I can’t vouch for it because I wasn’t there. But yet I’m sure that the one common question that would have crossed minds of both Israeli and Palestinian children writhing in agony as life ebbed out of their tender bodies was- why have they done this to me? In a way it’s good that I wasn’t there, because I wouldn’t have been able to answer their simple question and despite the fact that we are absolutely clear in our minds as to both who the villain is and who’s the victim, I’m sure none of us can.

This paradoxical situation owes its existence to the proclivity of human mind to quickly take up strong positions based on preconceived ideas and then look for reasons to justify the same. So, those on Israel’s side, justify Tel Aviv’s extraordinarily severe military response by drawing attention to the unprovoked ‘invasion’ by Hamas, its merciless killing of Israeli civilians including the aged, young, infants and even babies, as well as the taking of hostages.

According to those supporting Israel’s actions, due the gory bloodbath of innocents and their forcible abduction as well as desecration of the dead, Hamas deserves no mercy, . They also contend that since Hamas fighters take refuge in and launch rocket attacks against Israel from densely populated areas, Tel Aviv has the right to attack such sites. Hence, onus of any collateral damage in terms civilian casualties and destruction of residential buildings and public facilities rests entirely with Hamas.

In short, those defending Israel’s response maintain that, [1] By initiating unprovoked violence, it’s Hamas that upset status quo and precipitated the current crisis and so Palestinians have no right to play the ‘victim’ card [2] Hamas has ‘invited’ trouble by killing innocent Israelis including aged people, women, children and babies; hence Palestinians would have to bear the consequences [4] Being forced into a war, Israel’s ‘eye for an eye’ policy is justified by the ‘All’s fair in love and war’ dictum, and [5] Israel has all the rights to defend itself by whatever means it deems fit!

On the other hand, those who support the Hamas have an equally convincing argument to support their viewpoint. They contend that Palestinians have been a victim of brazen apartheid and the target of institutionalised persecution by Israel for the last seven and a half decades due to which the Gaza strip is a veritable ‘open air jail’. With Israel disregarding implementation of various international resolutions and accords that address genuine aspirations of Palestinians, this group feels that since Hamas represents aspiration of Palestinians, it has the moral right of using force to compel Israel to end its high handed approach.

Those sympathising with Palestine also maintain that since Israel has forcibly driven out Palestinians from their land and denied them their fundamental rights, use of violence by Hamas against these ‘oppressors’ is fully justified. Furthermore, with no alternative available to redress their grievances, Palestinians have little choice but to fight for their rights since Tel Aviv only understands the language of violence. Most importantly, they defend the violence committed by Hamas as the natural and inescapable response to prolonged subjugation.

The Pro-Palestine lobby’s justification of violence committed by Hamas is simple. It strongly maintains that [1] Oppression by Israel justifies retaliatory aggression by Hamas  [2] Elimination of Jews has religious sanction and is hence kosher and obligatory [3] Killing of aged people, women and children is a ‘tit for tat’ response to Tel Aviv’s barbarity [4] Hamas fighters are voluntarily embracing ‘martyrdom’ for the sake of their people and as such Palestinians should honour their sacrifice by willingly accepting losses of life, limb or property caused due to retaliatory action by Israeli Defence Forces [IDF] to Hamas instigated violence. 

With both sides having multiple reasons for supporting violence being wrecked on each other by Israel and Hamas [however skewed or perverse they may be], Israelis and Palestinian men, women and youth who unfortunately fall victim to such carnage know very well why they have been targeted. However, what about Israeli toddlers living peacefully in a kibbutz killed by Hamas gunmen or Palestinian babies crushed to death under debris of buildings in Gaza bombed by Israeli Air Force?

While we will all definitely express anguish and grief on the killing of children, even if they belong to the side we oppose. Yet, we will nevertheless shamelessly defend such gruesome acts committed by the side we support by citing instances of similar atrocities committed by the opponent. And we are so conscious of the fact that we’re knowingly defending the indefensible that we invent reasons to justify our stand by selectively drawing inferences from anything and everything, ranging from theology to geography, history and even philosophy.

Consequently, by vociferously supporting senseless violence by a particular people against another, we miss the wood for the trees and end up [intentionally or unwittingly] mainstreaming community violence. That’s why while we can keep waxing eloquent on the right of a particular side to perpetrate violence, we lack the courage to stare a dead child in the face because we are afraid that its glazed eyes and twisted lips may suddenly come alive and innocently pose the disturbing question, “tell me why?”

