Lahore, Pakistan: The Peoples Commission for Minorities’ Rights (PCMR) has warned the government that establishing another ineffective and powerless minorities’ commission will fail to achieve the purpose of meaningful inclusion of religious minorities in policy-making, hence, the proposed scheme of its constitution will not address the issue of their marginalization in the system. The autonomy of this body will lie in the independence of the constituting instrument and the strength of its composition and quality appointments.
PCMR stated that a rights body failing to meet the UN Paris Principles, including having a competent composition, would be unacceptable to minorities.
In a joint statement given by Peter Jacob, the Chairperson, Justice (R) Kailashnath Kohli, Dr. A. H. Nayyar, and Michelle Chaudhry, provincial heads of Punjab and Balochistan, referred to the ministerial meeting headed by Rana Sanaullah Khan, the Advisor to Prime Minister. The PCMR representative stated that for over 30 years, a powerless minorities’ commission had been set up. As it was toothless, therefore it failed to address the grievances of the religious minorities. It is sad to note that the Federal government is repeating mistakes, which will not serve the purpose of integrating religious minorities.
The proposed commission through legislation, should to be a rights body therefore “we demand that its powers must be equivalent to those of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR). They cautioned that any attempt to weaken the commission, such as including unnecessary representation from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), would make it contradictory and unequal to other human rights bodies functioning in the country. Since the constitution of Pakistan does not suggest a role of the CII in any matter related to religious minorities, therefore the government should avoid making the CII part of any controversy.
The PCMR statement emphasized that the government must consult relevant rights organizations, especially since the commission will function as a human rights body. Moreover, the autonomy of the National Commission for Minorities’ Rights. The PCMR representatives also demanded that the commission adhere to the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s 2014 judgment, delivered by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani regarding the body for inclusion of minorities in policy-making.
While energy has become a key factor in many developing economies, it has also become a tool for political maneuvering, especially in South and Central Asia.
This article looks into the complex interplay of resource endowments, infrastructure development, and geopolitical contexts influencing the energy economies of Pakistan and Central Asia.
Picture yourself at the crossroads of Asia, where the stunning snow-covered peaks of the Himalayan slope finally meet with the inexhaustible flatlands connected with Central Asia. Some of the world’s most resource-rich, but infrastructure- and conflict-challenged nations are among those with the largest stakes. Pakistan whose population is booming and its industrial base in on the upswing, confronts a different set of challenges from those that resource-rich but landlocked Central Asia faces.
The primary cause of Pakistan’s energy crisis is a shortage of indigenous resources. Due to its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, Pakistan is susceptible to changes in supply and price fluctuations. Hope and sorrow have been mixed in Pakistan’s energy sector. Chronic power outages have plagued the nation for the past 10 years, leaving cities in the dark; however, a ray of optimism has emerged in recent years.
In stark opposition, however, lie the central Asian nations, which are endowed with extremely abundant hydrocarbon deposits. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan possess huge oil and gas reserves, rendering them energy net exporters.
Despite this abundance of natural resources, central Asia has its own set of problems. The so-called ‘curse of resources’ drives certain countries into dependence on hydrocarbon exports, which might not favor the process of economic diversification.
Now visualize a very dynamic city in Pakistan, with gleaming solar panels mounted on skyline buildings while in the distance, a few wind turbines spin at low speed against the backdrop of the snowcapped mountains of Central Asia. This is nothing out of a sci-fi novel, instead, it is what the energy partnership between Pakistan and Central Asia will look like by 2050.
As the sun rises from above the Karakoram highway, a convoy of electric trucks awakens with a hum to the modern Silk Road. It is neither a mere transporter of goods, it is a symbol of a transforming alliance on energy that has altered the geopolitical landscape of this area.
Natural Gas: the bridge to a Green future
This partnership is majorly grounded on the network of natural gas pipelines crawling between countries. The apparition of Turkmenistan- Afghanistan- Pakistan- India (TAPI), still considered a pipe dream, could be a landmark confirmation of regional cooperation. By 2050, this spinal cord of energy will bring not only cleaner coal alternatives but also a greatly improved economic interdependence.
