Tag: Pakistan

  • A step towards restoring friendship: Iran’s foreign minister to visit soon

    A step towards restoring friendship: Iran’s foreign minister to visit soon

    Following Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar, Pakistan and Iran have mutually agreed that ambassadors of both countries will return to their respective posts by January 26, 2024 and the Iranian Foreign Minister is going to visit on January 29, 2024.

    In a joint statement issued on Monday, the Foreign Office said that at the invitation of Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian will undertake a visit to Pakistan on January 29.

    In a post on X, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu said he was “so delighted that leaderships of both Pakistan and Iran so deftly handled a challenging moment astutely- swiftly putting relations back on track”.

    Along with that the Foreign Office (FO) said on Monday that Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian would visit Pakistan on January 29.

    The visit comes days after tensions escalated between the two countries following an Iranian air strike in Pakistan, leading Islamabad to strike terrorist hideouts in the neighbouring country’s Sistan-Baluchestan province.

    “Following the telephone conversation between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, it has been mutually agreed that ambassadors of both countries may return to their respective posts by January 26, 2024,” the FO said in a statement.

    The FO said that the Iranian foreign minister would travel to Pakistan on Jan 29 at the invitation of FM Jilani.

    Previously, Pakistan has targeted terrorist hideouts inside Iran in response to the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard that killed two children and injured three girls.

    Hideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front were successfully struck in an intelligence based operation, code name ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’, ISPR has stated in a recently released statement.

    According to a statement by the Foreign Office (FO), a number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’. Meanwhile, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that nine people, including seven “non-Iranian nationals”, were killed in the strike targeting a village near the city of Saravan.

    The Khorasan Diary reported, that “7 BLF millitants involved in attacks in Pakistan have been killed/injured in Pakistan’s strikes in Iran.”

    In a video posted, it can be seen the damage caused by Pakistani Strikes in approximately 200 kilometres away from PAK-Iran border.

    Publication The Khorasan Diary also claimed that Jaishul Adal, the same militant group, Iran claimed to have targeted has taken the responsibility for the attack on Saravan Corps of Sistan Wa Baluchistan province, Colonel Hossein Ali Javadanfar, adding that the security official was assassinated along with two of his guards.”

    Previously, The Iranian strikes were part of a series of attacks carried out by the country in recent days in Syria and Iraq as a response to recent terrorist attacks on its territory. They have heightened concerns about regional stability, particularly amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

    Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran. A number of terrorists were killed during the Intelligence-based operation – codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’, says the official statement released by the Foreign Office of Pakistan.

    “Last night’s unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty by Iran is a violation of international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,” FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement on Wednesday.

    A context to the response by the Foreign Office

    Foreign Ofiice of Pakistan provided a detailed context to Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar.

    “Over the last several years, in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists calling themselves Sarmachars on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran. Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists. However, because of lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so called Sarmachars,” the statement read.

    The Foreign Office described the action as a part of its resolve to “defend its national security against all threats.” Moreover it mainatianed that “Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised.”

    Strict monitoring of Air Space

    Geo News’ Azaz Syed quotes Civil Aviation Authority that amid the escalation of tensions in Islamabad-Tehran ties, Pakistan has started strict monitoring of all flights from the West including Iran.

    Meeting of Foreign Minister with Iranian Counterpart

    Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani Wednesday told his Irani counterpart that no country should follow its path of launching an attack on a neighbouring nation’s soil against the menace of terrorism unilaterally.

    “No country in the region should tread this perilous path,” Jilani told Iran’s FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during a telephone call hours after Tehran claimed it had targeted “terrorists” in Pakistan.

    Iranian response

    There is a group called Jaishal Adal, which is an Iranian terrorist group that have taken refuge on Pakistan-Iran border. Several times we have talked to Pakistani security officials that this group killed our security personnel and we responded by killing Iranian terrorist on Pakistani soil. I have spoken to my Pakistani counterpart, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, we do respect the sovereignty of Pakistan but we don’t allow our national security be compromised and be played with. We have no hesitations when it comes to our national interest and those terrorist groups inside Pakistan and those affiliated with Israel” the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said while speaking in Davos at The World Economic Forum.

