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Recent Appearances... Rantburg

-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
At least six killed as heavy rains, dust storms hit parts of Pakistan
2025-05-28
[GEO.TV] At least six people, including two children, bit the dust and more than two dozen sustained injuries as heavy rains and dust storms battered parts of the country on Tuesday, causing widespread damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure.

According to Pakistain Meteorological Department (PMD), moist currents were continuously penetrating the upper and central regions, and a westerly wave was expected to enter the upper parts of the country on May 28.

As a result, windstorms, rain, and isolated heavy falls with possible hailstorms were anticipated in a wide range of areas, including Kashmir
...a disputed territory lying between India and Pakistain. After partition, the Paks grabbed half of it and call it Azad (Free) Kashmir. The remainder they refer to as "Indian Occupied Kashmir". They have fought four wars with India over it, the score currently 4-0 in New Delhi's favor. After 72 years of this nonsense, India cut the Gordian knot in 2019, removing the area's special status, breaking off Ladakh as a separate state, and allowing people from other areas to settle (or in the case of the Pandits, to resettle) there....
, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad
...formerly known as Lyallpur, the third largest metropolis in Pakistain, the second largest in Punjab after Lahore. It is named after some Arab because the Paks didn't have anybody notable of their own to name it after...
, Beautiful Downtown Peshawar
...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistain's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire...
, Swat, and several other cities and districts across Punjab
...1. Little Orphan Annie's bodyguard
2. A province of Pakistain ruled by one of the Sharif brothers
3. A province of India. It is majority (60 percent) Sikh and Hindoo (37 percent), which means it has relatively few Moslem riots
...
.
, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan
...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
.

The advisory warned that windstorms, dust-thunderstorms, hailstorms, and lightning may damage loose structures such as electric poles, trees, vehicles, and solar panels.

In Muzaffarabad, a cloudburst struck the Bhalgran area, killing three people and leaving one person missing, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in a statement.

Initial assessments revealed that 30 to 35 houses were completely destroyed. Relief goods have been dispatched to the affected population.
Link


India-Pakistan
Modi wants to harm Pakistan, says Sanaullah after Pahalgam attack
2025-05-04
[GEO.TV] Prime Minister's Adviser Rana Sanaullah said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seeking to harm Pakistain and destabilise the region through "aggressive policies and economic sabotage".

Speaking at a ceremony in Faisalabad
...formerly known as Lyallpur, the third largest metropolis in Pakistain, the second largest in Punjab after Lahore. It is named after some Arab because the Paks didn't have anybody notable of their own to name it after...
, he said that Modi had urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cancel its agreement with Pakistain.

He also slammed India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, terming it a clear violation of international agreements.

He said the recent tragic incident in Pahalgam claimed the lives of innocent people and that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had demanded an investigation, but India showed no willingness to cooperate.

"India wants to use the Pahalgam incident as a pretext to intensify oppression in occupied Kashmir
...a disputed territory lying between India and Pakistain. After partition, the Paks grabbed half of it and call it Azad (Free) Kashmir. The remainder they refer to as "Indian Occupied Kashmir". They have fought four wars with India over it, the score currently 4-0 in New Delhi's favor. After 72 years of this nonsense, India cut the Gordian knot in 2019, removing the area's special status, breaking off Ladakh as a separate state, and allowing people from other areas to settle (or in the case of the Pandits, to resettle) there....
,'' Rana said, adding that the level of brutality inflicted upon Kashmiris in just the past few days is unprecedented in the last 75 years.
Link


Africa North
Morocco boat tragedy: Probe initiated against 20 FIA officials over ''involvement in human smuggling''
2025-01-19
[GEO.TV] After at least 44 Paks reportedly bit the dust in the Morocco migrant boat tragedy, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has kicked off a probe against its 20 officials who had allegedly cleared travel documents of victims at three major airports.

The development came after the federal government launched a high-level probe into the tragic boat incident in Morocco wherein dozens of Pak migrants colonists drowned while attempting to reach Spain from West Africa earlier this month.

In a statement on Saturday, an FIA spokesperson said that the agency initiated a probe against its 20 officials over suspicions of their involvement in human smuggling. It added that the officials had allegedly cleared the victims of the ill-fated boat at airports.

