A true Story 

 Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, July 3, 2021:The scene was Holy Kaaba. I was there with my son Ali Jassim(AJ) who was 18 years old to perform Haj at the invitation of King Abdullah. Before the circumambulation of Kaaba, AJ had a viral infection. His temperature touched 42 degrees Celsius. No medicine could cure him.

Doctors advised AJ to be lifted by porters to make the circumambulation. However, AJ insisted that he performed circumambulation by himself. Ultimately, I held his hand firmly and started circumambulation.

We planned to go through the gaps in the circumambulation to reach the wall of the Kaaba. We did that successfully. When we reached our destination, we put our heads on the wall of the holy Kaaba. We were crying and praying to God. Both of us lost track of time. We don’t know how long. But when we awoke, we saw a miracle.

We saw a portico of about five feet from our position from the wall of the Kaaba. The pilgrims were reaching the edge of that portico, and none of them could get through it. I told AJ, ”Do you see what I see?” He answered,” Yes Baba.” Thence, we decided to gradually get out of the portico until we reached the last row.

When we completed the circumambulation, AJ told me his high temperature returned to normal. He was feeling perfectly fine.

AJ graduated from US University in Cyprus with honors. Later he obtained MBA from Bradford University, UK. He secured the first position.

Most importantly we attained unthinkable spiritual elevation on the walls of holy Kaaba. I always think of the incident whenever I confront an issue. Suddenly, everything evaporates when I recall that unique time of my life on the walls of the holy Kaaba. No money in the world can buy that honor.

Let the highly placed people realize how rich Jassim Taqui and Ali Jassim are. And how poor they are.

 

 UNICEF and safe water

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, July 3, 2021: Billions of people around the world will be unable to access safely managed household drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services in 2030 unless the rate of progress quadruples, according to a new report from WHO and UNICEF.

 

The Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report –  Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000 - 2020 – presents estimates on household access to safely managed drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services over the past five years, and assesses progress toward achieving the sixth sustainable development goal (SDG) to ‘Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030’. For the first time, the report also presents emerging national data on menstrual health.

 

In 2020, around 1 in 4 people lacked safely managed drinking water in their homes and nearly half the world’s population lacked safely managed sanitation. COVID-19 has highlighted the urgent need to ensure everyone can access good hand hygiene. At the onset of the pandemic, 3 in 10 people worldwide could not wash their hands with soap and water within their homes.

 

 

U.S. Embassy Launches 2021 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Program in Pakistan

Islamabad - July 3, 2021 – U.S. Embassy Minister Counselor for Public Affairs Ray Castillo welcomed more than 70 Pakistani women entrepreneurs to celebrate the launch of the first-ever Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in Pakistan.  This U.S. Department of State program supports women worldwide in building their own enterprises.  Its launch in Pakistan is part of an ongoing effort to empower Pakistani women to realize their economic potential and create conditions for increased stability, security, and prosperity for all Pakistanis.

Pakistan’s participation will build on ongoing support for women leaders and raise the profile of local startups.  Mr. Castillo lauded the accomplishments of young Pakistani businesswomen and spoke about the determination that all entrepreneurs need to succeed:  “As your skills and confidence grow throughout this program, I hope that you can build your businesses based not on the views of nay-sayers, but on a well-grounded belief in yourself and belief in your abilities to adapt to changes in the market.”

With mentoring and guidance from established Pakistani entrepreneurs, AWE program participants will undertake a three-month, rigorous course of online study using the Dream Builder platform developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and American natural resource company Freeport McMoran.  AWE is designed to cultivate entrepreneurial know-how, help women entrepreneurs connect with funding opportunities, enhance opportunities for business expansion, and increase the likelihood of entrepreneurial success.

Four of the U.S. Mission to Pakistan’s Lincoln Corners (public event spaces that connect Pakistanis and Americans) in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Larkana, and Peshawar will lead AWE Pakistan with support from the Pakistan American Cultural Center and the DOVE Foundation. Toward the end of their AWE journey, participants will have the opportunity to compete for seed funding from the U.S. Mission to Pakistan to further grow their enterprises.  Upon completion, they will join the global AWE network, which offers further growth opportunities as well as the community of U.S. exchange program alumni.

