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There is no harm in changing strategy in Balochistan to bring peace

DND Report

There is no doubt left that Quetta Railway Station’s suicide bombing targeted personnel of security forces who were leaving Quetta for their homes. The collateral damage was civilians who were also present at the Railway platform.

This incident was a continuation of a ‘tragedy’ that is surely foreign-sponsored but executed by sons and daughters of the motherland who had been victims of indoctrination planned and managed by those who do not want to see Pakistan’s prosperity. There is a long list of reasons why certain powers do not want peace in Balochistan but all such motives are linked with the geopolitical positioning of Balochistan which is on the crossroads of South Asia-Central Asia and Asia Minor.

On 28 August 2024, different parts of Balochistan were targeted by terrorists and at least 50 people including 10 soldiers and four law enforcement agencies’ personnel embraced martyrdom. In Musakhel, 23 people from Punjab were pulled out of a bus and after checking their identity documents were shot dead. The victims included truck drivers carrying coal and fruit to Punjab via the Loralai – D G Khan Highway. As many as 35 trucks and other vehicles were set on fire. While in coordinated attacks by militants aimed at security forces and civilians hailing from Punjab, two suicide bombers, one of them a woman, targeted the Frontier Corps camp in Bela. Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks.

One can say that foreign powers do not want a stable region to halt Chinese inroad in the region that otherwise successfully links China mainland to Central Asia but its linkage to Indo Pacific at Gwadar through Afghanistan via Balochistan is strategically important and that is why China is also looking long route of China-Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan—Uzbekistan—Turkmenistan and Iran anchoring at Chahbahar. However, one should not forget that this route has long been in use but is not viable for huge cargo traffic. There is another theory that a volatile Balochistan suits all those who do not want the success of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is the shortest possible route for China to reach the Indo-Pacific. There is no doubt that these above-mentioned theories have logic and reasons to believe, however, the overall prosperity of mineral-rich Balochistan is not in favor of those also who want to slice Iranian Balochistan and Pakistani Balochistan and create an independent land that would serve the cause of those who had been helping separatists of Iranian Balochistan in past and created separatists organizations like Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)  in Pakistani Balochistan and  Jundallah, a Sunni Islamist militant group in the Sistan and Balochistan Province in southeastern Iran. Tehran successfully crushed Jundallah in 2010 after Abdolmalek Rigi was hanged to death in Evin Prison in Tehran.

Since the early 1970s, the separatist movement has been part of the politics of Balochistan and separatist leaders had European cities as their ‘retreat resorts’ so separatism is neither a new phenomenon in Balochistan nor something extraordinary, and research of the last 50 years surely name actors who do not want peace and prosperity in Balochistan. However, this phenomenon was mitigated through political dialogues, using state power and pleasing powerful personalities of the province but the soil became ripe again after the assassination of Sardar Akbar Khan Bugti who was blown to death by security forces in August 2006. This event was a jackpot for India as well as for some Western countries that took no time to fund and plan insurgency in Balochistan. A reckless, ill-planned, and avoidable action surely helped enemies to poison Baloch youth against Pakistan. Since then security forces and Punjabis are at the target of locally indoctrinated youth through foreign funds to destabilize Pakistan.

According to unofficial data, over 3000 personnel of security forces and citizens from Punjab had been targeted by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in the last 10 years which had already claimed responsibility for the Quetta Railway Station suicide bombing. Moreover, the latest target of separatists are Chinese citizens and BLA reportedly coordinates with other terrorist outfits such as TTP to target Chinese as well as security forces not only in Balochistan but also in KPK province. In the last month, 20-plus laborers were killed in a brutal rocket attack in the Duki mines and all of them were laborers from KP and Punjab. These incidents are not isolated; they are symptomatic of a deeply embedded plan to disrupt Balochistan. Targeting civilians and law enforcement personnel alike, these acts of terror do nothing but deepen the suffering of the Baloch people, adding bloodshed to an already strained society and they represent nothing just insanity. Sane elements within Baloch society also voice that BLA’s actions are not a form of resistance but a tragic diversion from the path to peace, damaging any chance for constructive dialogue and only serving to strengthen the very forces that perpetuate this cycle of violence and mistrust.

