LAHORE, Apr 02 (APP):Two baseball umpires and two technical commissioners have successfully attended the WBSC international technical officials on baseball held under the supervision of World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) in Hong Kong.
Seminar for Technical Commissioners was conducted from March 31 to April First and Wasim Zahid and Imran Majeed Khan from Pakistan completed the Seminar and received their certificates from Jim Baba (Canada) Technical Adviser World Baseball Softball Confederation.
Seminar for Umpires was conducted from March 31 to April 2 and Zafar Hussain Warraich and Mudassar Ali from Pakistan attended the Seminar and received their certificates from Gustavo Rodriguez (USA).
Syed Fakhar Shah here on Monday said that this seminar was organised to enhance Technical Knowledge of Umpires and Technical Commissioners. This seminar will help our Technical Officials to understand the game protocol and how to prepare official tournament reports under the WBSC system.
The future plan of Pakistan Federation Baseball is to send Baseball Coaches in MLB BFA Baseball Coaching Clinic in Nanjing China, he added.
Pak tech officials attend WBSC seminar on baseball
Federal govt all set to include unprecedented package for film industry in Finance Bill 2018: Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, April 2 (APP):Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb addressing the international film festival in Karachi on Monday evening and during her interaction with the media said the federal government was all set to include unprecedented package for Pakistan’s film industry in Finance Bill 2018.
She said the film policy which would be part of the Finance Bill 2018 envisaged a number of tax concessions and rebates on the import of film producing equipment, establishment of Finance Fund and setting up of state-of-the-art film studios.
She said the revival of the film industry would immensely contribute to the promotion of Pakistani culture, its heritage and scenic beauty (Screen Tourism).
The minister said when the international spectators would see peaceful and scenic Pakistan on their screens it would have positive impact on economy and investment.
She said the PML-N government had given the status of an industry to the films for the first time in the history of the country besides putting in place steps to revive it.
She recalled that in 1992 also films were declared an industry but the journey was disrupted due to dismissal of the PML-N government. Films had been given the status of industry again, she said.
Marriyum said the days were not far when as a consequence of the steps taken by the government the film industry would regain its status as a vibrant and emerging entity in the region.
She observed that the actors, film makers and producers would also have to play their due role by producing more films to highlight and project positive identity of Pakistan, its culture and history at the global level.
She said during the ’60s and ’70s the film industry of Pakistan ranked among the top most industries of the world and the present government was contemplating to go beyond that.
The minister said a number of people connected with the film industry including producers, film makers and actors were participating in the international film festival for which the government had extended necessary cooperation.
She said the festival was being held at a time when the film industry was moving towards its revival and it would prove as a milestone for the youth who were aspiring to build their careers as actors.
She informed the audience that the revival of the film industry was the vision of the former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the PML-N government announced the first ever cultural and film policy last month to implement that vision.
She said the policy had been firmed up through a lot of hard work and consultation with all the stakeholders during the last eight to nine months.
She said the provinces might also faithfully implement the film policy announced by the federal government because after the 18th constitutional amendment the subject had been devolved to the provinces, however they would be extended all possible help in that regard.
After 18th amendment, the provincial governments would have to invest into rehabilitation and preservation of cultural infrastructure, the minister added.
She observed that terrorism during the last 30 to 35 years had badly affected the film industry and the actors had fought the war against terrorism in their own way. She said Pakistan was fighting a perception war currently.
She said the films were a great medium to showcase and watch each others culture.
Recalling her visit to Chain she said she saw the Chinese film industry and also signed some agreements for cooperation in the film-making. She said Pakistani films would be screened at film festivals in Shanghai and Beijing.
She said as a consequence of the steps taken in line with the vision of the former prime minister the hustle and bustle of the playgrounds had returned besides the revival of the cultural activities adding that Pakistan had fought the war against terrorism successfully.
She said the fulfillment of the vision unfurled by the former prime minister and the federal government in 2013 had a positive impact on all spheres of national life.
The minister reiterated that the revival of international cricket in Pakistan, especially Karachi was an irrefutable proof of the fact that peace had returned to Pakistan.
