KARACHI, FEB 5 (DNA) – The of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s ruling group has expressed full solidarity and support to the valiant struggle of the Kashmiri people, who have been resisting repression with their determination, warning the government against any kind of trade talks with India, which has crossed all limits to violate the human rights.

To mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 (Friday), the FPCCI ruling party of BMP Chairman Mian Anjum Nisar expressed his full support to the just struggle of Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination under the UN resolutions.

Mian Anjum Nisar, expressing complete solidarity with the peaceful Kashmiris, said the entire business community was fully supporting them and their cause of independence. He suggested the government to think strategically, not emotionally on trade issues with India. He further said that the global economy is in recession and bilateral trade is diminishing, however, in Pakistan’s case the scenario is worse as its imports are increasing more than exports.

He urged the government and all stakeholders to formulate a coherent national strategy and national stamina to sustain that strategy. He said that civilian and military leaders are on the same page on Kashmir issue, people are protesting Indian move inside India, in the UK and other countries.

He said India is facing unprecedented diplomatic humiliation which is a victory for Pakistan. He noted that Modi’s all nefarious moves have initiated the process of disintegration of a divided country while tensions with Pakistan will destroy its economy and credibility. He warned that depriving Pakistan of its share of water will be the last mistake of Hindu radicals who have changed secular India into an extremist state.

Traders’ leader also expressed appreciation to all other Parliamentarians, Civil Society, Intelligentsia, Media, Human Rights organizations, all over the world, who support the just and heroic struggle of the oppressed people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The business community will continue to provide with every kind of support to the Kashmiri people and will not leave them alone in their struggle, he added. He said that Pakistan will extend every kind of support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir at every forum, reiterating that the Kashmiris would continue their struggle till the achievement of the goal of freedom.

Anjum Nisar condemned the illegal annexation of Occupied Kashmir by India, led by Narendera Modi and the RSS gang he represents, with the aim to change the demography of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as part of their fascist and racist agenda.

The FPCCI’s Businessmen Panel (BMP) also passed a resolution saying: “This annexation is an attempt to undermine the United Nations Charter, International Law and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions which seek the inalienable right of self-determination for the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. In pursuance of his fascist and racist agenda which is inspired by Nazi Germany, since this fascist mindset and practices are similar, the regime of Narendera Modi is committing another grave crime against humanity by turning occupied Kashmir into the world’s biggest and most brutal concentration camp, with imposing curfew and it’s completed lock-down, closing of all communications, with thousands Kashmiris arrested, kidnapped, maimed or martyred or raped.”

Mian Anjum Nisar also welcomed the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary General of commitment to UNSC Resolutions on Kashmir. “We would also like to express appreciation of the positions taken by our friends like China, Turkey and Iran, whose governments have also announced their support of Kashmiri people,” he said.

He said plebiscite was the only solution to resolve the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, adding the people of AJK had full confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan who fought the case of Kashmiris at United Nations General Assembly in New York. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had strongly advocated the Kashmir cause at international forums.=DNA

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DNA

Islamabad, FEB 5: Hosting of the multinational maritime exercise ‘Aman-2021’ reflects Pakistan’s intentions for building collaborative maritime security mechanisms to counter all sorts of non-traditional security threats in the Indian Ocean region, including, but not limited to, growing sea piracy, environmental, cyber and satellite communication sabotage, and maritime policing issues such as illegal fishing, smuggling, drugs and human trafficking, etc.

This was stressed by maritime experts and security analysts at a webinar titled ‘Security Cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean Region and Significance of AMAN 2021’, which was hosted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS).

The session was chaired by Vice Admiral (r) Iftikhar Ahmed Rao, former deputy chief of naval staff, and co-chaired by Khalid Rahman, chairman, IPS. Dr Maliha Zeba Khan, IPS’ Research Fellow, moderated the seminar which included as speakers and discussants, Dr Shabana Fayyaz, in-charge, defence & strategic studies department, Quaid-i-Azam University, Dr Azhar Ahmad, naval expert and associate professor, Bahria University, Dr. Khurram Iqbal, head of IR department, National Defence University, Vice Admiral (r) Asaf Humayun, Rear Admiral (r) Saleem Akhtar, Mirza Hamid Hassan and Aneela Shahzad while a number of researchers and analysts from National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), Maritime Study Forum (MSF) and other relevant institutions and organizations from across Pakistan participated actively in the online event.

V/Admiral (retd) Rao said, Pakistan’s peace initiative in the IOR in the shape of Aman exercises has created a conducive environment for regional and extra-regional players. He warned that India, with its hegemonic designs in the Indian ocean, is trying to pose itself as a maritime regional power and is interested in holding sway over the choke points in the IOR. However, this is not possible owing to the magnitude of China’s military and economic prowess, he added.

Commenting on participation of Russian navy ships in the Aman exercise for the first time, he said, this holds immense political significance and augurs well for bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia.

