Category: 1. Pakistan

NEW DELHI: In his bellicose speech where he threatened to nuke India, Pakistan army chief Asim Munir put a target on Reliance Industries Ltd’s refinery – the world’s largest single-site refining complex – at Jamnagar in Gujarat in case of any future military conflict with New Delhi, indicating for the first time the intent to hit India’s economic assets, especially oil installations.Speaking at a formal dinner at Tampa, Florida, in the US, Munir referred to a social media post with a Quranic verse along with the picture of RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani to say he authorised it during the recent conflict with India “to show them what we will do the next time”, media reports quoting those present at the closed-door event said.While this set off chatter about Munir threatening the richest Indian, with a net worth of over $115 billion heading the oil-to-telecom-to-retail conglomerate, narration in the verse from Surah Al-Fil (The Elephant), the 105th chapter of the Quran, can be interpreted as an aerial attack in modern warfare.According to open source information, the verse refers to the ‘Year of the Elephant, approximately (570 CE), when Abraha, the ruler of Yemen, led an army with elephants to destroy the Kaaba. Allah then sent flocks of birds carrying stones of baked clay, which struck and destroyed Abraha’s army.India continuously evaluates military and other threats to its sensitive economic installations, especially those located in border states or considered within range of Pakistan air attacks. In the past, there have been separate reports from intelligence agencies about threats to such installations, particularly the RIL refinery, from Pakistan-based terror groups.Munir chose Ambani to make his threat because the RIL chief symbolises India’s economic power and potential. Though there are other oil installations and assets that may be considered vulnerable, the sheer size of the Jamnagar complex makes it the showstopper in India’s refining sector with an annual capacity of processing 33 million tonnes of crude, or 12% of India’s total refining capacity. It is a major exporter of refined petroleum products.

On the eve of Pakistan’s annual National Minorities Day, a human rights advocate on Sunday (Aug. 10) called on parliament to address an alarming increase in false blasphemy allegations.

With most rallies and seminars for the annual Aug. 11 National Minorities Day taking place on Sunday (Aug. 10) to ensure greater participation, Samson Salamat, chairman of rights group Rwadari Tehreek (Movement for Equality), told a forum at the Lahore Press Club that the parliament should hold a “Grand Dialogue” to discuss the spike in false allegations of blasphemy leading to mob violence.

“We demand the government constitute a judicial inquiry commission to investigate the ‘blasphemy business group’ and similar gangs entrapping innocent people in blasphemy cases,” Salamat said, “and to reveal the truth behind all the incidents of violence on Christians from the burning of Shantinagar in 1997 to Jaranwala tragedy in August 2023 and mob lynching of Nazeer Masih Gill in Sargodha in May 2024.”

Participants demanded the government ensure the protection of religious minorities; take punitive action against Muslim extremist groups involved in hate mongering and instigation of violence against vulnerable religious communities; and take practical steps to eradicate biases and hate material in school curriculum. Rwadari Tehreek organized the forum to express solidarity with victims and survivors of religious discrimination and persecution and to draw the government’s attention to issues facing minority communities.

In the southern port city of Karachi, Christian rights advocate Luke Victor told a rally that Pakistan has been officially observing Aug. 11 as National Minorities Day since 2009, yet minority communities still face discrimination, denial of basic facilities and the forced religious conversions.

“Even after 78 years of independence, we don’t feel free because our young daughters are forcefully converted and married off, because our children don’t get equal chances and because we are looked down upon,” Victor said. “We want freedom from discrimination and freedom from being called ‘Chuhra’ or ‘Bhangi’ [pejorative terms used for Christians]. We are all equal citizens of this country.”

The National Minorities Day is observed on Aug. 11 to honor Pakistan’s religious minorities who have contributed to creating Pakistan and in nation-building. It commemorates the speech of Pakistan’s founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah to the legislature on Aug. 11, 1947, days before Pakistan separated from India, in which he pledged to protect the rights of non-Muslims in the newly created country. The government declared Aug. 11 as National Minorities Day in 2009.

In Karachi, a large number of people belonging to various minority groups participated in a Minorities Rights March on Sunday. They demanded a minimum 10 percent quota for minority students in all educational institutions, removal of discriminatory content from textbooks, constitutional recognition of minorities’ distinct identity, protection of places of worship and properties, criminalization of forced conversions, amendments to personal laws and revision of Articles 41 and 91 of the Constitution to allow minorities to run for the offices of president and prime minister.

They also sought greater political representation at the federal, provincial and district levels, measures for economic empowerment, protection against misuse of religious laws and inclusion of minorities in policymaking.

Safina Gill spoke about job discrimination and the quota system. She said that menial jobs such as those of sanitation workers are reserved for non-Muslims.

“Even educated non-Muslims are offered sanitation worker jobs through newspaper advertisements,” she said.

