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Pakistan calls for end of violence in Bethlehem, birthplace of Christ

Pakistan calls for end of violence in Bethlehem, birthplace of Christ
Palestinian scouts lift banners as they partake in the yearly Christmas procession towards the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem town in the Israel-occupied West Bank on December 24, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 25 December 2024
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Pakistan calls for end of violence in Bethlehem, birthplace of Christ

Pakistan calls for end of violence in Bethlehem, birthplace of Christ
  • Palestinian city is venerated by Christians as birthplace of Jesus and now sits in Israeli-occupied West Bank
  • Violence has surged across the hilly land since the start of the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza in October last year
Updated 25 December 2024
Muhammad Ibrahim
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for an end to violence in Bethlehem, the Palestinian city venerated by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus and which now sits in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Since the 1967 war between Israel and neighboring Arab countries, Israel has occupied the West Bank, which Palestinians want as the core of a future independent state. Israel has built Jewish settlements across the territory and several of its ministers live in settlements and favor their expansion.
Violence has surged across the hilly land since the start of the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza in October last year. Hundreds of Palestinians — including suspected armed fighters, stone-throwing youths and civilian bystanders — have died in clashes with Israeli security forces, while dozens of Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks, Israeli authorities say.
“The place [Bethlehem] where Prophet Isa [Jesus] was born, his birthplace, today there is a raging market of bloodshed and violence there,” Sharif said as he addressed a church service in Islamabad.
“I believe that on this occasion [of Christmas], wherever in the entire world that Christians live, we should try our best to end this bloodshed in Palestine. And Prophet Isa, who was a peace messenger, for the success of his mission, we need war to end there.”
The West Bank has been transformed by the rapid growth of Jewish settlements over the past two years, with strident settlers pushing to impose Israeli sovereignty on the area.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on X in October that since the start of the Gaza conflict more than 120,000 firearms had been distributed to Israeli settlers to protect themselves.

Topics: War on Gaza Pakistan Palestine Bethlehem Occupied West Bank Hamas-Israeli War 2023

Pakistan sends 100 tons of relief supplies for war-affected Palestinians

Pakistan sends 100 tons of relief supplies for war-affected Palestinians
Updated 1 min 15 sec ago
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Pakistan sends 100 tons of relief supplies for war-affected Palestinians

Pakistan sends 100 tons of relief supplies for war-affected Palestinians
  • This is the 14th humanitarian relief consignment for Palestine, reinforcing Pakistan’s support for the people of Gaza
  • Israel’s war on Gaza, which began after Oct. 2023 attacks by Hamas, has killed over 48,000 people, injured thousands more
Updated 1 min 15 sec ago
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has sent another aid consignment for Palestinians that carried 100 tons of essential supplies, the Pakistani government said on Sunday.

This is the 14th humanitarian relief consignment for Palestine, which reinforces Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Gaza, according to Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID).

This shipment is part of Pakistan’s ongoing humanitarian efforts and marks the 25th overall relief consignment sent to people affected by Israeli military actions in the Middle East.

The latest consignment comprised essential relief supplies, including bell tents, winterized tents, tarpaulin sheets and medical tools.

“The aid was transported via a chartered flight from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, to El Arish International Airport, Egypt, for onward delivery to Gaza,” the PID said.

Israel’s war on Gaza, which began after Oct. 2023 attacks by Hamas, has killed over 48,000 people, injured thousands more and displaced almost all of the 2 million population of the territory.

Pakistan has so far dispatched a total of 1,478 tons of relief aid exclusively for Palestine, demonstrating the country’s continued commitment to supporting the people of Gaza in these difficult times, according to the PID.

Overall, the South Asian country has dispatched 1,961 tons of humanitarian aid, including 372 tons for Lebanon and 111 tons for Syria.

“The Government of Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to standing with the people of Palestine and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance based on the evolving needs of those affected by the ongoing crisis,” the PID said.

Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters.”

