ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold serious and sincere talks to resolve burning issues, including Kashmir, and said the United Arab Emirates leadership could play an important role in bringing India and Pakistan to table.
The prime minister, in an interview with Al Arabiya news channel, said, “My message to the Indian leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is that let us sit down on the table and have serious and sincere talks to resolve our burning issues like Kashmir.
“In Kashmir, flagrant human rights violations are taking place day in and day out.”
The PM said India had usurped any semblance of autonomy, given to the Kashmiris according to Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, as the autonomy was revoked in August 2019.
Minorities in India were being persecuted, he said, adding that India must stop this to give a message to the world that the country was ready for meaningful talks.
In interview, Shehbaz tells Modi ‘let us sit down on the table and have serious, sincere talks’
Mr Shehbaz reminded the world that India and Pakistan were neighbours and they had to live with each other. “It is up to us to live peacefully and make progress or quarrel with each other, and waste time and resources. We have three wars with India and it only brought more misery, poverty and unemployment to the people. We have learnt our lesson and we want to live in peace provided we are able to resolve our genuine problems. We want to alleviate poverty, achieve prosperity, and provide education and health facilities and employment to our people and not waste our resources on bombs and ammunition, that is the message I want to give to PM Modi,” he added.
He said, “We are nuclear powers, armed to the teeth and if God forbid a war breaks out who will live to tell what happened.”
He said Saudi Arabia was a friendly and brotherly country, and they had unique brotherly relations for centuries.
Before Pakistan came into being and carved out of India, millions of Muslims had brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia and they were visiting Makkah and Medina, he recalled.
The PM said the UAE was a second home for millions of Pakistanis and as prime minister, he had undertaken a successful visit to the country. He said Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was an affectionate brother and great supporter of Pakistan and wanted the people of Pakistan to progress and become prosperous. Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan was also a great friend of Pakistan and Pakistan was in his soul.
“Leadership of Pakistan and Gulf countries have resolved to cooperate with each other in the realm of trade and culture and project Islam as a religion of peace and shun all forms of terrorism. We are working together as strategic partners,” he added.
The prime minister said Pakistan’s woes and difficulties would not have decreased without the tangible and substantial support of the brotherly Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia, who were reliable and trustworthy partners. He said the Pakistani nation was resilient and brave, and it would stand on its own feet by promoting trade and investment.
But amid all of this destruction lies the most tragic destruction of all; the destruction of religious heritage. In the past few months, numerous Islamic architectural sites in India have been demolished, including the iconic Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. This has sparked the concern of the international community, with even UNESCO voicing its support for the protection of archaeological sites worldwide. This gives rise to questions regarding the lack of action taken by UNESCO in response to the demolition of masjids in India – especially since this is a direct violation of international law. In this blog, we will attempt to explore these issues and consider why UNESCO has chosen to remain silent on the destruction of masjids in India.
We have seen the horrifying destruction of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s most iconic Islamic sites, as well as numerous other sacred places of folk religions and faiths across the region. The demolition of these important places of worship has caused great trauma to local people and has stirred up a great deal of emotion towards the Indian government for the violation of their religious sites.
Shockwaves of protest are reverberating throughout Occupied Jammu and Kashmir after reports emerged that pro-Pakistan slogans were raised in the Taryath Tehsil of Rajouri district. The region, which is already subject to an increased presence of Indian military forces and draconian laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, has now been rocked by this show of defiance. The incident is a stark reminder of the simmering tensions beneath the surface in the region, and the deep-rooted discontent with India’s illegal occupation of the territory. The lack of accountability and oversight from the international community has allowed Indian forces to carry out human rights violations with impunity. While the world watches silently, it is vital that the international community takes a stand to ensure the protection of basic human rights in this highly contested region.
The scenic state of Jammu and Kashmir has been thrown into the chaos of late, with tensions escalating between India and Pakistan after the raising of pro-Pakistan slogans in the Rajouri district’s Taryath Tehsil. What is often overlooked in the midst of the political unrest, however, is the destruction of the religious heritage that has taken place in the region over the past few months.
