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US Imposes Sanctions on Pakistan's Missile Program
South Korea: Ruling Party Calls For President's Suspension
South Korea's ruling party leader called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign Friday over his attempt to impose martial law, warning that he poses a grave danger to the country. Han Dong-hun, leader of the People's Power Party (PPP), said he had received information that Yoon had ordered the country's defense counterintelligence commander to arrest and detain unspecified key politicians on charges of "anti-state activities" under martial law. Han's comments almost guarantee that enough lawmakers will vote to impeach the president on Saturday. Yoon's impeachment would require the support of two-thirds of the National Assembly, or 200 of its 300 members. The opposition parties that jointly submitted the impeachment motion have a combined total of 192 seats. Meanwhile, Han leads an anti-Yoon faction within the ruling party, and 18 lawmakers in his faction voted with opposition lawmakers to overturn Yoon's martial law decree. Hundreds of citizens, along with members of the Democratic Party of Korea, gather in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido to participate in a candlelight vigil, condemning President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law as an act of treason and calling for his resignation. Han's unexpected U-turn Han's comments were a reversal from Thursday, when he said he would block the impeachment and another party leader insisted that all 108 members of the PPP would unite to support Yoon in Saturday's vote. However, Han said Friday that Yoon poses a "significant risk of extreme actions, like reattempting to impose martial law, which could potentially put the Republic of Korea and its citizens in great danger." He also said that Yoon's refusal to admit that he did anything wrong in declaring martial law Tuesday night prompted his change of position. "Considering the newly emerging facts, I believe that a swift suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol's duties is necessary to safeguard the Republic of Korea and its people," Han said. Prosecutors to Investigate Rebellion Charges Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Shim Woo Jung told reporters Friday that prosecutors plan to investigate rebellion charges against Yoon following complaints from the opposition that his actions amounted to a "self-coup." While the president largely enjoys immunity from prosecution while in office, the protection does not extend to charges of rebellion or treason. It wasn't immediately clear how prosecutors plan to proceed with an investigation into Yoon. If Yoon is impeached on Saturday, he will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office or restore his presidential powers. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume presidential duties. US' Blinken reaffirms Washington's commitment Amid concern in Washington at events unfolding in South Korea, a major Asian ally of the US, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he is confident of the country's "democratic resilience." Blinken "spoke with Foreign Minister (Cho Tae-yul) following deeply concerning developments in (South Korea)," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on social media platform X. "He welcomed the lifting of martial law, expressed confidence in the country's democratic resilience, and reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to our Alliance," the post continued.
PTI Retreats from Protest Rally in Islamabad
5 Dead in Pakistan Protests; Army Deployed in Islamabad
International Webinar Highlights Future of Digital Journalism
Attack on Passenger Convoy in Pakistan Leaves 41 Dead
Suicide Bombing Kills 12 Soldiers in Pakistan
A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at a security post in Pakistan, killing 12 soldiers and wounding several others, officials said Wednesday. Militants rammed the vehicle into the perimeter wall of the outpost in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, damaging the adjoining infrastructure during Tuesday's attack, the military said in a statement. "A sanitization operation is being conducted in the area, and the perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice," the statement said, adding that six militants had also been killed in the incident. The military did not say who was behind the attack, but Hafiz Gul Bahadur, an Islamist militant group, claimed responsibility. 'TTP have expanded their operations' Pakistan has seen a steady rise in violence since November 2022, when the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), ended a monthslong cease-fire with the government in Islamabad. Abdullah Khan, a senior defense analyst and managing director of the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, said over 900 security forces have been killed in militant attacks in Pakistan since the renewal of hostilities. "TTP and other groups have expanded their operations, showing they are getting more recruits, money and weapons," Khan said while emphasizing the need for political stability in Pakistan to defeat the insurgents. Pakistan has experienced a political crisis since 2022, when then-Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote. Khan was arrested in May 2023 and imprisoned. His supporters have been protesting on a regular basis, demanding his release.
