First Vice President of Afghanistan, Amrullah Saleh has said that the Taliban are guided by special units of the Pakistani army. Saleh wrote on his Facebook page that from the organisational point of view, the Taliban are divided into three sections, the first of which is guided by Pakistan's special anti-terrorist cells.

Taliban are guided by Pakistan says Afghanistan's first Vice President Amrullah Saleh

A bus transporting Chinese engineers was targeted in a bomb blast&nbsp;in Upper Kohistan, killing at least 13 people and injuring over 39 others,&nbsp;local sources told WION.

It was unclear whether the explosion was caused by a roadside device or anything planted inside the bus at the time.&nbsp;

Seven Chinese nationals, two paramilitary troops, and four&nbsp;locals were killed, according to the sources.&nbsp;

<img alt="Pak" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5b29d9fe-e1ab-4e5b-81e0-67f8024732d4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_188.jpg" />

Soldiers move from an army helicopter an injured Chinese national after a bus fell into a ravine following a blast killing 13 people, at a military hospital in Gilgit, on July 14, 2021/AFP

"The bus plunged into a deep ravine after the blast and caused heavy losses. One Chinese engineer and one soldier are missing. The rescue operation is launched and the entire government machinery has been mobilised to rescue the injured by air ambulance," a senior government official said on condition of anonymity. 
 
The bus was transporting more than 30 Chinese engineers to the Dasu dam site in Upper Kohistan.&nbsp;

China has asked Pakistan to thoroughly investigate a bus blast .

The Chinese foreign ministry condemned the blast, expressed condolences, and asked Pakistan to protect the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects.

The dead and injured, including the Chinese engineers, were brought to the Regional Health Centre in Dasu, about 10 km (6 miles) from the site of the blast.

The Dasu hydroelectric project is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion investment plan aiming at connecting western China to the Gwadar seaport in southern Pakistan as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.

For several years, Chinese engineers and Pakistani construction workers have been working in the location where the explosion occurred on the Dasu hydroelectric project.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

A bus transporting Chinese engineers was targeted in a bomb blast in Upper Kohistan, killing at least 13 people and injuring over 39 others, local sources told WION.

A bus transporting Chinese engineers was targeted in a bomb blast in Upper Kohistan, killing at least 13 people and injuring over 39 others, local sources told WION. It was unclear whether the explosion was caused by a roadside device or anything planted inside the bus at the time. Seven Chinese nationals, two paramilitary troops, and four locals were killed, according to the sources. Soldiers move from an army helicopter an injured Chinese national after a bus fell into a ravine following a blast killing 13 people, at a military hospital in Gilgit, on July 14, 2021/AFP "The bus plunged into a deep ravine after the blast and caused heavy losses. One Chinese engineer and one soldier are missing. The rescue operation is launched and the entire government machinery has been mobilised to rescue the injured by air ambulance," a senior government official said on condition of anonymity. The bus was transporting more than 30 Chinese engineers to the Dasu dam site in Upper Kohistan. China has asked Pakistan to thoroughly investigate a bus blast . The Chinese foreign ministry condemned the blast, expressed condolences, and asked Pakistan to protect the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects. The dead and injured, including the Chinese engineers, were brought to the Regional Health Centre in Dasu, about 10 km (6 miles) from the site of the blast. The Dasu hydroelectric project is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion investment plan aiming at connecting western China to the Gwadar seaport in southern Pakistan as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative. For several years, Chinese engineers and Pakistani construction workers have been working in the location where the explosion occurred on the Dasu hydroelectric project. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan: 13 killed, including 7 Chinese nationals, as blast targets Dasu Dam workers

Pakistan suffered a 3-0 whitewash against England after losing third and final against Stokes and Co. at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Several former Pakistan cricketers were disappointed that a full-strength Men in Green could not beat an English team that was assembled just a couple of days before their first team was isolated due to a coronavirus outbreak.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-record-breaking-azams-odi-best-cant-stop-england-sweep-of-pakistan-397983" hreflang="en">Cricket: Record-breaking Azam's ODI best can't stop England sweep of Pakistan</a>

Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his disappointment with the performance of Babar Azam and Co. and called it "shameful". He went on to criticise the Pakistan Cricket Board and called it "average".&nbsp;

“It's a shameful performance. Our board is average. It brings average people, the management is average so obviously, they are going to build an average team. You can’t expect extraordinary things from average people. It’s wrong for you to expect.

