Author: newsdesk

  • ‘It was her fault, Poor 400 men’: Female stars and politicians express anger on the ‘Minar-e-Pakistan’ incident

    Notable female personalities took to their social media handles to express their disappointment and anger over the tragic ‘Minar-e-Pakistan’ incident where a girl was harassed by a mob of 400 men.

    A viral video shows a woman being sexually assaulted by a large group of men at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on 14 August, Pakistan’s independence day. The incident has been confirmed after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered.

    Read more- #NotAllMen trends after 400 men publicly assault a woman

    Aseefa Bhutto Zardari wrote: “All those trying to justify, defend or downplay the horrific incident at #MinareEPakistan will be blocked. No time for paid trolls trying to project an image of safety when women are being raped from motorways to historical sights to graveyards.”

    Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari has said that the Ministry of Human Rights is in touch with Punjab authorities to ensure strict action.

  • PM Imran discusses Afghanistan with Germany and UK

    PM Imran discusses Afghanistan with Germany and UK

    Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday held discussions with German, Danish, and United Kingdom (UK) leaders regarding the situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.

    Prime Minister Khan received telephone calls from his British counterpart Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

    PM Khan stressed that safety and security, as well as protection of the rights of all Afghans, were critically important. PM Khan underlined that an inclusive political settlement was the best way forward.

    Pakistan is reaching out to all Afghan leaders. The international community must also stay engaged, particularly to support the people of Afghanistan economically, added the premier.

    PM Khan highlighted the positive role that Pakistan played in facilitating the evacuation of diplomatic personnel and staff of international organisations and others from Afghanistan.

    He also highlighted the extensive measures taken by Pakistan to contain the Covid-19, noted that the relevant data had been shared with the UK side, and called for the removal of Pakistan from the Red List.

    In conversation with Merkel, the prime minister expressed satisfaction at regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Germany. He said Pakistan looked forward to enhancing collaboration with Germany in all areas of mutual interest.

  • Afridi-led Rawalakot Hawks crowned champions of KPL 2021

    Afridi-led Rawalakot Hawks crowned champions of KPL 2021

    Shahid Afridi’s Rawalakot Hawks defeated Mohammad Hafeez-led Muzaffarabad Tigers by seven runs in an epic final of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) 2021.

    Chasing a target of 170 runs, the Tigers were restricted to 162 runs in their allotted 20 overs.

    https://twitter.com/kpl_20/status/1427693690429091846?s=19

    They went off to a decent start with Hafeez (29 off 21) and Zeeshan Ashraf (46 off 26) putting up 54 runs for the opening partnership.

    However, Hafeez’s departure triggered Tigers’ collapse as they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals.

    Hawks’ skipper Afridi, who was playing despite not being fully fit, removed Ashraf and Sohaib Maqsood in the middle overs to keep his side in the hunt.

    All-rounder Hussain Talat also chipped in with three wickets to stem the flow of runs.

    His economical bowling spell, 3 for 18 in four overs, was instrumental in laying the platform for the side’s victory. 

    Batting first, the Hawks posted 169 runs in their allotted 20 overs courtesy of Kashif Ali’s brilliant 28-ball 54.

    For Tigers, Hafeez and Usama Mir claimed two wickets each.

    Expressing his joy, Afridi took to Twitter and wrote: “So proud of my players and staff, one of the most memorable wins for me! The KPL was a wonderfully organised event and it has great potential, I’m sure next year will be bigger and better.”

    He also thanked the Pakistan Army: “Special thank you to Pakistan Army for their wonderful support throughout.”

  • ‘Ashamed of being a man today’: Male celebrities, politicians react to ‘horrible’ Minar-e-Pakistan incident

    Pakistani male celebrities and politicians have come forward to condemn the tragic assault of a woman by a mob at Minar-e-Pakistan. The unfortunate incident has disturbed the influential men of the country who took to their social media handles to condemn the act and seek justice for the girl.

