TARGETING TERROR: NATIONAL ACTION PLAN & OPERATION ZARB-E-AZB

                           National Counter Terrorism Authority Briefing

Recently the Coordinator National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) Ihsan Ghani has revealed the successes of National Action Plan being carried out by the Civilian and Military leadership to eliminate terrorism and extremism from the country. Mr. Ihsan while briefing  said that almost 70,000 terrorists had so far been arrested in the country under the National Action Plan (NAP). 8,852 armed militants and from banned outfits were arrested from different parts and 11 others were killed in retaliation.

Under the National Action Plan (NAP), 14,000 people had been arrested through the established helpline 1717.  126 accounts with accumulated deposits of over Rs1 billions of banned organizations had been frozen.  Due to Karachi operation there was 70 percent reduction in target killings and murders and 80 percent reduction in terrorist incidents in the port city. A total of 69,179 criminals, 890 terrorists, 676 proclaimed offenders, 10,426 absconders, 124 kidnappers, 545 extortionists and 1,834 murderers were also apprehended and 16,306 weapons seized during the Karachi operation. Meanwhile Concrete efforts were being made to ensure that extremists do not get a foothold in Punjab.  Over 1,130 hardcore elements were pointed out in Punjab and 649 persons were booked for facilitating hate speeches. In Baluchistan 625 Fararis had surrendered to the authorities concerned and the government was in contact with estranged Baloch nationalists. The deadline for the return of registered Afghan refugees had been set at December 31st this year.  Similarly, a total of 2,159 terrorists have been killed and 1,724 arrested by law enforcement agencies under the NAP. According to the report, 332 persons had been executed under the Anti-Terrorism Act so far.

Furthermore 98.3 million SIMs had been blocked for dismantling communication networks of terrorists.   At least 933 URLs and 10 websites of militant organizations have also been blocked by the Ministry of Information Technology. 2,337 cases were registered over hate speeches and hate material while 2,195 people were arrested and 73 shops sealed. Likewise, 9,164 cases were registered, 9,340 persons were arrested and 2,452 pieces of equipment confiscated for misuse of loudspeakers.

Under NAP, 8,195 persons were included in ‘fourth schedule’ and movement of 2,052 people was restricted as measures against re-emergence of proscribed organisations and individuals. Uniform registration and data form was developed by NACTA and Ittehad-e-Tanzeemat-e-Madaris Pakistan (ITMP) and shared with stakeholders for registration and regulation of madressahs.

As many as 167 madressahs in Sindh, 13 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two in Punjab were closed.

Under the NAP, list of activists and proscribed organizations was shared with the information ministry and PEMRA for strict implementation of ban on glorification of terrorism in media.

A committee headed by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz was constituted for Fata reforms.

Two Years achievements of Operation Zarb-e-Azb

On June 15, 2014 Operation Zarb-e-Azb was started with the aimed of rooting out menace of terrorism. Two years have passed since the start of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and law and order situation has significantly been improved.

The security situation was very precarious when the government took power. The mosques, churches, markets and other place had become soft targets of the terrorists.

At that time, the incumbent government and the security forces with the mutual consensus initiated decisive action against terrorism. Now, peace has largely been restored in the country. Especially, people of Karachi are now carrying out their day to day activities without any fear.

The phenomenal gains made in the first two years of Zarb-e-Azb became possible only because of a national consensus and single-mindedness among all stakeholders and key institutions for which the federal and provincial governments, political parties, Parliament, the Supreme Court and armed forces deserve immense acclaim and approbation.

The federal government and political parties hammered out a consensus and accorded political ownership to the military campaign; the parliament passed the requisite amendments in the Constitution and the army law; the Supreme Court validated these changes; and the armed forces carried out the operation in an exceptional manner. Every institution earned kudos and congratulations for its role.

The accomplishments achieved by Pakistan’s security apparatus in two years are felt by all and sundry. The fruits of the Zarb-e-Azb are matchless, and the nation is beholden to the armed forces and all other state institutions and political players, who, setting aside their differences on other issues, joined hands against terrorists.