 

 

100 years of China’s Communist Party

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, July 3, 2021: Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee announced on Thursday that China has realized the first centenary goal -- building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. This was stated on the centurion anniversary of the ruling communist party.

During this short period, China achieved miracles. The hard work lifted China to be the second world economic power despite sanctions and negativity by Western nations.

The most spectacular aspect of Chin’s rise is that it never an occupied foreign nation. Given its capability to be a colonial power, Beijing could have done those feet. However, the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party opted to not to do so.

The party is saluted also for its adherence to all UN resolutions and international laws. Thus, under the communist party, China played a responsible role in international affairs. No other nation especially among the big seven could emulate the Chinese Doctrine.

On the economic front, the Chinese Communist Party proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is under various stages of implementation in Asia and Africa. BRI is good news to human mankind since it transfers military rivalries into a genuine economic competition.

 

UNITED STATES DONATES 2.5 MILLION DOSES OF THE MODERNA COVID VACCINE TO PAKISTAN

Islamabad, July 2, 2021 – Today, 2.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States arrived at Islamabad International Airport.  These vaccines are being delivered to the Pakistani people in partnership with the COVAX global vaccine initiative, UNICEF, and the Government of Pakistan.

This donation is part of the 80 million doses the United States is sharing with the world, delivering on our pledge to facilitate equitable global access to safe and effective vaccines, which are essential to ending the COVID-19 pandemic.  As President Biden has said, the United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home.

“The United States Mission to Pakistan is pleased to share these safe and effective vaccines with the people of Pakistan,” said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires Angela P. Aggeler.  “These vaccines will save lives and help Pakistan emerge from this crisis, which has devastated so many families and communities in both our countries.  A vaccinated public will also help bring back the economic and social interactions we all welcome.  We appreciate the ongoing collaboration with the Pakistani government and our international partners to make this delivery and these goals a reality.”

In addition to today’s vaccine donation, the United States has delivered nearly $50 million in COVID assistance through our partnership with the Pakistani government.  Since the start of the pandemic, we have worked together to improve infection prevention and control, enhance patient care, expand laboratory testing, disease monitoring, and case tracking in all districts, and support frontline healthcare workers.

Separately, the United States has pledged $4 billion to support COVAX with the purchase and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to 92 low- and middle-income countries.  This contribution is supporting equitable access to vaccines for the world’s most vulnerable and at-risk populations, including frontline healthcare workers.  In May, Pakistan received 1.2 million doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine as part of the COVAX effort.

 

 

Misconception regarding Pak Army

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic studies

Islamabad; first July 2021: Today, there exists opprobrium among minority analysts both in Pakistan and abroad regarding the Pak Army(PA) and its role in the fight against terrorism. Those analysts fail to understand the gigantic role of the PA in a most dangerous and challenging global environment. However, statistics tell you a different story. The PA conducts its affairs in the global war against terrorism under UN and/or bilateral commitments approved by the UN.

For example, PA participated silently in the war against ISIS in support of the Iraqi army as per disclosure by former Ambassador of Iraq to Pakistan Dr. Ali Rahmani on the occasion of victory against ISIS on December 10. 2017.

In the case of Saudi Arabia, the PA deployed 65000 to help Saudi Arabia defending its security and sovereignty during the 1980-19888 Iraq-Iran war.

During the 1991 Gulf war, the PA deployed in Kuwait 13000 and 16000 military advisors.

The story is even stronger for UAE. The PA established an armored school before the creation of the UAE when the emirates were called the Trucial States. After independence, four Pakistani Air Commodores were successively chiefs of the UAE Airforce.

The PA took part in defending Syria during June 1967 six-day war with Israel. Saiful Azam was the lone pilot who downed two Israeli warplanes over Damascus.

Saudi Arabia asked for help from SSG to help evict extremists from Al-Masjid ul Haram in 1978.

