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  • Our Mutual Fight: The Case against Pakistani Normalization with Israel   

    The Pakistani government should never, under any circumstances and no matter the pressure, normalize with Israel. Doing so is not only dangerous – as it will embolden an already vile, racist, violent apartheid Israel – but it would also be considered a betrayal of a historic legacy of mutual solidarity, collective affinity and brotherhood that have bonded Palestinians and Pakistanis for many generations.

    The bond between Palestine and Pakistan is not one that is based on rhetoric. Rather, it is cemented through blood and sacrifice, as Pakistani fighters have taken part in the desperate Palestinian-Arab attempt at pushing back Zionist colonization of the Palestinian homeland in 1948. Whenever Palestinians think back of those who stood by their side during their times of hardship and collective pain, Pakistan always features prominently on the list.

    But it is not just this. The Pakistani Air Force also took part in the war of 1967 when Israel occupied the rest of historic Palestine and, more importantly, in the pivotal war of 1973, when Arabs and Muslims fought back. It was no surprise to learn that the Pakistani government recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the ‘sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people before the Arab League had done so at the Rabat Conference in Morocco in 1974.

    It is terribly sad to see that Morocco, despite the collective love shared between the Moroccan and the Palestinian people, has succumbed to Jared Kushner’s political designs to normalize with Israel. Trump’s son-in-law had launched a decided campaign to normalize Israel in the eyes of Arabs and Muslims, without forcing Tel Aviv to make a single political concession to the occupied and oppressed Palestinians. Countries like Morocco, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan sold Palestine so cheaply, in exchange for limited, selfish and, worse, unguaranteed gains.

    Pakistan cannot join this misled club. A country of Pakistan’s size, of its large and vibrant population and of the kind of moral authority it possesses is not meant to be an American lackey, dancing to the drumbeats of the US administration, of Kushner-like politicians, who are unable to decipher the long-term consequences of their actions.

    If Pakistan normalizes with Israel through any kind of diplomatic, cultural or trade exchanges, it will send an unprecedented message to the rest of the Muslim Umma; in fact, to the whole world that Muslims are now willing to coexist in a reality in which injustice, in all of its manifestations is, simply, normal and acceptable.

    What kind of moral authority would that make Pakistan, especially as it is leading the fight against the occupation of Kashmir and the perpetual injustices and violence that is experienced daily by millions of Kashmiris?

    From a very young age, all Palestinians are reminded that the struggle for Palestine is part and parcel of the larger struggle against the evils of military occupation anywhere in the world, starting with Kashmir. Every Palestinian mosque often ends its Friday sermons with a heartfelt prayer to Allah, to bring to an end the woes of mankind, from Palestine to Kashmir, to Afghanistan, to Iraq, to Syria and so on. At times, this camaraderie is all that Palestinians are left with, as the so-called international community has long-turned its back on the Palestinian people and their seemingly endless tragedy.

    But what would Pakistan gain from normalization with Israel, anyway, aside from lofty promises that are likely to be forgotten as soon as the Joe Biden Administration takes over the White House? What did Egypt and Jordan gain from their normalization and diplomatic ties with Israel, over the course of 40 and 26 years, respectively? They are certainly not better off in any way. Since then, the Egyptian pound has been devalued numerous times against the US dollar; it is almost worthless. Jordan, on the other hand, has been reeling under a prolonged economic crisis, one that seems to worsen with time.

    Additionally, the geopolitics of the Middle East is in an unprecedented state of flux. Since the seismic American decision to ‘pivot to Asia’ in 2012, its ‘leadership from behind’ in the NATO-led war in Libya and every other major regional event since, it is crystal clear that the US is no longer the dominant party in the greater Middle East region. With its Asian domain evidently shrinking due to China’s growing economic and political might and outreach and its ‘scramble for Africa’ facing numerous obstacles, the US is no longer in a position to dictate, neither to Pakistan nor any other country, on how to conduct its foreign policy. The upcoming US administration is likely to be busy for years in a desperate attempt to stave off some of the damage inflicted by the Donald Trump Administration, starting with amending some of its ties with its European and NATO allies.

    This is not the time to join yet more American political gambles, lining up Arabs and Muslims on the side of Israel to fight some imagined Iranian threat. On the contrary, this is the time for influential and well-regarded countries like Pakistan to champion their own initiatives, with the help of other peace and justice loving countries, to force Israel to respect international law, to end its military occupation of Palestine and to dismantle its system of racist apartheid. This will certainly garner Pakistan the respect and leadership it deserves as a global Asian and Muslim power.

