OPINIONS - 2019
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If Trump delays to constrain Modi for plebiscite in United-J&K, will be too late for India & Indo-Pacific US-initiative. By Hem Raj Jain

The situation in Asia (minus China) is fast emerging which is not surprising given the fact that majority of people in this region are suffering economically (being below or little above poverty line) and Muslims from Myanmar to Kashmir-AF-PAK to NAME region are weeping and bleeding profusely. Th

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By not going to Malaysia, Imran (not Pakistan) lost opportunity for Riyasat-e-Madina. By Hem Raj Jain

Whether people across the world and not merely in Islamic world like it or not the controversies, surmises and speculations raised by and about Kuala Lumpur (KL) summit (from 18 to 21 December) have not died down for the simple reason that this KL summit (in which Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Qata

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Will be legally engineered mass scale conversion of Muslims to Hinduism after NRC with CAA. Hem Raj Jain

Presently demonstrations & protests including violent are going-on (in which many people have been killed in many parts of India) against NRC (National Register for Citizenship) and CAA (Citizen Amendment Act,  which will give citizenship to all no-Muslims coming from neighboring countri

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Musharraf instead of appeal should demand Imran Govt files appeal and then withdraws case. By Hem Raj Jain

In a video message the former Pakistan army chief and ex-president General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, who was given the death penalty by a special court on Tuesday, said that “I have not been heard and I’m being victimized”. In a press release of ISPR also, the Pakistan militar

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Too many IFS and BUTS to Bajwa,s extension. By Farooq Ganderbali

Pakistan is headed for a period of intrigue and uncertainty and possibly, political instability, after the November 28 ruling of the Supreme Court of Pakistan allowing only six months’ extension to the Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and directing the government to amend the Army Act

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USA-Muslims & Ors should move USCIRF to stop dangerous ‘shahadat’ of Babri-Mosque by SCI. By Hem Raj Jain

The people across the world are surprised that despite the USA claiming to be the leader of free-world why so many Muslims are weeping and bleeding profusely from Myanmar to Kashmir-AF-PAK to NAME region? It’s answer lies in the simple fact that the institution like USCIRF (responsible for&

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Human Rights: Pakistan Refuses to look within. By Farooq Ganderbali

In Dr Shireen Mazari, Pakistan has Federal Minister for Human Rights who “lies through her teeth” about the rights situation at home, but exceeding her ministerial brief, talks of alleged rights violations outside.



The “lying through her teeth” charge has come fr

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Will students bring a change in Pakistan? By Samuel Baid

Amid his domestic, foreign and economic woes, Prime Minister Imran Khan recently faced protest rallies from his pre-July 2018 poll supporters-students- just on the heels of about 15-day Azadi March asking him to quit.



The student rallies, organized by Student Action Committee (SAC), wer

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Judiciary becomes Arbiter in Pakistan, yet again. By Manzoor Ahmed

Judiciary has once again become the supreme arbiter in Pakistan. It helped jailed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to leave country, then put a question mark on the continuance of the current army chief, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, and could now well provide relief to another jailed opposition lead

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USCIRF can succeed in South Asia if registers Secularism-NGOs starting from India for moving High Courts / SCI. By Hem Raj Jain

This refers to press release of the ‘US Commission on International Religious Freedom’ (USCIRF) about Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) in India, which was passed by Lower House of the Parliament on December, 9 (https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/press-releases-statements/uscirf-raises

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A new formulation of life-saving medicines on the anvil for children living with HIV. By Shobha Shukla

An easy to consume, heat-stable, fixed-dose combination of four antiretrovirals (ARVs) developed for HIV infected infants and young children between 3 and 25 kg bodyweight is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If approved by the FDA, this all-in-one ARV regimen,

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Trump should protect free-global-business through UN, starting from Pakistan. By Hem Raj Jain

US president Donald Trump is complaining, day in and day out, about the unreasonable business practices of China which, as per him, are damaging the just global economic order in this age of globalization. But Trump is not doing anything, worth the name, which will promote and protect free-global

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New Evidence on Xinjiang re-education camps opens up a Pandora’s box! By Allabaksh

Documenting the extent of Chinese persecution of Uyghur minority people in the province of Xinjiang is a difficult task because of the very authoritarian nature of the state in China. In 2018, it was estimated that China had established over 100 camps in Xinjiang. It was then thought that these c

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Bajaj & Mazumdar instead of behaving like 'Banias of Hindu-order' should launch secular-democratic-capitalist-media. By Hem Raj Jain

Recently the Indian media and political class were discussing the statements of two industrialists Rahul Bajaj and Kiran Mazumdar who criticized the present government for creating an atmosphere of fear which is even scaring the industrialists to legitimately criticize the government of India (Go

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We cannot end AIDS without combating antimicrobial resistance. By Shobha Shukla

With just 133 months left to end AIDS, this year's World AIDS Day underlines the urgency to step up the fight against the epidemic. Despite unprecedented progress made in scaling up HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, we are not yet on track to end AIDS by 2030. One of the major thre

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Assad and Kurds Can Peacefully Coexist. By Manish Rai

The Kurds have brokered a deal with the President Bashar Al-Assad government that saw the Syrian Arab Army returning for the first time to the areas controlled by the Kurds which they left since the early days of the civil war. Regime forces entered the provinces of Hasakah and Raqqa. Moreover, A

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A flicker of light at the end of Kartarpur Corridor. EFSAS report

The longstanding wish of the Indian Sikh community to be able to visit one of Sikhism’s holiest sites, the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, located in Pakistan’s Punjab province, was finally fulfilled on 9 November 2019. Just a few days prior to the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism’s fo

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Imran ditched military by allowing SCP to illegally demand constitutional amendment and possible fresh election demand by Maulana. By Hem Raj Jain

It seems the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) is trying to create a bizarre history in the annals of jurisprudence through the November, 28 reported order (on the controversy of extension of Army Chief General Bajwa) where it says that- 5. The learned Attorney-General has categorically assured the

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Increasing Pakistani covert efforts to acquire nuclear technology. By Farooq Ganderbali

According to the German government official documents, Pakistan has been indulged in illegally procuring technology used in nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) weapons. This has been revealed during an official reply conveyed by the German government earlier this month to a question posed by s

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With CPEC: China buys Pakistan silence on Uighurs. By Farooq Ganderbali

There is a lesser-known political side to the promised economic boom China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that the world is only now waking up to: the corridor helps China to buy Pakistan’s studied silence on persecution of the Uighur Muslims in its Xinjiang province located close to the

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Trump’s failure to harness State Dept for Indo-Pacific initiative, the cause of toothless valid criticism of CPEC by Wells. By Hem Raj Jain

The media of Pakistan (print and electronic) is full of reports and discussions over criticism of CPEC by Ambassador Alice Wells, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia at the U.S. Department of State as mentioned at https://www.state.gov/a-conversation-with-

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TB preventive therapy saves lives: Why is the rollout so poor? By Shobha Shukla

When tuberculosis (TB) is preventable and curable, is it not shocking that it still remains the biggest-killer-infectious-disease worldwide? According to the latest WHO Global TB Report 2019, 1.5 million people died of TB last year, and between 1.5 to 2 billion people are infected with latent TB.

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26/11 Mumbai attack; unabated Pak-terror on India. By Farooq Ganderbali

The unrelenting effort by India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to highlight the dangers of terrorism and the need for united action has its genesis in the November 26, 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai.



 Then Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Modi, was first among senior political le

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133 months left to make U=U a reality for every person living with HIV. By Shobha Shukla

 193 countries committed to deliver on the promises enshrined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of which is to end AIDS by 2030. Target to end AIDS by 2030 is also enlisted in India's National Health Policy (NHP 2017). "Only 133 months are left to meet these target

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China’s record of Internet Freedom is Very Poor! By Manzoor Ahmed

For the fourth consecutive year, access to the internet in China has been ranked the least free among 65 surveyed nations, according to the latest report by US Human Rights group Freedom House. The report says that China is at the forefront of a global embrace of social media to ‘manipulate

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No place for journalists in Pakistan. By Manzoor Ahmed

According to a report by the Freedom Network that released on the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ on November 2, 2019, shockingly announced that 33 journalists have been killed in Pakistan during the last six years while doing their jobs. It could be

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Imran & CJP both legally wrong on Nawaz & LHC issue. By Hem Raj Jain

The Pakistan media (print & electronic) is full of controversy between PM Imran Khan and Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa where in a scathing rejoinder to Imran Khan’s recent statements on the country’s judiciary, the CJP on Wednesday said it was the federal govern

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Muslims should file Review Petition in Supreme Court about Babri-Masjid on these points. By Hem Raj Jain

This refers to November, 17 Press conference (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zq_hktsR7w ) by ‘All India Muslim Personal law Board’ (AIMPLB) where it was revealed that Review petition will be filed against SCI judgment of November 9, 2019 in Ayodhya dispute (https://ummid.com/news/20

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In addition to judicial-coup, Pakistan’s present problems due to failure of dividing NAB into ACB, CAG. By Hem Raj Jain

The three major problems Pakistan is still facing since its existence in 1947 are (i)- Lack of Federalism which resulted also in separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971 (ii)- Not working seriously for plebiscite in United-J&K (though mandated by ‘Instrument of Accession’ of

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Call for stronger action to end TB & tobacco, and prevent NCDs in Telangana. By Bobby Ramakant

Several eminent doctors and public health experts delivered a memorandum to Governor of Telangana earlier this month, calling for stronger action to accelerate progress towards eliminating tuberculosis (TB) and tobacco use, as well as in preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Telangana Gove

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Islamic Jihad a headache for Hamas. By Manish Rai

Fresh round of escalation between Israelis and Palestinian Islamic Jihad has just completed as hundreds of rockets is being fired towards Israeli cities and Israeli defence Forces (IDF) responding with overwhelming air strikes. This recent flare up started when IDF air strike targeted a senior Is

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Trump / UNSC should intervene before nuclear Pakistan & others against nuclear India recognize Govt.-in-Exile of united-J&K. By Hem Raj Jain

After August 5, (when India amended Article 370, repealed Article 35-A of the Constitution and converted & bifurcated State of J&K into two Union Territories) the people in Pakistan through their media have been talking about converting united-J&K into another Bangladesh so that (as I

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TB prevention is no longer a choice, but essential part of end TB strategy. By Shobha Shukla

"TB prevention is no longer a choice but an essential intervention to end TB... TB is one of the few infections that we ignore and do not treat till it manifests as late stage disease that has already [been] transmitted to several others. The strategy needs to expand to include preventing fu

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USA / UNHRC / UN should take cognizance of unprofessional Supreme Courts of nuclear India & Pakistan making South Asia politically explosive. By Hem Raj Jain

The USA / UNHRC / UN who are responsible for managing global political order since World war II should develop a mechanism [something on the basis / pattern of section 12 (b) of ‘The Protection of Human Rights Act of India’] at UN & UNHRC to intervene in the proceedings of the Sup

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The systematic religious discrimination is the most extreme form of religious persecution. By Sardar Mushtaq Gill Advocate

The topic of Systematic Religious Discrimination is an extract from the second edition of the book titled: RELIGIOUS LIBERTY OR FREEDOM-THE POWER AND THE ROLE OF THE WEST, which is written by Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Human Rights Defender Lawyer. Christians are the most peaceful people of the world,

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The Path: Feature 94. By Dr. Stephen Gill

Stephen Gill Feature 94 is from the interview with Professor Anuradha Sharma about pains, peace and love. A candle is meant to be placed on the table to lighten every corner. Several good people have preached and shown this path. I admire these good people from the bottom of my heart.