“Crowd are coming to the ground but after watching such performances, the fan following will never grow. There is no star to inspire the youngsters. Then how can you bring the next Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi or Wasim Akram? You have to build brand,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

After a disappointing show in the first two ODIs, Pakistan put up a strong batting show in the third One Day, with skipper Babar Azam scoring his career-best 158, which is also the most by any Pakistan player against England and posted a string 331 at the loss of 9 wickets.&nbsp;

However, they miserably failed to defend the total and England, with the help of James Vince's maiden ton, easily chased the target within 48 overs with three wickets remaining.&nbsp;

“Why this England team is doing so much better than us? Our mindset after we lose a couple of wickets is to bat steadily, build partnerships and then only try and attack in the last 10 overs. This is 70s cricket. We are stuck in the 70s. England say even if we are bowled out in 40 overs we will make sure we get 300. Every England batsman that walked in, kept the scoreboard moving and it was not mindless slogging. It was methodical hitting, there was rotation of strike. But we are playing 70s cricket because our mindset is like that, we don’t want to improve,” Akhtar said.

“Pakistan cricket is in a serious situation. They are in treacherous waters. It’s a very hopeless situation for PCB and Pakistan. I don’t know what the authorities are thinking but it’s a very hopeless situation. I’m not saying because I need a job but I’m saying this because I’m hurt. I played this game for my country. I ran in and I made sure people get value for their money. And they did that. Unfortunately, I’m not getting value for money from this team. This is not defendable, this is unexpected. This must be looked into,” he said.

Babar Azam and Co. will now take on England in a three-match T20I series starting from July 16.

Pakistan suffered a 3-0 whitewash against England after losing third and final against Stokes and Co. at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Several former Pakistan cricketers were disappointed that a full-strength Men in Green could not beat an English team that was assembled just a couple of days before their first team was isolated due to a coronavirus outbreak.

Pakistan suffered a 3-0 whitewash against England after losing third and final against Stokes and Co. at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Several former Pakistan cricketers were disappointed that a full-strength Men in Green could not beat an English team that was assembled just a couple of days before their first team was isolated due to a coronavirus outbreak. ALSO READ: Cricket: Record-breaking Azam's ODI best can't stop England sweep of Pakistan Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his disappointment with the performance of Babar Azam and Co. and called it "shameful". He went on to criticise the Pakistan Cricket Board and called it "average". “It's a shameful performance. Our board is average. It brings average people, the management is average so obviously, they are going to build an average team. You can’t expect extraordinary things from average people. It’s wrong for you to expect. “Crowd are coming to the ground but after watching such performances, the fan following will never grow. There is no star to inspire the youngsters. Then how can you bring the next Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi or Wasim Akram? You have to build brand,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel. After a disappointing show in the first two ODIs, Pakistan put up a strong batting show in the third One Day, with skipper Babar Azam scoring his career-best 158, which is also the most by any Pakistan player against England and posted a string 331 at the loss of 9 wickets. However, they miserably failed to defend the total and England, with the help of James Vince's maiden ton, easily chased the target within 48 overs with three wickets remaining. “Why this England team is doing so much better than us? Our mindset after we lose a couple of wickets is to bat steadily, build partnerships and then only try and attack in the last 10 overs. This is 70s cricket. We are stuck in the 70s. England say even if we are bowled out in 40 overs we will make sure we get 300. Every England batsman that walked in, kept the scoreboard moving and it was not mindless slogging. It was methodical hitting, there was rotation of strike. But we are playing 70s cricket because our mindset is like that, we don’t want to improve,” Akhtar said. “Pakistan cricket is in a serious situation. They are in treacherous waters. It’s a very hopeless situation for PCB and Pakistan. I don’t know what the authorities are thinking but it’s a very hopeless situation. I’m not saying because I need a job but I’m saying this because I’m hurt. I played this game for my country. I ran in and I made sure people get value for their money. And they did that. Unfortunately, I’m not getting value for money from this team. This is not defendable, this is unexpected. This must be looked into,” he said. Babar Azam and Co. will now take on England in a three-match T20I series starting from July 16.

Cricket- 'It's a shameful performance': Shoaib Akhtar criticises Babar Azam and Co. after England whitewash

The foreign ministers of India, Pakistan & China will come face-to-face at an SCO meeting in Tajikistan. The meeting comes ahead of a revelation by Afghan VP that Pakistan is helping Taliban forces.

