Paris, Dec ):The number of journalists killed in the line of duty fell this year, despite reporter deaths in Gaza in the past two months, media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said Thursday.
              In the first 11 months of 2023, 45 journalists were killed carrying out their work, down from 61 last year, according to the annual report by RSF. 
              It was the smallest number since 33 died in 2002, largely due to a major drop in Latin America. 
              While some 63 journalists have been killed in the Middle East since the October 7 start of fighting between Israel and Islamist group Hamas, only 17 of those deaths fell under RSF's definition.
              "It takes nothing away from the tragedy in Gaza but we are observing a regular decline, and are very far from the 140 journalists killed in 2012 and again in 2013" because of the wars in Syria and Iraq, RSF secretary general Christophe Deloire told AFP.
              The decline is due to efforts by inter-governmental organisations and NGOs to combat impunity, as well as to greater "prudence" by reporters themselves, he said.
              Of the 17 journalists RSF counted as killed carrying out their profession in the Middle East since October 7, 13 were killed by Israeli fire in Gaza, three died in Lebanon and one was killed in Israel by Hamas.
              RSF in November said it filed a complaint at the International Criminal Court for "war crimes" for these deaths.
              AFP last week said its investigation showed that Israeli tank fire was responsible for killing Reuters cameraman Issam Abdallah on October 13 and wounding six others, including AFP photographer Christina Assi. 
              A spokesperson for the Israeli army said the journalists were in an "active combat zone" in southern Lebanon, an answer that Deloire called "not satisfactory."
              The war in Ukraine cost the life of two reporters in 2023, including AFP reporter Arman Soldin, "the only reporter to have lost their life outside their own country", RSF said.
              A total of 11 reporters have been killed since the start of the conflict in February 2022. 

              There was a sharp drop in Latin America where six reporters were killed, down from 26 in 2022. In Mexico alone, the number fell to four from 11 the previous year.  
              RSF warned that Mexico remains dangerous for journalists, citing continued kidnappings and attacks.  
              Of the 84 journalists counted as missing worldwide, about a third are Mexican. 
              The number of jailed reporters declined to 521 from 569 in 2022, with Belarus joining China and Myanmar as "one of the three biggest prisons in the world".
              Turkey and Iran also repeatedly jail journalists, the report said.  
              A total of 54 journalists are being held hostage, compared to 65 in 2022.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 13: /DNA/ – General Ìsmail Güneykaya, Combat Commander Turkish Air Force, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force in his office today. The meeting underscored several key areas of mutual interest with a special focus on bilateral training, progress of current joint ventures and exploration of further avenues of collaboration in the aviation industry.

During the meeting Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, shared the framework of PAF’s comprehensive modernization strategy involving integration of emerging technologies, bolstering critical infrastructure and a comprehensive restructuring of its training set-up, in order to address contemporary air warfare challenges. The Air Chief highlighted that both the brotherly countries enjoy long-standing religious and historic ties which are manifested through unprecedented strategic partnership. Appreciating the participation of Turkish Air Force in Exercise Indus Shield, the Air Chief reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral relations in military-to-military cooperation, strategic alliance and the training domain. The Air Chief further remarked that PAF pilots are playing an active role in imparting nursery to tactical level training to Turkish aircrew. He reiterated Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to provide training and capacity-building assistance to the Turkish Air Force.

General Ìsmail Güneykaya, acknowledged the impressive progress made by Pakistan Air Force in developing a robust indigenous aviation industry and reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing ties between the two brotherly countries. In order to cultivate tactical brilliance for Turkish aircrew, the visiting dignitary expressed profound interest in exploring avenues for training of Turkish Air Force pilots in the Combat Commanders Course being offered at the prestigious Air Power Centre of Excellence. Both the commanders also agreed to explore further areas of cooperation through bilateral and multilateral military exercises with special focus on collaboration in the technology based future programs. During his visit, the Combat Commander Turkish Air Force also visited various installations and technological infrastructure established at Air Headquarters, Islamabad including PAF’s National ISR and Integrated Air Operations Centre and PAF’s Cyber Command. He also visited National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, which is a major landmark in Pakistan’s journey towards progress and is all set to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s aerospace industry, fostering strategic partnerships and contributing to the economic growth of Pakistan.

