Pakistan

China’s new Silk Road outlook includes Pakistan-Iran-Turkey railways networks – IRNA

By ::· China, Economy, Iran, News, Pakistan, Turkey ::· January 3, 2021

The 10th meeting of high ranking Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Railway Project workgroup, better known as the ECO Train was recently convened aimed at the urgent revival of this major regional economic plan. The spokesman of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry expressed certainty during his last week’s press conference that the ECO Train project will be put to use …

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Turkey, Iran, Pakistan rail link to China’s Belt and Road – Nikkei Asia

By ::· China, Economy, Iran, News, Pakistan, Turkey ::· January 3, 2021

KARACHI — The governments of Turkey, Iran and Pakistan will revive a transnational rail service linking Istanbul, Tehran and Islamabad in 2021. The ITI transnational railroad is expected to enhance connectivity with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by providing a rail connection between China and Turkey, Nikkei Asia has learned. The roots of this …

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Breadless, speechless and lifeless: a migrant’s price for escaping death – Ahval

By ::· Afghanistan, News, Pakistan, Turkey ::· December 22, 2020

One would think it would be difficult to get in touch with people smugglers. Unfortunately, it isn’t the case. Migrants first meet with smugglers in Iran. On a predetermined date, groups of at least 50 people are brought to the Turkish-Iranian border. Most of the time, authorities on both sides turn a blind eye – …

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The death of Ayman al-Zawahri and the future of al-Qaida – Brookings Institute

By ::· Afghanistan, Analyses, Arab world, Conflicts - Fronts, News, Pakistan, Secularism/Islam, United States ::· November 17, 2020

Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri may be dead or at least appears to be “completely off the grid,” according to journalist and veteran jihadi-watcher Hassan Hassan. These reports come at the same time as the killing of another very senior al-Qaida leader, Abu Muhammad al-Masri, in Tehran, reportedly by Israeli agents at the behest of the …

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Arab States Against Turkey – Polish Institute of International Affairs

By ::· Analyses, Arab world, Caucasus, Egypt, Europe, Iran, Israel, Libya, News, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Yemen ::· November 16, 2020

In September, Egypt called on Arab states to create common, assertive policy against Turkey. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Morocco began to boycott Turkish imports. These moves stem from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s increasingly interventionist policy towards Arab states and the Mediterranean region. The escalating dispute puts the EU in …

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The incendiaries: How Pakistan and Turkey fan the flames of Islamic anger – The Jerusalem Post

By ::· Analyses, Conflicts - Fronts, France, News, Pakistan, Turkey ::· November 9, 2020

It should go without saying that Erdogan and Khan’s calls for religious tolerance have no reflection in their own policies at home. Erdogan recently converted the ancient Hagia Sophia Church into a mosque and is set to do the same with the Church of St. Savior in Chora, Istanbul. Khan rules over a country where Ahmadi and Shia Muslims and Christians are regularly convicted on blasphemy charges, and where Hindus have been forcibly converted to Islam.

This, however, is precisely the point. These leaders, as is crystal clear to their supporters, are asserting a notion of elevated honor to be afforded the symbols of Islam, not arguing for parity.

When the atmosphere of incitement erupts into violence, as it inevitably must, Erdogan and Co. will be on hand to express regret. Erdogan, after all, only supplied the matches and the kindling. Someone else entirely lit the fire.

Erdogan and Khan are hypocritical about Macron′s France – Deutsche Welle – Opinion

By ::· Conflicts - Fronts, News, Pakistan, Turkey ::· October 28, 2020

“What problem does this person called Macron have with Muslims and Islam? Macron needs treatment on a mental level,” Erdogan recently said.

Pakistani premier Khan, who is known for his deep admiration of Erdogan, followed suit. “This is a time when President Macron could have put a healing touch and denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarization and marginalization that inevitably leads to radicalization,” Khan wrote on Twitter.

While it can be argued that the French president should have dealt with the issue of secularism in Europe in a different way, the criticism by Erdogan and Khan is hypocritical and outrageous.

Pakistan: A Nuclear Weapons Nightmare – The National Interest

By ::· Afghanistan, Analyses, News, Pakistan ::· October 25, 2020

Pakistan is clearly developing a robust nuclear capability that can not only deter but fight a nuclear war. It is also dealing with internal security issues that could threaten the integrity of its nuclear arsenal. Pakistan and India are clearly in the midst of a nuclear arms race that could, in relative terms, lead to absurdly high nuclear stockpiles reminiscent of the Cold War. It is clear that an arms-control agreement for the subcontinent is desperately needed.

Is Turkey remodeling Pakistan’s soft power? – The Nation

By ::· Mass Media, News, Pakistan, Propaganda, Turkey ::· October 18, 2020

Erdogan’s Turkification process, and expansionist ideas may just be the key, to the beginning of the secularization of Pakistani society. Turkey, though a country which prides itself of its Islamic history and culture, is still secular; a 1928 amendment of the constitution, separated the religion of Islam from the Turkish state. The Turkish constitution also recognises freedom of religion, ultimately displaying itself as a state which values tolerance and pluralism. Turkey has suffered less from religious sectarian conflict, and welcomes tourists from all over the world to enjoy its paramount beauty and rich culture of the Ottoman Empire.