The South Asian country has also called on Israel to withdraw from Lebanese and Syrian territories, including Golan Heights, and allow United Nations (UN) peacekeepers to freely operate in the region to ensure compliance with international agreements.

Topics: Pakistan Palestine pakistan palestine ties War on Gaza Israel-Gaza war

Pakistani security forces kill seven militants in separate encounters in volatile northwest

Pakistani security forces kill seven militants in separate encounters in volatile northwest
Updated 45 min 39 sec ago
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Pakistani security forces kill seven militants in separate encounters in volatile northwest

Pakistani security forces kill seven militants in separate encounters in volatile northwest
  • The deceased militants belonged to Pakistani Taliban who have stepped up attacks against security forces in recent months
  • Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering militant groups behind attacks in its western regions, a charge denied by Kabul
Updated 45 min 39 sec ago
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have killed seven militants in two separate engagements in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Sunday, amid a surge in militant violence in the region that borders Afghanistan.

The first operation was conducted in Daraban area of KP’s Dera Ismail Khan district in which four militants were killed, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.

Three other militants were killed in a second encounter in Maddi area of the same district.

“Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the khwarij [Pakistani Taliban militants], who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.

“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area.”

The South Asian country brands the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), fighters as “khwarij,” a historical reference to an extremist sect in early Islam known for rebelling against authority, declaring other Muslims as apostates, and justifying their killing.

Pakistan has seen a surge in militancy in KP since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban and the state broke down in November 2022. The militants have stepped up attacks against police and security forces in recent months, with the military reporting deaths of 383 soldiers and 925 militants in various clashes in the country in 2024.

The latest operations came more than a week after militants killed an army officer and three soldiers in a shootout in KP’s North Waziristan district, according to the military.

Islamabad has frequently blamed the surge in militancy on Afghanistan, accusing it of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement and insist that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.

Topics: militancy in Pakistan KP militancy Pakistan Army

Pakistan closes key border crossing with Afghanistan over ‘construction of trenches’ by Taliban authorities

Pakistan closes key border crossing with Afghanistan over ‘construction of trenches’ by Taliban authorities
Updated 23 February 2025
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Pakistan closes key border crossing with Afghanistan over ‘construction of trenches’ by Taliban authorities

Pakistan closes key border crossing with Afghanistan over ‘construction of trenches’ by Taliban authorities
  • The development comes at a time of strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan over a surge in militants attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces
  • The closure of Torkham border crossing in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has suspended movement of pedestrians as well as trucks carrying trade goods
Updated 23 February 2025
REHMAT MEHSUD

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has closed a key crossing on its northwestern border with Afghanistan over the “construction of trenches” near the frontier, a Pakistani police official said on Sunday, which has led to the suspension of cross-border movement.

The Torkham border crossing was closed late on Friday night, when Afghan Taliban authorities initiated “construction of trenches and other development work” along the border, according to Naheed Khan, a senior police official in Pakistan’s Khyber district that borders Afghanistan.

The closure of border crossing by Pakistani authorities has resulted in suspension of movement of pedestrians and trade between the two neighboring countries, but there were no reports of skirmishes between the two sides.

“It [Torkham crossing] is closed both for pedestrians and heavy vehicles since 12 at night on Feb. 21. No firing is reported from either side,” Khan told Arab News.

“Some families of Bacha Mina, a dusty village near the border on Pakistani side, have left the area for safer places to dodge any eventuality. Also some loaded trucks have returned to Jamrud Bazaar.”

There was no immediate comment from the Afghan side on the closure of the key border crossing.

The development comes at a time of strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan over a surge in militants attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces that border Afghanistan.

Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement and insist that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.

In the past, border clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces have led to the closure of key crossings like Torkham and Chaman, severely disrupting trade and halting the movement of people between the two countries.

In August, the Torkham border was shut down for three days after the Afghan Taliban announced they were investigating reports of Pakistani fighter jets allegedly violating Afghan airspace in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces.

Tensions escalated again between the two countries in December, following reports of Pakistani airstrikes targeting alleged militant camps in Afghanistan. Afghan officials reported the strikes resulted in civilian casualties.

