Latest news with #anti-Pakistan
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan fears militants will thrive on restive border if Iran destabilised
Separatist and jihadist militants on the Pakistan-Iran border could take advantage of any collapse of authority in Iran, fears that Pakistan 's army chief pressed in a meeting this week with the U.S. President Donald Trump . Anti-Iranian and anti-Pakistan outfits operate on both sides of the 560-mile (900km) long border. As Israel bombs Iran's nuclear program, its officials have repeatedly indicated that they are seeking to destabilize the Iranian government or see it toppled. As well as worrying about chaos spilling over from Iran, Pakistan is concerned about the precedent set by Israel of attacking the nuclear installations of another country. Nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan and India fought a four-day conflict in May. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Mendez (Prices May Surprise You) Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now Undo Following a Wednesday lunch at the White House with Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Trump said: "They're not happy about anything", referring to Pakistan's views on the Israel-Iran conflict. Pakistan's military said on Thursday that the two had discussed Iran,"with both leaders emphasizing the importance of resolution of the conflict". Live Events Pakistan has condemned Israel's attack on Iran as a violation of international law. "This is for us a very serious issue what is happening in our brotherly country of Iran," Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesman for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Thursday. "It imperils the entire regional security structures, it impacts us deeply." Some of the militant groups on the border have welcomed the upheaval. Jaish al-Adl (JaA), an Iranian jihadist group formed from ethnic Baluch and Sunni Muslim minorities and which operates from Pakistan, said Israel's conflict with Iran was a great opportunity. "Jaish al-Adl extends the hand of brotherhood and friendship to all the people of Iran and calls on all people, especially the people of Baluchistan, as well as the armed forces, to join the ranks of the Resistance," the group said in a statement on June 13. Conversely, Pakistan fears that separatist militants from its own Baluch minority, which are based in Iran, will also seek to step up attacks. "There's a fear of ungoverned spaces, which would be fertile ground for terrorist groups," said Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to Washington. Pakistan has unstable borders with Taliban-run Afghanistan and arch-rival India. It does not want to add another volatile frontier on its long border with Iran. The Iran-Pakistan border region is populated with ethnic Baluch, a minority in both countries who have long complained about discrimination and launched separatist movements. On Pakistan's side, the region is a province called Balochistan and in Iran it is Sistan-Baluchistan. Until Israel's bombing of Iran, Tehran was closer to Pakistan's arch-rival India. Pakistan and Iran had even traded air strikes last year, accusing each other of harboring Baluch militants. But the attack on Iran has upended alliances, as India has not condemned Israel's bombing campaign. China has also said that it is deeply concerned about the security situation in Balochistan, with the area being a focus of Beijing's multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment program in Pakistan, centred on the new Chinese-run port of Gwadar. Baluch militant groups in Pakistan have previously targeted Chinese personnel and projects. On Iranian side of the border, Tehran has at different times accused Pakistan, Gulf nations, Israel and the United States of backing the anti-Iran Baluch groups. Simbal Khan, an analyst based in Islamabad, said the different Baluch groups could morph into a "greater Baluchistan" movement which seeks to carve out a new nation from the Baluch areas of Pakistan and Iran. "They're all going to fight together if this blows up," said Khan.
