ISLAMABAD: The Indian security clampdown in disputed Kashmir region has left families on both sides of the border divided and out of communication since phone lines and Internet service are down in the Indian administered part of Kashmir for more than 10 days now following New Delhi’s controversial move to repeal special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
Kashmiris living in Pakistan administered side of the contested territory express grave concern over the well-being of their loved ones on the other side of the border mainly due to their inability to contact them.
Furqan Hashmi, a student hailing from Srinagar in his fourth-year at a medical college in Sindh, said that he could not even inform his family about his safe arrival to Pakistan.
“I left my home in Srinagar on August 4 when there was no curfew. My mother asked me to inform her immediately after arriving in Islamabad. After going through visa formalities in New Delhi, I crossed Wagah border on August 11 but could not tell my mother about it.”
Hashmi, who worries greatly about his family’s safety, said this mother has no means of reaching him. “Someone should tell my mother that I am safe here,” he appealed.
Mir Mushtaq, who came from Ganderbal district of Indian administered Kashmir and is now living in Rawalpindi, told Arab News that his entire family is living in Ganderbal including his mother, younger brother and three sisters.
“I met them 6 years back when they visited me here,” said Mushtaq, adding that “my mother was worried, when I last talked to her on August 4. She was ill and I am not sure how she is doing now, whether she is able to get her medicines or not?”
Mushtaq is also worried about his business as he is associated with trade across the Line of Control (LOC). “I am having financial problems due to suspension of trade on LOC,” he said. “All the Kashmiris are now looking at Pakistan,” he added.
Syeda Rabia Bashir, a Kashmiri woman from Srinagar married to her cousin living in Muzaffarabad, told Arab News that she was unable to contact any of her family members since Monday (August 5). “I don’t know if my father who was seriously unwell is even alive or not. I don’t know if my family has enough food,” she said.
“My father, five of my brothers and a sister all live in Srinagar. They are in trouble and I am passing through a great torment.” She added that the situation was taking a toll on her health as she had to start taking anti-depressant for the past two weeks.
Shaukat Lone, who lives in Manak Payan refugee camp in Muzaffarabad, said that India had turned Kashmir into a “prison.”
“My mother told me on August 3 that there is huge deployment of army troops in the area and public announcements have been made to store ration and medicines. It seems as though war is about to start.” All the Kashmiris living in refugee camps in Pakistan are deeply worried for their family members on the other side of the LOC, said Lone.
Another Kashmiri, Manzoor Ahmad, who came to Muzaffarabad from Sopor district in 2006 and runs a small business in Islamabad now, told Arab News that hundreds of families were affected by the situation across the LOC and were currently out of touch with their dear ones.
“For the first time, I could not wish Eid greetings to my mother and sister since I left my village,” said Ahmad. He added that his concerns about his family were increasing with each passing day. “I could not establish any contact with my mother and sister since Monday (August 5). I am really worried about my nephews as Indian forces are very hostile to young children.” Ahmad added that “despite all these difficulties, Kashmiris are determined to fight the tyrant forces.”
Thousands of Kashmiris have crossed over the LOC leaving the Indian-administered side for Pakistan since 1990, after violence escalated there. An estimated 38,000 refugees from Indian administered Kashmir are residing either in the refugee camps near Muzaffarabad or settled in different cities of Pakistan. These Kashmiris still have their close family members stuck across the border and for decades, their mode of communication remained mainly telephone line and only recently through video calls via different applications, which is completely disrupted by the recent Indian restrictions.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in a recent statement, expressed concern over the curtailment of religious freedom of the Kashmiri Muslims in the Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir including a complete lock-down on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.
Human rights organizations like the Amnesty International have already condemned the additional deployment of thousands of Indian security forces, a blanket ban on telephone and Internet services, and restrictions on peaceful assembly in the disputed Kashmir valley.
Kashmiri families divided by LoC fear for each other’s well-being
Kashmiri families divided by LoC fear for each other’s well-being
- An estimated 38,000 refugees from Indian administered Kashmir are residing in Pakistani side of the disputed territory
- Indian security clampdown in Kashmir with telecommunication services cut has left families fearing for each others' well-being.