The operation was launched in phases and people were provided opportunity to be shifted to safe areas. The terrorists’ hideouts were destroyed in Shawal and many operations were carried out in Fata and Swat for establishing writ of the government with sacrifices of the troops.

Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) and combing operations were carried out in the four provinces to stop terrorists from spreading. Operations were also undertaken against the facilitators with the help and cooperation of the citizens.

Facts & Findings

During the operation, 7,591 IEDs, 35,310 mortar bombs and rockets and 2,481 land mines and suicide jackets were recovered. The troops seized about 253 tons of explosive which according to some calculations was enough for the terrorists to make ammunition and IEDs for 15 years.

During the two years operation 3,500 terrorists were killed and 992 of their hideouts were destroyed. In achieving this, 490 troops lost their lives while 2108 others were wounded. The wounded included those who had either lost their legs or arms or eyes or much more. It was no less embarrassment that a real no-go area also existed in the tribal belt.  Because of restoration of law and order, Sixty-one per cent of the IDPs have returned, while the remaining ones would be back by the end of the year.

During the rehabilitation phase in Fata, schools, mosques and markets were being built and basic infrastructure was being developed and 700 kilometer long road was being built in Waziristan. The new wings of FC and para-military forces were being raised to man the check posts allowing the visitors after proper verification along 2600km porous border with Afghanistan.

Alongside Zarb-i-Azb in North Waziristan, the army had initiated IBOs in other parts of the country to pre-empt threat of backlash. So far 19,347 IBOs had been carried out in which 213 terrorists were killed. Regarding the Karachi operation, 1,203 terrorists from Al Qaeda in the Subcontinent, Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Tehreek-i-Swat had been apprehended. This included 636 targeted killers from proscribed organisations and political parties.

The fight against terrorism and extremism was a long one, which had been successfully brought to a point where the country was getting relief. Action against “roots of terrorism and extremism” would continue in other parts of the country.

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Nuclear Suppliers Group's Membership- An Insight into successful diplomacy of Pakistan

Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is an organization for regulatory the Nuclear item, (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.

Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a 48 member grouping that was formed in the aftermath of India’s 1974 nuclear test with the aim of ensuring non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear technology.

The 48 members of the NSG include the five nuclear weapon states, US, UK, France, China and Russia. The other 43 are signatories to the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The NSG Guidelines also contain the “Non-Proliferation Principle,” adopted in 1994, whereby a supplier, notwithstanding other provisions in the NSG Guidelines, authorizes a transfer only when satisfied that the transfer would not contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

 NSG; how it operates?

When considering a new nation to be admitted into the group, the NSG has certain prerequisites countries have to meet. The country should have the ability to supply items, including items in transit. The country should adhere to and act in accordance with the guidelines of the group. The nation needs to also implement a legally based domestic export control system which gives authorisation to the commitment to act in accordance with the guidelines. Adherence to one or more of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), the Treaties of Pelindaba, Rarotonga, Tlatelolco, Bangkok, Semipalatinsk or an equivalent international nuclear non-proliferation agreement, and full compliance with the obligations of such agreement(s).

US President Barack Obama on June 7, 2016 has announced that his country is backing India’s bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). A day after India received support from the United States' for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership, Pakistan cautioned the cartel of nuclear technology holders that country specific exemptions would negatively impact strategic stability in South Asia. India's membership of the NSG is "not merited until the country meets the group's standards. The group's membership has signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty but India has refused to do so, which means "it has not accepted legally binding commitments to pursue disarmament negotiations, halt the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and not test nuclear weapons". President Barack Obama could take advantage of the US-India ties and push for India’s adherence to nuclear proliferation standards. However, the US has for years “sought to bend the rules for India’s nuclear programme” to maintain a cooperative relationship to counter growing Chinese influence in the region, and Obama has been lobbying for India to gain NSG membership.

