…and here comes the new poster boy of Islamic extremism–Imran Khan.
30 Islamist madrasas at POK turn into terrorism factories
Of the ten districts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), Muzaffarabad, Neelam Valley, Hattian Bala and Forward Kahuta have a high level of Islamic extremism. According to an estimate, at present there are more than thirty Islamist madrassas, which in reality are factories of terrorism.
About twenty seven madrassas can be found across Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli which belong to the Barelvi sect and four madrasas are owned and operated by the Taliban. In the past when the Taliban were ready to send mujahideens to the Indian Kashmir, their base camp was in Kotli. Neelam Valley, Hattian Bala, Forward Kahuta and Kotli are a few districts that share border with the Indian Kashmir. The madrasas in these districts are used to sneak in mujahideen across the Indian Kashmir to spread terrorism, the consequences of which are then borne by the common people.
Significantly, the Jamaat-e-Islami has firmly planted its claws in Kashmir, especially in Bagh and Rawalakot where they have literally started a mujahideen factory. They have turned young impressionable Muslims into Islamist cannon fodder, and continue to work on their evil plans.
Similarly, in Bagh and Rawalakot there are extremists of Sipah Sahaba, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jamaat-ud-Dawa whose only job is turn themselves into suicide bombers and/or spread religious extremism. These Islamic extremists openly carry out their activities in these areas of occupied Kashmir. They run religious seminaries as well as NGOs and raise millions of dollars in the name of philanthropy, which is then used to carry out their evil “mission”. They employ all possible means to eliminate secular minded people and are responsible for tarnishing the image of religious Muslims.
These Islamic fundamentalists relentlessly campaign against anyone who tries to question or reason out with them. Negative propaganda is openly spread so that rational and secular people are unable to speak up. All questioning is curbed because Islamists find it very difficult to answer questions, they are only used to giving sermons. Pakistan’s intelligence agencies offer full support to these Islamist fanatics.
Islamist fanatics in Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli receive all kinds of support from the Pakistani intelligence agencies. Although religious jihadists are also present in large numbers in these districts but the methodology is slightly different. This is because the people of this region are Peeri-Mureedi (disciples of Sufis and Saints)types, which is seen in the Barelvi sect of Islam.
Pakistani intelligence agencies play the Islamic religious card in a way that antagonizes different sects and beliefs of people of “Azad Kashmir” (POK). Their actions ensure that all sects are at loggerheads with each other.
It would not be wrong to call Jamaat-e-Islami, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi as the radical Islamist military wing of Pakistan Army and the ISI. Ganga Choti is a famous tourist spot of Bagh. Ganga Choti is at around 12,000 feet above sea level and is considered as one of the highest peaks of Kashmir. Even at this tourist place there is exists a check post of Jamaat-ud-Dawa. An ISI goon also remains on duty with the mujahideen at this check post. These mujahideen are stationed round the year whether its cold, hot, snowy or sunny. The mujahideen and ISI are present to facilitate the entry of terrorists produced in the madrasas inside Indian Kashmir.
Balochistan protests Baloch drivers’ murder by Frontier Corps at Nokundi
The recent killing of a driver in Nokundi by the Pakistani Frontier Corps (FC) has spurred waves of condemnation and protests in different areas of Balochistan. In Nokundi, Dalbandain and the adjacent areas, hundreds of protestors brought the dead body of the slain driver to the RCD highway and blocked it with protests. The protestors chanted slogans against the Pakistani security forces and demanded justice for the slain driver.
Pakistani forces tried to disperse the protest and reopened the busy highway for the incoming traffic and a scuffle broke out between protestors and the forces. The latter opened fire on the former, injuring several protestors in the process. The injured were shifted to Nokundi Rural Healthcare Centre for medical treatment and two others were further referred to the Trauma Centre, Quetta. No fatalities have been confirmed yet from the incident.
