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Pakistan condemns Israeli attack on Rafah refugee camp, calls it ‘blatant defiance’ of ICJ ruling

Pakistan condemns Israeli attack on Rafah refugee camp, calls it ‘blatant defiance’ of ICJ ruling
Palestinians put out a fire at the site of an Israeli strike on an area designated for displaced people, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on May 27, 2024. (REUTERS)
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Updated 27 May 2024
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Pakistan condemns Israeli attack on Rafah refugee camp, calls it ‘blatant defiance’ of ICJ ruling

Pakistan condemns Israeli attack on Rafah refugee camp, calls it ‘blatant defiance’ of ICJ ruling
  • Israeli airstrikes killed at least 45 people on Sunday and ‘numerous’ others were trapped under debris
  • Gaza’s Health Ministry said women and children made up most of the dead and dozens of wounded
Updated 27 May 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan condemns Israeli bombardment of tents for displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah that killed dozens of people, the Pakistani Foreign Office said on Monday.
Palestinian health workers said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 45 people on Sunday and “numerous” others were trapped in flaming debris. Gaza’s Health Ministry said women and children made up most of the dead and dozens of wounded.
The attacks came two days after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to end its military offensive in Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population had sought shelter before Israel’s incursion earlier this month.
“Targeting of individuals who were displaced earlier because of Israeli bombardment and were sheltered in a refugee camp, is yet another breach of international humanitarian law by the Israeli occupation forces,” the Pakistani Foreign Office said in a statement.
“The attack is also a blatant defiance of the additional provisional measures of 24 May 2024 by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah in conformity with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and the worsening humanitarian conditions faced by civilians.”
The case against Israel was initiated by South Africa in December 2023, where it labeled Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip as “genocidal,” asserting that they intended to destroy the Palestinian people in ways specified under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
The war on Gaza broke out after Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, which killed more than 1,100 people, in response to the deteriorating condition of Palestinian people living under Israeli occupation.
Israel launched a retaliatory offensive, widely viewed as disproportionate, in which more than 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have lost their lives, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
“Pakistan reiterates its demand for immediate and unconditional implementation of the orders of the ICJ of 24 May 2024. Measures must be taken to fully protect civilians in Gaza and the Israeli occupation forces must be held accountable for the Gaza genocide,” the Pakistan Foreign Office said further.
“We call on the UN Security Council to play its role in preventing Israel from any further attacks against the civilians in Rafah and taking effective measures to protect the people of Gaza.”
Pakistan does not recognize the state of Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
In recent months, the South Asian country has repeatedly raised the issue of Israel’s war on Gaza, launched last October, at the United Nations through its permanent representative, Ambassador Munir Akram.

Topics: War on Gaza Pakistan Palestine rafah Gaza strip

‘Class is permanent, form temporary’: Bangladeshi cricket commentator says Babar Azam will bounce back

‘Class is permanent, form temporary’: Bangladeshi cricket commentator says Babar Azam will bounce back
Updated 29 sec ago
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‘Class is permanent, form temporary’: Bangladeshi cricket commentator says Babar Azam will bounce back

‘Class is permanent, form temporary’: Bangladeshi cricket commentator says Babar Azam will bounce back
  • Athar Ali Khan represented Bangladesh in 19 ODIs from 1988 to 1998, was in Pakistan to commentate on two-Test series against Bangladesh
  • “They played better cricket and were a better side,” Khan said about Bangladesh completing 2-0 series sweep against Pakistan this month
Updated 29 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Former Bangladeshi cricketer and current commentator Athar Ali Khan came to the defense of Pakistani batting sensation Babar Azam this week, saying he was going through a “bad patch” in his career but could bounce back with just one good innings as “class is permanent and form is temporary.”
Khan, who represented Bangladesh in 19 One-Day Internationals from 1988 to 1998, was in Pakistan to commentate on a two-Test series that started last month and which Bangladesh swept 2-0. He launched his commentary career around the time his nation gained Test status in 2000.
Out-of-form Babar Azam this week dropped out of the top 10 of the International Cricket Council’s ranking for Test batsmen after nearly five years and is now number 12 in the ranking. In the four innings across two Tests against Bangladesh, he scored 64 runs, leading to widespread criticism.
“Every player in their career goes up and down,” Khan told Arab News in an interview, referring to Azam’s recent performance against Bangladesh. “I mean, there are lean patches, purple patches when you’re scoring runs right, left and center. But there is a phase where there is a lean patch.

