Noshaba Shehzad Exclusive Interview/ Rashmi Talwar / Greater Jammu/

Is  Pakistan leaning on Minority Community  Tourism to beat its Economic Woes?

Rashmi Talwar 

DATELINE AMRITSAR  25th November 2023- 

Noshaba Shehzad Exclusive Interview

Pakistan recently launched an Online Booking Portal for Sikhs. Religious Tourism was a golden chance that Pakistan hardly looked at other than the designated sites via protocol between the two neighbouring and estranged countries. But a woman amidst restrictive lines of religion and patriarchy Noshaba Shehzad not only took notice of this precious Tiara studded with gems of historicity of minority religious shrines but fine-tuned it from Government-planned poor man’s pilgrimage to luxury tourism for all kinds of Traveller and pilgrim pockets. She thus strode tall as the First and Only Woman Travel facilitator for Sikh & Heritage Tourism of Pakistan. Noshaba from Lahore Pakistan traced her path-breaking journey in a talk with Senior Journalist RASHMI TALWAR   from AMRITSAR.

Q Noshaba, as a Muslim woman what gave you the courage to break the glass ceiling, and enter an un-trodden path by any woman in Pakistan to frame a niche pilgrimage and heritage tourism for members of the minority communities, as first woman ‘tourism operator’?

Ans: This wasn’t easy; it was just the right timing that flew the winds in my favour. I was already bestowed with the title of Pioneer Woman of Pakistan in International Business dealing with the export of agricultural products. I thus became the only woman in the Pak International Trade Delegations who accompanied the Prime Minister to other countries. It wasn’t that I was included like a ‘trophy’ businesswoman to show off the inclusion of a female, I was a value-added businesswoman in a rock-solid export field. When Pakistan PM Imran Khan, a former Cricket Captain, focussed on the long-term demand of India for a ‘visa-free’ corridor to Kartarpur Sahib, after his commitment to fellow Indian Cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, then MP from Indian Punjab, he urged me to look at Tour operations for Sikh community. This suggestion coming from the PM was also supported by my family, especially my husband. With tremendous amounts of effort in a man’s field, I became the first woman Tour operator with niche tourism in Religious and Punjab Heritage Tourism which no man in Pakistan had done before. I was fascinated by our ancestral home at Talagang near Islamabad where rich Hindus and Sikh families once lived. The area was thus sprinkled with buildings belonging to Hindu and Sikh communities. One lane was named Gali Sethian (the Rich) of wealthy Hindus. Surrounded by this heritage, I drew upon my agricultural background to locate places of heritage value. Alongside as an agricultural expert check-listing cash crops for export to various countries from lush field produce from lands in Pakistan’s rural belt, I was already familiar and grounded in the vast lands that still held the remnants of the rich architectural past that formed into stories that my grandmother told me of pre-partition times to lull me to sleep and I felt, it was providential. –“That Agricultural and architectural Heritage have a great connection!” That’s how my beautiful Heritage buildings and grandmother’s stories gave me a new track to walk on.

Q. Why did you choose to be a Tour Operator for minority heritage and shrines, what was your attraction for a non-Muslim community?

Ans: “As a kid I felt a deep and hidden vibrancy of multi-cultural living of yore, emerging from our agricultural lands. It was no coincidence that we lived in a house owned by a rich Hindu family post-Indo-Pak Partition. I grew up listening to stories from My father Malik M Siddique Alvi and my grandmother about collective living from all religious backgrounds and respecting each other’s identities and sensitivities. My father too was exceptional and open-minded, he was the first in these parts to complete Electronic Engineering in 1957 from the USA. One day he had to break the news of the death of a colleague to his bereaved wife and parents, and so went to his village. The news of the death of a husband didn’t register at all with his wife who didn’t even know her husband’s name and was unaffected by the news, like an innocent child. She felt nothing around and roamed around quite unaware of her future. That incident struck my father to the core and he laid great store in the education of his three daughters. This led to each of us studying up to university levels and rising up to higher education abroad.

All three of us rose in a life enriched by the liberal mind of a father, and I ascended as a businesswoman, my sister is a doctor and another sister is a lawyer cum engineer. 

Q How do all the accolades of being the first woman walking a unique path sit with you? You won several awards, any award that really makes you proud?

ANS: Yes I am the first woman agricultural exporter, first woman trade expert, and business entrepreneur. And yes I am humbled by the FOA (Food and Agriculture Organisation) Award bestowed upon me by the United Nations with an International focus on ‘Beating world Hunger’. My father actually encouraged me to take on the reins of Agriculture. Today I export citrus, mangoes, Potatoes, Maize, pulses, Himalayan Salt, a complete range from industrial salt to edible salt, spa range, carved items, and others. It feels as if I am fulfilling my father’s dream of being an empowered daughter. My sister as an International lawyer takes care of the logistics of international Business. 

Q. Perhaps the Pakistani government took a leaf out of your recipe book of Tourism and spread its arms to launch the first-ever Online Portal for Sikh Heritage is it true? Describe your interest and format on Heritage Tours

The government of Pakistan’s gesture of opening its arms to Tourism for Heritage and Minorities areas is a huge step forward in improving relations with other countries, especially India, and also spells economic growth for Pakistan. My special area of interest and Tourism thrust is heritage, history, and religious tourism, which demands time, effort, and historical verification every step of the way. It has been difficult as things are not documented; records are absent so have taken the initiative to record history and format it, but all the same a very fulfilling and joyous journey of mine to unravel the stories of yesteryears.  I also went to the US and Canada based on the information and historical facts that we collected to attract religious Tourism to our country. I delivered lectures on the Tourism of Minorities.

Hindus have a massive and unexplored heritage. Sindh, Lahore surroundings for example, Khushab, and Kesar valley, are some unexplored places of heritage. World’s greatest migration took place in 1947 between India and Pakistan and those tangible remnants of people who left are still surviving even after 76 years. I have uniquely formatted my Tour in sites with unique programs, itinerary, and design that connects them with more stories and places of heritage importance. I want this history to pop out of books into the open and be witnessed. When visitation becomes regular and frequent to these places the government too will wake up to their potential and help with their preservation and conservation, also accrue commercial benefits to the country. I broad-based my work through,-‘The Lahore Chamber of Commerce’, besides writing about them as an authorized operator by the government.

We have consultant historians attached for example for the history of Jhelum; I consult Khalid Sarwar, a historian attached to the government, and historian Mirza Beg. I explore and research from other sources to authenticate these histories in consultation with freelance historian Imran William attached with us. This is my favorite baby in my vast field of work. I learn a lot from historians examining bricks, building materials, design, and usage, it is the most interesting field I could have ever asked for from my Upparwala.

Alongside we enjoin a cultural treat in the evenings giving employment to artists of that area. In some packages, we arrange a meeting with the village’s elder or Wadera or Jirga head, familiar with the area of interest.

Q Can you familiarize us with some heritage buildings in Pakistan?

ANS:  As per Sikh Heritage 345 Gurdwaras exist, 135 are historical while 25-26 are functional. Pakistan has 6 UNESCO sites of minority community heritage including Taxila, Takht-i-Bahi Buddhist Monastery, Dharmarajka Stupa, and Monastery. Katas Raj is world famous Hindu site in Pakistan and Smadhi Atma Ram ji has recently been highlighted in Gujranwala. There are countless Mandirs in every city, we can’t even count them. All are historical and unexplored.     

