14 minute read
STORY ON
uS commiSSion liStS Khurram parvez, SiddiQue Kappan aS freedom of reliGion victimS
wASHINGTON
Advertisement
newS DeSk
WASHINGTON-BASED Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) has welcomed the US Commission on International Religious Freedom’s decision to list Kashmiri human rights defender, Khurram Parvez, and Indian journalist, Siddique Kappan, on the Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Victims List.
The FoRB list is a database of persons imprisoned or detained in a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
The IAMC in a statement said, coming as it does at a time when human rights violations, including custodial killings, are rampant in India, the timely move will go a long towards engaging the government in ensuring safety of the victims and securing their freedom. This may work as India is a Country of Particular Concern, which USCIRF defines as a country that has engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” violations of religious freedom, it said.
India has been recommended as a CPC for two years in a row by the UNSCIRF.
Khurram Parvez, who was arrested in November 2021 is a world renowned human rights defender from Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He is the coordinator of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), an organisation that has repeatedly criticised the human rights abuses committed by Indian troops in the occupied territory.
Parvez has played an active role in documenting gross human rights abuses by Indian forces in IIOJK especially those perpetrated after the revocation of the special status of the territory in late 2019 by the Indian government.
On November 22, 2021, he was arrested and detained on the fake charges of “terror-funding, ” “conspiracy ” , and “ waging war against the government of India” . The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a draconian law, was invoked against him.
On December 4, 2021, he was shifted to a highsecurity prison in New Delhi to await hearing even though the charges are leveled against him on flimsy grounds. Ever since, his current location is not known to anyone.
His arrest sparked international outrage and concern. On December 22, 2021, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in a statement called for Parvez ’s release.
Automobile prices rise as manufacturers pass on FED to consumers
KARACHI
Monitoring rePort
Automobile manufacturers have increased prices by up to Rs493,000 after an increase in the Federal Excise Duty (FED) as per the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021.
Automobile companies which have increased prices include Indus Motor Company (IMC), HondaAtlas Cars Ltd (HACL) and Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd (PSMCL).
The prices of different models of Toyotayaris have increased in the range of Rs63,000-Rs76,000.The revised rates of yaris 1.3GLI MT, GLI CVT, ATIV MT,ATIVCVT, 1.5ATIVXMTand 1.5 ATV X CVT are Rs2.612 million, Rs2.817 million, Rs2.745 million, Rs2.919 million, Rs2.97 million and Rs3.175 million respectively.
Similarly, prices for differentToyota Corolla variants have increased by Rs81,000-Rs100,000. The revised rates of Corolla 1.6MT, 1.6AT, 1.6AT SE, 1.8CVT, 1.8 Grande CVT and 1.8 Grande CVT (black interior) are Rs3.38 million, Rs3.534 million, Rs3.892 million, Rs3.872 million, Rs4.179 million and Rs4.199 million respectively.
Moreover, HACL has increased the price of Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo, 1.8L VTI CVT SR and 1.8L VTI CVT by Rs100,000-126,000 to Rs5.175 million, Rs4.366 million and Rs4.079 million respectively.
Meanwhile, prices for Honda City 1.5L CVT, 1.5LASP MT and 1.5LASP CVT stood at Rs3.146 million, Rs3.279 million and Rs3.454 million.
However, HACL has not increased the price of Honda City 1.2L MT and CVT models since there is no FED on 1,200 CC vehicles.
Moreover, in a similar move, PSMCL has also pushed up prices of Suzuki automobiles by Rs29,000Rs150,000.
NEwS DESK
Pakistan’s current account deficit widened to $1.93 billion in December 2021, compared to $629 million a year ago and $ 1.89 billion in November, 2021, according to data published by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). According to the central bank, the current account deficit is a result of a significant trade shock amid the ongoing economic recovery.
The current account deficit stood at 7.6 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in December as compared to 7.3 per cent in November.
The July-December 2021 current account deficit was at $9.09 billion, compared with a $1.25 billion surplus in the same period of last year.
prof Qasim bashir elected honorary fellow of royal college of physicians of edinburgh
NEwS DESK
Professor Dr Qasim Bashir, Clinical & Interventional Neurologist, Head of Department Neurology at Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The Society rigorously assesses the achievements of those it appoints as fellows considering their professional standing and recognizing excellence across a diverse range of expertise and experience, and its effect on society. This exceptional honor is fitting recognition of Dr Qasim Bashir’s outstanding contributions especially in Stroke & Interventional Neurology in Pakistan. Dr Qasim is son of renowned late Professor Dr BashirAhmad [Neurosurgeon]. He is a graduate of King Edward Medical College, Lahore and completed Neurology residency from University of Vermont at Burlington, USA and additional fellowship training and board certifications in Vascular [Stroke] Neurology and Neurocritical care from renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA. He completed a third fellowship in Neuroendovascular Surgery/Interventional Neurology from University of Illinois at Chicago, USA; where he also held faculty position for 5 years before relocating to his birth city –Lahore. Dr Qasim Bashir is a Fellow of Society of Vascular Intervention Neurology [SVIN], USAand holds the distinctive Neuroendovascular Surgery credentialing from The Committee onAdvanced Subspecialty Training (CAST), USAwhich falls under the Council of the Society of Neurological Surgeons, USA.
