Pakistan's Parliament Friday gave its nod to the Rs 7.022 trillion federal budget for fiscal 2019-20, as the ruling party and its coalition partners comfortably defeated the Opposition's move to block the passage of the Finance Bill.

The budget was presented in the National Assembly, the lower house, on June 11, followed by the heated debate over it that continued for several days.

It focuses on fiscal consolidation, revenue mobilisation, austerity measures and protection to the vulnerable segments of society.

The Opposition had declared the bill as "anti-people" and announced using all powers to foil the official bid to get the mandatory approval of lawmakers.

However, the government mustered enough support in the House to get it passed as the Finance Bill 2019-20.

The treasury benches rejected almost all the amendments to the finance bill moved by the opposition members after there was a discussion on them by both sides, while some amendments moved by Minister for Finance and Revenue Hammad Azhar were adopted.

The government also foiled a bid by the Opposition to block the presentation of the bill for final voting with a 175-146 vote.

The finance bill now needs presidential approval to become effective from July 1 when the country's new financial year will begin.

Pakistan's Parliament Friday gave its nod to the Rs 7.022 trillion federal budget for fiscal 2019-20, as the ruling party and its coalition partners comfortably defeated the Opposition's move to block the passage of the Finance Bill.

Pakistan's Parliament Friday gave its nod to the Rs 7.022 trillion federal budget for fiscal 2019-20, as the ruling party and its coalition partners comfortably defeated the Opposition's move to block the passage of the Finance Bill. The budget was presented in the National Assembly, the lower house, on June 11, followed by the heated debate over it that continued for several days. It focuses on fiscal consolidation, revenue mobilisation, austerity measures and protection to the vulnerable segments of society. The Opposition had declared the bill as "anti-people" and announced using all powers to foil the official bid to get the mandatory approval of lawmakers. However, the government mustered enough support in the House to get it passed as the Finance Bill 2019-20. The treasury benches rejected almost all the amendments to the finance bill moved by the opposition members after there was a discussion on them by both sides, while some amendments moved by Minister for Finance and Revenue Hammad Azhar were adopted. The government also foiled a bid by the Opposition to block the presentation of the bill for final voting with a 175-146 vote. The finance bill now needs presidential approval to become effective from July 1 when the country's new financial year will begin.

Pakistan Parliament passes Rs 7.022 trillion federal budget

Opposition leader in the National Assembly<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shehbaz-sharif-to-return-to-pakistan-on-june-8-225034"> Shehbaz Sharif</a>, facing corruption charges, returned to Pakistan on Sunday following a "quick visit" to London, a media report said.

Shehbaz, 67, served as the chief minister of the politically crucial Punjab province from 2013 to 2018.

He became Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz&nbsp;president after his elder brother and three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were disqualified as the party president following a Supreme Court verdict in the Elections Act 2017 case.

Shehbaz arrived at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport on Sunday. In the form of a rally, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party workers took him from the airport till his residence in Model Town, where sweets were distributed, Dawn newspaper reported.

Ahead of Shehbaz's arrival, a large number of PML-N party workers, MPs and senior leaders reached the airport at night.

Shehbaz had announced a "quick visit" to London on April 9 after his name was removed from the no-fly list on Lahore High Court orders. Party sources had said at the time that he intended to return within 10-12 days, the report said.

He faces court cases for corruption and dishonesty.

In the Ashiyana housing scam, Shehbaz is accused of ordering the cancellation of a contract given to a successful bidder for the low-cost housing scheme, resulting in a loss of Rs 193 million to the national exchequer.

In the Ramzan Sugar Mills corruption case, Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz are accused of "fraudulently and dishonestly" causing a Rs 213 million loss to the national exchequer.

Shehbaz was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau in October 2018 and released on bail on February 14.

His brother Sharif has been serving a seven-year prison term at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore since December 24, 2018, when an accountability court convicted him in one of the three corruption cases filed in the wake of the apex court's July 28, 2017 order in Panama Papers case.

Both Sharif and his daughter Maryam have been sentenced to seven years in prison, respectively. Maryam's husband Muhammad Safdar was jailed for one year in the same case.

Sharif and his family have denied any wrongdoing and allege that the corruption cases against them are politically motivated.&nbsp;

Opposition leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, facing corruption charges, returned to Pakistan on Sunday following a "quick visit" to London, a media report said.

