Khan’s release not possible despite acquittal: Vawda
sion was beyond the constitution and law and it increased the difficulties for PTI
Former Federal Minister Faisal Vawda on Saturday reacted to the verdict in the Iddat case, saying that Imran Khan’s release was still not possible despite order of his acquittal Senator Faisal Vawda said that the Iddat case was shameful and brought personal life into politics However despite acquittal, Imran Khan s release was still not possible because there are many stages and cases yet to go through
He mentioned that Friday’s deci-
He said that no matter how much someone tried to provide concessions outside the constitution and law, logic would not prevail, but the law would Many stages and cases were still pending Faisal Vawda said that if such concessions continue to be given beyond the constitution and law all the institutions within the constitution and law will stand against you He said that there would be difficulty whenever the political decisions were made political
Hours after the acquittal in Nikah in Iddat case on Saturday incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi, were arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a fresh Toshakhana reference A NAB team headed by Deputy Director Mohsin Haroon arrived at Adiala Jail where ex-premier Imran
Parliament Speaking at a press conference in Sialkot, Federal Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that legislation is the privilege of the Parliament and all institutions have their responsibilities outlined in the constitution The judiciary s job is to interpret the constitution Criticizing the Supreme Court’s decision he said that as politicians they have made many mistakes The Supreme Court in its decision on reserved seats has
rewritten the constitution This decision not only reached the doorstep but also provided relief Khawaja Asif stated that it was not PTI but the Sunni Ittehad Council that had come to the court Relief was given to those who were not even the petitioners Those who had submitted affidavits to the Election Commission on behalf of the Sunni Ittehad Council cannot go back on them When those taking multiple oaths reach the assembly, what will be the worth of the assembly? PTI lost its electoral symbol for not holding intra-party elections The Defense Minister said that the Parliament and the Election Commission are all executive institutions The higher judiciary is not
making decisions considering political implications A big Pandora’s box has been opened due to the situation This is not good for the national future We still have 209 members in Parliament The judiciary s interference in politics has been going on for many years He further stated that a decision on the review appeal against the Supreme Court’s verdict will be made in Parliament on Monday Many constitutional provisions have been violated in the decision The reaction to the decision will be given after consultation with allies
in society and the economic
I L L E R S ’ S T R I K E
British investors keen to invest in Pak istan’s energy sec tor
FBR to expand fixed
J E C T
Cour t rules Imran, Bushra Bibi ‘validl y married ’ , sets aside Iddat c ase convic tions
CONTINUEDF FROM PAGE 01
Earlier in the day Khawar Maneka filed a pair of applications one was to carry out the medical checkup of Bushra Bibi his ex-wife to ascertain her menstrual cycle while the other application called on religious scholars and Ulema for consultation on further deliberation on the duration of Iddat
The judge in his order dismissed both applications adding that the orders for the release of the PTI founder and his spouse were issued According to the short order appeals filed by both appellants were accepted and the couple were acquitted of the charge
“Whereas [ ] the Superintendent Central Prison Adiala Rawalpindi is required and authorised to release the above-referred appellants forthwith if they are not required in any other case it said
The written verdict said: Both the appellants contracted second marriage as per statement of complainant party after Iddat, therefore, this marriage has become valid marriage Similarly, under Sunni law, an unlawful conjunction by way of marriage during Iddat period renders the marriage irregular and not void and an irregular marriage becomes regular the moment the
bottleneck is removed i e Iddat period expires
It further said: This court is of the view that the appellants have not gone through any marriage ceremony fraudulently or with dishonest intention because none of the parties claim that Nikah was not performed and fraudulently he or she was supposed to believe that marriage ceremony was solemnised In the instant case it is case of the complainant that on Jan 1 2018 Nikah of the appellants was performed and then second Nikah was performed in February 2018 In this way, by no stretch of imagination, it was a marriage with dishonest or fraudulent intention ” The order said it was also “surprising” that Maneka remained passive for six years to pursue his right of return adding that the period for it had already expired by the time the complaint was filed It concluded that he had failed to prove his case
TODAY’S HEARING