    The Palestinian and Pakistani peoples need each other as vanguards against racism, military occupation and injustice. They must remain united at the forefront of this defining fight, no matter the sacrifices and the pressures. If Pakistan abandons this noble fight, the pain of this loss will be felt most deeply in the heart of every Palestinian, for generations to come.

    Pakistan, please do not validate apartheid; do not make military occupation normal.

    The post Our Mutual Fight: The Case against Pakistani Normalization with Israel    first appeared on Dissident Voice.

    This post was originally published on Dissident Voice.

  • Our Mutual Fight: The Case against Pakistani Normalization with Israel   

    The Pakistani government should never, under any circumstances and no matter the pressure, normalize with Israel. Doing so is not only dangerous – as it will embolden an already vile, racist, violent apartheid Israel – but it would also be considered a betrayal of a historic legacy of mutual solidarity, collective affinity and brotherhood that have bonded Palestinians and Pakistanis for many generations.

    The bond between Palestine and Pakistan is not one that is based on rhetoric. Rather, it is cemented through blood and sacrifice, as Pakistani fighters have taken part in the desperate Palestinian-Arab attempt at pushing back Zionist colonization of the Palestinian homeland in 1948. Whenever Palestinians think back of those who stood by their side during their times of hardship and collective pain, Pakistan always features prominently on the list.

    But it is not just this. The Pakistani Air Force also took part in the war of 1967 when Israel occupied the rest of historic Palestine and, more importantly, in the pivotal war of 1973, when Arabs and Muslims fought back. It was no surprise to learn that the Pakistani government recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the ‘sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people before the Arab League had done so at the Rabat Conference in Morocco in 1974.

    It is terribly sad to see that Morocco, despite the collective love shared between the Moroccan and the Palestinian people, has succumbed to Jared Kushner’s political designs to normalize with Israel. Trump’s son-in-law had launched a decided campaign to normalize Israel in the eyes of Arabs and Muslims, without forcing Tel Aviv to make a single political concession to the occupied and oppressed Palestinians. Countries like Morocco, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan sold Palestine so cheaply, in exchange for limited, selfish and, worse, unguaranteed gains.

    Pakistan cannot join this misled club. A country of Pakistan’s size, of its large and vibrant population and of the kind of moral authority it possesses is not meant to be an American lackey, dancing to the drumbeats of the US administration, of Kushner-like politicians, who are unable to decipher the long-term consequences of their actions.

    If Pakistan normalizes with Israel through any kind of diplomatic, cultural or trade exchanges, it will send an unprecedented message to the rest of the Muslim Umma; in fact, to the whole world that Muslims are now willing to coexist in a reality in which injustice, in all of its manifestations is, simply, normal and acceptable.

    What kind of moral authority would that make Pakistan, especially as it is leading the fight against the occupation of Kashmir and the perpetual injustices and violence that is experienced daily by millions of Kashmiris?

    From a very young age, all Palestinians are reminded that the struggle for Palestine is part and parcel of the larger struggle against the evils of military occupation anywhere in the world, starting with Kashmir. Every Palestinian mosque often ends its Friday sermons with a heartfelt prayer to Allah, to bring to an end the woes of mankind, from Palestine to Kashmir, to Afghanistan, to Iraq, to Syria and so on. At times, this camaraderie is all that Palestinians are left with, as the so-called international community has long-turned its back on the Palestinian people and their seemingly endless tragedy.

    But what would Pakistan gain from normalization with Israel, anyway, aside from lofty promises that are likely to be forgotten as soon as the Joe Biden Administration takes over the White House? What did Egypt and Jordan gain from their normalization and diplomatic ties with Israel, over the course of 40 and 26 years, respectively? They are certainly not better off in any way. Since then, the Egyptian pound has been devalued numerous times against the US dollar; it is almost worthless. Jordan, on the other hand, has been reeling under a prolonged economic crisis, one that seems to worsen with time.

    Additionally, the geopolitics of the Middle East is in an unprecedented state of flux. Since the seismic American decision to ‘pivot to Asia’ in 2012, its ‘leadership from behind’ in the NATO-led war in Libya and every other major regional event since, it is crystal clear that the US is no longer the dominant party in the greater Middle East region. With its Asian domain evidently shrinking due to China’s growing economic and political might and outreach and its ‘scramble for Africa’ facing numerous obstacles, the US is no longer in a position to dictate, neither to Pakistan nor any other country, on how to conduct its foreign policy. The upcoming US administration is likely to be busy for years in a desperate attempt to stave off some of the damage inflicted by the Donald Trump Administration, starting with amending some of its ties with its European and NATO allies.

