Tag: PAKISTAN

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Breather for Afghan refugees in Pakistan

The decision was taken following the federal cabinet meeting held at the Pakistan PM House under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif….reports Asian Lite News

The Pakistan government on Friday extended the validity of the Afghan refugees’ Proof of Registration Cards (PoRs) that expired on April 1 this year, to June 30, 2024, to facilitate those who have yet not left Pakistan voluntarily as it presses ahead with its push to boot out illegal foreigners, Geo News reported citing a statement.

The decision was taken following the federal cabinet meeting held at the Pakistan PM House under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The cabinet was told that this extension would enable the PoR cardholders to have access to schools, bank accounts, and other facilities during their stay in Pakistan.

It must be noted that these PoR cardholders will be forcibly sent back to their country in the third phase of the programme of repatriation of illegal foreign nationals living in Pakistan for ages.

Pakistan has expelled over half a million undocumented refugees in the repatriation programme’s first phase from November 1 till date. The second phase was aimed at driving out refugees holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), Geo News reported.

The ACCs were provided by the Pakistan government to Afghan refugees in 2017, after processing and registering them with Pakistan’s National Database and Regulation Authority (NADRA).

On the advice of the Ministry of Law and Justice, the federal cabinet approved the establishment of an additional special court in Makran Division to deal with anti-narcotics cases in Balochistan province, Geo News reported.

The jurisdiction of this special court will be extended to the districts of Panjgur, Kech, Gwadar, Hub and Lasbela. The cabinet also directed the authorities to appoint the best judge in the special court and ensure effective prosecution.

Moreover, during the meeting, the Federal Secretary for the Interior briefed the cabinet on the progress of the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) operations.

The Secretary of Aviation, filled in the meeting on the recent measures taken to improve the facilities at Pakistan’s airports, particularly Lahore and Karachi. The meeting was informed that the service counters at the airports had been increased and the facilities were being upgraded, Geo News reported.

The meeting was told that the advertisements inviting expressions of interest were published in national and international newspapers on April 2, with the last date being May 3, and so far several companies had expressed keen interest in PIA.

The meeting also gave the go-ahead to the appointments of four ex-officio members of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (ICMA) and approved the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases on April 18, 2024. (ANI)

ALSO READ: UN report warns of emergency levels of food insecurity in Afghanistan

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Pakistan Accuses US of Double Standards in Human Rights Reporting

pakistan flag

This year’s report is once again conspicuous by its lack of objectivity and politicization of the international human rights agenda, it added…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan has “categorically” rejected a report by the US State Department over the human rights violations in the country last year, saying that only a “politically motivated report can ignore the alarming situation in Gaza”.

“It is deeply concerning that a report purported to highlight human rights situations around the world ignores or downplays the most urgent hotspots of gross human rights violations such as in Gaza,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement released late Thursday.

Titled “2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Pakistan,” the contents of the report are unfair, based on inaccurate information and are completely divorced from the ground reality, the ministry said.

This year’s report is once again conspicuous by its lack of objectivity and politicization of the international human rights agenda, it added.

“It clearly demonstrates double standards thus undermining the international human rights discourse,” according to the ministry.

Issued on April 22, the US State Department’s report stated that there were no significant changes in the human rights situation in Pakistan over the past year.

It said that the Pakistani government intimidates or seeks reprisal against individuals beyond its borders, including civil society activists, human rights defenders, and journalists.

The report also claimed that successive Pakistani governments tacitly approved enforced disappearances.

ALSO READ-US warns Pakistan of potential risk of sanctions

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US warns Pakistan of potential risk of sanctions

Patel warned about the risk of sanctions for anyone considering business deals with Iran, especially in light of the Iranian President’s visit to Pakistan and the signed MOUs between the two countries….reports Asian Lite News

The US on Tuesday (local time) warned Pakistan of “potential risk of sanctions,” adding that they will continue to disrupt and take actions against proliferation networks considering business deals with Iran.