At the outset of the hearing today, Maneka’s lawyer Advocate Zahid Asif said Imran’s legal team had mentioned bringing witnesses to the court during the previous proceedings If they want to bring witnesses they can we don t have any objections, he stated, adding that the court could accept evidence at any point during the case
At least 71 dead as Israel ‘targets’ Hamas militar y chief in G aza
I M F d e a l
TH
I n c r e a s e i n D e f e n s e b u d g e t i s i n e v i t a b l e
the country’s boundaries from any external bruise should be the priority of the state
Along history of Pakistan shows extreme and great rivalries with its neighbours Those rivalries have set the national security parameters for Pakistan that are necessary for her survival It s the ultimate responsibility of the state to have tutelage over its physical and spiritual means Pakistan’s security concerns are deeply rooted in its significant geographical location It s one of the components that allows threats to impede the socioeconomic development of the state Avoiding the flanks of border security will produce tremors that will cause a debacle for the country For instance, a house with weak walls can’t protect the residents living inside Hence Pakistan’s central focus has always been to develop a strong military However there are multiple reasons behind allocating a substantial portion of the budget for Defence which are not only important but define the survival of Pakistan in the world of anarchy The allocation of the budget is driven by multiple factors including strategic location among India, Iran, and Afghanistan It is also driven by the perceived threat of India being the regional enemy of Pakistan Pakistan has made numerous advancements in its nuclear programme missile technology jets and enhancements to its naval and air defence systems Pakistan s border with Iran and Afghanistan poses an indefinite number of threats to her national security Increasing extremism in Pakistan is the outcome of the Taliban taking over Afghanistan Pakistan has always had an ironclad commitment to her national security, to compromise on it means compromising on people s lives Currently, Pakistan is facing a wave of terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which impedes the construction of the CPEC project If Pakistan stops focusing on its military capability then the belligerency will be an outcome of laxness On the other hand the enduring non-stop and protracted rivalry with India is the main threat to Pakistan Both countries have been engaged in crucial and devastating wars, while the game of balance of power is continuously taking place between the two countries To counter the emerging threats from India a viable and strong army is needed The continuous development of the nuclear programem by India and an advancement in military personnel stand out as a huge peril to the national security of Pakistan For instance, India is to significantly increase its share of nuclear power by 70 petvrnt In this threatening environment protecting
C r i s i s a n d C o n s e q u e n c e :
T h e e m i g r a t i o n u r g e
Migration is increasingly an option
Amid a backdrop of global crises the pressures of local challenges and crises play a crucial role in driving the surge in emigration and longing for emigration Pakistan s current scenario, marked by economic decline, political chaos, and environmental crises, lays bare the harsh realities facing its citizens Specifically high unemployment especially among youth stagnant wages and inflation erode the basics of a stable life propelling individuals to seek opportunities beyond their borders Meanwhile, political instability, corruption, and inadequate public services exacerbate the urge to leave Add to this mix the severe impacts of climate change and resource scarcity For many emigration is less a choice than a necessity a desperate bid for safety stability and a better future A higher desire to leave a country can have several profound consequences Economically, it may lead to a brain drain where skilled professionals migrate, potentially stalling development and innovation Socially it could exacerbate demographic imbalances as younger populations often emigrate leaving behind an aging populace Politically it may signal dissatisfaction with governance, which can influence electoral dynamics and policy priorities Moreover, remittances from abroad could become a crucial economic lifeline but might
Subsequently the issue of terrorism has sown the seed of hatred between two neighboring countries The invasion of Afghanistan by US-led forces has intensified the region, Pakistan had expected friendly relations with Afghanistan and a peaceful environment as Islamabad had supported the Taliban fighting against the USA However since the Taliban s return to Afghanistan not only have the Taliban refused to accept the Durand line but terror attacks have increased in Pakistan So, Pakistan has its preponderant focus on its military capacity to ensure the protection of national security Eventually in October 2023 Islamabad decided to expel illegal Afghan nationals staying in Pakistan
