KARACHI: Hundreds of climate activists rallied in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi on Sunday to demand immediate action to address climate change, calling out the Global North for what they described as a “genocide and ecocide” in Palestine.
The rally, held in connection with the International Day of Climate Action, saw demonstrators gather at the historic Frere Hall building, holding placards with climate-related slogans written on them and waving Palestinian flags.
The participants criticized Israel and its backers from the Global North, including the United States and European nations, for widespread destruction in Palestine as a result of Israeli military campaign since Oct. 2023.
“We might have hope left, but what about the Palestinians who are being destroyed,” asked Ahmed Shabbar, founder of the Pakistan Maholiati Tahaffuz Movement and one of the organizers of the march, saying that relentless Israeli bombardment was destroying both human lives and ecosystems in Palestine.
“We say that ecocide and genocide are one and the same. You simply cannot have climate justice without justice for Palestinians.”
Shabbar and other activists argued that climate justice and Palestinian rights were interconnected.
The protesters held placards inscribed with slogans relating to climate change. One placard read “weather has never been weirder,” while another urged the local government to avoid using coal for energy to lessen the impact of climate change.
“We are here to tell that the government’s policies are failing,” said Yasir Husain, a climate activist. “They’re using the words, but their work does not show it.”
He noted that Karachi, one of the largest cities in the world, was sizzling in the month of October, while it had become second least liveable city of the world.
Naureen Fatima, another participant, highlighted the impact of climate change on marginalized communities, particularly those living in coastal areas.
“Water, air pollution, all of this actually has a huge toll on the health of people, communities who are from the coastal areas,” she said, adding that fisherfolk were worst affected by climate change.
Tofiq Pasha Mooraj, another climate activist, pointed to erratic changes in weather patterns in Pakistan in recent years.
“Places where it never used to rain, there is rain, there is flood. We have snowfall in seasons when there is no snow, and we have extreme heat,” he said, adding the march was aimed at raising awareness about climate change and pressuring authorities to take action.
Abira Ashfaq, an academic, emphasized the importance of preserving green spaces and ecosystems, warning about mega infrastructure projects that disregard the needs of local communities.
“Often the loans [acquired by the government from global institutions] are for infrastructure that, you know, indigenous peoples, farmers, pastoralists have no say in,” she said.
Karachi climate rally calls out Global North for ‘genocide and ecocide’ in Palestine
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Karachi climate rally calls out Global North for ‘genocide and ecocide’ in Palestine
- Hundreds of climate activists gathered at historic Frère Hall to raise awareness about climate change
- The demonstrators said that Israeli bombs were destroying both human lives and nature in Palestine
Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten resigns over selection rifts with PCB— report
- Pakistan Cricket Board appointed new selection committee this month, removing coaches and captain from it
- Kirsten’s resignation comes days before Pakistan play white-ball away series against Australia in November
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s white-ball Head Coach Gary Kirsten has resigned from his role barely six months after being appointed, cricket website ESPNcricinfo reported on Monday, citing disputes with the cricket board after it stripped the coaches of selection powers.
Kirsten and Pakistan’s red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie have reportedly been at odds with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after it announced a new selection committee following Pakistan’s humiliating innings defeat to England in the first Test at Multan this month.
The new selection committee, the third in three months, comprised former Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Hassan Cheema. Kirsten, Gillespie and the captain of the national squad, who were previously part of the selection committee, were removed from the panel. The new selection committee, Javed in particular, seem to have risen in influence after their initiative to produce spin-friendly tracks in Multan and Rawalpindi helped Pakistan win the three-match test series against England 2-1.
“Gary Kirsten has resigned as the head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I sides. Kirsten, who was appointed by the PCB on a two-year contract in April 2024, lasted barely six months in the role,” ESPNcricinfo reported.
The development takes place a day after the PCB announced central contracts for 25 cricketers and the announcement of wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan as the new Pakistan white-ball skipper.
“ESPNcricinfo has learnt part of the delay in announcing a squad and new limited-overs captain was down to animated discussions within the board, with Kirsten keen to have his input taken into consideration,” the website said.
When the announcement was made at a press conference, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was flanked by Javed, Ali, Rizwan and newly appointed vice-captain Salman Ali Agha. Kirsten was notably missing.
Kirsten’s resignation comes days before Pakistan take on Australia for a limited-overs away series next month. The green shirts will play three ODIs against Australia on Nov. 8, 8 and 10 while it will play five T20Is against the Aussies on Nov. 14, 16 and 18.
Pakistan vows full support for Saudi investment in country— minister
- Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan holds follow-up meeting on bilateral agreements, MoUs with Saudi investment official
- Pakistan and Saudi Arabia this month signed over $2 billion in agreements and MoUs between businesses of both countries
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will ensure all possible support for Saudi Arabia’s investment in various projects of the country, Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said on Monday, as he held a follow-up meeting with the kingdom’s Assistant Minister of Investment Ibrahim AlMubarak regarding the various agreements signed between the two countries this month.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia this month signed over $2 billion in agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the businesses of both countries. The agreements were signed during the visit of Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih to Islamabad earlier this month, who arrived leading a high-level delegation of Saudi businesspersons.
Khan held a follow-up meeting with AlMubarak via video link to discuss the agreements signed between the two countries, Khan’s ministry said. Both sides also discussed Pak-Saudi joint ventures and MoUs in various fields.
