Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Home Blog Page 584

PAF: Indus Shield 2024. ‘Stronger When Together’

By
admin
-
PAF: Indus Shield 2024. ‘Stronger When Together’

Asma Ishaq

Befittingly acknowledged and hailed for an impeccable professionalism, Pakistan Air Force stays ‘active in action’ throughout the year. It never sleeps in the real! From defending the country’s aerial frontiers, signing agreements in improving ‘the further excellence’ for cutting-edge aircraft technology likewise setting up the first ‘state-of-the-art’ Cyber/Information Technology and Aerospace cluster projects like NASTP, Artificial Intelligence next in building the industry and academia or lest not forget for helping in any kind of humanitarian cause: inland or abroad, this is our Pakistan Air Force-indeed the Nation’s Pride.

Recently, couple of attention grabbing videos have been released by the Directorate General Public Relations to fascinate the interest for an ongoing PAF’s Indus Shield 2024. A mega kind of multinational exercise with a well-intentioned participation of 24 Air Forces led by Pakistan Air Force, a hugely admirable effort from Aerospace Power Center of Excellence. This top-notch and well-planned exercise commenced in the first week of October 2024 at two PAF operational Air Bases, at PAF Base Mushaf and PAF Base Rafiqui simultaneously. This Indus Shield 2024 has proven to be the next-success-story of PAF after the much commendable execution of Indus Shield 2023. The ongoing Indus Shield 2024 has involved the participants in exercise from all parts of the globe ranging from Asia, Gulf, Europe and Africa,

The CAS’ Vision: The Zenith of Indus Shield 2024.

The Indus Shield 2024 has now become an acute physical demonstration of the CAS’s vision. It testifies the able-guidance of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu NI (M) conveyed via his directives at various occasions to meet the unparalleled standards of professionalism that he maintains for PAF. In his inaugural address, the CAS underscored,

“The ongoing exercise Indus Shield-2024 will go a long way in bolstering interoperability amongst the participating nations and will train their air and ground crews to face contemporary warfare challenges. I fully entrust PAF for leading the camaraderie in this regard.”

The CAS has also shared about the par-excellence of Aerospace Power Center of Excellence,

“Aerospace Power Center of Excellence has been revamped incorporating niche technologies and Hi-Tech training facilities to undertake multi domain operations keeping abreast with contemporary warfare parameters. The initiative ensures that the center remains attuned to contemporary warfare dynamics while also offering training through state-of-the-art facilities to the friendly nations, embodying the principles that we are, ‘Stronger When Together.”

The Worthy Participating 24 Air Forces.

Indus Shield-2024 has brought together all the elite Air Forces from 24 countries. It serves as a single platform in the region to showcase their professional prowess. It is a versatile participation where it engages air forces from Asia, Gulf, Europe and Africa. This diverse participation embodying the collaborative spirit that is the exercise motto-‘Stronger When Together.’

The 24 Air Forces Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Tanzania, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, UAE, Zimbabwe and Qatar.

Group Captain Muhammad Asif Bhatti from PAF speaks,

“This exercise is unique in nature where we have 24 nations that are participating in this exercise and how it makes it different than other exercises that we undertake in the region and what makes it the biggest exercise is that it is not only that we are participating in the kinetic form that is the fighter and force multipliers but there are other domains which we think are essential for the conduct of operations in the future warfare.”

Adhering to the brilliance of Aerospace Power Center of Excellence, Maj Gen Lancelot Mathebula from South Africa speaks,

“My experience within this training center I do believe is the next level. It reaches to not every fighter pilot but every air force’s dream to make it sure that we can have multi-domain warfare training which is what any other country would like and I would like to commend the country itself as well as the defence force of Pakistan as well as the Pakistani Air Force for such a vision and the fact that it is an indigenous system that they have means that they have a continuous vision to make sure that they can protect and defend the country.”