The unfortunate incident occurred on January 16 when a boat carrying irregular migrants colonists from the African nation of Mauritania to Spain capsized. 50 migrants colonists, including 44 Paks, were presumed dead.

Although, as many as 36 Pak citizens were rescued, the rest still remain missing which, as per a report from the Pak Embassy, should be presumed dead.

The ill-fated boat departed from Mauritania on January 2 with 86 migrants colonists on board. Moroccan authorities reported that 66 of the passengers were Pak nationals and noted that it had rescued 36 people after the accident.

The suspected FIA officials include eight from Faisalabad
...formerly known as Lyallpur, the third largest metropolis in Pakistain, the second largest in Punjab after Lahore. It is named after some Arab because the Paks didn't have anybody notable of their own to name it after...
airport and six each from Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...

and Lahore airports. The agency also revealed that Mauritania was the "third and new route" for human smuggling after The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire...
and Libya.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar also issued instructions for coordination of the government's response and asked the ministries of foreign affairs and interior to ensure the provision of efficient and timely assistance to the Pak victims of Moroccan boat tragedy.
Link


Home Front: WoT
9/11 terrorists to be spared death penalty after judge shoots down Pentagon''s bid to nix plea deals
2025-01-01
[NYPOST] Plea deals for three murderous Moslems behind the 9/11 attacks are back in play after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin lost his bid to nix the disturbing agreements that would spare them the death penalty


A military appeals court on Monday night ruled against Austin's order this summer nullifying plea deals reached with Khalid Sheikh Mohammad
...Mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. He was captured in Faisalabad, Pakistain in 2002 and interned at Guantanamo...
, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi.

The terrorists' defense attorneys argued that the secretary did not have the authority to overturn the agreements after they were already approved by the top authority of the Guantanamo Bay courts in July.

They further claimed that Austin's order was unlawful interference in the case.

The move clears the way for Mohammad, the criminal mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, and his co-conspirators to plead guilty in a hearing next week.

However,
Caliphornia hasn't yet slid into the ocean, no matter how hard it's tried...
Austin retains the ability to appeal the decision. Reps for the Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prosecutors offered the deal to bring about an end to the pretrial court proceedings that have dragged on for more than a decade.

The decision comes after a lower court in November ruled that Austin's order came too late — and that the act was beyond his scope of authority.

''We agree with the military judge that the secretary did not have authority to revoke respondents' existing PTAs because the respondents had started performance of the PTAs,'' the three-judge panel said.

The agreements were originally signed by Pentagon official Susan K. Escallier, whom Austin appointed to be in charge of military commissions.

While the initial blow of the plea deals shook many 9/11 victims' loved ones and survivors, some have told The Post that the on-off nature of their status has put them through an emotional roller coaster.
Courtesy of badanov, Regnum adds:
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
According to the publication, on December 30, the military appeals court overturned the order of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who in August canceled a pre-trial deal between the prosecution and three terrorists - Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi - to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence.

The case of conspiracy with the hijackers has been in the pre-trial stage since 2012.

The defendants are suspected of helping the terrorists who carried out the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York on September 11, 2001.

As reported by the Regnum news agency, the two towers of the World Trade Center collapsed after terrorists flew two hijacked passenger planes into them. As a result, over 2.6 thousand people died.

A previously unknown video of the destruction of the World Trade Center towers on September 11 has emerged. The footage was published by Japanese photographer Kei Sugimoto.

In September 2023, two more victims of the terrorist attacks were identified. The total number of identified victims of the terrorist attacks is 1,649 people. Another 1,104 victims remain unidentified. The names of the identified victims, a man and a woman, are kept secret at the request of their relatives. The victims were identified through DNA analysis of their remains.
Related:
Lloyd Austin 12/25/2024 Malaysians guilty of roles in 2002 Bali bombings released from Guantanamo
Lloyd Austin 12/23/2024 DOD's Deception: General's admission on U.S. troops in Syria latest whopper to mislead Americans
Lloyd Austin 12/21/2024 Palestinians sue US over failure to evacuate American citizens from Gaza

Related:
Khalid Sheikh Mohammad 08/03/2024 Lloyd Austin revokes plea deal with 9/11 plotters
Khalid Sheikh Mohammad 08/01/2024 9/11 mastermind KSM and two other terrorists awaiting trial on Guantanamo Bay strike plea deals
Khalid Sheikh Mohammad 03/16/2022 Pentagon prosecutors working on deal to SAVE 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his accomplices from death penalty before his Guantanamo Bay trial