Topics: Pakistan Afghanistan border Pakistan Afghanistan Ties Afghan Taliban

Punjab screens high-voltage India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match at 44 prisons across province

Punjab screens high-voltage India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match at 44 prisons across province
Updated 23 February 2025
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Punjab screens high-voltage India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match at 44 prisons across province

Punjab screens high-voltage India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match at 44 prisons across province
  • The South Asian heavyweights are playing at Dubai International Cricket Stadium as India refused to travel to Pakistan
  • The screening at Punjab prisons is part of Prison Reforms Policy to make inmates better citizens, home department says
Updated 23 February 2025
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Punjab province has arranged for screening of the much-anticipated India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match at 44 prisons across the province, the Punjab home department said on Sunday.

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to bat in the blockbuster clash against India in Dubai on Sunday as his side looked to stay alive in the tournament.

Defending champions Pakistan lost the tournament opener to New Zealand and another defeat will virtually end their chances of making it to the semifinals.

Punjab Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal had directed the provincial prison authorities to make special arrangements for the screening of the match for inmates.

“Positive activities are being promoted to make prisoners better citizens under the Punjab chief minister’s Prison Reforms Policy,” the home department said in a statement.

“Special arrangements were also made in juvenile prisons for live broadcast of cricket matches. Children dressed in Pakistani cricket team uniforms enjoyed the match.”

The arch-rivals are playing at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium after India refused to travel to Pakistan to play their matches. The last time these two sides met in the Champions Trophy was back in 2017, when Pakistan beat India in the final by 180 runs in London.

Jail superintendents and senior officials were also watching the match along with prisoners in jails across Punjab.

“Under the Prison Reforms Policy, small and big industrial units and libraries have also been established in jails across Punjab to promote education and training,” the home department added.

Topics: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ICC Champions Trophy  Champions Trophy 2025 Pakistan vs India Punjab Prisons Pakistani prisoner

Islamabad says new energy policy to attract $5 billion in investment

Islamabad says new energy policy to attract $5 billion in investment
Updated 23 February 2025
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Islamabad says new energy policy to attract $5 billion in investment

Islamabad says new energy policy to attract $5 billion in investment
  • New policy allows exploration companies to sell 35 percent of future gas discoveries to private entities 
  • Pakistan says main objective of new policy is to encourage public-private partnership in energy sector
Updated 23 February 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has developed a new energy policy that will help the country attract $5 billion in investment through public-private partnerships, state-run media reported on Sunday, with the move expected to help create thousands of jobs and reduce reliance on imported fuel. 

Pakistan has aggressively pursued reforms in its energy sector, which has long struggled with financial strain due to circular debt, power theft and transmission losses. These problems have led to blackouts and high electricity costs in the South Asian country. 

Pakistan’s increased reliance on imported fuel has also drained its foreign exchange reserves, bringing the country to the brink of a sovereign default in 2023 before a last-gasp $3 billion bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) came to the country’s rescue. 

“A new policy has been introduced for the development and prosperity of energy sector with the support of SIFC,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said in a report, referring to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) body. 

“The policy will enable the energy sector to attract up to 5 billion dollars in investment and it will pave the way for 35 percent private investment in this sector.”

The report said that the main objective of the policy is to encourage public-private partnerships in the energy sector. 

A separate video released by the SIFC said the policy allows production and exploration companies to sell 35 percent of future gas discoveries to private entities through a comparative bidding process. 

The SIFC said the policy will help create thousands of jobs in Pakistan, boost gas production, help the country rely less on expensive imported fuels and accelerate its Gross Domestic Product growth. 

Pakistan constituted the SIFC, a hybrid civil-military body in June 2023 to attract international investment in agriculture, energy, livestock, tourism, mining and minerals, and other priority sectors. 

The SIFC has targeted mainly Gulf countries and has signed agreements worth billions of dollars since it was formed in 2023. 

Topics: Pakistan

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