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1 | PICSS Annual Security Assessment Report – 2019

Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Islamabad © All Rights Reserved

Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies

House No. 423-A, Street 01, F-11/1, Islamabad Phone: 051-8443444

email: [email protected] www.picss.net www.facebook.com/picssisb Twitter @PICSSISB

About PICSS

Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) is an Islamabad based

independent think tank with special focus on studying anti-state violence in Pakistan. PICSS

was formally launched in 2014 with the vision “To work as an institution that provides

authentic, credible, reliable, up to date, and efficient information and objective analysis

related to defense and security, for policy development leading to peace and stability”.

Former foreign secretary and senator (retd) Akram Zaki (late) was its first chairman who

continued to hold the position till his demise in November 2017.

PICSS maintains a database of militant attacks and security forces actions in Pakistan

since 9/11 (known as PICSS Militancy Database). It also issues Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and

Annual Security Assessment Reports based on information collected through open sources

as well as its own correspondents in conflict zones. PICSS reports can be subscribed, at a

nominal contribution/ subscription to meet the cost (write to [email protected] for

subscription). PICSS also maintains data related to drone strikes in Pakistan. It is part of

Casualty Recorders Network established by Oxford Research Group (UK), which is a network

of organizations working on studying conflicts and maintaining databases.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.picss.net/

http://www.facebook.com/picssisb




DATA COLLECTION METHODOLOGY

Sources:

Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) collects information from all

available sources and tries to record each and every violent incident available from reliable and

quotable sources. Following sources of information are used to collect data:

1. Open Sources e.g. newspapers (including local and national); TV channels; news

websites; Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR; government websites; and militant

websites, forums and their social media accounts, etc.

2. Government offices, e.g. ministry of interior, police, ministry of health

3. Own correspondents: We have our own network of two types of correspondents

a. PICSS own correspondents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan.

b. Volunteer's network: Local journalists and volunteers contribute voluntarily

in reporting violent incidents and other militancy related developments.

Methods:

PICSS corroborates every incident from as many sources as possible to make sure the

information recorded in the database is correct to best possibilities. Database is continuously

reviewed and updated. Incidents are recorded mainly in two categories.

1. Violent militant attacks.

a. Militant Attacks against government, public, or private targets. These targets

can be against life or property e.g. government installations such as gas pipe

lines, electricity transmission lines etc.

b. Militant clashes among different militant groups

2. Security Forces Actions

a. Violent responses in which arms/weapons are used

b. None-violent responses such as arrests without using/firing weapons and

defusing bombs etc.

Focus:

PICSS is focused only on anti-state violence and related response. Sectarian violence, general

crimes, ethnic or linguistic based violence are not recorded. However, there is overlapping related to

actions of certain sectarian groups who were previously involved only in sectarian violence but now

have nexus with anti-state armed groups thus, the PICSS tries to record those violent incidents of

such groups which have connection of anti-state intentions. Sectarian violence has different

dynamics and requires separate analysis.

Different factors are kept in view while deciding that an incident is anti-state or not.

Following factors are taken into account while categorizing whether an incident is anti-state or

otherwise:-



1. Target.

a. Generally target of a violent militant activity helps to define the nature of

attack. Activities in which government installation are targeted are

considered anti-state.

b. Attack against on-duty uniformed personnel of security forces are recorded

as anti-state

c. Attacks against a groups of government officials where circumstances show

that target was not an individual official but government functioning was

targeted are also recorded as anti-state.

d. Attacks against individual officials whether in uniform or part of civil

government is evaluated from different aspects. Only being a member of

government or military is not enough to determine whether the aim was to

target state or it was due to personal enmity. In such cases perpetrators and

other circumstances are used to determine the nature of the attack.

2. Perpetrator:

a. If an activity is perpetrated by known militant groups fighting against state

such as Al-Qaeda, TTP, BLA, etc. are recorded as anti-state activity.

b. In case a sectarian militant group perpetrates a violent act than it is

determined from the nature of target. If the target was of sectarian nature

only than it is not recorded in anti-state database.

c. If perpetrator is not known than nature of the target is used to determine

the nature of the incident.

d. Circumstances: At times, target of the violent activity and perpetrator both

remain unclear then nature of the incident is determined based on the

circumstances of the incidents. E.g. A blast occurs at a place where no one is

targeted and apparently it is not known who carried out the blast. There are

possibilities that militants were transporting some explosives which could

detonate erroneously. This will be anti-state activity. However, it is also

possible that criminals other than militants were transporting the explosives

and it got detonated. In such cases police investigations and different

dimensions of the incident are kept in view to determine the exact nature of

the incident. This type of situation arises rarely during the data collection

operations thus, it is least likely that an error can influence overall pattern of

violence.

e. No doubtful entry: PICSS researchers use this principle while recording

violent incidents "when there is a doubt, cut it out'. Only those incidents are

recorded in the database where PICSS has no doubt about the nature of

incident.

.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

About PICSS ................................................................................................................................. 1

DATA COLLECTION METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................... 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................. 11

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ 12

OVERALL SECURITY SITUATION/ NATIONAL SECURITY PROFILE ...................................................... 15

Countrywide Militant Attacks ........................................................................................................... 18

Type of Militant Attacks – An Assessment ........................................................................................ 22

Suicide Attacks .............................................................................................................................. 23

Improvised Explosive Device ......................................................................................................... 25

Militants’ Assaults (MA) ................................................................................................................ 26

Targeted Killing .............................................................................................................................. 28

Status of Militant Groups in 2019 ..................................................................................................... 30

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) .................................................................................................. 30

Hizbul Ahrar (HuA) ......................................................................................................................... 31

ISIS/ Daesh ..................................................................................................................................... 32

Al-Qaeda ........................................................................................................................................ 33

Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) .................................................................................................. 34

Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) ................................................................................................ 35

Sindhu Desh Revolutionary Army (SDRA) ...................................................................................... 36

Nationwide Security Forces Actions.................................................................................................. 36

PROVINCIAL SECURITY PROFILE ................................................................................................... 38

Security Situation in Balochistan ....................................................................................................... 38

Security Situation in FATA ................................................................................................................. 42

Security Situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) ............................................................................. 45

Security Situation in Punjab .............................................................................................................. 48

Security Situation in Sindh ................................................................................................................ 50

Security Situation in Islamabad & Azad Jammu and Kashmir ........................................................... 51

Security Situation in Gilgit-Baltistan.................................................................................................. 52

PAKISTAN’S COUNTER-TERRORISM AND COUNTER-EXTREMISM EFFORTS ...................................... 54

Hardcore Operations ......................................................................................................................... 54



Military Operations in FATA and KPK ............................................................................................ 54

Intelligence-Based Operations in Mainland Pakistan .................................................................... 54

Army and FC in Balochistan ........................................................................................................... 55

Role of SSG .................................................................................................................................... 55

Pakistan Air Force .......................................................................................................................... 55

Counter Terrorism Department of Police ..................................................................................... 55

Non-Kinetic Approaches.................................................................................................................... 56

Reconciliation Efforts .................................................................................................................... 56

National Action Plan ...................................................................................................................... 56

Apex Committees .......................................................................................................................... 56

Preventive Measures ..................................................................................................................... 57

Actions against Terror Financing ................................................................................................... 57

Actions in the Cyber Space: ........................................................................................................... 57

De-Radicalization Drives ................................................................................................................ 58

Border Fencing along Afghan Border ............................................................................................ 58

Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 58

Pakistan and FATF in 2019 ........................................................................................................... 58

Curtain Falls on Military Courts.................................................................................................... 61

Sahiwal Encounter: Serious Questions on Judicial System in Pakistan ............................................ 62

Police Reforms; Change Just for the Sake of Change Might Not Work ............................................ 64

Gilgit-Baltistan Reforms Heading Nowhere................................................................................... 66

Development of Tourism; Pakistan Changes its Visa Policy ............................................................ 67

Clear Signs of Societal Wedge; Dissention Being Stifled ................................................................. 68

Mob Lynches Suspect in Karachi; Clear Indicator of Lack of Trust on Government .......................... 69

Issue of Former PM Mian Nawaz Sharif Treatment Abroad ........................................................... 70

Supreme Court Allows Gen Bajwa’s Six Months Extension: Ball in Parliament’s Court ..................... 71

High Treason Verdict against Musharraf: Pakistan at the Cross-Roads! .......................................... 72

Border Management & Fencing of Pak-Afghan & Pak-Iran Border.................................................. 75

Fencing of Afghanistan-Pakistan Border ........................................................................................... 75

Fencing of Iran-Pakistan Border ........................................................................................................ 77

India-Pak Relations at Lower Ebb amidst Burning Kashmir; Aggressive Indian Postures ................... 80

Pulwama Attack and Short India-Pakistan Military Tussle ............................................................... 80



Listing of Masood Azhar and Crack Down in Pakistan against Kashmiri Groups.............................. 81

Security Situation in Kashmir and HR violations ............................................................................... 82

ICJ Verdict on RAW Officer ................................................................................................................ 83

Revoking of Kashmir’s Special Status; Articles 370 and 35-A............................................................ 83

Threats of RSS Ultra-Nationalist, Fascist Ideology Marching In; Change in Indian NFU ................... 85

UNSC Maintained Its Position on Kashmir but Failed to React ......................................................... 87

Silver Lining: Opening of Kartarpur Corridor ..................................................................................... 88

Deployment of Additional Forces; LoC Ceasefire Violations.............................................................. 88

Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations; Security Situation and Afghan Peace Process ................................ 90

Rollercoaster Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations .................................................................................. 90

US-Taliban Peace Talks and Intra-Afghan Dialogues ........................................................................ 92

Security Situation in Afghanistan; Weakening of Daesh ................................................................... 97

China-Pakistan Strategic Relations and Developments on CPEC ................................................... 100

China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue .................................................................... 100

Bilateral Engagement – CPEC in Focus ............................................................................................ 100

Cultural Integration; Perception Challenges and Issues of Marriages/ Organ Sale ........................ 104

Defence Collaboration and Chinese Steadfast Support on Kashmir ................................................ 105

US Positioning against CPEC: Creating Doubts Aimed .................................................................... 106

Iran-Pakistan Relations: Irritants and Desire Improving Relations Persists .................................... 109

Terrorism: Major Irritant in Bilateral Relations; Countries Mending Fences .................................. 109

Iranian Support to Pakistan on Kashmir Issue................................................................................. 111

Pakistan Trying to Strike Some Balance in Relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia .......................... 111

US-Iran-Saudi Arabia ties and Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate diplomatic engagements ................ 112

Pakistan-US Relations; Little Signs of Transformation in Relations ............................................... 115

Bilateral Visits and Engagements .................................................................................................... 115

US Shown Cognizance of Pakistan’s Concerns ................................................................................ 116

US Positioning Against CPEC ........................................................................................................... 117

US Role on Kashmir and Easing India-Pakistan Tensions ................................................................ 118

Possibility of Improving Trade and Economic Relations in Future .................................................. 118

Pak-Saudi Relations: Strategic in Nature but Irritants Emerge ........................................................... 120

Pakistan’s Diplomatic Outreach: Relations with Other Countries ...................................................... 123

Malaysia-Pakistan Bilateral Relations and Engagement ................................................................ 123



Pakistan-Turkey Relations ............................................................................................................... 125

Pakistan-Russia Relations: Afghanistan, Economic and Security Cooperation Key Determinant ... 126

Qatar-Pakistan Relations; Economic Assistance to Pakistan .......................................................... 129

Pakistan- UK bilateral Engagement and Strategic Dialogue ........................................................... 130

Pakistan-UAE relations .................................................................................................................... 133



LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Break up of overall violent incidents of the year 2019 ........................................................... 15

Table 2: Regional Distribution of overall incidents in 2019 .................................................................. 16

Table 3: Regional Distribution of Militant Attacks in 2019 ................................................................... 20

Table 4: Suicide Attacks Yearly Comparison ......................................................................................... 24

Table 5: IED-based Attacks – Yearly Comparison ................................................................................. 26

Table 6: Yearly break up of physical assaults ........................................................................................ 27

Table 7: Yearly break up of Targeted Killings ........................................................................................ 28

Table 8: All Type of Attacks in 2019 ...................................................................................................... 29

Table 9: Regional distribution of Security forces actions in 2019 ......................................................... 37

Table 10: Monthly break up of militant attacks in Balochistan - 2019 ................................................. 39

Table 11: Affected districts in Balochistan in 2019 ............................................................................... 40

Table 12: Type of Attacks in Balochistan in 2019 ................................................................................. 41

Table 13: Monthly break up of militant attacks in FATA - 2019 ........................................................... 43

Table 14: Type of Attacks in FATA in 2019 ............................................................................................ 44

Table 15: Affected districts in FATA in 2019 ......................................................................................... 44

Table 16: Monthly break up of militant attacks in KPK - 2019 ............................................................. 46

Table 17: Affected districts in KPK in 2019 .......................................................................................... 47

Table 18: Type of Attacks in KPK in 2019 .............................................................................................. 47

Table 19: Affected Districts of Punjab in 2019 ...................................................................................... 49

Table 20: Type of Attacks in Punjab in 2019 ......................................................................................... 49

Table 21: Monthly break up of militant attacks in Sindh and their human impact .............................. 50

Table 22: Affected Districts of Sindh in 2019 ........................................................................................ 50

Table 23: Type of Attacks in Sindh in 2019 ........................................................................................... 51



List of Figures

Figure 1: Overall Number of Incidents, Deaths and Injuries in 2019 - Monthly Trend ......................... 16

Figure 2: Regional distribution of Overall Incidents – Percentage Share ............................................. 16

Figure 3: Yearly Comparison of Militant Attacks and resultant deaths/injuries since 2001 ................ 18

Figure 4: Militant attacks and resultant deaths/injuries in 2019– Monthly Trend .............................. 19

Figure 5: Categories of deaths and injuries in Militant Attacks in 2019 – Percentage share ............... 20

Figure 6: Geographical distribution of Militant Attacks and their impact - 2019 ................................. 20

Figure 7: Suicide Attacks Region-wise impact in 2019 .......................................................................... 23

Figure 8: Pattern of Suicide attacks since 2011 .................................................................................... 24

Figure 9: Region wise impact of IEDs in 2019 ....................................................................................... 25

Figure 10: Region wise impact of physical assault ................................................................................ 27

Figure 11: Region wise impact of targeted killings ............................................................................... 28

Figure 12: Monthly Comparison of Militant Attacks in Balochistan and their impact ......................... 39

Figure 13: Yearly Comparison of Militant Attacks in Balochistan since 2011 ....................................... 40

Figure 14: Monthly Comparison of Militant attacks in FATA and their impact .................................... 43

Figure 15: Yearly Comparison of Militant Attacks in FATA since 2011 ................................................. 44

Figure 16: Monthly Comparison of militant attacks in KPK – 2019 ...................................................... 45

Figure 17: Yearly Comparison of Militant Attacks in KPK since 2011 ................................................... 47

Figure 18: Yearly Comparison of Militant Attacks in Punjab since 2011 .............................................. 48

Figure 19: Yearly Comparison of Militant Attacks in Sindh since 2011 ................................................ 51



List of Abbreviations

AJK Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Arst Arrested by Security Forces

C Civilian

CBA Cross Border Attack

CrK Cracker Attack

FATA Federally Administrated Tribal Areas

FC Frontier Corps

GB Gilgit-Baltistan

GrA Grenade Attack

IED Improvised Explosive Device or Handmade bombs

ICT Islamabad Capital Territory

ISI Inter-Services Intelligence

ISPR Inter-Services Public Relations

JuD Jamat-ud-Dawah

KP, KPK Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

K Kidnapping

KK Kidnapping and Killing

Kdnp Kidnappings by Militants

LeI Lashkar-e-Islam

LeJ Lashkar-e-Jhangvi

LeJA Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al-Almi

LOC Line of Control

M Militant

MA Militants’ (Physical) Assault

MAs Militant Attacks

MC Militant Clash

MrS Mortar Shelling

NACTA National Counter Terrorism Authority

NAP National Action Plan

NDS National Directorate of Security

Nos Number of Incidents

PAF Pakistan Air Force

PGR, RZ, R Razakar (Pro government tribal militias)

RA Rocket Attack

RAW Research & Analysis Wing

SA Suicide Attack

SFAs Security Forces Actions

SFP Security Forces Personnel

SRA Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army

TK Targeted Killing

TTP Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or Pakistani Taliban

TTP-JA, JuA Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamat ul Ahrar



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Completion of PICSS Annual Security Assessment Report 2019 would have not been

completed without tireless efforts of my research team who has worked day and night to

conduct research and analyses and managed to complete it within shortest possible time.

Similarly, continuous support and encouragement of Major General (retd) Muhammad Saad

Khattak, Chairman PICSS; Ambassador (R) Abdul Basit, President PICSS; and Mr. Abdullah

Khan, Managing Director PICSS, kept me and my team motivated to undertake this gigantic

task.

I also want to duly acknowledge efforts of Ms. Hina Shahid, Director Outreach and

Publications; Mr. Hassam Siddiqui, Director Programmes; Ms Shumaila Khan, Coordinator and

Accounts Officer; Ms. Sadia Hussain., Media Coordinator; Mr. Hassan, Research Assistant; Mr.

Shahzad Islam, Research Assistant; and Mr. Nasir ullah, Research Assistant. In addition, field

correspondents of PICSS who mostly work in very hostile environment deserve appreciation

for their constant input throughout the year.

Last but not the least, commendation to Mr. Arfa Mehmood, Research Associate,

without whose continuous work throughout the year, the quantitative portion of this report

could not have been completed.

Gul Dad Director Research & HR

5 January 2020



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2019, militant attacks in Pakistan dropped to the lowest level during the last fifteen years

while 44 percent decline in suicide attacks has been observed as compared with the year 2018.

Militant attacks in the country have dropped below the level of 2004, the year when militant attacks

had picked up momentum in retaliation to the deployment of regular troops of Pakistan Army in FATA.

The militants carried out 159 attacks during the year 2019 in which 305 people were killed including

143 security force personnel and 129 civilians. In 111 reported security forces actions, 77 militants,

seven security forces personnel and four civilians were killed during the year. Overall, 393 people lost

their lives including 150 security forces personnel, 133 civilians and 110 militants in 270 violent

incidents (including security forces actions and militant attacks) while 687 people were injured

including 506 civilians and 178 security forces personnel. This is the second consecutive year where

the human losses of the security forces exceeded the losses of the militants. Previously, this pattern

was observed only in 2002 and 2003, while 2004 had seen an almost equal share of the losses.

The average of militant attacks per month has further declined in 2019 to 13 attacks per

month, which was 19 in 2018, 35 in 2017, 43 in 2016, 59 in 2015 and 134 in 2014. The sharp decline

in the militant attacks had started after Operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2014 and National Action Plan at the

start of 2015. Operation Raddul Fasad has further pushed the militancy to the lowest level since 2003.

When compared with previous year, 2019 witnessed a 31 percent decline in militant attacks, a 48

percent decline in resultant deaths and a 31 percent decline in the number of injured in these attacks.

April was the deadliest month in which 50 people died in militant attacks while January 2019

witnessed the highest number of militant attacks.

Although Balochistan witnessed the highest number of militant attacks in 2019 but a

remarkable reduction in anti-state violence has been observed in the province during the year under

review. In 2018, PICSS had recorded 99 militant attacks in the province which has dropped to 66 in

2019 which shows a 34 percent decline. 171 people died, 427 injured in Balochistan in anti-state

militant attacks. Among the dead, 89 were civilians, 58 security forces personnel and 24 militants.

Among the injured 354 were civilians, 71 security forces personnel and two militants.

Erstwhile FATA witnessed a 21 percent decline in anti-State militant attacks however a surge

in violence in North Waziristan was the most troublesome issue Pakistani security forces faced during

the year. In FATA region, militants carried out 52 attacks during the year in which 64 people were

killed including 45 security forces personnel which is 70 percent of the total deaths caused by the



militant attacks in erstwhile FATA region. 88 people were injured including 57 security forces

personnel and 33 civilians.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (excluding former FATA region) witnessed a 25 percent decline in the

militant attacks during the year 2019 as 30 anti-State violent incidents were recorded by PICSS in the

province in which 46 people were killed and 101 injured. 26 out of 46 dead were security forces

personnel while 16 were civilians. 79 out of 101 injured were civilians and 21 security forces personnel.

No change was observed in anti-State violence in Punjab where five militant attacks were

recorded in which 13 people were killed and 42 were injured. The year 2018 had also witnessed five

attacks and the same number of people were injured (42) however a slight decrease in the number of

deaths was observed (13 in 2019 compared with 17 in 2018). A remarkable reduction in anti-state

militant attacks was observed in the province of Sindh where militant attacks were dropped to four

compared with 15 in 2018. Human losses in the province were also lowest in any year for the last five

years. One militant attack each was recorded in Azad Kashmir and Federal Capital Territory in which

five and two security forces personnel were killed respectively.

Suicide attacks have also dropped below the level of 2007 when such attacks had got

momentum after the Red Mosque operation in 2007. The year 2019 witnessed six suicide attacks in

which 45 people were killed including 28 civilians, 11 security forces personnel and 6 militants while

112 people were injured including 101 civilians and 11 security forces personnel. It seems that

militants are improving in the use of IEDs as human losses caused by IEDs have slightly increased

during the year 2019 compared with 2018 in Pakistan. 84 IED-based attacks were recorded in which

112 people were killed and 441 injured. The fatal impact of IEDs can be gauged from the fact that 37

percent of the deaths and 67 percent of the injured were by IED-based attacks.

Internally, lacklustre economy, lack of judicial and police reforms, tussle between state

institutions, stifling of dissent, etc. were the issues of concerns. Externally, Pakistan’s relations with

immediate neighbours and key regional and international players were mixed. Pakistan failed to

achieve its foreign policy objectives with regards to Kashmir and continues to fear Indian threat on its

eastern border while on western front, Pakistan along with other relevant stakeholders made notable

strides towards peaceful resolution of Afghan imbroglio.



Section-I

National and Provincial Security

Profile - 2019



OVERALL SECURITY SITUATION/ NATIONAL SECURITY PROFILE

Substantial reduction in overall incidents (security forces actions and militant attacks

combined) was witnessed yet again in 2019 as the year witnessed 270 overall incidents in

which 393 people were killed and 687 others were injured. 138 suspected militants were

arrested. In 2018, 406 overall incidents were recorded in which 694 people were killed and

985 others were injured. 360 suspected militants were arrested in 2018. Thus, when

compared with the previous year of 2018, there has been more than 33 percent reduction in

overall incidents, more than 43 percent reduction in deaths and more than 30 percent

reduction in number of those injured. Among these 270 overall incidents, 159 were militant

attacks that were responsible for majority of deaths and injuries. Security forces conducted

111 operations throughout the year (see Table-1). Among those killed in these overall

incidents, larger share was that of security forces personnel while among the injured, mainly

civilians were at the receiving end. Among the dead, more than 38 percent were security

forces personnel, more than 33 percent were civilians and almost 28 percent were militants.

Among the injured, more than 73 percent were civilians and almost 26 percent were security

forces personnel. Marked reduction in number of arrests of suspected militants was also

witnessed in 2019.

TABLE 1: BREAK UP OF OVERALL VIOLENT INCIDENTS OF THE YEAR 2019

Category Nos Deaths Injuries

Arst Kdnp SFP RZ M C Total SFP RZ M C Total

SFAs 111 7 0 77 4 88 23 0 0 2 25 138 0

MAs 159 143 0 33 129 305 155 2 1 504 662 0 2

Total 270 150 0 110 133 393 178 2 1 506 687 138 2

As shown in Table-2, highest number of overall incidents, deaths and injuries were

reported from Balochistan where 212 people were killed and 442 others were injured in 84

overall incidents. Erstwhile FATA region was the second most affected region in which 71

overall incidents were witnessed in which 73 people were killed and 89 others were injured.

KPK was the third most affected region where 54 overall incidents were recorded in which 69

people were killed and 110 others were injured. 32 overall incidents were reported from

Sindh in which eight people were killed and two others were injured. Punjab witnessed 27

overall incidents in which 24 people were killed and 42 others were injured. One incident each



was reported from AJK and ICT. Share of each region in overall incidents is shown in Figure-2.

While fluctuation was witnessed throughout the year in terms of violence, July was the most

affected month of the year (see Figure-1).

FIGURE 1: OVERALL NUMBER OF INCIDENTS, DEATHS AND INJURIES IN 2019 - MONTHLY TREND

FIGURE 2: REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF OVERALL INCIDENTS – PERCENTAGE SHARE

TABLE 2: REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF OVERALL INCIDENTS IN 2019

Region Nos Killed Injured


AJK 1 5 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Nos Deaths Injuries

AJK Balochistan FATA ICT KPK Punjab Sindh



Balochistan 84 59 0 64 89 212 86 2 0 354 442 3 0

FATA 71 48 0 10 15 73 58 0 0 31 89 1 2

ICT 1 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

KPK 54 29 0 24 16 69 28 0 1 81 110 24 0

Punjab 27 5 0 8 11 24 4 0 0 38 42 45 0

Sindh 32 2 0 4 2 8 0 0 0 2 2 65 0

Total 270 150 0 110 133 393 178 2 1 506 687 138 2



Countrywide Militant Attacks

Substantial

improvement in

security situation of

the country was

observed in 2019 as

the year witnessed

further reduction of

militant attacks as

compared to previous

year. As many as 159

militant attacks were

recorded in 2019 in

which 305 people

were killed and 662 others were injured. 229 militant attacks were recorded in 2018 in which

579 people were killed and 960 others were injured. Thus, year 2019 witnessed almost 31

percent reduction in militant attacks, almost 47 percent reduction in number of deaths and

almost 31 percent reduction in number of injured when compared with previous year. As

shown in Figure-3, there has been constant improvement of security situation in the country

and this trend is likely to continue in years ahead. Improvement in security situation could be

gauged from the fact that not only UN offices in Islamabad restored the status of Islamabad

as a family station in June but international cricket has been restored after a gap of 10 years

with the visit of Sri Lankan Cricket team for a test tour by the end of the year. Earlier in

October 2019, T20 squad of Sri Lanka visited Pakistan and played a three-match series. Figure

3: Yearly Comparison of Militant Attacks and resultant deaths/injuries since 2001



FIGURE 4: MILITANT ATTACKS AND RESULTANT DEATHS/INJURIES IN 2019– MONTHLY TREND

Geographically, Balochistan continued to remain the most affected region where 66

militant attacks (almost 42 percent of total attacks) were recorded, followed by FATA where

52 militant attacks (almost 33 percent of total attacks) were recorded. KPK witnessed 30

militant attacks (almost 19 percent of total attacks) while Punjab and Sindh witnessed five

and four militant attacks, respectively. One militant attack each was reported from AJK and

ICT. In terms of casualties in these attacks, almost 56 percent were recorded in Balochistan,

21 percent in FATA, and 15 percent in KPK while other region had minor share in deaths.

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

No of Attacks Deaths Injuries

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Jan-19 Feb-19 Mar-19 Apr-19 May-19 Jun-19 Jul-19 Aug-19 Sep-19 Oct-19 Nov-19 Dec-19

No of attacks Deaths Injuries



Almost 65 percent of the total injured were from militant attacks in Balochistan, followed by

15 percent in KPK and almost 13 percent in FATA. Punjab had five percent share in injuries.

In terms of categories, (see figure-5), the share of security forces personnel, civilian

and militants was 47 percent, 42 percent and 11 percent, respectively, suggesting that

militants mainly targeted security forces and their installations but did not shy away from

targeting civilians as well as visible from categories of those injured. Among the injured in

militant attacks, almost 76 percent were civilians and almost 24 percent were security forces

personnel. Number of attacks remained below 20 throughout the year while April was worst

affected month in terms of number of casualties while highest number of injuries were

recorded in July (see Figure-4).

FIGURE 5: CATEGORIES OF DEATHS AND INJURIES IN MILITANT ATTACKS IN 2019 – PERCENTAGE SHARE

TABLE 3: REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN 2019



AJK 1 5 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

Balochistan 66 58 0 24 89 171 71 2 0 354 427 0 0

FATA 52 45 0 4 15 64 57 0 0 31 88 0 2

ICT 1 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

KPK 30 26 0 4 16 46 21 0 1 79 101 0 0

Punjab 5 5 0 1 7 13 4 0 0 38 42 0 0

Sindh 4 2 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 2 2 0 0

Total 159 143 0 33 129 305 155 2 1 504 662 0 2

Figure 6: Geographical distribution of Militant Attacks and their impact - 2019

SFP47%

RZ

M11%

C42%

Deaths in MAs in 2019

SFP24%

RZ0%

M0%

C76%

Injuries in MAs in 2019



0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Nos Deaths Injuries



Type of Militant Attacks – An Assessment



The militants used different tactics to promote their violent agendas in the country.

Analysis of these types of attacks explain operational capabilities and preferences of different

groups in different regions. In following paragraphs some major types of attacks have been

explained and analysed for the year 2019.

Suicide Attacks

The year 2019 saw a remarkable decline in suicide attacks in Pakistan. A total of six

suicide attacks were recorded. However, some of the media organizations reported four

complex attacks as suicide attacks in which gun battles took place and some of the militants

blown themselves up during or at the end of fight. As per the definitions PICSS follows, this

type of attacks are recorded in the category of ‘Militant Assaults’.

67 percent reduction in suicide attacks, 74 percent decline in resultant deaths and 83

percent decline in number of injured was recorded. This is first time since 2007 that the

number of suicide attacks dropped to single digit. In 2018, PICSS had recorded 18 suicide

attacks in which 267 people were killed and 460 were injured which means per attack 15

people were killed and 26 injured. In 2019, 45 people were killed and 112 injured in six suicide

attacks which implies that an average of eight people were killed and 19 injured in each

attack. Deadliest suicide attack of the year occurred in Balochistan in April 2019 when a

suicide bomber detonated himself in Hazar Ganji area of Quetta city killing 19 people and

injuring 48. DAESH claimed responsibility of the attack while TTP distanced itself by issuing

statement.

Two suicide attacks were reported from Punjab. In one of the attacks, a Police van was

targeted near famous Data Darbar Shrine in which 10 people were killed and 25 injured. Two

suicide attacks were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. One of the suicide bomber was

apparently a female bomber who was part of a coordinated attack. In the district of Dera

Ismaeel Khan two police men were killed by bike-rider militants. When the dead bodies of the

slain personnel were brought to the district headquarters hospital, a Burqa-clad suicide

bomber detonated herself and killed eight people and injured 30 others.

FIGURE 7: SUICIDE ATTACKS REGION-WISE IMPACT IN 2019



A consistent decline in suicide attacks and their impact for the last six years can be

seen in following table.Table 4: Suicide Attacks Yearly Comparison

Year Nos Killed Injured

SFP RZ M C Total SFP RZ M C Total

2014 30 48 7 38 189 282 39 5 0 518 562

2015 18 21 0 27 204 252 10 0 7 419 436

2016 17 27 2 16 282 327 71 0 0 816 887

2017 23 58 0 25 216 299 57 0 0 742 799

2018 18 42 0 20 205 267 76 0 0 384 460

2019 6 11 0 6 28 45 11 0 0 101 112

FIGURE 8: PATTERN OF SUICIDE ATTACKS SINCE 2011

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Incidents Killed Injured

Balochistan KP Punjab

36

28

47

30

18 17

23

18

6

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50



Improvised Explosive Device

One of the most common tactics of the militants across the world is use of improvised

explosive devices (IEDs). In Pakistan’s context, IEDs almost always top the chart of types of

attacks. During the year 2019, PICSS recorded almost negligible reduction in number of IEDs

compared with 2018, with a slight decrease in number of deaths and a notable spike in

number injured. This shows that militants are able to acquire required material for making

IEDs and their capabilities to plant and detonate them are also well intact. 112 people were

killed and 441 were injured in 84 IED incidents in 2019 while in 2018, there were 118 deaths

and 309 injured in 87 IEDs.

IED attacks constituted 53% of the total attacks in the country while resultant deaths

in IEDs constituted 37 percent and number of injured were 67 percent of the total number of

injured. IEDs are relatively easier to plant and detonate. However, the processes of making

an IED are not same in all cases, thus make it very difficult for security forces to track the

material and equipment used. It is most likely that IEDs will remain preferred weapon for

different anti-State militants in the year 2020 as well. Detecting and defusing IEDs is a major

challenge. During 2019, at least nine IEDs were detected and diffused by bomb disposal

squads of different provinces. Casualties of security forces in IEDs have also slightly increased

in 2019 as 48 security forces personnel lost their lives compared with 39 in 2018. While

number of injured security forces remained almost same. (108 in 2019 and 107 in 2018).

Figure 9: Region wise impact of IEDs in 2019

Highest number of IED attacks and resultant casualties were recorded in the province

of Balochistan. 36 IEDs (43% of the total IEDs in the country), 60 deaths (54% of the total

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Balochistan FATA KPK Sindh

Incidetns Killed Injured



deaths in IEDs), and 304 injured (69% of the total injured in IEDs) were recorded in

Balochistan. This is in line with the overall pattern of the militant attacks in the country.

Tribal districts of KPK (Former FATA) was the second most affected region of the

country where 40 percent of the total IEDs incident, 33 percent of the total deaths in IEDs and

16 percent of the total injured in such attacks was recorded from this region. In former FATA,

security forces were the main target of the IEDs as 26 out of 37 killed in IEDs in FATA were

from security forces which is 54 percent of total deaths in IEDs in the region. Nine people

were killed in same number of IEDs and 54 people were killed in rest of the KP province while

Punjab witnessed three, AJK and Sindh witnessed one IED each.

TABLE 5: IED-BASED ATTACKS – YEARLY COMPARISON



2014 614 164 18 50 245 477 405 26 22 1237 1690

2015 267 78 16 43 131 268 219 11 8 433 671

2016 181 61 10 9 76 156 183 7 0 270 460

2017 138 52 0 0 202 254 123 0 0 591 714

2018 87 39 0 3 76 118 107 0 0 202 309

2019 84 48 0 0 64 112 108 2 0 331 441

Militants’ Assaults (MA)

PICSS uses the term ‘Physical Militant Assaults’ to describe those attacks in which

militants target a static or moving target with guns and other ammunition. These can be called

raids and ambushes in military terminology. These attacks demonstrate ability of mobility of

the militants while carrying their weapons. Generally, more than one militants are involved

in such attacks. Four high profile attacks also fall under the category of physical assault

(complex attacks on Frontier Corps training camp in Loralai district January, attack on Deputy

Inspector General in Loralai in January, Loralai Police line attack in June an attempted attack

on an Imam Bargah) in Quetta in May 2019

In 2019, physical assaults were the most lethal for security forces in the country. PICSS

recorded 32 physical assaults in which 101 people were killed including 58 security forces

personnel, 17 civilians and 26 militants, 30 out of injured were also of security forces while 38

civilians were also injured.