World Religion Day is an important reminder of the need for tolerance, respect, and mutual understanding between people of different faiths and religious systems. Even though India has a long history of co-existing religious groups, the current Government, under the leadership of the BJP, has perpetuated cynicism, animosity, and hostility across the country in regard to Muslims and Christians. Sadly, many laws have been passed in the name of “nationalism” or “protecting Hindu culture” that actively discriminate against these religious minorities, including the banning of certain foods, businesses, and practices. Despite these challenges, World Religion Day is still a moment to reflect and recognize the importance of religious diversity and peaceful coexistence in modern India.
World Religion Day, which is held annually on the third Sunday of January, serves as an important reminder of the need for mutual understanding and tolerance between different faiths and religious systems. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the disruption and destruction that has taken place in Jammu and Kashmir in recent months. People of the region have experienced great upheaval since the BJP took control of their state government and this has been a great source of frustration and anguish for many in the region.
People from the region of Jammu have experienced a great deal of disruption since the BJP took control of their state government. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has stated that the saffron party has been engaging in destructive politics, sacrificing Jammu’s interests to benefit big corporate houses. According to Mufti, the once vibrant economic hub of the erstwhile state has become the “worst victim” of the BJP’s political maneuvers. Join us as we explore how the BJP’s actions have impacted Jammu, and what developments can be expected in the region in the upcoming future.
The Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands have long been a source of intrigue for Indian history. Located in the Indian Ocean, these islands have seen a turbulent political history, being handed over to India by the British in 1950 against the principles and provisions of the Indian Independence Act of 1947. At the time, India was given these islands instead of Pakistan to avoid political turmoil from an unjust division of the Nicobar Islands. In 1956, India declared the islands a Union Territory, making it the smallest in the nation, with a total surface area of 32 sq. km, a lagoon covering 4,200 sq. km, and a territorial water spread of 20,000 sq. km. With a population of around 65,998, it is overwhelmingly Muslim majority, making up 96.58% of the population, and Hindus account for 2.77%. From its contentious political history to its overwhelming culture, these islands are a curiosity worthy of further exploration.
The Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands located in the Indian Ocean have seen a tumultuous history, with their incorporation into India going against the prevailing democratic principles at the time. The islands have a very distinctive and unique culture, with their own religions and languages. In light of the destruction of religious sites in Jammu, it is important to also recognize and celebrate the uniqueness of the islands’ culture and respect the beliefs and customs of their people.
Religious sites are essential to the integral functioning of society and to allow for people’s freedom of worship. Similarly, cultural heritage sites must also be respected and recognized for their great historical significance. We must all strive to protect the rights and dignity of each religion, culture, and region, and foster mutual understanding between people from different backgrounds. Ultimately, our humanity can only be defined by our acceptance of all religions, regardless of their differences.
Qatari authorities have expelled India’s Defense Attaché Captain Mohan Atla for allegedly spying on behalf of Israel.
According to a Gulf Times report, Atla was running a spying ring, and has been expelled back to New Delhi. He is the third Indian Defense Attaché to be ousted from Qatar in recent months.
Eight former Indian Navy officials were detained in Qatar last year on charges of espionage—the latest in a series of Indian officials who have been caught spying on behalf of Israel. According to information obtained by The Gulf Times, the detained Navy personnel were agents of Indian R&AW who were working at Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services in Doha. These spies were providing training and other services to the Qatari Emiri Navy and had been caught in August 2022 for their involvement in espionage, international terrorism, and Zionist activities.
The retired officer played a key role in these activities and was actively involved in transferring data of leading Gulf Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Bahrain to Israel and India. He was honored with the ‘Pravasi Samman Award’ (Highest honored Overseas Indian Award) from Indian President Ram Nath Kovind in 2019.
India has been in a state of denial, just like Kalbushan Yadav. The news that 8 officers were detained on spying charges by Qatar was released on social media on 25 Oct 2022 by the wife of one of the officers, who requested Indian authorities to get them released.
Reports claimed that these officers were detained by Qatar on charges of spying for Israel, however, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed no information regarding the allegations against these former officials. Indian Embassy in Doha is aware of this embarrassing act of Indian Navy officers but has not commented on the incident to date
Indian authorities will demolish some buildings in a northern Himalayan town near the China border after evacuating families in the past few days, an official said on Tuesday, as hundreds of houses developed cracks in the area popular with pilgrims.