Gravitas: India, Pak & China to come face-to-face at SCO

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's trip to the United States has kicked off a political storm in Pakistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan's close aids accused Bilawal of trying to strike a deal with Washington.

Pakistan: PPP, PTI spar over Bilawal's 'private' visit to US

Pakistan is looking to buy armed drones from Turkey. The same drones that helped Azerbaijan defeat Armenia in November 2020. The two nations will also work on defence projects & collaborate militarily in Afghanistan.

Gravitas: Pakistan & Turkey deepen defence ties

Pakistani citizens are protesting against frequent power-cuts, some of which last 16 hours. The govt is blaming 'trips' at grid stations & lack of water in dams. WION's Palki tells you how Islamabad is keeping Pakistanis in the dark in more ways than one.

Gravitas: What's keeping Pakistan in the dark?

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammed Amir had sparked a massive controversy after announcing his retirement from the national team after a fall-out with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis.&nbsp;

Amir has been criticised by several former Pakistan cricketers for his decision to retire from the national side. However, Waqar Younis has talked about how the star pacer can make his international return as certain reports have emerged that Amir met with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan ahead of the T20 World Cup.&nbsp;

“No doubt he’s a fine cricketer, but if he doesn’t want to take his retirement back and impress selectors by playing cricket, it will be hard,” Younis told reporters via videoconference from England on Monday.

“It’s Pakistan cricket, it’s not yours or my cricket (team), you have to do the right things to play for your country. This is not a franchise cricket and one got to remember that.”

Younis Khan added that he was not aware of any meeting between Amir and Wasim.&nbsp;

“To be honest I didn’t know about this (meeting),” he said. “He (Khan) is head of the cricket and he has every right to meet whosoever he wants to see; he went there in his personal capacity and we didn’t know about it.”

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammed Amir had sparked a massive controversy after announcing his retirement from the national team after a fall-out with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis.

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammed Amir had sparked a massive controversy after announcing his retirement from the national team after a fall-out with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis. Amir has been criticised by several former Pakistan cricketers for his decision to retire from the national side. However, Waqar Younis has talked about how the star pacer can make his international return as certain reports have emerged that Amir met with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Wasim Khan ahead of the T20 World Cup. “No doubt he’s a fine cricketer, but if he doesn’t want to take his retirement back and impress selectors by playing cricket, it will be hard,” Younis told reporters via videoconference from England on Monday. “It’s Pakistan cricket, it’s not yours or my cricket (team), you have to do the right things to play for your country. This is not a franchise cricket and one got to remember that.” Younis Khan added that he was not aware of any meeting between Amir and Wasim. “To be honest I didn’t know about this (meeting),” he said. “He (Khan) is head of the cricket and he has every right to meet whosoever he wants to see; he went there in his personal capacity and we didn’t know about it.”

'No doubt he’s a fine cricketer': Waqar Younis on Mohammed Amir

The Indian mission is located within the fortified diplomatic enclave in Islamabad, across a key road that runs in front of Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

Pak Drone Threat: India raises security concerns with Pakistan

TikTok was running again in Pakistan Saturday after a provincial court lifted suspension of the popular social media service but ordered it to address complaints that it hosted objectionable content.

The Pakistan Telecoms Authority (PTA) blocked access Thursday for a third time after a ruling by a Sindh court hearing a private citizen's petition against the Chinese-owned app.

Freedom of speech advocates have long criticised creeping government censorship and control of Pakistan's internet and media.

TikTok's suspension was slammed by the video sharing platform's huge fan base in Pakistan, many of whom use it to market and sell goods online.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-drops-sanctions-on-three-iranians-says-move-unrelated-to-nuclear-talks-395452">Also Read |&nbsp;US drops sanctions on three Iranians, says move unrelated to nuclear talks</a>

But its critics in the deeply conservative Muslim nation say it promotes vulgarity and LBGQT content.

TikTok has been shut down twice before in Pakistan because of alleged "indecent" videos -- most recently in March, after which the platform pledged better moderation.

It said Wednesday it had removed more than six million videos from its Pakistan service in the past three months alone -- around 15 percent featuring "adult nudity and sexual activities".

A PTA official told AFP the court had Friday revoked its earlier order banning the app, and users confirmed it was running again.

Still, even senior Pakistan officials appeared confused by the to- and fro-ing.

"I am baffled after reading... verdict on suspension of TikTok," Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.