&

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Kerala's multi-layered approach to #endTB. By Shobha Shukla

As part of the #EndTB Dialogues series launched in lead up to the 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health last month, we got an opportunity for exclusive interview with Dr M Sunil Kumar, State Tuberculosis Officer, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Kerala, and Dr Shibu Balakrishnan, World

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UN Should Intensify its Watch Over Kashmir. By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

 The people of Kashmir are observing October 27 as the day of grief, sorrow and above all a day of occupation because it was on this day in 1947 that India sent its army to occupy the land of Kashmir without the consent of its people and in defiance of international norms. So the occupation

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Azadi-march: Maulana should agitate against legislative & judiciary. By Hem Raj Jain

Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman of JUI-F along with other opposition parties [including PML (N) & PPP] on November, 1 conducted a large ‘Julsa’ (public meeting) as part of Azadi-march (which started from Karachi on October, 27) at Islamabad mainly for demanding resignation of Imran-govern

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Moscow Will Dominate Middle East For Long. By Manish Rai

 On one hand United States military outposts and bases are being emptied or destroyed after Washington withdrew from the North East Syria and left its Kurdish allies and on the other hand Russian forces are moving in to take over these empty bases. This clearly illustrates that how Russia is

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Ten Years of the Research Project on the Independent Catholic Church of Ceylon, Goa, and India. By Alvares Julius Research Project

About MARP: The year 2019, marks the tenth year of Metropolitan Alvares Julius Research Project (MARP). Launched in 2009 (with the historic visit to Brahmavar Western Rite Community), MARP is an exclusive research project on Western Rite Orthodox communities of Oriental Orthodox Churches with spe

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Cost of inaction to prevent and treat TB is (very) high. By Shobha Shukla

 Prevention of TB was the focus of many a sessions at the 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Hyderabad, India, on the theme of 'Ending the Emergency: Science, Leadership, Action.' This conference comes one year after the first ever United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM)

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The rise of Political Islam and Islamist Terrorism in Bangladesh. EFSAS report

Introduction: On 1 July 2016, the traditionally tolerant and secular nation of Bangladesh catapulted to international headlines in the wake of the deadliest single terrorist attack the country had experienced in decades. With five pro-Islamic State (IS) terrorists storming into the Holey Artisan

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UN Should Intensify its Watch Over Kashmir. By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

The people of Kashmir are observing October 27 as the day of grief, sorrow and above all a day of occupation because it was on this day in 1947 that India sent its army to occupy the land of Kashmir without the consent of its people and in defiance of international norms. So the occupation of Kas

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SaAr, through Maulana, may create strong leverage for roping-in Pakistan in Shia-Sunni war with Iran

Ditching of Maulana by PML (N) & PPP will be blessing in disguise for SaAr and Maulana, if Kashmir issue is raised: Recently two developments have shattered Saudi Arabia (SaAr) to its core. One on September 14, 2019 when about 60 % oil production facilities of SaAr were destroyed by drone &am

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Are we forgetting that TB prevention is better than cure? By SHOBHA SHUKLA

Without infection there is no disease: Nip the TB infection: Prevention of new infections of TB bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and their progression to active TB disease is critical to reduce the burden of TB disease and to achieve the goal of ending TB by 2030.



 Around 587

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Ground zero: Frontline champions lead the fight to #endTB as global meet opens in India. By Shobha Shukla

 It was indeed a humbling experience for me to interact with a few frontline healthcare workers who are courageously fighting the #endTB battle on the ground in Hyderabad, India (the venue for the 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health). My day began with meeting G Swamy Reddy, project o

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EFSAS Commentary: Boisterous outcry over the Rohingyas and deafening silence on Uyghurs, exhibits the brutal price of China’s Belt and Road Initiative

On 20 October 2019, the Relief and Repatriation Commissioner of Bangladesh, Mahbub Alam Talukder, declared that the country will start relocating Rohingya Muslims to the flood-prone island of Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal, as part of a plan to solve the problem with overcrowded border camps in

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Human Rights Activist: Stephen Gill Feature 93

 Dr. Nazir Bhatti asked Stephen Gill if he was also a human rights activist. The question was published in the month of July of 2002. It is being reproduced here with some additions. Dr. Bhatti is the managing editor of Pakistan Christian Post, published from New York, and has authored Trial

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USA dangerously neglecting political explosion of nuclear Indo-Pak on the issue of Israel & Kashmir. By Hem Raj Jain

Since World War II the USA has been managing global political order (mainly through UN) and has succeeded to the extent that it could at-least avoid World war III. Presently the USA is tired and wants to retire from this responsibility and wants to revert back to traditional US-isolationism (whic

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Terrorists attacking fruit traders to destabilize economy of Kashmir. By Farooq

The killing of a non-local fruit trader, a trucker, and a laborer by the terrorists in south Kashmir in the recent days has shown the true colors of Pakistan and its proxies in Kashmir as people have fully realized now what the intentions of the neighboring country vis-à-vis Kashmir are. T

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Speed is not enough, accelerating progress is key to end TB: new WHO report. By Bobby Ramakant

 Global fight against tuberculosis (TB) is making modest gains, although largely not yet on track to end TB. 2019 Global TB Report of the World Health Organization (WHO) launched on 17 October 2019 gives hope, not despair, because sustained efforts have yielded some significant results. Only

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The format of the Modi - Xi Jinping informal summit can help overcome challenges in bilateral ties: EFSAS commentary

A lot had been made by analysts of the recent tensions and disagreements between China and India on a host of issues in the run up to the second informal summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping that was held in Mamallapuram on 11-12 October. The first s

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Like Indian, the Pakistani TV channels are also disappointment. By Hem Raj Jain

After August 5, 2019 (when Modi government amended Article 370, repealed Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution and converted the State of J&K into two Union Territories, which all triggered humanitarian crises in the form of prolonged lock-down of the Kashmir valley and political storm in P

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Corporations that abuse human rights are a threat to SDGs and our planet. By Bobby Ramakant

 One of the major processes at the United Nations (UN) that gives hope for a better tomorrow where "no one is left behind" is the UN binding treaty on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights.



 History is marred with exam

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Is there another coup in the making in Pakistan? By Manzoor Ahmed

Pakistan’s Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, who in August 2019, got a three-year extension in service, has yet once again hit the headlines; this time for having had a talk session with the business tycoons of Pakistan over dinner. The Pak CoAS was giving a pep talk to the heads of leading bus

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Assad Will be Real Beneficiary. By Manish Rai

Turkey has launched its operation Peace Spring in Northern Syria aiming to uproot Kurdish forces. As the United States have already abandon their Kurdish allies which helped them to finish ISIS caliphate and pulling out all the American troops from the Syria to facilitate the Turkish operation. T

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Poetry: Stephen Gill Feature 92: HAIKU

Professor Dr. Nilanshu Kumar Agarwal has authored several books of creative writings and critical studies and his writings have appeared in a number of journals. He asks Stephen Gill the following question:



NKA: You have authored a haiku collection entitled Flashes. What are your views

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Imran Bhai Khof-e-Khuda! Riyasat-e-Madina and 13.25 % interest? Rather transform PTI into SATI for non-violent ‘Ghazawa-e-Hind’ & ‘Akhand Bharat’. By Hem Raj Jain

I am one of the few people who has not merely read Quran but has practiced it also and got immensely benefited from it, in this-worldly-matters too. Some people may say that if Quran (Prophet Muhammad) is so beneficial in temporal matters too then why Muslims are suffering (bleeding and weeping p

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Maulana’s seemingly right accusation against Imran about Kashmir with Reham’s revelation, threatens peace of sub-continent: By Hem Raj Jain

Terming the Imran Khan government as incompetent, a major right-wing religious party in Pakistan, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), announced on Thursday that it will begin its 'Azadi March' on October 27 to oust the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan as reported also at https://www

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Stephen Gill with Bernadette Clement, the Mayor of Cornwall: A Notable Meeting

  It was a notable afternoon to have some time with the Mayor of Cornwall on September 30th in her office at City Hall. Our talk ranged from former mayors and national politics to Canadian literature as well as my contributions to local literary scene, and the outstanding contributions of St

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Pakistan: Implementing Effective Solutions To Minority Rights Problems. By Saadia Haq

Last month, two incidents targeting religious minorities in the country have put spotlight on the deplorable conditions and ongoing human rights violations. Pakistan has been widely condemned for its crackdown and dismal record against the local minorities. 



Within Pakistan, rights

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Kashmiris should protest at Jantar-Mantar against President about Article 143 (1) for restoring their human rights. By Hem Raj Jain

There are many sacred cows in India but two institutions are most important the Supreme Court of India (SCI) and the President of India who (of late) have been damaging the Republic of India, as if, with vengeance. The glaring following instances are sufficient to support this charge: -



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European Lawmakers disappoint, rebuke Pakistan. By Manzoor Ahmed

At two separate events in Brussels and Geneva, members of the European Parliament have backed India and have refused to buy Pakistan’s diplomatic shenanigans on the Kashmir issue that it is trying hard to ‘internationalize’.



Pakistan has launched into a frenzied diplom

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Special Food Plans for Poets: Stephen Gill Feature 90

Dr. Lad Santiago knows that plant-based diets have helped Stephen Gill to remain disease free without prescribed medicines. He asks if Stephen Gill would recommend such diets for poets and writers.  Dr. Lad Santiago from USA (MFA, DC, PMD, ND, DM, NMD, DCCN, DCBCN, DABFM, FAAFM, FACFM, FAAIM

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Imran at UNGA should have devoted more time on Plebiscite. By Hem Raj Jain

The Pakistanis are dancing that their Prime Minister Imran Khan has given an excellent speech at ‘United Nations General Assembly’ (UNGA) on September, 27. No doubt the four-points Imran dealt are important for Pakistan and UNGA is the right forum for these. But there is always a hier

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Trump at UNGA doesn’t understand, globalization not working as USA refusing to develop new global political model. By Hem Raj Jain

The speech at ‘United Nations General Assembly’ (UNGA) on September 24, 2019 of the US President Donald Trump would have amused the people all across the world for the simple reason that Trump is trying put the clock of the time backward. But it is not funny because the USA still rema

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Why blasphemy cases in Pakistan are on use of Social Media? By Sardar Mushtaq Gill Advocate


Several innocent persons are being accused of blasphemy charges, particularly against Christian and Hindu in Pakistan. A very few are willing to raise the concern of abusing blasphemy laws in the present time, when a large number of blasphemy cases surfaced on the  issue of using electro

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Give and it shall be Given: Feature 89: By Dr. Stephen Gill

 The view below is the answer to a question from the Educational Board of Ansted University.  It appeared in A Selection of Stephen Gill’s Interviews, edited by Dr. Anuradha Sharma and released by Orientalia in 2011, and appeared partly in Cyber Literature (India) Vol.9, June 2002

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Reject false solutions to climate crisis: Manila initiative on rights of climate migrants gives hope. By Bobby Ramakant