Since 2008, despite being a non-member and a Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) state, India has finalised more than a dozen nuclear cooperation agreements with NSG’s members. As part of a 2008 deal signed with the US during the Bush Jr era, India promised it would be “ready to assume the same responsibilities and practices” as other member states, but has fallen short by continuing to produce fissile material and expand its nuclear arsenal, the NYT said.

Pakistan's Diplomatic Efforts for NSG membership

Pakistan applied for nuclear supplier group membershipon May 20, 2016 in order to counter possible Indian inclusion into Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG).

Pakistan has managed to gather support from China. Other countries opposing Indian membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) include New Zealand, Ireland, Turkey, South Africa and Austria.

Pakistan argues that in the wake of India gaining easy access to fissile material and technology for its civilian nuclear programme, it would have that much more material for its military nuclear programme and India gaining NSG membership will eventually lead to a nuclear arms race.

Pakistan wishes to have friendly, cooperative and good relations with its neighboring states and believes in peaceful co-existence.

However, India’s first nuclear test in 1974 injected nuclear dimension in strategic relations in South Asia. Pakistan was compelled to develop nuclear capability purely for self-defense.

Pakistan has formally asked the US administration and the Congress to support its application for joining the NSG after it submitted an official application in Vienna, expressing its desires to join the group on solid grounds of technical experience, capability and well-established commitment to nuclear safety.

Pakistan has been struggling to maintain equilibrium and act as a balancer in the tilt of changing nuclear cartels which are governed without principles. Pakistan conducted its nuclear test in 1998 keeping in mind the hostile behavior of its neighbor.

Pakistan has made a convincing case for its right to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group – which was established to ensure that civilian trade in nuclear materials was not diverted for military purposes.

Essentially, Pakistan needs a civilian nuclear deal similar to the Indo-US accord, which allows India access to nuclear technology despite not being a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, has contacted the foreign ministers of Russia, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for mobilising support for membership in the NSG. Calls were made as part of Pakistan’s continuing diplomatic efforts.

In order to mobilise support for Pakistan’s NSG membership, a briefing session held in Islamabad on June 8, 2016 with NSG countries diplomatic missions invited.

Pakistan has urged Nuclear Suppliers Group countries to adopt objective and non-discriminatory criteria for awarding membership to the non-NPT states.

Pakistan has the expertise, manpower, infrastructure and the ability to supply NSG controlled items, goods and services for a full range of nuclear applications for peaceful uses.

As part of the ongoing diplomatic efforts, the envoys from NSG countries were urged to adopt objective and non-discriminatory criteria for the membership of Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) states.

Pakistan considers that the nature of threat that exists today, needs to be addressed collectively and therefore, sees itself as a likeminded partner in the global non-proliferation efforts being member of the nuke supplier band.

As a responsible state, Pakistan is participating in and cooperating with the international community in efforts to prevent and control proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Pakistan nuclear has three major objectives i.e.  To achieve and maintain credible minimum deterrence and survival in highly nuclearized environment such as India, Russia and China, and meeting its growing nuclear energy needs.

Pakistan has operated secure and safeguarded nuclear power plants for over 42 years. Safe and sustainable civil nuclear energy is essential for Pakistan’s future energy security and its economic development.

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COMBATING POVERTY

Present Government has used a new indicator methodology by which to measure poverty. It is called the Multidimensional Poverty Index, and it uses metrics like education, health and standard of living, thus giving a more detailed understanding of poverty.This makes it a slightly superior methodology compared to the traditional measurements that use income, consumption and wealth as the main dimensions, thereby enabling a more comprehensive view of poverty in the country.

According to the country’s first ever official Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which shows a sharp decline with national poverty rates falling from 55 % to 39% from 2004 to 2015. The headcount of multidimensional poverty in FY2015 was 38.8 percent while the intensity of deprivation is 51.0 percent.  Since FY2005, multidimensional poverty has continuously reduced in Pakistan.  The headcount reduced from 55.2 percent to 38.8 percent between FY 2005 and FY 2015.

