The Mirror

Mr. Ahmed Rabei - Ambassador of Palestine An Interview with the ambassador of Palestine in Pakistan – H E Mr. Ahmed Rabei Q: Excellency, how does Palestine see the regional situation developed recently after Taliban took charge of Kabul? Ambassador: Palestine does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries nor its people. We observe the development in the region, mainly the Afghan’s affair—it’s an internal Afghani matter. Afghans are free to choose who represents them, and the international community should support and recognize the option that Afghans decide. International community must recognize the chosen government that represents the people of Afghanistan as long as it follows the international laws and respects human rights. Q: What are the priorities of Palestine in region and relations with Pakistan and the world at large? Ambassador: Palestine looks forward to a more secure and stable situation in the country, and a good relation with neighboring count...

  Islamabad: President Mahmoud Abbas – President of Palestine shared heartfelt condolences and sorrow over the loss of precious people on the earthquake in Baluchistan. In his two messages sent through the embassy of Palestine in Islamabad to the President Dr. Arif Alvi and the Prime Minister Imran, President Mahmoud Abbas said that on the behalf of the state of Palestine and Palestinian people to his brothers Dr. Arif Alvi President of Pakistan and Mr. Imran khan the Prime Minister, the government, and brotherly people of Pakistan that we learned with great sorrow the news of an earthquake in Baluchistan, which caused dozens of victims and hundreds of wounded and afflicted members of your brotherly people, and great material losses On behalf of the State and people of Palestine, and on own behalf, we extend to your Excellency, and through you, the government, the brotherly Pakistani people and the families of the victims, with our deepest heartfelt condolences, affirming our...

  The state of Palestine-Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants condemns in the strongest terms the unprecedented decision taken by the so-called Jerusalem District Court regarding the right of Jews to perform silent prayers in the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, “The presence of Jewish worshipers on the Temple Mount does not constitute a criminal act as long as their prayers remain silent,” as the court decided   Cancellation of deportation decisions against rabbis who performed such prayers.   The ministry considers this decision a flagrant aggression against the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, a real declaration of war against the Palestinian people and the Arab and Islamic nations, a real beginning of the spatial division of the mosque and its courtyards, and an explicit call for religious war in the region.   The decision of the Israeli court revealed the true nature of the incursions and the scheme behind them, which we have always warned of repeatedly, ...

  Islamabad: In the face of escalating and systematic settler terrorism, the State of Palestine urgently calls on the international community and the United Nations to assume their responsibilities and provide international protection for the Palestinian people. There is an unprecedented and severe protection crisis that cannot be ignored. The statement issues by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Palestine said that Israeli settler terrorism rests upon an illegal colonial foundation, rooted in land theft, assumed supremacy and exceptionalism, discrimination and racism, to justify the subjugation and eventual displacement of the Palestinian people. To that end, settlers and the official Israeli establishment work hand in glove to advance their goals, sometimes exchanging roles and always working in ideological unison. These settler militias carry out their crimes against the Palestinian people, with full impunity and under the collective protection of the Israeli military, ju...

Islamabad: The State of Palestine welcomes the decision of the British Labor Party to impose sanctions on Israel, envoy says. The State of Palestine, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, welcomed the vote of the members of the annual general conference of the British opposition Labor Party, held in Brighton, southern England, on a resolution supporting the use of sanctions against Israel and calling for the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine in the event that a government is formed. The Labor Party members had voted by a clear majority with a resolution condemning "the ongoing Nakba in Palestine, Israel's military attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque, the deliberate displacement of Sheikh Jarrah and Israel's war on Gaza" and welcoming the International Criminal Court's investigation into Israel's crimes. The conference also referred to a resolution issued by the Trade Union Conference in 2020, in which it described Israel’s settlement acti...