According to a recent news report carried by Nikkei Asia, China has spurned Pakistan’s proposals for inclusion of new projects in its Belt and Road Initiative [BRI]. It was a ‘source-based’ account that mentioned that “Two officials who have seen the minutes told Nikkei Asia that the Chinese side turned down Pakistan’s suggestions to add more projects related to energy, climate change, electricity transmission lines and tourism under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — the $50 billion Pakistani component of the Belt and Road.” [Emphasis added].

While both Beijing and Islamabad would like to rubbish this claim, this isn’t an easy task as the Nikkei Asia news report contains compelling details which clearly indicate that things aren’t as rosy as the two ‘iron clad’ brothers so vociferously maintain. For example, even though the Joint Cooperation Committee [top decision-making body for CPEC projects] meeting was held in October last year the minutes were ratified only in July this year. The inordinate delay of nine months between China’s meeting and the signing of its minutes certainly raises red flags!

Then, the report also reveals that in the minutes of this meeting there’s a mention of Beijing rejecting Islamabad’s proposal for a 500 KV transmission line to connect the port city of Gwadar to the national electricity grid from Karachi. Beijing has even refused to entertain cash-strapped Islamabad’s simple demand for relocating a 300 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Gwadar to facilitate use of domestic rather than imported coal, which is rather intriguing.   

That Nikkei Asia’s claim would elicit a response from Islamabad’s ‘Iron Brother’ Beijing was expected. After all, doesn’t Islamabad tout Sino-Pak friendship as being “higher than the mountains, deeper than the sea, sweeter than honey, and harder than steel”? However, the question was whether the response would come out in the form of an outright rebuttal of disclosures made by two unnamed officials to Nikkei Asia, or by playing down this embarrassing truth by trumpeting the CPEC success story.

Beijing expectedly chose to do the latter.

Exactly a week after the Nikkei Asia report appeared, The Express Tribune carried a news report that the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong had stated that “CPEC has brought a total of $25.4 billion in direct investment, 1, 55,000 direct jobs, 510 Km of expressways, 8,200 megawatts of power capacity and 886 Km of core power transmission grid to Pakistan.” He also contended that in the last decade, CPEC succeeded in “injecting strong momentum into Pakistan’s economic and social development” [Emphasis added].

However, Pakistan’s rapidly deteriorating economic condition and burgeoning unemployment belies Zaidong’s claim that CPEC has injected “strong momentum” in Pakistan’s economy and furthered social development. While there are no grounds to doubt the authenticity of data furnished by the Chinese ambassador, but given its precarious financial condition, the people of Pakistan have all the reasons to question as to where all this money has gone, and where are the jobs?

However, the answers aren’t very easy to find.

Inexplicable lack of transparency regarding the terms and conditions of CPEC contracts and the suspicious secrecy surrounding interest rates that Beijing is charging for its extraordinarily lavish loans to Islamabad certainly gives rise to suspicions that there’s more to it than what meets the eye. In 2017, the media was abuzz with news regarding rampant corruption in CPEC’s infrastructure projects of such humongous magnitude that Beijing temporarily stopped funding of three major road projects.

Just three years later, an investigative news report based on credible documentary evidence provided details of the mind boggling financial empire of retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, who was serving as special assistant to the prime minister on information and broadcast as well as chairman of CPEC authority. While the beleaguered Lt Gen Bajwa agreed to resign from the former post, his refusal to quit as chairman CPEC authority fuelled speculations that he was merrily dipping into the CPEC’s till.

However, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan isn’t the only one who has tried to convince the world that all’s well with CPEC. Nikkei Asia has quoted Andy Mok, a senior research fellow at Center for China and Globalisation [which is close to Beijing] saying that “China’s approach to Belt and Road investments is guided by prudence and long-term sustainability.” Mok goes on to justify tardy CPEC progress by adding, “Concerns like political instability in partner countries like Pakistan necessitate greater caution, especially regarding the safety of Chinese nationals.”

Despite all the talk about CPEC being ‘game changer’ for Pakistan, the harsh reality is that Beijing primarily conceived CPEC to further  its own strategic and commercial interests, hence, any benefits from it that come Pakistan’s way are just incidental. However, it would be wrong to assume that the payback from CPEC for Pakistan is a dole from Beijing because Islamabad has paid a very heavy price for China’s ambitions.

Firstly, though its financial crisis predates CPEC, Pakistan’s external debt has risen astronomically due to investment in this project, both in terms of machinery and material imports as well as heavy loans taken from Chinese banks at near-commercial rates of interest. Secondly, by extending special privileges to Chinese players like permitting uncontrolled trawling off the Gwadar coast and giving them tax exemptions, locals have been marginalised. And public ire is evident from the massive two month long ‘Gwadar Ko Haq Do’ [Give Gwadar its rights] movement that in a first of sorts saw a massive turnout of women.

