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Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Experts discuss challenges to CPEC
The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) hosted a seminar titled "Assessment of Renewed Security Challenges to CPEC Post-Indo-Pak Escalation." The event brought together prominent practitioners, diplomats, policymakers, experts, academics and intelligentsia who collectively advocated for strategic regional alliances, robust internal reforms, economic resilience, advanced security infrastructure and proactive diplomatic engagements to overcome current and emerging challenges to China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Pakistan's former envoy to China, Naghmana Hashmi, linked increased terrorism with broader geopolitical tensions, particularly western apprehensions towards China's rise. Analysing how recent Indo-Pak escalations dispelled myths surrounding India's military dominance, prompting Western powers to reconsider their strategic reliance on India, she urged comprehensive internal reforms, particularly addressing socio-economic grievances in Balochistan. Major General (retd) Dr Samrez Salik, with a PhD on CPEC, emphasised Pakistan's critical transformation from a security-centric to an economically driven state, dependent significantly on CPEC's success.
Business Recorder
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan to support all de-escalation efforts, says Dar
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Monday it will support all efforts towards de-escalation; however, in case of any act of aggression, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that the nuclear-armed state will resolutely defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in exercise of its inherent right of self-defence, as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. 'Being a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan remains committed to regional peace and stability,' Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated this while addressing at the 4th Annual Regional Dialogue 2025 by Institute of Regional Studies (IRS): 'Pathways to Peace and Prosperity in Turbulent Times' on Monday. Over the course of the last couple of weeks, baseless allegations, as well as unilateral, politically motivated, and highly provocative actions taken by India, pose a grave threat to regional and international peace and security, Dar pointed out. 'There appears (Pahalgam incident) to be a calculated and premeditated attempt to escalate regional tensions, following a familiar pattern - level accusations against Pakistan without evidence, use inflammatory rhetoric, incite war hysteria, and use this as a pretext for aggression and unilateral actions,' the DPM emphasised. Dar said that the only motive behind this war mongering is to divert attention from India's internal challenges, state-sponsored terrorism, the ongoing human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and to gain narrow domestic political objectives. However, this brinkmanship carries consequences that extend far beyond India's borders. Regional and international peace and security cannot be sacrificed at the altar of narrow electoral gains. This is a dangerous political gamble, putting at stake the lives of millions in the region. 'We face numerous interlinked crises, threatening international peace and security, economic stability, and sustainable development,' he added. Situations of conflict and continued foreign occupation defy the promise of the United Nations to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, and guaranteed self-determination. Long-standing unresolved disputes - from Kashmir to Palestine - continue to pose a threat to regional and international peace and security, he elaborated. The DPM/ FM said Pakistan also remains concerned at the inciting and Islamophobic narrative being directed against the Kashmiris, as well as, the Indian Muslims in the backdrop of the current situation. This must end forthwith. In this backdrop, India's illegal and unilateral decision to hold in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) should be a matter of grave concern for the world, he said, adding, the Treaty provides no basis for such unilateral actions. India's action undermines a fundamental pillar of regional stability, with profound implications for the peaceful management of vital shared resources. The National Security Committee of Pakistan has made it abundantly clear on 24th April 2025 that any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the IWT will be considered 'an Act of War.' The international community must take serious note of these developments. We must not forget that the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary source of volatility in South Asia. There is an urgent need for renewed and concerted efforts under United Nations auspices, to secure a just, lasting, and peaceful resolution of the dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Country to support all de-escalation efforts, says Dar
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Monday it will support all efforts towards de-escalation; however, in case of any act of aggression, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that the nuclear-armed state will resolutely defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in exercise of its inherent right of self-defence, as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. 'Being a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan remains committed to regional peace and stability,' Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated this while addressing at the 4th Annual Regional Dialogue 2025 by Institute of Regional Studies (IRS): 'Pathways to Peace and Prosperity in Turbulent Times' on Monday. Over the course of the last couple of weeks, baseless allegations, as well as unilateral, politically motivated, and highly provocative actions taken by India, pose a grave threat to regional and international peace and security, Dar pointed out. 'There appears (Pahalgam incident) to be a calculated and premeditated attempt to escalate regional tensions, following a familiar pattern - level accusations against Pakistan without evidence, use inflammatory rhetoric, incite war hysteria, and use this as a pretext for aggression and unilateral actions,' the DPM emphasised. Dar said that the only motive behind this war mongering is to divert attention from India's internal challenges, state-sponsored terrorism, the ongoing human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and to gain narrow domestic political objectives. However, this brinkmanship carries consequences that extend far beyond India's borders. Regional and international peace and security cannot be sacrificed at the altar of narrow electoral gains. This is a dangerous political gamble, putting at stake the lives of millions in the region. 'We face numerous interlinked crises, threatening international peace and security, economic stability, and sustainable development,' he added. Situations of conflict and continued foreign occupation defy the promise of the United Nations to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, and guaranteed self-determination. Long-standing unresolved disputes - from Kashmir to Palestine - continue to pose a threat to regional and international peace and security, he elaborated. The DPM/ FM said Pakistan also remains concerned at the inciting and Islamophobic narrative being directed against the Kashmiris, as well as, the Indian Muslims in the backdrop of the current situation. This must end forthwith. In this backdrop, India's illegal and unilateral decision to hold in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) should be a matter of grave concern for the world, he said, adding, the Treaty provides no basis for such unilateral actions. India's action undermines a fundamental pillar of regional stability, with profound implications for the peaceful management of vital shared resources. The National Security Committee of Pakistan has made it abundantly clear on 24th April 2025 that any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the IWT will be considered 'an Act of War.' The international community must take serious note of these developments. We must not forget that the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary source of volatility in South Asia. There is an urgent need for renewed and concerted efforts under United Nations auspices, to secure a just, lasting, and peaceful resolution of the dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
