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India’s Jaishankar says lack of trust and good neighborliness impeding cooperation within SCO

India’s Jaishankar says lack of trust and good neighborliness impeding cooperation within SCO
Indian External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar speaks during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad on October 16, 2024. (X/@DrSJaishankar)
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Updated 16 October 2024
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India’s Jaishankar says lack of trust and good neighborliness impeding cooperation within SCO

India’s Jaishankar says lack of trust and good neighborliness impeding cooperation within SCO
  • Indian external affairs minister says SCO must take lead in demanding UN Security Council reforms
  • He says it is important to recognize the constraints on cooperation and focus on the pathway forward
Updated 16 October 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR
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ISLAMABAD: Indian External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar spoke about a lack of trust and good neighborliness within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) while addressing the regional summit in Islamabad on Wednesday, saying the issue had been preventing collaboration and integration among member nations.
In the first visit by an Indian minister since Sushma Swaraj in 2015, Jaishankar arrived in Pakistan a day earlier to attend the SCO meeting and had a brief interaction with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan had extended an invitation to Indian Premier Narendra Modi to attend the event, though New Delhi decided its delegation would be led by its top diplomat.
Jaishankar made his statement to the forum shortly after the Pakistani PM delivered his keynote speech, in which he called for regional connectivity and economic integration, urging member states to rise above their political considerations for the prosperity of the region.
The Indian minister referred to the SCO charter, noting that the regional organization sought greater cooperation, but also highlighted three major challenges of “terrorism, separatism and extremism.”
“It is … essential that we have an honest conversation,” he told the forum. “If trust is lacking or cooperation inadequate, if friendship has fallen short and good neighborliness is missing somewhere, there are surely reasons to introspect and causes to address.”
“Equally, it is only when we reaffirm our commitment most sincerely to the Charter that we can fully realize the benefits of cooperation and integration that it envisages,” he added.
Jaishankar also urged the SCO to take cognizance of rapid global changes, noting that India had been advocating for the representation of developing nations at the United Nations Security Council, “both in the permanent and non-permanent categories.”
“The SCO must be in the lead of advocating such change, not hold back on a matter of such importance,” he added.
The Indian minister emphasized the need for SCO member nations to renew their commitment to achieving the objectives outlined in the organization’s charter.
“That means recognizing the current constraints on our cooperation and focusing on the pathway forward,” he added.

Topics: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Pakistan India Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

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Pakistani fintech ABHI secures $15 million investment to expand services in UAE 

Pakistani fintech ABHI secures $15 million investment to expand services in UAE 
Updated 28 sec ago
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Pakistani fintech ABHI secures $15 million investment to expand services in UAE 

Pakistani fintech ABHI secures $15 million investment to expand services in UAE 
  • UAE-based fintech investors Shorooq Partners, Amplify Growth Partnership provide $15 million to ABHI through credit facility
  • ABHI says fintech has provided $55 million in earned wage disbursement services to over 545,000 transactions in UAE till date 
Updated 28 sec ago
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani fintech ABHI secured a whopping $15 million in debt financing through a credit facility by Shorooq partners and Amplify Growth Partnership companies to expand its operations in the United Arab Emirates, a press release issued by the fintech said on Wednesday. 
ABHI is a Pakistani fintech company that provides employers an opportunity to withdraw their earned salary any day through its Earned Wage Access facility and other products. Founded in 2021, ABHI has been serving customers in Pakistan, UAE, and Bangladesh through its credit-bridging products. Last year, it was selected as one of the Future 100 companies of the UAE. 
UAE-based investor Amplify Growth Partnership Amplify funds visionary entrepreneurs and their venture capital partners with flexible growth debt capital, focusing particularly on tech-driven companies who reshape the Gulf Cooperation Council and Middle East and North American areas. Shorooq Partners, also headquartered in the UAE, is a leading alternative investment manager in the MENA region. 
“Abhi, a leading fintech company seeking to enhance financial inclusion for employees and small and medium-sized enterprises (MENAP) in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan (MENAP) region, has secured $15 million in debt financing through a credit facility led by Shorooq Partners and Amplify Growth Partnership,” a press release from ABHI said. 
It said the funding reinforces ABHI’s leadership position in the region’s rapidly evolving fintech sector. 
“This funding will enable ABHI to expand its operations and provide paid services to meet the needs of the country’s workforce,” it said, adding that the fintech has provided approximately $55 million in earned wage disbursement services to over 545,000 transactions in the UAE till date.
ABHI CEO and Co-founder Omair Ansari described the investment as a “strong vote of confidence from prominent fintech investors.” 
“With this funding, we are ready to expand our impact, ensuring that every employee, regardless of role, has the financial flexibility they need to succeed,” he said. 
Nathan Cowan, the head of private credit at Shorooq Partners, hoped the funding would enhance financial inclusion and facilitate disbursement of wages earned in UAE through innovative technology. 
“With the support of Shorook and Amplify, Abhi is poised to accelerate its growth and become a leading innovator in the region,” Cowan said.

