ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday warned the international community against the threat of Islamophobia, criticizing India’s Hindu nationalist government for sponsoring prejudice against Islam and encouraging hatred toward Muslims.
Addressing the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Khan said that the coronavirus pandemic gave the world an opportunity to bring humanity together, but the contagion was used to fan nationalism, increase global tensions, and give rise to racial and religious hatred and violence against vulnerable minorities in several places.
“These trends have also accentuated Islamophobia,” he said, adding that Muslims were continued to be targeted with impunity in many countries.
Calling India “the one country in the world where state sponsors Islamophobia,” the Pakistani prime minister maintained that “willful provocations and incitement to hate and violence must be universally outlawed.”
According to Indian newspapers and television channels, New Delhi’s delegate walked out of the hall as soon as Khan’s statement was broadcast by the world body.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani leader warned India against any aggression in his virtual address, urging the Security Council to play a role to avoid a “disastrous conflict” between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The UNGA session this year is unique in a way that world leaders are not attending in person and instead are sending recorded video statements, which would be introduced by the respective country’s envoy, and then played in the assembly’s hall “as live.”
In his wide-ranging address, Khan noted that Pakistan’s foreign policy was aimed to have peace with the neighboring countries, including India, and settle all outstanding disputes through dialogue.
“I want to make it clear that any attempt by the fascist totalitarian RSS-led Indian government to aggress against Pakistan will be met by a nation that will fight for its freedom to the end,” he said.
The prime minister pointed out that there would be no durable peace and stability in South Asia until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was resolved on the basis of international legitimacy. Kashmir “has been rightly described as a nuclear flash point,” he said.
Both the nuclear-armed neighbors have fought at least three full-fledged wars over the Himalayan Kashmir valley that they claim in full, though they only rule parts of it.
“In order to divert attention from its illegal actions and atrocities in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India is playing a dangerous game of upping the military ante against Pakistan in a nuclearized environment,” the prime minister said.
“The government and people of Pakistan are committed to standing by and supporting their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their legitimate struggle for self-determination,” he said.
Khan noted that Pakistan had exercised “maximum restraint” despite constant Indian provocations and cease-fire violations along the Line of Control and the working boundary, targeting “innocent civilians.”
“We have consistently sensitized the world community about a false flag operation and another ill-conceived misadventure by India,” he said.
Talking about the illicit financial flows from developing countries to rich countries and to offshore tax havens, the prime minister said the practice was leading to the impoverishment of the developing nations.
“Money that could be used toward human development is siphoned off by corrupt elites,” he said, adding that the quest for getting back the stolen resources was nearly impossible, given the cumbersome procedures.
“If this phenomenon is unaddressed, it will continue to accentuate the inequality between the rich and the poor nations, and eventually spark off a far bigger global crisis than the present migration issue poses,” he said.
“The rich states cannot hold forth on human rights and justice when they provide sanctuary to money launderers’ and their looted wealth,” he said while urging the assembly to build a global framework to stem the practice and ensure speedy repatriation of stolen wealth.
The prime minister said the COVID-19 pandemic had hit the developing countries hard and they would need fiscal space to recover from the crisis.
About Afghanistan, he said that Pakistan fully facilitated the process that culminated in the US-Taliban Peace Agreement on 29 February 2020.
“Pakistan is deeply gratified that it has fulfilled its part of the responsibility,” he said.
The prime minister also described Palestine as a “festering wound,” adding that Pakistan would continue to support a two-state solution with pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of a united, contiguous and independent Palestinian state.
Indian delegate walks out as Pakistani PM accuses New Delhi of 'sponsoring' Islamophobia
https://arab.news/mvq34
Indian delegate walks out as Pakistani PM accuses New Delhi of 'sponsoring' Islamophobia
- The Pakistani prime minister warns India against any aggression, urges Security Council to prevent ‘disastrous’ conflict
- Khan says the illicit financial flows from developing nations to rich economies detrimental to the developing world
Pakistan Senate committee approves bill to establish commission for minority rights
- Constitution guarantees equal rights and protection for all citizens, including religious minorities but disparities in practice persist
- Minorities face persistent challenges in accessing public services and participating fully in social and economic life
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Senate Subcommittee on Human Rights on Thursday approved a bill to establish a commission on minority rights in accordance with the United Nations and international standards and regulations, a statement from the committee said on Thursday.
