According to reports, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan or the TTP with whom Imran Khan-led the PTI govt. had reached a precarious truce earlier this month has called for the implementation of Sharia law across the country's north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan holding the promise of peace on Pak's head

Imran Khan's government has struck a deal with terror organisation Tehrik-i-Taliban. The TTP according to reports have now called for implementing Sharia law across the country's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan: TTP wants Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to be under Sharia law?

The Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan">Pakistan's</a> Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has slammed the Imran Khan-led federal government for slashing the share of the province's share in the developmental budget.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, QWP provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao rejected the 10 per cent increase in the salary of government employees and pension as ad hoc relief in the federal budget and said that it should have been raised by 25 per cent, reported Dawn.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/world-bank-asian-development-bank-delay-1-billion-loans-to-pakistan-reports-391834">World Bank, Asian Development Bank delay $1 billion loans to Pakistan: Reports</a>

He also blamed the flawed economic policies of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for making the lives of the poor miserable. "Per capita debt now stands at Rs 172,727, which speaks volumes about the poor performance of the rulers," he added.

Sherpao further said that the total debt of the country soared to Rs 38 trillion by the end of March 2021 and alleged that the Prime Minister used derogatory language against political rivals but he was unable to tolerate criticism.

"Imran had claimed to prefer suicide to seeking loans from the international money-lending institutions but now he has buried Pakistan under the IMF loans," he said and asked the premier to fulfil his promise.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-police-arrests-key-nationalist-leaders-for-raising-voice-against-pakistan-peoples-party-391757">Pakistan Police arrests key nationalist leaders for raising voice against Pakistan Peoples Party</a>

The QWP leader alleged that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was ignored in the federal budget as it did not have any mega uplift project for the poverty-stricken province. He predicted that the government would soon announce an increase in the price of petroleum products to ensure collection of petroleum levy up to Rs 610 billion, Dawn reported.

Adding on the 'sheer injustice'&nbsp;on part of the federal government, Sherpao also highlighted that other provinces were using the water share of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the PTI government failed to pay billions of rupees dues to the province.

Despite the much-hyped federal budget, several people have expressed dissatisfaction with the increase in the salaries of government employees.

Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday said that the national budget for FY 2021-22 is 'fake'&nbsp;and warned Pakistani people about provisions of new taxes worth Rs 343 billion.

"The budget is based on lies. It is a fake budget and the government will gut the people to complete its targets," he said.

Earlier, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin was greeted by jeers from the Opposition benches, with members shouting slogans and taunting the finance minister by laughing loudly as he praised PM Imran Khan's economic initiatives while presenting the budget for the fiscal year 2021-22.

The Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has slammed the Imran Khan-led federal government for slashing the share of the province's share in the developmental budget.

The Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has slammed the Imran Khan-led federal government for slashing the share of the province's share in the developmental budget. Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, QWP provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao rejected the 10 per cent increase in the salary of government employees and pension as ad hoc relief in the federal budget and said that it should have been raised by 25 per cent, reported Dawn. Also read | World Bank, Asian Development Bank delay $1 billion loans to Pakistan: Reports He also blamed the flawed economic policies of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for making the lives of the poor miserable. "Per capita debt now stands at Rs 172,727, which speaks volumes about the poor performance of the rulers," he added. Sherpao further said that the total debt of the country soared to Rs 38 trillion by the end of March 2021 and alleged that the Prime Minister used derogatory language against political rivals but he was unable to tolerate criticism. "Imran had claimed to prefer suicide to seeking loans from the international money-lending institutions but now he has buried Pakistan under the IMF loans," he said and asked the premier to fulfil his promise. Also read | Pakistan Police arrests key nationalist leaders for raising voice against Pakistan Peoples Party The QWP leader alleged that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was ignored in the federal budget as it did not have any mega uplift project for the poverty-stricken province. He predicted that the government would soon announce an increase in the price of petroleum products to ensure collection of petroleum levy up to Rs 610 billion, Dawn reported. Adding on the 'sheer injustice' on part of the federal government, Sherpao also highlighted that other provinces were using the water share of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the PTI government failed to pay billions of rupees dues to the province. Despite the much-hyped federal budget, several people have expressed dissatisfaction with the increase in the salaries of government employees. Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday said that the national budget for FY 2021-22 is 'fake' and warned Pakistani people about provisions of new taxes worth Rs 343 billion. "The budget is based on lies. It is a fake budget and the government will gut the people to complete its targets," he said. Earlier, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin was greeted by jeers from the Opposition benches, with members shouting slogans and taunting the finance minister by laughing loudly as he praised PM Imran Khan's economic initiatives while presenting the budget for the fiscal year 2021-22.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's QWP lashes out at Imran Khan govt for ignoring province's share in budget

Main accused in the vandalisation of the Hindu temple in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been apprehended by the police in Pakistan. He has been identified as Faizullah.

Pakistan: Main accused in Hindu temple vandalism arrested

A violent mob set fire to a Hindu Temple in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Chief Justice of Pakistan has taken cognizance of the matter and called for a hearing. Palki Sharma tells you how attacks on minorities in Pakistan have intensified under Imran Khan.

Gravitas: Angry mob attacks and sets fire to Hindu temple in Pakistan

More than 30 people, who largely are affiliated with a radical Islamist party, were arrested after a mob set on fire and damaged&nbsp;a Hindu temple in northwest Pakistan, officials on Thursday said.&nbsp;

The vandalisation of the temple in Terri village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) Karak district on Wednesday caused strong criticism from human rights groups and minority Hindu community leaders.&nbsp;

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-mob-led-by-muslim-cleric-attacks-sets-hindu-temple-ablaze-in-pakistan-353500">Mob led by Muslim cleric attacks, sets Hindu temple ablaze in Pakistan</a>

Local police said that over 30 people have been arrested so far, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Rehmat Salam Khattak, in overnight raids, as reported by news agency PTI.&nbsp;

Provincial Police Chief KPK Sanaullah Abbasi said that more than 350 people have been named in the FIR.&nbsp;

Abbasi also said that all sections of law related to terrorism against the accused have been included in the FIR.&nbsp;

Led by a local cleric and supporters of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party (Fazal ur Rehman group) and angered over local officials who gave permission to renovate the structure, the mob demolished the temple that was undergoing construction. &nbsp;

Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri described the act "a conspiracy against sectarian harmony" on Twitter on Thursday, and said, "protection of religious freedom of minorities is our religious, constitutional, moral and national responsibility".

Taking cognizance, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the local officials to appear before it on January 5.&nbsp;

More than 30 people, who largely are affiliated with a radical Islamist party, were arrested after a mob set on fire and damaged a Hindu temple in northwest Pakistan, officials on Thursday said.

More than 30 people, who largely are affiliated with a radical Islamist party, were arrested after a mob set on fire and damaged a Hindu temple in northwest Pakistan, officials on Thursday said. The vandalisation of the temple in Terri village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) Karak district on Wednesday caused strong criticism from human rights groups and minority Hindu community leaders. Watch | Mob led by Muslim cleric attacks, sets Hindu temple ablaze in Pakistan Local police said that over 30 people have been arrested so far, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Rehmat Salam Khattak, in overnight raids, as reported by news agency PTI. Provincial Police Chief KPK Sanaullah Abbasi said that more than 350 people have been named in the FIR. Abbasi also said that all sections of law related to terrorism against the accused have been included in the FIR. Led by a local cleric and supporters of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party (Fazal ur Rehman group) and angered over local officials who gave permission to renovate the structure, the mob demolished the temple that was undergoing construction. Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri described the act "a conspiracy against sectarian harmony" on Twitter on Thursday, and said, "protection of religious freedom of minorities is our religious, constitutional, moral and national responsibility". Taking cognizance, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the local officials to appear before it on January 5.

Pakistan: At least 30 arrested for vandalising Hindu temple

A massive number of protesters participated in a Pashtun unity march in Wana of South Waziristan on Sunday against the Pakistan Army, condemning the re-emergence of terror groups and long-pending demand to produce missing persons to courts.

'Pashtun long march' is a protest movement led by young Pashtuns from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where they have long been the targets of military operations, internal displacement, ethnic stereotyping and abductions by the security forces.

"Congratulations to all on the successful meeting of PMT Wana South Waziristan. Red salute to the spirit and struggle of the people raised fist. #Pashtun long march 2 Wana # long live resistance," Nargis Afsheen Khattak, an activist of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, tweeted.

The march was called by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) -- a political party -- which exposes the military offences and brings to the front the issues, which continue to plague the locals including enforced disappearances and fake encounters by the state.

"Let's see how many get arrested from #PashtunLongMarch2Wana under the new law that bans criticizing #Pakistan army. 1000s of peaceful protesters condemned the reemergence of terror groups &amp; asked to produce missing persons to courts. As usual no coverage on media," a Twitter user said.

Demonstrators condemned the atrocities carried out by the Pakistani army -- gross human rights violations, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions of their leaders and workers living in Pakistan.

The protests are being carried out on a large scale. However, Pakistani media has been mum about the event.&nbsp;

#PashtunLongMarch2Wana was seen trending on Pakistani Twitter.

"Thank you Wana. #PashtunLongMarch2Wana," said Mohsin Dawar, a member of the National Assembly from North Waziristan.

