Pahalgam terror attack - Indo-Pak war is part of Pakistan's 'bleed India by a thousand cuts' policy. Who is behind it? The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, is most certainly going to lead to a fifth Indo-Pak war. The attack by Pakistan-based terrorists is the latest instance of Pakistan's military policy of 'bleed India by a thousand cuts'. But what is its origin?
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<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/0505_ARJUN_DAM_8AM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/0505_ARJUN_DAM_8AM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=112&amp;tags=India, Pakistan, World News, WION" title="Pahalgam attack: India intensifies strategic measures against Pakistan" id="PL_iframe_block-mace8h2c-txwx5dvo-51pywwfd"></iframe>
<h2>Did Zulfikar Ali Bhutto actually say 'bleed India by a thousand cuts?'</h2>
Though Pakistan's former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto didn't actually say 'bleed India by a thousand cuts' in as many terms, that phrase is often attributed to him unofficially by the architects of Pakistan&rsquo;s strategic military doctrine.
In his 1963 book The Myth of Independence, Bhutto wrote, &ldquo;Pakistan will wage a relentless struggle against India, exploiting every opportunity to weaken it.&rdquo; He was advocating a war of attrition aimed at entrapping India in a constant struggle.
Bhutto's speech to the United Nations was about waging 'a thousand-year war' with India.&nbsp;
The most relevant portion comes from his 22 September 1965 speech. In an address to the United Nations Security Council during the 1965 Indo-Pak War, Bhutto said, &ldquo;We will wage a war for a thousand years, a war of defence.&rdquo;&nbsp;
He was stressing Pakistan&rsquo;s resolve to continue fighting India despite military setbacks of the 1965 war, amid India&rsquo;s advances and the global pressure for a ceasefire.
<h2>Bhutto is the ideological font of 'bleed India with a thousand cuts' policy</h2>
&nbsp;
It can be said that Bhutto&rsquo;s remarks and speeches after the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971 gave the political fuel and ideological ground for this strategy.
While it's associated with Bhutto&rsquo;s rhetoric, it was formalised as policy by General Zia-ul-Haq.
Speaking at the Lahore Islamic Summit in 1974, Bhutto again referred to a long-term struggle. &ldquo;We will fight for our rights and our honour, no matter how long it takes,&rdquo; he said, while avoiding any calls for terrorism.&nbsp;
While Bhutto did not endorse terrorism in as many words, his statements, particularly the 1965 UN speech, are often cited as the conceptual precursor to the "bleed India" strategy, which was indeed all about fomenting terrorism in India.
&nbsp;
<h2>How the 'thousands cuts' policy was turned into a military doctrine</h2>
Bhutto's speech at the UN was an example of Pakistan's defiance despite defeat, and a vision of sustained resistance to rally his domestic audience. It evolved into the "thousand cuts" doctrine, particularly since Pakistan&rsquo;s defeat and Bangladesh&rsquo;s creation after the Indo-Pak war of 1971, also known as the Bangladesh Liberation War. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/general-asim-munirs-radical-agenda-pakistans-deep-state-terror-nexus-exposed-in-pahalgam-attack-9012213">General Asim Munir&rsquo;s radical agenda: Pakistan&rsquo;s deep state terror nexus exposed in Pahalgam attack</a>
The strategy is essentially about a prolonged conflict, a covert or proxy war with India.
Pakistan's spy agency, the Interservices Intelligence of ISI, was the main executioner of the policy.
It supported insurgencies in India, particularly in Kashmir and Punjab, and allegedly in the Northeast.
<h2></h2>
<h2>'Bleed India by a thousand cuts' became Pakistan's military-intelligence policy under Zia</h2>
&nbsp;
Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the military chief turned dictator, translated Bhutto&rsquo;s vision into covert warfare, making it the doctrinal foundation of the policy.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pakistan-pm-shehbaz-sharif-refuses-to-condemn-pahalgam-terror-attack-in-his-first-reaction-repeats-asim-munirs-jugulur-vein-remark-9003697">Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif refuses to condemn Pahalgam terror attack in his first reaction, repeats Asim Munir's 'jugular vein' remark</a>
After its heavy defeat at the hands of India and the split of East Pakistan into Bangladesh after the 1971 war, it became clear to Islamabad that conventional warfare was not feasible.