H E Khazir Farhadov presented his credentials to the President of Pakistan   اسلام آباد (سپیشل رپورٹر): پاکستان کے لئے نامزد  آذربائیجان کے سفیر خضر فرہادوف  نے صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کو اسناد پیش کر دی. تقریب اسناد ایوان صدر می ں  منعقد ہوئی.  بعد ازاں ، نامزد سفراء  اور ہائی کمشنر کی صدر مملکت سے علیحدہ علیحدہ ملاقاتیں اور دو طرفہ امور پر تبادلہ خیال کیا. تفصیلات کے مطابق  قازقستان ، کرغزستان ، آذربائیجان ، تھائی لینڈ کے نامزد سفراء اور نائیجیریا کے نامزد ہائی کمشنر نے صدر عارف علوی کو  اسناد پیش کیں. غیر ملکی سفارت کاروں سے بات چیت کے دوران صدر مملکت نے کہا کہ پاکستان نئی "جیو اکنامکس" پالیسی کے تحت دوست ممالک کے ساتھ کاروبار ،  تجارتی تعاون کے فروغ کو خاص اہمیت دیتا ہے.   پاکستان تجارت ، معیشت ، ثقافت اور سیاحت کے شعبوں میں دوطرفہ تعاون کو مزید وسعت دے کر روابط اور علاقائی امن و ترقی کا خواہاں ہے.  انہوں نے کہا کہ پاکستان منفرد جیو اقتصادی حیثیت  کا حامل ملک ہے. خطے کے ممالک ٹرانسپورٹ ، تجارت  اور ٹرانزٹ ...

  Amb Ata-ul-Munim Shahid hoisting flag  Algiers:   Pakistan’s 75 th Independence Day was celebrated in the Embassy of Pakistan Algiers, in a befitting manner. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and special circumstances, guests were restricted and SOPs were followed. The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran and followed by the national anthem. The event was held in a simple but dignified flag hoisting ceremony was held at Chancery. The ambassador Ata-ul-Munim Shahid hoisted the flag. The message of the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi and the Prime Minister Imran Khan were read out by the ambassador. He highlighted the significance of this day and recalled the unforgettable struggle and sacrifices made by our forefathers to achieve independence. He added that it is our duty now to work selflessly and tirelessly so that our country flourishes among the comity of nations. The Ambassador also highlighted the plight of the Kashmiri people of the IIOJK an...

“Youm-e-Istehsal” observed by Pakistan High Commission in Sri  Lanka The Pakistan High Commission observed “Youm-e-Istehsal” to mark Indian Illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August 2019 in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). Ms. Ayesha Abu Bakr Fahad, Second Secretary (Political), read out the message of the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, and the message of the Prime Minister of Pakistan was read out for the audience by Ms. Kalsoom Qaiser, Press Attache.  In his remarks, the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Tanvir Ahmad, marking twenty-four months since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, said that Pakistan honors Kashmiris and salutes their indomitable spirit in their just struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination. Pakistan, through its political and diplomatic support, will continue to sensitize the international community, exposing human rights violations of India in IIOJK. Pakistan has always ...

  H E Mr. Piotr A Opalinski Piotr Opalinski says Poland supports Afghan peace process from the beginning An exclusive interview with the Polish Ambassador Mr. Piotr A. Opaliński The Polish envoy’s opening remarks concerned the value which Poland places on its relations with Pakistan, which it aims to transform into a strong and reliable partnership. The two countries’ ties reach back all the way to Pakistan’s independence, although contact between our lands, primarily in the shape of occasional expeditions by travelers or explorers, goes back all the way to the Middle Ages. A significant element of our shared past relates to a group of Polish pilots headed by Air Commodore Władysław Turowicz, who after having served during World War II moved to Pakistan upon its independence, where they made notable contributions to the creation and professionalization of the Pakistani Air Force. The pilots’ graves are located at Gora Qabristan in Karachi and Rawalpindi, under keen supervisio...

