Monitoring Desk: Indus Shield-Chinese, a bilateral module of Exercise Indus Shield 2024, being conducted separately between Chinese and Pakistan forces has concluded at an operational air base of Pakistan Air Force.
The exercise witnessed participation from People’s Liberation Army Air Force of China, with its personnel and high-tech equipment comprising AESA Radar and Long Range BVR Equipped J-16 & J-10C fighter aircraft, Lethal HQ-22 Surface to Air Defence system, Potent Airborne Electronic Warfare YTG-9 Platform, alongside KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning system pitched against PAF’s J-10C and JF-17 Block-III fighter jets simulating contemporary aerial combat scenarios.
The successful execution of such a large-scale exercise demonstrates the Pakistan Air Force’s joint operational readiness among allied nations while addressing contemporary security challenges.
Aimed at validating interoperability between China and Pakistan in the face of contemporary air combat challenges and by simulating various military tactics in a near realistic multi-domain operations training environment, Indus Shield-Chinese has maximized the warfighting potential of both the participating air forces.
Islamabad, Pakistan: Mushaal Hussein Mullick, wife of jailed Kashmiri leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, has made a heartfelt plea to Rahul Gandhi, India’s opposition leader, to intervene and save her husband’s life before it’s too late, says a press release.
She’s urged Gandhi to pressure the Indian government to immediately transfer Yasin to an intensive care unit (ICU) facility due to his rapidly deteriorating health, as he had gone on an indefinite hunger strike unto death on November 2 against Indian brutalities and illegal arrest and no legal or medical care in jail.
Mushaal, former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Human Rights and Women Empowerment, wrote a letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi requested him for immediate intervention to save the life of Yasin Malik from Indian judicial murder.
She appealed to the international community to take notice of the deteriorating health of Yasin, fearing that the hunger strike could prove fatal for his health because he had already been in extremely unsanitary conditions due to the denial of the best medical facilities.
Former SAPM appealed to world leaders and advocates for justice to take cognizant of the situation because her husband was a chronic heart and kidney patient.
Mushaal stated that Yasin was a symbol of non-violence and a proponent of Kashmir’s peaceful resistance; however, even then he was facing life-threatening neglect in Tihar Jail.
She demanded that he urgently needed medical attention because the indefinite hunger strike could be fatal for his health, as he was being denied proper medical care, no doctor of his choice, not being given life-saving drugs, and no right to a fair trial.
Mushaal urged Rahul Gandhi to initiate an urgent debate on shifting him to an ICU facility in a hospital immediately before it’s too late.
She expressed alarm that the custodial killing of Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Ashraf Sherai Sahab and the International Community’s inability to do anything about it still haunts us, as the same pattern is being followed in the case of Yasin Malik.
Former SAPM stressed the need that the right to be treated by a medical practitioner of his own choice was a fundamental right as recognized under the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights; therefore India has no right to deny this right to Yasin Malik.
She lamented that Indian civil society has chosen to remain silent as genocide takes place in Kashmir but I am offering a chance to this civil society through its leader of opposition to stand on the right side of history.
“Indian Judiciary has become complicit in the crimes of its govt; this judiciary has become the Nazi judiciary, which will have to be tried alongside the executive whenever a War Crimes Tribunal is established,” Mushaal added.
Ex-SAPM demanded that Pakistan develop a whole-nation approach on this issue with the sole objective of the nation to secure Yasin’s life. She urged that all diplomatic, social, legal, legislative, political, and economic resources should be diverted toward this cause.
She urged the international community to resolve the long-standing Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Islamabad, Pakistan: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar while addressing a joint presser showed their commitment to work together in the region against terrorism and to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Monday on a two-day official visit and he will hold meetings with the civil and military leadership of Pakistan. This is his first visit to Pakistan after Israel attacked Iran in response to the Iranian attack on certain Israeli cities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held talks on the situation in the Middle East and Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations. They also discussed opportunities to advance cooperation between Pakistan and Iran in a wide range of areas including trade, economics, energy, and security.
Islamabad, Pakistan: “One of the challenges we face is that a segment of people misuse tourist visas to seek jobs illegally, or, in some cases, individuals with criminal records manage to slip through the system. This creates trust issues and impacts genuine travelers”.