The Pakistani constitution guarantees equal rights and protection for all citizens, including religious minorities, but disparities in practice persist. While the constitution protects freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion, minorities face persistent challenges in accessing public services and participating fully in social and economic life. There is also widespread persecution of minority groups.
On Thursday, the minister of law briefed the Senate committee on the National Commission for Minorities, which will constitute eight members, four from the government and four representing the parliament.
“There will be Parliamentary Committee consisting of four members: which will be nominated by the Speaker National Assembly, two from the treasury and two from the opposition benches,” according to a statement from the Senate.
“Besides this, two minority members from each province, who are Pakistani citizens not younger than 35 years of age and possessing considerable knowledge and practical experience in Human Rights advocacy, will be included in the commission.”
The statement said the recommended timelines for the process were a maximum of 45 to 60 days. The commission would hold the power to direct other local human rights institutions to take up matters in their own ambit of expertise.
The committee reached consensus on two key points.
“First, the nomination for the National Commission for Minorities will be shortlisted within 30 days, and the Constitution of Commission will be completed within 45 days,” the statement said. “Secondly, the minimum age for nominated members will be 35 years.”
According to a copy of the bill widely reported by local media, the commission will “assess and monitor [the] implementation of the constitutional guarantees and safeguard for promotion and protection of rights of minorities.”
The commission will also review existing or proposed policies or programs to prevent discrimination and protect minorities and provide recommendations to the relevant departments.
23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry
- Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 for the pilgrimage this year
- Nearly 90,000 Pakistanis to perform Hajj 2025 under government scheme
ISLAMABAD: The ministry of religious affairs said on Tuesday only 23,620 Pakistani pilgrims would be performing Hajj under the private scheme this year.
The annual Islamic pilgrimage is expected to take place this year in June. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj Agreement 2025 in January, under which Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 for the pilgrimage this year. The quota is divided equally between government and private schemes.
Nearly 90,000 Pakistanis are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme this year.
“General public is hereby informed that only 23,620 pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj under the Private Hajj Scheme from Pakistan this year 2025,” the religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
“The list of service providers providing services with the Hajj 2025 quota has been updated on the website of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and the Pak Hajj App.”
The ministry urged pilgrims who had made bookings with registered service providers to check the status of their application and contract on the ministry’s website.
“All organizing/service provider companies are directed to provide updated contract (Hajj Form) to Hajj pilgrims as per the approved quota of Hajj 2025 and ensure the process of issuing Hajj visas to pilgrims by April 18 as per the instructions of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the ministry added.
Hajj flight operations will begin from Apr. 29 when the first flight will depart from Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to probe why Pakistan had failed to use the whole 179,210 quota for Hajj 2025.
Soldier, four militants killed in armed operation in northwest Pakistan
- Military has launched frequent operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan in recent years
- Pakistan says militants launch attacks using safe havens in Afghanistan, a charge Kabul denies
ISLAMABAD: A sepoy was killed in an intelligence-based operation in the northwest of Pakistan, the military said on Thursday, as it battles a spike in militant attacks.
In recent months, the military has launched frequent operations in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. The army’s target in the area are militants it says launch attacks inside Pakistan and against the army using safe havens in Afghanistan. The Taliban government in Kabul says it does not allow its territory to be used by insurgents against other countries.
Groups like the Pakistani Taliban, commonly known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have been waging a war against the Pakistani state for nearly two decades in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with what they consider an Islamic system of governance.
In the latest operation, the army’s media wing said security forces had conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Maddi in the Dera Ismail Khan district on Apr. 16, killing four militants.
“However, during intense fire exchange, one brave son of soil, Sepoy Basit Siddique (age: 23 years, resident of District Attock), having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat [martyrdom],” the army’s statement said.
Militants have intensified their attacks since revoking a ceasefire with the government in late 2022, with recent months witnessing significant strikes targeting the military and its bases.
Pakistan to seek bids to sell national airline next week
- Privatization board approves pre-qualification criteria for selection of prospective bidders
- New expressions of interest in buying between 51-100 percent of airline would be sought next week
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government will seek expressions of interest next week for the sale of Pakistan International Airlines, the privatization ministry said on Thursday, days after it reported its first annual profit in over two decades.
Pakistan has been seeking to sell a 51-100 percent stake in the debt-ridden carrier, to raise funds and reform cash-draining, state-owned enterprises as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund program.