“The TAPI pipeline has become the economic backbone of our region,” says a beaming Pakistani energy minister in a holographic interview. “It’s not just about gas; it’s about shared prosperity.”
Hydropower: Tapping into the Roof of the World
Through the relying streams of Central Asia, mountains gradually will add to the capacity of further regions with clean and renewable energy. The joint hydroelectric projects implemented in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan could power millions of houses in Pakistan and throughout the region, allowing the “water tower of Asia” to emerge as an energy champion.
Renewable Revolution: Harnessing Sun and Wind
A renewable energy revolution will take place in the sunbaked deserts of Pakistan and wind-swept steppes of Kazakhstan. Huge solar farms and wind parks would be spread out over miles of land, integrating with an across-the-border smart grid providing technology.
“We’ve turned our geographical challenges into our greatest assets,” a Kazakh energy expert explains. “Our once-barren lands now harvest the sun and wind, powering a brighter future for all.”
What if this chasm began to close? What if Afghanistan could emerge not as a source of division and distraction but as the key to opening up the whole region’s energy and economic potential?
Challenges and implementation: The Afghanistan Dilemma
All of this sounds nothing but a dream come true but the Afghanistan dilemma in this process is undeniable. The countries of Central Asia and Pakistan have always been landlocked throughout history, faced with an urge of fate, bound together by the inescapable reality of a geopolitical web spread by Afghanistan. This vast and hilly expanse, set in a triangle between regional ambitions and the superpowers, casts a long shadow on hopes for economic cooperation infrastructure development, and energy security in Asia’s heart. Afghanistan has been a bridge and a barrier, a strategic puzzle and a source of unmitigated tension for decades. Yet, in this very turmoil, there lies the potential for a fledgling yet transformative partnership- if only Afghanistan were to set aside the strife festering within for a future in its making.
The plans for energy pipelines, electricity grids, and trade routes, like the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline, or the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000), have been undermined by the very instability that Afghanistan itself has suffered. The unyielding terrain, fragile security environment, and frail governance structure have made it impossible to lay the foundations of a future where Central Asia’s oil, gas, and hydroelectric power can fuel the growth of Pakistan and the broader South Asian region.
Energy projects that could be the lifeblood of the region are hanging by a thread of uncertainty. Pakistan is suffering now due to its growing population and other industrial necessities for power. Meanwhile, the energy-rich Central Asian republics, through their vast deposits of natural gas and electricity potential, are simply unable to access the lucrative global markets without a secure transportation route through Afghanistan. Very simply, this great energy potential has remained uninspired due to a devastating and erratic current.
What if this chasm began to close? What if Afghanistan could emerge not as a source of division and distraction but as the key to opening up the whole region’s energy and economic potential?
First and foremost to enable Afghanistan to play an important role and serve as a bridge for regional prosperity is to restore peace and order within its territory and territory. The establishment of a stable, inclusive government, security, and an environment suitable for international and regional investment must be established. The Afghan state must tackle extremism, reconstruction of infrastructure projects, and instill confidence in the international community. There should be a clear indication to the world that the country was prepared, as a reliable partner, to be able to deliver on promises made, protect foreign investments, and ensure the safety of transnational infrastructure.
Foreign investors are mind-shackled by the terror of violence, instability, and political unpredictability. Infrastructure projects in such countries shrink to paper—dreams unrealized. The Central Asian countries cannot meet this challenge alone, together with Pakistan. They need Afghanistan’s entrance to the future and a voice: “We are ready. We are stable. We are open for business.”
A very high stake indeed. The future of a whole region is at stake. If Afghanistan can really shed its past, if the countries of Central Asia and Pakistan can come together at last in a spirit of cooperation and trust, then Central Asia could be reborn as a center of energy, trade, development, and wonder. The energy pipelines could flow at last; the electrical grids could endure in their lighting of cities stretching from Islamabad to Almaty. The world could witness the birth of a new Central Asia- peaceful, prosperous, and powerful.