The writing is on the wall: rich countries, whose wealth and progress is at the cost of resource exploitation of conquered nations and the unabated combustion of fossil fuels for energy, must bear the onus of climate action. However, commitments from these governments have been lacking owing to a

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Local solutions, local actions for #GlobalGoals to control tobacco and NCDs. By Shobha Shukla

The 4th Summit of Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Tobacco Control and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Prevention (APCAT) will open in Bogor, Indonesia, on 25th September 2019, which also happens to be World Lung Day. This two-days regional meet is jointly organized by APCAT, Ministry of Health

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Revocation of Article 370 will bring pvt investment, jobs to Kashmir. By Farooq Ganderbali

Article 370 of the Constitution which was revoked by the Center government last month had blocked all private investments in Jammu and Kashmir from the outside for the last seven decades, which hugely impacted economic condition of the state. As 70 percent of the population of Jammu and Kashmir i

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Pakistan becomes most important country after drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. By Hem Raj Jain

 War demands blood hence boots on ground are important: If Houthis [the militant Jihadis supported by Shia Iran who are fighting Sunni Saudi Arabia (SaAr) led military alliance in Yemen for the last about four years with immense human rights violations in Yemen] are responsible for September

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Inside out: Climate change induced migration. By Shobha Shukla, CNS

Climate change greatly impacts the lives of migrants in different parts of the world. According to the United Nations, by 2050, up to 1 billion people could be driven away from their homes due to the worsening impacts of climate change. Both, sudden and slow onset weather events, affect the migra

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Another War Looming in Yemen. By Manish Rai

 Last month port city of Aden which is currently the seat of exiled President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi government was captured by southern separatists demanding secession of South Yemen. The separatists are backed by the UAE, Saudi Arabia’s “So Called” partners in Yemen. The r

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Despite odds, determination of women climate migrants is writ large. By Shobha Shukla

The Baseco reclamation project is one of the 22 reclamation projects planned by the Philippines government along the Manila Bay. It is being opposed tooth and nail by the 70,000 settlers (mostly fisher folks) of Baseco Compound, Tondo, a reclaimed section of the Manila Port Area, who fear losing

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The ‘special and privileged strategic partnership’ between Russia and India. EFSAS

In its recently published commentary, “The ‘special and privileged strategic partnership’ between Russia and India”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) describes and analyses the historical and current context of Indo-Russian relations. Invited to Russ

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NC should file proper petitions in Courts for release of all political activists & for plebiscite. By Hem Raj Jain

This refers to the statement of the National Conference (NC) on September, 16  that the party would take legal course to challenge the detention of its party President Farooq Abdullah under the ‘Public Safety Act’ (PSA) in J&K as reported at https://indianexpress.com/article/

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Abrogation of Article 370: A boon for. By Samuel Baid

The provision of Article 370 in the Indian Constitution, to give a special status to Kashmir in the country and the Delhi Accord of July 24, 1952, between Kashmiri leaders and New Delhi, had once upset Pakistan so much that it rushed to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to complain that

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Healthy Aging of Poets and Writers: Stephen Gill Feature 88

Dr. Lad Santiago asks Stephen Gill the type of lifestyle he has and recommends for poets and writers for their healthy aging? Dr. Lad Santiago (MFA, DC, PMD, ND, DM, NMD, DCCN, DCBCN, DABFM, FAAFM, FACFM, FAAIM, MDiv(c), and MPhil, PhD) specializes in preventive medicine and clinical nutrition. H

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Trump should persuade Modi to wrest initiative at UNGA about plebiscite for peaceful Kashmir solution & fighting terrorism. By Hem Raj Jain

This refers to speech of Pakistan PM Imran Khan at a rally at Muzaffarabad on September 13, 2019 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebJmUrd7Vxw) where he has threatened to engulf Indian subcontinent in Jihadi-terrorism while cleverly and cunningly (but unsuccessfully) portraying Pakistan as a &lsqu

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Let us set The Church of Pakistan right again. By Bishop Dr. Ijaz Inayat Masih

"Church of Pakistan is sick and needs our prayer, attention and proper medication for healing." The Church must be the "Tool of the Word of God" to set and improve spiritual standards in the lives of all people. Firstly, by preaching and practicing the Word of God and secondly

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Terrorism is an Attack on Human Rights of All. By Jeffrey Imm

If we consistently recognized terrorism as an attack on our shared universal human rights, our campaigns against acts of terror and terrorist's extremist ideology could have more productive priorities.  In recognizing victims and demonizing terrorist criminals, the human rights argument

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Masood, Haider & Ors. from AJK instead of giving lip service for Kashmiris should take-up peace-march to Srinagar. By Hem Raj Jain

People of AJK & Gilgit-Baltistan should understand that Kashmiris are their fellow-countrymen & women; By displaying (Curfew Counter which is presently showing more than 34 days, ‘Lift Curfew in Kashmir’, ‘Stop Genocide’ etc) on the website of the Government of the

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A Poem: A Conversation By Dr. Stephen Gill

A CONVERSATION



I asked my conscience



if it had perceived



in the eyes of humankind



the unshed tears



of hurt and humiliation.



A touch of scorn in its silence



nettled me to ask



if it had ever heard



the bricks o

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Pakistan’s persecuted religious minorities. By Allabaksh

Recently, on August 11, Pakistan observed the National Minority Day. Ironically what should have been the occasion to mark the contribution of religious minorities to Pakistan, persecuted Christians appealed to the Pakistani authorities to not to be defined as a minority. Their contention: being

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Strange negotiations in an incongruous environment do not portend well for peace in Afghanistan. EFSAS

In its recently published commentary, “Strange negotiations in an incongruous environment do not portend well for peace in Afghanistan”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on the bizarre and surreal milieu in which Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special represe

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Failure of Pakistan to get any traction from the Closed Door UNSC Meeting on Kashmir. By Manzoor Ahmed

The UNSC closed door meeting on Kashmir on 16 August 2019 ended without any outcome precisely because it was not intended to be so. Pakistan’s preposterous claim that the UN had effectively raised the Kashmir issue again after 1965 fell flat when it was revealed that all countries in the Se

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Entire Hindu India will again suffer if doesn’t protect democracy in Muslim Kashmir. By Hem Raj Jain

Indians should decide whether they really want democracy? When democratic institutions and constitutional authorities failed India during demonetization in 2016 the entire India suffered for months. This demonetization was criminal in which all the concerned constitutional and other authorities s

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Religion and Politics: A topic of the book ‘Religious Liberty, Freedom, Power and the Role of the West' written by Sardar Mushtaq Gill

This topic is extremely debatable. Straightforwardly it can be explained in this manner that a religion is not politics and the politics is not a religion. The both are pillars and spheres of human life. They work together hence they ought to be opened to be discussed without repression or accusa

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Poetry of peace and Kashmir: Stephen Gill Feature 87

 The present Feature 87 is from the interview with Dr. Nazir Bhatti that took place in the month of July of 2002. Dr. Bhatti, the managing editor of Pakistan Christian Post, published from New York, is well-known for his truthful comments on religious fanaticism. Writers feel honored to be i

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A Decade on from the last Growl of the Tiger: Religious Terrorism and Sri Lanka’s new challenges: EFSAS report

Introduction



On the late evening of 20 February 2009, two diminutive aircrafts swiftly approached Sri Lanka’s capital with the intention of launching an attack against the military’s defense base in Colombo. The Zlin Z-143 airplanes were flown by ferocious Air Tigers; the ai

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Kurds Falling Prey to Turkey Expansionist Policy. By Manish Rai

Turkey and the United States have agreed on the creation of a buffer zone in northern Syria in areas controlled by Syrian Kurdish forces. Details of the agreement remain sketchy but roughly it’s has been agreed that the area will be controlled by Turkey. To facilitate the process, the US an

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Religion and Religious Persecution: A Topic from the Book “Religious Liberty, Freedom, Power and the Role of the West”, Written By Sardar Mushtaq Gill

Every religion has precepts for its followers. These precepts of the religion set a goal for them according to its given spiritual standards. If the canons of the religion promote peace, love and tolerance for human being in general, then no doubt the religion is a peaceful religion. But if the d

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The Asia-Pacific Group’s scathing evaluation report limits Pakistan’s options in Jammu & Kashmir. EFSAS Commentary

In its recently published commentary, “The Asia-Pacific Group’s scathing evaluation report limits Pakistan’s options in Jammu & Kashmir”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on the findings of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) of the global terr

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A Decade on from the last Growl of the Tiger: Religious Terrorism and Sri Lanka’s new challenges. Report by AFSAS

 In its recently published article, “A Decade on from the last Growl of the Tiger: Religious Terrorism and Sri Lanka’s new challenges”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) investigates how the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings may point to the potential shift

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Trump grossly underestimating Islam with dangerous dereliction about plebiscite in united J&K. By Hem Raj Jain

As per media reports on Monday on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit in Biarritz, France PM Modi and President Trump discussed various issues including Kashmir. Modi told Trump Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, and Trump expressed confidence (politically naively

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Publish or Perish: Feature 86. By Dr. Stephen Gill

Feature 86 is from the interview with Professor Dr. AK Choudhary, published first in Kohinoor, a literary journal, number 2, vol. 4, June 2008. This feature will be included in Stephen Gill’s forthcoming book My Conversations. Professor Choudhary, a poet and literary critic, has contributed

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Religion And Non-Religion: A Topic From The Book “Religious Liberty, Freedom, Power And The Role Of The West”, Written By Sardar Mushtaq Gill

Religion is the creation of Man and Man is the creation of The Lord God. Its creation is not only to achieve the goal to get place in heaven but also it is designed for a good walk for the man in this world. The Bible says, the Lord God created Man and gave him some rules for his relationship wit

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Will be inhumane & politically suicidal if rest of J&K and India continue to ditch Kashmiris. By Hem Raj Jain

The 3 weeks of serious violation of fundamental & human rights of Kashmiris (by way of their detentions, arrests, lock-down, denial of their rights of expression, assembly, work, communication etc) is not only inhumane but it is also politically suicidal for the people of rest of J&K and

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Imran Returns from US with a World Cup woes. By Samuel Baid

A cynic may remember the three-day visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan to Washington for three white lies told by him and his host President Donald Trump in July. The two leaders, two of the three lies flabbergasted the world.



Playing a good host, Trump entertained his h

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EFSAS commentary on “The potentially nocuous impact of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan on Jammu & Kashmir”.

 In its recently published commentary, “The potentially nocuous impact of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan on Jammu & Kashmir”, EFSAS comments on how the impending withdrawal of the US after 18 long and arduous years in Afghanistan and India’s decision to rescind the

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After Kashmir, Pak Generals stare at failure in Afghanistan. By Manzoor Ahmed

 Pakistan is not only stoking violence in Kashmir but also in Afghanistan where it finds its violent and deceitful policy crumbling fast. The Pakistan Army is on the back foot now, first with the failure of its Kashmir policy and now with Afghanistan slipping out of its control, the Generals

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PREFACE of the book ‘Religious Liberty, Freedom, Power and the Role of the West' written by Sardar Mushtaq Gill

Why, the writer has decided to write his second book on this topic ‘Religious Liberty, Freedom, Power and the Role of the West’, as the current collective struggle of nations for religious freedom on the initiative of the USA and the West. The writer is an advocate for religious liber

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Imran can protect HR of Kashmiris and peace of Indo-Pak through ICJ only if invokes IoA & UN-resolution. By Hem Raj Jain

 Imran will become most deserving candidate for ‘Nobel Peace Prize’ if solves chronic & gory Kashmir problem through plebiscite (ii)- Imran can protect human rights of Kashmiris and peace of Indo-Pak through ICJ only if invokes IoA & UN-resolution which will facilitate ju

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Kashmir discussed at the UN Security Council after 50 years. By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

 “The position of the United Nations on this region (Kashmir) is governed by the Charter of the United Nations and applicable Security Council resolutions.” Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, August 8, 2019.



