China, Pak. conduct joint patrol along PoK border
Chinese and
Pakistan border troops have for the first time launched joint patrolling of the
border connecting Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with Xinjiang Province amid
reports that over 100 Uighurs have fled the restive region to join the Islamic
State (IS).
Details:
- This is the first time China-Pakistan began joint patrols in recent years though Chinese troops have been conducting patrols in the area since 2014.
- Though there was no write-up to provide details of the joint patrolling and what prompted both the countries to launch it, it coincided with reports of over 100 Uighur Muslims sneaking out of Xinjiang to join the IS.
- Currently, work is under way for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is to connect both countries through highways, rail, optic-cable network and pipelines. Once the $46 billion project is complete, Xinjiang will get linked to Pakistan’s Gwadar port.