The slain driver is identified as Hameedullah Baloch who was killed by the Pak security forces in the Panch Naik area near the Pak-Afghan border when he allegedly sped away after being signaled to stop. The forces opened fire on his vehicle and Hamedullah was killed on the spot. The protestors reportedly set fire to the main gate of a government building being used by the security forces. The forces opened indiscriminate fire and injured several protestors.
The protests were called off after negotiations between the local authorities and the protestors. According to local officials, the protestors’ demand for the reopening of the entry point at the Pak-Afghan border for trade was also accepted. The officials also assured the drivers that the vehicles captured by the security forces will be handed over to their respective owners.
The trade at the Afghan border is a source of employment for the people living in the areas near the border. According to details, the Pak security forces stopped several vehicles near the border. They reportedly poured sand in the vehicles’ radiators and took out their batteries, thus rendering them useless and abandoning the drivers in the scorching desert heat during the holy month of Ramadan. The drivers said that the forces confiscated their vehicles and told them to leave the area on foot. Nokundi and the Afghan border are several hundred kilometres apart – the drivers were told to make that journey through the desert on foot without any food or water.
The drivers were compelled to leave their vehicles and make the arduous journey back home. After several hours of trekking in the desert, some fortunate souls spotted a vehicle and sought help, but others did not survive. At least three drivers died of dehydration and starvation while making the journey. In a video that became viral on social media, the dead bodies of the drivers can be seen lying in the desert.
The video spread like wildfire on social media, spurring a series of condemnations and demonstrations. In a media statement, the Baloch Women Forum said that the “oppression of the Baloch” has not stopped even in the holy month of Ramadan. The Nokundi incident is reminiscent of the killing of Hayat Baloch, Taj Bibi Baloch and countless others who were slaughtered in cold blood. The group said that the border trade has become a lifeline for the people of Balochistan and the people in power must realize that. They said that the silence of the political parties, government and judiciary is only worsening the crisis and leading to a human rights catastrophe. The group announced carrying out a demonstration in Quetta against the Nokundi incident and demanding justice for the slain drivers.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee also carried out a protest in Karachi on to demand justice for the slain drivers and fix responsibility on the culprits. The Baloch Student Organization Azad (BSO-Azad) also condemned the Nokundi incident in a media statement, saying that it is the continuation of the colonial policies of the Pakistani state. BSO-Azad said that since the “occupation” of Balochistan, the Pakistani state has inflicted horrendous atrocities on the Baloch nation and yet the world powers and human rights groups remain silent.
BSO-Azad said that the Nokundi incident – and countless other such incidents – shows that the Pakistani state considers “genocide” as the only solution to the Baloch national issue. The Baloch youth are forcibly disappeared throughout Balochistan and the bullet-riddled dead bodies of the Baloch missing persons are discovered thrown in random places or buried in mass graves. BSO-Azad said that this cruelty is not just limited to any specific area or a tribe – the entire Baloch nation is suffering from it.
BSO-Azad said that the silence of the human rights groups on this humanitarian crisis is only adding fuel to the fire – it is time to hold the Pakistan regime accountable for its human rights violations in Balochistan. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also took notice of the Nokundi incident. In a media statement, Hina Jilani, the Chairperson of the HRCP, said that the government has neglected Balochistan for too long. The security forces are inflicting cruelties on the people of Balochistan. She said that the provincial government must take note of the incident and bring the culprits to justice.
Story of Ayumi is all set to create ripples around the NFT space
The impressive NFT project depicts the story of an orphan who unravels her story to the world. Story of Ayumi is one impressive NFT project set to make its debut shortly. It revolves around the story of an orphan who travels the world to understand her story. The project is backed by its powerful AI on the Ethereum Blockchain. This is perhaps one of the most impressive project to have stepped into the NFT space which has an engaging storyline attached to it with a host of spectacular features. With a host of interesting NFT projects being introduced, many enthusiasts have been joining the bandwagon to experience this new world. This is perhaps one of the best NFT projects to be introduced in recent times as it will disrupt the industry in a big way.