Q. Did Kartarpur Sahib move the wheels in the direction of Minority Heritage Tourism?

ANS: Earlier Katarpur Sahib Initiative brought a massive change, there were people-to-people interactions, misunderstandings, and fears came to rest. There were closures to the pain of separation and loss for several separated families that met from either side of the Radcliff line at this Gurdwara.

Kartarpur sahib boosted not only Sikh Tourism but also made space for Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist tourism as well, in Pakistan. More ways are being tracked for these communities. After the forthcoming Gurpurb, my focus will turn to Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu heritage and tourism. 

I have been working on those tracks for years, Jain living in Dubai. Plus, Buddhists and Hindus are far more than the Sikh population that comes for pilgrimage and tourism. Just like Sikh tourism for which I have worked on their history, itinerary, plans, lesser-known places, details, and Heritage, they want me to format the same way for their communities. What is of utmost interest is that my package offers to facilitate their travel including assisting in granting visas to various areas of Heritage and Tourist interest. As you already know visa is an issue, especially for Indians as per the current situation prevalent in both countries. I get feelers especially from Dubai by the Jain community in Dubai, who wish to visit many of their sites that are in Pakistan.

Q You have helped many partition victims from India to visit their ancestral homes, is it true?

ANS: To help victims of partition to revisit their memories gives me immense pleasure. It is greatly fulfilling and you say –‘good karma’. Recently it was 90 yr Reena Chibber Varma who visited her ancestral home in Rawalpindi after 75 years and was helped by India Pakistan Heritage Club members that number thousands and also by me,  it is my life’s mission to help Indians who had fled Pakistan after Partition see their old homes. This interest developed from the painful stories of the Partition I hear from my father who died last November aged 90. He used to remember Shakuntala, his 16-year-old neighborhood friend, every day. When the exodus started, Shakuntala hid our family home for three days. She was found in our house. But our family could not keep her as it was illegal, and she was unwilling to leave. She had to be forcefully transported to a camp amid tears and cries from both sides. My father never forgot that. When I traveled abroad extensively to study agriculture in foreign universities, I made a lot of Indian friends, and most of them had painful memories to share. I have a special affinity for these crumbling bricks of fallen walls that speak to me of the sheer pain forced to leave their homes and hearth forever.

Q Were you invited for consultation when Pakistan started the Sikh Yatri portal?

ANS:  No. We only came to know through the news; that no private stakeholders were invited for discussion only Sikh community representatives were taken on board.

Q India Pakistan Heritage Club is also at the forefront of bringing together lost families. Are they helpful to you?

ANS: India Pakistan Heritage Club on the popular social networking site Facebook was started by Imran Williams and Zahid Karmanwala of Pakistan and has more than 1.45 lakh members from both nations. The group has been deleted by Facebook three times and came up again and again with its loyal membership and more.

“Interacting in this group, I realized how desperately people longed to come to Pakistan. I also met a lot of pilgrims from India at the Kartarpur corridor. Many of them, particularly the older lot, cry and beg to be taken to their ancestors’ place from there. It’s all so traumatic,”

For some of the members I arranged and facilitated a tour with security to Kasur, Lahore, and Gujranwala

Q Any particular story of any recent family of victims coming to see their ancestral place?

ANS: There are many- Parag Sehgal, 41, of Chandigarh, went numb when he scratched a dusty portion of his ancestral Haveli’s outer wall in the year 2022 in Lahore’s Model Town area in ruins but fits the memory of his grandmother as she described it.

GS Batra from Amritsar an 88-year-old on his return from Pakistan called his visit a much-needed closure about his house in Tamman village, near a Gurdwara, a spring flowing along it. ‘My life’s final wish has been fulfilled. I met the son of my father’s best friend Hayat Khan who became a Pakistan minister in the 1960s and hosted lunch for me. Noshaba arranged everything,” he said. This is my ultimate fulfilling moment.

Q Time is running out for that first generation of displaced men and women, should India and Pakistan take a humanitarian stand once again and let them visit ‘Visaless’. What is your view?

ANS: Most of the first-generation migrants with memories of undivided India are above 80 and within these bitter relations visas are becoming nearly impossible. I feel both governments setting aside differences must step in before it’s too late to restart visa-less travel for senior citizens and on priority the partition victims. I vociferously raise my voice for visa-less travel for senior citizens and especially for those having homes on either side of the border. ‘They are in the twilight of their lives, give them their dreams as a parting gift’, I urge both governments.

00–00

.

PART –II

BOX

Pakistan launches Online Booking Portal for Sikhs, Takes cue from Private Travel operators

The first-ever “Booking Portal for Sikhs” was inaugurated by Pakistan Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi. This, especially for those on pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib and other sacred Gurdwaras was being seen by Indian experts as a positive step towards building up a failing economy of Pakistan through legit means and using its precious heritage assets to attract worldwide tourism.

“It’s a groundbreaking religious Tourism program designed to facilitate Sikh pilgrims” announced the caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab in Lahore Pakistan. The portal will facilitate hotel bookings and security services portal for Sikhs from India and the globe, during pilgrimage to their heritage and holy sites sprinkled across Pakistan.

The first religious tourism program was launched to promote interfaith harmony. Through this portal, Sikhs from around the world can make hotel bookings, as well as hiring security services, arrange transportation, and make their pilgrimage planning more efficient. Also, the privilege of a VIP status, during their visit when booked through the government-launched Portal. This will ensure a seamless obstacle-free experience, alongside, an additional facility of a friendly Tourism police at hand to extend support during any difficulty. 

CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi stated that Sikh pilgrims will receive warm hospitality and the inclusion of security services ensures a safe and secure journey and would be accorded a VIP status for a fulfilling and memorable experience during their tour to Pakistan. He added, that there would be provided the facility of a friendly tourism police, for support.

Dr Mimpal Singh – a member of the Parbandhak Committee – expressed gratitude for the establishment of the Sikh Yatra Booking Portal and lauded CM Naqvi’s efforts in this initiative.

Dr Mimpal, is the distinguished first ‘Sikh’ to become a doctor in Pakistan, a pediatrics specialty; the owner of “Sardar Ji Child Health Care Clinic” and Assistant Prof in Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, Punjab Pakistan. He is also a member of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee PSGPC.  

While welcoming the facility wholeheartedly, he said-“According to India Pakistan agreed Protocol, Sikhs and Hindus visit Religious Shrines in Pakistan, and Muslims visit their shrines in India. Sikhs are allowed four visits a year. With the inauguration of this portal, the Sikh pilgrimage would become more convenient for our community. The pilgrims will cherish their visits to Pakistan and return as goodwill ambassadors.,” Dr Mimpal while acknowledging the proactive approach and the online portal as a significant step towards strengthening cultural ties and promoting religious tourism in Pakistan”, said.

Saifullah Khokhar Deputy Secretary of Administration Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara Pakistan while talking to this writer from Narowal said the Pilgrimage Portal doesn’t apply today to pilgrims from India as no visa is required and only a permit is required for this Yatra that commenced in year 2019. But for those coming on a full-fledged pilgrimage or tour of religious and heritage sites which includes Kartarpur Sahib, the Government of Pakistan has recently made massive arrangements for nearly 2500 pilgrims at a time. This facility was created since the area possesses no worthwhile private accommodation for stay. On the land belonging to the Gurdwara, as many as 20 large halls were built for accommodation and a 40-bedded VIP space is also provided.  

