UAE aid ship bound for Gaza arrives at Al Arish Port
The third aid ship had departed from the Port of Fujairah on 23rd March, carrying 4,218.3 tonnes of food supplies, 370.2 tonnes of shelter materials, and 41.6 tonnes of medical aid, in addition to six water tanks, two septic tanks, and one diesel storage tan….reports Asian Lite News
The UAE’s humanitarian support continues in the Gaza Strip for the affected Palestinian people. As part of Operation “Chivalrous Knight 3,” the third UAE aid ship arrived at the Port of Al Arish, carrying 4,630 tonnes of relief supplies. The shipment includes food and medical supplies, children’s formula, shelter materials, winter clothing, and other necessary items.
The ship was dispatched under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), to support the people of Gaza and meet their needs.
Present during the ship’s arrival at the Port of Al Arish, Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of ERC, affirmed that this humanitarian aid batch aims to boost the UAE’s humanitarian and relief efforts aimed at supporting the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, launched as part of Operation “Chivalrous Knight 3”.
Al Mansouri explained a thorough plan has been developed, in coordination with ERC teams in the Strip, to distribute the aid shipment to beneficiaries in the most affected areas, noting that the ERC is exerting tireless efforts to keep pace with the humanitarian challenges in Palestine, especially in terms of food and other necessary supplies.
The third aid ship had departed from the Port of Fujairah on 23rd March, carrying 4,218.3 tonnes of food supplies, 370.2 tonnes of shelter materials, and 41.6 tonnes of medical aid, in addition to six water tanks, two septic tanks, and one diesel storage tank.
The ship’s cargo was supplied by the Emirates Red Crescent, the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation.
The arrival of the third ship is a continuation of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to provide relief and humanitarian support to civilians in the Gaza Strip, as part of Operation “Chivalrous Knight 3”, to alleviate their suffering.
WHO South-East Asia Director highlights region’s strides in promoting ‘My Health, My Right’ theme for World Health Day….reports Asian Lite News
Echoing with the sentiments of this year’s World Health Day’s theme – “My Health, My Right” – Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region, Saima Wazed, on Saturday, said that South-East Asia Region has made “notable progress” in advancing right to health.
“Our South-East Asia Region has made notable progress in advancing this right to health.
From enhancements in healthcare coverage to declines in maternal and child mortality rates, there are achievements to be celebrated,” Wazed said on the eve of World Health Organisation’s founding anniversary.
She also highlighted pressing issues in the region’s healthcare landscape, saying that there is not enough health service coverage and that the government’s expenditure to improve the services is also too low.
Addressing the dire situation where nearly 40 per cent of the population lacks essential health services coverage, the director underscored the urgency for increased government expenditure and improved access to quality healthcare.
Despite strides in healthcare coverage and reductions in maternal and child mortality rates, financial barriers persist, exacerbating the plight of vulnerable groups. The director emphasised the rise in “out-of-pocket expenses” due to inadequate government funding, hindering access to basic healthcare services.
“Challenges remain. Nearly 40 per cent of our regions population still lacks essential health services coverage. Current government expenditure remains unacceptably low, leading to high expenses for many,” said Wazed on the eve of World Health Organisation’s founding anniversary.
According to Wazed, under the theme ‘My Health, My Right,’ this year’s World Health Day serves as a poignant reminder of the fundamental human right to quality health services, education, and information.
“This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone everywhere to have access to quality health services, education and information. It tells us of the right to safe drinking water, clean air and good nutrition. It reminds us that quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination should be enjoyed by everyone,” she also said.
In light of these challenges, the director articulated a vision for Southeast Asia, characterised by “holistic approach to health and well being and are physically and mentally empowered to achieve their full potential”.
Emphasising health as a basic human right, the WHO Regional Director said, “We want a region where this right is enjoyed by everyone starting from before birth, including the most vulnerable, and covering every community.”
However, amidst commendable progress, disparities persist, with gender disparities in non-communicable disease diagnosis and treatment, and the prevalence of poor-quality care impacting health outcomes.
“From enhancements in health coverage to declines in maternal and child mortality rates, there are achievements to be celebrated. Financial hardships in accessing basic health care are unfortunately on the rise. Vulnerable groups encounter disproportionate obstacles in accessing health care. Gender disparities persist in the diagnosis and treatment of non communicable diseases,” she also said in a video message.
