MITHI, Pakistan: Cows roam freely in the Pakistani city of Mithi, as in neighboring India. Considered sacred animals among Hindus, they embody the religious tolerance of this community in conservative Muslim Pakistan, where minorities face heavy discrimination.
Here, “Muslims respect the beliefs of Hindus,” said Sham Das, a 72-year-old pensioner. “They do not kill cows, or only in remote places, but not in Hindu neighborhoods.”
Unlike in the rest of Pakistan, cattle in Mithi live very well. They eat as they please, often from rubbish bins, and fall asleep on the roads.
At times tuk-tuks and motorcycles navigate a weaving path around the animals. At others, the traffic waits patiently for them to wake.
Mithi is a mostly Hindu city of 60,000 people, a rarity in a country where some 95 percent of the population is Muslim.
As they enter Shri Krishna temple, the Hindu faithful ring a bell, the sound of which mingles with the azan, the call to prayer for Muslims sounded just a few streets away.
A relaxed group of young Hindus talk outside the colorful, intricately carved exterior, where not a single guard is employed.
It is a sharp contrast to the Hindu neighborhoods in the megacity of Karachi, some 300 kilometers (around 200 miles) away, which are under armed surveillance.
Vijay Kumar Gir, a Hindu priest in Karachi, said that of the 360 temples in the city, merely a dozen are still functioning.
“The rest of them have been shut down and their land is being encroached,” he said.
It is a bleak situation that is far more representative of the stigmatization Hindus face across Pakistan, where they are often assumed to be “pro-India because of their religion,” according to Marvi Sirmed, of the Pakistan Human Rights Commission (HRCP).
“So they are always looked at with suspicion to be anti-Pakistan,” she added, referring to the tense relationship between the two countries, which have fought three wars since partition in 1947.
The HRCP describes Pakistani Hindus as feeling “uneasy” in their country, saying in its annual report that “the migration of Hindus to India may soon turn into an exodus if the discrimination against them continues.”
According to the HRCP, which cites religious leaders, the biggest problem facing the community is the “forced conversion” to Islam of women and girls, many of whom are abducted before being married off to Muslim men.
But none of this appears to affect Mithi, where Muslims and Hindus say they live together in harmony, even sending one another gifts and sweets to mark their religious holidays, residents say.
“Since I was old enough to reason, I have witnessed fraternity, love and harmony between Hindus and Muslims,” said Sunil Kumar, a 35-year-old businessman.
“That has been going on for generations of our forefathers... it shall go on forever.”
The origins of Mithi’s peaceful existence are rooted in the geographical location of the city, which rose out of the sand dunes in the majestic Tharparkar desert that borders the Indian state of Rajasthan.
Local researchers claim a group of peace-loving Hindus founded the town in the early 16th century, as war and looting raged all around.
The soil was not fertile and it was difficult to access water, so the city attracted only those of little means who had few other options.
“We are the descendants of the original residents of this region, as positive and peace-loving as they were,” said Allah Jurio, a 53-year-old imam in Mithi, which is also renowned for its low crime rate.
“Non-violence is inherently our second nature.”
But as religious extremism and hate speech flourish in Pakistan, and “faith-based violence in the name of religion continues unabated,” according to the HRCP, the fear that this oasis of tolerance may disappear is palpable.
Although Chandar Kumar, a 24-year-old Hindu computer scientist, sees no problems in the long-term among Mithi’s residents, he said “there are elements from outside who aspire to spread discrimination,” declining to elaborate.
Extremist groups, such as the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, labeled a terrorist organization by the UN, are accused of being active in the area.
“They want to end the unity,” said Kumar.
Pakistan’s Mithi, an oasis of Muslim-Hindu tolerance
Pakistan’s Mithi, an oasis of Muslim-Hindu tolerance
- Mithi is a mostly Hindu city of 60,000 people, a rarity in a country where some 95 percent of the population is Muslim
- The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in its annual report says “the migration of Hindus to India may soon turn into an exodus if the discrimination against them continues”
Riyadh calls for enabling private sector investments within existing G2G mechanisms with Pakistan
- Pakistan and Saudi businesses signed over $2 billion in agreements and memorandums of understanding this week
- The deals have been signed during a visit to Islamabad by Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih said on Friday Riyadh and Islamabad needed to enable private sector investments within existing government-to-government mechanisms like the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council (SPSCC) and Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Coordination Committee for the Development of the Contracting Sector.
Islamabad and Riyadh signed an agreement to establish the SPSCC in 2021 to institutionalize and fast-track decision-making and implementation on political, security, economic and cultural areas of collaboration. The body aims to streamline bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly to remove hurdles in investment deals. Separately, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Coordination Committee for the Development of the Contracting Sector was created in 2022 to work to upgrade the construction sector and tackle project delays and hurdles.
On Thursday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Al-Falih, who is on a three-day visit to Islamabad, oversaw the signing of over $2 billion in agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Saudi and Pakistani businesses.
