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‘Violent’ Mixed Martial Arts Banned In Afghanistan

The Ministry for the “Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice,” which was founded in 2021 following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, released the legislation last week….reports Asian Lite News

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has officially banned mixed martial arts (MMA), deeming the sport un-Islamic, according to a statement released by the country’s sports authority on Wednesday, media reported.

The sports authority’s statement, shared with AFP, explained that MMA was found to be “problematic with respect to sharia” and contained elements “contradictory to the teachings of Islam.” As a result, the Taliban government decided to prohibit the sport across the country.

An official from the sports authority further elaborated that the ban was partially due to the violent nature of MMA, which carries the risk of serious injury or death. The Taliban, who regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, have been enforcing a strict interpretation of Islamic law, recently solidifying rules on public behavior and dress codes, such as the prohibition of men wearing shorts above the knee.

Martial arts, in general, remain popular in Afghanistan, with four of the 11 Afghans who participated in the Paris Games, either on the national team or as part of the Refugee Olympic teams, being martial arts athletes. However, MMA has yet to be recognized as an Olympic sport, largely due to concerns over safety.

Meanwhile, with the enactment of new laws on “vice and virtue” by Taliban ministry that forbids women’s voices and bare faces from public life, women’s lives in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan have become even more limited.

The Ministry for the “Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice,” which was founded in 2021 following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, released the legislation last week.

That was the year that the military of the United States and other Western nations, including Canada, left the country, leaving a power vacuum that the militant group swiftly filled.

According to The Associated Press, which has reviewed the 114-page document, the new rules encompass many aspects of daily public life. This is the first official statement of “virtue laws” in Afghanistan since the takeover.

On Thursday, ministry spokesman Maulvi Abdul Ghafar Farooq stated, “Inshallah, we assure you that this Islamic law will be of great help in the promotion of virtue and the elimination of vice.” The laws were endorsed by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada the previous day.

Article 13 of the document addresses women, detailing how they should dress and behave in public.

Women are now required to cover their entire bodies, including their faces, in public to prevent temptation and avoid tempting others. As a result, the commonly worn hijab, which covers only the hair and neck without covering the face, is no longer deemed acceptable, Global News reported.

Women are now prohibited from singing, reciting, or reading aloud in public, as a woman’s voice is considered “intimate” and should not be heard. It is not clear whether speaking is also prohibited.

Additionally, the laws state that women are not allowed to look at men who are not related to them by blood or marriage, and vice versa.

Violating these rules could lead to warnings, property confiscation, or detention for up to three days. The ministry has already been implementing similar morality standards and reports having detained thousands for breaches.

Heather Barr, associate director of Human Rights Watch’s women’s rights division, commented, “A lot of these rules were in place already but less formally and now they are being formalized. I think this is a sign of what we’ve been seeing over the last three years which is a steady and gradual escalation of the crackdown.”

These new laws follow the Taliban’s imposition of severe restrictions on women’s freedoms since their takeover. In 2022, the group prohibited women from attending school beyond the sixth grade, whereas previously, women were allowed to attend high schools and universities.

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US condemns attacks in Balochistan, pledges support

Over 70 people were killed in multiple cases of terror attacks reported in the Balochistan province of Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News

The US on Tuesday condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, which resulted in significant loss of life and said that it stands with Islamabad in its fight against terrorism.

Sharing a post on X, the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs of the US State Department said, “The United States strongly condemns the multiple attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province which took many lives.”

Expressing condolences who lost their lives in the attacks, it further added, “Any violence disrupting peace and stability is indefensible. We stand with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and we send our deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones.”

Notably, over 70 people were killed in multiple cases of terror attacks reported in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, Al Jazeera reported citing military and police officials.

The country’s military said 14 soldiers and police were killed. 21 terrorists were also killed in fighting in a major attack that targeted vehicles on a major highway in Bela, a town in Lasbela district.

In a separate attack in Musakhel district, local officials said at least 23 civilians were killed after attackers reportedly stopped their convoy, checked their IDs and determined they were from Punjab. 35 vehicles were also set ablaze in the incident.