Thirdly, by escalating the level and frequency of punitive actions against innocent civilians as retribution for attacks by Baloch freedom fighters on CPEC assets and Chinese workers to protest exploitation of the region’s natural resources, the already alienated people of Balochistan have been pushed into a corner. Resultantly, the level of violence in Balochistan has surged exponentially and further invigorated separatist ideology. Lastly, by allowing CPEC projects in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir [POJK], Islamabad has compromised its own narrative of J&K being ‘disputed territory’.  

So, while CPEC hasn’t exactly measured up to the expectations of Pakistanis even after a decade of its inception, one sincerely hopes that the situation changes soon and the promised unending downpour of money starts. After all, Islamabad desperately needs such a miracle in order to repay the estimated $30 billion loan that Beijing has extended at commercial rates of interest. Only this can ensure that the ‘sweeter than honey’ relationship between the two stays intact, and China remains a friend and doesn’t become the master, [in case this hasn’t happened already!]

As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to escalate, Shias in the region are coming together to express their support and solidarity, emphasizing humanitarian concerns over taking sides.

Reports from Iran indicate that a substantial number of Shias, with over 2.4 million volunteers, are offering their assistance to stand alongside Palestinians. This surge in support signifies a shared humanitarian sentiment rather than a political stance.

Similarly in Lebanon, the longstanding alliance between Hezbollah and the Palestinian cause has seen local villagers expressing their unwavering support. Messages left by Lebanese civilians for Hezbollah fighters reflect a common bond and a readiness to assist in challenging times.

The recent cycle of violence began with rocket attacks from Hamas in Gaza, met with an Israeli military response. This has resulted in significant civilian casualties and critical infrastructure damage in Gaza.

The crisis is further exacerbated by an Israeli blockade on Gaza, causing severe shortages of essential supplies. The situation has triggered a worsening humanitarian crisis, affecting countless innocent lives.

On the 39^th martyrdom anniversary of Thori Phatak victims, Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement called upon Sindhi people to pay tribute to the martyrs by lighting candles in their homes, neighbourhoods, press clubs, and mausoleums.

In the annals of history, the small village of Thori Phatak near Manjhand, in the Jamshoro district of Sindh, bears witness to a haunting incident that unfolded on October 17, 1984. It was a day when the lives of five innocent Sindhi student activists were abruptly cut short, victims of an act of state-sponsored terrorism.

These brave activists, belonging to the Jeay Sindh Student Federation (JSSF), included Amanullah Vistro, Maalik Khushik, Zakaria Memon, Anwar Abbasi, and Mithu Buledi. They were pursuing their education at esteemed institutions like Sindh University and Mehran University, striving for a better future for themselves and their homeland.

Indiscriminate killing in Thori Phatak

However, on that fateful day, their identity as students was cruelly twisted into an accusation of being ‘dacoits’ by the security forces. It’s a grim irony that in the eyes of the authorities, merely being a student could lead to such a devastating fate.

While these students were on a bus journey to Larkana, security forces halted the bus and opened fire on them without warning. This brutal act resulted in the loss of five young lives and left 15 others wounded. It also led to the unjust arrest of hundreds of Sindhi nationalists.

Today, 38 years later, justice remains elusive for these martyrs. Thori Phatak is a stark reminder of the injustices faced by Sindhi people and the need for acknowledgment and justice. It’s a call to ensure such tragedies are never repeated and to honor the memory of those who sought a brighter future for Sindh.

Various gatherings, rallies, and musical events with Sindhi national songs were organized to celebrate the day.

In a distressing incident, a Hindu woman was abducted two months ago by a radical Islamist in Pakistan. The victim, Reeta Meghwar was abducted by Ashiq Ahmadani from Badin in Sindh. Her whereabouts remained unknown until she managed to escape the captivity of her abductor a day ago.

She told her horrific story that is the harsh reality of Hindu women who are targeted on the basis of religion in Pakistan. After she was abducted, she was forced to give up on her religion and convert to Islam. Reeta was also coerced to marry a Muslim man. The fanatic Islamists threatened her that if she doesn’t accept their dictates, her parents would be killed.

This is the sorry state of Hindus and especially women who suffer at the hands of radical Islamist in Pakistan. A country that has devastated the life of religious minorities and only persecuted them stands shamelessly on the global platforms talking about minority rights in other countries.

The incident underscores the reason for the dramatic fall in the Hindu minority population in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan since its formation. Hindus are not safe under the administration of this terror regime. It must be noted that Hindus don’t even have a safe refuge in Pakistan while dealing with such cases. The bigoted Islamic clerics, judiciary, law enforcement institutions and Pakistan Army, each and every part of this syndicate is involved in this persecution with a sole motive of converting every single minority to Islam.