Story of Ayumi with a host of exciting features will take over the rest on its debut, as industry experts are confident of the impact it will make once it steps in. The creators have stepped into the NFT space looking at the popularity of NFT markets which has been on a rise, with its horizons expanding at fast pace. They have taken every minutest detail into consideration to churn out an interesting project which will sweep the NFT sphere off its feet. One of the team members associated with the project says, “Looking at the trade volume of NFTs which was around $40 billion last year, it is undoubtedly expected to grow to towering heights even more this year, reaching upto $70 billion. Introducing an NFT project that has potential will most certainly call for a long innings, the reason we have come up with Story of Ayumi, as it has a unique flavour in it which lacks in the recently launched NFT projects in the market.”
Story of Ayumi is the latest addition to the already glowing NFT space, the future of which looks bright as ever. Looking at the kind of buzz it has generated, industry experts are predicting that it will take over once the space once it is launched. The makers are also relying a lot on their community for governance as they are consulted on various decisions regarding their investment strategy which are laid in a systematic manner. They have built a strong foundation for their governance system which will work well in the future. There would be an additional offering in the form of merchandise with the launch of their games and the introduction of DAO.
Stay updated with the latest news on Story of Ayumi via their Twitter @StoryOfAyumi.
Bored Stackers is set to create a deep impact on its debut
Industry experts predict this to be one of the biggest successes ever known across the NFT sphere in recent times.
The numerous technological advances that Web 3.0 has brought forward has amazed all. These newer advancements like blockchain, cryptocurrencies and NFTs have spellbound users till no end as they have offered limitless opportunities that have never ever been seen before. These have made a headway towards the future at a steady pace and now they are almost on the verge of disrupting the industry in the biggest possible way. NFTs have in fact gained momentum at an exponential speed in the past year, with many interesting projects hovering around that sphere being introduced consistently, much to the thrill of investors. Out of all the recent projects, one particular one has stood out owing to its unique features and is predicted to rule the space once it makes its debut. We are talking about Bored Stackers, which has already created a strong buzz around it as it holds something unique which is guaranteed to benefit its holders to a great extent.
The team behind Bored Stackers have worked hard to make sure the project matches up to people’s expectations as they have designed the most beautiful collection within a short span of time, with each being unique and holding distinctive traits that make it stand out in its own way. By minting NFTs from Bored Stackers, holders can earn rewards, and be a part of various events and interesting opportunities that would entrall them till no end. Bored Stackers will also be creating its own native token on a platform which is chosen by its community. By holding NFT’s members will get weekly airdrops of tokens which will allow them to accumulate them and earn more rewards along their journey. Users can also earn many more exciting things by staking. Looking at its impressive setup, there’s no doubt that the project will gain momentum right from the time it opens for public minting. Its success will be unleashed soon, once it makes its debut.
Russia is first country to allow Afghan Taliban embassy in Moscow
Russia has become the first country to allow appointment of a diplomatic representative of the Afghanistan’s Taliban government. A spokesman for the Taliban’s foreign ministry in Kabul said the arrangement of the Afghan embassy in Moscow has now been formally handed over to a Taliban-designated diplomat. Simultaneously, the Moscow government has formally accepted the diplomat’s nomination papers.
According to a statement issued by the Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry in Kabul, the ambassador designated by the previous Afghan government in Moscow had stopped doing his job. Now, Al-Amur Jamal Gharwal, the Taliban’s designated diplomat, has taken over his diplomatic duties in Moscow. Meanwhile, the Russian news agency Interfax reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had recently approved the appointment of Jamal Gharwal as Afghan chief of staff in Moscow by the Taliban government in Kabul, recognizing his diplomatic credentials.
In the days leading up to the final withdrawal of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan last year, when the Taliban captured Kabul, the then Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. Just days later, the Taliban established a regular nationwide but interim government, which they technically called the caretaker government of Afghanistan. The same government is still in power in Kabul.