PAF was the only air force to be asked by Zimbabwe to organize and train its pilots during 1983-1986.

During the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the PA deployed 700 troops for training and military advisory purposes.

The PA troops in Qatar are estimated at 650. The purpose is to ensure the security of the ruling regime.

In Bahrain, the PA deployed 150 teams of PN to help to combat piracy in the high seas in collaboration with the navies of Italy, France, Germany, and Canada which are deployed there. Additionally, Pakistan deployed 110000 troops including 10000 soldiers assigned for security missions.

The PA sent an armored brigade to stabilize the revolt of the Palestinians against King Hussain bin Talal (Black September affairs). Even today the PAF is helping the Royal Jordanian Air Force in stabilizing King Abdullah II’s regime from threats emanating from Israel and the Palestinians.

Most importantly, the PA is contributing 700 soldiers to peace-keeping missions in 14 countries as per UN statistics published on February 11, 2021.

Recognizing the professionalism of the PA, Nato proposed the formation of the Tripartite Committee of Pakistan, Turkey, and Hungry to protect Kabul Airport and Western embassies in the Afghan capital. The committee was formed on June 15, 2021.

The PA gave the US logistic help that enabled it to face and obliterate the danger of Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. That help cost Pakistan dearly; 70000 dead, over $123 billion financial losses, transfer of terror to its cities, tremendous social impacts, the initiation of more secessionist movements, drug trafficking, money laundering, organized crimes, human trafficking, armed wings in all major political parties, intolerance, extremism, systemic attacks against the minorities, the emergence of suicide bombers among men, women, and children, racial, and sectarian trends, reactionaries, and the unprecedented phenomenon of raping children, women and even men.

Clearly, the Pak Army is massively contributing to the war on terror and the stability of the vulnerable regimes around the globe.

Classified British documents found

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad; June 28, 2021: In a sensational disclosure, BBC revealed that classified Ministry of Defence documents containing details about HMS Defender and The British military had been found at a bust stop in Kent.

Another detail plans for a possible UK military presence in Afghanistan after the US-led Nato operation there ends.

One set of the documents discussed the likely Russian reaction to the HMS ship’s passage through Ukrainian waters off the Crimea coast.

The BBC disclosure forced the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to investigate the incident.

The perception is that an insider was behind the incident intending to make the public aware of the serious decision that seems to be at variance with the international norms. Such decisions risked a war between Russia and UK and ultimately a war between Russia and Nato as well.

One outcome of the disclosure is that the Joe Biden administration is seeking continued British engagement in Afghanistan even after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. This is a mind-boggling decision by an administration that claims that it seeks to end the Afghan civil war. As a consequence, the secret documents might agitate the public against the ruling elites in both London and Washington

 

Using drones in Kashmir

  

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, June 28, 2021: In a serious development of the Kashmir issue, India said its military thwarted a major threat when it intercepted two drones flying over an army base in Indian-occupied Kashmir, a day after when unknown outfit used suspected explosive-laden drones to attack an airbase in the occupied region.

The two drones flew over the Kaluchak military base on the outskirts of Jammu city. However, they fled away when Quick Reaction Teams engaged them with firing.

By far, this is the most ominous incident, which points out to a serious escalation of tension in IOK. Things are expected to go out of control when the Indians would react in kind against targets inside Azad Jammu& Kashmir (AJK).

So far, the incident is ambiguous since no Jihadi group took responsibility of the two incidents or even commented on them.

Most probably, the Indian drones would target Maulana Masood Azhar; the leader of the banned outfit Jaysh Muhammad(JM). The US put a prize of $10 million on his head for planning the Mumbai attack on November 26, 2008, in which suicide bombers killed over 170  including three American citizens. Over 300 people were also injured. Pakistan also banned JM but could not arrest is the leader who fled AJK.

According to Pak military doctrine, the armed forces would reciprocate in kind any Indian attack on AJK or Pakistani territories. Therefore, the situation could deteriorate shortly.

The Energy Weapons

Islamabad, 27 June 2021, China continues to attract the attention of the world. The world think-tank considers this era as China's Era due to its advancement in all fields especially in advanced technology and AI (Artificial Intelligence).

