Epaper_24-04-24 ISB

IMF board on April 29

TInt’l communit y needs to increase funding, suppor t for Afghan refugees: Amir Muqam

leadership s has urged the international communityto increase funding and support to meet the growing needs of the Afghan refugees that required substantial resources The minister held a virtual interaction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi over zoom to discuss issues of Afghan refugees, a news release said He said the Government of Pakistan remains committed to the solutions and strategy for Afghan refugees Amir Muqam said: “We are immensely grateful for UNHCR’s ongoing support and partnership in managing the Afghan Refugees situation We look forward to continuing our collaboration to ensure the safety and dignity of refugees within our borders He said: We emphasize our dedication to facilitating voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation We seem UNHCR’s support in ensuring these processes are well supported and that returnees have viable prospects upon their return The minister said that addressing the needs of Afghan refugees requires substantial resources We urge the international community, through UNHCR leadership’s, to increase funding and support to meet the growing needs of this protracted crisis “Our goal is not only the repatriation but also the successful integration of returnees into Afghan society We are keen to discuss how UNHCR can assist in integrating returnees into national development plans of Afghanistan, he added Amir Muqam said that in light of the Afghanistan’s political landscape it’s crucial we discuss how these new challenges affect the refugees and our response strategies We look forward in participating in upcoming international forums and meetings to further to our joint efforts Ensuring these meetings result in actionable commitments will be crucial In this regard, I am looking forward to Your Excellency in your expected visit in July 2024 ” he added

across the province Beyond the confines of the training centre, the

partnership between the United States and Pakistan extends to various initiatives aimed at fortifying security, combating narcotics trafficking, and countering terrorism From INL providing essential equipment to fostering gender-inclusive policing taken together these actions make Pakistan safer stronger and more secure said Ambassador

President R aisi, CM Shah discuss vast investment oppor tunities in Sindh

By-elections as expected

IT was perhaps too soon to expect any change in public opinion and there were no surprises in any of the by-election results All the parties retained the seats they had won in the general elections This inability to change any results indicates that the original ticket awards were made properly Most of the seats at stake in the Punjab were those vacated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz after they chose their respective seats The seats had overwhelmingly been vacated by the PML(N) with its allies the PPP the Istehkam Pakistan Party and the PPP vacating one seat each Thus retaining the seats could be good news for the government, but not much After all the electorate has not budged True as the general election is not even three months in the past it should not have been expected to budge, but it also means that the results of that election, in which the PTI-backed independents emerged as the largest group in the House but also managed to install the KP Chief Minister, still hold good One of the signs that things are not calming down, that tempers are still raised, is that there were several clashes between the PML(N) and the PTI most notably in Punjab’s Narowal district, where a PML(N) worker in PP-58 was killed Though most of the Punjab contests were PML(N) versus PTI the by-election in Rahim Yar Khan saw the PPP candidate beat the PML(N) s That it was a PML(N) worker that was killed did not stop the PTI from claiming that the by-elections were rigged There were claims of ballot stuffing in Gujrat district, where the PML(Q) retained a seat against former CM Ch Pervez Elahi The rigging claim had to be made to substantiate the PTI’s

to blind him to consequences or violence to create more hatred It was his way of expressing the principles at the heart of the Powell Doctrine (Note: It was ironic that Powell himself violated this doctrine in the lead up to the Iraq war and the consequences of that disaster are with us to this day)

Six months after Biden’s caution, it’s clear both that Netanyahu didn’t listen and that Biden didn’t demand a satisfactory answer Israel has killed over 34 000 Palestinians and wounded more than twice that many They ve destroyed most of Gaza s buildings and infrastructure reducing entire cities to rubble And they ve rightly been accused of committing genocide and creating imminent famine Yet, despite the US’

in Syria leading to Iran s dangerous telegraphed response last weekend And now, Israel s promise to retaliate Once again, the question must be asked: Do you have any idea where you’re going?” There is a persistent flaw in Arab thinking about Israel and the USA Too often Arab commentators