Related:
Walid bin Attash 09/12/2022 'They don't want closure, they want justice!' Fury from 9/11 families as it's revealed five Guantanamo Bay prisoners accused of planning terror attack are negotiating for PLEA DEALS that would take death penalty off table
Walid bin Attash 03/16/2022 Pentagon prosecutors working on deal to SAVE 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his accomplices from death penalty before his Guantanamo Bay trial
Walid bin Attash 09/01/2019 Death penalty trial date for men accused of planning 9/11 is finally set

Related:
Mustafa al-Hawsawi 10/18/2024 Navy SEAL who killed Osama Bin Laden issues stern warning to Biden and his successor after Israel eliminated Hamas leader
Mustafa al-Hawsawi 03/16/2022 Pentagon prosecutors working on deal to SAVE 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his accomplices from death penalty before his Guantanamo Bay trial
Mustafa al-Hawsawi 09/01/2019 Death penalty trial date for men accused of planning 9/11 is finally set

Related:
Guantanamo Bay: 2024-12-25 Malaysians guilty of roles in 2002 Bali bombings released from Guantanamo
Guantanamo Bay: 2024-11-07 Military judge reinstates plea deals for 9/11 mastermind KSM, two other terrorists in shock ruling
Guantanamo Bay: 2024-08-04 Holder: KSM would be just a memory if my 2009 decision had been followed
Link


Terror Networks
9/11 mastermind KSM and two other terrorists awaiting trial on Guantanamo Bay strike plea deals
2024-08-01
[NYPOST] The alleged criminal mastermind of the Sept. 11 terror attacks and two other Death Eaters being held on Guantánamo Bay will be spared the death penalty
under a deal with prosecutors, it was revealed Wednesday.

"The Convening Authority for Military Commissions has entered into pretrial agreements with Khalid Sheikh Mohammad
...Mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. He was captured in Faisalabad, Pakistain in 2002 and interned at Guantanamo...
, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ’Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, three of the co-accused in the 9/11 case," an Office of Military Commissions (OMC) spokesperson confirmed.

The terror suspects will be spared the death penalty as part of the plea agreement, according to the OMC, which sent a letter to victims’ families Wednesday detailing some of the terms of the negotiations.

"In exchange for removal of the death penalty as a possible punishment, these three Accused have agreed to plead guilty to all of the charged offenses, including the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charge sheet," the letter obtained by The Post reads in part.

The news came as a gut-punch for families who have been holding out hope for justice for more than two decades.

"I am very disappointed. We waited patiently for a long time. I wanted the death penalty — the government has failed us," Daniel D’Allara, whose twin brother, John D’Allara, was one of 23 NYPD cops killed the day of the attacks, told The Post.

OMC said the specific terms and conditions of the pretrial agreements were not immediately available. The deals are set to be officially announced Thursday and the guilty plea hearings could take place as soon as next week, with sentencings likely to happen next summer, according to the letter and sources.

It was not immediately known where the men will be incarcerated following their pleas.

The defendants, including accused plotter Mohammed, stand accused of providing training, financial support and other assistance to the 19 Death Eaters who hijacked passenger jets and crashed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pa. on Sept. 11, 2001.

The three accused who have accepted a plea deal — along with Ali Abdul Aziz Ali and Ramzi Bin al Shibh — were initially jointly arraigned on June 5, 2008, then again on May 5, 2012, the Department of Defense said in a statement.

The OMC said it first entered into plea deal negotiations with the suspects’ defense counsel in March, 2022.

Victims’ families were outraged by the news that the death penalty was no longer on the table for the suspects, whose alleged actions killed nearly 3,000 in the worst terror attack on US soil in American history.
Related:
Guantánamo Bay: 2023-05-14 ‘The forever prisoner': Abu Zubaydah's drawings expose the US's depraved torture policy.
Guantánamo Bay: 2023-05-09 Cubans Crowds Are Clashing With Authorities - Demanding Democracy and Food
Guantánamo Bay: 2022-09-25 Libyan Detainee Cleared for Release after 20 years at Guantánamo
Related:
Khalid Sheikh Mohammad 03/16/2022 Pentagon prosecutors working on deal to SAVE 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his accomplices from death penalty before his Guantanamo Bay trial
Khalid Sheikh Mohammad 03/23/2021 Man acquitted in Daniel Pearl’s killing moved to Pakistan safe house
Khalid Sheikh Mohammad 02/04/2021 Pakistan orders man acquitted in Pearl murder off death row and into safe house


