M WAQAR..... "A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary.Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." --Albert Einstein !!! NEWS,ARTICLES,EDITORIALS,MUSIC... Ze chi pe mayeen yum da agha pukhtunistan de.....(Liberal,Progressive,Secular World.)''Secularism is not against religion; it is the message of humanity.'' تل ده وی پثتونستآن
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Campaign intensifies to free renowned Saudi women's-rights activist and UBC alumna Loujain al-Hathloul
The #StudentsForLoujain movement wants the Canadian government to ramp up pressure on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia's ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been employing many public-relations tactics to persuade the world that he's not a bloodthirsty dictator.He's befriended White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump. In addition, the Saudi strongman has backed off criticizing the State of Israel.
MBS, as he's known, has even plastered his face on billboards in the U.K., purporting that he's opening Saudi Arabia to the world.But the world will never forget how Washington Post columnist Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi, a fierce critic of MBS, was executed and dismembered by Saudi agents inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.And in 2019, Saudi authorities escalated their repressive tactics at home, according to Amnesty International, cracking down on freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. "They harassed, arbitrarily detained and prosecuted dozens of government critics, human rights defenders, including women’s rights activists, members of the Shi’a minority and family members of activists. Shi’a activists and religious clerics remained on trial before a counter-terror court for expressing dissent," Amnesty International stated in its country report on Saudi Arabia. "The authorities used the death penalty extensively, carrying out scores of executions for a range of crimes, including drug offences." #StudentsForLoujain campaign launched Now, a former University of British Columbia student is caught up in the horrific Saudi legal system. And students in Canada are trying to free her.Loujain al-Hathloul, 31, could face 20 years in jail, according to the Guardian.She's being tried in terrorism court—yes, terrorism court—reportedly for "defying the country's ban on women driving and for campaigning for an end to the male guardianship system, which makes women second-class citizens".Driving while female is still a crime in that country, regardless of what you're being told by public relations consultants on MBS's payroll.Her relatives have told the Guardian that she's been sexually assaulted and tortured. That won't come as a surprise to Canadians who are familiar with the story of William Sampson.He was a Canadian and former member of the Seaforth Highlanders in Vancouver who was subjected to similar abuse at the hands of Saudi prison guards. This was after being sentenced to death for a bomb blast that was actually done not by him, but by opponents of the Saudi regime. Sampson died prematurely of a heart attack in his early 50s, no doubt a result of what he endured at the hands of this vicious and despicable regime. MBS's charm offensive in the West should be seen for what it is—a disgusting attempt to cover up his continuing assault on freedom and his stained reputation as one of the worst human-rights abusers in the world.The proof is on display in the execution of Khashoggi, the imprisonment and likely torture of writer Raif Badawi, and the trial and abuse of al-Hathloul, who should be seen as a national hero for her bravery. Students across Canada are campaigning for al-Hathloul's freedom by trying to pressure Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne to escalate efforts to liberate her from this tyrannical treatment. "As a member of our student community, Ms. Al-Hathloul is the embodiment of the values of equity, equality, and justice that we strive to uphold," UBC student associations stated in their letter to the minister. "Loujain has been a bold and courageous champion for women's rights," they continued. "As an advocate, she has stood up for women's rights to operate vehicles and for opposing laws around male guardianship." They're using the hashtag #StudentsForLoujain. The Concordia Student Union, Capilano Students' Union, University of Victoria Students' Society, Camosun College Student Society, Douglas Students Union, Emily Carr Students Union, Justice Institute Students' Union, and several others have joined the campaign. You can participate too by writing to the foreign affairs minister or by making your views known over social media. The world has largely turned a blind eye to Saudi Arabia's war crimes in Yemen, done with the complicity of the United States. That's been documented by Human Rights Watch. Everyone knows what a ghastly human being MBS is. If he's truly interested in conducting some genuine public relations that makes a real difference in the world, he'll step in and stop the persecution of Loujain al-Hathloul. That's the very least he could do to convince the world that he's not an utterly irredeemable thug. https://www.straight.com/news/campaign-intensifies-to-free-renowned-saudi-womens-rights-activist-and-ubc-alumna-loujain-al