As always, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other politicians denounced terrorism after Quetta Railway Station suicide blast but words alone are insufficient now as Balochistan is burning. PM Shehbaz Sharif should learn from his brother former PM Nawaz Sharif who brought peace to Balochistan when Balochistan was burning Nawaz Sharif through his effective team having personalities like Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua turned the table in favor of the state. Janjua was appointed as Corps Commander of the XII Corps when burning Pakistani flags was a norm but he closely worked with the then CM Balochistan Abdul Malik Baloch in stabilizing Balochistan and supervised firsthand counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations against a variety of militant groups but reached out of youth at the same time and initiated dialogue not only with political groups rather with civil society as well as journalists of Balochistan. From sectarian militias to alleged Indian-sponsored separatist groups, Janjua had been a witness to some of the most vicious interference in Pakistan and mitigated extremists. During his tenure, the restoration of peace in Balochistan was a joint civil-military leadership effort and his target group was the youth of Balochistan and message was simple ‘You are not a problem rather you are victims and laying down arms and embark on the path of peace for a peaceful Balochistan is your responsibility towards your society’. As the National Security Advisor (NSA) of Nawaz Sharif, he kept focusing mitigation of terrorism in Balochistan and Afghanistan.

There is no doubt that peace in Balochistan is a top priority of PM Shehbaz Sharif but it is now time to revisit the policy because the rhetoric ‘we shall not allow terrorists to play havoc with the peace of Balochistan’ is not serving the cause and Balochistan continues to bleed. There is no harm in changing strategy and getting help from people such as Nasser Khan Janjua who served well and brought results. There is no harm in engaging such people as the Governor of Balochistan or the National Security Advisor with a single agenda of bringing peace to Balochistan because the constant success of terrorists by killing innocent people favors terrorists for spreading fear among youth with a message that ‘your state can not protect you’.

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Fight against terrorism requires support of all Pakistanis, believes COAS Gen Asim Munir

Quetta, Pakistan:  COAS Gen Asim Munir has said that the fight against terrorism requires the support of all Pakistanis.

COAS highlighted that terrorism will never be tolerated and reaffirmed the nation’s resolve and commitment to eradicating the menace. COAS emphasized that this mission will be pursued with full national resolve and collective determination. He underscored that the fight against terrorism requires the steadfast support of all Pakistanis, along with the efforts of the military and civil institutions, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for the country.

Earlier on his arrival, COAS was received by Commander Balochistan Corps. Namaz-e-Janaza for the Shuhada, who embraced martyrdom in a suicide blast targeting innocent citizens and passengers at Quetta Railway Station, was offered in Quetta Garrison today.

The funeral was attended by General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Federal Minister of Interior, Governor and Chief Minister Balochistan, Provincial Ministers and a large number of military and civilian officials. Following the funeral, COAS visited CMH Quetta and met with the injured of the tragic incident.

 

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The hidden linkages among BLA, TTP, and PTI

Islamabad, Pakistan: Another targeted suicide bombing in Quetta (Railway Station) has confirmed again that enemies are not sitting idle and they do not miss any chance to send a wave of fear and want to tell investors that Pakistan is not a safe destination.

According to police, Saturday’s attack targeted passengers gathered for the departure of the Jafar Express that was scheduled to leave for Peshawar. The causalities could be higher if the venue could be any public gathering such as the PTI planned yesterday but law enforcement agencies had intelligence information that BLA wanted to attack therefore the No Objection Certificate (NOC) was not released for the PTI public meeting.

The sad thing is that on the one hand, all the terrorist elements have united against Pakistan but our political elite such as PTI always tries to keep the law enforcement agencies busy in handling the unruly mob of the anarchist party PTI.