Economic Renaissance: The Fruits of Cooperation
This very energy partnership can be the catalyst for an economic renaissance across the region:
Infrastructure Development: New roads, railways, and digital networks will come up along with energy projects and connect once-isolated communities.
Foreign Investment: A stable energy supply will pull in international investors and solidify the region as a manufacturing and tech center.
Regional Economic Growth: A rising tide lifts all boats; energy sector growth is beneficial to the region’s development in education, healthcare, and innovation.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article/Opinion/Comment are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the DND Thought Center and Dispatch News Desk (DND). Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of the DND Thought Center and Dispatch News Desk News.
Islamabad, Pakistan: Another Fake News Gang busted as 13 more Hatemongers clamped from different cities of the country.
Fake News and Hatemongering have become lethal weapons against states and Pakistan is a particular victim of this Digital Terrorism. Action intensified against those involved in negative propaganda on social media and spreading hate speech on social media.
The government has started strict action against those spreading mischief on social media. The accused who spread fake news on social media include Saleem Akhtar, Salman Nasir, Sajid Hussain, Muhammad Khalid Khurshid, Asim Ayub, and Babar Muzaffar.
Cases have also been registered against Sher Azim Khan, Mubeen Shah, Ali Haider, Nader Hussain, Chaudhry Zulfiqar, Jamil Mirza, and Muhammad Basit Malik.
The accused belong to Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujarat, Layyah, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh, Hawalnagar, Gilgit, Ghizer, and Zhob. Cases have been registered against 19 accused before this. Strict legal action against these accused is being implemented.
Pakistan is home to over 3.7 million (official figure) Afghan refugees, making it the second-largest hosting refugee country in the world. This great resettlement is posing serious threats to Pakistan’s cohesion and national security framework.
The persistence of Afghan refugees, who crossed the borders of Afghanistan into Pakistan after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021; has escalated security threats manifolds, especially in the context of the long and sensitive 2670 km Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Policymakers in Pakistan are under pressure to meet humanitarian responsibilities, and at the same time manage other pressing security challenges including terrorist activities and border security. The crisis cuts across the economy, and social integration and therefore calls for a serious re-assessment of Pakistan’s response to the issue of refugee management, its policies, and strategies for peace in the expected saturation of such response.
Almost 94% of wire mesh fencing and infrared surveillance have been completed but several unauthorized crossing areas remain as potential threats to security
Current Scale of Afghan Migration Invasion of Pakistan: Continuing Chaos Following US Support of the Taliban
A recent report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) demonstrates the penetration of civilian Afghan migration into Pakistan on a never-before-seen scale. According to the data on Aeps, the overall Afghan population in Pakistan with immigration status increased to 3.7 million in 2024 and is still increasing.
The security challenges along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have been aggravated due to the recent increase in cross-border movement
Latest Migration Statistics and Trends in 2023 Report
Currently, three different categories of Afghans reside in Pakistan with different legal statuses. About 1.3 million are officially registered as refugees on account of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, whereas about 840000 have been issued Afghan Citizenship Cards (ACC). Approximately 775000 are still unaccounted for in terms of registration, which means they hold no documentation whatsoever, further adding massive security challenges and bureaucratic hurdles. After the August 2021 Taliban takeover, around 600,000 Afghans relocated to Pakistan during that initial exodus.
Serious Security Concerns
The security challenges along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have been aggravated due to the recent increase in cross-border movement and terrorist attacks along the western border towns. The security situation has further deteriorated due to the escalation in illegal crossings. Even after enhancing fencing and surveillance along the 2600 kilometers long boundary with Afghanistan, Pakistan has found it difficult to keep the border secured. Almost 94% of the border infrastructure development project consisting of wire mesh fencing, and infrared surveillance has been completed. However, the mountainous region and many unauthorized crossing areas remain as potential threats to security.