Emphasising the US imposing sanctions on suppliers to Pakistan’s Ballistic Missile Program, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said “We’re going to continue to disrupt and take actions against proliferation networks and concerning weapons of mass destruction procurement activities wherever they may occur…Just let me say, broadly, we advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions. But ultimately, the government of Pakistan can speak to their own foreign policy pursuits.”

Responding to a question on the reason behind these sanctions, Patel while addressing the presser, said, “The sanctions were made because these were entities that were proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and the means of their delivery.”

He said that these entities were based in China and Belarus.

“These were entities based in the PRC in Belarus and that we have witnessed to have supplied equipment and other items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program…,” he added.

Further, highlighting the Iranian President’s visit to Pakistan and the MOUs signed between the two countries, Patel advised to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions whosoever considers signing business deals with Iran.

In the wake of President Raisi’s three-day visit to Pakistan, eight bilateral agreements inked by the two countries, the spokesperson alluded to the possibility that these relations could be jeopardized by sanctions because of Iran’s standing in the international community.

Led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from the Pakistani side and President Raisi representing Iran, the discussions underscored the shared vision of advancing political, economic, trade, and cultural ties between the two nations, reported Samaa.

Earlier in the day, Iran and Pakistan inked eight memoranda of understanding for collaboration in a range of areas. PM Shehbaz and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi witnessed the MoU signing ceremony.

The accords included cooperation in veterinary and animal health, judicial support in civil cases, and security matters.

Last week, the US State designated four entities targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. These entities have supplied missile-applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile program.

The entities included Belarus-based Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant which has worked to supply special vehicle chassis to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program.

It further imposed sanctions on three Chinese entities, including, “Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited”, “Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd” and “Granpect Company Limited”. (ANI)

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Pakistan Fails to Rally Iran on Kashmir Issue

The Iranian President’s comments are being seen as a clear snub to Islamabad on its repeated efforts to garner support on the Kashmir …reports Hamza Ameer

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday thwarted Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s attempt to raise the Kashmir issue as he kicked off his crucial three-day visit to Islamabad.

While making his opening statement during the joint presser, Sharif thanked the Iranian President for taking Pakistan’s side on the Kashmir dispute between Islamabad and New Delhi.

“We are thankful to Iran for its support for the Kashmir cause,” said Sharif adding that the both sides have identified and agreed to cooperate on matters of mutual interest and regional concern.

However, he failed to get any word of support from the Iranian President as he refrained from giving any comment on the issue and remained focused on addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“It is now established how the United Nations has failed to live up to its mandate and stop the ongoing genocide of innocent Palestinians in Gaza by Israel,” he said during his opening statement at the joint presser at the Prime Minister’s house.

The Iranian President’s comments are being seen as a clear snub to Islamabad on its repeated efforts to garner support on the Kashmir dispute from regional and global players.

“Pakistan should know better about the relationship between Iran and India. Our Prime Minister should have been careful in mentioning Kashmir during the presser, knowing that Iran’s main focus is on its current conflict with Israel,” said Abdullah Momand, a political analyst.

“Kashmir issue and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to gather support have not been strong enough to get a supportive statement out of a country’s supreme leader like Raisi. It was rather embarrassing to see that our premier thanked the Iranian President for a supportive stance on the Kashmir dispute, a stance that was neither established nor reciprocated by Raisi,” he added.

However, while Pakistan failed to get any word on Kashmir from the Iranian President, both sides agreed to increase the volume of trade and business ties to at least $10 billion.

“We are committed to strengthening relations to high levels. Economic and trade volume between Iran and Pakistan is not acceptable. We have decided as a first step to increase trade volume between our two countries to $10 billion,” Raisi said during the presser.

At least 10 MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) were signed between the two countries that aim at enhancing mutual cooperation towards trade and development.

