<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-economic-crisis-countrys-debts-liabilities-exceed-the-size-of-its-gdp-245554">Imran Khan</a> is on a desperate mission to draw international attention to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-saudi-crown-prince-discuss-kashmir-issue-third-time-246030">Kashmir,</a> and to satisfy the jihadi elements within his own country.

After failed diplomatic efforts, threats of nuclear war Pakistan is reportedly going to test its Ghaznavi surface-to-surface missile from a flight test range in Balochistan.

The test will be tracked at the national development complex ground control station in Sindh.

These tests are a last-ditch effort from Pakistan to try and internationalise Kashmir — something it has failed to do multiple times over the last few weeks.

Now Pakistan had closed its airspace for the period from August twenty-eight to August thirty-first, and now it seems clear as to why this decision was taken.

The airspace closure was probably in light of the reported missile tests.

Pakistan had issued a notice to airmen that the Sonmiani base in Balochistan has been activated and all ships were asked to steer clear due to an incoming missile.

Reports also indicate that Pakistan had informed India about the missile tests on August twenty-sixth, keeping with the confidence-building measures adopted between the two countries in 2005.

According to the agreement, both countries are supposed to inform each other about missile tests, three days before the actual testing.

The Indian government, however, seems unperturbed by the possible missile tests.

The tests have reportedly been attributed to the huge pressure on Imran Khan from anti-India elements within his country to take some sort of action.

So the missile tests are nothing but a continuation of the Pakistan government's false call for help.

Imran Khan is on a desperate mission to draw international attention to Kashmir, and to satisfy the jihadi elements within his own country. After failed diplomatic efforts, threats of nuclear war Pakistan is reportedly going to test its Ghaznavi surface-to-surface missile from a flight test range in Balochistan.

Imran Khan is on a desperate mission to draw international attention to Kashmir, and to satisfy the jihadi elements within his own country. After failed diplomatic efforts, threats of nuclear war Pakistan is reportedly going to test its Ghaznavi surface-to-surface missile from a flight test range in Balochistan. The test will be tracked at the national development complex ground control station in Sindh. These tests are a last-ditch effort from Pakistan to try and internationalise Kashmir — something it has failed to do multiple times over the last few weeks. Now Pakistan had closed its airspace for the period from August twenty-eight to August thirty-first, and now it seems clear as to why this decision was taken. The airspace closure was probably in light of the reported missile tests. Pakistan had issued a notice to airmen that the Sonmiani base in Balochistan has been activated and all ships were asked to steer clear due to an incoming missile. Reports also indicate that Pakistan had informed India about the missile tests on August twenty-sixth, keeping with the confidence-building measures adopted between the two countries in 2005. According to the agreement, both countries are supposed to inform each other about missile tests, three days before the actual testing. The Indian government, however, seems unperturbed by the possible missile tests. The tests have reportedly been attributed to the huge pressure on Imran Khan from anti-India elements within his country to take some sort of action. So the missile tests are nothing but a continuation of the Pakistan government's false call for help.

After failed diplomatic efforts and nuke threats Pakistan to test ballistic missile

Haunted by gang violence and poverty for decades, Lyari was once considered one of Pakistan's most dangerous areas, but those grim realities also inspired a generation of artists and spawned a burgeoning hip hop scene.

With its close proximity to the sea and history of smuggling, the largely ethnic Balochi neighbourhood in Karachi stands apart for its history of violence and lawlessness -- even by Pakistan's standards.&nbsp;

When Karachi served as a major transport hub during the Afghan jihad against the Soviets, Lyari was hit hard by the influx of weapons and drugs -- and the surge in brutality such black-market businesses bring.

Heavily armed gangs and political hit squads exerted iron-fisted control over large swathes of Lyari, squashing economic growth while residents battled with the fallout, including rampant drug abuse and poverty.&nbsp;

"Lyari was a notorious place because of the gangs and the war. It was almost impossible for outsiders to even think about entering," explains resident and new rapper Mohammad Omar.&nbsp;

But in recent years, the gangs have been brought to heel following a heavy-handed operation by paramilitary forces that kicked off in 2013 and saw the streets turned into virtual war zones.&nbsp;

In the battle for Lyari, gangs infamously used rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles to fight security forces, with the crossfire shuttering schools and businesses and also keeping kids off the streets.&nbsp;

"Children used to cry listening to the fierce gunfire," says Omar, adding: "The poor people were the victims of those gang wars. We witnessed all those things."

'Showing reality'

But the worst of the violence has abated, and an increase in security has led to flowering creativity.

The embattled neighbourhood now clings fiercely to its reputation for producing top footballers, iron-chinned boxers, and most recently socially conscious rappers.

The rise of hip hop in Lyari mirrors the genre's own birth decades ago in New York's Bronx borough, where it largely centred around street performances and featured lyrics that addressed social ills and life in urban ghettos.&nbsp;

Hip hop became a global phenomenon, but the genre initially failed to generate much traction in Pakistan where music fans tended to listen to pop, Bollywood soundtracks or traditional Sufi music.&nbsp;

The occasional forays by Pakistani musicians into hip hop over the years largely served as interludes in pop songs that veered closer to comedy.

Not so in Lyari where rappers were influenced by the likes of Tupac Shakur and looked to their own experiences for lyrical inspiration.&nbsp;

"In other cities and provinces, there's rap but it's mostly about beautiful women and luxury cars," says producer Qammar Anwar Baloch.&nbsp;

"We are showing reality."&nbsp;

This artistic expression with a bass line first burst onto the nation’s airwaves in 2017 following the release of the hit song and video "The Players of Lyari" by the Lyari Underground.&nbsp;

The anthem doubles as an ode to the neighbourhood’s love for football in cricket-obsessed Pakistan along with a fiery rant lambasting the country's sporting authorities for neglecting the neighbourhood's football talent.

"The young people in Lyari represent one of the first times in Pakistani history where kids from the working classes are contributing to the music that upper classes listen to as well," explains writer Ahmer Naqvi. &nbsp;

"They’re using this moment to sort of assert their own place within Pakistani society, to not be content with being on the margins," he adds.

Digital underground

For years, their voices and stories were largely invisible in Pakistan.

With little performance space available Lyari's rappers have largely turned to the internet to share their clips of their songs, which generate millions of views online.&nbsp;

"I want to highlight the issues in Karachi and my own area in Lyari," explains eight-year-old rapper Waqas Baloch, who released a video under the moniker Thousand earlier this summer.

The young MC is just one of dozens of rappers to pick up a microphone in recent years, according to residents following the scene closely.&nbsp;

For cleric Jameel Ahmed -- who runs a madrassa in Lyari -- youth interest in music and personal expression is a welcome relief after years of tough times. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"It is far better than drugs, booze and other such menaces. Music is helping them stay away from such things," says Ahmed.&nbsp;

He adds: "Now, their minds are opening up."

Haunted by gang violence and poverty for decades, Lyari was once considered one of Pakistan's most dangerous areas, but those grim realities also inspired a generation of artists and spawned a burgeoning hip hop scene.

Haunted by gang violence and poverty for decades, Lyari was once considered one of Pakistan's most dangerous areas, but those grim realities also inspired a generation of artists and spawned a burgeoning hip hop scene. With its close proximity to the sea and history of smuggling, the largely ethnic Balochi neighbourhood in Karachi stands apart for its history of violence and lawlessness -- even by Pakistan's standards. When Karachi served as a major transport hub during the Afghan jihad against the Soviets, Lyari was hit hard by the influx of weapons and drugs -- and the surge in brutality such black-market businesses bring. Heavily armed gangs and political hit squads exerted iron-fisted control over large swathes of Lyari, squashing economic growth while residents battled with the fallout, including rampant drug abuse and poverty. "Lyari was a notorious place because of the gangs and the war. It was almost impossible for outsiders to even think about entering," explains resident and new rapper Mohammad Omar. But in recent years, the gangs have been brought to heel following a heavy-handed operation by paramilitary forces that kicked off in 2013 and saw the streets turned into virtual war zones. In the battle for Lyari, gangs infamously used rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles to fight security forces, with the crossfire shuttering schools and businesses and also keeping kids off the streets. "Children used to cry listening to the fierce gunfire," says Omar, adding: "The poor people were the victims of those gang wars. We witnessed all those things." 'Showing reality' But the worst of the violence has abated, and an increase in security has led to flowering creativity. The embattled neighbourhood now clings fiercely to its reputation for producing top footballers, iron-chinned boxers, and most recently socially conscious rappers. The rise of hip hop in Lyari mirrors the genre's own birth decades ago in New York's Bronx borough, where it largely centred around street performances and featured lyrics that addressed social ills and life in urban ghettos. Hip hop became a global phenomenon, but the genre initially failed to generate much traction in Pakistan where music fans tended to listen to pop, Bollywood soundtracks or traditional Sufi music. The occasional forays by Pakistani musicians into hip hop over the years largely served as interludes in pop songs that veered closer to comedy. Not so in Lyari where rappers were influenced by the likes of Tupac Shakur and looked to their own experiences for lyrical inspiration. "In other cities and provinces, there's rap but it's mostly about beautiful women and luxury cars," says producer Qammar Anwar Baloch. "We are showing reality." This artistic expression with a bass line first burst onto the nation’s airwaves in 2017 following the release of the hit song and video "The Players of Lyari" by the Lyari Underground. The anthem doubles as an ode to the neighbourhood’s love for football in cricket-obsessed Pakistan along with a fiery rant lambasting the country's sporting authorities for neglecting the neighbourhood's football talent. "The young people in Lyari represent one of the first times in Pakistani history where kids from the working classes are contributing to the music that upper classes listen to as well," explains writer Ahmer Naqvi. "They’re using this moment to sort of assert their own place within Pakistani society, to not be content with being on the margins," he adds. Digital underground For years, their voices and stories were largely invisible in Pakistan. With little performance space available Lyari's rappers have largely turned to the internet to share their clips of their songs, which generate millions of views online. "I want to highlight the issues in Karachi and my own area in Lyari," explains eight-year-old rapper Waqas Baloch, who released a video under the moniker Thousand earlier this summer. The young MC is just one of dozens of rappers to pick up a microphone in recent years, according to residents following the scene closely. For cleric Jameel Ahmed -- who runs a madrassa in Lyari -- youth interest in music and personal expression is a welcome relief after years of tough times. "It is far better than drugs, booze and other such menaces. Music is helping them stay away from such things," says Ahmed. He adds: "Now, their minds are opening up."

Straight outta Karachi: Pakistan's surprise hip hop hub

Haunted by gang violence and poverty for decades, Lyari was once considered one of Pakistan's most dangerous areas, but those grim realities also inspired a generation of artists and spawned a burgeoning hip hop scene. 
 
With its close proximity to the sea and history of smuggling, the largely ethnic Balochi neighbourhood in Karachi stands apart for its history of violence and lawlessness -- even by Pakistan's standards.&nbsp; 
 
When Karachi served as a major transport hub during the Afghan jihad against the Soviets, Lyari was hit hard by the influx of weapons and drugs -- and the surge in brutality such black market businesses bring. 
 
Heavily armed gangs and political hit squads exerted iron-fisted control over large swathes of Lyari, squashing economic growth while residents battled with the fallout, including rampant drug abuse and poverty.&nbsp; 
 
"Lyari was a notorious place because of the gangs and the war. It was almost impossible for outsiders to even think about entering," explains resident and new rapper Mohammad Omar.&nbsp; 
 
But in recent years, the gangs have been brought to heel following a heavy-handed operation by paramilitary forces that kicked off in 2013 and saw the streets turned into virtual war zones.&nbsp; 
 
In the battle for Lyari, gangs infamously used rocket propelled grenades and assault rifles to fight security forces, with the crossfire shuttering schools and businesses and&nbsp;also keeping kids off the streets.&nbsp; 
 
"Children used to cry listening to the fierce gunfire," says Omar, adding,&nbsp;"The poor people were the victims of those gang wars. We witnessed all those things." 
 
'Showing reality' 
 
But the worst of the violence has abated, and an increase in security has led to flowering creativity. 
 
The embattled neighbourhood now clings fiercely to its reputation for producing top footballers, iron-chinned boxers, and most recently socially conscious rappers. 
 
