Israel targets Hezbollah intel HQ in Lebanon, Iran says it will not back down

Israel targets Hezbollah, intel HQ, Lebanon, Iran

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM: Israel said it had targeted the intelligence headquarters of Hezbollah in Lebanon overnight and was assessing the damage on Friday after a series of strikes on senior figures in the group that Iran’s Supreme Leader dismissed as counterproductive.

The air attack on Beirut, part of a wide assault that has driven more than 1.2 million Lebanese from their homes, was reported to have targeted the potential successor to the leader of Hezbollah assassinated by Israel a week ago.

Hashem Safieddine’s fate was unclear and neither Israel nor Hezbollah have offered any comment.

Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a huge crowd in Tehran that Iran and its regional allies would not back down, two days after Tehran raised the stakes when it fired missiles at Israel, which sent ground forces into Lebanon this week.

The Israeli military has said its ground operations are “localized” in villages near the border, but it has not specified how far into Lebanon its ground forces would advance or how long the operation is expected to last.

Iran’s missile salvo was partly in retaliation for Israel’s killing of Hezbollah secretary-general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, a dominant figure who had turned the group into a powerful armed and political force with reach across the Middle East.

Israel has vowed to respond and oil prices have risen on the possibility of an attack on Iran’s oil facilities as Israel pursues its goals of pushing back Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and eliminating their Hamas allies in Gaza.

“The resistance in the region will not back down even with the killing of its leaders,” Khamenei said in a rare appearance leading Friday prayers in Tehran, mentioning Nasrallah in his speech and calling Iran’s attack on Israel legal and legitimate.

Iran will not “procrastinate nor act hastily to carry out its duty” in confronting Israel, he said, without issuing a direct new threat to Israel or the United States but grasping the barrel of a rifle that stood to his left.

The semi-official Iranian news agency SNN quoted Revolutionary Guards deputy commander Ali Fadavi as saying on Friday that if Israel attacks, Tehran would in turn target Israeli energy and gas installations.

Axios reporter Barak Ravid cited three Israeli officials as saying that Hezbollah official Safieddine, rumoured to be Nasrallah’s successor, had been targeted in an underground bunker in Beirut overnight but that his fate was not clear.

Israeli Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said on Friday afternoon the military was still assessing the damage caused by airstrikes in southern Beirut on Thursday night, which he said targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters.

Earlier the Israeli military reported that it had killed the head of Hezbollah’s communication networks, Mohammad Rashid Sakafi. It declined to comment on the report that Safieddine was targeted.

Hezbollah made no comment on the fate of Sakafi or Safieddine, whose brother Sayyed Abdallah Safieddine – Hezbollah’s representative to Iran – attended Khamenei’s speech in Tehran.

Khamenei said assassinations would just spur more attacks.

“Every strike launched by any group against Israel is a service to the region and to all humanity,” he said.

FLATTENED BEIRUT BUILDINGS

In Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs, many buildings have been reduced to rubble by a week of intensive strikes on the area. Along a main market street, known as Moawad Souk, nearly all the storefronts had been damaged and the street was filled with broken glass.

Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei attends commemoration ceremony for late leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah Nasrallah, in Tehran

“We’re alive but don’t know for how long,” said Nouhad Chaib, a 40-year-old man already displaced from the south.

Israeli strikes have increasingly targeted medical facilities and aid workers. A strike late on Wednesday hit a building in central Beirut used by Hezbollah-affiliated rescue workers, killing nine, the Lebanese health ministry said.

On Friday, an Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs killed a rescuer from the same unit and another on the southern Lebanese town of Marjayoun hit near its main hospital. Medical staff have decided to temporarily evacuate, the hospital director Mounes Klakesh told Reuters.

Israel accuses the militants of hiding among civilians, which Hezbollah denies.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, visiting Beirut, said his presence in the city on Friday “in these difficult circumstances” was the best evidence that Iran stood by Lebanon and Hezbollah.

He met with top Lebanese officials, including caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and speaker of parliament Nabih Berri – a Hezbollah ally.

Araqchi said Tehran supported efforts for a ceasefire in Lebanon on the condition it would be backed by Hezbollah and simultaneous with a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

A Hamas attack on southern Israel last Oct. 7 stunned the nation and triggered its war against the group. Iran’s allies in its “Axis of Resistance”– Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis and armed groups in Iraq — have carried out attacks in the region in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. Khamenei said Afghanistan should join the “defence”.



Pakistan to observe Palestine Solidarity Day

Palestine APC

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to observe October 7 as Palestine Solidarity Day and hold all parties conference (APC), reaffirming the country’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people.