If compared with 2018, physical assaults dropped by 37 percent, however only one

percent decline was observed in deaths, and 18 percent decline in number of injured.

However, a visible rise of 45 percent in fatalities of security forces has been observed in these

types of attacks.

Province/Region-wise comparison of physical assaults and their impact is explained in

the chart below which suggests that Balochistan, former FATA and KPK are still prone to

greater mobility of militants while other parts of the country are relatively safer and do not

provide the militants with ease of moving along with weapons and ammunition.

Figure 10: Region wise impact of physical assault

The table below suggests a consistent decline in physical assaults which is in line with

the overall pattern of anti-State violence.

TABLE 6: YEARLY BREAK UP OF PHYSICAL ASSAULTS



2014 377 208 35 410 341 994 256 22 129 302 709

2015 180 177 3 213 89 482 153 1 17 52 223

2016 106 155 6 80 54 295 218 0 8 61 287

2017 87 76 0 74 34 184 73 0 30 46 149

2018 51 40 2 38 20 100 65 0 5 14 84

2019 32 58 0 26 17 101 30 0 1 38 69

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

AJK Balochistan FATA KPK

Incidetns Killed Injured



Targeted Killing

PICSS recorded 24 incidents of targeted killings during the year 2019 in which 43

people were killed. The year 2019 saw a 56 percent decline in the incidents of targeted killings.

Mostly police and paramilitary personnel were targeted. In one of the deadliest target-killing

incident at least 14 people, including 11 personnel of Navy, Air Force and Coast Guards, were

killed by gunmen after they were picked up with the help of their national identity cards and

offloaded from seven buses in the Buzi Pass area near Ormara in Gwadar district on April 18,

2019.

Two journalists were also killed in such attacks while one leader of a secular political

party Awami National Party was gunned down too. Highest number of target-killing incidents

were reported from Balochistan followed by KPK. The chart below explains the region-wise

impact of target killings during the year 2019.

FIGURE 11: REGION WISE IMPACT OF TARGETED KILLINGS

Incidents of target killings are also declining like other types of militant attacks. 277

such incidents were recorded in 2014 in which 395 people were killed which shows 91 percent

decline in number of such incidents and 89 percent decline in resultant deaths since then.

However, ratio of deaths in security forces have significantly increased in 2019 as 60 percent

of the deaths in target-killing incidents were from security forces. A remarkable 96 percent

increase in deaths of security forces personnel was observed in 2019 compared with 2018

when deaths of security forces personnel were 31 percent of overall deaths caused by target-

killing incidents.

TABLE 7: YEARLY BREAK UP OF TARGETED KILLINGS

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Balochistan FATA KPK Sindh

Incidetns 11 3 9 1

Killed 26 4 11 2

Injured 1 2 0 0

Axi

s Ti

tle





2014 277 125 16 4 250 395 18 4 4 83 109

2015 143 59 3 0 133 195 12 2 0 30 44

2016 134 69 4 2 81 156 6 0 0 31 37

2017 85 38 0 2 116 156 5 0 0 51 56

2018 55 25 0 5 51 81 5 0 0 24 29

2019 24 26 0 0 17 43 0 0 0 9 9

Few incidents of kidnapping, grenade throwing, cracker throwing and rocket attacks

were also recorded by PICSS. The table below explains all types of attacks in 2019.

TABLE 8: ALL TYPE OF ATTACKS IN 2019



IED 84 48 0 0 64 112 108 2 0 331 441 0 0

MA 32 58 0 26 17 101 30 0 1 38 69 0 0

TK 24 26 0 0 17 43 0 0 0 9 9 0 0

SA 6 11 0 6 28 45 11 0 0 101 112 0 0

GrA 5 0 0 1 3 4 6 0 0 23 29 0 0

RA 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0

CrK 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

K 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Total 159 143 0 33 129 305 155 2 1 504 662 0 2



Status of Militant Groups in 2019

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)

PICSS has notices that the group is gradually spreading its foot prints in tribal districts

(former FATA) as well as in Malakand Division of KP province. The group issued warnings to

the Peace Committees in Bajour, Swat, Dir, Buner and Waziristan not to cooperate with the

Pakistani security forces. It seems that the group has overcome regrouping stage after

setbacks in military operations in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency in 2014. Pakistan’s

attention on eastern side is also providing space to the group. It has been observed that the

group has started to distribute warning pamphlets in parts of North Waziristan the way it used

to do when it was controlling the area.

The group has conducted some of the deadlier attacks against Pakistan Army in

different parts of former FATA including Bajour and North Waziristan. The group has also

conducted few operations in Malaknad division which can be termed as re-emergence of the

group in the area though at a very low level at the moment.

TTP was also seen active in Quetta and other Pashtun districts of Balochistan province.

Two high profile attacks in Loralai area of Balochistan in January 2019 showed the potential

and intent of the group. One of the two said attacks was against FC training camp and the

other one was against DIG Police’s office.

According to PICSS sources, the group has relocated its operational command from

Kuner province to the area adjacent to Waziristan. That might be one of the main reasons

that North and South Waziristan have seen more foot prints of the group recently.

Head of the group Mufti Noor Wali is working hard to rebuild the group through

different approaches. He has centralized the operational decision making. Previously, all local

commanders were independent of selecting and acquiring targets. This will provide him

better control over his commanders and consolidate his own authority.

TTP also supported Afghan Taliban in their fight against DAESH in Nangarhar and

Kuner. PICSS has observed an ideological shift in TTP’s approach. All its previous chiefs used

to call for implementation of Shariah in Pakistan but he is professing concept of separation.

In his Eid message and other statements, he has clearly deviated the previous stance of TTP



and claimed that FATA was not part of Pakistan and since there is no Sharia law implemented

in Pakistan there is no point to remain with Pakistan. He is also seen advocating Pashtun

rights. If religion is omitted from the discourse, TTP and PTM are seen ideologically on same

page.

US has also included Mufti Noor Wali’s name into Specially Designated Global Terrorist

list in in September 2019 which was a sign that Pakistan and United States were moving

towards better cooperation in Afghanistan.

An interesting thing has been noted in Mufit Noor Wali’s open letter to clerics of his

sect (Deobandi school of thought) in late 2019 in which he offered that if they can convince

him that fighting against Pakistan is not permissible under Sharia law, his organization will

obey their instructions and lay down weapons. However, also criticized them for supporting

‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ Fatwa which was signed by more than 1800 clerics of different school

of thoughts. Will Pakistan like to exploit the opportunity and engage TTP on intellectual front

or continue its policy of using other tactics to dismantle the group.

Hizbul Ahrar (HuA)

The second most active group after TTP remained Hizbul Ahrar which is a splinter

group of TTP. HuA is a new name of Jamat-ul-Ahrar to avoid UN sanctions. On August 23,

2019, National Counter Terrorism Authority of Pakistan included Hizbul Ahrar into the list of

proscribed organizations in Pakistan. PICSS had pointed out more than a year ago that HuA is

in fact new name of Jamat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) to avoid United Nations Security Council Sanctions

(UNSC) on HuA which were imposed on the group in July 2017. The group had staged a ‘split’

and a new group with the name Hibzul Ahrar emerged. According to PICSS sources the group

is still being run by the founder of JuA Mr. Umar Khalid Khorasani. However, to run the show

in public eyes, Mukarram Mohmand is leading HuA. Mukarram Mohamnd is a close relative

of Umar Khalid Khorsani.

The group is also very active in Balochistan. Although The group has no official linkage

with BLA or other Baloch militant groups there are signs that the group has been coordinating

with these groups. After US proscribed BLA, it is least likely that HuA will establish any overt

relations or cooperation with BLA. However, according to some intelligence reports, HuA is in



full contact with BLA, BRA and other anti-Pakistan militant groups. HuA gets some intelligence

inputs from BLA to conduct violent attacks in non-Pashtun areas of the province.

A very interesting development has been observed that news of a BLA attack in Sibbi

district of Balochistan in February 2019 was also reported on HuA’s official social media

channels. It is worth noting that HuA does not publish or report attacks by other militant

groups such as TTP etc. on its official channels. This is a clear indication that HuA has

developed some coordination with BLA but it won’t officially admit.

HuA had announced Operation Shamzai at the start of the year 2019. Mufti

Nizamuddin Shamzai was a renowned scholar of Deobandi school of thought who had

opposed Pakistan’s joining of US war-on-terror, he was subsequently killed by unknown

attackers in 2004. In January 2020, HuA announced Operation Haqqani (to remeber head of

TTP’s Shura, commander Shakeel Haqqani who was killed in March 2015). Till the report was

finalized, HuA had claimed that it had conducted seven attacks in different parts of former

FATA region in first four days of the year 2020. HuA will remain a potent threat during the

2020.

Efficiency of Pakistan’s counter terror regime can be gauged from the fact that HuA

was officially launched in November 2017, but it took Pakistan 22 months to declare it a

terrorist organization.

ISIS/ Daesh

Soon after the killing of Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi, Islamic State Khorasan Chapter has

also become history at the hands of Afghan Taliban who flushed out the group from most part

of Kuner and Nangarhar provinces. At the same time Afghan government has also changed its

policy of leniency towards ISIS and pushed against the group which has resulted in elimination

of territorial control of the group. Hundreds of ISIS-K fighters surrendered to the Afghan

security forces. It has brought an end to the group at least in Afghanistan.

Earlier in the year, the group has made some administrative changes and now

considers Pakistan as a separate chapter from Khorasan chapter. The Wilayat-e-Pakistan

(Chapter) emerged in ISIS propaganda material in May 2019. Prior to this, the group used to

claim responsibilities of the group in Pakistan under the banner of Khorasan chapter.



The formation of Pakistan chapter coincides with Pakistan’s ban on Kashmir focused

militant groups and their supporter charity networks under pressure from FATF. There are

reports that the ban has resulted in considerable number of members of these groups joining

ISIS ranks. The presence of ISIS is also growing in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan has taken

tough measures against groups fighting in Kashmir in an anticipation that India will

reciprocate with dialogue. However, the outcome so far is spread of ISIS and Al-Qaeda in

Kashmir and diminishing influence of Pakistan-backed groups.

PICSS has recorded only few violent activities of ISIS Pakistan chapter including a

suicide bombing in Hazar Ganji area of Qeutta in which 21 people were killed and 49 injured.

Few targeted-killings of Taliban commanders in Peshawar and Quetta and one killing of a low

level Shia scholar in Karachi are some of the other noticeable activities of the gorup.

Nevertheless, the group has shown its ability to carry out high-profile attacks in Pakistan and

the possibility of such attacks in future cannot be ruled out. The problem ISIS faces in Pakistan

is because of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. There are two factors. One is that ISIS and LeJ developed

differences in 2017 and the alliance between the two ended. LeJ was the main carrier of ISIS

in Pakistan which had helped the group carry out high-profile attacks. Since then, the group

could not manage to conduct too many high-profile attacks in Pakistan.

The other factor is improved security situation in Pakistan. It is not an easy task to

conduct high profile attacks. However, possibility of an alliance of ISIS and TTP can create

serious challenges for Pakistan. Perhaps TTP would never announce a public alliance with ISIS

because of its ideological affiliation with Afghan Taliban but it can join hands with ISIS to upset

Pakistan’s security forces.

There is a very interesting fact regarding Pakistan. Almost all the militant groups who

target Pakistan were concentrated in Kuner and Nangarhar provinces of Afghanistan until late

2019 when TTP shifted its base to Paktika and ISIS flushed out.

Al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) received biggest blow since its inception in

2014 when its chief Maulana Asim Umar, an Indian citizen, was killed in Helmand province of

Afghanistan on September 23 in a joint raid by US and Afghan forces. Forty civilians were also

killed in the operation. News of his death was disclosed by Afghan National Directorate of



Security (NDS) on October 8, 2019. The group was already not much active on operational

front but the killing of its head will further disrupt its activities in South Asian region.

According to Counter Terrorism Department Sindh’s assessment there are signs of

defections among AQIS ranks as some of the Karachi-based militants associated with AQIS

were disgruntled from their leadership and wanted to perpetrate violence at their own. CTD’s

assessment came after a month of the killing of Asim Umar in Afghanistan. It is worth noting

that AQIS has always remained active in Karachi and parts of Sindh.

Earlier in June, CTD Sindh killed AQIS’s head for Sindh province Mr. Talat Mehmood

alias Yusuf in an Intelligence-based operation along with two other commanders. Talat’s

name was included in Sindh Police’s ‘Red Book’.

AQIS’s presence was also noticed in the South and Central Punjab. From Dera Ghazi

Khan three suspected AQIS members were arrested by CTD in November while five suspected

AQIS members were arrested from Gujranwala in December 2019 who were apparently

running AQIS media cell.

Signatures of AQIS in Indian Controlled part of Jammu and Kashmir were also visible

during 2019 where a local branch of AQIS has recently emerged with the name ‘Ansar

Ghazwatul Hind’. One of its member was reportedly killed in Ghazni area of Afghanistan in

June 2019 which suggests that AGH has been able to establish contacts with international

militant groups.

Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS)

The year 2019 saw coordinated attacks of an alliance of four militant groups with the

name The Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) consisting of Balochistan Liberation Front,

Balochistan Republican Guards, Balochistan Republican Army and a faction of Balochistan

Liberation Army who had defected from the main group. BRAS which means Baloch National

Freedom Front claimed responsibility of few attacks including target-killing of 14 Pakistani

security forces on the coastal area of Makran near Ormara in April 2019. BRAS turned out to

be a life-line for depleting BLF whose ailing commander Allah Nazar is increasingly becoming

irrelevant in the militancy theatre.



In November 2019, BRAS released its yearly report in which it claimed that attacks

were carried out in Tagran, Turbat, Ormara, Panjgur, Zamuran, Mand and Washuk. The

alliance claimed that it killed 31 personnel of Pakistani security forces including three officers,

26 pro-government Razakars (militia men) while 12 security forces personnel were injured

and eight kidnapped. The claim cannot be verified independently however, some of the

incidents were corroborated by PICSS and seems the alliance has become a potent threat to

security situation in the province.

Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)

Balochistan Liberation Army’s main faction lead by Harbyar Marree remained active

in parts of Balochistan during 2019 and conducted few high profile attacks including an attack

on Pearl Continental Hotel Gawadar. Apparent target of the attack was Chinese working on

Gwadar Port.

On April 1, BLA claimed to have attacked a convoy of twenty-two vehicles in

Baluchistan near Hamdard Universtiy in the outskirts of Karachi which were being used to

transport Chinese engineers for work on CPEC related projects. According to Indian media

sources, several Chinese engineers and regular workforce travelling with them also lost their

lives.

On May 23aAn attack in Aino Mina, Kandahar, Afghanistan killed four Balochi

militants. The dead also included Baloch insurgent leader Legahri Bugti while twelve other

Baloch militants were injured. Afghan provincial council member Yousaf Younasi claim that

the target of the attack were militants belonging to Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Apparently,

the Afghan Taliban have identified the BLA and like-minded affiliates as a future threat to

Afghanistan’s sovereignty and are indirectly supporting Pakistani and Iranian anti-terrorism

efforts by looking out for their own national interests.

On July 2, 2019 BLA was declared a terrorist organization by the US governmentwhich

has helped Pakistan to limit social media outreach of the group as many of its official Twitter

and Facebook accounts were blocked after the declaration. The move was seen by some

analysts as an appeasement to Pakistan by the US to help it deliver on the front of Afghan

peace process. Some experts are also of the view that it was an attempt to push Pakistan

away from Iran which has been harbouring Baloch militants.



On Sept 7, 2019 Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China held a conference discussing

intelligence cooperation, with the explicit purpose of fighting militant groups and improving

security — a motion undoubtedly aimed at TTP and BLA.

Declaration of BLA as a terrorist organization by the US is a significant move but it

would not stop the individuals of BLA from setting up another organization and continuing

with their terror financing activities. It would have been better if they had labelled specific or

all members of BLA, by name, as terrorists under SDGT to effectively curtail their terror and

financing activities.

Sindhu Desh Revolutionary Army (SDRA)

Apart from above mentioned groups at least one incident of low intensity cracker

throwing was reported from Kotri area of Hyderabad Sindh in April. Responsibility of the

attack was claimed by Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, a less known, least active group in

Sindh province. In June 2019, Sindh CTD arrested a militant associated with SDRA in

connection with his involvement in bomb blast. Apart from these two incidents, no activity of

the group was reported except its social media presence.

Nationwide Security Forces Actions

With constant improvement in security situation in the country since 2014, constant

reduction in security forces actions is also being observed. In 2019, a further reduction of

security forces action was noticed as compared to the year of 2018. As many as 111 security

forces actions were reported in 2019 against 177 security forces actions reported in 2018. In

these 111 security forces actions, as many as 77 suspected militants were killed while seven

security forces personnel and four civilians lost their lives in while 23 security forces personnel

and two civilians were also injured. Interestingly, highest number of security forces actions

were reported from Sindh where 28 such operations were witnessed in which four suspected

militants were killed and 65 others were injured. KPK witnessed 24 security forces actions,

followed by Punjab where 22 security forces actions were monitored. Majority of suspected

militants were also arrested in these three regions. Notably, only 19 and 18 security forces

actions were reported from FATA and Balochistan, respectively. Security forces conducted

operations against variety of militants including Daesh, TTP, Lashker-e-Jhangvi, Hizbul Ahrar,

etc. and arrested suspected militants and their facilitators.



TABLE 9: REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITY FORCES ACTIONS IN 2019

Region Nos Killed Injured Arst


Balochistan 18 1 0 40 0 41 15 0 0 0 15 3

FATA 19 3 0 6 0 9 1 0 0 0 1 1

KPK 24 3 0 20 0 23 7 0 0 2 9 24

Punjab 22 0 0 7 4 11 0 0 0 0 0 45

Sindh 28 0 0 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 65

Total 111 7 0 77 4 88 23 0 0 2 25 138

While in Sindh, Pakistan Rangers were seen quite active as the government has not

withdrawn special powers given to the paramilitary force while Counter-Terrorism

Department (CTD) of police was also seen hunting militants of various shades. CTDs in other

provinces have also shown their capabilities to collect intelligence and conduct operation

independently or jointly involving intelligence agencies and other relevant security related

institutions. Performance of CTDs of police has improved over the last few years, which is a

good omen for keeping a check on militancy in the country as effective policing is critical for

handling law and order as well as security issues.



PROVINCIAL SECURITY PROFILE

Security Situation in Balochistan

Balochistan

continued to remain

one of the worst

affected regions

within Pakistan

during 2019 where

66 militant attacks

were reported in

which 171 people

were killed and 427

others were injured.

However, when

compared with the

year 2018,

substantial improvement in security situation was observed in the province as 2018 had

witnessed 99 militant attacks that had caused 354 killings and injuries to 570 others. Thus,

the year 2019 witnessed almost 33 percent reduction in militant attacks, almost 52 percent

reduction in deaths and almost 25 percent reduction in the number of people injured. Across

the year (see Table-10 and Figure-12), March, April and May witnessed eight militant attacks

each, seven each were witnessed in January and September, five in August, four in July, three

in October, and two in November and December. In terms of deaths, almost 52 percent were

civilians, almost 34 percent security forces and almost 14 percent militants while among the

injured, 83 percent were civilians and 17 percent were security forces personnel. Thus

civilians received the major brunt though security forces were also specifically targeted. The

highest number of militant attacks were reported from provincial capital Quetta where 21

militant attacks were recorded in which 55 people were killed and 211 others were injured

suggesting that provincial capital remained top most focus of various militant outfits. Loralai

and Qilla Abdullah witnessed six militant attacks each, four each in Kech, Panjgur and



Nasirabad districts, three each in Gwadar, Ziarat and Jaffarabad, two each in Pishin, Mastung,

Dera Bugti while one militant attack each was reported from Zhob, Washuk, Harnai, Qillah

Saifullah, Kachhi, and Kalat districts (Table-13).

In terms of type of attacks, (see Table-11), the province witnessed two suicide attacks

(out of six in the country), 37 IED-based attacks, 10 incidents of targeted killings, eight physical

assaults, four grenade attacks and one rocket attack. Naturally, IED-based attacks shared the

major chunk of deaths and injuries as these 37 IED based attacks caused 72 deaths and injuries

to 325 others. The target of these IED based attacks mostly were the security forces and

sometime civilians but the civilians also suffered as collateral damage when security forces

were targeted. Similarly, suicide attacks were also targeted as security forces as well as

civilians but the civilians were more affected. On the other hand, physical assaults were

targeted at the security installations and forces so security forces remained the major target

but naturally militants also suffered (due to better response) while it has minor share of

civilians. Grenade attacks were mainly aimed at civilians while in targeted killings almost 66

percent those killed were security forces and remaining 33 percent were civilians including

those who were previously associated with militancy but had shun violence surrendered to

security forces.

FIGURE 12: MONTHLY COMPARISON OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN BALOCHISTAN AND THEIR IMPACT

TABLE 10: MONTHLY BREAK UP OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN BALOCHISTAN - 2019

Month Nos Killed Injured

Kdnp SFP RZ M C Total SFP RZ M C Total

Jan-19 7 10 0 7 20 37 6 0 0 31 37 0

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90


Nos Deaths Injuries



Feb-19 5 6 0 0 1 7 7 0 0 19 26 0

Mar-19 8 6 0 0 9 15 4 0 0 48 52 0

Apr-19 8 14 0 1 25 40 9 0 0 75 84 0

May-19 8 5 0 5 11 21 14 0 0 32 46 0

Jun-19 7 4 0 4 5 13 3 0 0 25 28 0

Jul-19 4 6 0 5 5 16 3 0 0 55 58 0

Aug-19 5 0 0 0 6 6 2 0 0 41 43 0

Sep-19 7 2 0 2 5 9 12 0 0 23 35 0

Oct-19 3 2 0 0 0 2 7 2 0 5 14 0

Nov-19 2 3 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 4 0

Dec-19 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 66 58 0 24 89 171 71 2 0 354 427 0

FIGURE 13: YEARLY COMPARISON OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN BALOCHISTAN SINCE 2011

TABLE 11: AFFECTED DISTRICTS IN BALOCHISTAN IN 2019

District Nos Killed Injured

M Arst Kdnp SFP RZ M C Total SFP RZ M C Total

Quetta 21 12 0 3 40 55 35 2 0 174 211 0 0

Loralai 6 8 0 9 3 20 7 0 0 8 15 0 0

Qilla Abdullah 6 0 0 0 9 9 5 0 0 25 30 0 0

Kech 4 4 0 6 0 10 6 0 0 11 17 0 0

Panjgur 4 5 0 0 3 8 0 0 0 11 11 0 0

Nasirabad 4 0 0 0 5 5 2 0 0 58 60 0 0

Gwadar 3 14 0 3 7 24 5 0 0 2 7 0 0

Ziarat 3 6 0 0 5 11 0 0 0 13 13 0 0

Jaffarabad 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 14 16 0 0

Pishin 2 2 0 0 8 10 2 0 0 0 2 0 0

Mastung 2 1 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 4 0 0

Dera Bugti 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 8 11 0 0

Zhob 1 3 0 3 6 12 0 0 0 21 21 0 0

Washuk 1 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 0

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019




Harnai 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Qilla Saifullah 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Kachhi 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Kalat 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 0 0

Total 66 58 0 24 89 171 71 2 0 354 427 0 0

Security forces conducted 18 notable operations in Balochistan in which 40 suspected

militants were killed while one security forces personnel lost his life and 15 others were

injured in these operations.

TABLE 12: TYPE OF ATTACKS IN BALOCHISTAN IN 2019

Type Nos Killed Injured


GrA 4 0 0 0 3 3 2 0 0 23 25 0 0

IED 37 18 0 3 51 72 51 2 0 272 325 0 0

MA 12 25 0 21 12 58 11 0 0 29 25 0 21

RA 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SA 2 2 0 3 19 24 7 0 0 44 51 0 0

TK 10 16 0 0 8 24 0 0 0 3 3 0 0

Total 66 61 0 27 93 181 71 2 0 371 444 0 0



Security Situation in FATA

Some improvement in

security situation in erstwhile FATA

region was observed as 52 militant

attacks were recorded in this

region in which 64 people were

killed and 88 others were injured.

In 2018, as many as 66 militant

attacks were recorded in FATA in

which 109 people were killed and

151 others were injured. Thus,

reduction in militant attacks as well

as resultant deaths and injuries

was observed. Out of these 52

militant attacks, almost 58 percent

were recorded in North Waziristan

alone clearly indicating the poor

law and order and security situation in the tribal district that was the main focus of Operation

Zarb-e-Azb started in June 2014. While the military was able to get hold of the area but the

trouble continues as the militants are able to exploit the situation in their favour from

military-PTM (right based group) wedge. 12 and six militant attacks, respectively were

reported from the northern Bajaur and Mohmand tribal districts while three militant attacks

were reported from Khyber and one from South Waziristan. No militant attack was reported

from Orakzai and Kurram tribal districts, which remained the troubled spot in the past.

Detailed district wise list also given in Table-15. In July, provincial assembly elections were

held in merged districts of FATA without any major election related violence though

electioneering in North Waziristan remained problematic due to imposition of section 144.

Among the type of attacks, IED-based attacks continued to remain the most preferred

choice as 34 out of 52 militant attacks were IED-based that also caused majority of deaths

and injuries majority of them were security forces as they were specifically targeted in those

attacks. 10 physical assaults of the militants were also observed that also inflicted notable



human losses as such attacks were targeted against security forces. Three incident each of

targeted killing and rocket attacks were observed while two incidents of kidnapping were also

reported. Notably, no suicide attack was reported from FATA.

FIGURE 14: MONTHLY COMPARISON OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN FATA AND THEIR IMPACT

TABLE 13: MONTHLY BREAK UP OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN FATA - 2019



Jan-19 4 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 4 6 0

Feb-19 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0

Apr-19 5 4 0 0 3 7 3 0 0 2 5 0

May-19 4 5 0 0 1 6 10 0 0 0 10 0

Jun-19 7 7 0 0 2 9 9 0 0 8 17 0

Jul-19 5 7 0 0 0 7 9 0 0 6 15 0

Aug-19 8 8 0 0 1 9 8 0 0 5 13 0

Sep-19 8 5 0 2 7 14 5 0 0 3 8 0

Oct-19 3 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 1 0

Nov-19 4 5 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 3 5 0

Dec-19 3 2 0 2 0 4 5 0 0 0 5 0

Total 52 45 0 4 15 64 57 0 0 31 88 0

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18


Nos Deaths Injuries



Figure 15: Yearly Comparison of Militant Attacks in FATA since 2011

TABLE 14: TYPE OF ATTACKS IN FATA IN 2019



IED 34 26 0 0 11 37 44 0 0 27 71 0 0

K 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

MA 10 19 0 4 0 23 13 0 0 0 13 0 0

RA 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0

TK 3 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 2 2 0 0

Total 52 45 0 4 15 64 57 0 0 31 88 0 2

TABLE 15: AFFECTED DISTRICTS IN FATA IN 2019



North Waziristan 30 37 0 4 6 47 45 0 0 15 60 0 0

Bajaur 12 2 0 0 5 7 4 0 0 10 14 0 2

Mohmand 6 3 0 0 3 6 2 0 0 6 8 0 0

Khyber 3 1 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 3 0 0

South Waziristan 1 2 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 3 0 0

Total 52 45 0 4 15 64 57 0 0 31 88 0 2

NOTE: Despite passage of constitutional amendment of merging FATA with KPK, PICSS kept

treating/ depicting FATA and KPK separately for better understanding of the security environment.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Year-2011Year-2012Year-2013Year-2014Year-2015Year-2016Year-2017Year-2018Year-2019




Security Situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)

Further improvement

in security situation was

observed in KPK as the

province witnessed 30 militant

attacks in which 46 people

were killed and 101 others

were injured. In 2018, as many

as 40 militant attacks were

recorded in which 72 people

were killed and 174 others

were injured. Thus, there has

been 25 percent reduction in

militant attacks in KPK, 36

percent reduction in deaths

and almost 42 percent reduction in number of those injured. Highest number of militant

attacks with consequential deaths and injuries were reported from the southern DI Khan

district while three militant attacks each were reported from the adjoining districts of

Bannu and Tank. Provincial capital Peshawar witnessed six militant attacks. Two militant

attacks each were reported from Lower and Upper Dir districts while one militant attack

each was reported from Buner, Chital and Nowshera districts. No militant attack was

reported in whole of Hazara division while Malakand division that includes areas of Swat

etc. also remained peaceful except one attack against police on security duty with polio

team was targeted in Buner district.

FIGURE 16: MONTHLY COMPARISON OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN KPK – 2019



IED-based attacks and targeted killing remained the preference of the militants as

both these type of attacks were undertaken by the militants nine time each. Eight physical

assaults were observed while two suicide attacks were also reported from the province during

the year. One incident each of grenade and cracker attacks were also monitored. Both the

suicide attacks were reported from southern districts of DI Khan and Bannu. Similarly, out of

eight physical assaults, five were reported from southern districts of DI Khan and Tank. Out

of nine incidents of targeted killing, six were reported from these southern districts of DI Khan,

Tank and Bannu. This all suggested that southern districts of the province were comparatively

more affected and the possibility of militants coming from Afghanistan using North Waziristan

and then entering other districts cannot be ruled out.

TABLE 16: MONTHLY BREAK UP OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN KPK - 2019



Jan-19 5 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 6 8 0

Feb-19 1 4 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 2 3 0

Mar-19 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Apr-19 3 2 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0

May-19 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Jun-19 2 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 3 4 0

Jul-19 2 6 0 1 3 10 0 0 0 30 30 0

Aug-19 4 1 0 0 6 7 6 0 0 27 33 0

Sep-19 2 4 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 4 0

Oct-19 2 0 0 0 3 3 2 0 0 0 2 0

Nov-19 2 3 0 0 1 4 2 0 0 0 2 0

Dec-19 5 4 0 2 0 6 4 0 0 11 15 0

Total 30 26 0 4 16 46 21 0 1 79 101 0

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35


Nos Deaths Injuries



TABLE 17: AFFECTED DISTRICTS IN KPK IN 2019



DI Khan 11 13 0 1 11 25 7 0 0 34 41 0 0

Peshawar 6 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 17 18 0 0

Bannu 3 2 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Tank 3 2 0 2 0 4 4 0 1 3 8 0 0

Lower Dir 2 3 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 3 0 0

Upper Dir 2 3 0 0 4 7 1 0 0 20 21 0 0

Buner 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Chitral 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Nowshera 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 10 0 0

Total 30 26 0 4 16 46 21 0 1 79 101 0 0

FIGURE 17: YEARLY COMPARISON OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN KPK SINCE 2011

TABLE 18: TYPE OF ATTACKS IN KPK IN 2019



CrK 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

GrA 1 0 0 1 0 1 4 0 0 0 4 0 0

IED 9 2 0 0 7 9 12 0 0 42 54 0 0

MA 8 12 0 1 3 16 5 0 1 7 13 0 0

SA 2 4 0 2 3 9 0 0 0 30 30 0 0

TK 9 8 0 0 3 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 30 26 0 4 16 46 21 0 1 79 101 0 0

Security forces conducted 24 operations in the province in which 20 suspected

militants were killed while 24 others were arrested. Three security forces personnel lost their

lives while seven others were injured in addition to injuring of nine civilians.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

Year-2011 Year-2012 Year-2013 Year-2014 Year-2015 Year-2016 Year-2017 Year-2018 Year-2019




Security Situation in Punjab

Punjab witnessed exactly the same number of attacks in 2019 as were recorded in

2018. Five militant attacks were reported in the province in which 13 people were killed and

42 others were injured. In five militant attacks recorded in 2018, 17 people were killed and

42 others were injured. So there was not much difference in terms of deaths while injured

remained the same in both the years. Out of these five attacks, two were IED-based attacks

and two were suicide attacks. The year 2018 had also witnessed two suicide attacks. Two

suicide attacks in the province once again suggest that the province continued to remain the

focus of the militants but they could not have desired penetration primarily due effectiveness

of counter-terrorism

department (CTD) of police

as it was seen quite

effective in the province as

numerous attempts of

carrying out attacks were

thwarted by CTD across the

width and breadth of the

province though Sahiwal

incident (see section-II for

further details) raised

serious questions on the

blanket permission given to

the CTD. Both the suicide

attacks were carried out in Lahore while one each IED-based attack was reported from Lahore,

Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur districts. Security forces conducted 22 operations across the

province in which 11 seven suspected militants were killed and 45 others were injured while

four civilians also lost their lives.

FIGURE 18: YEARLY COMPARISON OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN PUNJAB SINCE 2011



TABLE 19: AFFECTED DISTRICTS OF PUNJAB IN 2019



Lahore 3 5 0 1 6 12 4 0 0 37 41 0 0

Rahim Yar Khan 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Rajanpur 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0

Total 5 5 0 1 7 13 4 0 0 38 42 0 0

TABLE 20: TYPE OF ATTACKS IN PUNJAB IN 2019



IED 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 11 11 0 0

SA 2 5 0 1 6 12 4 0 0 27 31 0 0

Total 5 5 0 1 7 13 4 0 0 38 42 0 0

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450




Security Situation in Sindh

Substantial improvement

in security situation in Sindh was

observed in 2019 as the year

witnessed four militant attacks in

which four people were killed and

two others were injured against

15 militant attacks in 2018 in

which 22 people were killed and

20 others were injured. In 2019,

provincial capital Karachi

witnessed two militant attacks

while Hyderabad and Shaheed

Benazirabad districts witnessed

one militant attack each. Among

these attacks, there was one incident each of physical assault, IED-based attack, cracker

attack and incident of targeted killing. Reduction in targeted killings in Sindh clearly suggest

the improvement of law and order situation, which could be contributed to ongoing Rangers

(paramilitary operation) in Karachi. Security forces conducted as many as 28 operations in

which four suspected militants were killed and 65 others were apprehended, most of them

were associated with MQM-L.

