Pakistan Day celebrations Saturday began with fresh vows to work towards the country’s progress and stability. The iconic military parade remains the day’s most significant feature where the armed forces’ contingents and other security forces conducted a march past, while fighter planes presented aerobatic maneuvers. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud is the guest of honour in today’s event while the contingents of China and Azerbaijan will also feature in the parade. President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and all the services chiefs are present at the occasion. Addressing the occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari said March 23 holds national importance, as Muslims of the subcontinent demanded a separate nation for themselves. During his speech, he welcomed Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman Khalid Bin Aziz, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, members of Parliament, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Sahir Shamshad Mirza, and Parade commander. “Today, we pay homage to leaders, martyrs and ghazis who sacrificed their lives for independence,” said the president, adding that the Pakistani nation, from its independence till today, has gone through ups and downs. “Despite the difficulties, we developed in different areas including defence, agriculture, education, health, and technology in provinces,” said the head of state. The president said that Pakistan is a strong country in terms of defence and the country’s armed forces are always ready for the nation. Speaking about the issues being faced by Pakistan, Zardari said the country is facing economic, social and political challenges, as well as increasing population, climate change, education and poverty. He added that Pakistan went through a successful electoral phase to elect a democratic government, adding that it was now everyone’s responsibility to solve these issues together. “I believe that just like we faced the challenges in the past, we can still rid Pakistan of these challenges. A special investment facilitation council has been set up for the country’s economy. Through this plan, we will be developing foreign investment, agriculture, livestock, minerals, mining, information technology and energy sector,” he said. “I request all political parties to keep aside their political benefits to find a solution to the problems and work together for the development of Pakistan,” said President Zardari. He added: “In our region, one of the main reasons for instability is the Indian Illegal Occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmiri people have been demanding their right of self-determination for 76 years. We condemn the brutalities, human rights violation carried out by the Indian government against innocent and unarmed Kashmiri people and ask international to ensure the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Kashmir. “I want to remind the Kashmiris once again that the people of Pakistan will always stand by them in their just struggle against trinity. “With regards to human catastrophes unfolding in Gaza, we appeal to the international community to take measures to ensure that the killing of innocent Palestinian people including children and women is immediately halted, a ceasefire is announced and a humanitarian corridor is opened at priority. Pakistan will continue to support the people of Palestine till the resolution of Palestine issued as per their aspirations of their people.” He said Pakistan wants relations with all its neighbours as it is a peace loving country and a responsible state. “However, we will not compromise on our sovereignty. Our nation and armed forces are always ready to respond to any aggression at all times. We will not tolerate any efforts by terrorists or any groups to destablise our country. Today’s parade is a reminder of our unity, strength and pride.” The president, on the occasion, thanked China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey and other countries for standing with Pakistan in hard times. Pakistan Day The day marks the adoption of the historic Lahore Resolution on this day in 1940 which provided a framework for the realisation of the goal of a separate homeland for Muslims of South Asia. The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the prosperity and solidarity of the country. The national flag is hoisted on major government buildings. Change of guard ceremonies Change of guard ceremonies were held at the mausoleums of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi and Dr Allama Iqbal in Lahore. Air Vice Marshal Tariq Mahmood was the chief guest at the ceremony held at Iqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore where Pakistan Airforce troops took over guard duty from Chenab Rangers. President, PM messages In his message on Pakistan Day, President Asif Ali Zardari stressed upon the nation to participate in the nation-building process actively, embracing the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion. He honoured the commitment and sacrifices made by the Quaid-e-Azam and his companions. The president said the armed forces, civil administration, police and law enforcement agencies have, with unwavering commitment, ensured the safety, security, and sovereignty of our nation. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked the nation to renew its firm resolve to follow in the footsteps of the founding fathers to make Pakistan a trivet of peace, progress and stability. The premier said our forefathers made untiring efforts and rendered exemplary sacrifices for Pakistan as millions of Muslims left their homes in India and decided to migrate to Pakistan. The prime minister said we are completely cognizant of the serious challenges confronting Pakistan currently including inflation, unemployment, circular debt, fiscal and trade deficit, and above all the growing scourge of terrorism. He assured to stand committed to put Pakistan on the path to economic recovery and prosperity with a cogent policy reform framework. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1171417-pakistan-day-2024-celebrations-begin-with-military-parade

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/23/isil-says-it-was-behind-moscow-concert-hall-attack-that-killed-at-least-60

