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

Pakistan

Taliban

Terrorism

World

<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

Global Politics

A third of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan</a> is underwater amid intense flooding that began in mid-June and has claimed over a thousand lives. 
About 33 million people have been affected by the <a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/08/1125752" target="_blank" rel="noopener">record levels of flooding</a>, leaving over 1,000 people dead and causing an <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/initial-economic-losses-pakistan-floods-least-10-bln-planning-minister-2022-08-29/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">estimated</a> $10 billion in damages. On Tuesday, the United Nations announced an appeal for $160 million in aid for the country. 
“The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids,” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/united-nations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a> Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video posted to Twitter, explaining the disaster as “the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids. More than 1000 people have been killed &#8211; with millions more lives shattered. 
This colossal crisis requires urgent, collective action to help the Government &amp; people of Pakistan in their hour of need. <a href="https://t.co/aVFFy4Irwa">pic.twitter.com/aVFFy4Irwa</a>
&mdash; António Guterres (@antonioguterres) <a href="https://twitter.com/antonioguterres/status/1564556094680227841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN Humanitarian Coordination Office (OCHA), said Tuesday that 500,000 people have been displaced and almost one million homes have been damaged. Damaged infrastructure, including 3,500 km of roads and 150 bridges, has hindered people&#8217;s ability to flee to safer ground. Many of the dead are children, she said. 
Pakistan Climate Minister Sherry Rehman said on Monday that a third of the country is underwater, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pakistan-floods-un-appeal-aid-monsoon-climate-change-rcna45219" target="_blank" rel="noopener">calling</a> the floods “the monster monsoon of the decade.” She also attributed the disaster to climate change. 
The United Nations&#8217; $160 million aid plan is designed to reach “5.2 million of the most vulnerable people in the country,” with the objective of delivering lifesaving assistance, preventing disease outbreaks, and ensuring access to assistance and protection. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has also <a href="https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/aug-30-2022-united-states-providing-additional-30-million-critical-humanitarian-assistance-pakistan-flooding" target="_blank" rel="noopener">committed</a> $30 million in aid. 
The floodwaters in select areas of Pakistan started receding as the rain stopped three days ago, The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/30/pakistan-flooding-underwater-monsoon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. After reviewing the damages caused by the floods, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “I can say without any fear of contradiction, this flood situation is probably the worst in the history of Pakistan.”
Intense flooding isn’t new to Pakistan. Historic floods <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62722117" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crushed the country</a> in 2010, killing almost 2,000 people in what became at the time the deadliest flood in its history.
&nbsp;

Human settlement alongside of river

‘Monster Monsoon,’ Flooding Kills Over A Thousand In Pakistan: Officials

‘Monster Monsoon Of The Decade,’ Flooding Kills Over A Thousand In Pakistan

United Nations

Weather

Monsoon rains and widespread flooding have killed dozens of people in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/india">India</a>, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pakistan">Pakistan</a>, and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/afghanistan">Afghanistan</a> in recent days, and the torrential downpours have displaced hundreds of thousands.
Officials <a href="https://weather.com/news/weather/video/monsoon-flood-kills-hundreds-in-india-pakistan">reported</a> that at least 40 people had been killed in flooding and landslides across Northern India, with several others reported missing. Hundreds more were displaced or needed to be evacuated by search and rescue teams.
In Pakistan, 37 people were killed in the <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flash-floods-afghanistan-pakistan-dozens-dead-today-2022-08-21/">most recent round</a> of floods — since the middle of June, authorities report that 820 have been killed and 320,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
Similar <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/23/asia/afghanistan-floods-august-deaths-intl-hnk/index.html">flash flooding</a> in Afghanistan has killed at least 95 people, according to authorities, and injured hundreds of others. Thousands of homes were reportedly destroyed.
“Winter is arriving soon and these affected families that include women and children do not have shelter to live under. All their agricultural farms and orchards have either been completely destroyed or their harvest has been damaged,&#8221; Deputy Minister of Disaster Management Mawlawi Sharafuddin Muslim <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/23/asia/afghanistan-floods-august-deaths-intl-hnk/index.html">told CNN</a>. &#8220;If these people are not helped to get back to normalcy, their situation will definitely get worse in the coming weeks and months.&#8221;
Muslim called for increased aid from international organizations such as the United Nations for emergency relief, but given the frosty relationship between the Taliban and the international community, it is unclear how closely such organizations would be willing to cooperate with Afghan officials.
The Taliban <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/taliban-takes-over-more-major-afghan-cities-controls-majority-of-nation-seizes-u-s-military-weapons">regained control of the country</a> last year after a two-decades long war with a U.S.-led NATO coalition, and international observers have expressed concern that the government is once again <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/al-qaeda-now-has-safe-haven-in-afghanistan-under-taliban-operating-with-freedom-of-action-u-n-report">providing a safe haven</a> for Al Qaeda and other radical islamist terror groups. Earlier this month, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Osama Bin Laden’s mentor and successor as leader of the infamous group behind the 9/11 terror attacks, was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-u-s-intel-kills-leader-of-al-qaeda-who-took-over-after-bin-laden-reports-say">killed by a U.S. drone strike</a> in the Afghan capital of Kabul, at the home of a high ranking Taliban official.
The <a href="https://www.solaceglobal.com/report/2018-south-asia-monsoon-season/">monsoon season</a> in South Asia extends from June to September, although peak rainfall is usually seen in July and August.