    This is not the time to join yet more American political gambles, lining up Arabs and Muslims on the side of Israel to fight some imagined Iranian threat. On the contrary, this is the time for influential and well-regarded countries like Pakistan to champion their own initiatives, with the help of other peace and justice loving countries, to force Israel to respect international law, to end its military occupation of Palestine and to dismantle its system of racist apartheid. This will certainly garner Pakistan the respect and leadership it deserves as a global Asian and Muslim power.

    The Palestinian and Pakistani peoples need each other as vanguards against racism, military occupation and injustice. They must remain united at the forefront of this defining fight, no matter the sacrifices and the pressures. If Pakistan abandons this noble fight, the pain of this loss will be felt most deeply in the heart of every Palestinian, for generations to come.

    Pakistan, please do not validate apartheid; do not make military occupation normal.

    This article was posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2021 at 10:53pm and is filed under Apartheid, Bahrain, China, Donald Trump, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Militarism, Morocco, Occupation, Pakistan, Palestine, Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Politics, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, United States, Zionism.

    This post was originally published on Radio Free.

  • Pakistan goes after family of escaped human rights defender Gulalai Ismail

    Mohammed Ismail, above in 2019, faces charges of sedition and terrorism financing, which human rights defenders say are bogus and thinly veiled revenge against the family for embarrassing the state security services.
    Mohammed Ismail, above in 2019,.Credit…Saiyna Bashir for The New York Times

    Jeffrey Gettleman and Zia ur-Rehman report in the New York Times of 3 February 2021 that Mohammed Ismail, father of the women’s rights activist Gulalai Ismail, now faces harsh terrorism charges that critics say are about revenge, not justice. (Digest: https://www.trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest/laureates/91dafeaf-7056-466f-82b9-4a380ba6391a]

    Gulalai Ismail, one of Pakistan’s boldest human rights defenders and a stalwart critic of Pakistan’s security services, succeeded in escaping to the United States in 2019, humiliating the authorities who had been persecuting her. Now Pakistan has taken aim at her parents, accusing them of terrorism, and throwing her father, who was recovering from Covid-19, into jail.

    A bail hearing ended with Mohammed Ismail being led away in handcuffs. He faces charges of sedition and terrorism financing, which human rights defenders say are bogus and thinly veiled revenge against the family for embarrassing the state security services.

    Ms. Ismail, who now lives in New York and has applied for political asylum in the United States, said the charges against her and her parents were “malicious and false.” “This is about setting a precedent,” she said on Wednesday, by phone from Brooklyn. “If a woman raises her voice, the whole family will face consequences.”

    Ms. Ismail made a name for herself by spotlighting the rampant abuse of women and girls in Pakistan, especially gang rapes perpetuated by government soldiers. She also joined the Pashtun Protection Movement, a human rights protest group known as the P.T.M., and whose rallies became the focus of a massive crackdown by the Pakistani security forces. [see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2017/10/06/gauri-lankesh-and-gulalai-ismail-win-2017-anna-politkovskaya-award/]

    This post was originally published on Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards.

  • PML-N International Affairs G.S. notifies Middle East coordinator.

    Multan,

    National and Provincial Assemblies former and current members attended the ceremony, in the famous city of Sufi Saints, Multan.

    Speaking on the occasion, the PML-N leaders said that the PML-N is their favorite party, among Pakistanis all over the world, including the Middle East. Overseas Pakistan Muslim League-N is the vanguard, Sheikh Saeed Ahmed said that there are millions of Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries who stand with PML-N.

    Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif are united in leadership but we are trying to make the party more dynamic and active in the Middle East. At the ceremony, General Secretary PML-N International Affairs Noorul Hassan Tanveer also issued a notification to Sheikh Saeed as Middle East Coordinator.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • COVID-19 vaccination drive begun in Pakistan

    Islamabad,

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday kicked off Pakistan’s COVID-19 vaccination drive, once again reminding the people to continue to exercise precautions.

    Under the supervision of the prime minister, his adviser on health Dr Faisal Sultan, and National Command and Operations Centre chief Asad Umar, the first vaccine was administered in Pakistan given to a healthcare worker in Islamabad.

    “The more you abide by coronavirus safety measures, the easier it will be to protect everyone from the virus,” said PM Imran Khan, addressing a gathering to mark the occasion.

