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Pakistani FM en route to New York to push for Palestine at UNGA session

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Palestinian counterpart Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki leave for New York on May 19, 2021. (PID)
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Updated 19 May 2021
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Pakistani FM en route to New York to push for Palestine at UNGA session

  • Pakistan says will send COVID-19, medical emergency aid to Palestine after Israeli attacks, Friday to be observed as ‘Palestine Solidarity Day’
  • FM hopes UNGA will play its role to develop a consensus that leads to a cease-fire and end to Israeli “atrocities” in Palestine
Updated 19 May 2021
Muhammad Ishtiaq

ISLAMABAD: In an ongoing Mideast diplomatic onslaught, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Riaz Al-Maliki in Turkey on Wednesday and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to the Palestinian cause before leaving for New York to attend an emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Qureshi arrived in Turkey on Tuesday and met his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara, exchanging views on the “worsening situation” in the Palestinian territories. 

The fighting that began on May 10 has killed 217 Palestinians, including 63 children, and more than 1,400 are wounded. Israeli authorities say 12 people have been killed in Israel, including two children. 

On Wednesday, Qureshi met the Palestinian foreign minister and briefed him on Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts “to draw the attention of the international community to the ongoing Israeli military aggression in Palestine and to find a peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue.”

“The Foreign Minister strongly condemned the Israeli military aggression, the attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the forced eviction of Palestinians, and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of innocent Palestinians, especially children,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement. 

Al-Maliki appreciated Pakistan’s “clear, unequivocal and principled position on the Palestinian issue and thanked Pakistan’s leadership and Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi for Pakistan’s diplomatic assistance at the regional and international levels.” 

In an interview with Turkish media on May 18, Qureshi said his country was banking on the UN General Assembly to play its role to develop a consensus that led to a cease-fire and end to “atrocities” in Palestine. 

“So my idea is to go [UNGA) and share that truth of the world to reflect the sentiments of the people of Pakistan. I will be carrying the unanimous resolution of the National Assembly, it was unanimously passed,” Qureshi said, referring to Pakistan’s lower house of parliament passing a unanimous resolution against the ‘unconscionable brutality’ of Israel this Monday. 

For the past week Washington, a strong ally of Israel, has been isolated in the 15-member council over its objection to a public statement by the Security Council on the worst violence between Israel and the Palestinians in years.

“Unfortunately, the Security Council could not reach a consensus,” Qureshi told the Turkish news agency. “Unfortunately, the joint statement could not come out because it was vetoed. So we’re banking on the General Assembly to play its role to evolve a consensus that leads to a cease-fire, de-escalation and an end to atrocities.” 

Qureshi said Pakistan had played an active and consistent role on the Palestine issue, and “we expect to play a role in keeping the [Muslim] umma [community] reunited. That’s very important. That message of unity will strengthen and encourage the spirits and raise the morale of the beleaguered Palestinians.” 

When asked who all would attended the UNGA meeting he said: “Some foreign ministers won’t be there physically, some will be there virtually, but it’s going to be a hybrid kind of a meeting, but I expect quite a few foreign ministers will show up.” 

In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Munir Akram, said it was “most regrettable that the SC [UN Security Council] has remained paralyzed in this crisis.” 

“The world expects that at the very least the council will call for an immediate halt to the hostilities & prevent the killing of more innocent children, women & men,” his tweet read. 

On Tuesday, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said Pakistan would send aid to Palestine to help it deal with the coronavirus pandemic and the “medical emergency situation” created by ongoing Israeli air strikes.

“Palestine is facing a medical emergency situation and Pakistan will send aid,” Hussain told reporters on Tuesday. 

The Pakistan government has also decided to observe Palestine Solidarity Day on May 21, Friday, to support the “oppressed people” of Palestine, the prime minister’s adviser on religious harmony, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, said on Tuesday night.

Ashrafi said on the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Friday would be observed in solidarity with Palestinians, with religious clerics endorsing the Palestinian cause and condemning “Israeli atrocities” during Friday sermons.

Ashrafi said Prime Minister Khan had also instructed Pakistan Red Crescent to provide medicines to Palestinians and make all possible efforts to assist them.

Pakistan’s political and religious parties along with civil society activists and organizations have held rallies across the country this week to condemn Israeli attacks against Palestinians. 

Topics: Pakistan Palestine UNGA

Security forces kill one militant, injure another in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan

Updated 5 min 23 sec ago
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Security forces kill one militant, injure another in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan

  • The operation was carried out while militants were trying to stop passenger vehicles in Harnai district
  • Baloch militants killed nine migrant laborers from Punjab in March after stopping a bus in Noshki
Updated 5 min 23 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Security forces in Pakistan killed one militant and injured another in the country’s southwestern Balochistan province, said the military’s media wing, ISPR, on Saturday, while they were trying to stop passenger vehicles in Harnai district.

Earlier this month, armed assailants intercepted a bus traveling from Quetta to Taftan near the city of Noshki, singling out nine passengers, who were later identified as migrant laborers from Punjab province, and shot them.

Balochistan’s Harnai district has also witnessed militant violence, with an improvised explosive device killing one employee of Mari Petroleum and injuring 14 others in March 30.

“On 27 April 24, a fire exchange took place between security forces and terrorists in Harnai District of Balochistan,” the ISPR said. “The terrorists tried to stop passenger vehicles plying on Sanjavi Road, Harnai. Security Forces reacted immediately and effectively engaged the terrorists.”

The statement mentioned that one militant was killed and another injured during the fire exchange.

“The timely response by the security forces thwarted nefarious intent of the terrorists, saving innocent lives,” the statement added. “Sanitization operation is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area.”

Balochistan has long been the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatist groups who accuse the state of denying the people of the province of their share in its vast mineral wealth.

The government has frequently denied the allegation, saying it is carrying out a number of development projects for the prosperity of Baloch nationals.

Topics: Pakistan Army Balochistan

Pakistan says net-metering promotes ‘unhealthy investments’ in solar power

Updated 27 April 2024
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Pakistan says net-metering promotes ‘unhealthy investments’ in solar power

  • Government says massive solar installation is affecting 30 million consumers, imposing Rs1.90 per unit burden on them
  • Experts say the government’s ‘regressive policies’ will make it difficult to cut fossil fuel and promote renewable energy
Updated 27 April 2024
Aamir Saeed

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government said on Saturday net-metering was promoting unhealthy investments in installation of solar power by affluent domestic and industrial consumers, hinting at cutting the buyback rates to discourage uptick in the sector.

The government approved the net-metering policy in 2017, allowing solar panel purchasers to sell power they produced to the national grid to spur the solar energy use and cut power shortages. Under the policy, the government is paying Rs21 per unit for the net-metered electricity which the government says is resulting in the subsidy of Rs1.90 per unit, burdening the government.

This development comes at a time when the price of solar panels has plummeted by more than 60 percent in Pakistan in recent weeks due to the bulk imports from China because of lower rates, making the country witness a surge in the solar power installation by domestic and industrial consumers to reduce their electricity bills.

“The present system of net-metering is promoting unhealthy investments in solar power,” the energy ministry said in a statement on Saturday. “Affluent consumers have been massively installing solar power due to which domestic, industrial consumers and the government have to bear the burden of Rs 1.90 per unit under the head of subsidy.”

The ministry warned the subsidy was affecting some 25 to 30 million “poor consumers,” and if the trend of the solar power continued, the bills of ordinary consumers would surge by at least Rs 3.35 per unit. However, it clarified no fixed tax was being imposed on the solar power.

The 2017 net-metering policy was aimed at promoting renewable energy in the system, which helped enhance the solarization in the country that now “needs to be balanced,” the ministry said.

Pakistan has ideal climatic conditions for solar power generation, with over nine hours of sunlight in most parts of the country. Utilizing just 0.071 percent of the country’s area for solar photovoltaic (solar PV) power generation would meet Pakistan’s electricity demand, according to the World Bank.

Currently, only 5.4 percent of Pakistan’s installed power generation capacity of 39,772 megawatts comes from renewables like wind, solar and biomass, while fossil fuels still make up 63 percent of the fuel mix, followed by hydropower at 25 percent, according to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).

The South Asian nation of 241 million aims to shift to 60 percent renewable energy by 2030 with 50 percent reduction in projected emissions, but it stands far behind in meeting the goal despite a recent surge in the solar power.

Energy experts said the government’s “inconsistent” solar power policies would result in discouraging the sector and its failure in meeting the national and international commitments of cutting the greenhouse gas emissions.

“Public sector the world over is promoting renewable energy to cut fossil fuel while we are discouraging consumers with regressive policies,” Aamir Hussain, chairman of Pakistan Alternative Energy Association, told Arab News.

