From Shamim Shahid

ISLAMABAD, FEB 5: /DNA/ – The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and IOM, the International Organization for Migration, are concerned about recent developments requiring Afghan nationals in Pakistan to relocate from Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Rawalpindi or else face deportation. The two agencies are seeking clarity over the modality and timeframe of this relocation. 

While UNHCR and IOM recognise that states may choose to limit freedom of movement for foreigners, including refugees, we jointly urge the Government of Pakistan to implement any relocation measures with due consideration for human rights standards, including due process, and the legal status of Proof of Registration (POR) and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, who have resided in Pakistan for an extended period of time. The uncertain timeframe to plan for a dignified move is compounding a stressful situation, not to mention the immediate impact of such a move on livelihoods and the education of children. 

Since 1 January 2025, an uptick in arrests of Afghan nationals in the ICT and Rawalpindi has caused significant distress, with reports of Afghan nationals of various documentation status being rounded up. More than 800 Afghan nationals, among them women and children, have been deported so far this year from Islamabad and Rawalpindi alone. This latest relocation directive has increased fears of imminent deportation among Afghans in the capital region.

A UNHCR-issued non-return advisory has been in place since 2021, calling for a suspension of forced returns of Afghan nationals from any country regardless of their status. UNHCR and IOM are especially concerned for Afghan nationals who may face a risk of harm upon return, such as ethnic and religious minorities, women and girls, journalists, human rights activists, and members of artistic professions like musicians and others. 

“Pakistan has a proud tradition of hosting refugees, saving millions of lives. This generosity is greatly appreciated,” noted UNHCR Representative Philippa Candler. “Forced return to Afghanistan could place some people at increased risk. We urge Pakistan to continue to provide safety to Afghans at risk, irrespective of their documentation status.”

UNHCR and IOM understand the challenges the Pakistan Government has been facing, in particular those related to security.  Refugees, like all others, have obligations to abide by the laws of Pakistan. The overwhelming majority of Afghan nationals in Pakistan are law abiding individuals, whose situation needs to be seen through a humanitarian lens.

“IOM is committed to work with the Government of Pakistan and UNHCR to develop a mechanism to register, manage and screen Afghan nationals in Pakistan,” underlined IOM Chief of Mission, Mio Sato. “This will open the door to tailored solutions including international protection to those in need and pathways for Afghan nationals, with long-standing socioeconomic and family ties in the country.” 

Shamim Shahid 

PESHAWAR: Former President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai while showing concern over sad demise of Prince Karim Agha Khan, termed it a great loss to people from all over third world countries especially Afghanistan.

Through a condolence message on Wednesday, Hamid Karzai States, ” The death of His Highness Prince Karim Agha Khan; the religious Imam of the Ismailian of the world is considered a great loss, I express my deepest condolences and sympathy to his family, relatives and followers.” 

He further states, ” we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. The people of Afghanistan will remember the valuable services and role of His Highness Prince Karim Agha Khan in providing public services and rebuilding the country, repairing historical buildings and building service and cultural facilities.

” May God have mercy on the deceased and go to heaven, and I pray for patience and reward for their survivors.”

RAWALPINDI, FEB 5: /DNA/ – Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), visited Muzaffarabad, where he paid homage to the sacrifices of the martyrs. Upon arrival at the Jammu and Kashmir Monument, he laid floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument and offered rich tributes to the unparalleled sacrifices of the Shuhada.

While paying homage to the martyrs of Kashmir, COAS also commended the unwavering dedication, professional excellence, and combat readiness of the deployed officers and soldiers in the face of challenging operational conditions in Kashmir. He lauded their high morale and vigilance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peak operational preparedness to deter and counter any hostile provocations.

The COAS expressed complete confidence in the battle readiness of the Armed Forces, and reaffirmed that no act of aggression would go unanswered and underscored Pakistan Army’s commitment to defend the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity with full resolve.

Later COAS interacted with the notables and veterans of Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). COAS stated that Indian atrocities and rising Hindutva extremism only strengthens the resolve of Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination. He reaffirmed that Pakistan will always stand by them in their just and legitimate cause against state-sponsored repression and oppression. He remarked: “Without any doubt Kashmir will be free one day and part of Pakistan as per the free will and destiny of the people of Kashmir”.

Earlier, upon arrival, COAS was received by the Commander Rawalpindi Corps.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is observing Kashmir Solidarity Day today (Wednesday) to express unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination as promised in the United Nations’ resolutions.

The day is marked by a public holiday every year on February 5, with solidarity walks taking place across the country and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), with a renewed commitment to their just struggle for freedom from Indian subjugation.

In Islamabad, a rally is set to be held at Constitution Avenue. At 10am, sirens will sound, and a minute of silence will be observed in tribute to Kashmiri martyrs.

Posters and billboards highlighting the plight of Kashmiris have been placed at key locations, including airports and railway stations.

In Muzaffarabad, the AJK Legislative Assembly will hold a special session to express solidarity with those in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IIOJK).

Human chains will be formed at Mangla, Kohala, Bararkot, Azad Pattan, and Holar, symbolising unity between Pakistan and AJK. A special function will take place at Mangla Bridge in Mirpur, with similar events planned in Kotli and Bhimber districts.

In his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day, President Asif Ali Zardari said this day reminds the international community of its responsibility towards the oppressed Kashmiri people.