The report states 38.8% of Pakistan’s population lives in poverty. A majority of the rural population (54.6%) lives in acute poverty while this ratio is only 9.4% in urban areas. Among the provinces, multidimensional poverty is the highest in Balochistan and the lowest in Punjab. The poverty came down largely because of the growth in the informal economy. “It is unfortunate that many millions are still left behind. Pakistan has set zero poverty goal much before the year 2030, reduction of multidimensional poverty is one of the core objectives of Pakistan’s Vision 2025.

Inclusive and balanced growth, which benefits everyone and especially the marginalized communities, is government priority and is essential for promoting harmony in society.

WHAT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS UPTO?

Since assuming responsibilities, the present government has focused on reaching out to the most deserving segments of the population in underserved areas. The  government  is  fully  committed  to  follow  a  sustained  poverty  reduction  strategy  and  to allocate  a  minimum  of  4.5  percent  of  GDP  for  social  and  poverty  related  expenditures.  The government  prioritized  17  pro-poor  sectors  through  the  Medium  Term  Expenditure  Framework. Expenditure on pro-poor sectors in 2011-12 stood at 9.7 percent of GDP. In 2012-13, these were 8.5 percent of GDP and in 2013-14, 7.7 percent of GDP. These expenditures were well above the requirement under the law.  During  2014-15,  total  expenditures  for  these  sectors  were  increased and amounted to Rs 2,162.7 billion, which was 7.9 percent of GDP. During July-December of the current fiscal year 2015-16, Rs.  1,123 billion expenditures have been made in these sectors.

Per Capita Income, which stood at $1334 in FY2012-13, is projected to increase to $1561 in FY2015-16, showing a growth of 17% in dollar terms, while it increased by 24% in terms of rupee.

BENAZIR INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAME

BISP is continuing to eradicate extreme poverty through provision of cash transfers. The monthly installment was enhanced by the present government to Rs. 1200/ per family in July, 2013 which has subsequently been increased to Rs. 1500/per family in 2014. The present government has yet again increased the annual stipends from Rs.  18,000 per annum to Rs.  18,800 per annum per beneficiary w.e.f. 1st July, 2015

The  present  government  has  increased  the  BISP  budgetary  allocations  from  Rs.70  billion  in FY2013 to Rs. 75 billion in FY2014, which has subsequently been enhanced to Rs. 97 billion in  FY2015 and for the fiscal FY2016-17 r it has been enhanced to Rs. 115 billion which representing a nearly three-fold increase since 2012-13

The  number  of  BISP  beneficiaries  is  expected  to  increase  from  5.0  million  in  FY2015  to  5.3 million by the end of FY2016. By the end of next financial year the number of beneficiary families would further rise to increase to 5.6 million.

So far, BISP has achieved all the targets set under IMF’s Extended Fund Facility which has been acknowledged by IMF in eleventh review meeting held in May 2016.

PAKISTAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION FUND

Pakistan  Poverty  Alleviation  Fund  (PPAF)  also  provides  assistance  in  microcredit,  water  and infrastructure,  drought  mitigation,  education,  health  and  emergency  response  interventions.

During  July  2015  to  March  2016,  PPAF  has  disbursed  an  amount  of  approximately  Rs.11.96  billion  to  its  partner  organizations  (POs)  under  PPAF  core  interventions  administered  under various operational units. 

An amount of Rs.  5303.53  million  is  distributed  in  bulk  for  Zakat  amongst  the  provinces  and other administrative areas for FY2016.

Pakistan  Bait-ul-Mal  (PBM)  is  also  making  efforts  for  eradication  of  poverty  by  providing assistance.  During  July  2015  to  March  2016,  PBM  has  managed  to  disburse  an  amount  of  Rs. 3132.39 million to its core projects.Bait-ul-Maal Budget for next financial year has been increased Rs.4 billion.

