Western intelligence and defense officials are reportedly concerned about the missile that the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Islamic Republic of Iran</a> used this week to conduct strikes in neighboring countries in the Middle East and Asia.
Iran launched attacks early this week inside Syria and Iraq, claiming that it targeted militant groups and Israel&#8217;s Mossad.
Iran then upped the stakes with their belligerent behavior when they launched attacks against militant groups inside Pakistan. Pakistan, which faces a giant adversary in India on the other side of the country, was forced to respond with its own attacks against groups inside Iran.
The attacks grabbed officials&#8217; attention due to the range and the accuracy that Iran&#8217;s missiles had, which far surpassed the capabilities of their old Soviet-era missiles.
The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/world/middleeast/iran-missile-program.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the West had long believed the only threat that Iran posed was its cyberattacks, which even then were limited compared to Western cyber abilities.
However, Iran&#8217;s ability to manufacture suicide drones by the thousands — which Russia is buying and using in Ukraine — combined with its use of its new Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile in this week&#8217;s attacks have forced officials to reconsider their defense posture toward Iran.
&#8220;Unveiled in 2022, the Kheibar Shekan is a solid-propellant precision-guided missile that has a range of 1,450 kilometers, or about 900 miles — meaning it can hit Israel,&#8221; the report said. &#8220;But what makes it stand out from the rest of Iran’s arsenal is that its warhead can nimbly maneuver with tiny aerodynamic fins to evade at least some traditional air-defense systems.&#8221;
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Experts said that while Iran appears to have miscalculated with its attack on Pakistan, it was trying to showcase their newer missiles to appease their citizens after there have been multiple attacks carried out inside Iran over the last few weeks. They said Iran likely used the missiles to test them in combat conditions, send a message to Israel and the U.S., and to attract new customers as the nation becomes one of the top arms suppliers in the region.

IRAN-POLITICS-MILITARY

Western Officials Concerned About Missile That Iran Used In Recent Attacks: Report

Iran

Military Weapons

Pakistan

Terrorism

World

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan</a> announced early on Thursday morning local time that it had carried out military strikes inside of Iran after Iran killed innocent civilians inside Pakistan earlier this week during military strikes against a Pakistani militant group.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said that the strikes were &#8220;highly coordinated&#8221; and specifically targeted &#8220;terrorist hideouts&#8221; in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran.
The operation, codenamed Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar, killed numerous terrorists inside Iran, the statement said.
&#8220;Over the last several years, in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists calling themselves *Sarmachars* on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists.&#8221;
Pakistan said that Iran did not take the information seriously, did not act, and thus those terrorists have killed innocent Pakistanis.
&#8220;This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large scale terrorist activities by these so called Sarmachars,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats. The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred.&#8221;
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The statement took a swipe at Iran, saying that Pakistan &#8220;fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.&#8221; Earlier in the week, Pakistan condemned Iran for violating its sovereignty when Iran launched its strikes.
&#8220;As a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;Guided by these principles, and in exercise of our legitimate rights within international law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances.&#8221;

JF-17 Thunder fighter jet

Pakistan Carries Out Retaliatory Strikes Inside Of Iran

General

Military

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan</a> threatened the Islamic Republic of Iran with &#8220;serious consequences&#8221; on Wednesday after Iran fired missiles and drones into the country that it claimed were aimed at militant bases near the border.
The strikes <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iran-launches-missiles-drones-into-pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> targeted two bases of the militant group Jaish al-Adl after it mounted attacks against Iranian forces on the Pakistan-Iran border.
Pakistan&#8217;s Foreign Ministry <a href="https://mofa.gov.pk/press-releases/pakistans-strong-condemnation-of-the-unprovoked-violation-of-its-air-space" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that the attack resulted &#8220;in [the] death of two innocent children while injuring three girls,&#8221; adding that the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty was &#8220;completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.&#8221;
&#8220;It is even more concerning that this illegal act has taken place despite the existence of several channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;Pakistan&#8217;s strong protest has already been lodged with the concerned senior official in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. Additionally, the Iranian Charge d’affaires has been called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey our strongest condemnation of this blatant violation of Pakistan&#8217;s sovereignty and that the responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran.&#8221;
Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani <a href="https://mofa.gov.pk/press-releases/foreign-minister-receives-telephone-call-of-the-foreign-minister-of-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> his counterpart in Iran on Wednesday that the incident has caused &#8220;serious damage to bilateral ties between Pakistan and Iran&#8221; and that Pakistan reserves the right &#8220;to respond to this provocative act.&#8221;
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Iran’s attacks inside Pakistan came only a day after it launched strikes inside Syria and Iraq, one of which was very close to the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Iraq.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that they were targeting the “headquarters of spies” and “anti-Iranian terrorist gatherings in parts of the region.” The IRGC claimed the facilities it targeted belonged to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. Iran claimed that Mossad was behind “terrorist activities in the region.&#8221;