    “I congratulate all those present here for working at great speed to import a vaccine. We also thank China for gifting us 500,000 vaccines,” he said.

    The prime minister said that similar to the shot the doctor had received, healthcare workers across the country that work with coronavirus patients will be the first to be given the jab, after which the age groups most at risk will be administered the shot.

    The premier also sought to assure the nation that the vaccine distribution across the various provinces is being done in a “just” manner. “No one should think we distributed more vaccines in a given province than in others.”

    He stressed the importance of healthcare workers getting the shot as “all over the world it is the healthcare workers that are most at risk”.

    “I also wish to stress to the nation the importance of coronavirus SOPs (standard operating procedures) and especially, wearing a mask.

    The prime minister said that schools have been reopened and so will hospitals soon enough. “Our cases are at a decline right now. The more you follow SOPs, the easier it will be to save our people from coronavirus.”

    He said that other countries, owing to the high death rate, have had to go for complete lockdowns.

    “Our economy is running and it is the service sector that has been curtailed. If you exercise caution, then all remaining sectors will be reopened,” PM Imran Khan said.

    Provinces to begin vaccination drive tomorrow

    China’s gift of 500,000 vaccines arrived in Pakistan on Monday, with storage arrangements made in advance in Islamabad.

    Dispatch of the vaccine to all federating units has been ensured, said the NCOC in a statement today. It said Sindh and Baluchistan were sent the vaccine by air, presumably to reduce time and ensure cold chain storage temperature.

    It was earlier reported that Sindh will receive 8,300 doses which will be transported to Karachi via a commercial flight.

    A ceremony will be held at the Chief Minister House on Wednesday to kick-start the vaccination drive in Sindh, during which 41,500 healthcare workers will be vaccinated.

    Meanwhile, the Balochistan government has asked the federal government to increase its quota of COVID-19 vaccines as 5,000 doses can not cater to the province’s requirement.

    While talking to local broadcaster, the provincial government’s spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani said there are 22,000 healthcare workers in the province.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Building a Nuclear Weapon-Free World

    On January 22, 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) became international law for the 122 states who signed the agreement in July 2017. Article 1a of TPNW states: “Each State Party undertakes never under any circumstances to… Develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.”

    Initiated by a cross-regional group comprising Austria, Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria and South Africa, the TPNW was approved by the United Nations General Assembly by a vote of 122-1. The treaty required that 50 signatory nations officially ratify it before it could become international law. That happened on October 24, 2020, when Honduras became the fiftieth country to do so. And then 90 days had to pass, which occurred on January 22.

    Disregard for World Peace

    The nuclear nine – the United States, Russia, China, the UK, France, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea – boycotted the vote. In October 2020, the US government circulated a letter asking those governments who signed the treaty to withdraw from it. The US ambassador to the United Nations in 2017 – Nikki Haley – said that the TPNW threatens the security of USA. She asked those governments who had joined TPNW: “do they really understand the threats that we have?”

    The nuclear powers are in violation of the 50-year-old Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which requires them to negotiate to reduce and eventually eliminate all nuclear weapons. Instead, the nuclear powers are developing new nuclear weapons. The US is spending $494 billion over the next ten years, and more than $1.7 billion in the next 30 years to “upgrade” its arsenal of nuclear weapons. Powerful corporations will be making billions of dollars from the nuclear programs over the next decade.

    The US has withdrawn from one nuclear weapons treaty after another. Whether it is the Iran nuclear deal, Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty or the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty – USA has tried its hardest to undermine the idea of a world free from nuclear weapons. The last bilateral nuclear weapons treaty between the US and Russia, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) concerning strategic nuclear forces, expires February 5, 2021.

    As a US Senate condition for ratifying New START in 2010, the US administration carelessly initiated a multi-trillion-dollar nuclear weapons modernization program. Russia and China have responded with their own nuclear modernization programs. The new strategic arms are hypersonic – six times faster. Modernization also deploys more tactical nukes in conventional forces with the dangerous military doctrine of “escalate to de-escalate.”

    The allies of nuclear-armed nations, including all NATO members, have also opposed TPNW.  These powers lack nuclear weapons but are relieved that their guardians do. The notion of an “umbrella of extended nuclear deterrence”  provides them comfort. For that reason Japan, despite advocating for the non-use and eventual elimination of nuclear weapons, has refused to endorse the weapons ban.

