Pakistan has been responding hysterically since the time Indian government scrapped Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir is all Pakistan talks about these days. First, Islamabad downgraded diplomatic ties with India, suspended trade, Samjhauta and Thar Express and then announced that there will be no talks with India till India withdraws its decision of abrogating Article 370 and bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UTs).&nbsp;

Pakistan tried to portray a manipulated picture with false narratives, however, got no traction from global leaders. It stands isolated. US President Donald Trump, who had earlier offered mediation between the two countries, termed Kashmir a bilateral issue after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recently held G7 Summit.

Ignoring Khan's appeal, Islamic countries have also maintained that Kashmir is India's integral issue. In fact, UAE honoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the 'Order of Zayed', country's highest civilian award.

Moreover, the Taliban has strongly criticised Pakistan for linking the Kashmir issue&nbsp;with the situation in Afghanistan

Pakistan is now&nbsp;making embarrassing statements, organising protests and fighting a war on social media, instead of accepting the reality. Deserted on the global platform, Pakistan Prime Minister even threatened India with a Nuclear war.

Several ministers in the Pakistan government have repeated the war rhetoric of their prime minister. The neighbours also tested nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile last week to spread the war hysteria.

It's high time Islamabad wake up and smell the coffee. They need to set their own house in order. &nbsp;

On the economic front, the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) of the global terror financing and money laundering watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has put Pakistan in the Enhanced Expedited Follow Up List for failing to comply with commitments.

The development makes it more difficult for the South Asian country to leave FATF's grey list and can expedite its process of blacklisting in October's FATF plenary.&nbsp;

Imran Khan is also facing the ire of Pakistan's opposition parties for failing to handle the Kasmir situation.

Other than the crippling economy, Pakistan also needs to focus on increasing cases of forced conversions and alleged atrocities on civilians in Balochistan province of Pakistan.

Islamabad must&nbsp;realise that irrational reactions and baseless statements won't get them attention. The global community has understood and supported India's decision and rightly so.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Pakistan has been responding hysterically since the time Indian government scrapped Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is all Pakistan talks about these days.

Pakistan has been responding hysterically since the time Indian government scrapped Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is all Pakistan talks about these days. First, Islamabad downgraded diplomatic ties with India, suspended trade, Samjhauta and Thar Express and then announced that there will be no talks with India till India withdraws its decision of abrogating Article 370 and bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UTs). Pakistan tried to portray a manipulated picture with false narratives, however, got no traction from global leaders. It stands isolated. US President Donald Trump, who had earlier offered mediation between the two countries, termed Kashmir a bilateral issue after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recently held G7 Summit. Ignoring Khan's appeal, Islamic countries have also maintained that Kashmir is India's integral issue. In fact, UAE honoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the 'Order of Zayed', country's highest civilian award. Moreover, the Taliban has strongly criticised Pakistan for linking the Kashmir issue with the situation in Afghanistan Pakistan is now making embarrassing statements, organising protests and fighting a war on social media, instead of accepting the reality. Deserted on the global platform, Pakistan Prime Minister even threatened India with a Nuclear war. Several ministers in the Pakistan government have repeated the war rhetoric of their prime minister. The neighbours also tested nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile last week to spread the war hysteria. It's high time Islamabad wake up and smell the coffee. They need to set their own house in order. On the economic front, the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) of the global terror financing and money laundering watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has put Pakistan in the Enhanced Expedited Follow Up List for failing to comply with commitments. The development makes it more difficult for the South Asian country to leave FATF's grey list and can expedite its process of blacklisting in October's FATF plenary. Imran Khan is also facing the ire of Pakistan's opposition parties for failing to handle the Kasmir situation. Other than the crippling economy, Pakistan also needs to focus on increasing cases of forced conversions and alleged atrocities on civilians in Balochistan province of Pakistan. Islamabad must realise that irrational reactions and baseless statements won't get them attention. The global community has understood and supported India's decision and rightly so. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Pakistan is left with no option on Jammu and Kashmir

India and Pakistan should resolve their disputes on Kashmir through "dialogue and discussion", Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said on Tuesday during a telephonic conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

The call was made by Qureshi as part of Islamabad`s nefarious designs to internationalise the Kashmir issue after New Delhi changed the constitutional status of the region by abrogating Article 370.

"The Foreign Minister apprised his Bangladeshi counterpart of the illegal and unilateral actions of India to alter the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir, which was in contravention of the international law and UNSC resolutions," a statement by Pakistan Foreign Ministry read.

"The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister emphasised the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue and discussions," it added.

Pakistan is rattled by the Indian government`s move to strip the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and has found itself completely isolated on the matter after being snubbed at the United Nations Security Council, as well as by many countries, including US, Russia, and France.

Bangladesh Foreign Ministry had earlier made it clear that the Indian government`s move on Kashmir was the country`s internal matter.

A similar stance has been maintained by most of the SAARC countries, including Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

India has repeatedly made it clear that talks with Pakistan are only possible after Islamabad stops sponsoring terror. 
&nbsp;

India and Pakistan should resolve their disputes on Kashmir through "dialogue and discussion", Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said on Tuesday during a telephonic conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

India and Pakistan should resolve their disputes on Kashmir through "dialogue and discussion", Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said on Tuesday during a telephonic conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. The call was made by Qureshi as part of Islamabad`s nefarious designs to internationalise the Kashmir issue after New Delhi changed the constitutional status of the region by abrogating Article 370. "The Foreign Minister apprised his Bangladeshi counterpart of the illegal and unilateral actions of India to alter the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir, which was in contravention of the international law and UNSC resolutions," a statement by Pakistan Foreign Ministry read. "The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister emphasised the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue and discussions," it added. Pakistan is rattled by the Indian government`s move to strip the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and has found itself completely isolated on the matter after being snubbed at the United Nations Security Council, as well as by many countries, including US, Russia, and France. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry had earlier made it clear that the Indian government`s move on Kashmir was the country`s internal matter. A similar stance has been maintained by most of the SAARC countries, including Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. India has repeatedly made it clear that talks with Pakistan are only possible after Islamabad stops sponsoring terror.

Resolve disputes with India through talks: Bangladesh Foreign Minister tells Shah Mehmood Qureshi

In 1947, the population of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan was 23 per cent. Now officially, it stands at 1.6 per cent. After incessant attempts at forcible conversions of minorities, it could even be lesser. &nbsp;

It is well-known that the Muslim population in the Indian subcontinent did not migrate from Arab lands; they were converted from local Hindus.

However, with the Partition, old ghosts were laid to rest and it was assumed that both countries would embark upon the journey of development and follow the tenets of peaceful coexistence.

India, on its part, has followed democratic traditions where different religions coexist. But Pakistan has not been able to extricate itself from the kafir-momin phenomenon.

Pakistan’s track record as far as treating its minorities is concerned is abysmal. Hardly a day passes by without its bigots heaping atrocities on small ethnic groups.

The recent incident of abduction, forcible marriage and religious conversion of a Sikh girl of Nankana Sahib is a telling example. Jagjit Kaur is daughter of the Granthi of Nanakana Sahib Gurdwara, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan. She was continuously threatened with abduction by jihadis and so, fearing the worst, her parents had sent her to her sister’s home. From there, the zealots abducted her at gunpoint in the middle of the night. Soon afterwards, she was forcibly converted to Islam and married to a Muslim boy.

The drama followed the same old script, which has been used consistently in the case of forcible conversions. All state and non-state actors joyously came together to indulge in the “pious” act of converting a kafir into momin.

The modus operandi remains the same. Goons abduct and dishonour the girl, clergy renders theological support, police file wrong reports, political establishment joins the farce with false inquiries and judiciary plays its part by declaring that she has converted willingly.

The irony is that this incident has taken place in Nanakana Sahib, as the world celebrates Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th birth year.

Pakistan has been projecting to the world that it is also participating in the celebrations and is expressing keenness to develop Kartarpur Sahib.

The pertinent question is this: When Pakistan is not able to wind up its jihadist agenda and its state institutions collude with fanatics who torment minorities, why is it showing so much interest in developing the Kartarpur Sahib pilgrim corridor linking India?

The answer is not very difficult to find. Pakistan’s notorious spy agency ISI has long backed the Khalistani agenda and falsely entertains pretensions about sympathising with Sikh causes. The reality is that the Pakistani state harbours a deep-rooted hatred for the Sikhs because the latter was historically instrumental in facing and defeating Islamist tirades.

A few years ago, in the Aurkazai area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, threats were issued to some Sikh businessmen to either pay jaziya or get ready to get eliminated.

When the brave Sikhs declined, some of them were shot down in broad daylight. Warnings were issued against lifting the bodies so that the surviving members of the community could be terrorised.

The Hindu and Sikh minorities in that country are engaged in business and hence find it difficult to relocate.

Hindus, concentrated mainly in the Sindh province, have faced jihadist elements for a long time now. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, at an average, 1,000 Hindu girls are converted to Islam on an annual basis.

Pakistan’s record of treating its Christian and Ahmadiyya population is also unenviable. Blasphemy laws are applied on the slightest pretext to browbeat minorities. The recent incident of persecution of Asia Bibi, a Christian, gained international notoriety.

So long as Pakistan does not rein in its Islamist bigots, it will not be able to put an end to the atrocities committed on minorities by such tanzeems.

The international community has a meaningful role to play in putting an end to such atrocities against minorities at the hands of the Pakistani state.

For its part, India, as per its declared policy, should welcome and settle these persecuted minorities of Pakistan that seek shelter in India.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-pakistan-s-minorities-are-a-diminishing-population-2786993">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

In 1947, the population of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan was 23 per cent. Now officially, it stands at 1.6 per cent. After incessant attempts at forcible conversions of minorities, it could even be lesser.

