ISLAMABAD: In talks held in Islamabad on Monday, representatives from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) called on the international community to further the cause of Afghan refugees and provide means to end future displacement.
The sixth edition of the Quadripartite Steering Committee meeting, held every year, saw the participation of Sayed Hussain Alemi Balkhi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) and Shehryar Afridi, Pakistan’s Minister of States and Frontier Regions.
The Iranian side was represented by Hossein Zolfaghari, Deputy Minister of Interior for Security and Disciplinary Affairs, while Indrika Ratwatte, Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, was speaking on behalf of the UNHCR.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the progress and challenges of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) which aims to support host countries by providing voluntary repatriation and sustainable reintegration.
“All parties reaffirmed their commitment to the SSAR and agreed to extend it until 2021...for identifying and implementing solutions for Afghan refugees,” the UNHCR said in a statement released on Monday.
All parties reiterated their support for joint advocacy and resource mobilization to support the strategy. “The participants urged development actors and other partners to provide adequate, tangible assistance for the SSAR,” the statement read.
The groups also called for joint efforts to create a conducive environment for a gradual, phased and voluntary return and sustainable reintegration of refugees in Afghanistan, in addition to aiding host communities, such as Iran and Pakistan, for the purpose.
Afridi, for his part, appealed to the international community to allocate more funds for the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) program. He also urged for concerted efforts for development inside Afghanistan which could lure refugees to return home.
Recognizing Pakistan’s contribution in hosting Afghan refugees for the past 40 years, Balkhi said that due to a large number of migrants in Pakistan and Iran – and due to insecurity in Afghanistan – the SSAR has not been able to reach its goals.
“The need for SSAR continues to exist and I, therefore, call on the extension of the SSAR time frame,” he said.
Four-party meet in Islamabad seeks world’s attention for Afghan refugees
Four-party meet in Islamabad seeks world’s attention for Afghan refugees
- Representatives call for joint advocacy and resource mobilization
- Push for an extension of timeframe to realize goals set by group
Pakistan Army chief observes arms by local, international exhibitors at premier defense expo
- Pakistan army chief meets foreign military officials, delegates at premier defense expo
- Over 300 foreign delegates from 53 countries are attending event, says army’s media wing
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir visited the International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 expo in Karachi on Wednesday where he observed an array of weapons by local and international exhibitors and met foreign delegates and military officials, the military’s media wing said.
IDEAS, Pakistan’s premier defense expo, has been held biennially since its inception under General (retired) Pervez Musharraf’s administration in 2000 and has grown into a key event for the defense sector. This year’s exhibition, running from Nov. 19-22 at the Karachi Expo Center, will host over 557 exhibitors, including 333 international ones and 224 local exhibitors.
“Over 300 foreign delegates from 53 countries attended the event and showed full confidence in the exhibition and the defense industry of Pakistan,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. “During the exhibition, COAS also engaged in meaningful interactions with foreign military officials and defense delegates present at the event.”
The army’s media wing said a state-of-the-art combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) named Shahpar III, developed by the Global Industrial Defense Solutions (GIDS) Pakistan, was the highlight of the exhibition.
“The Shahpar-III boasts advanced capabilities, including an operational ceiling of 35,000 feet and an endurance of over 24 hours,” the ISPR said. “It is equipped to carry a wide range of munitions, including bombs, missiles, and torpedoes.”
While inaugurating the exhibition on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif called for greater involvement of the private sector in defense weapons production and exports.
“Though Pakistan is now exporting some high-tech products to more than 60 countries, the volume of exports is not at par with its actual potential,” Asif said on Monday. “A crucial factor, however, has been the limited involvement of the private sector in defense production and activity.”