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People of Waziristan uniting against militancy, destruction, proxy wars and state oppression. 
Thanks to all the PTM workers of South Waziristan for their untiring efforts, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PTMWanaJalsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PTMWanaJalsa</a> <a href="https://t.co/rj90HIepMK">pic.twitter.com/rj90HIepMK</a>
— Ali Wazir Fan's (@AliWazirFans) <a href="https://twitter.com/AliWazirFans/status/1307714154816561152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Such a massive crowd welcomes mashar <a href="https://twitter.com/ManzoorPashteen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ManzoorPashteen</a> in Wana today during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PashtunLongMarch2Wana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PashtunLongMarch2Wana</a> 
 
<a href="https://t.co/mGtVn2iK2Z">pic.twitter.com/mGtVn2iK2Z</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PTMWanaJalsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PTMWanaJalsa</a>
— KasHif DaWar (@KashiifDawar) <a href="https://twitter.com/KashiifDawar/status/1307709598498009092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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A successful massive rally of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PTM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PTM</a> held yesterday, they give the message to every house that our spirit was strong &amp; will be strong. 
Thank you each and everyone to make it successful.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PashtunLongMarch2Wana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PashtunLongMarch2Wana</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PTMWanaJalsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PTMWanaJalsa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PtmWanaGathering?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PtmWanaGathering</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ptatraffic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ptatraffic</a> 
VC-<a href="https://twitter.com/KhorBibi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KhorBibi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/kAfghaan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kAfghaan</a> <a href="https://t.co/6GBVGYYNQr">pic.twitter.com/6GBVGYYNQr</a>
— Khaista Pashtana (@khaista989) <a href="https://twitter.com/khaista989/status/1307960540602544129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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This Is just <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PTMWanaJalsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PTMWanaJalsa</a> .<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PashtunLongMarch2Wana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PashtunLongMarch2Wana</a> <a href="https://t.co/fGlLjSkO3p">pic.twitter.com/fGlLjSkO3p</a>
— Latif Waxirii (@latifwaxirii) <a href="https://twitter.com/latifwaxirii/status/1307865062711975937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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A short speech of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AliWazir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AliWazir</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PTMWanaJalsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PTMWanaJalsa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Aliwazirna50?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Aliwazirna50</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PashtunLongMarch2Wana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PashtunLongMarch2Wana</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopStateTerrorism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StopStateTerrorism</a> <a href="https://t.co/WYg7DtqDPa">pic.twitter.com/WYg7DtqDPa</a>
— Pashtun Tahafuz Movement Europe (@EuropePashtun) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuropePashtun/status/1307849076717821954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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This is called actual people's representation. Where ppl don't demand for water boring, pavements or posting/ transfer. But collective wisdom of ppl realises its true essence.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PTMWanaJalsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PTMWanaJalsa</a> <a href="https://t.co/2Pl1lmhrww">https://t.co/2Pl1lmhrww</a>
— Fazal Saeed (@BajaurSaeed) <a href="https://twitter.com/BajaurSaeed/status/1307880078223835137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Just see the reaction of public when <a href="https://twitter.com/AliWazir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AliWazir</a> speech was interrupted with heavy firing, you cannot control voice of voiceless with weapons and bullets.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PashtunLongMarch2Wana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PashtunLongMarch2Wana</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PTMWanaJalsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PTMWanaJalsa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopStateTerrorism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StopStateTerrorism</a> <a href="https://t.co/XS7Tq8lrep">pic.twitter.com/XS7Tq8lrep</a>
— KhpalWak (@DeityExodus) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeityExodus/status/1307900194718191621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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که دا کیمپونه او دا مورچې مې له تاسو پدې ځوانانو خالي نکړې نو علي به بیا لاسونو کې بنګړي اچوي.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C_%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A_%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#زمری_علي_وزیر</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Aliwazirna50?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Aliwazirna50</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PTMWanaJalsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PTMWanaJalsa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopStateTerrorism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StopStateTerrorism</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PashtunLongMarch2Wana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PashtunLongMarch2Wana</a> <a href="https://t.co/TebuvGQuGZ">pic.twitter.com/TebuvGQuGZ</a>
— Abdulqahar Hemat (@abdulqahar7) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdulqahar7/status/1307840291823648768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

A massive number of protesters participated in a Pashtun unity march in Wana of South Waziristan on Sunday against the Pakistan Army, condemning the re-emergence of terror groups and long-pending demand to produce missing persons to courts.

A massive number of protesters participated in a Pashtun unity march in Wana of South Waziristan on Sunday against the Pakistan Army, condemning the re-emergence of terror groups and long-pending demand to produce missing persons to courts. 'Pashtun long march' is a protest movement led by young Pashtuns from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where they have long been the targets of military operations, internal displacement, ethnic stereotyping and abductions by the security forces. "Congratulations to all on the successful meeting of PMT Wana South Waziristan. Red salute to the spirit and struggle of the people raised fist. #Pashtun long march 2 Wana # long live resistance," Nargis Afsheen Khattak, an activist of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, tweeted. The march was called by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) -- a political party -- which exposes the military offences and brings to the front the issues, which continue to plague the locals including enforced disappearances and fake encounters by the state. "Let's see how many get arrested from #PashtunLongMarch2Wana under the new law that bans criticizing #Pakistan army. 1000s of peaceful protesters condemned the reemergence of terror groups & asked to produce missing persons to courts. As usual no coverage on media," a Twitter user said. Demonstrators condemned the atrocities carried out by the Pakistani army -- gross human rights violations, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions of their leaders and workers living in Pakistan. The protests are being carried out on a large scale. However, Pakistani media has been mum about the event. #PashtunLongMarch2Wana was seen trending on Pakistani Twitter. "Thank you Wana. #PashtunLongMarch2Wana," said Mohsin Dawar, a member of the National Assembly from North Waziristan. People of Waziristan uniting against militancy, destruction, proxy wars and state oppression. Thanks to all the PTM workers of South Waziristan for their untiring efforts, #PTMWanaJalsa pic.twitter.com/rj90HIepMK — Ali Wazir Fan's (@AliWazirFans) September 20, 2020 × Such a massive crowd welcomes mashar @ManzoorPashteen in Wana today during #PashtunLongMarch2Wana pic.twitter.com/mGtVn2iK2Z#PTMWanaJalsa — KasHif DaWar (@KashiifDawar) September 20, 2020 × A successful massive rally of #PTM held yesterday, they give the message to every house that our spirit was strong & will be strong. Thank you each and everyone to make it successful.#PashtunLongMarch2Wana #PTMWanaJalsa #PtmWanaGathering #ptatraffic VC-@KhorBibi @kAfghaan pic.twitter.com/6GBVGYYNQr — Khaista Pashtana (@khaista989) September 21, 2020 × This Is just #PTMWanaJalsa .#PashtunLongMarch2Wana pic.twitter.com/fGlLjSkO3p — Latif Waxirii (@latifwaxirii) September 21, 2020 × A short speech of #AliWazir in #PTMWanaJalsa @Aliwazirna50 #PashtunLongMarch2Wana#StopStateTerrorism pic.twitter.com/WYg7DtqDPa — Pashtun Tahafuz Movement Europe (@EuropePashtun) September 21, 2020 × This is called actual people's representation. Where ppl don't demand for water boring, pavements or posting/ transfer. But collective wisdom of ppl realises its true essence.#PTMWanaJalsa https://t.co/2Pl1lmhrww — Fazal Saeed (@BajaurSaeed) September 21, 2020 × Just see the reaction of public when @AliWazir speech was interrupted with heavy firing, you cannot control voice of voiceless with weapons and bullets.#PashtunLongMarch2Wana #PTMWanaJalsa #StopStateTerrorism pic.twitter.com/XS7Tq8lrep — KhpalWak (@DeityExodus) September 21, 2020 × که دا کیمپونه او دا مورچې مې له تاسو پدې ځوانانو خالي نکړې نو علي به بیا لاسونو کې بنګړي اچوي.#زمری_علي_وزیر@Aliwazirna50 #PTMWanaJalsa #StopStateTerrorism #PashtunLongMarch2Wana pic.twitter.com/TebuvGQuGZ — Abdulqahar Hemat (@abdulqahar7) September 21, 2020 ×

Pashtun unity march in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against re-emergence of terror groups

Former Pakistani Taliban spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan has said that Pakistani authorities had given him a hit list of people who they would like to be killed in the North-Western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Watch report.

Your Story: Big claims by Ex-Pak Taliban Leader | Ehsanullah Ehsan

Former Pakistani Taliban spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan has said Pakistani authorities had given him a hit list of people who they would like to be killed in the north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He, in the audio that is in the possession of WION, claimed that after some time of his surrender he was given the list of prominent voices in order to facilitate the Pakistani state in eliminating rogue elements.

According to the audio Eshan said, "I was asked to lead a death squad.. and the list included people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and they were Pashtuns from all walks of life including Journalists".&nbsp;

(Mujhe Kaha gaya ki ap ik death squad ko lead karein..aur ap gadaron aur mulk key dushmanon key khilaf kam shuru karey..Jo list muje diya gaya usmai zyada tar afrad ka taluk Khyber Pakhtunkhwa se tha aur woh sab pashtun they jis mai zindgi key har shobey se talku rakhney waley afrad key name they, jin mai pashtun safee afrad key name bhi shamil thei)

In the audio, he talked about his conversations with military intelligence and the parleys that took place.&nbsp;

Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesman Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had escaped Pakistani custody earlier this year. Ehsan as spokesperson claimed the group was responsible for shooting Malala Yousafzai, 2014 Wagah border suicide attack and other terror attacks in the South Asian country.

The development comes even as more than 30 women journalists in Pakistan have in a joint statement highlighted the "vicious attacks" on them through social media.&nbsp;

The statement said: "The online attacks are instigated by government officials and then amplified by a large number of Twitter accounts, which declare their affiliation to the ruling party."&nbsp;

The statement demands, "hold all such individuals within the government accountable and take action against them" and Standing Committees on Human Rights of the upper and lower house of parliament to take notice of these developments.

Women journalists include Benazir Shah, Amber Shamsi, Munizae Jahangir, Gul Bukhari, Gulalai Ismail.&nbsp;

Last year saw the killing of Arooj Iqbal, a 27-year-old women journalist who was shot dead in Lahore. While the main suspect is her husband, Arooj's family told RSF Reporters Without Borders that, "Arooj was clearly targeted because of her journalism work".

Pakistan is ranked 145th out of 180 countries and territories in RSF's 2020 World Press Freedom Index.