    Nuclear Annihilation

    In January 2020, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the Doomsday Clock to 100 seconds to midnight – the closest it has ever been. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, founded by Albert Einstein and students from the University of Chicago in 1945, created the “Doomsday Clock” as a symbol to represent how close the world is to a possible apocalypse.

    It is set annually by a panel of scientists, including 13 Nobel laureates, based on the threats that the world faced in that year. When it was first created in 1947, the hands of the clock were placed based on the threat posed by nuclear weapons. Over the years, they have included other threats, such as climate change and technologies like artificial intelligence.

    As is evident from the Doomsday Clock, human civilization is moving closer toward possible destruction. One of things which can be done to avert such a scenario is for nuclear-armed nations to completely abolish nuclear weapons. The US and Russia have more than 90% of all the 13,410 warheads. Four countries – the US, Russia, the UK and France – have at least 1,800 warheads on high alert, which means that they can be fired at very short notice. A situation like this carries the threat of nuclear annihilation. Major nuclear powers should comply with TPNW to prevent such an occurrence.

    The post Building a Nuclear Weapon-Free World first appeared on Dissident Voice.

    This post was originally published on Dissident Voice.

  • NICVD sets up its 29th Centre at ASF Medical Centre, Karachi

    Karachi,

    National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in collaboration with the Government of Sindh has established its 29th Centre at “Airports Security Force (ASF), Medical Centre, near Pehlwan Goth, Gulistan-e-Johar”, Karachi to facilitate patients with chest pain with easy access and free of cost services.

    NICVD has introduced a new era of heart healthcare with the inauguration of “CHEST PAIN UNITS” to serve the nation at their quick approachable areas. This service is one of its kinds and is available for 24/7 throughout the year.

    The Centre at ASF, would be 15 Chest Pain Unit of NICVD in Karachi Metropolitan. Moreover, 1 Chest Pain Unit in Tando Bago, 1 in Ghotki, 1 in Jacobabad and 1 in Umerkot are functional, providing state-of-the-art cardiac care and treatment to patients at their doorstep totally free of cost. From a single solo hospital, NICVD has been transformed into world’s largest healthcare network in short span of 5 years, included; 10 full-fledged hospitals and 19 Chest Pain Units.

    In a statement, Executive Director of NICVD, Prof. Nadeem Qamar termed the establishment of the 29th Centre at “ASF Medical Centre” as another gift for the people of Karachi. Saying this Centre will link with the main NICVD, where all cardiac care facilities, including Primary PCI, Angioplasty, Cardiac Surgeries and other state-of-the-art facilities are available.

    In these CPUs a total of 483,089 patients have been treated and saved over 10,723 lives, since inception till December 2020, which is incomparable performance by any means in the world.
    Shortly, every district of Sindh and major towns would be equipped with NICVD’s Chest Pain Units so that people could be provided timely first aid in case of heart attacks.

    He maintained and added that NICVD in collaboration with the Government of Sindh is providing quality healthcare facilities to the nation totally free of cost; which are evident from establishment of Satellite Centers and Chest Pain Units in the province.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Riyadh businessman host a dinner in honor of journalist

    Zaka Mohsin, Riyadh,

    A well-known businessman in Riyadh, Ayaz Ali host a dinner, in honor of journalists in Saudi Arabia, in which role of journalists was appreciated.

    The dinner was attended by journalists who appreciates performance of Pakistani community apart from Pak-Saudi relations and said that, besides manpower force, Pakistani business community has also made country Proud through its various business activities abroad.

    This is positive attitude that will enable Pakistani community to move forward in a better way in United Nations and establish its own unique place, said Ayaz Ali. While promoting Pak-Saudi relations, they also stand with community and play a role in resolving issues.

    Saudi Arabia is one of the most important countries for business people and Pakistanis should promote Made in Pakistan products and use Pakistani products. This will further improve Pakistan’s revenue generation.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • ANP Saudi Chapter marks anniversary of Party founders.

    Zaka Mohsin, Riyadh

    The Awami National Party (ANP) Saudi Arabia chapter organizes an online ceremony marking anniversary of Bacha Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan. The event was attended by Presidents and leaders of various regions of Saudia Arabia of ANP. Workers, party officials paid tribute to their leaders.

    Mr. Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Central General Secretary of ANP also addressed this important annual function from Pakistan. In his address, he urged the workers to understand life and struggle of Bacha Khan, Khan Abdul Wali Khan and adopt their lifestyle.