Opposition leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, facing corruption charges, returned to Pakistan on Sunday following a "quick visit" to London, a media report said. Shehbaz, 67, served as the chief minister of the politically crucial Punjab province from 2013 to 2018. He became Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president after his elder brother and three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were disqualified as the party president following a Supreme Court verdict in the Elections Act 2017 case. Shehbaz arrived at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport on Sunday. In the form of a rally, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party workers took him from the airport till his residence in Model Town, where sweets were distributed, Dawn newspaper reported. Ahead of Shehbaz's arrival, a large number of PML-N party workers, MPs and senior leaders reached the airport at night. Shehbaz had announced a "quick visit" to London on April 9 after his name was removed from the no-fly list on Lahore High Court orders. Party sources had said at the time that he intended to return within 10-12 days, the report said. He faces court cases for corruption and dishonesty. In the Ashiyana housing scam, Shehbaz is accused of ordering the cancellation of a contract given to a successful bidder for the low-cost housing scheme, resulting in a loss of Rs 193 million to the national exchequer. In the Ramzan Sugar Mills corruption case, Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz are accused of "fraudulently and dishonestly" causing a Rs 213 million loss to the national exchequer. Shehbaz was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau in October 2018 and released on bail on February 14. His brother Sharif has been serving a seven-year prison term at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore since December 24, 2018, when an accountability court convicted him in one of the three corruption cases filed in the wake of the apex court's July 28, 2017 order in Panama Papers case. Both Sharif and his daughter Maryam have been sentenced to seven years in prison, respectively. Maryam's husband Muhammad Safdar was jailed for one year in the same case. Sharif and his family have denied any wrongdoing and allege that the corruption cases against them are politically motivated.

Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif returns from a 'quick' London visit

Opposition leader in the National Assembly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shehbaz-roaming-free-in-uk-issue-arrest-warrant-paks-top-anti-graft-body-to-court-222269">Shehbaz Sharif, facing corruption charges</a>, will return to Pakistan on Saturday following a "quick visit" to London, a media report said Thursday.

Shehbaz, 67, served as the chief minister of the politically crucial Punjab province from 2013 to 2018.

He became Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president after his elder brother and three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were disqualified as the party president following a Supreme Court verdict in the Elections Act 2017 case.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz will be returning to Pakistan on June 8, the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting a member of his personal staff.

Earlier, lawyers had informed an Accountability Court that Shehbaz will return to Pakistan on June 11.

Shehbaz had announced a "quick visit" to London on April 9 after his name was removed from the no-fly list on Lahore High Court orders.&nbsp;

Party sources said at the time that he intended to return within 10-12 days, the report said.

He faces court cases for corruption and dishonesty.

In the Ashiyana housing scam, Shehbaz is accused of ordering the cancellation of a contract given to a successful bidder for the low-cost housing scheme, resulting in a loss of Rs 193 million to the national exchequer.

In the Ramzan Sugar Mills corruption case, Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz are accused of "fraudulently and dishonestly" causing a Rs 213 million loss to the national exchequer.

Shehbaz was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau in October 2018 and released on bail on February 14.

His brother Sharif has been serving a seven-year prison term at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore since December 24, 2018, when an accountability court convicted him in one of the three corruption cases filed in the wake of the apex court's July 28, 2017 order in Panama Papers case.

Both Sharif and his daughter Maryam have been sentenced to seven years in prison, respectively. Maryam's husband Muhammad Safdar was jailed for one year in the same case.

Sharif and his family have denied any wrongdoing and allege that the corruption cases against them are politically motivated.

Opposition leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, facing corruption charges, will return to Pakistan on Saturday following a "quick visit" to London, a media report said Thursday.

Opposition leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, facing corruption charges, will return to Pakistan on Saturday following a "quick visit" to London, a media report said Thursday. Shehbaz, 67, served as the chief minister of the politically crucial Punjab province from 2013 to 2018. He became Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president after his elder brother and three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were disqualified as the party president following a Supreme Court verdict in the Elections Act 2017 case. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz will be returning to Pakistan on June 8, the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting a member of his personal staff. Earlier, lawyers had informed an Accountability Court that Shehbaz will return to Pakistan on June 11. Shehbaz had announced a "quick visit" to London on April 9 after his name was removed from the no-fly list on Lahore High Court orders. Party sources said at the time that he intended to return within 10-12 days, the report said. He faces court cases for corruption and dishonesty. In the Ashiyana housing scam, Shehbaz is accused of ordering the cancellation of a contract given to a successful bidder for the low-cost housing scheme, resulting in a loss of Rs 193 million to the national exchequer. In the Ramzan Sugar Mills corruption case, Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz are accused of "fraudulently and dishonestly" causing a Rs 213 million loss to the national exchequer. Shehbaz was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau in October 2018 and released on bail on February 14. His brother Sharif has been serving a seven-year prison term at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore since December 24, 2018, when an accountability court convicted him in one of the three corruption cases filed in the wake of the apex court's July 28, 2017 order in Panama Papers case. Both Sharif and his daughter Maryam have been sentenced to seven years in prison, respectively. Maryam's husband Muhammad Safdar was jailed for one year in the same case. Sharif and his family have denied any wrongdoing and allege that the corruption cases against them are politically motivated.

Shehbaz Sharif to return to Pakistan on June 8

Pakistan's National Assembly has adopted a resolution to save minorities from forced conversions of religions. Watch this video to know more.

Pak National Assembly adopts resolution to save minorities from forced conversions

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will brief the parliamentarians next week on "hostile situation at the Line of Control" in the aftermath of recent tension with India, media reports said on Sunday.