The efforts of the present federal government are another milestone in inculcating prosperity at grass root level.

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Pakistan has entered Shanghai Cooperation Organization as Full member (Another Milestone for Pakistan's successful diplomacy)

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and military organisation which was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries, except for Uzbekistan had been members of the Shanghai Five, founded in 1996; after the inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001, the members renamed the organisation. 

The Shanghai Five grouping was created 26 April 1996 with the signing of the Treaty on Deepening Military Trust in Border Regions in Shanghai by the heads of states of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. On 24 April 1997, the same countries signed the Treaty on Reduction of Military Forces in Border Regions in a meeting in Moscow.

The SCO is primarily centered on its member nations' Central Asian security-related concerns, often describing the main threats it confronts as being terrorism, separatism and extremism. However evidence is growing that its activities in the area of social development of its member states is increasing fast.

Pakistan has become a full member of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) after signing Memorandum of Obligations (MoOs), on June 24, 2016. The memorandum was signed by Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at SCO’s Heads of State Summit at Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Radio Pakistan reported. The document was jointly signed by the Foreign Ministers of Six SCO member states, Secretary General SCO and the Adviser on Foreign Affairs.

"Pakistan has been an observer at SCO since 2005. It has been a regular participant in the meetings of SCO and was the first SCO observer to apply for full membership in 2010,” a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.

Pakistan’s request for membership was approved in principle by the Heads of State Summit held in Ufa, Russia, in July last year. The Heads of State Council had agreed to launch the procedure of accepting Pakistan as a member state of SCO with the consensus of all the founding members.

SCO will allow Pakistan to underscore its interest in regional peace, stability, development and its support for regional cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism. It will provide us with a platform for forging closer ties with China, Russia and other members of SCO. It will also allow us to explore greater economic linkages and cooperation with Central Asian countries in the areas of energy and transport. The Expansion in SCO membership will enhance importance and relevance of the Organization as its 8 Members would represent 45 percent of the total global population.

Pakistan had been striving for the permanent membership of SCO. Pakistan has always maintained a policy of friendly relations with its neighbouring countries. Also, it has substantially contributed to the working of another regional organization i.e. SAARC. The all-encompassing policies of Pakistan have convinced China to make an investment as huge as 46 billion dollars under CPEC. Pakistan has always played an active role in all international organizations. SCO membership will serve as a confidence building measure for other countries to invest in Pakistan.

Pakistan has described its permanent membership to Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as an important milestone with regard to its national objectives. Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakariya said this would provide a platform to Pakistan to collectively work with other SCO member states in different fields, including security. Due to the strategic location of Pakistan, other regional countries can also take full benefit of it for the promotion of trade and economic activities through enhanced connectivity.

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China-Pakistan Digital Connect

Keeping in view the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in terms of regional connectivity, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on May 19, 2016 performed the groundbreaking of the Pakistan-China Optical Fibre Cable project.

Firstly, the agreement in this regards was signed between both countries in 2007 but under the serious efforts of current government the fiber optic project become part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

In this regard’s the agreement to lay optic fibre between the two sides was signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif official visit to China in early July 2013 and Huawei has been assigned the task in this regard.

The Optical Fibre Cable project, costing $44 million will be completed in two years and Special Communication Organisation (SCO) will lay 820-kilometre-long cable from Rawalpindi to Khunjrab.

Government believes in “Digital Pakistan”; Chinese cooperation and collaboration will help us to materialize this vision of accelerated digitization.

Pakistan will greatly benefit in terms of security and revenue from the Pak-China optic fibre project, which is part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Upon completion, the project, which will provide an alternate telecommunication route between Pakistan and China, will also bring 3G and 4G connectivity to the region.

Pakistan is currently connected with the world through four undersea fibre optic cables. These include India-Middle East-Western Europe (I-ME-WE),  Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 3 (SEA-ME-WE-3) and Southeast Asia-Middle-East-Western Europe 4 (SEA-ME-WE-4), operated by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and TWA-1, which is owned by Trans-World Associates.