TikTok was running again in Pakistan Saturday after a provincial court lifted suspension of the popular social media service but ordered it to address complaints that it hosted objectionable content.

TikTok was running again in Pakistan Saturday after a provincial court lifted suspension of the popular social media service but ordered it to address complaints that it hosted objectionable content. The Pakistan Telecoms Authority (PTA) blocked access Thursday for a third time after a ruling by a Sindh court hearing a private citizen's petition against the Chinese-owned app. Freedom of speech advocates have long criticised creeping government censorship and control of Pakistan's internet and media. TikTok's suspension was slammed by the video sharing platform's huge fan base in Pakistan, many of whom use it to market and sell goods online. Also Read | US drops sanctions on three Iranians, says move unrelated to nuclear talks But its critics in the deeply conservative Muslim nation say it promotes vulgarity and LBGQT content. TikTok has been shut down twice before in Pakistan because of alleged "indecent" videos -- most recently in March, after which the platform pledged better moderation. It said Wednesday it had removed more than six million videos from its Pakistan service in the past three months alone -- around 15 percent featuring "adult nudity and sexual activities". A PTA official told AFP the court had Friday revoked its earlier order banning the app, and users confirmed it was running again. Still, even senior Pakistan officials appeared confused by the to- and fro-ing. "I am baffled after reading... verdict on suspension of TikTok," Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.

TikTok back in Pakistan after court revokes ban

Pakistan has rejected its inclusion in the US' Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA) list and has Washington to review the 'baseless assertions' made against Islamabad.

Pakistan urges US to review 'baseless inclusion' in child soldier recruiter list

On Sunday, 2 drones attacked an #IAF base. On Wednesday, 3 more were seen along the Pak border. Now, a drone has been spotted over India's High Commission in Islamabad. What is Pakistan upto?

Gravitas: A security scare at India's High Commission in Islamabad

After years of claiming to be unaware about the situation in Xinjiang, Imran Khan now says that he believes the Chinese version of the story. Does he have any moral authority left to accuse India & France of Islamophobia?

Gravitas: Imran Khan's biggest denial on Xinjiang

Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan accepts the “Chinese version” of the treatment of Uighurs in China’s Xinjiang province. Khan added Chinese version on the Uighur issue was completely different from what was being reported in Western media.

Imran Khan: Pak accepts “Chinese version” of treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang

A verbal spat unfolded in Pak parliament as Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accused Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi of being a political turncoat. The two leaders then brought the house down with tongue-in-cheek barbs, exposing the sham of democracy in Pak.

Gravitas: Bhutto VS Qureshi: A battle of wits

'We are being forced to choose between U.S. & China' says Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan. Can Islamabad even afford to pick a side? WION's Palki tells you how Pakistan is feeding off both countries.

Gravitas: China or US: Pakistan's latest dilemma

A pilot turned veterinarian is on a mission in Pakistan to save and feed stray dogs. He has dedicated his to life to animal welfare. Watch his story.

Dr. Ghani Ikram dedicated his life to animal welfare

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that his country is under pressure from western powers over its close ties with China. Watch this report to know more.

Prime Minister Imran Khan says Pakistan under pressure from West

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that his country was under pressure from the United States and Western powers over its close ties with China as he vowed to never buckle under that pressure.

Pakistan and China enjoy a "very special relationship" spanning over 70 years and nothing could change these time-tested ties,

Khan said in an interview with English-language state-broadcaster China Global Television Network (CGTN), an excerpt of which was shared on his Instagram account.

Talking about the evolving regional rivalry between the US and China, Khan said that "Pakistan thinks it is very unfair for the US or other powers – western power" to pressurise "countries like us to take sides" in a conflict with China.

"Why should we take sides? We should have good relations with everyone. It is not going to happen if pressure is put on

Pakistan to change its relationship or downgrade its relationship with China, it wouldn’t happen," Khan said.

Emphasising the deep relationship with China, Khan said that Pakistan would never bend under any kind of pressure.

"Whatever will happen, our relationship between the two countries - no matter what pressure is put on us - is not going to change," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-year-of-hong-kong-security-law-crackdown-on-people-and-the-press-394849">Also Read |&nbsp;A year of Hong Kong security law: Crackdown on people and the press</a>

He said that there was a "strange, great rivalry" taking place in the region which was public knowledge.

"You see the United States being wary of China. The way United States and China are looking at each other creates problems because what the United States is doing is it's formed this regional alliance called the Quad, which is US, India and a couple of other countries," Khan said.