    General Secretary of ANP Balochistan Mr. Mahabat Khan Kaka, Central President of ANP Saudi Arabia, Syed Muzammil Shah Syed Zaman, President of Dammam Region, Habib Younis, President of Riyadh Region, Fakhr Alam, President of Jeddah Region also addressed function and highlighted the philosophy of non-violence

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • E-commerce portal launched in Saudi Arab amid growing demand of Pakistani goods.

    Zaka Mohsin, Saudi Arabia

    The demands for Pakistani goods in Saudi Arabia is growing, businessmen needs to invest in retail market, which will also strengthen Pakistani economy, while Pakistani embassy, commercial section in Saudi Arabia also includes Pakistani supermarkets in Saudi Arabia.

    Pakistan Embassy also cooperates in promotion for Pakistani goods so that demands can be met. Saudi Arabia is a huge market and there is a great demand for Pakistani goods but small and big markets in Saudi Arabia have less availability of Pakistani food items while their demand is high. Other foreigners including Saudi nationals also like Pakistani goods and buy them with enthusiasm.

    Pakistan has not been able to exceed US 500 million in exports for a long time, so it is important that Pakistani businessmen take advantage of this investment opportunities provided by Saudi government. In this regard, Azhar Dahar, Minister of Trade and Investment at Pakistan Embassy, said that he is in constant touch with businessmen and Pakistan government to open retail chain stores in Saudi Arabia.

    In light of online shopping trend, an e-commerce portal is also being launched so that consumption of Pakistani goods in Saudi Arabia can be increased in a better way and demands can be met.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Rao Shokat Khan, elder brother’s Rao Shah Nawaz Khan, died in Okara.

    New York/ Okara

    A well-known PTI member and social activist in New York, Rao Shokat Khan, elder brother’s Rao Shah Nawaz Khan, died at 67 due to severe cardiac arrest in Okara, district of Punjab Province, Pakistan.

    Deceased Rao Shah Nawaz used to live in America and shifted back to Pakistan.

    Rao Shokat Khan, social activist and  member PTI, NYC .

    According to Rao Shokat, funeral prayers of deceased will be offered in his hometown. The Pakistani community in New York expressed their griefs on the death of Rao Shah Nawaz to his brother Rao Shokat.

    “May Allah raise Rao Shokat Nawaz Khan on highest ranks”, community prayed for deceased.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Exemplary steps of Pakistan for minorities becomes role models.

    Fazal Khaliq, D.C.,

    Pakistan will be only country in the world where Marriage Act is being implemented for minorities Sikh community according to their religious beliefs.

    The government of Pakistani is promoting religious tourism, and more facilities are being created for Sikhs coming to Pakistan in this regard.  This will make it easier for Sikhs around the world to get visas and visit their holy places.

    Addressing a function organized by PTI in Washington, Farooq Arshad, Advisor on Religious Tourism in Pakistan, said that Pakistan’s image is improving around the world and now Pakistan is known for protecting minorities.

    The promotion of religious tourism in Pakistan will bring economic stability to the country. In this regard, government is also appoints overseas coordinators. According to Religious Tourism Advisor, Pakistan will be the first country in the world where Sikh Marriage Act will be enacted soon according to religious beliefs of Sikhs. Junaid Bashir and Shahid Abbasi, senior leaders of PTI Washington also addressed the function

     Pakistan Army’s professionalism has significantly reduced incidence of terrorism in Pakistan, now country’s tourism, especially religious tourism needs to be promoted

    In such a situation, Pakistan’s tourist destinations can become the center of attention of the world, which can lead Pakistan to development and prosperity.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Grief, anger and a curfew as Pakistani activist Karima Baloch buried

    Family of women’s rights advocate, found dead in Canadian lake, call for police to reopen investigation

    It was the homecoming they never wanted. Five years ago, Karima Baloch fled Pakistan after her work as a prominent human rights activist put her life in danger. On Sunday morning, on the tarmac of Karachi airport, she was returned to her family at last.

    But though she lay lifeless in a wooden coffin, her body was confiscated by Pakistani security officials for hours. Then her home town in Balochistan was placed under the control of paramilitary forces, a curfew was imposed on the region and mobile services were suspended, all to prevent thousands turning out for her funeral on Monday. It was clear that, even in death, Pakistan viewed Baloch as a threat to national security.

    Related: Pakistan: where the daily slaughter of women barely makes the news | Mohammed Hanif

    Video: Relatives & close family friends were allowed to participate in the last funeral prayers of #KarimaBaloch. The huge participation of local women can also be seen in this video. People across the Balochistan were not allowed to farewell their leader.@Gulalai_Ismail pic.twitter.com/mTw6iP3rJG

    Continue reading…

    This post was originally published on Human rights | The Guardian.