“Poor quality care takes a heavier toll on health outcomes than mere lack of access to care. However, amidst these challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to a rights based approach to health, we must ensure equality, participation, and accountability in healthcare decision making processes,” she added.
The director also urged governments to prioritise health investments and strengthen healthcare systems, while emphasising the obligation of duty bearers, including governments and the WHO, to uphold the right to health for all individuals.
“Let us renew our resolve to make the right to health a reality for all. Let us set course towards a future where health is not a privilege, but a promise–a promise to safeguard the dignity and well being of everyone everywhere,” she concluded.
WHO’s Constitution came into force on April 7, 1948, a date now celebrated every year as World Health Day. (ANI)
The Ukrainian leader’s starkest warning to date of the deteriorating situation faced by his country’s air defenses follows weeks of Russian strikes…reports Asian Lite News
Ukraine could run out of air defense missiles if Russia keeps up its intense long-range bombing campaign, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in remarks aired on Saturday.
The Ukrainian leader’s starkest warning to date of the deteriorating situation faced by his country’s air defenses follows weeks of Russian strikes on the energy system, towns and cities using a broad arsenal of missiles and drones.
“If they keep hitting (Ukraine) every day the way they have for the last month, we might run out of missiles, and the partners know it,” he said in an interview that aired on Ukrainian television.
Zelensky, who has been appealing to allies for weeks to rush in more air defenses, said that Ukraine had enough stockpiles to cope for the moment, but that it was already having to make difficult choices about what to protect.
He singled out in particular the need for Patriot air defense systems and said Ukraine needed 25 of them. The sophisticated US air defense system has been vital during Russian attacks with ballistic and hypersonic missiles which can hit targets within a matter of minutes.
His remarks followed a fresh spate of attacks that Ukrainian officials said killed civilians.
Two Russian missile and drone strikes, one in the early hours of Saturday and a second in the afternoon, killed eight people and wounded at least 10 more people in northeastern Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city.
In the eastern region of Donetsk, artillery shelling killed four people in the village of Kurakhivka including a 38-year-old woman and her 16-year-old daughter, and a 25-year-old man in the village of Krasnohorivka was killed, while in Odesa in the south, a missile strike killed one civilian.
Ukraine’s largest private power company DTEK says the strikes had hit 80 percent of its generating capacity and the grid has introduced rolling blackouts to stabilize the system.
The battlefield momentum has moved against Ukraine in recent months as Kyiv grappled with a slowdown in military assistance from the West and in particular from the United States.
“The situation is difficult, but nevertheless stabilized. The enemy does not advance: when it takes steps forward, ours repel (them), and it retreats. On the contrary, our guys are taking some steps forward,” he said.
Zelensky said he still believed that a major aid package would be approved by Congress where it has been stuck in deliberations since late last year facing determined Republican opposition.
“I still believe that we can get a positive vote in the United States Congress,” he said.
Asked by the interviewer about the possibility of Ukraine receiving the package in the form of a loan, he said: “We will agree to any options.”
He added that some artillery shells were being supplied to Ukraine under foreign initiatives that he did not name and that they were being used for defensive operations.
“We don’t have shells for counteroffensive actions, as for the defense — there are several initiatives, and we’re receiving weapons,” he said.
The interview was recorded next to a military fortification in northeastern Chernihiv region, which borders Russia.
It was not clear exactly which day the interview was recorded, but Zelensky met with a bipartisan group of members of Congress in the region on Friday.
Portugal’s new centre-right minority government led by Montenegro came to power amid uncertainty around its long-term viability…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his wishes to his newly elected Portuguese counterpart, Luis Montenegro, saying he was looking forward to working together to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries.
“Warm Congratulations to Mr. Luis Montenegro on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic. Look forward to working together to further strengthen our long-standing bilateral ties,” PM Modi posted from his official X handle on Wednesday.
Portugal’s new centre-right minority government led by Montenegro came to power amid uncertainty around its long-term viability as it faces a highly fragmented parliament, Al Jazeera reported earlier.
The Democratic Alliance (AD) coalition won the March 10 election by a slim margin over the outgoing Socialist Party (PS).