 India, disregarding what

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Ilhan & Rashida, instead of visiting Israel, should solve Palestine problem. By Hem Raj Jain

 ~2% population of USA with” 2% of export money of oil rich Muslim Countries can solve chronic & gory Israel-Palestine problem through peaceful & non-violent way; As per media report at the urging of US Republican President Donald Trump, Israel blocked US Democratic Congresswom

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Pakistan’s eminent culpability in the dilution of Article 370 relating to Jammu and Kashmir. EFSAS

 In its recently published commentary, “Pakistan’s eminent culpability in the dilution of Article 370 relating to Jammu and Kashmir”, EFSAS comments on Pakistan’s escalating desperation and child-like frustration at being outplayed by the Indian government through the

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Education and Religion: Stephen Gill feature 85

Feature 85 is from the interview with Dr. Anuradha Sharma to be included in Stephen Gill’s forthcoming book My Conversations.  Professor Sharma has contributed research papers to journals and teaches English Literature at a college in Gujrat, India. She has edited A Selection of Stephe

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Russia’s strategic hedging in South Asia. EFSAS

In its recently published study paper, “Russia’s strategic hedging in South Asia”, EFSAS comments on Russia’s strategic relations with the countries of South Asia, deliberating upon the various alliances and oppositions converging and diverging across time, illuminating th

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Jinnah’s lost Pakistan. By Prof. Anjum James Paul

 Pakistan came into being in the comity of the nations on August 14, 1947 by the efforts of Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Parsi, Sikhs etc. The Quaid-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a champion and guardian of human rights and minority rights. After the creation of Pakistan, he immediately took s

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Now only Court can bail-out India from J&K crises. By Hem Raj Jain

The Kashmiri leaders are rightly saying that the ill-conceived act of Government of India (GoI) - to amend Article 370, repeal Article 35-A of the Constitution and to convert the State of J&K (having Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh regions) into two Union territories one of Jammu & Kashmir regi

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True humanitarianism in universal. By Mekaal Hassan

The Kashmir dispute has once again been brought into the global consciousness. Earlier this month a plane flew over Headingley Stadium in Leeds during the Cricket World Cup, with a banner urging India to “free Kashmir”. Then Donald Trump made his unexpected offer this week to “m

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The betrayal of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. EFSAS

In its recently published Commentary, “The betrayal of the people of Jammu & Kashmir”, EFSAS comments on the Indian government’s decision to defang Article 370 of its Constitution, which gave the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) its special status and the consequent auto

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Emirati Withdrawal is a Well Calculated Move. By Manish Rai

 Just last month, the United Arab Emirates announced that it will reduce its forces significantly in Yemen. After this announcement Emiratis started pulling out its military hardware and thousands of troops out of Yemen. The UAE is a major coalition partner in the Saudi-led military campaign

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Christian Teenage girl gang raped by five Muslim men in Pakistan

Sheikhupura: August 7, 2019. (PCP) British Asian Christian Association has had to move a Christian teenager rape survivor and their family to a safe house and is launching a legal battle to get justice, after the 15-year-old was brutally gang-raped for over 24 hours by 5 men.



Maria Jala

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USA should ensure Kashmir (valley + PoJK) does not become another Bangladesh. By Hem Raj Jain

Notwithstanding political turmoil in jingoist India [as mentioned at https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/india-scraps-kashmirs-decades-old-special-status-amid-massive-security-clampdown  created by Government of India (GOI) by introducing a bill in Parliament on Monday about Article 3

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A World without Religion: Stephen Gill Feature 84

 This view has been extracted from the interview by Professor Dr. K.V. Dominic. It appeared in Selected Interviews of Stephen Gill (www.stephengillcriticism.info) edited by Dr. Anuradha Sharma, and released by Orientalia in 2011. Dr. KV Dominic, a prominent author of literary and critical st

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The way of Truth: How long Exploitation. BY HABIBULLAH KHAN ADVOCATE

Sindh is land of peace, equality and brotherhood since centuries which was preached by great soofi saints like Shah Latif Bhitai, Qalandar Shahbaz, Sachal Sarmast and others. But it was in past. Nowadays there was much difference between past and present situation. Atrocities, represion and ruthl

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Why Religious Hatred at High Level in Pakistan? By Rights Lawyer Sardar Mushtaq Gill

In these days an issue of religious hatred against a Christian Member of Punjab Assembly and Chairman of the Punjab Assembly Committee on Human Rights and Minority Affairs, Sardar Khalil Tahir Sandhu, is highlighted by local and international media. According to reports on Monday 29th July 2019,

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As part of USASEA the USA, as insider and not outsider, should try Kashmir & Afghan solution. By Hem Raj Jain

During July, 22 meeting between Prez Trump and PM Imran Khan where Trump said that PM Modi asked him to mediate (which Modi himself did not deny) on Kashmir issue, it raised huge political storm and controversy in India as mentioned at http://wadikinews.com/after-trumps-revelation-india-faces-ano

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TB is preventable & curable: Zero new infection & zero deaths must become a reality. By BOBBY RAMAKANT

TB is preventable, treatable and curable. Science shows how can we effectively prevent, accurately diagnose, treat with effective regimen, and eventually cure TB. But are not we failing to translate scientific wisdom in public health gains? How can we explain over 10 million new cases of TB and 1

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Is Universal Health Coverage an opportunity to end AIDS and TB? By Bobby Ramakant

 At the United Nations General Assembly in September 2019, a special United Nations High Level Meeting (UNHLM) will be held on Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 193 countries have promised to deliver on UHC by 2030 by committing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).



 But wil

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Dawood Ibrahim – Convergence of Crime and Terrorism. EFSAS

On 9 July 2019, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members addressed the issue of the links between organised crime and terrorism. During the open debate, India’s permanent representative to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin, recognised the relevance of the nexus between terrorism and organis

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Stephen Gill feature 83: Future of novels and movies

 Part of this interview with Professor J.L. Wangu appeared in The Indian Teacher from New Delhi in Jan-February 1979, vol. 1, no. 2, and also in A Selection of Stephen Gill’s Interviews, edited by Dr. Anuradha Sharma, released by Orientalia in 2011. These features will appear in Stephe

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A tale of two positives attracting each other. By Shobha Shukla

I met the two of them at the Clinica Condesa Iztapalapa, in Mexico City, where I had gone to attend the 10th IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2019). Was it a mere coincidence that they had many things in common - they share the same surname; they speak fluent English; they neither drink nor smo

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The shifting sands of Pakistan’s support to terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir. EFSAS

In its recently published article, “The shifting sands of Pakistan’s support to terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir”, EFSAS comments on how sections of the Indian and Pakistani media reported last week that the Pakistani security apparatus had in June this year shut down as many as

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Should U.S. Take ‘NO’ of India as an Answer? By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

 "I would like to categorically state that no such request (mediation on Kashmir) has been made by the Prime Minister (Modi) to the US President," Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs told the Indian Parliament on July 23, 2019. He added that "Shimla and Lahor

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A camouflaged Pakistani hand may be behind the expanding footprint of Al Qaeda in Jammu & Kashmir. EFSAS

 In its recently published article, “A camouflaged Pakistani hand may be behind the expanding footprint of Al Qaeda in Jammu & Kashmir”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on how over the last few years, amidst an ongoing and effective offensive

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Writing's on the wall: No #endAIDS without #endTB. By Shobha Shukla

TB and HIV both are preventable, but cutting the chain of transmission of HIV and TB is proving to be a daunting task. Treatment exists for both TB and HIV but disease-burden and deaths every year are indeed alarming. With countdown on towards TB and AIDS elimination targets for 2030, the writing

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India, in its own interest if gives blood, can still stop USA from ditching Afghanistan. By Hem Raj Jain

India, by justifying the success in Afghanistan of cross-border terrorism of Pakistan, is giving license to Pakistan to continue to try it in India.



In order to win presidential election 2020, Prez Trump will do anything to come out of Afghanistan and he said during this week meeting wi

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President Trump Deserves Our Gratitude. By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

 The Kashmiri American community has been informed of the deep gratitude felt by the people of Kashmir at the forthright and principle stand taken by President Donald J. Trump for offering his office of mediation to settle the 71-years old dispute between India and Pakistan. President Trump

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Achieving 100:100:100 + zero HIV transmission is must to #endAIDS. By Shobha Shukla

It has been 38 years and 1 month since the first case of HIV infection was detected in 1981, reminded Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the 10th IAS Conference on HIV Science (#IAS2019) taking place in Mexico City. Dr Fauci is a reci

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Modi requested Trump to mediate / arbitrate on Kashmir issue for ushering India into ‘Hindu Rashtra’. By Hem Raj Jain

 After Trump’s revelation, India faces another dismemberment if doesn’t solve Kashmir problem by plebiscite and by simultaneously establishing religious freedom in Indian subcontinent



The revelation by Prez Trump during his meeting, this week, with Pakistan PM Imran Kha

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Licensed guns with non-lethal tranquilizer bullets should be made fundamental right for every Indian. By Hem Raj Jain

Though Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes are generally vulnerable against violence due to social prejudices and economic reasons in India [as recently also happened on July, 17 in Sonbhadra, U.P. State where 10 Adivasis (STs) were killed as reported at https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sonb

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Preventing TB is a critical cog in the wheel to #endTB and #endAIDS. By Bobby Ramakant

 Every case of active tuberculosis (TB) disease comes from an individual with latent TB infection. And every new case of latent TB infection is a sign of failing infection control, as someone with active TB disease transmitted the bacteria to an uninfected person. Quarter of world's popu

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Minorities in India & Pakistan will testify, USA either naïve or irresponsible the way championing religious freedom. By Hem Raj Jain

It may sound little over reaction to say that what Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday (that the United States will create a new international body to campaign for religious freedom, following a major meeting in Washington as reported in media https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world

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Pashtuns Grievances Should be Addressed. By Manish Rai

 Pashtuns are an ethnic group of about 49 million people, the biggest share of them lives in Pakistan. They are referred with many names such as Afghan, Pashtun, Pathan and Pukhtoon. In Pakistan they are mostly inhabited in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces along with tribal areas

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Why are Pakistani Christian victimized by blasphemy law, killing, abduction, forced conversion and human trafficking? By Mushtaq Gill Advocate

It is very alarming news that in these days Christian victimization is on rise in Pakistan and shocking thing is that Pakistani authority is covering it by saying it is just a routine individual incident. We are raising our voice in solidarity with victims and their families because they are suff

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Dream of drug free Pakistan. By Cynthia Sohail

Pakistan is a top most country in a world map which has been diverse capacity to adopted things firstly. No Doubt we have Young, Smart and Vibrant youth who try to cop with the current situation of Pakistan, try to manage their career, creating balance between their Social, political and professi

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Second OHCHR Report on Jammu & Kashmir perseverates with the same flaws as the first. EFSAS

In its recently published commentary, “Second OHCHR Report on Jammu & Kashmir perseverates with the same flaws as the first”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on a report titled “Update of the Situation of Human Rights in Indian-Administered K

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About Poets and Computers. By Dr. Stephen Gill

Stephen Gill’s feature 82 is from the interview with Dr. Peggy Lynch from Texas, USA. She is a well-known poet and edits Poetry in the Arts. A part of the interview appeared in Poetry In The Arts, No. 23, January 2001, and in Masihi Sansar (India), January 31, 2001, and also in A Selection

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Global meet underlines country-level progress on sustainable development. By Bobby Ramakant

Key decision-makers and senior representatives of several constituencies are convening to review progress on the effective development co-operation (EDC) agenda and to discuss how to accelerate country-level progress on the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Representatives of the global platf

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KPs need not bother about BJP criticism and work with Mirwaiz for rehabilitation & Kashmir solution. By Hem Raj Jain

The recent meeting of Kashmiri Pandits (KPs)  under the leadership of Satish Mahaldar (as reported at https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/separatists-kashmiri-pandits-form-committee-to-find-ways-for-return-of-pandits-to-valley-1563379-2019-07-06  ) with Hurriyat Conference Chairman an

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India has failed to capture the hearts and minds of Kashmiris. By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

 “Kashmir continues to bleed. We see the horrendous brutality, unstopped and unpunished barbarities unleashed against the defenseless population. A deliberate, systematic and officially sanctioned massive campaign of brutal oppression launched against the people of Kashmir is still on

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Crocodile tears by OHCHR & JKCCS for human rights in Indian & Pakistani sides of J&K. By Hem Raj Jain

An irked India on July, 8 lodged a strong protest (https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/india-slams-un-report-on-jk-as-false-and-motivated/ ) with the UN rights office over the OHCHR report (https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/IN/KashmirUpdateReport_8July2019.pdf  ) and in addition to other

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Organized Crime, Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation; CPEC brings more than the people of Pakistan wished for. EFSAS

 In its recently published article, “Organized Crime, Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation; CPEC brings more than the people of Pakistan wished for”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on how Chinese men, especially those from poor rural areas w

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NDAA OK, but India should go to NAME instead of allowing USA to make India theater of Shia-Sunni World War. By Hem Raj Jain

India is the only secular democratic country (that too of ~ 1.35 billion people) in Asia (based on the political values of Western Liberal World led by USA) hence it faces permanent grave existential threat by its neighbors and which can be handled effectively only when NATO provides requisite mi

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Why I did not renew my driving license? By Bobby Ramakant

 Because I realized (better late than never) that it is government’s responsibility to provide safe, convenient, affordable, accessible and humane ways of commuting for all its citizens. When governments fail on its duty then it hides behind the market forces, and co-opts itself in cor

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Justice for Maria Jalal. BY RS ROBERTS

Five Muslim men reportedly kidnapped and raped a teenage Christian girl in Pakistan — yet authorities refuse to respond to her family’s desperate calls for justice.



 reports the 15-year-old girl named Maria daughter of Jalal Masih was kidnapped from her house in Sheikhu

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Myanmar’s offensive against NSCN-K camps spells doom for northeastern Indian insurgent outfits. EFSAS

In its recently published article, “Myanmar’s offensive against NSCN-K camps spells doom for northeastern Indian insurgent outfits”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on how the Myanmar armed forces have over the last four months undertaken a succe

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The European Union and Afghanistan – Prospects for Peace. EFSAS

 In its recently published article, “The European Union and Afghanistan – Prospects for Peace”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) described the European Union’s (EU) strategy in Afghanistan, highlighting how the EU has consolidated its effort to

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On the road again. By Sohail Yousaf

One day a puppy was running and waving his tail happily suddenly he slipped from a banana peel and fell down in a main whole, A preacher who was watching him has stopped his bicycle get down and bend himself, stretched his hand and successfully bring out the puppy from the main whole although pup

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Blasphemy Laws must be repealed for Freedom of Expression and Religious Liberty in Pakistan. By Sardar Mushtaq Gill, HRD Lawyer

A man identified as Saleem is given death sentence and fined Rs.200, 000/- under section 295-C PPC in the Court of Additional sessions judge Faizul Hassan, Lahore, in June 2019. He was accused of uttering blasphemous comments in public place in Lohari Gate, Lahore in 2016.Reportedly 12 eye-witnes

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India & its Muslims can’t afford to be passive spectators of US-Iran conflict. By Hem Raj Jain

Despite (i)- Crippling economic US sanctions against Iran after withdrawal of USA from Iran nuclear deal (ii)- Six tankers explosion in that region in the last ~ one month including two on June 13, which crippled the Japanese Kokuka Courageous and the Norwegian Front Altair, forcing their crews t

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In the absence of adequate addressal of radicalization and terrorism in South Asia, objectives of the SCO will remain mere illusions. EFSAS

 In its recently published commentary, “In the absence of adequate addressal of radicalization and terrorism in South Asia, objectives of the SCO will remain mere illusions”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

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Role of a Poet attracts me The Most, says Stephen Gill

The view below is to answer a question from Professor Sudhir Arora. This question appeared in Professor Arora’s book The Poetic Corpus of Stephen Gill that was released in 2009 by Sarup Book, a prominent international publishing house. Dr. Arora is an established literary critic with severa

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Role of a Poet attracts me The Most, says Stephen Gill

The view below is to answer a question from Professor Sudhir Arora. This question appeared in Professor Arora’s book The Poetic Corpus of Stephen Gill that was released in 2009 by Sarup Book, a prominent international publishing house. Dr. Arora is an established literary critic with severa

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Genocide of Christians and Hindus in Pakistan is the strategic plan of Islamic fundamentalist organizations. By RS Roberts

Abduction and forced conversions to Islam are unfortunately common for religious minorities in Pakistan. A recent survey shows that nearly 1,100 women from Pakistan's Christian and Hindu communities are abducted, raped and forcibly converted to Islam every year. One case that made it to court

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Innovative MACH gives hope for multi-disciplinary global health response. By Bobby Ramakant

 Although 193 governments adopted UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which warrant an integrated and multisectoral response to deliver on those promises, the progress has been lackadaisical in the past four years. A recent UN report has set an alarm on uneven progress on some SDGs and s

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New milestone for improved treatment for children with TB. By Shobha Shukla

 More and more children around the world are now benefitting from fixed dose combination (FDC) of child-friendly medicines to treat drug-sensitive TB, thanks to the untiring efforts of TB Alliance (Global Alliance for TB Drug Development) and its partners including World Health Organization

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Why the only Christian and Hindu religious minorities’ Girls are victims of abduction and rape in Pakistan? By Mushtaq Gill Advocate

Today I, Sardar Mushtaq Gill HRD Lawyer, head of LEAD, came across a gang rape case of a Christian girl 15 years old namely Maria on social media after being highlighted by one local activist Mubarak Masih. I was made compelled to pen the issue of Christian girls the victims of abduction, rape, f

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Apostasy from Islam in Pakistan and Human Rights. By Dr. Stephen Gill

 The article was written about ten years ago when the muscles of the blasphemy laws were not strong. In the world of the human rights of today these muscles are growing stronger and much more fearful.  Both Sunnis and Shias prescribe disinheritance and death for their apostates.  I

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China puts corporate staff through military training. By Manzoor Ahmed

 Is China turning its corporate staff into soldiers in suits? The news of world’s biggest surveillance equipment manufacturer, based in Zhejiang province, sending its employees to a military boot camp has raised serious questions about the intent behind the exercise.



 Th

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Islam-AIMPLB-BMAC watching callously & irresponsibly the Hindu India rushing towards bloodshed of innocent Muslim. By Hem Raj Jain

BJP openly saying Ram Temple will be constructed by legislation if Supreme court denies temple at disputed site of Babri Masjid (ii)- After massacre of thousands of innocent Muslims post Masjid demolition it is not merely matter of title or faith (iii)- This is bound to trigger communal riots in

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Without Kashmir solution India will continue to get eggs on its face as after Anantnag attack. By Hem Raj Jain

On February 14, 2019 Pulwama attack took place (which India alleged Pakistan sponsored militants carried out) in which 40 security personnel were killed. In response to it India carried out aerial strike at Balakot on February, 26 even at Pakistani soil (and not merely on the soil of PoJK). Pakis

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Pak defence spending and budget. By Manzoor Ahmad

The two ironies are over sixty years old, but they are getting more and more relevant by the day. Every nation has an army, but, it said, not in zest, that in Pakistan the army has a nation. The other is that the country’s armed forces, particularly the Pakistan Army, are fattening even as

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Asif Ali Zardari’s arrest aimed at reinforcing the supremacy of the Pakistani military establishment. EFSAS

 In its recently published commentary, “Asif Ali Zardari’s arrest aimed at reinforcing the supremacy of the Pakistani military establishment”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on how after first neutralizing the more ominous challenge of form

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With the passing of Yusuf Buch, it is the end of an era. By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

“My soul derives comfort from the belief that the participants in my funeral – whether few or many – will be performing an act of the kind that is known to have earned the pleasure of the beloved Founder of our Faith. Its reward lies only with God.” Ambassador Yusuf Buch w

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Haftar a Dominant Player. By Manish Rai

General Khalifa Haftar's ongoing offensive against the capital Tripoli based Government of National Accord (GNA) is not going very well even after couple of months of intense fighting. Haftar's forces have however failed to breach the southern defences of the city. That is mainly because

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Another Christian is killed by beaten brutally and forced to drink some acid or poison. By RS ROBERT

This is heartbreaking news about a young Christian mane Sagheer Masih 35years of age a Pakistani Christian auto raksha driver who was the only breadwinner for his family. He got 3 younger sisters and two brothers his parents have passed away already; he has no choice except hardworking and earns

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BBC’s Report on Human rights violations in Pakistan accentuates shortcomings of Reports by OHCHR. EFSAS commentary

 In its recently published commentary, “BBC’s Report on Human rights violations in Pakistan accentuates shortcomings of Reports by OHCHR”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on the detailed investigative report of M. Ilyas Khan on human rights

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Prime Minister Modi’s stupendous victory in the age of the enlightened voter. EFSAS

 In its recently published article, “Prime Minister Modi’s stupendous victory in the age of the enlightened voter”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) describes how Prime Minister Modi proactively and relentlessly capitalized on the opportunity to demol

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Mehbooba under delusion that without ‘prominent’ Kashmiris, plebiscite petition can’t be filed in Court. By Hem Raj Jain

The war of words is going on in regional J&K and national Indian media between Kashmiri leaders and BJP leaders (most of the anchors and jingoist political commentators in national media on BJP’s side) on the statement issued by PDP President and former Chief Minister of J&K Mehboob

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Muslims should uphold rule-of-law and need not be deterred by Swamy’s letter to PM. By Hem Raj Jain

If Muslims cave-in on Babri Masjid dispute to communal Hindutva forces / BJP, then law abiding Indians will never forgive them.



