Tag: Pakistan

Surjewala on Manipur

BJP Thinks Of Manipur As If It Is Pakistan: Surjewala

By LokMarg

Congress MP Randeep Surjewala on Thursday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the prevailing situation in Manipur and alleged that the ruling party thinks of Manipur as if it is Pakistan”.

“How will they (BJP) even see the black colour of protest when their (BJP) hearts are black?… Dr Manmohan Singh during his tenure as PM used to answer questions every week…Today, they (BJP) think of Manipur which is an integral part of India as if it is Pakistan”, MP Surjewala said.
Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi is aware that BJP’s ideology has set the northeastern state on fire.

According to the Congress leader, PM Modi has got nothing to do with the violence-hit state because he is the Prime Minister of only a few selected people.

In a video message shared by Indian National Congress on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, “What is Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing for Manipur? Why is he not saying anything about Manipur? It is because Narendra Modi has nothing to do with Manipur. He knows that his own ideology has burned Manipur.”

Hitting out at PM Modi for not visiting the northeastern state, Rahul Gandhi said, “Have you seen what happened in Manipur? And what is happening? You will be surprised that the Prime Minister has not said a word about Manipur. You would have thought that when a state of the country is burning, the Prime Minister of the country would say something. Many of you would have thought that the Prime Minister of the country would go to Imphal to at least talk to the people.”

Meanwhile today, the opposition MPs of the INDIA alliance arrived at the Parliament wearing black clothes as a mark of protest against the Manipur violence.

While speaking to ANI, Aam Admi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chaddha said, “Today the MPs of INDIA alliance have decided to oppose the atrocities on the people of Manipur and the barbarism going on there, we will wear black clothes and go to the Parliament today. This will be a symbolic protest to give a message that we stand with the people of Manipur in this hour of grief.

“He further stated that Chief Minister N Biren Singh should be sacked from his position.’We will try to make the Government realise that an integral part of this country, Manipur is burning. We urge the Government to save Manipur and shoulder their Constitutional duty. The State Govt of the day should be dissolved and the CM should be unceremoniously sacked,” he said.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that they are wearing black clothes against the arrogance of PM Modi.

“Our black clothes are against the arrogance of the PM. When the country is burning and Manipur is divided, he is bothered only about his own image,” Gaurav Gogoi said.

Meanwhile, the Leaders of the INDIA alliance held a meeting in the Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the Floor of the House.

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “We do not get a chance to speak in the Parliament. We demanded that PM Modi should come to the Parliament & have a detailed discussion on the Manipur issue. Don’t know why the Prime Minister is not speaking. We were forced to bring a no-confidence motion.”

“We know that this will not bring down the government, but we have no choice. The Prime Minister of the country should come in front of the country and speak on Manipur,” he added.

All Members of Parliament from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) on Thursday will wear black clothes to the Parliament to register their protest over the situation in Manipur. (ANI)

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Manipur Internet Ban

Pakistan: Mobile, Internet Services Suspended In Quetta Ahead Of Ashura 

By LokMarg

Ahead of Ashura, the administration in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Wednesday suspended mobile phone and internet services in the provincial capital Quetta to maintain the law and order situation in the city, ARY News reported.

According to a statement, mobile phone and Internet services will be suspended on 7, 9, and 10 Muharram in Balochistan’s capital, Quetta, the Pakistan outlet reported.
The decision was taken in response to request by Central Police Office (CPO) Balochistan, the statement read, according to ARY News.

On Muharram 7 and Muharram 9, the services will remain suspended from 9 am to 8 pm, whereas, on Muharram 10, mobile phone services will be restored after the culmination of processions.

Pakistan will observe Ashura days, Muharram 9 and 10, on July 28 and 29 in remembrance of the sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in the battle of Karbala. (ANI)

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Afghan Taliban Tehreek-e-Taliban

Taliban Appeals To Pak For Peace Talks With Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan

By LokMarg

The Afghan Taliban has renewed its call for peace talks between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Pakistan as Islamabad’s efforts to persuade Kabul to take action against the terrorist group failed, reported The Express Tribune.

