Pakistan decries Israel’s ‘genocidal designs’ against Palestine as 40 killed in strikes on tent camp

Pakistan decries Israel’s ‘genocidal designs’ against Palestine as 40 killed in strikes on tent camp
Palestinians check the grounds of a school after an Israeli air strike hit the site, in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on September 11, 2024, amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
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Updated 12 September 2024
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Pakistan decries Israel’s ‘genocidal designs’ against Palestine as 40 killed in strikes on tent camp

Pakistan decries Israel’s ‘genocidal designs’ against Palestine as 40 killed in strikes on tent camp
  • Israeli strikes blasted a huge crater in a designated safe zone in southern Gaza before dawn on Tuesday
  • More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the latest round of the war in Gaza that began on Oct. 7 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday “strongly” condemned predawn Israeli airstrikes in a designated safe zone in southern Gaza earlier this week, saying the attacks demonstrated a disregard for human life and Israel’s “genocidal designs” against the Palestinian people.
At least 40 Palestinians were killed in the airstrikes on the Al Mawasi humanitarian zone in Gaza on Tuesday, setting tents ablaze and burying Palestinian families under sand. 
The Israeli military said it had struck a command center for Hamas fighters it said had infiltrated the designated “humanitarian” area in Al-Mawasi, a vast camp on sandy soil where the military has told hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to shelter since ordering them out of their homes. Hamas denied any fighters were present.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the air strikes by Israeli occupation forces on the Al Mawasi Humanitarian Zone in Khan Younis, Gaza, on September 10, which claimed the lives of 40 civilians,” foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at a media briefing. 
“Executed in an area designated as a safe zone for displaced persons by the Israeli occupation forces themselves constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. The carnage in Khan Younis without prior warning and in defiance of basic protections demonstrates a disregard for human life and Israel’s genocidal designs against the Palestinian people.”
Baloch called on the UN Security Council to play its role in preventing Israeli forces from continuing with their “genocidal campaign” against the Palestinian people and holding them accountable for “war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
The latest round of the war in Gaza began on Oct. 7 after Hamas fighters stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s Gaza campaign has since demolished swathes of the enclave, displaced nearly all of its 2.3 million people multiple times, given rise to deadly hunger and disease and killed more than 40,500 people.
The two warring sides each blame the other for a failure so far to reach a ceasefire that would end the fighting and see the release of hostages. 
Nearly all of Gaza’s people have been forced from their homes at least once and some have had to flee as many as 10 times.


England target repeat of Pakistan Test whitewash 

England target repeat of Pakistan Test whitewash 
Updated 6 sec ago
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England target repeat of Pakistan Test whitewash 

England target repeat of Pakistan Test whitewash 
  • England face a Pakistan team at a low ebb that was beaten 2-0 by Bangladesh
  • Ben Stokes’ side last month wrapped up 2-1 series victory against Sri Lanka

LONDON: Ben Stokes’ England take on Pakistan in a three-Test series starting on Monday, buoyed by memories of an astonishing 3-0 series sweep in 2022.
England, third in the world rankings after winning five of their past six Tests, are facing a Pakistan team at a low ebb after being crushed by Bangladesh.
AFP Sport looks at some of the key talking points for the tourists ahead of the series, which starts in Multan.

England last month wrapped up a 2-1 series victory against Sri Lanka without skipper Ben Stokes, but he remains the team’s undisputed leader and talisman.
The 33-year-old all-rounder misses the first Test after failing to recover from a torn hamstring and it remains to be seen whether he will bowl when he does return.
The inclusion of Stokes as a specialist batsman would alter the balance of the side England favored in the recent Sri Lanka series, where they played five frontline bowlers.
The visitors could opt to replace one of their regular top order with the skipper but it is more likely they would play four specialist bowlers and rely on Joe Root’s off-spin to supplement the attack.
Stokes has not played for two months but he showed his worth against the West Indies, scoring three fifties in his last four innings of the series.

England’s tour of Pakistan in 2022 came in the first few heady months of the “Bazball” era — a method of all-out attack encouraged by Brendon McCullum, who had become coach earlier that year.
The visitors set the tone for the series on the first day in Rawalpindi, smashing a remarkable 506-4, with four men making centuries.
After England’s 4-1 series loss in India earlier this year, McCullum spoke about the need to “refine” their style and a less gung-ho approach of controlled aggression has paid dividends.
England demolished the West Indies 3-0 before beating Sri Lanka 2-1 on home soil.
“I think the style will work in Pakistan, for sure,” retired England bowling great Stuart Broad said ahead of the launch of Inside Lord’s, Marylebone Cricket Club’s new digital platform.
“It was a great tour to Pakistan in 2022. All the players really enjoyed it and ultimately, England’s batting group are wonderful players of spin.
“I think they’re really positive and aggressive, they can find the boundary and don’t get tied down by spin.
“England will have to play fast-paced cricket to force results over there because you generally do need five days to make something happen.”