The Quad or Quadrilateral alliance consisting of the US, India, Japan and Australia has been resolving to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.

Responding to a question about how to further deepen Sino-Pakistan ties, Khan said that the two sides enjoyed strong political ties but the relationship was not only limited to official relations but it was also "people to people relationship".

He said trade was important to increase ties in future and termed the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the "biggest thing happening in Pakistan".

The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of

China's ambitious multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Highlighting the 70 years of diplomatic ties, Khan said China always stood with Pakistan, which "always had a very special relationship with China".

He said that China "always stood with us" whenever Pakistan was in trouble politically or internationally or in a conflict with its neighbour.

"In good times, everyone stands with you but in your difficult, tough times, bad times, you remember those people who stood by you. That's why you will find that in Pakistan, people always have a special fondness for people in China," he said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that his country was under pressure from the United States and Western powers over its close ties with China as he vowed to never buckle under that pressure.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that his country was under pressure from the United States and Western powers over its close ties with China as he vowed to never buckle under that pressure. Pakistan and China enjoy a "very special relationship" spanning over 70 years and nothing could change these time-tested ties, Khan said in an interview with English-language state-broadcaster China Global Television Network (CGTN), an excerpt of which was shared on his Instagram account. Talking about the evolving regional rivalry between the US and China, Khan said that "Pakistan thinks it is very unfair for the US or other powers – western power" to pressurise "countries like us to take sides" in a conflict with China. "Why should we take sides? We should have good relations with everyone. It is not going to happen if pressure is put on Pakistan to change its relationship or downgrade its relationship with China, it wouldn’t happen," Khan said. Emphasising the deep relationship with China, Khan said that Pakistan would never bend under any kind of pressure. "Whatever will happen, our relationship between the two countries - no matter what pressure is put on us - is not going to change," he said. Also Read | A year of Hong Kong security law: Crackdown on people and the press He said that there was a "strange, great rivalry" taking place in the region which was public knowledge. "You see the United States being wary of China. The way United States and China are looking at each other creates problems because what the United States is doing is it's formed this regional alliance called the Quad, which is US, India and a couple of other countries," Khan said. The Quad or Quadrilateral alliance consisting of the US, India, Japan and Australia has been resolving to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the region. Responding to a question about how to further deepen Sino-Pakistan ties, Khan said that the two sides enjoyed strong political ties but the relationship was not only limited to official relations but it was also "people to people relationship". He said trade was important to increase ties in future and termed the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the "biggest thing happening in Pakistan". The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of China's ambitious multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Highlighting the 70 years of diplomatic ties, Khan said China always stood with Pakistan, which "always had a very special relationship with China". He said that China "always stood with us" whenever Pakistan was in trouble politically or internationally or in a conflict with its neighbour. "In good times, everyone stands with you but in your difficult, tough times, bad times, you remember those people who stood by you. That's why you will find that in Pakistan, people always have a special fondness for people in China," he said.

'It wouldn't happen': Pakistan will resist pressure from US, western powers over its ties with China, says Imran Khan

Pakistan has banned TikTok for the third time in 9 months. The authorities say the app is spreading 'immorality' & 'vulgarity'. But, the real motive behind Pakistan's decision may be different. Watch this report by Palki Sharma to find out.

Gravitas: Pakistan bans TikTok for 3rd time in 9 months

Days after a major explosion took place near terrorist Hafiz Saeed's residence in Lahore, a Pakistani journalist has revealed that Saeed was indeed at home when the bomb went off and was the target of the attack.

Pak journalist reveals Hafiz Saeed was inside when bomb went off near his home last week

An official from Afghanistan told WION that Pakistan nationals were arrested by security forces. A report also noted increase in Taliban funding on Pakistan soil.

Afghanistan blames Pakistan for growing unrest

A report claims that India told the Taliban to not support "militant elements who are anti-India" in Afghanistan. What was the Taliban's response? What did the Taliban say about Pakistan? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Taliban confirms meeting with Indian delegation

Giving a boost to the already-existing patriarchal society in Pakistan, the country’s Prime Minister, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/imran-khan">Imran Khan</a>, found himself in trouble after he casually passed statements <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/men-are-not-robots-ladies-wearing-small-cloths-impact-them-imran-khans-defence-of-sexual-violence-392954">justifying rape culture</a> in the South Asian country.

