistani journalist was arrested following his coverage of the Pashtun Protest that was violently subdued by the Pakistani police, which caused three deaths and scores of injuries among the protestors [AiR 4/5/2019]. The reporter, Gohar Wazir, worked at a Pashto-language TV station called Khyber News and interviewed a prominent leader of the Pashtun Protest prior to his arrest under the charge of violating “Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO)— a law that allows preventive detention of individuals for up to six months” [The Times of India].

Pakistan and Russia agree to strengthen ties

(jk) Pakistan and Russia have agreed to enhance cooperation at a meeting between the two Foreign Ministers on the side-lines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting last week. Then, after Pakistan conducted a successful test launch of the Shaheen-II surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister pointed out that Pakistan had “every right to improve its nuclear capabilities by developing its own missile programme.” [Pakistan Today, Eurasiafuture]

Mob violence in Pakistan after Hindu doctor is accused of blasphemy, Clashes between Army and Protesters in North Waziristan

(jk) According to reports, a Hindu doctor was accused of blasphemy by burning or tearing pages from a Quran. After the allegations spread, a mob took attacked and burned shops owned by Hindus in the area. Pakistan is not the only country with laws against blasphemy, but in Pakistan the laws are often abused and used to target minorities or are personally motivated. Hindus are the biggest minority community in Pakistan and most of them live in Sindh province, where the incident occurred. [Pakistan Today]
In the meantime, close to the Afghan border in North Waziristan, Pakistani troops clashed with protesters, killing at least three and wounding many more. The protests were initially held in favour of the rights of Pakistani Pashtuns who live in that region. Pashtuns are alleged to have close links to the Taliban in Afghanistan, of which many leaders have been ethnic Pashtuns. [NYT] In the aftermaths of the clashes, Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets all across Pakistan. [Radio Free Europe]

HIV outbreak in Pakistan

(cl) Pakistan said on Sunday that over 600 people, most of them children, had tested HIV positive in a village in southern province, allegedly infected by a doctor using a contaminated syringe. [Gulf News] Special health advisor has warned that “the increase in the number of patients being tested positive for HIV is a matter of grave concern for the government”. Pakistan was long considered a low prevalence country for HIV, but the disease is expanding at an alarming rate, particularly among intravenous drug users and sex workers. [BBC News] With about 20,000 new HIV infections reported in 2017 alone, Pakistan currently has the second fastest growing HIV rates across Asia, according to the UN. [Channel News Asia] Pakistan’s surging population also suffers the additional burden of having insufficient access to quality healthcare following decades of under-investment by the state, leaving impoverished, rural communities especially vulnerable to unqualified medical practitioners. [Time]