Religious vigilantism in Pakistan: Equal vulnerability
Abdullah Gul
The politics over religion is not a new phenomenon in Pakistan and vigilantism motivated by religion is a common practice. Over the last few years, several dozen people have been charged with blasphemy in Pakistan and there is an international hue and cry regarding cultural diversity under threat. What is being presented, is that Pakistan considers the minority sects as those worthy of nothing. Minorities Rights Group International, a watchdog organization, has ranked Pakistan on the top in the list of countries which are a threat to minorities since 2007.In the following some examples, we will try to find out if these accusations are true or merely a plot to defame Pakistan as a threat to minorities. Is the abuse of blasphemy law only threating the non-Muslims? Let’s find out in the following examples:
Pakistan Is My Second Home
EMILIAN ION
Dean of European Ambassadors, Ambassador of Romania talks to Centreline and DNA
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
Ambassador of Romania Emilian ION gave an exclusive interview to Centreline and DNA on the occasion of Romanian national day. Ambassador Emilian has recently assumed charge of Dean of Europe after departure of the Greek Ambassador. Ambassador ION is now the senior most ambassador among the European diplomatic corps. He has contributed greatly towards the strengthening of relations between Pakistan and Romania. During his tenure Pakistan and Romania have explored a number of avenues while a lot more are in the pipeline. Here are excerpts from his interview, which encompasses a verity of areas including political, trade and economic, cultural as well as diplomatic relations.
Pakistan, Afghanistan and China join hands for regional peace
Afghan president Ashraf Ghani’s visit to Islamabad on Nov 14 was important in many ways. The Afghan president came with a 140 member delegation comprising experts from all walks of life, which unequivocally shows how serious the Afghan leadership is in seeking peace in the region and especially with its neighboring countries. Both sides resolved to fight against the common enemy “terrorism” and pledged to extend cooperation to each other in this regard. Pakistan, as we all know, did not support any candidate in the Afghan presidential elections however there was an expectation here that relations between the two countries would further improve if Ashraf Ghani led the new Afghan government.
Japan’s slip into surprise recession paves way for tax delay, snap poll
TOKYO: Japan’s economy unexpectedly slipped into recession in the third quarter, setting the stage for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to delay an unpopular sales tax hike and call a snap election two years before he has to go to the polls. The recession comes nearly two years after Abe returned to power promising to revive the economy with his “Abenomics” mix of massive monetary stimulus, spending and reforms, and is unwelcome news for an already shaky global economy. Gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by an annualised 1.6 per cent in July-September, after plunging 7.3 per cent in the second quarter following a rise in the national sales tax, which clobbered consumer spending.
The Muslim World League in Makkah
R. Daureeawo
The Muslim World League (MWL) organized the“15th Makkah Annual Conference” in Makkah on Sunday, 28 September 2014 which was attended by more than 500 scholars from the Kingdom and various other Islamic countries. The theme of the Conference was “Islamic Culture: Originality and Contemporaneity.
Jockey all set to explore more Business avenues in Pakistan
ENRIQUE CARDENAL
Brand Director Jockey Asia talks to Centreline and DNA
- First, we extend a very warm welcome to you on your visit to Pakistan, though on a fairly short trip. Can you share with us your journey from Jockey’s Country Manager in Spain to Jockey’s Brand Director of Asia?
Jockey International is all set to look for more avenues of cooperation with our Pakistani partners with a view to enhance our presence and make available a wide range of high quality Jockey products to Pakistani consumers. The purpose of my visit is to assess the Pakistani market and I will undertake follow up trips also in order to visit more cities.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al Jabir Al Sabah: a profile
Muhammad Shoaib Mirza
No doubt Muslims have made a number of achievements that would be mentioned as long as the world remains. The progress, Europe and developed countries are proud of today, is indebted to the Muslim. The inventions and research made by the Muslims scientists are the basis of today’s progress.
A Vibrant Brazil Under New Regime
ALFREDO LEONI
Ambassador of Brazil Talks to Centreline and DNA
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
The Ambassador of Brazil Mr. Alfredo Leoni talked to Centreline and DNA and during this exclusive talk he particularly talked about the recently-held Presidential election in Brazil in which the incumbent President emerged as victorious. The Ambassador touched upon various challenges that his country is facing these days. He also talked about the success story of Brazil besides dilating upon Brazil role in the international forums. Here are excerpts from his interview.
National game in a shambles
Politics, as it goes, is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedy. Our witch doctors, commonly known as politicians, have the knack of diagnosing a problem incorrectly and then applying wrong remedial methods. We cannot quote even a single sphere where politicians have not tried their fortunes and that is why even the sports department too stands badly politicized, which otherwise should have been a highly apolitical discipline. The situation becomes horrible and worrying when pranks are played to defame and disparage those games that used to be jewel of the crown such as hockey.
