Author: Arif ArifArman

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The federal and provincial authorities of Pakistan authorities are scrambling to put together a plan to deport more than a million undocumented Afghans and other foreigners, Dawn reported on Thursday. This comes as a deadline looms to undertake one of the biggest deportation operations in modern times. Following up on the recommendations of the apex committee of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on September 27, the federal apex committee on Tuesday set an ultimatum to all undocumented immigrants, including a proportionately large number of Afghans, to leave by October 31 or face imprisonment and deportation. The short deadline has caused ripples…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: A shutter-down and wheel jam strike was observed across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as protests against high inflation and illegal taxes on electricity bills intensified. Shops in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Rawalakot, Kotli and other major cities remained shut and trades and locals carried out protest marches with slogans against the Pakistan government. Protesters shouted slogans like “Riyasat Hamari – Kabza Tumhara – Namanzoor Namanzoor” (Our land – your ownership – unacceptable unacceptable) and “Gundagardi nahi chalege” – State (sponsored hooliganism not acceptable). People in the region are incensed due to the brutal behaviour of security forces, violations of human rights…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: At least two people including a 12-year-old child were killed and at least one was injured as a result of a shooting at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the Pakistani Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Wednesday. “On October 4, at 4 pm, an Afghan sentry employed at Friendship Gate of Chaman Border Crossing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Balochistan opened unprovoked and indiscriminate firing at pedestrians moving from Pakistan to Afghanistan,” Pakistani newspaper Dawn quoted the ISPR as saying in a statement, adding that two people have been killed, including a child, and one child has been injured. The wounded…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: On 18 August, Pakistan’s media watchdog directed all TV channels to stop giving airtime to 11 people: a group including journalists considered close to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, individuals accused of criticising the military or the government, and others that have been ‘proclaimed offenders’ or absconders by courts. It was not the first time that the watchdog, PEMRA, whose members are bureaucrats, media professionals and members of civil society, was in the news in recent months. PEMRA has banned Khan three times from TV channels since he was ousted from power in April 2022. Nearly two hours after…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Ray Dalio, founder of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, said on Tuesday that the relationship between China and the United States is “on the brink of red lines,” although he does not see a war on the way. Speaking at the Greenwich Economic Forum, Dalio said that there are irreconcilable differences between the world’s two biggest economies, citing as examples the independence of Taiwan, the battle for chips and geopolitics. “U.S.-China relationship relations are in a number of areas on the brink of red lines,” he told the audience of investors, adding that a war is unlikely. “Neither country…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: China responded with mocking derision when Taiwan unveiled its first Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS), which displaces approximately 2,700 tons, at a ceremony in Kaohsiung on 28 September. Taiwan is planning to construct up to eight such submarines and, despite China’s rhetoric, they will present significant challenges to China’s military in any potential conflict. Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense, described Taiwan’s submarine program as “a broom attempting to hold hack the tide”. He also called the effort “idiotic nonsense”. With bluster typical of Chinese officialdom whenever it comes to the topic of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In the midst of escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the US military began two weeks of multilateral exercises on Monday with its Philippine allies and other foreign partners, according to CNN. As per a US Navy news release, Sama Sama 2023 will be the sixth and largest version of the drills as participants from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia join the US and the Philippines in the defence exercise. “In Tagalog ‘Sama Sama’ is a phrase that means ‘together’ and there could not be a…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The World Sindhi Congress (WSC) expressed solidarity with the ongoing struggle against the Marhi Jalbani Massacre in Sindh, Pakistan by holding a protest on October 1 opposite 10 Downing Street, the residence of the UK Prime Minister. A large number of Sindhi, Baloch, and other human rights advocates from across the UK joined the protest. On September 28, Pakistan Rangers and the Police fired indiscriminately at innocent villagers in Marhi Jalbani, Sakrand, Sindh, resulting in many casualties. The participants chanted slogans condemning the