In 1947, the population of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan was 23 per cent. Now officially, it stands at 1.6 per cent. After incessant attempts at forcible conversions of minorities, it could even be lesser. It is well-known that the Muslim population in the Indian subcontinent did not migrate from Arab lands; they were converted from local Hindus. However, with the Partition, old ghosts were laid to rest and it was assumed that both countries would embark upon the journey of development and follow the tenets of peaceful coexistence. India, on its part, has followed democratic traditions where different religions coexist. But Pakistan has not been able to extricate itself from the kafir-momin phenomenon. Pakistan’s track record as far as treating its minorities is concerned is abysmal. Hardly a day passes by without its bigots heaping atrocities on small ethnic groups. The recent incident of abduction, forcible marriage and religious conversion of a Sikh girl of Nankana Sahib is a telling example. Jagjit Kaur is daughter of the Granthi of Nanakana Sahib Gurdwara, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan. She was continuously threatened with abduction by jihadis and so, fearing the worst, her parents had sent her to her sister’s home. From there, the zealots abducted her at gunpoint in the middle of the night. Soon afterwards, she was forcibly converted to Islam and married to a Muslim boy. The drama followed the same old script, which has been used consistently in the case of forcible conversions. All state and non-state actors joyously came together to indulge in the “pious” act of converting a kafir into momin. The modus operandi remains the same. Goons abduct and dishonour the girl, clergy renders theological support, police file wrong reports, political establishment joins the farce with false inquiries and judiciary plays its part by declaring that she has converted willingly. The irony is that this incident has taken place in Nanakana Sahib, as the world celebrates Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th birth year. Pakistan has been projecting to the world that it is also participating in the celebrations and is expressing keenness to develop Kartarpur Sahib. The pertinent question is this: When Pakistan is not able to wind up its jihadist agenda and its state institutions collude with fanatics who torment minorities, why is it showing so much interest in developing the Kartarpur Sahib pilgrim corridor linking India? The answer is not very difficult to find. Pakistan’s notorious spy agency ISI has long backed the Khalistani agenda and falsely entertains pretensions about sympathising with Sikh causes. The reality is that the Pakistani state harbours a deep-rooted hatred for the Sikhs because the latter was historically instrumental in facing and defeating Islamist tirades. A few years ago, in the Aurkazai area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, threats were issued to some Sikh businessmen to either pay jaziya or get ready to get eliminated. When the brave Sikhs declined, some of them were shot down in broad daylight. Warnings were issued against lifting the bodies so that the surviving members of the community could be terrorised. The Hindu and Sikh minorities in that country are engaged in business and hence find it difficult to relocate. Hindus, concentrated mainly in the Sindh province, have faced jihadist elements for a long time now. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, at an average, 1,000 Hindu girls are converted to Islam on an annual basis. Pakistan’s record of treating its Christian and Ahmadiyya population is also unenviable. Blasphemy laws are applied on the slightest pretext to browbeat minorities. The recent incident of persecution of Asia Bibi, a Christian, gained international notoriety. So long as Pakistan does not rein in its Islamist bigots, it will not be able to put an end to the atrocities committed on minorities by such tanzeems. The international community has a meaningful role to play in putting an end to such atrocities against minorities at the hands of the Pakistani state. For its part, India, as per its declared policy, should welcome and settle these persecuted minorities of Pakistan that seek shelter in India. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Pakistan’s minorities are a diminishing population

In a twisted turn of events, Jagjit Kaur's fate is to be decided by none other than herself, authorities told WION. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/our-sister-hasnt-been-returned-says-brother-of-abducted-sikh-girl-246838">The Sikh girl was allegedly kidnapped</a> in Pakistan in the wee hours of August 28.

Authorities further added that Jagjit's family had also been communicated that she would decide about her future on “her own free will”.

The drama unfolded at Lahore and Nankana Sahib yesterday when, upon the intervention of Pakistan's Punjab government and Federal government, the governor of Punjab Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar met the family of Jagjit Kaur and assured them that their daughter would be safely returned.&nbsp;

According to sources privy to the matter, Kaur was handed over to her family at 3am by the wife of the Punjab governor, only later to be returned to Dar ul Aman.&nbsp;

According to officials, Jagjit Kaur “insisted that she does not want to go back to her family”, therefore she was shifted back to Dar ul Aman for the “completion of documents and formalities”. Dar ul Aman is a government hostel where usually court cases are kept under safe and vigilant protection.

Jagjit Kaur’s brother later in a video statement rebutted claims of having being handed over her sister.

Jagjit Kaur will now be living at the Dar ul Aman for at least seven days where after those seven days, a magistrate will ask her about her decision. In these seven days, Kaur’s family and her alleged new husband can also meet her.

According to the FIR filed by Kaur’s family - who is a resident of the Sikh holy city of Nankana Sahib - eight men had barged into their house on August 28 and forcibly took away Jagjit Kaur on gunpoint, adding that there were other witnesses to the event that took place.

The police were quick to launch an FIR and react on the matter, Jagjit Kaur was on the same day married off to a Jamaat ud Dawa member Muhammad Hassan. Kaur, on the same day, filed a restraint petition asking the court to issue restraint order.

The alleged kidnapping and then conversion of Jagjit Kaur has sparked protests within the Sikh community in Pakistan which had also threatened to boycott the Sikh convention being held at Lahore, Punjab. Safeguarding the rights of minorities has been a challenge for the Imran Khan government which has time and again been falling short of its claims of protecting minorities under the “Naya Pakistan” slogan.

In a twisted turn of events, Jagjit Kaur's fate is to be decided by none other than herself, authorities told WION. The Sikh girl was allegedly kidnapped in Pakistan in the wee hours of August 28.

In a twisted turn of events, Jagjit Kaur's fate is to be decided by none other than herself, authorities told WION. The Sikh girl was allegedly kidnapped in Pakistan in the wee hours of August 28. Authorities further added that Jagjit's family had also been communicated that she would decide about her future on “her own free will”. The drama unfolded at Lahore and Nankana Sahib yesterday when, upon the intervention of Pakistan's Punjab government and Federal government, the governor of Punjab Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar met the family of Jagjit Kaur and assured them that their daughter would be safely returned. According to sources privy to the matter, Kaur was handed over to her family at 3am by the wife of the Punjab governor, only later to be returned to Dar ul Aman. According to officials, Jagjit Kaur “insisted that she does not want to go back to her family”, therefore she was shifted back to Dar ul Aman for the “completion of documents and formalities”. Dar ul Aman is a government hostel where usually court cases are kept under safe and vigilant protection. Jagjit Kaur’s brother later in a video statement rebutted claims of having being handed over her sister. Jagjit Kaur will now be living at the Dar ul Aman for at least seven days where after those seven days, a magistrate will ask her about her decision. In these seven days, Kaur’s family and her alleged new husband can also meet her. According to the FIR filed by Kaur’s family - who is a resident of the Sikh holy city of Nankana Sahib - eight men had barged into their house on August 28 and forcibly took away Jagjit Kaur on gunpoint, adding that there were other witnesses to the event that took place. The police were quick to launch an FIR and react on the matter, Jagjit Kaur was on the same day married off to a Jamaat ud Dawa member Muhammad Hassan. Kaur, on the same day, filed a restraint petition asking the court to issue restraint order. The alleged kidnapping and then conversion of Jagjit Kaur has sparked protests within the Sikh community in Pakistan which had also threatened to boycott the Sikh convention being held at Lahore, Punjab. Safeguarding the rights of minorities has been a challenge for the Imran Khan government which has time and again been falling short of its claims of protecting minorities under the “Naya Pakistan” slogan.

Pakistan: Abducted Sikh girl to decide her fate on her 'free will'  

Pakistan’s frustration is that abrogation of Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir will expose its terrorists fuelling the proxy war in the valley, out of the umbrella of local political patronage. The separatists will be exposed and its terror industry in Kashmir over the decades will start crumbling.

Pakistan Army, ISI and political class have enjoyed power domestically, on their narrative of efforts of Kashmir’s liberation so far; hence Indian action has disturbed their plans. China’s disgruntlement stems from the fact that Ladakh becoming a Union Territory&nbsp;weakens their false, incremental claims in that region, besides weakening Pakistan’s proxy to keep Indians engaged on their behalf.&nbsp;

Pakistan has been waging hybrid war with a large number of terrorists, along with separatists instigating violence, coupled with conventional ceasefire violations at LoC. Its efforts to re-ignite hybrid war post abrogation of Article 370 have not met much success because of heavy deployment of forces and alertness of Indian security forces and restrictions on mobile and internet.&nbsp;

Pakistan’s irrational actions like degrading diplomatic relations with India, scrapping trade ties, stopping rail communication and blocking air routes have been to its disadvantage. Pakistan and China went through a diplomatic offensive by approaching UNSC for an informal meeting, which also yielded no results as the world community did not find it worthwhile to even issue any joint statement.&nbsp;

On sidelines of G7 Summit, Prime Minister Modi while talking to US President Donald Trump ruled out any mediation efforts by any other country, which Pakistan was vehemently trying. This has put to rest all diplomatic efforts by Pakistan seeking mediation of Kashmir Issue.&nbsp;

Enhanced military deployment along the LoC is part of escalating the hybrid war. Attempts to infiltrate terrorists is to create fear psychosis among people of Kashmir.

China seems to be signalling moral and material support to Pakistan through MoUs for defence capacity building and cooperation during the visit of Deputy Chairman of its Central Military Commission, which seems to be more of optics as China already accounts for more than 70 per cent of import of military hardware to Pakistan. After UNSC embarrassment China has been relatively quiet on propaganda or rhetoric.&nbsp;

Pakistan has enhanced the dimension of warfare by graduating to all-out ‘Information Warfare’ (IW), which encompasses propaganda, fake news, threatening statements, rhetoric and invisible cyberwar. Their first narrative is to give religious colour to propaganda campaign, &nbsp;and restrictions on internet and mobile (which is the lifeline of its terror networking, propaganda campaign) as atrocities on Kashmiris. The aim is to garner support on the global platform. Unfortunately for them, except for members of their terror industry and their sympathisers, not very many have bought this narrative.&nbsp;

The second narrative is posing threat from India, posing helplessness, repeatedly threatening the world of its nuclear status and it’s irrationality to get into nuclear exchange, blackmailing world community to intervene and save the situation. The third narrative is to blackmail the US for its need to quit Afghanistan and blackmail China for protecting its economic interests and workers in the country. However, Imran Khan’s acceptance of approximately 40,000 terrorists operating in Pakistan and the threat of Pulwama type attacks do not deter India.

Pakistan’s targets for information warfare are different for each type of narrative. For religious agenda, it is targeting people of Kashmir valley, Muslim diaspora (like planned processions in UK), Khalistan terrorists and sympathisers.

It is also targeting some disgruntled elements in India including political opponents trying to fish in troubled water by following a narrative against the national mandate to score some petty political gains. The methodologies adopted for IW ranges from running psychological operations, electronic warfare, misinformation campaigns, information attacks and manipulating public perception through social media. Mobile, internet and radio transmissions are fast modes of connectivity being used. Structured television programmes are also being made by Pakistan.

Fake and old videos are being played up as the current situation in Kashmir, which are getting identified to be of different incidents globally on investigations. Pakistan has also influenced some international news agencies to carry fake news on their behalf.

