Milk vendors in Karachi have suspended purchases of milk from dairy farmers, threatening a milk crisis in the city. The vendors are demanding a hike in the price of milk, saying that they cannot afford to sell it at the current prices after purchasing it from farmers at high rates.
The Karachi Milk Retailers Welfare Association staged a protest at the Karachi Press Club on Monday and gave the local administration a 72-hour ultimatum to make a decision regarding the milk price. The association’s office-bearer said that the dairy farmers were selling milk to the retailers at (Pak) Rs 214 to Rs 218 per litre and the shop owners should get the least margin of Rs 20 per litre.
The association’s decision has caused panic among consumers, who are worried about the availability of milk in the city. The price of milk has already increased by 20% in the past few months, and a further hike would be a major burden on consumers.
The milk crisis is the latest in a series of price hikes in Pakistan. The prices of essential commodities, such as food, fuel, and electricity, have been rising steadily in recent months. This situation is likely to have a major impact on the poor and vulnerable in Karachi. Many families rely on milk as a source of protein and other nutrients. A further hike in the price of milk would make it even more difficult for the people to afford basic necessities.
In addition to the milk crisis, Pakistan is also facing a sugar shortage. The sweetener is being sold between Rs185 to Rs195 in Islamabad’s retail market, while the rate in the wholesale market has decreased to Rs178 per kg from Rs180. Despite the decrease in the wholesale market price of sugar, the retailers are selling the same at their desired rate.
In a statement, Rauf Ibrahim – Chairman Wholesale Grocers Association – said that the sugar mafia and hoarders created an ‘artificial shortage’ of sweetener and reduced its supply into the market.
Pakistan is under tremendous pressure to resolve the milk crisis and other price hikes. However, it remains to be seen whether they will be able to take effective measures to address the issue.
Pashtun Council Canada (PCC) held a protest demonstration for the release of arrested Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) activists including Imaan Mazari, Ali Wazir.
On September 3, the activists of Pashtun Council Canada gathered at Celebration Square, City Centre Mississauga, in Canada. They protested against the illegal arrest of PTM workers and an illegitimate crackdown over the PTM activists following the August 18 jalsa in Islamabad.
Pakistan Army and its oppressive policies has made the Pashtun land and people vulnerable. The Pashtuns have been exploited and thrown to the reign of terror by the Pakistan Army. Despite that, Pashtuns have largely been non-violent in their protests. However, Pakistan Army in turn, always tried to crush those protests with force. It is now that Pashtuns have reached Islamabad and challenged the authoritarian regime of Pakistan to refrain from subverting Pashtuns.
Hence, Pashtuns and other human rights activists across the globe are raising voice for the Pashtun cause.
Pakistan’s business community observed a shutter down strike on Saturday across the country to protest against the inflated electricity bills and rising inflation.
It was largely endorsed by trade and business communitie, market associations, lawyers associations and transporters. The strike brought commercial activities to a halt in major cities across the country, including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Islamabad. Public transport was also largely off the roads.
The policies of the ‘establishment’ are making it difficult for businesses to operate and for people to make ends meet.
Growing Discontent
The strike is the latest sign of growing discontent with the way the country has been handling the economy. In recent months, there have been a series of protests against rising prices and power outages.In Karachi, the Tajir Action Committee (TAC) on Friday gave the government 72 hours to reduce the bills and withdraw the hike in petrol prices or else they would go for a prolonged 10 days strike.The call for strike was supported by The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
The Pakistan Army under the guise of the government has responded to the protests by saying that it is taking steps to address the economic challenges.The strike is likely to put further pressure on them to take action to address the economic problems.
Meanwhile, social media platforms were flooded with the significant number of visuals related to the shutdown. Be it Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar or Pakistan Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (POGB), the effect of shutdown was seen everywhere. The call for shutdown and the subsequent support it got across Pakistan, itself shows that people are now fed up of this military-politico complex which finds its base in territorial aggression, resource exploitation and power lust. People are now becoming vocal and demanding their rights proactively.
The Matarbari deep sea port, which is currently under construction in Bangladesh, will be a game changer for the region as it would open up connectivity with India’s northeast, especially Tripura, along with landlocked Nepal and Bhutan. For Japan, India’s northeast has been in focus for some time. Japan has shown an urgency build an integrated and scaled up supply chain in the region as it plans to boost its presence and increase investments.
At present, only about 350 Japanese companies operate in Bangladesh but once the region is integrated, trade and economy can zoom.
The port located at Cox’s Bazar, is primarily being developed by Japan International Cooperation Agency under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Hubs.
“Japan wants better connectivity between India’s northeast and Bangladesh to leverage and build on each other’s strengths,” Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General (South Asia), Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) told India Narrative earlier.
During his trip to India, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida too highlighted the importance of strengthening connectivity in the Northeast region, rich in resources but is relatively untapped, for developing robust global supply chains.