10 people – five police and five civilians – were reportedly killed in Kalat in an attack on a police post and a highway.

On Monday, rail traffic with Quetta was also suspended following blasts on a rail bridge in the town of Bolan, linking the provincial capital to the rest of Pakistan, as well as on a rail link to neighbouring Iran, railways official Muhammad Kashif said.

Six unidentified bodies have been found by the police so far, near the attack site on the railway bridge.

Balochistan province has had a simmering rebellion for years, with several armed groups present. Rights groups have denounced Pakistan’s response to the movement, which they document as including enforced disappearances and other forms of state repression, Al Jazeera reported.

The attacks, along the highway that connects to the province of Punjab, came shortly after the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) warned people to stay away from highways in the province. (ANI)

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Afghan govt claims big drop in crime rate

Omari said that 34 kidnappers have been killed and 76 arrested in 250 operations carried out by the security forces to solve kidnapping incidents….reports Asian Lite News

Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry has said that the number of registered criminal cases in the war-torn country decreased by 30 per cent from July last year to July this year.

Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Nabi Omari, while presenting the Annual Performance Report in Kabul on Tuesday, highlighted that it is for the first time in four decades that citizens of the country are able to live safely and travel freely between provinces due to enhanced security measures, Xinhua news agency reported.

Omari said that the Ministry’s activities are now systematically regulated and managed according to a strategic plan guided by the decrees of Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada and court verdicts.

“The 30 per cent nationwide decrease in crime rate is a testament to the relentless efforts put in by the national forces. To further strengthen security, the Ministry has taken steps to professionalise and equip national police training centres, ensuring the police are now fully capable of countering any threats,” the Minister added.

Omari said that 34 kidnappers have been killed and 76 arrested in 250 operations carried out by the security forces to solve kidnapping incidents.

The Minister also mentioned that efforts have been intensified to combat the menace of narcotics, leading to the destruction of poppy fields, the treatment of addicts, and stringent legal actions against those involved in the drug trade.

“Over the past year, authorities seized 3,643 tonnes of narcotics, dismantled 790 drug production and processing facilities, and arrested 10,564 suspects. Additionally, 27,891 addicts were referred to treatment centres, and 17,651 hectares of land were cleared of poppy cultivation,” the Minister noted.

“A large amount of foreign currency, including $1.95 million, €845,000, 4.83 million Saudi Riyals, and 100,000 Dirhams has also been seized from various airports, and people trying to smuggle it have been put behind bars,” the Ministry said.

“Police personnel have made significant strides in combating criminal offences, leading to a 30 per cent reduction in criminal cases compared to the previous year,” said the Ministry’s spokesman, Mufti Abdul Mateen Qani.

According to Qani, police forces conducted 250 operations against human traffickers during this period, resulting in the arrest of 76 kidnappers and the deaths of 34 others in clashes with police.

Additionally, Qani reported that 10,564 individuals were arrested on charges related to drug trafficking, sales and purchases. Furthermore, 790 drug factories were dismantled during the same period.

The Afghan caretaker government, since taking power in August 2021, has vowed to crack down on criminal elements to ensure law and order in the country.

ALSO READ: EU ‘appalled’ by Taliban’s new morality law

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EU ‘appalled’ by Taliban’s new morality law

The so-called law imposes dress codes, notably ordering women to cover their bodies and faces in public….reports Asian Lite News

The European Union on Tuesday said that it is “appalled” by the recent decree issued by the Taliban which imposes severe restrictions on the life of Afghans, especially women.

The Taliban-led Afghan government announced last week the ratification of ‘Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice’, with 35 articles detailing significant restrictions on the Afghan population with arbitrary and potentially severe enforcement mechanisms.

The so-called law imposes dress codes, notably ordering women to cover their bodies and faces in public. The decree also imposes that the voices of women must not be heard in public, which effectively deprives Afghan women of their fundamental right to freedom of expression.

The statement of the High Representative released on behalf of the EU stated that the decree further extends the power of the Afghan ministry beyond an advisory role as it is now being given a clear mandate to enforce the decree.