This week, Pakistan sent a special envoy on a three-day mission to Kabul to make it clear that the interim administration must act swiftly to stop the TTP. But after several talks, the Afghan Taliban told him that Pakistan should choose the route of peace rather than using force, as per The Express Tribune.
The Express Tribune is an internationally affiliated newspaper in Pakistan.

During his visit, Ambassador Asad Durrani had meetings with the acting foreign minister and deputy prime minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, as per The Express Tribune.

Quoting official sources, familiar with the matter, The Express Tribune reported that the Afghan Taliban leadership was told clearly that Pakistan’s patience was wearing thin vis-à-vis the TTP.

In her weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “The issue of terrorism, as I’ve said in the past, including in the last briefing, is an issue of serious concern to Pakistan. And Pakistan has raised this issue with the Afghan authorities on multiple occasions and at every important engagement that takes place between Pakistan and the Afghan interim authorities.”

“We have discussed the threat of terrorism emanating from the Afghan soil,” she added when asked whether Ambassador Durrani took up the issue of cross-border terrorism with the Afghan authorities.

However, the Afghan Taliban administration is not prepared to follow that course, despite Pakistan’s insistence on taking action against TTP.

According to sources, cited by The Express Tribune, the deputy prime minister of Afghanistan advised the Pakistani ambassador to choose the “path of peace” rather than “use of force”. They said that it was obvious the Afghan Taliban had no interest in attacking the TTP. Instead, Kabul once rejected a request from Pakistan to begin peace negotiations with the TTP.

The TTP increased attacks and exploited the prior rounds of negotiations, leading Pakistan to give up on the peace effort.

Pakistan will no longer pursue negotiations with the TTP, the civil and military leadership determined. In any case, though, negotiations can only begin until the TTP gives up.

The deputy prime minister of Afghanistan asked Durrani that Pakistan should choose peace over war. He claimed that given Afghanistan’s bitter experiences of war, he would advise Pakistan to pursue a diplomatic solution instead.

As a Muslim nation, Afghanistan does not desire fighting or disturbance in Pakistan, according to Maulvi Kabir, who also believes that peace in Pakistan is in Afghanistan’s best interests. He also sees acts of violence in Pakistan as a loss for Afghanistan.

The Afghan Taliban government, he informed the Pakistani envoy, had a policy of refraining from meddling in the domestic affairs of other nations. He asserted that Afghanistan would not permit Pakistan or any other nation to exploit Afghan land against them.

According to the sources, after returning from Kabul and providing his assessment, Ambassador Durrani would update the administration. According to the reports, Pakistan is unlikely to accept the offer from the Afghan Taliban.

The sources also said, Pakistan would plan its strategy while considering the special envoy’s suggestions, The Express Tribune reported. (ANI)

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Military Trials Of Civilians

Pak Federal Govt Justifies Military Trials Of Civilians

By LokMarg

Defending its decision of military trials of civilians, involved in incidents of violence and vandalism targeted at military installations and government buildings, the federal government of Pakistan has termed them as a direct attack on the national security of the country, reported The Nation.

The federal government claimed on Monday that acts of violence against the armed forces and vandalism against military installations harmed Pakistan’s security, interests, and defence since they directly threatened the country’s national security.
On behalf of the federal government, Mansoor Usman Awan, the attorney general of Pakistan, filed a response to the petitions objecting to the trials of civilians in military courts and pleaded for their dismissal.

He claimed that the episodes of May 9, 2023, entail planned and coordinated targeted attacks on numerous military stations and establishments around the country. The attacks weren’t specific to one area or isolated, as per The Nation.

The Nation is a leading daily newspaper based in Lahore, Pakistan.

According to him, the events of May 9 point to a planned and intentional effort to weaken the country’s armed forces and impede domestic security as numerous military facilities were simultaneously targeted.

It also stated that on that date, 62 violent incidents were reported in Punjab alone, injuring almost 250 individuals, including 184 members of the law enforcement community. 139 vehicles in all, including 98 government vehicles, suffered partial or total damage.

The overall damage caused by the violence on May 9, and the hours that followed is estimated to be worth Pakistan Rupee (PKR) 2539.19 million, including PKR 1982.95 million in losses to military installations, equipment, and vehicles.

