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Afshain Afzal
By Afshain Afzal
The Western cum Iranian backed groups including National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) are again on the stage. There are also other including Indo-US funded Islamic State’s terrorists (ISIS aka ISK) who pretend to be linked with Islam but in fact, are carrying out spree of terrorism and target killing of orthodox Muslims. No doubt, all individuals and groups have every right to raise their voices as they are all Afghans despite the fact that many amongst them were anti-Afghan and acted as pawn in the hands of foreign occupational forces during two decades of holocaust. They need to be pardoned but their loyalty must be tested to allow them to join mainstream politics. Today Iran is holding peace talks on Afghanistan and It seems that very soon Tehran would emerge as the Iran of World War-I. There are plans to establish “Free Zones” in at least four areas of Afghanistan under the United Nations framework, it is almost the same programme France and Britain presented for the creation of a “safe zone” in Kabul to protect humanitarian operations after US withdrawal as well as to maintain pressure on the Taliban. Taliban as well as splinter group sharing power in Afghanistan, however, rejected all such plans, injurious to Afghan sovereignty and national integrity.
The supreme leader of Taliban Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob had been looking after the affairs of Afghanistan and is dealing with future defence strategy. At a right time a right decision was made for a public appearance on media, appealing to Afghan local businessmen to invest in hospitals and clinics. He asked Afghan businessmen to invest in hospitals and clinics as other civic facilities to overcome worst catastrophe created be stoppage of all humanitarian aid and financial support including Afghan own finical resources in foreign banks. As per the United Nations mechanism, the economically strong countries, especially the ones who claim to have leadership role as "VETO" countries have to perform their primary responsibility helping Afghanistan to emerge from catastrophic hardships to vitality. However, these countries have become the reason of further hardships as they imposed unilateral sanctions on Afghanistan including seizure of its state assets to be used to meet people's urgent needs such as healthcare and food. Ironically, every country admits that Afghanistan is passing through worst state of human suffering due to American senseless two decades criminal war, which is still continuing but still united to further bleed Afghanistan. The war crimes and grave human rights violations which resulted in killing of over 1.6 million unarmed innocent Afghan women, children and men remain unaccounted and still the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or International Criminal Court (ICC) or even United Nations Security Council (UNSC) failed to investigate or pass a single resolution against tyrant and aggressors.
It is so disgusting that penniless Afghanistan which is facing worst hunger, famine like situation and disease are not helped by either the world organizations or the so called civilized nations of the world. Rather, they are trying to sell their experimental vaccines for COVID-19 pandemic to Afghanistan masses. The selfish world governments are dictating their conditions one by one in lieu of releasing Afghan assets in foreign banks. One feel to laugh that two of the conditions are pressurizing Taliban to allow International Non Government Organizations (INGOs) to run Polio and COVID – 19 vaccination campaign in Afghanistan. Other conditions include forcing Taliban to agree on broad-based government and inclusive political stance, adoption of moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, and protect the basic rights and interests of ethnic minorities, women and children including and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI).
The United States, in fact, is pressurizing the members’ countries of United Nations through carrot and stick strategy not to let Taliban to come to power in Afghanistan and press them to adopt moderate, prudent and enlightened domestic and foreign policies to fulfill international agendas. At the same time not only Taliban leaders are targeted through foreign-funded terrorist attacks but they are also labeled for the crimes which they never committed, rather, they themselves remained victims of such attacks. Interestingly, the Western, Russian, Iranian, Indian, to some extent Chinese blocks and Pakistani individuals have created an alliance against Taliban in the name of fighting terrorism and good-neighborly, friendly and cooperation.
In the recent development, the Foreign Ministers of the world’s like-minded nations established communication with Tehran to form a new alliance. Official statements like, “Terrorist organizations operating inside Afghanistan pose a threat to international peace and stability. It is important that we remain vigilant of terrorist entities working against return of peace to Afghanistan,” he said, adding that the Afghan interim government must ensure that there is no safe haven for such elements and that Afghan territory is not used to harm any country” are counterproductive and are only aimed to divert attention of the world and the United Nations from disaster Afghan nation is undergoing due to famine like situation, disease and seizure of funds belonging to Afghanistan by international players.
It is important to note that the aid and financial pledges are meant to provide support directly to 18.4 million vulnerable Afghans in the region, mainly Afghan refugees those who helped occupying forces including ethnic minorities and over 500,000 displaced people who have been added to the list this year alone. The ruling Afghans including some of the Afghan leaders have been banned to handle aid while selected organizations are to provide lifesaving security to vulnerable people, shelter, livelihoods support, essential health care, emergency food aid, water, sanitation, and hygiene services to respond to natural disasters, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Polio campaigns. In fact, these Western countries including the European Union intend to support Afghan refugees, refugee returnees, and other displaced persons for years to come, till Taliban and such orthodox Muslims are completely eliminated from Afghanistan rather face of the earth.
By TON Research Section
The upswing of regional impact in the post-unipolar world has changed the orientation of world politics overall. India’s regional desires are derived from the rise of right-wing Hindutva (radical Hinduism) at the start of this century and its political aspiration to regain its lost prestige after British colonial masters in the subcontinent. The religious and cultural extremist Hindutva forces have challenged and threatened the very fabric of India's secular state system. The minorities, chiefly Muslims were intimidated by the radical militant Hindutva forces to eliminate other religious beliefs and make India exclusively a Hindu state.