PAKISTAN-POLITICS-DEFENCE

Pakistan Threatens ‘Serious Consequences’ After Iran Launches Attacks Inside Country

Pakistan Threatens 'Serious Consequences' After Iran Launches Attacks Inside Country

Middle East

The Islamic Republic of Iran launched missiles and drones in an attack Tuesday on an anti-Iranian militant group inside Pakistan — a nuclear-armed country — in a move that threatens to rapidly increase already inflamed tensions in the region.
The strikes reportedly targeted two bases of the militant group Jaish al-Adl after it mounted attacks against Iranian forces on the Pakistan-Iran border.
The Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-iraq-militant-bases-attack-05c7530d66fb05dd6f2868527003ba2d">noted</a> that Iran and Pakistan have long viewed each other with suspicion and that the strike could send relations between the two countries spiraling.
Iran&#8217;s attacks inside Pakistan came only a day after it launched strikes inside Syria and Iraq, one of which was very close to the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Iraq.
Iran&#8217;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iran-launches-ballistic-missile-strike-near-u-s-consulate-in-iraq">claimed</a> that they were targeting the “headquarters of spies” and “anti-Iranian terrorist gatherings in parts of the region”. The IRGC claimed the facilities it targeted belonged to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. Iran claimed that Mossad was behind “terrorist activities in the region,” which is false.
Several people were killed in the attacks, according to ABC News. No American casualties were reported.
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The attacks come after Iran has activated its proxies throughout the region to launch more than 120 attacks against U.S. forces since October 17, just a little over a week after Hamas murdered 1,200+ Israelis in an unprecedented terrorist attack.
Other Iranian proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, have continued launching attacks against Israel while the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have launched dozens of attacks against merchant ships in international waters in the Red Sea.

Iran – Missile

Iran Launches Missiles, Drones Into Pakistan

Pakistan is reportedly deporting over 1.5 million Afghans from the country as part of the government&#8217;s removal of illegal immigrants as part of a “repatriation plan.”
“Of the roughly 4 million Afghans living in Pakistan, about 1.7 million people are thought to be in the crosshairs of this ‘repatriation plan,’” The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/06/pakistan-undocumented-afghanistan-refugee-expel-migrants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
“The UN estimates that more than 200,000 Afghans without papers have left Pakistan for Afghanistan since Islamabad announced its &#8216;Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan&#8217; just over a month ago,” the Financial Times <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/d839746e-75e3-4dae-979b-d4160cddfe9c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a>.
The current interior minister, Sarfraz Bugti, cited security from terrorism as a driving force behind the decision; he said that 14 out of 24 major terrorist attacks in Pakistan in 2023 were executed by Afghan nationals.
He <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-to-begin-deportation-of-1-7-million-undocumented-afghans/7294939.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> at the beginning of October, “All illegal immigrants residing in Pakistan have until November 1 to return to their countries voluntarily. And if they fail to leave by the deadline, all our state law enforcement agencies will unleash an operation with full-throttle to deport them.  &#8230; We have come under 24 suicide bomb attacks since January, and 14 of them were carried out by Afghan nationals. &#8230; We have evidence that Afghans were involved in these attacks and are taking up the issue through our foreign ministry with Taliban authorities in Afghanistan.”
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&#8220;The military, which exerts heavy influence over the caretaker regime, is likely driving the policy,” Michael Kugelman the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, said. “But it’s letting the caretaker regime — which need not worry about political blowback — take any public flak.”
After the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, between 600,000 and 800,000 Afghans reportedly fled Afghanistan and settled in Pakistan. The Pakistani government has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghans-return-taliban-rule-pakistan-moves-expel-17-million-2023-10-31/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asserted</a> that only 2.2 million Afghans of the roughly 3.8 million living in Pakistan have a government-approved document that certifies their eligibility to stay in the country.
In July, after 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack, Pakistan’s military <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-terrorists-enjoy-safe-havens-in-afghanistan/7181276.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, “Such attacks are intolerable and would elicit an effective response from the security forces of Pakistan. The involvement of Afghan nationals in acts of terrorism in Pakistan is another important concern that needs to be addressed.”

PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN-DEPORTATIONS

Pakistan To Expel Over 1.5 Million Afghans, Cites Terrorism As Reason

Afghanistan

Expulsion

A Christian community in Pakistan found itself under attack on Wednesday as a Muslim mob reportedly vandalized churches, torched homes, and burned Bibles after two Christians were accused of blasphemy. 
At least two churches were vandalized and one was burned in Jaranwala, a largely Christian area in the Faisalabad district in eastern Pakistan, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-muslim-attack-churches-blasphemy-christian-faisalabad-bc671037bdd389af6b67e0292cc18582" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the Associated Press. In addition to the mob – <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/16/churches-attacked-faisalabad-pakistan-blasphemy-claim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">armed</a> with rocks and sticks – attacking places of worship, at least one home was demolished while several others were vandalized, though some reports say more churches were damaged. Many Christians were forced to flee their homes for safety. 
“We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan,” Bishop Azad Marshall, the moderator bishop of the Church of Pakistan, <a href="https://twitter.com/BishopAzadM/status/1691729068889354251" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted to X</a> Wednesday. “A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been tortured and harrased (sic) having been falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran.”
“We cry out for justice and action from law enforcement and those who dispense justice and the safety of all citizens to intervene immediately and assure us that our lives are valuable in our own homeland that has just celebrated independence and freedom,” Marshall added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan. A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been… <a href="https://t.co/xruE83NPXL">pic.twitter.com/xruE83NPXL</a>
&mdash; Bishop Azad Marshall (@BishopAzadM) <a href="https://twitter.com/BishopAzadM/status/1691729068889354251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Two Christian members of the community were accused by the mob of blasphemy, alleging that they desecrated a Quran by tearing out pages and writing insulting things in others, according to the AP. Pakistan has notoriously harsh laws relating to blasphemy, and those convicted of it can be sentenced to death. 
The AP notes that even a simple accusation of blasphemy is enough for a mob to lynch and kill the accused, who are often Christians. According to <a href="https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/persecution/countries/pakistan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Open Doors</a>, a Christian organization committed to serving persecuted Christians worldwide, roughly 25% of blasphemy accusations are levied against Christians, who make up less than 2% of Pakistan’s population.   
Videos on social media have emerged showing the scenes in Pakistan, with the mob toppling crosses from the tops of churches, throwing furniture from windows, and burning fires in the streets. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Pakistan🚨 Alarming situation in Faisalabad. Christian community under attack over charges of Blasphemy.
Majority muslim mob has already burned 3 churches. Mob is heading to the 4th church in Faisalabad.
Several Christian homes, properties and churches have been burned down.… <a href="https://t.co/qjPjPFKaFf">pic.twitter.com/qjPjPFKaFf</a>
&mdash; Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeghUpdates/status/1691744360906506433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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France24 news <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230816-mob-burns-pakistani-churches-vandalises-cemetery-over-alleged-blasphemy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that some videos showed mosque loudspeakers encouraging followers to demonstrate: &#8220;Christians have desecrated the Holy Koran. All the clerics, all the Muslims should unite and gather in front of the mosque. Better to die if you don&#8217;t care about Islam,&#8221; a Muslim cleric reportedly said.
&#8220;They broke the windows, doors and took out fridges, sofas, chairs and other household items to pile them up in front of the Church to be burnt. They also burnt and desecrated Bibles, they were ruthless,&#8221; one Christian who fled his home <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230816-mob-burns-pakistani-churches-vandalises-cemetery-over-alleged-blasphemy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> AFP.
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Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the interim Prime Minister of Pakistan – which is 97% Muslim – posted to X that “Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities. All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits &amp; bring them to justice.” However, as the AP notes, earlier video shows police officers failing to promptly intervene to stop the attacks. 
The crowd was eventually dispersed by police firing into the air and with assistance from Muslim clerics and Pakistani troops – and the promise to arrest the accused Christians. Police chief Rizwan Khan said that all people involved in the mob would be prosecuted. 
According to Open Doors, the police force in Pakistan “is more interested in appeasing local strongmen than implementing the law and protecting minorities.” The organization notes that Christians often sit in prison for years before the courts determine their fate. 
According to the <a href="https://twitter.com/MeghUpdates/status/1691744360906506433" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023 Open Doors World Watch List</a>, of the top 50 countries that most severely and frequently persecute Christians, Pakistan ranks number 7, with the most frequent types of persecution being Islamic oppression, ethno-religious hostility, dictatorial paranoia, and organized crime.

