Pakistan won't have peace as Al Qaeda and ISIS carry out attacks from Afghanistan
August 3, 2021, 4:19 am

Pakistan won't have peace as Al Qaeda and ISIS carry out attacks from Afghanistan

terrorism

The We For News reported the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has come up with a report on Afghanistan which indicates highest civilian casualty numbers over any two-month period since the records began in 2009. peace

According to the media outlet, the report specifically mentions that in spite of peace and stability desired by the Afghan people, the Taliban and other non-state armed groups are continuing their ongoing assault.

It said, the report further claims that groups such as the Al Qaeda, ISIS and others will continue to remain a threat to Pakistan. It also mentions that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is likely to carry out attacks inside Pakistan from Afghanistan.

The We For News added, the report further states that there are militants in about 15 provinces of Afghanistan who are a big threat to Pakistan and also to peace in the region.

As per the report, the TTP is raising funds through smuggling and extortion. It goes on to mention that there are disputes between the TTP and Jamaat Ul Ahrar over recoveries/financial matters in Kunar province in Afghanistan.

Sources said the report has evoked strong reactions from Pakistani vernacular media, especially those from Western Pakistan with suggestions that given this situation in Afghanistan, the government should seriously consider moving out of the country.

Their main emphasis has been to rather consider ways and means of protecting the border areas and ensure security and stability in Pakistan.

The UNAMA perceives that, given the increased activities of the Taliban and likely rise in clashes between the Afghan government forces and the Taliban, civilian casualties are bound to increase in the coming months.

As per the report, more women and children were killed and wounded in Afghanistan in the first half of 2021 than in the first six months of any year since the records began in 2009.

Western Pakistan jittery over Afghan militant threats

The report mentions that a particularly sharp rise in casualties took place in May 2021 when international military forces began withdrawing from Afghanistan. As per the UNAMA, 1,659 civilians were killed and 3,254 were wounded — an increase if 47 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The UNAMA report warns that without a significant de-escalation in violence, Afghanistan will likely witness the highest ever number of documented civilian casualties in a single year since it began keeping records in 2009.

The most notable aspect of the report is that this is the first time that there have been no civilian casualties caused by international military forces as the fighting has now become exclusively civilian in nature.

While anti-government elements were responsible for 64 per cent of the total casualties, pro-government forces were responsible for 25 per cent civilian casualties.

The report specifically mentions about children being deliberately targeted on at least one occasion. The most shocking incident was the May 8 attack outside a school in Kabul which resulted in 300 civilian casualties, mostly school girls.

Also, resurgence of sectarian motivated attacks against Shia Muslims came to notice in the first half of 2021.

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Source: wefornews
Image source: wefornews

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.