The visit of Combat Commander Turkish Air Force to Pakistan signifies a resolute commitment from both nations to reinforce their strategic partnership through fostering collaboration and promoting robust relations between their respective Air Forces.

BAKU, DEC 13 /DNA/ – Azerbaijan expressed profound grief and stands in solidarity with Pakistan following the tragic terrorist attack claiming the lives of 23 soldiers.

We offer our deepest condolences to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan during this difficult time.

MFA Azerbaijan condemned all forms of terrorism and stand united against this heinous act.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 13: /DNA/ – In a significant event held today in Islamabad, WaterAid Pakistan unveiled its visionary Country Programme Strategy for the period 2023–2028.

This strategy aims to expedite Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) progress in the country, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the resilience of water, sanitation, and hygiene services in the face of climate change. Furthermore, the strategy seeks to prioritize WASH integration within the health sector to significantly bolster public health outcomes.

The launch brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including representatives from academia, community-based organizations, media, and more. Other distinguished guests included Ms. Sitara Ayaz, Secretary-General of the International Parliamentarian Congress; Senator Seemee Azdi, Chairperson of the Climate Change Committee.

A Panel Discussion was also arranged to discuss the role of stakeholders, academia, and civil societies in improving WASH conditions in Pakistan. The panellists included Dr. Hifza Rasheed, Director-General of PCRWR; Mr. Liaqat Ali, Executive Coordinator of the Doaba Foundation; Muhammad Nawaz, Climate Integration Lead at USAID Pakistan; Dr. Muhammad Rafiq, Head of the Center for Water Informatics and Climate Resilience at IM Sciences, Peshawar; and Sehr Afsheen, Country Representative of VSO.

Mr. Muhammad Fazal, Head of Program Strategy and Policy at WaterAid, concluded the discussion with a commitment to collaborative actions by all stakeholders, academia, development agencies, government ministries, and parliamentarians to mainstream access to WASH for all in all policies and plans.

Arif Jabbar Khan, Country Director of WaterAid Pakistan, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who attended the event and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to working hand in hand with local communities, government bodies, and organizations to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, Dec 13: As a part of the Team Europe Initiative ‘Building Back Better through Green Jobs Creation,’ combining support from the European Union (EU), Germany, France and Italy, the EU and the Agence Française de Développement (AfD) today have signed an agreement to spearhead a new climate initiative in the urban centres of Punjab.

The joint effort by the Government of Pakistan and Team Europe partners will allocate €179 million to tackle urgent water and sanitation service delivery challenges in Faisalabad and Lahore, while strengthening climate resilience. The collaborative initiative, entitled ‘Punjab Urban Water and Wastewater Governance and Services Improvement,’ spans six years and blends grant support from the EU and a soft loan from the AfD.

The agreement has been signed by EU Ambassador Dr. Riina Kionka and Deputy Director AfD Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Asia, Ms. Julie Marsaudon, in the presence of German Ambassador Alfred Grannas and Italian Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese. Acknowledging Punjab’s pivotal economic role in contributing 54% of Pakistan’s GDP, EU Ambassador Dr. Riina Kionka highlighted persistent water and sanitation challenges. She underscored the EU’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in improving resilience to climate change and the EU’s readiness to redouble efforts to support the country’s green inclusive growth, a priority under the EU Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan and also for EU assistance to the country.

She further discussed the EU’s role as the world’s leading contributor to international climate finance, emitting about 9% of greenhouse gases but contributing some 30% of global public financing. The French Ambassador’s representative noted that the fight against climate change was a top priority for France. Since the Geneva Conference on a “Resilient Pakistan” on January 9, 2023, France has committed to strengthening its cooperation on climate change: today, some 97% of AFD financing also benefits the climate. The partnership with the EU on water and sanitation is an example of this priority; it will mobilise expertise towards climate-resilient solutions in the water and sanitation sectors.

