Category: National

In a devastating turn of events, Pakistan bore witness to two deadly suicide blasts on Friday, claiming the lives of 55 innocent people and leaving dozens injured. The first explosion rocked a mosque in Balochistan’s Mastung district, while a second blast occurred hours later in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu city. The attacks unfolded as worshippers had gathered to mark the joyous occasion of Eid Miladun Nabi, the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birth.

The powerful suicide blast in Balochistan, near Madina Mosque on Al Falah Road, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 52 lives and left over 50 individuals wounded. Among the deceased was Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaz Gashkori, who was on duty for the occasion. The explosion was a suicide attack, with the bomber detonating himself next to the DSP’s vehicle, as confirmed by City Station House Officer Mohammad Javed Lehri.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, it occurred just a day after the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) eliminated a key Islamic State (ISIS) commander in Mastung. District Health Officer Rashid Muhammad Saeed expressed concern over the possibility of a rising casualty count, with some of the injured in critical condition.

Balochistan’s interim Information Minister, Jan Achakzai, emphasized that the enemy sought to undermine religious tolerance and peace in the region. Caretaker Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, asserting that those who targeted peaceful gatherings would be dealt with firmly. He urged unity against terrorism, reaffirming that Islam espouses peace and condemning the assailants as unrepresentative of true Muslims. The caretaker CM also declared three days of mourning throughout the province.

Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti condemned the attack and stressed that terrorists had no faith or religion. He assured that all resources were deployed for the rescue operation and that the injured would receive the best possible treatment.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif decried the act as detestable, especially during a sacred occasion marking the birth of the Holy Prophet. He extended condolences to the affected families.

Meanwhile, heightened security measures were put in place across Pakistan. The Punjab police ensured security during Friday prayers, while Karachi police remained on high alert, directing vigilance during Eid-i-Miladun Nabi processions and Friday prayers.

Mastung has been a recurring target of terror attacks over the years, with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, associated with al-Qaeda, blamed for various deadly incidents, including the 2018 attack that claimed 128 lives. The region’s resilience in the face of adversity remains a testament to Pakistan’s determination to counteract terrorism.

Summary:

• Twin suicide blasts in Pakistan claim 55 lives and leave dozens injured during Eid Miladun Nabi celebrations.
• A powerful explosion in Balochistan’s Mastung district kills at least 52 people, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaz Gashkori.
• Second blast in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu city kills three and injures five.
• No group claims responsibility, but the attack follows the elimination of an ISIS commander by the Counter Terrorism Department.
• Pakistan’s interim leaders vow to bring the perpetrators to justice and condemn the attack’s impact on religious tolerance.
• Security measures are heightened across the country in response to the bombings.
• Mastung has a history of terror attacks, with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and al-Qaeda-linked groups responsible for previous incidents.

India is set to advocate for the removal of trading entitlements that have historically favored developed countries and obstructed fair access to export markets for developing nations during the next World Trade Organization (WTO) interministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi.

In a move aimed at addressing global farm export imbalances, India will focus on eliminating the ‘additional Final Bound Total Aggregate Measurement of Support (FBTAMS) entitlements,’ which represent fixed allowances exceeding the ‘de minimis limits’ set by the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA).

In trade terminology, ‘de minimis limits’ refer to the minimal level of domestic support allowed, even if it distorts global prices. These limits stand at 5% of production value for developed nations and 10% for developing countries. The disparities in these limits have sparked tensions, particularly when India had to defend its minimum support price (MSP) program amid global food supply concerns arising from the Ukraine war.

An informed source stated, “India believes any negotiations on domestic support need to first address existing asymmetries and imbalances in the WTO Agreement of Agriculture. Discussing disciplines on domestic support for India must begin with the removal of historical asymmetries in domestic support.”

India’s stance is to level the playing field by ending the FBTAMS entitlements enjoyed by certain members, which allow them to provide support beyond de minimis limits and extensive flexibility to concentrate product-specific support.

Nevertheless, resistance to this issue remains, and no formal negotiations have commenced within the WTO.

