NEW DELHI, 27 May 2024 (TON): An official statement from Indian Ministry of Defence said, “the Appointments Committee of Cabinet, on 26 May 2024, approved the extension in service of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj C. Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC for a period of one month, beyond his normal age of superannuation up to 30 June 2024, under Rule 16 A (4) of the Army Rules 1954."

General Manoj Pande was commissioned in December 1982 in the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers). He held the appointment of Vice Chief of the Army Staff before taking over as the COAS on 30 April 2022.

The successor of General Pande is yet to be announced. However, there are reports that Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, commissioned into 18 Jammu and Kashmir (JAK) Rifles in December 1984 and presently doing as Vice Chief of Army Staff is likely to be appointed as the next Indian Army Chief as he is senior as per the date of commission. There are some reports that await clearance from the Western quarters and an alternative name is also circulating including further extension.

By Afshain Afzal

The International Court of Justice delivered its order in the case South Africa versus Israel on 25 May 2024. The salient of the Order as under:-

On the basis of the information, discussed considerations and the circumstances of the case the Court arrived to conclusion that it requires to modify it's decision of March 28, 2024. The Court announced that according to Article 75 paragraph 2 of its Rules when a request for provisional measures has been made it has the power on the statue indicate measures that are not in whole or in part other than those request.

The Court pronounced that in present case having considered the terms of provisional measures requested by South Africa and the circumstances of the case the Court finds that measures to be indicated need not be identical to those requested. The Court considered that in confirmatory with obligations under the genocide convention Israel must immediately hold it's military and offensive and any other action in Raffah governance which may inflect in the Palestinian group in Gaza condition of life to bring about physical destruction in whole are in part.

The Court ordered that in the present circumstances the Court is also of the view that in order to preserve evidence relating to act falling within the scope of Article 2 and Article 3 of Genocide Convention Israel must take effective measures to ensure unimpeded access to the Gaza Strip of any commission of enquiry, finding mission and other investigator body mandated by competent organs of the United Nations to investigate allegations of genocide.

The Court also considered that the catastrophic situation in Gaza confirms the need for the immediate and effective implementation of the measures indicated in its order of January 26, and March 28, 2024, which are applicable throughout the Gaza Strip including Raffah. In these circumstances the Court fond it necessary to reform indicated in those orders in so doing the court wishes to emphasize that measures indicated in paragraph 51 (2) a. of its order of March 28, 2024, requiring "the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance, maintain open land crossing points and in particular Raffah crossing. In view of the specific provisional measures, the Court decided that Israel must submit a report to the court all measures taken in a effect to this order within one month from the date of this order.

The whole peace loving people of the world is thankful to honourable Judges of the ICJ and other organs of the United Nations for their peace efforts and implementation of the measures that Israel was not ready to obey. Israeli leadership is now in total isolation and is facing curses for the genocide of orthodox Palestinian Muslims of Gaza. Peace loving Jews are suffering because of war crimes of Israeli military and civilian leadership otherwise they are not behind the genocide. There are high hopes that Israel and Palestine as well as those behind the scene will adopt the path of peace and resolve the crisis in the Middle East, especially the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hope the direct peace talks would resume soon for release of prisoners and abductees as well as an independent, sovereign state of Palestine with capital at Jerusalem.

By Afshain Afzal

A high-ranking official from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the condition of anonymity claims that soon strategic asset of Pakistan’s national flag carrier will be in the Indian lap. The national level shock by fraud of Abraaj Group (Mumbai, India) with regard to K Electric was sufficient an eye opener for the Pakistani state authorities to enforce and maintain transparency and accountability while privatizing national strategic assets or going for any public private partnership. But it seems all are intentionally ignoring everything. As citizens of Pakistan, the nation has the right to know where strategic assets are going and who will be the owners. It is too early to say with confidence what is happening but things are not straight. Pakistani nation would like to know that in case of foreign company or a consortium have the companies cleared the security test? To avoid money laundering and frauds, the litmus test for any new shareholder should be an undertaking how much foreign exchange would be transferred to Pakistan through National Bank of Pakistan, after acquiring the assets. Interestingly, earlier the Government of Pakistan hinted to privatise all the state-own enterprises (SOEs), apart from ‘strategic entities’ while another statement by the Finance Ministry says there are no “strategic state-owned enterprises” and “the concept of a strategic SOE does not exist.” Should there be a need for clarification if Pakistan does not have strategic entities?