Peace and prosperity at home and having a peaceful neighborhood are the major features contributing to acquiring a place across the globe. Any country with disturbing neighborhoods would not be able to achieve the dream of stable growth at home as sharing borders is much more than sharing terrestrial borders. It involves socio-political contact with the neighboring countries. India has continuously been thoughtful longing to launch its predominance in South Asia and since its independence from British in 1947; the main objective of Indian foreign policy is to act upon the goal of becoming a regional force and wants that it should be acknowledged by other states in the region as a whole.
In the South region's geography and demography, most inter-state disputes reflect a series of bilateral disagreements with India. The phenomenon of internal polarizations into international disputes is not confined to Pakistan and India only but the whole south Asian region. India intimidated all its neighbors in one or another way regarding its controversial territorial issues since independence. After the partition of British India in 1947 India illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan claimed the entirety of the former Muslim majority princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Since then it is a deadly dispute over the region that escalated into three wars between India and Pakistan and several other armed skirmishes.
Over the years, it has had boundary issues with Banglades, un-demarcated boundaries with Myanmar, the dispute between the land in Kabaw Valley near Hollenphai village, Moreh of Manipur state, India and Namphalong village, Tamu of Sagaing Region and border issue with Bhutan, and lately with China, Aksai Chin area in the northwestern part of the Tibetan Plateau, it is approximately 35,241 sq. km in size, administered by China and part of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region. India considers it a part of its union territory of Ladakh.
The ethnic divide in Sri Lanka has long had an Indian dimension and its maritime boundary dispute with Sri Lanka on Katchatheevu an uninhabited island of 235 acres. Nepal has often flared up into tensions with India; Kala Pani is an area under territorial dispute in Darchula District of Sudurpashchim Pradesh, Nepal, and Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand, India, area 400 square km. The story of the 1987 Indo-Sri Lankan agreement, leading to a rather unsuccessful campaign by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) for suppressing the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, is well known. Indeed it is a complex ongoing story, the issue is nevertheless explosive, both in its domestic and international dimensions, in both countries. The leading events in Tamil Nadu became the reason for Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and changes in the electoral fortunes of several Tamil Nadu parties among them; illustrate the strained relations of both countries.
Bangladesh has also internal issues likely to figure on the bilateral agenda with India, except the hardy perennial of the Hindu—Muslim divide, common to all states in the Indo-Gangetic—Brahmputra valleys and more recently the influx of Chakma refugees to India. There are territorial disputes between Bangladesh and India, the center of the disputes on of territory in the Berubari Union, a tiny new island thrown up by physical changes and the delimitation of economic zones in the Bay of Bengal. The dividing waters of the River Ganges between India and Bangladesh after the completion of the Farrakha barrage are one of the main disputes among both countries.
The common benefit of the peoples of the entire valleys in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan has been affected by Indian conflicting and controversial roles. So far as Indo Bhutan and Indo-Nepal relations are concerned, crises-cross. It is a pattern that obtains throughout the region. In theory, this could be turned into an advantage by adopting a regional approach. The fact, however, is that regional identity is strangely conspicuous by its weakness. The most peripheral areas of historical India worked loose from the center. Inheritors of the center are wary of those who broke away and fear their ganging up against themselves—an unhappy possibility implied in a regional approach. Hence India's preferred bilateral methodology seems to emphasize divisions rather than unities. For the rest, old India's frontiers have moved in all directions. What is directly related is the interaction of two forces a series of felt internal disunities among ethnic identities in each successor state of the British Indian Empire are getting mixed up in intra-regional disputes. This threatens modern state structures as well as regional harmony in south Asia. Ensuring stable regional peace requires much hard work to resolve these polarities. The other element is the intellectual appreciation of the benefits of regional amity and cooperation. The example of the EC has inspired so many regional cooperation experiments.
However, in the case of SAARC, India is also using this platform for getting its nefarious designs obsessed with its quest to control the region and uphold the hegemony in many ways. The surviving economic and military force is not an assurance to attain the status of regional or global power, principally in a condition where neighboring countries are not ready to approve the influence and legitimacy of the major power holder. Despite India’s phenomenal economic growth and military development, the rise of china and the growing hold on South Asia is providing a much required significant balance of power in the region.
By Afshain Afzal
After the undemocratic and unethical announcement by the American military and civilian intelligence agencies to accommodate and resettle thousands of Afghans including ethnic Hazara Afghans, personnel of Afghan Intelligence and National Army in the US, the focus of Washington has again been diverted towards Doha. Presently, the US Embassy at Doha is witnessing a lot of high-ranking movement. “US interests in Afghanistan need to be ensured at all costs, especially after US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover of the country”, said one of the guest who tried to remain unidentified and had come from Virginia. In an open breach of Afghan sovereignty and national integrity, US authorities announced open airlift of Afghans to foreign soils without any legitimacy like passport/ visa or permission from Afghan authority. As per the original plan some 65,000 handpicked Afghan refugees to settle in the US this year and 95,000 by next year, followed by another 125,000 in 2023. However, as per an estimated record, the number has already exceeded the expected refugees; till 19 October the number crossed 235,800 Afghan refugees in the US.
