Saudi Arabia has announced 118 humanitarian projects worth over $123 million for cash-strapped Pakistan in food security, health, education and water during Prime Minister Imran Khan's two-day visit, according to a report.

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief)'s Supervisor General Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah said that the assistance was announced in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

KSrelief announced 118 humanitarian projects for Pakistan at a cost of over USD 123 million in food security, health, education, water and environmental sanitation. He said that the kingdom has provided medical and preventive aid worth over USD 1.5 million to combat the pandemic.

Khan's Special Representative for Middle East Affairs Sheikh Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the visit will push the march of the cooperation in the right direction to achieve the desired interests and goals, and contribute to developing the political, military, diplomatic, economic, commercial, developmental and cultural coordination and cooperation fields.

Khan met Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen and discussed developments in the Islamic world, the situation of Muslims in non-OIC countries and the issues on the OIC's agenda, in particular combating Islamophobia.

During the summit meeting between Khan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, enhancing economic and trade relations and the challenge posed by extremism came under discussion. They confirmed their satisfaction with the firmness of bilateral military and security relations, and agreed on further cooperation to achieve common goals between the two countries, the SPA reported.

The two sides also stressed the need for concerted efforts of the Islamic world to confront extremism and violence and reject sectarianism, and strive to achieve international peace and security. They also underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts to combat the phenomenon of terrorism which is not related to any religion, race or colour, and confront all its forms and images, whatever its source, it said.

India was mentioned in the joint statement in the context of the recent understanding reached between the military authorities of Pakistan and India on a ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC), which is based on a 2003 understanding. The two sides emphasised the importance of dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve the outstanding issues between the two countries, especially the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, to ensure peace and stability in the region, it added.

The militaries of India and Pakistan, in a surprise announcement on February 25, said that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on a ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors.

India has told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with it in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.

Saudi Arabia has announced 118 humanitarian projects worth over $123 million for cash-strapped Pakistan in food security, health, education and water during Prime Minister Imran Khan's two-day visit, according to a report.

Saudi Arabia has announced 118 humanitarian projects worth over $123 million for cash-strapped Pakistan in food security, health, education and water during Prime Minister Imran Khan's two-day visit, according to a report. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief)'s Supervisor General Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah said that the assistance was announced in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. KSrelief announced 118 humanitarian projects for Pakistan at a cost of over USD 123 million in food security, health, education, water and environmental sanitation. He said that the kingdom has provided medical and preventive aid worth over USD 1.5 million to combat the pandemic. Khan's Special Representative for Middle East Affairs Sheikh Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the visit will push the march of the cooperation in the right direction to achieve the desired interests and goals, and contribute to developing the political, military, diplomatic, economic, commercial, developmental and cultural coordination and cooperation fields. Khan met Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen and discussed developments in the Islamic world, the situation of Muslims in non-OIC countries and the issues on the OIC's agenda, in particular combating Islamophobia. During the summit meeting between Khan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, enhancing economic and trade relations and the challenge posed by extremism came under discussion. They confirmed their satisfaction with the firmness of bilateral military and security relations, and agreed on further cooperation to achieve common goals between the two countries, the SPA reported. The two sides also stressed the need for concerted efforts of the Islamic world to confront extremism and violence and reject sectarianism, and strive to achieve international peace and security. They also underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts to combat the phenomenon of terrorism which is not related to any religion, race or colour, and confront all its forms and images, whatever its source, it said. India was mentioned in the joint statement in the context of the recent understanding reached between the military authorities of Pakistan and India on a ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC), which is based on a 2003 understanding. The two sides emphasised the importance of dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve the outstanding issues between the two countries, especially the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, to ensure peace and stability in the region, it added. The militaries of India and Pakistan, in a surprise announcement on February 25, said that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on a ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors. India has told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with it in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.

Saudi Arabia announces over 100 projects for cash-strapped Pakistan during Imran Khan's visit

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday reacted to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s comments in which he linked rape and sexual violence to how women dress. The former captain of the Pakistan cricket team has been under fire for his recent comments and has been accused of being a “rape apologist” by Human right groups in Pakistan. <o:p></o:p>

Ashwin, who has always been a vocal character, took to social media platform Twitter as he schooled Khan by urging everyone to “do better parenting”. <o:p></o:p>

After denouncing crimes against women and children, Khan had said that sexual violence was a result of "increasing obscenity", adding it was a product of India, the West and Hollywood movies.<o:p></o:p>

“Let’s do better parenting please. ‘Today will determine our tomorrow’s’,” tweeted Ashwin on Friday.

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Let’s do better parenting please🙏🙏. 
“Today will determine our tomorrow’s”. <a href="https://t.co/MnDtUVvCLd">https://t.co/MnDtUVvCLd</a>
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashwinravi99/status/1380492471059107843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Khan had recently denounced crimes against women and children but triggered controversy by linking rape and sexual violence to how women dress. The Oxford-educated Khan blamed “fahashi” (vulgarity) for the rise in rape cases in Pakistan while suggesting women cover up to prevent “temptation”. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

“This entire concept of purdah (covering up or segregating) is to avoid temptation, not everyone has the willpower to avoid it," Khan had said.<o:p></o:p>

The Pakistan PM added, "in any society where vulgarity is prevalent, there are consequences."<o:p></o:p>

However, his comments irked the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.<o:p></o:p>

"Not only does this betray a baffling ignorance of where, why and how rape occurs, but it also lays the blame on rape survivors, who, as the government must know, can range from young children to victims of honour crimes," the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in a statement.

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Here's how Ashwin's comments were lauded by netizens:</o:p></h2>

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Savage Anna 💯
— Prateek Shrivastava (@PrateekFrom_Ind) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrateekFrom_Ind/status/1380492695987097604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Wow. Absolutely destroyed him Ash 🔥 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/wJutLHioZa">https://t.co/wJutLHioZa</a>
— AD (@cricadharsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricadharsh/status/1380496499734323201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Bowled him <a href="https://t.co/LV9l7etNmv">https://t.co/LV9l7etNmv</a>
— Jash Parekh` (@JashParekh16) <a href="https://twitter.com/JashParekh16/status/1380495180499804160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Hear hear Ashwin. <a href="https://t.co/IPnUhCTM91">https://t.co/IPnUhCTM91</a>
— Ketaki Golatkar (@Golty) <a href="https://twitter.com/Golty/status/1380493358875967490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Word! <a href="https://t.co/xhmmYO0s95">https://t.co/xhmmYO0s95</a>
— Sourav Sinha (@sourav_sinha) <a href="https://twitter.com/sourav_sinha/status/1380492796977508355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan is ranked as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women in terms of safety and equality.<o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, Ashwin will be seen playing for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, starting April 9.<o:p></o:p>

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday reacted to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s comments in which he linked rape and sexual violence to how women dress.

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday reacted to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s comments in which he linked rape and sexual violence to how women dress. The former captain of the Pakistan cricket team has been under fire for his recent comments and has been accused of being a “rape apologist” by Human right groups in Pakistan. Ashwin, who has always been a vocal character, took to social media platform Twitter as he schooled Khan by urging everyone to “do better parenting”. After denouncing crimes against women and children, Khan had said that sexual violence was a result of "increasing obscenity", adding it was a product of India, the West and Hollywood movies. “Let’s do better parenting please. ‘Today will determine our tomorrow’s’,” tweeted Ashwin on Friday. Let’s do better parenting please🙏🙏. “Today will determine our tomorrow’s”. https://t.co/MnDtUVvCLd — Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 9, 2021 × Khan had recently denounced crimes against women and children but triggered controversy by linking rape and sexual violence to how women dress. The Oxford-educated Khan blamed “fahashi” (vulgarity) for the rise in rape cases in Pakistan while suggesting women cover up to prevent “temptation”. “This entire concept of purdah (covering up or segregating) is to avoid temptation, not everyone has the willpower to avoid it," Khan had said. The Pakistan PM added, "in any society where vulgarity is prevalent, there are consequences." However, his comments irked the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. "Not only does this betray a baffling ignorance of where, why and how rape occurs, but it also lays the blame on rape survivors, who, as the government must know, can range from young children to victims of honour crimes," the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in a statement. Here's how Ashwin's comments were lauded by netizens: Savage Anna 💯 — Prateek Shrivastava (@PrateekFrom_Ind) April 9, 2021 × Wow. Absolutely destroyed him Ash 🔥 🔥 https://t.co/wJutLHioZa — AD (@cricadharsh) April 9, 2021 × Bowled him https://t.co/LV9l7etNmv — Jash Parekh` (@JashParekh16) April 9, 2021 × Hear hear Ashwin. https://t.co/IPnUhCTM91 — Ketaki Golatkar (@Golty) April 9, 2021 × Word! https://t.co/xhmmYO0s95 — Sourav Sinha (@sourav_sinha) April 9, 2021 × Pakistan is ranked as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women in terms of safety and equality. Meanwhile, Ashwin will be seen playing for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, starting April 9.

Do better parenting: R Ashwin ignites Twitter with rebuke to Pak PM Khan for rape remarks

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday reprimanded the government over its failure to convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests for the last two months.

The court expressed disappointment over the PM Imran Khan government's lack of understanding of the need to conduct the CCI, as it was a 'basic requirement to run the country', it observed.

The apex court`s dissatisfaction with the government came during a hearing of the local body election case, with Justice Qazi Faez Isa heading the two-member bench, according to Geo News.

Underscoring that census was a basic requirement to run the country, Justice Isa said: "Is it not the priority of the government to release the results of the census? Despite [the PTI having] government in three provinces, no decision is being taken in the council."

"Either the government is not capable of running the country, or it is unable to make decisions," he said. He further asked why the CCI report had been kept confidential.&nbsp;

"Are good deeds kept a secret? It raises questions," he said. The judge, asking whether the country would run in this manner, stressed the nation needs to know what the province and Centre are doing, Geo News reported. The two-member bench also expressed anger over the promulgation of the Punjab Local Government Ordinance.

The Punjab government does not want to hold local body elections and the entire Punjab Assembly was bypassed at the request of one individual, he said. Meanwhile, the additional attorney general (AAG) told the court that the CCI would meet on March 24.&nbsp;

"It is a sensitive issue, and the government wants to make a decision through consensus," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday reprimanded the government over its failure to convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests for the last two months.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday reprimanded the government over its failure to convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests for the last two months. The court expressed disappointment over the PM Imran Khan government's lack of understanding of the need to conduct the CCI, as it was a 'basic requirement to run the country', it observed. The apex court`s dissatisfaction with the government came during a hearing of the local body election case, with Justice Qazi Faez Isa heading the two-member bench, according to Geo News. Underscoring that census was a basic requirement to run the country, Justice Isa said: "Is it not the priority of the government to release the results of the census? Despite [the PTI having] government in three provinces, no decision is being taken in the council." "Either the government is not capable of running the country, or it is unable to make decisions," he said. He further asked why the CCI report had been kept confidential. "Are good deeds kept a secret? It raises questions," he said. The judge, asking whether the country would run in this manner, stressed the nation needs to know what the province and Centre are doing, Geo News reported. The two-member bench also expressed anger over the promulgation of the Punjab Local Government Ordinance. The Punjab government does not want to hold local body elections and the entire Punjab Assembly was bypassed at the request of one individual, he said. Meanwhile, the additional attorney general (AAG) told the court that the CCI would meet on March 24. "It is a sensitive issue, and the government wants to make a decision through consensus," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Either Imran govt is incapable or cannot make decisions: Supreme Court of Pakistan

The chief of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on Sunday rejected Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vote of confidence, terming it without any constitutional or legal validity, and dared him to take trust vote directly from the nation, reported The News International. &nbsp;

Speaking at a press conference, Fazlur said that the vote of confidence is initiated by the President, but the session summoned by the President on Khan's call has no legal or constitutional validity.&nbsp;

"A President sends the motion for the vote of confidence on the knowledge of the dwindling strength of the Prime Minister in the Senate and this does not involve summary by the fake Prime Minister," said the PDM chief."&nbsp;

The PDM does not recognise today's session nor does it recognise the fake Prime Minister," added Fazlur.&nbsp;

He said, "We know, who knocked at the doors of the Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), to ensure they caste vote in favour of Imran Khan." &nbsp;

He also reprimanded Imran's party (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) ruffians attack on the press conference of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders on Saturday where former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Senator Musadiq Malik, PML-N Marriyum Aurangzeb PML-N Sr Vice President Ahsan Iqbal were physically attacked and harassed.&nbsp;

Fazlur termed it shameful, calling it an attack on the entire opposition alliance. Agitated over harassing of the PML-N leaders, Fazl said we can show a stronger reaction against the government. He warned if the PDM retaliated, there will be no space left for PTI leadership to escape. &nbsp;

Fazl said the PTI ruffians attacked decent leaders and dared the prime minister to take trust vote directly from the nation, reported The News International.&nbsp;

Moreover, the PDM chief said it is ironic that Imran Khan talks about the state of Madina, but goes to China to praise their system and in America sings praise for theirs, reported The News International.&nbsp;

Further, Fazlur said that arresting or harassing his party members by (National Accountability Bureau) NAB does not affect him. He warned NAB officials not to harass or victimise the opposition members. &nbsp;

He said the NAB would be abolished by the next elected government. Earlier also the opposition had levelled charges against the NAB of committing grave human rights violations, custodial deaths, and of being used by Khan's government to weaken the PDM. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The chief of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on Sunday rejected Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vote of confidence, terming it without any constitutional or legal validity, and dared him to take trust vote directly from the nation, reported The News International.

The chief of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on Sunday rejected Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vote of confidence, terming it without any constitutional or legal validity, and dared him to take trust vote directly from the nation, reported The News International. Speaking at a press conference, Fazlur said that the vote of confidence is initiated by the President, but the session summoned by the President on Khan's call has no legal or constitutional validity. "A President sends the motion for the vote of confidence on the knowledge of the dwindling strength of the Prime Minister in the Senate and this does not involve summary by the fake Prime Minister," said the PDM chief." The PDM does not recognise today's session nor does it recognise the fake Prime Minister," added Fazlur. He said, "We know, who knocked at the doors of the Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), to ensure they caste vote in favour of Imran Khan." He also reprimanded Imran's party (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) ruffians attack on the press conference of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders on Saturday where former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Senator Musadiq Malik, PML-N Marriyum Aurangzeb PML-N Sr Vice President Ahsan Iqbal were physically attacked and harassed. Fazlur termed it shameful, calling it an attack on the entire opposition alliance. Agitated over harassing of the PML-N leaders, Fazl said we can show a stronger reaction against the government. He warned if the PDM retaliated, there will be no space left for PTI leadership to escape. Fazl said the PTI ruffians attacked decent leaders and dared the prime minister to take trust vote directly from the nation, reported The News International. Moreover, the PDM chief said it is ironic that Imran Khan talks about the state of Madina, but goes to China to praise their system and in America sings praise for theirs, reported The News International. Further, Fazlur said that arresting or harassing his party members by (National Accountability Bureau) NAB does not affect him. He warned NAB officials not to harass or victimise the opposition members. He said the NAB would be abolished by the next elected government. Earlier also the opposition had levelled charges against the NAB of committing grave human rights violations, custodial deaths, and of being used by Khan's government to weaken the PDM. (With inputs from agencies)

PDM chief dares PM Imran Khan to take trust vote from masses 

Pakistan's election authorities on Thursday announced that the elections for the Senate will be held on March 3, amidst a raging controversy about allowing open ballot papers in the polls to avoid corruption.

A total of 52 senators in the 104-member upper house will retire on March 11 on completion of their six-year term.

They will also include four of the eight senators from the erstwhile Federally Adminis­tered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Since the areas have been merged with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, they will not be reelected and the Senate strength will shrink to 100.

Therefore, polling will be held to elect 48 senators - 12 each from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, 11 each from Punjab and Sindh and two from Islamabad, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said in a notification.

Polling will be held to elect seven members on general seats, two women and two technocrats in the four provinces.

Besides, the election on one minority seat each in KP and Balochistan will also be conducted.

The election for Senate or the upper house will be held as the country is torn apart by differences between the government and the Opposition whether to allow open ballot paper to avoid use of money.

The problem stems from the system of election as senators are elected by the respective provincial assemblies on the basis of proportional representation.

For example, in Balochistan a candidate may need just seven votes to become a senator.

A few days back a video surfaced showing some members of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly allegedly being bribed to vote against their Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party in 2018 elections.

Then PTI chief Imran Khan had expelled about 20 lawmakers for voting against the party line.

Khan has led the drive for open ballots but he is hamstrung by the Constitution of the country which asks for secret ballots.

His government last month filed an application with the Supreme Court to allow an open ballots system for the Senate election.

While the application is being heard, the PTI government first tried to amend the Constitution but failing to do so, it last week got the Elections (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 promulgated by President Arif Alvi to pave the way for Senate elections to be held via an "open and identifiable ballot".

The opposition parties have rejected the ordinance as well as the appeal in the Supreme Court by saying that PTI was trying to stuff the Senate with 'friends of Imran Khan' against the wishes of several of its lawmakers.

The ordinance has also been challenged in the top court as violation of the Constitution.

As the Senate election has been announced, all eyes are set at the Supreme Court to decide the issue of open ballots.

Pakistan's election authorities on Thursday announced that the elections for the Senate will be held on March 3, amidst a raging controversy about allowing open ballot papers in the polls to avoid corruption.

Pakistan's election authorities on Thursday announced that the elections for the Senate will be held on March 3, amidst a raging controversy about allowing open ballot papers in the polls to avoid corruption. A total of 52 senators in the 104-member upper house will retire on March 11 on completion of their six-year term. They will also include four of the eight senators from the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Since the areas have been merged with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, they will not be reelected and the Senate strength will shrink to 100. Therefore, polling will be held to elect 48 senators - 12 each from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, 11 each from Punjab and Sindh and two from Islamabad, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said in a notification. Polling will be held to elect seven members on general seats, two women and two technocrats in the four provinces. Besides, the election on one minority seat each in KP and Balochistan will also be conducted. The election for Senate or the upper house will be held as the country is torn apart by differences between the government and the Opposition whether to allow open ballot paper to avoid use of money. The problem stems from the system of election as senators are elected by the respective provincial assemblies on the basis of proportional representation. For example, in Balochistan a candidate may need just seven votes to become a senator. A few days back a video surfaced showing some members of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly allegedly being bribed to vote against their Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party in 2018 elections. Then PTI chief Imran Khan had expelled about 20 lawmakers for voting against the party line. Khan has led the drive for open ballots but he is hamstrung by the Constitution of the country which asks for secret ballots. His government last month filed an application with the Supreme Court to allow an open ballots system for the Senate election. While the application is being heard, the PTI government first tried to amend the Constitution but failing to do so, it last week got the Elections (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 promulgated by President Arif Alvi to pave the way for Senate elections to be held via an "open and identifiable ballot". The opposition parties have rejected the ordinance as well as the appeal in the Supreme Court by saying that PTI was trying to stuff the Senate with 'friends of Imran Khan' against the wishes of several of its lawmakers. The ordinance has also been challenged in the top court as violation of the Constitution. As the Senate election has been announced, all eyes are set at the Supreme Court to decide the issue of open ballots.

Amid controversies, Pakistan to hold elections for Senate on March 3

Inspite of the massive power blackout in Pakistan, Imran Khan government has planned to raise power tariff. The decision has been taken in view of increasing International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt. The government was increasing power tariff by Pakistani Rupees 1.90 per unit. This decision is being taken to revive the stalled IMF loan programme under USD 6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF)&nbsp;

As per government projections the circular bill will mount up to Rs 2805 by June 2021. This will put the power sector into cash crunch situation.

The government has already hiked power tariff several times but it has not helped the power sector.

The multilateral creditors, including the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank, had often suggested increasing power tariffs in the past to fix the problem of circular debt.The circular debt was persistently raising trends and it might escalate to Rs 2,805 billion by the end of June 2021.&nbsp;

It had climbed to Rs 2,150 billion during the last financial year 2019-20, indicating that the bleeding of the power sector surged by Rs 538 billion just in 12 months from July 2019 to June 30, 2020, reported The News International.

This shows that the circular debt went up by Rs 44.8 billion on a monthly basis in the last financial year.

Meanwhile, the Imran government shifted the blame on the COVID-19 pandemic and said that the situation ballooned the circular debt in the second half of the last fiscal year.The government performance was also exposed as it claimed that the monthly accumulation of circular debt was curtailed at just Rs 10 to 12 billion.

(With agency inputs)

Inspite of the massive power blackout in Pakistan, Imran Khan government has planned to raise power tariff. The decision has been taken in view of increasing International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt.

Inspite of the massive power blackout in Pakistan, Imran Khan government has planned to raise power tariff. The decision has been taken in view of increasing International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt. The government was increasing power tariff by Pakistani Rupees 1.90 per unit. This decision is being taken to revive the stalled IMF loan programme under USD 6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) As per government projections the circular bill will mount up to Rs 2805 by June 2021. This will put the power sector into cash crunch situation. The government has already hiked power tariff several times but it has not helped the power sector. The multilateral creditors, including the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank, had often suggested increasing power tariffs in the past to fix the problem of circular debt.The circular debt was persistently raising trends and it might escalate to Rs 2,805 billion by the end of June 2021. It had climbed to Rs 2,150 billion during the last financial year 2019-20, indicating that the bleeding of the power sector surged by Rs 538 billion just in 12 months from July 2019 to June 30, 2020, reported The News International. This shows that the circular debt went up by Rs 44.8 billion on a monthly basis in the last financial year. Meanwhile, the Imran government shifted the blame on the COVID-19 pandemic and said that the situation ballooned the circular debt in the second half of the last fiscal year.The government performance was also exposed as it claimed that the monthly accumulation of circular debt was curtailed at just Rs 10 to 12 billion. (With agency inputs)

Pakistan wants to hike power tariff despite recent massive blackout

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Imran Khan-led "heartless government" for sacking more than 4,500 employees of the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and vowed to re-instate them once his party is in power.Bhutto said in his tweet, "The heartless government`s sacked 4,500 workers of Pakistan Steel mills. PPP will return each and everyone back to work."

"The land of this historical industrial asset belongs to the people of Sindh. We will not let the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) get away with this economic murder. Sack Imran, not workers," he added

According to a report by Geo News, the PSM sacked 4,544 of employees, including the divisional and assistant managers, belonging to category 2,3, and 4 pay groups.

Earlier, Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar had announced the government`s decision to privatise PSM as it had become a burden on the national exchequer.Geo News quoted him as saying that PSM employees had not been working for the last many years and now they would get a financial package of around Rs 2.3 million per employee as compensation.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Imran Khan-led "heartless government" for sacking more than 4,500 employees of the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and vowed to re-instate them once his party is in power.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Imran Khan-led "heartless government" for sacking more than 4,500 employees of the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and vowed to re-instate them once his party is in power.Bhutto said in his tweet, "The heartless government`s sacked 4,500 workers of Pakistan Steel mills. PPP will return each and everyone back to work." "The land of this historical industrial asset belongs to the people of Sindh. We will not let the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) get away with this economic murder. Sack Imran, not workers," he added According to a report by Geo News, the PSM sacked 4,544 of employees, including the divisional and assistant managers, belonging to category 2,3, and 4 pay groups. Earlier, Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar had announced the government`s decision to privatise PSM as it had become a burden on the national exchequer.Geo News quoted him as saying that PSM employees had not been working for the last many years and now they would get a financial package of around Rs 2.3 million per employee as compensation.

Bilawal Bhutto slams Imran Khan's 'heartless government' for sacking over 4,500 PSM employees

The Financial Action Task Force is all set to decide on Pakistan's grey list status in a virtual meeting scheduled later this month, according to a media report on Monday.

The Paris-based global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog had placed Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and terror financing by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, debt-ridden Pakistan in August imposed financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

The virtual FATF plenary scheduled for October 21-23 will decide if Pakistan should be excluded from its grey list, based on a review of Islamabad's performance to meet global commitments and standards on fight against money laundering and terror financing (ML&amp;TF), the Dawn News reported.

The meeting was earlier scheduled in June but Islamabad got an unexpected breather after the global watchdog against financial crimes temporarily postponed all mutual evaluations and follow-up deadlines in the wake of grave health risk following COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

The agency also put a general pause in the review process, thus giving additional four months to Pakistan to meet the requirements.

In February, the FATF gave Pakistan, which missed 13 targets, a four-month grace period to complete its 27-point action plan against ML&amp;TF committed with the international community.

In its third plenary held virtually in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the grey list as Islamabad failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it is increasingly becoming difficult for the country to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation.

In July, Pakistan's Senate unanimously approved two bills related to the tough conditions set by FATF. In August, Parliament's lower house passed four FATF-related bills as part of the efforts by Pakistan to move from the FATF's grey list to the white list.

In September, the joint session of the Parliament amended about 15 laws to upgrade its legal system matching international standards as required by the FATF. The government has already submitted its report to the FATF and its affiliated review groups and responded to their comments, detailing compliance with the 13 outstanding action points, the Dawn report stated.

The FATF meeting this month will review Pakistan's compliance with the 13 remaining action points. The FATF will examine if the country had demonstrated remedial actions and sanctions applied in cases of violations relating to terrorist financing risk management and terror financing sanctions obligations.

The FATF will also judge if competent authorities were cooperating and taking action to identify and taking enforcement action against illegal money or value transfer services and had proven implementation of cross-border currency and bearer negotiable instruments controls at all ports of entry, including applying effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions.

Pakistan has also to determine if law enforcement agencies were identifying and investigating the widest range of terror financing activity and that terrorist financing (TF) probes and prosecution target designated persons and entities, and those acting on behalf or at the direction of the designated persons or entities besides showing TF prosecutions result in effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, the report said.

The country's outstanding action areas also include effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions (supported by a comprehensive legal obligation) against all 1,267 and 1,373 designated terrorists and those acting for or on their behalf, including preventing the raising and moving of funds, identifying and freezing assets (movable and immovable), and prohibiting access to funds and financial services, it said.

If the FATF in its meeting finds that Pakistan has failed to meet its requirements, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the 'Black List' along with North Korea and Iran.

In August, Prime Minister Imran Khan had warned that if blacklisted at the FATF, Pakistan's entire economy will be destroyed due to inflation and a massive fall in Pakistani Rupee.

The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations - the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council.

The Financial Action Task Force is all set to decide on Pakistan's grey list status in a virtual meeting scheduled later this month, according to a media report on Monday.

The Financial Action Task Force is all set to decide on Pakistan's grey list status in a virtual meeting scheduled later this month, according to a media report on Monday. The Paris-based global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog had placed Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and terror financing by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to COVID-19 pandemic. Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, debt-ridden Pakistan in August imposed financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. The virtual FATF plenary scheduled for October 21-23 will decide if Pakistan should be excluded from its grey list, based on a review of Islamabad's performance to meet global commitments and standards on fight against money laundering and terror financing (ML&TF), the Dawn News reported. The meeting was earlier scheduled in June but Islamabad got an unexpected breather after the global watchdog against financial crimes temporarily postponed all mutual evaluations and follow-up deadlines in the wake of grave health risk following COVID-19 pandemic, it said. The agency also put a general pause in the review process, thus giving additional four months to Pakistan to meet the requirements. In February, the FATF gave Pakistan, which missed 13 targets, a four-month grace period to complete its 27-point action plan against ML&TF committed with the international community. In its third plenary held virtually in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the grey list as Islamabad failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it is increasingly becoming difficult for the country to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation. In July, Pakistan's Senate unanimously approved two bills related to the tough conditions set by FATF. In August, Parliament's lower house passed four FATF-related bills as part of the efforts by Pakistan to move from the FATF's grey list to the white list. In September, the joint session of the Parliament amended about 15 laws to upgrade its legal system matching international standards as required by the FATF. The government has already submitted its report to the FATF and its affiliated review groups and responded to their comments, detailing compliance with the 13 outstanding action points, the Dawn report stated. The FATF meeting this month will review Pakistan's compliance with the 13 remaining action points. The FATF will examine if the country had demonstrated remedial actions and sanctions applied in cases of violations relating to terrorist financing risk management and terror financing sanctions obligations. The FATF will also judge if competent authorities were cooperating and taking action to identify and taking enforcement action against illegal money or value transfer services and had proven implementation of cross-border currency and bearer negotiable instruments controls at all ports of entry, including applying effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions. Pakistan has also to determine if law enforcement agencies were identifying and investigating the widest range of terror financing activity and that terrorist financing (TF) probes and prosecution target designated persons and entities, and those acting on behalf or at the direction of the designated persons or entities besides showing TF prosecutions result in effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, the report said. The country's outstanding action areas also include effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions (supported by a comprehensive legal obligation) against all 1,267 and 1,373 designated terrorists and those acting for or on their behalf, including preventing the raising and moving of funds, identifying and freezing assets (movable and immovable), and prohibiting access to funds and financial services, it said. If the FATF in its meeting finds that Pakistan has failed to meet its requirements, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the 'Black List' along with North Korea and Iran. In August, Prime Minister Imran Khan had warned that if blacklisted at the FATF, Pakistan's entire economy will be destroyed due to inflation and a massive fall in Pakistani Rupee. The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations - the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council.

Terror funding watchdog FATF to decide on Pak's grey list status this month: Report 

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked his party leaders to devise a legal strategy to bring back former premier Nawaz Sharif from the UK as in the absence of an extradition treaty between the two countries it would be difficult to get him extradited, according to a media report.

Presiding over the first meeting of a committee recently formed to counter the Opposition, Prime Minister Khan on Friday asked Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders to foil all moves of the Opposition aimed at destabilising the government and "maligning" the Army, the Dawn News reported.

The government had earlier sent a request to the British government for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader's repatriation to ensure that he faces the corruption cases pending against him in the courts.

Sharif has been living in London since November last year when he was allowed to go there for medical treatment. His recent speeches targeting the army for political interference has apparently unnerved the Imran Khan government.

A source privy to the meeting told Dawn that the prime minister was committed to bringing back Sharif from London and directed the committee members to devise a legal strategy because in the absence of an extradition treaty between Pakistan and the UK, it would become difficult to get him extradited.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/now-pak-pm-imran-khan-accuses-nawaz-sharif-of-playing-indias-game-332092">Now, Pak PM Imran Khan accuses Nawaz Sharif of 'playing India's game'</a> 
 
The committee comprises federal ministers Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Shafqat Mahmood and Pervez Khattak.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Shahzad Akbar had earlier said that he had written fresh letters to the British authorities for Sharif's repatriation, adding that a formal application has also been sent for his extradition.

The adviser was of the view that though both countries have no extradition treaty, wanted people could be handed over to each other under special arrangement.

On September 15, the Islamabad High Court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Sharif who failed to surrender before it despite clear warning by the bench. The court said the onus was on the federal government to bring back Sharif from London to stand a trial in Pakistan.

During the meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Khan vowed to defeat the Opposition's designs and defend state institutions, including the Army.

"Enemies of the army are in fact enemies of Pakistan," the prime minister said.

"The opposition leaders have a problem with the Army, and that is why their corruption is being traced," he said.

"Sharif wants to bring people on to the streets while he and his children are sitting in London," he said, alleging that the former prime minister wanted institutions to protect his interests.

Sharif in a televised speech from exile in London on Thursday accused the country's powerful military of political interference, saying that the military had rigged the 2018 vote that brought Khan to power.

Sharif has had a long uneasy relationship with the military, with Thursday's tirade the latest confrontation. 
Sharif served as Pakistan's prime minister three times, first removed by a president in 1993, then by military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 1999. A court in 2017 ousted him from power over corruption allegations. Khan, a former cricketer, came to power in 2018.

Pakistan's opposition parties have vowed to hold rallies in October to pressure Khan to resign.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked his party leaders to devise a legal strategy to bring back former premier Nawaz Sharif from the UK as in the absence of an extradition treaty between the two countries it would be difficult to get him extradited, according to a media report.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked his party leaders to devise a legal strategy to bring back former premier Nawaz Sharif from the UK as in the absence of an extradition treaty between the two countries it would be difficult to get him extradited, according to a media report. Presiding over the first meeting of a committee recently formed to counter the Opposition, Prime Minister Khan on Friday asked Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders to foil all moves of the Opposition aimed at destabilising the government and "maligning" the Army, the Dawn News reported. The government had earlier sent a request to the British government for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader's repatriation to ensure that he faces the corruption cases pending against him in the courts. Sharif has been living in London since November last year when he was allowed to go there for medical treatment. His recent speeches targeting the army for political interference has apparently unnerved the Imran Khan government. A source privy to the meeting told Dawn that the prime minister was committed to bringing back Sharif from London and directed the committee members to devise a legal strategy because in the absence of an extradition treaty between Pakistan and the UK, it would become difficult to get him extradited. Also Read | Now, Pak PM Imran Khan accuses Nawaz Sharif of 'playing India's game' The committee comprises federal ministers Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Shafqat Mahmood and Pervez Khattak. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Shahzad Akbar had earlier said that he had written fresh letters to the British authorities for Sharif's repatriation, adding that a formal application has also been sent for his extradition. The adviser was of the view that though both countries have no extradition treaty, wanted people could be handed over to each other under special arrangement. On September 15, the Islamabad High Court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Sharif who failed to surrender before it despite clear warning by the bench. The court said the onus was on the federal government to bring back Sharif from London to stand a trial in Pakistan. During the meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Khan vowed to defeat the Opposition's designs and defend state institutions, including the Army. "Enemies of the army are in fact enemies of Pakistan," the prime minister said. "The opposition leaders have a problem with the Army, and that is why their corruption is being traced," he said. "Sharif wants to bring people on to the streets while he and his children are sitting in London," he said, alleging that the former prime minister wanted institutions to protect his interests. Sharif in a televised speech from exile in London on Thursday accused the country's powerful military of political interference, saying that the military had rigged the 2018 vote that brought Khan to power. Sharif has had a long uneasy relationship with the military, with Thursday's tirade the latest confrontation. Sharif served as Pakistan's prime minister three times, first removed by a president in 1993, then by military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 1999. A court in 2017 ousted him from power over corruption allegations. Khan, a former cricketer, came to power in 2018. Pakistan's opposition parties have vowed to hold rallies in October to pressure Khan to resign.

Imran Khan explores legal strategy to bring Nawaz Sharif back from UK

A Pakistani journalist who has been a vocal critic of the military, government, and religious extremist groups, has been arrested on charges of defaming the country`s powerful army and spreading religious hatred, police said on Friday.

"Through his (social media) posts, Bilal Farooqi defamed the Pakistan Army and anti-state elements used these posts for their vested interests," said a police report seen by Reuters, which added that his online activity also spread religious hatred and incited mutiny against the military.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/culture-of-violence-in-pakistan-india-at-un-326744">Also read|&nbsp;‘Culture of violence’ in Pakistan: India at UN</a>

Farooqi's arrest is the latest in a spate of such moves against journalists who have been critical of the government and comes days after Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated that Pakistan has a free media.

Farooqi has now been released by the Pakistani government after huge&nbsp;criticism.

In July, another journalist, Matiullah Jan, also a critic of Pakistan`s military and government, was freed hours after being abducted after his disappearance sparked outcry amongst journalists and rights activists.

No explanation was given for Jan's abduction.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/paks-watershed-moment-two-horrific-rapes-and-social-media-outrage-326949">Also read|&nbsp;Pak's watershed moment: Two horrific rapes and social media outrage</a>

In the case of Farooqi, police cited the country`s cyber crime law, which critics say contains vague language that can be used to criminalise basic online activities with fines and long-term imprisonment.

Online criticism of religion, the country, its courts and armed forces are among subjects attracting prosecution.

Earlier this week, a former journalist returned home days after disappearing from Islamabad. He has given no details about what happened to him.

Farooqi had written a tweet about the man`s "enforced disappearance," saying: "The powerful are above the law in this country."

Last year, journalist Shahzeb Jilani was charged under laws relating to cyber terrorism, hate speech, electronic fraud, incitement, and defamation, but the case was thrown out of court due to lack of evidence.

At least four journalists and bloggers have been killed in connection with their reporting in the last year in Pakistan.

Earlier this week, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed increasing concern at instances of incitement to violence against journalists and human rights defenders.

"We have raised our concerns directly with the government and we have urged immediate, concrete steps to ensure the protection of journalists and human rights defenders who have been subjected to threats," UNHCR said in a statement.

A Pakistani journalist who has been a vocal critic of the military, government, and religious extremist groups, has been arrested on charges of defaming the country`s powerful army and spreading religious hatred, police said on Friday.

A Pakistani journalist who has been a vocal critic of the military, government, and religious extremist groups, has been arrested on charges of defaming the country`s powerful army and spreading religious hatred, police said on Friday. "Through his (social media) posts, Bilal Farooqi defamed the Pakistan Army and anti-state elements used these posts for their vested interests," said a police report seen by Reuters, which added that his online activity also spread religious hatred and incited mutiny against the military. Also read| ‘Culture of violence’ in Pakistan: India at UN Farooqi's arrest is the latest in a spate of such moves against journalists who have been critical of the government and comes days after Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated that Pakistan has a free media. Farooqi has now been released by the Pakistani government after huge criticism. In July, another journalist, Matiullah Jan, also a critic of Pakistan`s military and government, was freed hours after being abducted after his disappearance sparked outcry amongst journalists and rights activists. No explanation was given for Jan's abduction. Also read| Pak's watershed moment: Two horrific rapes and social media outrage In the case of Farooqi, police cited the country`s cyber crime law, which critics say contains vague language that can be used to criminalise basic online activities with fines and long-term imprisonment. Online criticism of religion, the country, its courts and armed forces are among subjects attracting prosecution. Earlier this week, a former journalist returned home days after disappearing from Islamabad. He has given no details about what happened to him. Farooqi had written a tweet about the man`s "enforced disappearance," saying: "The powerful are above the law in this country." Last year, journalist Shahzeb Jilani was charged under laws relating to cyber terrorism, hate speech, electronic fraud, incitement, and defamation, but the case was thrown out of court due to lack of evidence. At least four journalists and bloggers have been killed in connection with their reporting in the last year in Pakistan. Earlier this week, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed increasing concern at instances of incitement to violence against journalists and human rights defenders. "We have raised our concerns directly with the government and we have urged immediate, concrete steps to ensure the protection of journalists and human rights defenders who have been subjected to threats," UNHCR said in a statement.

Pakistani journalist,arrested for defaming military, released

India has dismissed the release of new map of Pakistan by Imran Khan government calling it&nbsp;"an exercise in political absurdity" and "ridiculous assertions" which neither have "legal validity nor international credibility".

Pakistan's Imran Khan government on the eve of one year anniversary of removal of special status of erstwhile state of Jammu &amp; Kashmir released a new "political map of Pakistan". The map showed Indian union territories of Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Ladakh, erstwhile princely state of Junagadh in Gujarat &amp; Sir Creek as Pakistani territories.

The ministry of external affairs in statement said,"We have seen a so-called “political map” of Pakistan that has been released by Prime Minister Imran Khan. This is an exercise in political absurdity, laying untenable claims to territories in the Indian State of Gujarat and our Union Territories of Jammu &amp; Kashmir and of Ladakh."

" These ridiculous assertions have neither legal validity nor international credibility. In fact, this new effort only confirms reality of Pakistan’s obsession with territorial aggrandisement supported by cross-border terrorism," MEA added.

While domestically Imran Khan govt might be hoping that it be seen as big political move, on paper same map was issue in 2012 by Pakistan govt. The only claim in the "new political map" is Sir Creek in Kutch region.

Imran Khan government has planned several moves ahead of the first anniversary of removal of spl status which includes renaming Kashmir high which to Srinagar highway in capital Islamabad.

The move by Pakistan comes months after Nepal's KP Sharma Oli govt announced a new map of nepal nepal showing Indian territories&nbsp;Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.&nbsp;

India has dismissed the release of new map of Pakistan by Imran Khan government calling it "an exercise in political absurdity" and "ridiculous assertions" which neither have "legal validity nor international credibility".

India has dismissed the release of new map of Pakistan by Imran Khan government calling it "an exercise in political absurdity" and "ridiculous assertions" which neither have "legal validity nor international credibility". Pakistan's Imran Khan government on the eve of one year anniversary of removal of special status of erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir released a new "political map of Pakistan". The map showed Indian union territories of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, erstwhile princely state of Junagadh in Gujarat & Sir Creek as Pakistani territories. The ministry of external affairs in statement said,"We have seen a so-called “political map” of Pakistan that has been released by Prime Minister Imran Khan. This is an exercise in political absurdity, laying untenable claims to territories in the Indian State of Gujarat and our Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and of Ladakh." " These ridiculous assertions have neither legal validity nor international credibility. In fact, this new effort only confirms reality of Pakistan’s obsession with territorial aggrandisement supported by cross-border terrorism," MEA added. While domestically Imran Khan govt might be hoping that it be seen as big political move, on paper same map was issue in 2012 by Pakistan govt. The only claim in the "new political map" is Sir Creek in Kutch region. Imran Khan government has planned several moves ahead of the first anniversary of removal of spl status which includes renaming Kashmir high which to Srinagar highway in capital Islamabad. The move by Pakistan comes months after Nepal's KP Sharma Oli govt announced a new map of nepal nepal showing Indian territories Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.

India calls Pakistan's new map 'exercise in political absurdity' 

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Sunday expelled a senior lawmaker, days after a controversial audio clip was leaked on social media in which she was purportedly heard speaking on the increasing role of the military establishment in the government and commenting on the private lives of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his third wife.

The PTI in a statement said it has expelled Punjab Assembly member Uzma Kardar from the party for "violation of discipline". However, it offered no further explanation. Kardar, who won a reserved seat for women as a PTI candidate in the 2018 general elections, was one of the most active leaders in the Punjab province.

A few weeks ago, Kardar was removed from the Punjab government's media strategy committee following the leak of the audio clip.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/two-injured-as-trains-collide-in-pakistans-punjab-province-310743">Also read:&nbsp;Two injured as trains collide in Pakistan's Punjab province</a>

"The establishment, the government and Prime Minister Imran Khan are going hand-in-hand. No government in Pakistan can be run without the support of the military establishment," she was heard saying in the tape. Kardar was also heard discussing the private lives of Prime Minister Khan and his third wife Bushra Bibi in a negative way. She allegedly commented on how "Bushra Bibi is influential in deciding important matters such as postings of senior officials sitting in the Prime Minister House". She also spoke about how Bushra Bibi favours friends and prevent others from approaching Khan.

The prime minister's former wife Reham Khan in her controversial memoir had mentioned the name of Kardar, alleging that she had relations with Imran Khan.

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Sunday expelled a senior lawmaker, days after a controversial audio clip was leaked on social media in which she was purportedly heard speaking on the increasing role of the military establishment in the government and commenting on the private lives of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his third wife.

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Sunday expelled a senior lawmaker, days after a controversial audio clip was leaked on social media in which she was purportedly heard speaking on the increasing role of the military establishment in the government and commenting on the private lives of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his third wife. The PTI in a statement said it has expelled Punjab Assembly member Uzma Kardar from the party for "violation of discipline". However, it offered no further explanation. Kardar, who won a reserved seat for women as a PTI candidate in the 2018 general elections, was one of the most active leaders in the Punjab province. A few weeks ago, Kardar was removed from the Punjab government's media strategy committee following the leak of the audio clip. Also read: Two injured as trains collide in Pakistan's Punjab province "The establishment, the government and Prime Minister Imran Khan are going hand-in-hand. No government in Pakistan can be run without the support of the military establishment," she was heard saying in the tape. Kardar was also heard discussing the private lives of Prime Minister Khan and his third wife Bushra Bibi in a negative way. She allegedly commented on how "Bushra Bibi is influential in deciding important matters such as postings of senior officials sitting in the Prime Minister House". She also spoke about how Bushra Bibi favours friends and prevent others from approaching Khan. The prime minister's former wife Reham Khan in her controversial memoir had mentioned the name of Kardar, alleging that she had relations with Imran Khan.

Imran Khan-led PTI expels lawmaker after audio tape controversy

Pakistan has reported more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases, taking the number of infections to over 34,000, while 31 more people have succumbed to the coronavirus, health officials said on Saturday, amidst the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The Pakistan government announced last week that it would begin a phased lifting of the lockdown due to its effect on the economy and the workforce.

The Ministry of National Health Services said that 2,255 cases were confirmed positive on Tuesday after 11,848 tests were conducted.

A total of 31 fresh deaths have been reported, taking the number of fatalities in the country to 737, it said, adding that the number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the country have rise to 34,336.

So far, 13,225 cases have been registered in Punjab, 12,610 in Sindh, 5,021 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2,158 in Balochistan, 759 in Islamabad, 475 in Gilgit Baltistan and 88 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the ministry said.

A total of 8,812 patients have recovered and 317,699 tests have been conducted, it said.

The number of new cases is rising fast since last week and the officials are urging people to follow guidelines and avoid going outside.

The number of infected passengers being repatriated to Pakistan is also disturbing. As many as 379 more nationals returning from various countries on the last 24 special flights have tested positive. The special flights had brought 4,344 Pakistanis between April 28 and May 8.

The official record shows that a total of 7,756 Pakistanis have returned home from abroad on 43 flights from April 14 to May 10. Of them, 682 passengers were tested positive and given treatment.

Pakistan has reported more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases, taking the number of infections to over 34,000, while 31 more people have succumbed to the coronavirus, health officials said on Saturday, amidst the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Pakistan has reported more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases, taking the number of infections to over 34,000, while 31 more people have succumbed to the coronavirus, health officials said on Saturday, amidst the easing of lockdown restrictions. The Pakistan government announced last week that it would begin a phased lifting of the lockdown due to its effect on the economy and the workforce. The Ministry of National Health Services said that 2,255 cases were confirmed positive on Tuesday after 11,848 tests were conducted. A total of 31 fresh deaths have been reported, taking the number of fatalities in the country to 737, it said, adding that the number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the country have rise to 34,336. So far, 13,225 cases have been registered in Punjab, 12,610 in Sindh, 5,021 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2,158 in Balochistan, 759 in Islamabad, 475 in Gilgit Baltistan and 88 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the ministry said. A total of 8,812 patients have recovered and 317,699 tests have been conducted, it said. The number of new cases is rising fast since last week and the officials are urging people to follow guidelines and avoid going outside. The number of infected passengers being repatriated to Pakistan is also disturbing. As many as 379 more nationals returning from various countries on the last 24 special flights have tested positive. The special flights had brought 4,344 Pakistanis between April 28 and May 8. The official record shows that a total of 7,756 Pakistanis have returned home from abroad on 43 flights from April 14 to May 10. Of them, 682 passengers were tested positive and given treatment.

Pakistan reports 2,000 new COVID-19 cases

Pakistan has ordered the resumption of all Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)&nbsp;-- from infrastructure to energy as the country's economy is struggling.

The IMF has predicted that the Pakistan government&nbsp;is likely to miss all economic targets even as investments are shrinking and the&nbsp;loan waivers are not doing enough.

The country is in deep crisis and the only saviour right now is China, Pakistan's iron-brother and the only country with available capital.

The BRI&nbsp;corridor with its special economic zones provides 'ready framework' for Pakistan to attract this capital.&nbsp;Pakistan had&nbsp;hit the reset button on all BRI&nbsp;projects that hit a roadblock when the first cases were reported. However, the work has resumed and the workers are back.&nbsp;

The process is being called phase 2 of Sino-Pakistani Industrial Cooperation. This so-called 'phase-2' is expected to catalyse industrial take-off and Chinese funds will be used to overcome economic shortcomings.

Reports say&nbsp;phase 2 of Sino-Pakistani Industrial Cooperation will generate&nbsp;500,000 new jobs in the coming months.

What does China get in return?

The answer again is quite simple --&nbsp;Pakistani loyalty and a strategic edge over India.

Pakistan has ordered the resumption of all Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -- from infrastructure to energy as the country's economy is struggling. The IMF has predicted that the Pakistan government is likely to miss all economic targets even as investments are shrinking and the loan waivers are not doing enough.

Pakistan has ordered the resumption of all Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -- from infrastructure to energy as the country's economy is struggling. The IMF has predicted that the Pakistan government is likely to miss all economic targets even as investments are shrinking and the loan waivers are not doing enough. The country is in deep crisis and the only saviour right now is China, Pakistan's iron-brother and the only country with available capital. The BRI corridor with its special economic zones provides 'ready framework' for Pakistan to attract this capital. Pakistan had hit the reset button on all BRI projects that hit a roadblock when the first cases were reported. However, the work has resumed and the workers are back. The process is being called phase 2 of Sino-Pakistani Industrial Cooperation. This so-called 'phase-2' is expected to catalyse industrial take-off and Chinese funds will be used to overcome economic shortcomings. Reports say phase 2 of Sino-Pakistani Industrial Cooperation will generate 500,000 new jobs in the coming months. What does China get in return? The answer again is quite simple -- Pakistani loyalty and a strategic edge over India.

Pakistan orders resumption of China's Belt and Road Initiative amid pandemic

A day after doctors and medical personnel were lathi-charged and arrested in Pakistan for demanding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to fight coronavirus, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his dismay over the police action.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-records-sudden-spike-of-577-new-covid-19-cases-total-4005-291296" hreflang="en">Pakistan records sudden spike of 577 new COVID-19 cases; total 4,005</a>

The Imran Khan-led government has been criticised by several Pakistan leaders for failing to take timely action against Balochistan police forces who lathi-charged the doctors, Dawn reported.

The prime minister has expressed his dismay on the arrests of protesting doctors in Quetta, almost a day after police detained the frontline warriors against COVID-19 for demanding PPE kits and other medical equipment.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/imf-postpones-the-second-review-of-6-billion-bailout-package-for-pakistan-291097" hreflang="en">IMF postpones the second review of $6 billion bailout package for Pakistan</a>

According to Pakistan's Young Doctors Association (YDA) president Dr Yasir Achakzai, YDA and paramedical staff in Balochistan staged a protest on Monday against the unavailability of PPEs in their fight against coronavirus.They were later baton-charged by security forces and dozens of them were arrested near Red Zone, he alleged.

Razzaq Cheema, Quetta deputy inspector general police, confirmed that police had arrested dozens of protesting doctors.Following this, YDA announced the withdrawal of services from government hospitals.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hundreds-of-abandoned-animals-die-at-pakistan-pet-markets-291094" hreflang="en">Hundreds of abandoned animals die at Pakistan pet markets</a>

"We suspend all our services following high-handedness of police," Achakzai said.Within hours of the incident, Pakistani leaders started condemning Imran Khan`s government for the arrests and showed sympathy towards the arrested doctors.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan met the YDA doctors and assured them of his government`s full cooperation in their battle against COVID-19 and in meeting their demands.

He tweeted, "I personally gave a sitting and met YDA doctors...and assured we shall solve their contract employees` issue, new posts have been advertised. Assured them we are serious in solving matters.

But, it's inappropriate to lock MS offices and put locks on them."PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif condemned the police behaviour.

He tweeted, "Strongly condemn the torture and arrest of the doctors and paramedics in Quetta. It belies logic how those at the front lines of the fight for our collective well-being and survival are being humiliated merely for demanding protective kits. Truly shameful behaviour!"

Meanwhile, as nations around the world rely heavily on the healthcare workers in the fight against the deadly virus, Pakistan has been arresting doctors and healthcare workers.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan on Monday soared past 4,000 with the maximum number of COVID-19 cases being reported from Punjab.

While Punjab has reported 2,004 cases, Sindh reported 986. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had 500, Balochistan 206, Gilgit-Baltistan 211, Islamabad 83, and 19 cases were reported in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A day after doctors and medical personnel were lathi-charged and arrested in Pakistan for demanding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to fight coronavirus, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his dismay over the police action.

A day after doctors and medical personnel were lathi-charged and arrested in Pakistan for demanding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to fight coronavirus, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his dismay over the police action. Also read: Pakistan records sudden spike of 577 new COVID-19 cases; total 4,005 The Imran Khan-led government has been criticised by several Pakistan leaders for failing to take timely action against Balochistan police forces who lathi-charged the doctors, Dawn reported. The prime minister has expressed his dismay on the arrests of protesting doctors in Quetta, almost a day after police detained the frontline warriors against COVID-19 for demanding PPE kits and other medical equipment. Also read: IMF postpones the second review of $6 billion bailout package for Pakistan According to Pakistan's Young Doctors Association (YDA) president Dr Yasir Achakzai, YDA and paramedical staff in Balochistan staged a protest on Monday against the unavailability of PPEs in their fight against coronavirus.They were later baton-charged by security forces and dozens of them were arrested near Red Zone, he alleged. Razzaq Cheema, Quetta deputy inspector general police, confirmed that police had arrested dozens of protesting doctors.Following this, YDA announced the withdrawal of services from government hospitals. Also read: Hundreds of abandoned animals die at Pakistan pet markets "We suspend all our services following high-handedness of police," Achakzai said.Within hours of the incident, Pakistani leaders started condemning Imran Khan`s government for the arrests and showed sympathy towards the arrested doctors. Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan met the YDA doctors and assured them of his government`s full cooperation in their battle against COVID-19 and in meeting their demands. He tweeted, "I personally gave a sitting and met YDA doctors...and assured we shall solve their contract employees` issue, new posts have been advertised. Assured them we are serious in solving matters. But, it's inappropriate to lock MS offices and put locks on them."PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif condemned the police behaviour. He tweeted, "Strongly condemn the torture and arrest of the doctors and paramedics in Quetta. It belies logic how those at the front lines of the fight for our collective well-being and survival are being humiliated merely for demanding protective kits. Truly shameful behaviour!" Meanwhile, as nations around the world rely heavily on the healthcare workers in the fight against the deadly virus, Pakistan has been arresting doctors and healthcare workers. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan on Monday soared past 4,000 with the maximum number of COVID-19 cases being reported from Punjab. While Punjab has reported 2,004 cases, Sindh reported 986. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had 500, Balochistan 206, Gilgit-Baltistan 211, Islamabad 83, and 19 cases were reported in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Imran Khan expresses dismay over arrest of doctors demanding PPE kits to fight coronavirus

Pakistan on Monday recorded the biggest single-day jump in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-19-army-deployed-in-pakistan-to-enforce-lockdown-as-cases-rise-289357">coronavirus</a> cases with the 1775 people infected due to the virus with the most in Sindh accounting for 566.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-hindus-denied-essential-supplies-in-pakistans-karachi-289506">Also Read: Hindus denied essential supplies in Pakistan's Karachi</a>

The death toll due to the virus climbed to 23 in Pakistan with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reporting 29 new cases taking the number of those infected in the area to 221.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/wion-edit-why-the-world-must-resist-chinas-coronavirus-authoritarianism-289541/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As the number of cases mounted, Pakistan PM Imran Khan announced 'Prime Minister's Coronavirus Relief Fund' to fight COVID-19.

The Pakistan PM said the virus does not discriminate while citing China's example in fighting the virus, "The country that has been most successful so far (in this war) has been China."

However, the Pakistan PM in the address to the nation said his country's situation was same as China, but he refrained from ordering a lockdown explaining that several Pakistanis who were poor would feel the burden.

The Pakistan PM said it was essential to look at the situation in the country while devising strategy for the virus while asserting that the power of youth and faith will help in fighting the virus.

PM Imran Khan said the 'Corona Tigers Relief Force' will provide food to areas where it is required, including information on self quarantine.

Pakistan on Monday recorded the biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases with the 1775 people infected due to the virus with the most in Sindh accounting for 566.

Pakistan on Monday recorded the biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases with the 1775 people infected due to the virus with the most in Sindh accounting for 566. Also Read: Hindus denied essential supplies in Pakistan's Karachi The death toll due to the virus climbed to 23 in Pakistan with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reporting 29 new cases taking the number of those infected in the area to 221. Watch Video: As the number of cases mounted, Pakistan PM Imran Khan announced 'Prime Minister's Coronavirus Relief Fund' to fight COVID-19. The Pakistan PM said the virus does not discriminate while citing China's example in fighting the virus, "The country that has been most successful so far (in this war) has been China." However, the Pakistan PM in the address to the nation said his country's situation was same as China, but he refrained from ordering a lockdown explaining that several Pakistanis who were poor would feel the burden. The Pakistan PM said it was essential to look at the situation in the country while devising strategy for the virus while asserting that the power of youth and faith will help in fighting the virus. PM Imran Khan said the 'Corona Tigers Relief Force' will provide food to areas where it is required, including information on self quarantine.

Coronavirus cases surge in Pakistan as Imran addresses the nation

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee on Friday to discuss steps to be taken by his government to contain coronavirus spread as COVID-19 cases rose to 20 in the country.

"The NSC meeting would be chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and participated by the chief of army staff, representatives of provinces and other stakeholders.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-iran-officials-reported-with-sincerity-and-transparency-since-day-one-says-khamenei-284045">Coronavirus: Iran officials reported with sincerity and transparency since day one, says Khamenei</a>

The meeting may decide to impose sort of emergency or indirect emergency in the country," Dawn News quoted Special Assistant to the PM on Health, Zafar Mirza as saying.

According to official data, of the 20 cases, 14 are from Sindh, five from Gilgit-Baltistan and one from Balochistan.The latest confirmed case of coronavirus in the country was reported from Gilgit where a 31- year-old man, a resident of Shigar district who had travelled to Iran, tested positive for the infection.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pilgrims-returning-from-iran-produce-fake-coronavirus-clearance-certificate-report-285976"> Pakistan pilgrims returning from Iran produce 'fake' coronavirus clearance certificate: Report</a>

After the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic, Sindh province decided that all the Pakistan Super League matches will be played behind closed doors and the educational institutions which were to reopen on March 16 will remain closed until May 30.

So far, Pakistan has scanned 894,256 travellers for symptoms of the novel coronavirus. Out of these, 471 have been tested for the virus.

According to the data available at the National Institute of Health website, 20 cases have been confirmed in Pakistan out of which 14 were reported in Sindh province, five in Gilgit-Baltistan and one in Balochistan.

Globally, there have been 125,048 confirmed cases and 4,613 deaths as per the latest data made available by WHO.

&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee on Friday to discuss steps to be taken by his government to contain coronavirus spread as COVID-19 cases rose to 20 in the country.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee on Friday to discuss steps to be taken by his government to contain coronavirus spread as COVID-19 cases rose to 20 in the country. "The NSC meeting would be chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and participated by the chief of army staff, representatives of provinces and other stakeholders. Also Read: Coronavirus: Iran officials reported with sincerity and transparency since day one, says Khamenei The meeting may decide to impose sort of emergency or indirect emergency in the country," Dawn News quoted Special Assistant to the PM on Health, Zafar Mirza as saying. According to official data, of the 20 cases, 14 are from Sindh, five from Gilgit-Baltistan and one from Balochistan.The latest confirmed case of coronavirus in the country was reported from Gilgit where a 31- year-old man, a resident of Shigar district who had travelled to Iran, tested positive for the infection. Also Read: Pakistan pilgrims returning from Iran produce 'fake' coronavirus clearance certificate: Report After the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic, Sindh province decided that all the Pakistan Super League matches will be played behind closed doors and the educational institutions which were to reopen on March 16 will remain closed until May 30. So far, Pakistan has scanned 894,256 travellers for symptoms of the novel coronavirus. Out of these, 471 have been tested for the virus. According to the data available at the National Institute of Health website, 20 cases have been confirmed in Pakistan out of which 14 were reported in Sindh province, five in Gilgit-Baltistan and one in Balochistan. Globally, there have been 125,048 confirmed cases and 4,613 deaths as per the latest data made available by WHO.

PM Imran Khan calls NSC to discuss strategy to combat coronavirus

The Pakistan government has reportedly agreed to give industry status to its cinema.&nbsp;According to a top official in the Imran Khan government, the matter is being treated with utmost urgency.&nbsp; 
 
"To positively highlight Pakistan`s image in the international arena, it has become of the utmost urgency to revive its cinema," The News International quoted Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan as saying on Saturday.

Awan said the decision was taken as it has become a priority to highlight Pakistan`s culture, values, and traditions with the aid of the film industry.

She assured the media that no policy will be formulated without the input of all stakeholders.

Awan called on film producers to play their role in the economic progress of the country and pledged the government`s role in making every effort for the revival of Pakistani cinema.

Pakistan is home to several film studios centres, primarily located in Karachi and Lahore.

The Pakistan government has reportedly agreed to give industry status to its cinema. According to a top official in the Imran Khan government, the matter is being treated with utmost urgency.

The Pakistan government has reportedly agreed to give industry status to its cinema. According to a top official in the Imran Khan government, the matter is being treated with utmost urgency. "To positively highlight Pakistan`s image in the international arena, it has become of the utmost urgency to revive its cinema," The News International quoted Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan as saying on Saturday. Awan said the decision was taken as it has become a priority to highlight Pakistan`s culture, values, and traditions with the aid of the film industry. She assured the media that no policy will be formulated without the input of all stakeholders. Awan called on film producers to play their role in the economic progress of the country and pledged the government`s role in making every effort for the revival of Pakistani cinema. Pakistan is home to several film studios centres, primarily located in Karachi and Lahore.

Pakistani cinema soon to get status of an industry

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Pakistan for a three-day visit.&nbsp;

Guterres was received by Munir Akram who is Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations at the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi.

This is the first visit by a UN chief to Pakistan since 2014 though Guterres had earlier visited the country when he was the UN high commissioner for refugees.

During his visit, Guterres will call on President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. The chief will also hold a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

He will also be speaking at an international conference called '40 years of hosting Afghan refugees in Pakistan.'

Several US officials will also be attending the event.

The UN&nbsp;chief's other engagements include meeting with the youth and participating in an event on Pakistan's polio vaccination campaign.

Guterres will also be visiting Lahore from where he will leave for the Kartappur sahib corridor.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Pakistan for a three-day visit. Guterres was received by Munir Akram who is Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations at the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Pakistan for a three-day visit. Guterres was received by Munir Akram who is Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations at the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi. This is the first visit by a UN chief to Pakistan since 2014 though Guterres had earlier visited the country when he was the UN high commissioner for refugees. During his visit, Guterres will call on President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. The chief will also hold a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. He will also be speaking at an international conference called '40 years of hosting Afghan refugees in Pakistan.' Several US officials will also be attending the event. The UN chief's other engagements include meeting with the youth and participating in an event on Pakistan's polio vaccination campaign. Guterres will also be visiting Lahore from where he will leave for the Kartappur sahib corridor.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrives in Pakistan for three-day visit

Pakistan PM Imran Khan in another desperate attack against India has accused the present government of leading the secular country down to the path of Nazi Germany.

Despite the consistent barbaric attacks on minority and vandalism at the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in his own country, Imran chose to call India a 'totalitarian, racist state' during an interview at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Speaking on the sidelines of the WEF in Davos, Imran said that India is following the footsteps of Adolf Hitler.

"I fear that India will change into a fascist, totalitarian, racist state from liberal democracy," Imran added.

Imran Khan made these comments despite knowing that Pakistan has become a hub of sex crimes, child abuse and forced conversions. The shocking incidents of young non-Muslim girls being made to convert to Islam have become a daily occurrence in Pakistan.&nbsp;

This isn't the first incident of Imran Khan making the audacious correlation between India and Nazi Germany. He brought it up in December in discourse to a gathering of Pakistani-American specialists, just as in a tweet back in August. The Pakistani head has been savagely condemning of the new Indian law CAA that would facilitate citizenship to persecuted religious minorities, as well as revoking Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.

The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to persecuted religious minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who came to the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan in another desperate attack against India has accused the present government of leading the secular country down to the path of Nazi Germany.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan in another desperate attack against India has accused the present government of leading the secular country down to the path of Nazi Germany. Despite the consistent barbaric attacks on minority and vandalism at the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in his own country, Imran chose to call India a 'totalitarian, racist state' during an interview at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Speaking on the sidelines of the WEF in Davos, Imran said that India is following the footsteps of Adolf Hitler. "I fear that India will change into a fascist, totalitarian, racist state from liberal democracy," Imran added. Imran Khan made these comments despite knowing that Pakistan has become a hub of sex crimes, child abuse and forced conversions. The shocking incidents of young non-Muslim girls being made to convert to Islam have become a daily occurrence in Pakistan. This isn't the first incident of Imran Khan making the audacious correlation between India and Nazi Germany. He brought it up in December in discourse to a gathering of Pakistani-American specialists, just as in a tweet back in August. The Pakistani head has been savagely condemning of the new Indian law CAA that would facilitate citizenship to persecuted religious minorities, as well as revoking Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to persecuted religious minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who came to the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014.

Pakistan, a hub of forced conversion accuses India of totalitarianism and racism

Pakistan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../pakistan-a-hub-of-forced-conversion-accuses- india-of-totalitarianism-and-racism-276082">Imran Khan</a> landed in office in the year 2018 after riding a populist wave, and his tenure has been marked with the rise of Islamic extremism, a tumultuous economy, clashes with neighbouring India, among other things.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-transparency-in-cpec-projects-companies-blacklisted-by-world-bank-got-contracts-alice-wells-275962">No transparency in CPEC projects; companies blacklisted by World Bank got contracts: Alice Wells</a>

In an interview with Foreign Policy at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../afghanistans-ghani-says-relationship-with-trump -is-excellent-276029">World Economic Forum</a> in Davos, the Pakistani Prime Minister was asked about his silence on the matter of the persecution of the Muslim communities in Xinjiang and China. His response, though concise, conveyed a harsher, narrow-minded message.

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One of the two principal reasons the Prime Minister gave was that the events in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../wuhan-coronavirus-who-yet-to-decide-if-china- virus-is-a-global-health-emergency-276018">China</a> and Kashmir are happening on very different scales and cannot be compared. He justified this by stating that he does not know much about it and occasionally reads articles about it. The interviewer stated that around 1 million to 2 million people were being detained in Xinjiang and that it was not a minuscule matter.
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Khan explained that Kashmir has 8 million people who are living under siege and have been doing so for months. These incidents made Kashmir a much larger and more serious matter than the detention of Chinese Muslims in Xinjiang, according to the Pakistani Prime Minister.

Khan went on, briefly mentioning the Uighurs and changing gears. He stated that China has been a helpful ally to Pakistan when the latter hit rock bottom, they are grateful to the Chinese government and their issues with China will be dealt with privately.

The interviewer stated that the United States and other nations have warned that China may be luring Pakistan into a debt trap the way it did with Sri Lanka and others. He went on to ask the Prime Minister about contingencies that he had to avoid ending up in such a situation.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan landed in office in the year 2018 after riding a populist wave, and his tenure has been marked with the rise of Islamic extremism, a tumultuous economy, clashes with neighbouring India, among other things.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan landed in office in the year 2018 after riding a populist wave, and his tenure has been marked with the rise of Islamic extremism, a tumultuous economy, clashes with neighbouring India, among other things. Also read- No transparency in CPEC projects; companies blacklisted by World Bank got contracts: Alice Wells In an interview with Foreign Policy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Pakistani Prime Minister was asked about his silence on the matter of the persecution of the Muslim communities in Xinjiang and China. His response, though concise, conveyed a harsher, narrow-minded message. One of the two principal reasons the Prime Minister gave was that the events in China and Kashmir are happening on very different scales and cannot be compared. He justified this by stating that he does not know much about it and occasionally reads articles about it. The interviewer stated that around 1 million to 2 million people were being detained in Xinjiang and that it was not a minuscule matter. Khan explained that Kashmir has 8 million people who are living under siege and have been doing so for months. These incidents made Kashmir a much larger and more serious matter than the detention of Chinese Muslims in Xinjiang, according to the Pakistani Prime Minister. Khan went on, briefly mentioning the Uighurs and changing gears. He stated that China has been a helpful ally to Pakistan when the latter hit rock bottom, they are grateful to the Chinese government and their issues with China will be dealt with privately. The interviewer stated that the United States and other nations have warned that China may be luring Pakistan into a debt trap the way it did with Sri Lanka and others. He went on to ask the Prime Minister about contingencies that he had to avoid ending up in such a situation.

For Pakistan PM, atrocities over 2 million Uighur Muslims is 'nothing', says he won't criticise China because 'they helped us'

Pakistan's parliament on Tuesday approved extending the term of the army chief for another three years despite the objections of some parties, in a move that ends a political stand-off that had threatened to pit the judiciary against the powerful military.

Pakistan's parliament on Tuesday approved extending the term of the army chief for another three years despite the objections of some parties, in a move that ends a political stand-off that had threatened to pit the judiciary against the powerful military. Pakistan has been ruled by the military for about half its history and tensions between governments and the top generals often dominates politics. Any effort by a military chief to consolidate power is viewed with suspicion by many in the political class, who are wary of the army extending its influence further into the civilian domain. Pashtun parliamentarian Mohsin Dawar, whose party accuses the military of heavy-handed tactics in its anti-militant operations, termed the legislation allowing the extension of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa's term "one of the darkest days" in Pakistan's parliamentary history. "We voted against the Army Act before walking out. This parliament acted like a rubber stamp," he tweeted. His Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has been a thorn in the side of the military, mainly by demanding the army's withdrawal from Afghan border districts. Critics of Prime Minister Imran Khan say his government, unlike its immediate predecessor, enjoys the support of the military, which is why it approved Bajwa's extension in August, triggering a constitutional furore. The government cited a worsening national security situation with old rival India as justification for the extension for Bajwa at the end of the usual three-year term. But, in a surprise ruling, the Supreme Court struck down the extension in November, ordering the government and army to produce legal provisions and arguments for the reappointment. Pakistan's judiciary has lately been more assertive in what supporters and analysts say is a battle to strengthen the rule of law and regain credibility, which the opposition parties allege it lost by interfering in politics. In a separate development, a court last month sentenced former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to death in absentia on treason charges, angering the military. ''National interest" The government responded to the Supreme Court's ruling by drafting legislation that the lower house of parliament approved on Tuesday, clearing the way for the extension. It must still be approved by the upper house, which is expected. "All parties shunned their differences and stood united in the best national interest," Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan told reporters outside the parliament. The two main opposition parties have a long history of clashing with the military but nevertheless backed the legislation, largely, analysts say, to avoid a damaging confrontation. Two smaller parties and some members of parliament from troubled northwestern districts along Afghan border opposed it. They accuse the military of committing rights abuses during its anti-militant operations. The army rejects such accusations. "This parliament's majority is fake, this prime minister is fake," said Asad Mahmood, parliamentary leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) religious political party, which says it unfairly lost seats in the northwest to Khan's party. "We will not support any such amendment in the law by a fake parliament." The military sets defence and security policy and also dominates foreign affairs. Recently, it has also had a role in framing economic policies. Opposition activists and rights groups have also accused the military under Bajwa of meddling in politics, limiting civil liberties and muzzling the media. The military denies interfering in politics or curbing freedoms.

Pakistan's parliament approves extending term of army chief

Pakistan government has proposed a charge of $20 from every pilgrim visiting Kartarpur Corridor on November 9, contrary to&nbsp;earlier stand.&nbsp;

The border corridor between Pakistan and India will be inaugurated for pilgrims tomorrow. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This is Pakistan's second U-turn after Pakistan Army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor on Wednesday announced that Indian Sikh pilgrims would require a passport.

Earlier Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Sikhs coming for the pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India won't need to produce a passport.&nbsp;

"For Sikhs coming for a pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived 2 requirements: i) they won't need a passport - just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on the day of inauguration &amp; on Guruji's 550th birthday," Khan had said in a tweet.

Pakistan did not agree to India's demand to make the Kartapur Gurdwara's visit, charge-free.

Pakistan government has proposed a charge of $20 from every pilgrim visiting Kartarpur Corridor on November 9, contrary to earlier stand. The border corridor between Pakistan and India will be inaugurated for pilgrims tomorrow.

Pakistan government has proposed a charge of $20 from every pilgrim visiting Kartarpur Corridor on November 9, contrary to earlier stand. The border corridor between Pakistan and India will be inaugurated for pilgrims tomorrow. This is Pakistan's second U-turn after Pakistan Army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor on Wednesday announced that Indian Sikh pilgrims would require a passport. Earlier Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Sikhs coming for the pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India won't need to produce a passport. "For Sikhs coming for a pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived 2 requirements: i) they won't need a passport - just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on the day of inauguration & on Guruji's 550th birthday," Khan had said in a tweet. Pakistan did not agree to India's demand to make the Kartapur Gurdwara's visit, charge-free.

Kartarpur Corridor: Pakistan to charge $20 from every pilgrim on November 9

Pakistan, just days before the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor, has taken another U-turn over passports being issued to&nbsp;Sikh pilgrims visiting Guru Nanak Dev's shrine in Pakistan.

Major Gen Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson of Pakistan Army said on Thursday that Sikh pilgrims visiting Kartarpur Gurudwara will be required to hold a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-chief-says-passport-must-for-indian-pilgrims-in-major-u-turn-on-kartarpur-corridor-260491">passport</a>. The latest development from Pakistan comes days after Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Kartarpur pilgrims from India will not require&nbsp;a visa.&nbsp;

Only two days are left for the inauguration of the historic&nbsp;corridor, but it seems that the confusion over passport issue still prevails in Pakistan as the country has backtracked multiple times from its stance.

Here's a timeline on the conflicting statements made by Pakistan on the requirement of passport by Sikh pilgrims&nbsp;visiting Kartarpur Gurudwara.&nbsp;

October 24: Mohammed Faisal, Pakistan's spokesperson of foreign affairs, said that the pilgrims visiting India will have to carry passport which will be scanned but not stamped. He, however, said that visa will not be needed for the Indian pilgrims.&nbsp;

October 31: In a tweet, Pakistan PM had said that the country has waived off two requirements&nbsp;which includes allowing Sikh pilgrims to come without a passport. He added that the pilgrims will require to carry only a valid ID. Imran also said that pilgrims are no longer&nbsp;required to register for the visit 10 days in advance.

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For Sikhs coming for pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived off 2 requirements: i) they wont need a passport - just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on day of inauguration &amp; on Guruji's 550th birthday
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1190087955588755456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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November 7: &nbsp;Major Gen Asif Ghafoor, Pakistan Army's spokesperson told a private TV channel that the entry to the country for Kartarpur pilgrims will be visa-based. He added that the country cannot compromise on its security and sovereignty.&nbsp;

Earlier, diplomatic sources from Pakistan had said that Indian pilgrims have been exempted of all passport and visa requirements. They also added that the Indian side have been informed through official channels about the decision.

The Kartarpur Corridor connects Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur (India) to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur (India). Last year, both India and Pakistan agreed to inaugurate the&nbsp;corridor on 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. The Guru Nanak shrine in Kartarpur is significant for Sikhs as their first Guru spent his last years there.&nbsp; 
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Pakistan, just days before the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor, has taken another U-turn over passports being issued to Sikh pilgrims visiting Guru Nanak Dev's shrine in Pakistan.

Pakistan, just days before the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor, has taken another U-turn over passports being issued to Sikh pilgrims visiting Guru Nanak Dev's shrine in Pakistan. Major Gen Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson of Pakistan Army said on Thursday that Sikh pilgrims visiting Kartarpur Gurudwara will be required to hold a passport. The latest development from Pakistan comes days after Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Kartarpur pilgrims from India will not require a visa. Only two days are left for the inauguration of the historic corridor, but it seems that the confusion over passport issue still prevails in Pakistan as the country has backtracked multiple times from its stance. Here's a timeline on the conflicting statements made by Pakistan on the requirement of passport by Sikh pilgrims visiting Kartarpur Gurudwara. October 24: Mohammed Faisal, Pakistan's spokesperson of foreign affairs, said that the pilgrims visiting India will have to carry passport which will be scanned but not stamped. He, however, said that visa will not be needed for the Indian pilgrims. October 31: In a tweet, Pakistan PM had said that the country has waived off two requirements which includes allowing Sikh pilgrims to come without a passport. He added that the pilgrims will require to carry only a valid ID. Imran also said that pilgrims are no longer required to register for the visit 10 days in advance. For Sikhs coming for pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived off 2 requirements: i) they wont need a passport - just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on day of inauguration & on Guruji's 550th birthday — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 1, 2019 × November 7: Major Gen Asif Ghafoor, Pakistan Army's spokesperson told a private TV channel that the entry to the country for Kartarpur pilgrims will be visa-based. He added that the country cannot compromise on its security and sovereignty. Earlier, diplomatic sources from Pakistan had said that Indian pilgrims have been exempted of all passport and visa requirements. They also added that the Indian side have been informed through official channels about the decision. The Kartarpur Corridor connects Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur (India) to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur (India). Last year, both India and Pakistan agreed to inaugurate the corridor on 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. The Guru Nanak shrine in Kartarpur is significant for Sikhs as their first Guru spent his last years there.

Timeline: Pakistan's flip-flop over passport requirement for Kartarpur corridor pilgrims

A Muslim man, who took part in Kanwar yatra, was allegedly stopped from offering Namaz at a mosque here, prompting the police to arrest three persons in this regard.&nbsp

“I had gone to Haridwar as a Kanwar and offered water at the temples. On Friday, when I went to a mosque, some people assaulted me and stopped me from offering Namaz. They even forced me to run away from there,” Babu Khan said in his complaint registered with the police.

Khan, a resident of Racharh village of the district, alleged that after he was beaten up, his wife and children went to their relatives.

When contacted, inspector Devendra Bisht said, “On the complaint lodged by Babu Khan, three persons have been arrested for disrupting peace, while another person is absconding.”

Police along with prominent citizens of the area are making efforts to resolve the matter through talks. At present, the atmosphere in the village is absolutely peaceful, Bisht added.

The accused persons, however, alleged that Babu Khan was trying to enter the mosque in an inebriated state and hence he was stopped from entering.

Meanwhile, district president of Hindu Jagran Manch Deepak Banmauli said, “The Manch is with Babu Khan and if anyone harasses him then we will not tolerate it.” In the Hindu holy month of Shravan, Kawariyas (devout pilgrims carrying Ganga water) offer prayers at Shiva temples.

A Muslim man, who took part in Kanwar yatra, was allegedly stopped from offering Namaz at a mosque here, prompting the police to arrest three persons in this regard.

A Muslim man, who took part in Kanwar yatra, was allegedly stopped from offering Namaz at a mosque here, prompting the police to arrest three persons in this regard. “I had gone to Haridwar as a Kanwar and offered water at the temples. On Friday, when I went to a mosque, some people assaulted me and stopped me from offering Namaz. They even forced me to run away from there,” Babu Khan said in his complaint registered with the police. Khan, a resident of Racharh village of the district, alleged that after he was beaten up, his wife and children went to their relatives. When contacted, inspector Devendra Bisht said, “On the complaint lodged by Babu Khan, three persons have been arrested for disrupting peace, while another person is absconding.” Police along with prominent citizens of the area are making efforts to resolve the matter through talks. At present, the atmosphere in the village is absolutely peaceful, Bisht added. The accused persons, however, alleged that Babu Khan was trying to enter the mosque in an inebriated state and hence he was stopped from entering. Meanwhile, district president of Hindu Jagran Manch Deepak Banmauli said, “The Manch is with Babu Khan and if anyone harasses him then we will not tolerate it.” In the Hindu holy month of Shravan, Kawariyas (devout pilgrims carrying Ganga water) offer prayers at Shiva temples.

MQM leader questions Imran Khan's silence on oppression of Mohajirs, Balochs and Pashtuns

Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-shifted-to-hospital-after-deterioration-in-health-257438">Nawaz Sharif</a>'s daughter Maryam Nawaz was on Wednesday admitted to same hospital where he was taken after his health deteriorated in jail.

Maryam Nawaz was admitted to Lahore's Services Hospital with low blood pressure after she met her ailing father.

Maryam Nawaz was released on parole for an hour by the Punjab government to see her father, who has been in hospital since Monday night. Maryam Nawaz had earlier claimed that she was denied permission to meet her father.

Nawaz Sharif was shifted to Lahore's Services Hospital after his health deteriorated Monday night. His physician had said that he had a "critically low" platelet count and requested the authorities to immediately shift him to a hospital.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday directed the Punjab government to extend the best medical care to Nawaz Sharifm his information adviser Firdous Ashiq Awan wrote on Twitter.

Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz was on Wednesday admitted to same hospital where he was taken after his health deteriorated in jail.

Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz was on Wednesday admitted to same hospital where he was taken after his health deteriorated in jail. Maryam Nawaz was admitted to Lahore's Services Hospital with low blood pressure after she met her ailing father. Maryam Nawaz was released on parole for an hour by the Punjab government to see her father, who has been in hospital since Monday night. Maryam Nawaz had earlier claimed that she was denied permission to meet her father. Nawaz Sharif was shifted to Lahore's Services Hospital after his health deteriorated Monday night. His physician had said that he had a "critically low" platelet count and requested the authorities to immediately shift him to a hospital. Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday directed the Punjab government to extend the best medical care to Nawaz Sharifm his information adviser Firdous Ashiq Awan wrote on Twitter.

Maryam Nawaz admitted to Lahore hospital after meeting ailing father Nawaz Sharif

India, Pakistan nuclear war could span for less than a week and 'kill 50-125 million people': Study

While Imran Khan remained busy looking for as many avenues as possible to target India raising claims of oppression and human rights <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khan-avoids-wions-question-walks-away-251959">abuses in Kashmir at UNGA</a>, Pakistan’s human rights commission in its latest report has observed that Balochistan continues to be short-changed politically.&nbsp;

The report said incidents of disappearance and disproportionate use of force against dissidents remain.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-activists-hold-protest-in-london-against-enforced-disappearances-of-women-in-balochistan-252910">Balochistan is the largest</a> province of Pakistan in terms of land area, where ethnic groups like Pashtuns and Baloch have&nbsp;faced regular human rights violations attracting concerns from the international community.&nbsp;

In&nbsp;Balochistan, at least 52 per cent population follow Balouch with Pashtuns at 36 per cent. Many ethnic and religious minorities also live in the area comprising twelve per cent of the population. It is again in the spotlight in the international arena because of the new report titled - &nbsp;Balochistan: Neglected still, which has been published after extensive fact-finding missions conducted in the Balochistan province.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://t.co/Smqi9Pmhl6">https://t.co/Smqi9Pmhl6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Balochistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Balochistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustReleased?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustReleased</a> <a href="https://t.co/ABESKwX9ih">pic.twitter.com/ABESKwX9ih</a>
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) <a href="https://twitter.com/HRCP87/status/1179393288182349824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan's human&nbsp;rights organization alleged&nbsp;routine disappearances of suspected dissidents’ of distraught families of victims with nowhere to go. Besides violations of operational standards in the mines of coal-rich Balochistan, the mission also found that Pakistan's&nbsp;security agencies extort unofficial "protection"&nbsp;money from the poor miners based on per tonne production.

The stain of enforced disappearances and missing persons, military and paramilitary abuses, religious persecution of minorities, presence of Pakistan&nbsp;frontier corps in civil administration and agriculture, energy and the climate crisis in the province are the few of the issues but the list of atrocities committed against the locals is incessant in the fact-finding mission's report.&nbsp;

The report&nbsp;also observed&nbsp;"off-the-book"&nbsp;presence of Pakistani frontier corps in civil administration which undermines the provincial government. The rights commission called for an end to what it called "the unwarranted involvement and permanent presence of security personnel."

The Pakistani human rights commission’s report is being seen as a strong indictment&nbsp;against the duplicity and hypocrisy of the Imran Khan-led administration. The report has revealed chronic systemic discrimination and political isolation in its largest, most resource-rich province.&nbsp;

In the report, the commission recommended a law that criminalises enforced disappearances, punishes the perpetrators and compensates the victims'&nbsp;families&nbsp;which can be enacted expeditiously in Balochistan. 
&nbsp;

While Imran Khan remained busy looking for as many avenues as possible to target India raising claims of oppression and human rights abuses in Kashmir at UNGA, Pakistan’s human rights commission in its latest report has observed that Balochistan continues to be short-changed politically.

While Imran Khan remained busy looking for as many avenues as possible to target India raising claims of oppression and human rights abuses in Kashmir at UNGA, Pakistan’s human rights commission in its latest report has observed that Balochistan continues to be short-changed politically. The report said incidents of disappearance and disproportionate use of force against dissidents remain. Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of land area, where ethnic groups like Pashtuns and Baloch have faced regular human rights violations attracting concerns from the international community. In Balochistan, at least 52 per cent population follow Balouch with Pashtuns at 36 per cent. Many ethnic and religious minorities also live in the area comprising twelve per cent of the population. It is again in the spotlight in the international arena because of the new report titled - Balochistan: Neglected still, which has been published after extensive fact-finding missions conducted in the Balochistan province. https://t.co/Smqi9Pmhl6 #Balochistan #JustReleased pic.twitter.com/ABESKwX9ih — Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) October 2, 2019 × Pakistan's human rights organization alleged routine disappearances of suspected dissidents’ of distraught families of victims with nowhere to go. Besides violations of operational standards in the mines of coal-rich Balochistan, the mission also found that Pakistan's security agencies extort unofficial "protection" money from the poor miners based on per tonne production. The stain of enforced disappearances and missing persons, military and paramilitary abuses, religious persecution of minorities, presence of Pakistan frontier corps in civil administration and agriculture, energy and the climate crisis in the province are the few of the issues but the list of atrocities committed against the locals is incessant in the fact-finding mission's report. The report also observed "off-the-book" presence of Pakistani frontier corps in civil administration which undermines the provincial government. The rights commission called for an end to what it called "the unwarranted involvement and permanent presence of security personnel." The Pakistani human rights commission’s report is being seen as a strong indictment against the duplicity and hypocrisy of the Imran Khan-led administration. The report has revealed chronic systemic discrimination and political isolation in its largest, most resource-rich province. In the report, the commission recommended a law that criminalises enforced disappearances, punishes the perpetrators and compensates the victims' families which can be enacted expeditiously in Balochistan.

Balochistan continues to be short-changed politically: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

A day after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan left New York after a week-long visit to United Nation General Assembly, Islamabad has announced that it has replaced its envoy to United Nations Maleeha Lodhi.

A statement from Pakistani foreign ministry said, "The Prime Minister has been pleased to make the following appointments.. Ambassador Munir Akram has been appointed as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York, in place of Dr Maleeha Lodhi."

Imran Khan, who was supposed to leave New York on Friday, left the city on Saturday after the plane gifted by Saudis returned due to technical issues.

In a tweet, Lodhi said, "It has been an honour to serve the country &amp; am grateful for the opportunity to do so for over four years. Representing Pakistan at the world’s most important multilateral forum was a great privilege. I had planned to move on after UNGA following a successful visit by the PM"

Her tenure saw Maleeha using a picture of to lead an attack on India at the United Nations which turned out to be fake news. In 2017, Lodhi showed a picture of a girl which she claimed was proof of Indian actions in Kashmir but it turned out to be an image of a Palestinian girl taken in Gaza by award-winning photographer Heidi Levine in 2014.

&nbsp;Earlier last week she tweeted a picture of bilateral meet between Pakistani PM Imran Khan and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson but called Johnson a&nbsp;"foreign minister". Earlier this year she was heckled in New York for an event for not being able to deliver for Pakistan at U.N.

She also tried to raise Kashmir at the United Nations security council after August 5 decision of New Delhi to remove the special status for Jammu and Kashmir but the attempt failed. She later addressed the media saying the voice of Kashmiris has been raised in the highest "diplomatic forum" but took no questions. Indian envoy Syed Akbaruddin not only took questions but also responded to questions by Pakistani media.&nbsp;

He successor, Munir Akram was Pakistani envoy to U.N. from 2002&nbsp;to 2008 but was dismissed over disagreements with the then President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari. In 2002 he was involved in violence against his partner Marijana Mihic but was not charged with the crime by Manhattan police due to his diplomatic immunity.

Fallouts have also been seen in Houston, Texas which saw the biggest diaspora event of Indian Americans-Howdy Modi last week in which 50,000 people participated. The event saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump sharing the stage and lauding contributions made by Indian Americans to the American society.

Abrar Hussain Hashmi has been appointed as the new Pakistani consul general in Houston, Texas. Aisha Farooqui the Pakistani consul general was removed by the Pakistani government when it was announced that the city will be hosting the biggest Indian diaspora event. Pakistan had dispatched federal minister Ali Amin Chandrapur to spearhead the protest while Howdy Modi was underway.

A day after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan left New York after a week-long visit to United Nation General Assembly, Islamabad has announced that it has replaced its envoy to United Nations Maleeha Lodhi.

A day after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan left New York after a week-long visit to United Nation General Assembly, Islamabad has announced that it has replaced its envoy to United Nations Maleeha Lodhi. A statement from Pakistani foreign ministry said, "The Prime Minister has been pleased to make the following appointments.. Ambassador Munir Akram has been appointed as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York, in place of Dr Maleeha Lodhi." Imran Khan, who was supposed to leave New York on Friday, left the city on Saturday after the plane gifted by Saudis returned due to technical issues. In a tweet, Lodhi said, "It has been an honour to serve the country & am grateful for the opportunity to do so for over four years. Representing Pakistan at the world’s most important multilateral forum was a great privilege. I had planned to move on after UNGA following a successful visit by the PM" Her tenure saw Maleeha using a picture of to lead an attack on India at the United Nations which turned out to be fake news. In 2017, Lodhi showed a picture of a girl which she claimed was proof of Indian actions in Kashmir but it turned out to be an image of a Palestinian girl taken in Gaza by award-winning photographer Heidi Levine in 2014. Earlier last week she tweeted a picture of bilateral meet between Pakistani PM Imran Khan and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson but called Johnson a "foreign minister". Earlier this year she was heckled in New York for an event for not being able to deliver for Pakistan at U.N. She also tried to raise Kashmir at the United Nations security council after August 5 decision of New Delhi to remove the special status for Jammu and Kashmir but the attempt failed. She later addressed the media saying the voice of Kashmiris has been raised in the highest "diplomatic forum" but took no questions. Indian envoy Syed Akbaruddin not only took questions but also responded to questions by Pakistani media. He successor, Munir Akram was Pakistani envoy to U.N. from 2002 to 2008 but was dismissed over disagreements with the then President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari. In 2002 he was involved in violence against his partner Marijana Mihic but was not charged with the crime by Manhattan police due to his diplomatic immunity. Fallouts have also been seen in Houston, Texas which saw the biggest diaspora event of Indian Americans-Howdy Modi last week in which 50,000 people participated. The event saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump sharing the stage and lauding contributions made by Indian Americans to the American society. Abrar Hussain Hashmi has been appointed as the new Pakistani consul general in Houston, Texas. Aisha Farooqui the Pakistani consul general was removed by the Pakistani government when it was announced that the city will be hosting the biggest Indian diaspora event. Pakistan had dispatched federal minister Ali Amin Chandrapur to spearhead the protest while Howdy Modi was underway.

Day after Imran Khan returns from US, Pakistan removes Maleeha Lodhi as permanent representative to U.N.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he will be meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston, Texas and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan amid rising tensions between the two South Asian neighbours.

While Trump said that he will be addressing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-hails-trumps-special-gesture-towards-houston-diaspora-event-howdy-modi-249898">&nbsp;`Howdy, Modi!`</a> event along with PM Modi, he did not say when and where he will be meeting Khan.

Replying to a question about his participation in `Howdy, Modi!` event in Houston this Sunday, Trump said, "I will see Prime Minister Modi and I will be meeting with India and Pakistan and I think a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-modi-addressing-howdy-modi-event-reflects-personal-chemistry-between-two-indian-us-envoy-249891"> lot of progress</a> has been made there...lot of progress".

Earlier White House had confirmed the participation of Trump in &nbsp;`Howdy, Modi!` event, believed to be one of the largest events to welcome a foreign head of government ever in the history of the United States.

It will mark the first time that the two leaders would meet outside of either capital Washington DC or New York, where the United Nations is headquartered.

Over 50,000 people have already been registered for the event, which will be hosted by the Texas India Forum.

Tensions have heightened between India and Pakistan after India rescinded Article 370 from the Indian constitution and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he will be meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston, Texas and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan amid rising tensions between the two South Asian neighbours.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he will be meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston, Texas and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan amid rising tensions between the two South Asian neighbours. While Trump said that he will be addressing the `Howdy, Modi!` event along with PM Modi, he did not say when and where he will be meeting Khan. Replying to a question about his participation in `Howdy, Modi!` event in Houston this Sunday, Trump said, "I will see Prime Minister Modi and I will be meeting with India and Pakistan and I think a lot of progress has been made there...lot of progress". Earlier White House had confirmed the participation of Trump in `Howdy, Modi!` event, believed to be one of the largest events to welcome a foreign head of government ever in the history of the United States. It will mark the first time that the two leaders would meet outside of either capital Washington DC or New York, where the United Nations is headquartered. Over 50,000 people have already been registered for the event, which will be hosted by the Texas India Forum. Tensions have heightened between India and Pakistan after India rescinded Article 370 from the Indian constitution and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

US President Trump says he will meet Modi, Imran Khan soon amid 'a lot of progress' in Kashmir

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan is considering a complete closure of airspace to India and blocking Indian land trade to Afghanistan via Pakistan, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said on Twitter.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan is considering a complete closure of airspace to India and blocking Indian land trade to Afghanistan via Pakistan, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said on Twitter. "PM is considering a complete closure of Air Space to India, a complete ban on use of Pakistan Land routes for Indian trade to Afghanistan was also suggested in cabinet meeting, legal formalities for these decisions are under consideration ... #Modi has started we'll finish!," he wrote. Pakistan closed its airspace on February 27 following escalating tensions with India. PM is considering a complete closure of Air Space to India, a complete ban on use of Pakistan Land routes for Indian trade to Afghanistan was also suggested in cabinet meeting,legal formalities for these decisions are under consideration... #Modi has started we ll finish! — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) August 27, 2019 × The tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours escalated after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and a subsequent aerial strike by India on a JeM training camp in Balakot on February 26. Pakistan retaliated the strike next day by unsuccessfully attempting to target Indian military installations. The JeM claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack. However, Pakistan on March 26, 2019 fully opened its airspace, nearly a month after shutting it for commercial flights following escalating tensions with India after the Pulwama terror attack and the subsequent aerial strike by Indian jets on a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot.

Pakistan considering closing airspace to India, says minister

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