It is a strange sale where that PIA’s majority shares (51% to a complete 100% shares) as not only national flag carrier but this strategic asset will be sold to an international equity partner, and management will be outsourced. PIA is projected as a sick institution and total liability on Government. Interestingly, PIA’s retired employees were shifted to the PIA Holding Company, so that the pension disbursement to the retired workers should not be hindered due to the holding company. There is a provision of government’s sovereign guarantee, obliging it to pay PKR262 billion (USD912 million) in case of default by the airline. Some criminal in the past crossed all limits to tannish the nations image giving vast publicity to scandal over fake pilot licenses in 2020. This led banning of PIA by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America and others, which was followed by conduct of an on-site audit of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is to in September 2023. In October 2023, flights were resumed. The main reason behind the losses in the past included PIA’s un-rationalized concessions and rebates to serving and retired, Armed Forces personnel and their spouses, serving, retired and deceased employees of PIA and their families including regular, contractual, on deputation, senior citizens, disabled persons and long list of others. The issue is corruption and un-rationalized policy not the concessions.

Those who have submitted their Statements of Qualification include Fly Jinnah (presented by Arif Habib Corporation), Airblue Limited, Shonksi China CIG Ltd, Jiri International Pvt Ltd, Younis Brothers Holdings Consortium, Pak Ethanol Consortium, and Blue World City Consortium. It is alarming that various data floating about some of these potential entities are fake and lack authenticity or confirmation by even the organizations which even published the data or where registered. Reports say that Pak Ethanol Limited Pakistan is the co-lead entity with other consortium members in the purchase of Pakistan International Airlines including Switzerland’s Swiss Aviation Group AG, Austria’s Airport Competence, Australia’s Pearl Asset Management, Hong Kong's AsiaPak Investments Limited, Malaysia's Air Asia Aviation Group, and Pakistan’s Serene Air and Air Sial Ltd. In 2021, Air India along with its low cost carrier Air India Express and fifty per cent of AISATS, a ground handling company, were sold for US$2.3 billion to Tata Group, which is most railable. But the reliability of the entities are yet to be ascertained. One doubt if these entities have been vetted beforehand. Pakistani authorities still have the time to revisit the sale; who all are acquiring, what benefit nation will get and has all precautions for securing strategic and national interests have been taken? (The authorities may get further details of misleading data used by some of these entities).

By Afshain Afzal

The 20th of May 2024 will be recorded as a golden day in history, as a positive step for peace in the Middle East, especially with regard resolution of Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that the Court had reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and command of Israeli Defence Forces bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Accordingly, Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, ICC Chief Prosecutor filed applications for warrants of arrest before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court for Israelis' alleged war crimes by Israelis post 8 October 2023 and Hamas leaders including Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri and Ismail Haniyeh for alleged crimes committed on the 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel. There may be further applications for arrest warrants, for different suspects and different or additional charges, yet to come.

There is no doubt, Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan ICC Chief Prosecutor belongs to a school of religious thought who are deadly against the orthodox Muslim faith, also being followed by Hamas and almost all the Palestinians but we have to trust the International Justice System, being the only ray of hope. Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, a British-Ahmadi (Qadiani) whose father Dr Saeed Ahmad Khan was a Pakistani, serves as Chief Prosecutor of the ICC. Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan is son-in-law of the late Ahmadi Caliph - IV, Mirza Tahir Ahmad and married to Sahibzadi Yasmin Rehman Mona the third daughter Mirza Tahir Ahmad.

The decision by the ICC received a mixed reaction, a majority favouring the historic decision. Hamas, which denies carrying out 7 October attack on Israel was unsatisfied over “equating the victim with the executioner” by issuing arrest warrants against its leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ICC decision was a disgrace and an attack on Israel. Spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rejected the decision on grounds that London does not recognize Palestine as a state and Israel is not a state party to the Rome Statute. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, the United States rejects the ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer Chancellor Nehammer said, ICC’s move to seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas officials at the same time was non-comprehensible. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said that any crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level.

It is high time that the United Nations Organization musters up the courage and decide the case on merit rather than on the doctrine of necessity or pressure by big powers. Some of the countries and organization having main roles have not been mentioned might form part of additional charges. We are also hopeful that honourable Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan remain steadfast to call a spade a spade and remove all past misunderstandings and misconceptions between faiths, communities and people. Congratulations to the United Nations Organization, especially the Secretary General Mr António Guterres and Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan for a splendid job done.

