Latest news with #CPEC
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
From Standoff to Setback: Modi's Policies and India's Diplomatic Challenges
Modi says water once flowing out of India will now be retained and used domestically for India's interests. PHOTO: FILE Post Pak-India clashes scenario has once again established the fact that non resolution of Kashmir, water and terrorism issues would continue to hinder peace in the South Asian Region. Besides reestablishing Pakistan's conventional deterrence Pak-India standoff helped in revival of the Kashmir issue on the international stage, which served as a blow to India's diplomatic standing. Narendra Modi's wrong policies have not only led to disappointment for India diplomatically, moreover, his policy of bilateralism on Kashmir has suffered a significant setback. The Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) in its report titled 'Sixteen hours that reshaped South Asia' has termed Modi's flawed policies the main reason of severe blow to India's interests since India's defeat in 1962 war against China. Human history is replete with wounds inflicted by humans on other humans, but it is also true that societies, as they traverse the stages of cultural evolution, gradually begin to shed their animalistic tendencies. However, our misfortune is that we have a nation living in our neighborhood that still adheres to the philosophy of Machiavellian deceit and barbarism, as embodied by its political deity Chanakya, and its foreign policy is founded on the same philosophy. However, there is another side to the picture. The law of nature dictates that anything built on deceitful thinking will eventually decline. Not long ago, India had complete influence over all the small countries in the region, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal, and its voice was paramount in these countries. But when India's true face was exposed, the world witnessed how India's puppet regime, in the form of Sheikh Hasina Wajed, met its ignominious end. To harm Pakistan's existence, India invested heavily in Afghanistan, establishing centers of terrorism and using its proxies to target CPEC, in an attempt to deprive the region of developmental progress. India is also working on a plan to eliminate China's presence in Pakistan and the Arabian Sea region. Despite India's continuous efforts to create differences between Pakistan and Afghanistan, recent diplomatic developments have strengthened ties between the two brotherly nations. China, emerging as a reliable regional partner, has further reinforced this trilateral alliance with a commitment to economic cooperation and mutual security. Afghanistan's formal inclusion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) marks a new era, which has thwarted India's destructive designs. India's fabricated narratives have failed to isolate Pakistan, which has consistently demonstrated responsibility, restraint, and patience, as evident in the recent India-Pakistan conflict. While India continues to engage in provocations, Pakistan has shown utmost responsibility. In contrast, the region, home to two billion people, might become a victim of Modi's political vendetta and obsession – this is not leadership but preparation for collective destruction.
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
PM Sharif announces 25% federal development share for insurgency-hit Balochistan
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan will receive 25% share from the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) in the upcoming budget, as the government continues to grapple with a decades-long separatist insurgency that has surged in recent years. Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least populated province, is strategically significant as the centerpiece of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major infrastructure development and regional connectivity initiative linking western China to the Arabian Sea. While the state touts CPEC as a game-changer for the region's development, Baloch separatist groups accuse the government of exploiting the province's vast mineral resources without benefiting the local population. Officials reject the narrative, pointing to ongoing investments in various sectors aimed at improving livelihoods. Sharif announced the allocation while addressing a grand jirga, an assembly of provincial elders and influential figures alongside top military leadership, in Quetta, where he reaffirmed the government's commitment to Balochistan's development. 'I think that PSDP will be of Rs1,000 billion [in the next budget],' he told the gathering. 'So, out of this [amount], a fund of approximately Rs250 billion is for Balochistan alone. That is, 25% of the total federal PSDP for Balochistan.' The PSDP is Pakistan's central development program used to fund infrastructure, energy, education and other long-term public investment projects across the country. It includes both federal initiatives and financial support for provincial projects, particularly in underdeveloped regions like Balochistan. The prime minister said the allocation was the province's 'right.' 'Along with this,' he continued, 'these resources should be used transparently, whether it is Gwadar, whether it is Pasni, whether it is Chaman, whether it is Killa Saifullah, whether it is Quetta, whether it is Jhal Magsi or any other areas,' he continued. 'Every single penny there should be used honestly for the development and prosperity of the people.' Addressing the challenge of militancy in the province, Sharif said efforts must continue to bring back 'misguided' individuals who had joined militant groups. He acknowledged Balochistan's history of economic deprivation, while reiterating that those engaged in violence offer no solutions. 'Terrorists do not know anything but brutality,' he said. Calling for national unity, Sharif maintained: 'Let's sit together and talk. It is only by sitting together that a family becomes strong and prosperous. No evil eye can harm a united household.'
