instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continued Without revealing the names and ranks of the detained officers, the military s media wing statement hinted at more arrests
The news of more arrests came a day after Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir invited retired army officers including some former chiefs to take them into confidence about the recent actions Former army chiefs, including Gen (r) Ashfaq Pervaz Kayani and Gen (r) Raheel Sharif were present at the event hosted by the army chief and certain others including Gen Munir s immediate predecessor Gen (r) Qamar Javed Bajwa were conspicuous by their absence
The latest arrest came just days after in an unprecedented move, the country’s former spymaster was detained by military authorities and court martial pro-
ceedings were initiated against him on charges of corruption misuse of authority and violating the Pakistan Army Act Complying with the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan, a detailed court of inquiry was undertaken by Pakistan Army, to ascertain correctness of complaints in Top City case made against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (retd) Consequently appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt General Faiz Hameed (retd), under provisions of Pakistan Army Act, read a statement issued by the military’s media wing on Monday “In addition multiple instances of violation of Pakistan Army Act post retirement have also been established The process of Field General Court Martial has been initiated and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (retd) has been taken into military custody,” the statement added The charges against Gen Faiz date back to May 2017 when he was DG-C in the ISI In April the army constituted a highlevel inquiry committee headed by a major general to look into the allegations against Gen Faiz, following orders of the Supreme Court and directives of the Ministry of Defence
This was the first formal inquiry ordered against Gen Faiz who resigned in November 2022 four months before his retirement date Gen Faiz served as DG C in the ISI and later headed the spy agency His name surfaced in many controversies including the Faizabad Dharna case Three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif named him and Gen Bajwa
g MILITARY DOESN ’T REVEALS NAMES AND RANKS OF DETAINED OFFICERS, DROPPING HINT AT MORE ARRESTS
‘An asset that was wasted,’ Imran criticises militar y ’s treatment of Gen (r) Faiz Hameed
P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Thursday called LtGen (r) Faiz Hameed an asset that was wasted criticising the military s treatment of the country s former spymaster During informal talks with journalists at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, Imran said: “The military's investigation into Faiz Hameed case is their internal matter and does not concern him He described holding the former DG ISI accountable as positive development, but suggested the accountability should be across the board The former prime minister alleged that Gen (r) Qamar Javed Bajwa removed Faiz Hameed at the behest of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif He revealed that a heated exchange took place between him and General Bajwa following the decision The PTI founder also referred to Intelligence Bureau (IB) reports claiming that Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan frequently visited Gen Bajwa He stated that Defence Minister
as main characters behind his removal through a Supreme Court decision
On November 8, 2023, Moeez Ahmed Khan, the owner of Top City, filed a petition in the Supreme Court against Gen (r) Faiz Hameed accusing him of misuse and abuse of authority The petitioner submitted the apex court that on May 12, 2017, on the behest of General Faiz Hameed, ISI officials raided the top city office and his house During the raid valuables including gold diamonds and money were seized from the house by ISI officials the petitioner alleged The petition also claimed that later
Khawaja Asif s recent comments regarding Bajwa s extension validate his stance Touching upon constitutional matters, Imran warned of another constitutional breach if the PTI is denied its reserved seats He indicated preparations within the party to challenge such violations On Monday the military announced that Hameed had been taken into custody by the army on charges of land grabbing and forcibly taking valuables from the owner of a private housing society as stated by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) The military s media wing further disclosed that disciplinary proceedings under the Pakistan Army Act had been initiated against the former ISI chief The ISPR highlighted that multiple violations of the Army Act by Hameed after his retirement had been confirmed leading to the commencement of a Field General Court Martial process Following the arrest, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif revealed that the exspymaster played a significant role in the political developments after his retirement in November 2022
the general personally met him to resolve the issue in which he assured that some of the items which had been taken away by the ISI officials during the raid would be returned However, 400 tolas of gold and cash will not be returned to him
On the other hand the incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder had distanced himself from Gen (r) Faiz Hameed following his arrest He had termed the arrest and ongoing court martial proceedings against the former DG ISI “internal matter of the Pakistan Army ” On Thursday however Imran Khan called the former ISI chief an asset to the military who was wasted
S TA F F R E P O R T
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif directed the NDMA, PDMAs, and other relevant agencies to remain vigilant to the potential severe flooding in catchment areas of Chenab River and urban flooding due to heavy rains in Punjab
The prime minister indicated that he was personally monitoring the anticipated heavy monsoon spell until August 25, according to a statement from the PM Office Media He had directed National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMAs), rescue and relief agencies, civil defense, and district administrations to be prepared to protect residents in the Chenab River catchment area and cities at risk of flooding due to heavy rains