ALSO READ: Russia warns Pakistan it might ban rice imports over safety concerns

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Russia warns Pakistan it might ban rice imports over safety concerns

The FSVPS has asked the plenipotentiary and trade representative at the Pakistani embassy in Russia for an immediate investigation into the matter…reports Asian Lite News

Russia has warned Pakistan it might ban rice imports if their phytosanitary concerns are not addressed in future consignments, Dawn reported on Sunday.

The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) of the Russian Federation issued a notification regarding violations of international and Russian phytosanitary requirements over a shipment of rice imported from Pakistan.

The notification, numbered FS-SA-3/6592 and dated April 2, 2024, highlights the presence of a quarantine organism, “Megaselia scalaris (Loew),” in the rice consignment, Dawn reported.

The FSVPS has asked the plenipotentiary and trade representative at the Pakistani embassy in Russia for an immediate investigation into the matter.

A copy of the notice issued by the Russian authorities shows that the FSVPS has asked the relevant official in the Pakistani embassy to prevent such violations in the future and emphasised the importance of adhering to phytosanitary standards to ensure the safety of agricultural products traded between countries, Dawn reported.

Meanwhile, the trade wing of Pakistani embassy in Moscow has forwarded the English translation of the Russian authority’s letter to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) in the Ministry of Food Security and other relevant government offices.

The letter by the embassy to the DPP states, “In view of the above, it is requested that an investigation may be conducted immediately and the results of the investigation may please be shared with FSVPS in order to avoid any possible ban on rice exports in the future.”

Meanwhile, the FSVPS has also sent an official communication to the director of DPP, seeking a higher degree of cooperation in the field of plant quarantine, Dawn reported.

Russia had previously imposed a ban on similar grounds in 2019, which remained in place for around two years. It was lifted after a series of negotiations between officials of both sides. Earlier, in December 2006, Russia also stopped the import of rice from Pakistan for not meeting food safety standards. (ANI)

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Shehbaz Sharif, UAE President Discuss Climate Challenges

The UAE President thanked Pakistan for its good wishes and expressed sympathy for those affected by the recent rains and flooding in Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone talk with President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss enhancing cooperation to counter challenges associated with climate change, according to the Prime Minister’s office.

In the phone call, Sharif said the UAE leadership has confronted the challenges that have emerged from the recent rains in the country, calling for collective actions to combat the challenge of climate change, the office said in a statement on Friday.

“Both countries should strengthen their collaboration in this field,” he said, adding that Pakistan has also witnessed heavy rains in recent days, resulting in the loss of many precious lives, Xinhua news agency reported.

The UAE observed unprecedented rainfall on Tuesday, marking the highest recorded rainfall in the last 75 years since climate records started in 1949, according to the country’s National Centre of Meteorology.

During the conversation, the UAE President expressed appreciation for good wishes from Pakistan and reciprocated the warm sentiments for the people affected by the rains and flooding in Pakistan.

Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in multifaceted areas, the Prime Minister’s office said.

At least 87 people have been killed and 82 others injured in separate rain-triggered incidents in Pakistan over the past week as heavy downpours continued to wreak havoc in parts of the country, the country’s National Disaster Management Authority said on Friday.

ALSO READ: Challenges Loom as Pakistan FM Eyes India Trade Resumption

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Foreign Nationals Narrowly Escape Suicide Bombing in Karachi

Police officers inspect a damaged police van at an explosion site in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, July 30, 2021. (Photo by Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua)

The incident occurred when the convoy enroute to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was passing through the Malir Sharif Goth police station limits….reports Hamza Ameer

 Five foreign nationals had a narrow escape on Friday after their convoy was attacked by two suicide bombers in Landhi’s Mansehra Colony in Karachi.

“At least two terrorists were killed in a suicide attack targeting a convoy of foreign nationals, crossing through Mansehra colony in Karachi’s Landhi area. At least two security guards and a passer-by were among the injured,” police said.