This was observed by Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, the Ambassador of Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in his interview with Dispatch News Desk (DND) News Agency Islamabad.
Ambassador Tirmizi believes that unskilled Pakistani labor as well as highly skilled and educated people such as bankers, IT professionals, doctors, engineers, and businessmen have positively contributed to the progress and development of the UAE. Ambassador Tirmizi whose door is open to every Pakistani living in UAE believes that the Embassy should act as the “home of every Pakistani living in UAE instead of only a residence of the Ambassador”.
Hereunder is the text of his interview:
Question: Your Excellency, Pakistani students studying in UAE, as well as the diaspora at large, call your tenure ‘a golden era’ of Pakistan’s public diplomacy in the Gulf. What are the ingredients of your public diplomacy that make you different from others?
Answer: During my tenure, I have prioritized active outreach, ensuring that our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai remain approachable to all Pakistanis living in the UAE. I have made it a point to regularly engage with the community through various platforms, be it through community events, media, social media, or in-person meetings, ensuring that people know their voices are heard. My team and I have focused on availability as we are not just sitting in our offices but going out to meet the community where they are.
Active community engagement is central to fostering stronger ties between Pakistan and the UAE, believes Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi
Additionally, we’ve adopted a proactive approach to collaboration—whether with students, professionals, or business leaders—to foster stronger ties between Pakistan and the UAE. Active community engagement is central, from supporting cultural events to providing consular services efficiently. Another essential aspect has been our close cooperation with the UAE government, which strengthens bilateral relations and facilitates the Pakistani diaspora’s integration and contribution to the UAE.
Question: There is a general perception that the UAE is a destination for illiterate and unskilled manpower from Pakistan. Is it true? If not, what are the fields where educated and skilled segments of Pakistani society can find opportunities?
Answer: I somehow agree that historically UAE had been a destination for the majority of unskilled Pakistani labor, but that does not mean that our highly skilled and educated people did not come here. Pakistani bankers, IT professionals, doctors, engineers, and businessmen have positively contributed to the progress and development of the UAE. The UAE has long evolved from being a destination for just unskilled labor. Today, Pakistani professionals are excelling across various sectors. Our skilled workforce includes IT professionals who are contributing to the UAE’s digital transformation, engineers working in construction and technology, and finance experts such as bankers, accountants, and auditors who play crucial roles in the UAE’s financial services sector.
One of the challenges we face is that a segment of people misuse tourist visas to seek jobs illegally, or, in some cases, individuals with criminal records manage to slip through the system. This creates trust issues and impacts genuine travelers
In the healthcare industry, Pakistani doctors, nurses, and other health professionals have gained a strong reputation for their expertise. Additionally, Pakistanis are thriving in academia, research, media, and entrepreneurship. There are countless opportunities for those with education, skills, and the right attitude to contribute to and benefit from the UAE’s rapidly growing economy. So, I strongly encourage educated Pakistanis to explore these sectors where their skills are highly valued.
My message to the youth is simple: every Pakistani abroad is an ambassador of our country. Your conduct, work ethics, and integrity reflect on Pakistan as a whole
Question: The UAE visa regime is making it tougher for Pakistanis to travel. What are the reasons behind this, and how can they be mitigated?
Answer: One of the challenges we face is that a segment of people misuse tourist visas to seek jobs illegally, or, in some cases, individuals with criminal records manage to slip through the system. This creates trust issues and impacts genuine travelers.
We need to enhance pre-departure scrutiny. We should implement more stringent checks to ensure that only law-abiding citizens, with no criminal background, are allowed to go abroad. We need to focus on verifying documentation authenticity and ensuring that those traveling for work have the appropriate visas rather than misusing tourist visas. Through better coordination between our government and the UAE, we can help address these concerns and streamline the visa process for genuine travelers.
Question: What message do you want to send to the youth of Pakistan based on your experience working in the Gulf region?
