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Pakistan parliamentary panel passes bill proposing three-year jail term for preaching Zionism

Pakistan parliamentary panel passes bill proposing three-year jail term for preaching Zionism
Vehicles ride past the National Assembly building in Islamabad on February 29, 2024. (AP/File)
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Updated 08 November 2024
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Pakistan parliamentary panel passes bill proposing three-year jail term for preaching Zionism

Pakistan parliamentary panel passes bill proposing three-year jail term for preaching Zionism
  • Draft law proposes imprisonment and fines for individuals involved in preaching and displaying symbols of Zionism
  • Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state
Updated 08 November 2024
Aamir Saeed
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Interior has this week approved a bill proposing a three-year jail term and fines for individuals involved in propagating Zionism or displaying the movement’s symbols.
Zionism emerged in the late 19th century as an ethnic and religious movement but later converted into a political movement for the establishment of the Jewish state of Israel through the colonization of land outside Europe, which is Palestine. 
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with 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.
The anti-Zionism bill approved by the Senate committee on Thursday was introduced in the upper house of parliament by Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, a lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party. He has tabled the bill as a private member, which means its approval does not signify government policy. This bill will become law only if it is passed by both houses of parliament, Senate and National Assembly, with majority vote.
“Whoever knowingly or intentionally is engaged in the preaching of Zionism to incite and provoke hatred in society shall be punished with three years imprisonment, or with forty thousand rupees ($145) fine or with both,” says the draft law.
“Whoever knowingly or intentionally display symbol of Zionism to spread hatred and cause a disturbance in public peace shall be punished with two years imprisonment, or with thirty thousand rupees ($108) fine, or with both.”
Being a Muslim state, the bill says, Pakistan “should never allow display of symbols depicting Zionism for spreading unrest in Pakistan.”

Topics: Pakistan senate

Pakistan Business Council elects new board to strengthen trade, investment ties with UAE

Pakistan Business Council elects new board to strengthen trade, investment ties with UAE
Updated 21 sec ago
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Pakistan Business Council elects new board to strengthen trade, investment ties with UAE

Pakistan Business Council elects new board to strengthen trade, investment ties with UAE
  • PBC provides a platform to Pakistani companies and professionals in Dubai, helping them with networking
  • It also engages in initiatives to enhance Pakistan’s image, organize business forums and cultural activities
Updated 21 sec ago
REHMAT MEHSUD

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) Dubai, a non-profit organization established in 2004 to strengthen trade and investment ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has elected its new board of directors for the 2025-2026 term, according to its statement on Saturday.

PBC serves as a platform for Pakistan-related companies and professionals operating in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, facilitating business networking, information exchange and maintaining strong connections to Pakistan.

Established under the patronage of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the council boasts a membership of over 200 Pakistani businessmen and companies from diverse sectors, including trade, manufacturing, professional services, finance, technology and health care.

Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai, Hussain Muhammad, congratulated the newly elected board during a ceremony held at the Pakistan Association Dubai.

“The PBC serves as a dynamic platform for fostering trade, investment and collaboration between Pakistan and the UAE,” he said, according to a council statement. “I urge the new board to continue identifying and promoting sectors where both nations can collaborate for mutual benefit.”

PBC actively engages in initiatives to enhance Pakistan’s image. It also closely works with local government departments in Dubai and organizes events such as business forums, seminars, workshops and cultural celebrations related to Pakistan.

During the ceremony, the consul general praised the outgoing board for their contributions and highlighted the strong relationship between Pakistan and the UAE.

Members of both the outgoing and incoming boards also addressed the gathering, saying the council was playing a vital role in promoting business-to-business collaboration between the two countries.

Topics: Pakistan Business Council

Vehicle-borne bomb in Balochistan kills five paramilitary soldiers, injures over two dozen

Vehicle-borne bomb in Balochistan kills five paramilitary soldiers, injures over two dozen
Updated 04 January 2025
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Vehicle-borne bomb in Balochistan kills five paramilitary soldiers, injures over two dozen

Vehicle-borne bomb in Balochistan kills five paramilitary soldiers, injures over two dozen
  • The attack occurred when a convoy of Frontier Corps personnel was moving near Turbat city
  • A Baloch separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack that also injured 11 civilians
Updated 04 January 2025
SAADULLAH AKHTER