The authorities claimed that some of these illegal migrants were found involved in the recent terror attacks Furthermore, the country has experienced terror attacks over the last 18 months Most of these attacks are claimed by the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan, which is ideologically aligned with Afghanistan Following measures for national security and counter-terrorism Pakistan s top leadership has approved the launch of the new military operation aimed at stabilizing the country In addition, the province of Baluchistan has also witnessed terror attacks significantly challenging the national security of Pakistan China, one of the key allies has invested $62 billion in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development project
also create dependency, diverting focus from necessary domestic reforms and economic diversification
To curb the growing desire for emigration Pakistan must implement strategic policy measures aimed at creating a stable prosperous homeland Key actions include promoting economic reforms that spur job creation in diverse sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and technology, alongside bolstering small and medium enterprises Simultaneously, enhancing the quality and accessibility of education through tailored vocational and skill development programs is crucial Legal and political reforms are necessary to foster trust in public institutions, with a focus on anti-corruption measures and ensuring political stability Upgrading infrastructure and public services will improve the quality of life and address migration push factors Environmental sustainability and resource management must be prioritized to counteract the impacts of climate change Moreover, engaging the Pakistani diaspora to contribute to domestic development through investment and technology transfer can provide a significant boost By taking these comprehensive steps Pakistan can transform into a nation where leaving is no longer seen as the only path to a better life
The writer is a research supervisor at COTHM College, Lahore She can be reached at nisa khan0977@yahoo com and badarunnisa@cothm edu pk
A higher desire to leave a countr y can have several profound consequences Economically, it may lead to a brain drain where skilled professionals migrate , potentially stalling development and innovation Socially, it could exacerbate demographic imbalances, as young er populations often emigrate , leaving behind an aging populace
Addressing harassment challenges in universities
Badar Un niSa
sands of people thronged the Central Jail Sri-
forces against Muslim Kashmiris It has been manifested in various ruthless tactics
going in the Indian-Occupied Kashmir
nagar to witness the in-camera trial of Abdul Qadeer As the time for obligatory prayer approached a young Kashmiri stood for Azan
The Dogra Governor Ray Zada Tartilok
Chand ordered soldiers to open fire at him
EV E RY year, Kashmir Martyrs’ Day
(Youme Shudaha-e-Kashmir) is commemorated on July 13 in the memory of 21 Kashmiris who were martyred outside Srinagar Central Jail by the troops of Dogra Maharaja on 13 July 1931 This day is observed on both sides of the Line of Control and all over the world by the Kashmiris, including their Pakistani brethren to pay homage to these Kashmiris
In fact the history of Dogra rule (18461947) in Kashmir is replete with tyrannous treatment meted out to the Kashmiri Muslims by Dogra forces Under the Dogra rule, they were leading such miserable lives that it was difficult to differentiate them from beasts Slave labour heavy taxes capital punishment for cow slaughter and living under constant terror was the order of the day
On 19 April 1931 the ban of Eid Khutba (Sermon) ignited widespread demonstrations in the Jummu city for a number of days It was followed by desecration of the Holy Quran at the hands of Dogra forces, which resulted in outrage among the Muslims throughout the state In Srinagar people gathered in Jamia Masjid to denounce this blasphemy One such get-together was held in Khanqah-e-Molla Srinagar, which was addressed by prominent Kashmiris When the meeting was concluded, a youth, Abdul Qadeer, pointing his finger to the Maharaja’s palace raised slogans “Destroy its every brick ” With the accusation of sedition he was arrested forthwith Abdul Qadir was to be tried in the court but due to large public resentment, the court was shifted to Central Jail Srinagar
On 12 July 1931, in response to the shifting of court, intense public protests were held throughout the city The next day thou-
Modi in Moscow
When he got martyred, another young man took his place and started Azan He was also shot dead In this way, 21 Kashmiris embraced martyrdom in their efforts to complete the Azan The people carried the dead and paraded through the streets of Srinagar chanting slogans against Dogra brutalities
Complete strike was observed in the city which was followed by weeklong mourning
This incident shook the whole state and the traffic from Srinagar to Rawalpindi and Srinagar to Jammu came to halt from 13 to 26 July The 21 martyrs are buried in Martyrs’ Graveyard at Khawaja Bazar Srinagar
Consequent upon these brutal killings the Kashmiri leadership realized the need to form a political party, Muslim Conference, with a view to waging struggle for their freedom Afterwards, on 19 July 1947, MC passed a resolution to merge Kashmir with Pakistan considering the geographical proximity the majority Muslim population (77 percent) language and cultural relations of Jammu and Kashmir
