The Awami Action Committee and the All-Party Alliance have announced a protest movement in the entire Gilgit-Baltistan from December 21 against the surge in the price of wheat and reduction in subsidies, a local Urdu newspaper, DailyK2 reported. The Awami Action Committee and the All-Party Alliance have announced a protest movement in the entire Gilgit-Baltistan from December 21 against the surge in the price of wheat and reduction in subsidies, a local Urdu newspaper, DailyK2 reported. A joint meeting of the alliance was held under the chairmanship of Action Committee Chairman Ehsan Ali Advocate at a local hotel in Skardu, in which the leaders of the Public Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan and the leaders of all political, religious, nationalist parties and business organisations were present. Moreover, a large number of lawyers participated in the joint meeting and they discussed the increase in the price of wheat that is raising concerns amongst residents, reported DailyK2. Following the meeting, it was unanimously decided that since December 20 was given to the government to approve the demands, a large-scale protest movement will be started in the entire Gilgit-Baltistan area of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), on December 21. Protests will begin simultaneously in all districts and there will be protest sit-ins and demonstrations against the increase in the price of wheat in the streets, according to DailyK2. Moreover, if the protest continues, the scope of the protest will spread to other parts of the country. Later, the Chairman of the Public Action Committee, Ehsan Ali Advocate, while addressing the joint meeting, said that the Provincial Assembly is a dummy assembly. Even though the law has not been passed, all the money is going into the pockets of the elite, there is spectacle everywhere, and the public has been made a scapegoat, he said, according to DailyK2.  Source: ANI

The Minorities Alliance of Pakistan on Friday demanded more seats in national and provincial assemblies for members of religious minorities besides an amendment to article 41 and 91 of the Constitution to remove the bar on non-Muslims from becoming president and prime minister of Pakistan. Addressing a ‘Jinnah’s Pakistan public rally’ held to mark the National Minorities Day, Akmal Bhatti, the alliance chairman, said misuse of sensitive religious/blasphemy laws should stop in the country and there has to be provision of free and fair justice to the victims. “Members of religious minorities have played a vital role in Pakistan movement, its development, defence and progress. Our people sacrificed their lives for the motherland; we are proud to be citizens of Pakistan, but now, unfortunately, the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah has been forgotten,” Mr Bhatti said. He said those who played the religion card for their political motives ruined peace and harmony in society. Other speakers said religious campaigns were being launched to victimise political or personal opponents and settle personal vendetta by misusing the blasphemy laws. They regretted that state institutions, including police, had been providing cover to elements involved in forced conversions. A resolution passed at the rally held at Jinnah Avenue slammed both the PDM and PTI governments for ignoring the demand of minorities to impose a ban on forced conversions. The resolution said there should be legislation to ban forced conversion of minor girls. It also called the implementation of the five per cent quota allocated for minorities in formal and technical educational schools, colleges and universities. Moreover, the speech of Quiad-i-Azam made on August 11, 1947, should be the integral part of the 1973 constitution. Those who addressed the rally included Shamaoun Gill, Anosh Bhatti, Asif John, Sadaf Adnan, Ijaz Ghori, Fiaz Bhatti, Dalair Singh, Bishop Zahid Bahir, Sarfraz Gill and George Mehboob. Taxila Walk, seminar and cake cutting events were held in Hassanabdal and Attock to honour the services and sacrifices rendered by religious minorities for the country. A walk arranged by the Sikh community and attended by members of the Sikh, Hindu and Christian communities was organised at Hassanabdal. The walk was led by Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza along with Assistant Commissioner Sana Ramchand, which commenced from the municipal committee building and concluded at Gurdwara Panja Sahib. Speaking on the ceremony, the DC said Pakistan reassures its minorities of their future rights by specifically allocating a portion of the national flag, the white colour, which traditionally represents purity and innocence and which the minorities have kept so over many decades. He said the Constitution gives minorities all the privileges and facilities and their places of worship were being made safe. The assistant commissioner said religious minorities in Pakistan have full rights as equal citizens. This country was built by followers of all religions united under the leadership of the Quaid. She was of the view that the minority community had been playing an important role in the progress and development of the country. Meanwhile, the National Minority Day was also observed at Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassanabdal. The Sikh community arranged an event to honour the services and sacrifices rendered by religious minorities for the country. Speaking as chief guest, Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM) Managing Director Amir Fida Paracha said religious freedom and the protection of the rights of minorities were enshrined in the constitution and protected by a number of legislative, policy and administrative measures. PPP divisional vice president minorities wing Sardar Ravinder Singh Jaggi called for the implementation of Quaid’s principles of tolerance and religious freedom. He said in his 14 points, Mr Jinnah had stated that if any piece of legislation was not endorsed by minorities it could not become a law. PPP Attock President Sardar Asher Hayat Khan said the Sikh and Christian communities had made tremendous contributions in the fields of medicine and education. PPP leader Zulfiqar Hayat Khan said while some people had hijacked religious freedom in the country, the PPP was committed to bringing all citizens at one platform. A seminar to mark the day was also held at Jinnah Hall Attock. Source: dawn.com

