News Desk | South Asia Times

Heat Alert – South Asia Facing Intense Heat Waves

The April-May heatwave that has hit Pakistan and India offers a rather alarming glimpse of the region\’s environmental future under current climate change patterns, says a study by International scientists. Early findings had suggested that long heatwaves that affect a massive geographical area are a rare and once-a-century occurrence. Global Warming is making these otherwise rare chances 30 times more likely, which is affecting and will affect the people of the region directly in terms of health-related risks and indirectly through distorting the food chain. “This is a sign of things to come,” said Arpita Mondal, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai, while studying the impact of increased global heating. If it surpasses 1.5°C, it will increase the likelihood of such heatwaves occurring twice in a century and once every five years. According to an analysis published by Columbia University’s Climate School, South Asian region is the most affected by heat stress. The current streak of heat waves took 90 lives in Pakistan and India. The number could be greater due to the region’s insufficient death registration. The poor are at greater risk due to their living conditions in crowded slums with no access to cooling mechanisms or water. Similarly, street vendors and construction workers are more vulnerable as they mostly do not have a shaded or cool place to rest. The brutal heat waves have shown the knock-on effects in the form of rapid glacier melts in Pakistan amid lakes bursting their banks. India’s power outages due to spike in electricity demand resulting in depletion of coal reserves and affecting the global food chain as the wheat yield has dropped leading to ban on exports, thereby heightening the global food insecurity and bringing the non-traditional aspects of security to the forefront, calling for immediate response and climate action.

Call for Elections: Ex-PM Imran Khan Gives a 6-Day Ultimatum

The defiant ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan and the leader of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has given an ultimatum to the government of Pakistan to announce polls in the country in six days’ time, or he will return to the capital city with millions of people for a sit-in that was called off this very morning. He made this call while addressing a rally of his supporters at the Jinnah Avenue of the capital city, Islamabad. “I had decided that I will sit here until the government dissolves assemblies and announces elections, but of what I have seen in the past 24 hours, they (government) are taking the nation towards anarchy,” said Imran Khan while calling off the sit-in and protests. He and his supporters marched towards the capital with the intention of a sit-in but the march, the Azadi March, had to face a severe crackdown from the police. Owing to the situation that emerged, Imran Khan called off the sit-in and asked his supporters to return. He, himself, travelled from Peshawar to Islamabad while his supporters were coming from many different parts of the country. The government, earlier, announced a ban on the rally from happening in Islamabad and this led to blockades for and crack down on the protesters coming to Islamabad. Tear gas was also used by the police and authorities to scatter the crowds of IK’s supporters. In April, Imran Khan faced a removal from the PM office owing to a no confidence motion moved by the opposition, which he allegedly called a ‘foreign conspiracy.’ He and his supporters took to streets and many rallies were held in different cities prior to the sit-in call in Islamabad. The political landscape in the country remains uncertain and volatile since the PDM launched a movement to out-turn the former government of PTI. Reactionary politics is outweighing the issues that concern the country on an immediate economic basis, including inflation.

Dushanbe Meet – Two Day Summit on Afghanistan Kicks Start Today

Representatives from India, China, Iran, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan are coming together today at Dushanbe, Tajikistan in a Regional Security Summit on Afghanistan. The summit will be held over the course of two days – May 26th and 27th, 2022. Afghanistan’s security, economy, governance, politics, and humanitarian situation is the agenda of this first Regional Summit that Tajikistan is hosting in 2022. This particular Regional Security Forum was initiated by Iran in 2018 and Dushanbe is holding the forth meeting of this forum. The first two meetings were held in Tehran in 2018 and 2019 respectively, and the third in New Delhi in November, 2021. The meetings of the Regional Security Forum are attended by the National Security Advisors of the member states along with secretaries and other key representatives. Iran’s security chief, Admiral Ali Shamkhani, will be representing Iran in Dushanbe. On the sidelines of the summit, security advisers of the member states are expected to have bilateral talks and meetings as well. Pakistan’s presence is not confirmed yet since a National Security Adviser has not been appointed yet. This Regional Security Summit is being criticized for not having any representative from Afghanistan on the table. How much the forum and its meetings are effective also remains a question. It has been nine months since the fall of Kabul and the emergence of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA). In these nine months, multiple regional level collaborations and meetings have been held with a focused agenda on Afghanistan. Just recently, in March, China hosted the 3rd meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbors which was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the neighboring countries of Afghanistan.