Topics: Abhi Pakistani fintech

Pakistani health practitioners alarmed over surge in chikungunya, diphtheria infections in Sindh

Pakistani health practitioners alarmed over surge in chikungunya, diphtheria infections in Sindh
Updated 16 October 2024
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Pakistani health practitioners alarmed over surge in chikungunya, diphtheria infections in Sindh

Pakistani health practitioners alarmed over surge in chikungunya, diphtheria infections in Sindh
  • At least 34 people have died this year from mosquito-borne diphtheria infections in Sindh, as per official data 
  • Health practitioners say official figures massively underreported, call for increased government interventions
Updated 16 October 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistani health practitioners on Wednesday expressed alarm over a surge in cases of chikungunya and diphtheria diseases this year in the southern Sindh province, calling on the masses to adopt preventive measures and for government interventions to keep people safe. 
At least 34 people have died this year in Pakistan’s Sindh province due to diphtheria, a highly contagious and infectious disease that causes breathing and swallowing problems. In 2024, 184 suspected cases of the disease have been reported in Sindh from January to September, up from 155 in the same period last year. 
The southern port city of Karachi recorded 82 suspected cases of diphtheria this year, down from 125 in 2023,a s per official data. Other Sindh divisions reported 102 cases, a significant increase from 30 last year. 
Experts believe the 34 deaths linked to diphtheria are massively underreported.
“Karachi per se has seen localized outbreaks this year and last year. There have been clusters of cases,” Professor Dr. Fatima Mir, a pediatrician at the city’s Agha Khan Hospital, told Arab News. She shared that the first diphtheria outbreak in Pakistan occurred in 2013, with sporadic localized outbreaks taking place between 2017 and 2022.
In 2022, nearly 1,000 cases were reported nationwide out of which only 82 were confirmed by laboratory results, she added.
“Diphtheria is one of those infections in which in an outbreak situation, even vaccinated children are not completely protected,” Dr. Mir explained. 
Waqar Bhatti, a senior health journalist, described the surge in cases of both chikungunya and diphtheria cases as alarming. Contrary to official figures, he said diphtheria this year caused the deaths of over 100 children in Karachi. 
“This surge is being attributed to failures in routine immunization efforts as the disease is largely preventable with vaccination,” Bhatti said, adding that the city’s health facilities are facing a severe shortage of the life-saving Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (DAT) necessary to treat infected individuals.
“Hospitals, particularly the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital, are struggling to cope with the influx of cases and authorities are facing criticism for not adequately addressing the vaccine supply gaps,” he added. 
CHIKUNGUNYA’S ‘SIGNIFICANT RISE’
Cases of dengue and chikungunya, another infection caused by mosquitoes, have surged in Karachi this year as per official data. Health practitioners blame poor sanitation, stagnant water, and insufficient mosquito control efforts in the city for the rise in the number of cases. 
From May to September, 894 suspected cases of chikungunya, with 164 confirmed positive out of a total of 761 screened ones, were reported from Karachi. Health practitioners and experts say the numbers are underreported. 
“We can’t call it an outbreak since it’s not life threating but there is significance increase in cases of chikungunya since 2018 when Malir, one of seven districts of the city, had witnessed a massive surge,” Dr. Muhammad Inam Khan, an associate professor in medicine at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, said.
He added that the disease has spread across the city and if not contained, might spread to other parts of the country.
“Dengue was first reported in Karachi but it spread in other parts of the country,” Khan warned, calling for fumigation to be carried out in various parts of the city. “Chikungunya also needs to be controlled.”
Dr. Muhammad Omer Sultan, a general physician at Dow University of Health Sciences, said that if on average five chikungunya patients used to be brought to the hospital’s outpatient department, that number has now increased to 40.
“Of these majority are chikungunya cases,” he explained, calling on people to protect themselves from mosquito bites. 

