Including the Marginalized
In Pakistan, the transgender community, people with disabilities, religious minorities as well as women constitute the broad spectrum of marginalised people. But for the disabled, the transgender, and religious minorities, the gap persists. The fate of religious minorities is equally miserable. Unless the laws that deprive minorities of voting rights are repealed and revised, the problem will persist. Including them will only make the democratic process more grounded and the subsequent government will be representative of the people as it should be.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2023 20:07 UTC
India’s ‘network of extra-territorial killings’ has gone global: Pakistan
It quoted Baloch as saying that Pakistan had remained a “target of a series of targeted killings and espionage by RAW”. Canada said it was “actively pursuing credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the murder of the Sikh separatist leader. Replying to a question about statements by Indian civil and military leadership against Pakistan, she said Pakistan had the capacity and will to defend itself. India, Canada update travel advisoryToday, India warned its citizens against visiting parts of Canada, the latest salvo in a diplomatic row over allegations that New Delhi was involved in Nijjar’s killing. “In my experience, as a Sikh Canadian, there have always been suspicions that India was interfering in the democratic rights of Canadians.
Source:Pakistan Today
September 20, 2023 18:36 UTC
India’s terror network has gone global: FO
The Foreign Office on Wednesday said the news of India’s involvement in an extrajudicial killing in Canada had shown that the country’s “network of extra-territorial killings had now gone global”. The spokesperson said the incident was a “reckless and irresponsible act” that called into question India’s reliability as a credible international partner and its claims for enhanced global responsibilities. She recalled that in December 2022, Pakistan released a comprehensive dossier providing concrete and irrefutable evidence of India’s involvement in the Lahore attack of June 2021. Qazi added that Pakistan was well-acquainted with India, having dealt with them for over seven decades. He recalled Pakistan's response to India's incursion in February 2019 and asserted that Pakistan would defend its independence again if necessary.
Source:The Express Tribune
September 20, 2023 16:01 UTC
“We understand the environment we’re walking into: Sark, Texas ready for last duel against Baylor
The Texas Longhorns begin their Big 12 farewell tour in Waco, facing the Baylor Bears to start conference play. “We understand the environment we’re walking into and we can’t be fearful of that. “We have to adapt and we have to adjust as a coaching staff.”Could Texas play the Baylor’s, the TCU’s, the Tech’s again? Sark lauded the team’s psyche and belief that they can keep course throughout the game, execute their style of football, and good things will happen. “Hopefully we can continue to capitalize and build that belief and that trust that no matter what the score is, just keep playing and good things will happen.”
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2023 15:52 UTC
Canada-India diplomatic crisis escalates over espionage, murder claims
ISLAMABAD - Diplomatic tensions between Canada and India have spiralled out of control, resulting in the mutual expulsion of senior diplomats. Nijjar, a leader in the Khalistan movement and Sikh for Justice, was fatally shot in broad daylight in Vancouver in June. Pannu, the founder of the Khalistan movement, vows Sikh retaliation against India’s RAW intelligence. He notes that over a million Sikhs have already voted in favour of the Khalistan movement referendum. In a retaliatory move, the Indian government expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in New Delhi in response to the Ottawa expulsion.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2023 13:48 UTC
Blood on the street: violence, crime, and policing in Karachi
In response to the criminal, political, ethnic, and terrorist violence, Karachi’s business community and civil society also mobilized. Armed Security Karachi, Credit: Benny Lin, CC BY-NC 2.0The ContextBetween 2010 and 2015, violence in Karachi reached dramatic levels. Political PartiesMuch of Karachi’s violence results from the strategic use of violence by ethnically-based political parties to secure electoral votes, government appointments, and economic rents. [88]ConclusionsAfter 2013, law enforcement forces in Karachi were able to significantly suppress a major flareup of homicides and criminal violence, compounded by political violence, ethnic rivalries, and terrorism. [11] Mashail Malik and Niloufer Siddiqui, “Exposure to Violence and Voting in Karachi, Pakistan,” United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
Source:The Express Tribune
September 20, 2023 08:25 UTC
Outrage nation
The kind of issues that lead to outrage in a country says a lot about it. Yes, a beauty pageant is what is important enough to get the caretaker prime minister to take note of the matter. When outrage leads to calls for shutting down anything – whether film or drama or even a beauty pageant – that is a sign of an unhealthy and skewed debate. A beauty pageant – with all its inherent contradictions and problems – may not be appetizing to many, but is not the end of the world. The real question is: when will Pakistani women’s bodies be stopped being used as a battleground for opposing ideologies?