TOPSHOT-PAKISTAN-RELIGION-CRIME-CHURCH

Muslim Mob Attacks Christian Churches And Homes In Pakistan Following Blasphemy Allegations

Muslim Mob Attacks Several Christian Churches And Homes In Pakistan Following Blasphemy Allegations

Christianity

Christians

Religion

This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Donald Trump-E. Jean Carroll Verdict
Former President Donald Trump was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-jury-rules-trump-committed-battery-on-e-jean-carroll-defamed-her" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found</a> liable Tuesday of sexual abuse and defamation in E. Jean Caroll’s lawsuit that accused him of raping her decades ago.
Title 42 Chaos
Law enforcement is sweeping the streets of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/law-enforcement-to-clear-thousands-of-illegal-migrants-from-el-paso-streets-as-end-of-title-42-looms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">El Paso, Texas</a>, for thousands of illegal immigrants camped in the city. Late Monday night, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced a “targeted enforcement operation” taking place in El Paso ahead of the repeal of Title 42. 
About 2,500 migrants are living on the streets of El Paso, some reportedly with gang ties. The operation comes as thousands more migrants are expected to cross the border from Mexico into El Paso after Title 42 is lifted on Thursday at 11:59 p.m. 
El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser previously estimated that up to 15,000 migrants could be in Ciudad Juárez, across the border from El Paso, preparing to enter the U.S. later this week. Meanwhile, in the last week, border patrol agents made 55,000 apprehensions of individuals who crossed the border illegally. That number is expected to rise dramatically with the expiration of Title 42.  So far, the Biden administration has indicated it will reject any Republican proposals to deal with the problem.
Janet Yellen Warns Corporations About Recession Risks
A <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/janet-yellen-warns-ceos-about-recession-risks-from-debt-ceiling-battle-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new report indicates</a> that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen contacted multiple prominent American business leaders on Monday to detail the financial risk stemming from the current debt ceiling controversy. 
In recent days, Yellen held multiple one-on-one conversations with individual executives about the “dangerous consequences of the current brinkmanship,” according to a report from Reuters. Biden administration officials have repeatedly claimed that Republican lawmakers are risking a worldwide recession by insisting that any amendment to the debt ceiling must be accompanied by meaningful spending cuts. Meanwhile, Biden is meeting with Congressional GOP and Democratic leaders Tuesday afternoon to discuss a plan to raise the limit.
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Hunter Biden Criminal Proof?
Attorneys for the IRS <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/attorneys-for-irs-whistleblower-in-hunter-biden-probe-meet-with-congress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">whistleblower</a> who alleges the criminal investigation into <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hunter-biden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hunter Biden</a> has become corrupted by lies and politics reportedly met with members of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/congress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Congress</a>.
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/05/politics/hunter-biden-irs-whistleblower-congressional-investigation/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sources told CNN</a> the conversation on Friday with investigators from the GOP-led House and Democrat-controlled Senate helps lay the groundwork for what could be a formal disclosure involving sensitive tax information in the near future. Meanwhile, House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) is urging the Justice Department <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/comer-urges-feds-not-to-indict-hunter-biden-before-wednesday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not to indict Hunter Biden</a> until Republicans hold a press conference. They intend to present evidence showing how a “web” of LLCs is being used by foreign adversaries to improperly pay members of the Biden family in exchange for favors.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 A very credible whistleblower has provided info to Congress.
I will press forward in my <a href="https://twitter.com/GOPoversight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GOPoversight</a> investigation into the Biden family’s influence peddling to determine if <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> is compromised.
I intend to provide the American people more facts this week. <a href="https://twitter.com/MariaBartiromo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MariaBartiromo</a> <a href="https://t.co/2F2ntRiNgz">pic.twitter.com/2F2ntRiNgz</a>
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJamesComer/status/1655226994957729792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">May 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
The press conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
Ex- Pakistan Prime Minister Arrested
The former prime minister of Pakistan was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-prime-minister-of-south-asian-country-arrested-by-paramilitary-forces" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested</a> on Tuesday by paramilitary forces as the popular leader faces terrorism and corruption-related charges. Imran Khan was ousted from his role as prime minister in April 2022 by a no-confidence vote in parliament after being accused of corruption and violating the constitution. Khan <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-pakistani-prime-minister-shot?utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=dwbrand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">survived a shooting</a> in November and has claimed that corrupt officials coordinated his removal from office. Police say after his arrest, he was taken to the National Accountability Bureau for questioning. Supporters took to the streets in protest, starting fires and clashing with police.
To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