Marhi Jalbani massacre. The speakers emphasized that Pakistan operates as a security state devoid of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday barred a group of alleged beggars/human traffickers from travelling to Saudi Arabia on the pretext of performing Umrah at the Multan airport. An FIA spokesperson said that eight passengers, possessing Umrah visas, were primed for their journey to Saudi Arabia. However, during the standard immigration procedure, they failed to provide substantiated reasons for their travel. Following intense questioning by immigration officials, the passengers disclosed their true intention – to beg in the name of charity in Saudi Arabia. The offloaded passengers hailed from Punjab’s Lodhran district and comprised five men and…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Indian universities have made strides in the Times Higher Education’s (THE) World University Rankings 2024, with five of the nation’s leading institutions showcasing remarkable improvements. The Indian Institute of Science catapulted from its previous ranking in the 251-300 band to an elevated position in the 201-250 range. Similarly, Anna University surged from the 801-1000 category to a more prominent 501-600 ranking, while Aligarh Muslim University made noteworthy progress, advancing from the 801-1000 band to the 601-800 tier, according to an official release. Bharathiar University also saw a commendable ascent, climbing from the 801-1000 band to the 601-800 category.…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: light services of the Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) were disrupted after five three Boing 777 aircraft were grounded as they had no engines, ARY News reported on Saturday, adding that the fleet included two permanently grounded aircraft. According to the ARY News, a total total of 7 aircraft out of 12 are currently operational while another is lying dysfunctional in Jeddah. The national airline needs $60 million for the maintenance of its aircraft. Pakistan caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul haq Kakar has asked his minister for Privatisation, Fawad Hasan Fawad, to fast-track the privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Protests have erupted across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as citizens voice their discontent against exorbitant electricity bills. In response to a call by local leaders, residents from all corners of PoK have taken to the streets, demanding an end to what they perceive as an unjust burden of high power costs. Protesters have issued a stern warning, expressing their determination to bring the entire region to a standstill if their demands are not met immediately. A protester passionately exclaimed, “As you all know, since last night, a curfew-like situation has been created by the administration in certain areas and…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz senator Afnan Ullah Khan got an FIR filed against the former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s lawyer, Sher Afzal Khan, for allegedly assaulting him on a live media show, Dawn news reported on Saturday. The Pakistan-based news daily reported that the FIR was registered at the Aabpara police station on Friday under Sections 352 (punishment for criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation) and 506ii (criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Dawn News reported that PML-N senator stated in the FIR, “During the heated debate, Sher Afzal Marwat suddenly attacked me and tried to…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday said that Aditya-L1 spacecraft has travelled beyond a distance of 9.2 lakh kilometres from Earth, successfully escaping the sphere of Earth’s influence. It is now navigating its path towards the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1). This is a major milestone for the Aditya-L1 mission, and for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is the second time in succession that ISRO could send a spacecraft outside the sphere of influence of the Earth, the first time being the Mars Orbiter Mission. ISRO took to X to announce the update. “Aditya-L1…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Amid the ongoing protest sit-ins, the civil society activists in Muzaffarabad city in Pakistani-occupied Kashmir (PoK) threw electricity bills into the river and appealed to the people that they should not pay their electricity bills, Dawn reported. Tens of hundreds of electricity bills were thrown into the water and an equal number of them were torched in Rawalakot on Thursday. Since September 20, the People Action Committee in Muzaffarabad has set up a sit-in camp with an appeal to the populace to stop paying their electricity bills, first at a roundabout in front of the Press Club and…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The finance ministry on Wednesday forecast inflation to surge by 3-4 percentage points to 31 per cent in September compared to 27.4pc in the preceding month mainly because of a major increase in fuel prices. Inflation was likely to ease due to the double-digit base effect in September, but the significant rise in fuel prices offset it, said the Economic Advisors’ Wing of the Ministry of Finance in its monthly economic update & outlook for September. Together with this, the upward adjustment in energy tariffs is further likely to intensify inflationary pressures in the coming months as