Thousands of young people took to the streets of Vienna on October 9 to protest Austria’s school headscarf ban for girls aged up to 14. Organizers reported around 3,000 participants in Vienna, while demonstrations also took place in Graz, Innsbruck and Linz.
World Bank’s Poverty Report on Pakistan: An Eye-Opener for a Debt-Ridden Nation.
Pakistan’s growing poverty, mounting public debt and massive interest payments raise serious questions about government spending and national priorities. Dr Alamdar Hussain Malik examines the need for accountability, fiscal discipline and reforms that put ordinary citizens first.
Michèle Surinx Appointed Director-General of Belgium’s Foreign Trade Agency
Michèle Surinx will take charge of Belgium’s Foreign Trade Agency on January 1, 2027, succeeding Didier Malherbe. The agency is preparing major economic missions to Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Canada to strengthen Belgium’s international trade relations.
The Standstill Agreement and the Contested October.
Muhammad Waleed Akhtar examines the 1947 Standstill Agreement, Maharaja Hari Singh’s accession decision and the unfulfilled plebiscite commitment that remains central to debates over Kashmir’s political status.
A proud achievement for Pakistan (IACA),Vienna, has appointed Dr. Tafakhar Ali Asdi, Independent External Auditor for 2028–2030.
Pakistan’s Deputy Auditor General Dr Tafakhar Ali Asdi has been appointed Independent External Auditor of the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Vienna for 2028–2030. The appointment highlights Pakistan’s representation in an important international institution.
Pakistan and EU Explore New Opportunities for Stronger Agricultural Cooperation.
Pakistan’s Ambassador Rahim Hayat Qureshi met EU Agriculture Director-General Elisabeth Werner to discuss agriculture, climate resilience, research and innovation.
Erik Solheim Praises Shenzhen as One of the World’s Fastest-Growing Cities
Erik Solheim has highlighted Shenzhen’s extraordinary transformation from a small fishing village into a major global technology and innovation hub over the past five decades.
Four Jailed for 36 Years Over Sexual Assault of 17-Year-Old Girl in Bristol
Four people, including three Afghan nationals, have been sentenced to a combined 36 years in prison following the sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl in Bristol.
The Judicialization of Repression: Silencing Dissent in Occupied Kashmir : Altaf Hussain Wani.
Altaf Hussain Wani examines prolonged detentions, anti-terror laws and the judicial process in Occupied Kashmir, arguing that legal mechanisms are increasingly being used to suppress political dissent.
High-Level International Water Symposium Held in Vienna by Pakistan Embassy and Diplomatic Academy.
A high-level International Water Symposium was held in Vienna by the Embassy of Pakistan and Vienna Diplomatic Academy, focusing on water security, international cooperation and the Indus Waters Treaty.