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and representatives of all political parties will attend the APC,

The decision was taken in a meeting between PM Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.

A committee has also been established to organise events and activities on October 7. The committee comprises Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Sherry Rehman, Saad Rafique and Nayer Bukhari.

Nationwide gatherings, seminars, and rallies will be held across Pakistan to express solidarity with Palestine and condemn Israeli violence.

Bilawal Bhutto said that the ongoing violence in Gaza threatens regional stability. “We must unite against imperialist and Zionist agendas,” he added

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also hailed President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for attending the all-parties conference, demonstrating their commitment to the Palestinian cause.

The meeting also praised Jamaat-e-Islami’s stance in solidarity with the innocent Palestinians in Gaza and Palestine.



IMF tranche boosts Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves

SBP, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserve, IMF Pakistan's reserves

KARACHI: Pakistan’s total foreign exchange reserves reached US$ 15.98 billion during the week ended on 27th September after receiving the International Monetary Fund (IMF) tranche, ARY News reported.

In a statement, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said that the increase in reserves is mainly due to the receipt of US$ 1,026.9 million from IMF under EFF program.

“During the week ended on 27-Sep-2024, SBP reserves increased by US$ 1,168 million to US$ 10,701.7 million,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s net foreign reserves held by commercial banks stood at US$ 5.28 billion.

Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan’s total foreign exchange reserves stood at US$ 14. 87 billion during the week ended on 20th September 2024.

According to a statement issued by the central bank, Pakistan’s reserves held by the SBP increased by US$ 24 million to US$ 9.53 billion during the period.

The country’s net foreign reserves held by commercial banks stood at US$5.33 billion during the period.

“During the week ended on 20-Sep-2024, SBP reserves increased by US$ 24 million to US$ 9,533.6 million,” the statement added.



PIA privatization: Bidders demand quick action against employees

PIA privatization, Bidders demand, quick action, employees

ISLAMABAD: As the government proceeds with the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), new conditions from potential buyers have emerged related to airline’s employees, ARY News reported.

During a Senate Privatization Committee meeting chaired by Senator Talal Chaudhry, it was revealed that companies interested in acquiring PIA are requesting significant changes.

Key among the new demands is the immediate dismissal of all employees, alongside the acquisition of 76 percent of PIA’s shares, with the government responsible for clearing tax payments.

The bidders also requested an extension on the date for completing due diligence, indicating that the privatization process could be delayed.

 

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The Privatization Commission sought to negotiate terms that would protect employees from layoffs for at least two to three years.

However, the bidders have reportedly refused to commit to this, expressing reluctance to retain employees or cover pension obligations.

Despite four pre-bid meetings, there is still uncertainty over taxes and the future of PIA’s workforce.

READ: Minister announces new date for PIA privatisation

The privatization process, now set for October 31, has drawn criticism for the lack of a clear plan to safeguard employees.

Chairman Talal Chaudhry expressed concern over the impact of the delays on PIA’s reputation, while the Privatization Commission acknowledged that negotiations with the bidders are underway.

The outcome could see the sale of up to 76 percent of PIA’s shares, depending on the final agreements reached.

Mohsin Aziz criticized the Privatization Commission, stating that it has not achieved anything significant in the past 12 years, aside from the privatization of a few banks.

He emphasized that issues related to employees, assets, and defaults should be managed by a single dedicated ministry to ensure more efficient oversight and resolution.



I still have Saqib Nisar’s audio leak: Nawaz Sharif

Nawaz Sharif Saqib Nisar

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday claimed to still have audio leaks of former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar, ARY News reported.

Addressing the cheque distribution ceremony of ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ programme, Nawaz Sharif said that  in the audio leaks, Saqib Nisar can be heard saying ‘We will keep Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz in jail and bring Imran Khan to power’

“I still have the audio recording of Saqib Nisar,” he added. Nawaz Sharif said that after that call, the ‘London plan’ was devised and consequently the sit-ins were held.

The PML-N president said if democratic governments in Pakistan were allowed to function effectively, there would be no homeless people today.

“Why was the person who worked day and night for Pakistan’s development was treated this way,” Nawaz Sharif asked while referring to his ouster as the prime minster in 2017.

Criticising the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over its performance from 2018 to 2022, asking the whereabouts of the five million homes and 10 million jobs promised by then Prime Minster Imran Khan. “What has been done for the welfare of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Nawaz Sharif asked.

Read More: Rejected $5bn offer for abandoning nuclear tests: Nawaz Sharif

The PML-N president also took a jibe at Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur over his efforts to ‘infiltrate’ Punjab, terming it an intention to provoke conflict between provinces.

