TAMIL NADU, 13 February 2023, (TON): Tamil nationalist leader and President of World Tamil Confederation, Pazha Nedumaran on Monday claimed that LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran is alive and lives with his wife and daughter.

While addressing the media at Thanjavur, Nedumaran said Prabhakaran's location will be disclosed at an appropriate time.

He said that the Sri Lankan government had portrayed Prabhakaran as anti-India. Since the present global situation is optimistic and the Rajapakse rule has ended, he was disclosing this now, Nedumaran added.

The Tamil nationalist leader also said that the information that Prabhakaran was alive which brought a lot of confidence among the Tamils in Sri Lanka and that he has made the announcement with Prabhakaran's permission.

Sivaji Lingam, a former Member of Parliament from Sri Lanka said that the Sri Lankan government had not confirmed the body of Prabhakaran. He added that the announcement made by Nedumaran that Prabhakaran was alive has brought a lot of happiness to the Tamil people across the world.

Notably, in May 2009, after the final battle between LTTE and Sri Lankan Army, it was announced that Prabhakaran was killed and some photographs released.

Nedumaran, a former leader of the Indian National Congress, is credited to have saved the life of Indira Gandhi when she was attacked by a violent mob during her trip to Tamil Nadu.

As per the details, the report about LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran living with his family could not be confirmed. However, one report said that his family kept silence about it.

NANKANA SAHIB, 11 February 2023 (TON): The Police confirmed, Waris Issa, who was arrested for desecration of the holy book has been murder by an angry mob. The mob stripped his clothes and dragged him in the streets before beating him to death. Most of the participants in the murder were young boys less than 18 years of age, instigated by a specific sectarian school of thought. As per one of the local resident Waris Eassa committed desecration of the holy book by pasting his ex-wife’s picture on holy books. As per the details Waris Eassa used to practice witchcraft and was also arrested in the past who had returned after spending two years in jail.

File Photo; Instigator Nankana Sahib Murder

The group whose followers murdered Waris Eassa on charges of desecration of the holy book have been identified in photographs and use the slippers (Naylain Mubarak) as their badge and symbol. Police is investigating the case. The sole purpose behind the act was to defame Muslims as extremists in the international community.

The Punjab chief minister formed a three-member committee to probe the lynching case. The committee will have to furnish a fact-finding report in 48 hours.

By Afshain Afzal

Monday, 30^th January 2023, an alleged suicide bombing took place at the time of Namaz-e-Zohar at Police Lines Masjid (Mosque) in Peshawar. Over 400 Namazis were offering the routine Namaz-e-Zohar. The sad terrorist incident took lives of at least 103 people including 97 security personnel and injuries more than 200 others when complete roof fell down in a big bang. Most of those who were killed or injured were Police personnel including Pesh Iman Maulana Sahibzada Noorul Amin, who was serving as Naib Khatib since 1994. Apparently, the debris at the Masjid reflected that such a huge damage to the Masjid cannot be done by explosive carried out by a single suicide bomber. The area where terrorist incident took place encompasses Headquarters of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police force and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) offices, Border Reserve Police, Elite Force and the Pakistan Telecommunications Department offices.

File Photo: Coffins of 97 Police personnel martyred 

Although, it was huge damage which could not be done by explosive carried by single person but the Police authorities have ruled out that the attack was by a drone or missile hit. Police authorities said that they have reached the terrorist who happen to be some police personnel. Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar Muhammad Ijaz Khan confirmed that families that live in the police compound where the mosque is located are being interrogated as police cannot rule out that the attacker has been helped by someone internally. CCPO Ejaz Khan in a statement said that that the head of the suspected suicide bomber was recovered from the blast site. He said, the alleged attacker has been identified as 37-year-old Muhammad Ayaz, son of Salim Khan of Mohmand Agency. He added that it is possible that the attacker was already present at the police line before the explosion and may have used an official vehicle. Meanwhile, security has been tightened and Department of Administrative Affairs Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa also issued new guidelines including security guidelines for Civil Secretariat.

Pakistan’s Tehreek e Taliban and Afghan Taliban have condemned the attack and ruled out any involvement of their members. The Afghan Taliban's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi called on Pakistan to investigate the Peshawar attack rather than blame neighbouring Afghanistan for terror carnage. He added, "If Afghanistan was the centre of terrorism, it would have gone into China, Central Asia and Iran”. The Afghan authorities clarified that Afghan Islamic government believes in peace and good neighborly relations with all the countries and what Pakistan needs to comprehend is that if China, Central Asia and Iran were never attacked by Taliban why would they carry out terrorism in brotherly country like Pakistan. Interestingly, Pakistani agencies are shy of taking the name of India, which is openly challenging the very existence of Pakistan.