Information war by Pakistan cannot be taken lightly and needs to be combated professionally. One of the best methods of combating it is to flood the global environment with hard facts to counter fake news and propaganda. India had anticipated the security challenges arising out of such decision and has done its best to quarantine the potential problem creators and flash spots with tight restrictions.&nbsp;

Kashmir valley has been quite peaceful after India strengthened the security force level in the valley and imposed restrictions on the use of mobile and internet there to ensure the safety of citizens. India’s priority is to save the lives of innocent people.

With Pakistan openly trying everything possible to re-ignite Kashmir valley through its terrorists, Indian administrators and security forces will have to strike a fine balance by relaxing restrictions with an option to re-clamp the same again if problem creators pose threat to prevailing peace. &nbsp;

The criticism of the government for imposing restrictions by those who abused power when Article 370 is natural, but if it can save lives of innocent people then it can be endured.

The recent attempt of Pakistani PM Imran Khan trying to portray himself as the poster boy for Kashmiris must be rebutted with his continued silence over atrocities in Balochistan and Xinjiang. Indian secular fabric is strong enough to not&nbsp;fall prey to religious fundamentalism, but counter-propaganda speeches may well be the need of the hour to quarantine the thought process of innocents from radicalised sleeper cells.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pakistan’s frustration is that abrogation of Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir will expose its terrorists fuelling the proxy war in the valley, out of the umbrella of local political patronage.

Pakistan’s frustration is that abrogation of Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir will expose its terrorists fuelling the proxy war in the valley, out of the umbrella of local political patronage. The separatists will be exposed and its terror industry in Kashmir over the decades will start crumbling. Pakistan Army, ISI and political class have enjoyed power domestically, on their narrative of efforts of Kashmir’s liberation so far; hence Indian action has disturbed their plans. China’s disgruntlement stems from the fact that Ladakh becoming a Union Territory weakens their false, incremental claims in that region, besides weakening Pakistan’s proxy to keep Indians engaged on their behalf. Pakistan has been waging hybrid war with a large number of terrorists, along with separatists instigating violence, coupled with conventional ceasefire violations at LoC. Its efforts to re-ignite hybrid war post abrogation of Article 370 have not met much success because of heavy deployment of forces and alertness of Indian security forces and restrictions on mobile and internet. Pakistan’s irrational actions like degrading diplomatic relations with India, scrapping trade ties, stopping rail communication and blocking air routes have been to its disadvantage. Pakistan and China went through a diplomatic offensive by approaching UNSC for an informal meeting, which also yielded no results as the world community did not find it worthwhile to even issue any joint statement. On sidelines of G7 Summit, Prime Minister Modi while talking to US President Donald Trump ruled out any mediation efforts by any other country, which Pakistan was vehemently trying. This has put to rest all diplomatic efforts by Pakistan seeking mediation of Kashmir Issue. Enhanced military deployment along the LoC is part of escalating the hybrid war. Attempts to infiltrate terrorists is to create fear psychosis among people of Kashmir. China seems to be signalling moral and material support to Pakistan through MoUs for defence capacity building and cooperation during the visit of Deputy Chairman of its Central Military Commission, which seems to be more of optics as China already accounts for more than 70 per cent of import of military hardware to Pakistan. After UNSC embarrassment China has been relatively quiet on propaganda or rhetoric. Pakistan has enhanced the dimension of warfare by graduating to all-out ‘Information Warfare’ (IW), which encompasses propaganda, fake news, threatening statements, rhetoric and invisible cyberwar. Their first narrative is to give religious colour to propaganda campaign, and restrictions on internet and mobile (which is the lifeline of its terror networking, propaganda campaign) as atrocities on Kashmiris. The aim is to garner support on the global platform. Unfortunately for them, except for members of their terror industry and their sympathisers, not very many have bought this narrative. The second narrative is posing threat from India, posing helplessness, repeatedly threatening the world of its nuclear status and it’s irrationality to get into nuclear exchange, blackmailing world community to intervene and save the situation. The third narrative is to blackmail the US for its need to quit Afghanistan and blackmail China for protecting its economic interests and workers in the country. However, Imran Khan’s acceptance of approximately 40,000 terrorists operating in Pakistan and the threat of Pulwama type attacks do not deter India. Pakistan’s targets for information warfare are different for each type of narrative. For religious agenda, it is targeting people of Kashmir valley, Muslim diaspora (like planned processions in UK), Khalistan terrorists and sympathisers. It is also targeting some disgruntled elements in India including political opponents trying to fish in troubled water by following a narrative against the national mandate to score some petty political gains. The methodologies adopted for IW ranges from running psychological operations, electronic warfare, misinformation campaigns, information attacks and manipulating public perception through social media. Mobile, internet and radio transmissions are fast modes of connectivity being used. Structured television programmes are also being made by Pakistan. Fake and old videos are being played up as the current situation in Kashmir, which are getting identified to be of different incidents globally on investigations. Pakistan has also influenced some international news agencies to carry fake news on their behalf. Information war by Pakistan cannot be taken lightly and needs to be combated professionally. One of the best methods of combating it is to flood the global environment with hard facts to counter fake news and propaganda. India had anticipated the security challenges arising out of such decision and has done its best to quarantine the potential problem creators and flash spots with tight restrictions. Kashmir valley has been quite peaceful after India strengthened the security force level in the valley and imposed restrictions on the use of mobile and internet there to ensure the safety of citizens. India’s priority is to save the lives of innocent people. With Pakistan openly trying everything possible to re-ignite Kashmir valley through its terrorists, Indian administrators and security forces will have to strike a fine balance by relaxing restrictions with an option to re-clamp the same again if problem creators pose threat to prevailing peace. The criticism of the government for imposing restrictions by those who abused power when Article 370 is natural, but if it can save lives of innocent people then it can be endured. The recent attempt of Pakistani PM Imran Khan trying to portray himself as the poster boy for Kashmiris must be rebutted with his continued silence over atrocities in Balochistan and Xinjiang. Indian secular fabric is strong enough to not fall prey to religious fundamentalism, but counter-propaganda speeches may well be the need of the hour to quarantine the thought process of innocents from radicalised sleeper cells. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Pakistan trying hard to spread false narratives on Jammu and Kashmir

From the time the government&nbsp;revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K) and split the state into two Union Territories (UTs), opposition leaders have used the move to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;Although the decision was taken to improve the security situation and facilitate smooth integration of J&amp;K with India.

Rahul Gandhi, who ran 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' campaign against the Prime Minister (targetting the PM as a corrupt leader) during Lok Sabha elections, this time too used the decision on Jammu and Kashmir to slam the government.

Several Congress leaders including Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora supported the abrogation of Article 370, however, Rahul Gandhi tried to steal the limelight by criticising the government and PM Modi.

Furthermore, a section of Congress's senior leadership came out in support of the decision, saying that demonising Prime Minister Narendra Modi won't help Congress. Jairam Ramesh said that&nbsp;Modi's governance model was not a "complete negative story". Echoing Ramesh's views, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said by demonising Modi all the time Congress was, in a way, is helping him.

Shashi Tharoor also joined the two&nbsp;leaders, saying that praising Modi for the right things he does would lend credibility to Congress's criticism of him.

It's worth noting here that after Congress's debacle in Lok Sabha elections, political&nbsp;pundits and a few Congress leaders had alerted Rahul Gandhi to refrain from launching negative campaigns against Narendra Modi.

Some even questioned Rahul's leadership skills and blamed him for keeping self above the party. But Rahul paid no heed to them.

The worry and concern of party leaders actually proved to be correct when Pakistan on Tuesday quoted Rahul Gandhi in its petition to the United Nations over India's decision to scrap Article 370.

Issuing a clarification, Rahul Gandhi asserted that J&amp;K is India's internal matter and Pakistan has no right to interfere in it. He further said that the terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is sponsored by Pakistan.

Rahul, once again, came under the fire for giving Pakistan a reason to showcase India in a bad light in front of the international community. Like his senior party colleagues, Rahul should have supported the government's decision on Kashmir because it&nbsp;serves India's national security interests.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi had to step down as Congress President following his party's poor performance in Lok Sabha elections and now with Pakistan using his name to score points on the international front, he has met another blow. 
 
It's high time he realises that negative politics and his strategy to attack BJP and PM Modi all the time, would only harm his credibility.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

From the time the government revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and split the state into two Union Territories (UTs), opposition leaders have used the move to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

From the time the government revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and split the state into two Union Territories (UTs), opposition leaders have used the move to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Although the decision was taken to improve the security situation and facilitate smooth integration of J&K with India. Rahul Gandhi, who ran 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' campaign against the Prime Minister (targetting the PM as a corrupt leader) during Lok Sabha elections, this time too used the decision on Jammu and Kashmir to slam the government. Several Congress leaders including Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora supported the abrogation of Article 370, however, Rahul Gandhi tried to steal the limelight by criticising the government and PM Modi. Furthermore, a section of Congress's senior leadership came out in support of the decision, saying that demonising Prime Minister Narendra Modi won't help Congress. Jairam Ramesh said that Modi's governance model was not a "complete negative story". Echoing Ramesh's views, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said by demonising Modi all the time Congress was, in a way, is helping him. Shashi Tharoor also joined the two leaders, saying that praising Modi for the right things he does would lend credibility to Congress's criticism of him. It's worth noting here that after Congress's debacle in Lok Sabha elections, political pundits and a few Congress leaders had alerted Rahul Gandhi to refrain from launching negative campaigns against Narendra Modi. Some even questioned Rahul's leadership skills and blamed him for keeping self above the party. But Rahul paid no heed to them. The worry and concern of party leaders actually proved to be correct when Pakistan on Tuesday quoted Rahul Gandhi in its petition to the United Nations over India's decision to scrap Article 370. Issuing a clarification, Rahul Gandhi asserted that J&K is India's internal matter and Pakistan has no right to interfere in it. He further said that the terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is sponsored by Pakistan. Rahul, once again, came under the fire for giving Pakistan a reason to showcase India in a bad light in front of the international community. Like his senior party colleagues, Rahul should have supported the government's decision on Kashmir because it serves India's national security interests. Rahul Gandhi had to step down as Congress President following his party's poor performance in Lok Sabha elections and now with Pakistan using his name to score points on the international front, he has met another blow. It's high time he realises that negative politics and his strategy to attack BJP and PM Modi all the time, would only harm his credibility. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Article 370 abrogation: Rahul Gandhi should listen to his 'constructive critics'

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday ordered disciplinary action against a judge who convicted former premier Nawaz Sharif, effectively giving a boost to Sharif's appeal against a seven-year jail term for corruption.

