Pakistan successfully test launches enhanced version of Babur cruise missile
RAWALPIND (Saturday 14 April 2018): Pakistan on Saturday conducted a successful test of an enhanced range version of the indigenously developed Babur cruise missile, Babur Weapon System-1 (B) incorporated with advanced aerodynamics and avionics that can strike targets both at land and sea with high accuracy, at a range of 700 kilometres (km). According to details, it is a low flying, terrain hugging missile, which also carries certain stealth features and is capable of carrying various types of warheads.
The Babur Weapon System-1 (B) is equipped with state-of-the-art navigational technologies of Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and all-time Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-relation (DSMAC), which enables it to engage various types of targets with pinpoint accuracy even in the absence of GPS navigation, thus making it an important force multiplier for Pakistan’s strategic deterrence.
The missile launching was witnessed by Strategic Plans Division (SPD) director general and other senior officers, NESCOM chairman, senior officers from strategic forces, scientists and engineers of strategic organisations. The president and prime minister conveyed their appreciations to scientists and engineers on the successful conduct of the missile test. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and services chiefs also congratulated the scientists and engineers of NESCOM and NDC for the successful test.
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Pak COAS Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa two-day official visit to Russia
Rawalpindi: (24 Apr 2018) — Moscow keen to expand military cooperation with Pakistan, Russian commander tells Pak COAS. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa met with Commander of Russian Federation Ground Forces Colonel General Oleg Salyukov at the Kremlin Palace, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Upon his arrival, General Bajwa was presented guard of honour. He also laid wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. National anthems of both the countries were played.
During the meeting, the Russian ground forces commander acknowledged achievements of Pakistan Army in fight against terrorism and contributions for regional peace and stability. Colonel General Salyukov said that Pakistan is a geo-strategically important country and Russia is keen to expand its existing bilateral military-to-military cooperation, according to the ISPR.
The COAS thanked the Russian commander and said that Pakistan reciprocates desire of enhanced bilateral military engagements. General Bajwa said that Russia has recently played a positive role to help resolve complex situations in the region. He said that Pakistan will continue to play its part to keep conflicts away from the region and seek approaches which bring regional convergences into play rather than the divergences.
The Russian Ground Forces Commander acknowledged achievements of Pakistan army in the fight against terrorism and contributions for regional peace and stability. He said that Pakistan was a geo-strategically important country and Russia is keen to expand its existing bilateral military-to-military cooperation.
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Pakistan not to make CSF part of budget estimates
ISLAMABAD(April 11, 2018): —- After 16 years, Pakistan has decided to exclude the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) receipts from the United States from its new fiscal year budget estimates, indicating that the relations between the two countries are unlikely to revive to the pre-Donald Trump era in the near future. The decision to exclude the CSF estimates from the budget 2018-19 has been taken during the pre-budget meetings being held in the finance ministry, according to sources. The CSF payments are reimbursements of the cost that Pakistan has incurred while fighting the US-led global war against terrorism.
Since 2001 when Pakistan became a frontline state in the war against terror, the country received CSF at an average of $971.5 million per annum. However, this will be the first time since then that the government will not make the CSF receipts part of the budget, as the US did not disburse any sum in the past one year. The CSF disbursements will not be part of the non-tax revenue estimates being prepared for the financial year 2018-19, said Dr Miftah Ismail, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance.
The de facto finance minister said the US still owed $9 billion to Pakistan that “we spent while fighting the war against terrorism”.
Ismail’s statement indicates departure from the past when the budgets were presented by understating the expenditures and overstating the revenues. For the outgoing fiscal year, Pakistan had budgeted Rs141.8 billion (or $1.33 billion) from the US on account of the CSF disbursements. But so far Washington has not released any amount.
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Diamer-Bhasha dam gets go-ahead at last
ISLAMABAD: (17 April 2018) Pakistan gave a final go-ahead to the construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam at an estimated cost of Rs474 billion aimed at increasing the country’s depleting water storage capacity. Headed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved five mega projects at the total cost of Rs. 504 billion. The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) had cleared the Diamer-Bhasha dam at a cost of Rs. 625 billion. Subsequently, the planning ministry excluded the land component and construction of a colony from the dam cost, bringing the price tag down to Rs474 billion.
The dam will have a 6.4 million acres feet live storage capacity and an installed power capacity of 4,500 megawatt, according to an announcement by the Prime Minister Office. However, the power house component will be approved separately and the Rs. 474 billion cost is meant for building the reservoir. On completion, the project will increase national water storage capacity from 38 days to 45 days and enhance life span on downstream reservoirs, including the Tarbela Dam, said the PM Office. The project will also increase the Dasu hydropower project efficiency by 28%, according to a planning ministry official. The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) informed the prime minister that land issues have to be sorted out before starting the construction of the dam, according to the officials.