“This, together with the restrictions imposed, punishable under Taliban law, violates legal obligations and Treaties to which Afghanistan is a State Party, including by undermining Afghan people’s right to due process,” said EU Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell. 

The EU maintained that it continues to stand by the women and girls of Afghanistan, and by all those in Afghanistan “threatened” by the Taliban.

“This latest decision is another serious blow undermining the rights of Afghan women and girls, which we cannot tolerate. We urge the Taliban to put an end to these systematic and systemic abuses against Afghan women and girls, which may amount to gender persecution, which is a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which Afghanistan is a State Party,” Borrell added.

The European Union also made it clear that the decree has created yet another “self-imposed obstacle” to normalised relations and recognition by the international community, to which the Taliban publicly aspire.

“Such possible recognition, as stated in the UN’s independent assessment, of which the UNSC Resolution 2721 (2023) took positive note, would require the Taliban to fully respect both their obligations towards the citizens of Afghanistan and Afghanistan’s international obligations,” the EU statement mentioned.

On Sunday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had also slammed the promulgation of morality law by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities.

“It is a distressing vision for Afghanistan’s future, where moral inspectors have discretionary powers to threaten and detain anyone based on broad and sometimes vague lists of infractions,” said Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNAMA.

“It extends the already intolerable restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls, with even the sound of a female voice outside the home apparently deemed a moral violation,” she said.

UNAMA said that it is studying the newly-ratified law and its implications for the Afghan people, as well as its potential impact on United Nations and other vital humanitarian assistance for the country, and is seeking clarification from the de facto authorities on a number of articles and on plans for enforcement.

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UN expresses concern on Afghan morality law

Otunbayeva emphasized that the law imposes intolerable restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls…reports Asian Lite News

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan expressed deep concern on Sunday regarding the new morality law imposed by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities, which imposes restrictions on personal conduct, and said that the law is a distressing vision for Afghanistan’s future.

Taliban authorities this week announced the ratification of a Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, with 35 articles detailing restrictions on the Afghan population with arbitrary and severe enforcement mechanisms.

In a statement released on Sunday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said, “UNAMA is concerned by the promulgation by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities of a morality law which imposes wide-ranging and far-reaching restrictions on personal conduct and provides morality police with broad powers of enforcement.”

“It is a distressing vision for Afghanistan’s future, where moral inspectors have discretionary powers to threaten and detain anyone based on broad and sometimes vague lists of infractions,” said Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNAMA.

Otunbayeva emphasized that the law imposes intolerable restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls. “It extends the already intolerable restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls, with even the sound of a female voice outside the home apparently deemed a moral violation,” she said.

“After decades of war and in the midst of a terrible humanitarian crisis, the Afghan people deserve much better than being threatened or jailed if they happen to be late for prayers, glance at a member of the opposite sex who is not a family member, or possess a photo of a loved one,” Otunbayeva added.

Notably, the Ministry for the “Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice,” which was founded in 2021 following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, released the legislation on Wednesday.

On Thursday, ministry spokesman Maulvi Abdul Ghafar Farooq stated, “Inshallah, we assure you that this Islamic law will be of great help in the promotion of virtue and the elimination of vice.” The laws were endorsed by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada the previous day.

Article 13 of the document addresses women, detailing how they should dress and behave in public. Women are now required to cover their entire bodies, including their faces, in public to prevent temptation and avoid tempting others. As a result, the commonly worn hijab, which covers only the hair and neck without covering the face, is no longer deemed acceptable, Global News had reported.

Women are now prohibited from singing, reciting, or reading aloud in public, as a woman’s voice is considered “intimate” and should not be heard. It is not clear whether speaking is also prohibited.

Additionally, the laws state that women are not allowed to look at men who are not related to them by blood or marriage, and vice versa. Violating these rules could lead to warnings, property confiscation, or detention for up to three days. The ministry has already been implementing similar morality standards and reports having detained thousands for breaches. (ANI)

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US still hunts attackers who killed Americans during Afghan exit

Terrorism.