I recall the oft-cited but never followed Powell Doctrine, which in essence cautions against starting a war in which you don’t know the cost, consequences, terms of engagement, or have an end and exit strategy in sight

recent article noted that after October 7 in addition to pledging US support for Israel President Joseph Biden cautioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to make the mistake the USA made after 9/11 He advised Netanyahu not to allow rage

has been asking Israel my mother-in-law s question: Do you have

M o r e o f t e n t h a n n o t , b o t h I s r a e l a n d t h e U S A a c t b a s e d o n n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y w a n t t o a c t a n d h a v e t h e a b i l i t y t o d o s o , w i t h n o p l a n o r t h o u g h t a s t o t h e u l t i m a t e c o n s e q u e n c e s . T h e d a n g e r p o s e d b y t h i s b e h a v i o u r , i f l e f t u n c h e c k e d , i s c l e a r a n d l e a d s t o t h e f o l l o w i n g c o n c l u s i o n . I f t h e U S A i s u n w i l l i n g o r u n a b l e t o a c t l i k e t h e a d u l t i n t h e r o o m a n d r e s t r a i n e i t h e r I s r a e l o r i t s e l f , t h e n o t h e r n a t i o n s m u s t a c t I n s t e a d o f l e t t i n g I s r a e l r u n a m o k a n d a l l o w i n g b o t h i t a n d I r a n t o c r e a t e h a v o c a n d t h e d a n g e r o f a w i d e r w a r i n t h e M i d d l e E a s t , i n t e r v e n t i o n i s n e e d e d

F i g h t i n g t h e K u k i - C h i n A r m e d M o v e m e n t

A b a c k w a r d p e o p l e s p r e a d o v e r t h r e e c o u n t r i e s

Tthe challenges faced by displaced individuals across these regions The emergence of Kuki-Chin armed groups has introduced further complexity to the geopolitical landscape in this region Global powers exploit internal grievances and regional conflict dynamics with Kuki-Chin groups to achieve their geostrategic interests Western powers have a keen interest in the mineral-rich "Golden Triangle" famed for this hilly range The USA has expressed solidarity with Muslims in Arakan for an independent state Furthermore Christian missionaries contribute to demographic shifts in CHT and Mizoram by converting the local indigenous populations to Christianity, potentially leading to demands for a Christian majority state, like the way it happened in Sudan Meanwhile China employs a Positive Diplomacy approach to counter the USA s China Containment Policy in the Indo-Pacific region China is exploiting the US allies and exposing the USA not as a trustworthy partner to undermine US influence China's success in the

Lahore

Middle East challenges US allies in Asia compelling India a close ally of the USA to navigate strained situations as it finds itself almost surrounded by China s allies India is compelled to remain a neutral nation, not tilted too much towards the USA

In the end, the Kuki-Chin are fighting against the Indian government demanding autonomy in Myanmar and exerting soft pressure on the government of Bangladesh Therefore it is quite understandable which external actors are behind the Kuki-Chin National Front The Bangladesh Armed Forces have gained global recognition for their peace-building and peace-enforcing efforts under the UN umbrella Additionally they possess extensive experience and notable success in countering insurgency in the CHT with an Infantry Division specifically designated for this region In my opinion the Bangladesh Armed Forces should initiate a new military operation under the mandate of aiding civil administration

It is crucial to recognize the Kuki-Chin movement as a political threat Relying solely on military action is unlikely to yield fruitful results and may instead entrap security forces in the intentions of insurgents This challenge requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing diplomatic efforts, political initiatives, and military strategies to effectively mitigate the escalation of such extremist activities Compared to the neighbouring states in the region Bangladesh faces relatively lesser threats from this community Therefore the government's diplomatic endeavours need to be intensified to ensure the safety and security of the Kuki-Chin community within the country

It is imperative for our diplomatic efforts to ensure that no other nation provides patronage harbours0 or funds to Kuki-Chin terrorist groups The executive and legislative administrations in Chattogram need to forge close collaborations with the less developed indigenous tribes in their respective areas They can propose special development projects to the government where the Bangladesh Army can extend its capabilities to play a pivotal role in implementing those initiatives Reports indicate that the Bangladesh Army's Engineering Corps is actively enhancing communication systems in the region To further

bolster development efforts the government should seek increased funding from foreign investment partners focusing on areas such as education communication and tourism This approach will create more job opportunities for locals, contributing to socio-economic uplift Local administration and security forces must instil confidence within the less developed indigenous tribes Continuation of military operations to apprehend wrongdoers is essential However given the complexity of military operations in CHT due to limited intelligence, a comprehensive and intelligencedriven approach, in tandem with political manoeuvres can yield positive outcomes Collaboration between Bangladesh's intelligence agencies and their counterparts in neighbouring countries is imperative to counter this political threat