Pakistani security officials have reported increased military activity, particularly in border provinces. Out of 24 suicide bombings in recent months, 14 involved illegal immigrants from Afghanistan, in addition, they are also involved in Arms and Narcotics smuggling. TTP is also finding it easy to increase its terrorist activities using these illegal immigrants thus causing chaos and fear amongst the innocent population of Pakistan.
Moreover, the absence of valid crossing documents and using an old outdated version of the local slip which can be issued to anyone has facilitated terrorists to enter Pakistan without any hindrances. Strangely, the Taliban Government is still adamant about continuing the same old outdated procedure instead of a valid visa system.
Polio eradication campaigns also face resistance in Afghan refugee housing colonies as the population is averse to administering polio drops to their young ones
Another excuse mentioned is the divided families across the border, there are families divided across the border in Punjab, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, but they can only meet and cross over the border with valid visa documents. Pakistan being a responsible state cannot allow cross-border movement without valid visa documents and it is now time for these divided villages must decide about their future and adopt the valid and legal procedure to cross the border. This situation is particularly relevant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which have divided villages along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Economic Burden Assessment
The economic implications of hosting Afghan refugees have placed unprecedented strain on Pakistan’s financial resources, with recent estimates indicating a cost of PKR 610.90 billion over three years for managing the current refugee population. Impact on Public Resources The influx has significantly stressed Pakistan’s public infrastructure, particularly in border regions where essential services are already scarce and limited. Key impact areas include; Healthcare facilities operating at 175% capacity in refugee-dense areas; educational institutions accommodating 26 million out-of-school children; including half a million refugee children; water and sanitation systems requiring substantial upgrades to meet increased demand, and housing shortages in urban areas driving up rental costs. It is worth mentioning that polio eradication campaigns also face resistance in Afghan refugee housing colonies as the population is averse to administering polio drops to their young ones.
Changes in the Legal Framework
Pakistan’s immigration laws have undergone significant changes. The Ministry of State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), through its Office of the High Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, is working with international organizations to implement these changes. Recent legal changes include:
Documentation Reform
Introduction of a Biometric Verification System
Improved Border Management Protocols
Simplified Registration Procedures
Rights and Security Access to Bank Accounts for Registered Migrants
Border management powers of people have been strengthened using rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches. This includes defence planning, legal services, and maintenance case management. This strategy is now included in the tripartite agreement between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UNHCR, which has been extended until 2021, and the Regional Strategy for Afghan Refugee Resolution (SSAR). These processes provide a systematic way to manage refugees and discuss security issues. The 1993 Memorandum of Understanding between UNHCR and Pakistan continues to be the foundation for international refugee protection while fulfilling domestic policies. The system has helped process 251,000 new registration applications as of August 2021, reflecting the persistence of the refugee management crisis.
Pakistan’s management of the Afghan refugee crisis represents one of the most complex humanitarian and security challenges in South Asia. The presence of 3.7 million Afghan refugees has created multifaceted pressures on Pakistan’s national infrastructure, from border security to economic resources. Security concerns remain paramount, particularly with increased cross-border militant activities and strain on law enforcement capabilities. The economic burden also continues to stretch Pakistan’s public resources beyond sustainable limits. Social integration efforts show mixed results, with successful community initiatives counterbalanced by persistent cultural tensions and limited access to public services. Pakistan’s policy response demonstrates a shift toward structured management frameworks, though international aid meets only 22.5% of requested assistance. The situation demands renewed international commitment and support to address both the humanitarian needs of these Afghan refugees and the security concerns of Pakistan.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article/Opinion/Comment are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the DND Thought Center and Dispatch News Desk (DND). Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of the DND Thought Center and Dispatch News Desk News.
Karachi, Pakistan: An FIR was registered against seven more accused for provocative and false statements on social media. The accused were spreading anti-state propaganda and false narratives through social media.
According to available information, the miscreants from Karachi include Muhammad Sohail, Muhammad Junaid, Sheikh Muhammad Ehsan, Tariq Jamil, Syed Rizwan, Muhammad Ahmed and Babar Azeem. The accused were spreading hateful propaganda against the state through various WhatsApp groups and X-accounts.