    India
    India in a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said, “This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan. Insofar as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self-defence.”

    China

    China, close partners of Iran and Pakistan, urged restraint, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning saying both should “avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension”.

    United States of America

    The United States, meanwhile, condemned the Iranian strikes in Pakistan, Iraq and Syria, with State Department spokesman Matthew Miller saying Tehran had violated the “sovereign borders of three of its neighbours in just the past couple of days”.

    To read more: Pakistan expels Iranian ambassador from Pakistan, suspends all high level visits in response to Iranian attack on Pakistan

  • Government says hundreds of social media accounts involved in anti-judiciary campaign

    Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi stated on Monday that the government has identified over 500 social media accounts involved in a campaign against the judiciary.

    “Action will be taken against those involved in the recent malicious campaign against Supreme Court (SC) judges, in accordance with the law and constitution,” he said, talking to media in Islamabad while he was flanked by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials.

    Solangi said that after the decision of the SC on the electoral symbol “bat” of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a vicious campaign was started against the judiciary.

    “Article 19 of the Constitution marks a boundary for freedom of speech,” he stated.

    On the other hand, PTA officials said that it has the authority to remove objectionable content from social media. He also said that awareness regarding the use of social media is essential, as most people spread lies on social media platforms without any authentic information.

    “Social media’s outreach is enormous and easy, but people are not aware of its utility,” he said.

  • Famous actor Sajid Hasan joins Istehkam Pakistan Party

    Famous actor Sajid Hasan joins Istehkam Pakistan Party

    Famous actor Sajid Hasan joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) on Sunday. The party’s Sindh President, Mahmood Molvi, officially welcomed him in a ceremony where Sajid Hasan received the party flag.

    During the event, Sajid Hasan talked about the importance of politics that brings people together instead of creating divisions. “Now we think it’s the right time to do something meaningful for the young generation and the country.”

    Mahmood Molvi warmly greeted Sajid Hasan, recognizing his significant presence in both the entertainment industry and the business sector.

  • Sania Mirza has nothing but good wishes for Shoaib Malik on his wedding

    Sania Mirza has nothing but good wishes for Shoaib Malik on his wedding

    Sania Mirza’s sister, Anum Mirza, has shared a message on social media from the family as the rumor mill went in overdrive following Shoaib Malik’s surprise wedding on Saturday. Anum wrote that Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik have divorced.

    Shoaib Malik surprised everyone by getting married to actress Sana Javed. Both of them posted wedding photos on social media.

    Sania Mirza’s father, Imran Mirza, confirmed to Indian media that his daughter’s marriage to the Pakistani cricketer had ended in divorce.
    Anum Mirza released a statement on Instagram on Sunday morning on behalf of the family and Sania’s team.

    In the shared note, it was written, “Sania has always kept her private life hidden from the public, but today the need has arisen for her to share with everyone that few months have passed since Shoaib and her divorce.”

    The Instagram post also conveyed Sania’s best wishes for Shoaib’s new life. Fans were urged to avoid false news and respect Sania’s privacy during this difficult time.

  • Inauguration of Ram Mandir- Modi’s Hindutva in full force

    Inauguration of Ram Mandir- Modi’s Hindutva in full force

    Ram Mandir in India is being inaugurated today (Monday) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with state-sponsored fanfare.

    “This will be our Vatican City, the holiest site for Hindus across the world,” said Sharad Sharma, spokesperson for Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), a rightwing Hindu group, and member of the Hindu trust building the temple. “After 500 years of Hindu oppression, Lord Ram will finally be returned to Ayodhya,” The Guardian cites him as saying.

    Considering the importance the event holds, the ceremony is going to be attended by a huge number of Bollywood celebrities, cricketers, politicians and leading businessmen of the country. A newly commissioned airport in Ayodhya is also in the works. Security has been tightened, while the fear of violence has prompted Muslim residents of Ayodhya to send their children and women to relatives in neighbouring towns.