    A viral video shows a woman being sexually assaulted by a large group of men at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on 14 August, Pakistan’s independence day. The incident has been confirmed after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered.

    Have a look at the tweets by influential men:

    Read more– Woman assaulted by hundreds of unidentified men at Minar-e-Pakistan

    https://twitter.com/ImranAbbas/status/1427878815422898179

  • We seek no revenge, will respect women’s rights, want free media, says Taliban spokesman

    We seek no revenge, will respect women’s rights, want free media, says Taliban spokesman

    Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday said the group does not seek revenge and has “forgiven everyone”.

    “Will support women’s rights and a free media under Islamic law,” said Mujahid in his first press conference since the insurgent group took over Kabul.

    “The Islamic Emirate is committed to the rights of women within the framework of the Sharia. Our sisters, our women will have the same rights and will be able to benefit from them.”

    “They can have activities in different sectors and areas on the basis of our rules and regulations — in education, health, and other areas,” he said, adding that they will “work with us shoulder-to-shoulder”.

    The Taliban would not seek retribution against former soldiers and members of the western-backed government, he said, insisting that “everyone is forgiven”.

    “Nobody is going to harm you, nobody is going to knock on your doors,” said Mujahid

    Mujahid noted that Afghanistan is at a stage where the country’s men and women are looking to the Taliban with regard to their future.

    “I would like to assure [them] that after consultations that will be completed very soon, we will be witnessing the formation of a strong, Islamic, and inclusive government, InshaAllah,” said Mujahid.

    Mujahid said that the security of embassies is of importance to the Taliban and wants to assure other countries that those areas will have complete security.

    “Your representatives, your embassies, your missions, international organisations, aid agencies, we assure you we will not allow anybody to do anything against you. Your security is ensured. Our forces are there round-the-clock to ensure your security,” he said.

    He said that the Taliban “do not wish to see any kind of chaos” in Kabul.

    “Our plan was to stop at the gates of Kabul after capturing all other provinces,” the spokesman claimed, adding that a “smooth transition” of power was what the group had sought to avoid “trouble, harm, and damages”.

    Mujahid also sought to assure the international community and the regional countries that the Taliban “will not allow the use of Afghan territory against anybody”.

    “We are committed to this pledge. You will not be harmed anywhere from our soil,” he said.

    Mujahid said private media could continue to be free and independent in Afghanistan, adding the Taliban was committed to the media within its cultural framework.

    “Will support women’s rights and a free media under Islamic law,” said Mujahid in his first press conference since the insurgent group took over Kabul.

    “The Islamic Emirate is committed to the rights of women within the framework of the Sharia. Our sisters, our women will have the same rights and will be able to benefit from them.”

    “They can have activities in different sectors and areas on the basis of our rules and regulations — in education, health, and other areas,” he said, adding that they will “work with us shoulder-to-shoulder”.

    The Taliban would not seek retribution against former soldiers and members of the western-backed government, he said, insisting that “everyone is forgiven”.

    “Nobody is going to harm you, nobody is going to knock on your doors,” said Mujahid

    Mujahid noted that Afghanistan is at a stage where the country’s men and women are looking to the Taliban with regard to their future.

    “I would like to assure [them] that after consultations that will be completed very soon, we will be witnessing the formation of a strong, Islamic, and inclusive government, InshaAllah,” said Mujahid.

    Mujahid said that the security of embassies is of importance to the Taliban and wants to assure other countries that those areas will have complete security.

    “Your representatives, your embassies, your missions, international organisations, aid agencies, we assure you we will not allow anybody to do anything against you. Your security is ensured. Our forces are there round-the-clock to ensure your security,” he said.

    He said that the Taliban “do not wish to see any kind of chaos” in Kabul.

    “Our plan was to stop at the gates of Kabul after capturing all other provinces,” the spokesman claimed, adding that a “smooth transition” of power was what the group had sought to avoid “trouble, harm, and damages”.

    Mujahid also sought to assure the international community and the regional countries that the Taliban “will not allow the use of Afghan territory against anybody”.