The rise of hip hop in Lyari mirrors the genre's own birth decades ago in New York's Bronx borough, where it largely centred around street performances and featured lyrics that addressed social ills and life in urban ghettos.&nbsp; 
 
Hip hop became a global phenomenon, but the genre initially failed to generate much traction in Pakistan where music fans tended to listen to pop, Bollywood soundtracks or traditional Sufi music.&nbsp; 
 
The occasional forays by Pakistani musicians into hip hop over the years largely served as interludes in pop songs that veered closer to comedy. 
 
Not so in Lyari where rappers were influenced by the likes of Tupac Shakur and looked to their own experiences for lyrical inspiration.&nbsp; 
"In other cities and provinces, there's rap but it's mostly about beautiful women and luxury cars," says producer Qammar Anwar Baloch.&nbsp;"We are showing reality."&nbsp; 
 
This artistic expression with a bass line first burst onto the nation’s airwaves in 2017 following the release of the hit song and video "The Players of Lyari" by the Lyari Underground.&nbsp; 
 
The anthem doubles as an ode to the neighbourhood’s love for football in cricket-obsessed Pakistan along with a fiery rant lambasting the country's sporting authorities for neglecting the neighbourhood's football talent. 
 
"The young people in Lyari represent one of the first times in Pakistani history where kids from the working classes are contributing to the music that upper classes listen to as well," explains writer Ahmer Naqvi.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
"They’re using this moment to sort of assert their own place within Pakistani society, to not be content with being on the margins," he adds. 
 
Digital underground&nbsp; 
 
For years, their voices and stories were largely invisible in Pakistan. 
 
With little performance space available Lyari's rappers have largely turned to the internet to share the clips of their songs, which generate millions of views online.&nbsp; 
 
"I want to highlight the issues in Karachi and my own area in Lyari," explains eight-year-old rapper Waqas Baloch, who released a video under the moniker Thousand earlier this summer. 
 
The young MC is just one of dozens of rappers to pick up a microphone in recent years, according to residents following the scene closely.&nbsp; 
 
For cleric Jameel Ahmed -- who runs a madrassa in Lyari -- youth interest in music and personal expression is a welcome relief after years of tough times.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
"It is far better than drugs, booze and other such menaces. Music is helping them stay away from such things," says Ahmed.&nbsp;He adds,&nbsp;"Now, their minds are opening up."

Haunted by gang violence and poverty for decades, Lyari was once considered one of Pakistan's most dangerous areas, but those grim realities also inspired a generation of artists and spawned a burgeoning hip hop scene. With its close proximity to the sea and history of smuggling, the largely ethnic Balochi neighbourhood in Karachi stands apart for its history of violence and lawlessness -- even by Pakistan's standards. When Karachi served as a major transport hub during the Afghan jihad against the Soviets, Lyari was hit hard by the influx of weapons and drugs -- and the surge in brutality such black market businesses bring. Heavily armed gangs and political hit squads exerted iron-fisted control over large swathes of Lyari, squashing economic growth while residents battled with the fallout, including rampant drug abuse and poverty. "Lyari was a notorious place because of the gangs and the war. It was almost impossible for outsiders to even think about entering," explains resident and new rapper Mohammad Omar. But in recent years, the gangs have been brought to heel following a heavy-handed operation by paramilitary forces that kicked off in 2013 and saw the streets turned into virtual war zones. In the battle for Lyari, gangs infamously used rocket propelled grenades and assault rifles to fight security forces, with the crossfire shuttering schools and businesses and also keeping kids off the streets. "Children used to cry listening to the fierce gunfire," says Omar, adding, "The poor people were the victims of those gang wars. We witnessed all those things." 'Showing reality' But the worst of the violence has abated, and an increase in security has led to flowering creativity. The embattled neighbourhood now clings fiercely to its reputation for producing top footballers, iron-chinned boxers, and most recently socially conscious rappers. The rise of hip hop in Lyari mirrors the genre's own birth decades ago in New York's Bronx borough, where it largely centred around street performances and featured lyrics that addressed social ills and life in urban ghettos. Hip hop became a global phenomenon, but the genre initially failed to generate much traction in Pakistan where music fans tended to listen to pop, Bollywood soundtracks or traditional Sufi music. The occasional forays by Pakistani musicians into hip hop over the years largely served as interludes in pop songs that veered closer to comedy. Not so in Lyari where rappers were influenced by the likes of Tupac Shakur and looked to their own experiences for lyrical inspiration. "In other cities and provinces, there's rap but it's mostly about beautiful women and luxury cars," says producer Qammar Anwar Baloch. "We are showing reality." This artistic expression with a bass line first burst onto the nation’s airwaves in 2017 following the release of the hit song and video "The Players of Lyari" by the Lyari Underground. The anthem doubles as an ode to the neighbourhood’s love for football in cricket-obsessed Pakistan along with a fiery rant lambasting the country's sporting authorities for neglecting the neighbourhood's football talent. "The young people in Lyari represent one of the first times in Pakistani history where kids from the working classes are contributing to the music that upper classes listen to as well," explains writer Ahmer Naqvi. "They’re using this moment to sort of assert their own place within Pakistani society, to not be content with being on the margins," he adds. Digital underground For years, their voices and stories were largely invisible in Pakistan. With little performance space available Lyari's rappers have largely turned to the internet to share the clips of their songs, which generate millions of views online. "I want to highlight the issues in Karachi and my own area in Lyari," explains eight-year-old rapper Waqas Baloch, who released a video under the moniker Thousand earlier this summer. The young MC is just one of dozens of rappers to pick up a microphone in recent years, according to residents following the scene closely. For cleric Jameel Ahmed -- who runs a madrassa in Lyari -- youth interest in music and personal expression is a welcome relief after years of tough times. "It is far better than drugs, booze and other such menaces. Music is helping them stay away from such things," says Ahmed. He adds, "Now, their minds are opening up."

Pakistan's surprise hip hop hub: Straight out of Karachi

Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Wednesday issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM), closing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-partially-closes-its-airspace-with-india-on-eastern-front-241404">three routes of Karachi airspace</a> from August 28 to August 31, reported Dunya News.

All international flights have been asked to avoid three aviation routes in the Karachi airspace as per the NOTAM. The CAA has not given any reason for the closure.

However, an alternate route has been suggested by the authority.

The notification comes at a time when the country's Technology Minister Fawad Hussain Choudhry stated that Pakistan is considering a complete closure of airspace to India, adding that the federal Cabinet is also planning to ban India from using its territory for trade with Afghanistan.

"Prime Minister is considering a complete closure of Air Space to India, a complete ban on the use of Pakistan Land routes for Indian trade to Afghanistan was also suggested in Cabinet meeting, legal formalities for these decisions are under consideration...!" the minister said in a tweet on Tuesday.

Amid heightening tensions between India and Pakistan over New Delhi's decision to revoke special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad has downgraded its diplomatic relations with India and partially closed its airspace. Pakistan had also shut down its airspace after India conducted Balakot strike on February 26.

On July 16, Pakistan had fully opened its airspace for all flights.&nbsp;

Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Wednesday issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM), closing the three routes of Karachi airspace from August 28 to August 31, reported Dunya News.

Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Wednesday issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM), closing the three routes of Karachi airspace from August 28 to August 31, reported Dunya News. All international flights have been asked to avoid three aviation routes in the Karachi airspace as per the NOTAM. The CAA has not given any reason for the closure. However, an alternate route has been suggested by the authority. The notification comes at a time when the country's Technology Minister Fawad Hussain Choudhry stated that Pakistan is considering a complete closure of airspace to India, adding that the federal Cabinet is also planning to ban India from using its territory for trade with Afghanistan. "Prime Minister is considering a complete closure of Air Space to India, a complete ban on the use of Pakistan Land routes for Indian trade to Afghanistan was also suggested in Cabinet meeting, legal formalities for these decisions are under consideration...!" the minister said in a tweet on Tuesday. Amid heightening tensions between India and Pakistan over New Delhi's decision to revoke special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad has downgraded its diplomatic relations with India and partially closed its airspace. Pakistan had also shut down its airspace after India conducted Balakot strike on February 26. On July 16, Pakistan had fully opened its airspace for all flights.

Pakistan: Karachi airspace shuts three routes till August 31

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has admitted to the failure of his country's stance on Kashmir and its diplomacy, stated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-turns-into-nightmare-for-minorities-nadeem-nusrat-159052">Voice of Karachi (VoK) Chairman Nadeem Nusrat</a> on Monday.

"Imran Khan is not more than a puppet of Pakistan's military establishment who talks at the behest of his masters in GHQ (Pakistan Army Headquarter). Pakistani premier admits that Pakistan has been isolated at the international stage by saying that if some of the Muslim countries are not with us (Pakistan) today due to economic or other reasons, they will be with us in the future," Nusrat said in a press statement.

The Voice of Karachi Chairman further said that Kashmir has been at the forefront of Pakistan's foreign policy since its inception.

"The military establishment of Pakistan and its notorious intelligence agency ISI spent billions of rupees from the national exchequer to create militant organisations, Kashmir committees, and Kashmir Desks in their embassies in the name of Kashmir's freedom struggle. The failed domestic and foreign policies of Pakistan headed by the military establishment have turned the country into a chaos-like situation," he said.

Nusrat categorically rejected Imran Khan`s claim that it was his government's policy to have peaceful relations with other countries, including India and Afghanistan.

He said that the reality is that the terror outfits involved in deadly attacks in Afghanistan and India are enjoying impunity under the present government of Imran Khan.

&nbsp;"The sincerity of Pakistan to have peace with its neighbours can be measured with no change seen in using terror as a tool of its foreign policy and strategic depth in the region," he added.

The Mohajir leader outlined the plight of the minorities in Pakistan including the Mohajirs, Baloch, Pashtun and people of Gilgit Baltistan.

The VoK chairman added that Islamabad has been "violating the basic rights of its ethnic and religious minorities, the superior judiciary has become the tool of military establishment and violation of the constitution by Army generals is a normal routine in the country.

"There are over a hundred million Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtuns and other ethnic entities who are facing near-genocide at the hands of Pakistani security forces whose majority hails from the country`s Punjab Province only," the statement said.

The VoK leader claimed that both Karachi and Mohajirs have been deprived of even the fundamental rights by successive civilian and military governments.

"Pakistan has also systematically disenfranchised Karachi's population through blatant gerrymandering and manipulation in census figures, leaving Karachi with negligible presence in the national and provincial legislatures," he said.

"Those who stand up to this inhuman treatment become the victim of unlawful arrests, brutal torture in custody, enforced disappearances, and even extrajudicial executions. Pakistan's Punjabi-dominated security forces have extrajudicially killed over 25,000 Mohajirs since 1992 in Karachi and other Mohajir-majority cities in Pakistan`s Sindh Province," the statement also said.

The horrific state of human rights in Pakistan's largest and most resourceful province, Balochistan, is another source of concern where ethnic Balochs have been demanding greater control over their province`s land and resources.

"The state authorities have responded to this demand by carrying out a brutal military operation that very often uses American-supplied F-16 jet fighters. As per accounts of some local Baloch human rights organizations, Pakistani security forces have killed tens of thousands of Balochs in the last few years, and even more, have become the victim of enforced disappearances," the statement said.

"Another sensitive geostrategic region in South Asia is Pakistan`s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province which shares around 1,500 miles-long border with Afghanistan. Since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistani military establishment has turned the KP province into a haven for almost every extremist Islamist group in the world. Pakistani intelligence officials and religious clerics have recruited and trained hundreds of thousands of young Pashtuns from this impoverished region in the last few decades and shipped them to wage jihad in almost every part of the world. The Taliban was also conceived in a religious seminary in KP," the statement pointed out.

The KP Province has been facing a brutal military crackdown for years, which has left millions of people displaced, Nusrat added.

&nbsp;Those indigenous secular forces who have dared to stand up to Pakistan's Punjabi-dominated military are facing unlawful imprisonment, false charges, and enforced disappearances, he said.

The disputed territories of Gilgit and Baltistan are facing similar levels of persecution where the Pakistani military officials are trying to change the demography by turning the indigenous population into a minority.

Those standing up to this tyranny face enforced disappearances or unlawful imprisonment," the statement said.

"Siege and search operations, unlawful arrests, denial of the universal right of due process, curb on media, freedom of expression and association, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions are a routine in Karachi, Balochistan, KP, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Persistent denial of human rights in all these territories is brewing a profound sense of deprivation which could turn into a serious law and order crisis," the statement also read.

"The world must ask every Pakistani leader raising Kashmir issue: Is Pakistan willing to stop its state-sponsored terrorism against non-Punjabi ethnic groups and grant them greater autonomy? Until Pakistan treats its own religious and ethnic entities with dignity and rights they ethically and lawfully deserve, it has no moral ground to plead the Kashmir issue anywhere in the world," the VoK chairman reiterated.

The Mohajir leader further said that the world community must take serious notice of the continuous threats of nuclear war coming from Pakistan's civilian and military leadership.

The immature statements and warmongering would further escalate the tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

He said that both India and Pakistan should start the dialogue process without any delay to resolve all the outstanding issues between the two countries.

"Kashmir, however, is not the only burning issue in the region. Without resolving the longstanding grievances non-Punjabi ethnic groups are facing in Pakistan, peace, and stability will remain an elusive goal in South Asia," Nusrat said.&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has admitted to the failure of his country's stance on Kashmir and its diplomacy, stated Voice of Karachi (VoK) Chairman Nadeem Nusrat on Monday.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has admitted to the failure of his country's stance on Kashmir and its diplomacy, stated Voice of Karachi (VoK) Chairman Nadeem Nusrat on Monday. "Imran Khan is not more than a puppet of Pakistan's military establishment who talks at the behest of his masters in GHQ (Pakistan Army Headquarter). Pakistani premier admits that Pakistan has been isolated at the international stage by saying that if some of the Muslim countries are not with us (Pakistan) today due to economic or other reasons, they will be with us in the future," Nusrat said in a press statement. The Voice of Karachi Chairman further said that Kashmir has been at the forefront of Pakistan's foreign policy since its inception. "The military establishment of Pakistan and its notorious intelligence agency ISI spent billions of rupees from the national exchequer to create militant organisations, Kashmir committees, and Kashmir Desks in their embassies in the name of Kashmir's freedom struggle. The failed domestic and foreign policies of Pakistan headed by the military establishment have turned the country into a chaos-like situation," he said. Nusrat categorically rejected Imran Khan`s claim that it was his government's policy to have peaceful relations with other countries, including India and Afghanistan. He said that the reality is that the terror outfits involved in deadly attacks in Afghanistan and India are enjoying impunity under the present government of Imran Khan. "The sincerity of Pakistan to have peace with its neighbours can be measured with no change seen in using terror as a tool of its foreign policy and strategic depth in the region," he added. The Mohajir leader outlined the plight of the minorities in Pakistan including the Mohajirs, Baloch, Pashtun and people of Gilgit Baltistan. The VoK chairman added that Islamabad has been "violating the basic rights of its ethnic and religious minorities, the superior judiciary has become the tool of military establishment and violation of the constitution by Army generals is a normal routine in the country. "There are over a hundred million Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtuns and other ethnic entities who are facing near-genocide at the hands of Pakistani security forces whose majority hails from the country`s Punjab Province only," the statement said. The VoK leader claimed that both Karachi and Mohajirs have been deprived of even the fundamental rights by successive civilian and military governments. "Pakistan has also systematically disenfranchised Karachi's population through blatant gerrymandering and manipulation in census figures, leaving Karachi with negligible presence in the national and provincial legislatures," he said. "Those who stand up to this inhuman treatment become the victim of unlawful arrests, brutal torture in custody, enforced disappearances, and even extrajudicial executions. Pakistan's Punjabi-dominated security forces have extrajudicially killed over 25,000 Mohajirs since 1992 in Karachi and other Mohajir-majority cities in Pakistan`s Sindh Province," the statement also said. The horrific state of human rights in Pakistan's largest and most resourceful province, Balochistan, is another source of concern where ethnic Balochs have been demanding greater control over their province`s land and resources. "The state authorities have responded to this demand by carrying out a brutal military operation that very often uses American-supplied F-16 jet fighters. As per accounts of some local Baloch human rights organizations, Pakistani security forces have killed tens of thousands of Balochs in the last few years, and even more, have become the victim of enforced disappearances," the statement said. "Another sensitive geostrategic region in South Asia is Pakistan`s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province which shares around 1,500 miles-long border with Afghanistan. Since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistani military establishment has turned the KP province into a haven for almost every extremist Islamist group in the world. Pakistani intelligence officials and religious clerics have recruited and trained hundreds of thousands of young Pashtuns from this impoverished region in the last few decades and shipped them to wage jihad in almost every part of the world. The Taliban was also conceived in a religious seminary in KP," the statement pointed out. The KP Province has been facing a brutal military crackdown for years, which has left millions of people displaced, Nusrat added. Those indigenous secular forces who have dared to stand up to Pakistan's Punjabi-dominated military are facing unlawful imprisonment, false charges, and enforced disappearances, he said. The disputed territories of Gilgit and Baltistan are facing similar levels of persecution where the Pakistani military officials are trying to change the demography by turning the indigenous population into a minority. Those standing up to this tyranny face enforced disappearances or unlawful imprisonment," the statement said. "Siege and search operations, unlawful arrests, denial of the universal right of due process, curb on media, freedom of expression and association, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions are a routine in Karachi, Balochistan, KP, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Persistent denial of human rights in all these territories is brewing a profound sense of deprivation which could turn into a serious law and order crisis," the statement also read. "The world must ask every Pakistani leader raising Kashmir issue: Is Pakistan willing to stop its state-sponsored terrorism against non-Punjabi ethnic groups and grant them greater autonomy? Until Pakistan treats its own religious and ethnic entities with dignity and rights they ethically and lawfully deserve, it has no moral ground to plead the Kashmir issue anywhere in the world," the VoK chairman reiterated. The Mohajir leader further said that the world community must take serious notice of the continuous threats of nuclear war coming from Pakistan's civilian and military leadership. The immature statements and warmongering would further escalate the tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. He said that both India and Pakistan should start the dialogue process without any delay to resolve all the outstanding issues between the two countries. "Kashmir, however, is not the only burning issue in the region. Without resolving the longstanding grievances non-Punjabi ethnic groups are facing in Pakistan, peace, and stability will remain an elusive goal in South Asia," Nusrat said.

Pakistan isolation on Kashmir a huge setback to its foreign policy: Nadeem Nusrat

Despite <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-samjhauta-pakistan-shuts-down-thar-link-express-241745">Pakistan's announcement of suspension</a>&nbsp;of Thar Express, the train, which plies every week between Jodhpur and Karachi, is running as per schedule on both sides of the international border on Saturday.

A Railways official told ANI that the train, with 165 passengers including 84 Pakistanis on board, was undergoing customs check at Munabao railway station, the last station in India on the route, and later crossed the border for Zero Point, the last railway station on the Pakistani side.

"The train embarked on its journey at 1 am from Jodhpur and reached Munabao railway station at 6:55 am. It is going through the customs check and will depart for Zero Point. Operations are running normal," CPRO North Western Railway told ANI.

In India, the train originates at Bhagat Ki Kothi railway station in Jodhpur and goes up to Zero Point railway station near the border in Pakistan after undergoing mandatory customs check at Munabao railway station.

In Pakistan, it starts at Karachi Cantonment railway station and stops at Zero Point railway station where passengers undergo customs check. Passengers from both sides change trains, that is, those travelling to Pakistan board a Karachi-bound train while those travelling to India take a Jodhpur-bound train.

The future of the train seems to be in limbo as Pakistan on Friday announced to stop the weekly train after the government scrapped special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan has also suspended the operation of Samjhauta Express, which runs between Delhi and Attari in India and Lahore in Pakistan since 1976 after the Simla Accord between the two countries.

According to DND News Agency, Pakistan Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad announced that Thar Express will be shut down at 12:00 am (midnight) Friday while Samjhauta Express will cease to run from Saturday.

The decision to suspend the two trains is in line with Islamabad's other moves to remonstrate against Indian move, including suspending bilateral trade and downgrading of diplomatic relations.

Indian Railways on Thursday had clarified that the Samjhauta Express has not yet been suspended but Pakistan authorities refused to send their crew to India citing security concern. The train stood in the Wagah side of the border in Pakistan with around 110 passengers yesterday. An Indian engine brought the train from Wagah to Attari.

Calling its steps in Jammu and Kashmir an "entirely internal affair", India has time and again rejected Pakistan's unilateral move to downgrade diplomatic ties and asked Islamabad to review them so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved.

Despite Pakistan's announcement of suspension of Thar Express, the train, which plies every week between Jodhpur and Karachi, is running as per schedule on both sides of the international border on Saturday.

Despite Pakistan's announcement of suspension of Thar Express, the train, which plies every week between Jodhpur and Karachi, is running as per schedule on both sides of the international border on Saturday. A Railways official told ANI that the train, with 165 passengers including 84 Pakistanis on board, was undergoing customs check at Munabao railway station, the last station in India on the route, and later crossed the border for Zero Point, the last railway station on the Pakistani side. "The train embarked on its journey at 1 am from Jodhpur and reached Munabao railway station at 6:55 am. It is going through the customs check and will depart for Zero Point. Operations are running normal," CPRO North Western Railway told ANI. In India, the train originates at Bhagat Ki Kothi railway station in Jodhpur and goes up to Zero Point railway station near the border in Pakistan after undergoing mandatory customs check at Munabao railway station. In Pakistan, it starts at Karachi Cantonment railway station and stops at Zero Point railway station where passengers undergo customs check. Passengers from both sides change trains, that is, those travelling to Pakistan board a Karachi-bound train while those travelling to India take a Jodhpur-bound train. The future of the train seems to be in limbo as Pakistan on Friday announced to stop the weekly train after the government scrapped special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has also suspended the operation of Samjhauta Express, which runs between Delhi and Attari in India and Lahore in Pakistan since 1976 after the Simla Accord between the two countries. According to DND News Agency, Pakistan Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad announced that Thar Express will be shut down at 12:00 am (midnight) Friday while Samjhauta Express will cease to run from Saturday. The decision to suspend the two trains is in line with Islamabad's other moves to remonstrate against Indian move, including suspending bilateral trade and downgrading of diplomatic relations. Indian Railways on Thursday had clarified that the Samjhauta Express has not yet been suspended but Pakistan authorities refused to send their crew to India citing security concern. The train stood in the Wagah side of the border in Pakistan with around 110 passengers yesterday. An Indian engine brought the train from Wagah to Attari. Calling its steps in Jammu and Kashmir an "entirely internal affair", India has time and again rejected Pakistan's unilateral move to downgrade diplomatic ties and asked Islamabad to review them so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved.

Despite Pakistan's suspension Thar Express operating on schedule: Railway

At least 12 people were killed as monsoon rains lashed Pakistan's port city of Karachi, officials and charity groups confirmed Wednesday, while flooding also triggered power outages and overwhelmed the metropolis's fragile infrastructure.

Authorities said the deaths occurred largely due to electrocutions caused by ill-maintained power lines even as large segments of the city suffered hours-long outages that lasted up to a day in some areas.

According to the Edhi Foundation - which oversees a vast rescue services operation in Karachi -&nbsp;up to 15 people were killed during the recent bout of flooding.&nbsp;

However, government hospitals in the city said only 12 people had died in recent days in flood-related incidents.

Outrage simmered in the city after a video went viral on social media showing two children who had been allegedly electrocuted by a power line that had fallen into a puddle.

"The electricity company must be held responsible for the children’s death as safety and security is its responsibility," said Faisal Edhi, who heads the Edhi Foundation.

Dr Seemi Jamali - director of the state-run Jinnah Postgraduate Medical University - confirmed that nine people were "brought dead" to the hospital because of electrocutions.

Another three bodies, including the children from the video shared online, were taken to the city's Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, a doctor on duty at the facility confirmed to AFP.

The megacity of some 20 million has been inundated with heavy rains since Monday, flooding residential areas and bringing large swathes of Karachi's perennially traffic-congested streets to a halt.

"We are living without electricity and water for the past three days and no official rescue came," said 24-year-old resident Qaiser Khan.

Hundreds have been killed across South Asia this monsoon season and tens of thousands displaced by the heavy rains.&nbsp;

While the annual rains are crucial to replenishing water supplies in the impoverished region, they often turn deadly.