The briefing, to be held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on April 4, will be attended by the members of standing committees of the National Assembly and Senate on defence, Dawn reported.

General Bajwa will "brief the parliamentarians on hostile situation at the Line of Control", it said.

The paper said that it will be the second briefing by the army chief to the parliamentarians over one month.

Earlier, parliamentarians were briefed in an in-camera session held at Parliament House on February 27, the day the Pakistan Air Force carried out a raid in India. However, Prime Minister Imran Khan did not attend the briefing.

This week's briefing would be attended by a number of prominent leaders from the opposition parties, including former ministers, as they are members of the two committees.

According to a notification issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, chairman of the NA committee Amjad Ali Khan would lead the delegation of members of the National Assembly, the lower house.

Defence Minister Pervez Khattak has also been invited as he is an ex-officio member of both standing committees.

The lawmakers have been told to assemble at Gate No 1 of Parliament House at 10 a.M. And those who intend to proceed directly to GHQ have been asked to provide registration numbers of their vehicles before the meeting.

A notification issued by the Senate Secretariat says that Chairman of Senate standing committee on defence Azam Swati will lead the Senate members.

A few days ago Prime Minister Khan had said that the "possibility of a misadventure" from India could not be ignored.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that the armed forces needed to remain alert.

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the February 14 attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.

Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside

Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in aerial combat and captured an Indian pilot, who was handed over to India later.

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will brief the parliamentarians next week on "hostile situation at the Line of Control" in the aftermath of recent tension with India, media reports said on Sunday.

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will brief the parliamentarians next week on "hostile situation at the Line of Control" in the aftermath of recent tension with India, media reports said on Sunday. The briefing, to be held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on April 4, will be attended by the members of standing committees of the National Assembly and Senate on defence, Dawn reported. General Bajwa will "brief the parliamentarians on hostile situation at the Line of Control", it said. The paper said that it will be the second briefing by the army chief to the parliamentarians over one month. Earlier, parliamentarians were briefed in an in-camera session held at Parliament House on February 27, the day the Pakistan Air Force carried out a raid in India. However, Prime Minister Imran Khan did not attend the briefing. This week's briefing would be attended by a number of prominent leaders from the opposition parties, including former ministers, as they are members of the two committees. According to a notification issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, chairman of the NA committee Amjad Ali Khan would lead the delegation of members of the National Assembly, the lower house. Defence Minister Pervez Khattak has also been invited as he is an ex-officio member of both standing committees. The lawmakers have been told to assemble at Gate No 1 of Parliament House at 10 a.M. And those who intend to proceed directly to GHQ have been asked to provide registration numbers of their vehicles before the meeting. A notification issued by the Senate Secretariat says that Chairman of Senate standing committee on defence Azam Swati will lead the Senate members. A few days ago Prime Minister Khan had said that the "possibility of a misadventure" from India could not be ignored. Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that the armed forces needed to remain alert. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the February 14 attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in aerial combat and captured an Indian pilot, who was handed over to India later.

Pakistan Army chief to brief parliamentarians on 'hostile situation' at LoC

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido urged lawmakers Monday to declare a "state of alarm" to pave the way for the delivery of international aid as the country's devastating blackout entered its fifth day.

The current was restored to some areas of the country over the weekend but -- with residents and businesses fearing that refrigerated food will spoil -- service was patchy and power often lasted just a few hours before dropping out again.

Guaido headed an emergency session of the opposition-majority National Assembly to force the issue of a "state of alarm." But even that fell victim to the blackout, as the partly-restored electricity supply failed an hour into the meeting.

"We cannot turn away from this tragedy our country is going through," said the 35-year-old National Assembly leader who in January declared himself interim president, triggering a power struggle in the oil-rich South American country of 30 million.

Businesses and schools remained closed as President Nicolas Maduro extended an order issued when the blackout began on Thursday. In any event, the lack of public transport made travel difficult, even in Caracas.

The situation on the ground was still confused as Maduro battled to restore power and maintain the upper hand in his struggle with Guaido.

A ball of flame flared across the darkened sky over southeastern Caracas in the early hours of the morning when the Humboldt power station erupted in a massive explosion, increasing the chaos in an area where looting was reported on Sunday.

"I felt like I was in a horror movie," said Carolina Molina, who witnessed the blast from her window.&nbsp;

State-owned electricity company Corpoelec declined to comment on the explosion.

The fire that followed the blast was still smouldering by mid-morning. A metal beam holding one of the huge transformers had melted and a permiter wall had been blackened, AFP reporters said.

'State of alarm'

Guaido -- recognised by more than 50 countries as interim president -- has no means to enforce a "state of alarm" as the army, police and civil service remains in Maduro's hands.

But Guaido hopes a declaration by the National Assembly would open the door to foreign intervention in the country in the name of delivering humanitarian aid.

He told supporters at a rally on Saturday he was ready to authorize a foreign miitary intervention. Maduro has shut Venezuela's border to keep out humanitarian aid, dismissing it as a precursor to a US military "invasion".