Pakistan’s 21st consignment of relief items for Gaza, Lebanon and Syria arrives in Damascus
- Pakistan dispatched 17 tons of relief items such as blankets, food and medicines on Wednesday
- Islamabad has repeatedly demanded an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza amid Israel’s aggression
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s 21st consignment of relief items for the war-affected people of Lebanon, Gaza and Syria landed in Damascus on Thursday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said.
Pakistan dispatched the consignment from the eastern city of Rawalpindi to Damascus on Wednesday. The relief items, sent with the help of the Pakistan Air Force, comprised 17 tons of supplies which included blankets, food and medicines.
Israel has been attacking what it calls Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, leading Israel to launch a military campaign in which more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and more than 3,500 people in Lebanon.
“The 21st consignment of humanitarian aid for war affected/displaced people of Palestine Gaza and Lebanon has successfully landed in Damascus, which flew yesterday from the Nur Khan Base via a chartered flight, carrying 17 tons of relief items by GoP/Pak NDMA,” the authority said in a statement.
It said the consignment was received by Air Marshal (retired) Shahid Akhtar, Pakistan’s ambassador in Damascus.
“The Government of Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to the war-affected people of Palestine (Gaza) and Lebanon,” the NDMA said.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other multilateral platforms and demanded international powers and bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Balochistan Assembly passes resolution seeking ban on Imran Khan’s party after violent protests
- Tabled by PPP and PML-N parties’ lawmakers, resolution accuses Khan’s party of spreading chaos in the country
- Government says clashes between Khan supporters and law enforcers led to the killing of three troops and one cop
QUETTA: Provincial lawmakers in the Balochistan Assembly on Thursday approved a resolution seeking an “immediate” ban on former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party following its violent clashes with law enforcers in the capital this week.
Pakistan’s government said three Rangers personnel and a police officer were killed during clashes between thousands of Khan supporters and law enforcers this week when the PTI led a “long march” to the capital to demand Khan’s release, among other things.
The protesters were dispersed after a late-night raid on Wednesday, after which the PTI said at least 20 of its supporters had been killed after being shot by law enforcers. The government denies this while police says it has arrested over 1,151 protesters.
Lawmakers of the PTI’s political rivals Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) tabled a joint resolution, calling on the federal government to ban Khan’s party. These lawmakers included Meer Saleem Khosa, Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, Asim Kurd Gelo, Raheela Hameed Durrani, Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Hajji Wali Noorzai and Barkat Ali Rind.
“This august house of the Balochistan Assembly calls upon the federal government to impose an immediate ban on the PTI for spreading chaos in the country, and for attempting to make the armed forces of Pakistan and security forces fight with the people,” a copy of the resolution seen by Arab News said.
The resolution accused the PTI of being involved in violent activities in the country, saying it has adversely affected the country’s economy.
“Attacking the capital with provincial machinery and resources was a clear proof of the non-political agenda of a political party,” Khosa said while presenting the motion.
Opposition parties such as the National Party (NP), Jamat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan Fazl (JUI-F) opposed the resolution and its lawmakers walked out in protest during the session.
Alam Kakar, a leader of the PTI’s Balochistan chapter, rejected the resolution.
“Let them (center) enjoy this decision but Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is Imran Khan’s party and whatever name Khan would give to this party, the Pakistani nation would stand by him,” Kakar told Arab News.
“The provincial government should focus on maintaining the law and order situation in Balochistan rather than bringing such an absurd resolution,” he added.
Younus Aziz Zehri, an opposition leader in the Balochistan Assembly, told Arab News that the opposition parties strongly opposed the resolution.
“If today we ban the PTI, tomorrow it could be us or the PML-N or the PPP any political party in power would ban its opponents,” he said.
“We strongly condemn the killings of civilians and security personnel during the violence by the state and protesters in Islamabad, but that doesn’t justify that you should ban that political party led the protests in Islamabad,” Zehri added.
Pakistan’s government has said that the protests caused economic losses worth $684 million per day, describing them as deliberate attempts by the PTI to harm the country’s economy.
