Bodies of Morocco boat victims arrive today
ISLAMABAD:
The mortal remains of four Pakistani nationals, who died in a boat capsizing incident took place near the Moroccan port, will be repatriated on Wednesday.
The bodies were identified after an extensive process of verification by the NADRA, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
A boat carrying several Pakistanis was capsized near the Morroccan port of Dhakla on January 16.
The Pakistani nationals whose mortal remains are scheduled to arrive in Islamabad through a Saudi Airline flight SV726 include Hamid Shabbir (Passport No: CZ5133683), Muhammad Arslan Khan (Passport No: LM453261), Qaisar Iqbal (Passport No GR1331413) and Sajjad Ali (Passport No XX1836111).
The Embassy of Pakistan in Rabat, Morocco had informed that the repatriation of the mortal remains of other 13 Pakistani nationals perished in Morocco Boat incident were due in the ongoing week. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had directed the relevant departments to ensure all necessary arrangements to receive the bodies at the Islamabad International Airport as per standard operating procedures and protocols.
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Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan's rare fishing cat nears extinction amid habitat loss, pollution
Listen to article Pakistan has long been struggling with the gradual disappearance of its rare wildlife species due to a lethal mix of environmental and human-induced factors, including habitat destruction, dwindling water resources, pollution, and poaching. Among these vanishing species is the endangered Indus fishing cat, found mostly in the Indus River Delta and surrounding buffer areas, where its numbers have dropped dramatically over recent decades. Habitat loss, food scarcity, hunting, and growing human populations have significantly impacted this rare feline, which plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems, according to experts. 'The past two decades have appeared to be disastrous for this environment-friendly animal, mainly because of the destruction of wetlands and killings by local people,' Saeed-ul-Islam, a senior Pakistani wildlife expert, told Anadolu. Although official surveys have yet to determine precise figures, Islam explained that conservative estimates suggest the cat's population in Pakistan has declined by more than 50% in the last two decades alone. Globally, the fishing cat population has declined approximately 30% since 2010, and the animal has been listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List since 2016. In addition to decreasing water levels, deteriorating water quality has exacerbated the plight of these animals. 'Deterioration of water quality due to untreated water flowing directly into water bodies, and the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, are also taking a toll on conservation efforts,' Islam noted. Region's last surviving predator Wildlife specialists consider the fishing cat the last surviving major predator of the Indus flood plains following the near extinction of others such as gharials, tigers, and leopards from the region. 'We have this last predator in the Indus flood plains that greatly contributes to keeping aquatic animal populations healthy,' said Zafeer Ahmed Shaikh, head of the Indus Fishing Cat Project (IFCP). The IFCP, launched in 2021, forms part of the global Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance initiative, which seeks to protect and preserve this rare species. The project engages local communities, governmental authorities, and wildlife organizations to support conservation efforts. Before 2020, the status of the Indus fishing cat on Pakistan's IUCN country list remained uncertain, suggesting the species was nearing extinction, according to Shaikh. 'It was us (IFCP) who told the world that this animal not only still exists in Pakistan but that its distribution range has extended to the riverine areas of Sindh and Balochistan provinces through the canal network,' Shaikh asserted. In addition to the Indus delta, recent sightings have occurred in Jaffarabad and Jhal Magsi districts in the southwestern Balochistan province. Challenges in determining exact numbers Shaikh acknowledged the difficulty in determining the exact population numbers due to a lack of comprehensive surveys by either government agencies or wildlife groups. 'We cannot give any specific number about its population in Pakistan. But one thing is sure – its number has reduced due to shrinking wetlands and water bodies,' he said. 'That's why it is hard to fix its current status, but it can safely be described as 'almost endangered,' considering the given circumstances.' Shaikh acknowledged that, although the IFCP has made 'a little difference' in increasing the fishing cat's numbers, 'it's a long way to go.' Kamal Palari, a community worker involved with IFCP conservation efforts in Sindh's Thatta district, noted a significant reduction in hunting incidents involving the fishing cat in recent years. 'Locals, especially farmers, would kill them because they falsely believed this cat was a threat to their livestock and crops,' Palari told Anadolu. However, he said awareness campaigns launched by IFCP and increased community involvement have led to a noticeable decrease in such cases. Shaikh also clarified that the fishing cat 'very rarely' attacks goats and has no capacity to threaten livestock herds significantly. Balancing aquatic ecosystems Mumtaz Soomro, a deputy director at the Sindh Wildlife Department, believes that strict wildlife protection laws enacted in 2020 – imposing heavy fines and sentences for hunting rare species – have further helped reduce killings of fishing cats. Soomro said the department has worked with local communities and wildlife groups on awareness campaigns to protect the cat, which he emphasized is 'very important for keeping marine life healthy.' 'We have already almost lost leopards, tigers, and other predators because of human-induced factors. We cannot afford to lose this last predator,' he said. In addition to shrinking wetlands, Islam cited overfishing by local communities as another critical reason for food shortages affecting the fishing cat. He also stressed the fishing cat's vital role in maintaining the ecological balance within the Indus delta. 'The fishing cat is a species of low-lying wetlands and can survive not only on fish but also on supplementary foods like crabs, rodents, and birds. The cat catches only lazy animals and fish, helping maintain the health of the remaining aquatic life,' Islam explained. Shaikh echoed these views, underscoring the fishing cat's role in protecting crops by controlling populations of rodents and turtles. 'They control the population of small animals, so the ecosystem remains in balance,' he concluded.