In another development on 18 October 2021, US Charge de Affairs to Pakistan, Angela Aggeler met Pakistan Chief of the Army Staff at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi to convey message regarding US-Afghanistan strategy and expected cooperation from Pakistan with regard to US operations to control the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. To keep mouths shut Islamabad has been offered a lot of funding to purchase equipment and military courses for all shades of military officers including International Military Education and Training (IMET) programs for young Pakistani Army officers. It is interesting to note that recently same offer was extended to India which refused to airlift material and personnel from and to Kabul Airport due to security concerns; “No chance of Indian aircraft landing or taking off from Kabul”. New Delhi, however, agreed to provide facility to US personnel at Tajikistan as well as base at locations including Mundra and Kandla ports in the Gulf of Kutch in the Arabian Sea. As per an Indian officer Ashok who indirectly indicated drone and marine movements. Earlier, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman also visited India (6-7 October) and Pakistan (7-8 October) to finalize strategic repositioning and acquisition of bases.
Although, the complete withdrawal of US combatants was completed in the year 2010 and handful of security personnel and contractors were left in Afghanistan to look after US investment and multinational projects there, but there is reason why Washington is making so much hue and cry. No doubt, the wise decision by former US President Donald Trump to ensure complete US withdrawal by Christmas 2020 was criticized at that time by President Joseph Biden but ironically he followed the same decision rather implemented in true letter and spirit as there was no option to overcome humiliation and agony of defeat. Interestingly, the authorities at Arlington and Langley have levelled all blame on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad for the failure of US strategy in Afghanistan. Accordingly, Zalmay Khalilzad has been replaced by his Deputy Thomas West as new Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation (SRAR).
In fact, the Western negotiators have been bluffing the world that they were carrying out intra-peace talks with Taliban, whereas at the Durham, with the exception of a few, all leaders and their associate were those splinter groups who defected Taliban and joined US and allies in the Western war against the Taliban. It was projected as if on 29 February 2021, an agreement was reached whereas a gesture was also given if Taliban were negotiating the talks but a later the talks were dragged till 15 March 2021 to force the dummy Afghan Taliban (sic) to sign an agreement that they would cut ties with the Taliban and Al-Qaida. Diana Shaw, the State Department's acting Inspector General, has issued notifications to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House and Senate intelligence committees, that her office is collecting pieces of evidence of "several oversight projects" regarding ending diplomatic relations in Afghanistan. Strange but true, the credibility of the office of US President has been seriously damaged as policy and agreements signed by the former President are being rejected by the next.
To destabilize Taliban government, the Doha based Western-patronized former Taliban as well as those loyal to Taliban are being targeted to eliminate Taliban top leadership. The factitious ISIS which is being funded by Washington and New Delhi to achieve the fall of Taliban is active in their missions. If we recall, in August Western agencies planned terrorist attack to build world opinion against the Taliban by blowing 13 US personnel and injuring more than 100 Afghans in a suicide attack outside the Kabul airport during the evacuation. Few days before the incident, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the United States believes there are still "specific, credible" threats against the airport after the bombing at one of its gates .He said, "We certainly are prepared and would expect future attempts... We're monitoring these threats, very, very specifically, virtually in real-time." Interestingly, on side US claims that Taliban are terrorists but US Commanders assigned Taliban forces positions in most places of Kabul airport, especially the outer gates, when most of the Americans were still at Kabul airport planning withdrawal. Although president Biden ordered the Pentagon to airstrike ISIS-K and the Islamic State affiliate that claimed responsibility one wonders why would it eliminate its own funded aids and terrorists. No one can deny the fact that presently all countries including China, Russia and India have joined hands to defy the 29th February agreement and isolate Taliban from coming into power.
On 20th September 2021, the United Nations Organization confirmed complete diplomatic withdrawal from Afghanistan. As a follow-up, UN General Assembly high-level debate begins from 21 September 2021, the Taliban are expecting the UN to remove the names of their leadership from the blacklist as the name of acting government cannot be announced if the names Taliban figures on UN and US sanction list or group. All Western nations, neighbouring countries and those which have invested including India and China have distanced from Taliban.US authorities have taken a step further and linked Taliban with the reemergence of international terrorist threats like the group Islamic State (IS) or its local affiliate, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), which claimed responsibility for a deadly attack with crowds massed outside Kabul airport on 26 August. The Western propaganda has crossed all previous limits, not to allow Taliban to form a Government and efforts are being made to reach to a broad-based government as the only viable option.
Connecting events, Brookings reported on 6 August 2021, "Pakistan’s official stance is that it would prefer a peaceful outcome in Afghanistan, some sort of a power-sharing arrangement reached after an intra-Afghan peace deal. Many are skeptical of this given Pakistan’s support of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in the 1990s, and the sanctuary the group later found in Pakistan. But Pakistan argues that a protracted civil war in Afghanistan would be disastrous for it, on three dimensions: First, insecurity from Afghanistan would spill over into Pakistan. Second, Pakistan fears that this would set up space for the resurgence of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group responsible for killing tens of thousands of Pakistani civilians and attacking the country’s army, security forces, and politicians. Third, this would increase the amount of refugee flows to Pakistan (which has hosted millions of Afghan refugees since the 1990s, including 3 million at present), which it can’t afford. These are well-founded fears."