In 2009, the late federal minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti introduced a 5 percent job quota for minorities, which gradually dropped, Gill said.

“The terms and conditions to meet job criteria are made extra tough for non-Muslims even if they are eligible,” she said. “We need new policies to address such issues.”

At the Lahore Press Club forum, Katherine Sapna of legal group Christians’ True Spirit called for comprehensive and effective legislation to criminalize forced faith conversions of girls and boys belonging to Christian and Hindu communities.

Christian socio-political activist Rafaqat Sahotra demanded that the procedure to fill seats for minorities in parliament should be reformed.

“The government, political parties and other stakeholders should work on a scheme that involves the minority voters to elect their representatives in the national and provincial assemblies,” Sahotra said at the Lahore forum. “The current system of proportional representation practically takes away the democratic powers and rights from the voters to elect their minority parliamentarians and instead empowers the political parties and political elite without following any fair process, procedure or merit.”

The Minorities Alliance Pakistan (MAP) seminar held in the federal capital of Islamabad on Aug. 11 (Monday) also focused on the need for effective representation of minorities in provincial and national legislative assemblies.

“We demand amendments to Articles 36, 40, 51, 91, 106 and 203 of the Constitution so that the Pakistani minorities’ population of over 10 million can be freed from the constitutional discriminatory treatment and from restrictions on holding constitutional offices, and can live as equal and equivalent citizens in the country,” said MAP Chairman Akmal Bhatti.

Bhatti said he regretted that major political parties and their leaders had failed to fulfill the trust placed in them by their voters and have done nothing in practice to give minorities equal constitutional status.

Demanding an increase in the number of seats for minorities in the national and provincial assemblies according to the latest population census, the MAP chairman said that proportional representation of non-Muslims for reserved seats should also be changed to strengthen the democratic system.

In statements marking National Minorities Day, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the rights of minorities while acknowledging their contributions to the country.

“This day reflects Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of a Pakistan where every citizen lives in equality, harmony and mutual respect,” Zardari said.

He said that Pakistan stands resolutely against all forms of discrimination, extremism and religious intolerance.

“We remain determined to build a society free from prejudice – one that embraces diversity as a strength and is anchored in mutual respect, interfaith harmony and shared progress,” Zardari added.

Prime Minister Sharif also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the full inclusion of minorities in government institutions, parliament and the national mainstream.

“The welfare and well-being of all minorities in Pakistan, be they Sikhs, Christians, Hindus (or) Parsis, is one of the priority duties of the government of Pakistan,” he said.

He emphasized the services rendered by minorities “in every walk of life,” including those who had sacrificed their lives defending Pakistan.

“We pay tribute to them from the bottom of our hearts,” he said. “Pakistan is proud of its minorities’ patriotism, professional hard work and attachment to national heritage and culture.”

The prime minister also stressed that protecting minority rights, aside from a constitutional obligation, was also a religious duty, saying, “Islam specifically advocates the protection of civil, religious and social rights of minorities. Scholars and religious leaders play a key role in protecting religious freedom.”

He called on all Pakistanis to practice unity and solidarity, mutual respect and tolerance.

Pakistan ranked eighth on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian.

The US State Department on Monday added the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, to its Foreign Terrorist Organisation list, according to a press release.

Last year, Pakistan proscribed the Majeed Brigade, which is the BLA’s dedicated suicide squad. The BLA itself was proscribed in 2006, according to the National Counter-Terrorism Authority’s list of proscribed organisations.

Pakistan has previously requested that the Majeed Brigade be listed as an international terrorist organisation. In 2019, the State Department labelled the BLA as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), making it a crime for anyone in the US to assist the militants, but did not designate the Majeed Brigade at that time.

FTO designations are made by the Secretary of State, following section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and “are an effective means of curtailing support for terrorist activities and pressuring groups to get out of the terrorism business”. SDGT designations, meanwhile, target individuals and groups under Executive Order 13224, even if they are not part of a formally recognised organisation.

According to today’s press release, the Department added the BLA to the FTO list, while adding the Majeed Brigade as an alias to the BLA’s previous SDGT designation.

“BLA was designated as an SDGT in 2019 following several terrorist attacks.  Since 2019, BLA has claimed responsibility for additional attacks, including by the Majeed Brigade,” the press release read. 

“In 2024, BLA claimed it had committed suicide attacks near the airport in Karachi and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex.  In 2025, BLA claimed responsibility for the March hijacking of the Jaffar Express train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, killing 31 civilians and security personnel and holding hostage over 300 train passengers.”  

The State Department said that the designation demonstrated US President Donald Trump’s commitment to counter-terrorism.

“Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” the press release stated.  “Today’s actions are taken pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and Executive Order 13224, as amended.” 