TABLE 21: MONTHLY BREAK UP OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN SINDH AND THEIR HUMAN IMPACT



Jan-19 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Mar-19 1 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 2 0

Apr-19 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Jun-19 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 4 2 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 2 2 0

TABLE 22: AFFECTED DISTRICTS OF SINDH IN 2019



District No

s

Killed Injured

M

Arst

Kdn

p

SF

P

R

Z M C

Tota

l

SF

P

R

Z M C

Tota

l

Karachi 2 2 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 2 2 0 0

Hyderabad 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Shaheed

Benazirabad 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 4 2 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 2 2 0 0

TABLE 23: TYPE OF ATTACKS IN SINDH IN 2019



CrK 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

IED 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MA 1 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 0

TK 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 4 2 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 2 2 0 0

FIGURE 19: YEARLY COMPARISON OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN SINDH SINCE 2011

Security Situation in Islamabad & Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Overall security situation in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Azad Jammu &

Kashmir (AJK) remained stable throughout the year though one militant attack each was

reported from these two regions. No security forces action was reported from these two

regions.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Year-2011 Year-2012 Year-2013 Year-2014 Year-2015 Year-2016 Year-2017 Year-2018 Year-2019




Security Situation in Gilgit-Baltistan

Security situation in Gilgit-Baltistan remained quite stable as no militant attack was

reported from the region.



Section-II

Issues of Significance



PAKISTAN’S COUNTER-TERRORISM AND COUNTER-EXTREMISM EFFORTS

Pakistan has been fighting against different kinds of militant groups for the last 18 years

and perhaps one of the very few countries which has gained control over militancy to a large

extent. Pakistan’s counter terror measures can be divided into two major categories. First is

hardcore operations including Military Operations and related activities and the second category

is non-kinetic approaches. Both are discussed at length below.

Hardcore Operations

Military Operations in FATA and KPK

Pakistani military had conducted major and small military operations in FATA and

Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These operations were led by Army and supported

by Air Force, Special Services Groups, Army Aviation, paramilitary forces like Frontier Corps (FC),

etc. Now all the areas are cleared of the militants, the role of the Army is to hold the area until

the threat is over. However, Army has established permanent cantonments in different areas and

it will stay there. Army is supported by FC, Khasadars (local tribal police) and others. Army in

tribal districts of KPK (former FATA) still conducts small-scale operations whenever required. It

defends Pakistani territory against incursions by the militants from across the border. Army is

also involved in fencing the border with Afghanistan. Currently, Army is facing tough situation in

Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber and North Waziristan where militants are trying hard to regain some

territory. FC supports Army in counter terror measures in KPK.

2019 saw no major operation in any area however Army remained busy in border fencing

and pushing back militants along the border with Afghanistan especially in North Waziristan,

Bajaur and Mohmand tribal districts of KPK (former Agencies of FATA).

Intelligence-Based Operations in Mainland Pakistan

Both the intelligence services play major role in fighting against terrorism in the country.

Information gathering of militants, their leadership, operations, policies, media, financing and

many other aspects are the major areas of interests of the intelligence services. They also work

to enable environment where desirous militant commanders can surrender or defect from their

groups. Especially, the ISI has well established network to deal with the threat of terrorism.

Militants are always fearful of ISI’s plans. In 2017, an Uzbek commander of DAESH refused to

accept a Pakistani Aslam Farooqi as head of DAESH Khorasan chapter in the pretext that this was

a move by ISI to hijack leadership of the group. However, in early 2019, ISIS delegation from Syria

visited Afghanistan and finally appointed Aslam Farooqi as head of the group. The purpose of

mentioning this is that ISI is always feared by the militant groups to have some kind of its sources

within militant groups even at the very top level. Defections within militant groups after



Operation Zarb-e-Azb started in late 2014 are also seen as an achievement of the ISI. Military

Intelligence or MI mostly deals with tactical nature of the threat such as tracking mobilization of

militants and warding off possible attacks. Both the agencies work independently though they

sometimes share intelligence too. Most of the Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) are

conducted through ISI and/or MI. But on ground operations are generally conducted by Counter

Terrorism Departments and MI or ISI remain in the background.

Army and FC in Balochistan

Pakistan Army is also present in different parts of the province but it does not conduct

direct operations. In this province hardcore operations are carried out by Frontier Corps (FC)

which has its officers from Army but soldiers from local population. FC conducts operations

supported by gunship helicopters in areas infested by Baloch sub-nationalist terrorists.

Role of SSG

Special Services Group (SSG) or Commandos of Pakistani military play a vital role in fight

against terrorism. They were instrumental in defeating militants in Shawal Valley in North

Waziristan and many other battles. The SSG Commandos are like Special Forces and they always

lead operations in Urban areas where Police fails to achieve targets.

Pakistan Air Force

Pakistan has also used its Air Force very effectively against the militants. In fact, Air Force

played leading role in fight against terrorism. It helped minimize human losses of Pak Army in

different operations. Especially in operation Zarb-e-Azb, PAF cleared the areas for Army to

capture and hold through precise areal operations. Currently, PAF does not conduct operations

because the area is clear. Due to tension between Pakistan and India, Pak Air Force is focused on

threat emanating from India.

Counter Terrorism Department of Police

During last few years CTDs of different provinces have taken leading role in fighting

against terrorism in major cities. The CTDs are part of regular police but within the police they

have their entire independent system. CTDs work in collaboration with ISI, MI and other

stakeholders. After years, the civilian ownership of the fight against terrorism has been seen in

the form of active role of CTDs. CTDs of Punjab and KPK are working exceptionally well while

Sindh and Balochistan need to further improve performances of their CTDs.



Non-Kinetic Approaches

Reconciliation Efforts

Besides using hardcore operations to eliminate irreconcilable militants, Pakistan has an

un-announced reconciliatory mechanism through which militants are lured to surrender. Since

there is great public reaction against such efforts, the results are not much publicized. In 2017,

Pakistani intelligence lured one of the key commander of Jamat-ul-Ahrar who had also served at

key positions in TTP, Mr. Ahsanullah Ahsan to surrender. His interview was aired on a private TV

channel in which he had made startling revelations. However, there was very strong public

reaction against his appearance on the TV.

Through reconciliation efforts many key commanders of TTP, and JuA/HuA have been

made to shun the violence. The policy in Balochistan is more open and have political backing.

Ceremonies are held when militants lay down their weapons. During last three years around 3000

militants of different Baloch militants including some key commanders have surrendered.

National Action Plan

After brutal killing of more than 143 people including around 130 schoolchildren in

Peshawar on December 16, 2014, government adopted a twenty-point national action plan to

fight the menace of terrorism comprehensively. National Action Plan involves different civil and

military related functionaries to play their role in the fight against terrorism. Formation of military

courts is also part of NAP. Other points include empowering NACTA, ban on emergence of banned

outfits with new names, crack down on hate speech, anti-terror financing measures, formation

of special anti-terrorism force, counter extremism measures, protection of minorities, madrassah

reforms, ban on coverage of militant messages on mainstream media, rehabilitation of displaced

people due to military operations, disruption of communication networks of the militants,

crackdown against social media use of the militants, special focus on extremism in Punjab,

continuation of Karachi Operation, political reconciliation in Balochistan, prosecution of sectarian

terrorism, judicial reforms and FATA reforms. In fact, NAP involves whole state machinery in the

fight against terrorism.

Progress on NAP is going in the right direction despite some critics having negative

opinion. Merger of FATA into KP province and holding of elections for provincial assembly

recently is a great achievement in this regard.

Apex Committees

To regularly monitor counter terrorism measures and establish better civil-military

coordination as well as to look after implementation of NAP, Apex Committees are formed at

provincial level. These committees are headed by Chief Ministers and include Corps Commanders

of Pak Army of the region, ISI’s sector commanders, Police, Counter Terrorism Departments,



provincial home departments, and other stakeholders. Apex Committees were formed in January

2015 after NAP announcement and they are still functioning. These committees are key to

integrate efforts of different departments at different levels. Since Apex Committees are formed

at provincial level, we have seen better coordination at provincial level, while there is lack of

coordination at federal level. After 18th Amendment into Pakistan’s constitution, law and order

is a provincial matter, therefore, confusion at Federal level has not much impact on overall

outcome of Pakistan’s counter terror efforts.

Preventive Measures

Pakistan has also started to adopt strategies to prevent its people fell prey to militant

ideologies. A step ahead from counter strategies, now Pakistan has adopted preventive

strategies. In this regard, ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ or ‘The Message of Pakistan’ program plays a key

role. Government managed to bring on board 1800 Ulama (Muslim clerics) to sign a

Fatwa/document which declares that violence against Pakistani state is religiously illegal and un-

Islamic. With wide-range support from clerics from all schools of thought, Paigham-e-Pakistan is

playing an important role in immunizing youth from militant ideologies.

There are youth mobilization campaigns also in progress at different level by private and

public sector institutes. Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) has also

conducted a nation-wide youth mobilization campaign in the name of ‘Pakistaniat’ to help youth

understand extremist ideologies and save themselves as well as their peers.

Actions against Terror Financing

As crippling the financial flows of the terrorist and extremist groups has long been

considered an essential step in countering the threat of terrorism. Chocking terror financing is

6th point of NAP. Militant groups like TTP, HuA, etc. used to raise money through extortion,

kidnapping for ransom etc. Due to IBOs in the country, a lot of financial networks of these groups

have been chocked which is visibly seen in reduction of violence in the country. However, some

financial pipelines are beyond Pakistan’s control or reach. Militant groups like BLA, BRA, BLF are

reportedly funded by India through Afghanistan.

Pakistan is also under pressure from Financial Action Task Forces. To avoid being black

listed, Pakistan has taken some very tough measures against groups who are India focused. The

most recently the government has gone out of the way in taking stringent steps against the

Jamat-ud-Dawah (JuD) and its affiliated bodies like Falath-e-Insniyyat (FIF) and its emerging

political wing Milli Muslim League (MML).

Actions in the Cyber Space:

Pakistan has taken many actions to stop militants from spreading their message through

online means. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked hundreds of websites of



different groups. Reporting of social media accounts of different militant groups is a continues

exercise. The efforts are very fruitful as the militants are mostly deprive of using Facebook and

Twitter to spread their message to a larger audience. Whenever militants create new accounts,

they are reported before getting much audience. Pakistan has also blocked Telegram messaging

application which is used by the militants to spread their message.

Pakistan has also started to register all mobile sets operating in the country. Non-

registered mobile phones now cannot use cellular networks in Pakistan.

De-Radicalization Drives

Pakistani Army also runs some de-radicalization programs for those militants who can be

reintegrated into the society after transformation. Mostly young militants captured during

operations are sent to rehabilitation centers where De-Radicalization programs are running. So

far more than 2500 suspected militants have been rehabilitated through these programs. These

programs are only operational in parts of former FATA and Malakand Division of KP province.

There is a need to have a national Counter Radicalization strategy.

Border Fencing along Afghan Border

Pakistan has erected hundreds of kilometers of border with Afghanistan to stop

infiltration from/to Afghanistan of militants. The fencing strategy is seen as a long-term strategy

which will help Pakistan to reduce spill over impact of Afghan conflict into Pakistan. Since most

of the militant groups operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan, border fencing will physical

cut the foot soldiers from their leadership.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s counter terrorism efforts are multi-dimensional and comprehensive,

integrated to a large extent. Hardcore measures like military operations, Intelligence Based

Operations (IBOs) are the key component of Pakistan’s response to threat of violent extremism.

Militants are flushed out of FATA while in Balochistan they are on much weaker position as they

were before. The militants are trying to get back their positions in some parts of FATA, and other

parts of KP province, therefore Pakistan still needs to keep its Army stationed in the areas.

However, in case of a military confrontation with India, Pakistan will be in a very tough position

as without a peace deal in Afghanistan it may not be able to spare its troops from western border

to the eastern border.

Pakistan and FATF in 2019

The recent pronouncements by the Asia Pacific Group which regulates the FATF regime

for Pakistan portray a number of regional money laundering and terrorism financing threats that



confront Pakistan. According to the APG, these threats pertain to the porous borders with

Afghanistan, exposing Pakistan to incoming illicit proceeds from drug trafficking and funds to

support terrorist groups operating within Pakistan and along its vulnerable borders. Even though

there is some acknowledgment of the fact, it is glossed over to some degree that Pakistan has

had huge success in curbing terrorism. All the official and non-official figures show a sharp decline

in terrorism, with terrorism on its lowest scale in the country when compared against data from

previous years. However, this does not seem to translate into significant dividends when it comes

to the FATF.

In fact, as with other previous assertions, the APG cites a significant number of UN-listed

terrorist organizations operating in these border regions as a risk for outbound funds supporting

terrorist activity in neighboring countries, with the terror threats relating to the border regions

with Afghanistan. Also, Pakistan’s significant diaspora of citizens working in other high terrorism

financing regions in the Middle East and remitting funds creates an additional risk.

While the Punjab government has started taking over all the moveable and immoveable

assets of the Jamat-ud-Dawah (JuD) and the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) operating in the

province, and amended the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 earlier in February 2018, allowing the

state to deal with the proscribed organizations on the United Nations list, this does not get much

traction at the FATF. Pakistan has also clamped down upon the groups’ networks, arrested their

top leadership including Hafiz Saeed, and forfeited all their funds and seized their assets. The

recent indictment of Hafiz Saeed by courts made headlines in the country; the APG, however,

does not seem to have noticed much.

What the FATF does not indicate is the fact that, pragmatically speaking, it’s not an easy

task to dismantle such long established networks. Kinetic operations have broken the back of

terrorist outfits, and there will definitely be some time lag before these deeply entrenched

groups in society can be weeded out. But, time is not on Pakistan’s side where the FATF is

concerned.

This is not the only issue; capital flight associated with illicit proceeds from corruption and

other high-risk predicate crimes, including tax evasion, are said to be continuing concerns, with

the recovery of illicit funds mentioned as improvement but still not enough. In September 2018

Pakistan and the UK launched a ‘UK-Pakistan Partnership on Justice and Accountability’ to

address money laundering issues and recover stolen assets held in the UK.

However, the FATF does not really recommend pragmatic ways to address the problems

of porous borders, recovery of stolen assets, and the movement of funds. What it does not seem

to, or want to, recognize is that much of Pakistan’s economy is undocumented, which is typical

of an agrarian based economy which gets inputs from remittances abroad, sent by many low

scale workers who don’t want to send money through banking channels because it costs more,

and exposes them to higher taxation in the remitting country and increased stringency in



Pakistan. In response, the FMU Unit has brought down many illegal transfers with the

coordination of the Federal Investigation Agency and Provincial Counter Terrorism Departments

of Police, with 777 cases against Hawala/ Hundi , 1060 arrests made against these cases, and

recovery of Rs1320.705 million in this regard.

Counter-Financial Terrorism investigative units have been established in Police Counter

Terrorism Departments, and a Countering Financial Terrorism Directorate established in Nacta

for a unified response on the feedback coming from the provinces. This is an evolving regime,

and nothing of the kind existed a few years ago. It seems pertinent to point out that such regimes

have taken much longer to be established even in much more developed countries.

There is a lot of pressure on Pakistan to implement an effective international cooperation

management-framework on mutual legal assistance. Even though Pakistan has a formal

extradition law, the FATF cites Pakistan for lacking a formal mutual legal assistive framework,

especially for informal cooperation. It seems worthwhile to mention that in extradition cases in

the West – such as the famous Pinochet case in the UK – MLA frameworks did not spring up any

quicker.

In FATF compliance, Pakistan conducted a national risk assessment exercise in 2015-2017

through its financial monitoring unit, using the World Bank template, which resulted in the

document called ‘National Risk Assessment on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 2017’.

The FATF concluded that Pakistan did not rate its national threats cogently, and did not explain

how it categorized both threats from money laundering and terrorism financing as medium level

threats.

The FATF noted that Pakistani statements of the current scenario were fuzzy, and there

was some confusion regarding corruption, investment by shady persons in real estate and other

businesses and from drug and fraud offences. The Counter terrorism Department of the Punjab

Police was stated to be better than the FIA in understanding these threats, while NAB ranked

higher on the scale of agencies able to respond to threats from their areas of responsibility and

understanding of risk with regard to corruption as a predicate offence.

We keep hearing that crime generates money for terrorism in Pakistan, and indeed this

has been the subject of much media hype and debate. However, the FATF noted that absence of

cogent national crime statistics and tabulation according to the impact of such crime on civil

society, or some other justification or combination thereof, was not explained by officials. The

FATF also noted that Pakistan could not identify particular terrorism-crime risks associated with,

or having, foreign elements within Pakistan. Even more tellingly, the FATF opined that there was

no clear understanding among officials of the risks associated with terrorism financing crimes.,

and indeed the linkages of terrorism financing and money laundering in Pakistan were said not

be expressed clearly by Pakistan.



What does the FATF want from Pakistan? It wants Pakistan to swiftly complete its full

National Action Plan by February 2020, notwithstanding that the NAP was a hastily contrived

wish-list of aspirations, some of which seemed impossible to achieve in the short term, but work

could be done to curb terrorism by kinetic operations, and then medium to long-term plans could

be implemented.

There are clear dichotomies on how Pakistan is treated at forums such as the FATF, with

action expected to miraculously occur almost overnight. While there is much truth in what the

FATF wants, it does not seem to care that Pakistan – as an evolving counter-terrorism regime

which was facing almost a few hundred percent more terrorist incidents than today, only a

decade ago – has to grapple with deep structural impediments to achieving full compliance.

On the other hand, Pakistani policymakers would be well advised to remember that when

a country hastily draws up wish-lists such as the National Action Plan without much thinking going

into it about realistic and achievable goals within stipulated longer term timelines, such

documents become the rope with which entities like the FATF can try to strangle the country. (Courtesy: The News International) 1

Curtain Falls on Military Courts

The military courts that had been set up under the National Action Plan (NAP) in 2015 to try civilians on terrorism charges finally ceased to function as their second two-year constitutional term expired on 30 March 2019. At the start of the year, the government had hinted at yet another two-year extension in the military courts but the response from the opposition parties especially PPP was not much encouraging though PML hinted at supporting the military courts extension. PML-N president and Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif said, "Terrorism was eradicated due to the establishment of the military courts, Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad". He credited the fear created from the military courts as a major factor in the war against terrorism.2 On the other hand, PPP said it was firmly sticking to its stance of opposing a second extension in the tenure of military courts. "No to the military courts," declared senior PPP leader Farhatullah Babar at a press conference in Karachi. He along with other party leaders was briefing the media after a meeting of PPP's central office-bearers and senior leaders held at the Bilawal House. Stating the reasons behind the party's stance on the issue, Babar said incidents of terrorism in Pakistan had witnessed a decline and therefore there was "no justification for military courts". Even if terrorism incidents had not declined, he said, "then the military courts cannot do in 40 years [what] they haven't been able to do in four years". Secondly, Babar said when "extraordinary laws" implemented under "extraordinary circumstances" are extended, then after some time certain "vested interests" are created to protect such legislation. He said the PPP was opposing the military tribunals "lest it happens that

1 https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/589626-pakistan-and-the-fatf 2 https://www.dawn.com/news/1457505/shahbaz-to-think-about-military-court-extension-if-approached-by-pti

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/589626-pakistan-and-the-fatf

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Pakistan's judiciary is militarised and the military becomes judicialised", adding that such a situation would be very dangerous for the country.3

Apparently, in reaction to PPP’s stance, Pakistan Army spokesperson said that it is up to

parliament to decide if an extension should be granted to military courts. He said lawmakers can

decide on the fate of military courts “keeping in view the current [security] situation, and their

impact”. “We will do what parliament tells us,” he said, adding that even previous extensions to

military courts were given by the public representatives, and the decision has to be taken with

consensus.4 Probably, seeing the mood of the opposition especially under the then state of affairs

between the government and the opposition, the government did not proceed on its plan to

bring legislation for extension of military courts tenure. Moreover, the response of the judiciary,

especially the Peshawar High Court, questioning legal aspects of the trial conducted by the

military courts also restrict the government and the military to vigorously pursue extension in

military courts through constitutional amendment. It may be noted that Peshawar High Court in

October 2018 had set aside the punishment awarded to 74 convicts by the military courts in

various cases of terrorism.5 The decision of the Peshawar High Court was challenged in the

Supreme Court by the government and the Supreme Court is yet to take up the issue. PICSS has

always advocated for revamping the judicial system whose present state warrants extension of

military courts, therefore, it is imperative for the government to seek parliamentary support for

bringing judicial and police reforms instead of wasting energies on extension of military courts.

Sahiwal Encounter: Serious Questions on Judicial System in Pakistan

The Sahiwal Police encounter sent a shock wave across the country. In January, Mohammad Khalil, his wife and their three children were travelling in a car, with their neighbour Zeeshan behind the steering wheel, when Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel stopped the vehicle and opened fire on the passengers suspecting them to be terrorists. Khalil’s two children Umair and Muneeba had survived the attack. Punjab government subsequently formed a Joint Investigation Team to probe the incident.

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) constituted to investigate police 'encounter' in Sahiwal on 19 January had held officers of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) responsible for the killings of three "innocent" members of the same family, Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat announced on 22 January. Addressing a press conference after a meeting that was held to review the JIT's preliminary report, Basharat said the government has decided to remove several officers of the CTD upon recommendations of the investigation team while SSP CTD and DSP CTD Sahiwal region have been suspended. Additionally, five CTD officials involved in the 'encounter' have been ordered to be presented before an anti-terrorism court after being challaned in the case.

3 https://www.dawn.com/news/1458331?ref=notification 4 https://tribune.com.pk/story/1891443/1-parliament-decide-fate-military-courts-dg-ispr/ 5 https://www.dawn.com/news/1439823

https://www.dawn.com/news/1458331?ref=notification

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1891443/1-parliament-decide-fate-military-courts-dg-ispr/

https://www.dawn.com/news/1439823



The minister revealed that the JIT head has sought additional time to further investigate and present facts concerning Zeeshan Javaid, the fourth person killed in the CTD operation who the agency alleges has links with a terrorist outfit. The minister maintained that the Sahiwal operation was "100 per cent correct" despite the family members' killing.6 Punjab’s Additional Chief Secretary Faisal Asghar Sahoo confirmed that the Sahiwal operation was based on “credible intelligence but poorly planned and naively executed”. The operation according to officials targeted Zeeshan Javed who was said to be affiliated with the Daesh terrorist outfit. Briefing the media in Lahore on 23 January, the additional chief secretary confirmed that Khalil and his family were innocent and didn’t have any criminal record. However, he claimed that Zeeshan was affiliated with the proscribed group. Sahoo claimed that Zeeshan belonged to a Daesh network run by Adeel and Usman, the two high-profile terrorists killed in the January 15 CTD raid in Faisalabad and that the bungled Sahiwal operation was a follow-up. He added that a huge cache of explosives and arms were recovered from Adeel and Usman. “The intelligence agencies have been tracking this network since 2017.” The same network was involved in the killing of three officials of a sensitive agency in Multan and a police officer in Faisalabad, Sahoo claimed. “They were also involved in the killing of American aid worker Warran Weinstein and abduction of former chief minister Yousaf Raza Gillani’s son.”7 A similar in-camera briefing was also arranged for lawmakers in Punjab Assembly in which the officials tried to present some (not-so-developed) evidence linking Zeeshan with banned outfit.8 Senate Standing Committee on Interior on 29 January rejected a JIT formed to probe the Sahiwal incident and the committee members collectively demanded that the government form a judicial commission. 9

The whole Sahiwal incident brought to light some startling and dangerous developments. One, it is abundantly clear that the deceased family members – husband, wife and their daughter – were innocent. So far as the involvement of Zeeshan Javed in militant activities or affiliation with Daesh is concerned, the information available might not present a true picture as there are many missing links. The more worrisome aspect was the elimination of an accused when apparently there were all possibilities of arresting him without even splitting a drop of blood as the videos of the incident so far suggest. The ever-changing stance of the CTD after the incident raise suspensions about actual motive of the encounter. While the possibility of the Zeeshan Javed in militant activities and his affiliation with Daish could not be ruled out, no apparent attempt was seen by CTD to capture him alive suggesting that CTD has been authorized to opt for extra-judicial killings at will. This seems to be a policy against elements affiliated with Daesh. Thus, on mere suspicions of someone affiliated with Daesh would mean the person affiliated having been deprived of constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights including right of due process of law. While CTD in Punjab has undoubtedly made notable gains in fight against terrorism in last couple of years, this blanket permission to CTD for execution is against norms of

6 https://www.dawn.com/news/1459105/jit-holds-ctd-officials-responsible-for-family-members-killing-in-sahiwal-encounter-minister 7 https://tribune.com.pk/story/1895145/1-top-govt-official-confirms-sahiwal-operation-ill-planned-bungled/ 8 https://tribune.com.pk/story/1896232/1-opposition-grills-govt-concocting-zeeshans-link-banned-outfit/ 9 https://www.dawn.com/news/1460568

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civilized society and hence must be resisted. No one knows how much CTD has trespassed its authority in most of the previous such encounters reported in various parts of the province.

A special anti-terrorism court in Lahore on 24 October acquitted all suspects in the Sahiwal encounter case giving them the benefit of doubt. During the proceedings, all the suspects appeared before the court. The injured witnesses [children of Khalil who were accompanying the victim when he was targeted] had not identified the suspects nor were the suspects identified during photogrammetric tests. The court added that the official who had provided the suspects with the weapons said he was returned all the weapons and bullets.10 While the government challenged the decision of the ATC in Sahiwal encounter case in Lahore High Court, the acquittal by the ATC of CTD personnel in an open-and-shut case highlight serious flaws in Pakistan’s judicial system as the judgment gave benefit of doubt to the wrong-doers when in fact there was no such doubt in their illegal action. Such decisions do not augur well for people’s trust on judicial system with obvious implications at the societal levels. While the government, reeling under public pressure, is left with no other options but to challenge the decision of the ATC, it would be wise for the right minded people to deliberate on how the judicial system actually works in Pakistan and bring about much needed reforms.

Police Reforms; Change Just for the Sake of Change Might Not Work

On 31 January, PM Imran Khan constituted a high-powered committee to suggest reforms in the Punjab police on the pattern of those in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, giving a prime role to Interior Secretary and Principal Secretary to the PM. The chief secretaries of Punjab and KP have been appointed as members of the committee. Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Amjad Javed Saleemi and KP IGP Salahuddin Khan Mehsud will also be part of the committee. The premier reportedly directed the committee to furnish recommendations for capacity building of the police force particularly training, purging it of corruption, making it service-oriented and depoliticising it.11

However, the government issued a new terms of references (ToR) for a high-profile committee notified to suggest amendments to the both KP Police Act 2017 and in Punjab police rules. A notification for the high-profile committee and the ToR were issued by Mohammad Azam Khan, the secretary to the prime minister. An official, who is privy to the information, said that the ToR of the committee clearly indicated that the PM wanted amendments to KP act in order to keep the government’s influence on the police instead making it operationally independent. He further said that as per the ToR of the committee, the powers vested with the KP police chief under the 2017 act might also be reviewed. He said the ToR for the committee notified by the PM Secretariat, surprisingly, excluded the words ‘operationally and politically independent police, replacing them with ‘police for the government’. “Appropriate provisions for use of police by the government for the purpose of implementation of laws/policies and maintenance of law

10 https://www.dawn.com/news/1512666/atc-acquits-all-suspects-in-sahiwal-encounter-case 11 https://www.dawn.com/news/1459890/pm-forms-new-body-in-third-bid-to-reform-punjab-police

https://www.dawn.com/news/1512666/atc-acquits-all-suspects-in-sahiwal-encounter-case

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and order in the interest of good governance”, reads one of the ToR issued by the PM Secretariat for the committee.12

Three incidents of torture and custodial deaths in Punjab brought to fore the dangerous

and unacceptable state of affairs of police in Punjab in particular and whole country in general.

In Lahore, a middle-aged man, Amjad Ali, had breathed his last late on 8 September at a local

hospital due to alleged torture by the Gujjarpura police in an illegal torture cell unearthed some

days back. The torture cell was detected in a building of the forest department where nine

suspects, including Amjad, were illegally kept by the police for ‘interrogation’. The footages later

went viral on social media showing Amjad lying on a charpoy in critical condition after the police

officials used third-degree torture which led to fracture of his backbone.13 Also in Lahore, a

Christian community member Amir Masih has also reportedly killed due to police torture. A post-

mortem report released on 8 September confirmed that a young man taken into custody by the

Lahore police for the theft was tortured to death. According to CCTV footage that went viral on

social media, showed two policemen arriving at a hospital with Amir Masih. He fell off the bike

and instead of lifting him up, the policemen kicked him multiple times. They then dragged his

unconscious body into the emergency room.14 Earlier, a man from Gujranwala, whose video of

robbing an ATM went viral owing to his antics, died early on 1 September while in police custody.

The man identified as Salahuddin Ayubi of Gujranwala's Kamonkay district was arrested on 30

August.15

According to an unconfirmed media report, Prime Minister Imran Khan has given a go-ahead to the home departments to ‘take over control of the police’ in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad. Under the new system, the major functions of the police would be performed by the deputy commissioners (DCs) who have been given judicial powers besides authority of inspections of police stations. “A new parallel police force will be raised that shall be under the control of the DCs of the two provinces and Islamabad. The police officers shall be answerable to the DCs in crime control, law & order and other public complaints,” stated the documents. The federal government, after seeking approval from the PM directed the provincial authorities to implement the plan in letter and spirit.16 The plan could not be implemented after intervention from the Supreme Court as the then Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa asked the government to ensure administrative autonomy of police and said the issue is as important as the independence of judiciary. The observation was conveyed to the law and interior secretaries on 3 October in a letter written by Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) on behalf of the chief justice. The letter asked the government officials to strictly adhere to the Supreme Court’s verdict of Jan 21 before taking any steps regarding police reforms. In the judgement, which was given on an appeal against a Sindh High Court verdict, the apex court held

12 https://www.dawn.com/news/1461312 13 https://www.dawn.com/news/1501884 14 https://www.samaa.tv/news/2019/09/lahore-man-died-due-to-police-torture-post-mortem-report/ 15 https://www.dawn.com/news/1502942 16 https://www.dawn.com/news/1507387/truncated-role-of-police-in-new-scheme-of-things





https://www.samaa.tv/news/2019/09/lahore-man-died-due-to-police-torture-post-mortem-report/


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that transfers and postings on all senior cadre posts of the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) should be made through orders of the inspector general of police (IGP) under transparent rules framed in line with Section 12 of the Police Act, 1861. The judgement also said that for securing integrity, competence, diligence and accountability in performance of police, the federal government might consider framing a law to set uniform criteria for appointments to senior cadre posts, senior officers’ independence of operation, security of tenure, performance assessment and accountability.17 Intervention of the Chief Justice suggest that the government was actually going for reforms as indicated in the report mentioned above. Whatever the situation, police reforms is a serious issue having long term implications and it would be wise on the part of government to allow an open debate on the issue and come with a bi-partisan policy so that issues surrounding police are resolved on long term basis.

It is no denying of the fact that policing system in the country is in worst shape and outdated. Notwithstanding the importance of effective policing for law and order and controlling crimes, its efficacy for fighting terrorism in Pakistan can hardly be overemphasised. The desire and intent to reform police force in Pakistan is welcome but such change should not be just for the sake of change or making the police a tool for the government to suppress opponent or further agenda of subjugation and control. The reported ToRs of the committee do not suggest that the PTI government is really interested to pursue reforms it intended to have during its election campaign and indicate a change of heart after coming to power probably due to some “ground realities”. It would be wise on the part of the government to bring the issue on public discourses through a general debate in the parliament both at federal and provincial levels (since police is provincial subject) and make an effort for seeking bi-partisan support to make reforms more effective and productive. In addition to police reforms in KPK and Punjab, there is also need for bringing such reforms in Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

Gilgit-Baltistan Reforms Heading Nowhere

On 17 January, Supreme Court of Pakistan while giving a written order regarding

the constitutional status of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and the grant of fundamental rights to its

citizens, ruled that the powers of the top court also extend to the region. A seven-judge larger

bench clarified that no changes will be made to the current state of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir

and that the constitutional status of these areas shall be determined through a referendum. The

people of Gilgit-Baltistan will be able to challenge the appellant court's decisions in the Supreme

Court of Pakistan.18 The Supreme Court accorded approval to a freshly proposed presidential

order enshrining framework for governance of Gilgit-Baltistan, directing immediate

promulgation of the order. SC asked the president to promulgate the order on the advice of the

federal government in any case within a fortnight. 19 Though no such ordinance could be

17 https://www.dawn.com/news/1508864/police-autonomy-as-important-as-independence-of-judiciary-cjp 18 https://www.dawn.com/news/1458109/top-courts-powers-extended-to-gilgit-baltistan-rules-supreme-court 19 https://www.dawn.com/news/1458257/sc-approves-draft-gilgit-baltistan-governance-order

https://www.dawn.com/news/1508864/police-autonomy-as-important-as-independence-of-judiciary-cjp

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promulgated. On 20 January, political parties, students, religious and civil society organisations

announced starting a joint protest movement for permanent settlement of political status of

Gilgit-Baltistan. Protest demonstrations were organised by GB residents in Skardu, Islamabad and

Karachi. The protesters rejected the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s judgment regarding the GB

status and said if the region cannot be declared a part of Pakistan then give it internal autonomy.

They vowed to oppose any executive order to govern GB without determining its permanent

status.20

It is no denying of the fact that G-B being part of Kashmir is a disputed area and its future

status would be decided through a plebiscite as enshrined in various UN Security Council

resolutions or will be resolved between Pakistan and India bilaterally and hence it cannot be

merged into Pakistan as a fifth province as being demanded by the local population. However,

the present policy of federal government to deal with the area through presidential order is

creating serious resentment among the populace. The federal government needs to work out a

plan that allows granting autonomy to the area and maximum political and economic rights to

the people without disturbing status of GB. Political tensions in GB does not bode well for

development of CPEC and hostile agencies are likely to exploit situation to create further unrest

in days to come. In the wake of Indian unilateral move in Kashmir of depriving it of special status,

converting it into two union territories, and arresting political leaders and wide scale curfew, the

sitting government in Pakistan might desist from opening this Pandora’s box but granting more

political rights to the people of Gilgit-Balitistan would send a positive message to people in

Occupied Kashmir as well as abroad.