Masshal Radio reported at the National Security and Defense Standing Committee, Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, head of the military’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), issued the warning during an off-the-record meeting on the security situation in Pakistan and the region after the withdrawal of U.S.-led international forces from neighboring Afghanistan that an army crackdown against militants of the Afghan Taliban group inside Pakistan could result in blowback and Afghan Taliban and the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, were “two faces of the same coin.” Another entity, The James Town Foundation published on its website, "Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s Latest Merger Enables Renewed Attacks in Pakistan.
In the same regard, in a latest development in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, a case was registered with the Aabpara police station under section 7 of the ATA, 124-A (sedition) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) after flags representing the Afghan Taliban were found hoisted on the rooftop of Jamia in G-7/3. Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on 20 September 2021 said in a statement that the government resolved issues with Maulana Abdul Aziz through dialogue despite there were several cases against Maulana Aziz but the government wanted the situation in the capital to remain normal so "That's why we keep talking to them." He added that there were 511 Madrassahs and 1,000 mosques in the capital. He said, "Out of 511, we have issues with only one which we resolve through dialogue." In June 2020, under an agreement with the Government, Maulana Aziz and his wife shifted from Lal Masjid to their house located on the premises of JamiaHafsa at G-7.
Aftermath the withdrawal, UN conference last week, the Secretary General asked for $600 million but more than the expectations, $1.2 billion were pledged. It is interesting to note that many countries in the past pledged millions of dollars but failed to fulfill even small portion of their commitment.
As per the OCHA data on 15 September 2021, 634,000 people have been internally displaced by conflict around the country between 1 January and 15 September 202. IOM data recorded that between 1 January and 15 September, 890,726 undocumented Afghan returnees from Iran (881,582) and Pakistan (9,144).UNHCR figures recorded, there are 47% are Pashtun, 41% are Hazara and smaller numbers of those who are Tajik (9%) and Turkmen (1%). The data confirm that a selected portion of Afghan population on the basis of sectarian linkage was migrated to neighbouring countries to extend all facilities even as in refugee status. It will interest many that the generally those who approached UNHCR were ethnic Shitte or Persian speaking from Kunduz,Balkh and Kandahar, mostly Hazara applied for registration from Quetta, Balochistan and Faisalabad, Punjab in Pakistan while applicants, those who migrated from Nangarhar, Kabul and Kunar and settled in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The picture seems gloomy as Western nations along with the United Nations would continue patronizing Afghan sectarian minorities so that despite general amnesty by Taliban, they do not settle in Afghanistan and game of blood and fire continues in unstable Afghanistan while neighbouring Pakistan would be destabilized in hunt against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
By Afshain Afzal
Top Kashmiri-Pakistan leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani died at Srinagar after a prolonged illness at the age of 92. He was the main voice who did not bow before Indian coercive forces and demanded right of self determination for the Kashmiri State-Citizens; free and impartial plebiscite as per the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir dispute. His funeral is scheduled on 3 September as per orthodox Muslim referred as Deobandi Hanfi traditions. As he belonged to Jamaat-e-Isami so large number of members of Jamaat attended his funeral while in Pakistan Pakistan's Jamaat-e-Islami party, urged people to offer funeral prayers in absentia for Geelani on Thursday.
During his education in Lahore before partition he was linked with Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah for struggle for partition and Independence, Since the establishment of Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir in 1946, Syed Ali Geelani remained deeply connected to Maulana Saad-uddin, the first chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir. Later on returning to Jammu and Kashmir after attaining degree from Lahore he joined public school as a teacher. He resigned from his government job in 1959 to devote himself full time to the party's activities and soon rose to become the district chief of Kupwara and Baramulla. In 1992, when All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) was founded as a platform of at least 30 pro-independence parties to pursue Kashmir's fight for right of self, Syed Ali Shah Geelani resented Jamaat-e-Islami. He resigned from the chairperson as many Kashmiri leaders had sold their conscience.
Syed Ali Geelani was deeply connected with Pakistan but in 2006, when ex General President Pervez offered India his Four-Point Formula and partition of Jammu and Kashmir State between India n and Pakistan, he not only opposed it but voiced against the nefarious design of the then Pakistani leadership running the Government. On 5 August 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370 and 35 A and other related provisions from its Constitution, scrapping the country's only Muslim-majority state with its autonomy, Syed Ali Geelani exposed India;s plans to bring demographic changes in Kashmir to defeat the Islamic ideology in Jammu and Kashmir. He was also highly critical about Shia Central Waqf Board chairperson, Syed Waseem Rizvi blasphemous attempt in which he approached the Supreme Court to seek removal of 26 verses of the Quran on the ground that these are “teaching hatred, violence and terrorism” and that “These verses were added to the Quran, by the first three Caliphs, to aid the expansion of Islam by war”.
Few month back reacting over conference at New Delhi on 24 June 2021, in which all the prominent pro-India compromised Kashmiri leadership participated, Syed Ali Geelani made quite clear that holding talks with "so-called politicians" and giving the impression that the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir is returning to normalcy, is wrong, "The Indian government has always betrayed the people of Kashmir. So there is no other option less than right to self-determination.” New Delhi should be clear that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will never be accepted as separate union territories.” Syed Ali Geelani’s enemies were not only the Indian military and intelligence but also the Kashmiris who sold their conscience to the Indian for pity favors. Leaders like Sheikh Omar, Mehbooba Mufti and other distance themselves from Syed Ali Geelani due to fear of coercive tactics and extra judicial killing by the Indian security forces.