National Maritime Foundation (NMF) in a study noted that connectivity will open avenues for collaborative endeavours among nations while encouraging partnerships across multiple sectors including infrastructure, tourism, cultural integration, and of course, logistics, and trade. “The establishment of a seamless regional trade network lays the foundation for shared prosperity and sustainable development, ultimately benefiting all participating nations,” it said.
Once the deep sea port becomes operational, a large number of items that are currently being traded through Haldia port could be routed through Matarbari, thus easing the load on one port. Importantly, Matarbari will be able to handle larger cargos as well.
The project also allows India to balance China which is aggressively enhancing its influence through the multi trillion Belt and Road Initiative. “Matarbari port is strategic. It will boost connectivity but notably it gives both India and Japan a big opportunity to balance China’s growing influence,” an analyst said.
According to Maritime Gateway, Japan’s engagement in Bangladesh for connectivity development goes hand-in-hand with India’s endeavour which is undertaking upgradation of Mongla Port, road and power transmission networks, railway lines, inland waterways, among others, in the neighbouring country.
Last year, trans-shipment of cargo movements began between Kolkata to the northeast through Bangladesh’s Mongla port marking a new era in connectivity for New Delhi and Dhaka.
Benefits to Nepal and Bhutan
Nepal and Bhutan, the two landlocked countries in the region, are dependent on India and Bangladesh for port access. Therefore, the Matarbari port will not only bring significant economic advantages to Bangladesh “but also holds significant potential for neighbouring landlocked countries such as Nepal and Bhutan,” NMF said.
These countries would experience substantial benefits through the reduction of regional transshipment costs for their goods and Bangladesh hopes to be able to do just that, it said.
South Asian countries are among the least connected and integrated in the world today.
“The eastern sub-region is poised to become an economic growth pole for South Asia. An important component of this development potential is for countries to invest in connectivity – rail, inland waterways, and roads,” Junaid Ahmad, Vice President of Operations, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency of the World Bank who earlier served as country director for India had noted.
(This article was first published in India Narrative)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to travel to Indonesia just ahead of next week’s significant G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi sends a strong message on the value India attaches to engagement with the countries of the Southeast Asian region and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific under the current geopolitical scenario.
PM Modi will be travelling to Jakarta on a two-day visit starting September 6 to attend the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and 18th East Asia Summit being hosted by Indonesia as current Chair of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
India, which currently holds the Presidency of the G20 – a premier global forum for international economic cooperation – will be hosting the leaders’ summit of the grouping in New Delhi on September 9-10 which will be attended by several top leaders of the world, including the US President Joe Biden.
The ASEAN-India Summit will be the first since the elevation of India-ASEAN relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 and will review the progress of India-ASEAN relations and chart the future direction of cooperation.
Hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the East Asia Summit would provide an opportunity for the leaders of ASEAN countries and its eight dialogue partners, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional and global significance.
The inaugural ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023) was successfully held in the South China Sea in May 2023 (Image courtesy: Indian Navy)
Acknowledging that the international and regional landscape is undergoing “profound changes with rising instability and uncertainty”, China on Friday announced that the country’s Premier Li Qiang will attend the 26th China-ASEAN Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit to be held in Jakarta.
India believes that a strong and unified ASEAN plays an important role in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific and firmly supports ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN outlook on the region.
ASEAN countries remain an important pillar of India’s Act East policy and key partner of its Indo-Pacific Vision underlined by PM Modi’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has maintained that India’s engagement with the ASEAN has been driven by three goals – enhancing connectivity (physical, digital and people-to-people business) between India and ASEAN; strengthening the ASEAN organisation; and, expanding practical cooperation in the maritime domain.
New Delhi has also welcomed Indonesia’s efforts in mainstreaming of ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and its planned implementation through the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum.
“AOIP’s convergence with the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, or IPOI, provides a strong basis for our cooperation in this regard,” remarked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the opening session of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with India in Jakarta in July.
A file photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with ASEAN leaders during the 2017 East Asia Summit (Image courtesy: PIB)
“As comprehensive strategic partners, we look forward to working with ASEAN in further expanding our partnership to include newer areas while strengthening existing corporations. And I refer here especially to cyber, financial and maritime security domains,” he added.
Enhancing maritime cooperation has also been one of the priorities of Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023 as it launched last month the ASEAN Maritime Outlook (AMO) – a strategic document which will be a compass for ASEAN in determining the direction of maritime cooperation in the future.
As highlighted in the AOIP, Southeast Asia lies at the centre of and serves as the conduit linking the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, which are among the most dynamic regions in the world and hubs of economic growth. The importance of the region’s sea lines of communications (SLOC) is underlined by the fact that 60 percent of maritime trade passes through Asia, with the South China Sea carrying an estimated one-third of global shipping.