It further stated that multiple FIRs were filed against the culprits as a result of the events on June 9. Even while some FIRs do not explicitly specify the provisions of the Army Act, it is important to remember that this Court has ruled that the nature of the offences made out depends on the content of the FIR, not on whether a specific statutory provision is mentioned, according to The Nation.

The court maintained, “Thus, the mere fact that the offences under the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 triable under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 (Army Act) have not been mentioned in some of the FIRs registered regarding the events of 09-05-2023 does not imply that offences under the Army Act cannot be made out from the contents of said FIRs. Even otherwise, in some of the FIRs the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 have been specifically mentioned.”

“The challenges raised in the titled Petitions can adequately be adjudicated by the High Courts in their original constitutional jurisdiction under Article 199 of the Constitution which empowers the High Courts to “make an order […] as may be appropriate for the enforcement of any of the fundamental rights,” as per The Nation.

“It is noteworthy that the titled petitions seek to challenge the trial of those accused of offences ensuing from the violent event of 09-05-2023 under the provisions of the Army Act on two grounds,” said the reply.

It also said that the titled petitions fall outside the purview of the contours that this Court has determined for the exercise of its original jurisdiction, in that the subject matter can adequately be adjudicated by the High Courts under Article 199 of the Constitution.

“It is also important to highlight that both the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (Official Secrets Act) not only predate the Constitution but were never, to date, challenged. As such, all actions taken or being taken under the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act are the fair exercise of power, in accordance with the law,” maintained the reply, reported The Nation. (ANI)

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Pakistan Seema Haider

Intel Agencies Seek Reports On Pak National Seema From SSB, UP Police

By LokMarg

Central Intelligence Agencies have sought a report from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Uttar Pradesh Police on Seema Haider who travelled through Nepal to reach Noida from Pakistan’s Karachi.
A senior official confirmed that the agencies got alerted about Seema Haider, who illegally crossed into India to marry and live with her Indian partner, they asked detailed report from SSB and UP Police.

Haider had crossed over to India to live with Sachin Meena whom she befriended via an online game.

The couple started living together in Greater Noida. However, Haider was arrested on July 4 for illegally entering India without a visa, while Meena was put behind bars for sheltering the illegal immigrants.

“Intelligence agencies have asked report from SSB and UP Police to find out how she managed to cross over without being verified by police personnel at border. We have also demanded report from UP Police as she entered to India via UP border and stayed with her partner for many days,” the official said.

The official further added that they are verifying the claims about her journey she made in TV interviews and they are also finding out who assisted her in arriving in India from Pakistan.

“We are also taking help of technical team to verify her story of her arrival in India. We are also trying to get information about her background as much as possible,” the official said.

Notably, SSB primarily responsible for guarding two borders -Nepal and Bhutan.

Another officer said that unlike other borders, Nepal and Bhutan borders are not fenced.

“People from both the countries travel across on daily basis. Border guarding forces keep watch on movement but because of multiple entries it is impossible to keep watch on every person,” the officer said.

On Monday, a team of UP ATS questioned Seema Haider in Noida. (ANI)

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India drones for china and pakistan borders

India To Acquire Drones For Over Rs 10,000 Cr To Keep An Eye On China, Pak Borders

By LokMarg

Indian Defence forces are set to acquire 97 ‘Made-in-India’ drones for surveillance purposes along China and Pakistan borders, government sources on Monday said.

After the decision to buy 31 Predator drones from US, India is now moving towards acquiring 97 highly capable drones under the ‘Make-in-India’ project.
“A scientific study was carried out by the defence forces jointly and it has been decided that to meet the Medium Altitude Long Endurance requirements, Indian forces would require 97 such drones for keeping an eye on both land and sea,” government sources told ANI.

According to government sources the lead service for Thai over Rs 10,000 crore procurement of these drones would be the Indian Air Force as they also be getting the highest number of these unmanned aerial vehicles which would be able to fly for close to 30 hours at a stretch.

The drones to be acquired by the forces would be in addition to the exiting fleet of over 46 Heron UAVs acquired by the three forces over the years in their respective fleets.

The drones which are already in service are going to be upgraded by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in partnership with the original equipment manufacturers through the ‘Make-in-India’ route where they will have to upgrade their capabilities within the country using over 60 percent Indian content.