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Russia begins delivery of advanced assault helicopters to Pakistan
Russia has started delivering Mi- 35 assault helicopters to Pakistan Army Aviation Corps. Pakistan ordered the military helicopters from Russia back in 2015. According to new sources, a video has appeared to have surface on the social media which shows a Mi-35 helicopter draped in the colors of the Pakistan Armed Forces flying somewhere in Pakistan.
According to The Diplomat, an import-export log from Pakistan appeared to record the delivery of helicopter-related equipment including ammunition. The package is delivered from Russian state-owned defense exporter Rosoboronexport to the Pakistan Army.
Russia had already handed over four Mi-35M helicopters to Pakistan Army Aviation Corps last year. The delivery of these choppers likely took place in Russia. However, the transfer of gunships took place later. Pakistan and Russia made a $153 million helicopter deal during the visit of Retd. General Raheel Sharif’s visit to Russia in June 2016. An official contract was signed at the Pakistan Army General Headquarters in Rawalpindi in August 2015. This article originally appeared in The Diplomat
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Pakistan cutting dependence on American arms
WASHINGTON Amid strain ties between Islamabad and Washington, Pakistan is cutting its dependence on American military technology in a gradual way, giving space to its neighbouring country, China, an international media report said. The shift in the policy, which was hinted by Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif last year, will have repercussions on the geo-political situation of the region, it warned. Speaking at a seminar organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad on Dec 6 2017, the foreign minister said that Pakistan had been following a US-centric policy for a long time, adding that it was the need of the hour to bring a change in it and shift it towards Russian and China.
The change started occurring during the last days of former US President Barrack Obama’s tenure when Congress disallowed subsidising the sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. Initially, the $699 million deal for the jets was to be partially financed through the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme and Pakistan was expected to get the fighter planes at just $270 million. The Congress had blocked the deal accusing Pakistan of not taking action against Haqqani network, besides showing concerns on country’s nuclear programme. This was the time when Pakistan started focusing on the JF-17 warplanes, which the country is developing with China and compete F-16 in terms of capabilities, the report said. The ban also pushed the Islamabad to acquire weapons from Beijing or make domestically with its support.
According to data of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, US weapons exports to Pakistan observed a sharp decrease since 2010, reaching from $1 billion to just $21 million last year, the report said, adding that Chinese weapon exports to Pakistan also went down during this period but the difference was minor as it just slipped to $514m from $747m. In a recent move, US President Donald Trump halted $2 billion military aid to Pakistan, fueling the already constraint bilateral relations.
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PM Abbasi, COAS attend closing ceremony of Gulf Shield-1 in KSA
RIYADH (16 april, 2018) Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the heads of the Arab countries attended the closing ceremony of Gulf Shield-1 joint military exercise in Saudi Arabia. The month long exercise Gulf Shield-1 was participated by troops from 24 countries and was aimed at strengthening “military and security cooperation and coordination” among the regional countries. The prime minister attended the exercises on the special invitation of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The closing ceremony was also attended by the heads of Arab countries. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and discussed matters pertaining to mutual interests. Minister for Defense Khurram Dastgir Khan and Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also accompanied the prime minister during the meeting. The premier also met crown prince Muhammad bin Salman and Minister for Defense.
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‘Reciprocal’ travel restrictions to be imposed on Pakistan diplomats: US
By News Desk : April 18, 2018| United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon said ‘reciprocal’ travel restrictions will be imposed on Pakistani diplomats in the United States (US). In an exclusive interview with Voice of America’s Uzbek Service, Shannon said, “Our diplomats are under travel restrictions. They can travel further [than 40 kilometres], but they have to notify the government of Pakistan. It’s very common in diplomacy”. The senior US official also referred to travel restrictions placed on US diplomats in Pakistan which requires them to inform the government of movement beyond 40 kilometres of their station.
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Two FC soldiers martyred, five injured in Afghan cross-border attack
PESHAWAR (April 15, 2018) Originating from Afghanistan’s Khost province, the attack targeted FC troops conducting routine surveillance near the Laka Teega check-post in Lower Kurram Agency. According to ISPR, the security officials have countered the attack while ensuring there were no civilian casualties. Meanwhile, the political administration in Kurram Agency has said that the tribesmen from Bangash and other tribes have also started to assemble to aid security forces.