“We will ensure all possible support for Saudi Arabia’s investment in Pakistan,” Khan was quoted as saying by his ministry. “This investment will reach its completion in the light of Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih’s visit.”
The privatization ministry said Saudi officials agreed to continue follow-up meetings on the agreements between the two countries and expressed the desire to yield “practical results” from them. The Saudi officials also invited Khan to attend Saudi Arabia’s expo scheduled to be held from Nov. 25-26, the ministry added.
During his visit, Falih reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to increasing its investment portfolio in Pakistan, particularly in mining, agriculture, food security and infrastructure development.
Pakistan has increasingly sought in recent months to strengthen trade and investment ties with friendly nations, particularly the kingdom, whose leadership reaffirmed its commitment this year to expedite a $5 billion investment package for Islamabad.
Pakistan begins nationwide anti-polio campaign to vaccinate over 45 million children
- Pakistan has reported an alarming 41 polio cases this year compared to only six in 2023
- Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries worldwide where polio remains endemic
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government kicked off a nationwide campaign to administer anti-polio vaccine drops to over 45 million children today, Monday, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported, amid an alarming surge in cases in the South Asian country this year.
The countrywide campaign will be conducted from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3, especially in areas where the poliovirus is rampant. Polio volunteers aim to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five years old during the week-long campaign, the state-run media said.
This is Pakistan’s third nationwide campaign against polio this year, launched in response to an alarming increase in polio cases with 41 reported so far across 71 districts. Last year, Pakistan reported only six cases of the infection.
“Anti-polio vaccination campaign of varied duration begins across the country on Monday,” Radio Pakistan said. “Special teams of health department will go door to door to ensure that every child receives vaccine drops.”
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment, saying that under PM Shehbaz Sharif’s guidance, the government is “re-energized” in its efforts to combat polio.
“Starting October 28, our polio workers will reach every corner of Pakistan, delivering the vaccine and securing a healthier future for our children,” Farooq said in a statement.
She urged parents to prioritize vaccinations, warning that the virus was now present in 71 districts of the country.
“The Government of Pakistan is bringing this vaccine directly to your doorsteps,” Farooq said. “Please welcome and support our dedicated health workers by ensuring your children are vaccinated.”
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where polio remains endemic. Since late 2018, Pakistan has seen a resurgence of cases and increased spread of poliovirus, highlighting the fragility of gains achieved in the preceding three years.
Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio have suffered due to frequent attacks on polio vaccination teams and security personnel protecting them.
Many in Pakistan believe the conspiracy theory that polio vaccines are part of a plot by Westerners to sterilize the country’s population. The masses’ doubts regarding polio campaigns were exacerbated in 2011 when the US Central Intelligence Agency set up a fake vaccination program to gather intelligence on former Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
Pakistani, South African armies conclude joint counter-terror exercise ‘Iqbal-I’
- Two-week-long exercise aimed to refine drills, procedures and techniques used in counter-terror operations
- Pakistan’s Special Services Group, army and South Africa’s Special Forces group took part in exercise
ISLAMABAD: The closing ceremony of a joint counter-terrorism exercise conducted between the armies of South Africa and Pakistan in the northwestern hill station of Cherat concluded on Sunday, the Pakistani military media’s wing said.
The two-week Iqbal-I exercise was held from Oct. 15 to Oct. 27 at Cherat in which combat teams from Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG), the Pakistan Army and the Republic of South Africa Special Forces took part, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army’s media wing, said.
“The exercise was aimed at refining the drills, procedures and techniques involved in CT operations through joint training, besides harnessing the historic military-to-military relations among the friendly countries,” the ISPR said.
The commandant of Pakistan’s Special Operation School attended the closing ceremony as chief guest while the chief of staff of South Africa’s Special Forces, Col. SS Lechoenyo, also witnessed the closing ceremony.
“The troops displayed the highest standards of professional excellence during the conduct,” the ISPR said.
Pakistan routinely holds joint air, ground and sea exercises with friendly nations to foster interoperability and joint deployment concepts to counter threats to global peace.
Several cadets from these nations annually visit the South Asian country, which has fought back militancy for decades, to undergo specialized military training.
Australia rest Test stars for Pakistan T20 series
- Selectors rest Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head
- T20s follow a three-match one-day international series against Pakistan beginning on Nov. 4
SYDNEY: Australia on Monday left out their Test stars for the home Twenty20 series against Pakistan, with a new captain set to be named.
The three-match T20 series next month will conclude only four days before Australia embark on the first of five home Tests against India.
Selectors rested fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, along with other Test players Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head.
All-rounder Cameron Green is injured and will miss the entire Australian summer.
Marsh is the usual T20 captain, leaving Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell and Matt Short in the mix to take charge against Pakistan.
Fast bowlers Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson all return after injuries for the matches in Brisbane on November 14, Sydney two days later and Hobart on November 18.
The first Test against India begins in Perth on November 22.
“This group of players have all represented Australia in T20 cricket, so we look forward to them continuing to enhance their international experience throughout this series,” said chief selector George Bailey.
“We are excited by the mix of experience combined with those closer to the start of their international journeys.”
The T20s follow a three-match one-day international series against Pakistan beginning on November 4.
Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc were included in the one-day squad announced two weeks ago, but Marsh and Head will be on paternity leave.
Australia T20 squad: Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