By Afshain Afzal

The 20th of May 2024 will be recorded as a golden day in history, as a positive step for peace in the Middle East, especially with regard resolution of Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that the Court had reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and command of Israeli Defence Forces bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Accordingly, Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, ICC Chief Prosecutor filed applications for warrants of arrest before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court for Israelis' alleged war crimes by Israelis post 8 October 2023 and Hamas leaders including Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri and Ismail Haniyeh for alleged crimes committed on the 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel. There may be further applications for arrest warrants, for different suspects and different or additional charges, yet to come.

There is no doubt, Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan ICC Chief Prosecutor belongs to a school of religious thought who are deadly against the orthodox Muslim faith, also being followed by Hamas and almost all the Palestinians but we have to trust the International Justice System, being the only ray of hope. Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, a British-Ahmadi (Qadiani) whose father Dr Saeed Ahmad Khan was a Pakistani, serves as Chief Prosecutor of the ICC. Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan is son-in-law of the late Ahmadi Caliph - IV, Mirza Tahir Ahmad and married to Sahibzadi Yasmin Rehman Mona the third daughter Mirza Tahir Ahmad.

The decision by the ICC received a mixed reaction, a majority favouring the historic decision. Hamas, which denies carrying out 7 October attack on Israel was unsatisfied over “equating the victim with the executioner” by issuing arrest warrants against its leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ICC decision was a disgrace and an attack on Israel. Spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rejected the decision on grounds that London does not recognize Palestine as a state and Israel is not a state party to the Rome Statute. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, the United States rejects the ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer Chancellor Nehammer said, ICC’s move to seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas officials at the same time was non-comprehensible. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said that any crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level.

It is high time that the United Nations Organization musters up the courage and decide the case on merit rather than on the doctrine of necessity or pressure by big powers. Some of the countries and organization having main roles have not been mentioned might form part of additional charges. We are also hopeful that honourable Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan would remain steadfast to call a spade a spade and remove all past misunderstandings and misconceptions between faiths, communities and people. Congratulations to United Nations organizations, especially the Secretary General Mr António Guterres and Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan for a splendid job done.

By Afshain Afzal

On 30 April 2024, the International Court of Justice issued an order in the Case Nicaragua versus Germany where it rejected Germany’s request to remove the case from the Court’s docket it also did not exercise its power under Article 41 of the Statute to indicate new provisional measures for the “Alleged Breaches of Certain International Obligations in respect of genocide and serious breaches of international humanitarian law and other peremptory norms of general international law occurring in the Gaza Strip”, however, important order has been announced in favour of Palestinians. The International Court of Justice by fifteen votes to one, reminded all States including Germany as a State party to the said Conventions in its supply of arms to Israel, of their international obligations relating to the transfer of arms to parties to an armed conflict, in order to avoid the risk that such arms might be used to violate the Genocide Convention and the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

The genocide of orthodox Muslim Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere at the hands of Israeli Defence Forces and foreign elements is continuing which must stop at once and talks of peace initiative issued by Hamas on 19 April 2024, must be discussed to resolve the conflict once for all. The world has witnessed a positive change in the attitudes in Israeli authorities as well as the members of the international community to find long lasting solution of Israeli – Palestinians issue as early as possible. There are high hope that by July this year peace in the Middle East will be restored to allow Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and harmony.

By Afshain Afzal

The United States Veto a resolution awarding the Palestinians a full membership at United Nations Security Council on 18 April 2024. Out of the total 15 members. 12 UNSC members voted in favour of Palestine, the United Kingdom and Switzerland abstained from the vote and the United States veto the Resolution. If we recall, on 1 January 1942, 26 States at war with Axis Powers subscribed to a common programme of purpose and principles embodied in the Atlantic Charter in a document, which became known as "Declaration of the United Nations" and was signed by 50 countries on 26 June 1945. Despite undertaking of peace, on 6 and 9 August 1945, USA detaonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki The bombing killed over 300, 000 people, most of whom were civilians. Almost two and a half month later on 24 October 1945, United Nations was established when its charter was ratified. Today there is a serious question over the worthiness and strength of United Nations in resolving dispute between the states, maintaining international peace and security and taking effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace and suppression of acts of aggression.