CDWP approves National Center for Livestock Breeding at PMAS-AAUR
RAWALPINDI, Apr 02 (APP):Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved the funding for National Center for Livestock
Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (NCLBG&G) at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) and the project worth Rs 799.192 million will be completed in five years.
This was decided in a meeting of CDWP held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz whereas Secretary Planning Commission Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui accompanied the deputy Chairman. Senior officials from federal and provincial governments also participated in the meeting.
Mission of the NCLBG&G is to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in the country through research in terms of improved genetic potential of indigenous livestock for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock—ensuring better lives
through livestock.
The National Center will conduct research and run genetic improvement programs in collaboration with national and international organizations.
The Center will also present recommendations to the national and
provincial governments on the issues and challenges of farm animal genetic
resources.
The project was presented by PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Sarwat N. Mirza, Director Planning &
Development (P&D), Shahid Ali Khan, Dean Faculty of Veterinary and Animal
Sciences Prof. Dr. Arfan Yousaf, focal person for NCLBG&G Dr.
Muhammad Moaeen-ud-Din and Dr. Ghulam Bilal.
The VC Prof. Dr. Sarwat N. Mirza said, this is an unprecedented collaborative effort in which six major
universities would actively participate and PMAS-AAUR would be nucleus. The
project will be a revolution in the field of livestock, Genetics and Genomics. The
unique facility was not available earlier. The VC appreciated efforts of the project
team and thanked the role of HEC and Planning Commission of Pakistan in
contributing and paving the way to this outstanding achievement.
The Director P&D, Shahid
Ali Khan told that this project will play a vital role in enhancing the
production of milk, meat and the GDP of the country.
It may be recalled that the
project was formally presented at HEC on May 12, 2016 and successfully
defended under Sector Development Program including Dairy Development &
Livestock Sector. The project went through many brainstorming sessions attended
by esteemed Animal Breeding & Genetics experts nationwide and finally included
in Public Sector Development Program (PSDP-2017-18) on June 19, 2017.
A National Consultative workshop at HEC and University of
Agriculture Faisalabad was held during last year to finally shape the idea into
the reality with partner organizations viz. University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, The
University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam
and University of Agriculture Peshawar.
PM urges world to take note of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terror
ISLAMABAD, Apr 2 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Monday said it was time that the world took note of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the largest war against terrorism in which thousands of its troops and civilians laid down their lives to rid the country and the region of this scourge.
Talking to a delegation of students from the prestigious London Business School (LBS) here at the PM Office, the Prime Minister said Pakistan fought this war from its own resources and pointed that the major challenge of terrorism had adversely impacted economy of the country.
He however pointed out that the government worked hard to bring peace and now Pakistan was a vibrant market for investors. He mentioned the recent visit of Nobel laureate Ms. Malala Yousafzai after almost six years and said it was a manifestation that peace had been restored.
The Prime Minister interacted with the students, many of whom were visiting Pakistan for the first time.
Special assistant to PM Ali Jahangir Siddiqui was also present during the interaction.
The Prime Minister said the government had established power plants and was planning to construct more than 1700 kms of six-lane motorways across Pakistan under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to improve connectivity within the country and with the region.
He said CPEC’s energy sector Projects had brought substantial relief to power consumers.
The Prime Minister said there had been a quantum improvement in Pakistan with the democracy taking hold and economic conditions improving.
He said Pakistan recorded 5.7% GDP growth rate and plans to increase it to 6%.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was a peaceful country and its peaceful nuclear program was a deterrent for those who wanted to destabilize the country and for its sovereignty.
He said Pakistan had always strived for bringing peace and stability to the region through dialogue.
The Prime Minister urged the students to visit various cities of Pakistan and to see for themselves the progress it has made besides witnessing the peace and stability in the country.
Earlier, the LBS students also received a briefing from SAPM Ali Jahangir Siddiqui regarding the structure and working of the executive branch of the Government.
Visit of students was under the Prime Minsters’ Connect program, where interact with the Prime Minister him so as to enhance their understanding about working of the executive.
