Latest news with #Ghafoor
Rudaw Net
5 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Kurds underrepresented in Kirkuk institutions despite half the population: MP
Also in Iraq Iraq drew over $100 billion foreign investment in two years: PM US senator warns PMF bill grants Iran 'backdoor' into Iraq Iraq-Iran new security deal updates 2023 agreement: Security advisor Iraq's water crisis spurs calls to block Turkish companies A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish representation in Kirkuk's public institutions is much lower than that of Arabs and Turkmen despite making up nearly half of the population, a Kurdish lawmaker said on Wednesday, with less than 25 percent of the province's civil servants being Kurdish. "Kurds make up 26 percent of civil servants in the provincial government office,' Dilan Ghafoor, a Kurdish lawmaker in the Iraqi parliament from Kirkuk, told Rudaw, adding that the office's employees are majority Turkmen and Arab. 'We have been working on this issue for more than 20 years, but as Kurds, we still have not reached the level where we receive our rightful representation in government institutions," she said. In Kirkuk province, ethnic discrimination against Kurds has been practiced in several ways, according to Ghafoor, who noted that 'officially, the former regime, through laws and regulations, had excluded Kurds from most institutions and from obtaining positions.' Ghafoor explained that Kurds hold less than a quarter of the overall public sector jobs in Kirkuk province, despite comprising nearly half of the population. Kirkuk has long been a flashpoint of ethnic tensions due to Saddam Hussein's Arabization policies in the 1970s and 1980s, which forcibly removed Kurds and Turkmens and resettled Arab families, shifting the demographics significantly. The city was under joint administration before 2014, when Kurds took full control after Iraqi forces withdrew in the face of the Islamic State (ISIS). Kurds held the city until October 16, 2017, when Iraqi forces retook control and expelled Kurdish security forces following the Kurdistan Region's independence referendum. Some civil servants and teachers in Kirkuk are employees of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which has paid their salaries, while Baghdad is responsible for others. Ghafoor said that for two parliamentary terms, she has worked on collecting this data, meeting with nearly 20 departments and directorates. 'When I met with government institutions, it became clear to me that Kurdish civil servants always showed signs of unease,' she said. Kirkuk's disputed status is compounded by a legacy of Arabization under the Baath regime, which displaced Kurds and gave their lands to Arab settlers. Despite compensation under Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution, many Arab settlers have refused to leave. Nwenar Fatih contributed to this report.
The Citizen
04-08-2025
- The Citizen
Armed suspects rob staff outside retailer on Kirkland Street
Staff members at a local retailer on Kirkland Street were left traumatised this morning (Monday, August 4) when they were robbed at gunpoint. Imran Ghafoor of the Newcastle Crime Fighters Task Team (CCPA), confirmed that the incident occurred at around 10:15, while staff members were in the process of taking money to the bank. 'As the staff members got into the vehicle, they were ambushed by four armed men, who held them at gunpoint and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash,' said Ghafoor. SAPS, private security, and CCPA responded to the call for help; however, the suspects are still at large. ALSO READ: The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550).
Observer
28-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
SEZAD opens Duqm Summer Series with AI focus
BUSINESS REPORTER AL DUQ, JULY 28 The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) launches its Duqm Summer Series on August 5 with a focus on AI and automation, targeting the zone's growing business community. The opening session features Saeed Abdul Ghafoor, whose company Star Drones built TARIQ – Oman's first domestically manufactured drone using local materials. Star Drones has deployed their AI-powered drones over 19,000 acres of agricultural projects while developing applications spanning environmental monitoring to manufacturing. Ghafoor's experience is relevant to SEZAD-based companies who are implementing AI solutions throughout their operations but need practical guidance on expanding these initiatives. 'SEZAD-based companies are already successfully deploying AI solutions, but the real challenge lies in scaling these initiatives effectively,' explains Eng Ahmed Akaak, CEO, SEZAD. 'The Duqm Summer Series connects our tenant community with practitioners who've successfully made this transition - people who can share what worked, how they achieved it and what obstacles they overcame.' The potential for greater impact is substantial. The World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network - 189 production facilities that have implemented AI - shows what systematic deployment can achieve: network members report 53% higher productivity and 26% lower costs. Beyond operational efficiency, AI implementation delivered 50% reductions in new product introduction times and substantial environmental benefits including 30% to 50% reduction in emissions and an average 30% reduction in material waste. For SEZAD, positioned between Europe, Asia and Africa such results create both opportunity and urgency. UNIDO research indicates that every manufacturing job generates more than two additional positions in other sectors, making technology adoption about broader economic development, not just efficiency. This focus on broader economic development shapes the Duqm Summer Series format. 'When a logistics manager learns supply chain strategies from someone in fisheries, or a renewable energy company shares workforce solutions with manufacturing executives, that's when real innovation happens,' notes Eng. Akaak. Each session runs for an hour starting at 1:00pm, combining presentations with discussions. Other sessions in the series continue this practical approach: workforce development with Development Bank's Auf Al Aufi (August 12), supply chain resilience featuring the Ministry of Transport, Communications & Information Technology's Nabeel Al Balushi (August 19) and workplace culture and wellbeing with Sultan Qaboos University's Dr. Aziza Al Sawafi (August 26). With SEZAD attracting RO 6 billion (US$15.5 billion) in cumulative investment commitments - a 55% increase on 2023 - the Duqm Summer Series addresses the day-to-day practical challenges facing the zone's businesses. 'Our tenants aren't just seeking cost advantages, they're tackling the key questions facing modern industry today: How do you move beyond AI pilots to systematic deployment? What does workforce development look like when technology changes rapidly? How do you build supply chain resilience in a fragmented world?' explains the SEZAD CEO. For SEZAD companies already implementing AI but seeking guidance on expansion, Ghafour's template could potentially provide the roadmap they need to unlock the productivity gains seen globally. To attend Duqm Summer Series please register:
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- The Citizen
‘Operation Tunnel Buster' nabs cable theft syndicate in Newcastle
A multidisciplinary law enforcement operation led to the arrest of seven suspects believed to be part of a syndicate targeting underground copper cables in Newcastle, KZN. Newcastle Advertiser reports that Imraan Ghafoor from the Newcastle Fighters Task Team (CCPA) says 'Operation Tunnel Buster' was the result of several weeks of intelligence gathering by a co-ordinated team. 'Law enforcement had been monitoring a group of skilled criminals who were allegedly responsible for stealing copper from critical infrastructure using underground tunnels,' he says. On Saturday, intelligence confirmed that a group of suspects from Gauteng had joined forces with their local accomplices and were preparing to strike. Officers continued to keep surveillance throughout the night, and at dawn yesterday morning, just as the suspects attempted to flee the scene, operational teams sprang into action, tactfully intercepting two vehicles. Ninety kilograms of copper was seized during the raid. A Toyota Hilux single-cab bakkie, a Volkswagen T-Cross, copper-cutting equipment and other incriminating items were also confiscated. 'All seven suspects were detained on the scene. Investigations are ongoing, with several leads being followed to link the suspects to additional reported cases of copper cable theft,' says Ghafoor. The team included the SAPS Newcastle Stabilisation Team, SAPS Newcastle K9 Unit, SAPS KZN Crime Intelligence, the CCPA, Amajuba District, Crime Fighters Task Team, Ithemba Security and CPI Investigations. The team was thanked 'for their precision and dedication and commended for their tireless efforts in protecting the town's infrastructure from continued criminal activities'. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Former DG ISPR Asif Ghafoor issues stern message to Modi
Listen to article Former Director General of Pakistan's military media wing, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Asif Ghafoor, issued a stern warning to India on Saturday, stating that New Delhi had repeatedly been cautioned not to test Pakistan's determination. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ghafoor shared the Quranic verse "Nasrum min Allah wa fathun qareeb" ("Help from Allah and victory is near") alongside messages directed at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. - @narendramodi you were repeatedly warned not to test our resolve and don't mess with Pakistan. Yours is a real terrorist state with its worst display against innocent Kashmiris in IIOJ&K. Now stop, else be ready for greater consequences at the hands of Pakistan Armed Forces. — Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) May 10, 2025 'Modi, you were repeatedly warned not to test our resolve and dont mess with Pakistan,' Ghafoor wrote. 'This is just one post — how would you face Pakistan's armed forces?' The former ISPR chief, who previously commanded the Pakistan Army's Quetta Corps, also alleged that X had hidden one of his tweets, which included an image criticising Indian actions. X hides this post from my TL shared now in picture below. Indian influence?? Come on India…. just a post. How would you face Pakistan Armed Forces??? — Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) May 10, 2025 Tagging the Indian Prime Minister directly, Asif Ghafoor accused India of being a 'terrorist state' and condemned New Delhi's policies in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), calling them a 'worst display' against innocent Kashmiris. The remarks come amid heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan following cross-border strikes earlier in the week and Pakistan's launch of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos in response. Pakistan initiated retaliatory action in response to the ongoing Indian aggression in the wee hours of Saturday. As part of the operation, all bases identified as launch points for attacks on Pakistani civilians and mosques are being specifically targeted. Multiple strategic targets are being engaged simultaneously as the operation progresses, security sources confirmed. They stated that Pakistan launched its Al-Fatah missile as part of the ongoing retaliatory operation, naming it in honour of the Pakistani children who lost their lives in recent Indian aggression. They added that Pakistan has neither forgotten nor will ever forget the sacrifice of these innocent children, who were martyred during cross-border attacks by Indian forces earlier this week. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated sharply following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 people dead. India blamed Pakistan-based elements for the attack without presenting evidence. Islamabad categorically rejected the accusations. In response, India closed the Wagah land border, revoked Pakistani visas, and announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23. Pakistan labelled any disruption to the treaty as an 'act of war' and subsequently sealed the Wagah crossing on its side. The situation further deteriorated on May 6 and 7, with explosions reported in several Pakistani cities including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Muridke, and Bahawalpur. Pakistan's military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed that Indian airstrikes had targeted multiple locations. Pakistan responded with air and ground operations under a new military campaign named Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. Within the first hour of retaliation, Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets, including four Rafale aircraft. Lt Gen Chaudhry stated that Pakistan had the capability to down more but exercised restraint. Indian media provided limited coverage, with one report by The Hindu later retracted. International observers, including analysts on CNN, noted the downing of Rafale jets has challenged India's narrative of regional air superiority. A senior French intelligence official also confirmed the loss of one Rafale aircraft to CNN—the first combat loss for the jet. In addition, Pakistan's armed forces reported intercepting and neutralising 77 Israeli-made Harop drones allegedly launched by India. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the drones were brought down using a mix of electronic warfare and conventional air defence systems.