Former Pakistani Taliban spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan has said Pakistani authorities had given him a hit list of people who they would like to be killed in the north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Former Pakistani Taliban spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan has said Pakistani authorities had given him a hit list of people who they would like to be killed in the north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He, in the audio that is in the possession of WION, claimed that after some time of his surrender he was given the list of prominent voices in order to facilitate the Pakistani state in eliminating rogue elements. According to the audio Eshan said, "I was asked to lead a death squad.. and the list included people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and they were Pashtuns from all walks of life including Journalists". (Mujhe Kaha gaya ki ap ik death squad ko lead karein..aur ap gadaron aur mulk key dushmanon key khilaf kam shuru karey..Jo list muje diya gaya usmai zyada tar afrad ka taluk Khyber Pakhtunkhwa se tha aur woh sab pashtun they jis mai zindgi key har shobey se talku rakhney waley afrad key name they, jin mai pashtun safee afrad key name bhi shamil thei) In the audio, he talked about his conversations with military intelligence and the parleys that took place. Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesman Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had escaped Pakistani custody earlier this year. Ehsan as spokesperson claimed the group was responsible for shooting Malala Yousafzai, 2014 Wagah border suicide attack and other terror attacks in the South Asian country. The development comes even as more than 30 women journalists in Pakistan have in a joint statement highlighted the "vicious attacks" on them through social media. The statement said: "The online attacks are instigated by government officials and then amplified by a large number of Twitter accounts, which declare their affiliation to the ruling party." The statement demands, "hold all such individuals within the government accountable and take action against them" and Standing Committees on Human Rights of the upper and lower house of parliament to take notice of these developments. Women journalists include Benazir Shah, Amber Shamsi, Munizae Jahangir, Gul Bukhari, Gulalai Ismail. Last year saw the killing of Arooj Iqbal, a 27-year-old women journalist who was shot dead in Lahore. While the main suspect is her husband, Arooj's family told RSF Reporters Without Borders that, "Arooj was clearly targeted because of her journalism work". Pakistan is ranked 145th out of 180 countries and territories in RSF's 2020 World Press Freedom Index.

Pak state asked me to lead death squad, says ex-Pak Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan

At least two Pakistani soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb blast triggered by unidentified militants in the country's restive North Waziristan district bordering Afghanistan, officials said on Thursday.

The terrorists targeted their patrolling vehicle through an improvised explosive device in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Miranshah city on Wednesday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/who-urges-pakistan-to-return-to-lockdown-as-hospitals-grapple-with-covid-19-cases-304834">WHO urges Pakistan to return to lockdown as hospitals grapple with COVID-19 cases</a>

The Army said that two soldiers were killed while two others sustained injuries in the attack.

No group has so far claimed responsibility but the Taliban carry out such attacks in the areas along with the Afghan border which was once their stronghold.

The Taliban often target security forces in the restive Balochistan province where seven paramilitary troops were killed in two separate terrorist attacks last month.&nbsp;

At least two Pakistani soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb blast triggered by unidentified militants in the country's restive North Waziristan district bordering Afghanistan, officials said on Thursday.

At least two Pakistani soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb blast triggered by unidentified militants in the country's restive North Waziristan district bordering Afghanistan, officials said on Thursday. The terrorists targeted their patrolling vehicle through an improvised explosive device in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Miranshah city on Wednesday. Also read | WHO urges Pakistan to return to lockdown as hospitals grapple with COVID-19 cases The Army said that two soldiers were killed while two others sustained injuries in the attack. No group has so far claimed responsibility but the Taliban carry out such attacks in the areas along with the Afghan border which was once their stronghold. The Taliban often target security forces in the restive Balochistan province where seven paramilitary troops were killed in two separate terrorist attacks last month.

Two Pakistani soldiers killed in blast in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

With the death of four more persons, the death toll in rain-related incidents in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province rose to 27 on Monday, according to a media report.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) officials said 87 houses have been partially damaged in the province and with the torrential rains wreaking havoc across the province, the provincial government has declared a weather emergency, The Express Tribune reported.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/number-of-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-in-pakistan-reaches-7-285131"> Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan reaches 7</a>

The death toll from the ongoing spell of rains climbed to 27 and 12 sustained injuries, the report added.

Casualties were reported in Swat, Mardan and Charsadda districts of KPK, mostly in roof-collapse incidents.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/20-killed-several-injured-as-heavy-rains-lash-pakistan-284953">20 killed, several injured as heavy rains lash Pakistan</a>

The Pakistan Meteorological Office on Sunday said that a fresh spell of rain and thunderstorms ? with hailstorm ? is expected at isolated places across the province.

Heavy rains and thunderstorms have battered KPK since Wednesday, triggering flash floods and landslides.

With the death of four more persons, the death toll in rain-related incidents in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province rose to 27 on Monday, according to a media report.

With the death of four more persons, the death toll in rain-related incidents in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province rose to 27 on Monday, according to a media report. Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) officials said 87 houses have been partially damaged in the province and with the torrential rains wreaking havoc across the province, the provincial government has declared a weather emergency, The Express Tribune reported. Also read: Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan reaches 7 The death toll from the ongoing spell of rains climbed to 27 and 12 sustained injuries, the report added. Casualties were reported in Swat, Mardan and Charsadda districts of KPK, mostly in roof-collapse incidents. Also see: 20 killed, several injured as heavy rains lash Pakistan The Pakistan Meteorological Office on Sunday said that a fresh spell of rain and thunderstorms ? with hailstorm ? is expected at isolated places across the province. Heavy rains and thunderstorms have battered KPK since Wednesday, triggering flash floods and landslides.

27 killed in rain-related incidents in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

At least 20 people in Pakistan are dead and dozens more injured after torrential rainstorms collapsed several homes, officials said Saturday.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-may-cause-61-million-loss-to-pakistan-adb-284934">Coronavirus may cause $61 million loss to Pakistan: ADB</a>

Heavy rains have lashed stretches of the country near the Afghan border since Thursday.&nbsp;

Fourteen children and three women were killed in "rain-related incidents" in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, local relief official Taimur Ali said.&nbsp;

The National Disaster Management Authority confirmed those deaths, adding that three more people had died in southwest Balochistan province.

In the worst single incident, five children were killed when the roof of their home collapsed in northern Dargai town.&nbsp;

Rain also damaged another 51 houses and snowfall blocked several roads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, officials said.

More harsh weather is expected in the coming days.

Many poorly built homes across the country -- particularly in rural areas -- are at risk of collapse during the annual spring rains.

Torrential downpours, avalanches, flooding and harsh winter weather killed more than 130 people across Pakistan and Afghanistan in January. 
&nbsp;

At least 20 people in Pakistan are dead and dozens more injured after torrential rainstorms collapsed several homes, officials said Saturday. Also Read: Coronavirus may cause $61 million loss to Pakistan: ADB Heavy rains have lashed stretches of the country near the Afghan border since Thursday.

At least 20 people in Pakistan are dead and dozens more injured after torrential rainstorms collapsed several homes, officials said Saturday. Also Read: Coronavirus may cause $61 million loss to Pakistan: ADB Heavy rains have lashed stretches of the country near the Afghan border since Thursday. Fourteen children and three women were killed in "rain-related incidents" in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, local relief official Taimur Ali said. The National Disaster Management Authority confirmed those deaths, adding that three more people had died in southwest Balochistan province. In the worst single incident, five children were killed when the roof of their home collapsed in northern Dargai town. Rain also damaged another 51 houses and snowfall blocked several roads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, officials said. More harsh weather is expected in the coming days. Many poorly built homes across the country -- particularly in rural areas -- are at risk of collapse during the annual spring rains. Torrential downpours, avalanches, flooding and harsh winter weather killed more than 130 people across Pakistan and Afghanistan in January.

20 killed, several injured as heavy rains lash Pakistan

A massive number of protestors participated in a Pashtun unity march in Bannu of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sikh-youth-killed-by-unidentified-person-in-peshawar-272286">Khyber Pakhtunkhwa</a> on Sunday against the atrocities inflicted by the military and demanded the formation of a commission to probe the army brutalities in the region. 
 
'Pashtun Long March' is a protest movement led by young Pashtuns from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/pakistan-government-using-religion-to-create-rift-says-pok-activist-259839">Federally Administered Tribal Areas</a> (FATA), where they have long been the targets of military operations, internal displacement, ethnic stereotyping and abductions by the security forces. 
 
The march was called by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-parliament-approves-extending-term-of-army-chief-272783">Pashtun Tahafuz Movement</a> (PTM), a political party, which exposes the military offences and brings to the front the issues, which continue to plague the locals including enforced disappearances and fake encounters by the state. 
 
Demonstrators condemned the atrocities carried out by the Pakistani Arm, gross human rights violations, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions of their leaders and workers living in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-minister-to-visit-iran-saudi-arabia-to-discuss-developments-in-middle-east-273726">Pakistan</a>. 
 
The protests are being carried out on a large scale. However, Pakistani media has been mum about the event. #PashtunLongMarch2 Bannu was seen trending to the Pakistani Twitter. 
 
"A massive gathering with an amazing ecstatic spirit of PTM long march in Bannu against atrocities of state &amp; demanding truth commission to probe the brutalities inflicted on Pashtun land &amp; seek justice. You can jail, kill or disappear us but you can't ignore us," said a user. 
 
Pakistanis chided media for not reporting the march. 
 
"It is the responsibility of media to give coverage of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-protests-erupt-at-punjab-university-after-former-chairman-goes-missing-265675">Pashtun March</a>. In the age of social media, people know what is happening. You cannot hide the news, indeed, it damages your credibility," said a Twitterati. 
 
"Internet off, no coverage in Pak media as Pashtun long march takes place to Bannu," said another.

A massive number of protestors participated in a Pashtun unity march in Bannu of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday against the atrocities inflicted by the military and demanded the formation of a commission to probe the army brutalities in the region.