Development of Tourism; Pakistan Changes its Visa Policy

Owing to the improvement in security situation in the country, the government on 25

January announced that it is easing travel restrictions by offering visas on arrival to visitors from

50 countries and electronic visas to 175 nationalities. The reforms, approved by the cabinet,

would open up a new era for the tourism industry, the then Information Minister Fawad

Chaudhry said. Tourists would also be allowed to visit the politically sensitive Himalayan region

of Kashmir and other northern areas, which now require special permission. The new rules would

also ease travel restrictions on foreign journalists, Fawad Chaudhry said.21 According to some

media reports, the tourists will also be allowed to visit AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan without seeking

prior permission as previously such permission was required for foreigners. On 28 January,

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while addressing a ceremony attended by foreign

diplomats in Islamabad, asked foreign diplomats to play their part in revisiting their countries'

20 https://www.dawn.com/news/1458793/protesters-vow-to-start-movement-over-gbs-political-status 21 https://tribune.com.pk/story/1896643/1-pakistan-announces-e-visa-facility-175-nations-visa-arrival-50-countries/

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1896643/1-pakistan-announces-e-visa-facility-175-nations-visa-arrival-50-countries/

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travel advisories for Pakistan days after Islamabad liberalised its visa regime in order to give

tourism a boost. 22

While developing tourism destination including development of infrastructure is a crucial

factor in making Pakistan a tourism heaven, special attention for dealing with some of the

security issues in some parts of the country is required particularly when the threat of anti-state

violence has not receded completely. While Pakistan is in dire need of attracting foreign tourists

for helping reviving its economy and improve its image, hasting process could be counter-

productive and hence a cautious and well-deliberated approach is recommended. In this regard,

an incremental and phased approach may be adopted in such a way that in the first phase,

tourism in completely peaceful areas may be opened and once security situation completely

improves in the areas where intermittent violent incidents occur, the whole country could be

opened for tourism. Moreover, the option of group tourism may be adopted so that fool-proof

security could be provided to foreign tourists.

Clear Signs of Societal Wedge; Dissention Being Stifled

In a disturbing development, an alarming hashtag #ArrestAntiPakjournalists remained a

top trend on 4 July as it was used or forwarded more than 28,000 times. While the hash tag was

general in nature, it also had its specific targets too as top journalist Hamid Mir and Asma Sherazi

were blamed as both the journalists were targeted for being too critical to PTI and military

establishment. The said journalist were hurled threats at the social media. Reacting to the

hashtag and trend, DG ISPR on 7 July cautioned against making "sweeping targeted statements

or trends" against any individual, profession or institution. "Irresponsible biased use of social

media and vested negative trends can lead to misunderstandings/spats," said DG ISPR.

"Sweeping targeted statements or trends against any individual/profession/institution are

unethical. One such example is sweeping trend against journalists," he said.23

Another issue that remained discussion was freedom of expression and free press as it

was highlighted during PM Imran’s visit to the US. During his joint press conference with

President Donald Trump, Mr Khan declared: “To say there are curbs on Pakistani press is a joke.”

Later, during his address in USIP, he went so far as to say that the media in Pakistan is freer than

that in Britain, adding “it is not just free but it is out of control”.24

In an open letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, the global media watchdog Reporters

Without Borders (RSF) called on him to recognise the alarming decline in the state of press

freedom in the country and to take urgent measures to address the issue. RSF Secretary-General

22 https://www.dawn.com/news/1460358 23 https://www.dawn.com/news/1492659/asif-ghafoor-cautions-against-irresponsible-biased-use-of-social-media 24 https://www.dawn.com/news/1496253


https://www.dawn.com/news/1492659/asif-ghafoor-cautions-against-irresponsible-biased-use-of-social-media




Christophe Deloire wrote in the letter, “It is clear that either you are very poorly informed, in

which case you should urgently replace the people around you, or you are knowingly concealing

the facts, which is very serious, given your responsibilities.” Deloire termed recent “brazen cases

of censorship” as “characteristic of non-democratic regimes.” “You won the general elections a

year ago by repeating the slogans “Tabdeeli!” (Change) and “Naya Pakistan!” (a “New Pakistan”)

during the campaign…It is nonetheless clear that, as far as press freedom goes, the change has

been for the worse. Ranked 142nd out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2019 World Press Freedom Index,

your country has fallen three places in the past year.” The RSF secretary-general said it was an

‘obscenity’ for Prime Minister Imran to say that press freedom was thriving in Pakistan. Deloire

urged the premier to “allow Pakistan’s journalists to exercise their profession in complete safety

and with complete independence. “We, therefore, urge your government to allow Pakistan’s

journalists to exercise their profession in complete safety and with complete independence, as

envisaged in article 19 of the 1973 Constitution.” “The credibility of the Pakistani state and

democracy is at stake,” The RSF secretary-general concluded in the letter.25

Regarding hashtag #ArrestAntiPakjournalists, some media reports and experts indicated

that the trend was generated artificially through fake accounts indicating a possible involvement

of political workers. While threatening journalist is condemnable act, generating such trends

against those who do not subscribe to specific thinking and who express their voices against those

held by them is something equally worrying for its negative implications on socio-political

environment in the country. Over the period of time, a systematic effort is being witnessed in

which freedom of expression, free media, and holding political ideals has been stifled with an

apparent intent further increase the curbs. This trend needs to be addressed for its obvious

negative implications for multicultural society in general and political debate in particular. Hawks

among the political forces are now at the helm of the affairs and treading on the path of self-

destruction. The prevailing environment is quite suffocating warranting special attention of sane

voices among the political parties to come out in open to arrest this trend. Regarding curbs on

media, current Pakistani leadership seems to be impressed by Chinese model but fail to recognize

the contextual environment and the societal values that differ much from that of China. While

one cannot over-emphasize the importance responsible media in today’s hybrid warfare, media

censorship is part of the problem and not a solution.

Mob Lynches Suspect in Karachi; Clear Indicator of Lack of Trust on Government

Reportedly, a mob lynched a suspected robber and injured another critically in Karachi on

27 October, according to officials. They said three suspects were trying to snatch cash and other

25 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2025815/1-global-media-watchdog-calls-pm-recognise-decline-state-press-freedom/

https://rsf.org/en/news/after-year-press-freedom-violations-rsf-writes-pakistans-premier

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2025815/1-global-media-watchdog-calls-pm-recognise-decline-state-press-freedom/

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2025815/1-global-media-watchdog-calls-pm-recognise-decline-state-press-freedom/



valuables from a citizen in Korangi-4 near Shan Grammar School when the area people got hold

of two of them. They subjected the suspects to severe beating before the arrival of police who

shifted them to Jinnah Post-Graduate Medical Centre where doctors pronounced one of them

dead on arrival while the other was admitted for treatment. 26 The development clearly shows

lack of confidence of masses on government and its institutions to provide justice and control

crimes as mob violence is on the rise as masses take law into their hands. This trend was mostly

observed in religious affairs but such action against criminal elements is also not new. The

government and civil society needs to deliberate such developments and come with a plan to

address them.

Issue of Former PM Mian Nawaz Sharif Treatment Abroad

The issue of treatment abroad of former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif

remained in the media and political debate for quite some time. After issuance of bail on medical

grounds by the Islamabad High Court, the federal government remained indecisive how to handle

the situation. While the federal cabinet agreed in principle to allow former prime minister to

travel abroad by removing his name from the Exit Control List but linked it with signing of the

indemnity bond ensuring his return. PML-N objected to the sighing of indemnity bond and

challenged the decision in Lahore High Court. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif left the

country for his medical treatment after the Lahore High Court gave him permission to travel

without providing any indemnity bond to the government. The court has extracted a signed

undertaking from Shahbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif that the latter will return within the stipulated

time of four weeks. This time is extendable only if the former prime minister can prove through

his medical reports that his treatment requires him to stay abroad for longer. The undertaking

by Shahbaz Sharif also says categorically that if at any time the government has credible

information that Nawaz Sharif is “living abroad despite his fitness to travel”, a government

representative will have the right to verify the state of his health from his doctor.27

According to the attorney general of Pakistan, the court has issued an interim order,

which means that the final judgment on the issue is still awaited. While the court has suspended

the requirement of the indemnity bond, it has admitted the petition for hearing in the third week

of January 2020. The court has specified that it intends to probe the matter in the light of five key

questions that it has written in the interim order. These questions will help the court determine

if the federal government can add conditions to the Exit Control List and whether a convict can

be included in or excluded from the list. The final judgment, when it is delivered, will clarify the

grey areas in the execution of the ECL that have emerged during this current situation. While the

people associated with the government are trying to paint the decision in their favour, the reality

might be otherwise. While there are numerous conspiracy theories, one notable perception is

26 https://www.dawn.com/news/1513361/mob-lynches-suspect-in-karachi 27 https://www.samaa.tv/news/politics/2019/11/nawaz-sharif-ecl-lahore-high-court/

https://www.dawn.com/news/1517068/lhc-allows-nawaz-to-travel-abroad-for-4-weeks-orders-govt-to-remove-name-from-ecl-sans-conditions

https://www.dawn.com/news/1513361/mob-lynches-suspect-in-karachi

https://www.samaa.tv/news/politics/2019/11/nawaz-sharif-ecl-lahore-high-court/



that the military establishment was pushing for allowing former prime minister to travel abroad

for medical treatment while PTI top leadership was against it. JUI-F Azadi march and hard

questions raised against military establishment for meddling into political affairs believed to have

played a role. Another notable question being raised is whether special treatment to the former

prime minister (elite) is justified as he was convicted regardless of the prevailing perception

whether the conviction was on political ground or otherwise.

Supreme Court Allows Gen Bajwa’s Six Months Extension: Ball in Parliament’s Court

After three days of heightened tensions, Supreme Court on 28 November allowed

extension/reappointment of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), for

another six months. At the same time, the apex court shifted the onus to parliament when it

asked the government to determine the tenure, terms and conditions of service of the army chief

through legislation within the same period i.e. six months. “Therefore, we find it appropriate to

leave the matter to parliament and the federal government to clearly specify the terms and

conditions of service of the COAS through an Act of Parliament and to clarify the scope of Article

243 of the Constitution under which the government appointed Gen Bajwa. Thus the current

appointment of Gen Bajwa as COAS will be subject to the legislation and will continue for a period

of six months. After this the new legislation will determine his tenure and other terms and

conditions of service,” the short order said.28

While the question still remains why an individual has got so much importance at the cost

of institution, the whole saga has mainly been translated by many observers as government’s

inefficiency of handling such a sensitive issue. At one point in time, army chief himself had to sit

with government officials to work out the notification and the same was highlighted by the Chief

Justice during the proceedings. While the Supreme Court’s judgement of allowing six months to

the government to work out the issue through the parliament was primarily stemming out from

“doctrine of necessity” as the Constitution does not provide such a way out, however, the court

preferred to send the ball in Parliament’s court, instead of that of the government, for proper

legislation instead of amending rules as the government recently dried to do. In an interesting

development, main opposition parties PML-N and PPP have agreed to work for the legislation on

tenure of services chiefs and their tenure extension, which is being criticized by the supporters

of these two parties particularly the PML-N whose anti-establishment narrative despite trouble

to its senior leadership was highly praised. Given the mood of the two parties and the

government also showing inclination to engage the opposition on various issues of national

importance, the required legislation is likely to be passed by the parliament sooner.

28 https://www.dawn.com/news/1519450/ball-in-parliaments-court-as-sc-allows-bajwas-extension-for-six-months

https://www.dawn.com/news/1519450/ball-in-parliaments-court-as-sc-allows-bajwas-extension-for-six-months



High Treason Verdict against Musharraf: Pakistan at the Cross-Roads!

A special court on 17 December convicted General (retd) Pervez Musharraf of high

treason and sentenced to death. The charges against Musharraf – who was sentenced in absentia

– stem from his imposition of a state of emergency in 2007, after which dozens of judges were

placed under house arrest or sacked, sparking widespread street protests by lawyers. The three-

judge special court — comprising Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth, Justice Nazar Akbar and Justice

Shahid Karim — handed down 2-1 split verdict after hearing arguments from the new prosecution

team appointed by the government.29

Detailed verdict was announced on 19 December in which the court ordered hanging of

the former military dictator on five counts and directed action against all “those involved (if any)

in facilitation of the escape of the fugitive accused”. In a strongly worded judgement, the special

court head, Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth, ordered in its paragraph

66: “We direct the Law Enforcement Agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the

fugitive/convict and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his

corpse be dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan and be hanged for 03 days.” However, it

turned to be a minority view as the second and third judge did not agree to this. The second

judge, Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC), concurred with the death sentence

awarded by Justice Seth but did not agree to the dragging of the corpse. Besides, the court

observed that the government may initiate high treason proceedings against the then corps

commanders committee and those who abetted the imposition of emergency and lamented that

“unfortunately the cronies of the accused has been left free till date”. The third judge, Justice

Nazar Akbar of the Sindh High Court (SHC), opposed the majority verdict at all on the ground that

there was no constitutional definition for high treason and, hence, no case of high treason is

made out. The majority of three-judge court ordered that “the convict be therefore hanged by

his neck till he dies on each count as per charge”. According to the charge sheet, Mr Musharraf

was indicted on five charges: imposition of emergency of Nov 3, issuing unlawful Provisional

Constitution Order, Oath to the Office (Judges) Order 2007, Order 5 of 2007 for Constitutional

(Amendment) Order 2007, Order 6 of 2007 Constitutional (Second Amendment) Order 2007.30

Conviction of former military ruler for high treason created a serious storm in the country

with the opinion divided. While the civil society and opposition parties hailed the decision

terming it good omen for democracy, the government and its coalition partners along with the

Army reacted angrily. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari termed it a

“democratic verdict”, expressing the hope that the country’s courts would now onward continue

to issue democratic rulings. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) information secretary

Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a statement that the court’s decision to give death penalty to Gen

29 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2119554/1-special-court-begins-hearing-arguments-musharraf-high-treason-case/ 30 https://www.dawn.com/news/1523284/court-orders-ex-dictators-hanging-on-five-counts

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2119554/1-special-court-begins-hearing-arguments-musharraf-high-treason-case/

https://www.dawn.com/news/1523284/court-orders-ex-dictators-hanging-on-five-counts



Musharraf had written a new chapter in the country’s history. With this “momentous verdict”,

she said, the court had blocked any future attempts to abrogate the Constitution and trample

the constitutional rights of the people. Ms Aurangzeb said the verdict had set the direction of

the country’s future. “A new era of the people’s right to self-governance and supremacy of the

Constitution will ensue after this decision.” She said this decision against a military dictator stood

out as the most unique verdict in the country’s judicial history. Awami National Party (ANP)

president Asfandyar Wali Khan, in a statement, said the special court’s verdict against the former

military ruler was a “good omen for supremacy of democracy and parliament”. National Party’s

Punjab president Ayub Malik also “welcomed” the decision. In Pakistan, he said, the Constitution

had been subverted many a times by the dictators and the judiciary in the past had always

validated these subversions on flimsy pretexts. Mr Malik said the decision was given against an

individual and not against an institution so there should be no anguish and pain over it.31

Pakistan Army strongly criticised the decision of the special court to former military

dictator. In a sharp and quick reaction to the ruling, ISPR said: “The decision given by special court

about General Pervez Musharraf, retired, has been received with lot of pain and anguish by rank

and file of Pakistan armed forces. An ex-army chief, chairman joint chief of staff committee and

President of Pakistan, who has served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defence

of the country can surely never be a traitor.” It added, “The due legal process seems to have been

ignored including constitution of the special court, denial of fundamental right of self-defence,

undertaking individual-specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste.” The ISPR said the

armed forces expected that justice would be dispensed in line with the Constitution of the Islamic

Republic of Pakistan.32

Hours after a special court released its detailed judgement in the high treason case in

which it ordered dragging and hanging of former military ruler retired Gen Pervez Musharraf’s

corpse, Military spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, while referring to certain parts of the verdict

during a hurriedly called media briefing, vowed to thwart the “enemy design” and defend the

institutional dignity. “Today’s verdict, especially the words used in it, is against humanity, religion,

culture and our values,” he said, adding that the army’s response plan to the threat was also in

place. Without elaborating the institutional response to the sinister “design”, he said that

conspiracies of the “anti-state elements” both “internal and external” would be foiled. He

asserted that the army was fully alive to the enemy designs against Pakistan. “Being an important

national security institution, we are clear about the efforts to weaken us internally and

benefitting from that materialise the external threat,” he said. He said the adversary’s design was

31 https://www.dawn.com/news/1522856/opposition-parties-hail-historic-verdict 32 https://www.dawn.com/news/1522857/army-dismayed-as-musharraf-gets-death-for-high-treason

https://www.dawn.com/news/1522856/opposition-parties-hail-historic-verdict

https://www.dawn.com/news/1522857/army-dismayed-as-musharraf-gets-death-for-high-treason



to “provoke us to fight against each other” and in this way fulfilled its “dream of defeating

Pakistan”.33

In a joint press conference while terming the decision against the former president

“unprecedented and despicable”, the law minister said: “This is an attempt to take Pakistan into

dark ages.” Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan said the verdict was “unconstitutional,

unethical, inhuman, and was given by an individual whose sanity is questionable”. Firdous Ashiq

Awan alleged some external powers were behind the conspiracy and some people in the country

were being used as their tools. “But the government and the army will crush all such

conspiracies,” she added.34

Legal fraternity condemned the statements of the federal government, including

ministers and attorney general, and the director general of ISPR against the conviction of former

military dictator Pervez Musharraf and decided to observe a province-wide strike on 19

December against their “insulting attitude and expressions” towards the judiciary..” 35 The

Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) on 19 December objected to the insulting criticism of the judgement

of the special court which convicted former army chief retired Gen Pervez Musharraf. In a

statement, the council said “If there are some flaws in the judgement of Musharraf’s case, in the

opinion of DG ISPR, then the law has provided, procedure and proper course for agitating such

flaws, if any, before the higher judicial forums by way of appeal, revision or constitutional petition

but the manner and the way, in which, the judgement of the special court has been criticised by

an official of the army clearly gives an impression that all the institutions in Pakistan are

subservient to the armed forces, to follow its dictation and there is no respect for any other forum

including the judiciary”. “The legal fraternity is also of the view that the attitude adopted by the

federal government, its ministers, law officers and specially the attorney general for Pakistan,

also confirms that the party in power has been installed by the army and its institution is on the

driving seat and that’s why they are also criticising the judgement in the same tune and tenor.

We, therefore, strongly condemn and disapprove the insulting attitude of the army official as

well as the government functionaries towards judiciary and the constitutional process of

dispensation of justice”.36

The Karachi Bar Association (KBA) on 21 December lashed out at the government for

"defending and protecting a convicted criminal", following the Centre's decision to appeal a

special court's verdict in the treason case against former army chief retired Gen Pervez

Musharraf. "The KBA is shocked that the government is solely concerned about defending and

protecting a convicted criminal rather than doing its lawful duty to prosecute and punish him,"

said a press release by the body. The lawyers' body termed as "unfortunate" the insinuations by

33 https://www.dawn.com/news/1523287/army-govt-roast-judge-over-grisly-rider-in-musharraf-ruling 34 https://www.dawn.com/news/1523287/army-govt-roast-judge-over-grisly-rider-in-musharraf-ruling 35 https://www.dawn.com/news/1523104/kp-lawyers-go-on-strike-today-over-insult-to-judiciary 36 https://www.dawn.com/news/1523290/pbc-objects-to-armys-criticism-of-musharraf-verdict

https://www.dawn.com/news/1523287/army-govt-roast-judge-over-grisly-rider-in-musharraf-ruling

https://www.dawn.com/news/1523287/army-govt-roast-judge-over-grisly-rider-in-musharraf-ruling

https://www.dawn.com/news/1523104/kp-lawyers-go-on-strike-today-over-insult-to-judiciary

https://www.dawn.com/news/1523290/pbc-objects-to-armys-criticism-of-musharraf-verdict



the government and the security establishment that the judgement was "weakening the security

of Pakistan or being used by foreign hands". 37

Pakistan is seriously at the cross-roads as the cracks in Pakistani polity has been made

more visible by the judgement of the special court convicting former military dictator Gen (r)

Pervez Musharraf of high treason awarding him death sentence. Though its systemic level impact

is yet to be evolved, the decision is historical as it happened for the very time that military dictator

has been awarded capital punishment for his “unconstitutional” measures. From the very outset,

there are clearly two aspects of the ruling. One is regarding action, which has been termed

completely unconstitutional and the other is the punishment for this unconstitutional act. Both

the aspects are yet to attain finality as the judgement is bound to be challenged in the Supreme

Court. The judgement even in its present shape has already created a storm raising serious

questions that need to be answered if Pakistan really wants to move forward as a state.

Pakistan Army reacted angrily to the judgement and did not shy away from taking a

confrontation tone with the judiciary. The government followed the suit. Judiciary stood firm

fully backed by the legal fraternity. Opposition political parties appreciated the judgement but so

far did not forward to fully defend the judiciary but the opposition parties are likely to jump into

foray expect sooner. So this would essentially be a tussle between the government (mainly army)

and the judiciary largely supported by the civil society. The statement of the military

spokesperson indicate the move being externally orchestrated duly supported from elements

within Pakistan. Regardless the origin of the current situation is perceived, the fact remains that

it is complete and independent internal dimension. The constitution was abrogated and

constitutional crime was committed in 2007 that was neither endorsed by the judiciary nor fully

“owned” by the parliament like it was used to be done in previous instances including the

imposition of partial law in 1999. Pakistan is at a serious cross-roads where tussle between the

institutions could lead to serious national level disaster(s) or it could provide an opportunity to

sit together and resolve the broader national issues with regards to governance and government

as well as clearly defining the role of each institution and then following it in letter and spirit.

Confrontation would be dangerous but dialogue would be constructive though the possibility of

the former are more than the latter.

Border Management & Fencing of Pak-Afghan & Pak-Iran Border

Fencing of Afghanistan-Pakistan Border

Pakistan shares a 2611 km long border with Afghanistan which is linked with its provinces

of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The border between the two states remained open and

vulnerable since 1947 till 2017 and people from both sides of the border crossed it frequently

37 https://www.dawn.com/news/1523725/karachi-bar-association-shocked-over-govts-defence-of-musharraf

https://www.dawn.com/news/1523725/karachi-bar-association-shocked-over-govts-defence-of-musharraf



without any difficulty. War on terror in Afghanistan proved out to be disastrous for Pakistan as

Pakistan had to host around 3 million Afghan refugees. In addition, the bordering areas of

Pakistan became hub of terrorists, criminals and insurgents. Cross border terrorism, drug

trafficking and illegal trade between two states became a continuous phenomenon which

seriously impacted the security situation of Pakistan.

The idea of fencing Pak-Afghan border was initially presented by former President of

Pakistan General (R) Pervez Musharraf in 2006 after Afghan Government accused that certain

extremist groups of Pakistan enter Afghanistan to conduct acts of terrorism. Afghan Government

was opposed to the idea though meetings of Afghanistan, Pakistan and ISAF officials were held

in 2007 for a joint project, however no agreement was reached and hence the issue remained

unresolved.

Despite serious opposition of Afghanistan to fence Pak-Afghan border, Pakistan Army

initiated the fencing of border on 27th April 2017 at the cost of $530 million. The cost includes

gadgets and surveillance equipment on illegal movement across the border. Around 70% of the

project has been completed and the rest of it is expected to be completed in next three to four

months. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, around 600kms has been completed out of a total 1,343kms

planned to be fenced while in Baluchistan around 650kms has already been fenced out of the

total planned 1,268kms; and equipped with water, solar electricity and protection mines.

Deployment on the posts has also been made.38 It is important to mention that the project does

not only include fencing Pak-Afghan border, but all the necessary arrangements for its

management that includes building forts, check posts, installations of drones and CCTV cameras.

Pakistan is putting its complete and full-fledged efforts for the completion of the fencing project

so that an already improved security situation of the country can be flawlessly and

comprehensively secured that will lead towards trade and cross cultural exchanges of both the

states through advanced and internationally accepted procedures. The project was expected to

be completed by December 2019 as was stated by DG ISPR Maj General Asif Ghafoor, however

delay has been due to climate conditions, security threats from across the border and the

escalation of tension with India that resulted in moving regular units from the Western to the

Eastern border. The project is now expected to be completed in 2020.

As earlier stated, Pak-Afghan border connects with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan

both of which are Pashtun and Baloch centric provinces. The boundary with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

is around 1229 kms of which the longest area is connected with Chitral having a boundary length

of 493 kms. Out of this 493 kms, around 471 km boundary line lies on mountains and glaciers.

Similarly, around 39 km boundary connects with Lower Dir, around 50 kms with Bajaur, around

69 kms with Muhmand, around 111 kms with Khyber, around 191 kms with Kurram, around 183

38 https://www.brecorder.com/2019/10/16/531290/pak-afghan-border-fencing-contributes-significantly-to-counterterrorism-efforts/

https://www.brecorder.com/2019/10/16/531290/pak-afghan-border-fencing-contributes-significantly-to-counterterrorism-efforts/

https://www.brecorder.com/2019/10/16/531290/pak-afghan-border-fencing-contributes-significantly-to-counterterrorism-efforts/



km with North Waziristan and around 94 km boundary line connects with South Waziristan. This

entire border is being protected by 11 Corps of Pakistan Army. Fencing of border is being done

in a way that nearly 3-meter-high chicken wire fences, with a 2-meter gap between each one,

and topped with barbed wire is being installed across the border.39 It is important to mention

that a major area of boundary line between Pakistan and Afghanistan lies in a rugged and

mountainous terrain where it is impossible to install the fencing. Similarly, boundary line on some

areas is on extreme height where there is not possible nor any need to fence as it is humanly

impossible to cross the border reaching such height. Though it also needs to be mentioned that

Pak-Afghan border in Dir is around 13 thousand ft. height from the sea-level.

Alongside fencing the border, management of the border is another major issue for which Pakistan Army is building forts alongside the border. A total of 443 forts will be built of which the construction of 221 forts has been completed while working on the remaining 222 forts is in progress. Of all these posts around 35 are in Malakand, 54 are in Bajaur, 58 are in Muhmand, 93 are in Khyber, 109 are in Kurram, 64 in North Waziristan while around 30 posts are built in South Waziristan. Description of Border Fencing & Fort Posts in Respective Areas is as under:40

Area/ District Planned

Area of Fencing (Km)

Completed Area of Fencing (Km)

% Area of Fencing

Forts Planned

Forts Completed

Chitral 81 43.69 53.94 -- --

Bajaur 59 50.40 85.42 54 07

Mohmand 83 83 100 58 35

Khyber 105 94.25 89.76 93 25

North Waziristan 224 129.33 57.74 64 34

South Waziristan 109 104.82 96.17 30 24

Kurram 148 129.86 87.74 109 62

Malakand -- -- -- 35 34

Fencing of Iran-Pakistan Border

Pakistan and Iran agreed to manage more than 900km common border through fencing.

The second session of Pakistan-Iran Higher Border Commission (HBC) was held in Islamabad in

July 2019 after a follow up of the decision taken by the leadership of the two countries during

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Iran in April this year.41 Chief of Army Staff General Qamar

Javed Bajwa also visited Iran in November and met with Major General Mohammad Hossein,

Chief of Staff Iranian Armed Forces.42 COAS and the Iranian commander reviewed the avenues

39 https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/afghan-border-fencing-be-completed-2020-pakistan-says 40 https://www.hilal.gov.pk/urdu-article/داخل-می -مراحل-آخر ی-کام-کا-لگان -باڑ-پر-رسحد-افغان-پاک/Mzc5OA==.html 41 https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/500340-pakistan-iran-agree-on-border-fencing 42 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2101990/1-army-chief-arrives-tehran-official-visit/

https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/afghan-border-fencing-be-completed-2020-pakistan-says

https://www.hilal.gov.pk/urdu-article/پاک-افغان-سرحد-پر-باڑ-لگانے-کا-کام-آخری-مراحل-میں-داخل/Mzc5OA==.html

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/500340-pakistan-iran-agree-on-border-fencing

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2101990/1-army-chief-arrives-tehran-official-visit/



regarding strengthening bilateral relations in the military as well as security affairs. Both the sides

also discussed maintaining security of borders, preventing the activities of terrorist groups,

promoting border trade exchange and convergence among Islamic countries. Tensions between

Tehran and Islamabad have been intense during last few years over incidents at the Pak-Iran

border which has seen non-state actors entering Iran to abduct and harm Iranian security

officials. Though Pakistan has investigated and recovered some Iranian border security guards,

but some still remain untraced which is a major issue of concern for both the states. Similarly,

some of the militant groups that are operating in Pakistan especially the sub-nationalist

insurgents groups are using Iranian and Afghan soil to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

Smuggling is also a common occurrence resulting in loss of revenues to the government.

Pakistan and Iran have a bilateral trade of around $6 Billion of which only $1 Billion is legal trade,

which is alarming for the leadership of both the countries. Fencing of Pak-Iran border will also

prove to be difficult in the start, however despite Pak-Afghan border the advantage here will be

a bilateral agreement of both the parties that will comparatively smooth the process. It also

needs to be kept in focus that because more than 85% of trade between Pakistan and Iran is

through illegal channels, re-routing trade through legal channel may take few years, yet in the

long run both countries may prosper if joint and matching with the ground realities effective

border management framework in enforced. Similarly, attacks from Baloch and Iranian insurgent

groups may also be expected on the security forces of both the states, when the fencing process

initiates. However, keeping in view a bigger picture, fencing Pak-Iran border and channelizing

trade as well as flow of people across both sides of the border is mandatory in the recent times

and both the states have to cooperate to ensure smooth agreement of minute details. Pakistan

intends to initiate the project of fencing Pak-Afghan border after completing the Afghan border

which is expected in 2020.



Section-III

Pakistan’s External Relations and

Auxiliary Developments



India-Pak Relations at Lower Ebb amidst Burning Kashmir; Aggressive Indian Postures

The year 2019 witnessed worsening of India-Pakistan relations and both countries went

to the brink, or a form of, war; diplomatic relations severed; people to people contacts and

communication suspended; and trade blocked. Only silver lining was opening of Kartarpur

Corridor for Sikh pilgrims. Probably, all the negatives of the prevailing India-Pakistan relations

stem from the issue of Kashmir, where some serious and far-reaching moves by India were

witnessed in August this year and the situation in Kashmir continues to be grim with no hope of

normalcy returning to Kashmir.

Pulwama Attack and Short India-Pakistan Military Tussle

By the mid of February, a larger and wider commotion started in this region when a Kashmir militant (later identified as Adil Ahmad Dar) on 14 February carried out suicide attack on Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Pulwama area of occupied Kashmir. The attack claimed by Jaish-e-Muhammad, caused death to at least 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers. 43 Immediately after the incident, India started blaming Pakistan; recalled its ambassador from Islamabad; revoked Pakistan’s MFN status; and pledged for diplomatic isolation of Pakistan. Indian PM Modi said India will give a “strong response” to the attack. 44 Pakistan rejected allegations of its involvement in the incident and offered cooperation in investigation if India provides information and intelligence. Importantly, Pakistan did condemn the attack.45

India subsequently attacked inside Pakistani territory on February 26, 2019, by carrying out an air strike in Jaba area of Mansehra district Near Balakot and claimed to have killed more than 300 militants targeting a militants’ camp allegedly belonging to Jaish-e-Muhammad.46 Indian aggression was crossing all limits and compelled Pakistan to react. On the very next day, Pakistan on 27 February carried out strikes at three locations inside Indian controlled territory in Kashmir. Indian Air Force jets tried to retaliate and in the dogfight, one Indian plane fell down and the pilot safely ejected in Pakistani territory, who was later arrested by Pakistan security forces. However, Pakistani prime minister announced his release on the very next day to ease the prevailing tensions between the two countries.

After Pakistan’s retaliation, international community was seen more concerned as well as

forthcoming to defuse the tensions as it was realized that situation between Pakistan and India

was going out of control. China also urged the two countries to exercise restraint, whereas,

Turkey and a European Union foreign Affairs representative, urged both countries for calm, while

43 https://www.dawn.com/news/1463821/ied-blast-kills-37-indian-soldiers-in-occupied-kashmir-police 44 https://www.dawn.com/news/1463999/india-withdraws-most-favoured-nation-status-for-pakistan 45 https://www.dawn.com/news/1464024/pakistan-summons-indian-envoy-to-protest-baseless-allegations-about-occupied-kashmir-attack 46 https://www.dawn.com/news/1466286

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/you-ve-committed-big-mistake-pm-narendra-modi-to-pakistan-after-kashmir-attack/story-CHE9FsL0kz1Vz2lvpdRVHI.html

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United Kingdom remained gravely concerned about the escalating tension between the two

countries. Russia also offered its mediation to defuse the tensions.

The statement from Pakistan top leadership including the military as well as release of

Indian pilot send a very strong message across the world as well as in India that Pakistan does

not want hostility. In India, sane voices also started to gain some space in a highly charged and

jingoistic media and people started thinking the repercussions of initiating war. Similarly, Indian

opposition parties also started questioning the real motive of the BJP behind the whole saga and

thus the public opinion in India started to divide despite an effort from the ruling party to control

public opinion under the unavoidable national security and anti-Pakistan sentiments. After

intervention from international community, further escalation was stopped. India shared the

dossier on Pulwama incident late in February and by the end of March, Pakistan’s Foreign Office

conveyed that the ten member investigation panel found “no connecting dots” that could prove

link of any Pakistani, including Masood Azhar, with the Pulwama attack.47

Listing of Masood Azhar and Crack Down in Pakistan against Kashmiri Groups

In the meanwhile, United States initiated a draft resolution on 27 March in UN Security

Council to blacklist JeM leader Masood Azhar as a terrorist. However, China placed a technical

hold, however, later in May dropped its objection and Masood Azhar was designated as global

terrorist by the UNSC. 48

In a significant development, government in Pakistan started crackdown against

Indian/Kashmir focused groups incluidng Jamat ud Dawah, Jaish-e-Muhammad, etc. Pakistani

authorities claimed it to be a measure taken under National Action Plan in which it was pledged

not to allow any militant group to operate in the country as well as to fulfill Financial Action Task

Force (FATF) requirements for the removal of Pakistan’s name from the gray list.49 Pakistan was

seriously interested in resumption of talks to resolve outstanding issues including the issue of

Kashmir but Indian response was not forthcoming. In the wake of impending Indian elections

starting in April, Pakistani leadership believed that current hostile attitude of BJP government

towards Pakistan was driven by electoral politics and situation would improve once elections are

over. The ruling BJP fought the general elections mainly by whipping anti-Pakistan sentiments.

