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Tag: Germany

  • Pakistani journalist goes viral explaining why we shouldn’t feel sorry for Germany’s World Cup exit

    Pakistani journalist goes viral explaining why we shouldn’t feel sorry for Germany’s World Cup exit

    Germany kicked out of the World Cup in the group stages for the second successive tournament, they’re missing a standout goalscorer and they’re very much a side in transition.

    However, according to Pakistani journalist Ahmer Naqvi, we absolutely should not be feeling sorry for them.

    After analysing Germany’s recent elimination from the competition in great detail, Naqvi gained widespread attention.

    The German team is the “angel of death” of football, according to Naqvi, as they have crushed more nation’s World Cup hopes than any other team.

    He begins by outlining all the great footballing nations that were eliminated from the World Cup after falling to Germany by saying, “I’ll take us back in history a bit, right.”

    He starts off with the great Hungary side of 1954 alongside Ferenc Puskas. They were defeated by West Germany despite being “one of the finest sides of all time.”

    The journalist then discussed Johan Cruyff’s legendary 1974 Netherlands team, which is renowned for introducing the idea of complete football. They were eliminated once more by West Germany.

    He continued by talking about France’s “golden square” team from 1982, which was defeated by Germany in the semi-final and was famed for playing with four in midfield. Germany and Austria also made sure Algeria was eliminated from the same event, ending the first-ever opportunity for an African team to go to the next round.

    He also mentioned West Germany’s victories over Diego Maradona’s Argentina in 1990, the demise of South Korea in 2002, the defeat of England’s “golden generation” in 2010, and their resounding 7-1 victory over Brazil in 2014.

    “Don’t have any sympathy for this team… If football was a video game, [Germany] would be the final boss… I will bring out the world’s smallest violin,” he adds.

    The clip went down a storm with social media users, with one commenting: “I couldn’t give a monkeys about football but this is absolute solid gold entertainment and storytelling.”

    Here are a few more reactions:

    https://twitter.com/exodiaree/status/1600842519516188672

  • Is Pakistan finally able to help give Kashmir its freedom?

    The oppression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is no secret. India’s historically oppressive treatment of the Kashmiri Muslims and its human rights violations are well-documented. Scrapping Article 370 on August 5, 2019, meant the Indian state went ahead with colonising the region. India’s ruling BJP has long advocated the idea of Indians being allowed to buy and settle in Indian-occupied Kashmir, disguising it as the region’s economic development. Yet, these illegal actions are an attempt at changing the demographic makeup of the region. An attempt to silence the Kashmiri voice. An attempt to dilute the calls for self-determination.

    German Foreign Minister (FM) Annalena Baerbock’s latest statement on Kashmir is of utmost importance. Speaking at a joint press conference on Friday with her Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in Berlin, she said, “Germany has a role and responsibility with regard to the situation in Kashmir. Therefore, we support intensively the engagement of the United Nations (UN), to find peaceful solutions in the region.”

    Moreover, Bilawal highlighted the grave human rights violations in the IIOJK, and said that the alarming situation posed risks to regional peace and stability. Pakistan has consistently urged the international community to hold India accountable for its brazen persecution of innocent Kashmiris. The German FM’s statement as well as US Ambassador Donald Blome’s visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has caused quite an uproar in India and its diplomatic circles, which shows that Pakistan’s efforts at building a case for Kashmir is having an impact after all.

    Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar recently said, “The Indian side needs to understand that if they are really genuine and serious in resolving this dispute, they have to proceed in accordance with this international legal framework, which is there, which has been there for seven decades, and which has the legitimacy and acceptance of the international community.”

    The present crisis is an outcome of more than seven decades of injustice imposed on Kashmiri people just because they want to decide their destiny, which is a fundamental right. Pakistan has successfully and relentlessly been building a case for the freedom of the people of Kashmir. Pakistanis will not stop raising their voice until justice is served to the people. The world has been turning a blind eye to the sufferings of the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir for over seven decades. However, Ambassador Blome’s visit and the German FM’s statement result from Pakistan’s consistent foreign policy. The world should wake up to what India has done to innocent Kashmiris over the decades. India’s impunity must end. Kashmiris in Indian-occupied territory deserve freedom.

  • ‘Germany has role and responsibility with regard to situation in Kashmir’: German Foreign Minister

    German Foreign Minister (FM), Annalena Baerbock, has said in Berlin that the country has a role and responsibility with regard to the situation in Kashmir.

    Speaking at the joint press conference on Friday with her Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, she said, “Germany has a role and responsibility with regard to the situation in Kashmir. Therefore, we support intensively the engagement of the United Nations (UN), to find peaceful solutions in the region.”

    Talking about the tensions between India and Pakistan, the minister said, “We support all the engagement with regard to the ceasefire, however, there is a tension which minister [Bilawal] has described so we encourage both Pakistan and India to follow the track of the ceasefire, to follow the track of UN and intensify the political dialogue and also the political and practical cooperation in the region.”

    Moreover, Baerbock showed support for the county by saying that “Pakistan could rely on the support of the German people and government”.