Where the death of such a great leader has strengthened the Kashmiri struggle for the right of self determination, Indian agencies are trying to tarnish the image of Syed Ali Geelani (late). In a recent attempt Jammu and Kashmir State Police chief Dilbagh Singh had in an interview to NDTV, “A letter was initiated by Syed Ali Geelani which was an eye-opener and he admitted his path was wrong and he used Kashmir for personal gains." Sons and daughters of Syed Ali Geelani including Naeem and Naseem have vowed to carry forward the great struggle by the father and other Kashmiris. Indian occupying authorities have imposed restrictions, including suspension of internet services, deployment of additional military and para-military forces as well as restriction on vehicular movement but despite this hundred and thousands of Kashmiris announced attending the funeral. The Kashmiris not only in India occupied Jammu and Kashmir but throughout the world have wowed to join hands to fulfill the dreams of Syed Ali Geelani to attain right of self-determination on the basis of UNSC Resolutions.
By Afshain Afzal
Another phase of mass coldblooded murders of orthodox Muslims under the United Nations flag has been planned. Pressurizing Afghans to agree to western plans of future government in Kabul, all resources and humanitarian resources have been blocked for indefinite time period. Instead of addressing non-access to those who control Afghanistan after International Monetary Fund (IMF) blocked access to financial resources through World Bank development projects in Afghanistan worth more than $5.3 billion and $ 12.9 billion raised by Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, the world nations are trying their level best to keep Afghanistan bleeding.
A new phrase has been coined in the United Nations Security Counsel Resolution 2773 of 2021, passed on 30 August 2021, “Protection of civilians and protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population.” Cleverly crafted, UNSC Resolution drafted by US, Britain and France worked out a parallel government in United Nations protected safe zones. In the name of diplomacy, safe passage and freedom to be airlifted, the military maneouvers have been worked out to support one against other. The United Nations got its share by having approval of enhancement of technical expertise within United Nations country teams (Afghanistan) to respond effectively to support the provision of essential services. Is that's all?
The hidden words and approvals speaks of malafides plot by the western, Indian and neighbouring players. It is a “Lose-lose situation”, If the Afghan or Pashtun-Taliban cooperate in implementation of UNSC Resolution they lose and if breaches implementation, they again lose. The Resolution confirms Afghanistan as nation in armed conflict and reminds obligations of all parties to armed conflicts the prohibition of attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, hospitals, and other medical facilities.
Quite intelligently “civilian populations, civilian objects and all other persons and objects afforded protection” have been included in the Resolution to declare certain ethnic and religious communities as “persons afforded protection” to ensure their participation the the future government.
Phrases like, “Demands that all parties to armed conflicts fully comply with their obligations to distinguishing between, on the one hand, civilian populations, civilian objects and all other persons and objects afforded protection, and, on the other hand, combatants and military objectives, prohibiting indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, taking all feasible precautions in planning, deciding and conducting attacks to avoid, and in any event minimize, harm to civilians and civilian objects...”, “protecting humanitarian personnel and consignments used for humanitarian relief operations” and “starvation of civilians as a method of warfare as a war crime” speaks the plan to conduct military operation in the garb of humanitarian personnel and consignments engaged in humanitarian relief operations.
It seems that United Nations foresee continuation of armed conflict in Afghanistan for many years to come. It binds parties in conflict to protect civilians operating, maintaining or repairing critical objects to enable the delivery of essential services, as well as their movement for the purpose of maintaining, repairing or operating such objects as well as allowing and facilitating safe passage of equipment, transport and supplies necessary for the reparation, maintenance or operation of such objects.
It is irony that on one side the Resolution talks about armed conflict while on the other plans long term cooperation and coordination at the international level, including technical assistance and capacity building to reduce humanitarian needs, enhance long-term recovery, protect livelihoods, improve access to essential services, build resilience of conflict-affected populations, and recover from the pandemic, while ensuring full, equal and meaningful participation of women in efforts to promote and maintain peace and security and promoting the inclusion of young people, and contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The United Nations Organization must play its due role for peace rather than authorizing long tern armed conflict zones in Asia and Africa to keep nations bleeding. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By Afshain Afzal
The 26th August 2021 cowardly intelligence-operated attacks proved to be a perfect match with the plan made by the US and NATO forces. Earlier Pentagon made it clear that Washington has plans to adjust the timetable and the attack has made it “raison d’etre” for the extension of withdrawal. Interestingly, this time too Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) has claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide attacks outside Kabul airport. US surgical units on board C-17 aircraft confirmed 13 deaths and 21 injuries of US servicemen. Eye witnesseses claimed 55 deaths and countless injuries. US President Joseph Biden announced revenge from the Afghans who carried out terrorist attacks at Kabul airport. His statement said, “We will respond with force and precision at our time, at a place we choose, in a moment of our choosing,” He said, “These ISIS terrorists will not win. We will rescue the Americans and we will get our Afghan allies and our mission will go on. America will not be intimidated.” Interestingly, Taliban kept themselves away from either capturing big cities or taking seat at Kabul. Rather they allowed US and foreign forces to take over the control of airports including and Hamid Karzai International Airport at Kabul. Later, the Qatar-based splinter group was asked by Americans to carryout only the physical check of those entering Kabul airport.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said, “We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update.” Story circulated in the foreign circles said, “Two suicide bombers detonated in the vicinity, the Abbey Gate and Hamid Karzai International Airport near Baron Hotel and adjacent Abbey gate, which was followed by ISIS gunmen who opened fire on civilians and military forces.” Marine Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr, head of U.S. Central Command said in a statement, “We believe attacks have been thwarted by them,” he said, but he added that it is unclear whether Taliban members allowed the militant near Abbey Gate, where the attack occurred. One of the Taliban’s responsibilities is to filter people who approach the gate” Meanwhile, clear instructions have been issued to United States force-commanders to chalk out operational plans to strike key assets, leadership, facilities and hideouts of the Islamic State terrorist group in Afghanistan. There are indications to strike Pakistani Balochistan province to link the name Khorasan with ISIS.