A fifth undersea cable called South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe (SEA-ME-WE)-5 is being laid to connect Pakistan with the rest of the world “

From Pak-China optic fiber project, Pakistan will get enormous benefits. At present, Pakistan’s international connectivity with the world is through undersea cables SEA-ME-WE 3&4 and IMEWE, and Pakistan is connected through spurs only.

This dependency is not only a risk but also entails security concerns. The voice/data and internet traffic can be monitored and disturbed easily. To offset such a threat, through this project, a link will be created between Pakistan and Trans-Asia Europe (TAE) cable in China, which would enable both Pakistan and China to have alternative routes for their international telecom traffic.

Successful implementation of the project would provide Pakistan with a direct telecom access to China and the Central Asian States.

On completion, the project will also facilitate trade, tourism and IT awareness in the region and generate economic opportunities particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan.

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CENTRAL ASIA SOUTH ASIA (CASA)-1000

PM Nawaz attends CASA -1000 Power Project groundbreaking ceremony

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the Central Asia and South Asia (CASA-1000 MW) power project groundbreaking ceremony on May 12, 2016 near Dushanbe in Tajikistan.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Chief Executive Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah and Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister Sooronbay Jeenbekov jointly launched the project at an impressive ceremony.

Inauguration of CASA Project is a great pleasure for region that after many years of conception of this project, Pakistan current Government is entering into the implementation phase. The project will enhance economic integration and bring prosperity in the region.

Since previous governments did not paid attention to CASA project. Meanwhile the present government taking a bold step to take up this project.

Current Government to overcome the energy crisis and to resolve the issue taking concrete steps towards making it a reality. The groundbreaking ceremony for the CASA -1000 is a great achievement of the present Government.

The acute energy crisis started in 2006-07 with a gradual widening in the demand and supply gap of electricity. Since then this gap has grown and has assumed proportions which are considered to be the worst of all such power crises that Pakistan has faced since its inception.

The electric power deficit had crossed the level of 5000 MW at many points during the year 2011.

At one stage in the month of May, 2011 this shortfall had surpassed 7000 MWAs of 2013 massive long-standing electricity shortages continued with long-standing failure to provide reliable service and rampant corruption being met by public protests, unauthorized connections, and refusal by consumers to pay for intermittent service.

In the last ten years there is no substantial increase in the generation capacity in comparison to a steep rise in electricity demand. To a great extent, failure on the part of previous government to timely react to the situation led the country into a severe electricity crisis.

Central Asia South Asia electricity import project, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and road projects with Afghanistan, which were a manifestation of current Government policy to enhance regional connectivity and overcome the energy demand.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also attended the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (Tapi) gas pipeline groundbreaking ceremony on December 13, 2015 in southeastern Turkmenistan.

The pipeline is expected to be operational by 2019. Thus delivering on the promise of “High priority to import gas through pipelines” made in 2013’s election manifesto of PML-N.

                                         BACKGROUND

Central Asia and South Asia (CASA-1000) is a project designed to transmit 1300 MW of surplus electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic through Afghanistan (300 MW) to Pakistan (1000-MW). MOU among four Governments was signed on November 16, 2007 at Kabul. The estimated cost of the CASA-1000 project is 1,170 million dollars.

The initial plan is to transmit power in the range of 1,000 to 1,300MW from the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan to Pakistan and Afghanistan. The major share of the exported energy will be consumed by Pakistan while approximately 300MW will be used by Afghanistan.

v  500 kV AC line from Datka (in the Kyrgyz Republic) to Khudjand (477 kilometers away, in Tajikistan)

v  1300 megawatt AC-DC Convertor Station at Sangtuda (Tajikistan)

v  750 kilometer High Voltage DC line from Sangtuda to Kabul (Afghanistan) to Peshawar (Pakistan)

v  300 megawatt Convertor Station at Kabul (with import and export capability)

v  1300 megawatt DC-AC Convertor Station at Peshawar

An Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) was signed in August 2008 to govern and resolve issues critical to the implementation of the project. The project was to be funded by the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

In the beginning, the Asian Development Bank was heavily involved, but withdrew in 2009 citing the challenging security situation in Afghanistan as a reason. Initially due to the difficult terrain and the security situation, the planned transmission line in Afghanistan and Pakistan is the most problematic part of CASA-1,000.