Col Khaled Ezzat speaks,

“It is my first time here in Pakistan and I enjoy this exercise and being the part of it is quite a big opportunity in such good environment. Of course, to share this exercise with multinational forces with different platforms, air crafts using the modern and new weaponry system.”

From Bahrain Col Rashid Khamees Al Ziyani shares,

“To speak about my visit to airspace center, it is an amazing set up amended by amazing people.”

Galvanizing Interoperability Among 24 Air Forces.

Pakistan Air Force has always been able to keeping a sophisticated position in serving the country. This position itself evidences the PAF’s aerial prowess in the region. Nonetheless, PAF’s remarkable position has also been a pivotal factor in upholding deterrence in the region. Now, PAF’s coming up with a mega exercise indorses an invaluable learning experience for all the 24 Air Forces involved in it. The exercise offers a unique opportunity for participating air forces to bring their skills and operational capabilities to the spotlight. All this to accentuate the interoperability among 24 air forces to achieve shared objectives and addresses the evolving dynamics of aerial warfare in the face of common security threats. It is exactly like, all under one sky as it is said all under one roof.

The Aspects Of Exercise Indus Shield 2024:

With the core objectives of military cooperation, fostering strategic partnership, and strengthening brotherly bonds, Indus Shield 2024 focusses on simulating various military tactics to maximize the war fighting potential of participating air forces through integrated training environment. The exercise involves complex air warfare scenarios and simulations designed to improve the aerial combat. The participants have got themselves in a near-realistic scenario of aerial warfare that replicates the real combat conditions including Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground combat tactics. Moreover, deploying lethal and long range surface air vectors through unmanned force to manned and unmanned teaming kinetic and non-kinetic roles. It is a step forward to AI enabled warfare. Moreover, it is to augment the PAF’s Cyber Force Application and PAF’s Space Force Application in unison with counter operations. Last, this exercise includes the counter terrorism training modules. All in all, Indus Shield provides a vital learning experience to the air and ground crews both.

Folding The Wings But For Another Flight:

While the Indus Shield 2024 has folded its wing for another time to take the flight, this definitely has gone adding another impressive episode for PAF. Undeniably, PAF has proven to be successful in attaining the attention of international community. Consequently, PAF continues to become the center of global focus for honing the modern air-combating tactics. Soon again, the PAF intends to stretch its powerful wings to strengthening the interoperability for fostering the greater understanding and collaboration in the realm of aerial defence. The Indus Shield 2024 has consolidated Pakistan Air Force’s dedication to its mission of safeguarding Pakistan’s airspace along with promoting interoperability amongst the participating air forces in the face of mutually shared challenges.

-Asma Ishaq teaches English Language and English Literature to senior classes.

She is also Subject Coordinator, English.

Spain sends thousands more troops to flood zone

By
admin
-
Spain sends thousands more troops to flood zone

VALENCIA, SPAIN, NOV 3 (AFP/APP): Spain is deploying 10,000 more troops and police officers to the eastern Valencia region devastated by historic floods that have killed 211 people, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday.

Hopes of finding survivors ebbed four days after torrents of muddy water submerged towns and wrecked infrastructure in the European country’s worst such disaster in decades.

Almost all the deaths have been recorded in the Valencia region, where thousands of security and emergency services personnel were frantically clearing debris and mud in the search for bodies.

Sanchez said in a televised address that the disaster was the second deadliest flood in Europe this century and announced a huge increase in the security forces dedicated to relief works.

The government had accepted the Valencia region leader’s request for 5,000 more troops and informed him of a further deployment of 5,000 police officers and civil guards, Sanchez said.

Spain was carrying out its largest deployment of army and security force personnel in peacetime, he added.

ECP summons two former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, PTI founder on Tuesday

By
admin
-
ECP summons two former prime ministers

ISLAMABAD, The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned two former prime ministers, PTI founder Imran Khan, and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif – to respond respectively in two separate cases to contempt and disqualification on Tuesday (November 5).

The ECP’s case list indicated that hearings for matters involving the two political figures are scheduled for Tuesday.