He said the association had suggested the government to issue licenses to consumers for their actual household or industry load instead of allowing them to install massive solar power with a promise to buyback the surplus.

“The government should come up with an inclusive policy to promote renewable energy instead of discouraging consumers by slapping taxes or cutting the rates,” he added.

Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi help Pakistan down New Zealand to draw T20I series

Updated 8 min 56 sec ago
AFP
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Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi help Pakistan down New Zealand to draw T20I series

  • Azam’s 44-ball 69 took Pakistan to 178-5, while Afridi’s 4-30 restricted New Zealand to 169 in 19.2 overs
  • The series gave both the teams a kickstart to their preparations for the T20 World Cup in June this year
Updated 8 min 56 sec ago
AFP

LAHORE: Skipper Babar Azam hit a solid half century while spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed four wickets as Pakistan overcame New Zealand by nine runs in the fifth and final Twenty20 international in Lahore on Saturday.
Azam’s 44-ball 69 and Fakhar Zaman’s 33-ball 43 took Pakistan to 178-5 in their 20 overs before Shaheen claimed 4-30 to restrict New Zealand to 169 in 19.2 overs, squaring the series at 2-2.
But Pakistan’s win only came in the final over with 12 needed as Josh Clarkson 38 not out threatened to pull off a heist, but two run outs in Mohammad Amir’s over sealed the home win much to the delight of a full house at Qaddafi Stadium.
The first match of the series was abandoned while Pakistan clinched the second and New Zealand the third by identical seven-wicket margins – all in Rawalpindi.
New Zealand took the fourth match, also in Lahore, by four runs.
The series gave both the teams a kickstart to their preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the United States and the West Indies in June.
While Pakistan would be disappointed not to have won a series against a depleted New Zealand side missing a host of players due to Indian Premier League, unavailability and injuries, the visitors got a boost from their bench strength.

Pakistan's Babar Azam plays a shot during the fifth T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP)

Shaheen gave Pakistan an ideal start by dismissing Tom Blundell for four in his first over – his 15th wicket in his opening over of a Twenty20 international – and 50th in all T20 matches.
Tim Seifert put New Zealand back on track with an aggressive 33-ball 52 – his ninth T20I half century containing seven boundaries and two sixes.
He added 76 for the second wicket with skipper Micheal Bracewell (23) but from 81-1 New Zealand lost four wickets in the space of 25 balls for the addition of just 22 runs.
Leg-spinner Usama Mir (2-21) had Seifert and Mark Chapman (12) while fellow spinner Shadab Khan accounted for Bracewell as New Zealand’s chase was derailed.
Shaheen returned for a second spell to dismiss James Neesham (16), Zak Foulkes (naught) and Ish Sodhi (three) in successive overs.

Pakistan's Saim Ayub, center front, walks off the field after losing his wicket during the fifth T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP)

Earlier, Azam saw his opening partner Saim Ayub fall in the second over for just one but that did not deter him as he added 73 for the second wicket with Usman Khan who made a brisk 24-ball 31.
Azam hit six boundaries and two sixes in his 34th T20I half-century before he was bowled by pacer Ben Sears in the 15th over.
Zaman hit four boundaries and a six before he was smartly caught by Chapman on the boundary off Foulkes as Pakistan managed 55 in the last five overs.
Shadab Khan hit a six and a four in his five-ball 15 not out.
New Zealand made three changes as they brought back Seifert, Cole McConchie and Foulkes while pace spearhead Shaheen returned for the home team.

Topics: Pakistan vs New Zealand

New Zealand win toss, opt to bowl in 5th and final T20 against Pakistan

Updated 27 April 2024
AP
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New Zealand win toss, opt to bowl in 5th and final T20 against Pakistan

  • Pakistan, looking to build-up for June’s T20 World Cup, are trailing 2-1 in the series
  • Pakistan have brought in their ace fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in place of Zaman Khan
Updated 27 April 2024
AP

LAHORE: New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell won the toss and elected to field in the fifth and final Twenty20 against Pakistan on Saturday.
Pakistan, looking to build-up for June’s T20 World Cup, are trailing 2-1 in the series as they tested their bench strength against the understrength Black Caps.
Pakistan made just one change from the team that lost the fourth match by four runs, bringing in their ace fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in place of Zaman Khan.
New Zealand, touring Pakistan without their nine frontline T20 players who are in the Indian Premier League, made three changes.
Tim Seifert recovered from sore back and returns in place of Tim Robinson, who scored a half-century in the last game but was ruled out with a groin injury.
Cole McConchie and Zak Foulkes also made it to the playing XI replacing Dean Foxcroft and Jacob Duffy. Foxcroft was ruled out with a back injury.
The first game was abandoned because of rain before Pakistan bowled out New Zealand for 90 runs in the second game to win by seven wickets.
New Zealand made a comeback, winning the third match by seven wickets before edging out the home team in the last game at Qaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Topics: Pakistan vs New Zealand