Related:
Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi 03/16/2022 Pentagon prosecutors working on deal to SAVE 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his accomplices from death penalty before his Guantanamo Bay trial
Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi 09/08/2021 Pre-trial hearings for five 9/11 suspects delayed for 18 months by COVID resume at Guantanamo Bay
Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi 11/15/2015 FBI Has Nearly 1,000 Active Islamic State Probes Inside U.S.

Link


India-Pakistan
Imran Khan being asked to strike deal and leave country, claims PTI's Arif Alvi
2024-06-06
[GEO.TV] A day after clarifying his party’s position on political dialogues, former president and Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
(PTI) leader Dr Arif Alvi has claimed that the incarcerated party founder Imran Khan
...aka The Great Khan, who anti-establishment Pak premier, who was hounded out of office, arrested, jailed, and will likely be hung by his political opponents...
is being told to "strike a deal and leave the country".

Alvi, while talking to journalists in Faisalabad
...formerly known as Lyallpur, the third largest metropolis in Pakistain, the second largest in Punjab after Lahore. It is named after some Arab because the Paks didn't have anybody notable of their own to name it after...
on Wednesday, said that Khan rejected the offer and decided not to leave the country "at any cost".

The former president predicted that those who were colluding to sentence Khan — the former prime minister — would face a complete failure.

Commenting on dialogue offers, the politico said that his party is ready to hold talks with "stakeholders but not with the non-stakeholders". He asked the stakeholders to let go of hatred and practice compassion.
Link


India-Pakistan
Rana Sanaullah appointed PM Shehbaz's adviser on political affairs
2024-05-01
[GEO.TV] Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Pakistain Moslem League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab
1.) Little Orphan Annie's bodyguard
2.) A province of Pakistain ruled by one of the Sharif brothers
3.) A province of India. It is majority (60 percent) Sikh and Hindoo (37 percent), which means it has relatively few Moslem riots....

President Rana Sanaullah as his adviser on political and public affairs.

President Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari
...former president of Pakistain, husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in...
approved the appointment of the PML-N stalwart as the prime minister's adviser, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

The statement posted on president’s official account on X, formerly Twitter, said that Sanaullah will have the status of a federal minister.

"The president approved the appointment of Rana Sanaullah Khan on prime minister’s advice under Article 93-1 of the Constitution," the post read.

It is pertinent to mention that the PML-N stalwart served as the interior minister during the previous government, but lost in general election 2024 on the National Assembly seat (NA-100) in Faisalabad
...formerly known as Lyallpur, the third largest metropolis in Pakistain, the second largest in Punjab after Lahore. It is named after some Arab because the Paks didn't have anybody notable of their own to name it after...
Sanaullah's appointment comes a day after Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s designation as deputy prime minister as an additional charge to his existing post.

It may be noted that the former interior minister had recently expressed the possibility of being given role in the federal government.

While speaking on Geo News programme "Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath" on Monday, the politician said that Nawaz would decide about giving a ministry to him after concluding his China visit.
Link


Olde Tyme Religion
Christian human rights activists ‘briefly detained, tortured’ by police in Faisalabad
2023-09-24
[Dawn] Two human rights
...which often include carefully measured allowances of freedom at the convenience of the state...
activists visiting Faisalabad
...formerly known as Lyallpur, the third largest metropolis in Pakistain, the second largest in Punjab after Lahore. It is named after some Arab because the Paks didn't have anybody notable of their own to name it after...
from Bloody Karachi
Link


India-Pakistan
Rawalpindi man arrested, booked over desecration of Bible: police
2023-09-17
Yes, I know, dear Reader. I’m shocked, too.
[Dawn] A man was arrested and booked in Rawalpindi on Saturday in connection with the desecration of the Bible — the holy book of the Christian faith.

The incident came to light when a video showing a man insulting the Bible with a slipper surfaced on Twitter.

In response to the video, the Rawalpindi police stated that the suspect was "swiftly traced" and apprehended through "prompt law enforcement action".