PAKISTAN-WEATHER-FLOOD

Hundreds Killed In Monsoon Floods Across South Asia

Afghanistan

India

Natural Disaster

In late June, Israel’s parliament<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/israeli-parliament-votes-to-dissolve-itself-triggering-fifth-election-in-under-four-years"> voted</a> to dissolve itself, triggering the country’s fifth election in just three years. This forced Yair Lapid into the role of interim prime minister as yet another legislative election is scheduled for November 1. <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/poll-indicates-netanyahu-led-bloc-inching-toward-majority-with-60-seats/">Polls</a> indicate an uphill battle for Lapid as he is set to face off with the veteran former Prime Minister, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/ep-130-benjamin-natanyahu">Benjamin Netanyahu</a>.
Just over a year ago, Lapid was the architect of a coalition government consisting of eight different parties which joined forces to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/06/13/world/israel-knesset-bennett-lapid-netanyahu">end</a> the 12-year reign of Netanyahu, who was Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.
For those not familiar with the parliamentary system of democracy, it differs from the American system. A parliamentary nation is led by a prime minister, who is the elected head of the legislative branch, instead of a separately elected executive like our president. This system was created primarily by nations with monarchies, such as Great Britain, Norway, or Spain, or who were formerly controlled by them. And while America has a two-party system, there are a myriad of parties in a parliamentary system, so deals have to be carefully crafted between multiple groups with differing policies.
Thus, it would be like a coalition of congressional members electing a speaker, and that person running the nation as opposed to having the checks and balances of a separate executive branch.
The majority of European nations are parliamentary democracies. Yet, thanks to political infighting, some of the world’s most stable parliamentary democracies have recently had their entire governments <a href="https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/democracy-retreat">upended</a>. Amid <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/as-america-sleeps-a-dangerous-axis-develops">growing threats</a> from the axis of China, Russia, and Iran, this instability projects a frightening level of western weakness to our enemies on the world stage.
<h4>Great Britain, France, and Italy</h4>
Last month, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wlwt.com/article/whats-next-for-uk-boris-johnson/40549219">Boris Johnson</a> resigned as Conservative Party leader &#8212; and thus, as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom – after an internal revolt. Now his party must choose his <a href="https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/world/boris-johnsons-successor-will-have-a-huge-mess-on-their-hands/">successor</a>.
Just across the channel, <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/france-learns-parliamentary-democracy-the-hard-way/">France</a> is having to relearn parliamentary democracy, and initial signs indicate that as a nation averse to compromise, it isn’t enjoying the experience. For the first time in a long time, French President Macron is ruling without a legislative majority in the National Assembly his favor. In June, his party <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/06/20/french-president-macron-loses-absolute-parliamentary-majority/">suffered losses</a> in their legislative elections.
For six decades, the French parliament served largely as an echo chamber for each party’s lofty policy goals. As the various opposition parties had little influence, these legislators were treated as “yes men” who created laws for the ruling party to implement. That changed after PM Macron failed to build a <a href="https://theconversation.com/german-election-explained-why-is-it-always-so-hard-to-form-a-government-168040">German-style coalition</a> based on a negotiated policy program, giving opposition groups scope to propose amendments and negotiate article-by-article on each bill. This instability is felt across France’s eastern border as well.
