Iran's recent military actions across the Middle East represent a significant escalation in regional tensions. An attack on Pakistan, however, represents a new level of escalation.
In Pakistan, a mere accusation of blasphemy can be a death sentence. Even if the accused is eventually acquitted, they may still face persecution and violence. This is because the blasphemy laws are often used as a tool to settle personal scores or to target religious minorities.
In yet another disturbing terror incident in Pakistan, a suicide attack occurred near a police vehicle in the Turbat district of Balochistan. Tragically, the attack resulted in the loss of a police officer’s life, while a female officer sustained injuries. Separatist terrorist group BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) claimed responsibility through its Majeed Brigade.
The reaction from the Foreign Office of Pakistan on May 25th to the US State Department Report on International Religious Freedom has proven to be interesting.
The fall of Kabul was an eye-opener, imprinted for decades to come on the minds of the Afghan youth, as well as all of Afghanistan's pro-democratic forces; a democratic state turned into a theocratic regime governed by a few Taliban heads over a matter of days.
When the Taliban took power in Kabul in August 2021, many countries in the world expressed grave concern for the citizens of Afghanistan whose fate was sealed under the rule of a terrorist organization. About sixty countries published a joint statement expressing responsibility for human life, and their property, and restoring the Afghan people's sense of security. After about two decades of the Taliban fighting as an opposition to the Afghan government, which enjoyed the support of NATO and the United States, the organization returned to control the poor country and the war-torn country in South Central Asia.
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has ended its ceasefire, and it has ended it with a literal bang, or in fact several bangs.
A few days ago, Midstone Centre associate Vineet reached out to the spokesperson of Jaish al-ʿAdl, Hossein Baloch, via an encrypted messaging app, and requested an interview. Our request was granted by the group’s spokesperson and a short interview was conducted in Persian. The views and opinions expressed by the individual interviewed are solely his own and are based on his own perspective and opinions. The views expressed in the publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the author or Midstone Centre. In light of the ongoing protests in Iran and the subsequent crackdown by the regime, Jaish al-’Adl announced support for the protesters. The intention behind this interview is to explore and understand the views and stances of Jaish al-’Adl.
Pakistan is in the global spotlight once again: catastrophic flooding caused by untimely and intense monsoon rains – six to seven times the usual volume, according to estimates – have submerged more than half the country’s landmass.
As the global economy continues plodding toward a recession, widespread uncertainty and rampant inflation have already devastated Pakistan’s economy. But rising prices, absence of basic public services, and lack of opportunities have all been overshadowed by a dominating political narrative that emerged in March 2022.