The Minorities Alliance of Pakistan on Friday demanded removal of the bar on non-Muslims becoming President or Prime Minister of Pakistan, reported Dawn on Saturday. The Alliance also demanded more seats in national and provincial assemblies for members of religious minorities, reported Dawn. As per the Dawn, on National Minorities Day, the alliance chairman, Akmal Bhatti, while addressing a ‘Jinnah’s Pakistan public rally’ said misuse of sensitive religious/blasphemy laws should stop in the country and there has to be the provision of free and fair justice to the victims. “Members of religious minorities have played a vital role in Pakistan movement, its development, defence and progress. Our people sacrificed their lives for the motherland; we are proud to be citizens of Pakistan, but now, unfortunately, the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah has been forgotten,” Bhatti said. He also alleged that those who played the religious card for their political motives ruined peace and harmony in society. According to Dawn News, Apart from Bhatti, other speakers added that religious campaigns were being launched to victimise political or personal opponents and settle personal vendettas by misusing the blasphemy laws. They accused the state institutions, including the police, had been providing cover to elements involved in forced conversions. As per Dawn News, A resolution passed at the rally held at Jinnah Avenue slammed both the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party governments for ignoring the demand of minorities to impose a ban on forced conversions. The resolution raised the issue to ban the forced conversion of minor girls. It also called for the implementation of the five per cent quota allocated for minorities in formal and technical educational schools, colleges and universities. Moreover, the speech of Quiad-i-Azam made on August 11, 1947, should be an integral part of the 1973 constitution. Those who addressed the rally included Shamaoun Gill, Anosh Bhatti, Asif John, Sadaf Adnan, Ijaz Ghori, Fiaz Bhatti, Dalair Singh, Bishop Zahid Bahir, Sarfraz Gill and George Mehboob, reports Dawn News.

NATO foreign ministers are gathering in Brussels to discuss the war in Ukraine as Finland is set to become the 31st member of the alliance. NATO foreign ministers are meeting on Tuesday at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels for a two-day summit to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The meeting coincides with the 74th anniversary of the alliance's founding. At the same time, Finland is becoming the 31st member of NATO, doubling the length of the alliance's border with Russia. Although Finland had to overcome Turkish opposition, the Nordic country completed all the formalities in well under a year, making it the fastest accession process in the alliance's recent history. Only the ceremonial part remains. Finland's foreign minister will hand the accession papers to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the keeper of NATO's founding treaty, and then the country's blue-and-white flag will be raised hoisted alongside those of its new allies, in front of the gleaming headquarters in Brussels. Stoltenberg: Putin is getting the opposite of what he wanted Finland's accession to NATO will be a historic event and direct result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said, adding the alliance would ensure that Sweden will also become a full-fledged member. "[Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin had as a declared goal of the invasion of Ukraine to get less NATO," he told reporters ahead of a meeting of the alliance's foreign ministers. "He is getting exactly the opposite. ... Finland today, and soon also Sweden will become a full fledged member of the alliance." Russia decried the move as as an "assault" on Russia's security and national interests. "The expansion of NATO is an attack on our security and Russia's national interests," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Russia would be forced to take countermeasures accordingly, he added.   Finland is in, Sweden still out The event marks the end of an era of military non-alignment for Finland that began after the country repelled an invasion attempt by the Soviet Union during World War Two and opted to try to maintain friendly relations with neighbouring Russia. Finland applied for NATO membership alongside Sweden in May 2022 in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but its application got tangled up in Ankara's opposition to Sweden's entry. Sweden's application for membership remains blocked by Turkey due to a number of sticking points, among them Ankara's concerns over what it says is a lack of cooperation in fighting terrorism. All NATO members must unanimously agree to admit new members. Talks with Ukraine The accession ceremony for Finland will be followed by a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, a high-level forum for ministers of the alliance to discuss cooperation with Kiev. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is to take part. The NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting is taking place over objections from Hungary. Budapest has accused Ukraine of failing to respect the Hungarian language rights of the country's Transcarpathian ethnic minority. Hungary, like Turkey, has also not yet ratified Sweden's NATO membership. In a government statement, Hungary cited "an ample amount of grievances" with Sweden over EU budget funds, among other things.