these…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: At least 50 people, including a senior police official, were killed when a suspected suicide bomber blew himself up near a procession commemorating Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Friday, confirmed police. Police officials confirmed that DSP Mastung Nawaz Gishkori was among those killed. Secretary Health Balochistan Asfandyar Khan Kakar said at least 100 people were injured in the attack. Officials expressed fear that the number of casualties may increase. According to Mastung’s assistant commissioner, the blast took place near Al-Falah Mosque, where people were gathering to participate in the procession. The area was cordoned…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: A heavy exchange of firing resumed on Thursday between two rival groups of Mengal tribe in Wadh town of Khuzdar district in Balochistan, suspending vehicular traffic on Quetta-Karachi National Highway and badly disrupting normal life in the area. According to reports, the exchange of firing continued between the men, who were waiting in trenches for over one and half months following a ceasefire negotiated by Nawab Aslam Raisani, the chief of Sarawan tribes, and other tribal elders. The clashes between the two groups have killed at least three men and injured several others since they started in July…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Sindhi Foundation organized a day-long poster campaign in front of the United Nations office in Geneva to make people aware of the plight of Sindhis in Pakistan’s Sindh province. The campaign was held during the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Besides slogans criticizing Pakistan and China for exploiting the resources of Sindh, the posters depicted the pictures of several Sindhi political activists, journalists and other intellectuals who were forcibly abducted, tortured and brutally killed by Pakistan’s secret agencies. Speaking to ANI, Executive Director of Sindhi Foundation, Manawar Laghari said, “The message…

Rishi Suri: The Khalistan movement, a Sikh separatist movement seeking an independent Sikh state called Khalistan, has had a significant presence in Canada for decades. This essay delves into the historical context of the Khalistan movement in Canada, its evolution over time, the current state of affairs, and the potential future prospects. Understanding the movement’s past, present, and future is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of Sikh activism in Canada and its implications for both the Canadian and Indian governments. Canadian Police official looks on to a Khalistani protest in Canada. 1.The Roots of the Khalistan Movement in Canada The…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Three Ahmadiyya places of worship were allegedly desecrated by police in Sheikhupura district. The first incident occurred in the Kirto area of Narang Mandi, followed by the desecration of a place of worship in Nano Dogar in Sharqpur, late on Sept 23 and Bedaadpur Virkan near Muridke, all in the district of Sheikhupura. In each case, the minarets of the places of worship were demolished. Ahmadiyya people have accused the Sheikhupura district police of being complicit in the desecration, rather than providing necessary protection for their places of worship. They alleged Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) workers pressured the police…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Activists from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have called for the exit of the Pakistani government from the region. Sharing that they have been living as slaves, activists from the United Kashmir People’s National Party conducted a protest outside the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Speaking to the media, UKPNP spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan stated that people in PoK have been protesting for the past six months against rising terrorism and inflation. The activists from UKPNP were accompanied by Pashtun, Sindhi, Baloch and Bangladeshi activists. Chairperson of the organisation – Shaukat Ali Kashmiri stated that people under…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) organised a protest rally in Geneva accusing Pakistan army for sponsoring terrorism and carrying out gross human rights violations. The rally started from Lake Geneva to Broken Chair in front of the United Nations and was attended by Pashtuns from Pakistan and Afghanistan. During the rally, the protesters raised slogans against Pakistan Army for carrying out genocide of Pashtuns by supporting terrorist outfits like Pakistani Taliban. The Afghans also accused Pakistan for targeting Afghan refugees and carrying out atrocities on them. Regarding the human rights violation and surge in terrorism in Pakistan, Pashtun…

INTERNATIONAL DSEK: Awami National Party central senior vice-president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Monday said his party was committed to fighting for the rights of Pakhtuns. He also demanded an immediate halt to power and gas outages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa insisting that the denial of electricity and natural gas to the residents is both unfair and unconstitutional. “We [ANP] are making a struggle to claim rights for Pakhtuns and will continue doing so. We have never fought for power and won’t do so in future as well,” Mr Hoti told a workers’ convention in the PK-81 constituency here. The ANP…