Web Desk – Page 168 – Newswire Pakistan

February 18, 2023February 20, 2023

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urges for capacity building of Afghan authorities to counter threats of terrorism

Karachi, February 18, 2023 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday urged the international community to help in capacity building of the Afghan interim authorities to take on threats of terrorism. The foreign minister was taking part in a panel discussion in Munich Security Conference.

He said that the international community wanted the Afghan interim government to live up to its obligations and commitments in areas like women’s education, all-inclusive government, and tackling potential threats from terrorism, emanating from terrorist groups of Daesh, TTP, and Al Qaeda.

The foreign minister said that if this issue was not taken seriously, the terrorist groups could conduct terrorist activities from Afghanistan as had been witnessed recently from the incidents in Pakistan. The interim government neither had a standing army, a counter-terrorism force, or even a border force nor have the capacity, he opined.

Bilawal said the global community should convince the Afghan interim government to take on the threat of terrorism and demonstrate its will. Terrorism not only posed threat to immediate neighbours of Afghanistan but also to the West, he cautioned.

Pakistan had helped Afghanistan in the past and would continue to do so as it had hosted the largest number of Afghan refugees on its soil, he said, adding that the international community could not wash their hands and turn away from Afghanistan. He stressed that the world should continue its humanitarian support, unfreeze Afghan’s assets and engage with the Taliban, society, and women.

The foreign minister reiterated that a peaceful Afghanistan was vital for the stability of the region and the international community must play its role in this regard. The Afghan interim government had assured to eradicate terrorism from its soil, he added. The foreign minister also elaborated that the continuation of economic activities and progress in the war-weary Afghanistan was must for peace and stability and would help the interim Afghan authorities to run the affairs of the country.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

February 18, 2023February 20, 2023

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the international community should help increase the capacity of the Afghan transitional authorities to deal with the threats of terrorism

Karachi, February 18, 2023 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the international community to help increase the capacity of the Afghan transitional authorities to deal with the threats of terrorism, restore their frozen assets, a peaceful Afghanistan is indispensable for the stability of the region and it the international community should play its role in this regard.

He was participating in a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. Fulfill its responsibilities and commitments in areas such as dealing with the potential terrorist threats posed by TP and Al-Qaeda terrorist groups, if this issue is not taken seriously, the terrorist group may carry out terrorist activities from Afghanistan.

He said that the interim government had no army, no anti-terrorist force and no Bilawal Bhutto said that the international community should convince the Afghan interim government to deal with the threat of terrorism. He warned that terrorism is not only a threat to Afghanistan’s immediate neighbours but also to the West. He said that Pakistan had helped Afghanistan in the past and will continue to do so. It has hosted the largest number of Afghan refugees on its soil.

He said that the international community cannot turn its back on Afghanistan should continue humanitarian aid, unfreeze Afghan assets and engage with the Taliban, society and women. The foreign minister reiterated that a peaceful Afghanistan is essential for regional stability and in this regard the international community should play its role.

He said that the Afghan interim government assured the end of terrorism from its territory. The foreign minister also clarified that the economic activities Continuity is essential for peace and stability in war-torn Afghanistan and will help the interim Afghan authorities manage the country’s affairs.

February 18, 2023February 20, 2023

HRCP mission to northern Sindh finds poor law and order, slow flood relief

Karachi, February 18, 2023 (PPI-OT):The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has concluded a high-profile fact-finding mission to northern Sindh and expressed its alarm over the state of law and order, the high incidence of gender-based violence, safety of journalists and slow pace of rehabilitation of flood-affected communities. The mission is also concerned by the level of political and feudal influence over state institutions and agencies, which makes people’s access to justice unpredictable and affects their ability to realise their rights.

The mission comprised HRCP chairperson Hina Jilani, vice-chair Sindh Qazi Khizar Habib, Council member Sadia Bokhari, and senior activist Imdad Chandio. Accompanied by HRCP co-chair Asad Iqbal Butt, the team visited Ghotki, Kandhkot, Jacobabad and Larkana.

Of particular concern to the mission were reports that families affected by the devastating 2022 floods have yet to receive compensation or assistance in rebuilding their homes. The mission was told by the deputy commissioner in Qambar Shahdadkot that over 142,000 in this area alone had been destroyed. Additionally, the number of schools destroyed have severely interrupted children’s education, with little sign of the situation improving.

The mission was alarmed to find that at least 300 cases of kidnapping for ransom were reported in Ghotki, with women and children the primary targets. Police reports suggest that military-grade weapons have been used in such instances, allegedly sourced from Balochistan and thus calling into question provincial border security, although residents have alleged the complicity of security forces, given the hundreds of check-posts that line the border.