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti welcomed the State Department’s designation in a post on X, lauding the federal government and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir for presenting Islamabad’s case to Washington.

“We welcome the US decision to designate BLA and its alias Majeed Brigade as terrorist outfits,” Bugti wrote. “These groups have long shed innocent blood under the false cover of ethnicity and rights.

“Terrorism is terrorism; no cause justifies killing civilians. The world must unite to end this menace.”

Talking to Geo News, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry termed the development a fruit of Pakistan’s successful diplomacy and a “great win” for the country. He said the groups were “proxies” of India that were sponsored by the neighbouring country and others.

“The day is not far when their sponsors will also be on the list of terrorists. This will not only strengthen Pakistan against fighting terrorist organisations, but the stronger Pakistan is against terrorism, the safer the world will be from terrorists,” he said

Chaudhry said the development showed the world stood with Pakistan’s stance and the country in the fight against terrorism.

“We are winning this fight every day and such uplifting news and successes will quickly bring this fight to its logical end.”

The security situation in Balochistan has worsened in recent months, as militants, long involved in a low-level insurgency, have stepped up the frequency and intensity of their attacks. The outlawed BLA, in particular, has adopted new tactics to inflict higher casualties and directly target Pakistani security forces.

In April, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry accused India of activating its “assets” to inte­nsify terrorist attacks in Pakistan, presenting “irr­e­futable evidence” of Ind­ian state-sponsored terrorism, directed by the Ind­ian military personnel, particularly in Balochistan.

Last month, the Foreign Office (FO) reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance against terrorism, saying that the country has “effectively and comprehensively dismantled” terrorist outfits.

“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations; zero tolerance, and international cooperation against terrorism are cornerstones of our policy,” the FO said in a statement.

The FO’s statement came in the wake of the State Department designating The Resistance Front — the little-known group responsible for the Pahalgam attack on April 22 — as an FTO and a “front and proxy” of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The Pahalgam attack — which resulted in the deaths of 26 people — sparked a military confrontation between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan as New Delhi blamed it on Islamabad, which strongly denied the allegations while calling for a neutral investigation.

The BLA’s designation comes as relations between Islamabad and Washington are improving.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir completed a visit to the US on Sunday, terming the trip — the second in just one-and-a-half months — a “new dimension” in ties between both nations.

The COAS engaged in high-level interactions with senior political and military leadership, as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora, the military’s media wing said.

He also visited the US in June on a five-day official visit, where he met with Trump over luncheon, becoming the first serving army chief to have a face-to-face meeting with a sitting US president.

Also in June, United States Central Command (Centcom) chief Army General Michael Kurilla praised Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner in the world of counter-terrorism”, citing the nation’s struggle against terrorism in Balochistan and against terrorist groups like the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K).

“Through a relationship we have with them and providing intelligence, they have captured at least five ISIS Khorasan high-value individuals,” Kurilla said.

Gen Kurilla noted that there have been 1,000 terrorist attacks in “the western area” of Pakistan since the start of 2024, noting that they “are in an active counter-terrorism fight right now”.

Today, the Department of State is designating The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, The Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and adding the Majeed Brigade as an alias to BLA’s previous Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) designation.   
 
BLA was designated as an SDGT in 2019 following several terrorist attacks.  Since 2019, BLA has claimed responsibility for additional attacks, including by the Majeed Brigade.  In 2024, BLA claimed it had committed suicide attacks near the airport in Karachi and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex.  In 2025, BLA claimed responsibility for the March hijacking of the Jaffar Express train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, killing 31 civilians and security personnel and holding hostage over 300 train passengers.  
  
Today’s action taken by the Department of State demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to countering terrorism.  Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities.   
 
Today’s actions are taken pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and Executive Order 13224, as amended.  FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register. 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s stock market maintained its bullish momentum on Monday, buoyed by reports of potential US investment in the energy sector and comments from the state finance minister that Islamabad and Washington would fine tune the details of a trade pact in the months ahead.

The KSE-100 Index climbed past the 147,000 points mark during intraday trading and closed at 146,929.84, up 1,547.05 points, or 1.06 percent, from Friday’s close of 145,382.79.

Positive investor sentiment has been underpinned by US President Donald Trump’s 19 percent tariffs on Pakistani imports announced last month, which officials say will pave the way for renewed investment by American firms and deepen economic ties between the two countries.

Topline Securities, a Karachi-based brokerage, said market giants like Mari Petroleum Company (MARI), Bank AL Habib Limited (BAHL), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL) and Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) dominated Monday’s rally, collectively adding 959 points to the index.

“Sentiment surged after reports of US firms gearing up to invest in Pakistan’s energy sector, further reinforced by better-than-expected corporate results that added to the market’s upbeat tone,” the report said.

