Pakistan Archives - The Singapore Post

<strong>The Struggle for Democratic Equilibrium: Pakistan’s Ongoing Election Conundrum</strong>

8Jan

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

The Struggle for Democratic Equilibrium: Pakistan’s Ongoing Election Conundrum

Pakistan's much-anticipated General Elections awaited after nearly a six-month delay following the dissolution of the National Assembly in August 2023, are yet again marred by political discord. The Senate's recent announcement of an indefinite postponement, citing "security concerns" and the ongoing delineation of constituencies following the latest census, arrives amidst a mere 15 members out of 100 in attendance. This recurring postponement raises serious questions about power dynamics in both Pakistan's internal landscape and its global political standing, potentially brewing a societal crisis. It is notable that the last general elections in Pakistan took place in 2018. The intricate relationship between democracy and hypocrisy is emblematic in Pakistan's tumultuous journey toward...

Pakistan’s 2024 Elections: Manoeuvring Through The Complex Realms Of Politics, Economy, And Security Challenges

30Dec

By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

Pakistan’s 2024 Elections: Manoeuvring Through The Complex Realms Of Politics, Economy, And Security Challenges

As Pakistan gears up for the pivotal general elections on February 8, 2024, the nation finds itself facing intricate challenges across politics, economy, and security. The urgency for elections has intensified due to a series of political upheavals, economic crises, and the emergence of new contenders. The dissolution of parliament, arrests of political figures, and the rise of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) led by Hafiz Saeed underscore the multifaceted nature of Pakistan's current predicament. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's return to active politics, following his acquittal in corruption cases, further muddles the political waters. Power dynamics between political parties, especially the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), hint at a s

China’s hybrid-war against India could foment unrest in Kashmir: Expert

15Mar

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

China’s hybrid-war against India could foment unrest in Kashmir: Expert

India could face another violent civil unrest and massive protests in Jammu and Kashmir if China embarks on another territorial adventure in Ladakh with Pakistan supporting at the Line of Control, according to Abhinav Pandya, founder and CEO of Usanas Foundation, an India-based geopolitical and security affairs think-tank.In an opinion piece, Pandya has said that there is a strong potential for India’s adversaries, i.e., Pakistan, Turkey, and China, to engineer a massive popular resistance movement in Kashmir the near future.“The Kashmir valley has been in turmoil for the last three decades. During this time, it has witnessed a violent anti-India jihadist movement in a social-political milieu that is overwhelmingly radicalized on religious lines and has a strong Pakistani intelligence foot

Important step towards security, stability: UAE on India, Pak ceasefire agreement

1Mar

By Grace TsoiNo Comments

Important step towards security, stability: UAE on India, Pak ceasefire agreement

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday said that the declaration of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) is an “important step” towards achieving security, stability and prosperity in the region.In a statement, the UAE foreign ministry said that Abu Dhabi has close historical ties with New Delhi and Islamabad and that it commends the efforts of the two countries to reach this achievement.Last week, Indian and Pakistani armies announced that they have agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Actual Control (LoC) starting from February 25.The agreement on ceasefire was reached during a meeting between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.“The UAE has welcomed the declaration of a ceasefire between the Indian and Pakista

India-Pakistan ceasefire pact won’t affect counter-terrorism operations in J&K: Indian Army

28Feb

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

India-Pakistan ceasefire pact won’t affect counter-terrorism operations in J&K: Indian Army

The counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir won’t be stopped by the agreement between India and Pakistan to strictly adhere to the ceasefire pact along the Line of Control (LoC), Indian Army’s northern commander Lt Gen Y K Joshi said.“Recently, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan have announced an agreement to uphold ceasefire along the LoC from February 24 and 25 midnight. I want to assure that this ceasefire will have no bearing on the counter-terrorist operations and we will maintain our alertness,” Lt Gen Joshi said at the northern command investiture ceremony.He said the northern command, which looks after the security of the twin union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, remained on the highest alert and made possible what was