Observance of constitutional parameters to resolve different issues: President
ISLAMABAD, April 2 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Monday said observance of constitutional limits by all the institutions of the country would not create issues.
He was addressing participants of 108th National Management Course. Rector National School of Public Policy Azmat Ali Ranjha and other authorities were also present, a press release said.
The president said it was important that all the institutions should express their differences on the relevant fora which would ultimately resolve the issues and bridge the gap between public and administration.
He observed whenever nations faced complex circumstances; they were stirred and become sensitive by tackling all the challenges with extraordinary response.
He also expressed his satisfaction over the efforts of the government and relevant institutions which resulted in defeat of extremism and terrorism and stressed the need for continuity of the successes, so that those issues could not resurface in future.
The president said Pakistan had been ‘the heart of Asia’ where various significant developments took place.
About Pakistan’s role in the region, he said Pakistan along with the cooperation of its friendly countries would continue playing its role for peace and stability of the region.
He noted with satisfaction Pakistan’s achievements in the realm of foreign affairs and referred to its improved ties with Russian Federation.
He further said for holding of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, effective contacts were made.
The president noted in the political arena of the country, certain changes took place at rapid speed which sometimes created problems and if left unattended, they could add to restlessness in public.
Under such circumstances, an efficient and effective administration could bring improvement with better strategies, he added.
He underscored the need for prompt resolution of public issues so that public confidence in the state could be enhanced and in this connection, the government officials could play an important role.
An efficient officer with a baggage of seniority and experience should guide his juniors which could change the modus operandi in the offices and would evolve a new culture of work, he added.
The president further said the national resources were the trust of the nation which required protection. “One of their wastage is in the shape of corruption which was unacceptable in any form,” he added.
He also stressed upon the participants of the course to perform their duties by implementing the policies and try to fill the space left between different institutions.
He also responded to various questions of the participants. Rector National School of Public Policy Azmat Ali Ranjha presented him with a souvenir.
Ambassador Alice G. Wells calls on COAS
RAWALPINDI, Apr 02 (APP):Ambassador Alice G. Wells, South & Central Asia Acting Assistant Secretary, USA called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) here at General Headquarters (GHQ) on Monday.
Regional security environment and matters of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting, said a statement issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The COAS reiterated that Pakistan was committed for peace and stability in the region, particularly in Afghanistan through a national approach.
He said that Pakistan also expected other players in the region to play equally positive part.
Ambassador Wells said that US was committed to lasting peace and supported all efforts towards that end.
Both agreed that bilateral convergences should be leveraged to gain positive momentum rather than remaining hostage to perceptions.
ICCI for introducing fixed tax for small traders
ISLAMABAD, Apr 2 (APP):Business community of capital city here on Monday urged the government for focusing on introducing fixed tax for small traders as well as provide them special incentives in the coming budget.
President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Amir Waheed, along with a delegation visited here G-10 Markaz, and congratulated the newly elected President Kamran Kakakhel and other office bearers of Traders Welfare Association of the area.
Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Amir Waheed said that next budget was expected on April 27 adding that introduction of fixed tax for small traders would help in expanding tax net and enhancing tax revenue of the country.
He also urged the government for simplifying the complicated tax system and develop all tax forms in Urdu that would facilitate, especially the small traders. He assured that ICCI would fully cooperate with businessmen of G-10 Markaz for resolving key issues of the traders.
Kamran Kakakhel, newly elected President, Traders Welfare Association, Sector G-10 Markaz, Islamabad said that absence of new rent control act was the most serious issue of the local traders due to which businesses were feeling insecure.
He stressed that ICCI should play its role and take up this issue with the government for early passage of bill of new rent law for Islamabad.
He assured that his association would maintain liaison with Chamber to resolve major issues of the trading community.
SAARC CCI must play role for trade and industry development in South Asia
ISLAMABAD, Apr 2 (APP):Chief Executive Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Mian Kashif Ashfaq Monday felicitated newly elected President SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ruwan Edirisinghe.
He hoped that he would utilize his best leadership flair and available resources for the promoting trade and industry in South Asian region.
In his felicitation message on Monday he said PFC was ready to work together with SAARC CCI for providing opportunities and exposures to youth on skills, entrepreneurship and education.
