China lauds Pakistan for eliminating terrorist groups; offers weapons

March 17, 2017

Rawalpindi/Beijing, Mar 17: China has acknowledged Islamabad for maintaining peace and stability in the region with special mention of its role in eliminating terrorist groups including the al-Qaeda and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

This came as Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is presently in Beijing on a three-day official visit, held meetings with senior Chinese officials to discuss regional security, economy, defence cooperation and mutual interest.

"Today COAS held meetings at Beijing with Mr Zhang Gaoli Executive Vice Premier, General Fan Changlong Vice Chairman Central Military Commission, General Fang Funghui, Chief of Joint Services Department and General Li Zuocheng Commander People's Liberation Army (PLA). Matters related to regional security, economy, defence cooperation and mutual interest were discussed," the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Thursday.

The visit includes the Army Chief's interactions with the Chinese senior political and military leadership, the statement added.

The statement said that the Chinese leadership expressed complete understanding of the geo-political and economic-cum security environment of the region and its implications for both countries. The Chinese leadership also expressed their concern on the Afghan security situation and growing potential threat of ISIS in Afghanistan. They, however, expressing confidence in security arrangements for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and satisfaction on progress of the project.

On his part, the Army Chief reiterated that Pakistan Army shall continue to positively contribute towards regional stability and security. General Bajwa thanked the Chinese leadership for sending PLA Army contingent for participation in Pakistan Day Parade. Both sides agreed to continue and further increase their military to military cooperation.

Following Thursday's meeting, some Chinese experts noted that the military cooperation between both sides will be further enhanced especially in weapons and anti-terrorism sectors. "The talks will consolidate and deepen military exchanges between China and Pakistan, while new cooperation on military techniques might also be discussed," the Global Times quoted Song Zhongping, a military expert, as saying.

Weapon exchanges, including the mass production of FC-1 Xiaolong, a lightweight and multi-role combat aircraft developed jointly by the two countries, will be furthered after the meeting, said Song. China's authorization to Pakistan to produce ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, anti-ship missiles and main battle tanks in Pakistan is also on the agenda, he added.

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Pak jail authorities say Imran Khan is alive and healthy after ‘murder’ rumours spark panic

News Network

November 27,2025

Authorities at Pakistan’s high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday dismissed speculation about the condition of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, rejecting rumours that he had been moved out of the facility or was in danger. Officials said Khan was in “good health” and described the viral death claims as “baseless.”

“There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala Jail,” the Rawalpindi prison administration said in a statement, according to Geo News. “He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention.”

Amid swirling rumours on social media, Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urged the federal government to issue an official clarification and demanded that authorities allow his family to meet him immediately, Dawn reported.

The frenzy began after Khan’s three sisters called for an impartial probe into what they described as a “brutal” police assault on them and other PTI supporters outside Adiala Jail last week. Soon after, several social media handles circulated unverified claims alleging that Khan had been “killed” inside the prison.

The rumours intensified when a handle named “Afghanistan Times” claimed that “credible sources” had confirmed Khan’s “murder” and that his body had been moved out of the jail — allegations that have not been verified by any credible agency.

Imran Khan, PTI’s patron-in-chief, has been lodged in the Rawalpindi prison since August 2023 in multiple cases. For over a month, an undeclared restriction has prevented family members and senior PTI leaders from meeting him. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has reportedly been denied access despite making seven attempts.

In a letter to Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar, Khan’s sisters — Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr. Uzma Khan — said they were “peacefully protesting” outside the jail when police allegedly launched an unprovoked assault after streetlights were switched off.

“At 71, I was seized by my hair, thrown to the ground and dragged across the road,” Noreen Niazi said, alleging that other women present were also slapped and manhandled.

Adiala Jail officials reiterated that speculation over Imran Khan’s health was unfounded and insisted that his well-being was being ensured, Geo News reported.

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