The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to ensure preparations for the evacuation and rescue of people, as well as for drainage water medicines tents and other relief items in any emergency situation besides safeguarding the public
He directed the relevant agen-
cies to keep the public informed about the anticipated flooding in vulnerable areas and to take precautionary measures to prevent expected floods around canals, nullahs, and rivers
He also instructed that citizens be made aware of NDMA s Disaster Alert application to monitor the situation at all times Successful operation against Khawarijs in Kurram Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif lauded the armed forces on Thursday for their successful operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s Kurram District, which led to the death of
seven Khawarij terrorists besides the arrest of five others
The armed forces of Pakistan have been working tirelessly round the clock to rid the country of the Khawarij terrorist threat”, the
ISLAMABAD
NA COMMITTEE SEEKS EXPL ANATION FROM PTA OVER INTERNET, SOCIAL MEDIA DISRUPTIONS
Ferozsons subsidiar y launches
s
Biosciences Limited (), a subsidiary of Ferozsons Laboratories Limited, has successfully launched human insulin under the brand name “Ferulin ” The pharma company shared this development with the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) through a notice on Thursday Ferulin has been developed with the highest quality standards and is intended to provide effective and affordable diabetes treatment to patients across Pakistan “This
federal policy board separation of Customs and Inland Revenue operations, and the establishment of oversight boards for each The council instructed the FBR to develop a milestone-based action plan for the digitalisation and restructuring of its operations aiming to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio from the current 8 5% to 18%
r o u g h t h e B o o k B u i l d i n g Method at a Floor Price of PKR 55 per s h a r e ( i n c l u d i n g t h e p r e m i u m o f P K R 5 2
PIA faces over Rs21b loss due to prolonged aircraft grounding Audit repor t exposes high operational and financial setbacks linked to delayed maintenance and administrative negligence at national airline
PAKISTAN’S DEBT INDICATORS IMPROVE, EXTERNAL DEBT TO GDP HITS SIX-YEAR LOW
Pakistan seeks UAE investment in five mineral projects
Countr y targets development of copper and
Pakistan Steel Mills losses soar to Rs600b, urgent ac tion demanded
actual needs and to improve the system of promotions and appointments The committee has introduced amendments to the Esta-Code s contract cancellation clauses to facilitate the saving of national resources The meeting was also informed that a ‘Ticketing and Lodging Committee,’ comprising representatives from all relevant departments of the National Assembly Secretariat has been established
This committee will ensure
transparency in operations, clarify the duties of officers and staff, and improve performance evaluation leading to further resource savings The meeting also decided to initiate the digitalization of the National Assembly Secretariat to reduce paper usage through modern technology The Punjab Information Technology Board has already begun work on this project Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also directed that the construction of additional blocks in the Parliament Lodges be completed within the specified timeframe
made significant contributions to costs
TH E trifurcation of the Civil Aviation Authority into the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, the Bureau of Flight Safety Investigation and the Pakistan Airports Authority means that CAA has spun off its crash investigations and airports supervision functions to separate bodies As separating out the airports was inevitable if they are to be privatized (and if the 2023 Pakistan Civil Aviation Act was to be implemented) it seems that it was also considered expedient to separate out crash investigations After all, crashes might be the result of some failure of the CAA, and it would not be right to have an investigating body under the direct administrative control of a body that was itself being investigated
The interest will probably focus on the PAA because it has 52 airports under its control Perhaps the impetus towards privatization was derived from the Sialkot International Airport which is owned and operated by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry not the CAA While the model of state organizations like the CAA developing airports has been standard, privatization is now taking place, as it is realized that running an airport is essentially a business, and the state would do better to concentrate on regulation rather than anything else In fact apart from the CAA’s regulatory functions of aviation, which will continue, the new PAA will still have a role after whatever privatization is carried out The new body will have to make sure that airports continue to facilitate both airlines and passengers to make journeys easier While the CAA will obviously have the lead role in this, the PAA will have a crucial role to perform All three of the new bodies also have the task of ensuring that they put in place a robust regulatory framework designed with the passengers’ interests placed first with due input from all stakeholders especially the airlines The CAA was the sole organization under the Aviation Division, but now there will be three The CAA once had an unenviable reputation as a place where there would be jobs for the boys from the PAF and PIA It is to be hoped that the new bodies avoid that slur Meanwhile there should be questions asked about other parts of the CAA which could well be privatized For example, it contains certain training institutions Does the government have to run them? Similarly not solely in aviation but in many other sectors the government needs to look at what it is doing and ask itself if it should
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
D e a t h , w h e r e i s t h y s t i n g ?