&nbsp;Zia-ul-Haq, who was Pakistan's president from 1978, shaped Bhutto&rsquo;s rhetoric into the covert strategy of low-intensity warfare.
Pakistan used insurgency and terrorism to destabilise India, supporting militant groups to wage proxy wars even as it avoided a direct military confrontation.&nbsp;
<h2>'Bleed India by a thousand cuts' doctrine in action: Fomenting terror from Punjab to Kashmir</h2>
&nbsp;
The strategy aimed to exploit India&rsquo;s diversity by instigating, supporting and aiding separatism, terrorism and instability.&nbsp;
In the 1980s, the ISI set up a Punjab cell to arm Sikh militants involved in the Khalistani separatist movement.&nbsp;
In the words of former ISI chief Hamid Gul, keeping Punjab destabilised was "equivalent to the Pakistan Army having an extra division at no cost.&rdquo;
Those who received arms from Pakistan include followers of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the Khalistani leader.
Many Khalistani militants were trained by Pakistan in camps in Lahore and Karachi.
After the end of the Soviet-Afghan War, Pakistan redirected Mujahideen fighters to Kashmir.
Over the years, Pakistan funded, supported, trained and handled several India-focused terror groups.
They include Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which is behind some of the worst terror attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attack and the recent Pahalgam attack of April 22.
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), another terror group backed by Pakistan, was involved in major attacks like the 2001 assault on the Indian Parliament.&nbsp;
LeT, led by Hafiz Saeed, who continues to live under Pakistan's protection, is an internationally designated terrorist.&nbsp;
JeM, founded by Masood Azhar, have been linked to ISI backing, with its leader roaming openly in Pakistan. Hizbul Mujahideen, another group that was active in Kashmir, received ISI support.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/pakistanis-against-india-pak-war-imam-asks-crowd-who-backs-islamabad-against-india-in-viral-clip-audience-reaction-will-shock-you-pahalgam-9036059">Pakistanis against India-Pak war? Imam asks crowd who backs Islamabad against India in viral clip; audience reaction will shock you</a>
Pakistan gave these terror groups arms, training, and safe havens. It enabled cross-border infiltrations of the militants and terror attacks to create an impression of sustained unrest and instability in Kashmir. 
<h2>India gave military response to terror attacks, hitting the 'bleed' doctrine</h2>
&nbsp;
The 'bleed India with a thousand cuts' doctrine worked for Pakistan as long as there was no direct military response from India. That changed over time, particularly since the 1999 Kargil War. In that war, Pakistan dressed up its regular army as Kashmiri militants, and India gave a fitting response by repelling the cross-border incursions. Pakistan's expectation that India would not respond militarily to terror strikes was dashed in 2016, when Indian Army entered Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to destroy terror launchpads behind the Uri attack, in what became known as 'surgical strikes'. India again did a surgical strike, this time using its air force in 2019, after the Pulwama terror attack.&nbsp; On the diplomatic front, India exposed Pakistan&rsquo;s terror sponsor role at the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pahalgam-terror-attack-will-pakistan-walk-the-fatf-tightrope-again-8998205">Pahalgam terror attack: Will Pakistan walk the FATF tightrope again?</a>
This military and diplomatic pressure started the process of unravelling the 'bleed India' doctrine, making Pakistani commentator Pervez Hoodbhoy bemoan in 2016 that the policy was &ldquo;in shambles.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The most recent setback to Pakistan -&nbsp; before it revived terror-sponsoring with Pahalgam attack - came in the form of the grey listing of the country by FATF.&nbsp;
Pakistan hurriedly jailed or put into house arrest some terror chiefs, in order to show to FATF that it is acting against terror, so that it can come out of the grey list.
Being put on that list had hampered Pakistan's ability to get foreign financial assistance to tide over its dire economic situation.
<h2>The 'bleed India' strategy has been failing, but Pakistan is still trying</h2>
&nbsp;
India&rsquo;s resilience and global pressure have diminished the impact of the 'bleed India' strategy.&nbsp; But attacks and infiltrations were kept up by Pakistan.&nbsp; The 2025 Pahalgam massacre is the latest in this series. This time, however, it faces a war that could uproot the 'bleed India' strategy.