India's relationship with Japan is one of the strongest of any nation. Both India and Japan share a common heritage of Buddhist ideals and a strong people-to-people bond that goes beyond economic alliances. The India-Japan relationship is manifested in multi-cornered cooperation and in the ever-widening scope of the bilateral alliance. The India-Japan relationship, founded on the principle of trust and which gained strategic prominence with time, is now swiftly heading towards exemplary diplomacy. The Delhi Metro - one of the largest metro networks in the world - recently commemorated 20 years of its operations. Japan has provided India with financial and technological assistance in developing several metro corridors. The anniversary not only marked two decades of a successful metro run but also highlighted the Indian-Japanese relationship that can today be characterized by a strong strategic partnership, a burgeoning business collaboration, a deep cultural connection, and a tactical geopolitical alliance. In another undertaking between India and Japan, the two sides have collaborated to manufacture India's first bullet train. With nearly 25 per cent of the work completed, India's first bullet train is expected to hit the tracks by 2027. Hiroshi Suzuki, Japanese Ambassador to India, recently said, "Japanese team and Indian team working closely together. And in my eyes, this is already a revolution underway. Japan and India enjoy special relations, special partnership, which is both strategic and global. So we are cooperating in many important areas such as defence and security. The international forum we are closely cooperating on UN Security Council." The trade imbalance has been narrowed between India and Japan gradually with Indian exports to Japan rising each year, which primarily include petroleum products, chemicals, and elements. As per the India Ministry of External Affairs, the bilateral trade between India and Japan for Financial Year 2021-22 totaled USD 20.57 billion. India's exports to Japan amounted to USD 6.18 billion while India's imports from Japan amounted to USD 14.39 billion. On his visit to India last year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a USD 42 billion investment in India within the next five years. Experts say Japanese power corridors consider India to be one of the most reliable partners in the world. With 14 bilateral premier-level summits, a continuous flow of people and tech, and uniquely integrated yet individual strategies to counter global threats, Indian-Japanese ties have become a curious case study for observers around the world. Both India and Japan have their own ways of dealing with global issue. For example, the two countries had contrasting stances on the Russia-Ukraine conflict however, this had no bearing on their relationship. "They (India and Japan) have not let these differences become a stumbling block in improving relationships. Even recently, India and Japan have a slightly different point of view about the war in Ukraine but we have not let that become a problem in our ties," said Delhi-based geopolitical expert Sanjana Joshi. India's partnership with Japan has also picked up great momentum lately. The two countries, with political and military alliances, will have their first-ever joint air combat drills next year. The two have already been conducting the annual 'Malabar' naval exercise along with the United States in order to preempt and prepare for any future crisis in the Indo-Pacific, especially from expansionist Chinese campaigns. India and Japan are also part of the Quadrilateral security dialogue, popularly called the "Quad." The security alliance also includes the United States and Australia. The geographic positioning provides great proximity and strategic advantage to both India and Japan in case any threats emerge out of China. "We also have a very strong strategic engagement with each other which is, you know, quite unusual for a country like Japan which calls itself or which prides itself as a pacifist power. So, that's the special place they have marked out for India to have strategic relations." Joshi added. After establishing formal ties in 1952, the India-Japan relationship has touched several highs. Apart from trade, investment, and military, the one fundamental tie that binds Japan and India together is the democratic and pro-peace, pro-people outlook in their domestic and foreign policies. Neither India nor Japan can be accused of being an aggressor or anti-global welfare. Observers have praised both countries' ways of governance and diplomacy. The two now also hold very important presidencies. Japan is at the helm of G7, while India will remain G20 president for the next one year. Both are expected to make significant contributions to immediately needed solutions to the world's problems. If India and Japan have individually shown the world that good can be achieved through peaceful means, their ties serve as an example for the rest of the global community to forge and nurture an alliance of this nature.  