Mint
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Pakistan fears jihadist militants may thrive on border if...: What Asim Munir told Donald Trump
In a meeting with US President Donald Trump this week, Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir reportedly raised concerns that separatist and jihadist militants on the Pakistan-Iran border could take advantage of any collapse of authority in Iran. Notably, anti-Iranian and anti-Pakistan outfits operate on both sides of the 560-mile (900km) long border, Reuters reported. Israeli officials have repeatedly indicated that they are seeking to destabilise the Iranian government or see it toppled. As well as worrying about chaos spilling over from Iran, Pakistan is concerned about the precedent set by Israel of attacking the nuclear installations of another country. Nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan and India fought a four-day conflict in May. Following a Wednesday lunch at the White House with Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Trump said: 'They're not happy about anything', referring to Pakistan's views on the Israel-Iran conflict. Pakistan's military said on Thursday that the two had discussed Iran,'with both leaders emphasizing the importance of resolution of the conflict'. Pakistan has condemned Israel's attack on Iran as a violation of international law. 'This is for us a very serious issue what is happening in our brotherly country of Iran,' Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesman for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Thursday. 'It imperils the entire regional security structures, it impacts us deeply.' Some of the militant groups on the border have welcomed the upheaval. Jaish al-Adl (JaA), an Iranian jihadist group formed from ethnic Baluch and Sunni Muslim minorities and which operates from Pakistan, said Israel's conflict with Iran was a great opportunity. 'Jaish al-Adl extends the hand of brotherhood and friendship to all the people of Iran and calls on all people, especially the people of Baluchistan, as well as the armed forces, to join the ranks of the Resistance,' the group said in a statement on June 13. Conversely, Pakistan fears that separatist militants from its own Baluch minority, which are based in Iran, will also seek to step up attacks. "There's a fear of ungoverned spaces, which would be fertile ground for terrorist groups," said Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to Washington. Pakistan has unstable borders with Taliban-run Afghanistan and arch-rival India. It does not want to add another volatile frontier on its long border with Iran. The Iran-Pakistan border region is populated with ethnic Baluch, a minority in both countries who have long complained about discrimination and launched separatist movements. On Pakistan's side, the region is a province called Balochistan and in Iran it is Sistan-Baluchistan. Until Israel's bombing of Iran, Tehran was closer to Pakistan's arch-rival India. Pakistan and Iran had even traded air strikes last year, accusing each other of harboring Baluch militants. But the attack on Iran has upended alliances, as India has not condemned Israel's bombing campaign. China has also said that it is deeply concerned about the security situation in Balochistan, with the area being a focus of Beijing's multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment program in Pakistan, centred on the new Chinese-run port of Gwadar. Baluch militant groups in Pakistan have previously targeted Chinese personnel and projects. On Iranian side of the border, Tehran has at different times accused Pakistan, Gulf nations, Israel and the United States of backing the anti-Iran Baluch groups. Simbal Khan, an analyst based in Islamabad, said the different Baluch groups could morph into a 'greater Baluchistan' movement which seeks to carve out a new nation from the Baluch areas of Pakistan and Iran. 'They're all going to fight together if this blows up,' said Khan. (With inputs from Reuters)
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Amid Iran-Israel war, Pakistan fears Baloch militants rise; Asim Munir raises alarm with Donald Trump
Islamabad has expressed concerns about anti-Pakistan outfits on the border between Iran and Pakistan amid fears of the Iranian regime being destabilised during its escalating conflict with Israel, reported news agency Reuters. Follow LIVE updates on the Israel-Iran conflict here During a meeting between Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, the former reportedly indicated that the country was worried about separatist and Jihadist elements on the Pakistan-Iran border taking advantage of the conflict with Israel. Anti-Iranian and anti-Pakistan outfits operate on both sides of the 900-km-long border. Israel, during its military campaign, has indicated that they are seeking to ensure the collapse of the Iranian government. Pakistan has condemned Israel's attack on Iran as a violation of international law. Also Read: Donald Trump steps back from taking credit for India-Pakistan ceasefire: 'Two very smart leaders decided' Jaish al-Adl (JaA), an Iranian jihadist group formed from ethnic Baloch and Sunni Muslim minorities and which operates from Pakistan, said Israel's conflict with Iran was a great opportunity. 'Jaish al-Adl extends the hand of brotherhood and friendship to all the people of Iran and calls on all people, especially the people of Baluchistan, as well as the armed forces, to join the ranks of the Resistance,' the group said in a statement on June 13. Pakistan also fears that separatist militants from its own Baloch minority, which are based in Iran, will seek to escalate attacks. 'There's a fear of ungoverned spaces, which would be fertile ground for terrorist groups,' Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to Washington to Reuters. Also Read: Shashi Tharoor's message to US as Donald Trump hosts Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir at White House Simbal Khan, an analyst based in Islamabad, said the different Baloch groups could morph into a 'greater Balochistan' movement which seeks to carve out a new nation from the Baloch areas of Pakistan and Iran. 'They're all going to fight together if this blows up,' said Khan. Further, Pakistan is also concerned about the precedent set by Israel in attacking nuclear establishments in Iran, a month after India and Pakistan also engaged in a four-day conflict following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam attack, reported Reuters. After his meeting on Wednesday with Asim Munir, Trump said about Pakistan's views on the Israel-Iran conflict, 'They're not happy about anything.' Pakistan's military said on Thursday that they had discussed Iran with the US, "with both leaders emphasising the importance of resolution of the conflict'. 'This is for us a very serious issue, what is happening in our brotherly country of Iran. It imperils the entire regional security structures, it impacts us deeply,' Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesman for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Thursday. '