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2023 05:31 UTC
City of Pinson to host National Night Out with the City of Clay tonight
By Chase Holmes, News ReporterPINSON — The City of Clay and the City of Pinson are coming together to hold a National Night Out tonight in Pinson. The event will be held at the Pinson Centennial Park at 6 p.m.Community members are invited to the block-party style event where residents can get to know their neighbors, first responders and city officials. There will be free food available for participants. “I hope everyone comes out tonight,” Mayor Joe Cochran of Pinson said. “Its a great opportunity to meet firefighters, law enforcement, and city officials.”
Source:The Express Tribune
September 20, 2023 05:18 UTC
Saudi crown prince likely to visit Pakistan next month
The much-anticipated visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is likely to take place in the first week of October, official sources familiar with the development told The Express Tribune on Tuesday. The Saudi crown prince visited India recently to attend a G20 summit and later for a state visit. Because of the likely visit of the Saudi crown prince, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar postponed his trip to Saudi Arabia. Also read: Pakistan hopes MBS will make brief stopoverPakistan has high hopes of the impending visit of Saudi crown prince against the backdrop of economic crunch. This would be the first visit of the Saudi crown prince to Pakistan since he last visited in February 2019.
Source:The Express Tribune
September 19, 2023 22:01 UTC
Jagan says Naidu looted public money, helped only PK
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged here on Tuesday that TD chief Chandrababu Naidu's prime interest during his rule of AP was looting and sharing the state's resources. (Image source: Twitter)KURNOOL: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged here on Tuesday that TD chief Chandrababu Naidu's prime interest during his rule of AP was "looting and sharing" the state’s resources. The chief minister inaugurated and dedicated to the nation the Lakkasagaram pump house constructed at Alamkonda in Krishnagiri mandal of this district. The chief minister stressed the importance of water storage and the need to tackle climate change, particularly in the context of the increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns. Jagan Reddy claimed that his government made significant strides in education, healthcare, and the development of the agriculture sector.
Source:The Nation
September 19, 2023 21:04 UTC
PIA seeks moratorium on debt
Read Govt to go for expeditious PIA sell-offWithout debt restructuring, PIA has identified a need of Rs13 billion per month to make the debt repayments on time and meet other expenses. He said that the commercial banks were not forthcoming to the proposal of debt restructuring but the discussions have taken place. The sources said that the PIA management was of the view that the airline cannot be financially viable without debt restructuring. PIA needs Rs3.1 billion per month to service the external Rs109 billion debt and Rs7.5 billion to the domestic debt. They said that the PIA management was now going to various quarters to seek support for a bailout.
Source:The Express Tribune
September 19, 2023 21:00 UTC
Pakistan’s Neutrality
While it is vital to investigate any such claims, it is equally essential to acknowledge Pakistan’s longstanding policy of strict neutrality in international conflicts. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has vehemently rejected these allegations, emphasising that the IMF bailout negotiations were focused on implementing critical economic reforms. However, these claims must be critically assessed, as they run counter to Pakistan’s declared stance and established foreign policy principles. Maintaining neutrality in international conflicts is not only a matter of policy but also a reflection of Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability. Beyond that, it threatens to stain the growing relationship we have fostered with both Ukraine and Russia through this carefully crafted neutrality policy.
Source:The Nation
September 19, 2023 19:28 UTC
Husky XC competes in Huntsville
By John Goolsby, Prep Sports EditorTRUSSVILLE- The Hewitt cross country team competed in the Southern Showcase in Huntsville this past weekend. The girls team recorded a 12th-place finish, and the boys team finished 26th in the highly competitive Championship Division. “It was an exciting day for our girls team,” said head coach Matthew Michalke. “The boys saw a lot of improvement, especially our younger guys, with 12 running a season PR,” said Michalke. “I feel good about where we’re at as a team at this point in the season, but there is a lot of racing still to come,” he said.
Source:The Express Tribune
September 19, 2023 19:09 UTC
US issues more sanctions over Iran drone program after nation’s president denies supplying Russia
He was a strong supporter of a movement banned in India called Khalistan, which calls for an independent Sikh homeland. “We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian prime minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their foreign minister,” the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Canada has also moved to expel a top Indian diplomat, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said. “This is an extremely perverse statement … On the basis of the available evidence, it falls flat,” Sahni told Arab News. “This is entirely defined by domestic politics, not by any objective evidence-based involvement of the Indian state,” Sahni said.
Source:The Nation
September 19, 2023 16:16 UTC
CHS freshman beats Crown Point with PK
Chesterton freshman Cody Baughman found himself in that situation Wednesday night when a 2-2 deadlock against Crown Point had to be settled by penalty kicks. The teams alternate shots and Crown Point went first. Crown Point made 3 of 5 shots and Chesterton had made 3 of 4 heading into Baughman’s turn. He wasn’t even playing around with it, so yeah, it was awesome.”A minute later, Crown Point had the lead again. The Trojans lost once to Crown Point in overtime, so half the matches were not decided in regulation.
Source:The Express Tribune
September 19, 2023 11:08 UTC