A notice has been issued to the PTI chairman to record evidence in a contempt case initiated by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in 2022 for allegedly using “Intemperate language” against the chief election commissioner and the electoral body.

Likewise, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been directed to submit a reply and provide arguments on a disqualification petition filed against Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from NA-262, Quetta, Adil Bazai.

The petition, based on Article 63A, concerns Bazai’s failure to vote in favor of the budget and the 26th constitutional amendment.

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif submitted a reference to the National Assembly Speaker against MNA Adil Bazai for not voting on the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

In response, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq sent a letter to the ECP, requesting the disqualification of MNA Bazai and declaring his seat vacant under Article 63-A, which addresses the defection clause.

Sohail Akram Janjua appointed team manager Alliance hockey team

By
admin
-
Sohail Akram Janjua appointed team manager Alliance hockey team

WMH World Cup is being played in Auckland, New Zealand. The tournament will run from November 7 to November 16, 2024.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Sohail Akram Janjua, an international umpire and Secretary General of the Rising Stars Hockey Club, has been appointed as Team Manager for the Alliance M45 hockey team in the upcoming WMH World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. The tournament will run from November 7 to November 16, 2024.

The management of the Rising Stars Hockey Club, along with the wider hockey community, has extended warm congratulations to Sohail Akram on this significant achievement and wished him the best of luck in his new role.

Five days to US election: Over 60 million early votes break previous records

By
admin
-
U.S. presidential election

WASHINGTON: With just over four days left until the U.S. presidential election, many American citizens have already cast their votes early.

On Friday, November 1, American media reported that over 60 million Americans have already voted for their preferred candidate.

Polls show that in seven key states, which could ultimately decide the election’s outcome, the race between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris remains extremely close and unpredictable.

According to reports, Harris’s campaign team has actively encouraged early voting.

Prominent figures like Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden have already cast their votes early.

Initially, Trump expressed doubts about the fairness of early voting without evidence, but he has since accepted it and now encourages his supporters to vote at any convenient time.

As of last Thursday, about 62 million people had voted, making up nearly 40 percent of the total votes in the 2020 election.

Data collected from states such as Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, North Carolina, and Virginia shows that women make up approximately 55 percent of early voters, while men account for 45 percent.

Harris’s campaign is hopeful that it has an edge among women voters.

Trump, on the other hand, claims that Republicans have achieved record-high early voting numbers.

In the U.S., voters in some states have the option to vote before Election Day, either in person or by mail.

The 2024 U.S. presidential election officially begins on November 5 and will determine who, between Trump and Harris, will move into the White House.

The high turnout in early voting indicates the intense interest and competition in the 2024 U.S. presidential race. Both campaigns are vying to secure every possible advantage in these critical days leading up to Election Day.

The fierce contest underscores the ongoing division within the U.S., with both parties mobilizing strong bases. Meanwhile, early voting trends will likely play a crucial role in shaping the election outcome as each side strives for victory in a highly polarized political landscape.

Tour Egypt’s Valley of the Whales for a window onto the history of evolution

By
admin
-
Tour Egypt’s Valley of the Whales

Ancient Egyptian history is brought to life by a cast of thousands, from Tutankhamun’s gilded death mask to the pyramids’ enigmatic Sphinx. But drive 100 miles south west of Cairo into the vast sandscape of the Western Desert, and it’s possible to see the clock wind back even further — to a time when Egypt was populated not by kings but monsters.

Here, at the end of a long, unsealed road is Wadi al-Hitan, a 75sq-mile UNESCO World Heritage Site said to hold the key to one of the greatest mysteries of evolution.

You wouldn’t think so looking at it. There’s no life in this sand valley: no houses, no trees, no water — just mile after mile of desert stretching in every direction, as endless and golden as all the riches of the pharaohs put together. After the hubbub of Cairo, the silence is profound.