Topics: chikungunya Diphtheria

England 239-6 in second Test after Sajid strikes for Pakistan

England 239-6 in second Test after Sajid strikes for Pakistan
Updated 16 October 2024
(AFP)
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England 239-6 in second Test after Sajid strikes for Pakistan

England 239-6 in second Test after Sajid strikes for Pakistan
  • Spinner takes three wickets in space of 10 deliveries during final session
  • England lead series 1-0 after winning first Test by an innings and 47 runs
Updated 16 October 2024
(AFP)

MULTAN: Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan took three wickets in the space of 10 deliveries including centurion Ben Duckett to leave England on 239-6 in the second Test in Multan on Wednesday.
An absorbing second day’s play on a turning pitch ultimately belonged to the hosts, who lead by 127 runs after their first-innings 366.
England had been cruising nicely at 211-2 when Sajid removed Joe Root (34), Duckett (114) and Harry Brook (nine) in the final session.
From the other end, fellow spinner Noman Ali dismissed England skipper Ben Stokes for one as a suddenly rattled England lost four wickets in the space of 14 runs.
At the close, Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse were at the crease with 12 and two respectively.
With the Multan pitch — which was also used for the first Test — offering sharp spin, the home team will be looking for a lead in the first innings for a series-levelling win.
England lead the three-match series 1-0 following their innings and 47 run win in the first Test.
In all, 11 wickets fell on the day with Sajid taking 4-86 and Noman 2-75.
Sajid bowled first Test triple century-maker Brook with a sharp turning delivery while Root — who smashed 262 in the last match — was bowled off an inside edge while sweeping.
Duckett scored aggressively before edging a drive off Sajid to the slip where Salman Agha took a sharp catch.
Before England’s slide it was Duckett who dominated, cracking 16 boundaries in his knock during which he also crossed 2,000 runs in his 28th Test.
Duckett added 73 for the opening stand with Zak Crawley (27), 52 for the second with Ollie Pope (29) and another solid 86 for the next with Root.
He swept spinner Agha for a boundary to reach his fourth Test century off just 120 deliveries, having completed his half-century off just 47 balls.
The hosts used Sajid in the second over as they chased an early England wicket but opener Crawley held out twice.
At 49-0 he survived a run-out when Sajid removed the stumps before grabbing the ball with the England opener out of his crease having being sent back by Duckett.
On 24 Crawley overturned a leg-before decision by New Zealand umpire Chris Gaffaney off Sajid before his luck ran out three runs later.
Crawley was finally caught behind off left-arm spinner Noman as the home team successfully reviewed a not-out decision by Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena.
Earlier, Pakistan’s tail had frustrated England by adding 107 runs after resuming at 259-5, with Jamal and Noman adding an invaluable 49 runs for the ninth wicket.
But from 358-8 at lunch Jamal was dismissed off the very first ball after the interval, bowled by Brydon Carse, who finished with 3-50.
Spinner Jack Leach ended Noman’s 32-run knock by having him caught in the deep by Carse to finish with 4-114.

Topics: Pakistan cricket England Pakistan series Multan Test

Chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab dismisses alleged Lahore college rape as ‘lie’ 

Chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab dismisses alleged Lahore college rape as ‘lie’ 
Updated 16 October 2024
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Chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab dismisses alleged Lahore college rape as ‘lie’ 

Chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab dismisses alleged Lahore college rape as ‘lie’ 
  • Hundreds of students protested, clashed with police this week against alleged on-campus rape of Lahore college student 
  • Maryam Nawaz blames former PM Khan’s party of spreading “false” rape allegations on social media to create unrest
Updated 16 October 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: The chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab on Wednesday dismissed the alleged rape incident of a Lahore college student as a “lie,” accusing former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of using it to incite students and create unrest in the province. 

Hundreds of students on Monday and Tuesday staged protests over the reported rape of a student of a private college in Lahore, forcing the closure of one of the campuses while police and provincial government officials denied the incident took place.