00–00

BOX

No new passports for Pakistanis

Incidentally, while Pakistan is going all out to woo the Sikh community and looking at Tourism in a wider perspective for worldwide attraction, in their own country, Pakistani citizens are having great difficulty in obtaining new passports.

Regrettably, it is a minor issue that has become monumental with the country running short on lamination papers that are imported from France. The Pak government, thus records a  backlog of around seven lakh unprinted passports, putting Pakistanis’ dreams of traveling abroad at a standstill. Pakistan’s Passport offices continue to receive applications, according to Express Tribune, despite having been warned that they will be unable to deliver the documents on time due to a shortage of lamination papers.

Many a dream of studying abroad Pak students who qualified seem to be on hold. Moreover travel for business, tourism, families, and friends reuniting all are stalled.

On the other hand, the applications filed by the citizens for new passport has increased significantly. As per ‘Daily Pakistan’ the figure received by the Department of Passport is at 20,000 to 30,000 passport applications per day. Currently, the figure looms at 40,000 daily, despite applicants being warned by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports of their inability to deliver the documents on time due to a shortage of lamination papers.

The prime reason for the spike in the number of applicants is the economic woes being faced by Pak youth forcing them to seek study and consequently migrate for better job opportunities abroad.‘Times of Karachi’, reports a backlog of seven lakh unprinted passports pending and has no clue when the pendency will improve.  Back in the year 2013, passport printing in Pakistan took a similar hit due to the department owing money to printers and thus a fall in adequate lamination papers.

When asked about DGI&P’s inefficiency, Qadir Yar Tiwana, Director General for Media of the Ministry of Interior, the parent ministry of DGI&P, is known to have said, “The situation will soon be under control.” According to a senior officer of the passport office in Peshawar, they can currently only process 12 to 13 passports each day, compared to 3,000 to 4,000 earlier, and they have no clue when the pendency would be improved.

00–00

Son of Hamas denounces Terror outfit Hamas at UN, Exposes ‘savage’ indoctrination of Palestinian kids / Rashmi Talwar/ Greater Jammu

WC -2454

Son of Hamas denounces Terror outfit Hamas at UN, Exposes ‘savage’ indoctrination of Palestinian kids

Rashmi Talwar

AMRITSAR 22 November 2023—-

In a blistering 30-minute speech at the United Nations the Son of Hamas co-founder denounced Hamas at the UN, and exposed and blasted the terror organisation for the ‘savage’ indoctrination of Palestinian kids. 

 Mosab Hassan Yousef the son of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef defected from the terrorist group in the late 90’s and secretly worked with the Israeli security services to expose and prevent several Hamas terrorist attacks. 

He later wrote in year 2010 an autobiography titled “Son of Hamas”. 

Yousef exposed the true face of Hamas calling it the genocidal death cult.

Addressing the UN Security Council under the mission of Israel to the UN he opened his speech with “I see a lot of division and confusion and lots of hatred, lots of misinformation.

Everybody speaks on behalf of the children and on behalf of the innocent.  I am not sure about their real intention”. And continued –“But today I speak on the authority of a Palestinian child as someone who grew up in that culture. Hamas’ first crime against children in Palestinian society is not arming them or encouraging them to carry out suicide bombing attacks it is the religious ideological indoctrination to carry out suicide attacks.

He carried further his side of his own life story –“I am a first-hand witness for Hamas and their intention. My father is one of the founding members of the Hamas movement. I was there when Hamas was born I was there before Hamas was born and I will be there when a mass is dead,” he was accolade with resounding claps.

He continued-“I am not part of the propaganda. I work for nobody I work only for myself and I represent myself and this authority, I speak so don’t make the mistake and take my words very carefully Hamas is committing a crime against this generation, and the next generation so blaming Israel is not going to solve the problem”.

 He talked about his childhood encounter with Hamas –“Imagine a 10-year-old child when I disobeyed the Hamas, I was tied up to a post and I was whipped by Hamas’s top leader.  I don’t want to mention his name because he is not worth it. Lashed with an electric cable and with every lash, I lost my breath, until I lost my consciousness.  My father was in prison at that time and this leader thought that he was my mentor.” And boom, -“This is Hamas’s way of discipline!”

“And this is how they wanted me to become a violent savage like them. And that was the time with the very basic intelligence of a child, I felt that that was not natural it wasn’t. but I had still to go to the mosque to please my mother and please my father and obey this type of monster. I had to talk about my personal struggle and I hate to be in a position to be on the defence (weakness) and he also doesn’t like to be on defence because this is what Hamas did to Israel on October 7th. “They put us all on defence!”

Growing up in a society where the majority of the Palestinians blame Israel and as a child I took this gospel truth like the Quran, I took this truth as a Holy Scripture, that Israel was our problem! But then as I grew up I started identifying the enemy within.- the religious authorities, the corrupt leadership, who basically do not care about children they did not care about Palestinians.

They care about nobody but themselves. The world is empowering them to become victims; this has to come to an end. let’s put my childhood side, maybe a child does not see things for what they are maybe I was bad and I misbehaved as a child to be beaten up again and again and again by Hamas leaders and some people say is it personal. Yes it is personal, do anyone have any problem with that?” he asked. “It is a personal problem and I swear I will not die before I see Hamas dead. I made this a goal for my life!”

“Unlike many of the leaders who sit and give Hamas legitimacy, not contain them, not cut them, not condemn them, even if the entire world stands there with them, the child witness will always be there and nobody can deceive the child anymore.”

Continuing his first encounter with Hamas, Mosab said at the UN –“As I grew up, I became the Hamas and the Islamic student movement in our town and I became part of the movement. This was out of the love for my father and our family and I had no other choice. This somehow led me to my first imprisonment, at the age of 18, weeks after my 18th birthday In May 1996.

My problem was not Israel that arrested me. During that experience of imprisonment, I saw Hamas with a lot more brutality, and a lot more pain, than the pain I experienced on a personal level in prison, Hamas tortured and killed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners because they had the suspicion that they were collaborating with the state of Israel.  I spent 16 months in that first arrest among Hamas leaders.

There was a Al- Maj Hamas security wing, this division of Hamas brutally tortured people putting needles under their fingernails, burning plastic on their bodies, and stubbing burning cigarettes on their skin.  Screams of hundreds of prisoners of that period I don’t wish for any of you to go through such experience to realise what type of monster we are dealing with.”

Regretting his father’s initiating the establishment of Hamas he said –“It is unfortunate that my father helped establish such an organisation and I don’t mean to dishonour him. I love my father and I will always do. I am not here to dishonour my people, I love my people but I cannot believe how far Hamas was able to travel in this madness and we could not stop them. After I was released from prison, I made very hard choices to fight against Hamas and I still do”.  And added -“Nobody can get in my way not even the United Nations!”

“As per the choices I made in a rational mind I ended up working with Israeli intelligence for 10 years we had a common goal that was to stop suicide bombing attacks by Hamas.