He said SAARC CCI president would focus on his six point agenda, which included greater investments, the promotion of industrial parks, promotion of youth angels and development of smart green villages among them.
He further said that it was a proper time now for Pakistani businessmen to avail good business opportunities in the South Asian region as he was much optimistic that all SAARC state members would dissolve all their political and trade related issues realizing that over the next 10 years, adding “countries in the Asia region will play a competitive role in competing with each other or in parallel. It will not be a single market like Europe. It will be a competitive market.”
Mian Kashif, who is also life member SAARC chamber said PFC wanted to play its due role for developing of furniture industry in South Asia and similarly SAARC Chamber of Commerce should also ensured that our businesses were in line with these developments.
He apprised Ruwan Edirisinghe of the efforts PFC was being taken to promote South Asian specific designed furniture during British raj and post colonial age.
He said that furniture with calligraphic engraving had great demand in local and international markets, which seemed to be the dominant one in Pakistan, therefore Pakistani craftsmen should focus on working in this particular area to earn the much-needed foreign exchange.
He said Pakistan handmade world class furniture was also in great demand in Middle East, Europe, Canada and USA.
He said after traditional furniture, luxury furniture made from wood was estimated to dominate the market while the luxury furniture made from glass would witness the highest growth rate, registering a CAGR of 8% during 2015-2020.
He said the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was a way to ensure the competitiveness of Pakistani industries while safeguarding and expanding. “To safeguard and expand Pakistani industries we have to ensure that we are competitive.”
Rs 607 bln released for development projects under PSDP 2017-18
ISLAMABAD, Apr 2 (APP):The government has released over Rs 607.44 billion under its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2017-18 for various ongoing and new schemes against the total allocations of Rs1,001 billion.
The released funds include Rs 138.9 billion for federal ministries and Rs 48.15 billion for special areas,
according to latest data released by Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform.
Out of these allocations, the government has released Rs 243.25 billion for National Highway Authority for which Rs 324.72 billion have been allocated for the year 2017-18, whereas for WAPDA (Power), an amount of Rs 35.768 billion has been released out of total allocation of Rs 60.9 billion.
Similarly, Rs 5.341 billion have been released for Communication Division (other than National Highway Authority) for which the government has earmarked Rs 13.66 billion under PSDP 2017-18.
Railways Division received Rs 18.27 billion out of its total allocation of Rs 42.9 billion whereas Aviation Division received Rs 2.45 billion out of its total allocation of Rs 4.348 billion.
The government also released an amount of Rs 19.01 billion for various development projects of Higher Education Commission out of total allocation of Rs 35.662 billion, while Rs 11.026 billion have been released for Atomic Energy Commission.
Water and Power Division (water sector) received Rs 25.68 billion out of its total allocation of Rs 36.75 billion under PSDP 2017-18.
The government also released Rs 9.237 billion for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division, for which an amount of Rs 48.701 billion have been allocated in the federal PSDP 2017-18 while Rs 226 million have been released for Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority out of its total allocations of Rs 321.53 million.
An amount of Rs 12.8 billion have been released for Finance Division out of its total allocations of Rs 20.9 billion while Rs 529 million have been released for Climate Change Division out of its total allocations of Rs 815 million for the current year.
Similarly an amount of Rs 445.6 million have been released for Petroleum and Natural Resource Division out of its allocations of Rs 554.291 billion, Rs 1.98 billion for Planning, Development and Reform Division out of its allocations of Rs 8.556 billion whereas Rs 1.619 billion have been released for SUPARCO out of its allocations of Rs 3.5 billion.
Likewise, the government also released Rs 7.3 billion for Housing and Works division while Rs 80 million for Human Rights Division, and Rs 1.011 billion for National Food Security and Research Division.
The government has also released Rs 15.963 billion for AJK (block and other projects) out of its allocations of Rs 25.844. billion, Rs 15.16 billion for Gilgit Baltistan (block and other projects) out of its allocations of Rs 18.3 billion whereas Rs 16.93 billion have been released for SAFRON/FATA (Block and other projects) out of its total allocations of Rs 26.90 billion for the FY2018.
