Author: newsdesk

  • ‘No to War’: Thousands of Russian citizens protest against their government for the Ukraine invasion

    ‘No to War’: Thousands of Russian citizens protest against their government for the Ukraine invasion

    Protests are taking place across Russia in different cities against the invasion of Ukraine by the Russians on Thursday.

    Most of the people were seen chanting “No to War” and raising slogans against the invasion. Thousands of Russians gathered on Thursday night to show a strong reaction against their own government.

    The protestor is holding a placard that says, “No To War”. This man is standing at Pushkinskaya Square on Thursday night in Moscow

    While talking with Al-Jazeera, one of the young protestors said, “I have no words, it’s just disgusting,” she added, “What is there to say? We feel powerlessness, anguish.”

    Several journalists, reporters, media figures, and independent media outlets, including the BBC, have signed a petition against the Russian military operation.

    Government workers of the municipal department from different cities of Russia signed a letter to the citizens of Russia, urging the citizens not to participate in the operation or stay silent.

    “We, the deputies elected by the people, unreservedly condemn the attack of the Russian army on Ukraine,” read the letter.

    The letter further added that the military operation is an atrocity that cannot be justified at any cost.

    Protestors raised slogans against their President, Putin.

    “Putin is a killer! Putin is the shame of Russia!” they shouted. “Ukraine! Ukraine!”, reports Al-Jazeera.

    Some were chanting and clapping in support of Ukraine as well in the protest.

    “Ukraine is not our enemy!”

    Police have arrested thousands of protestors who were taking part in the demonstrations against the invasion.

    After months of tensions with Ukraine, and its western allies, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale military operation by sea, land, and air on Thursday.

  • ‘Conflict not in anyone’s interest,’ PM Khan tells President Putin

    ‘Conflict not in anyone’s interest,’ PM Khan tells President Putin

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had a Summit meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow yesterday. The two leaders held wide-ranging consultations on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest, stated the PM Office.

    ​”The Prime Minister regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict. The Prime Minister stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict. He underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” read the statement.

    “The Prime Minister reaffirmed the importance of the Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects. The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to forging a long-term, multidimensional relationship with Russia.”

    “PM Khan underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing potential economic meltdown in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful, and connected Afghanistan. In this regard, he underscored the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Russia at various international and regional fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),” said PMO.

    ​”On the situation in South Asia, the Prime Minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in IIOJK and underscored the imperative of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The Prime Minister also highlighted the developments detrimental to regional peace and stability and stressed the need for measures that would help keep the regional balance.”
    ​
    “Expressing concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia in the world, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for interfaith harmony and coexistence. Appreciating President Putin’s understanding of the respect and sensitivities that the Muslims attach to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the Prime Minister said that interfaith harmony and respect for all religions were imperative for peace and harmony within and among the societies.”

    PM Khan, along with members of the cabinet and senior officials, was on a two-day visit to Russia.

  • After hijab, college in India asks Sikh girl to remove turban

    After hijab, college in India asks Sikh girl to remove turban

    A college in Bengaluru, India, has asked a Sikh girl to remove her turban in accordance with the order of the court, Hindustan Times reported. However, the 17-year-old Sikh girl who was asked to take off her turban refused to do so.  

    The college, while citing Karnataka High Court’s orders, has asked Muslim as well as Sikh students to abide by the rules. As per the the Karnataka High Court’s order, students should “refrain from wearing saffron shawls, scarfs, hijab, religious flags, or the likes within the classroom until further orders” in institutes that have “prescribed the student dress code/uniforms”.

    The family of the girl has responded and said that “the order does not mention anything about the Sikh turban”.

  • DG ISI tells all officials that no interference in politics would be tolerated

    DG ISI tells all officials that no interference in politics would be tolerated

    Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant-General Nadeem Anjum, has made it clear to all officials of the ISI that no interference in politics and political matters would be tolerated, reports Ansar Abbasi for The News.

    The incumbent DG ISI is said to have decided soon after he joined the office to keep the institution away from politics.

    Lt-Gen Nadeem Anjum had conveyed to all the concerned authorities not to release to the media his pictures or video footage taken during official meetings.

    In relevance to the directives, none of his pictures or video footage taken during official meetings has so far been published or shown on TV channels.

    Last week, a picture was released by the Prime Minister’s (PM) Office of a luncheon hosted by PM Imran Khan in honour of Bill Gates. The picture in which PM Khan and Bill Gates are sitting with Fawad Chaudhry, Asad Umar, Mahmood Khan, Azam Khan, Shaukat Tarin, Shah Farman, Khalid Khurshid, and several others at the main table.