Express Tribune
04-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Military notes; Indo-Pak conflict: deterrence, pre-battle manoeuvres
The writer is a retired major general and has an interest in International Relations and Political Sociology. He can be reached at tayyarinam@ and tweets @20_Inam Listen to article We continue to discuss various aspects of the recent Indo-Pakistan military standoff. Third, deterrence per se. More than a billion lives escaped Modi's madness in a closer than ever nuclear Armageddon. Besides the conventional side of warfare, the more dangerous 'nuclear parity' still overhangs South Asia perilously. With deterrence in 'conventional terms re-established', one hopes India under Modi would avoid another wasteful adventure of humiliation, and resume talks over the table, rather than in the skies and through brinkmanship. The future India-Pakistan conflict scene will no longer be unilateral. It will be dictated and decided by Sino-Pak military alliance especially in collaboration with China's Western Theater Command. And this would augment deterrence for rational players on the Indian side, if any. Pakistan's Military, in South Asia's modern history, showcased the most integrated defensive strategy and real-time coordination. And just to reiterate, in military literature, a weaker side is supposed to have won an asymmetrical contest, if it denies outright victory or the attainment of war's aims and objectives to the stronger side, which Pakistan did to a larger India. So perceptually speaking, deterrence in the Indo-Pakistan context would, henceforth, be defined by the conventional military capabilities plus nuclear arms, and the fragility of psychological threshold on both sides, as discussed in my piece, 'India, Pakistan — redefining deterrence', printed in this space on May 22, 2025. And in Pakistan's context, deterrence would remain to be fortified by the Sino-Pakistani alliance, and the resolve of Pakistan's civil and military leadership, through Islamabad's 'quid-pro-quo Plus' strategy, to never let India prevail. So, peace, the perusal of which now squarely lies with a mellowed but bellicose India that still pursues its intended water wars, would remain elusive if we do not recognise each other's capabilities, and do not engage each other with dignity, mutual respect and patience, and not with ignorance or arrogance. Fourth. The Exterior Manoeuvre. Without going into the nuts and bolts of the diplomatic war, the Indian efforts to paint Pakistan into endemically bad light and as a state sponsor of terrorism, had very few takers, regionally and internationally. Indian diplomatic overtures focused on painting itself taller by telling the world its military response was calculated and non-escalatory and that this 'new India' would respond muscularly to the so-called terrorist attacks, without wanting a wider war with Pakistan and its people. Essentially contradictory iterations. No country condemned Pakistan for the 'alleged' terrorism; none appreciated India's 'carefully calibrated' military response. The world, contrarily, was preoccupied with the IAF's French Rafael jets being shot down by PAF's Chinese J-10C fighters using PL-15 E air-to-air missiles. Even the US after some initial ambivalence from VP Vance had to forcefully intervene to affect a ceasefire, without giving India the blank cheque of unilateralism and brinkmanship. Russia, India's traditional friend, withheld the 'expected' diplomatic support for India. And Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and the entire OIC, the UN all called for restraint and then ceasefire. Major capitals responded with studied neutrality despite India sending seven diplomatic delegations to 32 countries. Beijing's signalling and posturing in support of Pakistan were overtly clear. Washington's ceasefire appeal re-hyphenated the two nuclear neighbours, to India's great chagrin. New Delhi even refused to acknowledge any US role, for which Trump had publicly taken credit. The paradox of Indian 'Exterior Manoeuvre' was laid bare, as to why was it accepting a ceasefire, irrespective of whether it was reached bilaterally (as India claimed) or under US interlocution (as Trump tweeted), if it had an upper hand militarily. During the conduct of operations, fiasco after fiasco derided New Delhi's aspirations and outsized ego. From denial to acknowledging downing of planes