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Tuesday apprehended a Tehreek-e-Talian Pakistan (TTP) terrorist from Karachi’s Manghopir area over his involvement in various terrorist attacks in the country. The terrorist, identified as Wali Rehman, is associated with terrorist commander Azmat Ullah alias “Tariq” group and was arrested in an intelligence-based operation (IBO), said a CTD spokesperson. The militant, who had fled to Dubai back in 2009, had even received suicide attack training from a previously killed terrorist, Qari Hussain, the official added. The police also recovered a hand grenade from the terrorist, said the spokesperson, adding that a case has been registered against the militant and further investigation is underway. The development comes as security forces continue to tighten the noose around terrorists after the country witnessed a significant surge in terror attacks for over a year, resulting in scores of both military and civilian casualties. Most recently, at least seven Pakistan Army soldiers — including a lieutenant colonel and captain — embraced martyrdom after gallantly fighting with terrorists as they attacked a security forces’ post in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In response, Islamabad carried out intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the border regions inside Afghanistan against terrorists launching attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil. Pakistani forces targeted terrorists belonging to TTP’s Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group which is responsible for the March 16 attack in Mir Ali, North Waziristan and multiple other terrorist attacks in the country. Earlier this month, the CTD and Sindh Rangers arrested a TTP terrorist, identified as Mir Ovais, during a joint operation in the city’s Naval Colony area. The security forces also recovered a hand grenade, one kilogram of explosive material, a dead coat wire detonator, a Kalashnikov, and a sum of cash in his possession. According to the spokesperson, the suspect was plotting terrorist activities in Karachi and has confessed to his involvement in attacks on an FC check post and the Data Darbar shrine in Lahore. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1169922-karachi-ibo-ctd-arrests-wanted-ttp-terrorist-from-manghopir

At least 12 bodies have been removed by ambulance from the affluent neighbourhood of Petion-Ville on the outskirts of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, as tensions simmer pending the announcement of a new government. Gunmen looted homes in the mountainous communities of Laboule and Thomassin before sunrise on Monday, forcing residents to flee as some called radio stations pleading for police. The neighbourhoods had remained largely peaceful despite a surge in gang attacks across Port-au-Prince that began on February 29. The bodies of the victims, who had been shot, were removed from the main road leading into the suburb and from outside a fuel station, the Reuters and Associated Press news agencies reported. The latest attacks have raised concerns that gang violence will not end, despite Prime Minister Ariel Henry announcing nearly a week ago that he would resign once a transitional presidential council is created. The council will have seven voting members and two observers from different political coalitions and sectors of society. Gang leaders, who have long sought to remove Henry, have warned of a “battle” for Haiti and threatened politicians who join the transition council. Meanwhile, residents are facing worsening shortages of food and medical care. Haiti has seen years of unrest that took a sharp turn to the worst after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.Play Video The crisis deepened this year as Haitian armed groups launched attacks on police, prisons and other state institutions. The main airport in Port-au-Prince has been shut down, and residents have been afraid to leave their homes to get water, food and other supplies. On Monday, Haiti’s power company announced that four substations in the capital and elsewhere “were destroyed and rendered completely dysfunctional”. As a result, swathes of Port-au-Prince were without power, including the Cite Soleil slum, the Croix-des-Bouquets community and a hospital. The company said criminals also seized important documents, cables, inverters, batteries and other items. The deteriorating conditions are making it difficult for humanitarian organisations to deliver aid to the Caribbean country, said Jean-Michael Bauer, the Haiti director at the United Nations World Food Programme. “Port-au-Prince is a place that’s in a bubble right now. You can’t get in and out by road. It’s very difficult to get in by air. Getting in and out by sea is a challenge,” Bauer told European Parliament’s subcommittee on human rights on Monday. “We need security in this country. Security is the number one problem right now. But we also need to make sure that at the same time we bring security, that we have a strong humanitarian component to everything we do.”Play Video The violence has created a political impasse that has seen the UN as well as the United States and Canadian embassies withdrawing their staff in recent days. The international community is also pushing to deploy a Kenyan-led police force to help maintain security in Haiti. US Department of State spokesperson Vedant Patel on Monday said that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is close to finalising the transitional council. “The announcement of this council, we believe, will help pave the way for free and fair elections and the deployment of the multi-national security support mission,” Patel told reporters. The State Department has chartered flights to evacuate dozens of US citizens out of Haiti. Patel said the evacuation plan was put in place in response to the limited availability of commercial flights out of the country. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/18/at-least-12-bodies-found-after-new-gang-attacks-in-upscale-haiti-suburb