The accused will be arrested soon and strict legal action will be taken. It should be noted that cases were registered against 12 accused yesterday, who have been identified.
Islamabad, Pakistan: The leadership of the Pakistan Army has expressed grave concern over the malicious pre-planned, coordinated, and premeditated propaganda by certain political elements that reflect an attempt to drive a wedge between the public and the Armed Forces and institutions of Pakistan.
The two days 84th Formation Commanders Conference at GHQ was presided over by General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) while Corps Commanders, Principal Staff Officers, and all Formation Commanders of Pakistan Army attended the forum.
It may be noted that the Federal government under Article 245 of the Constitution deployed the Pakistan Army as a support instrument of civil administration in the capital city of Islamabad to secure key government buildings and provide a safe and secure environment when the President of Belarus was visiting Pakistan along with a huge delegation and PTI announced protest at the same time and tried to attack Islamabad and disrupted public life.
The forum resolved that the Army remains committed to serving the nation & public and guard against all external and internal threats without any bias and political affiliation, and any attempt to pitch innocent people against each other and use of violence as an instrument for vested gains can never be tolerated.
The Forum again observed concerns over the Fake News phenomenon that is hampering the well-being of society The forum emphasized the need to purge Fake News propagation and highlighted that the Government must promulgate and implement stringent laws and regulations to check unfettered and unethical use of freedom of expression to spew venom, lies and sow the seeds of polarization in the society. The forum observed that spreading fake news for vested political/financial interests needs to be identified and brought to justice.
Unabated use of Afghan soil against Pakistan by terrorists especially those belonging to Fitna Al Khwarij (TTP) was also noted with concern. The forum urged that it is in the interest of both neighboring Islamic countries to rather focus on mutually beneficial engagements and IAG needs to take visible measures to prevent the use of its soil by the terrorists.
The forum reiterated its resolve to continue supporting all socioeconomic & development efforts being undertaken in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa and Balochistan by Federal and Provincial Governments for the well-being of the resilient people of these Provinces who continue to stand tall against the scourge of terrorism.
Highlighting the Army’s commitment to socioeconomic progress, the forum resolved to continue to support government efforts in fostering economic growth, cracking down on the illegal spectrum, and eradicating the terror-crime nexus.
The forum began by offering Fateha and paying solemn tribute to the martyrs of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, and citizens of Pakistan who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s security and sovereignty, including those Law Enforcement Agencies personnel who embraced martyrdom during recent violent protests in Islamabad.
The forum condemned ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support for the Kashmiri people. It also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, strongly condemning the atrocities in Gaza and supporting international legal measures to end military aggression.
Participants were briefed on the prevailing security environment, both external and internal, and reviewed the Army’s operational readiness to address evolving traditional and non-traditional threats.
The forum conducted a comprehensive analysis of ongoing counterterrorism operations and resolved to continue neutralizing terrorists, their facilitators, and abettors working at the behest of hostile forces to destabilize Pakistan, with heightened focus on operations against terrorists operating inside Balochistan including BLA Majeed Brigade.
Concluding the conference, the COAS emphasized the importance of professionalism, operational readiness, and the Army’s unwavering dedication to ensuring Pakistan’s security and stability, notwithstanding any odds and challenges.
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has been one of the most popular soft power tools of the Western world to keep an eye on democracies, mostly in developing countries. Many critics of Global South claim that BBC’s pivotal role for Western powers in indoctrinating the self-serving narrative of True Democracy, Rule Based Order, Human Rights, Freedom of Expression, and Global Citizenship and promotes Western definition of democracy and rule-based order resulting in any other form of governance becoming anti-democratic and destructive.
Fake narrative building helped the West in several regime changes, prompting Islamophobia, Russophobia, and now the idea of containing China. In the quest to serve the Western standards of human rights and freedom of expression sometimes BBC coined new dictions in the past but now writing new concepts of media ethics where hearsay has become a tool for what BBC wishes to establish against any country, regime, political party or in favor of the western cause. However, this game of exploiting its own written media ethics that have nothing to do with media ethics being taught globally, and due to this style of reporting the BBC is surely facing a credibility crisis. Now one can find BBC reports that can surely be considered “fake News” or “cooked News”.