Sharif was convicted and jailed last year after failing to prove the source of income that had led to his ownership of a steel mill in Saudi Arabia. Under Pakistani law, that is taken as proof of corruption.

Sharif denied the charges that he said were politically motivated.

His party in July presented a video at a news conference apparently showing the judge who presided over Sharif's conviction, Arshad Malik, as saying he had been pressured into handing down a guilty verdict by individuals he did not identify who had compromising footage of him.

Malik later issued a statement denying he had been blackmailed to convict Sharif and saying the video had been manipulated.

Malik had already been removed from his position in an anti-corruption court and the Supreme Court on Friday ordered him to report back to the High Court in the city of Lahore.

"We expect that after his repatriation appropriate departmental disciplinary proceedings shall be initiated against him," the Supreme Court said in an order.

The Lahore High Court, shortly after receiving the ruling, issued an order suspending Malik from service until he faces an inquiry into his conduct, according to a copy of the order, seen by Reuters.

A seven-member committee would hold the inquiry from Monday, it said.

Malik could not be reached for comment.

The Supreme Court said Malik's "stinking conduct" in connection with the video scandal was abhorrent, and an appeals court should decide whether to consider it as evidence for any relief for Sharif.

An appeal against Sharif's conviction is pending before the Islamabad High Court. The Supreme Court said that was the proper forum to evaluate the video scandal.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday ordered disciplinary action against a judge who convicted former premier Nawaz Sharif, effectively giving a boost to Sharif's appeal against a seven-year jail term for corruption.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday ordered disciplinary action against a judge who convicted former premier Nawaz Sharif, effectively giving a boost to Sharif's appeal against a seven-year jail term for corruption. Sharif was convicted and jailed last year after failing to prove the source of income that had led to his ownership of a steel mill in Saudi Arabia. Under Pakistani law, that is taken as proof of corruption. Sharif denied the charges that he said were politically motivated. His party in July presented a video at a news conference apparently showing the judge who presided over Sharif's conviction, Arshad Malik, as saying he had been pressured into handing down a guilty verdict by individuals he did not identify who had compromising footage of him. Malik later issued a statement denying he had been blackmailed to convict Sharif and saying the video had been manipulated. Malik had already been removed from his position in an anti-corruption court and the Supreme Court on Friday ordered him to report back to the High Court in the city of Lahore. "We expect that after his repatriation appropriate departmental disciplinary proceedings shall be initiated against him," the Supreme Court said in an order. The Lahore High Court, shortly after receiving the ruling, issued an order suspending Malik from service until he faces an inquiry into his conduct, according to a copy of the order, seen by Reuters. A seven-member committee would hold the inquiry from Monday, it said. Malik could not be reached for comment. The Supreme Court said Malik's "stinking conduct" in connection with the video scandal was abhorrent, and an appeals court should decide whether to consider it as evidence for any relief for Sharif. An appeal against Sharif's conviction is pending before the Islamabad High Court. The Supreme Court said that was the proper forum to evaluate the video scandal.

Pakistan Supreme Court orders action against judge in Nawaz Sharif's case

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/moderate-rhetoric-with-india-donald-trump-tells-imran-khan-after-phone-call-with-pm-narendra-modi-244280">Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> on Thursday said his country is no longer interested in a dialogue with India.

"There is no point in talking to them. I mean, I have done all the talking. Unfortunately, now when I look back, all the overtures that I was making for peace and dialogue, I think they took it for appeasement. There is nothing more that we can do," said Khan in an interview published in a leading American newspaper.

This comes after various leaders around the world asked Pakistan to engage bilaterally with India to end tensions that escalated following New Delhi's decision to reorganise the state of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-france-say-kashmir-is-a-bilateral-issue-between-india-and-pakistan-244555">Jammu and Kashmir</a>.

India has repeatedly made it clear that talks with Pakistan is only possible after Islamabad stops sponsoring terror.

Imran Khan even failed to get the support of the United States despite his highly publicised visit last month to Washington where he supposedly struck a friendship with President Donald Trump.

During a phone conversation last week with Khan, Trump made it clear that Kashmir issue should be resolved through a bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan.

Recently, France and Sweden had also advised Pakistan to engage in talks with India.

Rattled by India's move, Pakistan had sent its foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to China to seek its help at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), urging for an emergency meeting on the issue.

However, four out of five permanent members in the United Nations did not support Pakistan contentions over India's decision.

Cash-strapped Pakistan has also alleged that India's decision of revoking the provisions under Article 370 will not only threaten the regional peace but also the world peace and further downgraded its diplomatic ties with its neighbour and suspended bilateral trade in the wake of it.

However, at the end of the UNSC meeting, last week, China and Pakistan stood isolated as members after others refused to endorse their position.

Four out of five permanent members in the United Nations did not support the Pakistan contentions over India`s decision.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said his country is no longer interested in a dialogue with India. "There is no point in talking to them. I mean, I have done all the talking.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said his country is no longer interested in a dialogue with India. "There is no point in talking to them. I mean, I have done all the talking. Unfortunately, now when I look back, all the overtures that I was making for peace and dialogue, I think they took it for appeasement. There is nothing more that we can do," said Khan in an interview published in a leading American newspaper. This comes after various leaders around the world asked Pakistan to engage bilaterally with India to end tensions that escalated following New Delhi's decision to reorganise the state of Jammu and Kashmir. India has repeatedly made it clear that talks with Pakistan is only possible after Islamabad stops sponsoring terror. Imran Khan even failed to get the support of the United States despite his highly publicised visit last month to Washington where he supposedly struck a friendship with President Donald Trump. During a phone conversation last week with Khan, Trump made it clear that Kashmir issue should be resolved through a bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan. Recently, France and Sweden had also advised Pakistan to engage in talks with India. Rattled by India's move, Pakistan had sent its foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to China to seek its help at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), urging for an emergency meeting on the issue. However, four out of five permanent members in the United Nations did not support Pakistan contentions over India's decision. Cash-strapped Pakistan has also alleged that India's decision of revoking the provisions under Article 370 will not only threaten the regional peace but also the world peace and further downgraded its diplomatic ties with its neighbour and suspended bilateral trade in the wake of it. However, at the end of the UNSC meeting, last week, China and Pakistan stood isolated as members after others refused to endorse their position. Four out of five permanent members in the United Nations did not support the Pakistan contentions over India`s decision.

No point in talking to India: Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Pakistan Foreign Minister has said that Islamabad will raise the abrogation of Article 370 at ICJ. Watch the full video to know more.

Pakistan to raise Kashmir issue at ICJ : Shah Mehmood Qureshi

Watch WION Playlist, 21st August 2019. To know more watch the video...

Watch WION Playlist, 21st August 2019

US President Donald Trump has once again spoken on India-Pakistan tensions and offered to mediate in resolving the Kashmir dispute. Watch this video to know more.

WION Dispatch: Calling situation in Kashmir tough, Trump offers to mediate for third time

Calling situation in Kashmir tough, Trump offers to mediate for third time

In another jolt to Pakistan, the United States slashed the aid to the cash-strapped nation by nearly USD 440 million, bringing down its commitment to just USD 4.1 billion.

Another major setback for Pakistan, US cuts $440 million financial aid to Islamabad

Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria leaves Islamabad for India, days after Pakistan downgraded the diplomatic relations and suspended bilateral trade with India. The Pakistan government expelled Bisaria as part of their downgrading process.

Ajay Bisaria leaves Pakistan, 13 Indian diplomats already left Pak

Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria leaves for India

Section 144 to be eased in parts of Kashmir for the Friday Eid prayers. However, restrictions will remain in some sensitive areas. Watch this video to know more.

Breaking News: Section 144 to be eased in Kashmir for Friday prayers

The United Nations has rejected Pakistan's request for intervention in the Kashmir issue after India abrogated the special status for Jammu & Kashmir. UN chief Antonio Guterres urged India and Pakistan to exercise “maximum restraint” and refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir, as he highlighted the Shimla Agreement which rejects any third-party mediation on the issue.

Antonio Guterres urges India, Pakistan to exercise ‘Maximum Restraint’ on Kashmir Issue

UN Chief urges India, Pakistan for ‘Maximum Restraint’ on Kashmir Issue, refers to Shimla Agreement

The United Nations has rejected Pakistan's request for intervention in the Kashmir issue after India abrogated the special status for Jammu & Kashmir. Watch this video to know more.

UN rejects Pakistan's appeal on Kashmir issue

The US State Department spokeswoman, Morgan Ortagus on Thursday (August 8) said that recent announcements have no changes in the US policy on Kashmir. Watch this video to know more.

US: No change in the US policy on Kashmir

Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in a press conference on Thursday that Islamabad was not considering any military actions and instead is looking at political and legal options to challenge India's changes to disputed Kashmir's status. Watch this video to know more.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi calls Pulwama attacks 'A drama by India'

The Indian tennis team's proposed trip to Islamabad to play the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group 1 tie in September has run into rough weather.

Indian tennis players jittery over Pakistan tour

Once a small cluster of houses stood along a gentle stream in Pakistani Kashmir. Now only jagged rocks and a few damaged homes remain after torrential rains wreaked havoc on the picturesque mountain village in the Laswa Valley.

More than 270 people have been killed in recent days across South Asia as monsoon rains deluged large swathes of the subcontinent, flooding waterways and destroying communities.

On Sunday evening, the normally quiet stream running through the valley morphed into a raging current - uprooting everything in its path.

Twenty-three people are missing, presumed dead by officials.

Seven others were injured, while 150 houses and businesses were destroyed and about 50 buildings damaged in the seven hamlets spread across Laswa.

"I was holding the hand of my mother trying to save her, but unfortunately I lost her hand and she was swept away by the floodwater," says Amin Butt, who was visiting his family in Kashmir.

"Within a minute my entire world was gone, my mother was gone and my home,"&nbsp;Butt said, his eyes misting over.

"We have nothing left here now except for the stones."

Hard rain

Kashmir has been divided since the end of British colonial rule in 1947 and both New Delhi and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/appreciate-icjs-decision-not-to-acquit-kulbhushan-jadhav-says-imran-khan-after-icjs-verdict-236784&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjw1Kay-8DjAhXR6XMBHSDpBGgQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1KWL1Cf_dIU8SYlh8upZH4">Islamabad</a> claim the former Himalayan kingdom in full.

Located just a few kilometres (miles) north of the Line of Control - the heavily militarised de-facto border dividing the disputed Himalayan territory - Laswa has been frequently shelled during bouts of fighting between Pakistan and India.