Montenegro said on Tuesday the government was determined to meet its four-and-a-half-year mandate, promising to act with “humility, patriotic spirit and capacity for dialogue”, while demanding the same from the opposition.
“The [expected] investiture in parliament [next week] can only mean the opposition will respect the principle of letting us work and execute the government’s programme,” he said.
Warm Congratulations to Mr. Luís Montenegro on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic. Look forward to working together to further strengthen our long-standing bilateral ties.
With just 80 seats in the 230-seat legislature, the AD will need the support of either the far-right Chega party, which quadrupled its parliamentary representation to 50 members of parliament, or the centre-left PS, which secured 78 seats, to pass legislation, Al Jazeera reported.
Chega, an anti-immigration party whose fast rise reflects a political tilt towards right-wing populism across Europe, has demanded a government role or a long-term agreement to support the AD, but Montenegro has repeatedly refused to negotiate.
Montenegro’s precarious position was exposed last week when Chega rejected his candidate for parliamentary speaker, who was ultimately elected with PS help. The PS warned, however, that such support was a one-off to unblock parliamentary activities.
Portugal, a country of 10.3 million people, is receiving more than 22 billion euros ($23.6bn) through 2026 from the EU to fuel growth and enable economic reforms.
The government has promised tax reductions for families and companies and higher pensions.
Al Jazeera reported that it has also promised to quickly address shortcomings in public healthcare, especially long waiting lists for treatment, and a housing crisis, as well as resolve simmering disputes with police and teachers over pay and work conditions.
The government can push some of its agenda through parliament with opposition support but the key piece of legislation–and its first big test–will be the 2025 budget.
Failure to approve a budget has in the past habitually resulted in early elections in Portugal, and it is likely that the AD will be forced to negotiate the spending plan, and possibly other measures, with the PS.
“The PS … must be clear about its attitude: be a democratic opposition or a blockade,” Montenegro said. (ANI)
This contribution by DP World Foundation is part of a community wide response to the campaign by individuals, businesses and institutions…reports Asian Lite News
DP World’s charity and humanitarian arm, the DP World Foundation, has joined a growing list of contributors to the Mothers’ Endowment campaign, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to honour mothers by establishing a AED 1 billion endowment fund that supports the education of millions around the world. DP World Foundation announced a contribution of AED 10 million to the campaign.
This contribution by DP World Foundation is part of a community wide response to the campaign by individuals, businesses and institutions, racing to support its aims of honouring mothers by enabling contributions to be made in their name, and highlighting their role in nurturing families and supporting the education of their children.
The campaign, launched under the umbrella of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, aims to support underprivileged individuals through education, which offers them a chance to improve their lives in a sustainable way and prepares them for the job market. The campaign also promotes the values of honouring parents, kindness, compassion and solidarity.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, expressed the profound significance of the Mothers’ Endowment campaign launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. “The campaign aligns with the vision of our wise leadership, fostering community engagement from individuals to institutions in charitable endeavours, thus ensuring their enduring impact on disadvantaged communities. These initiatives pave the way for a future marked by stability and sustainable development”, he said.
“We are deeply honoured to participate in a campaign celebrating the invaluable role of mothers and champions global education. Our contribution underscores our steadfast dedication to social responsibility and bolstering the UAE’s pivotal humanitarian efforts around the world,” bin Sulayem.
Aiming to revive the culture of endowment as a development tool, the Mothers’ Endowment campaign focuses on empowering underprivileged individuals and communities through education, thus contributing to the global effort towards realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Mothers’ Endowment campaign continues to welcome donations and contributions to the endowment fund from institutions and individuals across six main channels including the campaign’s website (Mothersfund.ae), as well as a dedicated call center via the toll-free number (800 9999). Donations are also possible via bank transfers in the UAE dirham to the campaign bank account number with Emirates Islamic Bank (AE790340003708472909201). Donations via SMS are possible by sending the word “Mother” to the following numbers (1034, 1035, 1036, 1038) for Etisalat by e& users. Other possible platforms for donating to the campaign are the DubaiNow app by clicking the “Donations” tab, and Dubai’s community contributions platform Jood. (ANI/WAM)
The WHO chief said more than 3,400 people have already been evacuated, and many more were awaiting Israeli approval to leave…reports Asian Lite News
Amid the continuing Israeli onslaught on Gaza in retaliation to the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, last year, and fears of a new front opening up in Rafah amid the ongoing war, World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Saturday said approximately 9,000 patients trapped in the Strip were in urgent need of evacuation abroad, CNN reported.