The era of Broad and James Anderson is over for England, who are trying to build a new pace attack that can take the fight to India and Australia next year.
Chris Woakes is the senior paceman and enjoyed a superb summer at home but his figures in overseas Tests are poor, while express bowler Mark Wood is out of action.
Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson has enjoyed a remarkable start to his Test career, taking 34 wickets in his first six games.
But he, Matthew Potts and Olly Stone have just 19 caps between them and Brydon Carse will make his debut in Multan.
Aside from left-armer Jack Leach, who is back in the fold after being deemed surplus to requirements during the English season, the spin attack is also inexperienced.
Leach’s Somerset team-mate Shoaib Bashir has played just nine Tests while Rehan Ahmed has not featured since the India series, having made his debut in England’s memorable 2022 series win in Pakistan.
Broad warns that inexperience could cost the visitors.
“It’s very difficult to go into a Test match, particularly when Ben Stokes isn’t playing or not bowling with three very inexperienced bowlers because if it goes wrong and the spinner’s inexperienced you could lose a Test match in an hour,” he said.


UK to establish 280 skill centers to help Pakistanis find jobs in Middle East

UK to establish 280 skill centers to help Pakistanis find jobs in Middle East
Updated 33 min 47 sec ago
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UK to establish 280 skill centers to help Pakistanis find jobs in Middle East

UK to establish 280 skill centers to help Pakistanis find jobs in Middle East
  • Workforce export has long been a significant contributor to Pakistan’s economy, with its reliance on remittances
  • The visiting British delegation says it wants to promote education cooperation with Pakistan to empower youth

ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom plans to set up 280 skill centers in Pakistan focusing on technical and vocational training, reported state-owned media on Saturday, adding the project will be carried out in collaboration with Middle Eastern institutions to train individuals aspiring for jobs in places like the Gulf region.
Workforce export has long been a significant contributor to Pakistan’s economy, with the country heavily reliant on remittances sent by workers employed abroad, particularly in the Middle East. However, in recent years, Pakistani workers have faced challenges due to more exacting requirements of international job markets, making the training and upskilling of nationals a government priority.
The establishment of the skill centers became a focal point of discussions as a British delegation arrived in the country on a two-day visit and met with Pakistani officials working in the field of conventional and technical education.
“The delegation representatives said that around 280 skills centers will be established in Pakistan,” said the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency. “The candidates who successfully complete the training in these centers, they will be given a joint certificate by Pakistani, UK and Gulf universities.”
The report added that 80,000 jobs will be given to the successful candidates graduating from these skill centers in the first phase.
“These jobs would be offered in different Gulf countries, including [places like] Dubai, in the security, hospitality, construction, veterinary, nursing and police,” it said.
Pakistan’s Federal Secretary Education Mohiyuddin Wani and Chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Gulmina Bilal highlighted the government’s priority to provide quality training to its nationals to give their best on any job around the world.
The delegation, which includes members of Britain’s House of Lords, said they were committed to promoting educational cooperation with Pakistan to empower its youth.
It will also visit Karachi to hold a meeting with Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.


Women’s T20 World Cup: Arch-rivals India, Pakistan lock horns in Dubai today 

Women’s T20 World Cup: Arch-rivals India, Pakistan lock horns in Dubai today 
Updated 48 min 57 sec ago
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Women’s T20 World Cup: Arch-rivals India, Pakistan lock horns in Dubai today 

Women’s T20 World Cup: Arch-rivals India, Pakistan lock horns in Dubai today 
  • Pakistan won their opening match against Sri Lanka by 31 runs on Thursday 
  • Skipper Fatima Sana says Pakistan will try to continue momentum against India 

ISLAMABAD: All eyes will be on Dubai today, Sunday, as arch-rivals India and Pakistan gear up to lock horns in a key match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. 

Pakistan made an impressive start to their World Cup campaign, defeating fellow Asian giants Sri Lanka by 31 runs on Thursday. India, on the other hand, did not do so well against New Zealand. The blue shirts lost their first match of the tournament by 58 runs on Friday. 

Group A comprises of Pakistan, India, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka while Group B consists of England, South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies and Scotland. 

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said her team would be looking to carry forward their momentum against India when the two teams meet on Sunday. 

“The one who plays well, wins the match on the day,” Sana said. “So, we will try to carry the momentum that we have gained from here.”

Meanwhile, Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues said the team knows every game is crucial for them. 

“But at the same time, we’re going to go one game at a time and just make sure we stick to our process and do our job well,” she said. 

“And I think if we can do that, I think if we play our best cricket, I think we can win matches.”

The match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.