But in recent years it had been largely spared despite increasing tensions.

On Sunday, the tragedy brought by the floods reminded residents of the horrors of war from the past.

Shahnawaz Butt lost his wife and three of his six children in the disaster.&nbsp;

"I was unable to see their faces again because their bodies were not found," he sighs.

"I would like to appeal to whoever hears my voice, to provide us with the basic necessities of life like electricity and water," he pleads.&nbsp;

Several residents interviewed by AFP&nbsp;criticised the slow response by officials, saying supplies arrived slowly by the single road that enters the valley rather than being flown in.

White tents provided by the Pakistani army now stand in place of the homes that resided there just days ago, where survivors receive condolences from their neighbours.&nbsp;

Raging from June to September, the monsoon is essential for irrigating crops and replenishing&nbsp;vital water sources across the subcontinent that approximately one-fifth of the global population depends on.&nbsp;

But the yearly rains often turn deadly, as floods wash away communities and destroy farmland.&nbsp;

Once a small cluster of houses stood along a gentle stream in Pakistani Kashmir. Now only jagged rocks and a few damaged homes remain after torrential rains wreaked havoc on the picturesque mountain village in the Laswa Valley.

Once a small cluster of houses stood along a gentle stream in Pakistani Kashmir. Now only jagged rocks and a few damaged homes remain after torrential rains wreaked havoc on the picturesque mountain village in the Laswa Valley. More than 270 people have been killed in recent days across South Asia as monsoon rains deluged large swathes of the subcontinent, flooding waterways and destroying communities. On Sunday evening, the normally quiet stream running through the valley morphed into a raging current - uprooting everything in its path. Twenty-three people are missing, presumed dead by officials. Seven others were injured, while 150 houses and businesses were destroyed and about 50 buildings damaged in the seven hamlets spread across Laswa. "I was holding the hand of my mother trying to save her, but unfortunately I lost her hand and she was swept away by the floodwater," says Amin Butt, who was visiting his family in Kashmir. "Within a minute my entire world was gone, my mother was gone and my home," Butt said, his eyes misting over. "We have nothing left here now except for the stones." Hard rain Kashmir has been divided since the end of British colonial rule in 1947 and both New Delhi and Islamabad claim the former Himalayan kingdom in full. Located just a few kilometres (miles) north of the Line of Control - the heavily militarised de-facto border dividing the disputed Himalayan territory - Laswa has been frequently shelled during bouts of fighting between Pakistan and India. But in recent years it had been largely spared despite increasing tensions. On Sunday, the tragedy brought by the floods reminded residents of the horrors of war from the past. Shahnawaz Butt lost his wife and three of his six children in the disaster. "I was unable to see their faces again because their bodies were not found," he sighs. "I would like to appeal to whoever hears my voice, to provide us with the basic necessities of life like electricity and water," he pleads. Several residents interviewed by AFP criticised the slow response by officials, saying supplies arrived slowly by the single road that enters the valley rather than being flown in. White tents provided by the Pakistani army now stand in place of the homes that resided there just days ago, where survivors receive condolences from their neighbours. Raging from June to September, the monsoon is essential for irrigating crops and replenishing vital water sources across the subcontinent that approximately one-fifth of the global population depends on. But the yearly rains often turn deadly, as floods wash away communities and destroy farmland.

'My entire world was gone': Floods devastate northern Pakistan

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/appreciate-icjs-decision-not-to-acquit-kulbhushan-jadhav-says-imran-khan-after-icjs-verdict-236784">Prime Minister Imran Khan's government</a> faces mounting pressure as rising prices and tough austerity policies under Pakistan's latest bailout from the International Monetary Fund are squeezing the middle class that helped carry it to power.

Rashid Mehmood owns a small shop selling children's clothing in Aabpara, the oldest market in the capital, Islamabad. He says he has faced a critical decline in sales over the past year, pointing to Khan's election last August.&nbsp;

The last six months had been "particularly harsh", he said.

"Do you see any customers coming into my store?" he asked as he stood in his empty shop, decorated with brightly coloured leggings and dresses.

He said had not made a sale in a week.

In normal times, Mehmood's store serves the kind of middle-class shoppers who in recent years have been behind an import-led consumption splurge that propped up growth and helped hide the problems of an economy riddled with inefficiency and without a strong export base.

Fed by low-interest rates, heavy borrowing and an over-valued rupee currency that, for a time at least, allowed imports to pour in, consumption gave an illusion of growth that has now been replaced by a severe economic hangover.

Like so many of its predecessors, Khan's government, which came to power vowing to root out corruption and create millions of jobs, has been forced to turn to the IMF to prevent a balance-of-payments crisis as the money runs out.&nbsp;

Economic growth, which reached 5.5 per cent in the fiscal year to June 2018, is expected to slow to 2.4 per cent this financial year, according to IMF estimates, barely enough to keep pace with the growth in a population that now numbers 208 million.

The rupee has lost about a quarter of its value in a slide that has driven up fuel costs and helped push a relentless increase in prices for food and other necessities.

The central bank, which this week raised interest rates to 13.25 per cent, expects inflation to average as much as 12 per cent this year.

As ever, the poorest have been hit hardest. But the squeeze on middle-income households poses a special challenge for Khan, who has enjoyed wide support among an urban middle class that has grown over the past two decades as poverty levels have come down from two-thirds of the population to about a quarter.

Further along in Aabpara market, Abida Jahan has come with her family from Haripur town, a couple of hours drive away, after the food-processing factory her husband worked in was shut down. They are looking for a gift to celebrate their daughter's 13th birthday.

However, the surge in prices has meant that they will likely go home empty handed.

"This is the same government that promised to decrease oil prices to 45 rupees," says Abida's husband, recalling that Khan's PTI party had promised to halve the price of fuel and build a new welfare state.

Shopping malls

Pakistan's growing middle class has helped reshape its urban landscape, symbolizing a promise of upward mobility.

Shopping malls with foreign retail brands and fast-food franchises have proliferated in recent years, serving a middle class who "define themselves by what they can buy and where they can eat", says Ammara Maqsood, author of The New Pakistani Middle Class.

In the first decade of the century, economic growth fuelled by privatisation led families to new prosperity marked by their ability to buy a motorbike, rent a home or send their children to private school.

Now businesses supplying consumers with everything from mobile phones to clothing, motorbikes, and cars bought on hire purchase are feeling the squeeze.

"It's a multiple effect," said Fatima Azim, chief executive of Azim Motors, which has a joint venture with Japanese car maker Suzuki Motors supplying small cars and motorbikes to mainly lower-middle-class customers.

"Income has not increased at all so no matter what, if they are going to a shopping mall or wherever, they are being affected," she said.

The government has placed the blame squarely on the corruption of past governments, notably that of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who championed big infrastructure projects that spurred growth but drained currency reserves.

Sharif is now serving a seven-year sentence for a corruption conviction he said was politically motivated.

How convincing the government's argument will be as the crisis bites remains to be seen and a nationwide strike by wholesalers and traders last weekend gave some taste of the growing unhappiness.

"Let's be honest, it feels like we are the ones who are being punished for forcing out the crooks," says Fawad Subhani, who owns a domestic appliance store in Islamabad.

"They were thieves, but they were thieves who also had money and friends with money."

Prime Minister Imran Khan's government faces mounting pressure as rising prices and tough austerity policies under Pakistan's latest bailout from the International Monetary Fund are squeezing the middle class that helped carry it to power.

Prime Minister Imran Khan's government faces mounting pressure as rising prices and tough austerity policies under Pakistan's latest bailout from the International Monetary Fund are squeezing the middle class that helped carry it to power. Rashid Mehmood owns a small shop selling children's clothing in Aabpara, the oldest market in the capital, Islamabad. He says he has faced a critical decline in sales over the past year, pointing to Khan's election last August. The last six months had been "particularly harsh", he said. "Do you see any customers coming into my store?" he asked as he stood in his empty shop, decorated with brightly coloured leggings and dresses. He said had not made a sale in a week. In normal times, Mehmood's store serves the kind of middle-class shoppers who in recent years have been behind an import-led consumption splurge that propped up growth and helped hide the problems of an economy riddled with inefficiency and without a strong export base. Fed by low-interest rates, heavy borrowing and an over-valued rupee currency that, for a time at least, allowed imports to pour in, consumption gave an illusion of growth that has now been replaced by a severe economic hangover. Like so many of its predecessors, Khan's government, which came to power vowing to root out corruption and create millions of jobs, has been forced to turn to the IMF to prevent a balance-of-payments crisis as the money runs out. Economic growth, which reached 5.5 per cent in the fiscal year to June 2018, is expected to slow to 2.4 per cent this financial year, according to IMF estimates, barely enough to keep pace with the growth in a population that now numbers 208 million. The rupee has lost about a quarter of its value in a slide that has driven up fuel costs and helped push a relentless increase in prices for food and other necessities. The central bank, which this week raised interest rates to 13.25 per cent, expects inflation to average as much as 12 per cent this year. As ever, the poorest have been hit hardest. But the squeeze on middle-income households poses a special challenge for Khan, who has enjoyed wide support among an urban middle class that has grown over the past two decades as poverty levels have come down from two-thirds of the population to about a quarter. Further along in Aabpara market, Abida Jahan has come with her family from Haripur town, a couple of hours drive away, after the food-processing factory her husband worked in was shut down. They are looking for a gift to celebrate their daughter's 13th birthday. However, the surge in prices has meant that they will likely go home empty handed. "This is the same government that promised to decrease oil prices to 45 rupees," says Abida's husband, recalling that Khan's PTI party had promised to halve the price of fuel and build a new welfare state. Shopping malls Pakistan's growing middle class has helped reshape its urban landscape, symbolizing a promise of upward mobility. Shopping malls with foreign retail brands and fast-food franchises have proliferated in recent years, serving a middle class who "define themselves by what they can buy and where they can eat", says Ammara Maqsood, author of The New Pakistani Middle Class. In the first decade of the century, economic growth fuelled by privatisation led families to new prosperity marked by their ability to buy a motorbike, rent a home or send their children to private school. Now businesses supplying consumers with everything from mobile phones to clothing, motorbikes, and cars bought on hire purchase are feeling the squeeze. "It's a multiple effect," said Fatima Azim, chief executive of Azim Motors, which has a joint venture with Japanese car maker Suzuki Motors supplying small cars and motorbikes to mainly lower-middle-class customers. "Income has not increased at all so no matter what, if they are going to a shopping mall or wherever, they are being affected," she said. The government has placed the blame squarely on the corruption of past governments, notably that of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who championed big infrastructure projects that spurred growth but drained currency reserves. Sharif is now serving a seven-year sentence for a corruption conviction he said was politically motivated. How convincing the government's argument will be as the crisis bites remains to be seen and a nationwide strike by wholesalers and traders last weekend gave some taste of the growing unhappiness. "Let's be honest, it feels like we are the ones who are being punished for forcing out the crooks," says Fawad Subhani, who owns a domestic appliance store in Islamabad. "They were thieves, but they were thieves who also had money and friends with money."