Hamas committed many suicide bomb attacks in the ’90s and the early 2000s. Suicide bombers with explosives went inside a bus and blew himself up killing all types of people not only Israelis, they were Americans, Europeans and other nationalities including Israeli Arabs and Muslims, but Hamas did not differentiate.

They took a hotel park for example on a holiday on the most secret Jewish Holiday as suicide bombers went in for dinner and blew himself up killing more than 30 people, including some holocaust survivors. Some teenagers at the beach Hamas suicide bomber killed about 18 and wounded dozens. Hamas attacked the Hebrew University, and six Americans working there were killed. They targeted synagogues, they targeted everywhere, knowing that in retaliation they would invite violence and they love violence. “Hamas without chaos cannot survive it is their climate this is where they survive!” When the peace process came Hamas would sabotage the peace process through suicide bombing attacks. They don’t have a vision which is the problem because nobody can gauge their ambition when they are waging war.

we are not talking about just political terrorist organisations, we are talking about a religious group that does not believe in political borders. That wants to annihilate the entire race in order to build an Islamic state. I don’t know why it is not obvious to everybody that the United Nations failed to condemn a bunch of rapists, this is what they are. They are lower than animal consciousness so as I don’t speak only on the authority of that abused child and someone who grew up in Palestine territory I also speak on the authority of someone who has 10 years of experience in counter-terrorism of Israeli intelligence.”

“It took 8 years to capture Ibrahim Hammad, a mass murderer from the small town of Ramala with less than 20000 population, while he was sending suicide bombers every other day it was a big nightmare to capture him and you know now what they are doing and why the hostage situation in Gaza. They want to get Ibrahim Hammad released, he is on the top of the list to be released, and they want the mass murderer to go back to the street.  Israel had to release more than 1000 Hamas members to get the return of one Israeli soldier back to his mother. Hamas had a taste of that deal, so they thought this time they could go and bring 200 hostages, and more, so that it could bring the only true democracy in the Middle East to its knees!”

“This is why it’s a very brutal war and many understand the significance, they know that Israel cannot release more Hamas terrorists because they want the release of the mastermind behind the attacks on October 7^th.  How can Israel afford and how can any of you validate the release of mass murderers to the streets so they can carry a lot more terrorist attacks and hijack an entire society and use hundreds and thousands of people as human shields”.

For those who know the problem they don’t have the courage to say and most of us have our own calculations from Russia to China to the rest of the superpower of the world giving Hamas a cover. Hamas gave the attacks on October 7th as a birthday gift. Now nobody is talking about Ukraine using Hamas as the wild card in the Middle East igniting a religious war to divert attention. all those criminals whether they were high profile or low profile are all savages they are all enemies of children and enemies of humanity.

The United Nations and the rest of the international community have empowered those who used the Palestinians’ cause to become richer, they were seeking wealth seeking power and do not care about the Palestinian people, as the children of Gaza sink into despair and poverty

Leaders of Hamas along with their families and their entourage enjoy the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha Qatar. We can continue putting our heads in the sand we have escaped our responsibility but if we do not eradicate Hamas in this war, we do not eradicate then the next  Gaza war will be deadlier it’s going to be much greater if today we are complaining about 10,000 casualties, I am not sure about the number because it’s Hamas statistics I don’t not trust anything they say or anything they do but even if it was true then it’s a miracle that we have only this number the next war will be talking about will be about hundreds of thousands. This is the fourth war with Hamas and the fifth war in Gaza, if we do not eradicate Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza this time and give Gaza back to the people of Gaza, we will give Hamas and terrorist legitimacy, we will show them that we are afraid, and tomorrow they will come back with vengeance.”

And asked –“ What made the Hamas attack this time a lot stronger than the past wars because under international pressure we had to negotiate with them and we have to give them legitimacy this is what encouraged them and gave them power. Qatar for example a member of the United Nations playing the mediator could have fooled me. Actually, they are the ones hosting Hamas they are the ones who have been funding Hamas. A top Hamas leader was in Moscow just a week ago.”

For Hamas, the hostages are “Booty!”

None of us thought about the mother of that kid and seeing her daughter being dragged by a savage who wants to dominate women as their sexual lust their lust for power their lust for territory.

“I had to die many times in order to transcend this mentality –Israel can annihilate Hamas in no time, in a matter of hours or days but since Hamas’s strategy is to take human shields, it cannot be forgiven this crime. If Israel fails in the Gaza war none of us will be forgiven for this crime of gambling with children’s blood for political game. So Israel now got stained by blood this is what Hamas wanted, to sacrifice thousands of children so that Israel can take the blame.

Hamas -digging tunnels and bunkers under hospitals, and schools, launching missiles and Hamas misfires killing at the hospital and they went so fast to blame Israel, and the rest of the world listened to them, to their propaganda and nobody is concerned about what is true and to check what is true and what is false.

Whatever serves their political interest, going against the collective consciousness of humanity, going against the interest of defenceless children who have no one to speak on their behalf they don’t have the power to discern. And yes they are dying but who’s causing all these deaths, blaming Israel like cowards not having the courage to take responsibility?

If Hamas is not eradicated in Gaza we will set the model and we will give freedom to so many radical groups around the world especially in Europe because many ISIS have fled to Europe under civilian cover, there are sleeping cells in Europe and there is a migrant problem in Europe and there is an Islamic problem in Europe and this is just if you really care for the global security and I speak as the person who was part of the counter-terrorism against efforts against radical elements it will inspire many groups around the globe they will see that and this will fuel thousands of savages who can blackmail the international community the superpowers and bring democracy to the knees. Many of them are watching now and many of them are very happy about how the world is responding and many of them are satisfied to see the state of confusion fear and anxiety. This is the time to get United because in Gaza all of us will be next,” he concluded calling for God’s protection of all children Palestinian Israelis and urging for hostages to be reunited with their families.

00–00

Is Pakistan arming Israel against Hamas? / Rashmi Talwar / Greater Jammu

Is Pakistan arming Israel against Hamas?

Rashmi Talwar

AMRITSAR 18^TH November 2023—       

Is Pakistan supplying weapons to Israel even as pro-Palestinian rallies are taking place in its streets? If reports are to be believed a third-world South Asian country championing the Palestinian cause and vociferously condemning Israel for years could be supplying weapons to Israel.

Israel has sworn a violent takeover of Gaza through the elimination of Hamas from the face of Earth. Israel followed this declaration, with non-stop bombardment of Gaza since the 7^th of October’s horrendous attack by Hamas on its soil. Hamas- a designated terrorist wing of Palestine is known to have laid around 500 Km of secret tunnels to carry out offensives against Israel.

An open intelligence source, that became viral on social networking sites -on ‘X’ claims that Pakistan is the South Asian supplier supplying the 155mm shells to the state of Israel. This claim by the ‘X’ handle made public, is not possible to verify. Incidentally, I55mm shells are the same ones that Israel is using in its unrelenting offensive against Hamas near the Gaza Strip.

These shells emerge in many countries that are using military equipment supplied by the USA.  Experts say the 155mm artillery provides a good balance between range and warhead size and Pakistan Ordinance Factory produces these shells in bulk.

It is no secret that Israel has been sourcing weapons to bombard Hamas in Gaza from many countries. The USA has been Israel’s staunchest ally and biggest supplier of weapons. These arms are being used by Israel against Hamas/ Palestine. However, the question remains how Pakistani arms are reaching Israel given that Pakistan is a theological staunch Muslim state that was born after a bloody partition from India on the sole agenda of being a separate country for the Muslim community. 