At least 12 people were killed as monsoon rains lashed Pakistan's port city of Karachi, officials and charity groups confirmed Wednesday, while flooding also triggered power outages and overwhelmed the metropolis's fragile infrastructure.

At least 12 people were killed as monsoon rains lashed Pakistan's port city of Karachi, officials and charity groups confirmed Wednesday, while flooding also triggered power outages and overwhelmed the metropolis's fragile infrastructure. Authorities said the deaths occurred largely due to electrocutions caused by ill-maintained power lines even as large segments of the city suffered hours-long outages that lasted up to a day in some areas. According to the Edhi Foundation - which oversees a vast rescue services operation in Karachi - up to 15 people were killed during the recent bout of flooding. However, government hospitals in the city said only 12 people had died in recent days in flood-related incidents. Outrage simmered in the city after a video went viral on social media showing two children who had been allegedly electrocuted by a power line that had fallen into a puddle. "The electricity company must be held responsible for the children’s death as safety and security is its responsibility," said Faisal Edhi, who heads the Edhi Foundation. Dr Seemi Jamali - director of the state-run Jinnah Postgraduate Medical University - confirmed that nine people were "brought dead" to the hospital because of electrocutions. Another three bodies, including the children from the video shared online, were taken to the city's Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, a doctor on duty at the facility confirmed to AFP. The megacity of some 20 million has been inundated with heavy rains since Monday, flooding residential areas and bringing large swathes of Karachi's perennially traffic-congested streets to a halt. "We are living without electricity and water for the past three days and no official rescue came," said 24-year-old resident Qaiser Khan. Hundreds have been killed across South Asia this monsoon season and tens of thousands displaced by the heavy rains. While the annual rains are crucial to replenishing water supplies in the impoverished region, they often turn deadly.

12 killed as flooding paralyses Pakistan's Karachi

In 1999, Pakistani soldiers entered India disguised as intruders. The battlefield was the Kargil district of Jammu & Kashmir. Kargil is one of the world's highest battlegrounds. IAF also provide air support to the ground forces. Indian Navy blocked the routes to Karachi. When India ended the conflict started by Pakistan.

Kargil: A Story of Victory & Sacrifice

His father was assassinated by a notorious Karachi hitman, while his police partner was murdered by the Taliban.

Personal tragedy haunts the hard-boiled novels that are turning top cop Omar Shahid Hamid into one of Pakistan's most popular English-language authors.

For nearly two decades Hamid has worn a badge in Karachi, the mega port city on the Arabian Sea that for years was rife with vicious political and extremist violence.

Now a deputy inspector general, he is also fast becoming one of Pakistan's most recognisable writers, publishing four books in quick succession since 2013.

His work has even nabbed the attention of major streaming outlets on the hunt for new original material from South Asia, including Netflix, which has already seen major success with similar material in TV series such as Sacred Games, about Mumbai's corrupt underworld.

Hamid said the secret to his success is his unflinching accounts of political corruption, contract killers, and crooked cops alongside nuanced portraits of Karachi's divided neighbourhoods.

"Books like mine wouldn't work if I pulled punches," he tells AFP.&nbsp;

"It's that grittiness, that uncompromising reality that I think a lot of readers enjoy."

At times the reality has hit dangerously and heartbreakingly close to home.

Hamid did the bulk of his writing while he was on sabbatical after being advised to leave Karachi and take a break from policing in 2011 when he was threatened by jihadist groups.

- Close to reality -

Weeks after the release of his first novel "The Prisoner", his mentor and police partner Chaudhry Aslam -- the inspiration for one of the book's protagonists -- was killed in a Taliban-claimed suicide blast.

In his third novel "The Party Worker", Hamid portrays the rise of a brutal hitman who killed at the behest of a fictional political party ruling the city with an iron fist.

For Karachi insiders, the character mirrors the life of feared hitman Saulat Mirza, who served as the feared enforcer for the once-powerful Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party -- and whose list of victims include Hamid's own father, Shahid.

"It's less a thing of making a sketch of Saulat Mirza," explains Hamid, calling the character a "sketch of a particular type of young man... who kind of in the last 30 years or so essentially gave their lives away to these ideologies thinking they were doing the right thing."

The goal is not to excuse such actions, he insists.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Understanding the motivations of someone is a positive tool if you're someone who has worked as an investigator in counterterrorism for a very long time," says Hamid.

"What he has written is fiction but it's very close to reality," says Faheem Siddiqui, Karachi bureau chief for Geo News.&nbsp;

"As a crime reporter, I know what had happened in the city. It took a great deal of courage to write about these events."

Hamid's plots go beyond his own losses to appear at times like thinly disguised retellings of the seismic moments that have rattled Karachi in the last 30 years -- from the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002 to the killing of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's brother Murtaza.

- Dangerous city -

Once a quiet port nestled on the Arabian Sea coastline, Karachi was transformed by the flood of refugees from neighbouring India after partition in 1947, setting the stage for disputes that needle the metropolis to this day.

Years later the port became a conduit for weapons, narcotics, and a new flood of refugees from war-torn Afghanistan, transforming politics and ratcheting up violence to make Karachi one of Asia's most dangerous cities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The last 30 years have been a rollercoaster ride," explains Hamid.

"If wasn't politico-ethnic violence it was sectarian violence in Karachi that lead to jihadist terrorism."

Writing, he explains, was a release.

"I had a lot of frustrations about things that had happened in my career until that point," says Hamid.

"I felt a need to vent about them."

The themes Hamid explores may surprise those looking for screeds to lionize the police and demonise its enemies, with stories of extrajudicial killings and corrupt officials frequently appearing.

Though he often takes aim at Karachi's dangerous and powerful, he has received little blowback, he admits.

But he says his latest novel "The Fix" released in June may ruffle more feathers, as he explores corruption in cricket.

"For a nation of cricket fanatics and conspiracy theorists, it's strangely been an area that has never really been explored," he explains.

For all his explorations of Karachi's darkest corners, Hamid remains hopeful for his beloved home, while admitting the sweltering, overflowing city may seem like "an absolute hellhole" to outsiders.

"It may not be everyone's cup of tea," he shrugs. "But as a city, it will keep going."

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

His father was assassinated by a notorious Karachi hitman, while his police partner was murdered by the Taliban. Personal tragedy haunts the hard-boiled novels that are turning top cop Omar Shahid Hamid into one of Pakistan's most popular English-language authors.

His father was assassinated by a notorious Karachi hitman, while his police partner was murdered by the Taliban. Personal tragedy haunts the hard-boiled novels that are turning top cop Omar Shahid Hamid into one of Pakistan's most popular English-language authors. For nearly two decades Hamid has worn a badge in Karachi, the mega port city on the Arabian Sea that for years was rife with vicious political and extremist violence. Now a deputy inspector general, he is also fast becoming one of Pakistan's most recognisable writers, publishing four books in quick succession since 2013. His work has even nabbed the attention of major streaming outlets on the hunt for new original material from South Asia, including Netflix, which has already seen major success with similar material in TV series such as Sacred Games, about Mumbai's corrupt underworld. Hamid said the secret to his success is his unflinching accounts of political corruption, contract killers, and crooked cops alongside nuanced portraits of Karachi's divided neighbourhoods. "Books like mine wouldn't work if I pulled punches," he tells AFP. "It's that grittiness, that uncompromising reality that I think a lot of readers enjoy." At times the reality has hit dangerously and heartbreakingly close to home. Hamid did the bulk of his writing while he was on sabbatical after being advised to leave Karachi and take a break from policing in 2011 when he was threatened by jihadist groups. - Close to reality - Weeks after the release of his first novel "The Prisoner", his mentor and police partner Chaudhry Aslam -- the inspiration for one of the book's protagonists -- was killed in a Taliban-claimed suicide blast. In his third novel "The Party Worker", Hamid portrays the rise of a brutal hitman who killed at the behest of a fictional political party ruling the city with an iron fist. For Karachi insiders, the character mirrors the life of feared hitman Saulat Mirza, who served as the feared enforcer for the once-powerful Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party -- and whose list of victims include Hamid's own father, Shahid. "It's less a thing of making a sketch of Saulat Mirza," explains Hamid, calling the character a "sketch of a particular type of young man... who kind of in the last 30 years or so essentially gave their lives away to these ideologies thinking they were doing the right thing." The goal is not to excuse such actions, he insists. "Understanding the motivations of someone is a positive tool if you're someone who has worked as an investigator in counterterrorism for a very long time," says Hamid. "What he has written is fiction but it's very close to reality," says Faheem Siddiqui, Karachi bureau chief for Geo News. "As a crime reporter, I know what had happened in the city. It took a great deal of courage to write about these events." Hamid's plots go beyond his own losses to appear at times like thinly disguised retellings of the seismic moments that have rattled Karachi in the last 30 years -- from the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002 to the killing of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's brother Murtaza. - Dangerous city - Once a quiet port nestled on the Arabian Sea coastline, Karachi was transformed by the flood of refugees from neighbouring India after partition in 1947, setting the stage for disputes that needle the metropolis to this day. Years later the port became a conduit for weapons, narcotics, and a new flood of refugees from war-torn Afghanistan, transforming politics and ratcheting up violence to make Karachi one of Asia's most dangerous cities. "The last 30 years have been a rollercoaster ride," explains Hamid. "If wasn't politico-ethnic violence it was sectarian violence in Karachi that lead to jihadist terrorism." Writing, he explains, was a release. "I had a lot of frustrations about things that had happened in my career until that point," says Hamid. "I felt a need to vent about them." The themes Hamid explores may surprise those looking for screeds to lionize the police and demonise its enemies, with stories of extrajudicial killings and corrupt officials frequently appearing. Though he often takes aim at Karachi's dangerous and powerful, he has received little blowback, he admits. But he says his latest novel "The Fix" released in June may ruffle more feathers, as he explores corruption in cricket. "For a nation of cricket fanatics and conspiracy theorists, it's strangely been an area that has never really been explored," he explains. For all his explorations of Karachi's darkest corners, Hamid remains hopeful for his beloved home, while admitting the sweltering, overflowing city may seem like "an absolute hellhole" to outsiders. "It may not be everyone's cup of tea," he shrugs. "But as a city, it will keep going."

Pakistani cop channels police stories into gritty novels

Markets and wholesale merchants across Pakistan closed on Saturday in a strike by businesses against measures demanded by the International Monetary Fund to crack down on tax evasion and bolster the country's depleted public finances.

In Karachi, the country's main commercial city, around 80% of markets dealing in bulk goods were closed, said Atiq Mir, president of the All Karachi Traders Alliance, which represents hundreds of markets in the city.

"Government policies have created mistrust in trade and industry," said Mir, who added that traders were already struggling with corrupt tax officials demanding bribes.

Similar strikes were called in other big business centres including the eastern city of Lahore, Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, and Multan, home to a celebrated ceramics industry.

Not all business associations joined the strike but the move underlines the pressure facing <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-not-invited-at-eastern-economic-forum-clarifies-russia-234102&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjKmpzs77HjAhWNMd4KHcS0A2kQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0wSzv056Oos2lqilut3VgD">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a>'s government, which came to power last year promising millions of new jobs and welfare measures to help the poor.

Instead, like so many of its predecessors, it is having to impose tough austerity measures having been forced to turn to the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-imf-to-reach-agreement-soon-on-bailout-package-finance-minister-205590&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjijfGI8LHjAhUZWysKHYcuCekQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1T_n4-uypy8SsyVcps3wkS">IMF for Pakistan</a>'s 13th bailout since the late 1980s.

In Karachi, calm prevailed around the main electronics market in the old city that would normally be bustling on a Saturday with traders selling everything from mobile phones to televisions, refrigerators and air conditioners.

A popular textiles market on Tariq Road in another part of the city was also closed as traders, already struggling to attract customers hit by a sliding rupee and inflation running at around 9%, shut up shop for the day.

Under the IMF bailout, signed this month, Pakistan is under heavy pressure to boost its tax revenues to plug a fiscal deficit which has ballooned to around 7% of its gross domestic product, as well as avert a looming balance of payments crisis.

The South Asian country has long suffered from a weak tax base, with only about 1% of its 208 million population filing income tax returns and key industrial sectors dominated by powerful lobbies that pay little or no tax.

Among the measures which have roused the anger of traders is a new rule that would require customers buying items worth 50,000 rupees ($315) or over to produce identity documents, a move intended to help authorities to track tax evaders.