A massive number of protestors participated in a Pashtun unity march in Bannu of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday against the atrocities inflicted by the military and demanded the formation of a commission to probe the army brutalities in the region. 'Pashtun Long March' is a protest movement led by young Pashtuns from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where they have long been the targets of military operations, internal displacement, ethnic stereotyping and abductions by the security forces. The march was called by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a political party, which exposes the military offences and brings to the front the issues, which continue to plague the locals including enforced disappearances and fake encounters by the state. Demonstrators condemned the atrocities carried out by the Pakistani Arm, gross human rights violations, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions of their leaders and workers living in Pakistan. The protests are being carried out on a large scale. However, Pakistani media has been mum about the event. #PashtunLongMarch2 Bannu was seen trending to the Pakistani Twitter. "A massive gathering with an amazing ecstatic spirit of PTM long march in Bannu against atrocities of state & demanding truth commission to probe the brutalities inflicted on Pashtun land & seek justice. You can jail, kill or disappear us but you can't ignore us," said a user. Pakistanis chided media for not reporting the march. "It is the responsibility of media to give coverage of Pashtun March. In the age of social media, people know what is happening. You cannot hide the news, indeed, it damages your credibility," said a Twitterati. "Internet off, no coverage in Pak media as Pashtun long march takes place to Bannu," said another.

Pashtun unity march in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against Pak military brutalities

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/what-baghdadis-death-means-for-south-asia-and-future-of-islamic-state-260832">Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan</a> (TTP) commander Qari Saifullah Mehsud has been shot dead by gunmen in Afghanistan, the group confirmed on Sunday. 
 
He was killed outside the Guloon camp in Khost province, the group spokesperson said in an audio message, Anadolu News Agency reported. 
 
The spokesman claimed that the attack was carried out by the Haqqani network, as they had killed three terrorists belonging to the TTP's Hakimullah Mehsud group in the area a few days ago. 
 
The TTP was founded in 2007 by Baitullah Mehsud and is currently divided into four factions, Swat group, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-designates-leader-of-pak-based-terror-group-as-terrorist-249007">Mehsud group</a>, Bajaur Agency group, and Darra Adamkhel group. 
 
Qari Saifullah Mehsud was among the terrorists wanted by Pakistani authorities for his involvement in various attacks in the country. 
 
In an audio message, Mehsud had claimed that his group conducted 75 terror attacks this year, mostly targetting local elders in North and South <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-blacklists-encounter-specialist-pakistan-cop-rao-anwar-for-serious-human-rights-abuse-267554">Waziristan</a> districts of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-suicide-bomb-blast-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-269146">Khyber Pakhtunkhwa</a>. The claim was not verified and confirmed by officials. 
 
Analysts said that Mehsud's death is a big jolt for TTP as he was attempting to unite all the four factions. 
 
"TTP has already split into several groups and Mehsud was trying to unit them. Secondly, he was the most active terrorist and wanted by Pakistan for several terror attacks," Saboor Khattak, a Peshawar-based senior journalist, told Anadolu News Agency. 
 
Mehsud had claimed responsibility for the horrific 2015 bus attack in Karachi which killed 45 people, Khattak said. 
 
In 2016, the TTP commander was arrested by US forces in Afghanistan and was jailed for 14 months. However, he was released subsequently, the journalist added.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Qari Saifullah Mehsud has been shot dead by gunmen in Afghanistan, the group confirmed on Sunday. He was killed outside the Guloon camp in Khost province, the group spokesperson said in an audio message, Anadolu News Agency reported.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Qari Saifullah Mehsud has been shot dead by gunmen in Afghanistan, the group confirmed on Sunday. He was killed outside the Guloon camp in Khost province, the group spokesperson said in an audio message, Anadolu News Agency reported. The spokesman claimed that the attack was carried out by the Haqqani network, as they had killed three terrorists belonging to the TTP's Hakimullah Mehsud group in the area a few days ago. The TTP was founded in 2007 by Baitullah Mehsud and is currently divided into four factions, Swat group, Mehsud group, Bajaur Agency group, and Darra Adamkhel group. Qari Saifullah Mehsud was among the terrorists wanted by Pakistani authorities for his involvement in various attacks in the country. In an audio message, Mehsud had claimed that his group conducted 75 terror attacks this year, mostly targetting local elders in North and South Waziristan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The claim was not verified and confirmed by officials. Analysts said that Mehsud's death is a big jolt for TTP as he was attempting to unite all the four factions. "TTP has already split into several groups and Mehsud was trying to unit them. Secondly, he was the most active terrorist and wanted by Pakistan for several terror attacks," Saboor Khattak, a Peshawar-based senior journalist, told Anadolu News Agency. Mehsud had claimed responsibility for the horrific 2015 bus attack in Karachi which killed 45 people, Khattak said. In 2016, the TTP commander was arrested by US forces in Afghanistan and was jailed for 14 months. However, he was released subsequently, the journalist added.

Key Pakistan Taliban commander Qari Saifullah Mehsud killed in Afghanistan

A suicide bomber blew himself up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Lakki Marwat on Thursday morning, Dawn reported citing police officials. So far no loss to life or property has been reported.

The incident happened during a protest against the death sentence given to former dictator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-former-dictator-musharraf-calls-death-sentence-a-personal-vendetta-269111">General Pervez Musharraf</a> in a high treason case. Moreover, there was a polio team in the vicinity.

It is not clear who was the target of the bomber.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Lakki Marwat on Thursday morning, Dawn reported citing police officials. So far no loss to life or property has been reported.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Lakki Marwat on Thursday morning, Dawn reported citing police officials. So far no loss to life or property has been reported. The incident happened during a protest against the death sentence given to former dictator General Pervez Musharraf in a high treason case. Moreover, there was a polio team in the vicinity. It is not clear who was the target of the bomber.

Suicide bomb blast in Pakistan, no casualty reported

Two Pakistani policemen were killed after unidentified assailants opened fire at them in Lower Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The policemen were deployed on security detail for polio teams, Dawn reported.

Lower Dir Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Saeedur Rehman confirmed that the incident took place in Maidan area of the city. "The policemen were on their way to a basic health unit when they were targeted," he added.

No officials from the polio vaccination team were hurt as they were at a distance from the firing, Rehman said.

Two Pakistani policemen were killed after unidentified assailants opened fire at them in Lower Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The policemen were deployed on security detail for polio teams, Dawn reported.

Two Pakistani policemen were killed after unidentified assailants opened fire at them in Lower Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The policemen were deployed on security detail for polio teams, Dawn reported. Lower Dir Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Saeedur Rehman confirmed that the incident took place in Maidan area of the city. "The policemen were on their way to a basic health unit when they were targeted," he added. No officials from the polio vaccination team were hurt as they were at a distance from the firing, Rehman said.

Pakistan: 2 policemen killed after assailants open fire

An activist from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) hit out at Pakistan for its aim to alter the status of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan, saying Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government has been trying to "illegally merge" the region with the Punjab province. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-using-terror-religion-as-tools-to-mislead-kashmiris-say-activists-246027">Nasir Aziz Khan</a>, the spokesperson of United Kashmir People's National Party, has reacted to an order dated December 11 issued by 'Azad Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir' Services and General Administration Department (Regulations) saying the 'President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir' ordered renaming of 'Azad Jammu and Kashmir Management Group' as 'Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services' (JKAS) with immediate effect. 
 
The order was issued just a couple of days after PoK Prime Minister Farooq Haider Khan said in Muzaffarabad that he could be the last Prime Minister of PoK dropping enough hints that Pakistan could alter the status of PoK. 
 
Nasir Aziz said, "Prime Minister of PoK Raja Farooq Haider has said that the Pakistani administration has given him a clear message that he is the last Prime Minister of PoK and after this, there will be no Prime Minister here that clearly indicates that Pakistan is trying to illegally merge PoK with the Punjab province and some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan has a similar intention for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/protests-demanding-release-of-baba-jan-resurface-in-pakistan-267461">Gilgit- Baltistan</a> also". 
 
Since its illegal occupation, Pakistan has played politics over PoK by calling it 'Azad' or 'free'. 
 
The recent order has exposed the real face of Pakistan and its hidden agenda over Kashmir. 
 
Nasir Aziz Khan added, "Pakistan has illegally occupied these regions which are known as PoK and Gilgit- Baltistan. As per United Nations convention, Pakistan had to withdraw from these regions but Pakistan did not comply with the United Nations Council's resolutions on Jammu &amp; Kashmir. They kept on persecuting the regions and sowed the seeds of communalism in the region. They established dummy set up in the region, where there is a Prime Minister, President, there is a legislative assembly but we can't make any legislation and they (Pakistani administrators) rule them directly or indirectly". 
 
Although Pakistan never had a legal claim over the illegally occupied territories of Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK, the unscrupulous administrators from Islamabad have violated human rights by persecuting the locals through draconian laws. 
 
"The Administrators in Pakistan who persecute the general public, they make fake claims on TV channels that they liberated these regions and they announce that we should merge the illegally occupied (PoK) region with Punjab province and other parts of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-protests-erupt-at-punjab-university-after-former-chairman-goes-missing-265675">Khyber Pakhtunkhwa</a> (KPK) and they are also mooting over the merger of Gilgit-Baltistan. So they want to merge both the areas with Pakistan. Pakistan never had any locus standi on regions of Jammu and Kashmir", said Nasir. 
 
He added, "They did not have any legal claim on it. Pakistan is the illegal occupier and aggressor as per UN resolutions, but the Kashmiri people who were blackmailed on the name of religion played puppets of Pakistan administration. Over one lakh people sacrificed their lives in their wrong influence. They abducted small children and a lot of children were orphaned. Hence, a criminal case could be filed against (Pakistan) under the International criminal court". 
 
Pakistan leadership might try to merge PoK with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which shared a border with PoK as well as Gilgit-Baltistan or make it a fifth province along with Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (which was till 2010 known as North Western Frontier Province). 
 