The ‘X’ account making the claim has given four graphic maps showing the exact route that is taken by Pakistan arms to reach Israel. The first one was a British Air Force RRR6664/5 flight that flew from Bahrain to Nur Khan Base, in Pakistan’s garrison town of Rawalpindi, and then from Bahrain, it left for Duqm city in Oman to Cyprus’s Allied Base and from there on the weapons were exported to the state of Israel.

This is not the first time that Pakistan‘s name has cropped up for supplying 155mm shells to many other countries. Ukraine too is using these very shells in its war with Russia. Pakistan is known to have supplied this very model of shells to Ukrainian troops even as Pakistan is known to have conducted mock war drills with Russia.

Pakistan is completely in denial about these allegations. These particular 155 shells have been critical for Ukraine on the Russian war front. The shells have been critical in the war in Ukraine. They are used in Howitzer a system that uses precision guided system. At one point they had been firing where 7000 to 9000 shells a day. These shells helped Ukraine to strike targets up to 24 to 32 Km away. It is being reported that at the moment Ukraine has been facing a depletion of its Pakistan-made shells while the war is still going on. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy specifically referred to the 155mm shells that were used in the Southern offensive as having a slowdown because of a short supply of these from America. And when the Americans had a shortfall in their ammunition stock they started sourcing these shells from different countries including South Korea and Pakistan and now it is reportedly being said that America is giving these shells to Israel for them to be used against Palestinians and Hamas.

Incidentally, most of Pakistan’s artillery is Soviet based which serves as the more uniform format of artillery in Central Asia and the countries of the Middle East. Pertinently Israel’s military equipment is mostly US-based and the 155mm shells are a mandatory part of its ammunition stockpile.

This report by an intelligence source was reportedly leaked hours after the arrival of Britain’s Army’s chief of the General Staff Sir Patrick Sander, who arrived in Pakistan as a part of the UK’s commitment to maintain good defense relations with Pakistan. So far both countries are yet to collect and connect their heads at a denial or acceptance of these reports about Pakistan’s supply of 155 mm shells.

Having a shortage of these shells US is procuring these shells from Pakistan and South Korea and passing them on to its allies i.e. Ukraine and Israel. The shell can turn deadly and can be packed with highly explosive material is the reason why the 155 mm shell in a Howitzer round is so crucial and lethal in its use.

The intelligence source has given a graphic description of the route taken from Pakistan to send supplies for Israel which shows the routes, the Equipment listed as C17(ZZ176), Aircraft: Boeing-C-174 Globemaster- III At Barometric Altitude 27,000ft with Ground Speed: 471 kts and Track 46degree. The graphic seems to be taken from the flight LED screen on Saturday -11^th November at 11.33 UTC. Two of the four graphics are dated 11^th November, one is dated 13^th November and another on 14^th November from Duqm to Cairo.  

00–00

Pro-Hamas Protestor tears down American flags in New York, America / Rashmi Talwar

Pro-Hamas Protestor tears down American flags in New York, America

Calls for Trump to rise in America!

Rashmi Talwar

AMRITSAR 13^th November 2023-

The 59^th Street Lexington Avenue, New York USA, Upper East side of Manhattan Borough of New York City was lined with protestors shouting slogans – ‘Takbeer!’ generally followed by Allah O Akbar! But instead of the usual follow-up of the slogan, something else was visible to protestors that took their focus.  Lexington Avenue is the 14^th busiest subway station in America with thousands of passengers passing it every single day. But this day, Lexington was swarming with protestors in favour of Palestine and Hamas in the ongoing war against Israel.

Alongside the protestors, one could see NYPD abbreviated uniforms of (the New York Police Department) moving in a loose human chain along the Lexington Avenue Crossing. The police seem to remain mute spectators to the ongoing sacrilege of the Nation’s flag.  They are seen looking up on the pole amidst Pro-Hamas slogans freely shouted as three shrouded figures climb the pole and one of them tears one American flag and then the second  American flag.    The Shrouded figure is able to pull down two American flags one after the other and unable to pull down a third one, installed on a pole standing in the heart of the busiest and most glamourous city of the world.  Three American flags are seen to flutter on the street pole alongside a Palestinian flag as well as other flags. Below these flags is the clear direction board reading “Lexington Ave”.

“The police are just a mute spectator to the national insult to the flag of the United States of America in its own country and not elsewhere in some other nation,” one comments. The Pro Hamas protestors carry boards of Free Palestine and a flutter of Palestinian flags is seen in the bursting crowd. The video is posted by @TimesAlgebraIND.

Comments came fast and furious as one posted “NYPD must show their strength here than in the movies !”, (referring to the popular TV series NYPD). Comments were tagging @RealDonaldTrump and drawing his attention to the insult of America and some were commenting on former US president -Trump’s Roar versus that of present US President, Biden.

Twitter now ‘X’ was abuzz with this National insult and shame while there was no stopping the Tweetrati comments marking the police personnel in pictures showing their mute watch. One calling out “How many American Soldiers since independence had died for the flag? Now Americans are just watching how it has been desecrated right in front of the whole world. Wow!” Another wrote, “Wow, evil becoming gutsy!!”

One Indian commented –“USA allows other country’s flags to be burned in their country, now they get it back with interest! Well Done Biden – Let your eyes Widen!”

Yet another wrote –“US doesn’t need Russia, Iran or China to hit. Its Insiders have proved they can bring down the US flag standing on US soil! India has been bleeding by such snakes.”

00—00

BOX

Trump leads in 5 critical states in USA, voters blast Biden                           

Former US President Donald J Trump known for his tough stands is catching the American voters’ imaginations in five battleground states of America emboldening poll Pandits to predict another presidential term for Trump in Poll-2024 writes Shane Goldmacher in in New York Times. Trump is high on the popularity chart on key issues of handling the economy, the age factor of Biden, and his other soft pedals on key issues.  Including- the Afghan pullout, handling of Ukraine, and intelligence failure in Israel.

Five out of six states give Trump a lead with the highest by the state of Nevada, followed by Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania while Biden leads only in Wisconsin.

00–00

Cocaine Gangster HS Uppal shot dead by unknown in Canada / Rashmi Talwar / Greater Jammu

WC 519

Cocaine Gangster HS Uppal shot dead by unknown in Canada

Rashmi Talwar

AMRITSAR 13^TH November 2023—–

In another Gangster Hardeep S Nijjer- like mysterious assassination assassins shot down Gangster Harpreet Singh Uppal in broad daylight, in Canada. Uppal, a Leader of “Brothers Keeper” Gang, and his 11-year-old son were shot dead in Edmonton, Canada in a Gangwar. H S Uppal was described as a “higher-level figure” in the organized crime scene in Canada. “While police in Canada remained helpless clueless!”, one Canadian remarked online.  

Uppal was already facing charges of Cocaine possession, trafficking, and illegal possession of body armour.          Police caught hold of the video clip of the killing incident and it seemed the son was intentionally killed so as not to leave any witness of the killing in broad daylight, experts observed. 

The report was posted by a mediaperson Norbet Elikes, on his blue tick-marked account with 30K followers including being followed by the account of “Indian Stats and Index”.