Pakistan price squeeze hits middle class as well as poor

Kulbhushan Jadhav case: What is the International Court of Justice and how does it work

Pakistan legal team on <a href="Tuesday reached The Hague in the Netherlands">Tuesday reached The Hague in the Netherlands</a>, a day before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to announce its verdict in Kulbushan Jadhav case.

The team, led by Attorney General for Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan, also included Foreign Office Spokesperson Muhammad Faisal, reported Express Tribune.&nbsp;

The 48-year-old former Naval officer, Kulbhushan Jadhav, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism on April 11, 2017.&nbsp;

Following which, India approached ICJ against Pakistan "for egregious violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963" in the matter.

India has contended that it had not been informed of Mr Jadhav`s detention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan had failed to inform the accused of his rights.&nbsp;

It further alleged that, in violation of the Vienna Convention, the authorities of Pakistan had denied India its right of consular access to Jadhav, despite repeated requests.&nbsp;

Subsequently, on May 18, 2017, a 10-member bench of the ICJ restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till the adjudication of the case.&nbsp;

In February this year, the ICJ rejected five pleas made by Pakistan during the hearing of Jadhav's case, including the playing of the so-called "confessional statement" of the Indian national and a request to adjourn the hearing citing illness of its ad-hoc judge.&nbsp;

The four-day hearing in the Jadhav case started on February 18 at the ICJ headquarters in The Hague.

Pakistan had further urged the ICJ to dismiss India's plea for relief for its national Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in an "opaque trial."&nbsp;

Pakistan legal team on Tuesday reached The Hague in the Netherlands, a day before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to announce its verdict in Kulbushan Jadhav case.

Pakistan legal team on Tuesday reached The Hague in the Netherlands, a day before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to announce its verdict in Kulbushan Jadhav case. The team, led by Attorney General for Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan, also included Foreign Office Spokesperson Muhammad Faisal, reported Express Tribune. The 48-year-old former Naval officer, Kulbhushan Jadhav, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism on April 11, 2017. Following which, India approached ICJ against Pakistan "for egregious violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963" in the matter. India has contended that it had not been informed of Mr Jadhav`s detention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan had failed to inform the accused of his rights. It further alleged that, in violation of the Vienna Convention, the authorities of Pakistan had denied India its right of consular access to Jadhav, despite repeated requests. Subsequently, on May 18, 2017, a 10-member bench of the ICJ restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till the adjudication of the case. In February this year, the ICJ rejected five pleas made by Pakistan during the hearing of Jadhav's case, including the playing of the so-called "confessional statement" of the Indian national and a request to adjourn the hearing citing illness of its ad-hoc judge. The four-day hearing in the Jadhav case started on February 18 at the ICJ headquarters in The Hague. Pakistan had further urged the ICJ to dismiss India's plea for relief for its national Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in an "opaque trial."

Pakistan legal team in Hague for Kulbushan Jadhav verdict

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-hopes-to-eradicate-polio-by-2020-189297">Pakistan's polio eradication campaign</a> has hit serious problems with an alarming spike in reported cases that have raised doubts over the quality of vaccination reporting and prompted officials to review their approach to stopping the crippling disease.

The country is one of only three in the world where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/monstrous-rumours-stoke-hostility-to-pakistans-anti-polio-drive-215546">polio is endemic</a>, along with neighbouring Afghanistan and Nigeria, but vaccination campaigns have cut the disease sharply, with only a dozen cases last year compared with 306 in 2014 and more than 350,000 in 1988, according to Pakistani health officials.

However, there has been a worrying jump this year, with 41 cases recorded, 33 of them in the northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where many people resent what they see as intrusive and coercive vaccination campaigns often involving repeated rounds of visits, officials say.

Just as alarming for health services, environmental sampling has shown the presence of the virus in areas across the country, a clear sign of gaps in vaccination, which must cover the entire population to be effective.

Hopes that transmission of the disease could be ended this year have been abandoned.

"We need to take the bull by the horns and accept there are problems," said Babar Atta, Prime Minister Imran Khan's point person on polio eradication.

As well as the difficulty in reaching very remote areas and keeping track of people moving through big cities like Karachi, there have been problems in collecting reliable data, exacerbated by resistance to efforts to force vaccination.

Efforts to eradicate the disease have for years been undermined by opposition from some Islamists, who say immunization is a foreign plot to sterilize Muslim children or a cover for Western spies.

Local officials say parents suspicious of mass immunization campaigns have been getting hold of special markers, used by health workers to put a coloured spot on the little fingers of children who have been vaccinated.

"They would mark the fingers of their children, in case of an official visit to countercheck the vaccinated children," one official associated with an international organisation told Reuters in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Officials estimate that so-called fake finger marking, sometimes in collusion with health workers, is hiding the true scale of refusal rates - and thus gaps in vaccination.

In some areas, as many as 8 per cent of families may be refusing or avoiding vaccination, a level which would mean the disease is not eradicated.

A senior official of the Health Department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said the exact data had been deliberately hidden by local health authorities nervous of being blamed for failing to ensure full coverage. "And the result of hiding figures had led us to face an epidemic-like situation today," he said.

Resistance

Polio, a disease transmitted through sewage which can cause crippling paralysis particularly in young children, is incurable and remains a threat to human health as long as it has not been eradicated. Immunization campaigns have succeeded in most countries and have come close to Pakistan, but persistent problems remain.

International observers have been watching the situation with alarm for some time. In October, the Independent Monitoring Board, which oversees the global polio eradication effort, wrote in its annual report that there was "something seriously wrong with the programme in Pakistan".

In April, fuelled by rumors on social media that children were being poisoned by the vaccinations, mobs rioted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and at least three polio workers were killed.

Even without violence, many people consider polio a "US disease". Facing more immediate threats such as a lack of clean water, many do not see why their families should be disturbed by what they consider intrusive foreign-sponsored campaigns.

Health workers, whose closeness to the communities they work in is vital in building trust, face difficult choices in remote areas where kinship and local power structures can often place them under severe pressure not to report cases of non-compliance.

According to many officials, the stubborn hostility to the campaigns and the high levels of avoidance underline the problems with heavy-handed repeat visits by health workers and police going after families that refuse vaccination.

"Why are the marker pens in the shops? Because parents want to buy them. They are sick and tired of repeated vaccinations," said Babar Atta.

Officials are now looking at more targeted approaches to areas where there are problems overcoming resistance to vaccination involving more persuasion and education.

Oliver Rosenbauer, a spokesman for the World Health Organization, said resistance to vaccination was hampering the eradication effort although other factors, including the movement of people in Pakistan and across the border with Afghanistan were potentially more important.

He said officials were analysing the series of problems confronting the programme to build a new approach.

"What is very clear to everyone is that if things keep going the way they're going, we're not going to eradicate polio in Pakistan," he said.

"We can keep a lid on it but that's not the aim. The aim is to eradicate it."

Pakistan's polio eradication campaign has hit serious problems with an alarming spike in reported cases that have raised doubts over the quality of vaccination reporting and prompted officials to review their approach to stopping the crippling disease.

Pakistan's polio eradication campaign has hit serious problems with an alarming spike in reported cases that have raised doubts over the quality of vaccination reporting and prompted officials to review their approach to stopping the crippling disease. The country is one of only three in the world where polio is endemic, along with neighbouring Afghanistan and Nigeria, but vaccination campaigns have cut the disease sharply, with only a dozen cases last year compared with 306 in 2014 and more than 350,000 in 1988, according to Pakistani health officials. However, there has been a worrying jump this year, with 41 cases recorded, 33 of them in the northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where many people resent what they see as intrusive and coercive vaccination campaigns often involving repeated rounds of visits, officials say. Just as alarming for health services, environmental sampling has shown the presence of the virus in areas across the country, a clear sign of gaps in vaccination, which must cover the entire population to be effective. Hopes that transmission of the disease could be ended this year have been abandoned. "We need to take the bull by the horns and accept there are problems," said Babar Atta, Prime Minister Imran Khan's point person on polio eradication. As well as the difficulty in reaching very remote areas and keeping track of people moving through big cities like Karachi, there have been problems in collecting reliable data, exacerbated by resistance to efforts to force vaccination. Efforts to eradicate the disease have for years been undermined by opposition from some Islamists, who say immunization is a foreign plot to sterilize Muslim children or a cover for Western spies. Local officials say parents suspicious of mass immunization campaigns have been getting hold of special markers, used by health workers to put a coloured spot on the little fingers of children who have been vaccinated. "They would mark the fingers of their children, in case of an official visit to countercheck the vaccinated children," one official associated with an international organisation told Reuters in the northwestern city of Peshawar. Officials estimate that so-called fake finger marking, sometimes in collusion with health workers, is hiding the true scale of refusal rates - and thus gaps in vaccination. In some areas, as many as 8 per cent of families may be refusing or avoiding vaccination, a level which would mean the disease is not eradicated. A senior official of the Health Department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said the exact data had been deliberately hidden by local health authorities nervous of being blamed for failing to ensure full coverage. "And the result of hiding figures had led us to face an epidemic-like situation today," he said. Resistance Polio, a disease transmitted through sewage which can cause crippling paralysis particularly in young children, is incurable and remains a threat to human health as long as it has not been eradicated. Immunization campaigns have succeeded in most countries and have come close to Pakistan, but persistent problems remain. International observers have been watching the situation with alarm for some time. In October, the Independent Monitoring Board, which oversees the global polio eradication effort, wrote in its annual report that there was "something seriously wrong with the programme in Pakistan". In April, fuelled by rumors on social media that children were being poisoned by the vaccinations, mobs rioted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and at least three polio workers were killed. Even without violence, many people consider polio a "US disease". Facing more immediate threats such as a lack of clean water, many do not see why their families should be disturbed by what they consider intrusive foreign-sponsored campaigns. Health workers, whose closeness to the communities they work in is vital in building trust, face difficult choices in remote areas where kinship and local power structures can often place them under severe pressure not to report cases of non-compliance. According to many officials, the stubborn hostility to the campaigns and the high levels of avoidance underline the problems with heavy-handed repeat visits by health workers and police going after families that refuse vaccination. "Why are the marker pens in the shops? Because parents want to buy them. They are sick and tired of repeated vaccinations," said Babar Atta. Officials are now looking at more targeted approaches to areas where there are problems overcoming resistance to vaccination involving more persuasion and education. Oliver Rosenbauer, a spokesman for the World Health Organization, said resistance to vaccination was hampering the eradication effort although other factors, including the movement of people in Pakistan and across the border with Afghanistan were potentially more important. He said officials were analysing the series of problems confronting the programme to build a new approach. "What is very clear to everyone is that if things keep going the way they're going, we're not going to eradicate polio in Pakistan," he said. "We can keep a lid on it but that's not the aim. The aim is to eradicate it."

