(CTN News) – Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, has urged Washington to provide Pakistan with sophisticated small arms and communication equipment to ensure the success of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a newly approved counter-terrorism initiative in the country.

The federal government recently approved the reinvigorated national counter-terrorism drive, which comprises three components: doctrinal, societal, and operational.

Ambassador Khan noted that work on the first two phases has already begun, with the third phase set to be implemented soon.

Addressing US policymakers, scholars, and corporate leaders at the Wilson Center in Washington, Khan emphasized the importance of strong security links, enhanced intelligence cooperation, and the resumption of sales of advanced military platforms between Pakistan and the US.

He argued that this is crucial for regional security and countering the rising tide of terrorism, which also threatens the interests of the US and its allies.

“Pakistan has launched Azm-i-Istehkam […] to oppose and dismantle terrorist networks. For that, we need sophisticated small arms and communication equipment,” said Ambassador Khan.

Pakistan–United States relations

The ambassador observed that the prospects of Pakistan-United States relations were bright, stating that the two countries “share values, our security and economic interests are interwoven, and it is the aspiration of our two peoples that strengthens our ties.”

He invited US investors and businesses to explore Pakistan’s potential in terms of demographic dividend, technological advancements, and market opportunities.

Khan also suggested that the US should consider Pakistan as a partner in its diplomatic efforts in Kabul and collaborate on counterterrorism and the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

He stressed that the bilateral relationship should be based on ground realities and not be hindered by a few issues.

“We should not base our engagement on the incongruity of expectations.

Our ties should be anchored in ground realities, even as we aim for stronger security and economic partnerships. Secondly, one or two issues should not hold the entire relationship hostage,” said the ambassador.

China has reassured Taiwanese citizens that they can visit the mainland “without the slightest worry”, despite Taiwan raising its travel alert to the second-highest level in response to Beijing’s new judicial guidelines targeting supporters of Taiwanese independence.

Last week, China published guidelines that could impose the death penalty for “particularly serious” cases involving “diehard” advocates of Taiwanese independence.

In response, Taiwan’s government urged the public to avoid “unnecessary travel” to mainland China and Hong Kong, and raised its travel warning to the “orange” level.

However, Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for a Chinese body overseeing Taiwan affairs, stated that the new directives are “aimed solely at the very small number of supporters of ‘Taiwan independence’, who are engaged in malicious acts and utterances”.

She emphasized that “the vast majority of Taiwan compatriots involved in cross-strait exchanges and cooperation do not need to have the slightest worry when they come to or leave mainland China”.

“They can arrive in high spirits and leave fully satisfied with their stay,” Zhu added.

What’s Behind The China-Taiwan Tensions?

The tensions stem from the longstanding dispute over Taiwan’s status. Mainland China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has refused to rule out using force to bring the democratic island under its control, while Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state.

Beijing has not conducted top-level communications with Taipei since 2016, when the Democratic Progressive Party’s Tsai Ing-wen became Taiwan’s leader. China has since branded her successor, President Lai Ching-te, a “dangerous separatist”.

“The DPP authorities have fabricated excuses to deceive the people on the island and incite confrontation and opposition,” Zhu said in her statement.
Despite the political tensions, many Taiwanese continue to travel to mainland China for work, study, or business.

Paris Pride March: Thousands of people participated in the annual Pride march in Paris on Saturday, as LGBT rights groups voiced concerns about the potential rise of discrimination if a far-right government comes to power following France’s ongoing election.

The country is heading to the polls on Sunday for the first round of a parliamentary election, with opinion polls indicating that the far-right National Rally (RN) could secure significant power. The second round of the election is set for July 7.

In response to increasing threats, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin issued a letter on Friday to police and local authorities, calling for heightened security at LGBT events, including Paris Pride.

Darmanin highlighted a surge in discriminatory acts and growing “political and community antagonism” that could target such events.

Rights group Inter-LGBT, along with other advocacy organizations, urged the public to join Saturday’s march in large numbers to stand against far-right ideologies and to protect LGBTQIA+ rights.

Despite repeated requests for comment by Reuters, the National Rally did not immediately respond.

The party, known for its socially conservative and anti-immigrant stance, has previously disavowed connections to violent far-right groups and has historically voted against legislation that expands rights for LGBTQIA+ individuals, including measures in the European Parliament.

Paris Pride March:

“Hate is on the rise. There are messages on social media calling on people to interfere with the march,” Inter-LGBT President James Leperlier told Reuters earlier this week.

According to Leperlier, since the RN’s substantial gains in the June 9 European elections, there has been a noticeable increase in hate speech and violent acts. In light of these threats, the Paris march organizers have doubled the number of security volunteers.

At the Paris event, drag queen Simone de Boulevard expressed deep concerns about the community’s future under a potential far-right government.

“We are afraid, afraid for our access to healthcare, for our everyday safety,” de Boulevard stated. “Homophobic, transphobic violence is intolerable.”

The LGBTQIA+ acronym encompasses a broad spectrum of sexual and gender identities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual individuals. The “+” symbol represents other diverse identities not explicitly listed.

As France faces a critical juncture in its political landscape, the Pride march in Paris serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community in the face of rising intolerance.