In a controversial ruling by the Chief Court of Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, Falak Noor, a minor girl, whose age was medically determined to be between 13 and 16, has been granted the authority to choose between her parents and alleged husband, who abducted her.

Despite clear medical evidence establishing the girl’s age, the court opted to prioritize her stated preference during the proceedings. This decision has sparked outrage within the community, as it raises serious questions about the judiciary’s handling of cases involving minors.

The girl’s disappearance from her home in the Sultanabad area of Danyor tehsil, Gilgit, on January 20, prompted her father to file a complaint against a 17-year-old boy, their neighbour. However, despite the availability of leads on the alleged abductor, the occupying police remained passive during the two-month period of her absence.

After extensive public outcry, the court eventually ordered the local administration to produce the girl, who was subsequently returned to the alleged abductor as his wife. This decision, made in defiance of the girl’s age and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, highlights the judicial system’s failure to prioritize the well-being and safety of minors.

The court’s disregard for the potential coercion or threat faced by the Falak Noor in accepting the boy as her husband underscores the prevailing lawlessness in the region, which is exacerbated by Pakistan’s illegal occupation and the subsequent imposition of Imperial governance and judiciary.

In stark contrast, under a more accountable and transparent judicial system, such as India’s, the courts would likely have pursued justice for the parents and the girl, prioritizing the protection of minors and upholding the rule of law.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has voiced apprehension regarding the safety of X employees in Brazil amidst an investigation into alleged dissemination of disinformation. Musk’s warning of a potential “full data dump” came in response to a Brazilian judge’s directive for X to block specific accounts as part of the ongoing probe.

“We need to get our employees in Brazil to a safe place or otherwise not in a position of responsibility, then we will do a full data dump,” Musk wrote in an X post. He went on to write another tweet claiming that his employees have been informed of their potential arrest.

Musk was responding to a tweet by Nikolas Ferreira de Oliviera, a Brazilian politician affiliated to the Liberal Party. Nikolas Ferreira had posted, “Elon said that Alexandre has Lula on a leash and that he put his finger on the scale to elect him. As a member of the Brazilian congress and representing millions of people, I ask you to give us more information. This will be crucial for the future of our country.”

With due consideration, the development comes after Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes ruled to include Elon Musk in an ongoing investigation over the dissemination of fake news and has opened a separate investigation into the U.S. business executive for alleged obstruction.

How it started?

It all started in March 2023, when Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered social media platforms to block several accounts for spreading fake news and inciting violence. This ignited friction between Elon Musk and the Brazilian judge as the former denied to comply with the orders and criticized the court’s action leading to an investigation of his conduct.

“This judge has brazenly and repeatedly betrayed the constitution and people of Brazil. He should resign or be impeached. Shame @Alexandre, shame,” Musk had posted on X. Furthermore, Musk also accused Moraes of betraying the Brazilian constitution. He also warned Moraes to resign from the office or get impeached.

In response to this, Moraes, on April 7, warned to impose a fine of $20,000 each if X reactivates any blocked accounts and ordered an investigation of Musk, accusing him of “criminal instrumentalization” of the platform.

The spat continued as Musk fired back by challenging Moraes for an open debate and mockingly offering to be the justice’s psychoanalyst.

In response to growing concerns over potential ISIS attacks on Hibatullah Akhundzada during Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, the Taliban has begun constructing security brick walls around the Eidgah Mosque in Kandahar. Footage received on Sunday (7 April) depicts Taliban military units actively positioning brick barriers to form a stringent security perimeter around the mosque.

This development follows reports from Afghanistan International, citing informed sources, about a security meeting convened by the Taliban in the province to address fears of an ISIS incursion during Eid celebrations. Taliban officials expressed apprehensions about potential ISIS assaults on the Eid congregational prayers, particularly targeting their supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

In light of these concerns, the Taliban has intensified security and intelligence operations for the Eid-u-Fitr prayers in Kandahar. Specific venues, including the Hazrat Mohammad Grand Mosque and the Eidgah Mosque, have been earmarked for Hibatullah Akhundzada to conduct prayers, with the final decision on the venue to be made by Akhundzada’s security detail.

Furthermore, the Taliban has instructed central prison authorities in Kandahar to enhance security measures during the Eid festivities, given the heightened threat landscape. These measures come in the wake of a devastating suicide bombing at a Kabul Bank branch in Kandahar, claimed by ISIS, which resulted in over 43 casualties and left 45 injured.

Saleh Afridi, a journalist known for his vocal activism was taken from his residence in Khyber Bara at midnight by security forces in Pakistan. The operation, which occurred at 12:00 a.m, has left Afridi’s whereabouts unknown, prompting concerns among his family, friends, and the wider community.

Afridi’s family members have expressed distress over his sudden disappearance, urging authorities to provide information regarding his whereabouts and ensure his safe return. Freedom of press and journalist has been a matter of serious concern in Pakistan since ever. Pakistani establishment which runs the country works under the garb of democracy and pursues the extra constitutional activities to curb the dissent voices.

Pakistan Army and ISI have always been busy in filling their pockets while depriving the people of their most basic rights of dignified life. Accordingly, the ones who raise their voices are either abducted and disappeared or implicated in false cases or even extra-judicially killed. Saleh Afridi is the latest case in the string of abduction of brave and vocal journalists.

Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen, the leader of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, addressed a rally in Mohmand district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and reiterated his determination that PTM will be further strengthened, both in organisational structure and influence, across Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa.

The rally was organised in Anber tehsil of Mohmand district where large number reached to listen to the PTM chief.

During the address, both Manzoor Pashteen and the district coordinator spoke about the importance of uniting and strengthening the people and the organization in the struggle against the dollar war and the persecution of Pashtuns by the Pak Army generals.

Over time, PTM has emerged to be the champion of Pashtun rights and protection movement. On multiple occasions it has highlighted the precarious conditions of Pashtuns under the Pakistani establishment. Instead of addressing those issues and acknowledging their mistake, the establishment reciprocated with more aggressive supression showing complete ignorance to the popular issues and igniting a wave of friction between the people and itself.