BJP won landslide victory to form the second successive government. Even after elections, no

intent was shown from Indian side to normalize relations with Pakistan and resume dialogue

process.

47 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/pakistan-links-probe-indian-pulwama-dossier-190328095548836.html 48 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48124693 49 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/08/pakistan-launches-major-crackdown-extremist-groups-kashmir

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/pakistan-links-probe-indian-pulwama-dossier-190328095548836.html

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/pakistan-links-probe-indian-pulwama-dossier-190328095548836.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48124693

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/08/pakistan-launches-major-crackdown-extremist-groups-kashmir

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In normal state of affairs, Pakistani action against Kashmir specific group must have

solicited a positive response from India but India was not amused by such notable action from

Pakistan as such moves were against Indian thinking as Indian government was interested to

continue with the use of force against Kashmiris calling it cross-border terrorism. This change in

Pakistani policy denied India to continue human rights violations using the bogey of terrorism.

Indian attempts at FATF to black list Pakistan were also politically motivated. Change of Pakistan’s

policy to focus on politico-diplomatic efforts to highlight Kashmir issue, instead of supporting

proxies, was received well at international level. In September, Indian Army chief blamed for

reactivating Balakot terror camps and that around 500 infiltrators are waiting to enter India.50

With the view calling Indian bluff and her attempts of poisoning the world opinion, Pakistan

offered permanent members of the UN Security Council or any other country inspection of

alleged terror camps to prove that India’s allegations are “totally baseless”. 51 Subsequently,

Pakistan took Islamabad based diplomats of various countries to AJK to prove Indian claims as

propaganda.

Security Situation in Kashmir and HR violations

Throughout the year and particularly after Pulwama incident, India stepped up its so-called

counter-insurgency operations in Occupied Kashmir. Security situation remained volatile

particularly in valley where various clashes between security forces and Kashmiri militants as well

as civilians were reported. According to Kashmir Media Service, Indian security forces killed 210

innocent civilians in occupied Kashmir in 2019. Sixteen of the people were killed in custody or

fake encounters. 64 women were molested by the Indian security forces. Indian forces destroyed

249 residential houses during the period. As many as 2,417 people were injured including 827 in

pellet firing when troops used brute force on protesters and during house raids and crackdowns.

162 people lost vision after being hit by pellets in one eye. 12,892 people including Hurriyat

activists, students, young boys and women were arrested during the year. Some sources say that

the total number of those who were detained is over forty thousand. Many teenage Kashmiri

boys have been kept hundreds and thousands of miles away from their homes in jails of far-flung

Indian states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.52 Various reports including from international

media groups also emerged from Kashmir that indicated torture of minors. Similarly, a report by

Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) and Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil

Society (JKCCS) has revealed that as many as 662 persons were booked under the draconian

Public Safety Act (PSA) in 2019, most of them after August 5. The report revealed that 412

50 https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/balakot-terror-camps-in-pakistan-reactivated-500-infiltrators-waiting-to-enter-india-army-chief-bipin-rawat/story/380704.html 51 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2066099/1-pakistan-offers-p-5-visit-alleged-terror-camps/ 52 https://kmsnews.org/news/2019/12/31/2019-most-brutal-agonizing-for-kashmiris/

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persons in the territory were booked under the PSA post August 5. A majority of these persons

continue to remain detained in jails across India, it said.53

On 8 July, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in yet another

report raised serious concerns about abuses by state security forces and armed groups in both

Indian and Pakistan-held parts of Kashmir. The Indian government dismissed the report as a

“false and motivated narrative” that ignored “the core issue of cross-border terrorism.”

Pakistan welcomed the report but requested that sections be removed or amended in which the

information was “not specific to Pakistan-Administered Kashmir but were general human rights

concerns affecting all of Pakistan.” On 8 July, 2019, Pakistan asked the UN to not equal the

atrocious violation of human rights committed in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) to the climatic

and environmental situation in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB). The nature

of the two situations is worlds apart; by doing so the UN is mellowing down the atrocities

committed by the Indian forces against the people of IoK and demeaning their suffering.54

ICJ Verdict on RAW Officer

The year also witnessed a legal battle between India and Pakistan in the International

Court of Justice over the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian RAW intelligence officer facing

death sentence in Pakistan. International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 16 July, rejected India’s request

to ‘acquit, release and return’ its convicted spy, Kulbhushan Jadhav, however it directed Pakistan

to ensure an effective review and reconsideration of his sentence.55 Indian RAW officer was later

given consular access by Pakistani authorities.

Revoking of Kashmir’s Special Status; Articles 370 and 35-A

While previous legal attempts of the Indian government to remove special status of

Jammu and Kashmir or making demographic changes were in bits and pieces, the major blow

came on 5 August 2019 when the ruling BJP came up with the most serious and dangerous blow

to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir within Indian Constitution. Before that to happen,

India first asked all non-Kashmir tourists to quit Kashmir, moved in additional forces, imposed

curfew like restrictions, shut educational institutions, shut telephone, mobile and internet

services and arrested political leadership including pro-India leadership. 56 On 5 August, Indian

President, through a notification, amended article 370 of Indian constitution that had granted

Kashmir special status. In the amendment, reference to the government of Jammu and Kashmir

53 https://kmsnews.org/news/2019/12/31/662-persons-booked-under-psa-in-iok-in-2019-report/ 54https://www.dawn.com/news/1492849/pakistan-cautions-against-equating-human-rights-violations-in-iok-with-environment-in-ajk-gb 55 https://nation.com.pk/18-Jul-2019/pakistan-wins-jadhav-case-at-un-court 56 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498227/india-introduces-resolution-to-end-occupied-kashmirs-special-status-amid-strong-opposition-in-parliament

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https://nation.com.pk/18-Jul-2019/pakistan-wins-jadhav-case-at-un-court

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was changed to reference to Governor while the words Constituent Assembly were replaced with

Legislative Assembly suggesting that India plans to get these changes endorsed from any future

assembly of Jammu and Kashmir. With this move, the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir stands

abolished thus leaving no bar on restricting Indian citizens to purchase property in Kashmir and

settle there permanently. Similarly, the Indian President issued another notification on 6 August

making further changes in Article 370 to an extent that all other clauses of the said articles were

removed while only one clauses was left behind that allowed application in Kashmir of all laws

and legislation passed by the Indian parliament. Similarly, the UN government also introduced an

amendment in the parliament and bifurcated Kashmir into two Union Territories; Jammu and

Kashmir; and Ladakh with former having legislature and the latter without legislature.57 With

such drastic measures, India went ahead with its plan of internalizing Kashmir despite the fact

that the issue is still on the UNSC agenda. The unilateral Indian action on Kashmir has virtually

nullified Shimla Agreement between the two countries that called for resolution of dispute

through bilateral peaceful means.

Pakistan strongly condemned and rejected the move by the Indian government. It stated,

"No unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in

the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions" adding "The decision will never be

acceptable to the people of IoK and Pakistan”.58 Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with

India, bilateral trade suspended, recalled Pakistan's ambassador from New Delhi and expelled

the Indian envoy, banned all cultural exchanges with India, suspended bus and train services with

India." 59 However, Pakistan shown commitment to completing and opening the Kartarpur

corridor. 60 International humanitarian organizations including Amnesty International, World

Human Rights Watch, etc. strongly condemned Indian moves.61 Genocide Watch issued genocide

alert for India Administered Kashmir.62 Indian communication blockade and curfew like situation

continued in Kashmir till the end of the year.

International media also raised the issue of Kashmir, criticized Indian moves and continued

human rights violations. New York Times in its editorial smelled a threat of nuclear conflict in

South Asia due to Indian moves. The Times also identified Kashmir as “the central source of

friction between India and Pakistan and a hotbed of separatist aspirations.” 63 On 7 August,

United Nations Human Rights spokesperson expressed "great concern" over the information

57 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498227/india-revokes-occupied-kashmirs-special-autonomy-through-rushed-presidential-decree 58 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498236/pakistan-says-it-will-exercise-all-possible-options-to-counter-illegal-steps-taken-by-india-in-iok 59 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498609/pakistan-expels-indian-envoy-suspends-trade-ties-with-india 60 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498894/islamabad-to-still-open-kartarpur-corridor-fm 61 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498247/unilateral-decisions-about-iok-likely-to-inflame-prevailing-tensions-warns-amnesty-international 62 https://www.genocidewatch.com/copy-of-current-genocide-watch-aler 63 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498527/un-chief-warns-against-rising-tensions-between-nuclear-armed-states

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blackout in occupied Kashmir. In a statement, the spokesperson said that what had already been

observed to be a pattern, was taken to a "new level" with the latest restrictions placed by India

which he said "will exacerbate the human rights situation in the region".64 US think tank Stratfor

in its report warned that Kashmir could provide the spark that lights South Asia’s nuclear fuse.

The report highlights the “specter of nuclear war” looming over tensions between nuclear-armed

neighbours Pakistan and India, which have spiked since New Delhi’s illegal revocation of Indian

Occupied Kashmir’s (IOK) special status. It states that the possibility of the conflict going nuclear

increased after India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a veiled threat of nuclear war in the

region. The report disagreed with the view that Kashmir is “India’s internal affair” or even a

“bilateral issue between India and Pakistan”. According to the US think tank, the only way to save

the world from nuclear war is by asking the Kashmiris what they want. “The question is, what do

the people of Kashmir … want? No one is asking them, but that may be the only way to save

them, and the world, from nuclear war,” the report reads.65 New York Times published a 1500-

word report on Kashmir on 23 August stating that “Kashmir is silent as a graveyard”.”66

Among the international governments, condemnation came only from China who rejected

India move.67 Later, Turkey, Malaysia and Iran put their weight behind Pakistan on the issue of

Kashmir, however, rest of the international community remained tight lipped, which Pakistani

authorities translated as a decision made under strategic and economic interests of those states.

However, national legislatures of various countries including the US, UK, and the EU parliament

took up the Kashmir issue, raised objections to Indian clampdown and communication blockage,

shown concerns for human rights violations and asked India and Pakistan to address the issue

through peaceful negotiations.

Threats of RSS Ultra-Nationalist, Fascist Ideology Marching In; Change in Indian NFU

PTI government in Islamabad was convinced that BJP’s anti-Pakistani rhetoric was due to

their internal political compulsions and relations between the two countries will normalize after

Indian general elections. However, this Pakistani optimism remained short lived as BJP

government after security victory in general elections continued her anti-Pakistan tirade. After

moves in Kashmir in August, Pakistan criticized BJP for espousing a radical ideology that puts

Hindus above all other religions and seeks to establish a state that represses all other religious

groups. Pakistan also feared ethnic cleansing of Kashmir.68 PM Imran said Indian government's

policy in occupied Kashmir was in line with the "ideology" of the Hindu nationalist RSS – the

64 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498627/hardly-any-information-coming-out-of-occupied-kashmir-is-of-great-concern-un-human-rights-spokesperson 65 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2041769/3-kashmir-may-provide-spark-pakistan-india-nuclear-war-us-think-tank/ 66 https://www.dawn.com/news/1501353/kashmir-is-silent-as-a-graveyard-says-us-media-report 67 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498428/china-says-india-move-on-kashmir-violates-its-territorial-sovereignty 68 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498411/govt-resolves-to-take-up-annexation-of-kashmir-on-international-forums-fight-bjps-racist-ideology

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parent organisation of the ruling BJP — that believed in "Hindu supremacy". He said: "The curfew,

crackdown and impending genocide of Kashmiris in Indian-occupied Kashmir is unfolding exactly

according to RSS ideology [that is] inspired by Nazi ideology". He termed the RSS as the "Hindu

supremacist’s version of Hitler's Lebensraum". He expressed concern that the "RSS ideology of

Hindu supremacy, like the Nazi Aryan supremacy, will not stop in IoK; instead it will lead to

suppression of Muslims in India and eventually lead to targeting Pakistan". He said that the BJP

government is attempting to "change [the] demography of Kashmir through ethnic cleansing".69

Since Indian Kashmir move, Pakistani leadership especially the prime minister on

numerous occasions highlighted Indian fascist agenda under PM Modi. Passing of the highly

discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) by BJP’s dominated parliament confirmed

Pakistani apprehensions. Muslims, civil society and political parties raised their voices against

CAB and wide spread protests in India started that are yet to subside. India has moved a long

distance from a secular country to Hindu nationalist state. Ill treatment of minorities, Indian

Supreme Court’s verdict on Babri Mosque, and lynching of various Muslims by cow vigilantes on

allegations / suspicions of cow slaughter raised fears among the minorities and polarized Indian

society on ethnic and religious lines.

India’s defence minister hinted on 16 August that New Delhi might change its “no first use”

policy on nuclear weapons. “Pokhran is the area which witnessed [Vajpayee’s] firm resolve to

make India a nuclear power and yet remain firmly committed to the doctrine of ‘No First Use’,”

Singh wrote. “India has strictly adhered to this doctrine. What happens in future depends on the

circumstances,” Singh tweeted.70 Pakistan on 16 August denounced Indian Defence Minister

Rajnath Singh’s hint at altering India’s nuclear policy of “No First Use” (NFU) as “irresponsible”

and “unfortunate”, and vowed to maintain credible minimum deterrence posture. Foreign

Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said “The substance and timing of the Indian defence minister’s

statement is highly unfortunate and reflective of India’s irresponsible and belligerent behaviour.”

He said the Indian defence minister’s statement further exposed the pretence of India’s NFU to

which Pakistan never accorded credence. NFU, Foreign Minister Qureshi said, “is non-verifiable

and cannot be taken at face value, particularly when development of offensive capabilities and

force postures belie such claims”. He recalled Pakistan’s proposals for Strategic Restraint Regime

in South Asia and reaffirmed the pledge to “maintain credible minimum deterrence posture”.71

Indian thinking of change in its nuclear doctrine has put extra pressure on already fragile security

situation in sub-continent.

69 https://www.dawn.com/news/1499293/rss-ideology-of-hindu-supremacy-will-lead-to-suppression-of-muslims-

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UNSC Maintained Its Position on Kashmir but Failed to React

On 8 August, UN Secretary General António Guterres called on all parties to refrain from

taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir. A statement issued by his office.

clarified that the UN position on Kashmir was tied to its own charter and applicable Security

Council resolutions. The secretary general recalled that the 1972 agreement on bilateral relations

between India and Pakistan, also known as the Shimla Agreement, “calls for the final status of

Jammu and Kashmir to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the

United Nations.” Referring to reports of restrictions on the Indian side of Kashmir, Mr Guterres

warned that this “could exacerbate the human rights situation in the region”.72

Pakistan asked UNSC president to convene an emergency meeting of the council to

discuss India’s “illegal actions” that also “violate UN resolutions on Kashmir.73 China actively

supported Pakistani demand of a UNSC session. Subsequently, on 16 August, a consultative

session of UNSC member states was held but no official statement was issued regarding outcome

of the session. The statements from relevant quarters including China suggested that UNSC

session asked both Pakistan and India to resolve the issue through dialogue.74 According to CNN,

“France, Germany and the United States objected to language that might have broadened the

issue beyond the possibility of future bilateral talks between India and Pakistan”. “The priority

must go to bilateral dialogue,” the report added. Another report by Al Jazeera television network

noted that in meeting, members of the Security Council were guided by their longstanding

relationships rather than the need to help the people of Jammu and Kashmir. 75 Later in

December, China requested another UNSC special meeting on Kashmir but the meeting could not

be held due to opposition from France who is permanent member of UNSC. 76 During UN General

Assembly session, Pakistan forcefully took up the issue of Kashmir and highlighted BJP’s racists

ideology.

Pakistan managed to garner support from China, Turkey and Malaysia as leaders of these

countries in their respective addresses to the UNGA touched upon the issue of Kashmir. Turkish

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on 24 September called for a solution through dialogue for the

Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India. In his address at the General Assembly, Erdogan

criticised the international community for failing to pay attention to the Kashmir conflict, which,

he said, awaits solution for 72 years. The president said the stability and prosperity of South Asia

cannot be separated from the Kashmir issue. 77 In his address to the UNGA session on 27

72 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498892/un-chief-urges-all-parties-not-to-change-kashmir-status 73 https://www.dawn.com/news/1499417/pakistan-seeks-emergency-unsc-meet-on-kashmir 74 https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/un-security-council-concludes-closed-door-meeting-on-jammu-and-kashmir-1.1565978586197 75 https://www.dawn.com/news/1500195 76 https://www.dawn.com/news/1522859 77 https://www.dawn.com/news/1507113/erdogan-calls-for-dialogue-to-end-kashmir-dispute

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1507113/erdogan-calls-for-dialogue-to-end-kashmir-dispute



September, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad hit out at New Delhi for invading and

occupying Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) despite United Nations resolutions deeming it as a

disputed territory. He called for settling the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan through

“peaceful means”. He said, “Ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregard for the UN

and the rule of law.”78 Also on 27 September, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi raised the

Kashmir issue in his address to the General Assembly calling for a peaceful resolution of the

dispute between Pakistan and India based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council

resolutions and bilateral agreements. Yi said Kashmir issue was a dispute left from history. “China

opposes any unilateral actions that complicated the situation,” he said.79

Silver Lining: Opening of Kartarpur Corridor

Amidst all the negative trends at bilateral level, opening of Kartarpur Corridor was the

only silver lining as Pakistani government vary courageously went ahead with its plan of opening

of Kartarpur Corridor in November on 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Baba Guru

Nanak. 80 Despite freezing of relations between the two counties throughout the year, Pakistan

preferred to engage India on Kartarpur though India was seen much reluctant but could not

oppose the move due to a large Sikh population. Since such initiatives are meant to facilitate

cultural relations and people to people contacts, which India has over the last few years tried not

to encourage, it could have positive impact on bilateral relations but given Indian attitude,

initiatives like opening of Kartarpur are likely to go down the drain, so it did.

Deployment of Additional Forces; LoC Ceasefire Violations

Since the start of the year, ceasefire violations on Line of Control became a permanent

feature of India-Pakistan relations. Pakistan also blamed India for use of cluster bomb on civilian

population in such ceasefire violations.81 OIC also voiced concerns over deteriorating situation in

the Indian-occupied Kashmir including the use of banned cluster munitions by Indian forces on

unarmed civilians across the Line of Control and the deployment of additional paramilitary

forces.82 According to AJK Disaster Management Authority, as many as 59 civilians, including

women and children, were killed and another 281 suffered injuries in different areas along the

restive Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in 2019 as a result of ceasefire

violations by Indian troops.83 This does not include the security forces personnel killed in such

violations. Pakistan’s Foreign Office claimed that Indian forces breached ceasefire along the Line

78 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2067601/3-despite-un-resolutions-kashmir-invaded-occupied-mahathir/ 79 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2068013/3-malaysia-china-back-pakistan-kashmir-issue-unga/ 80 https://www.dawn.com/news/1515830/this-is-the-beginning-pm-imran-inaugurates-kartarpur-corridor-on-historic-day 81 https://www.dawn.com/news/1496892/ajk-woman-killed-7-injured-in-latest-unprovoked-ceasefire-violation-by-indian-troops 82 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2028068/1-oic-voices-concerns-use-cluster-munitions-indian-forces/ 83 https://www.dawn.com/news/1525564/indian-violations-claimed-59-lives-along-loc-in-2019

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2067601/3-despite-un-resolutions-kashmir-invaded-occupied-mahathir/

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2068013/3-malaysia-china-back-pakistan-kashmir-issue-unga/

https://www.dawn.com/news/1515830/this-is-the-beginning-pm-imran-inaugurates-kartarpur-corridor-on-historic-day

https://www.dawn.com/news/1515830/this-is-the-beginning-pm-imran-inaugurates-kartarpur-corridor-on-historic-day

https://www.dawn.com/news/1496892/ajk-woman-killed-7-injured-in-latest-unprovoked-ceasefire-violation-by-indian-troops

https://www.dawn.com/news/1496892/ajk-woman-killed-7-injured-in-latest-unprovoked-ceasefire-violation-by-indian-troops

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2028068/1-oic-voices-concerns-use-cluster-munitions-indian-forces/

https://www.dawn.com/news/1525564/indian-violations-claimed-59-lives-along-loc-in-2019



of Control (LoC) on more than 3,000 occasions in 2019.84 On the other hand, India claims that

ceasefire violations are done by Pakistan. Indian media reported quoting official sources that a

total of 3,200 incidents of ceasefire violations were done by Pakistan compared to 1,629 incidents

in 2018.85 There is no independent observatory mechanism to refute or accept claim from either

side as Pakistan blame India for ceasefire violations while India blamed Pakistan for the same.

Towards the end of the year, Pakistan was fearing Indian possible adventurism in Kashmir.

In a letter to the President of UNSC, Pakistan’s foreign minister stated that over 3,000 ceasefire

violations (by India); partial removal of the fence on the LoC (by India) in five sectors; deployment

of Brahmos Missile, anti-tank guided missiles and Spike missiles; and conduct of numerous

missile tests since August 2019 constituted threat to peace and security. One reason behind these

actions, he believed, could be to distract the world’s attention from the protests going on in India

against a controversial citizenship law. “In this situation India can do a mischief at LoC,” he said.86

Pakistani prime minister also warned that India under Narendra Modi can carry out some sort of

a misadventure in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to divert the world’s attention from protests

at home against certain official steps mainly targeting Muslims.87

In the wake of current happenings in India over CAB protests, the possibility of

advertisement cannot be ruled out. Throughout the year and for the last many decades, Kashmir

issues continued to present itself as the most daunting issue and nuclear flash point between

Pakistan and India. While India has been making all out unilateral efforts to internalize Kashmir

through various legal and administrative measures, the issue remains a bilateral and

international dispute warranting world attention particularly when the possibility of war

between Pakistan and India on the issue of Kashmir is no more remote reality especially when

hardline RSS-BJP are helm of the affairs in India. In Kashmir, India is likely to use all measures

including use of excessive force against unarmed Kashmiris.

84 https://www.dawn.com/news/1522859 85 https://southasiamonitor.org/news/ceasefire-violations-across-india-pakistan-loc-in-2019-doubled/snotes/31491 86 https://www.dawn.com/news/1524054/india-conspiring-to-disturb-peace-fm 87 https://www.dawn.com/news/1524608/imran-warns-of-indian-misadventure-in-ajk


https://southasiamonitor.org/news/ceasefire-violations-across-india-pakistan-loc-in-2019-doubled/snotes/31491

https://southasiamonitor.org/news/ceasefire-violations-across-india-pakistan-loc-in-2019-doubled/snotes/31491

https://www.dawn.com/news/1524054/india-conspiring-to-disturb-peace-fm

https://www.dawn.com/news/1524608/imran-warns-of-indian-misadventure-in-ajk



Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations; Security Situation and Afghan Peace Process

Rollercoaster Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations

The year started with uneasy relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. President

Ashraf Ghani on 30 January said, “The key to peace is in Afghanistan because we have the

scheme, plan and roadmap for peace, but the key for war is in Islamabad, Quetta and

Rawalpindi”. 88 Due to nervousness arsing form continuous failure to find a place on the

negotiation table, Afghan President felt expedient to up the ante against Pakistan and did not

shy away from interfering in Pakistan internal affairs as he said that Afghan government had

"serious concerns about the violence perpetrated against peaceful protesters and civil activists"

in KPK and Balochistan referring to the protests of Pashtun Tahafiz Movement.89 Pakistan also

blamed that some people were receiving money from Afghanistan’s National Directorate of

Security (NDS) and India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to create disturbances in the

country.90

However, some sorts of opening and improving relations was witnessed when on 5 May

President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Imran Khan discussed the Afghan peace process and

regional connectivity in a telephonic conversation.91 PM Iman Khan and President Ghani also met

on the side lines of OIC summit in Makkah where PM Khan "reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment

to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan" and underlined Pakistan's support for an Afghan-led and

Afghan-owned peace process that could lead to a political solution in the neighbouring country.92

Also Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib visited Pakistan and met Army chief93

suggesting warming up of relations. Improvement in Afghanistan-Pakistan bilateral relations

continued. In his eid message, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said he will visit Pakistan on

June 27 to open a new chapter in his country's relationship with Pakistan and mend ties. "I hope

the visit will be positive," Ghani said.94

In the meanwhile, institutional and structured dialogue between Afghanistan and

Pakistan were also resumed. On 10 June, senior officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan held

formal talks after a gap of almost one year. The talks, part of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action

88 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/ghani-says-kabul-has-roadmap-peace 89 https://www.dawn.com/news/1462390/gross-interference-fm-qureshi-rejects-afghan-presidents-statement-on-protests-in-kp-balochistan 90 https://www.dawn.com/news/1480374/evidence-available-some-people-got-money-from-raw-nds-qureshi 91 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/pakistan-ready-%E2%80%98any-cooperation%E2%80%99-afghan-peace-khan 92 https://www.dawn.com/news/1485704/pm-imran-discusses-regional-issues-with-afghan-egyptian-presidents-on-sidelines-of-oic-summit 93 https://www.dawn.com/news/1485439/bajwa-afghan-nsa-discuss-border-management 94 https://www.dawn.com/news/1486482/afghan-president-says-he-will-visit-pakistan-to-improve-ties

https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/ghani-says-kabul-has-roadmap-peace

https://www.dawn.com/news/1462390/gross-interference-fm-qureshi-rejects-afghan-presidents-statement-on-protests-in-kp-balochistan

https://www.dawn.com/news/1462390/gross-interference-fm-qureshi-rejects-afghan-presidents-statement-on-protests-in-kp-balochistan

https://www.dawn.com/news/1480374/evidence-available-some-people-got-money-from-raw-nds-qureshi

https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/pakistan-ready-%E2%80%98any-cooperation%E2%80%99-afghan-peace-khan

https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/pakistan-ready-%E2%80%98any-cooperation%E2%80%99-afghan-peace-khan

https://www.dawn.com/news/1485704/pm-imran-discusses-regional-issues-with-afghan-egyptian-presidents-on-sidelines-of-oic-summit

https://www.dawn.com/news/1485704/pm-imran-discusses-regional-issues-with-afghan-egyptian-presidents-on-sidelines-of-oic-summit

https://www.dawn.com/news/1485439/bajwa-afghan-nsa-discuss-border-management

https://www.dawn.com/news/1486482/afghan-president-says-he-will-visit-pakistan-to-improve-ties



Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), were last held in July 2018 in Kabul. Afghan delegation

led by Deputy Foreign Minister Idrees Zaman held talks with the Pakistani side, headed by Foreign

Secretary Sohail Mehmood. Reportedly, both the countries agreed to make joint efforts for peace

in the region and promote mutual trust. The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation in

politics, diplomacy, defence, intelligence and Afghan refugees and agreed to strengthen it

further. 95 Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHCR) unanimously agreed on a 12-point joint declaration on the conclusion of the Tripartite

Commission meeting which discussed safe and honorable repatriation of Afghan refugees.

According to the 12-point communiqué, the three parties expressed their commitment to extend

the existing Tripartite Agreement.96

With a two-day visit of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan on 27 June, an attempt

was made to improve bilateral relations between the two countries. PM Imran assured President

Ghani that he was "committed to bring about a qualitative transformation in Pakistan-

Afghanistan relations as part of his vision of a 'peaceful neighbourhood'". PM and President Ghani

also talked about economic ties and discussed the importance of completing the Central Asia-

South Asia (CASA 1000) electricity transmission line and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-

India (TAPI) gas pipeline at the earliest. The Afghan president also met Foreign Minister Shah

Mahmood Qureshi. Ghani "appreciated Pakistan's efforts for peace process in Afghanistan".

President Alvi in a delegation-level meeting with his Afghan counterpart expressed Pakistan's

resolve to assist Afghanistan during its post-war reconstruction phase. Special emphasis was laid

on "enhanced political, trade, economic, commercial, educational and people-to-people ties with

Afghanistan".97 Reportedly, President Ghani also met Army Chief during his visit to Pakistan. In

one of his address in Lahore, President Ghani said that he held talks with Pakistani Prime Minister

Imran Khan and Army Chief Gen. Qamar Bajwa where they vowed to allow Afghan trucks to cross

Wagah and have direct access to India.98

Ahead of President Ghani’s visit to Pakistan, a sort of intra-Afghan conference was also

held in Bhurban (Murree) on 22 June which was attended by at least 57 Afghan personalities

including several Afghan politicians of various political and ethnic backgrounds.99 The hosting of

such intra-Afghan conference was aimed at broadening Pakistan’s relationship with politicians

and key figures of diverse ethnic background. On 7 September, Islamabad hosted the third round

of China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Dialogue during which the three sides

"agreed on a list of initial projects of enhancing counterterrorism cooperation". The three sides

also asked for resumption of peace talks between the US and Taliban as well as between Taliban

95 https://tribune.com.pk/story/1989502/1-pakistan-afghan-officials-meet-reset-ties/ 96 https://www.dawn.com/news/1489067/accord-on-dignified-repatriation-of-afghan-refugees 97 https://www.dawn.com/news/1490714/pm-imran-afghan-president-ghani-look-to-opening-new-chapter-of-friendship 98 https://www.tolonews.com/business/pakistan-give-afghans-full-access-torkham-crossing 99 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/senior-afghan-politicians-en-route-pakistan-key-meeting

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1489067/accord-on-dignified-repatriation-of-afghan-refugees

https://www.dawn.com/news/1490714/pm-imran-afghan-president-ghani-look-to-opening-new-chapter-of-friendship

https://www.dawn.com/news/1490714/pm-imran-afghan-president-ghani-look-to-opening-new-chapter-of-friendship

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and the Afghan government.100 The relations between the two countries, however, could not

remain stable.

On 29 October, border skirmishes between Pakistani and Afghan security forces were

reported in which, six soldiers and five civilians were injured.101 The skirmishes were started on

the issue of construction of border posts. Pakistan proposed to resolve the issue of newly-

established posts through a border flag meeting, a joint survey of the area, and a local jirga

involving Mashran (elders) from both sides.102 On 3 November, Pakistan launched a protest with

Afghanistan by summoning Afghan chargé d' affairs over 'harrassment of Pakistani diplomats' in

Kabul103 suggesting that diplomatic relations between the two countries was continuously on the

slide. Afghan Charge d’affairs was summoned by Pakistan’s Foreign Office on 10 November to

convey serious concerns over the safety and security of the diplomatic personnel of the Embassy

of Pakistan in Kabul and its sub-missions. Earlier on 4 November, Pakistan had closed its consular

services in Kabul, citing security concerns.104

After witnessing a dip in bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan manifested

in accusations, border skirmishes and harassment of diplomats, foreign secretary Sohail

Mahmood and DG ISI Lt Gen Faiz Hameed visited Kabul on 11 November where they held talks

with the Afghan intelligence chief, national security adviser and acting foreign minister.

According to an unconfirmed media report, both sides agreed to form a ‘technical committee’ to

look into the matter with a view to immediately resolving it. Both sides also reportedly agreed to

maintain close liaison and communication and identify steps to move forward on relevant issues.

It was also decided that the next meeting of Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and

Solidarity (APAPPS) would be held in Kabul in December.105 No meeting of the APAPPS could be

held despite agreement.

US-Taliban Peace Talks and Intra-Afghan Dialogues

Peace talks between the US and Taliban started from October 2018 and continued in

2019. President Trump made loud thinking from the start of the year about withdrawal of US

forces from Afghanistan and that his administration is working on it106 and the fresh round of US-

Taliban talks held in Qatar from 21-26 January. Both sides admitted “progress on vital issues".

100 https://www.dawn.com/news/1504054/trilateral-dialogue-pakistan-china-afghanistan-agree-on-enhancing-counterterrorism-cooperation 101 https://www.dawn.com/news/1513611/6-soldiers-5-civilians-injured-as-afghan-forces-target-civilian-population-along-pak-afghan-border-in-chitral 102 https://www.dawn.com/news/1513957/afghanistans-use-of-media-for-levelling-allegation-against-pakistan-regretted 103 https://www.dawn.com/news/1514668?ref=notification 104 https://www.dawn.com/news/1514978/afghanistan-to-probe-security-concerns-of-pakistan 105 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2097749/1-isi-chief-foreign-secretary-visit-kabul-defuse-tension/ 106 https://www.dawn.com/news/1455785/afghan-pullout-under-consideration-us-vice-president

https://www.dawn.com/news/1504054/trilateral-dialogue-pakistan-china-afghanistan-agree-on-enhancing-counterterrorism-cooperation

https://www.dawn.com/news/1504054/trilateral-dialogue-pakistan-china-afghanistan-agree-on-enhancing-counterterrorism-cooperation

https://www.dawn.com/news/1513611/6-soldiers-5-civilians-injured-as-afghan-forces-target-civilian-population-along-pak-afghan-border-in-chitral

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1513957/afghanistans-use-of-media-for-levelling-allegation-against-pakistan-regretted

https://www.dawn.com/news/1513957/afghanistans-use-of-media-for-levelling-allegation-against-pakistan-regretted


https://www.dawn.com/news/1514978/afghanistan-to-probe-security-concerns-of-pakistan

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2097749/1-isi-chief-foreign-secretary-visit-kabul-defuse-tension/

https://www.dawn.com/news/1455785/afghan-pullout-under-consideration-us-vice-president



Zalmay Khalilzad said, “We have a number of issues left to work out. Nothing is agreed until

everything is agreed, and ‘everything’ must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive

ceasefire”. Amidst peace talks on 24 January, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the

Taliban, was appointed as the leader of Taliban’s political office in Qatar. Considering his status

among Taliban cadres, his appointment was aimed at giving wider acceptability of any future

peace agreement.