According to the Third World Network (TWN), a think tank specializing in global trade, developing countries should vigorously raise the issue of disciplining FBTAMS entitlements as they are “the primary source of inequity” in the AoA. TWN contends that permitting substantial additional entitlements for a select few countries creates significant advantages in policy space, exacerbating inequality among nations.

This imbalance also underpins other contentious topics on the negotiation table, including public stock holdings (PSH) and special safeguard mechanisms that developing countries have called to address.

India has faced persistent scrutiny from major foodgrain exporters such as the United States and Canada over its PSH program, which they claim is heavily subsidized, particularly for rice.

India has resorted to the ‘peace clause’ multiple times at the WTO due to breaches of the 10% subsidy ceiling on rice procurement. Indian officials argue that they primarily export premium quality rice, not the common paddy acquired under the MSP program.

At the WTO’s Committee on Agriculture, India disclosed that its 2019-20 rice production held a value of $46.07 billion, with subsidies amounting to $6.31 billion, surpassing the 10% limit.

India, in conjunction with a coalition of developing and African nations, has also presented a permanent solution for public stockholding of foodgrains. This proposal would grant them greater flexibility to offer increased farm support.

Queries directed to the commerce ministry’s spokesperson remained unanswered at the time of this report.

Summary:

• India plans to request the removal of entitlements in trading rules that have favored developed nations during the upcoming WTO meeting.
• India’s focus is on eliminating ‘additional Final Bound Total Aggregate Measurement of Support (FBTAMS) entitlements’ that exceed ‘de minimis limits’ established by the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.
• ‘De minimis limits’ are minimal levels of domestic support, set at 5% of production value for developed nations and 10% for developing countries.
• India contends that addressing domestic support negotiations should start with rectifying historical asymmetries.
• Developing nations argue that FBTAMS entitlements are a primary source of inequality in the AoA.
• India faces scrutiny over its public stock holding (PSH) program for rice at the WTO.
• India, along with other developing and African nations, has proposed a permanent solution for public stockholding of foodgrains to enhance farm support flexibility.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his strong displeasure on Wednesday over a government school’s library signboard bearing an inscription in English. The incident occurred during his visit to Banka district, approximately 250 kilometers from the state capital, Patna, following an inspection of a bridge in the adjoining Jamui district, which had suffered damage due to heavy rainfall last week.

In Banka, Mr. Kumar inaugurated a newly constructed hospital and inspected a recently renovated indoor stadium before visiting a local high school. It was during this visit that he expressed his concerns upon seeing the signboard, which identified the facility as a “digital library.”

“Why is this not in Hindi? We are not living in the British era,” Mr. Kumar conveyed to the District Magistrate, Anshul Kumar, who was present at the site.

The Chief Minister, who is the longest-serving leader in Bihar’s history, clarified, “Look, I have nothing against English. It was the medium of my instruction while I was studying engineering. Many of my speeches in Parliament, too, were in that language.” He continued, “But, at one point, I decided to promote the use of Hindi. I, therefore, gave up putting my signature in English. Please get this signboard changed at the earliest.”

Assured by the District Magistrate, Mr. Kumar was informed that the necessary changes would be made “today itself.”

Mr. Kumar, a septuagenarian, attributes his strong advocacy for Hindi to his ideological devotion to the late socialist stalwart Ram Manohar Lohia. This is not the first time he has publicly voiced his displeasure over the use of English. In February, he reprimanded an agricultural entrepreneur for using “too many English words” during a presentation. A month later, during a session in the state legislative council, he chided Chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur, a member of his party Janata Dal (United), for displaying words like “honorable” and “speaking time” on the electronic display board.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by cabinet colleagues and top government officials during his tour of the two districts.

News Summary:

• Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expressed dissatisfaction over an English signboard at a government school’s library during his visit to Banka district.
• Mr. Kumar, while advocating for Hindi, emphasized that he had nothing against English, as it was the medium of his engineering education and parliamentary speeches.
• The District Magistrate assured Mr. Kumar that the signboard would be changed promptly.
• Nitish Kumar’s strong preference for Hindi is influenced by his admiration for the late socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia.
• This incident is not the first time the Chief Minister has criticized the use of English in public settings.