    Bollywood celebrities at the inauguration of Ram Mandir

    The temple is a reminder of the very inception of this controversy built on the ruins of 16th-century Babri Masjid. It was demolished by a Hindutva-infused right-wing mob in 1992 after decades of disputes. The riots that happened following the demolition killed more than three thousand Muslims.

    The mosque was built in 1527 by Mughal Emperor Babur and was a rare surviving example of the architecture of the early Mughal Empire, which ruled India from 16th to 19th centuries. Muslims worshipped in the mosque for more than 300 years.

    Summarising the history of the site, Dr. Audrey Truschke wrote in Time: “In the 1850s, when India was largely under British colonial rule, the first signs of trouble arose as the Babri Masjid emerged as a key site of Hindu nationalist attempts to rectify perceived historical wrongs by Muslims, an idea inherited from British colonialists. Hindus claimed that Lord Ram, a major god and mythological hero, had been born at the very spot on which the mosque stood. Competing claims of Ram’s birthplace were once attached to many sites in Ayodhya, but the Babri Masjid drew particular fervor because it was a mosque. Some imagined further historical wrongs associated with the Babri Masjid, including claiming that the mosque was built after Babur’s general destroyed a Hindu temple at that location. None of these claims stand up to historical scrutiny. But in the 1980s, Hindu nationalist groups began tapping into these claims to argue that the mosque needed to be destroyed to clear the way for a new Hindu temple, declaring Mandir wahi banayenge (‘The temple will be built right there!’). After years of agitation, their efforts resulted in an explosion of Islamophobic violence on December 6, 1992, when a Hindu mob numbering at least 75,000 descended on Ayodhya and dismantled the Babri Masjid, brick-by-brick.

    Modi’s BJP benefitted from the situation and came to power in 2014. After the second victory in BJP in 2019, India’s Supreme Court—laden with judges affiliated with BJP- the court called the mosque’s destruction ‘an egregious violation of the rule of law,’ but nonetheless ruled that a Hindu temple could be built on the mosque’s ruins.”

    Modi laid the foundation stone at a groundbreaking ceremony in August 2020.

    Posed as a divine moment this is interpreted as a political gimmick by The Guardian because general elections are going to be held in April in India and by invoking the religious sentiments of the 80 per cent majority of the country, Modi is seeking a third term in power. Prime Minister Modi has also declared that God had chosen him as an instrument to be “representative of all Indians” and he had begun 11 days of “strict vows and sacrifice” to prepare for the event.

    Even though many Indians have given in to the political gimmickry, most are reminded that this Vatican City is nothing but a monument built after demolishing Babri Masjid by force with the help of brute majority.

    Dr. Audrey posted, “Today is a dark day for India”. She was then hugely criticised by Hindu extremists over her tweet and the article she shared.

    A Twitter user commented that this is the win of Jinnah’s two-nation theory.

    Pratesh from India shared a clip from ANI where a teacher was teaching dance steps on bhajans in schools to celebrate the inauguration. He commented, “Now what happened to no religion in school? Was it only applicable for hijab?”

    Someone sarcastically trolled Narendra Modi’s poster by writing, “Very hard to say at this point whose temple is being inaugurated.”

    A user named Sabah counted the Bollywood actors that are attending the event just to appease the government.

    Writer and Educationist Raju Parulekar lamented the state of India has lost its secular spirit in a tweet.

    The most viral is that of a kid schooling the government that a Mandir can’t educate and enable people only a school can.

  • Sana Javed wore Hussain Rehar’s stunning bridal dress to her wedding

    Sana Javed wore Hussain Rehar’s stunning bridal dress to her wedding

    Shoaib Malik, the former captain of Pakistan’s cricket team, surprised everyone with his sudden wedding to Pakistani actress Sana Javed. The wedding took place in Karachi with close family and friends in attendance.