Since its occupation, Pakistan has misused the territories of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan by not only exploiting its land and resources but allowing China to foray in. 
 
The people of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan have been fighting against the forceful occupation of their territory.

An activist from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) hit out at Pakistan for its aim to alter the status of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan, saying Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government has been trying to "illegally merge" the region with the Punjab province.

An activist from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) hit out at Pakistan for its aim to alter the status of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan, saying Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government has been trying to "illegally merge" the region with the Punjab province. Nasir Aziz Khan, the spokesperson of United Kashmir People's National Party, has reacted to an order dated December 11 issued by 'Azad Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir' Services and General Administration Department (Regulations) saying the 'President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir' ordered renaming of 'Azad Jammu and Kashmir Management Group' as 'Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services' (JKAS) with immediate effect. The order was issued just a couple of days after PoK Prime Minister Farooq Haider Khan said in Muzaffarabad that he could be the last Prime Minister of PoK dropping enough hints that Pakistan could alter the status of PoK. Nasir Aziz said, "Prime Minister of PoK Raja Farooq Haider has said that the Pakistani administration has given him a clear message that he is the last Prime Minister of PoK and after this, there will be no Prime Minister here that clearly indicates that Pakistan is trying to illegally merge PoK with the Punjab province and some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan has a similar intention for Gilgit- Baltistan also". Since its illegal occupation, Pakistan has played politics over PoK by calling it 'Azad' or 'free'. The recent order has exposed the real face of Pakistan and its hidden agenda over Kashmir. Nasir Aziz Khan added, "Pakistan has illegally occupied these regions which are known as PoK and Gilgit- Baltistan. As per United Nations convention, Pakistan had to withdraw from these regions but Pakistan did not comply with the United Nations Council's resolutions on Jammu & Kashmir. They kept on persecuting the regions and sowed the seeds of communalism in the region. They established dummy set up in the region, where there is a Prime Minister, President, there is a legislative assembly but we can't make any legislation and they (Pakistani administrators) rule them directly or indirectly". Although Pakistan never had a legal claim over the illegally occupied territories of Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK, the unscrupulous administrators from Islamabad have violated human rights by persecuting the locals through draconian laws. "The Administrators in Pakistan who persecute the general public, they make fake claims on TV channels that they liberated these regions and they announce that we should merge the illegally occupied (PoK) region with Punjab province and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and they are also mooting over the merger of Gilgit-Baltistan. So they want to merge both the areas with Pakistan. Pakistan never had any locus standi on regions of Jammu and Kashmir", said Nasir. He added, "They did not have any legal claim on it. Pakistan is the illegal occupier and aggressor as per UN resolutions, but the Kashmiri people who were blackmailed on the name of religion played puppets of Pakistan administration. Over one lakh people sacrificed their lives in their wrong influence. They abducted small children and a lot of children were orphaned. Hence, a criminal case could be filed against (Pakistan) under the International criminal court". Pakistan leadership might try to merge PoK with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which shared a border with PoK as well as Gilgit-Baltistan or make it a fifth province along with Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (which was till 2010 known as North Western Frontier Province). Since its occupation, Pakistan has misused the territories of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan by not only exploiting its land and resources but allowing China to foray in. The people of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan have been fighting against the forceful occupation of their territory.

Pak govt trying to 'illegally merge' PoK with Punjab province, says activisit

Pakistan's province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa promulgates an ordinance to extend armed forces power. This ordinance gives a legal cover to the military detention centres. Watch this video to find out more in details.

Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa promulgates an ordinance to extend armed forces power

At least 23 people were killed and 18 others injured Sunday when a bus hit a rock and plunged into a ravine in northwestern Pakistan, officials said.

Local administration official Aurangzeb Haider told AFP four women and six children were among the dead, while senior police official Zaibullah Khan said six of the injured were in critical condition.

The accident happened in the Babusar Top area, bordering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with Gilgit-Baltistan.

Pakistan has a poor traffic safety record, with frequent fatal accidents blamed on reckless driving, bad roads and shoddily maintained vehicles.

At least 23 people were killed and 18 others injured Sunday when a bus hit a rock and plunged into a ravine in northwestern Pakistan, officials said. Local administration official Aurangzeb Haider told AFP four women and six children were among the dead, while senior police official Zaibullah Khan said six of the injured were in critical condition.

At least 23 people were killed and 18 others injured Sunday when a bus hit a rock and plunged into a ravine in northwestern Pakistan, officials said. Local administration official Aurangzeb Haider told AFP four women and six children were among the dead, while senior police official Zaibullah Khan said six of the injured were in critical condition. The accident happened in the Babusar Top area, bordering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan has a poor traffic safety record, with frequent fatal accidents blamed on reckless driving, bad roads and shoddily maintained vehicles.

Pakistan: At least 23 dead, 18 injured in bus accident near Babusar Top area

Two Pakistani parliamentarians and human rights campaigners were released on bail in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after four months in detention, their lawyer said on Saturday.

The two lawmakers, Ali Wazir, and Mohsin Dawar, along with several activists of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), were arrested after a deadly clash between troops and activists at a security post in northern<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-protests-expected-in-pok-251019"> Pakistan</a> in May.

"Both the parliamentarians were released from Haripur jail after midnight," Tariq Afghan, the lawyer for the two leaders told Reuters.

PTM campaigns against alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Pashtuns and other ethic minorities.

It emerged last year after the killing of an ethnic Pashtun man by police in the southern city of Karachi, which led to nationwide protests and turned the issue of alleged state violence against Pashtuns into a national debate.

The military has accused the PTM of being funded by foreign intelligence agencies - a veiled reference to arch-foe India and its Afghan allies - to stoke unrest in Pakistan's Pashtun lands after the Pakistani army defeated Islamist militants there.

The PTM denies foreign links.

On May 26, soldiers at a security post fired on a group of protesters led by PTM leaders and serving parliamentarians Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir, according to PTM representatives, who said 13 of their supporters were killed.

The army said troops exchanged fire with the protesters when they attacked the checkpoint, and that three of the attackers were killed.

On his release, Dawar posted a tweet describing the incident as a massacre.

"In its aftermath, this State piled up even more violations of human rights, decency in its treatment of Ali and myself," he said in the tweet on Saturday.

A spokesman for Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-performed-umrah-with-his-wife-250837">Imran Khan</a>'s government was not available to comment on Dawar's allegations.&nbsp;

Two Pakistani parliamentarians and human rights campaigners were released on bail in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after four months in detention, their lawyer said on Saturday.

Two Pakistani parliamentarians and human rights campaigners were released on bail in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after four months in detention, their lawyer said on Saturday. The two lawmakers, Ali Wazir, and Mohsin Dawar, along with several activists of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), were arrested after a deadly clash between troops and activists at a security post in northern Pakistan in May. "Both the parliamentarians were released from Haripur jail after midnight," Tariq Afghan, the lawyer for the two leaders told Reuters. PTM campaigns against alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Pashtuns and other ethic minorities. It emerged last year after the killing of an ethnic Pashtun man by police in the southern city of Karachi, which led to nationwide protests and turned the issue of alleged state violence against Pashtuns into a national debate. The military has accused the PTM of being funded by foreign intelligence agencies - a veiled reference to arch-foe India and its Afghan allies - to stoke unrest in Pakistan's Pashtun lands after the Pakistani army defeated Islamist militants there. The PTM denies foreign links. On May 26, soldiers at a security post fired on a group of protesters led by PTM leaders and serving parliamentarians Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir, according to PTM representatives, who said 13 of their supporters were killed. The army said troops exchanged fire with the protesters when they attacked the checkpoint, and that three of the attackers were killed. On his release, Dawar posted a tweet describing the incident as a massacre. "In its aftermath, this State piled up even more violations of human rights, decency in its treatment of Ali and myself," he said in the tweet on Saturday. A spokesman for Prime Minister Imran Khan's government was not available to comment on Dawar's allegations.

Pakistan frees two Pashtun lawmakers after months of detention

At least eight people were killed and 14 others were injured when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-3-people-killed-in-landslides-in-abbottabad-240646">heavy rains lashed a large part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province </a>on Saturday night.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority on Sunday confirmed six deaths and 14 injuries in rain-related incidents in various districts of the province, Dawn News reported.

The rains, which hit the province on Friday evening, caused flash floods, road blockades and causalities in several areas, including Bajaur, Lower Dir, Shangla, Chitral, Shangla, Buner and Mardan districts.

The Karakoram Highway, which was blocked at many places due to heavy landslides on Friday night in Dasu area of Upper Kohistan, was reopened to traffic after many hours.

However, the passengers travelling between Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained stranded for many hours.

The Pakistan Metrological Department recorded 131mm rain in Malam Jabba, 50mm in Balakot, 48mm in Besham, 31mm in Bannu, 30mm in Saidu Sharif, 27mm in Kakul, 21mm in Dir Upper, 12mm in Parachinar and 12mm in Dera Ismail Khan.

Meanwhile, at least six people were electrocuted in Karachi as heavy rains lashed parts of the metropolis and Sindh on Sunday.

At least eight people were killed and 14 others were injured when heavy rains lashed a large part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday night. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority on Sunday confirmed six deaths and 14 injuries in rain-related incidents in various districts of the province, Dawn News reported.

At least eight people were killed and 14 others were injured when heavy rains lashed a large part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday night. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority on Sunday confirmed six deaths and 14 injuries in rain-related incidents in various districts of the province, Dawn News reported. The rains, which hit the province on Friday evening, caused flash floods, road blockades and causalities in several areas, including Bajaur, Lower Dir, Shangla, Chitral, Shangla, Buner and Mardan districts. The Karakoram Highway, which was blocked at many places due to heavy landslides on Friday night in Dasu area of Upper Kohistan, was reopened to traffic after many hours. However, the passengers travelling between Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained stranded for many hours. The Pakistan Metrological Department recorded 131mm rain in Malam Jabba, 50mm in Balakot, 48mm in Besham, 31mm in Bannu, 30mm in Saidu Sharif, 27mm in Kakul, 21mm in Dir Upper, 12mm in Parachinar and 12mm in Dera Ismail Khan. Meanwhile, at least six people were electrocuted in Karachi as heavy rains lashed parts of the metropolis and Sindh on Sunday.

