Nearly 300 killed in militant attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province in 2024 — official data

Exclusive Nearly 300 killed in militant attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province in 2024 — official data
Security personnel inspect the blast site at a railway station, a day after an explosion allegedly by Pakistani separatists in Quetta, in Pakistan's Balochistan province, on November 10, 2024. (AN photo)
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Updated 26 December 2024
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Nearly 300 killed in militant attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province in 2024 — official data

Nearly 300 killed in militant attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province in 2024 — official data
  • Balochistan witnessed a rise in separatist violence, reporting 563 attacks in which over 500 were injured
  • Security analysts say only genuine political process can establish long-term peace in restive Balochistan

QUETTA: Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province witnessed a dramatic surge in militant violence in 2024, as government data exclusively obtained by Arab News on Wednesday revealed nearly 300 people, including civilians and soldiers, were killed in over 550 attacks reported across various districts of the province this year.

Most attacks were carried out by Baloch separatist groups, primarily the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which also launched coordinated assaults, including suicide bombings, targeting Pakistani security forces and Chinese nationals in the southern region of the country.

Balochistan, sharing porous borders with Afghanistan to the north and Iran to the west, has experienced a low-level insurgency by Baloch separatist and other armed groups for the last two decades.

These groups accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province’s mineral resources without benefitting its people, claims the government denies, asserting it has initiated several development projects to bring the region on par with other provinces.

“296 people including the civilians and soldiers of Pakistan’s armed forces were killed and more than 500 were injured in 563 attacks reported in Balochistan from January 1st to December 20th, 2024,” the provincial home department’s annual report, exclusively obtained by Arab News, said.

“44 percent of the total attacks were reported against Pakistan’s armed forces operating in Balochistan including the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan, Police, Levies, and Pakistan Coast Guards, while 81 settlers (people from other provinces) and 37 civilians were killed in dozens of attacks this year,” it added.

The official data revealed that February and August, months when Pakistan held general elections and celebrated its independence, were the deadliest, with 187 attacks of varying nature and scale reported across Balochistan, claiming 119 lives.

Last month, Pakistan announced a “comprehensive military operation” against Baloch separatists and their hideouts in the mountainous region following a deadly suicide bombing at the crowded railway station in Quetta, which killed more than two dozen people, including Pakistan Army soldiers.

Shahid Rind, the provincial spokesperson, confirmed the annual number of attacks and casualties while speaking to Arab News.

“The provincial government has been implementing the decisions made in the federal apex committee meeting in November alongside the objectives of its own provincial action plan to counter this new wave of terrorism in Balochistan,” he said.

“The provincial administration, together with federal and provincial law enforcing agencies, will move as the whole of the government to impart a sense security among the masses, foreign investors and business community,” he continued.

POLITICAL PROCESS

Speaking to Arab News, Abdul Basit, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, called 2024 a year of offensive guerrilla warfare from defensive guerrilla warfare by the Baloch militant groups.

“The separatist groups showed a new trend of coordinated attacks and taking over the provincial highways for hours,” he said.

“Balochistan needs a genuine political process for long-term peace because the ethnic Baloch nation has lost trust in the political process,” he continued. “Instead of empowering dummy leadership in Balochistan, the state has to work with genuine leadership that has roots in the masses.”

Safdar Sial, a research analyst at the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), agreed with him, pointing out that the Pakistani authorities had mainly relied on “kinetic operations” and the frequency of military actions was likely to intensify further.

However, he added that it was important to adopt the political approach to prevent recruitment by the militant organizations.

“Government should take soft and political measures to alienate Baloch insurgents from the Baloch masses,” he said.