With healthcare infrastructure ‘all but collapsed’ in Gaza, thousands need treatment for cancer and kidney dialysis, as well as for injuries sustained during the conflict, Tedros posted on X.
The WHO chief said more than 3,400 people have already been evacuated, and many more were awaiting Israeli approval to leave, according to CNN.
“We urge Israel to speed up approvals for evacuations, so that critical patients can be treated,” Tedros said, adding, “Every moment matters.”
According to CNN, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated on Friday that Gaza’s partially functional hospitals can only provide ‘limited services’ and are overwhelmed with patients. They are also facing “critical shortages of fuel, medicines, medical supplies, and health personnel.”
According to the UN, more than 400 attacks on healthcare infrastructure in the Gaza Strip had been documented by the WHO as of March 12, affecting some 100 ambulances and nearly 100 health facilities.
Israel has repeatedly blamed Hamas for hiding behind civilians in Gaza’s hospitals and other medical facilities, accusations the militant group denies.
Meanwhile, nearly 400 tonnes of food aid are expected to arrive in Gaza by ship in the coming days, according to the non-governmental organisation arranging the deliveries, CNN reported.
Juan Camilo, a community outreach manager with World Central Kitchen, stated that the aid would be distributed to residents in the northern part of the Strip.
He mentioned that The Open Arms, a rescue vessel that recently delivered aid to Gaza, was towing a barge, while another cargo vessel, ‘Jennifer’, was also transporting aid.
World Central Kitchen mentioned that the vessels are equipped with machinery to expedite the off-loading process. Additionally, they noted that the aid includes dates provided by the United Arab Emirates for Palestinians observing Ramadan.
Earlier this month, World Central Kitchen said almost 200 tons of aid were delivered by ship in an operation conducted with the Emirati government and Open Arms, with support from Cyprus.
Truce talks between Israel and Hamas to resume
Truce talks between Israel and Hamas will resume on Sunday in Cairo, the latest attempt to bring about a pause after nearly six months of war in the Gaza Strip, Egypt’s Al Qahera News TV reported on Saturday, citing a security source.
An Israeli official told Reuters that Israel will send a delegation to Cairo on Sunday. A Hamas official however told Reuters the group would wait to hear from Cairo mediators on the outcome of their talks with Israel first.
The warring sides have stepped up negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a six-week suspension of Israel’s offensive in return for the proposed release of 40 of the 130 hostages still held by the Palestinian militant group in Gaza.
Hamas has sought to parlay any deal into an end to the fighting and withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel has ruled this out, saying it would eventually resume efforts to dismantle the governance and military capabilities of Hamas.
Hamas also wants hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled Gaza City and surrounding areas southward during the first stage of the war to be allowed back north. One Israeli official said his country was open to discussing allowing back only “some” of the displaced.
More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, according to health authorities in the territory.
The war erupted after Hamas militants broke through the border and rampaged through communities in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel kept up its aerial and ground bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Friday, killing 82 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, the territory’s health ministry said as fighting raged around Gaza City’s main Al Shifa hospital.
The ministry added that Israeli forces in control of the hospital had blockaded 107 patients in the human resources department without water, electricity, or medication for several days, refusing all calls to evacuate them.
Armed wings of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad said their fighters continued to battle Israeli forces around the medical facility, the Gaza Strip’s biggest hospital before the war, which had been one of the few health care facilities even partially operational in north Gaza before the latest fighting.
The Israeli military said forces operating in Al Shifa killed three armed Hamas commanders inside two buildings of the medical facility. Forces located sniper rifles, AK-47s, magazines, and grenades during the activity, the military said.
Israel said it killed and detained hundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad gunmen at Al Shifa during its raid there. Hamas and medical staffers deny any armed presence inside medical facilities, accusing Israel of killing and arresting civilians.