On 25 February, a new round of talks between the US and Taliban started in Doha where

the US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met Taliban’s top political leader Mullah Abdul Ghani

Baradar.8 On 26 February, Afghan Taliban said that both sides are close to reaching an agreement

on US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.107 Subsequently, a two-day break was announced in

talks for internal consultations and talks resumed on 2 March. This round of talks lasted 16 days,

with officials from both sides saying that progress had been made.108

Earlier in February, a quasi- intra Afghan dialogue was held in Moscow from 5-6 February, which was attended by Afghan Taliban and some Afghan political figures as well as members of civil society barring Afghan government.109 Moscow moot further side-lined the sitting Afghan government as Taliban once again denied engaging with the Afghan government. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani questioned Moscow talks and termed them holding no weight110 and that it will not have an impact on Afghan peace process.111 On 12 February, Taliban announced the formation of a 14-member peace negotiating team.112 On 22 February, United States and Russia agreed in Ankara to explore options for securing UN travel waivers for Taliban negotiators to participate in peace talks.113 An important US, Russia and China trilateral meeting on Afghanistan was held in the US from 21-22 March.114 Similarly, another important trilateral meeting between the US, Russia and China was held in Moscow on 25 April.115

Intra-Afghan dialogue scheduled for 19-21 April in Qatar was postponed on Taliban’s objection to attending of 250 people nominated by Afghan president.116 The long list of delegates did not amuse Taliban who termed the lengthy list as not “normal” and that they had “no plans” to meet with so many people.117

107 https://www.dawn.com/news/1466166/taliban-hopeful-on-deal-amid-new-round-of-talks-with-us 108 https://www.dawn.com/news/1469665/taliban-leader-optimistic-about-afghan-peace 109 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/joint-declaration-issued-after-moscow-talks 110 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/moscow-talks-hold-no-weight-says-ghani 111 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/moscow-talks-will-have-no-impact-peace-process-govt 112 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/taliban-form-new-peace-negotiating-team-ahead-qatar-talks 113 https://www.dawn.com/news/1465572/us-russia-seeking-un-travel-waivers-for-taliban 114 https://www.dawn.com/news/1471504/world-powers-agree-to-ensure-afghanistan-no-longer-poses-threat 115 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/us-russia-and-china-reach-%E2%80%98consensus%E2%80%99-afghan-process 116 https://www.dawn.com/news/1476510/hundreds-of-afghan-delegates-to-meet-with-taliban-in-doha 117 https://www.dawn.com/news/1476721/peace-talks-in-trouble-as-taliban-slam-afghan-guest-list

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https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/taliban-form-new-peace-negotiating-team-ahead-qatar-talks

https://www.dawn.com/news/1465572/us-russia-seeking-un-travel-waivers-for-taliban

https://www.dawn.com/news/1471504/world-powers-agree-to-ensure-afghanistan-no-longer-poses-threat

https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/us-russia-and-china-reach-%E2%80%98consensus%E2%80%99-afghan-process

https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/us-russia-and-china-reach-%E2%80%98consensus%E2%80%99-afghan-process

https://www.dawn.com/news/1476510/hundreds-of-afghan-delegates-to-meet-with-taliban-in-doha

https://www.dawn.com/news/1476721/peace-talks-in-trouble-as-taliban-slam-afghan-guest-list



In April first the Afghan government announced its spring offensive named Operation

Khalid and then Taliban announced their annual spring offensive, Operation Fath (means

“victory” in Arabic) aimed at “eradicating occupation” and “cleansing our Muslim homeland from

invasion and corruption” while citing operation by the government.118 Reacting to development,

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said the

announcement is “reckless” and is “indifference” to the demands of Afghans for peace.

After background efforts from all sides including Pakistan, the US and Taliban negotiators began a new round of peace talks in Doha on 1 May. In the meanwhile, President Ghani regime organized a five-day Grand Consultative Jirga (Loya Jirga) in which almost 3200 delegates from around the country participated.119 The Loya Jirga, on 3 May called for Taliban and Afghan forces to announce an immediate cease-fire and demanded the “orderly” gradual departure of US led forces from the country. It also said Afghan and Taliban officials “should accept the call of an absolute majority of Afghans and announce an immediate and permanent cease-fire” beginning with the start of Ramadan, and “enforce it across the country.”120 The Taliban out rightly rejected the call. In the meanwhile, violence in Afghanistan continued.

While realizing the importance of political reconciliation in Afghanistan as a means to fight

Daesh in Afghanistan, Russia made yet another effort to bring the Afghan warring factions to

negotiation table and invited Afghan Taliban and political leaders for a two-day dialogue on 28-

29 May at Moscow. Taliban sent a 14-member delegation who was led by Mullah Abdul Ghani

Baradar. From the Afghan political establishment, former president Hamid Karzai attended.

Similarly, high peace council head Karim Khalili also attended.121 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei

Lavrov said Russia and Afghanistan have “a shared aim — fighting terrorism” and reiterated that

Moscow supports a complete withdrawal of foreign forces.122 Taliban rejected the call for a

ceasefire despite demands from other participants.123

In a significant confidence building measure, Afghan government released around 490

Taliban fighters and commanders since the beginning of June.124 Again, on the occasion of Eid al-

Fitr, Ghani announced the release of 887 prisoners as part of his efforts to persuade the resurgent

group to engage in intra-Afghan dialogue to end the conflict through diplomatic settlement.

118 https://www.dawn.com/news/1475629/taliban-announce-spring-offensive-amid-afghan-peace-push 119 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/jirga-will-determine-framework-talks-taliban-ghani 120 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/assembly-of-3000-afghans-calls-for-immediate-truce-orderly-departure-of-foreign-troops/2019/05/03/a9366476-6b8f-11e9-bbe7-1c798fb80536_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ac87e14b9fd0 121 https://tribune.com.pk/story/1981495/3-russia-invites-taliban-afghan-officials-moscow-meet/ 122 https://www.dawn.com/news/1485150/senior-afghan-taliban-leader-says-insurgents-want-peace 123 https://www.tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan/moscow-talks-taliban-rejects-calls-ceasefire 124 https://www.opslens.com/2019/06/afghan-government-unconditionally-released-hundreds-of-taliban-

prisoners/

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https://tribune.com.pk/story/1981495/3-russia-invites-taliban-afghan-officials-moscow-meet/

https://www.dawn.com/news/1485150/senior-afghan-taliban-leader-says-insurgents-want-peace

https://www.tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan/moscow-talks-taliban-rejects-calls-ceasefire

https://www.opslens.com/2019/06/afghan-government-unconditionally-released-hundreds-of-taliban-prisoners/





According to National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib, all the 887 inmates were Taliban

prisoners. 125

Ahead of President Ghani’s visit to Pakistan, a sort of intra-Afghan conference was also

held in Bhurban (Murree) on 22 June which was attended by at least 57 Afghan personalities

including several Afghan politicians prominent among them were Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin

Hekmatyar, former Balkh governor Atta Mohammad Noor, second deputy chief executive

Mohammad Mohaqeq, presidential candidate Abdul Latif Pedram, Peace Council Chairman

Mohammad Karim Khalili, presidential candidate Mohammad Haneef Atmar, former vice

president Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, former governor Ismail Khan and Jamiat-e-Islami member

Ahmad Zia Massoud.126

US-Taliban talks started on 29 June in Doha.127 Meanwhile, Qatar Foreign Ministry in a

statement said that during the talks, the two sides agreed to expedite efforts for ending the war

by sealing a peace deal. “During this round of talks, the two sides discussed the withdrawal of

foreign troops from Afghanistan, the non-use of Afghanistan territory against the United States

or any other country, participation in Afghan-Afghan dialogue and negotiations, and a

comprehensive ceasefire,” said the statement. 128

Another US-Taliban talks was started on July 1, 2019 and there was a two-days pause for intra-afghan dialogue on 7th and 8th July. Zalmay Khalilzad said, “The last 6 days of talks have been the most productive session to date. We made substantive progress on ALL 4 parts of a peace agreement: counter-terrorism assurances, troop withdrawal, participation in intra-Afghan dialogue & negotiations, and permanent & comprehensive ceasefire”. Before the US special envoy’s statement, Taliban also expressed their optimism on the talks and said that ‘both sides made good progress’ on the points to draw a draft for troop withdrawal and Afghan territory not to be used as terrorist safe haven. With former suggesting focus on all four issues while latter showing interests only in two.

In the intra-Afghan talks that took place on 7-8 July, 60 member delegation from Afghan

government, opposition and civil society representatives and 17 members’ delegation from

Taliban participated. The intra-Afghan dialogue in Qatar was mutually organized by Germany and

Qatar. It was the first time that the Taliban agreed to a direct-talks with any member of current

Afghan government. The area of negotiations included reduction in violence and stop attacks on

‘religious centers, schools, hospitals, educational centers, bazaars, water dams and workplaces.

Yet another round of talks between the US and Taliban, started on 3 August.

Subsequently, both sides met again on 22 August. On 2 September, US Special Representative

125 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/govt-releases-170-taliban-prisoners-amid-peace-efforts 126 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/senior-afghan-politicians-en-route-pakistan-key-meeting 127 https://www.dawn.com/news/1490192/fresh-us-taliban-negotiation-aims-for-pullout-of-foreign-forces 128 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/afghan-govt-and-taliban-talks-likely-two-weeks-official

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Zalmay Khalilzad said the United States and the Taliban reached an agreement in principle. He

said that based on the draft agreement, the US will withdraw 5,000 troops from five bases in

Afghanistan within 135 days if conditions in the agreement are addressed by the Taliban. At the

first stage, the provinces of Kabul and Parwan – where the Bagram Airfield is located – will see a

reduction in violence. Mr. Khalilzad said the return of an Islamic emirate, the term used for the

Taliban’s governance system, by force is not acceptable. 129 On 4 September, Afghan government

expressed doubts about a prospective deal between the US and the Taliban, saying officials need

more information about the risks it poses.130

In a surprise move, President Trump on 7 September said he cancelled peace talks with

Afghanistan’s Taliban leaders after the insurgent group said it was behind an attack in Kabul that

killed an American soldier and 11 other people. President Trump also cancelled planned separate

meetings with the Taliban leaders and Afghan President in Camp David.131 The suspension of

peace talks only gave a further impetus to ongoing violence in Afghanistan and the US also tried

to tread once again on the path of use of force. Both sides went into confrontation mode while

Pakistan continued to advocate for peaceful resolution of the issue urging resumption of talks.132

After suspension of talks between the US and Taliban, the latter started diplomatic outreach and

Taliban delegations visited Russia, Iran, China and Pakistan in September and October. Taliban

shown willingness to resume dialogue with the US while the hosting countries stressed for earlier

resumption of US-Taliban dialogue. During the visit to Pakistan, Afghan delegation was pushed

by Pakistan to resume dialogue. According to Reuters report, Taliban delegation met US

special representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on 3 Oct in Islamabad. On 20 October,

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper visited Afghanistan and hoped for a political agreement.133

On 25 October, an important quadrilateral meeting on Afghanistan was held in Moscow between

China, Pakistan, Russia and the US in which the former three urged the United States to

immediately resume the stalled peace talks with the Taliban.134 For confidence building, prisoner

swap took place in Afghanistan on 19 November. Taliban released the two professors of

American University of Afghanistan — an American and an Australian, which they were holding

since 2016, under a deal, through which the Afghan government released three senior Afghan

commanders Anas Haqqani, Haji Mali Khan, and Hafiz Rashid.135

129 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/us-and-taliban-reach-agreement-principle-khalilzad 130 https://www.dawn.com/news/1503575/kabul-concerned-about-us-taliban-deal-seeks-clarification 131 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2052037/3-trump-says-cancelled-peace-talks-taliban-kabul-attack/ 132 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2052459/1-pakistan-urges-us-afghan-taliban-resume-talks-find-negotiated-peace/ 133 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2083740/3-pentagon-chief-afghanistan-us-looks-kickstart-taliban-talks/ 134 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2087279/1-pakistan-china-russia-urge-us-resume-talks-taliban/ 135 https://www.dawn.com/news/1517656/pakistan-welcomes-exchange-of-taliban-prisoners-with-western-hostages

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US President Donald Trump told his nation on 25 November that he is once again working

on a peace agreement to bring his troops back from Afghanistan.136 On 28 November, President

Trump paid an unannounced Thanksgiving visit to American troops in Afghanistan and declared

that he had reopened peace negotiations with the Taliban.137 Formal talks between the two sides

began on 7 December but the talks were paused after Taliban launched a suicide attack on a US

base in Afghanistan killing two civilians and injuring more than 70 people.138 Associated Press had

claimed that Taliban council agreed for a limited ceasefire139 but Taliban spokesperson rejected

this claim. Thus future of peace talks is still uncertain though the talks have not been cancelled

and likely to be resumed soon but an uneasy situation prevails as continued violence from Taliban

side is putting extra pressure on the US in terms of peace talks. One can hope that talks will

resume soon and both the sides are able to iron out differences and sign a peace deal. However,

stability in Afghanistan will largely depend on intra-Afghan dialogue as the country needs a new

social contract that could be arrived through engagement and talks between Afghans at the

national level.

Security Situation in Afghanistan; Weakening of Daesh

Security situation in worn torn Afghanistan remained volatile through the year with

Taliban, Daesh and Afghan security forces backed by the international forces were seen fighting

against each other. UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in its mid-year report noted 27 percent

increase in civilian deaths in the second quarter of 2019 compared with the first. The report

stated that anti-government elements continued to cause the majority of civilian casualties.

However, civilian deaths attributed to pro-government forces exceeded those caused by anti-

government elements for the second quarter in succession, the report shows. The UN report says

that ground engagements remained the leading cause of civilian casualties, causing one-third of

the overall total, albeit a 16 percent decrease compared to the first half of 2018. Civilian

casualties from aerial operations amounted to 14 percent. UNAMA attributed 52 percent of all

civilian casualties to anti-government elements, with 38 percent attributed to Taliban, 11 percent

to Daesh/Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), and 3 percent to unidentified anti-government

elements.140

New figures by the Ministry of Public Health showed that conflict-related violence in the past

12 months has left more than 3,300 civilians dead and over 14,600 others wounded. The time

period measured is from September 2018 to September 2019.The report does not make claims

about which military or group is to blame, although it measures those killed in suicide attacks,

136 https://www.dawn.com/news/1518869/trump-hopeful-of-peace-deal-with-taliban 137 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/28/us/politics/trump-afghanistan.html 138 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/taliban-talks-pause-suicide-attack-american-airbase-191213062250773.html 139 https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan/no-ceasefire-ahead-signed-deal-us-sources 140 https://www.tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan/un-notes-reduction-afghan-civilian-deaths-mid-2019

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which is 460 killed, and 1,200 wounded. According to this latest measurement by the Command

and Control Center, Baghlan, Kunduz, Nangarhar, Helmand, and Kunar are the provinces with

highest civilians’ casualties and Bamyan, Daikondi, Paktia and Balkh have the lowest civilian

casualties.141

On 19 November, President Ashraf Ghani claimed that security forces have “obliterated”

fighters of the militant Islamic State (IS) group in Afghanistan. More than 600 fighters from IS,

locally known as Daesh, surrendered with their families to the Afghan government. Officials said

air strikes by Afghan and coalition forces, lack of funds and low morale have forced the group to

give up. “No one believed one year ago that we would stand up and today be saying we have

obliterated Daesh,” Ghani said. The government said among fighters in its custody are foreign

nationals from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and the Maldives.

However, the Afghan Taliban, which has been battling IS and the government for control of the

country, disputed that. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesman, described Ghani’s

announcement as “absurd”. “Kabul admin had 0% role in defeat of Daesh and the proud people

of Nangarhar are witnesses,” he tweeted.142

Defeat of ISIS/ Daesh is a significant development and a big sigh of relief not only for

Afghan people but also for regional countries. While previously Afghan government was seen

quite complacent in dealing with Daesh threat, lately a shift in policy was observed and Afghan

security forces also launched numerous offences against Daesh while Afghan Taliban continued

their offensive against Daesh fighters. Defeat of Daesh will also help settlement in Afghanistan if

a peace agreement is reached between the US and Taliban as previously it was apprehended that

angry Taliban factions may join Daesh in case of agreement between the US and Taliban. Defeat

of Daesh has essentially made such defections in Afghan Taliban a remote reality. Interestingly,

Daesh fighters preferred to surrender to Afghan government instead of Afghan Taliban despite

the fact that majority of these fighters were previously associated with Afghan Taliban.

While the year 2019 was one of the worst year in terms of civilian deaths and volatile

security situation in Afghanistan, the year 2020 is expected to be far better as Daesh has been

weekend and Taliban are engaged in peace talks though future of peace talks is still uncertain.

Similarly, unease in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations will continue to prevail in the coming year as

there is much trust deficit that needs to be bridged from both sides and the same was not

satisfactorily in the year passed. If Afghanistan returns to political stability and normalcy after

ongoing and subsequent peace processes, the country could embark on economic development

for which both Pakistan and Afghanistan can work jointly. Economic integration and enhanced

141 https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/3300-civilians-killed-afghan-conflict-12-months-ministry 142 https://www.dawn.com/news/1517687/afghanistans-president-claims-victory-over-is

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trade relations, including transit trade, between the two countries are possible future area of

cooperation.



China-Pakistan Strategic Relations and Developments on CPEC

At the start of the year, China pledged to lend at least $2bn to Pakistan to shore up its foreign exchange reserves and prevent further devaluation of the rupee against the dollar.143 Subsequently, in March, Pakistan received $2.2 billion as proceeds for a loan extended to Pakistan by the Chinese government. 144 Similarly, China Pakistan market access for three commodities — rice, sugar and yarn — worth $1 billion for year 2019.145

China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue

The first China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue was held in Beijing on March 19 in which all aspects of bilateral relations, including China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, trade, investment and economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts and regional and international issues were discussed. Both sides showed resolve for smooth implementation of CPEC projects, especially special economic zones, and jointly address anti-CPEC propaganda. 146 “China commends Pakistan’s recent strong counterterrorism measures at home,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters after meeting his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi. “We fully support Pakistan in carrying through its counterterrorism campaign,” Mr Wang said. “We also call on the international community to adopt a fair perspective of the commitments and efforts made by Pakistan over the years to combat terrorism,” Mr Wang said.147 China-Pakistan strategic dialogue was held at the time of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India after Indian strike in Pakistan followed by latter’s strike back post Pulwama incident. Notably, China also played an important role in defusing tensions between Pakistan and India after Pulwama incident.

Bilateral Engagement – CPEC in Focus

With the view to broadening engagement between Pakistan and China on political level, China hosted first meeting of Political Parties Forum of Pakistan and China on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in March. The first meeting in Beijing unanimously adopted a declaration reiterating its commitment to CPEC. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Minister International Department of Communist Party of China, Song Tao co-chaired the forum. The forum rejected negative propaganda against CPEC, observing that it is an inclusive project of win-win cooperation, mutual development and prosperity. The participants agreed to further enhance intra-party exchanges, discussions and cooperation between the two countries. Different political parties including PTI, PML (N) PPP, JUI, ANP, Balochistan National Party,

143 https://www.dawn.com/news/1455176/china-acknowledges-its-extending-financial-help-to-pakistan 144 https://www.dawn.com/news/1471811/state-bank-of-pakistan-receives-22-billion-under-chinese-loan-arrangement 145 https://www.dawn.com/news/1471165/pakistan-gets-1bn-chinese-market-access-for-rice-sugar-yarn 146 http://mofa.gov.pk/the-foreign-ministers-of-pakistan-and-china-hold-strategic-dialogue-in-beijing/ 147 https://www.dawn.com/news/1470692/china-backs-iron-friend-pakistan-on-anti-terror-measures

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Balochistan Awami Party, National Party and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party represented Pakistan in the forum.148

Prime Minister Imran Khan paid a four-day official visit to China from 25-28 April where he not only held bilateral meetings with Chinese officials but also attended Belt and Road Forum in addition to addressing business community. Prime Minister Imran Khan attended the forum on 26 April and addressed the gathering as key note speaker. 149 China and Pakistan also announced entering in the second phase of CPEC. On 28 April, he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. Prior to his meeting with President Xi, the prime minister and his delegation met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and discussed bilateral issues and regional matters. Delegation-level talks were held with both Chinese leaders. Prime Minister Imran and Premier Keqiang also signed the Main Line-1 railways agreement. Under the project, a double railway track to be laid from Peshawar to Karachi. After his meetings with Chinese leadership, the prime minister attended the Pak-China Trade Investment Forum. Prime Minister Imran Khan met President Xi accompanied by ministers and a senior-level delegation. They affirmed the resolve to further strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership in all fields including political, security, economic and trade, and people-to-people exchanges. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to CPEC and highlighted the foray into new areas of agriculture, industrial development and socioeconomic uplift in the next phase of the project. During the visit, both sides signed numerous MoUs/agreements including second phase of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement; declaration for completion of preliminary design of Phase-I for upgradation of ML-1 and establishment of Havelian Dry Port under CPEC; MoU on cooperation in the field of marine sciences between the China Geological Survey (CGS), Ministry of Natural Resources of China, the Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Science and Technology; MoU between CIDCA and Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform on implementation of the projects under the joint working group of CPEC on socioeconomic development; China-Pakistan Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement; Rashakai SEZ joint venture and license agreement between KPEZMDC and CRBC.150

At the end of May, Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan visited Pakistan on a three day official tour and held talks with Pakistani leadership including President and the Prime Minister. Several Memoranda of Understanding were signed "for cooperation in different sectors".151 The agreements signed by the two sides included the framework agreement on agricultural cooperation, the memorandum on the requirements of foot and mouth disease-free zone; the letter of exchange of disaster relief goods, China-Pakistan economic agreement; agreement between the China Machinery Engineering Corporation and the Balochistan government and Lasbela University on modern agriculture comprehensive development in Lasbela. Different projects were also inaugurated, including 660KV transmission line project from Matiari to Lahore,

148 http://www.radio.gov.pk/20-03-2019/political-parties-forum-adopts-declaration-reiterating-its-commitment-to-cpec 149 https://www.dawn.com/news/1478521/pm-khan-calls-for-tackling-climate-change-poverty-as-pakistan-china-enter-next-cpec-phase 150 https://www.dawn.com/news/1478958/pm-khan-meets-chinese-president-xi-in-beijing 151 https://www.dawn.com/news/1484713/president-alvi-confers-nishan-e-pakistan-on-chinese-vice-president

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Rashakai Special Economic Zone Project, Huawei Technical Support Centre and Confucius Institute at University of Punjab.152

Prime Minster Imran Khan along with high level visited China on a two-day official visit from 8 October. The prime minister during the visit, held talks with Chinese foreign minister, prime minister, president and other officials in addition to addressing an investment conference. On the eve of the visit, President Dr Arif Alvi, on 8 October, promulgated an ordinance for the establishment of the 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPECA)' for "accelerating the pace of CPEC-related activities, find new drives of growth, unlock the potential of interlinked production network and global value chains through regional and global connectivity".153 During meeting between PM Imran Khan and Chinese PM Li Keqiang on 8 Oct, both countries agreed to strengthen socio-economic while a number of agreements and MoUs were signed. PM Imran Khan emphasised that expeditious completion of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects was the foremost priority of his government. Other areas of potential collaboration discussed between the two sides included railways, steel, oil and gas, industry, and science and technology. The two sides also discussed regional security situation including serious human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian occupied Kashmir.154

On 11 Oct, Pakistan and China vowed to restart stalled schemes under the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. The decision was made during the 7th meeting of the CPEC’s Joint Working Group on Transport Infrastructure. The meeting agreed to undertake practical steps to start D.I. Khan-Zhob project. The meeting agreed for earlier start of a study on CPEC traffic to extend the range of research and training in roads sector. Improvement and rehabilitation of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), development of Gwadar Port and Lahore Orange Line Projects were also discussed in detail. The meeting also reviewed the security measures for the CPEC projects. The meeting also discussed various aspects of upcoming schemes of Peshawar-D.I.Khan Motorway, realignment of KKH from Thakot to Raikot and Swat Expressway from Chakdara to Fatehpur.155

On 21 October, PM Imran Khan said that the government will support joint investment

projects involving companies from Pakistan and China under the China-Pakistan Economic

Corridor (CPEC). Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 1,320-megawatt China Hub Power

Generation Plant in Balochistan, the prime minister said "I am happy that under CPEC, the first

joint project [is being inaugurated]. We want to see the pattern continue". "The joint projects are

welcome; the government will fully support [such projects]," he said.156

152 https://www.dawn.com/news/1484713/president-alvi-confers-nishan-e-pakistan-on-chinese-vice-president 153 https://www.dawn.com/news/1509705/president-alvi-promulgates-ordinance-for-establishment-of-cpec-authority 154 https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/538391-china-reiterates-support-for-pakistans-core-issues-of-national-interest 155 https://www.dawn.com/news/1510427/stalled-cpec-projects-to-be-revived 156 https://www.dawn.com/news/1512119/pm-imran-says-govt-will-support-joint-investment-projects-under-cpec

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PM Imran Khan on 23 October said that all initiatives for setting up Special Economic Zones

(SEZs) would be spearheaded by the federal government, while taking the provinces fully

onboard. Chairing a meeting to review progress on the establishment of SEZs across the country,

the prime minister directed to ensure that no effort was spared for their colonization on war

footing. He also called for addressing concerns relating to the availability of land, creation of jobs

and wealth to help turn the wheels of economy.157

Pakistan once again sought Chinese financing for the western route of the China-Pakistan

Economic Corridor (CPEC), requesting Beijing to sign a bilateral framework agreement for

implementing the scheme that largely remains on papers due to funding constraints. The request

was made during a meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on Transport Infrastructure. The

request to sign the framework agreement for the upgrade of the Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob section

of N-50 was made under an agreed policy of undertaking a new mega road project after

completion of an ongoing one.158

The 9th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting – the highest coordination forum –

was held on 5 November in Islamabad which was co-chaired by Federal Minister for Planning

Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar and Vice Chairman National Development & Reform Commission

(NDRC) Ning Jizhe. During the proceedings, a ceremony was held wherein Multan-Sukkur

Motorway of the eastern corridor was inaugurated. Gwadar Master Plan was approved and

signed. The ceremony also witnessed the signing of two MoUs; one between All-China Federation

of Trade Unions (ACFTU) and Ministry of Planning for further strengthening the worker exchanges

and another on Healthcare between Ministry of Health and (Research Development International

(RDI). Pakistani side asked JCC accords priority to remaining portion of Western corridor and the

provincial projects proposed in previous JCCs. VC NDRC Ning Jizhe said that high consideration

will be given to socio-economic and industrial cooperation in the second phase of CPEC.159

China was apprehensive about slowdown of CPEC projects after coming to power of PTI government. From the visit and engagement, it can be assessed that Pakistan has made an attempt to ensure Chinese government that Pakistan is committed to earlier implementation of CPEC though the pause allowed Islamabad some important bargaining position to placate Chinese side. The second phase of CPEC is important and could help its economy to revive if Pakistan is able to negotiate projects diligently and manage them efficiently and effectively. However, the progress on second phase of CPEC in which development of industry is to focused will largely depend the capacity of relevant Pakistani institutions to remove existing impediments and show fast track movement on developing special economic zones. From the visit of Chinese president to India immediately after receiving PM Imran in Beijing suggest that China interested to manage situation in South Asia region as any instability in this region will have far-reaching

157 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2085973/1-pm-imran-seeks-expedite-setting-sezs/ 158 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2085219/2-pakistan-seeks-financing-cpecs-western-route/ 159 http://cpec.gov.pk/news/199

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implications for Chinese economic ambitions. The focus on addressing Indian trade concerns exactly reflect that phenomena.

Cultural Integration; Perception Challenges and Issues of Marriages/ Organ Sale

China-Pakistan relations remained in the headlines in May but for the negative reasons. Here it was the issue of cultural and people to people relations between Pakistanis and Chinese as the news of Chinese using Pakistani brides for organ sale, forces prostitution, etc. and authorities in Pakistan arrested numerous Chinese nationals in various parts of the country who were allegedly running these rackets. Reportedly, at least 20 Pakistani girls, trapped in China after allegedly falling victim to fake marriages with Chinese men, were sent back to the country. The Ministry of Public Security of China has sent a task force to Pakistan to cooperate with its law enforcement agencies in their crackdown on Chinese gangs involved in fake marriages with Pakistani girls for trafficking them to China allegedly for organ harvesting and prostitution.160 Sensing the seriousness of the issue and its impact on public perception, Chinese Embassy in Islamabad withheld 90 visas of "Pakistani brides" and launched an investigation into 142 cross-border marriages that took place in 2018.161 Similarly, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the matter of the marriages involving Chinese people was being exploited (by some elements) even though action in this regard was taken.162

In Pakistan, we have witnessed in the past a number of incidents of involvement of Chinese nationals in various crimes like bank frauds, ATM skimming, etc. came to fore and now this issue of human trafficking for organ sale and force prostitution only indicate that criminal elements (now apparently from China but the possibility of such elements from Pakistan too) have started reaping “benefits” of greater connectivity between Pakistan and China much earlier than businesses and governments could have availed this facility. Both the countries will have to devise a mechanism to deal with current challenges as well as plan for any emerging challenges in future.

Probably in a move to improve Chinese perception among the local population, Chinese government approved construction of 58 schools in erstwhile Fata and 30 hospitals in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing said on 26 October. “Our forefathers belong to the region now known as the northern areas of Pakistan. Hence it is our top priority to develop these areas,” Jing said addressing on national seminar on Friends of Silk Road. He underscored the need of peace and stability in the region so that Chinese firms execute dream project of linking Quetta, Chaman to Gwadar and Peshawar to Kabul and onwards to Kazakhstan through railway tracks. Jing said K-P would play a vital role to make the CPEC dreams come true. Peshawar would be the gateway to the central Asia in the region and in near future the rail tracks from Karachi to Peshawar would be upgraded along with the new rail systems, he said.163

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Defence Collaboration and Chinese Steadfast Support on Kashmir

In May, Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) launched a 1,500-tonne state-of-the-art Maritime Patrol Vessel (MPV) built for the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA).The MPV is a multi-mission vessel with a steel hull and aluminium super structure of 95 metres length and 12.2 metres breadth and can achieve maximum speed up to 26 knots. The ship has been built in technical collaboration with the China Shipbuilding & Trading Company (CSTC) and Huang Pu Shipyard, China. It is fully equipped to enforce maritime security, search and rescue missions in the maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistan.164

In August when tensions were high between Pakistan and India after India revoked special status of occupied Kashmir, a Chinese military delegation, led by Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of China General Xu Qiliang visited Pakistan and held talks with military and political leadership. “Pakistan and China would continue to closely consult and coordinate for the promotion of peace and stability in the region and maintenance of strategic balance,” the PM Office said after meeting between Chinese military delegation and Pakistani prime minister. General Xu reiterated Chinese leadership’s commitment to the tradition of both countries supporting each other on issues of core national interest. He emphasised that South Asia needed stability and economic development and resolution of outstanding disputes. President Arif Alvi in his meeting with Gen Xu said that Pakistan deeply valued China’s defence cooperation with Pakistan and support on issues of its national security. During Gen Xu’s visit, MoU was signed for enhancement of defence cooperation between Pakistan and China and capacity building of the Pakistan Army.165

Army Chief Gen Bajwa and the Chinese military leadership on 8 Oct discussed the situation in India-occupied Kashmir and its consequences. Gen Bajwa called on Commander Army General Han Weiguo, People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and General Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), at the PLA's headquarters. The two sides discussed regional security environment and Pakistan China defence cooperation, the ISPR said. "Chinese military leadership, supporting Pakistan’s principled stance on Kashmir issue, appreciated sane Pakistani approach in the interest of peace," it added. The two sides also discussed the developing situation in Gulf and efforts for peace in Afghanistan. Both sides agreed to enhance existing defence cooperation.166

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on 9 Oct he was watching the situation in Kashmir and would support Pakistan in issues related to its core interests. Xi told Prime Minister Imran Khan during a meeting in Beijing that the right and wrong of the situation was clear and added that Pakistan and India should resolve the dispute via peaceful dialogue, a report in Chinese media said. The meeting also involved discussions on multiple topics including bilateral relations, the

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current state of the region and security and other matters of mutual interest.167 As per the FO press release, both leaders agreed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan would promote economic development and connectivity in the region while expressing resolve to continue to support the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.168

Pakistan and China reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen their bilateral strategic partnership, a joint statement issued after the conclusion of PM Imran Khan's two-day visit to Beijing said on 9 Oct. Chinese leaders expressed solidarity with Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty, independence and security. The Pakistan side reaffirmed its commitment to the One China Policy. China said that it was "paying close attention" to the current situation in occupied Kashmir and reiterated that the issue is a dispute left from history, and should be peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. Both sides maintained that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will promote industrial and socio-economic development in Pakistan. "The two sides expressed determination to speedily execute CPEC so that its growth potential can be fully realised making it a high-quality demonstration project for the Belt and Road Initiative," according to the statement. Both sides agreed to jointly study identified projects in power, petroleum, gas, agriculture, industrial and infrastructure sectors. Those projects were entrusted to the concerned Joint Working Groups for deliberation and subsequent consideration by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC).169

The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra in December 2019 rolled out the first batch of eight dual-seat JF-17 aircraft. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) also signed an agreement for co-production of Chinese commercial aircraft.170

US Positioning against CPEC: Creating Doubts Aimed

While the US in the past has objected to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) more

so toeing Indian lines questioning its passage from a disputed territory (Gilgit-Baltistan being part

of Kashmir), it has now clearly positioned itself against the CPEC and opted to create confusion

and doubts in the minds of Pakistani public. In a speech, Assistant Secretary Alice Wells on 21

November warned Pakistan that CPEC would push the country deeper into an already stifling

debt burden, foster corruption and repatriate jobs and profits to China. She warned that the

multi-billion-dollar project would take a toll on Pakistan’s economy at the time of repayments

and dividend in the coming years. She explained that CPEC was not an aid to Pakistan but a form

of financing that guarantees profits for Chinese state-owned enterprises, with little benefits for

Islamabad. She also underlined the long-term effects in Pakistan of China’s “financing practices”

167 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2075615/3-pm-imran-appreciates-chinas-stance-kashmir-meeting-president-jinping/ 168 https://www.dawn.com/news/1509886/pm-imran-president-xi-discuss-bilateral-relations 169 https://www.dawn.com/news/1509910?ref=notification 170 https://www.dawn.com/news/1524782/first-batch-of-dual-seat-jf-17-aircraft-rolled-out

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and urged Islamabad to examine “the burdens that are falling on the new government to manage

with now an estimated $15 billion debt to the Chinese government and $6.7 billion in Chinese

commercial debt”. Directly addressing the alleged lack of transparency in CPEC projects, she said

this could increase projects costs and foster corruption, resulting in a heavier debt burden for the

country. “CPEC relies primarily on Chinese workers and supplies, even amid rising unemployment

in Pakistan,” she said. The US diplomat also demanded more transparency on the proposed link

between Gwadar Port and China’s Xinjiang while responding to a question that New Delhi saw

this as a military project aimed at encircling India. She said that while CPEC would only benefit

China, the United States offered a better model and urged Islamabad to introduce economic

reforms that would encourage US investors to invest in Pakistan.171

Reacting to Alice Wells’ speech, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing on 22 November said that

CPEC projects were free of corruption. He said that CPEC projects were investigated and it was

unanimously concluded that there was no corruption in their affairs. “CPEC is clean,” he said.