Maduro, who has blamed the blackout on US "sabotage" of the country's main hydroelectric complex at Guri, said a massive amount of food aid, water and fuel would be distributed on Monday.

He ordered that hospitals -- where patients were languishing without proper treatment, and where at least 15 people reportedly died due to a lack of kidney dialysis treatment -- should be given top priority.

Last month, Maduro used the military to block an opposition bid to bring in more than 250 tons of supplies over land from Colombia and Brazil.

On Sunday, the embattled president -- who has presided over a calamitous economic collapse that has left people in need of basic food and medicine -- vowed not to back down.

"This macabre strategy to bring us to a confrontation will fail," he wrote on Twitter.

Power was restored late Sunday in some areas of the capital Caracas, sparking enthusiastic cheers. But already twice so far, the restoration of electricity has been fleeting.

Guaido has called for more street protests on Monday to pressure Maduro to step down, following up on Saturday's rally.

"You have the right to go into the street, to protest, to demand, because this regime is letting Venezuelans die," he said Sunday, appealing to the armed forces "to stop covering for the dictator."

Electromagnetic attack?

Maduro blames "imperialism" for the country's accumulating woes, and claims the power outage was caused by an electromagnetic attack on the Guri hydroelectric complex, which supplies 80 per cent of Venezuela's electricity.

Guaido dismissed that explanation as "Hollywoodesque." Critics blame the government for failing to maintain the power grid, as did the Lima Group, a primarily Latin American bloc.

For ordinary Venezuelans, the blackout -- the longest in recent memory -- has piled misery upon an already agonizing day-to-day struggle to survive in a country now in economic freefall.

"Every day is worse," said Edward Cazano, a 20-year-old who lives with his mother and three brothers in a poor Caracas neighbourhood called Pinto Salinas.&nbsp;

"We have the worst services in the world: no light, no water, sometimes no gas."

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido urged lawmakers Monday to declare a "state of alarm" to pave the way for the delivery of international aid as the country's devastating blackout entered its fifth day.

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido urged lawmakers Monday to declare a "state of alarm" to pave the way for the delivery of international aid as the country's devastating blackout entered its fifth day. The current was restored to some areas of the country over the weekend but -- with residents and businesses fearing that refrigerated food will spoil -- service was patchy and power often lasted just a few hours before dropping out again. Guaido headed an emergency session of the opposition-majority National Assembly to force the issue of a "state of alarm." But even that fell victim to the blackout, as the partly-restored electricity supply failed an hour into the meeting. "We cannot turn away from this tragedy our country is going through," said the 35-year-old National Assembly leader who in January declared himself interim president, triggering a power struggle in the oil-rich South American country of 30 million. Businesses and schools remained closed as President Nicolas Maduro extended an order issued when the blackout began on Thursday. In any event, the lack of public transport made travel difficult, even in Caracas. The situation on the ground was still confused as Maduro battled to restore power and maintain the upper hand in his struggle with Guaido. A ball of flame flared across the darkened sky over southeastern Caracas in the early hours of the morning when the Humboldt power station erupted in a massive explosion, increasing the chaos in an area where looting was reported on Sunday. "I felt like I was in a horror movie," said Carolina Molina, who witnessed the blast from her window. State-owned electricity company Corpoelec declined to comment on the explosion. The fire that followed the blast was still smouldering by mid-morning. A metal beam holding one of the huge transformers had melted and a permiter wall had been blackened, AFP reporters said. 'State of alarm' Guaido -- recognised by more than 50 countries as interim president -- has no means to enforce a "state of alarm" as the army, police and civil service remains in Maduro's hands. But Guaido hopes a declaration by the National Assembly would open the door to foreign intervention in the country in the name of delivering humanitarian aid. He told supporters at a rally on Saturday he was ready to authorize a foreign miitary intervention. Maduro has shut Venezuela's border to keep out humanitarian aid, dismissing it as a precursor to a US military "invasion". Maduro, who has blamed the blackout on US "sabotage" of the country's main hydroelectric complex at Guri, said a massive amount of food aid, water and fuel would be distributed on Monday. He ordered that hospitals -- where patients were languishing without proper treatment, and where at least 15 people reportedly died due to a lack of kidney dialysis treatment -- should be given top priority. Last month, Maduro used the military to block an opposition bid to bring in more than 250 tons of supplies over land from Colombia and Brazil. On Sunday, the embattled president -- who has presided over a calamitous economic collapse that has left people in need of basic food and medicine -- vowed not to back down. "This macabre strategy to bring us to a confrontation will fail," he wrote on Twitter. Power was restored late Sunday in some areas of the capital Caracas, sparking enthusiastic cheers. But already twice so far, the restoration of electricity has been fleeting. Guaido has called for more street protests on Monday to pressure Maduro to step down, following up on Saturday's rally. "You have the right to go into the street, to protest, to demand, because this regime is letting Venezuelans die," he said Sunday, appealing to the armed forces "to stop covering for the dictator." Electromagnetic attack? Maduro blames "imperialism" for the country's accumulating woes, and claims the power outage was caused by an electromagnetic attack on the Guri hydroelectric complex, which supplies 80 per cent of Venezuela's electricity. Guaido dismissed that explanation as "Hollywoodesque." Critics blame the government for failing to maintain the power grid, as did the Lima Group, a primarily Latin American bloc. For ordinary Venezuelans, the blackout -- the longest in recent memory -- has piled misery upon an already agonizing day-to-day struggle to survive in a country now in economic freefall. "Every day is worse," said Edward Cazano, a 20-year-old who lives with his mother and three brothers in a poor Caracas neighbourhood called Pinto Salinas. "We have the worst services in the world: no light, no water, sometimes no gas."