Tuesday stock photo

Tuesday Afternoon Update: Donald Trump-E. Jean Carroll Verdict, Title 42 Chaos, Hunter Biden Criminal Proof?

Donald Trump

Hunter Biden

Janet Yellen

Morning Wire

Title 42

U.S.

Imran Khan, the former prime minister of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan</a>, was arrested on Tuesday by paramilitary forces as the popular leader faces terrorism and corruption-related charges and remains outspoken against the country’s military and political leadership. 
Khan, a former cricket player, was ousted from his role as prime minister in April 2022 by a no-confidence vote in parliament after being accused of corruption and violating the constitution. Khan <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-pakistani-prime-minister-shot?utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=dwbrand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">survived a shooting</a> in November and has claimed that corrupt officials coordinated his removal from office. 
In a tweet before his arrest, Khan <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1655817459486580736?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that Pakistan’s military and political opponents in the Pakistan Democratic Movement Party were trying to arrest him to “prevent me from campaigning” and to “prevent me from mobilising the masses for street movement in support of Constitution.”
After his arrest, he was taken to the National Accountability Bureau for questioning, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-imran-khan-arrested-charges-55a53535b91051da679c9b57b0bc9a54" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to police. Supporters took to the streets in protest, starting fires and clashing with police.
<div id="attachment_547553" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-547553" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-547553 size-medium" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/05/GettyImages-1253330247-300x200.jpg" alt="Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party activists and supporters of former Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran gather amid teargas fired by police during a protest against the arrest of their leader, in Peshawar on May 9, 2023. Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was arrested on May 9, police said, during a court appearance for one of dozens of cases pending since he was booted from office last year. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP)" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/05/GettyImages-1253330247-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/05/GettyImages-1253330247-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/05/GettyImages-1253330247-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/05/GettyImages-1253330247.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Photo by ABDUL MAJEED/AFP via Getty Images.</div>
Khan’s arrest came as he was set to go before the Islamabad High Court over mutiny and attempted murder cases, <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1751767/listen-to-me-carefully-imran-doubles-down-on-allegations-against-senior-military-official" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Dawn, an English-language Pakistani newspaper. Since his removal last year, Khan has been in court battles over whether he would be able to run for office and has faced allegations of corruption. 
He has also led the charge for earlier elections throughout Pakistan, as his populist political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has gained public support in the aftermath of Khan’s ouster.  
Just before he was arrested, Khan, 71,  had said that an intelligence officer was trying to kill him. “This man tried to kill me twice and whenever an investigation is carried out, I will prove that it was this man and there is a whole gang with him,” he said.
“If someone has a warrant, come to me directly … I am prepared to go to jail,” he added. “Do us a favor and don’t stage such a drama and directly provide a warrant.”
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The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing for Pakistan’s Armed Forces, <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1751602/baseless-allegations-by-pti-chief-against-serving-military-officer-unacceptable-ispr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> Khan’s claims “irresponsible and baseless” as well as “extremely unfortunate, deplorable and unacceptable.”
“This has been a consistent pattern for the last year wherein military and intelligence agencies officials are targeted with insinuations and sensational propaganda for the furtherance of political objectives,” the statement continued. 
Pakistan&#8217;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned Khan’s comments, saying they wouldn’t be “tolerated.”
“Imran Niazi&#8217;s act of routinely maligning and threatening Pakistan Army and Intelligence Agency for the sake of petty political gains is highly condemnable. His leveling of allegations without any proof against Gen Faisal Naseer and officers of our Intelligence Agency cannot be allowed and will not be tolerated,” he said.