A day ago PTI tried to hold a rally in Quetta whose NOC was canceled by the local administration due to security concerns after that, an unruly mob of PTI tried to destroy the law and order situation in Quetta but today Quetta the suicide blast at the railway station proved that the fears of the local administration regarding security concerns were correct. Neither the PTI nor its anarchist leader realizes that the country cannot afford political instability at this time but certain political elements always want to foster the politics of anarchy in the country for their nefarious purposes.

One should remember that today November 9 is the birth anniversary of the poet of the East, Allama Iqbal who provided the idea of an independent state for the Muslims of the subcontinent. Instead of celebrating his birth anniversary, the enemies of the country’ targeted innocent citizens at Quetta Railway Station and they called this act justified. Defense experts agree that if the terrorists think that they will win the so-called war of independence by shedding innocent people’s blood by making explosions, they are living in a fool’s paradise because Pakistan has won many battles against terrorists and extremists and will definitely defeat foreign-sponsored elements like BLA.

Enemies of Pakistan must not forget that Pakistan is a free and independent state where every religion, every creed, and every person has its rights, and the best way to negotiate with the state is to surrender, accept the constitution of Pakistan, and sit down and talk otherwise no one will be contented with their bullying or terrorism.

The hidden linkages among BLA, TTP, and PTI
The hidden linkages among BLA, TTP, and PTI

Another unfortunate reality cropping up is that the cause of TTP (officially known as Fattana-ul-Khwaraj) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, BLA in Balochistan, and PTI is the same and that is to harm the state of Pakistan and target state institutions. It looks like PTI, BLA, and TTP are actually sides of the same coin and their agenda is to stop the development of the state of Pakistan. There are also facilitators and their funders, and these are the powers that do not tolerate the development of Pakistan.

There is a silver lining as well and that is the citizens of Pakistan are now aware of anti-national narratives of PTI, TTP, and BLA and they stand with their Pakistan Army and security agencies. Therefore, the government of Pakistan and the security agencies should not show any leniency with these anti-national, anti-people terrorists and deal with them with iron hands. The only difference between TTP and PTI is that TTP used only guns against Pakistan Army and Pakistan while PTI used all political and diplomatic weapons to harm Pakistan. Sending letters to IMF for not granting loans to Pakistan and writing letters to the UN to tag Pakistan as a state of concern over alleged Human Rights abuses had been some of PTI tools and the United States Commission of International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) put Pakistan in the list of country of concern due to letters written by PTI to UN and European Union.

It may be remembered that TTP attacked GHQ Rawalpindi in October 2009 and PTI did the same on May 9, 2023. Suppose PTI is not an enemy of Pakistan as BLA and TTP are. In that case, it must prove it through actions and let peace prevail in Pakistan and must not engage security agencies in dealing with unruly circumstances that PTI creates almost every week.

 

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The Ruling Elite Decides the Destiny of Poor Pakistanis: A Story of Dreams Lost and Power Untouched

By Maria Hameed

In a small village on the periphery of Lahore, Muhammad Bota wakes up before dawn every day. His routine is as predictable as it is hard tending to the fields he doesn’t own, earning barely enough to feed his family of six. For Muhammad Bota, like millions of other poor Pakistanis, dreams of a better life feel distant, almost impossible. His children, who should be in school, often help in the fields or at local shops, because the family can’t afford the luxury of education. The stark contrast between their lives and the lives of the ruling elite couldn’t be more glaring.

While Muhammad Bota struggles to make ends meet, the country’s wealthy and powerful continue to prosper in their air-conditioned offices and splendid homes. The ruling elite—politicians, military leaders, and business moguls—control the fate of people like him, making decisions that affect the entire nation but rarely consider the trouble of the poor.

In Pakistan, poverty is not just a statistic; it’s a daily reality for families who live in small homes or villages, for street vendors in bustling cities, and for the millions who sweat in factories or fields without any job security. Every decision made by the powerful in Islamabad, Karachi, or Lahore moves through the lives of people like Muhammad Bota, determining whether they will have access to necessities like healthcare, education, or even clean drinking water.