Though travellers flock to see the riches of Ancient Egypt in the Valley of the Kings, Wadi al-Hitan remains a largely hidden treasure. Yet this remote site tells a powerful story of life on Earth, buried by the literal sands of time and now brought to the surface by wind erosion and the meticulous work of palaeontologists.

fossils lying in the sand in the desert
There are signs of prehistoric life in the desert, from smooth mollusc to sharks’ teeth.PHOTOGRAPH BY BELLA FALK

Fossil fans mostly visit the valley on day trips from Cairo. What they find among the sands is rocks sculpted into alien shapes by the passage of millennia. Bulbous pavilions, squat rotundas and giant toadstools dot the landscape, pockmarked by the relentless wind. Between them runs a sandy path, distinguishable from the rest of the desert only by the tidy stones arranged along its edges and the overlapping footprints of visitors.

This is one of the most barren environments on Earth and yet, as walking tours scrunch softly uphill between the eerie rock formations, there are signs of prehistoric life: smooth mollusc shells might catch the light; there are coin-shaped fossils of ocean creatures called nummulites to discover; even sharks’ teeth can be found here.

They’re confusing things to find in a desert 100 miles from the coast, but 40 million years ago the shape of the continents was very different and the whole of what’s now North Africa was submerged beneath a shallow ocean called the Tethys.

a close up of fossilised bones in the sand
Around 1,000 individuals have been identified in Wadi al-Hitan (Valley of the Whales).PHOTOGRAPH BY BELLA FALK

There are bigger clues to this enigmatic past, too — bone fragments scattered like puzzle pieces, vertebrae the size of concrete blocks. But what’s most dramatic and surprising is the well-preserved skeleton of an enormous predator laid out on the sand at the end of the path, its spine the length of a cricket pitch, its ribs splayed on either side like stumps knocked down by a spin bowler.

“When scientists first discovered this creature, they thought it was a gigantic marine reptile,” says Hesham Sallam, lead palaeontologist at Wadi al-Hitan. “So they named it Basilosaurus, which means ‘king lizard’. It was only later that they realised it’s actually an ancient whale.”

Palaeontologists have been uncovering prehistoric whales here for over a century. Around 1,000 individuals have been identified, making this the biggest whale graveyard on Earth, and one of the most important palaeontological sites. That’s why, in a nod to Egypt’s more famous burial site — the Valley of the Kings — they named it Wadi al-Hitan, the Valley of the Whales.

There are about a dozen whale skeletons for visitors to tour among the sands, all identified as prehistoric Basilosaurus or Dorudon. They have been dated to around 37 to 40 million years old, which means they were alive during the late Eocene period. Laid out like an open-air exhibition, their remains are connected by paths for visitors to trace around each one.

a fossilised skull in a museum display
A subterranean museum holds more of the fossils uncovered at Wadi al-Hitan.PHOTOGRAPH BY BELLA FALK

The bones are fascinating to explore, but they’re also crucial to understanding one of the most bizarre stories of evolution — and the key to this can be found in Wadi al-Hitan’s small, subterranean museum.

Here, alongside a pair of metre-long Basilosaurus skulls baring terrifying teeth, are the monster’s most astonishing (and oddly comical) feature: a pair of tiny hind legs, complete with thigh bones, shin bones, ankles and matchstick feet.

“When you think about it, it’s bizarre that whales are air-breathing mammals, but they live in the ocean,” explains Sallam. “Scientists hypothesised that they must have originated on land, but later went into the water and evolved into the giants we know today, losing their legs in the process. But for decades they had no proof.”

These leg bones, discovered in 1989, are a crucial link in that transformation. They’re puny, no bigger than a human arm, and attached to this six-tonne whale they would have been useless for walking. But they’re clear evidence that whales did once live on land and gave up their terrestrial lifestyles to return to the ocean.

“It’s like being able to see evolution with your naked eye and touch it with your hand,” Sallam says. “You have to be careful where you walk, because there are fossils everywhere and you never know what new discovery may be under your feet.”

This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).