    “We are committed to this pledge. You will not be harmed anywhere from our soil,” he said.

    Mujahid said private media could continue to be free and independent in Afghanistan, adding the Taliban was committed to the media within its cultural framework.

  • Woman assaulted by hundreds of unidentified men at Minar-e-Pakistan

    Trigger warning: The following content contains allegations of sexual abuse and might be triggering for some readers

    A viral video shows a woman being sexually assaulted by a large group of men at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on 14 August, Pakistan’s independence day. The incident has been confirmed after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered.

    The FIR was registered under sections 354 A, 382, 147 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code against hundreds of unidentified persons for assaulting and stealing from a female TikToker and at least five other people, Dawn has reported.

    The complainant stated: “I was stripped and my clothes were torn apart,” adding that she cried for help but no one came to her rescue. She also alleged that her gold ornaments, cash and mobile phone were also snatched by the mob.

    The complainant further stated that she along with six companions were attacked by 300 to 400 people while filming a video near the Minar. “The unidentified persons assaulted us violently.”

    “The suspects should be traced with the help of footage,” said Lahore DIG Operations Sajid Kiyani in a statement.

    Read more– ‘It was her fault, Poor 400 men’: Female stars and politicians express anger on the ‘Minar-e-Pakistan’ incident

    Those who “violated a woman’s honour and harassed them will be brought within the ambit of the law”, the statement added.

    The video had been making rounds on social media in which a group of men can be seen groping, assaulting and carrying the woman.

    https://twitter.com/OutOnAbudget/status/1427406677154975744
  • Transnational celebrities react on Afghan situation after Taliban take charge

    Transnational celebrities react on Afghan situation after Taliban take charge

    Prominent transnational celebrities have used their social media clout to spread awareness on the plight of civilians in Afghanistan as Taliban took charge of Kabul.

    Pakistani diva Mahira khan also shared a heartbreaking image of Afghans on US Air force plane.

    Taking to Instagram, the Alif star Kubra Khan shared a horrific situation of young girls in Afghanistan after Jihadist commanders reportedly forced the imams in the areas to bring them a list of unmarried girls for their soldiers to marry.

    Fellow Pakistani actors Mariyam Nafees and Ghana Ali also expressed their concern on the matter.

    US supermodel Gigi Hadid also turned to her Instagram stories after thousands of people mobbed the Kabul airport trying to flee the country after Taliban takeover.

    Bella Hadid also took to Instagram to express her concern.

    While Dirilis Ertugrul famed Esra Bilgic also turned to her social media to show her concern for the future of women in Afghanistan.

  • ‘Pakistan has taken more than its share of responsibility in last many many years’: Hina Rabbani Khar

    ‘Pakistan has taken more than its share of responsibility in last many many years’: Hina Rabbani Khar

    Former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, while speaking on Microsoft/National Broadcasting Company (MSNBC) political talk show ‘The Mehdi Hasan Show’, said, “1996 and 2021 Pakistan are very different…Please do not judge the Pakistan of 2021 by the role that Pakistan played in 1996.”

    Mehdi, referring to remarks of Prime Minister Imran Khan, said, “PM Khan is right, there is no military solution but do you [Hina Rabbani] think Pakistan is going to help broker the sort of political outcome he talked about. Given your country’s historical role in aiding the Afghan Taliban, providing a safe haven for them on Pakistani soil.”

    “Providing safe haven is very different than not doing kinetic action against a group which seek refuge like millions of other Afghans in Pakistan’s territory,” replied Khar.

    “For a country or a state to choose to go after those who were attacking our own children and policemen and our own soldiers which happened to be Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and many other extremist organisations. So please don’t forget that Pakistan has had an influx of extremist organisations within its own territory that Pakistan had to deal with,” said Khar.