In comments televised on Pakistan’s state APP news agency on Friday, Al-Falih said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia needed to activate work under existing G2G frameworks such as the Permanent Coordination Committee, which is being led by Mohammad Bin Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri, a Saudi politician and minister-ranked adviser at the Royal Court, with Petroleum Minister Dr. Musadik Malik as his Pakistani counterpart.
“And he [Al-Tuwaijri] has elected to place the Pakistan portfolio within the Royal Court team because he wants to personally have his finger on the pulse of how we are managing [Pakistani investments],” Al-Falih said.
“Within the scope of the G2G, his excellency Al-Tuwaijri and his team have asked MISA [Ministry of Investment for Saudi Arabia] to take the lead on everything about investment, everything about channeling private sector funding, everything about risk mitigation, everything about investment protection, everything about privatization, everything about funding.
“Ultimately what we need to do is enable the private sector.”
The Saudi minister is in Pakistan with a delegation of over 130 businesspeople representing various sectors, including energy, mining, agriculture, tourism, construction, IT and industry. The visit comes as Islamabad seeks closer economic cooperation with friendly countries and regional allies, with the aim to attract foreign investment and shore up its $350 billion economy, beset by a prolonged economic crisis that has drained foreign exchange reserves and weakened the national currency.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in particular have been working closely in recent months to increase bilateral trade and investment, with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment earlier this year to expedite a $5 billion investment package for the South Asian country.
Two suspected Pakistani militants behind 2021 attack on Chinese killed in shootout
- Officials said the militants who had been sentenced to life imprisonment were being moved out of a prison due to a threat when some men attacked the police van
- The deceased militants were masterminds of the attack that had killed a total of 13 people, including the nine Chinese engineers, near Dasu in northwest Pakistan
LAHORE: Two militants involved in the 2021 attack that killed nine Chinese engineers were shot and killed in a shootout in a central Pakistani district on Friday, counter-terrorism officials said.
They said the militants who had been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment were being moved out of a prison in Sahiwal district due to a threat when some men attacked the police van they were in.
Two of the five militants in the van were killed in cross-fire between police and the attackers, it said.
Those two were masterminds of the attack that had killed a total of 13 people, including the nine Chinese engineers, near a hydropwer plant in Dasu in northern Pakistan in July 2021.
Pakistan’s main cities, especially Islamabad, are on a high alert ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Conference (SCO) which is scheduled to be held in the capital on Oct 15-16.
Pakistan is seeking to curb all movements of Chinese nationals during the summit because of the risk that they could be attacked.
The shootout came within hours of an attack that killed over 20 miners in southwestern Balochistan province, the hotbed for separatist militants, including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has been attacking Chinese nationals and their interests in the region.
Leach leads England’s rout of Pakistan in first Test
- England’s attack made short work of the last four Pakistan batters on Day 5, dismissing the hosts for 200
- The win is England’s fourth consecutive Test triumph on Pakistan soil, after a 3-0 whitewash two years ago
MULTAN: England’s bowlers, led by spinner Jack Leach, tore through the Pakistan line-up to secure victory in the first Test in Multan on Friday after a record partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root turned the match on its head.
England’s attack made short work of the last four Pakistan batters on Day 5, dismissing the hosts for 200 to win by an innings and 47 runs and draw first blood in the three-match series.
The win is England’s fourth consecutive Test triumph on Pakistan soil, after a 3-0 whitewash two years ago. England had only won two away Tests against Pakistan in the previous 61 years.
Leach marshalled England’s attack with 4-30, and provided the first breakthrough on the fifth day when he dislodged Salman Agha for a fighting 63.
It ended Pakistan’s only meaningful partnership.
Pakistan were in danger of losing the match a day early when Salman and Aamer Jamal came together with the score on 82-6.
But the duo saw out the remainder of play and made England wait another 12 overs on the final day — adding 109 — before Leach struck to open the floodgates.
Leach then took a smart return catch to get Shaheen Shah Afridi for ten and then had Naseem Shah stumped for six, wrapping up Pakistan’s second innings.
Last man Abrar Ahmed was unable to bat after being taken to hospital with a high fever.
Ollie Pope, standing in for injured skipper Ben Stokes, was full of praise for Brook and Root’s heroics.
“Credit to them for the skills and determination to put the team in a winning position,” he said.
Brook smashed 317 and Root a record-setting 262 in England’s mammoth 823-7 declared, giving the visitors a 267-run lead.
Their 454, England’s highest-ever partnership for any wicket in Test cricket, gave the visitors an improbable advantage after Pakistan’s impressive 556 first-innings total.
But by close of play on the fourth day on a lifeless pitch, England had posted the fourth-highest Test innings total of 823-7 and taken total control of the match with the hosts teetering at 152-6.
Along the way, Root became the highest run scorer for England in Test history.
Pope was also pleased by the grit shown by England’s inexperienced attack.