He said the United Nations should honour the promises made to the Kashmiris 78 years ago and support their struggle for their right to self-determination.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government and people of Pakistan annually observed the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ to renew their steadfast support to the Kashmiri people’s just and legitimate struggle for realising their right to self-determination.

He said that in the interest of durable peace in South Asia, the international community should urge India to allow the Kashmiri people to freely determine their own future as a lasting peace could not be achieved by suppressing the genuine aspirations of the local people.

“The recent developments in the Middle East showed that the long-standing disputes should not be allowed to fester,” the prime minister said in a message on Kashmir Solidarity Day.

A statement issued by the PM Office quoted PM Shehbaz as saying: “The right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of international law. Every year, the UN General Assembly adopts a resolution that stresses the legal right of people to decide their own destiny”.

The prime minister said that the Kashmiri people had not been able to exercise this right, notwithstanding the passage of the last seventy-eight years.

“Today, the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) remains one of the most-militarised zones in the world. Kashmiris are living in an environment of fear and intimidation.”

The prime minister said the political activists and human rights defenders faced prolonged detention and confiscation of properties, adding the political parties, representing the genuine aspirations of the Kashmiri people, had been banned. The intent of these oppressive measures was to crush dissent, he added.

The PM further said that India was also taking steps to consolidate its illegal occupation of the IIOJK.

“Following its illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, India’s efforts have been aimed at engineering demographic and political changes so that the Kashmiris transform into a disempowered community in their own land,” he added.

The prime minister reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute would remain a key pillar of their foreign policy.

“Pakistan will continue to offer its unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people till the realisation of their right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” he reiterated.

The prime minister also saluted the resolve and courage of the valiant Kashmiri people, who continued to render innumerable sacrifices in their struggle to achieve their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Armed forces reaffirm support for Kashmiris
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad, the services chiefs and the Pakistan armed forces also reaffirmed their unwavering support for the resilient people of IIOJK in their struggle for self-determination, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

They also paid tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Kashmiri people, who have endured decades of oppression, state-sponsored brutality, and egregious human rights violations.

“Their unwavering resolve in the face of tyranny remains a beacon of courage and inspiration for the entire nation,” the military’s media wing statement read.

The military’s media wing said that the armed forces of Pakistan strongly condemn the ongoing grave violations of human rights in IIOJK, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions.

These transgressions stand as a stark indictment of India’s blatant disregard for international law, humanitarian principles, and fundamental human rights, it added.

“We urge the international community, global human rights organisations, and the United Nations to take immediate and decisive action to address the plight of the Kashmiri people and ensure the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions by their aspirations”, the statement said while quoting CJCSC and services chiefs.

It further said that the Pakistan armed forces remain steadfast in their commitment to the just cause of Kashmir and resolute in their duty to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brethren in their rightful pursuit of freedom and dignity, it concluded. Long live Pakistan! Long live Kashmir,” the statement concluded.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 4: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Tuesday that the government would unveil the Ramadan Relief Package this year without the involvement of the Utility Stores to prevent corruption and the distribution of low-quality commodities to the people.

“As the month of Holy Ramadan is about to start, I have asked the Ministry of National Food Security to bring about a Ramadan package without Utility Stores. I had asked many months ago that this cannot go on with the Utility Stores,” the premier said while addressing a federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Last month, the incumbent government formed a seven-member cabinet committee to oversee the prompt shutdown of USC operations nationwide. The committee was also tasked with devising a strategy for distributing the Ramadan package in coordination with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

Speaking during today’s meeting, PM Shehbaz said that last year, the government had received immense complaints about the execution of the Ramadan Package run by the USC.

Referring to the polio vaccination drive, the prime minister mentioned the killing of a policeman Abdul Khaliq in Jamrud who was deployed for the security of the polio team, paying tribute to his sacrifice to make Pakistan a polio-free nation.

He also lauded the services of PM’s Coordinator on Health Dr Mukhtar, Polio Coordinator Dr Ayesha Farooq, secretary health and polio vaccinators for their tireless efforts to rid the country of this crippling disease.

Apprising the cabinet members of his Quetta visit, the prime minister said he visited the hospital to meet the security personnel who were injured in an anti-terror operation in Kalat in which 18 security personnel were martyred and 23 terrorists were eliminated.

“I met the injured. They had high morale and were even ready to sacrifice their lives for the country. These are the martyrs and Ghazis who are resolved to rid the country of terrorism and striving day and night for the cause,” he remarked.

He added that the soldiers of the army, police, FC and Rangers sacrificing their lives were bearing the brunt of the short-sighted policies of a past government which released thousands of terrorists.

Inflation and economic growth
The premier also expressed pleasure over monthly inflation coming down to a nine-year low of 2.4% from 28.73%.

He congratulated the entire nation, the cabinet members, particularly the finance minister, his team, FBR, and others, for their efforts during the last eleven months to bring inflation down to its lowest level.

“Now, we are fully striving to head toward economic growth… This is the main challenge. All of our energies will be focused on economic growth. Just like other targets, we will achieve this too,” he resolved.

He told the cabinet members that on Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a delegation to Pakistan and both sides signed an agreement under which the kingdom would provide oil worth $1.2 billion annualy on deferred payment.

Besides, the Saudi Development Fund will also provide a loan for a $40 million water supply scheme project in Mansehra.

He said that the entire nation would observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on Wednesday to express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also lauded the approval of agricultural income tax by all four provinces as per the IMF condition and thanked the chief ministers, President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Nawaz Sharif for their support in this regard.