Dr Khurram apprised the forum that increasing competition between China and the US, which earlier was limited to the Pacific, has now shifted to the Indian Ocean, changing power dynamics of the region. He further said that India, the most important pawn of American grand chess in Asia, wants to dominate the Indo-Pacific theater. These hegemonic designs are a matter of concern for Pakistan, which is playing its part in fostering peace and stability in the region. Instead of taking sides, Pakistan is acting as a bridge to defuse tensions in the exceedingly polarized Indian Ocean.

Dr Azhar was of the view that although the menace of piracy in the Indian Ocean region has faded away, it is pertinent to enhance the role and capacity of maritime security agencies and coast guards along with improving ship-tracking mechanisms. Highlighting the role of Pakistan Navy in this regard, he said Pakistan is currently commanding Combined Task Force 151 – a multinational naval task force created to respond to piracy attacks – many times. In his opinion, the answer to piracy lies in geo-political stability in the disturbed countries in the region like Somalia.

Dr Shabana stated that both competition and cooperation exist in the Indian Ocean region where India-China rivalry in strategic domains is an open secret. With the ambition of becoming a blue water navy, India has garnered the support of the US, which is interested in countering growing Chinese influence. According to her, Pakistan is joining hands with Turkey, China and Russia for collaborative security to respond to skewed Indian ambitions.

Concluding the session, Khalid Rahman underlined AMAN as a success story of Pakistan which, despite facing several security threats, carries the message of peaceful coexistence in the region. He called AMAN 2021 as a failure of Pakistan’s enemies who wanted to isolate the country globally, and lauded the drill as a maritime diplomacy initiative.

A recently published book by IPS Press, Elements of Blue Economy, which has been authored by Vice Admiral (r) Ifikhar Ahmed Rao was also screened on the occasion.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD : If India demonstrates sincerity in seeking a just solution to the Kashmir issue in accordance with UNSC resolutions, Pakistan is ready to take two steps forward for peace, Prime Minister Imran Khan said in his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day.

“But let no one mistake our desire for stability & peace as a sign of weakness,” he cleared in a series of tweets.“Rather, it is because of our strength & confidence as a nation that we are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure a just peace that fulfills the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” the prime minister said.

On Kashmir Solidarity Day, he said he wants to reiterate that Pakistan stands united and resolute with the Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle for self-determination, which has been reaffirmed by the international community in numerous UNSC resolutions.

“Over 7 decades of Indian Occupation & oppression have failed to weaken the Kashmiri people’s resolve to struggle for their right to self-determination,” PM Khan maintained. “Now, a younger generation of Kashmiris is taking the struggle forward with even greater resolve.”

“To the Kashmiri people, my message is that your goal of self determination is not far. Pakistan will stand with you till you achieve your legitimate rights. Pakistan has always stood for peace in our region, but the onus of creating an enabling environment lies with India.”

Islamabad : The Supreme Court (SC) denied on Friday an appeal against the death penalty of a man convicted of raping an eight-year-old girl.

The apex court upheld the death sentence which had previously been awarded to the accused.

The appeal had been filed Ali Haider alias Pappu, a resident of Vehari.

A nine-page judgment of the SC has been written by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, in which it has been directed that the government should amend section 510 of the Criminal Law relating to chemical inspection and a copy of the decision to amend the law should be sent to the law ministry.

The court ruled that the government should stop accepting any official forensic report, and that only DNA reports be used as admissible evidence in rape and murder cases.

According to official statistics from 2020, at least 11 rape incidents are reported in Pakistan every day with over 22,000 cases reported to police across the country in the last six years.

However, only 77 accused have been convicted which is 0.3% of the total figure.

These statistics were obtained from the police, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the Women’s Foundation and provincial welfare agencies.

RAWALPINDI : Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday said that it is time to end the human tragedy in Kashmir as the nation observes Kashmir Solidarity Day today.

In a statement, Army Chief Gen Bajwa saluted the Kashmiris for their valiant struggle, braving grave atrocities, human rights violations and a lockdown under Indian occupation.

“Time to end this human tragedy and resolve #Kashmir issue as per aspirations of people of J&K & UN resolutions,” COAS Bajwa said.

Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed today across the country with renewed commitment to bring the Kashmir issue to the limelight.

The events have been organised in a novel manner. The aim is to highlight the facade behind India’s so-called democracy that ripped off the special status of Kashmir on August 5, 2019.

President Alvi, PM Imran urge world to hold India accountable

President Arif Alvi and PM Imran Khan have called upon the international community to hold India accountable for its crimes against humanity in Indian Kashmir.

In his message, the president said the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of Kashmiri people is key to durable peace in South Asia.

Calling self-determination one of the fundamental rights codified in the United Nations Charter, he said the denial of this right and subjugation of Kashmiris is the very negation of human dignity.

In his message, PM Imran said Pakistan will remain unshakable in its solidarity with the Kashmiri people until they realise their inalienable right to self-determination.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolute support for the Kashmiri, who continue to be subjected to an inhuman military siege and communications blockade since August 5, 2019.

The prime minister demanded India give access to the international human rights organisations, as well as the international media to investigate the grave human rights situation in the occupied territory.