Military operations should be intelligencebased to avoid resentment from local tribes, who may otherwise become sympathetic to terrorist groups The Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) has conveyed their demand to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina clearly stating that they don t seek independence but autonomy Thus it s a purely political movement, not a separatist one Therefore, the government and state machinery must handle the situation with utmost care to prevent it from escalating into a separatist movement

Efforts should be led by political leaders to integrate Kuki-Chin people into mainstream national politics thereby abandoning armed conflict It is also necessary to ensure that no local politician has the opportunity to exploit KukiChin terrorist groups for mere political gain Only criminals and terrorists should be dealt with using extreme force

Drawing upon its expertise in peacekeeping and counterinsurgency operations the Bangladesh Army should adopt a multifaceted approach, combining military action with diplomatic engagement and fostering political dialogue with aggrieved ethnic groups Regional leaders must act decisively to prevent destabilization of regional stability before it escalates further

M A Hossain political and defense analyst based in Bangladesh He can be reached at: writetomahossain@gmail com

the critical issue of water supply to eastern Iran and the migration of Afghan refugees

IRAN S relationship with the Afghan Taliban is characterized by complexity and caution, as the two are not traditional allies Tehran s approach to the Taliban is influenced by numerous bilateral and regional factors including historical animosities and disputes

One significant source of tension is the sectarian divide as Iran a predominantly Shia Muslim country has a longstanding ideological rift with the Sunni Taliban Additionally, a longstanding dispute over water resources adds to the contentious relationship Despite these challenges Iran has not adopted the hostile stance it took towards the Taliban in the 1990s; instead it has sought to establish a more pragmatic and normalized relationship with the group since the latter s takeover of Kabul in August 2021 Iran s cautious approach to the Taliban's ascent to power was rooted in its desire to see the withdrawal of US and Western forces from Afghanistan which Tehran viewed as a potential source of regional stability This shift in Iran s stance toward the Taliban marks a significant departure from its previous confrontational interactions with the group Overall, Iran's engagement with the Taliban regime is a balancing act aimed at securing its own interests while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of the region Iran s current overtures toward the Taliban reflect its strategy of seeking alternatives to the US-dominated global order and its pragmatic approach towards achieving specific objectives in Afghanistan

While anti-US sentiment is not the primary driver of Tehran s cautious engagement with the new Afghan government Iran hopes to address its own security and political concerns through this relationship

These include the growing terror threat from the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP),

Iran's approach has been pragmatic and aims to deepen trust with Kabul even though it has not officially recognized the Taliban regime

Despite allowing visits from prominent Afghan opposition leaders such as Ahmed Massoud and Ismail Khan, Iran understands that no domestic Afghan group currently poses a credible threat to the Taliban's consolidated control

The major challenge to the Taliban and by extension Iran comes from ISKP whose extremist agenda and violent attacks pose a significant threat to regional stability and security The ISKP s strict interpretation of Sharia law and anti-Shia stance makes it an inveterate enemy of Tehran The mutual threat posed by the ISKP has encouraged Iran and the Taliban to set aside their differences and collaborate on counter-terrorism efforts Iran s intelligence minister has publicly acknowledged cooperation with the Taliban against ISKP fighters, while Iranian parliamentarians have praised collaborative efforts that have prevented terrorist attacks

This counter-terrorism partnership offers Iran benefits including greater border security and opportunities for joint intelligence operations with the Taliban Such cooperation helps Iran address internal critics of its relationship with the fundamentalist Sunni Taliban by emphasizing the importance of these efforts for national and regional security Terrorist attacks such as those in Kerman have prompted calls in Iran to increase

security along the Afghan border

At a recent UN Security Council meeting Iran highlighted the regional security risks posed by terrorism drug trafficking and border control deficiencies in Afghanistan Through its pragmatic engagement with the Taliban, Iran seeks to safeguard its interests while contributing to regional stability