8 dead as rains wreak havoc in northwest Pakistan

Another polio case has surfaced in Balochistan, with a five-month-old baby from Killa Abdullah falling prey to the virus this time.

Balochistan's provincial health department confirmed the news, according to The Express Tribune.

In 2019, at least four cases of polio have been confirmed in the province. Out of them, two were confirmed from Killa Abdullah and one from Quetta and district Jaffarabad respectively.

An official of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication last month said that the cases from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) take the total number of confirmed polio cases reported in Pakistan in 2019 to 41.

"A total of 33 polio cases have been reported from KP, three cases from Punjab, three cases from Sindh and two cases from Balochistan," the official said.

Another polio case has surfaced in Balochistan, with a five-month-old baby from Killa Abdullah falling prey to the virus this time. Balochistan's provincial health department confirmed the news, according to The Express Tribune.

Another polio case has surfaced in Balochistan, with a five-month-old baby from Killa Abdullah falling prey to the virus this time. Balochistan's provincial health department confirmed the news, according to The Express Tribune. In 2019, at least four cases of polio have been confirmed in the province. Out of them, two were confirmed from Killa Abdullah and one from Quetta and district Jaffarabad respectively. An official of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication last month said that the cases from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) take the total number of confirmed polio cases reported in Pakistan in 2019 to 41. "A total of 33 polio cases have been reported from KP, three cases from Punjab, three cases from Sindh and two cases from Balochistan," the official said.

Pakistan: Another polio case in Balochistan

Pakistan's west region formally known as Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) is set to witness it first elections on Saturday, where 2.8 million voters are expected to cast their ballot to choose their representatives.

FATA which was a combination of seven autonomous regions has been merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhawa in line with a constitutional amendment by the Parliament last year, Dawn reported.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, more than 2.8 million registered voters-1.7 million male and 1.13 million female-are eligible to vote to elect 16 members of the provincial assembly.

Over 280 candidates are contesting in the elections. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), key opposition PML-N, PPP, JI, Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) and ANP.

Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), are taking part in the elections. The election in erstwhile FATA was originally scheduled for July 02 but was later postponed to July 20 for security reasons.

Since 1947, the area was directly run by the central government.

Pakistan's west region formally known as Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) is set to witness it first elections on Saturday, where 2.8 million voters are expected to cast their ballot to choose their representatives.

Pakistan's west region formally known as Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) is set to witness it first elections on Saturday, where 2.8 million voters are expected to cast their ballot to choose their representatives. FATA which was a combination of seven autonomous regions has been merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhawa in line with a constitutional amendment by the Parliament last year, Dawn reported. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, more than 2.8 million registered voters-1.7 million male and 1.13 million female-are eligible to vote to elect 16 members of the provincial assembly. Over 280 candidates are contesting in the elections. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), key opposition PML-N, PPP, JI, Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) and ANP. Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), are taking part in the elections. The election in erstwhile FATA was originally scheduled for July 02 but was later postponed to July 20 for security reasons. Since 1947, the area was directly run by the central government.

Pakistan: Erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Area to witness first election

At least 14 people drowned when the vehicle they were travelling in veered off a mountainous road and fell into the Indus River in northwest Pakistan.

The incident happened on Sunday in the Shalkan Abad area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kolai Palas Kohistan when the vehicle, carrying 21 people, veered off the mountainous road and fell into the Indus river, police said.

"Due to the bad condition of the roads, the vehicle fell into Indus River," a senior police officer was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.

He said that some people managed to jump out of the falling vehicle and most of them sustained minor injuries.

A district police officer of Kolai-Palas, Mohammad Iftikhar, said that the toll has reached 14 after five more bodies were retrieved from the river on Monday.&nbsp;

"Police personnel and locals are taking part in the rescue operation. The seven who jumped out were injured and have been taken to a hospital,? he said.&nbsp;

At least 14 people drowned when the vehicle they were travelling in veered off a mountainous road and fell into the Indus River in northwest Pakistan. The incident happened on Sunday in the Shalkan Abad area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kolai Palas Kohistan when the vehicle, carrying 21 people, veered off the mountainous road and fell into the Indus river, police said.

At least 14 people drowned when the vehicle they were travelling in veered off a mountainous road and fell into the Indus River in northwest Pakistan. The incident happened on Sunday in the Shalkan Abad area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kolai Palas Kohistan when the vehicle, carrying 21 people, veered off the mountainous road and fell into the Indus river, police said. "Due to the bad condition of the roads, the vehicle fell into Indus River," a senior police officer was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. He said that some people managed to jump out of the falling vehicle and most of them sustained minor injuries. A district police officer of Kolai-Palas, Mohammad Iftikhar, said that the toll has reached 14 after five more bodies were retrieved from the river on Monday. "Police personnel and locals are taking part in the rescue operation. The seven who jumped out were injured and have been taken to a hospital,? he said.

14 drowned after vehicle falls in Indus river in Pakistan

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa`s (KP) Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra presented the province`s Rs. 900 billion (Pakistan rupee) budget for 2019-2020 at the KP assembly Peshawar on Tuesday, amidst protests by the opposition.

Rs&nbsp;236 billion have been earmarked annually for development programs in the latest budget, according to Dawn.

The Opposition waged protests as the budget speech was being delivered at the assembly here against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)-led central government`s failure at issuing production orders for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-pakistani-president-asif-ali-zardari-arrested-on-corruption-charges-225991">Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Asif Ali Zardari.</a>

&nbsp;The provincial income taxes are being increased as per the budget speech. Individuals who earn Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month would have to set aside Rs. 1,000 towards taxes every month.

Furthermore, individuals with a monthly income falling between Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 50,000 would be required to pay a tax of Rs. 1,200/month.&nbsp;

An Rs. 1,500 tax has been proposed for those earning between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1,00,000, while individuals earning between Rs. 1,00,000 and Rs. 2,00,000 per month would be required to pay Rs. 2,000 as taxes per month.

Those whose salary falls between Rs. 2,00,001 to half a million rupees would have to shell out Rs. 3,000 as tax per month, while those earning more than half a million rupees have been proposed to pay Rs. 5,000.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the salaries of public sector employees from grade one to 16 will see a 10 per cent hike while grade 17-grade 19 employees`salaries would go up by five per cent under an ad hoc relief allowance, Dawn reported.&nbsp;

Zero taxation for grade one to six employees of the provincial government has been proposed in the latest budget by the KP government.&nbsp;

The Pakistani daily reported that public sector employees from grade seven to 12 would have to pay Rs. 1,000 per month in taxes, grade 13 to 17 employees would have to cough up Rs. 1,500 tax per month, while grade 18 employees would have to set aside Rs. 1,800 monthly towards taxes.&nbsp;

Grade 19 and 20 officers, meanwhile, would have to give Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 3,000 respectively every month as taxes.&nbsp;

As per the budget speech, tailors who stitch shalwar kameez suits will have to shell out Rs. 10,000 as taxes annually, while those who stitch trousers and shirts will pay Rs. 15,000 per year.&nbsp;

The rate of taxation on private companies and businesses is also proposed to go up. Businesses worth Rs. 10 million to Rs. 200 million may have to pay anywhere between Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 annually according to the latest budget.&nbsp;

While unveiling the budget, Jhagra announced that the Insaf health card will be issued to every family in the province. He also revealed that 21,000 jobs in the public sector would be created.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa`s (KP) Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra presented the province`s Rs. 900 billion (Pakistan rupee) budget for 2019-2020 at the KP assembly Peshawar on Tuesday, amidst protests by the opposition.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa`s (KP) Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra presented the province`s Rs. 900 billion (Pakistan rupee) budget for 2019-2020 at the KP assembly Peshawar on Tuesday, amidst protests by the opposition. Rs 236 billion have been earmarked annually for development programs in the latest budget, according to Dawn. The Opposition waged protests as the budget speech was being delivered at the assembly here against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)-led central government`s failure at issuing production orders for Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Asif Ali Zardari. The provincial income taxes are being increased as per the budget speech. Individuals who earn Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month would have to set aside Rs. 1,000 towards taxes every month. Furthermore, individuals with a monthly income falling between Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 50,000 would be required to pay a tax of Rs. 1,200/month. An Rs. 1,500 tax has been proposed for those earning between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1,00,000, while individuals earning between Rs. 1,00,000 and Rs. 2,00,000 per month would be required to pay Rs. 2,000 as taxes per month. Those whose salary falls between Rs. 2,00,001 to half a million rupees would have to shell out Rs. 3,000 as tax per month, while those earning more than half a million rupees have been proposed to pay Rs. 5,000. Meanwhile, the salaries of public sector employees from grade one to 16 will see a 10 per cent hike while grade 17-grade 19 employees`salaries would go up by five per cent under an ad hoc relief allowance, Dawn reported. Zero taxation for grade one to six employees of the provincial government has been proposed in the latest budget by the KP government. The Pakistani daily reported that public sector employees from grade seven to 12 would have to pay Rs. 1,000 per month in taxes, grade 13 to 17 employees would have to cough up Rs. 1,500 tax per month, while grade 18 employees would have to set aside Rs. 1,800 monthly towards taxes. Grade 19 and 20 officers, meanwhile, would have to give Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 3,000 respectively every month as taxes. As per the budget speech, tailors who stitch shalwar kameez suits will have to shell out Rs. 10,000 as taxes annually, while those who stitch trousers and shirts will pay Rs. 15,000 per year. The rate of taxation on private companies and businesses is also proposed to go up. Businesses worth Rs. 10 million to Rs. 200 million may have to pay anywhere between Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 annually according to the latest budget. While unveiling the budget, Jhagra announced that the Insaf health card will be issued to every family in the province. He also revealed that 21,000 jobs in the public sector would be created.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government presents Rs 900 billion budget for 2019-20

His bearded face was half-covered by a shawl, but Hameedullah Khan's fear and ignorance was on full display as he delivered a chilling message for anyone who tries to vaccinate his children against polio.