  Azerbaijan is one of the Eurasian countries enriched with natural resources and beauty. Though the history of Azerbaijan is very old, but since the freedom from the Soviet Empire, the way Azerbaijan has been developed economically and socially, is commendable. Despite the fact that Azerbaijan is Muslim majority country but it is different from other Muslim countries because it state matters are not under the religion domination. bounded by the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains, which span Asia and Europe. Geographically, it is bounded by Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains, which span Asia and Europe.   Like the armed forces, diplomats used to wrestle with friends and foe round the clock. The only difference is the armed forces fight with ammunition and diplomats use pen and intellect. During the recent war with Armenia, where Azerbaijani forces fought valiantly, diplomats were all set to make its position clear in their respective countries. Pakistan and Turkey stood sh...

  Ali Alizade - the ambassador of Azerbaijan Islamabad: Azerbaijan has overcome through the hard and strict tests of history and embarked on the path of development, ensuring stability and confidently moving forward since Azerbaijan regained its independance in 1993, said Ali Alizade - the ambassador of Azerbaijan. While addressing on the celebration of 103 anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijani Democratic Republic (ADR), the ambassador said that today Azerbaijan celebrates its annivesary with double and special significance, after the liberation of the internationally recognized territories from almost 30 years of illegal Armenian occupation.   The ADR left an indelible mark and entered forever into the history of Azerbaijani nation with its rich state building experience and prepared a good basis for the future independence of Azerbaijan. As the successor of ADR, Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991 and after   coming to power of Heydar Aliyev, th...

  Karachi (PR): Just few days after the press conference by the Clergy against the key ministers of the Sindh Cabinet for alleged ‘misuse of power’ the Church on Tuesday demanded the immediate removal of Salman Talibuddin – AG Sindh from his post. The reaction from the key members of the Karachi Diocese and senior clergy in a separate statement. The Church of Pakistan (CoP) – Karachi Diocese ask the Chief Justice of Karachi High Court (KHC) to remove Advocate General (AG) Sindh as he reportedly found involved in misguiding the court and misusing his position. According to the statement issued by the senior Clergy of the Karachi Diocese, the AG Sindh close involvement with land mafia who wants to usurp Church properties worth billions of dollars and to achieve their agenda. It is also said that the AG Sindh is misguiding the Honorable Court and maneuvering. Using his position, he is manipulating the Bishop’s election so that he could get monetary benefits. Talibuddin - AG Si...

Rev Sarwar Eric, and Rev Shafiq Kanwal addressing the press conference Karachi (PR): The Karachi Diocese’ voiced against Advocate General (AG) Sindh for misusing his position and requested the high ups to remove him from the position. While addressing a press conference, the priests from the Karachi Dioceses including Rev. Sarwar Eric, Rev. Shafique Kanwal flanked by their legal advisors said that property mafias eye on precious lands and property of the Church of Karachi valuing trillions of rupees. The clergy complained about the interference of political elite in Church matters and hatching conspiracies against the Church of Pakistan in Karachi. They claimed that after the recently retired Bishop Sadiq Daniel, the resourceful people from either side using the AG Sindh Salman Talibuddin has eye on the Church properties. The AG Sindh misusing his position to grab the precious land of the Church. In a statement issued, the Church leaders claimed that some of the PPP sitting minis...

Islamabad: Pakistan is disappointed at the adoption of a resolution at the European Parliament on blasphemy laws in the country. Responding to the media queries the spokesman Zahid Hafeez said the discourse in the European Parliament reflects a lack of understanding in the context of blasphemy laws and associated religious sensitivities in Pakistan – and in the wider Muslim world. The unwarranted commentary about Pakistan’s judicial system and domestic laws are regrettable. Pakistan is a parliamentary democracy with a vibrant civil society, free media and independent judiciary, which remains fully committed to the promotion and protection of human rights for all its citizens without discrimination. We are proud of our minorities who enjoy equal rights and complete protection of fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution. Judicial and administrative mechanisms and remedies are in place to guard against any human rights violations. Pakistan has played an active role in promoti...