India recently decided to acquire the 31 Predator drones which are in the High Altitude Long Endurance category and would be used for surveillance of vast areas of Indian interest. (ANI)

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PDM chief over PML-N

Pak: PDM Chief Expresses Displeasure Over PML-N, PPP Meetings

By LokMarg

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed displeasure over recent meetings held in Dubai between the top leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Dawn reported on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Rehman also the chief of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — the ruling coalition — said questions were being raised within the alliance regarding the “scheduled” meeting between the two major government allies.
“PML-N is a part of PDM. How is it possible if it was not a scheduled huddle,” he wondered, asking, “Why the PDM was not taken into confidence regarding the huddle with the PPP, which was not part of the alliance?”

Questioning the “international support” for PTI chief Imran Khan, The JUI-F chief stated, “Those who desecrate our religion [Islam], those who burn [copies of the] Holy Quran are raising voices for Imran Khan. We put up a serious fight against him [Imran Khan] and we [also] fought against the recognition of Israel”.

Maulana Fazl also said that the tenure of the National Assembly would end within a month and an interim set-up would be appointed ahead of polls. The term of the National Assembly, along with the provincial assemblies of Sindh and Balochistan, is set to expire on August 12 and elections are required to be held in October this year.

In an apparent reference to the PTI’s supporters, Fazl hoped that they “would not push the country towards destruction”, Dawn reported.

Talking about the no-confidence motion last year, that led to the ouster of former PM Imran Khan, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief said that his party was “against the no-trust vote as it favoured street protests to compel the then-PTI government to step down”, Dawn reported.

“However, the PPP, PML-N and other opposition parties said the no-confidence resolution against Imran Khan was ready to be tabled,” he added.

Maulana Fazl also claimed that former spy chief, retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, in a meeting with him, offered him the membership and chairmanship of the Senate, but he refused the offer since the former general “wanted a change within the system”, Dawn reported.

On being asked about the trial of civilians in military courts, Fazl said the military itself was a complainant in that case.

“The military is a complainant in the cases against those involved in attacks on installations on May 9, 10 and it wants a trial of suspects in their [military] courts,” Dawn quoted Fazl as saying.

While talking about attacks against the JUI-F leadership in Bajaur and other tribal districts, the party chief said 18 religious scholars were targeted in attacks over the past 18 months in Bajaur and some five active members, including public representatives, were targeted in North Waziristan.

“Why Al Qaeda and Daesh [the militant Islamic State group] could not be eliminated,” he questioned. The JUI-F said that security issues were the domain of the military and the army discussed such issues only with the prime minister. (ANI)

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BKI NIA

Pak-Sponsored Narco-Terror: NIA Attaches House Of Two Brothers In Punjab

By LokMarg

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached Punjab’s Amritsar-based house of two brothers accused in a Pakistan-sponsored narco-terror case being probed by the agency since 2020, the agency said on Tuesday.

The residential property belongs to Bikramjit Singh alias Bikram Singh alias Vicky and Maninder Singh alias Mani. The property has been attached under section 25(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 after its designation as ‘proceeds of terrorism’, said the NIA.
The two brothers were earlier arrested by the NIA in the case, which relates to a conspiracy hatched by a narco terror module to smuggle large quantities of drugs into India from Pakistan.

“The drugs were being smuggled in the garb of rock salt imported from across the border. The sale proceeds of the smuggled drugs were being used to create movable and immovable properties in Punjab, besides being channelized to fund terrorists of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in the Kashmir Valley,” said the anti-terror agency.

The NIA had earlier also attached some land, measuring 60 Kanal 10 Marla, in the instant case. Six vehicles and Rs 6,35,000 in cash were also seized.

The agency, which registered the case on May 8, 2020, has filed four chargesheets (including three supplementary) against 13 accused under the relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Narcotics-Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act, and Indian Penal Code in the case. (ANI)

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BKI NIA

Pak-Operated ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’: NIA Raids 5 Locations In Bihar, Gujarat, UP

By LokMarg

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday conducted raids at five places in Bihar, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh in connection with ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’, a radicalized module being run by Pakistan-based suspects.