The incidence of forced conversions was raised by numerous respondents, who said that they now feared sending their daughters to school in case they were abducted for this purpose. The mission also noted reports of extrajudicial killings as well as law enforcement agencies’ view that the police remain vulnerable to losses, given the poor state of law and order.

During their visit to Kandhkot and Jacobabad – which appears to account for the highest rate of karo Kari [honour killings] in the province – the mission was appalled to learn that victims included underage girls, married women and even elderly women. Victims’ families also complained of needlessly long delays in investigation as well as in the courts.

The mission was concerned to learn that journalists based in Ghotki, Kandhkot and Larkana found it difficult to report against influential persons for fear of reprisal in the shape of death threats, kidnappings, and assault and fabricated FIRs.

During their visit to Larkana, the mission found that reports of enforced disappearances were rampant, with victims’ families complaining that they were forced to travel to Karachi to attend successive hearings of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances – in many cases, this was financially impossible to sustain. Families also recounted receiving threatening phone calls from unidentified persons when they reported such cases.

For more information, contact:
Chairperson
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
Aiwan-i-Jamhoor, 107-Tipu Block,
New Garden Town, Lahore-54600
Tel: +92-42-35864994
Fax: +92-42-35883582
Email: hrcp@hrcp-web.org
Website: www.hrcp-web.org

February 18, 2023February 20, 2023

Windies play down pressure of crunch clash with Pakistan

Dubai, February 18, 2023 (PPI-OT):It is do or die for the West Indies in Sunday’s must-win clash with Pakistan, but Shemaine Campbelle insists her side will not let the pressure get to them in Paarl.

Victory over Ireland on Friday gave West Indies a slim chance of progression from Group 2, after defeats against England and India, thanks to an unbeaten 66 from Hayley Matthews.

But in order to give themselves any chance of a place in the knockout stages, they must defeat Pakistan, buoyed by their own victory over Ireland after Muneeba Ali’s incredible 102.

Pressure will be on both sides to go out and back that win up to apply pressure to the top two, but Campbelle is adamant that the West Indies will stick to their guns and enjoy themselves.

She said: “Obviously we’re not going to think about that much to add any pressure on ourselves.

“It’s just to go out and play the brand of cricket that we can play and just doing the basic things right.

“Then we can just play the cricket that we know we can play and at the end of the day the results will come.

“They come in with a win, we also have a win so I think both teams have that confidence but it’s just for us to go out and apply ourselves and just play the brand of cricket that we know we can play.”

Campbelle herself scored just eight runs in that win over Ireland, but after scores of 34 and 30 against England and India, she is finding her form, but is all too aware there is more work to do.

She added: “Over the year I’ve been fighting myself to get runs for the team but I just got this form that I find in myself works well – but it’s just for me to take it longer and try to bat deep down for the team.

“That is especially in that middle part because that’s where most of my game comes into play.

“I think it’s for me now to capitalise and just take it deep, so that’s something I will look to do.”

It is set to be compelling viewing at Boland Park with both sides needing victory and coming into the game off the back of wins, something Pakistan bowler Aiman Anwer believes will give her side the edge.

She said: “It is a very important match, it is crucial to stay alive in this tournament and we have had very good preparation for it.

“We are confident after the Ireland victory that if we play with our full potential in this match, we can win the match.

“I think the West Indies team are very good and every player in their team is a striker so we can never take them easy.”

Pakistan were narrowly defeated the last time they played at Boland Park, losing to South Africa in a World Cup warm-up match, and Aiman feels it is a fair pitch for both batting and bowling.

“Yes, I think the wicket was supportive for both the batters and the bowlers. It’s about the execution and who absorbs the pressure best,” she added.

“We had a match against South Africa there, we did well in the batting but we were unable to stop them in the power play.

“But then we made a strong comeback so we have high beliefs that if we play up to our potential, we can always perform well on any wicket.”

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

February 18, 2023February 20, 2023

Green promises all-out attack as New Zealand chase unlikely semi-final

Dubai, February 18, 2023 (PPI-OT):New Zealand batter Maddy Green has guaranteed all-out attack against Sri Lanka, as they look to keep their slim ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semi-final hopes alive.

The White Ferns lost their first two matches and were on the verge of being eliminated before bouncing back to defeat Bangladesh by 71 runs on Friday.

While still in contention to progress from Group 1, New Zealand need to win their last match against Sri Lanka, boost their run-rate and hope other results go their way.

