Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to both Indonesia and Qatar and pledged cooperation with the country’s operations in Afghanistan….reports Asian Lite News
Taliban acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Mersudi and Deputy Foreign Minister of Qatar Lolwah Al-Khater in Doha on Monday and discussed Afghanistan’s humanitarian, economic, and educational situation.
According to the Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister pledged continuing humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.
The Ministry said that they will support the educational sector in Afghanistan and will grant scholarships to Afghan students.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Deputy Foreign Minister pledged that Qatar’s Charity Foundation will open its office in Kabul in near future.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to both Indonesia and Qatar and pledged cooperation with the country’s operations in Afghanistan.
Earlier, Qatar has signed a letter of content with Indonesia based on which both the countries will cooperate in providing humanitarian and development assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
The agreement was signed at the sideline of the Doha Forum between Qatar’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Shiekh Muhammad Bin Abdurahmand Al-Thani and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Khaama Press reported. (ANI)
Minister Khalifa Sahib Sirajuddin Haqqani Hafizullah inaugurated the ANP Graduation Ceremony
Pic credits @Zabehulah_M33
The employees were allowed to enter the ministry only after they wear the hats as recommended by the Taliban representatives….reports Asian Lite News
The Taliban on Monday prevented the entry of beardless government employees to their offices in Afghanistan.
Eyewitnesses said that representatives of the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan stopped the staff members of the Ministry of Finance at the gate because they were beardless, reported The Khaama Press.
The employees were allowed to enter the ministry only after they wear the hats as recommended by the Taliban representatives.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice denied government employees having been stopped at the gate, reported The Khaama Press.
Spokesperson of the Ministry Muhammad Sadiq Akif said, the staff members of the Finance Ministry were stopped for instruction and recommendation by the representatives of the Ministry of Virtue and vice.
“All government bodies were instructed not to allow women without hijab and male employees of government administrations to fit their appearance in accordance with Sharia law,” said Akif.
The decision is condemned even by pro-Taliban figures reasoning Islam has never forced people to grow beards.
The Taliban after taking over Afghanistan last August has put many restrictions on Afghans and particularly women.
The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice earlier issued posters around the capital Kabul ordering Afghan women to cover up.
Meanwhile, the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan is a nightmare for Afghan women. They have imposed many repressive rules on women including banning education, work, and long travel.
After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, the incidents of threatening women are becoming a ‘new normal’.
The Taliban have also banned hairdressers in Afghanistan from shaving or trimming beards.
The group is re-imposing repressive laws and retrograde policies. They are imposing laws that defined its 1996-2001 rule when they enforced their version of Islamic Sharia law. (ANI)
It is reported that Chinese officials working on various projects openly eat pork and tortoise meat in front of their Muslim colleagues and labourers….reports Asian Lite News
Bangladesh is not only falling into the ‘debt trap’ of China but also the Islamic nation is hurt by the disrespect to its religion by the Chinese workers in the country, media reports said.
A large number of Chinese are working in Bangladesh as Beijing has heavily invested in infrastructure projects in the country. Reportedly, the Chinese image in Bangladesh is suffering due to disrespect shown towards the local sentiments.
It is reported that Chinese officials working on various projects openly eat pork and tortoise meat in front of their Muslim colleagues and labourers.
Sources reveal that Chinese officials even refuse to give time off to the locals for ‘Iftar’ during Ramadan month. Salaries have been deducted for those who left the working site for Iftar.
Several incidents have been reported where clashes have taken place between Chinese officials and local workers. Last April, at least five people were killed and dozens injured after police opened fire on a crowd of workers protesting to demand unpaid wages and a pay rise at a Chinese-backed power plant in Chittagong.
The USD 2.4 billion power plant is a major source of foreign investment in Bangladesh, and one of a series of projects that Beijing is pushing to cultivate closer ties with Dhaka..
In June 2019, hundreds of Chinese and Bangladeshi labourers clashed at the site of a power plant, leaving a Chinese dead and more than a dozen others injured.
Chinese projects in Bangladesh demonstrate the consequences of China’s failure to engage in open and transparent conduct.
Chinese state-run and private firms have invested billions of dollars in the South Asian country’s infrastructure projects – mostly in the power, energy and transport sectors.