The latest news indicates that China is making progress with its ground-based directed energy weapons that could be potentially used to take down hostile satellites specially designed to spy on it.

A directed-energy weapon(DEW) is a ranged weapon that damages its target with highly focused energy, including laser, microwaves, and particle beams.

China, the US, Russia, Iran, and Turkey have developed these weapons and inducted them into their armed forces. Reportedly, India and UK are currently developing DEWs.

On November 17, 2020, the Indian media disclosed that the Chinese PLA used DEW against Indian soldiers during the skirmishes at the Ladakh border. The Indian troops were forced to withdraw from strategic positions because of these weapons. Later on, India was compelled to return to resolving differences with Beijing through dialogue and maintaining the status quo in disputed regions.

Confirming Washington possesses these weapons, the former US President Donald Trump proposed to replace expensive missiles system with cheap DEWs. He proposed on April 8, 2019, to zap incoming missiles with Laser beams used in DEWs.

Ominously, former acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller warned on  March 5, 2021, of a scheme to use DEWs against “ US government officials worldwide.” He even urged the new US administration to stay focused on the issue.

With the current escalation of the violence in Afghanistan, the Taliban may use DEWs against all and sundry to ensure re-establishing its erstwhile Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The situation would be bloody if somehow the Taliban could possess these weapons.

 

UNAIDS calls for sustained investment and increased collaboration to develop an HIV vaccine

GENEVA, 18 May 2016—On HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, UNAIDS calls for greater resources and increased collaboration among governments, the scientific community and the private sector to advance research towards finding an effective HIV vaccine.

“Developing an effective HIV vaccine would be a major scientific and medical breakthrough for humankind,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “Alongside expanding access to existing antiretroviral medicines and combination HIV prevention tools, sustained investment and intensified collaboration to develop an HIV vaccine is needed to bring the world a step closer to ending the AIDS epidemic.”

In 2014, global investment in HIV vaccine research and development increased by 2.8%, to US$ 841 million, up from US$ 818 million in 2013. However, this rebound followed five years during which available resources either flatlined or declined, with a high of US$ 961 million in 2007. The United States of America remains the largest investor in HIV research and development.

Public–private and international partnerships have been formed to accelerate progress towards an effective HIV vaccine. UNAIDS is working together with partners, such as the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AVAC and other stakeholders, to advance research. UNAIDS is also an active participant in the annual vaccine funders’ meetings coordinated by the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise to highlight the importance of continued research, sustained funding and coordinated responses towards HIV vaccine discovery.

Over the past 30 years, four concepts for an HIV vaccine have been tested in six efficacy trials. Of these, the RV144 vaccine trial in Thailand in 2009 was most promising, reducing HIV infection risk by 31%. It is hoped that ongoing research will lead to at least two further large-scale trials of vaccine candidates starting in the near future. At the same time, work continues to develop other potential vaccines, including a combined vaccine for HIV and hepatitis C. The effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies is also being studied.