Intelligence agencies and foreign media, especially Indian claim that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan accepted the responsibility for the suicide attack, saying it was part of a revenge attack from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan as their commander Umar Khalid Khurasani was killed in Afghanistan in August 2022. According to security officials, the suicide bomber was present in the front row of the Masjid and blew himself up, causing the roof to collapse on the Namazis.  The incident witnessed cooperation between all the departments and professional handling of post disaster management. Soon after the terrorist incident, heavy machinery and fire brigade tenders were combing the ruins for survivors in a rescue operation. However, the debris was so huge that it was impossible to do much for those who got trapped under huge concrete rubbles. However, their efforts along with Police force is worth appreciation.

Inspector General Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Moazzam Jah Ansari in a recorded video clip said, “My sons (Police personnel) who are to fight, have been trained, provided weapons, who are ready to take revenge and who are standing to fight, if they protest for their rights and talk about their protection than…”  He ruled out drone attack on the Masjid and said that it was a suicide attack and Police have identified the terrorist, who happen to be police personnel.  He said, security camera footage showed the bomber entering the heavily fortified police compound surrounding the mosque on a motorbike. In an earlier interview to Aaj Digital on 11 June 2022, IGP Moazzam Jah Ansari said, policing was introduced in the Newly Merged Districts (former FATA) in March/ April 2019, and he inherited force of 26,000 personnel of Levies and Khasadar who lacked training but a large number of them were trained by Pakistan Army at their Centers and other by police themselves totaling more than 22500 personnel who are fully trained. He said, during the interview that there is nexus between criminals and terrorists and mostly activities are on the basis of personal enmity but is tow with terrorist networks.

In the latest development, Bright Madina Channel telecast a video “Bayan” (a casual talk) of Maulana Sahibzada Noorul Amin and posted some days before the blast. A Facebook account with the name of Maulana Sahibzada Noorul Amin with his picture in Police line Peshawar has been created by someone probably last month. It could not be confirmed that the interview posted at Bright Madina Channel was delibrate and facebook account has been created by Moulana himself. The video clip iin Pushto language has been translated in verbatim, “Three questions will be asked inside the grave; Man Rab o Ka, Man Nabi o Ka and Man Deen o Ka. When he would wake up from grave and he would be aske four questions. Prophet Mohammad Alhe Salam says unless he answers these four questions, his feet will not move forward from the grave. These questions are; You were give an age how you spent it, youth was given to you how you spent, from where you earned money and where you spent this amount. In fact, we have Aqeda (Belief) everyone has his own Aqeda and all these questions there is no question of Aqeda as La Illa Ha Ill Allah Mohammad ur Rasool Allah, all have one Aqeda.”

File Photo: Construction work inside Masjid by a group

Witnesses disclosed that Police department allowed a particular sect to carryout major changes in design of the Police Line Masjid including new construction. It was revealed that hard talk between Razavi sect wearing green turban and Maulana Sahibzada Noorul Amin took place in the past, who considered Maulana following wrong faith.  It is possible that same persons posted video clip of Maulana Sahibzada Noorul Amin on Bright Madina Channel that caused someone from opposite school of thought to carry out terrorism to eliminate Maulana Sahibzada Noorul Amin and replace him with favorite one. One individual on the condition of anonymity said that that clip proved that Maulana Sahibzada Noorul Amin had changed his faith and got influenced by Taliban. Some Police personnel were of the view that it is strange that most of those martyred were Police official but interrogation is also taking place of Police personnel and their families. One witness said that there is business adventure in front of the main gate where investors have eyes.

3rd February announcement after a high level conference between military and civilian authorities, highlighted strong action against the terrorist, establishment of Counter Terrorism Headquarters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, provision of latest equipment and weapons to Police and Counter Terrorism Department. Equipping the Police force is essential and strong action against terrorists has no alternative but the authorities must not ignore hundreds of families from India settling in cities including old Peshawar occupying and dismantling unattended minorities left evacuee properties. The facts cannot be denied that authorities also inducted thousands of hard core terrorists in Levies as de-radicalization drive and later fully trained and equipped them. It is high time that we must break the nexus between criminals and terrorists and identify, “terrorist activities on the basis of personal enmity but is tow with terrorist networks” as rightly identified by IGP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

28 January 2023 (TON): A Russian-built Sukhoi-30 and French Mirage 2000 Indian Air Force’s aircraft crashed near Morena near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh on 27 January 2023, killing one pilot and seriously injuring two others in the Parhadgarh forests. The incident took place at 5:30 AM Indian Standard Time in the morning, when both Sukhoi Su-30 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets took off from the Indian Air Force Base, Gwalior and banged into each other while participating in a training exercise. IAF court of inquiry will determine whether it was a mid-air collision or not. IAF authorities at Gwalior ruled out Sukhoi-30 MKI of the Indian Air Force, was being refueled mid-air by tanker when crash took place.

In another incident a chartered plane crashed and its debris was discovered in Nagla Dida near Bharatpur in Rajasthan. The aircraft was on a simulated operation. It is important to mention that Indian Army and Egyptian Armies are conducting Exercise Cyclone-I, the first-ever joint exercise between their special forces on from 14 to 28 January 2023. The 14-day-long joint exercise is in progress at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. The exercise involves joint participating in combat free fall jumping, reconnaissance - surveillance and target identification. designation, and sharing of information plus processing techniques & procedures.

IAF authorities confirmed Court of Inquiry to determine the crash of Sukhoi-30 and French Mirage 2000 in midair but were tight lipped regarding crash in Nagla Dida near Bharatpur in Rajasthan.

By Afshain Afzal

Kenya is a beautiful country where the founder of Pakistan, Quaid e Azam Mohammad Alhi Jinnah was most wealthy businessman and owned huge properties. Pakistan and Kenya enjoy good brotherly relations. Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was so much linked with cause of Africa that in his life time he drafted notes to give special status to Africa and Latin America. Article 40 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan provides, "The State shall endeavour to preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic unity, support the common interests of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, promote international peace and security, foster goodwill and friendly relations among all nations and encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means."
An unfortunate incident has taken place in which a Karachi based senior Pakistani journalist, Arshad Sharif was killed as a result of Kenyan police action. Police killed Arshad Sharif on Sunday evening after the car was sprayed with live bullets. The area where he was killed was near his friend's farm. The Kwenia farms bearing sign boards "Restricted Area" was used as a hotel and shooting range was frequently visited by Arshad Sharif and his brother Khurram Ahmed. On evening 23 October 2022, when both left they farm for Narobi on venicle bearing registration number KGM 200M, Police in Magadi area, Kajiado country opened fire when vehicle crossed the checkpost resulting in the tragic incident.
In private meeting Arshad Sharif showed interest migrating to foreign countries. He was impressed by former US Ambassador and journalist Hussain Haqqani and Farahnaz Ishphani and wanted to follow their foot steps. Hussain Haqqani and Farahnaz Ishphani tweeted condolences on his death. If we recall, Arshad Sharif was also awarded Pride of Performance during PTI tenure on 23 March 2019. He was strongly affiliated with a political party that at the venue of inauguration of Phase II of China Pakistan Economic Corridor by former PM Imran Ahmed Khan Naizi on 4 July 2021, Arshad Sharif gave a thrashing to Siddique Jan and carried out brutal violence.
According to Kenyan Police statement, "It was reported to Magadi police station vide OB 14/23/10/2022 at 22.00hrs that along Kuenia farm/ Kamukuru marram a shooting incident involving GSU officers had occurred and one Pakistan national namely Arshad Mohammed Shariff aged 50 years had been fatally shot while he was been driven in a motor vehicle registration number KDG 200M along that road when the deceased and his brother Khurram Ahmed were driving back to Nairobi," The statement said, "Douglas Wainaina reported to the Pangani Police Station that his car had been stolen and his son Dancan Kamau was in the car.
"It started when officers from DCI Starehe circulated a report of theft of a motor vehicle/abduction vide OB 70/23/10/2022 that one Douglas Wainaina parked his motor vehicle registration number KDJ 700F outside an electrical shop and left his son namely Dancan Kamau inside the said motor vehicle," reads the statement." The son was later found at Olosuritia ACK Church within Kiserian. The Police report said, "Upon scrutiny of the said motor vehicle, it had a bullet hole on the left side of the windscreen on the side the deceased was sitting, two bullet holes on the rear left back screen, one bullet hole on the rear right door, four holes right side of the boot and one front right tyre that had been deplated. The said Pakistan nationals claim that they are developers and reside in Nairobi. Scene was documented and the body taken to Chiromo mortuary awaiting postmortem." .
The Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan while issued another notification of 26 October, constituting a team comprising of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director Athar Waheed and Intelligence Bureau Deputy Director General Omar Shahid Hamid of Intelligence Bur­eau (IB)to ascertain the facts related to murder of Arshad Sharif and probe reasons and circumstance that compelled Arshad Sharif to flee Pakistan in August 2022, first to Dubai and then to Kenya. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has raised objection on the constitution of team, especially Director FIA on the ground that it is linked with ruling government. Shareen Mazari tweeted, "Athar Waheed had as SP Gujranwala in 2009 openly proclaimed affiliation with Nawaz Sharif. Why is he leading this team bc one element of probe would be the documentary Arshad was associated with on Sharif's corruption. Sharifs & their cabal of crooks can never do anything honest!"
Although, the Police have pronounced that the case was a matter of "mistaken identity but an investigation is in progress. The Kenya's police oversight authority is investigating the shooting death of well-known Pakistani investigative journalist. According to initial probe the the vehicle speeded up and did not stop at the errected barrier when signaled to stop. Hence, police opened fire. Kenya's police personnel involved claimed that said they mistook the vehicle, driven by Arshad Sharif’s brother, for one connected to a child kidnapping in Nairobi. When the car didn’t stop at the checkpoint, they shot at the vehicle.
Arshad Sharif left Pakistan in July to avoid arrest following a citizen's complaint against him on allegations of maligning the country's national institutions including military. Whatever the case may be, the incident was tragic and truth must come to the surface. Neither such killings nor faulty probes can compel the journalist of conscience to stop sharing the truth. It is time to wait and see how the teams investigating the case may reach the truth. 