The incident occurred when the convoy enroute to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was passing through the Malir Sharif Goth police station limits.

Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud explosion followed by gunfire.

Police officials present on duty told IANS that one of the attackers blew himself up while the other was neutralised after being confronted by them.

“One of the two attackers detonated his suicide vest while the other assailant was killed in the firing by police. He was also wearing a suicide vest. All foreign nationals were safe,” said one of the police officials.

“Two security guards who were accompanying the convoy were injured in the attack,” said the police officer.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Tariq Masoi confirmed that the attack on the foreign national’s convoy was a suicide attack.

“The vehicle was targeted in a suicide attack but it was thwarted as two terrorists were killed. The police have also find a bag filled with grenades from the crime scene. The foreign nationals were safe. However, their two guards and a passerby were injured and shifted to the hospital”, he said.

Police also confirmed that the second attacker, shot dead by the police, was also wearing a suicide vest.

Police confirmed that the attacked convoy consisted of at least two vehicles, which were carrying the Managing Director of a company while four other foreign nationals were traveling in the following van.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. But this is the second targeted attack on foreign nationals, which has raised serious concerns among the security forces and government authorities.

Earlier, in March this year, at least five Chinese engineers were targeted and killed as an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into the bus carrying the engineers to the Dasu Hydropower Dam.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has condemned the suicide attack and has said that terrorism in the city would never be tolerated.

“Terrorism will not be tolerated in the city under any circumstances,” he said.

ALSO READ: Challenges Loom as Pakistan FM Eyes India Trade Resumption

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Challenges Loom as Pakistan FM Eyes India Trade Resumption

Dar said that the business community of the country had expressed its willingness to reopen trade routes with India…reports Hamza Ameer

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has revealed that he has started internal consultations with the country’s business community on the revival of trade activities with India.

The latest statement from the Foreign Minister is an extension of his previous statement in which he expressed the desire to re-open trade with India.

Dar, while speaking with mediapersons at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, said that the business community of the country had expressed its willingness to reopen trade routes with India.

He said that trade of general commodities and medicine is already being done through different routes, including Dubai, which increases the cost of trade and business.

He added that his earlier statements in which he expressed his aspiration to reopen trade routes and trade with India were based on the strong recommendations and demands of the business community.

The Minister said that he is working on a plan that includes having discussions and approval from the relevant quarters.

The Foreign Minister’s statement comes at a time when his own party colleague and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said that there was zero possibility for trade with India due to the ongoing Kashmir dispute.

Experts say that while Dar’s statement is heartening, it still remains uncertain if it would sail through approvals from the military establishment and the other relevant ministries, including the Cabinet that has maintained a rigid position on matters related to India.

“Pakistan’s official position is that it will not have any talks with India on trade until the issue of Kashmir is not given top priority. Keeping this in view, I do not think that re-opening of trade would be a very easy step to take for Pakistan,” said senior political analyst Adnan Shauqat.

“Ishaq Dar has had a fair share of criticism from all sides when he gave such a statement after taking over as Foreign Minister. Secondly, consultation with the business community may just be far easier than trying to present the same to the Cabinet and especially the military establishment for approval,” he added.

Islamabad-based senior journalist Kamran Yousaf said that the concerns of the business community are justifiable because the cost of trade with India through the Wagah-Attari border would be far much cheaper than routing it through Dubai.

“The business community is right to demand the reopening of the India-Pakistan trade route through Wagah because it is cheaper than using a third country like Dubai for trade of basic commodities,” he added.

“However, we have to keep it in mind that, according to Dar, it is just an initial phase of consultation being done with the business community and there is a lot more to be done before getting any tangible outcome. Secondly, India is in a phase of elections at the moment and until that is over, there would be no clarity on the issue,” he said.

ALSO READ: Indian Mother Fights for Children’s Custody in Pakistan

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Pak Govt Rapped over X Ban

The court further instructed the authorities to present solid evidence and justify that X is indeed a security “threat” to Pakistan…reports Hamza Ameer

Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday slammed the federal government over banning X, saying that the social media platform X is banned on mere speculation.