The police further stated that an "exemplary punishment" would be meted out to the suspect following a "thorough and merit-based" investigation.

Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer Syed Khurram Ali told Dawn.com the arrest was made earlier in the day.

He further stated that the suspect will be presented in court tomorrow (Sunday) to secure his physical remand, enabling the commencement of the interrogation process.

A case regarding the incident was filed at the Morgah cop shoppe based on a complaint lodged by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Naveed Aslam, invoking Section 298 of the Pakistain Penal Code (PPC), which pertains to uttering words with a deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.

In the first information report, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, ASI Aslam explained that he "saw a viral video on social media in which an individual was seen disrespecting Christianity and the Bible".

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal termed the incident a "shameful act".

"Where Islam teaches respect for one’s beliefs, it also teaches respect for the beliefs of others. It is the responsibility of the state to provide religious protection to its citizens," he said, adding that society collectively had to eliminate such behaviour.

It is pertinent to mention that on August 16, a violent mostly peaceful mob of hundreds ransacked and torched five churches, attacked the residences of members of the Christian community and the office of the local assistant commissioner, following an alleged incident of blasphemy
...the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence to a deity, or sacred objects, or toward something considered sacred or inviolable. Some religions consider it to be a crime. In Pakistain you can commit blasphemy by looking cross-eyed at a Koran...
in Jaranwala town of Faisalabad
...formerly known as Lyallpur, the third largest metropolis in Pakistain, the second largest in Punjab after Lahore. It is named after some Arab because the Paks didn't have anybody notable of their own to name it after...
district.
Related:
Rawalpindi: 2023-09-15 Daily Evacuation Brief September 15, 2023
Rawalpindi: 2023-09-11 Daily Evacuation Brief September 11, 2023
Rawalpindi: 2023-09-11 Seven terrorists killed, six injured in Chitral shootout
Related:
Jaranwala: 2023-09-11 Christian couple arrested for alleged desecration in Lahore
Jaranwala: 2023-09-09 Balochistan CTD guns down 5 ‘TTP terrorists’ in operation in Quetta’s Aghberg
Jaranwala: 2023-09-08 Militant behind Quetta Hazara killings arrested near Afghanistan border
Related:
Blasphemy: 2023-09-11 Christian couple arrested for alleged desecration in Lahore
Blasphemy: 2023-09-06 Rowan Akinson aka Mr. Bean Isn't A Fan Of Electric Cars
Blasphemy: 2023-08-25 118 Jaranwala riots suspects on physical remand
Link


India-Pakistan
Damage to Jaranwala churches, homes estimated at Rs67m
2023-08-23
[Dawn] Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday visited Jaranwala, days after violent mostly peaceful mobs destroyed dozens of houses and churches over allegations of blasphemy
...the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence to a deity, or sacred objects, or toward something considered sacred or inviolable. Some religions consider it to be a crime. In Pakistain you can commit blasphemy by looking cross-eyed at a Koran...
, to express solidarity with the Christian community and distribute compensation cheques among families whose houses were burnt down by the frenzied mob.

According to estimates compiled by Faisalabad
...formerly known as Lyallpur, the third largest metropolis in Pakistain, the second largest in Punjab after Lahore. It is named after some Arab because the Paks didn't have anybody notable of their own to name it after...
’s district administration, at least 22 churches ransacked by mobs suffered damages to the tune of Rs29.1 million whereas 91 houses which bore the brunt of violence suffered losses to the tune of Rs38.5 million. The administration forwarded this report to the provincial government. The list of items destroyed by the mob included fans, air-conditioners, water filter plants, generators, carpets, furniture, and other electrical appliances.

During his speech in Jaranwala on his first official visit anywhere in the country, the interim premier said it was the duty of the state to protect the lives and properties of religious minorities. "It is the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety of every citizen," PM Kakar said.

The interim PM stressed the need for interfaith unity and said anyone found committing injustices with minorities would have to face the consequences from the state. "Extremism has nothing to do with any religion, language or region," the premier remarked.

"The Christian community played an important role in the creation of Pakistain and it is the responsibility of every Moslem to protect the minority community." The premier distributed cheques for Rs2 million each among the members of the Christian community whose houses were destroyed during the violence.