The agency searched one place in Darbhanga and two in Patna in Bihar, one in Surat (Gujarat), and one in Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh). The raids were conducted at the premises of these suspects across three states.

Incriminating material, including digital devices (mobile phones, memory cards), SIM cards and documents were seized during the raids, said the NIA.

The case came to light after the arrest of Marghoob Ahmad Danish alias Tahir, of Phulwarisharif area of Patna district by the Bihar Police, which registered it on July 14, last year. The NIA took over the case and re-registered it on July 22, last year and Marghoob was chargesheeted on January 6 this year under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

“The accused was found to be a member of the Ghazwa-e-Hind module, which was operated by Pakistan-based operatives, with the objective of radicalizing impressionable youth for the establishment of Ghazwa-e-Hind over Indian territory,” said the NIA.

Investigations revealed that Marghoob was the admin of a WhatsApp Group ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’, created by a Pakistani national named Zain.

“Marghoob had added many Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Yemeni nationals to the Group with the aim of establishing sleeper cells in the country for carrying out terrorist activities,” said the NIA.

It further said that the accused had created various social media groups of the ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ on WhatsApp, Telegram and BiP Messenger.

“He had also created another WhatsApp group in the name of ‘BDGhazwa E HindBD’ and had added Bangladeshi nationals to it.”

Further investigations showed that various suspects involved in the case were in contact with Pakistan-based handlers and were involved in propagating the idea of Ghazwa-e-Hind, said the NIA.

“Further NIA investigations in the case are in progress,” added the agency. (ANI)

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petrol and diesel lok Sabha

Pakistan: Govt Hikes Petrol Levy By 5 PKR Per Litre

By LokMarg

The Pakistan government on Saturday hiked the petroleum development levy (PDL) on petrol by 5 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) from 50-55 PKR per litre, Pakistan-based Geo News reported on Saturday.

The latest hike comes a day after the 3 billion USD staff-level agreement signed with the International Monetary Fund.
The PDL on petrol has been imposed from the start of the new fiscal year, ie Saturday.

Moreover, the ministry said there would be no increase in the development levy on high-speed diesel (HSD), which is Rs50 per litre.

Earlier, on Friday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced that diesel prices had been increased by Rs7.50 for the next fortnight; however, he said petrol prices would remain the same.

“There has been no increase in the price of petrol,” said Dar in a late-night press conference.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance has warned of challenges originating from uncertain external and domestic economic environments, including higher inflation and external debt repayments, due to lesser foreign exchange inflows, according to Geo News.

The ministry, in its monthly outlook bulletin, projected that the inflation for the month of May will remain in the range of 34-36 per cent.

“Pakistan’s economy experienced 0.29 per cent provisional GDP growth in the fiscal year 2022-23 on account of many challenges emanating from the uncertain external and domestic economic environment,” the ministry said.

Pakistan and the IMF on Friday reached a long-awaited staff-level agreement (SLA) on a 3 billion USD “stand-by arrangement” (SBA), the global lender announced.

“I am pleased to announce that the IMF team has reached a staff-level agreement with the Pakistani authorities on a nine-month Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) in the amount of SDR2,250 million (about $3 billion or 111 per cent of Pakistan’s IMF quota),” Nathan Porter, the IMF’s Mission Chief to Pakistan, said in a statement.

He added, “The new SBA builds on the authorities’ efforts under Pakistan’s 2019 EFF-supported programme which expires end-June. This agreement is subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board, which is expected to consider this request by mid-July”.

The deal comes after an eight-month delay and offers some respite to Pakistan, which is battling an acute balance of payments crisis and falling foreign exchange reserves.

According to Geo News, the federal government has taken a slew of policy measures since an IMF team arrived in Pakistan earlier this year, including a revised 2023-24 budget last week to meet the lender’s demands.

Other adjustments demanded by the IMF before clinching the deal included reversing subsidies in power and export sectors, hikes in energy and fuel prices, jacking up the key policy rate to 22 per cent, a market-based currency exchange rate and arranging for external financing.

It also got Pakistan to raise over 385 billion rupees (USD 1.34 billion) in new taxation through a supplementary budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year and the revised budget for 2023-24.

The painful adjustments have already fueled all-time high inflation of 38% year-on-year in May, as per Geo News. (ANI)

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