Latest News

Pakistan writes the US to request Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s presidential pardon.

Published

4 hours ago

Farwa

According to a report submitted to the Islamabad High Court, the Pakistani government has formally asked for the presidential pardon of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who is incarcerated in the United States.

Manoor Iqbal Dogal, the Additional Attorney General, told the court during a hearing on the ongoing efforts to release and repatriate Siddiqui that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written to the President of the United States, requesting a pardon for Siddiqui.

Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, Aafia Siddiqui’s sister, filed a complaint asking the government to work towards her freedom and safe return to Pakistan. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan presided over the case. In court, Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui’s attorney, Imran Shafiq, emphasised the seriousness of the situation and expressed optimism that the letter would open the door for her return.

In 2010, the American court found Pakistani neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui guilty of attempted murder and assault against US servicemen in Afghanistan.

What’s the case of Aafia Siddiqui?

One of the most divisive court cases between Pakistan and the US is still that of neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui.

Siddiqui was born in Karachi, Pakistan, but after the events of September 11, 2001, his life took a sharp turn. This resulted in a number of accusations, detentions, and convictions that have provoked controversy, discussion, and tensions between nations.

Aafia Siddiqui was born in Karachi in 1972 into a well-educated family. She continued her studies in the US, graduating from Brandeis University in 2001 with a PhD in neuroscience. Well-known for her scholastic prowess and strong religious convictions, Siddiqui’s life dramatically changed after it was alleged that she had connections to “extremist organisations” in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

The Charges and the Detention

When Siddiqui was suspected of being involved in the planning of strikes against the United States and was allegedly connected to Al-Qaeda in 2003, her name began to appear in American media. She and her three kids “disappeared” in Pakistan in the same year, sparking years of rumours about her location.

Aafia Siddiqui was controversially captured in Ghazni, Afghanistan, in 2008. The main accusation against her is that she tried to shoot US soldiers while being questioned.

Despite being imprisoned, Siddiqui allegedly managed to obtain a firearm and fire, missing no one, according to U.S. authorities. She was critically wounded when the American forces shot her in the belly in retaliation.

Verdict and Trial Results

During her 2010 trial in New York, Siddiqui was found guilty of attempted murder and assault. The jury declared her guilty even though there was no tangible evidence that she had fired a weapon, and she was given an 86-year prison sentence as punishment.

Siddiqui’s case became a symbol of alleged injustice by the United States, and the trial drew heavy condemnation, especially in Pakistan.

Concerns concerning the trial’s fairness and the reliability of the evidence submitted have been voiced by human rights organisations and activists.

Public and Diplomatic Reactions

Civil society in Pakistan has pushed successive Pakistani administrations to pursue Aafia Siddiqui’s release, as her situation has sparked large-scale protests throughout the country.

In Pakistan, Siddiqui is frequently referred to as the “Daughter of the Nation,” and her case serves to stoke anti-American sentiment there.

Through official channels or prisoner exchange programs, the Pakistani government has diplomatically attempted several times to arrange Siddiqui’s return.

The United States maintains that she is serving a justly earned term, hence these attempts have not been successful thus far.

Present Situation and Requests for Publication

Aafia Siddiqui is incarcerated at the Federal Medical Centre in Carswell, Texas, where her health is still a concern while she serves her term. Human rights advocates and prominent politicians continue to be drawn to her plight, particularly in Pakistan where demonstrations and rallies demanding her freedom are held on a regular basis.

Business

Pakistan’s textile exports rose by 9.51% to $4.520 billion.

Published

3 hours ago

Farwa

Pakistan’s textile exports had a 9.51 percent increase in the first quarter of the current financial year (2024-25) compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that textile exports from the country amounted to US $4.520 billion during July-September (2024-25), compared to US $4.127 billion during the same period in the previous year (2023-24).

The textile goods that facilitated trade expansion comprised cotton fabric, whose exports rose by 10.20 percent to $523.63 million from $475.187 million, and knitwear, which experienced a 14.13 percent increase in exports to $1,268.908 million from $1,111.818 million.

Other commodities that experienced trade growth included bed wear, with exports increasing by 13.31 percent to $794.972 million from $701.570 million; towels, which rose by 7.04 percent to $261.316 million from $244.134 million; and tents, canvas, and tarpaulin, which grew by 5.43 percent to $28.796 million this year compared to $27.312 million last year.

The export of readymade garments increased by 23.17 percent to $996.831 million from $809.316 million; art, silk, and synthetic textiles rose by 15.79 percent to $96.482 million; made-up articles (excluding towels and bed wear) grew by 12.10 percent to $191.050 million from $170.422 million; and the export of other textile materials surged by 8.73 percent to $187.145 million from $172.112 million.

The textile commodities that had negative trade growth were cotton yarn, with exports decreasing by 48.45 percent, from $315.404 million to $162.579 million, while raw cotton exports fell by 100 percent from 6.621 million to zero during the reviewed months.

The export of yarn, excluding cotton yarn, decreased by 15.15 percent, from $10.096 million to $8.566 million.

In September 2024, textile exports experienced a year-on-year growth of 17.92 percent compared to the same month in the previous year.

Textile exports from the country in September 2024 amounted to US $1,604.481 million, compared to US $1,360.902 million in September 2023.

Textile exports from the country experienced a nominal decline of 2.40 percent in September 2024, compared to the $1,644.333 million reported in August 2024, according to PBS statistics.

Business

PIA is designated as the official airline of IDEAS 2004.

Published

3 hours ago

Farwa

PIA has been designated as the official airline of IDEAS 2024. The PIA will utilise its aircraft for the promotion of IDEAS 2024.

In this context, the emblems of IDEAS 2024 have been affixed to two Boeing 777 aircraft and two Airbus planes of Pakistan International Airlines.

The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 is scheduled to commence from November 19 to 22 at the Karachi Expo Centre.

The government of Pakistan places significant value on IDEAS. The show draws several delegates and is perceived as a means to promote their local arms trade.

The inaugural IDEAS launch took place in 2000, serving as a platform to promote Pakistan’s indigenous arms manufacturing industry while allowing international suppliers to provide solutions for the needs of Pakistan’s tri-services.

The event, consistently held at the Karachi Expo Centre, attracted forty-five foreign delegations in its inaugural year.

Latest News

Instagram, WhatsApp, and Reality Labs layoffs are announced by Meta

Published

3 hours ago

Farwa

Instagram, WhatsApp, and Reality Labs divisions of tech behemoth Meta have all announced layoffs.

Part of the company’s continuous endeavour to match resources with its long-term strategic goals and location plan is the decision that was made on Wednesday.

The long-term goal of the adjustments, according to a statement from Meta, is to keep the business competitive. “Today, a few teams at Meta are making changes to ensure resources are aligned with their long-term strategic goals and location strategy,” said the statement. Though attempts would be made to assist affected staff in securing other opportunities, the corporation stated that although some employees will move to different roles, others may find their positions abolished.

Despite not disclosing the precise number of layoffs, Meta seems to be carrying out CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s “Year of Efficiency,” which he started in the previous year. In an effort to reduce costs overall and shift its attention away from the Metaverse, Meta has eliminated over 10,000 workers since making that announcement.

Curiously, the second quarter’s financial results beat expectations, and this was announced right after the layoffs. That being said, the decision to restructure its virtual reality hardware and software operations was probably influenced by the department’s continued significant losses.