Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday rejected the anti-Pakistan rhetoric from various Indian leaders amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign.

Responding to media queries regarding a series of Pakistan-related remarks made recently by the Indian Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and other cabinet members, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, in a statement today, said we are witnessing an alarming surge in anti-Pakistan statements from Indian leaders.

She said we out rightly reject the irresponsible statements, which cover a wide array of topics including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, counter-terrorism efforts, state of bilateral relations, and nuclear capabilities.

The spokesperson said regrettably, these statements reflect an unhealthy and entrenched obsession with Pakistan and reveal a deliberate intent to exploit hyper-nationalism for electoral gains. These also signify a desperate attempt to deflect attention from mounting domestic and international criticism.

She said the bravado and jingoism exhibited by Indian leaders expose a reckless and extremist mindset. This mindset calls into question India's capacity to be a responsible steward of its strategic capability. On the other hand, the purpose of Pakistan's strategic capability is to safeguard its sovereignty and defend its territorial integrity. Pakistan has also clearly demonstrated its resolve to defend itself in the past, and would not hesitate to do so in the future should the Indian side choose to embark on a misadventure.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said just a few months ago, we exposed details of India's campaign of extrajudicial and transnational assassinations on Pakistani soil. India's continuous emphasis on its readiness to take aggressive actions within Pakistan constitutes a tacit admission of guilt.

Regarding the inflammatory rhetoric about Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Spokesperson reiterated that historical facts, legal principles, moral considerations, and ground realities refute India's baseless claims. She said Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally-recognized disputed territory, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions clearly mandate a plebiscite under UN auspices for its final determination. No amount of inflated Indian statements can change this reality. India should, therefore, focus on implementing these resolutions instead of indulging in fantasies of grandeur.

The spokesperson urged Indian politicians to cease dragging Pakistan into their domestic politics for electoral gains and to handle sensitive strategic matters with the utmost caution. She called upon the international community to take note of Indian leadership's belligerent rhetoric, which poses a grave threat to regional peace and stability.

The vision of peace, progress, and prosperity in South Asia can only be realized through the peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, and a shift from confrontation to cooperation.

Islamabad: A comprehensive international investigative journalism initiative has unveiled the property ownership details of global elites in Dubai.

The list comprises political figures, individuals under global sanctions, suspected money launderers, and criminals. Pakistani nationals are also among those identified, with their combined property value estimated at around $11 billion.

Dubbed 'Dubai Unlocked', the project is based on extensive data providing insights into hundreds of thousands of properties in Dubai, focusing on ownership or usage details primarily from 2020 to 2022. It excludes properties registered under companies and those situated in commercial areas.

The data, procured by the Centre for Advanced Defence Studies (C4ADS), a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization, was shared with Norwegian financial outlet E24 and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

This collaboration involved a six-month investigative endeavor with reporters from 74 media outlets across 58 countries, uncovering numerous convicted criminals, fugitives, and political figures with ownership ties to Dubai properties.

The Property Leaks reveal several prominent Pakistanis including President Asif Ali Zardari’s children, Hussain Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s spouse, Sharjeel Memon, Senator Faisal Vawda, and others from the Sindh and Balochistan assemblies.

Besides it, the notable individuals such as the late Gen Pervez Musharraf, former prime minister Shaukat Aziz, and several retired generals are listed as property owners in Dubai.

Furthermore, the investigative project highlights discrepancies in property declarations, such as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s wife's ownership of a villa in Dubai, which was not disclosed in his Senate election nomination papers.

Despite questions raised, responses from the individuals mentioned were not received, except for clarification from Naqvi’s wife regarding a property purchase in Dubai earlier this year.

According to the leaked data, Indian nationals top the list in terms of foreign property ownership in Dubai, with Pakistanis ranking second. The average property value per Pakistani owner is estimated at approximately $0.41 million, contributing to a combined property value of around $11 billion, compared to the total property value of $386 billion belonging to individuals from 204 nationalities.

The Property Leaks data provides insights into property ownership, including controlling parties and identifying information.  The journalists disclosed ownership details only when deemed relevant to the public interest, particularly involving convicted or accused individuals, those facing sanctions, and public officials or their associates accused of corruption or concealment of properties.

The reporters meticulously verified identities and ownership statuses using official records, open-source research, and other leaked datasets.

Besides it, Dubai's official land registry was consulted to ascertain current ownership statuses where possible.

Dublin: After beating Ireland in the third T20I match, Pakistan won the three-match series on Tuesday.  Pakistan won two matches while the hosts could secure victory in just one match. 

In the third match,  Shaheen Shah Afridi's dominant bowling display, complemented by swift half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, secured Pakistan's six-wicket victory over Ireland in Dublin.

Despite a spirited 73 off 41 balls from stand-in skipper Lorcan Tucker, Ireland posted a competitive total of 178. However, Babar and Rizwan effortlessly chased down the target, capitalizing on Ireland's lackluster bowling and fielding performances.

Electing to bowl after winning the toss, Pakistan's disciplined opening overs, led by Shaheen and Mohammad Amir, set the tone. Shaheen's impeccable yorkers, particularly effective, dismantled Ireland's batting order, restricting them to a mere 49 runs in the last seven overs.

Although Saim Ayub's early dismissal was a setback for Pakistan, Rizwan and Babar seized control of the chase. Babar, in particular, showcased his power-hitting prowess, capitalizing on dropped catches to steer Pakistan towards victory with a rapid 75 off 42 balls.

Teams:

Ireland: Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (c & wk), Ben White, Craig Young

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Hassan Ali, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir

One change for Pakistan. Hasan Ali comes in place of Naseem Shah