PAKISTAN-POLITICS-PROTEST-KHAN

Former Prime Minister Of South Asian Country Arrested By Paramilitary Forces

Global Politics

A suicide bomber targeted police at a crowded mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, killing at least 47 people and injuring more than 150 others.
Most of the people who died were police officers, The Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-peshawar-mosque-bombing-e632e0afcf948bc0502f5dfbd19359c1">reported</a>, in what is the latest attack against law enforcement in the city by Islamist militants. Hospital officials <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/blast-mosque-pakistans-peshawar-70-injured-2023-01-30/">told</a> Reuters that many of the wounded were in critical condition.
A Pakistani Taliban commander, Sarbakaf Mohmand, reportedly took responsibility for the attack on Twitter, the AP reported. His group, officially known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), comprises Sunni and sectarian Islamist groups dedicated to overthrowing the Pakistani government and imposing Islamic rule, Reuters reported. The group is separate from the Afghan Taliban but remains a close ally of the terrorist group that seized power in Afghanistan following the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal from the region.
Mohmand said the attack was revenge for the killing of Abdul Wali, also known as Omar Khalid Khurasani, who was killed in Afghanistan in August 2022, the AP reported.
The attack occurred during noon prayers and was strong enough to cause a wall to collapse on top of people who were worshiping. It is unclear how the bomber was able to get into the building, which is located inside a fortified compound that includes the Sunni mosque as well as the headquarters for the provincial police force and a counter-terrorism department, Reuters reported.
&#8220;We&#8217;re getting that the terrorist was standing in the first row,&#8221; Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said, according to the outlet.
More than 300 worshipers were inside the mosque for noon prayers, with even more coming in, when the bomber detonated his explosives vest, the AP reported. Police told the outlet that rescuers worked quickly to remove debris to reach worshippers trapped under the rubble.
The latest attack was the city&#8217;s deadliest since March 2022, when Islamic State militants committed a suicide bombing at a Shi’ite Muslim mosque in Peshawar during a prayer service, killing at least 58 people and injuring nearly 200, Reuters reported.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif vowed “stern action” against the group behind the attack and traveled to Peshawar to visit those injured. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also spoke out against what he referred to as a “terrorist suicide attack” on Twitter, the AP reported.
“My prayers &amp; condolences go to victims (sic) families,” Khan wrote. “It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering &amp; properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.”
Khan lost power last April when he received a no-confidence vote in parliament, leading to Sharif taking control of the government.

PAKISTAN-UNREST-BLAST

Suicide Bomber Targeting Police Kills 47, Injures More Than 150 During Prayer Service