"I will stab anyone who comes to my house with polio drops," Khan growled, refusing to be filmed or photographed as he shopped in a fly-blown bazaar on the outskirts of Peshawar, a city scarred by years on the frontline of Islamist militancy in Pakistan.

This dangerous<a href="Pakistan suspends polio drive after security threats to workers"> hostility to immunisation teams</a> flared last week after religious hardliners in the city spread false rumours, raising a scare on social media that some children were being poisoned and dying from contaminated polio vaccines.

The rumours spread like wildfire, triggering mass panic in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Mobs burned a village health centre, blocked a highway and pelted cars with stones. Medical workers were harassed and threatened.

Mosques made announcements that children were having cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea after they were given "poisonous" polio drops. Word went out on social media that some children had died.

Panicked parents rushed their children to hospitals, overwhelming health authorities. In Peshawar alone, about 45,000 children were brought to hospitals complaining of nausea and dizziness. Officials described it as mass hysteria, asserting there had been no deaths confirmed.

Killed by militants

It is easy to feed the fears of communities that feel under siege, as in northwest Pakistan.

Mistrust of outsiders and modernity goes a long way to explaining why Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are two of just three countries in the world - Nigeria is the third - where polio remains endemic.

Some Muslim clerics have peddled stories that the vaccines are part of Western plot to make Muslims sterile, while militant groups have killed nearly 100 health workers and their guards since 2012 on the pretext that they could be Western spies.

Those killings escalated after a doctor in Peshawar involved in the campaign against polio helped US&nbsp;forces track down and eliminate al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011.

Just late week, militants shot and killed a medical worker and two policemen guarding other vaccination teams in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and neighbouring Baluchistan province.

But the scale of the most recent backlash against a campaign to eradicate polio is something new for government officials, who worry that the suspicions and backward thinking of a hardline minority has infected the wider public.

"The mistrust in one segment of society, that refuses vaccinations due to religious beliefs, is translating into the rest of the country, which is something not seen in the past," Babar Atta, the government's top coordinator in the drive against polio, told Reuters.

Every year Pakistan's government mounts public education campaigns and recruits Muslim religious leaders to reassure people, but their suspicions persist.

As a result of last week's false rumours, families of hundreds of thousands of children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and elsewhere refused to participate in the latest campaign to eradicate a virus that can cause paralysis or death.

"No drops for us in the future!," Saif-ur-Rehman, a father of eight, repeating the rumours that the vaccines were contaminated or expired.

"Even my son was saying: 'The next time they bring polio drops to school, I am going to get up and run away from school'. I said, 'Do that'."

Playing dead

An inquiry found the false stories originated at two schools on the outskirts of Peshawar. Health workers seeking to vaccinate pupils from the Dar-ul-Qalam and Roza-tul-Atfaal schools had met with repeated refusals, according to provincial officials.

Investigators also identified and arrested a man seen in a video telling dozens of children to pose as if the vaccine had rendered them unconscious, Farooq Jameel, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's senior-most health official, said.

Police also arrested 16 other men, some of whom had threatened vaccination teams on the streets.

A provincial leader of a conservative Islamist party that officials suspected had some links to the schools' owners denied any connection and went on to endorse the immunization programme.

"I have been vaccinating my own children and will continue to give them polio vaccine till a certain age, but people have some misconception and doubts about polio vaccine, and the government needs to address their concerns," Abdul Wasey, secretary-general of Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, told Reuters.

But the damage has been done.

Pakistan has made huge strides in tackling polio, but officials say that while the latest immunization drive succeeded in inoculating 37.6 million children, 1.4 million were left unprotected.

Citing fears of attacks on health workers, authorities called off a two-day catch up for the vaccination drive last week.

The global campaign against the disease over the past few decades has been a great success story, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting just 33 cases of polio worldwide in 2018.

But most of them were in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the danger is that so long as a single child remains infected the virus can quickly spread into polio-free countries and un-immunized populations.

There is no known cure for polio, but the disease can be prevented if children are given multiple treatments with the vaccine.

Nadia Gul, a housewife, is among the volunteer health workers who make up the vaccination teams. Two children in her close family are victims of polio.

Covering her face with a veil to talk with strangers, Gul spoke of the dangers she faces due to the heinous slurs propagated by ill-educated opponents, but she refuses to be cowed.

"We have fears in our minds and in our hearts, but we will not lose courage," Gul told Reuters. "Our aim, the aim of all the polio workers, is that we end this scourge in our country, so that no child, God forbid, is crippled."

His bearded face was half-covered by a shawl, but Hameedullah Khan's fear and ignorance was on full display as he delivered a chilling message for anyone who tries to vaccinate his children against polio.

His bearded face was half-covered by a shawl, but Hameedullah Khan's fear and ignorance was on full display as he delivered a chilling message for anyone who tries to vaccinate his children against polio. "I will stab anyone who comes to my house with polio drops," Khan growled, refusing to be filmed or photographed as he shopped in a fly-blown bazaar on the outskirts of Peshawar, a city scarred by years on the frontline of Islamist militancy in Pakistan. This dangerous hostility to immunisation teams flared last week after religious hardliners in the city spread false rumours, raising a scare on social media that some children were being poisoned and dying from contaminated polio vaccines. The rumours spread like wildfire, triggering mass panic in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Mobs burned a village health centre, blocked a highway and pelted cars with stones. Medical workers were harassed and threatened. Mosques made announcements that children were having cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea after they were given "poisonous" polio drops. Word went out on social media that some children had died. Panicked parents rushed their children to hospitals, overwhelming health authorities. In Peshawar alone, about 45,000 children were brought to hospitals complaining of nausea and dizziness. Officials described it as mass hysteria, asserting there had been no deaths confirmed. Killed by militants It is easy to feed the fears of communities that feel under siege, as in northwest Pakistan. Mistrust of outsiders and modernity goes a long way to explaining why Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are two of just three countries in the world - Nigeria is the third - where polio remains endemic. Some Muslim clerics have peddled stories that the vaccines are part of Western plot to make Muslims sterile, while militant groups have killed nearly 100 health workers and their guards since 2012 on the pretext that they could be Western spies. Those killings escalated after a doctor in Peshawar involved in the campaign against polio helped US forces track down and eliminate al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011. Just late week, militants shot and killed a medical worker and two policemen guarding other vaccination teams in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and neighbouring Baluchistan province. But the scale of the most recent backlash against a campaign to eradicate polio is something new for government officials, who worry that the suspicions and backward thinking of a hardline minority has infected the wider public. "The mistrust in one segment of society, that refuses vaccinations due to religious beliefs, is translating into the rest of the country, which is something not seen in the past," Babar Atta, the government's top coordinator in the drive against polio, told Reuters. Every year Pakistan's government mounts public education campaigns and recruits Muslim religious leaders to reassure people, but their suspicions persist. As a result of last week's false rumours, families of hundreds of thousands of children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and elsewhere refused to participate in the latest campaign to eradicate a virus that can cause paralysis or death. "No drops for us in the future!," Saif-ur-Rehman, a father of eight, repeating the rumours that the vaccines were contaminated or expired. "Even my son was saying: 'The next time they bring polio drops to school, I am going to get up and run away from school'. I said, 'Do that'." Playing dead An inquiry found the false stories originated at two schools on the outskirts of Peshawar. Health workers seeking to vaccinate pupils from the Dar-ul-Qalam and Roza-tul-Atfaal schools had met with repeated refusals, according to provincial officials. Investigators also identified and arrested a man seen in a video telling dozens of children to pose as if the vaccine had rendered them unconscious, Farooq Jameel, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's senior-most health official, said. Police also arrested 16 other men, some of whom had threatened vaccination teams on the streets. A provincial leader of a conservative Islamist party that officials suspected had some links to the schools' owners denied any connection and went on to endorse the immunization programme. "I have been vaccinating my own children and will continue to give them polio vaccine till a certain age, but people have some misconception and doubts about polio vaccine, and the government needs to address their concerns," Abdul Wasey, secretary-general of Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, told Reuters. But the damage has been done. Pakistan has made huge strides in tackling polio, but officials say that while the latest immunization drive succeeded in inoculating 37.6 million children, 1.4 million were left unprotected. Citing fears of attacks on health workers, authorities called off a two-day catch up for the vaccination drive last week. The global campaign against the disease over the past few decades has been a great success story, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting just 33 cases of polio worldwide in 2018. But most of them were in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the danger is that so long as a single child remains infected the virus can quickly spread into polio-free countries and un-immunized populations. There is no known cure for polio, but the disease can be prevented if children are given multiple treatments with the vaccine. Nadia Gul, a housewife, is among the volunteer health workers who make up the vaccination teams. Two children in her close family are victims of polio. Covering her face with a veil to talk with strangers, Gul spoke of the dangers she faces due to the heinous slurs propagated by ill-educated opponents, but she refuses to be cowed. "We have fears in our minds and in our hearts, but we will not lose courage," Gul told Reuters. "Our aim, the aim of all the polio workers, is that we end this scourge in our country, so that no child, God forbid, is crippled."

Monstrous rumours stoke hostility to Pakistan's anti-polio drive

Massive thunderstorms and a dust<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-five-killed-36-injured-as-dust-storm-hits-karachi-210678&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi-9bLqstThAhU-6nMBHXmyB1UQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2GWogG2A-fp-CgYCE6OakV"> storm</a> lashed Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh provinces, killing at least 23 people, injuring scores of others, according to media reports on Tuesday.