The project aims to improve access to drinking water and sanitation services by installing 200 kilometres of new water supply pipes and providing 55,000 new connections. It focuses on enhancing capacities, increasing water treatment capacity by 135,000 cubic meters per day and bolstering urban water governance. The initiative will improve the access of 400,000 individuals to drinking water.

This joint intervention underscores the joint commitment of the Government of Pakistan and Team Europe to sustainable development, marking a crucial step towards building climate resilience and ensuring a better quality of life for people and businesses in Faisalabad and Lahore.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 13: /DNA/ – Pakistan’s politics is like a colorful puzzle made of different histories, cultures, and big problems. The way our country is run has changed a lot over time. Sometimes, the army has taken charge instead of elected leaders, which has made things a bit shaky.

We have lots of different people here, speaking different languages and following different traditions. This makes things both interesting and sometimes hard because we need to respect everyone’s feelings and needs.

Our country faces big issues like money differences, unfair practices, and problems with basic stuff like roads and schools. Fixing these things needs everyone to work together, no matter which party they support.

Our young people are getting more interested in politics. They want fairness, honesty, and things to get better. They can be a big part of making our country stronger.

Pakistan also deals with other countries and big powers. Keeping everyone happy while looking out for ourselves is tricky.

To make things better, we need to talk openly, be fair to everyone, and encourage more people to join in decisions that affect our country. If we work together, we can make our country better for everyone.

RAWALPINDI, Dec 13 (APP/DNA): Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) while conducting an operation in Kot Moman managed to bust a drug-trafficking gang and arrested nine accused including four women besides recovering 1023 kg drugs.

According to an ANF Headquarters spokesman, ANF while conducting an operation in Kot Momin netted nine smugglers, members of an inter-provincial gang which was allegedly involved in drug smuggling through women in different cities of Punjab. During the operation, total 1023 kg drugs were recovered from their possession.

He informed that ANF team stopped three vehicles near Kot Momin and recovered total 703 kg hashish from the vehicles. During the investigation, the accused revealed the presence of drugs in a house located in Kot Momin.

On pointation of the accused, the ANF team raided the house and recovered 398 kg opium while four women were also rounded up during the operation.

The accused used to smuggle drugs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and store them in a rented house in Kot Momin. The drugs were supplied to different districts of Punjab.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 13: The Supreme Court suspended on Wednesday its October 23 unanimous decision nullifying military trials of civilians.

A six-member bench hearing the case had earlier today reserved its verdict on a set of intra-court appeals (ICAs) filed by the caretaker federal government and the provincial governments of Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The Sindh government abstained from filing a plea.

The bench hearing the appeals today is headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, and includes Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan.

The verdict was announced by a majority of 5:1, as Justice Musarrat Hilali objected to it.

On October 23, a five-member bench declared the military trials of individuals detained after the country’s violent protests on May 9 null and void during the hearing of multiple petitions.

As the hearing commenced today, Justice Masood refused to recuse himself from the bench over objections raised by the counsels. Advocate Latif Khosa informed Justice Masood that objections had been raised over his presence on the bench, to which he replied if his client, Aitzaz Ahsan, had been issued a notice on notice on the matter.

The apex court judge then added that arguments could be conducted if there are objections against a judge’s inclusion before a notice has been issued and referred to an earlier decision by Justice (retd) Jawad S Khwaja which stated hat it is the will of the judge to either remain or recuse himself from the bench.

Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Awan said that the objections raised by the parties are baseless, and urged the bench to hear the case on merit.

Khosa, however, countered that Justice Masood had given his opinion on pleas related to military courts in his earlier note. To which Justice Masood asked the counsels who had objected and was informed by Advocate Salman Akram Raja that Justice (retd) Khwaja had raised objections.

The counsels were reminded that it was Khwaja’s verdict regarding a judge recusing from the bench. “I will not recuse myself from the bench, what can you do,” said Justice Masood.

“You are hearing the case despite our objections,” replied Khosa.