If we recall, Washington and allies, despite warnings from Afghans, were not interested to leave by 31 August 2021 and requested various stakeholders including Taliban to extend the period by the end of this year. Meanwhile, the US troops were seen shooing Afghans from Kabul and other airstrips. Statement issued by US State Department said that they have authentic reports of terrorist attacks at Kabul airport. Referring back to British and Australian governments, US warned of a high threat level of terrorist attacks. Reports from the Kabul said that around 20,000 people are awaiting their evocation to foreign countries; some 10,000 were estimated at Kabul Airport on 26 August 2021. Britain had pledged to accommodate 20,000 Afghans but did not allow more than 3500. Another report said that London wanted to limit at 5000 immigrants. US claim that more than 80,000 people foreigners and Afghans have been evacuated since 15 August 2021 but the figures seem exaggerated and reports from Qatar, Tajikistan, and other European countries are in contradiction to claim.
Meanwhile, as predicted, United Nations Organizations has decided in principle to make emergency arrangements for hundreds of Afghan families who have been camping near the Kabul airport since 15 August. The Pakistani authorities have agreed to provide food and medicine provided by World Health Organization (WHO) at Mazar-i-Sharif. The Pakistan national flag carrier would be utilized to carry the load. Islamabad has been also asked to eliminate terrorists from Pak – Afghanistan border and Balochistan. There were extensive movements of aircraft and drones were witnesses from remote bases in Tajikistan. Eyewitnesses say they are preparing for a massive attack. However, the same could not be confirmed taking place in the next 24 hours. Despite undertaking by the US and NATO to ensure the withdrawal of all troops by 31 August 2021, no on-ground preparations have been witnessed. It seems that the United Nations Organizations got another chance to show their humanitarian skills through renewed funding arriving from everywhere rather than permanent peace in Afghanistan. Let the eyes of UNO remain shut that India as a western ally has created ISIS and RAW is behind the Kabul airport attack.
Pakistan is celebrating its 74th independence day with traditional zeal across the country. The change of guard ceremonies are held at Mazaar-i-Quaid and Mazaar-i-Iqbal. Flag hoisting ceremonies are held at public and private offices and special programmes are observed at the Independence Day. All the buildings and streets are decorated with flag of Pakistan. This day is celebrated to recall the sacrifices of the forefathers and those who fought and gave their lives for the separate homeland.
Pakistan was created by the continuous struggle of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his followers. The idea of Jinnah behind the creation of Pakistan was to freely progress and grow however today, a part of country is under Indian occupation. The idea that gave birth to Pakistan was separate Muslim nation which was destined to grow but at present, our brothers and sisters in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are facing extreme violence, brutality and restrictions. Last year Pakistan marked Independence of India as “Black Day’ to protest India’s move to scrap the special status to Jammu and Kashmir and gave a message to the world that unilateral and illegal act of Indian Government in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is just to suppress the people of Kashmir. Today, Muslim community in India is such excluded section of Indian social and political structure due to their religion that they are being labeled as 'anti-national'. Muslims don’t feel secure and are apprehensive in today’s India. In truth, India has a long history of marginalizing Muslims, which became the reason on the basis of which our forefathers struggled for separate homeland.
India and Pakistan, both the nations attained independence on 15th August 1947 from the British colonial rule. After the British rule was ended in British India, two nations India and Pakistan were created after 12 pm on 14th August on 15th August 1947. India celebrates its independence on 15th August while Pakistan initially celebrated its Independence Day on 15th August but after the death of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Quaid-e-Azam, the Independence Day was changed to 14th August. There is no doubt that the very first independence day of Pakistan was also celebrated on 15th August. Official holiday of Independence Day was also announced for 15th August 1948 and Press Information Department, Karachi also published “Independence Anniversary Series 15 August 1947 – 15 August 1948”. History gives the evidence that the Indian Independence Act of 1947 that created two separate nations confirms that India and Pakistan attained freedom from the British colonial rule on 15th August. The Clause 1 of the Article 1 titled "The new Dominians" states that, “"As from the fifteenth day of August, nineteen hundred and forty-seven, two independent Dominions shall be set up in India, to be known respectively as India and Pakistan."
Moreover, the founding father of nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah also declared 15th August as Pakistan’s Independence Day. He said in a radio address to the nation that "It is with feelings of greatest happiness and emotion that I send you my greetings. 15th August is the birthday of the independent and sovereign state of Pakistan. It marks the fulfillment of the destiny of the Muslim nation which made great sacrifices in the past few years to have its homeland."