Venezuela still in darkness as Juan Guaido rallies lawmakers

A Pakistani parliamentarian has revealed that Chinese prisoners are working on development projects of the over USD 60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the country.

Member of the National Assembly Nawab Mohammad Yousuf Talpur of the Pakistan Peoples` Party (PPP) raised security concerns on this issue, and demanded better security arrangements.&quot;I have learnt that prisoners have been brought from Chinese jails and they are constructing roads.

They can be involved in crimes, so, there should be proper security arrangements,&quot; the Dawn quoted Yousuf, as saying.When Yousuf contacted the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to share his concerns, the ministry indirectly rejected his contention.

&quot;I contacted a concerned official, who confirmed that prisoners had been working in Pakistan. My doubt was strengthened by an ambiguous response from the Ministry of Interior which rather than rejecting my claim just said it was not in the knowledge of the ministry,&quot; he said.

However, Special Secretary (Interior) Rizwan Malik said Chinese workers were being given three-layer-level security.&quot;There is a separate security for Chinese nationals who have been working on CPEC projects. Separate arrangements have been made for those who have come for electricity projects.&quot; Malik said.

MNA Yousuf asserted that prisoners were engaged in development work across the globe, however, they found it strange that prisoners had been brought from China to Pakistan.

&quot;I assume that a secret or unannounced agreement has been made between the two countries because prisoners cannot be sent from one country to another without taking the host nation into confidence. Chinese constriction companies are using prisoners as labourers,&quot; he said.

Recently, several Chinese nationals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the ATM skimming frauds in Pakistan.

Earlier in January, Pakistan police had arrested the Chinese nationals in two separate raids in Defence Housing Authority and Bahadurabad after they were caught red-handed withdrawing cash from the ATMs with forged cards.

Several blank ATM cards and millions of cash were also seized during the raids.Another Chinese national was also arrested by the police in Bahadurabad for ATM skimming fraud. The ATM hacking through installed skimmers, devices that steal ATM card data has been reported in the country.

According to an estimate, there are nearly 400,000 Chinese people living in Pakistan, with a large number of professionals involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

MNA Yousuf asserted that prisoners were engaged in development work across the globe, however, they found it strange that prisoners had been brought from China to Pakistan

A Pakistani parliamentarian has revealed that Chinese prisoners are working on development projects of the over USD 60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the country. Member of the National Assembly Nawab Mohammad Yousuf Talpur of the Pakistan Peoples` Party (PPP) raised security concerns on this issue, and demanded better security arrangements."I have learnt that prisoners have been brought from Chinese jails and they are constructing roads. They can be involved in crimes, so, there should be proper security arrangements," the Dawn quoted Yousuf, as saying.When Yousuf contacted the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to share his concerns, the ministry indirectly rejected his contention. "I contacted a concerned official, who confirmed that prisoners had been working in Pakistan. My doubt was strengthened by an ambiguous response from the Ministry of Interior which rather than rejecting my claim just said it was not in the knowledge of the ministry," he said. However, Special Secretary (Interior) Rizwan Malik said Chinese workers were being given three-layer-level security."There is a separate security for Chinese nationals who have been working on CPEC projects. Separate arrangements have been made for those who have come for electricity projects." Malik said. MNA Yousuf asserted that prisoners were engaged in development work across the globe, however, they found it strange that prisoners had been brought from China to Pakistan. "I assume that a secret or unannounced agreement has been made between the two countries because prisoners cannot be sent from one country to another without taking the host nation into confidence. Chinese constriction companies are using prisoners as labourers," he said. Recently, several Chinese nationals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the ATM skimming frauds in Pakistan. Earlier in January, Pakistan police had arrested the Chinese nationals in two separate raids in Defence Housing Authority and Bahadurabad after they were caught red-handed withdrawing cash from the ATMs with forged cards. Several blank ATM cards and millions of cash were also seized during the raids.Another Chinese national was also arrested by the police in Bahadurabad for ATM skimming fraud. The ATM hacking through installed skimmers, devices that steal ATM card data has been reported in the country. According to an estimate, there are nearly 400,000 Chinese people living in Pakistan, with a large number of professionals involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Chinese prisoners working on CPEC in Pakistan

France&#39;s parliament has banned lawmakers from wearing any religious symbols under a new &quot;neutral&quot; dress code, an extension of the country&#39;s strict secular rules that is seen as going too far by some critics. 
 