Deadly Explosion at a Railway Station in Pakistan, 16 Killed
A bomb explosion occurred at a railway station in Quetta, located in the southwestern province of Balochistan, Pakistan. At least 16 people have been killed and 30 others injured. According to a report by the media outlet Dawn, the explosion took place on Saturday (November 9) early in the morning as the express train heading to Peshawar was about to depart from Quetta railway station. Quetta’s Superintendent of Police Operations, Muhammad Baloch, stated, “A train heading to Peshawar was departing for its destination when the explosion occurred inside the railway station. At least 16 people have been killed and over 30 others injured.” He further mentioned that it appears to be a suicide bombing, although investigations are still ongoing. No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion yet. Railway officials reported that the Zafar Express was scheduled to depart for Peshawar at 9:00 AM on Saturday. However, the explosion occurred just before the train could reach the platform. Officials have indicated that several of the injured are in critical condition, and the death toll may rise. Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Sarfaraz Bugti, has instructed relevant authorities to investigate the deadly incident and reiterated his commitment to eradicating terrorism in the province. Condemning the attack, Acting President Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani stated that the terrorists who target innocent people are enemies of humanity. He also reaffirmed the commitment to take all possible measures to completely eliminate terrorism.
4 Troops Killed in Clash with Militants, Pakistan Army Says
Four Pakistani soldiers and five militants were killed in an exchange of fire near the northwestern border with Afghanistan, the military said in a statement on Thursday. The clash occurred in the tribal region of South Waziristan, an area known for being a safe haven for militants. "During the intense fire exchange, four brave sons of soil... having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat (martyrdom)," the military statement said, before confirming the deaths of five militants. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office released a statement, expressing "grief and sorrow" over the deaths of the soldiers. "Our war against terrorists will continue until the complete elimination of terrorism from the country," the prime minister's statement said. Uptick in militant attacks The clash near the Afghan border comes after ten Pakistani police officers were killed in an attack last month on a security checkpoint. The attack was claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the country's home-grown Taliban group. Pakistan has been battling a resurgent militancy in its western regions since 2021 when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of failing to root out the militants.  The TTP has been attacking Pakistan and its forces for years in a bid to overthrow the government. The group has accelerated attacks since last year after it withdrew from a cease-fire with the government, accusing Islamabad of violating the truce.
Two Chinese Nationals Killed, 10 Injured in Blast in Pakistan
Two Chinese nationals were killed, and at least 10 people were injured in an explosion near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan described the incident as a "terrorist attack," stating, “Some local people have been injured or killed, though the exact number of casualties is still unclear.” The embassy added that the explosion targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a power project in Sindh province, according to a report by the BBC. The separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has attacked Chinese citizens involved in projects in recent years, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement published on Monday, the BLA said it targeted a "high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors arriving from Karachi Airport." Reuters, citing the BLA, reported that the attack was carried out using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion occurred at 11 PM local time. The Chinese Embassy stated that the engineers were part of the Chinese-funded Port Qasim Power Generation Company Limited, which is working to build two coal power plants near Port Qasim, close to Karachi. The plant is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is funding multiple infrastructure and energy projects in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, rich in natural resources such as gas and minerals. The BLA, alongside other ethnic Baloch groups, has long fought for a separate homeland. The group has regularly targeted Chinese citizens in the region, claiming that local Baloch residents are not receiving their fair share of the resources extracted by foreign investors. On Monday, the Chinese Embassy reminded its citizens and Chinese enterprises in Pakistan to remain vigilant and "do their utmost to take security precautions." The embassy also stated that it would thoroughly investigate the attack and ensure "severe punishment for the perpetrators." Security had been tightened in Pakistan ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which Pakistan was set to host. Explosions were heard in various parts of the city, with local media footage showing thick smoke and vehicles on fire. Sindh's Interior Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanja said that the explosion was suspected to have been caused by an improvised explosive device (IED). Dr. Sumaiya, a police surgeon, told Dawn News, “Ten injured individuals, including one in critical condition, have been brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).” She added that among the injured were a police constable and a woman. A statement posted on X by the Sindh Interior Ministry's office mentioned that a "tanker truck" had exploded on Airport Road, and the minister was in communication with the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) regarding the incident. “We need to confirm the facts,” the statement read. Jinnah International Airport is operating as usual. The BLA had previously claimed responsibility for an attack on a Pakistani Navy airbase near the Gwadar port, another key feature of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In April 2022, the group carried out a suicide bombing near the Confucius Institute at Karachi University, killing three Chinese teachers and a Pakistani driver.