Its failed attempt to privatise Pakistan International Airlines last year received a single offer, well below the asking price of more than $300 million.
The privatization commission board has approved seeking new bids, the ministry said in a statement.
“The board approved the pre-qualification criteria for selection of prospective bidders,” it said. It added new expressions of interest in buying between 51 and 100 percent of the airline would be sought next week.
Pakistan has shifted almost all of the national carrier’s legacy debt to government books after issues raised by bidders led to the failure of the last privatization attempt.
Muhammad Ali, government adviser on privatization, said last week all the issues raised at the time of last year’s failed attempt had been dealt with.
Pakistan’s top diplomat meets Bangladesh’s Yunus as first foreign office meetings in 15 years held
- Interactions in Dhaka come amid political shifts in Bangladesh following the ouster of pro-India PM Sheikh Hasina Wajid in student uprising
- While Hasina’s removal from office was followed by cooling of relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, exchanges with Islamabad are growing
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch met Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus on Thursday to discuss trade, investment, youth linkages and regional integration, following the first Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the two nations in 15 years.
The two countries, which were once one, have shared a tumultuous history, with Bangladesh gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a bloody war of independence.
The latest meetings in Dhaka come amid significant political shifts in Bangladesh following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid in a popular student uprising last year. Hasina’s government was hostile toward Pakistan but closely allied with India, where she remains exiled. While her removal from office was followed by the cooling of relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, exchanges with Islamabad have started to grow.
“During the Foreign Secretary’s call on the Chief Adviser, Yunus, inter alia, trade and investment opportunities, youth linkages, regional integration, and revival of SAARC [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] remained the focus of discussion,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.
A separate statement from Yunus’ office said he “put the emphasis on strengthening ties with Pakistan to boost mutual cooperation and explore trade and business potentials.”
“There are certain hurdles. We have to find ways to overcome those and move forward,” the chief adviser told Baloch who was in Dhaka for the 6th round of Foreign Secretary Level Consultations (FSLC).
A 7th round will take place in Islamabad in 2026. The consultations are expected to pave the way for a visit by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh at the end of the month, the first such visit by a Pakistani foreign minister since 2012.
The chief adviser said that Bangladesh and Pakistan should exchange more youth and cultural programs to increase people-to-people bonding.
“We kept missing each other for a long time as our relationship was frozen. We have to overcome the barriers,” he said.
“WE CAN’T MISS THE BUS EVERY TIME”
The statement from Bangladesh quoted Pakistani Foreign Secretary Baloch as saying ways must be found to “harness the potentials between the two countries.”
“We have huge intra-regional markets on our own rights. We should use it,” Baloch said. ” “We can’t miss the bus every time.”
She said that there was a need for regular B2B (business to business) interactions between the private sectors of the two countries and the exchange of visits at all levels.
“Both sides had a constructive and forward-looking engagement in a cordial environment where entire spectrum of Pakistan -Bangladesh bilateral relations came under discussion, including political, economic and trade relations, cooperation in agriculture, environment and education, cultural exchanges, defense relations and people to people contacts,” the Pakistani foreign office added.
“The focus of talks on economic cooperation and people to people relations is a realistic and pragmatic agenda for the revival of ties,” Former Pakistani diplomat Ali Sarwar Naqvi, an executive director of the Center for International Strategic Studies in Islamabad, told Arab News, commenting on the latest interactions in Dhaka.
In regional terms, Naqvi said growing ties between Islamabad and Dhaka were a “setback” to India’s hegemonic ambitions in South Asia.
Former Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh were bound by history, faith and culture, and it was encouraging to see their bilateral ties on an “upward trajectory.”
“It was unfortunate that during Sheikh Haseena’s time, all these relations and relations were cut off, but now that the change has come, the situation has improved,” he told Arab News, saying any differences in the future should be resolved through “diplomacy and dialogue.”
“The cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh is not aimed against any third country, and India should see it as a natural interaction between two sovereign nations,” he added.
Another former ambassador, Masood Khalid, said Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one country and it was “illogical and unnatural” for them not to have diplomatic contact for decades.
“Both countries deciding to explore cooperation in multiple fields and restore their historical bonding finds resonance among the people of two countries,” he told Arab News.
“I am confident that this headway in bilateral ties will be of mutual benefit and conducive to regional peace and stability.”