Pahalgam attack by Pakistan-based terrorists is part of its policy of 'bleed India by a thousand cuts'. How did it start? World | Trending | India News | South Asia

Pahalgam terror attack - Indo-Pak war is part of Pakistan's 'bleed India by a thousand cuts' policy. Who is behind it? The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, is most certainly going to lead to a fifth Indo-Pak war. The attack by Pakistan-based terrorists is the latest instance of Pakistan's military policy of 'bleed India by a thousand cuts'. But what is its origin? Did Zulfikar Ali Bhutto actually say 'bleed India by a thousand cuts?' Though Pakistan's former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto didn't actually say 'bleed India by a thousand cuts' in as many terms, that phrase is often attributed to him unofficially by the architects of Pakistan’s strategic military doctrine. In his 1963 book The Myth of Independence, Bhutto wrote, “Pakistan will wage a relentless struggle against India, exploiting every opportunity to weaken it.” He was advocating a war of attrition aimed at entrapping India in a constant struggle. Bhutto's speech to the United Nations was about waging 'a thousand-year war' with India. The most relevant portion comes from his 22 September 1965 speech. In an address to the United Nations Security Council during the 1965 Indo-Pak War, Bhutto said, “We will wage a war for a thousand years, a war of defence.” He was stressing Pakistan’s resolve to continue fighting India despite military setbacks of the 1965 war, amid India’s advances and the global pressure for a ceasefire. Bhutto is the ideological font of 'bleed India with a thousand cuts' policy It can be said that Bhutto’s remarks and speeches after the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971 gave the political fuel and ideological ground for this strategy. While it's associated with Bhutto’s rhetoric, it was formalised as policy by General Zia-ul-Haq. Speaking at the Lahore Islamic Summit in 1974, Bhutto again referred to a long-term struggle. “We will fight for our rights and our honour, no matter how long it takes,” he said, while avoiding any calls for terrorism. While Bhutto did not endorse terrorism in as many words, his statements, particularly the 1965 UN speech, are often cited as the conceptual precursor to the "bleed India" strategy, which was indeed all about fomenting terrorism in India. How the 'thousands cuts' policy was turned into a military doctrine Bhutto's speech at the UN was an example of Pakistan's defiance despite defeat, and a vision of sustained resistance to rally his domestic audience. It evolved into the "thousand cuts" doctrine, particularly since Pakistan’s defeat and Bangladesh’s creation after the Indo-Pak war of 1971, also known as the Bangladesh Liberation War. General Asim Munir’s radical agenda: Pakistan’s deep state terror nexus exposed in Pahalgam attack The strategy is essentially about a prolonged conflict, a covert or proxy war with India. Pakistan's spy agency, the Interservices Intelligence of ISI, was the main executioner of the policy. It supported insurgencies in India, particularly in Kashmir and Punjab, and allegedly in the Northeast. 'Bleed India by a thousand cuts' became Pakistan's military-intelligence policy under Zia Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the military chief turned dictator, translated Bhutto’s vision into covert warfare, making it the doctrinal foundation of the policy. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif refuses to condemn Pahalgam terror attack in his first reaction, repeats Asim Munir's 'jugular vein' remark After its heavy defeat at the hands of India and the split of East Pakistan into Bangladesh after the 1971 war, it became clear to Islamabad that conventional warfare was not feasible. Zia-ul-Haq, who was Pakistan's president from 1978, shaped Bhutto’s rhetoric into the covert strategy of low-intensity warfare. Pakistan used insurgency and terrorism to destabilise India, supporting militant groups to wage proxy wars even as it avoided a direct military confrontation. 