Ambassador Yao said he was “shocked and surprised” at Ms Wells’ speech which “fully exposes

her ignorance of Pakistan-China relations”. He said the US should not cast aspersion over

something about which it doesn’t have accurate information. Mr Yao called upon the media to

play its role in nullifying the effects of propaganda against the CPEC. The envoy said that if

Pakistan was in need, China would never ask Pakistan to repay its loans in time. However, he

pointed out, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was strict in its repayment system. “When

in 2013, the Chinese companies were establishing power plants in Pakistan, where was the US?

Why it did not invest in Pakistan’s power sector despite knowing that Pakistan was in dire need

of electricity?” he asked. The Chinese ambassador also reacted to the US accusation of providing

few jobs to Pakistani workers in CPEC projects, saying that so far over 75,000 Pakistani workers

had been given job opportunities and that around 2.3 million jobs are expected to be created in

CPEC projects by 2030. “I would be more happy to see more investment coming from the United

States to Pakistan,” Mr Yao said, adding that China was determined to build capacities of

Pakistani businessmen and industrialists to boost productivity in the country which would

ultimately help increase Pakistan’s exports.172

Similarly, various relevant Pakistani officials also came in support of the CPEC. Reacting to

the speech of Alice Wells, Minister for Planning Asad Umar on 23 November rejected the notion

that China was the sole benefactor of the arrangement and that both countries will benefit from

CPEC. "Our total public debt right now is $74bn of which the Chinese debt amounts to $18bn —

even less than one-fourth of the total debt. And if I further break it down, the CPEC debt under

this figure of public debt is $4.9bn — not even 10pc of the total debt," the minister noted. He

said that China provided Pakistan concessionary loans at the most critical time when loans were

not available from other sources. He hoped that after completion of infrastructural projects and

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start of industrialization, more jobs will be created. He also encouraged American companies to

invest in Pakistan. Separately, a statement issued by the Ministry of Planning, Development and

Reform refuted Wells' assertions, saying her views were based on "wrong analysis and incorrect

assessment of the facts". A spokesperson for the ministry said CPEC projects are "not adding to

the woes of the country" in terms of debt burden. 173 Pakistani foreign minister as well as

government spokesperson also rejected US objection to CPEC and termed the project beneficial

for economic development of Pakistan.174

While the views expressed by the US assistant secretary of state were driven by the US

strategic interests in the region particularly with regards to ongoing trade war between the US

and China, the statement has come at the right time allowing Pakistan required space to diligently

negotiate terms of various agreements with China. While PICSS strongly believes that CPEC is an

important economic initiative, it has always called for greater transparency and openness with

regards to CPEC. Diversifying investments from other countries and providing level playing field

to all investors regardless of their origin would serve Pakistan more. The current focus of China

and the US on Pakistan could be a silver lining and if Pakistan is able to manage well relations

with these two countries, it would be able to extract more benefits particularly in economic

terms.

After initial hiccup in relations between Pakistan and China over CPEC projects at the start

of PTI government’s tenure in 2018, things improved to greater extent and the new government

realized the importance of CPEC for revival of economy and the top political leadership have

shown resolve to proceed further and focus on second phase of CPEC to facilitate

industrialization in the country. Development of special economic zones particularly Rashakai

that has been prioritized and the relevant government institutions would be tested to show

progress on development of economic zone. While Pakistan has setup a CPEC authority while

appointing a retired general as its head for smooth implementation of CPEC, political stability,

security situation and a favourable environment for investment would be crucial factors for

realizing dreams of economic development.

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Iran-Pakistan Relations: Irritants and Desire Improving Relations Persists

Bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Iran followed historical pattern in 2019 as

well, as both the countries witnessed usual ups and downs. Relations between these two

countries were marked by incidents of terrorism resulting in loss of lives of security forces from

both sides while top leadership of the two countries tried to address each other’s concerns. While

Iran was quite forthcoming in supporting Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, Pakistan tried to ease

tensions in Middle East and made attempts bring Iran and the US as well as Saudi Arabia closer.

Terrorism: Major Irritant in Bilateral Relations; Countries Mending Fences

Tensions between both the countries started at the start of the year when Pakistan was

preparing for the visit of Saudi crown prince Muhammad Bin Suleman (MBS) and was not hoping

to have tensed relations with Iran. A suicide attack on Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (RRGC)

in Sistan-Balochistan province close to border with Pakistan took place on 13 February in which

at least 27 IRGC personnel were killed and 13 others injured. Jaish al-Adl proscribed Sunni outfit

claimed responsibility of the attack. Aside from blaming United States for the assault linking for

hosting anti-Iran-themed meeting in Poland that included delegations from Iran’s regional

adversaries, Israel and Saudi Arabia, Iran also accused Pakistan as well for not taking any action

against the militant groups on its soil when Iran’s foreign ministry summoned on 17 Feb the

Pakistani ambassador. IRGC Commander Maj Gen Mohammad Ali Jafari alleged that the group

had sanctuaries on Pakistani soil. He said Iran would retaliate against the terrorist group if

Pakistan did not act. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei linked the perpetrators of

attack to “the spying agencies of some regional and trans-regional countries”. 175 Pakistan

condemned the attack and offered cooperation in investigation.

On 20th March, an intelligence-based operation was conducted near Pak-Afghan border.

Pakistan’s security forces recovered four abducted Iranian soldiers after an exchange of fire with

Afghanistan-based militants. The operation was conducted at Amori in Chaghai district of

Balochistan, about three to four kilometres from Pak-Afghan border, after receiving information

that militants belonging to a proscribed organization had entered Pakistan from Afghanistan

along with the abducted Iranian soldiers. The soldiers were later handed over to the Iranian

authorities.176 Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bahram Qasemi on 21 March thanked the

government of Pakistan for its efforts to facilitate the release of four security personnel. The

recovery of Iranian guards highlights positive development indicating that Pakistan was seriously

acting against anti-Iran groups very specifically after a suicide attack in February.

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In April, militants carried out a gruesome attack on Ormara area of Balochistan in which

14 people including personnel of Pakistan Navy were killed by a group of ethnic Baloch

insurgents. Pakistan lodged a strong protest with Iran regarding its inaction against terror groups

believed to be involved in the Ormara massacre. Pakistan had on numerous occasions shared the

information about the hubs of these Baloch terrorist organisations in Iran, having training camps

and logistics bases across the border" with the Iranian intelligence though no action was taken

by the Iran.177 Days after the Ormara incident, PM Imran Khan on 21 April visited Iran for a two-

day official visit. PM Imran Khan in a joint press conference with President Rouhani said that he

fears terrorism could become "a divisive part of the two countries' bilateral relations and increase

differences between the countries". The Premier highlighted that his visit to Tehran was the issue

of terrorism. He said he understands that Iran had also suffered from terrorist attacks by groups

operating within Pakistan, but stressed that the issues need to be resolved before they push the

two countries apart. He suggested security chiefs of both the countries to sit together and discuss

ways of cooperation so that the countries, "reach a level of trust such that both countries will not

allow any terrorist activity from their soil". Iran and Pakistan also agreed to set up a Joint Rapid

Reaction Force to guard common borders. President Rouhani said that the two countries have

agreed to bolster their trade and economic relations and have agreed to set up a barter

committee for the exchange of goods. He said that Iran was also interested in establishing links

between the Gwadar and Chabahar ports in order to strengthen commercial relations.178

In July, Pakistan and Iran agreed to expedite the opening of new border crossings and

effective border management.179 The understanding was reached at the second session of a

meeting of the Pakistan-Iran Higher Border Commission (HBC). The commission met first time

after July 2017 after PM Imran Khan’s visit to Tehran in which it was agreed to jointly tackle the

issue of terrorism and one such initiative in this regard was the border management of Pak-Iran

border. Pakistan and Iran share over 900km-long border, which is infested with criminal gangs,

militants and drug traffickers. Some groups have in the past carried out cross-border attacks

killing Iranian border security forces. Therefore, border security has for long remained a major

irritant in bilateral ties. The two neighbours have lately cooperated extensively for improving

border security by undertaking several measures. During the session, the two sides held

constructive discussions for effective implementation of existing border mechanisms within the

relevant frameworks including the agreement for administration of Pakistan-Iran border of 1960.

An agreement was made to further strengthen mutual cooperation in these areas. The two sides

also underscored the need for updating border maps and border pillar descriptions and carrying

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out joint border surveys. There was also an exchange of views between the two sides on effective

border management efforts through measures like border fencing.

In November 2019, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Iran and

met with Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Maj Gen Mohammad Hossein Baqeri. Border

security, counterterrorism cooperation, promoting border trade exchange and convergence

among Muslim countries was also on the agenda of the talks between the leadership of both the

states. General Bajwa also met with President Hassan Rouhani in which issues pertaining to

border management and Afghan Peace process was discussed. In his conversation with Secretary

National Security Council Mr. Shamkhani, Army Chief vowed to enhance monitoring of Pak-Iran

border and take measures against terrorist groups active in the region. Mr. Shamkhani called for

collaborative efforts against destabilizing influence of external actors.

Iranian Support to Pakistan on Kashmir Issue

Despite the fact that Iran enjoys cordial relations with India, Iranian top leadership did

not shy away from supporting Pakistan stance on Kashmir. In the wake of Indian unilateral action

in Kashmir in August, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said, "We’re

concerned about the Muslims’ situation in Kashmir. We have good relations with India, but we

expect the Indian government to adopt a just policy towards the noble people of Kashmir and

prevent the oppression and bullying of Muslims in this region." 180 Similarly, Iranian Foreign

Minister Javad Zarif reiterated his country's concern over the deteriorating human rights

situation in occupied Kashmir and reaffirmed support for the Kashmiri people. Also Iranian

President Hassan Rouhani, during a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Imran Khan,

had expressed concern over the "atrocities and killing of innocent people in occupied Jammu and

Kashmir".181

Pakistan Trying to Strike Some Balance in Relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia

On 18 February, while addressing a joint press conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister

in Islamabad, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir accused Iran of

sponsoring terrorism for decades.182 While Saudi Foreign Minister accused its Iranian counterpart

of sponsoring terrorism sitting with Pakistani Foreign Minister on Pakistani soil, the complexity

of relationship between Pakistan and Iran further intensified. Though Pakistani Foreign Minister

tried to clear his country’s narrative with his statement saying that "We have always condemned

such activity. Iran is our neighbour and we would never cause any problem for them," Qureshi

also highlighted that. "We respect their sovereignty and territorial integrity and I'm sure they

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respect ours." He said that Pakistan would be "helpful" If Iran comes forward with any evidence.

He recalled that Pakistan had cooperated with Iran in the past to "overcome these difficulties".183

A major damage had been stopped by Pakistan, however mistrust between both the states

continued.

US-Iran-Saudi Arabia ties and Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate diplomatic engagements

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif visited Pakistan as the threat of a catastrophic conflict

between the US and Iran loomed large over the region. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah

Mahmood Qureshi assured his visiting Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif of Pakistan's continued

efforts towards reducing tension in the region though Pakistan was avoiding to take any sides.

During delegation-level talks between the Pakistani and Iranian sides, FM Qureshi noted that

regional tension was in no one's interest. He stated that Pakistan wants resolution of all

outstanding issues through diplomatic engagement and said that stakeholders need to

demonstrate patience and tolerance. FM Zarif also met Prime Minister Imran and Army Chief in

GHQ where Gen Bajwa said that war was not in anyone's interest and all sides should make

efforts to keep the region free of conflicts. The Iranian foreign minister also met National

Assembly Speaker Qaiser.184 Prime Minister Imran Khan warned against the risk of conflict in the

region, following a visit to Islamabad by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif as tensions between

Washington and Tehran escalated. PM Imran said he was concerned about the “rising tensions

in the Gulf. “He underscored that war was not a solution to any problem and further escalation

in tensions in the already volatile region was not in anyone’s interest. All sides needed to exercise

maximum restraint in the current situation.”185 Though Pakistan had little influence on all the

conflicting parties, it did not enjoy much clout to influence their decision making or totally diffuse

the situation. However, Pakistan showed the tendency to advocate all the three main players

(the US, KSA and Iran) to take small confidence building measures to avoid further escalation.

During his visit to the US to address UNGA session, President Trump had asked Pakistan

to ease tensions in Middle East. To play a constructive role in defusing tensions between Iran and

KSA, PM Imran Khan on 13 Oct met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran during his one-

day trip, with both the leaders emphasizing on the need for peace in the region. "We recognize

that it is a complex issue but it can be resolved through dialogue. What should never happen is a

war between Saudi Arabia and Iran because this will not just affect this whole region — two

brotherly countries will be affected," added the premier. Prime Minister Imran called on Supreme

Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran as well and thanked the supreme leader for

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support to the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir for their right of self-

determination. 186

After visiting Iran, PM Imran Khan visited Saudi Arabia on 15 October and met King Salman

bin Abdul-Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). During separate meetings, Prime

Minister Imran stressed on the need to resolve differences and conflicts through political and

diplomatic means for the sake of peace and stability in the region. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

agreed to remain engaged and consult closely to take forward Prime Minister Imran Khan’s

initiative to ensure peace and security in the region. During his meetings with the Saudi

leadership, PM Khan reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to facilitate efforts for de-escalation of

tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He stressed the importance of avoiding military conflict

and the need for constructive engagement of all parties of the conflict. The Saudi leadership also

lauded PM Imran’s efforts for promoting peace and noted the impact his initiative could have on

the regional situation. Iranian Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif has appreciated efforts of Prime

Minister Imran Khan for peace and stability.

No positive movement was witnessed on implementation of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline

project, however at the start of January 2019, Pakistan had asked Iran to explain in-writing its

interpretation of sanctions that resulted in a massive delay in completion of the mega Iran-

Pakistan gas pipeline project.187 Pakistan felt that it cannot move ahead with the project due to

the sanctions imposed by the US and thus it had asked for written explanation of sanctions from

Iran to see if any progress can be made, however keeping in view the intensity of relationship

between Iran and United States, it is unlikely that sanctions would be lifted from Iran and hence

there is a least possibility of initiating the project anytime in near future.

In July, both Pakistan and Iran agreed to constitute a committee to identify goods for

promotion of barter trade. The decision was reached at the concluding session of the 8th

Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee held in Islamabad. It was suggested that for barter trade to

begin, the two countries should select few items having competitive advantage. The Iranian

delegation requested the Pakistani government to open more border points, mainly at Ramadan,

Pishin and Korak, which will further enhance bilateral trade. Pakistan suggested removal of

various taxation measures such as road and loads taxes on vehicles/trucks which are crossing the

borders to facilitate trade.

In December, an Iranian trade delegation, led by former attaché Morad Nemati visited

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). The delegation emphasized on remove trade

barriers and reduce custom duties to improve trade relations between the two neighbours.

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Despite being two neighborly countries, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran is around $6

Billion of which around $5 Billion is illegal trade. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan and

Iran need to focus on improving their trade ties as both countries hold tremendous potential in

uplifting their legal imports and exports. Uplifted economic ties will help both the states to have

a favorable environment in terms of Security as well. However, it needs to be seen that unless

people to people interaction between both the states is not facilitated and increased by both the

states, no significant progress cannot be achieved. Pakistan and Iran need to facilitate and

cooperate in boosting their economic and cultural cooperation in order for both the states to

have boosted economic ties aside boosting security ties as well. Terrorist infiltration, extremist

groups and cross border clashes cannot be ignored between both the states however,

cooperation between security forces and intelligentsia of both the states would lead towards

better and secure environment, ultimately leading towards a trustable environment between

both the states.

Notwithstanding commercial and economic interests of both the countries at the time of

economic recession on both sides, the issue of terrorism continued to remain the main stumbling

block between the two countries. While Iran had blamed Pakistan based groups behind attack

on Iranian Revolutionary Guards in February this year, the incident of cold-blooded murder of 14

people in Ormara (Balochistan) brought into limelight anti-Pakistan groups that use Iranian and

Afghan soils to mount attacks within Pakistan. While diplomatic and political engagement

between the two countries seemed a welcome sign, the real test was to translate the

engagement into a meaningful ongoing cooperation including intelligence sharing as well as joint

operations against such groups where needed. Avoiding blame game and mutually beneficial

cooperation between the two countries sent a very strong message to militant groups who use

this lack of cooperation in their favour while fully exploiting long stretch of Iran-Pakistan border.

While non-state actors should be allowed to dictate their terms, enhanced cooperation including

better border management, intelligence sharing and joint surveillance as well as joint operations

would not only help reduce threats from militant groups but would also increase atmospherics

between the two neighbours to further improve their diplomatic and economic relations.



Pakistan-US Relations; Little Signs of Transformation in Relations

Pakistan-US relations continued to remain transactional in 2019 as was witnessed in the

previous couple of years. While the US remained largely dependent on Pakistan for facilitating

US-Taliban talks with regards to Afghanistan, the bilateral relations between the two countries

hardly witnessed any qualitative change from the previous years.

Bilateral Visits and Engagements

Since the start of the year, Pakistan-US bilateral engagements were largely Afghanistan

focused. A US delegation led by Gen Joseph Votel, Commander US CENTCOM, called on Pakistani

Army Chief on 20 January at the GHQ in Rawalpindi.188 Also on 20 January, Republican Senator

Lindsey Graham met Pakistani prime minister. The Senate said that President Donald Trump

should meet Prime Minister Imran Khan as soon as possible to reset long-difficult US relations

with Pakistan and push for a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan.189

On 29 April, Khalilzad along with Alice Wells held talks with Pakistan officials in Islamabad. Both the sides acknowledged that the ongoing peace talks provided a ‘historic opportunity’ to end the prolonged Afghan conflict. Pakistan reiterated its support for intra-Afghan dialogue, which is vital to move the process forward. It was highlighted that the prospective agreement in Afghanistan should contribute towards bringing lasting peace and stability leading to international cooperation and development in Afghanistan. The Pakistani side also emphasised the need of creating an environment in Afghanistan conducive for early and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.190

While the US continued to rely heavily on Pakistan for facilitating talks with the Taliban, there were hints of improvement in bilateral relations between the two countries. US administration appreciated Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. On 1 May, a senior US official acknowledged steps taken by Pakistan’s civil and military leadership and said “We support the fact that Prime Mister Imran Khan says right things and appears to be trying to make some changes within Pakistan”. “So far, we do see support from the military to the direction that prime minister Khan seems to be going in,” he said. 191 The positive statement from the US administration solicited positive response from military leadership as the military, in Corps Commanders conference held in GHQ on 3 May, reiterated its support for Afghan peace process and vowed to continue working for sustainable peace in the country.192

Similarly, a high-level consultative meeting between Pakistan and the US was held in

Islamabad on 2 June with the US delegation led by Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad. The Pakistani

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delegation was led by Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Aftab Khokhar. The

two sides discussed issues of mutual interest including bilateral ties, regional peace situation, and

the Afghan peace process. Khokhar maintained that Pakistan would continue to play its

mediatory role for establishment of peace in the region. The Pakistani delegation also advised

that all sides should focus on achieving a political resolution to the Afghanistan conflict.193

Towards the end of the year, Trump administration approved resumption of Pakistan's

participation in US military training and educational programme more than a year after it

was suspended.194

US Shown Cognizance of Pakistan’s Concerns

In March, US CENTCOM Commander General Joseph Votel said that terrorist

organisations based in Afghanistan conduct attacks inside Pakistan and “continue to threaten

Afghan stability as well as stoke tensions between Pakistan and India”. In a briefing to the US

Senate Armed Services Committee, General Votel said the US was looking to all regional actors

“to cease behavior undermining regional stability and play constructive roles in achieving peace

in Afghanistan as well as the whole of South Asia.” He said cross-border attacks by violent

extremist organisations fueled instability and generated tension along the Pakistan-Afghan

border. US general said Pakistan has taken “positive steps to assist Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad

in support of Afghanistan reconciliation by facilitating talks with the Taliban”. However, he also

spoke of the US requisite for more “concrete or irreversible steps such as arresting or expelling

Taliban leaders who do not cooperate with reconciliation efforts”. “If Pakistan plays a positive

role in achieving a settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan, the US will have opportunity and

motive to help Pakistan fulfill that role, as peace in the region is the most important mutual

priority for the US and Pakistan.” “Pakistan presents the US with challenges and opportunities in

the execution of our South Asia Strategy. As a state possessing nuclear weapons that sits at the

nexus of Russian, Chinese, Indian, Iranian and US geopolitical interests, Pakistan will always be a

country of importance to the US,” said General Votel.195

In a significant development, the US on 2 July declared the Balochistan Liberation Army

(BLA) as a global terrorist organization for it being “an armed separatist group that targets

security forces and civilians, mainly in ethnic Baloch areas of Pakistan” and that it carried out

attacks targeting Chinese engineers in Balochistan, Chinese consulate in Karachi, and PC hotel in

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Gwadar. US also declared Jaish al-Adl, involved in deadly terrorist attacks against Iran as global

terrorist organization.196

PM Imran Khan paid an official visit to the US from 21-23 July where he met President

Trump and held talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompoe. Imran-Trump meeting and press

briefings suggested that the US was interested to see Pakistani support for exit from Afghanistan.

President Trump also offered mediation on Kashmir. President Trump also said that the US is

willing to invest in Pakistan and sees great trade opportunities there. He also talked about

expanding trade "10, 20 times".197 President Trump also revealed that Indian PM Modi had also

asked him to mediate on Kashmir. In addition to important meetings of the prime minister in the

US, military leadership was also quite active in its engagement with the US side. Army Chief Gen

Bajwa also met United States Secretary of State Pompeo and the country's top military leadership

during his visit. Apart from Pompeo, the chief of army staff met Acting Defense Secretary Richard

Spencer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Joseph F. Dunford and Joint Chief

of Staff Gen Mark Milley.198

Warm welcome to the PM in White House and engagement with top US leadership and

Pakistani army chief’s meeting with acting defence secretary and secretary of state, in addition

to top military leadership clearly indicate how much importance the US administration gave to

Pakistan owning to the US interest regarding Afghanistan. But the question remained how long

this bonhomie between the two countries would remain and whether the current engagement

between the two countries will go beyond Afghanistan and whether both the countries will be

able to improve their relations in diverse fields. As of now there was no word on resumption of

Pakistan-US strategic dialogue, which was suspended for a couple of years.

US Positioning Against CPEC

While the US in the past has objected to CPEC more so toeing Indian lines questioning its

passage from a disputed territory (Gilgit-Baltistan being part of Kashmir), it has now clearly

positioned itself against the CPEC and opted to create confusion and doubts in the minds of

Pakistani public. In a speech, Assistant Secretary Alice Wells on 21 November warned Pakistan

that CPEC would push the country deeper into an already stifling debt burden, foster corruption

and repatriate jobs and profits to China. She also demanded more transparency on the proposed

link between Gwadar Port and China’s Xinjiang while responding to a question that New Delhi

saw this as a military project aimed at encircling India. She said that while CPEC would only

196 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2004785/1-us-declares-bla-terrorist-outfit/ 197 https://www.dawn.com/news/1495547/relations-with-pakistan-much-better-today-than-before-us-president-trump-says-in-meeting-with-pm-imran 198 https://www.dawn.com/news/1495934/army-chief-meets-us-state-secy-military-leadership-in-washington

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benefit China, the United States offered a better model and urged Islamabad to introduce

economic reforms that would encourage US investors to invest in Pakistan.199

US Role on Kashmir and Easing India-Pakistan Tensions

While the US played a key role in defusing tensions between Pakistan and India first after

conflict between the two countries in February after Pulwama incident and then in August after

Indian unilateral moves in Kashmir, however, the US role in facilitating resolution of the core

issue of Kashmir was quite conspicuous despite the fact that President Trump offered mediation

on the issue of Kashmir between the two countries. In July when PM Imran visited the US and

met US officials, President Trump made offer of mediating on Kashmir and hinted that Indian PM

Modi also asked him get the issue resolved. 200 The statement of the US president was the

indication that India took the US administration in confidence before making unilateral moves in

Kashmir as Indian premier had sought the US help not in terms of the past but in terms of her

future plans that she undertook subsequently in August.

The US strategy on tensions between Pakistan and India was articulated by Acting

Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells during a press briefing on 27 September. She said that

PM Khan’s commitment to prevent cross-border terrorism, if implemented, would provide a

strong basis for India-Pakistan dialogue. She said the United States has already expressed its

“continued concerns over the widespread detentions, including of local political and business

leaders, and the restrictions on the residents of Jammu and Kashmir”. Reminding the Indian

government to remove those restrictions, she said: “We look forward to the Indian government’s

resumption of political engagement with local leaders and the scheduling of promised elections

at the earliest opportunity.” “What we have to focus on is like can we achieve confidence that

non-terrorist or non-state actors are no longer afforded sanctuary and able to operate in the

region, can we achieve confidence that both sides are committed to a constructive dialogue,” she

said.201 The US persuasion to India to elections in occupied Kashmir was possibly aimed at giving

India and exit point. Continued pressure on Pakistan on FATA, prosecution of JuD leaders, etc.

was apparently done at the behest of India suggesting that the US was more concerned about

her relations with India at the cost of her relations with Pakistan.

Possibility of Improving Trade and Economic Relations in Future

The White House said on 22 November that trade ties between Pakistan and the United

States are set to witness a new record as President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Imran Khan

reaffirmed commitment for a stronger relationship. “The two leaders reaffirmed their

commitment to strengthening the United States-Pakistan trade relationship, which is on track to

199 https://www.dawn.com/news/1518319/cpec-to-push-pakistan-deeper-into-debt-burden-cautions-us 200 https://www.dawn.com/news/1495934/army-chief-meets-us-state-secy-military-leadership-in-washington 201 https://www.dawn.com/news/1507921/pms-stance-on-terrorism-strong-basis-for-india-talks-us

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set a new record this year, as well as investment and people-to-people ties between our

countries,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said in a statement following the

telephonic conversation between the two leaders that took place on 21 November. After the

release of two professors this week, President Trump called to thank Imran Khan in view of

facilitation extended by Pakistan. He thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan for his support for

the recovery of American hostage Kevin King and Australian hostage Timothy Weeks, the PM

Office statement.202

At the end of November, Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells said that the United

States plans to send 15 trade delegations to Pakistan next year to explore possibilities for

expanding trade with the country. US Commerce Department has “already stepped up its activity

in Pakistan with 15 trade delegations planned for the next year”. And once the new expanded

Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is up and running, “Pakistan is going to be a country of

great interest”. DFC will have more than double the investment cap than the Overseas Private

Investment Corporation (OPIC), increasing from $29 billion to $60bn. OPIC is a US government

agency which mobilises private capital for overseas investments. Doubling the cap would enable

investment in projects that have high standards and are financially sustainable over the long haul.

For sustainable development, she suggested Pakistan to develop “effective regulatory

framework, strong rule of law, fiscal health, and an enabling business climate”.203

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Pak-Saudi Relations: Strategic in Nature but Irritants Emerge

There is history of cordial and strategic relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia since

decades. The newly elected government of PM Imran Khan was supported and welcomed by the

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Prime Minister made his maiden tour to Saudi Arabia after becoming

Prime Minister. Subsequently, Saudi-Arabia announced a $6Billion bailout package for Pakistan

at the end of 2018. The package included $3bn balance of payments support and another $3bn

in deferred payments on oil imports. Pak-Saudi partnership further improved when Saudi Crown

Prince Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS) visited Pakistan in February this year. The tour was marked

by agreements more than $20 billion, pledge to release of 2000 prisoners in Saudi Jails and

inauguration of Saudi-Pak Supreme Coordination Council. Prime Minister Imran Khan visited

Saudi Arabia four times during 2019 aside Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa

and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi who had their formal visits to the Holy Land as

well. Similarly, Saudi Foreign Minister visited Pakistan multiple times during 2019 in order to

promote bilateral ties between the two states. The year ended with a controversy as Pakistan

after accepting to attend Malaysia summit stepped back and it was widely assumed that Pakistan

had withdrawn from the summit due to Saudi pressure, however Saudi Arabia has strongly

denied these presumptions.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman visited Pakistan on 17 February for a two-day

visit. In his address at PM House, Saudi Crown Prince expressed optimism about the economic

future of Pakistan adding "We believe that Pakistan is going to be a very, very important country

in the coming future and we want to be sure we are part of that". Pakistani and Saudi officials

signed MoUs for bilateral cooperation in a number of areas including: technical cooperation

programme between the Saudi Standards, Metrology And Quality Organisation (SASO) and

Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA); cooperation agreement between

Saudi and Pakistani governments in the field of sports; financing agreement for the import of

Saudi goods between the Saudi Fund for Development and Pakistan; framework MoU regarding

Saudi funds' participation in the financing of power generation projects between the Saudi Fund

for Development and Pakistan; MoU between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to

explore investment opportunities in refining and petrochemical sectors, Mineral resource sector

and Development of renewable energy projects. The two sides signed agreement worth $21

billion. The planned Saudi investment in Pakistan included (1-2 years) $4 billion two RLNG plants;

$2 billion in ACWA power; $ 1 billion Saudi fund for Pakistan; 2-3 years) Petro-Chemical projects

$1 billion; food and agriculture projects $ 1 billion; (3-5 years) Aramco Oil Refinery $10 billion;

mineral development $2 billion so a possible Saudi investment from 1-5 years will reach up to

$21 billion.204

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PM Khan and MBS also inaugurated the Saudi-Pak Supreme Coordination Council. The

council was formed to put in place a high-level institutional mechanism to fast-track decisions in

key areas of bilateral cooperation, and for close monitoring of their implementation. The council

will cover areas under three pillars: political and security, economic, social and culture. Under

the council, a steering committee and joint working groups have been set up at ministerial and

senior officials’ levels to develop frameworks of cooperation in specific projects. The functioning

of the body will be coordinated by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. The

Supreme Coordination Council will meet annually in Riyadh and Islamabad, alternately.205 Crown

prince also ordered immediate release of over 2,000 Pakistani prisoners in Saudi jails206 while

Saudi embassy in Islamabad announced substantial reduction of visa fee for Pakistanis visiting

Saudi Arabia.207

Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir visited Pakistan in March 2019 and

ensured his country’s support to Pakistan over the Indo-Pakistan face-off in February. The Saudi

minister assured Foreign Minister Qureshi of Saudi Arabia’s complete and overwhelming support

towards solving the issues with India in a peaceful manner. It is noteworthy to highlight that

despite Saudi-Arabia assured Pakistan of its support in March, however as India revoked Article

370 and 35-A on 5th August, Saudi support has been waivered. In addition, a multi-billion-dollar

investment was also announced by Saudi business man after 5th August. So despite the fact that

Saudi-Arabia has helped Pakistan financially as well as announced project worth more than $21

Billion, its relationship with India is bilateral and on friendly terms and Pakistan should not be

counting on Saudi support if there is a standoff between India and Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia's promised deferred payment facility to Pakistan for oil imports initiated

from July 1, under which Pakistan was to receive petroleum products worth $275 million every

month for the next three years. The facility "strengthened Pakistan's balance of payments

position" and had a very positive impact on the stock market as well. Riyadh had basically agreed

to provide a bailout package of $6bn to help resuscitate Pakistan's worsening economy208 on

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s request. According to the agreement, $3bn were to be provided in

foreign currency to address Pakistan's balance of payments crisis. A deferred payment facility for

the import of oil worth up to another $3.2 billion was also part of the package. Aid package from

Saudi Arabia helped Pakistan to address its economic crisis at a very crucial time.

Pakistan condemned drone attacks on the installations of Saudi state-owned oil company

Aramco in May and reiterated support for the kingdom and “international” elements in the

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region. The attack came a day after four commercial vessels, including two Saudi carriers, had

been targeted off the UAE coast. The attack was conducted by the Houthi rebels. The attacks on

two of the Aramco pumping stations resulted in one per cent increase in oil prices in the

international market. One of the damaged station forced Saudi Arabia to suspend the supply line

to the Yanbu port on the Red Sea. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said Aramco had

temporarily shut down the pipeline to evaluate its condition though the oil production and

exports were not interrupted.209 Pakistan’s Foreign office expressed its solidarity with Saudi

Arabia and reiterated its full support against any threat to stability and security of the Kingdom.

In addition, Pakistan clearly highlighted that it condemns terrorism in all its forms and

manifestations and reaffirms its commitment for continued efforts and cooperation with

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the international community for its elimination. While Pakistan

showed its diplomatic and moral support to KSA, Saudi aggression on Yemen is unjustified.

Killings of innocent civilians in an already war torn state seems mare aggression to help keep

Saudi dominance in the Middle Eastern region.

A worrisome development surfaced in August when Saudi Arabia rejected the century-

old postgraduate degree programme of Pakistan — MS (Master of Surgery) and MD (Doctor of

Medicine) and removed it from the eligibility list of the highest paid tier.210 This decision rendered

hundreds of highly qualified medics jobless and a majority of them were deported from Saudi

Arabia. The Saudi ministry of health claimed that it lacked structured training programme which

is a mandatory requirement to hire medics on important positions. A similar step was taken by

Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain as well. Pakistan’s middle class and lower middle

class working in Saudi Arabia were facing troubles and many of them were forced to return back

to Pakistan after an economic crisis hit Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia formally agreed to exchange values of goods for imports and

exports to control of under and over invoicing as part of Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF)

recommendation.211 Saudi Arabia became Pakistan’s 23rd major trading partner with whom the

country will formally enter into an agreement to monitor and control illicit financial flows and

currency smuggling as part of the recommendations of money laundering watchdog. Pakistan

already has agreements in places with 22 countries, including the USA, China, Malaysia, UAE etc.

for online sharing of information on real-time basis to curb under and over invoicing. Both sides

agreed to exchange of information on real-time basis regarding values of goods originating from

both countries, along with sharing experiences in law enforcement domain and explore avenues

of future cooperation in areas such exchange of intelligence-based information to crack down on

illicit flow of currency.

209 https://www.dawn.com/news/1482550/fo-condemns-attacks-on-saudi-oil-installations 210 https://www.dawn.com/news/1498520/pakistani-doctors-with-ms-md-degrees-sacked-in-saudi-arabia 211 https://www.dawn.com/news/1503381/pact-signed-with-saudi-arabia-to-share-trade-data

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Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Saudi Arabia in September and met Saudi King Salman

bin Abdul-Aziz and expressed the country’s resolve to stand with Saudi Arabia in the event of a

threat to its sanctity and security.212 The premier condemned the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's

oil facilities and assured King Salman of Pakistan's continued support to the Kingdom. The

premier also met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and apprised him of the

developments in India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir after 5th August. However, Pakistan failed

to extract any favourable statement on the issue of Kashmir from Saudi leadership.