SQUADS:

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan. Traveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wk). Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim, Umm-e-Hani

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia (subject to fitness), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Sajana Sajeevan. Traveling reserves: Uma Chetry (wk), Tanuja Kanwer, Saima Thakor. Non-Traveling reserves: Raghvi Bist, Priya Mishra


IED blast kills three paramilitary soldiers in southwestern Pakistan

IED blast kills three paramilitary soldiers in southwestern Pakistan
Updated 06 October 2024
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IED blast kills three paramilitary soldiers in southwestern Pakistan

IED blast kills three paramilitary soldiers in southwestern Pakistan
  • Frontier Corps vehicle was targeted by IED blast as it was passing through Askalko area in Kalat district, says official 
  • No group has claimed responsibility for attack but suspicion is likely to fall on outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army 

QUETTA: Three paramilitary soldiers were killed and four were injured in Pakistan’s southwestern Kalat district on Saturday when their vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device, an official confirmed. 

The blast targeted a Frontier Corps (FC) vehicle in the Askalko area in Kalat, located around 140 kilometers from Balochistan’s provincial capital of Quetta. The blast took place as the vehicle was passing through the area, an official confirmed. 

Balochistan, which shares a porous border with Iran and Afghanistan, has witnessed a decades-long insurgency launched by ethnic Baloch separatists who have accused successive governments of unfairly exploiting the mineral-rich province of its resources, a claim denied by the state.
 
“An improvised explosive device (IED) was planted along the road in Askalko which exploded when the security forces’ vehicle was passing through the area,” Bilal Shabir, the deputy commissioner of Kalat, told Arab News.

“Three paramilitary soldiers were killed and four wounded in the attack on security forces in Kalat district.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, however, suspicion is likely to fall on the separatist militant outfit Balochistan Liberation Army. The BLA has often targeted Pakistani security forces, ethnic Punjabi laborers and travelers in the southwestern province. 

In recent months, separatist outfits have stepped up attacks in Balochistan. Over 50 people including paramilitary soldiers were killed in widespread coordinated attacks by a Baloch separatist group in Kalat, Lasbela, Musakhail, Mastung and Kachi districts in the last week of August. 

In September, unidentified armed men stormed a residential compound in Balochistan’s Turbat, killing seven laborers from Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province. 


Mobile phone services remain suspended, roads blocked in Islamabad amid protest by ex-PM Khan’s party 

Mobile phone services remain suspended, roads blocked in Islamabad amid protest by ex-PM Khan’s party 
Updated 06 October 2024
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Mobile phone services remain suspended, roads blocked in Islamabad amid protest by ex-PM Khan’s party 

Mobile phone services remain suspended, roads blocked in Islamabad amid protest by ex-PM Khan’s party 
  • Khan supporters have been protesting since Friday against proposed constitutional amendments, demanding his release from prison
  • Government denies allegations by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party that it arrested KP Chief Minister Gandapur on Saturday 

ISLAMABAD: Mobile phone services in Pakistan’s capital remained suspended and all major arteries leading to Islamabad were blocked on Sunday as a protest by former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party entered its third day.

Hundreds of Khan supporters arrived in Islamabad from various parts of the country on Friday to take part in a protest at D-Chowk. Over the course of two days, clashes between Khan supporters and police turned violent, with police firing tear gas to disperse protesters. The government has said that dozens of cops were injured in clashes between the two sides. 

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced they were protesting against the government’s proposed constitutional amendments that it claims are aimed at curtailing the independence of the judiciary, with the government repudiating the charge. The party has also been trying to mobilize supporters through protests and public gatherings to pressure the government for the release of Khan, who has been in prison since August last year and faces a slew of legal challenges. 

Tensions between the government and the PTI escalated on Saturday after the paramilitary Rangers force stormed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s administration office in Islamabad, leading to the party saying that KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a close Khan aide who was leading a large caravan of supporters in Islamabad, had been “kidnapped.”

“Release CM KP Ali Amin Khan Gandapur immediately,” Omar Ayub Khan, a senior PTI leader, wrote on social media platform X on Saturday. “His abduction from KP House is blatant terrorism.”

The PTI’s claims led the state-owned Pakistan Television (PTV) to deny “rumors” of Gandapur’s arrest on Saturday, saying they were “baseless.”

PTV quoted official sources, as local media channels widely aired videos of heavy deployment of law enforcement and paramilitary personnel at the KP House in Islamabad.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters on Saturday that Islamabad had been “attacked” under Gandapur’s leadership, reiterating that the PTI wanted to create a situation where the government could not hold the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit scheduled to be held on October 15 and 16. 

However, he did not answer a question about Gandapur’s whereabouts. 

The minister also said the police had arrested 41 Afghan nationals during the clashes with the PTI and apprehended 120 Afghan citizens since Friday. Naqvi maintained the PTI protesters had fired upon police personnel on their way to Islamabad and injured about 85 of them during clashes.

The minister said later in the day that the government would clear the city of all the protesters and make life easier for the residents of Islamabad.

As tensions in Islamabad continue to remain high, the KP Assembly Speaker summoned an emergency session of the assembly on Sunday, which had earlier been adjourned till Monday.