NEW DELHI, 25 June 2021, (TON): Four students from Kargil have been arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in connection with the low-intensity IED blast near the Israeli Embassy on January 29. Delhi Police PRO Chinmoy Biswal said the Special Cell had picked up the students from Kargil in a joint operation with a central agency and local police, and brought them to Delhi.

The four have been identified as Nazir Hussain (26), Zulfikar Ali Wazir (25), Aiaz Hussain (28), and Muzammil Hussain (25). All are residents of Thung village in Kargil. The last two are brothers, while the other two are their cousins.

A statement issued by the PRO office said “they (students) were held in connection with a conspiracy to plan and execute terror activities in the national capital. We have taken them on transit remand and brought them to Delhi for questioning.”

While the blast case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Special Cell had registered a case of criminal conspiracy.

A senior police officer said “the New Delhi range of Special Cell had lodged an FIR of criminal conspiracy and they were conducting their investigation alongside. Police have zeroed in on the four students from Kargi. They are questioning them and trying to ascertain their role.”

ISLAMABAD, 25 June 2021, (TON): IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice said  that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is holding open, constructive discussions with Pakistan as part of a sixth review of the country's 39-month, $6 billion financing programme that began in 2019.

Rice declined to say if disbursements under that programme had been halted but said further discussions were needed about Pakistan's fiscal spending plans, structural reforms, particularly in the tax and energy sectors, and social spending.

IMF staff was unable to complete the talks during a recent mission, but the global lender remained “fully engaged” and aimed to resume the discussions in the period ahead, Rice told a regular IMF briefing.

He said “we stand ready to continue to support Pakistan, as the recovery gains strength, it will be important to accelerate the implementation of policies and reforms needed to address some of the long-standing challenges facing the Pakistani economy.”

Pakistan this month set a target of 4.8 per cent growth in gross domestic product for the 2021-22 financial year and a fiscal deficit target of 6.3pc.

Earlier this month, Federal Minister for Finance Shaukat Tarin, ruling out any disagreement between Pakistan and IMF, had said that the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme would continue as both wanted it to move forward.

ISLAMABAD, 25 June 2021, (TON): Inter-Services Public Relations said that German dignitaries, in a meeting with Chief of Army staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, pledged to further enhance bilateral relations between both countries.

According to the military's media wing, Gen Bajwa, who is on official visit to Germany, called on Heiko Maas, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany.

Markus Potzel, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, was also present, said the statement.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, the overall regional security situation, including the latest developments in the Afghan peace process and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed.

ISPR statement said “Gen Bajwa said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Germany and expressed the desire for enhanced mutually beneficial bilateral relations.”

The German dignitaries acknowledged Pakistan's continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region and pledged to further enhance bilateral relations between both countries.

According to the statement, later on, Gen Bajwa also visited the Command & Staff College of Germany, where he addressed students and faculty members and shared his views on Pakistan’s Regional and Internal Security Perspective.

KABUL, 25 June 2021, (TON): Intense fighting in the northern Afghan province of Kunduz killed at least 28 civilians and injured 290 this week, according to hospital officials, as conflict surges in the war-torn nation while foreign forces withdraw.

Ehsanullah Fazli, head of Kunduz's provincial hospital, said “28 bodies and 290 wounded civilians had been delivered to two local hospitals in the past three days, with the vast majority of the casualties children, women and elderly people.”

He said "the war is still going on in the city of Kunduz and the death toll will rise."

Fighting has worsened around Afghanistan but especially in the north where Taliban insurgents have conducted a wave of offensives in recent days, moving beyond their southern strongholds.

COLOMO, 25 June 2021, (TON): Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, in a telephone conversation with the Indian External Affairs Minister said that the steps that both countries have taken so far to enhance bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India have been fruitful.

Foreign Minister Gunawardena thanked the Indian External Affairs Minister for the financial assistance and COVID relief support extended by the government of India to combat the pandemic.