"The new condition of the national identity card on purchases of 50,000 rupees or more has created harassment among the people," Mir said.

Under the measures agreed with the IMF, the government has also agreed to close loopholes and preferential rates in sales tax on sugar, steel, edible oils, and medium and large retailers, hitting many businesses.

"We want zero tax on small retailers. Sales tax should be limited to the manufacturing sector," Mir said.

The strike, which follows isolated protests by traders this month, was called after the government refused to agree to the traders' demands to abandon its tax plans.

Markets and wholesale merchants across Pakistan closed on Saturday in a strike by businesses against measures demanded by the International Monetary Fund to crack down on tax evasion and bolster the country's depleted public finances.

Markets and wholesale merchants across Pakistan closed on Saturday in a strike by businesses against measures demanded by the International Monetary Fund to crack down on tax evasion and bolster the country's depleted public finances. In Karachi, the country's main commercial city, around 80% of markets dealing in bulk goods were closed, said Atiq Mir, president of the All Karachi Traders Alliance, which represents hundreds of markets in the city. "Government policies have created mistrust in trade and industry," said Mir, who added that traders were already struggling with corrupt tax officials demanding bribes. Similar strikes were called in other big business centres including the eastern city of Lahore, Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, and Multan, home to a celebrated ceramics industry. Not all business associations joined the strike but the move underlines the pressure facing Prime Minister Imran Khan's government, which came to power last year promising millions of new jobs and welfare measures to help the poor. Instead, like so many of its predecessors, it is having to impose tough austerity measures having been forced to turn to the IMF for Pakistan's 13th bailout since the late 1980s. In Karachi, calm prevailed around the main electronics market in the old city that would normally be bustling on a Saturday with traders selling everything from mobile phones to televisions, refrigerators and air conditioners. A popular textiles market on Tariq Road in another part of the city was also closed as traders, already struggling to attract customers hit by a sliding rupee and inflation running at around 9%, shut up shop for the day. Under the IMF bailout, signed this month, Pakistan is under heavy pressure to boost its tax revenues to plug a fiscal deficit which has ballooned to around 7% of its gross domestic product, as well as avert a looming balance of payments crisis. The South Asian country has long suffered from a weak tax base, with only about 1% of its 208 million population filing income tax returns and key industrial sectors dominated by powerful lobbies that pay little or no tax. Among the measures which have roused the anger of traders is a new rule that would require customers buying items worth 50,000 rupees ($315) or over to produce identity documents, a move intended to help authorities to track tax evaders. "The new condition of the national identity card on purchases of 50,000 rupees or more has created harassment among the people," Mir said. Under the measures agreed with the IMF, the government has also agreed to close loopholes and preferential rates in sales tax on sugar, steel, edible oils, and medium and large retailers, hitting many businesses. "We want zero tax on small retailers. Sales tax should be limited to the manufacturing sector," Mir said. The strike, which follows isolated protests by traders this month, was called after the government refused to agree to the traders' demands to abandon its tax plans.

Pakistani traders strike over International Monetary Fund austerity measures

Two boats carrying banned drugs from Pakistani coast city Karachi to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-to-revive-suspended-visa-on-arrival-programme-for-39-countries-excludes-india-china-234835">Sri Lanka</a> were intercepted by Sri Lankan Coast guards on Wednesday.

The operation was successfully executed based on the inputs by Indian security agencies.

The successful capture comes after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) shared a specific input with information about two boats carrying banned drugs from Karachi to Sri Lanka.

The input which was shared with Indian authorities by NCB was consecutively forwarded to concerned Sri Lankan agencies following which a timely intervention by coast guards prevented the illegal trade.

According to Indian intelligence agencies, this drug business is a major source of income for Pakistan ISI and they use this in terror funding.

The funds through such trade are also used to fund extremist ideology in Sri Lanka.

Indian security agencies maintain that the sea route is safest for drug business and boats and ships carry these drugs on a regular basis.

Coast Guards of India and Sri Lanka work closely in areas of coastal security and prevention of illegal activities along their maritime boundary.&nbsp;

Two boats carrying banned drugs from Pakistani coast city Karachi to Sri Lanka were intercepted by Sri Lankan Coast guards on Wednesday. The operation was successfully executed based on the inputs by Indian security agencies.

Two boats carrying banned drugs from Pakistani coast city Karachi to Sri Lanka were intercepted by Sri Lankan Coast guards on Wednesday. The operation was successfully executed based on the inputs by Indian security agencies. The successful capture comes after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) shared a specific input with information about two boats carrying banned drugs from Karachi to Sri Lanka. The input which was shared with Indian authorities by NCB was consecutively forwarded to concerned Sri Lankan agencies following which a timely intervention by coast guards prevented the illegal trade. According to Indian intelligence agencies, this drug business is a major source of income for Pakistan ISI and they use this in terror funding. The funds through such trade are also used to fund extremist ideology in Sri Lanka. Indian security agencies maintain that the sea route is safest for drug business and boats and ships carry these drugs on a regular basis. Coast Guards of India and Sri Lanka work closely in areas of coastal security and prevention of illegal activities along their maritime boundary.

Alerted by Indian agencies, Sri Lankan coast guard intercepts boats carrying drugs from Karachi

A journalist working in a <a href="In a first, US puts two Hezbollah lawmakers on sanctions blacklist">Pakistan</a>-based news channel was shot dead here on Tuesday evening over a personal dispute, police said.

Mureed Abbas, an anchor who worked with Bol News, was killed outside a local cafe in Khayaban-e-Bukhari area in the city.

Police said that an assailant identified as Atif Zaman opened fire at the journalist from a white-coloured car, according to Geo News.

The Dawn quoted South DIG Sharjeel Kharal as saying that Abbas'&nbsp;friends said he had a monetary dispute with someone.

Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Executive Director Seemin Jamali said Abbas was pronounced dead at the hospital, adding that the anchor had sustained multiple bullet wounds on the chest and abdomen.

Abbas'&nbsp;friend, Khizar Hayat, was also shot in the same incident.

He was rushed to a private hospital, but succumbed to his injuries later, Kharal said.

Later, the police official said that security forces caught the suspected gunman who was attempting to commit suicide while his residence was raided, according to The Dawn report.

The suspect shot himself in the chest and was shifted to a local hospital in a critical condition, Kharal said.

Taking cognisance of the incident, Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kaleem Imam has directed the concerned Deputy Inspector General (DIG) to submit a report in the matter.

The IGP has also asked the officials to conduct a forensic investigation of the evidence collected from the area where the shooting took place.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A journalist working in a Pakistan-based news channel was shot dead here on Tuesday evening over a personal dispute, police said. Mureed Abbas, an anchor who worked with Bol News, was killed outside a local cafe in Khayaban-e-Bukhari area in the city.

A journalist working in a Pakistan-based news channel was shot dead here on Tuesday evening over a personal dispute, police said. Mureed Abbas, an anchor who worked with Bol News, was killed outside a local cafe in Khayaban-e-Bukhari area in the city. Police said that an assailant identified as Atif Zaman opened fire at the journalist from a white-coloured car, according to Geo News. The Dawn quoted South DIG Sharjeel Kharal as saying that Abbas' friends said he had a monetary dispute with someone. Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Executive Director Seemin Jamali said Abbas was pronounced dead at the hospital, adding that the anchor had sustained multiple bullet wounds on the chest and abdomen. Abbas' friend, Khizar Hayat, was also shot in the same incident. He was rushed to a private hospital, but succumbed to his injuries later, Kharal said. Later, the police official said that security forces caught the suspected gunman who was attempting to commit suicide while his residence was raided, according to The Dawn report. The suspect shot himself in the chest and was shifted to a local hospital in a critical condition, Kharal said. Taking cognisance of the incident, Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kaleem Imam has directed the concerned Deputy Inspector General (DIG) to submit a report in the matter. The IGP has also asked the officials to conduct a forensic investigation of the evidence collected from the area where the shooting took place.

Pakistan news anchor shot dead outside Karachi cafe

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pakistan-army-is-obsessed-with-india-because-it-justifies-its-indispensability-209455">India and Pakistan</a> on Monday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad.&nbsp;

A release by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India handed over lists of 256 Pakistan civilian prisoners and 99 fishermen, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pakistan-releases-100-indian-fishermen-as-goodwill-gesture-208631">Pakistan</a> has shared lists of 209 fishermen and 52 prisoners in its custody, who are Indians or believed-to-be Indians.&nbsp;

The government called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats.

In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 10 Indian civil prisoners and 124 Indian fishermen to India whose nationality has been confirmed.

Apart from this, the government has also called upon Pakistan to expedite the grant of visas to the members of the medical experts` team which is proposed to visit Pakistan to assess the mental condition of believed-to-be Indian prisoners of unsound mind lodged in different jails of Pakistan.&nbsp;

It also called for an early visit of the Joint Judicial Committee to Pakistan and early visit of the four-member team to Karachi in connection with release and repatriation of 22 Indian fishing boats.

Immediate consular access has also been sought for the remaining prisoners and fishermen with the request to facilitate their earliest release and repatriation.&nbsp;

The release said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-cancels-annual-maritime-dialogue-with-india-says-prevailing-conditions-to-blame-204498">India</a> remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other`s country.

&nbsp;In this context, India has also asked Pakistan to expedite its response in the case of 88 Pakistan prisoners, including fishermen, who have completed their sentences and await repatriation for want of nationality confirmation by Pakistan.&nbsp;

The exchange of lists is in keeping with the provisions of the 2008 Agreement under which these are exchanged on January 1 and July 1 every year.&nbsp;

India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad.

India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad. A release by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India handed over lists of 256 Pakistan civilian prisoners and 99 fishermen, while Pakistan has shared lists of 209 fishermen and 52 prisoners in its custody, who are Indians or believed-to-be Indians. The government called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats. In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 10 Indian civil prisoners and 124 Indian fishermen to India whose nationality has been confirmed. Apart from this, the government has also called upon Pakistan to expedite the grant of visas to the members of the medical experts` team which is proposed to visit Pakistan to assess the mental condition of believed-to-be Indian prisoners of unsound mind lodged in different jails of Pakistan. It also called for an early visit of the Joint Judicial Committee to Pakistan and early visit of the four-member team to Karachi in connection with release and repatriation of 22 Indian fishing boats. Immediate consular access has also been sought for the remaining prisoners and fishermen with the request to facilitate their earliest release and repatriation. The release said that India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other`s country. In this context, India has also asked Pakistan to expedite its response in the case of 88 Pakistan prisoners, including fishermen, who have completed their sentences and await repatriation for want of nationality confirmation by Pakistan. The exchange of lists is in keeping with the provisions of the 2008 Agreement under which these are exchanged on January 1 and July 1 every year.

India, Pakistan exchange list of civilian prisoners

Three <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/4-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-in-pakistan-191488">terrorists were killed in an operation</a> conducted by Pakistani armed forces in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-victim-of-christchurch-mosque-attacks-buried-in-karachi-205569">Karachi</a> late on Sunday.

After getting a tip-off, the police and intelligence agencies conducted an operation and during the exchange of fire, the terrorists were killed.&nbsp;

However, two of their accomplices managed to escape. The police have claimed that the trio was planning to "carry out sabotage activities" in Karachi.

The police have also recovered a suicide jacket, hand grenades and large quantity of arms from their possession.

Three terrorists were killed in an operation conducted by Pakistani armed forces in Karachi late on Sunday. After getting a tip-off, the police and intelligence agencies conducted an operation and during the exchange of fire, the terrorists were killed.

Three terrorists were killed in an operation conducted by Pakistani armed forces in Karachi late on Sunday. After getting a tip-off, the police and intelligence agencies conducted an operation and during the exchange of fire, the terrorists were killed. However, two of their accomplices managed to escape. The police have claimed that the trio was planning to "carry out sabotage activities" in Karachi. The police have also recovered a suicide jacket, hand grenades and large quantity of arms from their possession.

Three terrorists killed in Karachi, claims Pakistan police

Shopping centers, street markets and high-end stores in Pakistan have been bustling with customers for the past few days in preparation for the Eid-el Fitr, a religious festival that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Shops busy in Karachi ahead of Eid el Fitr

In the dusty town of Ratodero in southern Pakistan, doctors are struggling to cope with an alarming outbreak of young patients infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, with almost 700 of new cases over the past few months, most of them children. But many of the families cannot afford proper treatment, which usually involves regular trips to Karachi for medicines.