HUNT FOR SUSPECTS UNDERWAY
During the ceremony, Punjab
1.) Little Orphan Annie's bodyguard
2.) A province of Pakistain ruled by one of the Sharif brothers
3.) A province of India. It is majority (60 percent) Sikh and Hindoo (37 percent), which means it has relatively few Moslem riots....

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said police were hunting suspects with the help of CCTV footage and geo-fencing, adding that culprits would have to face punishment under the law.

He said whatever damage the churches suffered, they would be restored to their original condition within days and handed over to their respective administrations.

He announced that financial assistance would be provided to each victim.

According to a handout, the CM conveyed that the dedication towards "aiding the community is unwavering".

He vowed neither the prime minister nor the CM would simply "make fleeting appearances" as the government would be persistent in its engagements.

The chief minister assured that substantial efforts were being "exerted to ensure a just resolution for the Christian community, with visible results expected in the near future".
Related:
Jaranwala: 2023-08-21 Interfaith committee formed to address Jaranwala incident
Jaranwala: 2023-08-20 Good Morning
Jaranwala: 2023-08-20 'Regrettable incident': Justice Isa visits Jaranwala, assures Christian community of all-out support
Link


India-Pakistan
Interfaith committee formed to address Jaranwala incident
2023-08-21
[GEO.TV] In a bid to probe the tragic incident in Faisalabad
...formerly known as Lyallpur, the third largest metropolis in Pakistain, the second largest in Punjab after Lahore. It is named after some Arab because the Paks didn't have anybody notable of their own to name it after...
's Jaranwala, foster interfaith and interdenominational unity, and quell bad boy narratives, the Pakistain Ulema Council (PUC) and Church of Pakistain on Sunday jointly established a 24-member committee.
Good idea. Interfaith committees always work.
Sure, if you want your thoroughbred racehorse to be a camel.
On August 16, a crowd vandalised several churches and set scores of houses on fire in Jaranwala town of the industrial district of Faisalabad after a few miscreants made announcements in mosques inciting the mob to attack under allegations of blasphemy
...the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence to a deity, or sacred objects, or toward something considered sacred or inviolable. Some religions consider it to be a crime. In Pakistain you can commit blasphemy by looking cross-eyed at a Koran...
Co-chaired by PUC Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and Church of Pakistain President Bishop Azad Marshal, the committee comprises diverse leaders including Bishop Aleem Anwar, Bishop Arshad Joseph, Pir Naqibur Rehman, Sahibzada Hassan Haseebur Rehman, Maulana Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, APP reported.

Ashrafi stresses need for tolerance
During an interaction with the media, Ashrafi said that building a peaceful and resilient Pakistain required active participation from all segments of society.

He stressed the inclusion of leaders from various religions in the 24-member committee, bridging the gap between Moslem and Christian leaders.

"We must strive to cultivate tolerance, respect, and patience in our society and reject any attempts to exploit religion for personal or political gains," he added.

He further noted that concerted efforts would be made across all levels to discourage illegal actions under the guise of blasphemy or religious insult.

Ashrafi said the PUC had pledged to provide assistance to the young victims of the Jaranwala incident, announcing their commitment to organize arrangements for the affected girls’ dowries as part of their ongoing support efforts.
Related:
Jaranwala: 2023-08-20 Good Morning
Jaranwala: 2023-08-20 'Regrettable incident': Justice Isa visits Jaranwala, assures Christian community of all-out support
Jaranwala: 2023-08-19 Pak govt promises to restore Jadanwala churches by next week
Link