05-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan calls on international partners to restrain ‘spoilers' as Moody's concerned over India standoff
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday urged the international community to prevent 'spoilers' from obstructing its path to economic growth as Moody's Ratings said escalating frictions between New Delhi and Islamabad could weigh on Pakistan's economic growth and impair access to external financing. Dar's comments came in the wake of New Delhi blaming Islamabad for a deadly attack on domestic tourists in Indian Kashmir last month. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to punish the backers of the attack 'beyond their imagination' and fears have been rising that India might carry our surgical strikes or special forces raids along the de facto border that divides the disputed Kashmir valley between the two nations. Pakistan has denied involvement in last Tuesday's attack but has warned it will hit back if it is targeted. Speaking at the 4th Annual Regional Dialogue 2025 organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad, Dar, who is also the foreign minister, said Pakistan was endowed with rich natural and human resources and an enormous economic potential, located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, and wanted to 'capitalize on these inherent advantages for the prosperity and betterment of our people and that of the region.' 'We have prioritized geo-economics as one of the cardinal pillars of our engagement with our international partners. We are determined to enhance regional connectivity, and increase bilateral and multilateral developmental partnerships for socio-economic uplift,' the foreign minister said. 'To achieve these goals, we are desirous of peace in the region and beyond. At a time when we are headed on the path of economic stability, we do not want any distractions from our people-centric development agenda.' He said he hoped the international community would help Islamabad achieve its goals, and prevent any spoilers in the region 'from obstructing our path to peace and prosperity.' The recent standoff with India has come as Pakistan treads a tricky and narrow path to economic recovery. On Monday, Moody's Ratings said tensions between India and Pakistan would impair Pakistan's economic growth and access to external financing. The ratings agency said persistent tensions could pressure Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves, though it did not expect a full-scale military conflict. Pakistan secured a $7 billion bailout program from the IMF last year and was granted a new $1.3 billion climate resilience loan in March. The program is critical to the $350 billion economy and Pakistan said it has stabilized under the bailout that helped it stave off a default threat. Last week, according to media reports, India raised concerns with the IMF on its loans to Pakistan, asking for a review. The adviser to Pakistan's finance minister has said the IMF program is 'well on track.' 'The latest review has been done well and we are completely on track,' adviser Khurram Schehzad, told Reuters last week, adding that Pakistan had very productive spring meetings with financial institutions in Washington. 'We did about 70 meetings ... interest has been very high for investing and supporting Pakistan as the economy turns around,' Schehzad said. The soaring tensions between the two countries have drawn global attention and calls for cooling tempers. US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday Washington hoped Pakistan would cooperate with India to hunt down Pakistan-based assailants. Kashmir is claimed in full by both Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan, but each rules it in part. -With input from Reuters
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan won't strike first but will respond strongly to any aggression: Deputy PM
Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has made it clear to the international community that Pakistan will not take the first step in any situation, but will respond with full force if aggression is carried out by India. Speaking at Regional Dialogue 2025 organised by Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad, Dar stated that the world is going through a difficult phase, especially the region, which is facing serious challenges. He emphasised that peace and prosperity should be the shared goal of all. He said Pakistan has always advocated peace in the region and consistently raised its voice against aggression. Referring to the recent incident in Pahalgam, he described it as a false flag operation aimed at diverting attention from the ongoing freedom movements within India. He added that several Indian states are witnessing serious human rights violations and that India's actions are endangering the lives of millions in the region. Dar also mentioned that in recent days, he has held discussions with leaders of various countries regarding the regional situation. Briefings have been provided at the Foreign Office to ambassadors of different nations and representatives of the United Nations. Ishaq Dar stated that following India's recent restrictions, Pakistan's National Security Committee took key decisions, which were implemented immediately. He said India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is a serious violation of international law, adding that India does not have the unilateral authority to suspend or terminate the treaty. Dar accused India of pushing the region toward war and said Pakistan responded in kind to India's actions while remaining committed to regional peace. The Foreign Minister also called the Pahalgam incident a false flag operation orchestrated by India. He said global leaders had urged Pakistan to exercise restraint. While reaffirming Pakistan's firm policy of condemning all forms of terrorism, Dar questioned how a case related to the Pahalgam attack was registered within just ten minutes of the incident. He said that the National Security Committee had decided to give a strong response to any aggression. While the regional situation is evolving, Pakistan will not take the first step under any circumstances. However, if aggression is imposed, Pakistan will respond with full national resolve and strength. Dar added that Pakistan had swiftly thwarted Indian Air Force's attempted adventurism and reaffirmed that the country would never allow its territory to be used against any other nation. He urged the international community to take immediate notice of the worsening regional situation. The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that the United Nations has passed clear resolutions on the right to self-determination in occupied territories. He said there have been serious violations of these UN Security Council resolutions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The Kashmir issue, he stressed, cannot be sidelined and must be resolved in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