Answer: My message to the youth is simple: every Pakistani abroad is an ambassador of our country. Your conduct, work ethics, and integrity reflect on Pakistan as a whole. Therefore, make sure to maintain a positive image. Work hard, be disciplined, and contribute meaningfully to the society you live in. Whether you are here for studies, employment, or business, respect the local laws and policies, which will open doors to further opportunities.
Additionally, I urge all Pakistanis to take pride in their contributions and ensure that when they send money back home, it is done through legal and formal banking channels, which supports our national economy. The Gulf region, particularly the UAE, offers immense opportunities for those willing to put in the effort, and I encourage every young Pakistani to make the most of these prospects.
Editor’s Note: Faisal Niaz Tirmizi is a career Diplomat who strongly believes in emerging diplomatic engagements including Public Diplomacy. A postgraduate of the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1993 and since then handled bilateral, multilateral, consular, and administrative assignments both in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and abroad. He served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Desk Officer of Middle East, Central Asia, Afghanistan, India as well as Director of Personnel, Protocol and Foreign Secretary’s Office. He has held various diplomatic assignments in Pakistan Missions abroad in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, Kyrgyzstan, Abu Dhabi, and the United Arab Emirates.
Islamabad, Pakistan: The recent Amendment to the Services Act by the Parliament has been well received by people from all walks of life especially members of the Armed Forces community.
With almost all having consensus on the fact that three years tenure for the Services Chiefs is too little to affect any long-term changes; enhancement of the same to five years will assist in addressing such obvious predicaments.
On the other hand, credible senior sources in the military have confided that another major shortcoming for a relatively limited tenure of three years was the availability of more controls with political forces who had been maintaining intrusive influence over the military i.e. politicization of the military.
When compared with other modern militaries of the world, this enhancement in the service limit of the service chiefs is nothing new but in line with them. For example, in the US it is 4 years, UK 3-4 years, China 5 years, Germany 3-5 years & France 4 years.
Also, several researchers in the world vividly enunciate that a relatively longer period of service chiefs assists in making militaries independent and immune from interference from the outside world. Thus, Chiefs can make decisions that benefit not only the militaries alone in the mid to long term but also assist the countries as a whole.
Notwithstanding the above, this enhanced tenure limit of the Services Chiefs will definitely accrue several other important advantages as well including a continuation of policies, adequate time for implementation of a perceived vision, greater stability, and bridging trust deficit between the Government and the Services Chiefs which has been bitter at times in the past in Pakistan.
In sum, this enhancement in the age limit of Service Chiefs will further add to the professionalism of the Armed Forces while making the institution immune to interference by the political parties while providing additional leverage to the Chiefs for maintaining intrusive influence over military affairs – a win-win situation both for the Armed Forces & the country alike.
Islamabad, Pakistan: The Parliament on Monday confirmed its supremacy by adopting much-needed bills for extending the tenures of all armed services chiefs from three to five years and increasing the strength of judges in the Supreme Court as well as in High Courts. All the bills were signed by the President on the same and they are enforced already.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif presented amendments to the Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force Acts, for extending the tenure of all military chiefs from three to five years. The act also provides the power to the President for reappointment in armed forces.
The amendments remove previous age limits and extend tenure options, enabling the Chief of Army Staff and other military leaders to continue serving as generals beyond the earlier prescribed age of 64 years.
The power of the Parliament ensures the continuity of strategic policies
By another bill presented by the Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, the number of Supreme Court judges has increased to 34 from 17. Additionally, judges in the Islamabad High Court have been raised from nine to 12.
These legislative moves reflect the government’s focus on judicial reform and the standardization of military leadership tenures, addressing institutional demands and fostering continuity.
According to the Army Act, the tenure of the Chief of Services was fixed for three years, which has been increased from three years to five years. This is a very important and welcoming decision as it will provide continuity strategic policies and would enable sitting Chiefs to plan futuristic developments in their respective forces under their command. It was quite a difficult task to take any major policy decision-making and initiative to its logical conclusion in the services and at the national policy level in a short period of three years because the implementation of major decisions takes time. Meanwhile, when a new leadership comes after the tenure ends, it affects the ongoing policy and the work starts afresh consequently both the service and the country are affected by the change. The job has been for five years which will greatly benefit the continuity and stability of the policies.