Moreover, the Gaza genocide exposed BBC’s double standards of the so-called protector of human rights, child rights, women’s rights, and freedom of expression because BBC plays the role of a blinded folded media covering the Gaza genocide by publishing only what Israel and Western hegemons wish to promote. The Western narrative of self-righteousness gives room to the idea that the only right way is their way, the rest is autocratic, inhuman, purging of human rights, etc. though in reality, Western-defined rule-based order is a prime source of disorder and chaos in the world. Gaza is the only exception rather the coverage of the Ukraine War is also based on new media ethics BBC is coming although they are in contradiction of laid down rules of reporting. In the last decade, BBC has become crazy and even facing a credibility crisis within the Western world. So BBC’s reporting about Pakistan is not an exception to its habit of creating ‘news’ out of hearsay and without citing credible sources.
However, now it has become the new norm for BBC to target the Pakistan Army without having concrete facts, figures, and sources. In the last 10 days, two BBC reports cited ‘sources’ without naming them indicating that Pakistan is again at target of BBC as it had been in the past.
The reporting of foreign media, particularly BBC on the PTI November 24-26 protest confirmed without being present at the scene of the alleged firing of security forces on protesters of PTI on the night of November 26, 2024, foreign media reported that shotguns were used by the police, 45 or 55 (there is a difference of 10 numbers and they are talking about humans, not cucumbers) protesters were wounded and transferred to Poly Clinic Hospital and some of them were received dead at hospitals however, foreign media has no identities of these 45 or 55 persons and have no footage of their dead bodies nor their addresses from where they belonged and such reports provides just ‘sources requesting anonymity’ and eye ‘witnesses’ who are not ready to be mentioned and they who are faceless, nameless, and without any identity. BBC report had audio files of ‘eyewitnesses’ and claimed that hospital authorities were not sharing data and files of injured but same time claimed it had audios of some hospital authorities. The report also added that ‘some injured at hospitals denied to show their identities in fear of their arrest. According to the procedure, no injured person can be provided the facilities of operation and even first aid if the case is Medico Legal (gunshots, etc) and he is alive but does not want to share an identity. It is also claimed that postmortem of dead persons was not allowed and bodies were taken away by relatives but where these bodies were sent and buried has not been investigated by the foreign media.
Now in another report, BBC claimed that some families of personnel of the Pakistan Army (retired/serving) talked to BBC claiming that they had been harassed and bullied for supporting former prime minister Imran Khan but the entire report is based on anonymity and anonymous figure having no name and no identity. Should the Pakistan government not ask BBC under what media ethics BBC is developing stories without naming so-called victims? In her report, the anchor said that BBC contacted several families belonging to the Pakistan Army who are under threat for supporting Imran Khan. However, not a single name of such a person was mentioned in the report
In 2019, BBC ran a story against the Pakistan Army having no credible and concrete proof and documentation which was challenged by the Pakistan Army as well as by the Pakistani government. According to complaint number 1(i)/20119-DGEP, lodged by the External Publicity Wing (EP Wing) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan, BBC even manipulated the response of Pakistan’s military media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) to a BBC email, and the BBC Correspondent ran a story base of cooked, loaded, fabricated and contested information.
The story titled “Uncovering Pakistan’s Secret Human Rights Abuses” dated June 2, 2019, was strongly challenged by the ISPR on the same day and then the Pakistan government also refuted the story and challenged the credibility of a story. The Pakistan government in its complaint added that public-funded organizations (e.g. BBC) should show responsibility to uphold objectives ordained in their charter and editorial guidelines but BBC’s story accused armed forces of killing innocent civilians without having a meeting with ISPR officials or taking their detailed viewpoint. BBC avoided getting any viewpoint of ISPR by telephoning or meeting any ISPR official anywhere in Pakistan; although, the ISPR Spokesman was available to national and international media.