During the partition of the Sub-continent, the people of the state of Jammu and Kashmir which had a Muslim majority decided to join Pakistan Hoever the Dogra Raja Sir Hari Singh a Hindu who was ruling over the J&K in collusion with the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Governor General Lord Mountbatten, joined India
The Radcliffe Boundary Award gave the Gurdaspur District, a majority Muslim area, to India to provide a land route to the Indian forces to move into the J&K Indian forces invaded Srinagar on 27 October 1947 and forcibly occupied the J&K in utter violation of the partition plan
When Pakistan responded militarily, on 31 December 1947, India made an appeal to the UN Security Council to intervene and a ceasefire ultimately came into effect on 1 January 1949 following UN resolutions calling for a plebiscite in Kashmir
On 5 February 1964, India backed out of its commitment of holding a plebiscite Instead, the Indian Parliament declared Kashmir-an integral part of the Indian union Since 1989 various forms of state terrorism have been part of a deliberate campaign by the Indian army and paramilitary
On 5 August 2019 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi leader of the BJP-led extremist government revoked Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution which gave a special status to the disputed territory The Indian government bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, to be ruled by the federal government On the same day strict military lockdown was imposed in Indian-Occupied Kashmir which continues unabated
Due to Modi s pressure the verdict of the Indian Supreme Court on December 11 upheld the decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir ’s special constitutional status in 2019
While the deployment of more than 900 000 military troops in the Indian-Occupied Kashmir who have martyred tens of thousands of the Kashmiris including women and children through brutal tactics like fake encounters; closure of mosques, shortage of foods, medicines for the patients have further increased the plight of the Kashmiris
In order to hide human rights violations communication services have been cut off from the world and foreign journalists are not allowed to enter the Kashmir region
While, under a well-planned hidden agenda, the Modi-led regime has intensified measures, bringing ethno-demographic changes in Indian-Occupied Kashmir In this context Indian various moves such as introduction of new laws amendment of the laws to facilitate non-Kashmiris and outsiders in order to usurp the rights of the Muslim Kashmiris issuance of domicile certificates to more than 800000 non-Kashmiris, registration of almost 2 5 million new non-local voters in the Indian-Occupied Kashmir failure of fake drama to host G-20 summit on May 22-24 2022 in the Indian-Occupied Kashmir might be cited as instance
Despite the use of chemical weapons, pellet guns and phosphorus bombs, Kashmiris have accelerated their struggle for independence
Notably Indian forces have been also availing various draconian laws such as Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) the Public Safety Act (PSA) etc in martyring the Kashmiri people, and for arbitrarily arresting any individual for an indefinite period Western media, human rights groups and leaders of various countries and UNO have repeatedly condemned Indian illegal measures and human rights abuses which keep on
In this context, US House of Representatives Terry Meza participated in a recent event organized by Kashmir Global Council (KGC) and South Asia Democracy Watch in Frisco Texas Ms Terry Meeza was the chief guest and the symposium was attended by well-known social activist Ms Beverly Hill, and various entities
Endorsing Kashmirs’ freedom, Meza said that she is against any form of oppression and stressed the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir a resolution was passed which stressed for upholding the human rights of Kashmiri people and appealed to allow the UN Human Rights Commission to verify the report compiled by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2018-19
Now at the global level there is growing noticeable awareness regarding Indian s brutal acts and atrocities in Indian-Occupied Kashmir
Continuing his anti-Muslim and antiPakistan approach, Indian PM Modi sworn in as India’s prime minister on June 9, this year for a rare third term The BJP together with its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has won a majority despite a sharp reduction in their seats compared with the 2019 elections Modi has been elected leader of the NDA alliance Critics say “Modi undermined India’s democracy and its status as a secular nation with attacks by Hindu nationalists against the country s minorities particularly Muslims Modi unveiled his coalition government s 30 cabinet posts especially including anti-Pakistan Ajit Doval
Meanwhile, at least 10 people have been killed on June 9, this year after a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in the Indian-Occupied Kashmir was attacked by Kashmirs freedom fighters
Most of the Indian media entities allegedly blamed Pakistan for the assault on the bus
Ronak Shahi, a resident of Hyderabad, shared his anxieties with DW stating “Modi administration has strained relations with neighbouring countries and there is concern that these conflicts might escalate further
The situation in Kashmir, which lost its special status during Modi s rule, is particularly tense and is expected to deteriorate further”