On the other hand, the number of judges in the Supreme Court has increased from 17 to 34, which will definitely increase the efficiency of the Supreme Court and make it easier to deliver justice to the people.
Gen Asim Munir has been adamant about solving the economic crisis in Pakistan by setting up the Special Investment Facilitation Council, intending to bring in billions of dollars of investment from abroad, especially from Pakistan’s Gulf allies. The economic crisis, led to the Pakistani rupee devaluing to its weakest in its history, valuing at 308 per dollar when currency smuggling to Afghanistan was at its peak. To strengthen the rupee, he initiated crackdowns on the black market, which had been selling dollars illegally, harming the rupee. These crackdowns were successful, and the Pakistani rupee rebounded to become the world’s best-performing currency in September 2023.
The change in the tenure of the COAS will help Gen Asim Munir with strategic planning he has in his mind that is surely based on self-reliance and sovereignty and both are deeply rooted in the strong economy of any country therefore, he had been working to create economic opportunities for Pakistan. Now, Pakistan’s share market has become the most promising in South Asia, and Karachi 100 Index has broken all previous records and is at 91,938.
Monitoring Desk: On the night of 3/4 November, Six TTP terrorists (officially known as Khwarij) were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
An intelligence-based operation was conducted by Security Forces in the general area of Dosali, North Waziristan District. During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij’s location, resultantly one kharji Ahmed Shah@ Intizar was sent to hell.
In another incident, movement of a group of Khwarij, who were trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces in the general area of Khamrang, South Waziristan District. Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate. Resultantly, five khwarij were sent to hell, while three khwarij got injured.
Pakistan has consistently been asking the Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border. The interim Afghan Government is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by Khwarij for perpetrating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.
Security Forces of Pakistan are determined and remain committed to securing its borders and eliminating the menace of terrorism from the country.
Islamabad, Pakistan: General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has said that global peace today is confronted with ever-evolving threats and challenges.
He was addressing the 28th Annual Conference of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centre (IAPTC) that is being hosted for the first time in Pakistan at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), NUST, Islamabad from 4-8 November 2024.
Under Secretary General, Department of Peace Operations, Jean Pierre Lacroix, United Nation’s Police Advisor, Acting Deputy Military Advisor, Foreign Sectary of Pakistan, and Rector NUST, also accompanied the Chief Guest during the inauguration and opening ceremony of the conference.
In a keynote address to the august gathering, COAS emphasized that global peace today is confronted with ever-evolving threats and challenges. Despite the numerous peacekeeping endeavors underway by the UN and other organizations, the plight of innocent Kashmiris and Palestinians serves as a stark reminder that still a lot needs to be done. Guest of Honour, Mr. Jean Pierre Lacroix acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations and appreciated Pakistan for hosting the 28th IAPTC Annual Conference.
The event officially commenced with the inauguration of the new CIPS building by General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Inspector General Training and Evaluation (IGT&E), Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain Shah, HI (M).
Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan has conducted a successful test-fire of an indigenously developed ballistic missile by a Navy ship, reports DND News Agency from Islamabad.
The missile system with a range of 350 km is capable of hitting land and sea targets with high precision The system is equipped with an advanced navigation system with features to change its direction and speed Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, senior officers of Pakistan Navy, scientists and engineers witnessed the demonstration.
The President of Pakistan, Prime Minister, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and Services Chiefs congratulated the units and scientists who participated in the successful missile test.
Kindness is another thing that makes your life better. It is very important for the pursuit of happiness. After expressing gratitude for all the good things in your life you should do some service for your fellow beings, and this is going to make you happy in the long run.
Again research has shown acts of kindness release certain hormones like serotonin in the body which are good for your long-term well-being both physically and mentally. The person who does the act of kindness will receive this benefit. The person to which kindness is done will be touched and have a release of these chemicals. Even witnessing an act of kindness makes you happy. An act of kindness creates a response that releases all four happiness neurotransmitters. So it gives pleasure and a feeling of well-being.