On October 11, 2014, Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed on a transit fee, and at IGC meetings in November/December 2014 and February 2015 a master agreement as well as a power purchase agreement were prepared.

It has been agreed that Pakistan will obtain electricity at US$9.35 per kilowatt through CASA-1,000 during the initial 15 years, whereas this price includes a transit fee of US$ 1.25 per kilowatt owed by Pakistan to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan first demanded a transit fee of US¢ 2.5 per kilowatt but made concessions as it does not view CASA-1,000 from a purely economic angle, but also as an opportunity to improve regional relations and to build confidence among the participating countries and private corporations, hoping that this will have a positive impact on other projects.

CASA-1,000 is technically feasible and economically worthwhile. Even in dry years a sufficient surplus of Kyrgyz and Tajik electricity is almost certainly guaranteed during summer. And the comparatively low production costs of electricity in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan coupled with the already high and increasing Pakistani demand are a powerful economic incentive

The CASA-1000 Project is the first of its kind that will link Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in the electricity grid.

The project which will be completed by 2018 will go a long way in regional integration. The CASA-1000 Project is an important step in building a functioning, efficient electricity system across Central Asia and South Asia.

By facilitating clean power export revenues for the Central Asian countries and by alleviating electricity shortages in the South Asian countries, this project will enhance growth prospects across both regions.

The regional energy projects would facilitate regional connectivity and contribute to peace, stability and security by creating interdependence in the region.

The project will bring warmth and cordiality, and generate economic activity, create job opportunities and improve the living standards.

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Opening Avenues: Pakistan and Mauritius Vow to Come More Closer

Known for its beautiful terrain Marituius is a heaven for tourists and film makers in Southern part of African continent. The country includes the island of Mauritius,  Rodriguez and some outer islands. The islands of Mauritius and Rodriguez (172 km (107 mi) southwest) form part of the Mascarene Islands. The area of the country is 2,040 km². The capital and largest city is Port Louis

Mauritian President Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim has visited Pakistan most recently. H.E Dr Ameenah Firdaus arrived in Karachi on Sunday on the invitation of President Mamnoon Hussain.

She was received by Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan, members of the provincial cabinet and the Sindh Assembly at the Jinnah International Airport.

The president held a meeting with Dr Ishratul Ebad and discussed matters of mutual interest. She is due to visit Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the University of Karachi.

During her four-day stay in Pakistan, the Mauritius president who is leading a nine-member delegation has also visited Islamabad.

H.E Ms. Ameenah has met with President Mamnoon Hussain at Aiwan-e-Sadr Islamabad. During the meeting matters of mutual interest as well as regional and international importance came under discussion.

Pakistan and Mauritius enjoy close and cordial relations, which are based on mutual identity of views on regional and global issues Establishment of  air links between Pakistan & Mauritius was also discussed. President Mamnoon Hussain also hosted a lunch in honor of the visiting leader and her delegation.

Prior to the meeting President Mamnoon Hussain greeted the Mauritian President at the presidency who had earlier arrived in the capital from Karachi on Sunday.

A contingent of tri-services guard presented guard of honour to the visiting dignitary, who also reviewed the parade. The national anthems of the two countries were played.

Dr. Ameenah planted a friendship sapling at the memorial garden of Shakar­parian on Sunday. Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman, the Minister-in-waiting, and senior officials of the Capital Devel­opment Authority accompanied the visiting dignitary. The Mauritius president also visited the Pakistan Monument, which represents four provinces and three territories of the country.

The visit has set the grounds for a new era of relationship between the two countries. 

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