A 0.34-second video clip shows the fleeing of the suspect. Alongside it is the mug picture of HS Uppal.

The killing comes just a day after Diwali when Indian Hindus and Sikhs raised Indian flags in the streets of Mississauga in Toronto suburbs in Canada and outnumbered and outshouted Khalistani Sikhs carrying their yellow flags, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali.

A social networker commented about the increasing sheltering of Gangs in Canada as -“what goes around, comes around.” Referring to Canada’s free reign to Khalistanis to insult and threaten Indian High Officials. Another asked, “Where are the ‘five eyes’?”  Referring to the sharpshooter intelligence network, of five countries caucus,  viz-a-viz the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Another Twitterati commented “Canada becoming a haven for Gangs to thrive and wage gangwars “Yeah, looks like a drug deal gone wrong!”

00—00

BOX

Punjabi-Canadian organized crime data and influence

Indo-Canadian organized crime or Punjabi-Canadian organized crime is made up predominantly of young adults and teenagers of Indian Punjabi ethnic, cultural, and linguistic background, typically ethnic Jat Sikhs.

Collectively, these groups are among the top 5 major home-grown organized crime hierarchy across the nation in Canada coming in 3rd place, after the “Asian Triads” and “White biker gangs”.

 The 2004 British Columbia Annual Police Report ranked them third in terms of organization and sophistication in British Columbia, ranked behind outlaw motorcycle clubs and Chinese criminal organizations such as the Triads drug clans.

They Control the Territory of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon, Washington, and Alaska and their areas of Influence in the USA are Nova Scotia, California, Oregon, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Arizona. In the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Italy, Greece, Russia, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador with minor connections in  Spain, Germany, France, Africa, India, United Arab Emirates.

They are mostly of Indian Punjabi-Canadian Sikh ethnicity. And are reported to indulge in Criminal activities of Assassination, drug trafficking, money laundering, murder, weapon trafficking, illegal gambling, robbery, chop shop, assault, loan sharking, racketeering, extortion, contract killing, and kidnapping according to Wikipedia.

00–00

Is India, Qatar moving in opposite Directions? /Rashmi Talwar / Greater Jammu

WC 624

Is India, Qatar moving in opposite Directions?

Rashmi Talwar

AMRITSAR November 2^nd 2023— With Qatar meeting almost 40 per cent of India’s LNG requirements and more than seven lakh Indians in Qatar, the Indo-Qatar relationship was seen as most robust in recent years. India, continued with its economic engagement with Doha, even when, Qatar was isolated and feeling the heat of the Saudi-led blockade in 2017-2021.

However, in the present scenario when the Middle East is ruffled over the ongoing Israel-Hamas /Palestine War, India’s challenges spiralled, over the death sentence pronounced by ‘Court of First Instance’ in Qatar to eight ex-servicemen of the Indian Navy, detained in Doha since last year on espionage charges, curiously that remain vague and cloudy.

New Delhi expressed its “deep shock” at the verdict and is exploring all possible legal and diplomatic options. The former Indian Navy personnel were employees of a private company called Al Dahra and were arrested from Doha last year in August by Qatar intelligence agency. What is significant is that the owner of the company, an ex-serviceman of the Royal Oman Air Force was also arrested but later released. However, the eight Indian Navy veterans continued to be tried in an extremely confidential manner bordering on being covert as some veterans call it, despite New Delhi being granted consular access to them.

What is strange is –“Qatar’s refusal to be forthcoming with the details of the case that had cast a shadow and now with a formal declaration of the death sentence, New Delhi is perturbed about its citizens and the reasons thereof”, says an insider.

For most Indians, it has not only been disconcerting to see their retired servicemen being treated like this but it has also raised questions about the very nature of India-Qatar ties which seem to be propelled by energy and people-to-people engagements.

New Delhi managed to build remarkably strong ties with the Arab states in the Gulf. Looking beyond just energy ties and diaspora linkages, the Indian approach to the region assumed a strategic depth and character, making way for a wider regional policy response instead of merely bi-laterals as reflected in the emergence of that I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and the US) mini-lateral.                   Incidentally, there is also a framework agreement on defence and security cooperation signed in 2008 that envisages maritime training, joint exercise and enhancing defence manufacturing bases of India and Qatar.

For Qatar, building robust ties with an emerging economic power like India was a priority as it sought diversification in its external relationships, while for New Delhi it has been about strengthening partnership with a Gulf state.

However, the Israel-Hamas conflict and the challenges it has thrown up, have complicated intra-regional ties. Qatar’s decision to challenge the foundations of an essentially strong relationship with India will push in a counter thought i.e. to rethink the future sustainability of the India-Qatar ties. According to some reports- the case of eight naval personnel of India relates to allegations of spying for Israel which adds another layer of complexity to the problem when the world is increasingly being divided over the rivals Israel and Palestine.

Watchers of foreign affairs feel –“If this crisis is not resolved in an amicable manner, future cooperation between India and Qatar will be difficult to envision”. Prof Harsh V. Pant, Vice President – Studies and Foreign Policy at The Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi writes – “The timing and severity of the punishment meted out by the Qatari court are confusing, but its implications for India’s ties with Qatar can be far-reaching. Qatar’s lack of sensitivity to Indian concerns about extremist voices at another time could have been brushed aside, but those pertaining to ex-Indian servicemen could cause lasting damage to this relationship”.

00–00

Canada to overhaul Immigration sys introduces measures for affordable, adequate housing, health, and others / Rashmi Talwar / Greater Jammu

WC 1325

Canada for an overhaul of the Immigration system introduces measures for affordable and adequate housing, health, and other services

Rashmi Talwar

AMRITSAR November 2^nd, 2023—-When a Prime Minister offers his hand for a handshake, it is a distinct honour and courtesy for a citizen of the country, to shake hands with the head of the government. But, in early October this year, a smiling Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, was refused a handshake by an agitated Canadian –“I am not shaking your hand – you f**ked this country”.  “How did I mess up this country?” Trudeau is asking the man in a video clip that went viral.  The citizen answers- “Can anybody afford a home in this day in Canada? You ruined the whole country. You are sending aid to Ukraine, to a guy who slaughtered his own country!”

It is true that Canada is facing a crisis in housing and in vital services especially health,  in consonance to the needs of its growing population, migration being its primary source of growth in its populace. Both the refugee and immigrant policies of Canada have severely strained its services and housing facilities, which prove to be inadequate in ratio to the rate of migration in the country.

Insufficient housing served to jack up rental rates as well as sky-rocketed the prices of houses in Canada.  The growing voices of discontent including those of the stakeholder- citizens or migrant newcomer, has found ears. The government admits its shortcomings and is ready for corrective measures- “It is the stakeholders who provided important insight into how we can develop a stronger and more integrated immigration system .” says IRCC (Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada) official.

Now the country is taking vital steps to improve its immigration system. Marc Miller, Minister IRCC, announced a slew of measures mapping out a vision to bolster Canada’s immigration framework, ensuring it remains a driving force for the nation’s economic growth and overall prosperity.  “As we move forward, the people who come to Canada will continue to be at the heart of our work, whether they wish to work, study, or call this place their home,” the IRCC states.

Canada posted its biggest population jump in almost seven decades, with the population growing by 2.9% in the 12 months to July 1, 2023, to more than 40 million.