By TON Bangladesh

The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s willingness to support Bangladesh’s appeal for a $4.5 billion bailout package over the next three years endorses that the country’s economy is fronting a grave crisis.  It is the third country in the region, after Sri Lanka and Pakistan that approached the IMF in current months. While the economic crises in Pakistan and Sri Lanka were widely identified in worldwide media.

Bangladesh’s situation came to light despite the fact that the Bangladeshi government’s frequent rejection of any economic disaster. Bangladesh current Prime Minister Government for years hyped the economic achievement of the country and recently celebrated the opening of Bangladesh’s largest bridge as a sign of its self-reliance. The government assertions that its request for “budget support,” an unhindered loan with low interest which lets it to use the money as it wishes, is a precautionary measure. However, indeed it shows that the economy is  in trouble.

Dhaka’s hunt for financial support is not limited to the IMF. Also requesting from the World Bank a one-billion-dollar loan, an estimated $2.5-3 billion have been asked from several multilateral agencies and donor nations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA in this year.

Additionally, seeing that ongoing austerity actions including power cuts, partial use of foreign currency, and fuel rationing are yet to make any major dent in the crisis. The government’s assertion that the country will weather decreasing foreign exchange funds, a rising trade deficit, record inflation, daily depreciation of the local currency, and a deep energy crisis is doubtful. As the IMF and other multilateral agencies open their purses to Bangladesh, it is also imperative to understand how the country arrived here.

Dhaka shows everyone to believe that the economic fall down from the COVID-19 pandemic and the global influence of the Ukraine-Russia war are to be blamed for its current predicament, but this only says a part of the story. The following figures display a far more troublesome image.

Bangladesh received at least $1.7 billion in loans from multilateral agencies by June 2020, and by October 2021 it had borrowed at least three billion dollars from development partners as budget support to combat the adverse impacts of the pandemic. It is reported that budget support received from various multilateral agencies between 2019 and 2020 and 2021-2022 amounted to $5.8 billion.

Bangladesh received $732 million from the IMF as a balance of payment support and $1.4 billion from the World Bank to implement the countrywide vaccination program. It got sixty-one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the United States, free of cost. The government also presented various stimulus packages and repeatedly claimed that its economy not only turned around, but was on the road to a dramatic recovery.

This information reveals two things that the fallout from the pandemic should have been addressed in the past year with significant support from external sources, and that the government has been taking loans in recent years despite claims of robust economic growth.  External factors anyhow, four domestic areas tied to government policies can be identified as sources of the present crisis:

Since coming to power in 2009, the current PM of Bangladesh has undertaken several large infrastructure projects funded by various countries and multilateral agencies. These projects include the Padma Bridge, a nuclear power plant in Rooppur, Dhaka City Metro Rail, and Karnaphuli Tunnel, to name a few. Padma Bridge, one of the largest projects in the country, cost about $3.6 billion, which was formerly estimated to be $1.16 billion in 2007.

The aspiring nuclear power plant is costing Bangladesh $12.65 billion, and the actual amount to be spent will not be known until it is commissioned. The Metro Rail project ballooned to $3.3 billion from its original estimate of $2.1 billion. The cost of the underwater Karnaphuli Tunnel reached $1.03 billion, though originally estimated at $803 million.

Unluckily, these are not exceptions, but patterns. In 2017, the World Bank noted that the cost of road construction in Bangladesh was the maximum in the world. The cost overrun is largely because of overrating of materials, corruption, and long delays. In addition, the banking sector, which has been in the news for quite some time, is crippled by large scams and non-performing loans.

In 2019, when the Central Bank claimed that the total amount of defaulted loans was $11.11 billion, the IMF disputed this, saying that the true amount is more than double. The current official figure has been questioned by many on several grounds, however.  There is an explanation for this discrepancy bad loans can be easily manipulated and hidden through write offs and changing the official definition of “bad loans” to skirt regulations.

In simple words, the Central Bank is alleged to display a rosy which is quite inaccurate picture to show economic success of the incumbent government.  International watchdog organizations said that Bangladesh said that “huge political pressure and illegal intervention by some large business groups” are the reasons of a persistent upsurge in loan defaults.

This is not a new phenomenon, and though experts have been warning of such a situation for years, the Central Bank has not taken effective steps, instead changing policies to help the loan defaulters. In March 2022, the government celebrated its success in extending electricity coverage to the entire country. This, also came at a high price.