Pak Government to Privatise Several Institutions
The cash-strapped federal government of Pakistan would prioritise privatising multiple institutions, and their second option is to shut them down if privatisation fails, ARY News reported citing sources. According to ARY News, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Ministry of Privatization and Industry to oversee the privatization process. The ministry has identified several institutions for privatization, including the Pakistan Stone Development Company, Pakistan Automobile Corporation, and the Pakistan Institute of Management. Other institutions slated for privatization include the Khadi Crafts Development Company, Agro-Food Processing Company, Leather Crafts Development Company, and the Morafik Industries. The government has also planned to privatize the Southern Punjab Embroidery Industry, the Gujranwala Business Center Additionally, the Pakistan Chemical and Energy Sector Skills Development Company and the Spin Yarn Research and Development Company. On August 30, Privatisation Commission Secretary Usman Akhtar Bajwa told Senate Standing Committee on Privatisation that the privatization process of the debt-ridden Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will be completed by October 1, Dawn reported. Bajwa said that the PIA’s deficit had reached PKR (Pakistani Rupees) 500 billion, Dawn reported. “Whoever buys the PIA will also have to clear liabilities of PKR 200 billion and spend PKR 400 million on ship repairs and other issues,” Dawn quoted Bajwa as saying. He said that six companies were finalised for PIA bid- Fly Jinnah, Air Blue, Arif Habib Corporation, YB Holdings, Pak Ethanol and Blue World City, Dawn stated. Earlier on August 22, the federal cabinet approved the privatization of two departments under the Petroleum Division, ARY News reported. The cabinet gave a nod for the privatization of the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation and the Saindak Metals Limited (SML). As part of the privatization process, the Petroleum Division’s department, ENAR Petrotech Services Pvt Ltd will be dissolved. However, the government is yet to decide on the fate of other departments under the Petroleum Division, including the Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Pak-Arab Refinery Limited, and the Sui Gas Companies. (The Print)
Gunmen Kill 7 Workers in Pakistan
Pakistan's Balochistan province has been rocked by a series of attacks on Punjabi workers by separatist militants. Baloch nationalist groups accuse the central government and China of stealing the province's resources. Seven workers were shot dead in the province of Balochistan in southwestern Pakistan, police said on Sunday. "Seven laborers were killed and one injured," said Moazzam Jah Ansari, the head of Balochistan police in the provincial capital, Quetta. The attack occurred in the western Panjgur district, which is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Baloch. While no group has claimed responsibility, it follows a number of other attacks on out-of-province laborers by Baloch separatist groups. In August, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed a coordinated attack that killed at least 39 people. During the attack, militants stopped cars on a highway and killed those who were from other provinces. In May, gunmen killed 7 barber shop workers in the port city of Gwadar. In April, 11 Punjabi laborers were killed when they were abducted from a bus in the city of Naushki. What is the situation in Balochistan? Balochistan is the country's poorest province and is grappling with separatist militants that have targeted security forces and arrivals from other provinces. Punjabis are the largest of the six main ethnic groups in Pakistan and make up just under half of the country's population. They are seen as dominating business, government and the military. The Baloch people largely inhabit the south and center of Balochistan province as well as southeastern Iran and parts of southern Afghanistan. Much of the separatist violence targets Chinese investment projects in Pakistan that aim to link Balochistan's Gwadar port to other parts of the Belt and Road initiative. Baloch militant and political groups have accused the central government and China of stealing their land and resources as part of the development drive. Pakistan's border areas have also seen an increase in Islamist attacks since the Taliban government seized power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021.