Mosques

Taliban

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000008738334/pakistan-power-outage-blackout.html?playlistId=video/world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">experienced</a> a largescale <a href="https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pakistan-power-grid-hit-nationwide-043945570.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">power</a> <a href="https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2023/01/23/Pakistan-power-outage/5561674479393/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outage</a> on <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/lights-out-in-pakistan-as-energy-saving-move-backfires/2023/01/23/0b76a044-9af6-11ed-93e0-38551e88239c_story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monday</a> morning, bringing to light problems with the country&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">electrical</a> grid.
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-23/pakistan-faces-major-nationwide-power-breakdown-ministry-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Millions</a> of <a href="https://time.com/6249261/pakistan-power-outage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">people</a> <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/pakistan-power-outage-today-blackout-latest-b2267156.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">across</a> the <a href="https://kelo.com/2023/01/23/factbox-why-were-millions-of-pakistanis-without-electricity/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">country</a> were <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pakistan-power-outage-today-blackout-energy-crisis-economic-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">without</a> power when a major <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/22/asia/pakistan-power-outage-intl-hnk/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blackout</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/23/world/asia/pakistan-power-outage-blackouts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">started</a> at 7:34 in the morning local time. Authorities said that the power was back on in areas of Islamabad, as well as the nearby city of Rawalpindi, after eight hours had gone by, according to The New York Times. 
According to reporting from Pakistani <a href="https://dbpedia.org/page/Dawn_Media_Group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outlet</a> <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1733207/hours-after-major-outage-hits-pakistan-govt-says-power-restoration-under-way">Dawn</a>, the majority of the 220 million people who live in the country were impacted.
The blackout started in Sindh Province because of a power rush in voltage, according to local authorities. The energy minister, Khurram Dastgir Khan, said at a press conference that the voltage issue prompted a domino effect of electricity plants not working around Pakistan. 
Dastgir had also reportedly <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64369144" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that the situation was “not a major crisis,” but lots of residences and businesses did not have power over 12 hours after the outage started. 
He told Geo TV that some of the power was shut off during the night because of the winter season, per the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64369144" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>.
“In winter, the demand for electricity reduces nationwide, hence, as an economic measure, we temporarily close down our power generation systems at night,&#8221; he said. 
However, when the systems were turned on again, &#8220;frequency variation and voltage fluctuation&#8221; were seen in the <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/pakistan-s-national-grid-fails-for-the-second-time-in-three-months-123012301409_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">southern</a> part of the country &#8220;somewhere between Dadu and Jamshoro&#8221; and then &#8220;power generating units shut down one by one,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also <a href="https://arynews.tv/pm-shehbaz-sharif-takes-notice-of-countrywide-power-break-down/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">established</a> a high level group to look into the massive blackout.
Even though areas started to see electricity come back on, per Dastgir, experts have <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-suffers-major-power-outage-after-grid-failure-2023-01-23/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> the electric issues come from the fact that the electric grid is older. The government, however, reportedly claims that it doesn’t have the money to improve it.
In 2020, Prime Minister Imran Khan <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-energy-climate-change-featur/pakistan-faces-an-unexpected-dilemma-too-much-electricity-idUSKBN2AO27C" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that 60% of the country&#8217;s electricity would be made from renewable energy by 2030.
The electrical grid in the country has been a source of problems over the past several years. According to a 2018 blog <a href="https://blogs.worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/what-s-keeping-pakistan-dark" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> for the World Bank regarding the <a href="https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/30923/9781464811548.pdf?sequence=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a>, &#8220;In the Dark,&#8221; almost 50 million people in Pakistan weren’t able to utilize the electric grid. Pakistan also came in 115th place in a 2018 report on 137 economies’ power reliability. 
In 2021, Reuters <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-energy-climate-change-featur/pakistan-faces-an-unexpected-dilemma-too-much-electricity-idUSKBN2AO27C" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> on a new issue in the country, in that it could make much more electricity than it had been able to in the past, mainly due to an increase in coal plants that China has paid for. 
&#8220;We have been adding capacity, but we have been doing so without improving transmission infrastructure,&#8221; Fahad Rauf, leader of research at Karachi brokerage Ismail Iqbal Industries, said more recently, per <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-suffers-major-power-outage-after-grid-failure-2023-01-23/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a>.

