PM, COAS inspect military exercise Raad ul Burq
16 Nov, 2016:- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif arrived in Khairpur Tamiwali near the border with India to witness
The ongoing military exercise Raad ul Burq.
The exercise was aimed at checking the operational preparedness of the military. Tanks, planes, artillery and other heavy weapons are on display during exercise. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood and the three services chiefs were also present on the occasion. Deputy Chief of Staff of Saudi Armed Forces was also present.
Also in attendance were Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and National Security Adviser Nasir Janjua. Lt. General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmed briefed those in attendance about the military exercise. He said that the purpose of the exercise was to increase the capability of Pakistan’s military. Lt. General Nadeem further said Pakistan was fully capable of tackling any aggression. Director General ISPR, Lt. General Asim Bajwa tweeted that the exercise showcased Pakistan’s combat readiness against enemies.
PAF’s fighter aircraft including JF-17 Thunder, F-7PG and Mirage hit targets with agility and precision avoiding radars. The manoeuvring Mirage aircraft flew close to ground striking weapons at the designated targets. The Firing Falcon formation of four F-16 aircraft each capable of carrying 24,000 pounds high explosive bombs enough to target 2 x 2 kilometres of land successfully hit enemy s targets. Cobra Gunship and Z10 helicopters fired missiles having six kilometres range and successfully engaged the targets. The helicopters of Army Aviation Combat Group that participated in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb also demonstrated their combat potential.
The exercise also demonstrated indigenously developed surface to air missiles, multi barrel rocket launchers, sky radars for target detection and rocket propelled target system. The demonstration concluded with a flypast by F-16 aircraft receiving thunderous applause by the audience.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said “Raad ul Barq is proof that Pakistan is capable of giving befitting response to any aggression.” On the Jammu and Kashmir issue, the prime minister said this was at the core of Pakistan-India relations and needed to be resolved keeping in mind the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. “Human rights violations in Kashmir are the source of tension in the region.”
Eight Indian ‘diplomats’ involved in subversive activities in Pakistan: FO
Three of 8 Indian High Commission officials expelled from Pakistan. During the weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesman, NafeesZakaria said the diplomats are agents of Indian spy agencies RAW and IB. He added that these diplomats were involved in subversive activities including attempts to disrupt the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Indian intelligence personnel working at the countries High Commission in Islamabad are, Rajesh Kumar (posted as commercial counsellor), Balbir Singh (posted as first secretary press and culture), Anurag Singh (posted as first secretary commercial), Amardeep Singh (posted as visa attaché),
MadhavanNand Kumar (posted as visa assistant),
JayabalanSenthal (posted as assistant personnel welfare), Dharmendra and Vijay Kumar.
“All these eight officials were involved in espionage, subversion and supporting of terrorist activities,” Zakaria said.
The FO spokesman further said that the Indian diplomatic staff had also handled Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) factions.
Pakistan withdraws 6 diplomats from New Delhi amid tension
Nov 02, 2016 | ISLAMABAD:- Two Pakistani officials and an Indian spokesman say Pakistan has withdrawn six of its diplomats working at the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi amid increasing tension between the two countries over the disputed Kashmir territory. The two Pakistani officials said Pakistan has unearthed a “network of Indian spy agencies” working at the Indian embassy in Islamabad. They said authorities have sought Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s approval to expel some Indian diplomats.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue. In New Delhi, VikasSwarup, the Indian External Affairs Ministry’s spokesman, confirmed that six Pakistani diplomats flew back to Islamabad on Wednesday as after being withdrawn by their government. Last week, each side expelled one of the other government’s diplomats as well.
First CPEC cargo shipment launched from Gwadar Port
GWADR, Nov 13 (APP): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here Sunday inaugurated the pilot project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) launching its first shipment from Gwader port as the first trade caravan carrying Chinese goods reached Gwadar through the western-route of the CPEC. Gwadar will become an economic center soon and bring prosperity in the region. CPEC project is the start of a new era of progress and prosperity and a dream is turning into reality, Prime Minister said while addressing the ceremony. The project is not only beneficial for the region but also for the world. This economic corridor will also bring peace and stability in the region, he said and thanked Army Chief General Raheel Sharif for his maximum cooperation for the project who took personal interest for completing this project. Pakistan feels proud on its friendship with China. The CPEC will bring employment opportunities for thousands of people in Pakistan and it will serve as a trade hub for Asia, China and South Asia, PM said. He said Gwadar Port is the base of CPEC which will bring prosperity to the country and particularly Balochistan. As many as 40 officials of Frontier Works Organization (FWO) have given their lives for this project but Pakistan will progress and prosper with every passing day, he said, adding that free trade zones are being created for CPEC. The caravan consisted 50 trucks travelling through Khunjerab amid strict security by the Pakistan Army. The Chinese goods will be exported to different countries through the Gwadar port. The caravan left China on October 31 and reached Gwadar in 11 days a journey which would otherwise have taken 45 days. The ceremony marking the opening of trade activities through the corridor was attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and ambassadors of various countries. Earlier, Ambassador of China to Pakistan Sun Weidong termed the first pilot project of Gawader port as a project of great importance for progress and prosperity of the region.
Chinese Navy flotilla arrives in Karachi
16 Nov:- Chinese Navy Flotilla including Ocean Salvage & Rescue Ship CHANGXINGDAO and PLA(N) Ship HANDAN arrived Karachi on a goodwill visit to Pakistan. The visiting Chinese platforms will take part in 4th PN-PLA(N) bilateral exercise encompassing Harbour and Sea phases. The PLA (Navy) Task Group was extended warm welcome and traditional hospitality on arrival at Karachi. Senior officials of Pakistan Navy and Chinese consulate were also present on the occasion. These exercises are expected to go a long way in promoting maritime security in the backdrop of operationalization of CPEC and Gwadar port. The frigate that belongs to the 24th Chinese Navy fleet convoy for the Gulf of Aden was warmly welcomed by senior officials of the Pakistan Navy, and Chinese diplomats at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard. During a short meeting between the two sides, Commodore Zaka Ur Rehman of the Pakistan Navy expressed his appreciation at the role that the Handan has played in the Gulf of Aden against piracy and said that “China is a great friend of Pakistan’s and a brotherly country. We have arranged exercises, which hopefully will be very successful, useful, and rewarding and will further strengthen our relations.” For his part, Chi Qingtao, the chief officer of the joint drills from the Chinese side, said that “We hope that our joint bilateral exercises will be a great success. This is a great opportunity for cooperation between the navies of the two countries.” Chi also briefly introduced the 24th Chinese Navy fleet convoy to Commodore Rahman.
26 dead in huge blast at Gadani ship-breaking yard
1st, Nov:- KARACHI: More than 50 others were wounded in the incident when a gas cylinder exploded and started a fire inside an oil tanker in the shipyard. A high-level committee formed by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to investigate the causes of the fire held its first meeting in the port city of Karachi and said it would finalise a report within a week. Industrial accidents are common in Pakistan, with workplaces often forgoing basic safety measures and equipment in the absence of legislation to protect labourers.
At least 21 killed, 65 injured in Karachi train collision
KARACHI: 3 Nov, 2016: Two trains collided in the city’s Landhi area early Thursday morning, leaving at least 21 people dead and resulting in injuries to 65 others including children. The accident occurred in Gaddafi Town Landhi at 7:18 AM when Zakaria Express collided with the stationary Fareed Express. Initial investigation reveals that the driver of Zakaria Express ignored the signal.