It has been about eight months since the Taliban came back to power, but no country has formally recognized their government so far. Against this backdrop, Moscow’s appointment of Taliban-designated diplomat Jamal Gharwal as Afghan Nazim al-Amour allowed the hardline Taliban to be the first of its kind at both international and political levels. Since the Taliban came to power for the second time in this Hindu Kush state, many of the basic human rights of ordinary Afghans, especially women, have been restricted once again. The Taliban have not yet allowed Afghan girls to go back to school and all girls high schools in the country still remain closed.
Serious human rights violation in Pakistan: US Report
The U.S. State Department recently released it’s annual report on the human rights situation around the world, including Pakistan. One of the chapters of the report covering human rights in 2021 points to serious human rights violations committed in Pakistan. Foreign Minister Antony Blinkin was also present at the release of the report.
Blinkin said that he was part of the release ceremony for the second time because human rights are of great importance to American foreign policy. He said that many parts of the world have consistently seen a decline in democracy, the rule of the constitution and respect for human rights for many years. According to him, when a report on the human rights situation was being released last year, the process of degradation of rights was underway.
In this regard, the Foreign Minister pointed towards Russia’s ongoing aggression and said that clear evidence was being received in which Russia was committing brutality within Ukraine. The Secretary said that the State Department’s annual report describes the internal human rights situation of about 200 countries and this has been reported through investigation. According to him, the United States applies to itself the same standards of human rights reverence as it wants to see in the rest of the world. He further said that there are human rights concerns and shortcomings within the United States as well.
The State Department’s annual human rights report for the year 2021 also contains a 72-page chapter on Pakistan covering human rights violations. The report said that within Pakistan, military, paramilitary and intelligence agencies that are in principle accountable to civilian institutions, do their job without supervision of civilians and they have committed a number of violations according to local and international organizations. According to the report, there are major human rights issues within Pakistan. It says that measures such as extrajudicial killings, torture, rigorous detention, retaliatory arrests, and politically motivated detention of citizens by the government and its agents are among the measures taken. State agencies have been found committing incidents such as kidnapping, murder and torture of their citizens within other countries, the report said. The US State Department report claims that illegal military armed groups within Pakistan, including the Taliban were supported. Children were made fighters and freedom of speech and media were put on hold. Violence was committed against journalists. They were held in undue custody or disappeared. Criminal laws of censorship and defamation were enacted.
According to the report, internet freedom in Pakistan was also undermined by blocking several websites in 2021. Peoples’ right to gather was violated and many religious freedoms were also “compromised”. According to the annual human rights report, religious and ethnic minorities were tortured within Pakistan. The report also showed that Pakistan’s political parties have been expressing concern over the Pakistan Army’s interference in these elections. There was no immediate response from Pakistan to the report and this report comes at a time when Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been ousted as a result of last week’s no-confidence vote and a new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been selected. There has been no immediate response from Pakistan Army’s spokesperson DG ISPR to the report.
Gen Bajwa preserves American interests at all cost
Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa is overtly subservient to his American masters.
Pakistan Army’s ‘Novel Coup’ in Islamabad
By orchestrating the dismissal of the no-trust motion against himself through a clumsily contrived narrative of a “foreign conspiracy”, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has lived up to his promise of giving opposition parties seeking his ouster a “surprise”. However, the cricketer-turned-politician cannot be accused of keeping the opposition completely in the dark since in his April Fools’ Day interview [no pun intended] given to ARY News, he had mentioned that the “establishment” [Pakistan Army] had given him three options- one, to resign, two, face the no-confidence motion, or three, call for fresh elections.
So, had those baying for Khan’s blood paid heed to his revelation, they would have got a clear hint that something unusual was in the offing. After all, didn’t Khan reveal that the all-powerful Pakistan Army [which he has euphemistically referred to as “establishment”], was not only closely monitoring the political developments, but had even laid down the choices available to the beleaguered Prime Minister that were acceptable to Rawalpindi? Furthermore, by adding that “We said elections is the best option, [as] I cannot even think about resigning . . . ,” Khan did give an indication regarding the shape of things to come.