Iran's policy toward the Afghan Taliban is heavily influenced by geopolitical considerations much like the approaches of China and Russia Iran is cautious about the potential influence of other regional powers in Afghanistan and seeks to maintain a delicate balance with the Taliban regime to preserve its own interests By refraining from actions that could provoke the Taliban Iran aims to consolidate its position with the new leadership in Kabul thereby limiting the impact of its rivals particularly Saudi Arabia, the USA, and Pakistan Tehran's primary concern is to prevent Pakistan from dominating the power dynamics in a Taliban-led Afghanistan making the containment of Islamabad s influence a central focus of its strategy Moreover Iran is wary of any aggressive moves by the Taliban along the Iran-Afghanistan border that could embolden Sunni extremist groups within Iran, posing a threat to the country's security and stability Tehran's engagement with the Taliban in Afghanistan is significantly influenced by economic considerations With Afghanistan s foreign aid still suspended the Taliban is keen to develop economic ties with Iran to sustain its economy Currently, about one-third of Afghanistan s total imports are sourced from Iran, making the economic relationship between

K h o r a s a n P r o v i n c e ( I S K P ) c o u l d f o s t e r c l o s e r i n t e l l i g e n c e a n d l a w e n f o r c e m e n t c o o p e r a t i o n Y e t , o n g o i n g b o r d e r s k i r m i s h e s a n d d i s p u t e s o v e r w a t e r - s h a r i n g c o n t i n u e t o t e s t t h e d e p t h o f I r a n - T a l i b a n t i e s D o m e s t i c a l l y , I r a n ' s c o n s e r v a t i v e a n d r e f o r m i s t f a c t i o n s h o l d d i f f e r i n g v i e w s o n l o n g - t e r m e n g a g e m e n t w i t h t h e T a l i b a n N o n e t h e l e s s , t h e I r a n i a n r e g i m e a p p e

the two neighbours crucial Tehran has taken proactive measures to bolster bilateral trade and commerce such as hosting the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Economic Committee meeting in November 2023 This meeting was notable as it was the first since the Taliban regained power, and it was attended by the Taliban s Deputy Prime Minister, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar The meeting resulted in the decision to create working groups to identify obstacles hindering economic cooperation between the two countries

On February 24 a technical delegation from Afghanistan visited Iran to evaluate the facilities of the Chabahar Free Trade Zone, a key area that could accommodate Afghan exports Such visits not only foster economic ties but also help in improving political relations between the two nations Tehran s interest in using Afghanistan as a transit route for Iranian energy and other exports aligns with India's vision of Afghanistan as a gateway to Central Asia In a recent meeting in Kabul, Indian diplomat J P Singh discussed with the Taliban's foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi the potential for enhancing economic cooperation and initiating bilateral transit using Iran s Chabahar Port, commonly known as the Golden Gate to landlocked Afghanistan These developments indicate a growing interdependence among Iran, Afghanistan, and India, driven by economic and strategic interests

The Helmand River dispute between Iran and Afghanistan is a complex and potentially volatile issue rooted in the shared dependence on the river for water, agriculture, and livelihood amidst increasing scarcity

The Helmand River's origin in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush Mountains and its flow into Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province creates a vital connection for both nations Afghanistan s construction of a dam on the river for irrigation and power generation has heightened tensions, prompting violent clashes between the two sides Despite these disputes, mutual cooperation would be beneficial for both nations as they seek to manage their water resources sustainably and avoid further conflict Iran s hosting of antiTaliban Afghan opposition leaders and significant numbers of Afghan refugees grants it tactical leverage against the Taliban, potentially complicating Iran-Afghan relations

In January 2022 Tehran hosted a meeting between the Taliban and Afghan opposition figures indicating a willingness to engage with both sides The Taliban s focus on diplomatic acceptance has likely prevented open

criticism of Iran's support for Afghan opposition leaders This complex relationship between Iran and Afghanistan is further complicated by Iran s recruitment of Afghan Shia Hazara fighters for proxy conflicts in Syria through the Fatemiyoun Division This recruitment strategy serves Iran's regional interests, but its impact within Afghanistan remains a source of concern for regional stability Iran s political influence in Afghanistan is less pronounced compared to other countries in the region such as Syria and Iraq However, the possibility of deploying the Fatemiyoun brigade within Afghanistan to aid the Taliban against ISKP could strengthen ties between Iran and the Taliban while advancing Iran s strategic interests Nevertheless such an intervention could provoke significant political and security repercussions in the region and draw reactions from neighbouring powers The Helmand River dispute, coupled with the broader geopolitical dynamics, poses challenges to maintaining peace and stability in the region