TH E killing of Hamas Politbureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran presumably by Israel has not been claimed as its work raises a vast array of questions, while at the same time answering a few Perhaps the most salient feature of the murder is that it came right after the signing of the Beijing Declaration by a number of Palestinian organizations including Hamas Previous talks between Hamas and Al-Fatah have been about the holding of fresh elections (the last were in 2006 and both the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hamas, cannot claim that their mandates are particularly recent ) It should be noted that this massacre by Israel is something the Netanyahu government seems committed to even as it embarrasses Israel’s supporters the world over The first thing that the war does is keep Netanyahu in office and thus helps block his ongoing prosecution for corruption, The USA was motivated to sign off on a move meant primarily to save a sleazebag from his just, deserts because Haniyeh was supporting something, the Beijing Declaration which it wanted but which it did not want Beijing to deliver The USA is as concerned as anyone about the shape of apost-invasion Gaza and it would like it to be governed by the Palestinian Authority which governs the West Bank with the Hamas ousted One requirement would be an agreement among Palestinian groups to work together for that goal However China managing that reconciliation means it is doing what the USA could not do There are two reasons why this is particularly galling for the USA First, there is its antipathy to China because of their global rivalry Then there is its intervention in the Middle East, an area in which it has recently begun to take an interest, with a major recent success being its successful mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran China is interested in the Middle East for the same reason the USA is oil However the USA has made Israel the cornerpiece of its strategy but China is not committed to it China is bumping up against the USA of late, one important example being its taking the side of the USSR in its invasion of Ukraine Its being aligned with the USSR and the Central Asian Republics makes a certain sense because of its One Belt One Road initiative and the New Silk Road plan However central to its vision is a guaranteed source of oil from Saudi Arabia as well as Iran It does not want to end up like Russia if the Taiwan situation leaves it facing US sanctions Its access to Middle East oil dovetails with its need to secure the Indian Ocean and China Sea routes which allow it access That is what makes CPEC so important: then the oil only needs to get to Gwadar before landing onto a secure route to China Surprisingly, India is also involved in the matter It has begun to function as the USA’s main catspaw
in the region and particularly against China At the same time India is also deeply interested in the Middle East, primarily because of the oil there It must be remembered that for the first time, a power, perhaps even a superpower, is getting involved in the Middle East which does not have a significant Jewish population The USSR was generally opposed to Israel because of its own direct ties to the Palestine Liberation Organization and to the Arab states like Egypt and Syria (Even now, the only naval base of Russia outside its territory is in Syria ) India has a historic link to the Palestinian cause, but the link between the PLO and the Congress Party has been reversed under the BJP which initiated relations with Israel when Morarji Desai was PM and had Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his Foreign Minister India and Israel realised that they both had to deal with a large an intractable Muslim minority, and it is to be noticed that they have been following essentially the same policy in dealing with them India in particular has shown in Indian Occupied Kashmir that it has been an apt pupil of Israel both in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
One of the responses has been the election of Yahya Shinwar as Haniyeh s successor as Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau Shinwar is the same age as Haniyeh, and like him is a product of the Gaza refugee camps Their families became refugees after fleeing from the same town Ashkelon in what is now Israel Both he and Haniyeh took degrees in Arabic literature from the Gaza Islamic University and both had been jailed by the Israelis Haniyeh thrice for short periods, Shinwar for v22 years between 1989 and 2011, until he was released in a prisoner exchange He was presently headed of Hamas in Gaza, and is said to be responsible for the October 7 attacks which have provoked Israel into its ‘final solution Shinwar has been described by Israel
Israel no longer appears in control of events It has faced unprecedented criticism for its tactics, including from the International Court of Justice It does have the backing of the USA, with the current Administration vying with Congress to prove a greater degree of support for Israel. HaniyehÊs assassination may be a further stage in IsraelÊs deline. It certainly didnÊt bring a victory of any kind any closer.
T h e i m p o r t a n c e a n d e v o l u t i o n o f b u r n u n i t s i n h e a l t h c a r e
struggled
The appeal of power
Bas intensive care and physiotherapy further compromised patient outcomes The lack of resources in many burn centres is not limited to this facility Across the country burn units are often underfunded and understaffed This results in insufficient medical supplies, outdated equipment, and inadequate facilities The shortage of trained medical personnel, including burn surgeons, nurses, and therapists exacerbates the problem leading to delays in treatment and suboptimal care The incident at Ahmadpur Sharqia in 2017 highlighted the region s vulnerability to mass burn injuries and the subsequent strain on overwhelmed medical facilities A tanker explosion resulted in over 200 deaths and numerous severe burn injuries overwhelming local hospitals and exposing the inadequacies in emergency preparedness and response The lack of preparedness for such emergencies is a grave concern The absence of a coordinated emergency response plan and the limited capacity of existing burn units to handle mass casualties underscore the need for comprehensive disaster management strategies To address these critical issues increased government funding public-private partnerships and community engagement are essential Investing in burn centres, training medical personnel, and raising awareness about burn prevention can significantly improve patient outcomes and save lives Allocate dedicated funds for burn centres to improve infrastructure equipment and staffing Adequate funding is crucial to ensure that burn centres can provide the necessary medical supplies, maintain modern equipment, and offer competitive salaries to attract and retain skilled healthcare professionals This financial support should come from both government and private sectors with a focus on sustainable long-term investment Ensure burn centres have access to specialized medical professionals, including surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists A
multidisciplinary approach to burn care is essential for addressing the complex needs of burn patients Collaboration among various specialists can enhance treatment outcomes and facilitate comprehensive rehabilitation programs Develop comprehensive emergency plans to effectively manage mass burn casualties This includes establishing protocols for rapid response, ensuring the availability of necessary medical supplies, and conducting regular training exercises for healthcare personnel Creating regional burn centers with the capacity to handle large-scale emergencies can improve overall preparedness and reduce the burden on individual facilities Implement widespread burn prevention campaigns to educate the public about safety measures and first aid Raising awareness about common causes of burn injuries such as household accidents and industrial incidents can help prevent burns Public education campaigns should also focus on teaching basic first aid techniques to improve initial responses to burn injuries Encourage community involvement through volunteer programmes, donations, and partnerships with organizations like APWA (All Pakistan Women’s Association) Community support can play a vital role in enhancing burn care services Volunteer programmes can provide additional manpower while donations can help fund necessary resources Partnerships with local organizations can facilitate outreach and education efforts By prioritizing burn care and investing in specialized facilities Pakistan can make significant progress in improving the lives of burn survivors and preventing future tragedies The implementation of these recommendations requires a collaborative effort from government agencies, healthcare providers, non-governmental organizations, and the community Together, these stakeholders can create a robust burn care infrastructure that meets the needs of all burn patients and ensures their long-term recovery and reintegration into society
The writer is a freelance columnist
Tech or terror?
MeerAb
Young women and societ y: An engine of total growth
women are leading successful businesses, driving innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to economic growth
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
workforce, pursuing careers, and attaining leadership positions However, gender pay gaps and barriers to career advancement remain challenges
TH E role of young women in society has evolved significantly over time influenced by cultural social economic and political changes
EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT
ACCESS TO EDUCATION: Increased access to education for young women has been a critical factor in their empowerment Education opens up opportunities for better jobs higher income and greater independence STEM FIELDS: Efforts to encourage young women to enter STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields are ongoing These fields have traditionally been male-dominated but increasing female participation is crucial for gender equality in the workforce
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INFLUENCE
MEDIA REPRESENTATION: The way young women are portrayed in media influences societal perceptions and their self-esteem Positive role models and diverse representations can help challenge stereotypes and promote self-confidence
BODY IMAGE AND MENTAL
HEALTH: Young women often face societal pressures regarding body image, which can affect their mental health Promoting body positivity and mental health awareness is important for their well-being
ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION
WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION: Young women are increasingly entering the
ENTREPRENEURSHIP: There is a growing trend of young women starting their own businesses Support systems such as mentorship programs and funding opportunities are vital to foster female entrepreneurship
POLITICAL AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
ADVOCACY AND ACTIVISM: Young women are at the forefront of many social and political movements advocating for gender equality, environmental sustainability, and human rights
REPRESENTATION IN POLITICS:
While there has been progress young women are still underrepresented in political positions Efforts to increase female participation in politics are essential for inclusive governance
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: In many developing countries young women face additional challenges such as lack of access to education early marriage and limited healthcare International efforts and policies are needed to address these disparities
GLOBAL MOVEMENTS: Movements like #Me Too and #HeForShe have brought global attention to the issues young women face and have encouraged collective action towards gender equality Thus promoting the rights and opportunities of young women is not just a matter of justice but also essential for the overall progress and development of society
Young women play numerous positive roles in society contributing to various fields and driving social change Some of the key areas where young women have made significant positive impacts include:
LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION
POLITICAL LEADERSHIP: Young women are increasingly taking on leadership roles in politics advocating for policies that promote gender equality, environmental sustainability, and social justice
ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Many young
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP: In communities worldwide young women are leading grassroots movements and community organizations, addressing local issues such as education, health, and poverty
EDUCATION AND MENTORSHIP
ROLE MODELS: Young women who achieve success in various fields serve as role models for younger generations inspiring them to pursue their dreams and break down barriers
MENTORSHIP: By mentoring others, young women help cultivate the next generation of leaders providing guidance support and encouragement
ADVOCACY AND ACTIVISM
SOCIAL JUSTICE: Young women are at the forefront of movements advocating for human rights gender equality and social justice They use their voices to highlight issues such as racial discrimination LGBTQ+ rights and economic inequality
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM: Many young women are leaders in the fight against climate change, advocating for sustainable practices and policies that protect the planet
ARTS AND CULTURE
CREATIVE EXPRESSION: Young women contribute to the arts through literature, music, visual arts, and performance, enriching cultural life and challenging societal norms through their creative works
CULTURAL PRESERVATION: They play key roles in preserving and promoting cultural heritage ensuring that traditions and histories are passed down to future generations
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
STEM CONTRIBUTIONS: Young women in science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) are making ground-breaking contributions, from scientific research to technological innovations
ADVOCACY FOR DIVERSITY IN STEM: They also advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in STEM fields working to create opportunities for underrepresented groups
Made in India: The disinformation factory sowing division in Bangladesh
MISLEADING
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: Many young women work as doctors nurses therapists and researchers improving healthcare outcomes and advancing medical knowledge
MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY: They are vocal advocates for mental health awareness, helping to reduce stigma and promote access to mental health resources
VOLUNTEERISM AND HUMANITAR-
IAN EFFORTS
VOLUNTEERING: Young women volunteer their time and skills to support humanitarian efforts, whether it’s through local community service or international aid organizations
CRISIS RESPONSE: They play crucial roles in responding to crises from natural disasters to public health emergencies, providing aid and support to those in need The positive roles of young women in society are vast and varied reflecting their diverse talents passions and commitments Young women face numerous barriers in society that can hinder their personal and professional development These challenges are often rooted in systemic inequalities and cultural norms:
EDUCATIONAL BARRIERS
ACCESS TO EDUCATION: In some regions girls have limited access to education due to poverty, cultural norms, or conflict
ECONOMIC BARRIERS
GENDER PAY GAP: Women including young women often earn less than their male counterparts for the same work limiting their financial independence and career growth
EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION: Young women may face discrimination in hiring promotions and workplace treatment which can stifle their career advancement
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL BARRIERS
GENDER STEREOTYPES: Societal expectations about gender roles can limit the opportunities available to young women and affect their aspirations and self-esteem
CULTURAL NORMS: In some cultures, traditional practices and norms can restrict young women’s rights and freedoms such as early marriage or restrictions on mobility and education
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING BARRIERS:
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: Lack of access to reproductive health services and education can affect young women s health and autonomy Mental Health: Young women often face pressures related to body image academic performance, and social expectations, which can impact their mental health
POLITICAL AND CIVIC BARRIERS:
UNDERREPRESENTATION: Young women are often underrepresented in political and leadership positions, limiting their influence on decision-making processes LACK OF SUPPORT NETWORKS: Limited access to mentorship and networking opportunities can hinder young women’s political and civic engagement
LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS:
DISCRIMINATORY LAWS: In some countries laws and policies may directly or indirectly discriminate against women affecting their rights and opportunities
TECHNOLOGICAL BARRIERS:
DIGITAL DIVIDE: Limited access to technology and the internet can restrict young women’s educational and professional opportunities particularly in rural or underserved areas ONLINE HARASSMENT: Young women may face harassment and abuse online, which can discourage their participation in digital spaces and limit their opportunities
By promoting gender equality implementing supportive policies and challenging discriminatory practices society can help young women achieve their full potential and contribute to positive change
The writer is a youth motivator and former Head of the University Department of Political Science B N Mandal University Madhepura Bihar India
ON August 5, the student-led protests in Bangladesh that first began in response to a preferential government job quota system and then evolved into a representation of anger toward the increasingly authoritarian government culminated in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing the country on a helicopter In the days after Hasina s ousting, Indian disinformation narratives misrepresenting or exaggerating widespread persecution of Hindus and other religious minorities skyrocketed
This type of Indian disinformation is not new to the South Asian region A 15-year disinformation campaign referred to as the Indian Chronicles aimed to serve Indian interests by destabilizing Pakistan and amplifying pro-Indian interests influencing international organizations through at least 750 fake news outlets across 119 countries According to the World Economic Forum s 2024 Global Risk Report, India ranks highest for the risk of misinformation and disinformation due to the virality of online dangerous rhetoric and propaganda driven by high levels of polarization and media distrust
In Bangladesh with Hasina out of the country and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus sworn in as the interim government s leader, pro-Indian accounts and media organizations seized the opportunity to create chaos in an apparent attempt to destabilize the transitional government by fueling a divide along religious lines Blackbird AI s Constellation Narrative Intelligence Platform analyzed thousands of social media posts after Hasina fled the country and an interim government was sworn in Blackbird AI analysts uncovered several disinformation narratives stemming from Indian State Supporters, leveraging misleading photos and videos and spreading content with hashtags to reach a broader audience and remain in circulation
PRO-INDIAN NETWORKS PROPAGATE DISINFORMATION NARRATIVES: Blackbird AI s analysis found that disinformation narratives around exaggerated Hindu persecution in Bangladesh originated from Indian State Supporters on social media These accounts are affiliated with India’s ruling party, the BJP, or are otherwise marked as supporters of pro-Indian nationalistic ideology While there have been attacks on Hindu households these attacks are directed at people affiliated with the former ruling Awami League party in Bangladesh rather than toward Hindus in general For instance, one disinformation narrative claims that an elderly Hindu man was killed and hung, leveraging a video that actually depicts the body of a Muslim Awami League leader India’s BJP has strong official ties to Hasina’s ousted Awami League party and one of the more prominent voices generating these disinformation narratives is Hasina s son, Sajeed Wazed, who grew up in India and completed his schooling there Wazed has been spreading disinformation, such as suggesting Pakistan Inter-Ser-
DISINFORMATION NARRATIVES: Indian disinformation narratives received additional amplification by leveraging
and inflammatory photos and videos and
they are depicting Many of the images have been misrepresented, digitally manipulated, or
out of context Multiple viral photos and videos were shared on social media with misrepresented captions, intending to incite religious tensions with false claims Below are some examples of pictures and videos that have been misrepresented or manipulated to further disinformation narratives accompanied by links to Compass by Blackbird AI context-checks:
N A R R AT I V E 1: Claimed an image showed a fire set at Hindu Bangladeshi cricketer Liton Das s home M I S R E P R E S E N T E D M E D I A: Image shows a fire at former Bangladeshi cricket captain and politician Mashrafe Mortaza’s house FA
AT I V E 2: Claimed a video showed arson of a Hindu temple
MISREPRESENTED MEDIA: Video shows a fire at Raj Prasad Restaurant and Resort in Satkhira, Bangladesh
FA L S E N A R R AT I V E 3: Claimed visuals showed Hindu Bangladeshis attempting to flee to India
MISREPRESENTED MEDIA: Visuals are depicting reunions of separated relatives at the India-Bangladesh border in 2018
FA L S E N A R R AT I V E 4: Claimed a video showed that Hindu women are being held captive
M I S R E P R E S E N T E D M E D I A: Video shows students protesting against the ruling party’s student wing on July 17 at a university in Dhaka Bangladesh FALSE NARRATIVE 5: Claimed a shop owned by a Hindu man was set on fire as part of targeted attacks against Hindus
M I S R E P R E S E N T E D M E D I A: Video shows multiple shops affected by a July 11 fire reportedly caused by an electrical issue
HASHTAGS AND REPEATED PHRASES PER-
PETUATE DISINFORMATION NARRATIVES: Pro-Indian accounts also used hashtags to perpetuate these disinformation narratives across social media easily Popular hashtags included #SaveBangladeshiHindus #HindusAreNotSafeInBangladesh, #AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus, #HindusUnderAttack, and #HinduGenocideInBangladesh Specific inflammatory phrases were also employed as a tactic to boost these disinformation narratives including referring to Muslim Bangladeshis as terrorists and extremists and asserting that barbaric Islamic mobs and radical Islam are inciting violence against Hindus Some of these phrases are also being used by pro-Indian media outlets to propel disinformation narratives Blackbird AI’s Constellation Narrative Intelligence Platform detected significant anomalous activity referring to atypical patterns of content propagation suggesting a coordinated effort by Indian State Supporters to amplify disinformation narratives around the anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh THE WAY FORWARD: In the hours after Hasina s ouster, Bangladeshi news sources reported violence against Hindus in at least 27 districts across the country and confirmed reports of looting and vandalism Some Bangladeshi students and residents responded by making efforts to protect Hindu homes and temples However many assertions of anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh that were disseminated by pro-Indian accounts and media and perpetuated by misrepresented images and hashtag campaigns sparked disinformation narratives that were found to have been exaggerated or entirely fabricated Navigating these false claims can be challenging but tools like Blackbird AI s Constellation Narrative Intelligence Platform and Compass by Blackbird AI are here to help
Emily Kohlman is an Intelligence Analyst at Blackbird AI
TH E most striking feature of Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar s statement at the Lok Sabha on August 6 was the complete absence of the Awami League government s egregious violation of human rights, and the killings of over 400 people (as documented so far), including youth, since July 16 He began setting up a context for the people’s uprising saying that there had been considerable tensions deep divides and growing polarisation in Bangladesh politics since the January election This underlying foundation aggravated a student agitation that started in June this year, he continued There was growing violence, including attacks on public buildings and infrastructure as well as traffic and rail obstructions The violence continued through the month of July ” While there was dissatisfaction over the 2024 election as well as the previous two elections the quota reform protests did not really have much to do with that It began as merely a student movement asking for reforms in the existing quota system in public service recruitment, which turned into an anti-government movement much later due to the government’s brutal crackdown on protesters Jaishankar s statement does not even hint that Sheikh Hasina s government reacted with overwhelmingly excessive force against students, and police opened fire on protesters with live rounds, killing more than 400 people in the span of 23 days The ruling party unleashed its student cadres the Chhatra League armed with machetes and firearms on the unarmed protesters It was only after then that attacks on public buildings began which no one condoned
Jaishankar went on to note that Despite a Supreme Court judgement on 21 July, there was no let-up in the public agitation ” He added, “Various decisions and actions taken thereafter only exacerbated the situation The agitation at this stage coalesced around a one-point agenda that is that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should step down Since the Indian foreign minister glosses over the former government s brutality, it appears to paint the democratic movement behind Sheikh Hasina s fall with a nefarious intention from its genesis which fits into the Awami League’s narrative that this was a movement fomented by the BNP Jamaat or even external forces such as the US This is far removed from the reality of the Bangladeshi public sentiment Sheikh Hasina s government murdered so many people before meeting the quota demands There was a nationwide internet blackout for five days The student movement had nine demands before the hearing and verdict, including an apology from the ousted prime minister and resignation of former ministers including Obaidul Quader and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal for abusing law enforcement On the surface the government said it was open to negotiations with students, yet there were block raids during the nights where law enforcers came hunting for students More than 11,000 people were arrested in just two weeks Innocent children were put in jails and framed for murders committed by the police even ones that were recorded like Abu Sayed s The step down demand came to the fore on August 3 It was certainly not soon after the court verdict, when the situation was still reversible had Hasina wished to apologise and reconcile But that was simply out of the question for an increasingly egotistical autocrat Jaishankar then jumps to August 4 when he says Events took a very serious turn It did indeed Awami League had by then decided to unleash its full force onto the protesters who took to the streets despite the curfew, only to face the