The increase in electricity generation was largely due to the establishment of Quick Rental Power Plants (QRPPs) in the private sector.  In the previous decade, the power sector received huge grants between 2010 and 2021, the Power Development Board received $7.1 billion, while the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation received three billion dollars between 2010 and 2015. Remarkably, this occurred while the prices of electricity and fuel hiked for consumers.

Furthermore, the capacity charge provisions included in the contracts with Independent Power Producers, Rental Power Plants, and QRPPs force the government to pay these companies even when they did not provide any electricity.

These units are owned by companies connected to the government who are using the system to their benefit. In the past decade, twelve companies received $5.5 billion as capacity charges. Additionally, the government has signed agreements with Indian energy company Adani which would require Bangladesh to pay annually $423.29 million and $11.01 billion over its lifetime of twenty-five years as capacity for its energy supply.

In the past decade, as rampant corruption allowed a small group of people to amass large sums of money, Bangladesh witnessed widespread money laundering. It was alleged that between 2009 and 2018, annually $8.27 billion was siphoned through misuse of billing of the values of import-export goods. The growth of deposits by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks in the past decade is indicative of capital flight. In 2021, it augmented by 55.1 percent, reaching 871 million Francs ($912 million).

While these issues have added hugely to the economic disaster Bangladesh is facing. Therefore, Bangladesh’s pathway to the current economic crisis leading to its arrival at the entrance of the IMF did not result only from the pandemic and the Ukraine crisis. Instead, it was paved by the flawed by the economic policies of the current government and an unaccountable system of governance of the past.

The two consecutive national elections, held in 2014 and 2018, were alleged to be controversial and have created a one party system with no checks and balances. A bailout will only act as temporary relief. However, there is no guarantee that it will mystically solve the crisis without improving an economic system tied deeply to the regime’s self-centered political vision.

By Nasriya Naffin

A food shortage is on the horizon in Srilanka, according to a recent report from the UN food program. They're warning that the country's staple food, rice, could run out in the next few months.

The root of the problem is a combination of natural disasters and political instability. The floods last year destroyed a lot of farmland, and the current civil war is making it difficult to bring food into the country.

The situation is dire, and the UN is calling for emergency aid. Please consider donating to aid those in need if you are able. The UN is reporting that over 10 million people need emergency aid, and the situation is only getting worse. Please donate if you can, and help spread the word to others. Every little amount helps, and we desperately need it right now.

What Caused the Food Shortage?

There are a few factors that contributed to the situation. The country experienced a severe drought. This led to a decrease in food production, as crops withered and died due to lack of water. In addition, many farmers were forced to abandon their farms due to the drought, further exacerbating the problem.

For one, there was a drought that affected the country for several years in a row. This led to a decrease in crop production, which made it harder for people to access food.

Another reason is that prices of food have been increasing worldwide, and Sri Lanka is no exception. The cost of food has gone up by as much as 50% in the past few years, making it difficult for people to afford basic groceries.

Lastly, there has been an influx of refugees into the country, which has led to a strain on resources. All of these factors have contributed to the food shortage in Sri Lanka, and the situation is only going to get worse if something isn't done soon.

How Will the Food Shortage Affect Sri Lankans?

The UN food program has warned of a food shortage looming over Srilanka. The main reason for this is the drought that's been affecting the country for the past few years.

This is going to have a serious impact on the population. Not only are people going to go hungry, but the prices of food are going to skyrocket, making it difficult for people to afford basic necessities.

The government is trying to do something about it, but it's going to be a huge challenge. With so many people in need, it's going to take a lot of effort and cooperation from everyone to make sure that no one goes hungry.

What Measures Are Being Taken to Mitigate the Effects of the Food Shortage?

The UN food program has warned of a food shortage in Srilanka. This is largely due to the effects of the drought that's been affecting the country for the past few years.

What measures are being taken to mitigate the effects of the food shortage? The government has been working with the UN to import food and distribute it to those who need it. They've also been investing in irrigation projects and other measures to help farmers produce more crops.

You can help by donating money to organizations that are working on these projects. Your donations will go a long way in helping to ensure that everyone in Srilanka has access to food.

How can you help?

The UN food program is currently looking for donations to help support the people of Srilanka. They need money, food, and water, so if you're able to contribute, please do so.

It's heartbreaking to see so many people suffer and go without the necessities of life. But by donating what you can, you can make a real difference in their lives. Please donate today.

Get Involved With the UN Food Program

Here's how it works: the UN food program buys food from local farmers and then distributes it to people in need. So by supporting the UN food program, you're not only helping to feed people in need, but you're also supporting local farmers.

Conclusion

The UN food program is warning of a food shortage in Srilanka. The current drought has made it difficult for farmers to grow crops, and the lack of food is causing prices to skyrocket.

You can help by donating to the UN food program. Your donation will help buy food to distribute to those who need it most. Please donate today.