In April 2024, BBC again ran a story targeting the Pakistan Army for manipulating a local incident in Bahawalnagar Punjab and it did not mention any proof and credible sources against Pakistan Army’s alleged highhandedness against the local police and later investigation confirmed that allegations leveled by BBC against Pakistan Army were unfounded, cooked and contrary to facts. Here is a question why does BBC target the Pakistan Army and cook stories without having any credible data and names of so-called victims and why does it establish the entire stories on ‘hearsay’? The answer may be found in the para mentioned below which has been reproduced from an article published in April 2024 titled ‘BBC reports Bahawalnagar Incident: Pakistan is the new target of Western rule-based Disorder’. The viewpoint given by the writer may help to understand what BBC does against the Pakistan Army by creating so-called stories out of nothing. The writer says:
“Those who understand the mechanism of Western propagation can understand that the Pakistan Army that is the sole instrument of Pakistan to protect the country of 225 million people is being treated as Western media has been treating Ho Chi Minh, Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, Bashar al-Assad, Fidel Castro, Nicolás Maduro and Vladimir Putin. All, according to Western media were/are human rights abusers, denying democracy and using excessive state power against the public. The real side of the story is that the majority of personalities mentioned above fought to save their countries from Western hegemony and disintegration. Some of them survived but most of them were purged with the fatal tool of Western media well before the launching hard power of the military”.
Lahore, Pakistan: Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) has released a performance report for the month of November 2024 and claimed that it has checked 2.9 million people on the highways through the e-Police Post app.
The report says that during the checks, 610 declared criminals and court fugitives were arrested. 1.3 million vehicles were checked on the highways across Punjab, and 272 stolen vehicles/motorcycles were recovered. Legal action was taken against 25,588 overloaded vehicles for axle load violation. The action was taken against 1,035 vehicles for illegal use of gas cylinders. 07,630 driving licenses were issued for the convenience of citizens. 31 missing children were reunited with their parents. 291 temporary and permanent encroachments were removed and traffic flow was improved.
10278 passengers were provided with various types of assistance and guidance on the roads. 13781 citizens were provided with various policing services at Police Service Centers. 62 cases registered for use of illegal weapons – 1711 liters of liquor, 13050 grams of hashish, and 1027 grams of opium were recovered from drug peddlers. IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar. Duties congratulated PHP and stated that it should work with full effort and sincerity for the smooth flow of traffic, service, and safety of citizens.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province has been the biggest victim of terrorism for the past two decades.
Its law enforcement agencies have played a prominent role in this fight and the Pakistan Army and other security agencies have achieved numerous successes. However, local law enforcement agencies, especially the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), still lack resources and government attention. Is the KPK government intentionally not working to improve its CTD to check terrorism due to its alleged nexus with terror outfits such as TTP (officially known as Khawarji) or it is an issue of incompetency of the ruling elite of the province? It may be remembered that the PTI government in 2022 invited terrorists back to Pakistan from Afghanistan and former prime minister Imran Khan officially announced his project of resettling terrorists in Pakistan. For his soft corner for TTP terrorists, Imran Khan has been named ‘Taliban Khan’ by European as well as local media.
The attack on the Bannu CTD police station in December 2022 exposed these weaknesses, where the absence of basic infrastructure raised serious questions.
The federal government provided Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with about Rs 500 billion from 2010 to 2024 for the fight against terrorism. In the first nine months of the fiscal year 2023-24 alone, Rs 56 billion was given to the province, but these funds were not spent on capacity building of the CTD.
In addition, the strength of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CTD was 2,135 in 2022. In view of the criticism since the Bannu attack, according to the latest figures, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CTD has a staff strength of 4,430, including cooks, clerks and drivers. This number is by no means sufficient to deal with the terrorism threats present in the province.
There are several issues hindering the effective functioning of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), the major one of which is the non-posting of Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) cadre officers by the provincial government to the CTD.
Since 2022, the CTD had only one senior officer serving as the acting DIG, while the Punjab CTD has about 18 senior officers and two DIGs from the PSP cadre.
