Tag: Pakistan

  • Pakistan’s security forces lost 386 personnel in 2023: report

    Pakistan’s security forces lost 386 personnel in 2023: report

    A recent Security Report released by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) reveals that Pakistan’s security forces lost at least 386 personnel, including 137 army soldiers, in the first nine months of the ongoing year, marking an eight-year high as the country continues to battle militant violence.

    The Islamabad-based think tank’s report states, “Over the past five years, there has been a consistent and alarming surge in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces. Equally greater concern is the collective percentage of violence-related fatalities recorded in these two provinces which indicates a disturbing upward trend over the last five years; together, they suffered 72% of all fatalities in 2019, and this unsetting figure surged to a staggering 92% in the first 9 months of 2023.”

    There has been a trend of brutal attacks against religious congregations in the country, with more than 60 people losing their lives in two separate bombing incidents at a mosque and a gathering to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth anniversary on Friday.

    “Pakistan’s security forces lost at least 386 personnel, 36 percent of all fatalities – including 137 army and 208 police personnel – in the first 9 months of 2023, marking an eight-year high as the country continues to battle proxy terrorism, largely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan,” the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) said in its report released on Saturday.

    “With 1087 violence-related fatalities recorded so far during the year, the outlaws suffered 368 (34 percent), followed by civilians with 333 (31 percent) fatalities,” it added.

    The CRSS maintained there had been a consistent and alarming increase in violence in the two Pakistani western provinces over the past five years.

    Experts attribute the recent increase in militant violence and security forces casualties in Pakistan to the change of government in neighboring Afghanistan, saying it emboldened militant groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and fueled separatist violence in Balochistan.

  • A Pakistani component will soon be going to the moon

    A Pakistani component will soon be going to the moon

    China’s new mission to the moon, Chang’e 6, will be launched in 2024, carrying a Pakistani satellite.

    As per a statement issued by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Chang’e 6 mission will be launched to the moon in the first half of 2024.

    The mission is set to carry payloads to the moon from Pakistan, the European Space Agency (ESA), France and Italy.

    This includes French instruments to test radioactive gas, ESA’s Negative Ion Detector, Italy’s Valle Brett Radar System, and Pakistan’s satellite named CubeSat.

    China is currently expanding the International Lunar Research Station project that will result in more international partnerships in the future as well as an increased international cooperation.

    Constituting a first in history, Chang’e-6 mission is to journey towards the dark side of the moon and gather specimens from its surface.

    Previously, samples were collected from the near surface of the moon.

    The aim is to collect samples from various areas of the moon to evaluate its age. This is said to be followed by Chang’e 7 robotic mission to the moon’s south pole.

    This will trace for signs of ice and examine the region’s atmosphere and weather.

    The Chang’e 8 mission is said to conclude the Chang’e missions and to possibly establish a research station on the planet.

  • Want a phone on instalments? The govt has good news for you

    Want a phone on instalments? The govt has good news for you

    The Caretaker Federal Minister for IT, Dr. Umar Saif, has said in a conversation with Samaa that by January 2024, people will be able to buy Pakistani-made mobile phones in installments.

    Dr. Saif pointed out that Pakistan has the fifth largest population and the seventh largest telecom industry in the world; 33 national companies have made 57 million low-cost mobile phones, of which one crore 20 lakhs have been exported.

    Made-in-Pakistan phones will be less expensive and will cost an average of 15 thousand rupees.

    He added that having 1.5 million cell phone users in the country is a big deal; and despite the lack of foreign exchange, most mobile phones are imported, asserting that there is no reason why mobile phones cannot be assembled and manufactured within the country.

    He questioned that if India can manufacture iPhones, why can’t Pakistan too. According to Dr. Saif, Pakistan’s IT exports are 2.6 billion dollars while India’s is 150 billion dollars because there is a lack of trained manpower since only 120 thousand people are available here.

    He asserted there is a need to train students in universities and he aims to upskill two lakh people as well as establish e-employment centres for five lakh freelancers in the next two years.

    The caretaker IT minister is also determined to take IT exports to 10 billion dollars.

  • Security personnel are involved in cross-border smuggling, says Sarfraz Bugti

    Security personnel are involved in cross-border smuggling, says Sarfraz Bugti

    Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said on Monday in a press conference that security officials who are involved in cross-border smuggling would be court-martialed.

    Pakistan has escalated its crackdown on smugglers involved in the transportation of goods and dollars to Afghanistan.

    “If I say that security forces weren’t involved in [smuggling], it won’t be right as the [smuggled] items are transported via trucks, not camels,” Bugti said during a press conference in Islamabad.

    He also mentioned that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has told military officials that whoever is involved in cross-border smuggling will face the consequences.

    “Pakistan’s army chief had told his people very clearly: there won’t only be court-martials, but those involved in such activities would also be sent to jail,” the interior minister mentioned.

    Bugti also told the reporters that the Army’s accountability mechanism is not disclosed to the public; that’s why the general population doesn’t know much about it.

  • Kab aur kaisay a rahey hain Nawaz Sharif?

    Kab aur kaisay a rahey hain Nawaz Sharif?

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is all set to welcome back their leader to Pakistan and the stage is being set by his party leaders and members.

    If there are any doubts about his return, we have the details of his flight booking for you.

    Sources have said that the former premier will return to Pakistan on October 21 via a connecting flight. Sharif will land at Abu Dhabi International Airport from London on October 21 and on the same day, he will leave for Lahore.

    Mian Nawaz Sharif’s business class ticket for flight 243 on a private airline had been booked in advance. The PML-N supremo’s flight will land at the Lahore Airport at 6:25 PM.