In February, Italian PM <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/26/italians-fear-return-of-instability-if-mario-draghi-quits-to-become-president">Mario Draghi</a> tried to run for President to shield his rule from feuding coalitions in parliament, and was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/anyone-draghi-how-an-italian-presidential-bid-fell-flat-2022-02-02/">not successful</a>. Since the presidential vote, Draghi pushed back on calls by various political parties to expand the gaping Italian budget deficit, in order to address spiraling <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-30/italy-approves-energy-relief-as-draghi-battles-spike-in-prices">energy prices</a>. Draghi, the former European Central Bank (ECB) president, is determined<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-19/mario-draghi-is-putting-pressure-on-his-coalition-partners-after-missing-out-on-the-italian-presidency"> to re-establish his authority</a> and pull his fractious coalition into line at a time when the ECB is shifting toward <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-14/all-crisis-scenarios-lead-to-rome-as-ecb-starts-raising-rates">tightening monetary policy</a>, pushing up the cost of borrowing for the Italian state.
<h4>Pakistan and Tunisia</h4>
This shaking of the world’s most popular system of democracy also has major implications on global security.
Following the United States&#8217;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/one-year-later-bidens-botched-withdrawal-from-the-the-graveyard-of-empires"> botched withdrawal</a> from Afghanistan in 2021, neighboring Pakistan&#8217;s parliament held a <a href="https://thediplomat.com/2022/07/as-imran-khan-seeks-a-comeback-all-eyes-on-by-elections-in-pakistans-punjab/">no-confidence vote</a> in 2022 against its then-Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). A popular former cricket star, Khan continues to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/02/world/asia/imran-khan-pakistan-no-confidence.html">speak out</a> against his country’s military leadership for its alleged role in orchestrating the no-confidence vote.
Now under <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/as-default-looms-pakistan-army-chief-bajwa-seeks-us-help-on-release-of-imf-loan/ar-AA10aUT3">questionable</a> military rule and <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/topstories/no-progress-in-resuming-trade-with-pakistan-centre-tells-parliament/ar-AA1041CD">fraying economic ties</a> with its neighbors, Pakistan &#8212; arguably the world&#8217;s most unstable nuclear power – now shares a border with a hardline Taliban government. Undeterred, Khan continues his plea <a href="https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2022/07/18/pakistan-imran-khan-elections/9741658158285/">for elections</a> for 20 seats in the Punjab provincial assembly.
Meanwhile, in the terrorist hot-bed of North Africa, formerly French-controlled <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20220702-tunisia-s-draft-constitution-ending-the-parliamentary-regime-or-undoing-democracy">Tunisia</a> may be ending their parliamentary system all together. Tunisian President Kais Saied delivered his draft for a new constitution to the public in February to decide the fate of the only democracy emerging from the 2014 <a href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/tunisia-was-the-only-democracy-to-blossom-from-the-arab-spring-now-its-a-mess/">Arab Spring</a>.
<a href="https://www.france24.com/en/tag/tunisia/">Tunisia</a>’s political crisis started on <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/tunisian-president-relieves-prime-minister-his-post-2021-07-25/">July 25, 2021</a>, when a poor response to the coronavirus, collapsing healthcare, and economic decline produced rampant protests. 
According to France24.com, the Tunisian president began with <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/tag/kais-saied/">sweeping moves</a>, “ invoked emergency powers under Article 80 of the Constitution to remove the prime minister, suspend parliament for a month, revoke parliamentary immunity, and do away with most of the constitution itself.”
<h4>Democracy in The Middle East</h4>
This brings us back to Israel, arguably America’s biggest intelligence ally and the only true democracy in the Middle East. In recent months legacy Western media outlets have tried to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/04/27/israel-report-apartheid/">paint the Israeli government as an apartheid state.</a> While it’s clear that Israel’s democracy is <a href="https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-712746">under attack</a>, it is certainly not an apartheid state. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East with both a Jewish and an <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/new-israeli-government-ousts-longtime-prime-minister-netanyahu">outgoing coalition</a> which includes an Arab party.