Bangladeshi commentator and former cricketer Athar Ali Khan (R) speaks during an interview with Arab News’ correspondent Naimat Khan in Karachi on September 4, 2024. (AN Photo)

“He’s a class act. It’s just one innings, which will give him enough confidence, but he’s too good a player to miss out for such a long time. [But] I always feel that class is permanent, form is temporary.”
Bangladesh swept the series with dominant performances in both matches. In the first Test, Mushfiqur Rahim’s superb 191 from 341 deliveries and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 4 wickets for 21 runs powered Bangladesh to a 10-wicket win.
The second Test saw another impressive display from the visiting team as Litton Das scored a brilliant 138 from 228 balls, while Miraz and Hasan Mahmud each claimed five wickets to secure a convincing 6-wicket victory, leading Bangladesh to a series win against Pakistan.


Khan said his team’s victory had opened a “glorious chapter” in Bangladeshi cricket history.
“It was the finest moment of Test cricket for Bangladesh,” he said. “In my opinion, it’s a Banglawash. It’s a word that I phrased a long time back when we went and won all the matches.”
Asked if Bangladesh’s historic victory was a result of Pakistan’s poor performance, which many attributed to lack of unity and poor selection, he said credit must be given to his national team.
“They played better cricket and were a better side,” he replied, adding that Pakistan had not expected Bangladesh to play such good cricket.

Bangladeshi commentator and former cricketer Athar Ali Khan speaks during an interview with Arab News in Karachi on September 4, 2024. (AN Photo)

“Pakistan did not do what they should have done, but they scored 448 in the first innings of the first Test match,” Khan pointed out. “They had Bangladesh 26 for 6 in the second Test match. They should have gone and won the match but then there was resistance, there was recovery. So, you have got to give more praise to Bangladesh, saying that you are a better team. You have got to accept the fact.”
The Bangladeshi cricketer-turned-commentator also questioned Pakistan’s decision to omit Mir Hamza from the first Test, despite his impressive record in first-class cricket.
“The surprising part for me to note was when Mir Hamza was picked in the second Test match, how come he was not picked up in the first and because he has 451 wickets in first-class cricket,” he said.
“INDIA WILL TAKE NOTE”
Bangladesh are now set to face a tough challenge as they are scheduled to tour India in September and October for two Test and three Twenty20 International matches.
“I think they [Bangladesh] are looking good, and they are looking threatening, and India will take note,” Khan said.


Acknowledging India to be among the finest sides in the cricketing world, he said Bangladesh’s opening batters should strive for better performance.
“I think one thing I would like to see from Bangladesh when they go to India is the top order because the top order has not really fired up for Bangladesh,” he said, adding that his team’s current advantage was the seam bowling attack.
“For the very first time, Bangladesh bowlers have taken all 10 wickets in a Test inning.” Khan said, “and also Hassan Mahmud picked up five for the very first time in Test cricket against Pakistan.”

Topics: Pakistan cricket Pakistan vs Bangladesh Rawalpindi Test Babar Azam Bangladesh cricket

Pakistan mission marks Defense Day onboard Navy ship Shamsheer at Abu Dhabi port

Pakistan mission marks Defense Day onboard Navy ship Shamsheer at Abu Dhabi port
Updated 43 min 44 sec ago
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Pakistan mission marks Defense Day onboard Navy ship Shamsheer at Abu Dhabi port

Pakistan mission marks Defense Day onboard Navy ship Shamsheer at Abu Dhabi port
  • Pakistan hosts reception attended by UAE government and navy officials, members of diplomatic corps
  • Bilateral exercise ‘Nasl Al Bahr’ between Pakistan and UAE also started earlier this week from Port Zayed 
Updated 43 min 44 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad’s Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Thursday hosted a reception to mark Pakistan’s Defense Day onboard Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Shamsheer at the Cruise Terminal, Mina Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi, the mission said in a statement.
Pakistan celebrates Defense Day each year to honor the soldiers who fought against India in the 1965 war.
Pakistan’s envoy to the UAE, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, along with Commodore Shahid Wasif SI (M), Mission Commander of the Pakistan Navy, welcomed chief guest General Salem Saeed Al Jabri, UAE’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Military and Security Affairs, and Brig. Abdullah Al Mohairbi, Deputy Commander of the UAE Navy, at the reception, which was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and officials of the UAE government. 
Exercise “Nasl Al Bahr’ between Pakistan and the UAE has also started after Pakistan Navy’s flotilla including Shamsheer and Haibat arrived at Port Zayed earlier this week.
“In his welcome address, Commodore Shahid Wasif said that Pakistan and the UAE have commenced bilateral exercise ‘Nasl Al Bahr’ in the UAE. He elaborated that the exercise is aimed to strengthen cooperation between two navies, enhance interoperability and build their capacities,” Pakistan’s embassy in Abu Dhabi said in a statement.