Under the change approved late Wednesday, members of the National Assembly must avoid &quot;the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols, uniforms, logos or commercial messages or political slogans.&quot; 
 
The regulation was brought in following an outcry over an MP wearing a football shirt in the parliament, but the inclusion of religious symbols in the new rules quickly became a talking point and a focus of attention. 
 
Until now, lawmakers were instructed to simply &quot;respect the institution&quot;, which generally meant women wearing smart clothes and men sporting a suit and tie, though this latter requirement was relaxed last year. 
 
Some 20th-century lawmakers included priests in religious garb, such as Henri Groues, better known as Abbe Pierre, and several Christian faith leaders were critical of the new restrictions on Wednesday. 
 
The head of the Protestant Federation of France, Francois Clavairoly, said the change had been made &quot;in the spirit of obsessive radical secularism.&quot; 
 
The speaker of the parliament, Francois de Rugy, defended the changes, saying they were in line with a 2004 law that banned schoolchildren and teachers from wearing conspicuous religious symbols. 
 
That was seen by critics as penalising Muslims in particular by banning headscarves and veils, but Jewish kippas were also covered by the regulations. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re adopting a framework and limits... to avoid any sort of provocation,&quot; de Rugy said. 
 
Schoolchildren, teachers -- and now lawmakers -- are allowed to wear small Christian crosses around their necks, while Jews are permitted to wear a Star of David and Muslims can carry a Hamsa amulet. 
 
The laws and rules are intended to underline France&#39;s commitment to the principle of secularism -- the separation of church and state -- which was enshrined in a flagship 1905 law. 
 
Some politicians support extending the ban on religious symbols to universities and even to the workplace, while some see secularism as camouflage for an Islamophobic campaign against the veil. 
 
Lawmakers will be allowed to deviate from the new dress rules if they can justify their appearance as traditional clothing, however. 
 
Moetai Brotherson, an MP from the French Pacific island of Tahiti, will be authorised to continue wearing his lavalava, a traditional Polynesian skirt. 
 
Far-left MP and documentary maker Francois Ruffin sparked the dress code by wearing the green-and-black shirt of amateur football club Olympique Eaucourt in parliament last year during a debate about taxing soccer transfers.

Under the change approved late Wednesday, members of the National Assembly must avoid 'the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols, uniforms, logos or commercial messages or political slogans'

France's parliament has banned lawmakers from wearing any religious symbols under a new "neutral" dress code, an extension of the country's strict secular rules that is seen as going too far by some critics. Under the change approved late Wednesday, members of the National Assembly must avoid "the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols, uniforms, logos or commercial messages or political slogans." The regulation was brought in following an outcry over an MP wearing a football shirt in the parliament, but the inclusion of religious symbols in the new rules quickly became a talking point and a focus of attention. Until now, lawmakers were instructed to simply "respect the institution", which generally meant women wearing smart clothes and men sporting a suit and tie, though this latter requirement was relaxed last year. Some 20th-century lawmakers included priests in religious garb, such as Henri Groues, better known as Abbe Pierre, and several Christian faith leaders were critical of the new restrictions on Wednesday. The head of the Protestant Federation of France, Francois Clavairoly, said the change had been made "in the spirit of obsessive radical secularism." The speaker of the parliament, Francois de Rugy, defended the changes, saying they were in line with a 2004 law that banned schoolchildren and teachers from wearing conspicuous religious symbols. That was seen by critics as penalising Muslims in particular by banning headscarves and veils, but Jewish kippas were also covered by the regulations. "We're adopting a framework and limits... to avoid any sort of provocation," de Rugy said. Schoolchildren, teachers -- and now lawmakers -- are allowed to wear small Christian crosses around their necks, while Jews are permitted to wear a Star of David and Muslims can carry a Hamsa amulet. The laws and rules are intended to underline France's commitment to the principle of secularism -- the separation of church and state -- which was enshrined in a flagship 1905 law. Some politicians support extending the ban on religious symbols to universities and even to the workplace, while some see secularism as camouflage for an Islamophobic campaign against the veil. Lawmakers will be allowed to deviate from the new dress rules if they can justify their appearance as traditional clothing, however. Moetai Brotherson, an MP from the French Pacific island of Tahiti, will be authorised to continue wearing his lavalava, a traditional Polynesian skirt. Far-left MP and documentary maker Francois Ruffin sparked the dress code by wearing the green-and-black shirt of amateur football club Olympique Eaucourt in parliament last year during a debate about taxing soccer transfers.

France's Parliament bans lawmakers from wearing religious symbols

Seventeen Maoist ministers in Nepal resigned on Friday, saying it was time for the government to clear the way for a new one, reports said.

All Maoist ministers - 17 (10 cabinet and seven ministers of state) - were divested of their portfolios; they could enjoy some perks but would no longer have control over ministries and so would not be able to use them during elections. Nepali Congress and its allies would be the ones retaining control.

