ISLAMABAD: Slamming the United Nations for its reaction over the recent situation in disputed Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan, President of Azad Kashmir on Monday termed the global body’s response as “deeply disappointing, lukewarm and laid-back.”
“They (United Nations) are trying to create an artificial balance between India and Pakistan. They are asking India and Pakistan for restraint. What kind of restraint are they expecting from Pakistan? Pakistan has already said that it is not going to go to war. All the aggressive steps are being taken by India, so the UN should have rightly asked India to show restraint, responsibility and should have counselled it to reverse the steps it has announced,” Khan said during his exclusive interview with Arab News.
He added that in this dark hour when the people of Indian-administered Kashmir are suffering, their eyes are turned toward the Islamic countries and the Arab world.
“The Arab world, particularly Saudi Arabia and allies, is the ‘torchbearer’ of the unity of the Muslim Ummah. No Muslim anywhere in the world should suffer unjustly as it is happening in Indian occupied territory,” he said, requesting Arab countries to support Kashmir in this difficult period by building “pressure against India’s unlawful and illegal steps.”
He further chided the leaders of other countries for not mounting pressure on India “due to their strategic, economic and political interests.”
“India has deluded the world powers, particularly the western countries, that they are a force for good and have respect for diversity. This is all a “fasad” I would say. The reality is [that] India is pursuing aggression and it is committing violent crimes, crimes against humanity and the world is not holding India accountable.”
Khan said that by revoking Articles 370 and 35-A, India in fact dropped the pretense that it had put up for the people of Kashmir and the rest of the world claiming there was autonomy in the Indian administered Kashmir.
“There was no autonomy, there was only occupation. So now India is completely exposed. It has taken additional coercive measures. Article 370 was an empty shell but article 35-A recognized some of the inherent and basic rights of Kashmiris. By removing it, they [India] want to alter the demography and turn the Muslim majority into a minority.”
He added that India has defied all norms of International law and created a war psychosis with Pakistan. “India has opened a new battle field with Pakistan. It has signaled to escalate along the Line of Control (LOC). In the recent past, they have killed many civilians along the LOC. They used cluster ammunition which claimed the lives of children.”
Commenting on options available to Pakistan, Khan said that “Pakistan can do a lot on bilateral level and has taken certain measures already. It has also cut off the train and bus service and suspended trade with India.”
“Pakistan announced to take the matter to UN Security Council (UNSC) and it is the Security Council’s responsibility to take cognizance of the situation. It is also necessary for Pakistan to remain in touch with friendly countries and also those countries who care about human rights.” He added that OIC can also play meaningful role by promoting some sort of solution about Jammu and Kashmir.
Khan said that Pakistan should follow up on President Trump’s recent offer to mediate on Kashmir issue. “They (Pakistan) should not have a passive posture and go ahead to deescalate the situation,” he added.
He said that Pakistan should increase its contact with permanent members of the UNSC such as China because “their opinion would matter.”
Khan lamented as the deteriorating situation in Indian-administered Kashmir terming it as “horrendous.” He said the world was blinded from the situation on ground due to information blockade. “The occupied territory is completely under lockdown. People have been pushed back to the dark ages.”
He said that India had moved an additional 180,000 troops to the disputed valley before repealing Kashmir’s special status granted in the Indian constitution.
“We know very little of the horror that has been unleashed on Kashmiris. We can believe based on our past experience that a genocide is being committed in Kashmir right now but it hidden from the rest of the world.”
UN is creating ‘artificial balance’ between India, Pakistan – AJK President
UN is creating ‘artificial balance’ between India, Pakistan – AJK President
- Masood Khan says global body’s response is “deeply disappointing”
- Sees Saudi Arabia as the “torchbearer” of unity among Muslims
PM Sharif says nation stands with security forces after killing of militants amid surge in attacks
- PM says government is committed to eradicating militancy after security forces kill three in northwest
- The development comes amid rising violence in Pakistan that has witnessed deadly attacks recently
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday the nation stands firmly with its security forces as the military announced the killing of three militants in two separate operations in the country’s northwest amid a sharp rise in violence.
Pakistan’s military also injured three combatants during intelligence-based operations conducted in Khyber and South Waziristan districts on Nov. 21-22.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), two militants were killed in an operation in Bara, Khyber district, while another was killed and three injured during an attempt to infiltrate Pakistan from the Afghanistan border.
The ISPR reiterated Pakistan’s call for Afghanistan’s Taliban-led interim government to prevent its territory from being used for violent attacks against Pakistan, emphasizing the country’s commitment to securing its borders and eradicating militancy.
“The enemies of humanity will continue to face failure in their evil designs,” the prime minister said in a statement released by his office after the ISPR shared the information. “The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the brave soldiers of our security forces in the fight against terrorism.”