India-Pakistan
'Regrettable incident': Justice Isa visits Jaranwala, assures Christian community of all-out support
2023-08-20
[GEO.TV] Chief Justice Designate Qazi Faez Isa on Saturday visited Jaranwala to meet and express solidarity with the Christian community after violent mostly peaceful attacks on their houses and churches over alleged blasphemy
...the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence to a deity, or sacred objects, or toward something considered sacred or inviolable. Some religions consider it to be a crime. In Pakistain you can commit blasphemy by looking cross-eyed at a Koran...
allegations.
You wanta express "solidarity?" Show up in church on Sunday.
On August 16, a crowd vandalised several churches and set scores of houses on fire in Jaranwala town of the industrial district of Faisalabad
...formerly known as Lyallpur, the third largest metropolis in Pakistain, the second largest in Punjab after Lahore. It is named after some Arab because the Paks didn't have anybody notable of their own to name it after...
after holy men made announcements in mosques inciting the mob to attack the Christian community under allegations of blasphemy.
"Disrespected our holy idols, they did! Shot the moon at our moon! Then tore up a koran and wrote dirty words on it!"
Paramilitary troops were called in to handle the violence and bring the situation under control, according to a government order seen by Rooters.
Betcha no (zero) holy men were arrested.
The attack sparked outrage on social media and among political and religious figures in Pakistain, who condemned the incident, saying that there was no room for such extreme behaviour.
Seems like there is, since there was.
The Supreme Court's judge arrived in Jaranwala with his wife and visited the Christian colony.
And everybody was ever so glad to see him.
Justice Isa reviewed the situation of the houses and churches that were attacked earlier this week.
And everything's all better now.
"Three days have passed since the incident and the streets are still not clean," said Justice Isa while expressing displeasure with the deputy commissioner and directing him to get the streets cleaned immediately.
"Yeah. Clean up that wreckage!"
Expressing regret over the incident, the senior puisne
I have no idea what that word means.
According to the internet, it’s a senior court judge in the British system who is under the chief justice. Pronounced puny, which goes to show.
judge met the victims, assuring them of all-out support.
Just like they did the last time.
He told the Christian community that they have equal rights as everyone else, adding that all citizens are equal.
"That's right. In Pakistain anybody can form a mob! And does!"
Speaking to the Christian victims, Justice Isa said that it was the duty of Moslems to catch the perpetrators if churches are attacked. He added that Christians have equal rights to build a church as Moslems have to build a mosque.
Moslems have equal rights to burn a church, but Christians don't have equal rights to burn down a mosque.
During his visit, the judge and his wife also provided financial assistance to the victims and distributed food packages among them.
"I am here as a citizen and it is everyone's duty to help you," he told the victims.
Why was it everyone's duty to burn the Christians' houses down?
Those things won’t burn themselves, you know.
34 NOMINATED, 600 UNKNOWN SUSPECTS BOOKED
According to a The News report, the city's police have started the paperwork but haven't done much else against 34 and nominated 600 unknown under 18 sections of the Pakistain Penal Code (PPC) and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) following the incident.
But not 34 holy men. And the 600 unknown will probably remain unknown. And the 34 not holy men will get off for lack of evidence or misspellings on the paperwork.
The publication further claimed that 29 nominated suspects have been arrested in connection with the Wednesday rampage.
The other five are still in the mosques, discussing the whole thing with learned holy men.
The police on Thursday also nominated Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat
...which is the false nose and plastic mustache of the murderous banned extremist group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain, whatcha might call the political wing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi...
(ASWJ) Jaranwala President Mufti Mohammad Younis Rizvi and Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistain (TLP) leader Syed Asifullah Shah in the case.
My guess would be they weren't home if the cops arrived to arrest them.
Separately, caretaker Chief Minister Punjab
1.) Little Orphan Annie's bodyguard
2.) A province of Pakistain ruled by one of the Sharif brothers
3.) A province of India. It is majority (60 percent) Sikh and Hindoo (37 percent), which means it has relatively few Moslem riots....

Mohsin Naqvi said both individuals, accused of desecrating the Holy Koran, had been arrested by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).
They always manage to get those guys.
'SWIFT ACTION'
Meanwhile,
...back at the revival hall, the SWAT team had finally arrived...
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch had said Pakistain was fully determined to protect and promote the constitutionally-guaranteed rights and freedoms of individuals belonging to religious minorities.
We can see that. This only happens once or twice a year. Maybe three times. Or four. Not that often, really.
In a statement, she said as a country following law and Constitution, Pakistain could not accept the intolerant and violent mostly peaceful incident in Faisalabad.
In that case, let the "blasphemers" go and make sure nobody bothers them.
She said these acts are illegal and unconstitutional.
But you have a blasphemy law, so holy men gotta use it now and then to show how powerful they are.
"Our law enforcement authorities took swift action yesterday.
"Blindingly swift. We're talkin' speed of light here!"
They have been instructed by the prime minister to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice," she added.
"Caught those blaspheming boogers in a matter of short minutes!"
Related:
Jaranwala: 2023-08-17 Armed Mobs Go On The Rampage, Burn Churches, Christian Homes In Pakistan After Blasphemy Allegations
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