Russia needs to protect borders given risks of smoldering regional conflicts - Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the need to effectively protect its state border given the risks of smoldering conflicts in neighboring countries. "We need to ensure a more effective protection of the state border, moreover given the risks of smoldering regional conflicts near our borders," Putin highlighted during a visit to the Foreign Intelligence Service’s headquarters. Putin ordered to pay serious attention to information security, fight against extremism, corruption and economic crimes. In their turn, staff members of the Federal Protective Service should continue effectively ensuring security of state facilities and vital events, while the Main Directorate of Special Programs should handle "a broad range of tasks on boosting stability of work of key state bodies and communications systems in any and even the most challenging situation," he said. Russia’s intelligence services should continue a resolute struggle against terrorism, which has made it possible to significantly cut the number of such crimes, Russian President noted. According to Putin, the number of terrorism-related crimes in Russia over the past years has significantly decreased. Just two such crimes were registered in the past 11 months of this year compared with 36 in 2015. "A huge everyday dangerous and hard work and its new quality are behind this statistics. The staff of the Federal Security Service and other services under the auspices of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee should continue acting in the same resolute and consistent way," he stated. Putin also compared the current situation not only with the mid-1990s and early 2000s, but also with 2010, when some 779 terrorism-related crimes were recorded in Russia. The Russian people "have a score to settle with" international terrorism, Putin noted. "We remember everyone who died defending Russia against this harsh enemy, which our country faced at the most challenging time of its history," the president stated. https://tass.com/politics/1237609
Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy guides China's actions as responsible country amid pandemic
This has been achieved under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy.
The thought consists of 10 principles including building a global community of shared future to safeguard world peace and promote common development, pursuing peaceful development on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and steering reform of the global governance system to promote greater equity and justice.
The key principles also include pursuing major-country diplomacy with distinctive Chinese features to accomplish the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, pursuing the Belt and Road Initiative under the principles of extensive consultation and joint contribution to benefit all, and upholding China's sovereignty, national security, and development interests as the core and non-negotiable position.
UPHOLDING COOPERATION TO AID ANTI-VIRUS FIGHT
Over the past year, President Xi Jinping has engaged in intensive head of state diplomacy.
He held more than 80 meetings and phone calls with foreign leaders and heads of international organizations, and attended over 20 important diplomatic events, including "cloud diplomacy" through the innovative virtual platform.
Xi proposed enhancing solidarity, following the guidance of science, giving full play to the leading role of the World Health Organization (WHO), and launching a joint international response to beat the pandemic.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, the government has worked closely with the WHO and the international community in an open, transparent, science-based and responsible manner.
China organized its largest global humanitarian campaign since 1949, providing anti-virus assistance to over 150 countries and nine international organizations and sent 36 medical teams to 34 countries in need.
China has joined COVAX, a global initiative backed by the WHO, to ensure effective and equitable global access to vaccines.
Xi promised on various occasions to make China's COVID-19 vaccines a "global public good."
ADVANCING OPENING-UP TO FACILITATE ECONOMIC RECOVERY
As the world's second-largest economy, China has deepened reform and opening-up across the board and actively pursued mutually beneficial cooperation to provide impetus and confidence for the world to cope with the deepest recession since World War II.
China is expected to become the only major economy to register positive growth this year.
Xi said in order to promote global recovery, the international community must close ranks and jointly respond to this crisis and meet the test, and keep global economy open.
China practiced what it preached. Over the past year, it continued to open up to the world.
In the first eight months this year, China's trade with Belt and Road partners reached 5.86 trillion yuan (about 896 billion U.S. dollars), and Chinese companies made 30 percent more non-financial direct investment in the partner countries year-on-year.
The third China International Import Expo was attended by over 3,600 companies from more than 150 countries and regions, sharing with the world the benefits and opportunities generated by the country's economic recovery and opening-up.