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Afghanistan returns captured Pakistani soldier, five bodies
KHOST: April 16, 2018 | The soldier and the bodies were handed to Pakistani troops, said Khost governor Hukum Khan Habibi. The dispute arose over Pakistan’s work on a fence intended to span nearly the entire disputed 2,500-km border, much of it mountainous and porous. Afghan officials have alleged that Pakistani troops crossed onto Afghanistan soil, prompting firing on Sunday 15 April, by border forces and the local tribal force. The two sides later agreed on a ceasefire. The Pakistani military has previously said that two of its soldiers were killed. An Afghan army commander has said two tribesmen were killed in the skirmish. A spokesperson for the Pakistan Army could not be immediately reached.
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Suicide bombers target security forces in Quetta; Six Policemen martyred
Quetta ( 24 Apr, 2018) — At least 6 policemen embraced martyrdom and 15 security personnel were wounded when three suicide bombers blew themselves up in quick succession in the provincial capital, Quetta. “The first suicide bomber blew himself up outside a paramilitary frontier corps checkpost in the outskirts of Quetta city after he was spotted by the guards, “Just in the next moments, another bomber who was covering the first attacker exchanged fire with the security forces and later blew himself up.” Some eight paramilitary officials were wounded in this attack, he said. Around half an hour later a third bomber drove his motorcycle into a police truck on a road leading to the airport, Balochistan Home Secretary Ghulam Ali Baloch said adding that six policemen embraced martyrdom as a result of the explosion. It was not clear whether the third bomber was wearing an explosive vest or if the bike was filled with explosives.No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Baloch activist says RAW asked him to heckle Nawaz in 2015
WASHINGTON: A senior Baloch activist claimed on Tuesday 17 April, that he heckled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif during his 2015 visit to Washington at the behest of Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Ahmer Mustikhan, founder of the American Friends of Balochistan (AFB) group, posted three online statements on Facebook on Tuesday after a district court in Maryland rejected an appeal to muzzle him.
AFB’s two Indian supporters Soumya Chowdhury and Krishna Gudipati had filed the appeal, asking the judge to stop Mr Mustikhan from publicly sharing the internal affairs of the group. The court agreed with the Baloch activist’s plea that the US constitution guaranteed his freedom of expression. Mr Mustikhan, who is also a journalist, claimed in the videos that he was “let down” by RAW operatives working from the Indian embassy in Washington. He identified one of them as Nagesh Bhushan who, Mr Mustikhan said, manned RAW’s Balochistan Desk.
On Oct 22, 2015, Mr Mustikhan heckled Mr Sharif during his speech at the US Institute for Peace in Washington and was removed by security personnel as he continued shouting for several minutes. He then appeared on a series of Indian talk shows, explaining why he heckled the prime minister. He also heckled other Pakistani leaders, particularly former president Pervez Musharraf.“I did this with a heavy heart, as I have no fight with Nawaz Sharif. He is an elected prime minister,” he told Dawn. “Others, I heckled willingly.”Mr Mustikhan said that India was supporting terrorism in Pakistan and this support started after the Kargil war and that’s why the current insurgency had continued for 12 years. Mr Mustikhan claimed that RAW encouraged militants to kill Punjabi, Pakhtun and even Sindhi civilians. “We have no fight with civilians. They are our brothers,” he said. “They gave me a lot of mental torture [for opposing their plans]. They say if you kill, you are a hero otherwise you are zero.” ‘Courtesy Dawn News’
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Pakistan Army cadet clinches medal at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
RAWALPINDI: Fri 13th April 2018 | Pakistan Army Cadet Sheroz Shahid clinched the Overseas International Medal at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst(RMAS) UK, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Shahid was awarded the medal for high performance in education, training, and physical fitness fields displayed during the training period. The medal was awarded by Chief of General Staff of British Army General Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter, who was the reviewing officer of the parade. Sheroz joins Major Uqbah Hadeed Malik to make the country proud. The latter, who graduated from the Sandhurst in 2007, became the first Pakistan military officer to be appointed as an instructor at the British military academy.
Major Uqbah made headlines in English press when his British cadets rendered a tribute in his honour by singing Pakistan’s national anthem as a surprise for him.
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Dr. Umer Saif appointed chair – holder of UNESCO Chair for ICTD
World-renowned Pakistani computer scientist Dr. Umar Saif has been appointed as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Chair for using Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD). This UNESCO Chair in the field of ICTD will help Pakistan become a centre of excellence in using Information Technology for development, especially use of technology to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said a press release issued earlier. Dr. Umar Saif, who heads the Punjab Information Technology Board overlooking all public sector IT projects in the country’s most populous province, is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cambridge University. He is the first Pakistani to be named as one of the top 35 innovators in the world by MIT Technology Review (TR35) in 2011, and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2010.