The total traded volume reached 607 million shares with a trading value of Rs43.95 billion. Lotte Chemical Pakistan Limited (LOTCHEM) led the volumes chart, with 73 million shares changing hands.

Market analysts say the positive momentum reflects growing investor confidence in Pakistan’s economic prospects, helped by strengthened US ties that are expected to support further gains in the near term.

Pakistan’s State Minister for Finance, Bilal Azhar Kayani, described the US trade pact as a “landmark” deal, saying the 19 percent tariff was the lowest in the South Asian region.

“And the agreement with more details will be negotiated and discussed in the months ahead,” he said during an interview with Bloomberg.

“Which would include various aspects, rules of origin or market access or tariffs per specific lines reciprocally.”

Kayani noted that the US was Pakistan’s largest export destination, accounting for $6 billion of the country’s $32 billion in exports last fiscal year.

Pakistan’s exports to the US are dominated by textiles and garments, but also include leather goods, surgical instruments, sports equipment, chemicals, carpets and seafood, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The new trade agreement comes amid signs of a thaw in relations between Islamabad and Washington after years of friction over security and counterterrorism. The Biden administration maintained a cautious approach toward Pakistan, but Trump has spoken warmly of his interactions with Pakistani officials, including an unprecedented two-hour meeting in June with the Pakistan army chief. More recently, US officials have emphasized trade and investment cooperation, particularly in crypto, energy, textiles, and information technology sectors.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department on Monday announced that a three-day curfew was being imposed from today until August 14 (Thursday) amid an operation against militants in the areas.

At the end of July, security forces backed by gunship helicopters and artillery launched ‘Operation Sarbakaf’ against terrorists in Lowi Mamund tehsil and imposed a three-day curfew in the region.

The operation was paused after both sides agreed to a ceasefire until the conflict was completely resolved thro­ugh dialogue; however, peace talks between militant commanders and the Bajaur peace jirga fell through.

Today’s statement said that the curfew would be imposed from 11am today until 11am on August 14, in order to ensure the safety of the public during the anti-terror operation.

“A complete curfew will be imposed … in which movement on the roads and leaving houses will be prohibited,” the statement read.

It listed Laghari, Guati, Ghanam Shah, Bad Siya, Kamar, Amanta, Zagai, Gut, Gunde, Gadigal, Niag Kali, Rigi, Daag, Damadola, Sultan Beg, Chautra, Shenkot, Gang, Jeewar, Inam Khoro, Chengai, Anga, Safri, Bar Gatki, Kharki, Shukro and Bakro as areas in which the curfew would be in effect in Bajaur.

Khar Munda Road, Khar Navagi Road, Khar Pusht Salarzai Road and Khar Sadiqabad Inayat Kalay Road were also listed as off limits under the curfew.

“The public is requested to end their activities by 10:30am and return to their homes during the curfew; otherwise, they will be at risk of any untoward incident,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the KP Chief Minister on Information Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif said in a statement that the curfew was limited only to Bajaur and Miranshah, rubbishing rumours that it had been imposed across KP.

“Rumours of a curfew across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are completely false,” the statement read. “Life in the province is going on as usual. There is no curfew except for specific areas in Bajaur and Miranshah.

“News of a curfew is political propaganda and an attempt to mislead the public,” Saif was quoted as saying. “The rumour-mongering mafia wants to spoil the province’s journey of peace and development.”

Saif urged people to avoid listening to rumours and implored them to only pay attention to information from official sources, reiterating that movement in the province was normal.

“Those who create fear by lying about the curfew are enemies of the people,” the statement read. “Action will be taken against those spreading false information on social media. The people of KP know that propaganda will fail.”

Meanwhile, according to Khar Assistant Commissioner Dr Sadiq Ali, people displaced by the operation have been housed in 100 government schools and colleges.

“Right now, we have 435 schools. More than 100 private schools are also vacant,” he told Dawn.com. “A form has been issued for the registration of victims, and it is also being done through Nadra (National Database and Registration Authority).

MPA calls for a stopping operation

In a speech in the KP assembly today, Awami National Party Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Nisar Baz Khan raised questions about whether the home department was under the control of the provincial government.

“At midnight, the provincial home department ordered that curfew be imposed across Bajaur. Is the home department under the provincial government or not? If so, who imposed this curfew and under what authority?” he asked.

“On the one hand, millions of people are homeless and on the streets, with no place to hide, and on the other hand, the government is blocking their routes by imposing a curfew. If there is no transport arrangement, how will people leave?”

Nisar said appeals were made and jirgas were held to halt the operation, but it started anyway.

“Now, it should be clarified whether this operation is being carried out with the permission of the chief minister or with the permission of the prime minister,” Nisar said. “I clearly say that the operation in Bajaur should be stopped and the curfew should be lifted immediately. Emergency relief should also be provided for IDPs (internally displaced persons).”