'Bleed India by a thousand cuts' doctrine in action: Fomenting terror from Punjab to Kashmir The strategy aimed to exploit India’s diversity by instigating, supporting and aiding separatism, terrorism and instability. In the 1980s, the ISI set up a Punjab cell to arm Sikh militants involved in the Khalistani separatist movement. In the words of former ISI chief Hamid Gul, keeping Punjab destabilised was "equivalent to the Pakistan Army having an extra division at no cost.” Those who received arms from Pakistan include followers of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the Khalistani leader. Many Khalistani militants were trained by Pakistan in camps in Lahore and Karachi. After the end of the Soviet-Afghan War, Pakistan redirected Mujahideen fighters to Kashmir. Over the years, Pakistan funded, supported, trained and handled several India-focused terror groups. They include Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which is behind some of the worst terror attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attack and the recent Pahalgam attack of April 22. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), another terror group backed by Pakistan, was involved in major attacks like the 2001 assault on the Indian Parliament. LeT, led by Hafiz Saeed, who continues to live under Pakistan's protection, is an internationally designated terrorist. JeM, founded by Masood Azhar, have been linked to ISI backing, with its leader roaming openly in Pakistan. Hizbul Mujahideen, another group that was active in Kashmir, received ISI support. Pakistanis against India-Pak war? Imam asks crowd who backs Islamabad against India in viral clip; audience reaction will shock you Pakistan gave these terror groups arms, training, and safe havens. It enabled cross-border infiltrations of the militants and terror attacks to create an impression of sustained unrest and instability in Kashmir. India gave military response to terror attacks, hitting the 'bleed' doctrine The 'bleed India with a thousand cuts' doctrine worked for Pakistan as long as there was no direct military response from India. That changed over time, particularly since the 1999 Kargil War. In that war, Pakistan dressed up its regular army as Kashmiri militants, and India gave a fitting response by repelling the cross-border incursions. Pakistan's expectation that India would not respond militarily to terror strikes was dashed in 2016, when Indian Army entered Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to destroy terror launchpads behind the Uri attack, in what became known as 'surgical strikes'. India again did a surgical strike, this time using its air force in 2019, after the Pulwama terror attack. On the diplomatic front, India exposed Pakistan’s terror sponsor role at the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Pahalgam terror attack: Will Pakistan walk the FATF tightrope again? This military and diplomatic pressure started the process of unravelling the 'bleed India' doctrine, making Pakistani commentator Pervez Hoodbhoy bemoan in 2016 that the policy was “in shambles.” The most recent setback to Pakistan - before it revived terror-sponsoring with Pahalgam attack - came in the form of the grey listing of the country by FATF. Pakistan hurriedly jailed or put into house arrest some terror chiefs, in order to show to FATF that it is acting against terror, so that it can come out of the grey list. Being put on that list had hampered Pakistan's ability to get foreign financial assistance to tide over its dire economic situation. The 'bleed India' strategy has been failing, but Pakistan is still trying India’s resilience and global pressure have diminished the impact of the 'bleed India' strategy. But attacks and infiltrations were kept up by Pakistan. The 2025 Pahalgam massacre is the latest in this series. This time, however, it faces a war that could uproot the 'bleed India' strategy.