The first Pakistan’s commemorative postage stamps were released in July 1948, which mentioned 15th August 1947, as its Independence Day. However, it remained unclear that why Pakistan’s government and leaders unanimously advanced the Independence Day. The last British viceroy, Lord Mountbatten in a press conference announced that 15th August would come as the Independence Day, hastening the transfer of power. Mountbatten announced transfer of power of governance over to Pakistan to Muhhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi that was to take effect at the same time in both the countries.
Historical speeches, documents and all the collections related to creation of Pakistan makes it obvious that Independence Day of Pakistan is 15th August, which has been advanced but the reasons behind this advancements are bizarre. Nevertheless, whatever the reasons are, today, the only thing that matters is that we got our separate nation but indeed, when we are celebrating Independence Day, we are deeply grieved by the sufferings of people of IIOJK who are facing military siege from last two years. Moreover, we cannot forget the immense sufferings of people, horrific violence on Muslims and struggle of our forefathers at the time of partition which left an unforgettable mark on the people of Pakistan and gives the message of faith and courage.
By Afshain Afzal
Security Situation in Afghanistan has started improving as Taliban offered unconditional amnesty to all the Afghans and asked President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to step down in order to pave way for democratic process in Afghanistan. There is a general announcement that no one would be prosecuted or punished and foreigners would have protection guarantee. Other developments include that Pushtuns of Afghanistan with Uzbeks and Tajiks in general have joined Taliban and made quite abrupt semi-military moves to fill the gap created after the withdrawal of foreign forces. However, foreign nations encouraged mass immigration of US-NATO affiliated Afghan groups to migrate to Iran, India and Western nations including the US, Canada, Greece and UK. Supportive black media propaganda has started gaining momentum like Taliban denied girls right to go to school, women are not allowed to work outside the home, women are forced to wear veil or Burqa and be escorted by a male relative when going outside. Such propaganda received mixed reaction. The influx of refugee movement has made the security situation complex. For the first time US-NATO afflicted groups were seen fleeing to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and even to Russia. Personnel incharge at Uzbekistan’s Karshi Khanabad (K-2) Base confirmed the reports.
In another development Iran’s eighth president Ebrahim Raisi was elected as a result of 48.8 percent turnout, the lowest in any presidential race since the 1979 revolution. He has promised to take action to lift harsh sanctions imposed by the United States and bridge the gap with dissatisfied Iranians, however, he said that he will not tie the Iran’s future to the West. In a strategic move, Enrique Mora, the European Union’s senior representative in the Vienna talks, is expected to attend Raisi’s inauguration on 5 August 2021. There are high chances that as a result of major compromises separate EU-Iran and US-Iran agreements would be concluded. There are high hopes that 2015 nuclear deal with world powers would be revived in original. Soft corner by the Washington towards Tehran has been witnessed in the near past and after emergence of new leadership post elections, White House has reportedly offered mass immigration to the Afghan refugees through third parties as new phase of US Afghan strategy to create Iraq and Libya like situations in Afghanistan. It is being claimed the Pakistani leadership is in the knowledge of new plan but same could not be confirmed. Western and India media’s are releasing stories of Taliban’s anti-Shia and anti-Hazara but same could not be confirmed on ground. There were available links that suggested some Afghan factions maintaining communication with Western representatives, Iranian leadership and elements in Pakistan were also involved in terrorist attacks in Afghanistan to aggravate security situation in Afghanistan.
At the Afghan capital Kabul, President Ashraf Ghani presented a security plan to challenge the Taliban onslaught before the country’s parliament, but its details have not been made public. Western nations attentions were attracted towards what the Presidential statement said, “Taliban have started violating Human Rights”. In a collective move, the US and the UK as well as other western nations have accused the Taliban of “war crimes” in the southern town of Spin Boldak in Kandahar province, alleging that dozens of civilians were massacred.
Strange foreign forces have started leaving the country, Medicine Sans Frontier (MSF) coordinator looking after Helmand Project started furnishing situation reports, “There has been relentless gunfire, air strikes and mortars in densely populated areas. Houses are being bombed, and many people are suffering severe injuries.” The embassies of Washington and London have started giving separate tweets in which “War Crimes of Taliban” are being highlighted. UK representative in Afghanistan tweeted, "In Spin Boldak, Kandahar, the Taliban massacred dozens of civilians in revenge killings. These murders could constitute war crimes; they must be investigated & those Taliban fighters or commanders responsible held accountable." Tweet said, “The Taliban’s leadership must be held responsible for the crimes of their fighters. If you cannot control your fighters now, you have no business in governance later.”
Although Thomas Nicholson, head of the European Union delegation to Afghanistan was not available for comments but he was quoted to have said, “If Taliban rise to power militarily, the EU will not recognise them.” Afghan media reported that Nicholson said “We are clearly very concerned about the situation. We are trying to stay involved in Afghanistan as much as possible and will continue our development assistance. We will be involved politically, as well.” In a statement US State Department said, “In light of increased levels of Taliban violence, the US government is working to provide certain Afghans, including those who worked with the United States, the opportunity for refugee resettlement to the US.” Interestingly, UNHCR is also presenting gloomy predictions. It is expected that by the end of this month, situation would be much clear. However, fears prevails that Western allies may execute their plan to carryout mass killings of Afghans on ethnic and sectarian grounds before 10th of September to find an excuse of direct attacks on Afghanistan to hunt Taliban and affiliated.