    Khar further added, “For the world to expect to that we would leave all of that and concentrate and go for a full blast military action against the Afghan Taliban clearly did not happen, was not likely to happen. So as far as our responsibility is concerned and our ability to engineer a behavioral change in the Taliban is concerned, I think that is an exaggerated role and has been an exaggerated role — if not the last few decades, at least for the last few years.”

    “TTP, which has butchered our children continues to have links with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA). Now if Pakistan had the type of leverage that the world expects of Pakistan, wouldn’t Pakistan first ensure that TTA and TTP were able to de-link. And TTP was to receive no support from TTA. Pakistan is unable to broker that for itself, do you think Pakistan was able to broker a solution when the United States (US) itself and of course Pakistan encourage whatever role it could possibly,” added Khar.

    Mehdi questioned Khar that Pakistan has strategic geopolitical reasons and supported the Afghan Taliban in Afghanistan. “Are you telling me that you as foreign minister had no knowledge of anyone in your defence establishment, your Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), nobody had contacts with the Afghan Taliban?”

    “For the 20 years that US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) partners were in Afghanistan, I don’t know a single year where the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) did not have contact with the Afghan Taliban. This is what intelligence agencies do. They maintain those contacts to have intelligence and to protect their sovereign territorial boundaries,” said Khar.

    “The leverage that is expected of Pakistan, Pakistan never had,” added Khar talking about negotiations. “Once a date of exit has been given to the people what leverage can anyone have. What leverage can a country like Pakistan with eight billion dollars in defence spending as opposed to the United States, which has 778 billion dollars of defence spending? Do you expect too much?”

    The anchorperson reiterated that Pakistan needs to take some responsibility for its role in Afghanistan referring to the remarks made by Husain Haqqani for Ambassador to the US and no one was denying what the CIA and United States had done in the region.

    “Pakistan has taken more than its share of the responsibility in the last many many years,” replied Khar.

    Replying to the comments of Haqqani, Khar said, ” If Mr Husain Haqqani was not living in the US and was living in Pakistan, he would know that the Pakistan of 1996 and 2021 are very different. Pakistan has made many mistakes but I am proud to say that Pakistan is perhaps one of the few countries left which has learnt the right lessons of history.”

    “I feel Pakistan is getting out the black and getting into to the white or grey area, many countries are actually receding right now. We are very willing to accept the mistakes we made in the past but what we are saying is please do not judge the Pakistan of 2021 by the role that Pakistan played in 1996,” stressed Khar.

  • Pakistan bonds fall as investors brace for Afghanistan fallout

    Pakistan bonds fall as investors brace for Afghanistan fallout

    Pakistan’s international bonds came under selling pressure on Monday as market investors brace themselves for the fallout from the crisis in Afghanistan.

    Afghanistan’s US-backed government collapsed over the weekend as Taliban fighters seized the capital, Kabul, following a stunning advance that had seen the Islamist group take over most of the country.

    The likely evacuation of refugees from Afghanistan could strain the finances of neighbouring countries, fund managers say, and there is also concern over the potential for ‘western retaliation’ against Pakistan for providing a safe haven for the Taliban.

    As per a report of Financial Times, Pakistan’s dollar-denominated bonds fell by about one per cent to just above 100 cents on the dollar, with some longer dated issues sinking to their lowest prices in nine months. The yield on a 10-year bond issued in April this year, which moves in the opposite direction to the debt’s price, climbed by about a quarter of a percentage point to roughly 7.3 per cent.

    The country’s $8.8bn of dollar bonds have now fallen by about four per cent since mid-June.

    “There are a few concerns driving this move,” said head of emerging market debt at Legal and General Investment Management, Uday Patnaik to Financial Times. “One is the refugee crisis — clearly Pakistan is going to be affected by that, and that’s going to be expensive.”

    “A lot of people are also debating the possibility of formal or informal sanctions on Pakistan for working with the Taliban. We’ve been underweight for the last couple months because of these issues but like everyone else we didn’t expect this to happen so quickly.”

    Even prior to the recent sell-off, Pakistan already had some of the highest bond yields among emerging economies that are not considered to be at immediate risk of default. Its debt is rated B minus by Standard & Poor’s and by Fitch.