  • PM Imran Khan instructs German Consulate for immediate problems solving.

    Matiullah, Berlin,

    On the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, an online open forum was organized by Pakistan Embassy in Berlin to listen the problems of Pakistani community.

    In an open session, several people from all over Germany, including Berlin-Brandenburg, raised their issues. Pakistan Ambassador, Dr. Muhammad Faisal, MRP Passport Director, Imran Yasir in presence of First Secretary Ali Raza and other officers issued instructions to solve the problems immediately, faced by community. Community also raises concerns over delays in dispatch of ID cards, passports and other passport related inquiries

    The Pakistan Ambassador said that an online inquiry has been started for Punjab from Berlin Embassy while an online inquiry will be launched from Frankfurt Consulate within next two months. The online inquiry is completed in one and half months.

    He also added that a limited number of works are being done around the world. We have also made a series of various applications online to stop the virus spread. While applicants must be belongs to Punjab for online Passport Inquiry.

    The Pakistan Ambassador said that many Pakistanis have died in Germany due to Corona virus. Due to lockdown, all funerals and condolence programs are restricted and prohibited. We express our condolences to the families of all deceased.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Nepal’s Sherpa to lead 55-member K2 winter expedition – a mission impossible

    Baltistan,

    Climbers of the winter expedition Mount K2, which is the second-highest mountain in the world, have left the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu on Friday for Pakistan.

    Thirteen of the world’s 14 peaks taller than 8,000-meters have been climbed in winter. But one still remains unclimbed the 8,611 meters K2, the world’s second tallest in Pakistan.

    Climbers say that avalanches are an ever-present risk, and in winter temperatures can fall to -50C. Winds blow up to 200km/h that’s equal to cyclone Fani, the most severe storm that travelled more than 900 kilometres from the Indian state of Odisha and blew nearly two dozen tents at Everest’s Camp 2, at 6,400 metres in May last year.

    K2 is also considered to be a technically very difficult mountain to climb and has been dubbed “Killer Mountain” for the sheer number of climbers that have lost their lives on the mountain.

    “It’s the planet’s toughest and most dangerous mountain to climb,” said Kami Rita Sherpa, who has climbed Everest a record 24 times.

    Eighty-four climbers have died attempting to climb K2, and only 306 have reached its summit. The death and success ratio is roughly one death for every three successful climbs.

    In contrast, 6,507 mountaineers have climbed Everest from the Nepal side since Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and New Zealander Edmund Percival Hillary first set foot atop the world’s highest peak in May 1953.

    In the summer of 1954, Italian climbers Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli became the first persons to reach the summit of K2.

    “K2 is 237 meters lower than Everest, but it is much challenging to climb even in the best conditions. That’s in summer,” said Kami Rita. “The weather in winter is beyond imagination. The weather is good only for 2-3 hours a day.”

    Kami Rita, who had climbed the K2 in the summer of 2014, said as far as K2 is concerned he is retired.

    But now a massive 55-member group of climbing veterans from around the world, including 27 Sherpas from Nepal, has set its sight on one of the most daring missions on the planet, which many mountaineers still call an “impossible project”.

    The extreme mission, that may cost more than Rs200 million, is being handled by Kathmandu-based Seven Summit Treks, which also devised the expedition.

    Chhang Dawa Sherpa, the youngest mountaineer to have climbed all the 14 highest peaks, is leading the K2 winter mission.

    Spanish climber Sergi Mingote, who has been attempting to climb all eight-thousanders without supplemental oxygen within 1,000 days, is the co-leader of the expedition. Mingote’s plan had come to a halt, after seven successful summits, due to COVID-19 related restrictions.

    Nepali climber Nirmal “Nims” Purja, who smashed the record for taking the shortest time to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter-high mountains and had also announced his plans to climb bid K2 in the winter of 2020-21, has joined the group. Through his website nimsdai.com, he has described K2 winter ascent as “the last great mountaineering challenge”.

    Other climbers include Noel Hanna from Britain, Arnold Coster from the Netherlands, Atanas Skatov from Bulgaria, Waldemar Kowalewski from Poland, Antonis Sykaris from Greece and Luis Carlos Garranzo Ibanez from Spain. Slovenian, Romanian, Swiss, Italian, Chilen, American and Finnish mountaineers are also part of the 55-member mission.

    The two-month-long expedition will begin from December 21 and ends by February 28.