In October, Commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) Lt Gen Fahad bin Abdullah

Mohammad Al-Motair visited Pakistan and met Pakistani army chief, who assured Saudi

commander that Pakistan will definitely train the Saudi troops.213

In December, ahead of Kuala Lumpur Summit, Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Saudi

Arabia, while Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa travelled to Abu Dhabi. The premier

visited KSA after an un-announced visit of Saudi Foreign Minister to Pakistan. Prime Minister

Khan held wide-ranging consultations with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman covering

bilateral matters and developments in the regional context. It was noted that the establishment

of the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council (SPSCC) provided a firm institutional

mechanism to advance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields in a robust manner. The two sides

hoped to further advance this process during the second meeting of the SPSCC expected to take

place in the start of 2020. The Saudi side offered all possible support in the development of

tourism sector in Pakistan.214 After the visit, Pakistan withdrew from Kuala Lumpur Summit

suggesting Saudi and UAE pressure to back off from a non-Arab summit, which was perceived by

the these two countries as developing a structure parallel to the OIC.

Pakistan’s Diplomatic Outreach: Relations with Other Countries

Malaysia-Pakistan Bilateral Relations and Engagement

High level engagement between Pakistan and Malaysia was witnessed in 2019 indicating warming up of their bilateral relations though some issues towards the end of the year did cost doubts on future of the relations.

In March this year, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad paid a three-day visit to Pakistan and met top Pakistani leadership including prime minister and the president. Mahathir was also accompanied by a high-level delegation, including several businessmen.215 On 22 March,

212 https://www.dawn.com/news/1506104/pm-imran-in-meeting-with-king-salman-expresses-pakistans-resolve-to-stand-with-the-kingdom 213 https://www.dawn.com/news/1508298/pakistan-reaffirms-commitment-to-train-saudi-troops 214 https://www.dawn.com/news/1522232 215 https://www.dawn.com/news/1471015/pm-khan-receives-malaysian-premier-dr-mahathir-at-nur-khan-airbase

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Malaysia and Pakistan sign MoUs for five "big projects", the then Finance Minister Asad Umar revealed. The finance minister said Malaysia has shown interest in purchasing JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, halal meat and rice from Pakistan. He said that Islamabad would soon fulfil its agreement to provide anti-tank missiles to Malaysia. Umar said that both countries had also agreed to open branches of their respective banks in each other's countries, and that Pakistan would try to make use of Malaysia's knowledge of tourism as it looks to revive the local industry. At the investment conference on 22 March, PM Imran Khan said both countries had decided on the formation of a "strong ministerial-level committee which will meet regularly and keep interacting, so we know exactly how we can keep enhancing and increase trade between the two countries.". Pakistan and Malaysia signed MoUs covering $800-$900 million worth of investments with Malaysian investors covering deals in IT, telecom, power generation, textile, agriculture, and halal food industries.216

Malaysia was one of the few countries who openly supported Pakistani stance on Kashmir at the cost of its growing relations with India. During his address at the UNGA session in New York, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad specially talked about the Kashmir issue that did not go well in New Delhi. Mahathir said India had "invaded and occupied" Jammu and Kashmir and asked New Delhi to work with Pakistan to resolve the issue. Subsequently, India put pressure on Malaysia when Indian traders association asked the traders not to buy Malaysian palm oil but the Malaysian prime minister refused to retract his statement on Kashmir. He said, "We speak our minds, and we don't retract or change…What we are saying is we should all abide by resolutions of the [United Nations]. Otherwise, what is the use of the UN?"217 Malaysian support to Pakistan on Kashmir issue was quite encouraging and brought both the nations closer.

During annual session of the UNGA in September, both the premier met again in New York. It was agreed to intensify mutual collaboration in the fields of trade, electronics, engineering, IT, oil and gas, higher education and science & technology. The two leaders also agreed to pool resources to strengthen the intellectual and scientific capacity, with such efforts

especially focused on the youth.218 Besides bilateral meeting, both the premier held a trilateral meeting also involving Turkish President Recep Erdogan. During the trilateral meeting, Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia announced setting up a joint English language channel to confront the challenges posed by Islamophobia.219

Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral relations suffered a major blow when prime minister excused himself from attending Kuala Lumpur Summit after first confirming his participation. The Summit was hosted by Malaysian PM to discuss issues faced by the Muslims world and the Summit was to be attend by, among others, Turkish President, Iranian President and Qatari Emir (all having various levels of tense relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE) infuriating Saudi Arabia who then

216 https://www.dawn.com/news/1471200/pakistan-malaysia-sign-agreements-for-5-big-projects 217 https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/malaysian-pm-stands-kashmir-comment-india-palm-oil-ban-191022054040234.html 218 http://mofa.gov.pk/prime-minister-imran-khan-meeting-with-the-prime-minister-of-malaysia-on-the-sidelines-of-unga-74/ 219 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2065216/1-pakistan-teams-turkey-malaysia-counter-islamophobia/

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https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/malaysian-pm-stands-kashmir-comment-india-palm-oil-ban-191022054040234.html

https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/malaysian-pm-stands-kashmir-comment-india-palm-oil-ban-191022054040234.html

http://mofa.gov.pk/prime-minister-imran-khan-meeting-with-the-prime-minister-of-malaysia-on-the-sidelines-of-unga-74/

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put pressure on Pakistan to withdraw from the Summit and the prime minister after visiting Saudi Arabia on a hastily arranged visit decided not to attend Kuala Lumpur Summit.220 First accepting the invitation to attend the Summit and then refusing to do so and that too on the Saudi pressure caused a lot of embarrassment for Pakistan and highlighted lack of spate work by the sitting government and foreign office. The episode put serious strain on Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral relations and it is yet to be seen if both the countries will be able to recover from this set back.

Pakistan-Turkey Relations

Prime Minister Imran Khan paid an official visit to Turkey on 3-4 January 2019 and held talks with Turkish leadership. Prime Minister Imran Khan said it was high time that Pakistan and Turkey took their bilateral trade to a high level, citing Pakistan's ideal geo-strategic location and its huge potential for investment in infrastructure and tourism. Addressing a joint news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara after their meeting, Imran Khan said Pakistan wants to learn from Turkey's experience in housing, health, and education sectors for the benefit of common people. Separately, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavuşoglu met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. At the meeting, bilateral relations and regional developments were discussed. Turkish Minister thanked Pakistan for declaring FETO as a terrorist organization, a decision that confirms our brotherly ties.221

According to a joint statement issued at the end of the visit, both sides expressed their resolve to further strengthening the existing economic, trade and commercial relations between the two countries; agreed to initiate mechanisms for collaboration in health and agriculture sectors; decided to further enhance people-to-people contacts through increased exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism and youth fields; underlined their abiding commitment fighting the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral forums including at the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation; Economic Cooperation Organization; Developing 8 Countries; as well as other relevant forums; underscored the need for resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir through a sustained dialogue process and in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions; acknowledged that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan could be achieved through reconciliation of all segments of the Afghan society with support of the regional countries and the international community; emphasized the centrality of the cause of Palestine, rejected any attempt to alter the legal status and historical character of Al Quds; called on the international community to increase their support to the Palestinian people in realizing their quest for the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of the borders of 1967 with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital; and agreed to increase collaboration to uphold the true values of Islam at the

220 https://www.dawn.com/news/1522790 221 http://www.mfa.gov.tr/pakistan-basbakani-imran-han-in-ulkemizi-ziyareti_en.en.mfa


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international forums as well as to work closely against any attempts to malign, distort or vilify the historical image of Islam, its revered personalities, and its fundamental beliefs. 222

In the wake of Indian unilateral action in Kashmir in August, Turkey was one of the few countries who supported Pakistani stance. Moreover, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan also took up the issue of Kashmir during his address to the UNGA session in New York. He said that the stability and prosperity of South Asia can not be separated from the Kashmir issue adding that despite the UN resolutions, eight million people are stuck in occupied Kashmir. Erdogan said that the 72-year-old Kashmir issue should be resolved through dialogue on the basis of justice and equity. On the side-lines of UNGA session, Prime Minister Imran Khan met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Both sides discussed bilateral relations and the latest situation since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August to alter the disputed status of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.223 A trilateral meeting involving Pakistani and Malaysian prime ministers and Turkish President was also held in New York where the three leaders decided to open a TV channel to fight Islamaphobia.

In September, Turkish Foreign Minister visited Pakistan and held talks with Pakistani officials including his Pakistan counterpart, the prime minister and the president. The visit was preparatory in nature and was meant to set ground for the visit of Turkish President in October. However, the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was postponed due to internal environment in Turkey after heightened tensions between the US and Turkey following Turkish action against Kurdish militia.224 Pakistan lend complete support to Turkey for its action against Kurdish militia when Pakistani prime minster made telephone call to Turkish President. 225 Pakistani President Arif Alvi paid an official visit to Turkey at the end of October.

Pakistan’s failure to attend Kulala Lampur Summit, which was the brain child of Malaysian prime minister and Turkish President to discuss issues faced by the Muslim world, might stress the relations between Pakistan and Turkey but it is expected that both the countries will come to normalcy sooner than later given history of Pakistan-Turkey relations.

Pakistan-Russia Relations: Afghanistan, Economic and Security Cooperation Key Determinant

Following the momentum of previous years, some warmth in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia was observed in 2019. In March, 13th meeting of the Pakistan-Russia Consultative Group on Strategic Stability was held in Islamabad. Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russia Sergey Ryabkov led their respective delegations. Pakistani and Russian officials agreed on the need for preserving multilateralism in the field of international security and disarmament, and shared their concern regarding the possible erosion

222 https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/414711-pakistan-turkey-joint-statement-on-pm-imran-khans-visit-to-turkey 223 https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/531520-turkish-president-erdogan-raises-kashmir-issue-in-un 224 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2081514/1-turkish-president-erdogans-visit-pakistan-postponed-fo/ 225 https://www.dawn.com/news/1510278

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of "painstakingly negotiated" international arrangements in several areas, the Foreign Office said. The consultative group is a platform for structured dialogue between the two sides which has been meeting since 2003. During the meeting, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the prevailing regional and global security environments as well as their impact on the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation agenda. The discussions encompassed issues such as the non-militarisation of outer space, upholding of bilateral and multilateral treaties and developments in the fields of information and telecommunications in the context of international security. Matters related to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva were also deliberated upon. Both the sides underscored the close coordination and consultations between Russia and Pakistan at various international forums.226

Earlier on 27 March, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua proposed a seven-point roadmap for strengthening Pakistan-Russia ties and observed that Moscow’s position on latest Pak-India military standoff showed that the complexion of the relationship had already changed. “It is an emergent partnership with tremendous scope,” the foreign secretary said and suggested a seven-point roadmap through which the two countries could forge a stronger relationship. She was speaking at an International Conference on Pakistan-Russia Strategic Relations: Prospects for Cooperation. The proposed blueprint for the relationship includes resolution of the pending issue of about $200 million of Russian money held by Pakistani banks due to a financial dispute; signing of a free trade agreement to boost bilateral trade; deepening of strategic cooperation and understanding; augmenting of defence relations; Russian participation in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC); strengthening of people to people relations; and development of a regional architecture for peace and development in collaboration with likeminded countries. Ms Janjua said the relationship was currently underpinned by a strong framework of 11 bilateral processes for structured dialogue on various issues of concern to the two countries; frequent summit-level interactions; growing military ties; strategic cooperation for Afghan peace; and collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking. During recent stand-off with India, Russia offered to mediate, which was welcomed by Pakistan.” “Russia played its role in de-escalation. We appreciated the positive role [played by Moscow] and its balanced approach for peace and stability in the region,” she further said.227

In June, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had “high-level meetings” with Russia President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, respectively, on the sidelines of SCO summit in Bishkek. According to a statement by the foreign minister, Pakistan conveyed that it was interested in building synergies with Russia and chart new frontiers of cooperation and engagement. Meanwhile, Foreign Office in a press

226 https://www.dawn.com/news/1472439/pakistan-russia-agree-to-preserve-multilateralism-in-international-security-disarmament 227 https://www.dawn.com/news/1472338/foreign-secretary-proposes-seven-point-plan-for-improving-pak-russia-ties

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statement said the Prime Minister’s engagement with world leaders, including President Vladimir Putin lent further momentum to the growth of Pakistan’s multi-dimensional ties with Russia.228

In July, Russian Army General Oleg Salyukov, Commander in Chief Russian Ground Forces visited Islamabad and held talks with Pakistani military leadership including army chief. During the latter meeting, matters related to enhanced security/training cooperation and measures to further expand joint military ties between the two armies were discussed as per ISPR statement. The COAS said that cooperation between both countries will not only help in improving peace and stability in the region, but will also usher economic prosperity. General Bajwa said “Pakistan does not believe in zero sum games but rather, integration and cooperation.”229

On the sideline of UNGA session in September in New York, Russian and Pakistani foreign ministers held a bilateral meeting wherein both the sides hinted at transforming their burgeoning cooperation into a broader strategic partnership. In November, Islamabad finally decided to sign a deal with Moscow to settle a 39-year old exporters’ claims case pending since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, paving the way for Russia to invest over $8 billion in Pakistan. Under the agreement, the Pakistani government was to return $93.5 million to Russia within 90 days of the signing and clear pending exporters’ claims to the tune of $23.8 million as per the settlement agreements reached on October 6, 2016 and December 27, 2017. Moscow conveyed to Islamabad that it would invest $8 billion in Pakistan’s energy sector and the Pakistan Steel Mills. But according to Russian law, it cannot invest in countries with which it has disputes. The deal will enable Russia to invest in different sectors in Pakistan.230

In the last few years, an upward trajectory of Pakistan-Russia relations was witnessed. While interest of both the countries converge on various aspects, there is realization in respective capitals to further mend the fences and improve security and economic relations while there is unanimity of views particularly with regards to situation in Afghanistan. While it might take years for both the countries to develop strategic relationship, economic interests of both the countries warrant further warming up of relations. For Pakistan, Russia could be a key armed supplier in the wake of unstable US-Pakistan relationship which are likely to witness further dip once the US objectives in Afghanistan are met. Converging interests in Afghanistan have been a key factor in warming Russo-Pak relations. For Russia it is strategically important to minimize the spillover of terrorism into its periphery, which could impact potential Russian economic projects in Central Asia. Moscow has also proposed connecting the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which might ensure its access to the warm waters of the Arabian Sea through Pakistan. For Pakistan, geographical necessity makes stability in Afghanistan critical both for security and economic interests, such as bolstering a workable environment for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). After settlement of trade dispute, Russia is likely to come forward for investment in Pakistan under CPEC.

228 https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/06/16/pakistan-eyes-new-horizons-with-russia/ 229 https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/492837-commander-in-chief-russian-ground-forces-calls-on-coas-general-bajwa 230 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2095099/2-pakistan-settles-decades-old-trade-dispute-russia/

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2000838/6-russia-india-pakistan-changing-matrix/

https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/daesh-gaining-foothold-afghanistan-russia

https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/daesh-gaining-foothold-afghanistan-russia

http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/52178#sel=16:94:nHy,16:96:yHn

https://www.voanews.com/europe/putin-demands-role-eurasian-part-belt-and-road

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/167827-Russia-allowed-use-of-Gwadar-Port

https://ctc.usma.edu/the-u-s-pakistan-relationship-and-finding-an-end-state-in-afghanistan/

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/06/16/pakistan-eyes-new-horizons-with-russia/

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/492837-commander-in-chief-russian-ground-forces-calls-on-coas-general-bajwa

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/492837-commander-in-chief-russian-ground-forces-calls-on-coas-general-bajwa

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2095099/2-pakistan-settles-decades-old-trade-dispute-russia/



Qatar-Pakistan Relations; Economic Assistance to Pakistan

Keeping the upward trajectory in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Qatar, further warming up of relations between the two countries was observed in 2019 with visit from Pakistani Prime Minister to Qatar in January this year and then a reciprocal visit by Qatari Emir in June. The uneasy relations and economic sanctions on Qatar by Saudi Arabia and UAE provided a window of opportunity for Pakistan to increase its exports while the forthcoming football world cup in Qatar provide economic and security engagement between the two countries. Both Pakistan and Qatar are also playing a key role in Afghan peace talks.

In January, PM Imran Khan visited Doha to discuss economic cooperation with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Both the leaders discussed strengthening of trade relations, as well as joint investments, energy, food security and military cooperation. The delegation-level talks were also held between the prime minister and the emir. All issues of bilateral nature, especially strengthening of the economic and trade relations between the two countries, were discussed during the one-on-one and delegation-level talks. A joint statement issued at the conclusion of the prime minister’s two days visit said that the “Qatari Emir also extended his support for Pakistan in diverse fields”. The joint declaration said that Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked Qatari leadership for the announcement of providing jobs to as many as 100,000 Pakistanis. Khan also invited Qatari Emir to visit Pakistan.Also, chairmen and senior representatives of various Qatari business organisations and groups separately met the prime minister and discussed matters of bilateral and mutual interest. 231 Following the premier’s visit, the Board of Investment organised a Pakistan-Qatar Investment Forum between the business communities of the two countries.

In April Qatar Investment Authority head Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani came to Islamabad to hold talks with Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and BOI Chairman Haroon Sharif. The Qatari official was told about the fields wherein Pakistan would welcome investment. A cautious Sheikh Faisal however made it clear that Qatar was looking for a long-term partnership and not “quick wins.” Interestingly Asad Umar and Haroon Sharif, the two major figures closely related to talks with Qatar were made to leave the government after eight months creating questions about the continuity of government’s economic policies.

In June, Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani paid a two-day official visit to

Pakistan. One-on-one discussion between the two leaders was held at the Prime Minister House

in Islamabad, followed by a delegation-level meeting between representatives from both

countries in which "both the leaders covered the entire gamut of bilateral relations to enhance

cooperation in diverse fields", according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office. Later, in

a ceremony MoUs between the two countries were signed including MoU on the establishment

of Pakistan and Qatar Joint Working Group (JWG) on trade and investment, MoU for cooperation

in the field of tourism and business events between Qatar and Pakistan, and MoU on the

231 https://tribune.com.pk/story/1894075/1-pm-imran-meets-emir-qatar-doha/

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establishment of cooperation in the field of exchange of financial intelligence related to money

laundering associated predicate offences and terrorism financing between Qatar's Financial

Information Unit and Pakistan's Financial Monitoring Unit. 232

On 23 June, President Dr Arif Alvi and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al

Thani, held wide-ranging talks, particularly on the Afghan issue. President Alvi lauded Qatar’s role

in promoting efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, which was a notable

contribution to regional peace. Qatari emir acknowledged the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the

fight against terrorism. Taking note of the progress achieved in Afghan peace talks, the two

leaders agreed to continue working closely for regional peace and stability. The president focused

on potential for enhanced Qatari investments in diverse fields and prospects for further

employment of Pakistani workers in that country. Expressing his desire to further solidify the

economic content of bilateral relations, the Qatari leader evinced keen interest in enhanced

bilateral collaboration in the energy sector as well as import of food items from Pakistan. He

offered assistance in building Pakistan’s tourism potential through more Qatari investments and

technical support in the hospitality industry. Expressing satisfaction at the pace of recruitment of

manpower from Pakistan, the emir underlined Qatar’s desire to import additional workers as well

as trained security personnel from Pakistan.233

Reportedly, Pakistan secured a bailout package of $3 billion from Qatar. Advisor to Prime

Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh made the announcement. “I want to thank the Emir

of Qatar HRH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani for announcing $3 billion in deposits and direct

investments for Pakistan and for Qatar’s affirmation to further develop relations between the

two countries”, tweeted Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.234

In November, Qatar and Pakistan discussed ways to boost bilateral military relations when

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Quresi and naval chief afar Mahmood Abbasi visited

Qatar and met Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin

Abdulrahman Al-Thani. They reviewed the status of bilateral cooperation and other issues of

mutual interest. Naval chief also Qatari Chief of General Staff Ghanem bin Shaheen Al-Ghanem.

Abbasi and Ghanem exchanged views on the means to enhance military cooperation.235

Pakistan- UK bilateral Engagement and Strategic Dialogue

Some positive movement on Pakistan-UK relations was observed in 2019 though the

potential for such relations was much higher. However, UK’s exit plan from the EU provide a

window of opportunity for Pakistan to enhance economic and trade relations. If Pakistan is able

232 https://www.dawn.com/news/1489767/3-mous-signed-following-qatari-emirs-arrival-to-pakistan 233 https://www.dawn.com/news/1490121/pakistan-qatar-vow-to-work-for-regional-peace 234 https://tribune.com.pk/story/1999167/2-qatar-announces-3-billion-investment-pakistan/ 235 http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-11/13/c_138550138.htm

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to convince UK, the latter could play a role to get the Kashmir issue resolved between Pakistan

and India by asking the latter to come on the negotiation table since UK enjoys cordial relations

with both Pakistan and India. UK played role in defusing tensions between Pakistan and India on

numerous occasions.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi visited United Kingdom in June and met Home

Secretary Sajid Javid in London on 18 June to discuss matters of bilateral interest and reviewed

the ongoing security cooperation under the institutional framework of Enhanced Strategic

Dialogue. Pakistan and the UK reaffirmed their continuing collaboration between law

enforcement agencies of the two countries at the operational level and counter-terrorism

measures in accordance with the National Action Plan. They agreed to continue their

governments’ joint efforts for developing the capacity-building of public departments and

information sharing as part of their commitment to achieving greater success in the global fight

against terrorism, organized crime and illegal migration. Both sides reiterated their resolve to

curb money-laundering practices and build upon the justice and accountability partnership

arrangement between the two countries. Mr. Javid expressed the UK government’s desire to be

seen as a partner of Pakistan in their joint efforts in anti-money laundering and tackling organized

crime. Both sides on the occasion underscored the importance of working together for the

repatriation of stolen financial assets abroad and intensifying domestic efforts for return of this

wealth in accordance with the international legal instruments and conventions against

corruption.236 Foreign Minister held a press conference at the Pakistan High Commission in

London. During the press conference, the Foreign Minister conveyed the UK govt demand to sign

a re-admission treaty so that the over-stayers and others living illegally could be sent back to

Pakistan. He said that Britain wants Pakistan to take back thousands of Pakistanis who have

overstayed their visit visa in the UK and have no status but cannot be sent back to Pakistan

without a proper treaty. Qureshi said, “We have initiated dialogue on this. This will help those

who are genuine visa applicants. This will help Pakistan more,” said Qureshi.237

On 20 June, Foreign Minister Qureshi and British Foreign Secretary Hunt held the 4th review

of Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD). "Both sides pledged to move forward with an

early conclusion of the extradition treaty and readmission agreement," said the statement. Reportedly, UK assured Pakistan of help at the FATF, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said UK will

support Pakistan to come out of the grey list.238 Pakistan and the United Kingdom on 24 June held

military-to-military talks on geo-strategic environment and discussed ways to intensify defence

cooperation. Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa led the Pakistani delegation at the

security talks with the British side headed by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Sir Nick Carter at the

Ministry of Defence in London. “Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visited UK MoD.

236 https://www.dawn.com/news/1488863/pakistan-uk-review-security-cooperation 237 https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/486518-uk-wants-pakistan-to-take-back-thousands-of-migrants 238 https://www.dawn.com/news/1489154/uk-will-never-allow-politically-motivated-extradition-british-foreign-secretary-jeremy-hunt

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Chief of Defence Staff Gen Sir Nick Carter received COAS. Session of delegation level strategic

dialogue held to discuss geo-strategic environment and bilateral military cooperation,” DG ISPR

tweeted. He had earlier spoken on ‘Pakistan’s Regional Security Perspective’ at the International

Institute of Strategic Studies, a leading think tank on global security and military conflict.

“Pakistan is at the cusp of achieving sustainable, irreversible, enduring peace and stability. This

can be complemented through meaningful international partnership, support and will to take on

regional challenges,” Gen Bajwa had then said while encouraging the world to work with

Pakistan.239

Also in June, United Kingdom increased its funding support to Pakistan from £400 million

pounds to £1 billion said Simon Penney, Trade Commissioner for the Middle East, Afghanistan

and Pakistan. “What this means in practice is that part of that money can be used to help UK

companies reduce the risk of doing business in other countries. From Pakistan’s point of view,

the most important feature of it is the money the UK will make available to Pakistani companies

and projects,” said Penney, currently on his first visit to Pakistan, during a meeting with

journalists at the British High Commission. Sharing details Penney said that direct lending could

be provided for various projects including infrastructure, roads, hospitals, schools, factories and

development. “It [the lending] is not intended to compete with commercial banks or private

sector banks. What it is intended to do is fund the projects that wouldn’t happen if the private

sector won’t fund them. For example, infrastructure projects have very long investment period,

commercial banks are unlikely to wait ten years for a road, and that’s where we can use export

credit to provide extra tenure,” Penney added. He stressed that the UK government is keen to

increase two-way trade with Pakistan, which is currently at £3.1 billion. “Pakistan’s exports to the

UK are £1.9bn and the UK’s exports to Pakistan are £1.2bn so you can see the UK is an important

export market for Pakistan.” “Once the UK leaves the EU, it is to replicate the [GSP+] agreement

on the same terms and conditions,” he added. 240

In October, Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton paid five-day visit to

Pakistan, the first royal trip to the country in more than a decade. Prince William while speaking

to journalists in Pakistan highlighted the importance of his country's security ties with Pakistan,

according to Rebecca English, a royal correspondent for Daily Mail UK. The Duke noted that the

people of Pakistan have lost many lives in the effort to secure the country. "Those sacrifices from

the Pakistanis should be acknowledged," Prince William said. "Actually what happens here in

Pakistan directly correlates to what happens on the streets of the UK." In what was reportedly

her first-ever television news interview, Duchess Kate told CNN that the couple's visit to Pakistan

had been "fantastic". Speaking to the broadcaster, Kate said the five-day official trip had allowed

them to see a lot of the country. The couple was hosted by President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister

Imran Khan at the Aiwan-i-Sadr and Prime Minister House, respectively. On the third day of their

239 https://www.dawn.com/news/1490189/talks-held-with-uk-to-boost-defence-ties 240 https://www.dawn.com/news/1490500/uk-to-help-firms-do-business-in-pakistan

https://www.dawn.com/news/1511163/prince-william-kate-arrive-in-chitral-gifted-photo-album-of-dianas-1991-visit

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trip, the royals paid a visit to Chitral district to observe the effect of climate change in the region.

They also visited Lahore. 241 While the visit did not have any impact on bilateral relations between

the two countries as such relations are in the domain of elected governments in the UK, the visit

definitely helped boost Pakistan's image in addition to allowing focus on social and

environmental issues like climate change, poverty, etc.

Pakistan-UAE relations

UAE’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Pakistan in January

2019 where he met with Prime Minister Imran Khan and other officials including army chief. The

two leaders then held official talks “on enhancing cooperation and friendship” and discussed

“regional and international issues of mutual interest”, according to an official statement. During

the visit, the two countries finalised a $6.2bn bailout package for Pakistan, according to the

Pakistani finance ministry. That includes $3.2bn worth of oil supplies on deferred payment, on

top of the $3bn support that was announced late last year when Imran Khan visited the UAE. In

December, the UAE announced plans to deposit $3bn in Pakistan’s central bank, aimed at

supporting the country’s monetary reserves.242 According to a joint statement issued after the

UAE royal's visit, bilateral relations and regional and global issues were discussed during PM Khan

and Sheikh Mohammed's meeting. The crown prince was also briefed by PM Khan on the Kashmir

issue. Meanwhile, both leaders expressed their wish to strengthen ties between UAE and

Pakistan. They agreed to make a long term investment framework to strengthen economic ties.

PM Khan welcomed the UAE’s interest in investing in various sectors in Pakistan including oil and

gas, logistics, ports and construction. The two leaders decided to form a task force to take all

necessary measures to deal with matters relating to trade enhancement.243

While there was upward trajectory in Pakistan-UAE relations from the beginning of year

particularly after the UAE came up with generous support to Pakistan in the wake balance of

Payment crisis, UAE’s insensitivity on Kashmir issue and particularly after UAE ambassador to

New Delhi calling Kashmir an internal affair of India infuriated Pakistan. 244 Moreover, UAE

conferring of highest civilian award to Indian PM in late August also was not received well in

Pakistan. Pakistan was also skeptical of lukewarm response of OIC on Kashmir particularly when

the UAE and Saudi Arabia hold significant influence on this Muslim organization. However, at the

start of September, UAE foreign minister (along with Saudi Foreign Minister) visited Islamabad to

reaffirm their bilateral relationship and to play a positive role in defusing tensions over Kashmir.

241 https://www.dawn.com/news/1511554/prince-william-kate-leave-for-uk-after-completing-5-day-trip-of-pakistan 242 https://gulfbusiness.com/uaes-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-visits-pakistan-meets-pm-imran-khan/ 243 https://www.samaa.tv/news/2019/01/abu-dhabi-crown-prince-to-meet-pm-imran-khan-in-islamabad/ 244 https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/uae-ambassador-to-india-reacts-to-kashmir-decision-1.1565038437014

https://www.dawn.com/news/1511554/prince-william-kate-leave-for-uk-after-completing-5-day-trip-of-pakistan

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https://www.samaa.tv/news/2019/01/abu-dhabi-crown-prince-to-meet-pm-imran-khan-in-islamabad/

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/uae-ambassador-to-india-reacts-to-kashmir-decision-1.1565038437014



UAE foreign minister also met prime minister and army chief.245 According to unconfirmed media

reports, both the visiting dignitaries asked Pakistan to open back-channel talks with India to

defuse tensions over Kashmir but Pakistan refused to engage in any sort of talks with India until

the latter reverses its steps in Kashmir.

In September, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed along with Saudi Minister

of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Al Jubeir, visited Islamabad to meet Pakistani Prime Minister

Imran Khan. The UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Mr Al

Jubeir held a day of talks with key political figures in the Pakistani government. The two men

discussed the latest developments in the region and across the globe with Shah Qureshi,

Pakistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Gen Qamar Jaived Bajwa, the country's army chief. The

meetings were aimed at strengthening ties between Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan.

In October, in an interview with the Arab News, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad

Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi said: "We are going to launch very soon one of the biggest

investments in a refinery project in Hub. It is going to be a $5 billion investment between

Mubadala Petroleum Company of Abu Dhabi, Pak Arab Refinery Limited (Parco) and OMV [OMV

Pakistan Exploration Gesellschaft]." According to Arab News, Al-Zaabi said the project was a

result of "extensive discussions" between Mubadala Petroleum, Pakistan's petroleum ministry as

well as Parco and OMV. The UAE ambassador said that the two governments were "finalising the

minute details of this refinery project".246

China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are exploring opportunities for cooperation

under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Chinese ambassador to Islamabad Yao Jing

said on 24 November. In an interview with Arab News, the ambassador stressed that UAE was

also a partner under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and has a lot of trade and economic links

with Pakistan. “Between China and UAE, maybe we have some opportunities to cooperate for

Pakistan’s development,” Ambassador Yao said, adding that since the ninth meeting of a Pakistan

China Joint Cooperation Committee held this month, both countries had stepped up efforts to

promote “third party investment” in the bilateral project.247

In December when Pakistan decided to attend Kuala Lumpur Summit in Malaysia, UAE

and Saudi Arabia were seen nervous. Subsequently, Pakistani prime minister visited Saudi Arabia

while Army chief headed towards the UAE to pacify both the strategic partners of Pakistan.

During visit to UAE, Army chief met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-

Nahyan. The UAE embassy’s account tweeted: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al

Nahyan, Deputy Supreme Commander of the #UAE Armed Forces, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi,

245 https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/saudi-uae-foreign-ministers-visit-pakistan-in-show-of-solidarity-1.66211691 246 https://www.dawn.com/news/1508944 247 https://tribune.com.pk/story/2105773/1-uae-exploring-opportunities-investment-cpec-projects-chinese-envoy/

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/saudi-uae-foreign-ministers-visit-pakistan-in-show-of-solidarity-1.66211691

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/saudi-uae-foreign-ministers-visit-pakistan-in-show-of-solidarity-1.66211691


https://tribune.com.pk/story/2105773/1-uae-exploring-opportunities-investment-cpec-projects-chinese-envoy/



receives General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Chief of the #Pakistani Army, and discusses with him

the ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries”.248

At the start of the year 2020, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visited

Islamabad and announced an allocation of $200 million to support small and medium-sized

enterprises in Pakistan. Launched on the sidelines of his daylong visit to Pakistan, the initiative

under the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development would support economic projects and

encourage “innovation in projects and support entrepreneurship, to assist the Pakistani

government’s efforts to create a stable and balanced national economy that will help achieve the

country’s sustainable development”. During his visit, the crown prince and the prime minister

held wide-ranging talks on bilateral, regional and international issues. Khan expressed

satisfaction at the frequent, ongoing high-level visits between Pakistan and the U.A.E., as well as

the steady development of cordial ties between the two fraternal countries. Underlining the

strategic importance of the Pakistan-U.A.E. relationship, he stressed the importance of deeper

economic engagement. PM Khan also used the opportunity to update Crown Prince Zayed on

India’s ongoing lockdown in India-held Kashmir, which has now lasted over 150 days. He noted

that the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens

(NRC) were also yielding negative consequences. He said the global community must take steps

to address Delhi’s oppression of Muslims; its escalation of tensions on the Line of Control; and to

force a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations

Security Council resolutions. The two leaders also discussed the role of the Organization of Islamic

Cooperation in advancing the cause of the Islamic Ummah.249

248 https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/12/14/abu-dhabi-crown-prince-bajwa-discuss-ways-to-enhance-pak-uae-cooperation/ 249 https://www.newsweekpakistan.com/u-a-e-announces-200mn-to-boost-economic-projects-in-pakistan/

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/12/14/abu-dhabi-crown-prince-bajwa-discuss-ways-to-enhance-pak-uae-cooperation/

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/12/14/abu-dhabi-crown-prince-bajwa-discuss-ways-to-enhance-pak-uae-cooperation/

https://www.newsweekpakistan.com/u-a-e-announces-200mn-to-boost-economic-projects-in-pakistan/



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