Business Recorder
13 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Upcoming JCC session: Pakistan govt finalises CPEC deliverables after progress reviews
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level preparatory meeting of the Pakistani side of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC). The meeting convened key stakeholders, including conveners of CPEC Joint Working Groups (JWGs) and secretaries from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Communications, Maritime Affairs, Science and Technology, Railways, Commerce, and Interior, to review progress and finalise deliverables for the upcoming 14th JCC session. Iqbal conducted a comprehensive review of CPEC project status across vital sectors, including Gwadar development, industrial cooperation, science and technology, transport infrastructure, agriculture, and the blue economy. He mandated all ministries to rigorously operationalise the long-term CPEC plan by ensuring their project roadmaps are fully aligned with established sectoral priorities for effective and result-oriented implementation. JCC under CPEC to meet in June: Agri tech, energy and Gwadar projects discussed The minister instructed the Board of Investment to immediately initiate strategic outreach to 20–25 major Chinese economic zones, aiming to attract experienced companies for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development and industrial relocation to Pakistan. Emphasising science and technology as the cornerstone of future export-led growth, he directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to study China's advancements in emerging scientific fields, formulate a national scientific development agenda, and identify 10 high-potential export products for targeted research and innovation support. Minister Iqbal underscored Gwadar's critical role as a blue economy hub, demanding accelerated development in coastal tourism, fisheries, and industry through enhanced engagement with Pakistani and Chinese business communities. He also directed officials to finalise a proposal for introducing a third-party participation mechanism under CPEC to facilitate broader infrastructure projects, for presentation and approval at the forthcoming JCC session. Concluding the meeting, Minister Iqbal reiterated CPEC's immense potential for investment, relocation, and joint ventures. He demanded unified, proactive efforts across all government institutions to deliver tangible, actionable outcomes for the JCC. He called for intensified inter-ministerial coordination and strategic planning to ensure the 14th JCC session serves as a landmark event in advancing CPEC 2.0 vision for a prosperous and connected Pakistan. The minister emphasised that CPEC phase-2 is now fully integrated into the broader national transformation vision under the Uraan Pakistan initiative. As a flagship development framework aimed at turning Pakistan into a $3 trillion economy by 2047, Uraan Pakistan provides a clear roadmap through its 5Es: Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment, Energy, and Equity. CPEC phase-2's focus on industrialisation, connectivity, science and technology, and sustainable growth directly complements these pillars. The synergies between Uraan Pakistan and CPEC will not only catalyse economic modernisation but also ensure inclusive, innovation-driven development across all regions of Pakistan. Highlighting the need to deepen business-to-business (B2B) collaboration, Minister Iqbal stressed that private sector partnerships between Pakistani and Chinese companies will be pivotal in CPEC's next phase. B2B cooperation will unlock new avenues for industrial growth, technology transfer, and job creation. It will empower local enterprises, attract FDI, boost exports, and drive innovation in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, energy, agriculture, and ICT. A thriving B2B ecosystem under CPEC phase-2 will also foster entrepreneurship, upskill the workforce, and enhance Pakistan's global competitiveness — transforming economic zones into engines of opportunity and prosperity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
18 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Upcoming JCC session: Govt finalises CPEC deliverables after progress reviews
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level preparatory meeting of the Pakistani side of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC). The meeting convened key stakeholders, including conveners of CPEC Joint Working Groups (JWGs) and secretaries from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Communications, Maritime Affairs, Science and Technology, Railways, Commerce, and Interior, to review progress and finalise deliverables for the upcoming 14th JCC session. Iqbal conducted a comprehensive review of CPEC project status across vital sectors, including Gwadar development, industrial cooperation, science and technology, transport infrastructure, agriculture, and the blue economy. He mandated all ministries to rigorously operationalise the long-term CPEC plan by ensuring their project roadmaps are fully aligned with established sectoral priorities for effective and result-oriented implementation. JCC under CPEC to meet in June: Agri tech, energy and Gwadar projects discussed The minister instructed the Board of Investment to immediately initiate strategic outreach to 20–25 major Chinese economic zones, aiming to attract experienced companies for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development and industrial relocation to Pakistan. Emphasising science and technology as the cornerstone of future export-led growth, he directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to study China's advancements in emerging scientific fields, formulate a national scientific development agenda, and identify 10 high-potential