Security Forces conduct intelligence based operation in Sarwakai, South Waziristan

By
admin
-
Security forces kill four terrorists in D.I.Khan

Rawalpindi, NOV 2 /DNA/ – In the early hours of 02 November 2024, Security Forces conducted an intelligence based operation in general area Sarwakai, South Waziristan District on reported presence of khwarij.

During the conduct of operation, khwarij’s location was effectively engaged by own troops, as a result of which, four khwarij were sent to hell.

Sanitization operation is being carried out to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area as the Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe-out the menace of terrorism from the country.

Ambassador of Italy meets Punjab CM

By
admin
-
Ambassador of Italy meets Punjab CM

LAHORE, Nov 02 (APP): Marilina Armellin, the ambassador to Italy, met with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and discussed the promotion of cooperation in tourism, textile, leather, marble, carpets and other sectors.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz offered Italy to increase olive cultivation in Chakwal. During the meeting, Italian investment in livestock and dairy projects in Punjab was agreed upon. The Italian ambassador lauded the public welfare projects in Punjab.

The two leaders discussed the promotion of cooperation in tourism, textiles, leather, marble, carpets and other sectors, while the measures related to the exchange of trade and cultural delegations were also discussed.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that the relationship between Pakistan and Italy should be turned into a profitable economic relationship. Italian investors should come to Punjab. They will be given all possible facilities, she added.

The Chief Minister further said that the Punjab government wanted to increase cooperation with Italy in various fields, ease of work visa and the active role of Trade Commission are of key importance to increase trade.

The Italian ambassador, Marilina Armellin, said that it was very nice to visit Pakistan, especially in Lahore.

Health ministry in says war death toll at 43,314

By
admin
-
Health ministry

GAZA STRIP: The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Saturday that at least 43,314 people have been killed in the year-long war between Israel and Palestinian fighters.

Hamas rejects short-term Gaza truce

The toll includes 55 deaths in the previous 24 hours, according to the ministry, which said 102,019 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

In a related development, Lebanon’s Hezbollah said it had launched rockets at an Israeli intelligence base near Tel Aviv in the early hours of Saturday.

At 2:30 AM (00:30 GMT) fighters “fired a salvo of rockets at the Glilot base of the 8200 military intelligence unit in the suburbs of Tel Aviv” Hezbollah said in a statement.

Hezbollah and Israel exchanged cross-border fire for nearly a year after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war, before Israel ramped up the conflict on September 23.

Several wounded in northern Israel rocket attack

Hezbollah frequently claims to have fired rockets at Israeli bases or urban areas in Israeli territory and has several times claimed the targeting of Glilot.

It also said it had fired rocket salvos on Saturday morning at areas in north of Israel, in particular at the city of Safed, another repeat target.

The Israeli military said on Saturday that sirens were activated following the arrival of “suspicious aerial targets” from Lebanon and the targets remained under surveillance in an ongoing incident.

CJP Afridi summons maiden JCP meeting to discuss formation of constitutional benches

By
admin
-
CJP

ISLAMABAD, NOV 2: In a major development, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has summoned maiden meeting of the 13-member Judicial Commission of Pakistan on November 5 to discuss nomination of judges for constitutional benches in the Supreme Court.

The development came hours after the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq nominated four parliamentarians from the upper and lower houses, along with one woman, for the JCP, making a total of five nominations.

CJP Afridi summons maiden JCP meeting to discuss formation of constitutional benches

According to a notification issued by the JCP secretary, the commission’s meeting would be held at 2pm on Tuesday (November 5) in the SC building.

The agenda of the meeting includes establishment of the secretariat of the commission, nomination of judges for the constitutional benches in the top court and any other matter with the permission of the CJP.

1...583584585...3,793Page 584 of 3,793

Stay Connected

64FansLike
60FollowersFollow

Latest Reviews

Exchange Rates

USD - United States Dollar
EUR
1.17
GBP
1.35
AUD
0.67
CAD
0.73

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© Centreline Magazine