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News18
27-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan's India Focus In Iran Meets Ayatollah Khamenei's Balancing Act: 'Resolve Differences'
Last Updated: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stressed his hope for the resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan. Despite exchanging cross-border airstrikes just a year ago, Pakistan and Iran demonstrated a significant warming of ties, driven primarily by the shared concern over the escalating crisis in Gaza. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir- currently in Tehran- engaged in high-level meetings with the Iranian leadership to foster closer cooperation. While Pakistan used the occasion to raise its conflict with India over Kashmir, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stressed his hope for the resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan. No Love Lost Between Iran And Pakistan? Israel's counterstrike to the October 2023 Hamas attacks in Gaza has become a powerful catalyst for improved relations between Tehran and Islamabad as Ayatollah Khamenei commended Pakistan for resisting 'temptations" to normalize ties with Israel, calling it a principled stance against 'a blatant betrayal of the Palestinian cause." He asserted that the Palestinian issue remains the 'foremost concern of the Islamic world," criticizing some Islamic governments for aligning with Israel despite the widespread global protests against the situation in Gaza. Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif echoed these sentiments emphasizing the international community's responsibility to bring about a 'lasting ceasefire in Palestine" and affirming Pakistan's solidarity with Iran in promoting regional peace and prosperity. Iran's Balanced Stance On Kashmir During his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei, Shehbaz Sharif brought up the India-Pakistan conflict, referencing India's recent airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror attack. Shehbaz Sharif also expressed appreciation for Iran's 'positive role" during that period. In a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Shehbaz Sharif publicly offered to engage in dialogue with India to resolve 'longstanding problems," including Kashmir, water-sharing, and trade. He said, 'We are ready to talk, for the sake of peace… We wanted peace, we want peace and we will work for peace in the region through talks," adding a conditional note, 'But if they accept my offer of peace, then we will show that we really want peace, seriously and sincerely." Iran's response to the India-Pakistan dynamic remained measured as Ayatollah Khamenei expressed on X, 'We are delighted with the end of conflicts between Pakistan and India and and hope that the differences between the two countries will be resolved." Iran-Pakistan Airstrikes In January 2024, Iran conducted airstrikes in Pakistan's Balochistan province, targeting the Jaish al-Adl group. Pakistan swiftly retaliated with its own airstrikes inside Iran, targeting the militant Baloch Liberation Front. Ayatollah Khamenei, in a post on X, reiterated the historically 'warm and brotherly" relations between Iran and Pakistan, recalling Pakistan's 'commendable stance during the war Saddam imposed on Iran." Iran-India Relations India and Iran share a strategically vital relationship, largely centered around energy and connectivity, with the Chabahar Port serving as its cornerstone. Located on Iran's southeastern coast, the port offers India a crucial maritime gateway, bypassing Pakistan, to landlocked Afghanistan and the resource-rich Central Asian republics. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 27, 2025, 13:04 IST
Arab News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Gunmen kill journalist in southwestern Pakistan
QUETTA: Unknown armed men stormed a house in Balochistan's Awaran district in the early hours of Saturday and killed a journalist working for a mainstream news channel and a local newspaper, a Levies official said. The killing took place in Mashkay, a remote town in the mountainous Awaran district, regarded as a stronghold of Baloch separatist groups, particularly the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF). Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least developed province, is home to a separatist insurgency led by ethnic Baloch groups, which Islamabad accuses of being backed by India. New Delhi denies the allegation. Earlier this month, Pakistan blamed India for a deadly attack on a school van in Khuzdar district that killed eight people, including six schoolchildren. Zulqarnain Baloch, a Levies official in Mashkay, told Arab News that unidentified gunmen entered journalist Latif Baloch's house at 3 a.m. and shot him dead while he was asleep with his family. 'The attackers only targeted him,' he said, adding: 'Motives behind the murder are being investigated.' According to the Press Freedom Network, an advocacy organization for media rights in Pakistan, 53 journalists were killed in the country between 2012 and 2022. Hameedullah Sherani, the network's provincial coordinator in Balochistan, said journalists in the province face serious threats while carrying out their work. 'Journalists in Balochistan have been working under threats by the state and non-state actors,' he said. 'More than 40 journalists in Balochistan have lost their lives in the line of duty over the last two decades.' The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) strongly condemned the killing and called for a high-level investigation. 'The provincial government must arrest the attackers behind the killing of Latif Baloch,' said Khalil Ahmed, BUJ president. 'Journalists are already facing severe threats in the sensitive region of Balochistan. The government has to take immediate action for the safety of working journalists.' No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, remains one of Pakistan's most dangerous regions for journalists.