Almost three months after Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba stripped Maoist Centre ministers of their responsibilities protesting the party&#39;s electoral alliance with the Communist Party of&nbsp;Nepal-Unified Marxist&nbsp;Leninist&nbsp;(CPN-UML), the third largest party has decided to quit the government.

The resignation also came following the election of some ministers to provincial assemblies which led the Maoist party to quit the government in order to make preparations for joining a provincial government, media reports said.

According to reports, after the decision announced on Thursday, the party notified PM Deuba about recalling of the ministers without a portfolio on Friday.

&quot;Giriraj Mani Pokhrel, Minister without Portfolio (the then Health Minister) submitted the resignation letter from the Maoist Center during the cabinet meeting on Friday,&quot; Press advisor of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Govinda Pariyar said.

Maoist leaders Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Janardan Sharma, Tek Bahadur Basnet, Girirajmani Pokhrel, Pradbhu Sah, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, Shiva Kumar Mandal, Asha Khanal and Santa Kumar Tharu were amongst the 17 ministers.

All Maoist ministers were divested of their portfolios; they could enjoy some perks but would no longer have control over ministries and so would not be able to use them during elections

Seventeen Maoist ministers in Nepal resigned on Friday, saying it was time for the government to clear the way for a new one, reports said. All Maoist ministers - 17 (10 cabinet and seven ministers of state) - were divested of their portfolios; they could enjoy some perks but would no longer have control over ministries and so would not be able to use them during elections. Nepali Congress and its allies would be the ones retaining control. Almost three months after Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba stripped Maoist Centre ministers of their responsibilities protesting the party's electoral alliance with the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), the third largest party has decided to quit the government. The resignation also came following the election of some ministers to provincial assemblies which led the Maoist party to quit the government in order to make preparations for joining a provincial government, media reports said. According to reports, after the decision announced on Thursday, the party notified PM Deuba about recalling of the ministers without a portfolio on Friday. "Giriraj Mani Pokhrel, Minister without Portfolio (the then Health Minister) submitted the resignation letter from the Maoist Center during the cabinet meeting on Friday," Press advisor of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Govinda Pariyar said. Maoist leaders Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Janardan Sharma, Tek Bahadur Basnet, Girirajmani Pokhrel, Pradbhu Sah, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, Shiva Kumar Mandal, Asha Khanal and Santa Kumar Tharu were amongst the 17 ministers.

Nepal: 17 Maoist ministers decide to quit government

Venezuela&#39;s Supreme Court has returned powers to the country&#39;s legislature again amid massive protests over concerns of&nbsp;President Nicolas Maduro&#39;s increasing grip on political institutions.

The country&#39;s top court had on March 29 stripped legislative powers from the National Assembly, the sole institution that was not in control of the current government, which triggered a cascade of protests across the country and invited international censure.

The court had also undermined lawmakers&#39; powers by exposing them to potential prosecutions.

While opponents viewed the top court&#39;s ruling as a &quot;coup d&#39;etat&quot;, the most stinging of criticisms came from the country&#39;s attorney general on April 1.

Attorney general Luisa Ortega had dubbed the court ruling as a &quot;rupture of constitutional order&quot;.

Maduro had earlier hinted at the coming announcement in a televised address.

&quot;We have reached an important agreement to solve this controversy,&quot; he said.

However, opposition assembly speaker Julio Borges dismissed the court&#39;s gesture.

&quot;Nothing has changed. The coup d&#39;etat continues,&quot; he told reporters.

Even the international community had slammed Maduro&#39;s endeavour to widen his powers.

Thirteen members of the regional diplomacy body, including heavyweights Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, as well as the United States, had called for the Venezuelan court rulings to be declared &quot;incompatible with democracy and a violation of the constitutional order.&quot;

Power struggle&nbsp;

The opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) won a landslide in legislative elections in December 2015.

But the court has overturned every law passed by the current legislature.

Venezuela&nbsp;has the world&#39;s biggest oil reserves, but the collapse in energy prices has sapped its revenues, prompting shortages of food, medicine and basic goods along with a surge in violent crime.

Maduro is not up for re-election until October 2018. But he has been forced to fend off opposition efforts to call a vote on removing him from power.

Frustration in street 

Venezuela&nbsp;emerged from dictatorship after an uprising in 1958 and has seen three further attempted military coups since 1992.

Tension has grown since Maduro took over from his late predecessor Hugo Chavez in 2013. Both have been fierce critics of the United States.

In a speech to cheering supporters late Friday, Maduro insisted &quot;the constitution, civil, political and human rights, and people power are in full force.&quot;

But outside a supermarket in Caracas on Friday, Venezuelans queuing to buy food rations vented their frustration.

&quot;I don&#39;t support either side,&quot; said Yandry Diaz, 18, who works in a shoe shop.