The newly elected Modi can arrange another false flag operation against Pakistan to keep his coalition (NDA) united and to divert attention from his weak government
India regularly accuses Pakistan and its superior intelligence agency ISI of supporting and arming rebels in Kashmir a charge Islamabad always denied
Since Modi became Indian PM he started implementing the ideology of Hindutva (Hindu Nationalism) Again, during the election campaign of 2024, the Hindu majority was mobilized especially on ‘hate Muslim’ slogans
Tension escalated rapidly between New Delhi and Islamabad in the aftermath of the false flag Pulwama terror attack in the Indian-Occupied Kashmir when on 27 mFebruary 2019, in response to the Indian so-called pre-emptive air strike near the town of Balakot, close to the border with Pakistan’s sector of Kashmir which resulted into no casualties Pakistan Air Force shot down two Indian Air Force fighter jets and launched aerial strikes at six targets in the Indian-Occupied Kashmir
Once again, by ignoring the danger of nuclear war, India wants to recreate the Pulwama drama to obtain political goals Global media reports also confirmed that Indian forces are spreading terrorism along the Line of Control (LoC) to achieve political
on dialogue and diplomacy to break the Russia-Ukraine stalemate No matter what the outcome Delhi’s pragmatic approach has ensured that neither the West nor Russia can take it for granted
My message to the new world
ON May 19, 2024, the untimely passing of President Ebrahim Raisi- a deeply respected and dedicated public servant- in a tragic helicopter crash precipitated early elections in Iran marking a pivotal moment in our nation s history Amidst war and turbulence in our region Iran s political system demonstrated remarkable stability by conducting elections in a competitive, peaceful, and orderly manner, dispelling insinuations made by some “Iran experts in certain governments This stability and the dignified manner in which the elections were conducted underscore the discernment of our Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and the dedication of our people to democratic transition of power even in the face of adversity I ran for office on a platform of reform fostering national unity and constructive engagement with the world ultimately earning the trust of my compatriots at the ballot box including those young women and men dissatisfied with the overall state of affairs I deeply value their trust and am fully committed to cultivating consensus both domestically and internationally to uphold the promises I made during my campaign I wish to emphasize that my administration will be guided by the commitment to preserving Iran s national dignity and international stature under all circumstances Iran’s foreign policy is founded on the principles of “dignity wisdom and prudence” with the formulation and execution of this statepolicy being the responsibility of the president and the government I intend to leverage all authority granted to my office to pursue this overarching objective
With this in mind, my administration will pursue an opportunity-driven policy by creating balance in relations with all countries consistent with our national interests economic development and requirements of regional and global peace and security Accordingly, we will welcome sincere efforts to alleviate tensions and will reciprocate good-faith with good-faith Under my administration we will prioritize strengthening relations with our neighbors We will champion the establishment of a strong region rather than one where a single country pursues hegemony and dominance over the others I firmly believe that neighboring and brotherly nations should not waste their valuable resources on erosive competitions arms races or the unwarranted containment of each other Instead we will aim to create an environment where our resources can be devoted to the progress and development of the region for the benefit of all We look forward to cooperating with Turkiye Saudi Arabia Oman Iraq Bahrain Qatar Kuwait the United Arab Emirates and regional organizations to deepen our economic ties bolster trade relations promote
joint-venture investment tackle common challenges and move towards establishing a regional framework for dialogue, confidence building and development Our region has been plagued for too long by war, sectarian conflicts, terrorism and extremism, drug trafficking water scarcity refugee crises environmental degradation and foreign interference It is time to tackle these common challenges for the benefit of future generations Cooperation for regional development and prosperity will be the guiding principle of our foreign policy As nations endowed with abundant resources and shared traditions rooted in peaceful Islamic teachings we must unite and rely on the power of logic rather than the logic of power By leveraging our normative influence, we can play a crucial role in the emerging post-polar global order by promoting peace, creating a calm environment conducive to sustainable development fostering dialogue and dispelling Islamophobia Iran is prepared to play its fair share in this regard In 1979 following the Revolution the newly established Islamic Republic of Iran, motivated by respect for international law and fundamental human rights, severed ties with two apartheid regimes Israel and South Africa Israel remains an apartheid regime to this day now adding genocide to a record already marred by occupation war crimes ethnic cleansing, settlement-building, nuclear weapons possession, illegal annexation, and aggression against its neighbors