The attack three years ago next Monday marked a devastating low point in an operation that critics have lambasted as chaotic…reports Asian Lite News

Three years after the suicide bomber attack at Afghanistan’s Abbey Gate that killed 13 US service personnel and about 170 Afghan civilians, the network behind the perpetrator is “pretty degraded” but not eliminated, the Pentagon’s civilian commando chief said.

“A lot of allied and partner disruptions” of the ISIS-K network have reduced its “capability to conduct such an attack,” Christopher Maier, assistant secretary for special operations and low-intensity conflict, said in a brief interview after a breakfast meeting with reporters Friday.

President Joe Biden promised on the day of the attack outside Hamid Karzai International Airport that “we will not forgive, we will not forget, we will hunt you down and make you pay.” Maier said “we are in the process of doing that,” and “we have made significant dents in this network that conducted the Abbey Gate attack.”

The attack three years ago next Monday marked a devastating low point in an operation that critics have lambasted as chaotic even as 124,000 Afghans were evacuated amid the US exit from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover of the country.

Republicans have seized on the attack to blast Biden’s foreign policy. During his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in July, former President Donald Trump said US standing in the world “began to unravel with the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the worst humiliation in the history of our country.”

Trump forged a February 2020 deal with the Taliban, but not the Afghan government, that set an initial timetable for US troop withdrawals from Afghanistan, which Biden modified. Trump and the Republican Party blame Biden – and now Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee to succeed him – for how the withdrawal was carried out.

During the breakfast with reporters, Maier said “we continue to assess that Abbey Gate” was the work of “more than one individual” who benefited from the ISIS-K infrastructure. Since then, he said, the US and partners “have had clear cases where we’ve been able to disrupt the network that was associated with Abbey Gate.”

“One of the things we have been able to benefit from is Central Asian countries more attuned from the threat from Afghanistan,” he said. “Some of the recent plots that have been foiled point to direct support from some of these partners,” he said, without naming the countries involved.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee plans to release its review of the withdrawal from Afghanistan early next month.

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TAPI Pipeline: Can Pakistan Overcome Its Legacy of Failure?

Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline.(wikipedia)

Recent diplomatic activities underscore the project’s importance and the growing impatience of Pakistan’s partners…writes Dr Sakariya Kareem

As Pakistan prepares to embark on its role in the ambitious Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, the nation stands at a critical juncture. This massive undertaking, spanning 1,735 kilometers and boasting an annual capacity of 33 billion cubic meters, represents not just an opportunity for energy security but a test of Pakistan’s ability to shed its troubled history of mismanagement and corruption in international collaborations. 

The TAPI pipeline promises to be a game-changer for the region’s energy landscape, with Pakistan set to receive 13 billion cubic meters of gas per year – enough to meet about a quarter of its annual needs.  This influx of energy could be transformative for a country long plagued by power shortages and economic instability. However, the path to realizing these benefits is fraught with challenges, many of which stem from Pakistan’s own historical shortcomings.

Recent diplomatic activities underscore the project’s importance and the growing impatience of Pakistan’s partners. The upcoming visit of former Turkmenistan President Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov to Islamabad, after an eight-year hiatus, signals a renewed push for implementation. Similarly, the July visit of Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, where he met with key Pakistani leaders including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizes the project’s priority status.  

While Pakistani officials, such as Director General of ISI Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum, have stressed Islamabad’s commitment to TAPI, actions have yet to match rhetoric. Of particular concern is Pakistan’s apparent reluctance to make necessary changes to its domestic laws as required by the project’s framework agreements. These legal adjustments are crucial for providing safeguards to the TAPI Pipeline Company and ensuring smooth operation of the project.

The stakes are high, and alternatives are not in Pakistan’s favor. Turkmenistan has hinted at the possibility of rerouting the pipeline towards China if progress stalls, a move that would deprive Pakistan of much-needed energy resources and squander an opportunity for regional leadership. Beyond energy, TAPI offers Pakistan a chance to boost regional connectivity and trade. Proposals for a Transit Trade Agreement, utilization of Pakistani ports, and plans for a logistics hub and fiber optic line along the pipeline route demonstrate the project’s broader economic potential. However, realizing these ambitions requires Pakistan to address its historical issues of corruption and mismanagement head-on.