And Green, who returned to form with 44 not out against Bangladesh, insists that, as long as there is a chance, there is belief in the New Zealand squad.

“We know that there is only one way to play, and that is attacking. We’ve got to try to boost our run-rate as quickly as possible,” she said.

“We’ve spoken about just trying to score as many runs and put as many on the board as we can and play a style of cricket that reflects that.

“I thought the wicket against Bangladesh was fantastic from a batting point of view. So that really helped us from that regard. And we know against Sri Lanka, we’ve got to try to put on a similar performance if we’ve got any sort of chance of making those semi-finals and the rest of it is sort of out of our control.

“But we are trying to play that style of cricket that gives us a chance and the girls certainly believe that we have still a chance in this tournament.”

Sri Lanka might be five places behind New Zealand in the MRF Tyres Women’s T20I Rankings, but sit above them in the Group A standings.

Victories against both South Africa and Bangladesh have put them in pole position for a semi-final place, and Green is not surprised by how well they have played.

“I think they are a side that has got some great players,” she said.

“Obviously, their captain, Chamari Athapaththu, has been a really good player for a long period of time and I think her ability to have an impact on the game just goes up the shorter the format is.

“We know that she hits the ball really hard and I think her performance against South Africa in their first game, she was absolutely fantastic and she’s a really key wicket for us.

“I think they have got some really good bowlers on their side who bowl with a lot of accuracy and make it difficult to score. So, it is about how we counteract that and put some pressure back on their bowlers.”

Meanwhile, a win for Sri Lanka will put them on the brink of their first ever Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final.

They lost their last match to Australia by 10 wickets but Athapaththu believes they can beat New Zealand if they match their performances from earlier in the tournament.

“We are in good position. We have to keep doing the same things in the next game and try to play positive cricket,” she said.

“Obviously, New Zealand at this tournament have struggled, we know that, but we never underestimate them because they have a lot of good players.

“I always say to my team “play your natural game don’t take any pressure for the last game, because anything can happen in this format,” especially the T20 format so we stick with our plan we back our skills and play our natural game. That’s it.”

February 18, 2023February 20, 2023

Knight thrilled as England thrive in biggest test yet

Dubai, February 18, 2023 (PPI-OT):England came into their clash with India knowing this would be a real gauge of their form at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 and skipper Heather Knight could not have been happier with an 11-run victory.

It was far from plain sailing against an India team who were also two from two before the clash in Gqeberha, with England at one point reduced to 29 for three as Renuka Singh (5/15) ran riot.

However, Knight (28), along with Nat Sciver-Brunt (50) and Amy Jones (40) steadied the ship to help England to 151 for seven, which proved enough on the day.

England’s spinners, Sophie Ecclestone (1/14) and Sarah Glenn (2/27) then slowed the Indian response after Smriti Mandhana’s quickfire 52, and eventually the run rate just got too high for them.

Knight said: “We talk about batting as per conditions and Nat and I did that. Amy was fantastic and it’s good to see that our batting group showed character even after 29 for three. (Renuka Singh) up front was outstanding, moving the ball both ways is tough. You want the boundaries but you have to take ones and twos and that manipulated the field for us.

“We haven’t really played against a big team recently and to play like this against this Indian team was fantastic. (Sophie) Ecclestone and (Sarah) Glenn varied pace brilliantly. Our ground fielding was the best we did in the competition. We need to take catches and can’t drop players like Mandhana.”

While Mandhana was put down in the eighth over, player of the match Nat Sciver-Brunt held on when it mattered, catching the opener at the long-off boundary the ball after she had reached a half-century with a monster six.

For India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur though, it was with the ball that her side fell short, failing to capitalise on a brilliant start.

She said: “We started really well but in the middle overs, we didn’t bowl according to plan and lost the momentum. In batting we were doing well but unfortunately weren’t able to get the run-rate needed.

“Whenever Renuka is bowling, we are looking for wickets. She enjoys bowling.”

Despite Mandhana finding the boundary early and Richa Ghosh (47 not out) making an impact late on, it was a spell of seven overs where India could not find the ropes that proved costly in their chase, with the skipper and Jemimah Rodrigues (13) both departing during that passage.

That also left them behind on DLS when a light drizzle arrived, with India never really able to get the chase back on track.

Kaur added: “We were speaking about DLS also but wanted to go with the rhythm. In between when the rain came, we were 10-12 runs behind but we knew with Mandhana and Ghosh, we would cover that. Sometimes when you are behind, you have to take charge, which is where we lost Jemi and my wicket.”