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal warns of water war risk
The head of the Pakistan parliamentary delegation and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called on the international community Friday to engage with India and emphasise that military confrontation was not a solution to the Kashmir dispute or terrorism, stressing that dialogue was the only way forward. Speaking to the European think tanks and international media representatives in Brussels, Bilawal warned that India's aggressive posture, including threats to revoke the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), could escalate tensions to dangerous levels. "We are here to present Pakistan's stance on recent tensions with India and expose New Delhi's anti-Pakistan agenda," he said. He emphasised that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute must be resolved in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions. Bilawal criticised India's "new abnormal" policy of blaming Pakistan for any terrorist attack in India or Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir without evidence, leading to immediate threats of war. He recalled that Pakistan had proposed an impartial international investigation into the recent Pahalgam incident, but India rejected the offer. He condemned India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, calling it a violation of international law and a "war crime" that threatens water access for 240 million Pakistanis. "If India weaponises water, we may have no choice but to retaliate, risking a full-blown water war," he warned. Bilawal reiterated that Pakistan had shown restraint, offered dialogue, and adhered to international law, urging the same standards be applied in South Asia as in Europe. "If the world ignores this crisis, it could become a nuclear flashpoint," he cautioned. On the Pahalgam attack, Bilawal stated that India had failed to provide evidence linking Pakistan to the incident. "To this day, India hasn't revealed the identities of the attackers or how they crossed the heavily militarised border," he said.
Business Recorder
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Bilawal-led MPs reach Brussels to counter Indian narrative
BRUSSELS: Pakistan's diplomatic delegation led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reached Brussels, the European Union headquarters after successful visits to Washington, New York and London. The purpose of the visit of the delegation appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is to present Pakistan's position on the recent tensions with India and highlight the importance of resolving the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, a news release said Thursday. The delegation will hold meetings with senior officials of the European Union and Belgium. On arrival in Brussels, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Pakistan's Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg Rahim Hayat Qureshi and officials posted at the Pakistani Embassy. The parliamentary delegation will inform the European authorities about India's anti-Pakistan intentions and aggressive actions. It will give an effective response to the 'Indian disinformation campaign' regarding India's aggression and the Indo-Pakistan conflict. Along with the European authorities, the parliamentary delegation is also scheduled to meet leading European think tanks and international media representatives in Brussels. Other members of the delegation include Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Harmony Dr Musadik Masood Malik; Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Harmony and former Minister for Information and Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman; Chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar; former Minister for Commerce, Defence and Foreign Affairs Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan; MQM's Parliamentary Leader in the Senate and former Minister for Maritime Affairs Senator Syed Faisal Ali Sabzwari. Earlier, in an interview with BBC, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said 'if India attempts to cut off Pakistan's water supply, it could lead to serious consequences.' 'If India blocks our water, war will be inevitable,' Bilawal Bhutto Zardari cautioned Modi government. The PPP chairman asserted that Pakistan's position on key issues is 'truthful and robust.' He said Pakistan's efforts in the fight against terrorism are recognized and acknowledged in the United States. Bilawal stated, 'The US is well aware of how we deal with terrorist groups.' The former FM further added that the US has observed up close how Pakistan has taken action against all extremist groups. He also underlined Pakistan's compliance with international standards, saying, 'Pakistan has completed the entire FATF process.' Earlier, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called on the UK's government to continue playing a proactive role in promoting de-escalation and facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and India. He was talking to UK's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Hamish Falconer in London, while leading high-level parliamentary delegation of Pakistan. The discussions focused on addressing escalating regional tensions following recent Indian military provocations. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari commended the UK's efforts and statements by its leadership on the importance of restraint, engagement, dialogue and diplomatic path forward.