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/19/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israel-holds-al-jazeera-reporter-for-12-hours

Pakistan Friday rebutted news circulating in the media regarding the visit of an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delegation to the South Asian nation. Responding to media queries regarding this visit, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said any stories regarding the visit of a high-level IAEA delegation to Pakistan are “fake news”. She said: “No official from IAEA is currently visiting Pakistan, nor are any policy talks planned in the near future with IAEA.” Baloch clarified that Director General IAEA visited Pakistan in February 2023. Speculations started circulating after a PTI US chapter official and several others shared a video clip from an Indian news segment by Zee News on a meeting between IAEA Director General (DG) Rafael Mariano Grossi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the social media platforms. The video claimed that the government and the IAEA stuck a deal on the Islamabad’s nuclear weapons. Taking to his X handle, formerly known as Twitter, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said: “Fake news from an anchor based abroad clearly rebutted. Such blatant lies and propaganda to harm the state based on malicious intent will be responded to. Make no mistake.” Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1168509-pakistan-rebuts-reports-of-iaea-delegations-visit

A Russian missile strike hit civilian infrastructure in the Ukrainian city of Odesa, killing at least 20 people and injuring scores of others in the deadliest attack on the Black Sea port city since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian officials said Friday. After the first missile struck Odesa Friday morning, killing and wounding civilians, Ukrainian emergency service personnel who had rushed to the scene were then caught in a second strike, in an attack known as a “double tap” used by Russia throughout more than two years of its war in Ukraine. “This is the first time a double attack has happened in Odesa region,” Maryna Averina, a spokeswoman for the State Emergency Service in Odesa, told CNN. “First responders arrived at the site of the strike and immediately began to extinguish the fire, clearing the rubble and searching for victims. And then there was a second missile strike,” she said, adding that eight rescuers had been killed. Among those killed was Denys Kolesnikov, 25, who worked at a fire station in Odesa, Averina said. The attacks come as Russians across the country are heading to the polls in carefully choreographed elections expected to deliver President Vladimir Putin a fifth term in power. Russia fired the first missile at around 11 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET), striking a civilian building and causing a fire to break out, Ukraine’s emergency services said. Rescuers arrived to try to extinguish the fire and search for survivors before being caught in the second strike shortly after. As well as the 20 killed, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said that at least 73 people were injured, including seven emergency services personnel. Maria Slisovka stands outside her house near the missile strike in Odesa. Kostyantyn Hak/CNN Maria Slisovska, 50, who lives near the site of the strike, was at home when the missiles hit. “At first our windows were still intact. Then about five minutes later there was a second blast. The ceilings were damaged. In the kitchen, plaster fell from the ceilings. Thank God my mom wasn’t in the kitchen at that moment,” she told CNN. “The second hit blew the windows out. Then the ambulances started coming in. And then there was a strike after the paramedics arrived. The guys were dead. There were people covered in blood. We are now clearing the glass.” In his evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the strikes a “despicable act of cowardice” and said the search for survivors under the rubble is ongoing. “Our Defense Forces will do everything to make Russian killers feel our just response,” he added. Broken glass is strewn across the back of an ambulance after the strikes on Odesa. Victor Sajenko/AP Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko sent his condolences to the families of those killed and wounded and Denise Brown, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, condemned the attack. “The loss of lives and injuries inflicted on civilians and those selflessly risking their lives to save them is utterly unacceptable,” Brown said. Odesa, a crucial port for Ukraine’s grain exports and a major base for its navy, has sustained huge damage after months of Russian strikes. Last week, a Russian missile exploded just a few hundred meters away from a convoy carrying Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis – the leader of a NATO member state. Both men said they were close enough to see and hear the strike. Zelensky frequently makes high-risk trips to the front lines and has welcomed dozens of world leaders to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. But the attack was one of the closest calls for the president. An injured man is helped away from the scene of the strike, which killed at least 14 people. Victor Sajenko/AP After the strike, Zelensky made a renewed plea for his allies to provide more air defenses. While Ukraine’s capital Kyiv is relatively well protected by the US-made Patriot system, not all Ukrainian cities enjoy the same level of shielding. Mitsotakis called the strike a “vivid reminder that there is a real war going on here. Every day there is a war, which not only affects the front, the soldiers – it affects our innocent fellow citizens.” Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/15/europe/missile-strike-odesa-russia-ukraine-double-tap-intl/index.html

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/16/israels-war-on-gaza-live-will-the-netanyahu-government-attack-rafah