State entities, as members of the United Nations Organization joined this international organization, not under any compulsion but due to the provision that guarantees in its preamble equal rights of nations large and small and establishing conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained. With the purpose to maintain international peace and security, take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace, suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, State entities believed in the United Nations. However, we have seen threats to peace and acts of aggression multiplying and the United Nations acted not more a silent spectator, preventing the victims from taking actions against the aggressors.

As an international organization instead of seeking a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement it preferred imposing sanction on the victims of aggression, war crimes and genocide. Instead of invoking Article 36, the Security Council making recommendations for the legal disputes be referred by the parties to the International Court of Justice in accordance with the provisions of the Statute of the Court, United Nations failed to even get Resolutions passed on its own findings and reports due to Veto.

There is question mark over the worthiness and strength of the United Nations due to undue and unjustified influence of Veto powers that haunts the smaller States. The United Nations failed in resolving dispute between the states, maintaining international peace and security or taking effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace. Should we continue with the weak United Nations as a pawn in the hands of aggressors and terrorists to serve their interests? It is high time to revamp powers and procedures of the United Nations to transform this toothless organization to an empowered and effective International Organization that serve as an instrument of peace. More so, any Veto on a Resolution must be supported by a rationale that fulfills the role and purpose of United Nations rather than serving self-interests of bigger nations

By Afshain Afzal

Hamas released three different detailed statements in Arabic language on different issues (will be published later).

1.        The proposed draft agreement between Jewish authorities living in Israel and Hamas as representative of Palestinians aims to amicably resolve Israeli-Palestinian issues, in line with UNSC Resolutions, a pending judgment of ICJ and other decisions hereafter.

2.       Both sides to cease all coercive actions and adopt Confidence Building Measures (CBM) for peace in the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.

3.       Both sides pledge not to trespass or intrude each other’s territories without lawful permission, or use coercive force to intimidate during visit to each other’s territories including pilgrims to sacred places including Masjid Al Aqsa.

4.       Both sides to nominate three persons including a woman for the direct talks and exchange of agenda points. The meetings will be held alternatively in Israel and Palestine.

5.       Both sides to ensure complete withdrawal of foreign forces and elements from Palestinian territories to facilitate safe return of IDPs.

6.       Both sides to share list of people held by them, abducted, imprisoned or missing.  Additionally, control of Gaza to be returned to Hamas with an assurance that Hamas attempts safe the return of all abducted Israelis of 7 October 2023, by tracing abductees and facilitate negotiations if other groups are involved. A reciprocal assurance for release of Palestinians in Israeli prisons. 

7.       In addition to participation from both sides in the meetings, representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia will also participate in the peace talks.

8.       Agenda points will be officially shared including pending issues of fresh demarcation of land, space and sea including the Mediterranean Sea, Dead Sea, Sea of Tiberias, Gulf of Aqaba and other potential issues for permanent solution.

9.       Facilitate compilation of data of original inhabitants of State of Palestine that existed before Israel was conceived to allow Jews, Muslims, others living in territories of Israel and Palestine to exercise their choices to live in their forefathers land or migrate to acquire new nationalities.

10.    All previous agreements between Israel and foreign governments pertaining trade and resources etc in Palestinian territories to cease and new agreements with Palestinians to undertake. All payments and benefits transferred to the Palestinian authorities.

11.    All legal/ illegal settlers on both sides not to possess properties other than their ancestors unless validated a fresh.

12.    Palestinian authorities to liaison with other authorities to fight the menace of terrorism including the elimination of terrorist groups like foreign-funded ISIS and allies, working in the garb of aid and relief organizations that are active in many countries with footprints in the West.

13    Both sides to take action on climate change by realizing that fragility and conflict increase people’s venerability and exposes climate change hazards.

By Afshain Afzal

Everything was going on smooth for the planned announcement of the statehood of Palestine with its capital as Jerusalem. The United Nations Security Council is debating for a permanent membership of Palestine as full UN member to be decided this month. A case against Israeli genocide of orthodox Palestinian Muslims and other war crimes is pending in the International Court of Justice while interim measures have already been announced against Israel and in favour of Palestine. And many Western nations announced that they would recognize Palestine this July while many others are debating for the same. With such favourable political and security environment for the Palestinians’ right of self-determination, why the drama of killing of sons and grandson of expelled Hamas former leader, Ismail Haniyah took place and parallel tug of war through Lebanon and Syria were in progress and finally Tehran’s attack on Israel to defeat the Independence of Palestine and holy lands?