QUETTA: At least five paramilitary soldiers of the Frontier Corps (FC) were killed and over two dozen others injured in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeted a bus carrying security personnel near Turbat city on Saturday.
The attack was initially confirmed by Rashid Zehri, the area’s district police officer, who said it occurred when a convoy of paramilitary soldiers escorted by FC vehicles was moving from an area about 10 kilometers from Turbat in Kech district.
Zehri said the bus carrying FC personnel caught fire after the attack, adding that the explosion also destroyed two civilian vehicles and two motorbikes without confirming the number of casualties in the attack.
“Civilians injured in the attack have been shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, Turbat, while the paramilitary force has taken its soldiers to the FC camp for medical treatment,” he told Arab News over the phone.
However, a senior provincial administration official, who requested anonymity since he was not authorized to speak to the media, said five paramilitary soldiers were killed in the attack, which also injured nearly 40 others, including civilians.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, saying “terrorists will not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious objectives.”
Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti also called the perpetrators of the attack “unworthy of being called humans.”
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an armed separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Balochistan, a mineral-rich province sharing borders with Iran and Afghanistan, has faced an insurgency for decades, which has intensified in recent years. The Baloch separatists accuse the Pakistani state of exploiting the region’s resources without adequately benefiting its population. However, Pakistani governments deny the allegations, saying they have launched several development projects to promote prosperity and improve the lives of residents in the province.
The BLA, with a strong presence in Balochistan, has emerged as a major threat to the state, carrying out deadly attacks, including suicide bombings, to target Pakistani security forces. According to provincial administration data, Balochistan witnessed a dramatic surge in militant violence in 2024, resulting in about 300 deaths in over 550 attacks.
Dr. Amjad Baloch, Medical Superintendent of the DHQ Hospital in Turbat, said his staff treated 11 civilians injured in the blast.
“All the injured were brought in stable condition and discharged after their initial medical treatment,” he told Arab News.

Topics: Balochistan Attacks Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Frontier Constabulary (FC) Turbat city

Pakistan PM calls SMEs ‘backbone’ of national economy, seeks steps for their global integration

Pakistan PM calls SMEs ‘backbone’ of national economy, seeks steps for their global integration
Updated 04 January 2025
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Pakistan PM calls SMEs ‘backbone’ of national economy, seeks steps for their global integration

Pakistan PM calls SMEs ‘backbone’ of national economy, seeks steps for their global integration
  • The government has initiated the process of hiring experts for the development of the SME sector
  • State Bank of Pakistan has also directed banks to simplify the loan application process for SMEs
Updated 04 January 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday described Pakistan’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the backbone of national economy, issuing directives to take necessary measures to integrate them into the global supply chain, according to a statement from his office.
Pakistan has been striving to attract foreign investment as it recovers from a prolonged economic crisis characterized by a tough balance of payments situation, dwindling foreign currency reserves and a depreciating national currency.
While the government has signed various agreements with close allies and sought to promote business-to-business partnerships to drive growth, Sharif recently noted that foreign investment would remain elusive without first strengthening domestic investment.
“Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the economy,” he said while presiding over a meeting in Lahore to evaluate the SME sector, according to the statement. “Comprehensive steps are needed to make Pakistani industries a part of the global supply chain.”
The prime minister received a detailed briefing on the operations of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) and was told its board of directors had been constituted and had started holding regular meetings.
“The process of hiring international-standard experts for the development of the SME sector has been initiated,” the official statement said.
“The State Bank of Pakistan has also instructed banks to simplify and streamline the loan application forms for SMEs,” it added.
The meeting was also informed that authorities were in the process of gathering data on SMEs across Pakistan to enable informed decision-making for the sector.

Topics: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan in trouble after Ryan Rickelton leads South African run feast

Pakistan in trouble after Ryan Rickelton leads South African run feast
Updated 04 January 2025
AFP
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Pakistan in trouble after Ryan Rickelton leads South African run feast

Pakistan in trouble after Ryan Rickelton leads South African run feast
  • Pakistan were 64-3 at the close after double centurion Rickelton led his team to 615 in the first innings
  • Kyle Verreynne says Saim Ayub’s absence due to a broken ankle has made South Africa’s task easier
Updated 04 January 2025
AFP

CAPE TOWN: South African wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne said his side “need nine more big wickets” after the Proteas dominated Pakistan on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands on Saturday.
Pakistan were 64-3 at the close after double centurion Ryan Rickelton led South Africa to a first innings total of 615.
Verreynne, who hit 100 in a 148-run partnership with Rickelton, said the absence of Pakistan opening batsman Saim Ayub, out for up to six weeks with a broken ankle, made South Africa’s task easier.
“We are focusing on taking nine more wickets, then it will be their tailenders to come,” said Verreynne of the task of bowling out Pakistan twice.
South Africa, already assured of a place in the World Test championship final in England in June, are seeking a seventh successive Test win.
“We have three days to go,” said Verreynne. “We have to stay nice and patient, stay in the channel and the loose shots will come.”
Kagiso Rabada struck twice and Marco Jansen once when Pakistan started their innings.
Babar Azam, forced to open the batting in Ayub’s absence, was 31 not out at the close with his side still 551 runs behind.

