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Showing posts from December 9, 2019

Middle East and China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Lisa Watanabe writes that China’s presence in the Middle East is on the rise, particularly in the framework of its Belt and Road Initiative. As the US draws down its commitments in the region, Europe will need to consider what greater Chinese involvement in the region means for its interests.Download English (PDF, 4 pages, 979 KB)
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AuthorLisa Watanabe (Editor: Benno Zogg)SeriesCSS Analyses in Security PolicyIssue254Publisher Center for Security Studies (CSS) Copyright© 2019 Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich

https://css.ethz.ch/en/services/digital-library/publications/publication.html/1950bc57-7d5c-4995-92bc-4a319ad9eff2

Can the ‘Blue Dot Network’ Really Compete With China’s Belt and Road?

Zach Montague | Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019Seven years into a sweeping and costly effort to rebuild Asia with itself at the center, China has a publicity problem with its Belt and Road Initiative. What has become the guiding macroeconomic centerpiece of Chinese foreign policy is in many ways stranded on shaky ground.Some of the Belt and Road Initiative’s trouble is superficial, like its unwieldy name, which had to be rebranded from its earlier form, “One Belt, One Road,” that itself was an abbreviation for two interrelated investment strategies called the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.Get your FREE copy of our in-depth report on the U.S.-China Rivalry in the Trump Era.But fundamentally, Beijing’s problems stem from tangible issues such as waste, political cronyism and a slew of overambitious infrastructure projects that have created unsustainable levels of debt for partner countries. Last year, Sri Lanka turned over ownership of a Chinese-funded port buil…

Seven Qataris arrested for illegally hunting precious birds in Balochistan

Asim Khan

Levies arrested on Monday seven Qatari nationals for poaching precious birds in Balochistan’s Nushki district, officials said.The arrested foreigners neither had a license nor a no-objection certificate, according to Nushki Deputy Commissioner Abdur Razzak Sasoli.They were handed over to the Forest and Wildlife Department and shifted to Nushki Circuit House, according to a Wildlife Department official.The arrestees also include members of the Qatari royal family.Meanwhile, a Qatari national submitted a challan worth $131,000 for hunting houbara bustards and falcons.The man deposited $100,000 for hunting houbara bustards and $31,000 for hunting falcons.The Balochistan government has set a fee of $100,000 for hunting of a hundred houbara bustards.Hunting a falcon costs $1,000.Follow SAMAA English

https://www.samaa.tv/news/2019/12/seven-qataris-arrested-for-illegal-hunting-in-balochistan/

Balochistan to set up digital library at Quetta girls college

IslamabadConcerned on the fading trend of book reading, the Balochistan government has planned to establish Digital Library at Government Girls Post Graduate College Quetta Cantt to persuade youth back to book reading. Talking to APP, an official of the Balochistan government on Monday said that the government in an effort to promote reading and trend of research, initiated opening E-library.
“The project costing Rs 39.603 million will help in increasing the book reading culture and enabling the youth to read online,” he added. He said that the digital library would be having a comprehensive data base comprising thousands of authentic books and over 10,000 E-books, magazines and publications. He said that the library had been planned to attract more readers and provide hassle free data. Even for more detailed and in-depth research, the library will be providing access to intricate material without any licensing restrictions, associated costs and free of copyright.
“This will help to …

Kashmir and Balochistan: Will Pakistan own up to rights abuses?

We challenge Pakistan's human rights minister on alleged government abuses and the treatment of religious minorities.06 Dec 2019 09:54 GMT Pakistan, Human Rights, Kashmir, Balochistan, Business & Economy
Pakistan defends its rights record in Kashmir and BalochistanAre we in the death throes of capitalism?In this episode of UpFront, we challenge Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari on the country's support for groups that have carried out attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir; enforced disappearances in Balochistan and treatment of religious minorities.And in our Arena, author Grace Blakeley and financial policy analyst Diego Zuluaga debate the state of capitalism in the world today.Pakistan defends its rights record in Kashmir and BalochistanThe Pakistani government's support for internationally designated terrorist groups came under scrutiny earlier this year when the Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for a suicide attac…

Pakistan Navy celebrates 61st Gwadar Day

By RECORDER REPORT on December 9, 2019Pakistan Navy celebrated 61st Gwadar Day with zeal and fervor. Various ceremonies were held in Gwadar under the auspices of the Pakistan Navy to celebrate the day and to revitalize the spirit of nationalism amongst the local populace.The hallmark of the day was an impressive Flag Hoisting Ceremony held at PNS AKRAM. Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Asif Khaliq graced the occasion as chief guest. Commander Coast Rear Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi was also present on this occasion.Pakistan Navy organized various colourful activities, spanning over three days, to celebrate Gwadar Day with enthusiasm. The activities also included the conduct of boat rallies, friendly football matches amongst the locals, matches of tug of war and special drill by Pak Marines.The enthusiasm of locals in these activities was phenomenal and a large number of spectators enjoyed the rallies and matches. Pakistan Navy also established a Free Medical Camp in which a team of…

8th December as Gwadar day

Reema ShaukatDecember 08, 2019
One way or another 46 billion dollars mega project of CPEC has remained in limelight since its inception. Because of One Belt, One Road initiative where another deep seaport will be built in Pakistan, Gwadar now holds strategic and prime importance not only for Pakistan but Chinese vision of greater connectivity among regions. Gwadar features heavily in CPEC and is also envisaged to be the link between OBOR and maritime silk route.READ MORE: Indian policeman shoots self, colleagueGwadar is a Balochi word, which means ‘The Door of Wind’. Though located in the Southwestern coast of Balochistan, the area is located on the convergence of three strategically important zones of the world where on one side is oil-rich Middle East, Central Asia with surplus natural resources and South Asia having greater economic potential. Gwadar is situated on a natural hammer-head shape tombolo peninsula forming two almost perfect, but naturally curved, semi-circular bays on e…

The Myth of CPEC’s Western Route

By Contributors - November 11, 2019

Adnan AamirLast month a meeting of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Joint Working Group on Transport Infrastructure took place in Islamabad. In that meeting, Pakistan sought financing for the western route of CPEC. Almost four and half years after its inception, there is no financing framework for the western route of this mammoth project, which was once dubbed as a ‘game-changer’ for Pakistan. Is CPEC’s western route just a myth used to deceive Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)?In 2013, it was revealed for the first time that China will be investing tens of billions of dollars to develop an economic corridor in Pakistan. The initial maps of the corridor shared with the media showed that the proposed economic corridor ran from Gwadar in Balochistan to Kashghar in Xinjiang via Balochistan and KP. This was good news for the underdeveloped western provinces of Pakistan, which expected an infrastructure uplift due to the CPEC economic corri…