Pakistan appoints first female diplomat in Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH Setting a new precedent, Pakistan for the first time in its 70 years history has appointed a female diplomat in Saudi Arabia. Fozia Fayyaz Ahmed has been designated as consular at Consulate General Pakistan in Jeddah, reflecting the country’s resolve to empower women. Fozia Fayyaz has been served in Washington and New Delhi and it is her third diplomatic posting in KSA.
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Pope Francis wears Sindhi Ajrak gifted by Pakistani youth
A Pakistan youth recently presented Sindhi Ajrak to Pope Francis as an Easter gift which he happily accepted. The pontiff also posed for a selfie with the youth identified as Daniyal by Al Arabiya’s Urdu language website. According to the site, Daniyal, a meber of Jesus Youth of Pakistan Saint Paul, was in Vatican to attend the central ceremony of Easter, a Chiristian holiday. The Christian community celebrated Easter with zeal on April 1 . Special services were held and prayers offered in all churches of Pakistan like other parts of the world. The Christians lit candles at different churches to celebrate the day.
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Nawaz Sharif, Jahangir Tareen disqualified for life: Supreme Court
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: In a unanimous decision, a five-judge larger bench of the Supreme Court on Friday declared that the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) former Secretary General Jahangir Khan Tareen would remained disqualified for life time under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution. The bench announced the verdict written and ready by Justice Umar Ata Bandial in a case under which the time period had to be determined for a person if he was disqualified under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution. Following the judgement, Nawaz Sharif, Jahangir Tareen and all those who were declared disqualified under Article 62 (1)(f) have now been barred from contesting elections permanently.
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IHC Disqualifies Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif under Article 62(1)(f)
SLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif was disqualified by failing to disclose his employment in a UAE company and the monthly salary he was receiving. The court announced its verdict on a petition stating that Asif did not mention his foreign employment in his nomination papers. A three-member bench headed by Justice Athar Minallah announced the verdict and ruled that Asif is not ‘honest’ and ‘truthful’ as per the Constitution. Moreover, the apex court recently ruled that parliamentarians disqualified over the clause will be ineligible to contest elections or hold party office for life.
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Pakistan world’s largest host of refugees: UNHCR
By APP : April 16, 2018 —– The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has said that Pakistan is home to the largest refugee population in the world, according to a report published by the international body. As per UNHCR, Pakistan is hosting the largest number of refugees globally, which number more than 1.45 million in the country, and most of them hail from Afghanistan. The report added that Pakistan unconditionally hosted millions of refugees and provided best possible facilities to affected people of different countries. It praised Pakistan for giving special treatment for Afghan citizens when the Afghan war was on its peak. 1.45 million of them still live in Pakistan, the report noted. Since March 2002, UNHCR has facilitated the return of approximately 4.1 million registered Afghans from Pakistan, it underlined.
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World’s largest plane, Antonov AN-225 Mriya, lands in Karachi Airport
Fri 20 Apr 2018: Russian made largest cargo aircraft, Antonov AN -225 Mriya, made its first landing in Pakistan on Friday 20 April, at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi for refueling, Bound to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest cargo aircraft took off from Colombo, Sri Lanka. Russian-made wide body aircraft is powered by six turbofan engines is the longest and heaviest airplane ever built, with a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tonnes. It also has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in operational service.
Renowned actress and Ajoka Theatre founder Madeeha Gauhar passes away
LAHORE: Ajoka Theatre founder, playwright, actor and director of social theatre Madeeha Gauhar passed away in Lahore on Wednesday 25 April, after a prolonged battle with cancer. Madeeha was suffering from cancer for the past three years. The actor, director and women’s rights activist founded Ajoka Theatre in 1984 as part of her commitment to theatre for social change. Ajoka’s plays have been based on social issues and human rights such as female literacy and honour killings. Ajoka has performed in various countries across Asia and Europe and has also staged productions in backyards and open spaces in poor localities to raise awareness.
In 2006, Madeeha became the first Pakistani to be honoured with the prestigious Prince Claus Award for her leadership of Ajoka. The award was given to her by Ambassador of Netherlands Willem Andreae. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences to Gauhar’s family. “Madeeha Gauhar was a talented performer who transformed theatre,” Shehbaz said. “Her services to TV and theatre will be remembered forever,” he added.