Pakistan: Fake polio markers highlight risks to vaccination drive

Pakistan’s desperation to engage India in talks is palpable. It is not just geo-strategic compulsions prompting its leadership to restart diplomatic parleys, but that country’s collapsing economy that has triggered this response. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the SCO summit, Pakistan had tried to use Chinese President Xi Jinping to persuade India for holding bilateral talks but Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not budge from the official Indian position of not holding talks until Pakistan dismantles its terrorist infrastructure.

Already, tottering under unprecedented economic crisis, Pakistan cannot afford international sanctions against it. FATF has kept it on its watch list and any terrorist action will weaken its case.&nbsp;

The IAF strike on the Balakot terrorist training camp represents a paradigm shift in the Indian policy of dealing with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.&nbsp;

Since the creation of Pakistan, that country has been trying to snatch Jammu and Kashmir by all means possible. It sent its armed forces personnel in the garb of tribals in 1947, repeated the act code-named Operation Gibraltar in 1965 followed by a full-fledged war. However, with 1971’s decisive defeat and dismemberment, it changed its policy towards India. Pakistan devised a two-pronged strategy to implement its agenda of breaking India.&nbsp;

Its infamous spy agency ISI started training and arming terrorist outfits to foment trouble in Punjab and Jammu &amp; Kashmir in particular and other states in general.&nbsp;

Simultaneously, it created a nuclear bogey to threaten India. Any talk of a befitting response to Pakistani terrorist activities was met with the Generals and their puppet civilian rulers saying that the nuclear arsenal has not been kept for use in Shab-e-Baraat!&nbsp;

Unfortunately, India’s erstwhile political leadership could not adequately counter Pakistan’s hollow threats. Today, Pakistan masterminding terrorist strikes on Indian soil, using threats of using nuclear blackmail, has changed forever.&nbsp;

When the IAF crossed the LoC and bombed Balakot’s terrorist hub, the message had been delivered loud and clear: the days when the blood of Indian patriots were spilled every now and then, was over; henceforth the response will be befitting.&nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi, in unambiguous terms, told Pakistan that India’s nuclear weapons have not been kept to be used as crackers on Diwali! In all practical terms, the Rubicon had been crossed.&nbsp;

Pakistan is not likely to roll back its terrorist grooming programme. From the Pakistani perspective, covert warfare is the best tool to deal with India.

On a cost-benefit analysis, creating and maintaining jihadis and ultras come at almost no cost. It just needs to provide political support and rest everything is taken care of by the groups themselves.

Ideological training is provided in the religious seminaries or tanzeems, which are funded by raising donations from the public. Billions of Pakistani rupees are raised by these tanzeems and the funds are channelised for training camps and to buy arms.

Finding fidayeen volunteers in Jammu &amp; Kashmir is going to be increasingly difficult for Pakistan’s ISI because of the Modi government’s no-nonsense Kashmir policy.

Saraiki-speaking southern areas of Pakistani Punjab, namely Multan and Jhang are flush with seminaries, which are imparting religious training to indoctrinate the youth. &nbsp;

These areas, historically, have been ideal hunting ground for jihadi tanzeems. Unless there is a conscientious check on them, thoughts of reining in terrorist outfits, are a pipedream.&nbsp;

Steps taken by the Pakistani government to show that it is winding up its terrorist infrastructure are cosmetic. The country is in dire economic straits and needs IMF funds. Naturally, it has to portray its clean image to the world.&nbsp;

Given Pakistan’s strategic over-reliance on jihadi terrorism, India should continue with its policy of no-talks until tangible results of winding up of terror infrastructure are visible.&nbsp;

Indian diplomats have left no stone unturned, in the past few years, to internationally isolate Pakistan on the terror front. Today, any talks, however small, will negate diplomatic benefits.

Pakistan has always tried to discuss only Kashmir, whenever bilateral talks have taken place between the two countries in the past. When Jammu &amp; Kashmir is an integral part of this country, what is there to discuss?

If Kashmir is ever discussed in the future - only after Pakistan’s sincerity towards winding up its terrorist agenda is visible - India should only discuss the issue of getting back its territories under Pakistan’s illegal occupation, which have been handed over to China, like Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan, through which runs the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. 
 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-don-t-talk-to-pakistan-until-it-dismantles-terror-facilities-2772031">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

Pakistan’s desperation to engage India in talks is palpable. It is not just geo-strategic compulsions prompting its leadership to restart diplomatic parleys, but that country’s collapsing economy that has triggered this response.

Pakistan’s desperation to engage India in talks is palpable. It is not just geo-strategic compulsions prompting its leadership to restart diplomatic parleys, but that country’s collapsing economy that has triggered this response. In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the SCO summit, Pakistan had tried to use Chinese President Xi Jinping to persuade India for holding bilateral talks but Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not budge from the official Indian position of not holding talks until Pakistan dismantles its terrorist infrastructure. Already, tottering under unprecedented economic crisis, Pakistan cannot afford international sanctions against it. FATF has kept it on its watch list and any terrorist action will weaken its case. The IAF strike on the Balakot terrorist training camp represents a paradigm shift in the Indian policy of dealing with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Since the creation of Pakistan, that country has been trying to snatch Jammu and Kashmir by all means possible. It sent its armed forces personnel in the garb of tribals in 1947, repeated the act code-named Operation Gibraltar in 1965 followed by a full-fledged war. However, with 1971’s decisive defeat and dismemberment, it changed its policy towards India. Pakistan devised a two-pronged strategy to implement its agenda of breaking India. Its infamous spy agency ISI started training and arming terrorist outfits to foment trouble in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir in particular and other states in general. Simultaneously, it created a nuclear bogey to threaten India. Any talk of a befitting response to Pakistani terrorist activities was met with the Generals and their puppet civilian rulers saying that the nuclear arsenal has not been kept for use in Shab-e-Baraat! Unfortunately, India’s erstwhile political leadership could not adequately counter Pakistan’s hollow threats. Today, Pakistan masterminding terrorist strikes on Indian soil, using threats of using nuclear blackmail, has changed forever. When the IAF crossed the LoC and bombed Balakot’s terrorist hub, the message had been delivered loud and clear: the days when the blood of Indian patriots were spilled every now and then, was over; henceforth the response will be befitting. PM Narendra Modi, in unambiguous terms, told Pakistan that India’s nuclear weapons have not been kept to be used as crackers on Diwali! In all practical terms, the Rubicon had been crossed. Pakistan is not likely to roll back its terrorist grooming programme. From the Pakistani perspective, covert warfare is the best tool to deal with India. On a cost-benefit analysis, creating and maintaining jihadis and ultras come at almost no cost. It just needs to provide political support and rest everything is taken care of by the groups themselves. Ideological training is provided in the religious seminaries or tanzeems, which are funded by raising donations from the public. Billions of Pakistani rupees are raised by these tanzeems and the funds are channelised for training camps and to buy arms. Finding fidayeen volunteers in Jammu & Kashmir is going to be increasingly difficult for Pakistan’s ISI because of the Modi government’s no-nonsense Kashmir policy. Saraiki-speaking southern areas of Pakistani Punjab, namely Multan and Jhang are flush with seminaries, which are imparting religious training to indoctrinate the youth. These areas, historically, have been ideal hunting ground for jihadi tanzeems. Unless there is a conscientious check on them, thoughts of reining in terrorist outfits, are a pipedream. Steps taken by the Pakistani government to show that it is winding up its terrorist infrastructure are cosmetic. The country is in dire economic straits and needs IMF funds. Naturally, it has to portray its clean image to the world. Given Pakistan’s strategic over-reliance on jihadi terrorism, India should continue with its policy of no-talks until tangible results of winding up of terror infrastructure are visible. Indian diplomats have left no stone unturned, in the past few years, to internationally isolate Pakistan on the terror front. Today, any talks, however small, will negate diplomatic benefits. Pakistan has always tried to discuss only Kashmir, whenever bilateral talks have taken place between the two countries in the past. When Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of this country, what is there to discuss? If Kashmir is ever discussed in the future - only after Pakistan’s sincerity towards winding up its terrorist agenda is visible - India should only discuss the issue of getting back its territories under Pakistan’s illegal occupation, which have been handed over to China, like Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan, through which runs the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Don’t talk to Pakistan until it dismantles terror facilities

At least 10 miners are trapped more than a kilometre (nearly a mile) underground after a fire started by an electrical short circuit in a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan, officials said Monday.

Rescue efforts were hampered by the fire spreading poisonous carbon monoxide gas inside the mine, some 35 kilometres (22 miles) east of Quetta, the capital of oil and mineral rich Balochistan province.

Abdullah Shahwani, a top official for the industry in the province, said 11 miners were working Sunday around 4,000 feet (1,200 metres) underground when the accident happened.

"Fire erupted due to a cable short circuit, causing the spread of poisonous monoxide gas," Shahwani told AFP.

One miner has been rescued but 10 remain trapped inside, he said.

"Hopes of their survival are very slim as rescue workers have reached only 1,200 feet (360 metres) inside the mine," Shahwani said, roughly 20 hours after the accident occurred.

The spread of carbon monoxide was hampering the attempt to reach the miners, said rescuer Mohammad Shafqat, who spoke to AFP from the site.

The coal mine is run by the state-owned Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation.

Most coal mines in the impoverished province are notorious for poor safety standards and facilities, and similar deadly accidents have occurred in the past.

At least 10 miners are trapped more than a kilometre (nearly a mile) underground after a fire started by an electrical short circuit in a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan, officials said Monday.