Pakistan’s history with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects serves as a cautionary tale for its involvement in TAPI. Despite the promise of transformative economic benefits, many CPEC initiatives have been plagued by delays, cost overruns, and allegations of corruption.  One of the most glaring examples is the Gwadar Port project. Touted as a game-changer for Pakistan’s economy, its development has been marred by security concerns, local opposition, and slow progress. The promised special economic zone has yet to materialize fully, and the port operates well below its capacity.

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)

Similarly, several CPEC power projects have faced significant delays and cost escalations. The Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, for instance, ran into environmental concerns and local protests, leading to extended timelines and increased expenses. 

The Karachi Circular Railway revival project has been stuck in bureaucratic limbo for years, with little progress to show despite its critical importance for urban transportation. Moreover, accusations of opacity in CPEC deals have raised concerns about Pakistan’s commitment to transparency and fair practices. The lack of open bidding processes and clear public disclosures has fueled speculation about corruption and mismanagement of funds.

These issues with CPEC projects highlight Pakistan’s struggles with implementing large-scale international collaborations effectively. As Pakistan embarks on the TAPI project, it must learn from these missteps and demonstrate a renewed commitment to responsible project management and transparency. The international community is closely watching Pakistan’s performance. With the United States acknowledging the need to provide Turkmenistan with alternatives to reduce Chinese dependence, and interest from entities like Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Russia, TAPI has global significance. Pakistan’s handling of the project will impact not only its bilateral relations with Turkmenistan but its standing in the international community as a whole.

As Pakistan moves forward with TAPI, it must embrace a new paradigm of international cooperation. This means swiftly implementing necessary legal and regulatory changes, establishing transparent project management structures, combating corruption at all levels, fostering positive diplomatic relations with all stakeholders, and leveraging its strategic position to enhance regional connectivity and trade. The TAPI project represents more than just an energy pipeline; it’s a lifeline for regional cooperation and economic development. Pakistan stands at a crossroads – it can either perpetuate its reputation as a difficult partner in international projects or seize this opportunity to redefine itself as a responsible and reliable collaborator.

Russia hints headway in TAPI gas pipeline project after Putin key aide visits Kabul.(photo:IN)

The eyes of the region and the world are on Pakistan. By demonstrating commitment, efficiency, and integrity in its approach to TAPI, Pakistan can not only secure its energy future but also pave the way for a new era of international cooperation and economic prosperity. The time for rhetoric has passed; now is the time for action, responsibility, and leadership. Pakistan must rise to the occasion and prove that it can be a constructive force in regional development, shedding the specter of past failures and embracing a future of successful international collaboration. The success of TAPI could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Pakistan’s international relations, one characterized by reliability, transparency, and mutual benefit. The alternative – a continuation of past patterns of delay and mismanagement – would be a missed opportunity of historic proportions.

As the project moves forward, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s ability to navigate the complex web of diplomatic, legal, and logistical challenges that lie ahead. The nation’s leaders must recognize that their actions in the coming months and years will have far-reaching consequences, not just for the success of TAPI, but for Pakistan’s place in the region and the world. The path ahead is clear – Pakistan must step up, fulfill its commitments, and prove to the world that it can be a trusted partner in international development. The future of regional energy security and cooperation hangs in the balance, and Pakistan’s role in shaping that future has never been more critical.

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Sleuths destroy drug processing lab in Afghanistan

Over the past few months, police destroyed hundreds of poppy farms across Afghanistan, a country once known for its extensive poppy cultivation….reports Asian Lite News

Counter-narcotics police have discovered and destroyed a drug processing lab in western Afghanistan’s Nimroz province, an official said.

Acting on a tip-off, police launched operations in the province’s Dilaram district on Sunday, Xinhua news agency reported on Monday.

In addition to destroying the drug lab, the police also discovered and burned a large quantity of materials used in manufacturing heroin, District director for counter-narcotics police Mawlawi Samiullah Samim said.

No drug traffickers were arrested at the site of the operations, the official said, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend those involved in the drug business.

Over the past few months, police destroyed hundreds of poppy farms across Afghanistan, a country once known for its extensive poppy cultivation.

The Afghan caretaker government banned poppy cultivation, drug processing, and drug trafficking in April 2022.

Nine killed in road accident

At least nine people were killed and three others injured in a road accident in Afghanistan’s Faryab province, a local official confirmed.

The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon when two vehicles collided in the Khan-e-Charbagh district, according to Mawlawi Shamsuddin Mohammadi, the provincial director of information and culture, Xinhua news agency reported.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

Further details are awaited.

Reckless driving on congested roads and a lack of traffic signs on dilapidated highways are among the major causes of road accidents in Afghanistan.

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Rights group seeks int’l coverage of Balochistan ‘brutalities’

The protestors allege that Pakistani defence forces are trying to stop them from participating in nationwide gathering, which hold the government and the defence forces accountable for their “brutality.”…reports Asian Lite News

The situation in Balochistan continues to worsen as the Pakistani defence forces have brutally cracked down on the Baloch community, as they gathered across Balochistan for Baloch National Gathering.

The protestors allege that Pakistani defence forces are trying to stop them from participating in nationwide gathering, which hold the government and the defence forces accountable for their “brutality.”

However, despite severe violation of human rights in Pakistan, the international media has cornered the issue of violence in Balochistan, according to protestors.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee, in a media statement, urged the international media to provide coverage to the issue.

“Balochistan has now become a completely war-torn region. And the Pakistani state is using all its machinery and power to stop this peaceful public gathering and is committing the worst human rights violations,” the statement read.

Highlighting the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan, the rights group said, “For the past 48 hours, the internet has been completely shut down in Gwadar and most parts of Makuran, while phone networks have been shut down since yesterday evening. A complete undeclared curfew has been imposed in Gwadar and nearby areas. No one is being allowed to enter or leave Gwadar.”

The statement also elaborated on the atrocities Pakistani defence forces are inflicting on Baloch caravans that were travelling to Gwadar for a national gathering.

Reportedly, a Baloch National Gathering caravan, including thousands of people, departed from Quetta yesterday morning. They were stopped and obstructed by the Pakistani military, Frontier Corps.

The caravan reached Mastung after overcoming these multiple barriers, where the Pakistani military opened direct fire on the caravan, carrying hundreds of women and children.

14 participants were injured in this barbarism, three of whom were critically injured and are now receiving treatment at the Quetta Trauma Centre.

Following this, the military forces burst the tyres of all the convoy’s vehicles, rendering them useless, and shattered the windows with direct fire. The caravan intended for the Baloch national gathering is currently holding a peaceful sit-in in Mastung.

The BYC further alleged that peaceful protestors were raided in Balochistan and several have been “forcibly disappeared,” while others have seen them being booked in false cases.

“To sabotage the Baloch National Gathering, in the past week, peaceful activists preparing for the national gathering have been raided in various parts of Balochistan. Five people from Karachi and several from Quetta have been forcibly disappeared, and several false FIRs have been registered against peaceful activists in various parts of Balochistan,” the statement read.

Terming the entire Balochistan region a “war zone,” the BYC urged global media houses and journalists to respect journalistic values and principles, and cover the issue.

“For the past 48 hours, the entire Balochistan has been a war zone, but it is deeply regrettable and a matter of shame for the journalistic community that none of the so-called Pakistani mainstream media and journalists has uttered a word about this serious issue, but are all criminally silenced. We appeal to all media houses globally and journalists to respect journalistic values and principles to provide coverage of the war-like situation in Balochistan, the complete curfew in Gwadar, and the severe brutality and oppression by the Pakistani state,” the statement added. (ANI)

Malala condemns violence against Baloch protesters

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has expressed support for Baloch people protesting against enforced disappearances and “strongly condemned” violent responses against peaceful protesters.

In a post on X, Yousafzai stated, “I stand in solidarity with Baloch sisters who are demanding justice and protesting against enforced disappearances. I strongly condemn the violent response against peaceful protesters.”