Sbp to announce monetary policy on monday
KARACHI
newS DeSk
State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Monetary Policy Committe (MPC) is set to announce the monetary policy on Monday. According to a statement issued by the central bank, SBP Governor Dr Reza Baqir will brief the media after the MPC meeting.Areport published by The News suggests that the benchmark policy rate is expected to remain unchanged. Earlier the SBP governor had said that the central bank is taking “a pause to first look at the effects of the tightening [it has done] before considering what monetary policy settings should be. ” In its last meeting on December 14, 2021, the MPC had raised the policy rate by 100 basis points to 9.75 per cent to counter inflationary pressures and address the current account deficit.
Justice Isa highlights problems of litigants due to delay in dispensation of justice
LAHORE
newS DeSk
Supreme Court Judge Justice Qazi Faez has raised questions over the notion of ‘supremacy of law ’in the country, saying that the authorities concerned did not take any action against the individual who threatened his family last year. He said this on Saturday while addressing the legal fraternity at two different seminars arranged by the Punjab Bar Council and Lahore High Court Bar Association.
Justice Isa said a first information report (FIR) was not registered against the man who threatened to “hang him in square” for five days despite his wife had informed the concerned quarters.
“It was a serious case but no one bothered, ” he added.Healsodispelledthe impression that he was a “symbol of independent judiciary ” and “future of judiciary ” , saying the titles given to him by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) PresidentAhsanBhoonhad nothing to do with reality and he did not deserve them. The apex court judge also highlighted problems being faced by litigants saying there was a general perception that verdict in their cases will be announced “after decades” .
Judgesandtheirstaffers timely withdraw their salariesbutthelitigantbears the cost owing to the lawyer’s strikes, he added.
As Balochistan High Courtchiefjustice,Isasaid, he never let the lawyers to go on strikes and resolved their genuine problems amicably. Justice Isa said only the supremacy of law can put the country on the path of progress and added that civil courts had been directed not to delay the case proceedings. The superiorcourtjudgesaidthe verdicts of the court as well as different laws should be publishedinUrdulanguage on official websites. SCBA PresidentAhsanBhoonsaid a culture of intolerance has developed across the country and added that negativeopinionshouldnot be supported against those judges who give their dissenting notes in decisions.
CM Buzdar announces compensation for Lahore blast victims
LAHORE
Staff RepoRt
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Saturday announced financial assistance for the families of those killed and injured in Lahore’sAnarkali blast that saw at least three people dead and several injured. In a statement, the chief minister said Rs1 million will be given to the families of those who lost their lives in the Lahore blast. Buzdar further announced that those severely injured in theAnarkali blast would get Rs500,000, while the injured would get Rs100,000 each. The suspects arrested via CCTV footage were turned out to be labourers who were working at a construction site of a building near the bomb blast site atAnarkali Bazaar. It emerged that three arrested suspects includingAzam and Imran had been working as labourers at an under-construction building and went to Lahore’sAnarkali Bazaar to purchase warm clothes on the day of the bomb blast.At least three persons including a child had lost their lives and 29 others were injured in a bomb blast that took place on Thursday evening at 1:40 pm in the busy Anarkali area of Lahore.
Comedians escape attempt on life
LAHORE
Staff RepoRt
Unidentified persons fired shots at the vehicle of stage comedy veterans Naseem Vicky and Agha Majid in Faisalabad on Saturday. The vehicle, targeted on Rajbah Road in Faisalabad by two armed men, was damaged in the attack. Vicky, Majid and Sabina Cinema contractor Raja Tahir were in the car when it was sprayed with bullets. A case was registered against unidentified attackers at Rail Bazar Police Station. Vicky said the attackers can’t shut down a theatre by harassing the actors. “You cannot scare us. We earn livelihood for our children through this profession, ” he added. Faisalabad City Police Officer (CPO) Ghulam Mubashir Maken took notice of the incident and ordered the department to arrest the culprits at the earliest.
farooq spills the beans on violent events of 2007, 2016
KARACHI
INp
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar made startling revelations over the role of his party ’s faction now led by founderAltaf Hussain in the violent events of May 12, 2007, divisions within the party in the aftermath ofAugust 22, 2016 episode and offers being made to him to abandon ship and join other political groups. Sattar made these revelations in an interview to a television channel and said he had not made any contact with MQM-London and its chief Hussain, day after announcing to part ways with him in 2016. “Nadeem Nusrat telephoned me and conveyed that MQM founder was seeking forgiveness over his speech and asked me to share his apology during the presser onAugust 23, ” Sattar said and added he however refused to share the apology saying that he has nothing to do with it now.