    Nawaz Sharif was permanently disqualified in 2017 for not declaring an outstanding salary. After that, he went to London in 2019 for a medical checkup and hasn’t come back yet.

    The PML-N, with the assistance of its legal team, intends to petition the Lahore High Court (LHC) for Nawaz’s bail prior to his arrival in Pakistan. This decision has been made in order to prevent Nawaz from being arrested at Lahore airport, as he has been declared a proclaimed offender.

  • Imran, Qureshi to appear at court on October 4

    Imran, Qureshi to appear at court on October 4

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been summoned by a special court established under the Official Secrets Act on October 4 in the cipher case.

    The development occurred two days after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted a challan against Imran and Qureshi.

    Special court judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain has sent notices to respondents, stating that there are enough witnesses to call the suspects to court.

    Judge Zulqarnain directed the superintendent of Adiala jail to present the PTI chief and vice chairman in court on October 4.

    The FIA, in its charge sheet, stated that the former prime minister and former foreign minister were found guilty in the case and requested the court to sentence them in cipher case.

    According to the sources of Geo, the name of former finance minister Asad Umar is not on FIA’s list. On the other hand, Imran Khan’s principle secretary, Azam Khan, is a “strong witness” in the same case.

  • ‘I used to sell nimco to pay my school fees’: Haris Rauf’s documentary reflects childhood struggles

    ‘I used to sell nimco to pay my school fees’: Haris Rauf’s documentary reflects childhood struggles

    ESPN released a documentary on September 30 on the rise of Pakistan cricket star Haris Rauf. The documentary details his journey, from humble beginnings to being declared as one of Pakistan’s best cricket players. In the 27 minute documentary, Haris opened up about struggling to work in order to pay his university fee, revealing that he sold nimco in streets in order to get by as his father couldn’t make enough to afford his schooling.

    “I used to play tape ball cricket in order earn money for my studies. My father wasn’t earning enough to pay for my studies,” the cricket star revealed. “After matriculation, I used to work in the market, I sold nimco on Sundays in order to be able to pay my fees. The rest of the week I would be attending school and the academy.”

    In the documentary, Haris could be seen walking around his old home, speaking about how money was a big concern for his family during his teenage years:

    “My father had three brothers and we all lived together. The biggest room belonged to my father. We used to live in that room before my uncle got married. As my uncles got married, my father gave them the bigger rooms and started moving to the small ones. Eventually, we reached a point that we were sleeping in the kitchen.”

    Clips from the documentary, showing Haris walking to his old home, is currently going viral on social media, with many users getting emotional at the cricket star’s candid confessions about growing up in a financially struggling family to becoming one of the biggest stars of Pakistan

    “From selling Nimko in local markets to financing his education, to becoming one of the most feared bowlers in the world today, Haris Rauf‘s journey is a fascinating story that inspires generations,” one user wrote.

    Watch the complete documentary here.

  • MoU signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to promote digital economy

    MoU signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to promote digital economy

    Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together in communication and information technology, in a bid to promote the digital economy.

    According to Saudi Arabia’s official news agency SPA, the purpose of the memorandum is to establish cooperation in the fields of communication and information technology for digital transformation, promotion of innovation and development of digital infrastructure.

    This memorandum of understanding was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah Bin Amir Al-Sawaha and Pakistan’s Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Umar Saif.

    Under the MoU, the two countries will establish innovation hubs, centres of excellence and university branches for advanced technologies, as well as strengthen cooperation in the systems of small and medium-sized enterprises and emerging companies.

    They will also work on policies, technologies, systems and legislation in the field of digitization and electronic manufacturing.

    Both sides have pledged to focus on e-governance, smart infrastructure, e-health and e-education, the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, games and more.

  • ‘Nawaz Sharif will start a new era of progress and peace’: Maryam

    ‘Nawaz Sharif will start a new era of progress and peace’: Maryam

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz has ended uncertainty about three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan by stating that he will return on October 21 with even greater strength.

    Maryam Nawaz further said that “He will start a new era of progress, peace, and employment for the youth and rid [the nation] of inflation.”

    “An individual is not returning on October 21, but the country’s progress and peace,” she added.

    Maryam Nawaz shared her thoughts while addressing a public gathering organised by the PML-N Youth Volunteer on Sunday.

    Last month, former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the date of his brother’s return to Pakistan, saying, “Nawaz Sharif will reach Pakistan on October 21.”

    The PML-N supremo got permanently disqualified in 2017 for not declaring an outstanding salary. After that, Nawaz Sharif went to London in 2019 for a medical checkup and hasn’t come back yet.

    The PML-N, with the assistance of its legal team, intends to petition the Lahore High Court (LHC) for Nawaz’s bail prior to his arrival in Pakistan. This decision has been made in order to prevent Nawaz from being arrested at Lahore airport, as he has been declared a proclaimed offender.

  • Illegal Afghan residents arrested in Islamabad

    Illegal Afghan residents arrested in Islamabad

    The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Islamabad has conducted a major search operation on Sunday against Afghans residing illegally in the city.

    Afghans with legal documents are allowed to stay in Pakistan, while a crackdown on illegal residents and criminals is still in process.

    CTD has conducted operations in Bhara Kahu, Tarnool, Mehrabadi, Golra, Shams Colony and other areas.

    According to the CTD spokesperson, 375 Afghan citizens without any identification documents were arrested for illegal stay, while many criminals were also identified. The accused will be deported to Pakistan after completion of legal proceedings.

    During the operation, 400 Afghan nationals were released on providing proof of residency, while 25 Afghans will remain in detention until their documents are verified.