The incident was first reported on social media over the weekend, with varying accounts stating the rape took place on Thursday or Friday evening in the basement of a Punjab College for Women campus in Lahore. Police said no victim had come forward to file a complaint and the college dismissed the allegations as “false.” Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz formed a committee on Tuesday to investigate the alleged rape following clashes between police and students this week. 

“An issue was made out of nothing and a lie was spread about an event that didn’t even take place,” Sharif said in a press conference on Wednesday. “A movement or chaos was created by provoking students and inciting them by leading them astray. This campaign was based on lies.”

Sharif said a college student whose name was being used as the rape victim, was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital on Oct. 2 after she fell at home and suffered injuries. 

“Her mother was in such a distressed condition, she told me it was my responsibility to expose those who spread this lie and hold them accountable,” Sharif said, adding that the story was spread on social media by students and journalists who were biased in favor of the PTI. 

She described the entire incident as a “disgusting and dangerous conspiracy” concocted by the PTI at a time when the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit was taking place in Pakistan.

“There is this one party, [Pakistan] Tehreek-e-Insaf, whom I call a terrorist party, and their agenda is that when Pakistan is progressing, they regress,” she said. “So we went to the bottom of a story and conspiracy that they crafted, we took out its minutest details. They used children.”

The chief minister said social media accounts linked to PTI supporters were responsible for spreading the “false” rape allegations, urging Pakistan’s high courts and their judges to take action against those who spread the false news. 

“I would request them that this concerns everyone’s children, their lives and honor,” Nawaz said. “Please ensure they do not flee from this, all those against whom there is irrefutable evidence.”

Topics: Punjab colleges maryam nawaz

Pakistan’s Sindh approaches high court for judicial inquiry into killing of blasphemy suspect

Pakistan’s Sindh approaches high court for judicial inquiry into killing of blasphemy suspect
Updated 16 October 2024
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Pakistan’s Sindh approaches high court for judicial inquiry into killing of blasphemy suspect

Pakistan’s Sindh approaches high court for judicial inquiry into killing of blasphemy suspect
  • Dr. Shahnawaz Kanbhar’s family alleges he was killed in police custody last month after being blasphemy allegations
  • An inquiry committee constituted by Sindh’s inspector general determined doctor was killed in “fake encounter” 
Updated 16 October 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Sindh government on Wednesday approached a high court for a judicial inquiry into the alleged police killing of a doctor after he was accused of committing blasphemy. 

Dr. Shahnawaz Kanbhar, accused of sharing blasphemous content online, was arrested last month in Sindh’s Umerkot district and killed hours later by police in a purported shootout. According to media reports, police said Dr. Kanbhar was killed unintentionally when cops asked two men on a motorcycle to stop but one of them opened fire, prompting police to shoot back. Police said it was only after the shooting that they learned the slain man was the doctor being sought by them for alleged blasphemy. 

His family disputes the police account, claiming he was murdered in custody. A subsequent inquiry committee constituted by Sindh’s inspector general of police determined that the encounter was a “fake” one.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Pakistani rights activists, who have demanded a transparent investigation into the incident. One person was killed and dozens arrested last week in Karachi after opposing protests by rights activists and an ultraconservative party in Pakistan over the issue triggered clashes with police. 

“It has now become imperative that Judicial Inquiry may be conducted into the subject matter incident in order to ascertain the real facts and fix responsibility on the delinquent police officers/officials and individuals in the interest of justice,” a copy of a letter sent by Sindh’s Home Department to the Sindh High Court’s registrar said. 

“Foregoing in view, it is requested that Judicial Inquiry may be ordered to be conducted in the subject matter by a serving Judge of High Court under intimation to this department.”

Blasphemy accusations are common in Pakistan and under the country’s blasphemy laws, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or Islamic religious figures can be sentenced to death. While no one has been executed on such charges, often just an accusation can cause riots and incite mobs to violence, lynching and killings.

In August 2023, thousands of people set churches and homes of Christians on fire in Jaranwala, a district in Punjab province, over blasphemy allegations in what was one of the worst incidents of violence against Christians in Pakistan. 

Human rights groups and civil society organizations have urged the Pakistani government to repeal the country’s blasphemy laws, which they argue contribute to discrimination and violence. They have also called for a comprehensive review of law enforcers’ response to blasphemy accusations.

Topics: Sindh blasphemy Shahnawaz Kanbhar

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