A whopping 20-25 % of the immigrant population in Canada comes from India. At least 40% of the ‘foreign student’ strength too emerges from India. In the year 2022, as many as 4,37,000 new immigrants were admitted and in the present year 4,65,000 is the target.

Canada’s lenient refugee policy, also allowed more than 80,000 Ukrainians to enter, which raised heckles of Canadians who are facing the highest inflation rate in food, lifestyle and housing.”These actions can help shape a system that meets the needs of Canada’s economy and labor market. Changes will be implemented through whole-of-government collaboration and a focus on welcoming the people needed for the future while maintaining the safety, security, and integrity of the system,” the IRCC said in a statement.

Significantly, immigration remains the main driver of population growth in Canada. In 2021, more than 8.3 million people, or almost one-quarter (23%) of the population, were new immigrants or permanent residents in Canada.

The world is watching with interest the falling proportion of Canada’s population within the working-age category which is fast diminishing. Just 50 years past, the ratio stood at around seven workers for every senior citizen in the country.

Currently, Canada has roughly three workers for each senior, and it is anticipated that this proportion will further decline to nearly two workers per senior in the near future. The aging workforce carries significant economic implications, such as persistent labor market shortages.

A recent study by – the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and The Conference Board of Canada highlighted a growing trend of newcomers in Canada opting to leave, posing a significant challenge to a nation heavily reliant on immigration for its population and economic growth.

Videos of unhappy immigrants are regularly uploaded on YouTube with talk show hosts in growing numbers picking on them to open up about life in Canada seen from the eyes of an immigrant, with 90% wishing to leave the country. Though these videos do not allow any formal percentage of unhappiness quotient, they are the growing voices of discontent in the country of their migration.

The report highlights the potential risks of Canada failing to meet the expectations of its newcomers, who are grappling with issues like deteriorating housing affordability, strains on the healthcare system, and challenges related to underemployment. It also emphasizes how disillusionment among immigrants can hurt progress, even in a country that consistently achieves new records in terms of population growth.

00–00

BOX
Canada takes ‘7’ measures

In its report ‘An immigration system for Canada’s future’, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) took cognizance and outlined seven measures which include:

Integrated planning that will align housing, healthcare, infrastructure, and other vital services, with immigration levels, in close cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. It intends to install a Newcomer Advisory Body, for formulating an advisory body of newcomers with immigration experience to offer insights for enhancing programs, policies, and service delivery. Another measure is about Improving the International Student Program, which deals with expediting study permit processing. The creation of a Chief International Talent Officer position that will better align immigration programs with the labour market, including industry and sector strategies.

Two other measures relate to offering refugee status calling for a Swift Response to Global Crises, to make the immigration system agile and equipped to address global humanitarian crises efficiently and equitably. Besides, empowering Francophone Communities, Canada intends to develop a new ‘Francophone Immigration Policy’ to enhance the vitality of Francophone minority communities while also bolstering the demographic presence of French linguistic minorities in the country. And lastly, a User-Friendly Website, to help applicants easily access information.

00–00

Canada to overhaul its immigration system

The Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 comes only a day after Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledged shortcomings in the country’s immigration system and ensured to overhaul the system.

“IRCC has been engaging with stakeholders and the public throughout the year to help shape the future of a stronger immigration system,” the Canadian immigration minister said.

Soon after Millers’ announcement, IRCC released its new strategic report so that stakeholders were informed of the department’s intentions.

IRCC said it is working to better align immigration with the labor market, modernize the application process, enhance application processing standards, support smaller communities in attracting newcomers, and promote French-speaking immigration throughout Canada.

In the report, IRCC has identified three pillars and a number of actions to take to maintain Canada’s status as a destination of choice for newcomers:

Create a more welcoming experience for newcomers

Align immigration with labour market needs

Develop a comprehensive and coordinated growth plan

In 2022, Canada broke the record for new immigrants at 437,000 admissions. The target for permanent resident admissions in 2023 is 465,000. And, the Canadian government is further pursuing a new strategy to improve the immigration system.

Earlier this year, to further target economic immigrants who are best suited to help Canada close the labour force gap, IRCC introduced category-based selection rounds of invitations for Express Entry candidates who have work experience in an in-demand sector, or the ability to promote the French language outside of Quebec.

00–00

BOX

Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026: IRCC to release PR entry plans for the next three years today.

Canada is scheduled to release its Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 on Wednesday

The Immigration Levels Plan lists the guidelines regarding the number of permanent residents who will be invited to Canada in the next three years under each of the three immigration classes:

• Economic
• Family
• Humanitarian

Interestingly, under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the federal government is required to unveil its annual immigration plan in the non-election year in early November.

00–00

India rejects the implementation of parity in diplomatic strength, as a violation of International law / Rashmi Talwar/ Greater Jammu

India rejects the implementation of parity in diplomatic strength, as a violation of International law

Rashmi Talwar

AMRITSAR October 20^th 2023—–

In a scathing statement, India rejected any attempt by Canada to portray it in bad light or insinuate that India had violated any International law. A number of career diplomats and experts in International relations have expressed their points of assent and dissent on Twitter X platforms over the last many days. However, in the absence of any formal clearance from the Indian Government of a violation probability or improbability, the negative narrative was gaining steam.

Today, the Indian Foreign Office scotched all rumors and half-truths with the release of a formal official statement. In it, Delhi wrote in no uncertain terms that it was not violating any International Law by giving the marching orders to the Canadian diplomats and demanding parity in numbers in consonance with the number of Indian diplomats in Indian Missions in Canada. Delhi even expressed its ire and accused Canadian diplomats of their continued interference in the internal affairs of India and thus justified its demand to reduce their presence in the country’s mission offices.

Below is the verbatim statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

Parity in Canadian diplomatic presence in India

We have seen the Statement by the Government of Canada on October 19 regarding Canadian diplomatic presence in India.

The state of our bilateral relations, the much higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued interference in our internal affairs warrant parity in mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa.

We have been engaged with the Canadian side on this over the last month in order to work out the details and modalities of its implementation.

Our actions in implementing this parity are fully consistent with Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which states the following:

“In the absence of specific agreement as to the size of the mission, the receiving State may require that the size of a mission be kept within limits considered by it to be reasonable and normal, having regard to circumstances and conditions in the receiving State and to the needs of the particular mission.”

We reject any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms.

New Delhi

October 20, 2023

00—00

BOX

Canadian FM faces a volley of questions on evidence sharing about  ‘Indian agents’ involvement in the killing of designated Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada

Canadian Foreign Minister Melaine Joly faced criticism for evading a direct question regarding the sharing of evidence with the Indian government on its alleged involvement in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. During a press briefing, Melaine failed to clarify whether evidence was provided to India or not. She instead clarified in a roundabout way saying-  “We had numerous conversations with India before the (Canadian)  PM went in front of the house (Canadian Parliament) and made his declaration!”

“But did you show them the evidence, you are basing your claim on, you are not answering the question?”

And Melaine answered –“Through these different conversations the Indian officials were made aware of the “credible allegations” and so based on that,  India has decided to take their own decisions which are “precedent–setting” including  revoking the diplomatic immunity of 41 Canadian diplomats  which is not only ‘unprecedented’ but also contrary to ‘International law’ so in that sense because this is so unprecedented, so many countries’ diplomats around the world are in danger, we decided not to reciprocate.”