Pakistan welcomes ceasefire announcement between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah
- Israel approved ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah on Tuesday after nearly 14 months of fighting
- Pakistan’s premier hopes ceasefire leads to permanent cessation of hostilities between two sides
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday welcomed the ceasefire announcement between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, hoping it would culminate in a permanent cessation of hostilities between the two sides.
Israel approved a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah group on Tuesday that halts nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in Gaza.
The ceasefire, which came into effect on Wednesday, marked the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered after Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. However, it does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages and the conflict is more intractable.
“We welcome the announcement of ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X.
“And hope that the announcement leads to a permanent cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.”
Sharif wished peace and security for the people of Lebanon.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other multilateral platforms and demanded international powers and bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Since October last year, Pakistan has dispatched 21 consignments of relief items such as food and blankets for the war-affected people of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
Islamabad does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and has consistently accused it of committing genocide in Gaza. Pakistan calls for an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Pakistani banks to remain open on Saturday, Sunday to receive Hajj applications
- Designated Pakistani banks to remain open from 09:00 am to 02:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays
- Deadline to file Hajj applications is Dec. 3 while draw for government scheme will be held on Dec. 6.
ISLAMABAD: Designated Pakistani banks will remain open on Saturday and Sunday to receive Hajj 2025 applications, state-owned media said on Thursday, as thousands apply for the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
Pakistani state media said this week that over 24,000 Hajj applications by Pakistani pilgrims have been received by designated banks.
Saudi Arabia has allotted Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, to be divided equally between the government and private schemes. Around 15 designated Pakistani banks started receiving applications for Hajj 2025 from intending pilgrims on Monday this week.
“Designated banks will remain open to receive Hajj applications on Saturday and Sunday,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
It said that the banks will remain open from 09:00 am to 02:30pm on Saturday and Sunday to receive the Hajj applications.
The deadline to file Hajj applications is Dec. 3 while the draw for the government scheme will be held on Dec. 6.
The religious affairs ministry announced the country’s Hajj 2025 policy earlier this month, according to which pilgrims can pay fees for the annual pilgrimage in installments for the first time.
Under the government scheme, the first installment of Hajj dues, amounting to Rs200,000 ($717), has to be deposited along with the Hajj application, while a second installment of Rs400,000 ($1,435) must be deposited within ten days of the balloting. The remaining amount has to be deposited by Feb. 10 next year.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry said it had launched the “Pak Hajj 2025” mobile application to guide and facilitate pilgrims. The app is available for both Android and iPhone users.
Ghulam’s ton inspires Pakistan to 2-1 ODI series win against Zimbabwe
- Pakistan dismiss Zimbabwe for 204 runs in 40.1 overs to win third ODI by 99 runs
- Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub and Aamir Jamal take two wickets each
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani batter Kamran Ghulam inspired Pakistan to a comfortable win over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Thursday, sealing a 2-1 ODI series victory over the hosts.
Pakistan piled on an impressive 303/6 at the end of their 50 overs against Zimbabwe, with Ghulam leading the charge with his 109-run knock from 99 balls while Abdullah Shafique scored 50 runs from 68 balls.
Pakistani captain Rizwan scored 37 runs from 44 balls as Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza returned figures of 2/47.
“A 99-run win in the third ODI to wrap up a series victory,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a post. “Onto the T20 action.”
Pakistan’s Aamir Jamal, Haris Rauf and Saim Ayub took two wickets apiece to ensure Zimbabwe were skittled out for 204 runs in 40.1 overs.
Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine top-scored with a fighting 51 runs from 63 balls.
Pakistan bounced back from a shocking loss in the rain-affected first match with a 10-wicket win in the second, after a maiden ODI century from Ayub.
The tourists retained the same winning combination for the third ODI, with Faisal Akram, Abrar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha the three spin options.
Zimbabwe brought in wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande and fast bowling all-rounder Faraz Akram for their first game of the series in place of Brandon Mavuta and Trevor Gwandu.
The ODI series will be followed by a three-match Twenty20 series starting at Bulawayo from Sunday.