    Bilawal, on the occasion, thanked Germany, and said that the total amount of aid from Germany had reached €60 million for that “we are incredibly grateful to the German people and the government”.

    He also highlighted grave human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and said that the alarming situation posed risks to regional peace and stability.

    The Pakistani foreign minister described his meeting with Baerbock as a “pleasure” and invited her to visit Pakistan.

    In a tweet, he said, “Pleasure meeting for the second time this year with Annalena Baerbock at the German foreign office. Invited her to visit Pakistan to witness firsthand devastation caused by floods in.”

    Bilawal reached Berlin on Friday on his first visit.

  • Absar Alam asks who is the mastermind behind attacks on journalists after his attackers arrested

    Absar Alam asks who is the mastermind behind attacks on journalists after his attackers arrested

     Police have arrested the accused who shot at and injured journalist and former PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam last year, reports Umar Cheema for The News.

    Absar Alam’s attackers not only confessed to making a life attempt on him but also admitted that they were tasked to hit another journalist, Asad Ali Toor. However, the attackers changed their plans after the hype created after the attack on Absar.

    Taking to Twitter, Absar said that he is thankful that for the first time assailants who attacked journalists were arrested. However, he went on to question the details that have come to the surface after the arrest. “Who was giving information and instructions from Pakistan about me and Asad to this person from Germany?”

    “Who is the real mastermind behind the murderous attacks on journalists by criminals in Germany and France?”

    “The big test of the police, intelligence agencies, and the government has now begun,” tweeted Absar.

    In April 2021, Absar was shot in Islamabad. He was walking in the F-11 park near his home when he got shot.

    In May 2021, journalist Asad Ali Toor was attacked by three unidentified men, who broke into his apartment and tortured him.

  • After meeting Bilawal, German FM tests positive for Covid-19

    After meeting Bilawal, German FM tests positive for Covid-19

    German Foreign Minister (FM) Annalena Baerbock tested positive for Covid-19, her ministry confirmed on Tuesday, reports Reuters.

    Earlier, Baerbock met her Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in Islamabad. She has also cancelled all further dates of the trip, which also included stops in Greece and Turkey.

    Responding to the news, FM Bilawal wished Baerbock a quick recovery. He tweeted, “Building on our excellent talks today, I look forward to our continued engagement and future interactions to further solidify Pakistan and Germany partnership.”

    Baerbock reached Islamabad today (Tuesday) on a two-day visit.

    Baerbock and Bilawal held a joint presser in the capital. It has been reported that Pakistan will inaugurate its Consulate General in Munich soon.

    ‘We support the work of the UN and their stance on Kashmir’: FM Baerbock

    During the presser, Bilawal said, “If India fails to condemn the comments, then it’s a reflection that it’s not a secular India but rather a Hindu-superiority India. We would want to engage with India but with a rationale.”

    Talking about the Kashmir issue, Baerbock said, “The foundation of human rights is indivisible and this counts for every region in the world. This also counts for Kashmir, this counts for women’s rights. This counts for minority rights and religious rights Therefore, we support the work of the UN and their stance on Kashmir to ensure that all human rights are being guaranteed.”

    “We believe that constructive approaches and measures from both sides are the only way forward to improve the relationships between India and Pakistan. The bilateral agreement along the line of control last year was a positive step”, she added.

    ‘Pakistan had been Germany’s closest and most reliable partner‘: FM Baerbock

    About the Afghan situation, the German FM said, “It is not the mistake of the people that the Taliban overthrew the government and since then have tightened their grip on Afghan society,” she said, promising that Germany would continue to provide humanitarian aid and support people who need it, especially women and girls.

    The diplomat highlighted that Pakistan had been Germany’s “closest and most reliable partner” in that regard, revealing that under this close cooperation between the two countries, 14,000 Afghans, who were at risk in the country, could travel to Germany via Pakistan and were able to start a new life in safety and without fear.

    ‘Pakistan does not want to be dragged in conflict’: FM Bilawal

    Bilawal also highlighted that Pakistan was playing an outside role in mitigating the economic crisis in Afghanistan. “This is the face of Pakistan. A modern Muslim country”, he said.

    While talking about the Ukraine crisis, Bilawal maintained that Pakistan “does not want to be dragged in conflict particularly given that we have just experienced decade after decade of conflict in Afghanistan”.

  • Germany to strengthen trade and investment ties with Pakistan

    Germany to strengthen trade and investment ties with Pakistan

    In a recent meeting with Federal Minister of Commerce and Investment Syed Naveed Qamar, German Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Tobias Lindner expressed his hope that Germany and Pakistan would further strengthen and expand bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment.

    Both countries discussed multiple aspects of bilateral ties, along a great emphasis on improving trade and financial collaboration to sustain economic growth in a post-Covid pandemic world. The duo agreed to exchange business envoys to look into the prospect of B2B cooperation in renewable power, farming, food security, autos, and technical assistance.

    The Commerce Minister praised Germany for its constant support for Pakistan’s GSP Plus scheme. He emphasized the importance of GSP Plus in widening bilateral trade and offering Pakistan a level playing field in the European segment.

