Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Islamabad: The surge in violence in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) this January has sparked widespread outrage, with Indian security forces accused of committing numerous human rights abuses where bloodshed has drawn attention to the long-standing struggle of the Kashmiri people, who continue to face brutal suppression at the hands of Indian occupation forces.

According to an analytical report released by reporter, it was revealed that 60 people were martyred on January 6, 1993, in Sopore town, on January 21, 1990, Indian forces slaughtered over 50 civilians in the Gaw Kadal area of Srinagar, 25 people on January 25, 1990, in Handwara, and 27 people on January 27, 1994, in Kupwara.

Memories of these bloodbaths are still fresh in Kashmiris' minds, serving as a reminder of the criminal face of Hindutva forces.

The report stated that as many as 634 people have been killed and property worth billions of rupees has been ruined in around 49 massacres carried out by Indian forces since January 1990 to date. Additionally, tens of thousands of Muslims were butchered in Jammu by the Indian Army and Hindutva RSS/Dogra forces in November 1947.

The report emphasized that the aim of committing these massacres is to instill fear among the Kashmiris.

Despite the fact that the BJP-led Indian regime has crossed all records of atrocities to change the Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir into a minority area, India has failed to crush the freedom sentiment of Kashmiris, the report noted. It urged the international community to come forward to stop the genocide of Kashmiri people at the hands of brutal Indian forces.

Meanwhile, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference spokesman, Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, in a statement issued in Srinagar, said that Sopore, Gaw Kadal, Handwara, Kupwara, and other such massacres reminded him of the notorious Jallianwala Bagh carnage, perpetrated by the then British government in India.

The spokesman, while paying tributes to over 130 victims of the January massacres, reiterated the Kashmiris' resolve to continue the martyrs' mission until its logical conclusion.

Islamabad: Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, the President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commended the sitting government, particularly Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for taking decisive actions to improve the country's economic situation and pull it out of its current challenges.

He expressed optimism that these bold measures are beginning to show positive signs for the economy.

However, he highlighted that Pakistan's share in global exports has been consistently declining, with a reduction of over 20% in the past two decades. He stressed that prioritizing economic expansion is essential to counter rising poverty and unemployment.

Qureshi pointed out that while other nations have been lowering trade barriers and integrating their economies globally, Pakistan has moved in the opposite direction, maintaining tariffs that are at least twice the global average and three times higher than those of successful East Asian exporting countries.

He warned that relying on foreign assistance to resolve the economic challenges is unlikely to succeed, as no country has achieved export-led growth without first implementing crucial domestic reforms.

He emphasized that now is the time to address the hardships faced by the people and pave the way for meaningful change, urging the formulation of investment- and people-friendly policies through consultations with all stakeholders, including business leaders and chambers.

Nasir Qureshi went on to say that as far as the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) is committed to fostering an environment that promotes ease of doing business by actively addressing the challenges faced by the business community.

Through continuous dialogue with government officials and relevant stakeholders, ICCI strives to identify and resolve key issues such as excessive regulations, complex procedures, and high operational costs that hinder business growth.

The Chamber is dedicated to advocating for policy reforms that support entrepreneurship, enhance competitiveness, and simplify processes, thereby creating a more conducive environment for both local and international businesses to thrive.

By focusing on these critical areas, ICCI aims to drive economic growth, stimulate investment, and create more opportunities for businesses to expand and succeed.

Islamabad: Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Mian Javed Latif slammed PTI, emphasizing that its leadership must adopt a more collaborative approach and shed its ego-driven mindset if meaningful dialogue is to take place.

In a recent interview with a private news channel, Mian Javed Latif launched a blistering attack on PTI, alleging that their negotiation goals were vastly different from their initial claims, exposing a shocking disconnect between their words and actions.

Mian Javed Latif strongly condemned PTI, holding them accountable for perpetuating a culture of revenge and chaos in politics over the past few years.

He emphasized that PTI's leadership has consistently prioritized personal interests and vendettas over the well-being of the nation, leading to a toxic and divisive political environment.

Responding to a query, Mian Latif said that the leaked call between Farah Gogi, Malik Riaz and Bushra Bibi is a damning indictment of the PTI government's corruption.

It clearly shows that they were involved in corrupt practices and using their influence for personal gain, he added.

To another question, Mian Javed Latif stated that the world powers currently exerting pressure on Pakistan are not opposed to Imran Khan, but rather are pursuing their own interests.

According to Latif, these powers utilize financial institutions as a means to achieve their objectives, implying a form of economic coercion.

Mian Javed Latif also criticized PTI for their handling of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

He alleged that PTI's leadership initially showed reluctance towards CPEC, which led to a slowdown in the project's progress.