Regardless, Israelis are going back to the polls in November for the fifth time in three and a half years because, under its broken parliamentary system, the populous leader of the country was unable to form a coalition of numerous parties to run the government. This is because in previous elections, the <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/netanyahu-facing-ouster-claims-his-potential-replacement-cant-stand-up-to-biden">Benjamin Netanyahu</a>-led Likud party received the most votes from the public, but was boycotted by smaller parties in parliament, resulting in <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/03/23/israel-election-netanyahu/">political deadlock.</a>
After a year of disagreements, and while COVID was locking down world economies, Netanyahu formed a coalition government with Benny Gantz in May of 2020. Netanyahu’s Likud Party won with 36 seats and Gantz brought another 15.
But the political peace was short lived. Israel held another round of elections in March of 2021.
So in the context of recent arguments over America’s <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/many-liberal-pundits-hate-electoral-163306559.html">Electoral College</a>, imagine how Israelis feel. In recent elections, the Likud party won 30 seats, almost twice as many as the current prime minister’s left-wing party, who received 17 seats. Nonetheless, Lapid <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-bennett-lapid-reach-agreement-on-forming-coalition-to-oust-netanyahu/">formed a coalition</a> with former Prime Minister <a href="https://www.allisrael.com/israeli-pm-naftali-bennett-losing-political-altitude-his-chief-of-staff-resigns-amidst-growing-coalition-defections-turbulence">Naftali Bennett</a>, who resigned as PM just<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/bennett-reportedly-turned-down-offer-from-lapid-to-serve-as-interim-foreign-minister/"> weeks ago</a>, and whose party received only seven seats and appointed the current prime minister of Israel. This resulted in the election of a prime minister with under 5% popularity and the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/06/13/netanyahu-ousted-after-12-years-as-israels-prime-minister/?sh=1882efea4925">ouster of Netanyahu,</a> which seems to have been the overriding and perhaps only objective of the outgoing government.
In 2009, when Netanyahu’s Likud party received 27 seats and created a coalition with the Kadima party’s 28 seats, a movement reportedly <a href="https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Report-Senate-panel-probing-Obama-administration-ties-to-effort-to-unseat-Netanyahu-393905">funded by</a> left wing American and European interests began to undermine Netanyahu’s populist reign. One of the major reasons for the endless rounds of elections over the past three years is what many perceive to be a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-linked-nonprofit-filed-for-new-irs-status-after-accusation-of-meddling-in-israeli-election">politically motivated</a> legal witch hunt against Netanyahu, which included an <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/unprecedented-netanyahu-indictment-roils-israeli-election">indictment</a> against him filed on the eve of elections. The allegations, revised four times, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/netanyahu-trial/">remain in court</a>.
Now, amid rising <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/04/middleeast/iran-nuclear-talks-doha-mime-intl/index.html">Iranian</a> aggression and <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-charged-with-terror-for-paving-stone-attack-that-seriously-injured-man/">Palestinian</a> terror attacks; recent polls show that voters want Netanyahu to <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/06/21/israel-government-dissolves-bennett-netanyahu-lapid-elections/">return</a> to office alongside a strong majority in parliament in upcoming elections. This is why it is imperative that Israel repair its parliamentary system by enacting a system similar to that more closely resembles the American system, where Israelis get to elect the leader of their choice in two-to-four year terms. This way, similar to our midterm congressional elections that offset our Presidential elections, Israelis may vote for representatives who can complement or balance the power of the elected prime minister, solidifying Israeli democracy in a time of great regional instability.
A. Benjamin <a href="https://abmannes.com/">Mannes</a>, MA, CPP served in both municipal and federal law enforcement, leading to his designation as a nationally recognized subject matter expert in security, public integrity, and criminal justice reform. He has served as a consultant and expert witness and as the Director, Office of Investigations for the American Board of Internal Medicine from 2008-2017.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Mannes – Are Parliamentary Democracies Dying On The World Stage_

Israel Is Not Alone With Parliamentary Upheaval

Congress

Democracy

France

Great Britain

Israel

Readers Pass

Spidey-senses everywhere were tingling when President Joe Biden, greeting the crowd at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, was quickly spirited away by none other than the Easter Bunny the minute serious foreign policy questions arose.
At first glance, Biden appeared to <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/biden-mocked-over-video-of-white-house-event-literally-no-one-wants-to-talk-to-joe-biden/">simply wander</a> over to greet some spectators — only to be approached by the Easter Bunny and <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/watch-easter-bunny-blocks-joe-biden-from-commenting-on-foreign-policy/">guided back away</a> from the gathered crowd.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Why is the Easter Bunny directing the President of the United States 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲 <a href="https://t.co/9bgXQJ6EXW">pic.twitter.com/9bgXQJ6EXW</a>
&mdash; Abigail Marone 🇺🇸 (@abigailmarone) <a href="https://twitter.com/abigailmarone/status/1516087183731535874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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But a closer look — from a different angle — revealed that Biden was talking foreign policy when the giant costumed rabbit intervened.
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Biden was incoherently mumbling about Afghanistan… so now we know why the Bunny ran over to interrupt… <a href="https://t.co/FthqFIgvHQ">pic.twitter.com/FthqFIgvHQ</a>
&mdash; Abigail Marone 🇺🇸 (@abigailmarone) <a href="https://twitter.com/abigailmarone/status/1516092382877470724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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And that was when people began asking in earnest: who was in the bunny suit?
&#8220;Gotta know who was in the bunny suit,&#8221; Abigail Marone, press secretary for Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) tweeted.
&#8220;Who&#8217;s inside the bunny suit?&#8221; the Washington Examiner&#8217;s Byron York asked.
And others quickly followed suit, with some offering their own theories — from press secretary Jen Psaki to Vice President Kamala Harris — as to who it might be:
<ul>
<li>&#8220;We need to know who was in that Easter Bunny suit.&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;Surprised Ron Klain fit into the bunny suit, good for him.&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;Plot twist: Trump is in the bunny suit.&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;Is Kamala in the bunny suit? Seriously though this is genuinely disturbing.&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;Odds that it’s Susan Rice in the bunny suit?&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;How much do you want to bet Jill Biden is in the bunny suit?&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;Is Psaki in the bunny suit?&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;Was that Obama in the bunny suit guiding Biden today?&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;I think I speak for most Americans when I ask @PressSec … Why is the Easter Bunny directing the President?&#8221;</li>
</ul>
Christian Datoc, White House correspondent for the Washington Examiner, <a href="https://twitter.com/TocRadio/status/1516050227333111810">tweeted</a>, &#8220;When will the Biden administration quit dodging questions and tell us who’s gonna be in the bunny suit today at the White House Easter egg roll? The American people deserve the truth!!!&#8221;
&#8220;Don’t rt this if it’s you @WHCOS,&#8221; Datoc <a href="https://twitter.com/TocRadio/status/1516050888233828355">added</a>.
White House press assistant Angela Perez gave a little peek behind the scenes, sharing a photo with the caption, &#8220;Hopping on a Zoom call.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Hopping on a zoom call. 🐰 <a href="https://t.co/voxLi3lA77">pic.twitter.com/voxLi3lA77</a>
&mdash; Angela Perez (@ADCPerez46) <a href="https://twitter.com/ADCPerez46/status/1516080822993960964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;So we now know the Easter Bunny was someone inside the comms shop,&#8221; Red State&#8217;s Bonchie <a href="https://twitter.com/bonchieredstate/status/1516102918365143048">tweeted</a>. &#8220;The White House literally put one of Biden&#8217;s handlers in an Easter Bunny suit to keep him from talking to reporters. Just incredible stuff.&#8221;
A second &#8220;reveal&#8221; came from White House Director of Message Planning Meghan Hays.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> SURPRISE! <a href="https://t.co/tE1dvRYkj6">pic.twitter.com/tE1dvRYkj6</a>
&mdash; Meghan Hays (@MegHays46) <a href="https://twitter.com/MegHays46/status/1516128094737813515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;It looks like Meghan Hays, the WH director of &#8216;message planning,&#8217; was the bunny who interrupted POTUS’ comments on Afghanistan,&#8221; Marone <a href="https://twitter.com/abigailmarone/status/1516130187473211395">responded</a>. &#8220;Clearly Biden’s message was not planned.&#8221;
&#8220;The Easter Bunny who censored Biden&#8217;s attempt to answer a reporter&#8217;s question today seems to be Meghan Hays, who has gotten much of the blame from reporters for poor WH press access,&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/stevennelson10/status/1516180528101302272">added</a> the New York Post&#8217;s D.C. reporter Steven Nelson.