In the corridors of power, decisions about economic policies, land reforms, and foreign loans are made without consulting the people they impact. These policies often serve the interests of the elite while leaving the poor to suffer. Families like Muhammad Bota’s rarely feel the benefits of government initiatives. Instead, they endure rising prices, poor infrastructure, and lack of opportunities, while the wealthy protect their interests.

For ordinary Pakistanis, the idea of democracy brings little comfort. While elections may offer the illusion of choice, they often present the same powerful families and political dynasties. For people like Muhammad Bota, whose entire life has been marked by struggle, the faces in power change, but the outcomes remain the same.

The elite who control politics have the money and resources to run large campaigns, securing votes through rarely fulfilled promises. They can afford to manipulate the system, exploiting the very people they claim to represent. In the villages and slums, voters are courted with short-term incentives—bags of rice or small cash handouts—while the long-term needs of the poor remain unmet.

This system, where power rests with the elite, leaves ordinary Pakistanis voiceless. They are asked to participate in democracy, yet they remain unheard and unseen in the halls of power. The interests of the wealthy drown out their votes, their needs, and their hopes for a better life.

In the daily grind of survival, people like Muhammad Bota are forced to make impossible choices—should he buy medicine for his sick child or pay for a few kilos of flour to feed the family for another week? These choices are heartbreaking, but they are the reality for millions of Pakistanis.

Meanwhile, the elite live in an entirely different world. They have access to the best education, healthcare, and opportunities that the country has to offer. Their children study in prestigious institutions, often abroad, while the majority of Pakistan’s youth are left behind, attending underfunded schools or dropping out to support their families.

The contrast is stark and painful. While one part of the country enjoys privileges that few can imagine, the rest are trapped in a cycle of poverty, with no realistic way out. For many, the belief that their fate is controlled by a distant, indifferent ruling class feels all too real

One of the greatest barriers to change in Pakistan is the entrenched corruption within the system. For the poor, corruption is not an abstract concept—it is the reality of dealing with local officials, accessing public services, and navigating everyday life. Bribes and favors are often required to get basic needs met, whether it’s a permit for a small business or a place in a public school.

For those who live at the bottom, corruption adds another layer of difficulty to their already challenging lives. Meanwhile, the elite benefit from a system where their wealth can buy influence and ensure that the rules do not apply to them. This corrupt system allows the rich to thrive, while the poor are left with fewer and fewer opportunities.

Yet, despite all the hardships, hope flickers in the hearts of many ordinary Pakistanis. In communities across the country, people are coming together to support each other, creating grassroots movements and advocating for change. Educators are offering free lessons to children in low-income neighborhoods, healthcare workers are volunteering in remote areas, and young activists are demanding accountability from those in power.

Muhammad Bota, too, holds on to hope. Though he knows the system is rigged against him, he dreams of a day when his children will have the opportunity to break free from the cycle of poverty that has defined his life. He dreams of a Pakistan where the ruling elite are held accountable, where ordinary people have a say in the decisions that shape their futures, and where wealth and opportunity are shared more fairly.

The story of Pakistan’s poor is a story of resilience and endurance in the face of incredible hardship. But it is also a story of injustice, where the powerful decide the fate of the powerless. This imbalance cannot continue indefinitely. Real change will come when Pakistan’s ruling elite is willing to share power, address corruption, and prioritize the needs of all citizens, not just the privileged few.

Until then, people like Muhammad Bota will continue to carry the heavy burden of inequality, dreaming of a future where they, too, have a say in their own destiny.

 

Maria Hameed is an MPhil Mass Communication student with a robust background in communication studies, research methods, and social issues. She offers expert analysis and insightful commentary on contemporary media trends and challenges facing today’s youth. Maria brings a unique cultural perspective to her work, enriching her contributions with a blend of academic rigor and cultural insight.