Earlier, Nawaz Sharif said that he was ousted from the Prime Minister’s Office in 2017 through a ‘conspiracy’.

Nawaz Sharif said a ‘conspiracy’ against his government was hatched in London, adding that his political opponents, who had returned from London, staged a sit-in.

He said that during the sit-in, a message was sent to him in which he was asked to resign or be ready for dire consequences. “I told them to do whatever they want, but Nawaz Sharif will never resign,” the PML-N president said.

Referring to the May 9 riots, he said that we are the ones who stand with May 28th (Pakistan’s nuclear tests day), not with May 9th.



PSX closes up as KSE-100 gains 162.41 points

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange benchmark index KSE-100 gained 162.41 points on Wednesday to close at 81,967 points, from the previous day’s closing of 81,805.

The KSE-100 index remained volatile throughout the trading session, hitting a high of 82,360 points before retreating to an intraday low of 81,529.45 points.

Investors remained active in the PSX as 360.98 million shares were exchanged, as against the previous turnover of 359.08 million shares.

As many as 448 scrips were active, out of which 164 advanced, 221 declined and 63 remained unchanged.

The highest volumes were witnessed in Agha Steel with a turnover of 30.83 million shares, followed by WorldCall Telecom with a turnover of 26.47 million shares. Fauji Cement remained the third with a turnover of 20.04 million shares.

Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited registered a maximum rise of Rs 187.57 per share price, closing at Rs 6,999, followed by Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited with a Rs 28.80 increase in its per share price to Rs 17,295.8.psx, kse-100, pakistan stock exchange, market

An analyst at Topline Securities Limited said that volatility in the Pakistan Stock Exchange was largely attributed to concerns over geopolitical developments, particularly the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which weighed on global investor sentiment.

The KSE-100 overall performance was bolstered by United Bank Limited (UBL), Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), MCB Bank, Engro Corporation, and Pakistan GasPort Limited (PKGP), collectively contributing 270 points to the KSE-100 index.



The Devastating Effects of Harsh Parenting on Children

Harsh Parenting's Effects on Children

Harsh parenting, characterized by excessive criticism, punishment, and emotional neglect, can have severe and long-lasting consequences on a child’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. According to experts, harsh parenting can harm a child in numerous ways, leading to devastating effects that can persist into adulthood.

Emotional Damage

Dr. Dan Siegel, clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA, states, “Harsh parenting can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression in children” (Siegel, 2013). Children who experience harsh parenting often develop low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy, and a fear of failure.

Impact on Brain Development

Research by Dr. Bruce Perry, a neuroscientist, reveals that harsh parenting can alter brain development, particularly in regions responsible for emotional regulation and impulse control (Perry, 2002). This can lead to difficulties in managing emotions, impulsivity, and aggression.

Increased Aggression and Behavioral Problems

A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that harsh parenting is linked to increased aggression, delinquency, and behavioral problems in children (Hart & Risley, 1995). Dr. Diana Baumrind, a renowned parenting expert, notes, “Authoritarian parenting styles, characterized by harshness and lack of warmth, are associated with increased aggression and conduct problems” (Baumrind, 1991).

Difficulty with Relationships

Harsh parenting can also impact a child’s ability to form healthy relationships. Dr. Sue Johnson, developer of Emotionally Focused Therapy, explains, “Children who experience harsh parenting may struggle with attachment issues, leading to difficulties in forming trusting relationships” (Johnson, 2013).

Long-Term Consequences

The effects of harsh parenting can persist into adulthood, increasing the risk of:

1. Mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety)
2. Substance abuse
3. Relationship problems
4. Parenting difficulties (perpetuating the cycle of harsh parenting)

Breaking the Cycle

Experts emphasize the importance of adopting positive parenting strategies, focusing on:

1. Emotional support and validation
2. Positive reinforcement
3. Consistent discipline
4. Open communication

By shifting towards a nurturing and supportive approach, parents can foster healthy development, strong relationships, and resilience in their children.

References:

Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56-95.

Hart, B., & Risley, T. R. (1995). Meaningful differences in the everyday experience of young American children. Paul H Brookes Publishing.

Johnson, S. M. (2013). Hold me tight: Seven conversations for a lifetime of love. Little, Brown and Company.

Perry, B. D. (2002). The neuroarcheology of childhood trauma. Neurobiology of Trauma, 1-25.

Siegel, D. J. (2013). Parenting from the inside out: How a deeper self-understanding can help you raise children who thrive. TarcherPerigee.

Note: The references provided are a selection of expert research and publications in the field of child development and parenting.