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Uptick in terrorists' activities
EDITORIAL: The elimination of 12 militants in intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan over the last week-end highlights the persistent challenges Pakistan faces in its fight against terrorism. According to the military's media wing, the ISPR, in separate IBOs in Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts the security forces neutralised seven 'India-sponsored terrorists'. Two soldiers also embraced martyrdom during an intense exchange of fire in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district. In a couple of other encounters in Balochistan's Awaran and Turbat City, security forces killed three terrorists. The ISPR said they were associated with the banned Baloch Liberation Front, an 'Indian proxy' carrying out terror attacks inside Pakistan; and that the terrorists killed in KP operations were also part of the groups backed by India. These intelligence-based operations are particularly significant, given the uptick in terrorism both in KP and the restive Balochistan province. Earlier this month, seven soldiers were martyred in Kacchi district when an IED blast carried out by the so-called Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which also took credit for last March's hijacking of the Jaffar Express that claimed 31 lives. In fact, terrorist activity has constantly been increasing; it rose in 2024 by 70 percent from the previous year. The ISPR's repeated references to 'Indian proxies' are not without a basis. Delhi government's declared 'Offensive Defence Strategy', the cornerstone of its national security architecture, is aimed at destabilising Pakistan through militant outfits: TTP terrorists and Baloch insurgents. It may be recalled that in November 2020, Pakistan had presented a dossier to the UN containing evidence of India's involvement in fomenting terrorism through TTP in KP and Baloch insurgents in Balochistan as well as Karachi. Yet Islamabad did not press its case hard and long enough, apparently, due to a delusive hope of normalising relations with India. The international environment also was more favourable to New Delhi. A lot has changed in the recent days. However, now that the Modi government is licking its wounds from the humiliating defeat suffered in its 'Operation Sindoor', it would be yearning to get back at Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi has already been threatening 'a swift retaliation and escalation dominance', which considering the outcome of the latest standoff is not in the realm of possibility — at least at this point in time. What he can and is likely to do is escalation in terror attacks via militant groups. While our brave soldiers are determined to thwart nefarious designs of terrorists and their sponsors, it is essential that those at the helm make good-faith efforts to address issues inflaming insurgency in Balochistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Three terrorists killed in Balochistan
ISLAMABAD: Security forces eliminated three terrorists affiliated with the Indian-sponsored Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) during two separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan on May 17 and 18, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Monday. According to the ISPR, the first operation was carried out in the Gishkur area of Awaran district, where troops acted on credible intelligence regarding the presence of BLF operatives. During the intense exchange of fire, terrorist Younas was killed, while two of his accomplices sustained injuries. In a separate engagement in Turbat town of Ketch district, security forces neutralised two high-profile BLF terrorists — Sabr Ullah, identified as the ring leader, and Amjad alias Bichoo. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the terrorists who, the ISPR noted, were involved in multiple attacks against law enforcement agencies and in the targeted killing of civilians. Sanitisation operations are currently underway in both areas to ensure the complete elimination of any remaining terrorist threats. 'Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain resolute in their commitment to thwart any attempt by Indian proxies to destabilise the peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan,' the military's media wing reiterated. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Security forces eliminate three Indian sponsored terrorists in Balochistan operations: ISPR
Security forces have killed three militants linked to the Indian proxy group Baloch Liberation Front in separate engagements across Balochistan, the military's media wing said on Monday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an intelligence-based operation was launched in Gishkur, Awaran District, on May 17-18 after reports of terrorist presence. Security forces engaged the militants in a fierce firefight, resulting in the death of Indian-sponsored terrorist Younas, while two others were injured. In a separate operation in Turbat City, Kech District, forces neutralized two high-value targets: Sabr Ullah, a terrorist ringleader, and Amjad Bichoo. The ISPR stated that weapons, ammunition, and explosives were seized from the slain militants, who were involved in attacks on law enforcement and civilian target killings. 'Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any terrorist present in the area, as security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts by Indian proxies at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,' the ISPR said.