The rapprochement between Revolutionary Iran and the fundamentalist Taliban is a significant development that should not be underestimated Despite their divergent ideological foundations, strategic cultures, and geopolitical attitudes, both sides are cautiously working towards reconciliation Iran s approach to the Taliban seems to be driven by a pragmatic view that the new Taliban regime may be more reformed and less harmful than its previous iteration This cautious engagement aims to foster regional stability, with both sides seeking avenues to build on their newfound rapport However, regular communication and cooperation are essential to navigate potential misperceptions and hurdles It is too early to predict the future trajectory of Iranian-Afghan relations as the region remains volatile and prone to geopolitical rivalries and jihadist terrorism The common threat posed by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) could foster closer intelligence and law enforcement cooperation Yet ongoing border skirmishes and disputes over water-sharing continue to test the depth of Iran-Taliban ties Domestically, Iran s conservative and reformist factions hold differing views on long-term engagement with the Taliban Nonetheless, the Iranian regime appears to prioritize broader geopolitical objectives over certain negative aspects of its relationship with Afghanistan As a result engaging with the Taliban has become a pragmatic necessity for Iran to advance its interests and maintain stability in

Before Blinken visits China, let's give US a 'preventive shot'

B l i n ke n ' s t r i p h a s t h re e p r i m a r y o b j e c t i ve s, i n c l u d i n g

ISRAEL S occupation of Palestine and India s occupation of Kashmir are two blots on the international record Israel has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians

For their part India has killed 60 000 Kashmiris since the 1980s The people of Kashmir live through extrajudicial killings cases of forced disappearance and rife sexual violence at the hands of the Indian military

One an expression of Western settler colonialism in the Middle East, the other a violent hang-

legal Israeli annexation of Palestinian land Simultaneously Kashmiri demands for freedom have been weaponised in a Nuclear-armed tussle between India and Pakistan We the international community have remained silent throughout 'TOOTHLESS' UN HAS FAILED PALESTINE AND KASHMIR

When looking at Israel s occupation of Palestine and India s occupation of Kashmir, we mustn't forget that the United Nations emerged as a product of the victors of World War II The five members of the UN Security Council the United States Great Britain France China and Russia remain assured of their monopoly The effectiveness of the UN is therefore apparent when the interests of the dominant powers align with human rights In cases where their interests diverge, the UN is ineffective We see this today with the US vetoing any resolutions that condemn Israel’s behaviour The repercussions of these unresolved matters issues cut deep; the spectre of illegal military occupation and psychological trauma loom large over millions of Palestinians and Kashmiris alike

NO ACTION, NO HOPE Israel’s occupation of Palestine and India’s occupation of Kashmir have predictably destroyed the lives and livelihoods of the people Education is stifled unemployment is rife and healthcare is on its knees

Yet, in the face of such adversities, the resilience displayed by both Palestinians and Kashmiris is to be celebrated Their steadfast defiance in the face of occupation serves as a testament to their unwavering spirit that thrives despite the odds Finding a just and fair resolution in Palestine and Kashmir demands sustained diplomatic efforts, both at home and abroad

Throughout my political career – from Manchester City Council and the European Parliament to the House of Commons – I have always advocated for the oppressed particularly in Palestine and Kashmir

In November I stood down as Labour s Shadow Minister for Exports to vote in favour of a motion in Parliament in support of a ceasefire in Gaza and have repeatedly held the government to account for their failure to condemn Israel s assault on Gaza

Let me be clear As long as the UK refuses to

One of the major failings of the UN lies in its approach to conflict resolution, notably the absence of formal treaties following ceasefires Occupation and conflict supposedly resolved by the UN have instead led to peculiar armistices and low-level conflict with South Korea in 1953 and Kosovo in 1999 as examples The UN, not originally designed to facilitate final treaty negotiations, leaves them in a perpetual state of uncertainty We see this today in East Timor and Myanmar where the absence of a comprehensive treaty means tensions remain unresolved and sustained peace treaties go missing

provide any meaningful support for the Palestinians – which many of us in Parliament have been calling for – the longer we remain complicit in occupation, apartheid, and genocide The issue of a just resolution in Palestine extends beyond physical land, particularly in the religious significant city of Jerusalem