Pakistan decides to deploy paramilitary forces in capital ahead of anti-government protest
- Imran Khan’s PTI party is gearing up for planned “long march” to Pakistan’s capital this Sunday
- PTI says will protest “rigging,” demand judiciary’s independence and release of political prisoners
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interior ministry has authorized the deployment of the country’s paramilitary Punjab Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) forces in Islamabad from Nov. 7 onwards, a notification said, to maintain the law and order situation ahead of a planned protest by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
The PTI is gearing up to lead a “long march” to Islamabad on Sunday over alleged rigging in the Feb. 8 general elections and has also called for the release of political prisoners including Khan and demanded the judiciary’s independence. On Monday, Islamabad’s district magistrate imposed a two-month-long ban on the gathering of more than five people in the capital using Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Section 144 allows the government to prohibit various forms of political assembly, gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations and other activities for a specified period. Earlier on Wednesday, the PTI and the government both ruled out negotiations with each other while police warned action will be taken against Khan supporters who violate the public gatherings ban.
“The federal government in exercise of the powers conferred under Sections four and five of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 is pleased to authorize the deployment of sufficient strength of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) and Frontier Constabulary troops in ICT from Nov. 7 onwards to handle the law and order situation,” the Ministry of Interior’s notification, dated Nov. 7 but released on Wednesday, read.
It said Islamabad’s chief commissioner had requested for the deployment of Punjab Rangers and FC forces in the capital on Nov. 4. The notification added that the number of troops, their requisitioning date and the area of their deployment will be finalized following mutual consultations between all stakeholders.
Pakistan’s parliament also passed a law earlier this year to regulate public gatherings in Islamabad, including by specifying timings for rallies and designating specific areas. The law has set three-year jail terms for participants in illegal assemblies, with a ten-year imprisonment for repeat offenders.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government has thwarted the PTI party’s recent rallies and marches organized to build pressure for Khan’s release. The former prime minister has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced dozens of cases since he was removed as premier in 2022.
Since then, Khan has launched a protest movement against the coalition of his rivals, which critics say is backed by the all-powerful military which denies political interference.
Pakistani clerics body says declared VPN usage un-Islamic without government, military’s ‘influence’
Pakistani clerics body says declared VPN usage un-Islamic without government, military’s ‘influence’
- Council of Islamic Ideology last week declared use of VPNs “un-Islamic” after government announced banning them
- Independent analysts say CII statement was released due to military, government’s influence to provide ban religious cover
ISLAMABAD: Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr. Raghab Hussain Naeemi clarified on Wednesday that the top clerics body had described the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) as “un-Islamic” independently and not under the influence of Pakistan’s powerful military or government.
Pakistani authorities last week announced a ban on the use of VPNs, citing their use by militant groups for financial transactions and violent activities, which was criticized by rights activists and independent analysts. The CII issued a statement later, declaring the usage of VPNs as un-Islamic. The ban followed the government’s earlier move to implement a nationwide firewall to block malicious content, protect government networks from attacks, and allow it to identify IP addresses associated with “anti-state propaganda” and terror attacks. Pakistan has already blocked access to social media platform X since the February general elections, with the government saying the blocking was to stop anti-state activities and due to a failure by X to adhere to local Pakistani laws.
These moves have caused Internet disruptions over the past couple of months. Independent analysts have accused the government and Pakistan’s powerful military of suppressing criticism by former prime minister Imran Khan’s supporters on digital media. They allege that the CII issued its statement against the use of VPNs last week at the government and military’s behest, who wanted to provide a religious cover to the Internet restrictions. The government and Pakistan’s military deny this.
“Even today, it is the council’s own initiative, independent of any influence or direction from the government, [military] establishment, security agencies or any ministry,” Naeemi told Arab News on the sidelines of a press conference. “And it is not directed against any political party or to support anyone but aiming to prevent the immoral use of VPNs and block blasphemous content.”
The cleric said that the importance of social media and other technological tools cannot be denied, adding that their “positive use” has become a necessity of the times.
“Administrative measures should be adopted to prevent their misuse and the council believes that merely imposing restrictions on modern tools is not a solution; it is equally important to enable their positive use and to offer viable alternatives,” the CII chief said.
Naeemi said the CII has decided to conduct further research on the topic from an Islamic perspective in consultation with experts.
In a press conference earlier, Naeemi said VPNs and other social media applications are not inherently unlawful or un-Islamic. He said their permissibility according to Islam depends on their usage.
“If it is used to spread or access content that involves disrespect, blasphemy, unrest, anarchy or is against national security, such usage will undoubtedly be deemed impermissible in Shariah,” he said.
Naeemi backed the government’s move to regulate the use of VPNs through registration.