During the discussion, the two Ministers agreed to work in collaboration with the regional organizations such as BIMSTEC and IORA. Plans were also exchanged to continue cooperation especially through common platforms like Colombo Plan and Commonwealth.

The two Ministers discussed at length the challenges posed by the COVID-19 encountered by the two countries and Foreign Minister Gunawardena wished the Indian External Affairs Minister that India will have all the strength to restore normalcy at the earliest occasion.

A number of important matters of mutual interest for both countries were also discussed during this conversation which lasted for almost half an hour.

KABUL, 25 June 2021, (TON): President Andrzej Duda said “Poland will withdraw its troops from Afghanistan at the end of June, bringing its two-decade presence in the country to an end.”

NATO allies agreed in April that foreign troops under NATO command will withdraw from Afghanistan in coordination with a US pull-out by Sep 11.

Duda wrote on Twitter “At the end of June, after 20 years, we are ending our military involvement in the largest NATO operation in history.”

After withdrawing, the United States and NATO aim to rely on Afghan military and police forces, which they have developed with billions of dollars in funding, to maintain security.

By Aroosa Hafeez

After a short span of democracy in Myanmar, on February 1^st, 2020, Myanmar junta retook control of the country, undermining the hopes of democratic process and sending the country back into dark past. Myanmar has long suffered military rule after its independence. Despite the landslide victory of National League for Democracy (NLD) in elections 2020, which is led by Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar witnessed another military coup. Military took power just a day before the Parliament of Myanmar was due to take oath. Myanmar’s junta declared a yearlong state of emergency and handed over the power to Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Mn Aung Hlaing. The military coup angered citizens which leaded to anti-coup demonstrations in the country. Military responded with brutality towards these demonstrations. Moreover, military detained Aung San Suu Kyi along with President Win Myint and other political leaders were also arrested in a series of raids.

Many of the countries condemned February 1^st coup in Myanmar and demanded junta to free all the arrested political leaders; however, none of the country took any immediate action and half-heartedly supported opposition of democracy by Myanmar’s military. Later on the US along with the EU announced sanctions, naming military officials for undermining democratic process in the country. The United Nations secretary general António Guterres also condemned the coup and said these developments “represent a serious blow to democratic reforms in Myanmar.”

Meanwhile, on the other hand the fate of the most persecuted minority in the world Rohingyas also lies in the hands of Myanmar’s military. Rohingya, who are ethnic Muslim minority in a predominantly Buddhist country have been facing discrimination, violence and exclusion from citizenship law, most of which have moved to Bangladesh and many other nearby countries. The government of Aung San Suu Kyi along with military did a “clearance operation” in Rakhine State in 2017 in which Rohingyas suffered the most. Estimated 3.5 million Rohingya’s are dispersed worldwide. Myanmar government continued to defy international calls to investigate the human rights violations and genocide of Rohingya’s. The United Nations-mandated Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) found enough evidence regarding genocide, humanity crimes and ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims but the Myanmar’s government has repeatedly refused to cooperate.

Recently, on June 18^th, Friday, UNGA adopted a resolution on the “Situation in Myanmar”.  The resolution got 119 votes in favor, one against whereas 36 countries abstained including Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Thailand, China, Russia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. The resolution was initiated by a core group of member States including the US, EU, UK, and Canada among others. Albeit, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement “We cannot live in a world where military coups become a norm,” the European Union wants “swift return to democracy in Myanmar.” One wonders why there is outside pressure when there is requirement to uphold the constitution and rule of law.

Bangladesh, which has abstained from voting on the UN resolution on the situation in Myanmar following a coup, has expressed “deep disappointment” because the resolution has failed to address the plight of the Rohingya. According to a press release issued by Bangladesh said, “the UNGA resolution failed to adequately reflect on the Rohingya crisis and recommend any actions to resolve that crisis,” It said that neither does the resolution recognize or stress the need for creating a conducive environment in Rakhine for the safe, sustainable and dignified return. The resolution also lacks determination to address root causes of the Rohingya crisis through collective means.

Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima expressed dismay at the resolution in her explanation of vote, in which she said, fell short of expectations and would be sending a wrong message. She added that the failure of the international community in addressing the crisis creates a “sense of impunity” in Myanmar. According to the UN refugee agency, more than hundred thousand Rohingya refugees are in Bangladesh and most are living in crowded camps in Cox’s Bazar district, which is now home to world largest refugee camp.

Democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi has given increased power to Junta, which resulted in operations against Rohingya’s that displaced more than 18,000 minorities Rohingya. The genocide of Muslim Rohingya, hate crimes and atrocities against them were on peak but the global response to the Rohingya crisis has been insufficient, impotent and has been lacking from years. The Nobel Laureate and her government kept on denying the facts. Numerous calls for Aung San Suu Kyi to return her Nobel Peace Prize were merely symbolic. Western countries were apparently condemning Myanmar’s actions but there strategic interests did not allow them to decide of an effective response.

Today, none of the world super powers or the permanent members of United Nation are willing to go further than just providing humanitarian aid. World powers are unwilling and hesitant to take any action against Myanmar’s military and government. Earlier, Myanmar’s first democratically elected government and now military have just increased fear of alienation among Muslim minority Rohingya’s. Merely, condemnations alone are not enough; there is a need for international community to adopt a policy of supporting Rohingyas and taking on effective response because justice delayed is justice denied.

TRIPOLI, 24 June 2021, (TON): The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the ceasefire agreement in Libya must be fully implemented and all foreign forces withdrawn from the country.

Mr Blinken was speaking in Berlin, where he is attending a second round of UN-sponsored Libyan peace talks.

He is taking part alongside representatives from Russia, Turkey, France and Egypt.

The meeting comes months after a new national unity government was formed in Libya.

Some 20,000 foreign fighters are still thought to be in the country.

Their presence is seen as a threat to the UN-backed transition leading to elections scheduled for December.

DHAKA, 24 June 2021, (TON): As many as 19 Bangladeshis travelled to India through Benapole port on medical visas with the approval of the Home Ministry’s security services division, taking the total number to 45 in the last three days.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshis returning from India are being kept in 14 days of mandatory institutional quarantine at different hotels in Jessore, Benapole and other areas at their expenses.

The Bangladesh government imposed a ban on travel to and from India from April 26 to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including a new variant of the deadly disease.

A large number of Bangladeshis visit India on medical visas on a regular basis. Due to the travel ban, the treatment process of many patients was disrupted tremendously. Patients dealing with complex diseases suffered the most.

Dhiman Sarkar, a Bangladeshi who visited India on a medical visa, said “my girl was suffering from a complex disease. I visited India three months ago for her treatment. We were supposed to go again in a month, but we couldn’t make it due to the travel ban, as the Covid situation deteriorated further.

He added “now we have received clearance from the Home Ministry, after seeking permission. But we had to meet various conditions, including the arrangement of Covid-19 negative certificates within 72 hours of testing.”

Jahanara Begum said: “I have been visiting India for medical treatment, risking my life amid this pandemic. I wouldn’t have to, if treatment facilities in our country were improved.”

According to immigration sources, the government has decided to grant a conditional travel permit to India on humanitarian grounds after two months of the latest ban.

ISLAMABAD, 24 June 2021, (TON): In recognition of Pakistan's advancement in the application of nuclear technology for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the country’s scientists and an institution have been honoured with prestigious international awards in three categories.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office “the awards certificates will be presented during the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 65th General Conference in September 2021.”

It said “the IAEA and the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have jointly conferred the “Outstanding Achievement Award” on Pakistan's Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB).

The “Team Achievement Award” for work in the same area has also gone to a group of four scientists in the PAEC. The third award, “Young Scientist Award”, has also been bagged by a PAEC scientist for work in plant mutation breeding and related technologies.