Law enforcement has apprehended all four assailants, with suspicions of assistance from five others, as per investigators….reports Asian Lite News
Russian President Vladimir Putin puts up a tough exterior, but he’s deeply disturbed by recent events in the nation, including the deadly terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed to VGTRK, TASS reported.
“The head of state takes these tragedies to heart. And believe me, just because you don’t see tears on his face does not mean that he is not hurt. And I doubt if anyone, including you and me, knows about his inner turmoil,” the Russian presidential spokesman said.
On the fateful evening of March 22, terrorists struck the music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region, just beyond the city’s borders. The latest figures report 144 fatalities.
Law enforcement has apprehended all four assailants, with suspicions of assistance from five others, as per investigators. The Russian Investigative Committee asserted that the attackers have ties to Ukrainian nationalists.
Furthermore, the Russian Emergencies Ministry’s department in the Moscow Region has updated the count of those injured in the terrorist onslaught on Crocus City Hall to 551.
“At the time of 6:00 a.m. Moscow time on March 30, 2024, the toll from the terrorist attack stood at 695 casualties, with 144 fatalities, including five children,” the ministry disclosed in an official statement.
Health officials informed TASS that the majority of those injured in the attack have been receiving outpatient care.
Last Sunday, Russia declared its first nationwide mourning since 2018.
A solemn minute of silence was observed in memory of the victims of the Crocus City Hall attack before the commencement of a charity concert near the makeshift memorial erected at the scene of the attack.
Candles, arranged to resemble cranes, adorned the stage; many attendees held candles in their hands. During the minute of silence, footage depicting cranes soaring into the sky was projected onto the facade of Crocus City Hall, followed by images of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
The minute of silence commenced at 19:52 Moscow time, approximately the time when the tragic events unfolded on March 22. Following the poignant tribute, a musical ensemble led by director Valery Gergiyev took the stage. Several survivors also joined the performance, sharing their harrowing experiences of surviving the attack.
Throughout the day, people continued to bring flowers in honour of the victims. Security measures were heightened, with the crowd being divided into multiple streams, and metal detectors were installed to ensure safety, TASS reported. (ANI)
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (L), the special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif attend the Decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) celebration event in Islamabad, Pakistan, July 31, 2023. He on Monday attended the Decade of CPEC celebration event in the Pakistani capital, during which he read President Xi's congratulatory letter and delivered a speech. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)
China’s substantial investment of $62 billion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) underscores the strategic significance of the relationship between the two nations. The recent attack on Chinese nationals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) underscores the vulnerability of the security architecture in Pakistan… writes Sanchita Bhattacharya
The recent attack on Chinese nationals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) underscores the vulnerability of the security architecture in Pakistan, which poses a threat to its strategic alliance with China in the context of the highly anticipated China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. The latest attack followed several prior incidents targeting Chinese citizens across Pakistan, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of foreign nationals working on big-ticket infrastructure projects. The repercussions of such attacks go beyond immediate casualties, leading to project disruptions, diplomatic strains, and economic setbacks.
During ten days from March 16 to March 26, Pakistan experienced five separate attacks, three in the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and two in the southwestern Balochistan province, which resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 18 people, including 12 military personnel, five Chinese nationals, and one Pakistani citizen. These highlight the severity of the security threats faced by Pakistan and the inadequacy of its security establishment. The attacks targeted Chinese interests, highlighting a new chapter in Pakistan’s struggle against armed groups.
In the restive province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver were killed in the latest explosion in the Bisham area of Shangla district on March 26. An explosives-laden vehicle rammed into a convoy of Chinese engineers in transit from Islamabad to their camp in Dasu in KP.
After every such attack, Beijing usually warns Islamabad of serious penalties if the culprits of the attacks are not identified and punished. This time also, in a statement, the Chinese Embassy strongly condemned the terrorist attack. “The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan strongly condemn this terrorist attack, express deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families, and are making every effort to handle the aftermath together with the Pakistani side,” it said. This time, however, Beijing has also called for a thorough investigation into the attacks, stressing the necessity of protecting Chinese interests in Pakistan. In response, the Pakistani government has committed to holding the culprits accountable and implementing measures to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and projects.
China’s substantial investment of $62 billion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) underscores the strategic significance of the relationship between the two nations.