The presence of large numbers of Chinese workers in Bangladesh has caused tensions with the locals as they not only fear job insecurity but also disrespect of its religion by hurting Islamic sentiments. (ANI)
In the decree, military officials are strictly asked to implement the order and the military commission has been given the task to disarm those who fail to implement….reports Asian Lite News
Supreme leader of the Taliban Mullah Hebtullah Akhundzada has ordered military officials onot to recruit teenager members to their ranking.
In a decree, Akhundzada said no teenager must be allowed in military bases of the Taliban regime and should not be given a part in any military operation, reports Khaama Press.
“Teenagers are unable to conduct military operations and the existence of underage members in the military ranking will lead to intrigue and notoriety.” Reads part of the decree.
In the decree, military officials are strictly asked to implement the order and the military commission has been given the task to disarm those who fail to implement.
Earlier, the supreme leader had asked for all the Taliban affiliates to be absorbed into the security sector of the country.
Israel and its neighbours believe any easing of sanctions and the delisting of the IRGC would embolden Iranian-backed militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon…reports Asian Lite News
Ahead of his meet with the Arab foreign ministers in Israel, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday said that the America and Israel “see eye to eye” on preventing Iran from obtaining atomic weapons.
According to Arab News report, Blinken sought to reassure Washington’s Gulf allies and Israel that the administration of President Joe Biden is committed to their security ahead of the possible renewal of the international nuclear deal with Iran.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel is “concerned” about the US intention to remove Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps from the US list of “foreign terrorist organisations,” adding he hopes the US will listen to “concerned voices” from the region on the issue, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office.
Israel and its neighbours believe any easing of sanctions and the delisting of the IRGC would embolden Iranian-backed militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Blinken met Israeli officials in Jerusalem on Sunday amid growing hints that the tattered 2015 landmark deal Tehran signed with major powers will soon be restored.
Speaking alongside his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid, Blinken said the US believes restoring the agreement is “the best way to put Iran’s program back in the box that it was in but escaped” after the US withdrew from the deal under former president Donald Trump in 2018, the Arab News reported.
Lapid said Israel had “disagreements” with Washington about the Iranian nuclear issue, which it was airing with its key ally in “open and honest dialogue.”
Meanwhile, Blinken has said his country has an “ironclad commitment” to Israel.
“Deal or no deal, we will continue to work together and with other partners to counter Iran’s destabilising behaviour in the region,” said Blinken, whose regional tour also focuses on calming the US allies in the Middle East over the emerging renewed nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Blinken and Bennett also discussed Israeli efforts to mediate on the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the “warming in relations between Israel and the countries of the region, particularly the strengthening of the Abraham Accords.”
The Opposition has submitted the no-trust motion against chief minister Usman Buzdar….reports Asian Lite News
After Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan Opposition has now submitted a no-confidence motion against the chief minister of Punjab province in the Punjab Assembly.
Geo tv reported on Monday that the Opposition has submitted the no-trust motion against chief minister Usman Buzdar.
This comes in the wake of the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Imran Khan and increasing pressure within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to remove the incumbent chief minister.
The no-confidence motion was submitted by the Opposition parties on March 8. The Opposition has been confident that its motion would be carried as many PTI lawmakers have come out in the open against PM Imran Khan.
The Pakistani National Assembly has a total strength of 342 members, with the majority mark being 172. The PTI led coalition was formed with the support of 179 members, with Imran Khan’s PTI having 155 members, and four major allies Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) having seven, five, five and three members respectively.
Earlier Geo tv reported citing sources that Buzdar has prepared a summary to dissolve Punjab Assembly. As per sources, the CM House has prepared the summary on Buzdar’s advice and he may sign the document when PM Imran Khan gives him the signal to do so. (ANI)
Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said: “People must shun the idea that Imran’s politics is teetering on the brink, especially after his ‘great’ rally in Islamabad a day ago.”…reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Monday insisted that the fate of the opposition’s no-confidence resolution against Prime Minister Imran Khan would be decided by March 31, Dawn reported.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Rashid said the situation on the day of voting on the no-confidence resolution could change even an hour before the vote, observing that it was the opposition, and not the government, that needed to show the strength of 172 lawmakers.
“People must shun the idea that Imran’s politics is teetering on the brink, especially after his ‘great’ rally in Islamabad a day ago.”
He also called the opposition’s campaign against the prime minister “a conspiracy to weaken Pakistan”.
The Interior Minister said international conspiracies were often hatched against countries with a weak economy.
“An independent foreign policy can only be introduced by a brave leader,” he said, referring to Khan.