'Bleed India by a thousand cuts' is Pakistan's doctrine that made it a terror state. But what is its origin story?

Most Pakistani generals spend their career deriding India. They are always at their prime minister's ear, feeding them all kinds of anti-India propaganda. This is one reason the relationship is so difficult.

The civilian leaders take one step forward and the military pulls them two steps back. However, looking at history, we noticed a trend among these generals. When they see retirement on the horizon, they suddenly become wise and rational — no more war-mongering or sabre-rattling.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-peace-with-india-bajwas-retirement-plan-385127">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-peace-with-india-bajwas-retirement-plan-385127/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In 1956, Gen&nbsp;Ayub Khan dispatched his minister for India's Republic Day and in 1986 Gen Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq visited India as he was invited by former prime minister Rajeev Gandhi. Then we have Pervez Musharraf who was keen on having closer ties with India in the public eye.&nbsp;India and Pakistan have held 114 bilateral talks since independence and 52 of them came between 2003 and 2007 under Pervez Musharraf.

The trend hints that Pakistani generals come to power promising fire and fury against India but closer to retirement, they want to be remembered as statesmen and the ones who tried to forge peace.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-arabia-announces-over-100-projects-for-cash-strapped-pakistan-during-imran-khans-visit-384353" hreflang="en">Saudi Arabia announces over 100 projects for cash-strapped Pakistan during Imran Khan's visit</a>

We are seeing this happen all over again. The current army chief, Gen Bajwa, has 18 months left in office and he is already thinking about his legacy.

In Pakistan, a general's legacy is not just about the battlefield. He is linked to the economy, internal politics and even geopolitics.

Usually, countries have civilian leaders handling it but not Pakistan.

During Bajwa's tenure, Pakistan's economy has taken a beating. They have requested multiple IMF bailouts. The foreign reserves are running out fast and the country is left with just $13 billion dollars.

In addition to this, the military had to suffer budget cuts and there is nothing Gen Bajwa can do.

The FATF listing is yet another darkness that covers the country. Pakistan has been on the ‘grey list’ for three years now and no progress has been made.

It is a similar scenario in geopolitics. Allies such as Saudi Arabia are choosing India over Pakistan. In Afghanistan, the world community has just one message for them: please stay away and let Afghanistan prosper.

In the end, Pakistan is only left with China as an ally but it won't be long before the Chinese loan comes due.

Gen&nbsp;Bajwa is, therefore, trying to score a point on India by talking about peace. Bajwa, in March, urged countries to bury the past and move forward.

The festival of Eid came as the perfect excuse for Bajwa. While offering prayers, he commented on Kashmir, saying, "it is time to end this human tragedy".

Most Pakistani generals spend their career deriding India. They are always at their prime minister's ear, feeding them all kinds of anti-India propaganda. This is one reason the relationship is so difficult.

Most Pakistani generals spend their career deriding India. They are always at their prime minister's ear, feeding them all kinds of anti-India propaganda. This is one reason the relationship is so difficult. The civilian leaders take one step forward and the military pulls them two steps back. However, looking at history, we noticed a trend among these generals. When they see retirement on the horizon, they suddenly become wise and rational — no more war-mongering or sabre-rattling. Watch | In 1956, Gen Ayub Khan dispatched his minister for India's Republic Day and in 1986 Gen Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq visited India as he was invited by former prime minister Rajeev Gandhi. Then we have Pervez Musharraf who was keen on having closer ties with India in the public eye. India and Pakistan have held 114 bilateral talks since independence and 52 of them came between 2003 and 2007 under Pervez Musharraf. The trend hints that Pakistani generals come to power promising fire and fury against India but closer to retirement, they want to be remembered as statesmen and the ones who tried to forge peace. Also read | Saudi Arabia announces over 100 projects for cash-strapped Pakistan during Imran Khan's visit We are seeing this happen all over again. The current army chief, Gen Bajwa, has 18 months left in office and he is already thinking about his legacy. In Pakistan, a general's legacy is not just about the battlefield. He is linked to the economy, internal politics and even geopolitics. Usually, countries have civilian leaders handling it but not Pakistan. During Bajwa's tenure, Pakistan's economy has taken a beating. They have requested multiple IMF bailouts. The foreign reserves are running out fast and the country is left with just $13 billion dollars. In addition to this, the military had to suffer budget cuts and there is nothing Gen Bajwa can do. The FATF listing is yet another darkness that covers the country. Pakistan has been on the ‘grey list’ for three years now and no progress has been made. It is a similar scenario in geopolitics. Allies such as Saudi Arabia are choosing India over Pakistan. In Afghanistan, the world community has just one message for them: please stay away and let Afghanistan prosper. In the end, Pakistan is only left with China as an ally but it won't be long before the Chinese loan comes due. Gen Bajwa is, therefore, trying to score a point on India by talking about peace. Bajwa, in March, urged countries to bury the past and move forward. The festival of Eid came as the perfect excuse for Bajwa. While offering prayers, he commented on Kashmir, saying, "it is time to end this human tragedy".