The AGP again asked how could objections be heard when there has been no notice on the matter. Referring to Khwaja, he added that those “who raised the objections are themselves not present in court”.

The court then started hearing the appeals and the objecting counsels were asked to take a seat.

The defence ministry’s counsel, Khawaja Haris, then took the rostrum and argued that the SC’s earlier order dated Oct 23 did not mention which articles of the Constitution and provisions of the Army Act were declared unconstitutional. 

Citing the case of Brigadier (retd) F.B Ali, he said the Army Act’s sections were upheld and a 17-member full court had also declared the judgement as correct when hearing a case on the 21st Amendment.

Haris added that the apex court had previously ruled that is a crime pertained to the military, then the trial could be held in a military court. 

Justice Mazhar inquired from Haris how he would ensure that a “fair trial” was held in military courts. In response, he referred to the trial of Indian spy Kulbushan Yadav and argued that the Army Act’s jurisdiction over civilians was “already limited” and provisions related to civilians could not be declared void. 

Justice Masood then observed that noted that a detailed verdict on military trials of civilians had not been issued. 

When Justice Saadat asked Harif why not wait for the detailed verdict in the case, he responded that he would then request the SC to allow resumption of military trials of those already in military custody. 

Khosa, objecting to a stay order on the Oct 23 verdict, said that judges who made that decision were also part of the apex court. 

AGP Awan requested to court to allow conditional resumption of military trial, to which Justice Masood asked how could the court allow the action when certain sections of the Army Act had been nullified. Justice Mazhar then wondered why was there such a hurry to decide on the matter. 

The court had then reserved its verdict, which was then announced after a short recess. 

Following the apex court verdict, several intra-court appeals were lodged. Last week, the Supreme Court announced the formation of a six-member larger bench, led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, to oversee these appeals.

In their intra-court appeals, the caretaker federal government and the defence ministry urged the top court to restore the sections of the Official Secrets Act.

However, on Monday, Justice Ijazul Ahsan raised objections over benches recently formed to hear two high-profile cases.

In his letter sent to the registrar, Justice Ahsan noted that he had attended the meeting of the three-member committee held in the chamber of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on Thursday, December 7, with regard to the formation of benches in the two cases.

He said it was agreed in the meeting that as the bench that delivered a verdict against court-martial of civilians comprised five judges, the bench to hear appeals against the verdict should have seven judges.

Justice Ahsan stated that the CJP had agreed to his suggestion that in order to dispel the impression of “pick and choose” the bench to hear the appeals against military courts and Justice Naqvi’s petition should consist of the senior most judges of the court.

The judge stated that instead of a seven-member bench, a six-member bench was formed to hear the appeals against SC’s military court verdict and that he had not been informed if any of the judges who are higher in the order of seniority had refrained from becoming part of the bench.

Former CJP also objects to larger bench

Simultaneously, former CJP Jawwad S Khawaja has filed an application in the apex court requesting that Justice Sardar Tariq Masood recuse himself from hearing the appeal against SC order banning trial of civilians in military courts “in the interest of justice.”

The former CJP, who is one of the petitioners who challenged court-martial of the May 9 rioters, stated that Justice Masood and Justice Qazi Faez Isa were part of the nine-member bench formed by former CJP Umar Ata Bandial to hear petitions against military courts.

He highlighted that both Justice Isa and Justice Masood had refused to hear the petitions.
“Justice Isa read out a prepared note in open court. After reading out the note, Justice Isa and Justice Masood rose from the bench. The bench was thereafter reconstituted. Justice Masood issued a signed document dated 26.6.2023.”

He said the note reflects Justice Masood’s views on various matters.

“The relevance of the note for the purposes of the present application is that it gives findings in paragraph number 3 with respect to the maintainability of the subject petitions.

“As a result of these findings, Justice Masood has already expressed his view in this specific matter (and this view was expressed without hearing the parties) that the subject petitions were not maintainable under Article 184(3),” he added.

The former CJP requested the court that Justice Sardar might recuse himself from hearing the case and the matter might be referred back to the three-member committee for reconstitution of the bench.