UPHOLDING MULTILATERALISM TO FACILITATE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE REFORM
As the world is caught up in headwinds and setbacks in global governance, Xi has expounded on China's perspectives on global governance while attending major multilateral meetings and put forward China's proposals on tackling global challenges.
"History teaches us that multilateralism, equity and justice can keep war and conflict at bay, while unilateralism and power politics will inflate dispute and confrontation," Xi said.
At various virtual meetings, Xi urged the G20 members and BRICS countries to safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, calling the United Nations "the core institution for addressing international affairs through cooperation."
Xi has also called for forging broader consensus and stronger synergy in building a clean and beautiful world where man and nature coexist in harmony.
Supporting international cooperation on climate change, China promised that it will strive to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, demonstrating its readiness to contribute to global ecological preservation.
Actions to promote the Xi-proposed vision of a community with a shared future for mankind have been well underway, and China's proposals for building communities with a shared future in various fields including cyberspace, ocean and health have been warmly received.
Afghanistan: Challenges For Joe Biden Administration – Analysis
#Pakistan - Total active Covid-19 cases reach 40,553 as 2,615 more test positive
* Punjab's tally witnesses another spike with 722 new infections, 46 deaths
* Nearly 3,000 more recoveries reported across country.Eighty corona patients, 68 of whom were under treatment in hospital and 12 in their respective homes or quarantines died on Saturday, according to the latest update issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). Most of the deaths had occurred in Punjab followed by the Sindh. It added that out of the total 80 deaths during last 24 hours 44 patients died on ventilators. No Covid-affected person was on ventilator in Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) while 272 ventilators were occupied elsewhere in Pakistan. The maximum ventilators were occupied in four major areas including Multan 46 percent, ICT 44 percent, Peshawar 26 percent and Lahore 33 percent.The oxygen beds were also occupied in four major areas as in Rawalpindi 40 percent, Abbottabad 41 percent, Peshawar58 percent and Multan 38 percent. Some 37,206 tests were conducted across the country on Sunday, including 10,372 in Sindh, 14,622 in Punjab, 5,488 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 5,403 in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), 428 in Balochistan, 412 in GB, and 481 in AJK. Around 407,405 people have recovered from the disease so far across Pakistan making it a significant count with over 86 percent recovery ratio of the affected patients. Since the pandemic outbreak, a total of 457,288 cases were detected that also included the perished, recovered and under treatment COVID-19 patients so far, including AJK 7,961, Balochistan 17,909, GB 4,822, ICT 36,117, KP 54,948, Punjab 131,428 and Sindh 204,103. About 9,330 deaths were recorded in country since the eruption of the contagion, including 3,319 Sindh among 13 of them died in hospital and Four out of hospital on Saturday, 3,604 in Punjab 41 of them died in hospital and Five out of hospital on Saturday, 1,536 in KP 12 of them died in hospital and Three out of hospital on Saturday, 389 in ICT One of them died in hospital on Saturday, 179 in Balochistan, 99 in GB and 204 in AJK where One of them died in hospital on Saturday. A total of 6,301,341 corona tests have been conducted so far, while 615 hospitals are equipped with COVID facilities. Some 2,891 corona patients were admitted in hospitals across the country. Three restaurants in Karachi’s Pearl Continental Hotel were sealed Saturday night for violating the government’s coronavirus SOPs. For restaurants, the SOPs include maintaining social distance between patrons, outdoor dining, wearing masks and closing at 10pm. The three restaurants did not close on time. The restaurants are Chandani Restaurant, Tai Pan and Sakura. https://dailytimes.com.pk/704363/total-active-covid-19-cases-reach-40553-as-2615-more-test-positive/
Women rally to save #Pakistan’s taboo-busting ‘Oprah show’