At least 10 miners are trapped more than a kilometre (nearly a mile) underground after a fire started by an electrical short circuit in a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan, officials said Monday. Rescue efforts were hampered by the fire spreading poisonous carbon monoxide gas inside the mine, some 35 kilometres (22 miles) east of Quetta, the capital of oil and mineral rich Balochistan province. Abdullah Shahwani, a top official for the industry in the province, said 11 miners were working Sunday around 4,000 feet (1,200 metres) underground when the accident happened. "Fire erupted due to a cable short circuit, causing the spread of poisonous monoxide gas," Shahwani told AFP. One miner has been rescued but 10 remain trapped inside, he said. "Hopes of their survival are very slim as rescue workers have reached only 1,200 feet (360 metres) inside the mine," Shahwani said, roughly 20 hours after the accident occurred. The spread of carbon monoxide was hampering the attempt to reach the miners, said rescuer Mohammad Shafqat, who spoke to AFP from the site. The coal mine is run by the state-owned Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation. Most coal mines in the impoverished province are notorious for poor safety standards and facilities, and similar deadly accidents have occurred in the past.

Hopes fade for 10 miners trapped underground at Pakistan colliery

Gilgit Baltistan in an open letter has stressed that the territory, which has been administered by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-not-invited-at-eastern-economic-forum-clarifies-russia-234102">Pakistan</a>, is a "compelling part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir" and Pakistan`s status is only that of an "assumed supervisor" that has no right to change its borders.

In an open letter addressed to the freedom seeking organisations of Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan said, "Be it the United Nations resolutions, the Karachi Agreement (28/04/1949), the constitution of Pakistan, the judgements of Pakistan`s apex courts or the freedom seeking organisations of Jammu and Kashmir and even according to the viewpoint of those political parties (in AJK) committed to accession with Pakistan; the current (territory) of Gilgit Baltistan is a compelling part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir."

"Pakistan`s status here is that of an (assumed) supervisor and it has no right to change the borders (of this territory)," the letter stated.

The open letter stated that this matter is not confined to (the territory of) Gilgit-Baltistan but is directly connected to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and its (assumed) disputed status.

"On account of the natural routes of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir being deliberately restricted, it is difficult to transmit news of events occurring in one part of the (erstwhile state) to other parts (of the State)," it said.

"In 1947, when the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-over-5000-candidates-register-for-army-recruitment-drive-in-baramulla-234637">State of Jammu and Kashmir</a> was divided into three (parts), whereupon after the ceasefire and UN (United Nations) involvement, the third Northern province of Gilgit Ladakh was split in two, of which an area of c.28,000 square miles was separated from Muzaffarabad and Srinagar upon coming under the control of Pakistan," the letter added.

"In contrast to Pakistani and Indian controlled Jammu and Kashmir, (the territory of) Gilgit Baltistan has endured various changes (in its geographic structure). C. 2,000 square miles of the territory was given - in the interim - to China (as part of the Sino-Pakistan Agreement in 1963). The State Subject Rule of Jammu and Kashmir (20/04/1927) has been (practically) been laid dormant," it noted.

Emphasizing another important issue addressed as a "dangerous game", the letter further said, "This game involves the adjacent borders (of Gilgit-Baltistan) with KPK (Khyber Pakhtoon khwa - a province in Pakistan) which meet the State (of Jammu and Kashmir)`s borders at various geographic points. For the past 71 years, KPK has been subtly encroaching into our State."

"At the first instance, interference took place in the district of Diamer (as an occupation of the land) beyond Basha (in KPK) reached Basri. From where (effectively the Pakistani State) successfully encroached up to 30 kilometres into (GB) territory. If this area had remained with us (GB), then KPK would not even have a claim on Diamer Basha dam at all," the letter added.

"In the second stage, the area of Chitral in KPK which is adjacent to district Ghizer (in GB) encroached into the latter area where the historic polo ground of Shandur is situated. Here, the Chitral scouts with the help of FC (Frontier Constabulary of Pakistan) occupied this ground. Shandur boasts the world`s highest polo ground and tourist resort. This area is the State of Jammu and Kashmir`s third Northern province`s historic part, whose (geographic) boundaries were (mutually) agreed upon (and settled) by Mahar," it stressed.

The letter was addressed to the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir National Awami Party (JKNAP), Jammu Kashmir People`s National Party (JKPNP), Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Jammu Kashmir National Student`s Federation (JKNSF), Kashmir National Party (KNP), United Kashmir People`s National Party (UKPNP), Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance (JKNIA) among others.

Gilgit Baltistan in an open letter has stressed that the territory, which has been administered by Pakistan, is a "compelling part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir" and Pakistan`s status is only that of an "assumed supervisor" that has no right to change its borders.

Gilgit Baltistan in an open letter has stressed that the territory, which has been administered by Pakistan, is a "compelling part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir" and Pakistan`s status is only that of an "assumed supervisor" that has no right to change its borders. In an open letter addressed to the freedom seeking organisations of Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan said, "Be it the United Nations resolutions, the Karachi Agreement (28/04/1949), the constitution of Pakistan, the judgements of Pakistan`s apex courts or the freedom seeking organisations of Jammu and Kashmir and even according to the viewpoint of those political parties (in AJK) committed to accession with Pakistan; the current (territory) of Gilgit Baltistan is a compelling part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir." "Pakistan`s status here is that of an (assumed) supervisor and it has no right to change the borders (of this territory)," the letter stated. The open letter stated that this matter is not confined to (the territory of) Gilgit-Baltistan but is directly connected to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and its (assumed) disputed status. "On account of the natural routes of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir being deliberately restricted, it is difficult to transmit news of events occurring in one part of the (erstwhile state) to other parts (of the State)," it said. "In 1947, when the State of Jammu and Kashmir was divided into three (parts), whereupon after the ceasefire and UN (United Nations) involvement, the third Northern province of Gilgit Ladakh was split in two, of which an area of c.28,000 square miles was separated from Muzaffarabad and Srinagar upon coming under the control of Pakistan," the letter added. "In contrast to Pakistani and Indian controlled Jammu and Kashmir, (the territory of) Gilgit Baltistan has endured various changes (in its geographic structure). C. 2,000 square miles of the territory was given - in the interim - to China (as part of the Sino-Pakistan Agreement in 1963). The State Subject Rule of Jammu and Kashmir (20/04/1927) has been (practically) been laid dormant," it noted. Emphasizing another important issue addressed as a "dangerous game", the letter further said, "This game involves the adjacent borders (of Gilgit-Baltistan) with KPK (Khyber Pakhtoon khwa - a province in Pakistan) which meet the State (of Jammu and Kashmir)`s borders at various geographic points. For the past 71 years, KPK has been subtly encroaching into our State." "At the first instance, interference took place in the district of Diamer (as an occupation of the land) beyond Basha (in KPK) reached Basri. From where (effectively the Pakistani State) successfully encroached up to 30 kilometres into (GB) territory. If this area had remained with us (GB), then KPK would not even have a claim on Diamer Basha dam at all," the letter added. "In the second stage, the area of Chitral in KPK which is adjacent to district Ghizer (in GB) encroached into the latter area where the historic polo ground of Shandur is situated. Here, the Chitral scouts with the help of FC (Frontier Constabulary of Pakistan) occupied this ground. Shandur boasts the world`s highest polo ground and tourist resort. This area is the State of Jammu and Kashmir`s third Northern province`s historic part, whose (geographic) boundaries were (mutually) agreed upon (and settled) by Mahar," it stressed. The letter was addressed to the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir National Awami Party (JKNAP), Jammu Kashmir People`s National Party (JKPNP), Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Jammu Kashmir National Student`s Federation (JKNSF), Kashmir National Party (KNP), United Kashmir People`s National Party (UKPNP), Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance (JKNIA) among others.

Gilgit Baltistan in open letter says Pakistan only an 'assumed supervisor'

The Pakistan chapter of the Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) on Monday urged the country's government to ensure the safety of senior woman journalist Asma Shirazi following two recent break-in attempts at her home.&nbsp;

In a statement carried out by website Medium.com, the CFWIJ has said that a police investigation into the two break-in attempts at Shirazi's Islamabad home suggests that they intended towards intimidating and silencing the senior journalist.&nbsp;

Furthermore, Shirazi has been the victim of cyber trolling in the past one year, especially after her 2018 interview with former Prime Minister of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/even-1-apple-is-very-expensive-pakistan-anchors-gaffe-about-apple-inc-leaves-twitter-in-splits-233936">Pakistan</a> Nawaz Sharif.&nbsp;

Since then, she has been a target of several "unprecedented online campaigns" that accuse her of biased journalism and corruption.

"With sincere hopefulness, we urge <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-quotes-russian-philosopher-links-it-to-pakistans-current-situation-233922">Pakistan's PM Imran Khan</a> in the new Pakistan, to ensure safety to Asma Shirazi," the statement read.&nbsp;

"One important element of doing so would be for the government to find perpetrators behind threats online and offline and punish them for obstructing the public's right to free and fair journalism," the statement read.&nbsp;

The group has also asked the Pakistani government to find ways to "stop the online trolling that Asma and other journalists in the country have been facing.

These incidents are indicative of the risk journalists like Asma are facing in the country, and obstruct their ability to do fair and unbiased journalism.

"We urge the government to invest solid efforts to put a stop to impunity when women journalists get attacked this way.&nbsp;

We look forward to seeing visible efforts in this direction and will stay tuned for the results," the statement concluded.

The Pakistan chapter of the Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) on Monday urged the country's government to ensure the safety of senior woman journalist Asma Shirazi following two recent break-in attempts at her home.

The Pakistan chapter of the Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) on Monday urged the country's government to ensure the safety of senior woman journalist Asma Shirazi following two recent break-in attempts at her home. In a statement carried out by website Medium.com, the CFWIJ has said that a police investigation into the two break-in attempts at Shirazi's Islamabad home suggests that they intended towards intimidating and silencing the senior journalist. Furthermore, Shirazi has been the victim of cyber trolling in the past one year, especially after her 2018 interview with former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif. Since then, she has been a target of several "unprecedented online campaigns" that accuse her of biased journalism and corruption. "With sincere hopefulness, we urge Pakistan's PM Imran Khan in the new Pakistan, to ensure safety to Asma Shirazi," the statement read. "One important element of doing so would be for the government to find perpetrators behind threats online and offline and punish them for obstructing the public's right to free and fair journalism," the statement read. The group has also asked the Pakistani government to find ways to "stop the online trolling that Asma and other journalists in the country have been facing. These incidents are indicative of the risk journalists like Asma are facing in the country, and obstruct their ability to do fair and unbiased journalism. "We urge the government to invest solid efforts to put a stop to impunity when women journalists get attacked this way. We look forward to seeing visible efforts in this direction and will stay tuned for the results," the statement concluded.

Coalition For Women In Journalism urges Pakistan government to ensure safety of journalist Asma Shirazi

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