Blazing Horizon: Sherani Forest Fire Extinguished After Days of Fire-Fighting Operation

On Wednesday, 18th May 2022, a blaze in the chilgoza forest of Sherani District in the Balochistan province of Pakistan started turning into a large scale wild fire. The forest nestled in the Koh-i-Sulaiman mountains gradually began to be consumed and burnt down by the expanding fire. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) along with the assistance of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) launched a fire-extinguishing operation. Logistics, ground, and air support was facilitated by the Quetta Corps of the military. Pakistan military’s media wing’s initial briefing informed about the fire being at an altitude of 10,000 feet high on mountain tops. This kept the residents in the near-by areas safe. The nearest village was reported to be 8-10 kilometers away from the sight of fire. Hot weather and dry winds were said to be the cause of the rapid spread of fire. After eight to nine days of fire-fighting efforts, the fire was brought under control and extinguished. An Iranian fire-fighting aircraft also landed in Pakistan at the Nur Khan Airbase to help in putting off the fire and this brought a successful end to the efforts of the fire-fighting mission. The fire, however, affected and destroyed a major part of this ancient forest which was a source of livelihood to local people as well, apart from being an environmental asset. Though in a statement from a provincial minister, it was ensured that quick steps will be taken to help grow the forest back, but a major damage to a natural habitat has been caused by the wild fire. Pakistan’s neighbor, Afghanistan, expressed remorse and concern over the incident, while also hoping that the people of the area were saved from ‘human and financial losses.’

The Latest Peace Talks Between Pakistan and TTP, Mediated by Kabul

The latest round of peace talks between Pakistan and TTP have been facilitated by the Afghan Interim Government. Prior to the peace talks, the region remained hostile since August last year and Pakistan’s security forces were attacked multiple times in North and South Waziristan. Based on Pakistan’s concerns over militant factions gaining ground from Afghanistan since the IEA took control, Kabul jumped in to facilitate and mediate the peace talks between the two sides. The talks have been fruitful so far in extending the ceasefire till May 30th, 2022. Prior to this truce agreement, a 10-day ceasefire was extended for five more days at the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr till May 15th, 2022. The peace talks were reportedly initiated at the end of the last year but the end in hostilities and tensions came about just recently. The tribal Jirgas have also been reported to play part in bringing about peace negotiations. FATA Aman Jirga (a representative body of tribal elders in the FATA region of Pakistan) issued a statement expressing resolve to further the peace efforts and the desire to help translate the temporary ceasefire to a permanent truce arrangement. The terms and conditions of the peace negotiations are not clear yet but one of the demands of the TTP is related to the release of their commanders. No official statement has emerged from Pakistan’s side yet. However, IEA’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, tweeted about talks held at Kabul between the TTP and the government of Pakistan. How much sustainable these peace efforts will be remains to be seen. The sustainability also depends on the willingness of the TTP and similar militant factions to put down arms. The TTP and the likes of it reside and take refuge in the shared mountainous border terrain of the Pak-Afghan region and have long created turmoil and instability in the region. Kabul’s role in these latest round of talks is an expression of its willingness to ensure peace in the region at all costs.

Afghanistan’s Recognition Conditional With an Inclusive Government, Says Iran

Iran, once again, stressed the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan and maintained that this is the only way through which Iran will formally recognize Afghanistan. This time, the statement comes from Iran’s Foreign Minister, Amir Abdollahian, as he was in a joint press briefing with his Iraqi counterpart. A high-level delegation from Iraq led by the Foreign Minister visited Iran and held meetings with Iran’s Foreign Minister and other dignitaries. After the meetings, a joint press conference was organized in which Amir Abdollahian voiced that both Iran and Iraq have an agreement over recognizing the Islamic Emirate only if an inclusive government is established, which includes people from all ethnicities. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, the deputy spokesman of the Afghan Interim Government, Bilal Karimi, reiterated the stance of the interim government that the current government is inclusive. He maintained that over 80% of the employees of the previous government are performing their duties and they belong to all parts of the country and even at the cabinet and leadership level where changes have taken place and new people have assumed roles, all ethnicities are represented. Iran’s call for an inclusive government in Afghanistan is a concern shared by many other countries as well and a prime reason that even after the passing of eight months, Afghanistan has not been recognized by any country yet. The past few days have remained tense between Iran and Afghanistan on account of the protests that were held in Kabul and Herat outside Iran’s embassy and consulate. The Afghans were angered over the perceived ill-treatment of the Afghan refugees in Iran. But the situation was soon put under control and Iran said that third party elements are trying to worsen ties between the two sides: “On Wednesday, a large number of people and political groups of Afghanistan tried to portray the common enemies of the two nations by presenting flowers to our staff and placing flowers to Iranian diplomatic buildings and diplomatic places in Afghanistan by appearing in front of the missions of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Common enemies of Iran and Afghanistan will not be able to conspire to cause problems and insecurity on common issues and in relations between the two countries,” the Iranian Foreign Minister told the press briefing. A quadrilateral meeting is also on its way between Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UNHCR to discuss the issues of the Afghan refugees. Iran’s concern over inclusivity is also shared by the Development and Justice Party in Kabul, led by Sayed Javad Hosseini.