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Donald Trump gave a winning speech before the official results saying he will not go for war rather will stop wars

Monitoring Desk: Thanking his children, wife, supporters, and all who stood with him, Donald Trump gave a winning address before official results were announced. He said that he would not go for wars rather would stop wars,

Donald Trump gave a winning speech before the official results
Donald Trump gave a winning speech before the official results

Trump concluded his remarks as:

“We had everybody, and it was beautiful, it was a historic realignment, uniting citizens of all backgrounds around a common core of common sense. Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason, and that reason was to save our country. I will govern by a simple motto: Promises made, promises kept. It’s time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us,” he added. “It’s time to unite,” said Trump.

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Mr Imran Khan this was you who gave an extension to former COAS alone instead of other chiefs

Islamabad, Pakistan: The jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the extension (of Army chief) made institutions weaker rather than making them stronger. This comment has appeared on the official X account of Imran Khan run by PTI officials.

Interestingly, in 2019 when Imran Khan was Prime Minister, he notified the extension of the then Chief of Pakistan Army Gen (now retired) Qamar Bajwa in August 2019 although Bajwa was scheduled to be retired in November 2019. A notification signed by Imran Khan on August 19 stated that General Bajwa was “appointed for another term of three years from the date of completion of current tenure”. The decision was justified based on the “regional security environment”. However, things became complicated when the Supreme Court heard a petition on this issue but Gen Bajwa continued in his office and then on Jan 1, 2020, the Federal cabinet under the chair of Prime Minister Imran Khan, gave approval of amendment in Army Act for extension in tenure of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. An emergency meeting of the cabinet was convened under the chair of Prime Minister Imran Khan to review the amendment in the Act for the extension of service of the army chief.

Mr Imran Khan this was you who gave extension to former COAS alone instead of other chiefs

On January 3, 2020, the government of Imran Khan introduced legislation to extend the tenure of the army chief in line with a Supreme Court order. On Jan 7, 2020, the National Assembly approved legislation for the extension of the then Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s term by another three years.

Now this same Imran Khan is criticizing the extension in the tenure of Armed chiefs although this time government had not made laws for individual centric rather amendment is in general and for all chiefs. The government amended the Pakistan Army Act 1952 to increase the tenure of the army chief from three years to five years. This time government also passed two more important laws, one to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court, and the other to amend the Practice and Procedure Act.

As soon as the law was passed, PTI, maintaining its tradition, started criticizing the government and the forces of Pakistan and at the same time took a U-turn and termed the extension of the army chief’s tenure anti-democratic and Imran Khan called the development as:

“The occupation of the country is dominated by the mafia which is adopting every tactic to prolong its power and occupation, which neither the constitution nor the law nor political morality allows.”

He once again incited the people to come out on the streets to spread chaos. He tried unsuccessfully to fool the public into forgetting that he had decided to extend the then Army Chief during his tenure in the interest of his government.

If the founding PTI was really against the extension of military leadership, PTI should have considered it before approving the extension of the tenure of the then-army chief during his tenure. At the time of the extension, the founding PTI had called the decision necessary for the country’s stability, but now is calling the same action as “politics and government interests and undesirable”.

In addition, the founding PTI and its allies themselves supported the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which provided legal justification for the extension of military leadership. This decision was taken under political interests at that time, now the PTI founder is blaming it on others. If expansion was an undemocratic process, why did the founding PTI itself become a part of it? The contradiction in his position is clear that he became a part of this system for his interests and now when his interest is affected, he is criticizing the same system.

According to political experts, the claim of the founder of PTI and its supporters that they raised their voices for democracy and independence of the judiciary in the country does not seem understandable when they have been supporting such constitutional amendments and decisions. This changing political situation makes it clear that Khan’s position is changing according to his gains and he is a prime example of political opportunism.

In this situation, it is important for the people to look at the courage and good intentions of the political leaders who decided to work beyond their personal interests rather than in the interest of the country. It should be remembered that democracy, the rule of law, and the constitution are not important only as long as it is in one’s interest. It is clear from the current position of the founder of PTI that his political decisions keep changing according to time and circumstances, and his interests may be behind this change, not public benefit.

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Does close partnership between China and Pakistan provide immunity to attack Chinese citizens?

Islamabad, Pakistan: There is no doubt that Pakistan and China are close partners and iron brothers, united by a bond of mutual respect and shared destiny but does this relation provide immunity to Pakistanis to attack or kill Chinese citizens?

In another event in Karachi, two Chinese nationals were shot and injured and the Foreign Office of Pakistan stated that it was a result of a firing incident following a dispute with a private guard.
The Foreign Office expressed sympathy to the families of the injured and offered prayers for their swift recovery. The statement further stated that the incident is under investigation and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in close contact with the Ministry of Interior and the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad.
“Pakistan and China are close partners and iron brothers, united by a bond of mutual respect and shared destiny”, added the FO statement.
On October 31, 2024, Pakistan FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed “surprise” over the Chinese Ambassador’s concerns about the security situation in Pakistan. Addressing the weekly briefing, Baloch said that Ambassador Jiang Zaidong’s statement “does not reflect Islamabad and Beijing diplomatic tradition.” Baloch called the Chinese envoy’s response “surprising.”

It may be mentioned that addressing a seminar in Islamabad on Tuesday, Jiang Zaidong said that two terror attacks within six months were unacceptable and the government (Pakistan) should launch a crackdown against all anti-China terrorist groups. He called security the biggest constraint to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and added that “without a safe and sound environment nothing can be achieved”.
Chinese Ambassador said that Pakistan should severely punish the perpetrators and crack down on all anti-China terrorist groups. To punish terrorists, Pakistan needs a mechanism that is directly linked with Pakistan’s justice system and it has been testified that the normal judicial system has failed to cater to the demands of dealing with terrorists.
Surprisingly, Pakistan’s Foreign Office which is known for its Western tilt hardly responds to any statement regarding the security issues within Pakistan if it comes from Western countries such as the United States or the EU but was quick to respond statement of the Chinese Ambassador.

Karachi factory where Chinese were shot at

On October 6th, a convoy carrying Chinese staff of the Port Qasim Electric Power Company (Private) Limited was attacked near the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, which caused two Chinese died, one Chinese injured, and some local casualties. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan strongly condemned this terrorist attack.
The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan launched an emergency plan immediately, requesting the Pakistani side to investigate the attack thoroughly, severely punish the perpetrators, and take all necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions, and projects in Pakistan. However, the Chinese are attacked again in less than one month.

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Kidnapping of Pakistani youths in Thailand

Monitoring Desk: Two more young boys from Pakistan are kidnapped in Thailand but the government of Pakistan is silent over such incidents.

The entire Pakistan, especially Azad Kashmir, is affected by the incidents of kidnapping and torture of Pakistani youths in Thailand. Two youths from Muzaffarabad, Advocate Rais Abbasi and Umar Asif, are also among the abductees. These youths belong to Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir, where the people are already facing numerous difficulties and deprivations. These two youths facing this violent situation is another tragic chapter in the continuous suffering of Kashmiris.

Advocate Rais Abbasi’s family while talking to the media said that their children left the country legally and were abducted on the way. He says that if the government and institutions continue to show the same indifference, they will be forced to stage a dharna in front of Parliament House Islamabad. He emphasized that these youth are the valuable assets of the state and the state has to ensure their safety

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Pakistan Minority Forum Calls for Urgent Action on Minority Rights: “Promises Must Be Honored”

Sahiwal, Pakistan: A powerful seminar held at the Arts Council Sahiwal, hosted by the Sahiwal Minority Forum Pakistan, brought together prominent political and social leaders to discuss the urgent need for protecting minority rights and enforcing constitutional promises. Attendees stressed that the government must honor commitments to minorities, both within the constitution and party manifestos, to foster a more inclusive society.

Key voices in the seminar included Ashiknaz Khokhar, Yasir Talib, Jalil Butt, Ali Waris, Najma Waseem, Dr. Irfan Bhatti, Pastor Naveed Kashif, Reverend Naeem,  Dr. Maqsood, and Aneel Younas, among others. They spoke passionately about the alarming increase in incidents affecting minorities and demanded accountability, insisting that without real enforcement, these tragedies will only escalate. “It’s time to hold those responsible accountable,” one speaker emphasized, “to prevent further harm and ensure true protection for minority communities.”