By Usman Khan

The incumbent Bangladeshi Prime Minister and India’s Prime Minister meet at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India and held talks on September 6, 2022. Seven MoUs were signed during the Bangladeshi prime minister’s visit but no development was made on settling a deal on the Teesta. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Visit to India on September 5 to 8 saw the two sides signing seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

These envisage cooperation in the areas of river water sharing, space, science and technology, broadcasting, and capacity building among railway and judicial personnel of the two countries. Leading among the pacts signed following talks between Bangladeshi PM and her Indian counterpart in New Delhi was the MoU to finalize a temporary bilateral agreement on the withdrawal of water from the common border river, the Kushiyara.

The water distribution is an important item on the agenda of the India-Bangladesh relationship, given that the two countries share 54 trans-boundary rivers. The pact reached on the Kushiyara is the first that the two neighbors have signed in 25 years.

Bangladesh has been eager for a treaty on the distribution of the waters of the River Teesta. The text of a pact relating to this, which gives India the right to 42.5 percent of this river’s water and Bangladesh the right to 37.5 percent, has existed for over a decade. An agreement was to be signed in September 2011 during the visit of the then Indian Prime Minister to Dhaka. However, India pulled out and a treaty remains indefinable to date.

In Delhi, the PM of Bangladesh reminded her hosts to accomplish a treaty on the Teesta at an early date. India and Bangladesh have prioritized connectivity between the two countries. During Bangladeshi PM visit, the Indian PM pointed out that “growth of connectivity and trade substructure at borders will help in the development of both countries.

Earlier in April, when India’s Foreign Minister was in Dhaka, PM of Bangladesh had offered India access to its Chattogram port. The need to improve the connectivity. India’s North-eastern provinces Assam and Tripura could have access to Chattogram port if the countries’ connectivity is improved.

The two prime ministers talked about connectivity during their talks in Delhi. There were several burning issues that Bangladesh would have wanted to be addressed at the Prime Minister-level discussions. One is the killing of Bangladeshi nationals by Indian border guards. In July 2019. Bangladesh’s Home Minister informed parliament that 294 Bangladeshis had been killed by India’s Border Security Force in the last decade.

As Bangladesh is taking care of over a million Rohingyas refugees, which is a strain on its resources. Since India maintains good relations with the Myanmar government, the issue of Rohingya repatriation could have been discussed during the talks. Bangladeshi PM should have sought India’s help in repatriating Rohingyas.

Bangladesh’s economy is showing a downward trend in the internal misuse of money on mega projects and in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Bangladesh have sought India’s help in the import of Russian wheat and oil. Instead of addressing these important matters, the two sides discussed some minor issues.

The Bangladesh PM had undertaken the visit to Delhi with an eye on general elections to be held in 2023. She would have hoped to hold up some achievements from the visit which did not happen. As what was signed in New Delhi, could have been signed by other officers, not by a Prime Minister. As the last two elections in Bangladesh in 2014 and 2018 were claimed to rigged and unfair by the International human rights organizations which had drawn attention to the flawed elections.

Keeping India happy is not an easy task for Bangladesh, particularly at a time when the Bangladesh is under pressure from China, which is carefully watching Bangladesh’s moves with regard to its associations with India and the U.S. China has already warned Bangladesh that if it joins the Quad, Sino-Bangladesh relations will be crushed. China is a strategic partner of Bangladesh. It is Dhaka’s main trade partner. At a time when Bangladesh’s economy is decreasing, which is reflected in its reducing forex reserves, Dhaka desires and need the Chinese support.