Mandvi is one of the most popular destinations for Indian pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansarovar, a Hindu holy site on one of the world’s highest mountain peaks.
Hundreds of homes were evacuated over recent days amid fears that they would collapse or slide into a gorge if not repaired quickly. Officials said they were in no hurry to return because it was too cold to repair them and because many had been damaged by previous earthquakes.
Experts and residents have long warned that large-scale construction work in and around Joshimath town, including for power projects built by companies like state-run NTPC, could lead to land subsidence.
NTPC, India’s largest power producer, says its tunneling and other work is not responsible for the cracks in the town of about 17,000 people.
Joshimath is a gateway to Hindu and Sikh shrines and is popular with tourists looking to trek parts of the Himalayas.
Nearly 700 houses in the town of Uttarakhand state have developed cracks, and 400 people have been moved to safer locations, authorities say.
Some residents have been evacuated from their homes for fear that cracks may spread and cause more damage.
The town is built on a slope and was hit by heavy rains over the weekend.
“Six structures from across four wards have been found very unsafe,” Himanshu Khurana, a top official of the Chamoli district where Joshimath is located, told Reuters. “We will demolish some unsafe buildings based on the recommendation and under the guidance of federal experts.”
Two buildings have been identified already for demolition, he said, without clarifying when that could happen.
Khurana earlier told Reuters that work on some border road projects as well as NTPC’s Tapovan Vishnugad 520 megawatt hydropower plant had been suspended.
Local resident Prakash Bhutiyal, 50, said seven of the 11 rooms in his residence-cum-guesthouse had developed cracks and they were waiting to be moved to a safer location.
“Our family of nine has been forced to live in just one room,” he said. “We have kept all our belongings in the open. We are yet to be shifted to a safer place.”
He went on recounting how their home was demolished by the government and they were forced to flee from their ancestral village in search of shelter. “We have lost everything,” he added.
“This is not a house but a prison where we can’t even go out,” he said, adding that they had been living in fear ever since they were kicked out of their home on 1st January 2019.”
India, the country that has been illegally occupying the territory of Kashmir for decades, is now implementing its nefarious designs to colonize the UN-declared disputed region of IIOJK. The Indian blatant act of total disregard for the UN resolution on Kashmir may not only create catastrophic results for the already oppressed Kashmiris but also affect the peace and stability of the region
India is implementing its nefarious designs to colonize the UN-declared disputed region of IIOJK. The Indian blatant act of total disregard for the UN resolution on Kashmir may not only create catastrophic results for the already oppressed Kashmiris but also affect the peace and stability of the region.
The Indian government has been trying to change the demography of Kashmir by encouraging migration from Jammu and Ladakh regions in order to make it an exclusive Hindu state. It is a well-known fact that more than 90% of people living in this region are Muslims and about 10% are Hindus. The present population ratio is about 55:45 which means that India wants to change it to a 55:45 ratio by encouraging migration from Jammu & Ladakh regions.
India has been using every possible method including economic sanctions, terrorism, and other covert activities like propaganda, etc., to achieve its goal of establishing its hegemony over this disputed area through its proxy organizations.
India’s actions in the disputed region of Kashmir are nothing short of despicable. The country’s brazen disregard for the UN resolution on Kashmir could have devastating consequences not only in the region but also around the world.
True to its word, India is implementing its nefarious designs to colonize the UN-declared disputed region of IIOJK. The Indian blatant act of total disregard for the UN resolution on Kashmir may not only create catastrophic results for the already oppressed Kashmiris but also affect the peace and stability
We must all do everything we can to stop India’s war on Kashmir. If we don’t, there will be no peace or stability in this region—or anywhere else.
We must stand up for peace, justice, and human rights. We must not allow India to take over the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government is in the process of colonizing the region by treating it as its own territory and ignoring UN resolutions. If we don’t speak out against this act, then it will only be a matter of time before India claims all of Jammu and Kashmir.
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