Sharif added his government remains committed to eradicating militancy and ensuring the complete elimination of extremist violence in the country.
The ISPR’s announcement comes amid escalating violence in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, which has witnessed multiple deadly attacks in the past week.
In the latest assault on Thursday, gunmen attacked vehicles carrying minority Shiite community members in KP’s Kurram district, triggering deadly sectarian clashes that have so far killed 64 people.
Prior to that, militants targeted a checkpost in KP’s Bannu district during the week, killing 10 army soldiers and two paramilitary Frontier Constabulary personnel.
Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, during a visit to Peshawar on Friday, vowed decisive action against militant groups and emphasized the need for synchronized operations to dismantle militant networks.
Pakistan’s other western province of Balochistan has also seen a resurgence in militant activity this year.
On Tuesday, the prime minister chaired a meeting of civil and military leaders that approved a “comprehensive operation” to counter separatist insurgents in Balochistan.
The government’s latest actions underline Pakistan’s struggle to address growing instability along its borders and in remote regions, where a combination of militant activity and weak governance continues to pose significant challenges to security forces.
Punjab chief minister suspends top hospital officials over AIDS outbreak during dialysis
- Action comes after 25 patients in Multan contract AIDS due to reuse of disposable dialysis kits
- Maryam Nawaz visit Nishtar Hospital, emphasizes stricter compliance with medical protocols
ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has suspended six officials at Nishtar Hospital Multan, including the medical superintendent, for severe negligence that led to the spread of AIDS among dialysis patients, state media reported on Saturday.
According to local news outlets, the negligence involved reusing disposable dialysis kits and dialyzers, failing to conduct mandatory AIDS and hepatitis tests every three months and improper adherence to medical protocols.
Hospital officials acknowledged that 25 patients contracted AIDS after undergoing dialysis using equipment previously contaminated by infected individuals.
“Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited Nishtar Hospital Multan and suspended six officials, including MS Nishtar Hospital and the head of the nephrology department, on severe negligence,” Radio Pakistan reported.
“She took action against doctors and nurses for spreading AIDS during dialysis,” it added.
AIDS, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), attacks the immune system and leaves individuals vulnerable to infections and certain cancers. In Pakistan, the social stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS has led to significant underreporting, with UNAIDS estimating approximately 290,000 people living with HIV in the country as of 2023.
According to Pakistan’s Geo TV, the chief minister inspected the hospital during her visit and criticized its poor compliance with standard operating procedures.
She described the situation as “criminal negligence” and expressed dissatisfaction despite the government’s allocation of resources to the health sector.
“It is unacceptable that patients who come to government hospitals for treatment end up contracting AIDS instead,” Geo quoted her as saying.
Public health facilities in Pakistan face a severe trust deficit, with many patients preferring private hospitals despite their high costs. Poor management, insufficient oversight and a lack of adherence to medical protocols continue to erode confidence in the public health care system.
The Punjab chief minister emphasized the need for stricter compliance with protocols and greater accountability for medical staff to prevent such incidents in the future.
She also inspected cardiology and other wards during her visit.
Authorities in Pakistan’s northwest push for ceasefire as Kurram clashes kill 64
- KP administration sends a high-level delegation to the restive region to consult local elders
- Provisional spokesman denies the delegation’s helicopter came under fire while landing
PESHAWAR: The death toll in days-long sectarian clashes in Pakistan’s northwestern Kurram district has risen to 64, authorities said on Saturday, as the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) announced it was striving for a ceasefire and would develop its strategy to address the situation in consultation with local elders.
The violence in the restive tribal district bordering Afghanistan began on Thursday when gunmen attacked a convoy carrying members of the minority Shiite community, killing 41 people.
Clashes intensified over the next 24 hours, with sporadic gunfire reported in multiple areas of Kurram, leaving 23 more dead and at least 86 wounded, according to local officials.
“The provincial government is making serious efforts for a peaceful and sustainable resolution of the Kurram conflict,” KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who chaired a meeting via video link to discuss the situation, was quoted as saying in an official statement. “A ceasefire in the area is essential to move toward resolving the conflict.”
“The provincial government will formulate its plan of action in light of consultations and proposals from local elders,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the KP administration dispatched a high-level delegation to Kurram to assess the situation and engage with tribal leaders. Local media widely reported that the delegation’s helicopter came under fire while landing, a claim the provincial authorities denied as “baseless.”
“We landed safely and held meetings with tribal elders and officials of the district administration in Kurram,” said provincial government spokesman Muhammad Ali Saif in a video statement. “There was no such incident [of firing on the helicopter].”
Former parliamentarian Sajid Hussain Turi, who was part of the delegation, also dismissed the reports as “propaganda,” urging media outlets to verify information before circulating.