Joly was caught totally off guard when repeatedly asked – “But you’re not answering the question directly on that point?” Joly asserted –“I have answered your question – you asked me a question whether we had a conversation and presented evidence, I told you there were meetings and information was shared.” Question: “You (Joly) personally went to Washington and spoke to the Indian Foreign Minister, if you could confirm that to us; what is the tenor of the diplomatic conversation  (with India) is it still ongoing or is it over?

To which Joly answered –“Well, I always believe in diplomacy and so much that diplomacy is best when it is kept private. So I will continue to do that (Keep it private) and I know that my colleague as Minister of Foreign Affairs (Dr S Jaishankar) can count on me to make sure that we continue to engage and I ask for full cooperation.”

00–00

BOX

Delays in Visas for Indians: Canada

Canada on Thursday stated a slowdown in its visa applications for Indians, as 41 Canadian diplomats were removed from India in the midst of the continuing logjam between the two countries. This was following India’s intent to unilaterally remove immunity for all 41 Canadian diplomats but 21, in Delhi by October 20^th.

Ottawa informed that ‘Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) was reducing its number of employees in India to five from 27. “The statement from IRCC stated to continue to accept and process applications from India but reduced staffing levels were expected to impact processing times”.  Authorities however assured that the Canada-based IRCC staff will do the day-to-day work required in the country.

In early October India asked Canada to withdraw 41 of its 62 diplomats in India failing which their diplomatic immunity will be withdrawn. This is being seen as a further escalation of the diplomatic spat over the murder of Canadian Hardeep Singh Nijjar, shot outside Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey BC Canada on June 18^th.

Two months after this killing Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau on September 18th alleged a “potential link” between the killing and  Indian government agents. India promptly dismissed the accusations as absurd and motivated. However, the issue which was on a diplomatic level was brought openly on the floor of the Canadian Parliament by its PM which triggered a diplomatic pandora between the two countries. Which led to expulsions of each other’s senior diplomats. Stung by ‘baseless and evidence-less’ allegations India subsequently further suspended all visa services for Canadian nationals and asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country. Adding that after October 20, India will remove all diplomatic immunity for all but 21 Canadian diplomats in the Canadian Mission locations in India”

00–00

Blame game breaks out over death sentence pronounced by Qatar to 8 Indian former naval servicemen /Rashmi Talwar / Greater Jammu /

WC 930

Blame game breaks out over death sentence pronounced by Qatar to 8  Indian former naval servicemen

Rashmi Talwar

AMRITSAR October 27, 2023—–When KC Singh a former sharp-shot diplomat and Strategic Affairs Expert & columnist wrote on his ‘X’ social networking handle –“The Qatar espionage trial should never have been allowed to take place, knowing how opaquely the judiciary functions in the Gulf Sheikhdoms. There’s only one escape route. The ruler has to intervene and grant a pardon and deport the persons”. It was a point to be noted.           The former diplomat- much respected and much listened to, commands an ardent following of 88.8K,  among which is the Foreign Affairs and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC).

Just as Qatar pronounced death sentences to 8- Indians, seven of whom were former naval officers the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s statement to the parliament in December last year went viral, as if on a cue.

The statement by Dr S Jaishankar was –

“Regarding the detention of 8- Indian x- navy officers in Qatar, Dr S Jaishankar India’s External Affairs Minister had said last December – “this is a sensitive case I am referring to the case of detention of some of our ex-servicemen in Qatar I can only say because there their interest is foremost in our minds.

 I can only assure we have been seized of the matter, our ambassador; and senior officials have been in continuous touch with the Qatari Government on this. Our efforts are obviously to ensure that they are not treated unfairly and the sooner we can bring them back home.

I assure you that they are very much very, very much and strongly in our priorities in respect of Qatar and it is something we are pursuing.”

Then the social networking enthusiast MP Shashi Tharoor wrote on ‘X’

“Shocked to learn that Qatar has passed a death sentence on eight former Indian Navy officers. The details of the entire case are shrouded in mystery & opacity. Trust MEA India Dr S Jaishankar & Prime Minister’s Office will act immediately with the highest levels, of the Qatar government to support an appeal and bring them home”.

Somebody commented – MP Tharoor- Correct yourself seven are navy officials and one is a sailor.

Asaduddin  Owaisi Indian MP in a post on ‘X” wrote

In August, I raised the issue of our ex-naval officers stuck in #Qatar. Today they have been sentenced to death Narendra Modi has boasted about how much “Islamic countries” love him. He must bring our ex-naval officers back. It’s very unfortunate that they face the death row. Asaduddin  Owaisi Indian MP has 2.8 million followers.

Meantime in response to the judgement, the Indian External Affairs Ministry issued a statement:

“We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options.”

 “We attach high importance to this case and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities.”

00—00

Box                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Arrested Indians on charges of spying worked for Qatar Co.The arrested Indians were identified as:

·         Captain Saurab Vasisht

·         Captain Navtej Singh Gill,

·         Capt Birendra Kumar Verma,

·         Commander Purnendu Tiwari,

·         Commander Sagunakar Pakala,

·         Commander Amit Nagpal,

·         Commander Sanjeev Gupta

·         Sailor Ragesh

00—00

BOX

All ex-Indian Navies were employees of Qatar’s Dahra Global

The eight men had begun working for a private company, Al Dahra Global Technologies, owned by two ex-servicemen of Qatar armed forces from 2018 onwards, shortly after the renewal of the India-Qatar Defence Cooperation Agreement for five more years. Dahra Global provided training and other services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies.

The eight were arrested by the Qatari domestic intelligence agency State Security Bureau sometime in mid-September last year and the first public knowledge about their arrest crept out after they spoke to their families on September 30 last year.

00–00

BOX

Glimmer of hope

A faint hope emerges for the 8 veterans in the “2015-Pact” between India & Qatar’, according to which –‘in case their death sentence is commuted to imprisonment

Under it, Indian nationals sentenced in Qatar can be sent to their home country to serve the remaining part of their term.

Qatari citizens convicted in India also can be sent to their home country to serve their sentence

The agreement was signed to facilitate the social rehabilitation of the sentenced people      

  00–00

All 8 worked on sensitive project, and were convicted of ‘spying for Israel’

Dateline Qatar:

2018-20: Eight naval retired personnel start working on a sensitive project for the Qatar Navy

Aug 30, 2022: All eight along with the owner of the company Al Dahra Global Technologies arrested

Nov 2022: Al Dahra owner, a retired Sqn Leader, was released

March 29, 2023: Trial began, all 8 served solitary confinement hinting at security-related issue

Sept 30: All were permitted a ‘brief telephonic contact’ with family

Oct 1: Indian envoy Deepak Mittal, now in PMO, met the detained men

Oct 3: Qatar court conducted the seventh hearing in the case

Oct 26: All eight sentenced to death; media reports say charged with spying for Israel on Qatar’s stealth submarines

Charges were also framed against two Qataris, including former Oman Air Force officer Khamis al-Ajmi, who was also the CEO of Dahra Global. Qatar’s then Head of International Military Operations Major Gen Tariq Khalid Al Obaidi was the other Qatari national to be interrogated.

00–00