Bangladesh has participated in the 15th Regional Health Alliance meeting of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), collaboration arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation, Asia Pacific. The 15th meeting of ICAO's regional alliance began in Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, December 14.  Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Mafidur Rahman participated in the beginning of the meeting virtually. It is to be noted that in the meeting held in Dhaka on October 21-22, 2009, the chairman of the CAAB, Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Mafidur Rahman was elected president. In the 15th meeting of collaboration arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation, Asia Pacific, Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority (BABICHAK) Chairman highlighted the global situation and the stagnation of Bangladesh's aviation sector during the Covid-19.  Mafidur Rahman said, due to the strong leadership and timely action of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has been able to prevent the spread of Covid-19, successfully implement the vaccination program and restart the aviation sector of Bangladesh. At the beginning of the two-day meeting, Director General of Philippine Civil Aviation Authority Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo was elected as the new president of collaboration arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation, Asia Pacific.  Newly elected president Antonio Tamayo and acting director of ICAO's Asia Pacific Regional Office Manjeet Singh sincerely thanked the chairman of Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority for his duty as president during the crisis of covid-19.

Meeting in Bucharest this week, NATO foreign ministers are set to discuss more aid for Ukraine, plans to deter Russia on the military alliance's eastern flank and a number of practical issues. Bernd Riegert reports. It's no coincidence that Romania is where the foreign ministers of the 30 NATO countries are meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. They are there at the invitation of Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu to show support for the countries on NATO's eastern flank and in the Black Sea region. The area has become the new focus of NATO activity since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine on February 24. Back in the spring, the alliance decided to establish four new battlegroups in Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania to combat the threat from Russia. Battlegroups have already been in place in the three Baltic states and Poland since 2017 in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The four new groups, with battalions of between 900 and 1,300 personnel, are currently being formed. Several NATO countries, including Germany, are supplying them with permanent troops, while others are rotating and taking turns. These small units have limited combat power but hold important symbolic value. According to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the multinational deployment reflects the solidarity among NATO member states. "In response to Russia's war against Ukraine, we continue to strengthen our deterrence and defenses in the eastern part of the alliance," said Stoltenberg's spokesperson, Oana Lungescu. The NATO summit in Madrid this summer stipulated that the battlegroups could in future increase to brigade strength, with about 5,000 personnel. Combat groups and strategy in focus NATO's solidarity along its eastern flank was tested on November 15, when two people were killed by a missile in Poland, not far from the Ukrainian border. Nerve-wracking hours followed for NATO, until it became clear that the missile had probably been fired not by Russia but by the Ukrainian army. It proved to be an accident — but it raised the question of what would happen if Russia did, in fact, attack NATO territory. NATO would have to act decisively and honor its pledge of mutual defense for all member states. Stoltenberg tried to calm things by saying that the military alliance does not currently believe Russia is planning an attack on NATO allies. Nevertheless, the war being led by Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen as an unprecedented threat, especially in NATO's eastern states, the Baltics and Poland. The NATO foreign ministers will discuss the latest assessment of the situation at the meeting in Bucharest. Stoltenberg to urge allies not to flag in support for Ukraine They will also look at providing further military aid for Ukraine. Right now, Kyiv is most in need of missile defense and ammunition to repel Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. Poland has rejected the proposal that it reinforce its air defense with Patriot missiles from the German Bundeswehr. It would be better to send the systems straight to Ukraine, said Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, who had initially described the German army's offer as "interesting." Stoltenberg will once again urge the allies not to flag in their support for Ukraine, even though energy and food are becoming more expensive at home. If Russia gets its way, "authoritarian regimes around the world will learn that they can get what they want with brute force," he told NATO's parliamentary assembly in Madrid last week. "This would have direct consequences for our security. It will make the world more dangerous, and us more vulnerable." Gaps in infrastructure, logistical problems The French army is leading the new Romanian battlegroup, which is based in Cincu, in the region of Transylvania. For the past few months, around 500 French soldiers have been training with units from Poland, the Netherlands and the United States. The French MAMBA air defense system, designed to be used over short ranges, has been tested in Romania. "Exercises such as this one ensure that NATO forces are able to operate together and remain ready to respond to any threat from any direction," said NATO's Lungescu. During maneuvers in September, the French colonel leading the battlegroup said that right now the most important task was to set learning objectives and train for the future nature of