    If one looks at the picture closely, someone between Dr Faisal Sultan and Mahmood Khan seems to be ‘missing’.

    The Current reached out to its sources and confirmed that it was the DG ISI Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum who had been photoshopped from the luncheon meeting picture.

  • ‘Institutional reform, not the death penalty’ needed to end violence against women: Amnesty International South Asia

    ‘Institutional reform, not the death penalty’ needed to end violence against women: Amnesty International South Asia

    “The murder of Noor Mukadam was a horrific crime and those responsible must receive punishment consistent with the gravity of the crime, but without resorting to the death penalty,” said Amnesty International’s South Asia campaigner, Rimmel Mohydin.

    The statement further added that “institutional reform — and not the death penalty — is needed to tackle the endemic problem of violence against women in Pakistan.”

    Amnesty’s South Asia campaigner said, “Convictions have been dismally low for victims of gender-based violence in Pakistan, making today’s guilty verdict all the more significant. This conviction underscores the importance of ensuring that the criminal justice system responds effectively at all levels.”

    “However, far-reaching procedural and institutional reform — and not the death penalty — is needed to tackle the endemic problem of violence against women in Pakistan,” she said in the statement.

    “If the authorities want to take meaningful steps to ensure justice for women and girls, they must avoid using the death penalty as a ‘quick fix’ and commit to ensuring the criminal justice system prevents and responds to such crimes effectively at every stage.” 

    A sessions court in Islamabad yesterday sentenced Zahir Jaffer to death for the murder of Noor Mukadam. The co-accused staff members at Zahir’s house who aided in keeping Noor in Zahir’s house, Iftikhar and Jameel, were sentenced to 10 years in jail. All other accused were acquitted, including Zahir’s parents and Therapy Works staff.

  • Abdullah Siddiqui’s explanation of the PSL anthem will leave you in awe

    Abdullah Siddiqui’s explanation of the PSL anthem will leave you in awe

    Music Composer and Music Producer Abdullah Siddiqui has already made his name that one cannot deny that he has achieved a lot at such a young age. The young music expert has recently broken down the Pakistan Super League (PSL) anthem Agay Dekh for Spotify, giving us a look into his journey of producing the masterpiece.

    Abdullah, who is assisting Xulfi (Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan) in the 14th season of Coke Studio, worked on the PSL anthem sung by singers Atif Aslam and Aima Baig.

    “When I knew I was going to be doing this anthem, I knew that the first thing I wanted to make sure [of was] it had a dance beat because these anthems normally don’t have dance beats and I love a good club beat. It has more of a dance hall pattern,” the electropop prodigy explained on Spotify’s “How To Sound Like Me” feature.

    Siddiqui said he found a trumpet loop that sounded “instantly super catchy” so he added that to the mix. “Then I decided that it needed a lot of crowd sounds so there are all these samples of crowds clapping and chanting, it’s like the ambiance of a stadium. When you put all of that together, it kind of feels like the foundation for the song.”

    He mentioned another instrument that played a big part in the music. “There are also these very big cinematic drums.” He said they also had “vocals that are very tightly treated, like very crisp pop vocals”. “There are some synths happening and I kept building and building just to add more intensity because I felt like this song needed to be super intense and upbeat.”

    Agay Dekh was released on January 24 and like its predecessors, received mixed reactions.

    Siddiqui first gained national fame with his Nescafé Basement original Resistance, and later his super hit Kingdom for Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 6 last year. The song was Zalmi’s official anthem.

    The singer-songwriter has three albums in his kitty — Heterotopia, Metannoya and Dead Beat Poets, and was also featured on US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Spotify playlist called ‘Muslim Vibes’, along with Shamoon Ismail. He has also been featured on the Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list.

  • ‘Beasts will realise consequences’, Politicians reacts to Zahir Jaffer’s conviction

    ‘Beasts will realise consequences’, Politicians reacts to Zahir Jaffer’s conviction

    Zahir Jaffer has been found guilty in Noor Mukadam’s case and has been sentenced to death by a session court in Islamabad on Thursday.

    Following the announcement of the verdict, Twitterati praised the decision. Pakistani politicians came forward and talked about the justice system in the country.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz tweeted, “The wounds Noor Mukadam’s rape and murder inflicted on the collective conscience of humanity may never heal but it is reassuring that beasts in human disguise will realise that consequences can be grave.”