"If a woman is wearing very few clothes it will have an impact on the man unless they are robots. It's common sense,"&nbsp;Imran Khan said when he was asked about the rising cases of sexual violence in Pakistan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-remains-on-fatfs-grey-list-393939" hreflang="en">Pakistan remains on FATF's grey list</a>

His statement landed him in trouble as several women’s rights groups voices their concern against this careless statement by the PM and demanded a public apology from Khan.

"Makes my heart shudder to think how many rapists feel validated today with the Prime Minister backing their crime," tweeted Kanwal Ahmed, a campaigner for women's rights, after the comments aired.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-for-the-pakistan-government-osama-bin-laden-was-a-martyr-393027">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-for-the-pakistan-government-osama-bin-laden-was-a-martyr-393027/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Women, across the country, took to the streets to protest against Imran Khan’s remarks and demand an apology, which has not been issued yet.

However, his media team quickly judged to the Prime Minister’s rescue and claimed the statement has been misinterpreted from the Urdu language, which is Pakistan’s national language.

(With inputs from agencies)

Giving a boost to the already-existing patriarchal society in Pakistan, the country’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, found himself in trouble after he casually passed statements justifying rape culture in the South Asian country.

Giving a boost to the already-existing patriarchal society in Pakistan, the country’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, found himself in trouble after he casually passed statements justifying rape culture in the South Asian country. "If a woman is wearing very few clothes it will have an impact on the man unless they are robots. It's common sense," Imran Khan said when he was asked about the rising cases of sexual violence in Pakistan. Also read | Pakistan remains on FATF's grey list His statement landed him in trouble as several women’s rights groups voices their concern against this careless statement by the PM and demanded a public apology from Khan. "Makes my heart shudder to think how many rapists feel validated today with the Prime Minister backing their crime," tweeted Kanwal Ahmed, a campaigner for women's rights, after the comments aired. WATCH | Women, across the country, took to the streets to protest against Imran Khan’s remarks and demand an apology, which has not been issued yet. However, his media team quickly judged to the Prime Minister’s rescue and claimed the statement has been misinterpreted from the Urdu language, which is Pakistan’s national language. (With inputs from agencies)

Women's rights group demand public apology from Imran Khan over rape comment

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval proposes an action plan against terrror groups operating in Pakistan like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). He also backed an MoU between SCO and FATF to eliminate save havens for terrorists in order to curb cross-border terrorism.

NSA Doval proposes action plan against Pakistan-based terror groups

The foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan had fulfilled all the 27 conditions of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), therefore there was no justification for the global financial watchdog to keep the country in its grey list.

Will Pakistan stay in FATF's grey list?

A 'car bomb' exploded outside the Lahore residence of Hafiz Saeed. Pakistan says a 'hostile' intel agency was behind the blast by the timing of the incident tells a different story. Palki Sharma tells you how.

Gravitas: 'Car Bomb' explodes outside Hafiz Saeed's residence

Ever since their birth as two separate countries in 1947, India and Pakistan have been psychologically obsessed with their assorted mutual conflicts. They have fought four conventional wars, and regularly display their nuclear capability to outpace and undermine each other. From the outside, it resembles nothing so much as a family feud – and psychologically speaking, it’s a very apt analogy.

Across the subcontinent, family and lineage are the most influential institutions in people’s lives, and people tend to transpose the psychological moral structure of their kinship relations into every other institution in the outside world. Respecting your seniors and expecting care and nurture is the norm, and it holds sway in various forms across every sphere of life.

As one famous South Indian proverb puts it, after living together for six months, “they” become “we” and “we” become “they”; neighbours should be treated like family members. It is the violation of this norm that underpins the modern India-Pakistan (or Hindu-Muslim) rivalry.

By the time of partition, the two sides had lived together in one society for more than a millennium. South Asian Hindus and Muslims shared not just a cultural gene pool and biological ties, but common kinship institutions: the extended family group joined by marriage, which is called Khandan in Pakistan and Pariwar in India, or the lineage group with common descendants, known as Biradari in Pakistan and Jati in India.

The rupture between the two can be traced to what happened within India’s predominantly Hindu Congress party, which represented both communities against the British Raj in the years before the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. As partition neared, the reservations of Muslims were not properly considered, and their demands were thus not met. The Muslim minority was excluded from most decisions, which created in them a fear of “not mattering at all”. The Muslims, suddenly the “junior” family members, felt neglected – and as younger siblings oftentimes do, they became extra-competitive.&nbsp;

Them and us

Viewed this way, the India-Pakistan conflict owes more to historical and psychological “nearness” than to mere competition for resources or territory. And that much is clear in the language they use to talk about each other.