The electronic media on Sunday has been showing that the Member of Parliament Subramaniyan Swamy from ruling party BJP has given a letter dated  May 31, 2

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Houthis a Grave Concern for Saudis. By Manish Rai

Recent attacks launched by Houthis rebels on critical installations of Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a significant leap in their capabilities. The story of how Ansar Allah (official name of Houthi movement) moved from small-arms ambushes to medium-range ballistic missile and sophisticated drone a

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Growing accumulation of tensions and escalation of Maoist violence in Nepal. EFSAS commentary

 In its recently published commentary, “Growing accumulation of tensions and escalation of Maoist violence in Nepal”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on a string of bomb blasts on the 26th of May in three separate locations that shook the Nepalese

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China’s ‘String of Pearls’ exhibits The Dragon’s Great Game of Loans and Debts. EFSAS Study Paper

 In its recently published Study Paper, ‘China’s ‘String of Pearls’ exhibits The Dragon’s Great Game of Loans and Debts’, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) examined the possibility of an international confrontation in the Indian Ocean

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The Culture of Terror in Pakistan: Ramification of Pakistan Blasphemy Laws. By Dr. Stephen Gill

 There is sufficient capital, technology and ability to open the doors to prosperity in Pakistan. But the resources are being wasted in feeding the tiger of fear. At the death of Bishop John Joseph, the son of Zia said that even if a hundred thousand Christians commit suicide, including the

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With back against wall, tobacco industry tries to co-opt World No Tobacco Day. By Bobby Ramakant CNS News

On Friday 31 May, the globe will unite for World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) for the 31st year to raise the visibility of tobacco related disease and prevent the spread of the epidemic. But this year, Philip Morris International (PMI) one of the chief profiteers and drivers of the tobacco crisis is try

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India living in explosive political vacuum. By Hem Raj Jain

The 2019 Parliamentary election in India has brought the government of PM Modi with almost 2/3 rd majority by his party BJP along with its allies and people may be thinking that now India is on a sure path of peace & prosperity but nothing can be far from truth. Presently India is horribly de

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Perspicacious inquisition by the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering does not bode well for Pakistan. EFSAS Commentary

 In its recently published commentary, “Perspicacious inquisition by the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering does not bode well for Pakistan”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on the fretful attempts of Pakistan to defend its dismal record again

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Muslims succeed in soon making India a Theocratic State, the ‘Hindu Rashtra’. By Hem Raj Jain

Fielding of ‘Sadhvi’ Pragya as its candidate from Bhopal is ample prove BJP is heading towards ‘Hindu Rashtra’ (ii)- By not filing 6 writ petitions in Courts, Indian Muslims paved the way for unprecedented political ascendancy of  BJP / Hindutva forces (iii)- BJP and

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The mission of Mirwaiz and Lone never dies. By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

 In the annals of history, nations and peoples are often blessed with leaders, guides and activists who play singular roles providing leadership that transcends inspiration and casts a lasting impact on these societies. The people Kashmir were blessed with such leaders and guides in the form

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After The Attack on Shanti Nagar and Khanewal: Ramification of Pakistan Blasphemy Laws. By Dr. Stephen Gill

NOTE: Attacks on Shantinagar, Khanewal and on the surrounding areas on the 5th and the 6th of February of 1997 were the direct consequences of Pakistan blasphemy laws. For three weeks after the attack, no Government representative from the higher ranks visited the village. The prime minister, pre

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Pakistan’s latest IMF bailout will not succeed without major cuts in the defense budget. EFSAS Commentary

In its recently published commentary, “Pakistan’s latest IMF bailout will not succeed without major cuts in the defense budget”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) comments on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) announcement that it had reached a S

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NIAC Brings USA & Iran on the brink of easily-avoidable war. By Hem Raj Jain

The people or organizations or institutions who plunge two or more countries in war (by their acts of commission) are the not only responsible for avoidable war but the people or organization or institutions which can stop war but do not do so are also equally responsible (by their acts of omissi

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The future of peace in Afghanistan is rooted in lessons from the past. EFSAS report

 In its recently published article, The future of peace in Afghanistan is rooted in lessons from the past”, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) has evaluated the future of the long desired peace-process in Afghanistan. EFSAS explores in its article the history of Af

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ISIS is a Big Hurdle for Afghan Peace. By Manish Rai

 Islamic State Afghanistan claimed responsibility for an attack on the communication ministry building centrally located in capital Kabul last month. The Islamic State’s local arm has repeatedly targeted both official and civilian facilities, as well as religious gatherings, in the Afg

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Another Kashmir Party on its way, if doesn't wake-up, to become time-pass. By Hem Raj Jain

As per media reports (http://risingkashmir.in/news/shah-faesal-meets-governor-seeks-release-of-political-prisoners-349676.html or http://www.knskashmir.com/Shah-Faesal-calls-on-Governor-Malik-37172 ) the President of ‘Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement’ (JKPM) Shah Faesal on Tuesday t

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Self-determination: An Inescapable Principle of Kashmir Dispute. By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

 The concept of self-determination is  a vexing but significant topic in the field of human rights. It is the idea of government by the consent of the governed eternally memorialized in the soaring prose of President Thomas Jefferson in America's Declaration of Independence. Self-de

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Self-determination: An Inescapable Principle of Kashmir Dispute. By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

The concept of self-determination is  a vexing but significant topic in the field of human rights. It is the idea of government by the consent of the governed eternally memorialized in the soaring prose of President Thomas Jefferson in America's Declaration of Independence. Self-determin

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Azhar's designation as a global terrorist will force Pakistan to act against him. By Farooq Ganderbali

In a huge diplomatic win for India, the United Nations last week designated Moulana Masood Azhar as a global terrorist after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief, a decade after New Delhi approached the world body for the first time on the iss

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Coptic Orthodox in Al Minya, Egypt celebrate Holy Friday over ashes. By Dr. Ashraf Ramelah

As the Orthodox in Egypt and around the world began their holy week last week on Sunday, April 21, Christians around the world mourned the Sri Lanka church bombing where more than three hundred Catholic Christians were killed celebrating Easter. For Copts, the explosion of bombs inside the three

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The complex search for a solution in Afghanistan: US, Afghan Government, Taliban and blatant Pakistani interference: EFSAS

Amidst claims of progress, albeit labored and fragmentary, in the ongoing talks between the United States (US) and the Taliban, concomitant reports of regular, violent and widespread clashes between the Taliban and Afghan government troops much before the time the ‘Spring Offensive’ h

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Part Four: Shantinagar and Khanewal: Ramification of Pakistan Blasphemy laws. By Dr. Stephen Gill

The incident reminds one of the holocausts at the time of the creation of Pakistan in 1947 when the Hindus and Muslims killed one another in the name of God whom nobody has seen. The young persons of today in Pakistan



 "no longer have to stretch their imagination to know what

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Kashmir election nothing but a farce. By Farooq Ganderbali

It seems Pakistan is bent upon not learning its lessons from experience. It lost one wing of the country, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), because it refused to accept the verdict of the elections in 1971. It did so because leadership in West Pakistan did not want a person from the Eastern wing, S

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Part 111 of Shantinagar and Khanewal: Ramification of Pakistan Blasphemy Laws; By Dr. Stephen Gill

 As soon as the crowd entered Shantinagar, the residents felt as if that was doomsday.  Everywhere, they saw clouds of smoke. The attackers first cut off the telephone lines, and the electricity. Many were reportedly armed with rifles, pistols, daggers, homemade bombs and other weapons.

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Part Two: Shantinagar and Khanewal; Ramifications of Blasphemy laws. By Dr. Stephen Gill

The attack was initiated from the historical city of Khanewal, known for the activities of the Muslim militants. Khanewal is not far from Shantinagar. Before proceeding further, it is better to have some idea about this city. The name Khanewal was given to the city by Daha Khans, a prominent poli

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Muslims themselves to be blamed for their pathetic situation in India. By Hem Raj Jain

Six petitions in Supreme & High Courts are enough to bring honorable & peaceful life for Muslims in India. Presently in print & electronic media of India (also due to on-going election for lower house of the Parliament) politicians, political commentators, journalists, academicians, r

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Attacks on Shantinagar and Khanewal (divided in four parts): RAMIFICATIONS OF PAKISTAN BLASPHEMY LAWS. By Dr. Stephen Gill

 NOTE: Attacks on Shantinagar, Khanewal and the surrounding areas on the 5th and the 6th of February of 1997 were the direct consequences of Pakistan blasphemy laws.  The destruction that was caused in Shantinagar by these wrong laws reminds one the destruction caused in 1947 when India

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Real talk: Are we on track to #endmalaria? By Shobha Shukla and Bobby Ramakant

 This year’s World Malaria Day theme, "Zero Malaria Starts With Me" re-energizes the fight to eliminate malaria which, despite being preventable and treatable, still kills over half a million people every year. While incredible progress has been made in the past 15 years (wit

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On the international day of Peasants farmers are entitled to inheritance of land right. By David Rehmat

“On the international day of Peasants farmers are entitled to inheritance of land rights to farmers and small farmers”. 17th April is the International day of peasants.



 In 1996, 19 peasants were killed when they were protesting against a feudal system in the city of Br

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People participated in election process in Kashmir. By Farooq Ganderbali

Despite Pakistan trying every trick in its terror book to thwart democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir, the overwhelming participation of people in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls has once again shown that people in the state prefer ballot over bullet. Pakistan was planning to disrupt the democrati

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Is Arab League Still Relevant? By Manish Rai

The Arab League, commonly known as the League of Arab States, was formed in 1945 for the purpose of aligning the Arab nations for matter of mutual interest and concern. Foundations of League were laid by The Alexandria Protocol of 1944 issued by representatives of Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and

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Hindu girls victims of intolerant Pakistan. By Manzoor Ahmed

The recent abduction and forcible conversion of three young Hindu women in Pakistan’s Sindh province raked up great anger in different parts of the world. What has riled large section of the Pakistani civil society is that such incidents have become so regular that successive Pakistani gove

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Part 111: WHO KILLED BISHOP JOHN JOSEPH? By Dr. Stephen Gill

 Bishop John Joseph ended his life to end the blasphemy laws of Pakistan, which are the time bombs tied to the bodies of the Christians, while the remote control is in the hands of the Muslims who can press the button any time to blow them up. The Pakistan of today is under the martial law o

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Part 11: WHO KILLED BISHOP JOHN JOSEPH? By Dr. Stephen Gill

 Bishop John Joseph ended his life to end the blasphemy laws of Pakistan, which are the time bombs tied to the bodies of the Christians, while the remote control is in the hands of the Muslims who can press the button any time to blow them up. The Pakistan of today is under the martial law o

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Despite rich in water resources, half Kashmir population has no access to potable water. By Farooq Ganderbali

Despite Pakistan Occupied Kashmir being rich in water resources, roughly half the population in the region still do not have access to potable water as water sources have all but dried up in some areas. The reason being Islamabad exploiting the water resources of POK for the benefit of Punjabi Ge

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Who killed Bishop John Joseph? Ramifications of the Pakistan Blasphemy Laws (in three parts) By Dr. Stephen Gill

Bishop John Joseph ended his life to end the blasphemy laws of Pakistan, which are the time bombs tied to the bodies of the Christians, while the remote control is in the hands of the Muslims who can press the button any time to blow them up. The Pakistan of today is under the martial law of reli

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Clash of Christian and Indian Cultures. By Dr. Stephen Gill

THE VIEW BELOW ANSWERS A QUESTION FROM PROFESSOR DR. AKSA RAO FROM INDIA, WHO ASKS IF CHRISTIAN CULTURE CLASH WITH PROVERBIAL INDIAN CULTURE.  RECENTLY THERE ARE SEVERAL ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS ON THE BASIS THAT CHRISTIAN CULTURE IS FOREIGN.