It was a revolution spearheaded by students that succeeded in toppling a dic tatorial regime of 15 years
Dr rajkumar Singh
President Xi Jinping calls for building China-Brazil community with shared future
RIPHAH International University Celebrated the independence day by distributing free plants among public Today's Morning, at the Zero Point - the heart of Islamabad, DG Environment CDA, Ms Nazia Abrar Khan (PAS) with Ms Maleeha Jamal (PAS) Deputy DG Environment & Mr Akhtar Rasool Director Environment were welcomed by Mr Mehr Ali Ms Samia Akbar Mr Waqas Haroon and the RIPHAH Team, for the Tree Plantation After the tree Plantation by the Chief Guest, Fruit, and Flower Plants along with Pakistan Flags were also distributed among the public to share the celebrations with Citizens of Islamabad Later on the Chief Guest and Guests of Honor arrived at RIPHAH Knowledge Park H-8 Islamabad where a graceful ceremony of Flag Hoisting was held The Marketing team was joined by Dr Kashif Zaheer (RIPP), Mr Dawood Niyazi and Mr Mikaeel Hassan Khan PAKISTAN and RIPHAH flags were raised The participants prayed for the prosperity and progress of the country afterwards the event concluded with a Cake Cutting ceremony Ms Nazia Abrar highly appreciated the Community Development - CSR initiative of RIPHAH International University In her remarks, she mentioned that true essences of Independence Day Celebrations is doing something meaningful for the country and RIPHAH is truly contributing in Nation's Development in terms of academia as well as public betterment PR
JS Bank celebrates 14th August by donating elec tronic wheelchairs to differentl y-abled persons
K A R A C H I: JS Bank, one of the fastest-growing banks in Pakistan, marked the nation’s 77th Independence Day with a heartwarming initiative by partnering with the Association of Physically Disabled Adults (APHA) to donate electronic wheelchairs to differently-abled individuals empowering them to lead more independent lives An event was organized by APHA to commemorate this special occasion, attended by Kazim Raza, Head of Distribution and Branch Banking and Jamil Memon Head of CSR and Administration at JS Bank along with Sohail Jawad Executive Director of the State Bank of Pakistan APHA established 50 years ago, is one of the largest organizations in Pakistan dedicated to the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities (PWDs), particularly those who are physically handicapped The organization serves the community through various initiatives including a rehabilitation and physiotherapy center that provides artificial limbs vocational training centers for PWDs customized vehicles to support the livelihoods of PWDs, and a school for special children PR
ul Hassan from CDA Zil Ur Rehman Director RDF and Ms Maria Rafique President of PHRN Brigadier Aslam Khan emphasized the importance of tree plantation, saying, "Trees are the lungs of our planet, and it's our responsibility to protect them Let's join hands to make Pakistan greener and healthier " PR
‘RING LEADER' MUST NOW FACE MUSIC FOR ‘FOMENTING INSTABILIT Y’ IN COUNTRY: TARAR
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The federal minister for information and broadcasting commended the Pakistan Army s accountability measures in connection with the arrest of Gen (r) Faiz Hameed, saying the detention proved
under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif The prime minister, while delivering his speech on the occasion of August 14, had announced the launch of homegrown economic reform programme for the next five years which was bound to progress he added Tarar said the government had stabilized the rupee, and did reduce petrol and electricity prices through prudent economic policies Army’s accountability measures
Karachi repor ts 4th case of Congo virus in current month
with only a 10% chance of recovery Congo virus, also known as Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), is a viral disease transmitted from animals to humans, and it can also spread from person to person The virus is known for its high mortality rate and poses a significant health risk An increase in the Congo virus cases has been witnessed in Karachi as four cases have been reported in the first two weeks of August only, sources said They also said that so far in the current year, 14 cases of the virus have been reported A report says that overall in the country, four cases were reported from Balochistan three from Karachi South two from Central and one each from Korangi and Malir so far The deceased belonged to Gharbi district Malir and Balochistan the reports added CM Bugti warns to not
QUETTA S TA F F R E P O R T Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Thursday stated that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists had killed Panjgur Deputy Commissioner Zakir Baloch, categorically declaring that his government would not tolerate any separatist movement in the province Addressing a press conference in Quetta the chief minister stated categorically that Pakistan did not come into existence to disintegrate questioning whether killing unarmed innocent civilians was a Baloch tradition I felicitate all Pakistanis on the occasion of Independence Day,” he said, adding, “Functions were held peacefully in the province, including Quetta, in connection with the big day ” Advising the Baloch youth not to pay heed to the enemies propaganda he assured them that the government would resolve the issue of missing persons We have introduced a scheme for the province s youth under which we will provide loans to them on soft terms ”