After repeated requests from the military, the eight Superintendents of Police were recommended for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CTD in 2023, which is still short of the challenges facing the province.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CTD department is in dire need of modern counter-terrorism training. No training program has been conducted for the CTD Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the last two years, nor has any grant been released for this purpose.
Moreover, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CTD has only Rs 25 million for the ‘reward fund’, while the Punjab CTD has Rs 276 million. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CTD also depends on Punjab for its data forensics. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CTD is far behind financially and administratively compared to the CTDs of Punjab and Sindh. The martyrs package is 150 percent less than other provinces, which discourages employees, and corruption issues are negatively affecting the performance of the institution.
According to statistics, the highest number of terrorism cases are in Balochistan (34 percent) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (32 percent), but the ratio of verdicts and convictions in these cases is very low. One of the reasons for this is the weak investigation of the CTD and its low capacity due to the low strength of personnel. The Pakistan Army provided modern headquarters and other facilities to the CTD in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but due to insufficient resources, these measures could not yield the desired results.
The provincial government’s lack of interest in the CTD and corruption is such that an advertisement was given for recruitment in the CTD – thousands of people submitted applications by submitting a fee, which collected Rs 20 million and later the recruitment was canceled. Such cancellation of recruitment is a high-profile example of mismanagement and corruption.
The current weaknesses of the CTD in the province that has suffered the most in the war on terrorism are worrying. Security forces are taking effective action against terrorists, but the weaknesses of the CTD allow terrorists to regroup.
Law enforcement and maintaining law and order are primarily the responsibility of the local administration and police, but the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government appears to be failing to fulfill this responsibility. Urgent and effective measures are needed at this time to enhance the functionality of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CTD. This threat can be addressed only through modern technology, better financial resources, and professional training of staff. If these aspects are ignored, it will be difficult to control the growing threats of terrorism.
Rawalpindi, Pakistan: Minority Forum Pakistan organized a seminar titled Role of Political Leadership in Protecting Minority Rights, focusing on commitments outlined in political party manifestos.
The event featured distinguished speakers, including Peter Jacob, Dr. A.H. Nayyar, Tayyaba Rafiq, Jayaa Jaggi, and Samuel Bashir. Representatives from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), including Malik Ibrar Ahmed (MNA), Nauman Chohan (representative of Isphanyar Bhandara, MNA), and Kamran Bhatti (President, Minority Wing), presented their party’s policies on minority rights.
Peter Jacob highlighted the intrinsic connection between human rights and democracy, emphasizing that political parties must focus on addressing policy-level human rights issues and fulfilling their election manifesto commitments. Tayyaba Rafiq analyzed the promises made in party manifestos, drawing attention to the pre-election campaign demands of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).
Dr. A.H. Nayyar, an educationist, stressed that Pakistan’s creation was rooted in the protection of minority rights. However, he noted that regressive policies have fostered hatred based on identity. He called for a thorough review of religious content in compulsory subjects, as such material can alienate children of different beliefs. He also underscored the historical importance of documents such as Quaid-e-Azam’s speech of August 11, 1947, advocating their inclusion in the constitution and curriculum.
Nauman Chohan acknowledged the widespread discrimination faced by minorities, from schools to the parliament. However, he expressed hope, highlighting that Mr. Isphanyar Bhandara is actively working to address these issues. He pledged that further efforts would be made to tackle such challenges.
Jaya Jagi, a human rights activist, urged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and join the struggle for rights, stressing that their involvement is essential for shaping a better future.
Samuel Bashir, called for comprehensive governmental attention to the challenges faced by minority communities. He urged the implementation of the Jilani judgment to uphold religious freedom and belief.
Malik Ibrar Ahmed (MNA) expressed deep concern about issues such as child marriages and the establishment of the National Commission for Minorities Rights (NCMR). He assured participants that the PMLN leadership is actively working to address these issues and pledged his personal commitment to resolving them.
At the conclusion of the seminar, participants called on decision-makers to amend the constitution, fulfill their pledges, establish empowered committees, and enact protective legislation to address minority issues effectively.
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