ANSWER:



Christian culture is bas

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Who is? What is the human being? By José Arnal

All dimensions of human nature, together with the activity that belongs to them, are strictly personal. Thus, for example, the human body functions are not animals, but are truly and properly humans. In part Aristotle and his disciples were wrong when they do not realize that the so-called lower

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Why is Pakistan silent on detention of two million Muslims in Xinjiang? By Farooq Ganderbali

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan recently dodged a question on the detention of as many as two million Muslims in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang, saying he “didn't know much” about the issue. Khan said that even if the allegations on China are true, he would raise

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Al Sisi’s presidential ambitions conflict with Egypt’s constitution. By Dr. Ashraf Ramelah

By virtue of its own authority every dictatorial power -- whether of military, religious or national -- creates for the country a vital, intellectual space or atmosphere where propaganda can flourish. This is the means to enact authoritarian projects for the purpose of tightening a grip on societ

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Even after Abolishing Article 370, the J&K Constitution will not be abolished. By Hem Raj Jain

Status of India nothing more than Care-taker of J&K and Election Commission for united-J&K (ii)- Abolishing Article 370 will not abolish J&K Constitution



In view of the statement by BJP President Amit Shat that (Article 370 of the Constitution will be abolished in 2020 when

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Forced conversion of minority girls, a tragic reality. By Nasir Saeed

Last weekend more than a dozen NGOs protested in front of Pakistan’s Punjab assembly against the ongoing forced conversion of minorities’ girls.



They demanded the government pass a law to stop the forced conversion of minorities’ girls to Islam.



On March 29th

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Part 3: Escape of Pastor Arthur: Ramification of Pakistan Blasphemy Laws. By Dr. Stephen Gill

Continued from Part2: The PEN reading was dedicated to those prisoners who had been behind the bars the world over for expressing their personal opinions. Due to the pressure from the national offices of the Pen, several prisoners had been released by their governments.  A stream of constant

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Islamabad declares water war on people of PoK. By Farooq Ganderbali

Pakistan has declared a water war on the people of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) by diverting the waters of the Neelum River to Punjab province. Punjab remains Pakistan's pampered and favoured province and Islamabad is depriving the people of Muzaffarabad from their water lifeline - Neelum

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Coordinated India-Myanmar counter-insurgency operations hold valuable lessons for Pakistan. EFSAS report

The recent coordinated counter-insurgency operations undertaken by the Indian and Myanmar armed forces against the banned Arakan Army (AA) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Khaplang (NSCN-K) have, as per all accounts, been fairly successful. That such coordination was actually effe

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Part 2: Escape of Pastor Arthur: Ramification of Pakistan Blasphemy Laws. By Dr. Stephen Gill

The fanatics   who have killed their own daughter, can easily kill SK   and her family.  She has become so desperate that she once sprinkled kerosene on her clothes   and was ready to burn herself.  The Pastor phoned to dissuade her from suicide. He advised

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Part 1: Escape of Pastor Arthur: Ramification of Pakistan Blasphemy Laws. By Dr. Stephen Gill

 Note: It was written 19 years ago. It is still timely. Some names have not been identified for obvious reasons. Next in this series is Bishop John Joseph who ended his life to end the blasphemy laws of Pakistan



 I met Pastor Arthur on September 23 in 2001. At that time, I was

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The New Great Game: An Impending Danger with Serious Global Implications. By S. K Basu and Manish Rai

A new Great game is again taking shape and form in the mainland Asia; or in the real sense of the term at the heart of Asia. Of course, compared to the old Great Game that was heavily focussed on Afghanistan, it is now more in the Afghanistan-Pakistan (Af-Pak) region and this time Pakistan is the

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New Zealand mosque attack: Egypt’s grand imam schools the West on terror equality. By Dr. Ashraf Ramelah

The following includes a brief review of how Islam realized its presence in a country such as New Zealand (Muslims are one percent) by way of intentional Islamization efforts and export across the world. The grand imam of Al-Azhar Institute, Ahmed Al Tayib, responded to the New Zealand tragedy wi

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Islamabad denies on use of F-16 during recent aerial conflict with India. By Farooq Ganderbali

After Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out strikes against Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan on February 27, Pakistan has all but confirmed that its air force deployed an American-made F-16 fighter jet in its February 27 aerial conflict with India. The United States had provided F-

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Not NYAY but improved MNREGA with payment against consideration. By Hem Raj Jain

‘Nyuntam Aay Yojana’, the NYAY (Minimum Income Guarantee Scheme) announced by Congress Party on March, 25 has generated political storm in India, which is in Parliamentary election mode. Under NYAY Congress has promised to give cash benefit of Rs 6 Thousand per month directly in bank

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All faith vigil for peace held in London after twin mosque attack in New Zealand

London: March 23, 2019. (PCP) In the wake of the condemnable terror attack in New Zealand on Friday 15 March, the British Pakistani Christian Association held a peace vigil at Ilford Town Hall to commemorate those who were heartlessly taken too soon.



In the early afternoon of Friday pea

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It’s Time to bend the curve sharply to #endTB: By Shobha Shukla and Bobby Ramakant

Although governments of 193 countries had promised way back in 2015 to end tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, the global annual rate of TB decline since then has been much less than what is required. The rate of TB decline which is currently hovering around 1.5%, should catapult to over 10% by 2025 globa

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Kashmiris should act as 'iron is hot' due to Parliamentary elections. By Hem Raj Jain

Due to chronic & gory Kashmir problem during last over 71years tens of thousands of people have lost their lives, many wars (including proxy wars) have been fought between India and Pakistan and Kashmiris are still suffering. This unfortunate situation lingered mainly due to confusion of Kash

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Exploitation of natural resources in Kashmir & GB by Pakistani govt deprives natives of their own natural wealth. By Farooq Ganderbali

Exploitation of the natural resources in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) by Punjabi-dominated Pakistani government has deprived the natives of the region of their own natural wealth. Pakistan is plundering the natural resources of PoK and GB without the consultation of t

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There is no place for the Qadianis in Pakistan, says Adviser to Prime Minister of Pakistan: By Ata Us Salam

It was the evening of 6th of January 2019, I was watching PTV news with one of my friends in Wimbledon and his family. The newscaster was reporting that Mr Zulfiqar Bukhari, who is usually called Zulfi Bukhari, had addressed the members of Khatam-e-Nabuwwat in the Golra Sharif area of Pakistan. I

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Syria Still a Hotbed for Extremists. By Manish Rai

 ISIS has lost almost all the territory in its possession in Syria. There is a perception growing among the people that these are the end days of Islamic State and United States and allies war on terror is coming to conclusion in Syria. But still in one corner of Syria Jihadis enjoy safe hav

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Gang Rape of Eight Christian Girls in Pakistan: Ramification of Pakistan Blasphemy Laws. By Dr. Stephen Gill

The article was written about nineteen years ago. Surprisingly, it is still timely) The rape of innocent young women by armed gangs particularly for religious revenge is an outrageous cruelty. The police and employers who side with such gangs are outrageously cruel culprits.  There is no wor

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War is not in favor of anyone. By Cynthia Sohail

 Pakistan and India are two neighboring countries of South-Asia. Both the countries share almost same well-off and vast cultural and traditional heritage, which is preserve over past thousands of years. Both the countries leaders splurge day and night in freedom moment to get separate indepe

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Anger Activism Rejects Universal Human Rights. By Jeffrey Imm, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

 In a commitment to universal human rights, outrageous abuses against human rights and dignity will shock and outrage many, and bring feelings of anger about such abuses, but we need restraint. Anger is the opposite of the peace we seek in compassion, dignity, and respect for human rights fo

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ISIS 2.0 All Set to Go. By Manish Rai

ISIS caliphate was once had population of 10 million people within its borders. It stretched across two countries Iraq and Syria contained major towns and cities, oil fields, factories and dams and was roughly the size of Britain. But now ISIS has lost more than 99 percent of the territory it onc

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Conversion to Christianity. By Stephen Gill

The view below is to answer a question from Mr. Kalchuri Murty, a translator and post graduate in Ancient Indian History, and Archaeology from Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, India, and post-graduate also in English from Indira Gandhi National Open University.  He is a Stephenean

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Ultimately chronic, gory and explosive Kashmir problem being solved by FJP. By Hem Raj Jain

People of J&K (especially from Kashmir) should come forward to become petitioner in Supreme Court of India (SCI) in petition about PoJK being filed by ‘Fauji Janta Party’ (FJP)



India was partitioned in 1947 on the basis of religion (which both Hinduism and Islam came in

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St. Thomas & the Native Judeo-Dravidian Malankara Nasrani Church; A Brief Overview. By George Alexander

Introduction: The unknown history of the ancient Nasrani Church of Malankara is worthy of note. For a certainty, the Malankara-Malabar Church definitely had a Pre-Nestorian, Pre-Latin and Pre-Syriac origin, existence and history. An ancient community of indigenous Christians (the Judeo -Dravidian

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Egypt: Is Orthodox Church “unity” with Catholics linked to bishop’s murder? By: Dr. Ashraf Ramelah

The circumstances surrounding last month’s murder trial where two monks were found guilty for last summer’s killing of Bishop Epiphanius, head of the Orthodox Abu Makar Monastery, are troubling. They have revealed how Arab-Muslim Bedouins and the Coptic pope of the Egyptian Orthodox C

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Women speak: To be a woman and to be in India. By Shobha Shukla

Is the situation dismal? In a survey of experts done in 2018, India ranks as the world’s most dangerous country for women. It had ranked 4th in the same survey done 7 years ago. The Global Gender Gap Index 2017 by the World Economic Forum placed India at 108 position out of 144 countries be

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Salafism threat to Kashmiriyat. By Farooq Ganderbali

Kashmir is going through a phase of radicalisation, where traditions like Sufism have been eroded and there is a threat of Kashmir being lost to fanatic Islam with no space to other religious beliefs. Salafism’ backed by Pakistan has sounded the death knell of ‘Kashmiriyat’ and

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Ramification of Pakistan Blasphemy Laws: Women of The Minorities. By Stephen Gill

A woman who accuses a man of rape may wind up convicted of adultery. Amnesty International supports the view when it considers "the possibility of a rape victim ending up being accused of zina (adultery) is not a mere twist in the law or of academic interest. It frequently happens to women i

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Indian air-strikes on terror infrastructure isolated Pakistan globally. By Farooq Ganderbali

The air-strikes by India on terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan after the February 14 Pulwama suicide attack has now isolated Pakistan globally. It is a victory of India’s diplomacy. New Delhi must keep up the pressure on Pakistan to crack down on terrorism infrastructure and the mas

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Mourning India should ask USA to reorganize UN based on denuclearization & secularism. By Hem Raj Jain

India in mourning due to misconception about terrorism (ii)- Constitutionally secular Hindu majority India blundered by militarily entering Balakot Pakistan without end-game of retrieving Muslim PoJK (iii)- India should ask from world community (led by USA) to go for re-organization / replacement

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OIC invite to Sushma Swaraj major diplomatic victory for India, setback for Pakistan. By Farooq Ganderbali

The invitation by United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to attend the Foreign Ministers’ meet of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), set to take place in Abu Dhabi on March 1-2, is a major diplomatic victory for India and a setback fo

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EFSAS discusses nexus between terrorism in South Asia and the West

A delegation of EFSAS, consisting of Mr. Dušan Vejinović (Senior Research Analyst EFSAS) and Ms. Yoana Barakova (Research Analyst EFSAS), held a meeting in the Hague with Mr. Jean Pascal Zanders, an independent researcher/consultant on disarmament, non-proliferation of chemical, biological

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Politics in Pakistan has always been dominated by elites. By Farooq Ganderbali

Pakistan is among the poorest nations in the world, though oxymoronically it is rich in natural resources. The reality is that almost 40 percent of the people in Pakistan live in extreme poverty. The Human Development Index ranks Pakistan 147th out of 188 countries for 2016. According to several

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Article 35-A is unconstitutional & anti-fundamental rights Needs to be renewed. By Prof. Bhim Singh

The role of the Constituent Assembly of India came to an end on January 26, 1950 when Constitution of India was promulgated, except Jammu and Kashmir.  