will urge our neighboring Arab countries to
diplomatic leverages to prioritize
stop the massacre and prevent the broadening of the conflict We must then diligently work to end the prolonged occupation that has devastated the lives of four generations
seems that many
people in Western countries have recognized the
stance
the
lidity of
opportunity to tell
generation that we regard the allegations of antisemitism against Iran for its principled stance on the Palestinian issue as not only patently false but also as an insult to our culture beliefs and core values Rest assured that these accusations are as absurd as the unjust claims of antisemitism directed at you while you protest on university campuses to defend the Palestinians right to life China and Russia have consistently stood by us during challenging times We deeply value this friendship Our 25-year roadmap
with China represents a significant milestone towards establishing a mutually beneficial comprehensive strategic partnership, and we look forward to collaborating more extensively with Beijing as we advance towards a new global order In 2023, China played a pivotal role in facilitating the normalization of our relations with Saudi Arabia showcasing its constructive vision and forward-thinking approach to international affairs Russia is a valued strategic ally and neighbor to Iran and my administration will remain committed to expanding and enhancing our cooperation We strive for peace for the people of Russia and Ukraine and my government will stand prepared to actively support initiatives aimed at achieving this objective I will continue to prioritize bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Russia, particularly within frameworks such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Eurasia Economic Union Recognizing that the global landscape has evolved beyond traditional dynamics my administration is committed to fostering mutually beneficial relations with emerging international players in the Global South, especially with African nations We will strive to enhance our collaborative efforts and strengthen our partnerships for the mutual benefit of all involved
Iran s relations with Latin America are well-established and will be closely maintained and deepened to foster development, dialogue and cooperation in all fields There is significantly more potential for cooperation between Iran and the countries of Latin America than what is currently being realized and we look forward to further strengthening our ties
Iran s relations with Europe have known its ups and downs After the United States withdrawal from the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in May 2018 European countries made eleven commitments to Iran to try to salvage the agreement and mitigate the impact of the United States unlawful and unilateral sanctions on our economy These commitments involved ensuring effective banking transactions, effective protection of companies from U S sanctions, and the promotion of investments in Iran European countries have reneged on all these commitments yet unreasonably expect Iran to unilaterally fulfill all its obligations under the JCPOA Despite these missteps, I look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue with European countries to set our relations on the right path based on principles of mutual respect and equal footing European countries should realize that Iranians are a proud people whose rights and dignity can no longer be overlooked There are numerous areas of cooperation that Iran and Europe can explore once European powers come to terms with this reality and set aside self-arrogated moral
supremacy coupled with manufactured crises that have plagued our relations for so long Opportunities for collaboration include economic and technological cooperation, energy security, transit routes, environment, as well as combating terrorism and drug trafficking, refugee crises and other fields all of which could be pursued to the benefit of our nations
The United States also needs to recognize the reality and understand once and for all that Iran does not and will not respond to pressure We entered the JCPOA in 2015 in good faith and fully met our obligations But the United States unlawfully withdrew from the agreement motivated by purely domestic quarrels and vengeance inflicting hundreds of billions of dollars in damage to our economy, and causing untold suffering, death and destruction on the Iranian people particularly during the Covid pandemic through the imposition of extraterritorial unilateral sanctions The U S deliberately chose to escalate hostilities by waging not only an economic war against Iran but also engaging in state terrorism by assassinating General Qassem Soleimani, a global anti-terrorism hero known for his success in saving the people of our region from the scourge of ISIS and other ferocious terrorist groups Today the world is witnessing the harmful consequences of that choice The U S and its Western allies not only missed a historic opportunity to reduce and manage tensions in the region and the world, but also