President Biden Hosts Annual White House Easter Egg Roll

‘Who’s Inside The Bunny Suit?’: The Big Reveal Explains Why The Easter Bunny Wouldn’t Let Biden Go Off-Script

Easter

Foreign Policy

Joe Biden

White House

On Monday, a Pakistani court ruled a man who killed his sister, a social media star, in what he claimed was an “honor killing,” could be set free.
In 2016, Waseem Azeem secretly gave his sister, Qandeel Baloch, (born Fauzia Azeem) then 26, a sedative and then strangled her, as he later admitted. Azeem was sentenced to life in prison in 2019, but on Monday a court ruled he could be released after his parents granted him forgiveness, saying that because his parents forgave him for murdering his sister, Islamic law ruled he must be released.
Sardar Mehboob, Azeem’s attorney told <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/15/pakistan-qandeel-baloch-brother-honor-killing-acquittal/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=wp_main">The Washington Post</a>, “The appeal court has acquitted the accused in the case on the grounds of a family settlement and lack of evidence&#8230;.There is nothing left in the case. The convict will be released soon from the prison.”
Baloch had auditioned for “Pakistan Idol” and been rejected, but a <a href="https://youtu.be/QO-alf0lBgY?t=4m34s">video</a> of her reaction went viral. The Post reported, “She leveraged her brief moment of social media fame to attract thousands of fans to her Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts, where she regularly <a href="https://images.dawn.com/news/1175874">posted </a>pictures and videos of herself, some deemed provocative in Pakistan, which led to online trolling and abuse.”
After he confessed to murdering his sister, Azeem <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/07/18/before-she-was-murdered-by-her-brother-in-an-apparent-honor-killing-who-was-qandeel-baloch/">said</a>, “I was determined either to kill myself or kill her&#8230;I have no regrets. &#8230; Money matters, but family honor is more important.”
Azeem’s mother, Anwar Bibi, said, I am happy over the acquittal of my son, but we are still sad for our daughter’s loss&#8230;.I am thankful to the court, which ordered the release of my son at our request,” <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pakistani-court-acquits-models-killer-on-parents-pardon/2022/02/14/90897084-8da2-11ec-8ddd-52136988d263_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_13">according </a>to the Associated Press.
In 2016, the Pakistani Parliament unanimously approved anti-honor killing and anti-rape bills; if a killer received a death sentence, relatives of the victim could pardon the killer but there would still be a mandatory life sentence of twelve-and-a-half years.
The Post took note of those who harshly criticized the court’s decision:
Pakistani human rights activist Usama Khilji: “What message does this give to men &amp; women in Pakistan? Men can kill with impunity. Women aren’t safe even in their own homes; &amp; the law won’t protect them.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Waseem proudly confessed to killing his sister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandeelBaloch?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandeelBaloch</a> for “honour”. Waseem has been acquitted by Lahore High Court. What message does this give to men &amp; women in Pakistan?
Men can kill with impunity. Women aren’t safe even in their own homes; &amp; the law won’t protect them <a href="https://t.co/LH2BPG8r5R">pic.twitter.com/LH2BPG8r5R</a>
&mdash; Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) <a href="https://twitter.com/UsamaKhilji/status/1493327391694929925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Pakistani lawyer Nighat Dad:
<blockquote>This man who confessed of killing Qandeel, his own sister, is a free man today in the same country where Qandeel couldn’t live her life freely &amp; was honor killed for the choices she made as a free citizen of this country&#8230;This acquittal has happened even when law was amended followed by Qandeel’s cold blooded murder and state vowed to become party in the case. This is the sorry state of not so sorry State…we are sorry Qandeel. Shocked and speechless.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
This acquittal has happened even when law was amended followed by Qandeel’s cold blooded murder and state vowed to become party in the case. This is the sorry state of not so sorry State…we are sorry Qandeel. Shocked and speechless. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandeelBaloch?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandeelBaloch</a>
&mdash; Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) <a href="https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1493218932311867395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Saroop Ijaz, senior counsel Asia for Human Rights Watch, told The Post, “Many people thought that Qandeel’s killing and the attention it received would be a watershed moment in how Pakistani justice system treats ‘honor’ killings, however it is clear that there is still a long way to go. &#8230; Sadly, it is a distinct possibility that more ‘honor’ killings would happen in Pakistan unless the authorities urgently and robustly undertake the efforts at legal, social and political reforms.”
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Man Strangled Sister, A Social Media Star, In ‘Honor Killing.’ Pakistani Court Sets Him Free.