“Social media should be used for promoting Islamic values, building moral character, advancing education and training, fostering trade, strengthening national peace and security, and other lawful objectives,” Naeemi said.
Pakistan, China begin joint counter-terror exercise ‘Warrior-VIII’ to bolster military ties
- Three-week long exercise aimed at refining professional skills of both armies, says Pakistan military
- Exercise takes place amid surge in attacks in recent weeks on Chinese nationals living in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Wednesday kicked off their joint counter-terror exercise, “Warrior-VIII,” aimed at refining soldiers’ professional skills and bolstering military-to-military ties between the two states, Pakistan Army said.
Pakistan and China share a robust military partnership, with the two states enjoying longstanding cooperation in defense production, technology and training. China is Pakistan’s largest defense supplier, providing advanced weaponry including fighter jets and submarines to its ally. The two nations frequently collaborate through joint military exercises, counter-terrorism efforts and regional security initiatives.
Warrior VIII is a three-week long counter-terror exercise with the eighth edition taking place at the northwestern town of Pabbi in KP’s Nowshera district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan Army’s media wing, said.
“Opening Ceremony of Pak — China Joint Exercise Warrior-VIII between Pakistan Army and Peoples’ Liberation Army of China was conducted at National Counter Terrorism Center, Pabbi, today,” the ISPR said.
“The exercise is aimed at refining professional skills through joint training besides harnessing the historic military-to-military relations among the iron-clad brothers.”
The exercise takes place amid a surge in attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan by separatist elements in Karachi and southwestern Balochistan province. Islamabad says the attacks are aimed at disrupting its ties with Beijing and destabilizing a multi-billion-dollar Chinese infrastructure project in Pakistan.
A deadly suicide blast near the airport in the southern city of Karachi last month targeted Chinese engineers, killing two and injuring several. In March this year, a suicide bombing killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver in northwestern Pakistan as they headed to the Dasu Dam, the largest hydropower project in the country.
China has called on Pakistan to enhance security measures for its citizens in the country. Islamabad has vowed to ensure foolproof security measures for Chinese citizens in the country.
Pakistan gears up to promote exports globally with upcoming 18th OIC Trade Fair
- Upcoming OIC Trade Fair will be held from Nov. 29-Dec. 1 in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore
- Commerce minister urges stakeholders to ensure Pakistan’s trade capabilities are highlighted at fair
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan held a high-level meeting on Wednesday about the upcoming 18th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Trade Fair and Wexnet 2024 business events, stressing the need to promote the country’s exports globally through them.
The OIC Trade Fair is one of the major annual events organized by the Islamic Center for Development of Trade (ICDT) to promote trade and cooperation between the 57 OIC member countries. The 18th edition of the fair will be organized by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Pakistan’s commerce ministry in collaboration with the ICDT in the eastern city of Lahore from Nov. 29-Dec. 1.
Wexnet, meanwhile, is a flagship event organized by the TDAP to empower and promote women entrepreneurs across the nation. The platform allows women-led businesses to showcase their innovative products and services in the country.
“The Minister emphasized the significance of Wexnet 2024 as a platform to promote women entrepreneurs and directed TDAP to intensify efforts in showcasing their achievements,” the commerce ministry said. “He also stressed the importance of utilizing both events to amplify TDAP’s role in fostering trade development and promoting Pakistan’s exports globally.”
Stressing the impact of both events, Khan urged all stakeholders to ensure outreach, meticulous planning and impactful representation of Pakistan’s trade and business capabilities, it added.
The ministry said both events are poised to strengthen Pakistan’s trade ties and support the country’s export-oriented growth strategy.
“TDAP remains committed to promoting inclusive trade development and creating avenues for showcasing Pakistan’s export potential,” the commerce ministry said.
The ICDT says the trade fair aims to promote the development of economic and commercial partnerships between member countries and disseminate and share their economic potential.
It said the event also aims to make a tangible contribution to the development of exchanges and investments linked to trade between member countries while also market their products and services.
The OIC is the second-largest inter-government organization after the United Nations, with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. It is considered globally as the collective voice of the Muslim world and seeks to safeguard and protect its interests.