    He also clarified that the scheme has served as a precursor for essential progressive social changes, particularly those relating to women’s empowerment. The German Minister convinced his nation’s continued and forthcoming assistance for the GSP Plus Scheme.

  • Referee halts football match to help Muslim player break Ramazan fast

    A referee had to halt a football league match for a Muslim player, Moussa Niakhate,26, to allow him to break Ramazan fast. It happened during a match between Mainz and Augsburg last week in Bundesliga which is a professional association football league in Germany.

    Moussa Niakhate who is a center-back in the Mainz team was observing fast during the match. The match referee stopped the game at 65 minutes to allow Niskhate to break Ramazan fast by drinking water.

    https://twitter.com/hdfootballl/status/1513867791740379143?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1513867791740379143%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Findianexpress.com%2Farticle%2Fsports%2Ffootball%2Ffirst-time-in-history-referee-pauses-game-at-sunset-to-let-player-break-his-ramadan-fast-7867346%2F

    Later, Niakhate ran up to the referee to thank him for this kind gesture. It was the first time in the history of the Bundesliga league that a match has been paused to allow the player to break the fast. Augsburg won the match against Mainz with 2-0 goals. There were other cases where the referee paused the game for a similar situation.

    According to The Mail, Lutz Michael Frohlich – director of communications for the German Referee Committee​ – has given his approval for officials to stop matches to allow players to break their fast during Ramazan.

    “There is no general instruction in this regard,” he said on Monday, “but of course, we support our referees allowing such drinking breaks during Ramazan at the request of the players.”

  • 57 dead bodies found in mass grave in Ukraine town

    57 dead bodies were found buried in a mass grave in a town in Ukraine called Bucha. It is situated in the west of the city of Kyiv. The mass grave was found at the back of the church in the town center. Ukrainian troops recaptured the area from Russian forces on Sunday, reports Khaleej Times.

    According to the head of rescue services, Serhii Kaplychnyi, “Here in this long grave, 57 people are buried.” Kaplychnyi is also responsible for organising the recovery of the bodies.

    Some dead bodies were either partially covered by the earth or unburied completely. Some bodies were found in black zip-up bags while some were in civilian clothing.

    Russian forces were accused of a ‘deliberate massacre’ in the town by Ukraine authorities.

    A French media reporter claimed that he saw almost 20 dead bodies in civilian clothing which were scattered across the streets in town. One make dead body identified had his hands behind his back tied with a white piece of cloth.

    Germany also called for new European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia for killing innocent civilians in Bucha and called it a ‘war crime.’ The United Kingdom also called for an investigation of these brutal war crimes committed by Russia.

  • Pakistan embassy warns stranded nationals in Poland not to go anywhere else

    Pakistan embassy warns stranded nationals in Poland not to go anywhere else

    The Pakistan embassy has given a serious warning to stranded Pakistani nationals who were transported to Poland from Ukraine. This warning was given after 15 Pakistanis were arrested while trying to flee to Germany on Saturday, reports Samaa News.

    The embassy said that they would stop evacuation if Pakistanis did not follow said rules and regulations. Poland has given 15 days visas on a humanitarian basis to all Pakistanis who were evacuated from Ukraine.

    They have to return back to Pakistan after their visa expiration. They are also strictly not allowed to leave Poland during this duration.

    The embassy said that whoever tries to enter another country from Poland would face serious consequences.

    Pakistan Embassy has updated the evacuation details on their Twitter. Until now, 411 Pakistanis have been evacuated from Ukraine. Some people are on their way to Lviv from Kharkiv, Poltava, and Kyiv.

    The evacuation process has been delayed due to a rush of people wanting to escape the country.

    The embassy has requested all nationals to stay in contact with the authorities “for smooth evacuation as soon as possible.” 

  • Can only travel visa free to 31 countries, Pakistani passport ranks 4th worst in 2022

    Can only travel visa free to 31 countries, Pakistani passport ranks 4th worst in 2022

    The Pakistani passport has been placed at 4th position in the category of the world’s worst passport for international travel in a list released by the Henley Passport Index 2022.

    Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria ranked the top 3 worst passports in the world respectively.

    Overall, the Pakistani passport ranks at 108th position in the world for the third consecutive year with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 31 destinations around the world.

    India climbed up seven positions and ranked at 83rd on the list this year. India had previously ranked at 90th place after slipping from 85 in the year 2021.

    East Asian and European countries as usual dominated on the passport global ranking this year as well.

    Japan and Singapore have been placed at the top of the list of powerful passports in the global ranking which allows travel visa-free to 192 destinations.

    South Korea and Germany are placed in second place with total of 190 points whereas Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain gained 189 scores which made them into third place.

    France, Netherlands, and Sweden moved up at one spot and joined Austria and Denmark in fourth place with a score of 188.

    Ireland and Portugal received total scores of 187 and placed them in fifth place, and the United States and the United Kingdom rank in at number 6.

    Since 2006, the international firm, Henley & Partners has been regularly monitoring the world’s most travel-friendly passports under the “Henley Passport Index”.