By Afshain Afzal
Adopting the guise of Taliban does not entitle a license to forcibly marry an Afghan imprisoned Persian speaking young girl, raping her during interrogation process and then marrying her after few months. The young girl try flee to Pakistan to save herself from further humiliation but get caught at Pak-Afghan border at Torkhum, brought back to prison only to add to the miseries; she is divorced on the charges of wrong faith and disbeliever. In the backdrop, Afghan women rights activists counselled this ill-fated lady to make a video of her story and make public. In response of #justiceforElaha, Qari Saeed Khosti challenged, "If Elaha believes in the courts of the Islamic Emirate, she can lodge a complaint against me. If I am guilty, the court should punish me. If she does not believe in the courts of the Islamic Emirate, then I'm ready to go to any court that she wants." There are many questions that will rise in our minds; if Qari Saeed Khosti is a real Taliban why he is ready to go to any court other than courts of the Islamic Emirate where matters are decided on the basis of Islamic system of justice?
As per the details, Elaha Delawarzi is second wife of Qari Saeed Khosti, studying in fourth semester of the University of Medicine in Kabul, after marriage residing with Qari Saeed at Gulbahar Center in Kabul and she tried to flee but was caught by the security authorities from Pak-Afghan border at Torkham. She was sent to prison on her account with her Iranian and American connections, but her husband Qari Saeed took her back to his home. However, as a pre-plan Qari Saeed Khosti divorse her to allow her to become a chatter box against Islam, the Afghan orthodox Muslims and the Taliban. It is important to mention here that Elaha Delawarzi was daughter of top commander of National Defence Service (NDS) during the American invasion and per-liberation of Afghanistan. Elaha claim sin her video that her father is Afghan Army general. Reportedly, family of Elaha Delawarzi has presently in Pakistan.
In the released video by Elaha Delawarzi she has claimed that last year Qari Saeed Khosti came to the prisoners to take pictures to publish a report. After that Qari Saeed carried out rape with her and forced her to marry him. She also claims that Qari Saeed prepared a video of her rape in the prison but filmed another video after she was released from prison to make it public. She added in her claim that two months later of rape incident, Qari Saeed organized a wedding ceremony at one of Kabul's hotels. One wonders the video of Elaha Delawarzi once she was released from prison is an evidence as how a raped young girl can walk straight without making hue and cry. And the wedding pictures of Qari Saeed and Elaha Delawarzi in hotel at Kabul too are evidence as how can a university girl can act normal and maintain a smile after marrying a rapist.
The statements of Qari Saeed appearing in media in response to viral video of Elaha Delawarzi, "#justiceforElaha", clarified and claimed, “I married her six months ago at her request, but she was disbeliever, and I tried to guide her through conversation, but she insulted the holy things and I divorced her. I neither beat her nor tortured her.” However, American newspaper "Independent" reported, "On Wednesday night, a day after the video was released, the Taliban-run Supreme Court tweeted that Elaha had been arrested for defamation under an order from Chief Justice Abdul Hakeem Haqqani. Without mentioning that she has undergone any trial, she added that she "soon will be sentenced according to sharia law." Sharia refers to the code of conduct or religious law of Islam. "No one can damage the name of the Mujahideen or smear the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the 20 years of holy jihad," he said, referring to the Taliban and their war against US-led troops and the government close to Washington that insurgents overthrew just over a year ago." However, Twitter page for the Supreme Court, referring to its posting of the arrest, said that the post was fake.

In fact, the role of Taliban in the whole episode is what was also confirmed by Elaha, “A Taliban religious scholar made our marriage contract and asked him to teach me the Quran because I had become an apostate during the republican era, and Qari Saeed should also take me to the Hajj pilgrimage.” It is interesting to note that Elaha confirms that Qari Saeed Khosti went to Elaha’s father’s house to propose and a wedding ceremony was held in one of the hotels in Kabul city. Hence we cannot blame the actual Taliban for the acts of Qari Saeed, in case of his involvement. On the other hand, the affiliation of Qari Saeed with American can be judged from Qari Saeed Khosty tweet dated, On 18 May 2020, "With over 60000 U.S. servicemembers killed, many more wounded, and nearly a trillion dollars spent to date, America’s leaders must now initiate a withdrawal plan that stops a decades-long hemorrhaging of American blood and treasure". Which means he had no sympathy for the Afghans brutally killed during American occupation but was more concerned about trillion American dollars wasted in Afghanistan.
American newspaper, Independent wites "On Wednesday night, a day after the video was released, the Taliban-run Supreme Court tweeted that Elaha had been arrested for defamation under an order from Chief Justice Abdul Hakeem Haqqani. Without mentioning that she has undergone any trial, he added that she "soon will be sentenced according to sharia law." The newspaper reports, "No one can damage the name of the Mujahideen or smear the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the 20 years of holy jihad," he said, referring to the Taliban and their war against US-led troops and the government close to Washington that insurgents overthrew just over a year ago. However, another Twitter page for the Supreme Court said in a post on Thursday that the other was fake, referring to its posting of the arrest.
Qari Saeed Khosti remained popular on social media for his pro-Taliban propaganda. One wonders is he really a Taliban or spying for someone? Qari Saeed was appointed as Interior Ministry spokesman when the Taliban took over the control of Afghanistan on USA's withdrawal on 15 August 2021. The question arises why he was sacked in March 2022 from his position. Is it due to Iranian connection or being American paid guy? Although the US State Department has designated the Haqqani Network as an international terrorist group, their leader including Qari Saeed Khosti and Anas Haqqani and many members of the group have Twitter accounts with thousands of followers. It is interesting to note that Afghan citizens who worked for international forces, organizations, media and others were critical of the Taliban on social media have been official pardoned by Taliban in various announcements but Human rights organisations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are carrying out misleading propaganda that Taliban fighters are searching for them to kill them in target kilings and attacks.
Qari Saeed, a self-proclaimed social media director of the Taliban since long was openly giving interviews to foreign media about his team's involvement in social media network, focusing on Twitter - Taliban hashtags trending as well as disseminating messages on WhatsApp and Facebook and others forums. Highly provocative statement were a common practice, "Our enemies have television, radio, verified accounts on social media and we have none, yet we fought with them on Twitter and Facebook and defeated them." Saeed was involved is airing propaganda videos glorifying Taliban fighters and their battles against foreign forces and international organizations. The modus operandai of Saeed Khosti is that he and his other members of the group hoist or publishes freely on Twitter and YouTube and Facebook that tarnish the image of Taliban as terrorist and these social media platforms as per the rules were forced to declare the Taliban a "dangerous organisation" and removed all accounts and pages associated with them. Accordingly, Facebook has imposed ban Taliban content from its platforms but surprisingly not Qari Saeed.
In the recent months, the grip over the orthodox Muslims in Afghanistan is getting tighter. The international community, the United Nations, diplomatic corps and Human Rights organizations have joined hands to declare Taliban and other religious groups unlawful in order to pronounce an official censure and sanctions. Behind the game are certain characters who are engaged in defamatory campaign against Taliban and religious leadership. On 02 September 2022, UN diplomatic mission in Afghanistan said in a statement, "We call on the de-facto authorities to transparently investigate all alleged violations of women's rights, to hold perpetrators to account and to ensure safety of Afghan women and girls." The United Nations has called on the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan to investigate allegations of the forced marriage and abuse of Elaha Delawarzi, a medical student by an ex-Taliban official that has sparked strong condemnation by many Afghans. One wonders, why Taliban are being asked to investigate when Qari Saeed Khosti, a self-programmed Taliban, expelled from duties of a spokesman in March 2022 and facing allegations, which if found true destined him punishment in this world and the world hereafter. No doubt, the available evidences suggest that both are working on foreign agenda against Afghanistan interest, nevertheless, the charges leveled by Elaha Delawarzi are serious enough that should be thoroughly investigated under the Islamic law.