Pakistan province struggles with hundreds of cases of children infected with HIV

The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday announced it had seized a fishing boat registered in Karachi, Pakistan, off the coast of Gujarat and confiscated 194 packets of narcotics substance from it.

Gujarat: Coast Guard seizes Pakistani boat with 194 packets of narcotics

Pakistan's hopes for the discovery of large reserves of oil and gas off Karachi coast in the Arabian Sea faded as it stopped the much-celebrated offshore drilling after no oil and gas reserves were found, a media report said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier this year said Pakistan would not need to import oil after reserves were found near Karachi coast. "God willing the reserves will be so large that we will not need to import any oil," he said.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum, Nadeem Babar, announced that the offshore drilling in Kekra-1 did not yield desired results, Dawn reported.

"The operators of the well have decided to plug it in the coming days," the paper said.

Around 17 attempts have been made in the past, but all remained unsuccessful despite encouraging data from each drilling, it said.

A senior official of the petroleum division said that after drilling more than 5,500 metres reserves were not found. Therefore, he added, it had been decided to plug the well and abandon the project.

Around $100 million has been invested in the project, but the officials of the petroleum division maintain that the data received from the drilling and other seismic studies of the well will be useful for future exploration activities in the region, the paper said.

At the same time, the officials say, oil and gas E&amp;P is described as a "high risk-high reward" business and the failures should not be taken as a loss.&nbsp;

The drilling was initiated around four months back by ENI, an Italian oil and gas exploration and production (E&amp;P) giant, which is the operator of Kekra-1. The other four partners of the well were ExxonMobil of the US one of the world's largest oil and gas firms Pakistan Petroleum Limited and the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL).

"Based on previous data the prospects were high and at the start of drilling the chances of success were between 13 and 15 per cent, which is fairly good," OGDCL spokesman Ahmed Lak said.

"Among the highest prospects of finding the hydrocarbon reserve is 20 per cent, therefore, our record was good enough to proceed with drilling," he added.

The last offshore activity was conducted by Dutch E&amp;P firm Shell in 2005, but it failed to find hydrocarbon reserves. The first offshore well in Pakistani waters was drilled in 1963 by a US E&amp;P company, the well was found dry.

Pakistan's hopes for the discovery of large reserves of oil and gas off Karachi coast in the Arabian Sea faded as it stopped the much-celebrated offshore drilling after no oil and gas reserves were found, a media report said on Sunday.

Pakistan's hopes for the discovery of large reserves of oil and gas off Karachi coast in the Arabian Sea faded as it stopped the much-celebrated offshore drilling after no oil and gas reserves were found, a media report said on Sunday. Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier this year said Pakistan would not need to import oil after reserves were found near Karachi coast. "God willing the reserves will be so large that we will not need to import any oil," he said. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum, Nadeem Babar, announced that the offshore drilling in Kekra-1 did not yield desired results, Dawn reported. "The operators of the well have decided to plug it in the coming days," the paper said. Around 17 attempts have been made in the past, but all remained unsuccessful despite encouraging data from each drilling, it said. A senior official of the petroleum division said that after drilling more than 5,500 metres reserves were not found. Therefore, he added, it had been decided to plug the well and abandon the project. Around $100 million has been invested in the project, but the officials of the petroleum division maintain that the data received from the drilling and other seismic studies of the well will be useful for future exploration activities in the region, the paper said. At the same time, the officials say, oil and gas E&P is described as a "high risk-high reward" business and the failures should not be taken as a loss. The drilling was initiated around four months back by ENI, an Italian oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) giant, which is the operator of Kekra-1. The other four partners of the well were ExxonMobil of the US one of the world's largest oil and gas firms Pakistan Petroleum Limited and the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL). "Based on previous data the prospects were high and at the start of drilling the chances of success were between 13 and 15 per cent, which is fairly good," OGDCL spokesman Ahmed Lak said. "Among the highest prospects of finding the hydrocarbon reserve is 20 per cent, therefore, our record was good enough to proceed with drilling," he added. The last offshore activity was conducted by Dutch E&P firm Shell in 2005, but it failed to find hydrocarbon reserves. The first offshore well in Pakistani waters was drilled in 1963 by a US E&P company, the well was found dry.

Pakistan stops much-celebrated offshore drilling as no oil and gas reserves found

In the narrow alleys of the poor Pakistani neighbourhood of Lyari -- known for drugs, gang wars and a low literacy rate -- young children and youths are learning about peace and love crossing the boundaries of faith, from string puppets.

Puppet show in Pakistan teaches compassion regardless of faith

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/west-asia/iran-has-suffered-from-terrorists-operating-from-pakistan-imran-khan-to-president-rouhani-212892&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjz2NWoruvhAhWMqI8KHSYCChAQFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZKscKqazi7o5UfqrwWJKg">Pakistan&nbsp;</a>destroyed narcotics and other smuggled contraband worth $21 million&nbsp;on Thursday, officials said, including a "historic" amount of a compound used to make heroin.

Nine tonnes of narcotics and 21.7 tonnes of acetic anhydride were set on fire at the 'Destruction Ceremony' on the outskirts of Karachi.

Another 60,000 bottles of contraband liquor and cans of beer&nbsp;seized by the authorities during the year&nbsp;were crushed by a bulldozer.

Acetic anhydride is used to process morphine into heroin and is subject to international control because of its critical role in the manufacture of heroin.

However, it is also used legally in the pharmaceutical industry (e.g. to manufacture aspirin) and also in the manufacturing of paints, plastics, polymers, and explosives.

The ceremony was originally intended to be held on January 26 on International Customs Day but was deferred due to unknown reasons.

Pakistan is a major conduit for drugs flowing out of its western neighbour, Afghanistan, which is the world's largest producer of heroin and a major producer of hashish.

Pakistan destroyed narcotics and other smuggled contraband worth $21 million on Thursday, officials said, including a "historic" amount of a compound used to make heroin.

Pakistan destroyed narcotics and other smuggled contraband worth $21 million on Thursday, officials said, including a "historic" amount of a compound used to make heroin. Nine tonnes of narcotics and 21.7 tonnes of acetic anhydride were set on fire at the 'Destruction Ceremony' on the outskirts of Karachi. Another 60,000 bottles of contraband liquor and cans of beer seized by the authorities during the year were crushed by a bulldozer. Acetic anhydride is used to process morphine into heroin and is subject to international control because of its critical role in the manufacture of heroin. However, it is also used legally in the pharmaceutical industry (e.g. to manufacture aspirin) and also in the manufacturing of paints, plastics, polymers, and explosives. The ceremony was originally intended to be held on January 26 on International Customs Day but was deferred due to unknown reasons. Pakistan is a major conduit for drugs flowing out of its western neighbour, Afghanistan, which is the world's largest producer of heroin and a major producer of hashish.

Pakistan destroys narcotics, smuggled contraband worth $21 million

At least five persons were killed and 36 others injured in Karachi after strong winds and dust storm hit Pakistan's biggest city, officials said Monday.

The blustery winds have uprooted electricity poles and trees in different parts of the city, causing traffic blockages.

Rescue officials and police confirmed the death of five persons and injuries to dozens in different parts of Karachi as the Met office forecast rains and more dust storms and gutsy winds for the next 48 hours.

Faisal Edhi of the Edhi welfare trust said that many of the deaths and injuries have been caused by the blustery winds and dust storms uprooting electricity poles and trees in different areas on Monday.

According to rescue officials, a five-year-old girl was killed when the roof of a house in Haji Ibrahim collapsed. Another child was killed near Peoples Chowrangi near Mazar-i-Quaid when a tree fell. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Multiple traffic accidents along the Karachi-Quetta highway resulted in the deaths of three persons, while many others were injured.

Seemi Jamali, medical superintendent at the state-owned Jinnah Hospital, said that 36 people were brought to the hospital with different injuries, one of them died Sunday night.

A senior police official said injuries were reported from Lyari, Surjani town where roofs of a religious seminary and school collapsed.

Karachi is expected to receive light rain today as a western disturbance that has already caused downpours in Balochistan is entering Sindh and the rest of the country, Dawn reported.

The Met Office forecast light rain on Monday and thunderstorm accompanied by a dust storm on Tuesday.

Many other parts of Sindh and elsewhere in the country will also experience similar weather patterns in the coming two days, said officials at the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

At least five persons were killed and 36 others injured in Karachi after strong winds and dust storm hit Pakistan's biggest city, officials said Monday. The blustery winds have uprooted electricity poles and trees in different parts of the city, causing traffic blockages.

At least five persons were killed and 36 others injured in Karachi after strong winds and dust storm hit Pakistan's biggest city, officials said Monday. The blustery winds have uprooted electricity poles and trees in different parts of the city, causing traffic blockages. Rescue officials and police confirmed the death of five persons and injuries to dozens in different parts of Karachi as the Met office forecast rains and more dust storms and gutsy winds for the next 48 hours. Faisal Edhi of the Edhi welfare trust said that many of the deaths and injuries have been caused by the blustery winds and dust storms uprooting electricity poles and trees in different areas on Monday. According to rescue officials, a five-year-old girl was killed when the roof of a house in Haji Ibrahim collapsed. Another child was killed near Peoples Chowrangi near Mazar-i-Quaid when a tree fell. Multiple traffic accidents along the Karachi-Quetta highway resulted in the deaths of three persons, while many others were injured. Seemi Jamali, medical superintendent at the state-owned Jinnah Hospital, said that 36 people were brought to the hospital with different injuries, one of them died Sunday night. A senior police official said injuries were reported from Lyari, Surjani town where roofs of a religious seminary and school collapsed. Karachi is expected to receive light rain today as a western disturbance that has already caused downpours in Balochistan is entering Sindh and the rest of the country, Dawn reported. The Met Office forecast light rain on Monday and thunderstorm accompanied by a dust storm on Tuesday. Many other parts of Sindh and elsewhere in the country will also experience similar weather patterns in the coming two days, said officials at the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

Pakistan: Five killed, 36 injured as dust storm hits Karachi

Dust storms move through Pakistan's city of Karachi on late Sunday night into Monday, leaving at least three people dead and 20 injured, local media reports.

Video shared with Reuters showed the Monday winds dragging sand in the atmosphere, minimizing visibility on the roads. Social media users from Karachi also posted videos of trees and poles blocking paths after being knocked down the storms.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director Sardar Sarfaraz told local media that Sunday's dust storm was stronger than expected, blowing at 65 kilometres per hour, reducing visibility to 500 metres.

Local media also reported that some flights from Jinnah International airport was cancelled on Sunday due to the storm.

Dust storms move through Pakistan's city of Karachi on late Sunday night into Monday, leaving at least three people dead and 20 injured, local media reports. Video shared with Reuters showed the Monday winds dragging sand in the atmosphere, minimizing visibility on the roads.

Dust storms move through Pakistan's city of Karachi on late Sunday night into Monday, leaving at least three people dead and 20 injured, local media reports. Video shared with Reuters showed the Monday winds dragging sand in the atmosphere, minimizing visibility on the roads. Social media users from Karachi also posted videos of trees and poles blocking paths after being knocked down the storms. Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director Sardar Sarfaraz told local media that Sunday's dust storm was stronger than expected, blowing at 65 kilometres per hour, reducing visibility to 500 metres. Local media also reported that some flights from Jinnah International airport was cancelled on Sunday due to the storm.

Dust storms sweep through Karachi in Pakistan, leaving three people dead: Report

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pakistan-releases-100-indian-fishermen-as-goodwill-gesture-208631&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj-0YPh0NHhAhWVb30KHVTrAQUQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2svw_M3ChCeiVDwQAP1hRt">Pakistan</a> on April 14, released 100 Indian prisoners, all of them fishermen, from the jails in Karachi and sent them to Lahore where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah border, the only land route between the neighbours.

The second batch of the prisoners is being released a week after Pakistan set free one hundred fishermen on April 7.

Pakistan said that it would release 360 Indian<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-to-release-100-indian-fishermen-on-monday-208134&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj-0YPh0NHhAhWVb30KHVTrAQUQFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1eNuFVvdonl-7t0nNkTemD"> prisoners</a> in its jails in four batches as a goodwill gesture after the nuclear-armed neighbours scale back from a confrontation that prompted world powers to urge restraint.