including Rafaeles, to persistent lies on the state and social media, greatly diminished India's shine, sheen and diplomatic weight. New Delhi's comical effort to influence the World Bank under its Indian-origin president, Mr Ajay Banga, from sanctioning loan to Islamabad failed spectacularly. The extent of India's hostility towards Pakistan permeated not only its body politics, but also its cultural elite (read Bollywood), its state behaviour; and resulted in a compulsive obsession with Pakistan, whom India's intellectual wizards proudly claim to have pushed into irrelevant ignominy. This paradox - Pakistan's irrelevance and Islamabad being an uncomfortable reality - remains unresolved and has been damaging India's 'perceived' important power aspiration and status, without pundits realising it. Fifth, The Inner Front. India whipped up its jingoist anti-Pakistan narrative in order to jell its inner front, silencing opposition, muzzling rationality and suppressing truth in the process. And it failed. The Modi Government had to launch Operation "Tiranga Yatra (tricolour journey)" for intense domestic messaging, to manipulate outcomes during Operation Sindoor. From annihilating Pakistan to dominating South Asia as the new hegemon, its efforts, however, could not convince most of its 200 million Muslims, who constitute 10.9 per cent of its population, is the world's 3rd largest Muslim population, and the largest Muslim-minority globally. Its illegally occupied Kashmir, the expected battle zone, simmers with hate, discontent and a resurgent anti-India sentiment, making operations and rear-area security a nightmare for the Indian Military. Assam, Christian Mizoram, Nagaland, the Naxalite insurgency in the 'Red Corridor', Khalistan Movement in Punjab and abroad, and other insurgencies drive wedges in the India Union. Even the Brahman-dominated decision-making elite had and have reservations on the direction secular India has taken under Hindutva-laced Modi Sarkar. Indian security sector and armed forces saw removals, arrests and demotions during the stand-off; and its population is still experiencing arrests for supporting Pakistan, as per press reports. By comparison, Pakistan's inner front jelled like it always does in a crisis with India. RAW-financed terrorism in KP and Balochistan, and the expected political uprising by some political forces against the armed forces, in hilarious formulation of Indian intelligence, failed and failed miserably. Pakistan's national will, determination, resolve and motivation across the political spectrum and across the nation was tougher and firm. Pakistan's 'relative' demographic homogeneity compared to India's heterogeneity is always an asset and a force-multiplier. Such demographic truism also permeates Pakistan's armed forces, making it a formidable fighting machine. Continues...
Express Tribune
04-06-2025
- Express Tribune
FO confirms killing of two Pakistanis in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan
Listen to article The Foreign Office on Thursday confirmed that two Pakistani nationals were killed in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province, marking the second such incident involving Pakistani citizens in as many months. In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that the Iranian authorities had confirmed the deaths of Mujahid and Mohammad Faheem. He added that Pakistan's Embassy in Tehran and the Consulate in Zahedan were in active communication with Iranian officials and were receiving necessary assistance and support. 'Efforts are being made to repatriate the dead bodies as soon as necessary administrative and legal requirements are fulfilled,' the spokesperson concluded. Also Read: Eight Pakistani workers killed in attack in southeast Iran The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and Iranian authorities have yet to issue a detailed statement on the investigations. This is the second incident this year involving the killing of Pakistani nationals in the region. In April, eight Pakistani citizens were brutally murdered in the same province when unidentified assailants stormed an automobile workshop in Hazerabad, a remote village in Mehrestan district, and opened fire during the night. All eight victims, who hailed from Bahawalpur district in Punjab, were employed at the workshop where they carried out vehicle painting, polishing, and repair work.