This is not the first attack on Chinese citizens working inside Pakistan. Earlier, In August 2023, a Chinese envoy in Gwadar, Balochistan came under attack, although no one was hurt. In 2022, three Chinese teachers and their Pakistani driver fell victim to an explosion in Karachi, Sindh. Similarly, in July 2021 also, tragedy struck when nine Chinese nationals and four Pakistanis lost their lives, with around two dozen others sustaining injuries, in a shuttle bus explosion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). These incidents serve as stark reminders of the persistent threats and risks associated with working on critical projects like the CPEC. They not only result in tragic loss of life but also disrupt essential infrastructure projects, strain diplomatic relations, and create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty for foreign investors and workers.
The March 26 attack in the north was not claimed by any terror or militant group. The substantial escalation of threats has led to a reassessment of the safety of Chinese nationals living and working in Pakistan. For example, the March 26 assault in Bisham has resulted in the suspension of work on the Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha dams. There are concerns that 991 Chinese engineers may be planning to leave Pakistan. This trend of departure among Chinese nationals was earlier observed in April 2022, when 40 Chinese teachers left Pakistan in the wake of a violent incident at the Karachi University.
Unfortunately, despite repeated warnings, the Pakistan army seems to be unsuccessful in combating the terror attacks against the Chinese nationals. China’s frustration with Islamabad over repeated terror attacks on CPEC projects is evident. Besides cutting down on the proposed investment, and Chinese leaving Pakistan, Beijing has declined to include cooperation in the areas of climate change, energy, and water management, under the CPEC projects. Pakistan’s proposal for cooperation in cross-border tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, KP, and coastal tourism, as well as the setting up a new Joint Working Group (JWG) and the inclusion of a 500kv transmission line from Hub to Gwadar to link the seaport city with the national grid, were all rejected by China.
Even though CPEC remains a lynchpin of Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it would be a mistake for the Pakistani establishment to perceive the attacks as merely a security issue. They point to the broader vulnerability of Pakistan’s political-economy. Pakistan’s security issues, oscillating from its never-ending skirmishes with Afghanistan and the Baloch unrest in the west, require more than just a military response.
Pakistan’s leadership has placed a disproportionately high importance on CPEC projects. The dependence on China, along with its protracted financial crisis, has made Pakistan more susceptible on numerous other fronts.
The resurgence of violent incidents coinciding with the Afghan Taliban’s return to power and the involvement of assorted radical groups illustrate the multifaceted security challenges faced by Pakistan.
The persistent grievances in Balochistan against structural poverty and relentless resource extraction without any development in return have been studiously ignored. Addressing these issues requires prioritizing development, welfare, and local participation in decision-making processes in Balochistan. Failure to do so will only continue to hinder economic progress and security in the region.
The unclaimed attack in KP adds complexity to the security scenario, which underscores the multifaceted nature of security challenges faced by Pakistan. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive and multifaceted security strategy that goes beyond military responses. It necessitates enhanced intelligence-sharing mechanisms, robust border security, community engagement, infrastructure protection, and diplomatic collaboration. Moreover, public awareness and understanding of the importance of foreign investments and bilateral cooperation are crucial in fostering a conducive environment for economic growth and regional connectivity.
The collaboration between Chinese and Pakistani authorities in investigating the attacks and implementing security measures reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding mutual interests. However, sustained efforts and proactive measures are essential to mitigate security threats, promote stability, and protect foreign investments and personnel in Pakistan.
In conclusion, the recent attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan serve as a stark reminder of the complex security challenges confronting the nation. Pakistan must prioritize security and adopt a comprehensive approach to ensure the safety of foreign nationals, protect critical infrastructure, and preserve bilateral relations with key allies like China. Only through concerted efforts and effective strategies can Pakistan navigate these challenges effectively.
(Dr. Sanchita Bhattachayra is an eminent scholar of International Relations. She has been working on Pakistan for over a decade)
ISKP has in recent times become the recruitment ground for fighters from Central Asia and in 2022, it was estimated that the group had a strength of 1500 to 4000 fighters, many of whom were of Uzbek, Tajik and Kazakh origin. Recall that many members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) had originally pledged its loyalty to ISIS Central in 2015, thus signalling Central Asia as a fertile recruiting ground and ISIS target … writes Dr Sakariya Kareem
An Islamic State terror attack occurred at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia on 22 March 2024. Four gunmen carried out a mass shooting, as well as slashing attacks on the people gathered at the venue, and used incendiary devices to set the venue on fire. The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), an Afghanistan-based affiliate of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement through the IS-affiliated Amaq News Agency.
Amaq also published a video filmed by one of the attackers. It showed the attackers shooting victims and slitting the throat of a victim, while the filming attacker was reciting the takbir, praising God and speaking against infidels. Pertinently, the US subsequently claimed that it had warned Russia eighteen days in advance of the Moscow concert hall assault of a possible attack involving religious extremists from Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The US warning, as it were, is a stark reminder of the dubious role played by Pakistan and its intelligence agencies in creating and nurturing scores of terrorist organizations in the past several decades, including the ISKP. The impact of this terrorist infrastructure is today thus being felt globally.
As stated earlier, the ISKP was founded by a breakaway faction of the TTP in 2014. However, last year evidence arose of how Pakistan’s ISI had funded the ISKP. A former senior Islamic State leader publicly acknowledged that the terrorist organization was, and may still be, financed by Pakistan. Sheikh Abdul Rahim Muslimdost who was interviewed by the pro-Taliban media outlet “al-Mersaad” about how the ISKP was financed, Muslimdost claimed that it received money both from the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and, from Pakistan.
RUSSIA-MOSCOW-CONCERT VENUE-SHOOTING
It also supported itself by kidnapping victims for ransoms in various countries. Muslimdost also stated that financing from Pakistan has continued to this day. In the interview, circulated on Twitter by the Afghanistan Analysts Network, Muslimdost said that initially (in 2015) the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) had provided 50 lakh Pakistani rupees to the ISKP. When asked how the fact that the ISKP received money from Pakistan was compatible with the fact that the terrorist group attacked the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul on 9 December 2022, Muslimdost said that it was a false flag attack, “theatre” aimed precisely at denying rumours that the group was supported by Pakistan. “The Pak Embassy attack in Kabul was just a #Drama. Nothing happened to the Ambassador. Just a bodyguard was injured,” Muslimdost said. Muslimdost was a prominent member of the ISKP, a branch of the Islamic State (Daesh) active in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar, until 2015, when he dissociated himself from the organization. In fact, he was one of its founders. Pertinently, just as the US intercepted communications of the Moscow attack in advance, it also claimed that it intercepted communications confirming that the ISKP was preparing to carry out Kerman city attack in Iran in January 2024 which killed nearly 100 people. The ISKP later claimed responsibility for the Kerman attacks. The ISKP also claimed responsibility for the 2021 attacks outside Kabul airport that left at least 175 civilians dead, including 13 US soldiers. The ISIS affiliate was previously blamed for carrying out a bloody attack on a maternity ward in Kabul in May 2020 that killed 24 people, including women and infants. In November 2020, the group carried out an attack on Kabul University, killing at least 22 teachers and students. In September 2022, the group took responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing at the Russian Embassy in Kabul, a reminder that ISKP was prepared to target Russia for its perceived closeness to the Afghan Taliban.
Last year, Iran blamed the group for two separate attacks on a major shrine in southern Shiraz, the Shah Cheragh, which killed at least 14 people and injured more than 40. ISKP has in recent times become the recruitment ground for fighters from Central Asia and in 2022, it was estimated that the group had a strength of 1500 to 4000 fighters, many of whom were of Uzbek, Tajik and Kazakh origin. Recall that many members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) had originally pledged its loyalty to ISIS Central in 2015, thus signalling Central Asia as a fertile recruiting ground and ISIS target. The linkages between ISKP and other terror groups, as also with the Pakistan’s ISI are well known. With decades of experience in manipulating and managing the contradictions and conflicts between various terror organisations and using them to advance the agenda of the Pakistani state, the ISI used the ISKP to weaken the TTP inside Pakistan and target the Afghan Taliban inside Afghanistan. The whole Taliban-vs-ISKP narrative in fact is a creation of the Pakistani deep state.