Concerned about China’s strategic expansion into the South China Sea, several countries of the region are now spotlighting the importance of sustaining defence engagement with India and like-minded partner countries.
Without mentioning China during his address to the Joint Sitting of the US Congress in Washington this June, PM Modi said that “dark clouds of coercion and confrontation” are casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific and the stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of India-US partnership.
“We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in ASEAN centrality. A region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by impossible burdens of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity,” he said.
(This article was first published in India Narrative)
The body of Ghulam Farooq, a resident of Tehsil Zahri of Khuzdar, has been recovered from Quetta. The body was found in a vineyard on Qambarani Road and has been shifted to the Civil Hospital.
Farooq was forcibly disappeared from Mastung on October 27, 2022, while he was temporarily residing in Mastung for labor. Farooq was a laborer who often traveled between Mastung and the adjoining area of Mangchar to find work. On October 27, 2022, he was staying in Mastung when he was detained by the notorious Pakistan Army and plainclothes officers from the Mastung main highway. He was taken to an unknown location.
Farooq’s family had been searching for him ever since his disappearance. They had filed a missing person report with the police, but no action was taken. The recovery of Farooq’s body is a tragedy for his family and friends. They are demanding justice for his death and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
The Balochistan Human Rights Commission has condemned the killing of Farooq and called for an independent investigation. The commission said that the killing is a “gross violation of human rights” and that the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
The case of Ghulam Farooq is just one of many cases of enforced disappearances in Pakistan-occupied-Balochistan. There are thousands of people who have been forcibly disappeared, and Pakistan Army is solely responsible for these disappearances. Pakistan-occupied-Balochistan have a long history of human rights abuses, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances.
PTM carried out protest for the release of PTM workers including Ali Wazir and Imaan Mazari in Quetta and Karachi.
On September 1, PTM workers hit the streets of Quetta and Karachi demanding the release of PTM workers, who were apprehended after the Islamabad rally on August 18. A couple of days ago, Manzoor Pashteen, the PTM chief posted on a social media platform that Pakistan Army is trying to kill Ali Wazir. This raised concern among the Pashtuns.
In Karachi, thousands of protestors gathered in front of Sadar Empress Market. Reportedly, about 40 workers were apprehended by the Police during the protest. Meanwhile, Sindh Provincial Leader of PTM, Noor Ullah Tareen called for the unified and firm support to the PTM leaders who have been arrested.
کراچی پی ٹی ایم کے ساتھی ہزاروں کی تعداد میں صدر ایمپریس مارکیٹ کے سامنے موجود ہے پولیس اور انتظامیہ پریس کلب کی جانب جانے نہیں دے رہے اور تقریباً 40 ساتھیوں کو پریس کلب سے پولیس نے گرفتار کیا ہے اگر آدھے گھنٹے میں انکو رہا نہیں کیا تو کراچی جم کردئنگے#IStandWithPTMpic.twitter.com/hrhxlkByVa
Similarly, Quetta protest also witnessed a huge influx of PTM workers. Addressing the Quetta demonstration, PTM Central Committee Member Zubair Shah Agha said, “We tried to take our message to the Supreme Court, but permission was not granted. In Sindh and Punjab, notices are taken out when animals die, but when Pashtuns die every day, there is no response.”
سپریم کورٹ تک ہمیں اپنا پیغام لیکر ایاتہ لیکن اجازت نہیں دیا جب سندھ اور پنجاب میں حیوانات بھی مرتے ہے وس کا نوٹس عدالت لیتے ہے لیکن جوں ہر دن پشتون مرتے ہے وس کے لئے کچھ نہیں پی ٹی ایم مرکزی رہنما @ZubairShahAgha1#IStandWithPTMpic.twitter.com/IzNv4kigdk
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has carried out an attack and killed seven Pakistan Army personnel, injuring eight others in three separate attacks in Pakistan-occupied-Balochistan.
The first attack took place in Harboi Kalat, where BLA fighters targeted a camp of the Pakistan Army. In the attack, carried out with heavy weapons, at least one enemy personnel was killed and two were injured.
The second attack took place in Zamuran, where BLA fighters targeted an outpost of the Pakistan Army in Archanan Kaor area. Two enemy personnel were killed and at least three were injured in this attack. An enemy surveillance device was also destroyed.
The third attack took place on August 24, 2023, in the Peer Ismaeel area of Bolan. At least three enemy personnel were injured in the attack.
In a statement, the BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said that the attacks were in retaliation for the Pakistan Army’s occupation of Balochistan. He said that the BLA will continue to target the Pakistan Army until its full withdrawal from the province.
The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) also carried out a significant operation killing four enemy Pakistan Army personnel, including a senior officer. This operation occurred in Soraap Bulida, and it involved an ambush on a convoy of Pakistan Army vehicles and motorcycles heading towards Turbat and Buleda.