Heavy rain and storm caused by a westerly wave uprooted electricity poles and trees in different parts of the country and also damaged properties on Monday.

Intermittent downpour in western, central and northern parts of the country for the past few days has rendered mud houses susceptible to the collapse, while the landslide and flash floods in some areas have already made several roads dangerous for travel, Dawn reported.

Thunderstorm in Punjab province resulted in the collapse of several buildings, leaving at least nine persons, including two women, dead.

Four deaths were reported in Khanewal district; three in Hasilpur area of Bahawalnagar district; and two Dunyapur tehsil of Lodhran district.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's Chitral valley, a woman and two men died when the roof of their house collapsed and fell on them.

In Balochistan province, authorities declared emergency on Monday after torrential rains and flash flooding wreaked havoc and killed at least nine persons, including a child.

Heavy rainfall in Quetta, Gwadar, Chagai, Harnai, Duki, Jewani, Jaffarabad, Kohlu, Sibi, Barkhan, Chaman and other districts of Balochistan caused flooding in nullahs and drains which severed land link in various parts of the province, the Express Tribune reported.

The low-lying areas had been submerged due to continuous rainfall in Kohlu and adjoining areas.

In separate incidents related to the dust storm that hit Karachi, four persons, including two young girls died, an equal number of fishermen went missing and dozens of others suffered injuries, according to officials and rescue services.

Gusty winds also uprooted several trees, poles and signboards, broke windowpanes of some high-rise buildings and damaged the walls of schools and homes in Karachi.

Massive thunderstorms and a dust storm lashed Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh provinces, killing at least 23 people, injuring scores of others, according to media reports on Tuesday.

Massive thunderstorms and a dust storm lashed Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh provinces, killing at least 23 people, injuring scores of others, according to media reports on Tuesday. Heavy rain and storm caused by a westerly wave uprooted electricity poles and trees in different parts of the country and also damaged properties on Monday. Intermittent downpour in western, central and northern parts of the country for the past few days has rendered mud houses susceptible to the collapse, while the landslide and flash floods in some areas have already made several roads dangerous for travel, Dawn reported. Thunderstorm in Punjab province resulted in the collapse of several buildings, leaving at least nine persons, including two women, dead. Four deaths were reported in Khanewal district; three in Hasilpur area of Bahawalnagar district; and two Dunyapur tehsil of Lodhran district. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's Chitral valley, a woman and two men died when the roof of their house collapsed and fell on them. In Balochistan province, authorities declared emergency on Monday after torrential rains and flash flooding wreaked havoc and killed at least nine persons, including a child. Heavy rainfall in Quetta, Gwadar, Chagai, Harnai, Duki, Jewani, Jaffarabad, Kohlu, Sibi, Barkhan, Chaman and other districts of Balochistan caused flooding in nullahs and drains which severed land link in various parts of the province, the Express Tribune reported. The low-lying areas had been submerged due to continuous rainfall in Kohlu and adjoining areas. In separate incidents related to the dust storm that hit Karachi, four persons, including two young girls died, an equal number of fishermen went missing and dozens of others suffered injuries, according to officials and rescue services. Gusty winds also uprooted several trees, poles and signboards, broke windowpanes of some high-rise buildings and damaged the walls of schools and homes in Karachi.

Thunderstorm and dust storm kill 23 in Pakistan's Sindh, Punjab

The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in northwest Pakistan has allocated Rs 75 million for the construction of five cremation grounds for the Hindu community and creation of seven graveyards for Christians.

According to provincial officials, a total of Rs 24 million has been allocated for the construction of five cremation grounds and Rs 51 million has been set aside for the creation of seven Christian graveyards in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

They said the purchase of four-kanal (0.5 acre) land for cremation ground in Peshawar and two-kanal (0.25 acre) each in Hangu, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Nowshera districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been approved by the department concerned.

The purchase of six-kanal (0.75 acre) land for Christian graveyard in Peshawar, five-kanal (0.62 acre) each in Mardan, Kohat, Swabi and Dir Lower and four-kanal each in Swat and Nowshera districts have also been approved by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

In January, the provincial government had declared the ancient Hindu religious site of Panj Tirath in Peshawar as a national heritage.

Minority religions make up just 4 per cent of Pakistan's 200 million people.&nbsp;

Hindus make up the country's second-largest minority, with more than 2 million, living mainly in the southern Sindh province.

The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in northwest Pakistan has allocated Rs 75 million for the construction of five cremation grounds for the Hindu community and creation of seven graveyards for Christians.

The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in northwest Pakistan has allocated Rs 75 million for the construction of five cremation grounds for the Hindu community and creation of seven graveyards for Christians. According to provincial officials, a total of Rs 24 million has been allocated for the construction of five cremation grounds and Rs 51 million has been set aside for the creation of seven Christian graveyards in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They said the purchase of four-kanal (0.5 acre) land for cremation ground in Peshawar and two-kanal (0.25 acre) each in Hangu, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Nowshera districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been approved by the department concerned. The purchase of six-kanal (0.75 acre) land for Christian graveyard in Peshawar, five-kanal (0.62 acre) each in Mardan, Kohat, Swabi and Dir Lower and four-kanal each in Swat and Nowshera districts have also been approved by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. In January, the provincial government had declared the ancient Hindu religious site of Panj Tirath in Peshawar as a national heritage. Minority religions make up just 4 per cent of Pakistan's 200 million people. Hindus make up the country's second-largest minority, with more than 2 million, living mainly in the southern Sindh province.

Pakistan allocates Rs 75 million for construction of cremation grounds for Hindus, graveyards for Christians

A gunman on Thursday barged into a house in northwest Pakistan and shot dead five members of a family.

The incident occurred in Nowshera district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.&nbsp;

District Police Office Mansoor Aman said the residents belonged to Peshawar's Badaber area.

The slain included a couple, their daughter and two sons.&nbsp;

The motive behind the murders was yet to be known.

In a separate incident, five people were killed and four injured as lightning struck their house in Sur Gul Village Kohat district. The dead included husband and wife and three children.

A gunman on Thursday barged into a house in northwest Pakistan and shot dead five members of a family. The incident occurred in Nowshera district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

A gunman on Thursday barged into a house in northwest Pakistan and shot dead five members of a family. The incident occurred in Nowshera district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. District Police Office Mansoor Aman said the residents belonged to Peshawar's Badaber area. The slain included a couple, their daughter and two sons. The motive behind the murders was yet to be known. In a separate incident, five people were killed and four injured as lightning struck their house in Sur Gul Village Kohat district. The dead included husband and wife and three children.

Gunman kills five in northwest Pakistan

The government in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has decided to convert a historic fort built by a Sikh commander into a museum.&nbsp;

The fort in Haripur district was named after Hari Singh Nalwa, the commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Army, the army of the Sikh Empire.&nbsp;

The fort was built by Nalwa in 1822 over an area of 35,420 square feet.

Nalwa was Commander-in-Chief of the Sikh Khalsa Army, the army of the Sikh Empire.&nbsp;

The archaeology department of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sent a note to Chief Minister Mehmood Khan for taking control of the fort and its opening for the tourists.&nbsp;

The district administration Haripur has expressed readiness to handover the fort to the archaeology department.&nbsp;

The Britishers also carried out some construction work in the fort.

The government in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has decided to convert a historic fort built by a Sikh commander into a museum. The fort in Haripur district was named after Hari Singh Nalwa, the commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Army, the army of the Sikh Empire.

The government in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has decided to convert a historic fort built by a Sikh commander into a museum. The fort in Haripur district was named after Hari Singh Nalwa, the commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Army, the army of the Sikh Empire. The fort was built by Nalwa in 1822 over an area of 35,420 square feet. Nalwa was Commander-in-Chief of the Sikh Khalsa Army, the army of the Sikh Empire. The archaeology department of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sent a note to Chief Minister Mehmood Khan for taking control of the fort and its opening for the tourists. The district administration Haripur has expressed readiness to handover the fort to the archaeology department. The Britishers also carried out some construction work in the fort.

Pakistan provincial government to turn Hari Singh Nalwa fort into museum

The membership of 332 Pakistani lawmakers, including that of the country's high-profile Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, was suspended on Wednesday after they failed to submit details of their properties and assets to the poll body, according to media reports.

Out of the 1,174 lawmakers, 839 submitted the details of their properties and assets, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said while suspending the membership of the remaining 332.

Those who were suspended include 72 members of National Assembly, 20 members of Senate, 115 members of Punjab Assembly, 52 members of Sindh Assembly, 54 members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 19 members of Balochistan assembly, Dunya News reported.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, Minister for Health Aamir Kiyani, Raheela Magsi, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Soori, PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Musadiq Malik and Anwaarul Haq Kakar are among those whose memberships have been suspended, the report said.&nbsp;

The suspended parliamentarians cannot participate in legislative process.

The ECP has issued a notification, stating that these members will remain suspended till they file details of their assets and liabilities.

The membership of 332 Pakistani lawmakers, including that of the country's high-profile Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, was suspended on Wednesday after they failed to submit details of their properties and assets to the poll body, according to media reports.

The membership of 332 Pakistani lawmakers, including that of the country's high-profile Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, was suspended on Wednesday after they failed to submit details of their properties and assets to the poll body, according to media reports. Out of the 1,174 lawmakers, 839 submitted the details of their properties and assets, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said while suspending the membership of the remaining 332. Those who were suspended include 72 members of National Assembly, 20 members of Senate, 115 members of Punjab Assembly, 52 members of Sindh Assembly, 54 members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 19 members of Balochistan assembly, Dunya News reported. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, Minister for Health Aamir Kiyani, Raheela Magsi, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Soori, PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Musadiq Malik and Anwaarul Haq Kakar are among those whose memberships have been suspended, the report said. The suspended parliamentarians cannot participate in legislative process. The ECP has issued a notification, stating that these members will remain suspended till they file details of their assets and liabilities.

332 Pak lawmakers suspended over non-disclosure of assets

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