Asia

Pakistan must protect religious freedom for Hindus: Human Rights group
17Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Pakistan must protect religious freedom for Hindus: Human Rights group

A human rights panel has called on the Pakistani authorities to protect the right to freedom of religion and belief for the country’s beleaguered Hindu community, including the construction of temples to exercise that right.“The respect for the right to freedom of religion was promised to Pakistan’s Hindus by the country’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Those who deny a long-marginalized community the right to practise their faith freely not only betray his legacy, but also violate the human rights of religious minorities protected under Pakistan’s constitution and its international human rights obligations,” said Omar Waraich, Head of South Asia at Amnesty International.The human rights organization’s call came as authorities in Islamabad capitulated to pressure from a discriminatory campa
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Women risk the blasts or sexual assault in Pakistani-held Kashmir
17Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Women risk the blasts or sexual assault in Pakistani-held Kashmir

Ever since the abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian government, cross-border shelling between Pakistan and India has intensified along the Line of Control in Kashmir, sending more families rushing to community bunkers when the alarm sirens ring, particularly on the Pakistani side.But some girls and young women are being left behind by their families — choosing to risk the falling shells rather than face the sexual assault in the cramped bunkers.One of those staying home is Mehnaz, a 25-year-old, who says she will not be going back to a bunker unless things change.When mortars started slamming into her village in the Neelum Valley on the Pakistani-held side in August, Mehnaz and her family fled to a musty bunker owned by her neighbor, she said. Dozens of people were crammed in for hours
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SE Asian countries must keep eye on China’s Bihai 2020 before it turns into source of conflict, says expert
16Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments

SE Asian countries must keep eye on China’s Bihai 2020 before it turns into source of conflict, says expert

China might be using the “Bihai 2020” initiative as another justification for the increased presence of Chinese law enforcement vessels in the disputed South China Sea, an expert has warned."Is the Bihai 2020 initiative as innocent as it seems? On the surface, the initiative appears to be solely aimed at enhancing marine environmental protection. However, as noted in the joint statement, law enforcement activities conducted under the initiative would involve coastal and sea patrols, as well as remote monitoring capabilities," YingHui Lee, an Associate Research Fellow with the Maritime Security Programme, at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University Singapore has said.He added, "This presents a worrying possibility that the initiative could b
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Bhutan issues demarche to China over its bid to create border trouble
15Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Bhutan issues demarche to China over its bid to create border trouble

As China is now fixing its eyes on Bhutan by declaring a Bhutanese wildlife sanctuary along their border as a disputed territory, Bhutan swiftly jumped to its feet and issued a demarche to China.The demarche was a follow-up to protests earlier against Beijing’s attempt to make a non-dispute into a quarrel.At the 58th Global Environment Facility Council held in June, the Chinese raised objections to the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary project and argued that it was in a disputed area between China and Bhutan. Sakteng lies in a zone of Bhutan that borders Arunachal Pradesh and China. At the meeting, Bhutan strongly objected to the references made by China against its sovereignty.The Chinese claim coincided with the People’s Liberation Army’s belligerence along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh
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China reasserts its claims on “disputed” eastern Bhutan boundary
15Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments

China reasserts its claims on “disputed” eastern Bhutan boundary

Beijing has decided to strengthen its commitment to declare a Bhutanese wildlife sanctuary along their border as a disputed territory after Bhutan sent China a demarche against its claims.The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement to the media in Beijing said, “The boundary between China and Bhutan has never been delimited. There have been disputes over the eastern, central and western sectors for a long time.”The MFA was responding to questions about China’s attempt in June to stop funding for the Sakteng sanctuary from the U.N. Development Programme’s Global Environment Facility (GEF), on the grounds that it was “disputed” territory.At the 58th Global Environment Facility Council held recently, China raised objections to the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary project and said t
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Malaysia suspends Pakistan pilots after license fraud revelation
14Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Malaysia suspends Pakistan pilots after license fraud revelation