General Bajwa's olive branch to India: A truce or retirement plan?

The members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from Pakistan have alleged persecution and demanded justice during a side event organized on the margins the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

In 1974, Pakistan's Constitution was amended and the Ahmadis, a minority community, were declared non-Muslims according to the new law.

In 1984, under the rule of former President General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the Pakistani government enacted ordinance and made it a criminal offence, punishable by three years imprisonment and a fine, for the Ahmadis to call themselves as Muslims, refer to their faith as Islam, call their place of worship a 'Mosque' and make the call for prayers (Azan).

Fareed Ahmad, the National Secretary for the External Affairs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in UK said, "The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is being targeted.&nbsp;The legislation calls for Ahmadiyyas to be targeted so why should we not call out against them?"

He added, "Hundreds of Ahmadis have been killed in Pakistan. Thousands of our community members have been harassed.&nbsp;Tens of thousands are being charged under the laws. We do not have access to a proper education system. We have also been denied the fundamental right to vote in Pakistan."

Many of the Ahmadis are being falsely targeted under the country's blasphemy law, the activist alleged.

Meanwhile, Sir Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz, a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said that the Pakistani Constitution promises equal rights for every citizen, but "members of our community are facing persecution".

He said, "The whole world knows what is happening to the Ahmadis in Pakistan in relation to their civic and economic rights, education. They are being deprived of everything. And, yet Article 20 of its Constitution states that everyone will be granted freedom of religion.&nbsp;In Pakistan, our community is not even allowed to possess our holy scriptures as well as the Quran."

The event, which was attended by members of the European Parliament and the former European politicians, was organized in order to raise the voices of the Ahmadiyya community that has faced suppression and decades of severe state-sponsored persecution.

Hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims have been murdered in recent years, with many facing a relentless tide of vilification, harassment, and violence.

In 2017 nationwide anti-Ahmadi protests brought Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, to a standstill.

The situation has been described by some observers as equivalent to genocide in Pakistan.

The members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from Pakistan have alleged persecution and demanded justice during a side event organized on the margins the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from Pakistan have alleged persecution and demanded justice during a side event organized on the margins the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. In 1974, Pakistan's Constitution was amended and the Ahmadis, a minority community, were declared non-Muslims according to the new law. In 1984, under the rule of former President General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the Pakistani government enacted ordinance and made it a criminal offence, punishable by three years imprisonment and a fine, for the Ahmadis to call themselves as Muslims, refer to their faith as Islam, call their place of worship a 'Mosque' and make the call for prayers (Azan). Fareed Ahmad, the National Secretary for the External Affairs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in UK said, "The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is being targeted. The legislation calls for Ahmadiyyas to be targeted so why should we not call out against them?" He added, "Hundreds of Ahmadis have been killed in Pakistan. Thousands of our community members have been harassed. Tens of thousands are being charged under the laws. We do not have access to a proper education system. We have also been denied the fundamental right to vote in Pakistan." Many of the Ahmadis are being falsely targeted under the country's blasphemy law, the activist alleged. Meanwhile, Sir Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz, a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said that the Pakistani Constitution promises equal rights for every citizen, but "members of our community are facing persecution". He said, "The whole world knows what is happening to the Ahmadis in Pakistan in relation to their civic and economic rights, education. They are being deprived of everything. And, yet Article 20 of its Constitution states that everyone will be granted freedom of religion. In Pakistan, our community is not even allowed to possess our holy scriptures as well as the Quran." The event, which was attended by members of the European Parliament and the former European politicians, was organized in order to raise the voices of the Ahmadiyya community that has faced suppression and decades of severe state-sponsored persecution. Hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims have been murdered in recent years, with many facing a relentless tide of vilification, harassment, and violence. In 2017 nationwide anti-Ahmadi protests brought Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, to a standstill. The situation has been described by some observers as equivalent to genocide in Pakistan.