Under special circumstances, may be, political compulsions, State of J&K was not brought under the cover of the Constitution

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Atmosphere of suspicion created in Kashmir through unfounded, presumptive provocative statements. By Farooq Ahmad

As a plea regarding Article 35-A of the Constitution is being heard in the Supreme Court, so much hullabaloo has been created in Kashmir by separatists, soft-separatists and other vested interests to create an atmosphere of suspicion through unfounded, presumptive provocative statements.
Instead o

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Without Kashmir solution non-military Balakot strike opens way for Pak attack on security forces in J&K. By Hem Raj Jain

Both India & Pakistan responsible for not understanding rather confounding definition of terrorism (ii)- World community should ensure that PM Modi does not give freedom to armed forces about use of Nukes (iii)- War by India without solving Kashmir problem will pave way for Sunni-Caliphate (iv)- Sec

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Terrorism expanded in Pakistan due to state’s sympathetic policy for terrorists in Kashmir, Afghanistan. By Farooq Ahmad

The origins and nature of terrorism in Pakistan and social, political and economic factors that have contributed to the rise of political violence there is known to everybody in the world. Since 9/11, the state of Pakistan has come to be regarded as the epicentre of terrorist activity committed i

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Persecution Rising in China: And Things Could Get Worse. By John Stonestreet & Roberto Rivera

 The steadily deteriorating state of religious freedom in China has been a frequent topic of late, both here on BreakPoint and other media outlets. The picture is bleak. An estimated one million Muslim Uighurs have been detained in what are essentially re-education camps, as part of an attem

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Afghan Peace Process Should Have a Holistic Approach. By Manish Rai

United States seems to be inclined or even desperate, to close a deal with the Taliban. The US Special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, has already held extensive six days talks with the Taliban at Doha last month. Americans are hopeful that talks with the Taliban will take the ‘peac

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The President is fully empowered to amend Article 370 & extend Indian Constitution to J&K. By Prof. Bhim Singh

The entire world press/media is flooding with the highly provocative stories on ‘Fire in Kashmir’, which is in J&K. J&K acceded to the Union of India by its Ruler on October 26, 1947. This is unfortunate that well known writers/authors, jurists, statesmen and politicians have

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Agony of a Poet when Site is compromised. By Stephen Gill

The website of Writer’s Lifeline was hacked around the time my feature 75 appeared. This feature defines peace. Because of a sinister soul who is allergic to peace all the links of Writer’s Lifeline stopped working. This soul has put all my links in a folder called yoga. 

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Kashmiris should take Mirwaiz’s apprehension seriously about death and destruction of their youth. By Hem Raj Jain

As per former General of Pakistan, the first suicide-car-attack at Pulwama not going to be the last (ii)- Due to China-Russia, USA and SaAr having military interest in Pakistan, India does not have courage to wage war against Pakistan (iii)- Like any weak country, India instead will increase crac

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Healing is different from cure, conveys Pirates Of Chemotherapy. By Bobby Ramakant

When we first heard of a dramatic comedy theatre play on breast cancer, it was difficult to comprehend how will the three go together? Comedy, theatre and poignant theme of breast cancer! Glad we went for the preview show of this play because it did justice to comedy, theatre and breast cancer is

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India, under military ultimatum, should demand from Pakistan the JeM leaders & PoK. By Hem Raj Jain

Instead of depending on veto wielding UN, India should demand from Pakistan under military ultimatum the PoK & JeM leaders responsible for Pulwama terrorist attack



--The Government of India (GOI) has condemned (https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/31053/India+strongly+conde

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Al Shabaab Jumps on the Anti-Israel, Anti-Trump Bandwagon. By A.J. Caschetta

The Somalian terrorist organization al Shabaab recently explained that its attack at the DusitD2 hotel in Kenya on Jan. 15 was retaliation for U.S. policy in Israel. The group's statement claimed, "The Mujahideen carried out this operation ... [as] a response to the witless remarks of U.

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Pope Francis' "ark of fraternity" floats all faiths ... until it sinks. By Dr. Ashraf Ramelah

The three-day Conference on Human Fraternity was an event recently held on February 3 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where seven hundred religious leaders from around world gathered to hear the speeches of Pope Francis and Grand Imam Al Tayeb. Two of the world’s three leaders of the Ab

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Death for Drinking Adam’s Ale. By Stephen Gill

A cup of water in the hellish heat of the May in the Panjab of Pakistan threw Asia Bibi on death row for eight years for insulting the Prophet Muhammad. In jail she suffered from intestinal bleeding and became so week that often she was not able to walk. The windowless cell where there was no dif

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Fair Trail. By SHAMIM MASIH

The Supreme Court of Pakistan, finally set aside a review petition of a Christian woman Aasia Bibi, accused of blasphemy, after spent more than 8 years in prison. The decision is being warmly welcomed by rights activists, local and international community. The judgement is unclear about the actio

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Lord Jesus Christ the 25th Teerthankar of Jainism. By Hem Raj Jain

Generally, in various books, magazines articles etc (not only in India where Mahavir Swami and Gautama Buddha preached in 6th century BCE, but in other countries too) it is said that Mahavir Swami and Gautama Buddha were contemporary and Gautama Buddha started Buddhism whereas Jainism was started

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Business as usual will fail us on cancer control, SDGs. By Bobby Ramakant

 193 governments including those of India, committed to reducing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancers by 25% by 2025 and one-third by 2030 (UN Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs), but many cancer rates are rising, not declining, especially in several high burden coun

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Balochistan a disputed territory of Pakistan. By Farooq Ahmad

Balochistan: If referendum is the ultimate mechanism for resolution of the Kashmir conflict, then the same principle should apply to Balochistan, where the Pak security forces have brutally repressed the Baloch nationalist movement for more than two decades.



Balochistan, which is Pakist

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An introduction to the disputed territory of Gilgit Baltistan: The Himalayan flashpoint: EFSAS report

The making of the division of Jammu & Kashmir: The geopolitical entity of Gilgit Baltistan, which may be called the northern tip of the Indian subcontinent, emerged conspicuously on the map of Asia after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) opened its long and elusive debate on the Jamm

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USA has 21 days to constrain its President and Congress to amend & improve immigration laws. By Hem Raj Jain

President Donald Trump on Friday January, 25 announced through a speech that a tentative deal has been reached to temporarily end the shutdown and reopen the government after 35 days, the longest in U.S. history. In this speech Trump rightly pin-pointed the main problem namely inadequate US Laws

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Stephen Gill on Writing: Poetry is Subjective or Objective

Stephen Gill is starting regular features, changing every week from one to two features to answer questions which have been published before in a book, and elsewhere. The total features would be from 90 to 100, and every feature will have a different picture. He would like to encourage readers to

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Trump is Handing Over the Middle East to Russia and Iran. By Manish Rai

American forces have started withdrawing their equipment from Syria as part of President Trump’s order last month to pull out from Northwest Syria. President Trump announced that they are withdrawing because, in his view, the Islamic State has been defeated. But even the United States close

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Pope Francis Suppresses Ecclesia Dei, Transfers Duties to CDF. By Edward Pentin

The Vatican says the decision has been taken because ‘conditions and circumstances change,’ but that dialogue towards regularization of the SSPX ‘continues.’



As had been widely expected, Pope Francis has issued a papal decree suppressing the pontifical commission

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Human Rights Call For Women March To Reject NOI And Louis Farrakhan Extremism. By Jeffrey Imm

Human Rights begins with Humanity. We cannot support universal human rights, if we do not recognize people different from us as fellow human beings. Human right activists cannot support those who dehumanize others and claim that others are actually NOT “natural human beings.” Yet this

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The Goa Opinion Poll RE. By Eduardo Faleiro

January 16 is celebrated in Goa every year as the Asmitai Dis (Identity Day). After Liberation Pandit Nehru had declared “we want to maintain the separate identity of Goa, its separate individuality... we have no interest in changing or surpassing that identity’.  In Goa, itself,

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Mayawati next PM if converts BSP into truly Secular-Socialist-Federal-Democratic-Party. By Hem Raj Jain

By concentrating mainly on macro level and not so much on micro level, Mayawati can become PM (ii)- Only by taking-on both BJP & Congress the BSP can become national alternative (iii)- BSP can wean Muslims off Congress only when becomes truly Secular Party (iv)- Mayawati should make about 40

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Birth of the Prophet: event reveals power struggle between Egyptian president and grand imam: By Dr. Ashraf Ramelah

During Egypt’s Birth of the Prophet national holiday this past November, as per tradition the Egyptian president, Abdul Fatah Al Sisi, and the grand imam of Al Azhar Institute, Mohammed Al Tayib, accepted the invitation by the Egyptian Endowments Ministry to attend an annual religious event

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Local actions are building blocks for #GlobalGoals. By Shobha Shukla and Bobby Ramakant

International commitments are vital for a better tomorrow but no less important are local actions on the frontlines, for bringing in desired change. Most important and often unheard voices are of those who are striving hard to bring in a change on the frontlines. These voices from the grounds-up,

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EFSAS speaks on legal implications of CPEC on Jammu & Kashmir at University of Louvain in Belgium

A two-day Conference titled “The Chinese Way, The New Normal?” was held at the Université Catholique de Louvain (The University of Louvain-UCL), a leading European University in research and innovation in political sciences. The symposium was organised by the UCL’s Center

"Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" By Nazir S Bhatti

On demand of our readers, I have decided to release E-Book version of "Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" on website of PCP which can also be viewed on website of Pakistan Christian Congress www.pakistanchristiancongress.org . You can read chapter wise by clicking tab on left handside of PDF format of E-Book.

nazirbhattipcc@aol.com , pakistanchristianpost@yahoo.com