By Ghulam Amin Beg The old Indian narrative on Jammu and Kashmir of a democratic dispensation, constitutionally guaranteed local autonomy and unique status has disappeared overnight. Thanks to the fascist actions of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP government last year. The new status quo in Kashmir has created a new narrative for both pro-Indian and nationalist Kashmiris as well …

High Asia Herald Report Islamabad: The office-bearers of Pakistan Optometry and Vision Sciences Association (POVSA) and Pakistan Optometric Society (POS) have demanded a separate regulatory body for the profession to deal with this cadre. They have proposed the nomenclature of the proposed body as Pakistan Optometry and Vision Sciences Council. In a joint statement the POS Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Hanifur Rahman …

The decision will add to the woes of PWDs that make 15 per cent of the population, says activist News Desk Islamabad: The human rights defenders have condemned the government’s decision to abolish two per cent employment quota for differently-abled persons in public and private entities. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Potohar Mental Health Association (PMHA) termed the …

Covid-19 pandemic affecting human rights, weakest segments of society invisible and unheard, notes HRCP in its flagship report High Asia Herald Report Islamabad: Pakistan’s human rights record is worrisome as curbs on dissenting views increased. The outbreak of Coronasvirus will have far-reaching effects on people’s economic and social rights fundamental rights, says a report. “Widespread social and economic marginalisation have …

PAKATAN, PUNJAB: Muhimman proudly writes his name slowly, carefully, one letter at a time, grinning broadly as he finishes. He’s just 11 years old and was a good student who had dreams of being a doctor. School frightens him now. Earlier this year, a cleric at the religious school he faithfully attended in the southern Punjab town of Pakpattan took …

CM announces lockdown for Gilgit-Baltistan HOME LOCKDOWN COMES INTO FORCE FROM MIDNIGHT————————————————–Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister announces enforcement of home lockdown plan in Gilgit-Baltistan to contain spread of Coronavirus. He urged people to follow health guidelines and strictly ensure physical distance which is the only way to avoid get infected. He said the relevant officials have elaborated the details of the lockdown. …

The peace deal was signed after 18 months of talks in Doha Sorin Furcoi Al Jazeera] Peace deal signed in Qatari capital, Doha, will pave the way for the complete withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan within 14 months   Doha, Qatar: The US and the Taliban have signed a landmark peace agreement after nearly 20 years of war that could …

IHC wraps up cases against AWP PTM activists, asks government to protect the right to freedom of expression    High Asia Herald Report   Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday disposed of a petition of 23 workers who were arrested by the police last month for protesting against the arrest of PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen when the court …

Aisha Mughal representing Pakistan at the UN Convention to end all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) at Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday. Credit: MoHR Aisha Mughal is part of the team at the United Nations’ Convention to end all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). She is the focal person at the human rights ministry. News Desk Aisha Mughal has …

The audience at the first Asma Jehangir memorial lecture organised by the HRCP at Islamabad Hotel on Tuesday. Credit: Asif Khan/hrcp HRCP announces Asma Jahangir Award for human rights defenders; resumes Nisar Osmani Award for courage in journalism, and I.A Rehman research grant in human rights   By Amir Khan  Islamabad: A veteran human rights defender has called for a …

Awami Workers Party Islamabad-Rawalpindi’s statement pays rich tribute to Pakistan Women’s Resistance Day PR In commemoration of the National Women’s Resistance Day, the Awami Workers Party pays tribute to the undaunted women who stood up against the military dictatorship of Ziaul Haq. On February 12, 1983, hundreds of women marched on the streets of Lahore against the discriminatory anti-women laws …

High Asia Herald Report   Islamabad: A Senate panel on Monday observed that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has no jurisdiction to regulate web TV and over the top (OTT) content services. The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights called the PEMRA Chairman for a briefing about the authority’s recent proposal to regulate Web TV and OTT services. “(PEMRA) …

High Asia Herald Report   Islamabad: Civil society and women rights activists have condemned a resolution passed by the lower house of the parliament supporting capital punishment for those involved in sexual abuse. “We at Women Democratic Front condemn National Assembly’s resolution on #HangRapistsPublicly,” the socialist feminist movement said in a statement posted on its official Facebook page. Sexual barbarism is undoubtedly widespread, but …

  By Zofeen Ebrahim and Elena Berton KARACHI/LONDON, Oct 22: From turning organic waste into fertiliser to sharing farm equipment, new businesses seeking to address social problems in Pakistan have made the South Asian nation one of the best performers in the second global poll on social entrepreneurs. Pakistan was one of the three countries, along with Australia and the …

 By Amir Hussain Our carefully manufactured brands of holy war are no longer available to fight the battles of strategic importance on two fronts at least i.e.  Against the enemy within and the one outside the national borders.  Left to their own choices by state the religious puritans in the recent past enjoyed liberty to harass and persecute the imagined enemy within …