Islamabad (Shamim Mehmood): The ruling party has no intention of promoting and protecting the rights of minorities, said Malik Rehmat Manzoor, the PPP minorities’ wing president. Malik Rehmat Manzoor  Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government has dropped the minorities’ members from the federal cabinet since taking power. This is the third bill in the current tenure rejected by the lawmakers. The rejection of the current bill by the Senate body shows that majority people do not want to protect minorities, creating a sense of insecurity in non-Muslim citizens.   The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony rejected a private bill regarding the protection of the rights of minorities. A committee chaired by Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said that the existing laws were already providing unprecedented religious freedom to minorities. A majority of senators supported his point of view thus the bill was rejected.  The protection of the Rights of R...

شمیم محمود  گزشتہ دو، ڈھائی دہائیوں سے ڈیجیٹل میڈیا کی وجہ سے بہت سی تبدیلیاں رونما ہوئی ہیں۔پرنٹ اور الیکٹرونک میڈیا کی شکل یکسر تبدیل ہوگئی ہے۔ ”بریکنگ نیوز“  اور ”سب سے پہلے“ خبر بریک کرنا کا معیار تبدیل ہوگیا ہے۔ صحافیوں کے کام کرنے کے انداز اور دیگر ذرائع تبدیل ہوگئے ہیں۔ یوٹیوب پر نت نئے پروگرامز کے ذریعے پیسے کمانے کی دوڑ تیز ہوگئی ہے۔ حالات حاضرہ اور سنجید ہ موضوعات کی نسبت چٹ پٹی خبروں اور طنز ومزاح کو ترجیح دی جاتی ہے۔لیکن گہماگہمی کے اس دور میں بھی ایسے لوگ موجود ہیں جو سنجیدہ کام کرکے اپنا کردار اد ا کرنا چاہتے ہیں۔ ہماری عمر کے لوگ جو بچپن میں صرف پی ٹی وی سے ہی واقف تھے اور سکول جانے سے پہلے چاچا تارڑ اور قرات العین کی گفتگو سنا کرتے اور چند منٹس کے کارٹون کے منتظر ہوتے تھے، ٹھیک اس دور میں پاکستان ٹیلی ویژن  پر اس وقت کے معروف ڈراموں اندھیرہ اجالا، ان کہی، دھوپ کنارے، تنہائیاں وغیرہ نشر ہوا کرتے تھے۔ غالباً یہ وہ دور تھا جب ڈرامہ سریل کی ہفتہ وار قسط نشر کی جاتی تھی۔ کہا جاتا ہے کہ اس ڈراموں کی نشریات کے دوران بازار خالی ہو جایا کرتے تھے۔ اس دور میں صرف ”پی...

 شمیم محمود دنیا کی تاریخ کا مطالعہ کریں تو واضع ہوتا ہے کہ ریاست کے اندر اقلیتوں کے حقوق کے تحفظ نہ ملنے کا نتیجہ کسی بڑے اندرونی اور بین الاقوامی تنازعات کی صورت میں نکلا ہے۔جنوبی ایشیاء کی بڑی آبادی مسلمانوں پر مشتمل ہے، پاکستان ، بنگلہ دیش اور مالدیپ کا سرکاری مذہب اسلام ہے۔اس کے علاوہ ایک ارب سے زائد آبادی والے ہمسایہ ملک بھارت میں پندرہ سے بیس کروڑ اسلام کے ماننے والے آباد ہیں۔ اگرچہ بھارت سیکولر ملک ہونے کا دعویدار ہے تاہم 80 فیصد سے زائد ہندﺅ آباد ی ہونے کی وجہ سے انتہاپسند ہندوﺅں نے وہاں بسنے والی اقلیتوں کا جینا محال کررکھا ہے۔ بنگہ دیش میں ہندوﺅں ، بدھ مت ، مسیحیوں اور چٹاگانگ کی ترائیوں میں آباد مقامی قبیلوں کے خلاف امتیازی سلوک جاری ہے ۔ اسی طرح سری لنکا میں سنہالی بدھ مت کے پجاریوں کے احساس برتری کی وجہ سے وہاں پر بسنے والے تامل بدسلوکی کا شکار ہیں۔ اسی طرح نیپال میں بھی عدم برداشت کا کلچر پہاڑوں اور ترائیوں میں مقیم بڑی آبادی کو شہری حقوق دینے سے انکار کی صورت میں نظر آتا ہے۔ پاکستان میں نہ صرف مسلمانوں کے درمیان شیعہ سنی فرقہ وارانہ فسادات کا طویل سلسلہ موجود ہے بلک...