She made the statement in response to a post shared by Amnesty International on X. Amnesty International expressed concern over the “use of unlawful and unnecessary force” against the participants of the Baloch National Gathering by security forces.

It called on Pakistani authorities to immediately lift the internet shutdown in Pakistan and fulfil its obligations under domestic and international human rights law to facilitate people’s right to peaceful protest by lifting the road blockades placed on the way to Gwadar.

In a post on X, Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office stated, “Pakistan : @amnesty is alarmed at the use of unlawful and unnecessary force against the participants of the Baloch National Gathering by security forces yesterday. It is a blatant violation of people’s right to freedom of peaceful assembly.”

“On 27 June, Frontier Corps reportedly fired on unarmed and peaceful protestors in Mustang, Balochistan, resulting in 14 injuries, several among them serious. A complete internet shutdown has also been imposed in Gwadar, hindering the flow of information in and outside the region. Amnesty International calls on the Pakistan authorities to immediately lift the internet shutdown in Balochistan, and fulfil its obligations under domestic and international human rights law to facilitate people’s right to peaceful protest by lifting the road blockades on the way to Gwadar to allow freedom of movement for protestors,” it added.

The statements by Amnesty International and Malala Yousafzai came after Pakistani security forces reportedly took severe action against participants of a Baloch national gathering. The recent crackdown has sparked significant backlash amid fears that these measures might exacerbate rather than alleviate the underlying problems.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) accused Pakistani security forces of launching a “brutal and violent attack” on the Baloch National Gathering sit-in, which resulted in the arrest of more than 200 people.

In a post on X, Baloch Yakjehti Committee stated, “On the morning of July 29, the Pakistani security forces launched a brutal and violent attack on the Baloch National Gathering peaceful sit-in, resulting in numerous injuries and the arrest of over 200 individuals. We still have no information of their whereabouts.”

“Despite the incident, Baloch Yakjehti Committee activists, with the strength and support of the public, have resumed the sit-in, which continues today on its third day. Even now, police and Frontier Corps (FC) surround the sit-in area and are continuously harassing the peaceful participants,” it added.

In another post on X, the BYC stated that protests erupted across Balochistan in response to the violent attacks on the peaceful Baloch National Gathering.

Taking to X, BYC stated, “In response to the violent attacks on the peaceful #BalochNationalGathering, demonstrations erupted throughout Balochistan. Today, people in large numbers are observing protests and shutter-down strikes in Kahran, Kalat, Dalbandin and other places, in solidarity with the victims of state brutality, who lost their lives, and marched bravely in front of bullets, with their heads held high.”

This crackdown has drawn substantial criticism amid concerns that such actions could escalate rather than resolve the underlying issues.

The Baloch community continues to endure severe human rights abuses, particularly enforced disappearances where individuals are abducted by state or affiliated forces without legal recourse, causing profound anguish for their families and often resulting in severe torture.

The situation is compounded by extrajudicial killings targeting activists and critics without due process, instilling widespread fear and stifling dissent. (ANI)

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Afghanistan, Iran Finish Border Sign Overhaul

A member of Taliban stands guard at the former Khost Protection Force (KPF) military center in Khost city, eastern Afghanistan, Sept. 15, 2021. (Str/Xinhua/IANS)

According to the official, “The renovation of border signs and markers with other countries is ongoing….reports Asian Lite News

Afghan Deputy Ministry of Borders, Ethnicities and Tribes Mohammad Ali Jan Ahmad said that the renovation and repainting of border signs and markers with neighbouring Iran have been completed.

“Fortunately, the ministry has worked extensively on this process in the past year. The Iran border, which is an official boundary, has had all its markers refreshed and its limits defined,” a local media outlet Tolo News quoted Jan Ahmad as saying.

Quoting the official, the report added, “The work of renovating border signs and markers with other countries is ongoing,” Xinhua news agency reported.

“We are committed to fulfilling our responsibilities and activities as quickly as possible. Based on our resources, we are advancing our process swiftly. I hope that we can mark all our official borders this year,” Jan Ahmad stressed.

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