    The market’s focus has fallen on Afghanistan’s neighbours as the country itself does not have any internationally traded debt, with the ousted government having received most of its financing from western governments and other donors such as the World Bank and the IMF.

    The Current reached out to Chairman of KASB Securities, Ali Farid Khwaja for a word on this situation and said: “Global investors are and will be concerned about the spillover impact of the fall of Kabul and takeover by Taliban. Of course, they will need assurance that such a thing cannot happen in Pakistan and a Taliban government in Afghanistan will not destabilize Pakistan. The jury is still out. I think there are two important aspects of this. First the world would want to see whether Pakistan is standing by them on the values they claim to preach and promote, or do we share the ethos with Taliban. So far, from the commentary it seems that it is the latter. Except for a few media celebrities most politicians seems to be pleased with the Taliban victory. This alone is a bit disturbing purely from an image perspective. Secondly, we need to prove that the wall we have made on the border with Afghanistan will be strong enough to keep Taliban out of Pakistan. Global markets are sensitive to sentiment and hence managing perception is very important,” he added.

    While a Bloomberg journalist in Pakistan, Faseeh Mangi has also shed some light on the situation of Pakistan’s dollar bonds after Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

  • ‘I will marry four of you in one day’: Afghan women relate stories of horror as Taliban take over

    Terrifying stories of mistreatment of women in Afghanistan are being discussed on social media and are also being reported by news outlets ever since the Taliban started gaining control of Afghanistan two months ago.

    “When I heard that the Taliban had reached Kabul, I felt I was going to be a slave. They can play with my life any way they want.”

    A female university student in Afghanistan while talking to The Guardian expressed her feelings of fear and hopelessness after the Taliban took over Afghanistan.

    “Early on Sunday morning I was heading to university for a class when a group of women came running out from the women’s dormitory. I asked what had happened and one of them told me the police were evacuating them because the Taliban had arrived in Kabul, and they will beat women who do not have a burqa,” she said while sharing her experience on the day the Taliban entered Kabul.

    “We all wanted to get home, but we couldn’t use public transport. The drivers would not let us in their cars because they did not want to take responsibility for transporting a woman. It was even worse for the women from the dormitory, who are from outside Kabul and were scared and confused about where they should go.” she added.

    The men standing outside the university said: “Go and put on your chadari [burqa],” One called out, “It is your last days of being out on the streets.” Another said, “I will marry four of you in one day.”

    The Afghan student further shared, “I loved doing my nails. Today, as I was on my way home, I glanced at the beauty salon where I used to go for manicures. The shop front, which had been decorated with beautiful pictures of girls, had been whitewashed overnight.”

    “Now it looks like I have to burn everything I achieved in 24 years of my life. Having any ID card or awards from the American University is risky now; even if we keep them, we are not able to use them. There are no jobs for us in Afghanistan.”

    “Then today, when I heard that the Taliban had reached Kabul, I felt I was going to be a slave. They can play with my life any way they want.”

    “Or identity is being destroyed and nothing has been done by us to deserve this.”

    Women, specially female journalists are fearing for their life after the recent developments in the country.

    “For many years, I worked as a journalist … to raise the voice of Afghans, especially Afghan women, but now our identity is being destroyed and nothing has been done by us to deserve this,” Aaisha a prominent news anchor and political talk show host, said while speaking to The Guardian.

    “In the last 24 hours, our lives have changed and we have been confined to our homes, and death threatens us at every moment.”

    The homes of two female journalists were visited by Taliban fighters on Sunday, leaving both women “severely shaken psychologically,” CNN has reported.

    Taliban fighters are ‘going door-to-door and forcibly marrying girls as young as 12 and forcing them into sex slavery as they seize vast swathes of the Afghanistan from government forces,’ reported the Daily Mail on August 13.

    However, Taliban’s spokesperson Suhail Shaheen has refuted the claims.