It is important to explain the Israeli and the Western attempts to install proxies in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and some countries in Africa to create division or a balance of power in the Islamic world. One of the actors, Ismail Haniyah, who was expelled from Hamas for his connection with Israel and violation of Hamas’ policy of peaceful struggle and presently living in self-exile in Qatar was backed and provided a chance to emerge as a Hamas leader after the planned genocide of many Hamas leaders, their families and orthodox Palestinians in Gaza and Lebanon. On 10 April 2024, it was projected that Israel carried out a drone attack on a vehicle at Al-Shati camp in Gaza, and martyred three sons and four grandchildren of Ismail Haniyah who were traveling in a car. On 1 April 2024, there was propaganda that Shin Beth along with Israel's Defence Force raided the house of Ismail Haniyah's sister, Sabah Avad al Salman Haniyah at Tel Sheva and arrested her for her links with Hamas. If we recall Daily Telegraph reported in the past that the three sisters of Ismail Haniyah have Israeli citizenship and some of their children served in the Israeli Defense Forces. There is no doubt that Ismail Haniyah is working for Israel and countries that have clash with the ideology of Hamas.

With this background, the Iranian forces carried out over 200 attempts to target positions inside Israel through missiles and drone attacks but failed to kill or injure a single Israeli. The US elite Air Defence batteries with "Iron dome system" were guarding Israel's land, sea and airspace. It is not yet clear if it an advertisement for the American weapon system or posing Iranians as a leader of the Islamic world or both. As also earlier highlighted that USA will never attack Iran, except an attempt for regime change as Washington has high strategic goals, which the Western nations cannot accomplish without the assistance of Iran. Isn’t it strange that despite Iranian direct attack on Israel that amounts “declaration of war” and has the potential to engulf the entire Middle East as a War Zone, the actors are silent and would remain so?

In a post-attack scenario, Iran justified the missiles and drones 14^th April attacks on Israel's military targets and said that her armed forces have carried out a series of military strikes on Israeli's military bases in response to 1 April armed attack against diplomatic premises of Iran in Damascus at the invitation of the Syrian government as its inherent right of self-defense as recognized under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. Iran also confirmed that she adopted defensive measures at a time when the Israeli occupying apartheid regime's pattern of relentless genocidal campaign against Palestinian people, accompanied with repeated military aggressions against neighboring States and fanning the flames across the region and beyond. It was clarified that Iran would take further necessary defensive measures to protect its legitimate interests against any act of military aggression or unlawful use of force.

Two important derivatives that Tehran spelled out in her post-attack official statement: 1st April’s armed attack on diplomatic premises of Iran in Damascus was carried out at the invitation of the Syrian government; and that Iran adopted defensive measures at a time when Israeli carried out genocidal campaign against Palestinian people. Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirming the Israeli attack on Israel said that more than 200 missiles and drones were launched toward Israel, many were intercepted by Israel’s aerial defense systems including fighter jets. The spokesperson claimed that no deaths or injuries were reported as result of Iranian strikes. Meanwhile, the US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson and other officials claimed that US air defense systems in the Middle East had also intercepted some Iranian drones. In another development, Israel closed its airspace, after Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon closed their airspaces. Reacting over the Iranian attack on Israel, António Guterres, UN Secretary-General strongly condemning the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by Iran, called for an immediate cessation of these hostilities.

By Afshain Afzal

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is most unhappy person, but not the general masses in Israel and peace-loving Jews around the world. Tel Aviv in reaction to Washington’s silence at UNSC, allowing Resolution 2728 (2024) to pass, has cancelled a scheduled US’ visit of two of Israeli top advisers. US abstention on Resolution 2728 vote allowed the latest resolution to pass, when all the other 14 members of UNSC voted “Yes” to amended Resolution. Interestingly, UNSC website has blocked S/RES/2728 (2024) 25 March 2024, ‘The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question’ on its site. The UNSC Resolution 2728, adopted on 25 March 2024, called for an immediate ceasefire of the Israel - Hamas war during the month of Ramadan leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire.

Washington has acted with maturity and has won the confidence of many states. Tel Aviv needs to realize that it is an attempt for peace in the Middle East and beyond to bring many nations including Israel out of state of fear and apprehensions. It is now a high time that we build new relationship between a state and a state and empower the United Nations justice system.