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Swat blast: Generating stock of questions

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The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack against a police van in Pakistan’s Swat province, escorting ambassador’s convoy is now generating stock of questions when banned Tehrik Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has not only disowned its involvement but has also made allegations against own security forces. Analysts believe it repetition of 2004-2005 strategy on the part of militants who are linked with al-Qaeda, declared an international terror group throughout the world.

Though District Police Officer Swat Dr. Zahidullah soon after the occurrence in chat with media accused banned TTP and the Counter Terrorism Police (CTD) registered a case against unknown militants but almost heads and responsible office holders of law enforcing agencies yet to establish such claims and charges. For the last two days, high level police and other security organs officials are engaged in prolonged discussions and consultation to find out the elements or hands, responsible for terrorizing ambassadors from important countries.

Whatever might be claims and justifications on the part of police and other law enforcing agencies as well but one cannot ignore the presence of hundreds of banned TTP militants who are scattered in Swat and its surrounding areas. These militants shifted from neighboring Afghanistan in accordance with a deal made by former ISI Chief and ex-Corps Commander Peshawar Lt. Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed who is now facing trials in military courts, also called Court Martial. Whereas a couple of days the British media has reported the presence and activating of Hamza Osama bin-Laden in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations Mr. Muneer Akram has also hinted at re-activating of what he called Internationally declared terror organization al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

A high level figure within the Federal Government when asked for his point of view after Swat bomb attack against police escorting ambassadors convoy has avoided to say something in this respect, adding, “it is a great game, how it is possible for a common men to comment when forces didn’t forgive its high level general (Faiz Hameed).” Swat journalists confirmed that the high profile ambassador’s visit to Malam Jaba was kept very secret and only a few high ranking police and security officers were aware.

Attack against ambassadors is not new and even in 2004 al-Qaeda tried in a failed-attempt to target ambassadors visiting Swat

Former Secretary Home Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and retired Inspector General Police Syed Akhtar Ali Shah says, “attack against ambassadors was not new for him as some dacoits arrested from Matta Swat in 2004 have confirmed links with Al Qaeda and had disclosed plans of targeting foreigners visiting Swat. The dacoits were part of seven who had robbed a bank in Choparyal Matta Swat. Five of them were killed during encounters with police when Syed Akhtar Ali Shah was District Police Officer. The arrested dacoits/terrorists were affiliated with Pakistani group Jesh I Muhammad, linked with Al Qaeda.

Now it is no more secret that like in the late 90’s, al-Qaeda is again active throughout Afghanistan, where Taliban rulers are making their best to make “SILENT” media and politico-social activists as well. Unlike the 90’s, this time al-Qaeda is being supported by thousands of Pakistani militants who are associated with banned Tehrik Taliban Pakistan. Besides, Pakistanis a large number of others like Uzbeks from Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Resistance Movement and Uyghur’s from Kazakhstan and China are also present along with their like-minded Pakistani and Afghan Taliban.

Beside al-Qaeda, Daesh is most dangerous for the very interest of South and Central Asian states.

Apart from al-Qaeda, presence, strengthening and activating of Islamic States (IS) also called as Daesh is most dangerous and harmful for the very interests of almost all South and Central Asian countries. The IS militants are stated financially, technically and organizationally sound and effective throughout Afghanistan. Majority of IS militants are Pakistanis who are familiar in Afghanistan due to their support and contribution in the war against the USSR and later against the US led war on terror.

No one can deny the fact that after changing its modus operandi after frequent resistance in war on terror in end of first decade of new millennium, the US through its most confidential aides like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan, had gifted again Afghanistan to Tehrik Taliban Afghanistan also called it Emirate Islami Afghanistan. Pakistan despite playing a major role in toppling of democratic regime of Dr. Ashraf Ghani but now it’s “self-acclaimed and most powerful” spy organ is fastly losing its influence and popularity in Afghanistan. Even Taliban through Qatar after Saudi Arabia are used like remote control by US spy agencies. It is premature to say something about the future of Pakistan but almost all of its politico-techno circles and analysts are also losing hopes. Most people apprehend the arising of a very critical situation due to rising terror and violent acts in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan, which is considered “hub of globally recognized militants and their pay masters from spy agencies of US led allies and its rivals.”

ASIA

China increases state funding for strategic minerals

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China is increasing state support for the exploration of domestic mines amid intensifying competition with the US.

According to an analysis by the Financial Times based on official announcements, at least half of China’s 34 provincial-level governments, including resource-rich regions such as Xinjiang, announced increased subsidies or expanded access for mineral exploration last year.

The increase in funding comes as control over the world’s strategic minerals emerges as a flashpoint between the US and China. The two superpowers are competing for resources needed for advanced technologies such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, robotics, and missiles.

“A series of major breakthroughs have been made in mineral exploration, significantly enhancing the ability to ensure the security of key industrial and supply chains and respond to external environmental uncertainties,” Xiong Zili, director of the geological exploration and management department of the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources, told reporters this year.

He added that the new mineral exploration plan focuses on increasing domestic energy resources and “strategic” minerals.

China is the world’s largest producer of 30 of the 44 critical minerals tracked by the US Geological Survey.

Seeking to break Beijing’s dominance over the sector, US President Donald Trump has prioritized domestic mining, as well as access to critical minerals abroad, including in Greenland, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, since returning to the White House in January.

Xi Jinping has focused on China’s self-reliance in science and technology and developing its ability to be self-sufficient since becoming the leader of the ruling Chinese Communist Party in 2012.

This effort has become even more imperative amid escalating tensions with the US, and Xi has turned to strengthening supply chains and prioritizing advanced manufacturing and newly emerging high technologies.