    The cozy ceremony had traditional vibes, and Sana Javed looked beautiful in a burgundy and light pink dress with minimal makeup. Her outfit, designed by Hussain Rehar, cost over Rs 379,000. Malik chose a classic white sherwani, similar to his wedding attire with Mirza in 2010.

  • Nearly 18,000 election candidates set to participate in February 8 polls: ECP

    Nearly 18,000 election candidates set to participate in February 8 polls: ECP

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has confirmed that 18,000 candidates are going to contest for national and provincial assembly seats in the upcoming general elections set to take place on February 8.

    ECP released its final list of candidates on Sunday.

    According to the ECP, 11,785 candidates will take part as independent candidates in the polls, and 6,031 will compete under the banner of their respective political parties.

    On the other hand, some well-known politicians, including founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, and Asfandyar Wali, are out of the race for multiple reasons.

    After having been denied their preferred election symbol after its intra-party elections were found to be contrary to its own constitution and relevant laws, PTI has fielded its candidates as independents, and each one of them has been allotted a different symbol.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is contesting the elections from NA-15, Mansehra, and NA-130. The former prime minister and Nawaz’s brother, Shehbaz Sharif, is taking part in polls from NA-123, Kasur, and NA-132, Lahore.

  • Bilawal wants PTI supporters to vote PPP in upcoming elections

    Bilawal wants PTI supporters to vote PPP in upcoming elections

    The Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, urged supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday to vote for his party as the competition in the upcoming elections is between two parties symbolised by “the lion and the arrow”.

    While the PTI has lost its election symbol “bat,” the PPP has secured its longtime symbol of an arrow. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also managed to secure its electoral symbol of a tiger.

    “I am speaking to PTI supporters: We kept on telling Khan sahib to do politics; abusing rivals and putting them and their sisters in jail is not politics,” Bilawal said while addressing a party power show in Lahore.

    Bilawal also said that he is aware of the pain that PTI workers are going through. “I respect political workers […] I’ve been through this and I do not want anyone to go through such testing times”, he stressed.

    “I appeal to you [PTI supporters], in the battle between ‘lion and arrow’, support me. I will bury revenge politics,” Bilawal vowed, reminding people that when his party’s prime ministers took office, they released “political prisoners”.

    Bilawal also stressed that the way of politics should change now and that all forces need to work together.

  • Bushra Ansari takes stand against media double standards on Shoaib Malik’s wedding

    Bushra Ansari takes stand against media double standards on Shoaib Malik’s wedding

    Veteran actress Bushra Ansari is upset with people on social media after reactions to the news of Shoaib Malik’s wedding. Ansari said that the country has been buzzing since morning.

    She was annoyed with mainstream media too. Bushra shared that after Shoaib Malik’s second wedding, she received many calls from media channels.

    Expressing her anger, she said, “Did I study with Shoaib in school? Was he my classmate? Did Sana Javed play with me as a child? Am I part of their family? Who are you to speak about someone’s private life? Why should I answer stupid questions? I am very angry at these things, do you fear God or not? They both got married, that’s good, be happy, who are you and I to question someone’s private life?”
    Bushra Ansari pointed out that while there are serious issues in the world, the media is focused on Shoaib Malik’s marriage and how his first marriage ended. She mentioned actor Talat Hussain Ali and the world’s problems, but the media seemed more interested in sensational news about Shoaib Malik and Sana Javed.

    Expressing her frustration, Bushra Ansari warned that people who invade others’ lives for sensational news on social media will face the most punishment from Allah.
    She advised Shoaib Malik and Sana Javed to stay away from social media, where people are talking nonsense about them.

  • Election vacations around the corner for educational institutions

    Election vacations around the corner for educational institutions

    There will be eight holidays in educational institutions during general elections across the country, Geo reported.

    According to the report, the polling for the general elections across the country will be held on February 8, 2024, and on this occasion, the educational institutions will be closed for eight days.

    The eight-day holiday spans from February 4-10. February 4 is a Sunday, February 5 is Kashmir Day, and February 6 to 10 will be a general election holidays.

    11th February will be a Sunday and thus schools colleges and universities will open on 12th February after eight holidays.