Soon after the Pakistan National Assembly [NA] Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri on Sunday dismissed the no-confidence motion against Khan, the Pakistan Army stated that it was the Prime Minister who had requested for a meeting and not the military. Even the options mentioned by Khan weren’t spelt out by the army, but only “mutually discussed”. Whatever be the truth, but one thing is certain- a meeting between the army top brass and the Prime Minister to discuss the emerging political scenario did take place, and Khan cunningly exercised the third option [elections] by nixing the second [no confidence motion] which is a masterstroke that rendered the first option [resigning] superfluous!
This meeting not only contradicts Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s much touted “neutrality” claim, but also mocks his media chief’s oft repeated claim that “the army has nothing to do with politics”. Those hopeful that the judiciary will intervene to set right this brazen ‘murder’ of democracy through rejection of the no-confidence motion by the deputy speaker of the National Assembly may be disappointed. Despite its insistence to the contrary, the Pakistan Army is known to be manipulating the judiciary and there is credible evidence in this regard.
Readers may recall former Pakistan Army chief Gen Pervez Musharraf admitting that despite him being on the Exit Control List [ECL], the then Pak Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif had helped him to leave Pakistan, ostensibly for medical treatment. His chilling revelation was that “These courts work under pressure behind the scenes and then give decisions. The army chief [Gen Raheel Sharif] had a role to play in releasing the pressure behind the scenes”. Though Musharraf was referring to government pressure, the fact of the matter is that the army chief can, not only influence the judiciary, but also ride roughshod over the legislature!
Then we also have the famous case of Justice Shaukat Siddiqui, a sitting judge of Islamabad High Court, admitting that “Today the judiciary and media have come in the control of ‘Bandookwala’ [literal meaning- ‘those with guns’, used here disparagingly for the army]. Judiciary is not independent” and adding, “In different cases, the ISI [spy agency of Pakistan army] forms benches of its choice to get desired results.” Since the army has been holding talks with the Prime Minister and even charting his future moves, impartiality of the judiciary while dealing with the no confidence motion case, remains suspect.
The question as to who will be the next Prime Minister is a vexed one. Many feel that while Rawalpindi may still overlook Khan’s tirade against the army, but by saying “the Indian army is not corrupt and they never interfere in civilian govt,” the PTI chief has done the unthinkable. He has berated Pakistan Army by a veiled but very obvious reference to Rawalpindi’s congenital meddling in the country’s internal politics, thus crossing the red line, which many feel rules out his political ‘rehabilitation’. However, strange things happen in Pakistan as the rejection of the no confidence motion indicates, and so, a ‘reformed’ Khan returning to power, though seemingly unlikely, won’t be a bolt from the blue.
Washington may be unhappy with Khan, but it knows there’s nothing to worry about as long as Rawalpindi is on its side, and by taking pains to reassure the US of Pakistan’s continued support, Gen Bajwa has ensured timely damage control. The good thing about Khan is that despite his sporadic outbursts, he still makes an excellent ‘marionette’, as three and half years of his prime ministership has proved, which suits Rawalpindi very well. Moreover, since he’s not averse to making ‘U’ turns, Khan can always be ‘persuaded’ by the army to tone down his anti-US rhetoric, and so his return to power, may well be the second surprise that Khan springs on his detractors!
Imran Khan’s Reko Diq Deal is malicious for Balochistan
Recently a seminar was organized by the newly formed Reko Diq Defence Campaign in Quetta Press Club (Balochistan). The seminar had the presence of many journalists, intellectuals, civil society members, politicians, Human Rights Commission members and others who voiced their discontent on the Reko Diq deal and the closed door meeting between Pakistan and a Canadian mining corporation called Barrick Gold. The speakers of the seminar demanded that the people of Balochistan have every right to know the details of the deal signed as it has not been made public so far by the Pak government.
What is the Reko Diq Deal? Why is it facing desistance from the Baloch?