A fire emergency unfolded on Wednesday evening at a girls’ paying-guest facility in Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi, leaving approximately 35 girls trapped inside the building. Quick action by the Delhi Fire Service, with the deployment of 20 fire tenders, led to the successful rescue of all occupants. The incident has raised concerns about fire safety measures in the area.

The fire ignited at approximately 5:45 pm, prompting an immediate response from the fire department. The blaze was brought under control, and a subsequent investigation is underway to determine its cause and the extent of damage. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have originated near a meter board located near the staircase and then spread to the upper floors.

Delhi Fire Service Director, Atul Garg, commended the swift and effective rescue operation, stating, “The rescue operation continued for 1.5 hours, and all the girls were safely rescued. Fire has been doused, and there is no injury to anyone. The situation is under control, and a cooling operation is underway.”

Some of the girls have been transported to a hospital for medical assessment, though no serious injuries have been reported thus far.

This incident comes on the heels of a major fire in July at a coaching center in the same vicinity, where students had to evacuate by descending from a window, resulting in minor injuries. That incident sparked discussions and heightened awareness about fire safety measures in the Mukherjee Nagar area.

Local authorities have also noted that the building in question lacked adequate fire-safety measures, prompting concerns about the safety of similar facilities in the area.

Summary:

• A fire broke out at a girls’ paying-guest facility in Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar, with approximately 35 girls trapped inside.
• Quick action by the Delhi Fire Service, deploying 20 fire tenders, led to the safe rescue of all occupants.
• The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are under investigation, with preliminary findings suggesting it may have started near a meter board near the staircase.
• Some girls have been taken to the hospital for medical assessment, though no serious injuries have been reported.
• A similar fire incident occurred in the same area in July, highlighting concerns about fire safety measures in the vicinity.

Relations between India and Canada have hit their lowest point in decades, prompting former diplomats to advocate for a shift in Canada’s approach to the Khalistan issue as a crucial step toward a potential reset in bilateral ties. Citing the 2010 apology issued by former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, experts argue that such gestures are vital to healing historical wounds.

Harper’s historic apology was delivered during a solemn ceremony at the Air India memorial in Humber Bay Park, Toronto, marking the 25th anniversary of the tragic 1985 Air India ‘Kanishka’ Flight 182 bombing. The explosion, resulting from a bomb placed in the luggage, claimed 329 lives, including 280 Canadian citizens, making it one of the deadliest acts of aviation terrorism in history.

In a poignant address, Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged the gravity of the atrocity, stating, “Some wounds are too deep to be healed even by the remedy of time.” He further admitted that the bombing was “an atrocity conceived in Canada, executed in Canada, by Canadian citizens, and its victims were themselves mostly citizens of Canada.”

This candid acknowledgment marked a significant departure from the stance of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who, at the time of the incident, had extended condolences to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of India, a move that had garnered criticism from the Indian community in Canada.

The Khalistan issue, which centers on the demand for an independent Sikh state, has been a longstanding point of contention between the two nations. While Canada has a vibrant Sikh community, some elements within it have been accused of supporting Khalistani separatism.

Former diplomats and experts believe that revisiting Canada’s response to the Khalistan issue could pave the way for improved relations with India. They point to the Harper apology as an example of a constructive step taken in the past, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging historical wrongs and working toward reconciliation.

The strained ties between India and Canada have ramifications that extend beyond diplomatic relations, affecting trade, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections. As calls for a recalibration in Canada’s approach grow louder, the path to a potential reset in bilateral relations remains uncertain but underscores the need for a thoughtful and strategic reevaluation.

News Summary:

• Former diplomats emphasize the necessity of a change in Canada’s approach to the Khalistan issue amidst strained relations with India.
• The 2010 apology by former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for the 1985 Air India ‘Kanishka’ Flight 182 bombing is cited as a precedent for constructive steps.
• Harper’s apology marked a significant departure from the stance of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who extended condolences to India at the time.
• The Khalistan issue, related to demands for an independent Sikh state, has been a long-standing point of contention between the two nations.
• Strained India-Canada ties have broader implications for trade, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections.