<p>After six long years in jail in Pakistan, Mumbaikar Hamid Nihal Ansari was repatriated back to India on Tuesday. He <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hamid-nihal-ansari-in-jail-in-pak-for-6-years-crosses-back-over-into-india-185105">had a tearful reunion with his parents and brother at the Wagah border</a>; he had been in Pakistan for 2,232 days.</p>

<p>"Extremely happy. Back home after six long years. I don't have words to express..." Hamid said the media at Wagah.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hamid Nihal Ansari and his family are likely to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to WION earlier, Hamid's mother thanked both the governments of India and Pakistan and "all those people who helped us right from the beginning, who stood on our side in our time of crisis". Hamid's father, Nehal Ansari, told WION, "We are very happy. no words to express our gratitude and happiness. Our thanks to all the people from the government of India and government of Pakistan. So many people were supportive. "</p>

<p>It may be noted here that India had put relentess pressure on Pakistan over Hamid. Ninety-six note verbales were issued to Pakistan seeking consular access and clarity on the charges against him, on which India received no satisfactory response.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Keeping in mind the fact that Hamid's court-mandated sentence was coming to an end on December 16, India upped the ante at multiple levels in the preceding weeks, seeking to ensure Ansari's release and quick repatriation to India.</p>

<p>Journalist Jatin Desai, who accompanied Hamid's family to Wagah and has been credited with his release, called on India and Pakistan to release more prisoners. &nbsp;"They need to be seen from a humanitarian perspective, which we don't. Hamid can set an example," Desai told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, welcoming Hamid's release, India said: "We would like Pakistan to take action &nbsp;to also end the misery of other Indian nationals and fishermen whose nationality has been confirmed and who have completed their sentences, but continue to languish in Pakistan jails."</p>

<p>Hamid went to Pakistan via Afghanistan in 2012 after befriending on social media a Pakistani girl whom he fell in love with. He went to Pakistan's Kohat on a fake passport and was arrested by security officials.</p>

<p>Hamid Nihal Ansari's case has come to symbolise the many Indian and Pakistani nationals languishing in each others jails.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the India-Pakistan Agreement on Consular Access signed on May 21, 2008, Delhi and Islamabad exchange lists of "civilian prisoners and fishermen of each country lodged in the jails of the other" on January 1 and July 1 every year. According to the lists exchanged on July 1, 2018, there are 108 Pakistani fishermen and 249 Pakistani civilian prisoners in India’s custody. Pakistan has acknowledged the custody of 418 fishermen and 53 civilian prisoners who are Indian or are believed to be Indian in their jails.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, commenting on Hamid's release in a Facebook post, said, "We’re committed to bringing all our prisoners home. Too many still languish in prisons despite completing their sentences".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj suggested to the High Commissioner of Pakistan in October 2017 that the two sides could work together to resolve humanitarian issues related to the elderly, women and mentally unsound prisoners in each others custody, and consider their early release and repatriation. She proposed the revival of the joint judicial committee, and that a team of Indian medical experts be allowed to visit mentally unsound prisoners with a view to facilitating the verification of their nationality and subsequent repatriation. Pakistan responded positively on March 7, 2018.&nbsp;</p>


After six long years in jail in Pakistan, Mumbaikar Hamid Nihal Ansari was repatriated back to India on Tuesday. He had a tearful reunion with his parents and brother at the Wagah border; he had been in Pakistan for 2,232 days.

After six long years in jail in Pakistan, Mumbaikar Hamid Nihal Ansari was repatriated back to India on Tuesday. He had a tearful reunion with his parents and brother at the Wagah border; he had been in Pakistan for 2,232 days. "Extremely happy. Back home after six long years. I don't have words to express..." Hamid said the media at Wagah. Hamid Nihal Ansari and his family are likely to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday. Speaking to WION earlier, Hamid's mother thanked both the governments of India and Pakistan and "all those people who helped us right from the beginning, who stood on our side in our time of crisis". Hamid's father, Nehal Ansari, told WION, "We are very happy. no words to express our gratitude and happiness. Our thanks to all the people from the government of India and government of Pakistan. So many people were supportive. " It may be noted here that India had put relentess pressure on Pakistan over Hamid. Ninety-six note verbales were issued to Pakistan seeking consular access and clarity on the charges against him, on which India received no satisfactory response. Keeping in mind the fact that Hamid's court-mandated sentence was coming to an end on December 16, India upped the ante at multiple levels in the preceding weeks, seeking to ensure Ansari's release and quick repatriation to India. Journalist Jatin Desai, who accompanied Hamid's family to Wagah and has been credited with his release, called on India and Pakistan to release more prisoners. "They need to be seen from a humanitarian perspective, which we don't. Hamid can set an example," Desai told WION. Earlier, welcoming Hamid's release, India said: "We would like Pakistan to take action to also end the misery of other Indian nationals and fishermen whose nationality has been confirmed and who have completed their sentences, but continue to languish in Pakistan jails." Hamid went to Pakistan via Afghanistan in 2012 after befriending on social media a Pakistani girl whom he fell in love with. He went to Pakistan's Kohat on a fake passport and was arrested by security officials. Hamid Nihal Ansari's case has come to symbolise the many Indian and Pakistani nationals languishing in each others jails. As per the India-Pakistan Agreement on Consular Access signed on May 21, 2008, Delhi and Islamabad exchange lists of "civilian prisoners and fishermen of each country lodged in the jails of the other" on January 1 and July 1 every year. According to the lists exchanged on July 1, 2018, there are 108 Pakistani fishermen and 249 Pakistani civilian prisoners in India’s custody. Pakistan has acknowledged the custody of 418 fishermen and 53 civilian prisoners who are Indian or are believed to be Indian in their jails. Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, commenting on Hamid's release in a Facebook post, said, "We’re committed to bringing all our prisoners home. Too many still languish in prisons despite completing their sentences". Sushma Swaraj suggested to the High Commissioner of Pakistan in October 2017 that the two sides could work together to resolve humanitarian issues related to the elderly, women and mentally unsound prisoners in each others custody, and consider their early release and repatriation. She proposed the revival of the joint judicial committee, and that a team of Indian medical experts be allowed to visit mentally unsound prisoners with a view to facilitating the verification of their nationality and subsequent repatriation. Pakistan responded positively on March 7, 2018.

Don't have words to express... : Hamid Nihal Ansari on return to India after 6 years in jail in Pak

<p>In a major development, India has asked South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to derecognise the organisation's chamber of commerce of Industry (SCCI).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The development comes after the SCCI event on December 8 at&nbsp;Islamabad in which Pakistan Occupied Kashmir or PoK minister Chaudhary Muhammad Saeed was also present.</p>

<p>Calling the minister's presence as a breach of SAARC guidelines, New Delhi has called for initiating steps for derecognition of SAARC chamber of commerce and Industry as the apex body of the organisation.</p>

<p>The letter which was sent by India's ministry of external affairs on December 10, 2 days after the event in Islamabad to SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu says SCCI invited "a renegade entity from the area of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir which is under the illegal and forcible occupation of Pakistan".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The letter which WION exclusively accessed stated that such acts of SCCI, a SAARC apex body, is in violation of SAARC charter and principles that provides for respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs of the other states.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Further, the SCCI has breached the guidelines and obligations meant for the SAARC apex bodies by indulging in political activities, not in conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the SAARC Charter, the letter stated.</p>

<p>The letter ended with India requesting "the SAARC Secretariat to consider initiating steps for derecognition of SAARC chamber of commerce and Industry as the apex body of the organisation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The SAARC Charter day event on December 8 is the same event from which Shubham Singh an Indian diplomat left due to the presence of PoK minister.</p>

<p>An email to SAARC Secretariat for his response in the issue remainded unanswered. &nbsp;The headquarters of SCCI is located in Islamabad.</p>

<p>Chaos prevailed in SAARC after several countries boycotted the 2016 Islamabad event due to the issue of cross-border terror emanating from Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India had boycotted the summit due to the terror attack by Pakistan based terrorist on an Indian Army base in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India is increasingly looking at BIMSTEC or Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation for regional cooperation for regional cooperation.</p>

<p>SAARC Charter day celebrations were largely muted in south Asia expect in Islamabad were at one event the Chinese ambassador was also called.</p>

<p>India has also been asking to vacate PoK, with last such reminder being given to Islamabad on 30th November.&nbsp;</p>


In a major development, India has asked South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to derecognise the organisation's chamber of commerce of Industry (SCCI).

In a major development, India has asked South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to derecognise the organisation's chamber of commerce of Industry (SCCI). The development comes after the SCCI event on December 8 at Islamabad in which Pakistan Occupied Kashmir or PoK minister Chaudhary Muhammad Saeed was also present. Calling the minister's presence as a breach of SAARC guidelines, New Delhi has called for initiating steps for derecognition of SAARC chamber of commerce and Industry as the apex body of the organisation. The letter which was sent by India's ministry of external affairs on December 10, 2 days after the event in Islamabad to SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu says SCCI invited "a renegade entity from the area of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir which is under the illegal and forcible occupation of Pakistan". The letter which WION exclusively accessed stated that such acts of SCCI, a SAARC apex body, is in violation of SAARC charter and principles that provides for respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs of the other states. Further, the SCCI has breached the guidelines and obligations meant for the SAARC apex bodies by indulging in political activities, not in conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the SAARC Charter, the letter stated. The letter ended with India requesting "the SAARC Secretariat to consider initiating steps for derecognition of SAARC chamber of commerce and Industry as the apex body of the organisation. The SAARC Charter day event on December 8 is the same event from which Shubham Singh an Indian diplomat left due to the presence of PoK minister. An email to SAARC Secretariat for his response in the issue remainded unanswered. The headquarters of SCCI is located in Islamabad. Chaos prevailed in SAARC after several countries boycotted the 2016 Islamabad event due to the issue of cross-border terror emanating from Pakistan. India had boycotted the summit due to the terror attack by Pakistan based terrorist on an Indian Army base in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. India is increasingly looking at BIMSTEC or Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation for regional cooperation for regional cooperation. SAARC Charter day celebrations were largely muted in south Asia expect in Islamabad were at one event the Chinese ambassador was also called. India has also been asking to vacate PoK, with last such reminder being given to Islamabad on 30th November.

India asks SAARC to derecognise chamber of commerce after PoK minister lands at event

<p>A week<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/deeply-dismayed-at-negative-propaganda-campaign-over-kartarpur-corridor-pak-foreign-office-180903"> after the Kartarpur ceremony</a>, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi today&nbsp;issued visas to over 220 Hindu pilgrims from India to participate in the 310th birthday celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Sukkur, from 5-16 December this year.</p>

<p>Under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol of 1974 on visits to religious shrines, a large number of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals every year.</p>

<p>Shadani Darbar Tirth, a 300-year old temple, is a sacred place for devotees from across the world. The foundation of Shadani Darbar was laid at Hayat Pitafi Tehsil, Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki district in 1786 by Sant Shadaram Sahib, who was born in Lahore in 1708.</p>

<p>The issuance of pilgrimage visas is in line with Pakistan government's efforts for promoting visits to religious shrines and people-to-people exchanges, the Pakistan government in a statement said.</p>

<p>"It also reflects the commitment of the government of Pakistan to faithfully implement the bilateral protocol on Visits to religious shrines," it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On November 30th, more than 3800 Sikh pilgrims returned to India from Pakistan after participating in the 549th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During their visit, the ground-breaking ceremony for the Kartarpur corridor on the Pakistan side of the International Border was performed by Prime Minister Imran Khan along with prominent guests from India.</p>

<p>The corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur – the final resting place of Sikh faith’s founder Guru Nanak Dev – with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Gurdaspur district.</p>

<p>Both India and Pakistan last month announced that stretches would be developed in their respective areas to link the two revered places.</p>

<p>Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious places and providing all possible facilitation for the visiting pilgrims of all faiths, the government said.&nbsp;</p>


A week after the Kartarpur ceremony, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi today issued visas to over 220 Hindu pilgrims from India to participate in the 310th birthday celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Sukkur, from 5-16 December this year.

A week after the Kartarpur ceremony, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi today issued visas to over 220 Hindu pilgrims from India to participate in the 310th birthday celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Sukkur, from 5-16 December this year. Under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol of 1974 on visits to religious shrines, a large number of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals every year. Shadani Darbar Tirth, a 300-year old temple, is a sacred place for devotees from across the world. The foundation of Shadani Darbar was laid at Hayat Pitafi Tehsil, Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki district in 1786 by Sant Shadaram Sahib, who was born in Lahore in 1708. The issuance of pilgrimage visas is in line with Pakistan government's efforts for promoting visits to religious shrines and people-to-people exchanges, the Pakistan government in a statement said. "It also reflects the commitment of the government of Pakistan to faithfully implement the bilateral protocol on Visits to religious shrines," it added. On November 30th, more than 3800 Sikh pilgrims returned to India from Pakistan after participating in the 549th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. During their visit, the ground-breaking ceremony for the Kartarpur corridor on the Pakistan side of the International Border was performed by Prime Minister Imran Khan along with prominent guests from India. The corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur – the final resting place of Sikh faith’s founder Guru Nanak Dev – with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Gurdaspur district. Both India and Pakistan last month announced that stretches would be developed in their respective areas to link the two revered places. Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious places and providing all possible facilitation for the visiting pilgrims of all faiths, the government said.

Pakistan issues visas to Indian pilgrims to visit Hindu temple

<p>In what can be seen as a step forward in India-Pakistan relations, India will be sending two ministers to take part in Kartarpur corridor's groundbreaking ceremony on November 28, which will be done by Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan. India will be represented by Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Minister of State (IC) for Housing &amp; Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a tweet, External Affairs Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/swaraj-invited-to-pakistan-to-attend-ceremony-of-kartarpur-corridor-qureshi-179200">Sushma Swaraj</a> said, "We welcome this proposal and we are sending two Ministers to represent Government of India"&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Please do not spread disinformation. We welcome this proposal and we are sending two Ministers to represent Government of India. <a href="https://t.co/Xiciu74ljy">https://t.co/Xiciu74ljy</a></p>
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1066385488267755522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>She also hoped that the Government of Pakistan will "expedite the construction of the corridor" in order to ensure that "our citizens can pay their respects at the Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the corridor as soon as possible."</p>

<p>This comes after Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi extended an invitation to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, along with Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Punjab tourism minister Navjot Singh Sidhu. Navjot Singh Sidhu has already confirmed that he will be going for the ceremony on November 28.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On behalf of Pakistan I have extended an invitation to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> ,Capt Amarinder Singh <a href="https://twitter.com/capt_amarinder?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@capt_amarinder</a> &amp; Navjot Singh Sidhu <a href="https://twitter.com/sherryontopp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sherryontopp</a> to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kartarpura?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kartarpura</a> on 28 Nov, 2018.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PakistanKartarpuraSpirit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PakistanKartarpuraSpirit</a></p>
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/SMQureshiPTI/status/1066336238129618944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Faisal Javed Khan telephoned Navjot Singh Sidhu to extend the invitation.</p>

<p>The Indian cabinet announced that India will be building the corridor till the international border on Thursday and urged Islamabad to build it soon. Citing the fall of the Berlin wall, PM Modi also backed the building of the corridor and said, "<em>Kisne </em><em>socha</em><em> that ki Berlin ki </em><em>deewar</em><em> </em><em>gir</em><em> </em><em>sakti</em><em> hai, </em><em>shayad</em><em> Guru Nanak Dev Ji </em><em>ke</em><em> </em><em>aashirwad</em><em> </em><em>se</em><em>, Kartarpur ka corridor </em><em>sirf</em><em> corridor </em><em>nahi</em><em>, Jan Jan ko </em><em>jodne</em><em> ka </em><em>bahut</em><em> </em><em>bada</em><em> </em><em>karan</em><em> ban </em><em>sakta</em><em> hai</em>" (Who would have thought that Berlin wall would fall. With the blessings of Guru Nanak Dev ji, Kartarpur corridor will not be just a corridor but will act as a bridge to connect people).</p>

<p>President Ram Nath Kovind along with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will be laying the foundation for the corridor on November 26 while Pakistan's PM Imran Khan will be laying the foundation on November 28. It was a long-standing demand of the Sikh community in India and New Delhi had been pursuing it for many years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The corridor issue was again highlighted during Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's visit to the swearing-in ceremony of Pak PM Imran Khan in which according to Sidhu, Pakistan army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa told him that the corridor should be open.</p>


In what can be seen as a step forward in India-Pakistan relations, India will be sending two ministers to take part in Kartarpur corridor's groundbreaking ceremony on November 28, which will be done by Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In what can be seen as a step forward in India-Pakistan relations, India will be sending two ministers to take part in Kartarpur corridor's groundbreaking ceremony on November 28, which will be done by Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan. India will be represented by Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Minister of State (IC) for Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri. In a tweet, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "We welcome this proposal and we are sending two Ministers to represent Government of India" Please do not spread disinformation. We welcome this proposal and we are sending two Ministers to represent Government of India. https://t.co/Xiciu74ljy — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 24, 2018 × She also hoped that the Government of Pakistan will "expedite the construction of the corridor" in order to ensure that "our citizens can pay their respects at the Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the corridor as soon as possible." This comes after Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi extended an invitation to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, along with Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Punjab tourism minister Navjot Singh Sidhu. Navjot Singh Sidhu has already confirmed that he will be going for the ceremony on November 28. On behalf of Pakistan I have extended an invitation to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj @SushmaSwaraj ,Capt Amarinder Singh @capt_amarinder & Navjot Singh Sidhu @sherryontopp to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at #Kartarpura on 28 Nov, 2018.#PakistanKartarpuraSpirit — Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) November 24, 2018 × Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Faisal Javed Khan telephoned Navjot Singh Sidhu to extend the invitation. The Indian cabinet announced that India will be building the corridor till the international border on Thursday and urged Islamabad to build it soon. Citing the fall of the Berlin wall, PM Modi also backed the building of the corridor and said, "Kisne socha that ki Berlin ki deewar gir sakti hai, shayad Guru Nanak Dev Ji ke aashirwad se, Kartarpur ka corridor sirf corridor nahi, Jan Jan ko jodne ka bahut bada karan ban sakta hai" (Who would have thought that Berlin wall would fall. With the blessings of Guru Nanak Dev ji, Kartarpur corridor will not be just a corridor but will act as a bridge to connect people). President Ram Nath Kovind along with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will be laying the foundation for the corridor on November 26 while Pakistan's PM Imran Khan will be laying the foundation on November 28. It was a long-standing demand of the Sikh community in India and New Delhi had been pursuing it for many years. The corridor issue was again highlighted during Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's visit to the swearing-in ceremony of Pak PM Imran Khan in which according to Sidhu, Pakistan army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa told him that the corridor should be open.

Kartarpur corridor: India to send 2 ministers to breaking ground ceremony in Pakistan

<p>India and Pakistan have both agreed to build the Kartarpur corridor on their respective sides of the border. The corridor will lead to Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kartarpur-sahib-pakistani-gurudwara-where-guru-nanak-spent-final-18-years-of-his-life-178745">Guru Nanak's final resting place</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India will build&nbsp;the Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak gurudwara in Gurdaspur district till the International Border.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Announcing the cabinet decision, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted: "The Kartarpur corridor will provide smooth and easy passage to pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib throughout the year."</p>

<p>India had approached the Pakistani high commission in Delhi and referred to the longstanding proposal to create the corridor to facilitate "easy and smooth" access for Indian pilgrims visiting the gurudwara. Kartarpur Sahib lies in Pakistan, just across the International Border.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Confirming India had approached Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement, "We have approached and urged the Pakistan government to recognize the sentiments of Sikh community and build a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory to &nbsp;facilitate easy and smooth visits of pilgrims from India to Kartarpur Sahib throughout the year".</p>

<p>India approached the Pakistani High Commission on Friday, the commission sent the letter to Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry (MOFA) on Monday. The Pak MOFA wrote to the Indian High Commission on Wednesday and the Indian High Commission sent the letter to the MEA on Thursday.</p>

<p>Later, at the cabinet briefing, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "All I can say is government of India has always been pursuing this matter."</p>

<p>The Kartarpur shrine is visible from Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak, where binoculars are installed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Kartarpur corridor will be implemented as an integrated development project with Government of India funding. The development comes ahead of the 550th Prakash Purab or birth anniversary of Guru Nanak next year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, top sources have told WION that India has requested that the corridor be open 365 days and 24 hours and that there must be no restrictions on the number of pilgrims travelling across the border. The Indian intention basically is that the corridor must be a full-fledged one that allows for maximum movement. The corridor should be open not just on special occasions but through the year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India also believes that Sikh pilgrims continue to make the difficult journey with no consular access and wants free and readily available consular access for Indian citizens on the Pakistani side.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was conducting a briefing when the Indian cabinet announced the decision, reacted by saying that good news will soon come on Kartarpur corridor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Within a few hours, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan will "ground break" for the corridor on November 28. "Pakistan has already conveyed to India its decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pakistan has already conveyed to India it's decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion.</p>
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/SMQureshiPTI/status/1065544884973654016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also welcomed the decision with a tweet saying, "Indian Cabinet endorsement of Pakistan’s proposition on Kartarpur Border Opening is victory of peace lobby in both countries, its a step towards right direction and we hope such steps encourage voice of reasons and tranquillity on both sides of the border."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indian Cabinet endorsement of Pakistan’s proposition on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KartarPurBorderOpening?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KartarPurBorderOpening</a> is victory of peace lobby in both countries, its a step towards right direction and we hope such steps ll encourage voice of reasons and tranquility on both sides of the border.</p>
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1065532193987092480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian sources dismissed the idea that the corridor was planned in response to a Pakistani proposal, calling it "preposterous, but hurtful to the sentiments of the Sikh community." The proposal is a long-standing demand from the Indian side for more than 20 years, they said.</p>

<p><br />
The Kartarpur corridor issue got highlighted this year when Punjab Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu travelled to Pakistan for Imran Khan's swearing-in, and during which time he claimed Pakistani Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa had suggested the opening of the corridor to him. (Sidhu had been slammed on his return for hugging the Pakistan Army chief.)&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Thursday, Sidhu tweeted, "I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet, it will be a cup of joy for 12 Crore ‘Nanak Naam Laivas.’ It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet, it will be a cup of joy for 12 Crore ‘Nanak Naam Laivas.’ It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GuruNanakJayanti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GuruNanakJayanti</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kartarpurcorridor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kartarpurcorridor</a></p>
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sherryontopp/status/1065517369529896960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kartarpur Sahib is of immense significance for the Sikhs since Guru Nanak spent 18 years of his life here.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kartarpur is located in the Narowal district of Pakistani Punjab. It is about 120 kms from Lahore and is located only 3 kms from the Indo-Pakistan border by the Ravi river. At the time of partition, there were three gurdwaras in the border region which were of historical and religious importance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India got two and Pakistan got one.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dera Baba Nanak and Dera Chola Sahab are the two gurdwaras in India. Dera Kartarpur is in Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Welcoming the development, Sukhbir Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal said, "A long-standing demand on Kartarpur Corridor has been finally accepted by Modi Govt."</p>

<p>The forward movement on the Kartarpur corridor can be considered a big development since despite the India-Pakistan deadlock in talks, both New Delhi and Islamabad have been able to form a consensus on the issue.&nbsp;</p>


India and Pakistan have both agreed to build the Kartarpur corridor on their respective sides of the border. The corridor will lead to Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara, Guru Nanak's final resting place.

India and Pakistan have both agreed to build the Kartarpur corridor on their respective sides of the border. The corridor will lead to Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara, Guru Nanak's final resting place. India will build the Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak gurudwara in Gurdaspur district till the International Border. Announcing the cabinet decision, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted: "The Kartarpur corridor will provide smooth and easy passage to pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib throughout the year." India had approached the Pakistani high commission in Delhi and referred to the longstanding proposal to create the corridor to facilitate "easy and smooth" access for Indian pilgrims visiting the gurudwara. Kartarpur Sahib lies in Pakistan, just across the International Border. Confirming India had approached Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement, "We have approached and urged the Pakistan government to recognize the sentiments of Sikh community and build a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory to facilitate easy and smooth visits of pilgrims from India to Kartarpur Sahib throughout the year". India approached the Pakistani High Commission on Friday, the commission sent the letter to Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry (MOFA) on Monday. The Pak MOFA wrote to the Indian High Commission on Wednesday and the Indian High Commission sent the letter to the MEA on Thursday. Later, at the cabinet briefing, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "All I can say is government of India has always been pursuing this matter." The Kartarpur shrine is visible from Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak, where binoculars are installed. The Kartarpur corridor will be implemented as an integrated development project with Government of India funding. The development comes ahead of the 550th Prakash Purab or birth anniversary of Guru Nanak next year. Meanwhile, top sources have told WION that India has requested that the corridor be open 365 days and 24 hours and that there must be no restrictions on the number of pilgrims travelling across the border. The Indian intention basically is that the corridor must be a full-fledged one that allows for maximum movement. The corridor should be open not just on special occasions but through the year. India also believes that Sikh pilgrims continue to make the difficult journey with no consular access and wants free and readily available consular access for Indian citizens on the Pakistani side. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was conducting a briefing when the Indian cabinet announced the decision, reacted by saying that good news will soon come on Kartarpur corridor. Within a few hours, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan will "ground break" for the corridor on November 28. "Pakistan has already conveyed to India its decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion." Pakistan has already conveyed to India it's decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion. — Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) November 22, 2018 × Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also welcomed the decision with a tweet saying, "Indian Cabinet endorsement of Pakistan’s proposition on Kartarpur Border Opening is victory of peace lobby in both countries, its a step towards right direction and we hope such steps encourage voice of reasons and tranquillity on both sides of the border." Indian Cabinet endorsement of Pakistan’s proposition on #KartarPurBorderOpening is victory of peace lobby in both countries, its a step towards right direction and we hope such steps ll encourage voice of reasons and tranquility on both sides of the border. — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 22, 2018 × Indian sources dismissed the idea that the corridor was planned in response to a Pakistani proposal, calling it "preposterous, but hurtful to the sentiments of the Sikh community." The proposal is a long-standing demand from the Indian side for more than 20 years, they said. The Kartarpur corridor issue got highlighted this year when Punjab Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu travelled to Pakistan for Imran Khan's swearing-in, and during which time he claimed Pakistani Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa had suggested the opening of the corridor to him. (Sidhu had been slammed on his return for hugging the Pakistan Army chief.) On Thursday, Sidhu tweeted, "I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet, it will be a cup of joy for 12 Crore ‘Nanak Naam Laivas.’ It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries." I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet, it will be a cup of joy for 12 Crore ‘Nanak Naam Laivas.’ It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries. #GuruNanakJayanti #Kartarpurcorridor — Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) November 22, 2018 × Kartarpur Sahib is of immense significance for the Sikhs since Guru Nanak spent 18 years of his life here. Kartarpur is located in the Narowal district of Pakistani Punjab. It is about 120 kms from Lahore and is located only 3 kms from the Indo-Pakistan border by the Ravi river. At the time of partition, there were three gurdwaras in the border region which were of historical and religious importance. India got two and Pakistan got one. Dera Baba Nanak and Dera Chola Sahab are the two gurdwaras in India. Dera Kartarpur is in Pakistan. Welcoming the development, Sukhbir Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal said, "A long-standing demand on Kartarpur Corridor has been finally accepted by Modi Govt." The forward movement on the Kartarpur corridor can be considered a big development since despite the India-Pakistan deadlock in talks, both New Delhi and Islamabad have been able to form a consensus on the issue.

India-Pak agree to build Kartarpur corridor, Imran Khan to break ground on November 28

<p>Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reacted to Donald Trump's latest tirade on Islamabad. In a series of tweets, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf chief stated that "no Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror."</p>

<p>Khan's comments came after US President tweeted out slamming Pakistan for not doing "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/pakistan-knew-bin-laden-was-there-but-didnt-do-a-damn-thing-says-donald-trump-178108">a damn thing</a>" for America in curbing terrorism. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump's remark angered Pak leaders, including the Prime Minister who launched a scathing attack on the US President stating that "record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US War on Terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war &amp; over $123 bn was lost to economy. US "aid" was a miniscule $20 bn.</p>
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1064482777054220289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pakistan's Prime Minister said "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties" by participating in US war against terror, "over $123 billion was lost to the economy. US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion," Khan tweeted out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Our tribal areas were devastated and millions of people were uprooted from their homes. The war drastically impacted lives of ordinary Pakistanis. Pak continues to provide free lines of ground and air communications (GLOCs/ALOCs). Can Mr Trump name another ally that gave such sacrifices?" Khan's tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">3. Our tribal areas were devastated &amp; millions of ppl uprooted from their homes. The war drastically impacted lives of ordinary Pakistanis. 4. Pak continues to provide free lines of ground &amp; air communications(GLOCs/ALOCs).Can Mr Trump name another ally that gave such sacrifices?</p>
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1064483393335898113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pak Prime Minister added that the United States is making Pakistan "a scapegoat of their failures." He asked Washington to "do a serious assessment" on why Taliban is stronger than &nbsp;ever "despite 140,000 NATO troops plus 250,000 Afghan troops and reportedly $1 trillion spent on war in Afghanistan."</p>

<p>Khan's remarks came shortly after his Human Rights Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/president-trumps-tirade-against-pakistan-shows-he-suffers-from-perpetual-historic-amnesia-minister-178210">Shireen Mazari slammed US President</a> Donald Trump saying he "suffers conveniently from perpetual historic amnesia!"</p>

<p>"Trump's tirade against Pak and his claim that that Pak does not do 'a damn thing' for the US shd be a lesson for those Pak ldrs who kept appeasing the US esp after 9/11! The renditions; the loss of Pak lives in US WoT (war on terrorism); the free space for Raymond Davis &amp; other operatives; etc etc," Mazari tweeted.</p>

<p>The developments come after a high-level meeting at Pakistan's foreign office after comments of US President.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies &amp; deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/947802588174577664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump, on Sunday, defended his administration's decision to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan for not doing enough to curb terrorism and criticised Islamabad for offering a hideout to Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the garrison city of Abbottabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US president in an interview to FOX had slammed Pakistan due terror inaction and justified aid cut. He had said,"And we give Pakistan $1.3 billion a year . ... [bin Laden] lived in Pakistan, we’re supporting Pakistan, we’re giving them $1.3 billion a year -- which we don’t give them anymore, by the way. I ended it because they don’t do anything for us, they don’t do a damn thing for us."</p>

<p>The relationship between the 2 former allies have deteriorated and it believed it beyond the point of return. US President Donald Trump didn't also call Imran Khan after being elected a PM of Pakistan. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had visited for few hours after Imran Khan took oath and has been asking Pakistan to do more on the issue terror.</p>

<p>The development comes even has ties been US and Pakistan's arch-rival India has increased. Indian PM Modi met US Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of 13th east Asia summit and discussed terror. PM Modi is likely to meet US President Trump on the sidelines of G20 in Argentina later this month.</p>


Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reacted to Donald Trump's latest tirade on Islamabad. In a series of tweets, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf chief stated that "no Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reacted to Donald Trump's latest tirade on Islamabad. In a series of tweets, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf chief stated that "no Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror." Khan's comments came after US President tweeted out slamming Pakistan for not doing "a damn thing" for America in curbing terrorism. Trump's remark angered Pak leaders, including the Prime Minister who launched a scathing attack on the US President stating that "record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan." Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US War on Terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war & over $123 bn was lost to economy. US "aid" was a miniscule $20 bn. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 19, 2018 × Pakistan's Prime Minister said "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties" by participating in US war against terror, "over $123 billion was lost to the economy. US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion," Khan tweeted out. "Our tribal areas were devastated and millions of people were uprooted from their homes. The war drastically impacted lives of ordinary Pakistanis. Pak continues to provide free lines of ground and air communications (GLOCs/ALOCs). Can Mr Trump name another ally that gave such sacrifices?" Khan's tweet read. 3. Our tribal areas were devastated & millions of ppl uprooted from their homes. The war drastically impacted lives of ordinary Pakistanis. 4. Pak continues to provide free lines of ground & air communications(GLOCs/ALOCs).Can Mr Trump name another ally that gave such sacrifices? — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 19, 2018 × Pak Prime Minister added that the United States is making Pakistan "a scapegoat of their failures." He asked Washington to "do a serious assessment" on why Taliban is stronger than ever "despite 140,000 NATO troops plus 250,000 Afghan troops and reportedly $1 trillion spent on war in Afghanistan." Khan's remarks came shortly after his Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari slammed US President Donald Trump saying he "suffers conveniently from perpetual historic amnesia!" "Trump's tirade against Pak and his claim that that Pak does not do 'a damn thing' for the US shd be a lesson for those Pak ldrs who kept appeasing the US esp after 9/11! The renditions; the loss of Pak lives in US WoT (war on terrorism); the free space for Raymond Davis & other operatives; etc etc," Mazari tweeted. The developments come after a high-level meeting at Pakistan's foreign office after comments of US President. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 × Trump, on Sunday, defended his administration's decision to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan for not doing enough to curb terrorism and criticised Islamabad for offering a hideout to Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the garrison city of Abbottabad. The US president in an interview to FOX had slammed Pakistan due terror inaction and justified aid cut. He had said,"And we give Pakistan $1.3 billion a year . ... [bin Laden] lived in Pakistan, we’re supporting Pakistan, we’re giving them $1.3 billion a year -- which we don’t give them anymore, by the way. I ended it because they don’t do anything for us, they don’t do a damn thing for us." The relationship between the 2 former allies have deteriorated and it believed it beyond the point of return. US President Donald Trump didn't also call Imran Khan after being elected a PM of Pakistan. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had visited for few hours after Imran Khan took oath and has been asking Pakistan to do more on the issue terror. The development comes even has ties been US and Pakistan's arch-rival India has increased. Indian PM Modi met US Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of 13th east Asia summit and discussed terror. PM Modi is likely to meet US President Trump on the sidelines of G20 in Argentina later this month.