Tension has been running high since a suicide car bombing by Pakistan-based militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police on Feb. 14, but the risk of conflict rose dramatically on Feb. 27, when India launched an air strike on what it said was a militant training base.

The fishermen were arrested on the charges of trespassing into Pakistan's waters. Due to the rocky relations between the two sides, prisoners who have completed their jail terms often languish in each other's jails for months, if not years, afterwards.

Pakistan on April 14, released 100 Indian prisoners, all of them fishermen, from the jails in Karachi and sent them to Lahore where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah border, the only land route between the neighbours.

Pakistan on April 14, released 100 Indian prisoners, all of them fishermen, from the jails in Karachi and sent them to Lahore where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah border, the only land route between the neighbours. The second batch of the prisoners is being released a week after Pakistan set free one hundred fishermen on April 7. Pakistan said that it would release 360 Indian prisoners in its jails in four batches as a goodwill gesture after the nuclear-armed neighbours scale back from a confrontation that prompted world powers to urge restraint. Tension has been running high since a suicide car bombing by Pakistan-based militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police on Feb. 14, but the risk of conflict rose dramatically on Feb. 27, when India launched an air strike on what it said was a militant training base. The fishermen were arrested on the charges of trespassing into Pakistan's waters. Due to the rocky relations between the two sides, prisoners who have completed their jail terms often languish in each other's jails for months, if not years, afterwards.

Pakistan releases second batch of 100 Indian fishermen

Pakistan's navy on Monday took part in multinational maritime exercise Aman-19 off the coast of Karachi as part of the five-day event.

According to Pakistan, the navies of forty-six nations are taking part in the exercise which involves an 'at-port' and 'at-sea' phase with a focus on maritime security, counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance operation.

The exercise is designed to develop and practise response tactics, techniques, and procedures for maritime infrastructure and forces against traditional and non-traditional threats.

Pakistan has held Aman&nbsp;navel drills since 2007 and this year's iteration will end today&nbsp;with a cultural show and food gala in which all the participating nations will showcase their national culture and cuisine.

Pakistan's Special Forces had taken part in a maritime counter-terrorism demonstration on the island of Manora, Karachi on Saturday as part of multi-national naval exercise Aman-19.

The exercise, which aims to train naval forces to combat terrorism and piracy, was formally launched on February 8 at the Karachi Naval dockyard.

Aman-19 is a series of biennial naval exercises conducted by the Pakistan Navy since 2007 and is aimed at enhancing military ties among the other regions.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pakistan's navy on Monday took part in multinational maritime exercise Aman-19 off the coast of Karachi as part of the five-day event. According to Pakistan, the navies of forty-six nations are taking part in the exercise which involves an 'at-port' and 'at-sea' phase with a focus on maritime security, counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance operation.

Pakistan's navy on Monday took part in multinational maritime exercise Aman-19 off the coast of Karachi as part of the five-day event. According to Pakistan, the navies of forty-six nations are taking part in the exercise which involves an 'at-port' and 'at-sea' phase with a focus on maritime security, counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance operation. The exercise is designed to develop and practise response tactics, techniques, and procedures for maritime infrastructure and forces against traditional and non-traditional threats. Pakistan has held Aman navel drills since 2007 and this year's iteration will end today with a cultural show and food gala in which all the participating nations will showcase their national culture and cuisine. Pakistan's Special Forces had taken part in a maritime counter-terrorism demonstration on the island of Manora, Karachi on Saturday as part of multi-national naval exercise Aman-19. The exercise, which aims to train naval forces to combat terrorism and piracy, was formally launched on February 8 at the Karachi Naval dockyard. Aman-19 is a series of biennial naval exercises conducted by the Pakistan Navy since 2007 and is aimed at enhancing military ties among the other regions.

Watch: Pak navy takes part in multinational maritime exercise off Karachi coast

At least 26 people were killed and over a dozen others injured after a collision between a fuel-laden truck and a passenger bus in the Hub area of Pakistan's Balochistan, police said Tuesday.

The accident took place in the Lasbela district near Hub when a bus, travelling to Panjgur from Karachi and carrying 40 passengers, was hit by the truck coming from the opposite direction, they said.

"A huge fire erupted after the accident as the truck was carrying Iranian diesel," a senior official said.

"The passengers started jumping out of the bus to save their lives but many were trapped inside as the flames engulfed the bus and the truck," he added.

The official said 26 bodies have been recovered from the crash site.&nbsp;

"All of them died from deadly burns," Lasbela Deputy Commissioner Shabir Mengal said.

He said that six of the 16 injured were in critical condition.

A rescue official of the Edhi Foundation said due to the absence of facilities and ambulances the injured were shifted to Karachi after a long delay.

He said most of the bodies recovered were burnt beyond recognition.

At least 26 people were killed and over a dozen others injured after a collision between a fuel-laden truck and a passenger bus in the Hub area of Pakistan's Balochistan, police said Tuesday.

At least 26 people were killed and over a dozen others injured after a collision between a fuel-laden truck and a passenger bus in the Hub area of Pakistan's Balochistan, police said Tuesday. The accident took place in the Lasbela district near Hub when a bus, travelling to Panjgur from Karachi and carrying 40 passengers, was hit by the truck coming from the opposite direction, they said. "A huge fire erupted after the accident as the truck was carrying Iranian diesel," a senior official said. "The passengers started jumping out of the bus to save their lives but many were trapped inside as the flames engulfed the bus and the truck," he added. The official said 26 bodies have been recovered from the crash site. "All of them died from deadly burns," Lasbela Deputy Commissioner Shabir Mengal said. He said that six of the 16 injured were in critical condition. A rescue official of the Edhi Foundation said due to the absence of facilities and ambulances the injured were shifted to Karachi after a long delay. He said most of the bodies recovered were burnt beyond recognition.

Pakistan: 26 killed in deadly truck-bus collision in Balochistan

China on Tuesday said Pakistan has assured that it will provide full security to its citizens and the CPEC projects following the recent terrorist attack on its Consulate in Karachi and that any attempt to sabotage their friendship would not succeed.

Three heavily-armed suicide bombers stormed the Chinese consulate in Pakistan's largest city on November 23, killing four people including two policemen before being shot dead by security forces which foiled the daring attack in the high-security zone.

The attack was soon claimed by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) which said it would not tolerate "any Chinese military expansionist endeavours on Baloch soil".

"Pakistan has made it clear that they will get to the bottom of this attack, crackdown on the terrorist organisation and enhance the security of Chinese citizens, institutions and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters here.

Praising the swift action by Pakistan's security personnel in warding off the attack, Geng said, "this attack once again showcased the mutual trust, mutual support and friendship between the two governments and two peoples."

He said once again it proved that China-Pakistan relationship is higher than mountains and deeper than the sea.&nbsp;

"We stand by each other through everything and we are all-weather strategic partners in every way," he said.

"I want to reiterate that no attempt to sabotage our friendship will succeed. We will maintain a close communication with Pakistani side. We believe in their ability to ensure domestic security, stability and in taking tough measures to ensure Chinese interests in Pakistan and ensuring the security of Chinese citizens and institutions there," he said.

Also, some institutions and netizens in China are collecting donations to help the families of the policemen killed and injured in the attack. 
Resource-rich Balochistan is at the heart of the Beijing's ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).&nbsp;

The BLA is opposed to the CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, alleging that the project was aimed at exploiting the resources of the province.&nbsp;

China on Tuesday said Pakistan has assured that it will provide full security to its citizens and the CPEC projects following the recent terrorist attack on its Consulate in Karachi and that any attempt to sabotage their friendship would not succeed.

China on Tuesday said Pakistan has assured that it will provide full security to its citizens and the CPEC projects following the recent terrorist attack on its Consulate in Karachi and that any attempt to sabotage their friendship would not succeed. Three heavily-armed suicide bombers stormed the Chinese consulate in Pakistan's largest city on November 23, killing four people including two policemen before being shot dead by security forces which foiled the daring attack in the high-security zone. The attack was soon claimed by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) which said it would not tolerate "any Chinese military expansionist endeavours on Baloch soil". "Pakistan has made it clear that they will get to the bottom of this attack, crackdown on the terrorist organisation and enhance the security of Chinese citizens, institutions and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters here. Praising the swift action by Pakistan's security personnel in warding off the attack, Geng said, "this attack once again showcased the mutual trust, mutual support and friendship between the two governments and two peoples." He said once again it proved that China-Pakistan relationship is higher than mountains and deeper than the sea. "We stand by each other through everything and we are all-weather strategic partners in every way," he said. "I want to reiterate that no attempt to sabotage our friendship will succeed. We will maintain a close communication with Pakistani side. We believe in their ability to ensure domestic security, stability and in taking tough measures to ensure Chinese interests in Pakistan and ensuring the security of Chinese citizens and institutions there," he said. Also, some institutions and netizens in China are collecting donations to help the families of the policemen killed and injured in the attack. Resource-rich Balochistan is at the heart of the Beijing's ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The BLA is opposed to the CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, alleging that the project was aimed at exploiting the resources of the province.

Pakistan assured full security to our nationals, CPEC following terror attack on Consulate: China

The violent attack on China's Consulate General in the Pakistani city of Karachi will not negatively affect the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Friday.

Geng told a regular press conference in Beijing that China strongly condemns the attack, and said that the attack will not affect the process of the CPEC construction.

"China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. The bilateral pragmatic cooperation in various fields has brought tangible benefits and interests to the two countries and their peoples. Constructing the CPEC is a significant consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and is of great importance to promoting steady development, peace and prosperity of the two countries and the region. It has also won wide support from the two peoples and is being proceeded in an orderly manner," Geng said.

China will continue to work with Pakistan to unswervingly advance the construction of the CPEC and bring more benefits to the two peoples and people of other countries in the region, he added.

According to the spokesman, three gunmen that were trying to break into the consulate building at about 12:00 Beijing time (09:00 local time in Pakistan, 0400 GMT) on Friday were discovered by the Pakistani security guards on duty there and were all killed in the exchange of gunfire that ensued. Unfortunately, two security guards were also killed in the crossfire.

A separatist group, Balochistan Liberation Army, reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, but there is no official confirmation on it.

The CPEC was proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a visit to Pakistan in May 2013. The 3,000-kilometer-long corridor starts from Kashi in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and ends at Pakistan's Gwadar on the Indian Ocean. It connects the Silk Road Economic Belt in the north and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in the south. It is a trade network of highways, railways, pipelines and optical cables and is a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The violent attack on China's Consulate General in the Pakistani city of Karachi will not negatively affect the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Friday.

The violent attack on China's Consulate General in the Pakistani city of Karachi will not negatively affect the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Friday. Geng told a regular press conference in Beijing that China strongly condemns the attack, and said that the attack will not affect the process of the CPEC construction. "China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. The bilateral pragmatic cooperation in various fields has brought tangible benefits and interests to the two countries and their peoples. Constructing the CPEC is a significant consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and is of great importance to promoting steady development, peace and prosperity of the two countries and the region. It has also won wide support from the two peoples and is being proceeded in an orderly manner," Geng said. China will continue to work with Pakistan to unswervingly advance the construction of the CPEC and bring more benefits to the two peoples and people of other countries in the region, he added. According to the spokesman, three gunmen that were trying to break into the consulate building at about 12:00 Beijing time (09:00 local time in Pakistan, 0400 GMT) on Friday were discovered by the Pakistani security guards on duty there and were all killed in the exchange of gunfire that ensued. Unfortunately, two security guards were also killed in the crossfire. A separatist group, Balochistan Liberation Army, reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, but there is no official confirmation on it. The CPEC was proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a visit to Pakistan in May 2013. The 3,000-kilometer-long corridor starts from Kashi in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and ends at Pakistan's Gwadar on the Indian Ocean. It connects the Silk Road Economic Belt in the north and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in the south. It is a trade network of highways, railways, pipelines and optical cables and is a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Karachi attack not to affect China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

A fearless woman officer of Karachi Police, who was once abandoned by relatives in her village for joining a private school, on Friday saved the lives of many Chinese diplomatic staff when <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-firing-reported-outside-chinese-consulate-in-karachi-178903">heavily-armed terrorists stormed the mission in the Pakistani city</a>.