 Mr. Piotr Opalinski Islamabad: On 11th November we celebrate the National Independence Day of Poland, which commemorates the events of 1918 when Poland regained its independence after 123 years of partitions and foreign occupation. Today's Poland is the most free, prosperous and safest ever since the 17th century. H. E. Mr. Piotr Opalinski - Ambassador of Poland However, this year's celebrations fall at a difficult time globally. The whole world is struggling with the coronavirus pandemic, which completely changes our everyday lives. Any history of any nation has its heroes. Today our heroes are the doctors, nurses, emergency crews and the whole personnel of the health services. Their professionalism and devotion deserve the highest respect. As Poland is the birthplace of Solidarity Movement it has now also become the beating heart of solidarity with other countries and peoples. It is our tradition to support the freedom of other nations. As some of our Pakistani Friends a...

شمیم محمود  Google photo  امریکی ریاست ڈیلووارۓ سے چھ مرتبہ سینیٹر منتخب ہونے والے جوزف رابنٹ بائیڈن امریکہ کے سب سے عمر رسیدہ صدر منتخب ہوگئے ہیں ۔ وہ 36 برس امریکی سینیٹ کے رکن رہے جبکہ آٹھ برس نائب صدر کے طور پر بھی کام کرچکے ہیں۔ لہٰذا امریکی سیاست کے تمام نشیب وفراز سے واقف ہیں۔ کہا جاتا ہے کہ جوبائیڈن، سابق صدر باروک اوبامہ کا تسلسل ہے۔ لیکن اس بار امریکی عوام ٹیکس ، صحت اور ماحولیات کے علاوہ بین الاقوامی تعلقات کے حوالے سے بہت سی تبدیلیوں کے منتظر ہیں۔ ماہرین کے مطابق جوبائیڈن کے لیے صدارتی انتخابات جیتنے کے بعد چیلنج شروع ہوگا . دیکھنا ہے کہ مصلحت پسندی اور افہام و تفہیم کے طبیعت کے مالک ہیں جوبائیڈن کیلئے امریکہ کی عوام بلکہ روشن خیال ڈیموکریٹس کی امیدوں پر کیسے پورے اترتے ہیں ۔ امریکی سیاسی پارٹی ڈیموکریٹ کی بڑی تعداد روشن خیال بھی ہے اور وہ تبدیلی چاہتے ہیں۔ دوسری جانب امریکہ  کی نائب صدر کیلئے سیاہ فام کملا ہیرس پہلی خاتون منتخب ہوئی ہیں ۔ جنوری میں دونوں راہنماء باقاعدہ اپنے عہدے پر براجمان ہوجائیں گے ۔ 56 سالہ کملا کی ماں امریکہ میں تعینات سابق بھارتی سفارت ...

Islamabad: Pakistani Church leadership voiced concerns about the religious minorities and closing spaces. Despite the lofty claims made by the government of Pakistan, Arzo Raja (Christian minor girl) case raised many questions on the prejudiced investigation by the law enforcement agencies and court decisions. Bishop Abraham Azeem Daniel Bishop Abraham Azeem Daniel, Bishop of the Gospel Baptist Church and Chairman Sahiwal Church Council voiced through social media said that the court raised questions on the state institutions while directing the provincial home secretary to constitute a medical board to determine the age of Arzoo Raja, underage Christian girl forcefully converted to Islam and married to a 44 year-old Muslim man. He said that in spite of her school certificates and the record by National Database and Registration Authorities (NADRA) presented to the honourable court, the bench ordered to form a medical board. The said order created doubt on the integrity of the court am...