Pakistan holds inaugural ‘Aman Dialogue 2025’ to foster international maritime cooperation

Pakistan holds inaugural ‘Aman Dialogue 2025’ to foster international maritime cooperation
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Pakistan holds inaugural ‘Aman Dialogue 2025’ to foster international maritime cooperation

Pakistan holds inaugural ‘Aman Dialogue 2025’ to foster international maritime cooperation
  • Aman Dialogue brings together chiefs of navies, coast guards and defense forces from Feb. 9-10
  • Conference to focus on piracy, narco-trafficking and resource exploitation maritime challenges

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan held the inaugural session of the Aman Dialogue 2025 in Karachi on Sunday to foster international maritime cooperation among several countries around the world, stressing the importance of “unhindered activity” in seas to promote economic cooperation. 

The Aman Dialogue is being held from Feb. 9-10 and brings together chiefs of navies, coast guards and defense forces. It aims to provide them an opportunity to exchange views on global and regional security and adopt innovative solutions. 

This year’s conference is themed: “Secure Seas, Prosperous Future,” and focuses on security challenges in the Indian Ocean. These include strategic competition, piracy, narco-trafficking, non-state actors, resource exploitation, climate change, emerging technologies such as AI and unmanned systems, the blue economy and the need for global collaboration to ensure stability and prosperity.

“The global economic system is almost wholly dependent upon unhindered activity in the maritime domain,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said at an event held to mark the opening of the dialogue. 

“The uninterrupted use of seas and oceans remain the strategic interests of all nations,” he added. 

Asif called on countries to synergize their efforts to extract greater economic gains, saying that the maritime domain is at a “critical crossroads.”

“Our oceans carrying over 80 percent of global trade represent not only shipping lanes but the arteries of global prosperity,” the minister said, adding that the Indian Ocean alone holds over 50 percent of global oil and gas reserves. 

The dialogue coincides with the AMAN-25 multinational naval exercise, which kicked off on Friday in Karachi. Pakistan Navy’s fleet commander lauded the participation of 60 nations on Friday, hailing it as a testament to the world community’s desire for peace.

The Pakistan Navy has conducted the AMAN maritime exercise every two years since 2007 under the theme “Together For Peace,” involving ships, aircraft and special operations forces.


Pakistan PM to attend World Governments Summit in UAE from Feb. 10-11 

Pakistan PM to attend World Governments Summit in UAE from Feb. 10-11 
Updated 09 February 2025
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Pakistan PM to attend World Governments Summit in UAE from Feb. 10-11 

Pakistan PM to attend World Governments Summit in UAE from Feb. 10-11 
  • Shehbaz Sharif to deliver keynote address, highlight Pakistan’s vision for economic growth and governance reforms at summit
  • Pakistani premier to meet world leaders, UAE leadership and CEOs of major multinational companies at summit, says foreign office 

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Feb. 10-11 to take part in the World Governments Summit (WGS), the foreign office said on Sunday, adding that the premier will engage in discussions with world leaders about the future of governance and international cooperation. 

According to the WGS’ official website, over 400 ministers and thousands of industry leaders, experts, and policymakers will head to Dubai for the summit which will be held from Feb. 11-13. As per the WGS, the event will also welcome more than 80 international, regional and intergovernmental organizations to join in the discussion on the future of governance, global challenges and their innovative solutions. 

This will be Sharif’s second visit to the UAE since assuming office in March last year, the foreign office said. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other key members of the federal cabinet. 

“During his visit, the Prime Minister will deliver a keynote address at the WGS, highlighting Pakistan’s vision for inclusive economic growth, digital transformation and governance reforms,” the foreign office said. 

“He will also hold bilateral meetings with the UAE leadership as well as engage with Heads of State/Government from participating countries and leading CEOs of major multinational companies.”

The statement said Sharif’s visit underscores Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to further strengthening its ties with the UAE, fostering greater economic collaboration and exploring new avenues of partnership for mutual prosperity.

The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of foreign investment valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE’s foreign ministry.

Policymakers in Pakistan consider the UAE an optimal export destination due to its geographical proximity, which minimizes transportation and freight costs while facilitating commercial transactions.

It is also home to more than a million Pakistani expatriates, making it the second-largest Pakistani expatriate community worldwide, as per the foreign office, and a major source of foreign workers’ remittances for Pakistan. 

Pakistan and UAE have stepped up efforts in recent years to strengthen their business and investment relations. In January 2024, Pakistan and the UAE signed multiple agreements worth more than $3 billion for cooperation in railways, economic zones and infrastructure, a Pakistani official said, amid Pakistani caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum’s summit.


Pakistan sends 23rd relief consignment for Palestine, Lebanon and Syria

Pakistan sends 23rd relief consignment for Palestine, Lebanon and Syria
Updated 09 February 2025
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Pakistan sends 23rd relief consignment for Palestine, Lebanon and Syria

Pakistan sends 23rd relief consignment for Palestine, Lebanon and Syria
  • Israel’s war in Gaza killed over 48,000 people and displaced millions of others, while thousands more have been affected in Lebanon, Syria
  • Pakistan has so far dispatched 1,803 tons of essential supplies for the war-affected people in the region, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s office says

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has dispatched a 23rd relief consignment for the people of Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said on Sunday.
This consignment, comprising 50 tons of essential supplies, was sent by the NDMA in collaboration with Pakistani charity, Al-Khidmat Foundation, to provide humanitarian aid to people affected by Israeli military actions in the region.
Israel’s war in Gaza, which began after Oct. 2023 attacks by Hamas, has killed over 48,000 people, injured thousands more and displaced millions of people in the territory, whereas thousands of others have been affected by Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Syria.
The relief consignment was dispatched through a chartered flight from the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi to Jordan, according to PM Sharif’s office.
“The relief consignment included tin meat, powdered milk, hygiene kits, clothing, blankets, tents, and sleeping bags,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters.”
The South Asian country has also called on Israel to withdraw from Lebanese and Syrian territories, including Golan Heights, and allow United Nations (UN) peacekeepers to freely operate in the region to ensure compliance with international agreements.
“The Government of Pakistan continues to send relief supplies based on the needs of the war-affected populations of Lebanon, Syria and Palestine,” Sharif’s office said.
“In total, up till now, 1,803 tons of relief items have been dispatched.”


Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in tech sector with over 100 local firms joining LEAP 2025 in Riyadh

Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in tech sector with over 100 local firms joining LEAP 2025 in Riyadh
Updated 09 February 2025
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Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in tech sector with over 100 local firms joining LEAP 2025 in Riyadh

Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in tech sector with over 100 local firms joining LEAP 2025 in Riyadh
  • The fourth edition of the LEAP conference aims to expand business networking and investment opportunities in the global tech sector
  • IT minister says Pakistan, which recorded $348 million IT exports in Dec., offers ‘world-class’ digital services, investment opportunities

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Information Technology (IT) Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Sunday invited Saudi businessmen to invest in Pakistan’s tech sector, highlighting the participation of over 100 Pakistani firms in the LEAP 2025 tech conference in Riyadh.

The minister expressed these views while addressing the Pakistan-Saudi Business Forum in Riyadh, a networking event jointly organized by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), ahead of the four-day LEAP tech conference being held on Feb. 9-12.

This is the fourth edition of LEAP, recognized as Saudi Arabia’s award-winning global technology event for which entrepreneurs, investors and startups have converged in Riyadh to present their products to an anticipated audience of over 170,000 visitors. The latest edition follows last year’s record-breaking LEAP 2024, which saw $13.4 billion in investments and project commitments. Under the theme “Into New Worlds,” LEAP 2025 aims to expand business networking and investment opportunities in the tech sector.

Pakistan recorded the highest-ever monthly IT exports of $348 million in Dec. 2024, up by 15 percent year-on-year and 12 percent month-on-month, according to official data. The LEAP event offers Pakistani firms a platform to collaborate with stakeholders, explore business opportunities and showcase Pakistan’s diverse IT exports, including software development, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, gaming and robotics.

“Pakistan seeks strong partnerships in advanced technology under Saudi Vision 2030 and we invite Saudi investors to invest in Pakistan’s fintech, cybersecurity, and cloud computing sectors,” Khawaja said.

“Pakistan is making its largest participation in LEAP 2025, with over 100 tech companies and more than 1,000 participants.”

LEAP 2025 will debut Tech Arena, a platform for emerging innovations, featuring a ‘Live TV’ stage hosted by BBC Click’s Lara Lewington and Spencer Kelly. It is one of two new segments at LEAP 2025, alongside the SportsTech stage, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for innovation and technological growth.

Visitors will explore AI, mixed reality, fashion tech, and brain-computer interfaces. Key highlights include Anouk Wipprecht’s Tech Couture exhibit, Adobe’s ‘Project Primrose’ digital dress technology, and Aramco-backed Terra Drone’s long-range medical delivery system. Saudi oil giant Aramco will also showcase SARA, an AI-driven assistant for decision-making. Engine VR will present its Golden Gloves VR boxing platform with live demos by UFC fighter Andrew Sanchez, while Alwaleed Philanthropies will showcase its Atlai AI program to support global deforestation monitoring. XPANCEO will introduce smart contact lenses with integrated computing.

Pakistan is providing world-class digital services and offering excellent opportunities for investors, according to Khawaja.

“We are not just participating [in LEAP 2025] but signing memorandums of understandings and making agreements for real economic growth through cooperation,” she said, adding that the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) was a key partner in the South Asian country’s digital growth.

The 16-member DCO, the world’s first standalone international intergovernmental organization, focuses on the acceleration of growth of an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. Pakistan is a key member of the organization.

Khawaja said the Digital Nation Act 2025 marked a new era in the Pakistani digital realm and provided a golden opportunity for digital investment and technological collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The act aims to align Pakistan’s economy, governance and services with global digital standards.

“The Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) Forum will soon be held in Islamabad, bringing together global investors, including from Saudi Arabia,” she added.


Pakistan’s commercial capital bars entry of dumper trucks in daytime amid rising accidents

Pakistan’s commercial capital bars entry of dumper trucks in daytime amid rising accidents
Updated 09 February 2025
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Pakistan’s commercial capital bars entry of dumper trucks in daytime amid rising accidents

Pakistan’s commercial capital bars entry of dumper trucks in daytime amid rising accidents
  • The announcement came hours after a dumper truck crushed three people to death in Ibrahim Hyderi area of Karachi
  • Accidents are common in Pakistan where traffic rules are rarely followed, roads and vehicles are in poor condition

KARACHI: Authorities in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province have barred entry of dumper trucks in the commercial hub of Karachi from 6am till 11pm, a senior official said late Saturday, amid a rise in fatal road accidents that involved heavy vehicles.
The announcement came hours after a dumper truck crushed three people to death in the city’s Ibrahim Hyderi area. It followed a similar incident in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, which claimed three lives a day ago.
Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads as well as a majority of vehicles are in poor condition. Road crashes have killed at least 96 people, including 71 men, 12 women and 13 children, and injured nearly 1,300 others in Karachi in the last two months, local media reports, citing police.
On Saturday, Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah presided over a meeting of senior provincial officials and decided to introduce a Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (VICS) in the province among other measures to contain the rising number of road accidents.
“All vehicles in the city should have a certificate with a QR code from the Transport Department,” said a statement issued from the chief secretary’s office after the meeting, adding that authorities will conduct physical verification of all heavy vehicles and their drivers in the city.
The chief secretary directed inspection of all water tankers of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board within a month, while the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, which collects garbage with the help of dumper trucks, was ordered to shift operations to nighttime within 3 months.
“The main reason for accidents is the lack of implementation of the heavy traffic laws,” the chief secretary was quoted as saying.
“FIRs [police complaints] should be registered against those who drive recklessly along with a challan.”
The official urged motorcyclists to wear helmets and instructed traffic police to increase enforcement of traffic laws in the city.