“Our bowlers got the odd ball to reverse and spin,” he said of Gus Atkinson who took 2-46 and debutant Brydon Carse who finished with 2-66.
The loss continues a painful losing stretch for Pakistan and will compound the pressure on captain Shan Masood.
His tenure has begun with six consecutive defeats, including three in Australia and two at home at the hands of Bangladesh.
“It can’t be more disappointing than this,” said Masood. “Harsh reality is that England found a way to win after two days under the sun and 556 behind.
“Then they batted big and when they came back with the ball they had a plan and created a window of opportunity in the second innings so the harsh reality in Test cricket is no matter what the pitch quality side finds a way to win.”
Pakistan’s collapse marked a quick turnaround to the match after a flat Multan stadium pitch saw 1,379 runs scored for the loss of just 17 wickets.
The hosts have gone 11 Tests without a win on home grounds, their last win against South Africa came in February 2021.
The second Test starts at the same venue from Tuesday while the third is in Rawalpindi from October 24.
Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Butt wins gold in Commonwealth powerlifting event debut
- Butt lifted 370kg in his maiden powerlifting competition
- This year’s event is taking place in Sun City from Oct. 4-13
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt has made a brilliant debut by winning a gold medal in the squat competition of the Commonwealth Powerlifting Classic and Equipped Championships held in South Africa, Pakistani state media reported on Thursday, with Butt etching his name in history as the country’s first powerlifting gold medalist.
The Commonwealth Powerlifting Classic and Equipped Championships is a premier powerlifting competition that brings together top athletes from across the Commonwealth nations. The event is organized by the Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation (CPF), which aims to promote drug-free powerlifting at the international level.
This year’s championships are taking place in Sun City, South Africa from October 4 till October 13, featuring classic and equipped powerlifting categories.
“It is a historic moment for Pakistan, as Nooh won the gold medal in his very first participation,” the state-run APP news agency reported.
Butt lifted an impressive 370kg in his maiden powerlifting competition, according to the report.
The competition includes various weight classes and age groups, with athletes competing in squat, bench press and deadlift events.
But is set to compete in the bench press and deadlift categories, where he is one of the favorites in the 120kg+ category.
Authorities in northwestern Pakistani province allow ‘banned’ Pashtun group to hold grand council
- Founded in 2014, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement has long advocated against extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Pashtuns and other ethnic minorities in Pakistan
- At least three people were killed in clashes between Pakistani police and PTM supporters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, two days after the federal government banned the PTM
PESHAWAR: The government in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has allowed the recently banned Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) to hold a three-day grand council of its political and tribal elders to resolve issues facing the Pashtun communities in the country’s volatile northwest and elsewhere, a KP provincial minister said on Friday.
Founded in 2014, the PTM has long advocated against extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Pashtuns and other ethnic minorities in Pakistan, charges the government and the military deny. The group has been waging a campaign to force the military to leave the former tribal regions in the northwest that border Afghanistan.
On Monday, the Pakistani government banned the PTM and said the group supported the Pakistani Taliban. It also banned PTM rallies in the restive northwest, saying the demonstrations were against the “interests of Pakistan.” Despite the announcement of the ban, the PTM, which denies backing the Pakistani Taliban, said it would go ahead with plans to hold the Pashtun National Jirga on October 11 to discuss peace and security in KP.
A day before the PTM gathering, a separate assembly of political and tribal leaders, held under the patronage of the KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in Peshawar, threw its weight behind the CM to resolve the conflict “through dialogue and understanding,” KP government spokesperson Muhammad Ali Saif said, without mentioning how the KP government planned to deal with the PTM’s gathering.
“Peace, development and prosperity is a mutual agenda of all of us,” KP Public Health Minister Pakhtoon Yar Khan told reporters in the Khyber tribal district, where the PTM has summoned its grand jirga.
“The Pashtun National Jirga has been given permission. They will remain within the ambit of law and the constitution, participants will present the demands.”
He said the grand council in Khyber was not an individual’s, but a Pashtun assembly.
“The PTI [the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party in KP] does not believe in violence, will solve the problems of Pashtuns peacefully,” Khan added.
On Wednesday, at least three people were killed in clashes between Pakistani police and supporters of the PTM rights group in Khyber’s Jamrood area, two days after the federal government banned the PTM.
In a post on X in the wee hours of Friday, the Pashtun National Jirga said the last few weeks had been “extremely challenging” for Pashtun rights activists working for the October 11 gathering.
“Tonight, Pashtuns are persevering under testing conditions,” it said on the night between Thursday and Friday. “It is a sign of our determination.”
This week, Amnesty International, a global human rights watchdog, called on the Pakistan government to revoke the ban on the PTM.
The “latest arbitrary ban under over-broad powers of the terror law is only the tip of the iceberg,” Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty’s deputy regional director for South Asia, said on Wednesday, accusing the Pakistani authorities of “resorting to unlawful use of force, enforced disappearances, and media bans on the coverage of protests or rallies.”