Senior Superintendent Police Suhai Aziz Talpur led the security operation that foiled the brazen attack by members of the Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, in Karachi.

She ensured the terrorists, armed with nine hand-grenades, assault rifles, magazines and explosives, did not reach the diplomatic staff inside the consulate building. Police said the terrorists were carrying food supplies and medicines, suggesting they had planned to take hostages.

But as soon as they reached the gates of the consulate, the police team took positions and retaliated. Two police officials were killed in the gunfight in which all the attackers were also neutralised.

Suhai hails from a lower middle-class family of Bhai Khan Talpur village in Tando Muhammad Khan district of Sindh province. She joined the police force after clearing elite Central Superior Services exam in 2013, The Express Tribune reported.

"When my parents decided to enrol me at a school, most of our relatives started taunting my family. So much so, that my family had to leave our village and move to a nearby town," she told the daily.

Her father Aziz Talpur, a political activist and writer, always dreamt big for his daughter.

"My relatives cut off ties with me because I wanted Suhai to study as they were only in favour of religious education," Aziz told the daily. "But I vowed to provide my daughter quality education."

Suhai started her primary education at a private school in Tando Muhammad Khan and joined Bahria Foundation for her intermediate studies.

Her educational path then led her to pursue B.Com from the Zubaida Girls College, Hyderabad in Sindh province.

"My family wanted me to become a chartered accountant but I found the job to be very dull as it had no social value," she said. "That is when I appeared for CSS and cleared it in the first attempt."

She credited her success to hard work and her upbringing. "My parents are nationalists. As a child, they used to emphasise that I memorise Sindhi poetry.

This developed my interest in literature and history, leading me to secure top marks in both the subjects in the CSS (Central Superior Services) exams."

A fearless woman officer of Karachi Police, who was once abandoned by relatives in her village for joining a private school, on Friday saved the lives of many Chinese diplomatic staff when heavily-armed terrorists stormed the mission in the Pakistani city.

A fearless woman officer of Karachi Police, who was once abandoned by relatives in her village for joining a private school, on Friday saved the lives of many Chinese diplomatic staff when heavily-armed terrorists stormed the mission in the Pakistani city. Senior Superintendent Police Suhai Aziz Talpur led the security operation that foiled the brazen attack by members of the Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, in Karachi. She ensured the terrorists, armed with nine hand-grenades, assault rifles, magazines and explosives, did not reach the diplomatic staff inside the consulate building. Police said the terrorists were carrying food supplies and medicines, suggesting they had planned to take hostages. But as soon as they reached the gates of the consulate, the police team took positions and retaliated. Two police officials were killed in the gunfight in which all the attackers were also neutralised. Suhai hails from a lower middle-class family of Bhai Khan Talpur village in Tando Muhammad Khan district of Sindh province. She joined the police force after clearing elite Central Superior Services exam in 2013, The Express Tribune reported. "When my parents decided to enrol me at a school, most of our relatives started taunting my family. So much so, that my family had to leave our village and move to a nearby town," she told the daily. Her father Aziz Talpur, a political activist and writer, always dreamt big for his daughter. "My relatives cut off ties with me because I wanted Suhai to study as they were only in favour of religious education," Aziz told the daily. "But I vowed to provide my daughter quality education." Suhai started her primary education at a private school in Tando Muhammad Khan and joined Bahria Foundation for her intermediate studies. Her educational path then led her to pursue B.Com from the Zubaida Girls College, Hyderabad in Sindh province. "My family wanted me to become a chartered accountant but I found the job to be very dull as it had no social value," she said. "That is when I appeared for CSS and cleared it in the first attempt." She credited her success to hard work and her upbringing. "My parents are nationalists. As a child, they used to emphasise that I memorise Sindhi poetry. This developed my interest in literature and history, leading me to secure top marks in both the subjects in the CSS (Central Superior Services) exams."

Karachi Police woman officer prevented terrorists from reaching Chinese consulate staff

China on Friday condemned an attack on its consulate<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-firing-reported-outside-chinese-consulate-in-karachi-178903"> in the Pakistani city of Karachi</a> that killed two policemen and urged its ally to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said all consular staff and their families were safe following the shooting, which was claimed by a separatist group.

"China strongly condemns any violent attacks against diplomatic agencies and requests that Pakistan takes practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country," Geng said at a regular press briefing.&nbsp;

Three gunmen stormed the Chinese consulate on Friday morning and exchanged gunfire with security forces who shot them down.&nbsp;

Geng said the gunmen did not enter the consulate and the exchange of fire took place outside the facility.&nbsp;

"We highly appreciate the efforts of the Pakistani side," he said when asked about Pakistan's response to the attack.

The attack was claimed by a separatist militant group from Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, which is at the centre of a major Chinese investment project in the country.

The spokesman of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) branded Beijing "an oppressor" along with Pakistani forces, adding that they were "destroying the future of Balochistan".

The incident is the latest in a series of assaults on Chinese nationals, including workers involved in the multi-billion dollar infrastructure project.&nbsp;

Geng said the attack would not affect Beijing's commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which seeks to connect its western province Xinjiang with the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar, in Balochistan.

"China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners," the spokesman said.

"With the broad support of the two peoples, it (CPEC) is proceeding in an orderly manner. China will continue to work with Pakistan to firmly move forward with the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," he said.

For Pakistan, participating in the project presents an enormous challenge in a country plagued by weak institutions, endemic corruption and a range of insurgencies in areas slated to host the corridor. &nbsp;

The subject of economic dividends from CPEC is extremely sensitive in some of the areas the corridor will run through -- particularly in Balochistan.

Since the beginning of the project militants have repeatedly attacked construction sites, blowing up numerous gas pipelines and trains, and targeted Chinese workers.

In August this year three Chinese nationals were among six wounded in a suicide attack on a bus transporting Chinese engineers working on a mining project in Balochistan, in an attack that was also claimed by the BLA.

"We highly appreciate the great efforts made by Pakistan to safeguard the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the security of Chinese citizens and organisations in Pakistan," Geng said.

"We also believe that Pakistan will continue to take effective measures to ensure the safe and smooth development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," he added.

China on Friday condemned an attack on its consulate in the Pakistani city of Karachi that killed two policemen and urged its ally to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens.

China on Friday condemned an attack on its consulate in the Pakistani city of Karachi that killed two policemen and urged its ally to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said all consular staff and their families were safe following the shooting, which was claimed by a separatist group. "China strongly condemns any violent attacks against diplomatic agencies and requests that Pakistan takes practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country," Geng said at a regular press briefing. Three gunmen stormed the Chinese consulate on Friday morning and exchanged gunfire with security forces who shot them down. Geng said the gunmen did not enter the consulate and the exchange of fire took place outside the facility. "We highly appreciate the efforts of the Pakistani side," he said when asked about Pakistan's response to the attack. The attack was claimed by a separatist militant group from Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, which is at the centre of a major Chinese investment project in the country. The spokesman of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) branded Beijing "an oppressor" along with Pakistani forces, adding that they were "destroying the future of Balochistan". The incident is the latest in a series of assaults on Chinese nationals, including workers involved in the multi-billion dollar infrastructure project. Geng said the attack would not affect Beijing's commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which seeks to connect its western province Xinjiang with the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar, in Balochistan. "China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners," the spokesman said. "With the broad support of the two peoples, it (CPEC) is proceeding in an orderly manner. China will continue to work with Pakistan to firmly move forward with the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," he said. For Pakistan, participating in the project presents an enormous challenge in a country plagued by weak institutions, endemic corruption and a range of insurgencies in areas slated to host the corridor. The subject of economic dividends from CPEC is extremely sensitive in some of the areas the corridor will run through -- particularly in Balochistan. Since the beginning of the project militants have repeatedly attacked construction sites, blowing up numerous gas pipelines and trains, and targeted Chinese workers. In August this year three Chinese nationals were among six wounded in a suicide attack on a bus transporting Chinese engineers working on a mining project in Balochistan, in an attack that was also claimed by the BLA. "We highly appreciate the great efforts made by Pakistan to safeguard the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the security of Chinese citizens and organisations in Pakistan," Geng said. "We also believe that Pakistan will continue to take effective measures to ensure the safe and smooth development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," he added.

Pakistan should ensure safety of our citizens and institutions: China

At least nine people were killed and 27 wounded when a blast ripped through a marketplace in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region Friday, officials said.&nbsp;

"We are trying to ascertain the nature of the blast" in Kalaya, a town in Orakzai agency, senior local official Khalid Iqbal told AFP. A second official confirmed the toll.&nbsp;

Orakzai is one of seven restive semi-autonomous tribal regions on the Afghan border, an area that has long been a focal point in the global war on terror.

Washington has insisted that the region provides safe havens to militants including the Afghan Taliban and Al Qaeda -- an allegation that Islamabad denies.&nbsp;

Pakistan has been battling Islamist groups in the tribal belt since 2004, after its army entered the region to search for Al-Qaeda fighters who had fled across the border following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

It has carried out multiple bloody military operations in the area, officially known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Earlier this year Pakistan passed legislation which paves the way for the tribal areas to be merged into neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bringing them into the political mainstream.&nbsp;

At least nine people were killed and 27 wounded when a blast ripped through a marketplace in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region Friday, officials said.

At least nine people were killed and 27 wounded when a blast ripped through a marketplace in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region Friday, officials said. "We are trying to ascertain the nature of the blast" in Kalaya, a town in Orakzai agency, senior local official Khalid Iqbal told AFP. A second official confirmed the toll. Orakzai is one of seven restive semi-autonomous tribal regions on the Afghan border, an area that has long been a focal point in the global war on terror. Washington has insisted that the region provides safe havens to militants including the Afghan Taliban and Al Qaeda -- an allegation that Islamabad denies. Pakistan has been battling Islamist groups in the tribal belt since 2004, after its army entered the region to search for Al-Qaeda fighters who had fled across the border following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. It has carried out multiple bloody military operations in the area, officially known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Earlier this year Pakistan passed legislation which paves the way for the tribal areas to be merged into neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bringing them into the political mainstream.

Nine killed, several injured in blast in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region

A powerful blast at a mosque in Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province's Chaman area on Wednesday injured at least seven people, including the prayer leader, according to police.

The blast occurred at the time of evening prayers in the mosque, which is located on Taj Road in Chaman, bordering Afghanistan.

At least seven people, including the mosque's prayer leader, have been injured as a result of the blast, which rocked the entire neighbourhood, Dawn reported.

The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital where a state of emergency has been declared.

A video shared on Twitter appears to show the damage caused by the explosion in the mosque. Authorities have cordoned off the site of the explosion. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.

Chaman is considered a sensitive town in Balochistan as it shares a border with Afghanistan's volatile Kandahar province.

Security was tightened on Wednesday across the country to avert any tragedy on the occasion of the Eid Milad-un Nabi, marking the birth anniversary of the Prophet.

Mobile phone services were shut down in major cities to prevent terror attacks during the celebrations, in the wake of a suicide attack in neighbouring Afghanistan on Tuesday that killed over 50 people, mostly clerics.

A powerful blast at a mosque in Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province's Chaman area on Wednesday injured at least seven people, including the prayer leader, according to police.

A powerful blast at a mosque in Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province's Chaman area on Wednesday injured at least seven people, including the prayer leader, according to police. The blast occurred at the time of evening prayers in the mosque, which is located on Taj Road in Chaman, bordering Afghanistan. At least seven people, including the mosque's prayer leader, have been injured as a result of the blast, which rocked the entire neighbourhood, Dawn reported. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital where a state of emergency has been declared. A video shared on Twitter appears to show the damage caused by the explosion in the mosque. Authorities have cordoned off the site of the explosion. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far. Chaman is considered a sensitive town in Balochistan as it shares a border with Afghanistan's volatile Kandahar province. Security was tightened on Wednesday across the country to avert any tragedy on the occasion of the Eid Milad-un Nabi, marking the birth anniversary of the Prophet. Mobile phone services were shut down in major cities to prevent terror attacks during the celebrations, in the wake of a suicide attack in neighbouring Afghanistan on Tuesday that killed over 50 people, mostly clerics.

7 injured in blast at mosque in southwest Pakistan

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