By Afshain Afzal
Fake news is being propagated by western interest players in Middle East that the senior leaders of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad coordinated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian supported Hezbollah in their latest Gaza attacks against Israel. Hamas leadership in West Bank and Gaza have strongly refuted the allegation and said, “Our leadership with the support of Allah through Muslim nations are sufficient and no foreign country in directly involved, whether in advisory role or on ground warriors”. It was added, “Saudi Arabia and Turkey have assured of their moral, financial and arms and armament support when situation arises.”
Misleading impression is being reflected by sponsored media including Lebanese Al-Akhbar and Al-Manar TV which stated that the “IRGC, Hezbollah, and Hamas set up a joint military operations room in Beirut during the latest conflict with Israel.” It stated, “the Commander of IRGC’s Al-Quds Force, General Esmail Qaani, visited Lebanon twice to attend the meetings.” Hamas leadership have refuted any such meeting or understanding and added that Hezbollah is Lebanon based and both Hezbollah and IRGC have no connection with present struggle to free Palestinian territory from Israeli occupation on the basis of UNSC Resolutions. They declined having ever spoken to General Qaani on the phone or otherwise and rejected baseless claim that “head of Hamas’s politburo and the secretary-general of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and assured them of Iran’s support”.
Baseless and unfounded allegation have been levelled on Hamas, which represents Palestinians all across that Hezbollah, acting as Iran’s proxy, transported weaponry and ammunition to Gaza and moved a number of Palestinian Resistance officers out of the Strip during the fighting. A Gaza-based Hamas leader said on the condition of anonymity that this is a joint US-Israel strategy to spread the Palestinian movement towards Lebanon.
If we peep into the series of incidents, the 13th of April was the turning point, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan; Twenty-seven days before the first rocket was fired from Gaza on Israeli security forces positions by Palestinian representative organisation, “Hamas”. On this day, Israeli police officers entered the most sacred Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and manhandled worshippers, cutoff connection to speakers from four centuries old minarets and created an ugly situation. Earlier, Israelis asked the Muslims to seize use of loudspeakers for that day or at least pend call for prayers on loudspeaker when Israeli President was delivering a speech at the Western Wall, that lies below the Al Aqsa Mosque. The Palestinians leadership including Hamas and the Islamic Jihad rejected an Israeli request as it accounts to disrespectful before the Almighty Allah. Police raided Al Aqsa Mosque and disconnected the speakers, which was rightly termed by Sheikh Sabri as “a clear message to us that the Israeli police wanted to desecrate the Aqsa Mosque and the holy month of Ramadan.” This was followed by show of force by Israelis as series of raids on Al Aqsa Mosque.
On 21 April, just a week after the police raid, a few hundred members of a Jewish group, “Lehava”, marched through central Jerusalem, chanting slogans “Death to Arabs” and attacking Palestinian passers-by. The situation become further tense when a group of Jews was filmed attacking a Palestinian home, and assaulted others believed to be Palestinian. Due to tense situation, on 29 April, President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled the Palestinian elections. Since the holy month of Ramadan, especially on Friday 30 April, Israeli police created hindrances during prayers, trying to stop Palestinians from accessing the Old City, forcing the Palestinian leadership to retaliate. Left with no other option, Palestinian allowed Hamas to take over the cause of Palestinian and control the situation as things were getting out of hands. Again a Israeli police become more coercive and raided the Aqsa Mosque on Friday, 7 May where Police officers armed with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber-tipped bullets burst into the mosque compound leading to several hours of clashes with stone-throwing protesters in which hundreds were injured. Naturally, Hamas took over the Palestinian leadership and taught lesson to the Israelis not to forget that this land belonged to them.
The confidence and legality of taking punitive against Israel by Hamas had spring through the UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 242, which called for Israel to withdraw from occupied lands to secure and recognise borders in exchange for peace and UNSC Resolution 2334 (2016), where the Security Council reaffirmed that Israel’s establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity, constituting a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the vision of two States living side-by-side in peace and security, within internationally recognized borders. The Council reiterated its demand that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities and it would not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the two sides through negotiations.
In March 2007 the UNSC added an embargo on arms exports from Iran. This was followed in June 2010 by a UN embargo on the export of most major conventional weapons to Iran. They were amended in October 2015 allowing supplies of major arms and related components and services with the specific approval from the Security Council. The UN restrictions on supplies of major arms to and all arms from Iran expired in October 2020. The Israel – US plan is to develop link between Hamas and Hizbullah cum Iran to not only convince United Nations to reimpose restrictions on supplies of major arms to Hamas and Hizbullah but also malign Iran’s IRGC with international repercussions. We have seen the democratic system under which President Mahmoud lost all hopes after the court decided Palestinians as illegal. It was only Hamas, which made the international community realise how the Palestinians are being treated and highlighted Israeli war crimes. It is high time that the Palestinian as well as Muslim around the world recognise Hamas as main representative of Palestinian and started legal peaceful struggle for the establishment of Palestine as independent and sovereign state with capital as Jerusalem.