I hope to see Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state in my lifetime and the UK must ensure that it supports the safety and sanctity of this resolution

In Kashmir, we must continue to fight for the aspirations and identity of the Kashmiri people, with questions of self-determination, autonomy, and cultural identity at its core As the proud son of a Kashmiri woman it's my duty to highlight the horrific abuses that Kashmiris face at the hands of the Indian government

In both cases, we should remain steadfast in our commitment and never abandon their plight We simply cannot afford to leave at its peak Those of us who have a voice and the freedom to use it must ensure we are doing everything to lobby for the freedom of others

To turn a blind eye now is to forsake the pursuit of enduring peace setting a disconcerting precedent that may reverberate far beyond the confines of their regions It s incumbent on us –citizens of the world committed to peace,

t a g e s h o u l d b e c e l e b r a t e d, n o t s t i f l e d ” Ce l e b r a t e yo u r p r i d e o u t s i d e t h e H o u s e , m i n i s t e r D o n’t f l o u t t h e r u l e s TOR ONTO STAR E d to r i a l

m a k i n g p ro g re s s o n ke y i s s u e s, c o m m u n i c a t i n g

c o n c e r n s o n b i l a t e r a l, re g i o n a l a n d g l o b a l i s s u e s, a n d

" re s p o n s i b l y m a n a g i n g c o m p e t i t i o n " t o a vo i d

m i s c a l c u l a t i o n o r c o n f l i c t

there must not be any catastrophic mistake China always believes that majorcountry competition is not the prevailing trend of the current

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday stressed further efforts to usher in a new stage in the development of China s western region featuring well-coordinated environmental conservation greater openness and high-quality development

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission made the remarks while chairing a symposium on boosting the development of China s western region in the new era Promoting development through opening up Xi emphasized the need to promote large-scale development through large-scale opening up and upgrade the opening up of the western region both domestically and internationally He called for promoting the construction of new land and sea corridors in the western region and deeply integrating the region into the joint building of the Belt and Road

He urged efforts to promote the high-quality development of pilot free trade zones and actively integrate the region into the construction of a unified national market

First Iran group in nine years heads to Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage

DUBAI: The first group of Iranian pilgrims in nine years made its way to Saudi Arabia on Monday for the Umrah or minor pilgrimage Iran s official news agency reported as a result of improving ties between the two Middle Eastern powers Iranian media had said in December that Saudi Arabia had lifted restrictions on Iranians wanting to perform Umrah but flights were delayed until now due to what Tehran called technical problems

mediated

agreement under which

restored

diplomatic

and

that

the right perception Perception is always the first button that must be put right Whether China and the United States are rivals or partners is a fundamental issue, on which

‘Infiltrators’:

Modi accused of targeting Muslims in elec tion speech

feelings

ing based on

s muscular Hindu-first politics is a key part of his electoral appeal and his opponents accuse him of marginalising India’s 200 million Muslim population The prime minister usually steers away from explicit references to religion the word “Hindu” does not appear in his Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) 76page election manifesto But at a weekend election rally in Rajasthan Modi claimed a previous Congress government had said that Muslims have the first right over the nation s wealth He said if Congress won “it will be distributed among those who have more children It will be distributed to the infiltrators

It is necessary to focus on the development of characteristic advantageous industries develop new industries according to local conditions and accelerate the transformation and upgrading of industries in the western region, he said

He urged efforts to strengthen the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation actively cultivate high-level scientific and technological innovation talents and make breakthroughs in a number of key core technologies

It is important to accelerate the technological transformation of traditional industries, promote the upgrading of equipment in key industries, as well as traditional advantaged industries, and increase the efficiency of comprehensive utilization of resources

he said

He called for building tourism and other service industries into regional pillar industries developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions and exploring the development of modern manufacturing, strategic emerging industries, and future industries

Xi said it is necessary to accelerate the major projects to protect and restore key ecosystems strengthen the protection of ecological resources enhance the capacity of forest and grassland fire prevention and extinguishing, and deepen the prevention and treatment of pollution in key areas and fields

He called for promoting energy-saving and carbonreducing transformation of traditional industries and the orderly promotion of the clean and efficient use of coal

In its complaint to the Election Commission the Congress party said the divisive, objectionable and malicious comments were targeted at “a particular religious community” and amounted to “blatant and direct violations of electoral laws