Afghan Envoy Summoned Over Attacks on Iran’s Diplomatic Mission

Afghan envoy in Iran was summoned after incidents of attacks on Iran’s consulate in Herat and Iran’s embassy in Kabul took place. These attacks were perpetrated by protestors who were protesting against an alleged beating of Afghan refugees in Iran by the Iranian border guards. Over the past few days, videos have been widely circulated on social media and this is what prompted the protests in Afghanistan. It is, however, unclear if the videos are authentic or fake, and also there is a lack of clarity about when the videos were filmed. Iran has demanded reassurance from Afghanistan that no such attacks on its diplomatic mission will happen and that the Taliban security will protect the mission and its members. The protestors in Herat threw pallets at the Iranian consulate and were stopped by the Taliban security. Almost a similar incident happened outside Iran’s embassy in Kabul as well. Iran, being Afghanistan’s neighbor, has received a considerable flow of refugees over the past years. People fleeing war and chaos in Afghanistan have taken refuge in Iran and this state of affairs is going on even today. Iran has demanded better border control and management in the past as well. Around five million Afghan refugees have migrated to Iran and the movement continued since last year as well when the US hastily withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021. It has not yet recognized Afghanistan with its new governance arrangement. The official stance of Iran calls for an inclusive government in Afghanistan for recognition to happen. Over the videos circulating on social media depicting Afghan refugees being beaten and badly treated in Iran, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said that it is unfortunate to see such videos circulating and that this is being done to worsen ties between the two countries. He also said that both sides need to be more vigilant regarding the circulation of such content because such incidents can sabotage the cultural and historical ties the two countries have shared for decades and centuries.

Iran’s Supreme Leader’s Representative Named in Pakistan’s Money Laundering Investigation

An illegal money transfer network between Iran and Pakistan has been revealed as the Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan submitted a charge sheet in a local court. The network has been suspected to have been operational for over seven years now. The investigation began as the police arrested 13 people in Karachi in December last year and January this year on charges of money laundering. The investigation led to some eye-opening discoveries and the charge sheet names Abolfazl Bahauddini as one of the key recipients of the money transferred from Pakistan. Interestingly, Abolfazl has remained Iran’s supreme leader’s special representative to Pakistan. Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, appoints special representatives both inside and outside of Iran. In the latter case, such representatives are appointed in countries with a Shiite population. The purpose of such appointments is to spread the values and message of the supreme leader. Usually, the appointment of a special representative is not officially announced. Abolfazl Bahauddini is suspected to have already left Pakistan somewhere between August last year and February this year. The FIA’s charge sheet specifies the medium of illicit money transfers as the centuries-old informal systems of Hawala and Hundi, both of which are now banned in Pakistan and are legally recognized as unlawful. Moreover, the sheet also reveals that pilgrims going to Najaf in Iraq and Qom in Iran were also used as human sources of smuggling money. The arrests and the following investigation establish the connection of the 13 people to the Iran-backed Zainabiyoun Brigade, a militant group that is associated with sending young Shiites from Pakistan to fight in Syria. As a further twist in the developing story, the monetary transfers have also revealed a madrassah in the capital city of Pakistan to have received money (estimated at 1 million) from the prime suspect, Ali Raza. In the entire investigation, he remains the key person who transferred money to not just Abolfazl but also to a local TV network in Pakistan. Zainabiyoun Brigade was placed on the US financial blacklist in 2019. FIA’s charge sheet can lead to a possible case of terror financing. As of now, Ali Raza has been denied bail. His testimony led to another arrest, a government official named Syed Wisal Haider Naqvi, as reported by Arab News. An estimated amount of 30.8 million has been illicitly transferred via the network. The court investigation will further reveal more details of the massive money laundering that has been carried out in this case. Though it does not come as a surprise, Iran’s representative direct involvement in receiving money can lead to some serious, ground-breaking discoveries in the financing of the Zainabiyoun Brigade.