In response to a question about the claim made by the premier that he had written evidence of a “foreign-funded conspiracy” out to topple his government, Rashid reiterated that international conspiracies were a reality, but added he no idea about the letter that the Prime Minister had referred to in his speech on Sunday.
Talking about national institutions, the Interior Minister said he saw Pakistan Army as a symbol of Pakistan’s integrity, Dawn news reported.
“They keep an eye on politics as a whole and not any individual … whatever they decide will be in favour of Pakistan,” he said
Unaware of ‘written letter’
Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Monday said he does not have any information about the written letter received by Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan that stated that money has been pouring in from abroad and some PTI members are trying to topple the government, Pak media reported.
He said the “written letter” provides evidence that “money has been pouring in from abroad,” Geo TV reported.
“I have never seen any government complete its tenure; however, my perception has changed after the historic PTI rally was held yesterday, where the turnout of supporters was massive,” Rasheed was quoted as saying by the Pakistani channel Geo TV.
He added that after 1977, this was his first time to lead a rally.
Regarding the Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) public gathering scheduled today, Rasheed said that the JUI-F is not allowed to hold the public rally today and sit-in as their no-objection certificate (NOC) has expired; however, the opposition party Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) has permission to hold their rally today.
“Imran Khan (Pakistani PM) is laying the foundation of an independent foreign policy,” he further added.
Rasheed said that he stands with the Pakistani PM whether he holds power or not.
Rasheed further said that he had advised the Pakistani PM to call for an early election after Hajj and also asked to dissolve the Punjab Assembly and impose governor’s rule in Sindh as Members of National Assembly (MNAs) were being bought.
Pakistani PM on Sunday, while addressing a public rally in Islamabad’s Parade Ground, flashed the letter before the people and said that he has “written evidence” that “money has been pouring in from abroad,” while “some of our people are being used to topple the government,” according to Geo TV. (ANI)
With the war having completed a month, India on Thursday abstained on a resolution pushed by Russia in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, reports Asian Lite News
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to come to India this week, days after the visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
With the war having completed a month, India on Thursday abstained on a resolution pushed by Russia in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
The resolution, which was perceived to be critical of Ukraine, did not get the required nine votes and failed to pass.
By its abstention, New Delhi signalled that it was not aligned with Moscow’s position.
India had earlier abstained on Western-led resolutions that criticised the Russian military action in Ukraine. Thursday’s abstention reflected an attempt by New Delhi to seek a neutral position as it continues to engage and walk a diplomatic tightrope on the issue.
Hours later, India abstained again on a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution moved by the French and the Mexicans, which got 140 votes in favour, five against, and 38 abstentions. This resolution was “strong” in its condemnation of Russia.
US President Joe Biden had said last week that among the Quad countries, India was “somewhat shaky” in showing its opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Australia and Japan, who make up the Quad along with India and the US, have criticised Russia’s aggression.
Lavrov’s visit is expected to focus on strategic issues resulting from the war, as well as specific discussions on purchasing Russian oil, payment mechanisms, given sanctions against Russian banks and exclusion from the SWIFT, and possible disruptions in the supply of military hardware.
The Modi government indicated in Parliament last week that it is considering offers of discounted Russian oil and a special inter-ministerial group headed by the Finance Ministry is looking into the payments issues for Indian importers and exporters that arise from the war and Western sanctions.
India would also be looking for clarity and assurances from Russia on timely delivery of spares and components for systems in use and of the deals underway including S-400 and Ak-203 assault rifles among others, as well as streamlining the rupee-rouble payment system for any future purchases.
Ahead of Lavrov’s visit, newly appointed Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov called on three of the senior-most officials in the Ministry of External Affairs last week: Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma, Secretary (East) Saurabh Kumar, and Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi. In tweets, Mr. Alipov said he held exchanges on Russia-India cooperation at the United Nations, G-20, and other multilateral platforms.
US President Joe Biden during a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. (Photo-Twitter@POTUS)jpg
Lavrov’s visit will be seen as an outreach to India as the US and European allies increase pressure to “isolate” Russia, and increase defence exports to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, and call on other countries to support their efforts.
US President Joe Biden said last week that he was discussing the possibility of ousting Russia from the G-20 grouping, with the next summit to be held in Bali, Indonesia in November this year. When asked, officials said India, which would host the G20 summit in 2023, was unlikely to support such a move.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Mexican Foreign Minister Ebrard will be in Delhi mid-week as well, while Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz will arrive ahead of Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennet’s visit next Sunday. In addition, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are expected to travel to the U.S. to meet their counterparts Antony Blinken and Gen. Lloyd Austin later this month, where possible U.S. sanctions on the S400 purchase could come up.