SSP has more than 250,000 very active and vocal members, the majority of whom are aged between 18 and 35 and it was important to Kanwal that SSP should be an inclusive space for women of all backgrounds, including religious minorities, she said.Any platform that unites such a diverse range of women will face controversy and many conservatives have accused Ahmed of promoting “promiscuity” and “wild behaviour”. “SSP hosts a very diverse audience and the kinds of topics we discuss include those that are often considered shameful, so the SSP community routinely gets targeted for ‘leading women astray’,” said Ahmed. “When you try to challenge problematic norms, the backlash will occur. But it doesn’t mean we will back down. We only keep fighting harder.” Two years ago, Ahmed was selected as a community leader by Facebook in recognition of her efforts to use the social network to help others. She used its grant to launch Conversations with Kanwal on YouTube. “I wanted the things we championed for in the group to be talked about outside of it too, and hence within society at large. It was empowering for women to watch these stories and know they were not alone. Watching the struggles gave them strength and the happy endings gave them hope.” While the grant sustained the series for two seasons, it wasn’t enough to keep the show going, but despite hitting 30 million views – matched only by the most popular soap operas – most mainstream channels refused to touch the format because it was deemed too controversial, while others found it too hardhitting and wanted Ahmed to add a “beauty segment,” or comedy skit. Like her Soulies, Ahmed turned to SSP for advice and launched a Kickstarter campaign. Donations flooded in, from a few rupees to thousands of dollars. “Financial independence is not considered a birthright for those who identify as women. Many women either open a joint account with a male counterpart or only deal in cash, which is why it’s such a big deal,” said Ahmed. “It truly is a show that is powered by the people.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/20/women-rally-to-save-pakistans-taboo-busting-oprah-show
Pakistan: Government Urged To Review Christmas Guidelines
By Kamran Chaudhry
Church leaders are urging the Pakistan government to revise coronavirus guidelines for Christmas events regarding the prohibition of carpets in churches.
The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Dec. 16 issued guidelines that prohibited carpets or mats in churches, touching Christmas trees, traditional gift exchange and recommended minimal travel during Christmas holidays.
“With the Covid-19 pandemic in full rage, the safest thing that can be done during this Christmas holiday is to stay home. There should be limited in-person contacts during holiday preparations and celebrations,” it states.
“In such events, prevention of importation of the virus from one household to other and other places like shopping malls and churches is an essential element in avoiding or minimizing the occurrence of infection and of serious outbreaks in these settings and beyond. Precautions are required by the public, especially the Christian community to protect themselves and prevent transmission.”
“There are no pews in our church. The faithful have been praying cross-legged for decades. It is Pashtun culture to sit for dining and praying. It will be impossible for them to sit on a freezing floor. We cannot arrange so many benches in one week,” he told UCA News.
The majority of churches constructed during the British era are equipped with pews. Originally meant for British Army officers and their families, they later became part of the local community. However, the later churches simply use carpets.
Churches already display banners for precautions from the virus. Caritas Pakistan has conducted awareness sessions and distributed masks and food for Covid-affected families in churches around the country. A notification of 10 guidelines, posted near the entrance of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, bans cake cutting inside churches or feasts in church compounds.
In his Christmas message, Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore urged all to pray for an end to the outbreak.
“The advent season has spread happiness and hope for good days amid dangers of the pandemic. Let us pray that this Christmas becomes the feast of recovery of public health. May employment opportunities open, a culture of peace begin and our country come out of the present crisis,” he said.
According to Lutheran Bishop Jimmy Mathew of Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, almost all Pentecostal churches in Northern Province are carpeted with no benches.
“We are discouraging large gatherings and Christmas fairs in church compounds. Christmas carol services scheduled in the last week of December have been canceled,” he said.
“We agreed to open our doors for ventilation during Christmas Masses despite the winter season. However, a common strategy won’t work. The government should enforce SOPs [standard operating procedures] as per the nature of the district.”
According to the National Command and Operations Centre, the virus claimed 1,073 lives in Pakistan in the first 17 days of December.
The number of Covid-19 cases reached 451,494 after 2,972 new infections were detected in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of National Health Services said. The number of deaths in Pakistan has reached 9,164, it said, adding that 84 people had died in the previous 24 hours.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/20122020-pakistan-government-urged-to-review-christmas-guidelines/
Father Tariq Mehmood, parish priest of St. John Vianney Church in Peshawar, capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, is disturbed by the latest guidelines.