Daily Digestible News-November 5, 2017

Here is your daily dose of Digestible News covering the Foreign Minister’s take on Martial Law, Ishaq Dar’s hospitalization, investigation into the unmarked graves in Kashmir, and much more!

Missile from Yemen intercepted near Riyadh airport

Digestible News No.1: Saudi Arabia on Saturday intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile near Riyadh’s international airport after it was launched from conflict-torn Yemen, in an escalation of the kingdom’s war against Iran-backed Huthi rebels.

A loud explosion was heard and smouldering debris landed inside the King Khalid International Airport, just north of Riyadh, after the missile was shot down but authorities reported no major damage or loss of life.

Ahsan Iqbal: No chance of martial law

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal

Digestible News No. 2: On Saturday, the Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal clarified that there is no chance of martial law being imposed on the country while talking to GeoNews . He emphasized the fact that, “the army has clearly stated that it supports the Constitution and democracy.” Iqbal stated that if martial law were to be imposed it would be equivalent to  “tearing the country apart.”  

Ishaq Dar admitted in UK hospital, sought by accountability courts

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar

Digestible News No. 3: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, against whom an accountability court is hearing a corruption case, has been admitted to a London hospital and will be extending his stay in the United Kingdom as he is likely to undergo a cardiac procedure. The accountability court has rejected Dar’s application seeking exemption from personal appearance at the court.  

Indian government told to investigate 2,080 unmarked mass graves in Kashmir by human rights commission

Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP)

Digestible News No. 4: The government in Kashmir has been told to investigate 2,020 unmarked mass graves discovered in border areas, by the state-run human rights commission. The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), a human rights group in Kashmir, informed the commission that there were 3,844 unmarked graves in total. The commission has acknowledged the presence of 2,080 unmarked graves and asked the government to conduct a comprehensive investigation that would be concluded within the next six months. The investigation will include DNA testing and comparison to members of family.  

Pakistani Glaciers under threat from highways’ black carbon

Source: The Nation

Digestible News No. 5:   An increase in traffic at the highest paved international crossing in the world-Khunjerab Pass-and jeeps filled with tourists, is making an impact on climate change. Already the black carbon emission from vehicles is giving a rise in temperatures to the nearby mountains and glaciers to melt faster than usual.

Author of National Climate Change Policy Qamaruz Zaman Chaudhry stated, “ The highway upgrade, part of the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), will bring in much-needed infrastructure. But the carbon emissions and the soot going into the atmosphere will definitely increase and mountain glaciers will melt. “  

Smog is not an alarming issue to deal with: Government of Pakistan

Sales of mask increased due to smog-White Star

Digestible News No. 6:   Environment Minister Zakia Shahnawaz termed smog as a ‘regional phenomenon” that is mainly caused by pollutants from neighbouring countries and not from within Pakistan at a news conference. Further, Zakia articulates that there are ”local contributions of smog” but lesser in quantity than from India due to the burning of crops. As compared to the last year’s spell over Punjab of smog, this year it is less widespread and was ”not an alarming” situation. However, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed (from London) all departments concerned to take necessary measures to effectively deal with smog.  

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