&quot;What they want is to have us in the street, fighting and killing each other so that they can hold power.&quot;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The Supreme Court had stripped legislative powers from the National Assembly, the sole institution that was not in control of the government

Venezuela's Supreme Court has returned powers to the country's legislature again amid massive protests over concerns of President Nicolas Maduro's increasing grip on political institutions. The country's top court had on March 29 stripped legislative powers from the National Assembly, the sole institution that was not in control of the current government, which triggered a cascade of protests across the country and invited international censure. The court had also undermined lawmakers' powers by exposing them to potential prosecutions. While opponents viewed the top court's ruling as a "coup d'etat", the most stinging of criticisms came from the country's attorney general on April 1. Attorney general Luisa Ortega had dubbed the court ruling as a "rupture of constitutional order". Maduro had earlier hinted at the coming announcement in a televised address. "We have reached an important agreement to solve this controversy," he said. However, opposition assembly speaker Julio Borges dismissed the court's gesture. "Nothing has changed. The coup d'etat continues," he told reporters. Even the international community had slammed Maduro's endeavour to widen his powers. Thirteen members of the regional diplomacy body, including heavyweights Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, as well as the United States, had called for the Venezuelan court rulings to be declared "incompatible with democracy and a violation of the constitutional order." Power struggle The opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) won a landslide in legislative elections in December 2015. But the court has overturned every law passed by the current legislature. Venezuela has the world's biggest oil reserves, but the collapse in energy prices has sapped its revenues, prompting shortages of food, medicine and basic goods along with a surge in violent crime. Maduro is not up for re-election until October 2018. But he has been forced to fend off opposition efforts to call a vote on removing him from power. Frustration in street Venezuela emerged from dictatorship after an uprising in 1958 and has seen three further attempted military coups since 1992. Tension has grown since Maduro took over from his late predecessor Hugo Chavez in 2013. Both have been fierce critics of the United States. In a speech to cheering supporters late Friday, Maduro insisted "the constitution, civil, political and human rights, and people power are in full force." But outside a supermarket in Caracas on Friday, Venezuelans queuing to buy food rations vented their frustration. "I don't support either side," said Yandry Diaz, 18, who works in a shoe shop. "What they want is to have us in the street, fighting and killing each other so that they can hold power." (WION with inputs from AFP)

Venezuela top court retreats President Maduro's power extension bid

Venezuela&#39;s President Nicolas Maduro approved the government&#39;s 2017 budget by decree on Friday&nbsp;breaking a constitutional obligation.

In a move that could further deepen the country&#39;s economic crisis, Maduro issued the budget bypassing the opposition-led National Assembly.

&quot;Here is the 2017 budget and debt law. May it be fulfilled. I ask for the support of the people, the military and the street,&quot; Maduro said at a signing ceremony in Caracas attended by hundreds of supporters, AFP reported.

The Venezuelan constitution requires&nbsp;the budget to be submitted to the opposition and approved. However, the Supreme Court ruled in Maduro&#39;s favour, bypassing the obligation.

The National Assembly, which condemned the decision, is barred by the decree from tweaking or objecting to the budget.

Venezuela&#39;s 2017 budget sees oil prices averaging $30 dollars per barrel next year, which Maduro called a conservative estimate. It allocates 73.6 per cent of spending to social programs and comes with a law to limit new government debt, AFP reported.

Economists warned the new budget would only generate more international mistrust of Venezuela.&nbsp;

&quot;This budget has no legal validity, and expenses, commitments and contracts made under it could be disregarded,&quot; said constitutional law expert Jose Ignacio Hernandez.

The opposition is trying to call a referendum on removing Maduro&#39;s from office as the country faces severe economic crisis and food shortages. Seven in 10 Venezuelans want a change in government, according to a recent opinion poll, reported Reuters.

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Supreme Court ruled that the leftist leader did not have to submit the budget to the opposition led-National Assembly for approval

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro approved the government's 2017 budget by decree on Friday breaking a constitutional obligation. In a move that could further deepen the country's economic crisis, Maduro issued the budget bypassing the opposition-led National Assembly. "Here is the 2017 budget and debt law. May it be fulfilled. I ask for the support of the people, the military and the street," Maduro said at a signing ceremony in Caracas attended by hundreds of supporters, AFP reported. The Venezuelan constitution requires the budget to be submitted to the opposition and approved. However, the Supreme Court ruled in Maduro's favour, bypassing the obligation. The National Assembly, which condemned the decision, is barred by the decree from tweaking or objecting to the budget. Venezuela's 2017 budget sees oil prices averaging $30 dollars per barrel next year, which Maduro called a conservative estimate. It allocates 73.6 per cent of spending to social programs and comes with a law to limit new government debt, AFP reported. Economists warned the new budget would only generate more international mistrust of Venezuela. "This budget has no legal validity, and expenses, commitments and contracts made under it could be disregarded," said constitutional law expert Jose Ignacio Hernandez. The opposition is trying to call a referendum on removing Maduro's from office as the country faces severe economic crisis and food shortages. Seven in 10 Venezuelans want a change in government, according to a recent opinion poll, reported Reuters. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Venezuela's Maduro decrees 2017 budget bypassing constitutional obligation