After Europe and Vietnam, Malaysia’s aviation regulator has temporarily suspended pilots employed by domestic airlines who hold Pakistani licenses.The decision came after the Pakistani government revealed that many of its pilots had dubious qualifications.In a statement on July 2, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said that the decision came after an evaluation of all foreign pilots in Malaysia. The regulator said that there are less than 20 Pakistani pilots in the country.National carrier Malaysia Airlines said it does not have any Pakistani pilot. Malindo Air, the Malaysian arm of Indonesia’s Lion Air, said it does not have any foreign pilots, and AirAsia said it does not have any Pakistani pilot.CAAM said the pilots were employed with “local operators”, such as flying scho
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Pakistan’s global image continues to worsen, PIA suspension in EU latest fallout
14Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Pakistan’s global image continues to worsen, PIA suspension in EU latest fallout

The case of dubious licenses of Pakistani pilots have further worsened the image of Pakistan on the international front.Despite easing of covid-lockdown measures, Pakistanis are not allowed to enter various European countries.And now the suspension of flight services by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in European countries is the latest fallout in line."Unbelievable! First, Pakistanis not allowed to enter various countries. Then Gulf Airlines refusing to come to Pakistan. Now PIA not allowed into EU! Thank you Selectors and Captain of Team Pakistan!" said Najam Sethi, noted Pakistani journalist in a tweet.Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Pakistan has also not been included in the draft list of 54 countries that will benefit from the reopening of the European Union's external borde...
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China supplying weapons to terrorist group Arakan army to weaken India, Myanmar: Report
14Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments

China supplying weapons to terrorist group Arakan army to weaken India, Myanmar: Report

Media reports published recently in Myanmar have alleged that China is supplying funds and sophisticated weaponry to armed groups in Myanmar and the Naypyitaw-designated terrorist group, the Arakan Army, to have leverage over Myanmar and India.According to a military source, China is providing approximately 95 per cent of Arakan Army funding. The source further revealed that the Arakan Army has approximately 50 of the MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense Systems) surface-to-air missiles.The source said that China’s strategy of supporting the Arakan Army has enabled the Chinese to expand its area of influence towards western Myanmar that is, the India-Myanmar border.Arakan Army is the largest insurgent group in the Rakhine state of Myanmar and is the armed wing of the political party, United L
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Karachi attack warning to Pakistan, China to quit Balochistan: Baloch leader
13Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Karachi attack warning to Pakistan, China to quit Balochistan: Baloch leader

Paying tribute to the fighters of Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) who were killed in the Pakistan Stock Exchange building in Karachi on June 29, prominent pro-independence Baloch leader Allah Nazar Baloch has said that the incident was a warning to Pakistan and China to quit Balochistan.Nazar said that Pakistan has cheaply mortgaged Baloch lands to China and that China has made a long-term plan to use Gwadar as a launching pad by making Balochistan an undeclared colony to dominate the world.“China's presence here has become a threat not only to the Baloch national survival but poses a danger to the entire world,” he said.“We believe that the world is still unaware of China's intentions and that the Baloch are the only ones fighting the modern imperialist monster. The attack on the base
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Myanmar Armed forces chief allege ‘strong forces’ behind terrorism in country
12Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Myanmar Armed forces chief allege ‘strong forces’ behind terrorism in country

Myanmar Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has claimed that terrorist groups in Myanmar exists because of the “strong forces that support them”.While he did not name forces but observers indicated that he referred to Chinese support for some insurgent groups in Myanmar.His remarks came as he attended Russia’s 75th anniversary of the country’s Victory Day.During the visit Gen Min Aung Hlaing held talks with India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on how to promote ties between their countries’ armed forces, border security and counter-insurgency operations along the border.When asked by a Russian news agency about terrorism in Myanmar, the military chief said, “A country may be able to suppress terrorist organizations on its soil. But in cases when there are strong forces behi
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