The government also released Rs 30 billion for Prime Minister’s Global SDGS Achievement Programme whereas Rs 3.15 billion have been released for ERRA out of its total allocations of Rs 7.5 billion.
An amount of Rs 11.9 billion have been released for Prime Minister’s Youth Hunarmand Programme out of its total allocations of Rs 20 billion, according to the data.
The Planning Commission of Pakistan has been following a proper mechanism for the release of funds and accordingly funds are released as per given mechanism. The commission releases 20% of funds in first quarter (July September), 20% in second quarter (October December), 25% third quarter (January March) and 35% in fourth quarter (April June).
When will West take stand on persecution of Muslims? says Spectator a UK based magazine
LONDON, April 2 (APP):When will the West take a stand on the persecution of Muslims?, a United Kingdom (UK) prestigious Magazine ‘Spectator’ reported in Feature story here on Monday.
According to the Magazine, the Anti-Christian persecution, for so long a great untold story, has started to gain the world’s attention. But the suffering of Christian communities, from Syria to Nigeria , is part of an even broader phenomenon.
Religious conflict is on the rise across the globe, with ancient tensions being raised by new political methods. And in many countries – Sri Lanka, India, the Central African Republic and elsewhere – it’s Muslims who have the most reason to fear violence. In Burma, they may even have been victims of genocide, the UK Magazine Spectators observed.
It further said that , at any rate, is what UN officials are trying to investigate after a wave of brutality which has forced 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee the coastal region of Rakhine State since last August.
Burmese soldiers, police and armed civilians carried out a campaign of diabolical violence, in which hundreds of villages were burned to the ground and helpless civilians were machine-gunned and dumped in mass graves.
The Spectator highlighted that there were warning signs — in 2012, 200 Rohingyas were killed and more than 100,000 displaced — but Western observers missed them. Sanctions were lifted, foreign investment surged, Aung San Suu Kyi was hailed as her country’s saviour. As the human rights campaigner Benedict Rogers observes, the international community was ‘too quick to embrace positive signs. It was almost inconvenient to be confronted with what was happening to the Rohingyas and others’.
Religion is not the only factor: hostility to the Rohingyas draws on the dubious historical claim that they are recent immigrants who should return to Bangladesh. But it also relies on a deep-rooted and specifically Buddhist idea of the state, which sees the health of the nation and the strength of the religion as interdependent.
That idea has been spread since the 1980s by influential movements led by Buddhist monks, many of them given to incendiary language about the Muslim enemy.
Sri Lanka has its own Buddhist troublemakers. One Buddhist group, the BBS, leads inflammatory campaigns, including one boycotting Muslim businesses. Such hostility sometimes boils over: earlier this month, the Sri Lankan government declared a national state of emergency after coordinated anti-Muslim riots broke out in the central city of Kandy.
Sri Lanka’s troubles should not be exaggerated. It does not, for instance, compare to Thailand, where Malay Muslim separatists clash with security forces in an armed conflict which has cost 7,000 lives in the past 15 years. But there is the same dynamic: a Buddhist nationalist idea of the state from which Muslims are easily excluded.
The UK Magazine said that the persecution of Muslims, though not as globally widespread as that of Christians, extends well beyond South Asia.
It highlighted that India’s 170 million Muslims, meanwhile, live against a constant background of local violence, not exactly encouraged by the authorities, but not much discouraged either. From 2011 to 2016, official figures record more than 4,000 incidents of ‘communal violence’ — mostly Hindu on Muslim — leading to nearly 600 deaths.
The Spectator Magazine said that why is anti-Muslim violence on the rise? It is a combination of some very old theories about religion and the state, and some very new political techniques.
In Burma, for instance, there has always been a strain of thought that Buddhism and Burma rise and fall together. But democracy has enabled radical monks, preaching the most aggressive version of that belief, to gain a political foothold. One group, Ma Ba Tha, has offices in 250 of the country’s 330 townships, the UK Magazine reported.