warfare. Logistical shortcomings have also been identified. These are not unique to Romania, but are found in many NATO countries. The French army encountered difficulties and delays in getting its tanks to the battlegroup in Romania. First, there was a lack of suitable rail transport routes; then the road transport was halted in Germany because the Leclerc tanks were too heavy to comply with traffic regulations. Later, they were unable to cross a key bridge near Cincu in Romania because the bridge could not support the weight of the vehicles. Romania, a NATO member since 2004, has a relatively poor road network. This would restrict large military transports in the event of an emergency. About a quarter of Romania's roads are unpaved, and only 6% are highways. Both NATO and the European Union have launched programs to improve military mobility across the alliance's territory. The railroads need more freight cars that can carry heavy equipment, and the Baltic states still use the Russian track gauge. The system needs to be adapted to the narrower EU standard, but this would cost billions of euros. Poland is planning to build new bridges, highways and 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) of railroad track by 2034, partly in order to facilitate the redeployment of troops to its eastern border. French troops criticize 'rustic conditions' French troops have also complained of practical problems in Romania. In October, soldiers posted reports on social media detailing terrible accommodation and poor rations. They described rat infestations, garbage and unheated tents. Speaking to the French investigative platform Mediapart, the French general staff commented that there were often "rustic conditions" when a new unit was set up — eight months after the start of the operation in Romania. The Romanian Defense Ministry has said action has since been taken to remedy the situation and all the French soldiers' requirements have been met. There has also been trouble at the NATO air base near Constanta. The Romanian military prosecutor is investigating allegations that soldiers there collaborated with organized gangs to steal diesel and kerosene worth €2 million (€2.08 million). Spain sends fighter jets NATO has not only redeployed a combat group in Romania, it has also strengthened its air defenses. Shortly before the start of the foreign ministers' meeting, Spain announced that it would temporarily transfer eight F-18 fighter jets to Romania, along with 130 soldiers. The US also maintains part of the missile defense shield in Romania, which was originally intended to counter long-range ballistic missile attacks from Iran or North Korea. According to NATO diplomats in Brussels, checks are being performed to see how the defense shield might also be used to protect against Russian missiles.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Friday decided to introduce a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Parliament.   PDM chief Fazlur Rehman briefed reporters after a key meeting of the group in Lahore and said that the alliance has unanimously decided to move a no-confidence motion against the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government led by Khan, reported Geo News.   Speaking during a press conference after holding a meeting of the PDM, Fazl said the alliance would approach the government's allied parties to get them on board so as to acquire a voting majority in the National Assembly to bring about a no-confidence motion to oust Imran Khan.   "PDM has announced the no-confidence motion at this stage because we have a firm intention of doing so," added the PDM chief.   However, he also said, "We will first do our homework, so we cannot talk about the definite timeframe for this move."Meanwhile, Pak opposition is jettisoning mutual hatred to ouster Khan. They were planning a no-confidence motion or street protests or even a combination of both in a joint fight against Khan's misgovernance.   Earlier, opposition parties like Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the allies of Imran Khan - Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) are setting aside their differences to ouster 'Kaptaan' (Imran Khan), reported Dawn. Source: ANI

Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu has been elected as the coordinator and spokesperson for central 14-party alliance. The information was delivered by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wedneday. Obaidul Quader said while attending an online briefing that Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assigned the responsibilities to Amu following consent by the leaders of 14-party component leaders. AH

Police have charged batons on left-democratic alliance’s ‘Black flag’ procession on way to the Prime Minister’s Office. Chase and counter chases were took place. Leaders and activists said that 20-25 people were hurt in the incident. The incident took place at Mathsha Bhaban area in the capital on Monday afternoon. The left-democratic alliance organized the procession to observe 30th December as ‘Black Day’ terming the eleventh national parliament election as an election of ‘vote robbery’. Left-democratic alliance coordinator Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan said, 25-26 leaders and activists including alliance leader and general secretary of Biplabi Workers Party Saiful Haque and chief coordinator of Gonosanghati Andolon Zonaed Saki were injured in the police attack. They were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Protesting the attack the left-democratic alliance has called a demonstration gathering in front of National Press Club on Tuesday. In this regard Ramna zone DC of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Sajjadur Rahman said, we requested them not to break the barricade. Their leaders and activists did not follow the request. They attacked police with the sticks and bamboos attached to the placards. Five police members were injured and of them two were hurt critically. We have showed the sense of patience and later we disperse them. Officer in Charge of Ramna police station Monirul Islam said, we have taken several people into police custody. We will take action after watching the video footage. AH