SharifS haven’t denied preparation of affidavit on nawaz’S inStruCtionS: fawad
NEws DEsK
MINISTER for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Saturday said that the Sharif family has not denied that former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Justice Rana Shamim’s affidavit was signed in the office of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on the latter’s instructions.
In a tweet, the minister said: “Rana Shamim and the solicitor recorded this affidavit in the office of Nawaz Sharif. All incidents appear to be an attempt at influencing the court. ” Earlier on Friday, Fawad had said that it is an important allegation and “I think the Sharif family should come forward and explain their position” .
Two days ago, the Islamabad High Court had indicted Shamim in a contempt of court case. The court had initiated proceedings against Shamim and the media personnel after the affidavit was published in a newspaper that accused former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar of influencing the case against former premier Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz.
The former G-B judge had pleaded not guilty and said he would defend himself.
Police seek more time to file final challan in Nazim Jokhio case
KARACHI
Staff RepoRt
A Malir court on Saturday resumed hearing of the Nazim Jokhio murder case. A judicial magistrate conducted the hearing, wherein the investigation officer (IO) sought more time to submit the final case challan (investigation report).
A prosecutor informed the magistrate that the police have not yet received the final Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report and the file of the final challan has been forwarded to the prosecutor general for scrutiny.
The magistrate observed that months have gone by since the incident took place but the final charge-sheet has not been submitted yet. The court gave the investigation officer time until Jan 26 to submit the challan.
Nazim Jokhio’s body was recovered from the PPP lawmaker Jam Awais’s farmhouse last month. His family alleged that Awais, MNA Jam Abdul Karim, and their henchmen tortured him to death for filming and stopping their guests from illegal hunting of houbara bustards.
Earlier, the police submitted the interim charge-sheet, naming the six detained suspects and 12 absconding suspects, including MNA Jam Abdul Karim.
It is noteworthy that the federal cabinet has approved forming a joint investigation team (JIT) to conduct a transparent probe of the high profile murder case.
Pakistan pushes UN action on Kashmir dispute
UNITED NATIONs
app
Pakistan called on the United Nations to step up its efforts and urgently resolve the Kashmir dispute in a bid to bring an end to Indian atrocities in the occupied territory and prevent a threat to regional and global peace.
“Peace and security must remain at the core of the functions of the United Nations, ” Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, told the GeneralAssembly while commenting on the report of the Secretary-General António Guterres on the work of the global organisation.
“We urge the Security Council and the SecretaryGeneral to exercise their considerable authority to promote an early and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and to end the Indian reign of terror against the Kashmiri people” , the ambassador said.
The United Nations and the secretary-general, he said, can do “much more” to address peace and security threats by fully using the authority provided by the United Nations charter such as in Article 99 and by taking action in the General Assembly if the Security Council is unable to do so.
The primary threat in South Asia is posed by the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir and India’s attempt to annex and transform the Muslim majority state into a Hindu majority territory in blatant violation of UNSC resolutions that promised the people of Kashmir their right to self-determination through a United Nations supervised plebiscite, he said.
Detailing extensive illegal actions taken by India, which he condemned, Ambassador Akram urged the Security Council and the secretary-general to promote an early, peaceful end to the dispute.
He cited the rise of racial and religious hate and violence, with Islamophobia among its gravest manifestations, notably as characterised by lynching and calls for genocide of Muslims in India.
“The worst manifestation of Islamophobia is the officially-inspired campaign of the ‘Hindutva’ adherents in India against Muslims. ”
So far, the ambassador noted, there has been no accountability for Indian crimes. Draconian laws provide complete impunity to the 900,000 troops New Delhi has deployed in occupied region.
Pakistan condemned the increasing harassment, illegal arrests and registration of criminal cases against journalists and civil society activists such as Khurram Pervez on trumped-up charges.
The recent attack, and ban, on the Kashmir Press Club, he said, is another manifestation of India’s entrenched use of brute force and coercion to silence all those who raise their voice against its criminal and genocidal acts in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Ambassador Akram also drew attention to the statement made recently by the Head of “Genocide Watch” , Professor Gregory Stanton, in which he stated: “We are warning that genocide could very well happen in India. ”
“We call on the secretary-general and the United Nations to take decisive steps to combat Islamophobia and to prevent the danger of genocide against the Muslims of India. ”
At the outset, the ambassador welcomed the United Nations’ mobilisation of humanitarian and other assistance for Afghanistan, calling last September’s Flash Appeal and the recent $5 billion appeal “timely and essential” .
Similarly, the United Nations role in peacekeeping is a major success and Pakistan will remain a steadfast partner in ensuring the effectiveness of such operations, notably the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) stationed in the disputed region.
Akram went on to welcome the secretary-general’s call to address inequality and promote universal vaccination on an emergency basis, endorsing the call to restructure the global financial architecture and provide financial resources to help developing countries recover from the pandemic.