The internet has helped such organisations. In 2015 Buddhist nationalists began to warn that Aung San Suu Kyi would betray the country’s identity. They spread images of her on social media wearing a hijab. Soon afterwards Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy, conceded ground, refusing to run any Muslim candidates in the national elections.
The UK Magazine said that there is a similar combination of forces at work in Sri Lanka. Again, Buddhist thinkers have long defined national identity in religious terms and against Muslims. Anagarika Dharmapala, the 20th-century pioneer of Buddhist nationalism, believed that Sri Lanka had been ‘a paradise’ when the ‘Aryan Sinhalese’ (Buddhists) had dominated it. Other religions were a threat.
It further highlighted that the violent possibilities in this tradition have been brought out by Sri Lanka’s present-day extremists. It is easy to explain away all religious conflict as being really about wealth inequality, or race, or politics. But in Sri Lanka, as elsewhere, disputes over the sacred bring out the most uncontrollable passions. Anti-Muslim riots have been sparked by a rumoured attack on a monk, a public debate about the regulation of halal meat and a dispute over whether a Mosque is built on a land.
The UK Magazine said that in India, too, ancient tensions have been emphasised by new movements, in this case Hindu ones. The RSS, a volunteer network of millions, sees India as a ‘Hindu nation’ and runs programmes to convert Christians and Muslims. This tradition has its extremists — some of whom are close to power.
The Spectator further said that officials from the ruling BJP party, an offshoot of the RSS, have rewritten school textbooks to bring them closer to the nationalist story. (For example, the fact that Gandhi’s killer was a Hindu fanatic goes unmentioned in some classrooms.) One of the party’s star campaigners is the firebrand Hindu priest Yogi Adityanath, who once told an audience: ‘If they kill one Hindu man, then we will kill 100 Muslim men.’
The Magazine said that every few months someone is killed by a lynch mob on suspicion of possessing beef. Hindi has recently gained a new word, gautankwad, which literally translates as ‘cow terrorism’.
A spokesman for Minority Rights Group International told Spectator that there are ‘degrees of state complicity’ in these incidents. And when the authorities tighten legislation against cow slaughter and on ‘forced conversions’, it can ‘provide a cloak of legitimacy to anti-minority violence and discrimination.
The UK Magazine further said that yet, the plight of India’s Muslims — four million of them in the Indian occupied Kashmir, where the Indian army stands accused of countless human rights abuses — goes un-remarked by western leaders uncomfortably aware of India’s economic clout.
In every country, social media makes propaganda significantly easier. After the Kandy riots, the Sri Lankan government blocked Facebook and other networks; in Burma, UN officials have blamed Facebook for the speed with which violently anti–Muslim sentiment had spread. This is helped by state control of the media: Burmese public opinion holds that the Muslims are lying and the gullible international media has been taken in.
‘You hear that all the time there,’ says an academic specialist on the region, who recently visited the country and who asked not to be named. ‘The sheer propaganda through television and the very limited print media has even very well-intentioned people willing to say, “Well, we really don’t know what’s going on out there, there’s two sides to the story.” I find myself saying under my breath, “Tell me what the other side of the story is to rape and murder as a methodology.”’,the UK Magazine said.
In many countries, religious identity politics has replaced older forms of political allegiance. In the Middle East, nationalism has fallen away and the Sunni-Shia conflict has become the decisive one. Burma’s sectarian tensions increased in the 1980s after the ‘Burmese Road to Socialism’, launched in 1962, turned out to have led nowhere. And the idea that everyone is headed towards secular liberal democracy looks more and more like a fantasy. The 21st century is going to be dominated by arguments between believers — not least because the number of Muslims is likely to approach three billion by 2060, and may even overtake the number of Christians.
“The West still needs to wake up to the extent of religious persecution around the world. If pity for excluded minorities isn’t enough of a motive, then sheer pragmatism should be. Isis social media accounts use photographs of the suffering Rohingyas to drum up support, and Islamist groups see a recruitment opportunity in
the persecuted Muslims of India and South Asia. The world’s conscience should be pricked by one constant theme of the militants’ propaganda. It runs, roughly: Join us — everyone else has abandoned you”, the UK Magazine Spectator observed.