Honor Killing

A Pakistani singer who two years ago accused a pop star of groping her in a recording studio now faces up to three years in prison for “criminal defamation.”
Meesha Shafi’s allegations against Ali Zafar sparked Pakistan’s #MeToo movement, which allows women to publicly accuse men of sexual harassment and assault without providing any evidence. Shafi attempted to have her case adjudicated under Pakistan’s law against sexual harassment in the workplace, but because she was not an employee of Zafar’s when they toured together, multiple courts have thrown out her case. In order for her to get her allegations adjudicated under the law against sexual assault outside the workplace, she would have had to file a police report, which she has not.
The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/pakistani-singer-faces-prosecution-for-accusing-pop-star-of-groping-her-11615554001">reported</a> that Shafi, along with several other women who made allegations against Zafar, is now being prosecuted for “criminal defamation” and faces up to three years in prison. The charge was brought against Shafi and the other accusers after Zafar made a complaint to authorities.
Neither side has proved their case, yet activists have claimed that charging Shafi will keep other women from bringing forward their allegations. If Shafi lied, however, then there is no reason to believe real victims wouldn’t come forward simply because a false accuser was punished.
Zafar has adamantly denied Shafi’s claims as well as those of other women, saying the allegations have hurt his career.
“By the time I prove my case, the damage will be irreparable,” he said, according to the Journal. “It already is, in many ways.”
Shafi claimed Zafar groped her multiple times, but her court allegations focus on an alleged incident in December 2017 at a recording studio in Zafar’s house. The two were rehearsing for a concert, which continued afterward as planned. In addition to the criminal complaint Zafar filed over what he called a smear campaign, the pop star also filed a civil defamation claim, seeking more than $6 million in damages from Shafi, the Journal reported.
One of the women who accused Zafar has since retracted her claim and apologized, so Zafar asked prosecutors to remove her from the defamation case. They agreed.
It is difficult in Pakistan for women to come forward and to receive equal treatment. From the Journal:
<blockquote>A march in the capital, Islamabad, on March 8 for International Women’s Day was guarded by rings of police, after attendees were attacked last year by stone-throwing men who were incensed by their slogan, “My body, my choice.” The marchers were accused in an online campaign this year of blasphemy, based on a misinterpretation of a banner, a dangerous and often lethal charge to make in Pakistan.
Government officials say they are making progress on women’s rights, while acknowledging there remains much to do. In December, the government instituted a new rape law—which needs to be approved by Parliament to become permanent—aimed at speeding up convictions and toughening sentences. A law passed last year strengthened women’s property rights. The government says a program to give a monthly income supplement to the poorest families helps women.</blockquote>
Of course, “speeding up” rape convictions, as has been seen in other countries, often leads to evidence being ignored and the accused losing rights to defend themselves.

Meesha Shafi

She Claimed He Groped Her, Launching Pakistan’s #MeToo Movement. She Now Faces Three Years In Jail For ‘Criminal Defamation.’

MeToo

Sexual Assault

Four women who reportedly ran empowerment workshops in a volatile area of Pakistan were killed on Monday, according to local police and the women&#8217;s employer. The attack raises concerns as an increase in Taliban activity has recently been reported across certain areas of Pakistan.
Fayaz Khan is the chief executive of Bravo College of Technology in Peshawar. Khan said that the women were hired in order to help the local women of the area learn vocational skills such as sewing in North Waziristan.
“Is this the way to give back to someone for the hard work they were doing for the poor?” Khan said by telephone to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/four-women-trainers-killed-pakistan-attack-n1258493">NBC News</a>. “Their role was tremendous for the local community.”
The women were <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/four-women-trainers-killed-pakistan-attack-n1258493">reportedly</a> the targets of an attack as they passed through a deserted village near the town of Mirali in North Waziristan tribal district, according to police chief Shafiullah Gandapur.
<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/four-women-trainers-killed-pakistan-attack-n1258493">NBC News</a> reports,
<blockquote>North Waziristan runs along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan and served as a base for the Pakistani Taliban and other militants, including Al Qaeda, until 2014, when the army said it cleared the region of insurgents.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.</blockquote>
The killing comes in the midst of a surge of attacks that have been claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, notably &#8220;in the deeply conservative area in recent months and amid concern that the insurgents may be regrouping.&#8221;
Gandapur also said, “North Waziristan tribal district has suffered badly from militancy for a long time&#8230;The security situation has improved but still we face a lot of problems.”
The Pakistani Taliban are also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Notably, the group is not the same as the Afghan Taliban but holds a similar philosophy. Formed in 2007, the group seeks to overthrow the Pakistani government and establish a government that is in line with their stringent interpretation of Islam.
The Taliban do not currently control a particular area although they reportedly work in different places across Pakistan. In the areas that have been under Taliban control in the past, the group did not allow girls&#8217; education to take place. Women were also prohibited from working and nonprofit organizations were banned from operating.
Champions of girls&#8217; education have also historically been targeted. A member of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for shooting and badly injuring Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai in 2012. She had angered the Taliban by supporting and promoting girls’ education.
Even today, women who work for charities are in danger in Pakistan’s conservative tribal areas where lots of men and militants reportedly spurn &#8220;efforts to empower women in local society and paint them as stooges of the West.&#8221;
“The female social workers came here from towns and the nonprofit had not informed us before sending these females to this volatile area,” said Gandapur, the police chief. “Had they informed us before their visit, we would have provided them security and could have possibly avoided this unfortunate incident.”
Police also said they had launched a “search and strike” operation to try and arrest the attackers.