Pakistan's Ahmadiyya Muslims allege persecution, demand justice at UN event

Five Lieutenant Generals in the Pakistan Army were reshuffled on Tuesday.

In an official statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed was appointed Adjutant General of Pakistan Army at the General Headquarters (GHQ), while Lieutenant General Azhar Abbas was appointed Director General of Joint Staff.

Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood was appointed Inspector General, Communications and IT (IG-C&amp;IT), while Lieutenant General Adnan was named Commander, Bahawalpur Corps, the statement mentioned.

It also said Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza will continue as Vice Chief of General Staff.

Last week, ISPR had announced that Lieutenant General Javed Mahmood Bukhari, a three-star officer of the Pakistan Army, was appointed Commander Bahawalpur Corps.

It was stated that General Bukhari was previously posted as Quarter Master General at the General Headquarters. He had replaced Lieutenant General Sher Afgun in Bahawalpur Corps, as the latter was posted as Inspector General Arms at GHQ.

The post of IG arms has been vacant since the transfer of Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa as Commander, Southern Command.

The XXXI Corps is a corps of the Pakistan Army, commonly referred to as 31 Corps. It forms a major part of the Pakistan Army, with its headquarters located in Bahawalpur, Punjab province.

As per ISPR`s statement, the corps was raised at the end of 1980s and took over the assets of the former II Corps, which is presently based in Multan. It has more than three full-sized divisions and is responsible for the southern Punjab desert zone.

In 1988, when the C-130 Hercules plane of President General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq crashed near Bahawalpur, he was visiting XXXI Corps along with senior military aides.

Five Lieutenant Generals in the Pakistan Army were reshuffled on Tuesday. In an official statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed was appointed Adjutant General of Pakistan Army at the General Headquarters (GHQ), while Lieutenant General Azhar Abbas was appointed Director General of Joint Staff.

Five Lieutenant Generals in the Pakistan Army were reshuffled on Tuesday. In an official statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed was appointed Adjutant General of Pakistan Army at the General Headquarters (GHQ), while Lieutenant General Azhar Abbas was appointed Director General of Joint Staff. Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood was appointed Inspector General, Communications and IT (IG-C&IT), while Lieutenant General Adnan was named Commander, Bahawalpur Corps, the statement mentioned. It also said Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza will continue as Vice Chief of General Staff. Last week, ISPR had announced that Lieutenant General Javed Mahmood Bukhari, a three-star officer of the Pakistan Army, was appointed Commander Bahawalpur Corps. It was stated that General Bukhari was previously posted as Quarter Master General at the General Headquarters. He had replaced Lieutenant General Sher Afgun in Bahawalpur Corps, as the latter was posted as Inspector General Arms at GHQ. The post of IG arms has been vacant since the transfer of Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa as Commander, Southern Command. The XXXI Corps is a corps of the Pakistan Army, commonly referred to as 31 Corps. It forms a major part of the Pakistan Army, with its headquarters located in Bahawalpur, Punjab province. As per ISPR`s statement, the corps was raised at the end of 1980s and took over the assets of the former II Corps, which is presently based in Multan. It has more than three full-sized divisions and is responsible for the southern Punjab desert zone. In 1988, when the C-130 Hercules plane of President General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq crashed near Bahawalpur, he was visiting XXXI Corps along with senior military aides.

Five Lieutenant Generals in Pakistan Army reshuffled