The BLF acted on secret information received from its sources regarding unusual military movements in the area. They positioned themselves strategically and executed the ambush as the convoy approached. The attack was specifically aimed at a vehicle carrying a senior army officer, who was on an inspection tour related to military activities in the region.
Additionally, the BLF set fire to a dumper involved in state projects near the Khauda Wajdad pump in Minaaz Buleda on August 31. This act was intended as a warning and did not cause any harm.
Major Gwahram Baloch, spokesperson for the Balochistan Liberation Front, claimed responsibility for both operations and emphasized that they would persist until Balochistan achieved its independence.
The BLA and BLF are freedom fighters that have been fighting for the independence of Balochistan from Pakistan for decades. The group has been fighting for freedom from the brutal Pakistan Army since it forcefully occupied Balochistan in March 1948.
The decision by German authorities to deport Baloch political activist Atif Ali to Pakistan has been met with widespread condemnation from human rights groups and the Baloch community in Germany.
Ali, who has been living in Germany since 2017, has been critical of the Pakistan Army’s human rights abuses against the Baloch people. He has been threatened and harassed by the ‘establishment’ numerous times.
Décision of deporting Baloch political Activist Atif Ali by German Authorities to Pakistan must be stopped. Pakistani State is committing #BalochGenocide. Enforced disappearances, kill & dump is a daily routine there. That’s why they take refuge and asylum to civilized countries. https://t.co/Pz23MG7eREpic.twitter.com/cNrn2v00aS
The Baloch community in Germany is calling on the German government to stop the deportation of Atif Ali. It is feared that he will be killed if he is deported. Several activists and supporters have been raising their voice. They are also organizing protests on 4th and 5th September, and are appealing to raise awareness of the case.
Baloch Communitv German to protest and Appeal the German authorities to ston the deportation of the human right Activist Atif Ali as we fear that he would face persecution by Pakistani security agencies like other 1000s of Baloch activists. pic.twitter.com/yi0IfJa4cd
Pakistan is a failed state that has been wholly controlled by the Pak Army. And, this Army has a long history of human rights abuses against the Baloch people. Baloch activists and journalists are routinely abducted, tortured, and killed. It’s been years since the number of cases of enforced disappearances of Baloch activists have reached a staggering heights.
Ali’s case has drawn attention to the plight of the Baloch people, who have been fighting for freedom from the brutal Pakistan Army since it forcefully occupied Balochistan in March 1948.
The deportation of Atif Ali would be a major setback for the human rights movement in Pakistan. It would send a message to the Paki regime that it can continue to target and silence its critics with impunity.
The international community must pressure the German government to stop the deportation of Atif Ali and to ensure that he is not harmed.
The Baloch people have a right to self-determination and to live free from persecution. The deportation of Atif Ali would be a violation of these rights.
With the ongoing escalation in tensions between Shias and Sunnis, people in Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan have raised their voice to move towards Kargil and a unification with India.
In a video from Skardu, a protestor addressing the public said, “Neither we will fear anyone nor bow in front of anyone. If you (Pakistan) try to cross our path, then we will definitely go to Kargil.” He threatened Pakistan by saying that if they tried to arrest their religious leaders, either side will not be able to survive. While saying this he again challenged Pakistan by sating that they will break the barriers and move to Kargil. Meanwhile, thousands of people followed him in sloganeering in favour of moving to Kargil.
Pakistan has illegally occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, and has gone all out to hide the atrocities and subversion that it has perpetuated. To further worsen the situation, it is now using the controversial “Blasphemy” laws to oppress the people. This has aroused resentment in the people of POGB.
Blasphemy- A tool of persecution
Be it Sindh, Balochistan, POGB or POJK, Pakistan with its filthy policies has itself proved that it does not consider these regions as their own territory. One of the significant evidence of it is Pakistan’s attitude towards this region is during the time of hardship. While Islamabad is facing economic upheavals, it has left no stone unturned to shed that load indiscriminately upon the people of POJK and POGB. Whether it is wheat flour or electricity shortage or the lack of development it is POGB and POJK that have suffered the most. Now with the blasphemy “tool” Pakistan is inflicting havoc over the Shia majorities in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Consequently, not only the local civilians but also the government employees including civil servants are turning their back on Pakistan. Having the clear indication of the situation, the occupying government under the direct influence of Pakistan issued an order to initiate the disciplinary procedures against the officials and civil servants involved in aiding the protests against Pakistan and the Army.
As a result, some Police officials and teachers have reportedly been arrested. This has aggravated the situation. Shias have been targeted across Pakistan but in POGB, where they are in majority, such divisive policies of blasphemy have opened the eyes of people. Now they are clearly able to see how the stable Kargil is prospering and the POGB is paying the cost for its illegal occupation and instability. And that is why the calls for merging with India have emerged in POGB.
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