Pakistani pro-Palestine protester says banned from rights conference after disrupting German envoy's speech

Updated 24 min 8 sec ago
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Pakistani pro-Palestine protester says banned from rights conference after disrupting German envoy's speech

  • The envoy was criticized for ‘lecturing’ on civil liberties when Germany was punishing defenders of Palestinian rights
  • One of the organizers of Asma Jahangir Conference says no one should ‘insult people by shouting or getting harsh’
Updated 24 min 8 sec ago
Aamir Saeed

ISLAMABAD: A pro-Palestine protester in Pakistan, who interrupted German Ambassador Alfred Grannas during his speech on civil liberties in South Asia at a rights conference in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday, said he was ‘manhandled’ by the organizers who later forces him out of the hall.
Ali Abdullah Khan, who studies economics and is part of the Progressive Students Collective, disrupted the German envoy’s speech at the popular Asma Jahangir Conference while accusing the European state of “brutally abusing” those who have been agitating for Palestinian rights.
Germany has clearly sided with Israel since the beginning of the war in Gaza after a surprise attack was launched by Hamas on Oct. 7 as a response to the deteriorating Palestinian condition living under Israeli occupation.
The conflict, which has led to the killing of over 34,000 Palestinians, has led to widespread criticism of the Israeli government, leading to protests in different parts of the world.
While countries like South Africa have accused the Jewish state of committing genocide in Gaza, German authorities have forcibly removed protest encampments and gone into people’s houses to arrest them for critical social media posts on charges of antisemitism.
“We were forced out of the place after we raised our voice during the German ambassador’s speech,” Khan said while speaking to Arab News. “The organizers manhandled us and banned our entry in the conference.”
He said it was “baffling” to see the German ambassador “lecturing” people on civil liberties in Pakistan after his country supplied arms and ammunition to Israeli military to kill Palestinian civilians and destroy hospitals and education institutions.
“Germany isn’t in a position to champion civil liberties and human rights when it is complicit in the killing of thousands of civilians in Palestine,” he continued. “We simply called out Germany’s hypocrisy by peacefully raising our voice in the conference that literally agitated the ambassador.”

German Ambassador to Pakistan Alfred Grannas gestures during a speech at the Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore on April 27, 2024. (Photo courtesy: X/@voicepkdotnet)

Khan said he had peacefully expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and would continue to do so until the western world remained “complicit in the brutal massacre of Palestinians.”
The Asma Jahangir Conference is named after a late Pakistani human rights lawyer and activist and brings together scholars, activists, legal experts and policymakers to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the lives of marginalized communities.
Responding to an Arab News query, Munizae Jahangir, one of the conference’s organizers and the daughter of Asma Jahangir, objected to the way Khan criticized the German envoy.
“Freedom of speech is everybody’s right, but there should be a decent way to ask questions or express your difference of opinion,” she said. “The purpose of the conference is to provide a platform to people to express their opinions, views and dissent, but one should not insult people by shouting or getting harsh.”
Jahangir, a prominent journalist and activist in her own right, said a special session on Gaza was held at the conference to highlight the issue that was attended by Shawan Jabarin, director of the Palestinian human rights organization Al Haq, and Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“We warmly welcome the difference of opinion at our platform but not the insult and disrespect to our honorable guests,” she added.
Earlier, Khan interrupted the German ambassador shortly after he began his speech.
“I am shocked by the audacity that you are here to talk about civil rights while your country is brutally abusing the people speaking for the rights of the Palestinians,” he shouted while standing at the back of hall.
Many people around him supported him by shouting “Free, Free Palestine” and “From the River to the Sea.”
The German envoy, who looked visibly perturbed by the development, responded by shouting back at him and pointing to the exit.
“If you, if you want to shout, go out,” he said. “There you can shout. Because shouting is not a discussion.”
Last year in November, a Pakistani classical dancer and human rights activist Sheema Kermani raised slogans for a ceasefire at a British Deputy High Commission event in Karachi and later complained of being “escorted out.”

Topics: War on Gaza

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