An HIV vaccine will be necessary for the long-term control of HIV and is the best hope for sustaining the progress made towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Pakistan Launches its Status Report on Women’s Economic Participation & Empowerment Islamabad, 18 May: A status report on women’s economic participation and empowerment in Pakistan was launched at an event jointly hosted by the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) on Wednesday 18 May 2016 at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad. Pakistan’s newly launched ‘Women’s Economic Participation and Empowerment - Status Report 2016’emphasizes the complex and multifaceted concept of women’s economic empowerment and in using national survey data and qualitative studies documents the status of Pakistani women to different dimensions and determinants of economic participation such as human, financial and physical capital, employment statistics and vulnerability in employment, gender wage differentials and poverty. The report also documents the economic situation of women affected by humanitarian crises and complex emergencies over the past decade. The Status Report, produced with support from the Governments of Norway and Denmark, by UN Women in collaboration with NCSW looks at social and economic vulnerabilities that keep the Pakistani woman underpaid and overworked, even when she has overcome structural and social barriers to seek employment.The Report highlights specific aspects of women’s economic empowerment (such as employment, type of employment and wages, vulnerable work and the working poor), and recommends a concerted effort to improve women’s access, opportunities and capabilities in order for them to participate as full economic actors in development and growth of a dynamic Pakistan that the Vision 2025 seeks. Mr. Jamshed Kazi, Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan, in his welcome stated: “This comprehensive report captures different facets of women’s economic empowerment from the relations between malnutrition and lesser opportunities in the workforce to the extra burden of humanitarian crisis on women. The report delineates a meticulous overview of the working women population of Pakistan. It is imperative to position gender responsive infrastructure in places such as daycare centers, anti-sexual harassment mechanisms, safe and affordable transport and accommodation options to encourage economically inactive women to join the formal workforce as well as ensure retention for the existing women workforce. Providing equal opportunities for better quality education is also critical for women and girls to improve their employment options.” Ms. Helle Nielsen, Chargé d'Affaires, Embassy of Denmark, Islamabad said that investing in girls and women is not only the right thing to do but also a smart thing to do, as research shows that investing in girls and women is the most effective investment in development, reaching far beyond the individual women. Ms. Nielsen gave the example about how women spend 90 percent of their salary on their children and the health, education and well-being of their family, while men only spend 30 to 40 percent. She also highlighted that by removing the barriers that prevent women from entering the labour market, a country’s productivity can increase.  “Investing in women’s economical participation is a direct way to gender equality, poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth, but in order for the world to experience progress, we need to give girls and women the equal opportunities to which they are entitled. This will not only benefit girls and women but societies at large”, said Ms. Nielsen. She also shared that Denmark was proud to be hosting the world’s largest global conference on women and girls rights, ‘Women Deliver’, which was currently taking place in Copenhagen. During this conference, a wide range of actors, including representatives from Pakistan, are exchanging ideas and solutions on how to ensure that the needs and rights of girls and women are fully taken into account in the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Dr. Yasmin Zaidi, Lead Researcher and Author for the Status Report 2016 and Director, Center of Gender and Policy Studies, in presenting the report highlighted: “Women’s economic work, paid and unpaid, needs to be recognized, acknowledged and tracked at District and provincial levels in Pakistan so that Pakistan can report on SDG 5. Robust data on employment and earnings will allow provinces to plan where to allocate resources so all districts can prosper and generate decent employment, and manage the flow of economic migration within the country.” Speaking during the panel discussion, Ms. Khawar Mumtaz, panelist and former Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women stated that “Authentic official data and its analysis are imperative to establish the reality on the ground for giving direction for appropriate policies and action. The reports significance is the multidimensional approach to the analysis of women's economic empowerment especially employment. This publication also deserves special appreciation for developing the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Index for the first time in Pakistan. The Index will help in ranking the WEE status by districts and provide a mechanism to measure progress and pinpoint areas that require more concerted attention.” Ms. Sana Mahmud, panelist and Captain, National Women’s Basketball Team spoke of the gender pay gap saying: “The wage gap for men and women remains high, even within the realm of sport. Female athletes - doing exactly what the men are doing - are many at times paid less than their male counterparts. This in turn creates an even more difficult situation for women who are already struggling to participate fully and equally in sports, and are further disillusioned by the lack of incentives provided, including monetary remuneration."  The Chief Guest and Chairperson of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women, Ms. Fauzia Viqar congratulated NCSW and UN Women for producing a very informative report and stressed the importance of data collection for informed policies, actions and to measure progress. “This data would surely help us in correct decision making and we hope that the analysis would inform development schemes of the Government of Pakistan” she said. Whilst Article 38 of the Constitution of Pakistan ‘guarantees citizens the right to pursue economic opportunities irrespective of sex, caste or creed and related labour laws’, and at the same time the Government of Pakistan’s principal planning document Vision 2025 recognizes expanding women’s participation and access to opportunities as central to sustained economic and social development, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2015 ranks Pakistan 143 out of 145 countries in economic participation and opportunities and 135 in educational attainment.

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