They were far worse than any ever made by a sitting Prime Minister in the history of India , the complaint said Congress party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters outside the Commission’s office: We hope concrete action

Do you think your hardearned money should be given to infiltrators? Would you accept this?” Critics said the phrases were references to Muslims

will be taken ” Modi and the BJP are widely expected to coast to victory in India s marathon elections which began last Friday and with the results due on June 4

Earlier this year, Modi presided over the inauguration of a grand temple to the deity Ram, built on the site of a centuries-old mosque razed by Hindu zealots

The BJP has frequently invoked the temple on the campaign trail

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia told reporters Monday that Modi was calling “a spade a spade” and his remarks resonated with what people thought

It is necessary to adhere to the integration of development and security and enhance the ability to ensure security in key areas, such as energy resources, he added He urged efforts to strengthen the planning and control of mineral resources scale intensive development and utilization and accelerate the building of national mineral resources mining and processing bases

It is necessary to innovate the mechanism of crossregional industrial collaboration, promote the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing twin-city economic circle actively cultivate urban agglomeration develop provincial sub-centers and promote inter-city infrastructure connectivity and public service sharing said Xi

Xi emphasized the need to deeply implement the rural revitalization strategy, establish a regular supporting mechanism to help low-income populations and underdeveloped areas, and resolutely prevent largescale return to poverty

HBL’s Q1’24 profit up 40% YoY to Rs30.1b, star ting year with robust business fundamentals L argest higher educ ation delegation from UK visits Pakistan I

by

7

by PTI senator

Dr Humayun Mohmand, Naeem Haider Panjutha and PTI Women

Wing Kanwal Shauzab PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan demanded that Imran Khan s wife should be immediately transferred to Shaukat Khanum Hospital and she should be treated by doctors of her and Imran Khan’s choice

He made it clear that now nothing could be kept secret and they would not tolerate no laxity with regard to the health of Bushra Bibi Raoof warned that the party leadership exercised extreme restraint even in the face of worst reign of terror but the fascist

regime should bear in mind that situation might be get out of their control since the public patience was saturated

PTI CIS contended that last night an ambulance and doctors arrived at Bani Gala, but when PTI people reached there, it rushed back without giving any information to her family legal team and PTI as to what happened to her which was absolutely ridiculous disgusting and inhumane

He said that all state institutions badly failed in performing their legal and constitutional duties; however he lamented the role of Chief Justice of Pakistan and said that his inaction and silence over the worst human rights violations in the country raised many eyebrows

Speaking on the occasion, PTI Senator Mohmand raised serious question about the credibility of the medical assessment reports of Bushra Bibi and stated her medical examination was delayed for two months potentially with malicious intent to hide their crime because if tests did not conduct in specific window period their results could be different

He said that they could manipulate anything which the nation saw in case of Nawaz Sharif and even delayed tests could also have difference diagnosis

PTI senator made it clear that if she was allowed to undergo her medial test when she complained about her deterioration only then they could accept the test results

He demanded that she needed a clinical evaluation because even the medial examination also diagnosed that her stomach layer inflamed and digestive canal was damaged that was the reason doctors suggested her a better diet

therefore he could not exclude chances of poising her PTI Senator stressed the need that they wanted a thorough medical checkup because they could not rule out any foul play in the investigation, which they witnessed when doctor declared that Nawan’s platelets dropped alarming, forcing PTI government to immediately allow him to travel abroad for treatment despite being in good health

Speaking on the occasion Panjutah said that Bushra Bibi had no health issue before detention and the issue of her medical examination was dragged for two months with malicious intent

PTI leader stated that when they came to know about the arrival of ambulance at Bani Gala, they reached there but neither were they allowed to enter the house nor any information about her health was shared with them

However he stated that they came to know that she complained of chest pain and acidity and she was first examined by two to three lady doctors; however, later a team of doctors joined them due to seriousness of the issue

Panjutha demanded that the people orchestrated the malicious plot to poison Bushra Bibi should be identified and be brought to justice instantly He requested that she should be immediately transferred to Shaukat Khanum Hospital so that a board of doctors could examine her health PTI leader stated that Maryam Nawaz jail superintendent and king of jangle would be held accountable if anything happened to Bushra Bibi, adding that the entire party was concerned about her health because her life was in danger