Beijing’s mineral supply chains are a critical geopolitical leverage point in the trade and technology war with the US. The government has allocated more than 100 billion RMB ($13.8 billion) annually to geological exploration investments since 2022, marking the highest three-year period in the last decade.

Last year, China also tightened controls over the export of strategic minerals, including gallium, germanium, antimony, graphite, and tungsten, many of which are vital for chip manufacturing, in response to US restrictions on technology exports to China.

Cory Combs, deputy director at the Beijing-based consultancy Trivium China, said that China provides subsidies, tax incentives, and other forms of support to the domestic mining sector “independently” of commodity market cycles.

“From a market perspective, this is extravagance,” Combs told the Financial Times. “But in terms of political and economic security, it is not at all extravagant; it is worth the cost. According to Beijing, money is not the only goal.”

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China delays approval for BYD’s Mexico factory amid US concerns

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The Beijing administration is delaying approval for the electric vehicle manufacturer BYD to establish a factory in Mexico, over concerns that the smart car technology developed by China’s largest electric vehicle producer could leak across the border into the US.

BYD initially announced plans in 2023 to build a car factory in Mexico, with intentions to also produce vehicles in Brazil, Hungary, and Indonesia. The Mexico factory was projected to employ 10,000 people and produce 150,000 vehicles annually.

However, according to two individuals familiar with the matter, local car manufacturers require approval from China’s Ministry of Commerce to produce overseas, and the ministry has not yet granted this approval.

Officials fear that Mexico would grant unrestricted access to BYD’s advanced technology and know-how, potentially even allowing the US to access it. One of these individuals told the Financial Times, “The biggest concern for the Ministry of Commerce is Mexico’s proximity to the US.”

According to these individuals who spoke to the Financial Times, Beijing is also prioritizing projects in countries that are part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure development program.

Changing geopolitical dynamics have also contributed to the cooling of relations with Mexico. Mexico attempted to maintain relations with Donald Trump, who threatened exports and employment by imposing customs duties on cross-border trade.

Trump also initiated a trade war with Beijing, imposing customs duties on imports from China. In retaliation, Beijing imposed customs duties on approximately $22 billion of US goods, primarily targeting America’s agricultural sector.

Trump’s team accused Mexico of being a “back door” for Chinese goods to enter the US duty-free through the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Mexican government denies this, but responded to US pressure by imposing customs duties on Chinese textile products and initiating anti-dumping investigations into steel and aluminum products originating from China.

The second individual stated, “The new government in Mexico has further complicated the situation for BYD by adopting a hostile stance towards Chinese companies.”

In November, shortly after Trump’s re-election, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that there had still been no “definite” investment offer from any Chinese company to establish operations in Mexico, despite BYD reaffirming its intention to invest $1 billion earlier that month.

Gregor Sebastian, a senior analyst at the US-based consulting firm Rhodium Group, noted, “The Mexican government clearly wants to receive some investment [from China], but its trade relations with the US are much more important.”

Sebastian stated that it would not be “commercially logical” for BYD to currently expedite the construction of a production facility in Mexico, noting that the absence of a robust automotive supply chain would force BYD to import numerous components from China, which would be subject to higher customs duties.

When asked whether US customs tariffs and Mexico’s tougher stance against China had halted the company’s plans, BYD Vice President Stella Li stated that “they had not yet made a decision regarding the Mexico plant.”

Last year in February, Li had said that they would choose a location for the factory by the end of 2024.

BYD reported selling over 40,000 vehicles in Mexico last year. The company stated that it aims to double its sales volume in 2025 and open 30 new dealerships in the country.

BYD sold 4.3 million electric and hybrid vehicles worldwide in 2024 and introduced the “God’s Eye” advanced driving system in February, planning to install this system in its entire model range.

Earlier this month, Tesla’s biggest competitor raised $5.6 billion from the sale of shares in Hong Kong, with the proceeds expected to support its overseas expansion.

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BYD shares soar on promise of ‘5-minute EV charge’

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Shares of BYD, China’s electric vehicle (EV) champion, hit a new record high on Tuesday after its founder, Wang Chuanfu, claimed their EVs can now charge as quickly as filling a car with traditional fuel.

BYD, a rival to Tesla, saw its shares rise by over 6% in early trading in Hong Kong, reaching HK$408.80 (approximately $52.62) per share, marking an approximate gain of 85% over the last 12 months.

The company’s billionaire founder, Wang, stated on Monday that the new charging system developed by the Shenzhen group for BYD’s own EV batteries can add approximately 470 km of range in five minutes.

This claim suggests that BYD has surpassed competitors like Tesla and Mercedes-Benz in fast-charging technology, although the new system depends on several preconditions, including sufficient voltage at charging stations.

There is increasing competition among EV and battery manufacturers to establish faster charging infrastructure to help alleviate consumer concerns about the driving range and charging speed of EVs compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

According to Chris Liu, a Shanghai-based senior analyst at Omdia consulting, China is estimated to install approximately 460,000 new public EV chargers this year, accounting for about two-thirds of the global total, bringing cumulative units to approximately 2.1 million.

BYD’s recent share price increase comes a month after the company shook the global automotive industry by launching a free advanced autonomous driving system, dubbed “God’s Eye,” which it plans to install in its entire new car series.

These moves put further pressure on Elon Musk’s Tesla and Germany’s Volkswagen, as well as a host of domestic competitors, who have been losing market share as EV sales have exploded in China in recent years.

According to data from Automobility, a consulting firm in Shanghai, BYD already holds approximately 35% of the Chinese EV market. It has an 18% share in the pure battery EV segment and a 56% share in the plug-in hybrid segment.

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