export products for targeted research and innovation support. Minister Iqbal underscored Gwadar's critical role as a blue economy hub, demanding accelerated development in coastal tourism, fisheries, and industry through enhanced engagement with Pakistani and Chinese business communities. He also directed officials to finalise a proposal for introducing a third-party participation mechanism under CPEC to facilitate broader infrastructure projects, for presentation and approval at the forthcoming JCC session. Concluding the meeting, Minister Iqbal reiterated CPEC's immense potential for investment, relocation, and joint ventures. He demanded unified, proactive efforts across all government institutions to deliver tangible, actionable outcomes for the JCC. He called for intensified inter-ministerial coordination and strategic planning to ensure the 14th JCC session serves as a landmark event in advancing CPEC 2.0 vision for a prosperous and connected Pakistan. The minister emphasised that CPEC phase-2 is now fully integrated into the broader national transformation vision under the Uraan Pakistan initiative. As a flagship development framework aimed at turning Pakistan into a $3 trillion economy by 2047, Uraan Pakistan provides a clear roadmap through its 5Es: Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment, Energy, and Equity. CPEC phase-2's focus on industrialisation, connectivity, science and technology, and sustainable growth directly complements these pillars. The synergies between Uraan Pakistan and CPEC will not only catalyse economic modernisation but also ensure inclusive, innovation-driven development across all regions of Pakistan. Highlighting the need to deepen business-to-business (B2B) collaboration, Minister Iqbal stressed that private sector partnerships between Pakistani and Chinese companies will be pivotal in CPEC's next phase. B2B cooperation will unlock new avenues for industrial growth, technology transfer, and job creation. It will empower local enterprises, attract FDI, boost exports, and drive innovation in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, energy, agriculture, and ICT. A thriving B2B ecosystem under CPEC phase-2 will also foster entrepreneurship, upskill the workforce, and enhance Pakistan's global competitiveness — transforming economic zones into engines of opportunity and prosperity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
India Today
21 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
China steps in to stabilise Pakistan-Afghanistan ties amid rising security threats
In a quiet yet decisive move, China is emerging as the most influential external player working to de-escalate tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. As Islamabad grapples with a resurgence of cross-border attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Beijing has assumed the role of mediator, urging both sides to reset their fractured relationship for the sake of regional diplomatic interventionadvertisementThe turning point came during a recent trilateral meeting of foreign ministers from China, Pakistan and Afghanistan in Beijing. More than a diplomatic formality, the meeting helped revive stalled talks and catalyse a breakthrough in relations. With vested interests in securing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and maintaining peace along its western borders, China used its influence to urge the Afghan Taliban to make tangible commitments to address Pakistan's security concerns. One of Beijing's key successes was fostering an agreement for enhanced diplomatic engagement, marked by Pakistan appointing an ambassador to Kabul for the first time since the Taliban takeover in significantly, Chinese officials reportedly conveyed a firm message to the Afghan leadership: reining in anti-Pakistan militant groups is non-negotiable if Kabul seeks continued economic and diplomatic shift: From "Jihad" to "Fasaad"advertisementIn a rare and carefully worded public statement, senior Taliban commander Saeedullah Saeed issued a warning to militant factions in the region. He stated that any act of jihad carried out without the explicit authorisation of the Amir (supreme leader) is not only illegitimate but also constitutes fasaad (corruption) under Islamic law.'Only the Amir of the state has the authority to declare jihad — not individuals or groups,' Saeed asserted, emphasising that unauthorized violence stems from ego or group loyalty rather than genuine interpret this as a direct rebuke to TTP fighters and similar groups operating from Afghan territory. It also subtly acknowledges Chinese concerns, as ongoing instability threatens Beijing's multibillion-dollar investments in South and Central China stepped in?Securing CPEC & BRI: The $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has repeatedly come under threat from militant violence. Stabilising Pakistan's western border is key to protecting China's economic Zone Strategy: Sharing a narrow border with Afghanistan, China aims to prevent the spillover of extremist ideology into its restive Xinjiang region. A stable Afghanistan, supported by Pakistan, serves as a strategic Leverage: With the U.S. and Western allies largely disengaged from Afghanistan, China sees an opportunity to fill the diplomatic vacuum and position itself as a regional payoff for PakistanFor Pakistan, China's involvement is a diplomatic asset. It provides international legitimacy in its campaign against cross-border terrorism and heightens pressure on the Taliban to crack down on TTP sanctuaries. The Taliban's recent statements and willingness to re-engage diplomatically suggest that this pressure is beginning to yield now hopes to translate these developments into concrete security outcomes — including a measurable decline in militant attacks and enhanced intelligence cooperation from InMust Watch