This handout photograph, taken and released by Pakistan Embassy, shows a customized cake at a special event to mark Pakistan’s Defense Day onboard Pakistan Navy Ship Shamsheer at the Cruise Terminal, Mina Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi on September 5, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Embassy)

Tirmizi said Pakistan and the UAE army were “traditional partners” in achieving peace, stability and security in the region. 
“The history of close collaboration between the two militaries could be traced farther than the unification of the Emirates,” the ambassador said. “The relationship between the two sides, having strong roots, has now transformed into a stronger partnership, which is clearly evident by the fact that UAE Navy have hosted Pakistan Navy’s PN flotilla for the fifth edition of exercise Nasl Al Bahr.”

In this handout photograph, taken and released by Pakistan Embassy, Pakistan’s envoy to the UAE, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi (C), along with Commodore Shahid Wasif SI (M) (R), Mission Commander of the Pakistan Navy, and General Salem Saeed Al Jabri (L), UAE’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Military and Security Affairs, gesture at a ceremony to mark Pakistan’s Defense Day onboard Pakistan Navy Ship Shamsheer at the Cruise Terminal, Mina Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi on September 5, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Embassy)

The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States. It is also home to more than a million Pakistani expatriates and the second-largest source of remittances to Pakistan after Saudi Arabia.

Topics: Pakistan UAE ties Pakistan Navy Pakistan defense day Pakistan embassy in UAE

Climate, trade and investment top agenda as Pakistan deputy PM meets UK counterpart

Climate, trade and investment top agenda as Pakistan deputy PM meets UK counterpart
Updated 05 September 2024
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Climate, trade and investment top agenda as Pakistan deputy PM meets UK counterpart

Climate, trade and investment top agenda as Pakistan deputy PM meets UK counterpart
  • Dar began a five-day visit to the UK on Wednesday with a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Lammy
  • On Thursday Dar also met Commonwealth chief, discussed “shared priorities” ahead of Samoa summit 
Updated 05 September 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday met his UK counterpart Angela Rayner and discussed cooperation on “shared priorities” such as climate change, trade and investment and creating opportunities for young people.

Dar, who is also the foreign minister of Pakistan, began a five-day visit to the UK on Wednesday with a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London. During his trip, Dar is also scheduled to engage with other UK officials and parliamentarians as well as representatives of the British-Pakistani community.

“Dar underscored the importance of a strong Pakistan-UK partnership for furthering the two countries’ shared interests in the bilateral and regional domains,” a statement from the Pakistani foreign office said. 

“Recalling Deputy Prime Minister Rayner’s visit to Pakistan in the aftermath of the 2022 floods, Deputy Prime Minister Dar expressed Pakistan’s desire to work with the UK on climate action and mobilizing international assistance for climate-vulnerable countries.”

Dar said creating opportunities for young people and enhancing bilateral trade and investment were other “shared priorities” of both countries. He also appreciated the UK’s continued duty-free access facility for Pakistani exports.

Earlier on Thursday, Dar met Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland in London and discussed “shared priorities” ahead of the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled to be held from October 21-25 in Apia, the capital and only city of the island nation of Samoa.

On Wednesday, in his meeting with Lammy, Pakistan’s Dar said he looked forward to working with the British official on “tackling climate change, creating opportunities for young people, and boosting trade and investment.”

“He reiterated Pakistan’s desire for transforming the close, historic ties into an enhanced strategic partnership,” a statement from Dar’s office said. 

This is Dar’s first official visit to the UK since the election of the Labour government of UK PM Keir Starmer, who assumed office in July.

Topics: Pakistan UK Ties Ishaq Dar

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Investor pressure on Nike builds over garment workers’ rights from Cambodia to Pakistan

Investor pressure on Nike builds over garment workers’ rights from Cambodia to Pakistan
Updated 05 September 2024
Reuters
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Investor pressure on Nike builds over garment workers’ rights from Cambodia to Pakistan

Investor pressure on Nike builds over garment workers’ rights from Cambodia to Pakistan
  • Nike sources from five factories in Pakistan but is not a signatory to Pakistan Accord
  • Accord is a binding health and safety agreement between workers’ unions and brands 
Updated 05 September 2024
Reuters

LONDON/NEW YORK: Investor pressure on Nike is building ahead of Tuesday’s annual shareholder meeting, with Norway’s sovereign wealth fund pledging to back a resolution demanding the company consider ways it can improve working conditions at garment factories.

Nike is struggling with sliding sales and also faces criticisms over its supply chain. Investment research firm MSCI downgraded its ESG (environmental, social and governance) rating for Nike in 2022 and 2023, and rates it as a “laggard” on supply chain labor standards.