Border residents in J-K’s Baramulla relieved after ceasefire agreement

28Feb

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Border residents in J-K’s Baramulla relieved after ceasefire agreement

The agreement between India and Pakistan to cease firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir has brought relief among residents in the border areas of Nabila village in the Uri Sector in Baramulla.“We are very happy that the Commanders from both sides have agreed to observe the ceasefire. Cross-border firings cause big problems in the lives of people living along the border. We used to face all kinds of troubles and difficulties. We are thankful to the government for this step. Now, we can live in peace,” said Abdul Razzak, a border resident.“I am a resident of Nabila. The ceasefire observance decision has brought great relief to all of us living along the border. Our children could not go to school earlier. We had to face difficulties in our daily life. I want to thank th

Former envoy lauds India’s decision to allow Pak PM’s aircraft to use its airspace

24Feb

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Former envoy lauds India’s decision to allow Pak PM’s aircraft to use its airspace

It was a good and positive decision that India took to permit Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s aircraft to use its airspace to travel to Sri Lanka, said former Indian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia, Ashok Sajjanhar.“It is a good and positive decision that India has taken to permit Imran Khan’s aircraft to overfly the airspace of India to visit Sri Lanka on February 23. India is a large country; India is a magnanimous country. It is a normal global international protocol to allow the aircraft of traveling heads of states, heads of governments to overfly this space. So, I think it is very appropriate,” he said.Sajjanhar further remarked that India has taken this stand when required and that tense relations between the two countries should not stand in the way of normal excha

British-Pakistani activist held in Pakistan over London speech

18Feb

By Grace TsoiNo Comments

British-Pakistani activist held in Pakistan over London speech

Yousaf Ali Khan, a British-Pakistani activist is being held in Pakistan on charges of sedition and "conspiring to wage war" against the state.He is accused of making incendiary remarks advocating violence in a speech in London broadcast on social media.Khan has lived in the UK for some 20 years, and was visiting Pakistan for a family funeral when he was detained. He was arrested on Saturday night, when a large number of heavily armed police surrounded the family's home in Swabi in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.He is president of the UK chapter of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), which campaigns for accountability for alleged human rights abuses committed by the Pakistani army whilst fighting against Islamist militants on the border with Afghanistan.According to legal documents, Khan is ac...

Around 100 Kashmiri youth missing in last three years after visiting Pakistan on visa

8Feb

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Around 100 Kashmiri youth missing in last three years after visiting Pakistan on visa

Around 100 youths from Kashmir who travelled to Pakistan on a visa have gone missing in the last three years, India’s security establishment notified on Sunday."They have either never returned or have returned but are missing," said an IPS officer adding that they can be part of 'sleeper cells' of terror organisations.The officer further said as more proactive outreach programmes have been taken up and more surveillance mechanisms placed, the incidents of youth going missing are "decreasing proportionately"."Either these youth are being brainwashed and thereafter being trained or are allured to carry out anti-India propaganda. It is a big challenge before us to bring such youth back in the fold," explains the officer, who is part of the counter-insurgency team in the Valley.The Kashmiri yo

‘Time to extend hand of peace’: Pakistan Army chief Gen Bajwa

3Feb

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

‘Time to extend hand of peace’: Pakistan Army chief Gen Bajwa

In a surprise statement on Tuesday, Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that the country is committed to the ideal of mutual respect and peaceful co-existence and “it is time to extend a hand of peace in all directions”.He was speaking at the graduation ceremony of Pakistan Air Force cadets with an aim to reach out to India.“Pakistan and India must also resolve the longstanding issue of Jammu and Kashmir in a dignified and peaceful manner as per the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir and bring this human tragedy to its logical conclusion,” General Bajwa said according to a statement issued by the military.His remarks, however, were a sharp contrast to his pitch against India, particularly after New Delhi carried out aerial strikes at terror training camps in Pakistan