23937261-BABC-443E-8057-B17A1320167A_1_201_a

Four Women Who Taught Empowerment Workshops Killed In Pakistan

A high court in Pakistan, ruling against a Catholic family whose 13-year-old daughter was allegedly abducted by a 44-year-old Muslim man, validated the girl’s marriage to her reported abductor.
“Arzoo Raja had been taken from outside her home on October 13 and two days later, as the family searched for her, police announced that they had received marriage papers claiming that Arzoo was 18 and that she had converted to Islam to marry her 44-year-old abductor, Ali Azhar,” <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/pakistan-high-court-upholds-forced-marriage-of-abducted-catholic-minor/">The Catholic Herald</a> reports, adding, “The family were able to provide the authorities with an official birth certificate proving Arzoo was 13.”
When Arzoo’s family filed an appeal to the court, her mother told Aid to the Church in Need, “In the name of God, please rescue our daughter. We are deeply worried. Please help us. The abductor and his supporters are terrifying us and we are in danger from these people. Please listen to our appeal,” as <a href="https://www.persecution.org/2020/10/28/parents-13-year-old-abduction-victim-pakistan-appeal-return-daughter/">persecution.org</a> reported.
“According to a study by the Movement for Solidarity and Peace Pakistan, an estimated 1,000 Christian and Hindu women are abducted, forcefully married, and forcefully converted to Islam every year. Many of the victims are minors. Sexual assaults and fraudulent marriages are used by perpetrators to entrap victims and authorities are often complicit,&#8221; persecution.org added.
On October 27, prior to the court validating the marriage, Arzoo told the Sindh High Court of Pakistan she had recited the Islamic proclamation of faith. The court ruled, according to The Catholic Herald:
<blockquote>The petitioner initially belonged to the Christian religion. However, after the passage of time, the petitioner understood and realized that Islam is a universal religion and she asked her parents and other family members to embrace Islam but they flatly refused. Subsequently she accepted the religion of Islam before the religious person of Madressah Jamia Islamia. After embracing Islam, her new name is Arzoo Faatima; per learned counsel petitioner contracted her marriage to Azhar of her own free will and accord without duress and fear.</blockquote>
The court slammed the police “harassing” Arzoo after the alleged abduction, adding that authorities must now “provide protection to the newly-wedded wife.”
Outside the court, Arzoo’s mother reportedly begged, “Arzoo, come to your mama. He will kill you.”
Samson Salamat, the Christian chairman of the interreligious Movement for Tolerance, reacted to the verdict by stating, “I am distressed and disappointed with the position taken by the honorable court. A sexual act with a minor is felony even if she is willing. The court has validated a rape despite the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2014 that punishes contractors of child marriage with up to three years’ imprisonment. Can a judge, an army officer or a Pakistani politician tolerate handing over their minor daughter to a middle-aged man? What is the future of minority girls in Pakistan? Our courts favor the powerful. We still don’t have strong calls from a joint minority platform on forced conversions,” according to UCA News.
A protest against the court’s ruling was scheduled for Wednesday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Join us at 3pm outside St Patrick’s Church to protest the child marriage and forced conversion of Arzoo Raja. <a href="https://t.co/6TA49o4tuU">pic.twitter.com/6TA49o4tuU</a>
&mdash; Siaasi Aurtain &#8211; سیاسی عورتیں (@SiaasiAurtain) <a href="https://twitter.com/SiaasiAurtain/status/1321382808137465856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Pakistani Court Validates Marriage Of 13-Year-Old Catholic Girl Allegedly Abducted By 44-Year-Old Muslim Man

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