7803F027-9103-415D-979D-24C8C88493EA_1_201_a

Report: Tens Of Millions Experience Major Blackout In Pakistan

Energy

Power

The first <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pakistan">Pakistani</a> movie to debut at <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/cannes">Cannes</a> Film Festival, “Joyland,” has been banned in its home country due to themes that the government deemed inappropriate.
“Joyland” got yanked from the schedule just one week before it was supposed to premiere in theaters, per <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/15/asia/pakistan-joyland-release-blocked-intl-hnk/index.html">CNN</a>. The country’s Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) granted a certificate permitting the movie’s release as of this summer, but on Friday that decision changed. 
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a notice saying “Joyland” was now “uncertified” due to the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/movies">movie’s</a> content, which features a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/transgender">transgender</a> love story.
The notice cited complaints accusing the film of having “highly objectionable material” that contradicts “social values and moral standards of our society.”
According to the movie’s page on the Cannes <a href="https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/festival/films/joyland">website</a>, “Joyland” is about “a happily patriarchal joint family” who “yearn for the birth of a baby boy to continue the family line.” But then, “their youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for an ambitious trans starlet. Their impossible love story slowly illuminates the entire Rana family’s desire for a sexual rebellion.”
“Joyland” won the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize and the unofficial Queer Palm at Cannes in May, the publication noted. It was submitted to the Oscars for consideration as Pakistan’s official entry. Now that it won’t be released locally as planned, “Joyland” runs the risk of being disqualified as it must be shown in theaters for at least seven days before November 30 to be eligible for the international feature film award.
Filmmakers could find a workaround if they’re able to release “Joyland” in another country besides the United States before that deadline. 
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan released a <a href="https://twitter.com/hrcp87/status/1591686495878152192">statement</a> on the withdrawal of certification for “Joyland” as “rabidly transphobic.” The organization also accused the Pakistani government of “[violating] the film producers&#8217; right to freedom of expression.” 
Director Saim Sadiq also complained about the decision on Instagram, saying the ban was “absolutely unconstitutional and illegal.”
“Return the right of our citizens to be able to watch the film that has made their country’s cinema proud world over,” Sadiq <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck6CNP5Mrlr/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D">shared</a>.
“Our film got seen and certified by all three censor boards in August 2022. The 18th amendment in the Pakistani constitution gives all of provinces the autonomy to make their own decision. Yet the Ministry suddenly caved under pressure from a few extremist factions – who have not seen the film – and made a mockery of our federal censor board by rendering their decision irrelevant.”
“Joyland” star Alina Khan, who is the first trans-identifying Pakistani person to star in a movie, also reacted strongly to the ban. 
“I’ve been very sad. There’s nothing against Islam and I don’t understand how Islam can get endangered by mere films,” Khan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/nov/15/alina-khan-joyland-pakistani-trans-film-ban">told</a> The Guardian. “The Pakistani trans community was also very upset.&#8221;

“Joyland” Photocall  – The 75th Annual Cannes Film Festival

Pakistan Blocks Release Of Transgender Love Story ‘Joyland,’ Creator Seeks Workaround For Oscar Bid

Pakistan Blocks Release Of Transgender Love Story 'Joyland,' Creator Seeks Workaround For Oscar Bid

Cannes

Entertainment

Movies

Transgender

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was shot in an alleged assassination attempt Thursday. He was rushed to the hospital where he is in stable condition, and the alleged gunman has been arrested.
Khan was waving to a crowd from atop a container truck during a protest march when shots rang out. The former prime minister, as well as several of his supporters, were injured in the attack. One person has reportedly died.
A spokesperson for Khan’s political party, PTI, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/shots-fired-near-convoy-former-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-media-2022-11-03/">told</a> Reuters that “it was a clear assassination attempt. Khan was hit but he’s stable. There was a lot of bleeding.”
The suspected shooter was immediately taken into custody and police later released <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxyNGCEm7s&amp;ab_channel=ARYNews">video</a> of the suspect allegedly confessing to the shooting.
The suspect, who has been identified by Pakistan’s Information Minister as Faisal Butt, said in the video that he acted alone and  “Only Imran Khan was my target,” <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-imran-khan-injured-d9f4bf37c30146fb8dbfce41ec102b97">according</a> to the Associated Press.
In April, Khan was removed from the his position as prime minister by a no-confidence vote in parliament after he was accused of corruption and violating the constitution, CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/03/former-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-reportedly-shot-and-wounded.html">reported</a>. Then, in October, Pakistan&#8217;s election commission prohibited Khan from holding office again for five years because of &#8220;corrupt practices.&#8221;
As a result of Khan’s removal from office, small protests by his supporters erupted throughout the country.
For the past week, Khan has been on a campaign tour from Lahore to Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, calling for early elections and radical change in Pakistan elections. A large convoy of trucks and cars has grown around Khan&#8217;s tour, and he was six days into the protest procession when he was shot.
In a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KvKN5I4T5Y&amp;ab_channel=GeoNews">press conference</a> announcing his march, he explained, “I am marching to press the government to announce elections immediately,” adding that his supporters should avoid any violence.
Among the wounded was Faisal Javed, a Pakistani lawmaker, who said in a video after the shooting that the attack would not stop Khan’s march to the capital.
Khan’s calls for snap elections have not quite panned out. The Pakistani government has reaffirmed that elections will be held as scheduled next year.

The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Visit Islamabad – Day Two

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Shot

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