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry praised the police and prosecution, saying that they fulfilled their responsibilities and the court decided in four months. He further added, “Hopefully the justice institutions will meet the expectations of the people and the rule of law will come into force.”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Naz Baloch said that she has a lot of respect for Noor’s parents. She tweeted, “Finally Justice prevailed!! Lots of respect for the courageous parents of Noor Muqaddam who fought for their innocent daughter until the murderer Zahir Jaffar was sentenced for the heinous crime.”

    Reacting to the news, PML-N MNA Hina Parvez Butt said, “This justice is not enough, but may your brutal death drive us into making this world safer for all the Noors.”

  • Security forces seize arms, ammunition during intelligence operation in North Waziristan

    Pakistani security forces conducted an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in North Waziristan district and recovered a large number of arms and ammunition.

    The IBO was conducted by the security forces on the reported presence of weapons and ammunition in the area. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a large number of weapons and ammunition were recovered during the search operation.

    According to ISPR recovered weapons and ammunition including submachine guns, light machine guns, RPG-7s, hand grenades, RPG-7 rockets, and hundreds of multiple caliber rounds.

    “Locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the area,” the ISPR said.

  • NAB writes to DC Lahore to sell Ishaq Dar’s house worth millions

    NAB writes to DC Lahore to sell Ishaq Dar’s house worth millions

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has issued a letter to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore to sell Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ishaq Dar’s house in Gulberg, estimated to be worth millions of rupees, reports Geo News.

    Dar’s wife, Tabassum, had reportedly approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the decision. Her lawyer argued that the house belongs to Tabassum. It was given to her on February 14,1989, and Lahore’s accountability court issued an order without investigating the matter.

    However, the high court rejected her plea. Earlier, the bureau had withdrawn Rs500 million from the former finance minister’s bank account and deposited it with the national treasury in a corruption reference against him. He was also declared an absconder in the case.

    Dar had earlier expressed his willingness to take his oath to Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani as a member of the Senate “virtually” from the United Kingdom (UK) as he can’t come back to Pakistan due to his illness.

    However, Sanjrani declined Dar’s request to be administered oath as a senator either virtually or through the Pakistan High Commission in London, declaring that the Constitution and the rules do not allow him to do so.

  • Ukrainian President imposes martial law as Putin declares war

    Ukrainian President imposes martial law as Putin declares war

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed martial law in the country in response to Russian invasion.

    President Zelensky said to his people “not to panic and be strong”.

    “Today each of you should keep calm. Stay at home if you can. We are working. The army is working. The whole sector of defense and security is working”, the Ukrainian president added.

    Andrew Simmons, Al Jazeera’s reporter, revealed, “The whole sky was awash with red and orange when these missiles struck – some of which were apparently cruise missiles. And the main international airport did come under attack – it is not clear what the damage is there, but all air space is closed.”

    As per Zelensky’s Twitter account, several nations are in contact with Ukraine. In a tweet, he noted that “the world is with us”.

    Prior to this, Donetsk and Luhansk — collectively known as Donbas — was recognised by Russia as separate nations. The region consists of separatists and is pro-Russia.

    Background:

    The history goes back to 1991 when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) disintegrated, resulting in the independence of Ukraine. It was the Ukrainian revolution when things got out of hand, Russian-favoured former President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by popular protests and his own parliament in February 2014. He fled to Russia, where he is living in exile. Later, a new government was formed, which had United States (US) favour.

    This all led to a conflict in eastern Ukraine that began in April 2014 with low-level fighting between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatist rebels in Donbas who seized some towns in predominantly Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine. For the time being, a ceasefire was signed between the two parties.

    Last year, there were speculations that Ukraine is making progress toward gaining North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership. However, NATO has always denied this. Russia argued that western military presence represents an existential threat to Russia. 

    Since then, Russia has been sending its troops towards the Ukrainian border. The estimated number of Russian troops deployed in and around Ukraine has ranged from 100,000 to 190,000 in recent weeks.

    According to the New York Times, there are both geopolitical and historical reasons behind Moscow’s endless pressure on Kyiv, which was the birthplace of the first Russian state in the 9th Century. The Russian language is still widely spoken in the country despite Ukraine’s own language.

    It is pertinent to mention that Ukraine is the European Union’s (EU) fourth-biggest external food supplier. It provides the bloc with about a quarter of its cereal and vegetable oil imports, including almost half of its corn.

    According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global food prices reached a 10-year record in 2021 and the war would only make that a lot worse.