In many parts of India and Pakistan, especially in both Punjabs, the word used for the 1947 Partition of India is “batwara”, which literally means “the distribution of ancestral land” between brothers or patrilineal cousins. The word comes with resonances that the English word “partition” simply doesn’t carry: harmonious family, painful division, cousin rivalry, love-hate competition.&nbsp;

These are the psychological dynamics that play out in the dispute over Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir as if it were their ancestral property, and people on both sides feel a deep emotional attachment to it. In the subcontinent, to give up a claim to one’s ancestral property brings “dishonour” to one’s family and group, and is considered a weakness.

For Pakistanis, the rivalry against Indians is driven by a deep sense of being “wronged” at the time of partition, the corollary being a “desire” to compete with and trump Indians at any cost. It’s this bitterly competitive urge that drives Pakistan’s leaders, army officers and populace to defy India’s obvious demographic, economic and military supremacy, and to do so with such intensity.

As William Blake said, “it is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend”. Whoever we are, it seems we can all feel a special kind of enmity for the enemies we most resemble – whether a sibling or a neighbour, we simply cannot accept “them” as “us” despite our obvious similarities. 
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(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Neighbours should be treated like family members. It is the violation of this norm that underpins the modern India-Pakistan rivalry.

Ever since their birth as two separate countries in 1947, India and Pakistan have been psychologically obsessed with their assorted mutual conflicts. They have fought four conventional wars, and regularly display their nuclear capability to outpace and undermine each other. From the outside, it resembles nothing so much as a family feud – and psychologically speaking, it’s a very apt analogy. Across the subcontinent, family and lineage are the most influential institutions in people’s lives, and people tend to transpose the psychological moral structure of their kinship relations into every other institution in the outside world. Respecting your seniors and expecting care and nurture is the norm, and it holds sway in various forms across every sphere of life. As one famous South Indian proverb puts it, after living together for six months, “they” become “we” and “we” become “they”; neighbours should be treated like family members. It is the violation of this norm that underpins the modern India-Pakistan (or Hindu-Muslim) rivalry. By the time of partition, the two sides had lived together in one society for more than a millennium. South Asian Hindus and Muslims shared not just a cultural gene pool and biological ties, but common kinship institutions: the extended family group joined by marriage, which is called Khandan in Pakistan and Pariwar in India, or the lineage group with common descendants, known as Biradari in Pakistan and Jati in India. The rupture between the two can be traced to what happened within India’s predominantly Hindu Congress party, which represented both communities against the British Raj in the years before the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. As partition neared, the reservations of Muslims were not properly considered, and their demands were thus not met. The Muslim minority was excluded from most decisions, which created in them a fear of “not mattering at all”. The Muslims, suddenly the “junior” family members, felt neglected – and as younger siblings oftentimes do, they became extra-competitive. Them and us Viewed this way, the India-Pakistan conflict owes more to historical and psychological “nearness” than to mere competition for resources or territory. And that much is clear in the language they use to talk about each other. In many parts of India and Pakistan, especially in both Punjabs, the word used for the 1947 Partition of India is “batwara”, which literally means “the distribution of ancestral land” between brothers or patrilineal cousins. The word comes with resonances that the English word “partition” simply doesn’t carry: harmonious family, painful division, cousin rivalry, love-hate competition. These are the psychological dynamics that play out in the dispute over Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir as if it were their ancestral property, and people on both sides feel a deep emotional attachment to it. In the subcontinent, to give up a claim to one’s ancestral property brings “dishonour” to one’s family and group, and is considered a weakness. For Pakistanis, the rivalry against Indians is driven by a deep sense of being “wronged” at the time of partition, the corollary being a “desire” to compete with and trump Indians at any cost. It’s this bitterly competitive urge that drives Pakistan’s leaders, army officers and populace to defy India’s obvious demographic, economic and military supremacy, and to do so with such intensity. As William Blake said, “it is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend”. Whoever we are, it seems we can all feel a special kind of enmity for the enemies we most resemble – whether a sibling or a neighbour, we simply cannot accept “them” as “us” despite our obvious similarities. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Indo-Pak war is psychological, not territorial

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that there is no longer any justification to keep Pakistan on the grey list as the country had fulfilled 26 out of 27 action items of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

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