Sajjad ShaUkat
N D O C U M E N T E D A F G H A N S
to formally broaden its definition of crimes against humanity to include “gender apartheid” a phrase the UN has used to describe the situation in Afghanistan
Earlier this month the UN and Taliban sat down for talks in Doha for the first time since the latter came to power but without women in attendance Malala said the Doha talks made a “compromise on the future of women and girls” calling for a “principled engagement with the Taliban World leaders need to realise that when they sit down with the Taliban [ ] and they re excluding women and girls, they are actually doing the Taliban a favour,
Vanuatu is China’s good friend, par tner in Pacific Islands region
and prosperity Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Vanuatu's Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai in Beijing China July 12 2024 /Xinhua
nor a geopolitical sphere of influence, he said China does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries or force other countries to take sides and it al-
ways stands on the right side of history and on the side of fairness and justice Xi stressed A CHINA-VANUATU COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE IN NEW ERA China and Vanuatu agreed to upgrade their comprehensive strategic partnership to build a community with a shared future in the new era between the two countries in a joint statement issued on Friday During talks with Vanuatu’s prime minister, Xi said the two countries have maintained profound friendship and stood by each other on issues concerning each other s core interests over the past 42 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations China attaches great importance to the development of China-Vanuatu relations
and is ready to continue to deepen the high-level political mutual trust join the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and deepen the all-weather and all-round friendship and cooperation to build a community with a shared future in the new era between the two countries he said Xi added China is willing to exchange governance experience with Vanuatu, share development opportunities brought about by Chinese modernization, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, deepen practical cooperation in infrastructure economy trade investment and climate change and encourage Chinese businesses to go to Vanuatu He said China will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to Vanuatu without any political attachments and help it secure development
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Vanuatu s Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, in Beijing, China, July 12, 2024 /Xinhua For his part, Salwai said the three global initiatives and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by the Chinese president are of great significance in upholding international justice and promoting common development China follows the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and treats smaller countries like Vanuatu on an equal footing which fully reflects equality and respect for such countries he said
The government of Vanuatu is committed to the one-China principle, believes that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, supports all the efforts by the Chinese government to realize national reunification and opposes Taiwan independence in any form said Salwai
Vanuatu s government also supports China s position on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Xizang, human rights and the South China Sea, he added Salwai said Vanuatu wants to learn from China s experience in governance strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China and promote practical cooperation in infrastructure, economy, trade and other fields
he added The old Steinway Hall is the headquarters and showroom of the legendary piano company, so it seems to fit the bill in terms of grandeur and stateliness
LONDON S ta f f C o r r e S p o n d e n t
Chinese ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang highlighted the significance of bridge building in China-UK relations, and the role of the Great Britain-China Centre (GBCC) in it At the 50th anniversary celebration of the organization the ambassador expressed thanks to GBCC s contribution during the past five decades while saying the 50-year changes in the world and the China-UK relations have provided inspirations for reflecting on what makes good diplomacy Zheng highlighted that good diplomacy is always about connecting the people and promoting friendship He recalled hosting about 80
delegations in
last
from
provinces and cities, universities and businesses The exchanges have helped to link the people of the two countries However, he mentioned that the inter-governmental exchanges are far from enough while ex-
pressing hope to see more of this, as well as students studying in each other ’s countries The Chinese ambassador also emphasized “managing difficult issues and creating opportunities to work together in his speech The right way to deal with any differences is to respect each other s core interests, and through dialogue and consultation, minimize the disturbance they bring to the overall relationship,” said Zheng adding