Lavrov’s visit will follow days after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi travelled to Delhi, and discussed the Ukraine issue, among others with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Jaishankar, where Jaishankar said the “common element” in thinking on the crisis was the need for an immediate ceasefire and return to dialogue and diplomacy. Lavrov is likely to travel to Beijing as well, for bilateral talks and a conference on Afghanistan.
India has consistently abstained from all resolutions at the United Nations criticising Russia thus far, and called for talks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken to Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky a number of times on the telephone between February 24 and March 7 while Indian students were being transported back from Ukraine, and diplomats have suggested he could help mediate a resolution.
The Indian delegation was led by Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying….reports Asian Lite News
The fifth meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries was held on March 25 through virtual mode, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said on Sunday.
The Indian delegation was led by Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
The other members of the Indian delegation included senior representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Tamil Nadu, Government of Puducherry, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by R.M.I. Rathnayake, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Government of Sri Lanka. The other members of the Sri Lankan delegation comprised of senior officials from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Navy, Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Police, Department of the Attorney General and National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency.
The Joint Working Group discussed all relevant issues in detail including the concerns relating to fishermen and fishing boats which have been on the agenda of bilateral discussions between India and Sri Lanka for many years.
Jatindra Nath Swain observed that the Indian side is always committed to work constructively with the Sri Lankan side towards the resolution of issues related to fishermen and their livelihoods in a humanitarian manner. He also took up the issue of the early release of Indian fishermen and boats currently in Sri Lankan custody.
The Indian side expressed its readiness to work together with Sri Lanka for joint research to enhance the productivity of the Palk Bay fisheries.
Both sides also discussed cooperation between Navy and Coast Guard of both countries in patrolling, existing hotline between the Coast Guards and related operational matters including cooperation in tracking poaching, prevention of environmental damage due to bottom trawling, addressing grievances of fishermen on either side, besides issues relating to investigation on recent deaths of fishermen and status of apprehended fishermen and fishing boats.
The Indian side highlighted the initiatives taken by the Central and State Governments to diversify livelihood options and reduce fishing pressure in Palk Bay. It also informed that infrastructure has been created to facilitate deep-sea fishing and promotion of alternative livelihood through seaweed cultivation, mariculture and several aquaculture activities.
The Sri Lankan side proposed a faster transition to sustainable fishing in the Palk Bay fisheries and also suggested that India can help them develop the aquaculture sector and the associated infrastructure in Northern Sri Lanka.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with commitment towards continued cooperation and dialogue to solve the fishermen related issues and to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group as per schedule.
It may be recalled that the First Meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) was held on December 31, 2016, in New Delhi. The Second Meeting of the JWG was held in Colombo on April 7, 2017. The Third Meeting was held in New Delhi on October 13, 2017, while the Fourth JWG met in virtual mode on December 30, 2020. (ANI)
Turkey resumes full gas flow to industrial plants as Iranian supply restarts
Pakistan LNG Limited’s (PLL) has also decided not to procure spot LNG cargo for April at the price of $34.677 per MMBTU offered by Vitol Bahrain in the bids opened on Friday….reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan is likely to witness another gas crisis in the upcoming summer season, as well as after the withdrawal of a Singapore-based LNG trading company from the commitment to deliver four LNG cargoes, The News reported.
Pakistan LNG Limited’s (PLL) has also decided not to procure spot LNG cargo for April at the price of $34.677 per MMBTU offered by Vitol Bahrain in the bids opened on Friday.
The Singapore-based company GUNVOR was supposed to deliver the LNG cargoes in the remaining months – one in each April, May and two in June – of its five-year contract ending in July 2022.
PLL had signed a five-year contract in June 2017 with GUVNOR, obliging the Singaporean company to supply the LNG term cargoes at 11.6247 per cent of Brent.
The company earlier pulled out of the contract thrice, first on November 19, 2021, second time on January 10, 2022, and then on March 11, 2022. This time, it is more than four times GUVNOR has defaulted taking the number of defaults to seven times in total.
GUNVOR cargoes were scheduled to arrive on April 15, May 14, and June 4 and 9, 2022, an official informed.
But, the trading company informed Islamabad that it would not be able to deliver the LNG cargoes in its remaining tenure of the term agreement.