A major point of discussion was the violation of Article 22-A of Pakistan’s Constitution. The participants argued that education must not create a sense of superiority for any single religious group, as it disrupts the social balance and contributes to deep-seated divisions. They also pointed to the overall gap between laws on paper and their real-world application, which remains a persistent obstacle to justice.

Pakistan Minority Forum

Speakers also called out the government for failing to fulfill promises in their party manifestos regarding minority welfare. They highlighted the need for stronger laws against forced conversions and early marriages and demanded concrete actions to protect the lives and property of minorities. “There is a clear gap between promises and reality,” one participant noted, “and this lack of action is deeply felt in our communities.”

The forum closed with a pledge from the participants to stay closely connected with local leaders and ensure minority representation in district-level decision-making. “We will not be silent,” they said collectively, “We will continue to advocate and ensure that minorities have a seat at the table for all district issues.”

With the seminar’s powerful message ringing through the district, Sahiwal’s minority communities are calling on government leaders to turn their promises into action and secure a future where all citizens can thrive equally.

 

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“Ustad Bashiruddin- A Restrained Grace” and “Bleeding Borders”

Lahore, Pakistan: In connection with the celebrations marking 150 years of Mayo School of Arts and National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan, the opening ceremony of “The Drawings of Ustad Bashir ud Din—A Restrained Grace ” and Amin Rehman’s installation project “Bleeding Borders” will be held on November 12, 2024, at 4 p.m. at the Zahoor ul Akhlaq Gallery at National College of Arts. This exhibition will travel to the National Art Gallery, Islamabad, from December 2 to 15, 2024. 

“Ustad Bashiruddin- A Restrained Grace” and “Bleeding Borders”

“Bleeding Borders” and “Ustad Bashiruddin- A Restrained Grace” feature two separate bodies of works exhibited at the Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq Gallery in NCA. The latter features drawings, projections of paintings and archival material related to Ustad Bashiruddin who was a student and teacher at Mayo School of Industrial Arts followed by National College of Arts, Lahore. The institution was renamed as it underwent restructuring in 1958 and became the National College of Arts, Lahore. The second set of artworks features contemporary art by Amin Rehman who is a contemporary artist based in Toronto, Canada.

Ustad Bashir ud Din was born and raised in Kasur, Punjab. He received his art education from the Mayo School of Arts Lahore and taught at the Mayo School and National College of Arts Lahore from 1953 to 1982. He was a master miniature painter known for his wash painting style and drawing. He worked in the Department of Fine Arts till 1982 after which he retired. He went on to nurture and guide generations of students who became famous artists and designers. Forty drawings of Ustad Bashir ud Din’s will be on display for the first time in this exhibition. This section of the exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue with academic essays on Ustad Bashiruddin written by Mrs. Salima Hashmi, Aasim Akhtar, and Zohreen Murtaza.

In the second gallery, Ustad Bashir ud Din’s son Amin Rehman exhibits his recent project titled, “Bleeding Borders.” Rehman’s deep knowledge of history inspired him to travel ancient trading routes through the region’s contemporary borderlands. His artworks are the result of on-site research and documentation that explores the living situation of communities surviving along Pakistan’s borderlands, which include India, Iran, and Afghanistan. Rehman investigates the migration of people through trade routes and traces metaphorical steps that Central Asian invaders took to reach India. The resulting artworks guide us with untold and hidden stories, shedding light on various poor living conditions and repercussions of colonial rule. Often they move across borders for economic and social reasons owing to their cultural and social ties across both sides. The larger body of work in this series comments on political interests, foreign intervention, histories of invasions, and the living situations at the borders. Amin Rehman is exhibiting forty mixed-media works, including neon signage and video projections.

“Bleeding Borders” is accompanied by catalogue texts from Dr. Lee Rodney, Manar AboTouk, Varda Nisar, Asim Akhtar and Zohreen Murtaza.

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