The delegation met with Shia elders in Parachinar, the district’s main town, to seek proposals for ending the violence and is scheduled to meet Sunni elders in Sadda on Sunday, officials said.
The clashes mark one of the deadliest incidents in Kurram in recent years, following outbreaks of sectarian violence in July and September that killed dozens.
Gandapur described Friday’s attacks as “deeply regrettable and condemnable” and said the government would fulfill any legitimate demands from both sides to prevent further bloodshed.
“Establishing peace in the region is currently the provincial government’s top priority,” he added.
Shop owners in Parachinar have announced a three-day strike in protest against the violence, as residents report an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty across the district.
Pakistan’s anti-terror body warns of militant threat to opposition protest in Islamabad
- NACTA alert says Taliban militants have entered Pakistan, may target Imran Khan’s party rally
- PTI has urges people to join Sunday’s protest in the capital to secure Khan’s release from prison
KARACHI: Pakistan’s National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has warned of potential militant attacks targeting former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s protest march, according to a classified alert shared with provincial officials earlier this week.
The alert, issued on Thursday but revealed in the media on Saturday, cited intelligence from “multiple sources” indicating that militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had entered Pakistan from Afghanistan and infiltrated major cities.
Referring to the TTP as “Fitna Al Khawarij (FAK),” the alert warned that its fighters could target participants of the PTI protest.
“Sources have confirmed that FAK elements are planning to conduct such activities in public/political gatherings; most likely upcoming PTI protest/march as opportunity to exploit for their vested interest,” the alert, in possession of Arab News, said.
A senior NACTA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed its authenticity.
The PTI has called on its followers to march on Islamabad on Sunday to demand Khan’s release, as he has been imprisoned for over a year.
The march also aims to protest alleged electoral manipulation in February’s general elections and to highlight concerns over judicial independence, which the government has denied.
The Taliban have not officially responded to the alert regarding their potential involvement in attacks. However, the militant group has previously maintained that it has a policy of not targeting ordinary citizens.
The government has already urged the PTI to call off the protest, citing an Islamabad High Court ruling that instructed authorities to engage with the party and ensure no disruptions in the capital ahead of a major foreign delegation visit next week.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko will arrive in Islamabad on a three-day visit starting Monday to discuss economic collaboration between the two countries.
KSrelief officials join global delegation meeting PM Sharif to boost Pakistan’s polio fight
- Shehbaz Sharif says his government will not rest until the ‘scourge of polio’ is completely eradicated
- Pakistan has reported 52 polio cases since the beginning of the year, mostly from KP and Balochistan
KARACHI: Officials from Saudi aid agency KSrelief, as part of a Global Polio Eradication Initiative delegation, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss strengthening Pakistan’s vaccination campaigns, tackling polio challenges and securing support for a polio-free future, according to an official statement released on Saturday.
Pakistan, along with neighboring Afghanistan, remains the last polio-endemic country in the world. The South Asian nation’s polio eradication campaign has faced serious challenges, with a significant spike in reported cases this year amid militant attacks on polio teams, prompting officials to reassess their approach to combating the crippling disease.
Pakistan reported two new polio cases from Dera Ismail Khan in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province a day earlier, bringing the total number of cases to 52 since the beginning of the year.
“Pakistan hosted a high-level delegation from the GPEI for a second time this year from Nov. 20-22,” the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program (PPEP) said in a statement, adding that the meeting reflected the highest level of political commitment to eradicating polio in the country.
The delegation included two senior KSrelief officials along with World Health Organization, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and UNICEF representatives.
The prime minister expressed gratitude to the delegation for supporting Pakistan, emphasizing that the country considers the eradication of polio a top priority.
“A strategic National Emergency Action Plan is being implemented to reverse the virus surge, and all chief ministers and secretaries are providing direct oversight and working in coordination to fight the current polio outbreak,” Sharif was quoted as saying.
“The Government of Pakistan will not rest until we have ended the scourge of polio from our borders,” he added.
The delegation also visited metropolitan Karachi during their stay in the country, where its members met with female frontline health workers to discuss the challenges they face and explore ways to address them, the statement said.
Of the 52 polio cases reported in 2024, 24 were from Balochistan province, 13 from Sindh, 13 from KP, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad, the federal capital.
Poliovirus, which can cause crippling paralysis, particularly in young children, remains incurable and continues to threaten human health as long as it is not eradicated. Immunization campaigns have succeeded in most countries and have made significant progress in Pakistan, but persistent challenges remain.
In the early 1990s, Pakistan reported approximately 20,000 cases annually, but by 2018 the number had dropped to eight. Six cases were reported in 2023, and only one in 2021.