As I already mentioned it does not happen only to the person who is doing an act of kindness but it also affects the receiver of kindness. It creates a neurobiology that connects us. So three people benefitted from a single act of kindness. A person who is doing it, a person who is receiving it, and anyone who is looking at that heartfelt moment. And we are not alone in happy feelings in this case. Serotonin which is released as a result of an act of kindness also aids in healing physical wounds as it decreases pain by increasing endorphins. Kindness also reduces the level of the stress hormone cortisol. People who develop habits of kindness reduce their levels of stress and anxiety.
“Give up the drop and become the 0cean.” Rumi
If we study literature from social sciences, it shows that it leads to habit formation. If we do more of them, we do it frequently, and if we do it repetitively neurogenesis will occur. We will develop pathways in our brains and will be able to recognize more when people need our kindness. This will boost our confidence in reaching out to people when they need us. And our brain is going to grow healthier and more productive. Apart from scientific proof, there is experiential proof of feeling good and being mentally healthy by doing acts of kindness. Studies have shown that it is helpful for longevity. People who volunteer for multiple organization and spend significant time in service of others live longer. Being kind promotes empathy and compassion. It will increase a sense of interconnectedness with others. These feelings in turn inspire happiness and reduce negative emotions. People who give of themselves in a balanced way tend to be healthier and live longer.
Be kind with others for your mental health
If we talk about history there were and are many religions, there were many other schools of thought on how to live your life. Not a single one of them is there, which did not stress enough being kind to others. That is a time-tested virtue. Previously it was thought, that being kind is important for the collective benefits of humanity and the greater good. But in recent years lot of work has been done on individual happiness and it has been proved far from a doubt that it is more beneficial for the person who is doing it.
The heart is concerned with its healing, which comes with love compassion, and service to other fellow beings. Heart feels wholeness in this way that we are all connected and part of the web. We are sisters and brothers as humans. And if we support each other we are supporting ourselves. If we help other people in achieving their greatest potential then we are at the final level of being human or we can say that is the maximum long-term happiness we can get. When somebody leaves drug addiction, he has to go through many steps to prevent relapse, the final step is to help someone else to leave addiction. The person who has done the final step will never revert to addiction again. this is a proven fact from research that this is the final stage of healing. It is important to remember how much kindness impacts our well-being and the lives of those around us. Kindness can change everything from mental health to overall well-being.
As people say being kind and doing a few things from your heart is very important. So you do not always need logic to be kind or do something for others. If you live completely in your head it means your brain and logic are always your guide you will miss the warmth, breath, and rhythm of life. If you just follow your heart you will be a person with poor judgement and discipline. So you have to keep your brain and heart together to be kind to others. Then you will not look for your benefit in everything.
Kindness is not just something we practice for others. We should be kind and compassionate to ourselves. Research suggests that one of the most effective ways to alleviate stress, anxieties, and general worries is to practice more deliberate kindness and self-compassion. When you say affirming words to yourself or look beyond the difficult moment toward a bigger picture, it draws your attention away from what is out of your control. It will push your focus toward what you can. As a result, you will know how to cultivate more joy, gratitude, and inner satisfaction in your life.
So in pursuit of happiness, the biggest thing is to do something for your fellow beings without any selfish motives. Yes you know it is going to bring long-lasting happiness for you. It is irrespective of whether people thank you or feel grateful. That is in your best interest as I have started this section with the quote that altruism is egotism. So being part of Web Kindness will give us fulfillment and it will unexpectedly reach us when we least expect it and maybe from where we least expect. So if we all behave with kindness this planet Earth will become a better place to live, and we all will thrive.
The author Dr. Attia Anwar is a consultant family physician with a postgraduate degree from the Royal College of GP UK. She is a strong advocate of health and well-being and wants patient participation in decision-making regarding health.
Islamabad, Pakistan: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar while addressing a joint presser showed their commitment to...
Islamabad, Pakistan: The Parliament on Monday confirmed its supremacy by adopting much-needed bills for extending the tenures of all armed services chiefs from three...
Monitoring Desk: On the night of 3/4 November, Six TTP terrorists (officially known as Khwarij) were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa...
The author Dr. Attia Anwar is a consultant family physician with a postgraduate degree from the Royal College of GP UK. She is a strong advocate of health and well-being and wants patient participation in decision-making regarding health.