Khurram Agha, Secretary Interior appeared before the IHC and submitted a report while responding to a petition questioning and challenging the ban on X.

The report called on IHC to dismiss the petition, insisting that no right of the petitioner has been deprived. “Failure of Twitter/X to adhere to the lawful directives of the government of Pakistan and address concerns regarding the misuse of its platform necessitated the imposition of a ban. Petition against the closure of X is contrary to law and facts,” the report of the Interior Ministry said.

However, IHC said that the brief report submitted by the ministry has failed to satisfy the court as the judge expressed anger over it.

“What is this? Even my Secretary could produce a better one,” the judge said during the hearing at the IHC.

“The government has taken the decision to ban X on mere speculation,” the court observed.

The court further instructed the authorities to present solid evidence and justify that X is indeed a security “threat” to Pakistan.

Civil society organisations including Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have also strongly condemned the prolonged ban on the social media platform, terming it as a clear violation of democratic freedoms in the country.

Pakistan’s FIA Cybercrime Wing had requested X to ban all accounts that were allegedly propagating against the Chief Justice.

“X officials ignored the requests of the FIA Cybercrime Wing and did not respond following which, the decision to temporarily close the site was taken,” the ministry report said.

The report also highlighted that the Interior Ministry issued orders for the closure of X on February 17, 2024, at the request of the country’s intelligence agencies with an aim to protect and safeguard the country’s national security and law and order situation.

“The decision to impose a ban on Twitter/X in Pakistan was made in the interest of upholding national security, maintaining public order, and preserving the integrity of our nation,” the report stated.

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Indian Mother Fights for Children’s Custody in Pakistan

Farzana’s case gained public limelight after she allegedly tortured her husband over a dispute regarding the custody of her sons and some properties in the name of her sons….writes Hamza Ameer

Farzana Begum, an Indian national hailing from Mumbai, is currently in Pakistan fighting for the custody of her children, has refused to return to her native country, stating that her children’s lives are in danger.

Farzana Begum married a Pakistani citizen, Mirza Mubin Elahi, in Abu Dhabi in 2015.

Later, the couple came to Pakistan in 2018 and have two sons aged seven and six.

Farzana’s case gained public limelight after she allegedly tortured her husband over a dispute regarding the custody of her sons and some properties in the name of her sons.

Farzana rejects her husband’s claims that he had divorced her, stating: “If he has divorced me, then there must be a certificate.”

“Me and my children’s lives are in danger in Pakistan over a property dispute. I am confined to my house in Rehman Gardens, Lahore, and my children are enduring hunger,” she said.

Farzana called on the government of Pakistan to provide her with protection until the case was resolved, refusing to leave to her native country without her sons.

“There are some properties in Lahore which are in the name of my sons. My husband has possession of mine and my children’s passports,” she added.

Farzana is the second wife of Mubin Elahi.

Elahi already has a Pakistani wife and children, who Farzana alleges are plotting to bully and intimidate her to return to India and snatch control of properties, which she says belong to her two sons.

Advocate Mohsin Abbas, lawyer of Farzana, said: “Mubin Elahi is spreading false rumours that Farzana’s visa had expired even though her passport was in his possession.”

The case has become the talk of the town, as Farzana is unclear about the status of her visa, and is adamant that she will not leave without her sons.

“I would never return to India without my sons,” Farzana said.

While Farzana has been vocal about the case and her stance, Elahi has been quiet and has not clarified his position on the matter.

Farzana also rejects the accusation of her husband that she tortured him, stating that Elahi is making false allegations to get away from the core issue of the custody of her sons and possession of their properties in Pakistan.

“I know that Elahi is delaying the process to make sure my visa gets expired and I am forced to leave Pakistan. But I will not leave without my sons,” Farzana asserted.

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