    “Ten Sherpa climbers left for Pakistan on Sunday,” said Thaneshwor Guragain, manager of Seven Summit Treks. “The remaining 17 climbers from Nepal are scheduled to join them on December 18 and others from around the world will join the expedition by December 20.”

    The bid to climb K2 in the winter has attracted mountaineers for long.

    The mountain has been attempted more than 30 times in winter but all expeditions have been unsuccessful with the highest point reached being 7,400 meters.

    Last winter, Spanish mountaineer Alex Txikon, led one of the two expeditions to K2 comprising mostly Sherpa climbers. But it was unsuccessful. Several expeditions have failed in past years, mainly because of unstable climate, mountaineers said.

    “The K2 winter feat is very tough. If any member of the team climbs, it will be another milestone in the mountaineering history the first winter ascent of the world’s second-tallest mountain,” said Kami Rita. “Even Sherpas who have climbed Everest multiple times are scared to climb K2.”

    K2 is a rocky mountain up to 6,000 meters and beyond it becomes an ocean of snow, according to Seven Summit Treks.

    “It’s difficult even to reach the base camp of K2. We have to trek on the glacier for a week to reach the base camp and there aren’t any lodging and fooding facilities on the way up,” said Kami Rita, who has plans to lead two expeditions on Everest in spring next year.

     

     

    According to Kami Rita, one spot in particular is infamous in K2. That’s Bottleneck, a perilous couloir about 300 meters below the summit, which was the site of a 2008 tragedy in which 11 people were killed in an avalanche.

    “Winter brings with it a whole different level of danger and challenge. Numerous teams have attempted since 1987-88, but all have fallen short, Purja writes in his website describing it as a personal project.

    “Not only do the sheerness of the slopes and overall exposure create a technically challenging climb, but the weather is also always the great opponent on K2 all year round.”

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Ceremony in honor of new deployments at Pakistan Embassy, Riyadh

    Zaka Mohsin, Riyadh,

    A ceremony was held in honor of newly appointed officers in Welfare Section at Pakistan Embassy in Saudi Arabia .Deployed officers vow to prioritize resolving compatriots’ problems abroad.

    Political, social, literary and business figures attended the event, hosted by prominent businessman Bashir Ahmed Chaudhry and welcomed Welfare Attaché Malik Muhammad Abu Bakar and Naveed Afzal.

    On the occasion, Chaudhry Bashir Ahmed said that it has been our specialty that we work together with Pakistan Embassy for the betterment of Pakistani community. We live like a family that has always made Pakistan famous together.

    Welfare Attach Malik Muhammad Abu Bakar and Naveed Afzal said that they will always strive to solve the problems of the workers immediately and continue social activities in collaboration with Pakistani community. Waqar Naseem Wamiq, Abdul Malik Mujahid and others also addressed.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Karima Baloch, Pakistani human rights activist, found dead in Canada

    Husband says foul play cannot be ruled out after body of 37-year-old dissident discovered in Toronto

    A dissident Pakistani human rights activist living in exile in Canada has been found dead in Toronto after going missing.

    Karima Baloch, 37, was granted asylum in Canada in 2016 after her work as a human rights activist in the troubled Pakistan state of Balochistan had led to her being followed and threatened by the authorities.

    Related: Kidnap, torture, murder: the plight of Pakistan’s thousands of disappeared

    Related: Family of Pakistani journalist await truth of his death in Sweden

    Continue reading…

    This post was originally published on Human rights | The Guardian.

  • Iran, Tajikistan Among 10 Countries Designated By U.S. Over Violations Of Religious Freedom

    The United States has included Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan on a list of 10 countries designated for “particular concern” over religious freedom.

    The designation was issued under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 “for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a news release.

    The United States also placed Russia and three other countries on a “special watch list” for governments that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom.”

    The United States “once again took action to defend those who simply want to exercise this essential freedom,” Pompeo said.

    “The U.S. is unwavering in its commitment to religious freedom,” Pompeo added on Twitter. “No country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity because of their beliefs. These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked, we will act.”

    The countries designated for “particular concern” are Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

    The countries placed on the special watch list are the Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Russia.

    Pompeo also said Al-Qaeda, Islamic State, and the Taliban were among several militant extremist groups designated as “entities of particular concern.”

    The announcement also said Uzbekistan and Sudan have been removed from the special watch list based on “significant, concrete progress” by their governments over the past year.

    “Their courageous reforms of their laws and practices stand as models for other nations to follow,” Pompeo said.

    This post was originally published on Radio Free.