Pak lost over $123 bn by joining US war on terror; aid received was minuscule: Imran Khan on Trump's tirade

<p>In a development that confirms the deteriorating US-Pakistan ties, US President Donald Trump justified the aid cut to Pakistan, slamming inaction on its part to curb terror.</p>

<p>In an interview to Fox news channel on Sunday, Trump said, "And we give Pakistan $1.3 billion a year. ... [<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bin-laden-raid-commander-to-trump-revoke-my-security-clearance-too-159688">bin Laden</a>] lived in Pakistan, we’re supporting Pakistan, we’re giving them $1.3 billion a year - which we don’t give them any more, by the way. I ended it because they don’t do anything for us, they don’t do a damn thing for us."</p>

<p>The first tweet this year by US President was on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-meets-abu-dhabi-crown-prince-amid-reports-of-uae-package-178070">Pakistan aid cut</a> and the "lies and deceit". He tweeted on January 1, 2018, "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies &amp; deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies &amp; deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/947802588174577664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He slammed Pakistan for providing a safe haven to 9/11 mastermind <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bin-laden-raid-commander-to-trump-revoke-my-security-clearance-too-159688">Osama Bin Laden</a>. He said, "You know, living - think of this - living in Pakistan, beautifully in Pakistan in what I guess they considered a nice mansion, I don’t know, I’ve seen nicer. But living in Pakistan right next to the military academy, everybody in Pakistan knew he was there," he added."</p>

<p>In an operation on April 2, 2011, US special forces raided Osama Bin Laden's compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad and killed him.</p>

<p>Pakistan is likely to summon US&nbsp;Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad Ambassador Paul W&nbsp;Jones after the comments.</p>

<p>The relationship between Islamabad and Washington has come under pressure. US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo had visited Islamabad after the formation of New government led by Imran Khan and asked to do more on the issue of terror.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The comments by US president comes days after PM Modi met US Vice President Mike Pence in Singapore on the sidelines of 13th East Asia summit and raised with him the issue of terror originating from Pakistan. Speaking to the media after the Modi-Pence meet, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "Prime Minister reminded that in one way or another all the traces or all the leads in global terror attacks ultimately leads to a single source, a single place of origin".</p>

<p>PM Modi also raised the issue of mainstreaming of terrorism by Pakistan. Gokhale said PM Modi "did point out that the mainstreaming of the people involved in Mumbai terror attacks in a political process which had taken place in a recent election in Pakistan should be a matter of serious concern not just to the two countries i.e. India and the United States but to the International community."</p>

<p>The remarks by Trump comes a week before India marks the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai attacks. US Vice President Mike Pence during his meeting had referred to the coming 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks.</p>

<p>The remarks also come before a likely Modi-Trump meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina by the end of this month.</p>


In a development that confirms the deteriorating US-Pakistan ties, US President Donald Trump justified the aid cut to Pakistan, slamming inaction on its part to curb terror.

In a development that confirms the deteriorating US-Pakistan ties, US President Donald Trump justified the aid cut to Pakistan, slamming inaction on its part to curb terror. In an interview to Fox news channel on Sunday, Trump said, "And we give Pakistan $1.3 billion a year. ... [bin Laden] lived in Pakistan, we’re supporting Pakistan, we’re giving them $1.3 billion a year - which we don’t give them any more, by the way. I ended it because they don’t do anything for us, they don’t do a damn thing for us." The first tweet this year by US President was on Pakistan aid cut and the "lies and deceit". He tweeted on January 1, 2018, "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 × He slammed Pakistan for providing a safe haven to 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden. He said, "You know, living - think of this - living in Pakistan, beautifully in Pakistan in what I guess they considered a nice mansion, I don’t know, I’ve seen nicer. But living in Pakistan right next to the military academy, everybody in Pakistan knew he was there," he added." In an operation on April 2, 2011, US special forces raided Osama Bin Laden's compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad and killed him. Pakistan is likely to summon US Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad Ambassador Paul W Jones after the comments. The relationship between Islamabad and Washington has come under pressure. US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo had visited Islamabad after the formation of New government led by Imran Khan and asked to do more on the issue of terror. The comments by US president comes days after PM Modi met US Vice President Mike Pence in Singapore on the sidelines of 13th East Asia summit and raised with him the issue of terror originating from Pakistan. Speaking to the media after the Modi-Pence meet, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "Prime Minister reminded that in one way or another all the traces or all the leads in global terror attacks ultimately leads to a single source, a single place of origin". PM Modi also raised the issue of mainstreaming of terrorism by Pakistan. Gokhale said PM Modi "did point out that the mainstreaming of the people involved in Mumbai terror attacks in a political process which had taken place in a recent election in Pakistan should be a matter of serious concern not just to the two countries i.e. India and the United States but to the International community." The remarks by Trump comes a week before India marks the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai attacks. US Vice President Mike Pence during his meeting had referred to the coming 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks. The remarks also come before a likely Modi-Trump meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina by the end of this month.

Ended aid to Pakistan as they don't do a damn thing for us: Donald Trump

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