The resolution proposed by a group of investors including Domini Impact Equity Fund says current approaches in the industry “often fail to identify and remedy persistent rights abuses such as wage theft, inadequate health and safety or gender-based violence.”

Domini was among more than 60 investors last year to sign a joint letter to Nike urging it to pay $2.2 million in wages to workers at suppliers in Cambodia and Thailand whom rights groups said were denied severance pay owed to them after factory shutdowns during the pandemic. Reuters could not independently verify the allegations, and Nike has denied them.

In a statement, Nike said its corporate governance team had been in touch with all the co-filers of the resolution.

“We greatly value the opportunity to engage with and solicit feedback from our shareholders, and we believe that maintaining an open dialogue strengthens our approach to corporate governance practices and disclosures,” it said.

The resolution reflects a push from some investors for Nike to create binding agreements with workers at factories and suppliers in countries where worker exploitation is a problem.

It asks Nike to consider whether binding agreements with workers would improve its ability to address human rights issues when sourcing from high-risk countries.

Nike sources from five factories in Pakistan, according to its own supply chain disclosures, yet it is not a signatory to the Pakistan Accord, a binding health and safety agreement between workers’ unions and brands that peers including Adidas and Puma have signed.

‘TOTAL SILENCE’

Several investors told Reuters that Nike’s lack of response to the 2023 letter, and to requests for meetings, were concerning.

“The total silence is the thing that worries me,” said Frank Wagemans, senior engagement specialist at Achmea Investment Management in the Netherlands. “We signed the joint investor letter last year, we also reached out to Nike ourselves and we didn’t get a reply which was quite astonishing to me because supply chain is probably the key ESG topic for Nike.”

The decision by Norway’s fund, Nike’s ninth biggest shareholder, went against recommendations by Nike’s management for shareholders to reject the resolution.

Nike has also urged shareholders to reject a separate proposal from investor Tulipshare, which urges Nike to assess the effectiveness of its supply chain management.

Tulipshare made the same proposal at last year’s shareholder meeting, where it won support from 11.7 percent of voters. Norway’s fund has said it will not support the Tulipshare proposal.

Shareholder advisory firms Glass Lewis and ISS also recommended voting against both resolutions.

Frankfurt-based Union Investment said it would back both proposals.

“We would like to see concrete efforts to enhance Nike’s understanding of gaps in its strategies to mitigate legal, reputational, and human rights risks,” said Janina Bartkewitz, ESG expert and analyst at Union Investment.

“Protecting vulnerable workers is of paramount importance.”

Marie Payne, responsible investment officer at Cardano in London, said new regulations like the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive increased the need for companies to strengthen supply chain practices and to report on their efforts.

If any of the proposals get 20 percent of votes or more, that would send a signal to Nike that these issues are important to shareholders, said Caroline Boden, director of shareholder advocacy at Mercy Investments.

“Part of the strategy is to get the attention of the company, but another part is to signal to other shareholders that there’s a group of investors that perceives this issue as material, and which could pose further risk to the company,” she said.

Topics: Nike Nike Pakistan

England seek Pakistan clarity after reports say Test could be moved

England seek Pakistan clarity after reports say Test could be moved
Updated 05 September 2024
AFP
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England seek Pakistan clarity after reports say Test could be moved

England seek Pakistan clarity after reports say Test could be moved
  • Media have suggested schedule for next month’s three-match series could be altered due to construction work at proposed grounds
  • England are currently scheduled to play the first Test in Multan from October 7, followed by matches at Karachi and Rawalpindi
Updated 05 September 2024
AFP

LONDON: England are seeking clarity over their forthcoming Test tour of Pakistan following reports that matches could be moved to a another country.

Media in the region have suggested the schedule for next month’s three-match series could be altered due to construction work at the proposed grounds.

England are currently scheduled to play the first Test in Multan from October 7, followed by matches at Karachi and Rawalpindi, but renovations ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy are understood to be causing issues at the latter two venues.

It is understood the prospect of moving one or more of the games to the United Arab Emirates or Sri Lanka has been suggested, with the England and Wales Cricket Board awaiting developments.

England coach Brendon McCullum addressed the issue on Thursday while speaking to reporters at The Oval ahead of the third Test against Sri Lanka.

“We don’t really know (what is happening in Pakistan) but we can’t pick a team until we know where we’re going to play,” he said.

“It would be nice if, over the next couple of days, we found out.”

The former New Zealand captain added: “Then we’ll sit down and make sure we’ve got the right team for the right conditions and the right opposition.”

England did not tour Pakistan between 2005 and 2022, owing to security concerns, with the Pakistan Cricket Board staging matches in the UAE throughout that period.

Topics: Pakistan England Test Arab News Pakistan Brendon McCullum

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