By Afshain Afzal

In a strange media announcement by Indian authorities on 25 August 2022, where claims are being made that Bangladesh and India have finalized the text of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on interim water sharing of Kushiyara river. Interestingly, no specifying date for the signing of MoU has been announced. One wonders how long New Delhi would be bluffing Dhaka about the finalization lollypop.

As per the details, at the 38th ministerial-level Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) meeting was held in New Delhi, after a gap of twelve years. A 17-member Bangladesh delegation, led by State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque attended JRC meeting while India's Jal Shakti (Water Resources) Minister Gajendra Singh Shakhawat led the Indian delegation. Bangladesh and India discussed several issues related to water-sharing, however, as usual Teesta and Ganga remained in the cold storage, despite touching upon.

If we recall, in October 2019, a MoU was signed in which both sides finalized the design and location of water intake point on the Feni river to meet the drinking water needs of Sabroom town in Tripura. as per the October 2019 Bangladesh-India MoU on this subject. No doubt, the drinking water agreement is important for Tripura state, which has history that remained part of Bengal and even today a good number of Bengali nationals are living there but India played the game in the selection of site and other modalities. There is requirement to revisit it and deprived people of Tripura must be compensated.

In a strange move, New Delhi has warned the participants from Bangladesh not to make any of the decision public as a symbolic announcement is likely to be made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 September 2022. Despite Bangladesh State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque repeated requests to conclude discussion on the long pending Teesta water sharing treaty at an early date, noting concrete was done. Both side accused each other for the delay. However, India side later assured that New Delhi would make earnest efforts in concluding some interim agreement.

The Indian side persuaded Bangladeshi side that the agreement should take its own course and reports from technical team and comments over the feasibility study for optimum utilization of water are to be worked. Interestingly, India is referring report received by Bangladesh under the provision of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996. It is irony that New Delhi is not ready to demolish Farakka and Gajoldoba barrages in order to ensure Bangladesh's water share in the trans-boundary Ganges and Teesta rivers.

India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers, of which seven rivers have been identified to reach frameworks of water sharing agreements. No doubt, such measures cannot not be short term as India is stressing generally on data exchange at this stage. New Delhi was reluctant to sign any MoU as Indian side claims that Technical Level Committee of JRC has not yet finalized. Representative of Technical Level Committee of JRC said at the end of meeting, “It cannot do anything overnight meeting as discussion is to be followed by evaluation and reports.” He said, “Exchange of flood related data and information, river bank protection works, common basin management, and also Indian River Interlinking Project were part of discussion and Bangladesh should be obliged as India has agreed to provision of flood related data and information, otherwise it is Bangladesh which is creating delays.”

To conclude, the Ganges Water Sharing Agreement will expire in 2026 and Bangladesh is not happy over 25 August meeting as it was an eyewash. By discussing projects like mere river bank protection works, addressing river pollution, conducting joint studies on sedimentation management etc, the core water issues cannot be resolved. India is more interested in protecting its interests rather than addressing Bangladeshi rights. Dhaka is well aware that India is not serious about resolving the water issues with Bangladesh. It is high time that New Delhi should start with demolition of Farakka and Gajoldoba barrages to ensure Bangladesh's water share in the trans-boundary Ganges and Teesta rivers as well as protect environment.