Ehsanullah Ehsan, a former TTP spokesperson revealed (December 2023) the existence of the ‘Dabori Agreement’ between the ISI and ISKP, which ensured that the latter only targeted the Afghan Taliban and did not attack the Pakistan Army. Ehsan also listed the names of several ISKP leaders who were living in ISI safe houses in Pakistan. The ISI in fact penetrated the ISKP also by sending many LeT cadres to the ISKP with a view to manipulating the ISIS affiliate. The Pakistan-ISKP connection was also exposed with the obvious linkages between some ISKP commanders and Pak deep state. For instance, Afghanistan-based militant commander Abdul Rahim Dost, a former ISKP religious head, was arrested after 9/11 and Pakistan freed him a few years later.
This nexus was also exposed through Ismail Punjabi, who worked with the LeT in the planning of the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack. He had joined the Al Qaeda and then switched over to ISKP in 2015. He was killed the following year. In July 2019, Huzaifa Al Bakistani, belonging to Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, was killed in a drone strike along with nine other associates. He, too, was an ex-LeT member. Huzaifa was the son-in-law of Aijaz Ahmad Ahangar alias Abu Usman al Kashmiri, who had also joined the ISKP. He was an ex-leader of Pakistan-backed groups Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. Ahangar, 55, had been arrested in a raid along with ISKP chief Aslam Farooqi and 20 others from Kandahar province. Ahangar is the son-in-law of Abdul Gani Dar alias Abdullah Ghazali, former chief of the TuM and an LeT commander.
That Pakistan continues to be the epicentre of the global terrorism and is involved in the promotion of transnational terror was recently evident in the remarks made by Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement member Fazal-ur-Rehman Afridi who indicated that there is a link between the Moscow terror attack and the recent attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla district, in which five Chinese nationals were killed. He says, “It (such attacks) will not stop until or unless Pakistanis are made accountable for their actions. And whatever is happening, it’s through the proxies of Pakistan and the terrorists trained in the Pakistani training camp, especially the ISIS.” The reality of the Pakistan deep state thus stands exposed.
Kishore, who as the head of NDMA has the rank of secretary to the government, joined the organisation in 2015….reports Asian Lite News
Kamal Kishore, the head of India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has been appointed UN Assistant Secretary-General with the disaster risk reduction portfolio.
“Kishore brings to the position nearly three decades of experience in disaster risk reduction, climate action and sustainable development at the global, regional, national and local levels, having worked in government, the United Nations and civil society organisations,” Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday while making the announcement.
In addition to his rank as an Assistant Secretary-General, Kishore will also be the Secreary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction heading the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
He succeeds Mami Mizutori of Japan.
Dujarric said, “As part of India’s Group of 20 (G20) presidency, he led the G20 Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction and contributed to the development of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, launched by the Prime Minister of India (Narendra Modi) at the Climate Action Summit in 2019.”
Kishore, who as the head of NDMA has the rank of secretary to the government, joined the organisation in 2015.
The Geneva-headquartered UNDRR describes its mission as providing “leadership and support to accelerate global efforts in disaster risk reduction to achieve inclusive sustainable development and the goal of the Sendai Framework with the vision of a world where disaster risks no longer threaten the well-being of people and the future of the planet”.
UNDRR says it has a “ nimble work team of around 120 staff members” and five regional offices around the world.
Kishore is an architect by profession, obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology at Roorkee.
He also has a masters in urban planning, land and housing development from the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok.
He joins another Indian, Atul Khare, the under-secretary-general for operational support, at the senior management group, the upper echelon of the UN hierarchy, where Pramilla Patten, who is of Indian origin from Mauritius also serves as the special representative on sexual violence in conflict.
Of Kishore’s three decades of experience in disaster management and risk reduction, 13 of them were with the UN in New Delhi, Geneva and New York.
As the UN Development Programme’s regional advisor for South and South-West Asia, he provided support to “more than 10 countries on a range of public policy and institutional development issues, while also advising them on the use of appropriate risk reduction tools and methodologies”, according to the NDMA.
He has also helped recovery efforts after major disasters in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, his NDMA profile said.
In India during the Uttarkashi earthquake in 1991 and the Latur earthquake in 1993, he worked with the Action Research Unit for Development (TARU) on post-disaster reconstruction and resettlement.
Before joining the UNDP, Kishore was the director of Information and Research, and the manager of the Extreme Climate Events Programme covering Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre head-quartered in Bangkok.