Pakistan’s Babar Azam plays a shot, right, as South Africa’s David Bedingham attempts a catch during the second day of the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa on January 4, 2025. (AP)

Left-handed opening batsman Rickelton made a chanceless 259, South Africa’s joint seventh highest Test score, before he was seventh man out with the total on 557.
South African captain Temba Bavuma opted to keep Pakistan in the field until the last man, 18-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka, was out 40 minutes after tea.
By then, South Africa had added 299 runs to their overnight 316-4, scoring at almost five runs an over.
Resuming on 176, Rickelton was content to play the anchor role while Verreynne hit 100 off 147 balls in a sixth-wicket partnership of 148 off 222 deliveries.

South Africa players celebrate the wicket of Pakistan’s Kamran Ghulam during the second day of the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa on January 4, 2025. (AP)

“It was so nice batting with him,” Verreynne said of his partnership with Rickelton. “I thought he would be really tired after batting the whole day yesterday but he was so calm, it just felt like he could do this for ages. It put me at ease and I could just bat normally.”
A rapid seventh-wicket stand of 86 was ended when Rickelton was caught at mid-on going for a big hit after batting for 607 minutes. He faced 343 balls and hit 29 fours and three sixes.
Jansen made 62 off 54 balls and Keshav Maharaj hit 40 off 35 deliveries as the bowlers continued to take a pounding.

South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj in action during the second day of the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa on January 4, 2025. (AP)

South Africa’s innings ended when Maphaka was bowled second ball for nought to become the 100th Test wicket for Mohammad Abbas.
At 18 years 270 days, Maphaka became South Africa’s youngest Test player when the match started on Friday.
Abbas took three for 94, while wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan held six catches in the South African innings.

Pakistan’s Aamir Jamal in action during the second day of the second test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, South Africa on January 4, 2025. (AP)

With ten wickets, Abbas is the leading wicket-taker in the series after being recalled to the team after a three-year absence.
“I am glad to be back,” 34-year-old Abbas said. “I would enjoy it more when my team was winning but I am satisfied with my effort.”

Topics: Pakistan v South Africa Saim Ayub Babar Azam Ryan Rickelton

Pakistan arranges temporary bandwidth to counter Internet slowdown amid submarine cable fault

Pakistan arranges temporary bandwidth to counter Internet slowdown amid submarine cable fault
Updated 04 January 2025
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Pakistan arranges temporary bandwidth to counter Internet slowdown amid submarine cable fault

Pakistan arranges temporary bandwidth to counter Internet slowdown amid submarine cable fault
  • The country’s telecom regulator says there is no Internet service degradation is in the country currently
  • Digital rights activists say government trying to suppress dissenting voices by minimizing online access
Updated 04 January 2025
Muhammad Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s telecom regulator said on Saturday it had arranged temporary bandwidth to address degraded Internet services caused by a fault in the Asia-Africa-Europe-1 (AAE-1) submarine cable, ensuring Internet stability across the country.
The AAE-1 cable is one of seven international undersea cables connecting Pakistan to the global Internet. Disruptions in these cables can significantly impact Internet performance, affecting individual users and businesses reliant on stable connectivity for daily operations.
“The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announces that to address the issue of degradation of Internet services due to fault in AAE1 submarine cable on January 2, 2025, ad hoc bandwidth has been arranged and added in the system,” the PTA said in a statement. “Now there is no degradation of Internet services across the country.”
The telecom regulator added it was actively monitoring restoration efforts for the AAE-1 cable and remained committed to ensuring stable services throughout the process.
The fault comes amid growing scrutiny of the Pakistan government’s handling of Internet and social media policies.
Following the February 2024 general elections, marred by allegations of irregularities, the government faced severe backlash over a ban on X, formerly known as Twitter. Local media also reported the government’s decision to establish an Internet firewall aimed at controlling “anti-state propaganda” and content deemed blasphemous, stirring further controversy.
Freelancers and businesses were also instructed later in the year to register VPNs to access online platforms, prompting public outrage, though the government extended the compliance deadline indefinitely since only a fraction of users had adhered to the directive.
Digital rights activists and political rivals accused the government of using these measures to suppress dissent, with a coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), also voicing concerns.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticized the government for Internet slowdown, questioning why submarine cable faults always disproportionately affected Pakistan.

Topics: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Pakistan internet

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