The Reko Diq mine is situated near Reko Diq town in Chagai district, occupied Balochistan. It is one of the largest undeveloped gold and copper deposits globally, which has a capacity of producing 250,000 ounce gold and 200,000 tons of copper annually for more than half a century. The Tethyan Copper company — of which the Canadian gold firm Barrick and Chile’s Antofagasta Mineral control 37.5 % each — had found vast gold and copper deposit at Reko Diq. In 2011 this open-pit mine project came to a halt after the local government denied renewing the lease with Tethyan Copper and it was declared invalid in 2013. Further, in 2019 the World Bank’s arbitration tribunal committee levied a penalty on Pakistan for “unlawful denial of mining” and declared that Islamabad had violated the Pakistan Bilateral Investment Treaty and awarded $6 billion, plus interest penalty, against Pakistan to Tethyan Copper Company Limited .
However, now Barrick, the Canadian mining company, has ended its dispute after holding multiple meetings and negotiations with Islamabad. An out of court settlement has been announced by the Pakistani officials. Islamabad on 20 March 2022 awarded the development contract of the Reko Diq project to Barrick Gold while the penalty of $11 billion, i.e. with interest imposed on Pakistan by the World Bank tribunal was dropped. It is estimated that the company will invest multi-billion dollars in Reko Diq project in Balochistan. With the successful out of court settlement of a long standing dispute, Barrick will once again be looking after the project with a full-fledged mining lease and the Reko Diq project shall be revived and developed in partnership with Pakistani entities.
After signing and revival of the project, the now ousted PM Pakistan Imran Khan took to his Twitter account to say, “RD will potentially be the largest gold and copper mine in the world. It will liberate us from crippling debt and usher in a new era of development and prosperity”. Soon after the announcement of the deal’s revival and the tweet, the people of Balochistan started to vehemently oppose the closed door meeting on mining and signing of the deal.
As opposed to the deal the “Reko Diq Defense Campaign” was launched at the University of Balochistan by the Baloch leader and former senator Lashkari Raisani and many other political workers and politicians. They held a seminar on 2nd April 22 where the former Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani stated that “Imran Khan has said that the Pakistani state will use revenue generated from Reko Diq to payback Pakistan’s borrowings. But we need to first understand the extent of the loans that have been taken in last 70 years and how much of these have been spent in Balochistan. We will find out that Balochistan has nothing to do with these loans”. He further left a message by saying that it is the collective responsibility of the people of Balochistan to resist this “type of fake political processes to save our future”.
One of the speakers said, “Only the people of Balochistan have the right to make any deal on the resources of Balochistan”. Addressing the seminar, Rashid Karim Baloch, the Deputy Organizer of National Democratic Party also said: “…it is alleged that people of Balochistan are against the development process, but the reality is we are against exploitation not real development”. He further added “Reko Diq belongs to the people of Balochistan and only they have the first rights on it. The people of Balochistan must unite to raise voice against the exploitation of Baloch resources”. The speakers while detesting the entire deal said that the people of Balochistan were not taken into confidence not only in this deal but also when agreements of Saindak and CPEC were signed (China and Pakistan had signed the Saindak copper gold project and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor).
Dr Ishaq Baloch, the Vice President of The National Party, said: “Reko Diq mine is a very important natural resource reserve of Balochistan, however, the agreements around it have been manipulated since the beginning. Therefore, the public now needs to know all details around the new variations of this agreement”. They stated that several aspects of Reko Diq deal with Barrick Gold are still concealed and Balochistan is not aware “of the details of the agreement”.
President of Balochistan Bar Council, Rahib Bulaidi, said that “details of Reko Diq’s resources, its excavations processes, and accountability mechanism are all vague. The violation of court orders and constitution are alarming”. He added that the state did not find it necessary to take the bar councils in confidence vis-à-vis Reko Diq.
Dr Mahrang voiced that Baloch have been misled in the past to extortion but this time any fancy increase in percentages will not distract them. “Now Baloch people will only follow the path the was envisioned by late Sardar Khair Baksh Marri”, she said referring to Baloch revolutionary leader. The Barrick Gold Corporation is also facing stiff resistance from Balochistan’s freedom movement groups fighting for the freedom of Balochistan from Pakistan’s extortion, harassment, enforced disappearances of Baloch people by Pak forces.