Seven Khwarijs of Fitna Al Khawarij (FAK) were killed in fire exchange with security forces during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district, the military’s media affairs wing said on Thursday According to a press release issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) the security forces conducted the operation on the reported presence of Khwarijs of Fitna Al Khawarij It said security forces effectively engaged terrorists of the Fitna Al Khawarij formerly called the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and seven were killed while five others were injured Khwarij s hideout was also busted and a large quantity of weapons, ammunition & explosives was recovered ” the ISPR said adding that the slain terrorists were involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as innocent civilians
Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other kharji (outcasts) found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country, the statement added
Following the operation President Asif Ali Zardari appreciated the security forces for their professionalism and devotion to the cause of defence of the motherland He paid tribute to the security forces personnel for the successful operation
According to a press release from the President House’s media wing Zardari reiterated the national commitment to eliminate terrorism from the country
The entire nation is with the security forces for the total eradication of terrorism,” the president said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also commended the efforts and said that the entire country paid tribute to the officers who engaged in performing their duties without caring for their lives for the integrity of Pakistan”
According to a post on staterun PTV’s X account the premier stated that the forces were working day and night to cleanse the country of Fitnah Al Khawarij
The entire nation stands by the side of the Pakistan Army in its determination to cleanse the soil of the homeland from the menace of terrorism ” Shehbaz said Earlier four security personnel embraced martyrdom in an exchange of fire with terrorists of Fitna Al Khawarij (FAK) in South
Waziristan district in the night between Monday and Tuesday the military media wing reported In a statement issue here the Inter-Services Public Relations said that the troops engaged the terrorists effectively and eliminated six terrorists However, during intense fire exchange four brave sons of soil having fought gallantly embraced Shahadat the statement said It said that on the night of August 13, a fire exchange took place in which the security forces killed six Khawarij due to effective engagement by own troops” Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in the past year especially in KP and Balochistan after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022
According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies Pakistan witnessed 1 524 violencerelated fatalities and 1 463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 marking a record six-year high KP and Balochistan were the primary centres of violence accounting for over 90 per cent of all fatalities and 84pc of attacks including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations
g GIG ECONOMY FACES A SETBACK AS FIVERR RESPONDS TO WIDESPREAD INTERNET ISSUES IN PAKISTAN, HIGHLIGHTING IMPACT OF UNRELIABLE DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Islamabad High Court s (IHC) Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb on Thursday questioned how foreign investment would come into the country amid the ongoing phenomenon of enforced disappearance saying the world is also watching what Pakistani courts are doing in cases of missing persons Either admit that the world come and invests here but people will still go missing and the courts will not be able to do anything ” Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb remarked while hearing a petition related to the recovery of missing PTI worker Malik Faizan Justice Maingul Hasan Aurangzeb observed that if the government calls it a case of enforced disappearance, then they need to find out that who ordered it
and then sit down with the abductors During the proceedings when the judge asked who the missing worker was, the petitioner’s lawyer mentioned Faizan, who works for the PTI’s media cell Addressing the additional attorney general Justice Aurangzeb suggested that he change the Constitution remove fundamental rights from it end our (the court s) jurisdiction I don t know what the state wants to achieve with this You arrest him (Faizan) and we won’t say anything, but the country cannot run like this ” the judge said The Ministry of Defence Ministry of Interior and the state are all content with this but I don t understand what is going on What do you aim to achieve with this? Justice Aurangzeb asked The judge also remarked that earlier, the bench which heard the case wrote
that it was a matter of enforced disappearance Calling it a cruel act he wondered what the constitutional courts should do in such a situation
“The federal government means the prime minister and the federal cabinet so the responsibility ultimately rests with the executive Justice Aurangzeb remarked The additional attorney general said that the petitioners did not knock on the door of the court with clean hands In response, Justice Aurangzeb remarked: “Should the petition be dismissed if they did not file the petition with clean hands?”
Do you want me to become a servile judge? he asked Should I reject dirty applications from dirty applicants? I don t understand where you are going with this, Aurangzeb said, asking the prosecutor, “Tell me, what I should do?”
The AAG replied: “We do not know
who the kidnappers are Justice Aurangzeb further remarked When one of our fellow judges issued a strict order, the government propaganda machines started propaganda against him ” He added that he would pass a written order in the case and adjourned