Al Qaeda’s Leader Resurfaces With Video Message on India’s Hijab Ban

The suspected-dead Al Qaeda’s second-in-command after Osama Bin Laden, Ayman Al Zawahiri, resurfaced after months in a video message on Tuesday, denouncing India’s ban on Hijab in schools. Since January 2021, Al Zawahiri has appeared for the first time, proving wrong all the rumors and speculations of his death. His last video message came out last year on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. He remains the most wanted man on the terror lists and with the official media wing (As-Sahab Media) of Al Qaeda broadcasting his video message, conversation over his possible place of residing has started. His latest video was confirmed and translations were provided by SITE Intelligence Group among others. Hijab controversy spurred in India’s Karnataka state when Hijab-wearing girls were denied entry to one of the schools in the Udupi District. The incident incited a full-blown series and spectator of protests and the issue was taken to court. The court’s judgment maintained the ban on Hijab. In Al Zawahiri’s video message, he can be seen sitting with a poster that reads ‘THE NOBLE WOMAN of India.’ He praised Muskan Khan for upholding the religious practice and condemned India for oppressing Muslims. This is not the first time that Al Qaeda has issued a denouncing statement on an issue pertaining to the practice of the Hijab and veil. Previously, France, Holland, and Switzerland, as well as Egypt and Morocco were also called the ‘enemies of Islam’ on account of their anti-Hijab policies. Al Zawahiri took over Al Qaeda in 2011 after Osama Bin Laden was killed in a targeted operation. In the latest nine-minute video, he can be seen wearing a white headscarf. Originating from Egypt, Al Zawahiri has been a doctor by profession. Speculations are that Al Zawahiri may be in Afghanistan since the world’s eyes have remained centered on Afghanistan after the take-over in August last year by the Taliban. Though the new leadership in Afghanistan has reaffirmed on numerous occasions that no terrorists and terror activities will be allowed from Afghan soil, the memory and discourse around 9/11 allow experts to believe in the possibility of Al Qaeda still being capable of organizing from Afghanistan. The location of Zawahiri’s video remains unknown. However, possibilities are being speculated by experts. What could a resurfacing of Al Qaeda’s leader indicate? A possible resurgence or just a denouncing of India’s act and a reminder that Al Qaeda continues to stand against the enemies of Islam?

Two-Day Nation-Wide Workers’ Strike in India

On the call of the Central Labor Union, India witnessed a two-day workers’ strike in almost all parts of the country. Protests were held and demands channeled. The call for the strike was given in the light of the economic policies of the government that are not benefitting the workers and contract as well as the informal labor sector. Workers gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to record their protest. The major demands were to raise the minimum wage, set the working hours, not privatize banks, not sell assets, and regularize contract workers and non-regularized/informal labor, extending state protection to them. The workers also demanded a guarantee of employment and “universal social security coverage.” Health workers also took part in the Delhi protests. The call for the strike was for 28th and 29th March, and the whole apparatus of the state machinery was interrupted due to the strike. Banks did not function, transport remained scarce. This is not the first time that India has seen a massive demonstration for the cause of labor rights. Mass farmer protests have also taken place prior to the union strike. Labor exploitation spurred by the lack of regulatory frameworks has often caused mass dissatisfaction among India’s workers. Unfriendly labor policies have once again erupted in protests and demonstrations. The government seeks to privatize some banks and sell some state assets postulating that it will boost the economic growth and the banking industry will be over-hauled. But this is not how the workers perceive this move. The COVID pandemic hit India hard, not just in terms of human loss but also in terms of its economy. The worst-hit remains the working and labor class. Unemployment in India rose to 8% in December last year. Hence, the labor class views the new economic policies of Modi’s government as further disabling and hurtful. Red flags were seen all over Jantar Mantar as workers marched near the Parliament. The echo of the protests was also heard in the latter, where the opposition raised the issue. In some parts of India, the nature of the strike was more intense. Streets and markets of Southern Kerala remained deserted despite the state’s High Court ruling against government employees becoming part of the strike. In eastern West Bengal, protestors forcefully stopped trains to record their protest and to bring routine activity to halt. In Tamil Nadu, bus services resumed on Tuesday. The effect of the strike was felt all over the country. Will this nationwide strike and the demands furthered through it pressurize the government to consider and materialize friendly economic policies that benefit India’s formal and informal working classes? This remains to be seen. Ahead of the 2023 general elections, mass dissatisfaction of the working class with the BJP can have adverse consequences for the upcoming elections. Economic growth achieved at the cost of compromising working conditions cannot be long-lasting and sustainable.

South Asia Times

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