Daily Times
April 11, 2021
Pakistan is set to elevate Gilgit Baltistan to provincial status. With this single move, Pakistan will be able to meet at least seven decades old demand of people of Gilgit-Baltistan to merge with main land constitutionally, secure vital geo-strategic route of China Pakistan Economic Corridor and protect tourism, promote economic potential and push farther its water and energy interests (Bunji & Diamer-Bhasha Dam etc.). However, some quarters have raised objections to the move on varying narratives which need to be addressed. All stake holders including key political parties have agreed to the proposal of grant of provisional provincial status to the Gilgit Baltistan. This historic decision will meet the long term aspirations of people and will help address local concerns and issues of representation, by all means possible. In September 2020, the Government of Pakistan announced its intention to make Gilgit-Baltistan an interim province that had represent
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Daily Times
April 9, 2021
Gwadar Free Zone has become practically operational with the first consignment clearance by Pakistan Customs, said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
In a bid to boost Pakistan’s boost exports and trade, Pakistan Customs facilitated the clearance of the first import-cum-export consignment by M/s HK Sun Corporation limited, which will be further processed in Gwadar Free Zone established under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and later on items will be exported from Pakistan, said a statement.
The first consignment consisting of metal scrap was processed and cleared by the Model Customs Collectorate, (A&F) West, Karachi and goods reached Gwadar Free Zone regulated by Model Customs Collectorate Gwadar. More shipments of raw material of the same company are under way to Pakistan which will be further used in manufacturing of goods to be exported.
A New Political Map for Asia
A New Political Map for Asia
File photo. Brendan Smialowski AFP
With the U.S. seeking to shore up support against China, Middle Eastern and Asian states are being pushed into picking a side
In March 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden held the first anti-China virtual summit of the Quad states (the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India). He noted that India was keen to include Russia in the Quad, which was not on the cards thanks to Washington’s rift with Moscow. Unfortunately, this stance ended up persuading Russia to join the “China camp,” and also ended up upsetting India.